Locky's English Playground

Friday, 9 September 2011

Idiom & Slang: Colors, Tool, Lightning & Sexy!

Got a nice question from student Lim last week, and it is nice to share with everyone.

In Chinese, "show some colours to you" means "let you see how good/strong/fierce I really am", in English, there is a similar version, "to show your true colors".

What might be slightly different is that in the English version it means "to reveal the actual personality", which means it can be good or bad.

Image from peppermintpocky.tumblr.com

Eg 1,
My friend's football team was losing by 2 goals, but just before the end of the match, he showed his true colors and scored twice to earn his team a draw.

Image from seriable.com

When boys date girls, at first they behave as if they are romance kings, but when they get want, they'll show their true colors.Eg 2,

In the examples above, obviously eg 1 is good and eg 2 is bad.

If you happen to be in the situation in eg. 2, you are screwed!

Image from defenestreime

Screwed is word which is commonly heard in TV, it is slang, and it means to be in serious trouble.

House talking slang with kids
@ House M,D. Season 7 Episode 13
Image from Fox

He picked a guy who is three times his own size, he was totally screwed! I'd bolt if I were him.Eg 3,

To pick on someone your own size is the original expression, and it is used when someone is looking for a fight with someone smaller and weaker.

Eg 4,

You want to fight a little primary 5 kid? Go pick on someone your own size!!!

But in eg 3, I modified it to say a smaller guy tried to fight someone bigger and it was stupid to do. So, it would be smarter to bolt.

bolt is not slang in English, but it is slang in Cantonese, and the meaning is exactly the same!!!! Means to escape or run away quickly in a bad situation.

Bolt has many meanings, but the ones that can help you remember, maybe .... Bolt from Jamaica?

Bolt from Jamaica
Image from freeutil.net

... or a lighting bolt

Lightning Bolt
Image from lifeclever.com

Next time you see Britney again, you should bolt! She's just toying with your feelings! She's a tease! She doesn't love you!Eg 5,

If a person only enjoys exciting you sexually but never plans to have sex with you, that's a tease!

Where can we learn these amazing slang? I watched House Season 7 episode 13. You can try other dramas series. That's why I always say, watching TV is also a good way to learn.

Vocabulary:

to show your true colors -- to reveal the actual personality

screwed -- (adj) (slang) to be in serious trouble; to be in a position that is a result of a problem or bad situation that seems impossible to solve/get out of

pick on someone your own size -- said to someone who wants to fight a person who is smaller than them

bolt -- (vb) [I] to move very fast, especially as a result of being frightened

toy with sb/sth -- phrasal verb to not care seriously about someone or about their feelings, especially during a romantic friendship

a tease -- (n) slang disapproving someone who enjoys causing sexual excitement and interest in people she or he does not intend to have sex with

Resources:

http://www.englishclub.com/ref/esl/Idioms/S/show_your_true_colours_show_your_true_colors_695.htm
http://www.americanidioms.net/Show-your-true-colors/
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=screwed
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/pick-on-someone-your-own-size#pick-on-someone-your-own-size__1
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/bolt_7
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/toy-with-sb-sth#toy-with-sb-sth__2
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/tease_2

Thursday, 8 September 2011

Songs: House M.D. Unofficial Sound Tracks

Image from FOX

Got fed up searching for a song I like from the House M.D. episodes one by one, so I spent 2 hours finding most of the songs and music pieces from YouTube and in the end, I have found 144 videos and produced a playlist by myself. It contains 90% of every music piece used across 7 seasons of House M.D. Some have already been recommended in the earlier posts.

Having this playlist now, I can listen to all the songs in one go!! You may not be as a big fan as I am for the TV series, but surely you can find songs that you like here.

Resources:
House M.D. UST Playlist @ Locky's English Playground YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBE382CF3D5FB2CD2

Song: Are You Alright? -- Lucinda Williams @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2011/09/song-are-you-alright-lucinda-williams.html

Song & People & TV: You Can't Always Get What You Want -- Band from TV & The Rolling Stone @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2011/08/song-people-tv-you-cant-always-get-what.html

Song: No Surprises -- Radiohead & Why Try to Change Me Now -- Fiona Apple @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2011/08/song-no-surprises-radiohead-why-try-to.html

Song: Passing Afternoon -- Iron & Wine @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2011/08/song-passing-afternoon-iron-wine.html

Wednesday, 7 September 2011

Message: Locky's English Playground Opens Sina Weibo

Hi all,

Took one of my student Carol's advice and opened a Weibo early this morning, like really early, 1am. Guess by doing that I can have more audiences from the mainland.

Many business moguls, movie stars and singers from both Hong Kong and China have their microblogs too, not sure what's there to learn though.

Anyway, we'll see where this is heading.

An icon to Weibo has been added to the right hand side.

Good night!

Cheers,
Locky

Vocabulary:
mogul -- (n) an important person who is very rich or powerful
microblog -- (n) Weibo in Chinese, similar to Twitter, a blog that has limits to the number of letters you type.

Resources:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/mogul_1?q=mogul

Monday, 5 September 2011

Song: Are You Alright? -- Lucinda Williams

Image from lonestarmusic.com

First day of the week is always busy. I have accomplished a lot of work but mainly housework and computer data organisation. Can't say it is practical and can't say it is not. Just some routine things that one has to do sooner or later. And it is usually this time when a day which seems busy actually brings up the feeling of missing someone.

It could be a parent, or both parents, a lover or a friend long-time-no-see, and so does Dr. House. Recorded in Lucinda Williams' album WEST, Are You Alright? is a nice simple downtempo song which speaks out directly what she thinks. Too busy to write more, so just enjoy the song and the listening practice for the day, more informative entry on Wednesday!!!!

Lyrics:

Are you alright?
All the sudden you went away.
Are you alright?
I hope you come back around someday.
Are you alright?
I haven't seen you in a real long time.
Are you alright?
Could you give me some kind of sign.
Are you alright?
I looked around me and you were gone.
Are you alright?
I feel like there must be something wrong.
Are you alright?
'Cause it seems like you disappeared.
Are you alright?
'Cause I been feeling a little scared.
Are you alright?

Chorus:
Are you sleeping through the night?
Do you have someone to hold you tight?
Do you have someone to hang out with?
Do you have someone to hug and kiss you,
Hug and kiss you,Hug and kiss you?
Are you alright?

Are you alright?
Is there something been bothering you?
Are you alright?
I wish you'd give me a little clue.
Are you alright?
Is there something you wanna say?
Are you alright?
Just tell me that you're okay.
Are you alright?
'Cause you took off without a word.
Are you alright?
You flew away like a little bird.
Are you alright?
Is there anything I can do?
Are you alright?
'Cause I need to hear from you.
Are you alright?

Chorus

Are you alright?
Are you alright?
Hey...

Resources:
Are You Alright @ Vidivodo
http://en.vidivodo.com/169966/are-you-alright

Are You Alright? -- Lucinda Williams @ YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6eCwF7LaiA

Friday, 2 September 2011

Academic Research: Where is the Needs Analysis in General English?

Title:

Author:

Descriptors:

Publication Date:
Pages:
Last Updated:

Where is the Needs Analysis in General English?
Law, Locky

General Education, General English, Teaching, Needs Analysis, English for Specific Purposes, ESP, GE

2011-09-02

2012-07-11

Abstract:

Needs analysis (NA) has been closely linked to English for Specific Purposes (ESP) but this has not been the case for General English (GE) (Seedhouse, 1995). In fact, as far as needs analysis is concerned, there exists a general perception that ESP is the focus of discussion. This paper discusses various possible reasons which have contributed in shaping this general perception or misconception and thus the lack of development in the needs analysis of General English.

The discussions include
i) the history of needs analysis development,
ii) the definitions of ‘needs’ and its effect on needs analysis,
iii) the definition of ESP versus General English and its effect on needs analysis, and
iv) the missing link between needs analysis and General English.

The paper concludes by briefly describing a few studies which intend to fill the missing gap between needs analysis and General English and suggesting a possible future direction.

Opinions:
For those of you who would like to read academic papers written by me. Hope this will be useful for those of you researching in related areas as well.

Resources:
Where is the Needs Analysis in General English? @ Locky's English Playground

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B9emHQBd5COmTVlLZnVkam5fUms

Sport & News & Vocabulary: Can Arsenal turn around?

Ladies in Hong Kong are generally not football fans, but that doesn't mean you can't read about football so you have some topics to talk to the guys about. And what I like about reading football news, is that the article writers actually writes quite effectively with nice vocabulary.

Recently, English club Arsenal has sold two of their best footballers to two other clubs. Samri Nasri to Manchester City and Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona. Arsenal has got a lot of cash after the inevitable want-away players were sold, but the manager Arsene Wenger is unwilling to open the chequebook.

And the result?

Nasri for Manchester City. 3 assists in the first match
Image from sportinglife

Cesc Fabregas for Barcelona. Played 3 games, Scored 2 goals, and Won 2 cups
Image from Getty Images

GettyImagesLosing 2-8 to Man U. Arsene Wenger holds his head in his hands

Quoting the news from Soccernet,

Monday, August 29, 2011
Wenger apologises for United mauling
ESPNsoccernet staff

Arsene Wenger has apologised to the Arsenal fans for their humiliating defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Gunners conceded eight goals for the first time since 1896 as they suffered a catastrophic 8-2 loss at Manchester United.

It was a result that prompted extreme criticism from fans and pundits alike, but Wenger has insisted he will not walk away from what is clearly a massive job to rebuild the confidence of a club who are still to find replacements for Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, and have collected just a single point from their three Premier League games so far.

The Arsenal boss has pledged to try and find some new players ahead of the transfer window closing on Wednesday night. However, for now, the best he can do is say sorry.

''The fans do not want to see their team like that,'' Wenger told Arsenal World. ''We can only apologise and come back in our strength and desire in the next game.

''Big scores are humiliating and difficult to swallow but I don't think they have a special meaning. They are always under special circumstances.''

For Wenger, those special circumstances were a lengthy injury list, which robbed him of the services of Jack Wilshere, Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna amongst others, plus the suspensions of Alex Song, Gervinho and Alex Frimpong.

The visit of Swansea immediately after the international break offers the perfect opportunity for a morale-boosting victory, although for now, skipper Robin van Persie accepts his team-mates have to face up to some pretty harsh facts.

''It is an honest result if you look at the game,'' said the Gunners captain. ''It sounds crazy maybe but Manchester United were much better than us and they punished us hard.

''We were simply not good enough. We have to deal with that. I don't think we can hide behind injuries or suspensions. It is no excuse. They had injuries too, this is football.''

Before this day, he was still saying he wasn't stubborn and he will buy the right players even at a huge cost. After the lost to Man U, he finally took action and signed a Korean player Park Chu-Young. Wenger has my support on that, why not make Arsenal into an Asian team with Japanese and Korean players? They work hard, they run tirelessly like machines, and they are definitely willing to play in the Premier League. Work permit is the problem? Well the government should think of some speedy way to help their capital (London) club.

I really want to see how Arsenal turn things around this weekend!

PS: I'm not an Arsenal fan nor a Man U fan.