Philosophy
I will send out some handy tips and useful exercises for adults learning to navigate and use the English language each week. Please feel free to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues.
One of my all-time favorite books is Walden by Henry David Thoreau. I love to read philosophy and ponder how these theories apply to our world today. Philosophy is not just a course you take in college, it is an exploration of your morals and ethics and how you approach your business, your life, and how you interact with others.
Reading Tip
Language Level – B2
Henry David Thoreau’s ideas provide a timeless framework for reclaiming a sense of purpose in today’s society. This article will explore how to apply his philosophies in the modern world.
Continue reading this article here: https://bookstr.com/article/thoreaus-relevance-today-applying-his-philosophies-in-the-modern-world/#:~:text=We%20live%20in%20a%20society%20where%20luxury%20and,return%20to%20basics%20is%20more%20relevant%20than%20ever.
Listening Tip
Language Level – B2
As the politics heat up in America, I give you this philosophical question posed by Thoreau: Is it a citizen’s duty to non-violently disobey a government that they feel is wrong? Watch this video on Thoreau’s philosophy on Civil Disobedience and decide for yourself:
Grammar Tip
Language Level – B1
Reflexive Pronouns are used when something does something to itself. They include myself, yourself, herself, himself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.
Using a reflexive pronoun means you do not have to repeat the subject. Examples:
- Alison still does not trust herself.
(Alison does not trust Alison.)
- The members argued amongst themselves for an hour.
(The members argued amongst the members.)
- We often ask ourselves why we left London.
(We often ask us.)
(Note: The subject is known as the antecedent of the reflexive pronoun.)
In most sentences, somebody does something to someone else. For example:
- I like him.
- He spoke to her.
However, sometimes people (or things) do things to themselves, and this is when you can use reflexive pronouns. For example:
- I like myself.
- He spoke to himself.
Let’s Practice!
Put a reflexive pronoun in each blank in the sentences below:
1. Tom cut _______while he was shaving this morning.
2. We really enjoyed____________ very much.
3. I repaired my bike _________ .
4. Why don’t you clean the windows ____________ ?
5. Jack and I introduced ____________ to our new neighbor.
6. He decided to repair his car __________ .
7. They looked at ____________ in the mirror .
8. The film ____________wasn’t very good, but I liked the music.
9. The old woman sat at the park bench talking to__________ .
10. Let’s paint the house ________________ .
Vocabulary Tip
Language Level – B2
We continue to add to our vocabulary words from the Oxford 3000.
A list of 3000 words someone should know if they are taking the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference) language tests.
- Constantly (adv)
- Construct (v)
- Construction (n)
- Contemporary (adj)
- Contest (n, v)
- Contract (n, v)
- Contribute (v)
- Contribution (n)
- Convert (v)
- Convinced (adj)
Study these words with this quizlet.
Each week new words are added to the same quizlet, so all of the B2 level words will be in one list for practice.
Weekly Challenge
Language Level – B2
We haven’t done idioms in a while, but they are important to know and understand if you are taking a language test.
Read each of the idioms below and write down the literal meaning of each one (You may need to look it up if you don’t know.)
- A Dime A Dozen
- A Drop in the Bucket
- Barking Up The Wrong Tree
- Close but no Cigar
- Dog Days of Summer
- Go The Extra Mile
- Knee Jerk Reaction
- Pull the plug
Questions?
