This week the students have been studying the past, especially the grammar 'used to'.  I thought it would be fun to see some old pictures of what the teachers used to look like!  More will be coming soon so watch this space!  Lets see if you can guess who they are.....are you suprised?  Do they look very different?!  You can put your mouse over the picture for a clue.....What do you think they used to be like?  Do you think they are the same now?

I know most of you have come to Manchester to learn English - but you should try and visit other places such as the Lake District, the Peak District, Edinburgh, York...and also Europe if you can!

I have travelled to many countries around the world such as China, New Zealand, America, Canada, France, Spain, Australia, Germany, Turkey - just to name a few!  O.K. I haven't been to Saudi Arabia, but I almost feel I am there when I work here (haha only joking!!!).  It is definitely the next new place I want to visit though!  Just to see my student, Abdullah's pet tiger! (I know!!!!  A tiger in his house!!!)

Anyway, because I have travelled to so many places, I have stayed in many hotels and hostels.  The best one was in Fiji.  It was so beautiful and I could see the sea from my window and I had my own part of the beach! 

But I have stayed in some TERRIBLE places!  One place had cockroaches, another, the people were very rude.  But the worst hostel I have ever stayed in was in Hawaii.  There was a strange man who sang to himself in his bed - even though it was dark and we were all trying to sleep!  He was very messy and one day he flooded the toilet and I couldnt have a shower because the dirty water was everywhere!  I left the next day as quickly as possible!

So, what about you?  What are the best/worst hotels/hostels you have ever stayed in??  Are they worse/better than where I stayed??? Remember to 'name and shame'* any bad hostels/hotels by giving their name and location!

Sarah Davies.

*Name and shame - To identify people or places to embarrass them

Moving to a new country can be exciting but it also can be scary!  It's a great way to make new friends and learn about new cultures...of course coming to Manchester you learn more about football and the beautiful English weather!  What did you think about England when you first arrived?  Can you remember the day you arrived in this country? What were your first impressions?  I lived in China in 2007 to teach for one year and I remember when I first arrived - I could not speak/read/understand a word of Chinese!  I needed my Chinese workmates to help me all the time and that was hard for me.  After a few weeks, I felt 'at home' but those first few days were scary! lol
 
Do you speak English outside the classroom?  Or is it easier to just talk in your own language?  In the last week, can you think of three situations where you spoke English outside the class? What happened?
 
Can you remember a situation where you had a problem communicating in English?   I remember when I was in China and I wanted some milk, and when I asked the shop assistant, she pointed to something that looked like it.  So I bought it and took it home and poured it into my cup of tea...it was yoghurt!!! :S 

What are the most difficult things about talking to native speakers?  Do you understand the Manchester accent?  What has made it easier to understand?

Sarah Davies

Soooo - last week the Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate students studied crime.  Here are some phrases you might have looked at!  If you didn't study them, then look at the comments below - some students did and they will give an explanation.  If you did study them, then this is good revision!

Have you ever been a victim?  Has anything you own been stolen?  Are there any safety tips to give new students to Manchester??

By the way....the students will be thinking of their opinion of the death penalty in the next blog - so make sure you have an opinion on that the next time you look!


1. to pull something off
 
2. to meet up
 
3. to own up
 
4. to beat up
 
5. to set upon
 
6. to make off with something
 
7. to fight off
 
8. to let someone off
 
9. to get away with something
 
10. to run off