Spoken English Day 1 Asking and answering simple questions about name, occupation, and hobbies (Part 2)

 

Level 1

Asking Questions:

1. What's your name?
2. What do you do for a living?
3. What are some of your hobbies?

Answering Questions:

1. My name is Sarah.
2. I work as a marketing manager for a software company.
3. Some of my hobbies include hiking, reading, and practicing yoga.

Let's take a closer look at some example responses for each question:

1. What's your name?

• My name is John. Nice to meet you!
• Hi there, I'm Maria.
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2. What do you do for a living?

• I work as a software engineer for a tech company.
• I'm a teacher at a local high school.
• I run my own business as a freelance writer.

3. What are some of your hobbies?

• I love playing soccer on the weekends with my friends.
• In my free time, I enjoy painting and drawing.
• I'm a big fan of cooking and trying out new recipes in the kitchen.

It's important to provide some additional details or examples when answering these questions, as it can help to give the person you're talking to a better sense of who you are and what you're passionate about. For instance:

• When discussing your occupation, you might mention a recent project you worked on, a key achievement you're proud of, or a skill you've developed over time.
• When talking about your hobbies, you could share a specific experience you had while pursuing that hobby, a goal you're working towards, or a related interest that you're currently exploring.

Overall, answering these simple questions in detail can help to create a more engaging and meaningful conversation, while also showcasing your personality and interests.

Level 2

Asking Questions:

1. What's your name?
2. What do you do for a living?
3. What are some of your hobbies?

Answering Questions:

1. My name is Sarah. You can call me by my nickname, which is "Sari."
2. I work as a project manager in the IT industry. I'm responsible for overseeing various tasks and making sure everything is on track.
3. I have a few hobbies that I like to do in my free time. I'm really into hiking, so I often hit the trails on the weekends. I also enjoy reading and getting lost in a good book.

Let's take a closer look at some example responses for each question using more phrasal verbs and idioms:

1. What's your name?

• My name is John, but my friends and family often call me "Johnny Boy."
• Hi there, I'm Maria, but most people just call me "Mari" for short.
• You can call me Alex, or if you prefer, my nickname is "Lex."

2. What do you do for a living?

• I work as a software engineer for a tech company. I help to develop new applications and maintain existing ones.
• I'm a teacher at a local high school. I love to help my students achieve their goals and see them succeed.
• I run my own business as a freelance writer. I'm always looking for new clients and projects to work on.

3. What are some of your hobbies?

• I'm really into hiking and exploring the outdoors. I often hit the trails on the weekends and take in the beautiful scenery.
• In my free time, I enjoy reading and getting lost in a good book. It's a great way to unwind and relax.
• I'm a big foodie and love to try out new restaurants and cuisines. It's always fun to discover new flavors and dishes.

Using phrasal verbs and idioms can help to make your responses more interesting and engaging. For instance, you might say:

• "I'm responsible for overseeing various tasks and making sure everything is on track." (phrasal verb: "overseeing")
• "I love to help my students achieve their goals and see them succeed." (idiom: "see them succeed")
• "I'm always looking for new clients and projects to work on." (phrasal verb: "looking for")

Overall, incorporating phrasal verbs and idioms into your responses can help to showcase your fluency in English, while also making your responses more memorable and engaging for the person you're talking to.

Day 1 Spoken English -Introduce Yourself (PART 1)

 Level 1

1. Start with a greeting: Begin with a polite greeting such as "Hello" or "Hi".

2. State your name: After the greeting, introduce yourself by stating your name. For example, "My name is John".

3. Give some background information: Provide some basic information about yourself such as your age, where you come from, or your occupation. For example, "I'm 28 years old and I come from New York City."

4. Share something interesting about yourself: Share something unique or interesting about yourself that would make you stand out. For example, "I love playing the guitar in my free time".

5. Ask a question: End your introduction by asking a question to the person you are speaking with to encourage conversation. For example, "What about you? Where are you from?"

Here is an example introduction:

"Hello, my name is Sarah. I'm 24 years old and I come from London. In my free time, I enjoy hiking and playing tennis. What about you? Where are you from?"

"Good morning/afternoon, my name is [Your Name]. I'm thrilled to be here today and appreciate the opportunity to interview for this position. I have [X number of years] of experience in [Your field or industry] and have a strong track record of [Your key achievements or skills related to the job]. In my previous role at [Your previous company], I was responsible for [Your key responsibilities or projects].

I am excited about the prospect of bringing my experience and skills to this company and contributing to its success. Outside of work, I enjoy [Your hobbies or interests that show your personality]. Thank you for considering me for this opportunity, and I look forward to discussing further how I can add value to your team."

Remember to speak clearly and confidently, maintain eye contact, and show enthusiasm for the position and the company.

Level 2

"Hello, my name is John. It's a pleasure to meet you today. I'm excited to have the opportunity to introduce myself and share more about my background and experience. I'm originally from a small town in the Midwest, but I have been living in [current city] for the past [number of years].

I have a strong academic background, having completed my Bachelor's degree in [field of study] at [university name] with honors. During my time there, I had the opportunity to participate in several research projects and internships, which gave me valuable hands-on experience in [specific skills related to the job].

After graduation, I worked as a [previous job title] at [previous company], where I was responsible for [key responsibilities and achievements]. During my time there, I was able to [describe any notable accomplishments or skills developed].

In my free time, I enjoy [hobbies or interests], which I find to be a great way to stay active and engaged outside of work. I'm also an avid reader and love to learn new things.

Overall, I'm very excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to this position and make a meaningful contribution to your team. Thank you for your time and consideration."

Level 3

"Hi there, I'm Sarah and I'm excited to be here today. I've been looking forward to this opportunity to meet with you and discuss my qualifications for the [job title] position. Let me tell you a bit about myself.

To start off, I've been working in [industry or field] for over [number] years, and I have a great deal of experience in [relevant skill or area]. I've had the chance to work on some exciting projects and collaborate with talented teams over the years.

One thing that sets me apart is my ability to take on new challenges and adapt to changing situations. For instance, I recently had to [phrasal verb for overcoming a challenge] when my team was faced with a tight deadline. I quickly [phrasal verb for finding a solution], which allowed us to complete the project on time and with high quality results.

In my current position, I'm responsible for [phrasal verb for managing or overseeing a task or project]. I've also been tasked with [phrasal verb for initiating or leading a project or program], which has allowed me to develop my leadership skills and work closely with colleagues across different departments.

Outside of work, I enjoy [phrasal verb for engaging in a hobby or interest], which helps me to stay focused and energized. I believe that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is important for both personal and professional growth.

In summary, I'm excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to this role and work with a team of talented professionals. I look forward to discussing the position further with you, and answering any questions you may have."

Spoken English Topics

 Day 1: Introductions

• Spoken English Topics

• Day 1: Introductions

• • How to introduce yourself
  • Asking and answering simple questions about name, occupation, and hobbies
  • Practice conversation using common greetings and small talk

  Day 2: Daily routines

  • Vocabulary related to daily routines
  • Describing a typical day
  • Asking and answering questions about daily habits

  Day 3: Food and drink

  • Vocabulary related to food and drink
  • Ordering at a restaurant
  • Discussing different cuisines and preferences

  Day 4: Travel

  • Vocabulary related to travel
  • Planning a trip and booking tickets
  • Discussing travel experiences and destinations

  Day 5: Family and relationships

  • Vocabulary related to family and relationships
  • Talking about family members and relationships
  • Discussing different types of families and relationships

  Day 6: Work and career

  • Vocabulary related to work and career
  • Discussing job roles and responsibilities
  • Talking about career goals and aspirations

  Day 7: Hobbies and interests

  • Vocabulary related to hobbies and interests
  • Talking about favorite hobbies and interests
  • Discussing the benefits and challenges of different hobbies and interests

Dust of Snow

 

• Summary:
• The speaker, feeling down and burdened, is suddenly lifted out of his despair by the unexpected sight of a crow shaking off a dusting of snow from a tree branch.
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• The crow and the snow both symbolize nature and its power to transform a person's mood or outlook. The act of shaking off the snow represents a small moment of beauty and redemption that can change the speaker's perspective on life.
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• Literary meaning:
• "Dust of Snow" can be read as a meditation on the power of small moments of grace or beauty to break through the monotony or despair of everyday life. It suggests that even in the midst of hardship, one can find moments of clarity and renewal.
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• Theme:
• The theme of the poem is the idea that nature has the power to heal and transform us, even in small ways. It also suggests that we should be open to the beauty around us, as it has the potential to lift us out of our troubles.
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• Literary device:
• Frost employs a metaphor when he describes the crow as "pressing" and "throwing" the dust of snow. This creates a vivid image of the crow's actions and emphasizes the forcefulness of nature's power to transform. He also uses alliteration in the opening line, with the repetition of the "d" sound in "Dust of Snow" creating a sense of heaviness or weight that is contrasted by the lightness of the snow being shaken off.
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• "The way a crow / Shook down on me / The dust of snow": The poem opens with the speaker describing how a crow shaking snow off a tree branch has showered him with a small amount of snow. The phrase "dust of snow" creates an image of something insignificant or small, but it is also suggestive of a sense of freshness or purity. The crow's action is unexpected and interrupts the speaker's routine, prompting him to take notice of his surroundings.
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• "From a hemlock tree": The tree is not just any tree, but a hemlock tree, which can be read as a symbol of death or sorrow. This sets up a contrast between the bleakness of the tree and the sudden lightness of the snow being shaken off by the crow.
• "Has given my heart": The use of the verb "has given" suggests that the speaker has not actively sought out this moment of beauty, but has been gifted it by chance. The reference to the heart emphasizes the emotional impact of the moment.
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• "A change of mood": The phrase "change of mood" is significant because it suggests a deeper transformation than simply feeling momentarily cheered up. The snow has the power to alter the speaker's entire outlook on life.
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• "And saved some part / Of a day I had rued": The poem concludes with the speaker reflecting on the significance of this moment. The use of the verb "saved" emphasizes the idea that the snow has had a redemptive effect. The phrase "a day I had rued" suggests that the speaker has been struggling with negative emotions for some time, but this moment of beauty has given him hope and a new perspective.
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Overall, "Dust of Snow" is a brief but powerful meditation on the capacity of nature to transform us, even in small ways. The contrast between the heavy hemlock tree and the light snow being shaken off by