It's Chinese New Year--the Year of the Horse!! Carnival has begun in BRAZIL!! Who is here e x p a n d i n g their English knowledge today? Are you NEW? Go HERE NOW!! LIVE Classes TODAY? Go HERE NOW!! Ready for our Newest Speaking and LIstening lessons? Go HERE NOW!! What are the different LIVE classes? Go HERE NOW!! Which lesson are you working on today? Did you/will you join a LIVE class today? Do you have a question? Put it below. EVERYONE--give a thumbs-up to this CHECK-IN and make sure you THUMB UP everyone's comments.

The joke: What did one plate whisper to the other plate? Dinner is on me.

It's CARNIVAL WEEK!!! Samba Samba Samba

​Have you ever wondered why some people can make a simple trip to the grocery store sound like an epic adventure? It’s not because their lives are more exciting than yours ~ it’s because they know how to structure a story. To tell a great tale, you don't need a Hollywood budget; you just need a clear hook and a bit of emotional honesty. ​Start with a "Hook" ​Every great story begins with a moment that grabs the listener’s attention immediately. Instead of saying, "I went to the park yesterday," try starting with, "You won't believe what I saw at the park yesterday." This creates curiosity. By setting the scene quickly and introducing a small mystery or a problem, you force your audience to lean in and ask, "What happened next?" ​The Power of "Show, Don't Tell" ​One common mistake is simply listing facts. To make your story come alive, use sensory details. Instead of saying you were "nervous," describe how your hands were shaking or how the room felt suddenly too hot. When you describe the smell of the rain or the deafening silence of a hallway, you transport your listeners into your shoes. This is the difference between hearing a report and experiencing a memory. ​Build Tension and Stakes ​A story without a struggle is just a sequence of events. To keep people engaged, you need a conflict. Maybe you lost your keys, or perhaps you had to make a difficult choice. Highlighting the "stakes"—why the situation mattered to you—makes the audience care about the outcome. If there is no risk of failure, there is no reason for the audience to stay tuned. ​The Big Finish ​As you reach the end, don't let your story fizzle out. Every good narrative needs a resolution or a "punchline." This is where you reveal what you learned or how the situation finally ended. A great ending ties all the loose ends together and leaves the listener with a specific feeling, whether it's laughter, inspiration, or a bit of thoughtful reflection. ​Be Yourself ​Finally, the most important tip is to be authentic. You don't need to use fancy words or act like someone else. People connect with real emotions and vulnerability. If you messed up, admit it! Your audience will relate to your mistakes much more than your perfections. Keep it simple, keep it moving, and most importantly, have fun with it.

Tongue Twister - Monday Hello, you beautiful people! Are you ready for a challenge? Today’s victim: W sound. Let's do it: “While we were walking we were watching window washers wash Washington's windows with warm washing water" Remember: • Pace yourself and try to say it accurately. • Slow it down, breathe, take your time. Your mission: Record yourself and drop it in the comments Good luck, soldiers.