We understand!
Drop us a line at info@easienglish.it and book your free trial lesson today.
If you have felt this way before, LIKE it & SHARE it with a friend. It would make us very happy.
LEM..xo!
Tag Archives: tefl
I Hope My Son Is Happy
My son, Giako, came home this week singing “Because I’m happy, clap la-la-la-la….” .
He explained that his second grade class was learning the hook (i.e. chorus) to Pharrel William’s song this week.
I bumped into his English teacher, Matilde, on thursday and we agreed that I would create this video clip for the class to help them memorize the song.
Try singing along with your kids.
I hope it makes you Happy:-)
Lem..xo
Less Chucking & More Recycling
Here is a short video that speaks about garbage & the importance of recycling.
Can you understand what they are saying? Answer the questions below.
1. How long did it take to accumulate the garbage in the video?
2. What is Oliver doing in the video?
3. Whose garbage is it?
4. What is Oliver’s resolution ?
5. Why did the Sphinx choose Oliver for this game?
What do the following expressions mean?
- A pile : a group of things put one on top of the other
- Stuff : used to describe things when you don’t need to explain exactly what they are.
- Now you’re cooking! : you are now doing what you should be doing.
- What is left can be put in a bag: what remains
- A bozo : a stupid or foolish person (polite)
What is your take on recycling?
What do you recycle at home? Could you perform this activity better, how? Do people in your area have composters? Have you got any tricks or information to share about recycling?
You can like this post & share it with a friend if you feel it was useful!
Thanks for following…LEM..xo!
Sound Confident, Look Good, and Feel Great Speaking English!
The words “look”, “sound”, “seem” and “feel” are used to describe our feelings, impressions and reactions, but it can be a little tricky to understand how exactly to use them. So let’s have a look:
“look”, “sound”, “seem” & “feel” + adjective
1. You look great in that new dress! – We express our reaction to what we see
2. I haven’t seen her, but we spoke over the phone and she sounded nice and friendly. – We express our reaction to what we hear
3. I went for a massage yesterday, it felt really great. – We express how we feel
4. She seems really nice. – We want to covey our impression
“look”, “sound”, “seem” & “feel” + noun phrase to express our reactions, feelings and impressions through a simile (a comparison)
1. She looked like a movie star.
2. A. My new boyfriend sent me some flowers and a very nice card !
B. Wow, he sounds like a very romantic guy!
3. The place was so cozy and warm it felt like home.
4. I met her only a few times, but she seemed like a nice person.
Other uses of “feel like”
We can also use “feel like” to talk about what we are in the mood for (the things and actions that match the way we are feeling). Verbs following this expression are always in the gerund form.
I feel like dancing tonight, let’s go out!
A: Would you like a drink?”
B. No thanks, I don’t feel like it.
Idiom
I feel like a million dollars. (i.e. in excellent health and spirits)
How about a little video clip?
Here’s a little video for you, I hope it sounds good, looks good and makes you feel good!
We need to table this decision!
Meeting room stencil graffiti (Photo credit: clagnut)
On a conference call last week, someone said, “Let’s table the meeting” because someone that was important for the meeting hadn’t shown up . The attendees were Italian and American.
The chair was not sure if we could have the meeting without that person so we considered postponing the meeting.
What I discovered in the meantime is that the meanings for Americans and Brits seem to be different.
US meaning -agreement to postpone any or any further discussion of that issue;
UK meaning – to put it to vote, or briefly express your opinion after which a decision will be made.
LEM…xo!
Merry Christmas to All!
A reunion that will touch your heart!
“Twas the Night Before Christmas”
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
A miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
A little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
And more rapid than eagles his reindeer all came,
As he shouted out “Dasher” and each reindeer’s name
So up to the house-top the reindeer all flew,
With the sleigh full of toys — and St. Nicholas too.
Down the chimney he came with a leap and a pound,
He was dressed all in fur and his belly was round,
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight —
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Who wrote ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”?
“A Visit from St. Nicholas“, also known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” from its first line, was first published anonymously in 1823 and later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, who acknowledged authorship.
This poem has been called ” the best-known verses ever written by an American”,[] and is largely responsible for some of the conceptions of Santa Claus from the mid-nineteenth century to today. It has been set to music and recorded by many artists. (Source: wikipedia.org)
What vocabulary can we learn from this text?
- stirring : moving
- stockings: item of clothing for the foot and leg, traditionally filled with gifts at Christmas
- chimney: fireplace
- Saint Nicholas: Santa Claus
- sleigh: an open vehicle that used over snow or ice
- reindeer: a large type of deer living in the north of the globe
- leap: to jump or move quickly
- belly: the part of the body that contains the stomach
- fur: the hairy coat of an animal used to make or line clothes
- jerk: a quick twist or pull
- nod: to move your head to say yes, as a signal to someone or as a way of saying hello or goodbye to someone
To all of those who celebrate this holiday, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!
LEM…xo!
Video Watch ‘One Republic-Counting Stars’
My friend Taline posted this video on her facebook page. I thought we could listen, read and check out some new vocabulary. I love the tune. Catchy chorus, don’t you think?
What are the lyrics?
Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin’ hard
Said no more counting dollars
We’ll be counting stars
Yeah, we’ll be counting stars
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin’ hard
Said no more counting dollars
We’ll be counting stars
Yeah, we’ll be counting stars
[Verse 1]
I see this life
Like a swinging vine
Swing my heart across the line
In my face is flashing signs
Seek it out and ye shall find
Old, but I’m not that old
Young, but I’m not that bold
And I don’t think the world is sold
I’m just doing what we’re told
I feel something so right
By doing the wrong thing
And I feel something so wrong
By doing the right thing
I could lie, could lie, could lie
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive
[Chorus]
Lately I been, I been losing sleep (hey!)
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin’ hard (hey!)
Said no more counting dollars
We’ll be counting stars
Lately I been, I been losing sleep (hey!)
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin’ hard (hey!)
Said no more counting dollars
We’ll be, we’ll be counting stars
[Verse 2]
I feel the love
And I feel it burn
Down this river every turn
Hope is a four letter word
Make that money
Watch it burn
Old, but I’m not that old
Young, but I’m not that bold
And I don’t think the world is sold
I’m just doing what we’re told
And I feel something so wrong
By doing the right thing
I could lie, could lie, could lie
Everything that downs me makes me wanna fly
[Chorus]
[Bridge 4x:]
Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons I learned
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive
[Chorus]
[Bridge 4x:]
Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons I learned
What do the lyrics mean according to me?
- He seems to have some kind of addiction and it is stopping him from reaching his goals.
- He is losing sleep because he is torn between not being able to reach his goal and not being able to keep his promises to his loved on.
- He is praying hard (i.e. a lot) because he feels desperate. A small feeling of hope surfaces when he says that he will be counting stars in the future.
- ‘Seek it out and you shall find‘ means look for the way out and you will find it. He does not think that it’s that easy though.
- ‘Hope is a four letter word , make that money, watch it burn’ shows that they feel they are hoping in vain.
- He says that he is not bold (i.e. audacious, strong) and this is an excuse for his addiction.
What do you think?
- Do you like One Republic? What bands do you listen to?
- Do you think being bold is a positive character trait in your country?
- When do you lose sleep over situations?
Lem..xo
Seth Godin’s take on Nelson Mandela
- 6th April 2000 Visit of Nelson Mandela to give a lecture at LSE on ‘Africa and Its Position in the World.’ Held at the Peacock Theatre. IMAGELIBRARY/575 Persistent URL: archives.lse.ac.uk/dserve.exe?dsqServer=lib-4.lse.ac.uk&a… (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The internet has been inundated with posts on Nelson Mandela’s passing. I especially liked Seth Godin’s so I have decided to share it with you. You can find the original link here.
What did Seth Godin have to say?
A Legacy of Mandela by Seth Godin
Others can better write about Nelson Mandela’s impact on the world stage, on how he stood up for the dignity of all people and on how he changed our world.
For those that seek to make a change in the world, whether global or local, one lesson of his life is this:
You can.
You can make a difference.
You can stand up to insurmountable forces.
You can put up with far more than you think you can.
Your lever is far longer than you imagine it is, if you choose to use it.
If you don’t require the journey to be easy or comfortable or safe, you can change the world.
What do the following expressions mean?
- A legacy: something received form someone who has died
- To seek : to look for, search
- To stand up to: refuse to receive bad treatment from someone
- To put up with: to tolerate
How would you answer the following questions?
- How would you describe Nelson Mandela’s accomplishments to children?
- Who else has had such a positive impact on Humanity?
- What other humanitarian causes need to be adressed today?
- When thinking of your community, what can you do to make a change?
Great Man. Powerful Words. Big Love!
Lem..xo!
2013’s Word of the Year ‘SELFIE’
Selfie (Photo credit: joeldinda)
Oxford Dictionary has announced ‘SELFIE” word of the year for 2013.
It has been around for quite some time but the use of SELFIE has increased by 17000% in this year alone. Can you believe it? That is mind-boggling,right?
If you snap a shot of yourself with your iphone, then you have just taken a selfie!
It is definitely an iconic word and it helps us understand how important images are in our world these days.
What is the official definition?
A type of self-portrait photograph, typically taken with a hand-held digital camera that is planned to be uploaded onto facebook, my space or any other social media platform.
Long live the SELFIE!
If you take selfies, then share, tweet or like this post!
LEM…xo!
p.s. Special thanks to Heather for posting the announcement on facebook
Best Coronation Street Story Ever
Anyone who knows me knows that I love Strombo . He is one of Canada’s best talk show hosts. His show produces clips called ‘ Best Story Ever’. They are short videos that either make you laugh or just leave you speechless.
The UK’s longest-running TV soap, Coronation Street focuses on the everyday lives of working class people in Manchester, England. In this Best Story Ever, Marc Baylis who plays the pawn shop owner Rob Donovan explains how in an episode, a football match ending up showing more of one actor than anyone had hoped.
What can we learn from this clip?
- Rob was winding Steve up a lot. (i.e. do or say something jokingly to get someone upset or annoyed)
- The goal-keeper was gong to try and save a penalty.(the player who defends the goal in foot ball/hockey)
- The goalkeeper’s privates had managed to sneak outside of the shorts. (i.e. genitals / to move outside without being noticed by anyone)
- It is my best Coronation Street story so far.(i.e. up to today)
How can we use them in context?
- My co-worker and I wind each other up a lot. we are good buddies!
- The goal-keeper did a bang up job last night. We won 2-0.
- Keep your privates in your pants !
- My teenager snuck out last night to go to a party.
- I have had a relaxing vacation so far.
Practice answering these questions with your trainer, spouse or friends
- Who/What winds you up?
- Can you tell me about your favorite goal-keeper ever?
- Have you ever been caught naked with your privates out?
- Did you sneak out much as a teen?
- How many books have you read so far this year?
It would make us really happy if you could share this post with a friend who needs to gain confidence in English. A little English every day goes a long way!
Thanks!
LEM..xo
