Word of the week: On the same page

This week's expression is

on the same page

which means agreeing on something or sharing a common general understanding or knowledge; i.e. to look at a situation in the same way or agree on a course of action.

Example: The boss arranged a meeting to see if we were all on the same page. 

Podcast: Random acts of kindness

We started the school year talking about making a difference and now I want to start 2013 with a podcast related to acts of kindness which can be a good idea for our New Year's resolutions. So, how do you feel about performing kind acts? Listen to an experiment carried out in America with a group of school children and see if the same can be applied to you.

Random acts of kindness

Check the transcript to make sure you understood everything and have a look at the new vocabulary. 

There's even an organization related to kindness. 

So, what do you think? Perhaps you can do something nice for the 'strangers' we were talking about in class the other day...

Happy 2013!

Happy New Year to all my students! We're about to finish the Christmas holidays, so it's time to think about going back to work and all the things we want for this 2013. 

Here are my new year resolutions in a very visual way. 

I'm sure you'll say they're the typical ones; they are indeed. 

However, I believe simple things are those that matter!

Word of the week: Eatery

This week's word is

eatery

which means a restaurant or place which serves food.

Example: We usually go to lunch at an eatery that is just around the corner from the office.

Speak Languages to Learn!

Have a look at this video made by teachers & students 

of Official Language Schools.

¡Defendamos la enseñanza pública de idiomas! from Matthieu Davière on Vimeo.

For a better future: study languages!

Merry Christmas!

One more year Merry Christmas everybody!!

I wish you a lovely holiday with all your beloved ones! 

Here you can listen and watch one of my favourite Christmas carols: 

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! 

Word of the week: Let yourself go

This week's expression is

let yourself go

which means to allow yourself to become less attractive or healthy. 

Example: It's easy to let yourself go when you have small kids. 

This meaning is quite negative. However, this expression has a positive connotation too, meaning to relax completely and enjoy yourself.

Example: It's a party, let yourself go!

Podcast: Lost love on the Tiber

Do you know that due to a novel some couples put a small padlock on a bridge and toss the key down into the river as a symbol of their love. I must confess I did it when I visited Rome two years ago. What about you?

Lost love on the Tiber

You can check the trascript and learn some new vocabulary.

Would you like to put your own lock? 

Have you ever done any similar romantic gestures?

Christmas Adverts

Christmas is here! Have you realized? I'm sure you have, especially if you watch TV which is full of commercials advertising toys and perfume these days. 

In Spain people also expect to watch our famous advert which promotes cava with its golden characters. In the same way, in the UK there's an inspiring ad from a company. This year's advertisement is called 'The Journey' and celebrates the extra mile we go to at Christmas to find the perfect gift. 

Word of the week: Whimsical

This week's word is

whimsical

an adjective which means determined by chance, impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason (when applied to people) and unusual or not serious in a way that is amusing or annoying (when referring to things).  

Examples: 

It's hard to make plans with such a whimsical friend. 

His songs are supposed to be whimsical but they are rather laboured. 

Encouragement for exams

We're starting our exams very soon and I'd like to encourage my students to do well. Don't get nervous, we're only practising for the real exams. 

Remember everything I've taught you and please study!! 

                                                       

Good luck!

Phrasal Verbs Practice

I know, I know, phrasal verbs are difficult, so that's why you need to use them a lot in order to remember their meanings. However, don't go crazy trying to memorize them, it won't work that way. You need to find them several times in texts, exercises, listening and finally you will learn these verbs and start using them in your own productions. 

Here you can find several websites with activities to practise them:

Mixed exercises

English Exercises

and even another of me posts on phrasal verbs here.

Enjoy your practice!