Learning English

Session 1

typhoon
a very strong wind which moves in a circle in the Western Pacific Ocean

disasters
events that cause a lot of harm

tragedy
a very sad event

destructive
causing a lot of damage

shelters
places which give protection

struck
hit

mph
miles per hour (speed)

cyclones
very strong winds which move in circles

at risk
in danger (of)

triggered
caused

humanitarian
relating to improving human lives and reducing suffering

charities
organisations people give money to so they can help others

aid agencies
organisations that provide money and help to those suffering

populations
(here) groups of people in a particular situation

volunteers
people who give their time for free

logistical
relating to the careful organisation of things and people to achieve a difficult task

6 Minute Vocabulary

Vocabulary points to take away

For verbs ending in a consonant, vowel, consonant like get and begin double the final consonant before –ing and –ed:

I’ve stopped sitting in the sun because it’s beginning to get too hot.

BUT If the final syllable of the verb is not stressed, don’t double the consonant:

They’ve been listening to what’s happened on the news.

When there is a short vowel sound before a consonant, we often double the consonant:

He sent me amessage asking me to collect him at the station.

BUT this is only a general guide, so you need a technique for learning how to spell these words:

Cheerful Charlie and Mad Mary share accommodation.

Session 2

bushmen
members of tribes in southern Africa

thrive
survive and grow or establish itself

harsh
rough, difficult

environment
(here) the surroundings where a person or thing lives

Session 3

tragedy
very sad event

triumph
victory

flip flops
simple sandals with one attachment between the toes

struck
hit

tsunami
very large wave

orphans
children with no parents

voluntary work
work done for no money, willingly, usually for a good cause

upbringing
the way or process of bringing someone up

blow
difficulty

ethically-sourced
(of a product) made in a morally acceptable way

Session 4

disasters
events that cause a lot of harm

typhoon
a very strong wind which moves in a circle in the Western Pacific Ocean

cyclones
very strong winds which move in circles

charity
organisation that people give money to so they can help other people

populations
(here) groups of people in particular situations

shelters
safe places

content
programmes on TV, radio and online media

crops
plants that people grow on farms

compensation
money that is given to someone in exchange for damage or loss