In Tripoli, Libya most people buy their food from large supermarkets such as the Almahary centre or from a cooperative. They usually do their food shopping once or twice a week. They always eat at home, they seldom eat out at restaurants.
Libyan children always have a summer holiday from the end of May to the beginning of September. Adults usually have one month holiday a year. Libyan people seldom have holidays in another country but may go to the sea.
In Libya, children sometimes go to nursery school at the age of 3 - 5 years and then they go to elementary school until they are 15 or 16. They can go to high school until they are 18, after that they may go to a university or institute.
People in Libya usually walk to school or work. Many people travel by car or take a bus. Libyan people drive on the right.
Most Libyan people watch five to six hours of TV every night. They rarely go to the cinema. A lots of people enjoy shopping or playing on the computer.
Football is the most popular sport in Libya. A lot of people go to sports centres where they can exercise in the gym or they exercise at the horse track.
Libyan people like animals. They sometimes have a pet; dogs, cats, fish and birds are very popular.
Shops in Libya usually open at 9:00 am and close at lunchtime, at 2:30. They open again after lunch until 11 of 12 pm, all week. But on Friday they are closed in the morning and open in the afternoon. Libya has outside markets on certain days such as the Friday market.
Hayat Ali Askar
KET Preparation
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
In Turkey
In my country most people buy their food from large supermarkets. They usually eat at home, sometimes in a restaurant.
Turkish children usually have a summer holiday from the end of June to the beginning of September. Not many people go outside of the country for their holiday.
In Turkey children often go to nursery school at the age of 4 or 5 and then primary school at 6. At 12 they go to a secondary school until they're 17. They can leave school at 17. Many children study English.
People in Turkey usually travel by car but many people walk to school or work or take a train. The trains are cheap. Turkish people drive on the left.
Most Turkish people watch 6 hours of TV. They sometimes go to the cinema. A lot of people sometimes play computer games.
In my country football, basketball, volleyball, tennis and ice hockey are popular sports. Many people go to sports centres where they can exercise in the gym and swim.
Shops in Turkey usually open at 7:00 and close at 12:00. In large cities some shops are also open on Sundays from 9:00 am until 10:00 pm.
Nazmi Gukaci
KET Preparation
Turkish children usually have a summer holiday from the end of June to the beginning of September. Not many people go outside of the country for their holiday.
In Turkey children often go to nursery school at the age of 4 or 5 and then primary school at 6. At 12 they go to a secondary school until they're 17. They can leave school at 17. Many children study English.
People in Turkey usually travel by car but many people walk to school or work or take a train. The trains are cheap. Turkish people drive on the left.
Most Turkish people watch 6 hours of TV. They sometimes go to the cinema. A lot of people sometimes play computer games.
In my country football, basketball, volleyball, tennis and ice hockey are popular sports. Many people go to sports centres where they can exercise in the gym and swim.
Shops in Turkey usually open at 7:00 and close at 12:00. In large cities some shops are also open on Sundays from 9:00 am until 10:00 pm.
Nazmi Gukaci
KET Preparation
Let Me Tell You About Libya
Most people buy their food from small supermarkets. They usually do their food shopping once a week. They always eat at home and the boys eat at restaurants sometimes.
Children usually have a summer holiday from the end of July to the beginning of September. Adults usually have one month holiday a year. The people sometimes have holidays to travel out to their villages or to Tunisia and Italy.
Children often go to nursery school at the age of 3 and 4 and then to primary school at 6, at 11 they go to elementary school until they are 14 then they go to secondary school at 15, then they can leave school at 18. Then they go to the university or institute to study.
People usually travel by car and many people walk to school or work, or take a bus or taxi.
People sometimes watch six hours of TV. Girls never go to the cinema, but boys often go there. A lot of people enjoy shopping or playing on the computer.
Football is the most popular sport. Not many people usually go to sports centres. They play gym and aerobics.
People like animals. They usually have cats but fish are very popular too.
Usually shops open at 9:00 am and close at 2:00 pm, then they open again at 5:30 until dinner time. On Friday shops open in the afternoon after lunch time.
Jeehan
KET Preparation
Children usually have a summer holiday from the end of July to the beginning of September. Adults usually have one month holiday a year. The people sometimes have holidays to travel out to their villages or to Tunisia and Italy.
Children often go to nursery school at the age of 3 and 4 and then to primary school at 6, at 11 they go to elementary school until they are 14 then they go to secondary school at 15, then they can leave school at 18. Then they go to the university or institute to study.
People usually travel by car and many people walk to school or work, or take a bus or taxi.
People sometimes watch six hours of TV. Girls never go to the cinema, but boys often go there. A lot of people enjoy shopping or playing on the computer.
Football is the most popular sport. Not many people usually go to sports centres. They play gym and aerobics.
People like animals. They usually have cats but fish are very popular too.
Usually shops open at 9:00 am and close at 2:00 pm, then they open again at 5:30 until dinner time. On Friday shops open in the afternoon after lunch time.
Jeehan
KET Preparation
My Country Libya
In Libya most people buy their food from small supermarkets or from a cooperative. They usually do their food shopping twice a week. They usually eat at home but they rarely eat out at restaurants. The boys in Libya usually eat out in restaurants.
Libya children usually have a summer holiday.Adults usually have three weeks or one month holiday every year. Libyan people often have holidays in another country.
In Libya children fen go to nursery school between 4 to 5 years of age and then to Primary school at 5 or 6. At 12 they go to secondary school until they are 15 or 16. We study English language from high school to further study.
In Libya the people travel by car or bus. Many people drive a car to university or work and some of them take a bus. There are no trains in Libya. Libyan people drive everywhere.
Most people watch 3 to 6 hours of TV everyday. The boys sometimes go to the cinema. A lot of people enjoy shopping or playing on the computer.
Football is the most popular sport in Libya. However fishing on the sea is not popular.
Libyan people like animals. They often have a pet. Dogs, cats, rabbits, fish and birds are very popular.
Shops in Libya usually open at 9:00 am and close at 2:00 pm and reopen at 4:00 pm and close at 11:00 pm. On Friday the shops usually open at 5:00 pm.
Asma Ali Enfes
Ket Preparation
Libya children usually have a summer holiday.Adults usually have three weeks or one month holiday every year. Libyan people often have holidays in another country.
In Libya children fen go to nursery school between 4 to 5 years of age and then to Primary school at 5 or 6. At 12 they go to secondary school until they are 15 or 16. We study English language from high school to further study.
In Libya the people travel by car or bus. Many people drive a car to university or work and some of them take a bus. There are no trains in Libya. Libyan people drive everywhere.
Most people watch 3 to 6 hours of TV everyday. The boys sometimes go to the cinema. A lot of people enjoy shopping or playing on the computer.
Football is the most popular sport in Libya. However fishing on the sea is not popular.
Libyan people like animals. They often have a pet. Dogs, cats, rabbits, fish and birds are very popular.
Shops in Libya usually open at 9:00 am and close at 2:00 pm and reopen at 4:00 pm and close at 11:00 pm. On Friday the shops usually open at 5:00 pm.
Asma Ali Enfes
Ket Preparation
Syria, My Country
In Syria most people buy their food from large supermarkets. They usually do their food shopping twice a week. They usually eat at home.
Syrian children usually have a summer holiday from the end of July to the beginning of September. Syrian people often have holidays in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.
In Syria children often go to nursery school at the age of 2 and then to primary school at 6. At 15 they go to secondary school until they are 18. They can leave school at 18.
Most people in Syria usually travel by car.Most people walk to school for work, or take a bus. Syrian people drive on the right.
Most Syrian people watch five hours of TV every night. They sometimes go to the cinema. A lot of people enjoy shopping.
Football and basketball are the most popular sports in Syria.
Syrian people like animals. They often have a pet. Dogs, cats, rabbits and fish are very popular.
Shops in Syria usually open at 11:00 am and close at 8:00 pm. The shops are closed on Friday.
Maher Ghannam
KET Preparation
Syrian children usually have a summer holiday from the end of July to the beginning of September. Syrian people often have holidays in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.
In Syria children often go to nursery school at the age of 2 and then to primary school at 6. At 15 they go to secondary school until they are 18. They can leave school at 18.
Most people in Syria usually travel by car.Most people walk to school for work, or take a bus. Syrian people drive on the right.
Most Syrian people watch five hours of TV every night. They sometimes go to the cinema. A lot of people enjoy shopping.
Football and basketball are the most popular sports in Syria.
Syrian people like animals. They often have a pet. Dogs, cats, rabbits and fish are very popular.
Shops in Syria usually open at 11:00 am and close at 8:00 pm. The shops are closed on Friday.
Maher Ghannam
KET Preparation
In My Country - Turkey
In Turkey children often go to nursery school at the age of 4 or 5 and then primary school at 6. At 12 they go to secondary school until they are 17. They can leave at 17. Many children study English.
People in Turkey usually travel by car. many people take a bus. The trains are cheap. Turkish people drive on the left.
Football, basketball, volleyball and tennis are quite popular sports. Many people go to sports centres where they can exercise in the gym and swim.
Turkish people quite like animals. They quite like dogs, birds,cats, rabbits and fish.
Shops in Turkey usually open at 6:00 or 7:00 and close at 11:00 or 12:00 (midnight). In large cities some shops are also open on a Sunday from 9:00 until 10:00.
Most people in Turkey watch 6 hours of TV. They sometimes got o the cinema. A lot of people sometimes play computer games and play football.
Zeynap Gukaci
KET Preparation
People in Turkey usually travel by car. many people take a bus. The trains are cheap. Turkish people drive on the left.
Football, basketball, volleyball and tennis are quite popular sports. Many people go to sports centres where they can exercise in the gym and swim.
Turkish people quite like animals. They quite like dogs, birds,cats, rabbits and fish.
Shops in Turkey usually open at 6:00 or 7:00 and close at 11:00 or 12:00 (midnight). In large cities some shops are also open on a Sunday from 9:00 until 10:00.
Most people in Turkey watch 6 hours of TV. They sometimes got o the cinema. A lot of people sometimes play computer games and play football.
Zeynap Gukaci
KET Preparation
Monday, March 05, 2007
A busy Friday!
We went to the mountains for a picnic last Friday.
Unfortunately, it was raining.
Fortunately, we had a tent.
Unfortunately, it wasn't big enough for us.
Fortunately, the weather became nice.
Unfortunately, we couldn't play because we forgot the football.
Fortunately, We played racquetball together.
Unfortunately, one of us broke his leg.
Fortunately, we had a car and carried him to the hospital.
Unfortunately, we didn't find a doctor there.
Fortunately, there was a perfect nurse who helped him.
Unfortunately, we came back home early and didn't enjoy ourselves.
Fortunately, we found a good program on TV.
Unfortunately, we heard some bad news.
Fortunately, some other friends invited us to go to a nightclub.
Unfortunately, we met some bad guys in front of the club.
Fortunately, there were policemen around there.
Unfortunately, the police tried to catch them but couldn't.
Fortunately, we got into the club without any problems happening.
Unfortunately, there wasn't nice music and we didn't enjoy it.
Fortunately, the food was delicious and we had a nice dinner!
Luay, Saad, Rania, Aiman & Fatih
Pre-intermediate
Unfortunately, it was raining.
Fortunately, we had a tent.
Unfortunately, it wasn't big enough for us.
Fortunately, the weather became nice.
Unfortunately, we couldn't play because we forgot the football.
Fortunately, We played racquetball together.
Unfortunately, one of us broke his leg.
Fortunately, we had a car and carried him to the hospital.
Unfortunately, we didn't find a doctor there.
Fortunately, there was a perfect nurse who helped him.
Unfortunately, we came back home early and didn't enjoy ourselves.
Fortunately, we found a good program on TV.
Unfortunately, we heard some bad news.
Fortunately, some other friends invited us to go to a nightclub.
Unfortunately, we met some bad guys in front of the club.
Fortunately, there were policemen around there.
Unfortunately, the police tried to catch them but couldn't.
Fortunately, we got into the club without any problems happening.
Unfortunately, there wasn't nice music and we didn't enjoy it.
Fortunately, the food was delicious and we had a nice dinner!
Luay, Saad, Rania, Aiman & Fatih
Pre-intermediate
A present
I wanted to buy my teacher a present for her birthday.
Unfortunately, the shop was closed.
Fortunately, there was another shop.
Unfortunately, I didn't find a nice present.
Fortunately, I had a nice present.
Unfortunately, it was old.
Fortunately, I went to another shop.
Unfortunately, all the shops were closed.
Fortunately, I made her a present.
Unfortunately, my niece broke it.
Fortunately, I made another one.
Unfortunately, I didn't have all the things to make it.
Fortunately, my friend had another extra present.
Unfortunately, I didn't have a car.
Fortunately, my friend picked me up.
Unfortunately, the car broke down.
Fortunately, I stopped a taxi.
Unfortunately, I didn't have enough money.
Fortunately, I found some friends in the street.
Unfortunately, we didn't find the house.
Fortunately, I called her.
Unfortunately, she didn't answer me.
Fortunately, I found her husband in the street.
Unfortunately, I didn't talk to him.
Fortunately, I found her address in my pocket.
Unfortunately, the wind blew it away.
Fortunately, I found myself in front of her house.
And I gave her the present!
Elham, Sara, Enas & Mohammed
Pre-Intermediate
Unfortunately, the shop was closed.
Fortunately, there was another shop.
Unfortunately, I didn't find a nice present.
Fortunately, I had a nice present.
Unfortunately, it was old.
Fortunately, I went to another shop.
Unfortunately, all the shops were closed.
Fortunately, I made her a present.
Unfortunately, my niece broke it.
Fortunately, I made another one.
Unfortunately, I didn't have all the things to make it.
Fortunately, my friend had another extra present.
Unfortunately, I didn't have a car.
Fortunately, my friend picked me up.
Unfortunately, the car broke down.
Fortunately, I stopped a taxi.
Unfortunately, I didn't have enough money.
Fortunately, I found some friends in the street.
Unfortunately, we didn't find the house.
Fortunately, I called her.
Unfortunately, she didn't answer me.
Fortunately, I found her husband in the street.
Unfortunately, I didn't talk to him.
Fortunately, I found her address in my pocket.
Unfortunately, the wind blew it away.
Fortunately, I found myself in front of her house.
And I gave her the present!
Elham, Sara, Enas & Mohammed
Pre-Intermediate
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Congratulations!
Look who's passed their exams!
Cambridge First Certificate of English (FCE):
- Ahmed Ahtash
Cambridge Preliminary English Test (PET):
- Yasmin Ahtash
- Nora Mustafa Bader
International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
- Khaled Tabaj
- Oleg Klishevych
Oleg Klishevych on the day he got his exam results.Congratulations for a job well done!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
We watched a video in class!
The FCE and IELTS preparation students watched a video in class this week about the 'Bodies - The Exhibition' .Watching the video inspired us to speak! What did we discuss? Different kinds of exhibitions, local exhibitions and museums, exhibits, the ways people learn, organ donation, blood donation, the morality of using human bodies for science and for the exhibition, our reactions to the video. We also listed many of the adjectives that we heard on the video.
For more information about the exhibit you can visit the website: Bodies - The Exhibition
Monday, January 15, 2007
Learn about deserts
The Sahara desert is located in north Africa. Part of it is in Libya. How much do you know about the deserts of the world? Here is an interesting website with all kinds of information about the deserts of the world: What is a desert like?
Friday, January 12, 2007
Welcome back Mrs. Cynthia!
The students and staff of Yethreb School would like to offer their congratulations, wishing her Hajj Mabroor (completely accepted by God).
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
If I were.....
The FCE preparation students were using their imaginations!
If I were a sea creature, I would be an octopus because I enjoy drawing and I would have a lot of ink.
If I were a body of water, I would be an ocean because I would enjoy watching the big ships go by.
If I were a type of footwear, I would be a boot because it's tough and resilient.
Niall Binmusa
If I were a planet, I would be the earth because it's the only planet that people live on.
If I were a car, I would be a BMW M6 because it's a powerful car and very stylish and posh.
If I were a movie, I would be Braveheart because it's a meaningful movie and historical and I like Mel Gibson.
Ramsay
If I were a season, I would be spring because there are a lot of flowers and the earth is full of all things green. I like the colour green and blooming flowers.
If I were a foreign country, I would be Saudi Arabia because our prophet Mohamed was there.
Elmahdi Mohamed
If I were a season, I would be winter because it's a lovely season for me and I like to drive when it rains.
If I were a plant, I would be a flower because everybody likes flowers and I like people when they like me.
If I were the colour, I would be the colour white because it's the colour of peace.
If I were a movie, I would be an action movie because they are more interesting than the others.
If I were a body of water, I would be an ocean because they are deep and wonderful.
Hannan Gashut
If I were a colour, I would be either blue or red because blue reminds me of the sky and red is clear and refreshing to the eye.
If I were a building, I would be a cottage because I like everything that is natural.
Mohamed Ahmed
If I were a planet, I would be the earth because the earth is full of life.
If I were a car, I would be either BMW or Mercedes because these cars are strong, elegant and very comfortable.
If I were a foreign country, I would be Russia because it is still undiscovered for foreigners, it has amazing weather conditions and an exciting history.
Ihor
If I were a plant, I would be a flower because it's a beautiful thing and everybody loves it, so I think being a flower is being loved.
If I were a tool or utensil, I would be a spoon because it's an important tool and I think it's very nice being important in life.
Nora Bader
If I were a type of road, I would be a highway because when I drive on a highway I can reach maximum speed.
If I were a body of water, I would be an ocean because the ocean is the biggest body of water and can be in many countries.
If I were a building, I would be a school because the school is the first place I knew after my home.
Walid Grada
If I were a colour, I would be green because I like the grass and the green colour is the colour of hope.
If I were a season, I would be summer because I like it and I can do many things in one day.
Amal Mohammed
If I were a colour, I would be the colour brown because it's a very quiet colour like me.
If I were a foreign country, I would be Japan because everybody is busy there all the time.
Hafez Melad Mohamed
If I were a building, I would be a mall because there would be a lot of people there all day long. It's a social place.
If I were a body of water, I would be an ocean because the ocean is very huge and full of lots of unknown things.
If I were a weather condition, I would be rain because rain means life to me and it will make the land green.
Kareem Banon
If I were a sea creature, I would be an octopus because I enjoy drawing and I would have a lot of ink.
If I were a body of water, I would be an ocean because I would enjoy watching the big ships go by.
If I were a type of footwear, I would be a boot because it's tough and resilient.
Niall Binmusa
If I were a planet, I would be the earth because it's the only planet that people live on.
If I were a car, I would be a BMW M6 because it's a powerful car and very stylish and posh.
If I were a movie, I would be Braveheart because it's a meaningful movie and historical and I like Mel Gibson.
Ramsay
If I were a season, I would be spring because there are a lot of flowers and the earth is full of all things green. I like the colour green and blooming flowers.
If I were a foreign country, I would be Saudi Arabia because our prophet Mohamed was there.
Elmahdi Mohamed
If I were a season, I would be winter because it's a lovely season for me and I like to drive when it rains.
If I were a plant, I would be a flower because everybody likes flowers and I like people when they like me.
If I were the colour, I would be the colour white because it's the colour of peace.
If I were a movie, I would be an action movie because they are more interesting than the others.
If I were a body of water, I would be an ocean because they are deep and wonderful.
Hannan Gashut
If I were a colour, I would be either blue or red because blue reminds me of the sky and red is clear and refreshing to the eye.
If I were a building, I would be a cottage because I like everything that is natural.
Mohamed Ahmed
If I were a planet, I would be the earth because the earth is full of life.
If I were a car, I would be either BMW or Mercedes because these cars are strong, elegant and very comfortable.
If I were a foreign country, I would be Russia because it is still undiscovered for foreigners, it has amazing weather conditions and an exciting history.
Ihor
If I were a plant, I would be a flower because it's a beautiful thing and everybody loves it, so I think being a flower is being loved.
If I were a tool or utensil, I would be a spoon because it's an important tool and I think it's very nice being important in life.
Nora Bader
If I were a type of road, I would be a highway because when I drive on a highway I can reach maximum speed.
If I were a body of water, I would be an ocean because the ocean is the biggest body of water and can be in many countries.
If I were a building, I would be a school because the school is the first place I knew after my home.
Walid Grada
If I were a colour, I would be green because I like the grass and the green colour is the colour of hope.
If I were a season, I would be summer because I like it and I can do many things in one day.
Amal Mohammed
If I were a colour, I would be the colour brown because it's a very quiet colour like me.
If I were a foreign country, I would be Japan because everybody is busy there all the time.
Hafez Melad Mohamed
If I were a building, I would be a mall because there would be a lot of people there all day long. It's a social place.
If I were a body of water, I would be an ocean because the ocean is very huge and full of lots of unknown things.
If I were a weather condition, I would be rain because rain means life to me and it will make the land green.
Kareem Banon
Monday, January 08, 2007
English Teacher's Forum - Tripoli
The Academy of Graduate Studies - Janzour, will be the host of the second meeting of the English Teacher's Forum - Tripoli
.
.
The Topic - Speaking
The meeting will be held on Saturday, February 3rd at 10:00am. - This is the first Saturday of February.
The agenda of the meeting is as follows:
- The meeting will break into small groups to discuss a set of questions/ideas.
- Refreshment break
- A whole group meeting to discuss the ideas from each of the smaller groups.
- One of the Academy's teachers will give a short presentation.
Suggested questions or topic areas are welcomed from colleagues around Tripoli for the initial discussion.
Please forward this to anyone you think might be interested in attending.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Topic Specific Exercises
The topic this week in the IELTS preparation class is ENVIRONMENT. You can find many English exercises about the environment at The Web Language Lab. They also have exercises about other topics that we'll be studying about in the IELTS preparation course.
Take some time over the holiday and see how many of the exercises you can complete. When we return after the break we will continue with the topic GM foods (genetically modified). There's an exercise about that topic too: The Web Language Lab
Enjoy your holiday!
Take some time over the holiday and see how many of the exercises you can complete. When we return after the break we will continue with the topic GM foods (genetically modified). There's an exercise about that topic too: The Web Language Lab
Enjoy your holiday!
Saturday, December 16, 2006
A Childhood Memory – from one of our teachers
When I was a young girl my family lived in Illinois, in the United States. It was always very cold there during the winter. One winter my father decided that we would all go on an adventure. He told my mother to go to our schools and ask the teachers to give us enough schoolwork to keep us busy for a month and to pack our summer clothes. He said we’d be leaving in the early hours of the next morning for a trip to Florida.
My father put our boat on a trailer and attached it to the back of the car. Before dawn, he woke us up and all six of us piled into the car for the start of our journey. The weather was cold and it was snowing as we drove away from our house. It took us two days to drive to Florida with the weather becoming warmer with every mile that we drove south. Soon we were drinking freshly squeezed orange juice and wearing our summer clothes. The cold weather and snow were far behind us.
My father had given our small boat the name ATHA – it was an acronym of the names of the children in our family - Andrea, Therese (that’s me), Holly, and Anthony. It wasn’t very big, but we were comfortable. We launched the boat in Miami and spent about a month cruising around the various islands that make up the Florida Keys. During the day we swam in the warm, crystal clear waters and at night we slept on deck under the stars.
Around Christmas time we moored our boat at a dock were there was a filling station (petrol station) and a small grocery store. The owner of the grocery store lived behind his shop and inside his shop was a very large salt-water fish tank filled with beautiful fish. A navy research vessel was moored at the same dock, right behind our boat. The crew of their boat was especially friendly, and they had two unusual members of their crew – two harbour seals! These seals were specially trained to help with underwater research. We enjoyed watching the seals swim and play in the water near our boat. The crew of the boat had taught the seals to climb up on the research vessel using a special landing deck on the back made just for the seals. They were quite tame, but their handlers told us not to get too close as the seals occasionally became aggressive and might bite.
One morning we got up early and prepared our breakfast – bread, butter, jam, milk, cereal, coffee and juice. It had been a bit chilly that night and we had put up the canvas cover of the boat. We were all enjoying our breakfast when we heard something make a big spash! Then BOOM! The canvas covering of our boat began to collapse. I peeked out from behind the fabric and was surprised to see that one of the seals had decided to join us for breakfast!
The seal was wet and slid right down the canvas and onto the table! My mother grabbed the camera and got onto the dock to take some pictures. The seal was flopping, slipping and sliding all over! We managed to release the canvas cover and tried to help the seal. By now the seal was smeared in butter and jam, our breakfast was everywhere. In the midst of all the commotion, the crew of the research vessel came and rescued their seal. Our breakfast was ruined but none of us cared because, ‘How often do you have a seal land on your table?’
We cleared up the mess and spent the day exploring the surrounding area. We decided to return to the same dock to spend the night as it was Christmas Eve. We bought some food for dinner at the small grocery store and my sisters and brother and I looked at the colourful fish swimming in the tanks while my parents visited with the owner of the shop.
It was going to be a different Christmas that year as we were not at home. There wasn’t a tree and we weren’t going to exchange gifts. We would only have Christmas stockings which we hung from hooks on the sides of the boat. My father turned on the radio and we all snuggled down listening to Christmas carols.
Around midnight we heard someone walking on the dock towards our boat. We looked out and found the shop owner. He asked if we would like to see something very special. Curious, we all climbed out of the boat and followed the man into his shop. There, in the dimly lit shop next to the beautiful fish tank was a smaller aquarium that contained some green seaweed and one large sea horse. We peered into the tank and were astonished to see that the seahorse was giving birth! How amazing and how truly perfect to be happening at midnight on Christmas Eve.
A true story by Mrs Khadija
My father put our boat on a trailer and attached it to the back of the car. Before dawn, he woke us up and all six of us piled into the car for the start of our journey. The weather was cold and it was snowing as we drove away from our house. It took us two days to drive to Florida with the weather becoming warmer with every mile that we drove south. Soon we were drinking freshly squeezed orange juice and wearing our summer clothes. The cold weather and snow were far behind us.
My father had given our small boat the name ATHA – it was an acronym of the names of the children in our family - Andrea, Therese (that’s me), Holly, and Anthony. It wasn’t very big, but we were comfortable. We launched the boat in Miami and spent about a month cruising around the various islands that make up the Florida Keys. During the day we swam in the warm, crystal clear waters and at night we slept on deck under the stars.
Around Christmas time we moored our boat at a dock were there was a filling station (petrol station) and a small grocery store. The owner of the grocery store lived behind his shop and inside his shop was a very large salt-water fish tank filled with beautiful fish. A navy research vessel was moored at the same dock, right behind our boat. The crew of their boat was especially friendly, and they had two unusual members of their crew – two harbour seals! These seals were specially trained to help with underwater research. We enjoyed watching the seals swim and play in the water near our boat. The crew of the boat had taught the seals to climb up on the research vessel using a special landing deck on the back made just for the seals. They were quite tame, but their handlers told us not to get too close as the seals occasionally became aggressive and might bite.
One morning we got up early and prepared our breakfast – bread, butter, jam, milk, cereal, coffee and juice. It had been a bit chilly that night and we had put up the canvas cover of the boat. We were all enjoying our breakfast when we heard something make a big spash! Then BOOM! The canvas covering of our boat began to collapse. I peeked out from behind the fabric and was surprised to see that one of the seals had decided to join us for breakfast!
The seal was wet and slid right down the canvas and onto the table! My mother grabbed the camera and got onto the dock to take some pictures. The seal was flopping, slipping and sliding all over! We managed to release the canvas cover and tried to help the seal. By now the seal was smeared in butter and jam, our breakfast was everywhere. In the midst of all the commotion, the crew of the research vessel came and rescued their seal. Our breakfast was ruined but none of us cared because, ‘How often do you have a seal land on your table?’
We cleared up the mess and spent the day exploring the surrounding area. We decided to return to the same dock to spend the night as it was Christmas Eve. We bought some food for dinner at the small grocery store and my sisters and brother and I looked at the colourful fish swimming in the tanks while my parents visited with the owner of the shop.
It was going to be a different Christmas that year as we were not at home. There wasn’t a tree and we weren’t going to exchange gifts. We would only have Christmas stockings which we hung from hooks on the sides of the boat. My father turned on the radio and we all snuggled down listening to Christmas carols.
Around midnight we heard someone walking on the dock towards our boat. We looked out and found the shop owner. He asked if we would like to see something very special. Curious, we all climbed out of the boat and followed the man into his shop. There, in the dimly lit shop next to the beautiful fish tank was a smaller aquarium that contained some green seaweed and one large sea horse. We peered into the tank and were astonished to see that the seahorse was giving birth! How amazing and how truly perfect to be happening at midnight on Christmas Eve.
A true story by Mrs Khadija
Monday, December 11, 2006
Feeling Vocabulary Exercises
Here are 15 exercises using vocabulary about feelings. To visit the webpage click on the image above or on this link: Feelings
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Links to Reported Speech Exercises
FCE students are learning Reported Speech. Here are some exercises to help revise what you are learning in class.
- Reported Speech Quiz - About.com
- Reported Speech - TESL Journal
- Reported Speech at a much later time - TESL Journal
- Reported Commands - English-test.net
- Reported Speech - Multiple choice (1)
- Reported Speech - Multiple choice (2)
- Reported Speech - Fill in the blank (1)
- Reported speech - Fill in the blank (2)
At the movies
The FCE (First Certificate English) students are discussing movies in Unit 8. Here's a fun website that will help you improve your English using movie trailers.
What's a movie trailer? A movie trailer is a commercial for a film.
On this website you can watch many different trailers and work on English exercises about each film. It's lot's of fun! - Click on the image above or on this link: http://www.english-trailers.com/index.php to visit the English Trailers website.
Tajoura, near Tripoli
Hello my name is Ramsay and I'm from Tajoura, near Tripoli. Would you like to know more about me? I guess you do.
How many people are in my family? There are six of us; my parents, two brothers and one sisiter and of course me.
My hometown is Tajoura. Would you like to know more about Tajoura? Well, Tajoura is one of the biggest cities in the Tripoli area. The population is about 600,000.
Where about in Tripoli is Tajoura? Tajoura is at the seaside and it's not that far from the city centre. Tajoura is a very calm city. It's not that busy in Tajoura.
What's the weather like in Tajoura? Tajoura is very hot in the summer and cold and rainy in the winter.
What are good things about Tajoura? It's not that far from the town, it's calm because it's not that busy and it's near the sea so you can go fishing and swimming in the summer.
What are the bad things about Tajoura? There are a lot of farms in Tajoura so you might get attacked by a snake and there's no nightlife, but the good thing about Tajoura is that you can grow plants and fruit there.
Tajoura is famous for it's natural beauty, so if you have time I'll advise you to visit Tajoura because it's an interesting city.
Ramsay
FCE preparation
How many people are in my family? There are six of us; my parents, two brothers and one sisiter and of course me.
My hometown is Tajoura. Would you like to know more about Tajoura? Well, Tajoura is one of the biggest cities in the Tripoli area. The population is about 600,000.
Where about in Tripoli is Tajoura? Tajoura is at the seaside and it's not that far from the city centre. Tajoura is a very calm city. It's not that busy in Tajoura.
What's the weather like in Tajoura? Tajoura is very hot in the summer and cold and rainy in the winter.
What are good things about Tajoura? It's not that far from the town, it's calm because it's not that busy and it's near the sea so you can go fishing and swimming in the summer.
What are the bad things about Tajoura? There are a lot of farms in Tajoura so you might get attacked by a snake and there's no nightlife, but the good thing about Tajoura is that you can grow plants and fruit there.
Tajoura is famous for it's natural beauty, so if you have time I'll advise you to visit Tajoura because it's an interesting city.
Ramsay
FCE preparation
My hometown - Benashur, Tripoli
Dear Michelle,
Hello my friend, how are you? I hope that you are fine.
Do you want to know about me? I'm from Libya - Tripoli, I've lived my whole life in Benashur so it's my hometown.
I live here with my mother, father and my older brother. I've live in Tripoli but the roots of my family are from a nice city called Zlitan. I have never been there but some of my friends have visited there and they told me it's a nice place and I should go there. I'd love to go if I ever have the chance.
What do I like about Benashur?
It's near the city centre, it has lots of shops, everything is near and available and it's close to the beach.
What are the things that I don't like?
That it's crowded, noisy, busy and the traffic is so bad because there are a lot of cars. That's all because Tripoli is the capital city of Libya.
What is the weather like in the summer?
It's very hot in summer, the air is so dry, but it's OK because it's my hometown, after all.
That was about my hometown. Do you want to know about me?
About me, I like reading, writing, the internet is the thing I like to do most in my free time. sometimes I spend 2 - 3 hours a day surfing the net. I love school so much and I like learning English.
I wish that you can come to visit Libya soon and I hope to hear from you soon.
Best wishes, your friend,
Magda Buhajar
FCE preparation
Hello my friend, how are you? I hope that you are fine.
Do you want to know about me? I'm from Libya - Tripoli, I've lived my whole life in Benashur so it's my hometown.
I live here with my mother, father and my older brother. I've live in Tripoli but the roots of my family are from a nice city called Zlitan. I have never been there but some of my friends have visited there and they told me it's a nice place and I should go there. I'd love to go if I ever have the chance.
What do I like about Benashur?
It's near the city centre, it has lots of shops, everything is near and available and it's close to the beach.
What are the things that I don't like?
That it's crowded, noisy, busy and the traffic is so bad because there are a lot of cars. That's all because Tripoli is the capital city of Libya.
What is the weather like in the summer?
It's very hot in summer, the air is so dry, but it's OK because it's my hometown, after all.
That was about my hometown. Do you want to know about me?
About me, I like reading, writing, the internet is the thing I like to do most in my free time. sometimes I spend 2 - 3 hours a day surfing the net. I love school so much and I like learning English.
I wish that you can come to visit Libya soon and I hope to hear from you soon.
Best wishes, your friend,
Magda Buhajar
FCE preparation
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Alkhoms is my hometown
Hello my name is Niall and I come from the city of Alkhoms in Libya. Do you want to know more about me? I expect you do!
How many people are in my family? Well, there are five of us; my parents, my two brothers and I. Where are we from? Well, originally we came from Alkhoms.
Where is Alkhoms? Well, it's a city in the northwestern part of Libya on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
What qualities does Alkhoms have? Well, Alkhoms has a very good economy due to processing and manufacture of some products. Among some of these products are cement, with two big cement factories, the local people have jobs provided for them. Other products include olives, olive oil, dates and a kind of grass used in the production of paper. it makes high quality paper that is used to make books. Alkhoms also has some of it's ancient Ottoman and Italian buildings left plus a very popular beach in the east of the city.
What are the advantages of living in Alkhoms? Alkhoms is well connected with some major cities on the coast like Tripoli and Benghazi in Libya and Cairo in Egypty. There are also a lot of farms in Alkhoms that grow olives and dates with lots of palm trees.
What is the population of your hometown? The population of Alkhoms is about 230,000 inhabitants.
What are the bad things in your hometown? If you're on a farm there is a risk you might get bitten by a snake or stung by a scorpion and another thing is that you need a car to get to hospitals or shops.
What's the weather like in Alkhoms? It's very hot and dry int he summer and rainy and cold in the winter.
Niall Binmusa
FCE preparation
How many people are in my family? Well, there are five of us; my parents, my two brothers and I. Where are we from? Well, originally we came from Alkhoms.
Where is Alkhoms? Well, it's a city in the northwestern part of Libya on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
What qualities does Alkhoms have? Well, Alkhoms has a very good economy due to processing and manufacture of some products. Among some of these products are cement, with two big cement factories, the local people have jobs provided for them. Other products include olives, olive oil, dates and a kind of grass used in the production of paper. it makes high quality paper that is used to make books. Alkhoms also has some of it's ancient Ottoman and Italian buildings left plus a very popular beach in the east of the city.
What are the advantages of living in Alkhoms? Alkhoms is well connected with some major cities on the coast like Tripoli and Benghazi in Libya and Cairo in Egypty. There are also a lot of farms in Alkhoms that grow olives and dates with lots of palm trees.
What is the population of your hometown? The population of Alkhoms is about 230,000 inhabitants.
What are the bad things in your hometown? If you're on a farm there is a risk you might get bitten by a snake or stung by a scorpion and another thing is that you need a car to get to hospitals or shops.
What's the weather like in Alkhoms? It's very hot and dry int he summer and rainy and cold in the winter.
Niall Binmusa
FCE preparation
Do you want to know about where I'm from?
My name is Najib. I am from Libya. Can I give you some information about my country? OK. I think you agree.
Well, as a matter of fact Libya has been occupied by mankind for a long time, I think because of it's important location. It's located in north Africa facing the Mediterranean with a coast stretching about two thousand kilometers long.
Do you want to ask me about myself? Let me see, in fact I don't prefer to give much details about myself, so I think I'm going to make it brief.
I am twenty-nine years old. I am single, male and Muslim like all Libyans. I graduated from the Higher Institute for Tourism and Hotel Industry, but I'm not working in this field anymore.
In the meantime I am studying English at Yethreb School in Tripoli. Although I have been studying English for several years, I don't seem to do well in it. Anyway, I really don't like to bother you with my problems, adn instead of that let me ask you this question: Do you suggest that I give you an idea about my hometown? Good.
As I mentioned before, you know now that I live in Libya close to the capitol, Tripoli, which is in the northwestern part of the country. I live exactly in an eastern suburb of Tripoli which is called Suk Juma. This town has been my hometown and my grandfathers hometown for more than one hundred and fifty years.
Suk Juma is one of the biggest towns in Tripoli and has a large population. It consists of big families which all know each other and keep good relationships between themselves.
People work in various occupations like; agriculture, teaching, commercial trade and many other jobs.
Do you know what the weather is like in Suk Juma? Alright, I will give you some information about that. Because of it's nearness to the sea, the town during summer doesn't get so hot as in gets in the towns located further inland, but it may get pretty hot on some days. In winter the weather is not very cold, the sun shines nearly everyday. Rain is common but not so heavy.It rarely snows but the temperature may get very low at night.
The town has lots of schools of different categories and there are some hospitals and medical clinics spread throughout the town.
The most famous thing in Suk Juma is the huge popular street market on Fridays. It always gets extremely crowded and good of all kinds are displayed on the streets.
At the end, I hope you have a good background about my hometown, and thank you for your concerns.
Najib
FCE preparation
Well, as a matter of fact Libya has been occupied by mankind for a long time, I think because of it's important location. It's located in north Africa facing the Mediterranean with a coast stretching about two thousand kilometers long.
Do you want to ask me about myself? Let me see, in fact I don't prefer to give much details about myself, so I think I'm going to make it brief.
I am twenty-nine years old. I am single, male and Muslim like all Libyans. I graduated from the Higher Institute for Tourism and Hotel Industry, but I'm not working in this field anymore.
In the meantime I am studying English at Yethreb School in Tripoli. Although I have been studying English for several years, I don't seem to do well in it. Anyway, I really don't like to bother you with my problems, adn instead of that let me ask you this question: Do you suggest that I give you an idea about my hometown? Good.
As I mentioned before, you know now that I live in Libya close to the capitol, Tripoli, which is in the northwestern part of the country. I live exactly in an eastern suburb of Tripoli which is called Suk Juma. This town has been my hometown and my grandfathers hometown for more than one hundred and fifty years.
Suk Juma is one of the biggest towns in Tripoli and has a large population. It consists of big families which all know each other and keep good relationships between themselves.
People work in various occupations like; agriculture, teaching, commercial trade and many other jobs.
Do you know what the weather is like in Suk Juma? Alright, I will give you some information about that. Because of it's nearness to the sea, the town during summer doesn't get so hot as in gets in the towns located further inland, but it may get pretty hot on some days. In winter the weather is not very cold, the sun shines nearly everyday. Rain is common but not so heavy.It rarely snows but the temperature may get very low at night.
The town has lots of schools of different categories and there are some hospitals and medical clinics spread throughout the town.
The most famous thing in Suk Juma is the huge popular street market on Fridays. It always gets extremely crowded and good of all kinds are displayed on the streets.
At the end, I hope you have a good background about my hometown, and thank you for your concerns.
Najib
FCE preparation
A village in the desert of Libya
Where are you from? I'm from the region of Aljofra; Zella Village.
What is your hometown like? It is desert. It's very large and there isn't a lot of houses. There are a lot of wild animals like wolves, wild dogs, foxes and you can see many camels walking freely in the desert. I think that it is very nice.
What are some nice things about your hometown? The nice things are that all the people know each other so you can walk in any time and you feel safe all the time. Most people there are my friends. No busy places exist in my village, it's very quiet. The kinds of food there are delicious; we depend on meat and cereals. And we have very interesting songs and music in my village.
What are negative things in your town? The weather in summer is so hot that you can't go out of the house and in winter it is quite cold. The best season is autumn. The weather is pleasant all the time in autumn.
Can you tell me about some special things about Zella Village? The special thing is that all people in my hometown like foreigners very much and they are used to different people visiting the desert from all over the world.
Hafez Melad
FCE preparation
What is your hometown like? It is desert. It's very large and there isn't a lot of houses. There are a lot of wild animals like wolves, wild dogs, foxes and you can see many camels walking freely in the desert. I think that it is very nice.
What are some nice things about your hometown? The nice things are that all the people know each other so you can walk in any time and you feel safe all the time. Most people there are my friends. No busy places exist in my village, it's very quiet. The kinds of food there are delicious; we depend on meat and cereals. And we have very interesting songs and music in my village.
What are negative things in your town? The weather in summer is so hot that you can't go out of the house and in winter it is quite cold. The best season is autumn. The weather is pleasant all the time in autumn.
Can you tell me about some special things about Zella Village? The special thing is that all people in my hometown like foreigners very much and they are used to different people visiting the desert from all over the world.
Hafez Melad
FCE preparation
My home town - Tarhuna
Can you tell me about your hometown?
OK. I will tell you about my hometown. My hometown is Tarhuna, it's southeastward of the capitol city, Tripoli. It's faraway, about a hundred kilometers from the centre of the capital. It's nice, quite a large city.
What is Tarhuna famous for?
Tarhuna City is famous for agriculture, especially for the production of barley, wheat, olive oil and pickled olives, almonds, figs and some other vegetables such as potatoes, onions and also watermelon. Also it is famous for animal production, such as live animals, milk, meat and wool.
Do you have any ideas about tourist attractions in Tarhuna?
In Tarhuna there are a lot of ancient houses, small castles and mansions. They were built long ago from big stones and mud. Also, it has a very famous spring called Ayn Al-Sharshara but it is dry now so I'm very sorry about it because it was once a nice thing in my hometown.
How many people live there?
Ah, you ask me about the population. Believe me, I don't know.
Elmehdi Mohamed
FCE preparation
OK. I will tell you about my hometown. My hometown is Tarhuna, it's southeastward of the capitol city, Tripoli. It's faraway, about a hundred kilometers from the centre of the capital. It's nice, quite a large city.
What is Tarhuna famous for?
Tarhuna City is famous for agriculture, especially for the production of barley, wheat, olive oil and pickled olives, almonds, figs and some other vegetables such as potatoes, onions and also watermelon. Also it is famous for animal production, such as live animals, milk, meat and wool.
Do you have any ideas about tourist attractions in Tarhuna?
In Tarhuna there are a lot of ancient houses, small castles and mansions. They were built long ago from big stones and mud. Also, it has a very famous spring called Ayn Al-Sharshara but it is dry now so I'm very sorry about it because it was once a nice thing in my hometown.
How many people live there?
Ah, you ask me about the population. Believe me, I don't know.
Elmehdi Mohamed
FCE preparation
Sunday, December 03, 2006
More Practice for FCE students
Here are some links to websites that have exercises relating to things you have been working on in class.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Extra Writing Task!
Describe an interesting neighbor you have had.
You can either click on comments and write about the topic above, or you can write it on paper and turn it in to your teacher.
BBC Arabic site for English learners
The BBC has a wonderful site for Arabic speakers who are learning English. It's full of interesting things to read and listen to. There are many activities to help you learn. To visit the site, click on the image above or on this link: BBC Arabic for English Learners
Dos & Dont's while visiting Libya
Libya is a big country and has nice weather in general. All people are Muslims and speak Arabic. I can say that Libyan people are peaceful, modest and kind, especially with foreigners.
Most people work at government departments. Some people are interested in agriculture, while others have their own businesses.
Libyan people love their country very much and do not like anyone to make fun of them. Visitors to Libya can realize hospitality and charity.
The national anthem is played everyday at school before lessons, and in other public occasions. When the national anthem is played it's not allowed to make any movement.
Some other don'ts for foreign visitors are:
Najib
FCE preparation
Most people work at government departments. Some people are interested in agriculture, while others have their own businesses.
Libyan people love their country very much and do not like anyone to make fun of them. Visitors to Libya can realize hospitality and charity.
The national anthem is played everyday at school before lessons, and in other public occasions. When the national anthem is played it's not allowed to make any movement.
Some other don'ts for foreign visitors are:
- Men shouldn't talk to women.
- Men shouldn't sit in the back seat of a taxi unless the front one is full.
- It's not a good idea to withdraw money from a bank by yourself, I mean alone.
- People will be upset with you if you point at them with your finger, or even make a sign at them.
Najib
FCE preparation
My Holiday
You know, I always thought about a holiday that me and my best friends could go on together. Taking that me and all of my best friends share the same interests, which is playing football, swimming, water sports and other kinds of sports.
So my dream holiday would be to cruise to the islands with my best friends because I heard that the islands are so beautiful and such a peaceful paradise, with miles of white sandy beaches fringed by palm trees and not a high-rise building in sight!
And what matters most is that it's known for it's water sports such as water-skiing, snorkeling and scuba diving. My friends and I could go swimming at the beach, and as you know where there's a beach, there's girls!... oh, I mean football.
So my friends and I would spend most of our money there and have a lovely, fantastic time. I hope that I didn't bore you with my holiday. Good bye!
Ahmed Ahtash
FCE preparation
So my dream holiday would be to cruise to the islands with my best friends because I heard that the islands are so beautiful and such a peaceful paradise, with miles of white sandy beaches fringed by palm trees and not a high-rise building in sight!
And what matters most is that it's known for it's water sports such as water-skiing, snorkeling and scuba diving. My friends and I could go swimming at the beach, and as you know where there's a beach, there's girls!... oh, I mean football.
So my friends and I would spend most of our money there and have a lovely, fantastic time. I hope that I didn't bore you with my holiday. Good bye!
Ahmed Ahtash
FCE preparation
Holidays
Swimming with dolphinsI'm also mad about history and ancient civilizations, so visiting the famous monuments and ancient sites and seeing how people live in other worlds and cultures will be very interesting.
I think it will be fun to go to Australia where I can enjoy water sports like scuba diving, windsurfing and water skiing. I love dolphins, I hope one day to have the opportunity to swim with them, then I can go for an eco-tour, watching the koalas and kangaroos in the wild world.
Henda Mahmoud
FCE preparation
Visiting Libya: Dos & Don'ts
Libyans are a friendly people, religion is taking an effect in their lives, generally speaking, people wear decent clothes, no shorts or miniskirts in public places.
Positive outlooks are highly valued in Libya, if someone asks, 'How are you?' the correct response is 'Thank God.' and it's also common to say 'Asalam Alikom.', which means 'Peace be upon you.', when you come or leave.
Women don't shake hands with men, it is not a good idea to speak to a woman you don't know if you are a male.
The map of Libya is very important, so bring a map because most of the streets don't have signs or are marked.
When you visit someone in his house or you are invited to a Libyan house, don't forget to bring presents like sweets, chocolates, etc.
Some other dos and don'ts for foreign visitors are:
Abdunnabi Mohamed
FCE preparation
Positive outlooks are highly valued in Libya, if someone asks, 'How are you?' the correct response is 'Thank God.' and it's also common to say 'Asalam Alikom.', which means 'Peace be upon you.', when you come or leave.
Women don't shake hands with men, it is not a good idea to speak to a woman you don't know if you are a male.
The map of Libya is very important, so bring a map because most of the streets don't have signs or are marked.
When you visit someone in his house or you are invited to a Libyan house, don't forget to bring presents like sweets, chocolates, etc.
Some other dos and don'ts for foreign visitors are:
- Remove your shoes when you enter Libyan's houses.
- Don't smoke unless you ask permission.
- Don't sit behind the taxi driver if you are alone.
- Don't take pictures of people unless you ask first.
- Don't enter mosques unless you are a Muslim.
Abdunnabi Mohamed
FCE preparation
If You're Visiting Iraq ...
Iraq is a big country where you will see a lot of palm trees. When you go to Iraq you will see a wonderful country especially in Baghdad. There are rivers; the Dejla and Forat (their Arabic names). But unfortunately the situation there now has gone from bad to worse, after the invasion. Now Iraqi people are living in fear. If you are in Iraq now, you should stay in your home to avoid the worse. You shouldn't walk in the streets at night.
You shouldn't speak with strange people because you can't know about what they want, maybe he is a thief or bad person, maybe he's carrying a bomb. Sometimes they are good people, but you need to be careful. In the current situation you shouldn't speak about the political system.
About the rules of my country:
FCE preparation
You shouldn't speak with strange people because you can't know about what they want, maybe he is a thief or bad person, maybe he's carrying a bomb. Sometimes they are good people, but you need to be careful. In the current situation you shouldn't speak about the political system.
About the rules of my country:
- In schools there is one style of clothes for the students. If you study in one of Iraq's schools you shouldn't change from the style of the school.
- You shouldn't drink alcohol. If you are not Muslim you shouldn't enter mosques.
- You shouldn't smoke in hospitals or any healthy places.
- You should respect the security men, it's a good idea to stay away from problems.
- You should stand when you hear the national anthem and repect the flag when it is raised. People will be upset if you don't pay respect during the national anthem.
FCE preparation
Visiting Korea
Diamond Mountain (Keumgangsahn) in North KoreaFirst of all I want to say 'Welcome to Korea!' I don't have many ideas about Korea even though I'm Korean. Anyway I'll try to help.
Korea is a very well-ordered society like the USA. When you visit Korea you shouldn't worry about taking a map of the city centre, because our government will serve you a guide and also a translator. You should take care with people because they're not very optimistic with foreigners, but they're very kind. You don't have to dress in any special way, you can just wear decent clothing.
In Korea, people don't shake hands, they bow, moving their heads down to show a greeting, but you don't have to do this, they shake hands with foreigners.
Also the level of patriotism in Korea is very high, like in the USA. You can see the national flag everywhere, in the streets, it flies over every school and on buildings and on the balconies of many houses.
It's a good idea to tip your waiter but it's not necessary. You should discard litter only in a bin. You shouldn't smoke in public places.
... In Korea there are many places to visit and have fun; mountains, falls and caverns, etc. And even in the city centre, there are many museums, old buildings and towers etc.
Korea is a very well-ordered society like the USA. When you visit Korea you shouldn't worry about taking a map of the city centre, because our government will serve you a guide and also a translator. You should take care with people because they're not very optimistic with foreigners, but they're very kind. You don't have to dress in any special way, you can just wear decent clothing.
In Korea, people don't shake hands, they bow, moving their heads down to show a greeting, but you don't have to do this, they shake hands with foreigners.
Also the level of patriotism in Korea is very high, like in the USA. You can see the national flag everywhere, in the streets, it flies over every school and on buildings and on the balconies of many houses.
It's a good idea to tip your waiter but it's not necessary. You should discard litter only in a bin. You shouldn't smoke in public places.
... In Korea there are many places to visit and have fun; mountains, falls and caverns, etc. And even in the city centre, there are many museums, old buildings and towers etc.
Have a nice time!
So Un Ha
FCE preparation
FCE preparation
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Abdeldeem's Dream Car
If I had a Hummer car I'd want to travel all the world. The first country I'd visit would be India. Then I'd want to see China and visit old historical places. I'd visit Thailand and go to the Himalaya Mountains. Then I'd go to Africa because Africa has many kinds of animals and I'd like to catch them because it's fun.I'll go to the pyramids to see how they were built and I'll go to France to see the Eiffel Tower. I'll go to Italy to visit the beach and stay there for three days. Then I want to go to Germany and to travel to America. I will visit the deserts of America and Mexico.
Abdeldeem
B3 - Pre-intermediate
Dream Cars
In my dreams there are a lot of cars because I like cars very much, so I can't choose only one car to write about but I'll write about two cars that I want.The first is a Ferrari Enzo. It costs about one million dollars. It's a sport car and it's my favourite car, it's very expensive. The second car is the latest model of Mercedes Benz S600. It's a luxury car.
In fact I can't buy these cars because they are very expensive. Now my real dream is only a new car. A new car today costs not less than 12,000 Libyan dinars. When I get a new car I would like to visit most cities in Libya, my country, to see the mountains, lakes, deserts and forests.
Adel Ali
B3 - Pre-intermediate
An Italian Dream Holiday
I would like to take a vacation next summer. I will go to Italy with my friends and I'll stay for seven days.
Italy is an old country. The weather in Italy is very wet and hot but I like it. I like Italy because it has a lovely sea and swimming pools, I'd like to swim there. Italy has good food too. I'd like to eat pizza and eat in restaurants in Italy and I'd like to walk in the old cities. I would like to see many things about Roman history and I'd like to sit in front of the seaside and drink coffee and smoke.Italy has many forests, mountains and lakes. There are many stores and shops. I'd like to go shopping and buy new clothes to wear. I'll stay in a hotel when I'm in Italy.
Italy is an old country. The weather in Italy is very wet and hot but I like it. I like Italy because it has a lovely sea and swimming pools, I'd like to swim there. Italy has good food too. I'd like to eat pizza and eat in restaurants in Italy and I'd like to walk in the old cities. I would like to see many things about Roman history and I'd like to sit in front of the seaside and drink coffee and smoke.Italy has many forests, mountains and lakes. There are many stores and shops. I'd like to go shopping and buy new clothes to wear. I'll stay in a hotel when I'm in Italy.
Abdelroof
B3 - Pre-intermediate
My Last Holiday
My last holiday was very exciting. The first thing I would like to write about is the day in the airfield. It was very enjoyable because I love to travel by airplane. I feel I'm like a bird, I can go from one locale to another one and I see my family.
I arrived in Jordan at about 12 am then I went to my apartment but I didn't take any rest. I took a shower, then changed my clothes, after that I went to a restaurant to eat the best meal ever - shawarma. Then I went to the mall and went shopping. That night I went to a party and I came home about 3:30 in the morning. I stayed in Jordan for about seven days then we went by car to Syria.
I arrived in Damascus at 2:30 in the afternoon and stayed there for two days. After that I took a bus to the country. It's very nice, it's name is Jablh in the north of Syria.
I stayed in Jablh for two weeks, then I took a small bus to Turkey were I stayed for four days. After that I came back to Syria. Syria is very nice and all travel is very nice because in the morning I went to the old market, in the evening I went swimming att he beach and at night I went to the Casino. After four weeks I came back to Libya.
Esraa Mohammed
B3 - Pre-intermediate
I arrived in Jordan at about 12 am then I went to my apartment but I didn't take any rest. I took a shower, then changed my clothes, after that I went to a restaurant to eat the best meal ever - shawarma. Then I went to the mall and went shopping. That night I went to a party and I came home about 3:30 in the morning. I stayed in Jordan for about seven days then we went by car to Syria.
I arrived in Damascus at 2:30 in the afternoon and stayed there for two days. After that I took a bus to the country. It's very nice, it's name is Jablh in the north of Syria.
I stayed in Jablh for two weeks, then I took a small bus to Turkey were I stayed for four days. After that I came back to Syria. Syria is very nice and all travel is very nice because in the morning I went to the old market, in the evening I went swimming att he beach and at night I went to the Casino. After four weeks I came back to Libya.
Esraa Mohammed
B3 - Pre-intermediate
My Dream Car
I'd like a sports car that's very fast with big tires and two doors. About the engine, I'd like it to be a very strong engine with turbo power. It will have headlights and I want it like a convertible. For music I'd like a CD player with cassette and big speakers. In the back I want small, long taillights and I'd like a blue or dark blue car (I want a Ford Mustang GTi).I would go in my Mustang to my farm to visit my grandmother and I'd like to drive to Egypt, Tunisia, Ghadames and Sebha. I'd like to go with my friends to the beach too.
This is not the end, it's just the beginning!
Hassan
B3 - Pre-intermediate
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Dance Mat Typing
The BBC Schools website has a fun game to help you learn to type. This is fun for all levels of learners and is a good way for beginner students to practice the alphabet. Visit the site and have fun! Here's the link: Dance Mat Typing
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Hilary's Long Day
Hilary sat down on the sand and wondered why everything had gone wrong. A rather strange and ambiguous sentence maybe, but let's look back to the beginning of the story to know the reason.
"Hilary, wake up!" Hilary's mom called out "The airplane will take off in about two hours." "Oh please mom. Can you call the captain to delay the take off of the plane? I want to sleep!" Hilary said from under the warm covers of her bed. "we are not playing Hilary. I said WAKE UP." Hilary's mom spoke loudly. "OK!" Hilary replied. She went to the bathroom to take a shower "Oh why is there no water?" Hilary said to herself "OK, I'll take it when I arrive in Australia."
So she went downstairs quickly to eat her breakfast but she found that they had nothing to eat in the house. It was empty because they were moving to Australia. "OK. No problem. I'll eat when I arrive in Australia." thought Hilary. She went upstairs to take her suitcase and a little birthday gift she had received from her deceased father. "Where is it?" She looked out the window and found someone running. "A thief!" He had stolen the gift from her which was a beautiful jewel, but there was no time to call the police.
She took her suitcase and went downstairs only to find that her mother had already taken a taxi to the airport and left her a letter asking her to join her there. She went down to the street to search for a taxi but the city was empty and the airplane was about to take off!
Next a lot of things happened. First she stole her neighbour's car but it seemed she could get no where because the traffic was so thick. Next she nearly hit a small kitten with the car! Finally she arrived at the airport. The check in was so difficult because she had forgotten to bring her ID, but after some time they let her pass and board the plane.
At long last the airplane was moving. "Something is wrong with this airplane. It's vibrating!" Hilary exclaimed.
Thirty minutes after take off the airplane crashed. "Where am I?" Hilary asked herself as she woke up. She was sitting down on the sand in front of the sea. "Why had everything gone so wrong?"
Ahmed Aboughrara
FCE Preparation
"Hilary, wake up!" Hilary's mom called out "The airplane will take off in about two hours." "Oh please mom. Can you call the captain to delay the take off of the plane? I want to sleep!" Hilary said from under the warm covers of her bed. "we are not playing Hilary. I said WAKE UP." Hilary's mom spoke loudly. "OK!" Hilary replied. She went to the bathroom to take a shower "Oh why is there no water?" Hilary said to herself "OK, I'll take it when I arrive in Australia."
So she went downstairs quickly to eat her breakfast but she found that they had nothing to eat in the house. It was empty because they were moving to Australia. "OK. No problem. I'll eat when I arrive in Australia." thought Hilary. She went upstairs to take her suitcase and a little birthday gift she had received from her deceased father. "Where is it?" She looked out the window and found someone running. "A thief!" He had stolen the gift from her which was a beautiful jewel, but there was no time to call the police.
She took her suitcase and went downstairs only to find that her mother had already taken a taxi to the airport and left her a letter asking her to join her there. She went down to the street to search for a taxi but the city was empty and the airplane was about to take off!
Next a lot of things happened. First she stole her neighbour's car but it seemed she could get no where because the traffic was so thick. Next she nearly hit a small kitten with the car! Finally she arrived at the airport. The check in was so difficult because she had forgotten to bring her ID, but after some time they let her pass and board the plane.
At long last the airplane was moving. "Something is wrong with this airplane. It's vibrating!" Hilary exclaimed.
Tk....Tk..... Tuk....... BOOM!
Thirty minutes after take off the airplane crashed. "Where am I?" Hilary asked herself as she woke up. She was sitting down on the sand in front of the sea. "Why had everything gone so wrong?"
Ahmed Aboughrara
FCE Preparation
Friday, November 10, 2006
What's a cinquain?
A cinquain is a five line poem that is written in a specific way:
Line 1 - Title (one word) - either a subject or a noun
Line 2 - Description (two words) adjectives that describe Line 1
Line 3 - Action (three words) action verbs that relate to Line 1
Line 4 - Feeling - (four to six words) feelings or a sentence that relates to Line 1
Line 5 - Synonym - (one word) either a synonym or a word that sums it up
Here are some cinquain poems that were written by some of our Making Progress to FCE students:
Line 1 - Title (one word) - either a subject or a noun
Line 2 - Description (two words) adjectives that describe Line 1
Line 3 - Action (three words) action verbs that relate to Line 1
Line 4 - Feeling - (four to six words) feelings or a sentence that relates to Line 1
Line 5 - Synonym - (one word) either a synonym or a word that sums it up
Here are some cinquain poems that were written by some of our Making Progress to FCE students:
Girlfriend
Smart, funny
Loving, laughing, and joking
I just like her when she smiles.
Beauty
My Family
So big, so close
Visiting, loving, giving
A lot of people but one heart.
Surname
Taha Alnatoh
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
City
Busy, crowded
Living, working, enjoying
Living in the city is very interesting.
Big
Sea
Wide and deep
Swimming, sailing, looking
Walking on the beach is sweet.
Blue
So Un Ha
~~~~~~~~~~~
Brother
Speaking gently
Loving, sociable, friendly
I feel strange when I find him sitting alone.
Safe
Hafez Melad
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sun
Warm, kind
Covering, brightening, loving
Sun is always warm and lovely.
Bright
Kim Su Ryon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Country
Sunny, green
Giving, feeding, warm
I'm praying to Allah to keep it safe.
Costly
Book
Useful, friend
Teaching, helpful, amusing
Read all the book you can.
Chronicle
Girlfriend
Pretty, attractive
Loving, caring, fun
You can't feel happy without her.
Life
Elmehdi Mohamed
Smart, funny
Loving, laughing, and joking
I just like her when she smiles.
Beauty
My Family
So big, so close
Visiting, loving, giving
A lot of people but one heart.
Surname
Taha Alnatoh
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
City
Busy, crowded
Living, working, enjoying
Living in the city is very interesting.
Big
Sea
Wide and deep
Swimming, sailing, looking
Walking on the beach is sweet.
Blue
So Un Ha
~~~~~~~~~~~
Brother
Speaking gently
Loving, sociable, friendly
I feel strange when I find him sitting alone.
Safe
Hafez Melad
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sun
Warm, kind
Covering, brightening, loving
Sun is always warm and lovely.
Bright
Kim Su Ryon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Country
Sunny, green
Giving, feeding, warm
I'm praying to Allah to keep it safe.
Costly
Book
Useful, friend
Teaching, helpful, amusing
Read all the book you can.
Chronicle
Girlfriend
Pretty, attractive
Loving, caring, fun
You can't feel happy without her.
Life
Elmehdi Mohamed
Pronunciation & Phonetics
This is a fantastic interactive site to help you with pronunciation and phonetics!Using this website is a fun way to learn!
Click on the image above or on this link: Pronunciation & Phonetics
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Daily Quiz
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Passive Voice
Here's a simple explanation of Passive Voice with lots of exercises for practice and revision. Click on the image above or visit the site with this link: English Grammar Online 4U - Passive VoicePassive Voice is found in Unit 11A of the FCE students' course book.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Making Sentences
Try this exercise just for fun. How many sentences can you make? Click on the image to play the game or on this link: Silly Sentence Game
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
English, baby!
Here's a website that has a different English lesson everyday. The lessons are fun and interesting. Each lesson has reading and listening - two skills that all the students need to improve. There are also vocabulary quizzes in each lesson. Click on the image above to visit the site or click on this link: English, baby!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Please read this
We hope that you 're having a fantastic Ramadan. We would like to remind you that classes will resume as soon as Eid is over, directly after the third day of Eid. In the meantime please keep checking the blog and work on the exercises that we'll be posting.
If you are planning to take any of the Cambridge exams (KET, PET, FCE, CAE, BEC) - the deadline for registration is on Sunday, October 29th. - that's as soon as we get back from the break.
Have a peaceful Ramadan.
The Staff at Yethreb School
If you are planning to take any of the Cambridge exams (KET, PET, FCE, CAE, BEC) - the deadline for registration is on Sunday, October 29th. - that's as soon as we get back from the break.
Have a peaceful Ramadan.
The Staff at Yethreb School
Irregular Past Simple Verb Exercise
Here's an exercise to help you practice the past simple forms of irregular verbs. Click on the image above or on this link: ESLgo irregular verbs
Monday, October 02, 2006
Where's Aimen?
Aimen from the 'Making Progress to FCE' class is in Germany. He's taking a training course there for three months. You can read about what he's doing and what he thinks about life in Germany at his new weblog.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
PET & FCE - Practice Exercises
The deadline to register for the upcoming Cambridge University English exams is on October 29th. If you are interested in taking any of these exams you will need to make sure to register as soon as the Ramadan break is finished.
To help you prepare for the exams here are some online exercises:
Cooking Verbs Vocabulary Exercise
Here's a fun exercise to keep you busy this Ramadan. How much do you know about vocabulary for foods and verbs used for cooking? Click on the image above to work on the exercise or on this link: Cooking Verbs
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Announcement
The staff at Yethreb School would like to offer you warm wishes for Ramadan.
We will be taking a break for the month of Ramadan. The last class before the break will be on Thursday, September 23rd. Classes will resume on the fourth day after the end of the month of Ramadan (directly after the 3rd day of the Eid).
Please keep checking the blog during the break as we will be posting activities to do through out the month.
REMINDER: If you are planning to take any of the Cambridge exams (KET, PET, FCE, CAE, BEC) - the deadline for registration is on Sunday, October 29th.
If you are interested in enrolling in a course or have any questions, please stop by the school or contact us.
Wishing you once again a tranquil Ramadan.
The Staff of Yethreb School
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
The Learning Edge
Here's a fun website that has lots of activities. Click on the articles in the newspaper and listen and read, then click on:
Click here to get started: The Learning Edge
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Unforgettable - Song Exercise
Here's a music video with a gap fill exercise. Click on the image above to visit the site or on this link: Unforgettable Be patient - it may take a while for the video to load. But after that you can listen to it over and over again, and do the exercise at the same time.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Top 21 Class in Brazil
Mrs Khadija is being featured on a blog made by students at a school in Brazil. Their teacher asked her if the students could ask her some questions using the word 'like'. They posted their questions on their school's blog. Their blog is called Top 21 Class.Five students asked her questions. This is Daise and Simone:
This is Emerson, Marilda and Aboré:
They wanted to know what Mrs Khadija liked about Libya and what life in Libya was like. Mrs Khadija told them about her life in Libya. You can visit Top 21 Class's blog to read what she had to say. http://top21.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Punctuation and Capitalization
The FCE students are working hard to improve their punctuation skills. Here's an online quiz - there are 50 questions. Click on the image above or on this link: http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/punc_master_test.asp
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Better@English podcasts
Podcasts are sound files, usually MP3s that are uploaded on the internet. There are podcasts about all kinds of things; interviews, stories, current news, poetry, or specific information. You can listen to them on the computer or download them onto an MP3 player and listen to them where ever you happen to be.
There are many podcasts especially made for people learning English. The website Better@English features two minute lessons to help you learn English vocabulary, idioms, slang, grammar and much more. To visit the site, CLICK on the image above, or on this link: http://www.betteratenglish.com/
There are many podcasts especially made for people learning English. The website Better@English features two minute lessons to help you learn English vocabulary, idioms, slang, grammar and much more. To visit the site, CLICK on the image above, or on this link: http://www.betteratenglish.com/
Friday, September 01, 2006
My Dream House
My dream house would be a big mansion. Inside this mansion I would like to have a big living room that includes a massive plasma TV.
I would also like to have a kitchen with a big table to eat on and a bathroom with a big jacuzzi.
Of course my dream house would include a wife that I love and live for. So I would like to have a big bedroom with a small bathroom. I'd also like to have children in my dream house; everyone with their own room.
I'd like to have a big garden with loads of trees, flowers and green grass. A garage with two cars; one for me and the other for my wife. I'd also like to have a guest room and a dining room.
Finally, I would like to add something that my family would enjoy. A fun room with a pool table, a tennis table and three or four computers.
And to sum up, I'd like to say that my dream house wouldn't be complate without my dad and mum and the whole family, so they can visit us anytime.
Well, I hope I didn't get carried away, and maybe in the future you could visit.
Ahmed Ahtash
FCE preparation
I would also like to have a kitchen with a big table to eat on and a bathroom with a big jacuzzi.
Of course my dream house would include a wife that I love and live for. So I would like to have a big bedroom with a small bathroom. I'd also like to have children in my dream house; everyone with their own room.
I'd like to have a big garden with loads of trees, flowers and green grass. A garage with two cars; one for me and the other for my wife. I'd also like to have a guest room and a dining room.
Finally, I would like to add something that my family would enjoy. A fun room with a pool table, a tennis table and three or four computers.
And to sum up, I'd like to say that my dream house wouldn't be complate without my dad and mum and the whole family, so they can visit us anytime.
Well, I hope I didn't get carried away, and maybe in the future you could visit.
Ahmed Ahtash
FCE preparation
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