Hello, italki! Let’s have some fun/chat/funny chat about our learning and teaching languages experience. Please listen to the audio for more.

Hello, people of the planet. I haven’t been using Italki for a while, like for years actually. I remember there was an opportunity to find a language partner here, and in general as I remember it, the interaction between the community members had more dynamics; we had discussions here on many topics and you know, had more fun. Is it me or something has happened with the italki? I’m confused.

Looking for English native speakers to talk and exchange

Hey guys!

I'm more than happy with my English teachers that I found here on italki, but I'm also fond of listening to different speakers/accents and would like to make friends and exchange with English native speakers through Skype or ooVoo (I'm still getting used to the latter though).

So if you're learning Russian, feel free to send me a message, I'll add you.

 

FCE exam. Let's share tips!

Hi guys!

I'm going in for the Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) in two months, which is an upper-intermediate level qualification (B2).
As you know, many students suffer from exam nerves, and I'm not an exception. So I thought it would be great, if someone who'd passed this test successfully, could share their experience and tips. I'm interested in everything: what the atmosphere was like, which part (speaking, writing etc) was the most difficult, how you prepared yourself for the exam.

Thank you very much!

Elena

 

 

 

 

Getting the wrong end of the stick Hello everyone! Yesterday I got a bit confused using the idiom "to get the wrong end of the stick". The example I had read in my book was "Did I get the wrong end of the stick? Was that not what he meant?", which I found neither understandable nor helpful. So I got the meaning wrong and wrote a sentence that didn't make any sense. So it would be great, if you guys could kindly give me an example in order to help with this tricky little phrase ;)

The idioms about knowledge and understanding I am just practising some idioms that my coursebook offers. Any corrections are highly appreciated, thank you. After I get my homework done, I will start getting the hang of the idioms and using them properly. The client asked again the same question, and Anna realized that all what she was saying went in one ear and out the other. Mary doesn't have a clue how to get along with children. Anna thought Chris fell in love with her, but she got the wrong end of the stick. Having seen Chris with Mary, she put two and two together and started getting the picture. It's not easy, to get your head around technology world changing that fast. Chris joined us the next morning, so we had to bring him up to speed with what was going on.

Visiting London

Hello everyone!

I can't help being excited preparing myself for my first visit to London. As a tourist I am interested in everything: parks, castles, museums and wandering around the streets. Also there are day trips to Eastbourne, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford and Cotswolds being planned.

So dear friends (and liebe Freunde :) ), I would really like you to share your impressions about the city. What place you find the most inspiring, what surprised you about London while you were there and what place disappointеd you. In fact, I will appreciate any facts that you are willing to share.

Also I would be grateful if anyone could recommend a good place to have a breakfest. I'm living on the border between Kensington and Chelsea.

Thank you very much in advance)

Please could you explain the following sentence? When they asked him if he had enjoyed the liqueur he was very diplomatic and said that it was an acquired taste. As I see it, "an acquired taste" means the taste that he haven't got used to, the liqueur was unusual for him. Is it right? I'd be grateful if you could give me an exsample of situation (except food\drinks) when it can be used.

Please could you explain what "I rest my case" means? A = Anna, B = Ben A: I can't believe he got her a Hoover for her birthday. B: Oh, I don;t know/ It's the thought that counts. A: No! Come on! He couldn't have given it much thought, if that's all he came up with. B: You gave me a drill on my last birthday! A: So? B: I rest my case.