Punctuation..? A review
12 years ago
Pronunciation of "ed" endings
The pronunciation of "ed" endings can be challenging and even when we have mastered some of them and can pronounce them well new ones come up and it's confusing to know how to pronounce them. Here are some basic rules on how to pronounce them and various online resources you can check, so that you can finally master them.
There are 3 ways to pronounce the -ed ending.
/Id/, /t/ or /d/
If the base verb ends in the unvoiced sound of t or d we pronouce it /Id/ sound
If the base verb ends in the voiced sound of p, f, s, sh, th, ch or k then we pronounce it with a /t/ sound
All other sounds, for example pay, follow, nag we pronounce with the /d/ sound
A voiced sound is a sound that vibrates as you say it. If you place your fingers in the front of your neck try the f sound -fff - can you feel the vibration?
An unvoiced sound does not vibrate. Try the "z" sound. There is no vibration.
Here are some examples:
There are 3 ways to pronounce the -ed ending.
/Id/, /t/ or /d/
If the base verb ends in the unvoiced sound of t or d we pronouce it /Id/ sound
If the base verb ends in the voiced sound of p, f, s, sh, th, ch or k then we pronounce it with a /t/ sound
All other sounds, for example pay, follow, nag we pronounce with the /d/ sound
A voiced sound is a sound that vibrates as you say it. If you place your fingers in the front of your neck try the f sound -fff - can you feel the vibration?
An unvoiced sound does not vibrate. Try the "z" sound. There is no vibration.
Here are some examples:
| Id /t/ or /d/ (unvoiced) | /t/ voiced sound | /d/ all other sounds |
| neglected | helped | covered |
| needed | kicked | received |
| shouted | wipped | moved |
| rested | dropped | shivered |
http://speakspeak.com/resources/pronunciation/pronunciation-of-ed-endings-of-regular-verbs - has audio
Class Syllabus
General Course Outline
Week 1 Introductions Unit 1: What's the story?
Lesson A: The story of my life
Grammar focus: review of the simple past and present perfect
New vocabulary related to stories and storytelling
Listening for details & note taking
Week 2 Lesson B: Tell me a story
Reading a horror story: “The Monkey's Paw” by W.W. Jacobs
Writing : Sequencing events using time expressions.
Communication: Interviewing a partner and reporting information
Week 3 Unit 2: Technology
Lesson A: Technostress
Grammar focus: review of the passive voice
New vocabulary related to technology
Listening for cause and effect
Saying you're able/not able to do something
Week 4 Lesson B: Techno-shopping
Reading an article about new technology (Skimming for main ideas)
Writing: Writing about the advantages and disadvantages of a topic
Week 5 Unit 3: Personality
Lesson A: Are you a morning person?
Grammar focus: Adverb clauses of contrast, purpose and time
Listening for gist, key words and personality types.
Communication: Making general statements
Week 6 Lesson B: What type are you?
Reading: Reading about Chinese astrology
Writing : Organizing a paragraph using a topic sentence
Week 7 Unit 4: Make an Impact
Lesson A: Change your world
Grammar focus: Modals and phrasal modals
New vocabulary related to generational differences
Listening for gist and details in an interview
Week 8 Lesson B: Take a stand
Reading: Reading about a socially-conscious advertising foundation
Writing: Expressing opinion.
Week 9 Review of all units
Week 10 FINAL EXAM (Units 1 to 4)
Vocabulary Unit 1 - What's the story?
Vocabulary Focus
Note: definition is chosen according to what meaning is given in the World Pass book. Words can have other meanings.
al·ter (ôl
con·se·quence (k
n
s
-kw
ns
, -kw
ns)
Something that logically or naturally follows from an action or condition
ex·pec·tant (k-spktnt) adj.
fam·i·ly (f
m-l
, fml) n. pl. fam·i·lies
fate (f
t) n.
magic charm (chärm) n.
4. An item worn for its supposed magical benefit, as in warding off evil; an amulet.
sol·emnly (slm) adj.
sor·ry (sr, sôr) adj. sor·ri·er, sor·ri·est
stormy night -
storm·y (stôrm)
vis·i·tor (vz-tr) n.
1. a person who pays a visit; caller, guest, tourist, etc
wish (wsh) n.
loss (lôs, ls) n.
Source: The Free Dictionary.com
Telling stories:
I'll never forget the time...
A couple of years ago...
Last summer...
It happened when...
One night...
Note: definition is chosen according to what meaning is given in the World Pass book. Words can have other meanings.
al·ter (ôltr) v. al·tered, al·ter·ing, al·ters v.tr.
1. To change or make different; modify: altered my will.
cov·er (k
vr) v. cov·ered, cov·er·ing, cov·ers
vr) v. cov·ered, cov·er·ing, cov·ersb. To be responsible for reporting the details of (an event or situation): Two reporters covered the news story.
| go after Verb pursue an idea |
go over
2. To examine or review: go over the test scores.
make up
4. To devise as a fiction or falsehood; invent: made up an excuse.
piece together
figure out what happened (World Pass-Upper Intermediate)
ver·i·fy (vr-f
) tr.v. ver·i·fied, ver·i·fy·ing, ver·i·fies
r-f) tr.v. ver·i·fied, ver·i·fy·ing, ver·i·fies2. To determine or test the truth or accuracy of, as by comparison, investigation, or reference:experiments that verified the hypothesis.
Additional vocabulary
change a / one's story - to change the details of a story
kill a story - to not publish a story that was ready to be printed or aired on TV.
ns-kwns, -kwns)Something that logically or naturally follows from an action or condition
ex·pec·tant (
k-spktnt) adj.1. Having or marked by expectation: an expectant look; an expectant hush.
fam·i·ly (f
m-l, fml) n. pl. fam·i·lies1.
a. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.
fate (f
t) n.1.
a. The supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines events.
magic charm (chärm) n.
4. An item worn for its supposed magical benefit, as in warding off evil; an amulet.
sol·emnly (s
lm) adj.1. Deeply earnest, serious, and sober.
2. Somberly or gravely impressive.
sor·ry (s
r, sôr) adj. sor·ri·er, sor·ri·est1. Feeling or expressing sympathy, pity, or regret:
stormy night -
storm·y (stôr
m)adj. storm·i·er, storm·i·est
1. Subject to, characterized by, or affected by storms; tempestuous.
vis·i·tor (v
z-tr) n.1. a person who pays a visit; caller, guest, tourist, etc
wish (w
sh) n.1. A desire, longing, or strong inclination for a specific thing.
loss (lôs, l
s) n.1. The act or an instance of losing.
Your loss is my gain.
Source: The Free Dictionary.com
Telling stories:
I'll never forget the time...
A couple of years ago...
Last summer...
It happened when...
One night...
The Past Simple vs. the Present Perfect
Understanding the differences between the Present Perfect and the Simple Past can be confusing. Here are the notes from the class and some links that can help you understand it. I am also adding some exercises that you may try to test your understanding.
We use the Present Perfect (have been / have played / have done, etc.) when we talk about a time from the past until now - for example your life: Have you been to France? (in your life) No, I haven't. (Source: Basic Grammar in Use, Raymond Murphy)
Online Sources for more information:
Use of Present Perfect
Exercises
We use the Present Perfect (have been / have played / have done, etc.) when we talk about a time from the past until now - for example your life: Have you been to France? (in your life) No, I haven't. (Source: Basic Grammar in Use, Raymond Murphy)
Present Perfect | Past Simple | |
Time Period | I have been to the theatre three times this week. This week has not finished yet. | I went to the theatre last week. Last week is finished. |
New or Old Information | Maria had a broken arm again. | Maria broke her arm last month. |
Specific or Non-specific | I have been to Paris already. | I went to Paris two months ago. |
Action Finished (´for´ o r ´since`) | I had lived in California for ten years. | I lived in California for ten years. |
Online Sources for more information:
Use of Present Perfect
Exercises
Using a Blog vs. a Wiki for English Class
This week I start my English classes for the Fall 2012. I
have been pondering all summer if I will use a Wiki or a Blog to enhance my
communication with my students and their learning. Since I have not been
able to make up my mind as to which one will serve my purposes better, I am
going to try out both. I will be using a wiki for my Pre-Intermediate class and
a blog for my High Intermediate class.
So far I have found that a Wiki is a great
way to upload resources for students to use which may or not be a drawback of a
blog. However, with a blog it seems that you can organize information
into posts much better. A wiki offers the benefit of having a discussion
forum where students can discuss ideas among themselves, whereas a blog
might only give them the opportunity to comment and get feedback from me.
Since I still have many questions I will not
get a clear answer until I try. I am starting on this new adventure hoping to
get some great insight into the best way of helping my students learn English
using these new technologies.
