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!

Word of the week: Testing the waters

This week's expression is

testing the waters

which means trying or experimenting to see how successful or useful something is before implementing it.

Example: We're testing the waters to see if social networks help us get more clients. 

Are you testing the waters with something at the moment?

Podcast: Youth unemployment crisis

Today's podcast is about jobs and crisis and how this economic crisis especially affects young people. This is a very recurrent topic for exams, so if I were you, I would listen to it carefully.

Youth Unemployment Crisis

After listening to it, remember to have a look at new vocabulary and the transcript to check for understanding.

And if you want to do some research on this topic, read the following article.

The Star-Up of You

Enjoy!

Multitasking: saving or wasting time?

Today I want to share with you a very interesting article I've found on multitasking, since we've been discussing this in class. All of us are nowadays good at multitasking, or that's what we believe. I must confess I'm uploading a photo on my mobile while writing this post. In fact, I recall I've been multitasking all my life. I used to do my homework while watching TV when I was little. But is it really a good idea to do this? It seems research wants to show us that we're wasting our time more than saving it. Have a look at the following article on this topic and decide for yourself.

Why multitasking doesn't work

So, what do you think? Share your opinion in a comment! 

Stepfamilies

In our society it's so common nowadays to have half-brothers and half-sisters, stepbrothers and stepsisters, single-parent families, two fathers or two mothers, etc., so we can say that the traditional concept of family has changed completely. We've already discussed this topic in class. Now, have a look at this article. 

When Branches Tangle in a Stepfamily Tree

What's your opinion? Share with us in a comment!

Spooky Halloween

Halloween is here, and with it the orange colour, pumpkins, witches, skeletons, ghosts, parties and even trick or treat! We even have plenty of recipes to scare our guests. Have a look at this Top 10 Halloween recipes article. 

But what do you think of this holiday and the recent custom of celebrating Anglo-Saxon traditions in Spain? Is it a good idea? 

Or should we preserve only our own traditions?

Discussion is open! Write your opinion in a comment!

Podcast: Speak any language instantly

We've talked in class about learning languages and how important fluency and accuracy are when learning a new language. However, perhaps in the future we won't need to learn other languages since technology will translate everything for us. Check out the following podcast on this topic.

Speak any language instantly

What do you think? 

Will we need to other learn languages in the future?

Muse

For this first post in the new academic year I want to talk to you about a British alternative rock band of all times Muse. Besides, they're giving a concert in Madrid this Saturday and two of my best friends are lucky enough to attend. 

I'm sure you've heard many of their songs in films and commercials, or even you've danced with them in some bars.

I have many favourite songs by them ('Time is running out', 'Hysteria', 'Plug in baby', 'Supermassive back hole') and also Starlight. Watch this video!

Do you like this kind of music?

Word of the week: To show off

Dealing with personality types as we were last week I thought of a new verb to teach you

to show off

which means to try to impress others by talking about your abilities, possessions, etc. 

Example: He's just showing off because that girl he likes is here. 

You can even use show-off as a noun, e.g. He's always been a real show-off. 

Podcast: Family belongings

In class we've already talked about families, so now it's time for you to listen to a podcast related to family belongings. 

Family belongings 

You can also check some relevant vocabulary which appeared in this podcast on its web and of course the transcript to check for understanding. 

Now confess, what is your most treasured possession?

Word of the week: To pay under the table

I'm back with the word of the week section, and since we've already talked in class about companies and jobs, I'm going to show you an expression related to work.

to pay under the table

which refers to the illegal method of paying in which the financial transaction is hidden not to pay tax.

Example: He was visiting the country on a travel visa so I paid him under the table for painting the house.

The expression under the table can also be used to refer to something done secretly and illicitly.

Example: The street vendors are selling DVDs of recent films under the table.

New academic year: Making a difference!

So, here I am after a fantastic and very busy holiday period. Still I had time to enjoy with my husband, family and friends, time for myself, time to travel, to lie on the beach, and to finish my master project! 

Now, back to work! We're starting a new academic year with new students, new things to learn and work to do! 

The other day in class we had a short debate about what 'making a difference' means. And I want to show you this very inspiring image, to encourage you to make a difference, even a small one everyday of your life. 

What do you think, are you making a difference in this world? 

Enjoy the summer!

Hey everybody! After a whole long academic year it's time to relax and do all those things we didn't have time to do. It's been a very busy year for me, you know, working and studying at the same time. So I guess I earned my spare time. 

This is what I'm going to do and you should do it too! 

Spend time with friends 

Have a rest 

Read a good book

Take time for yourself

Quit the diet

Have some real couple time

Be happy!

Ready for the Exam!

Today my intermediate students 

have their final exam! 

I wish you, guys, all the luck in the world!

Don't get nervous! It's exactly the same as what we've been practising. So, you're more than prepared! You'll see!

          Besides, your my students! You can't fail!  

Happy Holidays

As you know the academic year in Spain is almost over now. This month I'll be doing exams and after that I'll be on holiday! 

During this time I won't be publishing posts as often as during the year but for sure I'll be back in September. 

Anyway, this blog's resources and materials will still be available for all the interested learners.

Job Interview

Hey students! Do you want to practise a reading about a job interview? You can read the text and do the quiz to practise reading comprehension.

Job Interview


You can also read the following article which includes the top ten interview tips.

Have a good practice!

Employment Vocabulary

As you know, we've seen in class the topic on jobs and work. If you want to practise more vocab on this topic, check the following links:

Employment Vocabulary

Employment Definitions

Job Search Vocabulary

Jobs Vocabulary & Activities

Remember: the only way to learn vocabulary in a foreign language is by practising it a lot.

Word of the week: Demanding

This week's adjective is

demanding

which when referring to a person means expecting a lot of work or attention from others, or not easily satisfied.

Examples: 

My boss is very demanding, he makes us work a lot. 

My grandma became very demanding when she got older. 

You can also use this adjective to refer to things such as a piece of work, meaning that this work needs a lot of skill or effort.

Examples:

This is the most demanding challenged I've ever faced. 

I'm exhausted because my job is very demanding. 

Podcast: Retirement

As you know, nowadays people live longer than ever, and at the age 65 some people are completely healthy. So, why having a compulsory retirement age? 

Retirement

As usual, check the transcript.

Do you agree with the podcast?

Reported Speech

One of the last grammar points we have seen this year is reported speech. We didn't dedicate it much time since the academic year is almost over. Nevertheless, I'll post here some more exercises for you to practice this point.

Reporting Activities

Reporting Exercises

If you have questions, just ask in a comment!

Anastacia

Another singer I like a lot is Anastacia. She's a great singer-songwriter from Chicago but highly successful all over the world. She has a very powerful voice and she's definitely an example of strength.

I can mention many amazing songs such as Left Outside Alone, One Day in Your Life, Sick and Tired... but I especially like Welcome to My Truth since in it Anastacia describes her fight against breast cancer. I believe the sentence "My life turned around but I'm still living my dream" is very moving and motivating.

However, today I want to show you her song I Belong To You which she sings with Eros Ramazzotti.



This is a very special song for me, since it's the one I danced with my husband on our wedding day. Next Monday it's our first anniversary and I want to dedicate this song to him.

I love you, honey!

Do you like Anastacia? Did you know this song?

Word of the week: I'm not buying it

This week's expression is

to buy something (not in the literal sense) 

which is used to say that you don't believe something, that is to say, you don't accept the truth or feasibility of something. 

Examples:

You can tell me the same excuse as many times as you want, but I'm not buying it.

The police officer didn't buy my lame excuse for speeding. 

                                            You could say that you were ill, but I don't think they'd buy it. 

Can you think of a Spanish translation for this expression? 

Write it in a comment!

Mylo Xyloto

Nobody doubts Coldplay is one of the best international bands nowadays and their tour Mylo Xyloto confirms it! I was lucky enough to see them play live in Madrid last Sunday. With a show that goes beyond music, they moved the audience in an incredible way! Not only the lights and the music, but also the fireworks, confetti, balloons, bracelets with colourful lights for the audience, everything was perfect. 

I love music and I've been to many concerts, but this one is definitely the best concert ever! I want to share with you some bits of the concert by showing you some videos.

The beginning of the concert with amazing fireworks: Hurts like heaven.

Charly Brown. You can see all the stadium with the colourful bracelets.

Podcast: A Peruvian Hero

Today's podcast discusses a news story with a gripping plot and an action hero similar to a Hollywod film. Aren't you intrigued? Listen to it!

A Peruvian Hero 

After listening to this podcast, check the transcript.

Linkin Park

An American rock music band which has been singing since 1996 is Linkin Park.

In 2003 MTV named this band the sixth greatest band of the music video era and the third of the new millennium behind Oasis and Coldplay.

Here you can listen to one of their most recent songs: Burn it down.

What's your favourite Linkin Park song?

Word of the week: To reckon

This week's verb is

to reckon

which means to think something or have an opinion about something. 

Examples:

I reckon I'm going to get that job.

This work is worth a lot of money, I reckon.

You can also use this verb to ask for an opinion. 

Example: 

He'll be famous one day. What do you reckon? (meaning What do you think?)

Podcast: Plastic Pollution

This podcast talks about pollution, a very recurrent topic in English exams. It discusses how plastic is affecting the environment and what we can do to make the situation better. 

Plastic Pollution

Remember to check the transcript for complete understanding.

Are you worried about the environment?

What do you do for the planet?

Jesse J

A new Londoner singer I've recently discovered is Jesse J. As a child she appeared in adverts and musical productions. However, she recognises that her talent lies in her songwriting and she's been writing songs for Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Miley Cyrus and Christina Aguilera for some years. In 2011 she decided to released her own album Who you are. 

Here you can listen to her song Domino.

Environment Vocabulary

We're now dealing with the topic of the environment and I'm sure you've already realized that this vocabulary isn't easy! However, at this level you need to recognise and use some of these words and that's the reason why I'm going to give you two links to websites where you can find different types of activities to practise and learn vocabulary related to the environment.

Global warming
Environment

On these webpage you'll find videos and activities. Pay attention to the pronunciation of words too.

Enjoy the practice!

Environment Presentation

Did you miss Kara's presentation 

on the environment? 

Do you want to check any facts?

Here you can have a look at the presentation.

Environment Presentation

If you have any doubts, just ask in a comment!

Word of the week: Out of the blue

This week's expression is

out of the blue

which means unexpectedly or without warning, in other words, in a way that was not expected or couldn't be thought.

Examples:
The decision came out of the blue.
Her brother showed up at the wedding out of the blue. 

Podcast: Pulitzer Prize Losers

The Pulitzer Prize for fiction is the biggest prize in American literature. But this year the judges have made the controversial decision not to award the prize. Listen to this podcast and discover why.

Pulitzer Prize Losers

After listening to it, remember to check the transcript and vocabulary. 

Do you agree with the judges' decision?

Addicted to technology?

Do you want to know if you're addicted to your technology? Try this quiz!

Technology Quiz

You can share your results in a comment!

According to the quiz, I'm average!

Katy Perry

An American singer, songwriter and actress who didn't have an easy beginning is Katy Perry. She grew up with gospel music and during her first year in high school she pursued a music career. However, it wasn't until 2008 when she gained recognition with her album One of the boys. She was named 'Artist of the Year' in 2011 by MTV. 

Some of her most famous songs are I kissed a girl, Hot n cold, Waking up in Vegas, Teenage dream, Friday night and the following one The one that got away. 

Why Complicate Life?

Today I want to share with you some inspiring words.

So, don't make life complicated. It can be so easy!

Have a nice day!

Word of the week "Tactful"

This week's adjective is

tactful

which means careful not to say or do something that will annoy or upset other people.

Example: I tried to find a tactful way to tell her the truth. 

The opposite of this adjective will be tactless. 

Example: It was tactless of you to comment on his hair.

Moreover, you can also use the adverb tactfully. 

                                             Example: I tactfully suggested he should see a doctor. 

Things killed by the Internet

Here you can find the whole version of the article from The Telegraph that I adapted for our class project. 

50 Things are are being killed by the Internet

Enjoy the reading!

Podcast: London's Theatreland

Despite the economic crisis Londoners keep going to the theatre to see musicals and that's because musicals are in fashion. Listen to the following podcast. 

London's Theatreland

After listening to it, you know, check the transcript.

Are you a fan of musicals? Which one would you recommend?

Keith Urban

An amazing Australian country music singer I love is Keith Urban. I discovered him in a Bryan Adams' concert many years ago, since Keith Urban was the supporting artist, you know, the one who performs right before the big one. From that very beginning I liked his music, and the following day I looked for his album.  

I wasn't sure about which song I should post on this blog since there are many I love, so I'm going to give you links to many songs you can listen to. If you want rhythmic songs listen to: Better half, Once in a lifetime, I told you so, Days go by. On the contrary, if you're feeling more sentimental or nostalgic you can listen to: These are the days,  Memories of us. One of his most popular songs is Somebody Like You.

What do you think of this artist? Do you like this kind of music?

Word of the week: "To figure out"

This week's word is

to figure something out

which means to solve or find a solution, but also to think about something until you understand it.

Examples:
Can you figure out this puzzle?
Let's figure out a way to help.
I can't figure out how to do this.

Podcast: Dream Apps

In today's world of new technologies it isn't strange to find new inventions everyday. In this podcast Chris and Rosie discuss an exciting new phone application that can help influence our dreams. Do you want to know more about it? Listen to the following podcast.

Dream Apps

Check the transcript after listening to it.

So,  would you donwload this application for your phone?

Happy Earth Day!

Hey students! Today is Earth Day, a day celebrated worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth's natural environment. 

Do you want to know a bit more about this day? Read the following article to discover how it all began.

How the First Earth Day Came About

Craig David

One of my favourite R&B singers is Craig David. I guess so far you're thinking "she has loads of favourite singers and bands" and it's definitely true! I love music as much as I love teaching, so in these posts I can easily mix my two things! :-)

Well, back to Craig David, he's an English singer-songwriter, born in Southampton, the city of the Titanic. He composed incredibly famous songs such as Walking Away, 7 Days or  Fill me in when he was only 17 years old. And at the age of 18 he became the youngest solo male artist ever to reach Number 1 in the UK. Since then he's been releasing albums and collecting awards. 

There are many songs I like by Craig David, he has this kind of special style I don't get fed up with listening to it all over again. Apart from the songs mentioned before, I love Just chillin, This is the girl, Separate ways and Insomnia.  

One of his most recent songs is One more lie. Click on it to watch the video.

Word of the week: "For the record"

This week's expression is

For the record

which is used to emphasize a point that you're making so that the person you're speaking to takes notice. Example: And, for the record, he would be the last person I'd ask.

You can also used this expression to show that you want what you're saying to be officially written down and remembered. Example: Just for the record I would like to clarify something my colleague said earlier. 

There's also another similar expression but very  different in meaning off the record. If you tell somebody something off the record it isn't official yet and you don't want them to repeat it publicly. Example: Strictly off the record, some members of staff will have to be made redundant. 

Podcast: Gaffes

A gaffe is something someone says or does which wasn't meant to be heard or done and causes embarrassment or offence.

Have you ever made a gaffe? I'm sure we all have at some point in our lives. However, politicians must be very careful about their gaffes since they can offend other countries.

Listen to the following podcast about political gaffes.

Gaffes

As usual, you can also check the transcript after listening 2 or 3 times.

Transcript

Tell me! Have you ever made a gaffe? What happened?