My Visit to Oxford

What I Brought Back from Oxford

As the new academic year approaches, I can’t help thinking that every time I look at a course book, or my eager-to-learn students’ faces, a memory will pop up briefly in my head. This memory is bound to last for years but it only encompasses three short, sunny and spectacular days in Oxford. Ever since May this year, when I learned that I would be given the opportunity to attend an Oxford Teachers’ Academy seminar for winning a OUP competition, I had been dreaming about spending time in the centre of English Language Teaching, surrounded by fellow teachers from around the world.

How to boost your vocabulary:

Always have your pocket dictionary ready.

1st Prize from Oxford University Press

English File Competition

Your Blog author won 1st place in the competition for the most original speaking based lesson plan : English File Competition


The prize is a seminar at the Oxford Teachers' Academyentitled Teaching Adults, and a stay at   Keble College in Oxfordu from 25th to 27th July 2012.

My Skype Italian Lesson

Skype lessons - what's that all about?

Earlier this year, I decided to start taking Italian lessons. I have done an Italian course in the past, but it was a long time ago and I have forgotten a lot of the vocabulary and all the grammar rules. I asked around and found someone I judged to be the best Italian teacher in my city, Olja Andric. She has her own blog, and to me that says a lot . It turned out also that this teacher does something called Skype lessons! Shortly after, I learned my younger sister (also an English teacher) had been taking lessons from the same teacher and she was doing it on Skype. “What are these Skype lessons” I wondered, “and are others really doing that?” My sister told me it was not really much different than an ordinary lesson “in real life”, but I admit I was baffled. And interested! So, I contacted the Italian teacher and we agreed to have our first Skype Italian lesson 

It was 10 pm, quite late but it was actually the only time I was free. I was pretty tired and very happy about

Writing Business Letters

Business English Exercise: Formal/ Informal letter writing

LEVEL: Upper Intermediate (B2)

Match the informal phrases with their formal equivalents

see the comment for correct answers:

1  If you need me to explain more...	A I enclose my CV and one photograph.
2  Sorry, we made a mistake.	B I would appreciate it if you could provide me with all the relevant documentation?
3   We’ll tell you when we get your forms.	C You will be sent a confirmation upon receipt of the completed forms.
4 I put my cv and my photo in the envelope.	D Should you need any further clarification...
5. Please give me the papers!	E There has been an oversight on our part, and we  would like to apologize

English Grammar for less confident speakers, Lesson 1

 Lesson 1:  The Power of Now – Present Tenses

Many people tell me they can speak and understand English, but they are never sure how to use it correctly because they never learned English grammar. These posts are intended for such people. They will be in English, I will try to use simple words and clear examples and clarify some issues that many students have a problem with. People usually tell me: "Here's the deal: I can watch movies without subtitles, I can understand English and yes, I can speak but I don't know how to use the tenses! How many tenses are there? When do I use what?"

Let’s begin with the Present Tense. There are two present tenses in English. Present Simple and Present Continuous Tense, and soon you will see why.

 THE PRESENT SIMPLE TENSE

Business English:Dependent Prepositions

Do you know the right preposition for the following "Business English" phrases?
 Fill in the gaps and then check the key under the text.

LEVEL: Upper Intermediate (B2)

Fill in the gaps with the right PREPOSITION

1. The management has repeatedly complained (1)__about____ our department’s failure (2)____ implement the new safety policies. How can we account (3)____ this? Further delays may lead (4)____ detrimental consequences.  In fact, Mr Hobbs hinted (5)___ the possibility of expressing his dissatisfaction (6)___ our department at the next Board of Directors meeting.

2. I have great admiration (7)___ her contribution (8)____ the improvement of the overall work conditions of our staff and her involvement (9)___ the team building programs.  I often wonder where her enthusiasm and her sympathy (10)___ each staff member stems (11)____. It is paralleled (12)____ no

Did Napoleon Do His English Homework?

Napoleon's homework

      What is the best way to learn to speak and write in English? The most effective way is by speaking and writing in English. Students speak during the lesson, and between the lessons the students should try to write a sentence or two every day, perhaps by writing a sort of diary. It does not need to be long or complicated, just a few sentences about how the day went. Or they can choose to write a little letter or email to their teacher. In fact, all the communication with the teacher even through text-messages or email should be in English. That is certainly the best way to make progress.    

    It seems Napoleon's teacher gave similar advice to his student. As the article on BBC NEWS website says, when Napoleon was captured by the British and  forced to spend the last six years of his life on the island of Saint Helena, he decided it was time he learned English. He worked hard and had lessons every day because he wished to understand what the English people around him were saying. When he felt confident enough in his written English he started writing short letters to his teacher.

My Creative Writing Blog

If you are an aspiring writer, finding the answers to the questions of style, topics and techniques, visit my blog for creative writing exercises at:

http://creativewritingonline.blogspot.com/

My Students' Comments