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

Creativity - conversation class 8/4/2014

Hi everyone,
Here you can find the video from yesterday's lesson:

For listening practice, please watch this link:
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/britain-great/creativity-great-part-1

If you like, you can try the tasks at the bottom of the page too.

For grammar practice, please see:
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbs5.htm

Music is GREAT!

Right guys, watch part one again so that you can complete your homework (Gianni!!) and then watch part two. Try doing the tasks!

Food is GREAT Britain

Short video describing modern attitudes to British food culture and dispelling myths about overcooked meat and soggy veggies!

How many different dishes can you pick up?

Interview Dos and Don'ts

Check out the video from this week's conversation class on what to do and what not to do during a job interview:

Different points of view

We watched Derek Sivers: Weird, or just different?
on TED talks. Remember you can download the transcript to understand it in more detail.

More listening:
A few years ago HSBC put together a global campaign on cultural differences: it makes the point of cultural perceptions in a clear & funny way, giving examples from all over the world. Their slogan is “The world’s local bank”!  

Check out some of the adverts they made:

http://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_weird_or_just_different.html

Culture and different points of view - Conversation Class 23/7/2013

Notes from discussion 24/7/2013

Some new vocab from yesterday's lesson (it's all about the 's'!):

strict (severo)
snobby (ovvio!)
stuck up (person who thinks they are better than / above others)
standoffish (aloof / reserved)
stereotypes

We also watched Derek Sivers: Weird, or just different?
on TED talks. Remember you can download the transcript to understand it in more detail.

More listening:
A few years ago HSBC put together a global campaign on cultural differences: it makes the point of cultural perceptions in a clear & funny way, giving examples from all over the world. Their slogan is “The world’s local bank”!  

Check out some of the adverts they made:

http://www.ted.com/talks/derek_sivers_weird_or_just_different.html

Conversation Class 9/7/2013 - Rachel's Interview

Here's the clip we watched yesterday!

This is a slightly longer version with the subtitles:

If you want to watch it without subtitles, click here.

Remember:

To give advice we often use: should and shouldn't:

Should = it's a good idea

Shouldn't = it's not a good idea.

Watch out! Don't have to means that it isn't necessary

You don't have to come to the party tonight (if you don't want to).

What is the difference in meaning?!:

1. You mustn't wear jeans
2. You shouldn't wear jeans
3. You don't have to wear jeans

Every girl needs a hubby like this!

Keep Calm and Carry On

We are constantly being bombarded with different versions of the iconic Keep Calm and Carry On image, but have you ever wondered where the original poster came from? 

Watch this short video which explains why the poster was designed in the first place and why such a heart-warming phrase from a bygone decade still has so much appeal and resonance today. 

Such fun!

Check out this clip from the very funny Miranda! Miranda is trying very hard to think of an excuse to give her mother in order not to go to a Pride and Prejudice themed party! How much can you understand?

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).