And here’s a little grammar exercise!

So now I really am sorry!

Present Continuous or Will

It’s never too late!

… to become a Mog Blog Follower! I know that our course is ending next week

but that doesn’t mean we will never speak again. Just hit the Follow key and leave me your email address and you’ll get a gentle reminder every time I post – go on, you know you want to!

Sorry seems to be the hardest word…………

Hello Dear Reader and Happy New Year! 

I’m sorry I haven’t blogged for a couple of weeks – you know how it is, Christmas, New Year, travelling and getting back into the swing of things at work. So – sorry, sorry, sorry!

But, you see, there’s always a but, does an apology actually work if we don’t really mean it – or does it just allow us to continue doing what we want?

There is a lot of interest in the subject in the UK right now with a political row brewing in the Liberal Democrat Party about accusations made against one of its grandees. You can read the story here if you want. Hmm – I can (almost) see two sides to this argument. Should you apologise if you feel you haven’t done anything wrong or might you apologise if you have caused offence or upset, even if you don’t think you have done something wrong – oh, what a tricky moral dilemma!

I was listening to a fascinating radio programme this morning while driving home and I was really absorbed by this interview with a psychologist and a media expert exploring the human nature behind saying sorry (sorry, sorry, sorry, I think I have just exceeded my 15-word-sentence rule!).

Have a listen here (or find the link on my Twitter feed). Yes, I know it’s not easy and I know you won’t understand every word but you don’t have to. You just have to understand enough to get a “global” feeling for the subject.

Tell me what you think; would you only apologise if you thought you had said something wrong or would you apologise if you thought you had caused offence even though you meant what you had said?

And, for those of you who enjoy a bit of pop with your English, here’s Elton

An English lesson (of sorts) from The Boss!

I could tell you to listen to this because there are lots of examples of the present simple and the present continuous in it or I could just tell you to listen to it because it is soooooooooo fantastic!

 

 

And something for you Jonathan!

And something for you Jonathan!

I have to credit my older sister (who follows this blog!) with this wonderful flashmob which she posted on facebook a little while ago! What do you think Jonathan – and everyone else?

Sarah loves Christmas!

Subject/object questions.

Remember today’s example.

Sarah loves Christmas.

Subject question; Who loves Christmas?
Object question; What does Sarah love? (Remember to use an auxiliary verb!)

So, write two questions for each of these sentences.

Valerie works at Bruxelles Formation.
Anita speaks German.
Jacques drives to work every day.
Carl wants to live in Sydney.
My dog chases cats.
Sarah has three sisters.

You can either bring your questions to class next week or write them here!

Happy Christmas!

And here is the full length version of The Snowman – a modern classic that has become a compulsory part of my Christmas.

If you want to listen to the song from it, here it is and here are the lyrics. Now, curl up in a big, comfy armchair with a plate of Marmite toast and enjoy!

This year I am going to ……………

So, what is your New Year’s Resolution? Learn a new language? Do something healthy? Read more? See more of your family …………. oh the list is endless!! Here are some ideas to inspire you

Tell me what you are going to do in 2014 and, if you want, you can tell me why!

President Obama Gets Into the Christmas Spirit By Singing Jingle Bells

Ah – just a little something to get into the Christmas spirit.

There is nothing like a queue!

I went on a very interesting training course last week and at lunch the conversation turned to national traits. My colleagues were very interested in a trait they see as being very English – the need to queue!
They asked me where I queue, why I queue and if everybody in England queues. The answers are; everywhere, because it’s the only way to get to the front in an organised and fair manner and, yes, we all queue – or expect to get shouted at for not joining an orderly line!

My question in response is – how do you get on a bus or train without queuing? How do you know who is next to be served at the Post Office? 

Here is an amusing story about one of our national pastimes -. I would love to hear about the traits that define your nationality so please post your favourites here.