Vocabulary
Channel vs. Canal
Be careful! These two words have similar meanings. However, they are not synonyms.

Canal: Man-made waterway or artificial improvement to river so that it can be used for travelling, shipping, etc. E.g.: Panama Canal

Channel: Natural waterway; bed of a stream or river. E.g.: English Channel.

Remember!

The word "actualmente" in Spanish is not the translation for the word actually in English.
In fact, the words actually and really are synonyms. Actually is a cognate, i.e. a word that seems to have the same meaning as a similar word in our language.
Therefore, the equivalent in English for the word "actualmente " is currently.

Grammar
Should Have and Could Have

A sentence with should have or could have generally means the action didn't happen.
E.g.: I could have gone on vacations. (= I didn't go).

A sentence with shouldn't have generally means that the action did happen.
E.g.: I shouldnt' have eaten so much. (= I did eat a lot).

Legal English

In witness whereof: En fe de lo cual.
It is used in legal documents.

E.g.: IN WITNESS WHEROF, this Power of Attorney was executed on 15 March, 2009.

Phrase of the Day:

Tom: Are you playing tennis today?

Barbara: Of course not! It is raining cats and dogs. (i.e. it is raining very heavily).

At the restaurant:

Sunny side up eggs: Eggs which are only fried on one side.

E-mail Writing

Formal E-mail
* When you don't know the last name of the person you are writing the email to:

Dear Sir/ Madam,

____________________
_____________________
_____________________
__________.


Yours faithfully,

Tom Smith
Sales Manager
TLKSA

* When you know the last name of the person you are sending the email to:

Dear Mr. Red, (for a man)
Ms. Red, (for a woman)

______________________
_______________________
_______________________
________.

Yours sincerely,

Tom Red
Sales Manager
TLKSA

Business English

Chief Executive Officer (CEO): The manager with the most authority in the daily management of a company, mainly in the US.

Eg.: Mr. Smith has been appointed as the new CEO.

Welcome to our English Class No. 1

Hello! My name is Paula, your English teacher.

Throughout this course you will be able to learn, practise, improve and brush up your English.
Hope you enjoy it!

Lesson 1
Idiom of the day:

blow a raspberry: to make a rude noise by putting your tongue between your lips and blowing.

(British & Australian, informal, American, informal)

Eg.: A five-year-old boy, blew a raspberry at me and then ran away.