Understanding the Idiom: 'A Big Plus'

In this episode of Easy English Expressions, Coach Shane breaks down the common English idiom "a big plus." Defined as a significant benefit, advantage, or positive aspect of a situation, the phrase is used to highlight why a particular choice or circumstance is favorable.

The Practical Application: Making Coffee at Home

Coach Shane illustrates the utility of this expression by contrasting his former habit of purchasing coffee at Starbucks with his current routine of brewing it at home. He identifies several reasons why home-brewing is "a big plus":

• Financial Savings: By moving away from a daily Starbucks routine—which he estimates cost him up to $200 a month—he has reduced his expenses significantly. He notes that home-brewing costs closer to $60 a month, making the cost-efficiency "a big plus."
• Control over Ingredients: Because he prepares the coffee himself, he has full transparency regarding the quality of the beans, the amount of milk, and the preparation of the caramel. Knowing exactly what goes into his cup is, in his words, "a big plus."
• Convenience and Access: The ability to enjoy coffee whenever he desires, without needing to travel to a distant shop, serves as another major advantage.

Cultural Context and Humor: The Switzerland Example

To further clarify the term, Coach Shane analyzes a dialogue regarding the advantages of living in Switzerland. The dialogue introduces a clever play on words:

"What's the advantage of living in Switzerland? Well, the flag is a big plus."

This joke relies on the visual design of the Swiss flag, which features a white cross (resembling a mathematical plus sign) on a red field. Beyond the humor, the conversation explores legitimate benefits of the country, such as the quality of the food (specifically cheese and fondue) and the highly desirable "low taxes," which the speaker identifies as "the best" attribute.

Encouraging Language Mastery

Coach Shane encourages his listeners to internalize the expression by applying it to their own lives. He suggests creating personal sentences using the structure: "Something is a big plus when living in my country."

He provides a personal example from his life in Chicago: "There are many, many pizza restaurants. That is a big plus." This exercise is designed to help students move beyond passive listening to active usage of the idiom.

Conclusion: Daily Routine and Community

Beyond the linguistic lesson, the podcast serves as a snapshot of Coach Shane’s daily schedule on August 2nd, 2017. He balances his teaching responsibilities—including the "Everyone's Vocab Challenge" (EVC) and his "Week in Review" class—with household tasks, such as clearing a tree downed by a storm. By sharing his daily life, he fosters a sense of community, inviting his students to join him on platforms like Facebook and Twitter to continue their journey to "master English."