Blog
Stories, insights, and learning adventures
Boom — A Vocabulary Story
The Sound of Growing Nadia ran the little flower stall on the corner of Ashbourne Road, and for three years it had barely survived. Some mornings she sold a...
Diligent — A Vocabulary Story
Checking Everything Twice Kwame's teacher had written 'diligent' in his school report last term. Diligent means working hard and being careful with what you...
Hostage — A Vocabulary Story
The Sunset Deadline Captain Rao crouched in the dust outside the abandoned warehouse. Inside, somewhere, was Dr. Mehra — a doctor taken hostage three days...
Treacherous — A Vocabulary Story
The Treacherous Path to Tiger's Nest Fatma adjusted her rucksack and squinted up at the monastery clinging to the cliff face above. Bhutan's mountain air bit...
Temerity — A Vocabulary Story
The Markets of Marrakesh In the labyrinth of Marrakesh's souk, Diana clutched her mother's shopping list and a fistful of dirhams. She was eleven, visiting her...
Tactless — A Vocabulary Story
Listening Tastes Better Fernando had been looking forward to the Istanbul Grand Bazaar for weeks. His older cousin Teresa, who had lived in Turkey for two...
Brittle — A Vocabulary Story
The Brittle Crossing High in the Patagonian foothills of Chile, Jorge gripped the rope of an old footbridge while his cousin Ann hesitated behind him. They had...
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?" she...
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 means...
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. Dogs...
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 was...