Vocabulary and translation, exercises, games — lessons — from Karen Press for you to get your head, mouth, and pen around. Comment below with your answers, successful students to receive two tickets to freedom (courtesy of The Canary’s Songbook).
ESSENTIAL LANGUAGE FOR EVERYDAY SITUATIONS
REVISE WHAT YOU LEARNED LAST WEEK IN LESSON 7. THEN TRY LESSON 8.
REVISION: LESSON 7
Make a sentence with each vocabulary item in the list
I am a
I am not a
I want to
I need to
my language
your language
Translate these sentences
I am a stranger here.
I don’t speak your language,
I’m sorry I don’t speak [your language] [language name].
I want to learn to speak [your language] [language name].
I need to learn to [your language] [language name].
Please help me.
I’m sorry.
My name is [ ].
I’m sorry you were colonised.
I am not to blame.
It is not my fault you were colonised.
I am not a coloniser.
I am a [visitor/ traveller/ student/].
I live here.
Do you speak [language name]?
That is my language.
Will you help me?
Please speak more slowly.
Please speak more softly.
Please speak
May I speak?
May I be silent?
Thank you.
LESSON 8
Vocabulary:
who
where
what
why
how
when
Simple sentences
Who is in charge?
Why can’t I stay?
What is the reason?
When does it open?
Where must I stand?
How do I find out?
Where will you go
without me?
How shall I live
without you?
When will it all
be over?
Why does it
never end?
Who will come here
to find me?
What will
become of me?
PRACTICE USING NEW VOCABULARY
Fill in the missing word
[ ] shot you?
[ ] is my child?
[ ] can I go back to my house?
[ ] did they shoot you?
[ ] can I get a permit?
[ ] must I pay you?
Answer these questions
When did you come here?
How did you come here?
Why did you come here?
What do you want?
Who lives in your house?
Why do they live there?
Where can you go?
When can you go?
Who can go with you?
How will you survive?
Will you survive?
COMPREHENSION EXERCISE
Read the paragraph and answer the questions that follow
Sani ran into the room. ‘Where did you put it?’ he shouted.
‘What are you talking about?’ Lilian answered.
‘They’re here! Give it to me now!’ Sani was sweating with fear.
‘Who’s here? What’s the matter with you?’ Lilian stood up, and moved to stand between Sani and the table.
‘Why do you always bring your problems into this house?’ she said angrily. She tried to him towards the door.
Sani was looking at the suitcase under the table.
‘It’s there, isn’t it?’ he and grabbed Sani’s arms. ‘Give it to me. They’ll come in here themselves if I don’t – ’
Lilian pushed him away. ‘You made this mess, now you must fix it. How you do it is your problem. Go, go!’
Sani knocked her aside and lunged for the case.
1. What is Sani afraid of?
2. Where is Lilian?
3. Why does Sani want the suitcase?
4. Who is outside?
5. How does Lilian feel?
6. What will happen next? Write the next paragraph of the story.
SOME USEFUL NOUNS
terrace
urchin
engineer
caress
studio
balcony
waterfall
sandwich
ladder
clarinet
PARTS OF A LEG
thigh
knee
calf
shin
ankle
heel
foot
toe
toenail
instep
PARTS OF A PLAYGROUND
swing
roundabout
see-saw
slide
grass
sandpit
jungle gym
fence
notice
PROVERB OF THE WEEK
A question asked from a distance gets a better answer.
These language games were originally published in Chimurenga Vol.16: The Chimurenga Chronic. For more of Karen Press’ word play look here.
