Category Archives: Life in the United States

How Some Americans Cheat to Get Into College

Getting into (being admitted as a student) to the best American universities can be difficult. Your application (information about you) is very important, and often includes one or more essays (short pieces of writing) in addition to test scores and … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | Comments Off on How Some Americans Cheat to Get Into College

Are You Working Hard or Hardly Working?

There is an old joke that people at work sometimes say to each other: Are you working hard or hardly working? To work hard means to work with seriousness, to work a great deal, to work a lot. To hardly … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | Comments Off on Are You Working Hard or Hardly Working?

What Are the Most Popular Last Names in the US?

Many students of English choose an “English” name for themselves when they begin to study English. These names are often used in professional settings as well. As far as I know, no one has actually studied how people go about … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | Comments Off on What Are the Most Popular Last Names in the US?

A Day for the Flag

This Sunday, June 14th, is a national holiday (celebration) that even many Americans forget about: Flag Day. Unlike holidays such as the Fourth of July (Independence Day), Thanksgiving, or Christmas, on which most Americans get the day off of work, … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | Comments Off on A Day for the Flag

Graduation: Stay-at-Home Style

Here in Los Angeles, we are still being asked to stay at home this week because of the coronavirus. To get some exercise, I take walks around my neighborhood. Recently, I’ve been seeing lawn signs like the one in the … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | Comments Off on Graduation: Stay-at-Home Style

A Love of Grilling

Yesterday was Memorial Day in the United States, a national holiday on which we remember those who have died for our country. (For more on Memorial Day, see our Cultural English 86 lesson). As in many countries, Americans have a … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | Comments Off on A Love of Grilling

Dancing With Ghosts: The Mysterious Visions of Wovoka

You may know that the word “ghost” means the image of a dead person who can be seen by the living. When I was a kid, people would sometimes tell “ghost stories” about scary (frightening) places, such as haunted houses, … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | Comments Off on Dancing With Ghosts: The Mysterious Visions of Wovoka

English at Home: Some Ideas for You and Your Children

If you’re looking for new ways to improve your and your children’s English as you stay at home during this coronavirus crisis, here are two ideas. Simple English Stories: For Beginners and Children For those who are beginners or children, … Continue reading

Posted in How to Learn English, Life in the United States | Comments Off on English at Home: Some Ideas for You and Your Children

How Do You Deal With Stress? Here’s What I Do

Many of us are feeling stress right now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Stress is feeling worried, nervous, and anxious about something. Aside from the obvious threat of the coronavirus itself, perhaps you’re feeling stressed because your spouse (husband or … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | Comments Off on How Do You Deal With Stress? Here’s What I Do

Working (and Zooming) From Home

Many of you are probably stuck in (unable to leave) your house, and you may have to do your work from home. Now, many people think that working from home sounds like a great idea. But the reality (what actually … Continue reading

Posted in Life in the United States | Comments Off on Working (and Zooming) From Home