It’s officially holidays time! Or as us Americans say: Vacation time!
But we don’t want to leave you without some fun links to check out and to keep your English skills up to par.
How good is your English? Take this test and find out!
Start practicing your business etiquette
Speaking of Etiquette, a video on saying Thank You (Level B2 and up)
Read up on some classic short stories
A video on magic and solving (Level B2 and up)
I am an avid (passionate/zealous/keen/insatiable) fan of stories. I love reading. I love listening to people tell stories. I love telling stories. Summer is a great time to sit around someone’s garden and listen to everyone tell stories about their adventures, when they were young, the last trip they had, etc. So this post is dedicated to all those storytellers out there!
Remember!
We say something when we are repeating what someone else said: They said we would get our money back
Or we can say something TO someone: I said goodbye to her and left
But we tell someone something when we are giving instructions or information: Tell them to leave earlier.
Do not say the following: Tell to them that we will leave earlier. We say: Tell them we will leave earlier.
We also have expressions with tell: Tell the time/ tell a lie or the truth/ tell a story!
Now that we have the grammar clear, let’s look at some great links:
This is one of my favorite pages to read on a weekly basis. It is so beautiful how many people out there have so many stories to tell! All of us have something to tell: Humans of New York
Story Corps is a great resource for animated stories and recorded stories.
Here is a great video on how to Tell Stories well and how to listen, which is so important. Whether it is at a family gathering or at an important meeting. How to Speak so that People Want to Listen (B1 and up)
Finally, some of my favorite podcasts to listen to at night are:
So now it is your turn. Prepare a short story and share it with us!
Photo Source: http://www.studiodiy.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/kelinsta.jpg
July seems to be quite a busy month for everyone. It is before a month of quiet time, everyone needs to finish their work before leaving and our stress goes up. But did you know that if you spell stressed backwards, it equals desserts? Why don’t we turn stress around and make it a good thing?
This post is for all of you feeling a bit stressed this month…
The difference between stressed and stressful
A person is stressed
A situation is stressful
To Stress something means to emphasize but to stress out means to undergo serious pressure, for example, from work!
Practice pronouncing Dessert, Desert and to Desert!
Here is Today: this helps us make today’s problems quite small…
A great video on how to make stress your friend! (Level B1 and up)
Finally, our favorite therapy here: The Power of Smiling (Level B1 and up)
What some people do to release stress…what is your technique? (Level B2 and up)
So what do you think? Feeling Better?
photo source: http://prepfection.com/
With summer coming along, it is time to set our tables outdoors, start up the grill and cook! But before we do, we want to know, what is in the back of your fridge? We all do Spring cleaning when it comes to our wardrobes, but how about our refrigerator? So tell us, what are those sauces and dishes that have been hibernating in your fridge all winter?
Lurking in our fridge are…
Madeleine:
A can of green peas (slight mould inside)
A jar of gherkins… Still ok I think….
2 carrots
A tub of margarine (1 year old)
Beet root
Claire:
A jar of hot, hot harissa paste (I’ve had it for years, but it never seems to go off! It just blows your head off when you eat it!)
Tupperware full of sweets (from Los Reyes in Llafranc on 6 January – I hid them from my kids so they didn’t turn into pure sugar!!!)
A massive bottle of HP Sauce (Very English!! A must have with bacon sarnies!)
A jar of sliced, pickled beetroot (it must be off by now!)
A leek
Heidi:
A jar of peanut butter (I am the only one who ever touches it)
A box of baking powder, or is it baking soda? To keep the fridge fresh…ha!
A bottle of Cava for emergency purposes only
Quite a few jars of sauces. I am a sauce lover, but I never seem to use them!
Old wilted carrot and lettuce leaves.
A slice of lard from late last year (I decided to stop eating meat over the New Year and it has not been touched since)
Now, tell us, what is in your fridge?
And if you are inspired, here are some inspiring blogs all about food. Happy Cooking!
A fabulous blog on places to eat in Barcelona: http://foodieinberlin.com/
http://www.mydarlinglemonthyme.com/
http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com.es/search/label/dips%20and%20sauces
http://sayyes.com/2014/05/easy-weeknight-meals-part-3.html
http://mimithorisson.com/
http://www.dinneralovestory.com/
Stay Tuned for our Market Tour Workshop!
Photo Source: http://cubiclerefugee.tumblr.com/post/12888846491
A few of you have wondered what are the differences between some English accents.
Wonder no more! Here are some great links to hear different English accents from around the UK and The USA
Practice your own British Accent with Amy Walker
21 Different Accents from around the World by Amy Walker
How to have an American Accent
Finally, an Intelevator! What would you do?
photo source: http://society6.com/artPause/Map-of-the-World-Map-Paint-Splashes_Print#1=45
First off, let’s look at some key words to help you understand negotiations:
To Afford Something: to have enough money to pay for something
A Bargain/To Bargain: is an agreement between two or more people or groups as to what each will do for the other
A Proposal: A plan or suggestion presented to a group of people to consider.
A Commitment vs. A Compromise: This is a common mistake Spanish speakers make. A commitment is an obligation to do or deliver something while a compromise is when you get less than you wanted, but you also give less than you had expected.
Intermediary: Is a person who communicates between two parties during a negotiation process
To make or close the deal: agree to the contract and be signed by both parties
Party: Either side in a negotiation is known as a party
Tentative Solution: an agreement that depends on some conditions, so that it might not be a final agreement
The Terms of the Deal: What are the conditions of the contract
Trade-Off: an exchange process in which one side gives up partly on some issues in order to gain on other issues
And here are some useful expressions to keep in mind:
When you want to show you understand and or agree with someone:
I agree with you on that point.
That’s a fair suggestion.
You have a strong point there.
I think we can both agree that…
I don’t see any problem with/harm in that
When you want to politely disagree with someone:
I understand where you’re coming from; however,…
I’m prepared to compromise, but…
I’m afraid I had something different in mind.
From my perspective…
I can see why you say that, but I’d have to disagree with you there.
Could we consider another offer?
Bear in mind/Keep in mind that…
And when you are ready to make that deal or think it over (consider) the agreement:
Let’s leave it this way for now.
I’m willing to work with that.
I think we could both agree to these terms.
I think we should get this in writing.
If you don’t mind, I’d like to stop and think about this for a little while.
You’ve given me a lot to think about/consider.
Let’s meet again once we’ve had some time to think.
Finally, it is very important to consider who you are negotiating with. Each country/culture has their own technique and it is highly suggested you are prepared to expect different reactions. Take a look at this fascinating link on how to negotiate with people around the world:
http://www.businessinsider.com/communication-charts-around-the-world-2014-3
And a short video on negotiating:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3muOFrLaxQ&list=PLwh2W4PrDw1kzEziZTGhXt1cZroAfLw0g (Level B1)
Photo Source: http://philadelphia.corenetglobal.org/events/new-item?ssopc=1Some tips on how to be good at negotiating and getting what you want.
Right in time for Spring, can you hear the colors? First of all, which color most identifies you?
What if you couldn’t see color? What would you do? Watch this Ted Video by Neil Harbisson, Catalan raised but British born, who found a way to hear color with an Eyeborg!
And what if you could find what your color scope says about you? Click here and try it!
Finally, did you know that in American English we spell Color with an “o” and in UK English they add a “u”: Colour
Happy Spring Holidays to all!
What’s in Madeleine’s bag?
Bike lights
Sunglasses
Small packet of tissues
1 black pen (Muji)
Small mirror
T 50/30 travel ticket
iPhone
Business card holder
Keys (work and home)
Empty sweet wrappers from the office
Bottle of water
A bag of chargers and cables for my laptop and IPad (I always need a cable for something!)
2 notebooks for lesson planning and student records
A4 folder of worksheets and attendance sheets (heavy!)
Purse ( always full of coins)
Laptop
iPad
Lunchbox
X2 10 cent coins and x1 2 cent coin
Mittens
Scarf
An orange
What’s in Heidi’s Bag?
Oh boy, here we go:
iPhone
Sunglasses
Office Keys
House Keys
An Umbrella
Mini Card Holder used as wallet from Paris
Coin purse (a lovely gift from Morocco)
1 50/30 TMB Metro ticket
Agenda
iPad
Tupperware from lunch
A Cinnamon Tea Bag
2 Packets of tissue (you never know)
A pen/pencil case with—8 pens, 1 fountain pen for important signatures, two highlighters, two pencils, an eraser, a hairclip, and a pen for the iPad which I have never used!
TicTacs
Fisherman’s Friend Mints (the stronger the better)
Altoids
A copy of the New Yorker
Two lip balms, three lipsticks, face powder, face lotion with SPF 30, Aspirin, another hair clip, pencil sharpener, a tiny perfume bottle, tiny
Coins that have fallen out of the lovely coin purse
Lavender hand lotion for stressful moments
A scarf
A small 33cl bottle of water
A pen for emergencies (because the other 8 aren’t enough)
A pack of cigarettes and a lighter (yes, my secret is out, I smoke…)
Your Homework
So, what’s in your bag?
Last month we took a look at how to greet someone.
This month, we want to remind you how to say goodbye, which is always just as important to leave a lasting impression.
Farewell, is used only when you know you will never see the person again. Similar to Bon Voyage!
The most common expressions you will hear when someone says goodbye are (formal to informal):
If they say: You say:
Good-bye Good-bye
It was nice seeing you. It was nice seeing you too or Likewise
It was great/nice/ a pleasure meeting you. Likewise/You too
I’ve enjoyed talking with you Likewise/ Me too.
Stay in touch Will do/You too
I hope to see you soon Likewise/Me too
See you See you later!
Take Care! You too!
So Long! Alright then, have a good one!
We also like to wish our listener a good day/weekend/trip:
Have a great day! You too/Likewise
Have a safe flight/trip. Thank you*
*(if you are the only one travelling simply say thank you…if they are also travelling you can say, “ you too”.)
Enjoy the rest of the day! Thanks, you too!
Finally, if you are in a conversation that you need to get out of or you are in a hurry to leave:
I’m really sorry, but I have to leave. Of course, we’ll talk later.
I hate to interrupt, but I must go. No problem.
Oh, look at the time! I should get going. Okay. We’ll catch up later.
I really must be going Yes, me too. Have a nice day!
It’s getting late. I need to go. It is, nice talking with you.
Here’s a mini test for you to try
Photo Source: http://colormecaitie.blogspot.com.es/2013/07/weekly-doodle-44.html
We are excited to announce the first in a series of workshops to help you use English outside the class. It is not always easy to use English on an everyday basis, so we want to offer you the opportunity to enhance your learning experience.
Have you ever wanted to go to an exhibition and share your thoughts and feelings with others in English?
We invite you to join us on Saturday, April 26th from 11-13h at La Pedrera Foundation to visit a photography exhibition by Colita (Isabel Steva Hernández).
We will provide you with helpful material to guide you around the exhibition and then meet back at our office to share your insights (knowledge) with others.
