Hi everyone!
I've just shared a new video to my Youtube channel focusing on these two (often misused and confused) connectors. You can find the video at this address: <https://youtu.be/cSZmb2Y4ETQ> , or go straight to my channel by searching for My English Teacher Rob.
When you've finished watching the video explanation (be sure to watch right to the end), come right back here to iTalki and write a practice sentence using the connectors in the discussion below. I'll correct as many as I can. Other teachers are more than welcome to get in on this too!
Let's get practising
Hi everyone!
I saw this article earlier in time magazine and it got me thinking about how people like to study at different times. As we all wake and go to bed at a different hour, the time of day when we are at our best for study purposes varies too. I've often called students in their offices at (their) 6am just after they had arrived for work.Some people like to do their study in the morning, as it helps them to relax into the day knowing that they have learned something new (Eat that frog!). Others prefer to have their lessons in the evening, when the day's work is done. But what do you prefer? and why?
http://time.com/4318156/sleep-countries-style/
Wow, 2017 is almost over already. Everything came and went so quickly!
New year is a time when people (English people, at least) start setting goals for the year ahead, things that they would like to achieve over the next 365 days. These are often written in a future tense
e.g. I will study English every day
Experts now say it is better to use a present tense and refer to a concrete, measurable objective. This helps form a clear image in our mind of us achieving the objective, which encourages us to work harder.
e.g. I have learned 100 new English phrasal verbs - June 31st 2018.
Note I've also added a date, which tells us when the goal needs to have been completed by.
Now for my question: What are your language learning goals for 2018? Can you express them using a present tense? What action will you take to ensure you achieve them?
Post your answers below and I will help as many of you as I can. I wish you all a happy, productive New Year!
Hi guys, I've been thinking recently about how normalised living in Spain has become for me now that I've been here for over four years. It got me to thinking about culture shock and how unusual and intriguing parts of Spanish culture were for me when I first moved here. I'm wondering what people have found unusual about British culture upon visits to or after moving to live in England.
Share your experience with the group:
Have you ever been surprised by some aspect of British culture? What was it?
Is there a similarity/difference with your culture?
Was there any part of British culture you had trouble becoming accustomed to?
I'm looking forward to reading your answers!
Hi everyone!
I've been watching videos over on Jorge Cremades channel recently to maintain my Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/user/jorgescremades
Youtube is a really great tool for learning languages! We get listening practice and get to see word and vocabulary used in context. A simple search is all that is needed. But which channels are you using to learn English and why? What do you like about them? They don't have to be specifically for learning English.
Answers below! Remember, sharing is caring.
Hey everyone!
I just saw this inspirational video over on Youtube and it got me thinking about when I started learning Russian a couple of years ago. Everyone told me it would be difficult/impossible to do in Barcelona (if you're here on iTalki, you already know this is false!), but I went ahead and did it anyway. I'd like to know your reaction. What have you done in your life, even after everyone told you couldn't or that it would be a bad idea? Did it work out? Do you have any regrets? Your answer doesn't have to be about language learning, but it can be if you wish.
You can watch the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG7dSXcfVqE
Answers below!
Hi everyone!
I'm curious as to what you all think about this topic. As both a teacher and student on iTalki I've seen both sides of the story, so I know what my own expectations are. What are yours? What would discourage you from booking again after the first lesson? What would you expect to happen before, during and after the lesson in an ideal world? I'm assuming we all share the basic ones, such as the teacher arriving on time, planning the lesson, offering structured feedback and being generally respectful towards the student. Oh, and having good equipment/internet!
Here are some of mine:
There should be lots of corrections (the teacher should not just sit back and let me keep making mistakes)
The teacher should be able to explain the grammar behind their corrections
The teacher should teach me new words, their meanings and enable me to use them correctly.
The teacher should be generally responsive when I contact them.
Looking forward to your input!
As a teacher I sometimes feel I have a biased perspective on this question as most of my students usually want similar things. Either they want to get through an exam to obtain a placement on a masters' course or they want to progress upwards in their career. But what about everyone else? Why are you here?
I'd love to hear.
I'm looking to get back into learning Russian. I've already got an A2 level or near enough and I'd like to build my fluency and vocabulary. Can any of you recommend some Youtube channels or websites where I might find videos with language that is around my level?
I'd be especially interested in TV shows dubbed in Russian e.g.Family guy, Friends, Adventure Time etc. (I will learn faster if I already know the material).
Not so useful, are kids' shows (already tried Russian Sesame Street out of curiosity, thinking the language would be easier. It was, but I hated watching it haha)
Would appreciate any advice or recommendations!
