A collocation is the way in which words are combined with one another. To move from a receptive to a productive vocabulary, students of English need to learn a wide variety of ways that words collocate with each other.

For example, please review these "Heavy Collocations" or phrases commonly associated with the adjective "heavy."

heavy duty
heavy heart
heavy meal
heavy weight
heavy breathing
heavy eyelids
heavy feet
heavy handed
heavy snowfall
heavy artillery
heavy thinker
heavy dose
heavy industry
heavy blow
heavy work
heavy depression
heavy sleeper
heavy trading

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn as your English Coach directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

The " Willing" Adjective

How do you use "willing" as an adjective? Here is a key tip:

First, the definiton: being ready or having a desire to

Ex: They are willing to talk about the problem.

Willing describes their desire to be ready to discuss the problem.

Ex: I think Mary is willing to do the job.

Willing describes Mary.

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Expressions with Make

Important Expressions with 'Make'

There are a number of standard expressions that take the verb 'make'. These are standard collocations (verb + noun combinations) that are used in English.

make plans
make an exception
make arrangements
make a telephone call
make a decision
make a mistake
make noise
make money
make an excuse
make an effort

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn as your English Coach directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

To Do or To Make?

The two verbs 'do' and 'make' are often confused. The meanings are similar, but here are key tips for their different uses.

Use 'Do' for Activities

Use the verb 'do' to express daily activities or jobs. Notice that these are usually activities that produce no physical object. Use the verb 'do' when speaking about things in general. In other words, when we do not exactly name an activity.

do homework
do housework
do the dishes

Use 'Make' for Constructing, Building, Creating

Use 'make' to express an activity that creates something that you can touch.

make food
make a cup of tea / coffee
make a mess

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In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn as your English Coach directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Job Hunt in English Part II

English is an essential career booster in Argentina. A casual glimpse at job descriptions online demand some level of English.

In our second installment of Job Hunt English, we provide you the essential vocabulary below:

supervisor - your superior in a company

achievement - an accomplishment, a goal that has been attained

attitude - your disposition, how you approach life - do you have a positive or negative attitude?

gaps - time period between jobs - make sure you can explain any gaps - were you out of work, traveling, studying, etc?

extracurricular activities - things/activities done on your free time (hobbies, etc)

job offer - when the company wants to hire you, they offer you the job and a figure for compensation

benefits - these are "extras" an employer offers in addition to your salary

***

Do you need help with English in your job search?

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

La gloria del castellano

Buenos Aires Translator and Interpreter

While living as a Buenos Aires Translator and interpreter, Spanish is just as important if not more than using English.

Each day I bridge the linguistic barrier by teaching my students English. In between I have to negotiate Buenos Aires and confront their local version of Spanish, porteño. This is the adjective used to describe the residents of Buenos Aires and so I apply it to their version of Spanish.

Besides teaching English, I translate from Spanish/French/Portuguese to English and do Spanish<>English business interpretation. Spanish and English compete to be the second most spoken language in the world and expertise in both is an advantage here.

The Spanish Advantage

It really pays to learn at least one more language. The obvious choice is Spanish, the next most widely spoken language globally.

From its 7th century roots, the Spanish language spans the world and today remains a socio-economic-politico force.

US-Latin America trade turns on the ability of partners to communicate. A skilled business interpreter plays a pivotal role in breaking down language barriers and promoting a successful business climate one client at a time.

Hire your skilled business interpreter today!

From a high-powered meeting to negotiating a merger with a strategic partner to a press conference, on occasions the expertise of a professional interpreter is key to success.

Do you need a skilled Spanish<>English business interpreter?

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Buenos Aires Business Interpretations

Global Economy

My second business interpretation assignment last week pressed home just how interconnected the global economy is.

An import/export firm in Buenos Aires needed its accountant to answer questions from the accountant of a business associate in the United States.

In a tenuous telephone conference in the noisy office above the sales floor, I proceeded to bridge the understanding between the two parties. The true nature of the misunderstanding regarding accounting figures of course was not apparent until the conference began.

Skilled Consecutive Business Interpretation

A clear explanation of the ground rules at the beginning avoided any frustration during the call. Consecutive interpretation requires each party to understand the interpreter needs to complete the rendering before the other side begins to speak; otherwise, crosstalk results.

As an instructor of accounting and finance vocabulary at a local private university, familiarity with a company's financial data in both Spanish and English was a godsend. Of course, numerous business translations in the past from annual reports to monthly sales figures aided the effort.

My brother and sister interpreters play a vital role in international commerce every working day.

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Hire your skilled business interpreter today!

Do you need a skilled Spanish<>English business interpreter?

In Buenos Aires, you may also contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Job Hunt in English Part I

English is an essential career booster in Argentina. A casual glimpse at job descriptions online demand some level of English.

To kick off our series on Job Hunt English, we provide you the essential vocabulary below:

human resources manager
someone who employs people for a firm, also known as a personnel manager

deadlines
the dates or times when certain tasks must be completed

to work on your own initiative
to make decisions about your work without having to wait for someone else to help you

to multi-task
to do more than one piece of work at a time

a proven track record
evidence you've been successful in the past in your area of work

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Do you need English for your job or want to improve your career? Hire your personal English Coach today!

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Writing effective introductions and conclusions

A good essay presents the reader with a logical, clear and detailed argument. The main strands and structure of this argument should be established clearly in the introduction.

The conclusion of an essay should then bring these strands together, and reiterate the most important parts in order to convince the reader of the main argument. This does not mean the argument should come to a simplistic solution-type conclusion, but rather that whatever has been explored, once the evidence has been weighed/the text analyzed/the situation assessed, should be clearly stated so that the reader of the essay has a clear understanding of the subject.

This means that introductions and conclusions need to be clearly written: they are probably the sections of the essay which will need the most tweaking and re-drafting in the re-writing process.

A good introduction should:

• indicate that you understand the question and how you are interpreting it
• establish what you will be arguing and how
• begin to define the key terms of the essay
• locate your argument in a critical debate/historical context

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Hire your personal English Coach today to improve your essay writing!

Please enjoy an Argentine news story translated from Spanish to English.
Courtesy: Buenos Aires Translator

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Essay planning - developing an argument

Present an Argument

All essays need to present an argument, whether it is to do with assessing or analysing a particular text, situation or event, comparing factors, or coming to a conclusion about a specific issue or theory. When planning how you are going to answer a particular essay question, you should bear in mind the need to come up with an argument to demonstrate that you can think critically: no essay requires you simply to describe a situation.

Planning

Everyone plans in different ways; you will be planning your essay all the way through the research process, and most probably throughout the writing process as well. You may find it helpful to keep a record of your thinking process either writing a list of how your main ideas connect, producing a spider diagram, or writing your main ideas for paragraphs on post-it notes which you can then move around when thinking about the most helpful structure for your essay.

You may find that you need to start doing the research first to work out what the different sections of the essay will be. The important thing is to give yourself the space and time to think through and explain an argument - so once you have decided what material you need to cover you need to make a decision about how you will analyze this material.

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Hire your personal English Coach today!

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Standard Written English

Standard written English is a solid basis to help you communicate effectively in a host of situations.

Written assignments test your ability to communicate an argument effectively.

Using the correct spelling, punctuation and grammar will help you communicate clearly.

Effective word choice, recognition of sentences and sentence parts, and basic English usage are essential.

One should be able to generate sentences that clearly express ideas.

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Hire your personal English Coach today! Boost your career and get the job you deserve!

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Medical English in Buenos Aires

Limited English May Be Life-Threatening

Forbes.com reports a disturbing trend in the United States - those who speak limited English are in life-threatening situations. Medical care may not be available because of the language barrier.

In a larger point, Medical English is essential as here in Argentina.

Medical personnel can attend to tourists or residents who speak English.

A fast way to test your English medical vocabulary is try the 40 terms and phrases contained in my Quizlet flashcard set.

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Hire your English Coach today to improve your Medical English today!

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

Bite-Size American Literature Audio Clips

Bite-size audio clips available for mp3 download are available on the world-famous Cliff Notes page.

Today's technology meets the canon of literature.

While aimed at US teenagers to the horror of their high school English teachers, anyone who loves literature can indulge!

These podcasts are three to four minute capsules of the great works of literature including Huckleberry Finn, The Great Gatsby and To Kill A Mockingbird and a couple of plays by the Bard.

Load up on your literature today!

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Hire your personal English coach today!

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Test scores hurt international recruitment

credit: youreducationmatters.com

Test scores hurt international recruitment

Does your company require a measurement of your English proficiency?

Do you want to know your true dominance of the language?

Don't hurt your chances for advancement like the students mentioned in the above article.

An alphabet soup of international tests is available whether for academic or career purposes.

Ah, but the heart of the matter is test preparation!

Each test basically covers the four essential areas of language usage: 1) reading 2) writing 3) speaking and 4) listening.

Your average English class is too broad and moves along at too slow of a pace to prepare you for the rigors of an international English exam.

Therefore, it is essential to register for a test prep class for the test you will take.

Don't miss these TOEFL/IELTS tips!
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If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn a, your personal English coach, at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

Anyone interested in English-language services or translations (Sp/Fr/Pt>En) may send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com for a prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts today!

A city in Entre Rios refuses Buenos Aires’ poor

Please enjoy an Argentine news story translated from Spanish to English.
Courtesy: Buenos Aires Translator

A city in Entre Rios refuses Buenos Aires’ poor

Neighbors fear migrations from towns in Buenos Aires. A history of a crisis full of prejudices

Report by Pablo Calvo, special correspondent

A giant dorado on the side of the road welcomes you to the city of La Paz There are virgin trees along the shoulder of the road, chickens on the sidewalks, and cows tied to trees. The smooth current of the Parana River runs along the camalotes and hides 12 kilogram surubíes.

Life appears to pass by on a post card

Upon arriving in the plaza, an unexpected conflict arises. neighbors in the asphalt streets demand officials to stop the arrival of the poor from Buenos Aires. They speak about a secret plan to “spill” residents from the outskirts of Buenos Aires into the Littoral and met for a month to gather proof to confirm their suspicions.

In the meetings, there are professionals, teachers, nurses, hairdressers, housewives, private school students, drawn by a rumor: that people from Villa 31 of the Retiro, the oldest in the Federal Capital, are possibly landing for these payments.

Official denials do not calm passions : there were complaints on the radio, long list of demands and signs bordering on xenophobia. It is said there have been “strange faces” in the city from “subcultures” which could spark a “clash with local customs” and among the poor exists a possibility of a “contagion.”

***
In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Alfonsin, the president who consolidated democracy, died

Please enjoy an Argentine news story translated from Spanish to English.
Courtesy: Buenos Aires Translator

credit: clarin.com

Alfonsin, the president who consolidated democracy, died

He suffered from lung cancer and in his final days agonizing in his apartment on avenida Santa Fe in the city of Buenos Aires. He was 82 years old and was the first democratic president after the fall of the military dictatorship.

FAREWELL A crowd mourned Alfonsin’s death.

His body, with scars of decades of political commotion, no longer could endure lung cancer that had worsened in the final hours with pneumonia. Raul Alfonsin at 82 years old, the man who led the country’s return to democracy after the last dictatorship, died last night.

The former leader died at 8:30 pm with the official confirmation a few minutes after 9:00 pm. Dr. Alberto Sadler gave the news with some details.

“Regrettably at 8:30 pm Dr. Raul Alfonsin had died peacefully in his home accompanied by his family. He was sleeping with sensory deterioration and breathing very peacefully. At this time it can be said it occurred peacefully and accompanied by his family as he always wanted to happen” was the brief word by Sadler to reporters.

***
In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Argentine Wine Woes

Please listen to the following BBC News report and answer the following questions. Then check your answers.








QUESTIONS

1. Where is the heart of the Argentine wine industry located?

2. "A glass of wine is soon ____________." (followed by a bottle)

3. Argentina is the ___th largest exporter of wine to _____ countries. (7th, 130)

4. Name three types of Argentine wine grapes. cabernet, chardonnay, malbec

5. Which countries are the greatest consumers of Argentine wine? US, UK

6. What is a current challenge to the progress of the Argentine wine industry?

7. How long does it take to bring wine to market? Why? 3 years - 1 to grow grapes, 2 before can sell wine

8. What makes Argentine wine "great" according to the video? glacier water from high Andes

9. Define these vocabulary terms.

vineyard	harvest	financing
cordillera	marketing plan	glacier
grandees	capital investment	poverty line

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation. Buy your English-language texts here!

Buenos Aires Headlines: March 16, 2009

Headlines in Buenos Aires, Argentina, dailies:

If you need a translator for your documents from Spanish, French or Portuguese to English, please contact Professor Winn at mrenglish101@gmail.com.

El Argentino.com:

if the proposal is approved

On confirmation of moving up the election date, candidate lists must close on May 9

Nation/ 15:14 The change in date of the legislative elections requires political parties to close their respective candidate lists on that date. Given that possibility, some alliances have begun to take shape and some political leaders have begun decide whether to be candidates.

Clarin.com

Brazil: one of the assaulted Argentine tourists said it was planned

14:37

Six armed thieves last night broke into an inn in Buzios They spent 4 hours in the place and fled with money and electronic items One of the victims said the group had a list of guests.

La Nacion.com:

The dollar stabilized after a slight uptick

The currency appreciated in the opening operations in the city, but closed at $3.66 on average, the same price on Friday; Merval advances

Economic News

Despite the [inopportune] official announcement of moving up the legislative elections, the dollar, which had opened with an uptick, closed at the same level as last Friday.

At the close of the first operations of the week, the US currency remained stable, on average, at $3.66 for sale at exchange shops and central banks in Buenos Aires.

***

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts here!

English for Executives in Buenos Aires

Language of Business

English is the language of business. Whether at the office or on the road, business executives need sharp English skills to close the deal.

Business executives can benefit from improving their English skills and knowledge about their industry to assist their clients.

Your proficiency in English is tied to your career advancement usually.

Sometimes companies require a measurement of your language ability. For English, the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) may be requested.

Preparation for the specific vocabulary of your industry and TOEFL or TOEIC preparation is ideal to achieve your career goals.

Examples of Vocabulary

I am writing to… Le escribo para… El motivo de la presente…

I would be delighted to … Me / Nos encantaría …

I am enclosing … Estoy adjuntando …

Please find enclosed …Adjunto a la presente sírvase encontrar …

Enclosed you will find …Adjunto a la presente encontrará …

Hire an English Coach, Professor Winn!

For English for Business Executives or translations of business documents, email Professor Winn at mrenglish101@gmail.com. My English services include writing effective resumes, cover letters, and business letters.

Do you need business research in French, Spanish or Portuguese written in an English-language report? That is also a specialty of Professor Winn.

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation.

Buy your Business English texts here!

English for Hoteliers

Language of Tourism

English is the language of tourism. From airlines to your destination, to check-in at the hotel, and dining under the stars with your significant other, English is the lingua franca for a smooth trip.

Airline, hotel, restaurant and other tourism personnel can benefit from improving their English skills and knowledge about their industry to assist their clients.

Your proficiency in English is tied to your career advancement usually.

Sometimes companies require a measurement of your language ability. For English, the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) may be requested.

Preparation for the specific vocabulary of your industry and TOEFL or TOEIC preparation is ideal to achieve your career goals.

Examples of Vocabulary

¿Me permite ver la habitación primero?
May I see the room first?

¿Tiene alguna habitación más tranquila?
Do you have anything quieter?

¿Tiene caja fuerte?
Do you have a safe?

¿Está incluido el desayuno?
Is the breakfast included?


Hire an English Coach, Professor Winn!

For English for Hoteliers or translations of business documents, email Professor Winn at mrenglish101@gmail.com

In Buenos Aires, contact Professor Winn directly for your own English classes at: 1160 461 342 or mrenglish101 (at) gmail.com. Translations (Es/Fr/Pt >En) via email may also be sent to the gmail account for prompt evaluation.

Buy your English-language texts here!