8 de Março de 2010

That’s the Way -
Preposições de movimento

Publicado por Equipe do BLOG em That´s the way

Hi everybody, let’s see today the prepositions of passagem ou direção, like: up, down, into, out, of, across, round, along and  past que combinam com verbos de movimento (like come and go), para traduzir verbos como “subir”, “descer”, “entrar” etc.

See some examples:
 
 

I went up the road. Subi a rua.

We walked slowly up the hill. Subimos o morro lentamente.

We ran down the hill. Corremos morro abaixo.

I went into the shop. Entrei na loja.
 

They were out in the back yard. Eles estão lá fora no quintal.

He went across the road. Ele atravessou a rua.

A dog ran across the street. Um cachorro atravessou a rua correndo.

I went around the corner. Contornei a esquina.

We went for a walk along the river. Fomos caminhar ao longo do rio.

She ran past me. Ela passou correndo por mim.

Algumas destas preposições também formam vários phrasal verbs, como get along, play long, mas este assunto veremos em um próximo encontro.

Bye,

Vanda Franco
Professora de Língua Inglesa do Instituto Monitor


1 de Março de 2010

That’s the Way -
Words of English language used in Brazil

Publicado por Equipe do BLOG em That´s the way

You know we have a lot of English words used in our day-to-day  here in Brazil. Some of them are so embedded (incorporada) in our idiom that we didn’t notice that are foreign words.

The  English language is spoken as mother language in the: Reino Unido,  Estados Unidos, Canadá, República da Irlanda, Austrália, Nova Zelândia, África do Sul, Caribe Anglofônico and as a second language in several other countries.

See some of them: on-line or online, off-line, shopping, outdoor, chat, design, fast-food, notebook, lan-house, ipod, laser, fast food, pet shop, performance, drag queen, flash, milk shake, personal trainer, airbag, ketchup, pole position, hot dog, cowboy, mouse, home theater, software, hardware, e-mail or email, office-boy, skate, piercing, remix, desktop, reality show, day off, show room, casual day, full time, part time, single, room service, check in, check out, happy hour, free time, home office, delivery, revenue, saving  and so on.
 
 

Now see some of them in phrases:

You can chat to other people who are online (or on-line).

Most software programs allow you to compose programs emails (or e-mails) offline.
 
 

When a racing car is in pole position, it is in front of the other cars at the start of a race.

James works as assistant chef at a fast food restaurant.
 

Some companies in theirs employes’ birthday give them a day off as gift.

Mary works full time and you part time.

He had checked in at Guarulhos airport for a flight to Buenos Aires.

What do you do in your free time?

Well, if you pay attention you will discover other English words used for us frequently. Write them and send us to complete our list.

See you! Bye!

Vanda Franco
Professora de Língua Inglesa do Instituto Monitor


22 de Fevereiro de 2010

That’s the Way -
Holiday or vacation

Publicado por Equipe do BLOG em That´s the way


Hi, how are things going on?  Did you enjoy Carnival holiday?
 
 

Do you know that vacation(s) or holiday(s) significa férias: vacation, in American English and holiday, in British English. See the example: Where do you usually spend your summer holidays/vacations? (Onde você costuma passar suas férias de verão?).
 

But, quando se trata de feriado, tanto os ingleses como os americanos usam holiday. See: Carnival is my favorite holiday (O carnaval é o meu feriado preferido).

Now I’ll share with you some common expressions used in our day by day. Pay attention and try to use them, so you will memorize them.
See how to say in English:

Como está o tempo hoje? What’s the weather like today?

Parece que vai chover: It looks like it’s going to rain.

Está chovendo: It’s raining.

Desculpe-me pelo meu erro:  I’m sorry about my mistake.

Deixe-me explicar pra você: Let me explain it to you.

Mudei de ideia: I changed my mind.

Sem condições: No way.

Eu pretendo ir com você: I intend to go with you.

Estou com dor nas costas: I have a pain on my back.

Espere um minuto, por favor: Wait a minute please.

Estou quase pronto: I’m almost ready.

Preciso de informações: I need some information.

Eu preciso de dinheiro: I need some money.

Posso tomaralgum emprestado de você? Can I borrow some from you?

Now, it’s your turn. Write to us if you want to know how to say in English something. I’ll be waiting for you. Bye!

Vanda Franco
Professora de Língua Inglesa do Instituto Monitor


8 de Fevereiro de 2010

That’s the Way - Turismo “fair trade” viajando com ética

Publicado por Equipe do BLOG em That´s the way


Starting from coffee to chocolate consumer must be sure he is not helping to destroy the planet by buying a product. “Fair trade” tendency arrives to the tourism segment.
 
 

“Fair trade” is a stamp that makes easier the way of buying vegetables and clothes of good quality, that meet ethical patterns. This movement is so popular that some must state that now is time to look over tourists offers in a fair trade view.
 

For those consciousness travelers is a problem to decide among air companies and hotels when considering ecological and social aspects in their offers. People do not want to create a conscience when they are travelling.

So, there is a consensus that stamp will not be giving to tourist company and tour operator but to a few products such as tour packages and routes.
 
 

South Africa tourism organizations are making use of the “fair trade” stamp and some European bodies are going at the same direction. An international group is trying to point out some statements for this allowance, such as fixed working time and fair conditions to employees.
 

This is a very well widespread idea in other countries but here is just beginning.

It’s all for today. I hope you like it.

Vanda Franco
Professora de Língua Inglesa do Instituto Monitor


1 de Fevereiro de 2010

That’s the Way -
The CouchSurfing Project

Publicado por Equipe do BLOG em That´s the way


 

If you wanna travel around the world without spending money with accommodations, you need to know the couchsurfing project.

Today, over a million people practice the “couchsurfing", an easy and economical way to travel.

Couchsurfing (surfando no sofá, em português) is a project which has as principal ideal to join people who are able to receive tourists at home and travel in the same way, without spending  money with accommodations.
 

The connection between the members of the community has being done by a relationship site which has more than million people from 200 countries; 11 thousand of them are from Brazil.

How does it work?
CouchSurfing members share hospitality with one another. Hosts have the opportunity to meet people all over the world without leaving home. ‘Surfers,’ or travelers, are able to participate in the local life of the places they visit. The couchSurfing community continues to expand its horizons. Members are always finding more ways to connect and learn about each other. Every day, people across the world share coffee, camping trips, meetings, language exchanges, and talking about all sorts of experiences.

If you want to join this community you need to access the site: www.couchsurfing.org and after registering, which is free members can choose a city in some country to know and begin “couchsurfing”. If you choose Berlin for example, you will have more than thousand homes to stay and you can get very detailed information and pictures of themselves and of the sleeping accommodation offered. The more information provided by a member, more chances you will have of someone being a trustworthy member and be your host or guest.

After using the service, members can leave a noticeable reference about their host or guest.

As a couchSurfing membership, you don’t have to feel obliged to host a tourist; you can open your house just for a coffee, for example. For this you have just   chosen the alternative inside the site: Drink a coffee.

As you can note there are many ways of exchanging information and knowing people and places around the world without spending a lot of money. I hope you have appreciated the tips and I’ll be rooting for you make good use of them.

See you!

Vanda Franco
Professora de Língua Inglesa do Instituto Monitor


18 de Janeiro de 2010

That’s the Way -
Expressions used in the hotel’s area

Publicado por Equipe do BLOG em That´s the way


Se você está ou pretende sair em férias e está à procura de um hotel para ficar, é bom se familiarizar com o vocabulário em inglês bastante usado na rede de hotelaria.

Antes de qualquer coisa você precisará find a hotel (encontrar um hotel) and then book the hotel (fazer a reserva). Your first contact will be with the hotel clerk (recepcionista do hotel) que é quem lhe fornecerá all the information.

Feita a reserva, você vai ao local e então check in at the hotel, ou seja, dá entrada no hotel e realiza o que se chama de check-in. Terminada a sua estadia, você sai do hotel, ou faz o check-out. Confira mais algumas expressões bastante comuns nesta rede:

Reservation - if you don’t make  a reservation, you can ask: Do you have any rooms available for tonight? para descobrir se há lugares disponíveis.

Single or double room? - at the most of the hotels you can choose  among different rooms as: double room (para duas pessoas), single room (para uma pessoa) or a suite (vários quartos adjacentes). The hotel clerk will ask about your preference saying: What kind of room would you prefer?

Caso você queira pedir um quarto com vista para o mar, você poderá usar uma das seguintes expressões abaixo:
 
 
  • I’d like a room facing the ocean, (or sea) please.
  • I’d like a room with a view of the ocean, (or of the sea) please.
  • I’d like a room looking onto the beach./ I’d like a room overlooking the beach.
  • Does the room have an ocean view? / Does the room have a sea view?
    		•
     

    Facilities - essas são instalações especiais para o conforto e conveniência dos hóspedes, como uma academia, piscina ou salão de beleza.

    Services - esses são parecidos com facilities, mas são fornecidos por pessoas. Se você quiser ter suas roupas lavadas, você pode pedir pelo laundry service, e se você quiser que suas crianças sejam cuidadas enquanto você estiver fora, você pode usar o babysitting service.

    Restaurant or room service? - A maioria dos hotéis também têm catering facilities em que comida e bebida são fornecidas, as in a restaurant, bar or room service (onde refeições são entregues no seu quarto).

    Room features - Esses são fornecidos dentro de cada quarto do hotel para conveniência do hóspede. Por exemplo, se você quiser ter acesso rápido a lanches e bebidas, então você pode usar o mini-bar, ou fazer chamadas internacionais com um International direct dial telephone.

    Business Center – Many hotels offers this service to businessmen travelers fornecendo um Business Center com fotocopiadoras, fax, e-mail e outros serviços de negócios.

    Airport transfer - Este serviço quer dizer que o hotel fornece transporte do hotel ao aeroporto.The hotel can also offers a shuttle service para levar hóspedes a grandes áreas de compras e atrações turísticas.

    Accommodation - There are differents places of accommodation. Jovens viajantes with little money can saty in youth hostel, enquanto B and B’s (Bed and Breakfasts) fornecem acomodações e refeições num lar familiar. Se você estiver procurando acomodações de luxo com diferentes instalações, then you can choose to stay in a resort or 5 star hotel.

    Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed the post. I’ll see you next week!

    Vanda Franco
    Professora de Língua Inglesa do Instituto Monitor


    11 de Janeiro de 2010

    That’s the Way -
    Let your routine green!

    Publicado por Equipe do BLOG em That´s the way

    Hi, it’s time to think seriously about our responsibility with our planet. We need to change some attitudes in aid of a better planet for you, for me, for our children, for everybody.

    Let’s reflect about, do the right thing and change our community. We need to be aware ourselves that there is no time to loose, our planet need us.

    We all can do our part to protect the planet. “Become green” is easier than you think. See above some tips to help “turn green” your routine. Commit yourself and encourage your friends and family to do something.

    Check:

    1. Look for needy communities or Organizations to donate objects that you don’t need anymore instead of throw them away.
     
      2. Save water with simple habits as turn off the faucet while doing your personal hygiene, as shaving or washing the face and bushing the teeth.
     

    3. Make use of hand towel to dry face and hands instead of paper towers which accumulate garbage.

    4. Install water-saving devices on your faucets and toilets.

    5. Don’t wash dishes with the water running continuously.

     
     

    6. Turn off unneeded lights, computers and other appliances when not in use.

    7. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy.
     

    8. Wash clothes, stuff with warm or cold water instead of hot.

    9.  If you can, plant trees to shade your home.

    10. Copy and print on both sides of paper.

    11. Use recycled paper.

    12. Reuse items like bags and containers when possible.
     
     

    13. Use reusable containers to store food instead of aluminum foil and plastic wrap.

    14. Shop with a canvas bag instead of using paper and plastic bags.
     

    15. Walk, ride your bike whenever possible, give and ask for ride.

    I hope you like the tips.

    See you next week! Bye.

    Vanda Franco
    Professora de Língua Inglesa do Instituto Monitor


    4 de Janeiro de 2010

    That’s the Way -
    Online Voluntary Work

    Publicado por Equipe do BLOG em That´s the way

      Hi everybody, the year has just begun and we can begin it in a different way, maybe doing something not just for us but for the planet. Have you already thought about a voluntary work? It doesn’t work say that you have no time. Today you can contribute in more ways than you think because we have Online Voluntary Work.
    This kind of volunteering service is realized by internet, without the necessity of being present at the organization you are working for. By online voluntary is possible to break barriers between distance and time availability, considering the volunteer will realize it at home or work.
     

    Routine enough  publicized in other countries, the online volunteering is being systematized in Brazil by the portal Voluntários On Line do IVA and a lot of people is collaborating with this organization and by this way others will do it.

    O programa de Voluntariado da ONU has a portal that offers only opportunities online and it has worked since 2000 the: http://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en taking seriously the question of environment. This portal awards prizes to the year’s best online volunteer and we have already a Brazilian winner.

    This work is an activity with the same responsibilities of a present volunteer, because we assume the compromise of realize determined work  in a space of time and we have to do it as planned and compromised to the organization.

    If you are interested in being a volunteer, don’t let to check the opportunities and buy the idea. Next week we will give some easy tips about how contribute in our day to day for a greener planet.

    I’ll be waiting for you! Have a great New and Green Year!

    Vanda Franco
    Professora de Língua Inglesa do Instituto Monitor


    21 de Dezembro de 2009

    That’s the Way -
    Christmas is coming…

    Publicado por Equipe do BLOG em That´s the way
    Então é Natal! Tempo de estar com a família, rever amigos e desejar tudo de bom ao próximo. É tempo de renovação e confraternização.
    Aproveitando o espírito natalino vamos ver how do you say in English some Christmas phrases. See:
     

    Vanda Franco
    Professora de Língua Inglesa do Instituto Monitor
    14 de Dezembro de 2009

    That’s the Way -
    Let’s study English for the Olympic Games!

    Publicado por Equipe do BLOG em That´s the way
      It looks so far away, doesn’t it? But if we always need a stimulus for doing something, what about this? It’s a great idea study English for the Olympic Games. Imagine a lot of foreign tourists and the opportunity of practice and learn the use of colloquial expressions with them, besides enjoying ourselves and show them that we are receptives and we can make a difference by our knowledge. After all to be fluent in two languages is already a differential. And maybe you can get, if it will be your wish, an extra job because the demand for bilingual professionals will be great.
     

    Specialists in this subject recognize that the challenges of accommodation, infrastructure, transportation and urban mobility will be great, but believes that Brazil will fulfill the points showed to the COI.

    As you know it will be not easy for Brazil to get this and the same thing can happen to you. If you think that your developing English language is a little bit “ lukewarm” (“morno”) it’s the right moment to invest in this and don’t stay only in an achieve but in a dream come true. You can begin now to watch movies without subtitle, to learn at least a new word by day, to structure your phrases in English for simpler it can look and then begin to think in English.

    If you don’t waste time in a short time of space you will be dreaming in English and who knows receiving many “gringos” by your improvement at the language.

    I wish you “Good luck” !

    Vanda Franco
    Professora de Língua Inglesa do Instituto Monitor


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