What are the doctor’s instructions when you have a check-up? Today one of our basic students, Rodrigo, will help you learn some new vocabulary used at the doctor’s office.
Tag: englishteacher
Nuestro programa de inglés
¿Cómo está estructurado este programa de inglés?
Nuestro curso regular de inglés cubre desde el nivel A1 hasta el nivel B2 e integra las 4 habilidades – comprensión lectora, comprensión auditiva, producción oral y producción escrita. Nuestros niveles están alineados al Marco Común Europeo para las Lenguas.
¿Cuáles son los niveles en el programa regular de inglés?
Nuestro programa está dividido en 4 niveles (A1, A2, B1 y B2) y cada nivel consiste en 24 horas académicas (la hora académica es de 50 minutos).
Si te estás preguntando ¿Debo tomar el curso de inglés regular o un taller de conversación? ¿Qué es el marco común europeo? ¿Cómo puedo determinar mi nivel de inglés en la actualidad? Mira el video para despejar tus dudas.
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Si deseas probar nuestra metodología solicita una clase gratuita.
Conversation strategies: Reacting to a story
Episode 9
You can comment on things other people say to show you’re listening and interested in the conversation.
- You can use expressions of surprise like Oh, no!, Oh, . . . , Really? or You’re kidding!
A: When I came out of my bedroom there was smoke everywhere and the fire alarm went off.
B: Wow!
A: When I came out of my bedroom there was smoke everywhere and the fire alarm went off.
B: Oh, no!
A: When I came out of my bedroom there was smoke everywhere and the fire alarm went off.
B: You’re kidding!
2. You can give personal information or your opinions:
A: We were making Jerk chicken for a bunch of people . . .
B: Oh, I love Jamaican food.
A: We were making Jerk chicken for a bunch of people . . .
B: Oh, I love Jerk chicken.
3. You can use expressions with that’s + adjective:
A: Then I hid the burnt pan under the sink and started spraying perfume in the kitchen.
B Oh, that’s hilarious.
A: Then I turned on the diffuser and added a mix of lavender, orange and peppermint oil in it.
B: That’s resourceful.
4. I bet . . .
You can use I bet in different ways.
• You can start a statement with I bet . . . when you are pretty sure about something:
A: I get distracted so easily and forget I have appliances on….
B: I bet your family is used to that.
A: Yes, they are. My dad actually gave me a nickname Katrina, after the hurricane. He says whenever I’m in the kitchen a disaster happens.
• You can use I bet as a response to show you understand a situation:
A So the chicken was Ok but the rice was burnt and I remember my mom used to tell me to put a piece of raw onion in the rice maker when that happened. It’s supposed to fix it, or at least remove the smell. It didn’t work.
B: I bet.
A: Yeah, after a while the essential oils did the trick and the smell wasn’t a problem anymore, but the rice didn’t taste too good. I freaked.
B: I bet.
Let’s put everything we learned today into practice. I am going to give you some news. You have to think of how to react to the following statements following my instructions.
Now, think of how to react to the following statements.
- I was going down the stairs, tripped over my shoes and fell. (Use that’s + adjective) That’s terrible!
- I go to the gym every single day, even on Sundays. (Use “I bet”) I bet you’re fit.
- Last week I was in Thailand for a work conference. (Use “I bet”) I bet you loved the country.
- My aunt Sam is pregnant with her fifth child. (Express surprise) You’re kidding!
- My boss told me today she was giving me a big pay rise. (Use that’s + adjective) That’s great! That’s amazing!
- Did you know that she’s getting married next week? (Use “I bet”) I bet she’ll have a big reception.
- I’m going to start working on that new project in India next month. (Express surprise) Wow!
- My company has started laying people off because of corona virus. (Express surprise) Oh no!
- Mark didn’t get the job as human resources manager. He’s still looking for a job. (Use that’s + adjective) That’s disappointing.
Conversation strategies: Responding to suggestions
Episode 7
Picture this, you meet with your friends and would like to go to a coffee shop. One of them suggests: Why don’t’ we go to Starbucks? How do you respond to that suggestion?
- Suggestions that we like
You can use these expressions to respond to suggestions that you like:
A: We could go to a bar. B: That’s a great idea.
A: Why don’t we have Chinese? B: Sure
A: Let’s go to that coffee shop that serves coffeetails. B: That sounds great!
By the way, there is a coffeeshop that sells coffeetails, like cocktails but with coffee. It’s a little hole in the wall in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I was actually going to another coffee shop but I kind of got lost and ended up going to this little café called “Graft café”. If you ever go to Chiang Mai and are a coffee lover, I highly suggest you check out this tiny, unique coffee place.
So, if someone suggests going to Graft café, I will always say That’s a great idea! Or That sounds great!
- Suggestions we don’t like
You won’t always want to accept a suggestion. For example: There’s a Peruvian dish I hate called “Olluquito”. If someone suggests having Olluquito for lunch, I would probably say: “I don’t know. I don’t really like that dish”.
To respond to suggestions that you don’t like you can use these expressions:
A: We could have a pizza or something. B: I don’t know. We had pizza last weekend.
A: Why don’t we have an early dinner? B: I guess we could but then I’ll get hungry again by midnight.
A: Let’s have vegetarian. B: Maybe, but you know it’s hard to find good vegetarian restaurants here.
A: Why don’t we have pasta? B: I guess we could, but we’re in Thailand you know? Thai food makes more sense.
If someone suggests going to a vegetarian restaurant in my city, I wouldn’t be so excited about it because there aren’t really good vegetarian restaurants and the few good ones are kind of expensive. Chiang Mai, on the other hand, is well-known for offering good and affordable vegetarian food. Here I had the best Pad Thai made with papaya noodles; it was absolutely delicious.
After making a negative response, people usually offer an explanation or excuse:
A: We could just work remotely and go backpacking for a few months. B: I don’t know. I’d like to, but it’s not that easy. I doubt my boss would agree to that. (a little dosis of reality there).
I guess
You can use I guess when you’re not 100% sure about something or if you don’t want to sound 100% sure. It can make what you say sound softer:
A: We could just work remotely and go backpacking for a few months. B: I guess it’s not that easy.
A: Let’s go window shopping. B: Maybe. It’s actually kind of risky, though. I guess I could end up buying something I can’t afford.
To listen to this episode click on the button below.
Conversation strategies: Saying more than just “no” and using “really” for emphasis and to soften statements
Episode 2
To say more than just “no”, you can use the following strategies.
Strategy 1: Saying more than just no
When someone asks you a question and you want to give a negative answer, it’s not nice to just say no. saying more than just no is friendly and polite:
- No, not really.
- Well, no, actually…
- Well, no, I mean…
A: Do you enjoy watching sports? B: Um, no, not really. I mean, I’d rather play sports than watch them.
A: Do you like walking? B: Um, not really. I prefer running.
A: Do you have any hobbies? B: Well no, I mean, I guess I don’t have time for hobbies.
A: Would you like a dessert? B: No, thanks I’m fine for now. I mean I’m trying to watch my weight.
A: Would you like something to drink? B: No, thanks. Maybe later.
A: Do you enjoy cooking? B: Um, no, not really. I mean, I cook every day but I’m not really into it.
A: Do you have any hobbies? B: Well no, I don’t really have much time.
Strategy 2: Using “really” for emphasis and to soften our statements
The second strategy is to use the word “really” for both making your statements stronger and making your statements softer.
You can use really to make statements stronger:
I’d really like to visit Thailand in the near future. (really before a verb). I’ve seen photos of the beaches, islands, Buddhist temples. I’ve heard of the Thai massage, Thailand’s rainforest and of course, it’s cuisine.
Remember the first part of my sentence “I’d really like to…”. We can use “really” to make statements stronger. The pattern is REALLY + VERB
- I’d really like to go hiking sometime. (really before a verb).
- My boyfriend really wanted to hike the Rainbow Mountain in Cusco, after the ordeal he realized hiking is not for him.
- I’d really like to take some time off work. I’m a bit stressed out.
- I’d really enjoy running a marathon.
- I’d really like to live in a different country for a few months. I think it would really make me understand other cultures. She’d really hate to be stood up.
You can also use REALLY + ADJECTIVE
- I’m really good at photography. (really + adjective).
- I’m really good at computer design. (really + adjective)
- My best friend is really good at creative writing.
- My mom is really good at baking.
- My dad is really good at telling jokes.
- I’m really fond of cats.
- My sister’s really fond of dogs. She’s recently adopted a dog called Lily.
*fond of: to like someone very much, especially when you have known them for a long time and almost feel love for them. Example: Over the years we’ve grown very fond of each other.
You can also use really to make negative statements softer:
- You can use really with adjectives
The pattern is NOT + REALLY + ADJECTIVE
I’m not really interested in photography. (not + really + adjective)
I’m not really interested in politics. (not + really + adjective)
I’m not really good at cooking. (not + really + adjective)
I’m not really good at video games. (not + really + adjective)
- You can also use really with verbs:
The pattern is DON’T + REALLY + VERB or DOESN’T + REALLY + VERB
I don’t really have much time for hobbies. (really after don’t or / doesn’t)
I don’t really have much time for hobbies. (really after don’t or / doesn’t)
- Not really can also be a polite way to answer no:
A: Do you work out a lot? B: Not really. Actually, I don’t work out at all.
To listen to this episode click here:
Episode 4: Condiments around the world – Condimentos alrededor del mundo
Hi English/Spanish Learners! Ayleen here, your teacher from wespeakidiomas.com
In today’s episode Chris and I talk about condiments around the world. Not only will this episode help you improve your listening skills, but it will also help you learn a few new words since we’ll be using different words to describe condiments and sauces in English and Spanish.
Episode 4: Condiments around the world – Condimentos alrededor del mundo
We discussed different types of sauces:
- Brown sauce
- Apple sauce
- Cranberry sauce
- Mint sauce
- Soy sauce
- Chilli sauce
- Sweet and sour sauce
In this podcast Chris used different adjectives to describes sauces:
| Word in English | Definition in English | Spanish translation |
| thick | almost solid, and therefore flowing very slowly, or not flowing at all | espeso |
| mild | not very strong or hot-tasting | suave |
| smooth | a liquid mixture that is smooth has no big pieces in it OPP lumpy | sin grumos |
| spicy | food that is spicy has a pleasantly strong taste, and gives you a pleasant burning feeling in your mouth SYN hot | picante |
I used a couple of words that might be new for you:
| Word in Spanish | Definition in Spanish | English translation |
| empalagoso | demasiado dulce (no en un buen sentido) | overly sweet |
| paladar | gusto con que se percibe el sabor de los alimentos | palate |
| arándano rojo | arbusto de la familia de las ericáceas que mide entre 10 y 40 cm de altura, con hojas alternas, aovadas y aserradas, flores solitarias de color blanco verdoso o rosado y frutos en bayas negruzcas o azuladas | cranberry |
| arándano azul | blueberry | |
| icónico | representativo de la cultura | iconic |
These are the condiments in Thailand I mentioned in the podcast.
The one on the left corner is known as chilli flakes. Next to it, you can see the white sugar. At the front, fish sauce and chili and vinegar and chili.
Oh! and of course, the peanuts!
Then I asked Chris a question he didn’t understand:
- ¿A qué crees que se deba eso? ó ¿cuál crees que sea el motivo por el que…? The translation to English is very simple, Why do you think…?
Now you know different words in English and Spanish to describe your favorite sauce!
By the way, what’s your favorite sauce?
Episode 3: Back to Thailand – De regreso en Tailandia
Hi English/Spanish Learners! Ayleen here, your teacher from wespeakidiomas.com
Today I want to share my happiness with you. I’m back in Thailand! Yayy!
In this episode Chris and I talk about what we missed the most from this beautiful country. Tune in to practice your listening skills and learn some new vocabulary related to foods and the grammar point of the day-using “although” and “even though”.
Episode 3: Back to Thailand – De regreso en Tailandia
You can learn more about the new vocabulary used in this conversation below:
- Consecutivos, seguidos: in a row
- Row: fila
- Readily available: a tu disposición
- Watermelon: sandía
- Mango: mango
- Guava: guava o guayaba
- Papaya: papaya
- Dragon fruit: pitaya
- Lime: limón o lima
*La traducción depende de tu proveniencia. Si eres de Perú, se va a traducir como limón, lime significa limón. Si eres de Argentina, se va a traducir como lima, lima significa lima. Recuerden la descripción de la fruta, lime hace referencia a la fruta verde, pequeña y más agria. Si esa fruta verde pequeña y agria en tu país se llama lima, entonces lime significa lima. Si a un peruano le dices la palabra lima, va a imaginar una fruta totalmente diferente. Nosotros le llamamos limón, uno de los ingredientes para preparar ceviche es jugo de limón.
- Aunque: although, even though
- Servilletas de papel: paper napkins
- Rubbish: (AmE) Garbage, basura
- Turquesa: turquoise
- Dañar: hurt
- Pebbles: piedritas
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