Recent Changes

failing again
Sorry everyone, but – as you’ll see from the time – I’ve been trying to post the notes all day but there was either problem with LSE connection today, or perhaps there is a problem with Wikispaces which is not letting me paste it.
Apologies for this, and I hope this won’t continue tomorrow.
Kind regards,
Stuart

this week's song homework
Morning guys, I hope you're having a nice weekend! Our homework for this weekend, was to choose favourite or significant songs [in any language] which we will then discuss in classes next week. Of course, if it's a song in another language, you'll have to explain the general meaning but you won't have to translate it.

To get you started, below are the links to 2 songs, which you can watch and save time before we discuss next week. One of them is 'The Scientist' by Coldplay, which is at this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqWLpTKBFcU

The think is to the music-video, which I don't normally like but this 1 is very, very clever, so I think it's great.

The 2nd one is to a song by Nelly Furtado called 'Like a Bird', which is not a video I like, but a song that has a 'story' behind it. You can listen to it at this website:

https://soundcloud.com/donnaxtine/im-like-a-bird-nelly-furtado

I look forward to hearing about your songs next week!

Kind regards,

Stuart

updated in new October notes page
Hooray, I think I've managed to upload the notes!! I also seem to be having problems with Wikispaces because the file is so big. To address this problem, I've created a new page called Class Notes October.

See you tomorrow [/I hope you're well and having fun if you are elsewhere on the globe!]

Kind regards,

Stuart

Language Notes
≠ means that these things are opposites, e.g. big ≠ small
This are is a mistake someone made in class.
[> the part that is underlined is better than this]
Any word written like this can be omitted without changing the meaning.
Something written (spelling) like this indicates that this was a letter that was left out when a word was written.
This√ is OK. (that√) [Shows that both of these two words are correct to be used in this situation.]
Pronunciation Notes
- if the stressed part of the word has the same pronunciation as the letter, then only that 1 letter is underlined. i.e. pain, eat, Einstein, roam, unit,
This rule also applies if the stress is on any other letter and has the same sound:
e.g. ceiling, details, deaf, hotel, chemists, energy, queue, started, mess, experts,
- if the stressed part of the syllable doesn’t have the same pronunciation as the vowel or letter sound, then it will be underlined with another letter next to it, for example i.e. satellite, let, book; company, busy, four,
NB: If you ever want to find a particular word or grammar area from previous class notes, you can go to the Home tab [in the top-left], then choose the Find button on the left-hand side of the screen, and enter the word in the left-hand column which says Navigation. It will then show you EVERY word in the document which is the same as this, and show it in yellow. For example, if you put in went then it will show all places where there is the word went. The word past simple will highlight every example of the past simple in the notes.
GENERAL PHRASES: "How are you?" "Fine thanks, and you?"
I'm not sure how to say it in English, but in Spanish, we say ….
What's it called again?... [to give you thinking time]
Language Notes – Tuesday 21st October 2014
LAST CLASS KEY NOTES:
I can't stand stopping at the traffic lights and I can't stand people beeping either!
I can't stand stopping at the traffic lights and I also can't stand people beeping!
I can't stand stopping at the traffic lights and I also can't stand people beeping either!
CONVERSATIONS & NEW WORDS:
We discuss something with someone or we sometimes argue about the subject!
"My wife and I quite often argue when we are cooking." "Why's that?" "I hate cooking!"
"We sometimes argue about our daughters and we also argue about a kitten. He found the kitten and brought her home without asking me!" adult – child cat – kitten dog - puppy
"What would you say to your wife if she did the same?"
"If my wife brought home a pet without asking me, I would write her a warning letter!
"If my wife brought home a cat without asking me, I would tell her I will leave her, if she keeps the cat!
"What would you say to your husband if he did the same?"
"If my husband brought home a cat without asking me, I would …
"If my husband brought home a cat without asking me, I would make him leave.
Can you look after my daughter for me, please? [to look after = to take care of]
I used to have a pet-hamster when I was young.
We go out and then come back, but we leave a spouse permanently.
She left her husband 2 years ago and now they're divorced.
"Can you tell me where you used to live?" / "Where did you used to live?"
"I used to live in ."
"How was it?" "What was it like there?"
My home country is Spain. My motherland is Spain.
[We don't say fatherland very often as it is connected with Nazi Germany.]
"How long do you think you'll stay in Doha & where do you think you might live after you leave?"
"I think I'll stay here for more years. After I leave, I might go ….."
"Well, I think … [=Bueno ]
I might live = I think I'll live
It's thesafest place. ≠ It's the most dangerous place.
Where's the safest place you've ever been?
The most boring place I've ever been is the Middle East during Ramadan.
The most boring place I've ever been was Doha, before I started English class that is.
The most exciting place I've ever been is New York. In fact, it's also the most interesting, most expensive, and many other things!
The most exciting place I've ever been is Salvador de Bahia.
The most dangerous place I've ever been is Tripoli. The political situation is very dangerous. I went there last winter.
The most expensive place I've ever been is Paris, with regards property.
With regards property, the most expensive place I've ever been is Doha.
With regards property, the most expensive place I've ever been is Oman. It's even more expensive than Doha!
With regards property, the most expensive place I've ever been is Barcelona.
With regards cost of living, the most expensive place I've ever been is Moscow. I don't
remember exactly, but as an example, in the airport a glass of juice cost 12 euros!
The cheapest place was Nicaragua. The average salary was $100 a month and doctors
earn $200. [x win – In Spanish, the same verbs are used for to win and to earn money.]
I've never lived overseas before and Doha is the most expensive regarding property.
Las Ramblas is a famous pedestrian street in Barcelona.
Paedophiles are the people who molest children. [pederasta]
"I also slipped up on that word!"
PAST TENSES: I used to + verb = something in the past, for a long time, but not now
I used to live in Madrid. I was there from 1996 to 1997.
I used to have a pet-_ when I was young.
I used to have a big hairy dog.
To find – found, bring – brought, buy – bought, spend – spent
to begin – began – begun School began 1 month ago.
SHORT LINKING WORDS: "How many years have you lived in Doha?" [x ..do you stay…]
"I've lived here for 3 years. I've lived here since 2012."
I spent a lot of money.I spent too much money. I spent many / much money.
It depends on the pet.
With regards driving, the most dangerous place I've ever been is … [x About ]
I found the folder at work. [x in job ]
She used to go dancing once a week. / …twice a week. / ….3 times a week.
LANGUAGE:If I were you, I would work harder.
..3 more years. [x 3 years more]
At first, it was difficult. [x In the 1st moment…]
I wouldn't go back there. [x here ]
After I leave Doha I don't think I'll come back here. [x there ]
A month and a half. / One and a half months. [X One month and a half ]
I first came here a month and a half ago.
I first came here one and half months ago.
HOW TO SAY WORDS: beach vs. bitch "it" , cities, might, zombie, brain, mind-set
HOMEWORK: What you're doing now. In addition, 1 or 2 of you have expressed an interest in your children learning music. If that is you, then please download musescore for free from musescore.org and I'll show you how to use it, so that you can teach your children!
Language Notes – Monday 20th October 2014
LAST CLASS KEY NOTES: A step-brother is a brother that you both have different parents, but are now related by marriage.
A half-brother is a brother that you both have the same mother or father, but not both.
Catia is my step-daughter.
CONVERSATIONS & NEW WORDS: Pardon? What?
I like going to the cinema. I like watching films.
I used to like smoking sheeshas. ['hubbly-bubbllies' (inf.)]
I bought some fruit, vegetables, meat, soup, etc. and then I went home.
I bought some fruit, vegetables, meat, soup, et cetera.
I like drawing and painting. [timnugent.blogspot.com]
It's started becoming more touristic.
-
Is there anything you don't mind doing? I don't mind ing.
Is there anything you can't standother people doing? I can't stand _ing!
What did you use to like doing when you were young?
I used to like _ing.
I can't stand arguing with my wife: she always wins!
I can't stand stopping at the traffic lights and I can't stand people beeping their horns either!
We discuss something with someone or we sometimes argue about it!
He should turn off his lights.
"When was the last time you went sailing with him?"
"I'm not sure, but the waves probably made me sea-sick!"
It's fun. [You like doing it.] vs. It's funny! [It makes you laugh!]
It's much more dangerous!It's no not much more dangerous.
You need at least 2 hours to be able to wash the car.
She was an excellent student! [good marks!] vs. She was a beautiful student! [good looking!]
I once picked up a hitchhiker that was hitchhiking to the south of Spain.
We use curtains or blinds on our windows at home.
People need chance to recuperate after some accidents or injuries.
"My mum passed away 8 years ago." "I'm sorry to hear that." [passed away = died]
I'd like to be able to swim twice the length underwater my husband can.
LANGUAGE: I used to like smoking sheeshas, but I stopped 2 years ago. [..before 2 years]
PAST TENSES: To buy – bought
I've never been there. / I've never gone there. [x I never went there.]
SHORT LINKING WORDS: I like listening to music.
Who's your favourite group? Who's your favourite musician?
What's your favourite group? What's your favourite musician?
I like using the internet.
Apart from listening to music, do you have any other hobbies?
I do it 3 days a week. [..in the week ]
I used to like riding on a bike. [We normally use it without on.
It's very far. vs. It's too far! [You won't go.]
I had to stay at home because it was too cold.
We discuss something with someone or we argue about it.
LANGUAGE: older sister / younger brother [x sister older]
There were 5 or 6 people. [persons] There were many people. [x peoples]
To be able to – can – could
I'm interested in fishing.
It's cheaper. It's much cheaper! I have 2 more friends there. Vs. I have 2 friends more than him there.
In sporting scores, we always say the largest one first, but in normal language we say the smallest 1st.
Manchester 2 – 3 Liverpool Liverpool won 3-2.
There were 40 or 50 people there.
"I love Stuart!" "Me too." / "I do also." x Me also.
Everybody likes it.
"I like it." "Me too!"
"I don't like it." "I don't either." / "Me neither." Me too.
I like it.
HOW TO SAY WORDS: special [especial ] , typical, mind, young, doing, riding, sailing, studying, August, surrounded, mosaic, The Maldives, tuna, drawing "droring", ruler, majority, excellent, atheist, contraceptive, siblings, hate,
I used to do it. vs. It's a used car.
HOMEWORK: Go through the class notes so that you can ask me about anything you're not sure about.
Language Notes – Sunday 19th October 2014
For those of you who weren't here, we've decided to adjust the class times. This is in order to make it more convenient for parents who have children to collect from school, and the new times will be 11.05 to 13.05. I hope that's convenient for people. Now, let's get on with your studies!...
CONVERSATIONS & NEW WORDS:
She lives in a nursing home for elderly people. [older = elder]
If you have a family member who works in Qatar, it's possible to come.
He's not familiar with the problem.
CLASS EXERCISES:
"What's your name?"
"My name's Stuart."
"Nice to meet you. / How do you do." [> A pleasure.]
"How old are you?" How old you are?
"I'm in my early 30s." 30-33 I'm in my 30s. [30-39]
"I'm in my mid-30s." 34-36
"I'm in my late 30s." 37-39
"Where are you from?" You are from?
"I'm from Spain."
"Whereabouts in Spain?"
"I'm from Madrid."
"Can you tell me a little bit about your family?" [direct family - extended family]
"What do you do?" "I'm a teacher."
my mother-in-law [mother of my spouse] vs. my step-mother [after divorce]
I have 2 brothers & 1 sister so I have 3 siblings.
I have 2 sons & 1 daughter so I have 3 children.
Lekhwiya is relatively famous.
To win – won We won 1-0." "one-nil"
We drew 2-2. "2-all"
We drew 0-0. "nil-nil"
We lost 3-2." "3-2" [x 2-3 even if we played an away match]
It's famous for its spas and baths.
Have you come alone or with your family?
My son lives with a male friend. Vs. He lives with his boyfriend.
"His son lives with a boyfriend."
"Actually, my son lives with a male friend."
There are some creatures in the sea called jellyfish.
He has only been here for 3 months.
"How have they found Qatar? = Has it been hard or difficult?"
My wife isn't working at the moment.
"Do you live on the same compound?"
I have 2 children.
She works at Newton in Barwa.
I have 2 more friends there. [x 2 friends more]
He's a goalkeeping coach from Denmark.
Will the stadium have a/c for the World Cup?
I'm curious.
In Germany, the pitches are warmed.
It's exactly the same!
[= "Same-same!" which is what people from the Indian sub-continent say.]
"How have they found Qatar?"
"It's been quite difficult." It has
"In what way?"
"They've found the local dress quite difficult to adapt to."
"How long have you been in Qatar?"
"I've been in Qatar for 3 years."
"I've been in Qatar since 2012. How about you?"
"How have your family found Qatar?"
"It's been quite difficult."
"Two years more and I'm going to leave." "Famous last words!"
I came here on the 7th of August and the heat knocked me sideways!
"What was it like?"
In the old airport, you got off the plane and you walk in to the open air: I thought I was standing in front of the airplane jet. The bus took you all the way around the runway. [Where the planes take off and land.]
It's absolutely luxurious! = It's absolute luxury!
One woman practically attacked me in a mall during Ramadan for wearing sandals! She said that I was in offensive dress.
The Doctor told me not to come to school in shorts or polo-shirts.
some pants vs. some trousers
Doha has many things like this. For instance, if you want your driving licence you cannot wear shorts.
Do you have a driving licence? [> permit ]
I always put ham in my case and the customs have never stopped me: Touch wood!
I can't risk getting caught at Customs because my wife works for QFE.
"How have you found living in Qatar?" "It's been quite challenging." "In what way?"
"How are you today?"
"How did you get on in the match?"
"Here you are." "Thank you." "My pleasure." / "Not at all."
PAST TENSES: I've been to Oman once with my wife. I was there in 2008.
understand – understood, win – won, draw – drew – drawn, lose – lost, go – went - gone
SHORT LINKING WORDS: It's on the Pearl.
I was there at around the same time.
It's on the coast.
"I arrived on the 1st of July during Ramadan."
LANGUAGE: It has the oldest souq in the Middle East.
The people are much friendlier than in Qatar. [more friendlier]
Where do you come from?Where are you from?
[Where are you come from?]
Are you a student?
People say this.[x says]
They say that it's good.
I make some mistakes although Stu makes more mistakes!
My husband works for QF. [x is working]
My husband is currently working on a project with QF.
We've been here for 15 months.
I know where La Hoya is. [x where is La Hoya ]
Is there anything like that now? [> Do we have …]
You need to know the short-cutsto get to school. [x for get ]
HOW TO SAY WORDS: "R" Oman, Muskat, private, Mosque, stadium, assistant-coach, Rome, footballer, interesting, Nepal – Nepalese, crisis, sandals, win - women, call-girls,
It's a big fat knot in the tie. family, vs. familiar
HOMEWORK: You've almost finished it! Finally, we're going to talk more about our hobbies [and those of our close family] in tomorrow's class, with various partners, so I'd like you to think about these questions:
- What are your hobbies?
- When and how did you get started on them?
- Are there any other things you'd like to do in the future?
- What did you use to like doing at various stages of your youth?
Language Notes – Wednesday 1st October 2014 Pinch, punch 1st of the month!
CONVERSATIONS & NEW WORDS:
Touch wood! God willing!
To tell a little white lie is when you lie but it's not a bad lie that will kill anyone! For example, "I won't be coming to class over the next couple of weeks because I'm going to be busy working with some new business contacts back in Spain."
I might stay here until next summer or maybe I will go on holiday.
An energetic friend of my wife's has invited me to her 70th birthday in Munich.
I've never been to Munich. [> I don't know Munich.]
I don't know my brother-in-law very well.
Have you ever been to Germany?
"No, I haven't."
"What's one of your favourite cities in Europe?"
"Two of my favourite cities are Rome and Paris. I like Paris but I had a bad experience."
"Can I ask what happened?"
"I was there with my husband and we took a taxi from the centre of the city. We were in the city-centre and we got the taxi to take us back to our hotel. However, he took us a long way outside of the city and he jumped traffic lights so when the car stopped we got out and ran away!
"Where did you get the taxi from?"
"That sounds frightening!"
"The driving is as frightening in Doha as Paris."
"For me, it's more frightening in Paris." I am afraid of it.
"Why's that?"
"People often speed in the streets."
"What's the most frightening place for you?"
"If there's a national football match, the traffic is chaotic!"
"The road is called the M30."
"I went to London on the train and went to a biker's club on the outskirts of the city."
Ace Coffee is the most popular club in Europe.
Istanbul is dangerous when you're taking a taxi in all suburbs. We went there on our honeymoon. We took a taxi from the airport to go to our hotel
I like it very much. vs. I liked the food too much so I put on weight! [negative]
There were 5 people in the small car. My wife was in the front, and I was in the back, with 2 well-built men either side of me! [x mens ]
well-built vs. fat vs. big
"Have you been to Istabul?"
"I went there in August. It was fantastic and I will definitely go back again."
Outside Istanbul I think it's different. I also think Moroccans outside Rabat are very different.
When I was young, I went to Morocco for a whole month. I went to try the Moroccan way of life.
I used to a bit of a hippy.
I tried to do business with Moroccans so that they'd repair my car for free, or for a small exchange.
There are a lot of beggars and begging.
girlfriend / boyfriend
"One of my first holidays without my parents was when I went to Lisbon with my friends when I was 20. We went for 1 week and we were all ladies – there were 6 of us."
"What was the highlight?" [the best part]
"It was all good fun!"
"Are you friends now?"
"Not really, they all have families."
"I'd rather not talk about it." / "I'd prefer not to talk about it."
It's good by day and also at night.
You can go to listen to music. [x for ]
It's good for listening__ to music.
It's a good vantage point for the photos.
CLASS EXERCISES: Communication 17 – Getting there…:
"Good morning, Doha bus-station, Stuart speaking, how can I help you?"
"Good morning, can you tell me if there is a bus/train/plane to in the morning/afternoon/evening, please?"
"Certainly Sir, there is …"
"Certainly Madam, there is …"
….the bus number 3, that leaves between 6.25am and 22.25pm.
….the train to Liverpool, that leaves between 10.45am and 20.45pm.
Can you tell me how long that takes, please?
Can you tell me how much it costs, please?
Certainly, it arrives 15 minutes later. Would you like any other information?
It costs QR50 one-way, and QR60 return. Would you like any other information?
"Thank you. Can you also tell me….
"Thank you. Can you also tell me….
Vocabulary: zoo, town centre, bus stop,
To meet, to visit someone/somewhere, to catch a bus/train/plane
You can buy a 2-week bus pass.
one-way ticket / return ticket
I'd like > I need
Paris – New York – Madrid – Oslo – Rome – Budapest - Prague
If you paid for me to go to one of these cities, I would choose Paris.
If you paid for me to go to one of these cities, I would choose New York.
I haven't been to New York. vs.
I don't know New York very well.
I've never been to Oslo. I haven't been to Oslo. never.
I think it would be impossible to live apart from my wife.
We're planning on staying on Doha for 3 more years.
"They don't know how long the project will last." [dura]
"Have you ever lived apart from your spouse?"
"We lived apart for 1 year when he first came to Doha?"
"How was it?"
"I came here for 10 days in August and 10 days in December. I lived alone in Madrid."
Finno-Ugric Languages
Hungarian – Finnish – Ukrainian
I like the area where Picasso and other painters lived at times in their lives.
What would you recommend about Rome?
I recommend going to the Collisseum.
I don't recommend going to any pizzerias.
Fuji is a fantastic suburb of Rome that has delicious foods! While I was there I put on 5 kilos! It was all very different food.
"I like pizza, but to be honest, I didn't like it in Rome." [a ver / haber]
"What are your plans for the holiday?"
"Let me see, I'm going …
"The traffic in Rome is worse than here!" "I don't believe it!"
Gannett-Fleming is the name of his construction company.
danger – dangerous / frightening
You 'take your life in your own hands' when your drive in Doha!!!
The Eiffel Tower
If I was an animal, I would be a dolphin.
Bad Day – Daniel Powter DIDN'T LOOK AT, I ONLY EMAILED IT TO THE GUYS AND Masako
Also didn't look at Scientist video http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xm2b_coldplay-the-scientist
Where is the moment we needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to gray
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carrying on
You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee you go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces every time
And I don't need no carrying on
Will you need a blue sky holiday?
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carrying on
Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong
So where is the passion when you need it the most - oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost,
CHORUS 1 & 2
Because you had a bad day, you're taking one down, you sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know, you tell me don't lie, you work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day - the camera don't lie, you're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day…. You had a bad day
LAST CHORUS
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day
"If you could go back in time, where & when would you go back to?"
"If I could go back in time, I think I would go to place in the 1970s." [1970 – 1979]
"If I could go back in time, I think I would go to place in the 19th century." [1800 – 1899]
LANGUAGE: very + adjective It's very good. It's really good. [x much ]
much / many + nounsI don't have too much money.
He doesn't have many friends!
CONVERSATION
PAST TENSES
SHORT LINKING WORDS
It's far from Istanbul. [x far to]
It's a long way to Istanbul from there.
LANGUAGE:
Present continuous – 100% future plans
I'm flying to the UK at 22.30 this evening. "10-30"
Stuart's starting again at LSE on the 19th of October. [100% plan]
All the people say it's good. [x says] / Everybodysays it's good. x say
1 child - 2 childrens,
HOW TO SAY WORDS: Hamburg, hamburger, ground, Muslims, young, Morocco, Moroccan, to/a repair, city, Turkey – Turkish, "I" guy – gay, Bohemian, musicians, atmosphere, special, to discuss, "SHH" chef vs. chief, quieter, tourist scenery, days,
HOMEWORK: Note down interesting or exciting things so we can talk about them when we get back.

No internet in LSE
Sorry about this, but there hasn't been any internet connection in school so far today [I'm posting this with my smart phone] which is why I haven't posted any of today's notes yet.
I have class until 18.30, after which I'm going to meet up with some contacts to discuss different projects. As a result, I don't think I'll be able to post them until much later this evening - if at all.
My apologies for this - hopefully the school will be able to rectify the problem soon.
Kind regards.
Stuart

e.g. ceiling, details, deaf, hotel, chemists, energy, queue, started, mess, experts,
- if the stressed part of the syllable doesn’t have the same pronunciation as the vowel or letter sound, then it will be underlined with another letter next to it, for example i.e. satellite, let, book; company, busy, four,
Apologies for the delay, but for what for some reason, there wasn’t an internet connection in class computers this afternoon at LSE, so I’ve had to wait until I'm home to post these.
Promise I’ll try and do better tomorrow!
Stu
Language Notes – Sunday 19th October 2014
For those of you who weren't here, we've decided to adjust the class times. This is in order to make it more convenient for parents who have children to collect from school, and the new times will be 11.05 to 13.05. I hope that's convenient for people. Now, let's get on with your studies!...
CONVERSATIONS & NEW WORDS:
She lives in a nursing home for elderly people. [older = elder]
If you have a family member who works in Qatar, it's possible to come.
He's not familiar with the problem.
CLASS EXERCISES:
"What's your name?"
"My name's Stuart."
"Nice to meet you. / How do you do." [> A pleasure.]
"How old are you?" How old you are?
"I'm in my early 30s." 30-33 I'm in my 30s. [30-39]
"I'm in my mid-30s." 34-36
"I'm in my late 30s." 37-39
"Where are you from?" You are from?
"I'm from Spain."
"Whereabouts in Spain?"
"I'm from Madrid."
"Can you tell me a little bit about your family?" [direct family - extended family]
"What do you do?" "I'm a teacher."
my mother-in-law [mother of my spouse] vs. my step-mother [after divorce]
I have 2 brothers & 1 sister so I have 3 siblings.
I have 2 sons & 1 daughter so I have 3 children.
Lekhwiya is relatively famous.
To win – won We won 1-0." "one-nil"
We drew 2-2. "2-all"
We drew 0-0. "nil-nil"
We lost 3-2." "3-2" [x 2-3 even if we played an away match]
It's famous for its spas and baths.
Have you come alone or with your family?
My son lives with a male friend. Vs. He lives with his boyfriend.
"His son lives with a boyfriend."
"Actually, my son lives with a male friend."
There are some creatures in the sea called jellyfish.
He has only been here for 3 months.
"How have they found Qatar? = Has it been hard or difficult?"
My wife isn't working at the moment.
"Do you live on the same compound?"
I have 2 children.
She works at Newton in Barwa.
I have 2 more friends there. [x 2 friends more]
He's a goalkeeping coach from Denmark.
Will the stadium have a/c for the World Cup?
I'm curious.
In Germany, the pitches are warmed.
It's exactly the same!
[= "Same-same!" which is what people from the Indian sub-continent say.]
"How have they found Qatar?"
"It's been quite difficult." It has
"In what way?"
"They've found the local dress quite difficult to adapt to."
"How long have you been in Qatar?"
"I've been in Qatar for 3 years."
"I've been in Qatar since 2012. How about you?"
"How have your family found Qatar?"
"It's been quite difficult."
"Two years more and I'm going to leave." "Famous last words!"
I came here on the 7th of August and the heat knocked me sideways!
"What was it like?"
In the old airport, you got off the plane and you walk in to the open air: I thought I was standing in front of the airplane jet. The bus took you all the way around the runway. [Where the planes take off and land.]
It's absolutely luxurious! = It's absolute luxury!
One woman practically attacked me in a mall during Ramadan for wearing sandals! She said that I was in offensive dress.
The Doctor told me not to come to school in shorts or polo-shirts.
some pants vs. some trousers
Doha has many things like this. For instance, if you want your driving licence you cannot wear shorts.
Do you have a driving licence? [> permit ]
I always put ham in my case and the customs have never stopped me: Touch wood!
I can't risk getting caught at Customs because my wife works for QFE.
"How have you found living in Qatar?" "It's been quite challenging." "In what way?"
"How are you today?"
"How did you get on in the match?"
"Here you are." "Thank you." "My pleasure." / "Not at all."
PAST TENSES: I've been to Oman once with my wife. I was there in 2008.
understand – understood, win – won, draw – drew – drawn, lose – lost, go – went - gone
SHORT LINKING WORDS: It's on the Pearl.
I was there at around the same time.
It's on the coast.
"I arrived on the 1st of July during Ramadan."
LANGUAGE: It has the oldest souq in the Middle East.
The people are much friendlier than in Qatar. [more friendlier]
Where do you come from?Where are you from?
[Where are you come from?]
Are you a student?
People say this.[x says]
They say that it's good.
I make some mistakes although Stu makes more mistakes!
My husband works for QF. [x is working]
My husband is currently working on a project with QF.
We've been here for 15 months.
I know where La Hoya is. [x where is La Hoya ]
Is there anything like that now? [> Do we have …]
You need to know the short-cutsto get to school. [x for get ]
HOW TO SAY WORDS: "R" Oman, Muskat, private, Mosque, stadium, assistant-coach, Rome, footballer, interesting, Nepal – Nepalese, crisis, sandals, win - women, call-girls,
It's a big fat knot in the tie. family, vs. familiar
HOMEWORK: You've almost finished it! Finally, we're going to talk more about our hobbies [and those of our close family] in tomorrow's class, with various partners, so I'd like you to think about these questions:
-What are your hobbies?
-When and how did you get started on them?
-Are there any other things you'd like to do in the future?
-What did you use to like doing at various stages of your youth?
Language Notes – Wednesday 1st October 2014 Pinch, punch 1st of the month!
CONVERSATIONS & NEW WORDS:
Touch wood! = ‘Oja la’! in Spanish
"I'd rather not talk about it." / "I'd prefer not to talk about it."
To tell a little white lie is when you lie but it's not a bad lie that will kill anyone! For example, "I won't be coming to class over the next couple of weeks because I'm going to be busy working with some new business contacts back in Spain."
I might stay here until next summer or maybe I will go on holiday.
An energetic friend of my wife's has invited me to her 70th birthday in Munich.
We use don’t know for people and information, but not really for places.
I've never been to Munich. [> I don't know Munich.]
I don't know my brother-in-law very well.
“Have you ever been to Germany?”
"No, I haven't."
"What's one of your favourite cities in Europe?"
"Two of my favourite cities are Rome and Paris. I like Paris but I had a bad experience."
"Can I ask what happened?"
"I was there with my husband and we took a taxi from the centre of the city. We were in the city-centre and we got the taxi to take us back to our hotel. However, he took us a long way outside of the city and he jumped traffic lights so when the car stopped we got out and ran away!”
"That sounds frightening! "Where did you get the taxi from?"
"The driving is as frightening in Doha as it is in Paris."
"For me, it's more frightening in Paris. I am more afraid of it.”
"Why's that?"
"People often speed in the streets."
"What's the most frightening place for you?"
"If there's a national football match, then Madrid because the traffic is chaotic!"
"The road is called the M30." [M stands for motorway in the UK. For example, the M25 is a big road that goes hundreds of kilometres around the edge of London.]
"I went to London on the train and went to a biker's club on the outskirts of the city."
Ace Coffee is the most popular club in Europe.
Istanbul is dangerous when you're taking a taxi in all suburbs. We went there on our honeymoon. We took a taxi from the airport to go to our hotel.
The 2 men were well-built.vs. fat vs. big
"Have you been to Istanbul?"
"Yes, I have. I went there in August. It was fantastic and I will definitely go back again."
When I was young, I went to Morocco for a whole month. I went to try the Moroccan way of life.
I used to a bit of a hippy.
I tried to do business with Moroccans so that they'd repair my car for free, or for a small exchange.
There are a lot of beggars and begging.
girlfriend / boyfriend
"One of my first holidays without my parents was when I went to Lisbon with my friends when I was 20. We went for 1 week and we were all ladies – there were 6 of us."
"What was the highlight?" [the best part]
"It was all good fun!"
"Are you friends now?"
"Not really, they all have families."
Outside Istanbul I think it's different. I also think Moroccans outside Rabat are very different.
It's a good vantage point for the photos.
I think it would be impossible to live apart from my wife.
We're planning on staying on Doha for 3 more years.
"They don't know how long the project will last." [dura]
"Have you ever lived apart from your spouse?"
"We lived apart for 1 year when he first came to Doha?"
"How was it?"
"I came here for 10 days in August and 10 days in December. I lived alone in Madrid."
“What would you recommend about Rome?”
“I recommend going to the Coliseum. However, I don't recommend going to any pizzerias!”
Fuji is a fantastic suburb of Rome that has delicious foods! While I was there I put on 5 kilos! It was all very different food.
"I like pizza, but to be honest, I didn't like it in Rome." [a ver / haber]
"What are your plans for the holiday?"
"Let me see, I'm going …” “Let’s see, I’m going …”
"The traffic in Rome is worse than here!" "I don't believe it!"
danger – dangerous / frightening
You 'take your life in your own hands' when your drive in Doha!!!
CLASS EXERCISES: Communication 17 – Getting there…:
"Good morning, Doha bus-station, Stuart speaking, how can I help you?"
"Good morning, can you tell me if there is a bus/train/plane to in the morning/afternoon/evening, please?"
"Certainly Sir, there is …"
"Certainly Madam, there is …"
….the bus number 3, that leaves between 6.25am and 22.25pm.
….the train to Liverpool, that leaves between 10.45am and 20.45pm.
Can you tell me how long that takes, please?
Can you tell me how much it costs, please?
Certainly, it arrives 15 minutes later. Would you like any other information?
It costs QR50 one-way, and QR60 return. Would you like any other information?
"Thank you. Can you also tell me….
"Thank you. Can you also tell me….
Vocabulary: zoo, town centre, bus stop,
To meet, to visit someone/somewhere, to catch a bus/train/plane
You can buy a 2-week bus pass.
one-way ticket / return ticket
I'd like to know _, please? > I need to know….
LANGUAGE: very + adjective It's very good. It's really good. [x much ]
much / many + nouns I don't have too much money.
He doesn't have many friends!
There were 5 people in the small car. My wife was in the front, and I was in the back, with 2 well-built men either side of me! [x mens ] 1 child - 2 childrens,
Present continuous – 100% future plans
I'm flying to the UK at 22.30 this evening. "10-30"
Stuart's starting again at LSE on the 19th of October. [100% plan]
All the people say it's good. [x says] / Everybodysays it's good. x say
I've never been to Oslo. I haven't been to Oslo. never.
I like the area where Picasso and other painters lived at times in their lives.
“Would you rather go to Paris, New York, Madrid, Oslo, Rome or Budapest if I paid for your ticket?”
“If you paid for me to go to one of these cities, I would choose Paris.”
“If you paid for me to go to one of these cities, I would choose New York.”
I haven't been to New York. vs. I don't know New York very well.
SPELLING: Lisbon,
SHORT LINKING WORDS: It's good by day and also at night.
I like it very much. vs. I liked the food too much so I put on weight! [negative]
You can go to listen to music. [x for ]
It's good for listening to music.
It's far from Istanbul. [x far to]
It's a long way to Istanbul from there.
HOW TO SAY WORDS: Hamburg, hamburger, ground, Muslims, young, Morocco, Moroccan, to/a repair, city, Turkey – Turkish, "I" guy – gay, Bohemian, musicians, atmosphere, special, to discuss
"SHH" chef vs. chief, quieter, tourist scenery, days,
HOMEWORK: Can everyone note down interesting or exciting things so we can talk about them when we get back! [You only need to make notes, I won’t check your writing!]
I'm better today, and we were talking and didn't look at the photos we'd planned so I've still got some funny photos for you to look at, which we can discuss [and laugh about!] tomorrow.
http://weknowmemes.com/2014/09/21-of-the-worst-airline-passengers-in-the-history-of-air-travel/
There have been quite a lot of strikes. [to/a strike]
It's a government train company. Anna told me that the company was part private and part government.
joint venture
They've
They've changed the in Spain.
Before the change, in the UK, women used to retire at 60 and men at 65. However, they now retire at 63 and 67, respectively.
in Spain.
Under the Spanish system, they record the years you work overseas, and the government can make you pay tax after you return to Spain. If they know you've been working outside the EU, in your annual tax statement, you need to tell them your earnings. If you don't say anything, there's a possibility that the governments may collaborate with each other and exchange the information.
You can get around this problem by going to the Ministry of Expatriate Affairs, obtain a letter which says that you don't have any Spanish bank accounts, and then go to the Spanish Embassy in Doha and get the letter stamped.
If you live overseas for more than 180 days in a tax year, then you are not liable to tax. [calendar year]
My wife works for an American.
It's justified.
People
People have private pension schemes.
Income
Income tax in highest level.
In
In Spain, the as children.
Your mortgage is the money you borrow from a bank to buy any property.
I have a 25-year mortgage. [25-years]
"I think I'd change pretty much everything! If you don't use the same bank as your employer, then the banks will charge you fees on transfers between the 2 accounts.
employer ≠ employees
or sacrilegious.
I asked my friend to lend me 300k. = I borrowed 300k from him.
Banks can repossess your home if your fail to pay your mortgage.
One of Anna's twin cousin's driving licence expired so she used her twin-sister's licence. I know another twin who took driving tests and university tests for his twin brother.
I would be embarrassed!
be captivated!
The most embarrassed I've ever been was when …
The most embarrassing thing I've ever done was when …
"Have you ever got drunk and done anything stupid?"
"Where do I start? I've rolled done my trousers and 'done a moonie' in the car!
and I xx me and
partner – spouse
After a wedding, the newly-weds go on honeymoon.
my friends.
He's
He's talking out [He's lying!]
It was with a disposable camera.
He said it was attempted arson! [attempted murder]
Arson is a crime when you set fire to something.
When I was young, an example of something I did in high school was when I let down my French teacher's tyres. I put a small stone under the cap and then turned it. There were actually 4 of us - 1 on each tyre!
– let
He was very strict with everyone.
The rest of my friends made a sign and put it on the roof of the building that said various bad things about him.
He took a week's holiday and then when he came back he was better.
the electricity!
She's the second after me.
"What would you have said if your brother or sister had done this to you?"
Sony and Ericsson merged in the 1990s. [mergers and acquisitions - to merge – to acquire]
LANGUAGE: It's possible to say what your salary is here. [x what is your salary – We only use this in questions: What is your salary here?]
PAST TENSES:
SHORT LINKING WORDS: I was at home.
Where is she?
I pay for my son and daughter's school fees.
wait vs. white,white,
HOMEWORK: Think about what your plans are for the Eidh holiday. Also think if there is anything you'd like me to bring back from the UK.
Language Notes – Monday 29th September 2014
"What do you find difficult here in Doha?" "Where do I start?!" [What is difficult?]
This can be for positive or negative classes, e.g. "What do you like about Stuart's classes?" "Where do I start?!" [Sorry, I couldn't resist that opportunity!]
NEW WORDS:
"Are
"Are you in or long-term?"
"Where did you stay?"
"It was St. Luca which is close to Cadiz."
"I failed my exam." "I'm sorry to hear that."
I'm slimmer and taller than my father, but peoplesay my face is similar." [x says]
my mother.
"How does that feel?"
"Some days are good but other days I feel tired and bored. I have many friends, but some are colleagues of my wife and do not have a standard week. Perhaps their spouse works a normal working week, but for the people whose spouses are pilots don't have a similar timetable."
"What was the average age of some of the students?" "They were from around 9 to 11."
"What time were the classes?" "They were from 4pm to 6."
and revise.
The 4 Seasons spring- summer- autumn – winter [UK]
spring- summer- fall – winter [USA]
CLASS EXERCISES:
Where are you from?
from Spain."
"Whereabouts in Spain?"
"I'm from the north. I was born in the north."
"Have you been there many times?"
"I went there a couple of years ago."
any children?
"Are you married?" "Yes, I am. How about you?" [>And you?]
What do you like doing in your free-time?
"Why don't you like going to the city centre?"
"I buy all the groceries ready for my wife to cook the meals at home. I'm bad at cooking! C'est la vie! I'm the shopper and my wife's the cook. [cooker = oven]
at weekends.
When did you 1st come to Doha? Where were you before that?
"My first trip here was in 2012."
"How long did you stay here then?"
"I stayed her for 5 months and then went back to Spain. I was only there for 1 month, before coming back to Doha. I had to organise the relocation."
[You are ?]?]
"I liked the beach very much." [x too much]
"I was there 3 or 4 years ago. I liked the beach very much." [x too much]
Conditional Tenses
[1st conditional – real possibility] if + present simple + will
at home.
[2nd conditional – small/impossible situation] if + past simple + would
If I was an animal I would be a monkey.
"I stayed her for 5 months and then went back to Spain.
It's near to me.
"of" course,
"SHH!"
"SHH!" special, colleague,
HOMEWORK: What you're doing now is always the most important part! I’d also like to look through the older notes, so that you can tell me tomorrow if there are any things you don't understand. Well done today, see you tomorrow!
Language Notes – Wednesday 24th September 2014

I'll post when I get time
Afternoon everyone, I hope you're all well. I'm busy getting ready for the trip, but I have emailed myself the notes and will put them in the correct format and post them as soon as I get chance.
Best regards,
Stuart

http://weknowmemes.com/2014/09/21-of-the-worst-airline-passengers-in-the-history-of-air-travel/
http://weknowmemes.com/2014/08/people-of-public-transport-22-pics/
Language Notes – Tuesday 30th September 2014
The pain was very strong so I booked an appointment at al-Ali. Now I'm taking some drugs for it and I'm also on painkillers.
I had some blood tests. They did some blood tests.
We put plasters on cuts.
"How would you rate public transport back home?"
The government privatised public transport in the 80s. It's not as good as it used to be.
"In Spain it's bad." "In what way?" [> Why? ]
There have been quite a lot of strikes. [to/a strike]
It's a government train company. Anna told me that the company was part private and part government.
A joint venture
They've changed the age of retirement in Spain.
Before the change, in the UK, women used to retire at 60 and men at 65. However, they now retire at 63 and 67, respectively.
Women have maternity leave when they have children. Men have 2 weeks' paternity leave in Spain.
Under the Spanish system, they record the years you work overseas, and the government can make you pay tax after you return to Spain. If they know you've been working outside the EU, in your annual tax statement, you need to tell them your earnings. If you don't say anything, there's a possibility that the governments may collaborate with each other and exchange the information.
You can get around this problem by going to the Ministry of Expatriate Affairs, obtain a letter which says that you don't have any Spanish bank accounts, and then go to the Spanish Embassy in Doha and get the letter stamped.
I have to have an offshore bank account.
The shore is the water at the beach. The Isle of Man has secret, tax-free bank accounts.
If you live overseas for more than 180 days in a tax year, then you are not liable to tax. [calendar year]
My wife works for an American.
It's justified.
People have private pension schemes.
Income tax in the UK is 45% at the highest level.
In Spain, the government calculate your level of tax based on all of your assets, minus any liabilities such as children.
Your mortgage is the money you borrow from a bank to buy any property.
I have a 25-year mortgage. [25-years]
The house is worth $100k. [100,000] 1km = 1000m 1kg = 1000kg
Amount of money [= quantity of money]
The banks lend people money so that they can buy things. They then have to repay the money.
People borrow money from banks.
I borrowed 250k from the bank. = The banks lent me 250k. [a loan]
The pound is higher than the euro.
Some people have repayment loans but others have interest-only loans.
"I think interest-only loans should be illegal."
"I don’t really have any strong thoughts on this." > I don't know.
Is there anything you'd change about your financial situation in the past.
"I recommend not lending money to friends. My mortgage is higher now than when I took it out. I bought my home in 2007, and now I owe the same amount of money and my repayments are higher.
I took it out in Chinese Yuan and Swiss Francs and the exchange rates have moved against me.
"Is there anything you'd change about your finances in the past?"
"I think I'd change pretty much everything! If you don't use the same bank as your employer, then the banks will charge you fees on transfers between the 2 accounts.
employer ≠ employees
I'm planning on buying some property in Qatar. The banks here cannot charge interest because it is 'haram' or sacrilegious.
I asked my friend to lend me 300k. = I borrowed 300k from him.
Banks can repossess your home if your fail to pay your mortgage.
The amounts I need to pay each month.
I would tell Cathy, that her husband is an idiot!
Some twins are identical and others are similar.
I hate it when twins wear the same clothes.
One of Anna's twin cousin's driving licence expired so she used her twin-sister's licence. I know another twin who took driving tests and university tests for his twin brother.
I would be embarrassed!
I would be lost for words! I would be captivated!
The most embarrassed I've ever been was when …
The most embarrassing thing I've ever done was when …
I wished the ground would open up and swallow me!
The last New Year's Eve, I saw one of my neighbours come in drunk. He was an older man and he was 'all over the place!'
"Have you ever got drunk and done anything stupid?"
"Where do I start? I've rolled done my trousers and 'done a moonie' in the car!
I did a selfie of my own moonie at a wedding reception. The brideand groom left a camera on each table for people to take pictures as a memento for the newly-weds. So a friend and I went to the bathroom and selfied our 'rear-end'! [a friend and I x me and a friend ]
partner – spouse
After a wedding, the newly-weds go on honeymoon.
I've never confessed to my friends.
He's talking out of his rear-end! = He's talking out of his ae! [He's lying!]
It was with a disposable camera.
He said it was attempted arson! [attempted murder]
Arson is a crime when you set fire to something.
When I was young, an example of something I did in high school was when I let down my French teacher's tyres. I put a small stone under the cap and then turned it. There were actually 4 of us - 1 on each tyre!
let – let
He was very strict with everyone.
The rest of my friends made a sign and put it on the roof of the building that said various bad things about him.
He took a week's holiday and then when he came back he was better.
When my younger sister had a birthday party, she invited her friends. [x made a party ] During the party I turned off the electricity!
She's the second after me.
"What would you have said if your brother or sister had done this to you?"
"If I was having a party and my brother had turned off the electricity, I would have shouted at him!"
"If I was having a party and my brother had turned off the electricity, I would have beaten the sh*t out him!"
"If I was having a party and my brother had turned off the electricity, I would have got revenge by putting toothpaste in his ears, or wetting the bed with water so he thought he had wet himself!"
I improve by doing my homework!
I hate packing with a passion!
I put my suitcase on the ground the day before.
I change my mind too much.
She's a having a check-up with the gynaecologist.
I haven't been to the Souq since the summer.
He has a lot of money. He's a lawyer, so he's not poor.
I'm an advocate of the death-penalty. I support.
Devil's advocate
A friend and I went to the bathroom
Iberia is the most popular airline in Spain and it merged with BA. Then BA took the best flights and the company has fallen.
BA took over Iberia. [a takeover]
Sony and Ericsson merged in the 1990s. [mergers and acquisitions - to merge – to acquire]
LANGUAGE: It's possible to say what your salary is here. [x what is your salary – We only use this in questions: What is your salary here?]
PAST TENSES:
SHORT LINKING WORDS: I was at home.
Where is she?
I pay for my son and daughter's school fees.
HOW TO SAY WORDS: pharmacy, pincers, muscle, hours, government "guvament", my account, bureaucracy, mortgage, wait vs. white,
HOMEWORK: Think about what your plans are for the Eidh holiday. Also think if there is anything you'd like me to bring back from the UK.
Language Notes – Monday 29th September 2014
COMMON EXPRESSIONS
"He works in tunnels."
"Is that dangerous?"
work on site."site**." [always related
CLASS EXERCISES:
Where are you from?
"How long did you stay here then?"
"I stayed her for 5 months and then went back to Spain. I was only there for 1 month, before coming back to Doha. I had to organise the relocation."
[You are ?] ?]
"I liked the beach very much." [x too much]
"I was there 3 or 4 years ago. I liked the beach very much." [x too much]
I went there to see the races motorcycle. [x for see ]
"I like going to Sealine, eating in restaurants , anywhere except the city centre and the malls."
ConditinalConditional Tenses
[1st conditional – real possibility] if + present simple + will
If it is hot, I'll stay at home.
If I was an animal I would be a monkey.
If I was a woman, I would
– past possibiities]possibilities] if +
If I had studied maths, it would have been much more useful than politics.
If I hadn't come to Doha, I think I would have moved to China.

there IS class on Wednesday
Morning everyone, I mentioned to people on Monday that I'm flying to the UK on Wednesday, but I'm not flying until 2300 so there will be class on Wednesday morning.
Best regards,
Stuart

e.g. ceiling, details, deaf, hotel, chemists, energy, queue, started, mess, experts,
- if the stressed part of the syllable doesn’t have the same pronunciation as the vowel or letter sound, then it will be underlined with another letter next to it, for example i.e. satellite, let, book; company, busy, four,
Morning everyone, I'm not sure if reception have told you, but we're not going to be able to have class today. Sorry about this, but I'm really not feeling very well. InI'm better today, and we were talking and didn't look at the meantime,photos we'd planned so I've still got some
http://weknowmemes.com/2014/09/21-of-the-worst-airline-passengers-in-the-history-of-air-travel/
http://weknowmemes.com/2014/08/people-of-public-transport-22-pics/
I've also just seen that the notes from Wednesday's class didn't save properly. Unfortunately, I don't have them on this computer here, only the computer in school, so I'm not going to be able to post them today, but I will post them when I'm back in and 'back to normal' tomorrow.
I hope you all have a nice day.
Kind regards
Stuart
p.s. When someone is being a 'wimp' we have an expression in the UK, which says: 'Stop being a big girl's blouse!' I think this is very appropriate for me now!
Tuesday 22nd September: I mentioned after class today about a file I was going to attach with some information on basic music notes. In order to access this, if you click on the 'pages' icon in the blue rectangular box on the right side of the screen, it will then show you all of the
attached files. The file I am mentioning is called Basic Notes Lesson. This is only for people to use if they would like to, it is not part of the class, so you do not have to look at this if you do not want to.
Finally, I would like people to think about this sentence and how you would answer it:
“Can you please tell us a word you associate with 'technology?”
"A word I would associate with technology is
Language Notes – Monday 29th September 2014
COMMON EXPRESSIONS
"How long did you stay here then?"
"I stayed her for 5 months and then went back to Spain. I was only there for 1 month, before coming back to Doha. I had to organise the relocation."
[You are ?]?]
"I liked the beach very much." [x too much]
"I was there 3 or 4 years ago. I liked the beach very much." [x too much]
"It's a 4.8 litre engine."
How much would it cost to fill up in Italy or Spain?
of QR900!
It's technologically advanced and thus it's more fuel efficient and there's less fuel consumed.
If you need power, you just 'put your foot down'!
I'd like to see all the Tarantino films because I like his genre.
Leon is a film about an assassin.
a BBQ. [X[X make ]
PAST TENSES: He said it wasn't permitted to ride on this land.
At the moment, - At that moment,
"Touch wood!" [With luck!]
I didn't do much really.
school and went shopping.wentshopping. I bought
I took my brother to school.≠I picked up my brother from school.
I went homewenthome after class
We didn't really have anything at home. [x nothing ]
I am 27. I am 27 years old. I am 27 years. [x I have 27.]
"What's one of the most surprising or shocking things that's ever happened to you?"
"One trip my wife prepared as a surprise for me a trip to California. It was a surprise trip.
All my friends knewfriendsknew but she
I took some swimming trunks.
"Where are we going?"
Our looks had changed as we had got older, but we recognised each other immediately! She'd put on a little bit of weight. She'd been very skinny. Fat ≠ thin/slim
We met up again and she said that when her son had beena baby he'd had some heart problems but he'd had an operation and it was successful. He hadn't had a transplant, just an operation to rectify the problem.
some situations.
How would you feel about emigrating to the States?
If I was going to emigrate anywhere, it would be to Spain. Real estate is very cheap there at the moment. The cost of living is lower. [X life]