Month: December 2015

Level 2 Group 1 – 15th December 2015 – class notes

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Objectives

 

  1. Reading about Lisbon, Portugal. Using colourful language to describe a city. (This is your homework! Don’t use wikipedia!)

  2. Sandra’s presentation,  “Pole dancing is a great exercise”.

  3. Duelling with concession clauses

  4. American & British English quiz

  5. Jigsaw reading – read and summarise for another group:

  6. A Benjamin Zephaniah poem & interview

  7. Polish IT consultant’s account of his experiences of life in the UK: random stuff that baffles me as an immigrant reddit.com post

  8.  Migrants views on Britain (The Daily Telegraph website)

  9. British quiz

Today’s words:

docks:

patio:

Catholic monks:

Gothic architecture:

revel verb [I]

UK   US   /ˈrev.əl/ (-ll- or US usually -l-) literary

› to ​dance, ​drink, ​sing, etc. at a ​party or in ​public, ​especially in a ​noisy way
reveller

noun [C] UK (US reveler) UK   /-ər/  US   /-ɚ/

›On New Year’s ​Eve, thousands of revellers ​fill Trafalgar Square.

quaint adjective

UK   US   /kweɪnt/

C2 ​attractive because of being ​unusual and ​especially ​old-fashioned:a quaint ​old ​cottage› Quaint can also be used to show that you do not ​approve of something, ​especially an ​opinion, ​belief, or way of ​behaving, because it is ​strange or ​old-fashioned:“What a quaint ​idea!” she said, ​laughing at him.

incidentally adverb

UK   /ˌɪn.sɪˈden.təl.i/  US   /-t̬əl-/

C1 used before saying something that is not as ​important as the ​main ​subject of ​conversation, but is ​connected to it in some way:We had a ​marvellous ​meal at that ​restaurant you ​recommended – incidentally, I must give you the ​number of a ​similar one I ​know.› used when ​mentioning a ​subject that has not been ​discussedbefore, often making it ​seem less ​important than it really is:Incidentally, I ​wanted to have a word with you about ​your ​travel​expenses.

subsequent adjective

UK   US   /ˈsʌb.sɪ.kwənt/

C1 ​happening after something ​else:The ​book ​discusses his ​illness and subsequent ​resignation from ​politics.Those ​explosions must have been subsequent to ​our ​departure, because we didn’t ​hear anything.

More examples
subsequently adverb

Finally!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Level 2 Group 1 – 14th December 2015 – class notes

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Objectives:

1. VOCABULARY: How to use interjections

Interjections! Yay! Hmm? What are they?

2. Breaking English news speed reading exercise

How to use lyricstraining.com

• This is a great web-page to practice your listening and spelling.
• Your teacher will tell you what song to choose. There will be no Celine Dion. If you work fast and finish early you can choose your own favourite song lyrics.

Choose from the advanced level to test yourself. Then why not choose Christmas songs:

 Cascada, Let it snow

Wonderful Christmas Time by Paul McCartney & Wings

Christmas Lights by Coldplay

Last Christmas by Wham

3. Interjections & body language practice

4. how to score points for listening in the exam – practice:

a) How was your weekend?

b) How did you feel when you first came to England?

c) Are you becoming more British? How?

d) If Mark, or another British tourist, like Tallulah, went to YOUR COUNTRY, what culture shock would we experience?

e) What shocked you most? (Don’t talk about the weather!)

5. Adapting to a new culture: http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/uk-now/video-uk/settling-uk-student-life

6. CULTURE SHOCK – Polish IT consultant’s account of his experiences of life in the UK: random stuff that baffles me as an immigrant reddit.com post

7. Migrants views on Britain (The Daily Telegraph website)

8. Haifaa’s Prezi presentation

Today’s words:

dozen noun [C], determiner

UK   US  /ˈdʌz.ən/

B1 twelve:a dozen ​eggsThis ​recipe makes three dozen ​cookies.Could you get me ​half a dozen (= six)​eggs when you go to the ​supermarket?informal I’ve ​spoken to him dozens of (= many) ​times, but I still don’t ​know his ​name!

barter verb [I or T]

UK   /ˈbɑː.tər/  US  /ˈbɑːr.t̬ɚ/

› to ​exchange ​goods for other things ​rather than for ​money:He bartered his ​stamp ​collection for her ​comics.We ​spent a ​whole ​hour bartering with​stallholders for ​souvenirs.

culture shock noun [C or U]

UK   US  

› a ​feeling of ​confusion ​felt by someone ​visiting a ​country or ​placethat they do not ​know:It was a ​real ​culture ​shock to ​find herself in Bangkok after ​living on a ​small ​island.

Level 2 Group 1 – 8th December 2015 – Level 2 Group 2 9th December 2015 class notes

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Objectives

    1. Vocabulary Blockbusters – revise all the new words we have focused on this term

    2. Discourse markers to express opinion: strongly agree, half agree & disagreeing mildy or strongly. Talking about a variety of topics

    3. Stating opinions about travel quotations using discourse markers

    4. Travel listening – across Europe by train

    5. Travel listening – Jonathan Dimbleby goes back to Africa

    6. Homework – writing about a city you know using senses

Travelling in Europe by train

Jonathan Dimbleby goes back to Africa

Today’s words:

luggage rack

snug adjective

UK   US   /snʌɡ/(snugger, snuggest)

› (of a ​person) ​feeling ​warm, ​comfortable, and ​protected, or (of a ​place, ​especially a ​small ​place) giving ​feelings of ​warmth, ​comfort, and ​protection:We ​curled up in ​bed, all snug and ​warm, and ​listened to the ​storm ​outside.I ​bet ​your ​feet are ​nice and snug in ​yourfur-lined ​boots!› ​fitting ​closely:These ​shoes are a ​bit too snug – do you have them in a ​larger ​size?

snuggle verb [I usually + adv/prep]

UK   US   /ˈsnʌɡ.l̩/

› to ​move yourself into a ​warm and ​comfortable ​position, ​especially one in which ​your ​body is against another ​person or ​covered by something:The ​children snuggled up to ​their​mother to get ​warm.I was just snuggling down into my ​warm ​bed when my ​phone ​rang.

landscape noun

UK   US   /ˈlænd.skeɪp/

B1 [C] a ​large ​area of ​countryside, ​especially in ​relation to ​its​appearance:a ​rural/​barren landscapeThe landscape is ​dotted with the ​tentsof ​campers and ​hikers.The ​cathedral ​dominates the landscape for ​miles around.› [C or U] a ​view or ​picture of the ​countryside, or the ​art of making such ​pictures:a ​watercolour landscape

voyage      n  

1    a journey, travel, or passage, esp. one to a distant land or by sea or air  
2    an ambitious project . Starting this business has been a voyage of discovery (I’m learning new things every day!)

amenity noun [C usually plural]

UK  /əˈmiː.nɪ.ti/  US   /əˈmen.ə.t̬i/

› something, such as a ​swimming ​poolor ​shopping ​centre, that is ​intendedto make ​life more ​pleasant or ​comfortable for the ​people in a ​town, ​hotel, or other ​place:The ​council has some ​spare ​cash, which it ​proposes to ​spend on ​publicamenities.basic amenities› things ​considered to be ​necessary to ​live ​comfortably, such as ​hot ​water:The 200-year-old ​jail is ​overcrowded, ​understaffed, and ​lacking in ​basicamenities.

vitality noun [U]

UK   /vaɪˈtæl.ɪ.ti/  US  /-ə.t̬i/ approving

C2 ​energy and ​strength:According to the ​packet, these ​vitamin​pills will ​restore ​lost vitality.

mania noun [C or U] (STRONG INTEREST)

› disapproving a very ​strong ​interest in something that ​fills a person’s ​mindor uses up all ​their ​time:So why ​your ​sudden mania for​exercise?The ​article ​describes the ​religiousmania that is ​sweeping the US

mania noun [C or U] (MENTAL ILLNESS)

› a ​state in which someone ​directs all ​their ​attention to one ​particular thing:Van Gogh ​suffered from ​acute​persecution mania.She’s always ​cleaning – it’s like a mania with her.› specialized psychology a ​state of ​extreme ​physical and ​mental ​activity, often ​involving a ​loss of ​judgmentand ​periods of ​euphoria

-mania suffix

UK   US   /-meɪ.ni.ə/

› a very ​strong ​interest in the ​statedthing, ​especially among a ​large​group of ​people:Beatle-mania ​swept ​Britain in the 1960s.

automated adjective

US   /ˈɔ·t̬əˌmeɪ·t̬ɪd/

› made to ​operate by ​machines or ​computers in ​order to ​reduce the ​work done by humans:an automated ​systemautomated ​equipment

reserved adjective (PERSON)

B2 Reserved ​people do not often ​talkabout or show ​their ​feelings or ​thoughts:a ​quiet, reserved womanThe ​English have a ​reputation for being reserved.

reserved adjective (KEPT)

› Reserved ​tickets, ​seats, etc. are ​onesthat you have ​arranged to be ​kept for you:May I ​sit here, or is this ​seat/​tablereserved?

intent adjective

UK   US   /ɪnˈtent/

› giving all ​your ​attention to something:an intent ​stareShe had an intent ​look on her ​face.
be intent on sth/doing sthC2 to be ​determined to do or ​achievesomething:I’ve ​tried ​persuading her not to go but she’s intent on it.He ​seems intent on ​upsetting everyone in the ​room!

intently

adverb UK   US   /-li/

›The ​child ​stared intently at her.

intent noun [U]

UK   US   /ɪnˈtent/formal or specialized

C2 the ​fact that you ​want and ​plan to do something:I ​spent ​half the ​morning on the ​phone, which wasn’t really my intent.[+ to infinitive] It was not his intent to​hurt anyone.She was ​charged with ​possessing​weapons with intent to ​endanger ​life.

Idioms

to/for all intents and purposes

necessarily adverb

UK   US   /ˈnes.ə.ser.ɪl.i/

B2 used in ​negatives to ​mean “in every ​case” or “​therefore“:The ​fact that something is ​cheapdoesn’t necessarily ​mean it’s of ​low​quality.You can ​love someone without necessarily ​wanting to ​marry them.That’s not necessarily ​true.

suppose verb (THINK LIKELY)

A2 [T] to ​think that something is ​likely to be ​true:[+ (that)] Dan didn’t ​answer his ​phone, so I suppose (that) he’s ​busy.He ​found it a lot more ​difficult to get a ​job than he supposed it would be.[+ (that)] Do you suppose (that) Gillian will ​marry him?It is ​widely supposed (that) the ​CEO will be ​forced to ​resign.[+ to infinitive] We all supposed him to be ​German, but in ​fact he was ​Swiss.Her new ​book is supposed to be (= ​generally ​people ​think it is) very good.› [+ (that)] used to show that you ​thinksomething is ​true, ​although you ​wishthat it were not:I suppose (that) all the ​tickets will be ​sold by now.› [+ (that)] used when you are ​annoyed:I suppose (that) you’re going to be late again.I suppose (that) you ​think that’s ​funny. Well, I ​certainly don’t.B1 used to show ​unwillingness to ​agree:“Can I go out ​tonight?” “Oh, I supposeso.”[+ (that)] I don’t ​agree with it, but I suppose (that) it’s for the ​best.› [+ (that)] used in making ​polite​requests:I don’t suppose (that) you could ​lendme £5 till ​tomorrow?

Level 2 Group 1 – 7th December 2015 – Level 2 Group 2 class notes

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Objectives

  1. Practice listening. Choose AT LEAST 4 videos to watch & listen to from ESLvideo.com advanced & High-Intermediate Level ESL Video Quizzes (not just Celine Dion videos, please!)

  2. Here are some suggested videos to watch: a) image
    How top Write a Good CV

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syoneda: Leonard Cohen: Hallelujah

b) image
Rowan Atkinson – Interview with Elton John; a funny sketch

image
10 Inventions That Will Make Your Life Easier

image
TED TALK; Amy Cuddy; Your Body Languages Shapes who you are

image
Why are there 60 000 homeless in NYC

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TED: Lisa Bu: How Books Can Open Your Mind

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Honey Bees

image
Spaghetti Harvest

2. Go onto your online ILP and say how how you think you are doing.

Take a City & Guilds Reading practice exam!

3. Practice grammar for your end of term test! New English File Upper-intermediate Online & Headway Upper-intermediate Online.

3. Go on the Careers website and choose the right job for you. Read it, print it out, keep it and decide what you have to do next. Then make an appointment with Student Support to see the careers advisor.

4. Amina’s Prezi presentation about Green Day:

5. Meetings with Mark

Level 2 Group 2 – class notes – 2nd & 3rd December 2015

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Objectives

  1. To learn more about transitional phrases (conjunctions)

  2. Online quiz 1    Quiz 2 Quiz 3 , Quiz 4

  3. Mixed grammar questions

  4. Work in teams to produce ideas for the speaking exam

  5. Use a writing template to write draft presentations to share with the class

  6. no student presentation today, so instead we’ll watch Janine Shepherd’s presentation and answer some questions  

  7. Bola’s presentation about Nigerian food

In the exam you will be giving a formal presentation, consequently you will need to:

Use Level 2 vocabulary and formal language

Have ideas, quotes, statistics and anecdotes about your topic

Structure your presentation in a logical way and be able to see different points of view

Use transitional phrases to link your ideas from introduction through to your balanced conclusion

 

today’s words:

strangely enough

B2 used to ​remark that something is ​surprising but ​true:Strangely enough, when it came to the ​test I ​actually ​felt ​pretty​ relaxed.

contrary noun [S] (the pronunciation of this is very controversial. The students say I can’t say it correctly!)

UK   /ˈkɒn.trə.ri/  US   /ˈkɑːn.tre-/ formal

the contrary› the ​opposite:I was ​worried that it might be too hard for me but it ​turned out the contrary was ​true.on the contraryB2 used to show that you ​think or ​feel the ​opposite of what has just been ​stated:“I ​thought you said the ​film was ​exciting?” “On the contrary, I ​nearly ​fell ​asleep ​half way through it!”to the contraryC1 saying or ​showing the ​opposite:For a ​long ​time it was ​thought to be a ​harmless ​substance, but we now have ​proof/​evidence to the contrary.

presumably adverb

UK   /prɪˈzjuː.mə.bli/  US   /-ˈzuː-/

B2 used to say what you ​think is the ​likely ​situation:They can presumably ​afford to ​buy a ​bigger ​apartment.Presumably he just ​forgot to ​send the ​letter.

likelihood noun [U]

UK   US   /ˈlaɪ.kli.hʊd/

C2 the ​chance that something will ​happen:This ​latest ​dispute ​greatly ​increases the likelihood of a ​strike.[+ that] There is every likelihood that more ​jobs will be ​lost ​laterthis ​year.There is little likelihood now that ​interest ​rates will come down ​further.in all likelihoodC2 ​almost ​certainly:In all likelihood everything will go to ​plan.

see previous days work on transitional phrases 🙂