Many years of teaching have convinced me of one uncomfortable truth. A large number of people believe they cannot speak English. But very often English is not the real problem. The real problem is that they struggle to express themselves in any language. That may sound harsh. It is not meant to be. It is […]

There is one phrase I almost never accept from my students. Not because it is rude. Not because it is incorrect. But because it stops the conversation before it even begins. That phrase is: “I don’t know.” Of course, there are situations where we genuinely do not know something. I do not expect my students […]

One of the first English verbs students learn is: know The translation seems simple. Problem solved. Or so it appears. Then learners encounter German. Suddenly they find: Both are translated as “to know.” Then they meet Spanish: Again, both mean “to know.” And suddenly a simple English word turns into a linguistic puzzle. The reason […]

Most students learn the word own very early. Usually, the explanation is simple: The translation seems straightforward. The lesson ends. Everyone moves on. But sooner or later English starts producing sentences that make that explanation feel incomplete. Consider: What exactly is being possessed here? A room? Perhaps. But what about ideas? Decisions? Opinions? The deeper […]

Most students eventually notice something strange. English allows both: At first glance, they appear identical. Many textbooks treat them as interchangeable. Most dictionaries translate both simply as: Technically, that translation is correct. But something important disappears. Native speakers often choose one form over the other for a reason. And that reason tells us something fascinating […]

Most language learners eventually encounter one of the strangest discoveries in English. A teacher writes: Then says: “One means not many. The other means several.” Technically, that explanation is not wrong. But it misses the most important part. The real difference is not quantity. The real difference is perspective. And once you understand that, you […]

If I had to choose one English word that causes more confusion than it deserves, some would be a strong candidate. Students usually learn it as: Then they open a real book, watch a film, listen to native speakers, and suddenly discover that some can mean: The problem is not grammar. The problem is that […]

🔎 Explore structured programs in English, German or Ukrainian at Levitin Language School. Why “I Have” Is Not As Simple As It Looks Possession seems universal. Every language needs a way to express ownership. Yet when we compare English, German and Ukrainian, we quickly discover that languages approach possession very differently. Some focus on the […]

🔎 Explore structured programs in English, German or Ukrainian at Levitin Language School. Why “I Know How” Is Not Universal Many learners assume that knowing something and being able to do something are the same. Languages disagree. When we compare English, German and Ukrainian, we discover that knowledge and ability are often expressed through completely […]

🔎 Explore structured programs in English, German or Ukrainian at Levitin Language School. Why This Topic Confuses Almost Everyone One of the first surprises for language learners is discovering that languages do not divide actions the same way. In Ukrainian and Russian, one verb often covers a wide range of situations: But English separates many […]