Reading : Joy and Sorrow by Khalil Gibran

Hello,dear readers! The wise words are like  treasure. 

Sometimes we need the reading of this type.

Joy and Sorrow  by  Khalil Gibran

Then a woman said, "Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow."

And he answered:   Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.

 

And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

And how else can it be?

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

Let's Pray Together :The Prayer by Celine Dion feat. Andrea Bocelli

Hello, dear learners!

Today I'd like us to enjoy this powerful and emotional song The Prayer. It touched me deeply and I'm sure  it gives us  hope for better . 

So, let's pray together!

Note

In this video you'll read English subtitles  of Italian singer  Andrea Bocelli

The Prayer

I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise in times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way
Lead us to the place, guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe

Effective Ways of Studying English :Phonetics,Vocabulary,Grammar

Hello, dear learners!

Let’s talk about effective ways of studying English.

 I have two little granddaughters :)  and it gives me a chance to watch and analyze how kids learn their mother tongue. I think, it can be useful for adult ESL students .

 

 

 Phonetics

 

 During the first year babies learn sounds . Adults talk to them all the time , babies hear the typical sounds of the mother tongue and try to imitate them.

 Were you patient enough to study the correct pronunciation of vowels, diphthongs , contractions, etc? If you were, put + for yourself. If you weren't, you should start now! The best exercise is  listening to native speakers and repeating after them. Use everything you have or want: utube videos, movies, poems, stories and so on. Don’t forget to record yourself and check your pronunciation. You should correct your own mistakes  and never stop doing this exercise.

Music for Teaching English : 50 Ways of Using Music in the Classrooms

Hello, dear colleagues!  I'm sure, you'll read this article to know more about using music for teaching English! 

50 ways to use music and song in the classroom

• Posted by ddeubel
• View Blog

“Without music, life would be a mistake.” – Fredrich Nietzsche

                                                      

We could also say "Without music, teaching would be a mistake!" Music just makes any teaching job, no matter how hard, enjoyable.
We also say, “Music makes the world go ‘round” but it also makes learning happen.  Please see my presentation on this topic, for all the reasons why. 
Also, this post has lots of links/resources related to using music and song in the EFL classroom.  Or visit our Music Resources.

Let's Speak English like Native Speakers: Contractions

Hello dear learners!

I like this young teacher and his videos. Hope, you'll find this one usefull .

You can learn more about correct pronunciation and using   contractions here and here .

Modal verbs Part 5: Absence of Necessity & Prohibition

Hello, dear learners!

We have learnt a lot of useful rules about modal verbs in the previous lessons. You can revise them: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

Today we are going to talk about negative forms of modal verbs for expressing absence of necessity and prohibition.

So, let's start!

Absence of Necessity  

We use needn't/ don't have to/ don't need to ; didn't need to; needn't have done for expressing the  absence of necessity.

Poems and Songs for Children : On the Farm

 Hello, dear readers!Today we'll read and learn some poems about farm animals. These poems can be also used for kids' thematic party.

To the Farm

Horses, donkeys, cows that moo,
Chickens, kittens, piglets too,
Fish that swim down in the pond,
Ducklings quacking all day long.
All these animals you can see
If you go to the farm with me. 

  

American English Pronunciation with Rachel's English

This is one more useful lesson from Rachel's English. As usual, we learn how to sound more American.

Modal Verbs Part 4 : Permission

Hello, dear learners!
Today we'll continue to learn modal verbs and we are going to talk about permission

 Asking for permission

We can use some modal verbs: can, could,may and might
Can is more informal
Could and may are more polite
Might is formal.
We use may and might when we do not know the other person very well.
Can I come in? (informal)
Could I come in? (more polite)
May/Might I come in? (formal)

We should reply with such phrases as:
Certainly. / Of course. / Why not? / I'm afraid, you can't .

Teaching English : Genki English

 

 Hello, dear colleagues!

Today I'd like to recommend you this article about a new ESL teaching method - Genki English.

So, let's read and learn.  It would be interesting to know your thoughts about it. I'll be happy to read them in the comments sections. I think, it's time to get acquainted! :)

About Genki English

Richard Graham founded GenkiEnglish.com, a provider of teaching materials and training based on the Japanese concept of “Genki”. He is now working with the University of Newcastle in the UK to bring this “Genkiness” to schools for low income families in India, China and Africa as well as working with the British Council in Japan.

Peace Not War!

 Hello, dear learners!
Today I'd like you to read these famous quotes about war and peace. Now I know :the peace can be broken anywhere and anytime. We have to stop killing people around the world!

 "War is not a polite recreation but the vilest thing in life, and we ought to understand that and not play at war."
- Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace

Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.”
― Ernest Hemingway,
 “There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.”
― Howard Zinn

“War is what happens when language fails.”
― Margaret Atwood

Let's Speak English with EnglishAnyone (video)

The videos from the channel EnglishAnyone are always have a lot of useful information : phrases, their pronunciation and using in real life . It is my recommendation for the Upper Intermediate students.

Children's Poems and Songs:TOYS

Hello, dear readers!

Today  we'll read and learn the easy  poems about the kids' favourite toys . I hope, children will also like the Toy song!

So, let's read, learn, enjoy!

 

My ball

My ball is big

My ball is bright

I play with it all day

Inside and outside.

English Reading : Summer Time by Jade Storm (+ vocabulary)

Painter Alex Lashkevich

Hello, dear readers!

Summer is a gorgeous season. There are a lot of amazing poems and paintings about it. I'd like you to enjoy the magnificent poem and the splendid picture.

Note

Don't forget to  learn a new summer vocabulary, it's really useful !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Time by Jade Storm

Like several bottles spilled their ink,
which created a beautiful canvas
of navy, purple, red, and pink.
That streaked across the dusty clouds
until the night that crashes down.

War and Peace

Hello,dear readers!

What do you think is the most important thing for people? I'm really sorry that I can't hear your answers  now.(Maybe, it would  be an interesting topic for online discussion). But I think, I can predict your answers : love, good family, health, wealth. Anything else?

Modal verbs. Part 3 : Expressing obligation / duty / necessity.

Modal verbs. Part 3 Expressing obligation / duty/ necessity.



You can learn Part1 (modal verbs: general rules) and Part2 (abilities: can/ to be able to) here.






Must is used
- to show that someone is obligated to do something, it is someone's duty.
You must finish this work by Friday.

- to show that the speaker has decided that something is must be done.
I must finish this work by Friday.(I have decided)

Children's Poems and Songs:The Rainbow

 Hello, dear learners!

Have you seen the rainbow this summer? It is amazing, isn't it?

These poems and the song will help  your kids to memorize the colours of the rainbow. And they also can be used for summer kids' party. I wrote the poems for my youngest pupils.

The rainbow in the sky
Is hanging so high.
Its seven colours
you should memorize:
Red,orange,yellow,
Green, blue, indigo
Violet!
Have you memorized?
Let’s revise!
Red, orange,yellow,
Green, blue, indigo
Violet!

Teaching Methods : Using the Internet for Teaching

Hello, dear colleagues!

Today I’d like to share my idea how to make the process of reading and discussing of any story more interesting for our pupils. It’s not a secret, that our pupils are not  enthusiastic readers, they have a lot of different sources of information and, no doubt, the Internet is the main of them. Nowadays it is possible not to read a book, but  watch the film or even read the comments in the Net, and that’s all.

This year I decided to combine the love to social nets with the lessons of reading.I had a group of kids aged 11.When my pupils had read the story about the early years of the king Arthur and learnt the vocabulary, I asked them to create a profile of Arthur in their favourite social net.

English for Kids :Colours (song + video)

This awesome song for kids helps to memorise colours and easy to sing!
I recommend it for teaching colours in primary school. My kids really love it!

Reading :What Can Destroy the True Love (a funny poem)

Hello,dear readers!

Today we'll read, learn and enjoy the funny poem The One by Vernon Waring.

 The poem  is built with two contrasting  parts, so we'll find new adjectives which have positive and negative meanings, and they're  used  as antonyms in it. 
Here's the example of antonyms : tender  -eerie . 
Can you continue the list?

The One

by Vernon Waring

 

I held her in my arms

And kissed her tenderly

I knew our love would last

Throughout eternity

Virtual kidspace: 45 Must-Know Similes

Virtual kidspace: 45 Must-Know Similes: A simile is a figure of speech used for making direct comparison of two things which are alike by using the words such as "like&quo...

Funny Idioms (video)

Hello, dear learners!
Summer is  time for fun . That's why I think you'll watch this video with pleasure : it is a fun way to learn everyday idioms with examples and explanations.
So, let's watch, learn and enjoy!

Pray For Peace!

Modal Verbs : Abilities : Can-Could-Be able to

Modal verbs Part 2                     

You can learn Part1 Modal Verbs:General rules here.

To express  the ability we can use can-could-be able to.

 

 

 

Love Qoutes

How Dangerous a Rejected Woman Is : She Said by Plan B

Hello, dear learners!
The song which we are going to sing today is different from other romantic songs, I have recommended you before. But I like it, and hope you'll also do .

The song brought to mind this English proverb :
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, which means that a woman rejected in love can be very angry and dangerous.

So, let's learn English with this song ! Are you ready?

On time / In time : what is correct ?

Learn English for FREE! Communicate with the world: On time / In time: Lets use some more prepositions today. ON  time = not late If something happens ON  time, it happens at the time which was planned. ex...

Modal Verbs ;General Rules

Hello,dear learners!

Today we 'll start  learning modal verbs.

What are modal verbs? How are they different from other verbs?

Firstly, let's name them: can,could,must,might,may,will,would, shall, should, ought.

• Modal verbs don't express any action, they show how a person refers to the action,which is expressed by the followed  verb . The last verb is an infinitive without to

You should read more. You should to read more.
You must finish it by Monday. You must to finish it by Monday.

Happy Life Advice

                                                       Hello, dear learners!

There are some simple life rules, which can make the world around us a happier  place for everyone . 

Can you promise yourself to follow these rules?

 Let's start now!

 

 Promise Yourself

Christian D. Larson, Your Forces and How to Use Them

 

To be so strong that nothing

can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity

to every person you meet.

Pronunciation : Contractions

This is one more lesson of good pronunciation from  Rachel's English

In the section Pronunciation you can find other interesting videos for improving your pronunciation.So, let's watch them !

Would like to - Like doing

Hello, dear learners!

We have already talked about using like in the question What +to be + subject+like. Today we'll learn the differences in meaning and using of like (love) in phrases like(love) doing  and would like(love) to do

What do they mean?
 
Like doing /love doing  expresses one's general enjoyment or preference;
would like/love to do    expresses a preference to do something now or at the specific time.

I like reading. (I enjoy it) I would like to read this book. (I want to read this book).
We often use the contractions of this phrase :  She'd like to /  I'd like to / We'd like to

Nick likes skiing. (Skiing is his hobby.)
He would like to go skiing with his friends. (He wants to do this)

mELTing Activities, Lessons and Ideas: Preparing for the August ELT Blog Carnival

mELTing Activities, Lessons and Ideas: Preparing for the August ELT Blog Carnival: Humor dosn't always mean acting like a clown!   Since the my July and August are shaping up to be pretty busy, I thought I would ...

Health Problems ( vocabulary)

Hello,dear readers!

Today we'll learn how to talk about health problems. To learn  new words let's read this funny poem written by  Shel Silverstein

So, let's read and learn! 

“I cannot go to school today"

Said little Peggy Ann McKay.

"I have the measles and the mumps,

A gash, a rash and purple bumps.

My mouth is wet, my throat is dry.

I'm going blind in my right eye.

My tonsils are as big as rocks,

I've counted sixteen chicken pox.

Famous Quotes about Teaching

Nuclear Family and Other Family Words (video)

Hello, dear learners!

This great video will help you to talk about your family more confidently. So,will you watch it now?

Asking for Description :what + to be + subject + like

Hello dear learners!

Today we're going to learn how to use the grammar structure What + verb to be + subject+ like.
We often hear  the question :What is the weather like today?
 However, many students don't know that the grammar structure What + verb to be + subject+ like can be used with other subjects.

What is the meaning of the structure What + verb to be + subject+ like?

 It means that you ask somebody to describe something or somebody.
What is Paris like?  It is  unique and amazing !
What is the food like there?  It is delicious.
What are people like? They are kind and friendly,they're always ready to help.

Like in these sentences is a preposition, not a verb. Don't confused it with the verb to like. If like is a verb, in a sentence there is an auxiliary verb and in the answer we have to use like:
What do you like?  I like travelling and reading.
 What did you like there?  I liked  the parks there.

English Reading: Learn to be Grateful by Edgar A. Guest

Painter Richard MacNeil

Hello,dear readers!

I've just read this poem and  was so impressed by these simple but significant lines, that I have decided to share it with my friends and readers.

Nowadays such kind of reading is the best way to treat our souls, isn't it?

 

 

 

 

  Learn to be Grateful  by Edgar A. Guest

Be grateful for the kindly friends

that walk along your way;

Be grateful for the skies of blue

that smile from day to day;

Let's Improve our English Pronunciation : Summer Vacation (video)

Hello,dear learners!
If you want to improve your pronunciation, I recommend you to watch this video from Rachel's English. As you remember, we have already seen some of her extremely useful videos.
I'm sure, this one will also help you to perfect  your English pronunciation .

Word List June 2014

 Hello,dear learners!

These words we learned in June. Do you remember them? Hope, you do!

Anyway you can check yourself using the links. Good luck!  ·

English Poetry for Studying Language : Hair Colours by Roann Mendriq

1.be bold
2.dare

3.highlights   

4.hues 

5.intersperse 

6.a streak

7.a swirl

8.vacillate 

Grammar. Passive Voice: 5 Important Rules You Have to Know

Hello,dear learners!
This is the third lesson about the Passive voice. The previous ones are here #1, #2

Today we'll learn 5 important rules  about the  using  the passive  verb forms.

1.Some verbs take two objects in the active sentences. They are :

 bring,tell,send,show,teach,promise, buy, write give,take ,etc. We can make two different passive sentences with them:

Ann showed me a wonderful picture.
1. I was shown a wonderful picture by Ann.
2.A wonderful picture was shown me by Ann.