Travel guide

Text: Brazil Travel Guide

Is there any place do you want to visit? In Brazil there are wonderful places to visit.

Take a look at these three sightseeing in Brazil

Dunes Park has a singular beauty. It is located in Natal,

Brazil. There is an average of 150,000 visitors annually.

There are 1,172 acres of white sand and you can

get on the top of the Park by buggy. You also can ride a

camel and you don’t need to go to the pyramid or a desert

to do that!

There are 250 species of plants. It is a perfect view of the environment. Go visit this unique place with your family!

Where is this castle from? If your answer it is from any European country, you’re wrong.

The San João Castle is located in Recife, Brazil.

At the Ricardo Brennand Institute there are collections of European paintings, outdoor sculptures, armory, decorative arts and furniture from Early Middle Ages to 20th century.

There are around 3,000 pieces of medieval armory. You

feel you are in another country. It’s really worth to visit!

Iguassu Falls is an unforgettable place. It is located on the

border from 3 countries: Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

So if you don't want to spend all your time on the Brazilian

side, you can visit Argentina to admire this natural wonder

from another perspective.

There isn’t just one waterfall but there are around 275

individual cascades. The height of the falls varies between

40 to 80 meters. There is a big platform so visitors can

walk on it to take gorgeous pictures near the falls.

Opinion - Mobile Phones

Addicting, helpful and impolite. Those are some of the adjectives that can be used to describe this modern device. The mobile phones are always present in our lives. For example, when was the last time you checked your emails, messages from social network and so on? This is very common in your routine, right?

People nowadays might be spending more time using the mobile phones than ever before. It can be used to send emails, see pictures, go online, check maps, see other people’s lives, and also talk.

Other common uses may include games. I bet you have some of those to spend in your free time, correct?

However, this device must be used carefully or people around you can start to complain. For example, think about an occasion or party that you remember to see all (or some) people around you using their mobiles instead of talking.

How would you feel if you couldn’t use your mobile for a week?

Discuss with the class the pros and cons of the mobile use. Give your opinions agreeing or disagreeing with your classmates.

But before, look at the chart about opinion:

How to Improve your English vocabulary.

8.How to improve your vocabulary in English.

Some people prefer to make vocabulary lists. Others prefer to write words repeatedly. On the other hand, some learners like to read. Which is the best way for you to learn and increase your vocabulary in English?

Expressions

Giving advice

You should…

If I were you, I would…

Have you considered + V ING

Perhaps you could…

In your position I would…

Have you thought about…?

I advise you to…

It might be a good idea to…

Glossary

Advice

Vocabulary

Idioms

Fairly well

Sources

Focus on

Both

Purpose

On your own

Output

How to Improve your English vocabulary.

Adapted from myBEonline.com – Tim Simmons.

Many students of English have the feeling that they have learned pretty much all the grammar they need. Many also feel that they can understand fairly well and speak and write at an acceptable level. But these same people sometimes feel that they’re missing something, and that they say the same things in the same way all the time.

In fact, once you have reached an intermediate level, vocabulary becomes more important than ever. You need to add more and more words and expressions to your stock of language so that you can take the next step up in proficiency. So how can you learn new words? What are the secrets of expanding your language ability?

First, let’s talk about materials, or what you use to learn English. You need to find good sources of English that will include words and expressions that will be useful to you. I strongly recommend you use both listening and reading materials. If you focus only on reading, as many students do, you won’t learn how language sounds and feels in your mouth. If you focus only on listening, you won’t know how it’s written.

So then what should you be listening to and reading? I have the answer, you want: resources that are relevant to your purpose, both in terms of context and topic. Let me explain what I mean. If your purpose is to improve your conversation and presentations skills to do your job as a salesperson, then use resources that teach you conversational English and the language of presentations. That’s the correct match for the context of your English development. And if your work as a salesperson is in the hi-tech sector, then find resources that include vocabulary related to technology. That’s the correct match for the topic of your studies.

I don’t mean that you should limit yourself to only the kinds of language that you’ll meet every day. Variety is important too, and you need to read and listen to things that are interesting to you, not just practical. There are not so many hours in a day, and if you’re like most people in business, you need to find what gives you the best results.

Now, I’ve mentioned what kind of resources you should look for, and you’ll notice that I didn’t mention anything that is specifically about vocabulary. I mean like a vocabulary book, or word lists. That’s because it’s best to study vocabulary in context. You might have memorized words and definitions for language tests in high school or university. But did that really teach you how to use those words? Did you really understand the kinds of situations that those words can be used in? Probably not, so instead of memorizing lists, study vocabulary in its natural environment, and it’ll be easier to incorporate new words into your own speaking and writing.

So, you have found some good resources, and you understand the importance of context, but when you read and listen, which words and expressions should you be learning? How do you choose the vocabulary that you should study? Well, a lot of good study materials will identify the useful vocabulary for you. And they might give you definitions and examples. So with the context and this added info, you’ve got something to work with.

But if you’re trying to choose vocabulary on your own, you should focus on two ideas: relevance and frequency. Put another way: words that suit your purpose and words that are common. Words that suit your purpose are those that are related to your work and your English output. If you never write formally in English, then a word like “hence” might not really be relevant to you. And if you work in finance, then a marketing term like “segmentation” might not be relevant. Words that are common are important, because you’ll hear them more often and they’ll be more useful. So although you might encounter the word “pip” and think it’s interesting, it’s very uncommon, and so you shouldn’t spent your mental energy trying to remember it. There are thousands of more common and more useful words that you should learn first.

The fact is, we can’t learn every word we meet. We need to pick and choose carefully, and that means focusing on what is relevant and common. And we’ll find what is relevant and common in reading and listening resources that have the right topic and language context.

Be critical.

What methods do you particularly use to learn a new word?

What are the main ideas presented in the text?

Do you agree with all methods presented in the text? Why?

What usual or unusual sources could be useful to learn new vocabulary in your opinion?

What advices would you give to a beginner English student?

Shopping - Conversation topic

3- Shopping

Do you like or you don’t like to go shopping? What products do you like/dislike shopping? Do you like to buy online? What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing this?

Showing Preference

I prefer

I’d prefer + V ing

I’d rather + V infinitive

I think we should

How about?

I like X better than Y

I feel like… V ing

Glossary

Mall

Grocery

Supermarket

Aisle

Brand

Cash

Credit Card

Cheque

Escalator

Salesperson

Cashier

Sale

Discount

Shelf

Trolley

Facts Every Online Shopper Must Know

MONEY BY STEVE WITT

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/money/7-facts-every-online-shopper-must-know.html

With the emergence of the internet in the early 90s, a lot of things became possible to achieve, including online banking and online shopping or e-commerce. However, bad and insecure sites can be out there.

It is therefore very important for every shopper to be armed with the right information before shopping online so as to save the stress of regretting the purchase. 

So, here are some facts you must know in order to have a successful shopping experience.

1. Research the product

You must do a complete research on the product so that you have enough information about the products you intend purchasing. One of the advantages of doing a vast research on the kind of products you want is that it gives you the ability to locate the right kind of brands. By combining a lot of online stores, you become a smarter shopper. You can take advantage of the internet and its offers.

2. Product Reviews Always Help

If you have always ignored product reviews on several shopping sites, quit that attitude! Good product reviews are written for one thing: to give you an idea of what to expect when you actually start using the product. With this in mind, why should you ignore such reviews?

3. Compare Prices

There is an avalanche of stores for you to check different types of goods. Therefore without doubt, the availability of several other online stores makes it very easy for you to compare prices of these different products. This eventually helps you to arrive at the best product with the best price.

 

4. Take a look at the shipping period.

It is very important for you to know that there might be a delay in shipment. This can be due to several unforeseen circumstances on the path of the company, supplier or dealer.

Be aware that the product can delay. Therefore sometimes can be better to pay a little more in a store and receive it sooner than having to wait more time for it.

5. Be aware Of Fraud

To avoid being scammed while shopping online, it is important that you avoid making online purchases at unknown sites and online stores. Since we have to deal with credit card numbers and sensitive information, a reliable and safe site is essential to prevent fraud.

Verify the source you are buying from. This’ll help you ensure that you are not giving your account information to a crook that will end up stealing your money from your account.

Be critical about each point in the list:

Do you agree with your colleagues?

Do you agree with the list? Why?

What is your favorite kind of store?

What is the most expensive product you have ever bought?

How many times a week do people usually do grocery shopping?

What was the last thing that you bought?

Did you buy it on impulse or you really need it?

Do you consider yourself a consumerist?

The Connectors

These words can help your speech and text become much more fluid and fluent. As their name implies, they are used to connect ideas and sentences:

Prepositions - At - On - In

At ____

Home

School - college

Work

In ___

Jail

Hospital

At the for - Events – party-concert-meeting

The rest – use in or at = in the restaurant-at the restaurant.

For vehicles

Cars : in

Vehicles you can walk : bus, train, plane – use on

Motorcycle, bike - on

Conversation topic 2 - Skills

 2- Skills

What is a very important skill a person should learn to be successful in the professional world today? Choose two skills and give specific reasons why this skill is important to a successful career.

Agreeing and Disagreeing:

_ I don’t think so I’m afraid I disagree Not necessarily I’d say the opposite I disagree I tend to disagree

+ You are absolutely right Exactly You have a point I agree with you 100% Absolutely

                                                                                                                            

9 Skills You Need to Succeed at Almost Anything - adapted from Lifehack.com

What does it take to succeed? A positive attitude? Well, sure, but that’s not enough.  This  idea might act as a starter to action, but without the action itself, it doesn’t do much.

Success requires action, and taking good and appropriate action demands skills. Some of these skills are taught in school. Others are taught on the job, and still others we learn from general life experience.

Below is a list of general skills that will help anyone get ahead in practically any field, from running a company to running their own business.

1. 1. Public Speaking

The ability to speak clearly and persuasively in front of an audience – whether an audience of 1 or of thousands – is one of the most important skills anyone can develop. People who are effective speakers become more comfortable with themselves, more confident, and more attractive to be around. Being able to speak effectively means you can sell anything – products, of course, but also ideas, ideologies, worldviews. And yourself – which means more opportunities for career improvement, bigger customers, or business funding.  

2. Writing

Writing well offers many of the same advantages that speaking well offers: good writers are better at selling products, ideas, and themselves than poor writers. Learning to write well involves not just being good at grammar but the development of the ability to organize one’s thoughts into a coherent form and target it to an audience in the most effective way possible. If you are comfortable with dealing with texts and words, you are likely to have opened doors in every field.

3. Self-Management

If success depends on effective action, effective action depends on the ability to focus your attention where it is most needed, when it is needed most. Strong organizational skills, effective productivity habits, and a strong sense of discipline are needed to keep yourself on track.

4. Networking

Networking is not only for finding jobs or clients. In an economy dominated by ideas and innovation, networking creates the channel through which ideas flow and in which new ideas are created. A large network, carefully cultivated, creates a group of connected people. The interactions of those relationships make possible an improvement in innovation and creativity.

5. Critical Thinking

We are exposed to hundreds, if not thousands of daily information than our great-grandparents were. Being able to evaluate that information, sort the valuable from the useless, analyze its relevance and meaning, and relate it to other information is crucial. Good critical thinking skills immediately distinguish you from the mass of people these days.

6. Decision-Making

The bridge that leads from analysis to action is effective decision-making – knowing what to do based on the information available. While not being critical can be dangerous, being an over-analyzing person is not also ideal. Reaching a balance here is crucial. Being able to act and respond quickly and effectively is what separates the doers from the wannabes.

7. Math

You don’t have to be an expert at polynomials to be successful. However, the ability to quickly work with figures in your head and to make accurate estimates gives you a big lead on most people. All of these skills will help you to analyze data more effectively – and more quickly – and to make better decisions based on it.

8. Research

Nobody can be expected to know everything, or even a tiny fraction of everything. Even within your field, chances are there’s far more that you don’t know than you do know. You don’t have to know everything – but you should be able to quickly and painlessly find out what you need to know. That means learning to use the Internet effectively, learning to use a library, learning to read productively, and learning how to improve your network– and what kinds of research are going to work best in any given situation.

9. Relaxation

Stress will not only kill you, it leads to poor decision-making, poor thinking, and poor socialization. So if you fail to relax, you knock out at least three of the skills in this list – and really more. Plus, working yourself to death, and not having any time to enjoy the fruits of your work, isn’t really “success”. It’s obsession. Being able to face even the most difficult crises in the most productive way is possibly the most important thing on this list.

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-skills-you-need-to-succeed-at-almost-anything.html 

Opinion.

 

·    Be critical about each point in the list:

·    Do you agree with your colleagues?

·    Do you agree with the list? Why?

·    Choose three skills that you think you have. Discuss with a partner.

·    Choose three skills that you think you need to improve at. Discuss with a partner.

·    What other skills could be mentioned here?

·    Suppose you are an employee, what skills are necessary?

·    Suppose you have your own business, what skills are necessary?

·                     Suppose you are a public employee, what skills are necessary?

·    Suppose you are an athlete, what skills are necessary?

Conversation topic 1 - Text and Discussion

1 - College and education

People go to college or university for some different reasons. Why do you think people attend college or university? Give examples and details to support your ideas.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad_gVhBOGzI

Glossary   Program Professors Principal Certificate Exam Subjects Seminar Hard Sciences Humanities Career Salary Improve

Giving opinion: I think that… I believe that… I guess that… I strongly believe that… It seems to me that… I tend to think that… I am of the opinion that…

                                                                                                                            

Text -   If your child ever asks, “Why should I go to college?” here are five reasons!

Adapted from http://www.greatschools.org/ - By GreatSchools Staff

1.make more money

People who graduate from college make more money than those with just a high school diploma. A lot more money, actually. People with a college degree make around $1,100 a week. Someone with a high school diploma makes just $638.

2. Have more opportunity.

People who go to college open up their choices for jobs. Many jobs these days require a college degree. Plus, college graduates have less chance of losing their jobs. In 2009, there were 9.7 million unemployed high school graduates, compared with 5.2 million college graduates without jobs.

3. Make connections.

In college, students make new friends and other connections that will be helpful when it’s time to get started in a career. Those friends that they make in college will help them get jobs, and these connections and networks will help them throughout their lives.

4. Live a healthier and happier life.

Studies showed that college graduates are healthier and are less likely to get divorced. The divorce rate for college graduates who married between 1990 and 1994 is about 25 percent. That’s compared with more than 50 percent for those without a four-year college degree. In addition, people with just a high school diploma are nearly twice as likely to be in poorer health than college graduates.

5. Start a tradition.

If your child goes to college, your grandchildren will be more likely to go too: 71 percent of students with at least one parent who has a bachelor’s degree apply to college themselves. Only 26 percent of first-generation students (those with no parent who went beyond high school) apply to college.

Opinion.

 

·    Be critical. Do you agree with all the 5 points presented by the text? Why?

·    Do you go to college? Why?

·    Do you think going to college is extremely important for your future? Why?

·    Do you know people who haven’t gone to college and don’t regret it? Give details.

·    How seriously people take college in Brazil?

·    Would you take an online course?

Comece 2015 diferente!