In this week's lesson we looked at modal auxiliaries. For a copy of the work sheet and extra links go to: http://seansenglishclassroom.pbworks.com/w/page/11442644/Modals
Homework
As with tenses, the best way to practice is to notice how other people use models and ask questions about the choices they have made. Find a short text (written or spoken) and highlight all the modals used. What are their various functions in the text and why do you think the writer/speaker has chosen to use those and not others?
Video Listening Practice
1. Comedy
Vicky Pollard was a popular character from the sketch show, Little Britain. What do the performers/writers say about the way she speaks and the way language has changed?
In this sketch, the humour comes from a number of sources as well as the speed and incomprehensible quality of Vicky's speech.
- vocabulary mistakes e.g. malapropism (the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one), spoonerisms, egg corns and mondegreens.
- cultural differences between the U.K. and the U.S.
- generational differences
What examples can you find?
2. Accents
This week we talked about accents in movies and on T.V. Meryl Streep is perhaps the most acclaimed actress of her generation, principally for her facility with accents and languages. Watch the montage of clips below. Which accents do you find the easiest to identify and understand? What do you think of her Italian accent in The Bridges of Madison County?
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