Writing the English alphabet letter A correctly in
manuscript and cursive.
Capital
A
manuscript
Small
a
manuscript
Capital
A
cursive
Small
a
cursive
Video:
Writing the English Alphabet Letter A
Video:
Writing the English Alphabet For Kids Letter A
From
YOUR Teacher:Cursive
Writing
A few thoughts about cursive writing. With the invention
of the word processor and computers, the need for
handwritten (cursive) text has been greatly reduced.
Most people now use email and texting to send messages
to friends. People rarely send handwritten letters
anymore. Still cursive writing is important to know and
a very beautiful style of writing. In America, cursive
writing is used for signatures on important papers such
as when buying a house or a car and for signing checks
used when making purchases at stores.
Additional Lessons
About These
Lessons
The following classroom lessons are great for students
who want additional conversation, listening, and reading
practice.
Conversation Lesson -
Beginner Level. Let's
Learn English conversation lesson
with a conversation video, a video script, audio
listening practice, video speaking practice, video
pronunciation practice, a new
words section, and a writing activity.
In this lesson Anna discovers a festival - the
Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall. What
does she learn there about Basque culture?
Lesson Video
Watch the video and then do the activities on this page.
Video Script
Anna: Yesterday was the most amazing day. I want to tell my friend back home
about it. So, I am writing her a letter!
Anna: Dear Penelope,
Life in Washington, D.C. is interesting. I see something new every day -- like
yesterday. Yesterday started like a usual work day.
Anna: I said, "Yesterday started like a usual work day."
Anna's voice: I was at work. And I wanted a break. So, I walked and walked … and
walked. Then, I saw something! It was a festival -- a big festival!
Anna: It is the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
Anna's voice: Yes. It was the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Every year the
festival shows different cultures. This year one of the cultures was the Basque
culture.
There was dancing and food and games!”
Anna: I am dancing a traditional Basque dance.
Anna's voice: At the festival, I danced a traditional Basque dance!
Anna: They are cooking traditional Basque food.
Anna's voice: They cooked a lot of traditional Basque food.
Anna: They are playing a game. It’s a kind of handball. What do they call it?
They call it pilota!
Anna's voice: They played a game with their hands and a small ball. It’s a kind
of handball. But this game is called pilota.
Anna: This is beautiful! This is traditional Basque art.
Anna: They are making a traditional Basque ship. This festival is a lot of fun!
Anna's voice: The whole day was a lot of fun!
Anna: Who said that? I want to write my friends and tell them about my day!
Anna: … So, I wanted to tell you about my day! Please, my friend, come visit
Washington, D.C. soon. There is a lot to do! Until next time … Anna.
Listening
Now practice listening to only the audio portion of the conversation.
Speaking
Learn to pronounce the new words for this lesson. You also learn about the words
people use in English when they cannot remember a word, or they do not know a
word.
Pronunciation
Use this video to learn about three ways to pronounce the past tense ending of
regular verbs.
New Words
was -
v. past tense of the verb "be" in first or
third person (I was; he/she/it was)
Basque Country -
n. region of Spain
culture -
n. the beliefs, customs, or arts of a
particular society
festival -
n. an organized series of performances
handball -
n. a game for two or four players who use their
hands to hit a ball against a wall
interesting -
adj. attracting your attention and making you
want to learn more about something or to be involved in something
said -
v. past tense of the verb "say"
traditional -
adj. following the tradition of a certain group
or culture
Past tense verbs
start - started
want - wanted
walk - walked
dance - danced
play - played
call - called
Activity
Tell about a party or festival in your town. Write about
it in the Facebook Comments section below. Then practice
using the past tense with a friend.
Click
lesson activity to get the printable PDF version. The
page opens to a new window.
Study all 52 English conversation lessons. Let's Learn
English conversation lessons each with a conversation
video, a video script, audio listening practice, video
speaking practice, video pronunciation practice, a new
words section, and a writing activity.
These
lessons are for beginners.
The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this
topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section,
and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program
Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this
topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section,
and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program
Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
The lesson includes an audio program explaining this
topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section,
and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program
Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
Hey Students,
Use this dictionary and reference to look up any words you do not
understand in Fun Easy English.
