4th March 2022
Born in Lviv, Tania D’Avignon emigrated with her parents to the USA in 1949. She has worked on several National geographic projects, and her art has been reproduced in books in Europe, Ukraine and the States. Tania has exhibited in many USA and Canadian cities, as well as Ukraine and Poland.
You will find more of her work on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FOTOGRAFINIA/photos
Here are a few examples:
3rd March 2022
Marchuk was born on May 12th 1936 in Moskalivka, Ukraine. The Daily Telegraph (UK) listed him as one of the 100 geniuses of today.
Marchuk graduated from Lviv Institute of Applied and Decorative Arts in 1965, and his work was exhibited in Moscow, Kiev and other Soviet cities but it wasn’t until 1990 that he was officially recognised by the Soviet artistic establishment. His work has now been displayed in New York, Toronto, Detroit, Philadelphia, Massachusetts and Sydney, Australia. The Boston Herald wrote that Marchuk’s paintings “Expressed the desire for independence, the pain and anger, the pride and hope of [his] people.”
Source: Hogan, E (editor), ‘From Three Worlds’, New Ukrainian Writing, 1996, GLAS Publishing
For me, art – is life and revelation. There is no alternative. Simultaniously, art – is a hard labor. I work 365 days a year, and without it I can not exist. This is destiny, karma, judgment, doom.
Ivan Marchuk
18th February 2022
By using discourse markers, students will be able to link their ideas together as well as increasing their fluency. Consequently speaking for two minutes without pauses or hesitation will be a piece of cake.
There is a great list on another blog: https://aliciateacher2.wordpress.com/grammar/discourse-markers/
I recommend students learn at least two from each section
Using discourse markers: I give teams two words which they have to incorporate into a short passage.
EXAMPLE: ‘therefore‘ and ‘subsequently‘
The class had an extremely important speaking test, therefore they should have studied hard. One student preferred to play video games all night. Subsequently, he failed the exam and his mother, who is a real tiger mum, was absolutely furious.
having said that & furthermore
moreover & consequently
initially & eventually
likewise & specifically
meanwhile & notwithstanding
on the whole & instead
Using discourse markers to tell a story
An exercise where students have to relate a story based on several photos may be found on this previous blog: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/06/ielts-4-5-speaking-class/
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.
17th February 2022
One perennial IELTS speaking topic, an old chestnut in fact, is family. You will, no doubt, encounter such questions as, “Who do you live with ?” or “Which member of your family do you feel closest to and why.”
So, continuing on from the pervious posting, here are some exercises designed to increase your speaking prowess, and boost your score.
To kick off, a recap of expressions:
a heart of gold // firm but fair // as good as gold
life and soul of the party // a little angel // is a good sport
he looks out for me // he has my back //
never has a bad word to say about anybody
On the other hand
a real tiger mum // is a bit of a wallflower
is a little devil // drinks like a fish
is a real prima donna // is very touchy
Exercise 1
Tell me about your mother, using a subordinate clause and at least one of the above expressions.
EXAMPLE:
My mother, who works as a medical secretary, has a heart of gold.
Exercise 2
Tell me about your father, brother, sister, grandmother and uncle. Make sure you use a subordinate clause for each person. Endeavour (try) to make longer, jaw-dropping sentences.
Now, let’s kick it up a notch. Add at least one of the personality adjectives from below:
Personality adjectives:
aggressive / arrogant / calm / domineering /extrovert / fastidious / generous / honest / humorous / kind / mean / modest / outgoing / polite / quiet / reliable / rude / selfish / serious / thoughtless / trustworthy / unreliable
First, decide if these adjectives are positive or negative, then match with the expressions accordingly.
EXAMPLE:
My mother, who is very fastidious, is a bit of a tiger mum. By that I mean she always wants me to pass every test with flying colours. However, I know, deep down, she wants what’s best for me, and that she has a heart of gold.
Exercise 3
Tell me about your family. You have to speak for two minutes, and tell me what the members look like, their personality, their occupation, and an anecdote about them.
EXAMPLE:
My uncle Michael, who lives in Ha Noi where he works as a tour guide, is the life and soul of the party. He is so outgoing and a real extrovert. I recall one time he came to Sai Gon for Tet Holiday and he really enjoyed himself. To be honest, he drank like a fish, singing karaoke and dancing with everybody. My uncle, who is my mother’s brother, actually looks nothing like her as he is very tall and thin, and has a receding hairline.
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.
16th February 2022
A collection of exercises to prepare students, who need practice, for IELTS speaking which tests the use of grammatical range and accuracy.
The aim is to get students forming complex sentences naturally in order to pass with flying colours.
So, without further ado, let’s go to London which is my hometown as well as being the capital of the UK.
Exercise 1 A day in London. The aim is to introduce aspects of London in the form of complex sentences, using
who where which whose
EXAMPLE
Please allow me to introduce you to London, where I was born, so you can experience first hand what it is like to live in this incredible historic city.
Firstly, we can visit the British Museum, which is a must-see sight, as it contains some of the world’s most amazing treasures such as a giant stone figure from Easter Island, Egyptian mummies and the unique Rosetta Stone.
Secondly, I would be pleased to introduce you to the buskers and street performers at Covent Garden. These artists, who work for tips, really lend the area a bustling, friendly atmosphere. In my opinion this area, which is close to many sights, is not to be missed although prices can be sky-high.
No trip to London would be complete without sampling fish and chips which, along with shepherd’s pie and the Sunday roast, is traditional British food.
We have a variety of ways to get around. The famous black London taxis are ubiquitous in central London however, they cost an arm and a leg. Most Londoners use the Tube, which is the subway system, as it connects most areas of the city. Having said that, avoid using at rush hour, because it will be chockablock.
In the example I mentioned one famous sight, some people, some food and how to get around.
Now … your turn
Work in small groups and plan a day for me in your hometown. Assign one paragraph to each student so that everybody prepares work and speaks.
Remember, the aim of the exercise is for you to use relative pronouns.
The formula
An introduction
First paragraph a famous sight
Second paragraph about some people
Third paragraph about local food
Finally, how to get around.
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.
7th February 2022
Indeed, this week the language schools reopen in Sai Gon after an incredibly long break due to the COVID pandemic.
Furthermore, Tet Holiday has just finished so time to put your noses to the grindstone and get back to work.
Thus, some warm up games to practise using complex sentences.
First up, tell me about a member of your family using a relative pronoun for a subordinate clause. This means, in a nutshell, adding extra information about a subject.
EXAMPLE:
My uncle lives in Singapore.
My uncle, who is a doctor, lives in Singapore.
My uncle, who is a doctor and works at a private clinic which is extremely expensive, lives in Singapore.
My uncle, who lives in Singapore, is a doctor and works at a private clinic which is extremely expensive.
If you want to pass IELTS with flying colours, and why wouldn’t you, forming complex sentences is imperative. After all, if you don’t employ such sentences, you will not get high marks for grammatical range and accuracy.
So what are you waiting for ? I give you two minutes … Go !
Vocabulary Bank
Expressions to help you give more colour and complexity to your answers:
Positive
a heart of gold (My mother has a heart of gold)
firm but fair
life and soul of the party
a little angel / is as good as gold
he looks out for me / he has my back
never has a bad word to say about anybody
is a good sport
Negative
a real tiger mum
won’t listen to reason
is a bit of a wallflower
is a little devil / looks like butter wouldn’t melt in (his or her) mouth
drinks like a fish
is a real prima donna
is very touchy, can’t take a joke
For Top Cats: look at these pictures and give me astounding, jaw-droppingly brilliant complex sentences. Because I have a heart of gold, allow me to offer an example.
My close friend Pete, who lives in Birmingham which is the second biggest city in the UK, plays bass guitar in a band called The Deep Six. Pete, who is a good sport, never has a bad word to say about anyone, in fact he always looks out for me when I go to visit him because my London accent makes me stand out. However, and I’m sure he won’t mind me spilling the beans, he enjoys a beer or two. To be honest, he drinks like a fish although he can still play which I find truly amazing. Cheers, Pete, keep on rocking.
Piece of cake, yeah ? OK, impress me. Don’t be afraid to use your imagination … GO !
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.
5th February 2022
A chance for younger students to watch short videos in order to practise their listening skills. After the clips, the teacher can ask basic comprehension questions.
Top Five Activities for Children in HCMC
What was the name of the first activity ?
What is special about the pictures ?
Where is the museum ?
How high is the climbing wall ?
How much does it cost ?
What can you hear at a water puppet show ?
On what day is the Water Park closed ?
How old was the youngest child on the bike tour ?
What would you like to do, and why ?
Is there any place you would not like to visit ? Tell me why.
Answers
Now to my home town: what can kids do in London ?
First, board some new words and expressions. The kids can shout out when they hear them spoken.
loads and loads / I reckon / really / very / amazing
What are the names of the kids from the UK ?
What can you see at the Natural History Museum ?
Where does the Queen live ?
What can people do on the South Bank ?
How many people can ride in the London Eye ?
What was the girl’s favourite waxwork ?
How much are the Crown Jewels worth ?
What is the name of the bus that can drive into the river ?
What films were made at Warner Brothers Studio ?
How can people travel around London ?
What is the most exciting thing for YOU in London ? Choose 3 things to want to do or see in London.
Answers
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.
31st January 2022
Interview Language
Many interviews have similar questions. Read the following and then role-play with a partner. Feel free to add your own information, or make up something new.
Possible questions:
What experience do you have ?
What do you know about the company ?
Have you ever had to work to a deadline ?
Tell me about yourself
I was born in …. and I graduated from …. University in 2019 with a major in Business Administration. Since then I’ve had two year’s experience in administrative work at ABC and XYZ Corporation.
I’m a very organised person, well-balanced and efficient. I’m hard-working and dedicated.
In my free time, I like to travel and I love to paint. Furthermore, I enjoy going out having coffee with friends.
What do you know about (COMPANY) ?
DFG are an established company with a good reputation. They help …….. and there are over (x) sites in VN (or your country).
What are your strengths ?
I feel I am easy-going, hard-working, careful and diligent. I think my greatest strength is my positive outlook, even during times of stress. I can work under pressure and I really enjoy a challenge. Lastly, I like working in a team.
What are your weaknesses ?
Well, my English isn’t perfect, so this will be a great chance to improve. Maybe I can be a little quiet sometimes; that’s why working as part of a team will help bring me out.
Can you give an example of when you had to deal with an angry customer ?
One time, a customer didn’t like the price of a visa, and he began shouting and getting angry. I asked him if I could explain the reason. I then told him how it wasn’t our fault, but that I understood his anger and said sorry. Then I told him he could check elsewhere, but we would still be happy to serve him. He calmed down, said sorry to me and bought the visa and was happy.
Where do you see yourself in two years ?
My short-terms goals are to work hard and efficiently, so I can master this job. However, in the long-term, I would be interested in possibly doing more courses so I could be a manager.
What can you bring to the job ?
I’m very friendly and enjoy working with people. I always try to be happy at work and share my positive outlook. I’m very motivated and open to learning. I’m very excited about being a part of this great company.
Do you have any questions ?
May I just ask, what career opportunities are there at ABC ?
It is not a good idea to ask immediately about salary, money and bonuses, although this is an important part of the interview process.
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.
30th January 2022
New Vocabulary
solar system
planet (Earth, gas giant, rock)
moon (the Moon)
star
asteroid
vacuum
Sol was the Roman God of the Sun. All stars are suns
All the planets are names after Roman Gods, except Uranus who was a Greek God, and Earth which is an English-German word.
The first four planets from the sun are small, and have a rock centre (core).
The outer four are mostly made of gas.
The rings of Saturn, which look amazing and so beautiful, are just made of dust and ice, with bits of rock.
FUN FACTS:
The speed of sound is 343 metres per second (usually given as 330 m p s)
The speed of light is 299 792 458 metres per second or approximately 300 000 000 m p s or 300 000 km per second.
Sound cannot travel through a vacuum
To demonstrate the last point, show NOT tell. Here’s a good example (start around the 0:24 second mark): An iPhone not making sound in a vacuum.
Space Cadets Quiz
Who was the first man on the moon ?
Buzz Aldrin / Michael Collins / Neil Armstrong
What is the biggest planet ?
Jupiter / Saturn / Mars
The sun is a … ?
planet / star / moon
What is faster ?
light / sound / Ms Bao Tran speaking (just give the name of any talkative students, and then elicit the adjective talkative).
In space, people are … ?
heavier / lighter / weigh the same
The first animal in space was a … ?
monkey / elephant / dog
Answers: Neil Armstrong / Jupiter / star / light / lighter / dog
The Last one could seem to be a trick question. The answer is Laika, the Russian dog. Fruit flies and then monkeys were first put into rockets but they didn’t go high enough to officially enter space.
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.
29th January 2022
Introducing yourself
If you meet a new friend or business acquaintance, you may say
Hello, how are you ?
Very well, thank you, and yourself ? / I’m great, thanks for asking
How do you do ?
This question is formal, and the correct response is
How do you do ?
How’s it going ? How’s it hanging ? (these are both very informal)
All good, going well. / Yeah, I’m fantastic !
Asking about people’s jobs
What do you do ? I’m a designer at ABC company (then explain more about your work).
What line are you in ? Engineering.
What’s your profession ? I’m a nurse.
Asking about their family life
Remember, English-speakers can be quite private so don’t ask why a person isn’t married, or why a married person doesn’t have children
Are you a family man ?
Yes, I have a wife and two kids
You married ?
No, my job leaves me no time for romance !
Do you have kids ?
Ha, I’m married to my job
Asking about free time
How do you relax ?
I enjoy sports and meeting up with friends
How do you unwind ?
I just crash on the sofa and watch movies
What do you do in your spare time ?
I love to travel and drink beer.
Listening and vocabulary
Here is a very good video for extra practice
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.
Thay Paul's Notes 