Signal words for tenses

from: http://help2say.com/questions/1222/great-tables-to-understand-english-tenses

Other words for "said"

To prepare for your test, go through the list and select words that are the most appropriate for the
different sections of the test. For example, which words for said would you use to compare / contrast? To explain? To offer your opinion or preference?

  Other Words for "Said"

Acknowledged
Added
Admitted
Advised
Agreed
Announced
Answered
Approved
Argued
Assumed
Assured
Asked
Babbled
Bargained
Began
Boasted
Bragged
Called
Claimed
Commanded
Commented
Complained
Cried
Decided
Demanded
Denied
Described
Dictated
Emphasized
Estimated
Exclaimed
Explained
Expressed
Feared
Giggled
Grinned
Grunted
Indicated
Insisted
Instructed
Laughed
Lectured
Lied
Mentioned
Moaned
Mumbled
Murmured
Nagged
Noted
Notified
Objected
Observed
Ordered
Pleaded
Pointed out
Prayed
Predicted
Questioned
Reassured
Related
Repeated
Replied
Responded
Requested
Restated
Revealed
Roared
Ruled
Scolded
Screamed
Shouted
Shrieked
Snapped
Sneered
Sobbed
Spoke
Sputtered
Stammered
Stated
Stormed
Suggested
Taunted
Thought
Told
Urged
Uttered
Vowed
Wailed
Warned

 

taken from:  http://www.iss.k12.nc.us/writing/said.htm

Whispered

Vocabulary Practice

Want to improve your vocabulary or grammar? Have a look at these websites!


http://a4esl.org/

http://www.esltower.com/vocabularyquiz.html

Present Perfect Signal Words

Some verb tenses in English have signal words. Some signal words for the Present Perfect are:

just
yet
never
already
ever
so far
up to now
recently
since
for

To learn more, check out the activities on this website

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/present_perfect_signal_words.htm

Pronunciation

Have a look at this video about English pronunciation!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHSwwbXwfJ4

Mister Duncan

Check out this YouTube Channel. It's an English teacher who posts video lessons.

http://www.youtube.com/user/duncaninchina/videos

Thanks for the website Gizem!

Homework - Posting to the movie club

Today we read paragraphs written by four different people in an online movie club (page 2 - Alejandro, Carolyn, Nan and David). The people in this movie club described their *taste in movies.

*taste has many meanings, one meaning is preference

Write a post to the movie club (5-7 sentences) describing your taste in movies. Use some of the questions below to help you write.

• What genres of movies do you like?
• What do you like about movies?
• What genres of movies do you dislike? 
• What do you dislike about movies?
•  Do you ever have to strike a compromise with people when you're trying to decide what movie to watch?
• Are you a sucker for any specific genre of movie?

Past Perfect vs. Present Perfect

Take a look at these diagrams that show the difference between past and present perfect: http://help2say.com/questions/381/past-perfect-vs-present-perfect

Commonly Misspelled Words

Check out this website that lists some commonly misspelled words. Trust me, you should study this website, everyone is guilty of misspelling these words! The comics with them aren't bad either!

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/misspelling

Thanks for the website Juan!

Which vs. That

Check out this video on which vs. that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UXobOie_uGI#at=208

Practice Test

Have an extra 20 minutes this weekend?

Try a practice test. This website has Reading and Use of English practice. You can decide which part(s) you'd like to attempt. The more you practice, the better you will do on the test!

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/tests/index.htm 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Vocabulary Reviewed Today

Vocabulary we reviewed today:


Drawback
heartfelt
soundtrack
atmosphere
average joe
plot
dramatic

chickflick
unscripted
contrived
setting
give away (the ending)
guilty pleasure
authentic

genre
cast
nervewracking
strike a compromise
special effects
compelling
captivating

(extra reading) Real Women ...?

Check out this article about "Real Women" and what they look like.

http://www.rxmuscle.com/rx-girl-articles/8342-real-women.html


What are the main points of the article? Do you agree or disagree with them? What points do you agree with? Which ones do you disagree with?

Movies

Monday we read paragraphs written by four different people in an online movie club (page 2 - Alejandro, Carolyn, Nan and David). The people in this movie club described their *taste in movies.

*taste has many meanings, one meaning is preference

Write a post to the movie club describing your taste in movies. Use some (NOT all !) of the questions below to help you write.

• What genres of movies do you like?
• What do you like about movies?
• What genres of movies do you dislike? 
• What do you dislike about movies?
•  Do you ever have to strike a compromise with people when you're trying to decide what movie to watch?
• Are you a sucker for any specific genre of movie?

Reminder!

Hello everyone, 

I am posting this as a reminder that we have class in room 408 of the MAIN BUILDING tomorrow. 

Hooray for microwaves! 

Lateness Policy

Always plan ahead. You're all well-aware of our subway and bus system here; always give yourself 10 - 15 extra minutes in case of short transit delays. 

Class begins at 8:30.

You cannot be late. You must be in class by 8:40am. (Not 8:41, 8:43 or 8:45)

If you are late because of serious subway delays, do not come to class first. First, see the academic staff and ask for a note. If they give you a note, come to class and give the note to me. If they do not give you a note, wait until 10am, then come to class. 

If you are later than 8:40am and you do not have a note, you must wait until 10am to attend class. 

Do not knock on the door or wave to people in class if you are late, this is extremely disruptive and rude.

Passive Voice

Check out this mini-lesson on the Passive Voice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g72m8wyNzsI

Vocabulary: Only, Just, Merely, Barely

Check out this video explaining the meanings of only, just, merely, and barely.

Enjoy!

http://www.engvid.com/vocabulary-only-just-barely-merely/

Convey vs. Perceive

From learnersdicionary.com and http://www.reference.com/ (which is a great website. Reference.com gives you several examples of how to use specific words and expressions)

Convey
2 : to make (something) known to someone 
▪ Words convey [=communicate] meaning. 

• ▪ Mere words could not convey his joy. [=he could not express his joy in words] 
• ▪ The painting conveys [=expresses] a sense/feeling of motion. 
• ▪ Her appearance conveys self-confidence. 
• ▪ The message conveyed a sense of urgency.

Perceive

1 formal : to notice or become aware of (something)
▪ I perceived [=noticed] that she had been crying. 

▪ The detective perceived [=saw] a change in the suspect's attitude.

2 : to think of (someone or something) as being something stated

• ▪ She perceived herself as an independent woman. = She perceived herself to be an independent woman.— 

often used as (be) perceived 

• ▪ He is perceived as one of the best players in baseball.
• We must also look in the mirror and try to understand how our partners perceive us.
• But if they were fur covered a human would perceive them as some sort of ape.
• There's more to gaining an understanding of how different animals perceive the world, but that's a start.

Monday May 13

Hello everybody,

Sorry for being absent today. I was feeling a bit under the weather this morning. Today you should've looked at the following vocabulary:

Page 52
to convey
to be proficient
halting
to be immersed
primary language
mother tongue
passale
to brush up on (something)
to carry on (something)
to master (something)
to retain
a whim

Page 58 / 59
to perceive
to dominate
to converse
to be dismissive
to build rapport
an upshot

Using Contrasts
but, however, in contrast, on the other hand, though, unlike, whereas and while signal contrast.

What I would like you to do, is write a response to the questions below for homework tonight, using at least 3 of the new vocabulary words / expressions.

1) Do you think the communication styles described in the reading are true for you or people you know? Why or Why not?

2) Paolo Rossetti's research says, "male / female communication differences also apply to e-mail discussion groups. Many more "aggressive" or "sarcastic" remarks are made by male participants while women tend to contribute many more "supportive" comments". Do you agree with Paolo Rosetti's research? Why or why not? Give examples.

Conditionals - Homework

Hey everybody,

We will look at the answers in class tomorrow, but just in case you're absent, here are the answers.

Abercrombie and Fitch

Do you have any thoughts on this article? Are you surprised a company would do this? Are you offended? Would you shop at Abercrombie and Fitch in the future knowing this?

Post your thoughts below :)

http://fstoppers.com/abercrombie-fitch-ceo-goes-on-record-with-his-hate-for-fat-chicks

TTC Stories

Check out this website and read some strange (and some funny!) stories about some people's experiences on the TTC

http://www.thegridto.com/city/places/tales-from-the-crypt/

Wish / Hope homework from the weekend (answers)

Contemporary Issue

Spousal, or child abuse is another issue that you can choose if you wish. Here is something interesting that a Spanish company is doing to get more children to ask for help when they need it. 

http://gizmodo.com/this-ad-has-a-secret-anti-abuse-message-that-only-kids-493108460

Homework for May 6

Hey everyone,

Sorry this video wouldn't load properly in class today. Here is the link to listen to the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzfYL51e3HI

Write down words you hear and your thoughts on the song. What do you think the song is about?

Also complete Unit 4 vocabulary in your workbook and try to write down 3 issues that you're interested. Some examples are: poverty, education, obesity, diet and exercise, violence, violence in media, bullying, environmental issues (global warming, water pollution, air pollution, traffic pollution), alternative energy .. etc. The possibilities are endless!

Recall / Remind / Remember

Check out this video about the differences between the words "recall", "remind" and "remember"

http://www.engvid.com/vocabulary-remember-recall-remind/

Homework - Blurb

Hello everyone,

This weekend, your homework is to respond to this blog by writing a blurb (similar to the one in the textbook on page 14) and to watch an English television show or movie. I watched Jack Reacher last night. Tom Cruise is the star actor in the film. It was kind of slow but an okay movie. I think I'd give it 3.5 / 5 stars.

Blurb Instructions: Choose a country that you are knowledgable about. You can choose the country that you are from but you can choose any country you wish. Brainstorm a list of things that you can do in that country, places you can visit (sightseeing, parks, museums, restaurants, clubs etc.), events that you can attend, activities that you can participate in etc.

Start your blurb with a series of questions as the textbook does. Then discuss why people should visit the country you chose and not another country. Why is this country better?

Try to write between 10-15 sentences for your blurb. Aim to write 3 or 4 paragraphs.
Paragraphs 1 - Introduction (questions),
Paragraphs 2 / 3 - Body paragraphs (Why people should visit this country, why it is the best choice, what they can do, where they can visit, maybe some "hidden treasures" that most tourists don't know about.
Paragraph 4 - Conclusion. Restate why they should visit this country and not another country. Why is this country such a great place to go to?

Have a fun weekend and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Airline to charge passengers by weight

Read the article then answer the question trying to use some of the Focus Language at the bottom of the post. Respond to the article by commenting at the bottom of the post.

What points do you agree with? What points       do you disagree with? Why?

Airline to charge passengers by weight (4th April, 2013)

Samoa Air has become the first airline in the world to base fares on a passenger's weight. The national carrier of the South Pacific island nation has discarded the traditional pricing model of asking fliers to pay for a seat and instead has moved to a price-per-kilogram structure. The airline flies domestically between the country's two main islands and has started international flights to American Samoa and Tonga. Travellers pay a price of around US$1 per kilogram on shorter routes, and over US$4 on longer flights. Samoa Air CEO Chris Langton said the new initiative would help promote health awareness in Samoa, which has one of the world's highest rates of obesity.

Reaction to the new pricing scheme has been mixed. A spokeswoman from the New Zealand-based campaign group Fight the Obesity Epidemic vehemently opposed the new fares. She said: "I think that's absolutely appalling. It's a stigmatisation of people, and really, just powerfully discriminating." A Samoan community leader said he appreciated that weight was key for airlines. He told the New Zealand Herald: "I weigh 200kg. I would be okay to pay the fare, provided it's reasonable, but I don't think it's a good excuse saying that they're trying to promote healthy living - that's a lame reason." Many industry analysts believe other airlines will follow suit in charging overweight passengers extra.

Article from: http://breakingnewsenglish.com/1304/130404-airline_passengers.html#ixzz2QHONnJXz

Focus language: 

Challenging an Argument                         Introducing a Counterargument
That's inaccurate                                          In fact... 
That's not logical                                          It hardly seems likely that... because...                                                   
I find that hard to believe.                            In reality
That doesn't make sense.                             The truth of the matter is... 

(Pg 132 of your text)

Making Formal Disagreements
Subject + appear(s) to claim that
I'm afraid I disagree
I think it is dangerous to say that... 
I would like to suggest that... 

(Pg 8 of "Writing to the Editor" Package)

Conclude               Contrast                    Addition     
All in all,              Although,                     Furthermore
To sum up,          On the other hand,    What's more,
At/In the end,      However,                  Added to this,
At last,                Nevertheless             Moreover,
Finally,

                                                    (Pg 10 of "Writing to the Editor" Package)

Homework for the Weekend

Hello everyone,

I wish you all the best in the upcoming week! I'm sure you will have a great time with your supply teacher :). Your homework for the weekend is 1) Page 62 of your workbook A and B (Unit 11 Vocabulary) and an FCE Practice Reading Test #3.

Later tonight, I will post an article that you can respond to and discuss with each other (this is additional and voluntary writing practice where you can apply new vocabulary and expressions you've learned. For example, expressions from the "Letter to the Editor" booklet.). If you e-mail me a blank e-mail and just put you name in the subject, I will e-mail you feedback about your blogposts (grammar, sentence structure, word choice etc.).

Later this weekend, I will post websites where you can do practice FCE tests to study and prepare yourself for Wednesday.

Enjoy your weekend!

April 11 Homework

Hello everyone,

Just a reminder that your homework tonight is to a) finish your letter to the editor to hand in (please bring it on a piece of paper that you can hand in) and b) Use of English practice test part 3.

Have a fabulous evening!

Homework April 10

Hey everybody,

Please remember to complete the Use of English for homework. Also, please bring in a newspaper article about a topic that you are interested in. Here are some websites you might like to look at:



http://www.speakoz.com/english-articles/ (This website organizes articles by topics that you can choose from)

Below are news websites. If you use these, you will have to search a bit harder to find an article that you're interested in.

http://breakingnewsenglish.com/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
http://www.simpleenglishnews.com/
http://www.pbs.org/
http://globeandmail.tumblr.com/
http://www.thestar.com/news.html

Please print / download the article and bring it to class. Since we don't have wifi, you will need to make sure you have a copy of it.

Unit 22 - Extra Practice with Articles (a / an / the / no article)

Here are the answers for the extra practice activity about articles. 

Vocabulary

Want to brush up on some vocabulary and donate rice to countries in need simultaneously?

Check out the website FreeRice.com For every question you answer correctly, rice is donated to countries that need it. You can choose to focus on English vocabulary or grammar, or if you want to study other subjects give them a try!

Definitions:

Brush up (on)
Simultaneously

Welcome to Pre-Advanced!

Hello everyone,

Welcome to Pre-Advanced. For this class, you will need the Advanced World Pass textbook and workbook. They're sold as one package in Building 4. If you want to sell these books after you finish the class, try only using pencil or writing everything in your notebook. I look forward to meeting with all of you again tomorrow! Remember your homework is page 56 of your workbook. Exercises A and B. Also, try to remember to bring a newspaper to class tomorrow.

Best,

J