What are collocations? Why should I study them? - Irene

Hi there! 

Did you enjoy your summer holidays? It's great to see you here.

What are collocations? ¿Qué son las colocaciones?

According to the dictionary "the habitual juxtaposition of a particular word with another word or words with a frequency greater than chance", so basically words that work well together. If you think about Spanish, for instance, the verb that you would likely use with error is cometer. That's a collocation! If you use another verb, say hacer, people will probably understand you, but it doesn't sound natural.

Según el diccionario "la yustaposición habitual de una palabra en concreto con otra u otras palabras de forma frecuente", así que básicamente palabras que funcionan bien juntas. Si piensas en el español, por ejemplo, es muy probable que el verbo que utilices con error es cometer. ¡Eso es una colocación! Si utilizas otro verbo, por ejemplo hacer, seguramente te entiendan, pero no suena natural.

Why should I study them? ¿Por qué debería estudiarlas?

It's all about sounding as natural as possible. To be fluent in English -and to avoid mistakes- you will need them. Using Spanish as an example again: if I say "quiero tres fotocopias en negro y blanco", I'll be understood but not natural nor correct. BTW, in English blanco y negro is black and white (negro y blanco).

Todo se trata de sonar tan natural como sea posible. Para tener soltura en inglés -y para evitar errores- los necesitarás. Utilizando el español como ejemplo de nuevo: si digo "quiero tres fotocopias en negro y blanco", me entenderán pero no será natural ni correcto. Por cierto, en inglés blanco y negro es black and white (negro y blanco).

If you plan to do any official exams (EOI, Cambridge, IELTS), you'd better study collocations. Most of the Use of English tests include them in the questions.

Si tienes en mente hacer algún examen oficial (EOI, Cambridge, IELTS), más vale que te estudies las colocaciones. La mayoría de pruebas de Use of English las incluyen entre las preguntas.

How can I learn them? ¿Cómo las puedo aprender?

Read, listen, and access to as many real materials as you can. Pay attention to the way words are used together and try to copy it. Here you are some resources to help you learn collocations.

Lee, escucha y accede a cuantos materiales reales puedas. Presta atención a la forma en que las palabras se utilizan juntas e intenta copiarlo. Aquí tienes algunos recursos para ayudarte a aprender colocaciones. 

Resources / Recursos:

Online

• Online collocation dictionary: http://www.freecollocation.com/
• Common collocations: https://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/collocations-common.htm
• Intermediate exercises: https://speakspeak.com/english-grammar-exercises/intermediate/intermediate-grammar-exercise-collocations
• Word patterns: https://www.intercambioidiomasonline.com/2017/06/09/word-patterns-and-collocations/
• 100 collocations en inglés que debes conocer: https://www.amigosingleses.com/2020/04/12/100-collocations-en-ingles/
• "Palabras monógamas" (a very illustrative article about collocations in Spanish): https://www.eldiario.es/opinion/zona-critica/palabras-monogamas_129_6056584.html

Books

• Key Words for Fluency (different levels): https://booksellers.es/libro/key-words-for-fluency-pre-intermediate_56810
• Check Your Vocabulary for Natural English Collocations: https://booksellers.es/libro/check-your-vocabulary-for-natural-english-collocations_105509

Glossary:

- According to (prep): de acuerdo con, según, como dice.

"According to Jeff, the film starts at 7.30" "Según Jeff, la película empieza a las 7.30"

- For instance (adv): por ejemplo (sinónimo de for example)

"In the electronics industry, for instance, 5,000 jobs are being lost." "En la industria de la electrónica, por ejemplo, se están perdiendo 5000 empleos".

- Say (adv): digamos, por ejemplo (coloquial)

"Take any number, say seven, and multiply by four." "Coge un número, por ejemplo siete, y multiplícalo por cuatro."

- Likely (adj, adv): probable, probablemente.

"He's not likely to be interested." "Probablemente no le interese"

- BTW (adv, initialism): acrónimo de By The Way - por cierto, ya que estamos.

- Had better (v aux): sería mejor que, haría mejor en, más le vale. 

"He had better do what he is told!" "¡Más vale que haga lo que se le pide!"

- Pay attention (v expr): prestar atención.

Irene's Videos - How to write an email

Hi there!

Today's video is about how to write an email to a hotel in English.

I hope you find it useful,

Irene

Irene's Challenges - Summer Language Challenge

Hi there!

How are you? I hope you enjoyed the exercises we've done, and rose to the challenges I set for you. It is fantastic to see students engaging with their learning.

¿Cómo estáis? Espero que hayáis disfrutado los ejercicios que hemos hecho, y que hayáis estado a la altura de los retos que os preparé. Es fantástico ver a los estudiantes comprometerse con su aprendizaje. 

Your next challenge is HUGE. It is supposed to last for the entire summer holidays. There you go: 

Vuestro próximo reto es ENORME. Se supone que debe duraros todas las vacaciones del verano. Aquí vamos:

You don't need to follow any order, just enjoy learning!

No hace falta que sigáis ningún orden, ¡simplemente disfrutad aprendiendo!

Here you are some resources to help you:

Aquí tenéis algunos recursos para ayudaros:

• Lyrics training: https://es.lyricstraining.com/
• Tongue twisters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4C2LeIx0OM
• Learn English through Songs: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_Zjf61X10RJMF_0AJ2rxGopgxK6xgj_s
• Scattergories categories: https://www.pinterest.es/irenerinna/esl-scattergories/
• Idioms: https://www.pinterest.es/irenerinna/teaching-stuff-idioms/
• Easy news for English students: https://www.newsinlevels.com/
• 6 minute English (intermediate level): https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english

I hope you find it helpful. I'll be on the comment section down below in case you need me.

Espero que lo encontréis de utilidad. Estaré abajo en la sección de comentarios por si me necesitáis.

Irene

GLOSSARY:

Rise to the challenge (v expr) - estar a la altura del desafío.

"We should rise to the challenge and address this problem." "Deberíamos asumir este reto y ocuparnos de este problema."

Engage with st (v) /ɪnˈgeɪdʒ/ - comprometerse, dedicarse, empeñarse.

It's supposed to (v expr) - se supone que

"This pen is supposed to write smoothly even in space." "Se supone que esta pluma escribe fácilmente incluso en el espacio."

FAIRY TALES (1)

1. Fairy Tale Vocabulary

Match the words and the pictures.

2. Watch the video and do the speaking part.

Fairy Tale
Click on the link to watch the video

You can read, too.
Once upon a time, there was a palace in a beautiful country. There lived a very handsome King, and a beautiful queen. They had a pretty princess. One day, the witch took the princess. With her magic, the princess was trapped in the dark forest. Many knights tried to save the princess. But, they failed because the forest was guarded by a scary monster. The king and queen were so sad. One day, a prince from a neighboring country came to save her. "I'll save the princess!", said the prince. Suddenly, a fairy showed up. "With this dragon, you'll be able to save the princess!" "Oh, thanks!" The prince could beat the scary monster. "Thank you. My hero!" "You're welcome." The prince and princess got married and lived happily ever after.

3. Para saber más sobre el pasado simple accede al siguiente enlace Pasado Simple del blog Aprende inglés Sila

EMPEROR´S NEW SUIT (2)

1. Read the Fairy Tale:

The Emperor’s New Suit by Hans Christian Andersen (1837)

 Fairy Tale

Click the link to read the tale.

MANY, many years ago lived an emperor, who thought so much of new clothes that hespent all his money in order to obtain them; his only ambition was to be always well dressed.

2. Listen to the tale while you read. 

LISTENING

Click the link to access to the listening.

3. Answer the questions.

1. What did the dishonest weavers do with the silk and gold thread?

2. Where did the emperor spend most of his time?

3. The dishonest weavers said their clothes were to those who were unfit for their office.

4. How much cloth did the dishonest weavers make?

5. What did the emperor spend all his money on?

4. Know the author.

 Hans Christian Andersen Biography

Click on the link

BEYOND THE TEXT (3)

1. After reading " Emperor´s new clothes"

2. Can you answer the vocabulary questions?

Practice what you know
Click this link to do the practice.

3. Beyond the text

What's the meaning of the phrase 'The emperor's new clothes'?

From https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/the-emperors-new-clothes.html

It is used in contexts where people are widely acclaimed and admired but where others question whether what they have created is of any value.

The phrase bears some similarity to another modern-day expression - the elephant in the room. An essential factor with both phrases is the willingness of people to engage into an unspoken contract to willfully disbelieve what they know to be true.

Exercise: Explain a situation in which you could you this expression.

An example: Something widely accepted as true as some decision taken for some CEOs. 
So many people believe in his words and follow him like the 
emperor´s new clothes. 

SPRING ( 1 )

1. Vocabulary: Flowers names in English

Watch the video, repeat aloud and write the names. 
Ve el vídeo, repítelo en alto y escribe los nombres.

Flowers name


2. What kind of gardener are you?

1. Read the text and do the exercise.

2. Write the missing letters.

3. More about countable and countable nouns.

Para saber más sobre los sustantivos contables e incontables accede al siguiente enlace Sustantivos contables e incontables del blog Aprende inglés Sila

KEW GARDENS ( 3 )

What do you think about going for a walk in Kew Gardens?

London Kew Gardens
Click on the headline underlined.

Acces to Kew Gardens website and answer the following questions.

FIND OUT INFORMATION ABOUT KEW GARDENS

1. What is "Kew Gardens"?

2. Where are Kew Gardens situated?

3. When were they founded?

4. How large/big is Kew gardens?

5. How many kinds of plants are there in Kew?

6. How many books has the library got?

7. Write the Plant Collection. ( 1-10)

8. The Palm House is a glasshouse ( also called a greenhouse) at Kew Gardens 
( You Tube: "The Palm House at Kew Gardens") and complete the sentences:

- The Palm House was constructed in..................from over............tons of iron an .................panes of glass.

- The Palm House looks like the upturned hull of a .................................

- This is almost certainly......................................................................and it came here in ..................

TIPS

Listen to this traditional Scottish Tale. 

You can read it at the same time.

Try a dictation too.

Do you recognize the voice?

Please, leave a comment if you like it.

Getting Old is Human

EASTER HOLIDAYS ( 1 )

1. EASTER VOCABULARY

Read the words and write the correct number inside the eggs:

Lee las palabras y escribe el número dentro de cada huevo.

2. LISTEN AND REPEAT THE NEW VOCABULARY

Easter Flashcards
* Presiona sobre el título para acceder al vídeo.


3. ENJOY THE STORY

Enjoy the story and answer the questions clicking on the images or in the correct option.

Disfruta de la historia y responde a las preguntas haciendo clic en las imágenes o en la opción correcta.

The Easter Bunny
* Presiona sobre el título para acceder al vídeo.

EASTER HOLIDAYS ( 2 )

A BRITISH EASTER: TRADITIONS

1. Whach the video and answer the questions.
* Remember that you can activate the subtitle option on the video.Settings ( rueda dentada)> Subtitles

A British Easter

2. Read the sentences and say if they are True (T) or False (F).

1-The rabbits protect the eggs when you are on an Easter hunt. _______

2-In Easter, people feel the same excitement as in Christmas. _______

3-Around Britain, you can find lots of chocolate eggs all over the shops. ______

4-Chocolate eggs are the only Easter desserts. _______

5-The egg hunt takes place inside their houses. _______

6-Eggs remained with the same shape while decorating them. _______

3. Read the definitions and complete with the suitable word.

Easter Bunny Competition - rebirth - Greeting Easter Card -Hot Cross Bun

7- A little cake marked with a cross traditionally eaten on Good Friday________.

8-A kind of letter that you send to your relatives to wish them a good Easter.__.

9-A synonym of resurrection. In Easter, it is of Jesus Christ._______________.

10 - A creative activity about decorating hats with chicks, eggs..._____________.

TIPS

Everything I wanted by Billie Eilish

From Lyricstraining.com Go to Web> Modo Selección > Presiona en Play dentro del vídeo y comienza con la canción. Disfruta cantando. 

https://lyricstraining.com/play/billie-eilish/everything-i-wanted/H1St7I4Qm1
Billie Eilish

AROUND EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS (1)

1. EMOTIONS

First, watch the video about emotions. 
Repeat the words aloud. 
Stop the video and anticipate the word. 

Primero, ve el vídeo acerca de las emociones.
Repite las palabras en alto.
Para el vídeo y anticipa la palabra.

Estados de ánimo en inglés.
* Presiona sobre el título para acceder al vídeo.


2. FEELINGS AND DESIRES

First, study new vocabulary with the flashcards.
Primero, estudia nuevo vocabulario con las tarjetas.

Quiezlet - Feelings and desires
* Presiona sobre el título para acceder a las tarjetas y la actividad.
* Haz click dentro de la tarjeta para ver el significado.
* Realiza las actividades que figuran en el margen derecho.

ADJECTIVES AND FEELINGS (2)

1. FEELINGS

First, watch the video about emotions. 
Repeat the words aloud. 
Stop the video and anticipate the word. 

Primero, ve el vídeo acerca de las emociones.
Repite las palabras en alto.
Para el vídeo y anticipa la palabra.


Feelings
* Presiona sobre el título para acceder al vídeo.


GRAMMAR - Participios que se utilizan como adjetivos

Adj + ing  el adjetivo da información sobre una acción, un objeto o una cosa que causa el sentimiento o la emoción.

The view is amazing 
Washing up is boring!

Adj + ed  cuando el adjetivo da información sobre quien lo dice, una persona habla de cómo se siente.

She is interested in playing football every afternoon.
I am surprised with the latest news.


If you need help ->  Participial adjectives del blog Aprende inglés Sila

2. What word do you need to complete the sentence? 

Write the words from the box in empty spaces to complete the phrases. Use each word many times as you need it.

Confused, disgusting, bored, interesting, disgusted, amusing, boring, interested, disappointed, surprised, disappointing, confusing, depressed, amusing, depressing.


1. I do the same thing every day. My job is very ______ .

2. I have nothing to do. I'm ______ .

3. My job is very varied. I find it ______ .

4. I heard some very ______ news. I'm going to lose my job. I feel terrible

5. Cheer up. .Don't feel so ______ . There are plenty of other jobs.

6. I heard a very ______ story. It will make you laugh.

7. It's not ______ that you failed the exam. You never did any work.

8. I don't understand this exercise. I'm very ______ .

9. I thought your behavior at the party was ______ . You were sick in the middle of the room.

10. My trip to Paris has been cancelled. I'm really ______ . I really wanted to go.

11. The performance of the English team was very ______ . They played much worse than expected.

12. There are a lot of road signs. It's all very ______ .

13. I am very ______ in this subject. I find it fascinating.

14. The lesson was really ______ . I almost fell asleep.

15. I was ______ by her behavior. It was very funny.

16. I was ______ by the news. I didn't expect it.

17. I was ______ by his behavior. It was outrageous.

18. I'm ______ in finding out more about this. Where can I look?

19. When the students did badly, the teacher became really ______ and didn't smile for weeks.

THE HISTORY OF HUMAN EMOTIONS (3)

1. Whatch the Ted Talk about "The history of human emotions."

There is an English and Spanish transcription. You can follow the talk while you read it.  

How to talk about 
your feelings

2. Match every word with its definition.

TED - TALK History of human emotions.

* PIN CODE: 860119 by eatdrinkandbemerry

3. Read carefully and write five feelings related to the current moment.
You can share it in the comment section. 

5:43

When we look to the past, it's easy to see that emotions have changed, sometimes very dramatically, in response to new cultural expectations and religious beliefs, new ideas about gender, ethnicity and age, even in response to new political and economic ideologies. There is a historicity to emotions that we are only recently starting to understand. So I agree absolutely that it does us good to learn new words for emotions, but I think we need to go further. I think to be truly emotionally intelligent, we need to understand where those words have come from, and what ideas about how we ought to live and behave they are smuggling along with them.

AROUND THE HUMAN BODY (1)

First, watch the video about the parts of the human body and repeat the actions aloud.
Primero, ve el vídeo acerca de las partes del cuerpo humano y repite las acciones en alto.

Parts of the human body
* Presiona sobre el título para acceder al vídeo.

Second, study the verbs of body movement.
Segundo, estudia los verbos de acción y movimiento.

Third, do the activity.

Tercero, haz la actividad.
Ejemplo: a. Do the laundry. Hacer la colada.

WAYS TO MOVE ( 3 )

Click on "Ways to move" and place the verbs of movement:
Crawling, crept, dawdle, fumble, sprinted, stomped, wandering, 

WAYS TO MOVE

and a Cloze Exercise  ( Sign in with Google and you acces to  ENGLISH por doquier Eva Trigo Class code: uhtuelk )


USING THE HUMAN BODY AS MY CANVAS

TIPS

"Move your body" by Beyonce in https://es.lyricstraining.com/

Everybody to dance!

MOVE YOUR BODY

ST. PATRICK’S DAY AND PREPOSITIONS ( 1 )

First, watch the video about Sr. Patrick’s day vocabulary. Repeat aloud the prepositions.
Primero, ve el video sobre vocabulario del día de San Patricio. Repite en alto las preposiciones.
St Patrick’s day vocabulary * Presiona sobre el título en verde para acceder al vídeo.

Second, watch the video about prepositions.
Segundo, ve el vídeo sobre las preposiciones. 
Prepositions

Third, do the activity.
Tercero, haz la actividad.

WHEN IS ST. PATRICK’S DAY? ( 2 )

Read the article and unscramble the words.

Lee el artículo y ordena las palabras.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY