English Speeches' Newsletter #8

Hello, English Speeches community!

Warm greetings and welcome to the eighth edition of the English Speeches Newsletter. As always, our mission is to support you on your English language journey, and we've curated a variety of engaging content for this week's edition.

Here's what you can look forward to:

• A recent news article about the unprecedented heatwave and its global impact, from which we'll extract key vocabulary and key points that can be beneficial for English learners.

• A comprehensive exploration of English learning through speeches, this time focusing on an inspiring speech by Sali Pallavi. We'll also test your understanding of the speech with a recap quiz and highlight specific grammar points for learning.

• A spotlight on a powerful speech by Michelle Yeoh, highlighting specific vocabulary and aspects of pronunciation that can help you speak like a native.

• A detailed guide to mastering the use of Modal Verbs in English, a grammar rule that can enhance your language skills and was prominently used in Sali Pallavi's speech.

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

Uncharted Territory: World's Hottest Week Ever Recorded

The first week of July was declared the hottest week ever recorded for the planet by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This year had already seen the hottest June on record, driven by climate change and the early stages of an El Niño weather pattern. The WMO stated that temperatures were breaking records on land and in the oceans, with "potentially devastating impacts on ecosystems and the environment".

Key Words:

• Uncharted: not mapped or surveyed; unknown.

• Meteorological: relating to the science that deals with the phenomena of the atmosphere, especially weather and weather conditions.

• El Niño: a warm ocean current of variable intensity that develops after late December along the coast of Ecuador and Peru and sometimes causes catastrophic weather conditions.

• Ecosystems: a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

• Devastating: highly destructive or damaging.

↳ TOOL OF THE WEEK

Grammarly: Master English Through Speeches

This week, we're sharing a comprehensive guide on Grammarly, a digital writing assistant that is proving to be an invaluable tool for crafting and refining English speeches, particularly for those at the A2-B1 level.

• Why Learn English with Grammarly?: Grammarly provides real-time feedback and suggestions to enhance your writing, making it a perfect companion for crafting compelling English speeches. It's like having a personal English teacher who corrects your mistakes as you write.

• The Power of Grammarly: Grammarly is more than just a simple spell-checker. It checks for common grammatical errors, punctuation mistakes, and even helps improve sentence structure and word choice. It can spot missing articles, incorrect verb tenses, and misplaced commas, among other things.

• Deepening Your Understanding of English Through Grammarly: Grammarly doesn’t just correct your mistakes; it also suggests synonyms to replace overused words. This feature can help you diversify your vocabulary and make your speech more engaging and impactful. It’s like having a thesaurus at your fingertips that helps you express your thoughts more eloquently.

Unlocking the complexities of English through Grammarly is a journey that requires patience, practice, and application. Remember, the key to mastering English 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 Sali Pallavi: A Journey of Passion

In this lesson, we delve into an inspiring speech by the talented actress, Sali Pallavi. Guiding you through this enlightening English learning expedition is Anna, your animated instructor. You'll uncover fascinating vocabulary, complex grammatical constructs, effective speech presentation techniques, and much more.

Here's our exciting line-up:

• Comprehensive Analysis: Anna performs a thorough examination of Pallavi's 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 Pallavi's personal evolution and learn the English expressions to articulate similar life experiences.

• Cultural Insights: Get a glimpse into Pallavi's 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 'perseverance' mean in the context of Sali Pallavi's speech?
   a. The quality of continuing to try to achieve a particular aim despite difficulties
   b. The quality of being patient, long suffering
   c. The quality of being persistent in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success
   

2. What does Sali Pallavi mean by 'embrace your individuality'?
   a. Accepting and being comfortable with who you are
   b. Hugging someone very tightly
   c. Accepting others as they are

3. What does 'aspirations' refer to?
   a. A will or desire to achieve something
   b. The action or process of drawing breath
   c. A hope or ambition of achieving something

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 Modal Verbs, an integral element Sali Pallavi employs in her speech.

What are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that express necessity, possibility, permission, or ability. The most common modal verbs in English are can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would.

Let's explore its use, with examples from Sali Pallavi's speech:

Expressing Ability: We use 'can' to talk about someone's skill or general abilities. For example, when Sali Pallavi says, "I can dance," it signifies her ability to dance.

Expressing Permission: We use 'may' to ask for and give permission. For example, "May I use your phone?"

Expressing Possibility: We use 'might' to suggest a small possibility of something. For example, "It might rain today."

Expressing Obligation: We use 'must' to express something that is necessary or very important. For example, "I must finish this task today."

How to Use Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs are followed by the base form of the verb, as in "I can swim" or "She might be at home."

Common Mistakes:

Be careful not to confuse the different uses of modal verbs. For example, 'can' is used for ability or possibility, while 'must' is used for obligation or logical deduction.

Modal verbs may seem simple initially, but they have many different uses. Practice will make it second nature. Try creating your own sentences using modal verbs 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.

↳ LEARN ENGLISH WITH SPEECHES

We are thrilled to continue sharing with you our eBook, 'Learn English With Speeches'. This resource, a product of our shared passion for learning and mastering English, has been designed to be a constant companion on your journey to English fluency.

'Learn English With Speeches' is not just an eBook. It's a testament to the power of language, a result of countless hours spent creating a tool that can truly aid you in understanding the intricacies of English.

By studying famous speeches, you'll delve deeper into the rhythm, flow, and cultural nuances of the English language. You'll learn how to understand and use idioms, metaphors, and rhetorical devices, enhancing your ability to express yourself in English.

We want to express our gratitude to each and every one of you. Your support and enthusiasm have been the driving force behind this project. We're excited for you to continue your learning journey with 'Learn English With Speeches', and we look forward to hearing about your progress and experiences.

↳ ENGLISH SPEECHES

Michelle Yeoh: Be the Change

In this edition, we bring you an inspiring speech by the Academy-award winning actress, advocate, and United Nations Development Programme Goodwill ambassador, Michelle Yeoh. Addressing the HLS Class of 2023, Michelle shares her journey from a small town in Malaysia to the global stage of the Academy Awards. She encourages the students to be brave and to be the change in their bright but unpredictable future.

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

• Cultural Insights: Michelle's journey from Malaysia to Hollywood provides a unique perspective on cultural diversity and resilience. This can foster critical thinking and cultural understanding in English learners.

• Diverse Pronunciations: Michelle's accent is a blend of her Malaysian roots and her international exposure. Understanding and appreciating different accents can be a crucial part of language mastery, improving listening comprehension skills.

• Idiomatic Language: Michelle'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.

• Motivational Vocabulary: The speech is packed with motivational words and phrases, allowing English learners to pick up vocabulary related to personal growth and resilience. Learning how to express these concepts accurately in English can add depth 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', 'leap', and 'compassion' from Michelle Yeoh'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: "Michelle Yeoh demonstrated resilience throughout her career, overcoming numerous challenges to achieve success."

Leap: This verb refers to the act of jumping or springing a long way, to a great height, or with great force. In the context of Michelle's speech, it represents making a significant change or taking a big risk.

Example in a sentence: "Michelle Yeoh encourages the students to take the leap and embrace the unpredictable future."

Compassion: This noun signifies sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. It is frequently used to highlight the importance of empathy and understanding in human interactions.

Example in a sentence: "Michelle Yeoh believes that compassion is the ultimate superpower within us."

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

↳ SPEAK LIKE A NATIVE

Stay loose

In this installment, we're examining a phrase used by Michelle Yeoh in her speech: "Stay loose."

"Stay loose" is a phrase that means to remain flexible and adaptable, especially in the face of change or uncertainty. It is often used to encourage oneself or others to be open to new possibilities and not to be overly rigid or set in one's ways.

Example in a sentence: "When facing an unpredictable future, Michelle Yeoh advises to 'stay loose', indicating her belief in the importance of adaptability."

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

Learning a new language is like climbing a big hill. It might seem hard, but every step makes you stronger!

Each word you learn, every sentence you say, is like moving up that hill. It's a sign of your strength!

Don't worry if it feels tough. It's part of growing. Remember, every challenge is making you better in English.

So, don't stop! You're getting stronger and better each day. Keep climbing!

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

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