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.

Is grammar important ? [PVL1]

31st July 2026

Learning a new language can be very exciting; being able to say basic words and being understood … but soon we have to learn the rules of grammar.

Let’s see how words go together, so we can sound like native speakers.

Today we shall start with some simple questions and learn a little about how grammar works.

Question 1: What is it ?

A simple question with three words and a question mark [?]

Let’s answer in a sentence:

It is a banana.

See how we change the words of the question ?

What is it ? It is …

Now, it is one or more ? For one we use a or an.

Finally, we have the noun – a banana, and our answer

It is a banana.

See how we always start a sentence with a capital letter, then end with a full stop.

Shall we have more fun ? OK, let’s add an adjective.

It is a yellow banana.

Here is a list of adjectives

big // small // old // new // yellow // red // black // green

NOW … YOUR TURN.

ASK YOUR FRIENDS WHAT IS IT ?

Try to use two adjectives.

What are you doing ? Present continuous

17th March 2026

We use present simple [verb 0 or base verb] to talk about things that we do all the time, to talk about things that do not change often in our life.

EXAMPLE:

I live in London / I study English / I work in a hospital / I am a student /

You eat vegetarian food, you don’t eat meat / He plays football /

She plays tennis / We go to the beach on holiday

The present continuous is for things we are doing NOW

EXAMPLE:

I live in London [present simple] = I am living in London

We form the present continuous by:

Subject + verb ‘to be’ + verbing

I am eating // You are drinking // He is watching // She is studying // It is working//

Ms Quyen is laughing // We are dancing //

They are playing.

NOW … your turn

Change present simple into present continuous

1. I swim 2. You buy pizza 3. He plays tennis

4. She learns science 5. We talk quietly

6. They visit Wales

Answers:

I am swimming // You are buying pizza //

He is playing tennis // She is learning science //

We are talking quietly // They are visiting wales.

Renoir ‘Luncheon of the Boating Party’ 1881

Time to use English ! Look at the painting and tell me what you see … use present continuous and amazing adjectives.

EXAMPLE: The tall, strong man with a yellow hat is standing by the gate.

What are these people doing ?

Eyewitness! Can you identify the criminal ?

16th March 2026

An activity to test students’ ability to describe people, facial features and clothing.

A serious crime was committed, and these three men were reported to be at or near the scene.

These men are NOT suspects, the police just want to question them.

Can you help the police ? What do they look like ?

Use adjectives wisely, tell the police officer as much as possible:

Age, height, weight, hair length and colour, facial features, clothing, accessories etc.

Person Number 1

Person Number 2

Person Number 3

The following three tourists were also reported to be in the area. Can you help the police find them ? Maybe they saw the criminals.

Tourist Number 1

Tourist Number 2

Tourist Number 3

To be or not to be … To have and have not.

10th November 2025

The verb ‘to be’

Only teach constructions in upper level classes

I am // I’m

you are // you’re

he is // he’s

she is // she’s

it is // it’s

Mr John is // Mr John’s

we are // we’re

they are // they’re

Have students repeat until their grammar is perfect. Make games, see who can conjugate the verbs clearest and quickest.

Now … practice:

First let’s use an adjective:

happy / sad / lucky / hard-working / lazy

Let’s start with the adjective ‘happy’

I am happy // I’m happy

you are happy // you’re _______

he _____ \

she ______ \

it _______\

Mr John ______ \

we ____ \

they ______

The verb ‘to have’

I have

you have

he has

she has

it has

Ms Jane has

we have

they have

Now … practice:

Let’s use some common nouns

sister (or twin sister) / piano / dog / new book

I have a ____

you ____ ______

he ___ _________

she ___ _______

Ms Jane ____ _______

we ____ ______

they ____ _______

OK, Snoopy, enough is enough … but we have just started; more blogs to follow.

Level 3, Mid-Term Test (Part 1)

3rd November 2025

1 Use the correct form of the verb ‘to be’

There ___ an old school, and there ____ many students.

[2 points]

2 Name a country in North America / South America / Asia / Europe / Africa

[5 points]

3 Possessive pronouns. I have a pen, it is mine.

You have a pen, it is _____ // He has a pen, it is _____ //

She has a pen, it is ____ // we have a pen, it is _____

// they have a pen, it is _____

[5 points]

4 Use capital letters when needed:

many people go to london because it is so famous. tourists come from canada and new zealand to see buckingham palace where king charles lives.

[10 points]

5 Do you live in Thailand ? // Do Peter and Jane like dogs (YES) // Does Peter like snakes (NO) // Does Jane like cats (YES)

[4 points]

6 Every Thursday Tony puts out the recycling. He walks his dog at 6 o’clock and at 4 o’clock. He reads English on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and plays football on Saturday and Sunday.

How often does Tony: recycle ? // walk the dog ? // Read English ? // Play football ?

[4 points]

7 Tell me three things you like to do; use full sentences

[6 points]

8 Use these words correctly in a sentence:

proud // advisor // understand // artist // greatest

[10 points]

9 some or any ?

There’s ____ milk // There isn’t ____ soup //

Is there ___ rice ? // There are ____ pancakes.

[4 points]

10 Use present continuous (verb + ing)

Example I swim = I am swimming

You eat pizza // he plays tennis // she reads science // we (not talk) quietly // they visit london // I (not make) my teacher angry.

[6 points]

11 Tell me about yourself; what do you like to do and why. What do you want to do when you are older ?

[10 points]

66 points. Pass mark is 60 % [39 points]

End of Time … Zones

20th March 2025

Just two more lessons and we have finished the textbook … and then you have the tests.

Don’t worry, let’s have a warm up to prepare for the BIG ONE.

So, Whop bop b-luma b-lop bam bom, let’s Rock ‘n’ Roll

1) FREE TIME: draw a mind map about free time.

2) What is a prodigy ?

3) What do you need to be a prodigy ? I want two answers.

4) Describe one of your classmates. I want appearance and personality … and be polite.

5) What can you see at a Madame Tussauds museum ?

6) Tell me three accessories people wear.

7) What is your favourite colour and why ? How do you feel when you wear this colour ?

8) What do these words mean:

a] Five days in a row b] rural c] try on

9) What is the superlative of

a] big b] famous c] less

10) Tell me three interesting facts about the Amazon Rainforest.

11) Give me synonyms for

a] search b] amazing c] fast

12) What is your favourite type of music. Tell me as much as you can, give examples.

13) “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach.” What does that idiom mean ?

14) Food can taste … give me four adjectives.

15) How can we prevent the flu and being ill ?

16) Tell me where you would most like to visit. Tell me why, how you can get there, what would yo do ?

Remember, tell me more, higher score

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 hyperspace hypertest: vocabulary, grammar and creativity.

3rd March 2025

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 [3 points]

2) Use present continuous (verb + ing)

EXAMPLE:

I read (verb 1) = I am reading (continuous)

You eat // He plays // She watches // [3 points]

3) Tell me something you:

always do // sometimes do // never do

[3 points]

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

EXAMPLE: g______ / (guitar)

I played guitar last week.

c_____ / d______ / f_____ / p_______ [8 points]

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

The children spoke (quiet) //

The drummers banged (loud) [2 points]

6) If you write a review of a book, show or film, what information do you use ? [5 points]

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

eat / give / go / have / make / put / see [7 points]

8) Write three questions with ‘wh’ words [where / what / why etc] [6 points]

9) Tell me something a penguin can do and something a penguin can’t do. Be creative and funny [4 points]

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) [3 points]

11) Use these adjectives in amazing sentences:

interesting // gruesome // xenophobic // popular // important [10 points]

12) Tell me what you like to do, and what job you would like in the future [10 points]

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/