Englishtcha

Englishtcha Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Englishtcha, College & University, Moscow.

Continued...First day in Moscow.The metro doors are lethal on a windy day. It needs a strong shoulder charge to get them...
12/11/2019

Continued...First day in Moscow.

The metro doors are lethal on a windy day. It needs a strong shoulder charge to get them open. If you’re closely following, you can even be knocked off your feet. These are nothing, though, compared to the obliteration from the Russian Babushka next.

I was met with a stone cold face. An elderly cashier sat staring blankly through me. It was clear she didn’t want to be there. I plucked up the courage and said as quick as I could ‘Ya hachu billet’.

The words had no effect.

I tried again and again with various intonation to no avail. After the 10th time of saying this phrase and dripping with sweat, she burst, furiously shouting at me, forming a dark mist behind the glass window.

I was bewildered and upset. So i turned to the ever-growing line behind me and squealed ‘help’. Yet no one stepped forward. I turned and helplessly mouthed ‘ya hachu billet’ again, but the shouting didn’t stop.

I had already turned an albino shade of pale.

She jotted something down and slid it to me under the counter. I stared at it, but couldn’t work out any of the hieroglyphs. I just looked at it - like a little boy looks at the wall when in trouble - not really thinking about anything, but hoping the kerfuffle dies down by itself.

I turned and noticed a formal looking man sitting in a glass box next to the turnstiles. I ran over to the box and plastered the piece of paper against it so he could read my new lifeline. But he pointed to the exit. And i exited.

I got home and put the kettle on. I called the main office and told them that I couldn’t come to work because it was impossible to buy a ticket.

‘Just give them money’, they informed me with the tone of voice like - ‘blin, s kem mi rabotaem? On zhe durak.’

I perked up a bit and went back for round two. The same woman sat there. This time i had 50 roubles. Surprised, she hesitated, before sliding willy-wonkas-metro-golden ticket back to me. I ran faster than any teacher leaving school in May.
..

The problem only came to me a few years later when i retold this story.

*Note to foreigners learning Russian. If you say ‘Billet’ too quickly, you end up with a very bad swear word...

The first day 10 years ago - Me, Moscow and My Russian.I spent the first week and a half alone, acclimatising to the odd...
11/11/2019

The first day 10 years ago - Me, Moscow and My Russian.

I spent the first week and a half alone, acclimatising to the odd looks of the irremovable elderly neighbours on the benches outside the house. I started to wear my Union Jack socks and, nimbly, with my hands in my pockets, lift the bottoms up as I went by - to show that I was but a stupid foreigner. Nothing to be afraid of.

This ‘hint’ I’d use for almost half a year before I got the courage to wear normal socks.

In reality, I was scared of everything. I had travelled before, but it was always within the safety blanket of the European Union.

I knew I had to leave the house on the first day and make my way to the centre. I organised it with military precision to the point where I felt almost confident that I wouldn’t cry during the day. I got up at 5 before anyone was awake to stab, murder or r**e me and left the house. I lived at the bottom of the orange line which I couldn’t pronounce ‘properly’ for about 3 years.

‘Konkova,’ I said,
‘No silly, it’s Konkova,’ they replied.
Bemused, I gave up.

I tried walking to the centre. I got 40 mins in and not even to the next station when I turned back, threw plan A in the bin and wrote up plan B. The plan in which I actually had to talk to someone.

I whipped out my trusty, very old, james-bond-sony phone and googled ‘I want a ticket please’. Looking back, it probably wasn’t the brightest sentence to come up with. The translator came back with ‘YA HACHU BILET, POJALUESTA’. And… so…I got rid of the last word straight away. It wasn’t worth me even attempting it.

Ya ya ya ya I said, walking around in circles. Hachu hachu hachu hachu, I practiced, like I was having an abnormally long allergic reaction. Bilet bilet bilet bilet was close enough to the French ‘Billet’ for me to continue to the next stage. Putting it all together.

After 2 hours, I was ready, sentence on the tip of my tongue, as if I was going to forget it on the 10-minute stroll. I left, for the second time that morning, in the direction of the metro. Heart beating out of my chest.

… to be continued

I’m leaving Russia. I need a break from life and will travel the world in search of adventures. We never know what might...
07/11/2019

I’m leaving Russia. I need a break from life and will travel the world in search of adventures. We never know what might happen en route and as a precaution, I’ve been selling everything I own apart from the clothes on my back and laptop - to keep the blog going 😉.

I came here for what was supposed to be 6 weeks... and now, 10/11 years later I’m leaving. On a high note ☝🏻.

Here’s how story goes...
The summer of 2008 had passed and I hadn’t found a job for the new academic year. As a fresh, straight-from-uni teacher, I had been to countless interviews without success and was sitting miserably at home one day when I called my friend.
‘Why don’t you teach English abroad?’ He suggested.
‘What course do I need for that?’.
‘CELTA’.

I quickly typed it into the Internet and a selection of exotic countries popped up. Russia, the only snowy country, was first. I thought I’d practice filling out forms. I didn’t expect, neither want to come to Russia at the time. I downloaded the form for Moscow and sent it off anyway, not waiting for a reply.
Minutes had passed and I was onto the next bout of application forms when the phone rang from a strange number.
‘It’s ——— here. Could you do an interview?’
I was caught napping. I didn’t believe they would call me THAT quickly.

The interview was awful. They asked lots of questions about English grammar. Something we’re simply not taught at school in Britain.
Still, by the end of the interview, they wanted me on the course. And said that the invitation for the visa would be ready shortly.
2/3 weeks later and I’m sitting on the plane in the direction of red square, looking at my feet, and thinking, ‘what are you doing, Ben?’.

Not a word of Russian known. Not a single touristy place researched. I landed on a cold night at Domodyedovo and have loved it ever since.

06/11/2019

Alternatives for ‘at a very short limited amount of time’.

At the last minute/moment - в последнюю минуту/момент.
(M) to do something before it is too late.
(Ex) we started revising for our exams at the last moment.

At the eleventh hour - в последнюю минуту.
(M) at the latest possible moment.
(Ex) we completed the project at the eleventh hour.

Be at short notice - не предупредив заранее/ в короткие сроки.
(M) Without little advance warning.
(Ex) I know it’s at short notice but can you finish the presentation by tomorrow? 😱.

In a nick of time - в самый последний момент / как раз вовремя.
(M) to complete something just before a deadline or before something bad will happen.
(Ex) the hero saved the woman just in the nick of time, before the train hit her.
They completed the presentation just in the nick of time.

In the near future - в ближайшее время.
(M) closest time in the future.
(Ex) let’s meet in the near future to discuss things.

28/10/2019

Alternatives for :

As well as - не только... но и _____.
(M) doing something at the same time as something else.
(Ex) I did the video as well as the presentation.
She’s a lawyer as well as a doctor.

In addition to - в дополнение к.
(M) doing something on top of something else.
(Ex) in addition to the presentation, they made a video too.
In addition to winning multiple medals, she won the top scorer of the tournament.

More than what (is) expected - больше чем ожидалось.
(M) doing more than what people thought you were going to do.
(Ex) they did far more than what was expected of them and they got the promotion.

More than what (is) required - больше чем требуется.
(M) doing more than what someone told you to do.
(Ex) teachers love students who do more than what is required of them... and the students get better and better!

Exceeded expectations - превосходить ожидания.
(M) more than what (is) expected.
(Ex) little Danny exceed expectations and got a 5!

Exceeded requirements - превысить требования.
(M) more than what (is) required.
(Ex) Sarah was excellent at work - exceeded all her requirements and got headhunted by another company.

To go above and beyond (the call of duty) - выходить за рамки (своих) обязанностей; выше чувства долга.
(M) to do much more than what was expected of you at work.
(Ex) ‘wow, this time John really went above and beyond when doing this presentation - he even had a video!’

Dear Students,Thank you. Last day with you. Last lesson finished. Last ‘Funday Friday’. I’ve taught you amazing people f...
18/10/2019

Dear Students,

Thank you. Last day with you. Last lesson finished. Last ‘Funday Friday’. I’ve taught you amazing people for the last two and a bit years. I don’t have a bad word about any of you.

I have been really touched by your kind words, your singing, your sweet gestures, your smiles, and yes, your tears ❤️.

It’s been a privilege being your teacher.
-
I could go on about how amazing they are, all day, but what I love about them the most is their ability to try. They are fearless. I could point my finger at any one of them, and tell you they’ve got what it takes 💪.

I think as adults we sometimes forget to try new things and it’s the cornerstone of change and improvement.

So here’s to trying new things 🍻
And here’s to my forever students, and now, friends. ☺️

09/10/2019

Alternatives for easy:

Easy - лёгкий, нетрудный.
(M) without using much strength or strain.
(Ex) The test was really easy.
It was an easy win.

Effortless - без усилий, непринужденный.
(M) not using too much strength.
(Ex) the presentation felt effortless, having practiced it so many times.
You make it look so effortless.

Simple - простой, легкий.
(M) easily understood or done.
(Ex) it was a simple task. Putting Ikea things together is not as simple as you may think 😂.

Straightforward - простой, несложный.
(M) uncomplicated and easy.
(Ex) it was a straightforward victory, we knew we would win even before the game had started.

Piece of cake - легкий.
(M) easy.
(Ex) Is learning English a piece of cake for you?
For some, listening tasks are a piece of cake; others find speaking easy.

Plain sailing - что-л. лёгкое, простое.
(M) easy, especially about a process or movement.
(Ex) life isn’t quite as plain sailing as we hope.
As long as we get past that mountain the rest of the journey should be plain sailing.

A walk in the park - простой, как лёгкая прогулка.
(M) easy; simple.
(Ex) the interview was a walk in the park, they offered me the job straight away.
For some, cooking is a walk in the park, they’ve done it so many times before.

Happy teacher’s day!!!
04/10/2019

Happy teacher’s day!!!

03/10/2019

Phrases for:

In a bit of a pickle -
в плачевной ситуации
в трудной ситуации
(M) in a difficult situation.
(Ex) sorry I can’t speak, I’m in a bit of a pickle.

In a spot of bother
в затруднительном положении
(M) in a problematic (not super serious) situation.
(Ex) we were in a spot of bother with the police.

In a tight situation
В сложном положении
(M) In a difficult situation.
(Ex) we all know someone who can talk their way out of a tight situation.

In a bit of a mess -в трудной ситуации.
Много всего происходит сейчас.
(M) a situation which is confusing and full of problems.
(Ex) sorry, I’d help but I’m stuck in a bit of a mess right now.
I’m in a bit of a mess - this situation is crazy at work.

To be pressed -
В затруднении.
Под давлением.
(M) under pressure with time or work.
(Ex) I cant speak right now I’m a bit but pressed.

30/09/2019

Alternatives for:

Mixture - смесь.
(M) the joining of many parts to make one new thing.
(Ex) there’s a complete mixture of cultures in the capital but they are, still, all Londoners.
To make bread you need a mixture of flour, yeast, water, oil and a bit of luck.

Combination - сочетание/соединение.
(M) a joining of different parts.
(Ex) the night was amazing with a combination of theatre, music and showbiz.
The combination of 3 families with little kids makes a big mess.

Blend - смесь.
(M) see mixture.
(Ex) the group plays a blend of rock, pop and electronic music.
The key to a good English breakfast is a blend of tasty stodgy foods.

Amalgamation - объединение/амальгамирование.
(M) the joining of different parts (closely linked with business).
(Ex) the company started with an amalgamation of smaller organisations.

Fusion - фьюжн.
(M) the result of joining two or more things together to create something new.
(Ex) the restaurant has a great fusion of oriental and local dishes.
There’s a strong fusion of 2 different architectural designs.

Concoction - смесь/зелье.
(M) the joining of different ingredients or elements.
(Ex) their whisky sour is a superb concoction of the finest ingredients.
What is this concoction? You must give me the recipe!

12/09/2019

Alternatives for:

Recover - поправляться (в значении «идти на поправку»).
(M) process to feel better.
(Ex) it’s time for me to recover.
After the operation it took me a while to recover.

Get better/well - выздоравливать.
(M) to feel better after physical/mental injury.
(Ex) I’m getting better but I need a little more time.
“Get well soon!”.

Get over - преодолевать.
(M) to recover through a period of injury/illness.
(Ex) sometimes it takes a long time to get over a simply cold.
He can’t get over the loss of his dog.

Get your strength back - восстановить силы.
(M) to feel normal again.
(Ex) she says she wouldn’t go back to training until she gets her strength back.

Get back on your feet - встать на ноги.
(M) to recover until you are strong and well both physically or mentally.
(Ex) when you get back on your feet, you can come back to work, until then, stay at home.

Be on the mend - идти на поправку.
(M) to be in the process of recovering.
(Ex) you’ll be on the mend in no time.
John seems to be on the mend.

Recuperate - восстановиться.
(M) to recover from illness or exertion.
(Ex) teachers need the summer to recuperate after a long academic year.

R&R - отдыха и восстановление.
(M) rest and recuperation.
(Ex) I need a holiday for some old-fashioned R&R.

08/09/2019

Alternatives for:

Stop (smb) from doing something -
Остановить кого-то.
(M) to not allow somebody to do something.
(Ex) We we’re stopped from having parties in the classroom.
Drinking and driving has been stopped in most countries.

Block - остановить/запрещать.
(M) to stop the flow of something or someone from doing something.
(Ex) you can block someone (from seeing your profile).
“People have been blocked by the police from entering the government building”.

Ban - запрещать.
(M) to make an action, once allowed, to be against the rules/law.
(Ex) it was banned in many states in America from smoking ma*****na but now it’s permitted in some.

Smth is forbidden/prohibited- это запрещено.
(M) when something is against the law to do that action. Prohibited is stronger.
(Ex) it is prohibited to drive over the speed limit.
Smoking is forbidden in all public buildings in the UK.

Place/put an embargo on something. налагать эмбарго.
(M) to officially ban trade or goods from another country.
(Ex) China and America have often places embargoes on each other’s goods in recent months.

NSFW (Not Safe For Work)
(M) an initialism to write on an email/message to your friend/colleague to say ‘don’t open this at work’ because it may contain something rude which could be banned by your company and get you into trouble.

Address

Moscow

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Englishtcha posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category