Tuesday, 12 August 2014

Family interviews

Family questionnaires. 

Unfortunately, there were some problems with audio files. Those who sent them, thank you.

Greg's Family interview.
Really good work, well done Greg.

Owen's Family interview
Nice work Owen, good question forms.

Emilian.
I couldn't upload your file, but good question forms, and vocab. Well done!

Marcello
Marcello. Good question forms + use of intonation. You're an excellent interviewer.

Sunday, 10 August 2014

1st and 2nd conditionals.

1st and 2nd conditionals.


This became confusing last lesson, hope this makes more sense.


First conditional    (if + present simple, will + infinitive)
  1. Nature: Open condition, what is said in the condition is possible.
  2. Time: This condition refers either to present or to future time. 
  • If he is late, we will have to go without him.
  • If he wears that shirt, he'll look good. He'll look stupid if he wears the other.
Second conditional    (if + past simple, would + infinitive)
  1. Nature: unreal (impossible) or improbable situations.
  2. Time: present; the TENSE is past, but we are talking about the present, now. 
  • If I knew her name, I would tell you.
  • If I were you, I would tell my father. 
  • If monkeys ruled the planet, bananas would be currency.
  • I would fight back if aliens invaded.

Compare:

1st conditional.
If I become president, I will change the social security system. (Said by a presidential candidate)

2nd conditional.
If I became president, I would change the social security system. (Said by a schoolboy: improbable)



If I lose my phone, I will have no numbers. 
vs
If I lost my phone, I would have no numbers.

The form depends on whether the condition is likely to happen.


There are some exercises here to work with.
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/conditionals-1

Comparatives and Superlatives

Grammar points from elective.

Comparatives and superlatives.


Comparatives are words used to compare two people

  • I'm taller than my brother.
  • My father is stronger than me.
  • Ben Lomond is higher than Blencathra.
  • My watch is more expensive than my brother's.

The basic rule is that single syllable adjectives use the -er ending, whilst multiple syllable adjectives
use more + adjective / adverb.

DO NOT USE BOTH MORE AND -ER. 
LIAM WILL THROW YOU OUT A WINDOW.




Superlatives are adjectives / adverbs that describe the greatest of a group.

  • The Flash is the fastest man alive.
  • superman is the strongest superhero
  • Wolverine is the toughest mutant.
  • Professor Xavier's mind is the most powerful.

The basic rule is that single syllable words are made by the + adj+est. Multi-syllable words are made using the + most + adj.

DO NOT USE BOTH MOST AND -EST. 
LIAM WILL THROW YOU OUT A WINDOW.



There are some differences in spelling, but pronunciation is the same. There is a rule check and quiz here. It's quite simple, but effective.

The British Council website has some more notes here