ESL and GED Learning New Mexico

ESL and GED Learning New Mexico This page is for students, teachers, and others who want to improve their English. This page is for the ESL and GED Exam preparation community.

I have extensive experience as an ESL teacher and program administrator, high school English teacher, language arts and social studies instructor, and TOEFL, TABE, GAIN, and CASAS exam administrator. I currently spend my time as the ESL Program Specialist at a large community college. I teach 4 or 5 classes every semester and help administer the program. I am also an experienced literary translator. My wife and I have translated numerous children's books from English to Spanish. Some of them have won awards. This page is a place to learn, find practice activities, meet fellow learners and teachers, and share ideas. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS and post. I am available for private and small group lessons, English/Spanish translations, tutoring, TOEFL prep, etc., both in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area and online. Send a message to the inbox for further information.

09/26/2026

I hope you have a peaceful weekend!
09/26/2026

I hope you have a peaceful weekend!

Friday Slang!
09/25/2026

Friday Slang!

Today’s Idiom“to play footsie (with someone)”Meaning: to gently touch or caress someone’s feet with your feet (usually u...
09/24/2026

Today’s Idiom
“to play footsie (with someone)”
Meaning: to gently touch or caress someone’s feet with your feet (usually under a table) in a flirtatious or playful way (usually secretly); to touch someone’s feet with your feet to show sexual interest; a game (often played by children):
-“When I reached down to pick up my napkin, I noticed that Patty and Juan were playing footsie under the table.”
-“Billy’s little sister finally yelled at him and told him to stop trying to play footsie with her under the dinner table. Their mother got annoyed made both of them leave the table.”
-“As I was sitting at the table in the break room, I felt a foot rubbing on my feet. Then it began to slowly move up between my legs. At that moment, Janice Higgens, the new accountant gave me a very flirtatious look and blew me a kiss from across the table! The next time we are seated across from each other, I am going play footsie with her!”
-“When the children start to feel restless on the bus ride home from school, they often play footsie under their seats.”
-“Uncle Bilbo and Aunt Peggy have been married for over forty years. I love it how they still flirt with each other like when they were teenagers. Just last night, they were playing footsie under the table at the family dinner.”
-“Our friends didn’t know why my wife and I were laughing. No one realized that we were playing footsie under the table.”
-“As John extended his leg under the table to initiate a game of footsie with Miranda, he felt a large boot kick his leg. At that moment, Miranda’s father gave John a dirty look.”
-“The children’s innocent game of footsie got out of hand when one of the boys pinched one of the girl’s leg with his toes. She started to cry and ran off to tell her mother what had happened.”
-“Carl and Lupita felt excited and mischievous as they played footsie under the table at the restaurant. None of the other people seated at the table knew!”
*Can you write an example sentence?

Today’s Idiom:“one’s type”Meaning: someone who has the personality or physical appearance that one is typically attracte...
09/23/2026

Today’s Idiom:
“one’s type”
Meaning: someone who has the personality or physical appearance that one is typically attracted to; someone who has the preferred qualities to be one’s romantic partner; *this idiom is often used in the negative to say that someone is not attracted to a person:
-“A lot of the girls in our class think Roger is handsome, but he’s not my type.”
-“I want to introduce you to my new neighbor. I think she is your type. She is very athletic.”
-“We were very surprised that John started dating Trudy Chesterfield. Trudy doesn’t look like his type. She is tall and skinny. John’s last three girlfriends were short and chubby.”
-“I am very attracted to Millie. She is totally my type! She loves to read and she has a great smile.”
-“I’m flattered that you are asking me out on a date, but I have to decline. To be honest with you, you’re just not my type.”
-“I don’t think he’s my type. I like to spend most of my time at home. He told me that he loves to go to parties and clubs.”
*Can you write an example sentence?

Today’s Idiomatic Expression:“to point the finger at someone”Meaning: to accuse or blame someone for doing something wro...
09/22/2026

Today’s Idiomatic Expression:
“to point the finger at someone”
Meaning: to accuse or blame someone for doing something wrong; to attach blame to someone; to identify someone as being guilty of something:
-“The workers are pointing the finger at management for the company’s declining sales.”
-“Don’t point the finger at me. It’s not my fault!”
-“I point the finger at the coach. The team has enough talent to be champions, but he isn’t a good game manager.”
-“It is easy to point the finger at the government for your unhappiness, John. But you need to take some personal accountability.”
-“Everyone is pointing the finger at Miranda, but I know that she didn’t break the vase. It is time for me to confess! I broke it! I am sorry!”
-“I’m not pointing the finger at any of you in particular, but I know that someone in this office has been stealing supplies from my office.”
-“If you didn’t do it, then prove it to us if you want us to stop pointing the finger at you. All of the evidence suggests that you sent the threatening email.”
-“Both of them point the finger at the other for their failed relationship.”
-“Are you really pointing the finger at me? I didn’t eat your cookies!”
-“It is one of former President Naranjo’s favorite tactics. He points the finger at everyone else to deflect attention away from his own ineptitude.”
*Can you write an example sentence?

Today’s Idiomatic Expression:“(right) from the get-go”Meaning: if something happens or is true from the get-go, it happe...
09/21/2026

Today’s Idiomatic Expression:
“(right) from the get-go”
Meaning: if something happens or is true from the get-go, it happens or is true from the beginning of a process or activity; from the beginning; immediately; from the very start; *this expression is very common in informal, spoken American English:
-“I could tell right from the get-go that we had a lot in common.”
-“The party was a disaster from the get-go. When we walked in the room, it was like a sauna. The air conditioning was not working.”
-“I knew from the get-go that it was going to be an excellent day. When I woke up, my wife was preparing my favorite breakfast for me.”
-“President Naranjo’s speech was contemptuous right from the get-go.”
-“It was obvious from the get-go that they were in love. Everyone who was at the party the night they met could see that it was love at first sight.”
-“I knew from the get-go that they were going to win the basketball game because they looked much taller and stronger than the other team.”
-“Right from the get-go, I knew that it was going to become one of my favorite books. I was mesmerized after I read the first paragraph of the first chapter.”
-“There are a lot of new employees working on the project. Miranda and I are the only two people who have been working on it from the get-go.”
-“I felt very uncomfortable from the get-go. The moment we walked into the restaurant, people began to stare at us.”
-“Professor Trouthead was one of my favorite teachers from the get-go. He made me feel very comfortable the first time I met him.”
-“I have been telling her right from the get-go that John isn’t being honest with her, but she refuses to listen to me!”
*Can you write an example sentence?

Today's Friday Slang: "to live rent free (in one's head or mind)"
09/18/2026

Today's Friday Slang: "to live rent free (in one's head or mind)"

Address

Santa Fe, NM
87500-87599

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when ESL and GED Learning New Mexico posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The School

Send a message to ESL and GED Learning New Mexico:

Shortcuts

Share