Weird But Educational → The Wright English Blog
Weekly Series
Vocabulary Showcase - Mondays
Business Builder - Tuesdays
What The Fluff Wednesday - Wednesdays
GCSE and A-Level Goblin - Thursdays
Gateway to Grammar - Fridays
Blog Topics
Tips to Identify English Tenses - Think Lego
It is no secret that the English language has more than its fair share of tenses. We are very particular about time. To new learners it can be a bit overwhelming, like when I had to try to understand why tables and chairs were boys and girls in French and Spanish. If all chairs are boys, where do little chairs come from? Here are some tips to help you identify tenses in English.
Film Vs Movies – What’s right? Where do They Come from?
As the UK, USA, Canada and Australia share more and more media with each other, there is increasing confusion over the “right way” to say certain things. Pavement or sidewalk? Ditch, Dyke, or Culvert? Cinema, Theatre, or Movies? Very confusing! If you are wondering which way to describe a film is “correct” I have bad news. They are all correct, in different places.
Vocabulary Showcase: Great Britain – Land of the Tattooed People
The English language is generally accepted as a language with most of its origins being from North West Germany. What do we make of the name ‘Britain’ then? That’s not Germanic. So where does it come from?
Kids Corner: Making English Lessons Fun
So your child doesn’t want to do their homework. They don’t enjoy their after school tutoring sessions, they would rather be kicking a ball around with their friends. Let’s talk about why, and what can be done to change that.
Vocabulary Showcase: Where Does the World Albino Come from?
Have you ever seen a white wallaby? A white squirrel? Have you been lucky enough to see a white peacock? I saw white (albino) wallabies in the zoo, and my brain went to where it always goes… where does the word ‘albino’ come from?
Vocabulary Showcase: Where Does the Word ‘Hedgehog’ Come from?
How often do you learn a new word in a foreign language and think about where that word came from? How was it ‘born’, who were it’s ‘language parents’? Most people look at the little spikey creature with its pointy face, little black eyes and cute little feet and think “That’s a hedgehog” and go no further. I’m Lana Betts though and I’m always curious, so join me in my hedgehog investigation.
Vocabulary Showcase: Hindi’s Colourful Influence on the English Language
Britain and India have a long history together. As a result of this history, the English language has many Hindi words that we use every day without even thinking about it.
Nirvana - Heavenly spiritual enlightment
Vocabulary Showcase: Where Does the Word ‘Enamoured’ Come from?
To be enamoured with something means to strongly like something.
The English language is heavily influenced by old French. In old French en = in, amour = love. So to be enamoured with something means to be in love with it. Knowing where a word comes from can help to remember it, and to remember how to spell it.
Vocabulary Showcase: Synonyms for ‘Unity’
Unity: Being united or joined together as 'one'. We are living in a time when working together and thinking of others keeps ourselves and the rest of the world safe. More than ever before we need to be united as one people. So here are some other ways to describe oneness in English:
Vocabulary Showcase: Pub or Bar? What’s the Difference?
The pubs (short for public houses) are opening again in England today. Have you ever wondered what the difference between a pub and a bar is?
Gateway to Grammar: Spelling Tips for Difficult Words in English
Spelling can be a little tricky in English because it is a language that has many different "language parents" like latin, greek, and norse languages.