10 English words and slang terms you should know

Steffanie Zazulak
A couple laughing together while having drinks

Not everything can be taught in the classroom ¨C that¡¯s why we¡¯ve put together a list of 10 English words, slang terms and figures of speech for you to sprinkle into your English conversations. Not sure how to use them? Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ve included definitions and examples of how to use them in a sentence.

Earworm

A song or tune that, once you¡¯ve heard it, is stuck in your head.

Use it: ¡°That new Taylor Swift song is such an earworm!¡±

Staycation

Spending your holiday in your hometown rather than traveling abroad. Often spent relaxing around the house or doing activities in the local area.

Use it: ¡°I¡¯m having a staycation this summer, as I¡¯m trying to save money.¡±

Webisode

An episode or series created exclusively for online viewing. This can be part of a web series or used to promote a television series.

Use it: ¡°There¡¯s a new Breaking Bad webisode online, have you seen it?¡±

Crowdfunding

Funding a project or business venture by asking a large number of people (typically online) to invest a small amount of money ¨C usually via websites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

Use it: ¡°We raised enough money to launch our business using crowdfunding.¡±

Glamping

Glamorous camping! Avoiding any rough conditions with luxurious facilities and accommodation, such as a yurt or cabin.

Use it: ¡°We¡¯re going to be glamping at Glastonbury this year.¡±

Lookalike

Something or someone that closely resembles something else, often used to describe someone who looks very similar to a celebrity.

Use it: ¡°Have you seen the Prince William and Kate Middleton lookalikes over there?¡±

Handover

This word has a more political significance, in terms of gaining land or ownership. However, its modern usage is commonly in the workplace: The act of passing over control or responsibility to another person while you are off work on holiday or leaving a job.

Use it: ¡°I¡¯ll send my notes in a handover email so you can continue the project while I¡¯m away.¡±

Meh

When something is a little uninspiring or dull. Also a word you could use to describe your lack of interest or indifference. It¡¯s basically a verbal shrug.

Use it: ¡°The film was a bit meh.¡±

Binge-watch

Watching multiple episodes of a TV show, one after another, in a single sitting. Usually, with a DVD box set or using online streaming.

Use it: ¡°I¡¯m planning to binge-watch the entire series of Game of Thrones this weekend!¡±

Spill the tea

When someone 'spills the tea' they are telling you all the latest news or gossip.?

Use it: ¡°Please spill the tea about last week's party!"

More blogs from ÃÛÌÒapp

  • A woman on her laptop smiling and working

    The science behind Smart Lesson Generator: Making teaching easier with AI

    By Thomas Gardner
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    It's 6 AM on a Monday morning. Ms. Lopez wakes up early to prepare for the day ahead. She spends the morning reviewing lesson plans, making sure everything is ready for her students. By lunchtime, she is preparing for the afternoon, grabbing a quick bite between classes... but it doesn¡¯t stop there. The school day finishes but Ms. Lopez stays late marking assignments. Finally, on Sunday night, she sits at her kitchen table, surrounded by papers, course books and lesson plans.

    Does this sound familiar? You are not alone.

    The challenge teachers face

    In 2024, ÃÛÌÒapp research found that?76% of teachers spend at least one hour of their personal time on lesson planning each week, with 43% spending more than three hours. This is a lot of time that could be spent on other important tasks. Teachers need a solution that helps them plan lessons fast, is connected to their course books and is built by learning experts.

  • woman working on a laptop

    Why use Smart Lesson Generator?

    By Thomas Gardner
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Teachers juggle many responsibilities and often find themselves with limited time for lesson planning. Your solution? Smart Lesson Generator is the fast, connected and effective way to plan lesson activities, so you can get back to doing what you love ¨C teaching. Smart Lesson Generator is an AI-powered tool designed to support educators by streamlining lesson planning and creating engaging, pedagogically-sound content. Here¡¯s why you should consider integrating this tool into your teaching toolkit.

    Save time and focus on teaching

    One of the most significant challenges teachers face is the overwhelming amount of time spent on planning and administrative tasks. Smart Lesson Generator addresses this issue head-on by enabling teachers to create high-quality lesson activities in just 60 seconds. This time-saving feature allows educators to dedicate more time to engaging with their students and delivering impactful lessons.

    Ensure content relevance and engagement

    Creating relevant and engaging content is crucial for effective teaching. The Smart Lesson Generator empowers teachers to tailor lesson activities to the specific needs and interests of their students. Whether you¡¯re adapting content based on current events or cultural relevance, the tool ensures that your lessons are always up-to-date and engaging.

    Provide differentiated instruction

    Catering to a diverse classroom with varying abilities can be challenging. Smart Lesson Generator supports differentiated instruction by offering stretch activities for advanced students and remediation activities for those needing additional support. This feature ensures that all students, regardless of their proficiency level, receive the appropriate level of challenge and support, fostering a more inclusive and effective learning environment.

    Pedagogically sound

    As educators, I think we can all agree there is a need for effective AI-tools that are designed by teaching experts. Smart Lesson Generator is aligned with ÃÛÌÒapp courses and the Global Scale of English (GSE) framework, ensuring that all generated activities are pedagogically sound and level appropriate. This alignment guarantees that the content you deliver is not only engaging but also meets rigorous educational standards, providing a reliable foundation for student learning.

    Explore a variety of activity types

    Smart Lesson Generator currently offers six activity types - with more in development - to cater to different teacher needs and styles. These include:

    • Lesson hook: Engaging warmers to introduce lesson topics and activate prior knowledge
    • Communication starter: Activities designed to promote student interaction and communication skills
    • Reading activity: Additional reading practice aligned with lesson content or personalized topics
    • Exit ticket: Formative assessment tools to evaluate student understanding and encourage reflection
    • Grammar presentation: Support for mastering key language points relevant to the lesson
    • Vocabulary presentation: Activities to enhance vocabulary acquisition and usage

    Personalize the learning experience

    Every classroom is unique, and Smart Lesson Generator allows you to create personalized learning experiences tailored to your students' needs. By generating content based on ÃÛÌÒapp courses or personalized topics, you can ensure that each lesson is relevant and engaging for your students. This personalization fosters a more dynamic and effective learning environment where students are more likely to stay engaged and motivated.

    Embrace the future of teaching with Smart Lesson Generator and experience the transformative power of AI in education. Save time, enhance engagement and deliver high-quality, personalized lessons that make a lasting impact on your students.

  • A teacher stood next to a young students desk, the student sat at the desk is high fiving his teacher

    What is the ÃÛÌÒapp Smart Lesson Generator?

    By Thomas Gardner
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    How much of your valuable time is spent on planning and administrative tasks instead of teaching? While 93% of educators start their careers to positively impact students' lives, over 75% end up overwhelmed by these non-teaching duties. But we have a tool to help lighten the load.

    Introducing ÃÛÌÒapp Smart Lesson Generator?¨C a fast, integrated and efficient solution to streamline lesson planning, allowing you to focus on teaching. Let¡¯s explore the Smart Lesson Generator:

    Meet the new ÃÛÌÒapp Smart Lesson Generator

    The ÃÛÌÒapp Smart Lesson Generator allows you to create engaging and appropriate lesson plans in seconds. It is connected with ÃÛÌÒapp courses designed by experts and aligned with the Global Scale of English (GSE) to ensure effectiveness.