Monthly Archives: March 2017

Dictation

Posted on by

  Dictation is listening to someone speaking and then trying to write what you hear.

Practicing dictation can help improve your:

  • English listening skills
  • Grammar
  • Writing and Punctuation
  • Spelling
  • Speaking and pronunciation (if you speak the words you hear – out loud – while you’re writing it)

The EnglishClub website has a good collection of dictation exercises, at 3 different levels of difficulty.  Here’s an example:

1. Listen to the dictation at normal speed (just listen; don’t try to write it).

2. Listen again at slow speed and try to write/type what your hear (with a smartphone, you need to use paper).
Include capitalization and punctuation.

3. Listen again at slow speed if you need to.
4. Listen at normal speed for a last check.
5. When you’re ready, click/press Show Answer and compare the answer to your writing.
    (The mailbox is just behind the big water fountain.)

Lie vs Lay

Posted on by

Don’t Say: 
– Please lie the book on the table.
– I’m going to lay down in bed.

Say This:
– Please lay the book on the table.
– I’m going to lie down in bed.

Remember:

  • You lay something down.   I’m going to lay the baby down for a nap (laying him down – not lying down yourself).  My daughters lays her clothes on the bed each morning.
  • People lie down by themselves. Every night I fall asleep as soon as I lie down in bed.  He lies down on the sofa to watch TV at night.
  • Lie – not lay – is also used when you mean saying something that is not true.  Don’t lie to me.

Continue reading →

Read To Your Kids

Posted on by

  … or read to your grandkids, nieces, nephews, little cousins, dog, – or yourself.

Children’s books are shorter and easier to understand.  They’re really good practice for someone learning English. Reading to a child can help you with:

  • Vocabulary – learn new words
  • Comprehension – better understanding when you read
  • Pronunciation

And – you will learn faster when you use English for something you enjoy.  (It’s really good for your child too!)

   March 2nd was the birthday of the famous children’s author Theodor Geisel – “Dr. Seuss“.

 

Maple Sugaring Season

Posted on by

  With cold nights and warmer days, late February is the beginning of maple sugaring season in Massachusetts. Maple Syrup is made in many sugar houses in and near MetroWest.  You can visit a sugar house and get a tour explaining how maple syrup is made – and usually taste/buy some fresh maple syrup or other maple products.

Places to visit:  Continue reading →