Sài Gòn … then and now.

3rd May 2023

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

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

Word Bank:

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

There wasn’t … or There weren’t …

These days there is or These days there are …

Today or Nowadays …

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

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

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

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

If people could not write, what did they do ?

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

How about street life ?

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

Of course, Sài Gòn is famous for street food.

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

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

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Young Learners, levels 3 & 4. Imagination AND grammar !

17th April 2023

We have talked and written about perfect cities, and used our imagination. Now let’s talk about cities of the future.

(I use Present Simple, Verb 1, not future tense due to the class ability and level)

What do they look like ?

How are they different ?

Look at this picture and then read my description.

In the future the city has many tall buildings called skyscrapers. People live high in the sky. They can see all the city from their apartment.

The city has a lot of shops. The shops are open all day and all night. They sell food, toys and new phones.

My city is very colourful with many beautiful lights at night. Nobody is allowed to smoke and all cars are electric so there is less pollution.

The buildings have shops, hospitals, cinemas, schools and sports centers. People do not need to go outside if it is raining.

Some buildings are old fashioned but most are very modern.

Now … your turn

Write about a future city. Remember to use adjectives:

clean / expensive / futuristic / high / interesting / modern / old fashioned

Check your grammar – I want it to be perfect !

From Fritz Lang’s ‘Metropolis’ 1927

Young Learners, Levels 3 & 4. What is your perfect city ?

11th April 2023

Singapore, Seattle or Shanghai ?

Today, you will write about your perfect city.

What would you like in your city ?

What don’t you like ?

First, the positives (the good things). Guess what these buildings are:

parks / shops / museums / sports centres / schools / hospitals / interesting buildings / transportation /

However, not everything in a city is fantastic:

What are the problems … and what are the solutions (the answers) ? For example, in Singapore, if someone litters (throws rubbish on the street), they have to pay a fine, pay money to the police.

Now … your turn:

Write about what you want in YOUR city and why. Use amazing adjectives, and tell me why you would like these things.

Also, tell me what you DO NOT want, and why. How would you punish people who broke rules ?

You may also draw, but do the writing first.

Good luck and have fun !

Young Learners, levels 3 & 4. Tell me a story.

31st March 2023

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

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

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

Time for a word bank

Signpost words

First / next / then / after / afterwards / finally

Nouns

business man / library / champagne / private jet

Adjectives

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

Verbs

sleep / scream / study / graduate / relax

Now, start writing … and good luck !

Young learners, level 3: Let’s tell a story.

18th August 2022

Let’s tell a story !

First we need a subject, a person or animal, or both:

Now, what are they doing ? Maybe they are:

walking // playing // working // talking // watching // reading // doing homework // making a video // looking for something

What other verbs do you know ?

Now we need some adjectives. What adjectives do you know ?

old / young / beautiful / handsome / ugly / happy / angry / sad / amazing / clever / cute / dangerous / exciting / great / healthy / unhealthy / intelligent / interesting / lazy / talented

Now, let’s make a story. I will choose the teacher.

One day a handsome teacher was making a video for YouTube. The teacher has short, straight, black hair, and a black beard. He looks very friendly and happy. He is speaking about sharks. Sharks are very dangerous, big and angry. The video is very exciting and interesting.

Now … your turn. Tell me an interesting story. You may draw and colour as well

Young Learners, Level 4: what can you do ?

23rd December 2021

Mind-Blowing Drum Solo From Senri Kawaguchi (VIDEO) | 102.9 The Buzz

Student Survey

Students ask each other:

Can you play football ?

If not, what sports can you play ?

Can you swim ?

Can you sing in English ?

Can you play piano ?

Image result for Mozart as a child" — Young Mozart from Austria

Can girls play drums ? Yes, they can or no, they can’t.

The amazing, incredible Senri Kawaguchi from Japan

Can boys dance ? Yes, they can or no, they can’t ?

Madu Mmesoma Anthony from Nigeria

Can you eat a huge sandwich ?

Can you wiggle your ears ?

Finally, can anybody walk on water ?

Yes they can or no, they can’t ?

The brilliant magician Dynamo from the U.K.

Bear waves goodbye to photographer at Olympic National Park in Washington | Metro News — Bye bye from the big brown friendly bear

IELTS Level: writing exercise. ‘1001 Nights – The Arabian Tales.’

5th November 2021

While school lockdown continues, an opportunity for higher level students to practise their writing skills as well as learning about some classic literature. I am referring to ‘The Arabian Nights’ otherwise known as ‘One Thousand and One Nights’ which was compiled in the Middles Ages.

The collection features stories from the Middle East and Indian, though the exact time of writing, and by whom, is still uncertain. As with Classical mythology, many characters are still referenced in modern life, characters such as Sinbad, Ali Baba, Aladdin and Scheherazade.

Writing exercise

1001 Nights

The main frame story concerns Shahryār ruling in “India and China”. He is shocked to learn that his brother’s wife is unfaithful; discovering that his own wife’s infidelity has been even more flagrant, he has her killed.

In his bitterness and grief, he decides that all women are the same. Shahryār begins to marry a succession of virgins only to execute each one the next morning, before she has a chance to dishonour him.

Eventually the vizier, whose duty it is to provide them, cannot find any more virgins. Scheherazade the vizier’s daughter, offers herself as the next bride and her father reluctantly agrees.

On the night of their marriage, Scheherazade begins to tell the king a tale, but does not end it. The king, curious about how the story ends, is thus forced to postpone her execution in order to hear the conclusion. The next night, as soon as she finishes the tale, she begins (and only begins) a new one, and the king, eager to hear the conclusion of this tale, postpones her execution once again. This goes on for 1,001 nights.

This is quite a long introduction; how could you reduce it to three sentences ?

Some stories in English can be found here:

http://www.storynory.com/category/fairy-tales/1001-nights/

Image result for arabian nights book illustrations

The original blog was posted: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/24/adult-speaking-class-level-2-part-6/

IELTS Mindset 1, Lesson 6. Speaking, speaking and more speaking

20th April 2021

May be an image of 2 people — OK ? Let’s go !

Tonight’s lesson will focus on speaking, so I’ve shuffled through my memory and come up with some blogs which should prove extremely useful.

However, we shall kick off with a review from last week’s lesson: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/04/14/ielts-mindset-1-lesson-5-review/

Followed by a game. I shall show photos of five of my friends, along with some personality adjectives and occupations. The class simply have to guess my friends’ job and what kind of people they are … and justify their decisions.

A link to that blog may be accessed here: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2018/12/28/friends-men-teaching-sheet/

Moving on, a blog designed to help students expand their answers and form great introductions: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/01/28/ielts-please-allow-me-to-introduce-myself/