Learn English Through Stories

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I found this channel on YouTube which I think could be extremely useful for beginners and intermediate students.
Besides, you have subtitles on each video which is great ;-).

This is a Level 1 video on London:

 

This is the channel’s link: Stories To Learn English

This is Beauty and the Beast (Level 1):

For more advanced English students, this is a Level 6 video. Pride and Prejudice:

School idioms

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A great infographic by Kaplan International Colleges on School idioms:

Kaplan International

Example sentences with these idioms:

  • BOOKWORM
    Margaret rarely leaves the library. She has typical symptoms of a bookworm.
  • TO BRAINSTORM
    Over the next three days, we’ll hear stories of bravery and brainstorm solutions for change.
  • COPYCAT
    She called me a copycat for wearing the same prom dress.
  • HIT THE BOOKS
    I haven’t studied for today’s test yet. Time to hit the books!
  • PASS WITH FLYING COLORS
    As for the exam, I’m pleased to report you passed with flying colors.
  • SKIP CLASS
    Are you going to skip class and go to the beach?
  • DROPOUT
    “Why don’t we see Joanne Red at school anymore?”
    “Oh, she’s a dropout, she left high school last week.”
  • TEACHER’S PET
    Marcus is a teacher’s pet. He cannot shut up. He runs to the class after lunch and seems to always be raising his hand.

A funny video by English is Fun! on this topic:

  • A POP QUIZ => An unexpected exam.
  • TO READ OUT LOUD => To read loud enough that anyone can hear you and follow along.
  • TO PLAY HOOKY => To not go to school when you’re supposed to.
  • CLASS CLOWN => The person in the class who just likes to act silly and make everyone laugh during class.

Now that you know all these idioms, try to fill the gaps in this quiz to find out if you remember their meanings:

Activity for teachers: School idioms ex.
Answers: School idioms ex. answers

Linking words – test

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Linking words (named also “connecting words”) are essential for those who want to improve their writing skills.
What are linking words?
As you can deduce these English words are employed to link/connect parts of speech or whole sentences.
Linking words can be used to:

– show the reason for something;
– add ideas together;
– contrast ideas.

LIST OF LINKING WORDS

Find out if you know how to use linking words, take this test:

Test on linking wordsGriffiths, M. (2010), IELTS Writing: A Comprehensive Guide, Smashwords Edition. 

Tomorrow the answers will be available on Facebook: Free English Materials (Album Quizzes’ answers).

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” – English proverb

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Don't give up

Proverb 29-07

In times of crisis, those who are most resilient and determined take action and prove they’re worth.

Example sentences from the web:

  • I realize we’re lost. But always remember, – “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
  • The football team was losing the game, so at half time the coach reminded them that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
  • Anna lost her job and her boyfriend dumped her for her best friend. She carried on. When the going gets tough the tough gets going. Three months later she was in a better job and going out with a really nice guy.

If you still don’t get the meaning of this proverb …

“The going” => the situation
“Gets tough” => becomes difficult
“The tough” => people who are strong and enduring
“Get going”  => become fully engaged

There is a song named after this proverb: When the going gets tough, the tough get going by Billy Ocean.
If you like the 80s, listen to it! 😉

 

Lyrics:

When the going gets tough
The tough get going, tough, tough, huh, huh, huh
When the going gets tough, the tough get ready

Yeah, ooooh, du da do da

I got something to tell you
I got something to say
I’m gonna put this dream in motion
Never let nothing stand in my way
When the going gets touch
The tough get going

I’m gonna get myself ‘cross the river
That’s the price I’m willing to pay
I’m gonna make you stand and deliver
And give me love in the old-fashion way

Woooh

Darlin’, I’ll climb any mountain
Darlin’, I’ll do anything

Ooh, can I touch you (can I touch you)
And do the things that lovers do
Ooh, wanna hold you (wanna hold you)
I gotta get it through to you, oooh

When the going gets tough
The tough get going
When the going gets rough
The tough get rough
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Ooooh baby

I’m gonna buy me a one-way ticket
Nothin’s gonna hold me back
Your love’s like a slow train coming (slow train coming)
And I feel it coming down the track (woh)

Darlin’, I’ll climb any mountain
Darlin’, I’ll do anything
Ooh (ooh) can I touch you (can I touch you)
And do the things that lovers do
Ooh, (ooh) wanna hold you (wanna hold you)
I gotta get it through to you (ooh)
‘Cause when the going gets tough
The tough get going
When the going gets rough
The tough get rough

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Wooh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Darlin’, I’ll climb any mountain
Darlin’, I’ll swim any sea
Darlin’, I’ll reach for the heaven
Darlin’, with you lovin’ me
Oooh (oooh)

Oooh, can I touch you (can I touch you)
And do the things that lovers do (can I touch you)
Oooh, wanna hold you (wanna hold you)
I gotta get it through to you

When the going gets tough
Going gets tough
Going gets rough
Going gets rough…

‘Dedication’ – What does it mean?

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Dedication 1 Deducation 2

Dedication3

Image source

Example sentences from the web:

  • I am sure you will do it with great effectiveness and dedication.
  • His dedication went far beyond what would normally be expected of a chief election observer.
  • Her dedication to medicine was so great that she had time for little else.

DEDICATION – Noora Noor

This song is for my mother
Who told me to work harder
The way she loves
Makes me feel free

This song is for my brothers
With them, so much wiser
The way they love
I feel so complete

Everyone (love) thought that I could (love) do
Whatever, whenever, wherever I set my mind on
Everyone (love) thought that I could do (love)
Whatever, whenever, wherever I set my mind on

This song is for my sister
I melt when I’m around her
So much joy she brings for me to see

This song is for my father
Without him, I’m so much stronger
From Heaven he guides me through a rainy day

Everyone (love) thought that I could do (love)
Whatever, whenever, wherever I set my mind on
Everyone (love) thought that I could do (love)
Whatever, whenever, wherever I set my mind on

Believe in me
I believe in you
Believe in me
I believe in you
Believe in, believe in, believe in me
I believe in you, you
In you, you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah yeah…
I promise I’ll be better

Everyone (love) thought that I could do (love)
I set my mind ???? ????
Everyone (love) thought that I could do (love)
Do whatever, whenever, wherever I set my mind on
Yeah

Comic on this topic by British Council with comprehension test:
Comic on dedication.

“Social butterfly” – English idiom

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Social butterfly

social butterfly

Image source

Example sentences from the web:

  • Because he was not a social butterfly, he rarely went out in Washington.
  • Jessica is constantly out and about; she’s a real social butterfly.
  • Lulu is a social butterfly. She is always surrounded by people.

“Butty; buttie” – British slang

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butty - buttie

Example sentences from the web:

  • Get yourself a piece of bread, I’ll make you a chip butty.
  • Give us an egg butty and don’t break the yolk.
  • “What’ve you got for your dinner?”
    “Cheese butties.”

Notice that you could also hear the term ‘sarnie’ (British slang) referring to a sandwich.

Bacon-Sarnie

Image source

Example sentence from the web:

  • Do us a favour, pop to the shops and get us a sarnie.