Intensive English Course for Psychology Professors

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 31 May

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 30 May 2010 14:41:00 +0000

Weekly Schedule 31 May

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LISTENING NO. 14: Earthquakes

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 23 May 2010 21:13:00 +0000

PREPARATION Let's do some prep work before actually listening to the video. Below you will find some definitions for some words that you might not be familiar with. Once you think you have understood all of the meanings, proceed with the listening.

/snæp/ (-pp-)

•

[I or T] to cause something which is thin to break suddenly and quickly with a cracking sound

You'll snap that ruler if you bend it too far.

Some vandal's gone and snapped off my car aerial again.

•

[I] to suddenly become unable to control a strong feeling, especially anger

When she asked me to postpone my trip to help her move house, I just snapped (= got angry).

/graɪnd/ [T] (ground, ground)

to rub something against a hard surface, in order to make it sharper or smoother

She has a set of chef's knives which she grinds every week.

He ground down the sharp metal edges to make them smooth.

The car engine was making a strange grinding noise.

PRONUNCIATION NO. 14: Connected Speech

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 23 May 2010 21:11:00 +0000

English is characterized by an alternation of STRONG and WEAK syllables, making up a rhythmical pattern which, ideally, inserts 1-2 weak syllables between strong ones. This, of course, is not always possible. We have already learned about stress shift and how some words change their original stress position to accommodate to English rhythm.

Another effect weak syllables have is that they, many times, are not even pronounced: they become so weak, they just disappear from the speech. We have already seen this in words such as: ret(i)na, moun(t)ain, int(e)resting, p(o)lice, sim(i)lar, etc.

The reason why these syllables drop is to allow for a more fluent speech, especially because the speaker "does not have time to pronounce everything": strong syllables require a considerable amount of time and energy, and that can only be possible if weak syllables get reduced and compensate for the strong ones.

So it seems obvious that if we want to achieve a good fluency in English, we should remember to stress strong syllables and keep some weak syllables in between. But there are other things we can do to improve our fluency.

Blending

When 2 consonants appear across word-boundaries (as in "went to"), only the second consonant is pronounced. This blending process can even happen with different (yet, similar) consonants, such as p-g, t-d, and k-g. Read the following sentences:

Sickness kept Tom home the third week

I have uploaded dozens of files into the server

Keep calm and don't get obsessed about that job

They showed a new implementation of a previous speech system

This can be used to build different systems

He introduced us to his German niece while in Berlin

Are you coming out tonight?

You must tell him the truth

The pharmacist tried to stop the argument

Please, place some of those books on top of the shelf

He has several cars and five yachts

They save very fine jewelry for their children

Very few people like to be alone

Mike couldn't convince Sarah of the opposite

Why don't you help me find a solution for this mess?

They went to the cinema last Tuesday

When did you decide to come here?

Deletion

1) Many English words end with 2 or 3 consonants. When these words are followed by others which also begin with a consonant, the last consonant of the former word is not pronounced. For example: firs(t) three, las(t) plane, can'(t) think, fron(t) building, etc.

Read the following sentences paying attention to those consonants which can get deleted:

It must be 3 o'clock already

He asked you and me to spend a weekend in the mountains

His interest for Shannon disappeared when he met Susan

The Nile is the longest river in the world

The Vatican is the smallest country in the world

The last person to leave can lock the door

IMPORTANT: The last consonant cannot drop if it is a suffix: plural, past, comparative, etc. otherwise the entire sense of the sentence would be truncanted.

2) An important (and very unknown) case of deletion happens with some specific pronouns that begin with /h/: him, her, and also with "have". When these words are preceded by another word that ends with a consonant, native speakers tend to omit the /h/. For example:

I told (h)er about it = tolder
Please, ask (h)im to arrive early today = askim
You shouldn't (h)ave done that horrible thing = shouldn'tav

Read the following sentences:

She bought him a ticket before the concert began

I would have known he was coming

Please, let her go, she is innocent

Tomorrow we'll ask him to tell us about it

You could have warned me!

I like her very much

LISTENING NO. 14: Adrenaline Rush

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 23 May 2010 21:10:00 +0000

PRONUNCIATION NO. 14: Long Words

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 23 May 2010 21:09:00 +0000

English is typically a monosyllabic language. That is, the majority of the words in the lexicon have 1 syllable. This accommodates well to the English rhythm, with strong and weak words. Strong words are those words that bear stress, as the words "boy", "there", "when", "sun", and "rose" in the sentence:

The boy was there when the sun rose

So, when we read this sentence, we emphasize the words in boldface.

Primary and Secondary Stress

When polysyllabic occurs, it may be difficult to know where to place the stress. An important reason for this is that English long words may have 2 stresses: primary and secondary. For example, the word "international" has 2 stresses:

- Primary stress on "na"

- Secondary stress on "in"

Below you will find more examples of stress on English words:

abo'lition

po'lice

se'mester

ma'lignancy

'theater

fan'tastic

These aforementioned words have only one stress. When that happens, that stress is always the "primary stress". The words below have 2 stresses: primary (') and secondary (,)

i,nocu'lation

,engi'neer

,fore'knowledge

par,tici'pation

'passion,flower

par,ticu'larity

Suffixes may attract stress

Sometimes, the stress can be predicted. For example, words ending with suffixes such as -tion, -ic, -ical, -ically, -tial, -atory, -city, -ese, -ee have primary stress on the syllable immediately before the suffix:

abo'lition

po'litically

la'boratory (vs. 'lavatory)

coa'lition

po'lemically

in'formative

fan'tastic

i'nitial

su'perlative

po'lemic

po'tential

,elas'ticity

po'litical

,influ'ential

,elec'tricity

po'lemical

pre'paretory

Chi'nese

,emplo'yee

Notice that when the primary is at the end, preceded by 2 syllables (as in "electricity" and "elasticity") the secondary stress is placed 2 syllables before.

So, suffixes can help us choose primary stress, because this primary stress goes precisely before the suffix. However, suffixes are not always there to help. See:

com'ponent

'category

,trans'parent

'secondary

'enterprise

pa'rameter

Stress in compound words

A compound word is a word made up of 2 words that come together to create a new meaning.

An important thing to remember is that compound words usually have the stress on the first part of the compound. But there may exist exceptions to this rule.

'nut,cracker

'news,paper

'flowerpot

'ladybug

'eyebrow

'bedtime

'handbag

'lipstick

'birthday

'scarecrow

'butterfly

'New York

Adjective + Noun

When we have an adjective and a noun, we stress the noun with the primary stress, the adjective with the secondary stress:

,nice'man

,clean'stress

,black'board

,green'house

This is, in fact, how we distinguish between:

'black,board (in a classroom) from a ,black'board (in a box)

'green,house (to grow flowers in cold wheather) from ,green'house (the house is painted in green)

Stress shift

English is so strict about strong and weak forms, that sometimes, the original stress of a words shifts. Remember the sentence:

The boy was there when the sun rose

We have 5 strong words, more or less distributed across the sentence.

WEAK-STRONG-WEAK-STRONG-STRONG-WEAK-STRONG-STRONG.

This distribution is almost perfect: the sentence sounds slightly like an accordion, with ups and downs. It is usually impossible to have the perfect rhythmical sentence in English, with at least one weak syllable in between strong syllables. However, the language tries hard to respect its rhythm. In fact, when too many strong words go together, stress can be shifted to avoid not having weak syllables in between strong syllables. For example, the word Chinese has 2 different stress positions depending on the context (and the contact with a strong, stressed syllable):

The waiters were all Chinese

We went to the Chinese restaurant

While "Chinese" is stressed on the second syllable in the first sentence (this is the usual position), it is stressed on the first syllable in the second sentence. The reason is that "restaurant" is also stressed on the first syllable, and keeping the last syllable of "Chinese" stressed would break English rhythm.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 24-27 May

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 23 May 2010 21:04:00 +0000

Weekly Schedule 24-27 May

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LISTENING NO. 13: Nose bleed

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sat, 15 May 2010 11:16:00 +0000

LISTENING NO. 13: How to make candy apples

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sat, 15 May 2010 11:15:00 +0000

INTRODUCTION

Before working on this listening, we are going to review some basic vocabulary: handy, skewers, parchment paper, coating.

/ˈhæn.di/

useful or convenient

a handy container/tool

First-time visitors to France will find this guide particularly handy.

It's a nice house and it's handy for (= near) the station.

informal Don't throw those bottles away - they'll come in handy (= be useful) for the picnic next Sunday.

/skjʊər//ˈskjuː.ɚ/ [C]

a long thin metal pin used for holding pieces of food, especially meat, together during cooking

Parchment paper, also known as baking parchment paper, is a cellulose-based paper that is used as a disposable non-stick surface intended for use in baking.

/kəʊt//koʊt/ [C]

(also coating) a layer of a particular substance that covers something

I'll give the walls a quick coat of paint.

two coats of varnish

a thick coating of chocolate

Cheap Recipes:
How To Make Toffee Apples

GRAMMAR NO. 13: A verb Thesaurus: think

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sat, 15 May 2010 11:12:00 +0000

EXPLANATION

Verbs of thinking (also called thinking verbs) are those verbs that relate to cognitive actions. The most common verb of all is to think. But, can you "think" of other cognitive verbs?

Below you will find a short list with some of those verbs together with their definitions:

/θɪŋk/ (thought, thought)

/kənˈsɪd.ər //-ɚ/

[T often + object + (to be) + noun or adjective] to believe someone or something to be, or think of them as

He is currently considered (to be) the best British athlete.

We don't consider her suitable for the job.

[passive + object + to infinitive] It is considered bad manners in some cultures to speak with your mouth full of food.

[R] I consider myself lucky that I only hurt my arm in the accident.

Do you consider him a friend of yours?

[+ (that)] She considers (that) she has done enough to help already.

/ˈkɒn.təm.pleɪt//ˈkɑːn.t ̬əm-/ [Ior T]

to spend time considering a possible future action, or to consider one particular thing for a long time in a serious and quiet way

[+ -ing verb] I'm contemplating going abroad for a year.

You're not contemplating a change of job, are you?

It's too awful/horrific/dangerous to contemplate.

/bruːd/ [I]

to think for a long time about things that make you sad, worried or angry

I wish she wouldn't sit brooding in her room all day.

/rɪˈflekt/

[I] formal to think carefully, especially about possibilities and opinions

The manager demanded time to reflect (on what to do).

[+ that] She reflected that this was probably the last time she would see him.

/diːm/ [T not continuous] formal

to consider or judge something in a particular way

[+ object + noun or adjective] The area has now been deemed safe.

[+ noun or adjective] We will provide help whenever you deem it appropriate.

[+ object + to infinitive] Anyone not paying the registration fee by 31 March will be deemed to have withdrawn from the scheme.

/ˈpɒn.dər//ˈpɑːn.dɚ/ [I or T] formal

to think carefully about something, especially for a noticeable length of time

She sat back for a minute to ponder her next move in the game.

muse verb
/mjuːz/ [I] formal
to think about something carefully and for a long time
I began to muse about/on the possibility of starting my own business.

/bɪˈliːv/ [T]

to think that something is true, correct or real

Strangely, no one believed us when we told them we'd been visited by a creature from Mars.

[+ that ] He believes that all children are born with equal intelligence.

She's arriving tomorrow, I believe.

"Is she coming alone?" "We believe not/so (= We think she is not/is)."

[+ object + to infinitive] I believe her to be the finest violinist in the world.

[+ object + adjective] All the crew are missing, believed dead.

not believe a word of it

to not believe that something is true

He told me she was just a friend, but I don't believe a word of it!

believe it or not (also would you believe it?)

said when telling someone about something that is true, although it seems unlikely

He's upstairs doing his homework, believe it or not.

if you believe that, you'll believe anything!

informal something that you say to emphasize that something is obviously not true

He said the car in front backed into him, and if you believe that, you'll believe anything!

make believe

to pretend or imagine

Let's make believe (that) we're pirates.

/ɪˈmædʒ.ɪn/ [T]

•

to form or have a mental picture or idea of something

Imagine Robert Redford when he was young - that's what John looks like.

[+ (that)] Imagine (that) you're eating an ice cream - try to feel how cold it is.

[+ question word] Can you imagine how it feels to be blind?

[+ -ing verb] She imagined herself sitting in her favourite armchair back home.

They hadn't imagined (= expected) (that) it would be so difficult.

I can't imagine (= I really don't know) what he wants from us.

•

to believe that something is probably true

[+ (that)] I imagine (that) he's under a lot of pressure at the moment.

I don't imagine (that) they have much money.

"Will they change it?" "I imagine so."

•

to think that something exists or is true, although in fact it is not real or true

"Did you hear a noise?" "No, you're imagining things/No, you must have imagined it."

I've never heard her criticize you - I think you imagine it.

•

used to express shock or surprise, often at someone else's behaviour

She got married at 16! Imagine that!

[+ -ing verb] Imagine spending all that money on a coat!

/ges/ [I or T]

•

to give an answer to a particular question when you do not have all the facts and so cannot be certain if you are correct

I didn't know the answer, so I had to guess.

On the last question, she guessed right/wrong.

[+ question word] Guess when this was built.

[+ (that)] I guessed (that) she was your sister.

She asked me to guess her age.

I guessed the total amount to be about £50,000.

•

to give the correct answer or make the correct judgment

[+ question word] I bet you can't guess how old he is.

She guessed the answer first time.

"You've got a new job, haven't you?" "Yes, how did you guess?"

Guess what? informal

used before telling someone something interesting or surprising

Guess what? We won the match 4-0.

I guess

informal used when you believe something is true or likely but are not certain

[+ (that)] I guess (that) things are pretty hard for you now.

/həʊp//hoʊp/ [I or T]

to want something to happen or to be true, and usually have a good reason to think that it might

I'm hoping for an interview next week.

[+ (that)] She's hoping (that) she won't be away too long.

I hope (that) she'll win.

We have to hope and pray (that) the operation will go well.

[+ to infinitive] They hope to visit us next year.

It's good news, I hope.

"Will you be at the meeting tomorrow?" "I hope not/so".

/səˈpəʊz//-ˈpoʊz/

•

[T] to think that something is likely to be true

[+ (that)] I couldn't get any reply when I called Dan, so I suppose(that) he's gone out.

He found it a lot more difficult to get a job than he supposed it would be.

[+ (that)] Do you suppose (that) Gillian will marry him?

It is widely supposed (that) the minister will be forced to resign.

[+ to infinitive] We all supposed him to be German, but in fact he was Swiss.

Her new book is supposed to be (= generally people think it is) very good.

•

[+ (that)] used in making polite requests

I don't suppose (that) you could/I suppose you couldn't lend me £5 till tomorrow, could you?

•

[+ (that)] used to show that you think something is so, although you wish that it were not

I suppose (that) all the tickets will be sold by now.

•

[+ (that)] used when you are annoyed

I suppose (that) you're going to be late again.

I suppose (that) you think that's funny. Well, I certainly don't.

•

used to show unwillingness to agree

"Can I go out tonight?" "Oh, I suppose so."

[+ (that)] I don't agree with it, but I suppose (that) it's for the best.

PHRASAL VERBS

figure out sth/sb or figure sth/sb out

to understand something or someone, or to find the answer to something by thinking carefully
I can't figure out why he did it. [often + question word]
I've never been able to figure Sue out.

think over sth or think sth over

to think carefully about an idea or plan before making a decision
She said she'd think it over and give me an answer next week.
I need to think the matter over carefully.

come up with sth

to think of or to suggest a plan or idea, a solution to a problem, or an answer to a question
A team of advertisers is hard at work trying to come up with a slogan for the product.
Experts have failed to come up with an explanation of why the explosion happened.

to get or produce something which someone needs or which they have asked you for
Each member of the expedition needs to come up with £3,000 to fund their trip.
We need someone to create a new software program. Can Bob come up with the goods? (= create what we want)

go over sth

to talk or think about something in order to explain it or make sure that it is correct
We don't have much time so I'll quickly go over the main points of the document.
I'd like to go over your essay with you when you've half an hour to spare.

to think about something that has happened or something that was said
You can go over the same old things again and again in your head.
In bed last night I kept going over what you'd said to me at lunch.

to examine a building
The police had been over his apartment looking for drugs.

think up sth or think sth up

to create an idea or plan by using your imagination and intelligence
I really don't want to go tonight and I'm trying to think up an excuse.
It's one of those competitions where you have to think up a slogan for a product.

think out/through sth or think sth out/through

to think carefully about something you are planning to do and to consider the possible results of it
He obviously hadn't thought it out properly.
It sounds like a good idea but we need to spend some time thinking it through.

shut out sth or shut sth out

to prevent a sound or light from being heard or seen
Could you close the curtains and shut out some light?
These windows shut out most of the traffic noise.

to stop yourself from thinking about something or from feeling an emotion, usually because it causes you to suffer
You've got to deal with these feelings - you can't just shut them out.
There are memories so painful that you have to shut them out.

dream up sth or dream sth up

to think of an idea or plan, especially one that is very imaginative or not really possible
They've asked a marketing company to dream up a name for their latest product.
She's always dreaming up crazy schemes to get rich quick.

toy with sth

to think about an idea in a way that is not very serious, often not making a decision about it
Dom and I are toying with the idea of going to Mexico this year. [usually in continuous tenses]

to keep touching an object, moving it from one position to another, usually while you are thinking about something else
She sat quietly for a moment, toying with her glasses.

PRACTICE

http://a4esl.org/q/h/lb/pvthinking.html

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 17-20 May

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sat, 15 May 2010 11:11:00 +0000

Weekly Schedule 17-20 May

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LISTENING NO. 12: How to make candy apples

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 09 May 2010 17:17:00 +0000

INTRODUCTION

Before working on this listening, we are going to review some basic vocabulary: handy, skewers, parchment paper, coating.

/ˈhæn.di/

useful or convenient

a handy container/tool

First-time visitors to France will find this guide particularly handy.

It's a nice house and it's handy for (=near) the station.

informal Don't throw those bottles away - they'll come inhandy (= be useful)for the picnic next Sunday.

/skjʊər//ˈskjuː.ɚ/ [C]

a long thin metal pin used for holding pieces of food, especially meat, together during cooking

Parchment paper, also known as baking parchment paper, is a cellulose-based paper that is used as a disposable non-stick surface intended for use in baking.

/kəʊt//koʊt/ [C]

(also coating) a layer of a particular substance that covers something

I'll give the walls aquick coat of paint.

two coats of varnish

a thick coating of chocolate

Parchment paper, also known as baking parchment paper, is a cellulose-based paper that is used as a disposable non-stick surface intended for use in baking.

/kəʊt//koʊt/ [C]

(also coating) a layer of a particular substance that covers something

I'll give the walls a quick coat of paint.

two coats of varnish

a thick coating of chocolate

Cheap Recipes:
How To Make Toffee Apples

GRAMMAR NO. 12: A verb Thesaurus: see

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 09 May 2010 17:15:00 +0000

English uses different words for slight differences in meaning. One of the most problematic areas of vocabulary is that of the verbs. The reason is that verbs express actions that can't sometimes be easily described, as nuances can be really small. In our session today and in the next week, we will work hard on vocabulary, paying special attention to this kind of verb families, including phrasal verbs.

To see

Below, you will find a list of the most common English verbs that, many times, are simply substituted by "see" by Spanish learners. Pay attention to the dictionary definition before you can start working on them.

/siː/(seeing, saw, seen)

•

[I or T] to be conscious of what is around you by using your eyes

Turn the light on so I can see.

"I can see you!"

[+ (that)] The teacher could see(that) the children had been fighting.

[+ infinitive withoutto] Jacqui saw the car drive up outside the police station.

[+ -ing verb] From the window we could see the children playing in the yard.

[+ past participle]His parents saw him awarded the winner's medal.

See (= Look at) p. 23 for prices and flight details.

See over (= Look at the next page) for further information.

/lʊk/

[I] to direct your eyes in order to see

Look! There's grandma.

They looked at the picture and laughed.

Look at all this rubbish on the floor.

She looked up from her book and smiled at me.

I looked out (of) the window.

Look over there - there's a rainbow!

/wɒtʃ//wɑːtʃ/

•

[I or T] to look at something for a period of time, especially something that is changing or moving

I had dinner and watched TV for a couple of hours.

He spent the entire afternoon watching a cricket match.

[+ object + infinitive without to] I watched him get into a taxi.

I got the feeling I was being watched.

[+ object + -ingverb] I sit by the window and watch people walkingpast.

[+ question word]Just watch how he slides that ball in past the goalkeeper.

Bonner watched helplessly as the ball sneaked in at the near post.

She'll pretend that she hasn't seen us - you watch.

•

[T] to stay with something or someone such as a child for a short time to make certain that they are safe

If you want me to watch the kids for a couple of hours while you go out, just let me know.

Could you watch my bags for me, while I go to the toilet?

/spɒt//spɑːt/ (-tt-)

[T] to see or notice someone or something, usually because you are looking hard

I've just spotted Malcolm - he's over there, near the entrance.

If you spot any mistakes in the article just mark them with a pencil.

[+ -ing verb] The police spotted him driving a stolen car.

[+ question word] I soon spotted what was wrong with the printer.

[+ that] The policewoman spottedthat I hadn't got my seat belt on and signalled me to stop.

/əbˈzɜːv//-ˈzɝːv/ [T]

slightly formal to watch carefully the way something happens or the way someone does something, especially in order to learn more about it

The role of scientists is to observe and describe the world, not to try to control it.

[+ question word]He spent a year in the jungle, observinghowdeforestation is affecting local tribes.

Children learn by observing adults.

/geɪz/ [I usually + adverb or preposition]

to look at something or someone for a long time, especially in surprise, admiration or because you are thinking about something else

Annette gazed admiringly atWarren as he spoke.

He spends hours gazing out of the window when he should be working.

/steər//ster/ [Ior T]

to look for a long time with the eyes wide open, especially when surprised, frightened or thinking

Don't stare atpeople like that, it's rude.

Chuck sat quietly for hours staring into the distance, thinking of what might have been.

to look directly and continuously at someone or something in an angry way

She glared angrily ateveryone and stormed out of the room.

/glɑːnt s//glænt s/

[I usually + adverb or preposition] to give a quick short look

She glancedaround/round the room to see who was there.

He glanced up from his book as I passed.

/piːk/ [I]

to look, especially for a short time or while trying to avoid being seen

Close your eyes. Don't peek. I've got a surprise for you.

I peeked out the window to see who was there.

The children peeked over the wall to see where the ball had gone.

The film peeks behind the scenes of a multinational corporation.

/pɪər//pɪr/ [Iusually + adverb or preposition]

to look carefully or with difficulty

When no one answered the door, she peeredthrough the window to see if anyone was there.

The driver was peering into the distance trying to read the road sign.

mainly US to go to watch a film or performance, or to visit a place such as a museum

I thought we might get something to eat and then take in a movie.

/ˈnəʊ.tɪs//ˈnoʊ.t ̬ɪs/

•

[I or T] to see or become conscious of something or someone

I noticed a crack in the ceiling.

Mary waved at the man but he didn't seem to notice.

[+ (that)] He noticed (that) the woman was staring at him.

[+ question word]Did you notice howshe did that?

/ˈwɪt.nəs/ [T]

•

to see something happen, especially an accident or crime

Did anyone witness the attack?

They were staying in the capital at the time of the riots and witnessed several street battles.

[+ -ing verb] He arrived home just in time to witness his brother beingtaken away by the police.

•

to be present at an event and to sign your name as proof that it happened or that it was done correctly

Her will was drawn up by a solicitor and witnessed by two colleagues.

PHRASAL VERBS

see to sth/sb

to deal with something that needs doing or to help someone who needs your help
The cats need feeding twice a day, but Paula's seeing to that.
Would you like any help or are you being seen to?
Please see to it that no one enters without identification.

take in sth or take sth in

to look at something carefully, noticing all the details
We took a cable car to the top of the mountain and took in the magnificent views.

to understand the meaning or importance of news or information, or to understand and remember facts
She had to read the letter twice before she could take the news in.
It was quite an interesting lecture but there was just too much to take in.

(mainly American) to go to watch a film or performance, or to visit a place [e.g. museum, gallery] for enjoyment
I thought we might get something to eat and then take in a movie.
We took in a couple of galleries while we were in New York.

to include something
The three-week cruise will take in the islands of Corfu and Crete.
Her work takes in a wide range of subjects from motherhood to madness.

to take your car or a faulty piece of equipment to a place where it can be examined and repaired
I took my car in to have the exhaust repaired.

to earn money by doing jobs at home [e.g. washing, sewing] for other people
After her husband died, she supported herself by taking in washing.

if people, animals, or plants take in a substance that they need [e.g. air, water, food], they make that substance enter their body, for example by breathing or swallowing
Plants take in water through their roots.
He sat down quickly and took in several large gulps of air.

look after sb/sth

to take care of someone or something by doing what is needed to keep them well or in good condition
Do you think you could look after the cat while we're away?
If you look after your clothes, they last a lot longer.
Don't worry about Jenny, she can look after herself. [sometimes reflexive]
I made sure that the animals were well looked after. [used as adj]

look ahead

to think about what will happen in the future and plan for these events
Like any company, we've got to look ahead and plan for the future.
We're trying to look ahead and see what our options are.

look around/round(swh)

to walk through a building or around a place and look at the things in it
I didn't have time to look round the shops.
It's such a beautiful city, it's a shame we didn't have more time to look around.

look back

to think about or remember something that happened in the past
When I look back, I'm amazed that I coped so well after his death.
It wasn't such a bad experience when I look back on it. [often + on]

look down on sb/sth

to think that someone is less important than you, or to think that something is not good enough quality for you to use
You shouldn't look down on him just because he left school at 16.
She tends to look down on anything that is mass-produced.

look for sth/sb

to try to find something or someone, either because you have lost them or because you need them
Have you seen my gloves? I've been looking for them all week.
I was looking for Andy. Do you know where he is?
How long have you been looking for a job?

look out for sb/sth

to carefully watch the people or things around you so that you will notice a particular person or thing
Remember to look out for Anna - she said she'd be there.
Can you look out for a present for Ed while you're out shopping?

look through sth

to carefully examine the contents of something or a collection of things in order to find something
I've looked through her drawers but I can't find the letter.
Why don't you look through these files and see if the document's there?

to read something quickly and not very carefully
Could you look through these figures and see if I've made any obvious errors?

look up sth or look sthup

to look at a book or computer in order to find a piece of information
Can you look up the French word for 'marrow'?
I'm not sure what his number is. You'll have to look it up in the telephone directory.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 10-13 May

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 09 May 2010 17:14:00 +0000

Weekly Schedule 10-13 May

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GRAMMAR NO. 11: Tell vs. Say

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 02 May 2010 18:10:00 +0000

EXPLANATION

Say and tell have similar meanings. They both mean to communicate verbally with someone. But we often use them differently.

The simple way to think of say and tell is:

You say something
You tell someone something

You say something	You tell someone something
Ram said that he was tired.	Ram told Jane that he was tired.
Anthony says you have a new job.	Anthony tells me you have a new job.
Tara said: "I love you."	Tara told John that she loved him.

But, of course, it is not always so easy. Here are a few rules to help you.

Personal object
We usually follow tell with a personal object (the person that we are speaking to). We usually use say without a personal object:

She told me that she loved John.
She said that she loved John.
He told everybody that he had to leave.
He said that he had to leave.

Say "to someone"
With say, we sometimes use "to someone":

He said to me that he was tired.
Tara said to Ram that he had done very well.
Anthony said to her, "I hope you come soon."
"I'd like to sleep," she said to him quietly.

Direct speech
We can use say with direct speech. We use tell only with direct speech that is an instruction or information:

Amanda said, "Hello John. How are you?"
"That's great'" she said.
He told her: "Open the door quietly."
She told me, "I have never been to England."

We can use say with direct questions, but we cannot use tell:

She said: "Do you love me?"
The policeman said to the prisoner, "Where were you at 8pm?"

Reported speech
We can use say and tell to talk about reported information:

She said that it was raining.
She told me that she would call at 2pm.

Orders, advice

We use tell + object + infinitive for orders or advice:

She told him to sit down.
They told me not to wait.
Tell Neil to have a holiday and forget her.

Phrases
Here are a few fixed phrases with tell. We cannot use say with these phrases:

tell (someone) a story
tell (someone) a lie
tell (someone) the truth
tell the future (= to know what the future will bring)
tell the time (= know how to read a clock)

PRACTICE
http://unamsanantoniolab.com/eng/troublesomeverbs/saytell.htm
http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/say-tell.html
http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2007/oct/08quiz.htm
http://www.eslpartyland.com/quiz-center/saytell.htm
http://www.quia.com/jq/17862.html

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 3-6 MAY

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 02 May 2010 18:09:00 +0000

Weekly Schedule 3-6 May

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VOCABULARY NO. 10: Animals

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:10:00 +0000

PREPARATION

In our session today we will review our vocabulary on animals.

The first thing we are going to do is to take a piece of paper and pencil and write down as many animals as we can remember. We are going to do this on different steps:

1. We can start by writing down the names of farm animals. How many can you remember?

2. How about names of insects?

3. Animals that live in the sea, water?

4. Animals that live in forests? rainforest, savannah?

A QUIZ

Now, take a look at the following pictures and see how many words you can remember:

Vocabulary animals
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PRACTICE

http://iteslj.org/v/ei/animals.html

http://www.eflnet.com/vocab/animal_vocabulary.php

http://www.manythings.org/lulu/

http://www.englishclub.com/esl-quizzes/vocabulary-1-animals.htm

GRAMMAR NO. 10: Direct Vs. Indirect Speech

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 15:37:00 +0000

Many times, we need to express, not our direct opinion, but someone else's opinion. That is, we are not really transmitting the message but rather acting as a "representive" for someone else. There are 2 ways in English to do this: Direct speech and Indirect or Reported Speech

DIRECT SPEECH

Direct speech involves repeating the exact words that were pronounced by the other person. For example:

a) She said, "Today Alfonso will give his presentation"
or
b) "Today Alfonso will give his presentation", she said

This style detaches us from what the other person has said.

INDIRECT (REPORTED) SPEECH

In indirect speech, we don't detach so much from what the other person said. It is true that we are using someone else's words, but it is also true that we incorporate this into our own discourse.

The most important reporting verb is to say, which can be followed or not by that. For example:

D: I am depressed
I: She said (that) she was depressed

Several questions must be taken into account when using reporting speech: changes in verb tenses and the use of the pragmatically appropriate reporting verb.

1) Changes in verb tenses

The most important grammatical aspect of Reported Speech is that several changes take place.

Present Simple -> Past Simple
She said, "It's cold" -> She said it was cold

Present Continuous -> Past Continuous
She said, "I'm teaching English" -> She said she was teaching English

Present Perfect Continuous -> Past Perfect Continuous
She said, "He has been eating noodles for almost an hour" -> She said he had been eating noodles for almost an hour

Past Simple -> Past Perfect
She said, "I was in Baltimore last week" -> She said she had been to Baltimore the previous week"

Past Continuous -> Past Perfect Continuous
She said, "I was taking a shower earlier" -> She said she had been taking a shower earlier

Past Perfect -> Past Perfect (NO CHANGE)
She said, "The class had already started" -> She said the class had already started

Past Perfect Continuous -> Past Perfect Continuous (NO CHANGE)
She said, "I'd already been running for 35 minutes" -> She said she had already been running for 35 minutes"

Modal verbs also change:

Will -> Would
She said, "I'll meet Carmen tomorrow" -> She said she would meet Carmen the following day"

Can -> Could
She said, "I can email you the images" -> She said she could email me the images

Must -> Had to
She said, "I must concentrate now" -> She said she had to concentrate then

Shall -> Should
She said, "Where shall we go today?" -> She asked where we should go that day

May -> Might
She said, "May I open a new browser?" -> She asked if she might open a new browser

2) Changes in adverbs of time and personal pronouns

When reporting speech, we need to accommodate intratextual references, that is: time and personal pronouns. We need to correctly indicate the person in pronouns. For example:
She said, "I can email you the images" -> She said she could email me the images
We must also accommodate for time, and always depending on the new relation established between the time when we report the speech and the time this speech was uttered. For example:
She said, "Where shall we go today?" -> She asked where we should go that day
is correct, but
She said, "Where shall we go today?" -> She asked where we should go today
can be equally correct if we are reporting speech on the same day that speech was first pronounced.

3) Reporting verbs

The most common verb to be used in Reported Speech is to say. But English uses many other verbs. Why? Well, because by using these verbs we "explain" what the speech was about. For example, if we report a question, we should use to ask, if we report a command, we should use to tell. English likes to be very detailed when it comes to meaning (no doubt there are so many different verbs to express the action of walking and similar, for example, walk, stroll, go, come, leap, hop, jog, jump, skip, run, etc. This semantic specification is characteristic of the language). An important thing to remember is that these reporting verbs connect the speech we are reporting in a different way. See:

A1: Would you like to go out with me?
A2: He asked me if I would like to go out with him

B1: When should I pick you up?
B2: He asked me when he should pick me up

C1: Don't be sad about that
C2: He told me not to be sad about that

Below you will find a list of these reporting verbs and how they establish the connection:

verb + object + infinitive
advise
encourage
invite
remind
warn
e.g. He advised me not to take the bus

verb + infinitive
agree
decide
offer
promise
refuse
threaten
e.g. He agreed to come with me

verb + (that)
admit
agree
decide
deny
explain
insist
promise
recommend
suggest
e.g. He admitted (that) he was wrong

verb + ing
deny
recommend
suggest
e.g. He denied having called me on Wednesday

verb + object + preposition + ing
accuse
blame
congratulate
e.g. He congratulated me for working so hard

verb + preposition + gerund
apologize
insist
e.g. He apologized for not calling me on Wednesday

FURTHER EXPLANATION AND PRACTICE
Take a quiz here: http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_reported1.htm
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/reported-speech
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises_list/reported.htm
http://www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/liaison.php?liaison=_direct_
http://www.eslpartyland.com/quiz-center/rptspeech1.htm

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 26 - 29 April

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 15:33:00 +0000

Weekly schedule26 29 apr

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READING NO. 9: 6 Career-Killing Facebook Mistakes

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 15:26:00 +0000

With more than 400 million active visitors, Facebook is arguably the most popular social networking site out there. And while the site is known for the casual social aspect, many users also use it as a professional networking tool. With that kind of reach, Facebook can be a valuable tool for connecting to former and current colleagues, clients and potential employers. In fact, surveys suggest that approximately 30% of employers are using Facebook to screen potential employees – even more than those who check LinkedIn, a strictly professional social networking site. Don't make these Facebook faux-pas – they might cost you a great opportunity.

Inappropriate Pictures
It may go without saying, but prospective employers or clients don't want to see pictures of you chugging a bottle of wine or dressed up for a night at the bar. Beyond the pictures you wouldn't want your grandparents to see, seemingly innocent pictures of your personal life will likely not help to support the persona you want to present in your professional life.
Complaining About Your Current Job
You've no doubt done this at least once. It could be a full note about how much you hate your office, or how incompetent your boss is, or it could be as innocent as a status update about how your coworker always shows up late. While everyone complains about work sometimes, doing so in a public forum where it can be found by others is not the best career move. Though it may seem innocent, it's not the kind of impression that sits well with a potential boss.
Posting Conflicting Information to Your Resume
If you say on your resume that your degree is from Harvard, but your Facebook profile says you went to UCLA, you're likely to be immediately cut from the interview list. Even if the conflict doesn't leave you looking better on your resume, disparities will make you look at worst like a liar, and at best careless. (Social networking can also be used as its own job. Learn more in Make Money With Social Networking Sites.)
Statuses You Wouldn't Want Your Boss to See
Everyone should know to avoid statuses like "Tom plans to call in sick tomorrow so he can get drunk on a Wednesday. Who cares that my big work project isn't done?" But you should also be aware of less flamboyant statuses like "Sarah is watching the gold medal hockey game online at her desk". Statuses that imply you are unreliable, deceitful, and basically anything that doesn't make you look as professional as you'd like, can seriously undermine your chances at landing that new job.
Not Understanding Your Security Settings
The security settings on Facebook have come a long way since the site started. It is now possible to customize lists of friends and decide what each list can and cannot see. However, many people do not fully understand these settings, or don't bother to check who has access to what. If you are going to use Facebook professionally, and even if you aren't, make sure you take the time to go through your privacy options. At the very least, your profile should be set so that people who are not your friend cannot see any of your pictures or information. (These rules apply to Twitter as well, and you can also use Twitter to find a new job. Find out more in Tweet Your Way To A Sweet Job.)
Losing By Association
You can't control what your friends post to your profile (although you can remove it once you see it), nor what they post to their own profiles or to those of mutual friends. If a potential client or employer sees those Friday night pictures your friend has tagged you in where he is falling down drunk, it reflects poorly on you, even if the picture of you is completely innocent. It's unfortunate, but we do judge others by the company they keep, at least to some extent. Take a look at everything connected to your profile, and keep an eye out for anything you wouldn't want to show your mother.

Facebook Can Help You Get Hired … Or Fired
The best advice is to lock down your personal profile so that only friends you approve can see anything on that profile. Then, create a second, public profile on Facebook purely for professional use. This profile functions like an online resume, and should only contain information you'd be comfortable telling your potential employer face to face. Having a social networking profile is a good thing – it presents you as technologically and professionally savvy. Just make sure your profile is helping to present your best side – not the side that got drunk at your buddy's New Year's party.

After reading the book, how many of these mistakes you can remember?

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 12-15 April

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 15:26:00 +0000

Weekly Schedule12-15 Apr

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GRAMMAR NO. 8: "like" vs. "as"

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:55:00 +0000

A. Making comparisons: "like" and "as" has the same meaning

We use like and as to make comparisons. In this respect, they have exactly the same meaning. The difference is that like is a preposition and as is a conjunction. That is, like is used before a noun and as is used before a verb/clause. For example:

He speaks like a native speaker
He speaks as a native speaker would do

Sometimes, English speakers use like for both uses, but that is only possible in informal English.

We play football like champions do

B. To express what the role/function of a person/thing is: "as"

Another use of as is to say what the role/function of a person/thing is.

He started to work as a carpenter.
She used the tapestry as a decoration in her living room.

*** VERY IMPORTANT
Functions A. and B. can be, sometimes, difficult to distinguish. Pay attention to the following examples:

As your boss, I must warn you to be careful. (I am your boss.)
Like your boss, I must warn you to be careful. (I am not your boss, but he/she and I have similar attitudes.)

C. "As if"

In English we also use as if to make comparisons. However it has a few distinct characteristics to its use:

1. The verb after AS IF is always in the past subjunctive, no matter what tense the sentence is.

2. If the verb BE directly follows AS IF, we use were for all personal pronouns.

He looks as if he knew the answer.

(The verbs LOOKS indicates this sentence is in the present – but the verb after AS IF – knew - is in the past subjuntive).

She walks as if she were a supermodel.

(The verb after AS IF – be – has been changed to were and not was).

He boarded the airplane as if he were a seasoned traveller.
He spends money as if he owned a bank.

D. Other uses of "like" and "as"

LIKE:

VARIANT MEANING	EXAMPLES
OF THE SAME FORM (adj.)	I haven't seen a like model. We collect trains, cars, buses and like models.
OF THE SAME FORM (noun)	I haven't seen its like. We collect model t trains, cars, buses and their like.
CHARACTERISTIC (prep.)	It would be like him to forget my birthday.
SIMILAR OR COMPARABLE (prep.)	There is nothing like a tall cold drink.
EXAMPLE (adv.)	You could take up a hobby, like fishing, hiking or cycling.
SIMILAR OR COMPARABLE (adv.)	He was a hippie-like guy with a tie-dye T-shirt.
INCLINED (idiom–prep.)	Do you feel like going to a movie?
PROMISE / INDICATIVE (idiom- prep.)	It (the sky) looks like rain today.
REQUEST-PREFER (idiom–verb)	I'd like you to come with us.
SUIT YOUR PREFERENCE (idiom–verb)	You can come or you can go as you like.

Informal - Like

ATTENTION GETTER (interjection)	Like, has anyone seen my cell phone lying around?
HESITATOR (uh.. or well...)	We were more... like... borrowing his car.
INTRODUCE REPORTED SPEECH	He's like, "You're totally wrong, " and I'm like, "No, way!"
AN EQUAL (idiom)	We haven't seen the likes of him before.
AS IF (conj.)	I felt like I could stay there forever. (informal for as if)

AS:

VARIANT MEANING	EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE (adv.)	Some flowers, as the rose, require a lot of care.
CONSIDERED TO BE (adv.)	We view the church and state as two separate entities.
IN THE MANNER (adv.)	He paid for the room and dinner as agreed. (as we had agreed.)
AT THE TIME (conj)	Please pay as you leave.
WITH THE PURPOSE (conj.)	The speaker spoke so convincingly as to rally everyone to unite.
SINCE / BECAUSE (conj.)	As you are up, will you please get me a glass of water.
THOUGH (conj.)	Smart as he may be, he forgot to consider his own weaknesses.
THAT (pronoun)	I have had the same problem as you have.
TO THE EXTENT (idiom.)	As far as I know, we still aren't done yet.
WHILE (idiom.)	As long as he is here, we'll never have peace!
IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION (idiom.)	I bought the car as is. (in a non-negotiable, no-guarantee condition)
ALSO (idiom.)	They are resourceful, intelligent as well as compassionate.
IN RESPECT TO (idiom.)	As for traveling to the war-zone, I wouldn't advise it.
BEGINNING (idiom.)	As of April 1st, we are no longer accepting credit cards

PRACTICE
1. An easy one: http://www.grammar.cl/Games/Like_vs_As.htm
2. Another short one: http://www.better-english.com/grammar/aslike.htm
2. Lots of exercises to choose from: http://www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/liaison.php?liaison=_as-like_

LISTENING NO. 8: A lecture on Psychology

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:22:00 +0000

First, let's listen to the following lecture on Psychology. We will listen to the first minutes. Do not watch the video, just listen:

LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Take notes on the following information that this teacher gives at the beginning of his talk:
1) Name of the course
2) Year and term
3) Location of the teacher's office (place and office number)
4) Phone number
5) Email
6) Website
7) Office hours
8) Class methodology
9) Class timetable
10) When are discussion sections meeting?
11) When will discussion sections begin?
12)Explain the organization of the discussion sections
13) How does he call the students who are going to teach the discussion sections?
14) Can you write down the areas to which these students belong?

READING NO. 8: Effects of Global Warming

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 23:33:00 +0000

The planet is warming, from North Pole to South Pole, and everywhere in between. Globally, the mercury is already up more than 1 degree Fahrenheit (0.8 degree Celsius), and even more in sensitive polar regions. And the effects of rising temperatures aren’t waiting for some far-flung future. They’re happening right now. Signs are appearing all over, and some of them are surprising. The heat is not only melting glaciers and sea ice, it’s also shifting precipitation patterns and setting animals on the move.

Some impacts from increasing temperatures are already happening.

Ice is melting worldwide, especially at the Earth’s poles. This includes mountain glaciers, ice sheets covering West Antarctica and Greenland, and Arctic sea ice.
Researcher Bill Fraser has tracked the decline of the Adélie penguins on Antarctica, where their numbers have fallen from 32,000 breeding pairs to 11,000 in 30 years.
Sea level rise became faster over the last century.
Some butterflies, foxes, and alpine plants have moved farther north or to higher, cooler areas.
Precipitation (rain and snowfall) has increased across the globe, on average.
Spruce bark beetles have boomed in Alaska thanks to 20 years of warm summers. The insects have chewed up 4 million acres of spruce trees.

Other effects could happen later this century, if warming continues.

Sea levels are expected to rise between 7 and 23 inches (18 and 59 centimeters) by the end of the century, and continued melting at the poles could add between 4 and 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters).
Hurricanes and other storms are likely to become stronger.
Species that depend on one another may become out of sync. For example, plants could bloom earlier than their pollinating insects become active.
Floods and droughts will become more common. Rainfall in Ethiopia, where droughts are already common, could decline by 10 percent over the next 50 years.
Less fresh water will be available. If the Quelccaya ice cap in Peru continues to melt at its current rate, it will be gone by 2100, leaving thousands of people who rely on it for drinking water and electricity without a source of either.
Some diseases will spread, such as malaria carried by mosquitoes.
Ecosystems will change—some species will move farther north or become more successful; others won’t be able to move and could become extinct. Wildlife research scientist Martyn Obbard has found that since the mid-1980s, with less ice on which to live and fish for food, polar bears have gotten considerably skinnier. Polar bear biologist Ian Stirling has found a similar pattern in Hudson Bay. He fears that if sea ice disappears, the polar bears will as well.

Source for climate information: IPCC, 2007

VOCABULARY

far-flung: /ˌfɑːˈflʌŋ/ US /ˌfɑːr-/ adj literary

describes places that are a great distance away, or something that is spread over a very large area

e.g. The news spread to all corners of our far-flung empire.

shifting (to shift):/ʃɪft/ v

• [I or T] to (cause something or someone to) move or change from one position or direction to another, especially slightly

She shifted (her weight) uneasily from one foot to the other.

The wind is expected to shift (to the east) tomorrow.

Media attention has shifted recently onto environmental issues.

• [T] mainly US to move the gears of a vehicle into different positions in order to make it go faster or slower

In cars that are automatics, you don't have to bother with shifting gears.

breeding: /ˈbriː.dɪŋ/ n [U]

• the keeping of animals or plants in order to breed from them

The family's business was horse-breeding.

We used to keep pigs for breeding purposes.

• when animals have sex and reproduce

The penguins' breeding season has begun.

bark: /bɑːk/ US /bɑːrk/ n

[U] the hard outer covering of a tree

boomed: /buːm/ v

[I] to increase or become successful and produce a lot of money very quickly

OFTEN in continuous tenses

The leisure industry is booming.

booming

adjective /ˈbuː.mɪŋ/

chewed: /tʃuː/ v [I or T]

• to crush food into smaller, softer pieces with the teeth so that it can be swallowed

This meat is difficult to chew.

You don't chew your food enough - that's why you get indigestion.

• to bite something with your teeth, usually in order to taste its flavour

Would you like some gum to chew?

She gave the children some sweets to chew (on) during the long car journey.

She sat in the dentist's waiting room, nervously chewing (at) (= biting) her nails.

out of sync: (in/out of sync)

If two things are in/out of sync, they reach the same or related stage at the same time/at different times.

bloom: /bluːm/ v [I]

When a flower blooms, it opens or is open, and when a plant or tree blooms it produces flowers

These flowers will bloom all through the summer.

droughts: /draʊt/ n [C or U]

a long period when there is little or no rain

This year (a) severe drought has ruined the crops.

cap: /kæp/ n [C]

• a small usually protective lid or cover

The camera has a lens cap to protect the lens surface.

• an artificial protective covering on a tooth

• a mass of ice and snow that permanently covers a large area of land (e.g., the polar regions or a mountain peak)

• a soft flat hat which has a curved part sticking out at the front, often worn as part of a uniform

• a thin hat that stops your hair getting wet when swimming or taking a shower

a shower/swimming cap

• UK a hat given to someone who plays for their national team in a particular sport, or a player who receives this

Davis has 17 Scottish caps (= has played for Scotland 17 times).

The team contains five international caps.

spread: /spred/ v [I or T] (spread, spread)

• to (cause to) cover, reach or have an effect on a wider or increasing area

The fire spread very rapidly because of the strong wind.

It started off as cancer of the liver but it spread to other areas of the body.

The redundancies are spread across the clothing, banking and building industries.

We spread the picnic rug out on the ground and sat down to eat.

The AIDS virus is spread (= given to other people) through contact with blood and other body fluids.

Are you spreading (= telling a lot of people) gossip/rumours again?

If we spread (= divide) the work between us, it won't seem so bad.

She spread her toast with a thick layer of butter./She spread a thick layer of butter on her toast.

It's a special sort of butter that spreads easily even when cold.

The suburbs spread (out) for miles to either side of the city.

Slowly a smile spread across her face.

skinnier (skinny): /ˈskɪn.i/ adj

• (mainly disapproving) very thin

You should eat more, you're much too skinny.

LISTENING COMPREHENSION

1. What effects that are currently happening because of global warming can you remember?

2. What animals have been mentioned in the text?

3. How many effects of the global warming can you remember that may happen in this century?

4. How much will sea level rise?

5. How may polar bears be affected?

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 5 - 8 April

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 23:32:00 +0000

Weekly Schedule5-8 April

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VOCABULARY NO. 7: In class

noreply@blogger.com (Teresa Lopez-Soto) — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:57:00 +0000

In our session today, we will review some words related to a class/classroom. We are going to use 2 online tools to find out the meaning of them.

1) OBJECTS: Use Google Images to understand the meaning of the following words:

pencil

pen

eraser

pencil sharpener

folder

binder

notebook

staple

stapler

notepad

bookmark

chalk

square

bevel

ruler

drawing compass ("o" here is pronounced as in "son", "come")

crayon

coloring pencils

marker

bulletin board

OHP

bookcase

booklet

2) VERBS and misc: We will use Google define: to find out the meaning of the following words:

to read out loud

to write down

to hand out/hand in

to turn in

to grade

to collect

to proctor

a deadline

office hours

a tutorial

a seminar

a lecture

a section

an instructor

a professor

a teacher

a teaching assistant

schedule

tentative weekly schedule

a syllabus

a class

a classroom

a tutor

timetable

exam calendar

Intensive English Course for Psychology Professors

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 31 May

LISTENING NO. 14: Earthquakes

snap verb (BREAK)

grind verb (RUB)

rumble verb (SOUND)

rumble noun

drain (draining) verb (REMOVE LIQUID)

chasm noun

PRONUNCIATION NO. 14: Connected Speech

LISTENING NO. 14: Adrenaline Rush

PRONUNCIATION NO. 14: Long Words

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 24-27 May

LISTENING NO. 13: Nose bleed

LISTENING NO. 13: How to make candy apples

handy adjective (USEFUL)

skewer noun

coat noun (COVER)

GRAMMAR NO. 13: A verb Thesaurus: think

think verb (CONSIDER)

consider verb (OPINION)

contemplate verb

brood verb

reflect verb (THINK)

deem verb

ponder verb

muse verb

believe verb

imagine verb

guess verb

hope verb

suppose verb (THINK LIKELY)

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 17-20 May

LISTENING NO. 12: How to make candy apples

handy adjective (USEFUL)

skewer noun

coat noun (COVER)

coat noun (COVER)

GRAMMAR NO. 12: A verb Thesaurus: see

see verb (USE EYES)

look verb (SEE)

watch verb (LOOK AT)

spot verb (SEE)

observe verb (WATCH)

gaze verb

stare verb

During the press conference, each boxer tried to stare the otherdown/UK also out(= force the other to look away by continual staring)

glare verb (LOOK) /gleər //gler/ [I]

glare verb (LOOK)

glance verb (LOOK)

Could you glanceover/through this letter and see if it's alright?

peek verb

peer verb

take sth in phrasal verb (WATCH)

notice verb

witness verb (BE PRESENT)

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 10-13 May

GRAMMAR NO. 11: Tell vs. Say

EXPLANATION

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 3-6 MAY

VOCABULARY NO. 10: Animals

GRAMMAR NO. 10: Direct Vs. Indirect Speech

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 26 - 29 April

READING NO. 9: 6 Career-Killing Facebook Mistakes

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 12-15 April

GRAMMAR NO. 8: "like" vs. "as"

LISTENING NO. 8: A lecture on Psychology

READING NO. 8: Effects of Global Warming

booming

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 5 - 8 April

VOCABULARY NO. 7: In class

glare verb (LOOK)
/gleər //gler/ [I]