Three useful words for the ESL student

to enforce something – when the government or police make sure that people are following a law. i.e. The Chinese government has started to enforce its work-visa laws more strongly. They are now arresting and deporting people who work without the proper visas. Enforcing the work-visa law will make sure the quality of English teaching is better in China.

to hunker down – to really focus and work hard on something because a deadline is coming up. i.e. I have a tight deadline for this project and I am running out of time. I need to hunker down and start working harder and more efficiently or I am not going to be able to finish on time.

an encore – this is when a performer comes back on stage after a performance and does more performing (even though he/she doesn’t have to). For example, a pianist who finishes a scheduled hour-long piano recital might come back and play some extra piano pieces. Or a rock and roll band might come back on stage and do extra songs when their show is officially over.  i.e. I went to the Shenzhen Concert Hall to see a pianist play four Beethoven sonatas. I expected him to do an encore of a couple more piano pieces, but he was too tired and he didn’t do an encore.