Improving Your English Skills: Tips and Strategies

Mastering the English language can open up numerous opportunities for personal, academic, and professional growth. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your skills, here are some effective strategies to help you improve your English. Immerse Yourself in the Language One of the best ways to improve your English is through immersion. Surround…

World Suicide Prevention Day: Raising Awareness and Saving Lives

Every year on September 10, the global community comes together to observe World Suicide Prevention Day. Organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), this day aims to raise awareness about suicide prevention, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and encourage proactive efforts to prevent…

A short history of the English language

Ever wondered how English – with 1.5 billion speakers in all corners of the world and approximately 750,00 words – came to be the wonderfully expressive and multifaceted language it is today? Unlike languages that developed within the boundaries of one country (or one distinct geographical region), English, since its beginnings 1,600 or so years ago, evolved by…

National Bao Day: Celebrating the Delightful Chinese Steamed Bun

Every year on August 22, food enthusiasts across the United States celebrate National Bao Day, dedicated to the beloved Chinese steamed bun known as bao. Originating from China, baozi, or bao, is a yeast-leavened bun filled with savory ingredients like pork, beef, or vegetables, or sweet fillings such as red bean paste or custard. In…

World Photo Day

Photography Day is celebrated globally on August 19 to encourage people to share their world through photography. It’s a day for enthusiasts to showcase their work and for everyone to appreciate the art and science of photography. The date of August 19 was chosen to commemorate the invention of the Daguerreotype, an early photographic process…

Punctuation matters

Punctuation is not really that important, right?  WRONG!  It’s very important, and a tiny, misplaced comma or question mark can cost millions of dollars or break someone’s heart. Not convinced? Take a look at some of these great examples of punctuation mistakes.  If you didn’t previously recognize the importance of punctuation, you will after seeing…

The Magic of “Serendipity”

In the English language, few words capture the imagination like “serendipity.” Coined by Horace Walpole in 1754, the term describes the joy of making unexpected, fortunate discoveries. Inspired by the Persian tale “The Three Princes of Serendip,” it refers to happy accidents found by keen observation. “Serendipity” means finding something good without looking for it.…

Post-Pandemic Vocabulary: Neologisms Of The New Normality

From social distancing, flattening the curve, to multiple medical, social, and governmental words, the global pandemic has quickly enriched our language to include many words and phrases once exclusive to field professionals only. But language vocabularies have also stretched a lot, proving to be remarkably robust and adaptive as well. Here’s a list of some…