Author: Thay Paul's notes

London-born English teacher, now living and working in Sai Gon, Viet Nam. I want to use this site to post lesson notes, extra work, helpful links as well as general notes about my time in SE Asia and Viet Nam. I also want to give real classroom experiences and how to deal with real classes of noisy, unmotivated and resistant students. Additionally, I'll be posting links to films, publishing plays and stories, and introducing friends who work in the arts.

Olivia Hussey R.I.P.

17th February 2025

One wet, London afternoon, several classes of young teenage boys were herded into the main assembly hall. As a treat, or punishment, we were about to see the 1968 version of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.

My peers did not share my enthusiasm; Shakespeare, and a love story to boot.

However, as soon as the 15-year-old Olivia Hussey, as Juliet, appeared on the balcony, the teenage boys responded as teenage boys respond.

I, naturally, fell totally in love with ‘Juliet’.

Olivia continued working in film and TV, as well as doing voice-over work on some ‘Star Wars’ video games, up to 2015.

Sadly, Olivia passed away on 27th December 2024.

17th April 1951 – 27 December 2024

Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.

The Rhine River – fairy tales and gruesome stories.

12th February 2025

Today’s lesson is about a cruise on the Rhine, a famous river flowing through west Germany.

On the way, we will see fantastic castles, breathtaking views, and learn some fascinating stories.

Are you ready ? First, where is the Rhine ?

Where does the Rhine start ? Where does it finish ? Remember, rivers start in mountains and end in bigger rivers, seas or oceans.

How many countries does the Rhine flow through ?

The Rhine flows from its source to its mouth through Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria,  Germany, France and Netherlands.

Heute, today, we will focus on the Rhine through Germany.

Without further ado, let’s go!

Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XElvTqJVWA&ab_channel=DWTravel

Now … time to work

Tell me about the Rhine cruise:

What can you see, what can you do ?

What famous stories did you learn ?

What interesting cities did you see ?

Let’s pack some new words into our suitcase.

nouns:

landscape / fortress / legend / monument / journey / location / ruin

verbs: Verb 1 & (Verb 2)

destroy(ed) / inspire(d) / discover(ed) / renovate(d) / consider(ed)

adjectives:

magnificent / unusual / cruel / constant / majestic / breathtaking / important

How to start ?

Today, I travel on the famous Rhine River in Germany. I will see the Maus (mouse) Tower, the Loreley Rock and many magnificent castles.

First I see the Maus Tower, and learn the gruesome story …

Next, I travel past the Loreley Rock. Lorelay was a …

I journey past many … My favourite is … because …

The following websites were very useful: https://worldinmaps.com/rivers/rhine/ and https://securing-europe.wp.hum.uu.nl/rhine-tourism-napoleonic-empire-travelogues/

Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.

Young Learners, level 2: Senses working overtime (Revisited)

6th February 2025

Tell me about these people. He is or she is …

Premium Photo | Happy asian woman excited with thumb up taking selfie in city street
She is ……….

She is young and happy.

Close Up Of Cute Tired Child Boy Sleeping On Sofa. Stock Photo, Picture And Royalty Free Image. Image 16960148.
He is ……

He is tired.

Bored indian kid pic Stock Photos - Page 1 : Masterfile
He is very …..

He is very bored and unhappy.

Premium Photo | Korean red chili powder
She is very ….

She is very ill and unhappy.

Top Cats are able to form basic sentences such as:

I can run however I can’t fly

Warm Up: What can he or she do ?

What can you do ? What can’t you do ?

Ask your partner what he or she can do

Here, my wonderful TA will ask me, then tell the class, in order to model how to answer

Thay Paul, what can you do ?

“I can play guitar however I can’t play piano.”

Tell the class:

He can play guitar however he can’t play piano.

New vocabulary: the five senses

s — // h – – – // s – – – – // t a – – – // t o – – –

Next, use the new vocabulary in sentences.

What can he or she do and what can’t they do ?

Example:

Korean+butterfly Images, Stock Photos & Vectors | Shutterstock

She can see a butterfly however she can’t hear a butterfly.

She can touch a butterfly however she can’t smell a butterfly.

Teen girl with pizza stock photo. Image of eating, dinner - 156547378

She can __________ a pizza however she can’t __________ a pizza.

Metallica Nothing Else Matter (cover by azry) - YouTube

He can ________ a guitar _______________________ .

5027-a-beautiful-african-american-teen-girl-smelling-a-flower-pv.jpg - Member Albums - RISING PHOENIX GAMING an rpg play by post community

She can ______________________________ .

I Wish Someone Would Look At Me The Way Dogs Look At Food | Funny animal photos, Funny dog pictures, Funny animal pictures

The dog can __________________________________ .

Tell me more …

He is a dog.

He is a big, hungry dog.

He is a very hungry dog.

He is not (isn’t) a cat.

Adjective word bank

young / old / beautiful / happy / unhappy / clever / excited

She is a …

She is a doctor. She isn’t a teacher.

Flying high as first Saudi pilot of world's largest aircraft | Arab News

He is a …

He is a pilot. He isn’t a doctor.

Undergraduate Torah Studies: James Striar School | Yeshiva University

She is a …

She is a student. She isn’t a pilot.

Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.

Murakami on the Shore; talking animals and a whole lot more.

11th December 2024

A writing exercise for students at Level 4, ages 8 – 11

Let’s kick off with a speaking exercise:

Ask your partner these questions … and speak in ENGLISH only.

What is your English name ?

How old are you ?

What is your favourite food and why ? What food do you hate ?

What is your favourite game or toy, and why ?

Then present to the class.

Time for you to be creative and use your imagination.

First, some wonderful words. Translate them into your language:

excited

extraordinary (very, very special)

surprised

unbelievable

unique

Now, time to use them. Complete this story about a time when YOU met a talking animal. The animal can be real, or fantasy.

Try to use simple past [Verb 2].

After the writing, make a drawing or comic. Most importantly … have fun!

One [adjective] day I was walking down the street. Suddenly, I heard a [adjective] voice. I turned around but there was nobody there … only a/an {adjective + animal}

“Hello,” said the …

Tell me what happened. The animal can be:

aye-aye
cassowary
Oriental dwarf kingfisher

Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.

Some or Any ? Young Learners, Level 2

2nd December 2024

We use ‘some’ for a statement

There are some great websites for learning English.

[websites are plural and countable]

There is some ice-cream at VinMart.

[ice-cream is uncountable]

We use ‘any’ for a negative or a question 

There aren’t any parks near my home.

There isn’t any French cheese.

Are they any good films playing?

Do you have any English tea?

Twinings tea shop, London

NOW … YOUR TURN

1 Do you have ______ questions about the new project?

2 Let me give you _______ advice.

3 You don’t need to bring ____ paper. There will be ______ print-outs available.

4 There will be _____ visitors from Germany coming. Do you know ____ German?

For Top Cats

Speaking practice:

Jim I can’t wait for Tet. Do you have any plans?

Ann Of course! I’m going to watch some films and get some rest.

Jim Have you bought any special food?

Ann I don’t have any time for shopping. I’ve still got some juice. How about you?

Jim I need to buy some fruit, some biscuits, and do I need any special food for Tet?

Ann Absolutely ! You must buy some cakes and some sweets. 

Jim Anything else? I need some advise.

Ann Just make sure you have some beer. A LOT of beer. Cheers!

Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.

Teacher’s Day 2024: flowers, travel cup and a dinosaur.

22nd November 2024

Art work by Ms Hường

A heartfelt thank you to all the students who gave me Teacher’s Day messages, flowers and gifts.

Roses from Peter & Captain Lauren.

Single flower from Princess Leah.

Travel cup from Benjamin ‘Benny the Ball’. Pretty cool, hey ?

Cows from Rosemary, then clockwise, Lily, Sunny, and the dog from Lucy (in the Sky with Diamonds).

Dinosaur from Elsa (“Who’s into Alka Seltzer”).

NOT life size.

I believe it’s a parasaurolophus but if I’m mistaken, please enlighten me.

Art work by Captain Brenda
   Cảm ơn rất nhiều

Yom Kippur 2024

11th October 2024

Night has fallen in Asia, the start of Yom Kippur, a day of atonement and repentance.

At this time, I hope for compassion, understanding and respect for all people, all races, all religions.

Ignorance, prejudice, falsehoods and hate are the Four Horseman.

Let us try talking, and committing to peace. The past is out of our control but we can control the future, our future.

We have tried violence; it just does not work

Shalom – peace be with you all

Please, Sir … I want to write some more.

22nd August 2024

Today, we will learn how to write a review.

A review is what you think about a film, book, comic, video game, theatre piece, concert etc.

Your review will be in two parts:

Part One will have information, Part Two will have your opinions – what YOU think.

First, let’s watch a short clip from the film ‘Oliver’.

Here are the facts:

Film Name: Oliver Year: 1968 Country: UK

Director: Carol Reed Oliver Actor: Mark Lester

Genre: Musical

Now, write about the film:

How old is Oliver ? Where does he live ? Is his room comfortable or dirty ?

What does he do ? What does he see ? What are the people outside doing.

Remember to use lots of amazing adjectives, long sentences, and excellent expressions.

Please Note: All photos are taken from Google Images or free photo sites, and are used for educational purposes only. No copyright infringement or offense is intended. If I have used your photo or image, and you wish me to remove it, just ask. This site is not monetized, I run it on my own dollar. Thank you.