The Rise and Fall of the 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.

Can You Change Your Sleep Schedule?

Perhaps you are recovering from our change of hour. But.... are you an early bird or a night owl? Explore how your circadian system acts as an internal clock to keep your body functioning.

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, in National Today, it is important as you could find answers for the questionnaire.

There are some exercises about Modal Verbs at the end of the quiz.

Water Changes Everything

Although World Water Day is 22 March, with this video we'll explore the global water crisis, and how we can help everybody gain access to safe drinking water.

Why Are There Leap Years?

Just about every four years, calendars have one extra day tacked on to the shortest month of the year. It’s called a “leap year” and it’s maybe the strangest thing we do on the calendar! But, why? Who came up with leap years, and why do we have them??

As some of you are on a school trip to Rome, this video will be closed on 27Th Feb instead of 24th

Baby Flying Squirrels

Perhaps you already know that in 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.

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.

Glastonbury

Glastonbury was a small music festival when it started in the 1970s. Nowadays thousands of people attend, and that means there's a lot of waste! Watch the video to find out how the organisers are dealing with this issue. 

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

Martin Luther King and some revision

 

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 is on 19th 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.

The Rings of Power

Do you enjoy fantasy and mystery?

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.

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!

In this video you will find an exercise of Use of English with the last instructions from PAU.

Christmas with Love from Mrs Klaus

This video is for both levels 1st and 2nd BAC, this way you won't miss me so much as you can do it throughout all December.

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.

Sherlock Holmes

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

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!

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?