by Andrea Giordano | Aug 13, 2012 | Advanced, Blog, Student Posts, Videos, Vocabulary
Being forced to do something is never fun. When someone coerces you they are using power, intimidation or threats to control you and make you act in a certain way. An example of coercion would be if your boss told you to finish a project by Friday or you would not...
by Andrea Giordano | Aug 10, 2012 | Advanced, Blog, Student Posts, Videos, Vocabulary
No one likes to face negative consequences for their actions, and the worst of all consequences is to be punished. A severe version of punishment is the verb castigate. You might say that a terrorist is castigated for his crimes. Have you ever been castigated...
by Andrea Giordano | Aug 6, 2012 | Blog, Student Posts, Videos, Vocabulary
What is a bobblehead? A bobblehead is a type of toy that typically has a stiff body and a large wobbly head that moves back and forth. My dad gave me and my husband a bobblehead toy on our wedding day that was created to look especially like us. What is your favorite...
by Andrea Giordano | Aug 3, 2012 | Blog, Idioms, Student Posts, Videos
When things fall apart that means the situation is deteriorating or crumbling and not working. An example of this would be if your plumbing, air conditioner, and a window in your house broke all at the same time. Have you ever had things fall apart? Was that video...
by Andrea Giordano | Aug 1, 2012 | Basic, Blog, Student Posts, Videos, Vocabulary
In the new batman movie The Dark Knight Rises, Bruce Wayne, the main character, has a fear of bats as a child and then embraces his fear as an adult and turns himself into the superhero batman. Bats are winged nocturnal mammals that eat bugs and fruit. They sleep in...
by Andrea Giordano | Jul 30, 2012 | Advanced, Blog, Student Posts, Videos, Vocabulary
The word bereave means to mourn or grieve the loss of something or someone. Many people go through a season of bereavement when a loved one dies. Have you ever been bereaved? Was that video helpful? If so (or if not), leave a comment below with questions, comments,...
