SSP Hong Kong, Grammar

 

I go

I eat

I am happy

I am sad

I am angry

I am hungry

I have a big house. 

My father is a smart man

ELS is a good school. 

This is a comfortable classroom. 

Riyadh is crowded. 

The cities in KSA are crowded. 

 

 

 

 

 

*The Alumni Building

1. It’s an old building. 

2. It’s very dark. 

3. The computers are very slow. 

4. The toilets are dirty. 

5. It is very hot.

 

 

Did you eat breakfast this morning?

Yes, I did. 

I ate breakfast this morning.  I ate cereal and yogurt.  Also, I drank orange juice.  

I am in class right now.  I was in class yesterday.  

I was in the classroom during the break.  I was in the SLAC room during the break. 

I was                                                    We were

You were                                            They were

He was/She was/It was

 

Yesterday, Ahmed went to the bank at 3:30.  On Wednesday, we went to Dunkin Donuts. 

Yesterday, you called me at 8.  I didn’t pick up the phone because I was running outside.

My friend wanted to talk to me at 2 yesterday, but I was taking a test in Mr. Nate’s class. 

Film and Discussion, Elemental Discussion

 In general, the main theme of the movie Elemental is about immigrating to new lands and trying to fit into a new society.  Another essential theme is that of different individuals, in this case the elements of fire and water, interacting with one another and in some cases falling in love.

1. Do you think fire and water can mix?  What is your perspective on people from different cultural backgrounds falling in love?  

Another thing mentioned yesterday by Ember was how she felt "trapped" in her situation.  She doesn't really want to run her father's shop, and she would like the opportunity to study art outside of Element City.  But, she feels she has to repay the sacrifice her father made for her.  

2. Have you ever felt committed to your family even if it went against something else you wanted to do?  

3. Have you ever felt trapped into doing things you otherwise didn't want to?

Weekend Assignment: What is your perspective on the themes mentioned in Elemental?  

SSP Hong Kong, Vocabulary and Discussion

 

1.       You told me you can run faster than me, but this is nonsense.  I am the fastest person.

2.       We have to make the best of our time in the USA.

3.      I was in a happy mood, but you spoiled it.

4.      Let’s head down to the shopping mall. 

5.      I am sitting on the porch waiting for you to come to my house.

 

Questions:

1.      What do you think is nonsense?

2.      What spoiled your day? 

3.      Where do you want to head down to this weekend?

4.      How do you make the best of your time in the USA?

5.      Do you sit on the porch of your house or apartment?

 

Vocabulary:

Large: very big

Old: from a long time ago

Beautiful: pretty

Exciting: fun

Friendly: nice and kind

Famous for: people know this about the country or place

*Brazil is famous for Carnival and soccer and nice beaches

*Saudi Arabia is famous for Mecca and for Kabsa and for MBS and for OPEC

Crowded: many people

Busy: a lot of things to do

Relaxing: calm

Popular: a lot of people like it

 

 

 

Simple Present:

*Habits or general facts

I work at ELS.  I drive an hour to get here.  I don’t work in NYC. 

Ryan works at ELS also.  He doesn’t work in NYC also. 

 

Present Progressive:

*Happening now

I am teaching the class to you right now.  Ryan is teaching his class right now.  I am not eating at a restaurant.  He is not eating at a restaurant either.

Film and Discussion, Elemental

 Based on what we watched in Elemental yesterday, here are some questions.

1. Have you ever felt like you let your parents down?  Ember feels she has not been a good daughter.  Do you ever feel like you are not a good son or daughter?

2. Were you ever forbidden entrance into a place because of your background?  If not, have you ever felt people judged you because of your background?  Ember dreamed to see the Vivisteria plant, but she was forbidden entrance because fire was not allowed to enter. 

3. Wade, the Water Guy, ate the food from Ember's father at the fire store to be polite even if it burned him.  Have you eaten food from another culture to be polite even if you didn't like it?  What food was this?

Reading and Writing, Chichen Itza, Present Progressive

 

The area around Ontelaunee Park is very scenic. 

Ontelaunee Park has great scenery. 

This is Kevin.  Kevin is a workaholic.  He works too much.  Now, he is so angry.  He is screaming very loudly.  He is yelling at his family.  His children are crying now because their father is so angry.  Kevin should relax. 

This is Kate.  She is a pretty and good student, but she is sleeping now.  Her classmates are studying, but she is sleeping.  She is tired because she wakes up early in the morning.  The teacher is teaching now, and Kate is not listening.  She is dreaming. 

SSP Hong Kong, Vocabulary and Discussion

 Class Objective: Use highlighted words in discussions 

I originally planned to go to Texas, but instead I decided to study in Philadelphia. 

I’ve got to (gotta) go now.

Today, we started off class with a listening exercise.

I want a furnished apartment. 

I’ll drop by there today.

I had someone sleep at my house, but he trashed the room, and now I will not invite him again.

Ahmed and his wife are tenants of Residential City.

I would love to live in Washington, DC, but the prices there are a bit steep. 

After you leave Philly, give me your Instagram page and email so we can stay in touch.

I am going to the restaurant to pick up my lunch.

 

 Questions for Discussion:

*Do you split the bill with your friends when you go to a restaurant, or does one of you pay for everything?

*Where are the prices steep?

*What is a place you like to drop by at?

*Did you originally plan to study in Philly, or did you have a different plan?

*Did any visitor ever trash your house?

"Elemental" Questions

 Yesterday, we began watching the Disney movie Elemental, in which two fireballs, Bernie and Cinder, move from Fireland to Element City, a place where fire, water, earth, and wind live together, but they are separated into their own parts of town.  Bernie and Cinder open their own shop, the Fireplace, and Cinder gives birth to a baby girl, Ember.  Ember grows up and several years later as he is getting older, Bernie plans to give the shop over to Ember.  But, she has a really bad temper, and she often explodes when she gets so angry at customers.  To prove that she is ready to take over her father's business, she must run the "Red Dot Sale" correctly.  However, she explodes again and causes a leak which brings in the Water Man who says the business was built illegally and he reports this to City Hall.  Ember explains that it was her father's dream, and the Water Man begins to feel sorry for what he did and wish she had explained this to him, but it is too late now.  Now, she must try to find a way to save her father's business.  

Questions:

1. Did anyone in your family move from one place to another?  What was that experience like?

2. Have you ever been involved with your family's business?  What is it like working for the family?

3. Do you have a bad temper?  What makes you explode with rage like Ember in the movie?

Reading and Writing, Chichen Itza, Imperatives and Should + Present Progressive

 

Imperative Language (directions or commands)

*Come to my house!

*Eat dinner with me!

*Get out of my school!

*Give me a tissue, please.

*Come back.

*Don’t talk to me!

*Don’t come here

*Don’t look at me

*Don’t sleep in my class! 

*If you travel to KSA, don’t bring drugs into the country

*You should not sleep in the class/Don’t sleep in the class

*If you come to my country, you shouldn’t bring drugs

*If you want to learn English in Philly, there are different places you could go.  You could go to ELS.  You could go to Drexel.  You could to go to UPenn.  You could go to Temple.  In my opinion, you should go to ELS because Mr. Nate teaches there.  

 

 

Welcome to Riyadh!  It’s an amazing city in Saudi Arabia.  There are many things you can do here.  Go to the National Museum.  You will learn about Saudi history.  Visit the Kingdom tower.  There are good restaurants there.  Enjoy the beautiful view of Riyadh on the bridge there.  Also, eat delicious Saudi food, such as kabsa, jareesh, and marguug.  So, come to Riyadh and have a great time!!!!!!

 

Even if you help me, I still hate you. 

How to be a workaholic.

 

I am a workaholic.  Work is the center of my life.  This is the best way to be a workaholic.  First, go to meetings even if no one else is there.  Also, stay on your computer day and night.  Finally, go through your papers all of the time.  This is the best way to be a workaholic.

 

I am teaching (right now)

I teach every day (habit)

 

I eat breakfast every morning (habit)

I am eating breakfast (now)

 

Nate: Hello?

Kelly: Are you busy Nate?

Nate: I’m sorry, but I’m teaching a student now.  Can I call later?

Kelly: Sure thing.

 

Consonant: b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, y, z

Vowel: a, e, I, o, u, y

Plan

I am planning

Travel

I am traveling

Visit

 

SSP Hong Kong, Questions with Who and Where

 

Kylian mbappe

Paris, France

 

Hi, I’m Kylian Mbappe.

Hi Kylian.  Where are you from?

I’m from France.

Really?  Which city?

I’m from Paris.

 

Who’s with you?

Nate is with me/I’m with Nate. 

 

Where are you?

Where is he?

Where is she?

Where are they?

 

1.       Where is your brother?

2.       Who is your friend?

3.       Who is your classmate?

4.       Where are your parents?

Film and Discussion, "Elemental"

Class: Film and Discussion 

 Class Objective: Discuss if people of different backgrounds can live together

*Our cities throughout the world have become melting pots of many cultures.  People of all backgrounds live in the same city, although very often they live in parts of towns where people of their backgrounds are from.  

For discussion:

1. Do you live with people who are similar to your background or are you around people of different backgrounds as well?

2. Do people of different backgrounds often interact with one another in your neighborhood?

Disney/Pixar's movie Elemental deals with this issue, only it does through the elements (fire, water, wind, and Earth).  They all live in Element City, although they have their own unique neighborhoods. 

SSP Hong Kong, Unit 2, Countries

 

Saudi Arabia, Saudi

Kuwait, Kuwaiti

Qatar, Qatari

UAE, Emirati

Oman, Omani

Yemen, Yemeni

Bahrain, Bahraini

Jordan, Jordanian

Palestine, Palestinian

Syria, Syrian

Lebanon, Lebanese

Iraq, Iraqi

Iran, Iranian

Israel, Israeli

Libya, Libyan

Tunisia, Tunisian

Algeria, Algerian

Morocco, Moroccan

Sudan, Sudanese

Somalia, Somali

The Moroccan team went to the final four of the World Cup last year. 

This is Morocco’s team.  This is the Moroccan team.

The Moroccan team is pretty good. 

 

There are many Americans here.

I have two Saudis in my class. 

Reading and Writing, Chichen Itza, Imperatives

 By Nate Feldman

In Philadelphia, you should visit the Art Museum.  You should exercise every day for good health.  You should visit Al-Diriyah in Saudi Arabia because of the famous history there.

When you are in Saudi Arabia, go to Al-Diriyah.  Also, visit many palaces.  Go to Mamlaka tower because it is interesting, and it has good restaurants. 

Don’t go to dangerous neighborhoods at night.  In Saudi Arabia, don’t take photos of people’s families.  Don’t go outside during the summer in the day because it is too hot.  Don’t play music when the idhaan is happening.  Respect the culture and traditions.  Eat delicious food, such as kabsa and marguug. 

In Saudi Arabia, you should go to Seasons Riyadh.  You should watch Al-Hilal football match.  You should not talk about politics. 

SSP Hong Kong, Discussing Favorites

 

Are you happy?

Yes, I am.  No, I’m not. 

Are you a teacher?

Yes, I am.  No, I’m not.

Are you a student?

 

Answers:

I am                             We are

You are                        They are

He is/She is, it is

 Questions: 

Am I                             Are we

Are you                        Are they

Is he/Is she/Is it

 

Are you Salman?

Yes, I am

Are you tired?

No, I’m not

Is your father here?

Yes, he is.  No, he’s not/no he isn’t

Is your mother here?

Yes, she is.  No, she’s not, no, she isn’t.

Are we sad today?

Yes, we are. 

Are your friends in the USA?

No, they aren’t/no, they’re not

 

Is Ms. Melanie your teacher?

No, she’s not

Is football your favorite sport?

Yes, it is

Is your father happy?

Are you a mind-reader?

No, you aren’t. 

My favorite actor is Will Smith.

 

Are you happy?

Are you a teacher?

Do you eat Mansaf?

Yes, I do

No, I don’t

Do you speak Arabic?

No, I don’t

Yes, I do

Simple Present Questions: 

Do you like Riyadh Seasons?

No, I don’t

Yes, I do

Do you like Salem Al-Dossari?

Yes, I do

Reading and Writing, Chichen Itza

 

1.      Hooked on = something you need all of the time

*I eat a lot of Italian food because I am hooked on it.

*I watch a lot of soccer because I am hooked on it. 

 

2.      Comfortable = something that makes you feel good or relaxed

 

3.      An excuse = a reason why you didn’t do something

 

4.      Memorable = something you always remember

 

I hope to be a memorable teacher. 

 

What are you doing?

*I’m mowing my lawn. 

 

A tour = a trip where someone shows you where things are

 

Location = where someone or something is

 

Check out = to visit a place

 

Museum = a place with old things like art

 

Amazing = something so great or surprising

SSP Hong Kong, Discussing Favorites

 Class Objective: Discussing Favorites

*What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is Paneer Tikka Masala.  My favorite food is Italian food.  My favorite food is pizza, pasta, and burgers. 

*What is your favorite sport?

My favorite sport is football (soccer). 

*What is your favorite music?

My favorite music is Arabic music. 

*What is your favorite movie?

My favorite movies are drama movies.

*What is your favorite TV show?

I don’t have a favorite TV show.

Actor

Actress

1.      My favorite sport is…

2.      My favorite player is….

3.      My favorite music is…..

4.      My favorite singer is……

5.      My favorite movie is….

6.      My favorite actor is….

Film and Discussion, "Tenet"

 By Nate Feldman

Yesterday, we began watching the film Tenet.  In the beginning of the film, the protagonist, or "the good guy of a story," is part of an operation to help an opera house under siege in Ukraine.  It turns out this was a test, and he is recruited by the "Tenet" organization to help prevent a third World War.  They have learned about weapons that use something called "inverted entropy."  In other words, they are able to move backwards in time.  

At first, he traces the weapons to an arms dealer in India, but it turns out it is really his wife who is the arms dealer.  She says the weapons really come from Andrei Sator in Russia.  So, the protagonist becomes close with Sator's wife in order to get to him.  

In this movie, the main character does a lot of daring things.  He goes into an opera house under attack to save the place.  He also climbs up the building in India to get information from the arms dealer.  

Key words:

1. protagonist: principal character of a story, often the "good guy"

2. inverted: upside down 

3. under siege: a place that is under attack

For discussion:

1. What is the bravest or most daring thing you have done?

2. How would you feel if things were "inverted," or could move backwards?  

Reading and Writing, Chichen Itza, Micro-Adventures, Vocabulary and Writing Example

 By Nate Feldman

Adventure = visiting far away place for fun activities

Choose = to pick something

Trip = go out somewhere

Hike = big walk

Low-cost = cheap

Across = from one side to the other

If you live in Jeddah, you must drive across Saudi Arabia to get to Dammam.  If you want to get to California from Pennsylvania, you must fly or drive across the USA. 

Anywhere = the place doesn’t matter

I am so hungry, I will eat my lunch anywhere. 

Climb = go up something

Important = something big

*Learning English is important for students here. 

To row a boat = to move the boat with a paddle

Random = choosing something without planning or thinking

Accept = you agree to something

 

 

A micro-adventure

There are many good places for micro-adventures in my area.  One place I like is Marsh Creek State Park.  It’s a beautiful place with a lake.  You can row a boat there, or you can kayak.  You also can rent a motorboat.  There are woods with lots of trails, so you can go hiking there.  You can also have a picnic with your family because they have benches and places to grill food.  Also, there is a public swimming pool.  You can go there during the summer.  Marsh Creek State Park is a great place for a micro-adventure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading for Main Ideas

I am a very active person, so I like to go on many adventures.  I go on adventures to the beach because I like the ocean and swimming.  I also go on adventures to the woods because I like nature and quiet places.  I also go on adventures to cities because I like restaurants and meeting different people.  Adventures are fun for me.

The main idea of this paragraph is:

A.     I go swimming at the beach

 

B.      I go on adventures to different places

 

C.      Cities are good places for adventures

SSP Hong Kong, Class 1, Class Intro, Subject and Possessive Pronouns

By Nate Feldman

Class Objective: Introducing ourselves to students

Class: SSP Hong Kong

Teacher: Mr. Nate

Time: 10:30-11:20, 11:30-12:20

Level: Beginners (101-103)

Assignments: Three Quizzes, Final Exam, Speaking Evaluation

 

Class Activity: Make an ID for your classmate 

First Name: Nate

Last Name: Feldman

ID Number: 10617558

Male

 

How do you spell your name?

N A T E

 

A nickname (a short name)

Michael = Mike

Thomas = Tommy

Peter = Pete

Jonathan = John

Robert = Rob, Robby, Bob, Bobby

Joseph = Joe

William = Bill, Billy, Will, Willy

 

Verb to be with subject pronouns

I am                             We are

You are                       They are

He/She/It is

 

Possessive Pronouns

My                               Our

Your                            Their

His/Her/Its

 

Example Sentences:

I am a teacher. My name is Nate.  

Hi!  My name is Nate.  I am a teacher. 

His name is Neymar.  He is a football player. 

His name is Salem Al-Dossari.  He is a football player. 

I am a teacher.  Mr. Ryan is a teacher.  We are teachers. 

Pedro is a student.  Ahmed is a student.  You are students.

Reading and Writing Vocabulary

 

to breed = to have babies

captivity = controlled by humans; not in the wild

hatchlings = animals that come out of an egg

declining = becoming less

the number of students here is declining. 

definitely = 100%

Will you do well tomorrow?

definitely

there are many individuals not in class today.

It is essential you study hard every day.

informed = a person with information or knowledge

I am a very informed person = i know a lot

ill-informed = i don’t know good information

rely on = i need that person or thing

I rely on my family to help me

an impact = an effect

you had a good impact on my life

severe = strong or serious

a tornado is an example of severe weather

SSP Dubai, Unit 4 Vocabulary and Grammar

 

Can I talk to you?

May I talk to you?

Can I eat your food?

May I eat your food?

Can I call you tonight?

May I call you tonight?

 

Do you mind if I call you tonight?

Do you mind if I cook dinner tonight?

Do you mind if I come late?

 

Would you mind if I ate some of your food?

Would you mind if I called later?

Would you mind if I came to class late?

 

Would it be ok if I drank some water?

Yes, it’s ok

 

Respond = give an answer

Mr. Nate asked if he could hit Ameen.  How did Ameen respond?  He said Mr. Nate couldn’t do that. 

Ignore = don’t pay attention to someone

Rude = not polite

Turn down = make the volume softer

Turn up = make the volume louder

Ban = not allow something in a place

Allow = you can do it

Raise your voice = speak louder

Lower your voice = speak quieter

Thoughtful = care about other people

Delete = get rid of

Accept = you say yes

Turn down = you say no

 

To eat, to go, to play = infinitives

Eating, going, playing = gerunds

I agreed to come here

I will choose to eat there

I decided to buy a new car

I hope to see you tomorrow

I learned to type fast in school

 

I finished writing my essay, and then I left the class.

I avoid talking to Marcello because he makes me so angry. 

I avoid being in the same room as Rodalfo. 

I appreciate learning English with you Mr. Nate (I hope)

I appreciate teaching Ameen, Faisal, Katia, Marcello, and Rodalfo.

You keep talking so much!  You have a big mouth!

I don’t mind doing exercise.

I suggest getting a car at this dealership.  He is an honest salesperson.