What a welcome!
Hello again!
I’d like to thank everyone for the warm welcome you’ve given me as the new teacher blogger. It’s really nice to e-meet all of you and your comments and questions have given me lots of encouragement already. I’d also like say a special ‘Hello’ to Naheed, our new student blogger.
Naheed, I can see you have a very strong grasp of the English language. In fact, your English is so good I think I can probably take the rest of the month off. Just kidding! I can see that you’ve been studying English for a long time and make only minor mistakes. Well done to you!
Today’s blog had my mouth watering! It is possible to get mangoes here in the UK, but they’re pretty expensive as they are imported. Also, I don’t think they can ever taste as good as mangoes straight off the tree. Just a note about the verbs you use to describe flavours, Naheed. In your delicious description of how to make mango sorbet, you say ‘If it feels sour’, and later ‘it should not feel very sweet’. We use the verb taste when we want to talk about flavours, and the verb feel when we want to talk about things we can touch. This is just a small point – I can still understand perfectly what you mean.
In your first blog, I particularly liked your use of the phrase ‘All’s well that ends well’. But can I make one small correction? This phrase always starts with ‘All’s’, not ‘All is’. This phrase basically means ‘everything will work out well in the end’ and I think I can tell from this that you have a pretty positive attitude!
‘All’s well that ends well’ is actually the name of a Shakespeare comedy. Did you know that Shakespeare coined hundreds of words and phrases that we still use to this day? Some of these words and phrases have the exact same meaning they had when he wrote them hundreds of years ago, and some have changed in meaning slightly. Naheed, you look to me like you’re a student who can handle being thrown in at the deep end, so I wonder whether you can tell me what the current-day meaning of the following words and phrases is – all of them were coined by Shakespeare:
· it smells to high heaven
· full circle
· one fell swoop
· strange bedfellows
· the world’s my oyster
And if you’re feeling really clever, I wonder if you can work one of these into your next blog? Ooooh, aren’t I nasty? I bet you don’t like me so much any more!
Actually, Shakespeare leads me nicely onto your comments and questions about my first-ever blog. Melissa from China wanted to know how to understand the meaning of Shakespeare. This is no mean feat, as Shakespearian language is tricky to understand because it was written so long ago and is very different from current-day language. One thing to bear in mind though is that Shakespeare’s plays were written to be watched, not read. You know, it is much easier to understand what someone means if you can see their face, their gestures and their expression, as well as hear what they are saying. I wonder, is it possible for you to watch a DVD of the Shakespeare you are reading? If you can see the actors and their expressions, it will certainly help you.
Diema from Bulgaria wanted to know what the phrase ‘Yours, very femininely’ means. Sorry, Diema. This was just me being daft! Because I had told you all about me being female and not male, this was just a light-hearted way to end my blog (feminine means ‘having female characteristics’). I expect you’ll get used to my bad jokes over the next few weeks.
Phu of the Netherlands says she’s surprised I like living in the countryside. Maybe I can explain, Phu. First, I'm not that young (I’m 34)! And secondly, I have lots of pets, and I think animals prefer living in the countryside to living in a city. Maybe I can tell you a bit more about my pets in my future blogs, if you are interested.
I’m off to church a little later today. No, I not getting married! I have to go to a rehearsal for the christening of my little niece, baby Sophie. I’ve been asked to be godmother, so the rehearsal is to make sure I know what to do. Actually, I haven’t got a clue what to do as I’ve never been a godmother before, but I guess the most important thing is not to drop the baby! The actual christening is tomorrow, so I’ll tell you all about it in my next blog.
Enjoy your weekends!
Jo
Vocabulary
If you have a strong grasp of something, you understand it well.
to take time off means to have a rest or go on holiday
Just kidding! You can use this exclamation if you want to say you’re joking about something. It’s very informal.
The verb to coin means to invent. It is commonly used when talking about new words and phrases.
If I throw you in at the deep end, it means I give you something difficult to do, without providing any help.
Ooooh! This is a natural exclamation. You can use it to express a range of emotions like surprise, pain, joy and shock.
If something is no mean feat, it’s difficult to do.
daft means ‘silly’. It’s good to be daft sometimes.
Something that is light-hearted is ‘playful’.
I’m off – this is an informal way of saying ‘I’m going’.
A christening is a formal ceremony in church when a child is given its name.
godmother – according to my dictionary, a godmother ‘represents a child at its baptism’. I think basically I’m supposed to be a good influence – I’ll let you know if this is right!
Comments
Hello there Teacher and Bloggers. Today is the day for leisure, for taking a rest from work, for devoting ourselves to the things we like and for the rehersal for a church ceremony for our Teacher. We are sure you will be a good godmother because you handle so well so many students and if you handle your goddaughter with love, everything will be a success. I would like to share the experience of reading Shakespeare with Melissa from China. I read Shakespear's drama in my native language first, then in English, or I read them simultaneously. I hope this message will reach Melissa and help her. By for now Benka
Hi Jo, it is nice to meet you, and what makes the encounter even more pleasing, is the fact, that I liked you blog very much. I hope Naheed doesn´t mind if I have a go with one of the Shakespeare questions. The subject matter is so close to my heart as I am a great fan of the man called William. I have once even been at the Shakespeare theatre in Stratford upon Avon. I saw A Midsummer Night's Dream. Why, then the world’s mine oyster, Which I with sword will open -citation is from The Merry Wives of Windsor. Yours, very femininely
hello Dear Joe Kent as you mention that you are teacher. i want to ask you whether you have any experience in IELTS examination. i have been studying English for about 4 years. at first i could not even write one sentence but fortunately i can write now but i could not write very well. could you give me any sugesstion to improve this important skill?
Hello Jo, At first, I would like to tell you that I am a boy, Vietnamese guy living in the Netherlands. So, please do not use 'she' for me :-). Second, thanks a lot for your description about interesting things related to Shakespeare. I can understand how the English people are proud of him. It is not easy for Naheed to find out the current-day meaning of the Shakespeare's words that you gave out. Jo, you did give her a exercise so difficult that Naheed will not have time to eat mangoes :-) That's right. Not to drop the baby is the first thing you must do. Please tell us more about being a godmother since it is not habitual in my country and in many Asian countries also, I think. Have a good weekend, Jo. Phu
Hello teacher Jo again!! .How was your day? Today is quite muggy weather in Thailand. Most of students gradually come back to the university. That is wonderful here to meet freshman . The march ,university 's song are playing by freshmen as I get used to this time. It remind me of when I am a freshman. Everwhere in the university are full of warm smile, the giggles and supherb songs that make me happy. Obviously ,it is a good opportunity to party and join activities all together. Anyway , concerning Thai fruits , in particular: mango ,apple,banana, seem to be changed from season to season. That means in Thailand have a variety of fruit. We can never eat repeat of kind fruits. Are you envious me? If you need to test a variety of fruits , I would like to persuade you to travel in Thailand . Are you curious on Thailand ? I will let you know in another chance very soon. Bye for now.. < Wisarut S >
Hi, Jo. There are some expressions that are new to me. Could you please tell me if they are common or just your style? 1) In 'have the exact same meaning' I would have expected 'have exactly the same meaning'. Is there a difference of shade in the two expressions? 2) "No, I not getting married! (I could have thought that it's just a typo and should be 'I am not...' but ever since I learnt that "long time no see" is normal I hesitate to classify odd - to me - things as simple mistakes). 3) Though it's clear what 'current-day' means I've never seen this hyphened word before. Is it yours or widely used?
Welcome jo kent, Iwould like to thank all the teacher blogers for your effort to heip lots of studendets around the world like me who like to learn english. best regards, Hassan.
Hi,Jo.I like animals as well.I used to have a pet dog.I actually live in the countryside,too. What's more I'm almost as same as your age. We might have a lot in common. :)
Hello,JO I feel decieved by you.As I saw your picture first time I thought you are a spring chicken to teach us.(i mean you look so naive and young ).Today's blog,you have confessed you're 34 years old.I think you must swop the picture of yours for the current-day's one not in your early tweenties.(oh!nauty nauty hyoshil)I am just teasing you.It's so nice to meet you. I like to write my comments in a light-hearted way but one thing I certainly promise you that i will be very serious about improving my English with you. Have a glorious day!HYOSHIL
Hi,Jo.I bet you are right on the Shakespear issue. English is a lot different from the Shakespear period. All's well that ends well hopefully.Thank you for your answers.I guess you really throw me in at the deep end, for Shakespear's coined phrases are all like enigma to me.Looking forward to hearing your next blog about Baptism...In the end of my blog, i gotta give myself a shot.It smells to high heaven,it smells so good.Full circle,perfect.one fell swoop,something dangerous will happen.strange bedfellows...Oooooh! This one is too tricky.The world's my oyster, the world is under my control(not sure about that).Cheerio.
Dear Jo, Although Shakespeare is my favorite writer, I’ve not read any of his books in English. Actually I looked at some of his book in library and don’t dare to take them for reading. I tried a radio play of Othello which was adapted by BBC world service two years ago but, it was so difficult for me. Despite this matter I really love to read at least one of his masterpieces in original language. What do you think about reading his book for an intermediate learner?
Dear Jo; Hi. First of all ,I would like to welcome you again as my first blog didn't appear and may have got lost somewhere in the cyberspace!(hoping this time will be more promising.) Then , I want to thank you for your instructive blog, handy vocabularies and of course nasty Q's. It would be great to be challenged on something that is absolutely no mean feat as a student.As for your questions I would say; 1) sth that "smells to high heaven" is sth malodorous 2) when sth comes, goes or turns "full circle' they end in the same way they had once started 3) sth that is done "in/at one fell swoop" is actually done by a single action and almost suddenly 4) two or more things that are considered "strange bedfellows" are the ones which are working together or interacting positively,where as they are not expected to get along or cooperate well because of apparent differences among them 5) and finally "the world is my oyster" when I am highly likely to achieve whatever I wish I will be waiting to read your next blog Wish you all the best! Katy / Iran
Hello Jo! So, how was the christening? I hope that everything has been fine. At the moment that I read your blog, I started to think about the meaning of the coins. I hope you don´t mind I try to answer them. -it smells to high heaven: somenthing that smells very bad; -full circle: come back to the starting point; -one fell swoop: something that happens unexpectedly, sundenlly; -strange bedfellows: someone who can be your friend today, and may be tomorrow your enemy; -the world´s my oyster: the world is mine. I have the freedom to do anything that I want and to go anywhere. Best wishes, Ana Paula.
Hello Jo! It's too late to say 'welcome'? I hope not! So, welcome! I'm new here too! I've read The Student Blogger since last friday and just today I saw - and read - The Teacher Blogger. I'm having a great time here. You seem very funny! I agree with you about Naheed's English. It's so good - different of me. However let me disagree with you in one thing. I think 34 years old is a youngest age! Jesus! I was completely devastated when I read you. "I'm not that young" you said! Ok not devastated. I'm joking. But I'm 35 and fell like a child! Sometimes I think my life has just begun! Best wishes! Etelvina
1.It smells to high heaven-really really stinky or pong smell like smelly socks or cheese. 2.full circle-something comes back to you what you had done. 3.one fell swoop-doing things in one action like go Christmas shopping and finishing all in one time and not having several trips. 4.strange bedfellows-make friends completely different from you. 5.the world's my oyster-I can do anything or be anything i want to be.It was not an easy homework and quite challenging a task.I told you that I take my chance to learn English from you seriously. I am Sooooooo happy as I have finished your first task. Did you have a good day?I am sure you will be a fantastic a godmother and aunty for your little niece.
Hi Jo, let me give you a late welcome. I hope you don’t mind it’s late. I’m looking forward to reading more essays from you in the next two months. Ooooh, we have a beautiful teacher! Jo, in your first paragraph, you wrote: ‘I’d also like say a special ‘Hello’ to Naheed, our new student blogger.’ Did you miss a conjunction ‘to’ between ‘like’ and ‘say’ or is it an informal way of saying that? The same situation is at the end of your blog. In the last paragraph, you wrote: ‘No, I not getting married!’ can we omit ‘am’ or was it a typing omission? Shakespeare’s words and expressions are so difficult to me that I absolutely have no idea. I feel upset. I hope I can understand them from your next blog. Wish you a good day. Jill.
Hello Jo, I'd like to guess the meaning of these phrases which were coined by Shakespeare. The first one "it smells to high heaven", it might be used to describle sth unusual, unique or precious to someone. The second one "full circle", it literally means a complete circle or a whole round. I've looked it up on-line, but still confused me. Next, "one fell swoop", I can merely say "I'm afraid I don't know". The phrase "strange bedfellows" is an interesting one to me. I guess it is used normally to say one's spouse has an affair with someone. The last one "the world's my oyster" probably talks about the most secret mystery. I wonder if my hard try is a nonsense, I beg your pardon in advance since I have never read anything about Shakespeare's masterpiece. I will look forward to the right answers. All the best. David
Welcome teacher Jo! I`ve read your first post on Friday, yet and have had a very good impression. You look just very English to me with your young appearance, the name and a surname as well. What more, I am reading the Little women these days (3-5 lines until I fall asleep), where Jo is one of my favourite characters since I was a teen-age. So I am just a bad student trying to catch a little of knowledge from your good work. You will help me a lot!
Hi jo - its your brother. Sophie says thankyou for being her godmother yesterday at church. she is too young to write - so I will give it a go. How is my grammar and spelling? x
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