Unicorns might conjure an image that’s too pretty for my mug, hence a more apt term is probably “odd duck”.  That’s what I felt like a few weekends ago when I presented “Using Functional Exercises to Increase Student Accuracy and Confidence” at the ACTFL Annual Convention and World Languages Expo in...

When I first started coaching boys basketball at summer basketball camps, I mimicked my own coaches and the college and NBA ones I watched on TV.  That meant walking up and down the sideline yelling directions and barking whatever chastisement was in order.  Yikes. It’s embarrassing when I look back...

Back in the aughts, my friend James’ mom gave me a wedding gift of a pretty sturdy metal flower vase.    She told me it was meant to be used for “just because” flowers, an unspoken recommendation that a husband shouldn’t wait for a birthday, anniversary, or Valentine’s Day to buy his wife flowers–so...

I’ve had my share of Seinfeld moments in life, but even if I pitched this story to Larry David, he might not believe it actually happened.

Most Slavic languages don’t use articles, which can present a lifelong challenge for English language learners from that language family.  In reality, not using a...

It’s almost quaint to think that in the early days of email, we opened emails upon the trust that all of the emails were meant for us.  (At least I did.)  An email from Steve Johnson around the turn of the century changed all of that–an email in my junk hotmail, nonetheless.  Mind you, I didn’t know...

In November I’ll be presenting on my functional language training approach at the ACTFL Annual Convention and World Expo in New Orleans. Message me if you plan to be there so we can connect! 

On that note, I get this question a fair amount: “What do you mean by ‘functional language training?’” 

Functi...

I think my wife is pulchritudinous.  

Just from the look and sound of it, pulchritudinous doesn’t exactly come off as a compliment. In fact, it sounds like it could be an amalgam of rude, puke, and ominous, all wrapped in the sound of a dry heave.  Surprisingly, “pulchritudinous” is a synonym for b...