Monday, 21 February 2011

Greeting guests

In preparation for the guests we will receive, we have been looking at some useful expressions we might need.

To revise and maybe see some new expressions, read this.

Greeting a Guest

If you are the host and your guest has arrived at your house, what can you say to welcome them? Here are some common expressions:

Welcoming a Guest

· I'm so glad to have you here.

· I'm so glad you could come.

· I'm so glad you could visit.

· We're delighted to have you here.

· Delighted to have you here.

Expressions which can be used to make our guests feel at home and comfortable.

Asking a Guest to Come Inside the House

· Come on in.

· Please come in.

· Please do come in. (formal)

Making a Visitor Feel at Home

· Make yourself at home.

· Make yourself comfortable.

· Would you like to take off your coat?

· Here, let me take your coat.

Offering a Visitor a Seat

· Please have a seat.

· Please sit down.

· Would you like to sit over here?

Offering a Visitor Something to Drink

· Would you like some coffee or tea?

· Let me get you something to drink. What would you like?

· Can I get you something to drink?

Saying Goodbye

· It's been a delightful visit. (formal)

· Thank you for coming.

· Glad you could come.

· Come back soon.

· We have to do this again sometime.

· We have to do this more often.

· It's been our pleasure to have you here. (formal)

How do you introduce your friend to someone else? Below are some useful expressions.

· Introducing Paul to Fred

· Fred, I'd like you to meet Paul.

· Fred, this is my friend Paul.

· Fred, (this is) Ichiro. Paul, Fred.

· Fred, have you met Paul?

What to Say When You've Just Been Introduced

· Good to meet you.

· Nice to meet you.

· What a pleasure to meet you. (formal)

· A pleasure. (formal)

What to Say When You Didn't Catch Someone's Name

· I'm sorry. What's your name again?

· Sorry, I didn't catch your name.

· I'm sorry, could you tell me your name again?

Monday, 14 February 2011

Black History Month




This month is Black history month. Click here to see some information on the heroes of the Civil Rights Movement, including Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr who you have studied in your citizenship lessons.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."


I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

From the "I Have a Dream" speech, Aug. 28, 1963

Thursday, 10 February 2011

Singing love

Do you like love songs? What's your favourite?
This is one that I enjoy singing: You and I by Wilco.



I hope you like it (and sing along) too.

Wednesday, 2 February 2011

Valentine´s Day!


On the 14th of February is St. Valentine´s Day. It is the traditional day on which people express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards and giving flowers or chocolates.

What happens on Valentines day in Britain?

Each year in Britain, we spend around £503 million on cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts for Valentine's Day.

Today Valentine's cards are sent anonymously (without signing their name) by a 'secret admirer'.

Flowers are the most common gift given, a dozen red roses or just one red rose.

It is just as common for a woman to send a man a message of love, especially during a leap year´, and on Valentine's Day in a leap year it is the custom that the woman can ask a man to marry her!

Do you celebrate St. Valentine´s day in Spain? Do you have a special day when you can tell someone you love them? What do you think of this celebration?