Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day 

Fish out of water

Example: Yesterday I felt like a fish out of water, because I was the only person in the meeting who didn't speak Spanish. 

Definition: to feel uncomfortable in an unfamiliar environment or situation

ESL Conversation Questions: Community

ESL Questions

1. What do you like about your community?

2. What do you think should be changed in your community?

3. How can you help your community?

4. Why is community important? 

5. Does your community have special days to get together?

6. Would you like to raise your children in your community?

Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day 

Under fire

Example: The head coach of the German national team is under fire, because his team played poorly in the World Cup. 

Definition: receive severe criticism from the media or management

ESL Vocabulary: History of Marijuana in Florida

Vocabulary (History of Marijuana in Florida) 

Preposterous - contrary to reason or common sense; completely absurd or ridiculous

Epileptic Seizure - caused by a disturbance of electrical activity in the brain which can result in people uncontrollable movement, temporary confusion, increased fear or anxiety.

Debilitating Illness- condition making someone very weak and infirm

Malpractice- improper or illegal professional activity or treatment, especially by a medical professional

Regulations- A rule made and maintained by an authority

Recreational Marijuana- Used to change the state of the mind for experience and pleasure

Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day 

Drop the ball 

Example: Yesterday I really dropped the ball. I totally forgot about your birthday party.

Definition: to make a mistake or error

ESL Conversation Questions: Beauty

ESL Conversation Questions 

1. What is beauty? 

2. What are some different types of beauty?  

3. Do you think we are conditioned by advertising to think what is beautiful and what is not? 

4. Do you think the idea of beauty changes? 

5. Do you think different cultures have different perceptions of what beauty is? 

6. Do beautiful people have better lives? 

Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day 

In a nut shell 

Example: I'm not going to go into the details, but in a nut shell Timmy cheated on Sarah with Mckenzie. 

Definition: summarize or tell the short version of a story

Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day

Cost an arm and a leg

Example: The movies tickets in South Beach cost an arm and a leg. 

Definition : very expensive 

ESL Conversation Questions: Museums

Museums 

1. Why are museums important? 

2. Are there any museums in your city?  

3. What type of museums do you like to visit? 

4. Should museums be free to the local tax payers of the community? 

5. In your opinion what's the difference between a good museum and a bad one? 

6. If you were to start your own museum what would it be about? 

Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day 

Hit the books 

Example: She regrets not hitting the books when she was in school. Now, she works in McDonalds. 

Definition: to study very hard; to start studying

Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day 

Keep your head on a swivel 

Example: At night in Miami you have to keep your head on a swivel, because there are many thieves. 

Definition: to be alert, paying close attention to your surroundings 

ESL Vocabulary ( Learn From Traveling)

ESL Vocabulary (Learn From Traveling) 

1. Methodology- a system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity.

2. Comfort Zone - a place or situation where one feels safe or at ease and without stress

3. Inability - the state of not being able to do something; not having the power or strength to do something

4. Physiological - a branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts

5. Cognition - the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought

6. Perseverance-  doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success

7. Venture - a risky or dangerous journey or undertaking

Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day 

Sour Grapes 

Example: Many people said Eden Hazard had a case of sour grapes, because he said he would rather lose with Belgium than win the World Cup with a defensive minded France team. 

Definition: action of something seem less important after finding out they can't have it

Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami

In North Miami, the exhibition ‘MONARCHS: Brown And Native Contemporary Artists In The Path Of The Butterfly’ is on display in the Museum of Contemporary  Art (MOCA). This display of art uses metaphors  to draw comparisons between the lives of monarch butterflies and the Native American people.  



A metaphor is an object regarded as representative or symbolic of something else, especially something abstract. In this exhibition the migratory path of a Monarch butterfly is analyzed because it travels through the midwestern states such as North and South Dakota,  Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas,  and others to its final destination of the forests in Michoacan, Mexico. 

For generations the monarch butterflies have traveled across land that was once heavily populated by Native Americans. The Lakota tribe lived in North and South Dakota, where they were famous for their historic leaders and warriors such as Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Touch the Clouds and so many more.

Through Nebraska and Kansas you can find the proud tribes of Cheyenne, Pawnee and Omaha. These Great Plains Indians were a sedentary group and were known for their beautiful pottery, hide paintings, and woven baskets.

Towards the south, there was the Apache tribe who lived in what is now Texas. The Apache tribe were a nomadic people whose women typically wore buckskin dresses and men wore breechcloths.  

The history and culture of the Native American people are rich and as vast as the Monarch’s migratory journey. Unfortunately, due to the intrusion of white European settlers a lot of the spirit and strength of the native people was lost. The aftermath of these issues that happened over four hundred years ago can still be felt in the Native American communities today. 

When white European settlers came to North America they believed that the land belonged to them in an idea called manifest destiny. In this vein, they murdered, pillaged, broke down and drove out entire Native American communities from their homeland. In an arbitrary attempt to find space for Native Americans the government placed them on what appeared to be the least favorable land at the time.  

Even today there are issues of dispossession between the U.S. government and the native people. Right now in Arizona there is a legal battle to decide whether the government should continue the sale of a public land called, Oak Flat.

 This site is considered sacred by the San Carlos Apache Nation as it is a religious ground like Mecca is to Muslims or Jerusalem is to Jews. However, underneath the site are valuable copper minerals that mining conglomerates want to buy. This environmental and economical controversy has all to often seen the Native American’s culture and lifestyle take a back seat to the greedy business owners of the U.S.

On many reservations the situation is bleak at best as many people struggle with unemployment and impoverished situations. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 17 % of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and 27% of all self identified Native Americans and Alaska Natives live in poverty. In a survey between 2012-2016, researchers found that on the Standing Rock reservation 25% of the possible workforce was unemployed. 

The alarming unemployment rates in some of the reservations lead to other problems within these communities. For several years the Pine Ridge Reservation suffered a severe case of alcoholism. 11,000 cans of beer were bought and consumed each day for years in this community. Alcoholism can cause other serious problems such as domestic violence, theft, and even lead to suicide. 

Now there are many problems and issues within the Native American community. However just as the monarch butterfly always finds its way home so to will the community find its spirit and strength once again. 

ESL Vocabulary (Interview with Marc)

ESL Vocabulary ( Interview with Marc)

Accomplish- achieve or complete successfully

Equipped - prepare someone mentally for a particular task or situation

Convenient- fitting in well with a person's needs, activities and plans

Urge- a strong desire or impulse 

Methods- form of procedure for accomplishing or approaching something, especially, a systematic or established one

Accommodation- a room, group of rooms or building in which someone may live or stay

Aspiring- a person who has ambitions to become a specified type of person

Endeavors - an attempt to achieve a goal

Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day 

Apple of Your Eye

Example: I have dated different women, but Jessica will always be the apple of my eye. 

Definition: someone you like or love the most in any type of relationship 

ESL Conversation Questions (Interview with Vero)

ESL Conversation Questions (Interview with Vero) 

1. How is social media stigmatized in the news? 

2. Which city does Vero currently live in? 

3. Which English speaking country did Vero live in for a year? 

4. Which city in your country is your favorite to visit and why? 

5. How would you describe the gastronomy in your country? 

6. Which English speaking country would like to visit the most and why?

Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day 

Off the cuff 

Example: President Trump is known for his off the cuff tweets that often spread widespread controversy. 

Definition: spontaneous; to speak without any preparation 

Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day 

Over the moon 

Example: Luka Modric felt over the moon when Croatia beat England in the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup. 

Definition: extremely pleased and happy 

ESL Conversation Questions (Juneteenth in Miami)

ESL Conversation Questions (Juneteenth in Miami)


1. What does Juneteenth commemorate?

2. What were the names of popular songs sung on plantations?

3. How long did slavery last in the United States?

4. What is psychedelic art?

5. What are the benefits of using psychedelics while creating music or art?

6. How do you enter into a creative mind space before beginning a project?

Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day 

Next to nothing 

Example: People usually eat fast food because the price is usually next to nothing.

Definition: almost nothing; small amount 

ESL Vocabulary (Juneteenth in Miami)

ESL Vocabulary (Juneteenth in Miami) 

Commemorate- celebrate an event, person, or a situation by doing  or building something

Abolition - the action of abolishing or ending a system, practice or institution

Discerning - having or showing good judgement

Interpreting - understand an action, mood, or way of behaving as having a particular meaning or significance

Cosmetic- treatment intended to restore or improve a person's appearance

Holistic- type of philosophy or thinking that takes into account everything or the whole factors

Insecurities- uncertainty or anxiety about oneself; lack of confidence

Apropos - very appropriate to a particular situation

ESL Conversation Questions: Risks

ESL Conversation Questions

1. Would life be boring without risks?

2. Are risk takers more successful?

3. What's the biggest risk you've taken?

4. What risks are there in  normal daily life?

5. What risks have you taken that have gone wrong?

6. What are the risks of not taking risks?

Juneteenth in Miami

Juneteenth is a day celebrated by Americans and in particular the African American community. This day commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery in the United States. This day is considered a state holiday in  45 states and is observed primarily in local celebrations. 

The institution of slavery,  which brought Africans against their will to America, destroyed families and abused millions of human beings, lasted for 246 years in the United States. However, a year after the official end of slavery, there was a large celebration organized by African Americans in Texas, which is now considered Juneteenth. 

Today, many African Americans flourish and make extremely beneficial contributions to the American economy. Whether it be in entertainment with the likes of Lebron James or in politics with Barack Obama, the African American community is strong and continuing to grow. In celebration of the growth and strength of the African American community I went to a Juneteenth celebration in Miami. 

Many of the Juneteenth celebrations around the United States have marching bands that play music that was popular in the slavery era. Tunes such as Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Down By the Riverside and Wade in the Water were sung throughout many plantations and gave African American slaves hope for a better future. 

However at the Juneteenth celebration I went to, called Pure Life Festival, the music was very hip and in vogue. The majority of the music performers were rappers, but there were some female rhythms and blues (RnB) singers as well. My favorite performance was the duo act of rappers BloodSoPure and The Dawn with their psychedelic song Srii Yantra. This song is about being conscious, discerning corruption and interpreting spiritual energy. 

The music was the main attraction at the Pure Life Festival, but there were also vendors that contributed to the event. The type of products being sold varied from deodorant to jewelry to even cosmetic materials. The company that caught my attention the most was named DopeNaturals. All of their hygienic products were handmade and ranged from soap bars , deodorants, body oils and so much more. 

The entrepreneur and co- founder of the company, Shanita Walker, explained to me the benefits of using a holistic and vegan approach to skincare. The primary benefit of vegan skincare is protection against UV damage. The less chemical compounds the better, because the more  natural ingredients there are the healthier it is for human use. Also she told me that natural hygienic products can have anti-aging benefits due to ingredients such as soy and green tea. 

 People at the event were doing  dances such as the robot, twerk and freestyle. The disregard of insecurities and judgement of other people created a very special atmosphere. These actions were very apropos of celebrating Juneteenth which is all about  African Americans breaking not only the physical chains of slavery, but the mental chains as well. 

One very physical performance that highlighted the freedom of movement was yoga. Two young yoga enthusiasts got on stage and performed different yoga techniques such as double tree, savasana,  and flying warrior. After their display of flexibility, the man of the duo explained the benefits of yoga. This physical discipline can increase flexibility, maintain a balanced metabolism, improve respiration and so much more. Yoga is great as an individual activity, but also can bring people together as a community. 
  

ESL Conversation Questions: Daydreams

ESL Conversation Questions

1. What are daydreams?

2. Do you sometimes daydream while working?

3. Are daydreams important?

4. Do you have any eureka moments while daydreaming?

5. Do you have the same daydream again and again?

Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day

Out of the Blue 

Example: She didn't expect her videos to do so well,  the success she's gotten from her Youtube channel has come out of the blue.

Definition: without warning; unexpectedly

Living and Teaching English Abroad: Interview with Marc

Teaching English as a second language is a very fun and exciting job. The opportunity to help people accomplish their goals through learning another language is very satisfying. Even though there are some potential challenges along the way such as homesickness, language barriers and culture shock that prevent some instructors from taking that leap of faith to teach abroad. Fortunately I've been able to know and watch certain teachers via social media travel and live their best life. Marc Cedric Quashie has been one of those teachers that has motivated me to continue to pursue my dreams of teaching abroad.

Thank you so much for doing this interview. Can you explain your background a little bit. Like where are you from? Where did you study? Etc. 

I was born in Haiti and I went to school in Florida for 14 years.

How did you get your start in teaching English as a second language? 

I started looking into teaching English after becoming unsatisfied with my previous line of work while living abroad. After quitting my job as a representative at a call center, I found an advertisement in the paper that read" Tired of working at a call center, wanna make more money, have no experience? Apply now and get trained".

 So after answering yes to all of the above I decided to send my resume in and was called in for an interview. After a successful interview, I was equipped and able to start teaching in classes after 6 weeks of training at the Academia Europea.

Having taught online and in a classroom which setting do you prefer? 

Having taught online and in a classroom I would have to say that I prefer teaching online. Teaching in a classroom is great and I think that all ESL teachers should experience it.

But teaching online is much more convenient and most times pays much better. The greatest convenience for me is that I am able to travel around the world by working on weekdays and traveling on weekends.

In your experience, what’s the best way for students to improve their English skills? 

In my experience, the best way for students to improve their English skills is to not take any breaks. There isn't a secret to learning a language but there are many successful methods and after finding what works for you, just make sure to do it every day, 7 days a week.

 Of all the countries that you have taught in so far which country has been your favorite?

Of all the countries that I have taught in so far, my favorite country has to be Cambodia. Because the weather is similar to that of my home country and so I can enjoy the sun while swimming in the pool any time I feel the urge to.

 What have been some of the challenges of living abroad?

Some of the challenges of living abroad for me personally is visas and strong internet. As a Haitian national my passport isn't as powerful as other passports like an American one, so I am heavily limited to where I can go and how long I can stay.

And when it comes to wifi, I always have to choose an accommodation that is a bit on the expensive side just to ensure that I will not have any wifi issues like power outages or weak signals.

What advice would you give to aspiring ESL teachers who want to live and work in a foreign country?

The advice I would give to aspiring ESL teachers who want to live and work in a foreign country is, do enormous amounts of research into your desired destination so that you'll be prepared for any surprises life throws at you during your journey. And trust me THERE WILL BE SURPRISES.

 What career endeavors are you looking forward to pursuing ?

Right now I've been to 7 countries and I plan on going to at least a dozen more. When I finally return to my home country I want to open a Container School where I will show kids how to obtain a cheap and possibly free education with and without the internet.

If you want to contact Marc for English lessons you can find him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcquashie

ESL Conversation Questions: Adolescence

ESL Conversation Questions

1. What is adolescence?

2. Is adolescence generally a happy time for people?

3. What common problems do people have in adolescence?

4. When did you being to feel like an adult?

5. Would you like to relive your adolescence?

6. What advice would you give to adolescents today?

ESL Vocabulary ( Interview with Vero)

ESL Vocabulary ( Interview with Vero )

1. Stigmatize - describe as worth of disgrace or great disapproval

2. Vain - producing no results; useless

3. Juxtaposed - place or deal with close together for contrasting effect

4. Enormous - very large in size, quantity or extent

5. Out of the blue - without warning; unexpectedly

6. Remote - situated far from the main centers of population, distant

7. Gastronomy - the practice or art of choosing, cooking and eating good food

8. Persevering - continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty 

The Best Way To Study English: Interview with Vero

In the news, social media tends to be stigmatized as an addictive, brainwashing and vain place on the internet that wastes people's time. The amount of articles expounding on the negative effects of social media juxtaposed to the positive ones are enormous. However in my personal use social media has been a great and useful tool. I have gotten the opportunity to come into contact with a lot of interesting people through Facebook, Instagram, Periscope and other platforms. Fortunately, through a language learning group on Facebook called, English with GiamoJC in the 305, I found Vero. She is a beautiful young woman who makes incredible Youtube videos that help people learn Spanish or English.

Thank you so much for doing this interview. Can you explain your background a little bit. Like where are you from? Where did you study? 

 I´m from Spain. I was raised in Madrid and I currently still live there,  but not in the city center. I live in a little city named Villaviciosa de Odon on the outskirts of Madrid, away from the city’s stressful lifestyle and heavy pollution. When I was a teenager I hated my city I considered it as a remote place in the middle of nowhere, that perception changed when I got older and now I think it is the perfect place to live.                                                                        

 I studied law at a university in Madrid and  got my degree in 2009.  I work as a lawyer too but being a lawyer is less fun and more stressful than Ally Mcbeal, a TV show about a young female attorney.                                                                          

How did you get your start in teaching Spanish/English as a second language? 

 Well, I needed some time off in 2014 so I decided to move out to Sydney, Australia, to learn English. I knew a little bit of English from  what I studied at school, but when you don´t use a language you lose it. 

Studying and working for a year in Australia boosted my English to a higher level. I met people from all over the globe and many of them were interested in learning Spanish and told me many times to teach them. So I could say firstly I was an  English student and then I became a Spanish/English teacher out of the blue.

What motivated you to start teaching on Youtube? 

 It was the consequence of insomnia. One night I couldn’t  sleep and grew tired of rolling over the bed. So for two hours I took my phone and started watching videos on youtube when suddenly a weird thought came into my mind,  “I could use youtube to teach Spanish to my foreign friends!” The good thing about Youtube is people from all over the world have access to it for free which is a great tool if you don´t have enough income. 

                                                                

How many languages do you speak? What's the best way to study a language? 

Right now I’m bilingual, I only speak Spanish and English and I know some of the basics of French. I think the key to learning a second language is  having a good attitude, persevering in the learning process and studying  as much as your brain allows you. Also  having fun while learning is very important so you can use all the information in real life. 

 That´s what I did when I learned English. In the morning I went to school and during the evening I worked as a waitress which helped me to put into practice all my knowledge. In class we learn a lot of grammar and vocabulary,  but then when you travel abroad you find out you are not able to either understand or speak the language. This is why it’s so important to use what you learn in the classroom in real life situations.                            

 Which city is your favorite to visit in Spain and why? 

 As I said I´m from Madrid and we have an expression here which says, “from Madrid to heaven”. So everyone should visit Madrid once in a lifetime because it´s a city with a lot of history, amazing monuments and is very multicultural with open minded citizens. But apart from Madrid, Toledo is an incredible medieval city and is  the perfect place to escape from the rest of the world.                          

What are some characteristics of the Spanish culture that you like the most? 

 First of all I like our sense of humor, Spanish people are always kidding and joking which was one of the things I missed a lot while living abroad because most of the time I was kidding and laughing by myself because nobody understood me. 

The second thing is  the gastronomy. Spain has a huge variety of delicious dishes ( paella, gazpacho, callos, fabada, potato omellete..) so you don´t get bored at lunch time . 

And the last one is our way of living, we don´t live to work, we work to live and enjoy our free time traveling, meeting up with friends and basically having fun.  

ESL Conversation Questions: Gossip

ESL Conversation Questions 

Gossip 

1. Why do people like to gossip? 

2. How do you feel if people gossip about you? 

3. Are you interested in celebrity gossip? 

4. Why do you think gossip is sometimes hot and juicy? 

5. How quickly does gossip spread in your workplace or school? 

6. Is there any gossip about your teacher? 

Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day 

Beat 

Example: My brother thought he could beat me in a game of basketball. But after a game, he  learned that I am still better than him. 

Definition: to win against

Idiom of the Day

Idiom of the Day 

A Pain in the Neck 

Example: Mario is being a pain in the neck today. He keeps talking while I'm trying to teach the class. 

Definition: to be annoying or to do something you don't like