FYI: a reminder B1- sites for listening practice

1. http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/
2. http://www.britishcouncil.org/professionals-podcast-english-listening-downloads-archive.htm
3. http://www.esolcourses.com/content/topicsmenu/life-in-the-uk.html
4. http://www.esl-lab.com/ ( scroll down, they're at the bottom of the site)
5. http://academics.smcvt.edu/cbauer-ramazani/Links/esl_listening.htm#Learning_English--AUDIO
6. Interesting: about pronunciation variation and different accents in the UK: http://www.bbc.co.uk/voices/recordings/index.shtml

A1 ( Vocabulary): What's the weather like?

Today we're going to learn how to talk about the weather.

Do the activities on the link below.

What´s the weather like ?, by Anne
Find this and other weather exercises in English Exercises .org

A1 ( short stories): Jack and the beanstalk

There was /were is also used when we are telling a story.

Before doing the activity answer this question:
1. What's a bean?
2. Is there any similar tale in Spanish? What's its title?

1st. Listen to the video twice and do the exercises (What's the order?)
2nd. Watch the video and check your answers. You can also read the transcript (full text).

language/expressions: After doing the activities 

There are also other expressions for tales openings and endings. In Spanish we use:
---Érase una vez, había...... or Y vivieron felices y comieron perdices.

What are the equivalent expressions in English? Submit your answers.

-------------------------------------------------

MATERIALS
Jack and the Beanstalk video
exercises ( What's the order?)
Keys
transcript

A1 ( Grammar revision) FILE 6A/B:SHORT STORY: there was/there were

Watch this video
Exercise
Keys to exercise

B1 (File 4B) : Listening activities + vocabulary bank : houses

6 minutes English BBC- house swapping

A. Before listening- Guess the following questions without listening to the programme.
1. What does house swapping mean?
2. What are the benefits of house swapping? 
3. If you didn't have enough money for a holiday, would you consider the option of house swapping?
4. What kind of houses are mentioned in the programme?
B. While listening- answer this question:
1  According to a recent survey which is the most popular destination for UK home swaps?

a) Australia
b) UK
c) USA

Listen out for the correct answer at the end of the programme! 

• audio
• transcript download
• Vocabulary from the programme ( click here and scroll down)

C. Optional activity -After listening: ( Basics of home exchange in 8 minutes)  

1. Name the advantages of house swapping. Now think about the disadvantages.
2. What kind of houses do you see in the video?

Watch this video and find out! 

3. Movie about home exchange

Have you seen the movie "The Holiday" about home exchange? Click here to read more...

Watch the trailer here. ( and click on media ( trailer)

FYI ( For your interest) : The Holiday Speak up DVD is at the library.

KEYS- FILE 4B - Vocabulary

p. 151-Vocabulary Bank: houses.
1 Types of houses
1 terraced house
2 block of flats
3 cottage
4 detached house

2 Where people live
1g   2 d    3e   4b    5a    6c   7f

3 Parts of a house

1 chimney    2 roof    3 balcony   4 garage    5 wall    6 gate    7 garden   8 steps   9 terrace   10 path

4 Furniture 

bathroom-washbasin, shower
kitchen-sink, dishwasher
living room-coffee table, armchair
bedroom-bedside table, chest of drawers

B1 (WRITING File 6): A film review

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
What is the meaning of the word slumdog?
Watch the video trailer for Slumdog Millionaire and answer the quizz questions. You can click the play/pause button as many times as you need to work through the video more slowly.
Video trailer

Now do the  Video quizz

This term writing assignment includes writing the review of the film " Slumdog Millionaire".
But before writing, you should think about the following questions first:
1. What is a review? To find out, do this online activity :
1. Reading text ( = class handout)
2. Quizz
3. How is it structured? Remember that before editing your final draft, you should first
write the outline with the information you're going to include in the review.

HOMEWORK
After reading the review,  think about the contents of each paragraph and try to write your own outline.
We'll check in class. ( You can also check below in point number 2).

For more information on how to write a good film review read the information below.

1. Planning to write a film review
2. Structuring your film review
3. Audience and style
4. Tv and radio film reviews

B1 (THE FLATMATES BBC- Language point) : Giving advice

In file 3A we learnt that the modal verb " should " is used to give advice or opinion on a topic. In addition, there are other ways of giving advice. Please visit the links below and do the activities.
Giving advice-
Instructions for self- learning:
There are 3 links below with the activities. Follow the 3 steps and answer the question at the end of this post.

1  Listen to the first video and try to note down as many expressions as you can  used to give advice.
2. Click on number 2 below, listen and check your answers with the trascription. 
3. Finally, read the explanation and do the quizz below.
 
- 1. video ( hidden text)
- 2. video ( with transcription)
- 3. quizz.

QUESTION: What other new verbs do John and Helen use to give advice? ( You can submit your answers on the blog)

A1 ( SPEAKING): Did you have a nice vacation?

Vacation is the word used in the US, it means holiday.
Watch the video and learn the expressions.
Don't forget to use them in class.
Have fun!

A1-FILE 4C: Fun English Lesson: like, love, hate

In this lesson you are going to learn how to express your likes and preferences.

A1: FILE 4A Listening and pronunciation: WHAT CAN YOU DO? HOW WELL?

To talk about abilities we use - CAN/ CAN'T
Read the grammar explanation and pronunciation  here.

What can you do? How well? ( very well, quite well, not so well)

Can you play any musical instruments?

Here's a list of musical instruments. Look at these musical instruments.
Match the names below with the cards.


the maracas, the violin, the piano,the French horn, the clarinet,the flute
the trombone, the sax,the trumpet, the guitar, the tuba, the cymbals,
the drums, the xylophone, the tambourine,
To see the keys click here.

LISTENING- Now watch the video and answer this question:
What can these people do?How well?  Submit your answers to the blog.



(Pronunciation): Can/can't pronunciation

A1- B1 ( SONG Exercise) : I set fire to the rain ( Adele)

Fill in the gaps and then click Score to see your results.
Watch the video and click on the activities below ( open in a new window to do the activity).

 SONG ACTIVITIES:
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
BEGINNER LEVEL

B1- SONG: ADELE ( Skyfall)

Adele wins Best Original Song Motion Picture during the Golden  Globe Awards.

Follow this link,  where you'll find a tanscription of part of her speech.



Now listen to her song ( Skyfall) and do the exercises.

 Exercises

B1- NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

Happy New Year 2013 to everyone!



Have you ever heard of the New Year's Resolutions?

1. READING ACTIVITY: Read this article from the Times and then download this worksheet and the instructions.

2. LISTENING + VOCABULARY ACTIVITY:Follow the instructions and do the activities from this link. (Read the BEFORE YOU LISTEN instructions at the bottom of the page).

3. WRITING: After doing this, think of your New Year's Resolutions and post them on the blog.
I wish your wishes come true!

Nivel Básico 1-A1- revision materials and extra practice for files 1 and 2

ELEMENTARY EXTRA PRACTICE- 

www.ompersonal.com.ar

Each unit covers different grammar, vocabulary and listening activities and topics.

In each unit you can click on página siguiente to learn more.

FILE 1 extra practice

• §  lesson 1-alphabet, what’s your name, introductions
• §  lesson 2- verb to be, numbers, indefinite article a/an( a/an extra practice beginners), demonstratives
• §  CAL groups lesson 2a- the classroom ( beginner)
• §  lesson 3- countries and nationalities, statements with to be ( review of lesson 1 New English File)

F    FILE 2 extra practice

• §  lesson 8- present simple
• § lesson 10- jobs-
• §  adjectives to describe jobs

BBEGINNER PRACTICE

§  

A1- Family and relationships + possessive 's

First watch this video about members of a family. 

Task 1- Describe the Simpson's family tree using possessive 's and post it on the blog.

Visit this webpage and do the activities:
--Family tree activity
--Grammar activity
--Vocabulary + listening activity ( family)

B1 Listening: Global Waste: food for thought

Global waste: food for thought

How much food do you throw away? Chris discusses with Jen the problems of global food and water waste in this week's 6 Minute English.

This week's question:

How much food is wasted every year around the world? Is it:

a) 5,000 tonnes
b) 1 million tonnes
c) 1.3 billion tonnes

Listen out for the answer at the end of the programme.

FYI: FIESTA FIN DE CURSO 2012

END OF SCHOOL YEAR PARTY 2012
Download the programme here.

 JOIN US!
THE MOTOWN REVIVAL

WANTED!

We need male/female singers! If you feel like singing and having a good time with the English Department staff, join us in the choir.

The song: Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Check these videos out! (Lyrics and original sound by the Motown's Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell at the end of the post). 


WE COULD SOUND "LIKE" THE MOTOWN!

 

MOTOWN HIT BY MARVIN GAYE and TAMMI TERRELL

THE 60'S DRESS UP IDEAS.
Watch this video to get the 60's look.Check the transcript at the bottom of this webpage.

 


Finally, here's a tribute to two of the best artists from the Motown: Michael Jackson and Diana Ross. Here's the video upside down.
 Read some facts in the the Motown Artists section here.

FCE PRACTICE TESTS

To download tests, click on the link below and on SUPPORT FOR FCE sample papers ( right at the bottom of the page).
DOWNLOADABLE TESTS

Don't miss this: Drama and Comedy on BBC radio 4

Why listening to the radio? Listening to the radio is an excellent way of improving your listening skills. If you try listening to a programme day by day, I'm sure you'll end up understanding more spoken English.

Why BBC RADIO 4 EXTRA? BBC 4 Radio 4 extra offers drama and comedy series and documentaries on a daily basis which will provide you with interesting cultural input.



Read below to learn more about the BBC.


 BBC RADIO 4 EXTRA-( from Wikipedia)
 BBC Radio 4 Extra, formerly known as BBC 7 and BBC Radio 7, is a British digital radio station broadcasting comedy, drama, and children's programming nationally 24 hours a day. It is the principal broadcasting outlet for the BBC's archive of spoken-word entertainment. The station relaunched as BBC Radio 4 Extra on 2 April 2011 to bring the station closer to its sister station, BBC Radio 4.




Excellent resource for learning English, listening and entertainment. Great choice! I love it!

•  Click here to see daily schedules.

Here's an example of what you can listen to:

• This week: Bram Stoker's Midnight tales

• Below are a selection of interesting different programmes you can also find:

1. –10:50
   The Chronicles of Narnia
   Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian, Episode 4

   7 days left to listen

   4/4. The plotting Glozelle encourages the king to accept Peter's challenge for a battle.
2. 10:50–11:00
   David Attenborough's Life Stories
   Series 1, Salamander

   7 days left to listen

   9/20. The naturalist recalls his first pet, a fire salamander given to him on his 8th birthday. 

   Learn by listening!

   Enjoy listening!

Extra listening exercise: BBC news: Devo Max

On Feb 17  we discovered  and read about Scotland and devo max.

What does devo max stand for?

You are going to listen to a BBC radio programme in which the political and economical independence of Scotland is analyzed.

Read the questions and listen once before answering the questions. Then, listen again and stop the recording at your convenience to answer the questions.
Listen to the news.

Questions

1. How many interviewers know what "devo max is? 
2. Who's Michael Moore? 
3. What does Michael Moore understand by the term "devo max"?
4. What are David Cameron's views on devo max?
5. Two government powers are excluded from "devo max", which are these? 
6. ( minute 12: 10). 
1. Which country is a good example of  how "devo max" would works? What exactly does the speaker mention? 
2. How is the economy in this region described?
7. Note down at least 3 advantages in Scotland if "devo max" is put forward.

Submit your answers ( as a comment)

Download the KEYS