EnglishisEasy/Elinglésesfácil

 In the past if you asked your English teacher what you could do to practice English at home and if he or she was the funny type he or she  would have answered: "Marry a Gringo!"  Today we know that is not necessary. What you have to do is decide what aspect of your life want to dedicate it to. Are you going to use English at work or in your studies? Then, go ahead, do it. If that seems not to be enough,then try again and also be creative. Consider that English could easily apply to aspects other than Business and Studies. Sadly this is a point that many English learners tend to forget because they grow used to the idea that English is another school subject when truly is a language and therefore deserves a different treatment.  What about Sports, Entertainment or even Religion? There might be an area that suits your needs. Still I , or any other English teacher, can help you but in the end if you do not make that decision yourself and make English part of your life

Both are the same but SNAKE is more commonly used, perhaps because of the fact that this word is originally taken from Old German whereas SERPENT was taken from French. For some reason, English speakers in general seem to show more affinity for those words that originally come from Old German. In the past SERPENT was more commonly used and in fact when these animals have legendary characteristics are usually referred to as SERPENTS and not SNAKES.  Here are some names of snakes in English and Spanish: Anaconda (same name in both languages) Black Mamba - Mamba Negra Boa Constrictor (same name in both languages) King Cobra - Cobra Real Diamondback Rattlesnake - Serpiente Cascabel

      (Continued from previous entry)     3. As a teacher who has been in several countries already, you have a perspective others do not. In what regards to English, why is this language of such great importance?       English has become the de facto universal language of international communication. This may have begun due to the prominence of English-speaking countries such as the U.S. and Great Britain, but it now transcends any relationship to those countries. English now belongs to the entire world and its influence is no longer limited by the influence of English-speaking countries. Those who suggest that the rise in influence of other countries will weaken the status of English as the universal language, do not understand this.   The Chinese do understand and that is why there are more English language students there than in any other country. Although learning other world languages is also valuable, English will continue to be the universal language of international

Mr. Peter Harrington Mr. Peter Harrington is one of the most important names in the world of EFL teachers in Ecuador. His labor, sometimes titanic, marks a before and after in the field since he was the chief designer of COPEI, currently the number one academy in this country. He was also the Director of the English Department in Colegio Politécnico and it was his vision that allowed the creation of an innovative program now regarded as one of the best in Guayaquil,if not the best. He has also worked in Colombia and is currently residing in Mexico where he continues his neverending labor to offer quality education wherever is needed. This interview where he talks about the beginnings of COPEI, the reasons for its success and English in general is offered in two parts of which this entry includes the first. 1.  COPEI has been around for more than fifteen years already. What is in your words the reason why COPEI has been successful in such a difficult market? I could w

To think they use this to build our houses What we call MORTERO in Spanish is MORTAR in English.  To be clear, MORTAR is a mixture made up by cement and parts of sand and water. This unusual blend is used while is still fresh and soft as a paste that bonds together bricks or blocks in a construction. Once a wall is finished the mixture slowly solidifies and confers strength to the structure. The word MORTAR is also commonly used in the expression "Brick-and-MORTAR" is also used to indicate something is done in a Traditional way, e.g. "You can purchase your smartphones brick-and-mortar or online visiting our webpage."  MORTARS are also small receptacles used by chemists to grind certain materials in a lab. This word can also refer to a weapon that looks like a small cannon used to throw shell at difficult angles.   

"¿Ya vieron? ¡Les dije que era mejor traer los trajes de buceo!" This word is considered offensive since it is applied to all those immigrants that illegally cross the border between Mexico and the United States looking for a job or in order to find a better income.  Originally the term was applied only to the Mexicans who crossed the Río Grande, a river that is used as a reference to mark part of the U.S. - Mexican border. They did that at night and of course when they came out their backs were wet which is why they were called WETBACKS (ESPALDAS MOJADAS) in Spanish. These days the term is applied to all illegal immigrants no matter if their backs are wet or not. The problem of WETBACKS has many sides and many aspects to consider. If you are a COPEI student remember to check Antonio and Wetback, two books that COPEI includes in its program and that are related to the illegal immigrant problem.

One question students who have reached a high proficiency level commonly ask is what they can do to keep their level of proficiency high or even increase it. Fifteen years ago or so I would have said that there was not much to do but these days the panorama is different and there are several good options that allow precisely that.  All you need is a good Internet connection and a smartphone. Once you have both connect through to the BBC webpage. For those who are from another reality not ours, the BBC (British Broadcasting Company) is the prime communication network in the United Kingdom. No other system has the preeminence the BBC has and they offer a great variety of services, most of them in good British English.  Once you are connected to their webpage look for their radio stations, choose one after your own fashion (there are stations for news, sports, music, politics, and even opinion) and just immerse yourself in this exciting world that is similar to ours yet quite dif