The linguistic genius of babies: what does it mean for grown-ups?

Posted on October 10, 2015 by mhardy3222

I have just come across an excellent English site called Teflresearch.com. The more we understand HOW we acquire language, the better we can learn. Check-out the following article: The linguistic genius of babies: what does it mean for grown-ups?   at Teflresearch.com and increase your understanding of how your brain learns language. The ‘Comments’ by language learners which follow the article are also very informative.

Katie Harris's avatarteflresearch

“In investigating the child’s brain, we may be able to help keep our own minds open to learning for our entire lives”

Chinese tones are baffling to non-native speakers. While westerners marvel at how a seemingly small pitch change is enough to differentiate between words like “mother” and “horse”, Chinese natives get the giggles when expats get all nostalgic about their horse’s cooking. Notoriously difficult to master, these differences are often incredibly subtle to non-native ears. Yet native Mandarin speakers differentiate tones with the same ease as English speakers perceive consonant contrasts in words like punk and monk. This contrast is what’s known by linguists as a minimal pair (and by barbers as what saves Sid Vicious wannabes from walking around with an unfortunate bald patch). But why is it that minimal pairs which are so obvious to native speakers can be so troublesome, and at times downright embarrassing in…

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Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), ESL Teachers, Reading, Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Tagged , | Leave a comment

TOEIC Test – 600 Essential Words: Part 4 Transitive Verbs

Posted on September 27, 2015 by mhardy3222

First, read TOEIC Test – 600 Essential Words: Part 1

Today, I’m presenting the Transitive Verbs from the above list.

♦ Transitive verbs must be followed directly by an object (a noun or pronoun).

We need to allocate funds for advertising.

We need to allocate … Q. what? … A. funds for advertising.

If you ask a question after the verb, you can often work out if the verb is Transitive (Vn) or Intransitive (V). Some verbs can be Transitive sometimes and Intransitive other times (Vn/V). It all depends on the information in the sentence and the questions you ask about the verb.

  • The answer to ‘what?’ (& ‘who?’) is a noun (noun phrase/noun clause), as in the above sentence. When we ask ‘what’ or ‘who’ after the verb we are asking for information about the object of the verb. In the above sentence, funds is the object of the verb.

♦ Intransitive verbs are not followed by a direct object:

The CEO spoke quickly.

‘Quickly‘ is an adverb because it tells us ‘how’ the CEO spoke. It is not a noun or pronoun. If we want to say ‘who’ or ‘what’ the CEO spoke to, we must use a preposition in the middle of the verb and object, as ‘to speak’ is an intransitive verb.

The CEO spoke quickly to the staff.  The CEO spoke to the staff.

  • The answer to ‘how?’, ‘why?’, ‘where?’, and ‘when?’ is an adverb, not a noun. An adverb can be one word. For example – quickly. It can be preposition + noun (preposition + noun = adverb. For more information, click here). For example – in the boardroom.  An adverb adds information to the verb.

The verb assemble can be Transitive:

The CEO assembled the staff.

The CEO assembled … who? … the staff.

It can also be Intransitive:

The staff quickly assembled in the boardroom after lunch for a short meeting.

The staff assembled … where?… in the boardroom. (preposition + noun)

The staff assembled … when? … after lunch. (preposition + noun)

The staff assembled … how? … quickly. (one word)

The staff assembled … why? … for a short meeting. (preposition + noun)

Try putting the following Transitive verbs in sentences and asking ‘what?’ or ‘who?’ after the verb. You will see that the verbs lend themselves naturally to this question  because they’re transitive! They need an object to complete their meaning. For example: He needs to acquire more financial backing. He needs to acquire … what? … more financial backing. You can’t just write: He needs to acquire. The sentence is obviously not finished. It needs an object.                                                                an object.

N.B.  The Transitive verbs in the table below are often used in a passive sense. For example:

Active: The C.E.O. allocated plenty of funds for the party.
Passive: Plenty of funds were allocated for the party.

Active: The Insurance Company will withhold payment until they acquire medical certificates.
Passive: Payment will be withheld until medical certificates are acquired.

 You can find definitions, sentence examples, and pronunciation for each word by clicking on the  Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Online Dictionary. I have already linked some for you.

TRANSITIVE VERBS:

accommodate acquire admire allocate
ascertain assess assume attract
authorize avoid bear broaden
combine compile complete confirm
consider constitute convince delete
designate detect determine diagnose
disappoint display distinguish disturb
emphasize engage enhance entitle
establish evaluate exact examine
excite expect explore expose
express extend facilitate forget
fulfill generate hire ignore
illuminate imply impose impress
incorporate incur irritate maintain
manage notify obligate obtain
occupy owe preclude predict
prevent prohibit promote protect
reconcile rectify refer regulate
reinforce release relinquish remind
repel replace require restore
revise secure select solve
submit subtract tempt urge
verify

Click here for TOEIC #5

withhold         
Posted in Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), TOEIC, Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Tagged | Leave a comment

Learn English through Comedy Film – Funny conversations with subtitles for levels 1, 2 & 3

Posted on August 27, 2015 by mhardy3222
wemakemovies.org

Laurel & Hardy – wemakemovies.org

 

 I have found a great video to help you   improve your English. Watch it, have fun, and relax.

 Click here for a funny film with subtitles.

 



♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Posted in Beginner (Level 1), Elementary (Level 2), Listening, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Speaking & Pronunciation, Videos | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

TOEIC Test – 600 Essential Words: Part 3

Posted on August 22, 2015 by mhardy3222

First, read TOEIC Test – 600 Essential Words: Part 1 and 2

Today, I am presenting some of the VERBS + preposition from the TOEIC 600 Essential Words list. I know it’s not easy to study and remember all these words so I’m going to help you more this time. 

Some of the following verbs + preposition are phrasal verbs, so the meaning is very different from the base verb. Take the verb ‘bring’: the meaning of ‘bring’ is different to ‘bring up’. You would know by now that the verb ‘get’ has a few meanings, but ‘get out’, ‘get on’, ‘get ahead’, and ‘get across’,  all have very different meanings.

You need to remember all the following verbs plus preposition together. Think of them as new vocabulary: ONE vocabulary unit, but TWO, or more, words.

I will give you a sentence example for each verb +  preposition.

Work out the meaning of the verb + preposition in the context of the sentence. You can check the meaning online at http://dictionary.reference.com

Remember that the TOEIC exam is business based, so look for the definition that is most suitable for business.

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abide by            If you make a promise, you should abide by it.

accustom to    Before setting up a new business, become accustomed to local laws.

adhere to          Stock brokers must adhere to the rules.

appeal to          The 50% discount appealed to the customers.

bring in             My part-time job doesn’t bring in much, but I enjoy it.                

bring up            Are there any matters which you would like to bring up at the meeting?

build up             We need to build up our customer base.

call in                 The  director called in an expert to assist with the campaign.            

catch up             Let’s catch up next week and work out a plan.

coincide with    Fortunately, the dress sale coincided with a public holiday.

come up with   Don’t worry! He always comes up with a solution.

conform to        Staff should conform to the dress code. 

 

deal with           Do you have to deal with demanding clients?

fall to                 The stock market fell to its lowest level this year.

figure out          Can you figure out what happened today on the stock market?

fill out                You need to fill out an application form if you want a job at Ikea.

get in touch       You should get in touch with a lawyer if you wish to pursue this matter.

get out of            Joe tried to get out of attending the annual general meeting.

give up                Sam gave up the presidency because of ill health.

keep up with     It’s important that we keep up with the opposition.

lock into             They locked us into the contract before we realised it!

look forward to-I’m looking forward to getting my tax return.

look up to          We all look up to our boss. She’s wonderful!

look to                The business is doing very well! We can look to the future with confidence.

mix up                The previous clerk was always mixing the orders up.

move up             If you want to move up in this company, play golf with the CEO.

open to               One thing I admire about my supervisor is that she is open to new ideas.

pick up               It doesn’t take long to pick up the skills needed in a bar job.

pull out              10% of the companies pulled out of the agreement.

sell out                There was pressure on the small supermarket to sell out to the big chain.

set up                  If you wish to set up a business, you need financial backing.

shut down         Many businesses shut down because of insufficient financial backing.

stay on top of    We need to stay on top of the competition or we’ll go out of business!

subject to           Small businesses as well as big businesses are subject to corporate law.

take back           In Australia, you can take a product back  to the shop if it is faulty.

take out              It’s advisable to take out an insurance policy when you travel overseas.

take part in       Competent managers encourage their staff to take part in decision-making.

throw out          He started making a disturbance so the bartenders threw him out.

Click here for TOEIC Test – 600 Essential Words: Part 4

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Posted in Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), TOEIC, Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Easy Listening – Practical and Social English #6

Posted on August 15, 2015 by mhardy3222

If you would like to improve your English speaking and listening, watch these videos from New English File Elementary. They feature speakers from England and The United States.  The conversations are written under the videos. Listen carefully and repeat what you hear:

Conversation 1: In the street – Asking for directions

Allie: Excuse me. Where’s King Street please?
Girl: Sorry. I don’t know.

Allie: Excuse me. Is King Street near here?
Man: King Street? It’s near here but I don’t know exactly where. Sorry.
Allie: Thank you.

Allie: Excuse me. Can you tell me the way to King Street?
Girl #2: Yes. Go straight on, go past the church and then turn left at the traffic lights and then I think it’s the second on the right.
Allie: Sorry. Could you say that again please?
Girl #2: Yes. Go straight on, go past the church and then turn left at the traffic lights and then I think it’s the second on the right.
Allie: Thank you.

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Conversation 2: Social English

Allie: OK. It’s this street. No, it isn’t. I’m sure she said the first on the right.
Mark: No, she said the second on the right. Relax Allie.
A: Look, let’s ask that man there.
M: I don’t think he knows. He’s a tourist.
A: Just ask him please.
M: OK, OK. Excuse me! We’re lost. Do you know where King Street is?
A: Sorry, I don’t live here. I’m a tourist.
M: You see. I was right.
A: OK. Let’s try the second on the right.
M: Here it is, King Street. I knew she said the second on the right.
A: There’s the restaurant, Donatella’s. Can you see anywhere to park?
M: That white car’s going over there! Do you think you can park in that space?
A: Are you saying I can’t park?
M: Allie, I’m only joking.
A: OK, OK. I’m sorry.

***********************************

Click here for Easy Listening – Practical & Social English #7

 Click here for Easy Listening – Practical & Social English #1

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Posted in Beginner (Level 1), Elementary (Level 2), Listening, Speaking & Pronunciation, Videos, Vocabulary | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Speak English like a Native Speaker

Posted on August 10, 2015 by mhardy3222

Would you like to speak English naturally? Have you been told that you won’t be able to speak English well because you didn’t start learning when you were a child? Have you been told that you won’t be able to pronounce English words correctly because you speak Spanish, Turkish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Vietnamese, or another language?  Well, that is nonsense. You can!

The difference between a native speaker of a language and a student is accent and instinct. Native speakers have grown up in the environment of their first language. All grammar, sentence construction and language “rules” come naturally. Their accent also comes naturally. As a student of a language it is your job to learn these rules and adopt the accent the best way you can to be understood by natives.  Have you ever noticed that actors can learn different accents? They do it because they have to. There are dozens of English accents and actors need to learn them or guess what? They don’t get the job!

I have found during 10 years of teaching English that if students can hear English sounds clearly, they can usually produce them. I include pronunciation (including stress, intonation, timing and rhythm) in my English classes and I find that students are very good at repeating words, groups of words, and sentences after me. It takes practice of course. They don’t get it right first time.

friendstvshowquotes.tumblr.com

friendstvshowquotes.tumblr.com

I say a few words from a sentence and they repeat after me. Then, I repeat a few more and they repeat after me. We continue like this until I have said the whole sentence and they have repeated it and got it right. My students are from all around the world: Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East. They get it right, they sound great, and they know it! You can get it right too. You just have to imitate native speakers often. Choose a TV series that you enjoy, like FRIENDS. Then: listen, pause the film, and repeat. Listen, pause, and repeat. Listen, pause, and repeat. Copy not just the sounds, but how they speak. It’s not necessary for me to give technical advice now about how to get the stress and rhythm exactly right. Keep it simple. Listen, pause, and repeat. You will know when you’ve got it right. You could record yourself, and check how you sound.

An added bonus of imitating native speakers is that you will learn English naturally. Do it as often as possible and it will become automatic. You don’t have to think about grammar.

I have found a FRIENDS video to get you started, but there are thousands  of suitable videos online. Have fun while you improve your English!

inclassforteachers All the Resolutions 5×11

Posted in Listening, Speaking & Pronunciation, Videos | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Causative verbs

Posted on August 2, 2015 by mhardy3222

English sentences do not always follow a regular pattern (subject + verb + object)  – just like your language! Sometimes the subject does nothing, but causes an action that someone else does. So, logically we call the verbs which cause the action  causative verbs. The most common causative verbs are: let / make / have / get.  Have a look at the following sentences:

♦ Do you like Irina’s new hairstyle? She had her hair cut yesterday. ♦ Why don’t you get your hair cut in a new style? ♦ The teacher made us do four hours homework yesterday. 

sleeping-in-class-level-brazillian_o_656459-sysr6i[1]

Why does the teacher make us do so much homework?! ……….http://u.osu.edu/uofye/files/

♦ A lot of parents let their teenage children drink alcohol at home.

♦ You shouldn’t let your dog annoy people on the beach.

♦ Do you think parents should let their teenage children smoke at home?

♦ My parents won’t let me go out.

♦ If you let me drive your car to the party, I’ll wash the dishes.

http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007

The rules are simple:

let + noun + base infinitive

♦ My neighbour lets his children play computer games when they are at the dinner table!

make + noun + base infinitive

♦ I never made my children do homework. I believed that it was their responsibility.

♦ I make my dog sleep outside at night. I make him eat outside too.

make + noun + adjective

(This isn’t strictly ‘causative’ as the noun is followed by an adjective not a verb. However, it’s a good idea to note the structure, which is the same as causative verbs followed by past participle. See the examples below: chocolate, TV news, and exams cause feelings. Depressed & tired are ‘ed’ adjectives / past participles).

♦ Chocolate makes people happy! The news on TV makes some people depressed. Exams make most people nervous.    Shopping makes me tired.

have + noun + base infinitive

♦ I have the doctor check my blood pressure every visit. I always have my daughter cook dinner on the days I see the doctor.

have + noun + past participle

♦ I had my teeth whitened last week. My husband will have his car serviced tomorrow.

get + noun + past participle 

♦ I get my hair cut once a month.  Fernanda gets her house cleaned every week.

get + noun + infinitive (with ‘to‘)

♦ A lot of parents are trying to get their children to play more sport.

♦ How can we get children to eat more vegetables?

As you can see, the subject in each of the above examples doesn’t do the action of the verb. The teacher doesn’t ‘do’ the homework. Irina didn’t ‘cut’ her hair. Fernanda doesn’t ‘clean’ her house. The teacher, Irina, and Fernanda, all cause someone else to do the action. For more information and practice exercises, click here.

When I can, I link these grammar posts to a song, to help you consolidate your grammar knowledge, revise and remember it. Well,  once again you’re in luck! I have links to two lovely songs, one called “Let Me Fall” sung by a truly gifted contemporary singer, Josh Groban. I have provided a Youtube video of this song, with subtitles, below. The second song was sung by the late Judy Garland, a legendary Hollywood Star. Listen, enjoy, and learn. The lyrics for “You Made Me Love You” are written below the video link.  For more information and practice exercises, click here.

Let Me Fall sung by Josh Groban

You Made Me Love You sung by Judy Garland  

Click here for the Youtube video. Dear Mister Gable, I am writing this to you and I hope that you will read it So you’ll know my heart beats like a hammer And I stutter and I stammer every time I see you at the picture show. I guess I’m just another fan of yours and I thought I’d write and tell you so oh, oh, oh. You made me love you. I didn’t *wanna (*want to) do it. I didn’t *wanna do it. You made me love you and all the time you knew it. I guess you always knew it. You made me happy sometimes; you made me glad, But there were times sir you made me feel so sad. You made me sigh ‘cause I didn’t *wanna tell you. I didn’t *wanna tell you. I think you’re grand. That’s true. Yes I do. ‘Deed I do. You know I do. I must tell you what I’m feeling.The very mention of your name sends my heart reeling. You know you made me love you. I don’t care what happens. Let the whole world starve. As far as I’m concerned you’ll always be the top ’cause you know you made me love you.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

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Posted in Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Songs, TOEFL, TOEIC | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

TOEIC Test – 600 Essential Words: Part 1

Posted on July 4, 2015 by mhardy3222

If you want to do well in a TOEIC Course, you need to know the list of 600 Essential Words For The TOEIC Test.  I know that sounds like a lot to learn, but you will manage if you study a small amount at a time and revise it before you learn more. TOEIC is an intensive course and if you can prepare yourself by learning essential vocabulary before you start, you will achieve a much better result.

toeic-pic.png

toeic-pic.png

I will present the Word List in various posts. Today, in Part 1, I am presenting the NOUNS from the 600 Essential Words For The TOEIC Test  which have been formed by adding a suffix (an ending)  to a verb. The suffixes, …ment, and …ion, are common word endings for nouns. The base verb from which the noun has been formed is included. While the base verb is not on the list, it is helpful for you to understand word families. The most common questions on the TOEIC test relate to word families. Seeing connections helps you to remember.

Learning a list of words is not the best way to go. It is vital to understand new vocabulary in context, so write a sentence containing each word. Please don’t translate whole sentences! You can find sample sentences (and the pronunciation – listen and repeat)  from online dictionaries such as: www.dictionary.com and  Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary. *Take note that the main stress in nouns with the suffix ion is the syllable before ion. For example, action, appreciation, provision. This makes it easier to remember the pronunciation.

Keep in mind that the TOEIC Test has a business theme. Get a notebook and write sentences for the following nouns. Try to find  pictures for hard-to-remember words on Google Images. Print them out and put them around your home and in your notebooks. Get friends or family to test you. Have them ask you questions like, “What’s this picture about?” Answer: “A boss is making an announcement to his staff.” You will be practising the word from the list (announcement) as well as the collocation (make). You will be reminded that ‘announcement’ must be followed by a preposition (to) if you want to use an object (his staff). Start today and do a little every day. Good luck!

NOUN BASE VERB    NOUN BASE VERB  
♦ suffix – ment    ♦ suffix – ment  
accomplishment accomplish   arrangement arrange
achievement achieve   assignment assign
adjustment adjust   attainment attain
agreement agree   encouragement encourage
announcement announce   entertainment entertain
appointment appoint   statement state
     
♦ suffix – ion    ♦ suffix – ion  
action act   persuasion persuade
appreciation appreciate   position posit
association associate   preparation prepare
calculation calculate   provision provide
cancellation cancel   qualification qualify
collaboration collaborate   recognition recognise
collection collect  recommendation recommend
competition compete   reduction reduce
complication complicate   reflection reflect
confusion confuse   relaxation relax
decision decide   representation represent
dedication dedicate   reputation repute
description describe   reservation reserve
disruption disrupt   revolution revolt/revolve
distraction distract   satisfaction satisfy
embarkation embark   situation situate
expiration expire   substitution substitute
inspiration inspire   suggestion suggest
interaction interact   transaction transact
location locate   translation translate
option opt

Click here for TOEIC Test – 600 Essential Words: Part 2

Posted in Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), TOEIC, Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Easy English

Posted on June 27, 2015 by mhardy3222

If you’re looking for Easy English, well then, it’s time for a song! It is the easiest way to boost your English: listening, speaking, reading, writing, pronunciation, and grammar. You don’t have to think at all. Really! Just listen. Even better, listen and sing.

Here’s a fantastic song by Adele. Sit back and enjoy this talented singer.  308 million people can’t be wrong! Easy English! 

Posted in Beginner (Level 1), Elementary (Level 2), Intermediate (Level 4), Listening, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Songs | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Easy Listening – Practical and Social English #5

Posted on June 21, 2015 by mhardy3222

If you would like to improve your English speaking and listening, watch this video from New English File Elementary. The conversations are written under the video. Listen carefully and repeat what you hear:

Conversation 1: Buying a present

Sales Assistant: Can I help you?
Allie: How much is that T-shirt?
S: It’s $15:60.
A: Sorry. How much did you say?
S: Fifteen sixty.
A: And how much are those mugs?
S: The big mugs are $10:25 and the small ones are $8:75.
A: Can I have a big mug please?
S: Here you are. Anything else?
A: Do you have birthday cards?
S: Sorry. We’ve only got post cards.
A: Oh well, just the mug then.
S: Sure. That’s $10:25.
A: Here you are.
S: Have you got the 25 (cents)?
A: Ah … yes. Here.
S: Thanks.
A: Thank you.
S: Bye.
A: Bye.

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Conversation 2: Social English

Mark: Hi, Allie. Wow! You look great! Nice dress.
Allie: Oh, thank-you. This is for you … for your birthday. I bought you a little present. Oh no! I hope it isn’t broken.
M: It’s a mug. … It was a mug. Thanks Allie.
A: I don’t believe it. I’m sorry Mark.
M: No problem. It was really nice of you.
A: I’ll get you another one tomorrow.
M: Don’t worry. Listen, did you call a taxi to go to the restaurant?
A: No, I have my car outside. Come on. It’s time to go. I booked the table for eight and I’m not sure exactly where the restaurant is.
M: Hey, Allie. Relax. This isn’t work. This is a night out.
A: Sorry. I’m a bit stressed today. Okay. Let’s go.

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 Click here for Easy Listening – Practical & Social English #4

Posted in Beginner (Level 1), Elementary (Level 2), Listening, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Speaking & Pronunciation, Videos, Vocabulary | Tagged , | Leave a comment