Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced English
For $1.00 you will be able to subscribe to each one of the programs below. They each contain a number of short video programs that may be reviewed by you as many time as you want. Additionally you will have the option to sign up to take associated quizzes. The Quizzes will be emailed to you and re-submitted to us for grading at your convenience. A $40.00 charge applies. A Berlán instructor will administer and explain the results of your quizzes with you. Or, you may take Quizzes without instructors for $20.00.
Basic English Program
The list below describes 12 Basic English videos included with purchase of this video library.
First Structure
This video introduces the student with no knowledge of English whatsoever to a series of progressively complex visual and auditory cues. The video starts with simple objects, like an apple or a book, shown alongside their corresponding words in the new language. As the learner becomes familiar with these basic terms, the video gradually incorporates these objects into short, descriptive sentences, demonstrating their use in everyday contexts. This method continues, building on previously learned words and phrases, allowing the learner to intuitively grasp the language's structure and vocabulary without relying on translation.
Second Structure
Using the same method and relying on natural intuition, the second video expands sentence complexity by introducing intangible and tangible concepts such as quantity, number, and distance. For instance, it might show “there are three apples” or “the book is far,” helping the learner intuitively grasp these new concepts without translation. This method continues, building on previously learned words and phrases, allowing the learner to intuitively grasp the language’s structure and vocabulary without relying on translation.
Third Structure
Essential vocabulary and phrases needed to identify other people, as well as the person learning English, are similarly introduced. The video might show images of people with labels like “man,” “woman,” “child,” and “teacher,” followed by sentences such as “The man is tall” or “I am a student.” This approach helps the learner understand and use personal pronouns and common descriptors, further enhancing their ability to communicate effectively in the new language.
More structure and numbers
Learning numeration is crucial to mastering English, as it supports essential aspects of communication and understanding. Numbers are used in daily life for a wide range of functions, such as telling time, handling money, measuring quantities, and understanding dates. Mastering numbering helps students understand mathematical concepts and apply them in practical situations, such as shopping, cooking, and scheduling. Additionally, numbers play an important role in grammar, where they are used to form plural nouns and quantify subjects and objects. Therefore, a solid understanding of numbering is essential for effective communication and functionality in an English-speaking environment.
Time, days,months
Time, days, and months are essential parts of the English language. They help us communicate and organize our daily lives. The English language uses a 12-hour clock system, with AM and PM indicating morning and afternoon/evening respectively. The days of the week are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The of the year are January, February, March, April, May June, July, August September, October,, and December. It important to use these correctly to avoid confusion and ensure effective communication.
Review of
TO BE
The verb "to be" is fundamental in the English language due to its versatile role in constructing sentences and conveying various meanings. It functions as both a main verb and an auxiliary verb, helping to form continuous tenses (e.g., "is running") and passive voice constructions (e.g., "was seen"). As a linking verb, it connects the subject to a subject complement, providing essential information about the subject's identity, characteristics, or state of being (e.g., "She is a teacher" or "They are happy"). Mastery of the verb "to be" is crucial for clear and effective communication, as it is involved in expressing existence, conditions, and essential descriptions.
Past, present & futures
In English grammar, the past, present, and present perfect tenses are essential for indicating the timing and continuity of actions. The past tense describes actions that were completed at a specific time in the past, such as "She walked to school yesterday." The present tense, on the other hand, describes actions that are currently happening or habitual actions, like "He walks to school" or "The store opens at nine." The present perfect tense is used to link past events to the present, indicating actions that occurred at an unspecified time before now or actions that started in the past and continue to the present. An example is "She has walked to school," which implies the action has relevance to the present moment. Understanding the distinctions and uses of these tenses is fundamental for conveying time effectively in communication, allowing speakers to express when actions have occurred and how they relate to the current moment.
The verb
TO DO
The verb "to do" holds significant importance in the English language due to its versatile role in various grammatical structures and its ability to convey different nuances of meaning. It functions as an auxiliary verb in forming questions and negative statements (e.g., "Do you like coffee?" or "I do not understand"), thus essential for proper sentence construction. Additionally, "to do" is used for emphasis in affirmative sentences (e.g., "I do want to go") and can stand in for other verbs to avoid repetition (e.g., "I didn't finish my work, but he did"). Its usage is crucial in conveying actions, forming interrogative and negative sentences, providing emphasis, and maintaining fluency in communication.
Two difficult verbs
CAN & GET
The verbs "can" and "do" are challenging for English learners due to their multiple functions and nuanced uses. "Can" is a modal verb that expresses ability, permission, possibility, or request (e.g., "Can you swim?" or "You can leave early"). Its meaning shifts depending on the context, making it difficult to master. Similarly, "do" serves as both a main verb (e.g., "I do my homework") and an auxiliary verb used for forming questions, negatives, and emphatic statements (e.g., "Do you like pizza?" or "I do think it's important"). The complexity of these verbs lies in their versatile roles and the subtle differences in their applications, which can be confusing for non-native speakers.
Present tenses and gerunds
Present tenses and gerunds play crucial roles in English grammar. The present tense, including the simple present (e.g., "I walk") and the present continuous (e.g., "I am walking"), describes habitual actions, general truths, or actions occurring now. These tenses help convey the immediacy and ongoing nature of activities or states. Gerunds, which are verbs ending in "-ing" functioning as nouns (e.g., "Swimming is fun"), add versatility to sentence construction. They enable expressions about activities, preferences, and subjects, making language more dynamic. Understanding and mastering present tenses and gerunds are essential for effective communication, as they form the foundation for describing current actions and experiences.
Present tense conversation
Dialogue in present tense
Present tense conversation is essential for effective communication, as it allows speakers to convey immediate actions and events clearly and directly. This tense helps maintain the flow of dialogue and ensures that listeners understand what is happening in the current moment. Moreover, mastering present tense usage is fundamental for building a solid foundation in any language, enhancing overall fluency and comprehension.
Dialogue in the present tense is important for several reasons:
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Immediate Engagement: Present tense dialogue creates a sense of immediacy and urgency, drawing readers or listeners directly into the current action or conversation. This helps to make the narrative more engaging and dynamic.
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Clarity and Directness: Using the present tense in dialogue can make the communication clearer and more direct. It helps the audience understand that the events are happening now, which can be particularly useful in storytelling, instructions, or real-time updates.
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Emotional Impact: Present tense can heighten emotional impact by placing the audience in the moment with the characters.​
Intermediate English Program
The list below describes the 8 Intermediate English Videos included with the purchase of this video library.
Order of Words
Word order in English is crucial for conveying meaning clearly and effectively. Typically, English sentences follow a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure. This means the subject (who or what the sentence is about) comes first, followed by the verb (the action or state of being), and then the object (who or what receives the action). Adhering to this order ensures that sentences are easily understood and grammatically correct. For example, in the sentence "The cat (subject) chased (verb) the mouse (object)," the meaning is straightforward due to the proper word order. Deviating from this order can lead to confusion or ambiguity.
Adjectives, modifiers, intro to prepositions
Adjectives and modifiers play a critical role in the English language by providing detailed descriptions that enhance the specificity and color of our communications. Adjectives are used to modify nouns, giving us vital information about the qualities or quantities of those nouns. For instance, when we say "a large, bustling city," the adjectives "large" and "bustling" help paint a more vivid picture than the noun "city" alone. Modifiers, which include adjectives, adverbs, phrases, and clauses, refine meanings and add clarity. They can indicate qualities, quantities, frequency, manner, and more, enabling more expressive and precise communication.
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Prepositions are foundational to constructing clear and coherent sentences, guiding listeners and readers through the relationships between the elements of a sentence. They link nouns, pronouns, and phrases to other words in a sentence, typically indicating location, direction, time, and place. For example, the prepositions "in," "on," and "at" are crucial in specifying when and where activities occur, as in "She arrived at the theater at night." An introduction to prepositions is essential for learners because it facilitates understanding of how elements in a sentence relate spatially and temporally, providing a scaffold that supports the effective communication of complex ideas.
Importance of Prepositions
Prepositions are among the most essential components of English grammar, serving as the connectors that establish relationships between different elements within a sentence. They help to provide context, clarifying the when, where, and how of actions and states of being. For instance, prepositions like "under," "over," "by," and "with" tell us the location of an object, the method of an action, or the means by which something is accomplished. This role is crucial for constructing clear and effective sentences that convey precise meanings. Without prepositions, our communication would be vague and open to multiple interpretations, making it difficult to share detailed and specific information.
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Understanding and using prepositions correctly is vital for mastering English, as they affect the structure of sentences and the clarity of communication. They are used extensively in everyday conversation, formal writing, and professional communication, impacting fluency and comprehensibility. Learning how to use prepositions correctly can also help non-native speakers avoid common errors that stem from direct translations from their native languages, which may follow different rules. Mastery of prepositions enhances one's ability to think in English, leading to more natural and fluent expression in both spoken and written forms.
Prepositional verbs and phrases
Prepositional verbs and phrases are integral to the English language, offering nuanced meanings and adding depth to communication. Prepositional verbs, which consist of a verb followed by a preposition, are essential because the preposition fundamentally changes the meaning of the verb. For instance, "look at" implies direct observation, whereas "look after" suggests taking care of someone or something. These combinations form phrases that convey specific ideas that are not always predictable based on the meanings of the individual words, thus requiring learners to understand them as unique lexical items.
Moreover, prepositional phrases, which combine a preposition with a noun or pronoun, play a key role in providing additional information about time, location, or manner within sentences. For example, phrases like "in the morning," "at the park," and "with enthusiasm" clarify the circumstances surrounding the action or state being discussed. These phrases are crucial for constructing detailed and informative sentences that resonate with clarity and precision. Understanding how to effectively use prepositional verbs and phrases enhances one’s ability to communicate complex concepts succinctly and accurately, which is particularly important in professional and academic settings.
Intro to the past
An introduction to the past tenses in English is crucial for expressing events that have occurred at a definite or indefinite time before the present. Understanding past tenses allows speakers to narrate events, share experiences, and discuss historical contexts. The simplest form is the past simple tense, used for actions that happened once or repeatedly in the past, such as "I visited" or "It rained yesterday." This tense is essential for telling stories or summarizing completed actions.
Beyond the simple past, English utilizes several other past tenses to convey different nuances. The past continuous tense, for example, describes actions that were ongoing in the past, like "I was reading when you called." The past perfect tense refers to actions completed before another past action, as in "I had finished the project before the deadline." Each of these tenses enriches narrative capabilities, allowing speakers to construct more complex sentences that reflect the sequencing of past events, the duration of actions, and connections between past activities. Mastery of these tenses enhances one’s ability to communicate with greater temporal precision and detail, which is particularly valuable in both casual conversations and professional communication.
English Sounds
Video numbers six, seven, and eight.
Sounds play a crucial role in the English language, as they form the basis of clear communication and correct pronunciation. Among these sounds, diphthong vowels are particularly important because they involve a smooth glide from one vowel sound to another within a single syllable, such as in words like “coin” or “house.” Mastering diphthongs allows speakers to capture the fluidity of English pronunciation, as these sounds are common in everyday speech. Mispronunciation of diphthongs can lead to misunderstandings since they often differentiate between words with similar spellings but different meanings.
Long vowels are another essential category of vowel sounds in English, where the vowel is pronounced for an extended duration, typically matching the vowel’s letter name, as in words like “cake,” “bike,” or “boat.” The correct use of long vowels is key to understanding and making oneself understood, as they often distinguish words in minimal pairs (e.g., “bit” vs. “bite”). Long vowels also play a significant role in teaching spelling and phonics, as they frequently follow predictable patterns like “silent e” or vowel digraphs (e.g., “ee” in “see”). Correct pronunciation of long vowels ensures clarity in spoken English and improves literacy.
Finally, short vowels are equally important, as they occur in many common English words, such as “cat,” “dog,” and “cup.” Short vowels are pronounced quickly and with less emphasis, but they are just as critical as long vowels in distinguishing word meanings. For learners of English, mastering the distinction between long and short vowels is essential for proper pronunciation and comprehension, as many words differ solely by the vowel length (e.g., “ship” vs. “sheep”). Mastery of short vowels not only enhances speaking and listening skills but also helps in reading and spelling, as students learn to recognize and produce the subtle differences in vowel sounds that are integral to the language.
Advanced English Program
The list below describes the
Advanced English Video Programs
Past, present, and present perfect
tenses
The past tense describes actions or events that have already occurred, such as "She walked to the store yesterday." The present tense, on the other hand, refers to actions or events happening now, like "She walks to the store every day." The present perfect tense is used to connect the past to the present, indicating actions that began in the past and continue into the present or have relevance now, as in "She has walked to the store many times." Each tense serves a unique purpose in conveying the timing and relevance of actions and events, enriching our understanding and communication.
Denver narrative
Narrative teaching in language education enhances engagement by using stories to make learning more relatable and memorable. It helps students understand context and usage, making abstract grammar rules more tangible. Through storytelling, students can develop better listening and comprehension skills as they follow the plot and character interactions. Additionally, narrative teaching fosters creativity and critical thinking, encouraging students to express themselves and explore language in a meaningful way.
All tenses exercises
Learning all the tenses in English is a crucial aspect of mastering the language, enabling clear and effective communication. English tenses encompass various forms to express time and sequence in speaking and writing. The system includes twelve basic tenses: three simple (present, past, future), three continuous (also known as progressive), three perfect, and three perfect continuous tenses. Each tense provides a different time perspective, helping to convey actions that occur in the present, actions that were completed in the past, ongoing actions, future intentions, and durations of time.
Mastering these tenses involves understanding their structure—usually a combination of the main verb with auxiliary verbs—and their appropriate use in context. For example, the simple present ("I walk") expresses habitual actions, while the present perfect ("I have walked") discusses experiences or actions completed at an unspecified time before now. Learning to use tenses correctly also requires practice with verb conjugation and familiarity with irregular verb forms, which can be particularly challenging.
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The ability to switch tenses accurately allows for more dynamic and nuanced storytelling and conversation, essential for everything from casual chats to academic and professional communication. As such, engaging with varied practice materials, such as exercises, quizzes, and interactive games, and receiving feedback through language classes or tutoring can significantly aid in the acquisition of this fundamental aspect of English grammar.
Marie Curie narrative
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Engagement: Narratives capture attention and make information more interesting and relatable, holding the audience's interest.
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Memory: Stories are easier to remember than isolated facts, helping people retain and recall information more effectively.
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Connection: Narratives create emotional connections, allowing people to empathize with characters and situations, enhancing understanding and impact.
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Context: Stories provide context and examples, making abstract concepts more tangible and easier to grasp.
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Enjoyment: People naturally enjoy stories, making learning and communication through narratives more enjoyable and motivating.
Listening exercise
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Improves Comprehension: Listening exercises enhance the ability to understand spoken language, crucial for effective communication.
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Builds Vocabulary: Regular practice helps learners acquire new words and phrases in context, expanding their vocabulary.
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Enhances Pronunciation: Listening to native speakers improves pronunciation and intonation, aiding in more natural and accurate speech.
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Develops Concentration: These exercises train the mind to focus and process auditory information, boosting overall concentration and cognitive skills.
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Encourages Interaction: Good listening skills are essential for engaging in meaningful conversations, fostering better interpersonal connections and collaboration.