At a restaurant : Useful vocabulary/ phrases:

Do you know what to say when you are eating out?

Below there are some examples of useful language used in this situation.

WAITER / WAITRESS

Taking notes about the order:

 Would you like to order?

 Can I help you?

 Are you ready to order?

 Are you going to try any of our…?

Offering Food

 Would you like a / an / some…?

 What about a / an / some…?

 Can I get you a / an / some…?

 Won’t you go for a / an / some…?

Asking about preferences:

 Do you prefer…?

 How would you like it?

Asking about drinks:

 What would you like to drink?

 Anything to drink?

 To drink?

CUSTOMER

Ordering a meal:

 Excuse me, waiter, we’d like to order.

 We are ready to order now.

 I’d like a / an / some…and…

 I want a / an / some…and…

 I’ll go for a / an / some…

 Please bring me a / an / some…

To accept / refuse the offer:

 Yes, please.

No, thanks. I’d like/ prefer a / an / some…

Deciding about drinks:

 I’d like…

 Could you bring me.., please?

Asking about the bill:

 Could I have the bill, please?

 Could you bring me the bill, please?

LET’S PRACTICE!

 Put the following events in the correct order:

_______ have the main course

_______ ask for the bill

_______ sit down

_______ look at the menu

_______ book a table

_______ have the starter

_______ decide to go out for dinner

_______ pay the bill

_______ tip the waiter

_______ have a dessert

These are sentences commonly used in a restaurant when ordering a meal. Put the words in the correct order.

1. pay / can / with / I / a debit card?

____________________________________________________________

2. a table / we’d / like / for two.

____________________________________________________________

3. have / the soup of the day / first / I’ll.

____________________________________________________________

4. the menu / have / please / we / can?

____________________________________________________________

5. have / please / can / the bill / we ?

____________________________________________________________

6. vegetables/ what / like / you / would?

____________________________________________________________

7. coffee / like / some / you /would?

____________________________________________________________

8. course / the salmon grill / for / I’d / main / like / my

____________________________________________________________

9. to drink / what / like / you /would?

____________________________________________________________

Verbs: Make and Do !

Today we are going to be discussing Make and do !

Lets go!

The words do and make are often confused. They have very similar meanings; however, there are some differences as well. In this lesson, we will explain the correct usage of do and make. We will look at the uses of make and do through context of a story and also create an agenda - things we make and do daily.

Lesson aim:

To look at the majour differences between make and do – followed up with some exceptions and a few exercises in class.

Lesson objectives:

By the end of the session, you will know the rules and some handy expressions with make and do.

Lesson vocabulary:

Exceptions to the rule of thumb regarding make and do !

LET’S PRACTICE:

I have to ___ a telephone call.

a. do

b. make

She didn't ___ her best so she felt sad.

a. do

b. make

It was the first time she didn't ___ the beds.

a. do

b. make

She was late so she didn't ___ breakfast for them.

a. do

b. make

He ___ the assignment, but forgot to bring it to school.

a. did

b. make

He has to ___ the housework before he can go.

a. do

b. make

There are so many decisions to ___.

a. do

b. make

Did you ___ a reservation for tonight?

a. do

b. make

Did he ___ the doctor's appointment yet?

a. do

b. make

He was busy ___ the food shopping.

a. doing

b. making

He ___ a lot of research.

a. does

b. makes

The people wanted to ___ peace.

a. do

b. make

The children are ___ too much noise.

a. doing

b. making

It was a pleasure ___ business with you.

a. doing

b. making

I must ___ my homework before I go to bed.

a. do

b. make

Why does he always ___ a promise and then break it?

a. do

b. make

A famous movie star is going to ___ an appearance here tonight.

a. do

b. make

I will ___ the dinner dishes.

a. do

b. make

You can ___ the dinner.

a. do

b. make

You are going to have to ___ some changes here.

a. do

b. make

Can you tell me how much money he ___?

a. does

b. makes

Can you ___ me a favour and lend me some money?

a. do

b. make

She spends too much time ___ her hair and nails.

a. doing

b. making

I think he is trying to ___ trouble for you.

a. do

b. make

Hurry up and ___ a decision.

a. do

b. make

Medicinal herbs and remedies !

Today we are going to be discussing and identifying herbs –

Health doesn’t come from plastic bottles. Vitality grows naturally from the way you live your life. Deep down, people already know this.

This is your online doorway into the wild and wonderful world of plant medicine.

Lesson aim: 

To share with you, the history of medicinal herbs and plants, to help you identify them and also to share secrets about how to make a meal taste like magic - this is invaluable knowledge that you can pass down to your children and grandchildren!

Lesson objectives: 

By the end of the lesson, you will have increased your vocabulary and general knowledge of herbal remedies.

Vocabulary: 

Words related to herbs and plants, aided by pictures.

Lets go!

Im going to start with a brief history of herbs:

The use of plants as herbs has been important to all cultures since long before history was recorded. Hundreds of tribal cultures have used wild and cultivated herbs for medicinal and food purposes for thousands of years. Herbs are mentioned in Genesis, the first chapter of the Bible, and throughout its text. As civilizations developed so did the knowledge for the use of herbs.

The study of herbs is well-documented. Evidence of early herb gardens dates to Europe in the Middle Ages. Egyptian schools of herbalists have existed since 3000 B.C. Scholars were interested in herbs medicine, cosmetics, cooking, history, and folklore. Most herbs are symbolic.

FOR VS DURING? When do I use them? Help is on the way!

                                          Good day learners and teachers,

                    How do you do on this most auspicious day of delicate delight?

I have been rather busy and regret not having posted a blog in quite some time! I feel that it is about time that we tackled another grammar issue that may be of help!

To proceed - It has come to my attention that there are some difficulties with the understanding of when to use ''during'' and ''for'' - no matter! Let's tackle the issue by giving a short explanation of when to use these two tricky words, followed up with some examples to provide clarity : 

We use during when we want to talk about WHEN something happens - so we ask: When did it happen? - it is also to be noted that this ''when'', is in the MIDDLE OF a period of time:

I always teach during the day.

During the Summer - I like to travel to Cape Town.

I spent time with friends during the Christmas holidays.

We use for when we want to talk about a duration of time, so we ask the question - How long? :

I have taught English for five years.

We travel for nine hours by car, to get to Cape Town.

The Christmas holidays last for two weeks.

To sum up:

During tells us about the period when something happens. For tells us how long it continues or lasts.

Examples: 

During the day - I work for eight hours

I spent a good long time studying English - I studied for  eight months - during those months I studied hard.