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Beyond Words

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  Since this is the final blog for my assignment, I can honestly say it's been a small journey full of big lessons. Through writing these blog entries, I’ve discovered parts of myself I hadn’t explored before. Each post has captured moments, reflections, and stories from my English learning adventure. Until now, I had always kept my thoughts and writing to myself. But sharing them has been surprisingly rewarding. I hope many people read this and find something useful, especially those who think learning English is always going to be hard or impossible. To them, I say: No, it’s not. It all depends on your determination and, above all, the discipline you build. That’s how goals are achieved (any goals). Believing in yourself is fundamental. And tuning out the voices that say, “You can’t do it,” is part of the process. Yes, it will be challenging, but also completely worth it. Writing blogs creates a virtual community that’s both inspiring and empowering. Connecting with others wh...
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When I Tried to Think in English (And Got Hungry)

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  When I Tried to Think in English (And Got Hungry) A long long time ago, when I was in high school, one day, my teacher told us: “You should start thinking in English.” That sounded... scary. My brain barely worked in Spanish before coffee! But I wanted to try. So the next morning, I looked at my breakfast and said (in my head): “This is bread. I like bread.”  Not too bad, right? Then I opened the fridge and thought, “I want… umm… the thing with milk… yogurt?”  I wasn’t sure, but I was trying. It got funnier at school. I stared at my friend and thought, “She is wearing… a pink thing… with sleeves… a shirt! Yes!”  My inner voice was slow, but it was learning. At one point, I accidentally answered my mom in English. She gave me that  look and said, “¿Estás bien, mija?” Even though I made tons of mistakes in my mind, I kept going. I learned that thinking in English doesn’t mean you need perfect grammar—it means you're practicing, even when nobody hears you. And ho...
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Leveling Up Vocabulary (Literally)

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  Leveling Up Vocabulary (Literally) I never expected a video game to help me learn English. But here I am, playing The Legend of Zelda and growing my vocabulary faster than ever. I started with basic words like “sword” and “shield,” but now I know “elixir,” “shrine,” “ancient ruins,” and more. Every time I find a new word, I pause the game, look it up, and add it to my “Gamer Glossary.” It’s like learning without feeling like I’m studying. My favorite trick is turning on the English subtitles and paying close attention to the characters. I even started reading walkthroughs and watching YouTubers in English to understand tips and tricks. Now my vocabulary list looks like something from a fantasy novel! Words like “quest,” “legendary,” “stealth,” and “forge” are part of my daily English practice. I’ve even improved my reading and listening skills without using a textbook. If you like gaming, this is a great way to learn naturally. Just switch your game language to English, kee...
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My First Language Exchange Blind Date

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  I wanted to practice with a native English speaker, so I downloaded a language exchange app. That’s how I met Jake, a friendly guy from Chicago with a great sense of humor. We agreed to talk on Saturday, but I totally forgot about time zones! He called at 6 a.m. my time, and I looked like a sleepy raccoon with messy hair and one eye half open. I almost didn’t answer, but I’m so glad I did. The awkward beginning turned into one of the most fun English conversations I’ve ever had. We both laughed a lot, and Jake made me feel super comfortable. He taught me casual expressions like “What’s up?”, “No biggie,” and “Chill out,” while I introduced him to Ecuadorian slang like “¡Qué bestia!”, “chuta,” and “bacán.” We even ended up having a spontaneous mini-rap battle (mine was terrible, but he clapped anyway). We talked about our favorite foods—he loves deep-dish pizza, and I told him about encebollado and llapingachos. Then we shared music from our countries, and he was amazed by reggaet...
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The Tongue Twister

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  The TongueTwister  The other day, I discovered the power of tongue twisters. What started as a joke turned into the funniest challenge ever. I began with “She sells seashells by the seashore” , but I sounded like I had a mouth full of peanut butter. So, I made it a game. I wrote different tongue-twisters on sticky notes and put them everywhere, on my mirror, laptop, fridge, and even my dog’s bowl. Every time I walked by, I had to say one correctly. I failed so many times, but eventually, I could say “Irish wristwatch” like a pro. My pronunciation improved without me even noticing! Best part? My sister joined in and now we have competitions every morning. We laugh, we trip over words, and we learn. Moral of the story: you don’t need boring drills. Just twist your tongue and have some fun. Try it, your English (and your cheeks) will thank you!
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The Karaoke Speech Hack

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The Karaoke Speech Hack Giving a speech in English used to terrify me. My hands would sweat, my voice would shake, and I’d forget everything. Then I had a silly idea: what if I practiced like I was singing karaoke? I printed my speech, added little beats and pauses, and used a hairbrush as a microphone. I even stood in front of the mirror like I was performing in a concert. And guess what? It worked! When presentation day came, I felt more confident and relaxed. I remembered the rhythm and delivered the speech with flow. My classmates were surprised, and I even got a compliment from the teacher! Practicing like a song helped me remember the words and made speaking less scary. Now, every time I have a speech or presentation, I warm up with karaoke-style practice. Try it! It’s silly, fun, and surprisingly effective. Bonus: your mirror might become your biggest fan.
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The Day I Dreamed in English

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😉The Day I Dreamed in English I always heard people say, “You know you're getting better at a language when you dream in it.” Well, guess what? It finally happened, and it was so weird. In the dream, I was lost in New York (classic) and had to ask for directions. I remember walking up to a stranger and saying, “Excuse me, where’s the subway?” The stranger looked at me and replied in perfect English. The dream-me understood everything. I didn’t panic, I didn’t freeze. I even said “thank you” and walked away like a boss. When I woke up, I was honestly shocked. My brain had created English while I was sleeping. And the best part? I didn’t even make grammar mistakes! (I think). That dream gave me a strange confidence boost. It made me realize that English is no longer something “outside” of me—it’s becoming part of me. It sneaks into my thoughts, my playlists, my jokes, and now… my dreams. So, if you’re learning English too, hang in there. One day, you might find yourself order...
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