To eavesdrop or not to eavesdrop that is the question

What is "eavesdropping"?

According to Cambridge Learner's  Online Dictionary to eavesdrop: is to secretly listen to a conversation. (E.g. "He stood outside the door eavesdropping on their conversation")

In most societies this is a considered impolite ( to behave in a way that is not socially acceptable) and many people will get angry if they find someone else doing it. 

However, as a second language learner it is vital to eavesdrop on others in order to increase your listening ability, comprehension, and even to learn more words. 


When you are living in a country where your target language (the language you are learning) is spoken don't listen to your mp3 player on the streets or on the train. Turn it off. Listen to the conversations around you,but try not to make it too obvious (easy to see or understand)! 


Eavesdropping is bad manners, but as a second-language learner I think it is an essential skill. Just don't use your powers for evil, ok?

Banned English Words

Apparently Lake Superior State College cares about English...or their linguistics have a sense of humour...

Every year they vote on which English words should be banned from usage.Here is the list for this year.
It makes me a little sad, I think the overuse of 'amazing' is a cultural thing. I know here many of my students, when trying to sound more American, will use 'amazing' or 'awesome' to describe almost anything that is remotely interesting.

I mean I agree that we have made 'amazing' that much less amazing, but I will proudly continue in my awesome use of amazing and I thank you in advance for your understanding! ;)

I do agree with getting rid of 'the new normal', or it's sibling 'the new norm'. Just seems too much for me.

I've never seen 'pet parent' before or 'trickeration'.

At first I thought it was a term children used for parents that give the child everything they want....apparently not so much. Apparently it means a person who owns a pet and treats it like a child...(which I would never ever do with my cat....ever...though he is quite cute!)

'Trickeration' is just ridiculous...tricky is a great word.