In the years to come, what will you remember from your English lessons? Hopefully it’s something fun and positive. But if you have some negative memories, even then there’s something that makes language learning come alive – emotions.

In fact, you can’t really learn much without being emotionally involved somehow.

When I first meet a potential student, they usually tell me they need more grammar. If only they had a better grammatical knowledge, everything would be alright, they say.

Don’t get me wrong – grammar has its place and it’s something I do in my classes. But beyond grammar and today’s lesson that you attended, what are you doing all this for?

Is your goal really to get better at grammar?

Aren’t you doing all this because you want to travel around the world and use English to get by wherever you go? Or perhaps you want to set up a business where you’ll have clients who speak English?

Or because you want to understand films from the English-speaking world?

Or perhaps you want to make real and lasting friendships with people who don’t speak your language?

Your English lessons are a great way to get started on the way to achieving these goals. If you’re attending a group class at a private language school, for example, then it means you have 9 other people in your group who you can talk to, get to know, and exchange opinions, ideas and perspectives with. On top of this, there’s your teacher, who may have a whole world of different perspectives and thoughts to your own.

But if you see learning languages as pretty much doing grammar, then you’ll miss out on some of the best things you can get from taking a course.

My dance instructor tells me that zouk is all about the connection, and I’ll add it’s the same for learning a language too.

The lessons you’ll remember are those that gave you an emotional experience, hopefully a positive one. And you’ll remember those times you had a special moment with your classmates or your teacher.

So that’s your homework for this week – to step beyond the grammar, and see if you can find out a little more about the others in your course.

To make a connection.

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Image: me

Author information

David Sweetnam

Owner at Engage s.r.o Prague

Hi, I'm a teacher of English from Australia. I write tips on learning English on two main blogs: Get Into English and Link in English. If you're looking for a trainer in Brno or Prague, please feel free to contact me.

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Czech students are so obsessed about grammar and knowing all the ‘rules’ that they forget something: grammar is just one ingredient used in communication to express yourself and understand others. To switch things around, here are some practical ways you can use the present simple verb form in small talk and everyday conversation.

Giving personal information and describing your routine

I live in Melbourne (note: I’m living in Melbourne sounds like you see this as a temporary thing)
I have 2 brothers.
I’m married/single/divorced
I wake up at 7 o’clock.
At the weekend, I usually have breakfast on our balcony and talk with the kids.
I take the car to work and get into the office at about 9.
One of my favourite things to do during the week is to have my morning cup of coffee at Bill’s Cafe.

Talking about your job and responsibilities

I work for a large French company.
I work in South Melbourne.
I work at the building around the corner.
I’m in charge of the finance department.
I take care of the kids when Julie’s at work.
My work involves preparing for meetings and giving presentations.
I’m responsible for ensuring all invoices are tracked and accounted for.

Talking about your likes and dislikes

I really like/love U2.
I’m a big fan of Elton John.
I’m really into opera and classical music.
I don’t mind golf, though it’s a little boring.
I’m not into boxing, sorry.
I can’t stand Elton John.
I hate American football, what a dopey sport.
I enjoy listening to heavy metal and opera.

Giving your opinion

Note that verbs of opinion are usually in the simple form, while actions are in the continuous. For example:
I think he’s a wonderful person (opinion)
I’m thinking about my next holiday (action right now)

I think/reckon President Obama is a total fraud.
I believe he’s the best player of all time.
I don’t think he’ll do that.
Sorry, but I feel it’s not the right time to do this.
I don’t believe that’s true.
In my opinion, this just isn’t right.

What about Prague for our next holiday? What do you think/reckon?

Talking about people

He’s a great/fun/boring/ok guy.
She dances really well, I really like the way she moves.
My uncle’s great, a good laugh.
What surprises/interests me about him is his wicked sense of humour.
What I like/don’t like about her is that she’s so impatient.

Responding to your friend in conversation

Yeah, definitely, that‘s for sure.
I don’t think so at all.
Really? Why is that?
I totally agree/disagree.
I don’t agree at all.
You don’t believe that, do you?!
That’s a classic!
That’s great/wonderful/terrible!
I’m not so sure about that, Hank.

Texting/telephoning/emailing

Lots of phrases can be used in the present simple, just like in conversation:

What are you up to, John?
Do you fancy a drink?
How about we go for a swim later?
I look forward to it.
I can’t wait til later!
Let’s meet in front of the Swamp Hotel.

Speculating

He seems to be more tired than usual.
She can’t be American – I think she’s Australian with that hat!
He’s probably in his 30′s. He can’t be older.
She must be late – her car’s not here yet.

Talking about facts

Paris has a population of 8 million people.
President Obushma is the most popular president since the 1980′s.
Victoria is located in southern Australia.

So to sum up, you can see that you can do a lot with this basic verb form. After that, it’s a matter of improving your vocabulary!

The 3 most common mistakes to watch out for

1. Incorrect: * He go to the opera every Sunday.

Students of all levels sometimes say this. Don’t forget the -S for he/she/it:

-> He goes to the opera every Sunday.

2. Incorrect: * I know him 5 years.

You met him 5 years ago, and you have known him ever since. So:

-> I’ve known him for 5 years (present perfect form)

3. Incorrect: * At the moment, I stay in a hotel.

As you see this as a temporary period of time, use the present continuous:

-> I’m staying in a hotel.

Grammar and the speaker’s perspective

Sometimes you can use either the present simple or the present continuous, it just depends on how you see things at the time. For example, right now I am visiting family in Melbourne. To some people I’ve said:

I’m visiting family (I am here temporarily)

To other people I’ve said:

I live in South Melbourne.

This might be because it’s easier to say I live here permanently than to then get all the follow up questions on where I *usually* live!

In a similar way, compare the businessman who travels between Paris and the Middle East:

I live in Dubai (he says to a girl he just met)

I’m visiting Dubai (he says to a girl he likes back in Paris – he wants her to know this is just temporary!)

To sum up, grammar is a tool to help you communicate your idea. It’s just one ingredient in communicating your message, and it’s up to you to choose the ‘grammar’ which best fits your perspective or the message you wish to put across. There are other ingredients too, however, like how you say things, and what vocabulary you choose.

Finally, you can see today’s uses above of the present simple form as being about grammar, or you can learn the above sentences lexically.

In other words, instead of worrying about the grammatical rules, you could remember the above as phrases, with grammar ‘built in’.

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Image Akk_rus
Licence CC by 2.0

Author information

David Sweetnam

Owner at Engage s.r.o Prague

Hi, I'm a teacher of English from Australia. I write tips on learning English on two main blogs: Get Into English and Link in English. If you're looking for a trainer in Brno or Prague, please feel free to contact me.

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The present perfect is used to talk about events which have a connection between the past and now.

Knowing a few phrases with the present perfect built into it may help improve your understanding of this ‘tense’ as well as get you sounding more natural.

Just as a reminder, an example of the present perfect form is:

I’ve been to Japan.
She’s travelled to Sydney.

[HAVE/HAS + third form of the verb]

Here are 7 present perfect phrases which you can add into your conversations today:

“I’ve known her for ages.”

You met your friend a long time ago eg “I met her 3 years ago.”

But the time you know her began 3 years ago and continues until now. So that’s why it’s a present perfect phrase.

I’ve known her for ages | years | a long time

“I’ve had a tough day.”

If you see the day as being over and complete, you can use the past simple. But otherwise when you’re meeting up with friends or perhaps when you’re at lunch, you can use the present perfect to say how your day has been so far:

“I’ve had a great | boring | fun | tough | rough day at work. How about you?”

“This is the first time I’ve been here.”

Phrases starting with “This is the first time I…” are followed by the present perfect form.

So if you are at a place and you’ve never been there before, you say:

“This is the first time I’ve been here.”

Likewise, you can use these other variations:

“This is the first time I’ve done this | seen him so angry | seen this | heard about it.”

“I haven’t done it yet. I’ll do it now..”

Sometimes you need to do something. Perhaps it’s for work or a task someone has asked you to do. Often it comes up in conversation.

eg “Have you taken out the rubbish yet?”

That’s when you can reply:

“Sorry, I haven’t done it yet. I’ll do it now..”

Usually if you haven’t done something which you were asked to do, it’s good to add when you will get it done:

“Sorry, I haven’t done it yet. I’ll get it done first thing tomorrow.”

“I’ve had a great evening. Let’s do it again soon!”

Maybe you’ve just had a fun night out with a good friend of yours, or perhaps you’ve been on a date.

From the start of the evening until now, you’ve had a nice time. So that’s why you can say how your night has been:

I’ve had a   wondeful |  lovely  | great  time.

Then you can call your best friend and give another perspective:

“Simona, I’ve just had the WORST date of my life!”

“I’ve just met the man who I want to marry.”

“I’ve had enough.”

Imagine you’re not happy at work or with your boyfriend or girlfriend. You’ve reached your limit as to how much you can accept:

“Kate, I’ve had enough of this. Either you stop seeing your ex or we’re through!”

“I’m just tired of the same boring routine at work. There are no new challenges, I’ve had enough!”

“Have you heard?”

You’ve just heard some important news on the radio or from a friend, and now you want to tell someone:

“Have you heard? There’ll be an election in September!”

“Have you heard? Anna and Pavel are having a baby!”

And of course when you want to tell friends your news, you can use this in the same way:

“Have you heard? Jack and I have split up.”

Check out extra tips on learning English (especially spoken English phrases and expressions) on the Get Into English Facebook page!

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Let’s catch up – and 8 other phrasal verbs (with worksheet)

Author information

David Sweetnam

Owner at Engage s.r.o Prague

Hi, I'm a teacher of English from Australia. I write tips on learning English on two main blogs: Get Into English and Link in English. If you're looking for a trainer in Brno or Prague, please feel free to contact me.

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Jack was walking down the street, wondering what he’d tell his wife once he got home. Then he saw a familiar face:

- “Jack! How’s it going?!”

- “Oh, hi Bill, good to see you here, mate.”

- “You look a little down, everything alright?”

- “Well I..I invested all this money into this company, and now I find out they’re filing for bankruptcy.”

- “Oh, that’s terrible. I’ve been there, man. What are you going to do?”

I’ve been there

Usually I’ve been there means that sometime in your life, you have been to a particular place.

For example:

“I’ve been to Sydney. Had a great time.”

“I’ve never been to Tokyo, but I’d like to.”

However, I’ve been there can also be used to say you too have been in the same situation as your friend.

Often it’s used to express sympathy:

- “My girlfriend just dumped me – by text!”
- “Ouch, I’ve been there, man.”

It can also be used to express humour (and indeed other emotions):

- “I drank like a fish last night and now I can barely move without wanting to go to the bathroom.”
- “Yep, I’ve been there.”

- “I think I’m in love with my Spanish teacher.”
- “I’ve been there. Just don’t do what I did!”

Check out extra tips on learning English (especially spoken English phrases and expressions) on the Get Into English Facebook page!

Author information

David Sweetnam

Owner at Engage s.r.o Prague

Hi, I'm a teacher of English from Australia. I write tips on learning English on two main blogs: Get Into English and Link in English. If you're looking for a trainer in Brno or Prague, please feel free to contact me.

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The Jones family from London, England, arrive at their hotel in San Francisco, USA.

Hotel receptionist: Good morning, are you here to check in?

Mr Jones: Oh, I’m sorry, are you American?

Receptionist: Yes, I am Sir. How can I help you?

Mr Jones: Isn’t this a little bit embarrassing. The thing is, I’m not American and can’t speak American. Do you speak British English?

Receptionist: Now I wish my manager were here, Sir. He speaks British English. Sorry, I don’t. Do you want to check in?

Mr Jones: Yes, that’s right. We’ve just flown in from London, we’re a little tired and would like to go to our room as soon as possible.

Receptionist: Your room will be available in a moment, Sir.. London, isn’t that where everyone speaks British English?

Mr Jones: Indeed.

Receptionist: I’ve always wanted to go there, but I just don’t have the time to take British classes. How long do you think it would be for me to speak like you?

Mr Jones: Well, with a bit of effort, meeting people and having lessons, I’d say you should be conversational after about 6 months. What about us? We need to learn American.

Receptionist: Sir, first here’s your room key. It’s room five hundred twenty.

Mr Jones: Darling, did you catch that?

Mrs Jones: I know my numbers in American, I think she said five hundred AND twenty.

Mr Jones: Well spotted.

Receptionist: Second, for every British guest we have an American phrasebook. It helps you get by in restaurants, checking in to hotels, basic phrases and small talk. I think if you can use this during your stay you shouldn’t have a problem speaking with Americans.

Mr Jones: That’s a relief. I’ll study this tonight. Many thanks for your help, and sorry that you couldn’t understand us!

Receptionist: Not a problem Sir, you’re very welcome. Now if you could come this way, I’ll get our British porter to take you to your room. Have a nice day!

Mr Jones: Darling, what did she say?

Mrs Jones: I think that was a greeting. Just say ‘take care’ back to her.

Mr Jones: ‘Take care’?? How mad are these people..

Mrs Jones: Thank you very much – and have a nice day too!

A few moments later:

Receptionist: Just one second, Sir, Madam. Our British porter just called – he’s stuck in traffic. Instead, Bruce from Sydney will take your bags for you.

Mr Jones: Sydney?! Sorry, we don’t speak Australian at all.

Mrs Jones: That’s ok, darling. Maybe we can all use our American English phrasebooks. That way we’ll all get along fine.

Mr Jones: Splendid!

Check out extra tips on learning English (especially spoken English phrases and expressions) on the Get Into English Facebook page!

Photo credits

Image Goynang
Licence CC by 2.0

Author information

David Sweetnam

Owner at Engage s.r.o Prague

Hi, I'm a teacher of English from Australia. I write tips on learning English on two main blogs: Get Into English and Link in English. If you're looking for a trainer in Brno or Prague, please feel free to contact me.

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One song lighting up the Australian top ten this summer is Guy Sebastian’s new song, ‘Can we all just get along?‘

Songs are a great way to pick up some new English phrases and expressions. For example, Guy Sebastian uses a very common phrasal verb in the title, get along:

eg “I get along really well with Michael” [to get along with someone]

This means that I have a a friendly relationship with Michael. I like him and when we get together, the conversation is nice and friendly.

This is the main theme of Guy Sebastian’s song. The lyrics mention people from all around the world, from different religions, and he asks:

Can we all just get along? That is, can’t we talk and be nice to each other instead of fighting and conflict?

And when all the worlds collide
All they know is to divide
And it’s easy if they’re faceless
To hate the other side
And the others caught between
Are the only ones to bleed
And the ones they leave behind
Can only sit and cry
Dear God, dear soul
Dear Mary, Mohammed
Can we just get along

Or read the lyrics here on Youtube.

Word partnerships

You can also say:

We get along really well | great | like a house on fire = we have a very good relationship

When the relationship isn’t so good:

We get along terribly | badly

We don’t get along

You can also use the phrasal verb GET ON – they mean the same here.

We get along great = we get on great

Check out extra tips on learning English (especially spoken English phrases and expressions) on the Get Into English Facebook page!

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Rebound Chick – Prague’s hottest zouk song

Photo credits

Image Gina – gin_able
Licence CC by 2.0

Author information

David Sweetnam

Owner at Engage s.r.o Prague

Hi, I'm a teacher of English from Australia. I write tips on learning English on two main blogs: Get Into English and Link in English. If you're looking for a trainer in Brno or Prague, please feel free to contact me.

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The Financial Times leads today with ‘Barclays in Qatar loan probe‘.

ABC news this week had a story titled ‘United Nations to probe drone strike deaths.‘

Probe is one of those words which is used more in the media than in everyday conversation. This is because the word is short, and can be used in headlines.

One more example:

‘Probe launched after pilot locked out of cockpit while co-pilot sleeps.’

And yes, that story’s true!

Probe means to officially find out the truth about what happened in an accident, disaster, or in some other kind of bad news story. It’s a bit like investigate (verb) or investigation (noun).

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On Link in English, the site I recently closed down, I regularly wrote about other ‘words in the media.’ Feel free to check these ones too, which are now on Get Into English:

Words in the media – ‘austerity’
Words in the media – ‘shareholders BACK pay plans’
‘Gaffe’ – words in the liberal media

Photo credits

Image Adam Smith Jr
Licence CC by 2.0

Author information

David Sweetnam

Owner at Engage s.r.o Prague

Hi, I'm a teacher of English from Australia. I write tips on learning English on two main blogs: Get Into English and Link in English. If you're looking for a trainer in Brno or Prague, please feel free to contact me.

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Last time we found out that Bruce met Sally, and they were on their very first date. Before we find out how they went on their first night out together, let’s look at what they’re looking for in a partner. And what they don’t want.

Here’s a worksheet with some adjectives people use to talk about the person they’re dating.

Download here:

Or here:

What’s she like? - Adjectives to describe people

Instructions:

Page 1 – guess the word which has been ‘jumbled up.’

Page 2 – the same words are written, with the vowels missing (ie a,e,i,o,u).

Try to guess the words on page 1 before you try page 2

Level: Upper Intermediate + (page 1 is more advanced)

Answers and notes are on page 3 and 4 – before you check these, try to guess the meaning of the words first.

Enjoy!

Once you’ve done this, come back and leave a comment below about what you are looking for in a partner

Photo credits

Image Elven Nicky
Licence CC by 2.0

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We caught each other’s eye – relationship vocabulary

Author information

David Sweetnam

Owner at Engage s.r.o Prague

Hi, I'm a teacher of English from Australia. I write tips on learning English on two main blogs: Get Into English and Link in English. If you're looking for a trainer in Brno or Prague, please feel free to contact me.

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One day Sally was in the park walking her dog, and that’s where she met Bruce. What happened next?

Here’s a worksheet with some phrases for talking about the time you met someone special. These are just the first steps in the relationship, so I’m sure there’ll be another download to continue their story again soon.

Please download here:

Or get it here:

We caught each other’s eye

Level: Upper-Intermediate (B2)+

Try to guess the missing vowels which are missing from the words (vowels = a,e,i,o,u).

Check the answers on page 2 only after you have tried the first page.

Skype lessons with me

As I’ll be doing more Skype lessons this year, this worksheet is an example of some of the materials I can prepare for us to talk about all kinds of topics.

Photo credits

Image Dave Wolanski
Licence CC by 2.0

Author information

David Sweetnam

Owner at Engage s.r.o Prague

Hi, I'm a teacher of English from Australia. I write tips on learning English on two main blogs: Get Into English and Link in English. If you're looking for a trainer in Brno or Prague, please feel free to contact me.

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Marketa looks outside the bus window, and upon seeing a man jogging along the pavement, she thinks of her friend Bill, an avid runner.

“I wonder how he is”, she thought, “It’s been ages since I saw him last. I wonder if he’s still with Kate. Surely not, she just isn’t right for him..”

She picks up the phone and texts him:

Marketa: On bus, saw someone who reminds me of you! What about catching up at long last? Let’s go for a drink – Friday?

Bill: Marketa, great to hear from you. Been really busy, but am free on Friday. At 9? Let’s meet in front of the Sour Old Goat.

Marketa: Great, know it well. Look fwd to hearing your latest!

Bill: You’ll be surprised. Tell you more then

To catch up with someone (v.)

If you haven’t seen a friend for a while, then you can catch up with them. This means to meet up with them, and find out how they’re going and what they have been doing.

Although it’s usually used for meeting up with friends after you haven’t seen them for a while, it can also be used casually to mean ‘let’s meet and talk’.

It sounds friendly so that’s why someone might say it to you even if you don’t know them so well.

Phrasal verbs like this are used frequently in everyday conversation and small talk in English, and adding a few of these into your own ‘personal dictionary’ will help you sound a lot more natural.

Phrasal verbs worksheet

Today you can download a worksheet where you can practise 8 more phrasal verbs which are commonly used. You can download it here:

Or here:
About town – phrasal verbs
Level: Intermediate+
Answers are on page 2.

Please let me know if you have any questions by leaving a comment below.

Photo credits

Image Alex E. Proimos
Licence CC by 2.0

Author information

David Sweetnam

Owner at Engage s.r.o Prague

Hi, I'm a teacher of English from Australia. I write tips on learning English on two main blogs: Get Into English and Link in English. If you're looking for a trainer in Brno or Prague, please feel free to contact me.

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