Expression of the Week - 24/7

So this week I went a little crazy and decided to make a video to explain the expression of the week. It's very playful because I used all the fuctions of the program I have for making videos.

I hope you had fun watching this video and that you could understand the expression.

See you soon!

Difference between Cearense and British people

I have just seen this image on facebook and I started laughing hard.
The man is drowning and needs someone to help him, but he can't just scream: "Help!" The British are known for being very polite people and they always apologize (in british "apologise) for everything.
On the other hand, I am from Brazil and was born in a city called Fortaleza which is in the state of Ceará. Beautiful city, really wonderful beaches, but we have a little problem:when we speak we use the imperative 100% of the time! It's not because we are rude, it's just the way we are.
So, picture number 1 would be completely accepted in Ceará.
If you are in England remember to use the magic expressions: excuse me, I wonder if, I'm afraid I can't..., I'm terribly sorry, please and thank you

How are things in your country or city? Which picture would best describe it?

Conversation Activity- Laughter :-)

It's really a shame that I can't have nice discussions here on the blog. I know it's complicated to post comments and most people don't feel secure when they have to give personal information.
If you are a Facebook friend and would like to give your opinion, suggestion or leave a comment about the topic you can write it on Facebook too, ok?!
Anyways, this week a video from Youtube caught my attention and I used it with some of my conversation students.
                                                 Medical Benefits of Laughter

Did you watch it? What do you think about the research presented on the video?
According to this research what happens to our blood vessels when we laugh?
Do you agree with this research?

Just in case you haven't laughed today, here is another video that might help you a little:

Leave your answers and your comments!

Thanks for reading!

Accents

So, you already have a good level of English, you can carry on a conversation, you understand people and people understand you. However, there is something making your life harder: The Accent!
Yeah, accents are something else! I'm going to post here some videos of different English accents:

American (New York) accent

British accent

Australian accent

New Zealand accent

Irish accent

Wow! There are many other accents around the world and we can even identify differences within one country. But, what I want to know is:

Which accent seems easier for you? Do they have anything in common? Do you try to make any accent when you speak English? If so, which one? Leave your answers and your comments.

See you soon!

Expression of the Week - A.S.A.P

This week a funny thing happened, more than 2 students of mine asked me what A.S.A.P stands for. Because I don't believe in coincidences I decided to post here on the blog in case anyone else in the world was looking for the definition of this abbreviation too.
Fisrt, when you don't know what an abbreviation means, you should ask:
What does... stand for? In this case: "What does "A.S.A.P" stand for?
A.S.A.P stands for As Soon As Possible.
In case you don't know, As Soon As Possible means the earliest moment possible, as fast as you can do it.
I will use an email as an example:

Hello Paul,
how are things? I'm sending you the results of the analysis. I'd like you to write the report and send it to me A.S.A.P.
Regards,
Jack

Hope this expression has helped you in any way! Leave your comments!!!

Expression of the week- Track and Field

Dear followers of the blog,
sorry for not posting anything in more than 10 days. I was working as an interpreter in an event of Track and Field.

The track at UNIFOR-University of Fortaleza

It's the 8th year that I work. A great experience because I get to practice my English with native speakers and this year I got to use my Spanish too. There were athletes from USA, Canada, Bahamas, Jamaica, Croatia, Lithuania, Portugal, Morocco, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Cuba,Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria and Ethiopia .
Thanks to the team of interpreters who worked really hard, to UNIFOR (University of Fortaleza) and to CBAT (Brazilian Confederation of Track and Field)





So, the expression of the week is Track and Field. Did you already discover what it means?

If not, I will give you a definition:

DEFINITION: It is a sport of various competitive activities of running, jumping and throwing such as:

400 meters with hurdles

100 meters

High Jump

Hammer Throw

Javelin Throw

Shot put

Pole vault

And others more. Track and Field is a beautiful and old sport that has its roots in human prehistory since running, jumping and throwing are natural forms of human physical expressions.

Expression of the week-Chicken Out



Are you a chicken? Do you ever chicken out?

Sometimes I am a chicken. I have chickened out a few times in my life. Once I went to Mendoza and all my friends were going to go water rafting.

When they asked me to sign I term saying I was responsible for my life and that was a risky activity, I chickened out. I was very afraid and decided not to go.

CHICKEN- is an animal, but we also use this word to say that a person is a coward or afraid of everything.

TO CHICKEN OUT- is when you can't do something because of fear.

DICTIONARY DEFINITION: To fail to do something through fear or lack of conviction.

EXAMPLE:

• My friend promised he would go bungee jumping with me, but he chickened out at the last minute.