English with me

Here are ten reasons to learn English - or any language really. I've chosen these ten reasons as they express a wide range of not only learning goals, but also personal goals.

1. Learning English is fun.

I should rephrase this: learning English can be fun. For many students, it isn't much fun. However, I think that's just a problem of how you learn English. Take time to have fun learning English by listening to music, watching a movie, challenging yourself to games in English.

There are so many opportunities to learn English while having fun. There's no excuse not to enjoy yourself, even if you have to learn grammar.

2. English will help you succeed in your career.

This is obvious to anyone who lives in our modern world. Employers want employees who speak English. This might not be fair, but it is the reality. Learning English to take a test such as the IELTS or TOEIC will give you a qualification that others might not have, and that might help you get the job you need.

3. English opens up international communications.

You are on the internet learning English right now. I am in the United States writing articles about learning English. We are probably living in two different places, and we have been brought up in different cultures. We all know the world needs more love and understanding. What better way to improve the world than to communicate in English (or other languages) with those from other cultures?!

4. Learning English will help open your mind.

I believe that we are all brought up to see the world in one way. That's a good thing, but at a certain point we need to expand our horizons. Learning English will help you understand the world through a different language. Understanding the world through a different language will also help you view the world through a different perspective.

In other words, learning English helps to open your mind.

5. Learning English will you help your family.

Being able to communicate in English can help you reach out and discover new information. This new information could help save the life of someone in your family. Well, it certainly can help you help the other people in your family who don't speak English. Just imagine yourself on a trip and you are responsible for communicating with others in English. Your family will be very proud!

6. Learning English will keep Alzheimer's away.

Scientific research says that using your mind to learn something helps keep your memory intact. Alzheimer's - and other diseases dealing with brain functions - isn't nearly as powerful if you've kept your brain flexible by learning English.

7. English will help you understand those crazy Americans and Brits.

Yes, American and British cultures are rather strange at times. Speaking English will certainly give you insight into why these cultures are so crazy! Just think, you will understand English cultures, but they probably won't understand yours because they don't speak the language. That's a real advantage in so many ways.

8. Learning English will help you improve your sense of time.

English is obsessed with verb tenses. In fact, there are twelve tenses in English. I've noticed that this is not the case in many other languages. You can be sure that by learning English you will gain a keen sense of when something happens due to the English language's use of time expressions.

9. Learning English will allow you to communicate in any situation.

Chances are that someone will speak English no matter where you are. Just imagine you are on a deserted island with people from all over the world. Which language will you speak? Probably English!

10. English is the world language.

OK, OK, this is an obvious point I've already made. More people speak Chinese, more nations have Spanish as their mother tongue, but, realistically. English is the language of choice throughout the world today.

❓ WHO vs WHOM vs WHOSE

WHO — питання, яке відноситься до того, хто виконує дію. Ми намагаємося дізнатися дійову особу. Наприклад:

Who likes cookies? — Хто любить печиво?

WHOSE — питання, спрямоване на того, кому щось належить (присвійний займенник). На українську мову це можна перекласти як «чий?». Наприклад:

Whose car is parked here? — Чия машина тут припаркована?

WHOM — питання, яке допомагає дізнатися, на кого спрямована дія. Перекласти можна як «кому». Наприклад:

Whom are you calling? — Кому ти телефонуєш?

🇬🇧 10 слів з теми навколишнє середовище:

• ecosystem – |ˈikoʊˌsɪstəm| – екосистема
• environment – |ɪnˈvaɪərnmənt| – навколишнє середовище
• biodiversity – |ˌbaɪoʊdəˈvərsət‌i| – біорізноманіття
• deforestation – |ˌdiˌfɔrəˈsteɪʃn| – вирубка лісів
• extinction – |ɪkˈstɪŋkʃn| – вимирання
• flood – |flʌd| – повінь
• windstorm – |ˈwɪndstɔrm| – буревій
• soil contamination – |sɔɪl| |kənˌtæm.əˈneɪ.ʃən| – забруднення грунту
• humidity – |hyuˈmɪdət‌i| – вологість
• drought – |draʊt| – засуха

💬 SOLVE vs DECIDE

Solve [ˈsɑːlv] — вирішувати

Значення: знайти правильну відповідь на проблему чи пояснення чогось, що важко зрозуміти.
Ми використовуємо solve , коли знаходимо правильне рішення на проблему, справляємося з нею або вирішуємо якусь конкретну задачу.
Наприклад:
She solved her problem yesterday.
Вона вирішила свою проблема вчора.

I helped my sister to solve the crossword.
Я допоміг сестрі вирішити кросворд.

Decide [dɪ’saɪd] — вирішувати

Значення: після роздумів прийти до якогось висновку щодо чогось.
Ми використовуємо decide , коли обираємо, робити нам щось чи ні. Ми приймаємо рішення, зваживши всі аргументи.
Наприклад:
They decided to go home early.
Вони вирішили піти додому рано.

We decided to get married.
Ми вирішили одружитися.

How to let go of guilt for bad decisions

There are basically two ways to experience regret: One is what researchers refer to as the action path and the other is the inaction path. That is, we can regret the things we did – or we can regret the things we did not do.

Research suggests that action-related regrets, although painful, spur people to learn from their mistakes and move on. But regret related to the inaction path – the things undone, the opportunities lost – is harder to fix. This kind of regret is more likely to lead to depression, anxiety, a sense of “stuckness” and a feeling of longing over not knowing what could have been.

As with other negative emotions, it doesn’t work to avoid, deny or try to squash regret. In the long run, these tactics only increase negative feelings and prolong the time you suffer with them. Rather than stay stuck, people can manage these emotions in four steps: First, accept the fact that you are feeling them; determine why you are feeling them; allow yourself to learn from them; and finally, release them and move forward.

Colours do not exist.

When your eye receives light, it sends messages to your mind. And your mind translates these messages into colours which vary according to the wavelengths of the light.You are all aware of the strange tricks your mind can play on you. It’s not surprising that when it translates your eyes’ messages into colours, it adds other messages. Colours become linked with memories, associations, emotions and natural body reactions. Green begins to mean trees and leaves; red subconsciously reminds you of fire.

Perhaps this is why, over the centuries and throughout the world, colours have been given special significance and magical properties. Every colour has a superstition associated with it. The great abstract artists of this century studied the psychological effect of colours. And recently scientists have begun to discover that colours can deeply influence our lives. Here are some of the meanings that old wives and contemporary science have attributed to basic colours.
RED – the colour of fire. Red is usually associated with passion. If red is your favourite colour, your heart rules your life. In China, red is a lucky colour for brides. Scientists believe that red stimulates the nervous system. Don’t paint your walls red, it could drive you crazy.
YELLOW – the colour of sun. Yellow is a joyful colour, and it is associated with fertility (плодородие) because of harvest. Yellow is also a musical colour. It is like a high note and, according to the painter Kandinsky, it can cause a sharp pain in the eye, just as a high pitch musical note can hurt your ear.
GREEN – the colour of trees and leaves. Green is always thought of as a harmonious colour, because it symbolizes growth in nature. It is a peaceful colour which can make you feel calm and rested. In some schools blackboards have been replaced by greenboards because green light wavelengths do not cause strain to the eyes. An, as an experiment, a black “suicide bridge” was repainted in bright green. As a result, the number of suicides decreased by a third.
BLUE – the colour of sky. Blue is a spiritual colour, and it is normally associated with the mind. If this is your favourite colour, you are either spiritual or very intellectual – or both. Bluelight is cold. It can make you shiver and may dull your emotions. Scientists believe that in blue light time seems to pass quicker for you – because you are day-dreaming.

Happiness isn't something that suddenly appears in our lives when we have everything we want; happiness is a choice we make in every moment. Sometimes it's just not possible to feel on top of the world; for example if we've just lost someone we love, nothing is going to make us feel happy right now. In those circumstances, probably all we can manage to do is accept how we feel and maybe find a little relief.

These tips are for the times when we wish we felt better and need a quick fix:

1. Appreciate what you have. Nothing new about “count your blessings” but that's because it really works! If you can, start as soon as you wake in the morning and just look around your room for reasons to feel better. Your comfortable bed, the shaft of sunlight coming through the curtains, the anticipation of the taste of that first cup of coffee – now keep going …

2. Do a little daydreaming. Imagine one perfect scenario and really live it for a couple of minutes – no more than that. This is something you can do almost anytime and it will put a smile on your face and give you a quick recharge when you feel yourself wilting.

3. Go outside or lean out of the window and look up at the sky. Even if it's grey and cloudy, it's still a magnificent and magical sight. I especially love a windy day, when the clouds scud across so quickly, with so much energy.

4. Go for a walk. Exercise of any kind is the absolute best way to get yourself out of a funk and a walk needs no special equipment (so no excuses). Even 10 minutes brisk walking with deep breathing will give you a whole new perspective.

5. Listen to the voice in your head. If the story it's telling is a negative one, then change it. Most of the time we're not even aware of the thoughts we have “by default”, but they churn away automatically and when we stop to listen to them it can be a big shock to realise just how negative they are. Make a point of tuning in maybe once an hour and making the conscious decision to focus on something happy or positive for a couple of minutes. After a few days of awareness, that inner voice will start to sound a bit more cheerful.

6. Look for the sparkle in every scene. I heard that phrase from a friend and it stuck with me because it's so evocative. Another way of saying it is look for the positive in everything, but “sparkle” is a word that makes me smile. You don't have to be a Pollyanna (although there's nothing wrong with that) but making a conscious choice to find at least one positive “sparkle” in every challenge will make it easier to find a solution.

7. Breathe, slowly and deeply. Breathe in for a slow count of four, hold it for two, and breathe out completely for four. Nothing complicated, you're breathing anyway so why not make the most of it? Deep breathing makes you feel more energized, reduces stress and can even help you lose weight!

The above tips are simple, easy ways to deliberately lift your mood. The more you do them, the more effective they are. Pick one right now and put a smile on your face!

Can Science Explain Why Microwaved Coffee Tastes So Terrible?

Hot coffee is supposed to be hot, cold coffee is supposed to be cold, that's the deal — ask anybody. The problem, then, with hot coffee is that you can't drink the whole cup while it's at optimal temperature unless you're willing to really guzzle it. So, when it gets cold, you've got a few choices: Drink it cold, reheat it, or just pour that cup down the drain and start over with a new pot.

All three of these approaches are either perfectly fine or completely barbaric, depending on whom you ask. To some, hot coffee that's gone cold is revolting, to others, the reheating process renders it completely undrinkable. But tell that to the person who pops a cup of nine-hour-old Folgers into the microwave at 4 p.m. every afternoon to power through until bedtime, pooh-poohing your scornful commentary.

Research into why reheating this humble drink is pretty much nonexistent, but it most likely has to do with our sense of smell. Humans aren't great at separating our gustatory (taste) and olfactory (smell) responses, and coffee has aromas and flavors that hit all five of the tastes that can be picked up by your tongue: sweet, salty, bitter, sour and savory. So, your personal sense of smell has a lot to do with how coffee tastes to you, whatever the temperature or however that temperature was achieved.

Because the chemical makeup of coffee is astoundingly complex. Even though its reputation relies heavily on the presence of caffeine, coffee gets its flavor from around 1,000 different chemical compounds. Also, the final flavor of the coffee you enjoyed this morning was the product of a dizzying array of variables, including temperatures and weather conditions the beans grew under, when the beans were harvested, how they were dried, stored and roasted, and how they were ground and brewed. So, while the compound 3-methylbutanal might make your cup of joe taste a little caramel-like, and ethyl nonanoate may make give it some fruitier notes, each step of the process either brings out or suppresses any one of these aromatic compounds differently.

Which brings us to reheating.

For some, this may be a daily ritual. For others, sacrilege.
For some, this may be a daily ritual. For others, sacrilege.
HUNTSTOCK/GETTY IMAGES
"Reheating coffee, in principle, can be an absolutely fine approach to achieving a tasty beverage," says Christopher Hendon, a postdoctoral fellow in the Chemistry Department at MIT and author of Water for Coffee, a book about how coffee interacts with water. "In practice this is not usually observed because people reheat in ways that promote the loss of delicious volatile compounds, and so the process of heating, cooling, and heating again drives smelly and tasty compounds out of the cup."

According to Hendon, coffee experts seem to prefer a drink that has been brewed within the previous five to 20 minutes. It turns out most people prefer the coffee as it cools to around 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius). This has to do with the way our taste pathways respond to temperature in our food. When something we put in our mouth is too hot or too cold, we can't detect all the compounds that contribute to its flavor. Since coffee has loads of these compounds, the temperature of the drink can affect the taste.

Brewing the coffee brings out certain aromatic compounds. But whether the cooling process changes the chemistry seems to be controversial; Hendon says it is "absolutely benign," while others claim it makes the drink more acidic as the coffee that's exposed to the air oxidizes. So reheating coffee to the same temperature it was when it was first brewed might help you reach that sweet spot, temperature-wise. But it also has the potential to cause additional chemical reactions that further alter the flavor. And if you're reheating coffee that already has milk or sugar in it, that's even more in the way of flavors, proteins, chemicals and compounds to contend with.

So, although many coffee connoisseurs will tell you it's a lost cause once your coffee goes cold, others say it's just important to reheat your coffee as slowly as you can, in order to prevent additional chemical reactions. There's even advice out there for reheating coffee in the microwave. You can pass that info along before your next coffee argument heats up.

Phrasal verbs about cooking and eating

Boil over - переварити. She was cooking pasta on high heat and it boiled over.
Bolt down – жадібно (швидко) їсти. Jeffrey had only 15 minutes for lunch so he had to bolt it down.
Chop up – порізати, порубати. Mary chopped up the onions for the salad.
Cut back – урізати, скорочувати споживання. Sue is lactose intolerant and had to cut back on dairy.
Cut out - вирізати. After preparing the dough I cut out the cookies using cutter of different shapes.
Cut up - розрізати. Joan cut up the pie into equal pieces.
Eat out – їсти не дома. John and Kate eat out at least once a week and every time they choose a different restaurant.
Eat up - доїдати. Matt, eat up. I don’t want you to leave out broccoli again, it’s good for you.
Peel off – очищати. She peeled the skin off the apples for the fruit salad.
Pick at – колупати їжу, їсти без бажання. This afternoon Andy picked at his food, because he was feeling sick and could hardly keep anything down.
Pig out – об’їдатись. Alice is on a diet, but she always pigs out on her cheat days.
Slice off – відрізати від .. He sliced the meat off the bone.
Warm up – розігрівати. My husband has to work late this week and I warm up food for him when he gets back home.
Whip up – приготувати на швидку руку. I had surprise visitors yesterday, thankfully I managed to whip up a light meal.

вирази, які звучать космічно дивно

1️⃣ Over the moon – на сьомому небі від щастя.
👉 She was over the moon when she got the job.
2️⃣ Once in a blue moon – дуже рідко.
👉 He visits us once in a blue moon.
3️⃣ Out of this world – неймовірний, просто космічний.
👉 This cake is out of this world!
4️⃣ Shoot for the stars – прагнути до неможливого.
👉 Always shoot for the stars and never give up.
5️⃣ Lost in space – зовсім розгублений.
👉 I felt lost in space during the meeting.