Idiom of the day: “to act up”

Idiom of the day:  “to act up”

What does this mean and how can you use it?  Here are some examples:

1.  My computer is acting up.  I think it has a virus.

                Meaning:  My computer is not working (probably because of a virus).

Photo Credit:  Evan Williams

2.  My baby brother acts up at bedtime.  He does not want to go to sleep.

                Meaning:  My brother cries and is angry when he has to go to bed.

Photo Credit:  Steven & Courtney Johnson & Horwitz

Share some of your examples in the comments! :)

Feelings / Emotions

This week we learned how to say how we are feeling or our emotions.  Below are some practice quizzes. 

Practice Quizzes:

Emotions Exercises
Feelings and To Be Exercises

Emotions Quiz 1

Emotions Quiz 2

How to be a Successful Learner

This is advice that I always give to my students for the in-person classes that I teach. In order to excel in any subject that one is learning, it is important that you do the following:

1. Go to class every day. Missing classes (whether they are in-person or online) is missing opportunities to learn!
2. Do your homework. Complete the assignments that you are given. Instructors give assignments not to torture you, but to help reinforce what you learned in class. Remember, practice makes perfect.
3. Practice what you've learned everywhere that you can. This is especially important for language learners. Read, write, and speak the language that you are learning at home and work. Take the extra time to make "self-assignments" and use what you know. Practice helps you progress faster.
4. Keep a journal of what you learned. Learning journals are a wonderful tool as you can use them for both note-taking and motivation. Start by making a few short notes about what you learned after every class. Eventually, you will find yourself writing even more and reinforcing your knowledge on the subject. On days that you feel frustrated or feel like giving up, take a look at your journal. Notice all the things that you have accomplished and how far you have come. This helps remind you that you can do it!
5. Speak positively about yourself. If you are an ESL/ESOL student, avoid saying that your English is “bad” or “not good”. Instead focus on the positive. Say things like, "I'm a student and I'm working on improving my English." For art and photography students, again, be positive. Instead of calling your work “terrible”, rephrase with statements like “I’m working on improving my photography skills. Could I please have some constructive criticism so that I can learn better?”

 

These are five wonderful habits to develop to improve your ability to learn and succeed in any subject. Remember you are learning and it’s ok to make mistakes and have questions—this is part of the learning process. As long as you keep trying and focus on the positives, you will learn the subject matter and grow your confidence.  :)

At, In, On - Prepositions of Time and Location

This week we discussed Prepositions of Location and Time.  Below are some reviews of IN, ON, AT.  Click to start the presentation and view the practice questions and answers.

Week 5 - Beginners - Describing People / Intermediate - Calling 911

This week we learned how to describe people's appearances for beginners.  In the Intermediate class, we learned how to call 911 and practiced our progressive present tenses.  Below are some practice quizzes. 

Practice Quizzes (Beginning Class):
Describing using To Have

Describing People and Things

Simple Present Tense - To Be
Have or Has

Practice Quizzes (Intermediate Class):
Present Progressive Tense (Long form) 1
Present Progressive Tense - (Long Form) 2
Present Progressive Tense - (Long Form) 3
Present Progressive Tense - Long and Short Forms

Week 4 - There Is / There Are, Body Parts, Present Progressive Verbs

This week we learned vocabulary for colors and there is/there are for beginners.  In the Intermediate class, we continued learning vocabulary for the body, injuries, and progressive present tenses.  Below are some practice quizzes. 

Practice Quizzes (Beginning Class):
There is / There are Statements
Is There / Are There Questions
Colors

Practice Quizzes (Intermediate Class):
Present Progressive Tense (Long Form)
Present Progressive Tense (Contractions)
Present Progressive Tense - Matching
Body Parts - Matching

Simple Present Verbs and Illnesses/Symptoms Vocabulary - Week 3

In weeks 1 and 2 we learned about simple present tense verbs.  This week we learned about the singular and plurals of nouns for beginners.  In the Intermediate class, we learned about vocabulary for illnesses and symptoms.  Below are some practice quizzes. 

Practice Quizzes (Beginning Class):
Plurals of Nouns
Plurals of Nouns #2
Plurals of Nouns (Irregulars)

Practice Quizzes (Intermediate Class):
Simple Present Tense Verbs
To Have (Simple Present Tense)
To Be (Simple Present Tense)
Health Problems and Treatments
Health Problems