A Day in the Life of a Football Player...

This is a fun exercise to do together with one of your classmates, or someone who is also learning English.

Student A

My name is David Johnson and I’m from England. I’m a footballer and I play for Manchester United in the English Premier League. In England, football matches are usually on Saturday. I get up at 1) ................................... and have breakfast at nine o’clock. I usually have 2) ................................... In the morning, I 3) ................................. and read the newspaper. I go to the stadium at about half past eleven and have lunch at 4) ................................... with the other players. We usually have fish and vegetables. The match starts at 5) ................................... and finishes at about quarter to five. After the match, I 6) ................................... with the other players. In the evening, I usually go to a restaurant with my wife. When I get home, I 7) ................................... and then I go to bed at about half past eleven. I’m usually very tired and sleep for a long time. 

Complete the questions to find out the missing information. Write one word in each space.


What time ...................... ...................... ...................... ......................?


What ...................... ...................... ...................... for breakfast?


What ...................... ...................... ...................... in the morning?


What time ...................... ...................... ...................... lunch?


What time ...................... ...................... ...................... ......................?


What ...................... ...................... ...................... after the match?


What ...................... ...................... ...................... when he ...................... home?

Now, ask your partner the questions and complete the gaps.

Student B

My name is David Johnson and I’m from England. I’m a footballer and I play for Manchester United in the English Premier League. In England, football matches are usually on Saturday. I get up at half past seven and have breakfast at a) ................................... I usually have bacon and eggs. In the morning, I b) ................................... and watch TV with my children. I go to the stadium at about c) ................................. and have lunch at quarter past twelve with the other players. We usually have d) ................................... The match starts at three o’clock, and finishes at e) ................................... After the match I have a drink with the other players. In the evening, I usually f) ................................... with my wife. When I get home, I watch a movie on TV and then I go to bed at about g) ................................... I’m usually very tired and sleep for a long time.

Complete the questions to find out the missing information. Write one word in each space. 

What time ...................... ...................... ...................... breakfast?


What............................................do............................................morning?


What time..................................................................to the stadium?


What ...................... ...................... ...................... for lunch?


What time......................the match......................?


What ...................... ...................... ...................... in the evening?


What time ...................... ...................... ...................... to bed?

Now, ask your partner the questions and complete the gaps.

For the answers, you'll have to come back tomorrow :) 

Language Focus: Camden Scene 2

WORD ON THE STREET  

 

This week Rob talks about the sort of questions people ask use when they go clothes shopping.



Watch the video. HERE

Don't Forget to click on the language focus( on the bar on the right of the page)  as well.

Language Focus, Camden Scene 1

WORD ON THE STREET

 

Rob explains question forms and expressions people use when they go shopping.



Watch the video. Begin HERE  

Visit the British Council Language Focus website; go to tasks and complete the activities.

Good luck!

How is your health?

Are you sick?
Let's review some health words! Begin Here http://www.schularena.com/englisch/reading_compr/task5/health01.html

Why Learn English Through Songs and Music?

So what is it about songs that make them such effective English language learning tools?

• It works. There is considerable scientific evidence that demonstrates how music can help second language learners acquire grammar and vocabulary and improve spelling. Then there is the so-called “Mozart Effect”, the concept that listening to classic musical boosts the performance of mental tasks like learning.

• Everyday language and colloquial speech. Songs and music almost always contain a lot of useful vocabulary, phrases and expressions. And since the intended audience is native speakers, songs and music include up-to-date language and colloquialisms. The language used in songs is casual and actually usable, if you pick the right music.

• Get familiar with the sound of English. Listening to songs will also allow you to focus on your pronunciation and understanding of the English language’s rhythm, tone and beat.

• Get English stuck inside your head. Many of the words and sound patterns within a song are repetitive and this makes it easier for them to stick in your mind. You probably already know this. Music has an uncanny ability of getting stuck in our heads. Tunes and lyrics will often infiltrate our thoughts and play over and over in our minds. All of which will help you to learn English through songs as you easily memorize vocabulary and phrases. In fact, after a short period of time you will find it almost impossible to forget them.

• Songs are emotional. Our relationship with music is deep, powerful and hugely rewarding. It is a key that unlocks our emotions, influences our moods and enhances our mental and physical well-being. When something is emotional, then of course it is also easier to remember.

• Music is an easy habit. One reason people find language learning difficult is they don’t have an extra minute in the day to devote to their studies. But when you’re learning English through songs, you don’t need to set aside too much time because you can take the music with you wherever you go. You can have English songs playing in the car, the kitchen and the shower. And by picking music you like, you can listen to the same material over and over again, without becoming bored.

• Music teaches you English culture. Music gives you insight into English-speaking culture and how English-speaking people think and feel. Familiarity with popular songs and artists gives you something to talk about with your English-speaking friends.

Check out Fluentu for some fun videos :)

Often Confused Words.

The Restaurant

Testing: Practice Makes Perfect Answers

Yesterday you were given a mini exam to test yourself and your confidence level in English - lets see how well you did by looking at your answers versus the correct ones

1. would 
2. get 
3. traffic 
4. highly 
5. had agreed 
6. where 
7. little 
8. long 
9. ought 
10. coast 
11. jeans 
12. opening 
13. interesting 
14. painter 
15. speak

How well did you do? Do you feel comfortable with the mini test?

In order to get into the testing spirit here an overview of those who haven't had a peek at the comparison of CEF levels for the various exams:

Level: A1

A basic ability to communicate and exchange information in a simple way.
Example: CAN ask simple questions about a menu and understand simple answers.

Level: A2

An ability to deal with simple, straightforward information and begin to express oneself in familiar contexts.
Example: CAN take part in a routine conversation on simple predictable topics.

• Cambridge English Key (KET)
• PTE General 
• PTE Academic 

Level: B1

The ability to express oneself in a limited way in familiar situations and to deal in a general way with nonroutine information.
Example: CAN ask to open an account at a bank, provided that the procedure is straightforward.

• Cambridge English Preliminary (PET)
• BEC Prelim
• IELTS 
• TOEFL iBT 
• TOEIC 
• PTE General 
• PTE Academic 
• Trinity ISE I

Level: B2

The capacity to achieve most goals and express oneself on a range of topics.
Example: CAN show visitors around and give a detailed description of a place.

• Cambridge English First (FCE)
• BEC Vantage
• IELTS 
• TOEFL iBT 
• Michigan ECCE
• PTE General 
• PTE Academic 

Level: C1

The ability to communicate with the emphasis on how well it is done, in terms of appropriacy, sensitivity and the capacity to deal with unfamiliar topics.
Example: CAN deal with hostile questioning confidently. CAN get and hold onto his/her turn to speak.

• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE)
• BEC Higher
• IELTS 
• TOEFL iBT 
• TOEIC 
• PTE General 
• PTE Academic 

Level: C2

The capacity to deal with material which is academic or cognitively demanding, and to use language to good effect at a level of performance which may in certain respects be more advanced than that of an average native speaker.
Example: CAN scan texts for relevant information, and grasp main topic of text, reading almost as quickly as a native speaker.

• Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)
• IELTS 
• Michigan ECPE
• PTE General 
• PTE Academic 

Testing: Practice Makes Perfect

How well do you understand English? Which exam should you study for? 

This test contains grammar and vocabulary questions and your test result will help you choose a level to practise at. You will not be able to see the correct answers to the questions.
At the end of the test your level will be assessed at a CEF level (A2 to C2). You can choose to have the results sent to your email address.

You should complete this test in about 10 minutes. You can also do a listening level test.

There are 15 questions in this test. The questions get easier or harder according to your responses. At the end of the test your English level will be assessed. You will not be able to see the correct answers.

Question 1

When Sam was a small child, he ……… spend hours every day playing with stones in the garden.

  used
  would
  was
  should

Question 2

Please don’t forget to ring me when you ……… home.

  get
  are going to get
  are getting
  will get

Question 3 

It’s a great place to live apart from the increasing volume of ……… that passes under my window every day.

  traffic
  vehicles
  transport
  circulation

Question 4

You should read this novel — it’s been ……… recommended by all the critics.

  truly
  highly
  fully
  deeply

Question 5 

I am sure I would have regretted it if I ……… to take the job.

  would have agreed
  would agree
  did agree
  had agreed

Question 6 

Have you been back to the house ……… you grew up?

  who
  which
  when
  where

Question 7 

I’ve only got a ……… money in the bank.

  few
  less
  little
  bit

Question 8 

How ……… have you and your family lived in this flat?

  much
  soon
  often
  long

Question 9 

You ……… to ring Aunt Jean to thank her for her present.

  should
  must
  could
  ought

Question 10

Skye is a beautiful island off the west ……… of Scotland

  border
  edge
  coast
  beach

Question 11 

Your blue ……… are dirty — put on your blue skirt.

  jeans
  dress
  shoes
  shirt

Question 12 

It’s hot in here — would you mind ……… the window?

  open
  opened 
  to open
  opening

Question 13 

I didn’t like that writer’s first book but his second one is much more ……… .

  interesting
  easy
  excellent
  expensive

Question 14

Paul loves art and he would like to become a ……… .

  cleaner
  singer
  mechanic
  painter

Question 15 

Jack loves working in Tokyo but he can’t ……… Japanese yet.

  speak
  say
  talk
  tell