VIP Class Notes (David)

1. Find one or two work emails that you want to improve on. Copy and paste the original email, and try to also improve it on your own before class.

2. Next class we will have a mock interview, bring interview questions to class.

Grammar

From oversea – From overseas

I don’t understand a little English because their accent is difficult to understand. -> I don’t understand parts of/a little bit of/some of their English because their accent is difficult to understand.

English email is good for me but I cannot speak English smoothly because I think my English speaking is not good enough. -> I am good at writing English emails, but I cannot speak English smoothly because I think my English speaking is not good enough.

I have many job interview – I have many job interviews

If I can understand a sentence first, I cannot understand overall. -> If I can‘t understand a/the first sentence, then I cannot understand anything after/the rest.

Articles – use “a” or “an” when talking about a singular noun that is non-specific. use “the” when talking about a singular OR plural specific noun

If… then… – try to always use “then” after starting a sentence with “if”

ex: If I wake up early enough, then I will go to the gym.

Focus on when to use singular or plural nouns.

ex: Many/some/a few + plural

active and passive voice – try to always use active voice whenever possible.

Active voice: The subject of the sentence is doing the verb

ex: I ate the banana

Passive voice: The subject of the sentence has the verb done to it

ex: The banana was eaten by me.

Pronunciation

German – Jerr-man

can’t – make the ‘t’ very clear

Vocabulary

self-conscious – when you are worried about how you appear to others

ex: The model was very self-conscious about her appearance.

enunciate – speak very clearly

ex: Make sure to enunciate your words so others can understand you better.

mock – a make-believe or fake version of something, usually done for practice

ex: Mock interviews are a good way to practice for the real thing.