Hello, This is Teacher Ben at E52. Below are TV shows from different English-speaking countries to get you in touch with the language in a casual context. You’ll hear slang, jokes, and accents to really get you used to native speakers and the nuances of the language. Binge on the following and watch...

Hey! This is Teacher Ben at E52. I’m sure you’ve heard a familiar story, especially in America – a friend or family member immigrated without knowing a lick of English and magically picked up the language by going to the movies. While it sounds farfetched, it can be a great method of learning. Movie...

Hey pimolwan,

Thanks for the suggestion! This is a great book for anyone that's more inclined to read non-fiction. It's also an important read for anyone interested in politics or human rights.

Cheers,
Ben at E52

Hey aiden, This is Ben at E52! Hopefully I can provide some assistance and help you define this word. This is a great question, especially if you live in the Bay Area. If you do, you must hear this word a lot! "Tech bro" usually has a negative connotation, especially if you work outside of...

Hello, This is Teacher Ben at E52. Below are some tips to help you out while reading anything in English, whether that is a novel or a textbook. Try these out next time you pick up a book and see what you think! 1. Look Up Unfamiliar Words Whenever you come across new or unknown words, feel free to ...

Hello, This is Teacher Ben at E52. Check out some more common American phrases below! Born again If you convert to Christianity or find a faith in Jesus Christ, you are born again. Cold turkey If you quit something cold turkey, you quit it in a sudden or abrupt manner. This is usually used in refere...

Hello, This is Teacher Ben at E52. Below you’ll find a helpful list of short idioms, sayings, and phrases that you will hear a lot in everyday speech or in writing. While these are often informal, these phrases can have you sounding like a native speaker in no time. Try some of these out on your fri...

Hello! This is Teacher Ben at E52. I’ve listed some quality writing prompts to get you in a creative mood. Feel free to pick one of the options below for a free write. 1. What makes you happy? Explain and provide examples. 2. Describe your favorite place in as much detail as possible. 3. Describe yo...

Hello! This is Teacher Ben at E52 with some tips for expanding your vocabulary. Repeating the same stale and boring adjectives can get pretty old after a while. Here are some new words you can use as replacements to help you spice up your sentences with descriptions that are a little more interestin...

Hello! This is Teacher Ben at E52 here to share the Oxford English Dictionaries choice of “toxic” as the Word of the Year for 2018. Every year, the OED chooses a word that reflects “the ethos, mood, or preoccupations of the passing year”. The word toxic, which first appeared in the 17th century, ess...