Learn English: The 2 ways to pronounce THELearn English with Gill · engVid2024-10-18 | Learn English: The 2 ways to pronounce THEGill Stoker, 1954–2024Learn English with Gill · engVid2024-08-16 | Gill passed away in February, 2024. Learn about her remarkable life, including her interests, achievements, education, and career.
This video was co-written and produced by Josh from EngVid. Thank you to the two fellow EngVid teachers who worked on this video: Rebecca Ezekiel @engvidRebecca for writing and making the announcement at the beginning of the video, and Benjamin @engvidBenjamin of Hone Your English for his very helpful edits and for narrating Gill’s life story. Thank you also to the friends and family in Gill’s support group who provided feedback and pictures, especially Frances, Sarah, Lucia, and Irena. Very special thanks to Mark, who provided guidance, many pictures, and help along the way, and whose obituaries for Gill were drawn from extensively in writing this video.
“Fire and Rain” was originally written and performed by James Taylor.
Gill wrote and recorded many videos for EngVid before her illness. She wished that these lessons would be seen, and so they will be published as normal on her channel over the course of the coming year.
Please note that this video is not monetized by EngVid. Any advertising appearing with the video is not under our control. Donations received by EngVid on behalf of Gill’s channel will be passed on to St Christopher’s Hospice.
Goodbye, Gill.
In this video: 0:00 Gill Stoker, 1954–2024 1:47 Gill's early life and education 2:26 Gill moves to London 3:00 Gill meets Richard Stoker 3:36 Gill's community involvement 3:49 Gill's career 4:25 Gill's acting 5:02 Gill teaches English 5:26 Gill joins EngVid 5:56 Gill's passion for poetry 6:28 Richard Stoker passes away 6:44 What was Gill like? 7:16 Give to charity in Gill's memory 7:50 Gill & Richard Stoker perform "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor
TRANSCRIPT: I'm here today to share some very sad news. Our dearest colleague, your teacher Gill, passed away in London, England in February 2024. The year before that, Gill had received a diagnosis of brain cancer. She handled the news with strength, with courage, and with peace of mind. She even continued to plan lessons and organize poetry events in her area. In the past year, Gill was supported by friends and family, and in the final stages was provided excellent care by St. Christopher's Hospice. For those of you who may be interested in giving a donation, Gill had advised that this donation could go to St. Christopher's Hospice. We will provide details in the video description below.
Gill was not only a teacher; she was also a musician, an actor, and a champion of the arts in her community. For those of you who have followed Gill's lessons over the past nine years, we have created for you a video, not only in honor of her memory, but also so that you can get a sense of her rich life, her many talents, and her unique contributions in so many different fields.
My name is Rebecca, and I'm another teacher here at EngVid. On behalf of the entire EngVid family, which includes all of you, I'd just like to say with all my heart, thank you, Gill. We'll miss you. May you rest in peace.
A few words about my colleague Gill. Gill was born in 1954 in Derby, an industrial town in the middle of England. She was studious from a young age and had a desire to learn and to broaden her horizons. She loved classical as well as pop music and sang her entire life. But her parents did not approve of pop music at home, and they weren't supportive of her applying to university. They pushed her to secretarial college, but even there she managed to add supplementary courses in French and took singing classes as well.
At the age of 20, Gill moved on her own to London to audition for the Royal College of Music. Though she was not admitted, she stayed in the city and joined several choirs, supporting herself with jobs at a software company and at the Royal Opera House. Through the 1980s, while working full-time, Gill earned degrees in English and art history, completing a PhD with a thesis on Sir John Tenniel, who is known most famously for his Alice in Wonderland illustrations. […]Say it correctly in English! -TION, -SION, -CIAN, -TIAN, -CION PronunciationLearn English with Gill · engVid2024-07-18 | A lot of words in English end with “-TION”, “-SION”, “-TIAN”, etc. In this video I’ll give lots of examples of these words, and I’ll demonstrate how to pronounce them. If your native language is Latin-based, you’re probably quite familiar with the vocabulary, but you may be less sure about the pronunciation. I hope this class will help you avoid any confuSION in the future! engvid.com/tion-sion-cian-tian-cion-pronunciation
More of my English pronunciation videos: Speak English Naturally: SCHWA Pronunciation youtu.be/M7o5aP_0ZYM Basic English: How to pronounce -NGTH words youtu.be/U0u_I_1XRdk
In this lesson: 0:00 -tion, -sion, -cian, -cion, -tian: first sound 2:58 second sound 4:29 third soundBritish English & American English: SPELLING DIFFERENCESLearn English with Gill · engVid2024-07-05 | Should it be HUMOR or HUMOUR? ORGANISE or ORGANIZE? Spelling can be difficult enough, but in English we have the added complication of differences in spelling between American and UK English. In this lesson I’ll cover the main categories of words which are spelt differently in British English and American English. And what about Canadian English? Basically, it’s not something to worry about, just something to be aware of, so that you can RECOGNISE it (or even RECOGNIZE it!) when you see it. engvid.com/british-english-american-english-spelling-differences
Learn more about the differences between British and American English in my video about vocabulary: youtu.be/i9c37vMbxGg
In this lesson: 0:00 British English & American English: Spelling Differences 0:58 -our & -or 2:18 -ence & -ense 4:43 LL & L 6:41 -yse & -yze 7:14 ae/oe & e 9:19 -ogue & -og 10:24 'zed' & 'zee'“LEND” or “BORROW”? What’s the difference?Learn English with Gill · engVid2024-05-30 | When do you use the word “lend”, and when do you use “borrow”? It’s easy to get these two words mixed up. In this English vocabulary lesson I’ll explain the difference between them, with some simple example sentences, followed by a test towards the end of the video which we can work through together. Finally, you can test out your knowledge in the quiz. engvid.com/lend-or-borrow
In this lesson: 0:00 "lend" or "borrow"? 3:24 Practice: "lend" or "borrow"? 5:02 "lend" & "borrow" in the past tenseEnglish for Beginners: Learn all the CONSONANT SOUNDSLearn English with Gill · engVid2024-05-06 | Do you know how to say all the consonant sounds in English naturally and correctly? In this class, I’ll demonstrate for you all the different consonant sounds in English, together with sample words and phonetic symbols from the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). You might like to test yourself, to see if you’re pronouncing each one correctly! engvid.com/english-for-beginners-all-consonant-sounds
In this lesson: 0:00 Learn the consonant sounds in English 1:58 p & b 3:05 t & d 3:49 t̠ʃ & d̠ʒ 4:51 f & v 5:51 θ & ð 6:43 ʃ & ʒ 7:16 k & ɡ 7:53 s & z 8:16 h 8:50 l 9:04 m 9:17 n 9:46 ŋ 10:06 r 11:02 w 11:17 jLearn 10 English Idioms with ‘BOOK’Learn English with Gill · engVid2024-04-12 | Do you like to do things by the book? Can your friends read you like a book? I hope you don’t ever cook the books! What does it all mean? In this lesson, I’ll introduce you to some English idioms which include the word ‘book’. They can be useful sayings in day to day life, so they’re well worth knowing about. Remember to test your knowledge afterwards in the quiz. engvid.com/learn-10-english-idioms-with-book
Next, learn even more English idioms and expressions: Learn 7 "TIME" Expressions in English youtu.be/KMcqjhsVYEI 14 English idioms & sayings from food & drink youtu.be/AoNB1cJ-tDU
In this lesson: 0:00 English Idioms using 'book' 0:29 a closed book 1:23 an open book 1:47 I can read you like a book. 2:35 the oldest trick in the book 4:58 doing it by the book 5:47 take a leaf out of your book 7:07 you can't judge a book by its cover 9:19 cooking the booksFormal, Neutral, Informal: Use the correct register in English!Learn English with Gill · engVid2024-03-20 | The English language has such a large vocabulary, and you’ll often find several different words with the same meaning. But each word has a different effect, because it can be either formal, informal, or somewhere in between. Another name for these different types of word is ‘register’. In this class, you’ll see examples of words to choose from in different contexts – for example, if you like a film, would you call it splendid, good, or cool? engvid.com/formal-neutral-informal-use-the-correct-register-in-english
More vocabulary lessons: Advanced English Vocabulary: Puns & Double Meanings youtu.be/4e9pSFN795U British English & American English: 11 Vocabulary Differences youtu.be/i9c37vMbxGg
In this lesson: 0:00 Vocabulary for Different Registers: formal, neutral, informal 2:21 Food Vocabulary: formal, neutral, informal 4:59 Words for 'look': formal, neutral, informal 6:39 Words for 'good': formal, neutral, informal 7:37 Words for 'bad': formal, neutral, informal 9:04 Words for money: formal, neutral, informalSyllable Stress in Long English WordsLearn English with Gill · engVid2024-02-23 | Do you ever wonder which syllable to stress when an English word has several syllables? Have you noticed that as words get longer, the stressed syllable often moves further to the right? There isn’t exactly a rule for this, but in this lesson you will see some examples of words where this happens. Even though there isn’t a rule, with practice you will develop an instinct for where the strong syllable should be. This class will also help you expand your vocabulary! engvid.com/syllable-stress-in-long-english-words
In this lesson: 0:00 Which syllable should you stress? 1:10 Listen to the correct pronunciation 13:06 ReviewPRONUNCIATION: The 2 ways to say ‘TH’ in EnglishLearn English with Gill · engVid2024-02-06 | Do you know the two main pronunciations of ‘TH’ in English? These sounds don’t exist in many languages, which makes them even more challenging for English learners. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to pronounce both types of ‘TH’ sound, and I’ll go though some example words for you to practise on. This is an opportunity to learn some vocabulary, too! engvid.com/pronunciation-2-ways-to-say-th
00:00 'TH' Pronunciation: Voiced & Unvoiced 02:38 Unvoiced 'TH' Examples 04:06 Voiced 'TH' Examples 05:10 Review of 'TH' words in natural speechImprove Your Vocabulary Easily: Add “-NESS”!Learn English with Gill · engVid2024-01-16 | How to achieve happiness: Here is a quick and easy way to increase your vocabulary – just add “-ness” to the end of an adjective to turn it into a noun! It works with a lot of adjectives, including visual descriptions and feelings. In this English vocabulary lesson, I’ll give you a few examples, and I’ll explain how you can use them in a sentence. Goodness me, what a useful lesson! engvid.com/improve-your-vocabulary-easily-add-ness
In this lesson: 0:00 Improve Your Vocabulary with "-NESS" 2:04 goodness 2:53 richness 3:18 sickness 3:36 heaviness 4:07 lightness 4:20 dizziness 4:56 likeness 6:18 laziness 6:45 shyness 7:17 happinessFamous Quotations from Charles DickensLearn English with Gill · engVid2023-12-23 | I’m going to share with you some quotations from the famous English novelist, Charles Dickens (1812–1870). I hope you find the quotations thought-provoking, and perhaps you’ll feel inspired to read one of his novels, or watch one of the many film versions of his stories. I will read and discuss quotations from _Great Expectations,_ _The Old Curiosity Shop,_ _Hard Times,_ _David Copperfield,_ and _Barnaby Rudge._ engvid.com/famous-quotations-from-charles-dickens
Next, learn more about old (and new) British currency in my video: youtu.be/OcKqzB9pxQw Or watch my lesson about 6 famous quotations from Shakespeare! youtu.be/vlpq241xQTw
In this lesson: 0:00 Who was Charles Dickens? 2:12 Quote from "Great Expectations" 3:35 Quote from "The Old Curiosity Shop" 6:50 Quote from "Hard Times" 8:19 Quote from "David Copperfield" 14:16 Quote from "Barnaby Rudge"Basic English Grammar: When & how to add ‘s’Learn English with Gill · engVid2023-11-25 | Are you confused about whether to add an ‘s’ at the end of a word? It’s not just for plural nouns, but also for verb endings, and there’s also a pronunciation issue in some cases. Then, there’s the added question of whether to add an apostrophe—even native English speakers get mixed up about that one! This lesson on when to add the ‘s’, and how exactly to add it, is designed to clarify all of this for you. Make sure to practice with the quiz after watching. engvid.com/basic-english-grammar-when-how-to-add-s
More of my basic English lessons to watch: Basic English Grammar: All forms of the verb TO BE youtu.be/T3cPixQjH2M Basic English: How to pronounce contractions in English youtu.be/AFoG4hmcqZQ
In this lesson: 0:00 When to add an 's' in English 0:53 Plural nouns with 's' 3:29 3rd person singular present tense verbs with 's' 5:46 Apostrophes with 's'?Speak English Naturally: SCHWA PronunciationLearn English with Gill · engVid2023-10-15 | Would you like to sound more like a native English speaker? Well, this vowel sound, known as SCHWA, is worth getting to know! It occurs very frequently in spoken English, about once in every three vowel sounds, in words such as “the”, the first syllable of “about”, and the second syllable of “sofa”. One of the most difficult aspects of the schwa sound is that in order to pronounce it correctly, you have to almost ignore the normal sound of the vowel you are looking at and make the schwa sound instead. In this lesson I’ll give examples of words containing the schwa, and I’ll demonstrate how to pronounce them. So you can benefit in two ways, both in terms of English pronunciation and English vocabulary! engvid.com/speak-english-naturally-schwa-pronunciation
More English pronunciation lessons: Say it correctly in English! -TION, -SION, -CIAN, -CION youtu.be/Vsc03jsFLL0 Easy English: How to pronounce the long vowel sound in words ending in "e" youtu.be/XglgzPt-RaA
In this lesson: 0:00 What is the "schwa" sound? 3:50 "schwa" sound examplesBasic English: The 8 Parts of SpeechLearn English with Gill · engVid2023-09-23 | Noun? Verb? Adjective? Adverb? Conjunction? Article? Pronoun? Preposition? Learn the 8 basic parts of speech in English. Once you learn the parts of speech, it will be much easier for you to understand other grammar lessons as you progress in your English studies. In this class, I explain what each part of speech is, and will give you examples of each as well. After watching this lesson, you will be able to look at a sentence and identify all the different parts of speech. engvid.com/basic-english-the-8-parts-of-speech
Now that you've learned the basics, watch these English grammar videos: Basic English Grammar: "To be" youtu.be/T3cPixQjH2M 5-Minute English: Who, Whom, Whose, Who's youtu.be/bash3DXnyWU
In this video: 0:00 Learn the 8 main parts of speech in English 0:56 What is a noun? 2:04 What is a verb? 2:58 What is an adjective? 4:04 What is an adverb? 4:56 What is a conjunction? 5:24 What is an article? 6:43 What is a pronoun? 7:51 What is a preposition?Learn English Grammar: DIRECT & INDIRECT SPEECH (REPORTED SPEECH)Learn English with Gill · engVid2023-09-05 | What’s the difference between DIRECT and INDIRECT/REPORTED speech? In this grammar lesson, you will learn how these types of sentences are constructed, with lots of examples to illustrate. I’ll also show how there is usually a difference of verb tense between the two. Both forms are used in everyday life, in speaking and in writing, so it’s well worth getting to know how they work. And after watching the video, you can double-check your understanding by trying the quiz over on engvid.com/learn-english-grammar-direct-indirect-reported-speech
In this lesson: 0:00 What is indirect/reported speech? 1:18 Reported Speech: Examples 10:06 Reported Speech: Tense Changes 12:45 Reported Speech: Modal ChangesBasic English: How to pronounce -NGTH wordsLearn English with Gill · engVid2023-08-08 | Do you know any words in English containing the letters NGTH? If so, you might find them difficult to pronounce. In fact, even some native English speakers struggle with them! In this lesson I’ll demonstrate how to pronounce words such as “length” and “strength”, and I’ll give you some words and sentences to practise with. engvid.com/basic-english-how-to-pronounce-ngth-words
More of my pronunciation lessons: English Pronunciation Practice: SH & SHR youtu.be/bYvvUr9yT2M Basic English: How to pronounce negative contractions in English youtu.be/mdvRis4_79Q
In this video: 0:00 How to pronounce "-ngth" in English 1:57 "-ngth" pronuncitation practiceLearn about Poetry & Literature: PARODYLearn English with Gill · engVid2023-07-12 | Have you heard of the type of poetry and literature known as “parody”? Not sure what it is exactly? In this class, I’ll explain what parody is by showing you an example of a poem that is a parody. This is where one writer takes an earlier, well-known piece of literature, and imitates it in a humorous way. So basically, it’s a literary joke! My example comes from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, by the famous Victorian writer, Lewis Carroll. I hope you enjoy it! If you do, make sure to watch more of my poetry & literature series of classes: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjvCo2ax1ZUec55HG7h2EKV6k3rkYFFIi
In this lesson: 00:00 What is a parody? 01:32 A serious poem 06:18 A parody of the serious poem! 13:11 ConclusionBritish English & American English: 11 Vocabulary DifferencesLearn English with Gill · engVid2023-06-13 | Would you like a biscuit or a cookie? One area of difference between British English and American English is vocabulary, and in this lesson I’ll be covering a few examples. So if you’re not sure whether to buy a new pair of trousers or a new pair of pants, or if you don’t know whether a biscuit is going to taste the same as a cookie, this class will help! After the video, take the quiz here: engvid.com/british-english-american-english-11-vocabulary-differences
Learn more about British English vs. American English in my NEW video about spelling differences: youtu.be/vZH-yFgizY4
In this lesson: 00:00 British & American Vocabulary Differences 02:01 trousers & pants 03:18 dustbin & trash can 04:06 rubbish & garbage 04:43 boot & trunk 06:53 full stop & period 07:34 flat & apartment 08:29 holiday & vacation 09:26 biscuit & cookie 10:48 shop & store 12:13 university & college 13:22 chips & friesLearn 20 ‘-ISM’ Words in English: VOCABULARY & PRONUNCIATIONLearn English with Gill · engVid2023-05-13 | How many words do you know that end in -ISM? You might be surprised how many there are, from optimism, to symbolism, to journalism, and lots more! In this vocabulary and pronunciation lesson I’ll introduce you to some useful -ISM words, and I’ll demonstrate how to pronounce them. I hope you’ll find it a useful way to expand your vocabulary. engvid.com/learn-20-ism-words-in-english
More of my videos about vocabulary and pronunciation: Test Your English Vocabulary: Shapes & Patterns youtu.be/kDffRF0ueYo Basic English: How to pronounce contractions youtu.be/AFoG4hmcqZQ
In this lesson: 00:00 How to pronounce "-ism" words in English 02:17 "-ism" Pronunciation Practice 10:11 "-ism" ReviewRHYME in English poetry and speechLearn English with Gill · engVid2023-04-25 | What are the different types of rhyme? How important is rhyming in poetry? Why do we even rhyme at all? If you’ve watched any of my videos on poetry, you’ll already have seen how important rhyming can be in English. In this lesson I’ll explain what the requirements are to create a rhyme, and the different types of rhyme, from full rhyme, to half rhyme, to eye rhyme. Rhyming is easy when you know how, and it can happen in everyday conversation too, often by accident, which makes people laugh. This video will also help you with pronunciation, because rhyme is all about what the words sound like! Test your rhyme skills with the quiz: engvid.com/rhyme-in-english-poetry-and-speech
In this lesson: 00:00 What is a rhyme? 01:38 How to make a rhyme 02:49 Rhyme in poetry 03:46 What is a half rhyme? 04:25 What is a visual rhyme? 06:33 Rhyme is not enough to make a poem!Test Your English Vocabulary: SHAPES & PATTERNSLearn English with Gill · engVid2023-04-04 | Are you able to describe shapes and patterns in English? It’s a very useful thing to be able to do! In this vocabulary lesson for beginners, I’ll teach you many visual description words, from geometrical ones to zigzags, swirls, and wavy lines. With this vocabulary you’ll have fun describing a painting you’ve recently seen, or your friend’s latest colourful patterned shirt! http://www.engvid.com/english-vocabulary-shapes-patterns
More of my vocabulary lessons: How are you feeling? Vocabulary & expressions to answer this common question! youtu.be/J6iuefm-2no English Vocabulary Builder: 15 slang & informal words youtu.be/Um3l2BECKrc
In this lesson: 00:00 Shape Vocabulary in English 00:27 square & rectangle 02:02 triangle 02:45 circle & round 03:38 oval 04:15 Pattern Vocabulary: dots, spots, checks, stripes, spirals, zigzag, floral, wavy...6 Famous Quotations from ShakespeareLearn English with Gill · engVid2023-03-11 | I’ll share with you some of the most famous short quotations from Shakespeare’s plays, with a little bit of background information to the quotation, and something about the character who is speaking. We will cover quotations from Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear, The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, and Richard III. However much, or however little you already know about Shakespeare, I hope I can encourage you to explore further, by reading one or more of his plays, watching one of the many film versions, or even doing some performing! engvid.com/6-famous-quotations-from-shakespeare
Next, learn more about Shakespeare's influence on English: youtu.be/alInQ7nzKrI Or watch my new video about famous quotations from Charles Dickens: youtu.be/m-C4Lss5sD4
In this lesson: 00:00 Introduction to Shakespeare 01:37 "That one may smile and smile and be a villain" — Hamlet 04:58 "Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania" — A Midsummer Night's Dream 07:38 "When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools." — King Lear 10:45 "The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose." — The Merchant of Venice 12:52 "When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married." — Much Ado About Nothing 15:29 "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!" — Richard IIIEnglish Vocabulary Builder: Learn 15 Slang & Informal WordsLearn English with Gill · engVid2023-02-20 | Wicked! Blimey!! Brilliant!!! Do you know how and when to use these words? Would you like to improve your understanding of informal English? In this lesson I’ll introduce you to a few examples of colloquial expressions, and I’ll explain the kinds of situations where you would use them. You might like to listen out for them in films and series, to hear how they are used. Remember to test your knowledge in the quiz – Cheers! engvid.com/english-vocabulary-builder-15-slang-informal-words
If you liked this lesson, watch these next: English Vocabulary Builder: Learn 9 Buzzwords youtu.be/pMYtwX1gPiQ Learn about the Cockney English accent and dialect youtu.be/CCeeBP-ePLs
In this video: 00:00 – 15 Slang & Informal Words in English – 00:51 wicked 02:04 cool 03:40 brilliant 05:01 dead funny 06:01 cheers 08:01 dodgy 09:34 gutted 11:48 peckish 12:43 knackered 14:47 chill (out) 16:09 kip & 40 winks 17:19 blimey 18:58 skint 20:10 Fancy that!Gender Pronouns: Using ‘THEY’, ‘THEIR’, and ‘THEM’ for a single person in EnglishLearn English with Gill · engVid2023-01-31 | Do you notice people sometimes use the plural pronouns THEY, THEM, and THEIR when talking about one person? In this lesson I’ll explain why this is done to avoid specifying male or female gender. I’ll give some example sentences to show how it works, and I’ll include a test that we can do together towards the end of the video. And there’s also a quiz over on www.engvid.com for you to test your understanding: engvid.com/gender-pronouns-singular-they-their-them-english
More of my lessons about pronouns in English: Learn English: THOU, THEE, THY, THINE youtu.be/DH1ADfs0_xY 5-Minute English: WHO, WHOM, WHOSE, WHO'S youtu.be/bash3DXnyWU
In this lesson: 00:00 The normal usage of they/them/their for plurals 01:42 How to use they/them/their for male/female singular 05:31 Preferred pronouns 08:12 Practice: they/them/their for avoiding gender-specific languageEnglish Pronunciation Practice: SH & SHRLearn English with Gill · engVid2023-01-07 | Listen and repeat: SH & SHR sounds. These sounds can be tricky to say correctly, even for some native English speakers. In this class, I’ll demonstrate how to shape your mouth to pronounce each of these sounds. You can listen to me pronounce words with ‘sh’ and ‘shr’ in them, and then practice on your own. engvid.com/english-pronunciation-practice-sh-shr
More of my pronunciation lessons: Basic English: How to pronounce negative contractions youtu.be/mdvRis4_79Q English Pronunciation Practice: V & W youtu.be/bQnCXVwm2rE
In this lesson: 00:00 How to pronounce "sh" & "shr" in English 01:37 "sh" pronunciation 02:29 "shr" pronunciation 09:55 "sh" & "shr" pronunciation reviewLet’s Read and Understand a Poem: “In An Artist’s Studio” by Christina RossettiLearn English with Gill · engVid2022-12-23 | Today we will look at a sonnet by the 19th century poet, Christina Rossetti. It’s called ‘In an Artist’s Studio’, and has a connection with the visual arts and painting. I’ll go through the poem in detail, explaining the meaning and looking at some technical aspects such as rhyme, structure, form, and alliteration. I hope you find it interesting. I’ll also give you some background information on Christina Rossetti, her brother Dante Gabriel Rossetti and his wife Elizabeth Siddal. For more information, and to see some of the paintings, go to: editions.covecollective.org/content/dante-gabriel-rossetti-christina-rossetti-and-elizabeth-siddal
In this lesson: 00:00 "In An Artist's Studio" by Christina Rossetti 02:43 1. First Quatrain 06:47 2. Second Quatrain 11:01 3. Sestet 20:54 Background information 24:19 "In An Artist's Studio" by Christina Rossetti: Full Poetry ReadingStop using the glottal stop!Learn English with Gill · engVid2022-11-23 | Would you like to be a smooth speaker of English? This video is all about the pronunciation of the consonant “t”, which some people, including native speakers, tend to completely avoid nowadays, leading to a rather broken-up style of speaking. The technical name for this is the “glottal stop”. In this lesson, I’ll give you a few examples of what I mean, and I’ll demonstrate how to put the “t” back into your pronunciation and achieve a smoother way of speaking. engvid.com/stop-using-the-glottal-stop
In this lesson: 00:00 Stop using the glottal stop! 03:07 glottal stop before words starting with a vowel 05:12 glottal stop in the middle of a word 06:29 glottal stop in words ending with -ed 07:50 Stop using the glottal stop: PracticeLearn 9 ways to use ‘JUST’ in EnglishLearn English with Gill · engVid2022-10-29 | Have you noticed how that little word ‘just’ seems to mean different things in different sentences? Well, this vocabulary lesson is JUST what you need to get a clearer picture of the different ways the word can be used. You’ll be JUST amazed at the number of different meanings! And to test out your knowledge after you’ve watched the video, JUST head over to www.engvid.com and take the quiz. JUST the ticket! engvid.com/learn-9-ways-to-use-just-in-english
Are you ready for more English vocabulary? Try these lessons next! 10 ways to use the verb KEEP in English youtu.be/blM5T5y5o2c 5 ways to use SHOULD in English youtu.be/FdPSF0_n0uI
In this lesson: 00:00 – The Many Uses of "JUST" in English – 00:46 just = recently 01:29 just = immediately 02:07 just = close to the time 02:53 just = only 03:27 just = exactly 04:02 just = honest 04:26 unjust 05:22 just in time 05:41 just the ticket 06:11 just what the doctor ordered 07:17 – Conclusion –Easy English: How to pronounce the long vowel sound in words ending with ‘e’Learn English with Gill · engVid2022-10-10 | Have you noticed there’s a difference between the pronunciation of NOT and NOTE, or SIT and SITE? In this lesson I’ll introduce you to this interesting rule, where adding an E at the end of a word changes the previous vowel from short to long. If this sounds strange, don’t worry, I have lots of example words to illustrate it - so don’t QUIT before you’ve started, it’s actually QUITE easy! You’ll also get to learn some new vocabulary along the way. engvid.com/basic-english-pronounce-long-vowels-e
Next, watch more of my pronunciation lessons: Speak English Naturally: SCHWA Pronunciation youtu.be/M7o5aP_0ZYM English Pronunciation: How to say words beginning with W+vowel youtu.be/21kxEb5dyjY
In this lesson: 00:00 The Long "e" Vowel Sound in English 01:12 bit – bite 01:42 fat – fate 01:57 gap – gape 02:28 hop – hope 03:04 not – note 03:14 plan – plane 03:28 quit – quite 04:12 rip – ripe 05:00 sit – site 05:09 strip – stripe 05:55 tap – tape 06:46 trip – tripe 07:33 – Review –Queen Elizabeth II – My Thoughts and MemoriesLearn English with Gill · engVid2022-09-29 | In this video I’m sharing a few of my own personal thoughts and memories of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who died in early September 2022 after a long, 70-year reign. I also discuss some of the different ways in which the Queen and the monarchy have been viewed in the UK over the last several decades. engvid.com/queen-elizabeth-ii-thoughts-memories
During the video, I mention two videos which show the Queen’s sense of humour. Here are the links to those: James Bond Olympics Sketch, 2012 youtu.be/1AS-dCdYZbo Paddington Bear Sketch, Platinum Jubilee, 2022 youtu.be/7UfiCa244XEI
My previous videos about royalty and UK history: The Ages & Periods of English History youtu.be/jTabtn7K2i8 The British Royal Family: Everything you need to know youtu.be/jSDoxNzFMZw5-Minute English: WHO, WHOM, WHOSE, WHO’SLearn English with Gill · engVid2022-09-22 | Do you ever wonder whether to use WHOM instead of WHO? And what about WHOSE and WHO’S, which sound the same, but have different meanings? In this short lesson I’ll explain the grammar behind these four words, and show how they can be used in a sentence. And then you can test out your knowledge in the quiz. engvid.com/5-minute-english-who-whom-whose-whos
Next, watch these English grammar videos! Gender Pronouns: Using "THEY", "THEIR", and "THEM" for a single person in English youtu.be/0eoKIA5IFro Learn English Grammar: "Use", "Used", and "Used To" youtu.be/I9CZ-nj9joM
In this lesson: 00:00 – Who, Whom, Whose, Who's – 00:17 who 00:47 whom 02:54 whose 03:21 who's 04:41 – Conclusion –Make your English stronger with INTENSIFIERS: very, really, so, do, definitely, absolutely…Learn English with Gill · engVid2022-09-03 | What are intensifiers? They are little words that have a big impact on the meaning and feeling of your sentence. In this simple lesson, I’ll introduce you to a few examples, and I’ll show you how they can be used in sentences to strengthen them. We will cover the intensifiers very, do, so, really, absolutely, definitely, and extremely. I do hope you find it useful! Test your understanding of this video with the quiz: engvid.com/make-your-english-stronger-with-intensifiers
More of my lessons for improving your everyday English: Using SIMILES to improve your everyday English youtu.be/rzcbmr7ol6E Basic English: How to pronounce negative contractions youtu.be/mdvRis4_79Q
In this lesson: 00:00 7 Intensifiers in English 00:38 very 01:46 do 02:27 so 02:48 really 03:44 absolutely 04:49 definitely 05:44 extremely‘Shall’ in English: Everything you need to knowLearn English with Gill · engVid2022-08-09 | You might sometimes wonder whether to use ‘will’ or ‘shall’ in English. Do you even need to use ‘shall’ at all these days? In this lesson I’ll explain exactly how and when ‘shall’ is used. I’ll also show you which personal pronouns it belongs with, and I’ll give some example sentences to show how it works in practice. Shall we proceed...? engvid.com/shall-in-english
In this lesson: 00:00 "Shall" in English: Everything you need to know 00:52 When is "shall" used in English? 03:25 The negative form of "shall": "shall not" & "shan't" 05:44 "Shall" for suggestions and questions 07:11 "Shall" for commands 08:30 Review & ConclusionThe Ages & Periods of English History: Victorian, Tudor, Edwardian, Elizabethan...Learn English with Gill · engVid2022-07-12 | Do you know the difference between "Elizabethan" and "Victorian"? Have you noticed how many English or British kings were called Edward, or George, or Henry? In this lesson I’ll give a summary of hundreds of years of English and British history. We’ll talk about some of the labels used for the different periods, and some of the kings and queens – including a short period when we didn’t have a monarch at all! If you’ve heard names like Tudor, Edwardian, Restoration, Victorian, and Elizabethan, but not been quite sure exactly what they mean, this lesson is for you. These names are useful to know if you’re studying anything historical, including literature, architecture, works of art, and music. After the lesson, test your knowledge with the quiz! engvid.com/the-ages-periods-of-english-history-victorian-tudor-edwardian-elizabethan
Learn more history and culture with these videos! Discover the History of English youtu.be/aEH2GkuRIHs How the UK Is Divided: Countries, Cities, Counties... youtu.be/7nt-Kn6bi9U
In this lesson: 00:00 What are the periods of English history? 02:23 Periods in English History: Overview 03:58 Medieval (The Middle Ages) 05:48 The Tudor Period 08:33 The Stuart Period 09:17 The English Civil War 10:08 The Commonwealth Period 10:45 The Restoration 13:36 The Hanoverian/Georgian Era 14:55 The Victorian Era 16:07 The Edwardian Period 18:05 The Second Elizabethan Age“What should I read?” – My Book RecommendationsLearn English with Gill · engVid2022-06-16 | What book should you read? People ask me this all the time, so in today’s video, I will give you my recommendations of English books you can read. These books are from different decades. I have quoted from the beginning of each book, to give an idea of its style and subject. I hope you find something here to follow up on and read in full! For a discussion about books and reading with other readers, watch this video next: youtu.be/a0de-Ueg5mE
In this lesson: 00:00 6 books I recommend 01:06 Moby Dick by Herman Melville 04:22 1984 by George Orwell 06:43 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 11:00 Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf 12:57 Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë 15:05 A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens 16:54 Which book should I read?Learn 14 Musical Expressions in EnglishLearn English with Gill · engVid2022-05-21 | I’m back to teach you English idioms and metaphors that come from music. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, or blow my own trumpet, but if you say nice things in the comments about this video it will be music to my ears! engvid.com/learn-14-musical-expressions-in-english
More of my videos about English expressions and idioms: 14 English idioms & sayings from food & drink youtu.be/AoNB1cJ-tDU 13 English idioms from the theatre youtu.be/CTwnQt-PS7c
In this lesson: 00:00 – Introduction – 00:31 on the fiddle 02:16 harmonious relationship 03:24 drumming up support 04:35 change the record 06:07 sound like a broken record 08:17 rings a bell 08:41 going for a song 09:50 blow your own trumpet 10:41 call the tune 11:36 blow the whistle on & whistleblower 13:47 clean as a whistle 14:46 change your tune 15:42 face the music 17:09 music to my ears 17:49 – Conclusion –How the UK is Divided: Countries, Cities, Counties, Councils, WardsLearn English with Gill · engVid2022-04-27 | It’s called the United Kingdom, but it’s divided up into four countries! I’ll be focusing on England in particular, and showing how the country where I live is divided up into cities and towns, villages and countryside. I’ll be talking about counties, councils, and wards, and giving a few examples of place names. If you’re planning on moving to the UK, this is essential knowledge. engvid.com/how-the-uk-is-divided
To learn how to pronounce UK place names, watch these lessons: How to say the names of British cities, by @engvidJade : youtu.be/IXkFM3TC108 How to pronounce UK place names, by @engvidBenjamin : youtu.be/MHCb2D3IMNM And for more about Scotland, see my interview with a Scottish poet here: youtu.be/UKZ5p2lKCkw
In this video: 00:00 How the UK is divided 00:16 Countries: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland 02:04 Big Cities: London, Birmingham, Manchester... 03:22 Suburbs 04:06 Countryside 05:22 Counties: Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Somerset, Kent, Devon, Cornwall, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk... 05:43 How to pronounce "-shire" names 08:14 Councils 09:09 WardsEnglish Vocabulary: CLIMATE CHANGELearn English with Gill · engVid2022-04-04 | Climate change is a major issue all around the world. In this English vocabulary lesson you will learn the main vocabulary connected with global warming, from fossil fuels and greenhouse gases to rising sea levels and extreme weather. Learning these words will help you be able to read and to listen to the news in English, and to discuss these important issues with English speakers. After watching, test yourself with the quiz. engvid.com/english-vocabulary-climate-change
More videos that will help you understand current events and news: Learn about the UK political system & elections youtu.be/f98HtyjcWxE English Vocabulary Builder: 9 buzzwords youtu.be/pMYtwX1gPiQ
In this video: 00:00 What is climate change? 00:31 global warming 00:53 fossil fuels 01:44 greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide 02:43 threat to human life 03:01 loss of species: plants, animals, coral reefs 03:36 extreme weather: heatwaves, drought, storms, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, volcanic eruptions 07:53 rising sea levels 08:20 melting ice 08:54 food shortage 09:52 What can we do?“THAN” or “THEN”?Learn English with Gill · engVid2022-03-11 | THAN and THEN, THEN and THAN: Which one is which? Just one little letter, but it completely changes the meaning. One relates to time and sequence and the other is used to compare. Autocorrect on your phone won’t help you get this right – in fact it might trick you into making a mistake, so it’s up to you to know the correct word to use. In this lesson I’ll clarify the difference between these two important words, and give you a short test to help you practise using them. And of course there’s a quiz too, over on www.engvid.com , so do give it a try and test out your knowledge! engvid.com/than-or-then
In this lesson: 00:00 THAN or THEN? What's the difference? 00:33 THAN & THEN: Difference in sound 01:09 When to use 'than' 02:04 When to use 'then' 03:26 Test Yourself: "than" or "then"? 06:28 ConclusionEnglish Vocabulary Builder: Learn 9 BUZZWORDSLearn English with Gill · engVid2022-02-20 | A buzzword is a word or phrase that is currently popular or fashionable. Some people criticise them for being used too much, but they exist for a reason – they’re useful! In this vocabulary lesson, I’ll introduce you to nine buzzwords and phrases which are currently in regular use. We’ll talk about: the new normal, synergy, unprecedented, unpack, think outside the box, reach out, courtesy call, go viral, and unmute. After you’ve taken the lesson, do try the quiz to test your understanding. http://www.engvid.com/english-vocabulary-builder-learn-9-buzzwords
More of my vocabulary lessons: English Vocabulary Builder: Learn 15 Slang & Informal Words youtu.be/Um3l2BECKrc Improve Your Vocabulary: 23 words for being happy/sad in English youtu.be/67Q2N11-Ruw
In this lesson: 00:00 What are buzzwords? 02:19 the new normal 03:57 synergy 06:26 unprecedented 08:38 unpack 10:33 think outside the box 12:00 reach out 13:07 courtesy call 15:23 go viral 16:56 unmute 17:54 – Conclusion –Basic English: How to pronounce negative contractionsLearn English with Gill · engVid2022-01-24 | Learn how to pronounce negative contractions like ISN’T, AREN’T, WON’T, HAVEN’T, and SHOULDN’T in English. In this basic lesson, I’ll explain how negative contractions are constructed, and how to pronounce them. Make sure you also watch my lesson on how to pronounce the positive contractions here: youtu.be/AFoG4hmcqZQ Take the quiz to make sure you’ve understood the lesson: http://www.engvid.com/basic-english-how-to-pronounce-negative-contractions
In this lesson: 00:00 How to pronounce negative contractions in English 03:23 Pronunciation of negative BE contractions: isn't, aren't, wasn't, weren't, won't 04:05 Pronunciation of negative HAVE contractions: hasn't, haven't, hadn't 04:11 Pronunciation of negative DO contractions: don't, doesn't, didn't 04:33 Pronunciation of "won't" 05:30 Negative MODAL Contractions: wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't 05:52 SLANG Negative Contraction: ain't 07:07 ConclusionAdvanced English Vocabulary: PUNS & DOUBLE MEANINGSLearn English with Gill · engVid2021-12-28 | Can you understand English jokes? Understanding humour in English is a sign that you’ve reached a new level! In this video, I’ll introduce you to a few examples of verbal humour. I’ll explain how these examples work and what makes them funny. Puns are used in everyday speech and also in newspaper headlines, so this lesson is relevant to spoken and written English. Many puns follow similar patterns, so once you understand how some of them work, you will be able to understand new ones you encounter on your own. http://www.engvid.com/advanced-english-vocabulary-puns-double-meanings
You can find the "Alice in Wonderland" lesson by @engvidAlex here: youtu.be/x5XEfqAp1eo
In this video: 00:00 What are puns? 00:55 Wordplay examples 08:52 Puns in News HeadlinesBasic English: How to pronounce contractionsLearn English with Gill · engVid2021-11-30 | Learn how to pronounce contractions like I’M, IT’D, YOU’LL, and THEY’RE in English. I’ll explain which verbs are being contracted, and how to say the contractions correctly and easily. Don’t forget to test your knowledge with the quiz, once you’ve watched the video! engvid.com/basic-english-how-to-pronounce-contractions
Next, watch my video on how to pronounce negative contractions! youtu.be/mdvRis4_79Q
In this video: 00:00 How to pronounce contractions in English 02:37 IS & HAS Contractions: I'm, you're, he's, she's, it's, we're, they're 05:10 HAVE Contractions: I've, you've, we've, they've 06:07 HAD & WOULD Contractions: I'd, you'd, he'd, she'd, it'd, we'd, they'd 07:37 WILL Contractions: I'll, you'll, he'll, she'll, it'll, we'll, they'llLearn English: THOU, THEE, THY, THINELearn English with Gill · engVid2021-11-04 | What is thy bidding, my master? Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? You’ve probably noticed these old forms – THY, THEE, THOU, THINE – appearing in English literature, especially poetry. Even modern works that are set in the past or that are trying to be very formal use these words sometimes. But it’s important to understand what they mean exactly and how the words differ from each other. It’s also important to know about the verb endings that go with them, so here is my explanation. After watching the video, do test your knowledge in the quiz – thou knowest it makes sense! engvid.com/learn-english-thou-thee-thy-thine
Learn more about the history of the English language with these lessons: Discover the history of English youtu.be/aEH2GkuRIHs How did the days of the week get their names? youtu.be/4aEsu3EU88k English expressions from Shakespeare youtu.be/alInQ7nzKrI
In this lesson: 00:00 Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? 01:52 What does 'thou' mean? 03:28 What does 'thee' mean? 03:44 What does 'thy' mean? 04:06 What does 'thine' mean? 04:42 What does 'thyself' mean? 05:16 How 'thou', 'thee', 'thy', and 'thine' are used in English 07:10 Quotations using 'thou', 'thee', 'thy', 'thine', 'thyself' 17:13 Verb Endings: 'art', 'hast', 'dost', 'didst' 21:27 Modern usage of 'thy', 'thou', 'thee'...English Pronunciation Practice: CH & SHLearn English with Gill · engVid2021-10-14 | Do you know how to pronounce CH & SH correctly in English? It’s important to get them right, otherwise it can cause confusion and misunderstandings! In this lesson, I’ll explain how to make the two sounds, and we’ll look at some pairs of words which sound the same, apart from the CH or SH—you can repeat them after me. Finally, we’ll practise with some sentences containing the word pairs. engvid.com/english-pronunciation-practice-ch-sh
More pronunciation practice! English Pronunciation Practice: V & W youtu.be/bQnCXVwm2rE English Pronunciation: Should you make an S or Z sound? youtu.be/hLRqC8v6lNU
0:00 How to make the SH & CH sounds in English 6:30 SH & CH: Word Practice 21:07 SH & CH: Sentence Practice 27:07 Review & ConclusionLearn English with an article from The GuardianLearn English with Gill · engVid2021-09-17 | Today we’ll work on our vocabulary by reading an article from an online UK newspaper, The Guardian: theguardian.com/technology/2019/may/26/world-first-fruit-picking-robot-set-to-work-artificial-intelligence-farming . This article was written by Julia Kollewe and Rob Davies, and it’s about robots being used to pick raspberries. You will probably encounter some new English vocabulary and expressions. We’ll learn words such as: “quivering”, “shift”, “tweak”, “punnet”, and expressions such as “let loose”. I recommend reading this and other articles aloud, to help you with pronunciation and fluent speaking.
Take a quiz on this lesson: engvid.com/learn-english-with-a-guardian-news-article Next, watch my other lessons about learning English with the news! Learn English with a BBC News Article youtu.be/JyZnolQsd04 Improve your vocabulary with an article youtu.be/ePdkKz-drAUEnglish Pronunciation Practice: V & WLearn English with Gill · engVid2021-08-17 | Do you know how to pronounce V & W correctly in English? I’ve noticed that some people pronounce them both the same way, but in fact they are very different! In this lesson, I’ll demonstrate how to shape your mouth in order to pronounce each of these consonants correctly. Then we’ll look at some example words containing each one -- you can repeat them after me. Finally, we’ll practice with sentences where you have to switch between V & W multiple times. engvid.com/english-pronunciation-practice-v-w
Learn about English and UK culture with poetry! More of my poetry videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjvCo2ax1ZUec55HG7h2EKV6k3rkYFFIiImprove your English Vocabulary by reading an article with meLearn English with Gill · engVid2021-06-13 | Today we’ll read an article that uses some advanced English vocabulary and expressions. This article by Jon Excell (bbc.com/future/article/20151027-the-ticking-time-bomb-of-the-thames) is about some World War II bombs that are in the water very close to the shore of the UK. Even though the bombs are now very old, they are still a serious threat. This article uses a lot of advanced words and phrases, so it’s perfect if you are trying to take your English to the next level. Read this article with me, and then I suggest you read more articles on your own at the BBC Future website. Test your understanding of this lesson by taking the quiz: http://www.engvid.com/improve-your-english-vocabulary-reading-article
Let's read some more! Learn English with a BBC News article - Nike trainers on beaches youtu.be/JyZnolQsd04 Learn English with a poem! youtu.be/hVidL1o28gwLearn English with a BBC News articleLearn English with Gill · engVid2021-04-12 | Improve your English with a news article! Together we will go through an article on the BBC News website. I will explain vocabulary and expressions, as well as give you cultural context about the article. Follow along here: bbc.com/news/uk-48464664 . I encourage you to read the BBC News website and other English language news sites regularly on your own to develop your independent study skills and improve your English. http://www.engvid.com/learn-english-with-a-bbc-news-article