Miyako’s Education is the story of a Japanese university student. Her name is Miyako and she wants to learn about everything. She has a friend. His name is John. He comes from Australia. Follow the story here.
12.28.2010
12.27.2010
A Christmas story
The Christmas the Lights Went OutFive people, whose lives interrelate, live the build up to Christmas in different ways in different places. A sudden blackout changes their lives forever ...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Learn about Christmas through the ages.Don’t read the script. Go to the bottom of the page and follow the instructions.
Does Santa provide an unhealthy image for kids?
Don't read the script. Go to the bottom of the page and follow the instructions.
Listen to some information about Christmas and do the quiz. Then listen and read the script.
Listen to some interviews and choose the right answer. Then listen and read the script.
Watch the video with the Christmas song we did in class.
All I Want for Christmas is You
12.11.2010
5 tips for learning English
Watch this woman giving some tips to students who learn English as a second language (ESL students) and answer the questions. (answers in "comments")
1. Why does she understand the struggles and challenges that students have to face?
2. What's her first tip? How can you get that?
3. What's her second tip? Why does she recommend doing that?
4. What does she say about writing?
5. What does she say about reading?
6. How are they learning English according to her?
1. Why does she understand the struggles and challenges that students have to face?
2. What's her first tip? How can you get that?
3. What's her second tip? Why does she recommend doing that?
4. What does she say about writing?
5. What does she say about reading?
6. How are they learning English according to her?
How to succeed at university
Watch two teachers giving tips on how to succeed at university and answer the questions. (answers in "comments")
1. What's their intention?
2. The first teacher recommends not to spend money on electronic dictionaries, why?
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3. What's her advice?
4. According to the second teacher why are students there?
5. What do they have to do?
6. What's the last strange tip?
1. What's their intention?
2. The first teacher recommends not to spend money on electronic dictionaries, why?
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3. What's her advice?
4. According to the second teacher why are students there?
5. What do they have to do?
6. What's the last strange tip?
12.06.2010
Striking Spain air traffic controllers return to work
Watch the news report and answer the following questions (answers in "comments").
Glossary:
- Stranded /’strændɪd/left somewhere with no way of going anywhere else
Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at the airport.
- Resumed /rɪ’zju:md/to be started again after being stopped temporarily
flights were resumed
- Grind to a halt / Ground to a halt /hɔ:lt/to slowly come to a stop
Traffic on the interstate almost ground to a halt today because it was so foggy.
- Reliant on /rɪ’laɪənt/depending on someone or something
A country heavily reliant on tourism.
- To drag on to continue for longer than you want or think is necessary
Not allowing the chaos to drag on
Questions:
1. When did the first flight take off from Madrid after hours of frustration and delay?
2. What does the Italian passenger in Barcelona say?
3. How long were Spain traffic control towers deserted?
4. Why did air traffic controllers go on strike?
5. How did the government react?
6. Why is this measure described as "a bitter pill to swallow"?
7. Why do just few Spaniards have sympathy for the controllers?
8. What's not quite over yet?
Glossary:
- Stranded /’strændɪd/left somewhere with no way of going anywhere else
Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at the airport.
- Resumed /rɪ’zju:md/to be started again after being stopped temporarily
flights were resumed
- Grind to a halt / Ground to a halt /hɔ:lt/to slowly come to a stop
Traffic on the interstate almost ground to a halt today because it was so foggy.
- Reliant on /rɪ’laɪənt/depending on someone or something
A country heavily reliant on tourism.
- To drag on to continue for longer than you want or think is necessary
Not allowing the chaos to drag on
Questions:
1. When did the first flight take off from Madrid after hours of frustration and delay?
2. What does the Italian passenger in Barcelona say?
3. How long were Spain traffic control towers deserted?
4. Why did air traffic controllers go on strike?
5. How did the government react?
6. Why is this measure described as "a bitter pill to swallow"?
7. Why do just few Spaniards have sympathy for the controllers?
8. What's not quite over yet?
12.03.2010
SLEEP
I. The Problem .Watch the video a couple of times trying not to look at the subtitles and take notes. Then watch it again and check your notes.
II. Why sleep matters?
Watch the video and learn about the importance of sleeping. It has subtitles.
III. 12 sleeping tips.
Read 12 sleeping tips (the highlighted words are explained) and watch the videos (they have subtitles).
Organic food
Have a look at the comprehension exercise. Listen to the conversation twice and try to do the activity. Then listen again, read the script and check the answers.
12.02.2010
Listening Handout December
I. SCHOOLS GIVE STUDENTS TOOLS TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST BULLIES
http://www.cdlponline.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=activity1&topicID=5&storyID=208
II. DIVERSITY By Vincent O'Brien (1’19’’) (North of England accent)http://www.bbc.co.uk/videonation/articles/c/cumbria_diversity.shtml
III. A TRAVEL AGENT TALKS ABOUT HIS JOB (3'18'')
http://podcasts.britishcouncil.org/podcasts/prof-travel-agent.mp3
IV. E-BOOKS ARE THE FUTURE (4’28’’)
http://www.manythings.org/b/e/3297
V. EXCHANGE STUDENTS (15’)
http://spotlightradio.net/listen/exchange-students/
http://www.cdlponline.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=activity1&topicID=5&storyID=208
II. DIVERSITY By Vincent O'Brien (1’19’’) (North of England accent)http://www.bbc.co.uk/videonation/articles/c/cumbria_diversity.shtml
III. A TRAVEL AGENT TALKS ABOUT HIS JOB (3'18'')
http://podcasts.britishcouncil.org/podcasts/prof-travel-agent.mp3
IV. E-BOOKS ARE THE FUTURE (4’28’’)
http://www.manythings.org/b/e/3297
V. EXCHANGE STUDENTS (15’)
http://spotlightradio.net/listen/exchange-students/
11.30.2010
FOOD
Listen to the podcast and take notes. Then click on "read article online and do the language activity". Don't read the article, click on "task", have a look at the questions and see if you can answer any of them using your notes. Listen again (without looking at the script) and answer the questions. Finally, check your answers, listen and read the text.
11.26.2010
Healthy food
Have a look at the demo video "Eat Better, Look Better". Why don't you register? It's free and you'll have access to lots of videos like this. You can also record your voice. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Some historyListen to this short text about Thanksgiving and fill in the gaps (you can choose the answer from the drop-down menus if you don't know which word you need).
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
Watch this video and learn some words and expressions related to Thanksgiving.
In this video a girl talks about how she loves Thanksgiving food, although it makes her put on weight.
Thanksgiving recipes:
How to cook a turkey- video with comprehension questions.
How to make pumpkin pie. Watch the video and learn useful vocabulary related to cooking and a delicious recipe (the video has subtitles and you can also read the script which is at the bottom of the page).
I hope you're better cooks than Bart!
And last but not least, the song we heard yesterday: Except for the Turkey!
In this video a girl talks about how she loves Thanksgiving food, although it makes her put on weight.
Thanksgiving recipes:
How to cook a turkey- video with comprehension questions.
How to make pumpkin pie. Watch the video and learn useful vocabulary related to cooking and a delicious recipe (the video has subtitles and you can also read the script which is at the bottom of the page).
I hope you're better cooks than Bart!
And last but not least, the song we heard yesterday: Except for the Turkey!
11.14.2010
JOBS
1. Listen to Tim and Jeff talking about cool jobs and do the quiz. Then click here to listen and read the script (you'll also learn some expressions). 2. Now listen to Tim and Jeff talking about jobs they wouldn't want to do. Don'tl look at the script and take notes. Then listen and read the script (have a look at some new expressions).
3. Listen to Jeff talking about job considerations such as pay, uniforms, and schedules and do the quiz. Then click here to listen and read the script.
11.10.2010
Modal Verbs
11.04.2010
November handout mistake
I'm afraid I've repeated one of the activities from October in November's Listening Handout (My favourite food).
I'm sorry about that.
This is the one you have to listened to instead:
V. Workaholism (6’)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2009/05/090528_6min_workaholism_page.shtml
Listen to the programme and take notes. Then listen and check your notes looking at the script (you also have some vocabulary).
Write here any new words you’ve learned.
I'm sorry about that.
This is the one you have to listened to instead:
V. Workaholism (6’)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2009/05/090528_6min_workaholism_page.shtml
Listen to the programme and take notes. Then listen and check your notes looking at the script (you also have some vocabulary).
Write here any new words you’ve learned.
GUY FAWKES
1. Listen to the story of Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night and fill in the gaps (two to five words). Click on "comments" to check your answers.
Guy Fawkes Night _______________ celebration. It celebrates a failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament (that’s where Big Ben is) in London. This was probably _______________ examples of terrorism, only it didn’t work. It all happened on ________________. A group of Catholics who were _______________ Protestant rulers wanted to bring the government down. Their leader was a man called Guy Fawkes and_______________ the Gunpowder Plot. Fortunately, some passersby saw Guy Fawkes and _______________with the gunpowder. Guy Fawkes was arrested. _______________ bonfire and burned to death. In Britain and former British colonies, this day is also called Bonfire Night.
Bonfire Night is perhaps _______________ celebration in Britain. Unfortunately, it is in winter and takes _______________. You have to brave the cold, but it is a happy occasion. _________________puts on a fireworks display. There is usually _______________ in the middle of the town. People gather at it to watch the fireworks and _________________Guy Fawkes Night food. Baked potatoes and toffee apples are the most popular treats. There is a mock guy on the bonfire to represent the real one that died _________________. Many families have smaller celebrations and will _______________, private fireworks display in their garden. There are many warnings to be careful because every year, children are injured in _______________.
2. Read more about the story of Guy Fawkes, Britain's most notorious traitor.
11.03.2010
Presidential Elections in the USA
How much do you know about the US Presidential Election system?
Watch this short video about US elections and answer some questions.
Questions:
1) How old do you have to be to vote in US Elections?
a) over sixteen
b) over eighteen
c) twenty-one
2) How often do people in the US vote to elect a new president?
a) every four years
b) every five years
c) every eighteen years
3) When is the next US presidential election due to be held?
a) 2011
b) 2012
c) 2013
4) How are US presidential elections decided?
a) The person with the most vote wins
b) The party with the most votes wins
c) by votes cast in individual states
5) What are the areas that states are divided into called?
a) congressional districts
b) electoral areas
c) voting divisions
6) How is the influence that a state has in the election measured?
a) By the number of people who vote
b) By how big the state is
c) By population size
7) What is a person standing for election known as?
a) a candidate
a) an elector
c) a stander
Click on the link to do an online quiz and check your answers
Thanks to Esol Courses: Free English Lessons Online
Watch this short video about US elections and answer some questions.
Electing a US President in Plain English from leelefever on Vimeo.
Questions:
1) How old do you have to be to vote in US Elections?
a) over sixteen
b) over eighteen
c) twenty-one
2) How often do people in the US vote to elect a new president?
a) every four years
b) every five years
c) every eighteen years
3) When is the next US presidential election due to be held?
a) 2011
b) 2012
c) 2013
4) How are US presidential elections decided?
a) The person with the most vote wins
b) The party with the most votes wins
c) by votes cast in individual states
5) What are the areas that states are divided into called?
a) congressional districts
b) electoral areas
c) voting divisions
6) How is the influence that a state has in the election measured?
a) By the number of people who vote
b) By how big the state is
c) By population size
7) What is a person standing for election known as?
a) a candidate
a) an elector
c) a stander
Click on the link to do an online quiz and check your answers
Thanks to Esol Courses: Free English Lessons Online
11.02.2010
LISTENING HANDOUT NOVEMBER 2010
I. A MAN EATS 182 CHICKEN WINGS IN 30 MINUTES (48’’)
http://www.simpleenglishnews.com/archives/stories/a-man-eats-182-chicken-wings-in-30-minutes-5313083
II. MY FAVOURITE FOOD
http://www.elllo.org/english/Mixer/61-Food.html
III. A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION (2’40’’)
http://englishdesk.blogspot.com/2010/07/good-first-impression.html
IV. MYTHS ABOUT SLEEP
http://www.headsupenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=412&Itemid=62
IV. STRESSED OUT? (3’42’’)
http://www.podcastsinenglish.com/pages/level2.shtml nº 56
http://www.simpleenglishnews.com/archives/stories/a-man-eats-182-chicken-wings-in-30-minutes-5313083
II. MY FAVOURITE FOOD
http://www.elllo.org/english/Mixer/61-Food.html
III. A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION (2’40’’)
http://englishdesk.blogspot.com/2010/07/good-first-impression.html
IV. MYTHS ABOUT SLEEP
http://www.headsupenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=412&Itemid=62
IV. STRESSED OUT? (3’42’’)
http://www.podcastsinenglish.com/pages/level2.shtml nº 56
MORE HALLOWEEN!
AMBERListen to the story and answer the questions. (The answers are in "comments")
1. How many people gathered to play with the ouija?
2. What did they do at first?
3. What was the board like?
4. What happened at 1.30 in the morning?
5. What did the *planchette spell once and again?
6. Who was Amber?
7. What was wrong with her?
8. What did they do ?
9. What happened the second time they contacted Amber?
10. What did they find out the following day?
* planchette: a plastic pointer that is supposed to move across the board at the command of the spirits.
10.30.2010
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
1. Carve your own pumpkin.2. Listen to an article (click at the bottom of the page) about Halloween and take notes (don't look at the script). Then, click on the handout at the bottom of the page and look at the questions. Listen again and try to answer them. Finally, listen and read the article. Check your answers at the end of the handout.
3. Watch the video we watched in class yesterday.
4. Listen to the song: This is Halloween lyrics10.28.2010
10.27.2010
Sentence stress
10.16.2010
Free time plans
Listen to this conversation between two friends and choose the right answer. Then you can listen and read the tapescript, you'll learn some new words and you can do some vocabulary activities too.
10.12.2010
More about happiness
Our sense of happiness can have a great impact on our health and life. Jeremy Milnes explores the things that make us happy. Find out how happiness affects your health and how to get more of it in your life.
Watch the video and complete the questions (to check your answers, click on "comments").
a) Can you complete the list of things that have to come together to produce happiness?
__________________, healthy mind, __________________, success, __________________.
b) Which things impact on our happiness?
Our __________________, our beliefs, our __________________, our upbringing, our income
c) How happy we are is influenced by four things:
1. Biology: __________________
2. Personality: Who tend to be happier?
3. Environment: our __________________, our income and whether we are in a __________________.
4. __________________ because it releases endorphines.
d) What is great about happiness?
e) Our levels of happiness can change from time to time so what pieces of advice does he give us?
- First of all _____________________________________
- Aim for __________________ and a positive attitude on life.
- The important thing is what _____________________________________
- Focus on _____________________________________
- Take up _____________________________________
- _______________ regularly.
- Laugh and ________________________________ because laughing releases tension and makes you feel better.
Watch the video and complete the questions (to check your answers, click on "comments").
a) Can you complete the list of things that have to come together to produce happiness?
__________________, healthy mind, __________________, success, __________________.
b) Which things impact on our happiness?
Our __________________, our beliefs, our __________________, our upbringing, our income
c) How happy we are is influenced by four things:
1. Biology: __________________
2. Personality: Who tend to be happier?
3. Environment: our __________________, our income and whether we are in a __________________.
4. __________________ because it releases endorphines.
d) What is great about happiness?
e) Our levels of happiness can change from time to time so what pieces of advice does he give us?
- First of all _____________________________________
- Aim for __________________ and a positive attitude on life.
- The important thing is what _____________________________________
- Focus on _____________________________________
- Take up _____________________________________
- _______________ regularly.
- Laugh and ________________________________ because laughing releases tension and makes you feel better.
10.03.2010
LISTENING HANDOUT OCTOBER 2010
I. Plans for the weekend: http://www.elllo.org/english/Games/G052Plans.htm
II. What's my favourite food? http://www.elllo.org/english/Mixer/61-Food.html
III. Learning languages: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/i-wanna-talk-about/learning-languages
IV.August news: http://www.englishclub.com/~newsfeed/201009.htm
V. How is the internet changing language today?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2XVdDSJHqY
II. What's my favourite food? http://www.elllo.org/english/Mixer/61-Food.html
III. Learning languages: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/i-wanna-talk-about/learning-languages
IV.August news: http://www.englishclub.com/~newsfeed/201009.htm
V. How is the internet changing language today?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2XVdDSJHqY
Lyrics training
If you like music, this will be your ideal website. Enjoy the songs and practise your English at the same time.
Choose a song and a level: beginner, intermediate or advanced and click on "help" to read the instructions.
Enjoy it!
Choose a song and a level: beginner, intermediate or advanced and click on "help" to read the instructions.
Enjoy it!
Brighton in the rain
1. Read the song and try to complete it with the past participle of the verbs on the left (don't look at the key). (Thanks to "It's Magazine" for this great activity)
Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside.
Listen to the podcast without looking at the text and take notes. Then listen and read. Check your notes and have a look at new words or expressions.
6.11.2010
Inner City Life
6.09.2010
6.07.2010
Some holiday destinations- The Trastevere in Rome
Watch the video and answer the questions or complete the sentences (answers in "comments")
1. What does the name “Trastevere” literally mean?
2. What do the proud neighbours believe themselves?
3. What did the neighbourhood become in the Middle Ages?
4. Who owns a lot of property there?
5. People go there to enjoy_________________________, to ______________________ in winding alleys or just to _________________ the chaos of central Rome. Visitors have always come here in search of _______________________________________.
6. What do some people fear?
7. What is the old café now?
8. What has the newspaper seller witnessed?
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9. Today the neighbourhood is _____________________ but still keeps __________________________________________.
10. The glory of Rome lies in its ability to retain layer after layer of history even ________________________________________________________________________.
Some holiday destinations- London
Watch this video about Soho in London and answer the questions or complete the sentences(answers in "comments")1. Where is Soho?
2. How can you get to Soho?
3. Which two ways of exploring the area does he mention?
4. The archs at Gerrard Street are the __________________________________.
5. What can you find in the area?
6. Which restaurant is a good option for vegetarians?
7. What is “Roonie Scott’s”?
8. People interested in art can also find ___________________________________.
9. Why does he say that Soho Square is transformed into a cultural square during the summer?
Some holiday destinations- New York
A visit to New York :Listen to a woman talking about her visit to New York. Choose the right answer and then listen and read the script.
Going on holiday? -Using a guidebook
Listen to the dialogue and learn some vocabulary.First you listen to the dialogue at a slow speed, then you listen to the vocabulary explanation and finally you listen to the conversation again at a normal speed.
Tips to improve your memory
Watch this video in which you get some tips to improve your memory. The first time watch it without the subtitles (click on "Sub" and choose "off")and take notes. Then watch it again looking at the subtitles to check you got the right information.
A job interview
A story about a job interview and some vocabulary. You can listen to it and take some notes. Finally you can read the lesson below.
6.04.2010
Distinguish facts and opinions
You know that in the exams you will have to write summaries distinguishing facts and opinions. I think this can help you to do that. You have the script, some notes and exercises too.
There are many other lessons you could also find interesting.
There are many other lessons you could also find interesting.
Cool jobs
Listen to Tim and Jeff talking about the jobs they'd like to do. Then listen and read the transcript.
Occupations
Watch the video and take notes. Check with the transcript. Look at the vocabulary on the right and see the spotlight too. Then you can try the quiz.
Job options
Listen to a conversation between Tim and Jeff and try the quiz. Then listen and read the script. Have a look at some vocabulary too.
Looking for a job
Listen and take notes. Then listen and read the script. Click on next and learn some words.
5.29.2010
Podcast on anti-social behaviour (Gordon Brown)
Listen and answer the questions, choose the right option or complete the following sentences. (Check your answers in “comments”).
1. What are the results of the government’s tough action?
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2. He knows that all facts and statistics are small comfort to the man who’s worried about ___________________________________________ or the person intimidated by rowdiness ___________________________________________ or the neighbour who___________________________________________
3. He says that, although he’s proud of their record, he would never be satisfied while a single British pensioner ___________________________________________________________ or a couple think it twice ___________________________________________________________.
4. What’s he going to do because the public have the right to know? How?
5. What will happen to every single one of the most chaotic families in Britain?
6. What will happen every time a young person bridges an ASBO?
7. Which of these measures have been taken recently?
a) They’ve created a new Team of Victims Champions to act on behalf or victims of anti-social behaviour.
b) Local councils will ban 24-hour drinking.
c) They’ve made local residents pay the cost of dealing with binge drinking.
d) Pubs and clubs will be made to pay the cost of keeping the neighbourhood safe?
8. What will they ensure in the future?
9. In the following days he says he’ll meet different people (local residents, police, the Victims Champion…) to see what more they can do to _______________________________________.
10. What is the government’s priority?
5.27.2010
Keep your English up to date
Making a complaint
Listen to this programme and take a closer look at the language of complaining. When you have listened to the programme, you can read the script if you want. Don't forget to practise what you've learned with the activity at the bottom of the page.
There are other How to... in case you want to have a look at them.
There are other How to... in case you want to have a look at them.
5.26.2010
5.21.2010
Writing formal letters in English:- Have a look at this website to see some instructions to write formal letters in English and some sample letters.
- Look at an example of business letters format.
Letters of complaint:
- This page describes the content, language and organisation of letters of complaint. There are also example letters and an exercise. There is a different page on how to reply to complaint letters.
5.17.2010
Tube successfully inserted into Gulf leak?
BP says tube successfully inserted back into Gulf leak. Watch the latest news about the spill.
Your ecological footprint
Calculate your ecological footprint (Spain is not one of the options, but maybe you can click on Italy and calculate it).
How green is your office? A green hotel
Listen to a conversation between an office worker and his boss. They are talking about how to make their office greener.
Then you can see the audioscript and do different activities online.
Watch a video about a green hotel and answer the questions. You can also see the text and do more activities.
Then you can see the audioscript and do different activities online.
Watch a video about a green hotel and answer the questions. You can also see the text and do more activities.
The Greenhouse Effect
Listen to an expert explaining what the Greenhouse Effect is.Read the transcript and see some vocabulary.
5.07.2010
What parents and kids are really doing online
Listen to this podcast and answer the questions (answers in "comments")1. What is the Norton Online Living Report?
2. What is ChildNet International's aim?
3. What are the children doing?
4. How many children in Britain report they've been approached by a stranger online?
5. What's the problem with parents?
6. What would ChildNet International like to see parents doing in order to protect children online?
7. What are these percentages: 75% and 40%?
8. What can parents do even if they aren't technical?
SPEAKING: Communication phrases and expressions
Learn and review some useful expressions for oral exams (you can listen to them).
1. Thinking time: Conversation Time Fillers
2. Agreeing and Disagreeing.
3. Taking turns: interrupting and turn-taking.
4. Interrupting politely.
5. Paraphrasing expressions: repeating things in a different way.
1. Thinking time: Conversation Time Fillers
2. Agreeing and Disagreeing.
3. Taking turns: interrupting and turn-taking.
4. Interrupting politely.
5. Paraphrasing expressions: repeating things in a different way.
5.06.2010
5.03.2010
May listening handout
I. Keep your laptop safe and functional(1’47”)
http://video.about.com/mobileoffice/Keep-Your-Laptop-Safe.htm
II. Underwater cameras (2’41”)
http://video.nytimes.com/video/playlist/technology/david-pogue/1194811622273/index.html#1247467678580
III. What would you do if you won a lot of money in the lottery?
http://www.elliesenglish.com/audioplay.php?folder=wendy&file=wendylife05&title=talking+about+life+...&image=bannerwendy&itype=png&return=wendyselect.php
IV. Sustainable energy projects in Africa (2’49”)
http://www.esolcourses.com/content/topics6june/environmentday.html
http://video.about.com/mobileoffice/Keep-Your-Laptop-Safe.htm
II. Underwater cameras (2’41”)
http://video.nytimes.com/video/playlist/technology/david-pogue/1194811622273/index.html#1247467678580
III. What would you do if you won a lot of money in the lottery?
http://www.elliesenglish.com/audioplay.php?folder=wendy&file=wendylife05&title=talking+about+life+...&image=bannerwendy&itype=png&return=wendyselect.php
IV. Sustainable energy projects in Africa (2’49”)
http://www.esolcourses.com/content/topics6june/environmentday.html
5.01.2010
Battle for Internet Freedom
After a long dispute, Google is saying goodbye to the world's biggest Internet population: China. As Terry McCarthy reports, many U.S. firms are rethinking their online business with the communist nation.Watch this video and answer the questions (answers in "comments").
1. What has Google decided to do?
2. Where have the 384 million users been moved?
3. Why did the Chinese government ban Google from operating inside the country?
4. When did the dispute begin? Why?
5. What was Beijing's reaction?
6. What does the blogger say?
7. What happened to sites like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube last year?
8. Why did Google decide it didn't have a choice?
9. What does James Lewis say?
10. What did Hillary Clinton demand?
4.25.2010
World Book Day
Listen to a short story: At Last, and take some notes. Then listen and read it to check your notes.
4.23.2010
Happy St.George's Day
I. Read about The life of Saint George, including the legend of his fight with a dragon and why this Roman soldier from Turkey became the patron saint of England.II. Watch a Scottish (Douglas Chalmers) talking about 'national pride' and St George's Day and answer the questions (answers in "comments").
1. What happened at Carlisle Castle 260 years ago?
2. What are, according to Douglas, Scottish football supporters with their wigs and kilts (apart from a combination of parody and patriotism)?
3. Who are proud of their nation?
4. Do the Scottish celebrate St. Andrew’s Day?
5. What is what he can’t understand?
6. Why are the English even thinking of sacking St. George and replacing him with another saint according to Douglas?
7. How do people consider the cross of St. Andrew, the Welsh dragon or the tricolour of Ireland?
8. What does the cross of St. George represent?
9. What does he encourage England to do?
III. A new patron saint for England? Listen and read the podcast and then try the quiz to check your understanding.
4.19.2010
Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull Volcano
1. Watch a video and read some news about the eruption and its consequences (Sky news).2. Watch and read the latest news (BBC).
4.18.2010
London Underground Ghosts
I. Watch the video and answer the questions. Then check your answers in "comments".
1. How many people use the London Underground every day?
2. What has happened from the early days of construction?
3. How has the tube disturbed thousands of people's souls?
4. How is the underground different once it shuts for the night?
5. What happened in the summer of 2000? Tell the story.
6. What do they say about Bank Station?
7. Complete Andy's story (one word in each gap- complete the last sentence).
Andy's story took place in _______________ during a _______________ _______________. He _______________ _________________
______________ on the door of a lift he had just checked and was sure it was empty. He carried on ignoring it.
Then he went to the switch room and he _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ and just left on the emergency lights. He started to walk through the ticket hall. As he was crossing, all of a sudden _______________ _____________ slammed. He wouldn’t even _______________ _______________ . There was no wind, no nothing. It scared the life out of him. It was…
8. Who were Larry and Bob?
9. What happened to them in Kennington Loop? Why do they think that happened?
10. What's special about their story?
II. Read about some of London Underground ghosts.
III. Have a look at some funny rules about the London Underground.
1. How many people use the London Underground every day?
2. What has happened from the early days of construction?
3. How has the tube disturbed thousands of people's souls?
4. How is the underground different once it shuts for the night?
5. What happened in the summer of 2000? Tell the story.
6. What do they say about Bank Station?
7. Complete Andy's story (one word in each gap- complete the last sentence).
Andy's story took place in _______________ during a _______________ _______________. He _______________ _________________
______________ on the door of a lift he had just checked and was sure it was empty. He carried on ignoring it.
Then he went to the switch room and he _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ and just left on the emergency lights. He started to walk through the ticket hall. As he was crossing, all of a sudden _______________ _____________ slammed. He wouldn’t even _______________ _______________ . There was no wind, no nothing. It scared the life out of him. It was…
8. Who were Larry and Bob?
9. What happened to them in Kennington Loop? Why do they think that happened?
10. What's special about their story?
II. Read about some of London Underground ghosts.
III. Have a look at some funny rules about the London Underground.
4.09.2010
Scary sports
The listening we did yesterday in class was from: podcastsinenglish.com (level 2- number 60).
April Fool's Day
4. Listen to a discussion about some of the better hoaxes and learn some vocabulary associated with the day.
4.06.2010
Drabble competition
DRABBLE COMPETITIONThe Official School of Languages is having a drabble competition to celebrate the International Day of the Book.
WHAT IS A DRABBLE? It’s a short story, which is exactly 100 words.
· The drabble must have exactly, precisely, no more and no fewer than 100 words (title not included), or it will not be considered for the contest. Contractions and hyphenated words count as one word. The title must not contain more than 10 words.
· The stories can be on any theme.
· They will be selected on the basis of imagination, expression and writing ability.
· Stories must be submitted as an attachment to the following address: drabblecompetition@yahoo.es. The subject should be the title of your story and the level (e.g. “A dream come true” – Básico). A picture illustrating your story must also be attached. You will receive a confirmation email, if you don’t, please try again.
· Deadline: April 15, 2010.
· There will be prizes for the best two stories in Nivel Básico, Nivel Intermedio and Nivel Avanzado.
· Prizes will be given on April 22, 2010.
· Selected drabbles will be published on the school webpage and on the school noticeboards.
APRIL LISTENING HANDOUT
A. Listen to a girl talking about the book she’s reading.
http://www.audio-lingua.eu/spip.php?article858 (1’20)
B. Listen to this short lecture giving advice on how to study.
http://podcasts.britishcouncil.org/podcasts/prof-Study_Skills.mp3 (3’13’’)
C. Beyond Race. http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/player.html?channel=1806&category=5569&title=7083 (4’35’’)
D. Lying
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2010/03/100318_6min_lying_page.shtml (6’)
http://www.audio-lingua.eu/spip.php?article858 (1’20)
B. Listen to this short lecture giving advice on how to study.
http://podcasts.britishcouncil.org/podcasts/prof-Study_Skills.mp3 (3’13’’)
C. Beyond Race. http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/player.html?channel=1806&category=5569&title=7083 (4’35’’)
D. Lying
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2010/03/100318_6min_lying_page.shtml (6’)
3.26.2010
Football fans
Listen to Phil talking about being a football fan in England and answer the questions in the quiz. You can also see the script.
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