"Perhaps you're reading a book and stop to puzzle over absurd spelling rules, or you hear someone talking and get stuck on an expression, or your kid quizzes you on homework. Suddenly you ask yourself, "Wait, why do we do it this way?" You think about it, try to explain it, and keep running into walls. It doesn't conform to logic. It doesn't work the way you'd expect it to. There doesn't seem to be any rule at all. In Highly Irregular, Arika Okrent...

" ... correct sounds are explained in mouth close-ups and illustrated through real-life conversations. Sound contrasts and practice sentences are then presented for reinforcement value"--Container. DVD also includes practice sentences and helpful hints.

"Let's get real--the English language is bizarre. A might be for apple, but it's also for aisle and aeons. Why does the word "gnat" start with a G but the word "knot" doesn't start with an N? It doesn't always make sense, but don't let these rule-breaking silent letters defeat you! This whimsical, funky book from Raj Haldar (aka rapper Lushlife) turns the traditional idea of an alphabet book on its head, poking fun at the most mischievous words in...

Listen and study with 77 Real Life English Dialogues including the 500 Most Common English Words and FREE audio read by Camille and Calvin. You'll be exposed to the 500 words at least four times throughout the e-book. This book includes:77 "Bite-sized" English Dialogues using the 500 words in contextMade for English as a second language learners and teachers (ESL)77 FREE Audio Dialogues in Normal and Slow Speed (details inside)500 Word Dictionary...

A history of English from the age of Beowulf to the rap of Eminem. Many have written about the evolution of grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary, but only Seth Lerer situates these developments within the larger history of English, America, and literature. This edition features a new chapter on the influence of biblical translation and an epilogue on the relationship of English speech to writing. A unique blend of historical and personal narrative....

Four all-new chapters in this expanded third edition discuss the psychology of accent acquisition, explain American voice quality, and present both students and teachers of American Engish with detailed pronunciation overviews. Five instructive audio CDs use professional male and female voices to complement the text and present in-depth demonstrations of American English as it is spoken today.

"This follow-up series to First Words provides an easy transition from learning single words to forming simple phrases. Kids learn simple conversation starters and responses, or can create their own unique phrases by combining building blocks of language." -- Goodreads.com