Meaning:
To say clearly what you think or feel about something, however unpleasant or awkward it.
To make no bones about something means to say something in a way that leaves no doubt, or to have no objection to it.
Pronunciation and word stress are very important, especially when it comes to communicating effectively with other people.
For example: Interesting has 4 syllables in•ter•est•ing (although it is also sometimes shown as 3).
The emphasis is on the first syllable IN•ter•est•ing.
Countable
Countable nouns have plurals and can be used with a/an.
Potato is a countable noun. You can have a potato and potatoes.
Uncountable
Uncountable nouns have no plurals, and cannot normally be used with a/an.
Sugar is an uncountable noun. You cannot have a sugar or sugars.
When we speak to co-workers, friends or family in a social situation, some common expressions are used again and again.
This is very common for when we say "Hello" and "Good-bye".
The use of some and any is easily confused.
Some means a certain (not large) number of something and is used in positive sentences, and questions when we expect the answer to be yes, such as in requests and offers.
Any is used instead of some in negative sentences, and most questions.
For example:
Pronunciation is so important when we are trying to communicate.
Incorrect pronunciation can make a simple word difficult to understand!
Below are three commonly mispronounced sounds.
Put the words below into their correct pronounciation.
/s/ = talks
/z/ = does
/iz/ = loses
At EC San Deigo English school they recently had a class discussion on Bucket Lists.
A Bucket List is where you write down all of the things you want to do in your life before you die.
The term comes from the slang idiom "to kick the bucket" meaning "to die".
Today's joke is based on two meanings of bring down.
Bring down: Make someone depressed, unhappy or exhausted. Get Down can also be used:
"This rainy weather is really bringing me down."
Listen to EC London student Thomas talk about his time learning English with us. This is a good opportunity to hear a non-native speaker's English accent.
Before you watch the video, take a moment to read through the 7 questions below so that you know what information you are listening for.
Have you been to London or even studied at our school there?
Well, here's a great excuse for me to continue with the mid-afternoon naps I'm so fond of!
This article suggests that sleeping can actually help us to remember and process new information.
STUDENTS: This does not mean that if you sleep in class you will learn more!!
Read the article and try and decide whether the statements below are true or false.
Lesson by Caroline Devane
Napping after learning something new could help you commit it to memory - as long as you dream, scientists say.
