Describe Pictures in English

15
ESL tips PICTURE DESCRIPTION MAYTE GARRIDO ESL COACH

description

Tips on how to describe all sorts of pictures in English

Transcript of Describe Pictures in English

Page 1: Describe Pictures in English

ESL tipsPICTURE DESCRIPTION

MAYTE GARRIDO

ESL COACH

Page 2: Describe Pictures in English

LET’S GET STARTED!Picture description is an important to tool for practicing your English vocabulary and other skills besides speaking, such as listening or writing, and also speaking or conversing.

Photo description give us many possibilities to practice vocabulary in all kind of areas and it can also bring about all sorts of conversations and discussions and a great variety of lessons depending on the point you want to focus on.

It is also very useful for the teachers to test many different topics in exams and English tests.

In this presentation you will find some guidelines and basic tips to describe a photo properly in English.

Take a look at them carefully and also take every point in consideration to structure your picture description.

And remember that PRACTICE makes PERFECT. At the beginning you might find it difficult but little by little, practice by practice you will get used to describe pictures in English, just be confident, do not get stuck on words and keep talking not losing eye contact with the examiner. Smile and be friendly too.

http//:www.mayenglishcorner.blogpot.com.es

Page 3: Describe Pictures in English

SAY IN OTHER WORDS…

• If you don’t know the precise word, you can use other words or paraphrase.

• It´s used to close… / It´s used for closing… / You use it to close…

• It´s what you do when you..(if you don´t know the verb)

• I don´t know what you call it, but…(describe or define it)

• I don´t know what it is called /the word for it, but…

• It´s a kind / sort of… It´s like a….. It´s stuff /a thing for…

Page 4: Describe Pictures in English

‘CAUSE TIME MATTERS…Time is an important factor, if you want time to play in your favor, you can use hesitation words such as:

Well,… Er..., Let me see…, Mmm…, Then..., I mean…,You know (what I mean)

Don´t be afraid to interrupt and ask if you don´t understand what you are being told. It´s important to get used to the right phrases to ask for clarification or repetition and be able to go on :

•Shall I start? What do you mean? I don´t (really) understand…

•Do you think you could say/explain that again? Would you mind repeating it, please?

•May/can I ask you a question? I´m not (quite) sure what I have to do… Can I interrupt or say something?

• Asking the examiner to repeat can actually be the perfect opportunity to show off some complex language - e.g.:

•'I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch the last part…‘ 'I didn´t quite get what you said…'

•'If I can just check what you are saying, you'd like me to…'

• And, be confident to correct yourself if necessary!

•What I mean… What I´m trying to say…

•I don´t think I explained that very well…

Page 5: Describe Pictures in English

WHAT’S SHE/HE LIKE?TO BE/ HAVE GOT

SHE’S BLACK-SKINNEDSHE’S NOT VERY TALL, SHE’S AVERAGE. SHE HAS GOT BIG BROWN EYES. SHE’S GOT SHORT STRAIGHT BLACK HAIR. SHE’S A LITTLE OVERWEIGHT AND CURVY. SHE’S GOT A NICE SMILE.

HE’S GOT WHITE SKIN.HE’S TALL AND SLIM, OR EVEN SKINNY. HE’S GOT LONG CURLY DARK HAIR. HIS EYES ARE BLACKHE’S GOT A VERY SMALL NOSE AND HE’S AROUND 30 YEARS OLD IN THE PICTURE

KEEP IN MIND: ORDER OF THE ADJECTIVELONG CURLY FAIR HAIR

Page 6: Describe Pictures in English

PLEASE MAKE A GUESS!

• I'd say ...• It might…/ it may…• He could…• It looks like…• It seems…• Perhaps…/Maybe…• It's difficult to say, but I can guess…• I'm not quite sure, but I think…

Page 7: Describe Pictures in English

DESCRIBING ACTIONSPRESENT CONTINUOUS

• Describe the actions using the PRESENT CONTINUOUS/PROGRESSIVE.

The coach is talking to the football players.The football players are sitting on a bench listening to the coach. Some football players are thinking about the next match. One football player is holding a ball for playing.A football player is covering his face with his hands.A football player is saying a pray. The goalkeeper is just sleeping.

Page 8: Describe Pictures in English

MAKING PREDICTIONS BE GOING TO/WILL

• I think he’s going to…(there’s a given evidence)• In my opinion, it’s going to • It might not…• He’ll probably …• It definitely won’t…• I believe, it’s like to…• I’m almost certain, it’s going to…• I think it will …(not a given evidence)

Page 9: Describe Pictures in English

EXPRESSING YOUR OPINIONPRESENT SIMPLE

• In my opinion…• As far as I´m concerned…• As I see it…• I would say that…• If you ask me…• Personally…• I suppose/believe/think/guess…• From my point of view…

Page 10: Describe Pictures in English

USEFUL TIPS

1.Look very carefully to the picture.

2. Use present continuous to tell what’s happening

3. Use alternative words or paraphrase if you don’t know the exact words.

4. Do not use general terms to describe people or items. You need to use the vocabulary according to your level.

5. Give full answers, avoid to use one single word or lists.

6. If there’s a person/ people you must describe their appearance.

7. Keep talking ( do not get stuck on words), make guesses, ask questions, paraphrase and give evidence of your skills.

8. Try to direct the conversation towards something you can easily talk about.

9. Keep eye contact with your examiner/partner and be animated! Show a positive attitude and don’t be too shy.

Page 11: Describe Pictures in English

PREPOSITIONS IN THE TOP LEFT HAND

CORNER

AT THE TOP IN THE TOP RIGHT HAND

CORNER

IN THE BACKGROUND

ON THE LEFT

ON THE RIGHT

IN THE MIDDLE/CENTRE

IN THE FOREGROUND

IN THE BOTTOM LEFT HAND

CORNER

IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND

CORNERAT THE

BOTTOM

Page 12: Describe Pictures in English

EXAMPLE: In the picture I can see a beautiful landscape of the city of London.

In the background I can see The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben and there are also some black taxis. There are some people walking down the road. I guess it is a touristic place, so they ‘re doing some sightseeing.

In the foreground there are two police officers riding a horse. One of them is riding a lovely white horse and the other is on a brown one. The one on the white looks older and shorter than that one on the brown horse. Both are wearing a uniform and helmets and they are also wearing coats since the weather is not so pleasant, even tough the sky seems clear and bright.

I would say that this is a busy area of London and these officers are just protecting the visitors’ security, that’s why I would love to become a police officer.

QUESTIONS:WHERE ARE THESE PEOPLE?WHAT ARE THEY DOING?HOW OLD DO YOU THINK THEY ARE?WHAT ARE THEY WEARING?HOW ARE THEY FEELING?WHAT CAN YOU SEE IN THE BACKGROUND?WOULD YOU ENJOY DOING SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

Page 13: Describe Pictures in English

DESCRIBE THESE PICTURES

1 2

Page 14: Describe Pictures in English

TEACHING PROPORSALS

Here are some ideas to be developed in the classroom related to picture description.

1.In pairs, one student draws a picture while the other describes it.

2.In pairs, “guess where I have been to” , one student describes a place she/ he has been to.

3.Describe a comic strip. Teacher shows it to all the class and each student says a sentence. After that, they can write, discuss or make up the ending.

4.They can describe their village, house or bedroom to the whole class and the best description is placed on the wall.

Obviously there are more ideas, and teachers, we are imaginative and can carry out any of these. Good luck!

Page 15: Describe Pictures in English

Thanks for watching

The images attached to this presentation have been taken from Google Images if you think I should remove any of them, please let me know. Send an e-mail to [email protected]. Remember these are only for learning purposes.

ENJOY LEARNING ENGLISH THE MORE YOU PRACTICE, THE MORE YOU LEARN

www.mayenglishcorner.blogspot.com.es