Week 12. Reported Speech

Please watch this video to review how to report statements:

Now take Quiz 13:

Now watch these videos to review how to report questions:

Now take Quiz 14:

Week 11. The Manufacturing Process

Describe the manufacturing process of the product you spoke about in your first presentation. Divide your presentation in steps, just like the example we saw last level. When you watch the video, I recommend you to turn on the close captions.

Remember to use gerunds to name the steps (bolting, shearing, pressing, etc.) and to incorporate the passive voice to describe the process. Here's an extract from the video:

Step 1: Shearing

The first step in the manufacturing of any bolt is to cut the round bar to length. Our Peddinghaus shears function much like a guillotine and chop the steel, rather than using a saw blade to cut through it. We are capable of shearing round bars up to 2 inches in diameter and up to 100” in length. Bolts that are larger in diameter or longer in length are cut using a band saw.

Step 2: Heading

Next, a hex head is hot-forged onto one end of the steel rod. An induction heating coil heats the end of the rod to approximately 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. A National Upsetter  is then used to forge the heated end of the rod into a hex-shaped head. 

 Now take Quiz 12: 

 

Week 10. Your Job

Talk about your job and why you decided to study engineering. What do you enjoy about it? What do you don't like? Read the example and record yourself. Pay attention to the use of gerunds and infinitives.

As a child, I was always good at sciences at school. I decided to study biology at university, and I’ve been a biology teacher for ten years now. Being in a noisy classroom with young people is great because it helps me to stay young. I enjoy just listening to the kids because they have great ideas and get excited about finding out new things. I get a lot of satisfaction from my job.

I’m a very independent person, so I’d hate to have a boss watching me all the time. It’s important for me to be in charge of my own working environment. As a teacher, I’m responsible for a lot of decisions, and I like that.

Of course, it is tiring and a few of the students make me annoyed because they aren’t interested in learning. I try not to take it personally!

The worst thing about my job is that I have to do a lot of marking and preparation at home. In most jobs this would be paid overtime and I sometimes feel I don’t have enough time for myself. But then, we do get nice long holidays in the summer.

Useful phrases:
As a child / When I was younger…
I wanted to be / dreamed of being…
I decided to study (science) because…

I think I’d like to…
I think I’d be good at…

I’ve been (a teacher) for (ten years)

The best / worst thing is…

I work for (a small company)
I work as (a sales assistant)
I work in (a big office)

I’m in charge of (a sales team)
I have to / don’t have to…

I get / don’t get a lot of satisfaction from my job
It’s important for me to…

I’m good at…
I find it easy to…
I don’t find it difficult to…

Useful vocabulary:
like / enjoy / love / don’t mind
don’t like / can’t stand / hate

interested in / responsible for

job / profession / career

do overtime
be promoted
be self-employed

to retire

a permanent / temporary / full-time /part-time job

working hours
qualifications / experience

and / so / but / because / also

Now take Quiz 11: