To my new pen friend

Dear Hamed,
I'm really happy that you are my new pen friend. I'll tell you something about me. My name is Mahmud Belhaj. I'm 20 years old and I'm a basketball player and I'm a student too. I want to tell you about my life. Everyday I get up at 7:00 and I often have breakfast at 7:30am. I go to training at 7:45 am. I go back home at 12:00. When I come back home I turn on the Internet. I talk to my friends. After we chat I have lunch. I go to an English course at 4:00pm. I go to bed at midnight. That's all about me.


Your friend,
Mahmud

Mahmud Belhaj
Elementary A

My daily routine

Dear Hameda,


I'm really happy that you are my pen friend. I'll tell you something about my daily routine. I'm 18 years old and I'm going to university after 1 month. I'm not excited to be in university because I think it's so hard and boring.In the week I don't get up early, at 10 o'clock. I don't have breakfast because I get up late. When I get up I clean the house, after that I have lunch. 


After lunch I go to an English course from half past three to eight o'clock. When I get back home I feel so tired. Thanks God not every day, just Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays. On the other days I sometimes go out or stay in. In my free time I watch TV, use my laptop and listen to music.


At night I also go to sleep very late - around midnight. That's all the things in my life. I hope to see you soon.


Best wishes,
Maha 

Maha Hamouda
Elementary A

Some days I'm busy, some days I'm sleepy

My Dear Hameda,

Thank you for the letter. So I'll tell you some things about me. I'm 22 years old and I'm going to be 23 years old on the 15th of February. I'm a student at dentistry college, in the 4th year. On some days I am busy, and on other days I'm sleepy.

In the week I sometimes get up at 8:30, but on other days I get up about 10:00 or 11 o'clock. I often have breakfast at about 9 o'clock. I leave home about 9:15 and go to university and I reach there at about 9:30 or 9:45. I go by car with my friend Abd Allah. We study until about 12 or 1 o'clock and then I go home. I hardly ever take a nap. Then I go to an English course in the evening. The course starts at 6 o'clock and finishes at 8 o'clock on Saturdays, Mondays and Thursdays. On the other days I go to the gym at about 7 o'clock and stay until 10 o'clock. At the end of the day I have dinner at 11 o'clock and then watch TV from 11:30 to 1 or 2 o'clock and then I go to bed and sleep. That's my day.

Your friend,

Mohammed

Mohammed Alzeiat
Elementary A

Hi Dears

Hi Dears,


We're happy that you and your wife accepted our invitation. There is an apartment with one room, one kitchen and one bath with a beautiful garden. If you don't like it I can book a hotel room mearby. I can come take you from the airport - just call me before your plane takes off. Or you can get a taxi to Zawia then to Al-Motred village then ask for the El Akrami family, or call me on 0921234567.


You can hire a car or you can use mine. I can arrange an excellent vacation for you.


First we can go on a boat trip for more than 4 hours.We can have lunch in the seafood restaurant and in the afternoon we can go to the museum. The next day we can rent a bike to go cycling around the national park, but we can't take food with us.


Don't worry there are a lot of things to do just come.


See you on the 12th of May.


Salam,
M. El Akrami

ps. Can I ask for the price of a spear gun?

Mahmoud El Akrami
Elementary B

Dear Tark

Dear Tark,


Thanks a lot for inviting me to your precious birthday. I'm glad to be there. I will make myself free. I can stay with you three days. Actually, I went to buy a gift yesterday and I didn't make up my mind so I won't bring you one but I promise I'll take you out to buy those sneakers you like as a present, if that's okay with you. Don't worry about the price. Also, do you know where I can rent a car before the birthday party? Too get around with, if not, I can borrow my brother's car.


See you later alligator,
Moez


ps. Where will you have the birthday party? In your house or in your parent's house?

Moez Ezubeik
Elementary B

Changes in Libya and my life

Food is more expensive than last year.
Libya is more dangerous than five years ago.
The food is safer than two years ago.
My life is quieter than it was five years ago.

Ahmed Mahmoud Gadgoud
Elementary B

My town, my life

My town - city

• It's more dangerous than it was six months ago.
• A car is more expensive than it was last year.

My life

• My life is more boring than it was six months ago.
• My car is more beautiful than it was last week.

Mohamed Al Zaid

Elementary B

Dear Norah and Sarah

Dear Norah and Sarah,


Thank you for your letter. I'm so happy that you will visit me in Tripoli. I hope that you will enjoy the trip. I shall meet you in the airport and I will pick you up. You can stay in any hotel, but you are most welcome to stay in my house. You can rent a car, but you don't have to. You can use my car and go anywhere you want. 


I will show you around Tripoli. We can visit the old castle, I'm sure that you will like it because it's interesting and you ccan visit Bab Alazeza to see Gadaffi's house, who was the worst dictator. We will also rent a four wheel motorbike to go to the desert. When you get here we will see many other different places.


See you soon. Good bye.
Tasneem

Tasneem Elgabroun
Elementary B

My friends Aziz and Elyas

My friends Aziz and Elyas,


First, thanks for the visit. Second, there are a lot of places to stay. You can book a hotel or stay at my home. Third, you can get to my place by taxi; it's 15 minutes away from the airport. Fourth, yes you can rent a car, it's very easy. Fifth, you can do a lot of things. We can go to Martyrs' Square and visit the Tripoli Museum.


Ahmed

Ahmed Gadgoud
Elementary B

Dear Randa

Dear Randa,


Hi Randa, how are you? Would you like to see my country? You can stay with me in my house. How long do you want to stay? When you get to the airport just call me. I will pick you up and you can have lunch with me. After that if you'd like to rent a car you can if you need it and I can help you if you want to go to anyplace like the museum, the mountains, the Sahara Desert, or Leptis. We have a lot of places you can visit and we can do many things. So just call me when you want to come.


See you.
Best wishes and lots of love,
Islam

Islam Taher Belhaj
Elementary B

Dear Aunt and Uncle

Dear Aunt and Uncle,


Thanks very much for the invitation to cousin Oliver and Becky's wedding. Of course I'd love to come. I'm on holiday then so I can study in England for three months. I booked my flight yesterday and I arrive (?) If that's not possible don't worry I can stay in a hotel. I can rent a motorbike after the wedding, if not, I can rent a car.


See you soon,
Mohamed

Mohamed Al Zaidi
Elementary B

Dear Kholod

Dear Kholod,


Thank you for your letter. I miss you so much. It's been a long time. I'm really pleased that you can come to the wedding. You can stay in my house and you can rent a car. I'm sorry but I'm busy so can you get a taxi from the airport? See you soon.


Love,
Safa 

Safa Adel Elghmasi
Elementary B

Some of our Pre Intermediate students

Aya is an eye doctor. She has three brothers and three sisters and she is the oldest one. She is 26 years old. She is a student in Tripoli. She is busy studying English. She lives in Hay Alandoles. Her best friend is Bellcises. She is studying English too because she needs it in her work. Her future plan is finishing her English studies.

Jenna Bader

Eman is a Libyan girl living in Tripoli Libya. She is 18.

Eman lives in Tripoli. She is studying English in Yethreb School because English is important and an international language. In addition, she is going to be a dentist in the future and this is another reason for studying English.

In her free time she likes playing on her computer. On holidays she tries to learn something new.

Ibrahim Baour

Genna is a beautiful 15 year old girl. She is one of my English classmates. 

She has got three sisters and two brothers. She finished her primary school last year in Nagea Twier School in Tripoli. She has a close friend; her name is Noor. Genna and Noor go shopping every weekend.

Aya Elmishre

Marwa Altelesis is a Libyan girl born in 1990. She lives in Tripoli with her family. She is a student in medical school. She is going to be a dentist. Marwa has four brothers and four sisters. She loves her family. She is engaged and planning to get married and stay at home to raise her children.


She likes travelling. She has been to German, Tunisia and Mali. In her free time she likes reading Bottany books. She is going to livein Misrata with her future husband.


Areej Jomaa

His name is Ibrahim and he's 25. He's not married. He lives in a housein Tripoli, in Libya.

He's an intern now and he's going to be a doctor. He's studying English because he's preparing himself for the IELTS exam. He likes playing footbal and reading the Koran in his free time.

Eman Eshmila

Ainour is one of my classmates. She is 24 years old. She livesin Hai Andelos in a house.

Ainour has got three sisters and three brothers and she is still single. By the way, she is a good cook, especially in desserts. The best thing that she can cook is cake.

Nowadays Ainour is studying English language in Yethreb School because she is preparing an IELTS exercise while she is studying in university in medical college. Ainour will be a doctor in the future.

Ainour always spends her free time watching TV. She visited Egypt last holiday. She intends to travel to London in the future to study.

Ainour has got a veery kind spirit. She is looking forward to helping sick people when she becomes a doctor. She also likes kids very much.

Ashraf Othman

Areej Elmishre is one of the students in the English course. She is Libyan and she livesin Hai Andolus. 

Areej was born in Moscow, Russia but she didn't live there for a long time. When she was 18 years old she went ot Tipoli college and she studied medicine. She was eminent and studious in her class.

Areej is a twin with her sister. She is single and she lives with her parents and her three sisters and three brothers. She said 'I have a really nice family and I love them all'.

In her free time she likes writing and reading for culture, watching TV and browsing the internet.

Areej is a doctor, now she is working in the hemotology section. She dreams of having a good job and maybe working outside of Libya. She likes her job but she said 'It is very heavy work'. About her future plans, she said 'Sometimes I feel that I'm going to hate medicine because it takes a lot of my lifetime. So if the chance comes I'll get married and have a family!' 

Also she is going to learn the Koran. Areej likes learning languages but she can't speak any other language except English and of course Arabic. She's learning and studying English to help her in her work.

Marwa Ayad

Some of our beginner students

Hi I'm Mosab. I'm 15. I'm Libyan. I'm from Tripoli. My family live in Znata. I'm a student. My favourite food is bazin. My hero is Joma Gtet. He's from Beda. He's a footballer.

Hi! I'm Auob. I'm 14. I'm Libyan. I'm from Tripoli. I live in Korgy. I'm an English student at Yethreb School. My hero is Ali Dernawi. He's from Benghazi. My favourite food is pizza.

Hi! I'm Sheiam. I'm 16. I'm Libyan. I'm from Tripoli. I livein Ainzara. I'm a student at Al-Entefada School. My heroine is Selena Gomez. She's from the USA. My favourite food is hamburger and my favourite football team is Real Madrid.

Hi! I'm Ayman. I'm 17. I'm Libyan. I'm from Hoon but I live in Treksor with my family. I'm a student in university. My hero is Messi. He's from Barcelona. My favourite food is hamburgers.

Hi! I'm Hoda. I'm 15. I'm Libyan. I'm from Tripoli. I live in 11th of June Street. I'm a student at Ali Siala School. My hero is Tamer Hosny. He's from Egypt. My favourite food is pizza.

Hi I'm Ahmed. I'm 16. I'm Libyan. I'm from Tripoli. I live in Benashor. I'm an English Student at Yethreb School. My hero is Ali Dernawi. He's from Benghazi. My favourite food is Osban.

Hi! I'm Marwan. I'm 14. I'm Libyan. I'm from Banghazi. I live in Tripoli with my family. I live in Hadba. I'm a student in university. My hero is Jamal Rizik. He's from Hadba. My favourite food is hamburger.

Do you want to learn Spanish?

Breaking News

Yethreb will be closed from Wednesday August 4th until after Ramadan and Eid. We will have new courses beginning when we return from the break.

• General English Courses
• Preparation for the Cambridge Preliminary English Test (PET)
• IELTS Preparation

For further information please contact us: 021 360 4565 (after 5pm) or visit us at Yethreb.

Thank you!

Emailed homework.. yes, email is a verb too!

Abdulbasset

PET preparation

Future forms - going to, will and when + infinitive

1- I'm going to have some coffee. It 'll be very useful when I feel sleepy in the morning.

2- My brother is going to sleep outside. My father will be worried when he hears about it.

3- My friend is going to fail the exame. He won't be happy when we meet.

4- We are going to make party for my mother. She'll very glad when we suprise her.

Khalifa Alwani

PET preparation

1- I'm going to buy an old car. I will be on time to class when my work starts at the site.

2- I'm going to improve my skills in my field because I will be staying to watch what people do without do anything when I speak English fluently.

3- I'm going to travel over the sea. I'll get married to a foreign Muslim girl when I have a house and enough money for travel and a wedding.

Name withheld at the request of the student

PET Preparation

They Make Up My Day

They Make Up My Day

When I first wake up I just take five minutes, holding these two photos and keep looking at them as though it's the first time I've seen them in my life. They bring back to me the very good and the bad memories, but what matters most is that they are not coming back anymore and that makes me think how wonderfully life changes.

One of the photos is a picture of me back when I went on a visit to America. I was seven at the time, the photo was taken while I was playing on a ride in Bush Gardens in Florida. It was summertime, I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt with butterflies on it. I was very happy, playing with an innocent smile. I love this photo because it makes me think of my childhood and how things change in life and how I used to see life back then.

The other photo is of me in high school, wearing my school uniform and going out the door to school. It was a strange period of life I've been through. Since then I've learned a lot of things and experienced very much, I learned a lot about my friends and how it's not easy to find the right true friends, and I learned about taking responsibilities and of course high school was one of the best times I had in my life.

I look at those photos everyday and wish those days would come back because then I could fix things that I regret and live those moments again and again.

Nora - FCE Preparation

Keeping Fit

Dear Mrs. Khadija,

Of course there are places in my area to keep fit. I've already joined a sports club called Al-amal Club. It's very close to my house - It takes about ten minutes to walk there. I really like it there because the people are friendly, you can do sports there, play tennis, football and volleyball, you can go to the gym and do yoga. Also you can play chess. There are many good players and there are even some professionals.

You can also find a nice restaurant and there's a concert at the club every Thursday night.

Keep in touch,

Khalid

Khalid - PET Preparation

IELTS Preparation Course beginning in June

The next IELTS preparation course will begin on June 13, 2010.

• 60-hours
• Course fee: 250 Libyan Dinars
• Fee includes classroom materials but not the exam fee
• Extra self study practice material is available to students at no additional cost
• The course will finish before Ramadan begins

If you are interested in joining the course please visit us Sundays to Thursdays between 5:30pm and 7:30pm to take the required assessment test and register for the course.

Yethreb Institute for English & Vocational Studies | 021 360 4565

Located in Benashur, Tripoli, Libya – near Mukhtar Clinic

Exam Preparation Courses

Cambridge Preliminary English Test (PET) and First Certificate of English (FCE) preparation courses will begin in April at Yethreb.

• Course fees: 250 LD (price includes books but not the exam fees)

Please see Mrs. Khadija if you have any questions or would like to join the next course.

Thank You!

Yethreb Institute for English & Vocational Studies | 021 360 4565

Located in Benashur, Tripoli, Libya – near Mukhtar Clinic

Codes of conduct for visitors to Libya

Here are some tips that the upper intermediate students thought would be helpful for visitors to Libya.

Behaviour on public transportation

Avoid paying the bus driver the fare until you reach your stop.

If you're taking a taxi you should negotiate the price before getting in the taxi.

Learn the proper hand signals for hailing the right bus.

Queuing

Libyans are jumping the queue all the time so you need to be a bit aggressive if you want to get to the head of the queue.

Dress codes

Dressing modestly will gain you more respect.

Wearing hijab for women is not necessary.

Saying please and thank you

People like saying 'please' and 'thank you' and it's a good idea to learn how to say the words in Arabic.

please = min fadlak

thank you = shokran

Starting conversations

Starting conversations is easy by asking where someone is from, or directions to places.

Talking to strangers

If you are a man, avoid talking to women you don't know in the street. It may be ok in some public places.

Libyans like meeting and talking with foreigners.

Talking loudly in public

Talking loudly is usually considered impolite.

Subjects you shouldn't talk about

Avoid using dirty words.

Steer clear of discussing local politics.

Things that might cause offence

Saying something bad about Islam or Muslims.

Eating or smoking in front of people in the daytime during the month of Ramadan.

Drinking alcoholic beverages (they're forbidden in Libya).

Upper Intermediate Students

Face2Face unit 6

Abdallah's news

- I like most fruit, apart from grapes.

- Even though I read grammar over and over again, it's still difficult for me.

- I couldn’t be ready for the exam last week due to my brother’s wedding.

- Since I couldn't go to Ali’s party I tried to send a message to him, but there was no coverage.

- While my best friend was talking on his cell phone someone came up quickly on a bicycle and stole his phone.

Abdalla Ben Nji

Upper Intermediate

A very wonderful garden

Yethreb's upper-intermediate students are learning about the Eden Project in Cornwall. It's a garden that uses exhibits, events, workshops and educational programmes to remind people what nature gives to us and to help people to learn how to look after it in return. In class we'll discuss the possibility of having a similar project in our community.

The Eden Project's website is here: Eden Project

What's in my future?

I've got a shop, so I work as a shopkeeper. It's hard work but it's good. I might open another one next month. But I want to work as an engineer for a government company. It will be interesting there. I won't be married before that. Now I'm studying an English course. I'll be able to speak fluently with Mrs. Khadija. God willing.

Khaled Alhemaly

Pre-intermediate

In the future....

• I'll stay at home all day.
• we'll have robots in our homes.
• we might be able to fly without pilots.
• I won't stay at home all day only.
• I'll be able to do a computer degree.

Mohamed Tantoush

Pre-intermediate

My dreams for the future

I won't want to have lots of children because life is becoming more and more difficult everyday. I know it's out of my reach, but that's my opinion at the moment. I'll do Umra and Hajj, God willing, if I have enough money. But the first thing I might do is build a beautiful house with a nice garden. These are not all of my dreams.

Abdulbasset Tantoush

Pre-intermediate

IELTS Preparation students - look here!

The IELTS prepartion students are learning to write about graphs, trends and changes. Click on the image above or this link: http://www.eclecticenglish.com/applets/Graphs.html to play a game to help you learn some useful verbs used to describe graphs.

More for IELTS - Describing Graphs

This is a helpful website about describing graphs for IELTS. Click on the image above to visit the website or click on this link: http://adw.hct.ac.ae/site_ilc/sites_ielts/graphsite/index.htm.

University Information

Many students have questions about different universities and often ask their teachers for help in finding answers to their questions. Here is a website created by Google to help people find information about different universities and colleges: Google University Search

It's easy to find out specific information about a particular university. For example if you want to find out whether the IELTS exam is required for admission, and what band is needed, you can choose the university you are interested in and then simply enter IELTS in the search box. A list of links will be given showing you what information is available for that particular university.

Help with Spelling

Many students have problems with spelling. Here's a fun way to improve your spelling - it's an online spelling program that you can play. Here's the link: Spelling City

Have Fun Spelling!

What is Libya Like?

Food: In my country people usually cook their food at home. The most popular foods are couscous, bazine and macaroni but they sometimes eat out in restaurants especially at dinner and they never eat in the street.

Weekends: A lot of people go to picnics at their farms. Some of them go to the beach, sometimes they go to visit some friends. We've got two days holiday in a week; Friday and Saturday. On Friday we've a special prayer in the mosque at lunchtime.

School: We send our children to study at the age of six, this is primary school. When they are twelve they go to a secondary school.

Entertainment: People usually watch TV at mealtimes. A lot of people like Aljazeera channel. They sometimes go to the hospital to visit some friends because a lot of them are sick of boring days. Also they enjoy shopping and sleeping.

Sport: Libyan people like football matches. Some of them like fishing on the sea, but they always play football wherever they want; sometimes in the street, their farms and they usually play at school.

Animals: Some people raise animals on their farms. We use the meat of some animals in our food. Most of the animals are camels, sheep, rabbits, but people never raise pigs on their farms at all.

Shops: Shops are usually open at 9:00am. Some people open their shops at 11:00am but they never open n Friday mornings. Some shops are closed on Saturday too.

Sharfaldeen M. Abudheer
KET Preparation

My Mother

My life would be totally different without my mother in it. I don't think that there is any woman that's as good in the mother's role as my mother.

She is very nice to us, yet very tough when one of us makes a mistake. She is a very energetic woman and not lazy at all. She can do lots of things in a very short time and she will do them right. She is also cheerful and optimistic.

Ever since I was a little girl I loved her so much as a girl loves her mother. But when I turned 12 she became closer and closer to me. We talk about everything in life, not as a mother and daughter, but as friends. She is so understanding that I can tell her about any problem that happens with me and I'm sure that she will tell me the right thing to do.

God bless my mother!

Eman Elaradi
FCE Preparation

My Father

The person I would like to speak about has given a lot and is still giving today. This person has had a huge influence on my way of thinking in life. The person I am writing about is my father.

Mohamed is his name, a real confident, religious, open-minded man and a great father also. He loves his work so much; he's a geologist working in a well-known oil company. He spends most of his time travelling and working abroad.

I don't see him a lot, but his words and lectures never leave my heart. He taught me the secrets of success in life:

"Respecting Islam as your religion is the first and most important source of your power. If you respect your religion every person on this planet will respect you." he says.

"Be honest in everything you do and always think before taking actions."

"When you give a word to someone be a man of your word, and never start something without finishing it."

"When you fall in love respect the woman that you love and treat her well because respect is the strong base in any relationship."

My father is a successful man in my opinion, but he didn't succeed easily in life. His father died when he was ten years old, so you can imagine how tough life was for him. He spent years working and studying to get me and my family the simple things that he couldn't have when he was at my age.

I used to travel with him and study abroad but in the last few years studying and working as an intern doctor has prevented me from travelling anymore. Anyway anytime travelling with him was a lesson of life.

He is a man of principles, I really respect him and love him as a father. I've learned a lot from him and I'm still learning till today.

Ahmed Riyani
FCE Preparation

Websites to practice your English

Here are some student websites from Cambridge University Publishers that you can use to practice your English.

• Interchange Arcade - 3 levels
• 
  
• Touchstone Arcade - 4 levels
  
• 
  
• Connect Arcade - 4 - levels

These sites were requested by Hamza, a student in Mrs. Khadija's KET Preparation class.

Thank You Hamza!

Confusing Words

Some words in English are confusing. Here's a website that might help you: Confusing Words

Out with my classmates and teacher

Last Tuesday, I went to Marjan Supermarket which has a small restaurant with my colleagues Ahmed, Khaled, Hassan and Osama at the school and out teacher Mrs. Samira for a special Cinnabon and wonderful pizza.

First Hassan called me to make sure if I am coming to school or not, while I was driving my car and when I was entering the class Ahmed called me to ask if there's a class today. Everybody came to class except Fadia and Wafa and we took one hour to talk and answer some exercises. Next we decided to go to the restaurant and we argued which car we'll take because everybody has a car. So I rode in my teacher's car and the guys rode in Osama's car and when the teacher was driving she told me that she's been driving since 1977 ands she is still afraid of driving which needs a brave person. Then we entered the restaurant. It's a small area with four small tables but it looks very beautiful.

Later, me and Hassan preferred pieces of pizza and you can't imagine how Khaled was looking at Hassan when he suggested to buy a big size of pizza. The teacher chose Cinnabon with green tea, Ahmed and Osama chose Cinnabon with Foster Drink and Khaled took a Cinnabon and we talked, joked and laughed for two hours.

Shortly after that we went around the supermarket and showed to Osama how it's very expensive to have a family and a house. Finally, we finished this wonderful day and the teacher showed us the perfect way to get something you want from anyone as a gift. Then everybody went back to his home with a smiling face.

Abdalmageed Ali
PET Preparation

Mohammed, my oldest friend

My oldest friend is called Mohammed. We met three years ago at school. He studies with me now in secondary school language class. He is a good boy and very friendly. I like this boy, he is very clever in class and he always gets second in the class. He is a very good boy. In class all the teachers like him.

Saleh Alnass
Elementary

My oldest friend

My oldest friend is named Taha. We met each other when I was a child. He went to Egypt when I was six years old and then he returned to Libya. He lives next to me. Then we became best friends. When I was eleven his father got a job in Belgium for four years. Taha's a special friend because he's a genius. He's good and he's lovely.

Ebrahim Abudaya
Elementary

My friend Kamal

My oldest friend is called Kamal. We met twenty years ago when I was fifteen years old. We met on my street because he lives by my house. He's my neighbour and we share the same ideas. Before I always saw him but now it's different because he is married and he moved. He has a baby named Harroun. I like my friend Kamal.

Sharf-Aldeen M. Abudheer
Elementary

IELTS Workshop

Yethreb staff and IELTS preparation students attended a workshop at the British Council. The workshop was presented by Sue O'Connell, author of the book Focus on IELTS as well as other exam preparation books and focused on the grammar and vocabulary necessary for students preparing to sit the IELTS exam.

A resource suggested by Ms. O'Connell was the Academic Word List. The most frequent word list can be downloaded as a PDF file: Most Frequent Words PDF

There are also some online exercises available for each sublist.

You can find them here: Academic Word List exercises

We'd like to thank the British Council, Tripoli for allowing us to attend the workshop and thank you to Ms. O'Connell for sharing with us her knowledge about English and IELTS.

Warm Wishes!

Yethreb Institute wishes you all a safe and happy holiday season.

Happy Eid al-Adha,
Merry Christmas,
and a very Happy New Year!

Improving Poorer Nations

There are times at which wealthier nations share their wealth among poorer nations in their needs. Although we acknowledge the importance of these matters, one should not neglect the negative impact it has. In my opinion, it is the responsibility of the governments to take care of their people and support them.

Firstly, if the poorer nations depend on the wealthy nations for food and education it may lead them to be submissive always to wealthier nations. People will not have freedom to their own way. Whereas the governments of poorer nations support their citizens themselves even if it may be a little of a burden to them, it would improve the status of that country.

Secondly, there are chances to dispose the unwanted, expired items to the poorer nations from the developed countries. For example, at the time of war or natural disaster, there are helping hands of wealthy nations by providing food, clothes, and medical care and many times it may not be useful for the needy.

However, contradicting to the above said, wealthier nations can give guidance for education with modern facilities. It may give not only a better experience to that country, but also to improve the status of the poorer nation.

Iby Sebastian
IELTS preparation

Should Wealthy Nations Help Poorer Nations?

With both wealthy nations and poorer nations the never ending debate of who is responsible for this problem, it is common that the blame is passed back and forth, rarely the blame is shared between them. But should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth? That is a difficult thing to judge.

The wealthy nations, having a strong economy may be expected to help the less fortunate nations in simple matters of food and clean water to drink but they don’t have to share responsibility for all of the people if they should decide to help out its considered charity or volunteer work. They are only responsible for their own nation and their own needs.

Governments of poorer nations are always trying to spread the blame of their poverty elsewhere. They blame civil wars which are a main issue in most territories, disease and the climate may also be contributing factors but the governments themselves have to act and plan how to overcome these obstacles and take action to help revive their people back to their former glory by creating stability and harmony among their citizens because with stability comes order so they can rise up and no longer need to be given handouts by other more fortunate nations.

On occasions it is difficult to say if sharing the wealth will help the poorer nations. Sometimes they might become dependent on these riches being handed out to them that they will never attempt to form their own educational system nor grow and manufacture their own food. As the proverb says ‘Give a man a fish, he has lunch for a day. Teach a man to fish, he has lunch everyday.’

I do believe that wealthier nations should help the less fortunate but only by letting them help themselves. Teach them how to grow crops instead of just giving them food, show them how to get clean water supplies instead of just sending them trucks of water, and to try opening dialogues with their governments on how to improve their school systems. In my personal opinion is that this way will be much more helpful to poorer nations than just sharing their profits.

Nasreen
IELTS Preparation

The Gap Between Rich & Poor

Nowadays the gap between wealthy nations and poorer nations is becoming huge and you can hear a voice here and there demanding to work on decreasing that gap by improving life conditions in those poorer countries and to do so there are two main opinions.

The first one say that wealthy nations are required to make more intensive efforts in helping poorer nations by providing some basic aids like food or education either by donating to the NGOs or contributing to the governments. But some experts oppose this way of helping. They say it doesn’t give real help. On the contrary it keeps poorer nations needy and it just creates countries unwilling to be developed and they will just remain poor; leaning on others to help.

The second opinion says that to develop poorer nations conditions have nothing to do with wealthy nations. It is the responsibility of the governments of poorer countries to work on their problems and find out convenient solutions for their poverty. Those who defend this idea say that most of the poor countries have natural resources and the problem is inside and it can be described as a problem of using the available natural resources for income. Furthermore, whatever wealthy nations provide it will not succeed and that it is like rewarding the governments of the poorer countries for their ignorance and abuse of their natural wealth.

If we take a deeper look into the situation we can say that both of the two parties are correct and wrong at the same time. They are wrong because neither the wealthy nation’s help alone nor the governments of the poor nations alone can provide a good solution, but it is right to have both together; the good will that helps and the governments that are willing to take care in a proper way of their citizens.

Onsy Tamadrous
IELTS preparation

Overcoming Poverty

When looking at the world today you will find that 80 percent of the countries are poor countries. They have no natural resources such as oil, gas or other revenues that they can use. The other twenty percent of countries of the world have good natural resources and good revenues that come from industries and export of goods to other countries. Some countries of the world do have natural resources but lack the knowhow, the technical knowledge, to make use of these natural resources and they try to import such experience from the outside in order to help them utilize such resources but not up to the required level they would hope for.

Governments of such poorer nations must spend much efforts in trying to help their people to get at least a reasonable standard of living, maybe by providing opportunities for jobs and education, raising the general standard of living for their people through various means; good administration, putting the right man in the right place, fighting corruption, equality in distributing the wealth and other opportunities between people.

The wealth, I think, do not have to share their wealth with poorer nations in a direct way ie by giving money and food, although wealthy nations can help poorer nations in overcoming their economic, cultural and educational problems by sending missions of experts to those poorer countries to try to help increase the standard of living in many different fields.

I really think and in the same wish the world will get better by establishing an administration with the United Nations that cares for strengthening relationships between wealthy and poorer nations in a way that leads to providing some subsidies given by wealthy nations to the poor all over the world because man is the man wherever he lives and he should have his dividends in the wealth that God made available for mankind everywhere all over the globe.

In conclusion, I think that overcoming poverty of people in poorer countries in the world can be accomplished primarily by the governments of those nations. The help of the wealthy nations may help with presence of good intentions but it comes as a second priority regarding this matter.

Masoud Abdussalam
IELTS preparation

Wealth and Poverty

Wealth and poverty are the most argued about words in life. These two words apply to every aspect in our world, and most people are either wealthy or poor. Middle class level could be the best level man could ask for; in this level man can secure the minimum of everything if he chooses.

However, it is not our choice to be born wealthy or poor, on this rich, low populated country or that poor, crowded, low resourced country. Moreover, it’s not in our hands to choose the family that is raising us, and if it is a responsible, educated and loving, or an illiterate abusing one that cant maintain the simplest needs in life.

But again there is the part the countries play through their governments and their duties towards their citizens and the equilibrium between duties and rights.

Nations are not the same and opportunities are not equal. We can see a wealthy country but the level of its human resources is low and others just the opposite. The poles of power in the world are those nations who have and also control the economy of the worlds. These nations are held responsible to take the lead in improving the world’s economy by encouraging the buildup of organizations that are able to reach the far most areas to help and improve the low situations for the poor; whether it is food, medicine, shelter or education. Making friendly gestures to the governments of the poor nations by offering all kinds of help in return for money if not for charity.

Zainab
IELTS preparation

Incredibly Fast Online Dictionary

Here is an online dictionary that's incredibly fast! It starts to give you the definition as you are typing the word. You can use the dictionary from the website or as an extension to your browser. Try it here: Definr Incredibly Fast Dictionary

Genius!

Learn English Today

Learning by looking

Here's is an interesting online picture dictionary called The Visual Dictionary.

This website is a great way to learn new vocabulary. Here's the link: The Visual Dictionary

A letter to Nouri

A beach in Libya

Dear Nouri,

How are you? I'm fine. Here's a letter in English. It's good practice for you and me. I have classes in English at Yethreb School. I'm in a class with eleven students. They're all from different cities; Tripoli, Agelat, Benghazi, Tarhouna, Mesrata and Janzour. Our teacher's name is Khadija. She's very nice and a very good teacher.

I live in a flat with my wife, son and two daughters. My son is two years old and my daughters are four and six years old. They're very friendly.

Tripoli is very big, very exciting but very cheap. The bus to Benghazi isn't difficult and it's not expensive. It's very hot now, but the beaches are lovely in the summer. I'm very happy here. Write to me soon.

Love,
Mohamed

Mohamed Ali Ligher
Elementary

A letter to Kimo

Dear Kimo,

How are you? I'm fine. Here's a letter in English, it's good practice for you and me. I have classes in English at Yethreb School. I'm in a class with ten students. They are all from Libya but all of them are from different cities. We have a good teacher. Her name is Khadija. She is a good teacher.

I'm living in a big house with my family in Tajoura. It's a very small town on the outskirts of Tripoli. All my brothers have different jobs. The weather in Tajoura is very lovely. There's a lot of farms around our house.

I'm eager to see you soon. Remember me to your family.

Yours sincerely,

Sharf-al-deen

Sharf-al-deen Abudheer
Elementary

Having Fun in Class

Learning English should be fun and it is thanks to Yethreb's wonderful students and staff.

Rustom from Mrs. Khadija's FCE class is a talented cartoonist!

Here's a closer image of Rustom's cartoon:

English Exam Preparation Courses

Preparation courses for Cambridge University English as a Second Language (ESOL) as well as preparation for IELTS are offered at Yethreb Institute. Below is an overview of the exams and some practice tests. For information about enrolling in exam preparation courses please drop by the office or call us 360 4565.

• Cambridge Key English Test (KET)

Difficulty level: 1 elementary
The Key English Test is the easiest of the Cambridge exams.

Who is it for?
Do this test if you want to know your studies have started well and you have a basic knowledge of reading, writing, speaking and listening.

What is the KET test like?
The test has three sections:

1. Reading & Writing - 70 minutes
2. Listening - 25 minutes
3. Speaking - 8-10 minutes

You can do these free practice tests: Grammar Test, Vocabulary Test


Yethreb Institute offers Cambridge University KET preparation courses. For information about enrolling in courses please drop by the office or call us 360 4565.

• Cambridge Preliminary English Test (PET)

Difficulty level: 2 low intermediate
The Preliminary English Test is one of the Cambridge exams.

Who is it for?
Do this test if you want to know that you have an intermediate level of English. With this level of English you will enjoy holidays in English speaking countries. You should probably continue studying once you have passed the PET exam.

What is the PET test like?
The test has three sections:

1. Reading and Writing - 90 minutes
2. Listening - 30 minutes
3. Speaking - an interview, 10 minutes

You can do these free practice tests: Reading Test

Yethreb Institute offers Cambridge University PET preparation courses. For information about enrolling in courses please drop by the office or call us 360 4565.

• Cambridge First Certificate of English (FCE)

Difficulty level: 3 upper intermediate
The First Certificate in English is the most important of the Cambridge exams.

Who is it for?
Pass this test and everybody knows you have an acceptable level of English. You can operate effectively in a business or social context.

What is the FCE test like?
The test has five sections:

1. Reading - 75 minutes
2. Writing - 2 essays, 90 minutes
3. Use of English - 90 minutes
   
4. Listening - 40 minutes
   
5. Speaking - interview, normally with another candidate, 15 minutes

You can do these free practice tests: Use of English Test, Listening Test, Writing Test


Yethreb Institute offers Cambridge University FCE preparation courses. For information about enrolling in courses please drop by the office or call us 360 4565.

• IELTS, the International English Language Testing System

Designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. IELTS is required for entry to university in the UK and other countries.

Who is it for?
IELTS is recognised by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognised by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies.
More than 700,000 people a year take the test.

What is the IELTS test like?
You can choose between the Academic or General Training versions of the test. All candidates do the same Listening and Speaking sections.
The test has four sections:

1. Listening - 4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes
2. Speaking - interview, 15 minutes
3. Reading - different for Academic or General Training - 3 sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes
4. Writing - different for Academic or General Training - 2 pieces of writing, 60 minutes

You can do these free practice tests: Listening 1, Listening 2, Reading 1, Reading 2, Reading 3, Writing 1, Vocabulary 1, Vocabulary 2

Yethreb Institute offers IELTS preparation courses. For information about enrolling in courses please drop by the office or call us 360 4565.

Thinking of taking TOEFL? Think again!

IELTS has been proven and trusted worldwide to provide a secure, global, authentic and customer-focused test which measures true to life ability to communicate in English.

• Close to 5,000 education institutions, faculties, government agencies and professional organisations around the world recognise IELTS scores as a trusted and valid indicator of ability to communicate in English.

• The test is taken every year across 120 countries.

Use this free tool to find out if the university or institution that you plan to attend recognizes IELTS and what score you need to achieve:

IELTS Recognition System

IELTS - Academic Reading

Here is a website that has some IELTS reading tests to practice online: IELTS SELF ACCESS

Vocabulary Game - Free Rice

Play this vocabulary game to help end world hunger!

For each word you get right ten grains of rice will be donated through the United Nations to help feed hungry people all over the world.




Here's how to play:

• Click on the answer that best defines the word.
• If you get it right, you get a harder word. If wrong, you get an easier word.
• For each word you get right, we donate 10 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program.

WARNING: This game may make you smarter. It may improve your speaking, writing, thinking, grades, job performance... (more)

Click here to play: FREE RICE

Test Your Grammar

Take an online test to check your grammar. Click on the picture above or click here to visit the website.