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Learn Slang & Informal English... Easily!

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In my last e-mail, I talked about how learning English with TV and movies is difficult because of all the slang, idioms, and informal English.

It can be frustrating if you have a good level of English and you can understand newspaper articles and texts...

...but when you watch a TV show or listen to native English speakers, you get lost when they use slang and idioms that you've never heard before!

3 Major Problems with Studying
Slang Lists & Dictionaries:

#1 - They often teach slang that's too old... or too new

A lot of the slang lists currently online are either outdated, with old expressions that have gone out of style - or they are SO new that many of the expressions are not yet mainstream and may not in fact become common.

#2 - They don't give you an idea of when to use the word

Slang lists don't indicate when it's appropriate and when it's NOT appropriate to use each expression... and you could end up offending someone, or making a ridiculous-sounding sentence when you try to use a slang word in the wrong situation or context.

#3 - They don't include audio

It's VERY important to hear slang words in addition to just reading them... because slang and informal English is more frequently spoken than written! You won't find these expressions in textbooks or newspaper articles.

To make this book, I searched through THOUSANDS of slang words and selected the most popular, most current expressions. This is the slang commonly used today - NOT the slang from 20 years ago.

In the e-book, the slang expressions are organized by topic so that they're easier for you to learn. Also, I've included a LOT of example sentences, so you can see what types of situations they are used in.

Each slang word in the e-book is given an "offensiveness rating":

• Red = Extremely offensive
• Yellow = Somewhat offensive – use with caution
• Green = Non-offensive (or only a little bit)

Finally, the Slang & Informal English Audio E-Book includes complete audio MP3s. You'll get a total of more than 2 hours of listening - so that you can both see AND hear the expressions.

Confusing Words with OVER :(

Baruuuuuuuuuuuu coy.!

This lesson was inspired by a student question. It was such a good question that I turned it into a lesson!
Do you have English words that confuse you?
Just reply to this e-mail and ask me.
Enjoy the lesson  :-)
 - Shayna
P.S. Don't forget to get your copy of the NEW audio e-book: Slang & Informal English
 

Take over or Overtake?

Take over is a phrasal verb and it is used when one company/country takes control of another. The noun form is takeover.

• During World War II, Hitler's army took over many territories in Europe.

Overtake is a verb that means to catch up and get ahead. For example, if you and I are running in a race, and I am faster than you... but then you start running faster and you pass me and win the race, you have overtaken me.
This can be used for speed, as in this example, or with progress in general - if China's economy keeps growing, it will eventually overtake the U.S.

Come over or Overcome?

To come over is a phrasal verb meaning to visit or approach someone:

• Sure, I'll help you with your homework. You can come over to my place after class. (= visit my house)
• Mark and Debbie are coming over for dinner tomorrow night. (= visit my house)
• I was talking with my best friend, when John came over and interrupted us. (= approached us)

To overcome something is to have victory over it, be more powerful than it. For example:

• He overcame a lot of obstacles to build a million-dollar business. (= he was stronger than the obstacles, and conquered them)
• I was overcome with joy when I heard the good news.
  (= the joy completely took over my emotions)

Look over or Overlook?

To look over something is to review it, especially checking it for errors:

• Can you look over this essay before I hand it in? I want to make sure there are no mistakes. (checking for errors)
• We looked over the various brochures in the travel agency. (reviewing in general)

To overlook something can mean:

1. When a high place has a nice view: This apartment overlooks the ocean.
2. NOT to see or notice something, or to ignore it deliberately: Here are three interesting vacation destinations that tourists often overlook. (= fail to notice)
   It's best to overlook small offenses if you want to maintain a friendship. (= deliberately ignore)

Think over or Over think?

To think something over is to give it a lot of thought and consideration. You should think over big decisions, for example.

• My company wants to transfer me to another country. I'm not sure yet if I'll accept the opportunity; I'm still thinking it over.

But if you overthink (or over-think) something, it means you think about it TOO much - more than necessary.
For example, if your colleagues spend an hour discussing a very small detail like the color of one button on the company website, you could say, "Aren't we over thinking this? Does it really matter what color the button is?"
Some people get stressed out because they over think relationship/life situations, like when a girl's boyfriend hasn't called her for the past three days and she starts imagining that he's angry at her, and the relationship is over, or he has another girlfriend, etc.

Do over or Overdo?

If you do something over, it means you must do it again - usually because there was some problem with the first time you did the task:

• I wrote a ten-page article, then accidentally deleted the file - so I had to do the whole thing over.
• The boss said my presentation was too confusing, and asked me to do it over.

You can also use redo in these sentences: "I had to redo it" and "asked me to redo it."
To overdo something is to do it TOO MUCH, to exaggerate:

• She overdid her diet and ended up in the hospital, malnourished.
• If you haven't exercised in a while, don't overdo it at the gym - start slow.
• I thought the decorations at the wedding were overdone. They had 10,000 flowers, for goodness' sake - it must have cost a fortune!

English Words with 4 Different Forms

Hallo temen2 ni ada yg baru !
Many English words have multiple forms – a noun form, verb form, adjective form, and adverb form:

• beauty (n.)
• beautify (v.)
• beautiful (adj.)
• beautifully (adv.)

Not all English words have ALL the forms, but today's lesson will teach you 14 words that do - with example sentences.

English Phrases for Good Luck

English Phrases for Good Luck

Good luck! / Best of luck!

Say these when you want to wish/desire someone good luck, good results; you hope they will succeed.

"I'm taking my driving test tomorrow."
"Good luck!"

"I'm starting my own company."
"Wow! Best of luck with that!"

Note: You can also use "Good luck" in a sarcastic way to mean that something is difficult or almost impossible:

"I'm hoping for a quick response about my visa application."
"Good luck. Those things sometimes take months to process."

beginner's luck

When a new or inexperienced person has a great success, you can say it's "beginner's luck" - the success happened by chance, not because of the person's skill.

You're in luck!

Use this phrase when you are announcing a good/fortunate situation for the other person:

(At a store): "Do you have these shoes available in size 8?"
"You're in luck! This is the last pair in the store."

English Phrases for Bad Luck

better luck next time

Use this phrase after someone tried to do something, but was unsuccessful. Used only for minor failures.

"I tried to win the video game, but I couldn't get past Level 1."
"Oh well. Better luck next time."

down on your luck

When someone is having a long period of difficulty, problems, or bad luck.

"He's been down on his luck lately - right after buying a house, he lost his job and has been struggling to make the payments."

Just my luck!

A sarcastic phrase to say that something was very unlucky.

"I took a week off from work to go to the beach - and just my luck, it rained the entire time."

no such luck

When a situation did not have the positive result you hoped for.

"I was hoping to leave work by 5:00, but no such luck - the meeting ran until 6:30."

What rotten luck!

This is a sympathetic phrase for commenting on bad luck:

"The athlete got injured one day before the championship. What rotten luck!"

tough luck

This phrase is typically used to say you are NOT sympathetic to someone's problems or complaints:

"If you don't like the way we run things in this company, tough luck. You're free to leave." (= we will not change the way we manage the company; you must accept it or else leave)

English Phrases for Chance

as luck would have it

This phrase means "by chance." It can be used for both lucky things or unlucky things.

Lucky chance: "I called the doctor to make an urgent appointment and as luck would have it, he was available to see me the very same day."

Unlucky chance: "I called the doctor to make an urgent appointment and as luck would have it, his schedule was completely booked for the next six months."
(booked = reserved; there are no appointments available)

the luck of the draw

This phrase means something is completely by chance or random; you cannot control it at all (similar to winning the lottery, when they "draw" - take - the winning ticket completely at random).

"You can't choose who you compete against in the tournament - it's the luck of the draw."

pushing your luck

When you have good luck or a good situation, but you try too hard to extend it or get an even better situation, and risk having a negative result or losing what you have achieved so far.

"They offered me the job after a very competitive hiring process. I wanted to ask for a higher starting salary, but I felt like that would be pushing my luck."

I hope you liked this lesson!
You might also enjoy:

  Semoga Bermanpaat yaa guys.!!!

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academic speech text

Why we should we learn languages

Intro

            Many states require high school students to earn credits in a foreign language in order to graduate and many colleges also include foreign languages in their degree plans. Some students may wonder why they have to take a foreign language to fulfill high school or college graduation requirements, so it is important to understand the many benefits of learning another language.

            As our world becomes more globalized and diverse, being able to speak more than one language becomes an invaluable skill and opens up more career choices and advancement opportunities. Being able to list that you are bilingual on a resume will set you apart from the competition and give you an advantage in the job market. According to Career Builder, many employers in the business, education, health care, government, hospitality, law enforcement or marketing fields look for applicants who can speak other languages.

            Studying a second language also affords the opportunity to be immersed in another culture, learning not only the language, but its heritage, history and traditions as well. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages claims that learning another language increases a student's understanding of diversity and leads to more positive attitudes and a greater sense of respect for people of other cultures. It also opens up the way for new experiences like being able to watch and understand foreign films or travel to new nations and converse in the native language.

Body 1

            Learning another language assists in the development of critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and memory, per the Connecticut State Department of Education. A 2007 publication cited several studies showing that students who study a foreign language have higher scores on standardized tests in math, reading and social studies, as well as college entrance exams like the ACT and SAT. English-speakers who learn a second language typically also have better listening skills and a greater understanding of their native language.

Body 2

            Language experts Martha Abbott and Ken Stewart offer some tips on language study in an article published by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. They claim that while it is never too late to start learning another language, starting earlier is better. Students do not have to stop at just two languages, as many languages offer a transition to learning others. Abbott and Stewart suggest choosing a language based on interests, such as family history or what peers are learning and both cited consistency as an important factor, that students should see it through and become lifelong learners

Body 3

            Knowledge of a foreign language is equally useful for maintaining employment, particularly in industries where companies look to relocate business or expand into other markets. This is because downsized or outsourced employees who speak the language of the country where the company plans to relocate can gain an advantage in the race to be appointed to a post in the new location. Knowledge of the language of the region where your company is expanding into new markets can make you indispensable to the success of the business as you bridge the cultural gap between the two locations.

Conclusion

Russian and Indonesian

Russian and Indonesian

            Every woman in the world wants to become a bridge. In one day you wear a beautiful gown, bucket in your hand, and make up who make you become a Queen in one day. It is very excited right. Okay talk about marriage, ever country in the word has difference manner to ceremony the wedding party. So I can compare and contrast how the Indonesian and Russian women do the wedding party.

            The first, Bride in Russia choose the broken white modern gown for the wedding dress. The Red car is expensive for wedding transportation. Usually they use the excellent building with a lot of guest who come in the wedding ceremony. It is difference with Bride in Indonesia. They choose the traditional gown wedding like a kebaya and for the bridegroom wear beskap with keris in his waist of the back. Indonesian couple is usually celebrating the wedding in two palaces first in the Bridge houses and than 5 day before in bridegroom’s house.

            In additional. women in Russia like marriage with the foreigners because they think if they marriage with him they can life as millionaire. Even though they did not know about the each characterize between the bride and bridegroom. In Indonesian culture actually in central java, the bride’s family or the bridegroom family must know about Bibit, bobot and bebet it means they cannot marriage with immaterial people. So the candidate must be clearly about “who you are”.

            Beside that the brides in Russia and Indonesia are have a similarities. Such as for the purpose the reasons they want to get marriage, because they want to get the generation. Bride in Russia cannot marriage without the specially permission as like as Indonesian bride cannot marriages without specially permission from her mother.

            The conclusions every country have a difference manner to celebrating the wedding party. It is all depend with the bride and the bridegroom wants the luxurious wedding party or as simple as possible wedding party.