A Cozy Corner

For both learners and teachers of English, welcome!

This is my umpteenth attempt to blog about English, but hopefully I can follow through on this one.

This blog aims to share my experiences as an ESL teacher and learner.  Most teachers know that they learn twice as much as they teach.  That’s something that I really love about my profession and vocation.

I’ll also be sharing bits and pieces of information to help you improve your English. There could  be a couple of things not related to English at all, but which you will be reading about in English (which makes it helpful for English learners in some way).  I suppose I could say this blog is about anything and everything under the sun.

Everyone is most welcome to ask me a question or leave a comment.

So come on in, have a seat,  and make yourself comfortable.

Welcome, 2013!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Hope everyone had a meaningful New Year’s celebration.

In retrospect, 2012 was a great year for me!  It was monumental in that I was finally able to overcome an addiction . After 20 years of  being a smoker, I was finally able to kick the habit in September.  Yey!

I made a long list of resolutions last year, but managed to keep only one.   I now am more convinced that I’m better off making one goal instead of many.

So what is my New Year’s Resolution for 2013?  I intend to lose 20 pounds this year.  How?  I plan toexercise  for at least 30 minutes every day. I’ve decided to eat more foods that grow from trees and plants.  I’m thinking of starting a new hobby like dancing. I resolve to live a healthier life in 2013.

The highlighted phrases are ways to express future plans in English.  Note that “thinking of” is followed by a gerund (that is, a noun that looks like a verb + ing)

I’m thinking of enrolling in a gym.

I’m thinking of learning badminton.

I’m thinking of getting a personal trainer.

What are your New Year’s resolutions?  Practice using the following phrases by making your own list.