by Dwane | Apr 13, 2022 | Uncategorized
While writing the Word Up series, I often consulted the book Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis. (Unfortunately, I cannot recommend the book to students. There are, oddly enough, too many innuendos in this book.) In the introduction Mr. Lewis writes this:...
by Dwane | Apr 2, 2022 | Uncategorized
Last week I talked about French. Even if you are older, you are likely not too old to learn French. If you missed it, that tip (along with hundreds of others) is here: https://dwanethomas.com/tip-week-archives/ This week I am here to talk about German. I am not...
by Dwane | Mar 30, 2022 | Uncategorized
“Words matter. They help us define meaning. We think with words. We learn with words. Words are the fundamental tools we use for communicating. If we use them well, we can cut and shape and polish our ideas precisely and beautifully. If we use them sloppily we put...
by Dwane | Mar 28, 2022 | Uncategorized
Are you qualified to teach online? Maybe. Probably. What do I mean? Maybe you have a degree in your chosen field. Maybe you are certified in your chosen field. That’s fine. But, what if you aren’t? If you aren’t certified, maybe you should consider...
by Dwane | Mar 26, 2022 | Uncategorized
Dr. Mary Hobson is one of my language heroes. Whenever I feel too old to learn a language, which is often, I read her story again. It’s here: https://markrwayne.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-inspirational-story-of-dr-mary.html Dr. Hobson decided to take on Russian at age...
by Dwane | Mar 21, 2022 | Uncategorized
If I were starting over online, on the very first day, I would start with an email list. If you are starting out online, start building an email list. Set up a free account with MailChimp, or Aweber, or with one of these guys:...
by Dwane | Mar 19, 2022 | Uncategorized
Spring break is coming up on my site. From April 4 through April 9 there will be no classes. I’m planning to drive out to Colorado to spend some time with my son. I am also going to try, again, to learn to snowboard. Because, I don’t want to admit I am getting...
by Dwane | Mar 16, 2022 | Uncategorized
Are you an AMC stubs loser? Sometime ago, my wife and I went to see the movie Reminiscence at our local theater. Since this post is not about the movie let me just say a few quick things about it. It was OK, I suppose. The movie did what it was supposed to do. It...
by Dwane | Mar 14, 2022 | Uncategorized
Last week, I received this note. Thank you thank you thank you!We are back to Classical Conversations after 2 years off.I hadn’t expected to come back and your videos are a total life saver!I have a student in Henle 2 and Henle 4, and although it is too late for...
by Dwane | Mar 11, 2022 | Uncategorized
“And so here we are, right on schedule. It turns out that, however you might wish otherwise, you eventually wind up wherever it was you were going. If you get on the plane to Chicago, and I would urge you to follow me closely here, you are going to land in Chicago. We...
by Dwane | Mar 5, 2022 | Uncategorized
Here’s a tip I learned years ago from Michael Masterson’s book The Pledge, which I read again this week. (I do not recommend this book for kids, or teenagers, by the way.) Check your email last. I understand not everyone can do this. Some jobs will not allow it....
by Dwane | Mar 3, 2022 | Uncategorized
Lately, I’ve been getting more questions about the books I recommend. This post is a response to that question. I will update and add to this post as my recommendations change. As for the literature books I’d recommend…. a little background first. I was...
by Dwane | Feb 26, 2022 | Uncategorized
A few weeks ago, a reader suggested I check out Hoopla. Here is what J.L. suggested: Dear Mr. Thomas, I don’t know if you have sent a weekly email about this yet, but I highly recommend the app Hoopla. You just install it and give it your library card number...
by Dwane | Feb 24, 2022 | Uncategorized
We are coming up on a new month. If you are reading through Lingua Latina, or Le Français par la Métode Nature, here is a good way to review what you have already...
by Dwane | Feb 19, 2022 | Uncategorized
This is more of a head’s up than a tip If you are thinking of teaching online, be ready to create tests quizzes, or some sort of assessment. When I started teaching online, I didn’t see this coming. I write six tests a week. Two Spanish tests, two French...
by Dwane | Feb 18, 2022 | Uncategorized
If you are in the online classes I teach, we have a short break coming up. I will be out of town for a few days. There will be no classes on Monday, February 28 through Wednesday, March 2. Classes will resume on Thursday, March 3. Also, there will be a week-long...
by Dwane | Feb 16, 2022 | Uncategorized
People frequently ask me, “How did you start making a living online? And, do you think I could?” First, it wasn’t easy. It was hard work. Second, yes. I think you could do this. But, we really should re-frame the question. We should ask… Should you become an...
by Dwane | Feb 12, 2022 | Uncategorized
In a recent service, my pastor reminded the congregation “When you ask God for something, be very specific.. God loves to answer prayer. By asking him for specific requests, you make it easy for him to demonstrate his power. “ Though it is very difficult to do, I...
by Dwane | Feb 11, 2022 | Uncategorized
I sent this email out on April 12, 2020. Well. It’s been a while. I sure hope you all are well. A few days ago, I received this email: Yep I’ll I’ve recently joined the email list for your email list (Tip of the Week). And I wanted to ask: Are you still...
by Dwane | Feb 5, 2022 | Uncategorized
A few tips ago, I announced that I was going to give up sugar for a year. Then I shared a tip I use to combat sugar cravings. I chew gum. (By the way, I should make something something clear. I have decided to avoid white, processed sugar. I still eat fruit and...
by Dwane | Jan 29, 2022 | Uncategorized
I know how to use a gun, but I’d rather not. In a fight, I’d rather walk away. I imagine you feel the same. The same rule applies to writing. I know the big words in the English language. I’ve taught Latin for decades. Most of the big words in English come from...
by Dwane | Jan 27, 2022 | Uncategorized
Recently, I posted a quick start guide to getting started online. I listed twelve steps. Here are three even quicker ways to get started online. Any of these three would work. The trick is to start. #1. Start a blog, newsletter, podcast, You Tube channel or...
by Dwane | Jan 26, 2022 | Uncategorized
I sent this tip out on November 30, 2019 Last Thursday, in America, we celebrated Thanksgiving day. Many of the first English settlers who came to North American shores went hungry and even starved during their first year in the New World. We celebrate that...
by Dwane | Jan 25, 2022 | Uncategorized
Last week, this note from a student made me happy. I wanted to thank you for teaching Latin. I’ve learned more in three months than in three years. And now Latin is my favorite subject! Thank you for all the time and effort you have put in to make this so much fun....
by Dwane | Jan 24, 2022 | Uncategorized
I sent this tip out on November 23, 2019: Here’s this week’s tip: Give yourself plenty of time. Next week, in America, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. If you are driving to a relative’s house, and you are supposed to be there by 1, simply plan...
