How to use this blog

How to use this blog

Each blog normally has a topic, which is loosely or, in some cases more directly, related to language learning or, more specifically to learning English. The blog is already written in English so you get a double benefit from reading it. Firstly, of course, the useful tips or information in the blog, secondly, reading in English about it already gives you practice and some useful words and phrases here and there (marked in red). You find the translation and sometimes an explanation or further examples in the vocabulary section below the blog.

However, with vocabulary you should always try to guess the word from context before looking it up. You will be surprised at how many you actually guess correctly and it saves a lot of time and energy. Furthermore, there is more enjoyment in reading in English if you do not look up words all the time. Sometimes it might be nice to read texts twice. For the first reading only guess the meanings and for the second reading (which, if you understood the text well, can also be at a later time) work on the grammar and vocabulary.

Some blogs also have a grammar focus or some sentences with useful grammar that is marked in yellow in the text and further explained in the grammar section below the blog.

Sometimes I also encourage you to participate in the blog by practicing a phrase or grammar item on the one hand or by giving your opinion about a topic on the other hand. I look forward to reading your comments and try to respond as quickly as possible.

Of course, comments about topics you would like to read about or the information that you would like to read more about a topic are also always welcome.

Your turn: Tell me what you look forward to when reading future blogs using the construction “I look forward to*Verb+ing”. Maybe you have some feedback about the blog, then use the construction “on the one hand…on the other hand”.


Vocabulary

Each=jeder

Loosely=locker, lose

Specifically=speziell

Benefit=Vorteil

Of course=natürlich (hier: um zu betonen)

Useful=nützlich

Here and there=zwischendurch, hier und dort

Already=schon

Translation=Übersetzung

Explanation=Erklärung

Further example=weiteres Beispiel

Section=Bereich (wie in „section control“)

Guess=raten

Context=Zusammenhang

Look something up=etwas nachschlagen, nachschauen (facts, a word, a phone number)

Actually=wirklich, eigentlich (hier: um noch zu betonen)

Furthermore=der Weiteren

Enjoyment= Vergnügen, Freude

All the time=die ganze Zeit (nicht zu verwechseln mit „every time“=jedes Mal)

Twice=zweimal (once, twice, three times, four times)

Meaning=Bedeutung

Bold=fettgedruckt

Immediately=sofort

Focus=Fokus, Schwerpunkt

Be marked=markiert sein

Explain=erklären

Encourage=ermutigen, anspornen

Participate=teilnehmen

Item=Gegenstand, Punkt, Sache

On the one hand….on the other hand=auf der einen Seite…auf der anderen Seite

I look forward to+Verb+ing= ich freue mich auf…