Lesson 5-  Monday, 20th October

 Vocabulary review

• I could never be a doctor or nurse. I’m too squeamish.
• We could hear the piglets squeal as we entered the farmyard.  = to make a long, very high sound or cry. Mice squeak.
• Singapore is hot and very humid all year round.
• Singapore has high temperatures and high humidity all year round.
• It’s muggy this evening in London — perfect weather for a summer thunderstorm!

 

Please read through this opinion article and consider the questions below – click on the link here for the PDF version:Vi är dummare på engelska än vi tror

1. Have you ever chosen to read a book in its original language instead of a translation? Why or why not?
2. What are the pros and cons of reading books in their original language compared to reading translations (and vice versa)?
3. How important do you think it is to understand every nuance in a novel, and is that possible in a second language?
4. Do you trust that translators capture the essence of a novel, or do you think something is always lost in translation?
5. Do you agree with the writer that it might be “pretentious” to read in English instead of Swedish? Why or why not?
6. The writer seems surprised that so many Swedes are confident about their English. Do you agree with him, or do you think this confidence is justified?
7. Overall, do you agree or disagree with the writer’s opinions in the text? Can you explain your thoughts?
8. How would you explain “jantelagen” to a non-Swede?

 

The bird has plumped itself up for better insulation.

Insulated or isolated?

1. The cabin in the mountains was very isolated with no neighbours for miles around.
2. We need to make sure the pipes are properly insulated to prevent them from freezing.
3. After moving to the countryside, she sometimes felt a bit isolated from her friends.
4. This jacket is well insulated so it keeps you warm even in very cold weather.
5. The small island is completely isolated from the mainland — you can only get there by boat.
6. The walls aren’t insulated enough, so the house loses heat quickly in winter.
7. During the pandemic, many people felt isolated at home and missed social contact.
8. The roof has been newly insulated to make the house more energy-efficient.
9. The village was isolated for several days after the storm destroyed the only bridge.
10. If your attic isn’t insulated you’ll spend more money on heating.

 

Attic /  loft

Cellar /basement

The ceiling (= inside roof)

The ground floor = the first floor (US)

The forest floor

The ground (outside)

 

Please read through this article for next lesson:  https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220207-the-crippling-expectation-of-247-digital-availability

 

• postage is included
• to send a sympathy card to the bereaved
• the funeral directors / the funeral parlour
• the undertakers
• Do you want bottled water or water from the crane?
• Tap water
• He is a crane operator.
• Crane = trana

 

My Life After Retirement (answers so far are in bold and we will go through the rest in the class. I have emailed the version with the errors highlighted)

I want to share how my life has changed since I retired last year. To begin with, I was a bit nervous about how it would be to not work anymore. I thought I would miss the routines and my colleagues, but it has actually been much easier than I thought. Now I can focus on everything/all the things I have wanted to do for a long time, but never had time for before.

One of the first things I did after retiring was to start a painting course. I have always been interested for art, but never took the chance to develop my skills. The course is very fun, and I am learning myself new techniques every week. The teacher is very inspiring and gives a lot of good advices.

I also enjoy to spend more time in my garden. It is very relaxing to be outside in the fresh air and work with the flowers and bushes. This year I have planted many new flowers and they are growing very good. My neighbour says I have green fingers, which I think is a funny expression for being good on gardening.

Another great thing about retirement is that I can travel much more than before. Last autumn, I did a trip to Spain with some friends from my book club. We visited many nice places and tried a lot of local food. It was very exciting to see another country and culture, and I took a lot of pictures to remember the journey. Now I am already planning my next travel, maybe to Italy or Greece.

Another thing is that I have much more time to meet my children and grandchildren. Before, I was often stressed when we met because I had always work in the back of my mind. Now, I can really enjoy our time together. Last week, I babysitted my smallest granddaughter and we baked cakes and played games the whole day. It was so nice to see how happy she became!

What surprised me is how full my days are now. Many people think that retirement is just doing nothing, but I feel like I have less free time than before. I have joined a book club, started going to the gym, and also volunteer in a local charity shop. It is a lot, but I like having a full calendar.

Because I want to keep my English level up, I also started a high-level English course for seniors at the local study house. It is very interesting, and we talk about many different topics. The teacher says I have a good vocabulary, but I want to become even better. The course is also a nice way to make new contacts and meet people with ___ same interests.

I have also noticed that I have more energy now when I don’t work every day. I try to take long walks in nature and sometimes take my bike for a tour in the countryside. I feel much healthier and stronger now.

Every day I feel grateful for this part of my life. Retirement is a great possibility to try new things, spend time with family and friends, and take care about yourself. I know some are afraid for getting older, but I think it is important to have a positive attitude. Life is what you make it, and I want to fill my golden years with joy and new experiences

 

• An active lifestyle or job – a sedentary job
• As a society we are more sedentary than we used to be
• A slob – to slob on the sofa all day

 

 

 

Discussion

• How has technology changed the way you communicate or keep in touch with friends and family over the years? What ways did you use to keep in touch with people?
• Do you think you are better at staying in touch with people than you used to be? Or is it the other way around?
• Are there any ways of communicating that you miss? Why or why not?
• Can you share a memorable experience where technology helped you reconnect with someone from your past?
• Do you think modern technology has made relationships stronger or weaker? Why?
• How do you feel about social media as a tool for staying in touch with family and friends?
• Do you think younger generations communicate differently because of technology? In what ways?