Cafetalk Tutor's Column

Water Cooler Sundays: How to Level up 'My Hobby Is...'

 Sunday Watercooler How to Level up 'My Hobby Is...' Small Talk • Hobbies • Conversation Skills...

To AI or not to AI - Finding Balance in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

I was approached by a previous student to proofread an assignment that she had to submit.  She was ...

Spring plans

Photo: Allan Gardens (in Toronto) in MayThere are also a couple of things that I’ve already done so...

My thoughts on poetry and drawing: Why I create.

If you would like to talk about beauty, art, philosophy, or poetry, I'm here for you! :)This intro...

A Leopard doesn't change its Spots

This is a little story I wrote to illustrate the idiom 'A Leopard doesn't change its Spots’Senzo wa...

Pop Culture Tuesdays: 'Read the Room'

Pop Culture Tuesday How to 'Read the Room' Social English • Idioms • Pop Culture "Read the ro...

Why is the Waite Smith Tarot so Popular?

1 Main Reason

Thank You for 10 Lessons on Cafetalk!

I’m happy to share that I’ve officially completed my first 10 lessons on Cafetalk! ??Thank you so m...

How a fat dictionary and a lot of fear led me to Japan

To tell the truth, when I was at school, English was one of my least favorite subjects. I never kne...

Mother's Day Celebration

Happy Mother's Day to me and all the amazing mamas in the world!Mother’s Day has always been specia...

Can You Speak Confidently in Business English? Let's Practice

Do you freeze up when your boss or business partner asks you a question in English? Do you know wha...

Weekly Topic Wednesdays: Sharing Your Best Seasonal Memories

Weekly Topic Wednesdays Sharing Your Best Seasonal Memories Conversation • Seasonal Activities ...

Have you heard of the P.I.E. Theory? It’s NOT what you think - keep reading!

No, not the kind of pie you order at a café. I’m talking about the P.I.E. Theory — a concept that c...

「んです」って どうやって使うの？／How Do You Use “-n desu (んです)”?

A：ただいま！ B：おかえり。おなかが すいたんですか。   ・・・これ、実は 少し へんなんです。   どうしてでしょう？ 「んです」は、 つかえるときと、つかえないときが あります。     ...

New Business English lesson: Giving your opinion in meetings

Many business meetings are in English.   If you do business with foreign companies it’s likely that...

It's Finally Spring - 日記の練習~!

Long time, no Japanese practice!   I've been sleeping on my Japanese practice, and the effect has b...

Clouds

I took a photo of clouds late last month and it made me think about English expressions with the wo...

A Tale of Two Homes: Life Between Two Cultures

  Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to build a life in two different parts of the world...

「あのさ」て よく聞くけど、この「～さ」って どんなとき使うの？

A: 「あのさ、ちょっと聞きたいんだけどさ」 B: 「なに？」   こんな会話、聞いたことありませんか。 この「～さ」って 何？ って思ったこと ありませんか。 「～さ」は、日本語の会話を“自然に聞...

Breathing Moment

Life has a way of getting busy and we end up being overwhelmed by all its bustles and hustles. As I...

Office Hours Thursdays: Professional Disagreement

Office Hours THURSDAYS A Guide to Professional Disagreement Business English • Meeting Skills •...

Business English: Know what to say and when to say it!

Do you attend business meetings conducted in English and want to improve your ability to participat...