Project Introduction Unit

Today we have loads of tools to learn English. There are so many that users often feel overwhelmed and don't know what to use to improve their English level.

As the topic of the introduction unit is Learning Languages, the final project you have to do is searching the web or application in smartphones to learn English. Write a comment to this post describing the application that caught your eye. Your comment should have this information.

1. Your name, name of the application and link to that application.
2. What you can do with the application and how to use it.
3. Explain the reason why you chose that application.

Here you have an example of the application I showed in class.

(1)Isabel Sáez. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.eigofun.eigomimi2#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDIxMiwibWUuZWlnb2Z1bi5laWdvbWltaTIiXQ..
The name of the application is English Ear 2 and you can download it from Google Play. (2) With this application you can practice the listening of words whose pronunciation seems similar. Once you play it, you have two words (for example, vase and base) and the application reads one aloud. The game is about choosing the correct option in the shortest time. At the end there is a ranking where you can check your score after every game. (3) I liked this game because I'm interested in improving my comprehension and pronunciation skills. 

The deadline to hand this project in is next Tuesday, 6th of November. If you are facing technical projects, do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail. I'll reach you asap. 

Oral Test. 2nd Term

Here you have the sentences you need to pronounce and record. You can either use your mobile phone and send it to my e-mail or use another recording programme in your computer, such as Audicity, and send it to me too. Please, bear in mind two important things: 

• First, make sure your recording has QUALITY and I can understand what you say. 
• The project is due Wednesday 20th of March. 

**Those who don't have access to internet at home will have todo it during the break time. 

This is the test. GOOD LUCK and employ the resources available in the net to make sure of the pronunciation!!

1. Zebras in zoos are like dolphins in pools.
2. It's best to rest, said the vet to the pet.
3. The cat can't have a nap close to the car park.
4. There aren't any bears in these woods.
5. Did you put the beans in the bin?
6. His uncle has just rung him for the third time.
7. Sue knew he had forgotten the cook book.
8. The girl heard the nurse work but she coulnd't walk.
9. The boy stopped and passed the ball to another player.
10. I washed and dried my dad's car last weekend.   

Pronunciation of -ED! Get it now or never!!!

This post has been designed for you to learn the pronunciation of the ED in regular verbs. First, I'll show you the rules. After, I'll propose some practice.

Rules
1. -ed after voiceless sounds like /T/:  /f,  k,  p, s, tʃ, dʒ, θ/

looked (t)             dressed (t)            watched (t)

helped (t)              pushed (t)             pushed (t) 

2. -ed after voiced sounds like /D/:  /b, g, ð,dʒ, l, m, n, ŋ, r, , v,  z, vowel/

played (d)            roamed (d)     judged (d) 

sobbed (d)          filled (d) 

3. -ed after /d/ or /t/ sound like /ID/

wanted (id)

needed (id) 

PRACTICE 

EXERCISE 1: listen to the examples. 

EXERCISE 2: practise and check your answers

EXERCISE 3: further practice. the solutions are in the file. 

SCHWA: the most common sound in English

SINGLE WORDS: where do we find ə ?                                                                                                         

d  i f f i c u  l t      s u m m e r         l e v e l         p  r o  t  e  c t             s  u  r v i v e         

p u p i l              t h e  a  t r e           m e  a s u r e              w  i z a r d

CONNECTED SPEECH: where do we find ə ?                                                                                            

1 . It ’s  for you
2 . It takes a lot of time
3 . How about a  cup of  tea ?
4 . W hat are y ou doing to night ?
5 . What time will you arrive at Victoria?
6 . I was  going to tell you
7 . The leisure centre is closed for a private function
8 . The airport is not far from the capital city
9 . The book is  about pronunciation
1 0 . We need more financial support

If you still seem not to understand the use of schwa, this video may help you  understand it.                        

Unit 1: Listening- Learning Languages

Listening is a crucial skill which is often overlooked in class because every student has different needs. Thanks to the blog, you will be able to listen to the recordings quietly at home and what's more, you can listen to them as many times as you need. Follow these steps.

1st Check the meaning of these words and expressions at the on-line dictionaries ( on the right side bar of this page)

• come into terms
• deadline
  
• sight
• thought
• cockney
• scrabble
• lack
• delivery
  
• humilliation (check the pronunication)
• podcast
• challenge (check the pronunication)
• enrol
• handle a situation
• polite (check the pronunication)
• rude (check the pronunication)

2nd Click on the link and listen to the recording first, without looking at the task. A tip: using earphones can help you understand more and be more concentrated.

• Coming to terms with English

3rd Copy the answers in your notebook. We will revise it on the next lesson.

Listening Comprehension 1 TASK  

4th Don't forget to leave your comment about the activity! Did you find the exercise helpful? Was it interesting or boring? Do you find it  too difficult? How many times did you need to play it to finish the exercise? Is there any special difficulty you'd like to point out?

Welcome!!!

Welcome!!

This will be our blog this year and I have great expectations for it! We will be using this blog for the following purposes:

• To have a good resource of links by which you can reinforce your skills.
• To post material I propose for class.
• To post projects that you will be making during the present course.
• To carry out on-line questionnaires.

It's also my first time using a blog for the English class, so I hope you contribute with your own ideas to make the most of this site.

For starters, and to make this site a place for leisure as well, I propose this video about the need of learning English nowadays. Haven't  you ever been in a similar situation? Please, write your first comment about it!

 Do you need to learn English?


Think or sink? See the importance of a proper pronunciation!