Adult Speaking Class, Level 2: Collocations

17th January 2020

Collocations

Image result for joker put on a happy face

Many people ask how to progress from intermediate level to becoming fluent in English. One way is to learn collocations – these are groups of words that usually go together to make a new meaning – and so much of everyday English is made up of collocations, idioms, slang, colloquialisms etc.

Collocations – ‘make’

In the above paragraph I used ‘made up’. This is a good example.

‘Made up’ came means invented (we make up a story to tell children) & it can mean containing (my fb group is made up from people from all over the world). We can use it in the past tense or present – ‘made’ or ‘make’.

You probably know some phrasal verbs; If two people argue then become friends again, they make up. When a woman puts on lipstick, she is using makeup.

Here are some common collocations with ‘make’:

Make up your mind (decide about something).

Make dinner / make a sandwich.

Make time (find some spare time to do something).

Make it through the night (be able to do something after some bad news OR keep working for a very long time).

Make it through a long book (finish it, read it to the end).

Try these exercise … use make / made / make up / made up.

‘Infinite Jest’ is a very long book but I ……. my way through it.

I forgot my homework, so I had to ………. a story to tell my teacher.

When you come home, can you …… dinner for the children.

My teeth hurt; can you …… an appointment at the dentist for ?

The architect Gaudi never used to …… his buildings with straight lines.

Should I wear the black or green tie ? I can’t …… my mind.

This is so confusing ! I don’t know what to ……. of it.

Your room is so messy – can’t you even ….. your bed ?

You kids ….. me crazy !

I ………. a pig’s ear of the whole business (past tense – to do something completely wrong).

I did OK in the test, but ……. some silly mistakes.

He drank several coffees to help him …… it through the night shift.

Put

the cat out/ the fire out / on your red shoes /on a happy face

it in your own words / up or shut up ! / it away / it another way

Image result for put it in your own words

Get

well soon / over it ! / on with it / away with murder / on the bus /

stuffed ! (impolite) / with the program (US) / some fresh air

Make

a career move / your move / a pig’s ear of something /a wish /

up for lost time / the best of something / fun of someone

the right thing / away with that old technology / your best /

a funny walk / the dishes / your hair

Bring

it on ! / it to me / “my bow of burning gold” (poem) / about change

it up at the next meeting / a smile to my face / up children well

Take

turns speaking / it up with the manager / up my trousers a little /

a good look at yourself / a hike ! / medicine / a deep breathe

What do these collocations suggest ?

Widely available // routine check-up

disperse the crowd // boost employment

catch up with the news / / catch up with friends

Find longer definitions for these collocations.

Adequate supplies to meet demand

Revised edition

Major turning point

Set realistic aims

Cause insurmountable difficulties

1) Enough things so that everyone that wants one can have one

2) Know what you want to do but it must not be too much for you to be able to do it.

3) Make problems which people will not be able to solve or cause problems that people are not able to work properly.

4) A very important moment when things changed completely

5) A new book, similar to the old one but with more up-to-date information, or mistakes have been corrected.

Speaking practice

Boss Jim, can I see you for a minute ? It’s about your punctuality.

Jim Sorry, Boss, I’ll make up the lost time after work.

Boss Damn right you will. Now, what was this email about ? I couldn’t make sense of it.

Jim I made a few mistakes because I rushed. I wanted to make sure you read it.

Boss You made a right pig’s ear of it ! Anyway, have you made your mind up yet ?

Jim About the new job ? Well, the other company made me a fantastic offer.

Boss I’m not giving you a raise; I’m not made of money ! Money doesn’t grow on trees.

Jim I’ll make my decision later and let you know.

Boss If you leave here, you’ll be making a big mistake, Buster !

Adult Speaking Class, Level 3.

17th January 2020

A collection of exercises and features aimed at the advanced student.

Contents

British culture (Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare)

Politics

Speaking games

Speaking practice

British culture

Charles Dickens

Here’s a little video about the famous short story, ‘A Christmas Carol’ by the British writer (start video at 1.27 – 1.55):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrYIMmUTFdo

Debtor’s prison = people were sent to prison if they couldn’t pay their debts.

Famous Shakespearean quotes:

Match the quote to the play !

To be or not to be // Romeo and Juliette

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears // Hamlet

Now is the winter of our discontent // A Midsummers’ Night Dream

A plague on both your houses // Julius Caesar

Lord, what fools these mortals be ! // Richard III

Watch an excerpt from a performance at Shakespeare’s Globe in London

How much can you understand ? : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WiVaQheUfE

Politics

In December 2019, The UK had a general election. USA have their election at the end of 2020.

Image result for british general election 2019

Idioms and collocations

campaign / victory / vote / party / voter

It was a long and dirty election _________which divided the country. The Conservatives won a landslide _________ in the last general election. I usually cast my _________ for the candidate who is more business friendly. The problem with two _________systems like the USA’s, is not all views are represented. I’m a typical floating _________ , I never decide how to vote until the day of the election.

If you elect me for President, I will make a difference. I will lower taxes for every citizen and I will make sure that every worker gets a fair deal. I will not stand by and watch the poor and the needy being downtrodden.

Conversation:

How long is a political term in your country ?

Do you think it’s important to vote?

If you were elected leader of your country, what law would you change first?

Watch this clip. Could this happen in your country ? (politicians attacked) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKdDnMwnV_o

Speaking game

Build a character

You will see some character information. Use this to create a character for yourself.

Take some time to think. Put some effort into this by using the facts and incorporating them.

EXAMPLE:

Lee Morgan 27 musician born Chicago resides Sai Gon not married

Likes music ! barbecue and spicy food cinema going to clubs and dancing

Dislikes early mornings 9 – 5 jobs Vietnamese food traffic no-smoking ban

Hi, my name’s Morgan, Lee Morgan. I’m 27 and I hail from Chicago, Illinois, which is a dynamic city, but pretty damn cold in winter; icy winds and snow. I’m currently living here, in HCM or Sai Gon, whatever. I’m still single, haven’t found the right girl yet but there are a heap of cute ladies in Vietnam, right ?

I’m a professional musician so, of course, I love music, it’s my passion. I also really love barbecue and hot, spicy food like chilli or gumbo. Yeah, what else … oh, I also enjoy taking in a movie, but at the cinema, not on DVD … no atmosphere at home. Because I finish work late, I often find myself going to clubs and dancing the night away. Great way to meet women, too !

What I’m not crazy about is getting up early. I never get up before noon, no way ! Oh, yeah, sorry to say, I really can’t find any Vietnamese food I like, hey, sorry. Some of it’s OK, but it’s just soup and noddles and bones ! The traffic is another pet hate, it’s hellish and absolutely dangerous. Lastly, I’m a smoker and I want to smoke where and when I want. I hate that I get told not to smoke.

If you have just met, what questions could you ask Lee ?

Remember – nothing too personal. When he answers, show interest, maybe add information about yourself.

BACKCHANNEL – say ‘yeah’, ‘oh, right’, ‘really ?’ etc

Example:

I was born in Hue but I grew up in Na Trang.

Really ? I’m from Na Trang. When did you move to HCMC ?

I like sports.

Me too. I play badminton every week and football every Sunday.

We’ve been married for three years but no kids.

Why not ? What is wrong with you, or is your wife too lazy to have kids ?

(this is not considered a correct or polite thing to say. Instead, change the subject)

Kenjie Ozu 24 medical student born Tokyo resides Sai Gon engaged

Likes Jazz music / keep fit / karaoke / meeting friends / computer games

Dislikes noise and pollution / smoking / animal cruelty / fast food

Rob Forster 31 lawyer born Sydney resides Sai Gon married, 2 children

Likes barbecue and beer / jogging / investing money / repairing cars / rugby

Dislikes lazy people / Vietnamese traffic / nagging wife / housework / liars

Vu Nugyun 43 security guard born HCMC resides HCMC married, 2 kids

Likes sitting / sleeping / smoking / beer / karaoke / gambling / shouting

Dislikes work / his boss / exercise / when his wife asks for money / foreigners

Hank Douglass 30 shop manager born San Francisco resides Ha Noi single

Likes investing / gambling / baseball driving / fast cars / action movies

Dislikes housework / romantic films / tipping / drunk people / police / recycling

Speaking practice:

Boz I don’t get much time to read, but I’d like to improve my English. Any tips ?

Pip Well, maybe you could give Dickens a go. Oh, some of his books are 1000 pages.

Boz Bloody hell ! Who has time or energy to read 1000 pages !

Pip Hold your horses, he also wrote short stories. ‘A Christmas Carol’ is very famous.

Boz Hang on … yes, I know … Ebenezer Scrooge, right ? I’ll download it later.

Pip Of course, the most famous writer is Shakespeare. ‘To be or not to be…’

Boz Not sure that’s my cup of tea. I prefer something a bit more modern.

Pip Conversely, watch a version. I went to see a play in London, at the Globe.

Boz The reconstructed theatre ? I saw it on the news. It looks really cool … and cold !

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Adult Speaking Class, Level 2, Part 3

16th January 2020

Contents

Grammar / third conditional

Jazz Music

Listening Practice / TOEIC

Money

Speaking practice

Speaking skills

Vocabulary

Grammar: 3^rd Conditional

I was very hungry but too lazy to cook, so I went out to grab a bite to eat.

I thought I’d try the new pho restaurant.

I, obviously, ordered pho bo.

However, after I had eaten

I saw the chef !

If I had known the chef was filthy, I wouldn’t have eaten there !

This is the 3^rdconditional.

Something that happened in the past BUT you can’t change it now.

If I had known the film was so bad, I never would have gone !

If he had bought his wife flowers, she wouldn’t have been angry at him

If they had studied English, they would have passed the test.

Listening Practice

TOEIC test:https://www.examenglish.com/TOEIC/TOEIC_listening_part3.htm#

TOEIC test: https://www.examenglish.com/TOEIC/TOEIC_listening_part4.htm

New vocabulary: accurate/ correction / administration

Money

Verbs for things you can do with money:

spend / lose / waste / save / make / invest / forge / donate / pay / worship

I go to work to …….. money.

She always ………… money to charity.

He …………. money buying property

The police caught the man who was ……….. money.

Some people think the iPhone X is a ………. of money.

King James Bible
“For the love of money is the root of all evil.”

Many people over the years have tried to buy the Mask of Tutankhamen from the Egyptian Museum, but unsurprisingly the authorities here believe it is priceless so they won’t sell it

Ebenezer Scrooge was such a stingy man, so much so that in English, we sometimes use the word Scrooge to describe people with this characteristic (who are like this). A miser is someone who hates spending any money.

He spent a lot of money on what he thought was a gold watch but when he had it valued, it turned out to be worthless.

I sometimes disagree with stall holders, so I haggle which sometimes gets the price down

Big companies like Pepsi make a killing. They should put their prices down. I sometimes like to splash out on new clothes, but not very often

When I was a student I didn’t have enough money to live on so I took out an overdraft at the bank. I paid it all off in the end (finally)

The men were sent to prison for forgery, that is, making counterfeit money

Speaking practice:

This dialogue has a lot of expressions and phrases.

Joe Hi Bill. Why so glum ? You look down in the dumps.

Bill Oh, just worrying about money. The cost of living keeps going up …

Joe And our wages stay the same. Tell me about it. I’ve had to economise.

Bill Same here; no more beer or Highlands coffee. I feel so stingy !

Joe I always haggle at the market now, try to get the price down. I hate being ripped off.

Bill I’m worried about paying off my overdraft. The interest alone is crippling me.

Joe We should invest in land. My friend sold some land recently and made a killing.

Bill But we’ll need money to invest in the first place. Then there’s always bills.

Joe Yes, my bike’s in the shop, so I’m having to use Grabbike and that ain’t cheap !

2. This is to practice wedding and money phrases.

Tom Congratulations ! You’re finally tying the knot and getting spliced.

Bob Yeah, it’s time to settle down. I’ve taken out a mortage and a loan for the wedding.

Tom It must be costing you an arm and a leg: catering, hall, flowers, photos, invitations.

Bob Absolutely, I’ve withdrawn all my saving and gone into the red. I hate being overdrawn; the interest is sky-high. And, not forgetting, the honeymoon.

Tom You can put down a deposit and pay later. Cheer up ! Don’t be a Scrooge

Bob That’s easy for you to say. I’m gonna be broke and in debt … until I retire !

Sentence building

Use more interesting adverbs and linking words e.g.

although / as well as / somewhat / therefore

Rearrange these basic sentences to make more interesting ones (we use ‘one’ as a pronoun for the noun instead of repeating ourselves)

Examples:

I went to the market today. I bought fish and chicken and vegetables.

Today I bought fish, chicken as well as vegetables in the market.

Last night I stayed at home because it was raining.

It was raining last night therefore I stayed at home.

Your turn:

I saw the new action film. It was a little boring.

Peter was tired but he met his friends for a drink.

Sophie studied very hard. She passed her test.

For western people, Thailand is cheap. Vietnam is cheaper.

Speaking skills

To help you improve your speaking skills, here is a small project:

Write a short piece about something you love or adore.

Start with an introduction

Say why you like it

Maybe tell some history or an anecdote (a short, personal story)

Give some examples

End with a short conclusion

EXAMPLE:

JAZZ MUSIC

I love all types of music, but one of my favourites is Jazz. It can be exciting, or slow, but it’s always different.

Unlike other types of music, Jazz is spontaneous. This means that you never hear the same song the same way; each performance is different.

Jazz started in New Orleans but moved up to Chicago, New York and even west to California. The first records were made in 1917 and the first true Jazz genius was Louis Armstrong. If you want to hear jazz, you should listen to his records from the 1920s.

You may know some famous Jazz artists such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane or Charlie Parker. I can recommend these musicians to you as first-rate examples of Jazz.

I hope this has made you curious about Jazz, and that you go online to listen for yourself. Who knows, maybe you too will learn to love Jazz.

Vocabulary builder

Health: http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar-vocabulary/vocabulary-exercises/health

Beginners’ English Part 3

14th January 2020

Contents

Corrections

Introductions

Student questionnaire : What do you like, What does he like, she like ?

Vocabulary booster: likes and dislikes

What are they doing ?

Corrections

Correct all the mistakes in this piece of writing:

Every days I wokes up at between 6.00 am and 6.15 am. I always usually do the same thing namely get up, brush my tooth, put the kettle in and make coffee. Nowever, on last yesterday I getted up at 5.00 because I must to go to the airport to meeting my friend.

I had a hard time get a taxi because it was cats and dogs raining. On the airport there was so much people, all looking exhausted and depressed by the weather bad. I have never come on a plane without one time when I flyed to Ha Noi.

I seemed to wait forever for my friend. Maybe she had a problem immigration. But no I seed her and she looked very cute but also exhausted and also a little smelly.

She needed to freshen up after her long flight.

Instead of wenting to home, we came to a nice coffee shop with great coffees and good music and also so many people so we having to waited for a sit. The coffee made us to wake up so then we came to home but first she wants to doing some shop.

I taked her to Diamond plaza and we saw many shops, a whole multitude of things to see and do. We saw beatiful ao dai from silk made but it was too very expensive; it cost a leg and an arm. So instead we did window shopper which is more cheaper.

It costs an arm and a leg = an idiom that means very expensive.

Introductions:

What is your name / What’s your name ?

What is your job ? What do you do (for a living) ?

Are you married ? Do you have any children ?

[Culture note – in English, we don’t ask people’s age. It is impolite.]

How are you ?

I’m very well, thank you

I’m great / I’m good

I’m so so / I’m OK / I’m not bad = depends on intonation

I’m under the weather (this is an idiom which means a little bit unwell)

[Culture note – in English, we always say ‘please’, ‘thank you’ & ‘sorry’]

Student Questionnaire

do / have / like / love

What does he / she do ? What does she / he love but doesn’t like ?

On Mondays I have / On Mondays he has / She has …

For lunch I eat / He eats / She eats …

What do I like to do ? He likes to / She likes to …

Lessons – I love / He loves / She loves …

I don’t like / He doesn’t like / She doesn’t like …

What do I do after school or work ? What does he do ? What does she do ?

Can I juggle 3 balls ?/ Can he ? / Can she ?

Can I sing a song in English ? Can he ? Can she ?

Which songs can you sing in English ?

Vocabulary builder:

Like – love / adore

dislike – hate / detest

Note: hate & detest are very strong !

What do you like ?

Give me two examples of things you like, and two you don’t like.

Example: I adore dogs. I detest cold weather.

He loves … He hates …. They adore …

Use adverbs to make sentences stronger:

I really like films OR I like films very much. I really hate karaoke !

NOT: I very much like films

Negative: I don’t like Karaoke very much. They don’t enjoy karaoke.

What are they doing ?

Try to build long sentences using the continuous verb (verb + ing)

Example: What is he doing ?

He is reading

The dog is reading

The small black and white dog is reading an orange book and smiling.

Now your turn. Match the picture with the sentences then add more information:

eating and talking / singing / playing / sleeping NOT working / drinking / walking / laughing

Adult Speaking Class. Theme: Love and Marriage, Part 3

13th January 2020

Children

Image result for married with young babies

Personality adjectives for children:

adorable / angelic / boisterous / demanding / messy / noisy / talkative

Phrases:

good as gold / butter wouldn’t melt in his\her mouth / a little rascal / a handful

well-behaved / a little madam / a young gentleman / full of him\herself

What are the pros and cons (The benefits and drawbacks ) of having children ?

Pros: makes us responsible / patient / sometimes they can be funny

they can enrich our lives

Cons: sometimes they misbehave ( are naughty) / no free time / they need a lot of energy / need a lot of money for toys, sweets, uniform, books, equipment.

Is there pressure from family to have children in your culture ?

Niece (girl) and nephew (boy) = children of my brother/sister

How would you describe these children ?

She has an angelic smile.

Remember – for sentence building, use adjectives and discourse markers (linking words or phrases). Never start with a pronoun (she, it, he, they) but say what the subject is – in this example, the subject is a girl. Now we can keep building up more information:

The girl has an angelic smile.

The young girl has blonde hair and an angelic smile.

The young girl, who has long straight blonde hair, has lovely big green-grey eyes, and is smiling angelically. She wears a multi-coloured T-shirt as well as some flowers around the neckline.

Now – your turn:

Here, you can also add some verbs and background information. Where do you think he is ? How is he feeling ? Who taught him this behaviour ? Do you think his mother is with him ?

These young gentleman attend a very expensive, possibly elitist, private school. Such schools are named ‘public schools’ in the UK. they include Eton, Harrow and Gordonstoun.

Listening Practice

Phrasal verbs and family situations: http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar-vocabulary/phrasal-verb-videos/family

He cannot look clearly – he cannot see clearly

Phrasal verbs are verbs + preposition. They are pronounced, where possible, as one sound unit hence ‘turn off the light’ sounds ‘turnoff the light’.

He lived with me – he stayed with me

when we become old – when we get old

look after / think about / wear out / give up / grow up / takes after

tell off / look up to / hang up / go for / passed away

Which phrasal verbs fits here ?

She really …………. her father, they are so alike.

I can’t go out, I have to ……….. my nephew.

Vietnamese is too hard, I just …………. (past tense verb)

Many Vietnamese ………………. Uncle Ho

I’m not sure which bank is best. Let me ………. it and get back to you.

I had to ………….. my son because he ate all the cakes.

My manager is very immature. He needs to ………… and quickly !

Speaking practice:

Pam Your daughter is gorgeous. Like an angel. She looks like you.

Uma Yes, but she takes after her father. She is very grumpy when she’s tired or hungry.

Pam My son is usually very good, he sleeps like a log, but now he’s teething.

Uma Ahhh, poor little thing but it will pass. Does he still keep you up at night ?

Pam Well, a little but not too much. I had to give up reading or watching films. Too tired.

Uma I get it ! We have a reading group, it doesn’t take up too much time. Sounds good ?

Pam Hmmm … let me think about it and get back to you. OK, I must run … bye.

Speaking practice:

Kit Hey, how was your weekend ? What did you get up to ?

Will Oh, nothing special. I had to look after my niece. She’s a real handful.

Kit Sounds like my nephew. He’s very boisterous, I had no time for myself.

Will Exactly. My niece looks so angelic but what a little rascal ! I gave her some milk …

Kit I can guess … she spilt it ! My nephew is so damn messy, food everywhere.

Will She takes after her father; he’s always spilling his beer. By 5 o’clock, I gave up.

Kit There are some nice things about children … they can be cute and adorable.

Will The best thing about nephews is that we can give them back ! Too much trouble.

Adult Speaking Class. Theme: Love & marriage Part 2

12th January 2020

How would you describe the emotions / feelings of these people ?

Image result for wedding party maori — Maori wedding in New Zealand

Image result for wedding party scotland — Scotland

Image result for shotgun wedding — A shotgun wedding

FREE SPEAKING: What is a traditional wedding in your country ?

In the UK and many western countries, the bridegroom waits in the church next to the Best Man, who has the rings. The church music starts and the Bride walks down the aisle next to her father, who will ‘give her away.’ Behind the Bride are her Bridesmaids. The Vicar will start the service. At the end, the Bride and Groom kiss.

Pictures of typical UK wedding.

Identify Bride, groom, best man, vicar, bridesmaids, father of the bride.

Image result for uk wedding service church vicar

Weddings can be a nerve-wracking time. What wedding people can you see in this clip. Do you recognise anybody famous ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKkT8_RGDYg

Image result for rowan atkinson in 4 weddings

Vocabulary booster

Match words with meaning

Honeymoon // a secret relationship

Romantic // promise to do something/ be loyal to someone.

Divorce // when people decide they will get married

Affair // after you legally separate

Engaged // a holiday after getting married

Listening Practice

Wedding vocabulary and listening exercise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPsrWWyTRz8

The lady speaks slowly and clearly; try to understand without subtitles.

Wedding planning

New vocabulary

to consider / to decide / to weigh up (phrasal verb) / to mull over [all mean ‘to think about’]

let me sleep on it (idiom = need time to think).

the final call / the final decision on a subject

logistics (n) // logistical (adj) organising people at the same time.

co-ordinating // arranging things to happen at the same or at an arranged time

It’s a logistical nightmare ! (very hard to co-ordinate all the different factors).

likewise / also, in the same way

therefore / so, for that reason

value for money /deciding if something is good quality and good price.

a multitude / so many

not to mention / additionally, adding a stronger point (expression)

potential minefield / an area of possible dangers and serious trouble (metaphor)

There are a multitude of things to consider when organising a wedding. The tasks range from choosing the dress and accessories, to booking the cars and flowers, not to mention the potential minefield of the food. What do people like to eat, what do they hate ? Are they on special diets, do they have allergies, are they restricted by religious considerations ?

What sort of things have to be planned for a successful wedding ?

Put them in order of importance – if that is possible ! (they are ALL important)

food / dress / invitations / venue / music / guests / honeymoon / flowers / transport / photographs / paperwork !

(Venue – place for the party)

Let’s start with the dress

Whose decision is this ? Who makes the final call ?

Do you go traditional ? Modern ? Discrete ?

What are your opinions of these dresses:

Some dresses can average at over £1 400 (over 43 million VND), so people try to make their own dresses, or consider using cheaper materials.

Listen to this clip: https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/very-special-wedding-dress-level-2/

What are the dresses made out of ? (made from ?)

For how long has this event been taking place ?

In which city is the festival held ?

What was the name of the winning design ?

Traditions

These vary (change) from country to country, but a traditional UK wedding would be something like this:

A church for a Christian service (synagogue for Jewish, mosque for Moslems)

Vicar to perform the service

Bride and Groom

Bridesmaids and Best Man

Father of the Bride

Guests

Order of Service

The minister will give plenty of advice on hymns to choose, but order of service is basically broken into six parts:

Introductory Medley
Entrance of the bride,
Hymns, marriage vows and prayers
Hymn or psalm blessing
Signing the register
Leaving for the reception (party, lunch)

As the party leaves the church, the order should be bride and groom, chief bridesmaid and best man, bride’s mother and bridegroom’s father, bridegroom’s mother and bride’s father, bridesmaids and other attendants.

At the party or reception, people are usually told where to sit. Before the food, there are a number of speeches. Some are serious, but the Best Man usually makes a humorous one, saying funny things about the Groom :

This is from the British film ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’, with actor Hugh Grant delivering the speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6GPicVYCvs

Decision – making

The menu – which do you prefer ? The food, the choice and the design.

The party (and after-party !)

A Jewish wedding party with traditional music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k3sH8AmeJk

A Mexican wedding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCa-tXL4miM

Today’s song: Sweet ‘Love is like oxygen’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9XYaEsfuU0

Adult Speaking Class. Theme: Love and marriage

11th January 2020

Love and marriage

Idioms, collocations, expressions, phrasal verbs

tie the knot / getting spliced / = getting married

(collocation – to get married)

He went down on one knee and popped the question = proposed.

It was love at first sight. She knew he was Mr Right.

He proposed but she turned him down = he asked but she said ‘no.’

They changed their minds, he got cold feet now they have called off the wedding.

I love weddings; it’s a chance to dress up and show off.

How do these differ ?

Going on a date / going out / meeting for coffee

Philipe and Julie have been ………. for five months (they have been dating)

You want to speak more with someone as a friend

You want to meet someone alone, and maybe start a romantic relationship

FREE SPEAKING

What’s the best thing about being in a relationship?

What’s the best thing about being single?

What headings would you put these under ?

Life is more fun than being alone. Problems are easier to solve.

We have total, 100% freedom ! Do what we want, when we want.

We have less responsibility.

No lonliness

If you meet someone you like, you can ask them out on a date.

There’s a time to play and a time to settle down and raise a family.

No in-laws !

How do couples meet ?

How did you meet your: wife / husband / boyfriend / girlfriend / partner ?

Image result for meeting people for dates

Listening practice: How did these couples meet ? This video was shot (filmed) in New York, so it will be American English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6rYRyoqpeI

New Vocabulary

Make sentences based on the pictures:

shocked / delighted / lonely / frustrated /overwhelmed /surprised / confused / relieved

Remember: you can increase sentences by using adjectives – just say what you see. Basic adjectives such as colours, sizes or materials will all add to your word count and make your speech more interesting (as well as improving scores in tests).

How does the woman feel ? What does she look like ? What is she wearing ?

I was delighted when I received your wedding invitation. (FIRST PERSON ‘I’, or use the THIRD PERSON – he/she/it/ a name)

The lady was delighted.

The young lady was delighted.

The beautiful young lady with long straight blonde hair, and wearing a pretty pink top, was delighted.

The young woman, who has long straight blonde hair, was delighted by the invitation.

Now you try:

Blind date TV show (this is from UK 1994)

Do you have game shows like this is your country ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj_ewz53Frk

Blind Date game:

Look at the photos of the three men and three women.

Read their likes and dislikes, and what they want out of life.

Try to arrange matches.

How successful will the dates be, do you think ?

PETER. Age 46. Lawyer. Likes cooking, travelling, wine, driving, tennis. Divorced, 2 children. Looks for quiet lady with no children, to look after the house and him.

JAMES. Age 26. IT worker. Likes music, dancing, going to clubs, beach holidays. Single. Looks for young lady who is loud and fun, likes to party.

David. Age 22. Model. Likes fashion, clothes, cocktail bars, smoking cigars. Looking for a women who is a model so we can look great together. Must be very beautiful and wear expensive clothes.

And now the ladies: which woman would be the best match for these men ?

Jane. Age 22. Likes fashion, clubbing, kittens, holidays in the sun. Looks for a man with a steady job and ‘down-to-earth’. Non-smoker only.

Lisa. 28. Banker. Likes quiet restaurants, badminton, travelling. Looks for a mature man with good income for long term relationship. No boys, please !

Emily. 20. Likes dancing, fashion, going out with my friends. Movies. Wants a young, cute boy-friend so we can go to parties together. No boring old men, please !

If the dates are successful, they could lead to weddings, married life and children … but we’ll save that for the next blog. In the meantime, here’s some clips of when the big day doesn’t go to plan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCkcU9h5ggc

Adult Speaking Class. Theme: Travel, traffic

9th January 2020

Contents

Dialogues

Listening practice: Vietnamese driving school (Top Gear).

London Underground (the Tube)

Sentence building: describe pictures.

Vocabulary and speaking practice.

Listening Practice

Vietnamese driving school from ‘Top Gear’ BBC TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1xNTBLgq4c&t=11s

Dialogues

Traffic Dialogue

Examples of how to use the new vocabulary in everyday situations

Ian and Tom are driving to a business meeting.

Ian Look at all this congestion ! It’s chockablock. What’s that idiot doing ?

Tom He’s trying to cut in. The other car’s blocked him. Oh … he’s getting out.

Ian He’s punching the car !Ha, over there, a traffic cop. Now he’s screwed !

Tom Yeah, road rage. Oh, at last, we’re on the move … and stop. What can we do ?

Ian Make the second turning at the roundabout. Take the ring road.

Tom Cool ! Avoid the rush hour in the city. Wish we were on the motorway.

Ian Yeah, put your foot down get there in next to no time. Why’s it so busy ?

Tom I get it, roadworks. They’re building a new flyover. That should ease traffic.

Sara & Vic are arguing in the car. Sara is driving.

Vic Why did you come this way ? District 7 at the rush hour, are you nuts ?

Sara I thought we could beat the traffic. There’s too many containers in D. 2

Vic Too many cars here and we’ve hit every red light ! Women drivers !

Sara That was sexist ! Anyway, you drive like a madman. Foot down and go !

Vic Cars are for driving, not stopping ! Take that turning, it’s quicker.

Sara That’s a one-way street, Einstein ! I hate back-seat drivers.

Vic Next time I’m driving. Women are terrible … what are you doing ?

Sara Pulling over. You can get out and walk ! Hope it doesn’t rain. See ya !

London Underground (the Tube)

This is how I get to work (go to work) when I am in London. This video describes how to use the London Tube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StFAuGQf2mM

But this is what the Tube is like at peak times (rush hour – 6.30 – 9. 30 / 4.30 – 7.30) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxfX2Y9og8E

What do you need / need to do to travel around London ?

Sentence building

What is happening here:

Try to build long complex sentences. The first one is the Tokyo subway.

Street scene in Vietnam. The light brown uniform is the traffic police.

What phrasal verbs could you use here ? What are the ladies doing wrong ? What do you think will happen to the ladies ?

What the heck is happening here ?

What do you think will happen to the driver ? In your opinion …

Vocabulary

rush hour // ring road // metro/subway/ U-Bahn/ the Tube // congested

blind spot / flyover / motorway / roundabout / road rage / one-way street

traffic jam / chockablock / cutting in / cut me off / hit every red light !

What are the issues facing you when you travel around Sai Gon ?

[what problems do you have]

This is an opinion question, so start your answer with:

In my opinion // In my experience // For me // I think // I believe // It seems to me

First – think of the positives – Is it easy to travel around ?

Is petrol / gas cheap ? Many stations ?

Can anyone attain a driver’s licence ?

What about public transport ? Cheap, reliable ?

Conversely, think of the negatives – time spent travelling.

Accidents

Costs – insurance, petrol, maintenance

Dangers – pollution

Condition of roads

Is traffic getting worse in HCM ? Why do you think so ?

What can be done to ease this situation ?

Finally – what is your conclusion. There will probably be both good and bad points.

Beginners’ English, Part 2

Various exercises designed for people who have just started learning English.

Contents

Grammar / contractions & questions / past continuous exercise / past tense exercise / present simple & continuous /

Pronunciation

Snow (listening & vocabulary). Theme: the weather.

Speaking practice

Vocabulary

What’s your name and basic introductions (listening & vocabulary)

Grammar

Contractions & questions (31.35 – 42.16): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeaadwctbD4

I am John = I’m John // You are Anna = You’re Anna

Past Continuous exercise

Write positive sentences in past continuous.

I was reading a great book

subject + was / were + verb ing (+ noun, adjective + noun)

you / play / cards /// you were playing cards
Alice / walk / around the lake
Fiona and Sam / visit / the castle
we / read / a book about Australia
my sister / feed / the birds
Greg and Phil / count / their money

Past tense

Write in the past tense

Andrew (am) born in New York and (come) to Viet Nam in 2016. He (live) in District 1 but it (is) too expensive so he (move) to District 9. Last week, he (have) a party and he (dance) all night and (drink) too much Tiger and Sai Gon Special beer. In the morning, he (catch) a plane and (go) to Ha Noi.

In Vietnam’s capital he (see) Uncle Ho, (hear) traditional music and (buy) many Rolex watches … but they (are make) in China.

Present simple & Present continuous

Present simple & continuous exercise: use always + ing

Tony has lost the key again. He’s always losing the key. [This is permanent.]

My motorbike has broken down again. It is ………… (break + ing)

The rice is burnt ! She is ………. the rice. (burn + ing)

The security guard is asleep. He is ……………… on duty. (sleep + ing)

Pronunciation

Long vowels part 1: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/pronunciation/longvowel1

Snow

Listening Practice: (0.20 – 1.30) cartoon – snow – beginners https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emQSVdW-Ee4

What is the date ? Listen for the adverb ‘finally’. Why doesn’t Mum like the snow ?

What does the boy ‘put on’ ? Listen for ‘My sister and I’ What happens to the jacket ?

What do the siblings do outside ? What do they do at night and why ?

Vocabulary

shovel / mitten / scarf / jacket / zipper

What is happening here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp3p539C2f4

Theme: the weather

Vocabulary:

storm = heavy rain // heatwave = time of very high temperature

flood = lots of water on the roads and streets. The street is flooded.

Idioms– it’s raining cats and dogs = it raining very heavily.

I’m melting = I’m very hot

Reading & listening

There are often powerful storms in Vietnam. There are floods in Vietnam every year, too. This year’s floods are very bad.

Over 16,000 homes are covered in water. The situation is the worst in Yen Bai and How Bing provinces. Thousands of people are homeless. Forty people are dead. Forty people are missing: https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/floods-in-vietnam-level-1/

powerful (very strong), flood (big water), missing (we do not know where these people are, or if they are alive).

Speaking practice:

Hello, my name is John and I’m from New York. I’m a taxi-driver, and I have been in Vietnam for one year. My hobbies are dancing, watching films and playing computer games. In Asia, I have been to Thailand and Laos and I really want to visit Japan and Korea.

continuous verbs (verb + ing): I like reading.

How many continuous verbs can you see ?

Interests / hobbies

Now you write something and introduce yourself.

Name / Job / How long have you been at (your company or school ?)

Hometown / Hobbies/ Where you want to visit

Vocabulary

Try to learn these words / expressions:

like / love / adore /

dislike / hate / detest /

and / as well as / additionally

but / however / on the other hand /

usually / normally / often /

sometimes /occasionally

And these adverbs: very / really / extremely / highly / quite / somewhat

Now make short sentences. For example:

I adore coffee as well as tea (I like coffee and tea)

London is extremely expensive. On the other hand, Thailand is quite cheap.

Vocabulary booster.

Match the words or expressions:

tired // considering

sometimes // selfish

thinking about // kind of

type of something // exhausted

Not generous // occasionally

Now practice using them:

I can’t go out tonight, I’m ………..

Bill is ……………. buying a new motorbike

Ms Vi only goes to visit her family in Hue ………….. because it is so far.

What ………… laptop are you using ?

Share your sweets with your friends ! Don’t be ……..

What is the best word ?

want / like / need / prefer

She likes coffee but …….. tea

I ….. to speak English to study in USA.

He …. to buy a new Yamaha Exciter but he …… to save up money.

realise / suppose / understand / remember

I ……. we could go shopping and then go swimming.

Do you ……… when you were at school ?

She didn’t …… he was Chinese, so she spoke Korean to him !

What’s Your Name (Introductions)

What is your name ? / Possession. (listening & vocabulary 0.00 – 5.03) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeaadwctbD4

Adult Professionals: Architecture and engineering

7th January 2020

Architecture in history

Gothic Architecture

The Gothic style of architecture first emerged in Northern France during the 12th century. In engineering terms, it was a major step forward from the Romanesque style that had dominated European architecture up to that time. It allowed people to construct cathedrals, churches and other buildings on a scale that dwarfed anything that had gone before. The technological superiority of the Gothic approach was the result of three engineering breakthroughs: the pointed arch, the ribbed vault and the flying buttress.

The pointed arch offers benefits in terms of structural engineering: A greater proportion of the weight above thearch is channeled down into the ground, instead of exerting a sideways force: https://www.theclassroom.com/engineering-breakthroughs-gothic-architecture-12682.html

Ribbed Vault

The stone ceilings of Romanesque buildings were heavy and inefficient, and placed severe limitations on the size of buildings that could be constructed. The situation changed dramatically with the advent of the Gothic style.

One of the greatest innovations was the flying buttress. This system allowed builders to construct soaring cathedrals with massive interior spaces, while allowing walls to exhibit expansive stained glass windows.

The engineering innovations of pointed arches, ribbed vaults and flying buttresses meant such buildings could be the longest, widest and tallest of their day.

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris. An example of the Gothic style. Note the flying buttresses.

Fillipo Brunelleschi (1377 – April 15, 1446)

Early in his career as an architect, Brunelleshi came forward as a mover and a shaker. He discovered, or rather, rediscovered the lost Greek and Roman rules of perspective, such as the principle of having a single vanishing point. His (re)discovery of these rules had a profound influence on the artists of his time

In 1420, the church awarded Brunelleschi the commission to design a dome to top the Florence Cathedral, which had been left, for many years, with a 140″ diameter hole gaping atop. The problem was not a new one to the world of architecture; for decades architects had been trying to design the perfect dome to crown the Cathedral but had been defeated by the restrictive structural limitations inherentin the Cathedral’s design. Brunelleschi, managed to succeed, however, were all others had failed by 1446.

Brunelleschi’s dome for the Cathedral in Florence, Italy.

Mies van der Rohe, 1886 – 1969

Famous for his saying “less is more,” was one of the preeminent modernist architects, well known for pioneering the extensive use of glass in buildings. His works introduced a new level of simplicity and transparency, and his buildings were often referred to as “skin-and-bones” architecture for their emphasis on steel structure and glass enclosure.