Everyday English (Vocabulary Building)
Topic: Countries & Nationalities
We will learn and practise vocabulary related to countries and nationalities.
Lesson Notes January 27, 2026 (Vocabulary Building)
Words & Phrases
You cheer for a team.
One of my students went to cheer (on / for) her brother’s team. (= to support someone / team at a game)
You cheer up a person.
The team lost the championship and needed to be cheered up. (= to improve someone’s mood)
The official teams that compete seriously against other universities
She plays on the university volleyball team.
He’s on the varsity soccer team.
These are for enjoyment, fun, fitness, or casual games.
She plays on a volleyball club team.
I joined an intramural table tennis team.
I was so nervous to hold my new granddaughter. She (wiggles / squirms) a lot.
wiggle = small, playful movements
squirm = restless twisting, often because someone is uncomfortable or very energetic
Grammar
English uses up, down, and over based on how the speaker imagines the place, but also on the geography of the area.
The weather was nice so I walked down to Shinyurigaoka today.
(This often suggests downhill, south on a map, or toward a busier or lower area)
After work, I will walk up to Seijogakuenmae.
(This often suggests uphill, north on a map, or toward a main area or destination)
I’m going over to Chofu later today.
(This often used when the place is not especially far and no up/down idea is important)
Countries and Nationalities
Page 4 Exercise 6
Jacques (proper noun) ʒɑːk / ZHAHK = a common French male given name, equivalent to James in English.
Section 5
Israel (proper noun) ˈɪz.reɪ.el / IS-ra-el
Israeli (adj / noun) ɪzˈreɪ.li / iz-RAY-lee
Hebrew (adj / noun) ˈhiː.bruː / HEE-broo
Section 5.3
Brazilian = brəˈzɪl.jən / bruh-ZIL-yuhn
Japan = dʒəˈpæn / juh-PAN
Egyptian = ɪˈdʒɪp.ʃən / i-JIP-shuhn
Arabic = ˈær.ə.bɪk / AIR-uh-bik
Scandinavia = ˌskænd.ɪˈneɪ.vi.ə / SKAN-duh-NAY-vee-uh
Chinese = tʃaɪˈniːz / chi-NEEZ
Portuguese = ˌpɔːr.tʃəˈɡiːz / por-chuh-GEEZ
Australia = ɒˈstreɪ.li.ə / os-TRAY-lee-uh
Saudi Arabia = ˈsaʊ.di əˈreɪ.bi.ə / SAU-dee uh-RAY-bee-uh
Next Lesson
February 3, 2026 12 Countries & Nationalities Section 5.4 (page 6)
