Beginners’ English: vowels

20th May 2020

What is it ?

Charles Dickens: Five Novels (Barnes & Noble Collectible Editions ...

It is a book

When we speak we say ‘It’s’

it is = it’s

it’s a book / it’s a dog / it’s a pen

The words ‘pen’, ‘dog’ and ‘book’ are things; they are called nouns.

When the noun begins with a vowel (a,e,i,o,u) we use:

It is an = It’s an

EXAMPLES:

It’s an  // a e i o u

What is it ?

it’s an apple

it’s an elephant

it’s an ice cream

Orange Fruit | Fruit photography, Fruit picture, Orange fruit

it’s an orange

it’s an umbrella

Now … your turn

Ask each other:

“What is it ?” and answer “It’s an …”

An egg is number one on Instagram — Diet Doctor News
ONION | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary
Yes, the Avocado "Epidemic" Has Come to DC, Too | Washingtonian (DC)

egg // onion //

Octopus PNG
Cute Little Pink Magical Unicorn Vector Design On White Background ...

avocado // octopus // unicorn

Beginners’ English: useful sounds

20th May 2020

These blogs are for students who have started to learn English.

Today some sounds:

…en

and the letter ‘G’

pen

men

ten

Who', 'What', 'When'… Interrogative Words Rated — The Wheeler Centre

G

goldfish

gold

glasses // goat

goal !

Practice:

I have a pen

You have a pen

He has a pen

She has a pen

John has a pen

Anne has a pen

We have a pen

You (plural) have a pen

They have have a pen

Now … with an adjective: a gold pen

I have a gold pen

You have a gold pen

He has a …

She has a …

John has a …

Anne has a …

We have a …

You (plural) have a …

They have a …

Goodbye

CREAM - Goodbye (remastered) - Amazon.com Music

Beginners’ English. Sentence building & grammar

16th March 2020

Grammar:

Image result for Chinese student
A Chinese student in London

She is a student. She’s a student, she has to study 

she has to study 

subject + helping verb + infinite verb (no tense: to + verb)

she has to study // he has to study // we have to study

to + verb – NEVER past tense or continuous:

I like to reading X // You want to saw a film X WRONG

She likes to drink water // we want to finish early // you need to buy a new iPhone 

Make sentences with these photos – use subject + helping verb + infinite verb:

She …..

He …

He …

They

The man …

The dog …

I have to find my mobile phone.

Subject+ helping verb+ infinite….. ( I + have + to find …)

Helping verbs: have // want // need // go // like

I go to see a film / I want to work / I need to ask for a pay raise

Write sentences for these pictures:

She likes to take pictures / photos / snaps

He wants ….

Negative: He doesn’t ……..

He doesn’t want to study // He doesn’t like to read // He doesn’t want to work

He looks angry / unhappy / miserable (mis’raball) 

He doesn’t want / like to wash up // He doesn’t like to do the washing up

The young lad (boy) needs to learn / to study / to cram up

Adult Mechanics: What can possibly go wrong ?

A boxed-set of lesson notes and exercises initially designed for professional engineers and mechanics. The levels vary from beginner to advanced.

Contents:

Listening: Far Flung Floyd BBC TV (advanced)

Listening: Robot dog (advanced)

Listening: World’s strongest robot (beginner to advanced)

Listening: Top Gear BBC TV program (advanced)

Speaking practice and vocabulary (advanced)

breaking the law / Coffee shop talk / going green / buying a motorbike /

Video clip: China’s high-speed train.

Vocabulary: Cars / Car manufacturers / Environmental concerns (advanced) / tools (beginner)

Listening

Keith Floyd (TV chef) ‘Far Flung Floyd’

Image result for keith floyd vietnam"

Floyd in Vietnam (12.53 – 15.29): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO6cSQ8Vly8

What ingredients does he use ?

What does he say as he starts cooking ?

How long does it simmer for ?

What does ‘moisten’ mean ?

Listening: robot dog (advanced) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op0bhZNUJFE

Image result for robot dog"

Do you understand any of the engineering terms / words in English ?

Newsinlevels.com (World’s strongest robot – choose your own level, 1,2 0r 3) https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/strongest-robot-in-the-world-level-2/

What country produced this robot ?

How much can it lift ? That is the same as … ?

Is it delicate or sturdy ? What word is used to describe this ?

Top Gear

Image result for top gear"

Break for the border part 1: (0 – 0.52)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0K8AXUEH8E

How much petrol do the chaps (men) have ? How many points for getting to the border ?

What is the phrasal verb for using all the petrol ? What is the punishment for this ?

What does Richard say about this ? Which country has the closest border ?

Break for the border part 2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3StTHXS2Ic&t=3s

What word does James use to mean ‘the winner’ ?

What expression does Richard use to mean he will stop trying to beat James ?

What expression does James use to show he is in trouble ?

We hear the word ‘gloat’ twice … what does it mean ?

What is the phrasal verb for using up ALL the petrol ?

What is the ‘hard shoulder’ ?

What does Richard say when he sees Jeremy ?

Top Gear: £1500 Porsche challenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jPaYnaKVDk&t=317s&list=PL97HViQblvdEM3zsauRxnIg1baFTNmsDM&index=16

Top Gear in Vietnam

Image result for top gear vietnam"

Full video on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/richardhammondtgt/videos/706329819546314/?v=706329819546314&external_log_id=45059a07d87e44e56f7250b63bf526de&q=top%20gear%20special%20episodes

Vietnam clip (39.00 – 43.00)

New Vocabulary / expressions

set about = to do something

pay someone back for something = to get revenge

cross = angry / furious = very angry

(people have) turned out = arrived

borrow = to get something from someone, then give back

hang on = wait a little

metaphor = phép ẩn dụ

What does Jeremy say is a metaphor for Vietnam ?

What phrasal verb does James use to mean he stops trying ?

What does the Viet lady do to the bikes in the car park ?

Speaking & vocabulary practice

Exercise 1: New vocabulary:

prosperity / represent / footage/ annoyed / superior / essentially

to sue / suing / law suit / (law) case / ruling / embezzle/ lawyers / judge

pocketing (UK slang) / cost of living (rent, food, travel etc) / can vary

therefore / out and about / basically / you see / obviously /though (although)

Dale Sorry I’m late. Hope you’re not annoyed, I’ve been out and about.

Gordon Not at all. It’s been very exciting here. Mr Smith was caught

embezzling company money. The boss is suing.

Dale What the hell !How much was he pocketing ? 

Gordon Who knows ? A lot, that’s for sure. Basically, he’s been stealing

for the last six months.

Dale I know the cost of living is increasing, but he was essentially a

great worker though he did always drink superior cognac.

Gordon And buy superior clothes, particularly designer shirts.

Mr Kim and Mr Chi also discuss this incident 3rdMarch 2018

Kim He was caught on CCTV footage. He’s had to engage a lawyer.

Chi If the ruling goes goes against him, it could mean a fine and prison.

Kim Yes, it can vary from two to twenty years. When’s the case ?

Chi The suit will be heard later this year. The company are shocked.

Kim Obviously. You see, they trusted him, he had been here for years.

Chi That’s awful. This year has started out terribly, therefore it can only

get better !

Kim Yes, it mustn’t get us down, we need to learn from this experience.

Exercise 2: Coffee shop talk / talking shop / the environment

Don, Joe & Tim are on break at work. Tim looks stressed. 

Don Hi guys, what’s happening ? What’s wrong with Tim ?

Joe The supervisor has been giving him a hard time because of his punctuality.

Tim Sorry, I’ve gotta lot of things on my mind … and tons of work.

Don In my experience, work’ll lighten up. Do you agree, Joe ?

Joe Spot on ! Although, less work, less money, obviously.

Tim Actually, it’s my girlfriend; she has a terrible habit.

Don Oh, what is it ?

Tim She has a habit of spending MY money !

Later, at lunch at Coffee House

Joe We should think more about the environment. Our company should go green.

Tim What’s on your mind ? What do you recommend ?

Don Yeah, aside from recycling what steps can we take ?

Joe Well, switching to unleaded petrol, saving water and making sure we turn off …

Tim Our brains ? No, I’m pulling your leg. In fact, those are brilliant ideas.

Don I agree totally. Anyway, what are you having to eat ?

Joe I’m not hungry, I had a snack earlier. I’ll just take a coffee.

Tim Ah, here comes our coffee. Things are looking up.

Joe WAIT ! … mmmmm, this is a damn fine cup of coffee !

NOTE: the colour green is associated with the environment

Exercise 3: buying a motorbike

Jim is talking with his buddy (friend) Kev about buying a motorbike. He asks for advice.

Jim Which do you suggest ? The Honda or the Yamaha ? I’m miserable without a bike.

Kev Buy both … no,I’m pulling your leg.In my opinion, Yamaha looks cool.

Jim Yeah, I agree totally. Blue and white. However, Yamahas are uncomfortable.

Kev Good point. In my experience, Hondas are very reliable. Good engineering.

Jim Maybe I should buy a German bike ? Sounds good ?

Kev Sure, buy a luxury BMW, really cool … but really, really expensive !

Jim Ok, so I’ll take the Honda. Wait … what is that awful sound ?

Kev Oh no ! The karaoke has started. All day, every day. I want to scream !

Video Clips

AC / DC current explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN9aR2wKv0U

High-speed trains in China: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JDoll8OEFE

Tech flops: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4Rzd21U-1c

Vocabulary

Cars:

Car parts vocabulary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aazWo7OeJJY

Which of these cars would you like ? 

Land Rover / Toyota / Volva / Dacia 

Image result for land rover"
Land Rover
Image result for Toyata"
Toyata
Image result for volvo"
Volvo
Image result for darcia car"
Darcia

I choose the …

because it’s …. cool /economical /fast / beautiful / reliable

however, it’s also … expensive / ugly /unreliable /uneconomical /slow 

Vocabulary: Car parts

How many parts can you name ?

Automobile companies

1. Abarth16. Ford31. MG46. Smart
2. Alfa Romeo17. Honda32. Mini47. Ssangyong
3. Aston Martin18. Hyundai33. Mitsubishi48. Subaru
4. Audi19. Infiniti34. Morgan49. Suzuki
5. Bentley20. Jaguar35. Nissan50. Tesla
6. BMW21. Jeep36. Noble51. Toyota
7. Bugatti 22. Kia 37. Pagani52. Vauxhall
8. Cadillac23. Lamborghini38. Peugeot53. Volkswagen
9. Caterham24. Land Rover39. Porsche54. Volvo 
10. Chevrolet25. Lexus40. Radical55. Zenos
11. Chrysler26. Lotus41. Renault
12. Citroen27. Maserati42. Rolls-Royce
13. Dacia28. Mazda43. Saab
14. Ferrari29. Mclaren44. Seat
15. Fiat30. Mercedes-Benz45. Skoda

This is a list of the 15 largest manufacturers by production in 2016.[35]

RankGroupCountryVehicles
1ToyotaJapan10,213,486
2Volkswagen GroupGermany10,126,281
3HyundaiSouth Korea7,889,538
4General MotorsUnited States7,793,066
5FordUnited States6,429,485
6NissanJapan5,556,241
7HondaJapan4,999,266
8Fiat Chrysler AutomobilesItaly / United States4,681,457
9RenaultFrance3,373,278
10PSAFrance3,152,787
11SuzukiJapan2,945,295
12SAICChina2,566,793
13DaimlerGermany2,526,450
14BMWGermany2,359,756
15ChanganChina1,715,871

Tesla, Inc. (formerlyTesla Motors) is an American multinational corporation that specialises in electric vehicles, energy storage and solar panel manufacturing based in Palo Alto, California. Founded in 2003, the company specialises in electric cars, lithium-ion battery energy storage, and residential photovoltaic panels(through the subsidiary company SolarCity).The additional products Tesla sells include the Tesla Powerwall and Powerpack batteries,solar panels and solar roof tiles.

CEO Elon Musk said that he envisions Tesla as a technology company and independent automaker, aimed at eventually offering electric cars at prices affordable to the average consumer.

Tesla Vs Jeremy Clarkson (Top Gear) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KEN-cxmGw8


Some famous UK car companies

Rolls-Royce and Bentley have been owned by VW since 1998

The Mini is owned by BMW

Jaguar and Land Rover are owned by Tata Motors (India)

Who owns the ‘British’ car companies ? https://www.borro.com/uk/borro-blog/british-car-brands-owners

The second biggest car manufacturer is VW. Why are they so big ?http://The second biggest car manufacturer is VW. Why are they so big ?

BMW = beemer

Cadillac = Cadi = gas guzzler (guzzler = drink a LOT!)

Environmental concerns / issues (advanced) http://shanghaiist.com/2017/06/15/polluting-companies.php

Does this news story surprise you ? Is China worse than Vietnam (in your opinion).

recent/ investigate / emission standards / specifically

ignore / strict / established


World’s biggest polluters

Which countries do you think are in the top ten worst ?https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/who-are-the-worlds-biggest-polluters-idUSRTXRKSI

Any surprises here ?

I’m surprised to see …. on the list / make the list

It doesn’t surprise me that …

Identify these tools. What are they used for ?

There is one black and red hammer. It is used …

Young Learners, Level 4: We’re all going on a summer holiday

23rd November 2019 E Up 4 U8 L2 (updated from June 15th 2019)

Warm Up: Summer Holiday and ‘Screen Test’ game. First watch the clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xddl8fpf2uA

Class put into groups of three or four. Each team given a name of a European city, such as London, Venice, Barcelona and Paris.

First question – in which countries are your cities ?

Next ‘Screen Test’: The students watch the opening song then have to answer multiple choice questions.

1) What was the road sign at the beginning of the clip ?

London // Berlin // Paris ?

2) What was the number of the bus ?

9 // 19 // 28 ?

3) What colour was the first car behind the bus ?

red // white // blue ?

4) How many children wore a hat ?

1 // 2 // no children

5) How many men were riding bicycles ?

3 // 4 // 6 ?

6) How many women were in the car ?

3 // 4 // 5 ?

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.”

Image result for cliff richard driving bus

Last lesson the subject was future tense and activities. Therefore, I shall board some times – this afternoon /  tomorrow / next Monday / next Thursday / next weekend / next month

Under these, I shall write some scrambled nonsense, e.g. ‘who as ees’. The students, placed in teams, have to elect one person to find the corresponding flash card somewhere in the room (‘see a show’) and then say a third-person sentence e.g. “He’s going to see a show this afternoon.’

Information gathering: Class into three or four groups. One member will be going away and the others in the team have to get information from him or her, then present to the class.

Team 1: Going to Phu Quoc island / is going next month / will be staying in a hotel near the beach / will be going swimming / is going with family

Team 2: Going to London / is going next week / is going to see a show / is staying with family / is going with older sister.

Team 3 : Going to Ha Noi / is going next Tuesday / is going on a bus tour / is going to stay in a big hotel / is going with school

Team 4: Going to Dak Lak Province / is going tomorrow / is going to ride an elephant / will stay in a tent / is going with VUS TAs

The selected member will stand at the front of the class with the information sheet. One teammate must run up, ask one question then tell the rest of the team, who will write the information down. Then a different teammate will run up and ask.

Planning a day out

I have a niece and nephew coming to Saigon. The teams have to plan a day for them including what to see and do, how to travel and what to eat. Of course, they need to but some souvenirs, so where are the best places ?

My ‘niece & nephew’.

We shall probably have to board many ideas first. Where do tourists go in HCM ? What is traditional food ? How can they travel ? Do the girls want to take the niece and the boys take the nephew only ?

Hopefully, this will encourage a lot of speaking and ideas and I can show a map of HCM to help.

And if the students are still drawing a blank (or being too lazy to think), this could inspire them: It’s spoken in English, with text, but with Viet accent (can start at 0:20 seconds)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0tncoIxT1s

As with all ‘real-world’ videos, the film should be stopped and new words or expressions boarded. The students are later made to write the words down (the majority will simply NOT do any kind of writing unless pressured), and then encouraged to use them where appropriate.

That should easily cover the first hour. After the break, we hit the books, do the workbooks and fast-finishers get an activity sheet, while I can spend at least some time checking the pronunciation and grammar.