Everyday English (Elementary)

Topic: Dates and Numbers

Lesson Notes December 23, 2025 (Elementary)

Words & Phrases

• My wrist was still swollen after 10 days. (We don’t usually say ‘keep swelling’, unless the injury continues to get larger and larger)

• We reserved a private (room / space) for my birthday dinner.

• I had an end of year party with my former high school friends. (The phrase ‘high school time’ is used to talk about past times only)

• He lives on the fourteenth floor. The scenery from the balcony was so nice. The balcony faces west so I could see the sunset. (NOT ‘veranda’; see Appropriate Language below)

• His dishes were very delicious. (NOT ‘menu’; see Appropriate Language below)

• The menu was very large and took time to read.

• The turtles remember the crinkling sound of the package opening.

Appropriate Language

• ‘A balcony’ is a small outdoor space that is attached to an upper floor of a building. It sticks out from the building and is usually not on the ground.

• ‘A veranda’ is a larger outdoor space that is attached to the ground floor of a house. It is often covered by a roof and runs along the front or side of the house.

• ‘Dishes’ are the individual foods that are cooked and served. For example pasta, curry, salad, or soup are dishes.

• ‘A menu’ is the list of dishes that a restaurant offers. You read the menu to choose which dish you want.

Life in Numbers

• Do you know the birthrate in Japan?

• It’s one point one five. (= 1.15)

• The smallest birthday is Korea at zero point seven two. (= 0.72)

• Japan has the highest ageing rate. (NOT top ageing)

• Roman numerals don’t have a zero.