1st BATO
Unit 1
Blood is thicker than water
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
This presentation will help you differentiate between all the concepts you can read on the cover.
COLLOCATIONS WITH GET (get + a noun or an adjective)
Learn some other collocations with GET and practise doing the exercise.
Download the grammar notes on TIME SEQUENCE connectors
WHAT IS A NARRATIVE TEXT?
THIS INFOGRAPHIC will help you understand what a narrative text is. You will also learn about its purpose and structure.
Finally, after reviewing some time sequence connectors, you are encouraged to improve the summary of the world wide known tale of Little Red Riding Hood.
COMPUTER SESSION
Click on the computer icon and download the document containing all the links to the webpages needed to practise the grammar and vocabulary in unit 1.
Unit 2
It´s raining cats and dogs
WEATHER EXPRESSIONS
We start unit two learning some expressions which feature words related to the weather.
One of these expressions is at the beginning of our unit and, as you may have realised, they are very useful and graphic to show the speaker´s emotions.
In this video, Emma, who by the way has a very useful youtube channel and webpage to learn English, will teach you some of the most frequent expressions using weather vocabulary.
After watching the video, you can go to Emma´s page and do the follow-up exercise. Other good resources are:
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Angela Boothroyd´s page where she explains the meaning of some weather-related expressions.
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Learn English Today where you will find a collection of idioms related to the weather.
COMPUTER SESSION
Click on the computer icon and download the document containing all the links to the webpages needed to practise the grammar in unit 2.
Unit 3
Face the music
GERUND AND INFINITIVE
The GERUND is formed by adding -ing to the base form of the verb. It is used:
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As the subject of a sentence: Smoking is bad for your health.
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After prepositions: I´m interested in studying chemistry / I´m good at drawing.
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After certain expressions: I can´t help laughing when I see him. (be used to, get used to, can´t stand, don´t mind, feel like, it´s no use, look forward to,...)
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After verbs which express like and dislike: I love dancing. I hate putting the rubish out
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After certain verbs (consider, deny, detest, finish, miss, prefer, recommend, suggest,...)
The INFINITIVE is the base form of the verb preceded by TO (to play, to run, to come, etc). It is used:
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After certain verbs (agree, appear, choose, decide, expect, hope, learn, plan, promise, refuse, seem, want, wish, ....)
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After certain adjectives and adverbs (easy, difficult...) It is difficult to say. It is hard to believe.
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To express purpose: I got up early to go to a meeting. I booked tickes to travel to London.
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In indirect speech to introduce a command, an invitation, a warning (advise, invite, persuade, teach, tell, warn,...) My friend told me to see the band in a live show. My brother invited me to stay in his appartment.
There is a group of verbs which can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive without changing meaning of the sentence.
Begin, forbid, intend, propose or start are some exemples: The children started to practise / practising last week.
However, there is a group of verbs which can be followed by both forms but each sentence has a completely different meaning.
forget, remeber, stop, try, ... See this list and examples.
In Perfect English Grammar (a site run by Seonaid) you will be able to read and practise a bit more on the use of gerunds and infinitives.
In her site you can always download the content on a PDF file (so you do not need to be on line to study English) and you can practise clicking on the interactive exercises.
MODAL VERBS
Here comes a series of videos from Oxford Online English where Oli explains what modal verbs are (what especial characteristics they have) and what each one is used for.
Modal verbs are used to express functions such as:
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Permission
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Ability
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Obligation
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Prohibition
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Necessity and lack of necessity
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Advice
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possibility
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probability
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Deduction
COMPUTER SESSION
Click on the computer icon and download the document containing all the links to the webpages needed to practise the grammar in unit 3.
Unit 4
My lips are sealed
VERBS + PREPOSITION
There are some verbs in English which are followed by one specific preposition. Some of them can be followed by two but in that case the meaning of each resulting expression will be slightly different.
This is known as preposition collocation (it is the way it is said by native people). These verbs should be learned by heart.
Example of verbs followed by one preposition:
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He was accused of murder.
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I believe in justice.
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I know I can always count on you.
Examples of verbs followed by two different prepositions:
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I agree with you.
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I agree on the topic you have chosen.
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My son is always asking for money.
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Ask about any doubt you may have.
Online Dictionary and Exercises.
You need to practise a lot so that you become familiar with this group of verbs.
You can follow the links and do the online exercises:
COMPUTER SESSION
Click on the computer icon and download the document containing all the links to the webpages needed to practise the grammar in unit 4.
WRITING SKILLS: CONNECTORS OF ADDITION AND CONTRAST
A "for and against" essay is often about a controversial topic which presents both sides of an issue. Therefore, it gives the writer´s opinion supporting one of the sides while stating the other point of view. Connectors of addition become very important when the writer wants to keep adding similar ideas under a same point of view (the "for" or "against" side).
Connectors of contrast become crucial when the writer changes point of view and wants to show the cons of the issue.
Watch the following videos on connectors of addition and contrast, download the notes and do the online exercises to get enough practice. Do not forget to use some of these connectors in your next essay!
Download the grammar notes on connectors of addition and/or contrast.
Unit 5
An apple a day keeps the doctor away
A phrasal verb is a compound verb formed by one of the following combinations:
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VERB + ADVERB
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VERB + PREPOSITION
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VERB + ADVERB + PREPOSITION
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language (especially the spoken language). Simple combinations like sit down or stand up cause students few problems. The difficulties begin when the combination is "idiomatic", that is, when the meaning of the combination as a whole (the phrasal verb) is different from the meanings of its separate parts.
The students, for example, may know the meaning of break and the meaning of the adverb down, but this knowledge will not help them to understand the different meanings of the phrasal verb break down.
Often one phrasal verb can have several meanings and the correct one is only clear from the context.
There are FOUR types of phrasal vebs:
A. Phrasal verbs with two particles. Most of them need an object which always comes at the end. That means the verbs CANNOT be separated. Ex: come up with an idea, look down on poor people, look up to my teacher.
B. Phrasal verbs with one particle + OBJECT (Transitive). The particle CANNOT be separated. The object always comes after the particle either with the noun or the pronoun. Ex: I can´t do without coffee in the morning. I can´t do without it. (NOT I can´t do it without).
C. Phrasal verbs with one particle + OBJECT (Transitive). The particle CAN be separated from the verb. The object can come after the particle or between the verb and the particle (so the verbs are separable). Ex: Can you fill in this form? Can you fill it in? When the object is a noun it is put after the particle. When the object is a pronoun it is put between the verb and the particle.
D. Phrasal verbs with one particle (but NO OBJECT) Intransitive. Ex: The car broke down on the motorway. You always show off at parties.
PHRASAL VERBS
I have shared the document with you so that we can edit it all together. Remember that you will have to present your phrasal verb to your classmates.
If the experience works well we might do another round so that our booklet becomes more complete. We´ll see!
Our new task for unit 5 will be to make a booklet containing some of the most common phrasal verbs in English. After creating the template, I have done one myself so that you know what you are expected to do.
When learning phrasal verbs, it is very important to learn them within a context. That is why, apart from writing its meaning(s) (not the translation), I want you to write examples of each meaning. In addition, you will find verbs which mean the same (synonyms) and finally, you will illustrate the meaning(s) of your phrasal verb.
LET´S LEARN SOME NEW PHRASAL VERBS: A COLLABORATIVE TASK USING GOOGLE DOCS
Get the apps and practise!
Phrasalstein - Phrasal Verbs Horror
Available for Android and iOS and designed by Cambridge University Press
Check this video list!
LET´S PRACTISE PHRASAL VERBS!
Try doing the following online exercises:
COMPUTER SESSION
Click on the computer icon and download the document containing all the links to the webpages needed to practise the grammar in unit 5.
CONNECTORS OF CAUSE AND EFFECT: ONLINE EXERCISES
Let´s put grammar into practice and combine sentences so that they show the cause and effect relationship you have been studying.
Download the grammar notes on connectors of addition and/or contrast.
Unit 6
Hit the Books!
IDIOMS RELATED TO STUDYING
Probably the hardest part of being a student is having to face exams. Exams can be so overwhelming that hitting the books (in the literal meaning of the expression) can be the natural reaction. However, its idomatic meaning is quite the opposite: spending more time studying hard in order to pass your exams.
Click on the image and discover some other useful idioms related to studying and taking exams.
HERE you will also find a list of idoms and other expressions related to education.
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