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

10th November 2025

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

Now … practice:

I am happy // I’m happy

you are happy // you’re _______

he _____ \

she ______ \

it _______\

Mr John ______ \

we ____ \

they ______

I have

you have

he has

she has

it has

Ms Jane has

we have

they have

Let’s use some common nouns

Watch Twin Sisters Online | Vimeo On Demand on Vimeo

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

I have a ____

you ____ ______

he ___ _________

she ___ _______

Ms Jane ____ _______

we ____ ______

they ____ _______

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 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]

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.

How to deal with a notoriously noisy class

3rd November 2025

The Centre rules state that Break Time is not play time. Students may drink water, juice or milk, eat healthy food, and wash their hands.

RUN

TALK LOUDLY or SHOUT

FIGHT

If any students breaks any of these rules, they will not be allowed out of the class with the other students.

In the classroom, shouting or talking when the lesson is in progress is unacceptable, and will be punished.

The first warning is a BLUE STAR

The second and final warning is a BLACK STAR

The third warning means the student goes OUT of the class, and will be sent home.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND ?

End of Time … Zones

20th March 2025

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 ?

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.

The lunatics have taken over the asylum.

19th March 2025

Adapted from Carver-Thomas & Darling-Hammond (2017). Figure displays percentages of teachers reporting each factor as important; teachers were able to select more than one reason, so percentages do not total 100.

Data from Wing Institute https://www.winginstitute.org/quality-teachers-retention

Developing skills require

discipline

hard work

practice

practice

practice

Glenn Gould

I have heard non-teachers tell me that I “must inspire the children.”

Have you ever tired to inspire and motivate people that do not want to be inspired or motivated ? People that turn their heads away when you try to help them, that look at the wall when you talk to them, that whistle during class to block out your voice.

Try inspiring a reluctant, recalcitrant class for two hours … then do it again for another two hours … six days a week … fifty weeks a year … year after year.

1) Students should only have an accepted first or given name, not named after products, film characters, food, foreign expressions or non-organic items.

2) Students must learn how to behave in the classroom and the school. No running, shouting, screaming, fighting etc.

3) I always appreciate if a teacher has cleaned the board, logged out of the computer and left the room presentable. We do have cleaners, but there is no way they can cover all the rooms in the ten-minute window.

4) I do not appreciate going into a room, finding writing over the boards and equipment, computer just left with all windows open. I have to close their work before I can log into my work. Meanwhile there is a classroom of students with nothing to do, so they will talk, shout, scream etc.

5) Finding old tissues, food wrappers, empty bottles on the teacher’s console and floor is totally unacceptable. I find it disgusting, and an insult.

6) Security guards should provide security. A friend told me that in a different country, a guard began harassing a young TA, stalking her, and saying inappropriate things to her young students.

7) No student should ever be allowed to wear an inappropriate item of clothing, with either offensive text or political images.

8) Vietnamese staff should learn the importance of saying “thank you,” and “sorry.”

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

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 ?

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.

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.

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]

David Lynch R.I.P.

19th February 2025

A scrapbook of some of David’s work

Eraserhead 1977

The Elephant Man 1980

Blue Velvet 1986

Twin Peaks TV show 1990 – 1991

Lost Highway 1997

Straight Story 1999

Mulholland Drive 2001

Polish Night Music CD 2007 with Marek Zebrowski

Twin Peaks TV show Season 3 2017

David Lynch 20 January 1946 – 16 January 2025

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.

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.

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 SwitzerlandLiechtensteinAustriaGermanyFrance and Netherlands.

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

What can you see, what can you do ?

What famous stories did you learn ?

What interesting cities did you see ?

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

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/

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, level 2: Senses working overtime (Revisited)

6th February 2025

Premium Photo | Happy asian woman excited with thumb up taking selfie in  city street
She is ……….

She is young and happy.

Close Up Of Cute Tired Child Boy Sleeping On Sofa. Stock Photo, Picture And  Royalty Free Image. Image 16960148.
He is ……

He is tired.

Bored indian kid pic Stock Photos - Page 1 : Masterfile
He is very …..

He is very bored and unhappy.

Premium Photo | Korean red chili powder
She is very ….

She is very ill and unhappy.

I can run however I can’t fly

What can you do ? What can’t you do ?

Ask your partner what he or she can do

Here, my wonderful TA will ask me, then tell the class, in order to model how to answer

Thay Paul, what can you do ?

“I can play guitar however I can’t play piano.”

Tell the class:

He can play guitar however he can’t play piano.

s — // h – – – // s – – – – // t a – – – // t o – – –

Example:

Korean+butterfly Images, Stock Photos & Vectors | Shutterstock
Teen girl with pizza stock photo. Image of eating, dinner - 156547378

She can __________ a pizza however she can’t __________ a pizza.

Metallica Nothing Else Matter (cover by azry) - YouTube

He can ________ a guitar _______________________ .

5027-a-beautiful-african-american-teen-girl-smelling-a-flower-pv.jpg -  Member Albums - RISING PHOENIX GAMING an rpg play by post community

She can ______________________________ .

I Wish Someone Would Look At Me The Way Dogs Look At Food | Funny animal  photos, Funny dog pictures, Funny animal pictures

The dog can __________________________________ .

Tell me more

He is a dog.

He is a big, hungry dog.

He is a very hungry dog.

He is not (isn’t) a cat.

She is a …

She is a doctor. She isn’t a teacher.

Flying high as first Saudi pilot of world's largest aircraft | Arab News

He is a …

He is a pilot. He isn’t a doctor.

Undergraduate Torah Studies: James Striar School | Yeshiva University

She is a …

She is a student. She isn’t a pilot.

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.