Speaking VIII (Classroom Questions)

(Click for Audio) Classroom Questions What's your name? What is this? What is that? How do you say it in English? How do you spell it? Please say it again. Please speak more slowly. I...

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Speaking VII (Simple Shopping)

Simple Shopping   Click for Audio 1. Where are the pencils? 2. How much is this mirror? 3. How much does this cost? 4. How much are these? 5. Do you have any t-shirts? 6. That comes to $26.59. 7. That will be $17.48. ...

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Speaking VI (Expressing Likes and Dislikes)

Expressing Likes and Dislikes Click for Audio 1. I like fruit. 2. Helen likes sports. 3. Ms. Cramer doesn't like coffee. 4. Tony does not like action movies. 5. Does Terry like swimming? 6. Does Phil like soft drinks? 7. Does Sheila like salad? 8. Do you like Chinese food?...

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Speaking II (Paraphrasing)

 Click for Audio Paraphrasing Paraphrasing involves restating someone else's ideas in your own words. There are several phrases that can be used to introduce paraphrasing : So . . . (rephrase the other person's ideas) In other words . . . (paraphrase) I understand. (You're saying that . . .) Oh. I see. (You want to say that...

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Speaking I (Commenting)

Commenting Click for Audio If you would like to make a comment or insert a remark in an ongoing conversation, it is polite to acknowledge what someone has just said before stating your own ideas. Some phrases That's interesting. I think that... Interesting point. I...

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Speaking V (Requesting and Offering)

Requesting Click for Audio (Simple imperative verb): - Help me.* Please + verb (more polite) - Please help me. Can you . . . ? - Can you help me? Will you . . . ? - Will you help me? Could you (please) . . . ? - Could you help me? Would you (please). . . ? - Would you please help me? Would you mind (V+ing) . ....

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Speaking IV (Giving Directions)

Giving Directions   Click this link for the audio : http://www.eslgold.com/images/sp_ask_dir.mp3 (First,) go down this street (for ____ blocks). (Then,) turn left/right at the traffic light. (After that,) go straight on _____ Street until you get to the ______. (When you get to the _____,) turn left/right again. (Then,) stay on_______Avenue...

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Speaking V (Classifying)

Classifying Click for Audio There are five kinds of . . . There are two types of . . . There are three categories of . . . We can divide (this) into three parts: 1) 2) 3) This can be broken down into four sections. They are: A) B) C) D) &nbs...

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Speaking IV (Interrupting)

Interrupting This is link for the audio : http://www.eslgold.com/images/sp_interrupt.mp3 Interrupting politely Excuse me, Pardon me, Sorry to interrupt, May I interrupt (for a minute)? Can I add something here? I don't mean to intrude, but . . . Could I inject something here? Do you mind if I jump in here? Getting back to the topic Anyway, Now, where was I? Where were we? What were...

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Speaking III (Analyzing Problems)

Analyzing Problems This is link for the audio : http://www.eslgold.com/images/Analyzing%20problems.wma Focusing on the main problem/issue What is the main problem? What is the real issue (here)? (I think) the major problem is . . . Our primary concern is . . . The crux of the matter is . . . (As I see it), the most important thing is . . . The main problem we need to solve is . . . We really need to take care of . . . It all...

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Speaking II (Giving Instructions)

Giving Instructions This is the link for the audio : http://www.eslgold.com/images/sp_giv_inst.mp3 Asking for Instructions How do you (do this)? How do I . . . ? What is the best way to . . . ? How do I go about it? What do you suggest? How do you suggest I proceed? What is the first step? Giving Instructions First,...

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Speaking I (Discussion Techniques)

Discussion Techniques This is link for the audio :  http://www.eslgold.com/images/sp_disc_tech.mp3 Opening a discussion To begin with, We need to discuss . . . determine find out Let's start by (V ing) We'll start by (V ing) The problem here is . . . issue question The important thing (here) is . . . The main thing we need to discuss is . . . Let's look at . . . It looks like . . . It appears that . . . ...

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Speaking III (Talking About Something)

Sometimes you may talk with other person about something like family, place, favourite thing etc. Some people think that talking about something is very difficult but actually it is not difficult. Learn how to talk about some topic is very important, Why ??? because if you use so many wrong words, the person that talks with you probably will not understand what you have...

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Speaking II (Introducing People and Yourself)

Introducing someone or ourself is one of the materials for beginner learners. So, have you learned how to introduce yourself in English ? If you have not, just click the links below : Introducing People Introducing Yours...

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Speaking I (Pronunciation)

Pronunciation Pronunciation is very difficult to correct if you have been speaking English for a long time. As you know, practice does not make perfect, it makes permanent. That means if you practice incorrectly, it will become permanent. You need to correct this problem before moving forward because having bad pronunciation is one of the most difficult aspects of speaking to someone who does not speak English well. The pronunciation lessons provided here are American English...

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Grammar V (Inversion)

Inversion What do these sentences have in common? Not only is he difficult to understand, but he is also funny. Never have I understood less about women. Scarcely have they been on time. These are all inverted sentences. Inverted sentences are sentences with an irregular verb placement of the verb before the subject. Follow the instructions below to learn how and when inverted sentences are used in English.   Use of Question Form In this case, the question form (auxiliary + subject...

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Grammar IV (If Sentences)

If Sentences Introduction: English learners should learn if sentences, also known as conditional forms, in order to discuss various possibilities that are either realistic or imaginary. Follow the introduction below, you will find a grammar overview and explanation for each tense. Once you are familiar with these forms, use the referenced materials to practice and further your understanding of these forms. Teachers can print out the comprehension materials related to the materials, as...

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Grammar III (Guide to Reported Speech)

Guide to Reported Speech   The Basics: Reported Speech: Reported speech is used in both written and spoken English. Intermediate level English learners should study the reported speech in order to relate what others have said. Strong knowledge of the reported speech shows a command of tense conjunctions, as well as the proper use of pronouns and time expressions...

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Grammar II (Differences between Action and Stative Verbs)

Differences between Action and Stative Verbs All verbs in English are classified as either stative or action verbs (also referred to as 'dynamic verbs'). Action verbs describe actions we take (things we do) or things that happen. Stative verbs refer to the way things 'are' - their appearance, state of being, smell, etc. The most important difference between stative and action verbs is that action verbs can be used in continuous tenses and stative verbs can not be used in continuous tenses. For...

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Grammar I (Focus on Adjectives Ending in -ic and -ical)

Focus on Adjectives Ending in -ic and -ical Many adjectives end in either '-ic' or '-ical'. Examples of Adjectives ending in '-ic': athletic energetic prophetic scientific Example Sentences: The boys are very athletic and play a variety of sports I didn't realize you were so energetic! You've completed 10 exercises in the last hour. His writings were very prophetic and some think show the way of the future. Many feel that the only valid way to learn is the scientific approach. Examples...

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Grammar VIII (Interjections)

Interjections An interjection is a word that expresses some kind of emotion. It can be used as filler. Interjections do not have a grammatical function in the sentence and are not related to the other parts of the sentence. If an interjection is omitted, the sentence still makes sense. It can stand alone. Ouch! That hurts. Well, I need a break. Wow! What a beautiful...

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Grammar VII ( Conjunctions)

Conjunctions   Coordinating Conjunctions and Correlative Conjunctions A conjunction joins words or groups of words in a sentence. I ate lunch with Kate and Derma. Because it is rainy today, the trip is canceled. She didn’t press the bell, but I did. There are three types of conjunctions: 1. Coordinating Conjunctions      a. Connect words,...

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Grammar VI (Auxiliary Verbs)

Auxiliary Verbs Auxiliary Verbs "Be," "Do," "Have"   An auxiliary verb helps the main (full) verb and is also called a "helping verb." With auxiliary verbs, you can write sentences in different tenses, moods, or voices. Auxiliary verbs are: be, do, have, will, shall, would, should, can, could, may, might, must, ought, etc. I think I should study harder to...

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Grammar V (Active Voice and Passive Voice)

Active Voice and Passive Voice   Verbs are either active or passive in voice. In the active voice, the subject and verb relationship is straightforward: the subject is a do-er. In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is not a do-er. It is shown with by + do-er or is not shown in the sentence. Passive voice is used when the action is the focus, not the...

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Grammar IV (Infinitives)

Infinitives Part 1 An infinitive is a verb combined with the word to. Most often, an infinitive acts as a noun in the sentence. Less frequently, it acts as an adjective or an adverb. I want to go home early today. I hope to be chosen as a member. I prefer to go there earlier. You need to consider various rules in writing sentences. You have to explain your reasoning...

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Grammar III (Gerunds)

Gerunds A gerund (verb + ing) acts like a noun in a sentence. Seeing is believing. Running a marathon is not an easy thing to do. Watching TV is sometimes harmful. Eating is always fun. My hobby is painting. She loves babysitting her sister. I like listening to music. I wasted all my afternoon by taking a nap. I am afraid of singing a song on a stage. Often, a possessive...

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Grammar II (Perfect Progressive Tense)

Perfect Progressive Tense The perfect progressive tense describes actions that repeated over a period of time in the past, are continuing in the present, and/or will continue in the future. The present perfect progressive tense tells you about a continuous action that was initiated in the past and finished at some point in the past; however, the action has some relation...

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Grammar I (Progressive and Perfect Tense)

Progressive and Perfect Tense   Progressive Tense The progressive tense involves action that is, was, or will be in progress at a certain time. In the progressive tense, verbs are formed with a "be" verb + ing. run I am running a marathon right now. (present progressive) I was running a marathon at this time last year. (past progressive) I will be running a marathon...

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Grammar X (Indefinite and Definite Articles)

Indefinite and Definite Articles The words a, an, and the are special adjectives called articles. Indefinite Articles—a, an an—used before singular count nouns beginning with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) or vowel sound: an apple, an elephant, an issue, an orange a—used before singular count nouns beginning with consonants (other than a, e, i, o, u): a stamp, a desk, a...

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