How to Make the Most of a Language Tutor

Here is a link to a useful talk titled "How to Make the Most of a Language Tutor": http://www.languageisculture.com/episode12/

The speaker is an experienced language learner offering her views on what works best when learning with a tutor. Generally, I agree with her suggestions. In online classes with students aiming simply to improve their level of spoken English, I follow a similar procedure to the one she describes.

For more details, contact me by email: teacher@englishteachinglive.com :).

Talking About Food: What's Your Favourite Meal?

Which is your favourite meal? In English, the "main meals" are breakfast, lunch and dinner.

It's often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Do you agree? What do you usually eat for breakfast?

Here's an interesting short video showing the foods people eat for breakfast around the world:
http://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/videos/what-the-world-eats-for-breakfast

Is your breakfast healthy? Which breakfast foods are healthiest? Check this article for some suggestions: http://www.livestrong.com/article/422628-what-is-the-healthiest-breakfast-to-eat/


Image from http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-politics/cos-of-brazilian-breakfast-rises/#

Do you eat three meals a day? Some people believe we should, "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper (poor person)". Do you think it's a good idea? Why or why not?

Which dish or dishes do you eat most often in your country? In Australian households, pasta, rice, grain, vegetarian, meat-based and many other kinds of dishes are found on the table as Australia is a multicultural country.

Great website for English language news

I'd like to share a great resource I've just found for English language news on a huge range of topics from a wide variety of sources, all in one place: http://www.newsnow.co.uk/ . Updates are frequent, too.

It has been added to my Favourites list. Check it out!









(Image from http://anysnapshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Earth-Globe-Icons-Set-Free-300x205.jpg )

Grammar Check Infographic: 10 Common Writing Mistakes

This infographic was designed for blog writers but the advice applies to any form of writing.

An infographic by GrammarCheck

Using Conditionals in English

We all know that constructing "if" sentences ("conditionals") in English can sometimes be tricky.

Here's a superb mind map from ZDENDA to help you navigate!

Just click on the image to enlarge it.



More information can be found at http://www.engames.eu/conditionals-intermediate-grammar/ .

Is it impossible to translate some words?

Lucy Greaves writes,

"No two languages map neatly on to one another with direct correspondences between words. Languages are bound up with the cultures of their users and have all developed in different contexts and along different paths. There is also a great deal of variation in the way different individuals relate to the language they use."

Read the complete article in "The Guardian" here: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jan/31/word-untranslatable-lucy-greaves?CMP=twt_gu

Do you believe some words cannot be translated? Can you think of examples in your first language?

Has your first language contributed any words to English?

What strategies do you use when you can't translate a word into English?

Don't forget to check out the great blog at http://www.freewordcentre.com/blog/2013/03/more-of-our-favourite-untranslatable-words/ !

Join "Ask the Experts" -- Live Chat on IELTS Official Facebook -- Feb 07 2014

"Don’t forget to join the ‘Ask the Experts’ live chat session on the IELTS Official Facebook page 07 Feb at 13.30-14.30 GMT.

This session you can ask any questions you have on the Academic Writing test.

Go to https://www.facebook.com/IELTSOfficial .


Find out the time of the session where you are: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/"

(From: IELTSOfficial)

Do you know the name of this Australian animal?

Do you know the name of this distinctively shaped creature?



This fellow (not real, of course) has travelled with me for at least fifteen years, in Australia, Asia and the USA.

If I had to choose a favourite among Australia's many unique and diverse forms of wildlife, it might indeed be this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wombat

The wisdom of John Lennon

Do you agree?

Happy New Year!

Wishing you a wonderful New Year, bringing everything you wish for and more!

Traditionally, we wish others a "Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year".

Enjoy this video of Sydney's spectacular New Year fireworks:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/10544410/Sydney-celebrates-arrival-of-2014-with-spectacular-fireworks.html

Learn English Through Films

Films are an interesting and entertaining way to improve your English. Films expose you to language used in a (largely) natural way in a variety of accents and give many insights into the cultures of English-speaking countries.

Here's a great source of free online films:

http://www.openculture.com/freemoviesonline

Have fun!

Talking About the Future in English

Talking about the future

Here's a quick review of the main ways we talk about the future in English.

Let me know if you have questions!


 present continuous


definite arrangements

We're having a party on Saturday night.

They're driving to Wilmington tomorrow morning.

She's coming for lunch on Sunday at 1.00.


 going to


plans and intentions

I'm going to do my homework tonight.

We're going to play tennis next week.


predictions from something in the present


(The sky is cloudy.) It's going to rain.


 will


simple future

(He's 20 years old.) In 5 years he will be 25 years old .

It will be summer in January.


something we decide to do just before/as we speak

O.K. ! I'll answer the telephone !


Reading:

Here's a link to an article on predicted marketing trends in 2014: http://www.sugarspunmarketing.com/blog/marketing-evolution-changes-come-2014/#.UrmcSfk_tNM

After reading the article, make sentences about the future using

1. present continuous
2. going to
3. will

Examiner approved IELTS Tips

Go to http://www.ieltsessentials.com/prepare/essentials_pack.aspx to download IDP's free examiner approved IELTS tips.

You will need to complete a brief form before you can download.

Hope it helps!