Dear All
It’s late at night again and the old owl (your teacher) is back at work.
I was surfing the net for some food to feed your brains with and I luckily came across a great website known to you all but not as an English teaching website.
We all know that BBC has worldwide recognized TV and radio channels through which they broadcast the latest news and reports on a wide range of topics.
But few of us knew that BBC has a mission to teach the English language to as many people as they can.
I am not going to tell you more about how great the website is with all the lessons which they provide to help English learners at different levels to improve their English language skills.
Why BBC offers such a service, is not what I am going to tell you. They do it for a reason but that is not our concern at the moment.
The following link is going to take you right to the gold mine (An English course for upper intermediate level. You can check other pages for other levels from the tabs provided at the top of the page):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/upper-intermediate
Needless to say that I plan to upload some videos from the same website to our channel.
Hope you like the website and visit it more often and on a regular basis
Good luck to you all
It’s late at night again and the old owl (your teacher) is back at work.
I was surfing the net for some food to feed your brains with and I luckily came across a great website known to you all but not as an English teaching website.
We all know that BBC has worldwide recognized TV and radio channels through which they broadcast the latest news and reports on a wide range of topics.
But few of us knew that BBC has a mission to teach the English language to as many people as they can.
I am not going to tell you more about how great the website is with all the lessons which they provide to help English learners at different levels to improve their English language skills.
Why BBC offers such a service, is not what I am going to tell you. They do it for a reason but that is not our concern at the moment.
The following link is going to take you right to the gold mine (An English course for upper intermediate level. You can check other pages for other levels from the tabs provided at the top of the page):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/upper-intermediate
Needless to say that I plan to upload some videos from the same website to our channel.
Hope you like the website and visit it more often and on a regular basis
Good luck to you all
**Who was William Shakespeare?
William Shakespeare is one of the world's greatest writers. He wrote plays for the theatre. He wrote poetry too.
Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, in England. Later he went to London, to be an actor. But he became famous for writing plays. His friends said he was the best writer of his time. Most people now say he was the best of all time.
**Why is Shakespeare so famous?
Shakespeare lived more than 400 years ago. Yet people still go to see his plays.
Shakespeare plays are performed all over the world. Students study Shakespeare in school and at university. People write books about Shakespeare. There are Shakespeare theatres and Shakespeare festivals.
**When did Shakespeare live?
William Shakespeare was born in 1564. He grew up in Tudor England in the time of Queen Elizabeth I.
He lived in exciting times. Francis Drake sailed around the world (1577-1580). Shakespeare was probably in London when the Spanish Armada sailed to attack England in 1588. He saw the coronation of King James I in 1603. 1605 was the year of the Gunpowder Plot and Guy Fawkes. Shakespeare died in 1616.
William Shakespeare is one of the world's greatest writers. He wrote plays for the theatre. He wrote poetry too.
Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, in England. Later he went to London, to be an actor. But he became famous for writing plays. His friends said he was the best writer of his time. Most people now say he was the best of all time.
**Why is Shakespeare so famous?
Shakespeare lived more than 400 years ago. Yet people still go to see his plays.
Shakespeare plays are performed all over the world. Students study Shakespeare in school and at university. People write books about Shakespeare. There are Shakespeare theatres and Shakespeare festivals.
**When did Shakespeare live?
William Shakespeare was born in 1564. He grew up in Tudor England in the time of Queen Elizabeth I.
He lived in exciting times. Francis Drake sailed around the world (1577-1580). Shakespeare was probably in London when the Spanish Armada sailed to attack England in 1588. He saw the coronation of King James I in 1603. 1605 was the year of the Gunpowder Plot and Guy Fawkes. Shakespeare died in 1616.
👆Vocabulary Reference
As dead as a doornail
**Meaning
completely dead
not working (of electrical equipment)
**Examples
Old Marley was as dead as a doornail (Charles Dickens)
Oh no! I forgot to charge my phone. It's as dead as a doornail.
**Extra vocabulary
to hit the nail on the head
to be exactly right
to hammer something home
to make certain something is understood
to nail it
to complete a task successfully
dead easy
very easy
dead to the world
sleeping deeply
drop-dead gorgeous
very very attractive
I wouldn’t be seen dead...
I would never do it, usually because it would be too embarrassing.
Note: This phrase is followed by verb-ing or preposition + noun phrase.
a dead ringer for...
looks very similar to...
Note: This phrase is usually followed by a person.
over my dead body!
I will never let that happen!
As dead as a doornail
**Meaning
completely dead
not working (of electrical equipment)
**Examples
Old Marley was as dead as a doornail (Charles Dickens)
Oh no! I forgot to charge my phone. It's as dead as a doornail.
**Extra vocabulary
to hit the nail on the head
to be exactly right
to hammer something home
to make certain something is understood
to nail it
to complete a task successfully
dead easy
very easy
dead to the world
sleeping deeply
drop-dead gorgeous
very very attractive
I wouldn’t be seen dead...
I would never do it, usually because it would be too embarrassing.
Note: This phrase is followed by verb-ing or preposition + noun phrase.
a dead ringer for...
looks very similar to...
Note: This phrase is usually followed by a person.
over my dead body!
I will never let that happen!
Hi everyone
It’s a beautifulllllll Friday. Hope you’re doing well.
Sorry for not posting anything on the channel recently. I was a slave to a game on my mobile phone. But fortunately, I have just reached the final level and I am a FREE MAN now. 😜
I think I’ll have more time to post new stuff for you on the channel before I get addicted to a new thing.😉
It’s a beautifulllllll Friday. Hope you’re doing well.
Sorry for not posting anything on the channel recently. I was a slave to a game on my mobile phone. But fortunately, I have just reached the final level and I am a FREE MAN now. 😜
I think I’ll have more time to post new stuff for you on the channel before I get addicted to a new thing.😉
#study_skills
I promised to tell you about “study skills” and how to help yourself learn faster.
So here we go;
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What Are Study Skills?
Study Skills are strategies and techniques that enable you to make the most efficient use of your time, resources, and academic potential.
Developing and improving your study skills can help you:
• make more efficient use of your study time - get more work done in less time!
• make your learning easier, and help retain what you have learned for longer.
• feel the work and effort involved is worthwhile.
I promised to tell you about “study skills” and how to help yourself learn faster.
So here we go;
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What Are Study Skills?
Study Skills are strategies and techniques that enable you to make the most efficient use of your time, resources, and academic potential.
Developing and improving your study skills can help you:
• make more efficient use of your study time - get more work done in less time!
• make your learning easier, and help retain what you have learned for longer.
• feel the work and effort involved is worthwhile.
#Study_skills
There is little doubt that no two people study the same way, and it is a near certainty that what works for one person may not work for another. However, there are some general techniques that seem to produce good results.
Everyone is different, and for some students, studying and being motivated to learn comes naturally.
What are the results of poor study skills?
-wasted time,
-frustration,
-and low or failing grades.
It's your life, your time, and your future.
All I can say, upon reflection of many years as a teacher, is that time is precious and not to be squandered, no matter what you believe right now.
This guide is designed to help you develop effective study skills. It is not a magic formula for success in preparing for tests, or written or oral assignments.
Studying any material requires work! However, by using the techniques described in this guide, and by applying yourself, you can gain a valuable edge in understanding material, preparing for tests, and, ultimately, learning.
The following (#study_skills)guide contains some of the best and most effective techniques of successful students (students who typically have high grades in high school and college regardless of the courses they take).
=============
So read on, think about what you read, and prepare to become a successful student!
If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please send to me @TalebSedaghat.
There is little doubt that no two people study the same way, and it is a near certainty that what works for one person may not work for another. However, there are some general techniques that seem to produce good results.
Everyone is different, and for some students, studying and being motivated to learn comes naturally.
What are the results of poor study skills?
-wasted time,
-frustration,
-and low or failing grades.
It's your life, your time, and your future.
All I can say, upon reflection of many years as a teacher, is that time is precious and not to be squandered, no matter what you believe right now.
This guide is designed to help you develop effective study skills. It is not a magic formula for success in preparing for tests, or written or oral assignments.
Studying any material requires work! However, by using the techniques described in this guide, and by applying yourself, you can gain a valuable edge in understanding material, preparing for tests, and, ultimately, learning.
The following (#study_skills)guide contains some of the best and most effective techniques of successful students (students who typically have high grades in high school and college regardless of the courses they take).
=============
So read on, think about what you read, and prepare to become a successful student!
If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please send to me @TalebSedaghat.
#study_skills
Time management is a vital skill for success both in the workplace and at school.
Question number 1: How much time do I have available for studying?
I always hear my students complain about not having enough time to study or do their homework.
In this post I am going to tell you about the techniques you can use to make sure that you find out more about the exact amount of time you can have for studying no matter how tight your schedule is.
Step 1: You need a Weekly Diary
There are 7 days in a week. In our country the first working day is Saturday and the last working day for most schools and companies is Thursday. Therefore Friday is considered to be the weekend. (I looooooooove Fridays)
Right after this post I am going to post a pdf file in which you will find a weekly planner template.
Please take your time at home and fill in the planners by taking into consideration the following points:
a. There are fixed activities and regular commitments that must be always in your dairy. That is to say if you are a student then you start school at 8 in the morning and finish at 2 pm perhaps. Block off these times in your planner because you cannot change them. Breakfast, lunch and dinner times are the same.
b. After you finish writing down all your current routines in the planner then you will be able to see those hours which can be considered as your free time.
******************
That's it for now.
******************
Please submit your completed planners tomorrow.
Time management is a vital skill for success both in the workplace and at school.
Question number 1: How much time do I have available for studying?
I always hear my students complain about not having enough time to study or do their homework.
In this post I am going to tell you about the techniques you can use to make sure that you find out more about the exact amount of time you can have for studying no matter how tight your schedule is.
Step 1: You need a Weekly Diary
There are 7 days in a week. In our country the first working day is Saturday and the last working day for most schools and companies is Thursday. Therefore Friday is considered to be the weekend. (I looooooooove Fridays)
Right after this post I am going to post a pdf file in which you will find a weekly planner template.
Please take your time at home and fill in the planners by taking into consideration the following points:
a. There are fixed activities and regular commitments that must be always in your dairy. That is to say if you are a student then you start school at 8 in the morning and finish at 2 pm perhaps. Block off these times in your planner because you cannot change them. Breakfast, lunch and dinner times are the same.
b. After you finish writing down all your current routines in the planner then you will be able to see those hours which can be considered as your free time.
******************
That's it for now.
******************
Please submit your completed planners tomorrow.
transcript:
Narrator
It's early morning at the Globe Theatre. William Shakespeare and his actors are rehearsing Henry IV Part 1. In this scene, it's late at night, and young Prince Hal, played by Robert Harley, and his friend Falstaff – that's Thomas Swann – are in the pub. But… the King's messenger has just arrived.
Thomas Swann as Falstaff
… Shall I give him his answer?
Robert Harley as Prince Hal
Prithee do, Jack.
Thomas Swann as Falstaff
Faith and I'll send him packaged…
Will
Stoooppppp!!! Thomas, Thomas, it's packing… I'll send him packing… Not packaged. You're not putting him in a box or a parcel. Remember: you want the King's messenger to go away!
Thomas Swann
Sorry, Will… I'm not my best today…
Actor 1
One too many beers last night, eh Thomas?!
Actor 2
He thinks he's Falstaff for real!
Will
Thomas. Listen to me. Falstaff and Prince Hal are having a great time. That's why Hal doesn't want to see the messenger.
Robert Harley
Will…
Will
What is it, Robert?!
Robert Harley
I do like the messenger's name: Gravity. Gravity! A serious man who doesn't like to have fun. Not like Falstaff. He's…
Actor 1
Old!
Actor 2
…and fat!
Actor 1
He's always telling jokes…
Actor 2
He's never got any money!
Thomas Swann
That last bit's true enough, Will.
Will
Now, now Thomas – you're perfect for this part. The audience are going to love you! Let's go again, from: What doth Gravity do out of his bed at midnight?
Thomas Swann as Falstaff
What doth Gravity do out of his bed at midnight? Shall I give him his answer?
Robert Harley as Prince Hal
Prithee do, Jack.
Thomas Swann as Falstaff
Faith, and I'll send him packing!
Will
Bravo! Let's take a break.
Narrator
We'll leave them there for now. Falstaff is one of Shakespeare's most popular characters. He drinks, steals and runs away from danger, but Shakespeare’s audiences loved his comic genius and sense of fun. In Henry IV, Prince Hal prefers the company of Falstaff – and his criminal friends – to noblemen. Shakespeare’s phrase I'll send him packing has the same meaning today: I really don't want this person around me, so I'll send them away. It's also used in sport, to talk about beating an opponent. Take Gwyn Jones, former captain of the Welsh rugby team, who said before a match:
Clip 1
This is our chance to do it and we should send them packing with their tails between their legs.
Clip 2
I've no patience when people try to sell me things at the door. I usually send them packing.
Will
Let's try it once more.
Actor 1
Come on Thomas!
Actor 2
You can do it!
Thomas Swann
Will you all shush?!
Actors 1 & 2
To shush or not to shush, that is the question.
Narrator
It's early morning at the Globe Theatre. William Shakespeare and his actors are rehearsing Henry IV Part 1. In this scene, it's late at night, and young Prince Hal, played by Robert Harley, and his friend Falstaff – that's Thomas Swann – are in the pub. But… the King's messenger has just arrived.
Thomas Swann as Falstaff
… Shall I give him his answer?
Robert Harley as Prince Hal
Prithee do, Jack.
Thomas Swann as Falstaff
Faith and I'll send him packaged…
Will
Stoooppppp!!! Thomas, Thomas, it's packing… I'll send him packing… Not packaged. You're not putting him in a box or a parcel. Remember: you want the King's messenger to go away!
Thomas Swann
Sorry, Will… I'm not my best today…
Actor 1
One too many beers last night, eh Thomas?!
Actor 2
He thinks he's Falstaff for real!
Will
Thomas. Listen to me. Falstaff and Prince Hal are having a great time. That's why Hal doesn't want to see the messenger.
Robert Harley
Will…
Will
What is it, Robert?!
Robert Harley
I do like the messenger's name: Gravity. Gravity! A serious man who doesn't like to have fun. Not like Falstaff. He's…
Actor 1
Old!
Actor 2
…and fat!
Actor 1
He's always telling jokes…
Actor 2
He's never got any money!
Thomas Swann
That last bit's true enough, Will.
Will
Now, now Thomas – you're perfect for this part. The audience are going to love you! Let's go again, from: What doth Gravity do out of his bed at midnight?
Thomas Swann as Falstaff
What doth Gravity do out of his bed at midnight? Shall I give him his answer?
Robert Harley as Prince Hal
Prithee do, Jack.
Thomas Swann as Falstaff
Faith, and I'll send him packing!
Will
Bravo! Let's take a break.
Narrator
We'll leave them there for now. Falstaff is one of Shakespeare's most popular characters. He drinks, steals and runs away from danger, but Shakespeare’s audiences loved his comic genius and sense of fun. In Henry IV, Prince Hal prefers the company of Falstaff – and his criminal friends – to noblemen. Shakespeare’s phrase I'll send him packing has the same meaning today: I really don't want this person around me, so I'll send them away. It's also used in sport, to talk about beating an opponent. Take Gwyn Jones, former captain of the Welsh rugby team, who said before a match:
Clip 1
This is our chance to do it and we should send them packing with their tails between their legs.
Clip 2
I've no patience when people try to sell me things at the door. I usually send them packing.
Will
Let's try it once more.
Actor 1
Come on Thomas!
Actor 2
You can do it!
Thomas Swann
Will you all shush?!
Actors 1 & 2
To shush or not to shush, that is the question.
👆Vocabulary Reference
I'll send him packing
**Meaning
I'll send him away
**Examples
I've no patience when people try to sell me things at the door. I usually send them packing.
This is our chance to do it and we should send them packing with their tails between their legs.
**Extra vocabulary
rehearse
practise a play or piece of music for later public performance.
Synonyms for 'send someone packing'
get rid of someone
show someone the door
send someone on their way
Ways to say 'go away':
get out of my sight!
get lost!
I'll send him packing
**Meaning
I'll send him away
**Examples
I've no patience when people try to sell me things at the door. I usually send them packing.
This is our chance to do it and we should send them packing with their tails between their legs.
**Extra vocabulary
rehearse
practise a play or piece of music for later public performance.
Synonyms for 'send someone packing'
get rid of someone
show someone the door
send someone on their way
Ways to say 'go away':
get out of my sight!
get lost!
Upper Intermediate
#study_skills Time management is a vital skill for success both in the workplace and at school. Question number 1: How much time do I have available for studying? I always hear my students complain about not having enough time to study or do their homework.…
weekly-schedule.pdf
16.4 KB
👆Vocabulary Reference
All that glisters is not gold
**Meaning
The phrase all that glisters is not gold warns us not to be fooled by people or things that look good - because they might not be as good as they look on the surface!
**Example sentence
Well that car looks fantastic, but all that glitters is not gold. Check the engine before you buy it.
***Note
In modern English, the word glisters is often changed to glistens or glitters.
**Extra vocabulary
don’t judge a book by its cover
you shouldn’t judge the value of something or someone based on their appearance
looks can be deceiving
people and things are often different from how they appear
beauty is only skin deep
a person’s character is more important than their appearance
every cloud has a silver lining
there’s a positive side to every sad or difficult situation
as good as gold
very, very good
worth its weight in gold
very useful or valuable
All that glisters is not gold
**Meaning
The phrase all that glisters is not gold warns us not to be fooled by people or things that look good - because they might not be as good as they look on the surface!
**Example sentence
Well that car looks fantastic, but all that glitters is not gold. Check the engine before you buy it.
***Note
In modern English, the word glisters is often changed to glistens or glitters.
**Extra vocabulary
don’t judge a book by its cover
you shouldn’t judge the value of something or someone based on their appearance
looks can be deceiving
people and things are often different from how they appear
beauty is only skin deep
a person’s character is more important than their appearance
every cloud has a silver lining
there’s a positive side to every sad or difficult situation
as good as gold
very, very good
worth its weight in gold
very useful or valuable
After watching this 👆 video , your brain will not be the same
.
In a classic research-based TEDx Talk, Dr. Lara Boyd describes how neuroplasticity gives you the power to shape the brain you want.
Recorded at TEDxVancouver at Rogers Arena on November 14, 2015.
.
In a classic research-based TEDx Talk, Dr. Lara Boyd describes how neuroplasticity gives you the power to shape the brain you want.
Recorded at TEDxVancouver at Rogers Arena on November 14, 2015.
👆Vocabulary Reference
Strange bedfellows
Meaning
These days, the phrase strange bedfellows describes two people or groups that are connected in a particular activity, even though they are very different and are not usually seen together.
Example sentence
You think Miley Cyrus and Michael Bublé should write a song together? Well, they'd be strange bedfellows… but it might just work.
Note
strange bedfellows is often used for political alliances.
Example sentence
Israel, Hamas strange bedfellows when it comes to reining in ISIS in Gaza.
____________________
Extra vocabulary
like chalk and cheese
an expression to describe two people who are very different from each other
an odd couple
two people who are in a relationship, but seem very different and not well-suited
a match made in heaven
a perfect combination of people or things
made for each other
a perfect match
two of a kind
two people with very similar characters
tempest
a violent storm
gaberdine
a type of large raincoat
fellow(s)
a person/people who belong to the same group or who share a situation
bedfellows
people who share a bed or who are closely involved with each other in a particular situation
Strange bedfellows
Meaning
These days, the phrase strange bedfellows describes two people or groups that are connected in a particular activity, even though they are very different and are not usually seen together.
Example sentence
You think Miley Cyrus and Michael Bublé should write a song together? Well, they'd be strange bedfellows… but it might just work.
Note
strange bedfellows is often used for political alliances.
Example sentence
Israel, Hamas strange bedfellows when it comes to reining in ISIS in Gaza.
____________________
Extra vocabulary
like chalk and cheese
an expression to describe two people who are very different from each other
an odd couple
two people who are in a relationship, but seem very different and not well-suited
a match made in heaven
a perfect combination of people or things
made for each other
a perfect match
two of a kind
two people with very similar characters
tempest
a violent storm
gaberdine
a type of large raincoat
fellow(s)
a person/people who belong to the same group or who share a situation
bedfellows
people who share a bed or who are closely involved with each other in a particular situation
#Website_and_Useful_Resources
Hi everyone
Once again The King of Darkness (your teacher) has decided to introduce a very useful website to you all on which you can find very helpful lessons. For those who are school or university students I strongly recommend the website.
Good luck to you all and good night
Website address: www.khanacademy.org
Hi everyone
Once again The King of Darkness (your teacher) has decided to introduce a very useful website to you all on which you can find very helpful lessons. For those who are school or university students I strongly recommend the website.
Good luck to you all and good night
Website address: www.khanacademy.org