Instructor: Maryam Ababou

S2 Media & Psychology

English & Communication

Course Description:

This course is designed to engage students actively with English language material, with a
strong emphasis on speaking practice and communication skills. The main focus of the class is
to help students internalize grammar rules through elicitation and to encourage extensive
practice through speaking activities.

A Side Note:

Remember that the value of what you are studying right now goes far beyond exams and grades.
A grade does not define who you are as a person, and you are worth so much more. What
matters most is how much you have enjoyed the process of learning.

In any language class, or any class in general, it is not about how many rules you know, but
how well you can use them in real situations. And always remember: mistakes are part of the
process and should be welcomed, not feared.

Let yourself grow. Let yourself be.

 Lessons
Zero and first conditionals

What is a conditional?

A conditional is a type of sentence that has two parts:

• IF CLAUSE = Condition
• MAIN CLAUSE = Result

The ‘IF CLAUSE’ can come first or second in the sentence.

Important:
If you start a sentence with the ‘IF CLAUSE’, use a comma between the clauses.

Examples:

• If it rains, we won’t play tennis.

• We won’t play tennis if it rains.

Breakdown:

• IF CLAUSE = if it rains
• MAIN CLAUSE = we won’t play tennis

Zero Conditional

Form:

If/When + subject + present simple, subject + present simple

Use:

• For facts or things that are always true

• You can use “if” or “when” to start the IF CLAUSE
• Used for real situations in the present

Example:

• If/When you eat ice cream on a sunny day, it melts.

 First Conditional

Form:

If + subject + present simple, subject + will + base form

Use:

• For events or situations that are likely to happen

• Used for real situations in the present or future

Examples:

• If I study a lot for the exam, I will pass. (likely to be true in the future)
• I’ll pass the exam if I study a lot for it.

Other uses for first conditional:

- You can also use other modal verbs instead of “will.”

- If you need money, I can/might/could lend you some.

To sum up:

1. Zero Conditional: (facts, general truths) → If + Present Simple, Present

Simple
2. First Conditional: (future possibility) → If + Present Simple, Will + Verb

Relative pronouns

What are relative clauses?

A relative clause is a part of a sentence that gives more information about a noun. We usually
use relative pronouns to connect ideas and add important details without starting a new
sentence.
These include: who, which, where, and when.

For example:

- The man who lives next door is very friendly. (The relative clause "who lives next
door" gives more information about "the man.")

Relative pronouns:
o Who → for people: She is the teacher who helped me.

o Which → for things: The car which is parked outside is mine.

o Where → for places: This is the house where I grew up.

o When → for time: I remember the day when we first met.

Simple future

Using "Will" for future

"Will" is used when we decide to do something at the moment of speaking or when we make
predictions without any present evidence. The structure for using "will" is: Subject + will +
base form of the verb.

Examples:

- I think, it will rain tomorrow.

- She will call you soon.

Talking about an uncertain future

• Sometimes, we are not sure about what will happen. In this case, we use modal verbs
like might, may, or probably. These expressions show that the future is uncertain or
depends on something else.

Examples:

- I might study tonight.

- I may study tonight if I have time.
- I will probably study, but I’m not sure.

Using "Be Going To" for future

"Be going to" is used to talk about plans or intentions and to make predictions about the future
when there is present evidence. The structure is: Subject + be (am/is/are) + going to + base
form of the verb.
Examples:

- Look at these clouds! It is going to rain.

- I am going to visit my grandparents next week.

Making requests

What is a request?

A request is a polite or formal way of asking someone to do something or provide information.

It could be as simple as asking for a glass of water or as complex as requesting a favor from a
colleague.

Common request structures

1. Using modals:

Structure:
Modal + base form of the verb

Examples:

• Can you keep your cat inside?

• Would you please lend me your book?

2. Using “would you mind”

Structure:
Would you mind + verb + -ing

Examples:

• Would you mind keeping your cat inside?

• Would you mind turning the music down, please?

Making requests in different situations

- Formal situations
 • Could it be possible to open the window?

• Would it be possible to reschedule the meeting?

• Is it possible to get a copy of the report?

• Would you mind helping me with this form?

• I was wondering if you could help me with my luggage.

- Informal situations

• Can you help me with this bag?

• Would you call me later?

• Please, pass the salt.

• Please, can you take a picture of us?

Responding to requests

Accepting a request:

• Yes, of course.

• My pleasure.

• Sure!

• Absolutely.

• Certainly, yes.

• (Or simply) I will!

Rejecting a request:

• No.

• No, I can’t.

• I’m sorry, I can’t.

 • I’m afraid I can’t.

• I’m really sick—I just can’t.

Punctuation

There are two main types of clauses in English:

- Independent clause: A complete sentence that can stand alone and makes sense by
itself.

Examples:

• I like coffee.

• She went to the store.

- Dependent clause: An incomplete sentence that cannot stand alone. It needs an

independent clause to complete the meaning.

Examples:

• Because I was tired...

• If I go with you...

Remember: A dependent clause depends on an independent clause to form a full sentence.

Why is punctuation important?

Punctuation is not just for decoration—it plays a crucial role in helping your reader understand
your message. It can even change the meaning of a sentence entirely.

Common punctuation marks

1- Period ( . )

Used to end a statement.

Example:

• She is a student.

2- Exclamation mark ( ! )

Used to show strong emotions, excitement, or commands.

Example:

• Wow! That’s amazing!

3- Question mark ( ? )

Used to end a direct question.

Example:

• Where are you from?

4- Comma ( , )

Commas have several important uses:

• In lists: I bought apples, bananas, and oranges.

• After an introductory or dependent clause: After lunch, we went home.

• To separate two independent clauses joined by a conjunction: She was tired, but she
kept working.

Comparatives and superlatives

What are Comparatives and Superlatives?

• Comparatives are used to compare two people, things, places, or ideas.

Examples: bigger, taller, nicer
• Superlatives are used to show that something is the most or least among three or
more.
Examples: the biggest, the tallest, the nicest
Forming Comparatives and Superlatives

1- One-syllable adjectives

• Add -er for comparatives and -est for superlatives:

o tall → taller → the tallest
o fast → faster → the fastest
• If the adjective ends in Consonant + Vowel + Consonant, double the final
consonant:
o fat → fatter → the fattest
o sad → sadder → the saddest

2- Two-syllable adjectives

• Use more / less for comparatives and the most / the least for superlatives:
o beautiful → more beautiful → the most beautiful
o thoughtful → more thoughtful → the most thoughtful
• If it ends in -y, change -y → -i and add -er / -est:
o happy → happier → the happiest
o hungry → hungrier → the hungriest
• If it ends in -ow, add -er / -est:
o narrow → narrower → the narrowest

3- Exceptions (can take both forms):

Some adjectives can use either -er/-est or more/most:

• simple → simpler / more simple → the simplest / the most simple

• friendly → friendlier / more friendly → the friendliest / the most friendly
• clever → cleverer / more clever → the cleverest / the most clever

4- Irregular adjectives

• bad → worse → the worst

• good → better → the best
• little → less → the least
• far → farther → the farthest

5- Sentence structure
 Comparatives

Noun + verb + comparative + than + noun

• She is shorter than Lisa.

• My car is faster than his.

Superlatives

Noun + verb + the + superlative

• She is the shortest.

• My car is the fastest.

Modals for necessity and suggestion

Use these modals to talk about things that are necessary or required:

▪ You must wear a seatbelt.

▪ I need to finish this report.
▪ We have to wear uniforms at school.
▪ You don’t have to come if you're busy.

Use these modals to offer advice or make recommendations:

▪ You should drink more water.

▪ You shouldn’t eat too much sugar.
▪ You ought to call your parents.
▪ You’d better study for the test, or you might fail.

Infinitives and gerunds

What is a gerund?

• A gerund is a verb + -ing that functions as a noun.

• Examples:
o Walking is good for your health.
o Reading helps you learn alot.
 Not every "-ing" verb is a gerund:

• I am eating. (Here, "eating" is a verb in the present continuous tense)

• Jenny enjoys walking. (Here, "walking" is a gerund, used as a noun)

What is an infinitive?

• An infinitive is to + base form of the verb.

• Examples:

o I want to sleep after exams.

o She needs to charge her phone.
o They forgot to bring the snacks.
o We decided to take a break.

Using gerunds and infinitives as subjects

Form Example
Gerund as a subject - Cooking takes time.
- Watching movies is fun.
Infinitive as a subject (more formal) - To cook well, you need practice.
- To learn means to grow.

Verbs that take gerunds only

Verb Example
Enjoy I enjoy playing the guitar.
consider He considered moving abroad.
Suggest She suggested going to the beach.
Deny He denied stealing the money.
Imagine Can you imagine living in space?

Go + gerund (for activities):

• go swimming, go dancing, go jogging, go hiking, go snorkeling

Verbs that take infinitives only

 Verb Example
Want I want to leave.
Agree She agreed to help.
Plan We plan to travel this summer.
Demand They demanded to speak to the manager.
Manage He managed to finish early.

Verb + Object + Infinitive:

• She told him to go.

• He asked us to help.
• They encouraged her to apply.

Adjective + Infinitive:

• I’m happy to help.

• She was surprised to see him.
• They were excited to travel.

Verbs that take both gerunds and infinitives

(with little or no change in meaning)

Verb Example
Like I like reading. / I like to read.
Start She started crying. / She started to cry.
Prefer We prefer walking. / We prefer to walk.
Hate He hates waiting. / He hates to wait.

Gerunds after prepositions

• Common prepositions: before, after, without, by, since, instead of

• Examples:
o I warmed up before running.
o She left without saying goodbye.
o He improved by practicing every day.

Summary tip
 Rule Example
If the first action leads to the second →
He wants to eat pizza.
Use infinitive
If both actions happen at the same time He likes eating pizza.
→ Use gerund

Simple & compound sentences

Simple sentences:

A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause with a subject and a predicate. An
independent clause can stand alone as a complete thought. Simple sentences are easy to
understand and are often used to express straightforward ideas or facts.

Examples:

- She loves pizza.

- The cat sleeps on the couch.
- I bought a new car.
- They went to the movies.
- The sun sets in the west.

Compound sentences:

Compound sentences contain two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating

conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or a semicolon. Both clauses could stand alone as
complete sentences, but they are linked together to express related ideas or provide contrast.

Examples:

- She loves pizza, and she also enjoys pasta.

- The cat sleeps on the couch, but the dog prefers the floor.
- I bought a new car, so I can travel more comfortably.
- They went to the movies, yet they forgot to buy popcorn.
- The sun sets in the west, and the moon rises in the east.

Best of luck!