The Maple Leaf Rag

If you could learn 220 words that account for from 50 to 75 percent of the English words used in textbooks, newspapers and magazines, you'd jump to it, right? Well here you go!


This is a link to the Dolch words lists, 11 different sets of 20 words that make up the much of the conversation and writing in everyday life. 

The Dolch Lists 

The page is directed at young native English speakers but the words are the same whether you are six years old or sixty. I'm planning to do a podcast of each of the 11 sets of words. As soon as I figure out how to publish the podcast here, I will do it. You can then hear how each word is pronounced and soon, you will be on your way to feeling comfortable in English. 

I'm sure you already know many of the words and can say them properly. Work on the ones you don't know and soon you will be pretty close to becoming fluent in English. Good luck!

You know I can almost guarantee that you are a lot better at English than you think you are. Don't give up!

The most recent video, as of March 7, is about compound words. A blackbird as opposed to a black bird. Two different concepts or ideas. When I was making the video, I neglected to say that the difference between the two ideas is in how you SAY the words.
In the compound word you emphasize the first word, so it becomes BLACKbird. In the other term, black bird, you emphasize the second word so it becomes black BIRD or green HOUSE or every ONE. 

Remember that I do these videos ad lib which means they aren't really scripted. Less professional perhaps but a lot easier to make. I should so a flashy, professional video to see if the reaction is any better. I kind of like the amateur feel of the videos. I hope you do also! Comments are welcome.

Here we go with winter in Toronto. This Saturday we went tubing at Forest Valley where my daughter Kathleen works for four months between university sessions. We had such a hoot! Here is one of the videos!

 Tubing at forest valley