Back Home and Back to Work
Hello everyone! How are you on this fine Saturday? I am glad you liked the virtual safari of Yala. Now I’m afraid the holiday’s over and it’s back to work. My first day back is tomorrow. I mustn’t grumble though as I have had a month off – that’s probably about what most people get in a whole year, right? I do appreciate it, honestly. It’s going to be a busy but interesting week ahead as we have eleven new members of the teaching team to induct, most of whom have just arrived in Colombo. I like meeting people when they’ve just arrived and seeing their first reactions to things. They somehow manage to inject a fresh lease of life into the workplace and into my own life, as they help me see things from a fresh perspective again. I’ll let you know how it goes in a few days’ time.
Anyway, I thought that as I am going back to work, I would set you all back to work too so there are two challenges today! Don’t worry if you don’t have time to do both but if you could attempt one of them that would be great. It would help Marcos as well. Incidentally, Marcos, are you OK? I do hope to hear from you very soon, as I’m sure all the other bloggers do too. So, first of all have a look at this analysis of Marcos’ writing and see what you can learn from it and whether you can help him improve some of his sentences.
Marcos’ Fortress piece
My main focus here will be cohesion – looking at the ‘glue’ you use to ‘stick’ the pieces of text together to make it cohesive. First of all Marcos, look at the narrative techniques you use to take us from one place to another:“As I told you before...”
“A note before I continue”
“There are many places that I like to go here. One of these is…” (This is a good opening sentence to a paragraph. What we teachers like to call a ‘topic sentence’. It tells us exactly what the paragraph is going to be about. Your use of referencing in the second sentence is quite sophisticated too. You have avoided repeating the noun phrase from the first sentence by using the pronoun “these”).
“Today, this “bridge” is a touristic place where you can see the sunset.” (This is a nice closing/summary sentence to end the paragraph with too).
“Other place that I like to go is the” (this is a good follow on from the previous topic sentence but you will have to change the first word for it to work).
These introductions to your paragraphs help us to navigate your text and make it easier for us to absorb the information, which would otherwise be quite dense.
Now let’s see what other treats you had for us. This is a lovely, evocative image you have painted for us, Marcos. “…difficult for the sun to hide itself completely among the clouds”. The idea of the sun hiding and the fact that it found it difficult too is a powerful image. Well done.
This is perhaps your most cohesive paragraph and a great way to close your post: “So, we have many fantastic places to go, beaches and delicious food… But there is one thing that I really love in this city: the people. I have been lived here for 16 years and, everyday, the people here surprising me. They are friendly, funny, talkative and helpful. Here you are never be alone!”
First challenge:
Now see what you can do to improve these sentences:
1. I will talk about the city I live: Fortaleza. (This is a nice continuation of your initial sentence to this paragraph but see if you can spot the missing word).
2. They were interested in cultivate sugar cane in this region.
3. The French also tried to take the control of a part of the territory (Brazil).
4. estimated that lived in Fortaleza 2.473.614 inhabitants in 2008.
5. Additionally, there is the global warming. (This is not a good way to end a paragraph. You are introducing a new point and then you don’t elaborate on it. In the next paragraph you talk about the places you like to go to, which is completely unconnected to your mention of global warming. Apart from this however, there is a grammatical issue. See if you can spot it).
6. The best beaches of the Ceará is not in here in Fortaleza.
7. Unhappiness, I’ve never been in Jeri.
8. As Adriana remembered commenting the last post..
Second Challenge:
In the title to this post I have used two expressions with 'back' in. See how many other phrases you can find and use with 'back'. (This challenge comes fomr the fact that I got a Brewer's Phrase and Fable dicitonary for Christmas and I figured we could make use of it in these blogs).:)
Now over to some of the other bloggers…..
Gordana – I really enjoyed your post about your South Africa trip. You managed to use lots of the collocations I had introduced in my post appropriately and accurately. Well done. You included plenty of detail as well which added colour to your writing. I loved lines like:
“... so I got to see a cheeky monkey staring at me while I was having a bath”
“I must say that buffet meals are right up my street” (though here I have to say I differ from you. After my trip I am totally buffeted out! I don’t want to see another buffet for at least 6 months.:) Sorry to hear about your husband but glad that he recovered).
Toni, Guzin, YPW, Rene – thanks for your posts about your trips too. Rene, be careful about the form of the words you use though. Look at these examples of incorrect usage (not in terms of meaning, but form) of the collocations:
“Fortunately we are always banged on target”
“it bode well..”
Hyoshil – unfortunately, no we didn’t see any leopards but you know what, it didn’t matter. When I go to wildlife parks/nature reserves, I go with the philosophy that we may want to see lots of exotic animals but they generally don’t want to see us and the very fact that I know they are around somewhere fills me with anticipation and that high is enough for me.
Your use of vocabulary in this post is really rather good. Take these excerpts for example:
“The icing of the cake was when…”
“My son was ecstatic..” (Good use of the word ecstatic. How many other ways do you know to say ‘very happy’?)
I agree, 8 pounds does seem extortionate – nice use of this word by the way. How many other ways do you know to say ‘very expensive’? (This is not just a question for Hyoshil).
Right, finally before I sign off and get an early night in preparation for my first day back at work, here’s an explanation of the uses of trip and journey for you:
Here are a couple of examples to start you off:
Our trip to Yala was really exciting. (The whole experience – from start to finish)
The journey down to Una was uneventful. (The time we spent in the car getting there)
Definitions:
Trip – a pleasure excursion/specially arranged journey for a particular purpose
Journey – any travel from one place to another
Bye for now,
Sleep tight; don’t let the bed bugs bite :)
Helen
Comments
Hi Helen 1.I will talk about Forteleza where I live 2.....in cultivating.....3. The French also tried to take over the control of a part of the territory. 4. It is estimated that 2.473.614 inhabitants lived in Forteleza in 2008 5. One of the reasons of becoming hotter is also global warming. 6...not here in Forteleza.7.Unluckily .... 8.As Adrian reminded on her/him last post. Bye for now
Hi Helen! You said you were afraid of going back to work after having been on a month off. I think you are stretching the truth a bit and, on the other hand, you are excited and looking forward to meeting fresh faces of new members. Thank you for setting me back to work and I’ll do my best for it. 1.How many other ways do I know to say ‘very expensive’? Dear Daylight robbery A rip-off Astronomical To cost an arm and a leg To cost a fortune As much as that High Pricey Extortionate 2.How many other ways do you know to say ‘very happy’? Full of the joys of spring On the top of the world Overjoyed Be made up Over the moon Be on cloud nine Ecstatic Thrilled Jubilant Radiant Delighted May I carry on my next homework? 1.will talk about the city where I live: Fortaleza. 2. They were interested in cultivating sugar cane in this region. 3. The French also tried to take control of a part of the territory (Brazil). 4.The estimated inhabitants in Fortaleza in 2008 was 2.473.614 . 5. Additionally, there is global warming. 6. The best beaches in Ceará are not in Fortaleza. 7. Unfortunately, I’ve never been in Jeri. 8. Adriana remembered commenting on the last post Switching the subject, I have watched a program called The Secret Life of Elephants on the BBC and I am deeply moved by the majestic animals leadership, attitude towards each other, a close-knit relationship and grief over the death of a member of the family. It’s an enthralling program to watch and I am looking forward to the next episode. Phew! Job done, and I am going to unwind with a cup of coffee before make my husband’s lunch.
Challenge on Marcos post 1.I will talk about the city,where I live:Fortaleza. 2.They were interested in cultivating sugar cane in this region. 3.The French also tried to take control of a part of the territory (Brazil) 4.The “Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística” (IBGE), a Brazilian government agency, who collects and disseminates demographic data, estimated that there are 2.473.614 inhabitants in 2008,in Fortleza. 5.There is global warming. 6. The best beaches of the Ceará are not here in Fortaleza. 7.Unfortunately, I’ve never been in Jeri. 8.As Adriana remembered on commenting about the last post, there are some foods that you will have to eat if you are here.
Hi, Helen This is my very first comment in the teacher's blog and I really like the idea of you challenging us. Let's see: 1 - ... the city I live IN; 2 - They were interested in cultivating... (someone is interested in doing something); 3 - The French also tried to control part...( "take control" is accepted only in ordinary spoken); 4 - estimated that 2.473.614 PEOPLE were living in Fortaleza in 2008.; 5 - Additionally, there is (cut THE) global warming.; 6 - The best beaches of the Ceará is not (cut IN) here; 7 - Unhappily... (use adverb, not noum); and 8 - commenting IN the last post... So, I hope it helps. See you...
Hi Helen, The phrases with "back" are:It's back to work, my first day back at work, I am going back to work, I would set you all back to work too. It is very interesting to know your work. Thank you for telling us about it.
Hi Helen. Although I'm not sure about my ability to correct even my own phrases, I'll have a go on your challenges: First challenge: 1- Now I’d like to talk about the city where I live. 2- Their aim was to grow sugar cane in this region. 3- The French has also struggled to invade part of the Brazilian territory. 4- The inhabitants living in Fortaleza was estimated to be 2.473.614 in 2008 5- Beyond that, there’s the global warming on the way to worsen the situation but this is just a tip of the iceberg. The issue in itself deserves its own post. 6- The most beautiful beaches in Ceará aren’t located in Fortaleza. 7-Unfortunately, I have never been to Jeri. 8- As Adriana has pointed out referring to my last post... Second Challenge: 1- Bush backs record in final speech (from the BBC news) I loved your phrase: Sleep tight; don’t let the bed bugs bite :) I'll remember that tonight :-) Bye Adriana
Hi Helen, thank you for your kind advise. I am well advised to take more attention to these grammar issues. In term of your second challenge a few phrases came in my mind spontaniously. to be back on track back to the roots to be back for good at the back of beyound to know sth. back to front in relation to the human back: back breaking work the backbone of the economy to stap somebody in the back
Hi Helen, How was the first day of work after the wonderful holiday? Have all the team members arrived. Did you share your thoughts of Yala and Una to them? Back to the subject, after the blogs of your holiday journey, you have asked us to concentrate on learning English. Back to back- you asked us to imagine that we were all in SriLanka and enjoyed the experience of you (climate and natural beauty) and at the same time learning English. You took us virtual tour to Yala back to back taught us improve our English language. 1.I will talk about the city where I live2.They were interested in cultivating sugarcane in this region.3. The French also tried to take over some part of the territory.4.Estimated ( I am not sure whether we need estimated here)2,473,614 inhabitants lived in Fortaleza in 2008. 5. there is a gobal warming, 7. I feel unhappy that I have never been in Jeri.8.As Adrina commented in the last post. I hope Adrina remembered in her comments in my last post
Hi Helen, A month off! I don't remember how long I will not take a month's holiday! you seem to me very excited to go back at work, new members need a leading figure to begin their tasks, I suppose. Do they come from other countries or are they local inhabitants ? However, this is my challenge: 1) I will talk about the city WHERE I live: Fortaleza. 2) They were interested in CULTIVATING sugar cane in this region. 3) The French also tried to take OVER a part of the territory (Brazil). 4) MOREOVER Additionally, there is the global warming 5) The best beaches of the Ceará ARE not here in Fortaleza. 6) UNFORTUNATELY, I’ve never been in Jeri. 7) As Adriana remembered IN commenting ON the last post.. Bye for now.
Hi Helen! Thank you again for your tips. I'll try to answer the new challenges soon. Good luck in your return to work!!!
Hi, How was your first day at work? I have a doubt, your post is dated on Saturday and you wrote "tomorrow is the first day at work". is it because of the difference of time line, or do you work on Sundays in that country? My dad is in a hospital since a week ago so I cannot write a lot.
Hi everyone - and especially Helen. We seem to have a problem with the spam manager eating comments again! We have posted about 12 comments, but they haven't appeared. If you sent a comment to Marcos or Helen over the weekend and it hasn't appeared, please could you try again? Thanks
Hi Helena and my first comment in the teacher blog... The idea of your challenging... I agree, to find a new place or way to improve English. But my English isn't good... I have not so many words...so I beging to read all the words in the chapter... So, I will come back ...Best Regards Kajsa
Dear Helen, I am back to this blog after a week. It is difficult to get back to normal routine after a long break. I will be busy for two days due to my schedule but,I will be back with you as soon as possible. I have used the word"back" in some sentences. Now I would like to do my home works. 1)I am going to tell about a city Fortaleza where I live. 2)They were interested in cultivating sugar cane in this region. 3) FRench also tried to capture a part of Brazil.4) In 2008 a Brazilian Government agency have estimated that, there were 2,473,614 inhabitants lived in brazil. or The inhabitans live in Fortaleza was estimated around as 2,473,614. In addtion to these, global warming also make Brazil warmer.6) As Adriana comment in the last post, there are some foods that you have to eat if you visit Brazil.7) The best beaches in Ceara are not in Fortaleza. 9)Unfortunately, I have never been to Jeri. Helen I did my best here. I am looking forward to see the corrections and next challenges. I will be back soon.
hello miss Helen! sorry if me wrong. im start study english, what do me do? i want to learn English, please teach me, you say what must me do! thank you very much! good luck to you! thank! hai van nguyen
Back to blog. Hi, here I come back from a few rest days. I'm going to try to back out all "backs" that my mind could imagine.Please don't show me your back and let me feel your back (support). With this contribution I'm in a continuos holding back because the most I use, the less meaning back has. See you, Toni.
Thanks for all your contributions. This blog has now closed and can no longer accept new comments.
