Conversation and Pronunciation

 By Nate Feldman

By Nate Feldman

The Sweet Tooth: A Short Story

Mark was meeting his friend Julia at a local cafe.  Julia ordered a plain coffee with whole milk and a multi-grain bagel with a small Greek Salad on the side.  Mark ordered a Caramel Latte with an extra big blueberry muffin.  

"That looks really healthy," Mark told Julia.

"Yeah," she replied.  "And that looks really sweet."

Mark smiled.  "I must admit I do have a bit of a sweet tooth.  I can't get enough of sweet things.  Perhaps it's an addiction."

"It's obvious it's an addiction," Julia replied.

"Well, what do you mean?" Mark enquired.  

"I mean, every time we go out, you get sweet things.  Muffins, pastries, cakes, pies, whatever.  And you always get the sweetest type of coffee, like lattes.  When is the last time you ordered a salad?"

Mark was a bit defensive.  "I never realized you were paying so much attention what I put in my mouth."

"I am not judging you," Julia said.  "I just want to make sure you are staying healthy."

Mark tried to stay calm, but he was a bit perturbed by what he was hearing.  

"Look, I know I need to cut down on sweets.  I get that.  But, you shouldn't judge me.  There are things I recommend you improve yourself!"  

"Like what?" Julia wanted to know.

"Like how to make friends with people!" Mark said, his voice raising.  "You can be a bit of a turn off."

"Seriously?" Julia responded.  "I'm just trying to help here."

"And I'm just trying to help you learn to socialize!" Mark shouted at her.

"You're a baby!" Julia replied and got up and left. 

Mark was so outraged he threw a piece of the muffin at Julia as she headed for the exit.

Extra Vocabulary:

1. can't get enough of (something): You need a lot of something

2. to inquire (enquire is past tense): ask for information from someone 

3. perturbed: unsettled or bothered

4. I get that: I understand that

5. a turn off: something that makes people not like to be around someone

6. defensive: when you try to protect yourself from harm or criticism 

7. outraged: extremely angry 

Discussion:

1. What is something you can't get enough of?

2. What is something you don't get about the USA?

3. What is a turn off to you?

4. What makes you outraged?

5. When do you feel defensive?

SSP Moscow, Embedded Questions

 By Nate Feldman

Change to embedded questions 

1. Where do you live?>>>>>>I'm not sure where you live.

2. When is the class? _______________________________

3. Where is Mr. Nate? _____________________________

4. What is your name? ______________________________

5. Where do you study? _______________________________

6. What languages do you speak? ______________________________

7. How do you make chocolate sauce? _____________________________

8. Where does he live? _____________________________________

Answers and Examples:

I don’t know when the class is/Do you know when the class is?/I can’t remember when the class is

I’m not sure where Mr. Nate is/Do you know where Mr. Nate is?/Can you tell me where Mr. Nate is?

Could you tell me what your name is?/I’m not sure what your name is/I can’t remember what your name is/I don’t know what your name is

I’m wondering where you study/I’m not sure where you study/Can you tell me where you study?

I can’t remember what language you speak?/I’m wondering what languages you speak/Can you tell me what languages you speak

Do you know how chocolate sauce is made?/Do you know how to make chocolate sauce?/I’m wondering how you make chocolate sauce/I’m not sure how you make chocolate sauce/I want to ask you how you make chocolate sauce

I’m not sure where he lives/I don’t know where he lives/Do you have any idea where he lives?/I can’t remember where he lives

When did you come to class this morning?

>I want to know when you came to class this morning?

Where did you buy that nice shirt?

>I want to know where you bought that nice shirt

Where did you learn to speak such good English?

>Could you tell me where you learned to speak such good English?

 

*Could you tell me where the world’s busiest harbor is?

>>I’m not sure where the world’s busiest harbor is, but I think it is Singapore.

 

I wonder who this person is

I wonder why he or she is wearing the mask

I’m not sure who he or she is

I’d like to know who this person is

*Last night, I came home, and I found my wallet and all of my money missing.  Now, I must find it.  I’d like to know where it went.  I’m not sure what happened to it, but I must find out.  Maybe, I just lost it and forgot.  But, then again, perhaps someone stole it, so now I must solve this mystery.

Vocabulary:

Propose: to make an idea for something

>>It’s a nice day. I propose we have lunch in the park.

Construction: building something

Obstacle: something difficult for you

Withstand: you can handle difficult things and it won’t destroy you

Considered: something people think about when doing something

Transport: move from one place to another

Efficient: the quickest and most productive way to do something

To get around (something): find a way to deal with a difficult situation

Accommodate: how many people something can take

>>This class can accommodate about 20 students. 

Sustainable: something that can last for a long time and doesn’t get destroyed easily

 

Questions: 

*Is there an idea you’d like to propose to people about something?

*What are obstacles you are experiencing in Philly?  Are you able to get around them?

*How many people can your apartment/house accommodate?

*What is the most efficient way to learn a language?

*Can you withstand a lot of pressure from school or work?

 

Pronunciation and Conversation Vocabulary Practice

 By Nate Feldman

become    cool down    dessert    ingredients   sauce pan   stir   stove   thick   wait 

1. Tomatoes, salt, pepper, garlic, basil, and tomato paste are some of the _____________________in homemade marinara sauce.

2. You should put everything in a ____________________.  Put that on top of the _______________and turn the heat to high.    Then ________________it with a wooden spoon.  Keep doing that until the sauce becomes __________________.

3. After having pasta, you might want ice cream with a nice chocolate sauce for ____________________.

4. When you are finished cooking the chocolate sauce, you might want to put it in the refrigerator to ___________________a bit.

5. If the light is red, you must __________________for it to ____________________, or change to, green.  

Discussion Questions:

*What is your favorite dessert? 

*Do you like to eat your food hot, or do you prefer it to cool down?

*What ingredients do you not like to use?

*How often do you use your stove in your house?

*Is there something you want to become that you aren’t now?

>>I want to become a professional actor 

SSP Moscow, Animal Vocabulary, Unit 3

 By Nate Feldman

Declining = becoming less

*We had 50 students, and now we have 30.  The student number is declining.

In the wild = where no humans are; in nature

Rarely = doesn’t happen a lot

Environment = where an animal lives

Dense = very thick or put together

Endangered = almost all of those animals are dead

Extinct = all are dead

Remain = all that is left

Legal = you can do it from the law

Illegal = you cannot do it from the law

Habitat = where an animal lives

Increasing = going up

Protected = people won’t let you hurt this person or thing

Suffering = going through pain and bad experiences

Raise awareness = to spread knowledge or information about something

 

 

 

Discussion Questions:

1.      What is something that is declining?

 

2.      Do you like to spend time in the wild?

 

3.      What places are dense with buildings?

 

4.      What is something you rarely see?

 

5.      What are things you think should be protected?

 

For discussion: What animal do you find most interesting?  The sloth, tapir, capybara, or spider monkey?  Why?

Pronunciation and Conversation Class, Vocabulary Review

 By Nate Feldman 

Pronunciation and Conversation Class: Vocabulary Activity

Complete the sentences the correct words

acquaintances    frustrated     in the meantime    irritate    misfit     revolve around   unusual

1.       A ___________________is often a person that doesn’t do things the way the rest of society does.

 

2.       The Harry Potter stories ______________________a boy with magic powers going to a school for children with these powers who are threatened by an evil wizard and his supporters.

 

3.       I see Kevin every day, but we are not really friends.  We are just _____________________________.

 

4.       I am trying so hard to improve my pronunciation, but so far I have been unsuccessful.  I am really _________________________!

 

5.       I want to visit other cities, but right now I can’t, so ________________________I will enjoy things in Philadelphia. 

 

6.       People eating with their mouth open often ________________________other people around them.

 

7.       My teacher talks to his imaginary friend in class.  This is very ____________________for a teacher to behave this way.

SSP Moscow, Passive Voice Review

 By Nate Feldman

Passive Voice Practice

Use the verbs in parentheses in the passive voice (either present or past tense).

Ex. When I came home yesterday, the dinner (already cook) was already cooked for me, so I ate it.

English (speak) is spoken in the United States.

 

1.       Corn (grow) _____________________in Pennsylvania. 

 

2.       The Liberty Place skyscrapers (build) ___________________in the 1980s. 

 

3.       Dinner (eat) ___________________between 5-8 PM depending on the person.

 

4.       American football (play) _____________________during the fall season. 

 

5.       English (teach) _______________________at ELS. 

 

6.       I (teach) ___________________how to tie my shoes by my parents.

 

7.       That business (own) ___________________by my neighbors. 

 

8.       This business (create) ____________________many years ago. 

1.      Corn is grown in Pennsylvania

2.      The Liberty Place Skyscrapers were built in the 1980s.

3.      Dinner is eaten between 5-8 PM depending on the person. 

4.      American football is played during the fall season.   

5.      English is taught at ELS

6.      I was taught how to tie my shoes by my parents.

7.      That business is owned by my neighbors.

8.      This business was created many years ago.

 

Play, played, played

>I play sports every day.

>I play softball on Sunday.

>I have played soccer before.

 

*Iceland exports seafood.  Seafood is exported by Iceland. 

*Horses are ridden in France. 

 

The economy is in a slump = it’s a bad economy. 

Get worse = more bad than now

Recover = return to a good condition

Profits = make more money than you spend

Profits are down = the business is making less money than before

A sharp fall = a sudden and fast drop in something

A steady decline = getting worse slowly but consistently

A bright spot = positive news when most things are negative

 

Questions:

*What has increased dramatically in recent years?

*What is getting worse?

*If you are injured or sick, what do you do to recover?

*What should people do if the economy is in a slump?

*Has there been a sharp fall in anything?

Cl

SSP Moscow, Active vs. Passive

 

Active: I teach English at ELS

Passive: English is taught at ELS

 

Active: I eat rice for dinner

Passive: Rice is eaten for dinner in my country

 

Active: People speak Spanish in Spain

Passive: Spanish is spoken in Spain. 

 

Active: I eat dinner

Passive: I am eaten

 

Paella is eaten in Spain.  Kabsa and Margug is eaten in Saudi Arabia. 

 

My SSP class is taught by Mr. Nate. 

French is spoken in France.

 

What languages are spoken in your country?

What food is eaten in your country? 

My dinner was made by myself yesterday. 

Breakfast was cooked early this morning.

My classes last month were taught by Ms. Page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*What food is eaten in your city (that is unique to your city)?

*What sports are played by young people (in your country)?

*What clothing is worn in your city that is popular?

*What subjects are taught at your school/university?

*What cars are driven in your country?

 

Hotels are good for couples.

 

Drink, drank, drunk

 

I drink the water

The water is drunk by me. 

LTC Class: Introductions for Cause and Effect Essays

 

            Why do people study English? (Cause-style essay)  

 

            Every year, millions of people around the world study English.  According to statistics, last year, 43 million students enrolled in English as a Second Language courses.  The question is why is English such a popular language to learn?  People study English because it is the international language and because of career opportunities.

            English has become a language spoken all over the world. 

 

The Effects of Studying English (Effect style)

Every year, millions of people around the world study English.  According to statistics, last year, 43 million students enrolled in English as a Second Language courses.  What have been the effects of this?  It has made more English speakers and has affected other people’s languages.

 

The Effects of Rain on the Saudi People

Saudi Arabia is one of the hottest and driest countries in the world.  The summer months have temperatures as high as 50 degrees and there is hardly a drop of rain during this time period.  Because of this, it is not surprising that when it does rain in Saudi Arabia, that it has many positive effects on the population living there (Thesis). 

One effect of rain on Saudi people is it changes their mood and makes them very happy. 

 

The Effects of Family Vacations on People

When is the last time you went on vacation with your family?  Every year, millions of people around the world take a vacation with their family.  It could be to local places in their country, or it could be international travel.  What are the effects of travel with the family for the population?  Research has shown that these type of vacations have many positive effects on the people that do them (Thesis).

One effect of family travel is it creates greater bonds between members of a family.

SSP Moscow, Vocabulary and Discussion

 By Nate Feldman

I got a present for my birthday.

You will present a news report for the class.

 

What are things you need to address in your life?

Are there things you like to record?

What has there been an increase of lately?

What type of presents do you like?

Do you like to present things in front of people?

 

Please tell me the address. 

I need to address this problem immediately. 

I want a present

I present today for the class.

 

YOU MUST STUDY EVERY DAY!

>>My teacher emphasizes that we study every day.

 

 

Nate & Sara’s Posters and Postcards

Posters and Postcards and Magazines

 

Perks: We share profits together

Pronunciation and Conversation, Vocabulary

Mr. Nate wants us to come up with our own play.

A challenge = a difficult thing

Especially = this more than other things

*I like everyone here, especially Omer

*My classes are a challenge, especially reading and writing

Start from Scratch = to build from nothing

Version = another way to do something

Ideally = in the perfect world

Collaborator = people working together

A performance = singing or acting in public

Vocabulary Practice:

challenge    collaborator   come up with   especially   ideally   starting from scratch   versions 

1. Living in another country is a ______________________because you don't know the language and culture sometimes.  

2. I really like my classes, _______________________the SSP class because the teacher is good and the subjects are interesting.  

3. I have no experience running a business, so I am _________________________.

4. I am looking for a ___________________________for a story I am writing.  I want to write it with someone.  

5. ___________________, we will hire someone with five years of experience, but if they have less, it's OK.  

6. There are two _______________________of the story.  In one, the main character lives, and in the other they don't.

7. This week, you will ________________________your own story for class and present it at the end of the week.  

SSP Moscow, Present Perfect and Vocabulary

 By Nate Feldman 

I have been to that restaurant many times.  I was there on Friday night. 

I have been in Philly for two weeks.  I have been in Philly since the beginning of July. 

Have you eaten at Abyssinia restaurant?

Has your father come to the United States before?

 

Have you eaten scrapple before?

Have you visited Miami?

Have you seen Despicable Me 4?

Have you gone to downtown Philadelphia?

Has your mother visited the USA before?

 

I am going to advertise my friend’s business. 

People that go to the gym must consume a lot of protein. 

It’s healthy to consume fruits and vegetables in your diet. 

For your class project, you should develop a news report.

ELS employs teachers to teach class. 

Employer = person or company that gives a job

 

Employee = worker

Invest = to put money in a company and hope to get rich from that

Manage = to lead or run a business or anything

A teacher must manage a class

Produce = to create or make something

David Tran produces Sriracha sauce

Promote = to tell someone they should do something

*Mr. Nate promotes good studying habits

*Omer went to Times Square to promote Naif’s brownies to people. 

*purchase = to pay money for something

*ship = to send a product from one place to another

 

*Do you want to run a business?  How many people will you employ?

*Have you produced anything before?

*What is a type of food you consume a lot of?

*What are things you purchase a lot of?

 

*I’m looking for employment right now.  Unemployment is at 10%. 

*Your management of this company is very bad.  If you are angry with me, talk to management about it. 

*I’m going to invest/make an investment in my friend’s business. 

LTC Class, Unreal Conditionals (Present or Past)

 By Nate Feldman

Present Unreal Conditional:

*If I were from your country, I would speak your language (I am not from your country, and I don’t speak your language) 

*If I ate cheeseburgers at every meal, I would gain weight. 

*If I weren’t your teacher, I wouldn’t be here (I am your teacher, I am here). 

*If I were a lawyer, I wouldn’t be at this school. (I am not a lawyer, but I am here) 

*If I were a doctor, I wouldn’t work at ELS.

*If I weren’t a teacher, I would work at another job.  (I am a teacher, and I am not working at another job)

 

Past Unreal: If I had slept better last night, I would have woken up earlier this morning (I didn’t sleep better, and I didn’t wake up earlier) 

 

If I hadn’t done well on the test, I wouldn’t have passed the level (I did well, and I passed)   

Conversation and Pronunciation Vocabulary Quiz

Pronunciation and Conversation, Vocabulary Quiz                    

Complete the sentences correctly with the words below.

boarded    busy   calm   crowded   dull   exciting   headed   nosy   

noisy   quiet   relaxing    peaceful    solitary  

1.      1. The shopping mall is mostly empty on weekdays, but it is very ____________________, or full of people, on weekends.

2. What did you say?  I can’t hear you!  This place is too ____________________.  There are so many loud sounds!  

 3. My neighbor is so ___________________!  He always asks me personal questions.  Where are you going?  Who do you like?  What do you like?  I hate it! 

 4. Some people say cats are ____________________animals and like to be alone, but I always have cats that like to be with me.

 5. I want to go out with you, but I am very ___________________right now.  I have so much work!  Can we do it another night?

 6. I ____________________, or got on, the bus and sat down in my seat. 

 7. Michael: Hey man.  Where are you _____________________right now?

  Joe: To Center City.  

 8. I love to go to the lake and woods.  It is so ____________________there.  It is just nature.

 9. Spending time in a hot tub is very _____________________for many people.  Their body feels better after this.

 10. This movie is very ____________________.  It is so boring.  Nothing interesting happens in it! 

 11. I love roller coasters at amusement parks.  They are so ______________________! 

 12. In the library, you must be ___________________so other people can concentrate.

 13. When you talk in front of people, be _________________!  Don’t be nervous or upset. 

SSP Moscow, Grammar Review and Journalism Assignment

                                                              

*We will do a news story for class.  You can do a VLOG, you tube video, or live report from class with slides and pictures.  Here is an example of a news story.

New Students Come to the ELS Center

By Nate Feldman, Staff Writer

This week, a new session began at ELS Philadelphia.  Students from many countries began taking English classes.  It’s an exciting tie for them. 

“I am so happy to be here,” Carla Gil told me......

 

 Present Perfect Grammar 

I’ve known you since Monday.  I’ve known you for one week. 

I’ve worked here since 2012.  I’ve worked here for 12 years. 

 I came to the US in 2018.  I have lived in the U.S. since 2018. 

 

Verb Forms 

Eat, ate, eaten

 

Have you eaten food from my country?

*Yes, I have eaten food from your country.

*No, I haven’t eaten food from your country. 

*Yes, I have.  I ate some last night. 

 

I am now with my SSP class.  I have taught them since Tuesday.  I have taught them for four days. 

 

I have eaten                             We have eaten

You have eaten                       They have eaten

He/She/It has eaten

LTC Class, Conditional Tenses

 By Nate Feldman

If we had won the match, we would have won the championship (we didn’t win the match or the championship) 

If I hadn’t done well on the test, I wouldn’t have passed the level (I did well, and I passed) 

A long time ago, if/when I visited my relatives, we had a big meal together (this happened). 

If I spent time with my Grandfather, I didn’t say bad words because he hated them. 

If I had said bad words, he would have hit me. 

 

Present Real: If I study hard, I do well (Every time I study hard, I do well)

Present Unreal: If I studied harder, I would do better (I don’t study, and I am not doing better)

If you ate better, you would be healthier (you don’t eat better, you are not healthier)

If you didn’t come to class, you wouldn’t learn anything (you come to class, and you learn things)