Flying Bananas – English Kids Theatre

English Plays for Kids in Moscow Photo: Flying Bananas Facebook page This is a very creative international group of actors that perform English plays for kids age 2 and up (и старше). It can be a bit chaotic, but it’s always entertaining, because of its originality and interactivity! They have a good selection of plays,…

Business Communication Skills Tip

How to Sound More Confident and Persuasive When we’re trying to influence people, our voices can have an impact (оказать влияние, воздействие). For example, you might speak slightly louder or more softly than you normally do. When someone wants to persuade others, people often push back (сопротивляются этому) because they don’t want to be persuaded.…

Grammar Tip

Commas After ‘However’ Запятая после слова ‘however’ ставится (или не ставится) в зависимости от его значения. Когда ‘however’ обозначает ‘by contrast’ (рус.: в то же время, однако, тем не менее), запятая нужна.  Example 1: However, it gets more complicated. — Однако, это уже становится сложнее.  А вот если ‘however’  употреблено в значении ‘in whatever way’…

to speak up (ph.v.)

Today’s Word of the Day Is: “to speak up” (phrasal verb) Transcription: [ˈspikˈʌp] Russian Translation: говорить ясно и четко, высказывать свое мнение Definition: to speak in a louder voice so that people can hear you Example: Could you speak up? We can’t hear at the back. — Вы могли бы говорить погромче? Нам на задних…

ArtPlay – Design & Exhibition Center

Art, design and architecture This former factory is transformed into a design and exhibition center. It contains galleries of many (mostly high end — самые современные, высшего класса) designers for about anything in your house, from floors, to kitchens, to bathrooms, to furniture. Besides design, ArtPlay also offers several exhibitions, some for kids, see all…

Business Communication Skills Tip

How Employers Can Make Flexible Hours Work For Everyone 4. ADVERTISE YOUR FLEXIBILITY Making flexible work available at the point of hire will widen the talent pools (число, база) available to employers. Working consultancy Timewise’s latest Flexible Job Index found that 87% of employees either work flexibly or want to. But in 2019, only 15%…

Grammar Tip

Commas in Clauses Ставьте запятые, чтобы отделить друг от друга части сложного предложения (придаточные предложения, clauses). Example 1: My husband is dark and handsome. When it’s dark, he’s handsome.  В этом примере первое предложение — простое, второе — сложное, т.к. состоит из двух простых предложений (When it’s dark + He’s handsome). Между двумя простыми предложениями…

acclaim (n.)

Today’s Word of the Day Is: “acclaim” (n.) Transcription: [əˈkleɪm] Russian Translation: одобрение, хороший приём  Definition: public approval and praise Example: 1. Their success met with international acclaim. — Их успех получил международное признание. 2. Despite the critical acclaim, the novel did not sell well.  — Несмотря на похвалы критиков, роман продавался не очень хорошо. …

The Crocus City Oceanarium – Aquarium

More than 5,000 species of fish and other animals from all over the world This aquarium is located behind Crocus City Mall, and it’s quite easily accessible (легко добраться). They have 3 themes: the exposition “Seas and Oceans”, where salt water animals (животные, обитающие в соленой воде) are shown, “Rivers and Lakes” with sweet water…

Grammar Tip

The Serial Oxford (or Harvard) Comma Многие учебники грамматики английского языка (в частности, издания Oxford University Press) настаивают на употреблении запятой перед последним словом в списке из трех и более слов, чаще всего перед союзами and, or и nor — во избежание неясности. Example 1: I want to thank my parents, Charles and Alice. (2…