Health Problems Video

My latest Youtube video shows how to talk about health problems and solutions.

If you like this video, please click 'like' and subscribe to my Youtube channel.

Here's the script of the video:

In this video we will learn how to talk about health problem and solutions. There are lots of adjectives we can use to describe feeling unwell.
I feel terrible.
I feel horrible.
I feel awful.
I feel unwell.
I feel sick.
I feel sad.
I feel really bad.

Now let's look at some health problems and solutions.
I have a cold. You should eat some chicken soup.
I have a stomach ache. You should lie down.
I have a backache. You should take a hot bath.
I have the flu. You should go to bed.
I have a sore throat. You should drink some hot tea.
I have a headache. You should get some rest.
I have a fever. You should take some medicine.
I have a cough. You should see a doctor.
I have a toothache. You should see a dentist.

Let's review and learn some more language by listening to a conversation.
A: I feel terrible.
B: What's the matter?
A: I have a cough.
B: That's too bad. You should see a doctor.
A: I think you're right.
B: I hope you get better soon.

The Environment Video

My latest Youtube video shows how to talk about the environment.

If you like this video, please click 'like' and subscribe to my Youtube channel.

Here's the script of the video:

In this video we will learn how to talk about the environment. We currently face many environmental challenges. To learn how to talk about these challenges, we will discuss threats to the environment, their causes, and possible solutions. Probably the biggest threat to the environment is global warming. Let's look at the causes and what we can do about it.

Burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, releases carbon dioxide in to the atmosphere. These gases then get trapped in the atmosphere. This layer of gases trap in heat radiating up from the Earth. This causes the planet to get hotter. We call this The Greenhouse Effect, because it is similar to how a greenhouse works by trapping the heat from the sun.

So the Earth is getting hotter. What can we do to solve this problem? We can reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that we put into the atmosphere. There are many things we can do to help. Here are a couple. We should use energy saving light bulbs. And we can drive more efficient cars.

So burning fossil fuels leads to global warming, but what are the negative effects of higher temperatures and what should we do to help the environment? The ice caps are melting. As a result, sea levels are rising. We should use renewable energy. Deserts are growing. We should plant more trees.

This chart shows the cause and effect of global warming. Burning fossil fuels releases gases into the atmosphere. These gases then get trapped in the atmosphere. This layer then traps heat. As a result, the Earth gets hotter. This causes the ice caps to melt. So sea levels begin to rise.

What other environmental problems are there?
Ocean are polluted. We should save water in the home.
Air pollution causes health problems. We should use public transport.
Wildlife is losing its habitat. We should protect the rainforests.
Landfills emit greenhouse gases. We should reduce, reuse, and recycle. The three Rs. These are probably the greatest things we can do to help protect the environment.
Reduce. It would be better for the environment if we reduced the amount of things we buy and use. It would also save us money.
Reuse. We should reuse things when we can. Don't use disposable shopping bags. Instead take a reusable bag.
Recycle. Help the environment by recycling your waste. We can recycle paper, plastic, metal and glass.

Here's a homework assignment. Answer these questions by putting your answers in the comment and I'll check your answers.
1. What do you do to help prevent pollution?
2. What can large cities do to improve their air quality?
3. Are you worried about global warming?
4. What are some things which you recycle?
5. What is the most important issue facing the environment today.
Answer in full sentences.

Past Continuous Video

My latest Youtube video is a story using the past continuous.

If you like this video, please click 'like' and subscribe to my Youtube channel.

Here's the script of the video:

The Haunted House - A past continuous story

I was waking my dog, Max. It was starting to get dark. We were walking past an old, abandoned house when Max ran off and into the house. I called out to him, but he didn't come back. I walked towards the house and went through the open door. I was scared. I was looking for Max when I thought I saw a ghost. But when I walked closer, I saw that it was just a white curtain that was blowing in the wind. I was calling Max's name when I heard a crash from one of the rooms. I was terrified. I was walking into the room when a black cat ran past me. Then I heard Max barking in the backyard. He was digging up bones in the garden! He was digging in a pet cemetery. I grabbed Max's leash and ran home as fast as I could.

Now let's review the grammar used in this story.

The story used the past continuous to describe unfinished actions as they were happening within the story.

The past continuous has three main functions:
1. to describe background in a story
2. to describe actions in progress in the past
3. and to describe longer actions interrupted by shorter actions

This chart shows the grammar we need to make past continuous sentences. Let's look at some examples from the story.

It was starting to get dark. This sentence set the scene for the story.

I was walking my dog. This event was happening for a period of time in the story.

I was calling Max's name when I heard a crash. Here the action of calling his dog's name was interrupted by the scary sound that he heard.