29/11/12

Programme:

Begin travel topic (originally planned for Tuesday's lesson)

Grammar focus: Phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions to use when travelling!

Comprehension text:  http://www.englishisapieceofcake.com/support-files/cutting-travel-costs-ss.pdf

27/11/2012

Programme:


Present perfect to talk about life experiences (review) 

Complete the questionnaire and give details for each answer

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0RXkfKgkFzXQVBBS3FnUVd5djg/edit

Present perfect for unfinished time:
For or Since?
http://www.eslflow.com/Present_perfect_since_or_for_worksheet.pdf

• 1971 – Harry is born in London.
• 1976 – Harry and his family move to Kuwait.
• 1988 – Harry finishes school and starts working for an Cleanoil, an American oil company.
• 1996 – Harry is promoted to manager at Cleanoil.
• 1997 – Harry meets Amina.
• 2000 – Harry and Amina get married.
• 2001 – Harry Jr. is born.

Make sentences about Harry’s life up to now.

Language focus: Talking about travelling 


Which types of travel/transport do you think are:
Safe,  Affordable,  Romantic,  Boring,  Pricey,  Stressful, 
Dangerous?


Here is some vocab about the cost of travel. Make two lists, one for a budget traveller and the other for a rich traveller. Which words go in which list?


Discounts,  Reductions,  Bargains,  Inexpensive,  Splurge, 
Complimentary,  Upgrade,  Exorbitant,  Overpriced, 
Pricey,  Freebies,  Save a bundle, Hidden charges,  Slash 
rates, Early bird discounts, Affordable

22/11/12

Programme for today's lesson:

Grammar: Phrasal verbs and present perfect to talk about life experiences (review)

Complete the questionnaire and give details for each answer

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0RXkfKgkFzXQVBBS3FnUVd5djg/edit

Language:   Review language from yesterday (music) and do a music-themed reading comprehension:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0RXkfKgkFzXYkpXUXRSQ3NYdEE/edit

New target langauge: Telephone English roleplays:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0RXkfKgkFzXVXFyanpkRUp1YlE

New vocab: Back to the board with new vocabulary

What makes talking on the phone so difficult in a foreign language? Bad pronunciation!!
So today we will work on pronouncing words correctly in English: The difference between bit/bet, hit/heat, hot/hut, boot/boat, left/left, at/hat

What do we say on the phone in English?

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B0RXkfKgkFzXS21EMGNLRFRKR2c

Telephone Vocab

Here are some of the words and terms that we use to talk about telephoning.

answer	to say "hello" into the phone when it rings
answering machine	something that you can record a message on if the person you are calling isn't home
engaged signal	a beeping sound that tells the caller that the other person is already on the phone
voicemail	answering machine on a mobile
caller	the person who telephones
call back/phone back	to call someone who called you first
call i.d.	a screen that shows you who is calling
mobile phone/cell phone	a telephone that you can take with you away from your house; mobile phone
cordless phone	a phone that is not attached to the wall (you can walk short distances with it at home or in the garden)
dial	to press the buttons on the phone
dial tone	the sound the phone makes when you pick it up
directory/phone book	a book that alphabetically lists local phone numbers of people and businesses
to hang up	to put the receiver down and end a call
operator	a person who answers telephone-related questions when you dial "0"
pager	a small machine you wear that makes a noise (or vibrates) when someone wants you to call them
phone	a telephone; to telephone
phone booth/pay phone	a place where you can pay to use a telephone in public
pick up	to answer the phone
receiver	the piece on the phone that you speak into and listen from
ring	the sound a phone makes when somebody calls; to make that sound

12/11/12

Programme:

Review vocab and grammar from last week's class

Topic: Music

Listening:  The Beatles surprising contribution to brain science
http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=164101652&m=164669412

Reading comprehension: Return of underground rave culture is fuelled by the recession and Facebook  (The Guardian)  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oT6dp7EEX9nt4SQstOpTOCSYt2eeOUeU8Ce65rmaB8Y/edit

Disucssion topic (based on newspaper article)

Writing: Presentation about music 

Listening Questions (up to 2:39)

What was the lasting image of the 2008 election?

What difference was there between the reaction this year and the reaction fours years ago when Obama was first elected?

James is confident  that Obama will eradicate race issues during his mandate. True or false?

Did African-American voters have a mostly positive impression of the 2012 presidential campaign?

The presenter gives 3 examples of possibly racist attitudes/comments made by other politicians  towards Obama. What are they?

Expressions for Agreeing and Disagreeing

Decide which of the following expressions are formal or informal.

Stating an opinion	In my opinion... The way I see it... If you want my honest opinion.... According to Lisa... As far as I'm concerned... If you ask me...
Asking for an opinon	What's your idea? What are your thoughts on all of this? How do you feel about that? Do you have anything to say about this? What do you think? Do you agree? Wouldn't you say?
Expressing agreement	I agree with you 100 percent. I couldn't agree with you more. That's so true. That's for sure. (slang) Tell me about it! You're absolutely right. Absolutely. That's exactly how I feel. Exactly. I'm afraid I agree with James. I have to side with Dad on this one. No doubt about it. (agree with negative statement) Me neither. (weak) I suppose so./I guess so. You have a point there. I was just going to say that.
Expressing disagreement	I don't think so. (strong) No way. I'm afraid I disagree. (strong) I totally disagree. I beg to differ. (strong) I'd say the exact opposite. Not necessarily. That's not always true. That's not always the case. No, I'm not so sure about that.
Interruptions	Can I add something here? Is it okay if I jump in for a second? If I might add something... Can I throw my two cents in? Sorry to interrupt, but... (after accidentally interrupting someone) Sorry, go ahead. OR Sorry, you were saying... (after being interrupted) You didn't let me finish.
Settling an argument	Let's just move on, shall we? Let's drop it. I think we're going to have to agree to disagree. (sarcastic) Whatever you say./If you say so.

08/11/12

Programme

Listening comprehension about the American election:

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=164631087&m=164631060

Grammar focus: Infinitive or -ing after verbs?

Language focus: Expressing your opinion and disagreeing politely

06/11/12

Good or Bad?

Click on the link below to access this worksheet about healthy eating and living

http://www.englishisapieceofcake.com/support-files/good-or-bad.pdf