Lesson 18 B2 2pm Class
Strategies for listening & speaking effectiveness in international meetings.
Homework
For your self study why not combine reading and listening practice using ebooks & audiobooks together. For a range of free ebook and audio book downloads (as all these titles are in the public domain) go to: http://www.loyalbooks.com
Why does Airbnb’s guarantee make it so difficult to claim? It promises hosts won’t be left out of pocket for damage but it’s hard to get in touch Anna Tims Wed 3 Oct 2018 07.00 BST Source: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/oct/03/airbnb-damage-redress-guarantee I decided to list my flat on Airbnb for two months while I was working abroad. One of the bookings was for two guests, but neighbours report there were more and they left damage to furniture and fittings. Airbnb claims to provide a guarantee that the host will not lose out if a guest causes damage. However, I have been totally stonewalled in my attempts to claim. Customer service staff can’t discuss the case over the phone and don’t reply to my emails. I have had to decline reservation requests until the damage is repaired, as the apartment is not fit for guests as it is. TB, London Now read the response from Anna Timms below - what is your view? “Live a richer life; start hosting,” Airbnb’s website urges homeowners. Some hosts have found themselves considerably poorer, however, after guests wrought havoc and the company refused redress. The host guarantee, which promises cover for up to $1m, can lure owners into a false sense of security, for it is not an insurance policy – indeed, hosting can invalidate your home insurance. And because it’s not a paid-for policy you are named on, there’s no recourse if Airbnb refuses to honour a claim. Moreover, there’s a long list of exclusions, including damage caused by guests who were not included on the booking and damage to communal areas. And you have to claim before the next set of guests arrives, which, if you’re abroad, gives you no chance to identify the problems. It’s hardly surprising Airbnb makes it as difficult as possible, since it provides the potentially crippling guarantee for free. However, the company acknowledges it failed you. “Our original handling of this case did not meet the usual high standards we set for ourselves and we have apologised to the host for the delay,” it says. It has now stumped up £2,859.
Some insurers offer a Airbnb add-on to home insurance, and there are specialist companies that cover paid-guest stays. Corrections Damage & Furniture are uncountable and therefore only used in the singular.
Compare the difference in meaning between damage & damages. Going Further 1. The Grammar of Either/Or, Neither/Nor When using either/or and neither/nor, note the following rules:
1. If both elements are singular, then the verb is singular too. Either the father or the mother has to attend the meeting. (The nouns 'father' and 'mother' are singular; so the verb 'has' is singular too) Neither Leila nor Nancy is going to write the report. ('Leila' and 'Nancy' are singular; so the verb ' is' is singular too)
2. However, if one of the elements is plural, then use a plural verb. Either Sue or the girls are going to prepare dinner tonight. (The noun 'girls' is plural; so the verb 'are' is plural too)
Neither the teacher nor the students were in the classroom this morning. (The noun 'students' is plural; so the verb 'were' is plural too)
Formal & informal emails at work (Business Advantage p. 116, questions 1 - 3)
Common abbreviations (can you remember the abbreviations for regarding, (blind) carbon copy and laugh out loud? When would you use them?
Vocabulary to mess someone around = to cause someone trouble to give someone a ring = to phone someone
Homework
Find three examples that demonstrate the difference in use between i.e. and e.g. 2 pm C1 Class
Negotiating the term's syllabus - grammar audit, speaking fluency, listening effectiveness. How can we combine these three aims?
Homework
Think of 3 - 4 topics to use as resources for our language work this term. Come to class next week prepared to negotiate with your classmates which topics we will focus on as a group.
Learner Training - reflecting on progress. What has been your biggest challenge this course?
Homework
Reading: Room 101, Grammar: Dependent prepositions (Global pp. 106 - 107). Tip: Look at the example sentences in a monolingual dictionary to find out which prepositions are possible (there may be more than one - with different meanings).
Vocabulary to rush painkillers grey area on foot to tidy (up) to go shopping (for clothes etc) to do the shopping (at the supermarket) 1:30pm C1/C2 Class
Lesson 16 12:30pm B2 Language Input - dependent prepositions Learner Training - using monolingual dictionaries to learn structure Speaking - Back pain, pilates, planking and yoga
Vocabulary foot rest, foot stool willingness cushion (on the couch) versus pillow (on the bed)
Patterns Apologise (to someone) (for something) shout at, talk at, laugh at versus shout to, talk to, laugh with/about dream up (phrasal verb = invent) versus dream of/about
What's the difference? It tastes (verb)of lemon He has good taste (noun)in music She has a taste (noun)for adventure Going further Video Listening - Planking
I am a freelance teacher based at the British Council in Rome. This is a Blog for my students, not only to keep up with what we are doing in class but also to ask questions, share ideas and practise English.
