Experience English: Writing

Showing posts with label Writing. Show all posts

Picture Discussion: The Big Terry Burger

While I was in Los Angeles to visit my family and friends, I was invited to a BBQ (barbecue) at my uncle's house.

I took advantage of (used the opportunity) the occasion to create a "Big T" burger. Big T stands for (represents) Big Terry.

In my opinion, the burger was yummy for the tummy (delicious)!

What do you think?

The Big T burger consists of two meat patties (round pieces of meat), ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, tomatoes, two slices of cheese, and pickles (a cucumber that is preserved in vinegar).

PRACTICE AND THINK IN ENGLISH

When was the last time you created something that you were proud of?

When did you last make something that was yummy for the tummy for lunch or dinner?

Tell me by leaving a comment below or in a message by E-mail at kaufman.terry@gmail.com, if you like.

To learn how to leave a comment, please click for instructions in English or click for instructions in French. It is not necessary to have a Google account. After you type your comment, click on the menu, "Comment as" ("choisir une identité") and choose "Name" or "Anonymous".

Writing Activity - Haiku - Autumn!

Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry. A traditional poem consists of three lines and a total of 17 syllables. There are five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second line, and five syllables in the third line.

Autumn

Autumn has arrived

Colors change, leaves fall to die

After death comes birth

- Terry Kaufman

PRACTICE AND THINK IN ENGLISH

Write a haiku and express your creativity in English.

Tell me your haiku by leaving a comment below or in a message by E-mail at kaufman.terry@gmail.com, if you like.

To learn how to leave a comment, please click for instructions in English or click for instructions in French. It is not necessary to have a Google account. After you type your comment, click on the menu, "Comment as" ("choisir une identité") and choose "Name" or "Anonymous".

Video Discussion: One Moment In Time

For three months, I took photos of nature, people, and objects that captivated me. The video below is a compilation of photos that I call, "One moment in time." (There is music, so please be sure your sound is on.)

Why "One moment in time?" I feel that to enjoy each moment, you must be in the present. The present is a gift to enjoy.

PRACTICE AND THINK IN ENGLISH

When do you take time to enjoy life?

When are your best moments in life?

When are your worst moments?

Did you take a photo that captured a precious moment in time?

Best Practices And Grammar Review: Are You Operational In English?

To communicate comprehensibly and clearly in English, there are four fundamental verb tenses to know. If you know them and use them correctly, you will not have any trouble expressing yourself. What is the secret? Be (super) operational!

In English, there are tenses we use to communicate routine and generalities, present actions, future plans and actions, and finished, past actions.We use the specific tenses all the time.

The Four Tenses To Know To Be (Super) Operational

Click on the image to make it bigger

To express routine and generalities, use the Present Simple:

I live in Paris.
I work as an English trainer.
I run three times a week.
I drink coffee every day.

Examples of time expressions that correspond to the present simple:

Every day
Once a week
Always
Never
All the time
Sometimes
From time to time

The idea is to associate the time expressions with the verb tense.

Asking questions: DO/DOES + SUBJECT + VERB

Do you always drink coffee in the morning?
Does she have a car?
Where do you live and work?
How often do you run?
To express present actions, use the Present Continuous:

I am creating a new exercise now.
We are using a computer at the moment.
I am wearing black shoes today.
She is currently working in London.

Examples of time expressions that correspond to the present continuous:

Now
At the moment
Today
At present
Currently (presently)

Remember to associate the time expressions with the verb tense.

Asking questions: AM/IS/ARE + SUBJECT + VERB+ING

Is she currently working in London?
What are you wearing today?
What are you doing now?
To express future plans and actions, we also use the Present Continuous:

Tomorrow, I am going to Rome. I am staying in a hotel from Monday to Wednesday.
I am travelling to Japan next month.
He is meeting the general manager on Friday at 2 PM.
They are giving a presentation to their clients tonight.

Examples of time expressions that correspond to the present continuous for the future:

Tomorrow
Next week/month/year
In June
At 12 PM

Do not forget to associate the time expressions with the verb tense.

Asking questions: AM/IS/ARE + SUBJECT + VERB+ING

Where are you going tomorrow?
Are you travelling to Japan next month on business?
Who is Tom meeting on Friday?
To express finished time and past actions, we use the Past Simple:

I went to New York last week.
She ate fish and chips for lunch yesterday.
They saw a movie last night.
I moved to Paris 18 years ago.

Examples of time expressions that correspond to the past simple:

Two days ago
On Monday
Last weekend/night/day/week
Yesterday morning/afternoon/evening

Again, associate the time expressions with the verb tense.

Asking questions: DID+SUBJECT+VERB

Did you go on holiday last month?
When did you go to the movies?
What did you do yesterday?

When do we use WILL?

We use WILL for predictions and future events. On the contrary, we use the present continuous for future plans and actions:

The meeting will be in Los Angeles from June 1 to June 3. (The meeting is a future event.)
I think I will go on vacation next month. (I did not make any plans yet. It is a prediction.)
I am going to Munich on Friday. (I bought my plane tickets and I made my hotel reservations. It is a future plan.)

If you have made plans for the future, use the present continuous to talk about a future plan or action.

PRACTICE AND THINK IN ENGLISH

Write a paragraph about your best friend. Explain what he/she does for a living (for work), present activities, past experiences and actions, and future plans. Practice using the verb tenses above to be operational in English and remember to use time expressions.

Listening And Writing: Satisfaction At Work

Job satisfaction is an important part of a person's life. A person often spends a lot of time and dedicates a lot of energy at work.

A recent survey (questionnaire) between April 16 and May 15 asked 411 workers in the US and Canada if they were satisfied with their jobs. The findings (results) were that 19% said they were satisfied with their jobs while the majority said they were not happy at work. (Click here to read the article on Forbes.com.)

The article says that the message to employers is that a lot of unhappy workers are not able to change jobs at the moment. Workers feel stuck (not capable of moving) because of the economic situation and financial crises around the world. The article also suggests that employers offer more training and opportunities to develop a career in their companies to help employees feel more satisfied.

Listening Activity on ESL Podcast

Click on the link below to read and listen to a dialog. Please click on the "Listen" button at the top of the page.

Working in a Dead End Job (having a job that cannot develop or transform into something better)

PRACTICE AND THINK IN ENGLISH

Are you satisfied with your job and your work?
What are the challenges and rewards (benefits, gains) of your work?
If you could make changes in your job to improve your work experience, what would you change?

Tell me by leaving a comment below or in a message by E-mail at kaufman.terry@gmail.com, if you like.

Video Discussion: Smile

When you smile, an entire chemical change happens in your mind and body. Research shows that smiling can help reduce stress, improve your mood, and reduce your blood pressure. Moreover, research finds that smiling changes the perception of how other people see you. When you smile, people can perceive you to be good-looking, competent, likable, and courteous.

In the video below, Nat King Cole sings a lovely song called Smile. Here are the lyrics to read before you watch the video:

Smile though your heart is aching (suffering, in pain, hurting)
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by (manage, survive)
If you smile through your fear and sorrow (sadness)
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness (happiness)
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on (continue) trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile (important, beneficial, advantageous)
If you just smile

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Here is a touching video about smiling:

Source: Smile on Vimeo

PRACTICE AND THINK IN ENGLISH

"Nothing is permanent in this wicked (severe, mean) world - not even our troubles."

What does the quote above mean to you?

When was the last time your smile helped a person or made a difference?

Tell me by leaving a comment below or in a message by E-mail at kaufman.terry@gmail.com, if you like.

Video Discussion: Life is . . .

About three months ago, I had the urge (desire) to start taking pictures again. So, I took my smartphone (a Sony Ericsson mobile phone) and took photos of objects, people, and nature. I made a conscious effort to take time during my day to stop, listen, and feel life around me.

The video below is a result of an album I created called "Life is . . ."
(There is music, so please be sure your sound is on.)

PRACTICE AND THINK IN ENGLISH

What is life to you?

Picture Discussion and Writing: How Has Technology Changed Your Life?

Technology has progressed significantly in the last two decades (20 years).

When I was in school, I remember going to the public library to use dictionaries and encyclopedias to get information. Moreover, I typed my documents on a typewriter before I gave them to my teachers.

I remember using pay phones and coins to call people when I was outside, on the street. I also played outside with my friends and we created fun adventures and games with our imagination.

Today, there are computers, cell phones (cellular phones, mobile phones), MP3 players, Smartphones, robots, Internet and 3D Televisions, interactive video games, and websites in our lives.

PRACTICE AND THINK IN ENGLISH

What are your thoughts and feelings when you look at the image above?

How has technology changed your life?

Are we communicating better, thanks to technology?

How will technology change our lives in the future?

Picture Discussion: How Do You Describe Yourself?

PRACTICE AND THINK IN ENGLISH

What are the first four words you see in the image above?
Do you agree or disagree with the words that describe you?
How do you describe yourself?
How do you think people see you?

Tell me in a comment below or send me a message by E-mail at kaufman.terry@gmail.com, if you like.

To learn how to leave a comment, please click for instructions in English or click for instructions in French. It is not necessary to have a Google account. After you type your comment, click on the menu, "Comment as" ("choisir une identité") and choose "Name" or "Anonymous".

Best Practices: Communicate Ideas That Influence, Inspire, And Motivate People

Have you ever listened to a person during a presentation or speech who inspired you? Or a speaker who influenced you and motivated you to change?

In Chip and Dan Heath's book, "Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die," the writers talk about a strategy to communicate ideas and messages.

"Made to Stick" in this context means that an idea or message is "adhesive" and it remains or stays with you. The idea influences you, inspires you, and motivates you. To stick is to be adhesive, like glue.

What do ‘sticky ideas’ mean? According to the authors, it means that “your ideas are understood and remembered, and have a lasting (durable) impact — they change your audience’s opinions or behavior”.

The formula is in the acronym, SUCCES:

Simplicity: What is the essential message of the idea?

Unexpected: Does the idea get people’s attention?

Concrete: Is the idea clear and can it be easily remembered?

Credible: Will people believe the idea?

Emotional: Do people see the importance of the idea?

Story: Does the idea inspire and motivate people? You inspire people by giving examples and telling stories.

As Chip Heath says, "Effective ideas are simple." The formula emphasizes (stresses) that important point. Moreover, effective ideas make an emotional connection with people.

The strategy is simple and powerful; in addition, you can use it in any situation that necessitates influence, persuasion, and change. In business, it can be in E-mail, during meetings, negotiations, presentations, or conference calls. In our personal lives, it can be in relationships.

Here is a video with Dan Heath, who describes the meaning of SUCCES:

The bottom line is (the final result is) if you want people to use your ideas, you have to communicate your ideas effectively (persuasively, productively) and connect with people emotionally.

PRACTICE AND THINK IN ENGLISH

Have you ever had to communicate an idea to influence or persuade someone?
How did you do it? Were you successful?
How can you use this strategy in the future to communicate your ideas?

Writing Activity - Haiku - Spring!

Spring

Joy in creation

Life is dancing in beauty

Spring moves through nature

- Terry Kaufman

PRACTICE AND THINK IN ENGLISH

Write a haiku and express your creativity in English.

Tell me your haiku by leaving a comment below or in a message by E-mail at kaufman.terry@gmail.com, if you like.

To learn how to leave a comment, please click for instructions in English or click for instructions in French. It is not necessary to have a Google account. After you type your comment, click on the menu, "Comment as" ("choisir une identité") and choose "Name" or "Anonymous".