How to Apologize

It is human to make mistakes. When it happens we need some phrases to tell the other person how really sorry we are and stop them getting really angry.  1. I’m (so / very / terribly) sorry. (Я очень извиняюсь)  2. I beg your pardon. (Прошу извинить меня) 3. Sorry. It was all my fault.…

Coronavirus: Who Will be Winners and Losers in the New World Order?

Will everything be better the day after? It may seem premature (преждевременный), in the midst of (в разгар) what Emmanuel Macron has described as “a war against an invisible (невидимый) enemy”, to consider the political and economic consequences (последствия) of a distant peace. Read more in English in The Guardian. I. Choose words from the word bank and…

A List of Books, Films and Songs that Champion Resilience in Times of Change

For many young people in the West, the Covid-19 pandemic is the first global crisis to disrupt their lives and livelihoods. But where the collapse of communism and its aftermath (последствия, итоги) wrought monumental changes (оказали колоссальные перемены) on society, instability and unpredictability (непредсказуемость) lie a little closer to home. This cross-media (разные виды СМИ) list combines stories of…

Italian Artist Pays Homage to Pandemic’s Heroic Women

ROME — For 50 years, Italian comic book illustrator Milo Manara had portrayed female characters mostly set (находящиеся) in a colorful, sometimes mythical, past. But one day, early in the coronavirus lockdown (режим самоизоляции), he felt compelled (вынужден, должен) to draw something quite different — something current.  Read more in English in the Washington Post.

Being Sure and Certain

Sometimes we know that we are right about something. Here some phrases we can use to show other people how certain we are.  1. I’m quite sure (that)… (Я совершенно уверен, что…) 2. It must be right. (Это правильно; иначе и быть не может) 3. I have no doubt (that)… (У меня нет сомнений, что)…

How Coronavirus Spread Across the Globe – Visualised

Since New Year’s Eve the world has lived through 100 days of Covid-19. There have been over 1.3m confirmed cases, and over 75,000 deaths. Billions of people are confined to their homes and stock markets have plummeted (резко падать). Here is how the crisis unfolded (развивается). Read and view in The Guardian.

How NOT to Wear a Mask

While it’s good news that many people are doing their part to slow the spread (распространение) of coronavirus, the bad news is that many people are wearing their masks wrong.  Wearing a face mask takes some getting used to (привычка). To get the most benefit, you need to avoid these common (типичные) mistakes. Read more in English…

How to Encourage People

All of us like to be praised. Sometimes it is really important to give your friend or colleague an encouraging pat on the shoulder. Here’s what to say in such moments.  1. You’re coming along well. (Ты делаешь успехи) 2. Keep up the good work. (Продолжай работать хорошо) 3. That’s a good effort. (Это хорошая…