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Showing posts from July, 2012

Debate

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Students are fantastic at expressing themselves in their mother tongue, but when it comes to performing the same task in a second language it more often than not poses a significant problem. I researched the Internet and various books as to how to overcome this problem, students had told me that they had memorised set sentences that reflected various emotions. These memorised sentences were being applied in both formal and informal structures. I decided to introduce debates to my classes and the subjects would be more effective if the student was passionate about a particular topic. Here are a few subjects that we have discussed in class: Paper is better than a word processor? The euro arguments for and against The mobile phone, is it a good thing or a bad thing? After the lessons, I noted that 70 percent of students wanted to know how to express anger in different situations, these included: at a supermarket, bus, taxi, in conversation. Perhaps the most interesting observa

Conversation

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Why Do We Need To Learn English?

There are many reasons as to why someone would consider learning English as a second language. Some have dubbed it the language of money, others have discounted it as a cultural invasion. The global economic climate has changed people's perceptions as more and more Europeans flock into Language Academies. The influence of music, movies and social networking pla tforms have changed perceptions, for many however the need to improve job prospects and create opportunity in the work place is probably a more credible motivator. The English language is considered the language of business and as such plays a considerable role in the process of Import and Export. The recession is now a period of business reform, making money has become more complex and one of the most relevant points that could be made is the development of new positions in emerging markets where the English Language is a key factor. Here are a few reasons why you would consider learning English as a seco

Interview vocabulary

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Lesson Plan Topic: Interview Vocabulary Time: 1 hour Objective: This lesson has been designed to assist candidates with job interviews. In this lesson we will review some vocabulary used to describe your skill base: Skill Base Time Manager Lead by example Proactive not reactive Hands on style of management Ability to anticipate problems Strong communication skills Flexible in approach Adaptable personality traits Good delegator Experience Strong work ethic Note: these are keywords, your teacher will help you to understand this vocabulary and put them into context. Posted with Blogsy

Conversation practice

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This plan worked very well...I wrote it for a student who needed a lot of conversational practice! Lesson plan Topic: Conversation Scenarios Time: 1 hour Objective: The student needs to be able to successfully demonstrate their ability to generate conversation in different scenarios. Scenarios: You are with your best friend; Tina, she can't find her wallet anywhere. Both of you have spent the entire afternoon searching through her apartment unsuccessfully. Later that evening you return home, as you reach into your pocket to retrieve your keys, you discover that Tina's wallet has accidentally been placed in your pocket. Can you phone Tina and let her know that you have found her wallet. It's late on Friday night, the phone rings, it's your best friend. She wants you to go with her to a party tonight. You are too tired to go out, make up an excuse as to why you cannot go. You are walking around Oxford Street in London when you are approac

Your Novel

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As an Author, I am creative and always try and invent new inventive ways to help you learn. This is a fantastic lesson plan that has been designed to help you develop your conversational skills and provide you with more confidence. Lesson plan Topic: Your Novel Time: 1 hour Objective: this lesson has been designed to improve your conversational skills, you will be presented with various scenarios throughout the story and your conversational skills will be put to the test. The Story Your name is ........., you work in Madrid, and have done so for the last 10 years. Due to the economic crisis, you have decided to take a year off from work and move to London where you will be presented with new challenges. The story tracks you from the decision to leave to your return to Spain. Chapter 1 The Decision You are at a coffee shop in Madrid, it's the morning and you have an hour before you start work. The papers are reporting more stories on the st

Intro

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If you are practicing for exams or just trying to improve your conversational skills, I always suggest that you develop a good introduction for yourself. Bellow, I have provided a very basic script that can be modified to suit you:     Introductions       My name is........... I am ..... Years old I live in ...... In a town/ village called................. It is located ............ My town is known for its........................ I work in the ................ Sector/ Industry as a ............... In my spare time I like to ..................... I am currently studying English as a second language. Note: you an adapt and modify the sentence constructions shown above, the key is to speak clearly and as naturally as possible to avoid sounding scripted.                 Posted with Blogsy

Speaking Practice

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I provide assistance with TOEIC, IELTS, TOEFL, GEPT and many more. Most exams have been split into different sections to include; Speaking, writing, listening and reading. Under test conditions you will have to demonstrate your ability to answer questions alone or with a partner or examiner. Having taken over 300 Skype lessons, please feel free to see what my students have said about me. I teach from various teaching platforms but I have completed over 100 of my lessons through Buddyschool www.buddyschool.com you can search for me there under: engteachersam. ( just type the name into the search for teachers box) All my students have left notes about me so feel free to have a look. If you pay for 10 lessons with me through Paypal you reduce my hourly fee to 8.50€ which is very competitive. Lots of people have never tried Skype lessons and feel unsure as to how effective they are, but Academies rarely supply native teachers so there is already an advantage. Why not try a free 30 minu

Travelling

Hi, so how exactly do I help you? a story is invented from your initial thought process involving a move to another country. I will break this up as follows: (Everything must be done in a role play scenario and in English) 1. Tell your best friend about your intention to move. 2. Tell a family member about your intention to move. 3. Phone a Travel Agent and book your ticket and accommodation. 4. Phone a recruitment agency and register. 5. Conduct a Skype interview with a recruitment agency. 6. Phone and book a Taxi to pick you up and take you to the airport. 7. Speak to the check in desk and collect your tickets. 8. Buy a coffee and a snack in an Airport coffee shop. 9. Ask for directions to the departure lounge 10. Talk to the passenger sitting next to you on the flight 11. Order a drink and some food on board the flight. 12. Give the Taxi driver directions to your Hotel. 13. Check in to your Hotel. 14. Order a table at a local restaurant. 15. Go to the local tou

Pronouncing - ed

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This is a great link that will help you with this difficult sound: http://www.5minuteenglish.com/apr18.htm Thank you Sanj Saigal Posted with Blogsy

Newspaper Interview

Lesson plan Topic: Interview for a newspaper Time: 1 hour Objective: this is a role play lesson and is used as a conversational tool. The student must converse using the correct tenses, it will develop vocabulary and enhance pronunciation. Scenario: you are famous, today you are being interviewed by a newspaper reporter in a 5 star hotel. Take your time to answer the questions, please expand on your answers. Newspaper Interview Good morning, thank you for giving us an interview. Our audience wants to know everything about you! What's is your full name? Where were you born? Where are you working at the moment? What's your favourite colour? When did you finish your education? Why are you learning English? What's your favourite food? What's your dream job? Describe your personality Who inspired you? Where was your last holiday? If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be? What do your friends say about you? What are your

Approaching a business

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Hi, here are some useful phrases to use when approaching businesses for employment; 1." Hello, my name is .......... I am wondering if there are any positions available here?" 2. "Hi, I was wondering if I could leave a copy of my CV with you incase you were looking for staff". 3. "Hello, would it be possible to speak with a manager?" 4. " Are you looking for staff at the moment?" 5. " I noticed that you had a sign on the window for staff, I wondered if I could leave a copy of my CV with you, I would be interested in applying". Vocabulary: CV Position Apply Interview Available Application Local Flexible Experience Working Worked Working Moment Copy Manager Staff Application Posted with Blogsy

Interview Preparation

These are the types of questions that I help you with to prepare for an Interview: Tell me about yourself What experience do you have in this field? How would the people who work with you describe you? Would you consider yourself to be successful? What do you know about this Company? What kind of salary do you need? Are you a team player? Describe your personality Explain how you would be an asset to this Organisation Tell me about the last suggestion that you made at work How would you describe your dream job Describe your ability to work under pressure Describe how you manage your time If you were hiring a person for this position, what would you look for? What qualities do you look for in a Manager? Do you prefer working alone or in a team? Describe your skill base This is a collection of Interview questions, there are at least a hundred more, if you feel that I can help you, contact me via Skype: learnenglishonline001 My classes are designed on the job that

Sales

Bar and Restaurant sentence constructions and vocabulary Service questions : Good Morning/ Afternoon/ Evening Are you ready to place your order now or would you like more time? Our specials are.... Could I take your order? What can I get you? I'm sorry there is no smoking inside Our smoking area is outside Would you like ice with that? That will be ( price) The toilets are.....to your left, to your right, at the end of the corridor, behind you, in front of you. Sorry we are fully booked at that time, on that day. I can offer you a table at ...... Confirmation: Okay That's great Fantastic Amazing Wonderful Certainly Constructions to end a conversation: Thank you See you again Take care See you later Bye Phone: Hi Hello This is .......... (your name) speaking how can I help you? Just one minute Let me check Could I put you on hold for a minute I'm sorry, I can't really hear you..... Could you speak a little louder Just one moment I&

Certificates

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Daily Schedule

10am teaching in Murcia 1pm teaching in Northern Spain 3pm teaching in Portugal 5pm teaching in Japan 7pm teaching in Madrid 9pm teaching in Luxenburg 11pm teaching in Japan Where possible I will include my schedule every day, Thank you, Sanj

Links

I always post helpful links that I have discovered online here are a few; How to pronounce -ed at the end of words Job Interview Animation If you want to reserve classes with me please contact me through Skype or the contact sheet on this blog, Sanj Skype: learnenglishonline001

Making Appointments

Useful phrases for making and changing appointments; Asking to meet "Are you available on the 18th?" "Can we meet on the 15th?" "How does the 5th sound to you?" "Are you free next week?" "Would Thursday suit you?" " Is next Wednesday convenient for you?" "What about sometime next week?" Confirming a date "Yes, Thursday is fine." "Thursday suits me" "Thursday would be perfect" "Fantastic, see you on Thursday" Changing a date "I´m sorry, I wont be able to make it on Monday, could we meet on Wednesday instead?" "Tuesday is going to be a difficult day for me, I would prefer Friday if that's ok with you?" "I dont´t think I will be able to make it on the 19th, could we meet on the 20th instead?" Setting A Time "What sort of time would suit you?" "If it´s possible, could we meet in the morning?" "W

Looking for a new job?

Before I qualified as an English Teacher, and long before I published my first children´s novel, I worked as a recruitment consultant in the west end of London for over 5 years. Its an added benefit when preparing students for job interviews. Here are some of the questions that I help you prepare answers for: 1. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? 2. Why are you interested in working for this Company? 3. What do you know about our Company? 4. What skills do you bring to our company? 5. Do you consider yourself to be successful? 6. What are your Career goals? 7. Do you enjoy working as part of a team? 8. Would you describe yourself as a hands on or hands off manager? 9. Are you proactive or reactive? 10. What would your previous employer say about you? 11.  How important do you believe it is to work in a team? 12. What were the most difficult decisions that you have had to make? 13. Would you rather be liked or feared? 14. Describe your management style 15.

Newspaper Interview

Hi, this lesson plan really helps stimulate conversation! Scenario: you are famous, today you are being interviewed by a newspaper reporter in a 5 star hotel. Take your time to answer the questions, please expand on your answers. Newspaper Interview Good morning, thank you for giving us an interview. Our audience wants to know everything about you! What's is your full name?  Where were you born?  Where are you working at the moment?  What's your favourite colour? When did you finish your education?  Why are you learning English?  What's your favourite food?  What's your dream job?  Describe your personality Who inspired you?  Where was your last holiday? If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?  What do your friends say about you?  What are your future goals and objectives?  What are your strengths?  What are your weaknesses?  Would you say that you were proactive or reactive? If you could change one thing what would it b

scenarios

Lesson Plan Topic: conversation 5 Time 1 hour Objective: to develop vocabulary, make the student think in a second language and improve pronunciation. Scene : you are in a restaurant with some friends, you suddenly spot an old friend. Approach and converse! Questions to help you get started: I haven't seen you for ages How are you? Are you still living in....? Where are you working? Tell them about yourself: use the questions above as a basis to respond! At this point you want to know if your friend would like to join you at the table with your friends..... How would you ask him? How would you introduce your friend to the rest of the group? You are with 3 friends at the table: Tom, Sarah and Talia Make up a name for your long lost friend and introduce him.... You need to catch up with your friend: Which area are you living in? Are you here on business? How often do you come to his area? How are his parents, family? When is he next in the area? Now