ESL Grammar: Should

Forms of Should

Affirmative

Subject + auxiliary verb + main verb

Example: He should leave.

Negative 

Subject + auxiliary verb + main verb

Example: We should not run.

Question

Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb

Example: Should they eat now?

Uses of Should

1. This modal verb is used to give a recommendation or advise. He should express his feelings to her more often. People with high cholesterol should not eat junk food. 

2. This modal verb is used to express obligation. He should be at work by 9 am. They should clean the bathroom before they go on a lunch break. 

3. This modal verb is used to express expectations. My brother should be in Miami by Monday. She should have finished the report by now.

Conversation Questions with Should

1. I have a good job right now, but our company has changed management and I hate the new boss and I have to work longer hours. What should I do?

2. My girlfriend became a Playboy model last month. Now she travels a lot for her job. I feel like we are living two separate lives now. What should I do?

3. My son is 40 years old and he still isn't married. I'm afraid he'll never get married and I'll never have grandchildren. What should I do?

4. I am a teacher. Some of my students have complained to me about a 17 year old student named George. They say he smells bad everyday. I know this is true. What should I do?

5. My husband's mother lives with us. He loves her, but I don't get along with her. What should I do?

6. On of my friends lost her job. I told her she could live with me until she find a new job. She's been living with me for three months and she still doesn't have a job! What should I do?

7. I'm bored with the routine in my life. What should I do?

Idiom of the Day: Belly Up

Idiom of the Day

belly up 

Example: I do not agree with the business practices of major cruise ships, but I think we can not let all of the cruise companies go belly up. 

Definition: a business, organization or institution that has ceased to exist or gone bankrupt 

ESL Conversation Questions: Solitude

1. What is solitude?

2. How often do you spend time alone during a regular day?

3. What are the benefits of solitude?

4. What is the difference between isolation and solitude?

5. Is isolation dangerous? Why or why not?

6. Do you like spending time alone?

ESL Conversation Questions: Nudity

1. What is nudity?

2. Why do some people prefer to go to a nude beach?

3. Why are nude beaches permitted in some countries and not in others?

4. Why would people not want to go to a nude beach?

5. Would you ever go to a nude beach?

6. Do clothes separate people? How so?

ESL Grammar: Can

Forms of Can 

Affirmative 

Subject + auxiliary verb + main verb

Example: I can run.

Negative

Subject + auxiliary verb + not + main verb

Example: She can not fly.

Question 

Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb

Example: Can you drive?

Uses of Can

1. This modal verb is used to describe what is possible. You can meet a lot of Spanish speakers in Miami. In this city it can get very hot. 

2. This modal verb is used to describe someone's skill or general abilities. He can jump very high. You can speak many languages. 

3. This modal verb is used to describe the ability to do something at a specific time. I can see you. Help! I can't breathe. 

4. This modal verb is used to ask or give permission. Can I ask a question, please? You can go home now.

ESL Conversation Questions with Can

1. Can you buy an iphone with $200 in your country?

2. How hot can it get during the summer in your country?

3. How many languages can you speak?

4. Can people be married to more than one spouse at the same time in your country?

5. Can you understand me when I talk?

6. What's one special dish you can make?

Idiom of the Day: No Skin Off My Back

Idiom of the Day 

no skin off my back 

Example: If she doesn't like me that's no skin off my back. There are a lot of other pretty girls here. 

Definition: the action will not be a problem or will not cause harm 

ESL Conversation Questions: Gentrification

1. What is gentrification?

2. How can gentrification negatively affect people?

3. Who does gentrification benefit? How so?

4. Is gentrification a problem?

5. If you had to move to a new community or city where would you move?

6. Do you see gentrification happening in your community or city?

ESL Grammar: Could

Forms of Could

Affirmative 

Subject + auxiliary verb + main verb

Example: I could swim.

Negative

Subject +  auxiliary verb + not + main verb

Example: She could not read.

Question

Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb

Example: Could you clean the room?

Uses of Could

1. This modal verb is used to describe a past possibility or ability. He could swim when he was five years old. After leaving the hospital, I couldn't drink alcohol. 

2. This model verb is used for requests. Could you tell me where the club is, please? Could you not be so annoying, please? 

ESL Conversation Questions with Could

1. Could your country become the dominant superpower in the world?

2. How could you improve your English?

3. Where in your city could you meet more English speaking foreigners?

4. Do you think you could travel the world alone?

5. In your opinion what could the government do to improve the education system in your country?

6. Could you please tell me why you like your favorite movie?

ESL Grammar: Past Perfect Progressive

Forms of Past Perfect Progressive

Affirmative

Subject  +  had  +  been + ing verb

Example: I had been eating.

Negative

Subject  +  had  + not  +  been  +  ing verb

Example: She had not been reading.

Question

Had  +  subject  +  been  +  ing verb

Example: Had they been dating for a long time?

Uses of Past Perfect Progressive 

1. Use the past perfect progressive tense to describe an action that happened in the past and continued up until another time in the past. They had been talking for over two hours before Larry had arrived. I had been taking a shower before Kimberly called. 

2. Use the past perfect progressive tense to show cause and effect. Samantha was sad because she had been arguing with her boyfriend. David gained weight because he had been overeating. 

Past Perfect Progressive Conversation Questions

1. What had you been doing before you clocked in to work yesterday?

2. Where had you been learning English before you used Cambly?

3. How long had you been hearing about Cambly before you decided to try the app?

4. How many hours had you been working yesterday before you got hungry?

5. After university or high school, how much time had you been living in your parent's home before you decided to move out?

6. Who had you been talking to before you called on Cambly, today?

Idiom of the Day: Rule of Thumb

Idiom of the Day 

rule of thumb 

Example: A good rule of thumb is to invite 20 girls to your house party if you want 10 to actually come. 

Definition: a suggested method ; an approximation 

ESL Conversation Questions: Cultural Sensitivity

1. What is cultural sensitivity?

2. When is cultural sensitivity important?

3. Have you ever had to be sensitive to another person's culture? How so?

4. What professions demand employees to be culturally sensitive?

5. Should people not share their opinions or feelings to someone if it's not culturally sensitive?

6. Is the photo below  inappropriate in your country?

Idioms of the Day: To Make a Mountain Out of a Molehill

Idiom of the Day 

to make a mountain out of a molehill 

Example: You are making a mountain out of a molehill! She's just working with him late at night for her job. She's not cheating on you. 

Definition: to make a small problem seem more important than it actually is; exaggerate a small problem

Giamo's ESL Quiz

Giamo's ESL Quiz ( Conscience Conversation)

Instructions: Read each pair of sentences and decide which sentence is correct. Explain why the incorrect sentence is wrong.

A) 1. Miami is a very popular city with lots of tourists and fun attractions.
     2. Miami is a very popular city with lots of tourists and attractions fun.

B) 1. I got the chance to talk to, Shannon Lindstrom, that is a beautiful model and jewelry artist.
     2. I got the chance to talk to, Shannon Lindstrom, who is a beautiful model and jewelry artist.

C) 1. The Conscience Conversation goes from 8 pm - 2 am, but people get hungry in between that time.
     2. The Conscience Conversation goes from 8 pm - 2am, so people get hungry in between that time.

D) 1. The health benefits of a vegan diet include lowering blood sugar levels, protecting against certain cancers, helping lose weight and so much more.
      2. The health benefits of a vegan diet exclude lowering blood sugar levels, protecting against certain cancers, helping lose weight and so much more.

E) 1. The last Conscience Conversation meeting is focused on creating a vision board.
     2. The last Conscience Conversation meeting was focused on creating a vision board

Idiom of the Day: Beat a Dead Horse

Idiom of the Day 

Beat a dead horse

Example: There's no use of trying to keep this business going. It's like beating a dead horse. 

Definition: to waste effort on something when there is no chance of succeeding