Spring and allergies

When asked about this time of the year, most people be like...

(source of the picture:https://www.google.es/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjcipKr9vnLAhUGRhQKHZQiBEMQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebethwyatt.com%2F2014%2F04%2Fyay-spring.html&bvm=bv.118443451,d.ZWU&psig=AFQjCNHX5PhZ2sllUREirHLV8aMJ-sCAwA&ust=1460029080834240)

But, I'm more like...

(source of the picture:https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67Vz9YARs-bCYTrVhB964wNme7TWgUL4ypKtcl3_I9OpwKo5ahNAFtx537K_gbtO3nCRLBTwfm6bMv9zMt1kjd6qmrOKXWjFifvBMtgfsc_k4tasZZUSPmPwE-pUmAvD5bQQimb0y-Wo/s1600/i+hate+spring.jpg)

And I have good reasons to act like that. Let me show you an example...

(source of the picture: https://www.google.es/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwijzd6M9_nLAhXCcBoKHYnaBDcQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.funniestmemes.com%2Ffunniest-memes-people-without-allergies-be-like-ahhh-i-love%2F&bvm=bv.118443451,d.ZWU&psig=AFQjCNEPgguAFArE9DXgyQZ7oGwUv4ZbdA&ust=1460029291699667)

So, get used to my runny nose and my red eyes guys. Spring is here!

(source of the picture:https://www.google.es/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi508Or9_nLAhUDvBoKHXcrD2cQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.medspring.com%2Flove-hate-relationship-spring-allergies-told-memes%2F&bvm=bv.118443451,d.ZWU&psig=AFQjCNERhhwgu7mwgJz0w5f0yWWQ6C2BKw&ust=1460029356833863)

100% Biodegradable Algae Bottles

Look at this! Isn't it amazing?

The Pacific Garbage Patch

Have you heard about the Pacific Garbage Patch ? Let me show you some pictures...

(source of the picture:https://www.google.es/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiq3YraifLLAhXJLhoKHRq-C88QjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fio9.com%2F5911969%2Flies-youve-been-told-about-the-pacific-garbage-patch&psig=AFQjCNHVqU82yK7aNjpE5OOA8l3mTlfKtQ&ust=1459759265512267)

(source of the picture: https://www.google.es/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjNmaK-ifLLAhWBOxoKHdGRCOcQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fearth%2Fenvironment%2F9253665%2FGreat-Pacific-Garbage-Patch-has-increased-100-fold-since-the-1970s.html&psig=AFQjCNHVqU82yK7aNjpE5OOA8l3mTlfKtQ&ust=1459759265512267)

Impressive. Isn't it?

And sad. Sooooo sad.

Well, this topic has always drawn my attention. And apparently, it has the same impact on my students. 

So, I decided to make a short exercise focusing on this environmental topic. Given that this is the listening week, I've created a listening activity. I hope you like it.

The Pacific Garbage Patch. Listening Activity

Some weather humour

I must confess that I am currently obsessed with weather vocabulary.

 

Yep.

I've spent several hours browsing the web in the search of appealing exercises/games/ activities for my students.

And, I found this gem the other day and I couldn't resist  posting it.

 

 Isn't it cute?

 

Have a nice day!

 



Song and Phonetics

Last Friday we did this activity dealing with phonetic symbols. It involves a well-known song, although this is a version by the band Muse with a new twist.

You can download the worksheet here (it is free):

Song and phonetics

And you can listen to the song here:

And while we were doing the activity, one of my students realised that this band was the one who refused to sing playback in an Italian show last year. The lead singer swapped places with the drummer in the performance. You can watch it here:

World toilet day

Yes, you read it right. Last Thursday (November 19th) was the World Toilet day. When I told my students about it, they thought I was joking. 

Seriously. 

They couldn't believe there was an official day dedicated to toilets.

However, if we take a look to the figures, it does not seem a joke anymore.

According to the UN, 2.4 billion (!) people do not have adequate sanitation. And... among the consequences of poor sanitation are an increasing risk of disease and malnutrition. 

And while I'm writing these lines, I'm thinking about a famous Oscar-winning film and a shocking scene. Do you know what I'm talking about?

(WARNING: Do NOT watch this video immediately before/after meal times. It is disgusting, nauseating and somewhat hilarious).

If you are interested, you can have a look at the following webpage.

World Toilet Day

Wow! An amazing experience!

If you could travel around the world...

How many countries would you visit?

And...have you ever thought how long it would take?

Well, the following video is a summary of a 3-years around the world travel. 

What an amazing experience, don't you think?

Increasing visitors and a happy teacher

Admit it! You were looking forward to this post. 

I must confess. It is pretty amazing how the figure has increased lately.

I am aware that it is difficult to win regular readers, let alone increasing the blog traffic. I do have a bunch of the former, a.k.a (also known as) "my former students".

Hi guys!

I know you are! I can see it in the graphs, charts and lists that show me how many visits this blog guests. Let me share some of them with you!

Can you see what I see?

Over 10,000 visitors! Wow! 

I can't believe it!

My new students are to blame for this success. I know you are there, too.

Annnnnnd, I find this next chart very interesting, too. It gives us information about the location of the visitors to the blog during this week. 

Very informative, huh?

Xmas time?!

You know that time of the year is thrown upon us when...

One of my friends in London posted this picture a few minutes ago. It was taken in Carnaby St. in London and, apparently, Xmas time has officially landed there! (sigh)

My immediate reaction was pretty similar to this one...

How about you? Do you agree with me? Don't you think it's too early?

Talking about catastrophes and disasters

Have you ever heard of Frano Selak? No? 

Neither did I!

Until yesterday, when I was preparing a new post and I ran across this Youtube video.

Check it out!

Have you watched it? Amazing, isn't it?

No wonder they call him the luckiest unlucky man to ever live. 

And here's the real Frano Selak:

Frano Selak gives away his lottery ticket

Getting in the Halloween Spirit

You know it,

I know it, 

Even your Spanish grandparents know it!!!

I'm so looking forward to Halloween this year! One of my friends is throwing a little soirée on Saturday. We all have to bring food that match the scary atmosphere. 

I've been doing some research and this is what I've found so far...

Can you help me? I can't make up my mind!

These scary ghosts look yummy...

But these hot dog mummies are very appealing...

 And look at these fingers! They are just... GROSS! I don't think I could give them a try, Ew!

More ideas?

Eye-deceiving art

Deceiving means lying but, you may wonder:

How can art deceive your eyes?

Have a look at the following video and you'll have the answer to the former question.

Are you feeling a bit nervous?

You've done your homework...

You've attended your evening lessons...

You've done some exercise...

It's only 7 p.m in the evening and you are exhausted and worn out.

Would you like to be somewhere else?

Like, say, the beach... listening to the waves....

Now it's possible (well, almost!). Look what I found!

Calm is a sound-generator programme offering relaxing playlists with different lengths (from 2 to 20 minutes each). You'll be immediately  If you want to chill out after a stressing day, this web will be perfect for you.

Which is your favourite sound from nature?

Maybe, you can find it in this other web:

A soft murmur

It's all about manners

Did you know that manners are all about a reduction of violence between people?

 If you don't believe it, have a listen to this.

LearnEnglish--> Manners

And this is a video quiz dealing with modern good and bad manners:

ESL video quiz--> Good manners

The art of Penguin fiction

No matter what you're selling - a product, an idea or a skill- the presentation is just as important as the thing itself.

This is just a quote from an interview with Paul Buckley, the brain behind the design of Penguin covers.

Well, just so you know, Penguin is one of the best-known names in publishing. It offers a wide list of literary fiction and non-fiction; thus covering dictionaries, classics, children's books and even audio-books (just to name a few).

But today I don't want to tire you giving a detailed description of this powerful publishing house. Instead, I'd rather focus on their book cover designs.

The following is a link showing the work behind the design of one of their book covers:

Amazing, isn't it?

And here you've got more examples of their original designs...

Aren't they beautiful?

However, I must confess that I am in love with this simple yet very funny collection!

So, what do you think? Which ones are your favourites?

Charles Dickens (BBC resources)

What?!
Don't look at me like that! 

I'm aware that you've already studied Dicken's life in my subject and that you've done some research about his life in History but....

Look what I found!

It's a compilation of resources by BBC (high quality, guys) involving Dickens' life, his books and characters and the most important facts that influenced his work. 

I find it pretty interesting and the video is really cute. 

Besides, you can never ever get tired of Dickens, right?

Give it a try!

You can access the webpage here:

Bleak House- BBC Dickens

NEW SECTION---> YAY

Today I'm officially starting a new section in the blog.

(I hereby declare my love to this meme)

Actually, I've been thinking about this section a couple of weeks months (ok, maybe since last Xmas). 

However, I never had the time nor the inspiration to post anything in it. And today, unexpectedly, I felt in the mood to create this new section (talking about crazy inspirational moments).

I hope you like it and enjoy it.

Let me introduce you to it:

           

TITLE: MISCELLANEA 

CONTENTS: As you might have guessed, it will be a compilation of different topics and subjects. It is a mixture of online articles, pictures or whatever we find interesting in our daily classes. Sounds cool, huh? I hope so!

Two nations divided by a common language

The phrase "two nations divided by a common language" is usually attributed to Bernard Shaw. If you feel curious about its authorship, pay a visit to this site: English language and usage.

This sentence is closely linked to our beloved unit 5 (and now I'm talking to my students of 4ºESO).

Do you remember this presentation? British and American English (click on the link to download it, by courtesy of the Academia Británica in Seville, Spain)

Well, in the line with this topic... I've found this interesting webpage today and I couldn't wait to share it with you. 

It includes several questions (do not be afraid, they are not many) to test your knowledge of English terms around the world. There's only a tiny problem, it is written in Spanish.

We've already seen in class that English is an international language, so take a minute and take this test!

It is fun and interesting! Annnd do not be fooled by its innocent appearance, it is more difficult than it seems!

Enjoy!

Curiosity killed the cat

I'm sure that you've already heard this quote more than once in your life. 

It is an idiom used to warn someone against prying into your affairs. 

Let's analyse an example: 

Jill: Where did you get all that money?

Jane: Curiosity kill the cat.

More examples here: The free dictionary: Curiosity Killed the cat

According to this idiom, being curious can get you into trouble. 

However, I love when my students feel curious. Curious enough to ask smart question (you hear me guys, SMART questions). 

Fortunately, this year I've got a bunch of these students (lucky me, right?). 

Their innate curiosity helps us to create a fantastic atmosphere in class, and we can all learn more about the world. 

You know, I'm an ESL FREAK but that does not mean that I'm only interested in that specific field of knowledge.

So... just so you know, after Easter I'm officially starting a new section in this our blog.

Feeling curious now?

Keep posted!

Upcoming...

I know, I know... I've been MIA for a couple of days (or maybe more) and I'm sorry. It won't happen again!

Things are getting hectic right now: exams, prep work and marking...phew!

But, our blog must go on...

And here's a clue about the main vocabulary topic of our next unit! Enjoy!

And, look at these two!  They've filmed an interesting homemade video showing us the most common differences regarding British and American English.