Better English Opens Doors to a Better Future

“English Opens Doors” — I love that title

“English opens doors” (or, in Spanish, “inglés abre puertas”) is a program in Chile that promotes learning English. I love their name because they really “get it”. Education is the key to a bigger, wider life. Normally, I write about teaching math . I do love math but if you are good at math or technology AND can also communicate well, doors will fly open for you.

Being a good writer, reader or speaker is a skill, and just like any skill the more of it you do, the better you get. It also helps to have direct instruction and good examples. We made our games like Aztech: The Story Begins for middle school students who were learning English as a second language , but there are also plenty of students who could use some help speaking better English and it’s the only language they speak!

Did you ever think about how a limited vocabulary can limit you?

Living in Chile has been a challenge in part because it is hard to say exactly what I mean. I literally don’t have the words for it. In Spanish, I can’t make a distinction between ‘annoyed’ and ‘infuriated’. The only word I have is ‘angry’ (enojada). So, if I’m annoyed, I just put up with it because I am not actually ‘angry’ and I don’t…