Wednesday 25 December 2013

Christmas Holiday...Why?

Christmas

Christmas is celebrated on the 25 December (7 January for Orthodox Christians).
Christmas is a Christian holy day that marks the birth of Jesus who Christians believe to be the Son of God.

Advent

Christmas presentAdvent is the period which leads up to Christmas. It starts on the Sunday nearest to November 30th.
Many Advent customs involve counting the days until Christmas begins.
Some churches have an advent wreath with five candles, one for each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day and one for the day itself.

More Christianity events and festivals

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Christmas is coming...Ho ho ho

Christmas is a time for families and friends to come together to celebate the season with gifts, food, beautiful decorations, laughter and music, to enjoy each other's company, and HOLIDAYS, yes holidays but how much do you know about this celebration? Try this quiz and find out. 

You can get information in WhyChristmas.com



Sunday 15 December 2013

The Snowman By British Council Learning Kids



It's winter and everywhere is covered in snow. 
Katie and Eddie make a snowman. What's going on?
Is the snowman waving at them?

Tuesday 3 December 2013

Sunday 1 December 2013

Online Advent Calendar by Woodlands Junior School


On each day in December 2013, test your knowledge on how Christmas is celebrated around the world, using our very own interactive advent calendar. Most of the facts and photos in the Woodlands Junior advent calendar have been sent to us by schools and visitors around the world.

No peeking before the correct day.

Monday 7 October 2013

Oxford Online Learning Zone for Secondary



With the new Oxford Online Learning Zone we can learn a lot of English Culture and news in a funny way, try this demo and you will enjoy:
  • ‘My Gradebook’. Students can save the results of their work; teachers can track the online progress of their class.
  • Monthly e-magazine on topical subjects, perfect for homework.
  • Monthly Podcasts that explore subjects relevant to teens.
  • Web quests for fun, interactive learning.
  • Trivia of the week to keep them coming back.
  • Video documentaries that keep them entertained.

Important. You only have to :
  1. create your email account
  2. enter http://oxfordplus.oupe.es/
  3. ask your teacher your class code



Friday 27 September 2013

With A Piece of Chalk

 

 
 
 
Sometimes we don't need big things to make us discover our strength...

Sunday 22 September 2013

Above and Beyond


 
What is the conclusion?
Should we be open-mind or work alone?
What do you think?

Saturday 21 September 2013

Objects in the Classroom

 
 
Can you label the objects in the classroom?
Enter this British Council webpage and guess!
 
 
Other Label the picture games

Sunday 15 September 2013

Friday 6 September 2013

Welcome



 
Be creative and try:
you'll discover your strength and value

Monday 3 June 2013

Holidays

 
In the past, working people in Britain only had holidays on ‘holy’ (religious) days: Sundays, Christmas and Easter. Now most people have about four weeks’ holiday every year plus public holidays (also called ‘Bank holidays’).

When?

British people usually have their holidays in summer, in July or August. Many working people take a two-week holiday during the summer. School children are on holiday from approximately the end of July to the start of September. A second holiday break in winter or in spring is also becoming more popular in the UK. In winter some people go skiing in Europe, and in spring, visits to capital cities such as Paris, Amsterdam or Barcelona are popular.

Where?

The most popular holiday locations for Brits include Spain, France, Greece and the USA. Lots of people buy a package holiday which includes flights and a hotel or an apartment. Cheap flights to warm places mean that many British people are able to spend two weeks a year relaxing in the sun abroad. Flights and package holidays are much cheaper during school term time and the British government is worried that some young people are missing school to go on holiday. Parents who take their child on holiday during term time can now pay a fine of up to 100 pounds.

UK holidays

British people also like to go on holiday in the UK: in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales. Warm weather and sun are not guaranteed in the UK of course! What can young British people do on a UK holiday? Here are a few examples - Alton Towers, in Staffordshire, is one of the top UK theme parks. It is famous for its terrifying rides and is very popular with teenagers. You can sign up to try their new roller coaster ride on their website. The Eden Project is an environmental project in Cornwall, in the south-west of England. It has huge domes that contain thousands of plants from all around the world. As well as plants you can also see top bands play at the Eden Project. This year The Eden sessions at the centre included Tim Minchin, Example, Frank Turner, Chase & Status, Plan B, Blink-182, Noah And The Whale & The Vaccines.

Camping

Taking your tent or caravan to stay on a campsite is popular, especially in the south of England. Newquay, in Cornwall, on the south coast of England, is a favourite camping area for families and for teenagers. Newquay has great beaches, with good waves for surfers as well as lots of nightlife. Wild camping means you take your tent, sleeping bag, food, water (and toilet paper!) and you find a quiet place to spend the night in the countryside or hills away from roads and houses. Wild camping is legal only in some parts of Britain.

Holiday resorts

A holiday resort provides accommodation, food and entertainment for all the family. Butlin’s holiday resorts first started in the 1930s and they are still popular today. Prices are low. A seven-day July summer holiday at the Skegness Butlin’s, on the east coast in England, costs about 130 pounds per person. There’s a massive indoor swimming centre with a wave pool and waterslides at the resort. Butlin’s ‘silent disco’ where you listen to music on wireless headphones and dance to your favourite tune (everyone dances to different music!) is a big hit with teens. Other activities aimed specifically at teenagers include Wii and Xbox challenges as well as beach volleyball.

Independent holidays

Some teenagers want to spend their holidays doing something without their family. A language exchange is one way to be more independent and improve language skills. A British teenager spends a week or two in a foreign country, staying with a family who has a son or daughter of the same age and practises the local language. Later the foreign teenager visits the UK to practise their English with the British family. Summer camps can be fun too. Do it 4 Real organises camps for 10-19-year-olds in the UK where young people can do quad biking, paintballing, film making and street dancing. There’s also a ‘Future leader’ camp for 17-19-year-olds where activities include leadership skills as well as raft building, archery, climbing and survival skills.

Are you going on holiday this year?

Check your comprehension Complete this sheet of exercises and give it to your teacher.

Vía Learning English form British Council.

Sunday 2 June 2013

Wednesday 1 May 2013

What is Love?

Clever Cupid - What is Love? from clever pants on Vimeo.

Which is your favourite definition? Do you know the people mentioned in the video?

Tuesday 30 April 2013

Monday 29 April 2013

Sunday 7 April 2013

April Fools' Gags

Can you spot the April fools' gags?
The tradition of April Fools' Day jokes grew out of resistance to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in the 16th to18th centuries. For hundreds of years newspapers, and more recently broadcasters, have created fantastical reports to commemorate April 1. 
Can you spot which of the following stories are classic April fools' gags from the media and which are true stories?
 Go on with the test online clicking on the logo:

guardian.co.uk logo

Tuesday 2 April 2013

April Fool's Day: A Story

Danny Applewhite was developing into a rather arrogant young man. He was among the top five achievers at his school, but would he be smart enough to avoid being a fool on April 1st?
Click on the audio player below to listen to the story but before that try the vocabulary test and after it you can continue with the rest of the test.


stories-april-fools-day


 
 
If you want to read the story while you listen to it open the tapescript.
 

Monday 1 April 2013

April Fool's Day



In sixteenth-century France, the start of the new year was observed on April first. It was celebrated in much the same way as it is today with parties and dancing into the late hours of the night.

The First April Fool's Day
Then in 1562, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world, and the new year fell on January first. There were some people, however, who hadn't heard or didn't believe the change in the date, so they continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April first. Others played tricks on them and called them "April fools." They sent them on a "fool's errand" or tried to make them believe that something false was true.

 Poisson d'Avril
In France today, April first is called "Poisson d'Avril." French children fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends' backs. When the "young fool" discovers this trick, the prankster yells "Poisson d’Avril!" (April Fish!)

April Fool's Day in the USA
Americans play small tricks on friends and strangers alike on the first of April. One common trick on April Fool's Day, or All Fool's Day, is pointing down to a friend's shoe and saying, "Your shoelace is untied." Teachers in the nineteenth century used to say to pupils, "Look! A flock of geese!" and point up. School children might tell a classmate that school has been canceled. Whatever the trick, if the innocent victim falls for the joke the prankster yells, "April Fool! "

 April Fool's Day Jokes
The "fools' errands" we play on people are practical jokes. Putting salt in the sugar bowl for the next person is not a nice trick to play on a stranger. College students set their clocks an hour behind, so their roommates show up to the wrong class - or not at all. Some practical jokes are kept up the whole day before the victim realizes what day it is. Most April Fool jokes are in good fun and not meant to harm anyone. The most clever April Fool joke is the one where everyone laughs, especially the person upon whom the joke is played.

"The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year. "
 American humorist Mark Twain
April Fool's Day on the Web

(Via About.com)

Monday 25 February 2013

London: Now See it for Yourself

 

We are visiting London next month but now it is time for you to move around, so enter VisitLondon.com, grab the map and walk around this wonderful city.
Choose the attractions, read about its history and learn more about the places clicking on their official webpages.

Thursday 21 February 2013

How to Succeed at an Interview 3

In the future you'll have the chance to showcase your English speaking skills in an oral test… but perhaps feeling a little nervous as well!

See our overview of the exam. Try our tips to help you relax and show the examiner just how well you speak English! Let’s start by getting a feel for the exam with this video:



1. Introduction and Interview:
lasts about 4-5 minutes and gives the examiner the chance to find out a little about you through some simple 'getting-to-know-you' questions.

2. The Long Turn:
exam you have to speak for between 1 and 2 minutes on a set topic based on information on a card the examiner will give you. You'll be a given a minute to prepare what you want to say - just enough time to jot down some ideas to help give your talk structure and interest.

3. Two-Way Discussion:
lasts between 4-5 minutes, you will participate in a discussion with the examiner based on the topic in Part 2. The examiner is likely to ask you questions based on your experience or opinion of the subject.


(Thanks to IELTS Speaking)


Friday 15 February 2013

How to Succeed at an Interview 2

In the future you'll have the chance to showcase your English speaking skills in an oral test… but perhaps feeling a little nervous as well!

See our overview of the exam. Try our tips to help you relax and show the examiner just how well you speak English! Let’s start by getting a feel for the exam with this video:



1. Introduction and Interview:
lasts about 4-5 minutes and gives the examiner the chance to find out a little about you through some simple 'getting-to-know-you' questions.

2. The Long Turn:
exam you have to speak for between 1 and 2 minutes on a set topic based on information on a card the examiner will give you. You'll be a given a minute to prepare what you want to say - just enough time to jot down some ideas to help give your talk structure and interest.

3. Two-Way Discussion:
lasts between 4-5 minutes, you will participate in a discussion with the examiner based on the topic in Part 2. The examiner is likely to ask you questions based on your experience or opinion of the subject.

(Thanks to IELTS Speaking)

Thursday 14 February 2013

Love Actually




Find more videos like this on EFL CLASSROOM 2.0

 

St. Valentine's Day

 
Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day in your country? In the UK it's the most romantic day of the year!
February 14th is traditionally a celebration of love, so how do people in the UK mark the occasion?
Have you ever sent these messages on your mobile phone?
 
WUBMV - will you be my Valentine
xoxoxoxoxo - hugs and kisses
LUWAM ImRdy4Luv - I'm ready for love
:'-) - I'm so happy, I'm crying
ILUVU - I love you
 
Read this British Council Valentine's web page, learn how British celebrate it and check your understanding.

 

 

Tuesday 12 February 2013

How to Succeed at an Interview 1


In the future you'll have the chance to showcase your English speaking skills in an oral test… but perhaps feeling a little nervous as well!

See our overview of the exam. Try our tips to help you relax and show the examiner just how well you speak English!

Let’s start by getting a feel for the exam with this video:




1. Introduction and Interview:
lasts about 4-5 minutes and gives the examiner the chance to find out a little about you through some simple 'getting-to-know-you' questions.

2. The Long Turn:
exam you have to speak for between 1 and 2 minutes on a set topic based on information on a card the examiner will give you. You'll be a given a minute to prepare what you want to say - just enough time to jot down some ideas to help give your talk structure and interest.

3. Two-Way Discussion:
lasts between 4-5 minutes, you will participate in a discussion with the examiner based on the topic in Part 2. The examiner is likely to ask you questions based on your experience or opinion of the subject.

(Thanks to IELTS Speaking)

Sunday 10 February 2013

Celebrate Chinese New Year 2013

Make your own slideshow at Animoto.

Dragon dances, acrobats, fireworks, a parade ... London is buzzing with excitement at Chinese New Year. Find out what you can do to join in the excitement!

The event

For London’s Chinese community (and everyone else who loves a party!), Chinese New Year is a huge event. Before Chinese New Year, people make sure their houses are clean and tidy, buy new clothes and have their hair cut, to bring good luck for the new year. London has the biggest celebrations outside of Asia. Hundreds of thousands of people go to watch the parade from the West End to Trafalgar Square, which includes Chinese acrobats, and traditional lion and dragon dances.

The date

In 2013, Chinese New Year is on 10th February. The exact date is calculated according to lunar and solar calendars, so it changes every year. This February will be the end of the Chinese year of the dragon and the beginning of the year of the snake. So, from the 10th February, especially in Chinatown, listen out for people wishing each other a “Kung Hei Fat Choi” - Happy New Year!

The celebrations

In central London there are fireworks and stage performances with all kinds of acts and special guests. Previous celebrations have included fashion shows and Chinese hip hop acts, as well as more traditional performances with Chinese acrobats. Chinatown is buzzing with excitement. The streets are decorated with lucky red lanterns and full of craft and food stalls. If you’re thinking of eating in one of Chinatown’s excellent Chinese restaurants, however, book a table early, because you won’t find one on the night!

Chinese people in Britain

For young Chinese people studying or working in the UK, video conferencing is a brilliant way of joining big family celebrations back home. Those missing home might also cook traditional Chinese dumplings for friends in Britain or organise an evening of karaoke, another popular way of celebrating. The festivities are not as noisy as back home, they say, where loud firecrackers are traditionally used to frighten away evil spirits, and the special red envelopes of money from relatives may have further to travel to the UK. But there is still plenty of excitement, happiness and good feeling, as people come together to enjoy the celebrations.





More info about the Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year in London

Sunday 3 February 2013

Grafitti and Street Art

 
 

The Story of Street Art

Modern graffiti began in big cities in the United States in the 1970s. In New York, young people wrote their names or “tags” in pen on walls around the city.
One of the first “taggers” was a teenager called Demetrius. His tag was TAKI 183. He wrote his tag on walls and in stations in New York. Other teenagers saw Demetrius’s tag and started writing their tags too. Soon, there were tags on walls, buses and trains all over New York.
Then, some teenagers started writing their tags with aerosol paint. Their tags were bigger and more colourful. Aerosol paint graffiti became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s. It appeared on trains, buses and walls around the world.
In the 1990s and 2000s, a lot of graffiti artists started painting pictures. Some artists’ pictures were about politics. Other artists wanted to make cities beautiful and painted big, colourful pictures on city walls.

Graffiti in Galleries

In some countries, writing or painting on walls is a crime. Sometimes, graffiti artists have problems with the police. In other countries, artists can draw and paint in certain places. For example, in Taiwan, there are “graffiti zones” where artists can paint on walls. In Sao Paulo in Brazil, street artists can paint pictures on walls and houses. Their pictures are colourful and beautiful. Some tourists visit Sao Paulo just to see the street art!
In Bristol in the UK, there is a street art festival in August every year. Artists paint all the buildings in a street. Lots of people come to watch the artists and take photos. You can see exhibitions of street art in some galleries too. There have been exhibitions of street art in galleries in Paris, London and Los Angeles.

Who are the Artists?

Some street artists have become famous. Here are three stars of the street art world:
Os Gemeos are twin brothers from Sao Paulo in Brazil. They paint big, colourful pictures of people on buildings. In 2007, they painted a castle in Scotland!
Blek le rat is from Paris. He is famous for painting pictures of homeless people in big cities.
Faith 47 is from Cape Town in South Africa. She paints big, colourful pictures of people and animals. She likes painting in different places and you can find her work on pavements, postboxes, buses and, of course, on walls!

The Future of Street Art

Many street artists use the internet to look at photos of street art from around the world. They communicate with other artists on-line and share ideas. Some street artists are famous and you can see their pictures in galleries. We don’t know about the future of street art, but it is here to stay for
sure!

(Robin Newton Thanks to British Council)


Friday 1 February 2013

My Day

From Educanave we can practice a lot of material in Englsih, this is one of them. If you don't see it properly, follow the link

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Imagine, a perfect song to talk about Peace

If you want to send me your results write your name and my teachers code: begonals1.

Thursday 24 January 2013

At the Airport

 


When you travel you need some documents but also some kind of useful language at the airport.
More vocabulary at the airport.



Thursday 17 January 2013

Wednesday 16 January 2013

M16: The British Secret Intelligence Service

Would you like to be a secret agent and work undercover? Do you think the job in reality would be similar to how it's shown in films?

You might have heard of MI6 through the man known as 007. James Bond doesn’t exist, of course, but what about MI6?
Try the British Council reading test and check if you have understood all the information. 

 

 

Monday 14 January 2013

Everyday Activities: The Present Girl




Thanks to Isabel Pérez we are going to revise the present girl life. Follow the link and enjoy the practice.

And if you want more exercises, try these from the English Exercises.org by Lucak

Friday 11 January 2013

Tennis Players Comparison

 
How many things do you know about these sportmen? Compare and find out.
 
Thanks to English Exercises by Carmen Coronel

Wednesday 9 January 2013

Identity Cards



 
You perhaps don't know that in UK people don't have an identity card like we have in Spain because of concerns about civil liberties, there was one for some time but it doesn't work now. However they have passport and you can find about it in the UK Government Office.

Anyway when we are members of a club, association or team we need a kind of identification card. Here you can create your own ... but using certain relevant information. 





(Click on the image to enlarge)