Inventions!

Hello!

Today's topic is inventions and here is your quest:

1. Find out how any article that you are interested in was invented. Then write the history in YOUR OWN words.

This website might be useful: http://www.cbc.ca/kids/general/the-lab/history-of-invention/default.html

2. Create your own crazy invention. Write an advertisement for your invention. You can add pictures if you like.

Until next time, have fun inventing in English!

What on Earth?

Hello and welcome back to online English classes!

Today we are going to look at vocabulary, a bit of grammar and intonation or placing stress on the correct syllable of a word. We have done some research on British depencies, some of them places we haven't heard of before. Tonight we will have a look at a place that's a little closer but well known to most tourists or people from abroad.

To revise last week's lesson on adjective order, click on
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish-central-grammar-current.htm

To practise vocabulary in use, click on
http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/headway/advanced/b_vocabulary/unit11/hwy_adv_unit11_4/
and complete the task.

Here are some interesting facts:
http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2007/01/15.html

Then click on this link: http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/headway/advanced/a_grammar/unit11/hwy_adv_unit11_2/
and complete the task on relative clauses.

On the following link you will find definitions and examples of relative clauses:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish-central-grammar-definitions-relative-clauses.htm#leaving-out

And find out even more about clauses on:
http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/clausetext.html

Phew! After all that grammar, let's have a bit of fun: click on
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/multimedia/btp/shrewsbury/shrewsbury_video.shtml
and watch the video clips about Shrewsbury and answer the questions.

Also read the text on Shrewsbury and answer the questions:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/multimedia/btp/shrewsbury/shrewsbury_text.shtml

Finally, do your own research and write a short description of Shrewsbury for a tourist brochure. You could add photos/pictures/maps if you wish. Remember: do not copy and paste text; use your own words! Your description is due on Wednesday, 24th January 2007.

Until next time, have fun expanding your knowledge of English!

EXAM PRACTICE!

Hello again!

Today, I’ll give you some links that will take you to sample and past exam papers.

SPEAKING & LISTENING

For speaking and listening, go to: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/support/dloads/sfl/l1_speaklist_pp1.pdf
to see what the exam booklet looks like that the teacher will use to ask you questions.

You can also listen to an example recording for the listening part of the exam at:
http://www.cambridgeesol.org/support/dloads/sfl_downloads.htm
On this page, scroll down until you find Speaking and Listening Level 2.

You can also look at the Speaking and Listening worksheets for Level 2 in this online booklet and you could order the DVD that goes with it at this web address:http://www.cambridgeesol.org/support/dloads/sfl/sfl_dvd_sw.pdf

READING

To practise your reading, please go to: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/readwriteplus/learning
and do the online practice test at either Level 1 or 2.

WRITING

Have a look at sample and past papers at Level 1 AND how they have been marked at:
http://www.cambridgeesol.org/support/dloads/sfl/l1_writing_mar05.pdf

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/support/dloads/sfl/l1_writing_jun05.pdf
and the marking sheet
http://www.cambridgeesol.org/support/dloads/sfl/l1_%20writingssc_jun05.pdf

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/support/dloads/sfl/l1_writing_pp1.pdf

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/support/dloads/sfl/l1_writing_pp2005.pdf

GENERAL

On this site you will find links to various English exam exercises that will help you to improve your overall English.
http://ieltsprep.blogspot.com/


JUST FOR FUN

Improve your English and become a spy in London - play this game!

http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish-central-games-agents-underground-final.htm

or take on the Chomsky challenge:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish-central-games-chomsky-park.htm


I hope that you will find these sites useful (and fun). You can print the sample and past papers, complete them at home and bring them to class and Tracy or I will mark it for you and give you advice where necessary.

Don't forget to hand in your writing assignments from last week about fairy tales, anti-social behaviour or pantomimes.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR EXAM PREPARATION AND LEARNING ENGLISH!

Advanced ESOL

Hello!

Today's topic is the Amish.

Find the answers to the following questions and type the answers in MS Word. When you have finished, place your typed answers in your folder.

1. In how many ways are their lives different to other citizens of the U.S.A? Make a list.
2. Are they entirely unaffected by modern life?
3. Did you know about the Amish people before? If so, did you discover anything new?
4. Do you know of any other small religious sects?

You might find the answers on the following web pages:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish
• http://www.religioustolerance.org/amish.htm

Just for fun and laughs, go to

http://music.yahoo.com/

Then choose Video in the first search box and type : Weir Al Yankovic in the second search box.

Watch the music video called Amish Paradise.

Until next time, have fun learning English!