Michael
My name is Michael and I am a native New Yorker. I have been helping language students for over 20 years here in New York and all over the world including Japan. I started out as a music teacher here in the 1980′s and then began helping international students with English in 1989. I began my formal language teaching career in Sendai, Japan in 1994. Since then, I have worked in the ESL field as an instructor, a teacher trainer, an academic director, and a language school manager. I have a Bachelor of Music Degree from a local college, and in 2004 I earned my MBA. I am a native English speaker and have been studying and speaking Japanese since 1990.
Homepage: http://blog.myhappyenglish.com
Posts by Michael
English Lesson & Quiz: In spite of, despite, although, even though
May 9th
Although it was raining, I walked to the office today
One of the things I love about my new office is that it is close to the commuter rail station and I can walk there. In fact, although it was raining today, I walked to the office. And in spite of the fact that it is located in a great neighborhood in NYC, the rent is reasonable. The office is comfortable, despite the lack of windows. Even though it was nice meeting my students in a public space, teaching in my own space is much better.
These words and phrases – In spite of / Despite / Although / Even though – contain the idea of “but,” however these words are used differently. Do you know how to use them? Have a look at the paragraph above once more, then check today’s lesson.
We use although to mean but, and the structure is although + subject (S) & verb (V). Look at the example:
- Although it was raining today, I walked to the office. This means it was raining today, but I walked to the office. Here are a few more examples:
- Although John is a great Italian chef, he doesn’t bake bread.
- Jane just got a cat, although she has always had dogs.
Even though is a stronger version of although. The structure is the same; Even though + subject (S) & verb (V).
- Even though it was raining today, I walked to the office.
- Even though John is a great Italian chef, he doesn’t bake bread.
- Jane just got a cat, even though she has always loved dogs.
In spite of is also used to mean but. The structure is in spite of + noun. Despite is used in the same way, with the same structure:
- In spite of the rain, I walked to the office today (or) Despite the rain, I walked to the office today.
- In spite of John’s cooking skills, he doesn’t bake bread (or) Despite John’s cooking skills, he doesn’t bake bread
- In spite of Jane’s love of dogs, she just got a cat (or) Despite Jane’s love of dogs, she just got a cat.
*Note that we say in spite “of” but we use despite without “of”
- Despite the rain, I walked to the office. Not, Despite of the rain….
Are you up for a quiz? Try the quiz below and see how well you remember the rules. Thanks for studying today!
In spite of / Despite / Although / Even though Quiz
Congratulations - you have completed In spite of / Despite / Although / Even though Quiz.
You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.
What's the result? Well, %%RATING%%
How about studying English with me? I am available for private English lessons in New York, and online via Skype. Also, check out my newest book & audio podcasts, 109 Phrasal Verbs
English Lesson: Meet Vs. See
May 2nd
I met Yalcin ten years ago. It was nice to see him again!
I met Yalcin about ten years ago when I was working in a language school. He lived here in New York for almost six years, and then he moved back to Turkey. The last time I saw him was last December. He is coming to New York next week, and so I suggested we meet on Friday at our favorite pizza joint. I am looking forward to seeing him again soon.
Meet and see are both used to talk about people spending time together, but these words are used differently. Do you know how to use them? Have a look at the paragraph above once more, then check today’s lesson.
Meet is used when we talk about the first time we spend time with someone. Here, meet means “this is the first time we are spending time together.” Thus, when you spend time with somone for the first time you usually say, “It’s nice to meet you.” This phrase, “It’s nice to meet you,” is only used the first time you spend time with someone. Here are some other examples of using meet this way:
- I met John about ten years ago
- I am going to meet my sister’s new boyfriend tomorrow night.
- David met his wife at a party.
Meet is also used when you make an appointment, plans, or have a schedule. In this case meet means “we have an appointment or a meeting scheduled.” Here are some examples of using meet this way:
- I suggested we meet on Friday.
- Let’s meet tomorrow at 10:00 at the coffee shop.
- Joe and Tom are meeting at the library after school to study.
- The managers will meet in Boston on May 15.
We use see when we talk about spending time with someone when it is not the first time. It could be a planned event or an unexpected situation, but in either case use see when it is not the first time you spend time together. So, when you make plans with someone you have met before you can say, “I am looking forward to seeing you.” Here are some other examples of using see this way:
- The last time I saw John was last December.
- I am supposed to see Tomoko after school tomorrow.
- Jenny is coming back to NYC from Spain. I can’t wait to see her.
- It’s nice to see you again!
Have you met someone recently? Did you see anyone today? Leave a comment below! Thanks for studying with me today! I’m looking forward to seeing you here again.
English Idiom Lesson from Happy English
May 1st
I almost put my foot in it!
Here are some idioms that can be used to talk about cross cultural experiences:
an eye opener / a fish out of water / get along / break the ice / put your food in it / see eye to eye / be in hot water
In this part of the lesson, person B rephrases what person A says using an idiom. Try to understand the meaning from the context.
A: I guess you learned a lot when you travelled in Africa, didn’t you?
B: Yes, it was a real eye opener.
A: In Mozambique, did you feel uncomfortable because everything was unfamiliar?
B: Yes, I was like a fish out of water.
A: Did you have a good relationship with everyone at the conference?
B: Yes, we all got along.
A: Was it easy to make the atmosphere relaxed when you first arrived at the meeting?
B: Yes, I broke the ice with a few jokes.
A: Did you embarrass yourself by making any cultural mistakes?
B: Yes, I put my foot in it when I said “goodbye” instead of “hello” in French.
A: Did you and your counterpart agree on all of the issues?
B: Yes, we saw eye to eye on everything.
A: Did you get into any trouble during the trip?
B: Yes, I was in hot water when I lost my passport.
A: I heard you felt like the boss put you in a very difficult situation?
B: Yes, I was thrown in the deep end when he sent me to that meeting.
Now, have a look at the following dialog. Jim and Jack are co-workers. Jack just returned from a business trip abroad.
Jim: Hi Jack. How was your business trip to Tokyo?
Jack: It was a real eye opener. I have never experienced that kind of negotiation style before.
Jim: I guess you felt like a fish out of water. I did too my first time in Japan. Was it easy to get along
with everyone?
Jack: Yes, of course. But at first, I was nervous when I tried to break the ice. I tried to use the basic Japanese greeting I learned in my language class, but I put my foot in it when I mistakenly said “thanks for your time” instead of “nice to meet you”!
Jim: I’ve had a similar experience. It’s a little embarrassing.
Jack: My customer was nice, and we laughed about it.
Jim: So, how did the meeting go?
Jack: I think we saw eye to eye on most of the major issues during the meeting. I wasn’t able to get them to sign the contract though, so I am in a bit of hot water with the boss. I feel like I was thrown in the deep end trying to get this contract signed.
We use an eye opener to describe a situation that has an impact on us because it is new or different. You can feel like a fish out of water when you are in a situation that is either new or uncomfortable for you. When you get along with someone, you have a good relationship with them. When you first meet someone, or first arrive at a party, sometimes nobody is talking. In that situation, you can break the ice, or start the conversation going by telling a joke or making small talk. When you do something embarrassing or awkward, we say that you put your foot in it. When you see eye to eye with someone, you agree with them completely. We say you are in hot water when you have done something to get yourself in trouble. If you are thrown in the deep end, it means you are put in a very difficult situation.
Thanks for studying with me today! I hope you enjoyed this lesson!
