In the late 1970s, a naive young secretary abandons her hometown in Cleveland for San Francisco, and heads into a brave new world of strange and wonderful characters, in this cult classic novel by the Charles Dickens of San Francisco Armistead Maupin. Maupin writes in a simple, but creative way to blend together the lives of some of the city's most-eccentric inhabitants; which makes the story highly accessible for language learners*.

*Suitable for adults over the age of 18.

Audiobooks with Pip

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin: Chapter 1

Use = Utilize 
Use = purpose/value/point
usage = the act of using something 
get used to = get accustomed to (get adapted)
be used to = be accustomed to (to be adapted to something)

Nit-Picky English with Nika 

Use (verb & noun,) Usage, Utilize, Get/Be Used To - What's the difference? 

This podcast is about the misconceptions that many English learners may have about the present continuous tense. Many think that it's only used for actions occurring in the moment but there's more to it than that. 

The Present Continuous Tense: It's more complex than it seems.

I discuss some of my favorite idioms! 
Can't see the forest for the trees
better late than never 
fishing for compliments 
could care less 
go above and beyond (the call of duty) 
go the extra mile 
You give them an inch and they take a mile. 
on the fence/in two minds about
Take it easy

Interesting Idioms

This episode includes explanations and examples of phrasal verbs with including the word "get." Practice Worksheet: https://en.islcollective.com/english-esl-worksheets/grammar/phrasal-verbs/phrasal-verbs-get/12127

Phrasal Verbs With "Get"

Homophones: each of two or more words having the same pronunciation but different meanings, origins, or spelling, for example new and knew.

“You bare your skin when you wear a bikini.”

Bear: 1) To endure or carry on. 2) A large furry animal

“There is someone in the bear cage! I can’t bear to watch!”

Bored: Having a lack of interest.

“I was so bored during that speech. I almost fell asleep.”

Board: 1) A thin flat piece of material. 2) The decision-makers within an organization.

“The board of directors at the Surf Club have decided which surf board we should use.”

Toe: You have five of them on each foot.

“I stubbed my toe today and it’s still throbbing.”

Tow: To pull another vehicle, possibly by a rope or chains.

“After a car accident a tow truck will come and tow your vehicle away.”

Through: Going in on one side and coming out the other.

“The road is blocked and I can’t get through. There might be an accident.”

Threw: To hurl, or to propel with force (the past tense of ‘throw’).

“He threw the ball really fast.”

Meet: To encounter

“I will meet you tomorrow around 3 PM.”

Meat: The flesh of an animal that’s eaten as food.

“What meat would you like for dinner, chicken or beef?”

Break: 1) To interrupt something. 2) To shatter or fracture.

“We should take a break from dancing before we break our backs.”

Brake: A device for stopping a vehicle.

“I need to get my car checked, I think the brakes are going.”

I hope this clears things up a bit for you. Still confused? Ask questions in your next class, we will be happy to help.

Common Homophones (words that sound alike)

In this episode we discuss words/expressions that are viewed as or followed by plurals/singulars. 
One of (plural) 
Each/Every (singular) 
People (are) 
Family, team, group (is) 
They (random person) 
Some - Random or plural