YOU’RE NOT ALONE---GET BLOGGING
Do you feel stressed and confused when you‘re learning English? Frustrated by your lack of progress? Well, don‘t worry. You‘re not alone! Zhao Xing, from Beijing felt just like this. So he decided to write to ?International English Learners‘ Blog site‘. A blog is an online diary, where people across the world communicate and discuss issues with each other.
Zhao Xing‘s Blog
Hi, I‘m Zhao Xing from Beijing. I‘m really struggling to learn English and I just need some help! I‘ve got an exam coming up soon and I need to improve my speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Please help me! I feel like I‘m going mad! Any advice? June, china
Zhao Xing! I know just how you‘re feeling. There must be other people in your situation. Why don‘t you get together and set up some kind of ?English Speaking Club‘? You can talk to each other about your life, your worries… It‘s an excellent way to improve your English and enjoy yourself! Li Ming, UK Hi there!
Like you, I‘m struggling to lean English grammar and especially pronunciation—they speak so fast here and have really strange accents! Try to watch some English films and don‘t worry if you don‘t understand everything—just guess what they‘re saying. Daniella, Spain
It‘s a good idea to read English newspapers. Isn‘t there one in China called China Daily? Get your notebook out and write down and then translate some words you don‘t know! You‘ll find words repeat themselves and you‘ll find words repeat themselves and you‘ll quickly build up your vocabulary. Sam, Australia
How about getting a pen friend? I‘d be happy to be yours. We can send each other messages. Don‘t be shy! Good luck in your exams. Take a deep breath, smile and you‘ll be fine!
EXERCISES
1. Match the word with its correct meaning in the text. frustrated making a great effort struggling increase build up discouraged
2. Answer the following questions briefly. 1. What can people do on a blog?
2. Which two people have a similar problem? 3. What does Sam advise Zhao Xing to do?
WORD BANK
stressed 感到（身体或精神）压力的 confused 困惑的；烦恼的 frustrated 受挫折的 lack 缺乏 progress 进步 online 在线的
communicate 沟通 issue 问题 struggle 努力
come up 接近；即将发生 improve 提高 situation 情形
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worry 烦恼 accent 口音 build up增大
TERM REPORTS
End of Term Report Student‘s Name Subject Teacher Zhao Xing English Mr. Dickens Zhao Xing has always been a hard-working pupil. However, he finds that studying English is very difficult. At the beginning of the term, he was struggling to keep up with his classmates. So I was very pleased that at the end of this term, Zhao Xing came top of his class. All areas have improved greatly. In his writing, his spelling and punctuation are much better. He is able to correct his own work and help correct other pupils‘. In speaking, he is much more confident. He can have English conversations with his friends and with me. He takes part in group work and he is not afraid to speak anymore. He is able to read and understand quite difficult texts much more easily. When I ask him questions in English, he smiles and can answer them quickly. Zhao Xing should feel very positive about the progress he has made this term. If he continues like this , he will do very well indeed. End of Term Report Student‘s Name Subject Teacher Sam Smith English Mrs. Black Sam is a popular member of the class. He is also very clever. However, He is results this term in English have been very disappointing. In his final writing exam, he made a lot of mistakes and came last in the class. He should try and check his writing more and concentrate on his spelling. When he is speaking, he should remember to speak more slowly and clearly. Sometimes, it is very difficult to understand what he is saying. He doesn‘t seem to listen carefully either. His knowledge of basic English grammar is poor. He needs to buy a good grammar book and study it every day. I realize that Sam is the youngest member of his class. He is an intelligent pupil who could do well, if he tries harder. EXERCISES 1. Fill in the blanks.
1. At the beginning of the term, he was struggling to keep up ________ his classmates. 2. He is able ________ correct his own work and help correct other pupils‘. 3. He takes part ________ group work and he is not afraid to speak anymore.
4. He should try and check his writing more and concentrate ________ his spelling. 2. Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F) 1. Zhao Xing‘s English teacher is Mrs. Black. ( ) 2. Zhao Xing has made great progress in English. ( ) 3. Sam is not as hard-working as Zhao Xing. ( ) WORD BANK
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hard-working 勤奋的 keep up with跟上 punctuation 标点 confident 自信的
positive 确定的，有信心的 continue 继续 popular 受欢迎的 result 成绩
disappointing 令人失望的 concentrate on 全神贯注于 basic 基本的 realize 认识到
intelligent聪明的
GHATTING ONLINE
Zhao Xing:
Hi Sam. How‘s it going? It‘s great to have an online pen friend. I‘m feeling great today. We got our end of term reports and my parents were so pleased. I‘ve never seen them smile so much. How about you? Sam:
Hi Zhao Xing. Yes, it‘s good to hear from you. My report came today and I‘ve never seen my parents look so unhappy. I can‘t believe it. Zhao Xing:
I‘m sorry to hear that. Do you remember the advice June gave me about setting up an English club? Well, I did! A group of us meet after school and talk about things that interest us. Often we just talk about films we have seen. There‘s only one rule when we meet – you must speak English! I enjoy meeting different people. It‘s really helped me to feel confident when I speak English in class. Why don‘t you try and do the same? Sam:
That‘s a really good idea, thanks. There are lots of people from different countries in my school. The trouble is, they stay in little groups and don‘t mix very well. Zhao Xing:
It must be difficult for you. There must be things you can do outside school. I really like football, so I‘ve joined a football club. It‘s great because we do something we really enjoy and speak English at the same time! And we get fit as well! How about trying the same? Sam:
I can‘t play football but I can play the drums! I‘ve got a friend who can play the guitar. Another can play the piano. Maybe we could make a music group instead! Zhao Xing:
Yes, great idea. Do it and let me know how you get on. But make a rule for your music group. When you are together, you may only sing and speak in English! EXERCISES
1. Choose the correct words or phrases to fill in the blanks. Set up fit instead
1. You should keep ________ with diet and exercise. 2. If there is no coal, oil can be used ________. 3. His uncle _________ a factory three years ago. 2. Answer the following questions briefly.
1. What kind of friends are Zhao Xing and Sam?
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2. What is the rule for Zhao Xing‘s English club? 3. Why can‘t Sam set up an English club? WORD BANK mix 交往 fit 健康的 guitar 吉他 instead 代替
YOUR THREE--- MINUTE INTERVIEW(Ⅰ)
Each week, we send out our school reporter to interview pupils about their lives. See what interesting experiences Li Ming(from China has had since coming to the UK! What the most exciting experience you’ve had?
I love listening to pop music, especially western singers like Robbie Williams and the band Coldplay. I think Robbie Williams is a great musician and his concerts are always a sellout. It was my dream come true when my school organized a trip to one of his concerts in London. Well I went and it was absolutely fantastic. The sound was brilliant and it was so exciting. I‘ll never forget that evening. What’s the most embarrassing experience you’ve had?
After Robbie Williams‘ concert, we all went for something to eat in Chinatown. All my friends asked me what I thought would be nice to eat. I ordered lots of tasty Chinese dishes. When the food came, I showed my friends how to use chopsticks. I was nervous and dropped some food in the teacher‘s drink! I felt so embarrassed.
My friends loved the food, so it was fine in the end. Who’s the most famous person you’ve met?
Most of the vegetables are not very nice! I had ?mushy peas‘ which I think are peas that have been overcooked. I felt sick.
What’s the best food you’ve eaten here?
Well I enjoyed the food in Chinatown! I am starting to enjoy western food though, especially roast lamb on Sundays.
What’s the most beautiful place you’ve visited?
We went on a school trip to a place in the north of England called ?the Lake District‘. It was wonderful. It is a little like Hangzhou in China. There were so many beautiful lakes and mountains. We climbed a famous mountain called ?Helvellyn‘. The views were fantastic but I was really tired the next day! WORD BANK pop music 流行音乐 band 乐队
sellout 卖完， 脱销 organize 组织 absolutely 绝对地
fantastic 极妙的，极好的 brilliant 非常好的 Chinatown 唐人街 tasty 好吃的
embarrassed 尴尬的，难堪的 mushy peas 酥豆儿，豆泥 overcook 蒸煮过度 roast lamb烤羊肉 district 地区
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YOUR THREE--- MINUTE INTERVIEW(Ⅱ)
What’s the most exciting experience you’ve had?
Just being in a different country is fantastic. When you are abroad. everything so new and exciting. The best experience was when we went with the school to the Great Wall. I remember studying it at school in the UK. I never thought it was so big and so wide. We went for a long walk along the top of it. What’s the most embarrassing experience you’ve had?
I‘m trying to learn Chinese but it‘s a very difficult language. I‘m sure I‘ve said a lot of embarrassing things. The people are so kind though. They just laugh and smile when I speak Chinese. Who’s the most famous person you’ve met?
Last week we visited the Olympic Stadium and there was a really famous Chinese athlete there. It was the former table tennis star, Deng Yaping. It was a wonderful experience. What’s the worst food you’ve eaten here?
We went to an Italian restaurant last week and had pizza. It was cold and had only vegetables and no meat on it.
What’s the best food you’ve eaten here?
Definitely roast duck! We went to a famous restaurant in Beijing. It was absolutely delicious and we ate far too much. I‘ve eaten duck in England but it tasted much better here. We also got chips! The seafood is lovely too—so tasty.
What’s the most beautiful place you’ve visited?
We went on a trip to the Summer Palace. We sat beside the lake and had our picnic. There was a beautiful boat made out of marble and lovely bridges across the lake. It was the most beautiful place I‘ve ever been to. WORDBANK athlete 运动员 former 以前的 Italian 意大利的 definitely 无疑地 delicious 美味的 chips （复）炸薯条 picnic 野餐 marble 大理石
THE MOST FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE
People sometimes ask me, ― What‘s the most frightening experience you‘ve ever had?‖ Well, it happened when I was 12. It was also the most uncomfortable experience I have ever had. My mother, my sisters and I left Heathrow Airport to go on holiday to Cyprus.
My dad came to the airport to say goodbye. Unfortunately he was working and could not come with us. We got on the plane. The take-off was fine. Later the air stewards served us our meals.
I was busy eating when the plane rocked. My plate went flying. Most of the other passengers‘ plates fell too. I remember thinking that there must be food everywhere.
All of the lights in the plane went off. The seatbelt signs came on. The plane kept on bumping. I was scared tat there might be a serious problem. I wished that my father was with us. Then we heard the captain of the plane. He said, ―I‘m sorry, ladies and gentlemen. We are going through a storm. Please stay in your seats‖. The air stewards also had to stay in their seats. There was no one who could clear away our plates and food. My drink had fallen on my trousers and I was so uncomfortable. There was thunder and lightning outside. We had to sit like that for more than an hour while the plane bumped along. After a while I wanted to go to the toilet. So did everyone else, I‘m sure. The air stewards tried to stay calm and polite.
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