No interest.

The world would be better if more people were willing to love without interest or rewards. JUST LOVE.

A letter to Elena (part1)

Hi! Thanks a lot to everyone who would point mistakes or oddnesses in my letter!

TEST CAE:You are studying at an international college for a few months. Your friend, Elena, is thinking of studying at the same college this summer and has written to you asking about it. Write her a letter saying whether you think she should study at the college or not and giving your reasons.(Informal register)


My dear Elena, Usually, I would write "Dear Elena" but if you want to be cutsie, "My dear Elena" is fine.

How are you? It's been such a long time since I've had any news of you! I hope everything is OK.

Well, I'll answer straightaway the question you've asked in your e-mail. You asked me whether I think it would (it'd is not a common contraction to use in writing) be a good thing for you to come and spend the summer here at the International College. Not only do I think it would be a good idea, Elena; (use a semicolon if the punctuation mark separates two complete sentences. however, English-speakers rarely use semicolons and usually use them wrong.) I actually believe that it'd be the best decisions you've (ever) made to date! (to say "ever" and "to date" is redundant. You need one or the other.)

You wrote me about your fear of being abroad for the first time in your life.
That's the point, Elena, and I'll be frank with you. Spending a few months here in London will do you a world of good because, among varous reasons, it will take you away from your family for a while (you know who I'm particularly thinking about …).

As for your worry about making new friends in a country where you don't know anyone, I can assure you right away that won't be an issue. I know that this city is famous for considering tourists just a step higher than the rats in the tube! However, since every stereotype exists to be denied, in the time I've been studying here, I've found the friends of a lifetime (? I mean: my best friends). No one native, that's for sure, but let's not ask too much to the destiny, shall we? I don't understand the end of this sentence:( 
In short, Elena, (on using colons: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/colons) I have a mountain/ton (mountain is an odd word choice, but I know what you mean) of good friends here and as soon as I have introduced you to them, they'll become your friends as well.

So, what do you think? Feel a bit more comfortable?
Then come soon, the sooner the better!

(to be continued)

write an email telling about your family

You have taken part in an exchange programme and next July you are going to receive your guest for a summer stay in your home. You would like him/her to know about the family she/he is going to live with. Write an email telling him/her about your family: parents, siblings, husband/ wife, children…

Hello George,
I am very glad for your visit to my country. I am making some changes in my house to prepare for your stay here because my daughters each have their own bedroom, but during your stay, they’ll sleep in the same bedroom so you can your own room.

Also, we are planning some sightseeing to the city and region (?) during your visit because I think is very important that you know our languages and our culture.

My family is traveling these days, but they are trying to be here for a few days when you come here. I have two brothers and a sister, and they live in the same town as I, so we see each other every day, and they’ll have a barbacue during your visit.

My husband is planning our visit to the region (?). He loves it, and he is organizing a surprise for us.
I look forward to hearing from you.

It has been a long time since I visited this website

It's been a while since I visited this site when I signed up, more than about 10 months.
These days, I'm living* in Vietnam for 6 months for my work, and now only 2 month are left.
Sometimes, I really want to go back my home, but yet I want to live here more.
It is really difficult to express how I am feeling.
Actually, this is my first long trip ever to a foreign country, and that is why I prefer Vietnam.
Anyway, tonight is a night with a lot of thinking.

*you can say "I'm living" or "I live". "I'm live"="I am live", which contains two active verbs, which does not make sense in English.