Monday, 18 September 2023

Grammar Point about Reported Speech and Passive Voice in Units 3 and 4

Reported Speech and Passive Voice in Units 3 and 4


Individual Online Exercise about the Whole Reported Speech


Meaning of the idioms with 'keep'

Exercise 1 on page 28 about the phrasal verbs with 'keep'


Different Passive Forms:

https://wordwall.net/es/resource/59335574


Online exercise about Passive Voice forms with Key Word Transformation:

https://www.topworksheets.com/custom/5ccad889-83b3-4a10-865c-6eb5b47438ab



Thursday, 9 March 2023

Speaking Practice for the International Women's Day




Collaborative Speaking about the International Women's Day

https://wordwall.net/resource/53660513


Video about what the International Women's Day is


Collaborative reading exercises about the International Women's Day

Closing speaking practice about what it was learned in relation to the International's Women Day


Wednesday, 21 April 2021

3.6.- Writing: Language register and how to write an informal letter.

How are they dressed?

Collaborative Opening Online Exercise

https://wordwall.net/resource/62404036 


Language Registers: Formal, Informal and Neutral English


·
FORMAL


Formal language, even when spoken, is often associated with the conventions expected of written standard English.


 Formal English follow rules of grammar very strictly. Sentences tend to be longer and more complex. The vocabulary tends to be elevated, using big words and avoiding colloquial or slang vocabulary. It avoids split infinitives and prepositions at the end of sentences.

 

Rules of the formal language register:

1. Do not use contractions

2. Spell out numbers less than one hundred

3. Write in third person point of view.

4. Avoid using too much active voice.

5. Avoid using slang, idioms, exaggeration (hyperboles) and clichés

6. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms

7. Do not start sentences with words like and, so, but, also

8. Always write in complete sentences.

9. Write longer, more complex sentences.

 

·        INFORMAL

    Informal language is characterized by a simpler grammatical structure (i.e. loosely-connected sentences and phrases), and personal evaluation.   Informal language may make use of slang and colloquialisms, employing the conventions of spoken language. However, it is too casual and loose to be acceptable for academic writing.


With informal writing, you can include things such as:

  • Slang and clichés
  • Figurative language
  • Symbols and abbreviations
  • Acronyms
  • Incomplete sentences
  • Short sentences
  • First person, second person, and third person
  • Jokes
  • Personal opinions
  • Extra punctuation (Hi Bob!!!!!!!)
  • Passive and active voice

 

·         NEUTRAL

We use the neutral language register with non-emotional topics and information.


Neutral writing is not necessarily formal or informal. It is not usually positive or negative. A neutral register is used to deliver facts. 

Some writings are written in a neutral register. This means they are not specifically formal or informal. 


Rules of Neutral Writing:

  •    Phrasal verbs & contractions = OK
  •    Some idioms are OK, but avoid slang and text speaking.
  •    Use polite English.

 

Source: https://izha-serbaserbi.blogspot.com/2017/10/formalinformal-and-neutral-english.html

Collaborative Exercise 1 on Page 30

Collaborative Reading Letter Sample on Page 31

Chart about the Structure for a Letter or Email

Some useful phrases for the different parts of the informal letter to a pen pal

Individual Exam Task on Page 30

Wednesday, 26 February 2020

5.6.- Writing: Purpose links and how to write a proposal


What is your life purpose?

For example, 'My life purpose is to visit as many countries as possible.'


Lecture video called How to know your life purpose in five minutes


Purpose links

 

Purpose with toin order to and so as to

Use to , so as to, and in order to to express purpose in the affirmative form.

Examples:

§  He is looking for a part time job to save some pocket money.

§  She wakes up early in order to be on time to work.

§  They visited him so as to offer their condolences for the death of his wife.

Use so as not to and in order not to to express purpose in the negative form.

Examples:

§  They woke up early in order not to be late.

§  She exercises regularly so as not to get fat.

§  He helped the new policewoman so as not to fail in her first mission.

Purpose with so that

You can also express purpose with so that. In this case you generally need to use a modal.

Examples:

§  He turned down the music so that he wouldn't disturb the neighbors.

§  He got a visa so that he can travel to the USA.

§  He decided to stay in England for a while so that he could practice his English.

Purpose with for

Purpose can be also expressed by using forFor may be followed by either a noun or a verb + ing.

Examples:

§  I stopped there for a chat.

§  This mop is for cleaning the floor.


Sources: 

https://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-lesson-purpose.php


Collaborative online game about purpose links on wordwall

https://wordwall.net/resource/31947209

 

Collaborative exercise 1 on page 46

 

Online exercise about Purpose links

https://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-85663.php


 

What British sports do you know?


Window on British sports


 

Top 10 odd British sports



 

How to write a proposal

 

What a proposal really is


A proposal is a document that outlines a plan of action, request for funding, or proposal of an idea. Proposal writing is a process organizations follow for proposal creation. Proposal writing can be used in various settings, including business, academia, and government. In each case, the goal is to present a clear and concise plan to convince the reader to approve the proposal.


It offers comprehensive information about the project an organization wants to implement. It outlines the process and resources required to complete the project successfully. It also includes the objectives and goals of the project.

 

What a typical proposal task looks like

I typical proposal looks like a report. 


When writing a proposal, there are two things you need to ask yourself before you even start to make a plan:

  1. What do I have to include in my proposal?
  2. Who is going to read it?


As proposals are written to local or school authorities, tutors or teachers, formal  English is required so contractionscolloquial expressionsslang or phrasal verbs that convey informality are not allowed.


How to organise your proposal


1.- Title

2.- introduction

3.- Topic Paragraphs (between 2 and 3)

4.- Conclusion


The different parts of a proposal

In this part we are going to look at the example from the beginning of this post again and I’m going to walk you through writing a proposal step by step so you know exactly how this whole thing works. Of course, the topic changes from task to task, but if you understand the essence, you will be able to apply this knowledge to every future task.

1.- Introduction

A proposal is a rather factual and informative piece of writing so it is not your job to make it sound happy or sensational (as you would in a review or possibly an informal email). Therefore, your introduction should get straight to the point. Say what the proposal’s purpose is and what you are going to include. It is also important to note that you should never just copy the words from the task, but paraphrase them and use your own words instead.

Some useful language for an introduction includes (but is not limited to) the following phrases:

  1. The purpose/aim of this proposal is to…
  2. This proposal is intended to show/discuss/suggest/outline...


2.- Topic paragraphs

In your topic paragraphs you deal with the three different main points from the task. As mentioned above, you are not required to make this sound sensational, but rather informational and factual.

At the same time, however, you’re trying to convince the local council to consider your proposal so you need to use language to make suggestions and to be persuasive.

The paragraphs should get headings so it becomes evident very easily what you are talking about in each section.


Conclusion

Last but not least, we need a nice and short conclusion to give a last recommendation. Make sure that you try to convince the reader of your idea one more time.

Recommendations in the conclusion:

I would strongly recommend (+verb in -ing)...

It would be advantageous to...

It is recommended that...

In conclusion, I strongly feel that... is/would be the best to...

It would be a good idea to...


Source: https://technicalwriterhq.com/writing/proposal-writing/


https://www.rubenvalero.com/learningenglish/c1-advanced-cae/writing-cae-c1/cae-proposal/


http://cailearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Unit-5-Writing-A-Proposal.pdf

5.5.- Speaking: Compound adjectives and Speaking test part 2.


What do you think about people who go hunting?

What animals do you think are hunted?



Collaborative exercise 1 on page 45 on wordwall on 

Online exercise about compound adjectives


Exercise 4 and Speaking Exam Task Practice on page 45

5.2.- Grammar: conditional forms



Talk about a case when you had to go to the doctor saying what symptoms you had, your disease or illness, your prescription and if it worked.


Conversation about considering a doctor's appointment


A: Morning!

B: Hi!

A: How have you been?

B: Good is good, and you?

A: I'm feeling a little under the weather.

B: Why?

A: Because I have had diarrhea for two weeks.

B: Golly gosh! If I feel sick, I go to the doctor.

A: But If I go to the doctor, I will spend a fortune.

B: It doesn't have to cost you an arm and leg if you go to Dr. Simi. If I were you, I would go there.

A: So, you think that if I had gone there, I wouldn't be ill.

B: Of course milord, I'm sure that if you had gone there, you would have got recovered. 

A: Thanks for the advice.

B: Unfortunately as you know I didn't study medicine. However, if I were a doctor, I would have assisted you.


Zero Conditional: If I feel sick, I go to the doctor. 

If + Present Simple, Present Simple -> Facts


First Conditional

If I go to the doctor, I will spend a fortune. 

If + Present Simple, Future -> Possible Present or Future Situations


Second Conditional

If I were you, I would go there. 

If + Past Simple, Past Simple Modal (would, could, should or might) + Verb in Bare Infinitive -> Imaginary Present or Future Situations


Third Conditional

If you had gone there, you would have got recovered. 

If + Past Perfect, Perfect Modal (would/could/should/might + have + Verb in Past Participle) -> Past imaginary situations impossible to change


First Mixed Conditional

If I had gone there, I wouldn't be ill.

If + Past Perfect + Past Simple Modal (would, could, should or might) + Verb in Bare Infinitive ->

Present result of a past condition


Second Mixed Conditional

If I were a doctor, I would have assisted you.

If + Past Simple, Perfect Modal (would/could/should/might + have + Verb in Past Participle) -> Past result of a present condition


I would have assisted you if I were a doctor.

* The clauses in the conditional sentences are interchangeable.


Online game about conditional structures

https://www.eslgamesworld.com/members/games/grammar/fling%20the%20teacher/conditionals/conditionals%20practice.html


Questions and answers with the conditionals


Zero Conditional

What do you do if it is raining?

If it’s raining, I watch series on Netflix

What do you do if...?


First Conditional

What will you do if you stay at school after the English class?

I will go to sleep if I stay at school after the English class?

What will you do if...?


Second Conditional

What would you do if you were under arrest?

I would have a good behaviour to be free if I were under arrest?

What would you do if...?


Third Conditional

What would you have done, if you had killed someone?

If I had killed someone, I would probably have been to jail.

What would you have done if you had...?


First Mixed Conditional

What would you do if you hadn’t done your homework yesterday?

If I hadn’t done my homework yesterday, I wouldn’t probably be worried.

What would you do if you had...?


Second Mixed Conditional

What would you have done if you were at the doctor’s yesterday?

If I were at the doctor’s yesterday, I would have told him how I was feeling.

What would you have done if you...?


Individual online task about the basic and the mixed conditionals on 

Conditionals in songs



As long as you love me, I'll be your platinum.

Conversation about considering a doctor's appointment with alternative words to if

A: Morning!

B: Hi!

A: How have you been?

B: Good is good, and you?

A: I'm feeling a little under the weather.

B: Why?

A: Because I have had diarrhea for two weeks.

B: Golly gosh! When I feel sick, I go to the doctor.

A: But in case I go to the doctor, I will spend a fortune.

B: It doesn't have to cost you an arm and leg if you go to Dr. Simi. Supposing I were you, I would go there.

A: So, you think that unless I had gone there, I would be ill.

B: Of course milord, I'm sure that on the condition that you had gone there, you would have got recovered. 

A: Thanks for the advice.

B: Unfortunately as you know I didn't study medicine. However, only if I were a doctor, I would have assisted you.



Collaborative online exercise about the alternative words to if to introduce the condition

Speaking practice to alternative words to if

Individual online exercise about the alternative words to if to introduce the condition

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b2/unless-even-if-provided-as-long-conditionals/3/


Conversation about considering a doctor's appointment with inverted conditionals


A: Morning!

B: Hi!

A: How have you been?

B: Good is good, and you?

A: I'm feeling a little under the weather.

B: Why?

A: Because I have had diarrhea for two weeks.

B: Golly gosh! Should I feel sick, I go to the doctor.

A: But Should I go to the doctor, I will spend a fortune.

B: It doesn't have to cost you an arm and leg if you go to Dr. Simi. Were I you, I would go there.

A: So, you think that had I gone there, I wouldn't be ill.

B: Of course milord, I'm sure that had you gone there, you would have got recovered. 

A: Thanks for the advice.

B: Unfortunately as you know I didn't study medicine. However, were I a doctor, I would have assisted you.


Zero Conditional

If I feel sick, I go to the doctor.

Should I feel sick, I go to the doctor. 


First Conditional

If I go to the doctor, I will spend a fortune. 

Should I go to the doctor, I will spend a fortune. 


Second Conditional

If I were you, I would go there. 

Were I you, I would go there.


If I felt sick, I would go there.

Were I to feel sick, I would go there.


Third Conditional

If you had gone there, you would have got recovered. 

Had you gone there, you would have got recovered. 


First Mixed Conditional

If I had gone there, I wouldn't be ill.

Had I gone there, I wouldn't be ill.


Second Mixed Conditional

If I were a doctor, I would have assisted you.

Were I a doctor, I would have assisted you.

Collaborative online exercise about inversion in conditionals

http://www.carmenlu.com/sixth/grammar/inversion-cond6.htm


Individual online exercise about inversion in conditionals

https://english.lingolia.com/en/grammar/other-conjunctions-inversion/exercises











What possible problems could be experience when staying at a hotel?

Inverted conditionals


Dear valued guest, 


We would like to apologise for the issues during your stay here at the Royal Hotel. 


Naturally, if we had known about the bed bug infestation, we would have never given you that room. 


We are also sorry about the small fire that happened at the breakfast buffet. Thanks for the quick actions of guests such as yourself, it wasn’t worse. 


If this were your hotel, you would be ashamed. 


We would also like to apologise for the serious case of food poisoning you experienced after dining at our restaurant. 


If you book with us again, we will provide you with a 3% discount off your stay. 


Don’t forget to leave us a 5-star review on Tripadvisor! However, if I left a review, it would be 1 star. 


Kind regards, 

Hotel management 

 

Letter with inverted conditionals


Dear valued guest, 


We would like to apologise for the issues during your stay here at the Royal Hotel. 


Naturally, had we known about the bed bug infestation, we would never have given you that room. 


We are also sorry about the small fire that happened at the breakfast buffet. 


Thanks for the quick actions of guests such as yourself, it wasn’t worse. 


Were this your hotel, you would be ashamed. 


We would also like to apologise for the serious case of food poisoning you experienced after dining at our restaurant. 


Should you book with us again, we will provide you with a 3% discount off your stay. 


Don’t forget to leave us a 5-star review on Tripadvisor! However, were I to leave a review, it would be 1 star.


Kind regards, 

Hotel management 

 

Inversion in conditionals 

If we had known = Had we known 

If this were = Were this 

If I left = Were I to leave 

If you book = Should you book 

 

First Conditional 

If you book with us again, we will provide you with a 3% discount off your stay. 

Should you book with us again, we will provide you with a 3% discount off your stay. 

 

Second Conditional 

If this were your hotel, you would be ashamed. = Were this your hotel, you would be ashamed.

If I left a review, it would be 1 star.  = Were I to leave, it would be 1 star. 

 

Third Conditional 

If we had known about the bed bug infestation, we never would have given you that room.  = Had we known about the bed bug infestation, we would never have given you that room.


Collaborative activities 1 and 2 on page 41


Homework.- Activity 3 on page 41.


Individual online exercise 1 about everything related conditionals on https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b2/all-conditionals-mixed-conditionals-alternatives-if-inversion/


Speaking online game about conditionals

https://wordwall.net/es/resource/59209979


Introductory video about the full explanation of conditionals




Full explanation about conditionals

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b2/all-conditionals-mixed-conditionals-alternatives-if-inversion/


Inversion in conditionals

https://wordwall.net/es/resource/59236910/inversion-in-conditionals-2


Collaborative online exercise about the full explanation of conditionals

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b2/all-conditionals-mixed-conditionals-alternatives-if-inversion/2/


Individual online exercise about the full explanation of conditionals

https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b2/all-conditionals-mixed-conditionals-alternatives-if-inversion/3/