Category: Class

Intensifiers – Very Basic

Level: Beginner-Intermediate

Intensifiers are words used to add force or emphasis in a sentence. Intensifiers can be adverbs, adjectives, or adverbial phrases.

Here are some of the common intensifiers:

Really
Example:
The movie is really boring.
I am really interested in going with you.

Very
Example:
You are a very smart boy!
The house is very big.

Too
Example: It’s too hot outside!
She goes out too often.

So
Example: You gave me so much!
You are so kind.

Could You Give Up Booze for a Month?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Holidays mean fun and celebration and what is a celebration without alcohol? Alcohol drinking has been associated with festivities and people tend to have one too many drinks during these occasions because they are allowed to.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript from the link below.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200116

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is it called a ‘dry January’ according to the podcast?

2. Do you like drinking alcohol? Are you a regular drinker or a social drinker?

3. What are the merits and downsides of drinking alcohol?

4. What is a ‘hangover’? Have you experienced it in the past?

5. What is ‘binge-drinking’? How can it be prevented?

Test 245

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This quiz must be completed in 10 minutes.

Adjectives: Comparatives and superlatives

Level: Beginner-Intermediate

A comparative adjective is used to compare two things.

If an adjective ends in –e, we add –r:
Example:
simple–simpler
fine–finer

If an adjective ends in a consonant and –y, we change –y to –i and add –er:
Example:
bumpy–bumpier
heavy–heavier

We use more to make comparatives for most two-syllable adjectives and for all adjectives with three or more syllables:
Example:
careful–more careful
interesting–more interesting

A superlative adjective is used when you compare three or more things.

If an adjective ends in –e, we add –st:
Example:
quick–quickest
short–shortest

If an adjective ends in a consonant and –y, we change –y to –i and add -est:
 shiny–shiniest
tiny–tiniest

We use most to make superlatives for most two-syllable adjectives and for all adjectives with three or more syllables:
Example:
beautiful–most beautiful
colorful–most colorful

The Key to Effective Business Coaching

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Coaching and developing talents is one skill that has become imperative for managers to have. Managers and businesses alike recognize the benefits of having managers that are equipped with this skill.

Read this article and know the keys to effective coaching.

https://www.forbes.com/2010/04/28/coaching-talent-development-leadership-managing-ccl.html#66efc69338e0

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the purpose of coaching?
  2. Talk about all 5 categories mentioned in the article. Share your thoughts for each point.
  3. How else can a manager implement effective coaching?
  4. What’s the coaching process like in your company? What’s good about them? How can they be improved?
  5. What is your manager like?

Test 612

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Cyber Security for the Rich and Famous

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Smartphones are used a little too much these days – from dating to traffic updates, accessing bank accounts, among others. However, the problem is that there is no perfect control against cyber attacks even rich and high-profile individuals are vulnerable.

Let’s read more about cybersecurity through this article:

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/25/tech/bezos-amazon-cybersecurity/index.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is cyber security important?

2. Do you turn on automatic updates on your smartphones?

3. How often do you change your passwords? How do you make sure your passwords are protected?

4. What are the risks associated with using public wi-fi?

5. Give some tips for protecting yourself against identity theft.

China Battles Coronavirus

B1- Intermediate

China is ramping up for containment measures as other countries are preparing for a major outbreak that has killed 56 people and infected at least 1,975 more.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2001/200124-coronavirus-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What were some of the first things you knew about Coronavirus? What information do you know about it now?
  2. What was your reaction to this news when you first heard about it then?
  3. How prepared was your country during the Coronavirus pandemic? How ready is it now for another pandemic?
  4. What do you think your government could do better if another pandemic were to happen?

Japanese City Asks Tourists to Stop ‘Sand Graffiti’

B1 – Intermediate

City officials of Tottori are asking tourists to avoid writing messages and pictures in the sand of its giant sand dunes. More than 3,300 cases of ‘sand graffiti’ happened at this tourist spot in the last 10 years.

Read the article below to know more about this new rule.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1905/190525-tottori-sand-dunes-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the city’s new rule to prohibit graffitis on sand dunes?
  2. Share your opinion on this: Graffiti damages the dunes. It ruins the pleasure people get in looking at them.
  3. What do you think of the tourists’ actions?
  4. What rules should tourists follow when they are visiting National reserves such as the Tottori Sand Dunes?
  5. Would you be interested to visit the Tottori Sand Dunes? Why or why not?

Linking Words of Contrast

Level: Intermediate-Advanced

Although, even though, in spite of and despite are words that are often used to connect two contrasting ideas or to express that one statement makes the other surprising. They are often found either at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence.

The way they are used differ depending on the different structures they are used with.

although / even though

Although and even though are followed by a subject and a verb. The only difference of even though from although is that it is a little stronger and more emphatic.

They liked the cake, although she would have loved more cream filling in it.
Although they loved each other very much, they decided to end their relationship.
Even though he gave her everything, she still left him.
The students didn’t get the answer correctly, even though their teacher gave them all the clues they needed to solve the problem.

though

Though and although can be used interchangeably.

Though Meghan is not a royal, Prince Harry married her. = Although Meghan is not a royal, Prince Harry married her.

Though can also be placed at the end of the second phrase. This structure is more commonly used in spoken English.

We were so exhausted as we had to hike all day to reach the top of the mountain. The view was so worth it, though.

in spite of / despite

In spite of and despite are followed by either a noun, gerund, or pronoun.

They didn’t win the match, in spite of their impressive play during the game.
In spite of the hardship, the team remained unfazed.
Despite being sick, she had a great holiday.
The food was terrible. In spite of that, we had a great time.

In spite of and despite are also often followed by the fact that + subject + verb.

In spite of the fact that it rained very heavily, the wildfires weren’t extinguished.
Despite the fact that it was only the beginning of July, it was very hot when we arrived in Sevilla.