IELTS Mindset 1, Lesson 2 Review

24th March 2021

May be an image of 2 people and people smiling — Photo by Thay Paul, Sai Gon

I took this photo on Nguyễn Huệ Street, which is in District 1, during Tet Holiday. As this is the biggest celebration in Viet Nam, the streets are bustling and vibrant, furthermore it is so uplifting seeing happy, smiling people. Many ladies simply adore dressing up in traditional Áo dài, dresses which are made from silk. In my opinion, these two friends look so beautiful although they tell me that their dresses, which cost an arm and a leg, can be terribly hot and uncomfortable. However they only wear them once in a blue moon. They were so happy when I took their photo as it will enable me to share some Vietnamese culture with the world.

A quick recap – we have encountered these words so far in our 1000 mile journey:

lingua franca / genre / obligatory / compulsory / uplifting

enable / bustling / vibrant / generated / derived from / enable / purchase (buy) / devour (eat or consume a lot)

utterly depressing / simply adore

Not forgetting our arsenal of idioms:

it’s raining cats and dogs

it costs an arm and a leg

piece of cake

I’m burning the candle at both ends

once in a blue moon

pass with flying colours

turn over a new leaf

put your nose to the grindstone

bear with me

kick the bucket

NOW … your turn

Write me a short IELTS-style piece (only three or four sentence) about Tet Holiday – what you do, what you eat, special traditions, personal stories … having said that … you have to include:

two idioms // at least two L-FWs // two adverbs // two great adjectives //

use of pronunciation features

Are you ready ? Yes, Sir !

May be an image of 1 person and smiling — My adorable friend Hanna. Photo by Thay Paul, Ha Noi

Piece of cake, right ?

Quick fire quiz – what idioms could you use for ?

money, cost, prices // working or studying //

changing behaviour or bad habits // no problem

weather // something that happens very rarely

TOP 14 FRENCH CINEMA QUOTES | A-Z Quotes — World famous director Jean-Luc Godard

Speaking practice – work in pairs or small groups and ask each other about cinema – but – at IELTS standard. To wit, include:

Types of films you like (genre). Give examples.

Where you go or how you watch movies and why

Favourite actors or directors

REMEMBER – give as much information as you can – complex sentences, L-FWs, idioms; remember to speak fluently with discourse markers and, not forgetting, express your emotions in your voice.

Next Lesson, we shall assist Countess Dương in boosting her vocabulary, as well as focusing on listening to native speakers and endeavouring to imitate their speech patterns:

https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/11/06/ielts-be-industrious-hard-working-incredible-energetic-students/

If you have missed the first classes, catch up here –

Lesson 1: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/10/28/ielts-my-hometown/

The review for that lesson can be accessed here: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/03/17/ielts-hitting-the-ground-running-an-introduction-to-idioms-for-a-new-class/

A special thanks to my sweet friend Ms Hanna for graciously allowing me to use her photo.

Goodbye, see you next week

May be an image of 8 people and people smiling — Goodbye from students in Ha Noi

IELTS: Hitting the ground running. An introduction to idioms for a new class.

17th March 2021

WGN TV - Happy St. Patrick's Day, Chicago. | Facebook

Happy St Patrick’s Day – St Patrick being the patron saint of Ireland, a country famous for enjoying a drink … and then some ! In Chicago, which is a bustling, vibrant city in USA’s mid-west, the river is coloured green. However, too much

Is locally brewed Guinness up to scratch? - Brews News

Guiness will give me a bad headache the following morning. I will definitely have a hangover. That means it’s time to stop drinking so much, I need to change my bad habits … which brings us to an idiom for my new class; it’s time to turn over a new leaf.

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In this case, a four leaf clover for good luck.

So, we have a new class and they need to start learning language that will help them ace the IELTS test.

Let’s hit the ground running and recap the basic idioms you’ll be using every week, as well as the new vocabulary from last night. Are you ready … ?

Event History – Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2021 — Let’s go !

First off the bat, some basic idioms:

it’s raining cats and dogs

it costs an arm and a leg

piece of cake

I’m burning the candle at both ends

once in a blue moon

pass with flying colours

turn over a new leaf

put your nose to the grindstone

These are the basic idioms I introduce, as they can be employed in many situations.

A good introductory blog, with IELTS tips and advise may be accessed here:

https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/12/22/ielts-mindset-2-first-review/

Let’s hit the ground running and put it to the test – what idioms would you use ?

Taxis in Sai Gon are very expensive, they _______

I want to get a high score, I want to ______

We can’t go out in the rainy season because it’s always ____________

You need to stop going out every night and missing school. You need to _____________

The test was so easy, it was a __________

She works all day, then studies all night; she’s _________________

I must be more serious about learning Vietnamese. I have to _______

Ms Liêu simply adores Champagne however, because it _____________ , she only drinks it __________________________________.

Last night’s class also generated some additional idioms, expressions and vocabulary, to wit:

bear with me – please wait a very short time

like a madhouse – a place or area that is crazy, too noisy, too busy etc

Kick the bucket – UK idiom, very informal, means to die

My hands are tied – I am obliged to do something, I have no choice

An expression – to kill two birds with one stone – to achieve two different results by doing one action:

“Hey, let’s meet at the coffee shop. We can meet up and work on the project at the same time.”

Premium Photo | Two asian woman talking about business and using laptop in coffee shop

I also introduced you to borrowed words – vocabulary from other languages. Our first example derived from Italian – lingua franca (a common language)

EXAMPLE:

I am studying English, which is incredibly important, because it is a lingua franca meaning it will enable me to communicate with people from all over the world.

Furthermore, we covered some adjectives to describe various neighbourhoods:

gritty / industrial

quite / safe / residential

boring / peaceful / suburban

bustling / vibrant / city centre

Extra advise – any time you hear a new word or expression:

Finally for Ms Dương, who expressed concerns over the amount of vocabulary one needs to learn, here’s the quote from the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu (C6thBC) :

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step | Lao Tzu

OK, onwards and upwards. Next lesson’s notes can be accessed here: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/11/06/ielts-be-industrious-hard-working-incredible-energetic-students/

See you next week

International Group Of Happy People Waving Hand Stock Photo, Picture And Royalty Free Image. Image 71052411. — Google royalty free image

IELTS: Speaking Test checklist

12th February 2021

I have conducted a number of speaking tests recently and noticed some areas where students can, with very little effort, boost their scores.

Remember, IELTS requires you to demonstrate that you will be able to live and study in an English-speaking country.

Firstly, there is fluency: are you able to speak without hesitation ?

Secondly, is your vocabulary broad enough ? You will be studying at university level (1) therefore you should be acquainted with low-frequency words (L-FWs), while living in an English-speaking country will necessitate you being familiar with phrasal verbs, idioms and expressions that comprise the bulk of everyday language.

For some help, have a look at this blog: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/02/everyday-idioms-everyday/

Obviously, grammar is imperative, especially the ability to form complex sentences. You will need to combine several pieces of information in one sentences, using clauses and discourse markers.

I have written several blogs on this subject, for example: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/11/23/ielts-introduction-to-complex-sentences/

Finally, pronunciation; this is not merely the clarity and accuracy of your speech, but features such as intonation, stress, pacing, body language, rhythm, chunking … features which are best learnt by listening to native-speakers and imitating what you hear (2).

To sum up, if you have been disappointed by your score, listen to the feedback your instructor gave you, and work on those areas.

(1) Even if you study in your home country, many textbooks are only printed in English. I’ve known friends from Greece, Sweden and Germany who had to use English language books

(2) There will be an incredible variety of accents, dialects and linguistic features within one large city, but for the purposes of teaching, I’m referring to features that may be particular to English, namely adding the letter ‘s’ to form plurals, how words ‘run into’ one another and how less important words are swallowed, while key words are stressed.

IELTS: Vocabulary boosting & fixed expression … there’s nothing I like more !

27th January 2021

IELTS Archives - Page 2 of 10 - IELTS Academic

No preamble, let’s just dive in; how to boost your lexical resources.

Firstly, replace all your basic verbs with ‘better’ ones, L-FWs as IELTS refer to them. Thus, fifteen of the most common English verbs:

be
have
do
say
get
make
go
know
take
see
come
think
look
want
give

Activity 1: Assign three verbs to students (individually or in small groups). They must write a sentence (the more complex the better) utilising the substituted verb. Students can use a thesaurus for assistance.

Example: ‘give‘

I always donate my old clothes to charity.

Activity 2: Convert a simple sentence into a jaw-droppingly magnificent IELTS sentence, employing the whole spectrum of resources, by which I mean phrasal verbs, adverbs, LFWs, idioms etc.

Example:

I always donate my old clothes to charity.

I have to confess that one of my passions is shopping, be it at a mall, a street market or online. As a young person, I adore buying clothes, though I have to restrain myself as many items cost an arm and a leg. Naturally, I accrue a vast wardrobe. From time to time I have a good sort out, sometimes being quite brutal. If I haven’t worn something for, say, two years, then I get rid of it. However, instead of simply throwing them away, or giving to siblings or cousins, I choose to donate to various charities such as UNICEF, Save The Children or Cancer Research. That way, I can contribute to improving the world.

Study the above example. Can you pick out the elements that differentiate this from a basic English class response ?

Write down new vocabulary and make a point of using new words.

Observe how points are introduced, and answers expanded.

How many phrasal verbs are you familiar with ? How about fixed expressions (here I added ‘From time to time‘) which brings us nicely to our next section …

Fixed expressions

As far as I’m concerned // I can’t wait to … //

If there’s one thing that I (love, hate, detest) it’s … // I’m looking forward to … //

It may surprise you to learn that I … // It’s no surprise that … //

The first thing I’d going to do when I … // There’s nothing I like better than … //

Activity 3: Practice using these expressions

Example: After a hard day of teaching, there’s nothing I like better than watching a great movie. Only last night, I saw a fantastic film, ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ by Aaron Sorkin who is a highly respected American writer.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 movie review (2020) | Roger Ebert

IELTS: Complex sentences, Practice #2

18th January 2021

The previous blog demonstrated how to form complex sentences whereas this one will give you a chance to actually incorporate them into your everyday speech or, more importantly, your IELTS test which you will want to pass with flying colours.

Let’s dive in !

A typical IELTS question will be about your family. Time to show off your knowledge of adjectives and phrases.

Start with mother. Some positives:

My mother has a heart of gold // She is so kind and caring // She always puts others first.

On the other hand:

I’m afraid my mother is a ‘tiger mum’ // She expects too much of me // She is never satisfied with my work.

As for father:

My father is industrious and so hard-working // My father always has his nose to the grindstone, providing for his family // People say I take after my father // He is firm but fair.

On the other hand:

My father never lets me stay out // He drinks like a fish on holidays // He is a very strict disciplinarian.

Older brother:

He is my role model // I always look up to him // He looks out for me and takes me under his wing.

On the other hand:

My brother is a total slacker // My brother gets aggressive when he’s been drinking // My brother lacks ambition and drive.

Don’t forget sister:

My sister is a little angel // She has the sweetest soul // She has a kind word for everybody.

On the other hand:

My sister is such a prima donna // She only thinks of herself // She won’t lift a finger around the house // She spends all her money on herself.

Let’s extend the family: uncle, aunt, cousin etc. Remember, always be thinking of how you can use IELTS language such as idioms and expressions.

EXAMPLE:

Your uncle lives in a different city (how often do you see him ?) He has a great job, a lot of influence (an expression ?)

Tell me about the people you live with

Allow me to introduce my family to you. Firstly, there is my mother, who has a heart of gold, I can tell her anything. She’s always working, cooking or cleaning. I would say she is the biggest influence in my life. My father is very industrious by which I mean he gets up early, every day, works long hours at his office which is very far away. However, he likes to relax at holiday time. His brother, my uncle, who is a mover and a shaker, occasionally pays a visit at Tet (Christmas, Hanukkah etc) and the two of them drink like fish ! That’s because my uncle, who lives in (a far-away city), only comes to (your city) once in a blue moon.

Piece of cake, right ?

First, decide what idioms are appropriate.

Second, select some impressive L-FWs or phrases.

Finally … it doesn’t have to be true ! We are here to check your command of English, we are not going to check if your uncle really is a mover and a shaker !

Class work:

Ask each other the following questions. Check how many IELTS features the speaker uses, and give encouraging feedback.

Which member of your family are you closest to ?

Which member of your family do you take after ?

How often do you see your cousins, or grandparents ?

Is family important in your country ? Why ?

Do you want to live in a nuclear (small) or extended family ?

What qualities do you admire in your family ?

Now … think on your feet.

Tell me about your brother, who is an actor.

Tell me about your aunt, who teaches music.

Tell me about your cousin, who wants to study at Oxford.

Tell me about your mother, who demands that you get A++ for every exam.

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IELTS: Getting across the line: how to boost your vocabulary, plus class games.

5th January 2021

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Obviously, teachers don’t want to overwhelm the students with an unmanageable amount of new language. Far better to serve up bite-size pieces, then practice, practice and practice. When the language has become second nature to the students, move onwards and upwards.

The first step is to elevate your language; replace basic common or garden verbs with ‘better‘ ( that is, low-frequency) words.

For example, the verb ‘try’. Instead, we can have:

endeavour

To keep trying, not giving up, we can use:

persevere or persist

Let’s take these new words out for a spin:

This year, I shall endeavour to learn Vietnamese. I’ve tried before but gave up as it was simply too hard. However, this time I’m going to persevere.

Can you think of an idiom that could be used to show someone planning to work much harder ?

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Onwards and upwards:

buy:

purchase

get a qualification or certificate by hard work and study:

attain // achieve

to get something without the need for work or study:

obtain (you can obtain the application form in room 7A)

say / said:

exclaim // express // remark (add -ed to form past tense)

use:

utilise (utilize USA) / apply

to eat, consume or do a lot of something:

devour (He devoured the whole pizza by himself // She loves reading, she absolutely devours books)

Transform this simple sentence into something more IELTS-like:

Sarah said that if she gets an ‘A’, her father will buy her a new iPhone.

Tony says he wants to get a visa which he can buy at the UK Embassy, so he can use his English skills in London.

Mary really wants to buy the ‘Fargo’ box set. She said it was the best TV show in years and she plans to watch all the episodes in one day !

Free Photo | Happy young asian woman showing display of phone holding gift.

Fargo Season 3 DVD For Sale, Cheap Fargo Season 3 DVD Box Set

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Similarly, boost your lexical resources with regards to adjectives.

basic:

fundamental // elementary

hard:

difficult // challenging

tasty:

delicious // mouth-watering // scrumptious

experience:

broaden my horizons // real-life knowledge // culture shock

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Signpost language: (To help the listener or reader follow you)

Firstly / To begin with / I’d like to start by …

Secondly / additionally / another factor is …

What’s more / furthermore / not forgetting

Obviously / clearly / it is evident that …

Moving on / I’d like to change the topic / Let’s turn to …

Finally / all in all / all things considered

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Class Games:

Put students into small teams. One teams challenges the other(s) to form a sentence using as many new L-FWs as they can. Award bonus points for the appropriate use of idioms or fixed expressions.

Students challenge each other to find a L-FW for a basic, prosaic verb or adjective. Teams are allowed a fixed time, say one minute, and are allowed to use a thesaurus such as here:

https://www.thesaurus.com/

Then the group has to use the new word in an IELTS-style sentence by which I mean, an introduction, a signpost word or phrase and, obviously, a suitable idiom (examples – ‘put’, ‘big’, ‘interesting’, ‘watch’, ‘boring’, ‘eat’)

Teams are given a mix of L-FWs, idioms & signpost language. After a short preparation time, they have to construct an inspiring, fascinating and jaw-droppingly brilliant sentence. Piece of cake, n’est ce-pas ?

One student from each group starts answering an IELTS question (travel, food, study, neighbourhood). At a given point, the teacher stops the student and another group has to continue, and so on. Monitor the correct utilisation of signpost language as well as fluency, not forgetting the all-important pronunciation features.

Quick Fire / Rapid Fire Round

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What is the correct word:

To get a certificate after study ?

Delicious food is …

London is brass monkeys in January so _______ bring warm clothes.

A L-FW for ‘use’

Strange behaviour – he is acting _______

Istanbul is famous for its covered market, known as a __________

Nose, jaw, mouth … use these features in phrases

Moving from Europe to Asia will undoubtedly result in a degree of ________ _____.

The unspeakably greedy child ______ all the doughnuts !

Actor Mark Hamill basically disagreed with everything in the film script.

Two words that mean to keep trying

To watch someone or something very closely

Two words for difficult

Signpost language to be used as a conclusion

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IELTS: Mindset 2 first review

22nd December 2020

IELTS information for Ghana students – Achilinks Consult — Ready to pass with flying colours

After three or four lessons, I expect my students to know several common idioms (their meaning and how to use them appropriately), a number of low-frequency words (L-FWs), how to introduce an answer, how to form a complex sentence and to demonstrate varieties of intonation and stress.

Without these features, you ain’t gonna get above a ‘5’, no way. Therefore, time for a quick review, see how you’re measuring up to the standard, whether you need to turn over a new leaf and put your nose to the grindstone.

Therefore, let’s recap

Idioms:

it’s raining cats and dogs

it costs an arm and a leg

piece of cake

I’m burning the candle at both ends

once in a blue moon

pass with flying colours

turn over a new leaf

put your nose to the grindstone

5 Best IELTS Practice Tests for International Students | ApplyBoard — Students putting their noses to the grindstone

Part 1: What do the aforementioned idioms mean ?

Part 2: Give each student an idiom. They have to use it, correctly, in a sentence.

L-FWs:

gritty / industrial / quite / safe / residential / boring / peaceful / suburban / bustling / vibrant / city centre.

ubiquitous // naïve // stroll // a bazaar // bizarre // predictable

absent-minded // sky-high, astronomical // an entrepreneur //

hawkers or peddlers // a mover and a shaker // consider //

Part 3: Students have to describe their neighbourhood, using as many L-FWs, and idioms, as they are able.

Encouraging IELTS students to read beyond the course book | Collins ELT — Students burning the candle at both ends

Introductions:

That’s a very interesting question

Well, that’s a great question

Well, there is so much to say about that subject, where shall I start ?

It’s funny you put that question to me because earlier today I was just thinking about …

As a young Vietnamese (add your own nationality), I …

Part 4: Students have to demonstrate they know how to introduce their answer.

What do you want to do in the future ?

Give them one minute to prepare a very short reply.

Student Visa For Australia Without Ielts 12th Pass Students in Jalandhar, VISA Solution Services | ID: 8848189962 — It’s funny you asked me that question because recently, I have been considering moving to Australia …

Complex Sentences:

Part 5: Moving on, students have to form complex sentences out of the following information, using intonation to reflect excitement or a positive point and, conversely, a negative factor. Discourse markers to be employed in order to link ideas, naturally. Furthermore, I shall be listening for adverbs and adjectives.

First, choose the correct relative pronoun (who, which, whose or where)

London //

capital of UK // many shops and museums // expensive and cold

Teacher John //

from New Zealand // smiles and plays guitar // talks too fast

Ironman //

real name Tony Starke // very rich and intelligent // is fictional

Thailand //

90 minutes flight from HCMC // friendly people, great food // many western tourists and crowded

ABC English Centre //

located in city centre, District 1 // use laptops and tablets in classes // lessons are four hours long, with extra homework.

Team work

Part 6: Class split into two teams. They have to plan a day in their city (here, of course, it’s Sai Gon) for my friend Ethan.

The exercise can be found on this blog: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/12/16/ielts-planning-a-day-out/

Just look for this picture:

Ethan Hawke Sticks Up For Texas, Reps Beto and Turns a Dead ...

Finally: review negotiation language. Watch this video and discuss your views on the tourists opinion of Sai Gon:

How do the tourists feel about the city ?

As residents, do you agree with the review ?

Students can discuss the video using the following language:

I agree totally // I agree to an extent // I disagree // I’m not entirely sure about that // No way ! // They don’t know what they are talking about !

optimistic // uninformed // delusional // open-minded // enthusiastic

IELTS: Planning a day out

16th December 2020

17 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Beijing | PlanetWare — The Imperial Palace and the Forbidden City, Beijing, China

A compilation of exercises for students to plan a day out for visitors to their city.

Firstly, an example demonstrating an IELTS-style structure:

Where would you like to visit in Viet Nam (or your own country) and why ?

I show them a plan:

Introduction / First good point / second good point / something negative / conclusion

I choose Hoi An

Hoi An: Vietnam's most charming city - Exoticca Blog

Introduction: DON’T answer immediately but introduce the answer by rephrasing (paraphrasing) the question:

Vietnam has many beautiful places but my choice would be Hoi An.

First Good Point:

Firstly, Hoi An is a historical city with a wonderful Japanese bridge and lovely old shops. At night, the shops use romantic lanterns.

Second Good Point:

Hoi An is close to Da Nang, so I can fly there easily and quickly. There are many things to see and do in the local area.

Now, something negative

However, Hoi An is very small and can be extremely crowded in summer. Maybe it will be difficult to find a hotel or a table at a good restaurant.

Conclusion

In my opinion, Hoi An is a very special place to visit because it is a town of Vietnamese culture.

How to build sentences:

Use adjectives to describe nouns (beautiful, historic, romantic)

adverbs to describe adjectives and verbs – give more information (very, easily)

opinion phrases (in my opinion)

linking words to connect positive to positive or positive to negative – discourse markers (however, furthermore, consequently, therefore)

reasons and examples why an action is being done (because) or such as …

For IELTS students, ALWAYS think how you can use an idiom e.g.

I have been burning the candle at both ends, so I really need a break

I only take a holiday once in a blue moon

Travelling can be extremely expensive, but a bus ticket to Da Nang, although time-consuming, doesn’t cost and arm and a leg.

Now – your turn:

Where do you want to visit ? Where would you most like to visit ? This can be in Vietnam or anywhere … think BIG.

Women wearing Vietnamese ao dai granted an imperial favor — Hue

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Activity:

Present a holiday using a mixture of advertising slogans and practical information. Remember:

It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it

Make your voice sound excited, as if this were the best holiday ever ! You have to use intonation and stress.

Holiday terms:

transfers / half-board / all -inclusive / amenities / package tour / itinerary /

Language:

breathtaking / visually – stunning / sensational / incredible / remarkable / exclusive /

once in a lifetime experience / never to be forgotten / unbeatable prices / book now to avoid disappointment / best decision you’ll ever make

holidays to suit all budgets , from 7* luxury to backpacking

Structure:

To begin with / furthermore … additionally / the fact is … / therefore

Demonstration with an advert for London:

Now is the perfect time to visit London, England’s glorious capital.

To begin with, the weather is perfect for walking, so you can enjoy the lush parks, world-famous museums and incredible, unbelievable shops such as Harrods, Selfridges and so many more.

Furthermore, there is something for everyone … and more ! Like sports ? Go to one of the many Premier League football games. Love shopping ?

The fact is, everything is here – shop till you drop !

Additionally, if you adore culture – soak up hundreds of years of history.

Flights from TSN airport daily. Seven-day all-inclusive package tour starting from only 50m VND ! All transfers and transport included. Air-conditioned mini bus with Vietnamese-speaking guide.

Therefore, don’t delay … book TODAY !

Sell a holiday

Advertising vocabulary and intonation

Prepare a presentation to market / sell a holiday.

Review: New vocabulary

sensational / once in a lifetime / luxury / all-inclusive / unforgettable experience / mysterious / majestic / breathtaking / visually-stunning

book now to avoid disappointment / exhilarating / world-famous

local food / new cultures / visit our website / worth every penny

fun for all the family/ the perfect getaway /

Plan a tour of your city for my friend

It is his first time in your hometown. He likes history, traditional food, and he wants to buy souvenirs.

Think about:

What time to start

What to do first

Logistics – how Ethan can get around the city (subway, bus, taxi, Grab or Uber)

Food – where to eat and what to choose. Remember, he only speaks English

Where to go (remember the heat OR the rain could be an issue / a problem).

Explain your choices

Try to incorporate (use) these adjectives:

interesting // historical // fascinating // authentic

typical // bustling // lively // thought-provoking

Mind map – Travel

I start by writing the word ‘travel’ on the board, and see how many avenues spread out from it. Start with the grammar; what type of word is it (noun) but it can be made into a verb (to travel, travelling) and the students should remember how to apply it to a person (traveller).

Then we have expressions such as ‘travel broadens the mind.’

We have this quote which introduces metaphor – the world as a book:

Then more pedestrian aspects of travel; how do we travel (transportation), preparation (booking tickets, hotels, visas etc), what do we bring with us (different clothes, sun cream, currency, sun glasses etc). How about culture shock ?

Next, what are the positive aspects of travelling (new cultures, fun, adventure, relaxation) and conversely, the negatives (delays, waiting in soulless airports, getting ripped off, tourist traps, bad hotels etc)

Pair work: students have to write a short passage using ‘although‘ and ‘despite‘ to encapsulate their travel experiences or wishes.

EXAMPLES: Although I absolutely love travelling, there are many drawbacks. Firstly, there is the cost; it can be incredibly expensive what with plane tickets and hotels not to mention having to eat out in restaurants. Despite these issues, travelling can be so relaxing or exciting, seeing new places and doing new things or simply as a break from our normal lives.

Vietnam has many beautiful towns and places of interest although I have only been to a few of them despite travel being relatively cheap in this country. We can fly everywhere within one or two hours, at very reasonable prices although some cheap airlines, such as Vietjet, are notorious for delays.

I have always wanted to visit Beijing in China which is not excessively far from Sai Gon. Despite that, I haven’t been because I am not sure about the visa and how expensive it would be to visit. Additionally, I hear some negative things such as terrible pollution and many tourist scams. Despite the drawbacks, I really want to see the Great Wall, the Forbidden Palace and all the temples. Although Vietnam and China have a complicated relationship, most Vietnamese would agree that Chinese food is delicious.

These exercises help to increase vocabulary and confidence. Furthermore, the repetition helps to make the target language part of the students’ lexical resources.

As a break from the book work, I’ll show the class a vlog from YouTube, two tourists who come to Sai Gon and what they think of the city: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iw_K-1AmVk

How do the tourists feel about the city ? As residents, do you agree with the review ?

Students can discuss the video using the following language:

I agree totally // I agree to an extent // I disagree // I’m not entirely sure // No way ! They don’t know what they are talking about !

optimistic // uninformed // delusional // open-minded // enthusiastic

Group work: Prepare a guide to Sai Gon for tourists.

Allow students access to the class computer for Google images if required.

Include

What to see and do // where and what to eat // what to buy //

What they can do for entertainment

Travel tips

Safety and scams

Cultural differences – what should people do or NOT do in Vietnam ?

Use of interesting adjectives to describe the city centre.

Groups can then present to the class, with all students taking turns speaking. I shall be listening for relevance, pronunciation and use of expressions and discourse markers. Furthermore, I may learn some interesting tips.

My friend Andy is coming to Sai Gon

Using ‘should’ to give advice or information, make suggestions for Andy.

He loves history … what should he visit or see ?

He loves traditional food … what should he eat ?

He can’t ride a motorbike … how should he travel ?

He likes a beer a night (!) … where should he go ?

My Thai friend is coming to Vietnam:

Ms Namsum is young and energetic. She’s into (really enjoy) clubs, sightseeing and shopping.

I suggest she starts the day with a traditional bowl of pho then goes to Sai Gon centre. She can walk there from her hotel in District 1 or take a taxi (Vinasun or Malin ONLY). She will be out of the heat and has a lot of shopping choices and places to eat or grab a coffee. She could rest at her hotel in the afternoon, then go to Nguyen Hue walking street when it gets cooler in the evening. She has many restaurants in this area. Furthermore, there are many English-language menus. Finally, she can go to Bui Vien street where there are many clubs and bars, as well as many tourists speaking English.

What do they students think ? Is that a good plan ? Have I missed something important ?

Language to use:

I see your point

That’s a good idea but …

If I may make a suggestion …

I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.

For example – That’s a good idea but you haven’t thought about sightseeing.

Bui Vien can be very noisy so I’m not sure that’s such a good idea for a young lady on her own.

Two of my friends, Tom and David who are both actors, are coming to Sai Gon. The students, in groups, have to arrange a fun day including sightseeing, shopping, eating and transportation. Then they have to compare their itineraries and exchange views and opinions. The students learn how to politely disagree with each and put forward their ideas and support their choices.

Image result for two english men — Tom and David

PLAN A DAY FOR TOM & DAVID

Where can they eat ?

What could they see or visit ?

How can they travel around ?

What can they buy as souvenirs ?

Where could they go at night ?

What safety advice would you give ?

What you need to know:

Both are 45-years old. They have good jobs and a good income. They like history and culture. They really enjoy good food and wine. Neither speaks any Vietnamese. They are too old for very loud clubs but they don’t mind having a few beers and maybe seeing some live music.

The students can make a presentation, and use the computer for images or maps to illustrate their plan. Then the other team can explain what they have organised, and the reasons why. I will decide which team has made the best choice.

Activity: Plan a day out for my friends.

I have two friends arriving in Sai Gon (or your city). They want a typical, authentic experience. Plan a day for them. It must include:

Breakfast
A museum
Somewhere for a snack
An interesting building or location
Lunch
Souvenir shopping
Something to do in the evening

Give tips and advice.

How do they travel around ?

What are their options and estimate the prices.

Try to use as much new vocabulary as possible, words and expressions.

Directions to Pham Ngo Lao Street District 1 // Directions to a city centre street.

Ask for help. Other must offer as much help – how to get there, the best way, the price, the dangers. Body language – distance, expression, intonation, eye contact etc

Is Sai Gon safe ?

Can you understand Vietnamese people speaking English ?

Do you agree with their points ?

Are there any words you didn’t understand ?

Do you have any bad experiences ? Tell the class your anecdote.

Hotels

Word bomb– what do you think of when I say ‘hotel’ ?

Checking in to a hotel

Vocabulary:

reception / lift or elevator / single or double room / king size bed or twins /

first floor / complimentary breakfast / key deposit / luggage storage / safe / mini bar

What would the conversation be ?

Reception: How may I help you / May I ask your name ? / Can I see your reservation code ? / That’s fine. You stay for three nights ? / May I have your passport, please ? / You’re in room 237. That’s on the second floor / Thank you. Sign here, please / Yes, the lift is just over there. / Naturally, as well as a hair dryer, coffee machine and mini bar. / Enjoy your stay.

Guest: Hello, we have a reservation / We booked a room online / My name’s ….. / Certainly, it’s on my phone. / Yes, that’s right. / Absolutely. / Correct. / Just a second; here you are./ Is there a lift ? / The second floor ? / Is there a safe in the room ? / Perfect. Thanks very much

Make a conversation. One student will be the reception, the other(s) a guest or guests.

Write your own conversation

You are in a hotel bar and you meet another guest. Start a polite conversation, but you have to use your English.

Image result for two people in a hotel bar

Greet each other

Why are you in this city ? (holiday or on business)

Offer to buy a drink (accept or decline – maybe you don’t drink alcohol)

How long are they staying ? What do they think of the hotel ? What can they do in the area around the hotel ?

Small group work

You are two married couples who meet on a tour and are staying at the same hotel OR you are on a business trip and meet some other business people.

Use the following sentences, as well as your own, to make a conversation. try to keep speaking for as long as possible by using small talk techniques (oh, really / that’s interesting / tell me more / what do you do exactly ? / where is that ? / Sounds interesting)

Image result for young people meeting in a hotel

Image result for people meeting in a hotel

My wife and I are delighted to meet you

Shall we go to the bar or cafe ?

Can offer name first (I’m Simon, what’s your name ?)

Would you fancy a drink … ?

Is there anywhere special to do here ?

Sorry, I have to get my head down, it’s been a long flight (I need to sleep).

My colleague and I were going out to eat.

I fancy a beer or something alcoholic

Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t ask where you are from.

Reasonable (cheaper)

Would you like to join us ?

Peckish (little hungry)

What do you think of these hotel rooms ?

What do you think of the design ?

Would you like to stay in any of these ? Why, or why not ?

How much do you think they cost per night ?

Bangkok

Ice hotel, Sweden

Backpacker hostel, Indonesia

Subject Index: Themes, features and topics

4th December 2020

Subject Index: An index of various subjects, taught to various levels and age groups.

Subject // Lesson // Date

International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2023 // 27th January 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/01/27/international-holocaust-remembrance-day/

FULL LESSON PLANS

Young Learners, pre-teens // Introduction (STB, Horseshoe, sentence correction, mingle activity) // 2nd April 2024: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2024/04/02/young-learners-pre-teens-introduction-lesson/

Adult class, level 3 // Introduction (STB, British food, present simple, pronunciation of negative words, and questions) // 22nd March 2024: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2024/03/22/adult-class-level-3-introduction-lesson/

Placement Tests

Level 2 end of book test // Mark Wiens video // 6th March 2025: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2025/03/06/level-2-end-of-book-test/

Level 3, Mid-Term Test (Part 1) // 3rd November: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2025/11/03/level-3-mid-term-test-part-1/

Introducing Jedi Master Princess L // 18th August 2024: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2024/08/18/introducing-my-jedi-master-princess-l/

Time Zone 2 // The jump into scholastic hyperspace // 10th August 2024: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2024/08/10/the-jump-into-scholastic-hyperspace/

Time Zone 2 // End of book test // 20th March 2025: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2025/03/20/end-of-time-zones/

Hyperspace hypertest // 3rd March 2025: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2025/03/03/the-hyperspace-hypertest-vocabulary-grammar-and-creativity/

Rating Systems for Time Zone 2 test // 17th August 2024: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2024/08/17/scholastic-hyperspace-the-rating-system/

CLASS RULES AND TEACHING NOTES

The Blue Star for talkative students // Teaching English in Vietnam // 12th January 2024: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2024/01/12/introducing-the-blue-star/

Blue Star, Black Star, Go Home // 3rd November 2025: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2025/11/03/how-to-deal-with-a-notoriously-noisy-class/

Online lesson rules // 11th February 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/02/11/lockdown-lessons-a-respectful-reminder/

Online Zoom Bingo game for teachers & TAs // 18th May 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/05/18/the-doom-of-zoom-classes-zoom-bingo-to-keep-teaching-staff-sane/

Classroom Objectives, Levels 3 & 4 // Young Learners // 27th December 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/12/27/young-learners-levels-3-4-class-objectives/

Classroom Rules from the Corleone Family // Teaching Notes // 16th July 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/07/16/class-rules-from-the-corleone-family/

Classroom rules for Young Learners // Confucius // 18th March 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/03/18/young-learners-class-rules-from-confucius/

Class rules May 2022 // 24th May 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/05/24/i-shouldnt-have-to-write-this-but/

Class rules for naming students // Teaching Notes // 5th April 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/04/05/whats-in-a-name/

Class Rules for noisy students // Teaching Notes // 1st April 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/04/01/young-learners-our-pledge-of-quiet/

Class Rules for Young Teens // Young Teens // 12th May 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/05/12/young-teens-our-pledge-of-quiet/

Classroom safety // A Message from Monkey Mike // 4th September 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/09/04/a-message-from-monkey-mike/

Fable of the frog and the scorpion // Teaching Notes // 2nd June 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/06/02/because-its-my-nature/

Learn English … or else ! // Teaching Notes // 1st May 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/05/01/learn-english-or-else/

Suggestions for students and teachers // Lunatics have taken over the asylum // 19th March 2025 https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2025/03/19/the-lunatics-have-taken-over-the-asylum/

Zoom classes: A dream or a nightmare ? // 21st July 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/07/21/zoom-classes-a-dream-or-a-nightmare/

Zoom classes: the dark side // 27th July 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/07/27/zoom-classes-you-cut-my-hours-you-slash-my-wages-and-you-give-me-these/

Zoom rules for Young Learners // 15th July 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/07/15/young-learners-zoom-class-rules/

Teachers’ Day 2022 // 20th November 2022: https://wordpress.com/post/thaypaulsnotes.com/15742

Teachers’ Day 2024 //22nd November 2024: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2024/11/22/teachers-day-2024-flowers-travel-cup-and-a-dinosaur/

Thank you, Kimchi // 14th November 2024: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2024/11/14/thank-you-kimchi/

Thank you, Little Eva // 23rd February 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/02/23/16483/

Thank you, Penny // 12th July 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/07/12/thank-you-penny-knock-knock-penny-knock-knock-penny-knock-knock/

Thank you, Princess // Teaching Notes // 4th August 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/09/04/6420/

Thank you, my Princess (third time) // Teaching Notes // 15th May 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/05/15/thank-you-my-princess-third-time/

Thank you, my Princess (again) // Teaching Notes // 7th May 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/05/07/thank-you-my-princess-again/

Thank you, Little Princess // 23rd May 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/05/23/thank-you-little-princess/

Thank you, my little princesses //30th July 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/07/30/15035/

Education is everything // The West Wing // 23rd September 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/09/23/education-is-everything/

ANIMALS

Animal superlatives (longest, smallest) // Young Learners, Level 4 // 24th November 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/11/24/young-learners-level-4-longest-heaviest-shortest-lightest/

Animals and insects (amazing facts) // Young Learners, Level 4 // 7th November 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/11/07/young-learners-level-4-intelligent-insects-amazing-animals/

Animal videos and activities: a compilation // Young Learners // 25th January 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/01/25/young-learners-animal-magic/

Penguins – The Perfect Penguin Quiz // Young Learners, Level 6 // 14th July 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/07/14/the-perfect-penguin-quiz/

Apple iPhones // Adult Class, Level 3 // 14th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/14/adult-class-level-3-cant-buy-me-love/

Apple workers in China // IELTS // 30th July 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/07/30/ielts-speaking-practice-manufacturing-in-vietnam/

Arabian Nights // writing exercise // 5th November 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/11/05/ielts-level-writing-exercise-1001-nights-the-arabian-tales/

King Arthur and the sword in the stone // Young Teens // 20th April 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/04/20/young-teens-king-arthur-the-sword-in-the-stone/

King Arthur, Robin Hood, Dick Turpin: Three British Legends // Young Teens // 13th May 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/05/13/young-teens-three-british-legends /

Area 51 // Adult Class, Level 3 // 12th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/11/adult-class-level-3-is-was-the-butler-wasnt-it/

ART & ARCHITECTURE

Architecture // Adult professionals // Architecture and engineering in history: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/07/adult-professionals-architecture-and-engineering/

Architecture: Burj Khalife & Willis Tower // Adult professionals. Mechanics, Part 3 // 7th Feb 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/07/adult-professionals-mechanics-part-3/

Architecture: giving opinions // Adult Speaking Class, level 2 // 9th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/09/adult-speaking-class-level-2-giving-opinions-architecture/

Architecture: World’s tallest buildings throughout history // Adult Speaking Class, level 2 // 9th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/09/adult-speaking-class-level-2-giving-opinions-architecture/

Art // Adult Class, Level 1 // 12 & 19 December 2018: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2018/12/19/adult-class-level-1-lessons-1-2/

Art: giving opinion // Adult Speaking Class, level 3: Art // 13th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/13/adult-speaking-class-level-3-art-what-do-you-think/

Art: DaDa & Surrealism // Adult Speaking Class, level 3: Dali, Dada & Surrealism // 23rd April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/23/adult-speaking-class-level-3-dali-dada-and-surrealism/

Art: types of art // Young Learners, level 4 (Dali, Alice in Wonderland) // 16th May 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/05/16/young-learners-level-4-art-for-arts-sake/

Art: Being Creative // Young Learners, level 4 // 1st May 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/05/01/young-learners-level-4-be-creative/

Pieter Bruegel the Elder // Young Learners // 9th January 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/01/09/young-learners-time-travellers/

Bad Day – create narrative // IELTS, Lesson 3 May the Force be with you // 14th January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/03/31/young-learners-levels-3-4-tell-me-a-story/

Bad Day – create narrative // Young Learners, Levels 3 & 4 // 7th April 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/04/07/young-learners-levels-3-4-i-had-a-bad-day-guess-why/

Bad Day Revisited: create a narrative // Young teens //12th May 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/05/12/bad-day-revisited/

Bad Student writing exercise // Young learners // 31st March 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/03/31/young-learners-levels-3-4-tell-me-a-story/

Banks // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2 Part 2 // 6th January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/06/adult-speaking-class-level-2-part-2/

Bonfire, Guy Fawkes // Adult Class, Level 3 // 5th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/05/adult-class-level-3-business-icons/

Bonfire Night // Young Learners 4 // 9th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/07/young-learners-level-4tell-me-what-you-want/

Bonfire Night // Young Learners, Level 4 // Safety First // 29th October 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/10/29/young-learners-level-4-safety-first-and-the-gunpowder-plot/

Boys’ Night Out // Adult Class, Level 3 // 3rd December 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/12/02/adult-class-level-3-the-times-they-are-a-changing/

Bristol, UK // Young Teens // 21st February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/21/young-teens-deeply-madly-truly/

British Legends // Arthur, Dick Turpin, Robin Hood // 13th May 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/05/13/young-teens-three-british-legends/

Cars // Adult professionals // Adult mechanics: What can go wrong ?https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/12/16/adult-mechanics-what-can-possibly-go-wrong/

Castles in Europe // Adult Class, Level 1 // 2nd January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/04/adult-class-level-1-2-things-that-go-bump-in-the-night/

Character building // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3: Character development // 18th June 2020

Children: gifted // Young Learners, Level 4 // Talk show (Peter O’Toole) // 30th May 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/05/30/young-learners-level-4-what-does-the-future-hold-and-a-repeat-of-the-late-show/

Christmas for Young Learners // food, traditions and activities // 18th December 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/12/18/young-learners-a-christmas-compendium/

Christmas in Germany & UK // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2 // 20th December 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/12/20/adult-speaking-class-level-2/

Cinema choice // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2 // 20th December 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/12/20/adult-speaking-class-level-2/

Cinema choice // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2: Cinema // 9th May 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/05/09/adult-speaking-class-level-2-cinema-what-shall-we-see/

Cinema: Why do you like this film ? // IELTS // 6th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/06/ielts-mindset-why-do-you-like-the-film/

Cities (UK) and areas // IELTS // 31st December 2018: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/03/ielts-5-reading-listening/

Cities – future worlds grammar // Young Learners // 26th February 2024: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2024/02/26/future-worlds/

Cities – A Perfect City // Writing project // Young Learners, Levels 3 & 4 // 11th April 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/04/11/young-learners-levels-3-4-what-is-your-perfect-city/

Cities – What’s the problem … and solution ? // Speaking exercise // Young Learners // 9th January 2024: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2024/01/09/whats-the-problem-with-your-city-and-whats-the-solution/

Clothes – types and materials // Young Learners // 11th November 20202: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/11/11/young-learners-level-2-i-would-go-out-tonight-but-i-havent-got-a-stitch-to-wear/

Clothes // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2: Describing clothes // 19th March 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/03/19/adult-speaking-class-level-2-describing-clothes/

Clothes – expressing opinions // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2 // Extended personality exercises // 20th June 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/20/adult-speaking-class-level-2-extended-personality-exercises/

Coffee in Viet Nam // Adult Speaking Class, level 2 // 20th December 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/12/20/adult-speaking-class-level-2/

Coffee in Saigon (exercise, idioms & dialogue) // 7th December 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/12/07/coffee-in-sai-gon/

Coffee, cooking & Tet Holiday // 1st February 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/02/01/adult-speaking-class-level-2-coffee-cooking-and-cuisine/

Complaining // Adult Class, Level 3 // 18th March 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/03/18/adult-class-level-3-sharks-and-dragons/

Complaining in shops // Adult Speaking Class // 6th January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/06/adult-speaking-class-level-2-part-2/

Computers // Adult Class, Level 1 // 20th February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/20/adult-class-level-1-computer-world/

Corona Virus in Vietnam // IELTS 4 – 5 // Implementing precautions // 25th March 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/03/25/ielts-4-5-mindset-implementing-precautions/

Corona Virus: news from UK // Listening Exercises, Corona Special // 6th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/06/listening-exercises-corona-special/

Countries

Create a country // Young Learners, Level 3 project // 5th April 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/04/05/young-learners-level-3-lets-start-a-new-country-up/

Africa // Tuareg people of North Africa // Adult Speaking Class, level 3 // 11th February 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/11/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-travel/

Amazon Rain Forest // Young Learners, Level 5 // 19th October 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/10/19/young-learners-level-5-amazon-rain-forest-quiz-and-comparisons/

Amazon Rain Forest Summer Project // Young Teens // 26th July 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/07/26/summer-project-make-an-amazon-river-fact-chart/

Ancient Egypt & Ancient Greece // Teenagers: Architecture & Mythology // 13th March 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/03/13/teenagers-architecture-and-mythology/

Ancient Egyptian Gods // Young Learners, Level 6 // 12th May 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/05/12/young-learners-ancient-egyptian-gods/

Ancient Egyptian Gods // Young Learners, Level 4 // 23rd February 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/02/23/gods-of-ancient-egypt/

Australia // IELTS 5-6.5 // 21st August 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/08/15/ielts-5-6-5-i-come-from-a-land-down-under/

China // Fishing with birds // 25th August 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/08/25/fishing-with-birds-a-writing-exercise/

Egypt // Holiday Project // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3 // 9th June 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/09/adult-speaking-class-level-3-holiday-project-egypt/

Germany // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3. Theme: Germany // 26th February 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/26/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-germany/

Germany: Rhine River // Young Learners, Level 6 // 12th February 2025: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2025/02/12/the-rhine-river-fairy-tales-and-gruesome-stories/

Greece: land and myths // Theseus and the Minotaur // Young Learners 5 // 6th October 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/10/04/young-learners-level-5-welcome-to-athens/

India //Focus on India // IELTS // 18th October 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/10/17/ielts-focus-on-india/

India // IELTS: Hello, India // 24th January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/24/ielts-hello-india/

Japan // Focus on Japan // Listening and planning skills // 18th October 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/10/18/ielts-focus-on-japan/

Japan // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2, Part 6, 25th January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/25/adult-speaking-class-level-2-part-6-2/

Korea // Hello Korea // 19th June 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/06/19/hello-korea-%ec%95%88%eb%85%95%ed%95%98%ec%84%b8%ec%9a%94/

Poland // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3 // 27th December 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/12/27/poland-history-culture-and-beer/

Poland salt mine // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2 // 20th December 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/12/20/adult-speaking-class-level-2/

Russia // Adult Class, Level 3 // 4th December 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/12/03/adult-class-level-3-the-russian-soul/

Sweden // Young Learners, Level 2 // 18th May 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/05/17/young-learners-level-2-focus-on-sweden/

Sweden // Young Learners, Level 2 // continuous verbs & home furnishings // 31st December 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/12/31/young-learners-level-2-what-are-they-doing-in-sweden/

Switzerland // Adult Speaking Class, level 3. Theme:Travel // 11th February 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/11/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-travel/

Taiwan // Taiwan: Listening Extra // 12th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/12/taiwan-listening-special/

Taiwan (four videos:WHO dodge, President Tsai Ing-wen) // Taiwan: Listening Extra 12th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/12/taiwan-listening-special/

Taiwan National Day // 10th October 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/10/10/taiwan-happy-national-day/

Around the world in 80 minutes // (Brazil, Canada, Sth Korea, Egypt) // Young Learners, Level 5 // 26th July 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/07/26/adult-speaking-class-level-1-young-learners-level-5-around-the-world-in-80-minutes/

Around the world – collecting information // (Brazil, Canada, Egypt, South Korea) // Young Learners, Level 6 // 6th January 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/01/06/young-learners-level-6-collecting-information-making-a-presentation/

Countries (Brazil, Canada, Sth Korea, Egypt) // Young Learners, Level 2 // 1st June 2019:https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/05/31/young-learners-level-2-what-a-wonderful-world/

Countries (VN, UK, Mexico, Russia) // Young Learners, Level 3 // 7th September 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/09/04/adult-class-level-3-class-2-what-did-i-do-last-night/

Countries // Young Learners, Level 5 // Around the world in 80 mins // 27th October 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/10/26/young-learners-level-5-around-the-world-in-eighty-minutes/

Countries (festivals) // (Spain, UK, Niger, Mexico, Thailand) // Young Learners, Level 6 // 3rd September 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/09/03/young-learners-level-6-its-festival-time/

City itinerary project (London, Rio, Barcelona, Seoul) // Young Learners, Level 6 // 10th December 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/12/10/young-learners-level-6-travel-journal-project/

Gather information (countries) // (Brazil, Canada, Sth Korea, Egypt) // Young Learners, Level 5 // 25th August 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/08/20/young-learners-level-5-feelings-nothing-more-than-feelings/

Guess the countries (pictures) Signs // Young Learners 4 // 22nd June 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/06/21/young-learners-level-4-sign-of-the-times/

Guess the music (countries) // Young Learners 5 // 27th October 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/10/26/young-learners-level-5-around-the-world-in-eighty-minutes/

Cracking codes // Enigma machine // Young Learners 5 // 17th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/16/young-learners-level-5-cracking-the-enigma/

Creative writing // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3: Storytelling // 29th March 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/03/29/adult-speaking-class-level-3-storytelling/

Creative writing // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3: Storytelling part 2 // 30th March 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/03/30/adult-speaking-class-level-3-storytelling-part-2/

Creative writing // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3: Storytelling part 3 // 31st March 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/category/adult-speaking-class-level-3/page/4/

Crime and punishment // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3 // 1st February 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/01/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-crime-and-punishment/

Culture shock, manners, etiquette // Adult Class, Level 3 // 15th January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/15/adult-class-level-3-manners-etiquette-and-culture-shock/

Doing Chores // Young Learners, Level 3 // 27th August 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/08/27/young-learners-level-3-doing-your-chores/

Easter // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2 // 1st January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/01/adult-speaking-class-level-2-easter/

Emotions // Young Learners 3 // 6th July 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/07/03/young-learners-levels-3-2-lesson-outlines/

Engineering for young learners // tallestest buildings, Landmark 81 // Young Learners, Level 6 // 27th April 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/04/27/young-learners-level-6-engineering-projects/

English for engineers, mechanics, science:

https://thaypaulsnotes.com/category/adult-professionals/

Concorde // Adult professionals. Mechanics, Part 3 // 7th Feb 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/07/adult-professionals-mechanics-part-3/

Enigma machine // Young Learners 5 // 17th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/16/young-learners-level-5-cracking-the-enigma/

Entropy // Adult professionals. Mechanics, Part 3 // 7th Feb 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/07/adult-professionals-mechanics-part-3/

Environment // Adult professionals // Adult mechanics: What can go wrong ?https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/12/16/adult-mechanics-what-can-possibly-go-wrong/

Friction // Adult professionals. Mechanics, Part 3 // 7th Feb 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/07/adult-professionals-mechanics-part-3/

Landmark 81 // Adult Professionals / Mechanics Part 2 // 23rd January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/23/adult-professionals-mechanics-part-2/

Robots in industry // Adult professionals // Adult mechanics: What can go wrong ?https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/12/16/adult-mechanics-what-can-possibly-go-wrong/

Shinkanshen (Bullet Train) // Adult professionals. Mechanics, Part 3 // 7th Feb 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/07/adult-professionals-mechanics-part-3/

Top Gear // Adult professionals // Adult mechanics: What can go wrong ?https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/12/16/adult-mechanics-what-can-possibly-go-wrong/

Nikola Tesla (video) // Adult professionals. Mechanics, Part 3 // 7th Feb 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/07/adult-professionals-mechanics-part-3/

Turbulence // Adult Professionals / Mechanics Part 2 // 23rd January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/23/adult-professionals-mechanics-part-2/

Explorers // Mount Everest, Tenzing & Hillary //Young Learners 5 // 10th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/07/young-learners-level-5-because-its-there/

Family // Adult Class, Level 3 // 6th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/06/adult-class-level-3-we-are-family/

Five senses // Senses Working Overtime (Revisited) // He can, she can // 6th February 2025: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2025/02/06/young-learners-level-2-senses-working-overtime-revisited/:

Flea markets // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2: Gift of the gab // 10th May 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/05/10/adult-speaking-class-level-2-the-gift-of-the-gab/

Food

Food (Korea, Germany, UK Christmas, Vietnam traditional) // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2, Theme: food https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/22/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-food/

Christmas food in UK // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3: food // 19th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/19/adult-speaking-class-level-3-food/

Food (healthy or snack) // Young Learners 3 // 13th July 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/07/11/young-learners-level-3-my-town/

Food (Sweden) // Young Learners 2 // 18th May 2019: http://Sweden // Young Learners, Level 2 // 18th May 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/05/17/young-learners-level-2-focus-on-sweden/

Food (4 countries) // Young Learners 3 // 6th July 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/07/03/young-learners-levels-3-2-lesson-outlines/

Food (Vietnamese food) // Young Teens // 27th February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/27/young-teens-course-review/

Food (what do you want ?) // Young Learners 2 // Review and Buster Keaton // 30th October 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/10/30/young-learners-level-2-review-and-buster-keaton/

Food (McDonalds) // Adult Speaking Class, level 2 // 20th December 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/12/20/adult-speaking-class-level-2/

Fortune telling // Adult Class, Level 1 // 30th January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/29/adult-class-level-1-cross-my-palm-with-silver/

Fortune telling // Young Teens // 31st January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/31/young-teens-unesco-sites/

Future & creative jobs // Young learners, level 4 U 7 // 30th May 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/05/30/young-learners-level-4-what-does-the-future-hold-and-a-repeat-of-the-late-show/

Hair styles // Adult Class, Level 1 // 14th October 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/10/14/adding-adjectives-increasing-interest/

Health // Young Learners 3 // 17th August 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/08/12/young-learners-level-3-whats-the-matter/

Health // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3. Theme: Health // 27th January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/27/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-health/

Hometown – homes around the globe // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3 // 8th June 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/08/adult-speaking-class-level-3-home-is-where-the-heart-is/

Hometown & neighbourhood // IELTS // My Hometown // 28th October 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/10/28/ielts-my-hometown/

Hotels // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3. Theme: Hotels // 8th February 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/07/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-hotels/

Hotels booking a room and vocabulary // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3 // 18th September 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/09/18/adult-speaking-class-level-3-2/

How was your day // Adult Speaking Class, level 1: How was your day ? // 5th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/04/adult-speaking-class-level-1-how-was-your-day/

Idioms

Idioms: A one-stop shop // 27th October 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/10/27/more-idioms-than-you-can-shake-a-stick-at/

Idioms: food // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3: food // 19th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/19/adult-speaking-class-level-3-food/

Idioms: a piece of cake // Teaching Notes // 1st June 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/01/idioms-a-piece-of-cake/

Idioms: are you pulling my leg ? // Teaching Notes // 2nd June 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/02/idioms-part-2-are-you-pulling-my-leg/

Idioms: everyday idioms, everyday // Teaching Notes // 3rd June 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/02/everyday-idioms-everyday/

Idioms: part 3 extended idioms use // Teaching Notes // 4th June 2020:https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/04/idioms-part-3-all-above-board-nothing-under-the-table/

IELTS: Mindset Introduction // IELTS // 23rd June 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/23/ielts-mindset-introduction-lesson/

Insults and disrespect // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3. Theme: Causing offence // 3rd Feb 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/04/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-causing-offence/

Internet // Adult Class, Level 1 // 20th February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/20/adult-class-level-1-computer-world/

Internet use by area and gender // Adult Class, Level 1 // 20th February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/20/adult-class-level-1-computer-world/

Information from poster // REM // Adult Speaking Class, Level 1: information // 16th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/16/adult-speaking-class-level-1-reading-and-asking-for-information/

Introducing yourself // Young Learners, Level 4 // 5th June 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/06/05/young-learners-level-4-introducing-yourself/

Jazz music // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2, Part 3 // 16th January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/16/adult-speaking-class-level-2-part-3/

Jazz Music // 29th October 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/10/29/jazz-music/

Job interviews // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3. Theme: Job interviews // 12th Feb 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/12/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-job-interviews/

Job interviews // IELTS // 31st January 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/01/31/ielts-job-interviews/

Kindle // IELTS 5 – 6.5. Writing example // 15th March 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/03/15/ielts-5-6-5-writing-example/

Letter ‘t’ // KG 1 // 5th May 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/05/03/surfin-safari-level-1-t-time/

Level 1 Review // Young Learners, level 1 // 3rd April 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/04/03/young-learners-level-1-review/

Loch Ness Monster // Adult Class, Level 3 // 12 November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/11/adult-class-level-3-is-was-the-butler-wasnt-it/

London

London // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3. Theme: London 3rd March 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/03/03/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-london/

London // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3. Theme: London Part 2 6th March 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/03/06/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-london-part-2/

London directions and Leytonstone // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2: London // 29th June 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/29/adult-speaking-class-level-2-london-how-do-i-get-to/

London history and architecture // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2: London // 18th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/18/adult-speaking-class-level-2-london-an-architectural-history/

London Museum of Childhood // video and questions // Young Learners, Level 1 // 2nd June 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/06/02/londons-museums-using-videos-for-young-learners-level-1/

London plan an itinerary // Young Learners, Level 6 // 26th November 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/11/26/young-learners-level-6-london-itinerary/

London street market // Adult Class, Level 3 // 14 November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/14/adult-class-level-3-cant-buy-me-love/

London tourism // Adult Class, Level 3 // 19th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/20/adult-class-level-3-tell-me-more-tell-me-more/

London: what to see // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2: London // 22nd May 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/05/22/adult-speaking-class-level-2-london-what-do-you-want-to-see/

London: unusual buildings // IELTS / Adult Speaking Class, Level 2 // 6th September 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/09/06/unusual-london-buildings-what-do-you-think-they-are/

Love and marriage // condensed lesson // 28th December 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/12/28/love-and-marriage-the-best-bits/

Love and marriage // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2 // 11th January 2020 Theme: Love & marriage: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/11/adult-speaking-class-theme-traffic/

Love and marriage // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2. Theme: Love & marriage Part 2: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/12/adult-speaking-class-theme-love-marriage-part-2/

Love, marriage, children // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2 // 13th January 2020 Theme: Love & marriage Part 3: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/13/adult-speaking-class-theme-love-and-marriage-part-3/

Maths // basic vocabulary // 4th December 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/12/04/love-minus-zero-basic-vocabulary-for-maths/

May Day – history, myth and politics //Adult Speaking Class, Level 2: May Day // 5th May 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/05/04/adult-speaking-class-level-2-may-day/

Making excuses IELTS // Speaking exercises // small talk & making excuses // 12th May 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/05/12/ielts-speaking-exercises/

Manufacturing in Vietnam // IELTS // 30th July 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/07/30/ielts-speaking-practice-manufacturing-in-vietnam/

Mobile phones // Adult Class, Level 3 // 8th January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/08/adult-class-level-3-jan-2019-when-life-gives-you-lemons-make-lemonade/

Money // Adult Class, Level 3 // 14 November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/14/adult-class-level-3-cant-buy-me-love/

Money // Plan a luxury day // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2, Part 3: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/14/adult-class-level-3-cant-buy-me-love/

Murder mysteries // Adult Class, Level 3 // 12th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/11/adult-class-level-3-is-was-the-butler-wasnt-it/

Music // Genres and blog post (T-ara) // Young Teens // 21st June 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/06/21/teenage-ielts-challenge/

Music // Introduction to the Orchestra // Super Summer Project // 5th July 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/07/05/young-persons-guide-to-music-a-summer-school-project/

Oasis: What IS the story ? // Young Learners, Level 4 // 20th March 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/03/20/what-is-the-story-morning-glory-learning-english-with-the-oasis-lads/

Oasis: What’s the Story, Morning Glory Remastered // Young Learners // 24th March 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/03/24/whats-the-story-morning-glory-remastered/

Olympics (London, Beijing) // Adult Professionals // 10th February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/10/adult-mechanics-olympics-going-for-gold/

Orion constellation // Teenagers: Architecture & Mythology // 13th March 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/03/13/teenagers-architecture-and-mythology/

Personality adjectives // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3, Personality adjectives // 7th June 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/07/adult-speaking-class-level-3-whats-your-type/

Photography and photos descriptions (advanced) // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2, // 25th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/25/adult-speaking-class-level-2-talk-about-your-friends/

Politics // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3 // 17th January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/17/adult-speaking-class-level-3/

Beatrix Potter // Young Learners, Level 1: let’s write a story // 13th October 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/10/13/young-learners-level-1-lets-write-a-story/

Presentation skills // Teenagers // 20th January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/20/teen-team-project-tourism-in-hcm/

Pyramids // Teenagers: Architecture & Mythology // 13th March 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/03/13/teenagers-architecture-and-mythology/

QI: Quite Interesting // ten interesting facts // Teaching Notes // 27th July 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/07/27/qi-quite-interesting/

QI Part 2 // Seven misconceptions // Teaching Notes // 13th may 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/05/13/qi-part-2-how-much-is-true/

Reading practice // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3. Theme: Crime & Punishment: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/01/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-crime-and-punishment/

Robots // A Found Art Summer School Project // 15th July 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/07/15/we-are-the-robots-found-art-and-latent-imagination/

Rolex // Adult Class, Level 3 // 14th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/01/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-crime-and-punishment/

FDR and the second Bill of Rights // 26th August 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/08/26/fdr-and-the-2nd-bill-of-rights/

Shinkanshen (Bullet Train) // Adult professionals. Mechanics, Part 3 // 7th Feb 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/07/adult-professionals-mechanics-part-3/

Shopping

Shopping // compilation of blogs for adult classes // 14th December 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/12/14/shopping-vocabulary-speaking-exercises-fixed-prices-fixed-expressions/

Shops and shopping (and role-play) // Young Learners 3 // 17th August 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/08/12/young-learners-level-3-whats-the-matter/

Shop work (role-play) // Young Learners 3 // 3rd August 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/07/31/young-learners-level-3-lets-work/

Shopping // buying presents, Black Friday, conversation practice // Adult Speaking Class, level 2 // 20th December 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/12/20/adult-speaking-class-level-2/

Shopping Deciding what to buy // Adult Speaking Class Level 2 // 11th May 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/05/10/adult-speaking-class-level-2-deciding-what-to-buy/

Shopping, haggling, role – play // Adult Speaking Class Level 2: Going shopping // 7th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/07/adult-speaking-class-level-2-going-shopping-looking-for-a-bargain/

Shopping (role play) //Can’t buy me love // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3 // 14th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/14/adult-class-level-3-cant-buy-me-love/

Signs, symbols, icons // 21st August 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/08/21/signs-symbols-and-icons-information-and-worksheet/

Small talk // Adult Class, Level 3 // 26th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/26/adult-class-level-3-a-diva-moi/

Smoking and No Tobacco Day // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3. Theme: Health // 27th Jan. 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/27/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-health/

Solar system & space // Young Learners, Level 4 // 16th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/15/young-learners-level-4-can-you-hear-me-major-tom-2/

Space & science // Young Learners, Level 4 // 6th June 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/06/06/young-learners-level-4-can-you-hear-me-major-tom/

Street crime // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3: Street crime // 23rd July 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/07/23/adult-speaking-class-level-3-street-crime/

Stereotypes // Adult Class, Level 3 // Bob Dylan // 19th August 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/08/16/adult-class-level-3-class-1-stereotypes/

Stereotypes // Adult Class, Level 3: Generally speaking // 28th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/28/adult-class-level-3-generally-speaking/

Stories in basic English (1001 Nights) // Adult Speaking Class, level 2, Part 6b // 24th January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/24/adult-speaking-class-level-2-part-6/

Superheroes – Captain Vietnam // Young learners, Level 5 // 13th December 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/12/13/captain-viet-nam-superheroes-by-super-kids/

Superheroes – Captain Vietnam // Young learners // 14th June 2024: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2024/06/14/captain-vietnam-part-ii/

Tallest, longest, biggest // Young Learners 5 // 10th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/07/young-learners-level-5-because-its-there/

Technology (old) // Young Learners 5 // 17th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/16/young-learners-level-5-cracking-the-enigma/

Totem poles // Young Teens // 26th March 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/03/26/young-teens-totem-poles-history-and-meaning/

Train facts, videos & information // Train kept a-rollin’ // Adult Class Level 3 // 12th September 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/09/18/adult-speaking-class-level-3-2/

Travel

Holiday plans (Buenos Aires, Nairobi, Copenhagen, Moscow) // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2 // 20th May 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/05/20/adult-speaking-class-level-2-holiday-plans/

Holiday projects : Bangkok, Munich, Ha Noi, Egypt, London // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3 // 9th June 2020

Munich: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/09/adult-speaking-class-level-3-holiday-project-munich-germany/

Ha Noi: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/09/adult-speaking-class-level-3-holiday-project-ha-noi-viet-nam/

Egypt: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/09/adult-speaking-class-level-3-holiday-project-egypt/

Bangkok: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/09/adult-speaking-class-level-3-holiday-project-bangkok/

IELTS Project // Holiday language, prepare an advert, plan a day // IELTS // 16th June 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/16/ielts-project-holidays-and-travel-language/

Tourism (Thailand, VN & project) // Teenagers // 20th January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/20/teen-team-project-tourism-in-hcm/

Traffic // vocabulary // Vietnam cop & ‘Top Gear in Vietnam’ // 7th December 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/12/07/traffic-talking-points/

Traffic and travel // Adult Speaking Class // Theme: Traffic // 9th January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/09/adult-speaking-class-theme-travel-traffic/

Traffic in Vietnam // Adult Class, Level 3 // Traffic cop & Top Gear videos //25th December 2018: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2018/12/26/adult-class-level-3-2/

Travel: airport to city centre (HCM) // IELTS // 10th February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/10/ielts-have-love-will-travel/

Travel: On vacation // Young Learners, Level 4 U 8 // 15th June 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/06/14/young-learners-level-4-this-is-the-best-part-of-the-trip/

Travel USA: planning // Adult Speaking Class, level 3: USA sun, surf, sand // 18th May 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/05/18/adult-speaking-class-level-3-lets-go-to-san-francisco-or-boston-or-chicago/

Travel USA: 3 cities // Adult Speaking Class, level 3: San Fran, Boston, Chicago // 18th May 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/05/18/adult-speaking-class-level-3-lets-go-to-san-francisco-or-boston-or-chicago/

Tuareg people // Adult Speaking Class, level 3. Theme:Travel // 11th February 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/11/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-travel/

Turbulence // Adult Professionals / Mechanics Part 2 // 23rd January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/23/adult-professionals-mechanics-part-2/

UNESCO // Young Teens // 31st January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/31/young-teens-unesco-sites/

UNESCO // Young Teens // 27th February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/27/young-teens-course-review/

Van Heusen shirts // Adult Class, Level 3 // 14th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/14/adult-class-level-3-cant-buy-me-love/

Vietnam

April 30th Vietnam // Adult Speaking Class, level 3: April 30th // 5th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/05/adult-speaking-class-level-3-remembering-april-30th/

Sai Gon, then and now // Young Learners, Level 4 // 3rd May 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/05/03/sai-gon-then-and-now/

Vietnamese business icons //Adult Class, Level 3// 5th November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/05/adult-class-level-3-business-icons/

Vietnamese cities // Adult Class, Level 3 // 21st November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/20/adult-class-level-3-tell-me-more-tell-me-more/

Vietnamese places // Young Learners 5 // 27th October 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/10/26/young-learners-level-5-around-the-world-in-eighty-minutes/

Vietnamese food // Young Teens // 27th February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/27/young-teens-course-review/

Vietnamese party food // Sai Gon General Notes // 19th May 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/05/19/vietnamese-party-food/

Vietnam Landmark 81 // Adult Professionals / Mechanics Part 2 // 23rd January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/23/adult-professionals-mechanics-part-2/

Vietnamese law and police // (Sir Ian McKellen, film genres) // Adult Class, Level 1 // 5th March 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/03/05/adult-class-level-1-waiting-for-frodo/

Vietnam largest cave // Hang Soon Dong cave // Young Learners, Level 5 // 18th November 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/11/18/young-learners-level-5-what-are-you-doing-how-do-you-feel/

Vietnam Hang Soon Dong cave // Young Teens // 27th February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/27/young-teens-course-review/

Vietnamese noise pollution // Don’t get mad, get even // 17th January 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/01/17/16196/

Vietnam Sai Gon for kids //Young Learners 4 // 23rd November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/21/young-learners-level-4-were-all-going-on-a-summer-holiday/

Vietnam: Top Gear in Vietnam // Adult Professionals// 16th December 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/12/16/adult-mechanics-what-can-possibly-go-wrong/

Vietnam: Plan a day out for children in Sai Gon // We’re all going on a summer holiday // Young Learners, Level 4 // 23rd November 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/11/21/young-learners-level-4-were-all-going-on-a-summer-holiday/

Tet Holiday // IELTS // 28th January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/28/ielts-the-limits-of-my-language-are-the-limits-of-my-world/

Tet Holiday // Young Learners // 16th January 2023: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2023/01/16/young-learners-tell-me-about-tet/

War Museum, Sai Gon // Adult Class, Level 3 // 15th December 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/12/15/adult-class-level-3-sentence-building/

War Remnants Museums, Sai Gon // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3 // 28th January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/28/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-war-museum-sai-gon/

Weather: snow and floods // Beginners’ English, Part 2 // 9th January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/09/beginners-english-part-2/

Weekend plans: lies and exaggerations // vocabulary and activities // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2 // 21st December 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/12/21/adult-speaking-class-level-2-how-was-your-weekend/

Wi-Fi and mobile phones (Green Bank, USA) // Adult Speaking Class, Level 2 // 1st March 2012: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/03/01/adult-speaking-class-level-2-maintain-radio-silence/

Workplace: issues & problems // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3. Theme: Work-place problems // 5th February 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/02/06/adult-speaking-class-level-3-theme-work-problems/

Yoga & exercise // IELTS writing practice // 25th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/25/ielts-writing-practice-yoga-health-well-being/

Subject Index: IELTS – themes, language, exercises

4th December 2020

An index of various IELTS classes and topics useful to IELTS students

Subject // Lesson // Date

Pre-IELTS challenge: creative writing, plan a day, pronunciation // Adult Class Level 3 // 30th May 2020

IELTS classroom rules // What I expect from you // 7th August 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/08/07/ielts-what-i-expect-from-you/

IELTS classroom behaviour // An open blog // 14th January 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/01/14/to-my-ielts-students-an-open-blog/

IELTS: Final Review // 5th March 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/03/05/ielts-final-review/

IELTS: Mindset first day warm up // IELTS: Mindset // 23rd June 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/23/ielts-mindset-introduction-lesson/

IELTS Mindset 2: First Review // idioms, complex sentences, introductions, L-FWs) // 22nd December 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/12/22/ielts-mindset-2-first-review/

IELTS Mindset 2: Mini Review // idioms & relative pronouns // 11th January 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/01/11/ielts-mini-lesson-review/

How to pass IELTS (with flying colours) // IELTS // 26th July 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/07/26/ielts-how-to-pass-with-flying-colours/

How to attain 8.5 // IELTS: Chasing 8 1/2 // 12th October 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/10/12/ielts-8-1-2-chasing-8-1-2/

IELTS Oral Test // A reminder of what you need to say // 17th September 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/09/17/ielts-oral-test-a-refresher/

Speaking Test Part 3 // IELTS: How to nail it // IELTS // 12th September 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/09/15/ielts-speaking-test-part-3-how-to-nail-it/

Speaking Test Part 3 // Theme: Education // 24th September 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/09/24/ielts-speaking-test-part-3-theme-education/

Speaking Test Part 3 // Tackling Part 3 // 19th April 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/04/19/ielts-tackling-part-3/

Speaking Test practice // Sisyphus as metaphor // 10th May 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/05/10/ielts-sisyphus-as-metaphor/

IELTS 5 – 6.5 // all lesson plans // 13th August 2019 – 15th March 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/category/ielts-5-6-5/

Animal expressions // Animal Crackers // 10th August 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/08/10/ielts-animal-crackers-animal-expressions-to-impress-examiners/

Animal expressions // N – Z // 12th August 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/08/12/ielts-animal-magic-expressions-n-z/

Apple workers in China // IELTS // 30th July 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/07/30/ielts-speaking-practice-manufacturing-in-vietnam/

Australia // IELTS 5-6.5 // 21st August 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/08/15/ielts-5-6-5-i-come-from-a-land-down-under/

Cinema: Describe your favourite film // 16th March 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/03/16/ielts-talking-pictures-describe-a-favourite-film/

Complaints // IELTS: Making complaints // 24th July 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/07/24/ielts-speaking-practice-making-complaints-writing-blogs/

Electronic devises (Part 2 sample answer) // IELTS speaking exercise // 4th March 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/03/04/ielts-chunking-express-final-lesson/

Famous Vietnamese // (Ngô Thanh Vân, Vo Thi Sao) // IELTS Lesson 3 – May The Force Be With You // 14th January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/14/ielts-lesson-3-may-the-force-be-with-you/

Food // British Food // IELTS // 28th September 2020:

General // IELTS // 19th February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/19/ielts-travel-follow-up/

General // IELTS: Final Review // 5th March 2019

Holidays from Hell // IELTS // 10th February 2019: Travel: my stay in Bangkok in pictures // IELTS // 10th February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/10/ielts-have-love-will-travel/

Hometown, cities, neighbourhoods // IELTS 5 // 31st December 2018: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/03/ielts-5-reading-listening/

Hometown & neighbourhood // IELTS // My Hometown // 28th October 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/10/28/ielts-my-hometown/

Hometowns & neighbourhoods // new vocab and idioms // There are places // 6th October 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/10/06/ielts-there-are-places-ill-remember/

Hometowns & neighbourhoods // Part 2 speaking practice // 4th April 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/04/04/ielts-hometowns-neighbourhoods-speaking-test-part-two-practice/

IELTS introduction (survey) // IELTS // 31st December 2018: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/03/ielts-5-reading-listening/

India // IELTS: Hello, India // 24th January 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/01/24/ielts-hello-india/

India // IELTS: Hello, India // 18th October 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/10/17/ielts-focus-on-india/

Japan // Focus on Japan // Listening & paraphrasing skills // 18th October 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/10/18/ielts-focus-on-japan/

Job interviews – language and role playing // 31st January 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/01/31/ielts-job-interviews/

Kindle // IELTS 5 – 6.5. Writing example // 15th March 2020

Kindle // writing exercise // Chungking Express // 4th March 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/03/04/ielts-chunking-express-final-lesson/

Making excuses // IELTS // Speaking // small talk, making excuses // 12th May 2020

Manufacturing in Vietnam // IELTS // 30th July 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/07/30/ielts-speaking-practice-manufacturing-in-vietnam/

Mindset first day warm up // IELTS: Mindset // 23rd June 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/23/ielts-mindset-introduction-lesson/

Plan a day compilation activities // hotels, itineraries, travel vocabulary // IELTS // 16th December 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/12/16/ielts-planning-a-day-out/

Plan a day: What my friends can so in Sai Gon // IELTS 5-6.5 // 21st August 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/category/ielts-5-6-5/

Schools in UK // IELTS: UK school system // IELTS // 17th September 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/09/17/ielts-the-uk-school-system/

Shopping // IELTS Speaking 4.5 // types of shopping // 7th January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/06/ielts-4-5-speaking-class/

Shopping // IELTS-level exercises //IELTS, theme: shopping // 5th August 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/08/05/ielts-theme-shopping/

Technology & conversation topics // Good Technology // 19th October 2020

Tet Holiday // IELTS // 28th January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/28/ielts-the-limits-of-my-language-are-the-limits-of-my-world/

Travel

Travel: airport to city centre // IELTS // 10th February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/10/ielts-have-love-will-travel/

Travel in two minutes // IELTS // 19th February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/19/ielts-travel-follow-up/

Travel // IELTS 5-6.5 // 14th August 2019

Travel: my stay in Bangkok in pictures // IELTS // 10th February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/10/ielts-have-love-will-travel/

Travel: Part 2 question // 10th April 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/04/10/ielts-travel-questions/

Travel: one day in Sai Gon // IELTS 5-6.5 // 14th August 2019 //

Travel: recommend a holiday // IELTS // 4th March 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/03/04/ielts-chunking-express-final-lesson/

What’s the story (lazy student) // IELTS // 7th January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/06/ielts-4-5-speaking-class/

Yoga & exercise // IELTS writing practice // 25th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/25/ielts-writing-practice-yoga-health-well-being/

IELTS Games:

IELTS: warm up games // https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/25/ielts-warm-up-games/

Pre-IELTS challenge: creative writing, plan a day, pronunciation // Adult Class Level 3 // 30th May 2020

IELTS Project // Holidays prepare an advert, plan a day // IELTS // 16th June 2020

Call My Bluff // IELTS 5-6.5 // 28th August 2019

Chinese Whispers // IELTS 5-6.5 // 4th September 2019

Complex sentences // 7th February 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/02/07/ielts-lets-get-complex/

Friends (men) // Personality adjectives & occupations // 28th December 2018: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2018/12/28/friends-men-teaching-sheet/

Role-play: shopping// IELTS 5-6.5 // 28th August 2019

What’s the Story ? (Chinese film) // IELTS 5-6.5 // 11th September 2019

Word Bomb // IELTS, Love it, hate it, not my cup of tea // 21st January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/21/ielts-i-love-it-i-hate-it-its-not-my-cup-of-tea-its-ok/

Word Games // Getting across the line // 5th January 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/01/05/ielts-getting-across-the-line-how-to-boost-your-vocabulary-plus-class-games/

Films

Chungking Express (film) // IELTS // 16th April 2019 /// IELTS // 4th March 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/03/04/ielts-chunking-express-final-lesson/

Ing …(film) // IELTS 5-6.5 // 4th September 2019

Lost in Translation // IELTS // What do you like this film ? // 6th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/06/ielts-mindset-why-do-you-like-the-film/

Not One Less (video clip) // IELTS 5-6.5 // 25th September 2019

The Owl and the Sparrow (Vietnam) // IELTS // 16th April 2019

Social Network // IELTS 5-6.5 // 4th September 2019 //

Star Wars The Last Jedi // IELTS // 14th January 2019

Take Care of my Cat (South Korea) // IELTS // 16th April 2019

Tokyo Story (Japan) // IELTS // 16th April 2019

Grammar

Adverb exercise // IELTS: use adverbs frequently // 3rd July 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/07/03/ielts-use-adverbs-frequently-correctly-and-confidently/

Discourse Markers // IELTS // 18th February 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/02/18/ielts-discourse-markers/

Discourse Markers // IELTS 5-6.5 // 25th September 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/09/25/ielts-5-6-5-all-you-need-is-love-and-relative-pronouns/

Discourse Markers // IELTS // 7th January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/06/ielts-4-5-speaking-class/

Discourse Markers // IELTS 5 – 6.5. Writing example // 15th March 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/03/15/ielts-5-6-5-writing-example/

IELTS 5 – 6.5. Writing example // 15th March 2020:

IELTS ‘ness’ or ‘ment’ ? // 28th January 2019:

Relative clauses and complex sentences // family // 17th February 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/02/17/ielts-relatives-relatively-speaking/

Relative pronouns quiz // IELTS Review // vocabulary, discourse, sentence building // 25th June 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/25/ielts-review-the-basics-you-should-know-before-your-test/

Relative pronouns // IELTS // 1st July 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/07/01/ielts-its-all-relative-relative-clause-practice/

Relative pronouns and complex sentences // 16th February 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/02/16/ielts-relatively-speaking/

Idioms

Advanced idioms (chasing 8 1/2) // Get your motor running // 15th October 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/10/12/ielts-8-1-2-chasing-8-1-2/

Expressions and phrases // IELTS // 19th February 2019

Expressions using ‘feet’ // IELTS // 25th November 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/11/25/ielts-some-footnotes-to-help-you-stand-on-your-own-two-feet/

Idioms: An introduction // IELTS // 17th March 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/03/17/ielts-hitting-the-ground-running-an-introduction-to-idioms-for-a-new-class/

Idioms: everyday idioms, everyday // Teaching Notes // 3rd June 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/06/02/everyday-idioms-everyday/

Idioms: a piece of cake // Teaching Notes // 1st June 2020

Idioms: are you pulling my leg ? // Teaching Notes // 2nd June 2020

Idioms: food // Adult Speaking Class, Level 3: food // 19th April 2020

Idioms: part 3 extended idioms use // Teaching Notes // 4th June 2020

Idioms // Adult Speaking Class / IELTS: Right up your street // 26th August 2020

IELTS // idioms and vocab games // Preparing for speaking test // 15th May 2020

Idioms (sweets) // IELTS // 19th February 2019

New idioms for Semester 2 // Fluency, intonation & stress // 15th October 2020

Pronunciation & Listening Practice

Listening Practice // Listening skills: Tips & links: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/23/listening-skills-tips-and-links/

Newsreader activity // Mindset 2, Lesson 1 // idioms, just a minute // 15th April 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/04/15/mindset-2-lesson-1-say-it-feel-it-ace-it/

Pronunciation, intonation & stress // IELTS, intonation Volume 1 // 16th November 2020 https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/11/16/ielts-intonation-stress-let-me-feel-the-emotion-volume-1/

Speaking Practice: Read all about it (Obama, Trump, Biden, Abbot, Barcow) // 2nd November 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/11/02/speaking-practice-read-all-about-it/

Sentence building & Vocabulary

Database of idioms, L-FWs & expressions // 22nd October 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/10/22/ielts-language-bank-idioms-and-l-fws-you-need-to-have-at-your-beck-and-call/

IELTS expressions (heart & gold) // 18th April 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/04/18/ielts-a-heart-of-gold-and-other-expressions/

IELTS vocabulary building // IELTS: Vocabulary activities // 24th April 2020

IELTS vocabulary & expressions review // IELTS: The story so far // 7th July 2020

IELTS basic sentence building // IELTS // 28th January 2019 // // IELTS // 14th January 2019

IELTS complex sentences // What did you do, will you do ? // 7th September 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/09/06/ielts-complex-sentences/

IELTS complex sentences // Introduction // 23rd November 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/11/23/ielts-introduction-to-complex-sentences/

IELTS complex sentences practice // 4th March 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/03/04/ielts-complex-sentences-practice-and-more-practice/

IELTS complex sentences // IELTS, Mindset: Complex sentences (T-ara, 007, Tsai Ing-wen) // 30th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/30/ielets-mindset-complex-sentences/

IELTS complex sentences // It’s not that complicated // 24th May 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/05/24/ielts-complex-sentences-its-not-that-complicated/

IELTS complex sentences practice // 15th January 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/01/15/ielts-complex-sentences-practice/

IELTS complex sentences practice #2 // 18th January 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/01/18/ielts-complex-sentences-practice-2/

Bad Day – create a narrative // IELTS: Lesson 3 // 19th January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/14/ielts-lesson-3-may-the-force-be-with-you/

Bad Student – create a narrative // IELTS Speaking Class 4.5 // 7th January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/06/ielts-4-5-speaking-class/

Bangkok – create a narrative // 10th February 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/02/10/ielts-have-love-will-travel/

Cities, areas, descriptions // IELTS // 31st December 2018

IELTS describe a film // IELTS // What do you like this film ? // 6th April 2020

IELTS describe a gadget // IELTS 5 – 6.5. Writing example // 15th March 2020

Expressions and phrases // IELTS // 19th February 2019

IELTS How to introduce your answer // 28th January 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/01/28/ielts-please-allow-me-to-introduce-myself/

IELTS // Quick-fire talking // Part 2 questions // 12th May 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/05/12/ielts-quick-fire-talking/

IELTS // Replace standard English with IELTS language // 19th August 2020

IELTS // Review // vocabulary, discourse markers, sentence building // 25th June 2020

Match the phrase to the meaning // IELTS, Love it, hate it, not my cup of tea // 21st January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/21/ielts-i-love-it-i-hate-it-its-not-my-cup-of-tea-its-ok/

Sentence building // IELTS //22nd July 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/07/22/ielts-sentence-building/

Sentence building; a piece of cake (Mr Bean, Converse, Apple) // IELTS // 16th August 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/08/16/ielts-sentence-building-a-piece-of-cake/

Speaking, writing, thinking // Going online / hometown // 229th March 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/03/29/ielts-speaking-writing-thinking-the-ielts-way/

Tet Holiday – create a narrative // IELTS: The limits of my language … // 28th January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/28/ielts-the-limits-of-my-language-are-the-limits-of-my-world/

Vocabulary boosting & fixed expressions // 27th January 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/01/27/ielts-vocabulary-boosting-fixed-expression-theres-nothing-i-like-more/

Vocabulary building // using L-FWs & signpost language // 5th January 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/01/05/ielts-getting-across-the-line-how-to-boost-your-vocabulary-plus-class-games/

Vocabulary building for Level 2 // 4th May 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/05/04/ielts-vocabulary-bank-to-help-you-ace-the-test/

What difference (definitions) // IELTS 5-6.5 // 25th September 2019

Speaking exercises

IELTS: How to pass with flying colours // 26th July 2020 (using idioms and low-frequency words and expressions in your speaking test) https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/07/26/ielts-how-to-pass-with-flying-colours/

British Food // Sample answers // IELTS // 27th, 29th September, 1st October 2020

Complaining // IELTS making complaints // 24th July 2020

Electronic devises // IELTS speaking exercise // 4th March 2019

Everyday expressions // IELTS / Adult Speaking 3 // Everyday expressions // 28th August 2020

Everyday expressions database // IELTS / Adult Speaking 3 // 25th August 2020

Fluency, intonation & stress // Get Your Motor Runnin’ // 15th October 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/10/12/ielts-8-1-2-chasing-8-1-2/

Friends game & review on introductions // IELTS Mindset 1, Lesson 6 // 20th April 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/04/20/ielts-mindset-1-lesson-6-speaking-speaking-and-more-speaking/

IELTS // intonation and stress // speaking exercises // 31st August 2020

Like or dislike // IELTS // 16th April 2019

Music // IELTS // 16th April 2019

Music // IELTS 5-6.5 // 11th September 2019

Music // IELTS 5-6.5 // 25th September 2019

Notes for fluent speaking // 21st January 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/01/21/ielts-notes-for-fluent-speaking/

One of those days // IELTS // 14th January 2019

Part 2 sample answer // Chungking Express // 4th March 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/03/04/ielts-chunking-express-final-lesson/

Phrases // IELTS // 21st January 2019

Pre-Speaking Test review // idioms, L-FW, pronunciation // 30th September 2020

IELTS // Quick-fire talking // Part 2 questions // 12th May 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/05/12/ielts-quick-fire-talking/

Small talk // IELTS 5-6.5 // 28th August 2019

IELTS // Preparing for speaking test // 14th May 2020

IELTS: Speaking Test checklist // 12th February 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/02/12/ielts-speaking-test-checklist/

IELTS // Speaking practice: “lend me your ears,” // Activities (LFWs, idioms, introductions, expressions, small talk) // 16th July 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/07/16/ielts-speaking-practice-lend-me-your-ears-and-take-a-tip-from-thay-paul/

IELTS // Speaking practice // IELTS language // IELTS // 10th August 2020

Speaking Test preparation // Last Chance Saloon // IELTS // 8th September 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/09/08/ielts-last-chance-saloon/

Speaking Test // Final run through // 25th March 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/03/25/ielts-final-round-through/

Speaking Test Part 3 // IELTS: How to nail it // IELTS // 12th September 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/09/15/ielts-speaking-test-part-3-how-to-nail-it/

Speaking Test Part 3 // IELTS: theme – education // IELTS // 24th September 2020

IELTS // Speaking exercises // small talk & making excuses // 12th May 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/05/12/ielts-speaking-exercises/

Video Clips

Vietnam on video Part 1 (3 clips: beer / weird culture / superstitions // Part 1 // 23rd October 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/10/23/vietnam-on-video-part-1/

Vietnam on Video Part 2 (Ha Noi & SG, Top Gear driving school, Floyd on pho) // 26th October 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/10/26/vietnam-on-video-part-2/

Australian hero – Aussie slang // IELTS 5-6.5 // 21st August 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/08/15/ielts-5-6-5-i-come-from-a-land-down-under/

Complaints // IELTS: Making complaints // 24th July 2020

Corona Virus Government video // IELTS 4 – 5 // Implementing precautions // 25th March 2020

Damn fine coffee // IELTS 5-6.5 // 4th September 2019

London street trader // IELTS 5-6.5 // 28th August 2019

Not One Less // IELTS 5-6.5 // 25th September 2019

Social Network // IELTS 5-6.5 // 4th September 2019

Vietnam – country in transition // IELTS // 30th July 2019

Vietnamese beer review (Sai Gon Red) // IELTS // 21st January 2019: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2019/01/21/ielts-i-love-it-i-hate-it-its-not-my-cup-of-tea-its-ok/

Vietnam (unexpected things vlog) // IELTS 5-6.5 // 14th August 2019

Mark Wiens Kolkata, India // IELTS: Hello, India // 24th January 2020

Writing Examples

IELTS David Bowie // information from a text and rewriting // 23rd April 2022: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2022/04/23/david-bowie-by-request/

IELTS language // IELTS 5 – 6.5. Writing example // 15th March 2020

IELTS // Writing exercises // re-arrange poor writing // 12th May 2020

IELTS // IELTS 5 – 6.5. Writing example // 15th March 2020

IELTS writing practice // Yoga & exercise // 25th April 2020: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2020/04/25/ielts-writing-practice-yoga-health-well-being/

Review Lessons

IELTS // Mindset 1 Lesson 1 // Happy St Patrick’s Day // 17th March 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/03/17/ielts-hitting-the-ground-running-an-introduction-to-idioms-for-a-new-class/

IELTS // Mindset 1, Lesson 2 // Tet Holiday, Cinema, Ms Hanna from Ha Noi // 24th March 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/03/24/ielts-mindset-1-lesson-2-review/

IELTS // Mindset 1, Lesson 4 // Introductions, speaking practice, karaoke bars // 7th April 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/04/07/ielts-mindset-1-lesson-4-review/

IELTS // Mindset 1, Lesson 5 // Day out for Ethan // 14th April 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/04/14/ielts-mindset-1-lesson-5-review/

IELTS // Mindset 1, Lesson 2 // Introduce your family & relative clauses // 21st April 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/04/21/ielts-mindset-1-lesson-6-review/

IELTS // Relative clauses, Bad day narrative, April 30th // Mindset 1 & 2 // 26th April 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/04/26/ielts-mindset-create-narratives-april-30th/

IELTS // Relative clauses & directions // Mindset 1 & 2 // 29th April 2021: https://thaypaulsnotes.com/2021/04/29/ielts-mindset-1-lesson-7-review/