Tuesday 22 October 2019

Useful expressions for your speaking exam


This material is free to re-use, but it would be nice if you mentioned where you got it from if you use it in your classes! :-)
Also, it would be nice to know where you are reading this from, leave a comment, please :-)

MAKING YOUR POINT/ 
EMPHASIZING THAT SOMETHING IS YOUR OWN OPINION
As far as I am concerned ...
As I see it,
For my part,
From my point of view ...
From where I stand,
I am (totally) convinced that ...
I'd say that ...
I feel that ...
If you ask me, ...
In my opinion, ...
In my view ...
I reckon ...
I suppose ...
It is my belief that ...
My feeling is that ...
Personally, I think that ...
Personally speaking,
The way I see it,
That's my personal opinion.
That's about it, I think.
That's how I see things.
That's basically where I am at on this.
To be honest,
What is even more important perhaps ...

AGREEING
Absolutely.
As a matter of fact, I think you are right about that.
I can't disagree.
I completely/totally agree ...
I'd go along with that.
I'll go along with that.
I quite agree ...
That's a good point.
That's exactly the point.
That's (just) what I think, too.
Yes, I see where you are coming from.
You are absolutely right.
You are right there.
You do have a point there, I must admit.

HALF-AGREEING
I see/ take your point, but ...
I see what you mean, but ...
I agree up to a point, but ...
You have got a point, but ...
I sort of agree.
I know what you mean, but isn't it also true that?
That may be the case, but ...
I see where you are coming from, but ...
There is some truth in that, of course, but ...
There is some truth in that, of course, but I am not sure I agree completely.

DISAGREEING
But that's not always the case.
I am afraid I don't really agree with that/you.
I am not going to agree with that.
I am not so sure about that.
I am not sure I agree with you.
I am not sure I'd agree with that.
I am sure I don't agree with that.
I completely disagree.
I can't see your point at all.
I don't agree at all.
I don't really think you are right.
I think there might be another way of looking at it.
Not necessarily.
No, you are missing the point.
That's not the point.

INTERRUPTING
Can I add something here?
Can I just add ...
I am sorry, but ...
If I could just come in here ...
If I might add something ...
Is it ok if I jump in for a second?
Sorry to interrupt but ...
Sorry to stop you, but ...
Would you mind if I jumped in with an idea?

IF SOMEBODY INTERRUPTS YOU TOO MUCH
Actually, I'd just like to finish with ...
Do you mind if I just finish my point?
Sorry, I hadn't quite finished!
Sorry, just to come back to the point I was making ...

ASKING SB'S OPINION
Any ideas?
What are your thoughts on this?
What do you think?
What do you reckon?
Would you care to tell me what you think?
… , don’t you agree?  

UNCERTAINTY
I am undecided ...
I am unsure ...
I am ambivalent about ...
I am in two minds about ...
It is not something I have very strong views about,

ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION
You mean ...
Sorry, I don't really see what you are getting at
Sorry, I don't quite follow you

END OF AN ANSWER
… in my view, anyway.
That’s my opinion, anyway.
So, in short …
All in all …
And that’s about it, really.

STARTING/CLOSING A DISCUSSION
We could start by talking about ...
Let's talk about ... first.
I think we need to make a decision.
Shall we try to come to an agreement?

 CONTRAST
But on the other hand …
But at the same time ...
Although I must admit that …
Having said that, …  

PREDICTIONS about yourself
I guess I’ll …
I reckon I will …
I don’t think I’ll ever …
I don’t imagine I’ll …

SUPPOSING ABOUT OTHERS
They are probably …
They probably + verb
They must + verb
It looks as if they are + ing
I imagine they might + verb  

PROPOSING
Let’s go to (this photography exhibition).
Well, why don’t we go to (this photography exhibition).
How does this sound?
Shall we go and see (this photography exhibition).?
How about going to (this photography exhibition).?
I have got an idea. We could go to (this photography exhibition).
Do you fancy going to see (this photography exhibition)?
Would you like to go to (this photography exhibition)?  

EXPRESSING OPINIONS/ REACTING
Believe me, …
… seems like the best option to me.
I am really keen on the idea of …
If you ask me, I really think we should …
But just think of the …. !
Personally, I am in favour of … (+ gerund)
I am sure it will be worth it.
Let’s go for it.
Oh, come on!


REACTING in a negative way
I don’t find (modern art) very interesting.
I am not really into (modern art) In fact, I don’t really like(modern art) at all.
To be honest, (modern art) just makes me laugh.
(Modern art) isn’t really my thing.
I am not a big fan of (modern art)

REACTING TO STRANGE INFORMATION
How weird/ strange/ bizarre/ odd!
How spooky!
How awful!

EXCLAMATIONS
What a great/brilliant/fantastic idea!
What an amazing coincidence!
What a terrible experience!
What a pity!
What a waste of time!
What bad luck!
What a shame!

How interesting!
How annoying!
How embarrassing!
How awful!

ALLOWING YOURSELF TIME TO THINK
I need to think for a moment.
That’s an interesting question.
That's a tricky question, really.
Well, it’s difficult to say, really.
That's quite a difficult one.
Let me see ...
It depends …
I guess an honest answer would be …
I suppose the simplest answer to that question is …
If I think about it, I suppose …
On balance, I think …
The best example that comes to mind is ...
I have never given it a lot of thought ...
I must admit I haven't really thought about it much before ...
Well, how can I put it ...

GENERALISING
Broadly speaking ...
To a great extent ...
In general ...
On the whole

 TALKING ABOUT MISUNDERSTANDINGS
I was under the impression that …
I thought that … but in fact …
Naturally I assumed that …
It turned out that …
It was so embarrassing.
I was horrified.
I felt awful.
I felt such a fool.
We had a good laugh about it.  

COMPARING PHOTOS
The most obvious similarity is that both photos show …
You can see … in both photos.
The … in photo 1 is/are … . Similarly, the … in photo 2 is/are …
The … is the same in both photos.
In the first photo ... but in the second one ...
This picture ... while on the other hand this one ...
In comparison to the first photo, this one ...
The biggest difference between the photos is that photo 1 shows … whereas photo 2 shows …
While photo 1 shows ..., photo 2 on the other hand …
The … is completely different in the two photos.

TALKING ABOUT CONSEQUENCES AND EFFECTS
And as a consequence ...
It has (had) a rather negative effect.
It has had very little impact on ...
It has led to ...
It had resulted in ...
That has been a very positive step.



And you'll find many more here:
http://www.uefap.com/speaking/group/grouplan.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv281.shtml

Sunday 20 October 2019

Grammar and vocabulary



Links of useful webpages with extra exercises and explanations:
(WORK IN PROGRESS! constantly updating)



https://www.tolearnenglish.com/

https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises_list/zeitformen.htm

https://agendaweb.org/



THE DIVISION IS MADE ACCORDING TO THE BOOKS WE ARE USING IN CLASS.

LEVEL B1.3 - B2.1 NEW ENGLISH FILE INTERMEDIATE PLUS
http://www.thob.org/articulo/phrasal_verbs_separable_and_inseparable_list-582959.html 
separable and inseparable phrasal verbs, explanation

http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/phrasalverbs.html
phrasal verbs quiz

LEVEL B2.2
CHAPTER 4B (page 59)

http://www.f.waseda.jp/vicky/students/help/mistakes/realize.html 
(notice / realize)
http://hubpages.com/hub/Grammar_Mishaps__Raise_vs_Rise
(raise/ rise)
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=507099&langid=14
(argue/ discuss)
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_prevent_and_avoid
(avoid/ prevent)
http://esl.about.com/od/vocabularyintermediate/ss/verb_pairs_4.htm
(remember/remind)
http://www.ziggurat.es/es/lecciones_ingles/index.asp?id=555
(hope/expect)
http://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/bien-well/fra-eng/grammaire-grammar/voler-steal-eng.html#
(rob/steal)
http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/cw-hear-listen.htm
(hear/listen)




__________________________________

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/liaison.php?liaison=_both-neither_
(agreement and disagreement - so, neither, too ecc.)

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/liaison.php?liaison=_pays_
(contries and nationalities)

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/type0/menu.php
(zero conditional)

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/firstconditional/menu.php
(first conditional)

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/secondconditional/menu.php
(second conditional)

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/thirdconditional/menu.php
(third conditional)

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LEVEL B2.3

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/liaison.php?liaison=_ing_infinitif_
(gerund VS infinitive)

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-5585.php
(try to OR -ing; need to OR -ing; ecc.)

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/gerunds-and-infinitives-exercise-1.html
(gerund VS infinitive)

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/liaison.php?liaison=_use_
(habits: used to, get used to, be used to, would)

http://www2.elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/eiw/complaint_letter_constructor.htm
(complaint letters constructor)

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/liaison.php?liaison=_as-like_
(as or like)

http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/collocations-lists.htm
http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/collocations-quiz.htm
(lists of collocations and quiz)

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-7495.php
(singular or plural)

http://englishhelponline.me/2010/03/03/the-difference-between-words-wish-and-hope/
(difference between wish and hope)

http://www.grammar.cl/Games/Whoever_Whatever_Whenever.htm
(whatever, whichever, however ...)

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/liaison.php?liaison=_connecteur_
(linking words - though, although, however ... etc)

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/liaison.php?liaison=_relatif_
(relative pronouns)

LEVEL B2.4

http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/kennel/collectives.htm
(collettive nouns p.29)

https://sites.google.com/site/maycaingles2011/vocabulary/means-of-transport
means of transport - chapter 6

LEVEL C1.1
http://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/verbal-expressions-there-isare-it
(pronouns: it/there)

LEVEL C1.3
http://www.agendaweb.org/verbs/modals-mixed-4-exercises.html
(modal verbs)

LEVEL C1.4
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/verblist.htm
(gerunds/infinitives)

http://library.bcu.ac.uk/learner/writingguides/1.33.htm
(linking words)

http://www.eltbase.com/notes.php?id=538
(fronting)

http://random-idea-english.blogspot.com.es/2014/09/exploring-inversion-and-fronting.html
(fronting)


PET

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/index.php
(more than 7000 exercises!)

http://www.1stopesl.com/mz_index.php
(Lots of specific exercises for PET)

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/liaison.php?liaison=_for-since_
(for, since, during, ago)

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/goingtoorwill/menu.php
(going to versus will)


MORE:

http://games.wordreference.com/
www.examenglish.com

Free online practice tests for the most important English exams: IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, Cambridge Exams such as KET, PET, FCE, CAE. 

GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY LEVEL TEST
http://www.examenglish.com/leveltest/grammar_level_test.htm

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http://www.englishtenses.com/english_tenses

http://www.englishtenses.com/exercises

http://www.englishclub.com/learn-english.htm 

http://www.englishclub.com/esl-exams/levels-test-wc.htm TEST YOUR LEVEL

http://www.woodwardenglish.com/ Muchas fichas interesantes sobre vocabularios y palabras que los estudiantes confunden (ej. fun vs funny) - también tienen facebook https://www.facebook.com/WoodwardEnglish

http://www.falsefriends.eu/en FALSE FRIENDS DICTIONARY

Saturday 19 October 2019

PRONUNCIATION AND PHONETICS


EXTREMELY USEFUL PAGE
https://youglish.com/





PRONUNCIACIÓN DE LAS VOCALES

1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QjaXIAPBRo   RESUMEN

2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1y_0e75obU 

/æ/ CAT - /ʌ/ UP - /ɑ:/ CAR

/e/ EGG -  /ɜː/ BIRD

 /ə/ COMPUTER

/iː/ TREE - /ɪ/  FISH

6) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtK0ggSMgaE

/ɒ/ CLOCK - /ɔː/ HORSE

/ʊ/ BULL - /uː/ BOOT




PALABRAS QUE PRONUNCIAS MAL
1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej8B7CEyfLc
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7yWrOcYJWY
3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ydw05SsJ8o
4) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqnWCdVW_mw
5) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h74bxVH9W4U
6) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7jorlFHM-s
7) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfgQ_7hUO0w
8) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmj3_Bvp9jc
9) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2iZ-3iOsz8
10) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXEZLmiSyAU


10 palabras que pronuncias mal en inglés 🇬🇧



10 palabras difíciles de pronunciar en inglés

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC9n6PfELw4

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SOUND RECOGNITION EXERCISES
https://www.ldoceonline.com/exercise/listening-and-pronunciation-sound-recognition-exercise-1



http://text-to-speech.imtranslator.net/speech.asp


This web page will read out any text for you. Just type a word, phrase or copy-paste any text and the page will say it back to you. You can change the speed and choose the sex of the speaker.


http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/#


Phonetics, articulatory diagrams, audio-video descriptions.

http://www.amigosingleses.com/2014/11/09/10-palabras-fonetica-inglesa/
 very useful videos by Isabel and Philip, on minimal pairs, mispronounced words and typical mistakes made by Spanish speakers 

http://www.englishclub.com/pronunciation/minimal-pairs.htm 

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/wordscape/wordlist/minimal.html





http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/


There is a system of symbols for writing the sounds of English. Here you'll find a guide to these symbols and also videos to show how to pronounce each of the sounds.
There are also activities to practise identifiying the difference between certain sounds which may sound similar.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/sounds/index.shtml


To listen to the sounds of English you can also try our audio chart. The chart will open in a pop-up window.


ON ACCENTS

The trascripts are below the videos

How to do a British accent:  http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-do-a-british-accent

How to do a Scottish accent: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-do-a-scottish-accent

How to do an American accent: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-do-an-american-accent

How to do a Spanish accent!!! http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-do-a-spanish-accent

How to lose your accent: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-lose-your-accent


http://text-to-speech.imtranslator.net/speech.asp

Language portal where you can copy/write any text in English and the page will read it out for you.

Sunday 1 September 2019

LINKING DEVICES AND WRITING

 WRITING C1: http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/cae/students/writing/makeover/index.htm



Credits:  http://library.bcu.ac.uk/learner/writingguides/1.33.htm

How to write guides: http://library.bcu.ac.uk/learner/Writing%20index.htm

Listing Giving examples Generalising
first, second, third for example in general
first, furthermore, finally for instance generally
to begin, to conclude as follows: on the whole
next that is as a rule
Reinforcement in this case for the most part
also namely in most cases
furthermore in other words usually
moreover Result/consequence Highlighting
what is more so in particular
in addition therefore particularly
besides as a result/consequence especially
above all accordingly mainly
as well (as) consequently Reformulation
in the same way because of this/that in other words
not only ... but also thus rather
Similarity hence to put it more simply
equally for this/that reason Expressing an alternative
likewise so that alternatively
similarly in that case rather
correspondingly under these circumstances on the other hand
in the same way Deduction the alternative is
Transition to new point then another possibility would be
now, in other words Contrast
as far as x is concerned in that case instead
with regard/reference to otherwise conversely
as for ... this implies that ... on the contrary
it follows that if so/not in contrast
turning to Stating the obvious in comparison
Summary obviously Concession (sth unexpected)
in conclusion clearly however
to conclude naturally even though
in brief of course however much
to summarise as can be expected nevertheless
overall surely still
therefore after all yet

Monday 8 April 2019

LISTENINGS (podcasts, videos etc)

Useful pages to practise listening

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/listen-and-watch 
Watch videos with transcript and listen

https://www.youtube.com/user/ENGLISHCLASS101/playlists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=12
Learn English with English class 101 - English listening Practice

https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/learning-english/activities-for-learners/?skill=listening&rows=12
Cambridge Assessment English

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/liaison.php?liaison=_audio_

http://www.podcastsinenglish.com/ 

http://linkengpark.com/listen-to-english/

https://www.englishlistening.com/


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RADIO BBC SCOTLAND and many more (enjoy some sexy Scottish accent!)

http://radiotime.com/region/c_100791/Glasgow.aspx

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LISTEN AND READ ALONG

http://www.manythings.org/listen/

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LISTENINGS WITH TRANSCRIPT

LOTS OF TOPICS:
America - History - Mosaic - People - Places - Stories - Quizzes - Studying - Words - RSS - More


AQUÍ TENÉIS UNA SERIE DE LA BBC, con quizzes, language points, discussions etc.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/archiveepisode.shtml

En este canal de youtube podéis escuchar historias/audiolibros con subtítulos.

Aquí tenéis unos ejemplos:

LEVEL 0: Around the world in 80 days
LEVEL 1: The locked room
LEVEL 2: The crown
LEVEL 3: Five children and it
LEVEL 4: White fang
LEVEL 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjjRE0XJc3oGulliver's travels

Tuesday 10 April 2018

Volunteering/aupair opportunities


If you would like to spend some months as an aupair or volunteering abroad, check these pages:


AuPairWorld allows you to find a host family according to your own wishes without the interference and high expense of a traditional agency. All of the profiles of au pairs and host families listed at AuPairWorld are up-to-date and carefully checked.


Workaway.info is a site set up to promote fair exchange between budget travellers, language learners or culture seekers who can stay with families, individuals or organizations that are looking for help with a range of varied and interesting activities.


HelpX is an online listing of host organic farms, non-organic farms, farmstays, homestays, ranches, lodges, B&Bs, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats who invite volunteer helpers to stay with them short-term in exchange for food and accommodation.

WWOOF organisations connect people who want to live and learn on organic
farms and smallholdings with people who are looking for volunteer help.
WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic
lifestyles. Volunteers give hands on help in return.