FORMAL AND INFORMAL ENGLISH

There are many ways to say the same thing. Now…. when planning how to ask  for something or make a request, we have to consider different factors like who the receiver of our message is, what we really want to get from our message, and many other things….  Check this out:

Gimme the salt!   or     Would you please pass me the salt?

Same idea, same objective, but probably different context and/or different addressee (person recieving the message)

Here you have some links to a few complete and good documents to learn or revise this topic. I hope you find them useful:

– great ppt with a very complete view and examples about formaliy vs. colloquial English

– This is another great ppt, this time focussing on Spoken English, it includes interesting examples – two videos of Obama exemplifying both levels of formality

– Written English  and levels of formality

For advanced learners:

Try these exercises to see how well you can use formal and informal language. Then watch our video on how to create a formal tone in letters.

• Formal and informal expressions
• Phrasal verbs and their equivalents
• Formal grammatical patterns

Try putting your skills to the test with these two quizzes.

• Informal to formal exercise
• Formal to informal exercise

Intonation

 

 

Intonation: Watch this interesting and practical video to understand how English intonation works.  

There’s a complete series of videos dealing with varied topics of general interest which also include grammar and pronunciation explanations. You may also want to download scripts, teacher’s explanations and work on some extra activities. Check the list of videos for intermediate and above here.

An Online Pronunciation Course Worth Checking out

Dear learners,

I’ve found an interesting and easy to follow pronunciation course online you may want to try.  This one in particular works on British RP (Received Pronunciation or BBC English).

Hope you find it useful.

CLICK

Cheers,

Sonia

English-Spanish language exchange in Madrid

Dear learners,

Check this out for fun learning:

• Madrid Babel. Exchange meeting points in Madrid
• Downtown Madrid exchange
• Multinkual. They do many interesting things, specially interesting their ‘original version cinema sessions’.

Give it a try and let us know how it went by leaving a comment below.  Plus, let us know any other meeting points you might have tried.

Cheers,

Sonia

The Gypsy Prince covering ‘In the ghetto’

I’m sure you all know this  song recorded by Elvis P. and written by Mack Davis at the end of the 60’s.  Its narrative is about poverty and hunger in the US, not very funny, I know, but I just wanted you to listen to this version which, above all, sounds funny ’cause of the Spanish accent of the G.Prince, that’s all…. If you think that English pronunciation is difficult, the Gypsy Prince is gifted in it! ….

THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS is

 

Any suggestions?

Think about it, jot down some ideas to develop later either in writing or speaking with a mate.

Try to use newly learnt vocabulary for practice and elaborate your sentences as much as posible to make grammar alive!

If you’re just not in the mood of brainy impressions…. just take a look at what other people have said about it:  search the net 

 

Business English (English-Spanish)

Monica’s blog offers great on-line learning materials and advice, AND although I’m usually pretty reluctant to use-overuse English-Spanish translation methods, I must admit I like this blog.  There is more than Business English in it , but take a look to this section to start with if you like.

Click HERE

Cheers,

Sonia

Conversational English

Everyday English in Conversation

Does it happen to you that sometimes you feel frustrated because you find yourself unable to express yourself clearly and yet when you hear native speakers, you feel that it is so simple and easy?  In this section, we will focus on learning idiomatic and everyday expressions to help us deal with daily conversational situations.  As each dialogue is accompanied with carefully designed exercises, follow the recommended steps and practice at your own pace. Now, surf into Everyday English in Conversation!!!  click on  Focus English

Literature in English

We are an international group discussing literature in English. Newcomers are welcome.

We meet once a month, usually Thursdays, from 20:00 to 22:00 to discuss short pieces of fiction or non fiction (poems, short stories, essays…) written in English, either original or in translation.
E-mail us at madshortsmadrid@gmail.com

Hiking and learning English

My latest tip for ‘fun learning’:

Click here:  INGLES_Y_SENDERISMO_-_PRIMAVERA_2011.pdf

If you like the idea and are thinking of going, here you have some related vocabulary to warm-up:  interactivelesson16.html

And… as always:

Have fun as you learn – this time in contact with Nature! Sounds great to me…