No matter the odds of success or the scale of the challenge, your actions can make a difference. It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness. Every little thing counts. Doing something to make a positive change is always better than nothing!

This is an Italian legend about the giant of Barletta, who saved the town from invaders.

Finding happiness in learning. Choosing the correct material.

Understanding fluency and accuracy.

👉 This episode of Stairway to English is a very special conversation edition! This is Part 1. Part 2 will be available very soon! 👉 Marisa and I talk about her life, her background with language learning, where her family is from, and growing up as an English language learner. Marisa speaks with a Texan accent. I hope you enjoy the episode! 👉 Vocabulary Commute - Travel some distance between one's home and place of work on a regular basis Stay put - To stay in one place Public Relations - A type of employment where you work with companies to help them in the news or stay out of the news Birth certificate - A certificate received at birth to show where you were born Immigrant - A person who moves to and lives in a different country Pull out - Take something out Drop off - Leave someone or something somewhere Hand me over - Give someone something or someone Siblings - Brothers and/or sisters Pick up - Collect a person or a thing from a place Accelerates - Move quickly Y’all - You all. This is used mainly in the southern part of the USA. Carried on a long distance relationship - Dated while living far apart from one another No brainer - An easy decision Ma’am - A polite way to address women Sir - A polite way to address men Mannerisms - The way you act and handle yourself 👉 Have questions about the episode? Comment below or send me a message! 👉 If you would like to take a lesson with me, send me a message here on italki! Right now, I can't accept new students because my italki schedule is full, but I will be able to very soon! Get on my waiting list now so you will be first in line for lesson openings!

Marzo represents the month of March. Hear what happens when Marzo tries to make it rain on the shepherd and sheep. This story is of Italian origin.

In this story, a snowman named Jingle is a selfish husband whose job is more important than his marriage. This is Part 4 of 5. The dance group had met in the morning for a quick rehearsal. Today was their last day to practice before the big show. Even though the other dancers commented that it was already good enough, Jingle and the winking snowwoman worked very hard on their close embrace. Then, while everyone was packing up, getting ready to go distribute their flyers… Ding-ding ding-ding The ringing came from behind Jingle. He said, “Ugh… Doesn’t Candy know how stressed I am? What does she want now?” He turned, but instead of his wife, he saw his snowman neighbour. Confused, Jingle went over to talk. “You look disturbed,” said Jingle. “It’s Candy. She’s been hit by a car.” Jingle was shocked. He noticed the neighbour was holding a candy cane. “This is her cane. I picked it up after the accident. I immediately called an ambulance and she was taken straight to the hospital. It’s bad, Jingle, really bad. Come with me, let’s go together.” Jingle hesitated. He looked at the candy cane, then at the dance group in the distance. Then back at the candy cane. “Thank you for bringing me this. But I can’t go with you. I’ve got to distribute these flyers today. It’s our last chance, and the whole group is counting on me. They need me. Tell Candy I’ll be there after work.”

A fisherwoman discovers a golden fish that grants wishes.

Sometimes you have to let go and give up what you have now in order to receive something better in the future. Don’t let stubbornness be your downfall!