New Years 10 Day English Challenge

New Years 10 Day English Challenge As we begin a new year, we might  reflect on the past year and look forward to the next one.  For many people, this means thinking of what they would like to do better, or something they want to accomplish in 2019.  Im a fan of small, achievable goals for my New Years resolutions.  So, I thought of a fun, achievable goal for all you English learners out there: a ten day English challenge.  All you have to do is spend 10 minutes learning English  for 10 days.  Luckily for you,  Ive compiled ten  fun, 10-minute learning experiences.  Some days well practice grammar, some days listening, fluency, reading and more.  You might see topics youre already familiar with, but extra practice never hurts.   Are you ready to set 2017 off on the right foot by improving your English?  Happy New Year, and happy learning!DAY ONE: LISTENING EXERCISEThis interesting video explains  why many people (including myself) dont care much about NYE.  The narrator speaks very quickly, so pay close atten tion, and share your thoughts on this holiday and your answers in the comments section!83% indicated they felt let down.  Not because of their actual plans, but because they ended __ having less fun than they expected.To end  up is a common phrasal verb that means to finally be in a particular place or situation.  What did you end up doing at 12:00am on January 1st, 2019?Reflection can cause existential crises, and __________ on negative events ___ also ____ shown to increase stress.Since we wouldnt  want to increase stress, what has been a positive event for you in 2018?Prone is an adjective that means likely to do/experience/suffer from something negative.  What are we prone to when we drink alcohol?If _____ ___  someone particular on this already angst-ridden evening, a midnight kiss may not be so bad.What have you got to do in 2018?DAY TWO: MODALS WITH CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORYWhat to know about modals:Do not use s in third personHe cans run fast.She should eat health ier.Use not to make them negativeYou should not be rude.  They might not come over tonight.Usually, we cant use modal verbs in future or past tensesShe will can take me home from work.We musted finish our project.You Try:  take a look at these common modals, choose five to  say an example sentence of your own.  Or, even better, write your sentences in the comments below!Sentence structure: (Subject) + (modal) + (base verb) + (object/adj).Question structure: (Modal) + (subject) + (base verb) + (object/adj)?CanCouldMayMightMustOught toShallShouldWillWouldListening Practice:  watch the video and fill in the blanks with the modal verbs.Veruca.  ___ you _____  that for us, please?As soon as little Veruca told me she had to have one of these golden tickets, I started buying up all the Wonka bars I _____ ___ my hands on.From now on, you ___ ____ shelling peanuts and _____ shelling the wrappers off these chocolate bars instead.I vowed I _____ ____ up the search until I _____ ____ her wh at she wanted.We knew Augustus _____ ____ the golden ticket.DAY THREE: FLUENCY FUNSinging is known to help fluency, build vocabulary, and be fun!  So today, I found this song listed as a top song of 2016.  Its easy to sing along to, so its a good one to learn.  Listen and read along a few times until you think youve memorized it.  For even more practice, put it on a playlist for your commute to work.  There are lyrics written in the video, or  you can read them below.Closer (feat. Halsey)Hey, I was doing just fine before I met you I drink too much and thats an issue But Im OK Hey, you tell your friends it was nice to meet them But I hope I never see them AgainI know it breaks your heart Moved to the city in a broke-down car And four years, no calls Now youre looking pretty in a hotel bar And I, I, I, I, I cant stop No, I, I, I, I, I cant stopSo, baby, pull me closer In the back seat of your Rover That I know you cant afford Bite that tattoo on your shoulder Pull the sheets righ t off the corner Of that mattress that you stole From your roommate back in Boulder We aint ever getting olderWe aint ever getting older We aint ever getting olderYou look as good as the day I met you I forget just why I left you, I was insane Stay and play that Blink-182 song That we beat to death in Tucson, OKI know it breaks your heart Moved to the city in a broke-down car And four years, no call Now Im looking pretty in a hotel bar And I, I, I, I, I cant stop No, I, I, I, I, I cant stopSo, baby, pull me closer In the back seat of your Rover That I know you cant afford Bite that tattoo on your shoulder Pull the sheets right off the corner Of that mattress that you stole From your roommate back in Boulder We aint ever getting olderWe aint ever getting older We aint ever getting olderSo, baby, pull me closer In the back seat of your Rover That I know you cant afford Bite that tattoo on your shoulder Pull the sheets right off the corner Of that mattress that you stole From your room mate back in Boulder We aint ever getting olderWe aint ever getting older No, we aint ever getting older We aint ever getting older No, we aint ever getting older (repeats)DAY FOUR: SECOND CONDITIONAL AND THE BIG BANG THEORY  Use: what we would generally do in an imaginary situation.If (subject) (past simple), (subject) would (verb).If this thing happened, that thing would happen.Would (subject) (verb) if (subject) (past tense)?Would that  thing happen if this  thing happened?Good to know:We can’t use ‘when’ since we’re talking about  imaginary situations that probably won’t happenIt is considered grammatically incorrect to use ‘was,’ in this conditional.  For example:If he were rich, he’d buy a car.You try: watch the video for examples of second conditional, then answer the following questions with your own examples.  Dont forget to share your knowledge in the comments section!If you had your own video game character, what would they be like?If you were to ask som eone out on a date, where would you take them?If you made a robot, what would it do for you?If you had  a time machine, where would you go in time?What would happen if everyone was like you?DAY FIVE: ADVERBSadjective + lyUses: we use adverbs toModify verbs: Usain Bolt ran quickly to the finish line.Modify adjectives: Usain Bolt can run  impressively fast.Modify other adverbs: Usain Bolt ran  incredibly quickly.Irregulars:good-well, fast-fast, hard-hard, late-late, straight-straightYou try: start the following video at 3:10.  Listen to the examples of adverbs.  Choose 5 out of the 7 adverbs and create sentences of your own.  Remember to post your ideas  in the comments section!DAY SIX:  TONGUE TWISTERSTongue twisters are a great way to practice pronunciation and fluency.  Take the next ten minutes to read the following tongue twisters several times.  The first time, read them nice and slow, focusing on good pronunciation.  Then, pick up speed.  Youll want to say them as fast as possible in the end, while also using correct pronunciation.   You can even memorize them and practice throughout the day!This one is a personal favorite and common tongue twister:Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, Wheres the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?This helps with pronunciation of /sh/, and is particularly difficult for me:I saw Susie sitting in a shoe shine shop. Where she sits she shines, and where she shines she sits.For those of you who have trouble with /r/ and /l/ pronunciation:How can a clam cram in a clean cream can?This helps with people  who have trouble with the /w/ pronunciation (many people mistakenly pronounce it like /v/) as well as the /r/ and /l/  sounds:Why do you cry, Willy? Why do you cry? Why, Willy? Why, Willy? Why, Willy? Why?(source)DAY SEVEN: IMPERATIVESForm: we start an imperative with the base verb.Uses:  we use imperatives for    Direct orders: Chew with your mouth closed.Instructions: Complete the exercise.  Invitations: Come on over.Signs:  StopYour turn: listen for the imperatives in the following video clip, and write them in the comments section.  Can you find all 6?DAY EIGHT: READING COMPREHENSIONToday well focus on reading.  So, even though this video has sound, try turning it off  for this exercise.  Press play to read this inspiring story, then answer the comprehension questions.  Remember to answer with complete sentences, making sure to use correct verb tenses and sentence structure!How is the dance company empowering people with disabilities?What does it mean to empower?What is the companys mission?Why did Hamamoto start the dance company?What did the doctors think Hamamoto would never do again? (2)Why did she think her life was over?How does she adjust her choreography (dance routine)?How long ago was Hamamoto told shed never dance again?DAY NINE: PRESENT PERFECThave/has + (past participle )Uses:Experience: Have you seen Human?  Its a long movie, but its so good!Change: He has lost weight since last year.Accomplishments: Scientists have found vaccines for many diseases.Incomplete, expected action: Have you finished your homework yet?Several actions in the past at different times: I have tried that 20 times.You try: check out this clip from a great movie, Freedom Writers, and fill in the blanks with examples of  present perfect.How many of you ____ ____ Boys in the Hood?How many of you ____ ____ in juvenile hall or jail for any length of time?Stand on the line if _____ ____ a friend to gang violence.Stay on the line if _____ ____ more than one friend.DAY TEN: QUIZCongratulations!  Youve made it to the final day of the ten day English challenge!  Pat yourself on the back for starting 2019 on a positive note  by improving your English skills.  Lets finish off the challenge by completing this short quiz.  Dont forget to continue your learning with our friendly, exper ienced English teachers  at  LOI.What did you end up doing last Friday night?Finish the sentence: You are  prone to get sick if youWhat should you do before bed?What can you do well?Sing the song from day 3 again.What would you buy if you won the lottery?If you had time off, where would you travel?Use an adverb: He sings _____.Do a tongue twister from day 6 as fast as you can.Write an imperative.What have you accomplished since January 1st, 2019?