Our Word for Wednesday theme for February is Valentine’s Day. Originally a Christian feast day for St. Valentine, Valentine’s Day in now celebrated all over the world on February 14th. The day is a dedication to all things love and romance. The word Valentine has been used since the fifteenth century to describe the person one chooses to spend Valentine’s Day with. It was first used to describe a card or letter sent on Valentine’s Day in 1824. Last week, we looked at the word Cupid. Today’s word is sweetheart. The word sweetheart is used as an affectionate pet name between lovers or friends. The term might also be used by some...
If you’re one of our regular readers you’ll be familiar with articles about idioms, but every now and then we like to share a recap for our new subscribers. Here are Spellzone we believe that one of the reasons English is such a difficult language to learn is because it’s full of idioms. Every few weeks we take a list of popular idioms and translate them for our second-language English speakers. An idiom is an expression which has a figurative meaning rather than a literal one. For example, when someone says ‘needle in a haystack’ they probably aren’t actually talking about a needle and a haystack, but about something that is as difficult to fi...
With Valentine’s Day just days away, this week we’re looking at idioms that concern the heart. Click here to read last year’s Valentine’s Day post. “Eat your heart out!” – an expression used to tell someone you think they will experience jealousy, regret, or anguish From the bottom of my heart – with utmost sincerity (and usually regret) “Have a heart!” – “Show some pity!”, “Try and be sympathetic!” Heart and soul – energy, enthusiasm In a heartbeat – immediately “My heart bleeds for/goes out to…” – “...
American vs. British English
Common Mistakes
Commonly Confused Words
English Idioms Explained
English Literature
Exams & Tests
Grammar & Punctuation
Mindful Spelling
Spelling at School
Spelling Games
Spelling Homework
Spelling Tips
Spellzone Tips & Tools
Supporting Adult Learners
Supporting Dyslexic Learners
Supporting EAL Learners
Word Origins & Stories
Writing & Vocabulary
One of the students has put in a huge amount of effort in completing Spellzone at least 3 times a week since his arrival with us in January. Looking at his scores after the latest GL testing, his standardised score has risen from 99 to 131. This is a truly phenomenal result. I just wanted to share the best result I have ever seen.
Terrie Penrose-Toms, Casterton College
Connect with us at: 
