How Christmas Trees are Made

Do you put up Christmas trees in your home or town? It's traditional to put up Christmas trees in Britain but nowadays most people prefer artificial ones, not real ones. 

Watch this video to find out where they come from and how they're made!

Could You Be a Zero-Waste Person?

 

How much rubbish do you throw away each day? Lauren Singer studied environmental science and decided to change her lifestyle to try and produce less waste. She's now known as 'zero waste girl'!

 

Thanksgiving and the Real History of 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.

The History of the First Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday that we all enjoy today with family, friends and good food.  It is good to reminisce of that First Thanksgiving 400 years ago when Pilgrims and Indians enjoyed each other. But there are those unhappy souls who comment here with profanity and hate instead of thanks and appreciation for our history that they benefit so much from today.

Watch the video and test your knowledge of this celebration.

Remember there are some exercises about relative clauses.

A Brief History of Chess

The attacking infantry advances, their elephants already having broken the defensive line. The king tries to retreat, but the enemy flanks him from the rear. Escape is impossible. This isn’t a real war— nor is it just a game. Over the 1,500 years of its existence, chess has been known as a military strategy tool, a metaphor for human affairs and a measure of genius. Find out about its history.

What Causes Body Odour?

Most of us don’t need more than one whiff to identify that generally unpleasant, characteristic smell we call body odour. But it’s a surprisingly complex phenomenon, influenced by our genetic makeup, age, diet, and hygiene. 

So what is this odour, exactly? Where does it come from? And can we do anything about it? Mel Rosenberg dives into the stinky science of body odour.

*Perhaps you have noticed that in the video 'odor' is used instead of 'odour'...BE or AE?

Sherlock Holmes

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

November, November...the 5th of November: Guy Fawkes and the Bonfire Night

This is my favourite video about this celebration but ..... the actual video we mentioned about to answer those questions of the test is this one!!

Bonfire Night: Guy Fawkes and the Gunpower Plot

Did you know this week there is a great celebration in London called Bonfire Night? Somne of you asked me about some questions from the test which don't appear on this video; the reason is that I forgot to change the questions when I selected this other one; so those who are trying the questionaire, have a look on the actual video:

Have a look on Time Out Magazine if you want to know more!

How to Wash Your Hair in Space

Astronauts have to wash their hair too! 

Watch as Karen Nyberg on the International Space Station shows us how. 

The Fascinating History of Cemeteries

Spindly trees, rusted gates, crumbling stone, a solitary mourner: these things come to mind when we think of cemeteries. But not long ago, many burial grounds were lively places, with gardens and crowds of people -- and for much of human history, we didn’t bury our dead at all. 

How did cemeteries become what they are today? 

The Origins of Halloween

How much do you know about this tradition?

Do the quiz and find out!

Black Holes...What Would Happen If....?

 

 What do you know about black holes? 

What would happen if you fell into one? 

Could you escape?

  

Hoodies

 

A hoodie is a casual type of jumper which has a hood to cover your head. How has this sporty item of clothing become so popular all around the world?

Trinity Exams

Tal e como comentabamos hoxe na web do IES, xa saíu a convocatoria de probas de certificación da Xunta polo que achegamos a información das probas Trinity tal e como as tivemos os cursos anteriores.

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

Biggest Mistakes in Mapmaking History

For thousands of years, people made both functional maps and what are known as cosmographies, illustrating the earth and its position in the cosmos, often including constellations, gods, and mythic locations. These maps were meant to depict the world's geography, but weren't necessarily useful for navigation and contained some glaring mistakes. 

Like most other technologies, map-making has improved over time. This lesson shows just a handful of some of the most fun mapmaking bloopers over time. Here are some links for how to learn more.

• You can take an interactive 3D virtual tour of the mappae mundi here and zoom in on some of the more fantastical details!
• Stanford University has a whole exhibit of all the maps of California as an island and you can check it out virtually here.
• Curious about how one of history’s most reknowned mapmakers could draw such an incorrect map with a magical rock at the north pole? Here’s an article that digs into Mercator’s North Pole map a bit more.

 

Banksy's Artwork

Imagine looking out of your window and seeing a painting by a famous artist in your garden! 

Watch the video to find out about an artwork by street-artist Banksy.

The Last Tourist

The film The Last Tourist is about problems with the tourism industry.

Watch the trailer to find out more about it.

The Benefits of Good Posture

Has anyone ever told you, “Stand up straight!” or scolded you for slouching at a family dinner? Comments like that might be annoying—but they’re not wrong. Your posture is the foundation for every movement your body makes and can determine how well your body adapts to the stresses on it. 

Saving our Oceans

How can we solve the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans? 

Watch this video to find out how a giant ocean 'snake' could help!

Dune

 I love science fiction stories, not only on paper but also films. If you have seen it, enjoy!!

The third part is supposed to be released on Dec 2026!!

The Life Cycle of a t-shirt

Trace the life cycle of a classic white t-shirt to find out how they’re made and what is their ultimate environmental impact.

Consider the classic white t-shirt. Annually, we sell and buy 2 billion t-shirts globally, making it one of the most common garments in the world. But how and where is the average t-shirt made, and what’s its environmental impact? 

Oversharing and your digital footprint

What is oversharing? Listen to some teenagers talk about it in this video.

A Life in our Planet

David Attenborough is a famous British naturalist. In this trailer, he talks about 
his documentary A Life on Our Planet.

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 …

Audition for James Bond

This is the first video for 2nd BAC this year; remember they will appear on Wednesdays so do not forget to do them before next one appears.

When David Beckham and James Corden find each other at the same audition for James Bond, their unique approaches to the role create tension that threatens a friendship.

Are you Left-handed?

Attention: as your teacher will explain you, this year you will have to do this kind on practice weekly. The videos for 1st BAC will appear on Tuesday, so you should complete the tasks before next one appears.

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.

Remember to Read and Practice this Summer Time

General Review

Any doubt before the final exams? Try these tests and solve them!

Gameshow and...Reported Speech

Welcome to the Grammar Gameshow! Test your knowledge in this crazy quiz! The presenter is a bit strange, the scoring doesn't make sense and the prizes could use some improvement, but at least the grammar is correct!

So Bill passes his first test! That was lucky! He'll need more than luck this time round though! This week our contestants answer questions on reported speech grammar! That he-said, she-said construction so useful for gossip, rumour, hearsay and conjecture! Will's in for a bit of an unexpected surprise when a family member who's not used to being disobeyed turns up. Is this the end of the show for Will? Will Bill manage to pass this round? Why is that contestant carrying a glass of milk? Find out in this episode of the Grammar Gameshow!

After enjoying this BBC chapter, you can try your knowledge of Reported Speech in this test:

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.

2025 Visiting the Parliament

Preparing our trip to London, it's essential to know some of the most iconic places of the city. In this video you could have an idea of its history as well as some curiosities... Then you can enter in a Virtual 360º tour.

Don't forget to have a look on the Parliament brochure.

Metaverse

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

Berlin Wall

In August it will be 63 years since construction workers began tearing up streets and erecting barriers in Berlin, and in November 35 years since its demolition. That 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 neighbourhoods, separated families, and divided not just Germany, but the world.

London Trip 2025

You can also see it in Google Earth.

Review of Passive Voice... for Easter Time

As you already know, passive is used when the subject of an action is not important but the person who receives the action. Have a look to the grammar appendix in Aula Virtual before trying this test and after watching the video.

This video should be done before 23rd April. 

Is Being Vegan Enviromentally 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 and passive voice.

Tasks for Easter...IF you Want

I suppose you'll have a lot of tests after Easter holidays, so here you can find the video and tasks for next fifteenth April, so that you can connect with Reported Speech properly and in advance!

The International Day of Forests

 Forests, and the wood they provide, are very important in many areas of our lives. 

Watch this video to find out more.

When you finish, read this post about International Day of Forests 2025, in National Today, it is important as you could find answers for the questionnaire.

British Museum: Visit London 2025

You may think you know the British Museum, but there's always more to discover. Here, we highlight a few secrets to delight and surprise even the most enthusiastic Museum fan. 

If you want more try the  Google Arts&Culture web, you will find that the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. Over 6 million visitors every year experience the collection, including world-famous objects such as the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, and Egyptian mummies.

You can explore the outside or inside of the Museum with streetview!!

If that video is a bit short for you, here you can see another nearly 5 mins. with a list of exhibits worth checking out to enjoy, after trying the test.

You can explore the outside or inside of the Museum with streetview!!

If that video is a bit short for you, here you can see another nearly 5 mins. with a list of exhibits worth checking out to enjoy, after trying the test.

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.

Space tourism: are we one step closer?

Do you think that people will go on holiday in space in the future? Watch this video to find out how soon that could be!

The Italian Job

I hope you have enjoyed this adventure film, 

now we'll revise some of the words you should have learnt watching the video and then you will have to do some practice on Modal verbs.

Safer Internet Day

Although this date was last 11th Feb, we can talk about how things are changing in our online lives.  That's what these students are discussing. 

Find out about their opinions in this video.

Some Grammar Review... after Papa English: Speak like a native in 5 sounds

Learn the 5 sounds of British pronunciation that you'll need in order to sound like a native British English speaker!

Then try this test to revise for ABAU.

Women Changing Science

This video honours the great women of science who have changed the world forever! How many of these famous female scientists do you know about?

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

Can a Haircut Change your Life?

Joshua Coombes is a London hairdresser who makes a big difference to homeless people's lives. Watch the video to find out more.

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

"I've experienced bullying"

 

Bullying happens to different people in different places. If it’s happened to you, you’re not alone. In this video, teenagers who have faced and overcome bullying talk about their experience.

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.

The Salt Hotel

Would you like to stay in a hotel made out of salt? Watch this video to find out more about this unusual hotel in Bolivia.

How to Manage your Time

Things were tough for Zack when Coronavirus hit. In this video he talks about how he got through it by effectively managing his time and not giving up hope for the future.

The Dark History of Mount Rushmore

Between 1927 and 1941, workers blasted 450,000 tons of rock from a mountainside using chisels, jackhammers, and dynamite. Gradually, they carved out Mount Rushmore. 

Today, the monument draws nearly 3 million people to South Dakota’s Black Hills every year. 

But its façade belies a dark history. Learn more about it....now when another new president has just entered the White House and he would like to be included on the monument.

Baby Flying Squirrel

Perhaps you already know that in our trip to London, there are some spots where you can see these incredible animals such as Saint James' Park.

Have you ever seen how a flying squirrel moves through the trees? Watch the video to find out about this amazing little animal!

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

Eating Fruit: Good or Bad?

We usually think of fruit as a healthy food. But could it also have some negative effects? 

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

Learn English with TV Series

click on the image or on the Media section, left column

Are you ready to have a lot of fun learning real-life English with "Learn English with TV Series?"

On this channel, you will practice and improve your listening comprehension, using your favorite TV shows, movies, and talk shows, to learn to understand native English without getting lost, without missing the jokes, and without subtitles.

You willlearn you how native speakers really speak, with dynamic English lessons, full of humor, jokes, and real life examples of English pronunciation, vocabulary, cultural tips, and grammar. 

You also have the RealLife English App, where you will understand fast-speaking natives, communicate with anyone, and connect to the world, at the touch of a button, for FREE. https://reallifeglobal.com/ 

Trip to London 2025: Inside London’s 900-Year-Old Secret Garden

London is full of green spaces, but there is one many people walk by on a daily basis, unaware of its existence. A serene hideaway, it’s tucked within the remains of St. Dunstan-in-the-East, a church that was bombed during World War II. Visit this sweet spot.

Martin Luther King Jr Day... (and some preparation for this term exam)

 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., and sometimes referred to as MLK Day) is a federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr..  It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, so this year it was on 20th January.

King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King's honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later. 

At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

Apart from knowing about him, with this quiz you will revise conditionals, passive voice and relative pronouns, so pay attention to your answers and follow instructions.

Sound Games: Rhyme Odd one out

Overtourism

Tourism can be really fun, but it can also bring problems. Watch the video to find out more about overtourism, and what we can do to be responsible tourists.

The Most Expensive Nannies in the World

This week we go inside the most exclusive school for nannies in the world. They are not just trained to cook and sew, they also learn self-defense techniques and driving in dangerous conditions. It’s Mary Poppins, with a little James Bond thrown in for good measure.

Sound Games: Sort m, n, t

Yesterday

Yesterday, everyone knew The Beatles. Today, only Jack remembers their songs...or not? 
How much do you remember about the film? 

Revise your answers before sending them!

What Causes Body Odour?

Most of us don’t need more than one whiff to identify that generally unpleasant, characteristic smell we call body odour. But it’s a surprisingly complex phenomenon, influenced by our genetic makeup, age, diet, and hygiene. 

So what is this odour, exactly? Where does it come from? And can we do anything about it? Mel Rosenberg dives into the stinky science of body odour.

*Perhaps you have noticed that in the video 'odor' is used instead of 'odour'...BE or AE?

Sound Games: Sort /qu/ /k/ /w/

Talking about the Moon

 How much do you know about the moon? Is it older or younger than the Earth?

 Where did it come from? Do we really need it?  Watch and find out!

Food Waste Rebel

We waste at least a third of the world's food. National Geographic Emerging Explorer and activist Tristram Stuart says "ridiculously strict" cosmetic standards among consumers play a major role. His solution: Eat foods often considered too ugly to sell. Stuart works to inspire people to join a "food-waste revolution," with initiatives like volunteer harvest programs and free communal feasts of food that would otherwise be wasted.

For more National Geographic Society .