F2F Class Notes (Nick) [S]

Homework

Use some of the vocabulary from today in some writing. Choose a topic that lets you use the words we learned.

Or find some work emails to improve.

Vocabulary

Urgent – to need to do something immediately, right away
e.g. Please wait one moment. I need to send an urgent message.

Air Freshener – perfume for a room
e.g. We have a dog, so we need to buy air fresheners to make the house smell better.

Artisan / Craftsman – someone who makes something very skillfully, and who has lots of experience,  but doesn’t make too much
e.g. We bought some furniture from a special artisan who makes very strong pieces.

Durable – something which can be used for a long time without breaking or not working
e.g. We have had this couch for fifteen years. It is very durable.

Story – separate floors, or layers, of a building
e.g. This is a ten-story building (it has ten floors).

School / office supplies – pens, pencils, notebooks, staples, paper

Vinyl (record) – large, old cds, played with a needle
e.g. My parents still have a collection of old vinyl records.

Grammar

Of – of can be used to talk about what something is made using, or how well it is done; used with nouns
e.g. It is of good quality = it is well made
e.g. This box is made of cardboard

Even – when used as in the speaking section, it introduces something new, positive, and probably surprising
e.g. Not only was I able to finish the project on time, I got a great grade on it!

In fact – used to show that something is either different than someone thought, or even more than someone thought
e.g. He didn’t win the race! In fact, he came in last! (telling the truth, what actually happened)
e.g. He didn’t just do well in the race, he won it! (this is even better than the other person thought)

Actually – to tell someone something they don’t expect, or to correct them when they’re wrong; to tell the truth
e.g. Have you been here long? Actually, I just arrived.

I haven’t it – I don’t have it

Interested vs. interesting – interested is what you feel; interesting is what someone or something is
— “ed” vs. “ing”
e.g. I am interested in philosophy. I am interested in buying a new phone.
e.g. This book is really interesting.

Speaking exercise

Yesterday I went to shopping mall, and there is a new shop and it’s selling product in your life. Their slogan is “make your life better.” All the products and good quality, not famous brand, but they think very good and propose to people to buy to try to use and can make your life good. A little bit like Muji. In fact, at first they is just an apps on the mobile. They have public Wechat and write article and tell people which something is good. No they open a really shop. I think it’s a good idea to do this kind of business.


Yesterday I went to a shopping mall, which is in Xinzhuang. There is a new shop which sells home products. Their slogan is “make your life better.” All the products come from different countries and are of good quality, although they are not from famous brands. Some are even produced by artisans. The shop’s concept is very good which is to propose that people buy the products and try to use them to improve their lives — a little bit like Muji. At first, they are just a mobile app. They have a public Wechat account which writes articles to tell people what is good to buy. Now they have opened three real shops. I think it’s a good idea to develop a new kind of business model. This is the opposite of most businesses, which are first shops and then go online.

Pronunciation

Vinyl – vine – ul