Honey
Each week, I will send out some handy tips and useful exercises for adults learning to navigate and use the English language. Please feel free to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues.
From Butterflies to Bees and Honey, this week we’ll learn and review some English language learning tips while exploring the sweet world of honey.
Reading and Listening Tip
Language Level B2
Does honey really help with allergies? They say that when you move to a new town, eating local honey may help you acclimate to the pollen in the area and reduce possible allergies. However, how much honey should you eat? Could you develop an allergy to the honey itself? Watch this video from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Turn on the CC to read along while you listen and watch.
Grammar Tip
Language Level A2
Review of the Present Perfect verb tense
- An action that began in the past and continues into the present.
Example: I have lived in Portugal for three years.
2. An action performed during a period that has not finished yet.
Example: She has been late twice this week and it is only Wednesday!
3. A repeated action in an unspecified period between the past and now.
Example: We have visited Florida several times.
4. An action that was completed in the very recent past, expressed by ‘just’.
Example: I have just finished my work.
5. An action when the time is not important.
Example: He has completed his college degree.
The present perfect tense always uses the “helper verbs” has or have.
Let’s practice!
Put the verbs into the present perfect form:
- We (buy)_______ a new lamp.
- We (not / plan)__________ our holiday yet.
- Where (be / you)_________ ?
- He (write)__________ five letters.
- She (not / see)__________ him for a long time.
- (be / you)__________ at school?
- School (not / start)__________ yet.
- (speak / he)__________ to his boss?
Vocabulary
Language Level B2/C1
We know that honey is sweet, but here are some other words that can describe the taste of honey:
- Floral – Sweet and light taste and smell associated with fresh flowers
- Fruity – smelling or tasting of fruit
- Mellifluous-sweet-sounding, dulcet, honeyed, mellow, soft, liquid, silvery, soothing
- Viscous-thick; sticky
- Sugary – sweet
- Nectar – sweet liquid collected by bees
- Spicy – containing strong flavors from spices
- Smooth – having a pleasant flavor that is not sour or bitter
- Captivating – attracting the attention or affection of
- Earthy – subtle, grounding scents of soil and minerals
Review this vocabulary and other English words in a quizlet created for this newsletter here.
Weekly Challenge
Language Level B2
Last week, we discussed the elevator pitch and how to introduce yourself to someone. Networking is essential for entrepreneurs and people who want to advance in their careers. Watch, listen, and learn from this Ted Talk by Clay Hebert. He has some thoughts about elevator pitches and gives you a formula for crafting better introductions.
