Blog
Stories, insights, and learning adventures
Tolerance — A Vocabulary Story
Terrible Differently --Maya and Sam had been paired for the science project, and three days in, Maya's tolerance was running thin. "Could you stop tapping?"...
Lambaste — A Vocabulary Story
The Football Reporter --In a buzzing café in Buenos Aires, eleven-year-old Antonio sat opposite his older cousin, Carmen, who worked as a sports journalist....
Torturous — A Vocabulary Story
The Long Wait for Bibi --The minute hand on the kitchen clock seemed broken. Nancy stared at it, willing it forward, but each tick was torturous. Torturous...
Tumult — A Vocabulary Story
The Quiet Bell of Kyoto --In a busy market in Kyoto, a girl named Hana held her ears. The tumult was too loud. Carts rolled. Vendors shouted. Pots clanged....
Laborious — A Vocabulary Story
The Lighthouse Keeper's Apprentice --On the windswept cliffs of County Clare, Ireland, twelve-year-old Paulo had begged his aunt Sonia for a summer job. She...
Mortal — A Vocabulary Story
The Mortal Coil of Cairo --Zahra crouched in the narrow alleyway behind the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, her sketchbook balanced on her knees. Above her, copper...
Fidelity — A Vocabulary Story
The 1974 Curve --The office had emptied by eight when Priya stopped at Anjali's desk and zoomed in on the screen. "You've smoothed the curve here." Anjali...
Lacklustre — A Vocabulary Story
The Lacklustre Lantern --In the bustling night markets of Hoi An, Min was determined to win the annual lantern competition. His older cousin, Hui, a...
Lyrical — A Vocabulary Story
The Buskers of Marrakech --Marie had never heard anything like it. Standing in the bustling square of Jemaa el-Fnaa, surrounded by the scent of saffron and...
Bigotry — A Vocabulary Story
The Flame Tree Pitch --The dust rose in golden clouds as Mo dribbled the ball across the patchy Lagos pitch. He'd been visiting his cousin Grace for the...
Debacle — A Vocabulary Story
The Great Cake Debacle --In a small bakery in Marrakech, a young baker named Yusuf was making his very first wedding cake. His best friend Amira watched from a...
Symmetry — A Vocabulary Story
The Mirror Garden of Belvedere --Nushi crouched in the box hedges of Belvedere Palace, clutching her grandfather's stolen sketchbook. Somewhere in these...