Anatomy of an English learner

Learning English can feel like a big challenge, but if we understand the “anatomy” of an English learner, we can work out the body parts that will help us improve our fluency.

For you, what is the most important body part of English learners?

✍️ Share your ideas in the comments below

If I were a boy

Second conditional quiz

Instructions:

  1. Listen to the song and read the lyrics
  2. Close your eyes and listen to the song one more time

3. Complete the quiz

1 Complete the sentence: “If I were a boy, I _______ treat her better.” a) will b) would c) am

    2. What does Beyoncé sing she would do if she were a boy? a) Spend all her money on clothes b) Play video games all day c) Put herself first and make her partner feel second

    3. Finish the sentence: “If you ___________ what I go through, you would feel the same way.” a) understand b) understanding c) understood

    4. What is the correct form of the verb in the second conditional for “he”? a) were b) is c) are

    5. Complete the sentence: “If he were a girl, he ________ understand how it feels.” a) don’t b) doesn’t c) wouldn’t

    6. What is the correct form of the verb in the second conditional for “we”? a) am b) is c) were

    7. Finish the sentence: “If we ___________ in her shoes, we would know how hard it is.” a) were b) are c) be

    8. What does the second conditional express? a) An event happening in the future b) A hypothetical situation in the present or future c) A fact or habit

    9. Complete the sentence: “If I were a boy, I _______ have to try so hard.” a) don’t b) wouldn’t c) won’t

    10. What does Beyoncé imply through the use of the second conditional in the song? a) That she wants to be a boy b) That she wishes her partner understood her perspective better c) That boys are superior to girls

    Answers:

    1. b) would
    2. c) Put herself first and make her partner feel second
    3. c) understood
    4. a) were
    5. c) wouldn’t
    6. c) were
    7. a) were
    8. b) A hypothetical situation in the present or future
    9. b) wouldn’t
    10. b) That she wishes her partner understood her perspective better

    Let’s get to know each other

    Welcome to our online English class! To kick off our journey together, we’ll be engaging in a fun warm-up activity to get to know each other better.

    • Follow the instructions below to connect with your fellow classmates
    • After the designated time, we will discuss the activity as a class.
    • Be prepared to share one interesting thing you learned about a classmate during this activity.

    About me

    Objective: Practice speaking spontaneously, enhance vocabulary, and improve fluency.

    • Click the “Start” button to open a box
    • Read the topic and share your answer with your classmates.
    • You have 1-2 minutes (depending on the topic) to speak about the topic on the card.
    • Try to speak continuously and express your thoughts clearly.
    • If you’re in a pair, take turns being the speaker and the listener
    • After several rounds, the teacher will pause the activity.
    • Reflect on how the activity went. Did you find it challenging? Did you learn new words?
    • Some students will share their favourite topics or responses with the class.
    • The class might discuss the topics further and ask questions related to them.

    Remember, the goal is to improve your speaking skills, so don’t worry about making mistakes. Enjoy the challenge and have fun expressing your thoughts!

    Boggle

    Learning goal: To find and write down as many words as possible within a set time frame using the letters in a grid.

    Boggle is a word game designed for two or more players. It consists of a square grid of lettered dice, each showing a different letter. The goal of the game is to find as many words as possible by connecting adjacent letters horizontally, vertically, or diagonally within a set time frame.

    How to play Boggle

    👀 Watch the following video to learn how to play Boggle

    ▶️ Now it’s your turn

    📅 Boggle grids 👇

    Click the arrow > to change the grid

    Timer👇

    ❓❓❓ Common Questions:

    • In a word, the letters must touch each other going up, down, sideways, or diagonally.
    • You can’t use the same letter more than once in one word.
    • Don’t use names, short forms, or words from other languages.
    • Only words from a dictionary count.
    • You can use Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary for English learners.

    Let’s Discover Pronunciation

    💬 What’s Pronunciation?

    Pronunciation is how we say words. It’s not just about knowing the words, but also about saying them in a way that others can understand. It includes making the right sounds, putting stress on the correct parts of a word, and having a good rhythm when you speak. When we work on pronunciation, we’re trying to speak clearly so that people can get what we’re saying. It’s an important part of learning a language because it helps us communicate better with others.

    Why Does It Matter?

    1. Speak Clearly: Pronouncing words well helps you speak so that everyone can understand you.
    2. Feel Confident: When you say words right, it boosts your confidence. Conversations become more fun!
    3. Fit In Everywhere: Good pronunciation helps you fit in easily, whether you’re chatting with friends or working in a new place.

    💡 Easy Tips for Pronunciation Fun:

    1. Listen and Copy:
      • Listen to English songs, movies, or people talking. Try to copy how they say things. It’s like learning a cool new dance!
    2. Practice Every Day:
      • Spend a few minutes each day practicing. Like playing a game, the more you practice, the better you become.
    3. Record Yourself:
      • Use your phone to record your voice. Listen and see where you can make it even better. It’s like being your own English coach!
    4. Speak with other English learners:
      • Meet new online friends on websites or places made just for practicing English. They’ll help you practice and have fun together.

    💻 Free Websites for Pronunciation

    1. Pronuncian
    2. Tools for Clear Speech
    3. English Club
    4. BBC Learning English

    📱 Free Apps for Pronunciation

    1. English Pronunciation Tutor
    2. Speak Ingles
    3. Say it

    Wheel breaker

    Objective: Get to know more about your classmates and practice speaking spontaneously.

    • Click “Start” to spin the wheel
    • The wheel will show you a number
    • Find the number -> and discuss the topics with your classmates
    • Make full sentences to share the information you know about them
    • Try to speak continuously and express your thoughts clearly.
    • If you’re in a pair, take turns being the speaker and the listener

    Spin the wheel

    Topics

    After several rounds, the teacher will pause the activity.

    • Reflect on how the activity went. Did you find it challenging? Did you learn new words?
    • Some students will share their favourite topics or responses with the class.
    • The class might discuss the topics further and ask questions related to them.

    Remember, the goal is to improve your speaking skills, so don’t worry about making mistakes. Enjoy the challenge and have fun expressing your thoughts!