TOP GEAR - Race across London

Top Gear  is a very popular British TV show about cars and driving you can watch in English if you want to learn some vocabulary related to that. You can watch it even if you're not really keen on cars, it's fun!! It's been on for over 10 years







I've chosen a video about a race across London to find out which is the best form of transport to cross the city in the rush hour. If you're in the intermediate class, we've already done a reading and listening exercise about it. Now you can watch the real thing!

You can also browse its webpage to watch more videos and read some articles.

http://www.topgear.com/uk/

THANKSGIVING DAY

Do you know why American people celebrate Thanksgiving?  Read about the very first Thanksgiving:

 

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/history/first-thanksgiving/

And now let's see how they celebrate Thanksgiving nowadays:

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/stories/peopleplaces/thanksgiving-traditions/

MACY'S PARADE

Turkey and American Football

THANKSGIVING DINNER

Tonight American people celebrate Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States (and on the second Monday of October in Canada.)

What do they usually eat for dinner that day? Well, the main dish is turkey. In fact, Thanksgiving is also known as 'Turkey Day'. But a proper Thanksgiving dinner would not be complete without cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans, pumpkin pie, apple crumble...

Hmmmm yummy!!! My mouth's watering right now!
 
If you click on the following link you will find several Thanksgiving recipes. Why don't you try some?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/occasions/thanksgiving
 
Enjoy your meal!!

HALLOWEEN ORIGINS

Halloween isn't just trick or treating, costumes, candy and horror films. Actually, it's a very old tradition. Watch the following video from The History Channel to find out about the ancient origins of Halloween.

http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/videos#bet-you-didnt-know-halloween
 

Feel free to browse this webpage to learn interesting facts about this worldwide holiday. There are plenty of short videos for you to watch and learn!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!

MODERN FAMILY

modern family is an American sitcom filmed as a mockumentary - the fictional characters frequently talk directly into the camera. It revolves around three families that are interraled:

- Jay Prichett is married to his second wife, a gorgeous Colombian woman, Gloria, who is often mistaken for his daughter, as she is much younger than him. She has a preteen son called Manny from her previous marriage.

- Jay's daughter, Claire, used to be a rebel. She's married to Phil, a real estate agent and self-professed 'cool dad'. They have three children: Haley, the stereotypical teenager, Alex, the smart middle child and Luke, the offbeat only son.

- Jay's son, Mitchell, a down-to-earth lawyer, and his dramatic partner Cameron, have adopted a Vietnamese baby, Lily

If you haven't watch this TV series before, I strongly recommend it. It's hilarious! Now watch the trailer of the pilot episode.

Ex-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher dies

Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has died today at the age of 87. Click on the following link to 'Words in the News' from BBC Learning English to read about the news and learn some vocabulary.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2013/04/130408_witn_margaret_thatcher.shtml

PARTS OF A RIVER

ST. PATRICK'S DAY

On March 17th the Irish all over the world celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, the patron Saint of Ireland. If you want to know more about this celebracion, click on the link below to the History Channel where you'll find several videos about it.

 

History Channel: ST PATRICK'S DAY

We're all Irish on Paddy's Day. Remember to wear green or you'll get pinched.
 Watch the following videos to know how to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day like a real Irishman/woman!

Here you have some funny Irish sayings, blessings and curses: 
    

HUGH LAURIE on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Watch this interview to Hugh Laurie on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson in 2011. He talks about House MD and his music.

I know they speak quite fast, but try to answer these simple questions:
- Where's he from? Where does he live?
- Where did he study?
- He says: 'I rowed. Not horses' (that would be 'rode'... they sound exactly the same). What sport did he practice at university?
- Is he an optimist or a pessimist? Why?
- What's the name of his band? And what's their new album called? What kind of music do they play?

SHHHHHHHH

Today I've woken up with a sore throat after trying to speak over 27 students yesterday in class. We're adults, please... don't make me do this:

Everyday I feel like shouting at you, but for a question of manners...
I think I'll have to keep on shushing.

PANCAKE DAY & ST. VALENTINE'S DAY

Sorry I haven't post anything for a while, but I've been very busy marking your exams. Now that they're over, I've realised that last week I completely forgot about 'Pancake Day' and 'St. Valentine's Day'!!

To learn more about these two festivities, have a look at the BBC Learning English Special Sites?

PANCAKE DAY
Why don't you try to make some pancakes with the BBC Learning English recipe? Any day can be pancake day, don't you think? ;)

  In the next BBC Learning English Special you will find six different sections about St. Valentine's Day. New expressions to talk about love, listenings, idioms related to the heart... Browse them all and learn!
ST. VALENTINE'S DAY 

SONG: CHASING CARS by SNOW PATROL

Just press play and enjoy this great song to chill out before the 'mock exams'. The lyrics are simple, but if you don't understand them, google them!

May the force be with you in the following weeks!

THAT'LL TEACH 'EM

Watch the trailer of Channel 4 series That'll Teach 'Em, in which a group of modern 16-year old children spend a month in a 1950s boarding school.

Now watch the beginning of the first episode of series 3, in which the kids arrive at The Charles Darwin School and are separated into boys and girls. They'll study in different classrooms, sleep in separate dormitories and even eat apart. They meet the strict teachers and are given their uniforms. If you like it, feel free to watch more videos on youtube!!

SPEAKING: DISCUSSION

In the speaking exam you may have to discuss a topic with your partner and give your opinion about it. In the following link by the British Council you will find useful tips to do it.

Speaking Exam: Discussion

This part of the exam is a discussion, not a monologue, so remember to listen carefully to your partner's opinions and agree or disagree with them and give your opinion accordingly.

Good luck!!

SPEAKING: HOW TO DESCRIBE A PICTURE

You may have to describe a picture in your speaking exam. Click on the following link to find some tips to do it well.

Describe a photo or picture

If you follow this advice, you won't have any problems to pass. Good luck!!

EDUCATION IN ENGLAND

Click on the following link to the web page Project Britain to learn about education in England.

http://projectbritain.com/education/index.html

The End of the World?

According to the Mayan Calendar, tomorrow (21st December 2012) is the end of the world. If you're reading this on the 21st December or later... Good news! The world hasn't ended!!


Click on the following link to the BBC Learning English section 6 Minute English to listen about this topic and learn some vocabulary related to it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2012/12/121220_6min_end_of_the_world.shtml

Anyway, see you next year!! ;)

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!!

JUSTIN BIEBER'S CHRISTMAS SONGS

Hey, I know these songs are cheesy, but it's Christmas!

'Mistletoe' is a Christmas song by Justin Bieber and was released last year.

I'm not a 'Belieber', believe me! I just wanted to work with new Christmas songs. The next one is not precisely new. It's a remake of Mariah Carey's classic, 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'  Sing along!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!

HALLOWEEN RECIPES

Halloween is coming soon. Why don't you surprise your family or friends with a 'spooky' dinner? Have a look at this webpage to find some ideas for your menu!

 http://spoonful.com/halloween/halloween-recipes

Enjoy your meal!!