Thursday 6 December 2012

Welcome Speech

Welcome to My Learning World. This blog is established in order to share my teaching materials with my colleagues, students, parents and all the bloggers. All the teaching materials I uploaded to this blog are specially designed for you to learn English in a more interesting way. I welcome all the visitors to obtain the teaching materials from my blog. Sharing is caring. I hope that all of you do enjoy reading my blog and feel free to drop your comments and visit my blog. Thank you. Have a nice day.

Difference between idioms and proverbs


An idiom is a regularly used form of words, particular in some way - either to an individual or a group. it can form a style of communication.

A proverb is a saying that makes a truth or piece of wisdom easier to remember e.g. a stitch in time saves nine (minor preventative action is less trouble than disaster-recovery) or 'many a true word spoken in jest' (take care as to what you say, it can reveal more than you may wish).

Idioms

Idiom - a group of words whose meaning cannot be predicted from the meanings of the constituen words, as for example (It was raining) cats and dogs.

Learn English idioms to speak more confidently and understand real English conversations.

    have nothing/anything to do with 
1. to prefer not to associate or be associated with someone or something. 
    I don't like Mike so I won't have anything to do with the books he writes. 
2. to not involve someone or something
    Bob will have nothing to do with Mary since she quit her job.

    in the picture

1. well-informed
    Please, keep me fully in the picture
2. aware of what is going on
    John found out about the plan. He's in the picture, so take care.

    Nothing for me, thanks.
1. to decline a serving of food or drink
    Waiter: Would you care for dessert? 
    Bob: Nothing for me, thanks. 
 2. do not want any of what was offered
     Bob: We have beer and wine. Which would you like? 
     Mary: Nothing for me, thanks.

     cross the line
 
1. to change from being acceptable to being unacceptable
     I thought the jokes crossed the line and were basically embarrassing.
2. to do something wrong 
     If you steal someone's idea, you have absolutely crossed the line.

    You can't judge a book by its cover.
1. something that you say which means you cannot judge the quality or character of 
  someone or something just by looking at them 
    She doesn't look very intelligent, but you can't judge a book by its cover.

     an arm and a leg
 1. a lot of money 
     Everything the restaurant offers tastes good, and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
     Usage notes: usually used with the verbs cost, pay, and charge

Wednesday 5 December 2012

Proverbs

Proverb - a short, memorable, and often highly condensed saying embodying, especially with bold imagery, some commonplace fact or experience.

Actions speak louder than words
Children usually learn more from the examples set by their elders than from what they are told ; a person's character is judged by the thing she does and not by what he says; actions give evidence or proof of.
Fortune knocks once at every man's door -- Everyone gets at least one good opportunity in his lifetime; everyone has the opportunity to be successful in life.
Give the devil his due -- Be just and fair-minded , even to the one who does not deserve much or who is unfriendly or unfair; we should punish a person according to his wrongdoings.
God helps those who help themselves -- God only helps those people who work hard and make an honest effort.
It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good -- A bad or evil occurrence.
Great minds think alike -- Wise people will normally think and behave alike in certain situations.
Habit is second nature -- An act done repeatedly and often enough will sooner or later become a habit or second nature.
He laughs best who laughs last -- A person who does his best is the one who will get the greatest satisfaction in the end.
Never do things by halves -- One should not do an incomplete or imperfect job - certain tasks must not be left half done; they must be done away with immediately.
Great haste makes great waste -- If one does things hastily he will make a lot of mistakes - he will need to spend a lot of time correcting those mistakes later.
It's never too late to mend -- It is never too late to correct one's mistakes or faults.
It's no use crying over spilt milk -- It is pointless to feel remorseful over a thing lost that can never be found or a mistake done that can never be corrected or rectified.
Still waters run deep -- One who is usually silent and goes about his business quietly may be a very wise person.
Jack of all trades and master of none -- Is a person who can do almost anything, but he rarely excels in any of them.
Let bygones by bygones -- One should consider forgiving one's and forget all the bad deeds done by others.
Let not the pot call the kettle black -- A person who has a fault should not point out the same fault in another; do not criticize another person as you may have the same weakness.
Let sleeping dogs lie -- One should preferably avoid discussing issues that are likely to create trouble.
No news is good newsWhen there is no news, it is likely that everything is all right.
Look before you leap -- Avoid acting hastily, without considering the possible consequences.
Necessity is the mother of invention -- When a person is in great need of something, he will find a way of getting it.
Honesty is the best policy -- Being honest is believed to be the best route to take.
One man's meat is another man's poison -- No two persons are alike - every one has his own preferences, likes and dislikes.
Once bitten twice shy -- If a person has been tricked once he will more be careful and alert the next time.
Like father, like son, like mother, like daughter -- ( used to describe a child's behavior when he or she acts like the father or mother )
Practice makes perfect -- It is believed that if one practices a certain skill often, he will excel in it
Prevention is better than cure -- It is better to be careful beforehand than to try to solve a problem after it has arisen.
Rome was not built in a day -- Any great plan or big dream cannot be achieved overnight or easily.
Robbing Peter to pay Paul -- ( this is quoted when one takes another loan to pay off an earlier loan ) taking from one to give another.
Spare the rod and spoil the child -- A child who is not punished and showed the error of his ways will become unruly.
Speech is silver, silence is golden -- Talk may be beneficial, but sometimes acquiescence may be the best option to take.
It takes two to make a quarrel -- Both parties in a quarrel should share the blame or take responsibility for it; no one can start a quarrel all by himself.
Strike while the iron is hot -- Seize a good opportunity as quickly as possible.
There's no smoke without fire -- Rumors do not spread unless there is some element of truth in them.
Time and tide wait for no one -- Time is precious, once it is past no one can go back and claim it thus everyone should be mindful of how his time is spent.
To err is human, to forgive divine -- It is only normal for man to make mistakes and do wrong, but for one to forgive another for his wrong is indeed great and gracious act.
What's done can't be undone -- In life there are some things once done or decisions once made cannot be changed; malicious words once uttered or harmful actions once done cannot be taken back.
Two heads are better than one -- It is always better to get the view of another than to rely entirely on one's own judgment.
When in Rome do as the Romans do -- When one is in a new place, country or situation he must adapt himself to the new manners and customs.
When the cat is away the mice will play -- When law enforcers are not present, certain public members will take the opportunity to break the law
Absence makes the heart grow fonder -- One usually desires another more when he or she is far away.  

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs

If you like to listen more nursery rhymes and kids songs, please click this link: www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=089A3255E63E8D54

Language Games


Insects
How to play

Read and listen to the instructions. Click on a colour to select it and then click on the object to colour it. Please click the link to start the game: learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/word-games/paint-it/insects

Prepositions of time

Which propositions of time should you use? Learn about this with Phoibe. A useful video for anyone learning English as a foreign language.

Monday 3 December 2012

Telephoning - English Conversation Lesson

In this English conversation lesson you will learn how to make phone calls in both informal and formal styles of speaking.

Glossary of Correct Usage


1. accept, except. Accept is a verb : except is a preposition
They accepted my invitation.
Everyone attended the meeting except the secretary.

2. advice, advise. Advice is a noun; advise is a verb.
His advice was useful.
I was advised to purchase a more economical car.

3. affect, effect. Affect is a verb; it means " to influence." Effect may be a verb or a noun. The verb effect means " to cause to happen "; the noun effect means " the result."
Pollution affects everyone.
Your tears do not affect me.
Your tears have no effect upon me.
Doctors have effected a cure for polio.
The effect of drugs is well known.

4.
almost, most. Most is used to form the superlative; it is used to modify nouns. Almost is an adverb.
Most people are honest.
He is the most unusual person I have ever met.
Almost everyone has a desire to succeed.
Almost all of the food was eaten.

5.
already, all ready. Already means " before the time specified. " All ready means " completely prepared."
The movie had already begun by the time we arrived.
The members were all ready to hear the report.

6.
altogether, all together. Altogether means " thoroughly." All together means " in a group."
The thought of a third world war is altogether frightening.
The children were all together on the bus.

7.
amount, number. Use amount to refer to thing sin bulk or mass; number refers to the countable.
Wrong :
I was amazed by the amount of people present.
Right :
I was amazed by the number of people present.
Right :
The amount of money needed was soon collect.
8.
and which, which
Wrong : I found a lost dog and which needs a good home.
Right : I found a lost dog which needs a good home.
Wrong : My father is a good man and whom we all love deeply.
Right : My father is a good man whom we all love deeply and whom we admire.
9,
anywheres, anywhere Anywheres is very informal
Wrong :
We can talk anywheres.
Right :
We can talk anywhere.
10. around
Wrong : He arrived around ten o'clock.
Right : He arrived about ten o'clock.

Words differentiation

Able
Capable
able - if someone or something is able to do something, they have skills or qualities which make it possible for them to do it.
capable - if a person or thing is capable of doing something, they have the ability, capacity, or potential to do it.
The different usage between able and capable is ' able ' has a broader meaning in one's ability but ' capable ' shows one's ability in a more specialized aspect.
*
She is an able teacher. ( She is a teacher with quality )
*
She is a capable teacher. ( She has the ability to be a teacher )
____________________
Capable also shows a sense of possibility whereas there is no such usage with able.
* The situation is capable of improvement.
In this situation, we can't replace capable with able to show the possibility for improvement.
____________________
Ability can be acquired through a series of training, but capability has nothing to do with training.
* I do not doubt his ability to do the work.

Sunday 2 December 2012

Oh My English! Top Ten Best Videos

If you want to learn more in English conversation, please click the link below:
www.ohmyenglish.com.my

Common English Mistakes


These mistakes in English are quite common. A formal online English degree will not always go over these errors, so study up below to improve your language skills if you are ESL.

Chinese Style   :It's seven twenty o'clock.
American Style:It's seven twenty.
Chinese Style   :Your coat is broken.
American Style:Your coat is torn.
Chinese Style   :Susan didn't make a fault anyway.
American Style:Susan didn't make a mistake anyway.
Chinese Style  :Would you mind posting this letter for me ? Yes, certainly.
American Style:Would you mind mailing this letter for me ? Of course not. OR 
( Not at all )
Chinese Style   :He becomes better.
American Style:He got better.
Chinese Style   :We'll have a hearing test tomorrow.
American Style:We'll have a listening test tomorow.
Chinese Style  :I recommend you to take a long vacation.
American Style:I recommend that you take a long vacation.
Chinese Style   :The last bus leaves at eleven o'clock. It's about eleven now, Hurry up!
American Style:The last bus leaves at eleven o'clock. It's nearly ( almost ) eleven now, Hurry up!
Chinese Style   :It was still bright outside.
American Style:It was still light outside.

English Modal Verbs | Can - Could - May - Might


If you want to learn, improve and master the English language as well as to build confidence when speaking and listening in English, please click the link below:

Saturday 1 December 2012

Comparative and Superlative Adjectives


When we want to compare two or more things, we can change the form of adjectives by adding –er or –est. We can also use extra words like more or mostand expressions like not as … as.
Here are some examples:  I think you're taller than me. (tall)
                                                 She's the tallest in the group. (tall)
                                                The pizzas in La Bella Napoli are better than the ones in Pietro's. (good)
                                                It was the best pizza I've ever had! (good)
                                                People say Bioshock is a more exciting game than Skyrim. (exciting)
                                               Grand Theft Auto is the most exciting video game. (exciting)

Mmm, I don't quite see what the rule is here.
With most one-syllable adjectives, we add –er or est, and with most adjectives with two syllables or more, we add more or (the) most. In comparatives, we also use than before the second thing which is compared, if it is mentioned.
             La Bella Napoli is nearer than Pietro's. (near)
It's not the cheapest restaurant though. (cheap)
With one-syllable adjectives ending in vowel + consonant, remember to double the final consonant before –er/est.
big  bigger → biggest
If the adjective ends in –e, just add –r or st.
large → large→ largest
So what are the exceptions, apart  from good  better  best?

Other exceptions are bad  worse  worst and far  further/farther  furthest/farthest.
They use the worst cheese.
What about adjectives ending in –y, like crazyMy brother is crazier than me.

Yes, that's correct. With adjectives ending in y, you change the y to i and add er/ est.

lucky  luckier  luckiest             happy  happier  happiest
They've got the friendliest waiters!

With most adjectives with typical adjective endings, and with two or more syllables, you use more/most + adjective.

They do the most disgusting pasta I've ever tasted.

What other ways of comparing things are there?

We often use not as … as.
I'm not as tall as you. (= I'm smaller than you)
Maybe the pizza at La Bella Napoli isn't as good as I remember. 
And what about less and least?

Yes, less and least are also ways of comparing things. They are used more in writing.
It is less cold in the north of the country than in the south. (the north is warmer, but both north and south are cold)
Of the four participants, Bill is the least experienced. (the other three have more experience)
OK, this isn't as hard as I thought. I think I've got it, more or less.

Vocabulary Exercises

Appearance

Vocabulary exercises help to learn words to describe people's appearance.

Click the link below to do the vocabulary exercises on appearance:

Tongue Twisters

Listening to tongue twisters is one way to improve your English pronunciation. It's very difficult to say tongue twisters in English so don't worry if you can't do it very well at first, just have fun!
sea shells
Listen to the tongue twister and practise saying it. How fast can you say it?
"She sells sea shells by the sea shore."
Please click the link below to listen to the tongue twisters.
learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/tongue-twisters

Friday 30 November 2012

Grammar Exercises

Pronouns
1. True or False.
   Read and circle True or False.
It is my birthday! It is sunny and hot. My parents didn’t go to work. They are at home. We are having a party. My sister gave me a great present. She gave me a new skateboard. My best friend is coming. He likes skateboarding too.
a. Today is my birthday.                                       True    False
b. The weather is cloudy and cold.                             True    False
c. My parents are at work.                                     True    False
d. My family are having a party.                               True    False
e. My sister gave me a new bike.                               True    False

We can use pronouns to replace the names of people and things.
I… You… He… She… It… We… They…

2. Choose the answer!
   Read the sentence. Circle the correct answer.
a. ____________________ is sunny today.                         It's / It / There
b. ____________________ don’t like vegetables.                     I’m / I / Me
c. What’s the time? ____________________ 8 o’clock.             It’s / Is / He
d. Can you see that rabbit? ______________ has very big ears.       He / It / I
e. Ask your sister for help. _____________ is very good at Maths.   She/ I / They

Wednesday 28 November 2012

English Grammar Lesson - Wh questions

An English lesson about making "wh" questions. For more grammar and other English lessons go to holmwoods.eu