LetThemTalk are starting a French conversation group on Sundays in a cafe. More details here.
French language conversation course Paris
If you are French and would like to become a group leader (animateur) for the group then please contact me.
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
New Soiree this Saturday
Ivan has organised another amazing LetThemTalk soirée this Saturday night (you should have received his email). It'll take place in the Oberkampf neighbourhood of Paris.
This is also the last chance to bid farewell to 2 participants of the English courses
who are moving on to new challenges far away from Paris. Estelle has taken a position in Lyon while Takeshi will be representing the Japanese government in Haiti. Good luck to both of them. If you find yourself in Port au Prince in the near future Takeshi has promised to show you round.
See you on Saturday!
This is also the last chance to bid farewell to 2 participants of the English courses
who are moving on to new challenges far away from Paris. Estelle has taken a position in Lyon while Takeshi will be representing the Japanese government in Haiti. Good luck to both of them. If you find yourself in Port au Prince in the near future Takeshi has promised to show you round.
See you on Saturday!
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Common mistakes in English by the French
I regurlarly receive emails from students that are sometimes confusing. Here are a few examples of mistakes in English often made by French learners.
1. "Next Saturday". Today is Wednesday 18th so when is next Saturday? The answer is Saturday the 28th. Saturday 21st would normally be referred to as this Saturday.
2. There are only 7 days in a week. To my knowledge, there is no such day as "Thuesday". Perhaps you mean Tuesday or Thursday? Almost every week I get a Thuesday reservation and have to write back for more information.
3. Further to point 2 the days of the week in English have capital letters. So it's Tuesday and not tuesday so do months and adjectives of countries.
4. We do not use "normally" to talk about future events. Normally has a similar meaning to usually. So do not say "normally I will be there next Wednesday". Say "I should be able to be there next Wednesday"
5. Similarly we do not use "could" to talk able future ability. Do not say "I don't think I could come tomorrow" do say "I think I will be able to come tomorrow".
6. The word assist in English is not the same as assister in French. They are false friends. Do not say "I will assist at the class". Do say "I wil attend the class". The English word "assist means to help.
7. The preposition "to" is used to talk about going to destinations. Do say "next week I will go to London" (not in London).
There are many, many more such cases but that's the end of today's lesson.
1. "Next Saturday". Today is Wednesday 18th so when is next Saturday? The answer is Saturday the 28th. Saturday 21st would normally be referred to as this Saturday.
2. There are only 7 days in a week. To my knowledge, there is no such day as "Thuesday". Perhaps you mean Tuesday or Thursday? Almost every week I get a Thuesday reservation and have to write back for more information.
3. Further to point 2 the days of the week in English have capital letters. So it's Tuesday and not tuesday so do months and adjectives of countries.
4. We do not use "normally" to talk about future events. Normally has a similar meaning to usually. So do not say "normally I will be there next Wednesday". Say "I should be able to be there next Wednesday"
5. Similarly we do not use "could" to talk able future ability. Do not say "I don't think I could come tomorrow" do say "I think I will be able to come tomorrow".
6. The word assist in English is not the same as assister in French. They are false friends. Do not say "I will assist at the class". Do say "I wil attend the class". The English word "assist means to help.
7. The preposition "to" is used to talk about going to destinations. Do say "next week I will go to London" (not in London).
There are many, many more such cases but that's the end of today's lesson.
cours anglais paris articles et videos
Police admit "teenage fake cop fooled us"
Prince Charles is crowned best dressed man in the world by Esquire magazine
William Shakespeare portrait is unique
Chimp who threw stones at zoo visitors showed human trait, says scientist
Turkish man cheats death as he survives an incredible crash
Prince Charles is crowned best dressed man in the world by Esquire magazine
William Shakespeare portrait is unique
Chimp who threw stones at zoo visitors showed human trait, says scientist
Turkish man cheats death as he survives an incredible crash
Monday, 9 March 2009
cours d'anglais articles et videos
Nicolas Sarkozy is a stamp collector
The slow death of handwriting
Yves Saint Laurent's art sells for €206 at a Paris auction. (article and video)
The Fat Duck voted the best restaurant in the world in 2005 has closed due to a health scare
The Specials, one of the greatest bands from the late 1970s and early 80s have reformed. They played Ska music a blend of rock and reggae. Their song Ghost Town written in 1981 is about high unemployment during the financial crisis which devastated towns and communities troughout Britain. Sound familiar?
The slow death of handwriting
Yves Saint Laurent's art sells for €206 at a Paris auction. (article and video)
The Fat Duck voted the best restaurant in the world in 2005 has closed due to a health scare
The Specials, one of the greatest bands from the late 1970s and early 80s have reformed. They played Ska music a blend of rock and reggae. Their song Ghost Town written in 1981 is about high unemployment during the financial crisis which devastated towns and communities troughout Britain. Sound familiar?
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Some Chinese Proverbs
Here are a few Chinese proverbs that I paticularly like.
You don’t climb a tree to catch a fish
Those who do not study are only cattle dressed up in men's clothes.
To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.
A cloth is not woven from a single thread.
A fall into a ditch makes you wiser.
A hasty man drinks his tea with a fork.
An ignorant doctor is no better than a murderer.
Behind an able man there are always other able men.
Do not employ handsome servants.
Do not insult the crocodile until you've crossed the river.
When embarking on a journey of revenge dig two graves.
If you want an audience, start a fight.
You don’t climb a tree to catch a fish
Those who do not study are only cattle dressed up in men's clothes.
To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.
A cloth is not woven from a single thread.
A fall into a ditch makes you wiser.
A hasty man drinks his tea with a fork.
An ignorant doctor is no better than a murderer.
Behind an able man there are always other able men.
Do not employ handsome servants.
Do not insult the crocodile until you've crossed the river.
When embarking on a journey of revenge dig two graves.
If you want an audience, start a fight.
Cours d'anglais Paris articles and videos
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Cours d'anglais Paris videos et articles
Thank you everyone who came to the LetThemTalk soirée on Saturday at the pub St Hilaire. Special thanks to Ivan for organising it. Next soirée coming up in March.
The theme of this week's articles is food.
Eat cauliflower! Don't be swayed by phoney Broccoli claims
Little Bay restaurant in London lets customers choose how much they pay
It's not true what they say eggs are good for you after all. You can eat as many as you want!
Insects, are they the new superfood?
A Tokyo Christmas dinner with insects on the menu
The theme of this week's articles is food.
Eat cauliflower! Don't be swayed by phoney Broccoli claims
Little Bay restaurant in London lets customers choose how much they pay
It's not true what they say eggs are good for you after all. You can eat as many as you want!
Insects, are they the new superfood?
A Tokyo Christmas dinner with insects on the menu
Monday, 9 February 2009
Soirée LetThemTalk samedi 14/02/09
The next soirée LetThemTalk is this Saturday evening. All the participants at the LetThemTalk conversation workshops are welcome and their friends.
Ivan will send you an email with the time and place of the café to....
"...boire un verre, discuter en anglais, français (ou autre ?) "
Ivan will send you an email with the time and place of the café to....
"...boire un verre, discuter en anglais, français (ou autre ?) "
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Cours d'anglais Paris LetThemTalk articles
Could plankton fed with iron save the world from global warming?
No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in ‘Passive Houses’
India to release the world's cheapest laptop at 500 rupees (€7.50)
It's 50 years since singing legend Buddy Holly was killed in a plane crash aged only 22. His songs influenced The Beatles and The Rolling Stones Don Maclean's "American Pie" is a song about Buddy Holly.
No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in ‘Passive Houses’
India to release the world's cheapest laptop at 500 rupees (€7.50)
It's 50 years since singing legend Buddy Holly was killed in a plane crash aged only 22. His songs influenced The Beatles and The Rolling Stones Don Maclean's "American Pie" is a song about Buddy Holly.
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
LetThemTalk Paris cours d'anglais articles et video
An article about technology - Google plans to make PC history
Wildcat strikes spread across Britain A wildcat strike is one that is undertaken by workers without approval from the officials of their union.
An article about business from BBCLearning English - Sony makes first loss in 14 years
Something scary - Blowfish testicles poison 7 in Japanese restaurant
This is a look at the hotel of the future in Germany. Steve Rosenberg for the BBC
Wildcat strikes spread across Britain A wildcat strike is one that is undertaken by workers without approval from the officials of their union.
An article about business from BBCLearning English - Sony makes first loss in 14 years
Something scary - Blowfish testicles poison 7 in Japanese restaurant
This is a look at the hotel of the future in Germany. Steve Rosenberg for the BBC
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Articles et video cours d'anglais
Barack Obama's head speech writer a 27 year old who writes in cafes
An Australian man in Thailand whose novel sold just 7 copies is sentenced to 3 years in prison for insulting the Thai royal family
Woman who fell to earth case - a fake
Who were the Tuskegee airmen?
Tuskegee airmen video part one
Tuskegee airmen video part two at the inauguration of Barak Obama
An Australian man in Thailand whose novel sold just 7 copies is sentenced to 3 years in prison for insulting the Thai royal family
Woman who fell to earth case - a fake
Who were the Tuskegee airmen?
Tuskegee airmen video part one
Tuskegee airmen video part two at the inauguration of Barak Obama
Friday, 16 January 2009
New Class on Tuesday Morning
A new English Conversation Workshop will take place every Tuesday morning between 11am and 1pm. The level is intermediate/advanced starting 20th January 2009. Contact me if you want to take part.
Nouveau cours d'anglais "The English Conversation Workshop" tous les mardis entre 11h et 13h a partir de 20 janvier 2009. Niveau intermédiaire/avancé. Contactez moi pour encore d'information.
Nouveau cours d'anglais "The English Conversation Workshop" tous les mardis entre 11h et 13h a partir de 20 janvier 2009. Niveau intermédiaire/avancé. Contactez moi pour encore d'information.
Articles from English Class
The French "Onion Johnnies" (onion sellers with beret stripy tops and bicycles) are dying out in England
Bad news there will be a galactic collision of immense proportions - but not just yet
Rachida Dati. Supermwoman or irresponsible mother?
Au revoir as hard-up Brits face exodus from France
An Onion Johnny
Actor Patrick McGoohan has died aged 80. Star of the cult 60s TV series "The Prisoner" about an ex-secret agent held captive on an island from which he is trying to escape. His most famous line from the show is "I am not a number I am a free man". Here is the opening sequence. Vocabulary: "By hook or by crook" is an English expression meaning by any means possible.
Friday, 9 January 2009
Life Coaching in English
An English friend of mine, Ashun Sierra, is currently in Paris. Ashun is an ICC certified Life Coach. Life coaching, if you are not familiar, is a form of one-to-one tuition to help determine and achieve personal goals. Ashun is offering the first consultation free of charge. To find out more information please call 06 43 21 04 25.
Monday, 5 January 2009
Brass Monkeys and Social Networking
It's bloody cold here in Paris at the moment. Here are a few words in English and French to help express yourself during these icy times.
Snow = Neige
Sleet = Neige fondue
Hail = Grêle
Blustery = Très Venteux
Windy = Venteux
Drizzle = Bruine
Freezing Rain = Pluie Glaçante
Showers = Averses
Snow Flurries = Légère Neige
It's cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey! = ?? I don't know! Can someone help me with a translation of this peculiar English expression?
For anyone out there who has tried (and failed) to get the hang of social networking sites might find this video amusing.
Snow = Neige
Sleet = Neige fondue
Hail = Grêle
Blustery = Très Venteux
Windy = Venteux
Drizzle = Bruine
Freezing Rain = Pluie Glaçante
Showers = Averses
Snow Flurries = Légère Neige
It's cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey! = ?? I don't know! Can someone help me with a translation of this peculiar English expression?
For anyone out there who has tried (and failed) to get the hang of social networking sites might find this video amusing.
Saturday, 3 January 2009
Courses starting again
Happy New Year everyone I hope 2009 will be joyful and profitable for you all.
Courses begin on 5th January, if you want to participate (and you haven't already) contact me by the usual means. more details at www.letthemtalk.fr
Every year an update to the English dictionary comes out with a number of new entries. 2009 is no different a number of new words have entered the dictionary for the first time. Many of which such as frenemy and jargonaut I have never heard of myself. Full story here
New words in English
I have found an excellent new blog for learning English called http://www.anglais-facile-cours.com/ written by Jonathan Lewis an English teacher in Provence. He's recorded some videos too. This is Jonathan explaining the difference between "say" and "tell"
Courses begin on 5th January, if you want to participate (and you haven't already) contact me by the usual means. more details at www.letthemtalk.fr
Every year an update to the English dictionary comes out with a number of new entries. 2009 is no different a number of new words have entered the dictionary for the first time. Many of which such as frenemy and jargonaut I have never heard of myself. Full story here
New words in English
I have found an excellent new blog for learning English called http://www.anglais-facile-cours.com/ written by Jonathan Lewis an English teacher in Provence. He's recorded some videos too. This is Jonathan explaining the difference between "say" and "tell"
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