Speaking Practice – Intermediate level [PVL 3a]

2nd August 2026

A major problem for students is pronunciation and having the confidence to talk.

This activity helps with both issues.

Arrange the class in small groups and hand each member a card {The cards are at the bottom of this blog}.

The students have to read out the information, while other students try to understand what they hear. Students can also make notes.

The exercise encourages slow, clear and careful pronunciation.

If you need to hear something again, use expressions such as:

Can you speak slower, please.

Would you mind speaking slower, please.

How do you spell that ?

Could you repeat that, please.

Sorry, I didn’t catch the phone number.

Let me confirm …

Is that ‘b’ as in blue or ‘p’ as in pink ?

Now … practice!

Either print out these cards, or let each student read from the blog while others look away – no cheating !

Asian Women Are Not For You. Many years ago, at a tech/startup… | by J Li | Medium

Hi, my name is Jane

I’m 22 and work as DJ

I’m really into dancing and parties

I don’t like reading or housework

I hang out with my best besties

We go to clubs and bars

I get there by motorbike or taxi

My email is jane98@aol.com

25-Year-Old Black Man Running Through Suburban Georgia Neighborhood Killed By Two White Men

Hi, I’m James

I’m 27 and I’m a football coach

I like to watch films. I’m a gamer

I’m not into shopping or dancing

I meet up with my brother

I go to the gym and the cinema

I have my own motorbike, Yamaha

My mobile is 098 724 5628

My name is Harry Brown,

I come from Berlin, Germany

I listen to music and play football

I love shopping with my girlfriend

I usually grab a taxi home

My phone is 39 402 4951

Hello my name is Anna /

I have just turned 19

I’m studying chemistry

In my free time, I eat out I love hanging out with my friends

My blog is AnChem@wordpress

Chinese Students Need Faith | Christian Reformed Church

My name is Eric

I am only 18

I love football and playing piano

I never read books or go shopping

My iPhone was stolen in the park

French Style Slouchy Wool Felt Beret Women Fashion British Chic Girls Beret Hat Lady Solid Color Winter Hats Women Dropshipping|Women's Berets| - AliExpress

Hi. You can call me Billie

I don’t want to say my age !

I am a professional dancer

My partner gives me a lift to work

I want to work in the theatre

Contact on billie09@gmail.com

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.

Level 2: end of book test

6th March 2025

Activity sheet

1) Write five buildings that you find in a city.

2) Write three words that begin with

th … / ch … / sh …

3) On a clock, show: 10.15 / 2.30 / quarter to five

4) Draw a bald man playing guitar wearing an orange jumper and black pants.

5) Tell me three things you like to do after school.

6) What does Teacher Paul like ? Write two things.

7) A doctor works in a hospital. Write a sentences for:

Where does a teacher work ? / Where does a cook work ?

8) Conjugate the verb ‘to be’

I am / you … / he … / she … / it … /

Ms Huong / we … / they …

9) “What’s the story ____________ ______________,”

10) Tell me your favourite animal and why.

11) Look at the picture: Which flag is which country ?

Brazil / South Korea / Canada / Egypt

12) What do you eat for breakfast ?

13) What did Mr Mark eat for breakfast ? Did he like it ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crPVJ3CXs1g&list=PL97HViQblvdEM3zsauRxnIg1baFTNmsDM&index=21&ab_channel=MarkWiens

What words did he use ? Can you smile like him ?

The Rhine River – fairy tales and gruesome stories.

12th February 2025

Today’s lesson is about a cruise on the Rhine, a famous river flowing through west Germany.

On the way, we will see fantastic castles, breathtaking views, and learn some fascinating stories.

Are you ready ? First, where is the Rhine ?

Where does the Rhine start ? Where does it finish ? Remember, rivers start in mountains and end in bigger rivers, seas or oceans.

How many countries does the Rhine flow through ?

The Rhine flows from its source to its mouth through Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and Netherlands.

Heute, today, we will focus on the Rhine through Germany.

Without further ado, let’s go!

Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XElvTqJVWA&ab_channel=DWTravel

Now … time to work

Tell me about the Rhine cruise:

What can you see, what can you do ?

What famous stories did you learn ?

What interesting cities did you see ?

Let’s pack some new words into our suitcase.

nouns:

landscape / fortress / legend / monument / journey / location / ruin

verbs: Verb 1 & (Verb 2)

destroy(ed) / inspire(d) / discover(ed) / renovate(d) / consider(ed)

adjectives:

magnificent / unusual / cruel / constant / majestic / breathtaking / important

How to start ?

Today, I travel on the famous Rhine River in Germany. I will see the Maus (mouse) Tower, the Loreley Rock and many magnificent castles.

First I see the Maus Tower, and learn the gruesome story …

Next, I travel past the Loreley Rock. Lorelay was a …

I journey past many … My favourite is … because …

The following websites were very useful: https://worldinmaps.com/rivers/rhine/ and https://securing-europe.wp.hum.uu.nl/rhine-tourism-napoleonic-empire-travelogues/

Murakami on the Shore; talking animals and a whole lot more.

11th December 2024

A writing exercise for students at Level 4, ages 8 – 11

Let’s kick off with a speaking exercise:

Ask your partner these questions … and speak in ENGLISH only.

What is your English name ?

How old are you ?

What is your favourite food and why ? What food do you hate ?

What is your favourite game or toy, and why ?

Then present to the class.

Time for you to be creative and use your imagination.

First, some wonderful words. Translate them into your language:

excited

extraordinary (very, very special)

surprised

unbelievable

unique

Now, time to use them. Complete this story about a time when YOU met a talking animal. The animal can be real, or fantasy.

Try to use simple past [Verb 2].

After the writing, make a drawing or comic. Most importantly … have fun!

One [adjective] day I was walking down the street. Suddenly, I heard a [adjective] voice. I turned around but there was nobody there … only a/an {adjective + animal}

“Hello,” said the …

Tell me what happened. The animal can be:

English essay writing; turning silver into gold.

19th August 2024

How to turn some wonderful writing to a perfect piece of prose!

First, we need to arrange the text into paragraphs

Paragraph 1 – introduction

Paragraph 2 – first idea (what Princess L likes doing)

Paragraph 3 – second idea (what she wants to do in the future)

Paragraph 4 – conclusion (a short ending)

Second, we need to correct the grammar and alter any mistakes.

So, without any further ado … get to work!

Today, I introduce and tell you about what I like to do and my favorite job in the future. I like to play the piano and read comic books because is helps me relax and when I do this I’m over the moon. My favorite song to play the piano is baby shark and happy birthday song. But I want to play proud of you song however is very difficult. I always play the piano with my sister and my cousin.

I can play a lot of song I like because I always practises the piano every day should when I do this song is piece of cake. And in the future I want to be a piano teacher because I want children can play a lot of song like me. Because in my opinion, the piano is a best and easy instruments for everyone want to play. It the end and what you like to do and what job you would like to be in the future. Goodbye!

Introducing my Jedi Master, Princess L.

18th August 2024

The test results are in, Midichlorian counts checked and rechecked, and we have some new Jedi Masters, Jedi Knights and Padawans.

Here is one great example which I print verbatim, no corrections or additions. Welcome to the Jedi Council, Princess L.

Tell me what you like to do, and what job you would like in the future

The jump into scholastic hyperspace

10th August 2024

Students around the ages of 10 or 11 move up to a higher level, and a harder book. To ensure that the students are able to deal with these increased demands, I’ve prepared a short test.

Most of the questions are based on work covered in the previous blocks, along with some extra questions based on grammar and vocabulary that I have taught.

Students will sit apart. Anyone caught cheating will receive a ZERO score. I am serious.

Best of British !

1) Tell me three things you can see in the night sky

2) Use present continuous (verb + ing)

EXAMPLE: I read / I am reading

You eat // He plays // She watches //

3) Tell me something you:

always do

sometimes do

never do

4) Name the instrument AND write a sentence in the simple past (Verb 2) g______ / (guitar)

c_____ / d______ / f_____ / p_______

EXAMPLE: I played guitar last week.

5) Use adverbs of manner. Turn the adjective into an adverb:

The children spoke (quiet) // The drummers banged (loud)

6) If you write a review of a book, show or film, what information do you use ?

7) What is simple past (Verb 2) for these Verbs ?

eat / give / go / have / make / put / see

8) Write three questions with ‘wh’ words [where / what / why etc]

9) Tell me something a penguin can do and something a penguin can’t do.

10) Object pronouns

EXAMPLE: Can you help (I) = Can you help me

Nobody saw (he) // Did you see (we) // He couldn’t talk to (she)

11) Use these adjectives in amazing sentences:

interesting // gruesome // xenophobic // popular // important

12) Tell me what you like to do, and what job you would like in the future

Future Worlds

26th February 2024

The future starts right now ! In small teams, let’s review some technology we already use.

1 If you want to listen to music, you can use ____________________ . What is good about these ?

2 Smart phones have many _______ . Which ones can you name ?

3 To connect to the internet, you need __________ . Draw the symbol.

4 A computer that can be carried around is a _____________ . Why is it called that in English ?

5 Some schools use an ________________ ___________________ .

6 Singers use _______________________ to be much louder.

7 No need to buy books if you have an __________________________ . Do you prefer real books or these ? Why ?

8 If you want to use the internet, you need to ____ _________________ .

9 You wear these and it feels like you are in a different place ____________________ .

10 When the battery on a phone or tablet is low, you must ________ .

What will future cities look like ? Will they look like this ?

Remember to answer, “Yes, they will,” or “No, they won’t.”

How will life be in the future ? Will there be …

Robot police officers ? Why or why not ?

Robot doctors ?

Robot servers ?

Robot drivers ?

Robot shoppers ?

Robot cleaners ?

Which ones do you think are good ideas ?

Which ones do you not like.

What do you think about a virtual classroom ?

Give me good and bad reasons.

Points for the most interesting and intelligent answers.

Young Learners Levels 3 & 4: class objectives.

27th December 2023

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year one and all. Here is what we shall be studying this block, and what I expect from you:

Students will have a large vocabulary, and speak in long, interesting sentences.

Students can tell if a word is a noun, adjective, verb, pronoun etc.

Students will be able to use Simple Present & Simple Past (Verb 1 & Verb 2)

Students will come to class on time, and will be prepared; that means having pens, pencils and a notebook.

Class rules will be followed. I demand that MY students

DO NOT RUN in the halls

DO NOT SHOUT.

If you do, you shall receive a …

Additionally, you will have to sing a David Bowie song in front of the whole class !

Our classes will kick off (start) with a song

‘Love Me Do’ by the Beatles.

Next we shall have speaking time.

I will write a subject and you will talk to your partner for as long as possible. Remember, English is never finished – you can always improve (get better). Today the question is:

What do you want in 2024 ?

You can say want you want to have, where you want to go, and why, what you want to study (and why), what new skill you want, maybe some new food or drink.

Let’s break it down.

First, what do you want to have ?

A new toy // a baby sister or brother // Lucky Money // A+ in your tests // an iPhone 15 !

Next, where do you want to go, and why ?

Da Nang because it is beautiful and cool. Also I can eat fresh fruit.

London because I want to see Mr Paul’s hometown 🙂 Also I can visit many famous places like Tower Bridge.

Thailand because the people are friendly and the temples are amazing and peaceful.

Next, what you want to study (and why)

I really want to study English because …

What new food do you want to eat ?

I want to try British Christmas food because …

EXAMPLE:

In 2024 I want to go to Thailand because the food is spicy and delicious. Also, it is quieter because I don’t hear karaoke.

I want to have great classes with super students who are respectful !

Maybe I will learn some more Vietnamese so I can talk to people.

Finally, I really want to learn this music on guitar. However it is very difficult and very fast. I will have to practise every day.

Happy New Year everybody. Peace and Love.

Young Teens: “I’ve just seen a face I can’t forget …”

6th October 2023

Let’s kick the speaking exercises into overdrive !

A surefire way to get that A+ is to speak in long sentences, with adjectives, linking words and some basic expressions.

Let’s practise – look at these photos, then describe what you see. As simple as that.

Then, add your own ideas about how the subject feels and what they are doing.

Let’s go to work

Always start with the subject

Never start with a pronoun

In Picture 1 start with the woman; what does she look like ? What do you think is her personality ?

Next, where is she and what is she doing ?

We need our vocabulary toolbox

First some adjectives about appearance:

amazing / Asian / beautiful / chubby / cute / healthy / middle-aged / old / short / tall / ugly / young / wealthy /

Then some adjectives about personality:

caring / friendly / greedy / hard-working / intelligent / kind / lazy / messy / nervous / outgoing / popular / quick / rude / selfish / talented / talkative /

EXAMPLE

The young Asian woman has long, straight, black hair. She is wearing a blue coat and holding a large, pink book. I think she is very intelligent and hard-working. She looks very happy. In my opinion she is waiting for a friend and they will go for a coffee.

Now … your turn