Weekly activities for English learners in Second Life

YouTube English 1307 2016

Tea Time! English 1407 2016

Marga's Reading Lounge 1507 2016

New York, New York …

School: http://englishlive.ef.com , task:

Write about crime

It is considered that New York is the capital city of the crime. This image was created by Hollywood. I think it is only a partly true, I was in New York and didn't witness any crime actions.

Large megalopolises attract criminals from all the country. Drug barons are searching there market for their drugs, financial swindlers are hunting for money of careless tourists.

The tourists buy souvenirs with images of gangsters from Chicago, karate guys from Hong Kong. Some of the tourists anticipate to load in the atmosphere of colorful past times. It has a few things in common with current life there. But it is likely that the guests of the biggest cities would become victims of petty crimes, the guides always advise the tourists to watch their purses.

About New York... Let's do not make a snap judgment. Crimes are committed anywhere, it is not a privilege of the one city.

Shakespeare meets in Moscow metro

After a trip in the metro-train today, which is dedicated to Shakespeare - I wanted to learn English to a point to say "I read Shakespeare in the original"

Anatoly

July 11, 2016

Marga's Reading Lounge 09/07/2016

Brexit (Analysis Using Class Material)

School: http://englishlive.ef.com , task:

Write about a trade agreement

It so happened that the class material was dedicated to a subject of hot discussions in the news. It was about the UK's decision to leave the European Union (the EU).

There was a wide discussion on some of reasons why the British voted for Brexit (Brexit, an abbreviation of "British exit"):

1.) Migrants crisis

2.) Not elected, unaccountable and expensive euro bureaucrats, lack of national powers.

3.) Difficulties in providing domestic products and higher level of unemployment

The class material included some conclusions about a link between the current economic situation and trade policy. Trade protectionism occurs usually after a period of crisis or depression. The main reason is to provide protection for domestic products.

Free market is a preferable economic model during times of stability. Honest competition is a base for market economics.

The decision of the UK to leave the EU means that crisis is already here. Does not sound optimistic? But understanding a problem is only one way to solve it ...

Anatoly

Teacher's note:

1. Verb tense: It was about the UK's decision to leave the European Union. We use the Simple Past Tense to denote an action that has been completed.

2. Word choice: It was about the UK's decision to leave the European Union. The correct word to be used is ‘European’ in place of 'Euro' as it is more appropriate. Please choose the correct word to express your thought. Use an English dictionary or thesaurus to locate and understand unfamiliar words and phrases and their meanings.

Teacher Geeta M

Marga's Reading Lounge 02/07/2016

WRITING A CLEAR EMAIL UPDATE

Task:

Write a clear email to your teacher, giving an update about a task you're working on.

Attention to englishlive.com administration,

I'm writing you to update you on the process of preparing the presentation for my colleagues about our school.

On the first slides I demonstrate some general goals for studying English and how people who study language would be promoted for the a higher position in their careers. I’m presenting a class material which is divided for into 17 levels and includes many interesting topics. Using microphone and voice recognition tools gives to learners feelings online interaction with program although actually it works offline.

The core type of studying are group classes. The program for it is Adobe Connect. It is less effective than Google hangouts (just my opinion) but it includes a few good features which Google hangouts doesn't have. For example a button for raising hand. The program works better when the internet connection is not strong enough.

I'm going to show the audience some disadvantages where school administration should continue working. We don't have suitable ways for communication outside class rooms. I think that the organizing free chat would be welcomed by students.

The last slides are dedicated to describing of the tools that the school uses. I highlighted the possibilities to use mobile devices such as tablets or smart phones.

Forgot to mention. Feedback from teachers after group classes and writing exercise is not only useful but also very inspiring.

I'll send you the presentation as soon as it will be ready.

Sincerely yours, Anatoly

Teacher's comments:

I recommend that you review verb placement in your sentences. For example you wrote, "which divided" instead of, "which is divided." Reviewing verb use will help to strengthen your writing. I recommend that you review where to place articles in your sentences. For example you wrote, "button" instead of, "a button." Reviewing article placement will help to strengthen your writing.

Teacher Julia D