How English sounds to non-English speakers ... really?

I often wonder what I sound like to my students, I know that they may not understand every word I say but I am sure that they do understand a few words.

Watch the video, and try to write the words that you pick up. Can you guess what they might be talking about? What story does the video tell us? Remember, to understand better, observe the expressions and gestures of the speakers. Keep in mind, that in the video, very few words are  actual English words, most of the words are not real!

New Year Resolution, Learn English!!!

So here we are again, starting a new year and how many of us have made more than a couple new year's resolutions that we will keep, if we are lucky, for a week.....What are some of the typical new year's resolutions? Lose weight, c'mon, this is a common one and haven't we all just overdone the turron and the roscon this Christmas season??? And what will reaching our ideal weight mean? more confidence, we will look better, it will be easier to find clothes our size, we will be healthier...How about this next common resolution; Quit smoking! Yep, here's another beauty, quit smoking, and we are lucky to make it to noon time of January 1 and not reach for that pack of cigarettes that we were so reluctant to throw away... but then again here are a few good reasons to quit that filthy habit: better health; you get to save money ( in some cases a small fortune ) ; your breath will smell better too! and if for that reason alone, one should stick to this resolution. Exercise more, so here we are, January 2, we are up bright and early on this cold winter morning but, we are determined to go for a run... ok, so we only got past the first corner but it was a good effort...now, can we keep this up? Maybe I should just enroll in a gym? Ok, collective exercise is more our thing but after a couple of days we start to think of excuses...maybe, I should sleep later this morning, maybe exercise everyday is not that good, three times a week should be enough...twice a week maybe? Oh what the heck, my bed is too warm and cozy... 

Now here is our proposal: LEARN ENGLISH!!!   and although we highly recommend and suggest that you enroll at iSpeak, since we can guarantee good results, there are other ways you can improve and learn English. The advantages? so many: better job opportunities, better grades at school and these are just two of the most obvious ones. And just like many other important resolutions, this one  too, you should stick to, the advantages are nothing but positive. 

Come and visit us and see how here at iSpeak, we can help you stick to this one!

Getting into the Christmas spirit !

From us here at iSpeak, 

may you have a 

Merry and Peaceful Christmas 

with your loved ones!

Ok, we are certainly getting into the Christmas spirit here at iSpeak so here are some pretty cool Christmas jokes and some Christmasy vocabulary that might come in handy this season BUT first, here is a classic, "Twas the night before Christmas " by Clement Moore.  Also, check out  our sounds and music page for some great Christmas carols ...

           Twas the  night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Our workshops!

Here at iSpeak, we have a very important goal: that our students  learn English in a fun and dynamic environment. This is why we have  workshops in English for our younger students every last week of the month. Last week we had three of these workshops. Here are some of the wonderful and creative products our students came up with.....

Rice Krispies treats Christmas trees....

Caterpillar sandwich....

                                              Autumn themed glass candle holder.

Education is a privilege ...

I once saw a high school teacher lead a simple, powerful exercise to teach his class about privilege and social mobility. He started by giving each student a scrap piece of paper and asked them to crumple it up.

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

Then he moved the recycling bin to the front of the room.

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

He said, “The game is simple — you all represent the country’s population. And everyone in the country has a chance to become wealthy and move into the upper class.”

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

“To move into the upper class, all you must do is throw your wadded-up paper into the bin while sitting in your seat.”

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

The students in the back of the room immediately piped up, “This is unfair!” They could see the rows of students in front of them had a much better chance.

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

Everyone took their shots, and — as expected — most of the students in the front made it (but not all) and only a few students in the back of the room made it.

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

He concluded by saying, “The closer you were to the recycling bin, the better your odds. This is what privilege looks like. Did you notice how the only ones who complained about fairness were in the back of the room?”

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

“By contrast, people in the front of the room were less likely to be aware of the privilege they were born into. All they can see is 10 feet between them and their goal.”

Nathan W. Pyle / Via buzzfeed.com

“Your job — as students who are receiving an education — is to be aware of your privilege. And use this particular privilege called “education” to do your best to achieve great things, all the while advocating for those in the rows behind you.”

 taken from this link: 

10 Common ESL Mistakes ! Take note =)

Learning a new language is never easy. Below you will find ten common mistakes among students of English as a second language. Even if you are a native English speaker I guess you could use a reminder on some of them. 

But like we always tell our students, DON'T BE AFRAID TO MAKE A MISTAKE, it's part of the learning process and making mistakes is the best proof that you are trying!

Incorrect: My sister is  ?  photographer.
Correct: My sister is a photographer.

Incorrect: It is more cold today.
Correct: It is colder today.

Incorrect: I have told you all what I know.
Correct: I have told you all (that) I know.

Incorrect: Which is the biggest city of the world?
Correct: Which is the biggest city in the world? 

Incorrect: I have done a mistake.
Correct: I have made a mistake.

Incorrect: I have been here since three days.
Correct: I have been here for three days.

Incorrect: We waited one and a half hour.
Correct: We waited one and a half hours.

Incorrect: According to me, it’s a bad film.
Correct: In my opinion, it’s a bad film.

Incorrect: It’s getting  ?  ?  winter.
Correct: It’s getting to be winter.

Incorrect: Except  ?   Angie, everybody was there.
Correct: Except for Angie, everybody was there.

American English or British English !

Americal English or British English 

( even the Cookie Monster has to figure it out )

     

Check out his funny anecdote:

Marvin found   himself in London a few weeks ago for a job interview for the position of a graphics designer, when he realised that he had  packed only  jeans.  Marvin decided to go to a big department store to by some casual pants to wear for the interview but when he went to the sales lady and asked her for some nice,  casual pants to wear  to a job interview he had, she first gave him a rather funny look, then smiled and said "Wow, you really want to be prepared for everything, don't you ..." Thinking that she was just being extra friendly and even funny ( British humour ! go figure !!! ) she lead him to the underwear section and started to show him several styles...she asked Marvin  " do you prefer boxers, fitted ones, a thong maybe ..." she then winked at him and showed him a leopard printed thong!!! Oh my gosh, I just wanted some decent, casual pants for my interview !!! he thought... So he politely said no thanks and pointed to what looked like the pants section in the distance. "Oh! you want to buy some TROUSERS!!!, I'm so sorry, you are American aren't you? " "Uh, yes! I'm from New Jersey..." she again smiled and said " I understand now...if you take the LIFT, you will find some more styles on the 5th floor....." " A lift????? take the lift??? OH, the ELEVATOR ! got ya!"

So just to avoid finding ourselves in a rather sticky situation like Marvin did or the Cookie a.k.a. Biscuit Monster, here is a list of words that might help you:

British English	American English
anti-clockwise	counter-clockwise
articulated lorry	trailer truck
autumn	autumn, fall
barrister	attorney
bill (restaurant)	bill, check
biscuit	cookie
block of flats	apartment building
bonnet (clothing)	hat
bonnet (car)	hood
boot	trunk
caravan	trailer
car park	parking lot
chemist's shop	drugstore, pharmacy
chest of drawers	dresser, chest of drawers, bureau
chips	fries, French fries
the cinema	the movies
clothes peg	clothespin
coffin	coffin, casket
crisps	potato chips
crossroads	intersection; crossroads (rural)
cupboard	cupboard (in kitchen); closet (for clothes etc)
diversion	detour
drawing-pin	thumbtack
drink-driving	drunk driving
driving licence	driver's license
dual carriageway	divided highway
dummy (for baby)	pacifier
dustbin	garbage can, trash can
dustman	garbage collector
engine	engine, motor
estate agent	real estate agent
estate car	station wagon
film	film, movie
flat	apartment, flat, studio
flat tyre	flat tire
flyover	overpass
gearbox (car)	transmission
gear-lever	gearshift
Girl Guide	Girl Scout
ground floor	ground/first floor
handbag	handbag, purse, shoulder bag
high street	main street
holiday	vacation
hood (car)	convertible top
jam	jam, preserves
jug	jug, pitcher
juggernaut	18-wheeler
lift	elevator
lorry	truck, semi, tractor
mad	crazy, insane
main road	highway
maize	corn
maths	math
motorbike	motorcycle
motorway	freeway, expressway
motorway	highway, freeway, expressway, interstate highway, interstate
nappy	diaper
naughts and crosses	tic-tack-toe
pants, underpants	underpants, drawers
pavement	sidewalk
pet hate	pet peeve
petrol	gas, gasoline
The Plough	Big Dipper
pocket money	allowance
post	mail
postbox	mailbox
postcode	zip code
postman	mailman, mail carrier, letter carrier
pub	bar
public toilet	rest room, public bathroom
railway	railroad
return (ticket)	round-trip
reverse charge	collect call
ring road	beltway, freeway/highway loop
road surface	pavement, blacktop
roundabout	traffic circle, roundabout
rubber	eraser
rubbish	garbage, trash
rubbish-bin	garbage can, trashcan
saloon (car)	sedan
shop	shop, store
silencer (car)	muffler
single (ticket)	one-way
solicitor	lawyer, attorney
spanner	wrench
sweets	candy
taxi	taxi, taxi cab
tea towel	dish towel
telly (informal), TV	television, TV
third-party insurance	liability insurance
timetable	schedule
tin	can
toll motorway	toll road, turnpike
torch	flashlight
trousers	pants, trousers
tube (train)	subway
underground (train)	subway
vest	undershirt
waistcoat	vest
wallet	wallet, billfold
wellington boots	rubber boots, rain boots
whisky	whisky/whiskey
windscreen	windshield
zip	zipper