The phrase finder.
Titled : A phrase a week.
Located on ‚Your CAE-Blog’ just underneath the ‚Cambridge Dictionary’.
I like reading and looking into idioms whether in German or in English.
It’s an interesting and important thing to know meanings and origins in languages. It could be argued, the level of knowledge of sayings and idioms is the level of comprehension of a language. By hook or by crook - to learn a language – it’s sink or swim – to use it or to loose it ... J
By the way, I’ve bought also a book, titled ‚Oxford Idioms-Dictionary’. On one hand, it’s a good thing, to be independent from the internet and on the other hand, I prefer to read in a book whenever I want.
Stefan Rüegg
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
listening and reading
During the last two weeks I realised that I spend no time improving my English beside class and homework. I haven’t got hours of freetime so I need a short activity. For all of you in a similar situation I can recommend http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/. I found this site on the link “Daily English Activities” on our blog.
On this website you will find almost daily a new 60 second scientific report. Parallel to reading the short text you can hear the spoken version. It attracts me because it’s a short but intensive activity for two skills. Because of the fact that it takes you really only one minute, it makes sense to repeat it, also because it may be too fast to understand it in the first run.
If you are interested in scientific research it is probably one of the most interesting ways to polish your English.
On this website you will find almost daily a new 60 second scientific report. Parallel to reading the short text you can hear the spoken version. It attracts me because it’s a short but intensive activity for two skills. Because of the fact that it takes you really only one minute, it makes sense to repeat it, also because it may be too fast to understand it in the first run.
If you are interested in scientific research it is probably one of the most interesting ways to polish your English.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Useful link on the CAE blog
“Reported speech”
Illya wants us to choose one of the links and giving some explanations about it.
It would take me hours and days to go into the endless options.
So I would call attention to the link “direct speech”.
Don’t worry, it’s only a part of a very interesting link called
English grammer 4 U .
They provide 6 main areas:
- learning
- reading
- business
- chill out
- take on
- teach in
Every area has several sections giving you a wide range of possibilities.
When you choose grammar for example, you can tick the prefered topic. There you get theoretical information as well as numerous practical exercises.
Look and see!
Illya wants us to choose one of the links and giving some explanations about it.
It would take me hours and days to go into the endless options.
So I would call attention to the link “direct speech”.
Don’t worry, it’s only a part of a very interesting link called
English grammer 4 U .
They provide 6 main areas:
- learning
- reading
- business
- chill out
- take on
- teach in
Every area has several sections giving you a wide range of possibilities.
When you choose grammar for example, you can tick the prefered topic. There you get theoretical information as well as numerous practical exercises.
Look and see!
Links - Leo translating dictionary
www.leo.org
I’ve chosen a link which isn’t on the blog because I’ve already worked with it and I think it’s quite useful. It’s an online dictionary on which you can easily look up a word. In my mind it’s a good site because you can find a word very quickly and even listen to it if you didn’t know how to pronounce.
Corinne
I’ve chosen a link which isn’t on the blog because I’ve already worked with it and I think it’s quite useful. It’s an online dictionary on which you can easily look up a word. In my mind it’s a good site because you can find a word very quickly and even listen to it if you didn’t know how to pronounce.
Corinne
Monday, September 21, 2009
Teacher Award 4
The best teacher Award
My best teacher was and is Andrea Günthör, my dance teacher.
Since seven years I train up to eight hours a week at her dance school and I still look forward to every lesson. Sport means a lot to me. It makes me well-balanced and happy. I can no longer imagine my life without dancing.
I like her training very much and I learn a lot from her. I love to look at her while she is dancing. Her movements are so beautiful.
I don’t learn only different dance steps, but also much about my body and myself. I have made a lot of progress in dancing, since I take part at her classes.
She is a very warmhearted, amiable and understanding person. Her lessons are strict and challenging, but we also have a lot of fun. I like this mixture of pleasure and hard work.
She is very demanding and like you to make great strides. Therefore she gives us a lot of corrections and advice. Her feedback is always constructive and encouraging.
She has a good empathy and notice when she can be hard on me and when I can’t stand any critic.
If we make mistakes we will never be ridiculed or treated negatively.
I really feel comfortable in her classes and I will go to her lessons as long as she would be a teacher.
Andrea isn’t only my best teacher I’ve ever had, she also became a friend of mine.
Andrea deserves the award because I know in every lesson how to improve myself and I always feel better after the training than before.
So vote for her, please!
Have a nice time!
Rama
My best teacher was and is Andrea Günthör, my dance teacher.
Since seven years I train up to eight hours a week at her dance school and I still look forward to every lesson. Sport means a lot to me. It makes me well-balanced and happy. I can no longer imagine my life without dancing.
I like her training very much and I learn a lot from her. I love to look at her while she is dancing. Her movements are so beautiful.
I don’t learn only different dance steps, but also much about my body and myself. I have made a lot of progress in dancing, since I take part at her classes.
She is a very warmhearted, amiable and understanding person. Her lessons are strict and challenging, but we also have a lot of fun. I like this mixture of pleasure and hard work.
She is very demanding and like you to make great strides. Therefore she gives us a lot of corrections and advice. Her feedback is always constructive and encouraging.
She has a good empathy and notice when she can be hard on me and when I can’t stand any critic.
If we make mistakes we will never be ridiculed or treated negatively.
I really feel comfortable in her classes and I will go to her lessons as long as she would be a teacher.
Andrea isn’t only my best teacher I’ve ever had, she also became a friend of mine.
Andrea deserves the award because I know in every lesson how to improve myself and I always feel better after the training than before.
So vote for her, please!
Have a nice time!
Rama
Teacher Award 3
Best Teacher award
I had a really good teacher at the secondary school. He was very good in explaining and he had a good relationship to us. But although he was my best teacher at school there was another best teacher. My best teacher was and is still life itself.
As a child and also until one year ago I thought, that I’m punished from live in a certain way. I always
lost my best friends from the age of ten till today. It started when a new class opened at a school
near my house. A girl and I, we had to change the school because of our schoolway. So I had
to say goodbye to my best friend. Later, every best friend moved. The one from the 5th class moved
to a private school, the other from the secondary school moved to Biel to the sport school My best
friend from the teacher trainig school moved to Chile, the next one became flight attendant and
changed her life completely. So I found a new friend in my neighborhood-she moved also to the
far end of Switzerland. And last March, my husband`s and my best friends moved to Vienna. So I’ve had never a constance in my friendship. First I was so deprived, when I saw friendships which went back
to childhood.
But now I see what live had taught me. It taught me to never give up. That when a door closes, a new
door opens. To stay flexible and open-minded. And it also taught me to always look on the bright
side of life…..our next autumn half-term we’ll spend in Vienna J
Well I could tell you more examples. I mean, think about the hotplate and the child. The parents can
tell it’s hot, but only live can teach what hot really means.
Live is also so patient. It teaches you the same thing again and again, till you really understood. For
example my little son. He had to be stung by bees several times until he believed that it’s not
clevert to catch a bee by bare hands.
So I think, that live“ should gets the award as « best teacher », no other teacher can teach so well,so
patient, so generous and even so simple. It’s only up to you. You have to stay open for its lessons.
Arlette
I had a really good teacher at the secondary school. He was very good in explaining and he had a good relationship to us. But although he was my best teacher at school there was another best teacher. My best teacher was and is still life itself.
As a child and also until one year ago I thought, that I’m punished from live in a certain way. I always
lost my best friends from the age of ten till today. It started when a new class opened at a school
near my house. A girl and I, we had to change the school because of our schoolway. So I had
to say goodbye to my best friend. Later, every best friend moved. The one from the 5th class moved
to a private school, the other from the secondary school moved to Biel to the sport school My best
friend from the teacher trainig school moved to Chile, the next one became flight attendant and
changed her life completely. So I found a new friend in my neighborhood-she moved also to the
far end of Switzerland. And last March, my husband`s and my best friends moved to Vienna. So I’ve had never a constance in my friendship. First I was so deprived, when I saw friendships which went back
to childhood.
But now I see what live had taught me. It taught me to never give up. That when a door closes, a new
door opens. To stay flexible and open-minded. And it also taught me to always look on the bright
side of life…..our next autumn half-term we’ll spend in Vienna J
Well I could tell you more examples. I mean, think about the hotplate and the child. The parents can
tell it’s hot, but only live can teach what hot really means.
Live is also so patient. It teaches you the same thing again and again, till you really understood. For
example my little son. He had to be stung by bees several times until he believed that it’s not
clevert to catch a bee by bare hands.
So I think, that live“ should gets the award as « best teacher », no other teacher can teach so well,so
patient, so generous and even so simple. It’s only up to you. You have to stay open for its lessons.
Arlette
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Flo-joe
I've tested this link: flo-joe
This website is especially designed for fce, cae and cpe candidates. It provides a wide range of vocabulary and grammar excercices. There are useful tips how you can improve your language skills. If you want, you can get weekly emails with tips and advices how you can manage to pass the exam.
The website is well structered and informative. There is a free section and a section, where you have to pay.
I think I'll visit this site regularly.
This website is especially designed for fce, cae and cpe candidates. It provides a wide range of vocabulary and grammar excercices. There are useful tips how you can improve your language skills. If you want, you can get weekly emails with tips and advices how you can manage to pass the exam.
The website is well structered and informative. There is a free section and a section, where you have to pay.
I think I'll visit this site regularly.
Teacher Award 2
The Winner of my teachers award is……… BEFF
by Pia Lötscher
Years ago I attended a course. A whole year long I gave a lift to one of the
other participants, called Beff. As a reward for that he wanted me to take up
tennis. He offered me to be my teacher.
I wasn’t very responsive about his idea. On the one hand, he was a very
good, highly ranked tennis player, on the other hand, I wasn’t highly skilled in ball sports.
But he insisted and in fact we had one tennis lesson weekly. He was able to
develop my capacity with his way of teaching. He chose several helpful and
funny exercises, he never commented a bad ball, he always gave me the
impression that he liked the game with me, he encouraged me to try some new technical details, he heightened the level of the game subtly. Thanks to his persistence and the regular trainings I reached a certain level.
Today, twenty-five years later, I’m playing tennis every now and then with great fun. Firstly, I learnt for my life that a patient, caring, attentive teacher can help you on and secondly that is a very true saying: “no sweet without sweat”.
For all these lasting effects I would like to give the Teachers Award to my
tennis coach Beff.
by Pia Lötscher
Years ago I attended a course. A whole year long I gave a lift to one of the
other participants, called Beff. As a reward for that he wanted me to take up
tennis. He offered me to be my teacher.
I wasn’t very responsive about his idea. On the one hand, he was a very
good, highly ranked tennis player, on the other hand, I wasn’t highly skilled in ball sports.
But he insisted and in fact we had one tennis lesson weekly. He was able to
develop my capacity with his way of teaching. He chose several helpful and
funny exercises, he never commented a bad ball, he always gave me the
impression that he liked the game with me, he encouraged me to try some new technical details, he heightened the level of the game subtly. Thanks to his persistence and the regular trainings I reached a certain level.
Today, twenty-five years later, I’m playing tennis every now and then with great fun. Firstly, I learnt for my life that a patient, caring, attentive teacher can help you on and secondly that is a very true saying: “no sweet without sweat”.
For all these lasting effects I would like to give the Teachers Award to my
tennis coach Beff.
Teacher Award 1
Competition entry
You are looking for the best teacher ever?
I’m going to describe him.
One year ago I spent three weeks in the Yukon Territory (Canada) for a trekking- and canoeing trip with other Swiss people . Our guide, also a Swiss man, knows this region like his own pocket because he did lots of adventure trips on his own when he was younger.
I was very impressed by his knowledge about nature and the animals. He taught us how to survive in this wilderness. We learned how to behave correctly in the forest which is home of uncountable bears.
Instead of complaining about wet socks, he told us stories how they dried them once when they had been on tour in a deep winter. He made us laugh and wonder at the same time.
He isn’t a man of many words, and he had the patience not to show too early how to do it right. He let us gain our own experiences. When I managed to be successful in something I got more self-confident.
But in every difficult situation he was there to help. Soon I knew that he is really sensitive and trustworthy. These skills are unreplaceable if you want to make people around you feel good.
In challenging times I remember him and his family, and I realise that I can reach whatever I want, if I really want it. He made his dream come true and moved to Canada with his wife and his two sons.
So vote for him, because he lives what he teaches. Through him I learned to slow down without having the feeling of wasting time.
Evelyne
You are looking for the best teacher ever?
I’m going to describe him.
One year ago I spent three weeks in the Yukon Territory (Canada) for a trekking- and canoeing trip with other Swiss people . Our guide, also a Swiss man, knows this region like his own pocket because he did lots of adventure trips on his own when he was younger.
I was very impressed by his knowledge about nature and the animals. He taught us how to survive in this wilderness. We learned how to behave correctly in the forest which is home of uncountable bears.
Instead of complaining about wet socks, he told us stories how they dried them once when they had been on tour in a deep winter. He made us laugh and wonder at the same time.
He isn’t a man of many words, and he had the patience not to show too early how to do it right. He let us gain our own experiences. When I managed to be successful in something I got more self-confident.
But in every difficult situation he was there to help. Soon I knew that he is really sensitive and trustworthy. These skills are unreplaceable if you want to make people around you feel good.
In challenging times I remember him and his family, and I realise that I can reach whatever I want, if I really want it. He made his dream come true and moved to Canada with his wife and his two sons.
So vote for him, because he lives what he teaches. Through him I learned to slow down without having the feeling of wasting time.
Evelyne
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Something to enjoy
Well, I'm bored in bed (I guess that's the first sign of getting better!) and so I've found something for you to enjoy.
You can also put your teacher award texts on the blog and begin commenting.
You can also put your teacher award texts on the blog and begin commenting.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The best teacher
Today we will be talking about traits which make a teacher a good teacher. Now you may have done this before, probably in German, but I'm hoping to generate a lot of language which you will then (hopefully!) use.
I've found two sites that you might want to look at since they deal with descriptions.
The first is actually a review of the book 'Teacher Man' by Frank McCourt. Reading these will give you some excellent book review language, and there's still time to write a book review if you want. In fact, you can always inform us of what you are reading/have read/ have seen in the cinema or on TV/ etc. right here :-)
But back to 'Teacher Man' - the title is the link.
Another site I found is about the traits found in idealists, which is what we teachers all seem to be. You will find several well-known names here.
Now for the homework:
You will be nominating a teacher you found inspiring for an award.
-Describe what this teacher taught you
-Explain how this teacher has influenced your life
-Say why this teacher deserves the award.
You can post directly to the blog if you want (also send to me for correction), but I will also put the 3-5 best descriptions on the blog for you to vote on. These will be individual posts, so your comments on each post will count as votes. Tag the post as competition below the post.
Further homework: Coursebook pages 12-13
Go over the grammar revision and see what questions or problems you have. Prepare them for in class
I'm looking forward to reading your descriptions!
Here's a video for you. If nothing else comes to mind to write, why not describe him?
I've found two sites that you might want to look at since they deal with descriptions.
The first is actually a review of the book 'Teacher Man' by Frank McCourt. Reading these will give you some excellent book review language, and there's still time to write a book review if you want. In fact, you can always inform us of what you are reading/have read/ have seen in the cinema or on TV/ etc. right here :-)
But back to 'Teacher Man' - the title is the link.
Another site I found is about the traits found in idealists, which is what we teachers all seem to be. You will find several well-known names here.
Now for the homework:
You will be nominating a teacher you found inspiring for an award.
-Describe what this teacher taught you
-Explain how this teacher has influenced your life
-Say why this teacher deserves the award.
You can post directly to the blog if you want (also send to me for correction), but I will also put the 3-5 best descriptions on the blog for you to vote on. These will be individual posts, so your comments on each post will count as votes. Tag the post as competition below the post.
Further homework: Coursebook pages 12-13
Go over the grammar revision and see what questions or problems you have. Prepare them for in class
I'm looking forward to reading your descriptions!
Here's a video for you. If nothing else comes to mind to write, why not describe him?
Monday, September 7, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Your first tasks
As you can see, this blog is in reverse chronology, so if you haven't read the previous post, then please do so as well.
Now I have two tasks for you to do on the blog. The first is a game.
Task 1 (game): Click on the 'comments' button below this post and tell us a little bit about yourself. Don't write your name. - Can the others guess who you are? You reply with another comment to say who you think described themselves.
Task 2: I will invite you all to join the blog so you can write posts. You need to accept the invitation in order to join (it doesn't happen automatically). When you have managed, you can send a test message or do the task above in a post rather than a comment. Don't worry, I'll troubleshoot next week!
Now I hope you all will try it out !
Now I have two tasks for you to do on the blog. The first is a game.
Task 1 (game): Click on the 'comments' button below this post and tell us a little bit about yourself. Don't write your name. - Can the others guess who you are? You reply with another comment to say who you think described themselves.
Task 2: I will invite you all to join the blog so you can write posts. You need to accept the invitation in order to join (it doesn't happen automatically). When you have managed, you can send a test message or do the task above in a post rather than a comment. Don't worry, I'll troubleshoot next week!
Now I hope you all will try it out !
Welcome class of 09/10!
I'd like to give my new CAE participants a warm welcome.
As you can see, this blog is not new, but has been used by other classes as well. I've left their contributions up and invited them to join in so that both you and they may profit and learn from each other. We can also decide together whether to put homework or other information (not too personal) on here.
First, a quick tour of the blog. This is where hopefully all of us will contribute in some way. You can add photos from your holiday or language stay; recommend books, plays, films, etc.; complete tasks I set here (or in class); or just simply stop by and say hi! Not everything you write needs to be corrected, but if you want me to correct before you post it, that's okay too.
You should also make use of the comments function and respond to what others have written. This is a very important part of motivation for writing and I strongly encourage it.
When you write a post, you can add labels, which describe what the post is about. You see the box directly under the post you are writing and you can see the labels afterwards under the post. Note my labels for this one.
_______
On the right you will see a column. This begins with a bit of fun and includes a dictionary to help you with your writing and an educational quote of the day. You can also join as a follower. If you want to make your own blog or already have one, we can also include a link for the others to follow it.
Further down you also have the descriptions of the three different exams you can choose from to get C1 certification.
Then you have a long list of links which are useful for you as a learner of English. I will be portraying a couple of the ones I think are especially useful and I hope you will try them out and also leave a critic of the ones you especially like or dislike.
Finally, there is the archive. You can go back in the past to see what others have done, or use it to find a post related to a specific topic.
If there is anything else you'd like me to add to it, then let me know and I'll gladly do my best to make it happen.
As you can see, this blog is not new, but has been used by other classes as well. I've left their contributions up and invited them to join in so that both you and they may profit and learn from each other. We can also decide together whether to put homework or other information (not too personal) on here.
First, a quick tour of the blog. This is where hopefully all of us will contribute in some way. You can add photos from your holiday or language stay; recommend books, plays, films, etc.; complete tasks I set here (or in class); or just simply stop by and say hi! Not everything you write needs to be corrected, but if you want me to correct before you post it, that's okay too.
You should also make use of the comments function and respond to what others have written. This is a very important part of motivation for writing and I strongly encourage it.
When you write a post, you can add labels, which describe what the post is about. You see the box directly under the post you are writing and you can see the labels afterwards under the post. Note my labels for this one.
_______
On the right you will see a column. This begins with a bit of fun and includes a dictionary to help you with your writing and an educational quote of the day. You can also join as a follower. If you want to make your own blog or already have one, we can also include a link for the others to follow it.
Further down you also have the descriptions of the three different exams you can choose from to get C1 certification.
Then you have a long list of links which are useful for you as a learner of English. I will be portraying a couple of the ones I think are especially useful and I hope you will try them out and also leave a critic of the ones you especially like or dislike.
Finally, there is the archive. You can go back in the past to see what others have done, or use it to find a post related to a specific topic.
If there is anything else you'd like me to add to it, then let me know and I'll gladly do my best to make it happen.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Good luck and a look into the future
I'm a bit late with this post and I realize that some of you have taken your exam already or at least part of it, and the last part is just around the corner. Good luck to those who aren't finished or who have postponed the exam for a later time!You've all been delightful to have in the course and now I hope you will keep in contact with each other and me, and maybe even continue to use this blog.
It would be wonderful to find an occassional comment or even a post here from any of you, and I'm sure that the next group would appreciate your help or comments as well. It's a great way to keep up your English, keep in touch, and help others all at the same time!
And finally, here's wishing you a great summer!!!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Greetings from Exeter
Hi everybody
Here in Exeter, the last two weeks I suppose that I have been as much busy as Fredy was! My teacher Leslie keeps me going on! Apart of my hard school work I enjoy my stay in this old place very much. All the teachers are very supportive & my hostfamily is very kind. Tomorrow evening I am looking forward hearing a Haendel Concert in the gorgious Cathederal of Exeter.
More next time!
Annelise
Here in Exeter, the last two weeks I suppose that I have been as much busy as Fredy was! My teacher Leslie keeps me going on! Apart of my hard school work I enjoy my stay in this old place very much. All the teachers are very supportive & my hostfamily is very kind. Tomorrow evening I am looking forward hearing a Haendel Concert in the gorgious Cathederal of Exeter.
More next time!
Annelise
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Beginnings for writing and other homework
I've added a new wiki page for you (or me) to add your first sentences.
Have a look to see what came up, think about and add which type of task you think it is, and feel free to make comments about them or give (better?) alternatives. I'll make sure it's correct and join in the discussion of how good the sentence is.
If you couldn't be at class yesterday, feel free to join in the fun. Simply take any task and write the first sentence. Put it on the wiki or send it to me. Then head on over to the wiki for a look. Remember, it's very simple. Just click on the 'edit' button and add whatever you want. Then click on 'save'.
Of course, you then can choose any task and write by hand the rest.
Practice the test and complete unit 11 in the book.
Have a look to see what came up, think about and add which type of task you think it is, and feel free to make comments about them or give (better?) alternatives. I'll make sure it's correct and join in the discussion of how good the sentence is.
If you couldn't be at class yesterday, feel free to join in the fun. Simply take any task and write the first sentence. Put it on the wiki or send it to me. Then head on over to the wiki for a look. Remember, it's very simple. Just click on the 'edit' button and add whatever you want. Then click on 'save'.
Of course, you then can choose any task and write by hand the rest.
Practice the test and complete unit 11 in the book.
Leaflets and information sheets
A question just came up and I thought it might be something others still aren't clear on.
A leaflet and an information sheet are nearly the same. It is rather misleading to have all these different names, but both give information to the reader about a certain topic.
They can differ slightly in form, but I wouldn't worry about that.
Basically, you need to present information in a way that is easily understandable by the reader, and it is the reader who should be foremost in your mind. If you are writing for students the register will be different than if you are writing for people in the business world.
I went in search of a site to help you and came up with this one.
By the way, I have NEVER read a leaflet beginning with the phrase they suggest!
A contribution is another one of those wishy-washy labels that is easily misunderstood. It is generally an informative article for a guidebook of some sort and should be looked at a one section of a book or magazine. However, it stands alone. Read the task carefully to get an idea of what the aim should be and who will be reading it. This will tell you what information you need to put in. Very often it is divided into headings. If you still aren't happy with my advice, try this blog.
A leaflet and an information sheet are nearly the same. It is rather misleading to have all these different names, but both give information to the reader about a certain topic.
They can differ slightly in form, but I wouldn't worry about that.
Basically, you need to present information in a way that is easily understandable by the reader, and it is the reader who should be foremost in your mind. If you are writing for students the register will be different than if you are writing for people in the business world.
I went in search of a site to help you and came up with this one.
By the way, I have NEVER read a leaflet beginning with the phrase they suggest!
A contribution is another one of those wishy-washy labels that is easily misunderstood. It is generally an informative article for a guidebook of some sort and should be looked at a one section of a book or magazine. However, it stands alone. Read the task carefully to get an idea of what the aim should be and who will be reading it. This will tell you what information you need to put in. Very often it is divided into headings. If you still aren't happy with my advice, try this blog.
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