phone english blog
B1 – Intermediate
Playing sports helps you stay in shape, teaches you how to organize your time and builds relationships with your peers and adults.
Click the title below to practice your speaking skills and talk about sports. Be ready to discuss new phrases and to answer discussion questions.
B1 – Intermediate
Double negatives in a sentence or clause are often confusing, that is why teachers tell students to avoid using them. They are also considered a taboo in English grammar.
Watch the video then read the article below to know more about the origin of double negatives and how it can be used properly.
Discuss:
1. Explain the two kinds of double negatives.
2. Which double negative should be avoided when taking exams or when applying for school or a job?
3. Give your own examples of double negatives.
B1 – Intermediate
There are many cities in the world that most people like to visit. Perhaps you’ve been to one of them.
It is very important to know some information you can use if you’re planning your next out-of-the-country trip.
Listen to the audio and read the transcript about the top 25 cities to visit.
http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/top-25-cities-to-visit-in-the-world/2760339.html
Discussion Questions:
B1 – Intermediate
A favor is something you do to help someone. When asking for a favor we usually ask people to help us and, most of the time, we ask politely making sure that it is not an inconvenience.
Click the title below to practice your speaking skills and learn the words we can use when asking for a favor. Be ready to discuss new phrases and to answer discussion questions.
B1 – Intermediate
Bananas are very popular fruits all over the world. They have essential nutrients that helps keep you healthy.
Here’s an article that’s all about bananas. Read about the facts of this well-known fruit and how important it is in some regions or countries.
http://www.english-online.at/biology/bananas/bananas.html
Discussion Questions:
1. What are some of the very common fruits that you have in your country?
2. Talk about some of the food products that your country exports.
3. What are some of your preferences when it comes to fruits and vegetables and how do you like to eat them?
B1 – Intermediate
Each country has its own rules and customs. Some are liberating while others are dated.
Read the article and discover how Saudi Arabia is changing some of their traditions.
http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/people/more-rights-for-women-in-saudi-arabia.htm
Discussion Questions:
1. What are some of the rights that you enjoy as a woman in your country?
2. In your country, what other laws should the government pass for women and children?
3. How are the women viewed in your society?
B1 – Intermediate
In this age of globalization, an Italian city is doing everything to keep their food tradition.
Some groups do not approve of this even if Italy’s Agriculture Minister supports the foreign food ban.
http://www.english-online.at/culture/italy-foreign-food-ban/italian-city-bans-foreign-food.htm
Discussion Questions:
B1 – Intermediate
Vaccines have been around for many years. But how does it work and what does it do to our body?
Click the title below to know more about vaccines. Be ready to answer some discussion questions.
Discussion Questions:
1. In your own words, please explain what vaccines are?
2. What are some of the common vaccines that you know?
3. What do you think about vaccines? Are they helpful or harmful?
4. Do you agree that some vaccines can cause illnesses?
B1 – Intermediate
When travelling, it is usual for other people to try the country’s popular dish. But sometimes we need to be adventurous to try some of the local food.
Let’s find out some of the strangest food around the world. You may read the article.. Watch the video also at the end of the article.
Have you ever heard the proverb one man’s meat is another man’s poison? It is a proverb that means something one person likes very much can be something that another person does not like at all. Here are five foods that might seem bizarre to some people, but delicious to others. Are they your meat or your poison?
Haggis
This is a Scottish dish that contains the internal organs of a sheep. It includes the liver, the heart, and the lungs. This is mixed with onions, raw fat, salt, and spices.
A Fried Brain Sandwich
A fried-brain sandwich is a sandwich made with sliced calves’ brains. It became a popular dish in St. Louis, Missouri, USA in the late 1880s.
Fugu
Fugu is a Japanese poisonous puffer fish. If you eat the poison of this fish, it can kill you. Only specially-trained chefs can prepare this fish because it is so dangerous.
Fried Spider
Fried spider is a delicacy in some parts of Cambodia. The spiders are fried and usually only the legs are eaten.
Sannakji
Sannakji is a Korean dish. It is made with live nakji (small octopuses) that have been cut into small pieces. They are usually still moving on the plate when this dish is served. They are usually seasoned with sesame and sesame oil.
Discuss Questions:
1. What delicacies have you tried?
2. What delicacies do you want to try and those that you never want to?
3. Have you tried strange food before?
B1 – Intermediate
A legend is a story that has been passed from generation to generation but cannot be proved as true. Each country has its own legend to tell its people. Some legends are popular worldwide.
Listen to the audio clip and study the vocabulary words. Be ready to use the words in sentences and to answer some discussion questions.
Discussion Questions: