10 Nov 2011 / Jakob Šilar

Today it was the hour English very good at the beginning we checked homework. then searched for words in a book that could explain ourselves. rest of the hour the teacher asked. at the end of the hour, we repeat for the test. 

10 Nov 2011 /Zala Jamnik

Today at English class we checked our homework.  We had to choose a word and find out  what that word means and then we use that word in a  sentence. The teacher said that this exercise will be in the test. Today we did the same thing, but we had to find a different word from the course book  . I chose the word drive-in. We wrote the word on paper and on the other side of the paper we had to write its meaning  and a sentence with that word in it . Later we put all the words on the blackboard. There were a lot of words on it. I hope we do more of exercises like this one because we learn from it and they are fun and entertainment.

8 November 2011 / Irena Sonc Šlenc

So, the second round of blogging is on. The first post should be from Gabriela, but anyway...
Both levels are writing a test next week. Over the Autumn break I have given them a home assignment. The instructions were published on this blog, but it seems only a few students actually took the time to read them. For the second round of blogging I expect the students to find a picture that goes with their post or to comment on one of their peers' post - thus trying to encourage the students to make their posts more appealing, read the blog posts and be better informed.
In class this week we are preparing the vocabulary list from which I will take 10 words that the students will have to show understanding and usage of in the test. If we succeed tomorrow to select the final 20 word from the "future section" of UNIT 1, I might publish the list of words that can appear on the test. If we don't, I will pick the words by myself and I will not publish them.
Meanwhile, I'm posting here a list of websites that might help the students prepare for the grammar/tenses part of the test.
http://www.eflnet.com/grammar/verbtense.php - verb tenses quiz 10 multiple choice questions


http://a4esl.org/q/f/x/xz88mgu.htm - 20 questions multiple choice with sound

Here are some sites where you can find exercises on different topics. 

http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/ - quite detailed explanations and different types of exercises

http://www.tolearnenglish.com - Find link Find the correct tense

http://www.nonstopenglish.com - chose intermediate level

http://www.englishmedialab.com - grammar through games

Oh, and here are some links to on-line dictionaries that I mentioned in class:

http://www.macmillandictionary.com

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/

http://www.merriam-webster.com/

http://oxforddictionaries.com/

http://oald8.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/

Pick your favorite.

Last, but not least: don't feel too sorry for yourselves and you will learn better, or as T. Szasz has put it:

Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an injury to one's self-esteem.  That is why young children, before they are aware of their own self-importance, learn so easily.  

Learn like young children!

27 October 2011 / Samanta Kurtovič

Autumn break is already here. That means no school, no studying and no homework. I'm going to be home. But unfortunately I will have to study for school and I will have to do my homework. If I will have enough time I'm going to go shopping. But the best thing is that I will go to my dance lessons. And my best friend is going to go to the spa (toplice) with her mother. I hope that they will have good time. Some friends will be at home. Other will go somewhere. I hope we are going to have fun during the autumn break.

27 October 2011 / Autumn Break Home Assignement

I, MYSELF AND ME

You need to write 20-25 sentences minimum about a person. It can be you, your friend, your idol, a fictional character... Organize your essay into three paragraphs:
1. this person as he/she/it is at PRESENT
2. this person in the PAST
3. your predictions and beliefs about this person's FUTURE.

On the sides mark the number of tenses' usage as it is numbered in the following translations from your textbook.

The Past Simple

1. We use this tense to express actions that happened and ended in the past. The time is definite or known or understood from the context.

The Past Continuous

2. We use this tense to describe actions that were happening in a certain time or period in the past.

3. In relation to the Past Simple Tense we use the Past Continuous Tense to express a longer action that lasted for some time while with the Past Simple we express a shorter action that happened suddenly and interrupted the previous act.

The Present Perfect

4. Expresses actions in the past the consequences or results of which are seen in the present.

5. An action that happened in the past but the time is not definite, known or important. We use it to express our experiences.

6. An action that started in the past and is still going on (also use Present Perfect Continuous, especially with activity verbs: play, do, watch, live, sing, rain, work, wait)

The Present Simple

7. General facts, not time-limited

8. Actions, events or conditions that are true for a longer time

9. Habits and repetitive actions

The Present Continuous

10. Speaking about actions taking place at the moment of speaking

11. Talking about future acts that are decided at the moment of speaking

12. Talking about things that change or develop in present  time or the time of speaking

13. Talking about something that only happens for a certain period, occasional actions

The Future Simple Tense - Will Future

14. Objective opinion

15. Forecasts, expectations, hopes

16. Immediate decisions

Future with 'going to'

17. Expressing intentions, plans and decisions for the future planned before the time of speaking

18. When we can conclude on the basis of signs and circumstances that something will happen

Think about the tenses you use.
Enjoy your Autumn Break and don't procrastinate.

24 October 1011 / Jakob Šilar

Hello, today in English class, we had fun. First, we worked in the book and then we had to write, we compared the human and the robot looking for unfamiliar words, we answered questions on the blackboard and the teacher prepared us in rehearsals for unfamiliar words. At the end of the lesson, the teacher graded a couple of students. For homework assignment we have to finish answering the questions on page 34 CB.

By Jakob :-)

18 October 2011 / Andraž Babnik

Last English hour we were talking about present continuous. Then we were doing some exercises about present continuous in textbook in pairs.

Here are some rules about the use of present continuous:

·         When we are talking about acts, which are placing right now, at this moment.

- Are you coming with us or not?

- We are flying by plane right now.

·         When we are talking about agreed future actions, which are at the time of talking already firmly established.

- We are visiting grandparents every week.

- I am flying to France on Friday.

·         When we are talking about things, which are changing or developing in the present.

- Computers are becoming more and more important in our lives.

·         When we are talking about something, which is happening only in fixed-term . It is going about a temporary or transitional actions.

- Miha is on holiday this week. He is staying with his parents in London.

When we read that, we were doing an exercise about present continuous in eleven sentences. At this time teacher was grading some pupil and then the English hour ends.