the Whiteboard

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

The English we speak

totwigtomoochth
eflipsidetothro
wyourtoysoutoft
hepramontheflyt
hatsonyoumakesm
yskincrawlanuph
illtaskturnover
anewleaffindyou
rgroovesecondna
turetaketheplun
gepeaksandtroug
hsheavylifting
stompingground
toclutchatstraw
soffthecuffdoth
etrickinonit

1. To twig

2. To mooch

3. The flip side

4. To throw your toys out of the pram

5. On the fly

6. That's on you

7. Makes my skin crawl

8. An uphill task

9. Turn over a new leaf

10. Find your groove

11. Second nature

Conversation

The phrase:

The meaning of the phrase:

Part of speech: noun / verb / adjective / adverb

Synonyms: (other similar phrases?)

Situations used: Where, when, why?

Examples of usage:

_______________________________________________________________________

Write an example of your own: (make it relate to your life at the moment)

_______________________________________________________________________

Your opinion: (tick)

I like this phrase - I want to use it

This phrase could be useful, I'm not sure

This phrase is dumb - I'll never need it and never use it

1. Have you ever had one of those moments when it suddenly 'twigs' for you, and everything makes sense? What was it about?

2. Have you mooched around anywhere recently? Where? What did you find?

3. What's the good side of being from your country? What's the flip side?

4. Do you sometimes throw your toys out of the pram? What makes you get that angry?

5. What kinds of things do you like to do 'on the fly' instead of planning them?

6. Have you ever been in a situation where someone said, 'That's on you'? We're they right?

7. What’s something that always makes your skin crawl, no matter how many times you see it?

8. What’s been the most challenging 'uphill task' you've ever faced, and how did you manage to get through it?

9. Have you ever had a moment where you felt the need to 'turn over a new leaf'? What motivated that change?

10. At what point did you 'find your groove' in New Zealand? Are you still trying to?

11. What’s something that you can do without thinking about it, because it’s become second nature to you?

1. To tw___ (finally understand)

2. To m___ch (walk around)

3. The _____ side (the opposite perspective)

4. To _____ your toys out of the _____ (lose your cool)

5. ____ the fly (without planning)

6. T_____ on you (it’s your fault)

7. Makes my _____ crawl (you absolutely hate it)

8. An ______ task (it’s not easy)

9. Turn ____ a new ____ (to make a big change in your life)

10. _____ your groove (to start to feel comfortable and confident about something)

11. ________ nature (it’s pretty easy for you to do)

Some more!

12. Take the plunge

13. Peaks and troughs

14. Heavy lifting

15. Stomping ground

16. To clutch at straws

1. What’s the biggest plunge you’ve ever taken that ended up being totally worth it?

2. How do you handle those peaks and troughs in life, especially when things feel like they’re at their lowest?

3. Have you ever been part of a project or job where it was you who had to do most of the “heavy lifting”?

4. Do you have a particular place or area that always feels like your stomping ground, where you’re just so comfortable?

5. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you were clutching at straws, trying anything to make things work?

6. Do you prefer to make decisions on the spot, or do you like to plan things out ahead of time?

7. What’s a quick fix or solution that you’ve found always does the trick when you’re feeling unfocused.

8. Is there ever a time when you felt left out of something, like you weren’t "in on it" with the group?

9. Have you ever experienced something that seemed like a million to one chance but actually happened? What was that like?

Quiz: The English We Speak Phrases

1
What does "bite the bullet" mean?
A. Face something difficult bravely
B. Avoid a problem
C. Celebrate success
D. Ask for help

2
If someone says "my bad", what do they mean?
A. Your fault
B. My mistake
C. I am angry
D. I am confused

3
"Wing it" means...
A. Fly somewhere
B. Follow instructions carefully
C. Improvise without preparation
D. Ask someone else to do it

4
If something is "a walk in the park", it is...
A. Relaxing but time-consuming
B. Enjoyable but expensive
C. Slightly challenging
D. Very easy

5
"Out of the loop" means...
A. Not informed about something
B. Left out on purpose
C. Working independently
D. Too busy to help

6
"Step on it!" means...
A. Walk carefully
B. Hurry up
C. Stop immediately
D. Be more careful

7
If someone is "salty", they are...
A. Very hungry
B. Very tired
C. Annoyed or bitter
D. Easily frightened

8
"Spill the tea" means...
A. Make tea for everyone
B. Reveal private information accidentally
C. Tell a funny story
D. Share gossip or juicy news

9
"Take one for the team" means...
A. Accept something unpleasant to help others
B. Join a sports team
C. Work harder than everyone else
D. Lead a group to success

10
"Let sleeping dogs lie" means...
A. Ignore lazy people
B. Avoid restarting an old problem
C. Leave animals alone
D. Stay out of trouble

11
"Flexing" means...
A. Exercising your muscles
B. Stretching before sport
C. Showing off your success or possessions
D. Changing your opinion

12
If you "have a go", you...
A. Leave quickly
B. Criticise someone
C. Give up
D. Try something

13
If someone is "down in the dumps", they are...
A. Feeling very sad
B. Feeling ill
C. Feeling embarrassed
D. Feeling exhausted

14
If someone "bangs on about something", they...
A. Explain something clearly
B. Talk about it too much
C. Complain quietly
D. Forget about it

15
If you "rub it in", you...
A. Make a situation worse by talking about someone's mistake
B. Repeat instructions carefully
C. Keep reminding someone of something embarrassing or unpleasant
D. Solve a problem completely

16
If someone keeps their success "low-key", they...
A. Hide it completely
B. Feel ashamed of it
C. Celebrate it loudly
D. Keep it quiet and don't make a big deal of it

17
If someone is "bone idle", they are...
A. Extremely lazy
B. Very tired after working hard
C. Unable to work because they are sick
D. Slow but careful

18
A "whizz-kid" is...
A. A mischievous child
B. A very talented young person
C. Someone who learns slowly
D. An experienced teacher

19
If a successful film "puts an actor on the map", it...
A. Gives them a chance to travel
B. Helps them find work abroad
C. Makes them widely known or famous
D. Makes them rich immediately

20
If a story has "a sting in the tail", it has...
A. A painful ending
B. A happy surprise
C. A confusing conclusion
D. A surprising unpleasant ending

Speaking for 1 and a 1/2 minutes

Compare the photographs, and say what you think people enjoy in these jobs.

Both pictures

whereas

In the first picture

However,

probably

While

both jobs

also

In the second picture

1.__________, I can see a basketball coach working with a team of young players. He looks like he is giving instructions during a training session.2.__________, there is a maths teacher standing in front of a blackboard with lots of equations and smiling.

3.___________ show people whose job is to teach and help others learn new skills. They are also working with groups of young people. 4.___________ the jobs are quite different. The basketball coach is working outside in a more active environment, 5.________ the maths teacher is working indoors in a classroom. The coach teaches sport and physical skills, 6.___________ the teacher helps students learn academic subjects.

I think the basketball coach enjoys seeing the players improve and become more confident. He 7.__________ likes being active and working as part of a team. The maths teacher might enjoy helping students understand difficult problems and seeing them make progress. He may 8._________ enjoy sharing his knowledge and supporting his students.

Overall, I think 9.__________ can be very rewarding because they involve helping young people succeed.

appears to be

between

Although

I imagine

While

As for

a great deal of

whereas

whose role

In the first picture, there is a basketball coach working with a group of young players. He ____________ giving instructions or advice during a training session. In the second picture, I can see a maths teacher standing in front of a class and explaining a topic to her students.

Both photographs show people ______________ is to educate and guide others. In both cases, they are helping young people develop important skills and improve their performance. However, there are several differences ___________ the two jobs. The basketball coach is working in a much more physical and energetic environment, probably outdoors, ___________the maths teacher is working in a quieter and more academic setting inside a classroom. In addition, the coach focuses on teamwork, fitness and practical skills, __________ the teacher is helping students develop their knowledge and problem-solving abilities.

____________ that the basketball coach enjoys motivating the players and watching them improve over time. He may also find it rewarding when the team works well together and achieves good results. ____________the maths teacher, she is likely to enjoy helping students understand challenging concepts and gain confidence in their abilities. She might also feel satisfied when students achieve good grades or reach their academic goals.

Overall, I think both jobs offer ____________ satisfaction because they allow people to make a positive difference in the lives of young learners. ___________ the working environments are very different, both professionals play an important role in helping others succeed.

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For about 1 minute, compare the photographs, and say what might be similar and different about these jobs.

Compare two of these jobs. What's similar and different about them?

What skills are needed to do them?

If you had to chose one, which would it be? Why?

Compare two of these sports and games. What's similar and different about them?

What skills are needed to do them?

If you had to chose one to do, which would it be? Why?

Compare two of these groups of people involved in music. What's similar and different about them?

What role might this activity play in these people's lives?

What role has music played in your life?

Compare two of these situations - what's similar and different about them?

What might the motivation of the person in the picture be?

Which person is most at risk?

Further practice here (B2)

precise

exact

correct

spot-on

painstaking

reliable

faithful

meticulous

error-free

on-point

bang-on

careful

Straightforward

accurate and precise
exact
factually correct
free from error
correct to the detail
right on target

Conversational

spot-on
dead accurate
right on the money
nailed it
exactly right
not even a little off

Useful verbs

To test

experience

explore

to see

to challenge

investigate

examine

trial

evaluate

compare

measure

observe

try out

test out

carry out

find out

check

to feel

How important is it for these people to be accurate?
What might happen if they were not?

Put these phrases into the correct gaps.

What about
I agree.
That's true.
Also,
And
What do you think?
Me too.
On the other hand,

Anna: Look at the three pictures. Which job do you think needs the most accuracy?

Ben: I think the optometrist. If they make a mistake, someone could get the wrong glasses or maybe a serious eye problem is not found.

Anna: 1.____________. Their job is very important because it affects people's health.

Ben: 2.____________ the cellist?

Anna: I think accuracy is important there too. They have to play the right notes and keep the correct rhythm. If they make mistakes, the audience will hear them, and the whole orchestra could sound bad.

Ben: 3.____________. They also have to listen carefully to the other musicians.

Anna: What do you think about the baker?

Ben: I think bakers also need to be accurate. They must measure the ingredients carefully and bake the pastries for the right amount of time.

Anna: 4.____________. If they use too much sugar or not enough flour, the pastries might not taste good. If they bake them for too long, they could burn them.

Ben: So all three jobs need accuracy, but in different ways.

Anna: 5.____________. For the baker, mistakes waste food and money. For the musician, mistakes affect the performance. For the optometrist, mistakes could affect someone's health.

Ben: Which job do you think is the most difficult?

Anna: I think the optometrist because people trust them to make the right decision. 6.____________?

Ben: I think the cellist. Playing in front of hundreds of people must be very stressful!

Anna: 7.____________. I think all three jobs need people who are careful, patient, and accurate.

Anna: Look at the three pictures. Which job do you think needs the most accuracy?

Ben: I think the optometrist. If they make a mistake, someone could get the wrong glasses or maybe a serious eye problem is not found.

Anna: Yes, that's true. Their job is very important because it affects people's health.

Ben: What about the cellist?

Ben: That's right. They also have to listen carefully to the other musicians.

Anna: What do you think about the baker?

Ben: I think bakers also need to be accurate. They must measure the ingredients carefully and bake the pastries for the right amount of time.

Anna: Yes. If they use too much sugar or not enough flour, the pastries might not taste good. If they bake them for too long, they could burn them.

Ben: So all three jobs need accuracy, but in different ways.

Anna: I agree. For the baker, mistakes waste food and money. For the musician, mistakes affect the performance. For the optometrist, mistakes could affect someone's health.

Ben: Which job do you think is the most difficult?

Anna: I think the optometrist because people trust them to make the right decision. What about you?

Ben: I think the cellist. Playing in front of hundreds of people must be very stressful!

Anna: That's true. I think all three jobs need people who are careful, patient, and accurate.

Why might people have chosen to experience these things?
How might they be feeling?

A) they all seem to be looking for excitement and a break from their everyday routines

B) but also determined and focused

C) Even though each activity involves different kinds of challenges

D) I think they would be feeling joyful, enthusiastic and completely caught up in the atmosphere

E) This seems like the most physically and mentally demanding activity.

F) I imagine they would feel a mixture of fear and excitement before the jump,

G) they all involve taking risks and trying something that most people wouldn't normally do

Looking at these three pictures, I think the people have chosen these experiences because 1.___________. Although the activities are very different, 2.__________.

In the first picture, the person is skydiving with an instructor. They probably wanted to challenge themselves and experience the incredible feeling of flying through the air.3._________ but once they're in the air, they would probably feel free, thrilled and proud of themselves.

The second picture shows a group of young people at a rock concert, with someone crowd surfing. They might have chosen to go because they enjoy live music and want to share the energy of the crowd.4.____________. It's the kind of experience people often remember because of the sense of connection with others.

In the third picture, someone is exploring a narrow cave. 5._______________They may enjoy adventure and want to discover places that very few people ever see. At the same time, they might feel slightly nervous or even frightened as they squeeze through such a tight space,6.___________.

Overall, I think all three experiences appeal to people who enjoy adventure and want to create unforgettable memories.7.______________, they all offer a strong sense of achievement and excitement that people might not experience in their everyday lives.

Why might these possessions be important to these people?
How might they feel if they no longer had them?

What might be difficult for the people to deal with in these situations?
How important might it be for them to deal with the situation well?

Monday, July 20, 2026

Visual Values

What’s your level of interest in these things?

Architecture 1 2 3 4 5 (super interested)

Art 1 2 3 4 5

Design 1 2 3 4 5

Fashion 1 2 3 4 5

Cinema 1 2 3 4 5

What do all these things have in common?

Which topic are the following question about?

1. What kind of house did you grow up in? Architecture

2. Do you spend a lot of money on clothes? ______________

3. What colours look good on you? ______________

4. Can you remember the music from Star Wars? Harry Potter? The Simpsons? ______________

5. Do you like to have nice cups, plates, bowls and glasses in your home? ______________

6. Do you like walking around old cities and looking at the buildings? Which ones have you explored? ______________

7. What’s in fashion at the moment in your country? ______________

8. Can you draw a tree? ______________

9. Which cars are nicer looking – BMWs or Teslas? ______________

10. Do you like to watch documentaries? Which kinds? ______________

Now discuss the questions in pairs or groups

Which topic or field do the following words relate to more? Are there any words that belong in more than one group?

Scaffold palette drawing board catwalk editor curator

Plan garment canvas scene frame colour scheme

Sketch fabric brush plot portrait floor plan

Model costume prop studio foundations

Clothing

What are the following things?

Who wears them?

Where do they wear them?

Why?

gown

costume

dress

skirt

garment

outfit

suit

robe

coat

Describe a catwalk outfit

Discuss

Describe a building

Images

Dictation

This photo shows eleven men sitting on a steel beam high above New York City, eating lunch. The workers are dressed in shirts and trousers, some wearing hats. They appear relaxed, with legs dangling off the beam. Below, a busy city with other buildings and streets can be seen. The sky is clear, emphasizing the height and openness.

A woman stands on a city sidewalk above a subway grate. A sudden gust of air lifts her white dress, which billows up around her. She holds the dress down with both hands, smiling and slightly leaning forward. Her hair is styled in soft curls, and she wears high heels. The scene is lit brightly, with dark surroundings suggesting it is nighttime.

Here are 5 classic compositional or framing techniques for photography.

Which rule does each photograph exemplify?

1. Canted angle

2. Strong diagonal

3. Rule of thirds

4. Framing device

5. Dividing the frame (composite)

1_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

7_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What subjects for photography do you see in some of the following photographs?

Landscape Emotions Festivals Reflections Light Exotic things

Shadows Atmosphere Signs and text Symbols Juxtapositions

Unusual people Nature Patterns Architecture Colour Shapes

Overlooked things Cities Animals Movement Lines Angles

Texture The human form Water Striking moments Newsworthy things