Month: June 2016

You’re 25 & want to travel for a year. Tell your friend about your plans – Entry 3 Group 2 class notes 22nd June 2016

Posted in Entry 3Leave a comment

Objectives

  1. Exam preparation – writing a friendly email to a friend

  2. Grammar revision – imperatives

  3. Adverbs of frequency

  4. Passive quiz

Adverbs of frequency:

adverb

making a sentence:

Do you usually play football on Saturday?

How often do you go to college?

  • imperative noun (GRAMMAR)

B2 [S] specialized language the form of a verb that is usually used for giving orders:In the phrase “Leave him alone!”, the verb “leave” is an imperative/is in the imperative.

Passives:

British Council app for phones QR code:

Download from Google Play    Download from iTunes

johnny british council

Today’s words:

a cemetery:

Imperative signs & symbols – road signs & meanings:

a corner shop:

the difference between a couch & a coach:

a couch:

a coach (vehicle):

a tennis racket / a tennis raquet:

souvenir noun [C]

B1 something you buy or keep to help you remember aholiday or special event:He bought a model of a red London bus as a souvenir of his tripto London.We brought back a few souvenirs from our holiday in Mexico.

:

sailing noun

A2 [U] the sport or activity of using boats with sails:the sailing clubShe loves to go sailing.

ferry noun [C]

B1 a boat or ship for taking passengers and often vehiclesacross an area of water, especially as a regular service:a car ferryWe’re going to the Channel Islands by/on the ferry.We took the ferry to Calais.

backpacker noun [C]

B1 a person who travels with a backpack

 

The pound dropped suddenly in May then rose dramatically in June – interpreting charts & graphs – Level 2 class notes – 21st June 2016

Posted in Level 2Tagged , , , , Leave a comment

Homework reading & quizzes:

  1. http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/ielts-pie-chart.html
  2. http://oppematerjal.sisekaitse.ee/eppleibur/describing_graphs/
  3. http://www.bath.ac.uk/salc/resources/eap/essays/index.htm
  4. http://www.eltbase.com/quiz/508_06.htm
  5. http://www.ielts-exam.net/ielts-preparation-tips/describe-a-line-graph.html
  6. http://www.dcielts.com/writing-2/academic-task-1/

 

Objectives

  1. Travel & tourism data analysis

  2. Discussing charts & graphs

  3. Adverbs & adjectives to describe data

  4. Exam model answers for Thursday

  5. Trends vocabulary

    Describing charts:

 

Today’s words:

be two sides of the same coin

also be different/opposite sides of the same coin

› If two things are two sides of the same coin, they are very closely related although they seem different:Violent behaviour and deep insecurity are often two sides of the same coin.

break the ice definition. To remove the tension at a first meeting, at the opening of a party, etc.: “That joke really broke the ice at the conference; we all relaxed afterward.” The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition.

  • encounter verb [T] (MEET)

› formal to meet someone unexpectedly:On their way home they encountered a woman sellingflowers.

  • encounter verb [T] (EXPERIENCE)

B2 to experience something, especially somethingunpleasant:When did you first encounter these difficulties?The army is reported to be encountering considerable resistance.

obsessed adjective

B2 unable to stop thinking about something; too interestedin or worried about something:Why are people so obsessed with money?As a society we’re obsessed by the weather.

odd adjective (STRANGE)

  • odd adjective (NUMBERS)

› (of numbers) not able to be divided exactly by two:3, 5, and 7 are all odd numbers.The houses on this side of the street all have odd numbers.

Opposite

even

  • odd adjective (SEPARATED)

› [before noun] (of something that should be in a pair or set) separated from its pair or set:He’s got a whole drawer full of odd socks.

  • aspect noun (FEATURE)

B2 [C] one part of a situation, problem, subject, etc.:Which aspects of the job do you most enjoy?His illness affects almost every aspect of his life.That’s the most worrying aspect of the situation.Lighting is a vitally important aspect of filmmaking.Have you thought about the problem from every aspect?

menial adjective

› Menial work is boring, makes you feel tired, and is given a low social value:It’s fairly menial work, such as washing dishes and cleaningfloors.a menial job/task

exaggeration noun [C or U]

C1 the fact of making something seem larger, moreimportant, better, or worse than it really is:Sal estimates over 60 people were there but I think that’s a slightexaggeration.[+ to infinitive] It would be no exaggeration to say that her workhas saved lives.

  • pursue verb [T] (FOLLOW)

› to follow someone or something, usually to try to catchhim, her, or it:The car was pursued by helicopters.The hunters spent hours pursuing their prey.He was killed by the driver of a stolen car who was being hotlypursued by the police.

passion noun [C or U]

B2 a very powerful feeling, for example of sexualattraction, love, hate, anger, or other emotion:Football arouses a good deal of passion among its fans.At school, his early interest in music developed into an abidingpassion.Politics and philosophy were his lifelong passions.

a passion for sth

C1 an extreme interest in or wish for doing something, such as a hobby, activity, etc.:Anton has a consuming passion for science fiction.

passions [plural]

› very powerful feelings:Touch a man’s property and his passions are immediately aroused.

plant noun (LIVING THING)

  • plant noun (BUILDING/MACHINES)

› [U] machines used in industry:The industry was accused of having invested little inworkers, plant, or infrastructure.
› [C] a factory in which a particular product is made orpower is produced:Two more car-assembly plants were closed by the strike.

considerable adjective

B2 large or of noticeable importance:The fire caused considerable damage to the church.

considerably

adverb UK   /kənˈsɪd.ər.ə.bli/ US   /kənˈsɪd.ɚ.ə.bli/

considerably

adverb UK   /kənˈsɪd.ər.ə.bli/ US   /kənˈsɪd.ɚ.ə.bli/

expend iconexpend iconMore examples

He’s considerably fatter than he was when I knew him.

recruitment agency noun [C]

UK   US   also recruiting agency mainly UK HR

› a business that is paid to find suitable workers for othercompanies and organizations:a specialist/online/IT recruitment agencya health/technology/financial recruitment agency

recruit verb [T]

C1 to persuade someone to work for a company or becomea new member of an organization, especially the army:Charities such as Oxfam are always trying to recruit volunteers tohelp in their work.Even young boys are now being recruited into the army.an army recruiting centre/officer

euphemism noun [C or U]

› a word or phrase used to avoid saying an unpleasant oroffensive word:“Senior citizen” is a euphemism for “old person“.The article made so much use of euphemism that often itsmeaning was unclear.

widely adverb

B2 including a lot of different places, people, subjects, etc.:They have both travelled widely.His plays are still widely performed in the USA.French used to be widely spoken in Cambodia.His work on DNA was widely admired.This is a widely held but mistaken belief.This theory is no longer widely accepted.

differ/vary widely

B2 to be very different:Prices vary widely from shop to shop.

surely adverb

B2 used to express that you are certain or almost certainabout something:The problem surely lies in the design of the equipment.US formal “May I sit here?” “Surely.” (= Yes, certainly.)Without more food and medical supplies, these people will surely not survive.

B2 used to express surprise that something has happenedor is going to happen:Surely you don’t expect me to believe that?

longing noun [S or U]

C2 a feeling of wanting something or someone very much:He gazed at her, his eyes full of longing.a longing looka longing for his homeland

longingly adverb

hysterical adjective

C1 unable to control your feelings or behaviour because you are extremely frightened, angry, excited, etc.:Calm down, you’re getting hysterical.The police were accused of hysterical over-reaction.hysterical laughter (= uncontrolled laughter)

› informal extremely funny:His last film was hysterical.

conscientious adjective

C1 putting a lot of effort into your work:a conscientious student

sorely adverb

› extremely; very much:I was sorely tempted to say exactly what I thought of hisoffer.You’ll be sorely missed by everyone here, and we wish yousuccess in your new job.

  • treacherous adjective (DANGEROUS)

› If the ground or sea is treacherous, it is extremelydangerous, especially because of bad weatherconditions:Snow and ice have left many roads treacherous, and drivers arewarned to use caution.

collocation noun

B2 [C] also collocate, a word or phrase that is often used with another word or phrase, in a way that soundscorrect to people who have spoken the language all theirlives, but might not be expected from the meaning:In the phrase “a hard frost“, “hard” is a collocation of “frost” and “strong” would not sound natural.

B2 [C] the combination of words formed when two or more words are often used together in a way that soundscorrect:The phrase “a hard frost” is a collocation.
› [U] the regular use of some words and phrases withothers, especially in a way that is difficult to guess
Grammar
CollocationCollocation refers to how words go together or form fixed relationships. …

factory farming  noun

a system of rearing livestock using highly intensive methods, by which poultry, pigs, or cattle are confined indoors under strictly controlled conditions.

a laboratory:

a man wearing a traditional Scottish kilt:

tartan:

a floral patterned suit:

a striped blazer:

George Clooney wearing a polka dot shirt and jacket:

a checked suit:

The Sandal Monument in Asmara.

What should Mr Bean do? – Entry 1 Evening – class notes – 16th June 2016

Posted in Entry 1Leave a comment

Homework:

http://www.esl-lounge.com/student/grammar/2g18-should-shouldnt-exercise.php

https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-modal-should-quiz.htm

http://www.eclecticenglish.com/grammar/Should1A.html

Objectives

  1. Review present simple and present continuous tenses

  2. Introduce should & shouldn’t

  3. Giving advice & Mr Bean

Today’s words:

doughnuts:

a brain:

overweight: too heavy

A vet or a veterinarian

  • argue verb (DISAGREE)

B1 [I] to speak angrily to someone, telling that person that you disagree with them:The children are always arguing.Kids, will you stop arguing with each other?They were arguing over/about which film to go and see.

expend iconexpend iconMore examples

Eat, Sleep, Buy, Die – Globalisation positives & negatives – Level 2 Group 1 class notes 14th June 2016

Posted in Level 2Leave a comment

Homework:

Practise using the essay vocabulary

http://www.dcielts.com/ielts-essays/cultural-globalisation-sample-ielts-essay/

Objectives:

  1. Kahoot review of last week’s crime vocabulary & modals of deduction

  2. Multinational corporations & you. What companies do you know and buy from?

  3. What is globalisation? What is consumerism?

  4. What are the positives and negatives of consumerism

  5. Start to write an IELTS style essay on globalisation

To write your essay – think about these questions:

  • Has globalization improved people’s lives?

  • How has globalization affected your life?

  • Is globalization good for the world?

  • What will globalization look like fifty years from now?

  • Do you think globalization could end in a world with just one giant country?

Today’s vocabulary:

moral adjective

B2 relating to the standards of good or bad behaviour, fairness, honesty, etc. that eachperson believes in, rather than to laws:It’s her moral obligation to tell the police what she knows.It is not part of a novelist’s job to make a moral judgment.She was the only politician to condemn the proposed law on moral grounds (= for moral reasons).The Democrats are attempting to capture the moral high ground (= are trying to appear more honestand good than the other political parties).

Americanize verb [T]

UK usually Americanise UK  

› to become or make something typical of the US or US culture:Linda Chan was born in Hong Kong but grew up in New York and quickly became Americanized.disapproving Many European cities have been Americanized with burger bars and diners.
Americanization noun [U] UK usually Americanisation UK   

synonymous adjective

C2 having the same meaning:The words “annoyed” and “irritated” are more or less synonymous.

C2 If you say that one thing is synonymous with another, you mean that the two things are so closely connected in most people’s minds that one suggests the other:Oscar Wilde’s name is synonymous with wit.

  • exploit verb [T] (USE UNFAIRLY)

B2 to use someone or something unfairly for your ownadvantage:Laws exist to stop companies exploiting their employees.

haves noun [plural]

the haves and have-nots

› the people who are not poor and the people who arepoor:The government’s change of policy is intended to reduce the gapbetween the haves and have-nots in our society.

expend iconexpend iconThesaurus

sweatshop noun [C]

› a small factory where workers are paid very little and work many hours in very badconditions:sweatshop conditions

consumerism noun [U]

› politics the state of an advanced industrial society in which a lot of goods are bought andsold

› disapproving the situation in which too much attention is given to buying and owningthings:He disliked Christmas and its rampant (= extreme) consumerism.

consume verb [T]

consume verb [T] (USE RESOURCE)

C1 to use fuel, energy, or time, especially in large amounts:Our high living standards cause our current population to consume 25 percent of the world’s oil.
B2 formal to eat or drink, especially a lot of something:He consumes huge amounts of bread with every meal.

globalization noun [U]

UK usually globalisation UK   

C1 the increase of trade around the world, especially by large companies producing andtrading goods in many different countries:We must take advantage of the increased globalization of the commodity trading business.
› a situation in which available goods and services, or social and cultural influences,gradually become similar in all parts of the world:the globalization of fashion/American youth culture

toiletries noun [plural]

› objects and substances that you use in washing yourself and preventing the body fromsmelling unpleasant:Inside the bag were shampoo and other toiletries.

verdict noun [C]

C2 an opinion or decision made after judging the facts that are given, especially one made at the end of a trial:The jury reached/returned a unanimous verdict of (not) guilty.Voters gave their verdict on the government’s economic record last night by voting overwhelmingly for the opposition.

acquit verb

› [T often passive] to decide officially in a law court that someone is not guilty of a particularcrime:She was acquitted of all the charges against her.Five months ago he was acquitted on a shoplifting charge.

 

 

Complaining about the weather is a full-time job – Entry 3 Group 2 class notes 8th June 2016

Posted in Entry 3Tagged , , , , Leave a comment

Watch: Stunning footage shows Greater Manchester being hit by violent thunderstorm
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Loud bursts of thunder and brilliant flashes of lightning were captured by residents on mobile phones on Tuesday night as the humid, sunny weather gave way to violent thunderstorms.

Objectives:

  1. Find a fan to keep the classroom cool!

  2. Why do British people always talk about the weather?

  3. Discuss the most annoying things in Britain today

  4. When was the last time you complained?

  5. Formal letter writing style

  6. Write a complaint letter to a restaurant

What is most annoying for you?

Spam email?

Litter?

Or traffic jams?

Formal letter format:

 

Today’s words:

insist verb [I]

B1 to say firmly or demand forcefully, especially whenothers disagree with or oppose what you say:[+ (that)] Greg still insists (that) he did nothing wrong.Please go first – I insist!She insisted on seeing her lawyer.

inconvenience noun [C or U]

C1 a state or an example of problems or trouble, oftencausing a delay or loss of comfort:We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the late arrival of the train.We had the inconvenience of being unable to use the kitchen for several weeks.Having to wait for ten minutes was a minor inconvenience.

convenient adjective

B1 suitable for your purposes and needs and causing the least difficulty:Our local shop has very convenient opening hours.A bike’s a very convenient way of getting around.

near or easy to get to or use:a very convenient bus serviceOur new house is very convenient for (= near to) the kids‘ school.

reserve verb [T]

B1 to keep something for a particular purpose or time:I reserve Mondays for tidying my desk and answeringletters.These seats are reserved for the elderly and women with babies.I reserve judgment on this issue (= I won’t give an opinion on it now) until we have more information.

B1 If you reserve something such as a seat on an aircraftor a table at a restaurant, you arrange for it to be keptfor your use:I reserved a double room at the Lamb Hotel.

  • reservation noun (THING KEPT)

B1 [C or U] an arrangement in which something such as aseat on an aircraft or a table at a restaurant is kept for you:I’d like to make a table reservation for two people for nine o’clock.

chaos noun [U]

B2 a state of total confusion with no order:Snow and ice have caused chaos on the roads.Ever since our secretary walked out, the office has been in astate of total/utter chaos.

scam noun [C] informal › an illegal plan for making money, especially one that involves tricking people – Level 2 class notes 7th June 2016

Posted in Level 2Leave a comment

Objectives

  1. Grammar quiz

  2. What punishment fits the crime? You decide

  3. Real life scams + modals of deduction

  4. Writing an advice poster

  5. Real life rescue + writing a first-hand report

Modals of deduction:

He must have been running for charity. It couldn’t have been easy!

doing community service: ‘They must have vandalised somewhere.”

Counterfeit money:

Counterfeit designer goods:

The Real Hustle – Best Scams:

The Oceanos sinks:

Today’s words & facts:

In the UK it is estimated that each new prison place costs £119,000 and that the annual average cost for each prisoner exceeds £40,000. Such huge public expenditure should not be spent without question.28 Jul 2008

Kevin Marsh: The real cost of prison | Opinion | The Guardian

ASBOs

ASBOs are civil orders to protect the public from behaviour that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. An order contains conditions prohibiting an individual from carrying out specific anti-social acts or (for example) from entering defined areas.

Capital Punishment in the UK:

Last executions. England and in the United Kingdom: on 13 August 1964, Peter Anthony Allen, at Walton Prison in Liverpool, and Gwynne Owen Evans, at Strangeways Prison in Manchester, were executed for the murder of John Alan West on 7 April that year.

ankle tag for criminals (tagged):

muggy adjective

When the weather is muggy, it is unpleasantly warm and the air contains a lot of water.

ban verb [T usually passive]

B2 to forbid (= refuse to allow) something, especiallyofficially:The film was banned (= the government prevented it from beingshown) in several countries.[+ from + -ing verb] She was banned from driving for two years

burglar noun [C]

B2 a person who illegally enters buildings and steals things

mugger noun [C]

› a person who attacks people in order to steal theirmoney

ransom noun [C or U]

› a large amount of money that is demanded in exchangefor someone who has been taken prisoner, or sometimes for an animal:a ransom demand/noteThey demanded a huge ransom for the return of the little girlwhom they had kidnapped.

arson noun [U]

› the crime of intentionally starting a fire in order todamage or destroy something, especially a building:A cinema was burned out in north London last night. Policesuspect arson.

Laura’s memory box – Level 2 – Class notes – June 6th

Posted in Level 2Leave a comment

Objectives:

  1. Collaborative writing – ‘What was lost?’

  2. Writing about your personal history

  3. Writing about your past, present and future – Museum of My Life

What was lost – storylines – Level 2:

Name Place Age Job Mood What was lost?
1.  Kathleen Angel Queen’s Park (a big park in Bolton) 18 Actor excited Tooth
2.  Emily McDonald Salford Shopping Centre 35 writer Exhausted A shoe
3.  Tom True Buckingham Palace 26 doctor depressed Wife and pencil
4.  Sandra Samson Crete in Greece 15 athlete surprised socks
5.  Diana Giorgio Kitchen in the washing machine 30 dentist bored mind
6.  Ali Baba Media City, Salford 85 Bank clerk happy glasses
Mood What was lost?
excited Tooth
Exhausted A shoe
depressed Wife and pencil
surprised socks
bored mind
happy glasses

 

Making a memory box

A baby’s Memory Box:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3437395/She-s-not-loving-Woman-shares-snap-McDonald-s-Happy-Meal-SIX-YEARS-bought-prove-fast-food-not-decomposed-time.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2313276/Man-keeps-McDonalds-burger-14-years-looks-exactly-the-day-flipped-Utah.html

engraved metal:

carved box:

a choir:

Justin Bieber perfume:

Today’s words:

lose your mind

informal

› to become mentally ill, or to start behaving in a silly orstrange way:You just spent all that money on a pair of shoes? Have youcompletely lost your mind?

staleadjective

C1 no longer new or fresh, usually as a result of being keptfor too long:The bread/biscuits/cake had gone stale.The morning after the party, their apartment smelled of stalecigarette smoke.

choirnoun [C, + sing/pl verb]

B2 a group of people who sing together:He sings in the church choir.choir practice