Hi everyone. Those who come here often will notice that the site has not been updated for a while. It is still here and will still be here. All the posts will still be here, but the focus will change. I am going to have help and the blog will be more about communication between English learners and teachers. See you soon!
TOEFL Challenge 1
Here is a TOEFL Challenge, where you can use real materials to try to do tasks based on the TOEFL test.
Watch this TED talk and read this article from Quick and Dirty Tips.
Summarise the differences and similarities between the talk and the article. Leave a comment below with your answer.
Express Sympathy
One of my students asked a question to me today about what to say if a friend or colleague’s relative has passed away.
Useful Language
I’d recommend the following in spoken English:
I’m so sorry. If there’s anything I can do, please let me know.
If you are writing, something like this is appropriate:
My deepest sympathy for your loss. If there is anything I can do to help please do not hesitate to ask.
Other tips
- Don’t mention death.
- It isn’t common to ask the cause of death; if someone wants to tell you, they will.
- Don’t talk about your experience; listen to your bereaved friend.
I hope this helps anybody who needs it.
Go to a Place But Don’t Go to an Action
Hello, it has been a while.
I am just adding this because some of my students have had problems with ‘ing’ actions and ‘go’ verbs.
“He went to shopping.” MISTAKE.
“He went shopping.” CORRECT.
Go to a place but don’t go to an action.
Use ‘go to’, ‘went to’ or ‘gone to’ with places.
“I went to Paris.”
“She went to work.” (‘Work’ here is a place, where she does her job.)
Use ‘go to’, ‘went to’ or ‘gone to’ with a plain verb if someone goes somewhere to do something.
“I go out to the club on Thursday night. I go to dance.”
“I go to fish for dinner at the beach.”
Use ‘go’, ‘went’ or ‘gone’ without ‘to’ for activities in special places.
“They have gone swimming.” (Most people don’t have swimming pools at home.)
“My dad went bowling.” (I don’t know anyone with a bowling alley at home).
I hope this helps. If you have any questions, leave a comment.
Protected: Kawasaki Clinic – Class 2
Be Prepared For Meetings
Today’s post is a response to an email from a reader, Viettan, who is worried about their English when presenting in public. They are in charge.
Agendas
First, have a meeting agenda, which is a list of things to talk about. Try to keep to this.
Continue reading Be Prepared For Meetings
Led Zeppelin Are Really Heavy Rock n’ Roll
Something to practice /l/ and /r/ sounds.
Protected: Kawasaki Monday Class 1
Who Are You Talking To?
When you speak English, one of the things you must think about is relationships. Who are you talking to? How well do you know them? What is the situation?
It is useful, especially in business situations, to be formal. In most native-English speaking cultures, business relationships start formal then become more informal as the relationship develops.
Give Yourself Permission
Recently I have taught a lot of new students. The same as I usually do, I talked to them about their study habits. Their reactions have left me a bit confused.