Discussion Groups / ESL Teaching / February 2005

Hi all. I know many of you went to college therefore this leads to the
question pertaining to you. What books would ya'l advise reading as a
preparation for college and standardized tests such as the act?

Hi, I have a question concering the use of "pretend."
As we know, when it comes to a statement that's UNTRUE, past tense is
usually used. E.g. "If I WERE you," "I wish I COULD," etc. So, should I
say "I need to pretend (that) I UNDERSTOOD him" instead of "I need to

I wonder if branded jeans means exactely the same as desiner jeans. Can
these two expresions be replaced? Is one of them used more often? Is it
correct to say: "Yesterday I bought branded jeans." ?
Thanks in advance.

How hard is it to find a job with a liveable wage?

I had seen a example sentence in Collins Dictionary: The world of work
doesn't operate that way.
And, What is "The world of work"?
Thanks a lot in advance.

I'm from Holland, and although I do speak English quite well, I'm not fully
confident when it comes to writing a job application letter. I'm pretty much
content with what I have now, but there's some bits that I feel may not
quite 'sound natural',  or even be completely wrong. Would ...

How is it correct to spell: "Master's thesis" or "Master thesis"?
"Master's projects" or "Master projects"? ....
It seems that both ways are widely used (according to Google:), but which
one is more correct?

I notice that i-to-i who do TEFL courses have a course next weekend in
oxford http://www.weekendtefl.co.uk/viewPages.php?pageid=84 but what's
the difference between their course and the celta courses etc? Are they
worth doing, all I am looking for is an introductory course that will

A human being is part of the whole, called by us "Universe";  a part
limited in time and space.  He experiences himself, his thoughts and
feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical
delusion of his consciousness.  This delusion is a kind of prison for

What is the difference between accelerate and expedite?
Thx a lot!
AnKa

How do you call a person who graduates in 'Mechanical Engineering Design' ?
Mechanical Engineering Designer maybe. . .
I should have Engineer somewhere but just don't know how to do it

How do you normally call a subject at school or college where Word, Excel
etc are taught?
a) IT course
b) IT System.

I am a retired engineer. I was asked to write a personal experience
story. I will have about 50 minutes to read it to an audiencs of about
fifty.
How long can this story be?

I have to translate a curriculum which is about something like 'Mechanical
Engineering Construction Technology'
Does this make any sense whatsoever in English? I should mention that it
sounds strange in the original as well.

I am confused with the usage of the expressions, Here it is, Here is
it, Here you are. I'd be appreicated to get your answers.