Author: Joanna Kawrow

Tricky uncountable nouns

Tricky uncountable nouns

Have you ever wondered whether you can count a particular noun or not? Count or not to count… that is a question! Nouns like news, information, advice, milk, furniture, luggage or hair are reallly tricky, so be careful when you make their plural forms! Countable nouns These are nouns you can count! They are for things we see as individual items and not part of a greater whole. They can be used with indefinite articles ( a, an=one) and have a plural form. A table– 2 tables, a chair – 4 chairs, a person -12 people, an apple- 10 apples Uncountable nouns These are nouns for things we don’t see […]

Let’s face it: English is a crazy language

Let’s face it: English is a crazy language

There is no EGG in EGGPLANT nor HAM in HAMBURGER, neither APPLE nor PINE in PINEAPPLE. ENGLISH MUFFINS weren’t invented in ENGLAND. QUICKSAND can work SLOWLY, BOXING RINGS are SQUARE, and a GUINEAPIG is neither from GUINEA nor it is a PIG. And why is it that WRITERS WTITE, but FINGERS don’t fing, GROCERS don’t GROCE and HAMMERS don’t HAM? Doesn’t it seem crazy that you can make AMENDS but not one AMEND? If TEACHERS TAUGHT, why isn’t it that in the past PREACHERS PRAUGHT? If a VEGETARIAN eat VEGETABLES, what does a HUMANITARIAN eat? In what other language do people RECITE at a PLAY and PLAYat a RECITAL? We […]

20 Most Tricky English Words

最もトリッキーな英単語20

多くの場合、正しく聞こえる言葉は実は間違っている。以下に挙げるような単語は、ルールを覚えておけば、いざ使おうとしたときに間違いに気づくことができ、正しいことを書いた、あるいは言ったと確信することができる。1.Accept vs. Except この2つの単語は似ているようで全く違う意味を持っています。Acceptは何かを熱心に受け取ることを意味する:「彼女は贈り物を快く受け取った」。Except は除外を意味します:「来週の会議以外は出席できます。2.Affect vs. Effect どちらも名詞としても [...] としても使える。

Top questions in a job interview

Top questions in a job interview

Are you looking for your first job or going to change your current job to a better one? You don’t know how to describe yourself in a job interview? Here are some helpful questions you can expect in a job interview which will help you get hired. Good luck on your interview! Questions you can expect in a job interview Present tense questions What is your name? My name is John Smith Where are you from? I’m from Toronto. I’m from Canada What qualifications have you got? I have got a degree in engineering I have got a diploma in childcare I have got a school certificate What experience have […]

The best series of books in English for ESL students

The best series of books in English for ESL students

In the wintertime, the evenings are longer and we usually spend more time indoor. It is a good time to grab an inspiring book in English and kill two birds with one stone:) – while reading for pleasure extend one’s vocabulary, understand grammar structures seeing them in the context and practise reading techniques, so helpful when you decide to take English language exams ! Why ESL students should use graded readers? Graded readers or ‘readers’ are books that have had the language level simplified to help second language learners read them. For most language learners, reading a book in English would be a daunting task. They would find too many […]

How to write a perfect professional email in English?

How to write a perfect professional email in English?

Yesterday I asked you 7 questions regarding writing emails. I wonder how many of you got them right? These are the correct answers: 1) Polite and friendly way of closing an email, used both in formal and informal correspondence. 2) Mrs (“missus”) is used for married women, usually with their husband’s surname, e.g. Jane Smith married John Brown, so she’s Mrs Brown. Miss is for unmarried women, e.g. Mr and Mrs Brown’s daughter is Miss Mary Brown. In the old days, some married women used Miss for professional purposes, e.g. Mrs Brown is still known as Miss Jane Smith at the office. There is also the third title Ms (“mizz”), […]

Writing Quiz

Writing Quiz

It’s safe to say, we probably text or email more than we talk face-to-face. In fact, I would say most of my communication (whether with friends, family or co-workers) is done online. Test your knowledge of writing formal and informal emails: 1) When do you usually write I look forward to hearing from you ? 2) What is the difference between Ms Kellaway and Mrs Kellaway? 3) What is rgds an abbreviation of? 4) What is FYI an abbreviation of? 5) When do we usually use Yours sincerely and Yours faithfully? 6) Which of these are correct forms of address to someone you don’t know? Hey Lucy, Dear Mrs Kellaway, […]

Why E-Learning is So Effective

Why E-Learning is So Effective

E-learning is hot. And for good reason. If done right, it can produce great results by decreasing costs and improving performance. Also, unlike a one time classroom session, the e-learning course is available for others. This includes the static e-learning course as well as any ongoing conversations in networked communities. Recently, I had a conversation with someone new to e-learning and it struck me that she didn’t fully understand the value of e-learning. I think this is common as more people are joining the world of e-learning. Understanding e-learning’s value helps you make the best decisions about when and why to use it.   E-learning Supports the School’s Goals Improved […]

Teaching grammar with the help of songs – perfect modals

Teaching grammar with the help of songs – perfect modals

What is a “perfect modal”? This is a pretty advanced grammar topic, but I’ll try to use simple explanations today. Perfect modals are not actually “perfect,” but they are called that because they use a modal verb (in this case, could, should, might/may, must) followed by a perfect tense construction (“have” + past participle). Perfect modals are used to talk about past actions. I will try to make learning past modals more pleasant and natural with the help of popular songs, which already contain those grammar structures. Enjoy! MUST HAVE /CAN’T HAVE … These are used to make logical assumptions about past events, if we are 100% sure about the […]