The term ‘modal verb’ often causes confusion. Students wonder what modal verbs are and why they don’t know about them. In fact, if you speak any English, the chances are…
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Have you ever brought home a piece of flat pack furniture and then wondered how on earth all those pieces will make a wardrobe or bookshelf? Long pieces of wood,…
Keeping up with schoolwork at home, during lockdown, communicating with teachers only online, I’ve had a glimpse of what students might be experiencing as, at 17, I completed my A…
A while ago I wrote this post, about exams. I explained that they are not always as important as we think. Sometimes, however, we can’t do without them. Earlier this…
Six months ago I switched to tutoring English online overnight. For years, I have travelled to my students’ homes and sat in their kitchens and dining rooms as we worked…
I spent my upper sixth year – now known as Year 13 – studying for my A levels at home. No school, just a correspondence course. It was 1978/9 and…
My students – and their parents – often complain that they find older texts difficult to understand. Especially Shakespeare. I understand. Our language is constantly evolving and when we try…
My least favourite subject at school was maths. In a way I was lucky; I never had to ask, ‘what is the point of this? Why do I have to…
How do you feel about writing? If you love it, great, so do I! But I meet lots of people who say, ‘I ought to write a blog, but…’ or,…
What is the point of poetry? Why is it so hard to understand? Why do we have to study it? Can it be made any easier? If you – or…
Did you have to read aloud in English class? I did. One day when I was 11 and attending a convent in England, we had to take turns standing at…
If your child is struggling with English or lacks confidence, you may be wondering whether to look for a private tutor. Here are some questions you could ask yourself right…