Boost your English speaking !

23rd May 2023

For speaking tests, students need to be able to speak at length, using long sentences with adjectives, linking words and maybe an expression or two … and it’s never too soon to start.

Higher Kindergarten classes can answer in short sentences, instead of single word answers. They can expand by using adjectives.

For example, a teacher will ask, “What is it ?”

The answer must be in the form of a sentence, “It’s a car.” Then we can expand … “It’s a red car,” “It’s a fast, red car.”

At higher levels, students need to feel confident to speak longer, and here’s a tip. This is a mind map with one main idea, then different ideas that students can speak about.

OK, as they say in Cinema, “Show, don’t tell.”

Some expressions:

I’m over the moon (I’m very, very happy)

I was blown away (I was very impressed by someone or something)

It cheers me up (Verb 1) cheered me up (Verb 2) (made me happy after I was sad)

Don’t forget to use the linking words

because // also // so // however // as well as

EXAMPLE:

My favourite sports are football and swimming because they are fun, exciting as well as healthy.

I play football at school with my classmates. My friend John is very good. He is better than me. I also play on weekends. However, I can’t play football alone.

I really enjoy swimming. I can swim alone. I often swim at weekends at a sports centre.

Sports can cheer me up when I am sad. If my teams win, I am over the moon.

NOW … your turn.

Make a mind map for:

Free time

Movies

School

Food

See you soon.

Young Learners, Level 4: to be, Verb 1, Verb 2 and infinity

22nd May 2023

Friends, students, colleagues, lend me your ears.

Before younglings graduate from the Superkids Level, they have to, absolutely have to, master the most basic verb in English, the verb ‘to be’ – so, let’s go to work !

Let’s go to work

BAAM ! Easy !

Now … let’s practise

Make it a game, put the class in teams

I shall read a short sentence. I want the correct Verb 1, Verb 2 & the infinite.

EXAMPLE: I say, “I is happy.”

Team 1 writes I am happy,

Team 2 I was happy

Team 3 using the helping verb ‘want’ will write I want to be happy.

OK, I dig, Man, let’s go to work !

You is sad // He am angry // She are intelligent // It is cold // Ms Huong am cute // We am hungry // They is furious.

Change the helping verb to like or need

I is better // You is taller // Ms Huong over the moon // He am a tough guy // She weres colourful // It iss rich // We to be free // They on holiday.

Bring it on !

Sài Gòn … then and now.

3rd May 2023

We have a project to write about our city or town. How has it changed ?

Remember, when we write about the past we use Verb 2 (simple past) but when we write about today, we use Verb 1 (simple present).

Word Bank:

In the past there was or In the past there were …

There wasn’t … or There weren’t …

These days there is or These days there are …

Today or Nowadays …

Example: In the past, the city was called Sài Gòn. Today, the city is called Ho Chi Minh City.

Let’s set the scene – we need some old time music.

To help you, compare and contrast these photos. First, we have the General Post Office in Quận 1 (District 1, downtown or city centre).

Post offices were mainly for sending letters. Do people send letters these days ?

If people could not write, what did they do ?

Today, the Post Office has many shops inside, and many tourists visit to take photos.

How about street life ?

Sài Gòn 1960s (above), and Ho Chi Minh City today

Of course, Sài Gòn is famous for street food.

Some food is traditional, but nowadays there are a lot of fast food restaurants.

Finally, we need some modern music. Do you know this song ? The video was filmed in Quận 7

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, levels 3 & 4. Tell me a story.

31st March 2023

Now that you have had a little time to “Wake up, wake up,” time to move on to a new story.

We have a writing activity for students to practise telling a story, using ‘signpost language’, adjectives, adverbs for the Top Cats, and to see if they can remember their grammar.

Let’s go ! Here are five pictures; what is the story ?

Time for a word bank

Signpost words

First / next / then / after / afterwards / finally

Nouns

business man / library / champagne / private jet

Adjectives

lazy / poor / bored / tired / furious / strict / hard-working / over the moon (very, very happy) / rich

Verbs

sleep / scream / study / graduate / relax

Now, start writing … and good luck !

What’s the story (Morning Glory) ? Learning English with the Oasis lads.

20th March 2023

Today we are going to use all our English skills to create a wonderful story. We shall use adjectives, adverbs, perfect grammar and show off our amazing vocabulary.

Are you ready ? Let’s Rock ‘n’ Roll !

Oasis were a band of five musicians. They were from Manchester in north England. First, watch this video:

Tell me a story about the video.

Who is the main subject ?

What are they doing ?

How do they look ? Where are they ?

How about the other people in the video ?

How do they feel and why ?

What do they do ? What do they look like ?

There is so much to write about, so plan your story before you start writing.

WILF (What I’m Looking For):

A strong start, tell me about the main subjects.

DO NOT START WITH PRONOUNS

Remember to use new, exciting adjectives. Look at your class notes.

What are they doing and how – use adverbs.

Here’s some brilliant words to make your story glorious:

irritating // annoying // thoughtless //

spyhole // letter box // dart board //

neighbours // tough guys // lady in a sari

tower block (a tall apartment building)

TOP CATS – some new expressions

Can’t hear myself think

The noise drives (the neighbours) crazy

The walls are paper-thin

If your work is sub-standard, you will have to sing this song in front of the whole class … so be brilliant !

Young Learners, Level 4. Using adverbs correctly, elegantly, sensationally

15th March 2023

The young boys are playing roughly.

Last week, you changed these adjectives to adverbs.

beautiful // calm // careful // easy // good // happy // honest // polite // quick

angry // bad // careless // greedy // lazy // loud // nervous // rough // selfish // stupid

dangerous // fast // furious // mysterious // rare // serious // slow

You now have a word bank of adverbs. Let’s start to use them … correctly.

We’ll keep it really simple, ça va ?

Remember – never start with a pronoun (he, she, it, they etc). Say what the subject is then what they are doing, then HOW they are doing the verb – use an adverb.

1) The tall man is hiding …

a) easily b) mysteriously c) greedily

2) The Korean girl is looking at her friend …

a) well b) calmly c) angrily

3) The talented musician plays his guitar …

a) very well b) nervously c) politely

4) The man in the white T-shirt eats …

a) greedily b) carefully c) honestly

5) The funny man rides the bus …

a) seriously b) dangerously c) beautifully

Now … your turn

Write sentences about these photos. Top Cats, I expect amazing adjectives, perfect grammar and creative thinking.

Young learners, level 4: using adjectives, adverbs and your imagination.

9th March 2023

You have learnt many adjectives, practised grammar in present and past tenses, and begun to form adverbs. Now it’s time to bring it all back home.

First, lets change some adjectives to adverbs. Are you ready ?

beautiful // calm // careful // easy // good // happy // honest // polite // quick

angry // bad // careless // greedy // lazy // loud // nervous // rough // selfish // stupid

dangerous // fast // furious // mysterious // rare // serious // slow

I will show you some photos and I want you to write a short piece using adjectives, adverbs and some creative thinking.

Please, Thay Paul, give us an example.

OK, look at the above photo. What adjectives describe the subject ?

The lady is: Asian / beautiful / cute / healthy / intelligent / kind / popular / young

She has: long, black, wavy hair.

She wears a (an) light blue / comfortable / expensive / fashionable dress.

Where is she and what is she doing ?

She is at work, in a bright / clean / modern office. Maybe she is at home in her quiet / new apartment.

She is working on a (an) expensive / fast / new laptop. Her work is difficult / easy / important.

How does she work ?

She is smiling, so maybe she works quickly, or happily or well. Maybe she has finished and can now relax.

So what’s the story ? Let’s use present tense (verb 1).

A beautiful, young, Asian lady is working happily on her new laptop. She has finished her difficult, English homework so she feels fantastic.

How many adjectives did I use ?

Where did I put the adverb ? After the verb ‘work’. Here I used the continuous form (verb + ing). So, put the adverb after a verb (Verb 1, Verb 2 or verb + ing).

Now … your turn

Gods of Ancient Egypt

23rd February 2023

A revised blog, aimed at younger learners. The original blog may be accessed here: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/05/12/young-learners-ancient-egyptian-gods/

An activity where you have to listen, read and collect information. Also you will learn about different cultures and legends.

Today we are going to learn about some of the gods of ancient Egypt. First, where is Egypt ?

Egypt is in Africa. The adjective is Egyptian.

What ancient buildings can you see in Egypt ?

The Pyramids: the largest one was built about 2,500 BC (about 4,500 years ago).

The creature in front is called the Sphinx. What kind of animal is the Sphinx ?

The Sphinx has the face of a woman, the body of a lion and the wings of a bird (maybe a falcon or eagle).

Animals were very important. What animals can you see in this picture ?

We are going to focus on four Gods:

Thoth // Bastet // Ra // Anubis

Vocabulary

Pharaoh / ibis / jackal / Nile River / beak

Pyramids

Sphinx

Tomb

Funeral mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamun. He lived 1341 – 1323 BC

Hieroglyphs

Write your name (English or Viet) using hieroglyphs.

Look at your handout and follow the instructions. You have to identify the four Gods and colour them.

The British Council ‘LearnEnglishKids’ page has some excellent resources and free print-outs.

Now, some music for ambience:

Enter the Matrix: Young learners, levels 2 – 4

6th December 2022

The mission is to use all your English skills to find Neo, meet Morpheus, learn English, beat Mr Smith and save Morpheus, then come back to the classroom safely.

First, we need two teams RED & BLUE. Next we need to find Neo and his friends.

Task 1 describe these people. Use lots of adjectives.

Task 2 You will need grammar to enter the Matrix. Conjugate these sentences. All team members must speak.

I like to eat oranges

I don’t want to do homework

I have a new laptop

Task 3 Time to meet Morpheus. Tell me about his house.

Next tell me about three favourite things in your house and why you like them.

EXAMPLE: I love my sofa because I can watch TV and play games on it. Also I can sit or sleep because it is very comfortable.

Task 4 Now it’s time to fight Agent Smith. He knows so many words … can you beat him ?

Write down 7 colours

Write down 10 animals

Write down 5 healthy food items

Tell me your favourite sport and why

EXAMPLE: I really love football because it is exciting and fun.

TASK 5 At the board correct these sentences:

I very loves to going fish

You is goes to homes

Hes having a coat red

Seh don’t liking to red boooks

It are rain twoday

Neo are a hundsame men

We is happy wen we win the games

They is drink any milk

Task 6 You can rescue Morpheus if you can tell me about your home.

How many rooms do you have ?

What do you have in the rooms ?

What are the colours ?

What is your favourite room and why ?

Task 7 Time to return to the class. Choose the best actor in your team; they have to say this:

“Unfortunately no one can be told what the matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.”

(The clip starts at 1:00 – 1:13)

Now you have entered the Matrix. Keep learning English or Agent Smith will chase you.

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, levels 3 & 4. Tell me a Classical story

2nd December 2022

Today we shall focus on story-telling, using nouns, adjectives, verbs (in the past tense or Verb 2) and linking words.

Students can also practise intonation and pronunciation when they make their presentation.

Quite simply the class, in small teams, are going to retell the story of Theseus and the Minotaur. We have covered this myth several times already, but here’s a quick reminder curtsey of the good people at Lego:

If the class works in small groups, it could be a good idea to give them some large paper in order for some to draw, while others write. However, every member of the team must write something, and speak during the presentation.

First, a quick recap:

Every year, the King of Athens has to send 12 children to Crete to feed the Minotaur. The King’s son, Theseus, said he will go and kill the monster.

When Theseus and the children arrive in Crete, Princess Ariadne sees Theseus and falls in love. She says she will help him.

The Minotaur lives in a labyrinth, or maze, and it is very hard to get out. However, the Princess gives Theseus some string, so he can find the exit.

Soon, the Minotaur smells the Greek hero and they fight but Theseus wins and the Minotaur is dead. The children are safe.

Theseus and Ariadne sail away from Crete back to Greece.

Now … your turn

Write and draw this story. First you, like Theseus, need some weapons, only your weapons will be words:

NOUNS Greek / hero / Prince / Princess / labyrinth / sword / string or thread

VERBS fight / sail / defeat / fall in love / smell /

ADJECTIVES brave / beautiful / scary / terrifying / strong / intelligent / dark / cold / hideous / overjoyed / celebrate

LINKING WORDS and / as well as / but / however / because / also /

Naturally, they lived happily ever after … well, not really, but that’s another set of stories.

Titian (1506 – 1576) Bacchus and Ariadne 1521 – 1523 in London’s National Gallery