Learning English – Lesson Eighteen (Small Talk)

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You know, the world of English is a fun and exciting place to be. I’m so glad that you could join me for another lesson.

Hi everybody…this is Misterduncan in England!

How are you today? Are you OK? I hope so!

Are you happy? I hope so!

 In this lesson..we are going to take a close look at another fascinating part of the English language. Today we will discuss the fine art of small-talk. Turn tape off!

Cheers!

The word small-talk, means to hold a conversation and talk about a general topic. The subject is normally a simple or common one which will not cause any discomfort or awkwardness between the people involved. There are many popular topics of conversation when it comes to using small-talk.

You will find that the topics used during small-talk will vary from country to country. For example…Here in the UK…we talk about the Weather

• “Isn’t it a lovely day?”
• “Do you think it will rain later?”
• “Isn’t it cold today?”
• “Oh, terrible Weather we are having these days!”
• “I don’t like the Weather today, it’s too hot!”
• “Did you hear what the Weather Forecast is?”

“La la la la la, America!” People in the USA also use small-talk. They generally talk about their family. For example…

• ”Is your family keeping well?”
• Hey! “How’s your Sister getting along in Florida?”
• “Did you know my Cousin Rachael…got married last Fall?”
• “My Dad has just retired from working…hey how’s your Pop these days?”
• “You must come and visit the family one weekend”

Small-talk is often used when there is very little time to have a full conversation. In many cases it is done out of courtesy or to be polite. It is worth remembering that there are some general rules surrounding small-talk. For example.

Be careful not to run out of things to say.

“Do you know what my favourite food is?”

“My favourite food is bread”

“What’s your favourite food?”

“Do you like food?...I like food very much. But as I said..my most favourite food of all is bread”

“Do you know why I like bread?”

“Because bread is very simple..and it’s very easy to prepare. You can have it with butter.. You can have it with meat.. You can have it with vegetables”

Keep the conversation interesting.

That was a really boring conversation…don’t you think? Finally it’s worth remembering how to end the conversation..politely.

• “Oh..i really have to dash now..or I’ll be late for work.”
• “It’s been great talking to you..but I must go..or I’ll miss my train.”
• “Wow..is that the time?”
• “I really had better get a move on”
• “Oh..I would love to chat longer but I have something else to do. Maybe another time..OK?”

So as you can see..small-talk is quite a common part of everyday life. And it allows us all to take time to chat. Even it it’s just for a few moments. Oh my goodness, my chat time is also up now! This is Misterduncan in England saying..thanks for watching, see you again soon…bye-bye for now.

Learning English – Lesson Seventeen (Time)

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Hi everybody…this is Misterduncan in England!

How are you today? Are you OK? I hope so!

Are you happy? I hope so!

In this lesson we’re going to spend some time…talking all about…Time!

The easiest way to describe time would be to say that it runs in the form of a straight line. That is the reason why we often describe time as being “Linear”. There are some pretty strict rules when it comes to our understanding of time. For example, time can only go forwards. Time cannot be slowed down. And time cannot…be stopped.

Luckily for us we have a neat little system called “Stressing Tense”. This allows us to use words to show when something has happened that it’s happening now or when it will happen.

But how does this relate to learning English? I will tell you.

In English Grammar. We need to know when an event is happening and we need to be able to show it clearly by what we say. Sorry..It may seem a little strange to be linking the subject of time with learning English but in fact there is a very strong connection between the use of English and it’s relation to time. Needless to say everything happens at a certain time. So it is important for us to be able to say when a certain event happened. We have three basic points to consider when talking about placing an event at a particular moment. We have the past…we have the present…and of course we have the future. It is also worth remembering that the only part of this that is moving forward is the present. The future always lies ahead. And the past is constantly trailing behind. However, the present is also constantly changing. It is a little bit like sitting in a moving car. The car represents now…and the road is time itself. So when speaking English…you will need to know, how to express words to clearly show the point of time to which it relates. A very simple example would be…did…doing..do.

• I did in the past. à past
• I have done it already. à past
• I’m doing it in the present. à present
• I’m doing it now. à present
• I will do it in the future. à future
• I will do it later. à future

• I did my homework.
• I did my homework in the past. à past
• I’ve done it already.
• I’m doing my homework. à present
• That means it is being done now.
• I will do my homework. à
• Means it will be done later…in the future.

Another example for you…

• I went for a run. à past
• I’m running. à present
• I will go for a run. à future

And one more example…

• I carried my shopping home. à past
• I’m carrying my shopping home. à present
• I will carry my shopping home. à future

If I used the word “Walked” in a sentence would I be talking about something I did already in the past? Or would I be talking about something I will do later in the future? If you say it was something I did already…then you would be right…well done! Time is a very complicated thing to understand. It took humans thousands of years to discover the relation between when and what. But we finally did manage to work it out…when a Scientist named Albert Einstein scratched his head one day and said…”it is all relative”. It was at that precise moment…when the “Theory of Relativity” was born. It is much easier nowadays to explain…when and what but there is still one question we cannot answer…and that question is…why?

There are some Idioms and proverbs which relate to time. For example…

• ”Time waits for no man”
• “No time like the present”
• “All in the fullness of time”
• “just in the nick of time”
• “A stitch in time…saves…nine”
• “Time marches on”
• “The sands of time”.

Well, it seems as if I have run out of time. I only have a few moments left. So..i will wrap up here. This is Misterduncan in England saying..thanks for your time and for watching…see you later…next time..hopefully soon. Bye-bye for now.

Learning English – Lesson Sixteen (Technology)

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Hi everybody…this is Misterduncan in England!

How are you today? Are you OK? I hope so!

Are you happy? I hope so!

In this lesson, we’re going to talk about the complicated and some would say forever changing world..of modern technology.

A long time ago in a galaxy, far far away…Well..actually it was not all that long ago…In fact it was not all that far away either.

In the beginning there was darkness. Computer, DVD players and I-pods did not exist. There were no cellular phones, no jet aeroplanes, no microwave ovens and no internet. Yes before technology came along, the world was quite a dull place to be…Or so we are told!

“Greetings Earth People”. The word technology generally relates to any complicated tool that has been created to carry out a task of some sort. This task can be a simple one..such as..adding up numbers. Right up to the really complex ones…such as steering a jumbo jet or sending a rocket into space. There are some other words that relate to technology. Such as…”Electronics”, “Hi-Tech”, “Micro-Tech” and …”Info-Tech”. These days virtually all modern technology is powered by electricity for example…”Televisions”,  “Radios”, “MP-3 Players”, “Cellular Phones”, “Washing Machines”, “Notebook Computers”. Even the good old…”Buzzzzz”, “Toothbrush”, The list is endless!

Do you mind if I take your photograph? Is it ok? Ok. Give me a lovely smile..go on! Say cheese…”Cheese!!!” That’s great. It would be fair to say that virtually all of the great technological leaps forward have occurred during the past fifty years. Since the discovery of Electricity…our world has been magically transformed into an amazing wonderland…where our thirst for information can be quenched and imagination is allowed to run free.

However…all is not perfect. There are some people who are sceptical of our ultra-modern way of living. And say that modern inventions such as the Computer and Television have made us lazy and less in touch with the real world.

Other examples being..the cellular telephone and the internet. Which critics say, have helped to make the world smaller…while at the same time making us less likely. To speak face to face. Also we musn’t forget. The environmental impact that these energy guzzling devices are making.

Of course it is true., that technology has been created for bad purposes…as well as good. Nuclear power has enabled us the generate energy but it also been used to create weapons. So I imagine, perhaps in the future…we could be using Lazer guns..just like in the science-fiction movies.

It is amazing to think of how much the world has changed because off all the new technology around us many of the devices we use today would have been mere fantasy and science-fiction fifty  years ago. It proves one very important rule. If it can be imagined, it can be created.

I wonder what our world will be like in another fifty years. Can you imagine what it will be like living then? Flying cars! Fusion power! Maybe even a “Time machine”will be invented by then. I could travel back to the past..and visit myself as a child. Then again..maybe not.

How many pieces of technology do you own? What are your favourite electronic devices? Do you think you could live without them? It is amazing to think that without all these incredible inventions. I would not be able to stand here today and talk to you. Many of the things we can do today have been made possible, thanks to our own creativeness and ingenuity. This is Misterduncan..via the internet…saying thanks for watching and..bye-bye for now. Ok, Misterduncan ready to beam up,

Learning English – Lesson Fifteen (Slang)

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Hi everybody…this is Misterduncan in England!

How are you today? Are you OK? I hope so!

Are you happy? I hope so!

In this lesson, we’re going to talk about a very fascinating part of the English language. Give me an ‘S’, Give me an ‘L’ Give me an ‘A’ ‘Give me an N’ ‘Give me an G’. Yes, today we’re going to talk about Slang.

So the first question must be..what exactly is slang?

Using slang means replacing a common word or sentence with a totally new one. The use of slang has been around for many years. It is often associated with younger people. Mainly due to the fact that each new generation wants it’s own identity. So in many ways it would be true to say that slang defines a generation. Lets take a look at a simple example of slang.

Can you see what I’ve got in my hand? Look!..i have some money. There are many slang words that can mean money. For example, we can say 

• “Cash” 
• “Dosh”
• “Dough”
• “Foldable Stuff”
• “Moolah”
• “Notes”
• “Readies”
• “Smackers”. 

We can also use slang to express certain currencies for example,  The English Pound, could be described as..”Quid” or “Nicker”. So in my hand I have 20 Quid. The US Dollar on the other hand..can be called “Buck” or “Green-Back”. So I could say…In my pocket I have 20 Bucks.

Another word that has had many slang terms given to it, is the word “Great”. For example, instead of saying great, we could say 

• “That’s ace”
• “That’s awesome”
• “That’s bad”
• “That’s bona”
• “Cool”
• “Excellent”
• “Far-Out”
• “Intense”
• “Radical”
• “Wicked”. 

These days, the most commonly used slang word for good or great is “Awesome!” and “Cool!”. Between you and me, I think that’s pretty awesome.

Did you know that the word ‘cool’ has been around as a slang term for over 50 years! So as you can see there are many slang words around. Although it’s worth remembering that some slang terms from years ago are no longer used today. For example…in the past we may have described a woman as a bird or a chick..Nowadays these two terms are considered, very offensive..so if you used it today, you may…get a slap in the face!

Let’s take a look at some more slang words.

Common Examples of Modern Slang

• “Aggro” = Means to fight violently with someone or use aggressive behavious
• “Babe” = A young attractive Woman
• “Barbie” = A slang word from Australia, meaning barbecue
• “Berk” = A stupid or foolish person
• “Cabbage” = A person who is “Brain-dead” from an injury or on a Life-Support machine
• “Cancer Stick” = A Cigarette
• “Chav” = A poorly educated person often used nowadays in the UK to describe young anti-social people
• “Cheerio” = This means goodbye
• “Chill-Out” = Relax
• “Choppers” = Your Teeth
• “Dead” = Meaning Extremely. For example..”It is dead hot in here”
• “Diamond” = This is used to mean wonderful or great. Originally used in London
• “Diddle” = To cheat someone or lie to them
• “Dish” = A good-looking and attractive man
• “Egg-Head” = A clever and intelligent person
• “Emo” = A shy, emotional young person
• “Erk” = An unimportant and worthless person
• “Fag” = A Cigarette
• “Fancy” = To be attracted to someone. I really fancy you!
• “Fisty-Cuffs” = A fight using the clenched hands
• “Fit” = Meaning, an attractive person. She is really fit. He is really fit.
• “Fuddy-Duddy” =  An old fussy person
• “Gay” = Unfashionable or Useless. This T-shirt is so gay.
• “Get a Life” = Do something useful. Sort yourself out.
• “Google Box” = The Television.
• “Graveyard Hours” = To work through the night

Examples of Slang From The USA

• “Airhead” = A stupid person
• “Bad” = This means good.
• “Barf” = To be sick or Vomit
• “Cruise” = To drive or move fast
• “Dough” = This means money
• “Dynamite” = Something that is impressive or exciting
• “Far-Out” = Something that is Unbelievable
• “Gut-Full” = This means enough of. I’ve had a Gut-full of you.
• “Hang Five” = Wait a moment
• “Pad” = Your apartment or home
• “Screw-up” = Make a big mistake. In the UK we say cock-up.
• “Split” = Leave. It’s time to split
• “Time-Out” = Take a break
• “Take it Easy” = Be careful
• “Out There” = Perform well
• “Wheels” = your car. Can I borrow your wheels?
• “Zip” = Nothing or zero

So as you can see, the world of slang is an ‘awesome’ and ‘far-out’ place. Part of the fun of learning English is discovering these new expressions and widening your use of the language to fit into your everyday life. This is Misterduncan in England..saying Hang tight until next time.  Bye-si-bye!, “Cheerio”,  “Later”..”Ta-rah”, “See ya…wouldn’t wanna be ya!”, “Goodbye!”

Learning English – Lesson Fourteen (Body Language)

Hi everybody…this is Misterduncan in England!

How are you today? Are you OK? I hope so!

Are you happy? I hope so!

In this lesson, we’re going to talk about…expressing yourself, using body language!

When we say “Express Yourself”. We mean that you show the way you feel…about something. Your reaction! There are two ways to express yourself…by doing…or by saying!

Showing your reaction by doing…normally means using your body. Maybe the expression on your face will change..but you say nothing..You “Pull a Face”.

Maybe you wave your arms around…In anger…Perhaps you stamp your foot. Maybe you jump up and down..or perhaps you simply walk away. We call these particular reactions…”Body Language”

Examples of body language

• “Happy”
• “Miserable”
• “Excited”
• “Confused”
• “Sleepy”
• “Surprised”
• “Unsure”
• “Lonely”
• “Exhausted”
• “Angry”
• “Shy”
• “Bored”
• Very…very…”Hungry”
• “Feeling proud”

You may not realise it..but we use body language, all the time. Even if you’re sitting still..and saying nothing. You are still sending out messages…to other people. Using your body language.

When we are looking for a partner..Body language is very important. You want other people around you to know that you are attracted to them. So body language is very important, if you are trying to find a mate. There are many ways to get the attention of a possible mate. But out of all the available methods, body language is still the best way. We call this method of attraction ‘FLIRTING’ and both Men and Women are capable of this!

You could say that it’s a part of nature just like all those wild animals in the Jungle. So the next time you are sitting on a train…or enjoying a party…or simply walking through the town. Remember…your body is always giving off signals…Your body language never stops. This is Misterduncan in England saying thanks for watching and Do you know what that means? Bye-bye for now!

Learning English – Lesson Thirteen (Grammar)

Hi everybody…this is Misterduncan in England!

How are you today? Are you OK? I hope so!

Are you happy? I hope so!

In this lesson…we’re going to talk about a part of English that causes many young learners of English..to have difficulty. A part of English that is very scary..something that many students learning English tend to avoid. Today we’re going to talk about..Grammar!

What exactly is Grammar? Grammar is the system that is built up by words, all with their own meaning and place within a sentence. The sentence is a result of composing these words in the correct order. Grammar is one of the hardest parts of learning English and is the main reason why many people give up studying English as a second language.

Grammar can be divided into eight sections.

• Verbs = words that describe an action (doing words).
• Nouns= words that give a name to something (naming words).
• Adjectives = words that add description to something (describing words).
• Adverbs = words that add meaning to an action (action words).
• Pronouns = words that show possessiveness and replacing nouns (relate words).
• Prepositions = words that describe ‘where’ and ‘when’ (placement words).
• Conjunctions = words that continue a sentence (join words).
• Interjections = words that show emotional sounds (exclaim words)

Examples of verbs

• Act
• Bake
• Jump
• Open
• Push
• Run
• Speak
• Swim
• Throw
• Walk

Examples of nouns

• Cat
• Computer
• Dictionary
• Dog
• Egg
• House
• Man
• Paper
• Water
• Woman

Examples of Adjectives

• Big
• Cold
• Damp
• Fat
• Hairy
• Heavy
• Small
• Stupid
• Tall
• Weak

Examples of adverbs

• Loudly
• Fervent
• Slower
• Lazily
• Often
• Well
• Quietly
• Abruptly
• Constantly
• Faster

Examples of pronouns

• Hers
• His
• Ours
• Some
• Their
• Who
• You
• Yours

Examples of prepositions

• At
• During
• For
• From
• In
• Of
• On
• Since
• To
• With

Examples of conjunctions

• Also
• And
• But
• For
• Or
• So
• Though
• Yet

Examples of interjections

• Ah!
• Dear!
• Eh!
• Erm!
• Oh!
• Uh!
• Um!

How important is Grammar?

If you want to master the English language, then you will need to know how sentences are formed. However it is not the most important part of learning English. Remembering the meaning of words and expanding your vocabulary will always be the most important part of learning English. So try to relax and take it easy! 

Remember, Grammar is not a set rule! Infact the English language is constantly changing…so it is fair to say that grammar will change too. Even if you are the greatest English speaker in the world..you will need to keep up to date with the new words and ways of speaking.

I hope you have found this lesson useful and interesting. This is Misterduncan in England saying…thanks for watching and bye-bye for now.

Lesson English – Lesson Twelve (All About You!)

Come on Misterduncan we’re waiting, Hurry up! Where are you? Come on…Hurry up! Get a move on! Come on…we’re waiting! Misterduncan where are you?...Quickly! Come on…Hurry up! Hurry up! Misterduncan we’re waiting for you! My gosh!

Ok, Oh…I’m so sorry I’m late!

Hi everybody…this is Misterduncan in England!

How are you today? Are you OK? I hope so!

Are you happy? I hope so!

In this lesson we’re going to talk all about “You and your character”.

The way you behave and the way you act with other people…can be described using many different words for Example….

• …your “Character”
• …or your “Individuality”
• …your “Manner”
• …your “Persona”
• …your “Personality”
• …your “traits”

Your emotional reactions determine your character. What you say…what you do…even what you think! There are many different types of character and they are all very individual and unique.

Each group of characteristics…fall into two categories….they can be positive or negative.

Words that describe a positive character.

• Affable
• Bright
• Cheerful
• Extrovert
• Friendly
• Genial
• Generous
• Gregarious
• Happy
• Sociable
• Sunny
• Warm

Words that describe a negative character

• Aloof
• Bitter
• Cold
• Cynical
• Dark
• Dour
• Introvert
• Odd
• Scathing
• Sceptical
• Spiteful
• Unsociable

Would you say that you have a positive…or negative character?

Another word for describing your character is”mood” this word means, the way you feel at a certain time. Your mood can change. Depending on many things. For example….If you feel tired. Maybe you have heard some bad news. You may feel unhappy. You are in a bad mood.

Perhaps you have found your perfect partner maybe you are in love! Or perhaps you are just glad to be alive. You are happy, you are in a good mood.

I hope you are in a good mood today.

This is Misterduncan in England…saying thanks for watching…and bye-bye for now!

Learning English – Lesson Eleven (Irony and Coincidence)

Hi everybody…this is Misterduncan in England!

How are you today? Are you OK? I hope so!

Are you happy? I hope so!

In this lesson we are going to look at Irony and Coincidence.

The word Irony means a situation where two events relate to each other often there is a deep and profound meaning to this. Sometimes producing an emotional response…such as regret or sadness. Irony can be either positive or negative…depending on the situation.

The occurrences can also be described as Ironic. You may find yourself saying…

• ”Isn’t it ironic?”
• “That is so ironic!”

Here are some examples of irony.

• “I went to town this morning to buy a new wallet and on the way I lost my money!”
• “I rushed to catch a Bus, but just missed it. Then fifteen minutes later three buses arrived at the same time!”
• “My first child was born on the anniversary of my Father’s death”
• “I travelled all the way to Greece for my holiday and it rained every-day. When I returned to England I found that the weather here had been hot and sunny!”

So as you can see…irony can be a very ironic thing indeed!

Coincidence

The word coincidence means two events that happen at or around the same time which seem in some way to have been planned. A coincidence can be either a positive or negative enent…depending on the situation.

Examples of Coincidence

• “Yesterday I was talking about my best friend in China” and this morning I received a letter from him! “What a coincidence!”
• “The car and motorbike were coming around the sharp bend at the same time…” and could not avoid each other…it is a sad coincidence”
• “I travelled all the way to Australia and during the second day there…I bumped into one of my former work colleagues!” “Such a coincidence”

Maybe you discovered my English lessons while you were searching for something else on the Internet! What a lucky coincidence!.

This is Misterduncan in England saying thanks for watching and bye-bye for now.

Learning English – Lesson Ten (Saying Sorry)

You know the world of English is a fun and exciting place to be, I’m so glad you could join me for another lesson.

Wow, this is such as beautiful vase! How much did you say it’s worth? Ten thousand pounds. That’s a lot of money. And there’s only two of these left in the world? Yes. Well all I can say is I hope you take good care of it because the last thing you want to do is…drop it!

Hi everybody…this is Misterduncan in England!

How are you today? Are you OK? I hope so!

Are you happy? I hope so!

In this lesson, we will look at an action, which for many of us, is very hard to do…saying “Sorry”.

Sorry. Exclamation Mark. We all make mistakes and sometimes we say and do things that hurt or upset other people. More often than not, we end up feeling bad about these events and the emotion of Regret, takes over from our feeling of anger. We suddenly feel the need to say sorry for our actions and behavior. There are many ways of saying sorry…

• I’m terribly sorry for what I said to you.
• I deeply regret my actions yesterday.
• Please accept my sincerest apology.
• I’m so very sorry for what I did.
• I was in the wrong when I said those things to you.
• I did not mean to hurt you and now I regret it.
• It was wrong of me to behave that way and I’m sorry.
• Nothing I say or do will take that action away but now I want to make it up to you by apologising. I realise my mistake now and I’m sorry.
• I hope you can forgive me.
• I apologise wholeheartedly.
• I hope we can still be friends.
• I’m ever so sorry.
• That’s my bad.
• Oh, I’m sorry!

You can also say sorry as a way of showing sympathy towards another person. When you hear some bad news from them.

• I’m sorry to hear about your fathers death.
• I’m sorry to hear that you lost your job.
• I’m sorry to hear that you have been ill recently.
• Of course the person you are apologising to must accept your remorse and if they do they can say…
• That’s quite alright, I forgive you.
• There is no need to apologise, let’s forget it.
• I accept your apology, so do not worry.
• Yes I forgive you.
• Apology accepted.
• Hey! I’m sorry too.
• Ok, let’s just forget all about it.
• So we are friends again?
• Yes we should let bygones be bygones.
• Oh that is all water under the bridge now.
• Sure I forgive you, now come here and give me a…big hug!

When we say sorry…we offer our apology. We show our remorse. We  apologise profusely. We ask for forgiveness. We want to make amends.

• I’m sorry for eating your last banana, do you forgive me?
• Yes I forgive you.
• That’s nice.

Saying sorry to another person can be a very difficult thing to do. It can take us a long time to offer an apology, sometimes months or even years. We often resist saying sorry because in our own mind we feel that there is nothing to apologise for. Also there is the feeling of losing face or backing down, which can put us off apologising to someone indefinitely, thus preventing us from ever saying sorry to that person.

Is there anyone in your life who you would like to say sorry to? Did you recently have an argument with a friend or relative and did you say something to them that you now regret? Saying sorry can be the hardest thing in the world to do but once you have said it and it has been accepted. Then a huge weight will be lifted from your shoulders and your friendship will be saved. I suppose the big question must be, is it worth destroying a close relationship over a few badly chosen words? Surely the reply must be…’Of course not!’

Well another lesson has come to an end. Thank you for watching me teaching you! This is Misterduncan in England saying..forgive and forget before it’s too late and of course..ta-ta for now.

Learning English – Lesson Nine (Fame)

Hi everybody…this is Misterduncan in England!

How are you today? Are you OK? I hope so!

Are you happy? I hope so!

Welcome to another one of my learning English videos. Today we are going to talk about a very special subject. Being famous! Oh I’m back to normal, what a pity. There are many words we can use to describe a person who is famous. We can call them a ‘Star’. We could describe them as a ‘Celebrity’ or a ‘Superstar’  or perhaps an ‘Idol’ and if they are very famous we can call them a ‘Megastar’. There are many ways to become famous. You could be an Actor on the Television or in a Movie. You could be a Singer and become an international pop star. Maybe you could have a special skill, perhaps you could become a well known ‘Magician’. Look at that…It’s Magic!

Of course sometimes people become famous for doing something bad. Throughout history there have been people who have done terrible things and have become a celebrity because of it. We can use the word ‘Infamous’ or ‘Iniquitous’ to describe this kind of fame. So fame is not always a good thing!

Some people desire fame because they want to become rich & wealthy and have lots and lots of money. The industry that produces celebrities is called ‘show-Business’ so whenever we talk about fame or famous people, we normally use the word ‘Show-Business’ to describe the whole thing. We can also shorten the word to..’Show-Biz’. It’s much easier to say. Many people want to be famous. Would you like to be famous? So that is the end of todays lesson. If you want to be famous and become a ‘Superstar’ remember…”Keep your eyes on the clouds” “But keep your feet firmly on the ground”.

This is Misterduncan..saying thanks for watching and bye-bye for now. What! You want my “Autograph” you want me to write my name down for you on a piece of paper? I’m not famous. Not yet anyway. Bye-bye for now.

Learning English – Lesson Eight (Stress and Worry) part II

Words connected to worry…

• Agonize = To go over or think about something that causes you worry and stress in your mind, again and again. Agonize over something. An agonizing choice.
• Angst = To be fearful and worried. To feel anxious. His angst was (is) unbearable.
• Concern = To feel worried about something or someone. You feel concerned. You show your concern.
• Dread = The feeling of worry and a fear of a future event. I dread going back to work next week.
• Fret = To show worry. To express your concern. He fretted over the new arrangement.
• Perturb = To think about something that has caused you [to] worry. He was perturbed by his new neighbour’s attitude.
• Stew = To continually worry about something. There is no need to stew over this problem.
• Sweat = To be concerned or worried. Get in a sweat. He got himself into a real sweat over the latest report.

Ask any person living in a big city what causes them the most stress in an average day and they will most likely reply with…’Driving my car!’. There is something paradoxical about the way in which we need a car to live, yet we find it such a burden, both mentally and financially. As our lives become more hectic, we are finding that we need to get to places much quicker. This causes stress, which causes us to become more irritable. Have you every lost your temper and become angry whilst driving? We call this negative feeling…Road rage!

One of the biggest causes of stress is work. These days it seems as if our lives are controlled and dominated by our jobs more than ever. Some people blame to computer for this problem, as we can now take our work home with us more easily, thanks to the laptop computer. Mobile phones mean that our supervisors and managers can contact us anywhere at any time. It would be fair to say that these days our free time is even more precious than it ever was before.

If you suffer too much stress and worry over a long period of time, then your health may begin to suffer. Your mind may be affected to such a degree that your way of thinking and behaving becomes erratic and disorganised. You may begin to suffer from Insomnia, which means that you will find it difficult to get to sleep. A doctor may prescribe you medicine, or you may wish to talk to a professional councellor, who will listen to your worries and help guide you through the difficulties you are experiencing. Believe it or not, talking to someone about your worries can be a great help indeed.

So how do we deal with stress and more importantly, how do we prevent ourselves from getting stressed? Well, it is of course better to avoid becoming stressed in the first place. Try to give yourself plenty of time before setting off on a journey. It is better to seek out the reason for your stress, than to simply blame everything. Some people find it helpful to talk to (with) another person in private about their worries and concerns. Taking regular rest breaks from work is very important. Some people use relaxation exercises to ease their stress, such as meditation. The important thing is to avoid keeping hold of your stress and bottling it up inside because one day you may explode..emotionally that is.

We all have times in our lives when things seem too much to bear. The problems we face, the unexpected occurrences which seem to come from nowhere, out of the blue. A large problem may quickly blow away and cause us very little stress, while a small problem may linger with us for a long period and may over time seem far worse than it actually is. It is not the problem itself which causes us stress, but the way in which we deal with it in the first place. Talking over your worries with a close friend can be a great help. After all, a problem shared is a problem solved, or at the very least, eased. That is all from me for today. I hope this lesson has not caused you too much stress. May all your worries be small ones. Take care until we meet again. This is Misterduncan in England saying thank you for watching me and of course…ta-ta for now.

Learning English – Lesson Eight (Stress and Worry) part I

Hi everybody…this is Misterduncan in England!

How are you today? Are you OK? I hope so!

Are you happy? I hope so!

In this lesson we will take a look at two negative parts of our lives, which can occur at any moment, both of which have the ability to cause us varying degrees of misery, upset, and even sickness. In today’s lesson we will take a look at..strees and worry.

• Life these days seems to be getting more hectic.
• I don’t think I can handle this.
• It all seems too much for me.
• What will I do?
• How will I cope?
• So many problems.
• It’s all too much for me.
• I can’t take this pressure any longer.
• I need a break.
• Make it all go away…

Please! Stress! + Worry!

Stress, The word ‘stress’ relates to the physical or emotional pressure that we experience every day of our lives. Although for most of us the stress is bearable. However there may be times when you feel as if you are under too much pressure from your daily life. This is when stress becomes a problem. You may have many things on your mind and you constantly worry about them. The stress can be both physical and mental. Prolonged stress can lead to ill health. Both physically and mentally. The most common side effect of stress is anxiety. Too much stress over a long period of time can lead to physical and psychological problems.

Worry. The word ‘worry’ means to continually think about something, over and over again. Something concerns you. There is something on your mind which is making you unhappy. Worry is a negative feeling and it can make you feel miserable for a long period of time. The things we worry about vary. Maybe you unhappy at work or perhaps you are afraid of losing your job. Maybe there is a problem with a relationship. Perhaps you are worried about where your life is going. The biggest worry is that of survival, which leads us to the most common worry of all…money!

There are many times during the day when you may become stressed and feel tense. You may be in a hurry to get somewhere. You could be late for an appointment. You may have just missed your bus, or your car may have broken down. The bad attitude or behaviour of another person can wind you up. All of these things are likely to make you feel frustrated and annoyed. Stress comes from the anger you feel and the anger comes from your stress. In other words, they feed each other.

There are many words connected to stress, such as…

• Anxiety = The physical feeling of stress. You feel anxious.
• Nervousness (Nervous) = The feeling of stress and worry.
• Trouble = you feel bothered and troubled by stress.
• Difficulty = The feeling of being unable to cope.
• Distress = The feeling of panic and upset from stress.
• Panic = To lose control of your feelings, usually resulting in some sort of outward reaction, such as sudden movements and vocal sounds, such as screaming.
• Pressure = The combined feeling of all the different types of stress. You feel under pressure.
• Trauma = Damage caused by physical injury or mental stress. To feel distressed.
• Strain = The tiredness or pain caused by too much work or mental pressure. You are under strain.
• Tension = The pressure caused by stress, which can have a physical effect on the body.
• Worry = One of the main causes of stress.
• There are some key words connected to stress and worry.
• Anxiety = You feel anxious and constantly worried, sometimes for no reason.
• Nervous = To feel worried and on edge. You may show this feeling by constantly moving about and fidgeting. A nervous person may…chew their fingernails or talk and chat continuously, or they may do the opposite and stay still and silent. They may sweat and look anxious. Nervousness is commonly felt just befor (doing) an important task, such as sitting an exam or giving a performance.

Learning English – Lesson Seven (Health and Exercise) part II

The way you take care of your health depends on many different factors. The things you put in to your body, such as alcohol and cigarette smoke, have the ability to affect the way your body functions. Alcohol damages the brain and liver, while cigarettes cause damage to the lungs. The combination of both can lead to many forms of cancer. The phrase ‘smoke and drink yourself to death’ is a very true one. Besides taking regular exercise, you must also ensure that you are getting enough rest. For example, by making sure that you are getting plenty of sleep every night. The sleeping process allows your body to unwind mentally, while at the same time, recharging you physically.

One, two, three,! It’s okay. I’m just exercising my word-power. Please yourself! Believe it or not, it is possible to exercise too much. You can do too much exercise. If you work out too often, or try to push your body too far then you run the risk of causing damage to your muscles and joints. It is better to do a little over a short time, rather than a lot over a long time. Especially if you are not used to taking exercise. Just one hours exercise per day should be enough to keep you feeling fit. If you ever find yourself feeling any pain or dizziness during exercise, then you should stop. For most people, daily moderate exercise, with a once or twice weekly workout will be sufficient. Remember! Overdoing exercise can be just as bad as not doing it enough.

There are many sports activities that can give you a vigorous workout and help keep you fit. Such as…badminton, football, squash, tennis, and volleyball. Another great activity is…swimming, which is good for giving you a relaxing all-over body workout as you float (and move) in the water. Without all that tiring muscle strain.

Health and Exercise. There has never been a time when the issue of health has been such a hot topic. Our hectic lifestyle and the need for that magic quick fix from a burger or a bar of chocolate has lead to an ever-growing proportion of us becoming unhealthy. Eating less and exercising more are both easier said than done. But just like anything, a habit can be changed or broken. With a little determination and will power, it is possible to change the way you live and keep in shape. Just an hour a day, for a walk around the block or a couple of workout sessions per week at the local gym can help you stay as fit as a fiddle.

That’s better! Going out on a fine day for a spot of exercise is the best way (of keeping) to keep your body in good condition. Of course you don’t always have to do something strenuous or tiring to say fit. Taking a brisk thirty minute walk at least once a day is a great way to stay in shape. If the weather is not good, then you can walk up and down the stairs in your house a few times. The important thing is to work your body and tire it out a little. That is all from me for today. Stay healthy and happy, until the next time we meet. This is Misterduncan in England saying, thank you for watching me, teaching you..and of course..ta-ta for now.

Learning English – Lesson Seven (Health and Exercise) part I

You know the world of English is a fun and exciting place to be, I’m so glad you could join us for another lesson.

Hi everybody…this is Misterduncan in England!

How are you today? Are you OK? I hope so!

Are you happy? I hope so!

In today’s lesson we will take a look at two aspects of our lives. One is something we take for granted while it is there, but miss it terribly when it has gone. The other is an activity that we are all encouraged to do, but few of us seem to have the time to carry out.

In this lesson we will take a look at..health and exercise.

When we talk about our health, we are actually describing two things. First we refer to our…physical health, the way our bodies are functioning, how well it is working, how (well) all the different parts of your body are functioning. Then we refer to our…mental health,  how each one of us feels emotionally. How we deal with all of the problems in our lives. How we see other people around us. How (well) we cope with the effects of worry and stress. It would be fair to say that there is a connection between physical and mental health and that they (both) have the ability to affect each other.

If you feel tired after any sudden activity, such as getting up from the sofa and walking a short distance or feeling out of breath after climbing a few stairs, then there is a good chance that you are out of shape. You are unfit. Your health is poor. You are unhealthy. Prolonged inactivity or situations where you are not moving around much, such as sitting in front of the television, driving a car, or working in an office, may lead to you becoming unfit. The food you eat also decides how fit you are. Many of us eat far too much food containing fat and sugar such as biscuits, burgers, cheese, chocolate and other types of so-called junk food. Over time you wil gain weight and become obese. Your blood pressure will rise and your heart will be put under strain by all the extra body mass. You will find simple activities more exhausting. If your unhealthy lifestyle continues over a long period of time, you run the risk of suffering from diseases such as diabetes and your heart will become weak. Your chances of dying of a heart attack or stroke greatly increase if you are overweight.

There are many words connected to exercise such as..aerobics. Exercise that makes the heart beat fast from (through) constant body movement. We call this cardiovascular exercise. Burn, this word is used to express the energy being used up during exercise. Recreation, a general word for any exercise or leisure activity. Keep Fit, the act of taking exercise or following a course of exercise routines. Workout, a strenuous (tiring) exercise session focusing on certain parts of the body, such as the muscles of your arms, legs, chest, and abdomen.

There are many types of exercise for the body to perform and which one you do depend on how fit you are. And what you are trying to achieve from the exercise. There is light exercise such as walking, stretching, or just generally moving about. If you do a job where you are always on the move, then you are not only working, you are keeping fit as well.

Then there is moderate exercise. A light jog or fast walk will make you sweat a little and it will provide a good session of exercise to make your heart work and help your joints stay flexible and supple. Then there is vigorous or strenuous exercise. This is what really breaks you out into a sweat. For example, a long run or jog will really make your body work and you will be able to feel the effects of this exercise immediately. You can have (go for) a workout at a gym or health spa (health centre). Lifting heavy objects such as weights, do not only keep you fit, they also help to build up your body.

There are many simple exercise for keeping fit and healthy. The most popular ones include…walking. Yes, just go for a walk. Walk to the end of your street, then around the corner, across the field, up the hill and back down again. Walk in a big circle, around (through) the streets and along the roads,  keep on walking, until you arrive back home. Oh you can also jog. Jogging is quicker than walking, but not as fast as running. You can jog to the end of your street, then around the corner, across the field, up the hill and back down again. Jog in a big circle, around (through) the streets…and along the roads. Keep on jogging…until you arrive…back home. Or..you can go for a run. Oh dear! Running is much faster (quicker) than jogging. It can make you feel very tired. So…run to the end of your street, then around the corner, across the field, up the hill and back down again. Run in a big circle, around (through) the streets and along the roads, keep on running…until you arrive…back home!

Learning English – Lesson Six (Happy and Sad)

Hi everybody…this is Misterduncan in England!

How are you today? Are you OK? I hope so!

Are you happy? I hope so!

In this lesson, we’ll take a look at the two sides or faces of how we can feel emotionally and the way these feelings affect both ourselves and the people around us. In today’s lesson we will look at…being happy and feeling sad.

We all have feelings. They are the individual parts of our character that show the way feel, depending on the situations around us. When we say feelings, we are actually describing one feeling at a time. Although sometimes, for example, due to illness, a person may experience many feelings at once. The way you feel relates to your..emotional state, mood, frame of mind, temper, disposition, state of mind, spirit.

Good or bad can be added to all of these words, to show a positive mood and a negative one. Our feelings and moods are all related to the way we think in our minds. The study of this subject is called…psychology. This also covers the way we behave generally. Our minds control everything we do. Besides actions, your mood can also affect your health.

If you were to feel unhappy over a long period of time then you may need to see a doctor. You could be suffering from…depression. This is often caused by stress from a sudden change in your life, such as the loss of your job, or the death of a loved one.

It may sound strange to some people, but your mood can be affected…by the weather. Psychologists have found that a chemical imbalance in the brain can cause us to feel sad, when there is little sunlight about. Those affected will feel happier and more content during the summer time. While during the short winter days, they may find themselves becoming depressed and gloomy. This feeling even has a name..SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

It is amazing how our moods can change from day to day. You may find yourself jumping for joy on Monday and feeling down in the doldrums by Friday. There are many idioms for feeling happy and sad.

• ‘Happy as Larry’ To be very happy.
• ‘Jump for Joy’ To show your happiness.
• ‘Smile from Ear to Ear’ A happy face (Big Smile).
• ‘Happy go Lucky’ A cheerful (carefree) person.
• ‘On Top of the World’ So very happy.
• ‘Down in the Dumps’ To feel unhappy.
• ‘Under a Black Cloud’ Sad and depressed.
• ‘In the Doldrums’ To feel sad and gloomy.

There are many different things around us that have the ability to change the way we feel. A pierce of classical music might make you feel sad. It touches you…emotionally. It moves you. A happy story may uplift your mood and cheer you up. You may find yourself both laughing and crying, while watching a romantic movie, either alone or with your lover.

There is an expression in English that goes…’Laughter is the best medicine’ This means that when you are feeling unhappy or down, or even unwell, the only way to get out of that mood is to watch something humorous on the television. Make a funny face in the mirror. Laugh out loud until all your blues have gone away!

Happiness

• I feel happy
• I feel glad
• I feel excited
• I never feel sad
• The day is alive
• And I feel great
• Tomorrow will be good
• I just can’t wait
• My heart is warm with a rosy glow
• The smile on my face I love to show
• I need to jump
• I like to sing
• I want to live
• I love everything

Sadness

• I feel Down
• I feel bad
• I feel miserable
• I really feel sad
• I hate this day
• I dislike it all
• My heart is down
• Feel like I will fall
• So grey is this world with its trouble and strife
• So cold my spirit
• In this dark and gloomy life

In British English we use the word ‘sad’ informally as a way of describing something that is unfashionable or a person who appears to have no friends or any social life. ‘That style of fashion is so sad’ ‘He never goes out anywhere…’ ‘…and he has no friends.’ ‘What a saddo!!’

We can use the words ‘happy’ and ‘sad’ and their synonyms to show our reactions to something or someone.

• ‘I’m really happy to meet you’
• ‘I’m glad to have you as my friend’
• ‘I feel brighter now you are here’
• ‘I feel sad now that you have gone’
• ‘I feel down because I hate my job’
• ‘I feel sick and my spirits are low’

Happy Synonyms

• Bright
• Content
• Cheerful
• Elated
• Glowing
• Jolly
• Joyful
• Merry
• Sunny

Sad Synonyms

• Blue
• Forlorn
• Depressed
• Down
• Gloomy
• Glum
• Moody
• Solemn
• Woeful

It would be fair to say that we all go through times when things seem bad. People can sometimes let you down. They have the ability to say things that make you unhappy. Events and circumstances may come along and destroy your plans for the futue. As the poet Stephen Spender once wrote…’You must live through the time when everything hurts’ Life comes with no guarantees or promises. The sunny days of contentment can only be truly appreciated through the dark gloomy nights of despair. For without sadness, we would never really know what it is like to be truly happy. Well that’s all I have time for today, but don’t be sad because I will be back again real soon with another lesson just for you. Until then this is Misterduncan in England saying..thank you for watching me, teaching you and of course..Ta-ta for now.