English Speeches' Newsletter #6

Hello, English Speeches community!

Welcome to the latest edition of English Speeches’ Newsletter. As always, we're committed to supporting your English language journey, and this week's issue is packed with a variety of enriching content.

Here's what you can look forward to:

• A recent news article about the Canadian wildfires, from which we'll extract key points and vocabulary beneficial for English learners.

• A deep dive into the world of English grammar with our latest piece, focusing on its master key rules.

• A dissection of a remarkable speech by Steve Jobs for learning purposes, followed by a recap quiz and a special focus on grammar essentials.

• A focus on a speech by Oprah Winfrey, spotlighting specific vocabulary and pronunciation aspects.

And much more…

We understand that learning English can be a challenging journey, but we hope that the resources and tips we have provided will make it a bit easier for you. Your feedback is incredibly important to us, so please don't hesitate to share any thoughts or suggestions you may have. We want you to enjoy exploring and take pleasure in the experience of learning! 😊

↳ ENGLISH WITH NEWS

Canadian Wildfires Reach Europe

This week, we're focusing on the wildfires in Canada that have generated "record levels of emissions" and sent a smoke plume across the Atlantic to Europe. The fires have been so intense that the fire radiative power emitted for the entire country was "significantly higher" in the first three weeks of June than the average from the past 20 years. As of Monday, there were 493 active fires across Canada that have burned more than 7.7 million hectares (19 million acres) of land.

Key Words:

• Wildfires: a large, destructive fire that spreads quickly over woodland or brush.

• Emissions: the production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation.

• Plume: a long cloud of smoke or vapor resembling a feather as it spreads from its point of origin.

• Hectares: a metric unit of square measure, equal to 100 ares (2.471 acres or 10,000 square meters).

↳ ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

Unlock English Grammar: Master Key Rules

This week, we're sharing a comprehensive guide that can help you master English grammar. Here's a quick summary:

• Understanding the Basics: Nouns, pronouns, and verb tenses form the backbone of English grammar. Mastering these is crucial for effective communication.

• Sentence Structure: A basic English sentence includes a subject, a verb, and an object. Understanding this structure is key to forming coherent sentences.

• Detailing with Adjectives and Adverbs: Adjectives describe nouns, while adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They add details that make our sentences more descriptive and interesting.

• Connecting the Dots: Prepositions, articles, and conjunctions play a vital role in connecting words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence.

• Avoiding Common Grammar Mistakes: Even experienced speakers make mistakes! Being aware of common errors like mixing up “its” and “it’s”, “their” and “they’re”, and “your” and “you’re” is an essential part of mastering English grammar.

Unlocking the complexities of English grammar is a journey that requires patience, practice, and application. Remember, the key to mastering English grammar lies not just in memorizing rules but also in applying them in real-life contexts. For a more detailed exploration of these tips, delve into the full guide.

↳ LEARN ENGLISH WITH SPEECHES

Decoding Steve Jobs: A Journey of Innovation

In this lesson, we delve into an inspiring speech by the tech visionary, Steve Jobs. Guiding you through this enlightening English learning expedition is Anna, your animated instructor.

Here's our exciting line-up:

• Comprehensive Analysis: Anna performs a thorough examination of Jobs' speech, delving into its rich vocabulary, grammar, and semantics.

• Practical Examples: To simplify complex language concepts, concrete and understandable examples are offered.

• Life Lessons: Dive deep into Jobs' personal evolution and learn the English expressions to articulate similar life experiences.

• Cultural Insights: Get a glimpse into Jobs' unique perspective on life, thereby broadening your understanding of different worldviews.

Improve your English skills with our inspiring speech on our YouTube channel. Dedicate yourself to consistent practice and share your thoughts in the comments. Enjoy the journey of learning!

↳ SPEECH RECAP QUIZ

1. What does 'commencement' mean in the context of Steve Jobs' speech?

   a. The start of a journey or process
   b. The end of a journey or process
   c. The middle point of a journey or process

2. What does Steve Jobs mean by 'connecting the dots'?

   a. Making a drawing or pattern
   b. Understanding how different events in your life relate to each other
   c. Building a network of professional contacts

3. What does 'serif and sans serif typefaces' refer to?

   a. Different styles of handwriting
   b. Different styles of printed letters
   c. Different styles of painting

Remember to validate your answers. The correct solutions are provided at the end of this newsletter. Keep scrolling to assess your performance.

↳ GRAMMAR ESSENTIALS

In every edition of our newsletter, we simplify intricate grammar rules to help you master English one step at a time. This week, we're spotlighting the Third Conditional, an integral element Steve Jobs employs in his speech.

What is the Future Perfect Tense?

The Future Perfect Tense is used to express an action that will have been completed by some specified time in the future. This tense is formed using "will have" + "past participle".

What is the Third Conditional?

The Third Conditional is used to talk about unreal situations in the past. This tense is formed using "if" + past perfect, "would have" + past participle.

Let's explore its use, with examples from Steve Jobs' speech:

Hypothetical Past: We use this tense to discuss what could have happened but didn't. For example, when Steve Jobs says, "If I had never dropped out, I would've never dropped in on that calligraphy class," it signifies that he did drop out and did take the calligraphy class.

How to Form the Third Conditional?

To create the third conditional, we use "if" + past perfect, followed by "would have" + past participle. For example, "If I had studied, I would have passed the exam," "If she had left earlier, she would have caught the bus."

Common Mistakes:

Be careful not to confuse the third conditional with the second conditional, which is used to talk about unreal situations in the present or future.

The third conditional may seem intimidating initially, but practice will make it second nature. Try creating your own sentences using the third conditional and share them with us!

To achieve fluency in English, one must fully understand the fundamental concepts of grammar. Consistent practice will undoubtedly lead to triumph over any obstacles encountered along the way.

↳ PERFECT GRAMMAR

If you struggle with English grammar, we also offer an eBook to assist you. Perfect Grammar! This meticulously crafted eBook delivers immediate results, helping you achieve and maintain impeccable grammar skills. Suitable for all, it enhances your writing, reading, spelling, and speaking abilities.

It is your route to becoming better in professional pursuits or everyday communication. Explore educational insights, interactive activities, and practical application. Spot and correct common grammar mistakes, ensuring your writing skills shine. Experience the transformative potential of Perfect Grammar - start your journey today!

↳ ENGLISH SPEECHES

Oprah Winfrey: The Power of Service and Success

This edition brings you a powerful commencement address by global media leader and philanthropist, Oprah Winfrey, to the class of 2012 Spelman college graduates. Known for her influential talk show and her philanthropic efforts, Oprah shares her wisdom on life, success, and service, emphasizing the importance of having a vision for your life, being in control of your own journey, and the enduring value of service.

Here's why this speech is beneficial for English learners:

• Visionary Insights: Oprah shares her life lessons and insights, providing unique perspectives that can foster critical thinking in English learners. Her wisdom could inspire meaningful discussions in your English learning journey.

• Diverse Pronunciations: Pay attention to Oprah's distinct accent as she delivers her speech. Understanding and appreciating different accents can be a crucial part of language mastery, improving listening comprehension skills.

• Idiomatic Language: Oprah's speech is filled with idiomatic expressions that often don't translate directly but are a vital part of everyday English. Learning these can make your English sound more natural and fluent.

• Emotional Vocabulary: The speech delves into personal emotions and experiences, allowing English learners to pick up emotional vocabulary. Learning how to express feelings accurately in English can add depth and nuance to your conversations.

Immerse yourself in this engaging dialogue and enhance your English language skills!

↳ VOCABULARY SPOTLIGHT

In this edition, we're focusing on the words 'resilience', 'significance', and 'service' from Oprah Winfrey's speech.

Resilience: This noun denotes the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. It's a characteristic often associated with high-achieving individuals.

Example in a sentence: "Oprah Winfrey demonstrated resilience throughout her career, overcoming numerous challenges to achieve success."

Significance: A noun that signifies the quality of being worthy of attention; importance. It is frequently used to highlight the impact and value of an action or event.

Example in a sentence: "Oprah emphasized the significance of service in achieving success and fulfillment."

Service: This noun refers to the action of helping or doing work for someone. In the context of Oprah's speech, it represents the act of contributing to the well-being of others.

Example in a sentence: "Oprah Winfrey believes that success follows when you shift your paradigm to service."

Enhance your English conversations and writings with these words. A diverse vocabulary can lead to successful communication!

↳ SPEAK LIKE A NATIVE

This too shall pass

In this installment, we're examining a phrase used by Oprah Winfrey in her speech: "This too shall pass."

"This too shall pass" is a phrase that means that all material conditions, positive or negative, are temporary. It is often used for consolation, reminding oneself or others that current difficulties or stressful situations are not permanent and will resolve over time.

Example in a sentence: "When facing a challenging situation, Oprah Winfrey reminds herself that 'this too shall pass', indicating her belief in the impermanence of all conditions."

Learning and using such phrases can help you understand the nuances of English and make your speech sound more natural and fluent. Don't be hesitant to incorporate them into your everyday speech!

↳ QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Embrace what you can control – mastering English. Don't be overwhelmed by the unknown. Focus on learning, word by word.

Every step forward is a transformation, opening doors and building bridges. Believe in your power. Every new phrase learned is a victory.

Keep going 💪🏽

English Quiz Answers: 1.a | 2.b | 3.b

We're grateful for your continued companionship on this language-learning voyage. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts, ideas, or inquiries. Together, we'll keep exploring, expanding, and expressing ourselves with confidence in the English language!

Keep learning and thriving,

Ricardo
Founder, English Speeches YouTube Channel