Hi test,

I'll admit it, English has a lot of exceptions… but its grammar is relatively simple.

Take, for example, a normal verb: play.

There are 4 ways you can use this: play, plays, played, playing.

When I was learning Spanish, I had to learn about 50 different conjugations of that verb... and the same for all the other types of verbs. 🤪

This is just one example. But generally, it annoys me when people say that English grammar is "complex" (or "the C- word" I referred to in the subject line of this email).

Let me tell you: English grammar is not complex. And if you think it's complex, you just haven't found a teacher who explains it to you in a clear, simple, easy-to-understand way.

And that has always been my #1 goal, as a teacher:

To explain clearly, to make grammar easy to understand, and to make my students think "Whoah! That's so simple!" 💫

In fact, that's one of my "3 Core Principles of Teaching English".

Want to know the other two? Ahhh, go on then, since you asked so nicely....

Core Principle #2

I'll explain this one with an example sentence...

"Do you want to go to the National History Museum with me?" 🦖

Imagine you said this sentence with loads of pronunciation mistakes, but perfect grammar

Now imagine you said it with terrible grammar and vocabulary (e.g. "You want going in dinosaur museum with I")... but perfect pronunciation!

Which is best?

Well, in a writing exam, the perfect grammar option is best, obviously.

But for most of your life you're not in a writing exam! You're speaking to people, living real life. And if your pronunciation is difficult to understand, it doesn't matter if you have the best grammar in the world!

Learning grammar and vocabulary without learning pronunciation at the same time is like having a sandwich with no bread! 🥬

And that is my core principle #2... Pronunciation is everything, and should be never be forgotten about!

Core Principle #3

The last core principle refers to the way we learn vocabulary.

Traditional ways of learning vocabulary are often more like a memory test.

You memorise a word in your head, and then try to remember it when you need it.

However, the best way to learn vocabulary is NOT with your head.... 

It's with your heart. ❤️

If you learn new words through stories, experiences and emotions, then you learn with your heart, and never forget the word.

I hurt my ankle quite badly when I was living in France, and couldn't play for my football team for about 3 months. I haven't used the French word for ankle (cheville) for years, but I know I'll never forget it, because of the experience I suffered with it.

But if my teacher had given me a list of weird body parts to memorise for a vocabulary test.... I tell you, I don't think I would remember the word so vividly now.

So, Core Principle #3... Learn in Context! And when I say 'context', I mean stories (reading / listening), conversations, experiences and emotions.

The 3 Core Principles

These 3 core principles are actually the foundations of my Brilliant B2 course... maybe you've heard of it!

In fact, these core principles are what makes the course so unique, and, well, "brilliant"! But...

⚠️ Warning:

❌ DO NOT BUY MY BRILLIANT B2 COURSE!!! 

(Not yet, anyway!)

You see, tomorrow I’m going to be offering you a really special promo, with the most valuable bonuses I've ever offered.

I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow… 🎉

Bye for now,

~ Greg

PS: Not sure of your current level? Take this test →