The right age to 'leave the nest'

What do you think is the right age to leave your parents' home? What are the pros and cons of 'leaving the nest' at an early age?

In Italy, 36.5% of men aged 30 to 34 remain at home, compared to just 18,1% of women. The situation is so bad that a government minister has suggested a new law that would make children leave home when they are 18.

Find out more about it in the following BBC video and podcast:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8471644.stm

Disagreeing politely

Here are some phrases that we can use to disagree with someone in a polite way:

- There may be some truth in what you say but don't you think it's more a question of...?
- I take your point but that's not the way I see it.
- Yes, but don't you think that...?
- I see what you mean but I'm not at all convinced that...
- True, but I'm afraid I disagree with)...
- Perhaps, but I can't help thinking that...

The following two expressions are a bit insulting and dismissive of the other person's opinion:

- You can't be serious
- You must be joking

Giving your opinion and asking for the opinion of others

Here are some expressions that you can use to give your opinion:

- In my opinion/view...
- Generally speaking, I think...
- To my mind...
- I'd just like to say...
- As far as I'm concerned...
- I'm quite convinced that... (careful! it's expresses a very strong opinion)
- To be quite honest/frank...
- If you ask me...

As for asking for somebody's opinion, here are some phrases you can use in different situations:

- What/How about you? = informal exchange of ideas
- Would you care to comment on...? = often used when addressing an individual in a more formal situation e.g. a TV interview with a politician.
- Any comments? = used when addressing a group of people in a more formal situation e.g. a meeting
- Would you agree with that? informal exchange of ideas
- What are your views on...? = often used when addressing an individual in a more formal situation e.g. a TV interview with a politician.
- What's your opinion? = informal exchange of ideas
- What do you think...? = informal exchange of ideas

Dating

A first date gone wrong...



and some stuff about dating on the Internet:


http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/video/2010/feb/14/guardian-soulmates-valentines-day

A bit of everything

This post has been a long time coming. It's just a bunch of words and phrases that we have used in class in the last few sessions. Most of them bear no relation to a given topic area, but they might prove useful. So here they are:

To indulge in something
To give yourself a little treat = Donar-se un gust
To call off a meeting = to cancel
To put something off e.g. a trip, a meeting... = to delay, to postpone
To be kind/sort of = It's kind of interesting (very informal; in AE you can see it spelt as 'kinda')

Life expectancy = Nowaday's a woman's life expectancy is 80 years
A vaccine for swine flu
To allocate money = to distribute money
To pat someone on the back
To comfort someone

One can twist or sprain an ankle and therefore need to use crutches:

 

To trust someone

To tease someone = to make fun of, to kid

To pull one's leg

To badmouth = speak unfavorably about, criticize

To get away with murder = To escape punishment for or detection of a blameworthy act.

To have a flaw

What is happiness?

What is happiness? a very elusive question indeed, which maybe defies all categorization. Is it the same for everybody or does it change from person to person?  Is it a state of mind or is it defined by mere possession of material things? And, more importantly,  is one's idea of happiness the same throughout life or does it change according to age, mood, etc.

Here is what an expert on wellbeing thinks about what makes people happy.




Not very complicated, is it? Below is a much simpler concept also related to the idea of sharing, this time from the 'Coca- Cola' company:





I wish things were that simple... maybe they are?

Anyway, have a nice day and a very happy weekend!:-)

Something funny

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to share a laugh with you, especially after yesterday's class! I'm sorry it's a bit sexist, though...