LinguaLinkDC in the Washington Post Express!

For English learners, reading the newspaper is a great way to practice your language skills. Vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension studies are conveniently available in a few folded pieces of paper. A great local paper to study with is the Washington Post’s Express. The Express is full of bite-sized summaries of current events, lifestyle tips, and interviews. The paper is free and available all over the DC metro area.

I must admit, I have an ulterior motive this week for encouraging you to read the newspaper. The Express interviewed me recently for their "Steal this job" column. I’m so grateful to be able to do what I love, teaching, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to share my passion with Washington Post Express readers and beyond. If you want to learn a little bit more about my personal journey and LinguaLink’s teaching philosophy, check it out here.

Reading the newspaper really is a wonderful way for intermediate students to learn more advanced English vocabulary and grammar. For extra practice, read the articles in the paper and summarize them verbally to yourself. Pretend you are a newscaster! Work with the new vocabulary to form your sentences. Look up definitions paying special attention to the context the words are used in. Don’t let forgetting a word frustrate you. Keep practicing and learn to have fun with the process. Remember, learning a new language is a journey. I started out on my journey many years ago, and I’m so happy to be able to help my students with their own. As they say in English: Getting there is half the fun!