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?

James Blunt

Another incredible English singer song-writer is James Blunt. He was also a former army officer since his family had a long history of military service. However, in 2002 he decided to leave the British army to pursue his musical career. So far he has released three albums Back to Bedlam, All the lost souls and Some kind of trouble with great hits such as "You're beautiful". He also helps to raise funds for the medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières through benefit concerts, an NGO he encountered while serving duty in Kosovo.

Did you know him? Do you like his music?

Word of the week: "To back up"

This week's word is the verb

To back somebody / something up

which means to support somebody or something; to say that what somebody says is true.

Examples:
I'll back you up if they don't believe you. 
The writer doesn't back up his opinions with examples.

This verb can also be used with the meaning of preparing a copy of a file or program which can be used if the main one fails. I'm sure you've all heard of a backup copy (using the word as an adjective). 

Example: It's a good idea to back up your files on a memory stick.

Pronunciation: B & V

The other day in class two students were talking about the sounds /b/ and /v/ and about how if you pronounce "very" in a wrong way, you say the fruit "berry". As you know in English /b/ and /v/ are two different sounds. Spanish native speakers must be careful when speaking English since we don't have that difference in our language. 

Watch this video to practise the /b/ & /v/ pronunciation.

Do you find it difficult to pronounce these two sounds differently?

Podcast: Work Emails

This podcast talks about a company that aims to ban all internal emails in the workplace. It's difficult to imagine office life without sending them, since for many office workers sending and receiveing emails is part of their job. 

Work emails

Here you can check the transcript and vocabulary.

What do you think of this idea?

Happy Easter

Hey students!  
Enjoy the holiday & remember to take 
a lot of pictures & videos to include them in our wiki!

                           

Homework for Easter: 
Reading and Writing Portfolio 4 which you can find in the workbook on pages 76-77. It's a book review. So, if you have read a second book, write its review. If not, you can write a film review which follows the same structure.

The deadline for this composition is Monday 16th or Tuesday 17th April.

Aerosmith

Today I want to talk about a legendary rock and roll band: Aerosmith. They've been described as icons, a force of nature, unique, huge! They're also referred to as America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band. They've existed since 1970. During this time they've outdone the trends of rock and roll to become one of the most powerful and electrifying forces in music.

This is one of the most beautiful songs of all time. I'm sure you know it!

The truth is when one is madly in love, 

who wants to miss a kiss or a smile?!

Word of the week: "All in good time"

This week's expression is

All in good time

which means at some future time, in the near future. This phrase is used to encourage people to be patient and wait quietly, because the thing they're eager for will happen when the time is right. 

Examples:
A: Can we open our presents? 
B: All in good time. Let's wait till Daddy comes.


A: When will the baby be born? 
B: All in good time.

Remember, the only way to learn new vocabulary is by using it.

So, write a comment with this expression!

Podcast: Antarctic Aliens

This podcast talks about Antarctic aliens. These aren't aliens from outer space, but plants growing in Antarctica in parts where there is no ice. Researches have found that the seeds are brought on the clothes of scientists and students. 

                      Antarctic Aliens 

How many seeds are brought into Antarctica each year and what might happen if this keeps on happening? 

Listen to find out and write the answer in a comment. Remember to check the transcript and new vocabulary.

April Fools' Day

April Fools' Day or All Fools' Day is celebrated in different countries around the world on 1st April. It isn't a national holiday, but it's widely celebrated as a day when many people play all kinds of funny jokes or hoaxes on friends, relatives, colleagues, classmates, neighbours, etc. In Spain we have this kind of day, but we celebrate it on 28th December.

Do you want a simple recipe to play a joke on your family? Have a look at this one.

Moreover, there a website with the Top 100 April Fool's Day Hoaxes of All Time. I hope you enjoy them! 

Have you ever played a joke on someone or being played a joke 

on you on 28th December? Tell us!