Discourse markers: linkers

Hi again!

It's time to post the slides related to linkers. Remember why they're so important in discourse: it
makes it more enjoyable, easy to read/hear and more natural. Have a further look, and practice with your Student's and Workbook in order to take them in.

 

Discourse markers from Míriam

Family idioms

Idioms are a fun thing to learn, and way better if you can relate them to images. That will help you remember them. In this post, you can find the idioms we worked with this week.

Be the black sheep of the family: the worst member of the family because they have bad reputation

Be the apple of you father's eye: also the apple of one's eye (Diana was the apple of John's eye, he adored her). If you're the apple of someone's eye, this person is extremely fond and proud of you.

Be as different as chalk and cheese: to be completely different. Americans use an idiom more similar to ours: "as different as night and day".

Follow in your father's /somebody's footsteps: to do the same jobs or the same things in your life as your father or someone else, especially a member of your family.

Be as alike as two peas in a pod: when people are very similar, especially in appearance.

Be tied to your mother's apron strings: it describes someone who is so used to his/her mother's care that cannot do anything on his/her own. It also means being very influenced by your mother.

While the cat's away, the mice will play: when there is no one in authority present (as parents, boss, teachers, etc.), peple will do whatever they want, especially breaking rules.

Be your mother's daughter: this means that you are very close to your mother, and you both are very similar.

Twist someone round your little finger: to manipulate and control someone.

Blood is thicker than water: family relationships are stronger and more important than any other kind of relationships.

Lastly, if you want to have some reading, listening, and vocabulary practice around a story based on an idiom, use this lesson by the British Council called Two Peas in a Pod. Click on "instructions" and "preparation" to know how to do the task, and a pre-reading activity.

Enjoy!

Personality adjectives

I think I'm sensible because I usually make good choices.

Some adjectives that might come in handy when describing ourselves and other people. We had time to have a look at them, but if I were you, I'd have another look checking the pronunciation in one of the dictionaries I recommend on this same blog, because maybe next week I'll be testing you ;)

So here you have the material used in class, and also these two interactive exercises to revise.

Affectionate: Showing caring feelings and love for somebody.

Assertive: Expressing opinions or desires strongly and with confidence, so that people take notice.

Bossy: always telling people what to do

Bright: intelligent; quick to learn

Conscientious: taking care to do things carefully and correctly

Curious: having a strong desire to know about something

easy-going: relaxed and happy to accept things without worrying or getting angry

determined:  if you are determined, you have firm decisions and you will not let anyone prevent you

gentle: calm and kind; doing things in a quiet and careful way

loyal: remaining faithful to somebody/something and supporting them or it

moody: having moods that change quickly and often; bad-tempered or upset, often for no particular reason

outgoing: liking to meet other people, enjoying their company and being friendly towards them

rebellious: unwilling to obey rules or accept normal standards of behaviour, dress, etc.

reliable: that can be trusted to do something well; that you can rely on

resourceful: good at finding ways of doing things and solving problems, etc. 

sarcastic: showing or expressing sarcasm

sensible:  able to make good judgements based on reason and experience rather than emotion; practical

sensitive: aware of and able to understand other people and their feelings 

spontaneous: often doing things without planning to, because you suddenly want to do them

steady: (of a person) sensible; who can be relied on

straightforward: honest and open; not trying to trick somebody or hide something

stubborn: determined not to change your opinion or attitude         

sympathetic:  kind to somebody who is hurt or sad; showing that you understand and care about their problems   

thorough: doing things very carefully and with great attention to detail

to be a cold fish: a person who seems unfriendly and without strong emotions

to be a pain in the neck: a person or thing that is very annoying

to be a soft touch: a person that you can easily persuade to do something, especially to give you money.

to be down to earth: sensible and practical, in a way that is helpful and friendly

to have a heart of gold: to be a very kind person

to have a quick temper: to become angry easily

"Have": main verb or auxiliary verb

Hello and welcome to our blog!

This first post will deal with grammar, in which you'll find the slides seen in class, and which I totally recommend to have a look at again before doing the activities at home. You can download them by pressing the button at the down-right corner, which will open a new tab to the original Slideshare site, and there look for the "Download" button.

Have: main verb or auxiliary verb from Míriam

Remember to use to workbook for further practice, and you can also check the book's website for extra online activities.

See ya!