LEARN SOMETHING BY HEART

IDIOM: LEARN SOMETHING BY HEART 

Meaning: If you learn something by heart, you memorise it

Example:

I learned my passport number by heart. 

She learned the verb endings by heart. 

Have you learned the play by heart?

Mock the week on Berlusconi (with subtitles)

Check this out - hilarious!


Difficulty level: upper intermediate+

Mock The Week on Berlusconi (with subtitles)

www.youtube.com

How to: Write a Formal email

Here are some examples of the kind of situation where you may need to write a formal email in English:

• Requesting information from a new client
• Apologising for a delay in delivery to a customer
• Complaining to a supplier about a mistake in the order
• Contacting a new contact for the first time
• Asking for information from an official website

Formal emails have a number of features which are not present in informal or more friendly emails. Here are some points to keep in mind:*
1. More formal vocabulary
compare: I am afraid we have fallen behind schedule. <> I'm sorry we're a bit late.
2. Use fewer phrasal verbs
compare: If any problems arise... <>  If any problems come up...
3. Verbs are not normally contracted
compare: I am writing to inform you that... <> I'm writing to tell you that...
4. The passive tense is common
compare: The report will be sent next week. <> I'll send it next week. 


Here are some useful phrases: 
Formal                                                                                                   
I look forward to hearing from you... (informal) Please get in touch ...
I find it most unsatisfactory ... (informal) I'm not happy ...
Thank you for your email regarding .... (informal) Thanks for the email about...
I would be grateful if you could ... (informal) Please...     
I would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. (informal) I'm sorry for any problems.
The order was dispatched ... (informal) We sent your order...
I'm writing to draw your attention to... (informal) I'm writing to let you know...
I regret to inform you ... (informal) I'm sorry to tell you ...              

Word of the week: Rather

We use RATHER to say what we prefer:


A) Do you mind if I smoke?
B) I'd* rather you didn't. 


and to state a preference between two things:


A) Do you want to eat in tonight or go out?
B) I'd rather go out! 


We use RATHER THAN to express a better option:


You should read and listen to as much English as possible rather than just study grammar.


*(I'd=I would)


(Rather can also be used as an adverb http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rather) 

Learning English - What the students say!

What a busy week I’ve been having ... and this is why I love my job!  Setting up* any business requires a bit of research and that’s what I’ve been doing the last few weeks. I’ve been speaking to folk* from all over the world - from China to Brazil, from Spain to Russia! So, first off, a BIG thank you to everyone who took the time to speak to me. 

I asked YOU, as in everyone who is learning English, to tell me about your experiences, the good and the bad. I asked you what kind of things you do to study and maintain you English and what you expect from an English teacher. 

The feedback has been fantastic. Over the next few weeks, I’m going to publish short articles on my blog with YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS and THOUGHTS about learning English. There are lots of tips and tricks* that I think you’ll all benefit from*.  

If you want to get in touch with me* to share your experiences, leave here your:

SKYPE ID

COUNTRY 

ENGLISH LEVEL

and I’ll call you soon. I’ll also give you some feedback on your spoken English.

Glossary

to set up a business = Set up (phrasal verb) has the idea of establishing a business for the first time. The expression set yourself up in business means start a business on your own.

folk = people in general

tips and tricks = advice, suggestions, clever practices or the art or knack of doing something skillfully

benefit from = to gain advantage, to make improvement 

get in touch with me = contact me

How to: Ask for something in English

Here are some tips for asking for something in English - how to be polite and how to be more direct

Listen and Read

1. Polite

• I'd like to   >  Hello. I'd like to speak to Ms Hilton please. 
• Would you mind + ING   >  Would you mind sending me a copy of the report?
• I'd be grateful if you could  >  I'd be grateful if you could send me a copy. 

2. Direct

• I'd like YOU to  >  I'd like you to pay by Friday.
• We expect you to  >  We expect you to launch the project by June. 
• Can you  >  Can you give me a call?

Tips

When asking for something, be careful with your pronunciation and intonation.

Polite  >   your voice should go up (high intonation)

Direct/demanding  > Your voice should go down (lower intonation)

TRY:

How would you ask for the following in English?

A) A return ticket to London

B) You received a wrong order from a supplier. You need them to change it.

C) Your colleague keeps forgetting to email you the project plan.

D) Your supplier is late (again).

5 tips for effective email writing in English

1. Effective subject line

2. Be focused

3. Keep it brief

4. Be concise

5. Sign off efficiently

1. Effective subject line

Brief and specific will do the job, e.g. Job Offer - Product Manager

TIP: Don’t use UPPERCASE letters and don’t use exclamation marks (!) - you risk your email going straight to spam. 

2. Be focused

People are busy! They receive lots of emails per day so don’t waste their time. Get to the point.

3. Keep it brief

Do you like reading long emails? Probably not... use short paragraphs (3-5 sentences per paragraph) - it’s easier to read.

TIP: Do not write your email in your own language first and then translate it into English - it will be too long!  Think in English and then write it down. It is difficult at the start but the more you practise the more time you will save.

4. Be concise

If you are concise, your email will be focused and brief. Try to cut out words which do not add to the meaning. 

Tip: Don’t use five words when one will do. 

Compare:

- Thank you for your letter in which you ask several questions about our activities.

- Thank you for you letter of Feb 23rd.

- It was a very sad terrible tragedy.

- It was a tragedy.

- So, basically it was like not really very good.

- It was bad.

5. Sign off efficiently

Close your email by thanking the recipient for their time and prod (incoraggiare) them for a reciprocating action, e.g. I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

(see also: Emailing ... common sense please!)

Hope it helps! 

Word of the week: Actually

adverb - actually

Actually is often used wrongly by non-native speakers - it is a false friend!  It DOESN'T mean at the moment or currently (for all my Italian pals: it doesn't mean attualmente!) 

Meaning: Actually means in fact; as in actual fact; or really.

Example: What does 'going green' actually mean? - (really mean?)

It is also a useful and polite way to correct or contradict someone in spoken English. 


A How long have you been working for Microsoft?
B Actually, I work for Apple! 


A Where about in England are you from?
B Actually, I'm from Ireland!

How to: write emails to a new contact

Writing an email to a business contact for the first time can be a bit tricky*, especially if you have never met this person. Here are a few set phrases and tips to help you out:

1. Dear Mr.... / Ms......

• Use Dear Mr .../Ms... the first time you communicate with them. (It’s more polite than “Hi ...” or “Hey...”)
• Or you can use their full name: Dear Mike Tyson / Dear Carla Bruni
• Don’t use titles with a person’s full name: Dear Mr Mike Tyson 

2. Introductory remarks

• My name is Derek Zoolander and I’m contacting you about....
• I have been given your name by a friend of mine, Niles Crane. 
• Thank you for sending me...
• It was good to meet you at the trade fair last week.

3. Explain why you are writing

• I’m writing to ask you ... (if you’ll be able to attend the conference next week)
• With reference to.... (the recruitment meeting on Monday the 26th).
• Further to our phone conversation ....
• You may remember....
• This is just to .... (check we’re on for the 18th).
• I just wanted to ... (show you the designs).

4. Action

• I’d like to arrange... (a meeting to outline the new project).
• I’d be grateful if you could... (send me the presentation).
• Would you be able to... 
• Please let me know...
• Can you ... (talk to Lisa about it?)
• Would you mind ....(giving a short talk?)

5. Friendly sign off

• Thank you again for your help.
• I hope to hear from you soon.
• I look forward to hearing from you.
• Many thanks in advance for your help.

tricky* = difficult

Word of the week - CLUMSY!

adjective - clumsy

Do you often drop things? Or bump into things and hurt yourself?!! (Unfortunately - I do!) That's because I'm a bit clumsy ... 

Clumsy basically means awkward:

Meaning 1: awkward in movement or action (without skill or grace) 

Example: He is very clumsy and is always breaking things

Synonyms:  awkward, ungainly, gawky

Meaning 2:

awkwardly done or made; with some embarrassment

Example: He made a clumsy, embarrassed apology.

Synonyms: unwieldy, ill-chosen, inept, ill-contrived,


What does Fergie say about it?! Check out her video: CLUMSY 

Emailing ... common sense please!

in: English Advice

It may seem too obvious to write about, but many of my students have lots of problems when writing emails in English, especially in a business context. Emails are often too long, too formal and just don’t get to the point quick enough. Have a look at the tips below – they seem very obvious, but try to keep them in mind* the next time you write an email in English!

Important Points to Remember

1. 1Email is much less formal than a written letter. Emails are usually short and concise.
2. 2If you are writing to someone you don’t know, a simple “Hello” is adequate. Using a salutation such as “Dear Mr Smith,” is too formal.
3. 3When writing to someone you know well, feel free to write as if you are speaking to the person.
4. 4Use abbreviated verb forms (He’s, We’re, He’d, etc.)
5. 5Include a telephone number to the signature of the email. This will give the recipient the chance to telephone if necessary.
6. 6It is not necessary to include your email address as the recipient can just reply to the email.
7. 7When replying eliminate all the information that is not necessary. Only leave the sections of text that are related to your reply. This will save your reader time when reading your email.

For some useful language when emailing, try this link:

http://www.businessenglishsite.com/exercise_email1.html

Let me know what you think!