Emailing

Well, I was going to finish writing a post I started a couple of days ago and guess what? I found this unfinished, unpublished lonely post here.

Here is an address where you can practise some email writing

http://www.better-english-test.com/unit13/index.html

Work hard my dear students!

Learn Something Every Day

This fun site called Learn Something Every Day publishes a flashcard with some text and nice drawings. Check it out. It is a fun and easy way to learn vocabulary and as they say, learn something new every day.

http://www.learnsomethingeveryday.co.uk/#

Understanding modal verbs

Understanding modal verbs is not an easy task. On the one hand, there is an easy part to learn. Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without "to", except for ought to. Modal verbs do not change; they are the same for all persons. They require no -s, -ing or -ed form.

However, modal verbs pose a challenge for students. It is not their form which is difficult but their meanings. We can use modal verbs to express probability, certainty, willingness, deduction. Modal verbs refer to the present or the future (except for could, would) but when followed by a perfect infinitive (have + past participle), they refer to the past.

As teacher we try to simplify a very complex system. One of the reason for its complexity is that modal verbs have at least 2 meanings. Take a look at the following chart:

http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/verbmodal.htm




In order to improve your use of modal verbs, click the link below and you will find a modal verb tutorial
http://www.englishpage.com/modals/modalintro.html

Exams: getting ready?

A lot of my students and former students are getting ready to sit for different kinds of English exams. They are mainly studying for end-of-the course examinations but others are preparations either FCE exams or EOI (Official School of Languages) 3rd and 5th certificate exams.

These are days of studying, reflecting and revising mixed with a feeling of nervousness and eagerness to get this exam period over with. These are days when a lot of doubts arise. So trying to help some former students a came across a nice website:

http://www.englishpractice.com/

Something that I found particularly helpful is that they offer the possibility of downloading a pdf report called "Perfect Your Sentences: 120 Grammar and Vocabulary Mistakes To Avoid".  I think you will find this report clear and useful as it will clarify very common mistakes/doubts/last-minute confusions.  

Photo taken by Marco di Pisa

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcoammannati/4748807262/

Long time, no "write"

I haven't written here for so long that I feel I bit guilty about it. Well, some of my present and former students are sitting for an important exam soon. I was thinking of how I could help them and luckily, I came across this verb tense table on the internet.

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/tenses

I hope it helps.

Phrasal Verbs with "look"

Phrasal verbs always drive students learning English insane. Here are some explanations and exercises, which I hope you find useful.

http://grammar-teacher.com/phrasal-verbs-look-part-1/

http://grammar-teacher.com/phrasal-verbs-look-part-2/

UK life and institutions - British Council

Watch the video and then do the vocabulary exercise.

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/uk-culture/population-and-demographics