Tag: learn English

The British Way: How to make a complaint!

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Nikki Big BrotherControversially, Nikki is considered to be, by far, one of the most entertaining British Big Brother TV contestants.

She is well known for her furious Diary Room rants and her daily battles with the other housemates.

Watch this video to find out how she complains to Big Brother about the lack of heating in the house and try to hear what words she uses to say that she is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cold. It´s hilarious and I love her!

The British Way: How to make a cup of tea!

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making a cup of teaSeriously, someone is pulling my leg.

Is it possible that we need an instructional video to show us how to make a cup of tea? Well, perhaps the answer is yes.

So, if you’ve never made a cup of tea before, here’s a simple 5 step video to help you learn the skills and key vocabulary. The main verbs include the following: To fill, To stir, To add, To boil, To brew, To remove. Good luck! Oh, and if you don’t have a kettle, you might be in trouble!

The pros and cons of some jobs

Posted by on in Speaking, VocabularyLeave a comment

Jobs for StudentsImagine you are a careers adviser and you are talking to a group of students about getting work during their free time.

First, talk about the advantages and disadvantages of these jobs. Then decide which two jobs would be the best for students.

Here are some ideas to help you:

  1. Salary: Badly paid, well paid
  2. Role: Opportunity to practise foreign languages, develop new skills and abilities
  3. Type of job – skills and knowledge required: Low skilled work, technical job, strong communication skills, great interpersonal skills,
  4. Working Conditions: temporary contract, flexible working hours, unsociable working hours, no sick pay, great holiday allowance,
  5. Type of person required: Ability to work under pressure, adaptable, creative, a people person,  flexible, ability to work as part of team, ability to work independently, inventive, physically fit, strong emotional intelligence
  6. Additional: Challenging, boring, interesting, rewarding, educational, stressful, physically demanding, monotonous, wide variety of daily tasks

If you are interested in the topic of work, jobs and employment, why not check out the Work and Jobs section of this website.

I want a good job!

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Factors important in a job

I want a good job?

OK, but seriously, who wants to have a bad job?! So, with this in mind, what does it mean to have a good job?  Have you ever considered what makes a good job? Is it more than just the salary and the holiday allowance?
From this list of key factors, how would you rate their level of importance? You might want to consider:

  1. Which three aspects are the most important for you, and why?
  2. Whether your thoughts have changed from when you were younger?
  3. Whether you think they will change when you are older?

I can’t stand cooking. I can’t bear washing up

Posted by on in Grammar, VocabularyLeave a comment

I can't bear cookingLots of people take up cookery classes, and, it is said that cooking helps people chill out.  However, I say, cooking is a pain in the ass – it’s an evil necessity, and I personally, can’t stand it, what I mean is, I dislike it intensely.

In fact,  4 years ago, someone showed me how to make lasagna and despite the fact that I’m smiling, I felt stressed, and completely out of my comfort zone. Everyone has their likes and dislikes, for instance, I’m very keen on eating, but I can’t stand cooking, chopping, boiling, frying, baking, squeezing, grating, mixing or washing up.

How about you? What are your pet hates?

Making and dealing with complaints

Posted by on in Speaking, VocabularyLeave a comment

complaining dvd
Customer Service

 Role One: You are a customer.

Last week you bought a DVD player on sale. When you tried to set it up at home, you discovered that it did not work. Today you take it back to the shop and explain the situation to the manager.

Invent the details of the situation and decide what course of action you will take (you would like to get a refund). Try to come to an agreement.

Role Two: You are the manager of an electrical equipment store.

A customer has come in to complain about a product that does not work. Your shop has a no-refund policy for things bought during the sales.

Listen to the customer, explain your shop’s sales policy and offer alternative solutions. Try to come to an agreement.

Writing a complaint letter: Online Shopping

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online shoppingOnline Shopping is on the increase as are the number of associated complaints.

Imagine you have recently ordered something from the department store, John Lewis, through their online shopping website but you are not happy with the service neither the product. Write to the company complaining about three things.

You must:

  1. .Say why you are writing and describe the context
  2. Explain the reasons you are dissatisfied and therefore complaining
  3. Express what you want the company to do about the situation

Here are some phrases you might find useful:

letter-of-complain-expressions-to-help

 

Want to learn more vocabulary about shopping? No problem, click here: Shopping

Looking for love?

Posted by on in Vocabulary, WritingLeave a comment

Dating Profile C20Are you looking for love or a special type of friendship?

Do people we get on well with have the same personality traits as ourselves? Or, is it more likely that opposites attract? Free Dating.co.uk is a UK based online dating company, that tries to help match people together for friendship or for a romantic relationship.   If you want to improve your vocabulary, their website is great place to spend 10 minutes: http://www.freedating.co.uk/

Also, if you want to improve your writing technique, imagine you have joined an online dating company.  Write a profile about yourself in less than 100 words. Are you like Cinderella2020? What type of person are you?