30 alternatives to basic English words, with examples
Swap busy, very tired and I think for what native speakers actually say: 30 alternatives by situation, each with an example, its nuance and its register.
10 min read
Blog · 8 articles
English that sticks
Articles on vocabulary, memory and study methods for Brazilians who want to actually use their English.
8 articles
English for Brazilians in the US: everyday vocabulary
Work, the doctor, the pharmacy, your kids' school, renting and paperwork: the real words and phrases English courses skip, explained in plain English.
8 min read
How many words do you need to watch TV without subtitles?
Research points to 3,000 to 7,000 word families, depending on how much you want to understand. See where those numbers come from and what to study first.
6 min read
How to study English vocabulary in 20 minutes a day
A few distracted minutes don't add up to much. Here's how to build a focused 20-minute session: what to do in each block, when to fit it in, how to keep going.
8 min read
I understand English but can't speak it: what to do
You recognize the word when you hear it, but it won't come when you need to speak. See the difference between passive and active vocabulary, and what to train.
7 min read
Spaced repetition: what it is and how it works for English
Spaced repetition means reviewing what you learned at longer and longer intervals. See where the idea comes from, a real review schedule and what research says.
7 min read
The words your English is missing: how to get off the plateau
Understanding 70% of a TV show feels like enough, but it isn't. See what intermediate vocabulary gaps are and why more generic content won't close them.
7 min read
Why you forget the English you study (and what makes it stick)
You learn an expression and a week later it's gone. Learn how the forgetting curve works, why rereading doesn't stick and why trying to recall works better.
6 min read
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