Hello Reader, Did you know that there are no 'secrets' to learning English faster? But if you focus on increasing the frequency of your practice, and think differently about what those practice sessions look like, you can go a LONG way towards making more progress than you can imagine! The challenge? Most people are stuck thinking 'English practice' only happens in classrooms and with a teacher or course book to work with. Nope. The best and most powerful practice is actually happening all...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Your walk home from work, or around your neighbourhood can easily turn into a fun CELPIP speaking task practice session if you're alert to what's going on around you. How about this? The other day as I was walking I noticed this cool little yard ornament: What could you do with this shot to help you practice? I immediately thought of speaking task 8, where you need to describe a picture with an unusual item or situation happening in it. Give yourself 30 seconds to brainstorm...
10 days ago • 1 min read
Happy Saturday friend! Have you ever stopped to check if the path you're following each day is actually taking you where you want to go? I'm not trying to get deep or woo woo on you. But this past week, it's something I've been thinking carefully about for myself and the path my feet are walking on. By path, I mean the things we do each day. Or the things we don't do. Much of the time those things are repeated over and over again. The work we go to, and the tasks we engage in during our work...
13 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Remember this: progress happens one small step at a time. This is true about most things that matter in life - including your CELPIP prep! I have two recent podcasts for you: 🎧 Is AI Really Helping You Prepare for the CELPIP? 🎧Where is your strength coming from? A little more info... 🎧 Is AI Really Helping You Prepare for the CELPIP? One of my favourite takeaways: AI should supplement your practice time, but never be used INSTEAD of actually talking and interacting with people...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, This week I read a post on LinkedIn that got me thinking about AI, and this week's podcast is based on what I've been thinking about. We hear things like, "AI is coming for this or that position" which means it's going to replace someone's job. Maybe you've heard stuff like that too? And I sometimes find myself wondering the same about the work I do. Could I get replaced? Sesame Street No GIF by Muppet Wiki Here's the thing: AI IS having a deep impact in our world. It IS taking...
17 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, One of the top mistakes CELPIP test takers make with speaking task 3 is trying to talk about everything in the image. This is a trap! Do this instead. Animated GIF Where are my die hard Star Wars fans? From the GIF above, if you know who this character is and what movie he's from - hit reply and let me know. I will set up a free 30 minute CELPIP strategy call with the first person to get both answers right. Back to the speaking task 3 trap... If you try talking about EVERYTHING...
20 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, I've been thinking (and praying!) about doing this episode for well over a year now - it dropped this week - Wednesday morning, and I can't wait to get it to you: 👉 Where is your strength coming from? What is it? I've been thinking about doing something like this for a year or more, but kept hesitating because of fear, because of not wanting to come across in the wrong way, or somehow push you away. But what I couldn't stop thinking about? The deeply challenging experiences of...
22 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, The tip? Get to the point. Quickly. and you will notice your speaking and writing scores begin to improve. How's that for getting to the point? Want a podcast episode on the topic? Try this: How to increase your CELPIP speaking scores. Getting to the point matters far more than you may realize for both speaking and writing. When you take too long to make your point, you say goodbye to precious seconds that you plain and simple don't get a lot of! And you need to use as much of your...
24 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Freezing in mid sentence because you forget how to say what you want to say in English is one of THE WORST feelings, isn't it? I know exactly what that feels like. It happens to me. In English. (Promise!) It's especially happens to me with my Spanish - that's my second language. It SUCKS! But here's the thing: it. happens. to. everyone. Did you read that? Forgetting how or what to say next happens in your first and second language - the embarrassing experience is not reserved JUST...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read