Grammar Videos for Teens

This is post very similar to the previous one about grammar videos for kids, but in this case the videos are for teenagers to practice grammatical tenses in a different way.

It's amazing how the British Council helps English learners with their learning process of the language :)


This is the website: http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar-vocabulary/grammar-videos?page=3


And this is an example of those videos:

All the video clips have worksheets with activities to practice the topic as well as the transcripts.

This That These Those - Demonstrative Pronouns

We use THIS (singular) and THESE (plural) as pronouns to talk about things or people near us, whereas we use THAT (singular) and THOSE (plural) to talk about things or people not near us:

You can learn more on this with the following video and its worksheet:

http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/sites/teens/files/gs_this_that_those_-_exercises.pdf

Grammar Videos for Kids

The British Council has created a wonderful webpage for kids to learn English in a more entertaining way, I love it! There you can watch videos about different grammatical tenses and structures and learn while having fun! I absolutely recommend it to you, both students and parents ;)

https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-videos?page=0%2C1&destination=grammar-videos&name=ashiha%40yandex.ru&op=Log%20in&form_build_id=form-PTmNfHRtqUrholXsMc3nuTKlLO1JCSi7EGN046h7q1Y&form_id=user_login_block

These are two clips examples:

Present Simple Vs. Present Continuous

These two tenses are key tenses in the learning process of the English language. They are usually taught at the beginning of a course because they are used in very common situations.


PRESENT SIMPLE

It is used to talk about routines (among other uses). To learn more about its structure, watch this wonderful video:

Now that you know its formation, you can practice it here:

https://pcpi-2-ingles.wikispaces.com/PRESENT+SIMPLE+WORKSHEETS

https://e-edu.nbu.bg/pluginfile.php/719603/mod_resource/content/1/elementarypresentsimpleexercises.pdf

http://www.abcteach.com/free/g/grammar_presentsimple_elem_esl.pdf

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/download/test_simple_present_en.pdf



PRESENT CONTINUOUS

It is used to talk about actions that are happening now, at the moment of speaking (among other uses). This is how it is used:

You can practice present continuous here:

http://www.uhu.es/antonia.dominguez/present.pdf

http://bogglesworldesl.com/kids_worksheets/presentcontinuous.htm




PRESENT SIMPLE & PRESENT CONTINUOUS


Both tenses can be used in the same sentence. You only have to be sure when to use each:

http://www.slideshare.net/lilianaoana142/present-simple-and-present-continuous-35848282?related=1  (This is a powerpoint that explains both tenses very well)

Now, the following games and exercises have both tenses mixed up and you have to decide when to use each:

https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-games/present-simple-and-present-continuous

http://www.anglomaniacy.pl/grammar-printables-tenses.htm

https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/sites/kids/files/Grammar_worksheet_present_simple_and_present_continuous_gwg_the_woolly_jumper_final.pdf

Karaoke for kids learning

Cambridge English has designed a karaoke to help children learn, remember and use new language. Find out more here: 

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/news/view/karaoke-for-kids-learning-english/

Grammarman!

Grammarman is the perfect way for students to learn grammar language in a funny way. They do it with the help of comics and they can listen to the story while they are reading it.

Visit the webpage and have fun!

http://grammarmancomic.com/

Don't speak like a robot! - Teaching WORD STRESS

Why teaching word stress in spoken English is important: https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/teaching-how-stress-words-spoken-english-important

THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated in Canada and the United States as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. It is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. 

Several other places around the world observe similar celebrations. Thanksgiving has its historical roots in religious and cultural traditions and has long been celebrated in a secular manner as well.

The following two videos about Thanksgiving history are very entertaining for younger students:

And this other one is intended for older students:

If you want to know more about this festivity (watch more videos, etc), go to this website:
http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving


And to put into practice your knowledge, go here:
http://bogglesworldesl.com/thanksgiving_worksheets.htm

Quantifiers - Much, Many & A lot of

"Much", "many", and "a lot of" indicate a large quantity of something, for example "I have a lot of friends " means I have a large quantity of friends.

But they are not used in the same way. This video explains their main differences:

This is also very explicative:  http://uzem.avrasya.edu.tr/ING_icerik/Week11.pdf

If you want to practice these quantifiers, go to these sites and have fun! ;)

http://www.bsu.by/Cache/pdf/211803.pdf

http://www.language-worksheets.com/support-files/elementaryexpressionsofquantityexercises.pdf

Acronyms in English

Acronyms come from the first letters of full names, for example J.F.K airport stands for John Fitzgerald Kennedy airport.

The following video explains acronyms in a great way:

If you want to practice them, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/intermediate/unit-18/session-1 and have fun! ;)

UK superstitions

Do you believe in superstitions? Do you believe in good or bad luck?


This is a topic I always use in my classes. If you want to learn more about it, have a loom at this ;)

http://www.educationuk.org/global/articles/uk-superstitions/

http://www.slideshare.net/silviajuncoboix/superstitions-in-the-uk-2545484?related=2

FARTHER or FURTHER?

Farther or further? Both are the comparative form of the word far, but the use is different:

Further and Farther

Writers are often unsure when to use further and when to use farther. Their confusion is understandable as the two words can often be used interchangeably. The quick answer is this:

• Use farther for physical distance.
• Use further for non-physical distance.

The clue is the stem far. This obviously relates to physical distance. The words can be used interchangeably for two reasons:

• It's not clear whether you're talking about physical distance or non-physical distance. This is quite common. When it happens, opt for further.
• The distinction between the words is disappearing. If you're unsure which to use, opt for further. It is slowly taking the place of farther.

Farther

If you're a stickler for the rules, then farther should be used with physical distance. In other words, if you're thinking aboutmore miles, more kilometres, more inches, more centimetres, etc., then you almost certainly want farther.

Q: How much farther? 
A: Four miles. 

Further

Further should be used with non-physical distance. If you're not thinking about more miles etc. but more time, more effort(in fact, more anything that isn't distance), then you almost certainly want further. Further is more diverse than farther.Farther is limited to the idea of more distance. Further, on the other hand, covers all topics (even distance these days) and can mean furthermore, moreover, more, additional, extra and supplementary. 




(Taken from http://www.grammar-monster.com/easily_confused/further_farther.htm)

Kids and HOMEWORK

Homework is essential in learning a language because it helps students to build on work previously done in class. If they don't practice new content at home, it will be easily forgotten. Besides, homework is not something boring at all; it can be fun and entertaining.

If you have a look at https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/kids-homework, you will find lots and lots of great ideas to use as homework. It's worth it! ;)

Relative Clauses - Defining & Non-Defining

If you want to know more or learn about Relative Clauses, click on these websites and have fun!

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/clause-phrase-and-sentence/verb-patterns/relative-clauses

http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/rules/relative.htm

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/relative-clauses-defining-and-non-defining


To put them into practice, watch these:

https://inglescarmelitaslb.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/relative-clauses.pdf

https://tras-ingles.wikispaces.com/file/view/relative-clauses-exercises.pdf

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/sites/teens/files/gs_relative_clauses_-_exercises.pdf

Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Night) - 5th November

Remember, Remember the fifth of November, 

Gunpowder, treason and plot. 

I see no reason why gunpowder treason 

Should ever be forgot…

On the night of November 5th, throughout Britain, people commemorate the capture of Guy Fawkes with bonfires and fireworks, and by burning an effigy of Guy.

If you want to know more about this festivity and practice your knowledge with games and activities, click on here: http://www.michellehenry.fr/bonfire.htm

HAPPY BONFIRE NIGHT!