Telephone English - Tips for Getting People to Slow Down!!

By Kenneth Beare

Have you ever had problems understanding native English speakers on the telephone? If so, you are not alone. All English learners have difficulties understanding people on the telephone. This is for a number of reasons:

• People speak too quickly
• People don't pronounce the words well
• There are technical problems with the telephones
• You can't see the person you are speaking with
• It's difficult getting people to repeat information

This article focuses on the first and last problems listed above. Follow these tips to help you get native speakers of English to slow down!

• Immediately ask the person to speak slowly.
• When taking note of a name or important information, repeat each piece of information as the person speaks.

This is an especially effective tool. By repeating each important piece of information or each number or letter as they spell a word or give you a telephone number you automatically slow the speaker down.

• Do not say you have understood if you have not. Ask the person to repeat until you have understood.

Remember that the other person needs to make himself/herself understood and it is in his/her interest to make sure that you have understood. If you ask a person to explain more than twice they will usually slow down.

• If the person does not slow down begin speaking your own language!

A sentence or two of another language spoken quickly will remind the person that they are fortunate because THEY do not need to speak a different language to communicate. Used carefully, this exercise in humbling the other speaker can be very effective. Just be sure to use it with colleagues and not with a boss :-)!

http://esl.about.com/od/businessspeakingskills

Idioms by Kids

Idioms By Kids is a great fun site  for ESL teachers. Pick an idiom and have your class draw a picture to illustrate it. You will get some funny pictures...a lot of laughter...and much better understanding of the meaning of these idioms through visual learning.

This site has over 1000 pictures of Idioms. They do not illustrate what an idiom means, but show the literal meaning. These pictures were drawn by children and the results are often funny. 

You can read about them in stories or see their meanings by clicking on the idiom name.

www.idiomsbykids.com

Idioms and Expressions with 'Run'

By Kenneth Beare

The following idioms and expressions use the verb 'run'. Each idiom or expression has a definition and two example sentences to help understanding of these common idiomatic expressions with 'run'. 

Note: If you see ‘ED:’ below it is an addition by the editor (Bob Taylor) and will represent either another meaning of the expression or…it might be another expression entirely.

dry run

(noun) a trial of something, a rehearsal of something before it happens
I think we should make a few dry runs before we give the presentation.
Let's do just one more dry run before we give it a try!

in the long run

(prepositional phrase) eventually, over time
Many people find that they actually do want to have children in the long run.
In the long run, we'll be able to win the contract and keep his business.

make a run for it

(verb phrase) to run as quickly as you can through the rain or other bad weather, to try to escape
It's pouring done rain. Let's make a run for it and get to the car.
The thieves made a run for it, but the policemen were able to catch up and arrest them.

make someone's blood run cold

(verb phrase) to frighten someone so badly they feel a chill of anticipation of the worst
Seeing her makes my blood run cold. I wish she would leave.
His blood will run cold if he hears that story.

get off to a running start

(verb phrase) to start a project or event quickly and efficiently
If we do our research, we'll get off to a running start.
I think this semester has gotten off to a running start. 

run around in circles

(verb phrase) waste time, not progress in what you want to do
It feels like we're just running around in circles.
It took a few days of running around in circles before I took care of everything.

run a fever

(verb phrase) have a temperature that is very high
We should go to the emergency room as she's running a fever.
I think I might be running a fever. Could you get a thermometer?

run a tight ship

(verb phrase) manager very well and efficiently with everyone knowing their place
I like to run a tight ship, so get ready to work!
She runs a tight ship over at Buy More Stuff Inc. 

run a temperature

(verb phrase) have a slightly elevated temperature, not as severe as run a fever
The baby is running a temperature. 
Use this thermometer to check if you're running a temperature. 

run around like a chicken with its head cut off

(verb phrase - idiomatic) go crazy, act without any sense
Stop running around like a chicken with its head cut off and tell me what happened!
She ran around like a chicken with its head cut off when she heard the bad news. 

run for it

(verb phrase) try to escape
Run for it! The cops are coming!
He decided to make a run for it and sprinted to his car.

run in the family

(verb phrase) be a characteristic that is common in one's family
Musical talent runs in my family.
I think his ability with children runs in the family. 

run into a stone wall

(verb phrase) not be able to progress through a situation
We ran into a stone wall when we tried to get a building permit. 
Don't ask for a raise now. You'll run into a stone wall. 

run out of gas

(verb phrase) not have any more gas in your car
We're going to run out of gas soon. We'd better stop.
He ran out of gas and had to walk three miles to the closest gas station. 
Ed: It can also mean to get very tired.

run someone ragged

(verb phrase) make someone very tired because you push them to do too many things
Her son run her ragged when he was over the holidays.
She says her boss runs everyone ragged at her place of employment.

run something up

(verb phrase) to charge something, to make a bill
Peter ran his clothes up on his Visa card.
He's run up quite the bill at the local tavern. 

still waters run deep

(idiomatic phrase) people who are calm are very wise
Just listen to him for a while. Still waters run deep.
 
Remember still waters run deep. It might take some time to figure out. 

Ed: Run amok is an expression meaning to go crazy as in ‘The prisoners are running amok’.

Ed: Run down has a couple of meanings: 1)  to catch an escaped prisoner or criminal. “The police finally ran the suspect down behind the bank.”
And 3) to be very tired. “Bill is looking really run down. I wonder if he had problems we don’t know about?” 
 
Ed: Run Over 1) to run over something with your car or bike, ”I accidentally ran over the neighbour’s cat when it dashed out in front of my car.”


2) To check as in"Can we run over the procedure again? I am still not clear on a couple points."

Ed: Run out 1) to be missing something you need (as in for cooking). Here it can be used two ways. 1) "We have run out of sugar" and 2) "Could you run out and get some sugar?"

Source: http://esl.about.com/od/vocabularyreference/a/game_expresions.htm?utm_campaign=list_esl&utm_content=20161206&utm_medium=email&utm_source=exp_nl&utm_term=list_esl

Teaching to the Test in ESLClass

Here is an excellent article from Ken Beare atAbout.com:

Teaching to the Test in ESL Class

By Kenneth Beare

Updated November 29, 2016. 

There are many issues surrounding the idea of teaching to the test. On the one hand, many feel that teaching makes it more difficult to test student's knowledge because the focus is on the particular test at hand, not on holistic learning. Once learned, students can discard test-based knowledge and then begin to study for the next test. Obviously, this approach doesn't encourage language recycling, which is essential to acquisition. On the other hand, students who are thrown into a test without knowing 'exactly' what's on the test might not know what to study. This presents a conundrum for many teachers: Do I pragmatically meet objectives or do I allow organic learning to take place? 
For the English teacher, luckily, exam results won't lead to success or failure in life as is the case with the SAT, GSAT or other big examinations. For the most part, we can concentrate on producing and measuring the relative success or failure of each student.

For example, I find giving students grades based on project work to be a highly accurate means of testing. 

Unfortunately, many modern students have become accustomed to a test-based mode of study. In some cases, students expect us to give them clearly-defined tests. This is especially true when teaching grammar classes. 

However, at times, students don't do very well on these tests. This in part is due to the fact that students are often not familiar with the importance of directions. Students are already nervous about their English and jump right into an exercise without clearly following the directions. Of course, understanding directions in English is part of the language acquisition process. However, it sometimes gets in the way. 

For this reason, when giving any kind of standard assessment test, I like to "teach to the test" by providing a quick mock test in a review session leading up to a test. Especially at ​lower levels, this type of review will help students focus on their true abilities because they'll understand what's expected of them. 

Example Review Quiz to Help Teach to the Test

Here is an example review quiz I provided before a big grammar final. The test focuses on the present perfect, as well as difference in usage between past simple and the present perfect. You'll find notes and tips listed below the example quiz. 

Part 1 – Circle the correct helping verb.
1.    Have / has he had lunch yet?
2.    Have / has they played soccer today?
3.    Have / has you eaten sushi?
Part 2 – Fill in the blank with the PRESENT PERFECT verb.
1.    Fred (play / +) __________________ tennis many times.
2.    She (have / -) __________________ breakfast this morning.
3.    Peter and I (eat / +) _______________ fish this week. 
Part 3 – Make a present perfect QUESTION with this answer.
1. Q ______________________________________________
A: No, I haven’t seen Tom today.
2. Q _______________________________________________
A: Yes, they have flown to Chicago.
3. Q ________________________________________________
A: Yes, she’s worked for Google. 

Part 4 – Write the correct V3 (past participle) in the blank.
played        quit        driven        bought
1.    I haven’t ___________ a Lamborghini in my life.
2.    She has _________ smoking cigarettes to be healthier.
3.    They’ve ____________ soccer two times this week.
4.    I have _______________ three books today. 
Part 5 – Verb forms: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb. 
Verb 1    Verb 2    Verb 3
make      
    sang  
        Forgotten 

Part 6 – Write ‘for’ or ‘since’ to complete the sentences. 
1.    I have lived in Portland _____ twenty years.
2.    She’s studied piano _________ 2004.
3.    They’ve cooked Italian food _______ they were teenagers.
4.    My friends have worked in that company _________ a long, long time.
Part 7 – Answer each question with a complete sentence.

1. How long have you spoken English?
A: _______________________ for _________.

2. How long have you played soccer?
A: _______________________ since ___________.

3. How long have you known him?
A: ____________________________ for ___________. 
Part 8 – Write the correct form of the verb. Choose simple past or present perfect. 
1.    She ___________(go) to New York three years ago.
2.    I __________________ (smoke) cigarettes for ten years.
3.    He _______________ (enjoy / -) the movie yesterday.
4.    _________ you __________ (eat) sushi before? 
Part 9. Circle the correct answer.
1. Fred _________ cake yesterday afternoon.

a. has eaten
b. eated
c. ate
d. was ate
2. I __________ at PELA for two months.

a. study
b. am studying
c. have study
d. have studied 
Part 10 – Fill in the blanks in these conversations. Use present perfect or simple past. 
Peter: Have you ever ________ (buy) a car?
Susan: Yes, I have.
Peter: Cool! What car ___________ you _________ (buy)
Susan: I _________ (buy) a Mercedes last year. 

Teaching to the Test Tips

• Project each section onto a whiteboard to make sure that each student actually sees what's expected.
• Ask students to come up and complete individual sections of the quiz. Have other students state whether they have completed the exercise correctly or not. 
• On the whiteboard, circle keywords in directions to make sure that students take notice of specific instructions.
• For the first question in each exercise, ask a student to complete the question on the whiteboard. Ask the student to explain why they answered in that manner. 
• Pay special attention to time expressions. Students tend to forget how important these are. For example, in exercise six students need to decide whether 'for' or 'since' should be used. Ask each student why they chose 'for' or 'since'. 
• On multiple choice questions, ask students why each incorrect answer is incorrect. 
• Don't worry about making a review quiz the same length as the actual test. Keep it short as the focus is on understanding 'how' to take the test. 

Source: http://esl.about.com/od/grammarlesso2/fl/Teaching-to-the-Test-in-ESL-Class.htm?           

A Little Life Philosophy - Idioms in Context

By Kenneth Beare

Updated October 26, 2016.

Here is a short story about a simple life philosophy. Try reading the dialogue one time to understand the gist without using the idiom definitions. On your second reading, use the definitions to help you understand the text while learning new idioms. You'll find idiom definitions and a short quiz on some of the expressions at the end of the story. 

A Little Life Philosophy

Here are some thoughts on how to live a reasonably balanced life. These aren't any great insights, just everyday thoughts on how to be satisfied and relatively happy despite the curves that life throws us at times. First and foremost, it's important to find people that you like. That means finding someone who won't make you feel put upon. That's truly a horrible feeling! It's also a good idea to find people who aren't going to press your buttons too much. Friends will kid around, but good friends will hit a happy medium between joking and respecting each other. On the topic of friends, it's a good idea to treat your friends like you'd like them to treat you.

It's simple, but put this advice into practice and you'll be surprised at what great friends you find. 

In these modern times, we all enjoy having the latest, greatest products such as smart phones and stylish clothing. Just remember that all that glitters is not gold. I find it helpful to always keep the presence of mind about me when I'm shopping. Rather than fall into the trap of using your credit card too much, wait a day or two. Try this trick the next time your heart skips a beat because some beautiful piece of technology calls to you from the shop window. Once you've got this technique under your belt, you'd be surprised how much you will save.

Finally, when things do go wrong be careful and take it slowly. Take a few deep breaths, regain your composure, and then act. Unfortunately, we all get the short end of the stick at times. When this happens, know that life doesn't turn on a dime. Ups and downs are all part of the puzzle that is life. Taking this approach will make problems run like water off a duck's back. You'll need to straighten things out from time to time, but you'll know it's not the end of the world. Of course, it's also a good idea to cross bridges when you come to them rather than worry too much about everything that could go wrong in life!

Idioms and Expressions

all that glitters is not gold = not everything that looks good is good
cross a bridge when one comes to it = deal with a situation when it happens, used when explaining that one shouldn't worry too much about possible problems
fall into the trap = do something that something wants you to do in order to take advantage of you
feel put-upon = feel like someone is forcing your to do something you don't want to do
get something under one's belt = experience something
get the short end of the stick = lose in an arrangement of some sort, receive the smallest portion
have the heart skip a beat = be surprised by something
hit a happy medium = find balance between extremes
kid around = have fun, joke
presence of mind = the ability to calmly think about a situation and make the best decision rather than act on emotion
push someone's buttons = know exactly what to say to anger another person
put something into practice = do something that you want to become a habit, often used when following advice
regain one's composure = find balance after having becoming very emotional (anger, sadness, spite, etc.)
run like water off a duck's back = not bother or affect someone
straighten something out = resolve a problem
throw someone a curve = do something that surprises someone, often used when negative events happen
turn on a dime = change without hesitation

Idiom and Expression Quiz

Check your understanding of the new idioms and expressions with this quiz.

1. Jennifer feels ___________ by her boss at work. She's always asking her to stay and work overtime. 
2. I wish you wouldn't ________________. This is serous business for serious people!
3. Luckily, Tom had the _________________ to bring all the equipment despite the crazy rush to leave this morning.
4. I'd like to get a climb of Mt. Hood _______________. It must be an amazing adventure.
5. I'm trying to put my philosophy __________________ every day. It's not always easy!
6. I wish you would stop pushing my _________________. I don't want to argue with you.
7. I've hit a ___________________ between work and free time.
8. My heart skipped __________ when I heart the news about their marriage.
9. He fell into _____________ when he agreed to give her lessons for free.
10. I'm afraid you've gotten ___________________________. Next time will be better!

Answers

1. put-upon
2. kid around
3. presence of mind
4. under my belt
5. into practice
6. buttons
7. happy medium
8. a beat
9. a trap
10. the short end of the stick

Source: http://esl.about.com/od/advanced-idioms/fl/A-Little-Life-Philosophy-Idioms-in-Context.htm?utm_campaign=list_esl&utm_content=20161101&utm_medium=email&utm_source=exp_nl&utm_term=list_esl