An existential Christmas message

26th December 2024

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:

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Some or Any ? Young Learners, Level 2

2nd December 2024

We use ‘some’ for a statement

There are some great websites for learning English.

[websites are plural and countable]

There is some ice-cream at VinMart.

[ice-cream is uncountable]

We use ‘any’ for a negative or a question

There aren’t any parks near my home.

There isn’t any French cheese.

Are they any good films playing?

Do you have any English tea?

NOW … YOUR TURN

1 Do you have ______ questions about the new project?

2 Let me give you _______ advice.

3 You don’t need to bring ____ paper. There will be ______ print-outs available.

4 There will be _____ visitors from Germany coming. Do you know ____ German?

For Top Cats

Speaking practice:

Jim I can’t wait for Tet. Do you have any plans?

Ann Of course! I’m going to watch some films and get some rest.

Jim Have you bought any special food?

Ann I don’t have any time for shopping. I’ve still got some juice. How about you?

Jim I need to buy some fruit, some biscuits, and do I need any special food for Tet?

Ann Absolutely ! You must buy some cakes and some sweets.

Jim Anything else? I need some advise.

Ann Just make sure you have some beer. A LOT of beer. Cheers!

Teacher’s Day 2024: flowers, travel cup and a dinosaur.

22nd November 2024

A heartfelt thank you to all the students who gave me Teacher’s Day messages, flowers and gifts.

Roses from Peter & Captain Lauren.

Single flower from Princess Leah.

Travel cup from Benjamin ‘Benny the Ball’. Pretty cool, hey ?

Cows from Rosemary, then clockwise, Lily, Sunny, and the dog from Lucy (in the Sky with Diamonds).

Dinosaur from Elsa (“Who’s into Alka Seltzer”).

NOT life size.

I believe it’s a parasaurolophus but if I’m mistaken, please enlighten me.

   Cảm ơn rất nhiều

Thank you, Kimchi

14th November 2024

Every so often one meets a very special student.

They show you their toys and invite you into their world.

Such moments are magical.

Last night young Kimchi, whom I had the pleasure of teaching in Kindergarten, gave me these two gifts.

I shall treasure them forever.

Thank you, Kimchi

Please, Sir … I want to write some more.

22nd August 2024

Today, we will learn how to write a review.

A review is what you think about a film, book, comic, video game, theatre piece, concert etc.

Your review will be in two parts:

Part One will have information, Part Two will have your opinions – what YOU think.

First, let’s watch a short clip from the film ‘Oliver’.

Here are the facts:

Film Name: Oliver Year: 1968 Country: UK

Director: Carol Reed Oliver Actor: Mark Lester

Genre: Musical

Now, write about the film:

How old is Oliver ? Where does he live ? Is his room comfortable or dirty ?

What does he do ? What does he see ? What are the people outside doing.

Remember to use lots of amazing adjectives, long sentences, and excellent expressions.

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

Scholastic hyperspace: the rating system.

17th August 2024

92%+ DISTINCTION

88% Jedi Master

75% – 87% Jedi Knight

60% – 74% Padawan

40% – 59% More study at the Jedi temple

20% – 39% Tempted by the Dark Side

Less than 20% Sith Lord

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