Young Learners: Time Travellers

9th January 2023

Pieter Bruegel the Elder, “The Battle Between Carnival and Lent,” 1559 Kunsthistorisches Museum

Today we travel back in time to see how people lived 400 or 500 years ago. What was different ? What games did children play ?

First, we need a modern avatar. Team captains can choose from the following:

FBI Agent, Dale Cooper // Black Panther // Mulan

James Bond 007 // Reva // Lady Penelope

Sinbad the Sailor // The Minotaur

LEVEL 1

What do we have now that children did not have in the 1500s ? I want 3 things.

LEVEL UP: score 50 points

LEVEL 2

Tell me what you see in this picture. Remember to use adjectives.

Start with, “I can see …

LEVEL UP: score 100 points

LEVEL 3

The paintings are by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Read about his life:

Pieter Bruegel was born in Holland in 1529.

In the 1550s, he lived in Italy to study art. Bruegel liked to paint landscapes, and life in villages.

Many of his pictures tell a story. He had two sons who became painters. Their names were Jan and Pieter.

Bruegel died in 1569 in Belgium.

Questions:

Where was Bruegel born ?

When was Bruegel born ?

What country did he visit in the 1550s ?

What did he like to paint ?

When and where did he die ?

What were the names of his two painter sons ?

LEVEL UP: score 200 points

LEVEL 4

Many of Bruegel’s painting are in the Art Museum in Vienna, Austria. Have a look at this virtual tour: https://www.khm.at/en/explore/digital-museum/bruegel-begegnen-en/#:~:text=Only%20in%20Vienna&text=The%20Kunsthistorisches%20Museum%20Vienna%20houses,course%2C%20The%20Tower%20of%20Babel.

Look at the first picture at the top of this page.

Can you see it on the virtual tour ?

Look at the picture of the boys playing.

What is the name of this painting ?

Can you find this part of the painting ?

What other games can you see ?

LEVEL UP: score 500 points

LEVEL 5

Look at the painting ‘Children’s Games’ from 1560. In your teams, write a short story about what you see. Some people can draw, others can write. When you are finished, you may present to the class.

LEVEL UP: score 1000 points

GREAT WORK

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE

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 2 & 3: Grammarians of the Galaxy.

21st December 2022

You have to use your English grammar to save the Galaxy from evil … can you do it ? Of course !

Game 1: correct these sentences

1: I is happy (1 point)

2: You am sadd (1 point)

3: He am is angree (2 points)

4: She is is beautifulll (2 points)

5: they is brave verry (3 points)

6: We are to watching a film good (3 points)

7: He am strong and liking to dance (3 points)

8: He am Groot and are cute very. Also he friendly (4 points)

9: Hiss name are rocket and she to be very small and angry (4 points)

10: the joker am in the Guardian film no. He am in film battmann ( 10 points)

Game 2: write 3 sentences using helping verbs

Subject // helping verb // verb 1 or infinite verb // object // adverb

An infinite verb is to + verb 1

EXAMPLE: to eat // to watch // to go // to buy // to learn.

We NEVER use to + verbing:

to swimming // to drinking // to writing X

Subject // helping verb // verb 1 or infinite verb // object // adverb

I // can // play // piano // very well

I // like // to watch // TV // sometimes

I // want // to visit // Thailand // soon

What is different about helping verbs can and like & want ?

Can uses verb 1, but like & want use infinite (to + verb 1)

Now … Your turn

Write 3 sentences using can, like & want.

Remember:

can + verb 1 // like + infinite // want + infinite

Only good grammar can defeat Thanos …

Good Luck !

Young Learners, Levels 3 & 4. Monopoly: Christmas Market

12th December 2022

For this game, you will need the Monopoly board template from this blog: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/12/12/young-learners-all-levels-board-game-template/.

You will therefore be able to freeze that image on the screen while reading these (or your own) questions.

The aim is to move around the board, answering questions and collecting Christmas items.

The winning team will be the first to collect:

Christmas pudding // Christmas crackers //

A visit from carol singers // A Christmas tree and decorations //

Classic film on TV // A snowman (snowperson) // Sleeping uncle // Massive box of chocolates

Hideous jumper // Slade singing ‘Merry Christmas Everybody.’

Now … let’s start !

Arrange class into small teams. Each team can roll the die, highest number goes first. Start on the top left square.

Every time a team completes a turn around the board, they collect £200. However, the top right space is the jail. If they land on the bottom left space, the team goes to jail and misses a turn.

A correct answer means the team can choose a Christmas item, or they can buy one for £300

The red stops are vocabulary

Stop 1: Give me three words for food

Stop 2: Give me three words for family

Stop 3: Give me five words for Christmas

The yellow stops are speaking

Stop 1: Tell me a sport you like and why

Stop 2: Tell me a film or TV show you like and why

Stop 3: Tell me why you like learning English. I want TWO reasons.

The green stops are writing

Stop 1: Write a sentence about a present you would like.

Stop 2: Write a sentence about a present you would not like.

Stop 3: Write about a present you would give to your English teacher !

The dark blue stops are listening. Repeat what I say

Stop 1: Apples, oranges, chocolate, mince pies and Christmas log.

Stop 2: Turkey, roast potatoes, parsnips, sprouts, cranberry sauce and thick gravy.

The brown stops are forfeits

Stop 1: Loose 1 present or £50

Stop 2: Loose 1 present and £100

The sky blue stops are grammar. Conjugate these sentences

Stop 1: I am having a wonderful Christmas time.

Stop 2: I am eating too much food.

Stop 3: I don’t want to wear this awful jumper !

The pink stops are singing. Sing these Christmas songs

Stop 1: Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way

Stop 2: Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright

Stop 3:

https://youtu.be/BpfHSqLXePI

So here it is, Merry Christmas
Everybody’s having fun
Look to the future now
It’s only just begun

Are you waiting for the family to arrive?
Are you sure you got the room to spare inside?
Does your granny always tell ya
That the old songs are the best?
Then she’s up and rock ‘n’ rolling with the rest

So here it is, Merry Christmas
Everybody’s having fun
Look to the future now
It’s only just begun

The Orange spaces are free speaking. Remember to speak for as long as possible.

Stop 1: Tell me things you like and don’t like about your city

Stop 2: Tell me what you like to do in your free time

Stop 3: tell me what job you would like to do when you are older.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE, HAPPY HANUKKAH

Young Learners, all levels. Board game template.

12th December 2022

A useful template for classroom activities. The teacher can add various instructions on the squares to suit the abilities of the students. The game is, of course, Monopoly.

An online die and some markers are all that is needed.

I shall add some sample questions based on the text books at my centre in the next blog(s).

The image was taken from a free printable site https://www.monopolyland.com/printable-monopoly-board-template/ \

Many thanks to the site operators.

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.

Young Learners, levels 2 & 3. Snakes & ladders review games

29th November 2022

Team games are a great way to motivate younger students, as well as reinforcing their knowledge of English. Ideally, games should test all learning skills; reading, writing, speaking and listening, not to mention focusing on pronunciation and grammar.

Here’s a familiar game which can be used in the classroom together with an online dice. Put the students into small teams, and give them mini boards and markers.

First, some questions for level 2

Give me a sentence with these verbs:

dance / drink / eat / take / hold / listen

some or any ?

Is there ____ milk ?

There are ________ eggs.

Are there _____ fries ?

There are _____ carrots.

Would you like ____ ice cream ?

There aren’t ___ sausages.

Grammar: conjugate these verbs

I like watching football (you / he / she / it / Mr John / we / they).

I don’t like taking photos (you / he / she / it / Mr John / we / they).

I can float in space (you / he / she / it / Mr John / we / they).

Adjectives. Write two adjectives for:

a tiger / a dolphin / a puppy / a vampire / a frog

Time

What do you do at 7.00 in the morning ?

What do you do at 1.00 in the afternoon ?

What do you do at 9.00 in the evening ?

Quick writing: You have 10 seconds to write down as many words as you can beginning with the letter:

s / p / t

Tell me something you like and something you don’t like. EXAMPLE: I really like English however, I don’t like maths.

Tell me three things you can have in a:

kitchen / bedroom / living room

Tell me about your family. Try to speak for as long as possible.

Example: I have a mummy, a daddy and two brothers. My mummy is friendly. She is small and has black hair. My daddy is tall. My older brother likes to play video games. My young brother likes to read books.

Write a sentence with these adverbs. One sentence each:

always / usually / sometimes / never

Tell me what children can do in Sai Gon

Image from Pinterest from teacherspayteachers.com

Young Learners, level 2: Basic Simple Past exercises

26th October 2022

A chance to review the simple past (verb 2).

I expect all students to be able to use the past tense by the end of the seminar.

infinite / present (verb 1) / past (verb 2)

1 to be am / was [I am / I was]

are / were [they are / they were]

2 to have have / had

3 to do do / did

4 to say say / said

5 to go go / went

6 to get get / got

7 to make make / made

8 to know know /knew

9 to think think / thought

10 to take take / took

11 to see see / saw

12 to come come / came

13 to want want / wanted

14 to use use / used

15 to find find / found

Past Tense Exercise

1. You (have) a test yesterday.

You had a test yesterday.

2. They (do) their homework last night.

They ——- their homework last night.

3. You (are) lazy last week.

You ——- lazy last week.

4. I (am) hungry yesterday.

I ——- hungry yesterday.

5. Sam (go) to Hong Kong last year.

Sam ——- to Hong Kong last year.

6. The man (make) tables and chairs yesterday.

The man —— tables and chairs yesterday.

7. Two weeks ago the boy (has) a new bicycle.

Two weeks ago the boy ——- a new bicycle.

8. In London I (know) many people.

In London I _______ many people.

9. I (get) 10 points in my English test.

I ______ 10 points in my English test.

10. I (want) to see a great film.

I _______ to see a great film.

Extra work for Top Cats

Corrections: Write in the past tense

I (am) born in Vietnam and (arrive) in Sai Gon in 2020. I (go) to school in District 1 because I (want) to work near my home. Last week, my friend (have) a party. She (dance) all night and I (hear) her singing. In the morning, she (have) a headache.

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.

Screen Test Compilation: Video clips for classroom games

23rd June 2022

Contents:

1 Summer Holiday

2 World’s tallest buildings

3 Egyptian Gods

Here’s a compilation of video clips that can be used in class for listening skills, observation, collecting information, and for fun.

‘Screen Test’ was a children’s TV show on the BBC from 1970 – 1984. A group of children were shown short clips of films, then asked questions about what they had seen.

First up is a clip I’ve used several times, ‘Summer Holiday’ starring Cliff Richard and his backing band The Shadows.

1 Summer Holiday

What colour was the first car behind the bus ?

red // white // blue ?

2. What was the number of the bus ?

9 // 19 // 28 ?

3. What was the road sign at the beginning of the clip ?

London // Berlin // Paris ?

4. How many children wore a hat ?

1 // 2 // no children ?

5. How many men were riding bicycles ?

3 // 4 // 6 ?

6. What did Cliff, the driver, eat ?

a sandwich // a biscuit or cookie // nothing ?

BONUS POINTS – Can anyone sing the song – just two lines

“We’re all going on a summer holiday // we’re all going for a week or two.”

2 World’s tallest buildings

Questions

1) How tall was the Philadelphia City Hall ?

2) Where was the Singer Building ?

3) What year was the Bank of Manhattan Trust finished ?

4) How tall is the Chrysler Builder ?

5) The Empire State Building has two different heights – why ?

6) In what year did Chicago have the tallest building ?

7) What was the first tallest building in Asia ?

8) How tall is the Dubai Creek Tower planned to be ?

Answers: 1) 167m / 548 ft 2) New York City (NYC) 3) 1930 4) 319m / 1046 ft 5) first is height of building, second is height to the tip. 6) 1973 7) Petronas Tower in Malaysia 8) 1321m / 4351 ft

3 Ancient Egyptian Gods

https://youtu.be/cdXTkO1hado

Questions

1) What was the name of the Sun God ?

2) Which God was a writer ?

3) Anubis had the head of which animal ?

4) Would you see Nut in the day or night, and why ?

5) What was the name of the lioness ?

6) What animal was Bastet ?

Answers 1) Ra 2) Thoth 3) a jackal 4) night because she was the star goddess 5) Sekmet 6) a cat

Adult Speaking Class, level 2: Maintain radio silence.

1st March 2021

The Truth Is Out There - Poster Emporium

Tonight’s class will focus on the town of Green Bank, Virginia (which is a southern state in the USA). Green Bank is a very small town. The population in 2019, according to Wikipedia, was 182 yet it has become famous as the town without Wi-Fi. Wireless internet is banned and mobile phones (cell phones USA) are unable to make or receive calls, nor can they send texts. The reason …

Green Bank Telescope - Wikipedia — the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope

Telescopes can be used for light or for sound. The above picture shows the radio telescope, which is 485ft tall, at Green Bank. It listens out for sounds from space. You may hear electromagnetic radiation in the class video.

Light and sound travel in waves. A star will emit light waves but electromagnetic radiation can also travel by radio waves. Giant telescopes are situated in areas with low light pollution while radio telescopes need to be in areas without Wi-Fi or mobile telephone, which can cause interference. You may have experienced this on an airplane when you are told to switch off phones during take-off and landing.

If you wish to learn more about Green Bank, here’s a link to a lengthy article from the Washingtonian: https://www.washingtonian.com/2015/01/04/the-town-without-wi-fi/

Bilingual No Cell Phone Acrylic White Interior Sign | Etsy

And so to work … as a warm up, get a partner or a small group and ask each other the following questions. Remember to encourage each other to speak in longer sentences and give reasons.

Could you live in a town with no Wi-Fi ?

What would you miss most if you had no phone or Wi-Fi ?

How important is your mobile phone to you … why ?

How often do you use Facebook ? Is it essential or fun ?

Do you think you spend too much time on social media ?

If you are with friends and your phone rings, or you get an alert, do you ignore it or stop talking to your friends ?

How to build sentences: explain your answers … ‘because‘ // such as … //

Tell me your experience: ‘For me, mobiles phones are …’ // ‘I couldn’t live without Wi-Fi because …’ // ‘I rely on …’

New vocabulary: essential // imperative // convenient //

It would be like losing an arm // a vital part of my life // I control my Wi-Fi use, it doesn’t control me // prohibitively expensive // I would lose my mind !

Adult Speaking Class, Level 2: Coffee, cooking and cuisine

1st February 2021

ALH 7.4 pp 68 – 69

Juan Ferrer on Twitter: "Iggy Pop and Tom Waits. Coffee and Cigarettes (2003) Jim Jarmusch.… "

Miles Davis - Cookin' - LP | JazzMessengers

Plan, Shop, Save, & Cook | Pierce County | Washington State University

Welcome to the class – hey, what’s cooking ? (what’s happening ?)

Unfortunately, I’m not 100% today. I have a sore throat so have to reduce the amount of talking … which is good news for you !

Standard English:

I’m not feeling very well // I have a slight cold // I’m not at my best

Idioms:

I’m feeling under the weather // I’m not myself tonight

Vernacular:

I feel like hell // I just want to crawl back into bed

So, to warm up here are some dialogues you can practice. Look up any new words or phrases, then try to use them throughout tonight’s lesson.

Old Compass Cafe Saigon - Vietnamese cuisine, wine, cafe, events

Pat Well, I’m exhausted. I need a damn fine cup of coffee and a big piece of pie.

Sam There’s a Highlands over the road, or we can go to Coffee Bean or Milano.

Pat I’d prefer Tran Nguyen but it costs an arm and a leg. Highlands is also incredibly expensive.

Sam But great quality and superb cakes. Come on, I’m starving, I need coffee now !

Pat OK, hold your horses hahaha. After we can meet up with Thay Paul.

Sam Sounds good. Now … shall we have chocolate cake or fruit cake … ?

Inside the coffee shop

Sam Hi, I’ll have a large cappuccino, please. What do you fancy ?

Pat Tough decision. I’m going for the cheesecake and a slice of blueberry pie.

Sam Oh, me too. Big slice, no, only joking, I have to watch my weight.

Pat I think you look great. Lets also get some chocolate cake and we can share.

Sam Brilliant.

This is an extract from a previous blog, which may be accessed here: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/11/adult-speaking-class-level-2-coffee-shop-chat/:

Next week is Tet Holiday

As a guest in Vietnam, I am not sure of Vietnamese culture and customs. Work in teams and make a presentation to the class, explaining Tet holiday in terms of food, how it’s prepared, and who is invited to eat. Are there any strange or unusual traditions associated with Tet ?

Standard English:

Watch this video // Have a look at this short clip

UK London slang:

Have a butcher’s at this clip (butcher’s hook = look)

Vernacular:

Check out this vid