In this episode I talk about scanning, intensive reading and guessing meaning of words from context for the IELTS exam.

IELTS with Ali

reading skills for IELTS

Odyssea is shipwrecked again and lands in an unknown place. 

Transcript: https://saracasalino-books.weebly.com/blog/the-adventures-of-odyssea-ch-5-nausico

Learn English with Stories

The Adventures of Odyssea: Ch 5.1 - Nausico

We know we should appreciate people more often but do we know how to acknowledge them and why is it even so important? 

In a conversation when you acknowledge people, they feel heard and valued. They become more open-minded even if you are opposing their beliefs. It’s because, through your acknowledgment of their ideas, they know that you have been listening and you understand where they are coming from. If you want to do business with people or maintain a good relationship with them, without learning how to acknowledge people, you will get nowhere.

Acknowledging is easy.

Just paraphrase what they said and follow up with a relevant question or your opinion. Paraphrasing proves that you understand them since you express their ideas using your own words. 

During negotiations or discussions even if you disagree with people, you can make them hear you out by disagreeing politely or by partially disagreeing with them. A strong disagreement shows that you are unwilling to talk. This makes the negotiation take a negative turn and go downhill. 

So, disagree politely and follow up with relevant questions to show that you are interested in learning more about them. 

What you do is often reciprocated. When you listen, they listen. When you show interest in people, they will show interest in you. When you acknowledge them, they will acknowledge your work, ideas, and suggestions.

Acknowledge people. Have more discussions and not arguments. 


Sensei Ann

How not to be rude in English? 

If you want to achieve a band score six in IELTS you must show the ability to talk openly and freely. You are allowed to make mistakes and are not expected to speak perfect English. It is OK to hesitate, repeat yourself, or correct yourself if you think you have made a mistake. You will be able to use a range of connecting words.

Let’s look at those three skills in detail. First, let’s consider connecting words. connecting words are used to organize thoughts into words. For example, when we speak, we might say “Well, I really like to go swimming. But…I’m not very good at it. I mean, I like swimming but… I’d really like to have lessons. What connecting words did I use? Listen again: “Well, I really like to go swimming. But…I’m not very good at it. I mean, I like swimming but… You know, I’d really like to have lessons.” 
Did you hear the words well, however, and you know? These are connecting words. So, in your IELTS speaking, be sure to use connecting words. I have to admit, connecting words are not always used, because students don’t know too many.  To be honest, I think all students should practice using them. I’ve always believed that connecting words are a fantastic way to make sure you get a good speaking score in IELTS.

Did you hear three more connecting words? What were they? Correct: I have to admit, and to be honest, and I’ve always believed. Next time you have a conversation with your teacher, be sure to use To be honest, I have to admit and I’ve always thought. To be honest, I hope you choose me as your teacher. I have to admit, I enjoy teaching English. I’ve always believed that pratice makes perfect. See you! 


IELTS Speaking Practice

CONNECTING WORDS

Each fast food meal we eat in a week could increase our risk of developing depression by as much as 4%, according to a new study.

Researchers from Iran also found that eating more than two fast food meals per week could increase the risk by almost a quarter.

They wanted to look at the effect of eating fast food on both obesity and depression.

Previous studies have found that eating a lot of heavily processed foods could lead to depression.

The research team thought that eating a lot of fast food was likely to cause obesity and that this could lead to depression.

However, they found obesity was not as much of an important factor as they thought it would be, and perhaps it was fast food consumption — and not obesity — that increased the risk of depression.

The researchers looked at data from more than 31,000 people in the US, taken between 2008 and 2018.

The participants were asked how many fast food meals they ate in a typical week, and they answered a survey that asked them about symptoms of depression.

During the study period, 11% of women and 7% of men showed signs of depression, although those with higher levels of education were less likely to be depressed.

Those who ate more than two fast food meals a week had a 24% higher risk of depression compared to those who ate fewer than two fast food meals per week.

However, the researchers say they can't prove that the cause of the participants' depression was eating fast food.

Practice Listening, Reading & Comprehension

Each Fast Food Meal Could Increase Depression Risk

Tips and Advice on IELTS Speaking  and what examiners are looking for and why! The advice will help you improve your IELTS score from 6.5 to 7.5

IELTS Speaking Preparation

Tips and Advice on IELTS Speaking 

Cosa significa accordare il participio passato? E con cosa deve concordare? Scoprilo nel podcast.

ItaliAnto (L'italiano con Antonella)

Accordo del participio passato

Let's talk about lucid dreaming and sleep paralysis.

Some terms I mention in this episode:
lucid dreaming
reality check
sleep paralysis
The Art of Lucid Dreaming- book 
Kerala, India- place

Lucid Dreaming


はい、こんには。ようへい先生です。
えー、あけましておめでとうございます。ちょっと遅（おそ）いですけど🥴。はい、今年もよろしくお願いします。えー、「まずあけましておめでとうございます」に、どう返せばいいのか、どう返事すればいいのか。

よく私の生徒から
「あなたもおめでとうございます」 と言われるんですが、これはちょっと 変なんですよ。うん、どうしてかはわからないんですけど、あんまり、あまりというか日本人は絶対（ぜったい）言いません。
 
えー、もし「あけましておめでとうございます」と言われたら、あー、あなたも、「あけまして、おめでとうございます」と言えばいいですね。シンプルです。

はい。じゃ始めましょう。
え、今日は、ま、今日もよくあるまちがいについて話したいと思います。 
えー、じゃあ、みなさん、ちょっとまちがった文を言います。で、何がちがうか、何が良くないか、ちょっと考えてみてくださいね。

・日本の経済（けいざい）がとても上手になりました。

 これは何が良くないでしょうか。じゃ、もう1つ良くない文を言いますね
・今日は体調（たいちょう）がうまいです。

はい。 えー、これは、どうでしょう、中華系（ちゅうかけい）の生徒はすぐ分かるかもしれませんね。英語を話す生徒はよくまちがえます。 
はい。これはまあ正しい文章（ぶんしょう）は、ま、色々あるんですけども、シンプルでよ。1番よく使うのが
・経済が良くなりました。
・体調今日は体調が 良いです。

が、正しい文ですね。で、”じょうず”、”うまい”、これはですね、多分 英語の”well” とちょっとミックスしちゃったんでしょうね。はい。で、”うまい”、”じょうず”は、例えば
・彼は日本語が上手（じょうず）ですよ。
・彼は日本語がうまいよ。

将棋（しょうぎ）、将棋わかりますか？ジャパニズチェスJapanese chess ですね。
・将棋がうまいです将棋が上手です。

や、あとはスポーツですね
・私の兄は、スポーツは何をやっても上手です。
・スポーツは何をやってもうまいです。

という風（ふう）に使います。はい、 オッケーですか。これ、本当によくあるまちがいなんで、みなさんしないようにお願いします。はい。
じゃ、今日も聞いてくれてありがとうございました。はい、じゃあ、日本語の勉強頑張ってください。バイバイ👋
