Simple homemade Christmas gift ideas

Do you give Christmas presents to your friends and family? 

Here are some ideas for simple gifts that you can make yourself at home.

The Christmas Gift Experiment

Ask your teacher for ...

Santa is Real!!

 

You may think of Santa as living at the North Pole. 

But this Santa Claus lives in the USA. Is he real? Watch the video to find out!

 

Are you Left-handed?

Today, about one-tenth of the world’s population are southpaws. Why are such a small proportion of people left-handed -- and why does the trait exist in the first place? Daniel M. Abrams investigates how the uneven ratio of lefties and righties gives insight into a balance between competitive and cooperative pressures on human evolution.

After watching the video test yourself about this topic, 
you will find some practice on pronunciation too.

How to Make your own Christmas Card

Do you send Christmas cards? Why not make your own one to send to your family or a friend? 

Watch and find out how!

Revision of Relative Pronouns

After watching the video try to complete the exercises.

 

Edgar the Dragon

Every year John Lewis and Waitrose release a campaign for Christmas time. 

Enjoy this lovely Edgar and do some practice about relative pronouns

Mog’s Christmas Calamity

Mog sets off a chain of special events which almost ruin Christmas for the Thomas family.
 Can she pull it all back to save the day?

Doubts Using "THE"?

 

The definite article the is the most frequent word in English. We use the definite article in front of a noun when we believe the listener/reader knows exactly what we are referring to:

·    because there is only one:

The Pope is visiting Russia.
The moon is very bright tonight.
Who is the president of France?

This is why we use the definite article with a superlative adjective:

He is the tallest boy in the class.
It is the oldest building in the town.

·     because there is only one in that context:

We live in a small house next to the church. (= the church in our village)
Dad, can I borrow the car? (= the car that belongs to our family)
When we stayed at my grandmother’s house, we went to the beach every day. (= the beach near my grandmother’s house)
Look at the boy over there. (= the boy I am pointing at)

·     because we have already mentioned it:

A young man got a nasty shock when he tried to rob a jewellery shop in Richmond. The man used a heavy hammer to smash the windows in the shop.

·    to say something about all the things referred to by a noun:

The wolf is not really a dangerous animal. (= Wolves are not really dangerous animals.)
The kangaroo is found only in Australia. (= Kangaroos are found only in Australia.)
The heart pumps blood around the body. (= Hearts pump blood around bodies.)

We use the definite article in this way to talk about musical instruments:

Joe plays the piano really well.
She is learning the guitar.

·    to refer to a system or service:

How long does it take on the train?
I heard it on the radio.
You should tell the police.

We can also use the definite article with adjectives like rich, poor, elderly and unemployed to talk about groups of people:

Life can be very hard for the poor.

I think the rich should pay more taxes.

      She works for a group to help the disabled.

And with certain names, have a look at the infographic above.

Now try this test to see if you have understood the idea.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday

The retail bonanza known as Black Friday is now an integral part of many Thanksgiving celebrations, but this holiday tradition has darker roots than you might imagine. After the video and the quiz perhaps you would like to know its real history thanks to History Channel.

First Thanksgiving Day

Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and on the second Monday of October in Canada, Thanksgiving is a national holiday! In this video you will learn The History of The First Thanksgiving Day. I hope you will enjoy it!

Spanish Covers (tapas)

Enjoy this 'From Lost to the River' Menu

The Casa Gallega:

Octopus to the party (pulpo a feira) 

Corageous potatoes (patatas bravas) 

Huge air spray with grelos (lacón con grelos) 

Canes and little ones (Cañas y chiquitos) 

Drink from the boot and the big joint (beba en bota y en porrón) 

Thin Uncle Joseph (Fino Tío Pepe) and Thin Fifth (Fino Quinta) 

They will pass from Navarra (Pacharán de Navarra) 

Wines from the River Ha and the Valley of Rocks (Vinos de Rioja y Valdepeñas) 

Today´s menu: 

Female Jews with Thief (Judías con chorizo) 

Pretty to the Iron (Bonito a la plancha) 

Special Opening Promotion: 

One mug of bleeding if you buy a Little Joseph of Veal (Una jarra de sangría por pedir un pepito de ternera) 

Animation Activities: Little Football Contest (Concurso de Futbolín) 

He-dominated Tournament (Torneo de dominó) 

Primitive Lottery Cudgel (Porra de lotería primitiva) 

Youyou contest by couples (Concurso de tute por parejas) 

Madrid Aiport available to play on the tables (Barajas disponibles para jugar en las mesas)

How to Make a Teenager a Millionaire

Do you have any special family recipes? Watch this video about a Scottish teenager who has created an international business from his Gran's jam recipe.

Johnny English

 

Is Johnny English really the world's greatest spy?
 Is he really an agent in total control? Check out this clip to see what you think.

DU LLUS PIKINLISH?

Click on the image to enlarge.

Is Being Vegan More Environmentally Friendly?

 Can eating less meat help the environment? Watch the video to find out.

In this test you'll find some practice on pronunciation about silent sounds.

Bonfire Night: Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot

Did you know that last weekend there ass a great celebration in London called Bonfire Night?

London trip 2022/23

Today we had our first meeting about our next trip to London. For those who couldn't come, you can see on this slide with some of the 90 photos I showed this evening, the most important points for this cultural school trip.

Then have a look on the draft planning to see which places we'll visit.

If you have any doubt, let me know about it at school, your kids will inform you about my timetable.

Internet Acronyms

In the world of messengers and chat rooms, the use of Internet abbreviations is as natural as seeing another selfie maker at the street. Somehow these catchy shorthand words have grown into the whole new language used by millennials and Gen Zers.

Some people call it Internet slang since many abbreviations are mostly used in informal conversations of specific groups in social media networks. However, the typical slang of British English, American English, Australian English, and others are typically localized whereas Internet abbreviations are universal and used by any person who catches the gist of a chat.....go on reading in Preply

One of the assumptions is that the greater part of abbreviations appeared because teens needed to hide their private chats from parents’ eyes. And there are specific examples that confirm it:

• PAW (Parents are watching)
• PITR (Parent in the room)
• PBB (Parent behind back)
• POMS (Parent over my shoulder)
• KPC (Keeping parents clueless)
• PAH (Parent at home).

Some other acronyms: 10 Trendy Internet Slang Acronyms

Metaverse

What is the metaverse and is it really the future? Watch this video to find out more about it.

Skateboarding Heroes

Have you ever tried skateboarding? Find out about skateboarding's interesting history and 

some young skaters' dreams for the future.

This is Halloween

Do you remember this song? Try to complete the lyrics, you have to complete the blanks...

How to Make a Day of the Dead Mask

Have you heard of the Mexican festival, the Day of the Dead? 

Watch and find out how to make an amazing Day of the Dead mask!

Black History Month

What do you know about Black History Month? Watch the video and find out more.

Online Safety Tips

You should know some very important tips to help you stay safe when 

you use the internet, 

so enjoy this video and follow the advice! 

Dangerous Farts

For most humans, farts are a welcome relief, an embarrassing incident, or an opportunity for a gas-based gag. But for many other creatures, farts are no laughing matter... dicover why.

In this test you'll find some practice on pronunciation.

Yusra Mardini

If you want to know more about her enter her

  web site or UNHCR, the UN Regufee Agency.

Sherlock Holmes

What do you know about Sherlock Holmes? Join Wendy in London as she searches for clues about the famous detective.

Like Dancing?

Do you like dancing? Watch Rosa, Yarah and Norah, three amazing dancing sisters, in this video:

Dirty Phones

In this science experiment, some British teenagers discover how dirty their phones really are...

And yours?

Turning Plastic Waste into Art

The Greenfingers Changemakers are a group of young people in Lagos who volunteer to collect plastic waste from the streets of their neighbourhood, and they convert it into art!

Watch and see how they do it.

A limb from LEGO®

It's amazing what you can build out of LEGO®. But … an arm?! 

This video shows us that anything is possible …

1st Day at School

Do you Speak English?

 Do you want to try a kahoot?

🥪 👜 Ma’amalade Sandwich Your Majesty?

 

If you want to know something more about Queen Elizabeth II's life 

enter in Royal Family web site

The Rings of Power

Would you like to enjoy English with real and magic contents?

Let's have a look on this trailer, watch it as many times as you need (with or without subtitles in English) and then try to answer the questions below.

It belongs to a well-know series you teacher loves, perhaps you have already seen it.

Your teacher will explain you how this year will be, I hope you follow this blog to enjoy while learning.

Trinity Exams

Tal e como comentabamos hoxe, xa saíu a convocatoria de probas de certificación da Xunta polo que achegamos a información das probas Trinity tal e como as tivemos o curso pasado.

Tedes de prazo un mes desde a publicación da convocatoria que saíu hoxe 16 de xuño, é dicir, ata o vindeiro 16 de xullo, pero esperamos tervos inscritos antes do 10 de xullo.

Modelos de exames e guías ISE I (B1), ISE II (B2) e ISE III (C1)

Tasks for Summer: Reading

 

If you want to keep in mind with your English, try the Open Library by clicking on the next image. Open Library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published.

Browse by subject, topic.... you can find here series such as Harry Potter, Wonder, Lord of the Ring, Jurassic Park, Roald Dahl's stories...books for kids such as Artemis Fowl, Everfound,  Diario de Greg (as it is named in Spanish), Secret Seven,  I'll give you the sun,... or funny stories such as My mama says there aren't any zombies, ghosts, vampires, creatures, demons, monsters, fiends, goblins, or things, and much more to discover, log in and enjoy reading.

Tasks for Summer: reading and Listening

 

Here you can find more tools to listen and read in English, look them up at the Skills right column:

Elllo, Lit2Go, Real English, BBC Watch and Listen, ICHDL (International Children's Digital Library), Summer Reading Challege...

Why not?

Summer Reading Challenge

 

Login in the Summer Reading Challenge and enjoy some of the best books around.

The Summer Reading Challenge and Winter Mini Challenge website helps you keep track of your reading all year round. Find new book recommendations, take part in mini challenges, play games and more!

A Brief History of Writing

We do it every day, on paper, on our phones and on computers. 

But, what do you know about the history of writing? 

Watch this clip to find out more.

Zero-G flight

What would it be like if there was no gravity holding you down? 

Watch this video and find out!

How to Help a Friend in Need

Do you know how to listen to your friends if they have problems? 

In this video, find out what you can do to help your friends and be a good listener.

Parkour

'Parkour' comes from 'Parcours', meaning 'the way through' or 'the path' in French. Watch how these young people find the fastest way through their urban environment by jumping and using obstacles to help them. And what do they think about this new phenomenon? 

Watch to find out!

Interviewing Kate Winslet on Steve Jobs Movie

Beattie interviews Kate Winslet about strong women, technology in film-making and 

what it was like to make the Steve Jobs movie.

Climate Crisis

In this video, climate activists Greta Thunberg and George Monbiot tell us how we should use nature to tackle the climate crisis. 

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises.

Lottery Comedy

A bored park keeper dreams of buying a luxury caravan. One day, he discovers a way to make his dream come true. However, to get the money he will have to do something very strange.

2nd BAC Grammar Review

We Stand With Refugees

Becoming a refugee is something that could happen to any of us. In this video, famous people from around the world talk about the importance of helping people who are escaping difficult situations.

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises. 

Having a Snack in Space?

It’s a common, everyday American food. But in space, even the ordinary things are amazing! 

Watch how this astronaut makes a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in space.

What We Have Forgotten

In this video, natural scientist Janine Benyus tells us about what we've forgotten about the natural world.

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises.

And have a look on this chart for some of the exercises:

False Friends

Papa English: Verbs with Infinitive or Gerunds

This time we'll revise those verbs followed by ING or INF, remember some other verbs which are exceptional:

• My parents let me stay out late on Saturday night (let + bare infinitive)
• He is so funny, he always makes me laugh.  (make + bare infinitive)
• I'm looking forward to seeing you again  (to + ing)
• He is used to getting up early in the morning (to + ing)
• She got used to sharing a flat with her classmates (to + ing)

Apart from these verbs, you'll see some verbs which change their meaning or intention  depending of the following form (ING /INF):

• He stopped to drink some water.
• He stopped talking after 3 hours

Try this kahoot, you can find the correct pin in our Aula Virtual

Relative Pronouns Kahoot

 

Remember to do it before 20th April, you will find the pin to play in our Aula virtual

Ukrainian Schools prepare Kids for Possible Attack...now Real

The looming threat of a Russian attack means many Ukrainians are taking steps to stay safe. 

Schools are preparing children for the possibility of war.

Grammar Snack: Modal Verbs for Obligation and Advice

We use have to / must / should + infinitive to talk about obligation, things that are necessary to do, or to give advice about things that are a good idea to do.

Have a look to the video and do the exercises so that you understand the differences.

The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall

On August it will be 61 years since construction workers began tearing up streets and erecting barriers in Berlin. This night marked the beginning of one of history’s most infamous dividing lines: the Berlin Wall. Construction continued for a decade as the wall cut through neighborhoods, separated families, and divided not just Germany, but the world.

Skateboarding Heroes

Have you ever tried skateboarding? 

Find out about skateboarding's interesting history and 

some young skaters' dreams for the future.

Boarding Schools at UK: Sports

UK boarding schools are not just about academic achievement. 

Young people studying in the UK talk about the sports they love.

Odd Word Out

PRONUNCIATION - Phonetics, una ficha interactiva de thechannel
liveworksheets.com

Water Changes Everything

World Water Day is 22 March. This video explores the global water crisis, and how we can help everybody gain access to safe drinking water.

Five things you mustn't do in Britain

There are lots of videos out there telling you where to go, what to see and what to do in the UK ... 

but what about things you shouldn't do? 

Watch Sophia's latest video for some good advice! 

Irregular Plural Nouns

 

Click the image to enter

In this ski race game, you will challenge your understanding of irregular plural nouns. You must find the plural noun of each word in order to help their ski racer down the mountain first. 

Superhumans

The Paralympic Games took place in Pekin.

 This trailer shows some of the sports that these amazing athletes did during the Games. 

Irish Dancing

 Morgan Bullock is an African-American Irish dancer. Watch this video to find out about her story. 
Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises.

And if you want to know more about Saint Patrick's National Day, enter the official web.

St Patrick's Day: Facts you didn't know

Every March 17th, St. Patrick's Day is celebrated around the world.

Learn more about this Irish holiday and the patron saint it is named and

enjoy with a Kahoot on your own.

You have to use your real name and surname to be qualified.

Don't forget to do it before 23th March!

And if you want to know more about this festivity enter the official web page.

St Patrick's Day

How much do you know about St Patrick and his day?, watch the video to learn.

Seeing is Believing

What happens when three young girls meet the women doing their dream jobs? 
In this video, we see the importance of positive female role models.

Oxfam Pink phones in Cambodia

Mobile phones are helping to improve the lives of women in Cambodia. 
Find out more in this video.