Friday, November 18, 2011

Notes and Homework

Per gli studenti che seguono ogni giovedì:
We practiced part II of the speaking exam in Unit 2, page 13, and  answered questions about the entire unit.
We then took a look at the vocabulary in Unit 3, so you are responsible for all of the exercises in that unit (HOMEWORK: Unit 3). Remember that the answers are in the back of the book and that you are also responsible for the listening sections.
115:30-17:00 (FCE/TOEFL) - see http://www.b2c1.blogspot.com/

Per gli studenti che seguono ogni venerdì:
We did a Quiz in preparation for the final exam: we also reviewed comparatives for that reason. For more practice, see the dispensa, Unit 8a. For Countable/Uncountable nouns: see dispensa, Unit 7a and 7b.
Example: Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first, using no more than three words.

1. Your bedroom is tidier than mine.
My bedroom isn’t ______ yours.
2. Gerry doesn’t do the washing-up as fast as Paul.

Paul does the washing-up _______Gerry.
3. The new armchair isn’t nearly as comfortable as the old one.
The old armchair is much ________ the new one.
4. Every evening, Sally does a lot more homework than Rachel.
Every evening, Rachel does a lot ________Sally.
5. This music isn’t nearly as bad as the music they play on Radio 2.
The music they play on Radio 2 is ________this music.
For more test practice with material in units 1 and 2, see Links: Classwork/Audio downloads - EF pre-int. tests, unit 1 and 2. Answers are also provided as downloads.
We also introduced EF pre-intermediate Unit 3a, 3b, and 3c.
Future Forms: Present Progressive/continuous for future plans/arrangements, 'going to' for future intentions, and will/will not for promises, offers, and decisions at the moment of speaking.
Examples:
I am meeting my friend Danny for lunch (we have an appointment).
We are going to study English this weekend (you intend to do it, but will you really?)
I will study English this week! (a promise a promise!)
Joe: Let's have a party this weekend. Brad: Ok, I'll bring the beer! (offer)
Waiter: Are you ready to order? Customer: I guess so.[Looking at the menu] I'll have a steak please.


Do all reading, listening, and writing exercises in Units 3a, 3b and 3c. Don't forget to to do the grammar exercises on pp. 130-131. Also, for more practice with 'going to', see dispensa, unit 7c.

I will answer your questions about vocabulary and grammar in class next week!

Friday, November 04, 2011

Notes and homework for courses on Nov. 3,4

Per gli studenti che seguono ogni giovedì:
We corrected the homework assignments in class, and answered some questions. (Some students discovered that the answers to all the exercises are in the book starting on p. 95!) We also corrected and wrote a series of messages from page 10. Your homework assignment is to do ALL of Unit 2 (p.12 to 17). Remember to do the Reading exercises and the Listening activities (go to the classwork/audio downloads link on the right hand side of this page to listen), and to prepare for the speaking activities, which we will do in class. I will also correct your writing in class.
By the way, be sure to check the blog next week, because class is cancelled on Nov. 10th and 11th!

Per gli studenti che seguono ogni venerdì:
In class we spoke about words associated with airports (click on 'comments' to see which ones we came up with!) and watched the practical English videos on page. 12. You should have already completed Unit 1, so if you want to check your skills, do p. 14-15, and also 126-127.
We also looked at some more complicated grammar (p. 128-129), and practiced the pronunciation of past tense regular verbs (ending with -ed). We also reviewed some irregular verbs (see page 155).
As homework, you should do ALL of Unit 2, especially the reading and listening (click on classwork/audio downloads for listening). There will be a quiz on these two units in class on Nov. 18, so come prepared! You will have enough time, because class is cancelled on Nov. 10th and 11th!

Thursday, November 03, 2011

Be prepared for class this week!

studenti che seguono ogni giovedì:
You should complete ALL the exercises for unit 1(1) and 1(2). The subjects we have covered are: personal information, everyday activities (the simple present tense with adverbs of frequency), like, love, hate, enjoy + verbING (collocation), and comparative forms. We will correct the exercises together in class, and answer any questions you may have, and then move on to unit 2!

studenti che seguono ogni venerdì:
You should complete all the exercises in Unit 1a,1b, 1c, and 1d (up to page 11). We have talked about common verb phrases, classroom language (word order in questions), family, personality adjectives (the present simple), the body (the present continuous, prepositions of place) and defining relative clauses (a person WHO, and thing WHICH, a place WHERE).
We will spend the first few minutes of class answering questions about the exercises you have completed, and then look at p. 12 and 13 together (practical English for the Airport, writing a letter describing yourself.)