The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost (poem with text)

Mr. Bean. At the Supermarket

   

When you see one of the things below happening in the film, put up your hand

and say that sentence. Sometimes both of the sentences happen in the film, and

sometimes just one. The sentences are mixed up. You get one point for a correct

sentence and lose one point for a wrong one.

He' s brushing his hair
He’s brushing his teeth
He’s brushing his eyebrows
He’s using a towel
He’s putting a towel around his waist
He’s speaking on the phone
He’s banging the phone
He’s pressing buttons on the phone
He’s looking under the man’s bag
He’s looking in the man’s bag
He’s looking at his credit card
He’s looking for his credit card
He’s smelling something fantastic
He’s smelling something disgusting
He’s carrying an empty basket
He’s carrying a full basket

He’s feeling embarrassed
He’s feeling bored
He’s feeling confused
He’s feeling irritated (= annoyed)
He’s feeling shocked
He’s feeling proud
He’s feeling disappointed
He’s peeling a potato
He’s cutting a potato
He’s putting his hand in his pocket
He’s putting his hand in the man’s pocket
The man is sitting on a chair
The man is sitting on a toilet
The man is pulling down his pants
The man is pulling up his pants
He’s holding his breath
He’s blowing
He’s sneezing
He’s coughing


                                                                                         from http://tefltastic.wordpress.com

An Amazing Performance

Read the text.Are you ready for a role play?

Michael's phone is ringing and vibrating in his pocket.

"Hello?"

"Hi honey, is the play starting yet?"

"No, not yet, Cari. We are all still waiting for the show to start." Michael is sitting in the third row, waiting to see their son Joe in his very first play. "What are you doing? Are you leaving yet?"

"I am finishing up some work and then yes."

"Okay, as long as you are hurrying. … Oh, they are pulling up the curtain right now. The show is starting."

"Oh good. I am listening. I am keeping you on speaker phone."

Michael is whispering into the phone now. "Cari, only two actors are walking onto the stage. Joe is not joining them yet."

"Okay. I am waiting. I am trying to be patient." Cari is laughing into the phone. After a few minutes, she is getting impatient. "What is taking so long?"

"Shhh! We are trying to be quiet, silly! Good job being patient. His part is coming up soon."

"Okay." She is sighing.

"Oh! Here he is coming! Are you hearing this? He is doing a great job! He is remembering his lines. He is really enjoying this!"

"Shhh! I am trying to hear him, not you!"

"Okay, sorry. I am just trying to keep you updated. Oh, wow, he is doing something amazing. Oh wow! He is …" An usher is walking down the aisle toward Michael. The usher is holding a finger up to his lips.

"Uh honey, an usher is shushing me. I am getting into trouble. I am hanging up now."

"No! What is he doing? Something amazing is happening? What is happening?" No noise is coming from her phone now. She is getting very upset, but at least her son is amazing at something!

THE END

                                                                                                                                                                                                   from really-learn-english.com

Business Etiquette Cartoon

Small Talk in Business

Small talk is a very important skill in business. Attending receptions, banquets, and other business-related social events might be a dreadful experience if you don't know what to say and how to behave; however, with a little practice and use of these helpful tips, you can become the perfect partner.

1. Introduce and initiate. Go ahead and initiate with a hello! Even if you recognize, or slightly know someone, re-introduce yourself. Be aware of how people introduce themselves and use their name throughout your interaction. This will help you remember it in the long run and also establish a personal connection.
2. Use an icebreaker. An icebreaker not only provides a way to meet new people, but also helps jump start conversations. For example, using an icebreaker such as “Tell me about your conference last week...” instead of simply saying hello can lead to a fruitful conversation, rather than an uncomfortable silence. Some other valuable icebreakers you might use are:

 “Bring me up to date on your latest project.”
    “What do you find to be the most enjoyable aspect of your job?”
    “Tell me about your history with ________.”
    “How did you come to find yourself in the........field?”

3. Express interest and make an effort. You have to be interested if you want to be interesting. Part of your job as a conversation starter is to get the other person to talk. Listen to what your conversational partner is saying and ask relevant follow-up questions.
4. Find common ground. Whether you’re chatting with a new co-worker or a business function speaker, it’s important to stay on a related topic. As long as you stay on a subject you are both familiar with – like your specific field or the day’s event – you’ll be able to communicate easily.
5. Overcome uncomfortable pauses. It’s up to you to keep the conversation going if there are some pauses.
6. Establish personal boundaries. It’s fine if you want to let someone know where you went to college or how many children you have, but be mindful of how much personal information you provide. Revealing too many personal details in a business setting can be inappropriate.
7. Exit thoughtfully. In many business situations, it’s important to make contact with several people and move around a room. If you are in management it is always good to make contact and interact with as many on the team as possible.

Adapted from wikihow.com/Small-Talk-for-Successful-Business-Networking

Grammar video: future forms

You can read about when and how to use the different future forms in English here (going to, future simple, present continuous). You can also watch a video with some examples to understand it better. After watching the video, do the activities below. Have fun!
To access the video, click on the image:

Listening: Introducing a friend

Listen to the following text and do the activities below to improve your listening skills.
To go to the website, click on the image.