Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Lesson 14: How About This?

Anna: Hi, there! In Washington, D.C. people do many things in the evening. They go listen to music. They eat at a restaurant. They go to the theater.
Anna: Tonight I am going to the theater with my friends. But I don’t know what clothes to wear. Maybe this magazine can help.
Anna: Her clothes are beautiful! I really want a friend like her to help me.
Anna: Who are you?
Genie: I am Genie! You want help. I am here to help you find the right clothes!
Anna: Awesome! How about jeans and a t-shirt?
Genie: No! Jeans and a t-shirt are too casual. How about something more formal?
Anna: Sure!
Anna: Wow! Genie, this dress is beautiful. But it’s not the right size. It’s too small.
Genie: Yes, it is too small. But green looks great on you.
Anna: Thanks.
Genie: Take off the green dress. Let’s try a green shirt and a skirt.
Anna: Oh, Genie! This green shirt is too large and this orange skirt is too orange.
Genie: Yes, the right size for you is medium. Let’s try again.
Anna: Oh, I don’t like this outfit.
Genie: No. That does not match.
Anna: Nothing.
Anna: These clothes are formal: a suit jacket, a dress shirt and a tie! They look great!
Genie: Those clothes look great … for a man! Something is wrong.
Anna: Let me see.
Anna: There. Now try.
Genie: Oh. Thanks! Now these clothes look great on you!
Anna: They do! Um, Genie, can you put on a gold belt?
Genie: Sure!
Genie: That looks great.
Anna: Can you put on a jacket?
Genie: Why not?
Anna: I love the jacket! How about a hat?
Genie: Why not?
Genie: Mm, take off the hat. That’s better.
Anna: Genie, these clothes look and feel great! Let’s go to the theater!
Genie: Sorry, Anna. I have to help other friends. Go to the magazine if you want me to help again.
Anna: Thanks, Genie. Sure thing. Goodbye!
Genie: Goodbye!
Anna: There are many places in DC to go for a great evening out! And it’s nice to have a friend to help me look my best. Until next time! Bye!

Writing

What do you like to wear to go out in the evening? What are you wearing today? Send us an email ​about your clothes and their colors and sizes or write in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice with a friend.
Activity Sheet Lesson 14
Activity Sheet Lesson 14

Learning Strategy

Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective.
The learning strategy for this lesson is Personalize. Learning English is easier when you think about how what you learn relates to yourself. Here is an example.
Meilin is learning about clothing words. She looks at her own clothes and says to herself, "My sweater is green. I am wearing blue jeans." Meilin looks at her English lesson. She sees a photo of a woman in black jeans. She says to her classmate, "I don't like black jeans. Do you?" Meilin is using the strategy "personalize" because she is speaking English to tell about herself and her own likes or dislikes. Tomorrow she will remember the words better, because she is thinking about herself when she says them.
How do you personalize in studying English? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy.

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Lesson 13: Happy Birthday, William Shakespeare!

Let's Learn English Lesson 13: Happy Birthday, William Shakespeare!
 
Anna: Hello! In Washington D.C. there are many things to do on a Sunday afternoon. I like to exercise. I like to shop. I like to garden. But today I feel bored. When I feel bored I always look for something unusual to do! I hear music. Let’s go see! What is going on here?
Rebecca: It’s a big birthday party for the writer William Shakespeare.
Anna: This is a party for William Shakespeare?
Rebecca: Yes!
Anna: Awesome!
Rebecca: Awesome!
Anna: This is a drum band. I never listen to a drum band. But today I am listening to a drum band because it’s Shakespeare’s birthday!
Anna: This is a puppet show.  I never watch puppet shows. But today I am watching a puppet show because it’s Shakespeare’s birthday!
Anna: My clothes are usual. His clothes are unusual.
Anna: In Washington, D.C. seeing a politician or even the President is usual. Seeing the Queen of England is very unusual! Your majesty!
Anna: This is sword fighting. I never sword fight. But today I am sword fighting because it’s Shakespeare’s birthday!
Anna: There are many things to do on a Sunday in Washington, D.C. -- some usual, some unusual.
Anna: Today, I am not bored because … it is William Shakespeare’s birthday!

Writing

Activity Sheet Lesson 13Activity Sheet Lesson 13
What do you usually do on a Sunday afternoon? (Or on your day off.)​ Send us an email or write about how frequently you do different activities in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice with a friend.

Learning Strategy

Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective.
The learning strategy for this lesson is Make an Inference. Learning English is easier when you can make an inference about meaning. Here is an example.
Rory is traveling. At the airport, he is looking for his airline when he walks into a woman by mistake. She yells at him, "Hey, don't be so inconsiderate! Watch where you're going!" Rory does not know the word "inconsiderate." But the woman's angry face and loud voice help him to understand that she is angry. He makes the inference that "inconsiderate" means "rude," or "impolite," and he quickly apologizes. "Oh, I'm very sorry! I am looking for the airline desk."  The woman say, "Okay, but be more careful."
How do you make inferences in studying English? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Lesson 12: Meet My Family


Let's Learn English Lesson 12: Meet My Family


Anna: Hello! Washington, D.C. has many beautiful parks. In fact, this parkreminds me of my home very far away.


Marsha: Anna, here's your coffee.


Anna: Thanks, Marsha.


Marsha: What's wrong?


Anna: I'm thinking about my family. I'm feeling homesick.


Marsha: Do you want to talk about it?


Anna: Sure! I have some photos.


Marsha: Yes. Yes, you do!


Anna: Photos really help.


Anna: This is my mother and this is my father. They are rodeo clowns.


Marsha: What do rodeo clowns do?


Anna: They make jokes at a rodeo. They make people laugh.


Marsha: That-That';s very different.


Marsha: Who is that woman in the picture?


Anna: That is my Aunt Lavender. She is my mom's sister. She lovesgardening and makes spoons.


Marsha: She makes spoons?


Anna: Of course.


Marsha: That, too, is very different.


Anna: Oh! This is my Uncle John. He is my father's brother.


Marsha: What does Uncle John do?


Anna: He's a chicken farmer. And makes guitars. He's awesome, and I'm his favorite niece.


Marsha: Who are they?


Anna: They are my cousins. They are my Uncle John's daughter and son.


Marsha: What do they do?


Anna: They raise sheep and make sweaters.


Marsha: Yeah, that's not a surprise.


Marsha: Thanks for showing me your family photos. Your family is very different.


Anna: I do feel better. Thanks for listening. I have many more photos!


Marsha: Yeah. Yeah, you do.


Anna: Washington, DC is my new home. But I like remembering my old home, too.