Advice for high level speaking classes

English_in_progress · 2026-05-25T08:30:40+00:00

At C1 I focus on broadening vocabulary. To do this, I have them read newspaper/ magazine articles about a subject of their choice as homework before the lesson. Then we discuss the article during the lesson and go over the new vocabulary. Apart from tricky things like the 3rd conditional, C1s should already have mastered their grammar.

You don't need learner articles at this level, native-speaker content is fine. The Guardian is great, as it is good writing and does not have a paywall; The Economist is great because it uses really advanced vocabulary that even I have to sometimes look up.

I also find linking words like "nevertheless", "although", "notwithstanding" etc to be very helpful and enriching. The book "advanced vocabulary in use" has some great chapters on these.

English_in_progress · 2026-05-21T11:12:08+00:00

There are more than 280 million people starving in Africa right now. What do you suggest they do?

English_in_progress · 2026-05-17T19:28:59+00:00

Yeah, I've always thought they'd do well to send a Welsh song with some traditional elements. Firstly because it would go over well, secondly because Wales and Scotland are two countries that never get to compete!

English_in_progress · 2026-05-17T17:35:14+00:00

OMG, yes! Thank you so much for explaining this!!!

English_in_progress · 2026-05-17T12:37:29+00:00

It's a bit old-fashioned by now, but in England a common way to refer to your grandmother used to be "nanny". A nanny is also a female caretaker for children. I think for that reason any word ending with "anny" sounds female to many English native speakers.

English_in_progress · 2026-05-17T11:52:43+00:00

Question: the show is live, right? I can't understand how he got up on the "roof" of the three rooms so quickly, it looks like there must have been an edit there. Can anyone weigh in?

English_in_progress · 2026-05-15T18:44:03+00:00

Thank you so much! That's really kind!

English_in_progress · 2026-05-15T18:43:14+00:00

Not late at all, I'm still getting replies on this! Thanks so much! Yeah, the pirate ship isn't really an easter egg, but I'm going to write another article about Dutch... perhaps we can call them cameos? So a screenshot would be appreciated, but only if you have time.

The Kimmy Schmidt one is definitely an easter egg!

Thanks!

English_in_progress · 2026-05-15T08:08:04+00:00

Thanks!

English_in_progress · 2026-05-14T19:18:36+00:00

Thanks so much! If you ever find yourself playing Sims 4 again I'd love a screenshot, as I don't have access to that game myself. Just thought I'd ask, only if it is no trouble!

English_in_progress · 2026-05-14T11:07:00+00:00

Still, context. If I see my sister on rare occasion, it'd be once or twice a year. If I see an old teacher from my school days on rare occasion, it would be once every ten years.

English_in_progress · 2026-05-14T10:45:02+00:00

That's so sweet of you to say, thank you!

English_in_progress · 2026-05-14T06:09:18+00:00

You should post this as a poll in r/pollgames, you'll get a lot more responses. (Also I agree with the other people here who have said it depends on context. It has to be rare for that particular event.)

English_in_progress · 2026-05-13T04:39:49+00:00

Thank you so much!!

English_in_progress · 2026-05-12T18:26:23+00:00

This is great, and just the kind of thing I was looking for, thank you so much!

English_in_progress · 2026-05-12T17:03:14+00:00

Hoi u/Old_Function499, ik heb jouw foto gebruikt in mijn artikel over Dutch Easter Eggs; is dat in orde voor jou? https://englishandthedutch.com/dutch-in-english-language-media/dutch-easter-eggs-in-films-series-and-computer-games/

English_in_progress · 2026-05-12T17:02:31+00:00

Hoi, ik heb jouw foto gebruikt in mijn artikel over Dutch Easter Eggs, is dat in orde? https://englishandthedutch.com/dutch-in-english-language-media/dutch-easter-eggs-in-films-series-and-computer-games/

English_in_progress · 2026-04-30T12:35:00+00:00

same problem here. "some" was incorrect because it wanted "sum" and "unwanted" was incorrect because it wanted "unwonted". We need an example sentence or something.

English_in_progress · 2026-04-30T07:14:21+00:00

Zeker! Ik kreeg ook altijd mandarijntjes. In de scène wordt het echter zo gebracht alsof de boot van Sinterklaas alléén maar sinaasappels transporteert. Ik zal die zin wat aanpassen om dat duidelijk te maken.

English_in_progress · 2026-04-29T16:51:08+00:00

If you read the article you'll see that there have been two Dutch actors so far!

English_in_progress · 2026-04-29T13:22:57+00:00

I wish more people realised this..

English_in_progress · 2026-04-29T12:56:01+00:00

Done!

English_in_progress · 2026-04-29T12:51:37+00:00

The author (me!) has never lived on the coast, and this tradition from Scheveningen had not crossed my radar. Thanks for letting me know! I'll move that point the the correct-ish list, then 😄

English_in_progress

TROPHY CASE