tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73433070863616334112024-02-07T22:44:52.204-05:00The 003 Grammar Review BlogNina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-26895029494402187912009-11-25T08:44:00.003-05:002010-01-19T10:19:17.187-05:00Conditionals: ReviewIn this 8-minute video, teacher Brian Rhodes reviews the three most frequent types of conditional sentences.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/L1shgss2eBo&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/L1shgss2eBo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />In the following short video from Real English, you can hear native speakers responding to the question, "What would you do if you had ten million dollars (or pounds)?" This is the second (nonpast unreal) conditional.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kOSNTqHHXPA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kOSNTqHHXPA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />The last video features clips of song lyrics that use the conditional. It includes all kinds of music: new, old, country, etc.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8Qqlvg2LfOQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8Qqlvg2LfOQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-50540899375638320682009-11-25T08:37:00.004-05:002009-11-25T08:41:19.987-05:00Reported Speech and Quoted SpeechJennifer Lebedev explains about reported speech in this 10-minute introductory lesson:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5HBEw6cY17g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5HBEw6cY17g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />In the second of the series, Jennifer discusses the changes we make when turning quoted speech into reported speech. The video is about eleven minutes long.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5HBEw6cY17g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5HBEw6cY17g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />In the third lesson in the series, Jennifer talks about the "sequence-of-tenses rule"--how verbs change when we report someone else's speech.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iLUhWd9T6Vc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iLUhWd9T6Vc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-13370606013318798382009-11-23T10:46:00.002-05:002009-11-23T10:48:06.069-05:00If the World Were a Village of 100 People (Unreal Conditionals)This video is one of many that try to make world population statistics more meaningful by imagining that the entire population of the world is one village of 100 people.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TQjAFrebSlw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TQjAFrebSlw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-37713410334408356892009-11-19T18:26:00.001-05:002009-11-19T18:26:38.330-05:00003s with President Mote<div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULfNEJuGebwWSCGernTfhtbUjF1Q0H1rwlQ-_lEcdmgiCPz1xx9hwmqvM4Uqv98XSAiGtFr6w94AGJLERLrIFo8pecPfeeTrLIYd89bPOl9PCk_HmGR-xt5dDwyNCGZVp6fSZ_UO4GK2x/s1600/DSCF4811.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULfNEJuGebwWSCGernTfhtbUjF1Q0H1rwlQ-_lEcdmgiCPz1xx9hwmqvM4Uqv98XSAiGtFr6w94AGJLERLrIFo8pecPfeeTrLIYd89bPOl9PCk_HmGR-xt5dDwyNCGZVp6fSZ_UO4GK2x/s320/DSCF4811.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignqOw6kTORcl4Uol91Unq5xgRqOXGxqsvaGMeApz3aqTY7qZ2xLBDmDOmZ4ZPvCdoS23_Z1HeufEQQ-jBIJwsu5avXrAw3sws_HC8XwUgjuc_GF95nbiM3VnN9AlIjS9txgReAb83RUl8/s1600/DSCF4812.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignqOw6kTORcl4Uol91Unq5xgRqOXGxqsvaGMeApz3aqTY7qZ2xLBDmDOmZ4ZPvCdoS23_Z1HeufEQQ-jBIJwsu5avXrAw3sws_HC8XwUgjuc_GF95nbiM3VnN9AlIjS9txgReAb83RUl8/s320/DSCF4812.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-66028358118562213242009-11-19T18:23:00.000-05:002009-11-19T18:24:03.740-05:00UM Holiday Greeting Card<div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJqImB9XFcygtcym4lqyJbUSTIuefn0x6KoTdz8nNryK9QM4ZJw-xpRz06F04XOINcSBbtNtBgAy0ReVNPr-5SvQISomQBcP8ipRmPb4aADr6IztV1H74bEZluykZXzrsWOc-qm2G0Nvg/s1600/DSCF4804.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJqImB9XFcygtcym4lqyJbUSTIuefn0x6KoTdz8nNryK9QM4ZJw-xpRz06F04XOINcSBbtNtBgAy0ReVNPr-5SvQISomQBcP8ipRmPb4aADr6IztV1H74bEZluykZXzrsWOc-qm2G0Nvg/s320/DSCF4804.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3luVGlgqEUOEUUlI03DnqHbLDCASScdCrdRgqrpFJ81ddc31n2U1Me-UVAeTgnzvRpxjrxuu6xmcshpM2c63WpPMMo5m60KTVCEUuDiwkRupcKbE337W01bqPvAvmmA_alcel0tj-6cpt/s1600/DSCF4805.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3luVGlgqEUOEUUlI03DnqHbLDCASScdCrdRgqrpFJ81ddc31n2U1Me-UVAeTgnzvRpxjrxuu6xmcshpM2c63WpPMMo5m60KTVCEUuDiwkRupcKbE337W01bqPvAvmmA_alcel0tj-6cpt/s320/DSCF4805.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbBaGds6QKrhZhVFqtR4hY8SvPOvXBB9UPHtRre6qRCRd1HKZsDfPGunSm8ESxdFsGW-AdJdID5XEGicl_ob_9u7m6W1a2eUmuuxJtd0vPIswqM2v-aCZobKM0cUHRvVVLgrCtdKE7iUk/s1600/DSCF4806.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbBaGds6QKrhZhVFqtR4hY8SvPOvXBB9UPHtRre6qRCRd1HKZsDfPGunSm8ESxdFsGW-AdJdID5XEGicl_ob_9u7m6W1a2eUmuuxJtd0vPIswqM2v-aCZobKM0cUHRvVVLgrCtdKE7iUk/s320/DSCF4806.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhiNSi4FP13t4OJq50XUp5ZLnw4Keqg2DRfzSD9jk7QV7wnlgeB59WbOCCuyo-HMISfGGpdPTLjS2RvhbcNIDf_gKPCLPvfqKuwKje3j0uTysT2sH47SsrcME5VHz4wGkGmxQl4A1VC6R/s1600/DSCF4807.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhiNSi4FP13t4OJq50XUp5ZLnw4Keqg2DRfzSD9jk7QV7wnlgeB59WbOCCuyo-HMISfGGpdPTLjS2RvhbcNIDf_gKPCLPvfqKuwKje3j0uTysT2sH47SsrcME5VHz4wGkGmxQl4A1VC6R/s320/DSCF4807.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-32240197754479253952009-11-13T07:56:00.003-05:002009-11-25T08:57:46.144-05:00Gerunds and Gerund PhrasesA gerund is the -ing form of a verb that functions as a noun in a sentence: as the subject, direct object, or object of a preposition. Like infinitives, gerunds are verbals.<br /><br />"Yossarian the Grammarian", aka Mr. Thoth, explains gerunds and gerund phrases in this video:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h4gh14qUyyI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h4gh14qUyyI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />In the next video, gerund phrases tell you what you see as you listen to an old rock and roll song about a Honda motorcycle.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ypNwtfdu0_E&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ypNwtfdu0_E&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-4640710236255849182009-11-09T10:29:00.003-05:002009-11-09T10:37:27.154-05:00The Harder They Come (Jimmy Cliff)Jimmy Cliff, reggae musician from Jamaica, wrote and originally recorded this classic song in 1972. Notice the "double comparative."<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KXCIgYtnrj8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KXCIgYtnrj8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Lyrics</span><br />Oh, yeah, well, they tell me of a pie up in the sky<br />Waiting for me when I die<br />But between the day you're born and when you die<br />They never seem to hear even your cry<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Refrain</span><br />So as sure as the sun will shine<br />I'm gonna get my share now, what's mine<br />And then the harder they come<br />The harder they'll fall<br />One and all<br />Ooh, the harder they come<br />The harder they'll fall<br />One and all<br /><br />Well the oppressors are trying to keep me down<br />Trying to drive me underground<br />And they think that they have got the battle won<br />I say, forgive them Lord, they know not what they've done<br /><br />Refrain<br /><br />And I keep on fighting for the things I want<br />Though I know that when you're dead you can't<br />But I'd rather be a free man in my grave<br />Than living as a puppet or a slave<br /><br />RefrainNina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-32563612041642262022009-11-07T23:08:00.003-05:002009-11-07T23:09:49.965-05:00Comparatives and SuperlativesListen to native English speakers from the United States, Scotland, and England being interviewed about what they think is the biggest city and the most beautiful language. This video was filmed by Mike Marzio of the Marzio School in France.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KLE5yPZa_Ow&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KLE5yPZa_Ow&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-24792636865844617422009-11-04T12:41:00.003-05:002009-11-04T12:51:42.623-05:00Modals (review)John of LearnAmericanEnglish explains the basics in this video:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/anjFtHbZabs&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/anjFtHbZabs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />In the next video, John focuses on progressive modals:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/P1TEW_rj0nQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/P1TEW_rj0nQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />In the following video, John explains about passive modals:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0COmUBQmzeg&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0COmUBQmzeg&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Below, John talks about using <span style="font-style:italic;">be able to</span> with modals.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zJ8foi_Bs4Q&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zJ8foi_Bs4Q&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-46338985483075192662009-11-04T12:27:00.003-05:002009-11-04T12:37:41.406-05:00Adjective Clauses (review)Here is a very simple explanation of the basics of adjective clauses:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SFQWaCFCJLA&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SFQWaCFCJLA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-67844313227889863052009-10-31T10:22:00.002-04:002009-10-31T10:29:20.282-04:00Adverb ClausesHere is a very simple explanation of some of the types of adverb clauses in English:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/G6bfbdqJPiY&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/G6bfbdqJPiY&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-72576774127651612392009-10-25T18:53:00.007-04:002009-10-25T20:38:02.931-04:00Lessons on the Passive VoiceTo review what you learned today about the passive voice, watch this video by Jennifer Lebedev, aka "JenniferESL":<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1xTreaklNr8&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1xTreaklNr8&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />In this second video, Jennifer shows you how to make a passive sentence using an indirect object, rather than a direct object. (In the sentence, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Michael made his wife a birthday cake</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">his wife<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> is the indirect object; <span style="font-style:italic;"> a birthday cake<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> is the direct object.)<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gLcqw0xNpmI&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gLcqw0xNpmI&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Smart Teaching Online reviews the same information in a simpler way in this video:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WNk4q3K2CFM&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WNk4q3K2CFM&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-37814071188241168282009-10-22T10:38:00.004-04:002009-10-22T10:58:57.492-04:00The Danger of a Single StoryListen to Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie's speech at TED in July of this year. Adichie's thesis is that we tend to stereotype other people if we know only one story (aspect) about them, so it is important to learn many different stories about others. She ends her speech with these words: "Stories have been used to dispossess and malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity."<br /><br />Adichie tells several stories in her TED speech. You can go directly to those narratives from <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html">here </a>by clicking on the <span style="font-style:italic;">Open interactive transcript</span> link to the right of the words <span style="font-style:italic;">About this talk</span>. When you click anywhere in the transcript, the video will begin again at that part of the speech.<br /><br />Try clicking on the following:<br />1. The beginning: "I'm a storyteller...." The narrative begins with "I grew up on a university campus in eastern Nigeria."<br />2. "I come from a conventional, middle-class Nigerian family...." The narrative begins with "So the year I turned eight, we got a new houseboy."<br />3. "But I must quickly add that I too am just as guilty...." The narrative begins with "A few years ago, I visited Mexico...."<br />4. "I recently spoke at a university...."<br /><br />There are many other small anecdotes throughout the entire speech. Perhaps you will have time to listen to all of it at home.<br /><br />As you listen, observe the use of the various verb tenses and aspects.<br /><br /><object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/ChimamandaAdichie_2009G-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/ChimamandaAdichie-2009G.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=652&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story;year=2009;theme=master_storytellers;theme=new_on_ted_com;theme=words_about_words;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=speaking_at_tedglobal2009;event=TEDGlobal+2009;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/ChimamandaAdichie_2009G-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/ChimamandaAdichie-2009G.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=652&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story;year=2009;theme=master_storytellers;theme=new_on_ted_com;theme=words_about_words;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=speaking_at_tedglobal2009;event=TEDGlobal+2009;"></embed></object>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-73155761835253133082009-10-14T09:53:00.004-04:002009-10-14T10:49:12.933-04:00An example of a narrative speechWatch this short TED video in which William Kamkwamba narrates the extraordinary story of how he brought power to his village in Malawi. Notice William's use of simple past and past perfect. (William is not a native speaker of English, and he makes a few mistakes in tense. Can you find them?) Also, observe his use of time expressions ("Before that time," "that day", "then", "right now", "today", "one year," "in 2001", and "within five months". Use the subtitles if you need to. (Note: If you want to read the interactive transcript of William's talk, you must go to <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/william_kamkwamba_how_i_harnessed_the_wind.html">TED.com</a>.) <br /><br /><object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/WilliamKamkwamba_2009G-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/WilliamKamkwamba-2009G.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=642&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=william_kamkwamba_how_i_harnessed_the_wind;year=2009;theme=africa_the_next_chapter;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=ted_under_30;theme=tales_of_invention;event=TEDGlobal+2009;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/WilliamKamkwamba_2009G-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/WilliamKamkwamba-2009G.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=642&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=william_kamkwamba_how_i_harnessed_the_wind;year=2009;theme=africa_the_next_chapter;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=ted_under_30;theme=tales_of_invention;event=TEDGlobal+2009;"></embed></object>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-2187131901536065932009-10-02T08:46:00.000-04:002009-10-02T09:09:31.775-04:00Using Verb Forms in the Real WorldNotice how the present and past tenses, simple, progressive, and perfect aspects, and modal auxiliaries combine to create meaning in the following excerpt from today's <span style="font-style: italic;">Washington Post</span>.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Dark blue: present simple</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">Light blue: present progressive</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">Purple: present perfect</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Dark green: past simple</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Light green: Past progressive</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Orange: future</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">Brown: modal auxiliary</span><br /><br /><a href="http://snipurl.com/sa24c">'You Just Turn Your Head and Wait'<br />With Suicides, Train Engineers Long Haunted by Horror, Helplessness</a><br /> <br />By Steve Hendrix<br />Washington Post Staff Writer<br />Friday, October 2, 2009<br /><br />Bruce Evans <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 255);">has learned</span> to look away. Hoping to keep his mind free of yet another image that <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">will linger</span> for a lifetime, he <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">has learned</span> to avert his eyes as his train <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">barrels down</span> on a person on the tracks. In 20 years at the controls of Amtrak locomotives, Evans <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">has watched</span> a dozen fatalities unfold in agonizing close-up.<br /><br />"After the first time you <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">strike</span> somebody, you just <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">turn </span>your head and <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">wait </span>for the impact," <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">said</span> Evans, an engineer based out of Washington's Union Station.<br /><br />The first one <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">was sitting</span> on a quiet stretch of rail near Weldon, N.C., a man ignoring Evans's frantic horn blasts, waiting for a locomotive roaring at 75 mph to end his despair. "When I <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">looked</span> in the mirror, he <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">was tumbling</span> in the air, just flying," Evans said. "I <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">can see</span> it as clearly as if it <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">was happening</span> in front of me right now."<br /><br />Colorfast mental snapshots of horror, a sense of overwhelming helplessness, sympathy and sometimes anger -- these <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">are </span>the aftershocks that engineers and subway train operators <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">report</span> from their special perch as unwilling agents of sudden death. Eight people <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">have jumped</span> in front of Metro trains in 2009, the most in recent years, and inches from each of those horrific scenes, barely mentioned in the news, <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">sits </span>a traumatized driver who <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">will be</span> forever <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">entangled </span>with a stranger's demise. It <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">is</span> an intimacy none of them <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">sought</span>.<br /><br />"It<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">'s</span> such a mixture of both anger and compassion, I <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">don't know</span> where one <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">ends </span>and the other <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">starts</span>," <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">said </span>Evans, who <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">estimates </span>that about half of his fatal strikes <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">were </span>suicides. "They<span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">'re doing</span> this to you, too. It<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">'s</span> a hard thing to take home."<br /><br />According to a British study, 16 percent of train operators involved in fatal incidents <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">develop</span> post-traumatic stress. For some, getting right back behind the controls <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">is</span> the best way to shake off the shadows of violence. For others, years of counseling <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">are needed</span> before they <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);">can return</span> to everything they <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">love </span>about driving a train.<br /><br />Some <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">never do</span>.<br /><br />"Everyone <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">reacts </span>differently," Evans, 61, <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">said</span>. He <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">told </span>of a colleague who <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">struck </span>a mother and her four children on the tracks near Providence, R.I., a murder-suicide. "He <span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">never worked</span> again."Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-87533865813731868572009-09-25T10:49:00.001-04:002009-09-25T10:50:46.253-04:00Sentence Completion Practice: Future Time<iframe src="http://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?key=tOVgF4AGLWudrHecOrOqo6A" width="760" height="842" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0">Loading...</iframe>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-33086814111326111492009-09-20T18:38:00.000-04:002009-09-20T18:54:23.243-04:00Song: "I Will Survive"A man leaves his girlfriend or wife; she is devastated at first, but after a while, she becomes stronger and learns how to get along in life without him. Then he comes back, expecting her to take him back--but she doesn't want him anymore. Gloria Gaynor made this song popular in the 1970s, but it's still a great song! Read the lyrics, paying attention to the different verb tenses.<br /><br />At first I <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">was </span>afraid<br />I <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">was </span>petrified<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Kept </span>thinking I could never live<br />Without you by my side<br />But then I <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">spent </span>so many nights<br />Thinking how you did me wrong<br />And I <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">grew </span>strong<br />And I <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">learned </span>how to get along<br /><br />And so you<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">'re</span> back<br />From outer space<br />I just <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">walked </span>in to find you here<br />With that sad look upon your face<br />I <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">should have changed</span> that stupid lock<br />I <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">should have made</span> you leave your key<br />If I<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">'d have known</span> for just one second<br />You<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">'d be</span> back to bother me<br /><br /><em><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Go</span> on, now go<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Walk</span> out the door<br />Just <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">turn </span>around now<br />'Cause you<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">'re</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">not</span> welcome anymore<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Weren't</span> you the one who <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">tried </span>to hurt me with goodbye<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Did you think</span> I'd crumble?<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Did you think</span> I'd lay down and die?<br />Oh no, not I--<br /><br />I <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">will survive</span><br />Oh, as long as I <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">know </span>how to love<br />I <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">know </span>I<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">'ll stay</span> alive<br />I'<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">ve got</span> all my life to live<br />I<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">'ve got</span> all my love to give<br />And I<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">'ll survive</span><br />I <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">will survive</span>, hey hey</em>...<br /><br />It <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">took </span>all the strength I <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">had</span><br />Not to fall apart<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Kept </span>trying hard to mend<br />The pieces of my broken heart<br />And I <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">spent </span>oh so many nights<br />Just feeling sorry for myself<br />I <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">used to cry</span><br />But now I <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">hold </span>my head up high<br /><br />And you <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">see </span>me<br />Somebody new<br />I<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">'m</span> not that chained-up little person<br />Still in love with you<br />And so you <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">felt </span>like dropping in<br />And just <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">expect</span> me <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">to be</span> free<br />But now I<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">'m saving</span> all my loving<br />For someone who<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">'s loving</span> me<br /><br /><em><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Go</span> on, now <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">go</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Walk </span>out the door<br />Just <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">turn </span>around now<br />'Cause you<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">'re not</span> welcome anymore<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Weren't</span> you the one who <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">tried </span>to break me with goodbye<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Did you think</span> I'd crumble?<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Did you think</span> I'd lay down and die?<br />Oh no, not I--<br /><br />I <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">will survive</span><br />Oh, as long as I <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">know</span> how to love<br />I know <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">I'll stay</span> alive<br />I<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">'ve got</span> all my life to live<br />I<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">'ve got</span> all my love to give<br />And I<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">'ll survive</span><br />I <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">will survive</span>, oh</em>...<br /><br /><em><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Go</span> on, now <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">go</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Walk </span>out the door<br />Just <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">turn </span>around now<br />'Cause you<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">'re not</span> welcome anymore<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Weren't</span> you the one who tried to break me with goodbye<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Did you think</span> I'd crumble?<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Did you think</span> I'd lay down and die?<br />Oh no, not I--<br /><br />I <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">will survive</span><br />Oh, as long as I <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">know </span>how to love<br />I <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">know </span>I<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">'ll stay</span> alive<br />I<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">'ve got</span> all my life to live<br />I<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">'ve got</span> all my love to give<br />And I<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">'ll survive</span><br />I <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">will survive</span><br />I <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">will survive</span>...</em> <br /><br />[from <a href="http://lyrics.doheth.co.uk/">http://lyrics.doheth.co.uk</a>]<br /><br />Now watch the video of Gloria Gaynor singing "I Will Survive."<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZBR2G-iI3-I&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZBR2G-iI3-I&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-16432463869137062232009-09-20T18:03:00.001-04:002009-09-20T18:12:01.953-04:00The Difference Between WILL + V and BE GOING + TO VBriefly, we use<span style="font-style: italic;"> will</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">be going </span>interchangeably when we make predictions, like "What <span style="font-weight: bold;">is</span> the weather <span style="font-weight: bold;">going to be</span> like tomorrow?" = "What <span style="font-weight: bold;">will </span>the weather <span style="font-weight: bold;">be</span> like tomorrow?" There is no difference in meaning when we make predictions.<br /><br />On the other hand, when we speak of things we plan to do (we have a prior intention to do something, or we have already decided to do something), we do not use <span style="font-style: italic;">will</span>; we use <span style="font-style: italic;">be going</span>. For example, "What <span style="font-weight: bold;">is </span>Christopher <span style="font-weight: bold;">going to do</span> when he graduates?" asks about Christopher's intention or plan.<br /><br />Finally, when we decide on the spur of the moment to do something (like helping someone), we use <span style="font-style: italic;">will</span>, but never <span style="font-style: italic;">be going</span>. For example, if the telephone rings and you are closest to it, you may tell others in the room, "I'll get it."<br /><br />Watch the video by RebeccaESL to review these concepts.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JfpBiVFqtrs&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JfpBiVFqtrs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-22833450354567925242009-09-15T17:44:00.001-04:002009-09-15T17:48:50.728-04:00Verb Forms for Present TimeOn Tuesday, we talked about time frames; actions, events, and facts; and how speakers view actions and events (as being in progress or as being habitual). Canadian ESL teacher Rebecca explains these concepts again in the following video. After you watch the video, please leave a comment or a question.<br /><br />Present Simple and Present Progressive<br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TDuZNqIeURA&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TDuZNqIeURA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7343307086361633411.post-59996917914682391172009-09-03T09:06:00.000-04:002009-09-04T08:25:18.241-04:00Parts of SpeechThere are different kinds of words in a sentence; we call them <span style="font-style: italic;">parts of speech<span style="font-style: italic;">.</span></span><span><span> Each part of speech has</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span><span>a different role in an English sentence.</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></span><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nouns </span>are the names of people, places, things, or ideas. (Ex.: woman, country, pencil, thought)<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pronouns</span> replace nouns. (Ex.: <span style="font-style: italic;">I</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">us</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">this</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">one</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">everybody</span>)<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Verbs</span> express actions or states of being. (Ex.: <span style="font-style: italic;">run</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">learn</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">appear</span>)<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Adjectives</span> modify nouns. (Ex.: <span style="font-style: italic;">high</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Italian</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">interesting</span>)<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Adverbs</span> modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or whole sentences. (Ex.: <span style="font-style: italic;">suddenly</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">tomorrow</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">moreover</span>)<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prepositions</span> show relationships between nouns. (Ex.: <span style="font-style: italic;">to</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">over</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">instead of</span>)<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Conjunctions</span> connect words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. (<span style="font-style: italic;">and</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">or</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">because, unless</span>)<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Interjections</span> (also known as <span style="font-weight: bold;">exclamations</span>) express emotion. They are usually not part of the sentence structure. (Ex.: <span style="font-style: italic;">oh</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">yuck</span>)<br /></li></ol>Watch this short video by Paige Carrera to see some more examples. (Ms. Carrera is a certified tutor in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.) Can you point out her mistake? Which kind of word is not in the sample sentence? (Leave a comment on the blog.)<br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/n57nEDX_Ho4&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/n57nEDX_Ho4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Nina Liakoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04497100531617971306noreply@blogger.com11