An interview with a twist.... Tom Hardy answers kids' questions

Here's one of the best videos I've seen in recent weeks:-

https://youtu.be/bYbWX1kQ_jE

As you can see it's the actor, Tom Hardy, answering questions from children. Tom is from London and of Irish descent so he speaks British English.

Watch the video and tell me if the following sentences are true (T) or false (F), feel free to leave your answers in the comments.

1) Cooper's favourite number is 15.

2) Tom says (to Lola) "Being good is more important than being naughty."

3) Sienna has recently played Glinda the Bad Witch.

4) All of Isabella's princesses are Disney princesses.

5) Tom says you should love every living being unless they attack you.

Homophones - The same pronunciation, different spelling & meaning

HOMOPHONES

Homophones are words that despite having a different spelling and meaning have the same pronunciation. I have seen students suffer trying to find a subtle difference in the pronunciation of sun and son or eight and ate, so if you've been there too, don't worry there's no difference at all!

Here are some more examples:-

Can you think of any others? Feel free to share them with us in the comments....

Polysemes - words with several meanings

POLYSEMES - WORDS WITH SEVERAL MEANINGS

In English there are a wide range of polysemes such as:-

SET

- Configure "I've set my alarm clock for seven o'clock."
- Arrange a date "Let's set a date for our next meeting!"
- Established (adj) "You must read the set reading book by 21st September."

Here are some other examples:-

How many others can you think of? Feel free to add your ideas in the comments.

Other ways to say "I think"

Other ways to say "I think":-- As I understand it...- I consider....- It seems to me that...- I believe...- As I see....- In my opinion...- To my mind...- From my point of view....- As far as I'm concerned...

Here's something for an opinion essay or a speaking exam. In the FCE (B2) exam, these expressions are ideal for the obligatory writing essay or for part 4 of the speaking exam where you have to discuss questions with another candidate. If you're going to an official exam try not to repeat basic expressions such as I think, for example or because, as your level increases you should also make an effort to use richer vocabulary. It seems difficult at first but practice makes perfect!

Listening shouldn't be boring

Listening is something everybody pulls a face at when you suggest it in class but it doesn't have to be dull.......

There are several great ways to make listening entertaining. Here's one of my favourites:-

https://es.lyricstraining.com/en/play/queen/i-want-to-break-free/URFPTX6wCR

Lyrics training is a great website. There are loads of songs, every genre you can think of and they are even labelled British / American English. The songs are all in video format and as the song goes on you have to fill in the gaps you see in the lyric subtitles. You can even use the search box to look for your favourite singer, band or song. When you select a song video, choose your level and then get started.

The link is for the song "I want to break free" by Queen. It's one of my personal favourites but if you aren't a Queen fan, not to worry, there are plenty of other songs to choose from.

Enjoy doing listening practice for a change!!! 

Some recommendations from my students....

Merche

8 mar 2018

Es una profesora estupenda. Las clases nunca son aburridas, tiene muchos recursos. Es simpática, inteligente y habla español estupendamente (por si no entiendes algo). Una profesora 10.

Alba

8 mar 2018

Sur amigable, paciente y risueña

Dulcinea

4 jul 2017

Julie es una gran profesional,predispuesta y con una gran bagaje en el idioma. La recomiendo!

Sergio

4 jun 2017

Excelente profesional, muestra mucho interés en todas las clases. Muy contento.

Inma García

30 may 2017

He aprendido muchísimo con ella y me ha dado mucha confianza para poder conversar y hablar en inglés. He estado muy agusto. Ha sido satisfactorio.

Ana

26 may 2017

Una profesora magnífica, muy atenta, entregada con sus clases. La recomendare sin dudarlo

Nicolás B

Julie es la mejor opción para aprender inglés rápido y fácil. Es encantadora y muy profesional. Todo es muy dinámico con ella y te hace sentir muy cómodo en las clases. Se prepara muy bien las clases a medida y te ayuda mucho a comprender y a pronunciar perfectamente. Volveré a contar con ella en un futuro próximo.
Gracias Julie!! 

David D

Coincidí con Julie cuando años después tuve que reciclar mis conocimientos en inglés y fue una grata sorpresa conocerla tanto como persona y como profesional. Julie no es simplemente una profesora, naturalmente talentosa, sino que también tiene la paciencia, la dedicación y la ética de trabajo que requiere para el desempeño del mismo. Desde el primer momento se volcaba plenamente en sus alumnos, potenciando sus fortalezas y ayudándonos en nuestras debilidades, todo ello cuidando los detalles en todos los aspectos de su trabajo. Un aspecto que hace sobresalir a Julie es su creatividad, cada clase era un nuevo reto que gracias a su personalidad era a la par que ameno didáctico. Además hay que añadirle sus bagaje como traductora e interprete. Sin lugar a dudas recomendaría a Julie para cualquier trabajo donde tuviera que desempeñar sus habilidades como docente o traductora.

José Joaquín P

Gran profesora con la cual aprendí mucho. Sin duda la recomiendo.

Salud M

Julie fue mi profesora de conversación durante dos años. A lo largo de este tiempo demostró ser una profesora extraordinaria.
Cercana y empática, transmite el conocimiento de su lengua materna (el inglés) de manera fácil y sencilla.
Recomendaría a Julie a todo aquel que quiera mejorar su nivel de inglés.

A little bit about me....

A lot of you probably already know me but for those who don't here's a quick introduction:-

I'm a native English teacher (born in Exeter) and I've been living in Spain for the last 17 years. I'm bilingual in Spanish and speak some French. I have been teaching English for the last ten years and I have taught the following English classes;  Business English, Negociation, Presenting in English, Marketing, Academic English (High level teaching), Correspondence, BEC (Cambridge Official Business Certificates), FCE (B2), PET (B1), CAE (C1), M&A projects and many other specialist topics.
I have also worked at schools, academies and an English summer camp, so I have plenty of experience with children and teenagers too.
Nowadays I'm self-employed and I teach business people, mainly, at companies.

Exeter

Exeter Town

I'm sure you can guess who this is :)

IDIOM TIME: Still waters run deep

Still waters run deep refers to people who appear to be very composed and calm but, in fact, have very "deep"/ "complex" personalities. 

It could be associated to another idiom - Don't judge a book by it's cover. Meaning that it's very difficult to get to know someone well just by seeing their appearance.