Friday, December 28, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about Quitting

Quitting or to Quit. What does it mean?


What are some synonyms of quit? Resign, Give up, walk away, depart, leave relinquish, abandon, put aside, cease, discontinue, exit, stop, step down, retire,

Antonyms? Continue, persist, finish, see through, go on with, complete


What have you quit? Is there anything you are proud of having quit? Why did you quit that thing?

Is there something you regret quitting?

What do you want to quit? What should you quit?

What places do people want to quit?

Is it a good idea to quit school? Quit your job? Quit being a parent? Quit being a member of society?

What is hard to quit?

When is it hard to quit?

What can one do in these hard to quit situations?

When is it okay to quit? When is it not okay to quit? Why should we quit?

How to quit? Is it something you can do instantly or should you take your time?

Do you have a fantasy about quitting?

Is there honour in quitting?

Is there something that you saw through to the end and are now glad that you did?


If there is plenty of time, you can ask the students about times when they showed persistence and never quit.


Expressions:

That person has no quit in him (Do students know anyone like that?)

Quit over something (elicit examples from the students)

Don't quit trying

quit a place

quit on someone

quit while one is ahead (When is it a good idea to do this?)

some people don't know when to quit. (Do the students know anyone like this)

the computer quit working (Ask the students to think of other examples.)

call it a day (At what time of the day do students say this?)

call it quits

You can't fire me! I quit!

I am not a quitter!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all my rare and far-in-between readers from the AKIC Blog Network!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Friday, December 21, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about Peace & World Peace

World Peace


What is peace? What does peace mean to you? Is it important? Do you want peace or money? Peace or love? Peace or an Iphone? Peace or chocolate?

What is peaceful?

Where can you go to have some peace & quiet? What parts of the world have peace? Is China peaceful? Is your school a peaceful place?

What does it mean to have peace of mind or inner peace? Do you have them now?

What are some synonyms for peace & quiet? Calm, tranquility,....

What are some symbols of peace? What is the color of peace? What are the gestures?

What can you do to create a peaceful and quiet atmosphere?

Are you a peaceful person? Are you a pacifist? Are you a peacemaker?

Do you believe in pacifism? Is pacifism a realistic posture to hold?

Who are more peaceful? Men or women? Adults or children? Boys or girls? Religious people or atheists? Poor or Rich?

Is there peace in your life? Are you at peace with your neighbour? Your workmates? Your classmates? Is there peace in your family?

Who is the most peaceful person you know?

What images come to mind when you hear the world peace?

What is the opposite of peace? Conflict, war, violence,...


Will we ever have world peace?

Why does it seem so hard to get world peace?

Can we ever achieve a permanent peace?

How would we be able to achieve it? No guns? No armies? World government? The destruction of bad people? Mutually Assured Destruction? Wealth for everyone? Religion?

Can people ever be at peace with each other? Why? Why not?

Is world peace an important issue for the world?

Would world peace mean the end of quarreling?

Do you become excited when they say there is going to be a peace conference?

Did Obama deserve the Nobel Peace Prize?


Wars are about peace? Agree? Disagree?


What do these expressions mean?

Rest in Peace

I want some peace & quiet

Make Love Not War

Give Peace a Chance

Keep in peace

Leave the peace

A peace offering

If you want peace, you must prepare for war

At peace with the world


Monday, December 17, 2012

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Wuxi, China HyLite English School 2012 Christmas Party Photos

Cherry

Agnes (on the left)

Echo

She works at a BMW dealership.

Sara is going to UBC.

Michelle

Yolanda
The girl on the left is a Yoga Instructor

She works in our marketing department
Charles or "Chuck"

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about Walking (Revised)

Walking is also called ambulation


What is it? How is it different from running or jogging?


What images come to mind when you hear the word walking?


Have you done some walking today? How far do you think have walked?


Do you like walking? Why? Do you wish you could walk everywhere?


When you do like to take a walk? That is, walk for the sake of walking, not to go anywhere.


Is walking a fun activity?


Best place in Wuxi to go walking? Best place in China? The ideal place to walk?

Do you like walking on mountains, on hills, in forests, by the seaside, in the city?

A place you would like to walk?

A place you hate walking? The worst place to take a walk? Cars & Walking – conflict?

Do you think you could walk all the way to Shanghai or Beijing? Why? Why not?


Different styles of walking. How do you walk when you are happy, sad, angry? Do boys and girls walk in the same style?

Do you think about how you walk?

Who do you like to watch walking?

What is the furthest you have walked? What is the longest walk you have taken? What is the longest walk you have had recently?


Who do you like to walk with?

Do you like to carry things when you walk?

What tools can help us walk?


Is it okay to walk with your hands in your pocket?

When you walk do you look straight ahead or do you look at the ground?

Who can you hold hands with when you walk?


Expressions

Walking with his head held high.

Walk all over another person.

walk in another man's shoes.

You talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?

Walk a thin line.

Walk a tightrope.

Can you walk and chew gum at the same time?

Walk right up to.

Walk into.

Take a long walk off a short pier.

People from all walks of life

Walk on air.

Friday, December 7, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about Trains

What are trains? (briefly mention the verb "to train.")

What comes to mind when you hear the word "train"?

Girl tied up on the tracks. Men on the roof of trains. Men jumping off trains. Hobos riding trains to get from town to town.

Important train vocabulary: Engine, car, caboose, track, rail, railroads, derail, derailment, crossings, line

Finish this sentence. Trains are _____________________. Trains have _____________________.

Are trains powerful? How powerful are they?

What do you like about trains? What do you dislike about trains?

Do you think train travel is safe?

Do you prefer car travel, train travel, boat travel or plane travel? Why?

Do you enjoy riding trains? Do you like train stations?

Do you like long-distance train rides?

What do you do when you are riding the train? Do you like to watch the passing scenery?

Are trains important in your country? For passenger traffic or transporting goods?

Does China have a good train system?

Some people enjoy watching trains and spotting trains. Why is this? Do you think these people are weird or anti-social?

What trains are interesting to look at?

Which trains are the most interesting: Steam engines, Diesel engines, Electric engines, Subway trains?

(A steam engine goes choo-choo in English. What about in Chinese?)

Does your city need to have a subway system?

Some people like to build model train sets. Doesn't anyone in the class like to do this? Did you like to do this when you were a child?

Why do children find trains fascinating? Is it okay for adults to build train sets?

Do you have any interesting train stories? What was your most interesting experience with trains?

What is the longest train you have ever seen?

Do you live near a train track? Have you ever walked on the train track? What happens if you listen to the rail – that is, you place your ears on the rail?

Have you meet any interesting people on the train?

What was your best train journey?

Where is the best place in China to ride the train?

Can train travel be romantic?

Do the Chinese have songs about trains?

(Pardon me boys! Is this the Chattanooga Choo-Choo?





Expressions

To be on the gravy train.

His plains have been derailed

I lost my train of thought

He is like a train coming down the tracks

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Discussion Questions about Ideas

Ideas


What are they? Notions, Opinions, Thoughts, Opinions, Views.

Examples of ideas: You should treat others as you treat yourself. Let's go shopping. I think I will buy a car. I think he is a bad man. If I put a piece of paper under the cup, I won't dirty the table.

What is a good idea you have had? What was the best idea you ever had?

Where do you get ideas?

What kind of ideas do you need now?

What kind of ideas do most people want?

Do you ever have bad ideas? What was the worst idea you have ever had?

What is the craziest idea you have had? What ideas did you have in your youth?

What is an idea you disagree with?

Do the people in power have good ideas?

Have you walked into someone's house and gotten an idea for your house?

Does walking into stores give you ideas?

Tell me an idea that you got from a teacher or friend or parent.

Do you like to debate ideas?

What is an idea you have now?

What is an idea you got today? Recently?

What are some of the greatest ideas of history? What are some of the worst?

What do you call people who have good ideas?

What are some jobs where people have to have ideas?

Do students learn to have their own ideas when they go to school?

Who had the greatest idea in history? What was the idea?

Whose ideas were most influential?

Whose ideas have influenced you the most in life?

How do ideas come to you? Do you make them! Does a special power give them to you?

Does an idea suddenly come to you? Do you stop what you are doing and write it down?


Exercise: Have students finish this sentence as quickly as they can:

I have an idea, let's _____________________!

I think it would be a good idea if _______________________!


Expressions and idioms using the word "idea:"


Bright Idea!

Rough idea.

flirt with the idea

put ideas into someone's head

the very idea!

What's the big idea?

I haven't the faintest idea!

Not a good idea!


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about Heaven

Heaven


What is it? What is its opposite?

What images come to mind when you hear the word "heaven?"

What is the purpose of heaven? Who goes there? Who doesn't?

Do you think that you will go to heaven?

Who is in charge of heaven?

How to get into heaven?

What is the procedure to get into heaven?

Who works in heaven?

What's it like in heaven?

How is heaven different from earth?

What would you miss above heaven if you were in earth?

What languages are spoken in heaven?

Can you feel anger or sadness in heaven?

Can you smoke in heaven? Do you sleep in heaven? Do you use the WC?

Are there rules in heaven?

Do you have any responsibilities in heaven?

Is heaven more enjoyable than an I-phone?

How does everyone look in heaven? Do they look old or young?

Do the Chinese sing songs about heaven?


Do you believe in heaven? Why? Why not?


What is your idea of heaven? Heaven should be a ________________________________.

What is the first thing you would do when you got to heaven?


Is there a heaven on earth? Can living people experience heaven? When do you think you are in heaven in your life?

The heavenly moments. Are they long or short?



Expressions using heaven


For heaven's sake!

A marriage made in heaven.

A match made in heaven

Heaven forbid

The heavens opened

Thank heavens

in seventh heaven

He smells to high heaven

move heaven and earth

Heavens to Betsy

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about Gifts (updated)

Gifts


What are they?

What other names do we have for them?

What was the best gift you ever received?

What do you wish you were given as a gift?

Is it better to give gifts or receive them?

What is the best gift you ever gave to someone?


Have you ever received gifts you didn't like?

What was the worst gift you ever received?

What do you do when you received an inappropriate gift? Can you get angry at the gift-giver?

Is it okay to pass on your gift to someone else?

Is giving gifts an easy thing to do? How can we go wrong when we give gifts?

Is gift-giving an art or science?

Do you sometimes wish people didn't give you gifts?

Can gifts be traps? That is, can gifts put you in a situation where you are obliged to do something?


In what situations do we give gifts?

What do we expect when we give gifts?

At what times of the year do we give gifts?

When do you like to give gifts?

Do the Chinese love to give gifts?

What gifts would you like to get from a foreigner?

Is bribery a form of gift-giving?

Have you ever received a gift from an anonymous person? Have you ever given a gift anonymously? Why give anonymous gifts?

Do you like to surprise people with gifts?

Have you ever given a gift to a stranger?


Santa Claus is a famous gift-giver in the West? Are there famous or legendary Chinese gift-givers?


What gifts are given to: teachers, beautiful woman, old people, mothers, fathers, children, graduates, newly-weds, new parents, and foreigners?


Expressions and idioms using the word "gift:"


Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.

Free gift (used in promotions)

Have the gift of gab

God's gift to women

Have a gift for doing something

Look a gift horse in the mouth



Friday, September 28, 2012

English Corner Discussion Questions: Friends and Friendship

Friends


What are they?

What does it mean to be friendly?

Do you have many or any friends? What do you call people who have many friends? What do you call people who don't have and friends?

How many friends do you want to have? Why?

Do famous people have many friends?

Some people don't want to have friends? Have you known any people like that?

Are family members your friends?

Is your wife your friend? Are lovers friends?

Can you just be friends with members of the opposite sex?

Tell me about your best friend. When did you meet? How did you mean? Why did you become friends? Why did you stay friends?

Have you broken friendships? Why?

If friendship the same as partnership?

Have you lost a friend?

How can we lose friends?

What does it mean? We drifted apart?

Are there people in the world who don't have friends? Why? Why don't they have friends?

Have you ever been without your friends in your life? What did you do? How did you feel?


What does it mean to make friends?

How do you make friends?

Where can you make friends?

Can you make friends at any age?


Who had the most famous friendship in history?


Does a good friend always agree with you?

Does a good friend stay blind to your faults?

Does a good friend become jealous if the other friend achieves success?

Does a good friend go out with a girl that you love?

Does a good friend lie to you?


What is the opposite of friend? Enemy.

Do you have enemies?

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? What does this mean?


Friend idioms and expressions: (What do they mean?)

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Friends in high places.

Fair-weather friend

Lend money and lose a friend.

With friends like that, who needs enemies?


Friday, September 21, 2012

Ten things I should remember when I teach

This list was not created by me.  I cut and paste from somewhere on the Internet.

So the words aren't mine.  But they are true.  I have them on my desk every day, but I too often ignore them.


1) Be Humble 

2) Be Patient 

3) Be Kind and show respect 

4) Have enthusiasm for the teaching material 

5) Show not Tell 

6) Learn from the students 

7) Be positive and smile 

8) Engage the students 

9) Have high expectations 

10) Provide a warm environment and allow the students to make mistakes.

ESL Discussion Questions about Europe

Europe


What is it?

What comes to mind when you hear the word Europe?

What are some famous European images? (Show some images of Europe)

What are some famous European sights?

What things from Europe do you like or admire? What do you hate about Europe?

Is Europe the most important continent in the world?

Have you been to Europe?

What are some differences between Europe and China?

How has Europe influenced China?

Has contact with Europe been a good thing for China?

What European things do you see in Wuxi?

How has Europe influenced Wuxi?

Do you have any European things in your home?

Have you eaten European food?

What is the greatest thing Europe has done for the world? The most evil thing?

Is Europe a place of high culture?

Are Europeans good or evil?

Who are some famous Europeans?

Tell me ten famous Europeans. Why are they famous?

Who is the greatest European? Who is the most infamous?

Can see any differences between Americans and Europeans?

Is the European Union a good idea? Is the Euro currency a good idea? Why? Why not?

Is Europe a strong continent or a weak continent? Has it strenghten recently? Has it become weaker?

Will there ever be an United States of Europe like there is a United States of America?

Would you like to live in Europe? Why? Why not? Where would you live?

European Country Race:

Have students race to write the names of ten European countries on the white board.

Also do this with countries and capitals.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

English Names The Students Have Given Themselves: The 2012 Edition

Albert
Albert Pendragon
Alvin
Ancy
Archer
Axel
Bear
Bee
Belinda
Calvino Isilien
Cassie
Cathe (changed to Cathy)
Ciel
Caesar
Cherry
Cody
Coin
Crystal
Daisy
Damon
Elaine (I always tell her about the scene from the Graduate)
Elvis (The first one ever!)
Esmeralda
Frank
Gavin
Genki
Haylin
Hazel
Hope
Jacy
Jake
Jasmine
Jeanne
Jenny
Jeremy
Jerry
Journey
Kansa
Kimiko
Kitty
Lauro
Lavendar
Lion
Mabus
Maple
Mobius
Nana
Nici (Changed to Nicky)
Nick
Nero
Norman
Paris
Rober
Ribo
Sand
Saya
Showe
Sissy
Snow Cloudy
Star
Stella  (I always tell her about a scene from a Streetcar Named Desire)
Tiffany
Toby
Tony
Troy
Una
Violet
Wade
Webb
Yolanda
Yuki

Sunday, August 26, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about Art

What is Art? (For the purpose of this class, Art is what is made by man and is beautiful, appealing and very significant)


Is this Art? Show twenty photos. Ask the students if they think it is art.

Do you ever think a lot of art is not really art?


Can these activites be arts: walking, sleeping, painting, writing, designing, writing a test, scientific research, dancing, singing, acting, and shopping?


What kind of art do you like?


What effect should art have on us? Can art disgust us? Can art upset us? Can art change the way we feel?

What would the world be like without art?


Do you have art in your house? In your room? Describe it.


Are you artistic? Can anyone be an artist?


Is today a great age for art? Do you like modern art? Why? Why not?


Who are the greatest artists of all time? Who are the greatest Chinese artists of all time?

What kind of art is China famous for?


Are you an artist at your job?


Do you ever go to art galleries?


Do you think a piece of art is worth millions and millions of dollars?


Do you think all children should study art at school? Would you study art in university? Would you want your children to major in art in university? Why?




Idioms and Expressions: What do they mean?


work of art


state of the art


It's art, not a science


Art is long and life is short


have something down to a fine art


He is a master of the art of ....... (Ask the students what arts they mastered. I am a master of the art of deception)


Artsy Fartsy

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about Yellow

What is yellow? What color is close to yellow? (gold)


Grammatically, yellow is what kind of word in the English language?


What comes to mind when you hear the word yellow?


What does yellow symbolize?


How does yellow make you feel?


You are in a yellow room? How do you feel?


Your skin is yellow? How do you feel?


Is the Yellow River yellow? Is Yellow Mountain yellow?


What things are yellow? What food is yellow?


What living things are yellow?


What natural phenomenon are yellow?


What things do you have that are yellow?


Do you like the colour yellow?


You like to wear yellow shoes, shirts, pants, hats, socks or belts?


What things should be yellow? What things shouldn't be yellow?


Is yellow the fashion? Could people have worn yellow a hundred years in China? Why? Why not? What about the 1960s in China?


Would you drive a yellow car?


When is yellow good? When is yellow bad?


Compare yellow to other colours.


What superlatives can be made about the colour yellow?


Expressions using the word yellow:


He has a yellow streak.

You are yellow. (ask the students if they are yellow)

He is a yellow belly. Check the yellow pages.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about Walking

Walking is also called ambulation


What is it? How is it different from running or jogging?


What images come to mind when you hear the word walking?


Do you like walking? Why? Do you wish you could walk everywhere.


When you do like to take a walk?


Is walking a fun activity?


Best place in Wuxi to go walking? Best place in China? The ideal place to walk?

Do you like walking on mountains, on hills, in forests, by the seaside, in the city?

A place you would like to walk?

A place you hate walking? The worst place to take a walk?


Different styles of walking. How do you walk when you are happy, sad, angry? Do boys and girls walk in the same style?


Do you think about how you walk?


Who do you like to watch walking?


What is the furthest you have walked? What is the longest walk you have taken?


Who do you like to walk with?


Do you like to carry things when you walk?


What tools can help us walk?


Is it okay to walk with your hands in your pocket?

When you walk do you look straight ahead or do you look at the ground?

Who can you hold hands with when you walk?


Expressions

Walking with his head held high.

Walk all over another person.

walk in another man's shoes.

You talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?

Walk a thin line.

Walk a tightrope.

Can you walk and chew gum at the same time?

Walk right up to.

Walk into.

Take a long walk off a short pier.

People from all walks of life

Walk on air.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Discussion Questions about words that start with the letter "U"


What do you think of the letter U?

Do you like the look of it?

Compare U and X. Which letter do you prefer?

Compare U and W. Which letter do you prefer?

How to pronounce U?

Think of ten words that start with U. (Make conversation with them.)

What is your favorite word starting with U? What is your least favorite?

Ask the teacher a question about the words starting with U.

Can you think of names that start with U?

What countries' names start with U?

What does the prefix Un do to a word?

Think of words that use the prefix Un.


These "U" words make the list of the top five hundred most-used English words:

up, use, under, us, until,usual,unit

Have students try to guess the words.


What do these expressions mean? IOU, I luv U, U-turn.


Have students make sentences using as many U words as possible.


Una loves us using her usual umbrella for unusual uses like underwater underwear.

Friday, July 20, 2012

HyLite School Entrance

English Trainers needed at HyLite School in Wuxi starting immediately, 10000 RMB / Month.

Required
*Native speakers from Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and USA.
*Age: 25 – 60
*1-2 years experience.
*Bachelors degree or higher
*Teaching qualification(TESOL or TEFL), preferably to diploma or Masters level
*Sound understanding of SLA theory and modern language teaching methodology
*Excellent communication and organizational skills
*A high degree of professionalism
*A high degree of enthusiasm for quality education
Benefits
*Two weeks paid vacation and national holidays.
* Monthly salary 8500RMB plus 1500RMB living allowance.

Lunch Money 4 rmb per working day.
* Return airfare at the end of the contract.
* All Visa costs will be reimbursed with receipts. Residency permits and working permits will be arranged by the school.

*Airport pick up
* Accommodation provided in an excellent hotel while you are assisted in finding a suitable living location.

The job is 5 days per week comprising 25 fifty-five minute classes and 15 hours prep. time with optional overtime classes. The trainer has 2 consecutive days off each week. The teaching materials are all supplied to which trainers add their own ideas to enhance the learning experience of both students and themselves.

At Hylite, you will teach a wide variety of class sizes from 1 to 50. The majority of classes you teach will be private classes (max. 4) and salon classes (max 8). We are teaching more and more corporate classes so those teachers with business experience are especially needed. As well, you will have the opportunity to teach an occasional primary and middle school class.


HyLite also has a VIP IELTS program with maximum class sizes of eight students. Experience teaching IELTS will be an asset.


HyLite School is located in downtown Wuxi close to McDonalds, KFC , Starbucks and major shopping areas. The school has modern classrooms, a library full of foreign books, a table-tennis table and a snack bar selling drinks and snacks.

The foreign trainers come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, but they are qualified, experienced and dedicated to teaching. You will never feel like you are alone in a foreign country. Currently, we have 8 trainers from Australia, Canada, Ireland and England. The students are motivated adults (the youngest students are 15) and they will surprise you with their tenacity and eagerness to learn. Trainers are also expected to join in the fun of such off-campus events like, Hawaiian Beach Parties, Halloween extravaganza, day trips to visit local sights(Lake Taihu, The Ling Shan Bhudda-88 meters high!) and all kinds of parks and festivals that happen year round.

Most trainers now live less than a 5 minute walk from the school.

The city of Wuxi is s mall bustling city of 4.5 million people located in Jiangsu province about 70 minutes by train from Shanghai. There is excellent public transportation, the city is clean and on the whole it is a friendly and well-off community with many things to see and do. There are several large Western-owned super markets so if you like to cook you will find all the "home cookin" foodstuffs you need. There are Western restaurants and all kinds of different styles of Chinese restaurants such as Cantonese, Sechuan, Peking etc. A plate full of noodles with vegetables, very tasty, is about 7rmb. There are local Gyms to keep fit and other sports centers to play basketball, volleyball, table tennis and even a summer softball league.

If you work and play well with others, enjoy the team approach to work, enjoy laughing and learning then this may be the place for you. We are a diverse group by age and nationality and welcome your interest in joining our school.

We hope to hear from you soon.

All applications should be submitted in MS Word, and the must contain COPIES OF:
1.a valid passport with photo
2.a TESOL, CELTA ETC. diploma
3.a minimum college diploma
4.a MAXIMUM 2 page resume
5.a letter of reference with e-mail contact
6.a phone number where you can be reached

Mail all applications to akaulins@gmail.com attention: Andis Kaulins

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about Secrets

What are they?

Is a secret the same as a mystery?

Do you have any secrets you want to tell the class?

Do you have many secrets?

Do you keep secrets from your family?

What kind of secrets do people have?

Why do people have secrets?

What kind of information should be secret?

What information is none of people's business?

Do different cultures have different kinds of secrecy?

What professions or organizations deal in secrets?

Why do people need to keep secrets?

What do you call people who like to reveal other people's secrets?

Have you revealed a secret you shouldn't have? Why did you do it?

Adjective of Secret. Secretive. Synonyms of Secretive: Discrete, Silent

Are you secretive? Do you know anyone who is secretive?

How do we communicate secrets? By code and whispers.

How can we get secrets from people? Torture.

Can we find secrets on the Internet?

Do you have a secret identity? Do you have a pen name? If not, give yourself a pen name.

A world without secrets? Is it possible?

Let's play the whispers game!

Have the students heard of blackmail?

Is there a secret to success?

Does your mother have secret recipes?

What is a secret hand shake?



Should the following information be secret?

I like eggs.

I have two girlfriends.

The guns are this location.

We have our soldiers in this location.

Those two boys are lovers.

I have a bad disease in my bladder.

I am mad at Bob because he took my pen.

Susan is pregnant.

I found a thousand rmb on the street.


Idioms and Expressions

Keep a lid on it.

Not a word!

This is between you and me.

This conversation never took place.

Keep it to yourself.

Keep it hush-hush!

For your ears only!

Don't spill the beans!


Your secret is safe with me

trade secret

open secret

make a secret of something

carry a secret to the grave

in secret

Mum's the word.

Zip your lips.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

HyLite Language School looking for Teachers to Start in September or Sooner.

We are looking for teachers to start in September or sooner.

Preference will be given to teachers with IELTS experience.  We have a VIP IELTS program with maximum class sizes of eight students.

Email me at akaulins@gmail.com for more details.

ESL Discussion Questions about Supermarkets

What are supermarkets?
How many supermarkets are in Wuxi?
Are there enough supermarkets in Wuxi?
Are supermarkets new to Wuxi? Were there many supermarkets in Wuxi ten years ago? Twenty years ago? Does any student know when the first supermarket came to Wuxi?
Why are there so many more supermarkets in Wuxi?
What are the names of the supermarkets in Wuxi?
Which supermarket chain do you prefer? Why?
Do you live near a supermarket?
How often do you go to a supermarket? Which one do you go to?
What do you buy at a supermarket?
Have you bought a computer at a supermarket? T.V.? Clothes? Mobile Phone? Appliance? E-Bike? Scooter? If not there, where did you buy them? Why?
Do you like shopping in supermarkets? Do you have a good shopping experience? Do you get good service? What don't you like about shopping in supermarkets?
Would you like to live in a world where there are no supermarkets but many small shops specializing in the products you want? (And all these small shops are near your home.) Many local areas have banned big stores because they say they destroy the small shops. Would you support these kinds of laws in Wuxi or in your local area?
How to make Supermarkets better?

Teach the students about department stores. A big store located in the center of the city. e.g. Ba Bai Ban. Tell the students how these stores have become obselete, and now shoppers instead go to suburban shopping malls or plazas with lots of parking. Will this happen in Wuxi? Can a store like Ba Bai Ban survive?

Do the students like going to Malls and shopping walk streets? Why? Why not?


Teach the students about big box stores. (home products, computers, t.v., etc.)
Are these such places in Wuxi? What are their names?

What effect will Internet shopping have on supermarkets, shopping malls, shopping plaza, small shops?



Wednesday, July 4, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about Smells

What is smell? What images come to mind when you hear the word smell?

What are some other words for smell? Odour. Sniff.

What does this sentence mean? He smells awful.

What do these sentences mean? My dog has no nose. How does he smell? Awful.

What does this sentence mean? He is smelly.

What does this mean? The man smells.

What does this mean? I can't smell. I have a cold.

What do we smell with?

Do you have a good sense of smell? Do you wish you didn't have a sense of smell?

What can you smell right now?

What smells good to us? What has a good smell?

What is your favorite smell?

What are your favourite smells? (Have the students tell you five smells they like)

What do you do to make yourself smell better?

Do you worry about how you smell?

What words can we use to describe good smells or things that smell good?

Do you like the smell of Wuxi, Perfume, the W.C., lake Taihu, the countryside, dogs, cats, pigs, computers, flowers, apples, oranges, your fridge, your bathroom, your bedroom?

Is there food you like the taste of but not the smell?

What smells bad? (breath, feet)

If it smells bad, we say it __________ (stinks, reeks)

What smell do you hate the most?

What smells do you hate the most?

What kind of smells can make you sick?

Why do some people smell bad?

What makes people smell bad?

Are there smells that remind you of your past?

Can you go into a room and tell what kind of person lives there by the smell?

Are there old people smells?



Expressions using smell

I don't like the smell of this.

I smell something fishy.

I smell a rat.

He came out smelling like a rose.

He smells blood.

It stinks to high heaven.

Wake up and smell the coffee!!

He has bad b.o.

Scratch and sniff.

The sweet smell of success.

The dog will sniff it out.



Wednesday, June 27, 2012

ESL Questions about Quizzes

What are they?


Tests (informal) of knowledge.


What does it mean to be quizzed? It means to be asked questions.


Do you like to be quizzed by teachers, policeman, your spouse, policeman? Why? Why not?


Did your teachers ever give you a surprise quiz?


Who would you like to quiz?


What don't you like to be quizzed about?


Do you like to watch quiz shows on television? What kind of questions are asked?

If you were on a quiz shows where you can win money? What kind of questions would you like to answer? On what kind of questions do you think of yourself as an expert? What kind of questions would you not know the answers to?


On what topics do you think you can do well? That is, you know the answers.

On what topics do you think you would do poorly? That is, you don't the answers.


Explain trivia. Trivia quizzes and Trivia shows. On what kind of trivia do the students think they are experts. What trivia topics do they think they are good at?



Expressions

He looked at my quizzically.

I quizzed him about his clothes.

The police quizzed the thief.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about One

What is one?

What comes to mind when you hear the number one?

What is your favorite way to use the number one?

How do you feel about the number one?

When is it good to be one?

Can you describe yourself in one word?

Have you ever been number one?

Do you know anyone who is a one in a million?

Who is number one in this world and in your world?

Do you know anyone who is one in a million?

You have one wish. What will you wish for?

Finish this sentence He/she is the one who.......... I am the one who____________

Use one as a noun. Use one as an adjective. Use one as a pronoun.

What are some things that we only have one of?

Tell me one problem you want to have.

You can be on a desert island with one person. Who would that person be?

You can live in one place in the World. Where would you live?

You can only eat one food for the rest of your life. What would you eat?

You can live one day over and over again. What day would you live?

What is the one book you would take with you to a desert island​?

Tell me one thing you wish to belong to?

Who is the one person you can trust in this world?

Do you believe there is only one god?


Idioms and Expressions

one and all

at one

one by one

one for the road

all in one place

all in one piece

day one

have a good one!

Back to square one!

Loved ones

one-off

the one

I am one with

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about Neighbours (or Neighbors)

What are neighbours?

What is a neighbourhood?

Are you neighbourly?

What are next-door neighbours?


Do you know your neighbours? Why not?

Do you like your neighbours?

Who are the best neighbours you have ever had?

Who are the worst neighbours you have ever had? Have you ever moved because you had bad neighbours?

Have you ever had a strange neighbour?

Have you ever had troubles with neighbours?

Do you have a terrible neighbour stories?

Have you ever argued with your neighbours?

What kinds of problems do neighbours have?

Do you neighbours have a pet?

What do your neighbours do for you? What do you do for your neighbours?

Are your neighbours your friends?

Do you have nosey neighbours?

Do you hear gossip about your neighbours?

Do you compete with your neighbours? Do you need to have nicer things than your neighbours?

Who would you like to have for a neighbour or neighbours?

The best neighbours are __________.

The worst neighbours are _________.


Do you like the neighbourhood you are living? Why? Why not?

Are the neighbourhoods better in the city or the countryside?

Are people neighbourly in the city or countryside?

What kind of neighbourhood would you like to live in?

Do you want your neighbours to be close to you or far away?


Expressions about neighbours

Love your neighbour as yourself.

High fences or walls make for good neighbours.

The park neighbours on a lake.

I'm in love with the girl next door.

There goes the Neighborhood!!

Sunday, May 20, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about If

If

conjunction

1 in case that; granting or supposing that; on condition that:Sing if you want to. Stay indoors if it rains. I'll go if you do.

2 even though: an enthusiastic if small audience

3 whether: He asked if I knew Spanish.

4 (used to introduce an exclamatory phrase): If only Dad could see me now!

5 when or whenever: If it was raining, we had to play inside.

noun

6 a supposition; uncertainty: The future is full of ifs. An impossibility

7 a condition, requirement, or stipulation: There are too many ifs in his agreement.




Makes sentences with "if."


When do we use the word "if?"


"If" is a big word. What do I mean when I say that "If is big word!"


Talk about historical counter-factuals. If there was no Hitler, there would be no Holocaust or WWII. If there was no Chairman Mao, there would be no PRC.


Talk about hypothetical.


What ifs. What would have happened if something was different?


What is the greatest what if of your life?


Introduce the students to the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling.


IF you can keep your head when all about you 
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings 
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!





Finish these sentences:

If I were you.....

If I could live my life again, I would.......

If only.....

If wishes were money, I'd be

If wishes were ______, I'd be

What would you do if ______________.



What do the following expressions mean?


No if, ands, and buts.

If shoes were clues, you would be barefoot.

as if;

 damned if I do, damned if I don't;

 make as if to;

 no ifs or buts;

 nothing if not;

 (if) push comes to shove;

 what if. 

Thursday, May 17, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about Insects

What are they?

Other words for insects? Bugs, Pests, ant, aphid, arachnid, arthropod, bedbug, bee,beetle, bumblebee, butterfly, cockroach, cootie,daddy long-legs, dragonfly, flea, fly, fruit fly,gnat, grasshopper, hornet, ladybug, louse, mite,mite, mosquito, moth, pest, praying mantis,spider, termite, tick, vermin, yellow-jacket

What does the word "bug" mean as a verb?

Can you tell some insects? Bees, Crickets, Hornets, Ants, Crickets, fleas, butterflies, grasshoppers, cockroaches,

What is your favourite insect?

How do insects help us?

Can we eat insects?

You must be an insect. What insect would you be?

What insects do you hate?

What insects do you see everyday?

What stories can you tell me about you and insects?

Did you play with insects when you were young?

What is a fly swatter?

Do you like killing insects? How can you kill them? What things do you use to kill mosquitoes? Is it okay to kill insects? Is killing a mosquito murder?

Have you ever had your home infested with bugs? What did you do about it?

Have you been stung by a bee? Have you ever come upon a hornet's nest or bee hive? What did you do?

Do insects make good pets?

If insects could talk, what would they talk about?

What bugs bugs?

Do only bugs bug us?


Tell me about insect characters that have appeared in movies and t.v. Shows.

Mention some Aesop tales involving insects. Tell the story. Ask for students to tell you their meaning.


The Ant and the Grasshopper

In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

"Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that way?"

"I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant, "and recommend you to do the same."

"Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; we have got plenty of food at present." But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew:

It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.


The Bald Man and the Fly

A Fly settled on the head of a Bald Man and bit him. In his eagerness to kill it, he hit himself a smart slap. But the Fly escaped, and said to him in derision, "You tried to kill me for just one little bite; what will you do to yourself now, for the heavy smack you have just given yourself?" "Oh, for that blow I bear no grudge," he replied, "for I never intended myself any harm; but as for you, you contemptible insect, who live by sucking human blood, I'd have borne a good deal more than that for the satisfaction of dashing the life out of you!"


The Ant and the Chrysalis


An Ant nimbly running about in the sunshine in search of food came across a Chrysalis that was very near its time of change. The Chrysalis moved its tail, and thus attracted the attention of the Ant, who then saw for the first time that it was alive. "Poor, pitiable animal!" cried the Ant disdainfully. "What a sad fate is yours! While I can run hither and thither, at my pleasure, and, if I wish, ascend the tallest tree, you lie imprisoned here in your shell, with power only to move a joint or two of your scaly tail." The Chrysalis heard all this, but did not try to make any reply. A few days after, when the Ant passed that way again, nothing but the shell remained. Wondering what had become of its contents, he felt himself suddenly shaded and fanned by the gorgeous wings of a beautiful Butterfly. "Behold in me," said the Butterfly, "your much-pitied friend! Boast now of your powers to run and climb as long as you can get me to listen." So saying, the Butterfly rose in the air, and, borne along and aloft on the summer breeze, was soon lost to the sight of the Ant forever.

Appearances are deceptive.



What insects are: interesting, annoying, dangerous, helpful, delicious, ugly, beautiful, big, very tiny



What do the following expressions mean:

Stop bugging me!

As busy as a bee.

As mad as a hornet.

Have butterflies in the stomach.

Wouldn't hurt a flea.

It is the bee's knees!

To be a fly on the wall

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about the Internet

Can you live without the Internet?

Can you imagine life without the Internet?

How has the Internet improved your life? How has it made your life worse?

Do you remember a time when you didn't have the Internet?

How much time do you spend on the Internet?

How much of what you do on the Internet is useful?

Does the Internet overwhelm you?

Do you waste a lot of time on the Internet?

Do you discipline yourself when you use the Internet?

Do you try to have no-internet times?

What do you usually do on the Internet? Where do you go?

How many sites do you visit on a regular basis? What are they?

What have you discovered on the Internet recently?

What did you learn on the Internet today?

Is there a new site you have discovered?

Does the Internet make us more knowledgeable?

Are there money making opportunities on the Internet?

Do you go to social sites on the Internet?

Have you made friends on the Internet?

Do you know anyone who has made friends or found love on the Internet?

Do you go to Internet aggregating sites? Which ones?

Do you read blogs?

Do you write a blog?

Do you have a favourite blogger?

Is the Internet good for us?

What happens to you if you don't have access to the Internet?

Are you places you go where you can't get the Internet?

Sunday, May 13, 2012

ESL Discussion Questions about Hands

What are they?

What do we do with our hands?

What is the best thing to do with our hands?

What are some things we shouldn't do with our hands?

Parts of the hand?

Do you like your hands?

Do you decorate your hands? Why? Why not?

Do women like a man with strong looking hands?

Do men like women with beautiful hands?

What does it mean if a person has cold hands?

Can you tell something about a person when they shake your hands?

What gestures do we make with our hands? What do they mean?

Holding hands: cultural differences.

What professions require sure hands?

Have you ever injured your hands?

What tricks can you perform with your hands?

What would you do if you didn't have hands?

Are two hands enough? Would you like to have more hands?

Are you right-handed or left-handed or ambidextrous?

How many in the room are left-handed? Is anyone ambidextrous?



Expressions and Idioms using "hand" or "hands"

at first hand, hand in hand, be in good hands, be in safe hands, bite the hand that feeds one, close at hand, fall into wrong hands, get hands on, get out of hand, hand in, on the other hand, hands are tied, have hands full, have upper hand, time on hands, have to hand it to, lend a hand, old hand, on the one hand.....on the other hand, out of hand, out of my hands, right-hand man, second hand, sit on hands, throws up hands, wash hands of, with one hand tied behind the back


Saturday, May 12, 2012