Merry Christmas, Dear Readers and Friends!

painter Richard Macneil

A Christmas Poem: Santa's Helpers by M. Nora Boylan

Hello,dear readers!

Today I'd like us to read this awesome Christmas poem with our kids and enjoy it together.  

Merry Christmas!

Santa's HelpersA Christmas Poem by M. Nora Boylan 

The fairies and elves on last Christmas-tide
Decided to open their hearts very wide,
And spend extra time, throughout the whole year,
In helping their grandfather—Santa Claus dear.

Christmas Is Coming

Henry Hintermeister (1897-1972)

Fire,Dismiss , Quit and Other Words to Say that a Person Doesn't Work

Dear learners!
In this vocabulary section we'll learn  the words which are used to say that a person doesn't work.

 to sack- (British informal) to tell someone that they can no longer work at their job

Hundreds of workers are to be sacked at the factory.

The club have sacked their manager.

to dismiss - ( formal) to force someone to leave their job: order or allow to leave; send away.

Edwards claimed that he had been unfairly dismissed.

to fire - (less formal) to make someone leave their job, sometimes as a punishment

She was fired for refusing to comply with safety regulations.

He's the person responsible for hiring and firing.

A Christmas Story for Children

Hello dear learners!
The Christmas spirit is in  the air! Our small pupils are waiting for this holiday , and all their thoughts are about Christmas and presents.  I recommend teachers  to create a holiday atmosphere in the classrooms and  read winter poems and stories, sing Christmas songs and watch Christmas videos.


This video is interesting and can be used for teaching English  in a primary school.

Dear readers! 
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Hello,dear readers!
ESL students often have some difficulties with choosing proper language for   formal / informal  writing .
This article gives answers to common questions and examples of formal and informal letters.
I strongly recommend everyone to read it!

How to Avoid Colloquial (Informal) Writing

Four Methods:Writing HelpThe Difference Between Formal and Informal EnglishWhat to Avoid in Formal WritingWhat is Acceptable in Formal Writing

While it may be acceptable in e-mail or in chat rooms, excessive colloquialism can diminish the quality of a formal written text. Colloquialism used sparingly may make you appear more intelligent; however, if used incorrectly, can also make you appear ignorant. To improve your colloquial writing, have mastery of the English language, know what words to avoid, and learn what is acceptable in formal writing.


Dear readers! 
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How to make suggestions in English (video)

Hello,dear learners!
Let's study useful language structures for making suggestion in English!

Everyday Problems (vocabulary)

Hello, dear learners!
The topic of this post is "Everyday Problems". As I have already written, I like to use jazz chants to help students to memorise new words. Today we'll learn a lot of phrases about problems which people face in their daily life. This chant is very useful for  memorising these phrases and learning their pronunciation . 

So,let's listen to it!

Vocabulary:

to oversleep -sleep longer than you planned to in the morning

miss a  train - arrive too late to do something

slip on the sidewalk - slide unintentionally for a short distance, typically losing one's balance or footing

Ideas for a Kids Winter Party: Snowflakes

 

Just for Fun: Aunty Acid

Snow song by Sara Teasdal

Snow song by Sara Teasdale

Hello,dear readers!

Have you ever thought about a snowflake as a symbol of love? No?  Then you should read this romantic winter poem.

Fairy snow, fairy snow,
Blowing, blowing everywhere,
Would that I
Too, could fly
Lightly, lightly through the air.

Like a wee, crystal star
I should drift, I should blow
Near, more near,
To my dear
Where he comes through the snow.

I should fly to my love
Like a flake in the storm,
I should die,
I should die,
On his lips that are warm. 

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Infinitive or Gerund . Part # 3. Bare Infinitive

Hello, dear learners!
Let's continue to study the verb forms : infinitive and gerund. We began to study this grammar  rules here lesson#1 (The to infinitive form) , here lesson#2(Gerund ) and here
Today we are going to learn the rules of usage of  the bare infinitive form in English'
Hope, you remember, that the  "bare " infinitive form is the form without the particle to
 open, go, play.

The "bare" infinitive is used

• after modal verbs :can,may,must, should, etc. Learn more about modal verbs  here

She 's only three, but she can read!


note!   ought is used with to infinitive
You ought to respect our rules!

• after the verbs let, make, see, hear, feel.

This film makes me cry.
I saw her enter the house.
note!
1. the passive forms of these verbs : be seen, be heard, be made - are followed by the to infinitive form:
She was seen  to enter the house.
2. verbs see, hear , watch can  also be followed by the  -ing form
I saw her entering the house.
She was seen entering the house.

• can / could + see/ hear + - ing form

Ann could see someone opening the  window in the empty house.

• after would rather and had better

You'd better ask Nick  to help you.

• The verb help can be followed by the to infinitive or the bare infinitive.

My friends  always help me (to) study English.

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Winter (Vocabulary and Songs for Beginners)

Hello,dear learners!
A lot of people like December, because it brings us the magical spirit of Christmas and New Year holidays !For me, winter is snowy and frosty weather outside and warmth of my home inside; playing snowballs and making snowmen, sledging, skating and skiing, watching winter movies and cartoons with all my family and enjoying tasty home-made pies and biscuits with a cup of fragrant tea or coffee.
What is winter for you?

Today I'd like to recommend these songs for those who begin studying English . They also can be used for teaching kids. The rich vocabulary and nice tune will help students to memorize a long list of winter words and phrases.
So, let's listen to these songs and enjoy learning English!

Lesson Plan : Music in Our Life

 I think, it's a good idea  to start the lesson with this saying:
 “Music is the universal language of the world” H. Longfellow

 It`s impossible to live without music, it follows us everywhere, it is in our hearts, feelings and souls. 

Enjoy Winter With Berni Parker' Picture!

Travelling (vocabulary)

Hello dear readers!
Winter holidays are the great chance to go somewhere and enjoy new places.We have already learnt how to write a letter from a holiday resort

Sometimes,the ESL students are confused with  a large amount of  the "travel" words: travel, journey, trip, voyage, tour. 

Here I'd like to help you to understand the difference in their meanings.

Travel – to go from one place to another by car, train, plane, bus, etc. to go on a journey or visit different places, especially places that are far away from where you live or work

They usually travel in summer.


Use travel correctly:

travel to

travel in/around