Week 8, Term 4: We All Call Australia Home

Dear Students, this is the last week of classes. I wish you a safe and happy holiday. I thought we could study and celebrate Australia, our country. Do you like the video, I Still Call Australia Home? It is a very moving song by Peter Allen. I am sure most of you have seen it on TV.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LYRICS OF 'I STILL CALL AUSTRALIA HOME'. PRINT FROM YOUR LAPTOP

AUSSIE QUIZ



HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AUSTRALIA? TAKE THIS QUIZ










AUSTRALIAN ANIMALS



What do you know about these birds?



If you cannot read all of the questions CLICK HERE.

DREAM TIME STORIES - THE EMU



CLICK HERE TO WATCH AND LISTEN TO THIS STORY ABOUT THE EMU AND THE JABIRU - A TRADITIONAL ABORIGINAL DREAM TIME STORY FROM THE NORTHERN TERRITORY


TRAVEL THE WORLD FROM YOUR DESK : LEARN ABOUT OTHER COUNTRIES WHILE STUDYING GRAMMAR

CLICK HERE to try one of the many quizzes here about other countries. You can also practice your grammar at the same time!

Week 7, Term 4: What do you think about ...

Hello students

we are looking at FORMS, SURVEYS and POLLS this week. Please complete the surveys below.





If you have problems reading the survey below, CLICK HERE TO SEE IT ON ANOTHER PAGE




Level 3 : Survey about food

If you cannot read the form below CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE SURVEY


I would like to know what you think of this weekly ESL Club. Could you please take the time to fill out this online survey for me?

(If you have problems reading the form below, CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY)



Try this fun English poll:

Week 6, Term 4 : The Future

ACCESS 1 and 2

Watch the video about the FUTURE TENSE (WILL vs. GOING TO)



The teacher above explains the basics but she is not telling you the full story about EXPRESSING THE FUTURE in English.


GRAMMAR : Talking About the Future - 6 Different Ways

We talked about the 'very soon future' in class (about to) that is, when we are on the point of doing something. WILL and GOING TO can also be used for talking about the future but the shade of meaning is different.

In fact there are about 6 ways of expressing the future. LEVEL 3 students click here and read/listen about the 6 ways we can talk about the future.

1. Going to +verb = Intention, prediction
2. Will and Shall = a future fact, a sudden decision, an offer, a threat, a promise, an opinion about the future, a probability especially after think, suppose, expect, doubt if
3. to be + -ing (Pres. Cont for the future) = future plans
4. Present Simple for the future = something already arranged / part of a program or timetable eg. The train leaves in half an hour.
5. Is to / Are to = express something officially arranged. eg. The party is to be held at the Community Centre
6. About to / due to = To express that something is going to happen very soon or is expected to happen soon.




JEALOUSY - A STORY ILLUSTRATING THE 6 WAYS WE TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE

LEVEL 3 STUDENTS CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY

1. Read the story that shows the 6 ways of expressing the future.
2. How do you think the story will end? Send me an email or leave a COMMENT below




SPEAKING AND LISTENING - MYSTERY BOY

Go to Voxopop and listen to the DISCUSSION called :

MYSTERY BOY ... Telling a Tale (Click here)

If you are in Level 2 or 3 you might like to add your own version based on the activity we did in class this week.

Week 5, Term 4: Repeat after me ...

Try these tongue twisters in class ...

•Nine nice night nurses nursing nicely.
•Three gray geese in the green grass grazing. Gray were the geese and green was the grass.
•Sam's shop stocks short spotted socks
•Long legged ladies last longer.
•Red lorry, yellow lorry, red lorry, yellow lorry
•Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper.Did Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled pepper? If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper, where's the peck of pickled pepper Peter Piper picked?


LEVEL 3

TEACH YOURSELF PRONUNCIATION



With a good bilingual dictionary you can teach yourself vocabulary and PRONUNCIATION if you understand the International Phonetic Alphabet.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE 'SOUNDS OF ENGLISH AND THE IPA' WEBSITE.

You can listen to the sounds and also print off the alphabet.

PRINT THE IPA - CLICK HERE (PDF)



OKANAGAN COLLEGE PRONUNCIATION COURSE

This Canadian college has a website where you can PRINT PDF LESSONS and use MP3 to practice pronunciation.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO OKANAGAN COLLEGE PRONUNCIATION COURSE


Level 1 and 2



Click and Repeat Exercises: Learn English. <--- Try this site for fun!!!












Exercise One: Drag and Drop Grammar Game : But, Too, Either. Click here

We have studied Too/Either in class. Now try this Drag and Drop Grammar Game on your laptop. PRINT the exercise when you have finished and checked your answers.

Exercise Two: Read the story Mary and John. Answer the questions. Click here.

PRINT the exercise from your laptop.

Source: Laurie's ESL Website

Exercise Three: Listening. Places and Locations.

Listen to the places and drag the names to the correct location

Week 4, Term 4 : I've got a Cold

Watch the video. Can you list the symptoms of flu or the common cold? How do you treat flu symptoms?

Level 2 and 3 Listening - Conrad's Got a Cold

CLICK HERE to listen and do the comprehension exercise

The H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)

You can get a FREE injection from your local doctor to protect you - and others around you - against swine flu. With your teacher talk about Swine Flu. Is it different to other types of flu? Who does it affect the most? CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SITE.

How can we PROTECT OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILIES from flu?

DOWNLOAD THESE 2 SIMPLE POSTERS and PRINT OFF from your laptop.

POSTER #1: Cover your mouth

POSTER #2: Wash your hands

We read a story called "I've Got a Cold" (AMES) ... what did you learn about treating colds and flus? Can we use antibiotics? Wht is the difference between a virus and an infection? WRITE ME AN EMAIL by clicking the envelope icon at the bottom of this lesson.

Level 3 Catching up on some odds and ends

Click here for Adverb Grammar Exercises

How good is your Aussie slang? Click here and see

Try this Grammar quiz on Permission and Requests. CLICK.

Vocabulary ... try the BBC Word Master Game

Week 3, Term 4 : Tell me about it ...

ACCESS 2 SHORT TALKS (West Sunshine Class)

Here are two excellent short talks by Raquel and Walter ...

CLICK HERE to listen to Raquel's short talk about ceramics and mosaics








CLICK HERE to listen to Walter's short talk about his art.









OTHER TWO MINUTE TALKS YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO:

Phan ... on her auntie who never married;
Joanne ... on her trip to Europe and Hong Kong;
Kien ... on 'Health is Gold';
Kim ... about the wonder-food, broccoli;
Thanh ... on eyelash extensions;
Yvonne ... tells us about her vegetable garden;
Q ... talks about her mother's guo hua (Chinese traditional painting)

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE WONDERFUL TWO MINUTE TALKS










Access Level 2 and 3: Giving a Short Talk

This week we are practising giving a short 2 minute talk. You can choose any subject you like - maybe your favourite sport, hobby or pastime. You can talk about an animal, your favourite city or maybe a story from the news ... you decide!

CLICK HERE AND WATCH THE VIDEO OF AMIR FROM IRAN TALKING ABOUT HIS COUNTRY'S NATIONAL SPORTS - WRESTLING & FOOTBALL

When planning your talk think about the stages we discussed in class.

1. Amir Introduces himself and the subject of his talk to his audience;

2. Amir's main points are about a) Football - Iran is not doing so well in Asia b) in Wrestling, however, the country is #1 or #2 in the world;

3. Amir explains why Iran is so good in Wrestling - a) they have a long history doing the sport b) it is a very spiritual activity for Iranians, he says;

4. Amir closes his talk by inviting his audience to talk about their national sports and to ask him questions.

Remember to FIND and PRINT some pictures from the internet / or find a short video on YouTube to show the class - it is good to have something to show the class as you talk.

Level One - Today's Question is ...



CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO HOA FROM VIETNAM TALK ABOUT HER FAVOURITE ANIMAL.

LEVEL 3:

CLICK FOR THE LISTENING ACTIVITY ABOUT CATS OR DOGS

CLICK HERE AND PRINT OUT THE LESSON ABOUT CATS AND DOGS










COMPUTER USE : LEARN TO PRINT USING YOUR LAPTOP



HERE IS A POSTER OF DOG BREEDS

HERE IS A POSTER OF CAT BREEDS




The Lady and the Tramp is a nice story with good dogs and bad cats.

Click here to go to the colouring book website. PRINT some pages to take home for your kids. Show me how to print to the photocopier from your laptop.

Week 2, Term 4: At the Beach

Level One: I HATE THE BEACH

I Hate the Beach by Ann Dunn (PRACE,2006) Click here to order PRACE PAGETURNER KITS



This week we read the funny story of a woman who hates the beach.

Do you like the beach? List the things you like about the beach. List the things you hate about the beach.

Send me an EMAIL by clicking the small envelope icon at the bottom of this posting.
Use the book, I Hate the Beach, to help you complete the email writing exercise.

LESSON UNIT : Australian English at the Beach. CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE SITE!

This is a really interesting and fun website about the beach - famous beaches, the history of the 'Aussie Cozzie' (bathing suit), Dangerous Creatures, Beach Safety and First Aid. (Developed by Barker, Chalk, Dunn, Malakar, Hanrahan and PRACE, 1999-2007)



SOUNDS OF THE SEA GUESSING GAME

With a friend listen to these sounds. Can you guess what they are? Use the expressions to talk about the sounds. Check by CLICKING HERE TO SEE

1. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN | THEN CLICK HERE TO SEE

I think it is a ______. It could be a ________. It might be a _____. It may be a _____.

2. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN | THEN CLICK HERE TO SEE

I think it is a ______. It could be a ________. It might be a _____. It may be a _____.

3. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN | THEN CLICK HERE TO SEE

I think it is a ______. It could be a ________. It might be a _____. It may be a _____.

GRAMMAR - REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS

We have been studying reflexive pronouns this week (myself/yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves) and the use of phrases EACH OTHER / ONE ANOTHER as well as BY MYSELF / ON MY OWN

Click here for a SIMPLE REVIEW WORKSHEET

CLICK HERE TO TRY OTHER FREE GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY WORKSHEETS FROM www.eslpdf.com

Week 1, Term 4 : Playing it Safe

LEVEL 2 and 3



This week we have been practising listening / video comprehension and reading skills for our assessment task next week (interpreting information texts). Watch the Worksafe video above. Think about the CONTEXT, PURPOSE, TONE, INFORMATION (it is presenting), MESSAGE and your OPINION about it.

Do you remember the meanings of the words?
Match the words and the meanings below:

A. CONTEXT
B. PURPOSE
C. TONE
D. INFORMATION
E. MESSAGE
E. OPINION


1. What you personally think of the text, story, article or video?
2. The feeling of the text - serious / fun / educative / comical / ironic
3. What the text is trying to do eg. warn us about danger, help us to understand something better, make us laugh.
4. The facts and ideas a text give us
5. A strong idea or piece of advice eg. Be careful when using machinery or power tools, do this or that to avoid problems.
6. What is this text? eg. a TV commercial Where would you find this text? eg. an article in a newspaper (sports section)

WATCH THIS VIDEO:



Email Writing Exercise - Slip! Slop! Slap!:

Write about the CONTEXT / PURPOSE / TONE / INFORMATION given / MESSAGE and your OPINION of the Slip! Slop! Slap! Advertisement that appeared on Australian Television in the early 1980s.

Send me an email (click on the little email icon below and use the form to write your response or use your GMAIL account)

Week 10 : Holiday Hijinx

Level 1, 2 & 3
TEACHER NASREDDIN HOLIDAY READING AND ACTIVITIES (Click here)

Nasreddin is my hero. A wonderful Turkish teacher from the 13th century who seemed to have the answer to almost all of life's problems. Go to the site and complete the reading activities (or just read and enjoy the stories).

Nasreddin Hodja is a collection of Hodja stories compiled by Alpay Kabacali, beautifully illustrated by Fatih M. Durmus. CLICK HERE to read the stories.




HOLIDAY HOMEWORK ( ... if you are crazy for more English!)

Some people never take a holiday from learning :-) so here are some ideas and activities for you over the holidays.We come back to school the week beginning 5 October.

1) REVIEW LESSONS from the last 20 WEEKS on this blog: work your way backwards from Week 10, Term 3 to Week 1, Term 2.

2) Level 1, 2 & 3 DOWNLOAD FREE ESL COURSE BOOKS from Banana.com (CLICK HERE). The FREE Grammar Workbook from Banana.com on the left side of this page called THE BIG GRAMMAR BOOK is good for reviewing basic English. There are many other books from English Banana.com that you can download and print at HOME (please, DO NOT downaload or print at Duke Street.






4) Level 2 & 3 Ello.org Video Comprehension Lessons

Everybody was crazy about these lessons in Term 3. I agree, they are super and so good for learning English.

Try these Video Lessons (CLICK HERE)

For hundreds of more Video Lessons use the VIDEO INDEX menu on the side of the page at Elllo.org








5) Catch up with VOXOPOP. If you have a microphone at home, you can leave a recording on lots of subjects at our ESL Talkgroups. CLICK HERE TO GET THERE


Level 3 Grammar: Modals

Modals are always difficult in English and need lots of review. Try these:

Modals of Ability – http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/330-modals-ability.htm

Modals of Advice – http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/330-modals-advice.htm

Modals of Necessity – http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/330-modals-necessity.htm

Modals with “Not” – http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/330-modals-not.htm

Modals of Polite Request – http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/330-modals-polite.htm

Week 9: Telling Jokes and Stories

This week we are going to have some fun! Jokes in English are a good way to learn new vocabulary and practice grammar.

Level One : (The Perfect Son) Click here, read the joke and listen to the MP3

Level Two : (A Second Opinion) Click here, read the joke and listen to the MP3

Level Three : (Two Riddles) Click here, read the joke and listen to the MP3

For more ESL Jokes click here.

TONGUE TWISTERS!!!

Try this tongue twister - good for pronunciation, especially the sound, 'ch' :-)

How much wood would a wood chuck chuck (flash exercise)

She sells sea shells (practice the 'sh' sound)

I saw Susie sitting (practice the 's' sound)



WORKPLACE STORIES

Level 2 & 3

We have just watched a story on video about jokes made at work which can offend. I am interested to hear your workplace stories - funny or bad.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH CHRISTOPHE FROM BELGIUM TELL HIS STORY ABOUT THE WORST JOB HE EVER HAD.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO VOXOPOP. TELL ME ABOUT THE WORST JOB YOU EVER HAD? Where was it? When? Who was involved? What happened? How did it happen?

GRAMMAR - Should, Ought to, had better ...

Watch this video if you are not sure how to use should, ought to or had better



Level 3 : Writing letters of complaint

Exercise 1 : Rental Property Problems

Go to this page - copy and paste into Word - then practise writing a letter of complaint to Bowman's Realty about problems a - f in our class reading text. Use the reading text to help you complete the task.

Exercise 2 : Problems with a Purchase

Go this page - copy and paste into Word- then practice writing a letter about something you bought which is faulty.

You can copy and paste other templates into Word from this website.

Week 7 & 8, Term 3: Making Complaints

Level 3 : Listening

This week we have been learning about making and responding to complaints. On public transport, in the workplace and when we go shopping - there are many opportunities for this. This week I am introducing you to a new listening site called Elllo.org. There are hundreds of listening lessons for you and the speakers are from all over the world. In the lesson below, Todd is complaining about Hollywood films. Do you agree with him?

Complaints about Movies. Click here to do an exercise from Elllo.org!

Click here to choose other listening lessons from Elllo.org. (Also listed in the sidebar of this blog).




In class we listened to the conversation between an inspector and traveller on public transport. The inspector gives the lady a $158 dollar fine but the lady protests. The ticket machine at Yarraville station was broken. The inspector tells the lady to write a letter of complaint.

Click here to see a complaint/feedback form for METLINK.

Print out the form and practice writing a complaint.




Include the following information:

Time you were travelling

Where you were travelling from

Where you were travelling to

What happened

Why you didn't have a ticket

What you want Metlink to do



The Past Continuous

We use this tense in the following ways:


*Emphasizing 'the progress' of an action in the past
Example: He was playing football.

*Talking about two actions happening at the same time (in the past)
Example: While she was preparing dinner, he was washing the dishes.

*Talking about action going on at a certain time in the past
Example: When I was having breakfast, the phone suddenly rang.

For more information ...click here!

Test yourself on the Past ContinuousLevel 1 / Level 2 / Level 3

****

Week 6, Term 3 : How is silk made?

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Level 3

This week we are writing about HOW THINGS ARE MADE. In class last week you studied How Tea is Produced and Distributed. You also know about How Bananas are Produced and Shipped to Europe and America.

Watch the video above about HOW SILK IS MADE in Bangladesh.

Complete the following exericse:

Instructions:

(i) Put the steps in the correct order
(ii)Change the sentences from ACTIVE voice to PASSIVE voice

A) The women immerse the coccoons in boiling water. The silk worm inside the coccoon dies.

B) The women collect and sort huge piles of golden silk worm coccoons

C) The women wind the raw, silk thread onto a spindle. They dry it and then ship it to a textile factory

D) After boiling, the women cool the coccoons and take them to a loom. They unravel the coccoons onto the spool.

TO READ THE SCRIPT (& FIND THE ANSWERS) CLICK HERE

Week 5, Term 3: The Red Balloon

Level 1 : The Red Balloon



Last weekend I watched a wonderful film called The Red Balloon by the French director, Albert Lamorisse. It is a film with only a few words so anyone can watch it and enjoy it.

You can watch it here (but it is 33 minutes long). I will show you this film in class from DVD.

1) Click here and PRINT OUT the worksheet. Read the questions before you watch the film..

2) Watch the film and complete the worksheet.

SONG : UP, UP AND AWAY (IN MY BEAUTIFUL BALLOON) - THE FIFTH DIMENSION (1972)

Here is a great song about 'balloons' ... maybe like the film it is about joy and freedom?



Here are the lyrics for some Karaoke. CLICK HERE.

APOLOGISING

Match the opening and closing phrases (A and B):

A

I’m sorry…
I’m very sorry…
I’m terribly sorry…
Excuse me…
Pardon me…
I apologize…
I’m afraid…

B

…I wasn’t very well yesterday
…I didn’t see you
…It won’t happen again
…I’ll be more careful next time
…I’ll finish it before I go home
…It’s my fault
…It’s all my fault

CLICK here to listen to the above phrases

Level 2 & 3 : SAYING SORRY (BBC Audio Lessons)

Click here to do a lesson from the BBC about Saying Sorry

Click here to do a lesson from the BBC about Accepting Apologies

Week 4, Term 3: What is it used for?

Look at these Japanese inventions.

What are they used for?

Do you think they are useful?



Have you got one of those things you use for ...?
Have you got some of that stuff you use for ...?

Often we do not know the name in English for something. Even native English-speakers do not know the names of many tools, instruments or products they may need.

It helps if we can DESCRIBE the object we need the best way we can.

Remember the ORDER OF ADJECTIVES we studied last week? (opinion -> size -> age -> shape -> colour -> origin -> material -> purpose). These can also help us describe something we do not know the name of so someone else can guess and help us.

eg.

Person A: Have you got some of that black, sticky stuff you use for cleaning shoes?
Person B : Do you mean 'shoe polish'?
Person A: Yes, that's it! Have you got any? Can I borrow some?
Person B: Sure! Here you are.
Person A: Thanks a lot
Person B: You're welcome.

PAIR WORK:

With a friend create some dialogues like the one above. Pretend you do not know what these objects are:

PLIERS
AN EGG FLIPPER
CHOP STICKS
A SET OF SCALES

With a friend record a DIALOGUE at Voxopop in the discussion called BORROWING THINGS / ASKING FOR STUFF ... CLICK HERE

PASSIVE VOICE:

In class we have been using the ACTIVE VOICE to describe objects. However, we often use the PASSIVE VOICE INSTEAD.

eg. ACTIVE VOICE :

You use a set of scales for finding out how much you weigh.

PASSIVE VOICE:

A set of scales is used for finding out how much you weigh.

We use PASSIVE VOICE when we are more interested in what the OBJECT does rather than who the SUBJECT of the action is.

CLICK here to do an exercise on WHAT THINGS ARE (USED) FOR

ACCESS 2 & 3

A CAR FOR EVERYONE?

Would you like this car? It's from India. What is it's name? What type of car is it?




CLICK HERE FOR THE WORKSHEET. PRINT THE WORKSHEET AND WATCH THE VIDEO AGAIN. ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.

We studied the following in class:

Used for / used to (purpose)
used by (person)
to be used to (accustomed)
used to (remote past tense)

Study the difference in meaning.

Exercise 1:

Do this exercise Used to do or Be Used to. Click here.

Exercise 2 :
Write a short paragraph in the COMMENTS section below.

Tell me what you think about the REVA Electric car? What do you like about the car? What don't you like? Are there problems with REVA , especially driving here in Australia?

Week 3, Term 3: Describing People and Things

This week in class we are DESCRIBING PEOPLE and THINGS. Watch the fashion show above. Do you like the clothes?

What clothes can you see : skirts? jackets? ... What colours are they? ... What are they made of?

What do you think this English expression means: CLOTHES MAKETH THE MAN

Do you think fashion is important? Is beauty important?

What do you think this English expression means: BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER


MR WORLD 2007



Do you like beauty contests? Here is Mr.World 2007, Juan Garcia from Spain.

Can you write a short paragraph about him using full sentences? Leave your description in the COMMENTS section below.







Name:
Age:
Clothes (colour, material):
Hair (length, type, colour):
Height (approximate):
Weight (approximate):

Level 2 and 3 ...

For more information about Juan go to: http://www.mrworld.tv/index.php/en/mr-world

*What are Juan's interests?
*What is his job?
*What is he studying?
*What is his life goal?

Here is Juan winning the award in 2007. Do you think he is the most handsome man in the World?



GRAMMAR: Order of Adjectives

In class you learnt the formula : opinion -> size -> age -> shape -> colour -> origin -> material -> purpose

Click here to find out about the correct order of adjectives in English. Read the explanation and do the exercises.

Exercise #2 : Click here to do an exercise that teaches you the correct/incorrect order of adjectives.


SPEAKING : What do you look like? What are you wearing today? Tell the class at VOXOPOP.COM (click here).


FOR FUN ... take a look at these 'bloopers' on the catwalk :

Week 2, Term 3: Where were you ...?

Where were you 40 years ago when the first man walked on the moon? What were you doing? Did you watch the event on TV or listen on radio? Did you read about it in the newspaper?

This week we have been talking about important historical events.

Level 2 and 3 students will give short talks, some of which we will video and record.

Choose one of the 'big events' in your lifetime. We discussed the following in class (but you can choose something different if you like).

1. The end of the Soviet Union (1990)

2. September the 11th terrorist attack (2001)

3. Democracy comes to Portugal (1974)

4. The fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)

5. The assassination of John F. Kennedy (1964)

6. the Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004)

QUESTIONS:

(i)Where were you when the event happened?
(ii) What were you doing?
(iii) How and when did you hear about it?
(iv) How did you feel? What was your reaction?

Watch the videos and do some research using Google search - web and images. You can use pictures in your class talk if you like.

RECORD YOUR TALK / INTERVIEW WITH A FRIEND AT VOXOPOP IN THE DISCUSSION 'WHERE WERE YOU...? IMPORTANT HISTORICAL EVENTS IN OUR LIFETIMES'. CLICK HERE.

Please feel free to contribute to the Voxopop discussion - even if you are a teacher or outside follower of this blog. We appreciate your contribution.

We are also looking at the use of FOR / SINCE / AGO. Click here to do some online exercises.

Week 1, Term 3: Singing in the Rain

What's the weather like?



CLICK HERE FOR THE LYRICS TO 'SINGING IN THE RAIN'



Click here to get the weather forecast where you live.

Do you like hot or cold weather? What's the weather like where you live? Is it likely to rain? Is the weather in Melbourne like the weather in Sydney?

The word 'like' in English has many uses. It can be very confusing. Do you understand the difference between:

to like
to be like
to be likely

What does the expression "like father, like son" mean?

INTERNATIONAL WEATHER - WHERE IS IT LIKELY TO RAIN?

CLICK HERE TO CHECK THE INTERNATIONAL WEATHER FORECAST


In class we discussed the use of TO BE LIKELY / UNLIKELY. Click the link below and using the 0-50% (unlikely) / 60-100 % (likely) formula list 5 countries where it is likely to rain.

(ii) Choose one of the international cities and tell a friend or your teacher the weather forecast for the coming week.

Level One : Telling the time (Matching Games)

There are two types of clocks - analogue and digital. We can tell the time in different ways. We practiced this in class, now let's play some fun matching games ...

CLICK HERE TO PLAY THE 'TELLING THE TIME' MATCHING GAMES














LISTENING : Telling the time - Clocks and Watches


CLICK HERE TO DO A LISTENING EXERCISE ABOUT TELLING THE TIME

Week 9: Asking for and Offering Help

This week we are 'asking for help'. In the video above Mr. Bean tries to help a man who has a heart attack ... with very funny results! An emergency like this one, however, is not funny in real life.

What would you do in this situation? Who would you call? What would you say?

Giving 'CPR' (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

In Term 1 we watched a video called 4 STEPS FOR LIFE (The Ambulance Service and You, Ames/MAS 2007).

ii. Go back to your notes and activities we did last term. Compare them with this British video called HOW TO DO CPR ON AN ADULT. The methods are very similar. Compare your notes and the video.




iii. In the COMMENTS section write instructions on HOW TO GIVE CPR.

ASKING FOR PERMISSION : PAIR WORK ACTIVITY

With a classmate or friend click through the following presentation (see the little arrow on the Scribd toolbar 1/30). Practice the dialogue ... DO YOU MIND IF

Do you mind if I . . .

Spanish speaking students ... here is the list of verbs you asked for:

Bank of Verbs

Week 8: Let's Party!

Hello friends. Hope you liked the BIRTHDAY BLOOPERS :-)Now the serious stuff ...

ACCESS 1 & 2: INVITING SOMEONE TO A PARTY

This week we are learning how to make INVITATIONS and ACCEPT or DECLINE INVITATIONS. Have you had a party recently? Did you invite friends and family over the phone.

In class we listened to Sam inviting Hanna to his daughter's birthday party.


EXERCISE ONE : Now I want you to write a similar dialogue.

READ and PRINT this WORKSHEET called INVITING SOMEONE TO A PARTY. Follow the model. Write your own dialogue in the second table on the worksheet. CLICK HERE.

EXERCISE TWO :With a friend record your dialogue in the discussion called MAKING INVITATIONS at VOXOPOP.COM. Click here.

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

ACCESS 2 and 3 : WHAT JULES, JULES and DALE DID NEXT (PART 2 of the MOVIE)

Here is PART 2 of the video students. Were your stories the same, similar or different to what happened in PART 2 of the movie? Did you like the movie? Leave a COMMENT below if you like.

Access 2 (Sunshine West) and 3:

EXTREME (and OTHER) ACTIVITIES

This week we are looking at Lesiure Activities - extreme ones like EXTREME IRONING and your favourite activities, maybe cycling, walking, swimming or knitting - whatever you like.

DOWNLOAD this worksheet called EXTREME AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

You have completed the listening exercise in class. Fill in the table and add your own answers.

Go to our Talkgroups at VOXOPOP and leave a message in the discussion called EXTREME AND OTHER ACTIVITES. Make sure you cover all the points about EXTREME IRONING as well as YOUR FAVOURITE ACTIVITY.

(Remember the general rule about the use of VERB -ing with 'activity nouns')

Week 7: A Sunday Bike Ride

On Sunday, I went for a ride with my friends, Jules and Jules (yes, they have the same name!) Watch PART ONE of the movie we made.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? / WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT?



With a friend look at the photos.

(Exercise i) Can you put the photos in order (1-8)to complete the story?

(Exercise ii)Write what you think is going to happen in PART 2 of the movie.

START YOUR STORY LIKE THIS ...

It was a nice Sunday morning. Dale and his two friends went for a bike ride. They crossed the Yarra river on the Punt ...

(Exercise iii)Copy your story into the COMMENTS section below (look for the little pencil and the word COMMENTS)

CLICK HERE to get a web-copy of Exercise i and Exercise ii

In the next lesson I will show you PART 2 of Jules, Jules ... and Dale Go for a Sunday Bike Ride. You can compare your story with the movie!


ROAD SAFETY - STOPPED BY THE POLICE

In class this week we are looking at road safety. We are also reading and understanding fines. Have you been stopped by the police before? Why did they stop you? (eg. speeding, drink driving, to check your licence or registration)

Watch this video? What do you think it is about? What is the message? Are the police good or bad? Write your answers in the COMMENTS section below.

Week 6: Access 2 & 3: Online Banking For Beginners

ONLINE BANKING FOR BEGINNERS WEBSITE (HOME PAGE)








Last week we were paying bills at the post office. As you already know, we can also pay our bills on the internet - but many of us are afraid of online banking. Maybe someone will steal our login details and then steal all of our money?

This week we will do some exercises using the ONLINE BANKING FOR BEGINNERS WEBSITE. There are many good activities and you will get a tour of what it is like to do internet banking so you can see for your self.

Exercise One: Complete the four exercises in the FOR AND AGAINST SECTION (click here). Write down your answers from the HAVE YOUR SAY exercise.

Exercise Two: Use the COMMENTS section at the bottom of this posting to write your paragraph. (Look carefully for the little pencil and the word 'comments')

Exercise Three: Go to the HOW TO BANK ONLINE section (click here). Work through each step and finally TRY SIMBANK.

Exercise Four: GO to VOXOPOP and leave your opinion about Online Banking (click here)



ACCESS LEVEL 1: ESL BLUES - Grammar Games

This is a fun site with lots of simple, grammar games. Enjoy. Click here to go to ESL BLUES - Grammar Games

Week 5 : Access 2&3 : Eurovision Song Contest 2009

Did you watch the Eurovision Song Contest final on Sunday night? It was a great show. Congratulations Moscow! Norway's Alexander Rybak won the competition with a record number of votes. The festival was very controversial this year. The Georgian group, Stephane & 3G, was disqualified because their song was considered too political. The song "We Don't Wanna Put In" was seen as an attack on Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin.



Exercise One: Watch and listen to the winning song from Norway. Watch and listen to the song from Georgia.

Read the lyrics of both:

Fairytale - Alexander Rybak (Norway)

We Don't Wanna Put In - Stephane & 3G (Georgia)



Exercise Two: Vote in our Micro-Poll. Which country had the best song - Norway or Georgia?



Exercise Three: Leave a COMMENT at the bottom of this posting (Week 5) about the two songs. Which one did you like the most? Which one had the best music? Which one had the best lyrics? Which song has the best presentation? Should Georgia have been disqualified? Is pop music the right place place for politics?

Exercise Four: Leave a voice message at our talkgroup on VOXOPOP about the discussion.

Watch clips by other 2009 Eurovision finalists by clicking here!!!

ACCESS 1 : Paying Bills



Paying Bills can be a headache. We have been practicing conversations this week where we pay bills at the post office by cash, cheque and EFTPOS. Go to our VOXOPOP talk group and practice the model dialogues with a friend.

Week 4: Make me a cuppa

Hi students, this week we are studying INSTRUCTIONS. Our theme this week is TEA ... mmm! very nice as the weather gets colder and the days get shorter. Watch this video by Ruju from India about making Indian-style tea. Make notes. Talk about the video in groups of three.Not everyone makes tea the same way. How do you make tea at home?



ACCESS 1.

How to make a cuppa




Verbs: FILL / PUT / TAKE / BOIL / POUR / TAKE OFF/ TAKE OUT / ADD / SERVE
Vocabulary : TAP / KETTLE / STOVE / TEA BAG / CUP / MILK / SUGAR
Sequence words: FIRSTLY / THEN / AFTER THAT / BEFORE / FINALLY

Exercise One: Use the words above and pictures. With a friend write down the instructions HOW TO MAKE A CUPPA

Exercise Two: Click here and Go to VOXOPOP. Tell me 'how to make a cuppa'.






ACCESS 2 & 3

How to make Indian Chai

Exercise One: Watch Ruju making chai again. Use the verbs, vocab and sequence words we discussed in class to tell me how you would make chai tea.

Exercise Two: Click here and Go to VOXOPOP. Tell me 'How to make Indian Chai tea'.

For fun ... here is a nice video called Morning-Cuppa-Chai (New Delhi) ... seems everyone around the world loves tea!

Week 3 : Getting to Marciano's (Yummy!)

Hello friends at Duke Street and West Sunshine.This week we are studying directions and instructions.In class we have used Google Maps to find our way to one of the best cake shops in Melbourne, Marciano's South American Cakes in Maidstone.

Exercise 1: There are 3 easy ways to get to Marciano's by car from Duke Street in less than 10 minutes. Go back to Google Maps (click here) and write down the three routes.

Exercise 2: Go to our talk group on VOXOPOP (click here) and tell me how to get to Marciano's using the DEVONSHIRE ROAD route. Remember what I told you about direction, time and landmarks.

PS. Make sure you go to Marciano's and try a cake ... the Milhoja is my favourite and the empanadas (Chilean meat pies) are very good too!

Week 2 : West Sunshine Class

Hello Friends,

today was a great class and I enjoyed hearing your postings on VOXOPOP.

CLICK HERE TO GET BACK TO VOXOPOP

I know you also enjoyed the poems for pronunciation practice and reading aloud. Find more at home by clicking this link: TRADITIONAL POEMS, RHYMES AND STORIES

Oh! and here's a 'karaoke' clip from The Sound of Music ... :-) You can sing along to this version ...

Week Two : Term Two : Access One : As I was going to St Ives ...

Hello Access One Students

A) Listen to the old English riddle called, As I was going to St. Ives.

B) In pairs can you answer the question: HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE GOING TO ST.IVES?



Can you also answer the following questions:

1) How many men were there?

2) How many wives were there?

3) How many sacks were there?

4) How many adult cats were there?

5) How many kittens were there?



Do you like my cat, Sita? She's a darling, isn't she?

Do you like cats? Or do you like dogs? Maybe you don't like either? Post a comment and tell me what you think.

C) Would you like to practice reading for pronunciation at our Talkgroup on VOXOPOP?

Read the other poems and rhymes I gave you class about cats (Hey Diddle Diddle, Ding, Dong Bell, Pussy-Cat, Pussy-Cat)

There is a new Talkgroup there called READING POEMS.

Bye for now

Your teacher,

Dale

ACCESS 3 : Graffiti - Art or Crime

Hello Access 3 students,

here are two videos about graffiti from YouTube. The first is the one we watched in class about the problem of graffiti on trains in the German city of Hamburg. The second video shows some of the graffiti 'art' in Melbourne's laneways. Maybe we need to go on an excursion to see those laneways for ourselves? What do you think about graffiti? Leave a message here and also leave an audio message for the class at our talkgroup at VOXOPOP (click the link below):

http://www.voxopop.com/group/489f1612-c1b4-4601-86db-1b49ebd0d9a5

HAPPY VIEWING ... Dale

VOXOPOP TALK GROUPS START THIS WEEK

Hello Students

Voxopop talk groups start this week! If you would like to leave an opinion about discussions we are having in class just click the link below:

http://www.voxopop.com/group/489f1612-c1b4-4601-86db-1b49ebd0d9a5

See you (and hear you!) there

Your teacher

Dale

Week One : Access 2 & 3 : These are a few of my favourite things ...

All of us have things which are special to us. Here are some of my favourite things. Watch and listen to the 'slidestory' above. What do you think? Tell the class about your favourite things. Click the little pencil below to add a comment. Also do the related quiz below.