Look at the four photos. What do you know about the four places ?
What do you need to think about ?
They are all capital cities … will that make them cheap or expensive ?
Do they speak English there ? What is the temperature in winter and summer ? How would you find information ? What do you like to do on holiday ?
Extra activity – describe the photos in as much detail as you can. Use adjectives and make your voice sound excited (or unhappy).
Buenos Aires, capital of ArgentinaNairobi, capital of KenyaMoscow, capital of RussiaCopenhagen, capital of Denmark
Work in pairs – write or talk about these points:
Before I go – what do you need to do ?
While I’m in ________________, I’m going to _____________
Are there any places you don’t want to visit ? Why not ?
Pros and cons (good andbad points)
Buenos Aires:
Very colourful city with interesting buildings. Cheaper than some western cities.
In South America – could be a long flight (my class is in Vietnam). Language is Latin – American Spanish.
Nairobi:
National parks and museums. Some great food and can be cheap. English spoken.
Not very safe at night. Insects and bugs plus bad hygiene in some places.
Moscow:
Amazing culture and architecture. Generally safe for tourists. Lots to see and do.
Can be very expensive. Can be bitterly cold in winter. Most people have just basic or no English.
Copenhagen:
Friendly people, small city can be explored on foot. Great beer and healthy, fresh food. High quality standards. English widely spoken, like a second language. Safe.
Is notoriously expensive. Can be very cold and wet in winter. Very long flight (from Viet Nam).
Ask each other what they like best, where they would probably go, where they probably won’t go !
Advanced levels:
To practise complex sentences, make your own answers
The four cities are all interesting in their own way, but if I had to choose just one, I think I would probably select Nairobi in Kenya.
Firstly, I have never been to Africa and it look so different to Europe and Asia. Seeing those beautiful giraffes just walking past the window must be an amazing, unforgettable experience.
Secondly, I know that English is widely spoken in Kenya, so there should be no language barrier even though I expect a lot of culture shock.
However, I expect the heat will be a serious issue, so I must pack a lot of powerful sun cream, sunglasses and a hat. Additionally, i don’t really know much about the city, so I will have to read up.
In conclusion, I feel all cities offer something amazing but my choice would be Nairobi. I’m sure I will have an incredible time in Kenya.
I usually start a class with a review or warm up exercise, so here’s a selection of short activities.
Subject:
Adverbs (frequency & probability)
For / since / ago / already
Past Perfect & Past Perfect Continuous
Phrasal verbs
Re-writing sentences
Quick-fire corrections
Verbs into nouns
Vocabulary booster
Adverbs
Notice how a native speaker will alter the sound of the adverb, from a high ‘always’ to a deep ‘never’.
Encourage the construction of sentences with this exercise
always
usually / often
sometimes
rarely
never
Subject + adverb + verb + object …. when ?
I always drink coffee … in the morning
I usually read books … after work
I sometimes go swimming … in the afternoon
I rarely study Vietnamese … ever
I never play music … late at night (OK, maybe sometimes)
NOW … Your turn
Have students work in pairs, making their own sentences. Weaker students can copy the examples, but stronger ones are expected to introduce different vocabulary.
Listen out for the final -s sound, notably in sometimes
Similarly, introduce adverbs of probability
definitely
probably
possibly
unlikely
definitely not !
It will definitely rain soon
He will probably be late tonight
I will possibly go shopping after class
It’s unlikely that he will play for Barcelona, ever OR He is unlikely to play for Barcelona, ever.
I will never go back to that terrible restaurant.
Past perfect simple
Past <____X________X__________Present_________>Future
Something happened before another action BOTH in the past
Sub + had + past participle : I had seen the film before I read the book
She had finished the test before I was even half way through it !
Had you visited the museum before Jane arrived ?
BUT there is a time gap
past perfect continuous
something was happening when another thing started
Sub + had + been + verbing // I had been playing games when he called
I was playing games AND THEN the phone rang.
You had been laughing until she stopped you.
Had you been waiting long when she emailed you ?
NOW … Your turn
Write sentences using the past perfect continuous for these photos:
Man on Skype … then his daughter walks in
Just looking at the church … then a bird attacked
for / since / ago / already
I have lived in HCM … 4 years // She has been here … 2014
We came here 7 hours … // They have … seen the film
Students – make four sentences, using the four words
Quick fire corrections
Maths is / are very exciting and beautiful. History is / are fascinating
There is not many / much space in my car. Mr James has much / many fb friends
Can you buy a few / some milk and a few / some oranges ?
Rewriting sentences
Tony started in 2010. will By 2025, Tony will have been working here for 15 years.
Pam went to Japan and is returning in June. the It’s the second time that Pam’s been to Japan
Here’s another request blog; a friend, Pete (who has featured in some of my lessons) is planning a party this Friday. His daughter, who is turning 18, has requested some Vietnamese food.
My friend Pete: musician, online DJ and all round diamond geezer
However, Pete lives in the UK, which is still under lockdown (quarantine), so many restaurants are closed. Furthermore, he lives in the middle of the country, so had no access to really fresh sea food (the Vietnamese only say sea food is fresh IF it was swimming in the sea just ten minutes before).
Additionally, Pete won’t be able to get his hands on some vegetables or ingredients so we’ll have to take that into account. Having said that, here are some tips for making Vietnamese food in a western kitchen.
Banh xeo is like a pancake filled with beansprouts, shrimps, salad, grilled meat …
Grilled pork is ubiquitous – a street food stable served with rice and pickled vegetables.
Fried spring or summer rolls – can be a bit fiddly (difficult) to make, and require special material. Probably available in Asian supermarkets, but hard to get in small towns (or just order online like everyone else in 2020). Contains salad leaves and shrimp and vegetables).
Pho (pronounced ‘far’) is THE traditional food of Vietnam, and is normally eaten for breakfast. It’s basically noodle soup with meat of your choice. Shrimps (prawns) or just vegetables could be substituted. Another ubiquitous dish.
HA NOI
If the locals are queuing for the food, if must be good and reasonably priced.
Sai Gon
Typical street scene in Ho Chi Minh City
And now, without further ado … how to cook Vietnamese:
First, one of the UK’s most loved, and sadly missed chefs, Keith Floyd. Keith came to Vietnam as part of an east Asian cooking show. In Sai Gon, he made this dish, beef cooked in sweet and spicy stock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO6cSQ8Vly8
The scene starts at 06.39
But, I hear you protest, how can a westerner make authentic Vietnamese food ?
For fans of the fowl, connoisseurs of the chicken, I haven’t forgotten you. Here’s an interesting recipe, lemongrass chicken (lemongrass, which is ten-a-penny in Vietnam, that is, very cheap, can be so expensive in the UK. I once saw 5 lemongrass on sale for £1, that’s over 30 000 VND): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJtMlTnqyw0
In our last blog lesson, we focused on what we needed to do BEFORE travelling to the States, all the boring logistics and organising, booking and planning. Now … we are all set. All we have to do is select which city to visit.
Which of these destinations are most appealing to you and why ?
Boston
Boston is the capital of Massachusetts and gateway to New England. One of America’s oldest cities, it’s steeped in history – brimming with cobblestone streets and significant heritage sites – as well as gleaming skyscrapers.
Unlike many other US cities, it’s best explored on foot. One of the most popular tours is the Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile path that passes 16 important sites, including America’s first state school, the oldest church in Boston, and several markers that tell the story of the American Revolution.
The tour is greatly enhanced by the costumed guides, who’ll passionately transport you back to the 1700s during the 90-minute walk.
Chicago
Chicago, my kind of town! A unique city with a character all of its own, Chicago offers a wide variety of shopping, dining, museums, theatre, music and nightlife options.
Chicago is on Lake Michigan, boasts over 20 miles of beachfront and some of the most dynamic and visually stunning architecture in the world. The city is famous for its skyscrapers such as the Hancock Building and the Willis Tower, which features several glass-bottomed ledges at 1,300ft above the city streets, making it a fantastic photo opportunity for the brave!
North Michigan Avenue is also known as the “Magnificent Mile” as this is where most visitors and residents come to shop, with firm favourites lining the street such as Tiffany, Nike and Nordstrom.
San Francisco
San Francisco indulges the senses with the wonderful array of scenic beauty, arts, museums, bars, restaurants and nightlife. San Francisco is famously known as the “City on the Bay” and its stunning location and undulating surroundings have been taking visitor’s breath away for centuries.
Enjoy fresh seafood and spot playful sea lions at Fisherman’s Wharf, a fun and family-friendly district of the city; dine on authentic dim sum in the vast Chinatown or join the crowds of shoppers amidst the bustle and cable cars of Union Square.
No trip to San Francisco would be complete without a visit to the infamous prison at Alcatraz island. Rent a bicycle and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito for a scenic day out and fantastic photo opportunities; brave Lombard Street, the “crookedest street in the world” or bring many movie favourites to life as you stroll the city streets.
San Francisco is the perfect destination for exploring and creating new memories in, with world-class sports, dining and adventure.
Video
Before you watch this video, what do you know about San Francisco ?
Which of the sights mentioned in the guide do you see ?
What really struck you (impressed) about San Francisco ?
What was intriguing (interesting, fascinating) ?
What did you make of (think of) the architecture ?
Did you see any mouth-watering (delicious) food ?
What adjectives would you use to describe San Francisco ?
GRAMMAR
Make your comments stronger, and increase your English, by adding adverbs.
The Beach Boys exemplified the American dream of fun, fun, fun !
You are going to the USA. How will you prepare ?
Before you go
What do you need to do ? Use the following words to build long sentences with linking words (also, as well as) and adverbs (extremely, absolutely, quite):
Meeting the locals is part of the travel experience
[A ‘gap – year’ is when young people travel before, or during, their university studies. It creates a gap – a space – between school and university or between the three or four years of study.]
Make a short presentation – what do you think of the items ?
Which do you consider to be:
essential / useful / unnecessary / a waste of space ! / totally useless
You are allowed to choose five items – which would you choose and why ?
GRAMMAR
‘Have to’ and ‘must’
When packing, which items do you HAVE TO bring ? Which items MUST you bring ?
Remember: have to = requirement // must = personal choice
EXAMPLE: to travel, I have to bring my passport and I must buy some shampoo.
Travelling to USA
Make a list. Be sure to include paperwork, important personal items and non-essential personal items.
I’m lucky to have some very talented, very creative friends, and last night, far away in Berlin, Germany, there was a live-stream of a theatre piece, free to watch on YouTube.
The title translates to ‘The Berlin Room’, and the theme, inspired by the world-wide lockdown, is isolation.
Herr Harald Ansorge (German) wrote and directed, M Johan Robin (French) was Director of Photography, while the sound technician was Herr Michael ‘Gabel’ Gabelmann.
The actors were Frau Masha Mati-Prodan and Mr Martin O’Shea, so this was a pan-European project.
Recently we have seen the passing of a number of musicians, some directly or indirectly as a result of COVID-19. This is a short tribute to those artists.
R.I.P.
Bill Withers (July 4th 1938 – March 30th 2020)
Bill was a singer – songwriter, famous for such hits in the early 70s as ‘Lovely Day,’ ‘Lean on Me,’ and one of my all time favourites, ‘Ain’t no Sunshine.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CICIOJqEb5c
Lee Konitz (October 13th 1927 – April 15th 2020)
Lee was a composer working in the Jazz field, and played alto saxophone. Famously, Lee played on ‘Birth of the Cool’ by Miles Davies in 1949, as well as on the ‘Miles Ahead’ album of 1957. In addition, Lee made dozens of albums as leader, playing alongside Gerry Mulligan, Pepper Adams & Jimmy Giuffre … to name just three.
Dave Greenfield of The Stranglers (March 29th 1949 – May 3rd 2020)
Dave was the keyboardist in the English punk band The Stranglers, whom he joined in 1975 and played with until his death. His playing can be heard on their biggest hit, ‘Golden Brown’ which reached number 2 in the charts in 1982: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-GUjA67mdc
Little Richard ( December 5th 1932 – May 9th 2020)
Richard Wayne Pennieman was one of the original rock ‘n’ rollers, and was a true original in his performances, his clothes and his stage presence. Little Richard is even credited with advising the Beatles, especially Paul McCartney, how to sing. This is one of his most iconic songs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj059o9OwqY
At the end of the previous blog, there were some everyday collocations that moved away from the basic verb + phrase format (e.g. take a break / make sure / get away with murder).
To help them sink in (make you remember), here a chance for you to practise using them.
Rewrite the following business email to your senior manager in France, using the following collocations for the bold sections:
Adequate supplies to meet demand
Revised edition
Cause insurmountable difficulties
Major turning point
Set realistic aims
Dear M Delarue
I have some good news from the HCM office which I think represents a change in the company and how we do things and what we can expect to do in the future.
We have stopped using the old business model because when we tried, it made many, many problems that we were unable to solve, no matter how hard we tried. Now we are seeing real and tangible progress.
Our main concern now is to make sure we have enough products to fill all the orders for all of our customers. We need to plan ahead; as Marketing Director, I am on the look out for new markets to break into.
Two areas spring to mind:China and India. It is our intention that we become market-leader in those territories but we must not wish for too much too soon as there are many factors that stand in our way, such as infrastructure and logistics.
Finally, could you please send us the newest, latest copy of the company handbook, as our one in five years old and is out of date and does not have the latest facts and figures.
Thay Paul's Notes 