Language Tips

Think you know what embarazada means? Or actual? Be careful — Spanish and English share many similar-looking words, but not all of them mean the same thing. These false friends can lead to confusion or even embarrassing mistakes. In this guide, we explore 20 of the most common Spanish-English false friends, explain their real meanings, and give examples to help you use them correctly.

Looking for the best online dictionaries to improve your English in 2025? This guide ranks the 10 most reliable learner-friendly dictionaries, from trusted classics like Oxford and Cambridge to modern tools like LanGeek, which combines simplified definitions with visual learning. Learn which dictionaries offer the best pronunciations, example sentences, collocations, idioms, and synonyms to build your vocabulary and fluency faster.

In Old English, second-person pronouns were complex, with distinct forms for singular, plural, and even dual pronouns, plus separate cases. Over time, English simplified dramatically. Through the influence of Norse contact, the Norman Conquest, and broader trends of grammatical simplification, English lost these distinctions, and you became the universal second-person pronoun. This article explains the historical changes, social pressures, and linguistic shifts that led to the disappearance of forms like thou and ye, and why Modern English is so different from its relatives like French or German.

The cot–caught merger is one of the most significant sound changes in North American English, where the vowels in words like cot and caught are pronounced the same by many speakers. This article explores its history, causes, and geographic distribution, explaining why the merger happened, where it’s widespread, and why some regions resist it. It also discusses its impact on teaching, dictionaries, and technology, helping learners understand both merged and non-merged systems for better comprehension and communication.

Busuu in 2025 offers a structured and engaging way to learn languages, combining AI-powered grammar tools, integrated grammar tips, and interactive lessons. With features like native speaker feedback, personalized study plans, and a wide variety of exercises, it’s a solid choice for beginners and intermediate learners. While the free plan is limited and speaking feedback could improve, Busuu remains one of the most practical platforms for building grammar skills and overall fluency.

American English is full of regional accents, each shaped by history, culture, and migration. From the smooth tones of General American to the distinctive vowels of Boston, the musical Southern drawl, and the evolving sounds of Modern American English, every accent tells a story. This guide explores the most common U.S. accents, explains their pronunciation features with IPA examples, and even covers which accents dictionaries use so you can understand and be understood wherever you go.

Body language is a powerful part of communication, but its meaning changes across cultures. A gesture that feels polite in one country might seem rude in another. This guide explores how gestures, eye contact, personal space, and facial expressions vary worldwide and gives practical tips to help you avoid misunderstandings and communicate confidently in cross-cultural situations.

Rod Ellis, a leading figure in second language acquisition (SLA), is best known for his contributions to task-based language teaching (TBLT), form-focused instruction, and the distinction between explicit and implicit knowledge. His research bridges theory and practice, shaping modern language teaching methodologies and providing educators with practical, evidence-based strategies.

Merrill Swain, a leading researcher in second language acquisition (SLA), is best known for her Output Hypothesis, which emphasizes the crucial role of speaking and writing in learning a new language. Her work on collaborative dialogue and immersion education challenged traditional input-focused theories, shaping modern teaching methods, task-based learning, and communicative classrooms worldwide.

Michael Long, a pioneer in second language acquisition (SLA), transformed language teaching through his Interaction Hypothesis and advocacy for Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT). His research highlighted the role of negotiation, feedback, and real-world tasks in learning, bridging linguistic theory with classroom practice and shaping modern communicative teaching methodologies worldwide.

Paul Nation, a leading researcher in vocabulary acquisition and language teaching, transformed how we approach learning words and building fluency. Best known for his work on high-frequency vocabulary, the Four Strands framework, and graded readers, Nation’s research provides practical tools and strategies for learners, teachers, and institutions aiming to improve second language acquisition worldwide.

Lev Vygotsky, a pioneering Soviet psychologist, transformed our understanding of language learning and cognitive development through his Sociocultural Theory and the concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). He emphasized the role of social interaction, collaboration, and cultural context in learning, laying the groundwork for modern teaching methods, scaffolding techniques, and second language acquisition theories.