Using: WISH

Talking about the present

• If only I didn’t have so much homework I could go to the concert tonight. She has a lot of homework and she can’t go to the concert.
• I wish you didn’t live so far away.
• I wish I knew what to do.

When we talk about present regrets, both wish and if only are followed by the past simple tense. The past tense emphasises that we are talking about something ‘unreal’.

Talking about the past

• I wish I’d studied harder when I was at school. He didn’t study harder when he was at school.
• I wish I hadn’t eaten all that chocolate. I feel sick.
• If only I’d known you were coming.

Both wish and if only are followed by the past perfect tense when we talk about past regrets.

Wish/if only and would

We use wish + would to talk about something in the present that we would like to change – usually something that we find annoying.

• I wish you wouldn’t borrow my clothes without asking.
• I wish it would rain. The garden really needs some water.
• I wish you’d give up smoking. it’s really bad for you.

NB We can only use wish + would to talk about things we can’t change.

So I wish I wouldn’t eat so much chocolate is not possible although we can say I wish I didn’t eat so much chocolate.

PRACTICE:

1. http://www.examenglish.com/grammar/wish_if_only.htm

2. http://www.eflnet.com/grammar/wish.php

3. http://www.better-english.com/grammar/wishes.htm

7 reasons why learning a language is a good thing to do

There are lots of good reasons why learning a language is something everyone should do! Here are 7
of our favourite:

1. Develop self-confidence (and have fun too)
Being able to speak and understand a foreign language is incredibly rewarding and a serious confidence booster. Communicating with people from different cultures and backgrounds opens doors to life experiences that otherwise you would never have. 

2. Do something cool in your free time

Attending a language course is a great way to spend your time. You can meet new people from all different backgrounds that you usually wouldn't have the chance to meet. Most schools offer extra social activities too, so not only is it a good way to make new friends, there should be lots of opportunity to practise the language you are learning.

3. Meet new people and develop life-long friendships
These objectives are well worth aspiring for, and learning another language is a sure way to expedite that process.

4. Keep your mind sharp
Learning a language actually increases your BRAIN POWER! Many studies find that students who are learning a language, tend also to score better in other subjects. Researchers from University College London has shown that learning other languages altered grey matter – the area of the brain which processes information – in the same way exercise builds muscles. 

5. Discover a new culture
Enter into new worlds and learn about music, film, food, literature, customs, traditions, the arts: the list of fabulous things that culture brings to our lives is endless. You can learn a lot about a culture, but you can’t feel it fully without throwing yourself in, and that begins with the language.

6. Transform your travel experience

Learning a few phrases and useful words of the country you are visiting will usually result in warm smiles and invitations for drinks!  Best of all, it will enrich your life by offering you a deeper understanding of the culture and history of the people you’ll encounter. 

7. Improve your employability 

We live in an increasingly globalized world and companies are constantly expanding overseas and dealing with clients from all over the world. Between two candidates with the exact same skill set and experience, the person who is bilingual is arguably much more likely to get the job.

If only I didn't have to study English grammar ...

Use of I wish / if only:

There are three distinct types of  I wish / if only  sentences:

1. Wish, wanting change for the present or future with the simple past.
2. Regret with the past perfect.
3. Complaints with would + verb.

See below for grammar explanation

Click here for practice 1

Click here for practice 2

Expressing a wish:

Form:

If only / I wish + simple past

Example:

If only I knew how to use a computer. (I don’t know how to use a computer and I would like to learn how to use it)

Use:

• To express a wish in the present or in the future.
• The simple past here is an unreal past.
• When you use the verb to be the form is “were”.
  Example:
  I wish I were a millionaire!

Expressing regret:

Form:

If only / I wish + past perfect

Example:

If only I had woken up early. (I didn't wake up early and I missed my bus.)

Use:

• To express a regret.
• The action is past.

Complaining:

Form:

I wish / if only + would + verb

Example:

I wish you wouldn't arrive so late all the time (I'm annoyed because you always come late and I want you to arrive on time)

Use:

• To complain about a behavior that you disapprove.
• Expressing impatience, annoyance or dissatisfaction with a present action.

Explanation from My English Pages 

Laboratorio in Inglese: Play Date!

Un laboratorio per divertimento e attività in 

lingua inglese! 

Giocheremo e faremo attività ricreative ed educative: il laboratorio 'Play Date' si terrà febbraio 6 e 13 di febbraio dalle 14.30 alle 16.30 presso IngleseFirenze Via del Campuccio 88. 

Iscrivere: Obbligatoria la prenotazione. I posti sono limitati. Email asap to book your place.

Condizioni: il contribuzione è di €14. (€9 per i soci) è aperta a tutti i bambini dagli 3 ai 13 anni.

Play School offers the perfect opportunity for kids to play and socialise in English. With winter here, it is also the perfect time to settle down to some good kids crafts: the days are short, the cold discourages playing outside, crafting and playing will keep your kids busy! What's more, it's a perfect way to practise and have fun in English!

IngleseFirenze
Associazione Culturale

Via del Campuccio 88

50125

www.inglesefirenze.it
340 536 9867

Online Grammar practice

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Our Christmas present to you .... homework :)

Only kidding! Here is a list of useful links for English practice over the holidays.

Have fun!
K&G

Listening:

TV and Film

Radio

Ted Talks

-Beginners -Elementary

Click here for course book practice

Elementary podcasts

Listening: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/big-city-small-world

Pre-Intermediate - Intermediate

Elementary podcasts

Listening: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/big-city-small-world

English in everyday life: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/word-street

UK Culture: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/uk-culture

Fun and games: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/fun-and-games

Business and work: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/business-and-work

Grammar and vocab: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-and-vocabulary

Upper Intermediate and Advanced

Online Practice

Quizzes

Quizzes 2

UK Culture: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/uk-culture

Fun and games: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/fun-and-games

Come and try Yoga for kids!

Yoga for Kids!

Lezione di Prova gratuita. Free Lesson!

Sign up for a free lesson of yoga! The classes are filling up, so book your place by sending an email to info@inglesefirenze.it 

• When/Quando: Saturday 23rd January /Sabato 23 Gennaio 
• Enrol/Iscrivere: email asap to book your place. /Obbligatoria la prenotazione 
• Lessons taught by Carlotta Nucci, a qualified yoga instructor for children/ a cura di Carlotta Nucci, insegnante qualificate di Yoga per bambini

WHY YOGA FOR KIDS?

Children derive enormous benefits from yoga. Physically, it enhances their flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness. In addition, their concentration and sense of calmness and relaxation improves. Doing yoga, children exercise, play, connect more deeply with the inner self, and develop an intimate relationship with the natural world that surrounds them. 

The approach of the Himalayan tradition of Yoga for children is primarily through games.
Stories, music, games and thematic lessons will make Yoga fun and challenging, both for the body and mind. Play, learn yoga, practice speaking English and Italian ... all in one lesson!


PERCHE' YOGA FOR KIDS?

La pratica dello Yoga ha enormi vantaggi per i bambini. Fisicamente, aumenta la flessibilità, la forza, la coordinazione, e la consapevolezza del corpo. Facendo yoga i bambini non esercitano solo il fisico, ma, giocando, sviluppano la capacità di concentrazione e familiarizzano col silenzio e la calma interiore. 

L'approccio della tradizione Himalayana allo Yoga per bambini è innanzitutto attraverso il gioco. Non solo posizioni statiche e impostazione, quindi, ma soprattutto dinamismo, espressione di sè, conoscenza del corpo, concentrazione e rispetto degli altri saranno le parole chiave di ogni lezione. Storie, musica, giochi e lezioni tematiche renderanno il percorso dei bambini attraverso lo Yoga divertente e stimolante, sia per il corpo che per la mente. Giocare, fare Yoga, parlare inglese o praticare l'italiano...tutto in un'unica lezione!

Yoga Teacher
Carlotta Nucci was born in Florence to an Italian mother and an American father. Being bilingual has given her a deep understanding of the difficulties faced within each language and has enabled her to communicate effectively in both Italian and English. After graduating in Political Science, and studying photography in her spare time, she then became passionate about the traditional practice of Yoga. This then led her to study at the Himalayan Yoga Institute in Florence, where she qualified as a teacher of Yoga for children, and where she now pursuing a qualification in teaching adults.

Insegnante di Yoga

Carlotta Nucci nasce a Firenze da madre italiana e padre americano. Il bilinguismo italiano/inglese le consente di comprendere le difficoltà legate a ciascuna lingua e di comunicare in maniera efficace. Dopo una laura in Scienze Politiche affiancata dagli studi di Fotografia, di recente si è appassionata della tradizione Yoga ed ha studiato per diventare insegnate di Yoga per bambini presso l'Himalayan Yoga Institute di Firenze. Ora ha intrapreso il percorso per diventare anche insegnante di Yoga per adulti. 

Details

• Info: The lesson is free and is open to all children aged between 4 to 13. The groups will be divided by age. The lessons last 45 minutes and will take place at our school in Via del Campuccio 88 between 11.00-15.00 on Saturday the 23rd of January.
• Info: Le lezioni, gratuite sono aperte a tutti i bambini dagli 4 ai 13 anni, e i gruppi saranno divisi per età. La lezione dura 45 minuti e si terrà dalle ore 11 alle ore 15 presso alla nostra scuola in Via del Campuccio 88.  
• EMAIL to reserve a place

Laboratori in Inglese - Christmas Edition

Un laboratorio per divertimento e attività in lingua inglese! Giocheremo e faremo attività ricreative ed educative: CHRISTMAS EDITION!Il laboratorio si terrà sabato 28 novembre 15.00 - 17.00 presso Via del Campuccio 88. Obbligatoria la prenotazione.

Christmas is round the corner and now is the perfect time to settle down to some good kids crafts: the days are short, the cold discourages playing outside, crafting will keep your kids busy and take away some of their impatience and excitement while they wait for Christmas Day to arrive! What's more, it's a perfect way to practise and have fun in English!

Quando: Sabato 28 Nov 15.00-17.00 
Iscrivere: Obbligatoria la prenotazione. I posti sono limitati, per cui  email asap to book your place.
Condizioni: il contribuzione è €14. (€6 per i soci) E' aperta a tutti i bambini dagli 3 ai 13 anni.