Teaching Tips & Ideas

SEVERE LINGUISTICS DIFFICULTIES
TH – Sounds – Silent Letters

Hugo Caldas

Many students use to substitute an “S sound”, a “D sound” or a “Z sound” for the TH sound. Though there are all kinds of exercises for the TH sounds, here’s my favorite:

“Three –Thousand –Three – Hundred –Thirty –Three -Trees”!

If every student can say this sentence correctly, we feel that they have more or less mastered TH sounds and are able to go to other subjects.

Another common error is the pronunciation of silent letters:
The L in Walk, Talk, Chalk, the T in Listen, and Castle, the B in Climb and Lamb are frequent but the silent letter which is most usually pronounced is the W in the word ANSWER.

Here’s what I believe to be the cure for that sort of error. The drill is a conversation between two people and it should be read first by the teacher then by the class - divided into two groups - then, by two students then by individuals. If repeated a great many times it will sound kind of stupid but on the other hand it is quite presumable that the “W sound” will be gone forever.


Here’s The Drill:


A – Will you come to the movies, Sir? What is your answer, Sir?
B – Yes, I will come to the movies, Sir! That’s my answer, Sir!
A – There’s “Singin’ in the Rain” on screen and, Sir!
B – Sandwiches and Popcorn and ice cold Coke, Sir ? Yes, I will come
to the movies, Sir!
A – Is this your final answer, Sir?
B - Yes, this is my answer, Sir! My very final answer, Sir!

(vocalize - an' .ser)

RULES OF THUMB

Too or Very?

Too is used to describe a quality that has passed some boundary of possibility. Something that goes beyond a certain point, whereas VERY is just used to intensify a quality. To make it stronger. Both go in front of adjectives or quantifiers (much, many).

Here are some examples with Too:

She’s too short to reach the top shelf. Could you help her to get that book, please?
Joe is too young to get married. He’s only 18.
This white shirt is too long for me. I’d better try that red one again.
There are too many people in the streets tonight. You should stay home for a change.

Here are some examples with Very:

I love New York very much; you know that, don’t you?
It’s very cold outside. Make sure you wear gloves and a hat.
Mrs. Patterson is very old. I suppose she must be over 97 now.
I think Diane Lane is very attractive, don’t you?

Fill in the blanks with TOO or VERY.

1. These shirts are_____ big for you. We'll have to go shopping for new ones.
2. Mother thought the show we saw last night was_____ funny, but she didn't laugh_____ much at all.
3. You have to see this film! It's_____ interesting.
4. What do you mean, she's_____ young for me? I'm only fifteen years older than she is!

Why Can't I Own a Canadian?

The letter below was recently emailed to me by a good friend. I realise it's from a few years ago but I thought I might share it here with all of you. H.C.

Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned under any circumstances.

The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by an East Coast resident which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odour is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness - Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence.

Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

I have a neighbour who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted fan,
Jim

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"IF THINGS DO NOT SEEM AS GOOD AS ONCE THEY WERE,
THEY WERE NOT AS GOOD AS NOW THEY SEEM TO BE"
(unknown)

RULES OF THUMB

HERE’S THE POINT

Common Prefixes

Prefixes are elements placed before a word to create a new word.
Look at the following examples:

Anti - against - antisocial (a person who does not like being with other people) antiwar (a person who does not believe in war; opposed to war)

Hyper - beyond the ordinary - hyperactive (a person who is very active; more active than other people) hypersensitive (a person who is very sensitive; extra sensitive to things)

il - in - im - ir - illogical (not logical) insufficient (not sufficient; not enough)
impossible (not possible) irresponsible (not responsible)

Poly - many - polyglot (a person who speaks many languages)
polygon (a shape with many sides and angles)

Post - after - postseason (after the regular season) postscript
(PS; additional remarks at the end of a letter)

LAUGHTER'S THE BEST MEDICINE

"A Bible Lesson"

Nine year old Joey, was asked by his mother
what he had learned in Sunday school.

- "Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent
Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission
to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got
to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a
pontoon bridge and all the people walked across
safely. Then he used his walkie-talkie to radio
headquarters for reinforcements. They sent
bombers to blow up the bridge, and all the
Israelites were saved."

- "Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher
taught you?" his mother asked.

- "Well, no, Mom. But if I told it the way the
teacher did, you'd never believe it!"

Teaching Tips & Ideas

PREPOSITIONS

INTO – Em. Dentro. Indica movimento para dentro de algum lugar.

e.g. She poured the tea into the teapot.
The babies got into the cradle.
They went into the garage.
She fell into the pool.

ON – Indica contato de superfície. Usa-se também para ruas e avenidas, dias da semana e para especificar um dia ou uma data.

e.g There is a painting on the wall.
He lives on Madison Avenue.
I always go to the beach on Sundays.
On Xmas Eve.
The invasion of Normandy started on the morning of June 4 1944.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Love is… “when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she still says he is “handsomer” than Robert Redford."
Chris, age 8

RULES OF THUMB

QUIZ

Select the word that best completes the sentence

Reference - Conference - Deference - Inference

1. I am traveling to São Paulo next month for a class __________.
2. A sign of hard times is that she will need a personal __________ to get the job.
3. Young people of today should treat their elders with __________.
4. She made the __________ that it was snowing by looking at the window.

LAUGHTER'S THE BEST MEDICINE

Idiot?!
A woman was letting her husband have it with just a touch more venom than usual, saying, "You're an idiot! You have always been an idiot! You'll always be an idiot! If they had an idiot contest, you'd come in second!"
- "Why would I come in second?"
- "Because you're an idiot!"

Teaching Tips & Ideas

PREPOSITIONS

NEAR - Perto de. Indica proximidade. Empregado
antes do Particípio Presente equivale a “a ponto de”.

e.g. You were near falling into the pool.
He lives near the church.

OF - De. Caso genitivo. Posse.

e.g. A glass of water.
A couple of pigeons.
The pages of the book.
The privileges of the Royal Family.

OFF - Longe de. Fora. Indica separação. Distância etc.

e.g. Take off your hat.
She fell off the bike.
The stream is two miles off.

WEIRD NEWS

Horse Sperm

Horse sperm are the latest trouble for actor William Shatner, best known for his role as Capt. James T. Kirk of "Star Trek" and as lawyer Denny Crane in "Boston Legal"

Now, what's getting him sued for potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in Woodford Circuit Court is, well, frozen horse semen.

Shatner's second wife, Marcy Lafferty Shatner, whom he divorced in 1995, is suing him for breach of contract over the breeding privileges of three American saddlebred stallions.

In a civil suit filed late last month, Lafferty claims that Shatner, an American saddlebred horse breeder who has owned Central Kentucky horse farms since the mid-1980s, broke an agreement in their 1995 divorce settlement that specifies those privileges.

Shatner, 72, who lives in Lexington and Studio City, Calif., has not yet filed a response to the suit.

RULES OF THUMB

Do you think that jam is only something you eat on your bread?
Look at the examples of how we use the word ”jam”.

I always have my toast with strawberry jam.
jam: a sticky sweet spread made of fruit.

I'm sorry I'm late. I got stuck in a traffic jam.
traffic jam: when there are so many cars that you can't
move.

Hey, Chris, I'm in a jam. Can you lend me $10 until tomorrow?
in a jam: in a bad situation

QUOTE OF THE DAY

The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor, to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.
Anatole France

LAUGHTER'S THE BEST MEDICINE

THE CHAUFFEUR

Mrs. Winterly was a very rich woman. Her husband was a multi-millionaire. She was quite young and he was quite old. She was twenty-eight and he was fifty-eight. They lived in a very large house in England. Mrs. Winterly never cooked or cleaned the house. She never worked and she never drove a car. When she wanted to go anywhere she would call Charles. Charles was her chauffeur. Mr. Winterly travelled a lot. He flew to many countries to do business. Mrs Winterly did not like to fly so she often stayed at home. Once Mr. Winterly went to America for a week. Mrs. Winterly decided to go shopping so she walked to the garage to find Charles. She found him in his room above the garage. Mrs Winterly looked at him and said in a whisper,
“Charles, take off my hat”
“Certainly, madam,” Charles replied.
Then he took off Mrs. Winterly’s hat.
“Charles, take off my coat.”
“Certainly, madam,” Charles replied.
Then he took off Mrs. Winterly’s coat.
“Charles, take off my shoes.”
“Certainly, madam,” Charles replied.
Then he took off Mrs. Winterly’s shoes.
“Charles, take off my dress.”
“Certainly, madam,” Charles replied.
Then he took off Mrs. Winterly’s dress.
Then, Mrs. Winterly looked deep into the eyes of the chauffeur and said,
…“AND DON’T YOU DARE TO WEAR MY CLOTHES AGAIN!”…
(extract from Lessons With Laughter – London 1996)

Teaching Tips & Ideas

PREPOSITIONS

TO - Para. Em direção a. Até. Pode ser usado para designar lugar e hora.
A saúde de. De acordo com.

e.g. We walk to the office every morning.
He works from 9 to 5.
You should catch the A Train to New York.
Happy birthday to you.
A quarter to seven.
Give me the key to my car.
I bet ten to one that he wins.
I drink to your health.
She dressed to the fashion.

LAUGHTER'S THE BEST MEDICINE

IT DOESN’T PAY…
A good man passed away and went to heaven. He was greeted by St. Peter, who congratulated him and said he could have anything he wished. The fellow requested something to eat and a telescope so that he
could look around. While eating the sandwich he peered through the telescope down at the folks in hell and saw that they were feasting on lobster, filet mignon and caviar. “How come people down there are eating gourmet food?” he asked St. Peter. “I earned my place in heaven, but you gave me only a tuna-fish sandwich!
Well, replied St Peter, “it doesn’t pay to cook for just the two of us.”

STUPID QUOTES OF THE DAY

“It’s no exaggeration to say that the undecided could go one way or another.”

“I have opinions of my own – strong opinions – but I don’t always agree with them.”

George Bush, US President

Teaching Tips & Ideas

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession.
I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance
to the first”! Ronald Reagan former President of the USA.

Very peculiar the above sentence, don't you think?
It reminds me of a certain country down equator. H.C.

RULES OF THUMB

IT’S NOT THAT EASY BEING GREEN

So, you think you know what green is, right ? "It's a color!" you say. "The color of grass and emeralds and little, round peas, and long, thin string beans!" Okay, that is true. Green is all those things. But green is also SO MUCH MORE! Here are some uses of green you might not know:

green - inexperienced (as in green like a young tree)
e.g. I think he's too green to bear this kind of responsibility, but his boss wants him as a manager.
green - not ripe (describes fruit)
e.g. These papayas are still green. You'll have to wait for a couple of days to eat them.
green - concerned about the environment.
e.g. More and more people are becoming green: they are recycling and looking for ways to get rid of waste that don't pollute the land, water and air.

greens - leafy, dark green vegetables such as spinach and kale.
e.g. Kids don't like to eat greens. They prefer ice cream and candies.

Green Expressions

to have a green thumb - to be good at growing plants.
e.g. My wife has a green thumb, and I sure don't.
to be green with envy - to be jealous of something someone else has.
e.g. When Helen was given a pay increase, her friend Martha was green with envy.
to give the green light to something/someone - to say that a project can proceed; to say yes to a plan.
e.g. Bob’s last project went so well that the boss gave him the green light immediately.

Green Things
Green card – official permission for a foreigner to work and live in the USA.
Greenhouse – glass building where plants are grown all year round.