Special Content - Maybe & Perhaps

July 29th - Verbs

July 29th - Talking to a foreigner

July 23rd - Will x Going to

Questions about the difference between "will" and "be + going to" are common among my students. It's funny how courses, books and teachers can complicate something that seems so simple to me! The secret, as I always say, is this: Students should stop looking for grammar rules in everything and start observing the use of words and structures in real life. So let's learn the use of "will" and "going to" in a different way. Shall we Laura?

"Will" is the assistant of the future in English. But when we learn that we can indicate the future with "going to" the doubt arises. So as not to complicate it, let's understand the use of the two words to express ideas in the future in English. Well, check it out! "Will" when used to speak of something in the future usually comes with expressions that indicate uncertainty. Let's look at some of these expressions:

• I think… (Eu acho que…)
• I think Ingrid will travel to Ireland next year.
• Probably, … (Provavelmente, …)
• Yes. Probably She will travel in January.
• I guess… (Eu acho…)
• I guess She will travel in February.
• I’m not sure, but I think… (Não tenho certeza, mas acho que…)
• I'm not sure, but I think Laura will travel to Miami.
• I don’t know, but I think… (Num sei não, mas acho que…)
• I don't know but I think she will travel in May.
• Maybe… (Talvez…)
• Maybe she will travel in May.

They are all expressions that indicate uncertainty in English. Of course there are others, but with these you will already be able to say many things. Well! Now look at the sentences below:

Laura will probably go to Miami in January.
I don't know, but I don't think she's going to the party next Saturday.
Maybe we won't be here tomorrow.
As the expressions of uncertainty are present in the sentences the word that is usually used to express the future in these cases is "will". So we will:

• Laura will probably go to Miami  in January.
• I don’t know! But I think She won't go to the party next Saturday.
• Maybe we will not be here tomorrow.
• Will not = won't 

Now if you are sure of what you are going to do - if there is no doubt about what you will do in the future, it is already decided and practically right - then prefer to use the "going to".

• I’m going to JB's house next Monday.
• I’m not going to the party next Saturday.
• We’re not going to be here tomorrow.

See that in these last examples expressions of uncertainty did not appear. The reason is simple: you have no doubts about what you will do; you know you will do it and that's it! You are organized to do it! You are already planning and solving everything to make it happen.

So remember: when you are not sure what you will do in the future use "will" accompanied by expressions of uncertainty. On the other hand, if you are sure and you are already planning, then make use of the "going to". 

# Did you like the explanations? Easy, right?

July 24th - Regular x Irregular Verbs

July 8th - Business Conversation

1- Apologizing

JB : I'm sorry Laura, but I made a mistake when I told you that you could join us to the event. Unfortunately, this event is only for members. Please accept my apologies.

I really didn't meant to make you fool. I"m sorry I didn't realize how important it was to you.

Laura : That's ok teacher. I understand. Don't worry about that. No problem.

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Prefacing bad news

1- I'm sorry (I have) to tell you this, but you are not allowed to be here.

2- I hate to tell you this, but Mr. Ikutake has just taken the flight.

3- I don't know how to tell you this, but we won't need your services anymore.

4- I have some bad news. The police is looking for you everywhere.

...................................................................

* Apologizing by letter or written document. 

1- We regret to inform you that we can't send you the product tomorrow.

2- Regretfully, we are running out of time this week.

3- Unfortunately, we don't have options.

..........................................................................

2 - Expressing Appreciation

* Thanks.

* Thank you.

* I appreciate it.

* Thanks for the tour.

* Thank you for the nice gift.

* I appreciate your hospitality.

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3 - Asking for Help

1- Could you . . . . (for me) ?

2- Would you please . . . ?

3- Would you mind V+ing . . . .?

4- Could you possibly . . . ?

5- Do you have a minute?

6- Can you spare a few minutes?

7- Could you do me a favor?

8- Could I ask you a favor?

9- Can I ask you to . . . ?

10- I need some help (if you have time).

11- (If you're not busy) I could use your help.

Probably answers

1- Okay, no problem.

2- Sure, I'd be glad to.

3- Sorry, I'm (kind of) busy now.

4- I'm sorry. I don't have time right now.

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4- Forward-Looking Statements

1- What are your plans for the future?

2- What are your projections for the next quarter?

3- What do you expect to achieve (in the near future)?

4- What are your (sales) projections for next six months?

5- What are your goals for the coming year?

..............................................................................................

* Structures for answers

* We expect

* We plan to

* We project

* We hope to

* We should

* We will be (V+ing)

* If all goes as planned

* Our projections are

* According to our projections

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5 - Informal introductions

* This is my boss, Mr. Garcia.

* Mr Garcia , this is my secretary, Beyoncee.

* I'd like you to meet my co-worker ....

* Laura, this is Rodrigo Santoro.

* Have you met Angela?

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Probably Answers

* Good to meet you.

* Nice to meet you too.

* My pleasure

* Hi, I'm João Batista.( Laura\Joner )

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Formal Introductions

* I'd like to introduce you to my dear friend, Mrs. Garcia.

* Allow me to introduce myself/my colleague...

* Let me introduce you to my colleague...

* Mr. Ikutake , this is William Bonner from Globo broadcasting.

Probably Answers

* How do you do?

* it's a pleasure meeting you.

Important body language to remember: Smile, eye contact, firm handshake.

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Warm Up - Laura Joner

C

Phrasal Verbs Practice

1. Ask out: invite (convidar alguém)

JB asked his wife out to a dinner in the new restaurant of the neighborhood.

JB convidou a esposa para jantar no novo restaurante do bairro.

2. Add up: make sense (fazer sentido)

This story doesn’t add up. Why would  Camila go to the beach by herself while her family  decided to go to the movies together ?

Essa história não faz sentido. Por que Camila  iria á praia sozinha enquanto sua família decidiu ir ao cinema juntos ?

3. Break down: get upset (ficar triste ou decepcionado)

Sergio  broke down with the death of his favorite character in the movie .

Sergio  ficou triste com a morte do seu personagem favorito no filme .

4. Bring about: cause (causar, provocar)

The young guys were reckless when they brought about the accident.

Os jovens rapazes foram imprudentes quando provocaram o acidente.

5. Catch up: reach a standard (alcançar um padrão ou nível)

To catch up with her goals , Bianca   needs to practice English everyday.

Para alcançar suas metas , Bianca  precisa praticar Inglês todos os dias.

6. Come across: meet by chance (encontrar por acaso)

Elaine came across her best friend from childhood.

Elaine encontrou a sua melhor amiga de infância por acaso.

7. Do over: do again (fazer novamente)

Laís always blame herself when has to do the things over.

Laís sempre se culpa quando precisa fazer as coisas novamente.

8. Drop by: come for a quick visit (dar uma passada, aparecer sem hora marcada)

Henrique was coming from college when he dropped by his mother’s house to lunch.

Henrique estava voltando da faculdade quando deu uma passada na casa da mãe para almoçar.

9. Fall apart: break into pieces (desmoronar, desfazer-se)

Their marriage has fell apart after only a few months together.

O casamento deles se desfez depois de apenas alguns meses juntos.

10. Figure out: find the answer (entender, encontrar a resposta)

It was difficult for her to figure out the problem.

Foi difícil para ela entender o problema.

11. Find out: discover (descobrir)

The researchers will find out the solution for many diseases soon.

Os pesquisadores encontrarão a solução para muitas doenças em breve.

12. Get along: like each other (gostar ou se dar bem um o outro)

It’s amazing that Paul and Anna get along so well, since they first met!

É incrível que Paul e Anna se deem tão bem desde a primeira vez em que se conheceram!

13. Get away with: do something bad without being punished (sair impune)

The thief got away with the robbery, even with so many cops around.

O ladrão saiu impune com o roubo, mesmo com tantos policiais por perto.

14. Get through: finish (terminar)

I will get through this work today.

Eu terminarei este trabalho hoje.

15. Give up: stop trying (desistir)

John always plans to give up working at night

John sempre planeja desistir de trabalhar à noite.

16. Grow up: become an adult (crescer)

Rose lives in United States, but she grew up in Brazil.

Rose vive nos Estados Unidos, mas ela cresceu no Brasil.

17. Hand over: give something (dar ou entregar algo)

As soon as the class has begun, the teacher asked the children to hand over their smartphones.

Assim que a aula começou, o professor pediu às crianças que entregassem seus smartphones.

18. Keep something from: not tell, hide (não contar algo, esconder)

It’s wrong to keep our relationship from our parents.

É errado não contar sobre o nosso relacionamento aos nossos pais.

19. Look after: take care of (cuidar)

He likes looking after his parents.

Ele gosta de cuidar dos seus pais.

20. Look forward: to be excited about future (estar ansioso, animado)

I’m looking forward to seeing my family again, after all these years abroad.

Estou ansioso para ver minha família novamente, após todos esses anos no exterior.

21. Make something up: tell a lie (mentir, inventar uma história)

Emily had to make up a story to convince her father letting her go to the party.

Emily teve que inventar uma história para convencer o pai a deixá-la ir à festa.

22. Pass something up: decline (recusar algo)

Although the job offer was very good, he passed it up because of his new goal.

Embora a oferta de emprego tenha sido muito boa, ele a recusou por causa do seu novo objetivo.

23. Run out: finish, use or sell all of something (esgotar, ficar sem)

The market ran out of milk this morning.

O mercado ficou sem leite nesta manhã.

24. Stick to: to adhere, remain faithful (seguir, manter-se fiel a algo)

To keep yourself healthy, you must stick to the rules of the diet.

Para manter-se saudável, você deve seguir as regras da dieta.

25. Think something over: consider (ponderar, considerar)

Ada is thinking the job proposal over before her final decision.

Ada está considerando a proposta de emprego antes da sua decisão final.

26. Work out: exercise (exercitar-se)

Gary goes to the gym to work out every morning.

Gary vai à academia para exercitar-se todas as manhãs.

Present Perfect Questions Conversation

Present Perfect

Have you ever drastically changed your hair style or clothing style in a short time?

Have you ever shot a gun?

Have you ever ridden an animal?

Where have you traveled?

What sports have you played? 

Where is the best place you have ever been?

What’s the craziest thing you have ever done?

What interesting foods have you eaten?

What are some unique accomplishments you have done?

Have you ever screamed at someone in public?

Who is the greatest person you have ever met?

How long have you studied English?

What is the best and worst restaurant you have eaten at?

What have you done a lot this week?

What is the most exciting thing you have ever done?

What have you done too many times?

What is the longest you have been awake for?

Ask your group two or three interesting “Have you ever…?” questions

Have you ever:

been on TV?

driven or rode in a sports car?

eaten anything really strange?

fallen down stairs?

fallen asleep and when you woke up you didn’t know where you were?

forgotten an important birthday?

walked into something when you were texting?

dialed your country’s emergency number?

given a public speech?

built a snowman?

fallen asleep while talking on the phone?

tried riding a skateboard?

started laughing when no one else is laughing because you thought of something funny?

been swimming where you couldn’t touch the bottom?

woken up and not been able to move?

gone skiing?

gotten a horrible haircut?

received a gift you hated?

played a joke on a friend?

fallen in front of a large group of people?

had a déjà vu experience?

slept someplace strange?

worked a job you hated?

shop lifted something from a store?

injured yourself while trying to impress someone?

surfed?

dyed your hair?

been slapped?

hunted and killed an animal?

worked at in a customer service job?

May 27th - Questions