B1 English in the Morning – Starts 30/3/26

Lesson 5

Hello again,

Our current course finishes next week. You can click here if you would like to register for the next course that starts on 27/4/26.

In our fifth lesson we went through the homework, and then we had a very interesting conversation where we discussed several different topics., including the meaning and history of names, monarchies and republics, and democracies and dictatorships.

For homework I asked you to complete all of the exercises for the Unit 5 Review and Extension on page 56. The videos in the blog entries for lesson 2 and lesson 4 should help you with the grammar exercises.

If you would like to do some extra writing homework, you can complete exercise 4 on page 55. Send your work to steven.brown@folkuniversitetet.se and I will check it for you.

That’s all for today.

Steve

Lesson 4

Welcome back to the course blog!

Our current course finishes next week. You can click here if you would like to register for the next course that starts on 27/4/26.

In our fourth lesson we looked at ‘Unit 5B – I might get a job today!’ from the textbook. For grammar, we spoke about using will and might for predictions. For vocabulary we spoke about finding jobs.

Here is a great video explaining will and might:

For homework you were asked to complete the READING exercise on page 51. Next, you need to read the text for 5B on page 152, and then do the grammar exercises for 5B on page 153. You should then complete the exercises for Unit 5B in the Digital Workbook. You also need to do the Vocbulary exercises for 5B on page 137.

That’s all for today.

Steve

Lesson 3

In our third lesson we spoke about Easter, and also other different religions. We then spoke about how often we do various activities, and who we do them with.

For homework I asked you to complete exercise 1, 2 and 3 for Unit 4D on pages 44 and 45. You can also complete unit 4D in the Digital Workbook.

If you would like to do some extra writing homework, you can complete exercise 4a and 4b on page 45 and send it to me. Send your work to steven.brown@folkuniversitetet.se and I will check it for you.

Here is a video that looks at how to invite people to something:

Here is a video that looks at accepting or rejecting invitations:

That’s all for today.

Steve

Lesson 2

In our second lesson we looked at Unit 5A – ‘I have to work long hours’ in the textbook. For vocabulary, we spoke about many different types of work. For vocabulary, we spoke about must/have to/can, and how we use these words.

Here is a short video discussing the difference between must and have to:

Here is an excellent video discussing how to use the word can:

For homework you should do the Listening exercises on page 49. Then you were asked to read the section for 5A on page 152, and do the exercises for 5A on page 153. I also asked you to do the exercises for 5A on page 137. Finally, you should complete all of the exercises for Unit 5A in the Digital Workbook.

If you would like to do some extra writing homework, you can complete exercise 4a on page 45. You can send your work to me (steven.brown@folkuniversitetet.se) and I will check your work for you.

That’s all for now.

Steve

Lesson 1

Hello everyone, and welcome to the course blog!

This blog is intended to help you get the most out of this course. After each lesson I will update it with a brief outline of what we cover in each lesson, as well as inform you of the homework that has been set. In future blogs I may also include links to videos or other web-pages to read to help your learning.

This is a continuation course. If you are a new student, I recommend that you scroll to the bottom of this page to see what has been studied in previous courses.

We began our first lesson by introducing ourselves to each other. It was very nice to meet you all. We have students from a variety of different countries and cultures.

The textbook we will be using is Cambridge English EMPOWER Second Edition Pre-Intermediate B1 Combo A with Digital Pack.

FOR THIS COURSE ONLY I will let new students decide if they want to buy the book or not. However, please be aware that you will not be able to complete all of the homework if you do not buy the textbook.

The easiest and quickest place to buy the book is from Ferdosi Bookshop, Odengatan 21, Stockholm.

These books have a code that will let you use the supporting website for the textbook. The code is on the inside cover of your textbook (You need to carefully scratch the grey material to see the code underneath). You will need then need to scan the QR code OR go to http://www.cambridgeone.org to register your textbook. Before you can register your textbook you will need to create an account. CLICK HERE to see instructions for how to create an account.

*PLEASE NOTE: You do NOT need to Join a Class, that is only for online courses. However, I recommend you use the ‘Self Study’ section. Please have a look at all of this website, it is very helpful. The ‘Getting Help’ section might be useful if you have any problems.

After our introductions we had a quick revision of the alphabet, vowels and consonants. After that we had a quick revision of nouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs. We then began to look at unit 4C in the textbook. We looked at some common language that is used when making arrangements, and for responding to invitations. We also looked at some phrases that we can use in a conversation when we need some time to think before giving a response.

For homework I asked you to complete all of the listening exercises for unit 4C. You can also complete Unit 4C in the Digital Workbook. Finally, you should practise pronouncing the letters of the alphabet.

That’s all for today.

Steve

Lesson 7

Wednesday will be the final lesson for this course. Please click here if you would like to register to continue in the new course that starts next week.

In our seventh lesson we finished looking at Unit 4B. We did some listening exercises, and then spoke about some places that we would like to visit. We also looked at some adjectives to describe places.

For homework I asked you to complete the Unit 4 Review and Extension on page 46.

That’s all for today.

Steve

Lesson 6

In our sixth lesson we began to look at ‘4B Shall we go to the market?’ in the textbook. For grammar we looked at will/won’t/shall.

Here is a short video which explains how we use will and shall:

Here is a much longer video which looks at will and shall in greater detail:

For homework I asked you to complete exercise 4f on page 40. Next, you need to read the information for 4B on page 150 and then do the exercises for 4B on page 151. You can also complete Unit 3D in the Digital Workbook.

If you would like to do some extra writing homework, you can do exercise 4 on page 35. Send your work in an email to steven.brown@folkuniversitetet.se and I can check it for you.

That’s all for today.

Steve

Lesson 5

In our fifth lesson we discussed shopping, and looked at common language for talking to people in shops.

Here is a video which has 15 useful phrases for shopping:

Here is a very detailed (but very long!) video with many more useful shopping phrases:

For homework I asked you to complete Unit 3C in the Digital Workbook. I also asked you to complete the unit 3 Review and Extension exercises on page 36. The blog for lessons 1 and 2 have videos that will help you with the grammar exercises.

That’s all for today.

Steve

Lesson 4

Hello again.

In our fourth lesson we looked at ‘Unit 4A- I’m going to the hairdresser’s tomorrow’ in the textbook. For vocabulary we spoke about clothes and appearance. For grammar homework you will read about using Present Continuous to talk about future arrangements, and about using ‘going to’ to talk about plans or intentions.

Here is a very basic video about using Present Continuous to talk about the future:

Here is a very basic video about using ‘going to’ to talk about the future:

For homework I asked you to do the reading exercise on page 39. Next, you should read the information for 4A on page 150 and then do the exercises for 4A on page 151. You also need to do the exercise e for 4A on page 136. Finally, you should complete Unit 4A in the Digital Textbook.

If you would like to do some extra writing homework, you can do exercise 4a on page 35. Send your work in an email to steven.brown@folkuniversitetet.se and I can check it for you.

That’s all for today.

Steve

Lesson 3

In our third lesson we looked at Unit 2C and Unit 2D. We looked at different ways to ask for information, and also discussed linking words. I recommended that you complete all of the listening and reading exercises for these units.

Exercise 3 on page 22 focuses on connected speech. Here is a simple video which explains connected speech in American English:

Here is a video that looks at connected speecher in greater detail:

For homework, I asked you to complete Unit 2C and 2D in the Digital Workbook. You also need to complete all of the exercises for ‘Unit 2 Review and Extension’ on page 26. The grammar focus for Unit 2 at the back of the book should help you with this homework.

That’s all for today.

Steve

Lesson 2

In our second lesson we looked at ‘Unit 3B – I’ve already given £25 to charity’. For grammar we once again looked at the Present Perfect tense. This time we focused on how it is used in conjunction with the words just, already, and yet. For vocabulary we talked about collocations with the words make, do, and give..

Here is a short video explaining how Present Perfect is used with just, already, and yet (and also still):

For homework you were asked to do the Listening exercises on page 31. After that, you should read the information for 3B on page 148 and then complete the exercises for 3B on page 149 of the textbook. Finally, you also need to complete the exercises for Unit 3B in the Digital Workbook.

If you would like to do some extra writing homework, you can use the questions in 5a on page 31 as a guide and write a few paragraphs about how you would be able to live with less. Send your writing to steven.brown@folkuniversitetet.se and I will check your writing for you.

That’s all for today. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Steve

Lesson 1

Hello everyone, and welcome to the course blog!

If you are a new student, I recommend that you scroll down to see the topics that were covered in the previous course.

We began our first lesson by introducing ourselves to each other. It was very nice to meet you all. We have students from a variety of different countries and cultures.

The textbook we will be using is Cambridge English EMPOWER Second Edition Pre-Intermediate B1 Combo A with Digital Pack.

The easiest and quickest place to buy the book is from Ferdosi Bookshop, Odengatan 21, Stockholm.

For vocabulary we looked at terms related to money and shopping. For grammar we looked at the difference between the Present Perfect and Past Simple tenses.

Here is as short video explaining the differences between Past Simple and Present Perfect, and when to use them:

For homework I asked you to read the information for 3A on page 148 of the textbook and then complete the exercises for 3A on page 149. You were also asked to complete the exercises for Vocabulary Focus 3A on page 136. Finally, you should complete the exercises for Unit 3A in the Digital Workbook (OR you can compete the exercises for 3A on page 16 in the black and white section at the back of the book).

That is all for today.

Steve

Lesson 6

Welcome back to the blog.

This Wednesday will be our final lesson for this course. Please click here if you want to register for the next course which starts on Monday 2/3/26.

In our sixth lesson we looked at 1D in the textbook. We spoke about staying in touch with family and friends. We also corrected mistakes in some written English.

For homework I asked you to complete the ‘Unit 1 Review and Extension’ on page 16. If you need any help with the grammar, you should look at the blog entries for Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 of this course.

If you would like to do any extra writing homework, you can complete exercise 4a n page 15. Send your email to steven.brown@folkuniversitetet.se and I will check your work for you.

That’s all for today.

Steve

Lesson 5

Hello everyone,

In our fifth lesson we looked at Unit 1C, and spoke about greeting people, showing interest in a conversation, and ending conversations. We then finished the rest of ‘2B – Everyone was waiting for me’. For grammar we looked at the Past Continuous tense.

Here is a good video which explains (with examples) how to use Past Continuous and Past Simple separately, and how to use them together:

For homework you need to read the information for 2B Past Continuous on page 146 and do the exercises for 2B Past Continuous on page 147. Finally, you should do the exercises for Unit 2B in the Digital Workbook.

That’s all for today.

Steve

Lesson 4

Hello everyone,

In our fourth lesson we began to look at ‘2B – Everyone was waiting for me’. For vocabulary we spoke about travel.

Click here for a detailed list of English words related to travel.

For homework I asked you to complete the exercises for ‘3 LISTENING’ on page 20. I also asked you to complete the Vocabulary exercises for 2B on page 135.

If you would like to do some extra homework, you can send me an email with a detailed description of a memorable holiday that you have had. Send your email to steven.brown@folkuniversitetet.se and I will check your work for you.

That’s all for today.

Steve

Lesson 3

Welcome back to the blog!

After looking at the previous lesson’s homework, we looked at ‘Unit 2A – We had an adventure’ in the textbook. For vocabulary, we spoke about holidays. For grammar, we looked at the Past Simple tense.

Here is a short video with a brief explanation of the Past Simple tense:

In the next lesson we will talk about how to pronounce ‘-ed’ at the end of words, which is necessary for pronouncing the past simple form of all regular verbs.

Here is a video which helps to explain the PRONUNCIATION of words ending in ‘-ed’:

For homework you need to complete the exercises for ‘2 GRAMMAR’ on page 18 and ‘4 GRAMMAR’ on page 19. You should then read the information for 2A on page 146 and then complete the exercises for 2A on page 147. I also asked you to complete the exercises for ‘3 LISTENING’ on page 18. Finally, you need to complete the exercises for Unit 2A in the Digital Workbook).

That is all for today.

Steve

Lesson 2

Hello again everyone.

In our second lesson we began by reviewing the homework from the previous lesson. After that we continued working from the textbook, looking at ‘Unit 1B – I’m really into social media’. We completed some reading and listening exercises, and had some discussions in pairs.

For vocabulary we looked at adverbs that make words stronger or weaker. We also looked at adverbs of frequency (how often a verb is performed). For grammar we briefly spoke about the Present Simple tense and the Present Continuous tense.

Here is a video explaining the Present Simple tense:

Here is a short video explaining the Present Continuous tense:

For homework you were asked to read the grammar focus for 1B on page 144 about Present Simple and Present Continuous tenses which explains how they are formed and when we use them, and then do the exercises for 1B on page 145. Next, you need to do the exercises for Unit 1B in the Digital Workbook on the website (or you can do them from page 5 of the Workbook at THE BACK OF THE TEXTBOOK).

I also gave you optional homework that you may choose to complete if you wish. You can write a few paragraphs in response to exercise 4a on page 15. Send your work to steven.brown@folkuniversitetet.se and I will check it for you.

That’s all for today.

Steve

Lesson 1

Hello everyone, and welcome to the course blog!

We began our first lesson by introducing ourselves to each other. It was very nice to meet you all. We have students from a variety of different countries and cultures.

The textbook we will be using is Cambridge English EMPOWER Second Edition Pre-Intermediate B1 Combo A with Digital Pack.

The easiest and quickest place to buy the book is from Ferdosi Bookshop, Odengatan 21, Stockholm.

After our introductions we had a quick revision of the alphabet, vowels and consonants. After that we had a quick revision of nouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs. We then began to look at the first lesson in the course textbook (1A – Do you play any sports?). For vocabulary, you worked together in groups and did some exercises on Common Adjectives. For grammar, we looked at the word order in questions. Here is a video which discusses word order in questions and how they are formed:

For homework you need to complete all of the Vocabulary exercises for 1A on page 134. You also need to do the Grammar Focus reading for ‘1A Question Words’ on page 144 and then do the matching grammar exercises for ‘ 1A Question Words’ on page 145. These grammar exercises look at the order of words when forming questions with the verb ‘be’ (am/is/are, was/were) and forming questions with auxiliary verbs. You need to bring these exercises to the next class because we will be going through the answers in our next lesson.

Finally, you need to complete Unit 1A in the Digital Workbook (or you can do the exercises for Unit 1A on the photocopy of page 4 of the black and white section at the back of the textbook).

That’s all for today. I’ll see you all again in our next lesson.

Steve

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B1 English in the Morning – Starts 30/3/26