ANIA C2 Group 8 (2 pm)

Class

Speaking - discussion authors and identity

Vocabulary - recycling 

Exam Practice - Paper 1, Part 1 multiple choice cloze, Part 4 sentence transformations

Taken from Proficiency Test Builder, test 2.

New vocabulary and corrections

• Loath versus loathe

(N.b. Difference in spelling and pronunciation)

To be loath to do something (adjective meaning unwilling)

To loathe something/doing something (verb meaning to hate)

• Issue versus publish

This is a question of collocation - issue a warning/an ordinance, publish an article/book/magazine.

Note when issue is used as a noun:

Have you read the latest issue of Newsweek?

• Money chase - money trail

• Character (pronunciation /k/)

Follow up

Remember the Gay Cake court case which we discussed during the lesson on religious freedom back in April (Lesson 11, 7th April, 2016)? The Court of Appeal has now come back with their decision. Read about it here: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-37748681

ANIA C1 Group 6 (12:30pm)

Class

The English Tense System

Simple versus continuous aspect
http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/11442655/The%20English%20Tense%20System

Homework 

1.  Look at the expamples of perfect and non perfect sentences on the worksheet. What is different about the situations they describe?

2. Look at the examples below. What does the speaker want to emphasise with the tense he/she has chosen.

A) The bus leaves at 9 on Monday.

B) The bus is leaving at 9 so you'd better get ready.

C) I think I'll take the 9 o'clock bus.

D) The bus will leave at 9 unless there is a problem at the station.

E) The bus will be leaving at 9 whether you are on it or not. 

Going further

English grammar as an expression of distance.
http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/41658221/English%20Grammar%20and%20Thinking%20in%20English

ANIA B2.3 (2pm)

Class

1) Vocabulary recycling (international business) BEC Masterclass workbook p. 44

2) Error correction: countable & uncountable nouns, word forms (suffixes)

3) Approaches to tenses. Aspects: simple, continuous, perfect

Homework 

Find a written or spoken text (e.g. an article from the internet) and highlight all the tenses. Why do you think the writer/speaker chose to use those tenses?

Going further

The English Tense System http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/11442655/The%20English%20Tense%20System

Thinking in English http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/41658221/English%20Grammar%20and%20Thinking%20in%20English

ANIA A2.2 (12:30pm)

Class

Discussion: listening strategies

Listening occurs in 3 stages:

Before

During

After

Each stage is equally important - predict before you listen, don't be distracted by words you don't know while you are listening, and fill in anything you have missed using context after you have listened. 

Homework

Go to the BBC or another website and download a podcast.

E.g. http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts

Podcasts about international news are useful as you can always read a report in an Italian newspaper first and then listen to how the same story is reported in English. 

Choose a short broadcast (maximum 5 minutes) but listen to it 3 or 4 times. Do you understand more each time you listen? Did you find any new words?

The Great Vowel Shift

"If you think English spelling is confusing — why "head" sounds nothing like "heat," or why "steak" doesn't rhyme with "streak," and "some" doesn't rhyme with "home" — you can blame the Great Vowel Shift. Between roughly 1400 and 1700, the pronunciation of long vowels changed. "Mice" stopped being pronounced "meese." "House" stopped being prounounced like "hoose." Some words, particularly words with "ea," kept their old pronounciation. (And Northern English dialects were less affected, one reason they still have a distinctive accent.) This shift is how Middle English became modern English. No one is sure why this dramatic shift occurred. But it's a lot less dramatic when you consider it took 300 years. Shakespeare was as distant from Chaucer as we are from Thomas Jefferson."

Taken from 25 Maps that explain the English Language
http://www.vox.com/2015/3/3/8053521/25-maps-that-explain-english

ANIA C2 Group 8

Class
Literature continued:

Literary Genres
8 Offbeat Literary Genres To Get Lost In
http://www.dictionary.com/slideshows/offbeat-literary-genres

Elena Ferrante
Introduction - Discussion

1. Have you ever read a book that you would describe as a “a real page turner”, a compelling novel that you “just couldn’t put down”?
2. Have you read any novels by Elena Ferrante? 
3. What do you know about the recent scandal surrounding Ferrante - the Ferrante Furor?
4. Why do you think some writers choose to write under a pseudonym?
5. Do you think that knowing details about the writer’s life changes the way you experience their fiction?
6. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing someone translating a novel from one language to another? 

Listening
1. Ann Goldstein - translator of Elena Ferrante’s The Neapolitan Quartet and The Complete Works of Primo Levi
http://www.npr.org/2016/02/20/467382711/translator-behind-elena-ferrante-novels-says-her-job-is-to-be-an-enabler

1. How does "Ferrante fever” work?
2. What other job does Goldstein hold down as well as being a translator?
3. When and how did she learn Italian?
4. Does she try to recreate an Italian style when she translates?
5. What does she personally like about Ferrante’s novels?
6. What is her translating ‘philosophy’?
7. According to Goldstein, what are the characteristics of Primo Levi’s writing?
8. How does Goldstein see her own literary life? 

Check your answers by listening again by reading the summary below.
(n.b. it is a summary not a word for word transcript)


Read through the summary again noting any new words, collocations, phrasal verbs, fixed phrases and idiomatic expressions.

2. The Ferrante Furore http://www.dw.com/en/inside-europe-unmasking-elena-ferrante/av-36033214

Vocabulary
Copy editor  - more than a proof reader or a fact checker see: http://www.theslot.com/copyeditors.html

Enabler or facilitator? http://2kop.blogspot.it/2011/07/teach-man-to-fish.html

Homework
Reading
This month Claudio Gatti claimed to reveal the true identity of author Elena Ferrante. Do you think that he was justified in doing so? Read the article below, what arguments do his supporters and detractors use? Which arguments do you believe are the most persuasive?

For Literary World, Unmasking Elena Ferrante Is Not A Scoop. It's A Disgrace
October 3, 20164:21 PM ET

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/03/496406869/for-literary-world-unmasking-elena-ferrantes-not-a-scoop-its-a-disgrace

Going Further:
Set Texts for CPE 2016 - 2017
If you enjoy reading in English, it might be an idea to prepare for the set text question in the writing paper for the CPE exam. The set texts for 2016 - 2017 are Penelope Lively: Family Album
F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby (novel or screenplay to the 2013 film adaptation)

Viewing
Author: The J.T. LeRoy Story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gdhrL2ta88
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvMja-moAlE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wictg7mCis4


After watching the following clips, do you think Elena Ferrante’s situation is any different to the scandal involving J.T. LeRoy in 2006?

ANIA C1 Group 6 (12:30pm)

Class

1. Pronunciation - phonemes, neutral and contrastive stress, tones. http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/11442648/Pronunciation
2. Introduction to the English tense system http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/11442655/The%20English%20Tense%20System

Note on Tones
What tone would you use for a shopping list?
bread↗milk↗eggs↗fruit↘︎
(or fall rise if asking for confirmation = Have I forgotten anything?)

What tone would a Doctor use when checking off symptoms in a medical exam?

"cough→headache→runny nose→"A level tone makes the doctor sound more detached and less intrusive so the patient feels more confident.

Homework
Find a text - any source - newspaper, magazine, internet - and print off a copy. Highlight all the tenses used. Why do you think the author has chosen these tenses?

ANIA 2.2 Group 2 (12:30pm)

Class

Pronunciation - working with the phonemic chart

Pronunciation Games - Hidden Names

Noticing the relationship between spelling and pronunciation:

E.g. c, s and sh can all be pronounced /ʃ / as in ocean, sure and shop, j, ge, and d can all be pronounced /d͡ʒ/ as in jump, ledge and soldier

What other patterns can you find from today's activity?

Vowels

Look at the difference between British English and Italian vowels in the charts below. 

Think about why they are different. Consider: long/short vowels, position of the tongue, how far forward the sound is made in the mouth.

Homework

Next week we are going to work on listening skills. Think about a situation when you had difficulty listening in English. Why was it so difficult?

Going Further - listening - songs

Listen to the different vowel sound in Sheila and Shayla.

The Smiths "Sheila Take A Bow"

Blondie "Shayla" 

ANIA B2.3 Group 5 (2pm)

Class

International Markets

Key Vocabulary

Ways of expanding internationally:

Setting up a sales subsidiary

Finding a distributor (check the pronunciation - which syllable is stressed?)

Buying a local company

Verbs/phrasal verbs

To work out a deal (negotiate)

To work out a problem (resolve)

To buy up something (completely)

To buy out a business partner

To move into a new maket = to enter a new market

To enter into a contract/agreement

False friends

Argument: (i) a verbal disagreement, (ii) the point of view expressed in an article or essay.

Topic: the subject of a discussion, article or essay. 

Homework 

Revise today's vocabulary and discussion points (e.g. The role of trade fairs, chambers of commerce, trade delegations, embassies, subsidiaries, distributors in international trade) as this will be useful for next week's listening activities. 

All Students - New Zealand English

Last month, The Urban List website published Martha Brooke's entertaining article,  37 Kiwi Words That Will Confuse The Hell Out Of You. The list includes such kiwisms as:

• Scroggin
• Munted
• Togs
• Dodgy 
• Capsicum
• Bach
• Jandals
• Beaut
• Bro

What do you think they mean? If you are stumped, find out the definitions from the article available on the link below:

https://www.theurbanlist.com/auckland/a-list/37-kiwi-words-that-will-confuse-the-hell-out-of-you?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Auckland%20B2C%20eNews%2022916&utm_content=Auckland%20B2C%20eNews%2022916+Version+B+CID_284c0016ebab97b3e369d23bed0c4c24&utm_source=Campaign%20Monitor%20Emails&utm_term=37%20Kiwi%20Words%20That%20Will%20Confuse%20The%20Hell%20Out%20Of%20You

ANIA C2 Group 8 (2pm)

Class
Literature and Language Learning - Part One: Margaret Atwood
Introduction - Discussion

1. What was the last novel that you really enjoyed?
2. Do you have a favourite author whose books you particularly like?
3. What genres do you prefer? Historical novels? Thrillers? Dystopian Fiction?
4. Have you read any books both in their original language and in translation? How different was the reading experience for you?

Listening - Margaret Atwood
http://www.npr.org/2015/09/30/444775853/now-is-not-the-time-for-realistic-fiction-says-margaret-atwood

1. How does Margaret Atwood’s novel, The Heart Goes Last, demonstrate the intersection between storytelling and new technology?
2. How does the author describe the book?
3. What is the setting of the novel?
4. Why did Atwood want to write about penal institutions?
5. According to Mat Johnson, what is the most enjoyable characteristic of Atwood’s work?
6. In Atwood's opinion,’why are readers more attracted to fantasy fiction now? 

Check your answers by listening again by reading the summary provided on the link (also available on the handout).
(n.b. it is a summary not a word for word transcript)

Homework

1. Margaret Atwood is Canadian. Do you notice any differences between her accent and U.S. accents you have heard? 
2. Would you be interested in reading The Heart Goes Last? Why/why not?
3. Read through the summary again noting any new words, collocations, phrasal verbs, fixed phrases and idiomatic expressions. 

New Vocabulary

• wry

Adjective

Word forms: wrier, wriest, wryer or wryest

drily humorous; sardonic

• scrounge

Verb informal

1. (when intr, sometimes foll by around) to search in order to acquire (something) without cost

2. to obtain or seek to obtain (something) by cadging or begging

• footing

Noun

a secure grip by or for the feet

ANIA C1 Group 6 (12:30pm)

Class
Pronunciation
Introduction to phonemic chart

How the chart relates to where and how you make the sounds

For more detailed notes go to http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/11442648/Pronunciation

For vowels ask 3 questions:

1. Is it long or short?
2. Is the tongue at the top, in the middle or at the bottom of the mouth?
3. Do you make the sound at the front, middle or back of the mouth?

For consonants think about:

1. How do you make the sound?
2. Where do you make the sound?
3. Is the sound made by vibrating the vocal chords or not ( is it voiced or unvoiced)?

Treat the chart like a map and it will help you find where to make the sound.

Homework

1. Finish the "hidden names" game.
2. Download the Sounds Right App for iPad iPhoneor an equivalent phonemic chart for your tablet or phone or android to use in class. Get to know the chart. Which sounds are the most difficult to pronounce or distinguish?

All Students - Take advantage of the Rome Film Festival

The Rome Film Festival starts today and runs until 23rd October at the Auditorium. This is a great opportunity to see films in original language from all over the world. Subtitles are provided in Italian and projected on a separate smaller screen below the main screen so as not to obstruct the images. As well as the films, there are many live events including Q & A sessions with Oliver Stone, Viggo Mortensen and Meryl Streep. Most tickets to the films and the live events cost €10 and there are several retrospectives and special screenings which are free. To download the programme go to http://www.romacinemafest.it/en/rome-film-fest/programme/

Hope to see you there this weekend!






Here are some suggested highlights of the English language films:

• Moonlight
• Manchester By The Sea
• The Last Laugh
• Birth of a Nation
• Captain Fantastic
• Florence Foster Jenkins
• Hunt For The Wilder-people
• Lion
• Sing Street
• Tom Hanks retrospective (free entry)
• Retrospective of American political cinema (free entry) 

ANIA A2.2 Group 2 (12:30pm)

Class

Introduction to phonemic chart

For vowels ask 3 questions:

Is it long or short?

Is the tongue at the top, in the middle or at the bottom of the mouth?

Do you make the sound at the front, middle or back of the mouth?

For consonants think about:

How do you make the sound?

Where do you make the sound?

Is the sound made by vibrating the vocal chords or not ( is it voiced or unvoiced)?

Treat the chart like a map and it will help you find where to make the sound.

Homework

1. Finish the "hidden names" game.
2. Download the Sounds Right App for iPad iPhoneor an equivalent phonemic chart for your tablet or phone or android to use in class. 

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/apps/sounds-right

ANIA B2.3 Group 5 (2pm)

Class

Vocabulary from warm up free speaking:

Cold symptoms: headache (note pronunciation /eik/), cough (noun and verb), blocked nose, runny nose, sore throat.

Gardening: prune/cut back a hedge/plant/tree, water plants/the garden, rake leaves, mow the lawn/cut the grass, plant a tree/seeds.

Lexical precision and connotation:

Walk - stride (strode, stridden), stroll, shuffle, trudge

Writing Skills

Making requests and writing concisely

(Adapted from BEC Masterclass p. 29)

ANIA C2 Group 8 (2pm)

Class
What is bravery to you?
Who is someone you admire for their bravery?

Reclaiming Fear by Magda Szubanksi
http://player.themoth.org/#/?actionType=ADD_TO_FAVORITES&storyId=561

Magda Szubanski  is an Australian television and film actress, comedian and writer. She is best known internationally for her work on Babe and Happy Feet and their sequels but is much loved in Australia for her TV comedy work especially on the series Kath & Kim. Her memoir, Reckoning was released in 2015 and won Book of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards in May 2016.


1. Vocabulary
publicist
unflattering
to eviscerate (If you described yourself as feeling eviscerated, how would you feel?)
(fear of) the mob
triage

Collocations & Expressions
to relish the prospect
to be beside yourself with (usually followed by a strong emotion e.g. joy, anger, grief, despair)
(to be) in the thick of it/something

Cultural References
terry towelling hat 
Jenny Craig 
Kirstie Alley
to mow the lawn 
bathers
newsstand 
lounge room




Based on the title of the story and the key words, expressions and references we have discussed, what do you think Szubanksi will talk about?

2. Listening

1. How did the news of the paparazzi photos make her feel? Why?
2. What does she think people really mean when they praise her for being brave? 
3. What happened to her father in 1943?
4. Why does she feel conflicted about her father’s role in the war?
5. What happened when she was 9 years old that changed her perception of both WWII and her father?
6. How did the documentary make her feel?
7. What surprised her about her father’s reaction to the documentary and how did this change their relationship?
8. At what point did she conquer her fear?
9. What is the great privilege she acknowledges at the end of the talk?

Apart from vocabulary, what features of Australian English did you notice?

Homework
Listen to the recording again, this time noticing the new vocabulary from today.

Going Further

• Magda Szubanksi's comedy

• Live Stories from ABC Australia - Soundcloud link - including Reclaiming Fear 

https://soundcloud.com/abc-conversations/live-stories-vol-6-true-stories-told-live-on-stage

• The Moth https://themoth.org

ANIA C1 Group 6 (12:30pm)

Class
The link between pronunciation, listening and grammar. How noticing the features of fast connected speech can help you identify grammatical structures more effectively.

http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/32174148/Conditionals%20and%20Pronunciation

Homework
Look at the sentences again. Which words/syllables were stressed? What happened to the once that weren't? Think about:

Assimilation

1. Anticipatory/regressive -  becomes more like the next sound - most common in fast connected speech
2. Retrospective/progressive - becomes more like the preceeding sound
3. Fusion - two sounds merge usually making an affricate

Bad man (place) /bæbmɑn/

Good times* (voice) /gʊttɑɪmz/

Good night  (manner) /gʊnnɑɪt/

Gonna, gimme etc /gɪmmi/

Have to, used to are examples of progressive devoicing /haftə/

/juːstə/

Would you, caught you examples of fusion - /kɔːʈʃuː/

/wʊdʒuː/

*double tt consonant like in Italian - extra long closure followed by a release. 

Elision

Loss of /t/ and /d/ sounds

Handbag /hambæg/

Elision of vowels: she's, geography, police, bottle. /ʃiːz dʒɒgrəfiˑ plɪːs bɒtl/

Insertion

Approximants /r/ /j/ / w/

My aunt, your uncle, how awful, I understand, go under, to others, be optimistic

/mɑɪjaːnt jɔːrʌŋkl hɑʊwɔːfʊl aɪʌndəstænd gɑʊwʌndə tuːwʌðəz biːjɒptəmIstIk/

He didn't watch tv or go to work

Semi vowel /j/ helps move from a front closed vowel /i:/ to a back half open one /ɔː/

ANIA B2.3 Group 5 (2pm)

Class
Business Travel 
1. Vocabulary
queue (noun and verb)
Collocations
fasten (your) seatbelt
make a reservation
free of charge
leave a tip
Pronunciation
aisle
Corrections
take get a pen
more quicker much quicker

2. Comparative and Superlative Forms
Check the rules here http://www.eflnet.com/tutorials/adjcompsup.php
Irregular Forms
good, better, the best
little, less, the least
Intensifiers
Much better
Much more beautiful
Phrases
more and more
less and less

3. Writing Short Letters & Emails

Today's material was taken from the BEC Masterclass Workbook pp. 14 - 15, 18.

Homework
Highlight useful phrases from today's writing examples. They could be useful for our class next week.

ANIA 2.2 Group 2 (12:30 pm)

Class

• Vocabulary Skills

Activities to help you learn a word (see previous blogpost)

• Dictionary Skills - words with several meanings e.g. cool (trendy), mild (not very strong), hot (spicy), warm (friendly), bright (intelligent).

• New Vocabulary (click on the word to get more information from the Collins online dictionary) 

trendy

straight

leaf (plural leaves)

handwriting

Homework

1. Finish the exercises on the worksheet - questions 4a, 4b (opposites)
2. Practice today's vocabulary tasks using one or two new words from today's lesson