What Words Really Mean: Beyond the Dictionary

Shelly Bryant
Jun 10
2 min read

A 5-part video journey into the deeper layers of English communication

Have you ever said something that sounded correct… but landed wrong?

Or read a sentence in English that was grammatically perfect, yet felt off somehow?

If so, you’re not alone — and this program was designed for you.

What Words Really Mean: Beyond the Dictionary is a 5-video series created for bilingual speakers and advanced English learners who want to go beyond vocabulary and grammar, and into the real-world nuance of language. This isn’t about test prep or textbook rules. It’s about what makes English work — emotionally, socially, and contextually.

Here’s what we cover:

Episode 1: More Than Meaning — Understanding Tone

Learn how tone changes everything, even when the words don’t. You’ll explore how to hear (and use) tone intentionally, especially in polite or professional situations.

Episode 2: Matching the Moment — How Register Shapes Language

Why do some phrases sound stiff, while others feel too casual? This episode unpacks how to choose the right level of formality for different settings, and how register affects how you're perceived.

Episode 3: What’s Really Being Said — Reading Subtext in English

Sometimes what’s unsaid speaks loudest. In this episode, we explore how subtext works — and why it matters so much in professional communication.

Episode 4: Right Word, Wrong Feel — When Translation Trips You Up

Even when you translate correctly, something might still be “off.” We explore common mismatches in emotional register and cultural rhythm that lead to misunderstandings.

Episode 5: Trusting Your Inner Ear — Building Language Intuition

The final episode is all about developing your instincts. How do you know what “sounds right” in English? This is where language stops being mechanical and starts becoming natural.

What you’ll get:

5 engaging video lessons (5–8 minutes each)
Companion downloads for every episode (worksheets, phrase banks, trackers)
A live interactive session on Friday, 13 June at 8 PM (SG time) for all program participants and Word & World subscribers

Whether you’re a translator, a graduate student, or just someone who wants to sound more natural and confident in English, this program offers practical, thoughtful insight into the spaces where most textbooks stop short.

Join us — and go beyond the dictionary.