Monthly Archives: September 2009

Putting the emphasis on Emilia

In the Computer Room, Lesson Plan: Advanced, Music, The English language,

Have you never heard about her? I’m sure you have. But even if you haven’t , if I hum the words” I’m a big, big girl…” you’ll probably think,” Yeah ,I know this song “or, at least, this small verse though maybe not the singer.

Why this song today? Well, the only reason is because I’ve been teaching Emphasis and it’s a good song to illustrate this point. I’m afraid that’s my only reason as she is not one of my favourites. “Sorry , Emilia ! I’ve heard you are on your way to the European Song Contest and I wish you well, you are just too soft for me”

Anyway, it is very good for students to see how the emphasis is placed on some words (actually, they can find three different ways).
But, why don’t you go to my website and do the exercises ? or alternatively ,if you are up to your eyes with homework , just enjoy it.
First option, click here

Córcholis or it is raining cats and dogs

Funny Stuff, The English language,

Are you learning Old-Fashioned English?
Only this week I asked my advanced students to write a diary entry, telling them that this was the right time to use non-grammatical structures and any informal expressions they could think of. It was only when one of my most advanced students handed in her paper that I realized my mistake. I caught a glimpse of the expression “ it was raining cats and dogs” and I thought well, well… how are they supposed to know that this expression would sound to a native speaker as “córcholis or “cáspitas” to us?

But there are some others:
Bobbies- The British have not called their policemen “bobbies” for decades.
Whom -Only pedants under 50 will ever use this possessive pronoun.
Gay with the meaning of “happy”- I don’t think a straight happy man would like to be described as “gay”.

If you have little or no contact with British speaking culture, be careful when using colloquial expressions. Probably you’ll be understood only by an English -speaking grandmother.

The good thing is that sometimes words “bounce back”. So maybe in 10 or 20 years’ time we will be using expressions such as “truenos y relámpagos” , “pánfilo” or “botarate” . So ,language can always catch up with us and not the other way round.
Where does that leave us? Well, one of the reasons that native speakers don’t comment when they hear learner say “it is raining cats and dogs” is that learners always look so happy to have been able to use an idiomatic phrase that it seems uncharitable to correct them. Make it clear to the native speakers you interact with that you want them to tell you when your English sounds quaint.

Knit Night Cupcakes

Cooking

I’ve been willing to show this gorgeous recipe for some time. Recipe? Shall I call it recipe? Well, I should say it is more like an amazing display of imagination by the talented Lolo. You can find in her here http://veganyumyum.com/ . She is a vegan so you might not like some of her recipes but I am sure there are some you’d like to try.
So ,here are some photos of what I was telling you above. Wouldn’t you like to surprise your family with one of those? If you ever try, please let me know or .. on second thoughts, send some.

Awesome!!!! Now you can see her in this clip showing viewers how to do them on the Martha Stewart Show.

Karaoke on line

Audio, Funny Stuff, In the Computer Room, Resources

Throughout all these years of teaching I have come to realise the importance of music when learning a language, especially when it comes to pronunciation matters. I have seen and heard students, not even knowing the verb “to be” and with amazingly good pronunciation. When asked , they , more often than not, attribute it to music.
And yes, singing songs is an excellent way of improving your pronunciation. How could it be any other way when you sing your favourite songs over and over again.
So I have found this excellent karaoke site . It is called Karaoke Party

and the great thing is that if you register you can actually get a score for your singing when you hit the right notes.

No excuses . Get singing right now and start practising for our great karaoke party.

I am feeling generous

Funny Stuff, The English language,

… feeling brave today? Here is a poem about English pronunciation. If you manage to read it aloud in class without making a single mistake (Ok. I said ,I was feeling generous…let’s say one mistake) you won’t have to take the oral test at the end of this term. Ready?????

English is Tough Stuff

Dearest creature in creation,
Study English pronunciation.
I will teach you in my verse
Sounds like corpse, corps, horse, and worse.
I will keep you, Suzy, busy,
Make your head with heat grow dizzy.
Tear in eye, your dress will tear.
So shall I! Oh hear my prayer.

Just compare heart, beard, and heard,
Dies and diet, lord and word,
Sword and sward, retain and Britain.
(Mind the latter, how it’s written.)
Now I surely will not plague you
With such words as plaque and ague.
But be careful how you speak:
Say break and steak, but bleak and streak;
Cloven, oven, how and low,
Script, receipt, show, poem and toe

Continue reading I am feeling generous →