A Taste of English

Intermediate Courses and Resources

ABOUT
Intermediate students just love to practise their speaking skills; take the pressure off youself and use our self-contained PowerPoint presentations, complete with a crib sheet, designed for distance one-to-one or small group teaching. Each PowerPoint is made with intermediate students in mind and contains pictures and questions designed to get them speaking naturally and practise their fluency.

Each presentation also has a complementary classroom worksheet, enabling the PowerPoint to be used in a school environment. Various themes are explored in each presentation and different vocabulary and structures are used in a natural way, utilising a 3 to 4 minute video as an example of real English in use.

All the presentations are suitable for B1 and B2 students (Intermediate), and can be used for more advanced students to practise fluency and revise vocabulary. Some of the Powerpoints are also suitable for high A2s.

Created by a working and experienced native speaker, the presentations are modestly priced and available for immediate download. Try the sample presentations free of charge.


B1 B2 PowerPoint Resources  (uploaded weekly)

B1 B2 FREE SAMPLES0 Products
B1 B2 FOR SALE0 Products
HOW IT WORKS
Each purchase consists of three parts: one PowerPoint presentation; one crib sheet (an information sheet for the teacher which includes possible answers and gives a basic outline of the PowerPoint); and class notes, a Word document with some of the conversation slides included.

The PowerPoints are designed for distance learning (over Zoom or a similar platform) for 1-to-1 or small groups. All the links and materials are included and embedded within the PowerPoint, and nothing else is needed. Most of the PowerPoints are intended for one-lesson use (40 - 60 minutes), and a few are intended for two-lesson use.

The crib sheet contains information for the teacher to make the managing of the lesson easier, including possible answers and a basic outline of the PowerPoint.

Class notes, a Word document with pictures of some of the conversation slides, is also included . These enable to PowerPoint to be used in a classroom situation in alongside the PowerPoint. Students can be put into pairs or small groups to discuss the questions on the PowerPoint and use the printed handouts class notes as a reference.

(see also: FAQs)

F.A.Qs

How much does is cost? What exactly do I get?

Each individual title, containing three items, costs €3. This purchase enables you to download a zipped file containing a PowerPoint and two Word documents -a crib sheet and a paper that you can print to aid class teaching ('class notes').

The PowerPoint is designed to practise and encourage speaking and fluency for intermediate students. There is sometimes (not always) a little reading and a little grammar, but these only take a very small amount of time and usually just focus on a sentence used in the video.

When do I get the PowerPoint and Word documents? How does it work?

You give your email address when you pay (Cart). The links are sent to the email address you gave, usually within a minute. You have 30 days to download the items using the links.

Check SPAM and junk mail folders - sometimes the link will be directed there.

Are the lessons for online (distance) teaching or classroom use?

The lessons were originally devised during the COVID period and were used for online teaching. However, since the lifting of the COVID restrictions the author has used the same PowerPoints successfully in a classroom setting, using the 'class notes' as a handout (one between two or three) as an aid to group work and discussion.

Do I need all three parts to teach the lesson?

No. You can do it with the PowerPoint alone. The crib sheet should make it easier though, as it provides potential answers and gives give a clear idea of what's coming next. Likewise, the 'class notes' are not essential for a class-based lesson; the lesson can be done without the class notes, or with the teacher's own handout.

Can I just buy a PowerPoint lesson and teach it online straight away?

Theoretically you can, but it would likely be a disastrous lesson. The PowerPoint should be 'driven' - that is, clicked through slide by slide so the teacher knows what to do and what's coming - and the video should definitely be watched, not least so that the teacher can check it is suitable and appropriate for the students.

I work in a country where religion is prominent. Are the lessons suitable for all?

It is essential to read the cover sheet at the beginning of the crib sheet; this points out if there is any sensitive material and if the material is suitable for all. All the cover sheets are shown in the preview of the item for sale, so they can be read before you purchase.

Are all the presentations suitable for children of school age?

Most are; some are definitely not and are designed with adult themes (such as smoking).

It is essential to read the cover sheet at the beginning of the crib sheet; this points out if there is any sensitive material. All the cover sheets are shown in the preview of the item for sale, so they can be read before you purchase.

Aren't there copyright issues with the pictures and films?

The films and videos are not embedded in the presentation - only a link (to YouTube) is. There are no copyright issues with the videos.

All the pictures have been carefully selected and are public domain, copyright free, or able to be used with a license (published on the credit slides at the end of each presentation). All the pictures have a license accreditation, although strictly speaking most of them do not need one.

If you think a picture should not be used please contact me and I will replace it with another (although I have been extremely careful when selecting pics and licenses).

How do I stop the adverts on YouTube?

I am told that some people use an ad blocker but the author personally found it easier to subscribe. Subscribing stops all the ads, which is preferable if you use a large amount of material from YouTube.

Can I have a discount if I buy more than one?

Not available at present.

Can I edit the PowerPoints?

It is possible to edit the presentations, for example to change a word from American English to British English or vice-versa. However, it is strongly recommended that you do not delete the slides, change the animations or links, or change the format in any way. The PowerPoints are complicated and functionality will be lost if parts are deleted. In other words, you might (and probably will) stop the presentation working properly.

Any edits are performed at your own risk. Files can not be uploaded again for free after the link has expired.


Why are they only €3? Are they rubbish?

Nope. The presentations are extremely effective and the students enjoy them. Each PowerPoint has been used multiple times by the author. They are simply priced to sell.

Why isn't there more grammar? Don't the students need it?

The presentations are designed to practise speaking fluency. There is often a small grammar section at the end which develops a sentence or idea shown in the video, but these are kept short in order to concentrate on the primary objective - fluency. 

Do you teach English online?

I do, and I can be contacted through the contact form.

Do you do PowerPoints for younger students (A1 A2)?

Yes I do, but currently I am still wading through my B1 and B2 presentations and preparing them for the website. It will be deep into 2024 when I start unloading A1 A2 presentations.

Some of the crib sheets are a little blurry.

I had to save some of the pages as jpegs to reduce the size. They are readable.

Are you still producing new ones? How often?

There are at least 30 more which I am currently editing and preparing for sale. I aim to add a couple a week, as time allows.

How big are the files?

Most are under 10MB. 'Octopus' is 24MB and 'Gardening' is 37MB (they are picture-heavy).

Can I buy them for my school?

Of course! However, the price is per user, not per institution. Please purchase a copy for each teacher who will be using them. 
Feedback - Presentations
to do

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Launched in 2018 and serving Zakladne Skoly throughout Slovakia. Give your students the opportunity to practise their English speaking skills using games and fun roleplays. A one-day speaking workshop with an experienced Native Speaker aimed at 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th graders. Click for more information.

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Pianist, Trombonist and Musician

Pianist, Trombonist and Musician

Over 30 years' experience playing for shows, events, weddings, restaurants, pubs and clubs, and just about every other situation which benefits from live music. Click here for more information.

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School Workshops
Alex Elwood is an Englishman from Sheffield, in the North of England. He is currently living with his wife and four young children in a village in the Zlaté Moravce region. Alex has spent eleven of the last sixteen years in Slovakia (2007 -2011 and 2015 to present). He has a lot of experience of teaching in both Slovakia and in the UK, including:

  • Eight years of teaching English at 4 Zš Pri Podlužianke, Levice
  • Six years of teaching English at a private language school
  • Teaching groups and individuals in businesses e.g Mochovce
  • Many years of teaching Performing Arts in UK Universities

Why 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Graders in Zakladne skoly? 

Gymnázium students have many chances to use and practise English, and they are able to understand and improve through the everyday use of computers and television etc. Many younger teenagers in Slovak schools, however, are keen to make progress and try out their developing language skills but do not have opportunities to ‘speakovat’ in a natural context. The workshop focusses on speaking skills and uses games and roleplays, making learning fun. 

 This one-day course aims to give 6th,7th, 8th and 9th graders a chance to enjoy speaking and understanding the English language in a relaxed and motivating environment.
Feedback - ATOE
Alex started workshops in our school last September. Originally I had just wanted him to come to my own class occasionally; after his session I asked my students when they wanted him to come again and their reply was ‘next week!’. Children like the change for one day, the different methods, his personality, his  activities, which are all original and devised by him. I gradually involved other classes and year groups in the school, and nowadays Alex comes to our school twice a month and leads workshops for different year groups to the pleasure of all our students.  

Timea, Head of English, Základná škola, Pri Podlužianke 6, Levice


Alex Elwood - Pianist and Trombonist

30+ years in the business and still going strong! I've clocked up a lot of solo piano, small band and big band experience in that time, on both instruments. The highlights include:
* arranging the music for a professional Sinatra tribute show and directing it at multiple theatre across the UK over 5 years.
* leading, conducting and arranging for a big band in the UK.
* Lots of theatre work, some accompanying and directing am-dram and some professional. Too many musicals to remember, but the music from Godspell was always a favourite.
* Weddings in all sorts of venues - caves, stately homes, churches, theatres, hotels, on a mountainside, and so on.
* Dixieland on both trombone and piano, a lot of fun!
* Playing piano and trombone in a Slovak blues band

Additionally, I taught Music A level and Music at Degree level at colleges and universities in the UK, and Musical Theatre at BTEC level.

I am available to play for weddings throughout Slovakia, and happy to discuss any musical needs you may have. Please contact me via the contact form.

I also teach piano remotely, contact me for details.


Feedback - Music
"Chceme sa veľmi pekne poďakovať, za to, že ste sa podieľali na našom najkrajšom spoločnom dni v živote a sprevádzali nás vaším dokonalým hraním na klavíri. Veľmi si vážime účasť na našej svadbe, hostia dodnes pozitívne hodnotia uvoľnenú atmosféru, ktorú ste navodili. Určite Vás môžeme iba odporučiť. Bola to jedna z našich najlepších volieb.

Užili sme si to aj vďaka Vám a mnohí ľudia po našej svadbe ocenili výber klaviristu aj skladby ktoré ste použili. My sme boli veľmi spokojní."

Daniela a Tomáš Eiben

We want to thank you very much for participating in our most beautiful day and accompanying us with your perfect piano playing. We greatly appreciate your participation in our wedding; the guests still positively evaluate the relaxed atmosphere you created. We can certainly recommend you. It was one of our best decisions.

We enjoyed it thanks to you, and many people appreciated the choice of pianist and the songs you used. We were very satisfied.


Video through the years

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