Friday, 16 March 2018

Happy St. Patrick's Day!


Origins of St. Patrick’s Day and today's celebrations



Fun facts about St. Patrick's Day



  • Despite being the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick is believed to have been born in Great Britain.
  • The colour green did not become associated with St. Patrick’s Day until the 18th century.
  • St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
  • It is estimated that more than 30 million Americans have Irish ancestry.
  • Saint Patrick is said to have used a shamrock as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity during his teachings.
  • Foods associated with St. Patrick’s Day include corned beef, cabbage and potatoes.
  • Although the holiday is associated with Ireland, the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade is held in New York.
  • Pubs in Ireland were actually closed on St. Patrick’s Day until the 1970s!

St. Patrick’s Day Vocabulary

Whether you are out and about on St. Patrick’s Day, or simply learning about the holiday in preparation, you are likely to encounter some unfamiliar words along the way. In order to help you out, we have compiled a quick St. Patrick’s Day vocabulary guide, featuring some of the most common words associated with the celebration.

Shamrock – three-leaf clover, which is used as a symbol of Ireland.
Emerald Isle – nickname for Ireland, coined by the poet William Drennan.
Leprechaun – small mythical creature with magical powers, associated with Ireland.
Fiddle – another name for a violin, featured heavily in traditional Irish music.
Four-leaf Clover – a four-leaf variant of the clover, often viewed as a good luck charm.
St. Paddy’s Day – an informal name for St. Patrick’s Day.
Irish Tricolour – name given to the national flag of Ireland.
Pot of Gold – an imaginary reward, associated with leprechauns and said to be found at the end of a rainbow.
Guinness – a brand of Irish dry stout, which is the most popular alcoholic drink in Ireland.
Shillelagh – a weapon, similar to a club, featured heavily in Irish folklore.





















Thursday, 15 March 2018

Simple future: will and won't


Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to" Although these two forms refer to a specific time in the future, they often express two different meanings. 

Will future expresses a spontaneous decision, an assumption with regard to the future or an action in the future that cannot be influenced.

Form of will 


positive
negative
question
No differences
I will speak.
I will not speak.
Will I speak?

Use of will 


§                          a spontaneous decision
Example: Wait, I will help you.

§                          an opinion, hope, uncertainty or assumption regarding the future
Example: He will probably come back tomorrow.

§                          a promise
Example: I will not watch TV tonight.

§                          an action in the future that cannot be influenced
Example: It will rain tomorrow.

§                          conditional clauses type I
Example: If I arrive late, I will call you.

Signal Words

§                          in a year, next …, tomorrow
§                         Supposition:  I think, probably, perhaps








Exercises 

§                          Positive sentences
§                          Negative sentences
§                          Questions in will Future 
§                          Mixed exercise

Tests

§                          Future I Simple willLevel 1 • Level 2 • Level 3


Wednesday, 14 March 2018