The English Trainer

I have lived in the UK for almost a year now and the constant processing that my brain had to do with the German language when I lived in Germany has stopped. Even though I still have German lessons, it's very different to actually living there and needing to use the language on a daily basis. It was therefore interesting to go to a country where I don't speak the language well. Spain. I last spoke any Spanish about 15 years ago when I went on a week long intensive course there. I have a GCSE (a qualification that people usually do when they are 16, I did mine in my 20s) in Spanish but I haven't use it since my course. I looked in my old Spanish books to prepare for the trip but I didn't feel that I had much Spanish is my 'working memory' that I can use instantly when I talk. Fast forward the trip. The first thing to note is that the language felt very 'familiar'.  I recognised lots of words but didn't know what they all meant. I also didn't seem...

I teach at a local centre and last week it was graduation. It was so great to see so many students who have worked solidly all year, be rewarded for their hard work. A lot of them received certificates for learning English as a second language. They have shown a great amount of dedication and inspiration which will hold them in good stead for their next steps in learning English. I have been doing a course at the centre myself, on volunteering and the impact on the community, and I also got a certificate. The teacher must also be a learner. The head of the centre had the best advice. "Be greedy with education, when you have had some, have a bit more. When you think that you have had enough, have a bit more". Advice I think we all can take.

I taught a lesson last week about recipes, and how they are different in the UK to other countries. For a start, we use pounds (lb) and ounces (oz), knowns as imperial measurements, as well as kilograms (kg) and grams (g), known as metric measurements. One kilo is 2.2lb. Some recipes have both units present, others may have one or the other. The oven temperatures are also different, and three different temperatures can be given. 'Gas mark' are for gas ovens, Celcius (Centigrade is the old fashioned name) or Fahrenheit are for electric. Don't forget that 'fan ovens' are hotter than usual electric ovens and you may need to reduce the recommended temperature, if you don't want to burn your food! Recipes are a great way to learn the imperative in English, (giving commands), so have a look at a recipe today and improve your English. Happy cooking! Fahrenheit Celsius Gas Mark Terminology   275 degrees F   140 degrees C             1   V...