Essentials 3

• Listen to this short video everyday for a week and you'll learn all these structures and vocabulary without an effort.

Awesome

Human imagination is absolutely amazing... Watch this video and you'll see why.

Some fun!

Essentials 2

• Listen to this short video everyday for a week and you'll learn all these structures and vocabulary without an effort.

A or an?

It's incredible how many people use the indefinite article 'an' in the wrong way. It's not only for nouns starting with a vowel. Listen to this post and you'll learn in what other cases we have to use it.

Essentials 1

Listen to this short video everyday for a week and you'll learn all these structures and vocabulary without an effort.

WORD OF THE WEEK: SHIVER

SHIVER

Verb [intransitive] /’ʃɪvə(r)/

1.if you shiver, your body shakes slightly, for example because you are cold or frightened

We stood shivering in the icy wind.

shiver with cold/fear/surprise etc:

She shivered with fear at the thought of seeing him again.

GREETINGS FROM AUSTRALIA

There he is in Australia.
Our dear classmate arrived safe and sound in spite of the problems with the controllers.
Next time you have to take us with you!!
What a wonderful experience! We are looking forward to seeing you again. We have so many questions waiting for you !!

Whose...?

Have you ever been in doubt about the use of "WHOSE"? You will never again if you listen to this post everyday for a week.

WORD OF THE WEEK: Mini saga

Mini Saga - stories in exactly 50 words
50 words is not a lot. With some discipline and creativity, you can say a lot in 50 words.
A mini saga is a story that is told in exactly 50 words - not 49 or 51 but exactly 50 words. This is a great exercise for the brain. I was first introduced to this by Daniel Pink via his book "A Whole New Mind".
Benefits of Writing a Mini Saga
I hope this lens inspires you to write your own mini saga. Here are a few benefits of writing a mini saga:

Benefit #1: Writing a mini saga expands your creativity. Constraints typically expand creativity or induce flight. When you have to put everything in 50 words, you have to 'leave behind' a lot. That's where the creative juices start flowing.

Benefit #2: Writing a mini saga stretches your thinking. What will you write about? You have to think about topics that will fit in 50 words or squeeze them to fit in 50 words. That puts thinking on overdrive mode.

Benefit #3: Writing a mini saga enhances your discipline. Deciding what to write about, deciding what to leave behind and putting it in 50 words requires discipline throughout."

Do you dare to write a mini saga?
Some of your classmates have already done it. You can find some examples in your students book pg 28

Regards from Albuquerque

International Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Have you ever seen Spongebob flying in the air? Can Darth Vader’s head or a Pepsi can fly at 2000 feet? If you are seeing all of this stuff in the sky, don’t worry! It doesn’t necessarily mean that you are nuts or that you are dreaming: you could just be in Albuquerque living an unforgettable experience called the International Balloon Fiesta.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Manolo Bautista and, even though I am not actually in your classroom, I am a virtual English NA2° student who is living in the United States this year.

I am a Maths teacher who works in a bilingual Secondary school in Espejo (Córdoba). Last year I was studying English at the EOI Córdoba. However, this year I am having both an enriching and challenging experience as a Maths and science teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico and I am following teacher’s lessons from the United States.

You probably don’t know too much about Albuquerque, the biggest city of New Mexico with 700,000 inhabitants. In this city you can discover not only breathtaking natural landscapes (such as the Sandia Mountains, the Rio Grande, volcanoes, etc) but you can also experience a remarkable event: the International Balloon Fiesta, with hundreds of air-hot-balloons gathered in Albuquerque from many countries around the world. They fill the sky during 9 days in October, the month with best conditions for practicing this activity.

I was at this festival this year and it was truly delightful! Look at these pictures taken by me and visit the following sites if you want to know more about this event:
http://www.balloonfiesta.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albuquerque_International_Balloon_Fiesta

Well, I hope we keep in touch from now and see you soon, folks!

PS: By the way, do you remember the Coyote-Roadrunner cartoons? They were created in New Mexico and I’ve already seen several roadrunners! They are so fast indeed! (but I am still waiting to hear ‘mic-mic’ ) 

If you want to say something to Manolo, you are very welcome to post a comment. He is looking forward to them. Carmen

Pronunciation tips - Other Consonant Sound 08

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this other consonant sound.

Pronunciation tips - Other Consonant Sound 07

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this other consonant sound.

How to add a comment in this blog

How to Add a Comment

WORD OF THE WEEK: Stereotype

Noun [countable] /steriətaip/

1. A very firm and simple idea about what a particular type of person or thing is like
stereotype of: He certainly doesn’t fit the stereotype of the emotional Italian.

2. Someone who is exactly what many people expect a person of their particular class, nationality, profession etc to be like

Pronunciation tips - Other Consonant Sound 06

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this other consonant sound.

Practice your listening 38

Kiwi Adventure
Monica gives some tips on what to do when visiting her country.
Click on the image to go to the exercise:

Pronunciation tips - Other Consonant Sound 05

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this other consonant sound.

WORD OF THE WEEK: Armistice Day

NOUN

WORD FORMS Singular:Armistice Day Plural:Armistice Days

11 November, the anniversary of the date in 1918
on which the First World War ended

Practice your listening 37

Farm Life
Todd and Monica discuss the allure of life on the farm.
Click on the image to go to the exercise:

Pronunciation tips - Other Consonant Sound 04

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this other consonant sound.

Practice your listening 36

Long Life
Monica and Todd discuss the secrets of having a long and healthy life.
Click on the image to go to the exercise:

Pronunciation tips - Other Consonant Sound 03

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this other consonant sound.

6 Minute English - Movie science

Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. Your weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Wednesday. Each programme is six minutes long and contains examples and explanations to help you improve your knowledge of the English language across a wide range of topics.

This week:

Movie science - Callum and William discuss the topic of science in films. Should a good film have good science? They hear from scientist and writer Professor Sidney Perkowitz who outlines his views.

Practice your listening 35

Tai Chi
Monica talks about the increasingly popular exercise of Tai Chi.
Click on the image to go to the exercise:

Pronunciation tips - Other Consonant Sound 02

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this other consonant sound.

6 Minute English - Learning to drive

Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. Your weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Wednesday. Each programme is six minutes long and contains examples and explanations to help you improve your knowledge of the English language across a wide range of topics.

This week:

Learning to drive - Callum and Kate discuss learning to drive and hear a report from Japan about how driving schools are having to change to survive in a climate of decreasing birth rates.

Practice your listening 34

Next Step
George and Crystal discuss job options for college students.
Click on the image to go to the exercise:

ALBUQUERQUE

As many of you know, our classmate Manolo Bautista is spending a year in Albuquerque.
Last weekend he was at the Balloon Fiesta, an international meeting with balloons from many countries around the world. He sent me some of the photos he took that day and also, regards to everybody. Enjoy them!

If you want to know more about this FIESTA, just click on the following link

www.balloonfiesta.com/

Pronunciation tips - Other Consonant Sound 01

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this other consonant sound.

6 Minute English - Journey to Mars

Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. Your weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Wednesday. Each programme is six minutes long and contains examples and explanations to help you improve your knowledge of the English language across a wide range of topics.

This week:

Journey to Mars - Callum and Kate learn about an experiment taking place in Moscow in which six men will spend 500 days together in an imitation spaceship. The experiment aims to simulate the routine for a group of astronauts on a journey to the planet Mars.

Practice your listening 33

Grad Plans
George and Crystal discuss jobs and life after college.
Click on the image to go to the exercise:

6 Minute English - Science seals

Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. Your weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Wednesday. Each programme is six minutes long and contains examples and explanations to help you improve your knowledge of the English language across a wide range of topics.

This week:

Callum and Kate discuss a project taking place in Antarctica in which elephant seals are helping scientists to predict what might be going to happen to Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Pronunciation tips - Voiceless Consonant Sound 8

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this voiceless consonant sound.

Nocturne - Secret Garden

One more wonderful song by Secret Garden

Pronunciation tips - Voiceless Consonant Sound 7

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this voiceless consonant sound.

Vau Classroom - A ten-point exercise

Lesson 91

6 Minute English - Tiny monsters of the Highlands

Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. Your weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Wednesday. Each programme is six minutes long and contains examples and explanations to help you improve your knowledge of the English language across a wide range of topics.

This week:

Tiny monsters of the Highlands - Callum and Finn discuss the Scottish Highlands and the 'tiny monsters' that live in the area and like to dine on tourists.

You raise me up - Secret Garden

Another amazing song by this Norwegian group.



Lyrics

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up, To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up, To more than I can be.

There is no life no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up, To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up, To more than I can be.

Pronunciation tips - Voiceless Consonant Sound 6

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this voiceless consonant sound.

Practice your listening 32

The Break Up
George gives Crystal advice on how to break up with someone you like.
Click on the image to go to the exercise:

6 Minute English - Quarter-life crisis

Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. Your weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Wednesday. Each programme is six minutes long and contains examples and explanations to help you improve your knowledge of the English language across a wide range of topics.

This week: 

Quarter-life crisis - Callum and Kate learn about the expression "quarter-life crisis" and how it compares to the more well-known "mid-life crisis".

Are they the same thing or do the young have different crises to the middle-aged?

Sometimes a prayer will do - Secret Garden

I've just discovered the last CD from this Norwegian group (Secret Garden). Their music is absolutely amazing and I couldn't help it... I thought to myself "I need to share this with all this blog's readers". I hope you like it as much as I do.



Lyrics

Sometimes A Prayer Will Do

Sometimes we stumble
Sometimes we even fall
And we can't find a friend
Can't comprehend it all
And we are lost
With nothing to hold on to

When we can't find the answer
Sometimes a Prayer will do
And though we wonder
Uncertain if we will get through
To face the future
Sometimes a prayer will do

Sometimes we reach
For what's not really there
Sometimes we lose our grip
Come tumbling through midair
And we are searching
For something to hold on to

When we can't find the answer
Sometimes a Prayer will do
And though we wonder
Uncertain if we will get through
To face the future
Sometimes a prayer will do

Then we are stronger
Somehow we know we will get through
To face the future
Sometimes a prayer will do

Yeah, we are stronger
Somehow we know we will get through
To face the future
Sometimes a prayer will do
Sometimes a prayer will do

Pronunciation tips - Voiceless Consonant Sound 5

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this voiceless consonant sound.

Just incredible!!!

The male opera singer who sings like a castrato

Jacek is rehearsing the role of Anfione in Niobe at the Royal Opera House

Jacek Laszczkowski is one of a tiny handful of men who can sing the parts originally performed by castrati, male singers castrated before puberty.

In 17th and 18th century Italy, about 4,000 boys were castrated each year, from the age of eight upwards, to fill the demand for opera singers and soloists with choirs in churches and royal palaces.
The practice was made illegal in Italy in 1870.
However, Jacek Laszczkowski's natural soprano voice happens to have the same quality as the castrati.
The BBC's Claire Bolderson asked him to define the way he sings.
Go to this link to listen to him singing... It's difficult to believe it's a man who's singing...

Practice your listening 31

Class Crush
Crystal gives George female advice on how to ask out a woman he likes.
Click on the image to go to the exercise:

6 Minute English - Collecting football stickers

Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. Your weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Wednesday. Each programme is six minutes long and contains examples and explanations to help you improve your knowledge of the English language across a wide range of topics.

This week: 

Collecting football stickers Kate and Rosie discuss collecting things and in particular the current craze for collecting World Cup football stickers. Is this strictly a pastime for young children or is it suitable for adults too?

Pronunciation tips - Voiceless Consonant Sound 4

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this voiceless consonant sound.

Practice your listening 30

Touchy Topics
Greg asks Todd why elllo has so few controversial topics.
Click on the image to go to the exercise:

6 Minute English - Elizabethan banquet

Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. Your weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Wednesday. Each programme is six minutes long and contains examples and explanations to help you improve your knowledge of the English language across a wide range of topics.

This week:

Elizabethan banquet In 1575, the love of Queen Elizabeth I's life put on a banquet of 300 desserts at his home in her honour. Recently, that banquet was recreated - but would all the desserts be suitable for modern tastes? Join Yvonne and Kate as they discuss some of the dishes on offer.

Literature - Storytelling - Culture vultures 6

How important is storytelling for human being? What are the necessary things that a story must have to become a really good story? Learn about it in this episode.
click on the image to go to the video.

Pronunciation tips - Voiceless Consonant Sound 3

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this voiceless consonant sound.

Practice your listening 29

Aikido
Mark talks with Mike about how he got into the martial art of Aikido.
Click on the image to go to the exercise:

Vau Classroom - Since

Lesson 96

6 Minute English - Hen and stag parties

Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. Your weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Wednesday. Each programme is six minutes long and contains examples and explanations to help you improve your knowledge of the English language across a wide range of topics.

This week: 

Hen and stag parties As the wedding season comes to an end in the UK, many newly weds will be thinking about the money they got and the money they have to pay back. But weddings can be expensive for guests too, for example, for the hen party or the stag party. Yvonne and Kate discuss what they are!

Literature - Arthur Conan Doyle - Culture vultures 5

Some authors are more known because for their creations rather than themselves, maybe that's the case with Conan Doyle and his most famous character, Sherlock Holmes.
Click on the image to go to the video.

Pronunciation tips - Voiceless Consonant Sound 2

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this voiceless consonant sound.

Practice your listening 28

Blind Date
Doron discusses a very unique dating experience.
Click on the image to go to the exercise:

ESL - English as Second Language - Podcast 593 - Going Shopping

<--- Click on the picture to go.


Carin: We’re going to be late for school. Hurry up! 

Hwan: I’m not going to school today. I’m sick. 

Carin: You’re not sick. You’re playing hooky. You’re not going to put one over on Mom. She’ll know you’re faking. Get up! Let’s go! 

Hwan: No, she won’t, and why are you giving me such a hard time? It’s not like you’ve never played hooky before. 

6 Minute English - Is there a good and a bad smile?

Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. Your weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Wednesday. Each programme is six minutes long and contains examples and explanations to help you improve your knowledge of the English language across a wide range of topics.

This week:

Is there a good and a bad smile? According to recent research, simply having a pretty or a great smile isn't enough; it's important to have the right type of smile. Yvonne and Kate discuss their own smiles and talk about what makes a good smile and and a bad smile.

Linguistics - Culture vultures 4

How can we improve our communication skills? Here you can learn some strategies with Guy Williams. Don't miss them!
Click on the image to go to the video.

Third Chapter

Third Chapter from mybest friend on Vimeo.

Some fun!

Gomaespuminglish

No comment, you'd better watch it...

Vau Classroom - There was

Lesson 95

Pronunciation tips - Voiceless Consonant Sound 1

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this voiceless consonant sound.

Practice your listening 27

A Good Date
Melissa shares what she thinks makes a good date.
Click on the image to go to the exercise:

ESL Podcast 592 – Dealing with Website Hackers

<--- Click on the picture to go.






Valerie: You’ll never guess what happened over the weekend.

Bill: What?

Valerie: Our website was attacked by hackers, and nobody could access it.

Bill: You’re kidding! What did they do? 

6 Minute English - Stand up straight!

Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations with the BBC. Your weekly instruction manual for saying or doing something in English is published every Wednesday. Each programme is six minutes long and contains examples and explanations to help you improve your knowledge of the English language across a wide range of topics.
This week: 

Stand up straight! Many of us do not stand, sit or walk correctly and according to research, people in the UK have the worst posture in Europe. Join Rosie and Kate as they discuss the problems a bad posture can cause and hear from an expert about how we should be walking.

Click on the image to go 

Linguistics - Culture vultures 3

What are the different ways that human beings use to communicate? You'll know about it in this episode of Culture vultures.
Click on the image to go to the video.

Pronunciation tips - Voiced Consonant Sound 8

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this voiced consonant sound.

Practice your listening 26

Valentine's Around the World
Mel and Doron discuss various Valentine experiences.
Click on the image to go to the exercise:

ESL Podcast 591 – Handling a Traffic Stop

<--- Click on the picture to go.






I was having a great day until I saw the police car behind me with its loud siren and lights flashing. I pulled off the road and waited for the officer to approach my car.

Officer: May I see your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and car registration, please? 

Second chapter

Second Chapter from mybest friend on Vimeo.

American History - Culture vultures 2

Get ready for the challenge. Here there are 30 more minutes to learn American history with Justin Peterson while you practice your English. Come on, knuckle down to work!
Click on the image to go to the video.

Some fun!

Gomaespuminghish
You can't miss this English teacher, he's the best one!

Pronunciation tips - Voiced Consonant Sound 7

A video from the BBC which shows us how to produce this voiced consonant sound.

Practice your listening 25

Dog Will Travel
Greg talks about taking his dog with him when he travels locally and globally.
Click on the image to go to the exercise.

Little girl sings like an angel

I couldn’t help myself to post this little girl (Rhema Marvanne) singing the famous hymn “Amazing Grace”. It’s awesome, just listen to her.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed. When we've been there ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun. We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we've first begun.

ESL Podcast 590 – Paying Airline Fees

<--- Click on the picture to go.






Justine: So that’s the plan. We drive to San Francisco, then to Portland, then to Seattle, and then to Vancouver.

Howie: What? Why are we driving to Vancouver instead of flying?

Justine: Haven’t you noticed all of the fees the airlines are tacking on these days? First, there were the fuel surcharges and now, there is a whole slew of added fees.