English Conversation


July 29, 2023

Past Perfect Tense: Enhancing Narratives with a Perfectly Timed Twist

Past Perfect Tense: Enhancing Narratives with a Perfectly Timed Twist

In the realm of verb tenses, the Past Perfect tense holds a special place for adding depth and clarity to narratives. It allows us to set a particular event in the past at an even earlier time, creating a beautifully timed twist that enriches storytelling. Let's delve into the Past Perfect tense and explore some examples of how it can be used effectively.

Past Perfect Tense: Enhancing Narratives with a Perfectly Timed Twist

Understanding the Past Perfect Tense:

The Past Perfect tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb "had" followed by the past participle of the main verb. It is used to indicate an action that occurred before another past action or time in the past. In other words, it establishes a clear sequence of events, highlighting which action happened first.

Example 1:

Before Jane arrived at the party, John had already left.

In this sentence, the Past Perfect tense "had left" indicates that John's departure happened before Jane's arrival. It emphasizes that John was no longer at the party when Jane got there.

Example 2:

By the time the firefighters reached the burning house, the family had safely evacuated.

Here, the Past Perfect tense "had safely evacuated" shows that the family's evacuation occurred before the firefighters' arrival. It underscores that the family was already out of danger when the firefighters arrived.

Example 3:

She felt relieved when she discovered that she had completed the assignment before the deadline.

In this case, the Past Perfect tense "had completed" conveys that the completion of the assignment took place before the deadline. It highlights the sense of relief the person experienced upon realizing their timely accomplishment.

Example 4:

They had never seen such a beautiful sunset until they visited that exotic island.

The Past Perfect tense "had never seen" suggests that the witnessing of the beautiful sunset occurred before their visit to the exotic island. It accentuates the novelty and impact of the experience.

Example 5:

After the rain stopped, the children found that the playground had turned into a giant puddle.

Here, the Past Perfect tense "had turned" indicates that the transformation of the playground into a puddle occurred before the rain stopped. It creates a vivid image of the children's discovery.

Using Past Perfect Tense to Add Depth:

The Past Perfect tense serves as a valuable tool to provide context and establish a timeline in narratives. By using it, writers can create a more engaging and detailed storytelling experience. It enables readers to visualize the sequence of events clearly, adding depth and complexity to the overall narrative.

In conclusion, the Past Perfect tense is an essential component of the English language that brings precision and elegance to storytelling. By skillfully employing it in narratives, writers can captivate their audience and craft compelling tales with perfectly timed twists. So, embrace the Past Perfect tense and take your storytelling to new heights!

Exploring the Rich Coral Reefs of Raja Ampat

Exploring the Rich Coral Reefs of Raja Ampat

In this article, we will embark on a scuba diving journey in one of the world's best locations, Raja Ampat, Indonesia. The coral reefs here are renowned for being one of the most biodiverse in the world, and we are thrilled to share this adventure with all of you.

After arriving in Russia, we quickly prepared ourselves for a week-long adventure in Raja Ampat. The Mermaid Liverboard will be our home during this journey, and with an experienced captain at the helm, we are confident that this will be an unforgettable experience.

Exploring the Rich Coral Reefs of Raja Ampat


Throughout the trip, we plan to visit more than 28 dive sites scattered across two different seas. Raja Ampat offers an incredible wealth of nature, and we hope to witness various mesmerizing species, including graceful manta rays, beautiful coral reefs, friendly turtles, awe-inspiring sharks, even walking sharks, and many other marine creatures. Excitement and anticipation fill us as we approach the beginning of this adventure.

One of the places we'll visit is Misoil, and of course, we won't miss the chance to dive at renowned spots such as Crete Island and Melissa's Garden. The underwater beauty here will mesmerize anyone who witnesses it.

During this adventure, we will immerse ourselves in the captivating beauty of nature and learn more about the crucial ecosystem of coral reefs for the balance of marine life. Coral reefs are home to various species and are essential for us to protect so that future generations can enjoy them.

As part of this journey, we will also present a briefing on the basics of coral reefs. This knowledge is crucial to raise awareness about their uniqueness and vulnerability, so that we can all contribute to their preservation.

We hope that our adventure in Raja Ampat will inspire all of you to care for the marine environment and its biodiversity. Remember to continue supporting efforts to preserve coral reefs and marine ecosystems, so that their beauty can be enjoyed by future generations.

So, join us in this amazing adventure and let's work together to protect the priceless treasure of Raja Ampat's coral reefs.

Getting to Know the Difference Between Hard and Soft Corals and the Wonders of the Underwater World with Marcelo "Bug Dreamer"

In this article, we will also explore the difference between hard and soft corals, as well as introduce the concepts of large and small polyps and the various growth forms of corals. Additionally, we'll join Marcelo, also known as "Bug Dreamer," on an exciting journey to explore the wonders of the underwater world alongside Mermaid Liver Boards in Southeast Asia.

Marcelo has dedicated the last 10 years as an underwater videographer, focusing on documenting the macro behavior of various unique creatures in the Southeast Asia region. His expertise in observing active volcanic creatures during the night and exploring black sand areas and ruins has shed new light on the behavior of rare creatures seldom seen elsewhere.

Difference Between Hard and Soft Corals


Coral is a colonial organism that thrives in the ocean, forming coral reefs, which are vital ecosystems for marine life. There are two main types of corals: hard corals (Scleractinia) and soft corals (Octocorallia).

Hard corals have sturdy calcium carbonate skeletons, creating large and robust coral reef structures. Their solid and compact skeletal framework gives rise to a diverse array of coral shapes, such as tables, antlers, or sea fans. These unique growth forms provide a safe home for various marine species.

On the other hand, soft corals lack a hard skeleton and are flexible in nature. They form various soft and elegant shapes and appearances, resembling sea feathers or fans. Although not as strong as hard corals, soft corals play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem, providing spawning grounds and food sources for various marine organisms.

Introduction to Large and Small Polyps


Polyps are individual units within the coral colony, capable of consuming plankton and other food sources while producing calcium carbonate to build the sturdy skeleton of hard corals. Polyps come in various sizes, some large and some small.

Large polyps are typically found in hard corals. They have larger mouths and longer tentacles to capture food and interact with their surrounding environment.

Meanwhile, small polyps are commonly found in soft corals. They are smaller in size and often exist in larger numbers within a single colony, creating soft and stylish structures resembling sea fans or feathers.

July 19, 2023

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Revolutionizing STEM Education: Principles, Practices, and Approaches for Engaging Students in Transdisciplinary Learning

In this article, I aim to present a brief overview of STEM education, outlining the guiding principles for implementing STEM, different STEM practices, the three approaches to integrated STEM, and additional guidelines. Hopefully, this information will assist us in implementing our own STEM program this year. The content of this video is based on the book "STEM Lesson Essentials: Integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics" by Joanne Vasquez, Carrie Schneider, and Michael Comer. Whenever I refer to a book, I will be referring to this specific one.


Let's begin with the definition of STEM. While there are various interpretations and contexts in which educators use STEM, we will adopt the definition from the book. STEM is an interdisciplinary approach to learning that breaks down the traditional barriers between science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It integrates these disciplines into real-world, rigorous, and relevant learning experiences for students. Our program aims not only to integrate STEM but also to include social studies, language arts, art, music, and other disciplines.


The primary goal of implementing STEM, which many educators use to justify it, is to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to function and thrive in our highly technological world. It also helps countries remain competitive in the global economy. According to the National Resource Council's report, "Successful K-12 STEM Education," STEM education develops understandings and capabilities necessary for personal decision-making, civic and cultural engagement, and economic productivity.


The second goal, though less recognized, is the connection between disciplines. By applying this idea, we provide students with opportunities to deepen their conceptual understanding and develop valuable skills that can be applied across different contexts. Integrating disciplines demonstrates to students that solving complex and meaningful problems requires utilizing knowledge and skills from various disciplines, all working together in an interconnected and intertwined manner. Think of disciplines as gears, each contributing to a common purpose.


The book offers some guiding principles for STEM education. The first principle is to focus on integration, as I mentioned earlier. We need to help students see the connections and close relationships among concepts, enabling them to connect seemingly disjointed ideas. The second principle is to establish relevance, which is emphasized throughout the book. It is our responsibility as educators to explain the usefulness and applicability of the knowledge and skills students acquire. We should demonstrate why they should care. Explaining relevance becomes easier when students are presented with real-world problems.


Overall, the article highlights the importance of STEM education as an interdisciplinary approach that integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It emphasizes the goals of preparing students for the technological world and fostering connections between different disciplines. The guiding principles of integration and relevance are highlighted to help educators implement effective STEM programs.


Current events and global issues, as well as other captivating events, hold significance in STEM education. Another crucial aspect is highlighting 21st-century skills. The workforce our students will enter requires individuals who can access information, solve problems creatively, and collaborate effectively. To achieve this, it is important to challenge students without overwhelming them or making the work mundane. Additionally, incorporating a variety of learning opportunities is essential. This includes problem-based and project-based approaches, where students are given problems to solve creatively or have the freedom to choose how to demonstrate their learning and evaluate their work.


Now let's discuss the STEM practices. The science and engineering practices derived from the Next Generation Science Standards encompass various skills, such as asking questions, defining problems, using models, planning investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, applying mathematics and computational thinking, constructing explanations, designing solutions, engaging in arguments based on evidence, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.


In addition to the science and engineering practices, the article mentions the mathematical practices outlined in the Common Core State Standards. These practices include making sense of problems, reasoning abstractly and quantitatively, constructing arguments and critiquing others' reasoning, modeling with mathematics, using appropriate tools strategically, attending to precision, looking for and utilizing structure, and identifying patterns and regularities in reasoning.


Furthermore, the book discusses technology practices. Before delving into the practices, it presents a broader definition of technology as any modification of the natural world made to fulfill human needs or desires. The book categorizes technologies into six groups: transportation, construction, electricity, medicine, food and water, and communication. The technology practices focus on helping students understand the web of technological systems that society relies on, learning how to use new technologies effectively, recognizing the role of technology in advancing science, and exploring the impact of technology on society.


In summary, the article emphasizes the importance of incorporating current events and global issues in STEM education, cultivating 21st-century skills, challenging students appropriately, and providing a mix of problem-based and project-based learning opportunities. It also highlights the science, engineering, mathematical, and technology practices that guide STEM education and promote critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration among students.


The article discusses the importance of incorporating engineering practices into STEM education and making informed decisions about technology considering its impact on society and the environment. As educators, it is crucial to model the use of terms like technology, science, math, and engineering. For example, we can ask questions such as what have you learned about the technology of gears? How can we apply the science of motion to this roller coaster project? What math skill is appropriate for solving this problem? What will you engineer to transport items across the river?


Moving on, the article introduces the three approaches to integrated STEM: multidisciplinary integration or thematic integration, interdisciplinary integration, and transdisciplinary integration.


Multidisciplinary integration or thematic integration involves organizing the curriculum around a common theme, such as oceans, ecosystems, flight, or pirates. This approach connects individual disciplines and provides a coherent learning experience, demonstrating to students that they can learn about a topic from different disciplinary perspectives. It is recommended to align the theme with the standards of each discipline and incorporate students' interests. However, the drawback of this approach is that the connection is limited to the theme, and no deeper learning goals are combined.


Interdisciplinary integration entails organizing the curriculum around common learning across disciplines. In this approach, learning goals from two disciplines are fused to form a single key concept or skill. The article provides an example of an interdisciplinary unit involving a science teacher and a math teacher. The science teacher focuses on understanding the similarities and differences between planets, while the math teacher helps students scale a model of the solar system using ratios. By combining these learning goals, students gain a deeper understanding of the solar system through the concept of size and distance. It's important to note that interdisciplinary integration is not entirely distinct from multidisciplinary integration but involves a higher degree of integration.


Lastly, transdisciplinary integration involves students engaging in real-world problems or projects that require the application of knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines. This approach emphasizes the integration of disciplines to solve complex, authentic problems. The article suggests that transdisciplinary integration goes beyond the identification of disciplines and emphasizes the significance of integration in addressing real-world challenges.


Overall, the article highlights the importance of incorporating engineering practices and making informed decisions about technology in STEM education. It introduces the three approaches to integrated STEM, namely multidisciplinary integration, interdisciplinary integration, and transdisciplinary integration, each offering different degrees of integration between disciplines.


To engage students in transdisciplinary learning, it is crucial to make the problems and projects relevant to their interests and concerns. Teachers should organize the curriculum around student questions, ideas, and interests, allowing students to take ownership of their learning. In a transdisciplinary example unit, the essential question was, "How would a meteorologist forecast the weather on Planet X?" This question drives the unit and requires students to meet learning objectives from multiple disciplines to answer it.


For instance, in science, students would give a weather report for a different planet and learn about weather prediction. In art, they would create studio sets for the weather forecasts, while in English, they would write the script. Math would involve calculating the time for radio transmission from Earth. These learning opportunities from various disciplines contribute to answering the real-world project-based essential question. It's important to note that not all STEM disciplines need to be integrated into every unit.


Project-based learning (PBL) is a significant aspect of transdisciplinary learning. It combines problem-solving with PBL to create a transdisciplinary learning experience. PBL comprises a central question, STEM learning objectives, and students' prior experiences. Students are central to the learning process, developing decision-making skills and applying their interests and experiences to their culminating product or solution. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, managing time and logistics. The project becomes central to the curriculum, divided into manageable tasks that conclude with a product or performance. Assessment should be ongoing and diverse, with models and rubrics to guide students, allowing for reflection, feedback, and improvements.


To implement a STEM lesson or unit, the book suggests strategies such as identifying content standards, big ideas, key concepts, and essential questions. Determining what students should know and be able to do as a result of the unit, creating multiple assessment opportunities, and designing interdisciplinary learning activities are also important. Choosing the most effective approach, whether multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary, depends on the learning goals.


In conclusion, the article recommends reading the book "STEM Lesson Essentials" for more detailed information on STEM practices, PBL resources, and implementation strategies.

March 08, 2023

Lily's Adventure: A Tale of Friendship and Exploration

Lily's Adventure: A Tale of Friendship and Exploration

Once upon a time, in a lush green meadow, there was a beautiful flower named Lily. Lily was a delicate flower with soft pink petals and a sweet fragrance that filled the air. She lived happily in the meadow with her fellow flowers and animals, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze that blew through the grass.

One day, a young girl named Emily wandered into the meadow. Emily was a curious girl who loved to explore the outdoors. As she walked through the meadow, she noticed Lily and was immediately drawn to her beauty and grace.

"Hello there, little flower," said Emily, approaching Lily. "You are the most beautiful flower I have ever seen."

children's story classic


Lily blushed at the compliment. "Thank you, kind girl," she said. "I am so happy to hear that."

Emily sat down next to Lily and began to talk to her. They chatted for hours about all sorts of things, and Lily was happy to have found a new friend.

June 17, 2022

Understanding the Present Continuous Tense in English Grammar

Understanding the Present Continuous Tense in English Grammar

a. Study this example situation :

Amelia is in her car. She is on her way to work. She is driving to work. 

This means: She is driving now, at the time of speaking. 

This is the present continuous tense: 

Present continuous (I am doing)

We use the present continuous when we talk about something that is happening at the time of speaking: 

- Please don't make so much noise. I'm studying. (not I study) 

- "Where is Mila?" "She's taking a bath." (not she takes) 

- Let's go out now. It isn't raining anymore. 

- (at a party) Hello, Amelia. Are you enjoying the party? (not do you enjoy) 

Read also : Formal Greetings

b. We also use the present continuous when we talk about something that is happening around the time of speaking, but not necessarily exactly at the time of speaking. Study this example situation: 

- Leo and Amelia are talking and having coffee in a cafe. Leo says: "I'm reading an interesting book at the moment. I'll lend it to you when I've finished it. " 

Leo is not reading the book at the time of speaking. He means that he has begun the book and hasn't finished it yet. He is in the middle of reading it. Here are some more examples: 

- Sofia is studying English at a language school. (not studies) 

- Have you heard about James? He is building his own house. (not builds) 

But perhaps Sofia and James are not doing these things exactly at the time of speaking. 

Read also : Pas Simple (I did)

present continuous tense in daily life


c. We often use the present continuous when we talk about a period around the present. For example: today, this week, this season, etc.: 

- "You're working hard today." "Yes, I have a lot to do." 

- Leo isn't playing football this season. He wants to concentrate on his studies. 

d. We use the present continuous when we talk about changing situations: 

- The population of the world is rising very fast. (not rises) 

- Is your English getting better? (not does ... get) 

The present continuous tense is a fundamental aspect of English grammar. It is used to describe events or actions that are happening at the time of speaking, around the time of speaking, or during a particular period. In this article, we will explore the different uses of the present continuous tense and provide examples to illustrate its use in context.


The first use of the present continuous tense is to describe actions that are happening at the time of speaking. For instance, when we say "I am reading this article," we mean that we are reading it at the moment we are speaking. Similarly, if we say "She is driving to work," we mean that she is driving at the time we are speaking. This tense is characterized by the structure "subject + am/is/are + present participle."


The second use of the present continuous tense is to describe actions that are happening around the time of speaking. For example, if someone says "I am learning French," they may not be studying French at that moment, but they are in the process of learning it. Similarly, if someone says "I am reading an interesting book," they may not be reading the book at the time of speaking, but they have started it and have not finished it yet.


The third use of the present continuous tense is to describe actions happening during a particular period, such as "today," "this week," or "this season." For instance, if someone says "I am working hard today," they mean that they are working hard on that specific day. Similarly, if someone says "Leo isn't playing football this season," they mean that he will not play football during that season.


Lastly, we use the present continuous tense to describe changing situations. For example, if we say "The population of the world is rising very fast," we mean that it is currently increasing. Similarly, if we ask "Is your English getting better?" we mean to ask if their English skills are improving over time.


In conclusion, understanding the present continuous tense is crucial for effective communication in English. Its different uses help us describe events or actions that are happening now, around the time of speaking, during a specific period, or as a changing situation. By mastering this aspect of English grammar, we can express ourselves more clearly and accurately.

August 29, 2018

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Formal Greetings

JAMES: Good morning, Professor Austin, how are you doing?
PROFESSOR AUSTIN: Good morning, James. I am doing well. And you?
JAMES: I’m great, thank you. This is my friend Emma. She is thinking about applying to this college. She has a few questions. Would you mind telling us about the process, please?
PROFESSOR AUSTIN: Hello, Emma! It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m more than happy to speak with you. Please stop by my office next week.
EMMA: It’s a pleasure to meet you, professor. Thank you so much for helping us.
PROFESSOR AUSTIN: Don’t mention it. Hopefully, I will be able to answer your questions!


LANGUAGE NOTES 
- The greetings good morning/good afternoon/good evening are used at different times of the day to greet people. "Good evening” is often used after 6 p.m. or generally when the sun has set.

- “Good night” is not a greeting: It is used when leaving a place or group of people.
Thank you and good night!/Good night, and see you tomorrow. 

- When people meet in the United States, it is customary for them to shake hands. A handshake should be firm and usually lasts for about two to three seconds — which allows enough time to say “Nice to meet you.”

- “Don’t mention it” is another way of saying “You’re welcome.” The phrase “You are welcome" is more formal. However, responses such as Don’t mention it./ No problem./
Happy to help. are informal ways of responding to a thank you.

July 24, 2018

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Pas Simple (I did)

Study this example:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an Austrian musician and composer. He Lived from 1756 to 1791. He started composing at the age of five and wrote more than 600 pieces of music. He was onLy 35 years oLd when he died.

Lived/started/wrote/was/died are all past simple.

Very often the past simple ends in -ed (regular verbs):
- I work in a travel agency now. Before that I worked in a department store.
- We invited them to our party, but they decided not to come.
- The police stopped me on my way home last night.
- Laura passed her exam because she studied very hard.

May 10, 2018

Must and can't

Must and can't

A. Study this example:

Must and can't
 You can use must to say that you believe something is certain:
  • You’ve been travelling all day. You must be tired. (Travelling is tiring and you’ve been travelling alt day, so you must be tired.) 
  •  ‘Joe is a hard worker.’ ‘Joe? You must be joking. He doesn’t do anything.’
  •  Louise must get very bored in her job. She does the same thing every day.
  •  I’m sure Sally gave me her address. I must have it somewhere.

May 08, 2018

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Verb + -ing or to ... 2 ( try/need/help )

A. Try to ... and try -ing
Try to do = attempt to do, make an effort to do:
- I was very tired.  I tried to keep my eyes open, but I couldn't.
- Please try to be quiet when you come home.  Everyone will be asleep.

Try also means 'do something as an experiment or test'.  For example:
-  These cakes are delicious. You should try one.
(= you should have one to see if you like it)
-  We couldn't find anywhere to stay.  We tried every hotel in the town, but they were all full.
(= we went to every hotel to see if they had a room )

April 18, 2018

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SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT - Toefl Exercises 1

Choose the word that correctly completes each sentence below.

1. Everyone (complains, complain) when gas prices go up.
2. Most of Benito's shirts (has, have) at least one pocket.
3. Somebody (is, are) addressing all the wedding invitations with a fountain pen.
4. Everyone in the Hundley family (buys, buy) a new toothbrush twice a year.
5. Few of my friends (dislikes, dislike) both crunchy peanut butter and the smooth  variety.
6. Nobody (remembers, remember) that the space between the thumb and the first finger is called the purlicue.
7. Some of the children (stops, stop) at the ice cream shop every day.
8. Nothing (ends, end) the baby's crying except being rocked in the rocking chair.
9. All of the workers who enter by the main gate (passes, pass) through a metal detector.
10. Each of the messages on the answering machine (is, are) for Dody.

April 05, 2018

Some useful expressions for letter writing

Some useful expressions for letter writing

Gratitude
- l’m just writing to thank you for....
- It was very kind of you to ....
- Thanks very much for ....
- I am very grateful for ....

Giving advice
- Well, I thought about it and if I were you, I would ....
- Have you thought about ....?
- In your last letter you said you weren’t sure what course of action to take, I suggest ....
- I think you shouldn’t ....
- In your last letter you asked me about ...., I think ....