Dee’s English Lessons
By Dee’s English Lessons
Dee’s English Lessons Mar 18, 2020
Episode 199
Presenting my newly published book for IELTS candidates. IELTS Speaking Test Guide.
Episode 198
This episode focuses on a presentation of how to use the newly published book Foundation English Vocabulary Workbook by D. Nkwetato Tamonkia. You can get book online at this link https://www.google.com.hk/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Foundation+English+Vocabulary+Workbook+by+D.+Nkwetato+Tamonkia
Episode 197
Resuming podcasting after a break of several months to focus on the publishing of three books for English learning. The books are now available online on all major book platforms, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, etc. You can search for the books by the following Author name: D. Nkwetato Tamonkia or by book titles:
- IELTS Speaking Test Guide
- IELTS Writing Workbook
- Foundation English Vocabulary Workbook.
Thank you all for your patience, your loyalty to my lessons and your support. If you buy copies of the books, please do leave some good reviews and ratings. Don't forget to share the links with people who need the books.
For any questions you can always reach me by email at
f-writers@hotmail.com
Episode 196
Resurfacing after a long period away working on a book publishing project.
Introducing new features for upcoming podcast episodes - interviews with people in different settings.
Episode 195
IELTS - Task 2 Writing marking criteria:
How do examiners score task 2 essays:
1. Task Achievement (TA) score / 9
2. Coherence and Cohesion (CC) score / 9
3. Lexical Resource (LR) score / 9
4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA) score / 9
They add the four scores and divide by 4 to obtain your final score in writing.
Episode 194
Paying attention to time when taking English tests.
Preparing for English tests: Using a stopwatch to time each task to make sure it can be done on time in the actual test.
Case study: IELTS. Speaking: Answering questions in 30seconds, 2minutes and 1minute.
Writing: Finishing two writing tasks in 60minutes. Task one in 20minutes and Task two in 40minutes.
Episode 193
Answering questions from listeners about English language learning goals.
How can learners set goals to improve their English?
Teacher Dee recommends the four boxes approach.
First make four boxes representing the four major language skills: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking.
Then under each of the skills, focus on specific learning activities that help you improve that skill.
For example:
Under reading, set a goal to read a short passage of just about 100 words every day, then extend the goal to reading articles, short stories and lastly novels.
Under listening, set a goal to listen to a short dialogue every day and then tell someone what the dialogue is about. Then extend the goal to longer conversations, then a speech, then lastly English news broadcasts.
Under writing, start by writing simple sentences, then compound and complex sentences, then paragraphs and lastly, essays. Always get someone to check and correct them for you.
Under speaking, start by talking with people you feel comfortable around like friends and family members before you try speaking formally in more public settings.
Episode 192
Vocabulary Series: Human Rights and various subcategories of Human Rights such as:
=> Women's Rights
=> Children's Rights
=> Workers' Rights
=> Handicapped Persons' Rights
=> Animals' Rights
Episode 191
First episode of the year 2023. Introducing a new series: Vocabulary: Replacing words that have general meanings with words with more specific meanings for better comprehension.
Here is the link to download the files containing 40 seafood words and pictures.
Episode 190
Series on IELTS Speaking continues. Theme: Sports. Focus: Footbal.
VOCABULARY FOCUS:
1. An assist 2. Crossbar 3. Free kick 4. Goalkeeper / Goalie 5. Header 6. Kickoff 7. Linesman 8. Referee 9 Attackers. 10 Midfielders. 11. Defenders. 12. Wingers. 13. Sweeper. 14. Penalty. 15. To be booked. 16. Yellow Card. 17. Red Card. 18. A draw / A tie. 19. Footwear. 20. An upset.
Sample Speaking Test:
PART 1:
- Let's talk about sports. Do you like team sports?
- What's your favorite team sport?
- Why is it your favorite?
- Is football popular in your country?
- Has your national team won many titles?
- Do you think students should be encouraged to do more sports?
- Who is the football player you admire the most?
- Would you like to be a football superstar?
PART 2:
- Describe a famous sports person in your country.
- Say what sport the person is famous in.
- Talk about the person's physical appearance.
- Talk about the person's personality.
- Talk about the achievements the person has in life.
PART 3:
- Some people say organizing tournaments like the FIFA World Cup is a waste of money. Do you agree?
- How do you think investing in sports can develop a country?
- Do you think sports super stars earn too much?
- What's your opinion about violence in sports?
Episode 189
Series focused on IELTS practice continues with the theme The Internet.
Common vocabulary: To get online / offline, to surf the internet, to browse websites, to upload / download materials, to chat, shop, learn online, cyberspace, cyber crime, cyber criminals, cyber security, cyber bullying, e-books, e-commerce, e-payment, e-mail, e-learning, social networking websites, video / music sharing websites, search engines, web applications, laptop, desktop computer, tablet, WiFi,
Typical questions related to the theme The Internet:
Part 1 Speaking:
1. Do you use the internet often?
2. What do you use the Internet for?
3. Is it expensive to use the Internet in your country?
4. What's your favorite website?
5. Do you have any online learning experience?
6. Do you prefer learning online?
7. How about shopping online? Do you prefer shopping online?
8. What do you think is the biggest danger of using the Internet?
Part 2 Speaking:
Describe an application young people use very often in your country. You should say:
=> What kind of app it is.
=> What it is used for.
=> The special features it has.
And say why young people consider it to be their favorite app.
Part 3 Speaking:
1. In your opinion, is it okay to allow students to have access to the internet during class time or not?
2. Do you agree with the opinion that the Internet has more negative effects on students than positive effects?
3. What do you think will happen in the future if every one relies on the Internet for every thing?
4. Should the use of the Internet be regulated?
Episode 188
Series on typical IELTS questions continues:
Focus on Part 3 Speaking.
General introduction to Part 3 speaking questions.
Sample questions discussed:
1. What is your opinion about school club activities?
2. Do you think school club activities should be compulsory or optional?
3. What do you think can be done to improve the quality of life on the school campus?
4. Do you think it is better for a school to be located downtown in the city or far away in the countryside?
5. Should teachers be allowed to punish students who disrespect rules?
Episode 187
Academic IELTS: Part 2 Speaking Practice: Theme: Talking about school.
Topic 1:
Describe your school campus. You should
- Say where it is found
- Say how big it is
- Say what natural elements can be found
And suggest what you think can be done to make the campus better.
Topic 2:
Describe an important school activity you usually take part in.
- Say when and where the activity takes place
- Talk about what happens during the activity
- Talk about your role in the activity
And say why you think it is an important activity for students.
You can send in your answers by email to: f-writers@hotmail.com
Episode 186
Common topics in IELTS Speaking Part 1:
Talking about school subects:
1. What subjects do you study at school?
2. What's your favorite subject?
3. What's your worst subject?
4. What's your major?
5. Why did you choose to study that major?
You can send in your voice messages using the link below.
Episode 185
Introducing a new series of episodes: Topic: Standardized English tests (IELTS, TOEFL and SAT). Objective: To get students on summer holidays preparing for those tests to be familiar with the sort of questions to expect.
Episode 184
Resumption episode after the 3months lock down due to COVID-19 resurgence in Shanghai.Sharing the experience of life under lock down in Shanghai.
Episode 183
Wrapping up series on Job Hunting: Reviewing previous parts discussed. Last part: Questions interviewees can and can't ask interviewers:
1. Does your company have branches in other parts of the city, in other cities, in other countries?
2. If hired when are we expected to start work? Immediately or at a later date?
3. Do we work extra hours?
4. (Ask a technical question about the job).
Episode 182
Series on Job Hunting continues... Part 3: Challenging interview questions. Case questions: What's your salary expectation? This is what we pay for this position, is that okay for you?
Episode 181
Series on Job Hunting continues: Part 3: Common challenging interview questions:
Case questions:
Why did you leave your previous company?
Why do you want to leave your current job?
Why do you think our company is suitable for you?
Episode 180
Series on Job Hunting continues: Part 3. Typical job interview questions to prepare for. Typical question 2: What are your strengths and weaknesses? Discussing some more examples of strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths: Dedicated, creative, flexible, resourceful, problem-solving skills, ability to work under pressure, time management skills, team player, fast learner, leadership skills, typing skills, writing skills, determination, negotiation skills and communication skills.
Weaknesses: Disorganized, impatient, insecure, self-criticism, multitasking, blunt, public speaking, shy, too detail-oriented, saying "no", unhealthy work/life balance, delegating, procrastination, hard skills, micromanaging.
Episode 179
Series on Job Hunting continues: Part three: Preparing to answer typical interview questions. Standard question 2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
To prepare for this question, work with a friend who knows you well and has worked with you to make a short list of about 5 strengths and 5 weaknesses. Then study the list to pick out the ones that are relevant to the job you are interviewing for.
Episode 178
Series on Job Interviews continues: Part 3: Answering actual interview questions: Typical interview questions.
1. Tell me about yourself. Using the three-dimensional approach to answer.
Episode 177
Series on Job Hunting continues. Third part: Preparing for Job Interview. Knowing your CV. Knowing the company you intend to work for. Knowing what kind of interview it is. Hide your desperation for the job.
Episode 176
Series on Job Hunting continues. Second part: Editing, polishing and proofreading a CV. Things you should do and things you shouldn't do. Contextualizing your CV.
Episode 175
Series on Job hunting continues: Second part: Updating your CV. Editing the key parts of your CV: Personal Summary, Personal Information, Work Experience, Education, Other skills.
Episode 174
Series on Job Hunting continues: Second part of Understanding Job Ads. 7. Understanding and making good use of the contact information found on a job ad. 8. Company background check. 9. Pay / Benefits. 10. Job scams and headhunters.
Episode 173
New series continued: Understanding Job ads: Part 1. Things to pay attention to when reading job ads:
1. Date of posting 2. Deadlines for applications. 3. Is it a specific position or a general call? 4. Job description: Can you handle the workload? 5. Job requirements. 6. Eligibility.
Episode 172
Introducing a New series: English for interviews. Understanding job ads. Preparing a CV and cover letter. Preparing for interviews. Ask and answering questions correctly at interviews.
Episode 171
Special guest speaker Natasha V. Broodie talks about herself, her book Give Me Tea, Please, her book tour and tips for language learners. Her book is available on Amazon. Just type her name or the title of the book.
Episode 170
Answering questions from listeners: How to improve vocabulary and online lessons.
Episode 169
Welcoming new listeners to the platform.
Things you should do and shouldn't do on the eve of the day of your test and just moments before your test.
Episode 168
How to build your confidence and improve your reading skills.
Recommended reading series:
Common Core Standards Series
Smart Reading
by
Wayne Everett
Episode 167
Final tips on IELTS reading and end of series on IELTS.
Episode 166
Series on IELTS continues: Introducing the reading test format. How to get sample reading materials and practice reading with timing.
Episode 165
IELTS series continues: Focus on listening. The score range from 4 to 9. Making good use of the time given to read the questions very well in order to easily spot answers in the audio.
Episode 164
Series on IELTS continues: Introducing the listening section. Format of the listening test and mistakes to avoid.
Episode 163
Series on IELTS continues. Wrapping up discussions on Writing Tasks 1 & 2. Reviewing essential tips.
Episode 162
Series on IELTS continues. Focus on IELTS Task 2 Writing. Making an essay plan. 5-paragraph essay style recommended. Focus on the kind of content you can prepare and make good use of in task two essay writing.
1. Writing about the origins of something. For example: The origins of certain customs in your country.
2. Writing about the causes of a problem. For example: The causes of pollution in your hometown / country.
3. Writing about the types of something. Putting things in categories. For example: Kinds of discrimination.
4. Writing about the advantages and disadvantages of something. For example: Studying abroad.
5. Writing about the consequences of something, effects, impact. For example: The consequences of a high unemployment rate.
6. Writing about problems and suggestions for solutions. For example: Social ills
7. Comparing and contrasting. For example: Past and present marriage customs.
8. Predicting the future of something. For example: E-learning.
Episode 161
Series on IELTS continues. Focus on Task 2 writing. Introducing major differences between Task 1 and Task 2 writing. Slight differences between Task 2 Academic writing and General Training.
Episode 160
Series on IELTS continues: Focus on 6 details that matter:
1. Minimum number of words required.
2. Clear handwriting
3. Using capital letters properly.
4. Avoiding short forms and contractions.
5. Proper punctuation.
6. Proper paragraphing
Episode 159
Series on IELTS continued: Focus on Writing; Introducing Task 1 writing for General Training IELTS. Three kinds of letters to prepare for.
Episode 158
Series on IELTS continued. Focus on Task 1 writing (Academic IELTS). Discussing the standard 4-paragraph structure of writing about a diagram. Introduction, Overview, Details1, Details2.
Episode 157
Series on IELTS continues. Wrapping up discussions on the speaking part of the test. Introducing the writing part of the test. Task 1 and Task 2 writing preview.
Episode 156
Series on IELTS continued. Focus on Part 3 speaking. Looking at examples of questions and how they relate to a part 2 topic on electronic items. How to give your opinion on something and justify with examples.
Episode 155
Series on IELTS continued. Focus on Speaking Part 3. Discussing the general nature of part 3 questions and key talking points to prepare about expressing opinions on particular topics.
1. The origin of something
2. The causes of something
3. The types of something
4. The advantages and disadvantages of something
5. Suggestions / solutions
6. The consequences of something
7. Examples of something
8. Personal experience
Episode 154
Series on IELTS continued: Focus on Part 2 Speaking. Looking at some examples of Part 2 speaking topics.
1. Describing a present
2. Describing an old person
3. Describing a childhood event
4. Describing an environmental problem that has occurred in your country.
***Key points to note when planning your answer: Key words, tenses, introductory sentence, concluding sentence.
Episode 153
IELTS series continued. Focus on Part 2 speaking. Discussing the format of part 2 questions and suggestions on how to approach the topics. Few examples mentioned for illustration.
Episode 152
Series on IELTS continuation: Focus on part 1 speaking. Talking about favorites, personality, job / school, hometown, likes and dislikes, childhood, future plans, etc.
Episode 151
Series on IELTS continues. Focus on Part 1 speaking. Discussing two common key part one questions: Are you a student or you are working? What do you do in your free time? How long or short should answers be?
Key vocabulary expression: It depends on....
Episode 150
Series on IELTS continues: Discussing the speaking test. The formats of the three parts of the speaking test and the differences in question styles.