LanguageCircle:
VirtualLearning
basedon
LearningIdioms
1

2
Objectives
• Review and practice the Learning Idioms. Use them in a related
activity
• Speak about how do you feel about virtual learning
• Writing – Degrees of formality
• Vocabulary – Learn new words
• Listen to a passage and answer True and False questions
• Reflect on your learning today

3
Review the idioms
in this related lesson
https://livelearn.ca/lessons/education/learning-idioms/

4
Review the idioms in this related lesson
“To learn by heart”– to learn something as to remember all of it exactly
“You live and learn”– used to say that you have just learned something that you
did not know before
“To learn the hard way” – To understand a situation or develop a skill by learning
from your mistakes and bad experiences
“to put one’s thinking cap on” – to think seriously about something
“The University of life” – the sum of your experiences that you have; used to talk
about someone who is wise although not highly educated

5
Practice the idioms: Quiz time
1. My teacher asked us to learn the definitions in the lesson by heart.
She meant
a) the definitions are about the heart
b) we hardly need to learn the definitions
c) we need learn as to be able to reproduce the definitions word for
word

6
Practice the idioms: Quiz time
1. My teacher asked us to learn the definitions in the lesson by heart.
She meant
a) the definitions are about the heart
b) we hardly need to learn the definitions
c) we need learn as to be able to reproduce the definitions word
word

7
Practice the idioms: Quiz time
2. I told my mom that I finally understand why she has
always told us to be moderate with our spending. She said “You live and
learn”. She meant
a) you can learn only if you are alive
b) here is something new that you have learned that you did not know
before
c) you learn if you live with mom

8
Practice the idioms: Quiz time
2. I told my mom that I finally understand why she has
always told us to be moderate with our spending. She said “You live and
learn”. She meant
a) you can learn only if you are alive
b) here is something new that you have learned that you did not
know before
c) you learn if you live with mom

9
Practice the idioms: Quiz time
3. I’ve learned the hard way how to ride a horse. That could mean
a) the sideway was hard
b) riding was hard
c) I did not listen to my parents’ warnings and I fell from the horse a
couple of times before I could ride

10
Practice the idioms: Quiz time
3. I’ve learned the hard way how to ride a horse. That could mean
a) the sideway was hard
b) riding was hard
c) I did not listen to my parents’ warnings and I fell from the horse
couple of times before I could ride

11
Practice the idioms: Quiz time
4. Jim said he could not solve the Rubik’s cube even when he put his
thinking cap on. He meant
a) he wore a cap while trying to solve the cube
b) he could not solve it even when he thought very hard about it
c) the Rubik cube is unsolvable

12
Practice the idioms: Quiz time
4. Jim said he could not solve the Rubik’s cube even when he put his
thinking cap on. He meant
a) he wore a cap while trying to solve the cube
b) he could not solve it even when he thought very hard about it
c) the Rubik cube is unsolvable

13
Practice the idioms: Quiz time
5. My dad said about my friend Hakim that he has the university of life.
He meant
a) Hakim is really wise and has life experience
b) In Hakim’s country there is a university with that name
c) he was mocking Hakim for not having a university degree

14
Practice the idioms: Quiz time
5. My dad said about my friend Hakim that he has the university of life.
He meant
a) Hakim is really wise and has life experience
b) In Hakim’s country there is a university with that name
c) he was mocking Hakim for not having a university degree

15
Agenda
1. Speaking
2. Writing
3. Vocabulary
4. Listening
5. Reflect on learning

16
Speaking

17
Speaking activity
How did you end up taking EO’s virtual classes?
What are the main benefits of virtual learning?
Share your thoughts with the class.

18
Writing

19
Degrees of Formality
An important part of virtual learning and online correspondence is their
degree of formality.
The degree of formality depends on
the purpose of the message and
the relationship you have with the reader.
For example, a memo reporting the results of a meeting will be more formal
than an email inviting someone for a cup of coffee.
Similarly, an email to your friend will be less formal than an email to your
employer. A note is often written in a very informal style.
Adapted from Source: LINC 5

20
Degrees of Formality
Ways to convey formality in writing:
A. The choice of words, phrases and expressions
Examples:
1. Should you require additional information about this online course, please
do not hesitate to contact me at 555-123-4567. (formal) vs Call me if you
need more details about the e-course. (informal)
2. I was not informed about the change in schedule. (formal) vs Nobody told
me about the change in schedule. (informal)
3. I am not happy with the work that was done by your company. vs I'm not
happy with the work your company did. (informal)
Source: LINC 5

21
Degrees of Formality
Ways to convey formality in writing:
More example of verbs used differently in a informal vs formal registry
Informal Formal
promise assure
make sure ensure
buy purchase
want request
got received
be mad be angry
finish finalize
Write two formal sentences using two of the formal verbs above.

22
Degrees of Formality
Ways to convey formality in writing:
B. The use of specific grammar structures e.g., the passive voice
1. I paid my phone bill (informal). Vs The telephone bill has been paid (more
formal) – notice the use of passive voice.
2. I sent the checks to the clients. (informal) Vs The customer cheques have
been delivered.
Re-write these sentences using passive voice and more formal words to make
them more formal.
a) I finished the homework last night.
b) I sent the lunch invites.

23
Degrees of Formality
Ways to convey formality in writing:
C. The use of contractions for informal messages.
1) Please do not hesitate to contact me (formal) vs Don’t hesitate to call!
2) I am not aware of the problem (formal) vs I’m not aware of the issue.
Re-write these sentences using contractions to make them more informal.
a) I could not believe this was happening.
b) Your representative did not offer me a refund.

24
Vocabulary

25
to achieve (v.) chances are (phr. )
abound (v.) in short (phr.)
compelling (adj.) to draft (v.)
1. not able to be refuted; inspiring conviction.
2. exist in large numbers or amounts
3. it is very likely that
4. to sum up; briefly
5. successfully bring about or reach (a desired
objective, level, or result) by effort, skill, or courage
6. prepare a preliminary version of (a document)..

26
to achieve (v.) chances are (phr. )
abound (v.) in short (phr.)
compelling (adj.) to draft (v.)
1. not able to be refuted; inspiring conviction. compelling
2. exist in large numbers or amounts
3. it is very likely that
4. to sum up; briefly
5. successfully bring about or reach (a desired
objective, level, or result) by effort, skill, or courage
6. prepare a preliminary version of (a document)..

27
to achieve (v.) chances are (phr. )
abound (v.) in short (phr.)
compelling (adj.) to draft (v.)
1. not able to be refuted; inspiring conviction. compelling
2. exist in large numbers or amounts abound
3. it is very likely that
4. to sum up; briefly
5. successfully bring about or reach (a desired
objective, level, or result) by effort, skill, or courage
6. prepare a preliminary version of (a document)..

28
to achieve (v.) chances are (phr. )
abound (v.) in short (phr.)
compelling (adj.) to draft (v.)
1. not able to be refuted; inspiring conviction. compelling
2. exist in large numbers or amounts abound
3. it is very likely that chances are
4. to sum up; briefly
5. successfully bring about or reach (a desired
objective, level, or result) by effort, skill, or courage
6. prepare a preliminary version of (a document)..

29
to achieve (v.) chances are (phr. )
abound (v.) in short (phr.)
compelling (adj.) to draft (v.)
1. not able to be refuted; inspiring conviction. compelling
2. exist in large numbers or amounts abound
3. it is very likely that chances are
4. to sum up; briefly in short
5. successfully bring about or reach (a desired
objective, level, or result) by effort, skill, or courage
6. prepare a preliminary version of (a document)..

30
to achieve (v.) chances are (phr. )
abound (v.) in short (phr.)
compelling (adj.) to draft (v.)
1. not able to be refuted; inspiring conviction. compelling
2. exist in large numbers or amounts abound
3. it is very likely that chances are
4. to sum up; briefly in short
5. successfully bring about or reach (a desired
objective, level, or result) by effort, skill, or courage
to achieve
6. prepare a preliminary version of (a document)..

31
to achieve (v.) chances are (phr. )
abound (v.) in short (phr.)
compelling (adj.) to draft (v.)
1. not able to be refuted; inspiring conviction. compelling
2. exist in large numbers or amounts abound
3. it is very likely that chances are
4. to sum up; briefly in short
5. successfully bring about or reach (a desired
objective, level, or result) by effort, skill, or courage
to achieve
6. prepare a preliminary version of (a document).. to draft

32
Listening

33
Listen to the following passage and answer the questions:
1. There are no online courses to teach you how to improve your writing.
2. Whatever it is you want to write, you can learn virtually how to do it.
3. English language learners, teachers, and grammar nerds can find relevant
online courses too.
Adapted from: 170 Free Online Writing Courses to Improve Your Skills from
https://www.classcentral.com/report/writing-free-online-courses/

34
Listen to the following passage and answer the questions:
1. There are no online courses to teach you how to improve your writing.
False
2. Whatever it is you want to write, you can learn virtually how to do it.
3. English language learners, teachers, and grammar nerds can find relevant
online courses too.
Adapted from: 170 Free Online Writing Courses to Improve Your Skills from
https://www.classcentral.com/report/writing-free-online-courses/

35
Listen to the following passage and answer the questions:
1. There are no online courses to teach you how to improve your writing.
False
2. Whatever it is you want to write, you can learn virtually how to do it. True
3. English language learners, teachers, and grammar nerds can find relevant
online courses too.
Adapted from: 170 Free Online Writing Courses to Improve Your Skills from
https://www.classcentral.com/report/writing-free-online-courses/

36
Listen to the following passage and answer the questions:
1. There are no online courses to teach you how to improve your writing.
False
2. Whatever it is you want to write, you can learn virtually how to do it. True
3. English language learners, teachers, and grammar nerds can find relevant
online courses too. True
Adapted from: 170 Free Online Writing Courses to Improve Your Skills from
https://www.classcentral.com/report/writing-free-online-courses/

37
Reflect
on
learning

38
What did you learn today?
• Review and practice the Learning Idioms. Use them in a
related activity
• Speak about how do you feel about virtual learning
• Writing – Degrees of formality
• Vocabulary – Learn new words
• Listen to a passage and answer True and False
questions
• Reflect on your learning today

39
Homework
Write a formal letter to a teacher using all the strategies
learned to add degrees of formality.
Try to use at least one of the Learning Idioms.
Send it to your instructor.

Thankyou!
Questions?
Created by : Ruxandra Nicolescu – English Online
40
https://pixabay.com/photos/cup-of-coffee-laptop-office-macbook-1280537/ shared under CC0