How to improve your reading skills

READING SKILLS

Skimming
Skimming is a reading technique that allows you to get a quick overview of a text (or
website) without reading it word-for-word. Skimming is done at a speed three to four
times faster than normal reading.

Scanning
Scanning is a technique you often use when you are searching for specific information,
like a name in a telephone book or the time that a train departs. It is a skill that requires
that you read quickly while looking for a specific purpose.

Source: http://www.studyvibe.com.au/

Download some  Tips HERE

Listen to the sounds of the rainforest

#GreatBigStory

The Kalimantan Rainforest in Borneo, Indonesia is one of the most biodiverse spots on Earth. Bustling with life, the dense greenery is home to orangutans, all kinds of birds, frogs, you name it. But the rainforest won’t stay that way if mining and logging continues unchecked. Which is why The Nature Conservancy’s Dr. Eddie Game is listening to the sounds of the rainforest to measure the impact of human activity on the area’s wildlife.

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video

• And believe it or not
• One of the most biodiverse places on the planet
• Mining and logging
• As a measure of environmental health
• Vocal ones
• A bioacoustics monitor
• Trek hours through the forest
• Pulling around 20 devices in a day
• We literally strap it to a tree
• And set it to record
• Lots of hard work and sweat
• The rainforest is so dense
• Eddie listens to the sounds
• How full the soundscape is
• Forestry companies and communities
• It often surprises people just how noisy a forest is

Are you ready for the LRN Exam?

LRN Sample papers  – Free Download HERE

 

Types of Essays  – Free Download HERE

There are different kinds of essays. The following are some of the most common ones you will be asked to write :
· Descriptive
· Cause and Effect
· Compare and Contrast
· Argumentative
· Problem-Solution

Make sure your essay has the proper structure.

Introduction

Background information
Thesis statement

1st Main Body Paragraph
First supporting idea
Linking Phrase, Topic Sentence: the main theme of the paragraph
Supportive ideas or examples

2nd Main Body Paragraph
Second supportive idea
Linking Phrase, Topic Sentence: the main theme of the paragraph
Supportive ideas or examples

Conclusion

Linking Phrase, a Summary of the key points and/or an expression of Opinion

*********************************************

ESSAY EXPRESSIONS – Free Download HERE

Introduction phrases
· It is a well-known fact that
· It is an undeniable fact that
· It is a common belief that
· It is common knowledge that
· There has been a great deal of heated debate about
· However,
· As I see it,
· It could be argued that
· While it might be true that
· Although this argument may be sound,
· It is generally agreed that

Giving personal opinions
· In my opinion,
· I believe that
· I think that
· Personally,
· The way I see it,
· From my point of view,
· My belief is that
· Although I am in two minds

Giving the pros and the cons
· To begin/start with,
· There are both advantages and disadvantages to
· Although there are serious drawbacks/disadvantages,
· On the one hand, /On the other hand,
· By contrast, /On the contrary,
· However, /Nevertheless
· The other side of the coin, however, is that
· Another way of looking at this question is to
· Some may be in favour of
· Others, however, would argue that
· Opinions are sharply divided over this issue.
· There is no doubt that
· In spite of
· Despite the fact that
· Unfortunately,

Source : esolnethellas.gr

Are you ready for the LRN Oral Exam?

Click on links below for Sample Questions and Answers for the B1-B2  Oral LRN Exams :

LRN Speaking – Questions for Stage 1

LRN Speaking Stage 2 Sample Answers – Prepared Topic B1-B2

LRN Speaking Stage 3 Sample Answers – Respond to a Question B1-B2

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Click on links below for topics and sample answers for the C1-C2  Oral LRN Exams :

LRN Common topics for both January and June 2020 Oral exam – HERE

LRN January  2020 Past paper for oral exam  –  HERE

LRN JUNE 2020 oral Exam Topics –  HERE

LRN Speaking – Questions for Stage 1

LRN Speaking – Stage 2 – Sample Answers – Prepared Topic

LRN Speaking – Stage 3 – Sample Answers – Respond to a Question

 

Source : esolnethellas.gr

Which pair of chopsticks do you use?

 

Quartz

They might look similar but there are differences between Japanese, Chinese and Korean chopsticks. Chopstick expert Edward Wang explains.

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• Tend to be shorter
• Not as pointy as the Japanese
• Metal utensils
• Since then chopsticks have taken on various materials and shapes
• Sharing food is at the core of Chinese dining
• As a result
• People can reach dishes that are far away
• In extreme cases
• On the other hand
• Everyone has their own pair of chopsticks
• Place their chopsticks on the table
• Japanese eat more fish
• The origin could date back to the 7th Century
• The reason why Korean chopsticks are often flat
• Chopsticks have become a global story
• Takeout Chinese food
• Japanese sushi

English for Presentations

The vocabulary and expressions you need when giving a presentation

Introductions and welcome

Good morning, ladies and gentleman. My name’s ……….. I’m head of sales at ……… …

I would like to thank you for inviting me here today to talk about… …

I would like to thank you all for attending this presentation. I plan to be brief. …

I shall only take about fifteen minutes of your time. …

If you have any questions, I’d be very happy to answer them at the end. …

Feel free to interrupt me if you have any questions during my presentation. … (Not recommended unless your English level is good.)

Explaining the purpose of your presentation

I’d like to give you a brief presentation about… …

The subject of my talk is… …

I’m going to talk about… …

My topic today is… …

My talk is concerned with… …

The purpose of my talk is to… …

Giving an overview of the presentation

I’m going to divide this talk into four parts. …

There are a number of points I’d like to make. …

Basically, I have three things to say. …

This talk is designed to be a springboard for discussion on the topic of… …

I’d like to begin by… …

Let’s begin by… …

First of all, I’ll discuss… …

and then I’ll go on to talk about …

Then… / Next,… …

Secondly,… / Thirdly,… …

Finally,… / Lastly,… …

Finishing a section.

That’s all I have to say about… …

So, in this section, we’ve looked at… …

Well, I think I’ve said enough about… …

Starting a new section

Moving on now to …

Turning now to… …

Let’s turn now to …

So that brings me now to the topic of… …

The next area I’d like to focus on next is …

Now, we’ll move on to… …

I’d now like to discuss… …

Let’s now look at… …

Analysing a point in your presentation

Where does that lead us? …

Let’s consider this in more detail… …

I’d like to elaborate on what I said earlier about …

What does this mean for…? …

Translated into real terms, this means that… …

Why is this important? …

The significance of this is… …

On the one hand,… …

…on the other hand,… …

Giving examples

For example,… …

A good example of this is… …

As an illustration, I’d like to mention… …

To give you an example,… …

To illustrate this point,… …

Referring to photos, graphs or tables

If you’d like to look at this graph, you’ll see… …

Take a look at this table. Here, we can see quite clearly that… …

This chart illustrates… …

Let me show you a pie-chart that will make everything much clearer. …

Paraphrasing and clarifying

Simply put,… …

In other words,… …

So what I’m saying is,…. …

To put it more simply,… …

To put it another way,… …

Summarising the content of your presentation

To sum up,… …

To summarise,… …

In short,… …

Right then, let’s sum up, shall we? …

Let’s summarise briefly what we’ve looked at… …

If I can just sum up the main points,… …

Finally, let me remind you of some of the issues we’ve covered. …

So, to remind you of what I’ve covered in this talk,… …

Unfortunately, I seem to have run out of time, so I’ll conclude very briefly by saying that… …

I’d now like to recap on the points I’ve mentioned. …

Closing the presentation

To conclude,… …

In conclusion,… …

Well, that covers all I wanted to say today. …

Before I finish let me say just one last thing. …

That brings me to the end of my presentation. …

It just remains for me to say, thank you very much for coming and I hope you have found this presentation useful. …

Invitation to ask questions

Does anyone have any questions or comments? …

Please feel free to ask questions. …

If you would like me to elaborate on any point I’ve made today, please ask. …

Would you like to ask any questions? …

Any questions? …

Checking comprehension

Does that answer your question? …

Is that clear? …

May we go on then to the next question? …

I hope I’ve made that clear. …

So what you’re saying is,… …

…is that right? …

It seems I don’t have time to answer any more of your questions now. But please feel free to come and talk to me later on today. …

source : Anglo Mania

Are you ready for the LRN B1-B2 Exam

How to write a friendly letter – download  HERE

You can open your letter by using one of the following ‘Opening Phrases’ :

How are you?  I hope you are fine.
Sorry I haven’t written for so long but I have been very busy.
How are you and your family?
It has taken me ages to write back to you but I have been very busy.
What have you been up to?
It’s been so long since we last wrote to each other.

How is everything going?
Hi, I’ve been really busy recently. I haven’t heard from you for so long.
It was such a nice surprise to hear from you.
I was really happy to get a letter from you

READ MORE HERE

source : ESOLNET Hellas

**************************************************************

Download a B1 Sample paper HERE

Download a B2 sample paper HERE

Are you ready for the LRN Oral / Speaking exam – download HERE

Let’s take you on an African Safari LIVE now

WildEarth’s safariLIVE is an award winning, expert hosted LIVE safari, broadcast directly from the African wilderness into your home.

Available on both the internet and television, this show enables you to interact with an expert game ranger in real time.

Safari vehicles, guides on foot, drones, balloons, rovers and remote cams are all searching for their favorite characters.

Completely unscripted and unpredictable – this show is reality TV as it is supposed to be. Authentic and REAL.

SUNRISE SAFARI

 

Monday to Sunday

Central African Time (CAT): 06:30am – 09:30am

East African Time (EAT): 07:30am – 10:30am

Eastern Standard Time (EST): 00:30am – 03:30am

 

SUNSET SAFARI

Monday to Sunday

Central African Time (CAT): 15:00pm – 18:00pm

East African Time (EAT): 16:00pm – 19:00pm

Eastern Daylight Savings Time (EST): 09:00am – 12:00pm

 

When safariLIVE isn’t live, you can view the feed from the Djuma Waterhole camera, from the heart of Djuma Private Game Reserve in the Sabi Sand/greater Kruger National Park area.

English Proficiency Essays (ECPE – LRN CPE) – useful phrases

First watch the videos on Essay Writing Tips HERE

USEFUL PHRASES FOR WRITING PROFICIENCY ESSAYS

Introducing the phenomenon to be discussed

More and more families are choosing to have only one child.
The trend nowadays is towards having smaller families.
Over the past ten years or so the media have frequently carried reports of ……………
Recent research indicates that the number of teenagers who smoke is increasing.
Hardly a week goes by without another report of …………….. appearing in the media.
This raises the issue of whether ……………..
Although most people would generally agree that …………… few would deny that …………….

Stating your opinion
As I see it,
It seems to me that ………… I would also say that ….
I am convinced that ……………
I am inclined to believe that ………………
There is no doubt in my mind that ………………
One of the drawbacks of ……. is ……….
However, one of the benefits is that …………

Changing topic
As regards the causes for this, …………..
Concerning the causes for this, ………
As for the causes, ………..

Presenting arguments
One justification often given for ……….. is that……………..
Advocates/Proponents would claim that ………………
Those who object to …………….. often argue that ……………….
Another objection is that ……
However, it should not be forgotten that …………..
……….. are opposed to ……………. on the grounds that ……………..
From the point of view of ……………..
According to ………………..

Describing causes
One factor which has led to ………… is …………..
One of the factors which has brought this about is ………
The problem often stems from ………………..
The situation has been exacerbated by …………….
………….. has only made the situation worse.
One consequence of ……………. is …………….

Proposing steps and measures
As regards the most appropriate response to this situation, one suggestion would be to ………
The first step to be taken would be to ……..
To alleviate the situation people should ………..
In addition they ought to ……………
To begin to tackle this situation society/individuals/the government need/s to ……….
………….. would certainly ameliorate the situation.
This can only be dealt with if …………
To overcome this problem, …………..
Were the government to ……………, the situation would doubtless improve.
Individuals can do a great deal to …………
The burden of responsiblity lies in the hands of ……..
It is vitally important that ………
Legislation should be introduced to control ……………..
It would be a grave error if we ……………..

Concluding
All in all it seems to me that ………..
The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that …………………..
All things considered, ………….
On balance, I tend to believe that …………
The world would surely be a better place to live in if …………..
If people stopped ….ing, we would have/ we could look forward to a ……………
The prospects for the future will be bleak/grim unless ……………….

Source :  Fullspate

Behold * The ultimate chocolate tiramisu

Some things can be rushed (we all have that quick recipe for cheat’s fudge, yes?), but some things, like this glorious tiramisu, should be made properly. The result is endlessly delicious and rewarding. Find recipe HERE 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• Warm cream
• 70% Dark Chocolate
• Stir until melted
• Like so
• Free range eggs
• Castor sugar
• Beat until pale and creamy
• Add the espresso
• Boudoir biscuits
• Start with the soaked biscuits
• Spread your chocolate ganache
• Top with mascarpone mixture
• Repeat the layers
•  Drizzle with coffee syrup

3 Minute English #6 – Parks and Sports

 

[Loescher Editore Video]

3 Minute English #5 – Climate change

easy languges

Are you ready for the ECCE (Lower) oral exam ?

Functional Language for all sections of  the ECCE (B2) Oral exam :

source :  Burlington Books Greece

Stage 2 – Commenting :

• I see
• That’s a common problem
• I can imagine how he/she feels
• It’s a difficult decision to make
• It’s not easy to decide…
• Both options sound interesting

Summarizing the  problem :

As you said your…. has a problem with…. and there are two solutions/options

On the one hand he could……. as  you said he will…….

On the other hand………  as you mentioned this will……

 

Giving advice / Making a decision 

• Both options could work but I would choose…..
• If I were in that position I…..
• …….ing sounds interesting / a bit boring
• ….. seems like a better choice than…. because
• I think you should….
• It’s a tricky situation but…
• If I were ….. I’d…..
• In this way he/she could….
• Even though you said….. (the disadvantage) I think it will not be a problem because he could……(make it positive)
• This will allow him / her to…..
• I didn’t choose…. because…
• I don’t think ….. is a good idea because as you said….. (disadvantage) so this would……

Referring to a personal experience

• I was once in a similar situation and I ….
• I have a friend who also ……..
• I remember once I had/was…….

_____________________________________________________________________________

Download for FREE  – a speaking prompt HERE

Download for FREE –  extra speaking prompts HERE

Download for FREE – a sample test with model answers HERE

 

Sample VIDEO of a complete ECCE speaking test with prompt   HERE

 

Have you visited these unexpected places in Dubai?

From breathtaking stargazing and vast wetlands to fascinating desert discoveries and ocean shipwrecks, we’ve found the best hidden gems to visit in Dubai. Come along on a diving adventure, meet the wildlife thriving in the desert, and be enchanted by the spectacular desert sky.

This Great Big Story was made possible by Visit Dubai

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• Average cosmopolitan city
• It’s a lively place
• Rich in culture
• Steeped in history
• An array of landscapes
• What sets it apart is its many unexpected surprises
• A thriving trade hub
• Set in the spectacular desert landscape
• One of the most exciting discoveries of the 21st century
• Unique artifacts
• Are on public display
• The worlds only live museum
• Delve deeper into the story
• The 3D Cinematic room
• The bustling city of Dubai
• The vast wetlands
• It comprises of a variety of
• More than 25 000  resident migratory birds
• Flock to the area
• Guided tours take visitors on a journey
• Through the eyes of a conservationist
• The emerald waters of the Gulf
• Over 500 species of aquatic life reside in the pristine warm waters
• One of the most popular dive sites
• For advanced open water divers
• That lie deep below
• Diverse wildlife
• Is home to over 200 species of native birds
• Nomadic civilizations relied on heavily to survive
• Observation towers
• On a historical adventure
• Visitors can enjoy cultural performances
• In the dark of the night
• A technique involving the sun and stars
• Due to the constantly shifting landscape
• Stars lit up the sky
• It still impacts modern navigation
• Settle in and let these legends transport you

Do you know how to talk about Social Media and the Internet in English ?

ABC Education

We use the internet and social media sites all the time to stay connected and understand what’s happening around us. In this episode, learn the vocabulary you need to know to talk about this topic.

How do you learn something online? 

We asked people on the street what they were learning online and how they were doing it.

Useful Argumentative Essay Words and Phrases

 

Download   Examples_of_Argumentative_Language HERE 

 

Using signpost words and phrases HERE 

More Signposting tips HERE

 

Signposting sentences

What are signposting sentences?

Signposting sentences explain the logic of your argument. They tell the reader what you are going to do at key points in your assignment. They are most useful when used in the following places :

 In the introduction
 At the beginning of a paragraph which develops a new idea
 At the beginning of a paragraph which expands on a previous idea
 At the beginning of a paragraph which offers a contrasting viewpoint
 At the end of a paragraph to sum up an idea
 In the conclusion

Signposting stems for an introduction

To understand the role of … (your topic*) this essay aims to provide a discussion of … (the ideas you will develop)
This essay seeks to investigate/evaluate/illustrate/discuss the impact of … (your topic) in relation to … (the ideas you will develop)
Firstly, this assignment examines … (your topic) and its links with … (your first idea) Next, it closely examines… in relation to … (your next idea) Finally, it focuses on … and how this affects …(your next idea)

Signposting stems for a paragraph which introduces or develops a new idea

One aspect which illustrates … (your topic) can be identified as … (the idea you want to develop)
The current debate about … (your topic) identifies an interesting viewpoint on …(the idea you want to develop)
This first/next/ final section provides a general discussion of …(the idea you want to develop)

READ MORE HERE

source : University of East Anglia

Oral Exam Tips for B2 and C2 Students

Asking the examiner to repeat a question

Asking the examiner to rephrase a question

What can a city do to attract more tourists

Do you like learning new things?

source : Esolnethellas.gr

 

source : corkenglishteacher

Will you fly again?

Emirates is setting an industry-leading safety and hygiene standard for customers and employees at every step of the travel journey. Our new multi-faceted and comprehensive onboard and on ground measures took effect from today with the resumption of scheduled passenger flights to nine destinations. Our inflight products and services have also been modified to offer complete peace of mind and reassurance.  READ MORE

More COVID-19 Vocabulary Chunks HERE

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• Fly better again
• Enhanced health and safety measures
• On the ground / on board
• Flight crew
• Health screening protocols
• COVID-19 Passenger testing
• Specific destinations
• Thermal scanning for fever detection
• Microbial shields at check-in
• Social distancing
• Travel hygiene kits
• Face masks, gloves, anti-bacterial wipes and hand sanitizer
• Safety measures
• Onboard hygiene
• Your health and wellbeing is always our first priority

 

Greek Summer is a State of Mind

discovergreece.com

incrediblecrete.gr

Are you ready for the LRN Oral Exam?

Click on links below for Sample Questions and Answers for the B1-B2  Oral LRN Exams :

LRN Speaking – Questions for Stage 1

LRN Speaking Stage 2 Sample Answers – Prepared Topic B1-B2

LRN Speaking Stage 3 Sample Answers – Respond to a Question B1-B2

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Click on links below for topics and sample answers for the C1-C2  Oral LRN Exams :

LRN Common topics for both January and June 2020 Oral exam – HERE

LRN January  2020 Past paper for oral exam  –  HERE

LRN JUNE 2020 oral Exam Topics –  HERE

LRN Speaking – Questions for Stage 1

LRN Speaking – Stage 2 – Sample Answers – Prepared Topic

LRN Speaking – Stage 3 – Sample Answers – Respond to a Question

 

Source : esolnethellas.gr

Are you ready for the LRN Exam?

LRN Sample papers  – Free Download HERE

 

Types of Essays  – Free Download HERE

There are different kinds of essays. The following are some of the most common ones you will be asked to write :
· Descriptive
· Cause and Effect
· Compare and Contrast
· Argumentative
· Problem-Solution

Make sure your essay has the proper structure.

Introduction

Background information
Thesis statement

1st Main Body Paragraph
First supporting idea
Linking Phrase, Topic Sentence: the main theme of the paragraph
Supportive ideas or examples

2nd Main Body Paragraph
Second supportive idea
Linking Phrase, Topic Sentence: the main theme of the paragraph
Supportive ideas or examples

Conclusion

Linking Phrase, a Summary of the key points and/or an expression of Opinion

*********************************************

ESSAY EXPRESSIONS – Free Download HERE

Introduction phrases
· It is a well-known fact that
· It is an undeniable fact that
· It is a common belief that
· It is common knowledge that
· There has been a great deal of heated debate about
· However,
· As I see it,
· It could be argued that
· While it might be true that
· Although this argument may be sound,
· It is generally agreed that

Giving personal opinions
· In my opinion,
· I believe that
· I think that
· Personally,
· The way I see it,
· From my point of view,
· My belief is that
· Although I am in two minds

Giving the pros and the cons
· To begin/start with,
· There are both advantages and disadvantages to
· Although there are serious drawbacks/disadvantages,
· On the one hand, /On the other hand,
· By contrast, /On the contrary,
· However, /Nevertheless
· The other side of the coin, however, is that
· Another way of looking at this question is to
· Some may be in favour of
· Others, however, would argue that
· Opinions are sharply divided over this issue.
· There is no doubt that
· In spite of
· Despite the fact that
· Unfortunately,

Source : esolnethellas.gr

Do you know how to structure an essay?

Some useful videos with study notes and activity sheets  to help students with essay writing :

Writing Task Response

Essay topics are of general interest and relate to current issues in society. You can expect to be asked about:
The Media
Education
Environment
Health
Communication
Technology
Society  READ MORE

DOWNLOAD Study Notes for this lesson

DOWNLOAD Activity Sheet for this lesson 

How to organise your ideas in a paragraph

In this episode we will learn about Coherence – the logical organisation of ideas through paragraphing and sequencing; and Cohesion – the organisation of language, or how sentences are connected and related. These are criteria used to assess Writing Tasks. READ MORE

DOWNLOAD Study Notes for this lesson
DOWNLOAD Activity Sheet for this lesson

Question Tasks and Topics in Writing

In this episode we will learn about question topics, which can be any topic of general interest and question tasks, which determine the style of essay you need to write.

What are the questions likely to be about?
Media, censorship, privacy or the influence of advertising.
Education, testing, computers or public and private education.
Environment, eco-tourism, global warming or pollution.
Health, obesity, alternative medicine, exercise or diet.
Communication, the internet or mobile phones.
Society, youth issues, juvenile delinquency or ageing populations.  READ MORE

DOWNLOAD Study Notes for this lesson

DOWNLOAD Activity Sheet for this lesson

 

It really gives me the drive to carry on

Sonia loves mathematics and solving puzzles. As a young child she used to wake up in the middle of the just to try to solve at least one puzzle. She is proud of her heritage, having lived in Moscow, Russia until she was 7 and moving to London thereafter. She believes it would be beneficial for future generations if more people were involved in mathematical activities such as chess, puzzles or problem solving tasks.

This film was made by young people attending supplementary schools across London. These community-run organisations teach children about their cultural heritage and can be grouped by language, ethnicity or faith.

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

I was born in Moscow

I lived in Moscow for 7 years

The other half of my life I’ve lived in London

There are loads of cultures

People from different backgrounds

I was always very passionate about Maths and problem solving

There’s no other way to describe it

A world grand master

He is really my inspiration

It really gives me the drive to carry on

To progress in my mathematical career

A lot of the time I have a mathematical way of explaining it

My friends make fun of it

On the way to school

My friends and family are really supportive

Do Rubik’s  cubes

Under 2 minutes

That’s what jump started my Rubik’s  cube obsession

I don’t think that a lot of kids nowadays like maths

I’ve known that from personal experience

Any sort of problem solving

That would be great for the future generations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mamma Mia !

Time Out

As the world goes mad for Abba once more, Time Out went behind the scenes at one of London’s most popular musicals: Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre.

We found out what it takes to be a leading lady, and how the crew store some of the most glittery and fabulous costumes. Ricky Butt, who plays dynamo Rosie, guided us around the set and her dressing room.

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video

I play Rosie
The audience
They’ll shout from the audience
The most fun costumes
This is another of my costumes
And even so, it is freshly laundered and steamed
Isn’t it magnificent?
The hats are absolutely fantastic
This is a very famous prop
Loose change
The dressing table
The stage
Thanks for watching
You must come and see the show

 

Come have coffee with us !

mmmEnglish

Have coffee with Anna and practice your English with friends! Build your confidence to practice English in the real world!

In this video, you’ll learn how to use the phrasal verbs ‘catch up’, ‘cut down’ and how to offer to pay the bill!

 

How to sound posh in English

English with Lucy

The 35 words that are ONLY used by posh people! Learn and use this vocabulary if you want to sound posh in British English!

Are you ready for the ECCE oral exam?

1, 1.  1. More ECCE Speaking Prompts to practise for the exam can be found HERE

2.  Student prompt HERE    /   Examiner prompt HERE

3.  Sample video can be found HERE

 

 

Who is your joygiver?

Lays

We all have people in our lives who bring us joy—through small gestures or selfless acts. At Lay’s, we call them #joygivers. Share the stories of those bringing joy to your community using #joygivers and we’ll donate $50 to Feeding America for every post. Up to $1 million.
For every post using the hashtag #joygivers between May 15, 2020, and July 12, 2020, Lay’s will donate $50 to Feeding America®. Guaranteed minimum donation of $500,000 and maximum donation of $1,000,000. LAY’S is a registered trademark of Frito-Lay North America, Inc. ©2020

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video:

We all know someone who brings us joy when we need it most
Through smiles, laughter
At Lays we call them joygivers
What they do may seem small
But it can make a world of difference
Without a second thought
They can change our perspective
They’re everywhere
They’re everything we need right now

Some ideas of how to bring joy to others :

Spend time with them
Bake them something
Send a nice message
Give them a small gift
Do a good deed
Tell a joke
Run an errand or do a chore
Give them flowers

It’s time to stop

Visit Portugal

 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video:

• It’s time to stop
• Look out for each other in the distance
• Take a break
• Time to make a pause
• To reset, re-centre, switch off, to move on
• Time change our little world
• We were meant to connect
• We are stronger together
• Our main strength is to be apart
• Nature,  landscapes, beaches and monuments aren’t going anywhere
• Wating for a better time to be lived
• For a while
• The perfect time not to visit anything
• Sometimes to rise, is to stand still
• Stop and think of ourselves
• Think of everyone of else too
• Refocus as a whole
• Tounderstand and respect our times
• Respect one another
• The faster we stop the sooner we will bond again
• To dream of those amazing days to come
• For when those days arrive

 

Are you working from home?

William Hanson

As many of us are going to be working from home for some time, etiquette coach William Hanson from The English Manner gives some suggested tips as to how to effectively video conference from home with colleagues and co-workers.

More English manner tips HERE

Vocabulary chunks to learn from the video :

•  Executive Director of The English Manner
• Working from home
• Foreseeable future
• Video conference etiquette
• Well lit
• The angle is good
• The sound and the connection is spot on
• That’s what you want to aim for
• The person on the conference
• Focus on what you are saying
• Neutral and dull as possible
• Some of the mistakes that people make
• Dianna, are you still there
• I can see you.. hello….
• The angle is critical
• The lens of the camera pointing directly at your eyes
• Devices with cameras built into them
• The last ten or more years
• Lighting is key
• Please test it in advance
•  An anonymous whistle blower on the news
• The person you’re speaking to
• It’s taking up a bit of their time
• Shut the door
• Before you start
• Dressing to impress
• Nobody works from home in a suit
• This is too much and this is too little
• What to do and what not to do when we video conference from home
• I hope you stay safe and healthy

Fill your bookshelf with Style

[Architectural Digest]

Architectural Digest has tips on how to fill your bookshelf with style and create the ultimate “shelfie”.

Every single day I live life

Green Renaissance

“Every single day I live life. It is living today. It’s not about ‘someday I’ll do this’… that may never come. You do it now.’

Joel made a decision to move out of the city, and create a more natural way of life for himself. And the positive benefits on his health have been incredible. Take a listen to his story…

We “Green Renaissance”, make these short films as passion projects, to share inspiration. You can help us make more films like this by making a tiny donation, so we can continue this journey with you – @ greenrenaissance

Who is Green Renaissance? We are a tiny collective of 4 passionate filmmakers (Warren, Jacky, Michael and Justine). We live off-grid and dedicate our time to making films that we hope will inspire and share ideas.

Green Renaissance

Vocabulary chunks to learn from the video :

• No shortcuts
• It’s hard work it’s not that easy
• My prime years
• Doctor’s rooms
• I changed the whole way of eating
• Allopathic drug
• It’s a holistic situation
• Growing my own food
• Clean water
• My priority
• It’s the air I breathe
• It’s pure free of chlorine and chemicals
• Every single day I live life
• Living today
• That may never come, you do it now
• It’s quite amazing
• Every day I am grateful that I’m here
• But that’s not the word I’m looking for
• It’s an absolute privilege to live out here

TV shows to learn English – Intermediate

TV shows to help you with your English if you are at an Intermediate Level .  Watch Cooking Programs, Sitcoms (Situational Comedies),

1.  Nigella Lawson

2. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

3.  Jamie Oliver 

4.  The Vicar of Dibley

 

 

 

Allow your senses to expand

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness”- John Muir
Forest Bathing is a simple, yet powerful to way reconnect with who we are, in our natural setting. Find a place for yourself and settle into the present moment as we expand our senses and experience the natural world around all of us.

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• I couldn’t agree more
•  A very simple and powerful way to reconnect with who we are
• Based on this crazy idea
• Being in the woods is good for us
• The practise of forest bathing is very simple
• A focus on the present moment
• Allow your senses to expand
• Noticing the cool touch of the breeze
• Birdsong
• The wind moving through the leaves
• The play of light through the canopy
• Something that catches your eyes
• Take an opportunity to stop
• Like life unfolds when we are present
• Naturally, organically and without control
• The little treasures that we will find
• Fully present in the moment
• What you inhale is their exhalation
• And in so doing
• Allowing your journey take you where it will
• Returning to where you started
• A renewed sense of well being
• Peace of mind
• An appreciation for the life of  which you are a part

 

 

 

The Fortress of Footwear

Vocabulary to learn after watching video :

Whichever style you’re into

A fortress of footwear

The largest store of its kind

Dedicated to shoes and only to shoes

Passion for footwear

300 000 in stock

250 brands

100 are exclusive to Level Shoe District

The shoe is becoming a status symbol

This concept is working 

Luxury Industry

Very glitz and glamour

High end status

We offer something for everyone

700 000 shoppers a month

Located in the largest mall

TV shows to learn English – Pre-Intermediate

TV shows to help you with your English if you are at a Pre-Intermediate Level .  Watch Nature Programs

1.  David Attenborough – Our Planet

2.  David Attenborough – Planet Earth

3.  David Attenborough – Blue Planet

4.  David Attenborough – Frozen Planet

 

 

TV shows to learn English – Beginners

TV shows to help you with your English if you are a beginner.  Watch children’s TV shows that cover the basics of English :  simple  English, simple Tenses, basic vocabulary

1.  Peppa Pig

 

2.  Sarah & Duck

3.  Katie Morag

We’re never lost if we can find each other

Facebook App

Never Lost illustrates the idea that as humans we are never truly lost as long as we can connect to each other.
Its montage of deserted streets, people finding new ways to connect during social distancing and COVID-19 Facebook posts is set to an extract from a very moving spoken word poem by British poet, Kate Tempest, called People’s Faces that was published last year on Vevo and is underscored by a stark and soulful piano track.

If you need help, or can offer it, visit our support hub www.facebook.com/covidsupport

Lyrics to People’s Faces
Was that a pivotal historical moment
We just went stumbling past?
Here we are
Dancing in the rumbling dark
So come a little closer
Give me something to grasp
Give me your beautiful
Crumbling heart
We’re working every dread day that is given us
Feeling like the person people meet
Really isn’t us
Like we’re going to buckle underneath the trouble
Like any minute now
The struggle’s going to finish us
And then we smile at all our friends
Even when I’m weak and I’m breaking
I’ll stand weeping at the train station
‘Cause I can see your faces
There is so much peace to be found in people’s faces

I love people’s faces

Songwriters: Daniel De Mussenden Carey / Kate Tempest
People’s Faces lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Domino Publishing Company

Essay writing TIPS

Edith Cowan University 

What is Hygge

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• being comforted and cozy
• decorationg style
• sweet treats
• warm soothing drinks
• part of the lifestyle
• how to make
• whole milk
• froth until fine foam appears
• spoon in extra foam
• drizzle with honey
• limiting use of electronics
• keeping plenty of books handy
• out of sight and out of mind
• extension cord / charging cords
• layer flufy rugs
• hang string light for soft warming lighting
• a double boiler
• a small baking tin
• chunks of cinnamon
• tie a knot
• a large loop
• until you reach the desired length

 

The Great Realisation

Simple poems for complicated times – Probably Tom Foolery

Chocolate Chunks

 

This is the ultimate chocolate cupcake : packed with nuts, melty on the inside and topped with condensed-milk ganache.  Look upon them as emotional support cakes.

INGREDIENTS
150 g flour
75 g good-quality cocoa
130 g brown sugar
290 g caster sugar
175 g butter, melted and cooled
1 t vanilla paste
3 free-range eggs
100 g macadamia nuts, roughly chopped

For the ganache :

200 g milk chocolate
100 g dark chocolate
1 x 385 g can condensed milk

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a 12-hole muffin pan with cupcake holders.
2.   Place the flour, cocoa, brown and caster sugar, butter, vanilla paste and eggs into a large mixing bowl and whisk until smooth.
3.   Add the macadamia nuts and fold through. Spoon the mixture into the cupcake holders, filling them three-quarters of the way.
4.   Bake for 20 minutes, or until cooked through but fudgy in the centre.

To make the ganache, melt the chocolate over a saucepan of simmering water. Fold through the condensed milk, then spread onto the cupcakes.

(Makes 12 cupcakes)

Happy May Day

Bloom Tube

What will you remember?

Children see the world so clearly. The beauty of it. The possibility of it – even in the midst of uncertainty. We have been asking children, from around the world, to tell us what they’ll remember when COVID-19 is over. Truth is, when these uncertain times end, and they will, learning from what our children remember of these times can help us build a world we all deserve.

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• What they’ll remember when it’s  over
• I’ll remember what I learnt
• I’ll remember doctors and nurses gave their lives to protect us
• I’ll remember people who worked on streets, while we stayed safe at home
• I’ll remember countries stopped fighting and started helping each other
• I’ll remember people sent messages of hope to each other
• I’ll remember we found new ways to have fun
• I’ll rember blue skies, animals and birds came back to our cities
• I’ll remember how mom and dad became more than mom and dad
• I’ll remember we took more care of everyone old
• I’ll remember our teachers teaching us that learning never stops
• I’ll remember we gave homes to those who couldn’t go back to their own
• I’ll remember everyone playing hairdresser
• I’ll remember some people gave more than what they had
• I’ll remember we did our best to keep each other safe
• When we get through this and we will, let’s remember what got us through this

 

 

 

 

 

Stand by me

Nivea UK

Every act of care matters and right now is more important than ever. The smallest act of care can make the biggest difference. It can make someone’s day and helps them to face challenges that would otherwise be impossible.

As a global business NIVEA have put a €50 million fund to help support communities impacted by Covid-19. They are also now producing 1 million litres of disinfectant and 500 million skin and hand care products, which will be donated to hospitals and NGOs globally.

#SharetheCare

Lyrics

When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we’ll see
No, I won’t be afraid
Oh, I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand
Stand by me

So darlin’, darlin’
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Oh, stand, stand by me
Stand by me

Stand by me, oh, stand by me

Darlin’, darlin’
Stand by me, oh, stand by me
Oh, stand now, stand by me
Stand by me
Whenever you’re in trouble, won’t you stand by me?
Oh, stand by me
Won’t you stand now?
Oh, stand, stand by me, stand by me
Stand by me

 

Dear Nature, we miss you

Timberland Malaysia

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• Wandering in the woods
• Airplanes flying in your skies
• Isn’t all this silence strange?
• Take this time to breathe
• To bloom, to conquer your space
• We promise we’ll treat you better than we ever did before
• We truly understand how much you really mean to us

 

 

 

We will see the world again

Sky Scanner 

We will get through this. We will get out there again.  Where will you go when this is all over?

Lots to love – And less to spend

Black. White. Or red. In a small 4.7” design. With studio-quality portraits. Sharp 4K video. Long battery life. A13 Bionic — the fastest chip in a smartphone. And the security of Touch ID, with privacy built in. iPhone SE. Lots to love. And less to spend. (#Apple)

 

The future of high-tech education

A growing number of classrooms in China are equipped with artificial-intelligence cameras and brain-wave trackers. While many parents and teachers see them as tools to improve grades, they’ve become some children’s worst nightmare (#WallStreetJournal)

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

Primary school
Pay attention
Head band
Levels of concentration
A global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)
A cashless economy
Facial recognition
The future of high-tech education
Chips that track their locations
Surveillance cameras that monitor how often students yawn

Netizens (The term netizen is a portmanteau of the words Internet and citizen, as in a “citizen of the net” or “net citizen.” It describes a person actively involved in online communities or the Internet in general)

Parental consent
AI Education
Boost student’s grades
The government has poured billions into the project
Bringing together tech giants, startups and schools
Exclusive access
To see first-hand how AI tech is being used in the classroom
A brainwave sensing gadget
Students practice meditation
The device is made in China
Sent in real time to the teacher
A report is generated
10 minute intervals
The reports are detailed
One of our reports tried on the device
A new technology
A neuroscientist
It is usually by doctors in hospitals and labs
It affects the signal
Despite the chances for false readings
Students have become more disciplined
They pay better attention in class
Study harder and achieve higher scores
A new kind of pressure for students
Government funded research projects
No privacy protection at all
Experts and citizens alike are sounding alarms
Future generations
Lesson plan here 

How to learn English with Lexical Chunks

Seth Silberman wrote :

Native speakers use lexical chunks, or groups of words commonly used together, without understanding what they are or how they work. Non-native speakers who master lexical chunks will sound more colloquial and assured when they speak English. With an understanding of lexical chunks, non-native speakers will be able to effectively use colloquial phrases that often do not mean the same thing when each word is individually defined.

Pay attention to how words work together when hearing or practicing sentences in English. According to Michael Lewis, who coined the term “lexical approach,” people learn and use languages as word combinations. Rather than emphasize only building vocabulary and learning grammar rules, Lewis suggests that collections of words that work as a unit drive communication, making lexis, not grammar, the key to understanding how the English language operates.
Follow Lewis’ language learning model: observe, hypothesize and experiment. Taking note of the kinds of words that commonly appear together will prevent the English learner from saying or writing sentences that may be grammatically correct, but still sound awkward. For example, native speakers would remark about a particularly “strong tea,” not a rugged one, even though “strong” and “rugged” are synonyms. Learn collocations, or word partnerships, like “broad daylight” or “by heart” by hypothesizing what they mean from context. Then, experiment using these collocations in sentences.
Focus on the use and placement of nouns in English sentences. Use a dictionary for unfamiliar words, but think of their use, not simply their definition, in relationship to the sentence’s central nouns. Read materials about the same subject matter to discover common collocations used to discuss that topic. Read for word patterns, not simply for subject-verb agreement or other grammar rules.
Read newspapers or sit in public places like a coffee shop to see and hear everyday English in use. Use a note pad to write down familiar collocations. Follow the nouns and use context to guess what unfamiliar words might mean. Check unfamiliar words in a dictionary later. Practice writing new sentences using these collocations in different ways.
Watch and record news programs and comedies. Write out the words spoken as if providing a transcript. Take note of how the nouns anchor the lexical chunks used. Pay particular attention to how lexical chunks produce comedy, often through puns or misuse of a phrase. The word associations that produce laughter often mean quite different things when broken apart.

Lexical approach classroom activities can be found   HERE

About the author : Based in New York City, Seth Silberman has written and edited articles for various websites since 2006. His articles have been published in numerous books and scholarly journals as well as in “VIBE” magazine, “Paste” magazine, “Creative Loafing Atlanta” and “The Hartford Courant.” Silberman holds a Doctor of Philosophy in comparative literature from University of Maryland, College Park.

 

Are you wild about cats and wild dogs?

During the nationwide lockdown, the Endangered Wildlife Trust  will be offering a series of free webinars (times indicated in South Africa Standard Time ‎(UTC+2)‎,  allowing you to discover the outdoors, indoors. Be the first to know about upcoming Wild Chats by signing up to their mailing list   for more information. Zoom  link will be shared the day before each talk.

It’s a pretty amazing lifestyle, it really is

They say dogs are a man’s best friend, but not for this bloke! He’s living the life on a remote island with the local wombats. 🐾

Ever dreamt about escaping the rat race to your own personal utopia? Well, how about befriending local wombats? Back Roads guest presenter Paul West heads to Flinders Island in Tasmania to meet up with eco warrior Addy Jones and his little mate Womy the wombat.

Vocabulary chunks to learn from the video :

We’ve got a wombat in the car
I look after orphaned ones
What was it that first drew you to the island
The biodiversity
They are still untouched
The people are wild as the weather
He’s a bit of an eco-warrior
Whose passions range from
Making surfboards out of recycled materials
Wildlife rescue
In that regard its very special
I’m comfortably broke but very healthy
The environment for one
It’s not for everyone because it is very remote
Logistically it’s a bit of nightmare
You can’t have everything
It’s a pretty amazing lifestyle, it really is

Can you speak about COVID-19 in English

Understand and learn to speak about COVID-19 in English. In this important session where I’ll explain the most common vocabulary related to the coronavirus.

You’ll learn: nouns such as symptoms, outbreak, pandemic, transmission, and social distancing; verbs and expressions such as to ban gatherings, to protect the vulnerable, to restrict travel, and to flatten the curve; adjectives such as contagious, symptomatic, mandatory, and unprecedented. This lesson is for anyone who wants to follow the news and discuss this important topic more confidently in English.

Test your understanding by taking the quiz  HERE 

 

Create a blog and share
your voice in minutes

CLICK HERE

Everybody would want to live this way

 

Tom, Sarah, and their daughter Neesa live in a 20sqm off-grid tiny house on a property on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand. Instead of paying rent, they share the work of looking after the land with the owners, and both families share in the farm’s abundant produce. We were inspired by how much happier they’ve found themselves by living with less.

Tom is a medical doctor and Sarah is an illustrator but both have chosen to reduce their work to almost nothing in order to have more time to focus on living well – a lifestyle choice that is more possible for many of us than we might think. This little 6-minute film has been one of our most popular to date – perhaps because it describes a lifestyle so many of us would love to be living.

** More about Happen Films **
Support us in making more films – HERE 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

Living Simply
This is my wife Sarah
The house is 20 square meters
This L shaped space
A bit of a deck at the back
Mobile broadband
Hot water is from a gas cylinder
Keeping an eye on her
We need to radically rethink how to live
A healthy step for us
Be okay with the downsizing
Look out to trees and green
I don’t know the term for it
Working in the vegetable garden
Building, digging so that’s most of my work
Part-time I work as a GP (General Practitioner)
Our costs are fractional to what they were in town
I don’t have any stress about money
Which is a huge benefit
Emotionally I’m healthier
I’m much more in touch with sense of well-being
Maybe there is another way of being secure
Working in exchange for rent
Sharing and gifting of what we have
A more affluent lifestyle
Listen to what their hearts tell them will make them happy
Having the courage to act on it
For me this turns out to be what I love
Everybody would want to live this way

 

 

Just keep on walking

What happened? Why did life go from a place of wonder to a place of routine and predictability? Can we bring it back again?

To live an adventurous life, you just have to define it. It’s different for every person. Figure out what lights you up inside? What did you do for fun as a child? Go do those things again. It’s as simple as that. Stop waiting for life to happen to you. Make life happen for yourself.

To be part of our film making journey – CLICK HERE

Who is Green Renaissance? We are a tiny collective of passionate filmmakers (Michael and Justine). We live off-grid and dedicate our time to making films that we hope will inspire and share ideas.

 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

I always wanted to be an explorer
One day sooner or later
I wanted to be free
Travel to the unknown
It’s good for our soul
To become more tolerant
The different values, cultures, religions, different habits
If you open up your soul
Conscious about the present
Everything can change
The backpack gets heavier and heavier
Throw it away
Don’t look back too much – look forward
We can influence our lives
It’s like a gift
The last great exploration
Just keep on walking, just keep on walking

Filmed with Isabella, in East London, South Africa.

Till we meet again

An Address by Her Majesty The Queen – Coronavirus – BBC

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II delivers a special broadcast to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in relation to the coronavirus outbreak.The Queen has promised the nation that better days are ahead, during a special address on Sunday.In a rare speech, she acknowledged the grief and financial hardships Britons are facing during the coronavirus pandemic.Echoing the words of the Vera Lynn wartime song, she said that “we will meet again”.

FULL SCRIPT OF SPEECH CAN BE FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST 

Vocabulary in chunks to learn from video :

An increasing challenging time
Enormous changes to the daily lives of us all
Care workers
Those caring out essential roles
Day to day duties
In support of us all
What you do is appreciated
Return to more normal times
Those who have lost loved ones
We are tackling this disease
We will overcome it
In the years to come
Take pride
Those who come after us
The pride in who we are
It defines our present and our future
An expression of our national spirit
Heartwarming stories
Delivering food parcels and medicines
Checking on neighbors
Converting business to help the relief effort
Self-isolating
It presents an opportunity to slow down
A sense of separation from their loved ones
Face challenges
Join with all nations across the globe
A common endeavor
Better days will return
I send my thanks and warmest good wishes to you all

Full Script of Speech

Addressing the nation, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II said: “I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time.

“A time of disruption in the life of our country: a disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many, and enormous changes to the daily lives of us all.
“I want to thank everyone on the NHS front line, as well as care workers and those carrying out essential roles, who selflessly continue their day-to-day duties outside the home in support of us all.
“I am sure the nation will join me in assuring you that what you do is appreciated and every hour of your hard work brings us closer to a return to more normal times.
“I also want to thank those of you who are staying at home, thereby helping to protect the vulnerable and sparing many families the pain already felt by those who have lost loved ones.
“Together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it.
“I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge. And those who come after us will say the Britons of this generation were as strong as any.
“That the attributes of self-discipline, of quiet good-humoured resolve and of fellow-feeling still characterise this country.
“The pride in who we are is not a part of our past, it defines our present and our future.
“The moments when the United Kingdom has come together to applaud its care and essential workers will be remembered as an expression of our national spirit; and its symbol will be the rainbows drawn by children.”

She added: “Across the Commonwealth and around the world, we have seen heart-warming stories of people coming together to help others, be it through delivering food parcels and medicines, checking on neighbours, or converting businesses to help the relief effort.
“And though self-isolating may at times be hard, many people of all faiths, and of none, are discovering that it presents an opportunity to slow down, pause and reflect, in prayer or meditation.
“It reminds me of the very first broadcast I made, in 1940, helped by my sister.
“We, as children, spoke from here at Windsor to children who had been evacuated from their homes and sent away for their own safety. Today, once again, many will feel a painful sense of separation from their loved ones.

“But now, as then, we know, deep down, that it is the right thing to do.

“While we have faced challenges before, this one is different.
“This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavour, using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal.

“We will succeed -and that success will belong to every one of us.
“We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.
“But for now, I send my thanks and warmest good wishes to you all.”

What is Coronavirus ?

A short amination for young children to help them better understand COVID-19.

It covers what coronavirus is, what can happen if you get it, how you can help and why your school is closing.

 

 

Social Distancing – What does it mean?

We explore one of the most widely used phrases of the past couple of weeks, social distancing.
What does it mean? Is it important? Should we care? These kids will explain!
We also give you 6 tips on how to navigate this unique period we are all facing.

***UPDATE: At the time of filming, 3 feet (1 metre)  was the recommended distance for Social Distancing. It has since been updated to 6 feet (2 metres) .***

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video

Should we abide by it
Minimizing the contact we have with other people
Reduce the spread of the virus
The intent behind social distancing is to slow the rate of the epidemic
To flatten the curve
It will help the health care system
Overcrowding our hospitals
Get control of the virus
Professional sporting events are being suspended for a period of time
We are being asked to socially distance ourselves from other people
It can save thousands of lives today
You are doing your part

Help flatten the curve
Use this time to explore, discover and create

6 Simple tips
Wash your hands often
Cover your cough
Don’t touch your face
Stay at least 2 metres away from people
Get outside –  Avoid close contact with people in public
Connect remotely, thanks to technology you can still interact with them remotely

 

Developing your listening skills

Michigan Language Assessment

View a recording of a webinar that presents an overview of the listening skills needed for MET Go! as well as some teaching strategies for developing and practicing these skills in the classroom. See examples of classroom activities for practicing active listening, and learn about available resources.

In it together

Green Renaissance

The last few weeks have been a roller coaster of intense emotions. All of us, all over the world, have had to start to change the way we do things. Many have cut back on travel plans, some are avoiding crowded spaces, and most have dropped handshakes and hugs for elbow bumps and foot shakes.

As hard as it might be for some of us right now, it seems that what we need is more empathy, understanding, and compassion for one another. Most of us are some version of scared – this is a change and a big change. Like with any change, we don’t know what will happen and how it will turn out. But what we do know for sure, is that we can’t really do too much without each other.

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

The conductor is not just a time beater
It has different elements to it
We are going to make music
It’s not a shouting match
Taking the rubbish out
It’s a calling
Infectious energy
Your fellow musicians
A positive vibe
We need positive vibes these days
Ode to Joy
Everybody knows the tune
I could not imagine the world without music
I would like to be a fly on the wall
There you go
Nature is such a powerful force
Belting down with rain
An amazing show of power
The purpose of life
To live life that is full of interesting things
Not stuck in a rut
Read about new things
Be interested
Have you heart open for new ideas
Seeking perfection

 

Keep your hands nice and clean

 

 

Dr Michelle Dickinson

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :
What on earth is it?
They’re so tiny we can’t see them
They’re invisible to us
Viruses can make you sick
Under a microscope
Attach to different parts of our body
A day or week off school
The common cold
A stuffy nose
They make you feel really really sick
You can rest for a while
This type of coronavirus
A shortness of breath
They struggle to breath
A natural immune system
Severe symptoms
Not able to fight it
Stop the virus from spreading
Stop it from spreading
Wash your hands often
Don’t let people sneeze around you
Sneeze into your elbow
All sorts of nasties
Keep everybody safe

 

 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :
A global health emergency
A really simple experiment you can do at home
Dishwashing liquid or some soap
Viruses are obviously invisible
Viruses and bacterial
Wash those off by rinsing our hands in water
Why soap and water is so important
You can use regular soap
Wash away the virus
Wash your hands thoroughly
Rinse their hands in water
Pout some soap on the top
Make sure your palms are thoroughly rubbed together
The back of each hand
In between your fingers
Interlock them and rub your fingers together
Clean inside your nails
Make sure your wrists are also covered
Don’t forget your thumbs
Sing the song Happy Birthday twice
Rinse off all the soap
Rubbing your hands together
Final bit
Make sure that you dry your hands with a clean towel
And there you go
How to wash your hands nice a easy

ECCE Speaking Test – Tips and Strategies

[Hellenic American Union]

Tips for all parts of the ECCEE Speaking Test, useful preparation points and effective strategies that will ensure success.

Stage 1 (4:56)

Stage 2 (07:58)

Stage 3  (13:40)

Stage 4 (16:29)

 

Solar powered vehicles in Africa

The air in Nairobi is heavily polluted by emissions from cars, buses and mopeds. The first solar-powered trucks and jeeps with electric motors have now started appearing in the city. While the energy is cheap, the vehicles themselves are not.

 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from the video :

• Poverty stricken districts
• It’s pouring with rain
• Climate change is affecting Kenya’s normal weather patters
• A solar powered e-bike
• The bike can reach a speed of 40km an hour
• The solar panel on the roof
• The battery keeps recharging
• It supplies pre-prepared staple food to street food vendors
• The number one drive
• Economically sustainable
• We use green energy
• The solar bikes
• The electric cargo bike
• Sustainable mobility is good for the environment
• The population will grow massively
• The number of vehicles driving on gasoline or diesel is on the rise
• Worsening air pollution and increasing carbon emissions
• Electric two and three wheelers
• The transport sector
• One of the biggest polluters
• The electricity derives from renewables such as solar and wind power and geothermal energy
• The main obstacle is inadequate infrastructure
• Hardly any charging stations
• Install solar charging stations
• The battery range of 100km
• Rural areas
• There is a demand for electric vehicles
• A major advantage
• Turn the engine on, turn it off
• Installs electric engines in cars
• Electro mobility has benefits not only for the environment but also for the economy
• A sustainable transport system
• Before they go mainstream
• The air quality improves

 

The future of eating

In Germany, start-up ‘GreenGuru’ provides urban professionals who are too busy to prepare a wholesome lunch with nutritious snacks and meals. Healthy eating has become a trend – and it’s even beneficial for the environment.

 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from the video :

• Rush hour
• The founders of start-up Green Guru
• A gap in the market
• Urban professionals who are too busy to make their own lunch
• Instant gratification
• Everything at a touch of a button
• They consider healthy eating important
• The trend is reflected in super market sales
• Demand for wholesome fresh juices is souring
• Ready meals full of additives and preservatives
• Fresh produce
• The ready meal segment is stagnating
• Nestle is a market leader
• Investing heavily in research
• Provide nutritional solutions for consumers
• Based on their genetic make up
• A custom made diet for better health
• The head of Nestle Germany predicts that this will be the next big thing
• No one size fits all
• A number of other parameters
• Food manufanctures
• Online nutritional advice services
• The statistics mainly reflect rough averages
• These days a growin number of Germans
• Switching to vegetarian diets
• The number of Vegans has risen in recent years
• A sustainable future
• A trend that will continue to grow
• Butchers beg to differ
• There will always be a demand for meat
• Throwing away as little as possible
• It tackles food waste with technology
• They are sold at a discounted price
• It’s all about reducing waste
• To produce food on demand
• With a click of a button

 

Swimming in ice cold water ! Would you take the plunge ?

 

 

Endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh is training for the hardest swim of his life, a kilometer across a lake on the Antarctic ice sheet. in order to raise awareness for climate change.

Visit Lewis HERE

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• He swims to protect and preserve our oceans
• Most hostile waters
•  A new challenge
• Super glacial lake, on top of the ice sheet
• As a result of climate change
• Facing extreme conditions
• Not only will the water be absolutely freezing but the air temperature could easily reach in the -30
• Right on the edge of human endurance
• Totally frozen
• For over a decade
• By far the toughest swim in my life
• You many have noticed that
• A wet suit or dry suit
• You’ve got to be bravado ( a show of courage)
• I’m urging world leaders
• Taking important hard decisions
• Speedo swimming trunks
• They grab peoples attention and lead to real change
• Agreed to protect
• Straight after this swim
• No industrial fishing
• Allowing this area to recover  and restore itself

 

 

 

 

The Long Swim

 

Lewis Pugh took on a huge challenge by swimming the length of the Channel – around 330 miles (530km) – from Cornwall to Dover. The swim, which he completed within 50 days, is part of the worldwide Action for Oceans campaign, which calls on governments to fully protect at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. This is his journey…

Cherish the little things that are magical out there

  [soul pancake]

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
• For me and my mom
• The choices she made
• She has taught me to love nature
• Cherish all the little things that are magical out there
• Eyes wide open
• Deep breaths
• An open heart
• Rustling leaves
• Calms my frantic thoughts
• Make shift fishing rod
• The circle of life
• Everything on this planet flows in cycles
• Create something new in its place
• Feel this connection deeply and profoundly
• Full of life and beauty
• Try as we might we will never create like nature does
• Both are vital to my creativity
• What passions have your parents instilled in you?
• Every other Monday

 

How to succeed in the ECCE Writing, Listening & GVR Sections

Hellenic American Union Athens

Tips for the Written Part of the ECCE including important steps for the Writing section, useful points for the Listening, and effective strategies for the Grammar, Vocabulary and Reading Section.

How to succeed in the ECPE Writing, Listening & GCVR Sections

Hellenic American Union Athens

Tips for the Written Part of the ECPE including important steps for the Writing section, useful points for the Listening, and effective strategies for the Grammar, Cloze, Vocabulary and Reading Section.

I’m here because I want to be better

 

 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from the video :

You worked out with him
How did that come about ?
You’ve got to be simple
You’ve got to work on your craft
Think outside the box
You should always be a kid
You always want to learn
You ask questions
I was there 3 hours before him
I look up to Kobe Bryant
I’m here because I want to be better
A book that will be a best seller
That’s not going to be true to myself
Because at the end of the day you will not always remember everything they tell you
When you write it down you can always go back to it

New Year’s Resolutions 2020

New Year’s resolution  :  a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good or stop doing something bad on the first day of the year

 

 

Some New Year’s Resolutions :

1. I will keep my room clean.
2. I will keep good grades in school.
3. I will eat less snacks.
4. I will have a fruit or veggie with every meal.
5. I will try new foods.
6. I will go to bed at a decent hour.
7. I will exercise for at least a half hour each day.
8. I will drink less soda and juice and drink more water
9. I will eat my veggies even if I don’t like them, because I know they’re good for me!
10. I will be sure to do my homework before anything else after school.
11. I will take better notes in class.
12. I will pay better attention to the teacher and less attention to my friends during class time.
13. I will study my notes after school.
14. I will help my mom cook dinner at least three times a week.
15. I will do all of my chores without giving mom trouble.
16. I will be nicer to my sister and brother.
17. If I feel like I’m getting mad, I will walk away and calm down.
18. I will teach my sister how to play soccer.
19. I will watch less TV.
20. I will get out and play every sunny day.
21. I will put things away when I’m done using them.
22. I will brush my teeth each morning and night.
23. I will get into good hand washing habits.
24. I will find a hobby to do on rainy days so I’m not telling mom “I’m bored!”
25. I’ll be nice to every kid, even the ones that are bullied by others; I’ll be their friend.
26. I will memorize my address and phone number, and never give these out to strangers!
27. I will run for school president!
28. I will find a way to be actively involved in my community, even if it’s simply picking up garbage at the local park on weekends.
29. I will talk openly about my feelings.
30. I will resist peer pressure and be a positive influence on my friends.
31. I won’t talk back to my parents.
32. I will not tease my little brother.
33. I will be more organized in everything I do.
34. If I need help, I will ask for it.
35. I will read a new book

List of topics

The happiest country in the world

Hi – I’m your grandpa

Be a kid this Christmas

Forever young – Lyrics

Let’s dance in style, let’s dance for a while
Heaven can wait, we’re only watching the skies
Hoping for the best but expecting the worst
Are you gonna drop the bomb or not?

Let us die young or let us live forever
We don’t have the power but we never say never
Sitting in a sandpit, life is a short trip
The music’s for the sad men

Can you imagine when this race is won
Turn our golden faces into the sun
Praising our leaders, we’re getting in tune
The music’s played by the, the mad men

Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever and ever?
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever? Forever young

Some are like water, some are like the heat
Some are a melody and some are the beat
Sooner or later, they all will be gone
Why don’t they stay young?

It’s so hard to get old without a cause
I don’t want to perish like a fading horse
Youth’s like diamonds in the sun
And diamonds are forever

So many adventures couldn’t happen today
So many songs we forgot to play
So many dreams swinging out of the blue
We let them come true

Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever and ever?
Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever, forever and ever?

Forever young, I want to be forever young
Do you really want to live forever?

There is nothing like the magic of the season

Air Canada

A perfect miracle – Lyrics

I’d like to sit around and dream you up a perfect miracle
I’d part the clouds and have the sun proudly shining on you
I’d take the stars as well and line them up to spell “Darling, I love you”
And little by little watch it all come true

I’d like to sit around and dream you up a perfect miracle
I’d catch the wind and have it blow all my kisses to you
I’ll take the birds and teach them all the words of every love song I know
And I’d have them fly around and sing them all to you

Darling, you know, I’m sorry
I won’t get to see you today
My mind is a mess and I’m needing you less
Give me a call in a little while

I’d like to sit around and dream you up a perfect miracle
‘Cause every time I close my eyes, I’m just dreaming of you
There ain’t a man around could knock me off my cloud ’cause “Darling, I love you”
And little by little watch it all come true

Darling, you know, I’m sorry
I won’t get to see you this week
Lately I’ve found I don’t need you around
I don’t think it’s working out anyway
Anyway, and…

I’d like to sit around and dream you up a perfect miracle
‘Cause you’re the only girl I ever met who’s honest and true
I’d like to settle down with you and mess around a house on the hill
And I’m sitting here hoping it’ll all come true
(Sitting here hoping it’ll all come true)

Darling, you know, I’m sorry
(I’d like to sit around and dream you up a perfect miracle)
I won’t get to see you this spring
(I’d part the clouds and have the sun proudly shining on you)
My phone has been broke and I thought that we spoke
(I’d take the stars as well and line them up to spell “Darling, I love you”)
Don’t think it’s working out anyway
(And little by little watch it all come true)
Anyway, and…

Darling, you know, I’m sorry
(I’d like to sit around and dream you up a perfect miracle)
I won’t get to see you this year
(I’d catch the wind and have it blow all my kisses to you)
I hate to confess but I’ve changed my address
(I’ll take the birds and teach them all the words of every love song I know)
I haven’t been home in a little while
(And I’d have them fly around and sing them all to you)
A little while, and…

Darling, you know, I’m sorry
(I’d like to sit around and dream you up a perfect miracle)
I won’t get to see you again
(I’d like to tell the whole world I’m crazy ’bout you)
I met someone else, you should do it yourself
(I like you every second, every minute, every hour of the day)
So darling, please don’t call
(But now I’m sitting here going “When you gonna come home?”)
Please don’t call

Cleaning 9.000 tons of trash

 

Over three years ago, Versova beach in Mumbai was little more than a dumping ground for garbage and waste. After witnessing the devastating impact the refuse was having on the ocean, Afroz Shah decided to take matters into his own hands. What started off as a single man’s mission to clean up his favorite childhood beach turned into the world’s largest beach cleanup initiative. As of today, Shah and hundreds of volunteers have cleaned up over nine million kilograms of plastic and waste, with hopes to expand their initiative to other beaches in the future.

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• A  landfill
• A little over 3 years ago
• A movement started and led by one man
• I am a lawyer by profession
• A dumping ground
• My personal journey
• To join in
• Hundreds of volunteers
• The biggest preventative action
• It’ about the mindset of people
• Local communities
• How to segregate it
• I’m connecting with nature
• It has to be spick and span (very clean and tidy)
• We are in for a long haul (difficult effort or task)

The beach after the cleanup project

Dive and discover

 

So little is known about life in deep environments. Almost every expedition uncovers something new. Dive and discover HERE

More adventures HERE

2019 Person Of The Year

Follow Greta on Instagram HERE 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from the video :

• You are changing the world
• The world is waking up
• I’m just one of many faces
• Our leaders need to start acting acordingly
• Negative tipping points
• People will realiase what power we actually have
• The general awareness has been increasing
• We need to spread that awareness
• I don’t really care about social codes
• We need to work together
• To tell my grandchildren that we did everything we could
• We did it for them, for the generations to come

 

 

ECPE Speaking Test – Tips and Strategies

[Hellenic American Union]

Tips for all parts of the ECPE Speaking Test, useful preparation points and effective strategies that will ensure success.

Motivating People to Excellence

 

Vocabulary chunks on Motivation :

Things that can motivate you :

Money and rewards  – value the journey – the progress and process and not the end result

Success is a journey, not a destination

Hard work and effort

Desire to be the best

Work hard becaue they hate to lose

They sacrifice their time and work hard every single day to become the best

Helping Others

They are philanthropist

They want to see changes in people’s live – fight for a better future

Drive to help others to make the world a better place

Power and fame

Motivated by power and fame – politicians are a great example.

Inspired to become leaders and are driven to achieve greater power and fame in life

They chase power and fame

They want to lead

Recognition

They want to prove that either they are right or someone is wrong

They want recognition for themselves or others

A drive for recognition

A strong force to achieving success in life

Passion

They are passionate about what they do

Your favourite sport? To travel somewhere you love?

When you are passionate about something you will think about it all the time

It can drive you each day to achieve what you want in life

Conclusion

You just need to understand what motivates you in life so that you can channel your energy through the right platform and achieve greater success in life.

What motivates you in life is something you need to discover if you want to achieve remarkable success.

 

Source :   stunningmotimvation.com

ECPE speaking topics and key points

ECPE Speaking topics and key points

• Projects 
  • • cost / salary
    • place held
    • date to be held
    • frequency
    • what is involved
    • positive points
    • target (audience)
    • equipment needed
    • meals (provided or not)

Read more HERE 

Vocabulary chunks for projects :

• Financial projections are an essential tool for making business decisions
• creating new businesses and products 
• determining whether there’s a market for them or if people really want their product
•  consider timeframes
• choose the projects that will best serve your organizational goals
• What is the benefit to the organization?
• What are the major milestones?
• What are the potential stumbling blocks?
• What risks does this project pose?
• plans for geographic expansion? Local? National? Global?
• When will the business turn a profit?

 

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• Locationa. hold an event (venue)
  b. to visit
  c. to build sth
  • • size
    • capacity
    • population
    • weather
    • important sights
    • infrastructure (transportation system)
    • amenities (heating, pool, conference rooms, etc.)
    • cost
    • what is in the vicinity
    • activities available there
    • cuisine
    • accessibility (airport, train, bus, car)
    • history and culture
    • special features

Read more HERE 

Vocabulary chunks for conference location – workshop location

• running a successful event
• keep events focused entirely on the content, the speakers and the attendees
• Who does your conference serve?
• keynote speakers
• Having a budget will also help you set the price
• University campuses: These are best suited for smaller, academic events and are relatively cheap to hire.
• Hotels: These typically have dedicated conference facilities and own catering. They’re the best all-in-one choice since they offer both accommodation and conference space.
• Independent venues: This category includes all other types of venues that can host conferences.

Here are a few other factors to consider when looking for the right venue:

• Size: Booking a too-small venue where everybody has to squeeze into a tiny room is clearly a bad idea. Similarly, securing a giant venue for a relatively modest crowd will not only hurt your wallet but also make the conference feel empty and poorly attended.
• Location: It’s best to pick a somewhat secluded location so that participants are better able to focus on the conference itself. Even better if the venue has calming, picturesque surroundings to help people relax.
• Atmosphere: It’s crucial that the vibe of the venue suits your target audience and theme. You don’t want to host a business conference inside a giant gym, for instance.
• Facilities: Does the venue have the proper layout and the right conference room styles for your needs? Does it have the necessary facilities like e.g. smaller rooms for breakout sessions?
• Accommodation: Does the venue provide accommodation or are there hotels nearby?
• Catering: Is catering included or can external catering companies easily get to and work inside the venue? If not, are there suitable restaurants and cafes in the area? (Keep in mind any special dietary requirements: vegan, kosher, nut-free, etc.)
• Transportation: How easy is it for participants to travel to the venue by public transport? Are there enough parking spots for those who drive?
• Technical aspects: Does the venue have the right IT, audio, and video equipment? You’ll need projection screens, microphones, plenty of charging spots for participants, and—of course—solid WiFi access

source : billeto.co.uk

READ MORE HERE

*************************************************************************************

• Persona. award them (promotion)c. for a scholarship
  • • skills (job-related)
    • qualities & personality traits
    • appearance
    • qualifications (education, certificates)
    • interests
    • achievements
    • previous or current experience
• b. for a job

Read more HERE 

Vocabulary chunks :

• work long hours for no pay, sacrificing personal time
• If you are autonomous, you’re likely self-motivated and independent
• come up with a new and better solution to a problem
• thinking outside the box
• complete all of your responsibilities
•  Your fresh ideas show your enthusiasm, passion and your loyalty to the company
• If you’re an easy person to get along with, that proves that you’re a good fit for the company
• you fit in with the company’s corporate culture
• you are resourceful, efficient and on the ball
• Efficiency and resourcefulness are qualities you must have in order to climb the corporate ladder

If you ‘re hiring a new employee, you need to know what to look for in a quality job candidate. Here’s a list of traits to identify before you offer someone a job.

1. Ambition
2. Passion
3. Patience
4. Likable
5. Reliable
6. Creative
7. Adaptable
8. Leadership
9. Positive
10. Confident
11. Dependable
12. Responsive
13. Integrity
14. Organized
15. Intelligent

Read more HERE

 

*************************************************************************************

• Media (best way to promote sth)
  • description (what is involved)
  • medium used (on TV, on the radio, in the press, flyers/leaflets)
  • frequency
  • target audience
  • cost
  • positive points

Read more HERE 

*************************************************************************************

• New Course or Specific Book for a Course (proposal)
  • plot / subject matter
  • cost
  • equipment needed
  • target audience
  • length / frequency
  • qualified staff availability
  • outcome of course / what will students learn from this course / book
  • prerequisites (students must have certain level of English/ must know how to play an instrument…)
• New Sport (see “New Course”)

Read more HERE 

*************************************************************************************

• New Products
  • description (what kind of product it is)
  • cost
  • delivery/shipping
  • target group
  • properties / description of product
  • requirements (must be stored in cool temperatures; must have extra space in store, etc.)
  • raise awareness for cause, will increase profits, etc.)

Read more HERE 

********************************************************************************

• Design (new Town Hall, library, etc.)
  • architectural style
  • materials used
  • cost
  • designer’s details & credentials
  • conveniences
  • special features (security system, unique object present, café present, wireless connection, etc.)
  • target group
  • opinion of public

Read more HERE 

 

*********************************************************************

More tips and details about the ECPE Oral Exam HERE

‘Tis the season to be jolly – The book of dreams

 

‘The Book of Dreams’ as a dad’s childhood dreams are awoken when he sees the drumkit his daughter has circled.

 

Play the lyrics game on Lyrics training HERE

Where will your next adventure take you?

 

Adventure travel is good for you in many different ways READ MORE

25 Reasons why travelling is importat READ MORE

 

Save our Seas

DW English

Thousands of great white sharks were thought to swim in South Africa’s coastal waters, but new research suggests they number as few as 350. ‘Save Our Seas’ is trying to help humans and the remaining sharks co-exist.

Visit Save our Seas HERE

Vocabulary chunks to learn from the video :

• Marine and bird life
• Great white sharks
• They troll these waters in large numbers
• Top commercial cage diving destinations
• Scientific research
• Collecting daily observation data
• Push legislations at high levels
• They are perceived as dangerous
• Unjustified prejudice
• Cage diving operators
• Once in a lifetime thrill
• Seeing them first hand
• It’s pretty amazing
• Back on land
• Analyses the latest data
• Awe inspiring species
• It is vital for their conservation
• Long term conservation success
• Save our Seas foundation
• They rely on healthy oceans to survive
• The tourist boat
• To further our knowledge on this animal
• There is plenty of research still to be done

Vocabulary Chunks – Crime

Using technology to fight crime? READ  HERE

Five Technological Advancements That Help Solve Crimes  READ HERE

Innovative technologies READ HERE

Damaging consequences of a data breach READ HERE

Should cyberbullying be considered a serious crime ? READ HERE

Destructive Computer Viruses READ HERE

Vocabulary chunks on the topic of CRIME 

Commit serious offences

Serve a sentence

Political prisoner

Young offenders

Juvenile crime – crime relating to young persons

Obey the law

The fight against crime

Breaks into a house

Steals your car

A person steals something – but robs someone or an institution (bank)

Tackle crime / combat crime

The crime rate has increased

Petty crime

A new law has been introduced / passed

The police enforce the law

Forbids/ prohibits smoking in public places

These regulations/ rules apply to all

Appear in court

Go on trial

Be severely punished

Pay a heavy fine

Face the death penalty

Suffer the consequences

***********************************************************************************

They must also prevent crime and make communities safer

There should be an increase in the number of police officers on the streets

They should be involved with education and prevention

Fines are used as punishment for minor crimes

If the crime is more serious, prison is the most common punishment

Some criminals pose a threat to society

Another aim of prisons is rehabilitation

Prisoners receive education of vocational training

Rehabilitation aims to make them better citizens

Rehabilitated prisoners are less likely to re-offend

Community service is a way to reform offenders

It could be a solution to prison overcrowding

It avoids the cost of imprisonment

It makes offenders useful in their local communities

They are required to clean streets or talk to school groups

Offenders repay their community

They avoid the negative influence that prison can have

The media report crime stories in order to increase their audience

Crime rates are not necessarily reduced

Supporters say that capital punishment deters crime

Executing prisoners creates a violent culture and encourages revenge

We have no right to take another human life

source : tahasoni.com

************************************************************************************

Useful Collocations on the topic of Crime can be found HERE 

 

source :  dcielts.info

Vocabulary Chunks – Sports

Features of  a sports game

Technique – ball control, dribbling skills, body control

Game intelligence, spatial awareness, tactical knowledge

Physical fitness, endurance, balance, coordination, speed, strength

Proper mindset, passion and love for the sport, mental strength, self motivation, discipline, perform well under pressure

Benefits of participating in sports

Health benefits – improved lung function – better sleep

Increased confidence – put your skills to test

Reduces stress – by reducing stress hormones

Sport builds leaders

New connections – make new friends

Team work (Open communication, defined roles, common goals, dedication, adaptability

Extreme sports – snow boarding, rock climbing, skydiving, paragliding

Love the thrill of taking risks – adrenaline rush

They strive to accomplish their goals and gain respect and admiration

Display their skills

Freedom from rules and regulations

Expensive sports

Sailing, Tennis, Riding, Skiing, Golf

Operating Costs, Equipment, Facility Rentals

Professional Athletes – high salaries

They sacrifice a lot – important aspect in their life / health – family

They retire at the age of thirty – careers don’t last long

It is a money earning business – The quality superstars lead to more wins, more viewers, more merchandise sold, increased brand worth

BUT it drains the true meaning from sports – not for the love of the game but for the money

More Vocabulary Chunks on the topic of Sport can be found HERE

Vocabulary chunks – Immigration

Immigration

·         Immigrants expand culture by introducing new ideas and customs

·         Immigration makes the world more connected

·         People share cultures, engage in global commerce, and develop friendships

• handle discrimination and deal with the challenges of facing a new life
• Cultural assimilation is the process in which a minority group or culture comes to resemble a dominant group  or assume the values, behaviors, and beliefs of another group
• Equal social and economic opportunity
• Education
• Social relationships – intermarriage

Vocabulary Chunks – customs and traditions

Customs and Traditions

• They help form the structure and foundation of our families and our society.
• It brings families together and enables people to reconnect with friends
• They remind us that we are part of a history that defines our past,
• Tradition serves as an avenue for creating lasting memories for our families and friends.
• Tradition reinforces values such as freedom, faith
• It helps create a personal identity
• Culture is the identity of the nation, without culture the society is impossible
• Culture is the characteristic of a group of people defined by everything such as language, religion, lifestyle
• They  remind everybody of important historical events.
• Public holidays
• National holidays which are linked with major historical events and celebrated all over the country
• On the anniversary day, schoolchildren parade on the main street of their village or neighbourhood
• Decorating streets and balconies with flags.
• They march synchronously along with military music
• Pupils synchronously march in front of officials in rows
• They lay a wreath of laurel ( a round wreath made of connected branches and leaves ) with a ribbon onto a monument to commemorate someone from the past
• Many  people watch the parade
• They wave small flags and applaud
• A national public holiday and commemorated on the ______ every year
• Hold parades and festivities on this day

Traditions and technology

Traditions and technology 2 

Traditions and technology 3

Traditional cultures lost

Cultural Fusion 

Lifestyle and Culture

This is London

Try something new for 30 days

Is there something you’ve always meant to do, wanted to do, but just … haven’t? Matt Cutts suggests: Try it for 30 days. This short, lighthearted talk offers a neat way to think about setting and achieving goals.

Why do people make changes in their lives ?

In your opinion, what kinds of changes are difficult to make?

What kinds of changes are easy to make?

Design a 30 day challenge for yourself – here are some ideas :

Health – Run three times a week

Creativity – Take piano lessons

Relationships – Talk to all my neighbours

Choose an idea / one of your own and answer the questions below to plan it :

When will you begin?

How much time do you need each day?

What time of day is best for you to do the activity?

Who can help you with your challenge?

How will you share your challenge with other people?

Present your challenge in class

Explore more :  Learn about other people who have changed their lives  HERE.  Share what you have learned in class

source :  TED Talks

Writing Essays

 

 

sources :  Cork English  /  British Council Learn English Teens

Read more HERE

Find lots of IELTS Academic Writing tips HERE 

#Stop the waste

 

There is enough food in the world to feed everyone, yet 1 in 9 people go to bed hungry every night. ​At the same time, one-third of all the food we produce goes to waste. We must stop this! Join the World Food Programme and #StopTheWaste: wfp.org/foodwaste.

Every day too many men and women across the globe struggle to feed their children a nutritious meal. In a world where we produce enough food to feed everyone, 821 million people – one in nine – still go to bed on an empty stomach each night. Even more – one in three – suffer from some form of malnutrition.

See how much you know about the global food supply with this short quiz.

Hunger Map 2019 HERE

What the world eats – See how consumption patterns have changed over the  years HERE 

Take action !

Change your habits

 

Hunger kills 6m children a year – Lesson Plan HERE

Strategies to help you pass your speaking exams

(Question :  What do you …… What sort of ….  Where do you…. What types of….)

G P R

General Statement + more precise statement + reason

Well, in general I would say …. + In particular,…… + The reason for this is because ….

Generally speaking ….. + To be more precise …… + I think this is due to the fact that ….

 

(Question :  What kind of …… are popular …. What types of …. can be found…. How do people …… in your country    What sorts of……… )

G T1 T2 (T3 if needed)

General Statement + type 1+ type 2 +type3

Well, there’s quite a mixed variety of …. + I think the most common one is…… + Another kind is….  + And I shouldn’t forget to mention that….

There’s a fairly wide range of …..  +   The first one that comes to mind is….   +  Another kind is…. + I guess I could also say that…….

 

(Question :  What do you usally do…. Where do you usually….  How do you…..  What do you like to …..)

D If1  If2

Depends + if preference 1 + if preference 2

I think it depends on …,,, + Usually I prefer …..  + but if I…. I would rather

I would have to say that it really depends on ….   +  If I’m…. I prefer to….   +  although sometimes I would rather…..

 

(Question :  What sort of ……   What does your….    Describe a…. you have….)

P1  P2   P3

Point 1 + Point 2 + Point 3

I’d like to begin by saying ….. + Another interesting point….. And, I shouldn’t forget to metion that….

The first thing I’d like to mention is ….. +  Not only that, but….  +   I guess I could also say that ….

Home is where the nest is

 

He just might be the biggest bluebird landlord in Idaho. Al Larson has built and placed more than 350 wooden nest boxes throughout the state’s southwest. The birdwatcher started the project in the late 1970s after reading how important the shelters are to the survival of bluebirds. Today, at the age of 97, he is still at it. Larson monitors the little houses to record vital data about the number of eggs and nestlings. To date, Larson has helped fledge over 40,000 bluebirds.

 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

 

• I am attracted to the bluebirds because of  their beauty
• I’m 97 years old or young
• Over 40.000 nestlings
• I’m a birdwatcher
• When I retired in the late 70’s
• Their population has been declining
• A nest box
• I should put up more boxes
• I came up with the solution
• As simply as possible
• With just 4 sides
• More than 350 nest boxes out
• I monitor the boxes regularly
• The nesting cycle
• To see if my colour matches the sky
• I’m gratified to know that I’ve helped the bluebirds increase their population
• I’ve inspired many many  other people to help other creatures as well
• My message is you’ve got to be active if  you’re going to get old
• So think about the future
• Plan ahead

How to mae a simple bird house

 

Find what lights up your heart

 

[green renaissance]

Love is a strange and beautiful thing. But we often put provisions on love – we attach it to how others are acting, to circumstances and emotions. But what would the world be like if we stopped looking to get something in return, and just loved unconditionally, for the happiness it brings us all? The most important thing is to learn to give out love, and let it come in. “If people could love each other the way dogs love us, the world would be a different place.” – Brett Bard

Vocabulary in chunks

• You can’t explain what love is
• Paint about it, write about it
• Keep loving us
• Until we understand what love means
• The world would be a different place
• My journey in life is about compassion
• Looking outside of ourselves
• Find what lights up your heart
• Makes you smile
• Nurture and look after
• Growing vegetables
• My happy place
• I want to change the world
• It feeds my soul
• It’s not all sunshine and roses
• They only flower once a year
• I look forward to their time to blossom
• A very dormant phase
• You change and you grow
• It makes one realize one’s own mentality
• What you are destined to be
• One day at a time
• What we make of that is up to each of us

Make other people happy

[great big story]

Some of the best roses in the world bloom in Kenya. While the country is widely known for its scenic national parks and wildlife reserves, it’s also a major flower producer. Winnie Gathonie Njonge is the production manager at Nini Flowers, which sits on the shores of Lake Naivasha. She knows all there is about growing perfect roses and oversees the harvesting of 300,000 to 450,000 a day. “The ultimate goal of growing roses is to make other people happy,” she says. It brings her joy to know the roses she cultivates are sent to the United States, Japan and other countries, spreading love and beauty all over the world. This Great Big Story was made possible by  Kenya Tourism

Vocabulary in chunks

• Make other people happy
• I’m responsible for 630,000 roses
• The climate and fresh water supplier
• The growers here work extra hard
• The roses that end up in bouquets
• We harvest between 300,000 in a day to 450,000
• Various colours
• Kenya is a centre for these flower
• Rose production has flourished in the region
• Over the last few decades
• These roses are shipped off to Europe, Japan and the US
• Many other worldwide destinations
• She heads back to work
• To create more beautiful bouquets

 

 

I am Giannis

Nike

Follow Giannis on Instagram HERE 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• I want to be an NBA player
• We were always close to one another
• What you have you’re going to share
• Believe in yourself
• Believe in your dreams
• It’s all about being different
• How to be disciplined
• How to respect one another
• How to love one another
• Keep his legacy going
• Hard work that paid off
• If you believe in yourself, believe in your dreams, work hard, things like this can happen

 

The Business of English 2 – Why don’t you join us

ABC Australia

In this episode you can learn how to make, accept and refuse invitations in a business setting.

 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video

Why don’t you join us

Perhaps you could join us

It would be great if you could join us

Would you like to join us

That’s very kind of you

That sounds good

Unfortunately I have another engagement

I’m afraid I  have another commitment

I can’t. Perhaps another time

About 10?

 

Salad frosting?

Kraft introduces ‘salad frosting’ for kids

A panel of kids try popular health foods of the past century, from Nuttolene in the 1920s to zoodles and chia pudding of today.

There’s must be something in that summer air

 

Hardwell :   Listen here 

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Feel the sun on your skin
Feel the love sinking in
Oh, babe, what we waitin’ for?
We got nothing to do
You got me, I got you
Oh, feel the sun on your skin
Feel the love sinking in
Say, babe, what we waitin’ for?
And no place I’d rather be
I got you, you got me

[Pre-Chorus]
It’s going off, I swear
We got it all right here

[Chorus]
There must be something in that summer air
Just high life and we don’t care
There must be something in that summer air
So high and we don’t care
There must be something in that summer air
Just high life and we don’t care
There must be something in that summer air
So high and we don’t care
That summer air

[Verse 2]
Feel the sun on your skin
Feel the love sinking in
Oh, babe, what we waitin’ for?
We got nothing to do
You got me, I got you
Oh, feel the sun on your skin
Feel the love sinking in
Say, babe, what we waitin’ for?
And no place I’d rather be
I got you, you got me

[Pre-Chorus]
It’s going off, I swear
We got it all right here

[Chorus]
There’s must be something in that summer air
Just high life and we don’t care
There’s must be something in that summer air
So high and we don’t care
There’s must be something in that summer air
Just high life and we don’t care
There’s must be something in that summer air
So high and we don’t care
That summer air

That summer air

[Chorus]
There’s must be something in that summer air
Just high life and we don’t care
There’s must be something in that summer air
So high and we don’t care

That summer air

Written By Trevor Guthrie & Hardwell

The Business of English – How do you do

ABC Australia

In this episode you can learn how to make introductions in a business setting.This series for intermediate to advanced English language learners looks at the language used in everyday business situations such as meetings, presentations and negotiations.

 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video

Hello, I don’t think we’ve met

And what company are you from

Let me introduce you to someone

This is …. my sales manager

Pleased to meet you

Who do you work for

Please call me Victor

I’m very well thank you

How do you do Mr Tang

Nice to meet you

 

 

I’m an adventurer, environmentalist and paddle boarder

Great Big Story

Lizzie Carr took up paddleboarding to get back in shape after undergoing treatment for cancer, and it wasn’t long before she became dismayed by all the plastic pollution she saw floating in England’s waterways. Soon enough, Lizzie was on plastic patrol, setting distance records in her sport—she’s the first person to paddle the length of England and the first woman to cross the English Channel on a paddleboard—all while picking up trash along the way and testing the water for micro-pollutants. Now she’s getting others involved, too.

 

Follow Lizzie on      HERE 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• The first female to paddle board across the English channel
• It helps me restore my heath
• I want to give something back
• My way to tackle the plastic pollution
• Getting fit again
• I was diagnosed with Cancer
• It was like meditation
• Calm serene experience
• Bottle are by far the most common thing I found
• 80% of Marine debris starts in land
• Flows out into the oceans
• Get people taking about plastic pollution
• It took 22 days to complete
• I took over 3.000 photographs
• Take water samples to analyse microplastics
• Look closely
• That’s when marine life confuses this for food
• We are doing a big clean up there with the community
• Paddling around
• Looking for litter
• Over the last few years
• We’ve collected 189 ton bags of plastic waste
• The very best and the very worst of humanity

 

Insect Ice cream – would you try it?

 

Gourmet Grubb is a Cape Town-based business that has made international headlines for producing ice-cream made out of insect milk. The name EntoMilk™  comes from the term entomophagy, which is the practice of eating insects. The milk is made from sustainably farmed insects, specifically Black Soldier Fly Larvae. Needless to say, this is considered to be significantly more environmentally friendly than the traditional farming of dairy cows. We chat to the product developer, Leah Bessa.

Shop online HERE

Follow GourmetGrubb on    here

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• Has made its way on international news sites
• Co-founder and head product development
• Full of nutrients made from insect larvae
• Can you used as a milk alternative
• Take us through the process
• Insects as an alternative source of protein
• It has been quite a journey
• At the beginning
• It’s very fatty
• So delicious
• We worked on the experiments
• EntoMilk™  ice-cream
• We use only raw ingredients
• No preservatives or stabilizers
• Alternative protein sources
• The population is grown at such a rapid rate
• Conventional farming can’t keep up
• Without producing green house gases
• Land space
• A multi step approach
• One of the many options
• Now it’s time to put the EntoMilk™  ice cream to the test
• This is really good
• We want to expand our production
• Shipping ice cream is not as easy as one would think
• Corporate events
• We are catering to people’s wants and desires

 

Some of the ice is over 100,000 years old

TED

Photographer Camille Seaman shoots icebergs, showing the world the complex beauty of these massive, ancient chunks of ice. Dive in to her photo slideshow, “The Last Iceberg.”

Visit Camille Seaman HERE

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

•  humans are not separate from nature
• everything is interconnected
• I was in awe
•  I could only help but wonder that this was one snowflake on top of another snowflake, year after year
• they have a distinct way of interacting with their environment
• hold on to the bitter end
• crumble in a fit of dramatic passion
• but the reality is far from it
•  it is not an end, but a continuation of their path through the cycle of life
•  some of the ice is over 100,000 years old
• Qeqetarsuaq  Greenland
• It’s a very rare occasion that you get to actually witness an iceberg rolling. So here it is
• pay attention to the shape of the iceberg
• this video is real time

Europe’s only desert

Discover Greece, visit Lemnos HERE

 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• Adventurers
• 5000 years of history
• Top of our list
• Europe’s only desert
• You just have to see
• Wander around the ruins
• Visit a vineyard
• Volcanic soil
• Let the locals show you how it’s done
• We set off for the lakes
• This left us wandering
• So full of surprises

I’m a Trad

[Green Renaissance]

Michael lives in the old Victorian town of Oamaru, on the South Island of New Zealand. He is a ‘Trad’ – a Traditional. He embraces the good aspects of the past and tries to live a life that is a little more gentle than the modern day consumer world.

[Green Renaissance visit their site HERE]

Vocabulary chunks to learn after watching the video :

• A brief period of my life
• Some sort of dress up
• An item of clothing
• How i approach my life
• My normal is very odd and different
• I’m a trad, which means I try to live somewhat a traditional lifestyle
• I have a very conservative view
• Modern fashionable things
• A bit gentler than the consumer world
• The handmadeness of an object, the personal touch
• Book binding
• Sewing a book with a needle and thread
• I am amazed that the world in holding itself together
• Our lifestyle is destroying the planet
• The generation 7 times down the line
• We don’t question or think about things that much
• How are you benefiting other people
• How are you benefiting the planet
• There’s gotta be give and take
• I would always say follow your passion
• To give me the option of choice and freedom

 

What have you accomplished?

soulpancake

What is your Superpower ?

soulpancake

I will definitely miss you

great big story

The once plentiful sea turtles of Zanzibar are disappearing. Poaching and bycatch have severely reduced the population of these elegant reptiles. But there’s still hope. The Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation project is working hard to look after the turtles in order to bring their numbers up to previous levels. A Great Big film by filmmaker Dan the Director.

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• Surrounded by the Indian Ocean
• When I scuba dive I feel great
• My first dive
• A world of its own
• I don’t see many turtles
• To participate in the conservation of turtles
• For educational purposes
• I am an uneducated fisherman
• Save the sea turtles
• We had a lot of poachers
• We talk to the village fishermen about conservation
• Our children and grand children will not be able to see them
• Looking after him, feeding him
• We are going to release you back to the sea

Map of Zanzibar

 

 

Zero waste

great big story

The village of Kamikatsu in Japan has taken their commitment to sustainability to a new level. While the rest of the country has a recycling rate of around 20 percent, Kamikatsu surpasses its neighbors with a staggering 80 percent. After becoming aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide associated with burning garbage, the town instated the Zero Waste Declaration with the goal of being completely waste-free by 2020.

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• Tea fields
• Idyllic mountains
• Produces no trash
• Created carbon dioxide emissions
• Zero waste
• A new way of living
• No such thing as throwing something in the trash
• Everything has to get recycled
• In the beginning it was difficult
• She’s a housewife
• The classification system
• Is the key to Kamikatsu’s success
• A huge burden
• A way of life
• Looking at trash differently

Map of Kamikatsu – Japan

 

 

The Ocean starts with you

great big story

Soda and soap bottles don’t belong in the sea, but it’s too often where they end up. In fact, experts estimate that an entire garbage truck worth of plastic hits our oceans every minute—the vast majority of it coming from developing nations like Haiti. To alleviate the problem, the Plastic Bank pays people to collect plastic waste that can be recycled and reused. Richardson Gustave oversees the organization’s daily operations around his home city of Port-au-Prince, coordinating transportation and inspection, and ensuring that collectors have the equipment needed to complete this vital task. This is the second story in our latest series, “The Brave,” all about the incredible people protecting our Great Big Planet.

Want to help protect our oceans? Get involved: https://oceanconservancy.org/ Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. With their partners, they create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it.

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• Faced with one of the biggest challenges
• Huge amount of plastic
• Make a change
• One bottle less
• Pays people to collect plastic
• Preventing the plastic from going into the ocean
• Attack the problem
• Dispose of any waste
• Alleviating poverty
• It dawned on me that I have to make a change
• We have to be more responsible
• They collect the plastic
• In return you get cash or other services for that plastic
• Going around the centers
• In a sufficient time
• A plastic bank
• 30 Collection centers
• People who are in need
• We are creating a positive change
• They are my greatest inspiration
• Whatever we can do to get it done is what we do
• This is a global issue

 

 

the youngest Olympian in history

 

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• skateboarding will be making its first appearance as an Olympic sport
• has her sight set on goal
• she trains in the US
• youngest ever summer Olympian
• it makes me feel happy and free
• that carefree attitude is the key to her success
• She’s been skating and surfing since she could walk
• Picking up tips from her father
• she trains regularly
• her Olympic dream
• just have fun and get out there
• she’s already a precocious talent
• the youngest Olympian in history
• she’ll have to qualify against the world’s best women

 

 

follow sky on   HERE

wildest dreams

visit California

What’s it like to try an extreme sport, for the first time? This wild man isn’t afraid to show you. (Ok, maybe he’s a little afraid.) Jonny Moseley travels to Lone Pine, California in the Sierras to get a lesson from his buddy, Red Bull sponsored slacklining champ, Alex Mason.

Vocabulary Chunks to learn from video :

• A pro slack-liner
• This location that is so beautiful
• Tight rope
• Check this place out – it’s so gorgeous
• Check out these rock formations
• I think I’m in the spot
• That is so sick
• Just channel the energy
• It looks so damn easy but it’s not
• I’m pretty flexible
• Jut give it a try
• It’s dark, it’s raining, there’s lightning, there’s thunder
• I knew I was going to be really scared
• That is not what I expected

 

 

dreaming big

visit California

Pro-skater Bob Burnquist has done turns on almost every surface imaginable, including a floating skate ramp on the crystal-blue waters of Lake Tahoe. Surrounded by majestic peaks, this High Sierra gem is definitely one for your bucket list. Winter and springtime snow lets you carve it up at world-class alpine resorts, while summer brings out the water toys—sailboats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and more.

Vocabulary Chunks to learn from video :

• Dream as big as I can
• Make it happen
• I love wild ideas
• The freedom to manifest them
• It’s a floating ramp
• All this work will be for nothing
• All my dreams came true
• Wake up, dream it, make it happen
• A mega ramp
• It just doesn’t end
• I’m living it everyday

 

 

i’m running after you

 

matthew mole

Of all of the places
and all of the spaces that I’ve ever seen and that I’ve ever been its true
I’d walk through a town I could only have dreamed but the beauty surrounding means nothing to me, it’s you
Where you are is where I always want to be
Anywhere as long as you are there with me
I will take you to the places I have seen
Take my heart and run along
‘Cause I’m running after you,
I’m running after you,
And i’ll do what I can do,
And I’ll do it all for you
We’ll come back home,
we’ll come back home one day
But right now we are called to see a place
Where you and I will change the world we know
Anywhere that I’m with you is home
Where you are is where I always want to be
Anywhere as long as you are there with me
I will take you to the places I have seen
Take my heart and run along
Cause I’m running after you,
I’m running after you,
And I’ll do what I can do,
And I’ll do it all for you
All the things that we will see and all the things we’ll know
Take my hand and walk with me, we’ll never be alone
‘Cause I’m running after you,
I’m running after you,
And I’ll do what I can do,
I’ll do it all for you,
And I’ll do it all for you

Learn English with Lyrics – South African Artists – English Vocabulary – English Videos – Lexical Chunks

my people

Jeremy Loops

Jeremy Hewitt, (born 4 March 1984), known by his stage name Jeremy Loops, is a South African singer and songwriter.

People go without wait for my honey
Waiting here for you
Others choose to stay in the tiny cage
Not my people, not you
So won’t you stay, we can figure it out
Find our hope, maybe lose our doubt
You should know whatever I do, when distance calls
I’ll be sending for you
Singing

My people, oh my people
Nothing compares to the soul of my people
My people, oh my people
Nothing compares to you. ooh
‘Cause people like you
‘Cause people like
‘Cause people like you
Oh my people
‘Cause people like you
‘Cause people like
‘Cause people like you
My people, Oh my people

I tried to find my place out there
To start with something new
To try to find my way out there
To escape from all that I knew
I had to find a way to make peace out there
To try to grow up alone to
Find a way to make peace out there but
It never felt like home

Without

My people, oh my people
Nothing compares to the soul of my people
My people, oh my people
Nothing compares to you. ooh
‘Cause people like you
‘Cause people like
‘Cause people like you
Oh my people
‘Cause people like you
‘Cause people like
‘Cause people like you
My people, Oh my people

Say I
I found a place I love
I found a place I love
And there’s something about it
It is keeping me honest

Been living with a cold heart
Now I’m moving to the darkness now
I’m just getting started
Yeah I’m just getting started

I found a place I love
I found a place I love
Where

My people, oh my people
Nothing compares to the soul of my people

My people, oh my people
Nothing compares to you. ooh
‘Cause people like you
‘Cause people like
‘Cause people like you
Oh my people
‘Cause people like you
‘Cause people like
‘Cause people like you hmm and me

My people, oh my people

Artists: Jeremy Loops, James Hersey

Learn English with Lyrics – South African Artists – English Vocabulary – English Videos – Lexical Chunks

Meet South Africa

South African Tourism

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video

 

• What is Mbhaco you may ask
• A Xhosa Bride
• He needed to find inspiration elsewhere
• Where was this elsewhere
• If any inspiration needed finding it would be here
• Cows with horns that stab the rain
• Perhaps rubbing shoulders with kings and queens
• Consult the elders
• It was further than a short walk away
• He wasn’t one to give up
• He looked to the mountains
• The valley of a thousand hills
• Ballroom dancing
• So inspired

Real Magic

Great Big Story

Tim Linhart was sculpting ice in Colorado when he decided to try something new  : creating a giant, frozen violin. When a friend jokingly asked how Tim thought his violin would sound, it sparked an idea. Why not make an entire, functional orchestra out of ice? That was 21 years ago. These days, Tim is based in Sweden and gathers his icy ensembles to play in cosmic igloos. Grab a seat, and best don’t forget your coat.

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video

• An ice instrument
• The purity and the clarity
• A wooden instrument
• An acoustic material
• The founder of ice music
• The idea first came to me about 21 yeas ago
• An ice sculptor
• To build a giant violin
• The instruments are made of white ice
• A mixture of snow and water
• The ice part takes about  5-6 days
• Classical music
• A wide variety of different things
• We’ll put on about 45 concerts
• The concert hall
• A giant ice cave
• They cannot wrap their brain around a piece of ice making a sound
• Very pleasantly surprised

The artist who collaborates with bees

ABC Australia

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• Inserting artwork into the hives
• The honey comb on my artwork
• Creation in progress
• How they build their structure onto my artwork
• I never know what to expect
• A pleasant surprise
• Similar to the photographic process
• I made my mind up
• A motorcycle accident
• I took an impression of that
• Pure focus on the artwork
• Doing it time and time again
• I gain most of my inspiration and motivation from my artowork through nature
• I find it so healing
• The art piece

Make something out of nothing

ABC Australia

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• Lots of fish species
• Plastic debris that is found in the ocean
• On the food chain
• Marine creatures
• Thrown into the ocean
• I love going to the beach
• Going for walks down the beach
• Throwing it into the landfill
• Pick up a bag of rubbish
• Throw it out on the floor
• Check it all out
• Create something unique and artistic
• Out of marine debris
• Making something out of nothing
• Turning it into something of beauty
• They forget to pick their thongs up
• I keep finding them
• Create awareness
• Take away with them what they will

 

Welcome to the jungle #2

WWF international

• Incredible animals
• To focus on the big things
• Just about anywhere
• Now this insect has blown my mind
• Most diverse creatures
• A master of disguise
• Fiercely protective of their nests
• They are oblivious to the danger they’re in
• Staple diet
• They have the power to change landscapes
• To feed their colony
• The nutrients disperse into the soil
• Nutrient rich hotspots
• Open grasslands
• Thick dense forests
• The part they play is irreplaceable
• Countless species
• To be transferred up the food chain
• Break them down
• Start the cycle all over again
• The impact they have on our environment is monumental

• Deep dark jungles
• Swampy clearings
• Vital meeting place
• Numerous species
• You never know what is going to show up
• It is the middle of the day
• Seek shelter in the forest
• Mineral pass into the soil
• The more dung gets left here the richer these bais become
• Large mammals
• A different chain of events
• These fish launch themselves out of the water
• An entire food chain
• Reclaimed by the forest
• Where poaching is heavy
• Closing up entirely
• Everything here works in perfect harmony
• The balance of this entire ecosystem would shift
• Things we take for granted

Explore other rainforests around the world HERE

Welcome to the jungle

WWF international

• A wild life cameraman
• The second largest rainforest
• Explore this incredible place
• How everything is connected
• Don’t miss out
• I can’t wait for you to join me

• The green heart of Africa
• Across six different countries
• Tens of thousands of species call this home
• I’m going to try as hard as I can
• This huge variety of different species and the places they live is what we call biodiversity
• One piece of a huge puzzle
• The world’s biodiversity is declining rapidly
• Fresh water and clean air
• I find this quite worrying
• Tracking gorillas through the forest
• Checking out cool insects
• Getting my feet wet
• Trying to catch a glimpse of the elusive forest elephant
• Stick around

• I am super excited
• It is critically endangered
• Unfamiliar sights and sounds
• Being destroyed at such a rapid rate
• We wear masks
• Wild gorilla
• Their population is declining
• Finding fruit
• High up in the forest canopy
• They live in families
• Catch a glimpse of him
• A silver-back gorilla
• The head of the family
• The forest thrives
• Disperse the seeds throughout the forest
• The ecosystem

Explore other rainforests around the world HERE

I’m just living the dream

 

[Australian Open TV]

Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in four sets to continue his superb run in Melbourne and reach the Australian Open semi-finals.

At 20 years and 168 days, Tsitsipas is the youngest man to reach the last four of a Grand Slam since Novak Djokovic at the 2007 US Open.

The Greek 14th seed won 7-5 4-6 6-4 7-6 (7-2) in three hours and 15 minutes.

He will face 2009 champion Rafael Nadal in the last four after the Spaniard beat unseeded American Frances Tiafoe.

“It all feels like a fairytale almost. I’m just living the dream, living what I’ve been working for,” he said.

“I feel a bit emotional but not too much because I know I really worked hard to get here.”

Tsitsipas became the first Greek player to go beyond the fourth round of a Grand Slam when he knocked out six-time champion Roger Federer to reach the quarter-finals.

He is the youngest man to reach the last four in Melbourne since Andy Roddick in 2003. [BBC.com]

Follow Stefanos on  HERE

Vocabulary chunks from video :

• This is quite a moment
• Your fans on the stands
• The National Anthem
• Semi-finals
• I’m just living the dream
• Living what I’ve been working hard for
• I really worked had to get here
• What are my goals this year?
• It is real
• A top competitor
• If I keep pushing myself
• Do what you can
• The big signature moment
• Explore the world
• I love film-making, photography
• In your journey, your pathway
• Thanking the crowd for being with me
• Congratulations, welcome to the semi-finals

How much time will you have?

Ruavieja

One life is not enough

Green Renaissance

‘If you are not a reader, you have only one life. But if you are a reader, you have a million lives.’ Rakel believes that one life is not enough. The span of years and hours and seconds that makes up her life, do not give her the time to experience all that she would like to. But the power of a good story opens the door to endless travel and adventure. Rakel Helmsdal is a writer, a puppeteer and an artist. Journey into her world!

Visit Rakel HERE

Vocabulary chunks to learn :

• One life is not enough
• Hundreds and thousands of things
• Go exploring
• A new adventure
• If you are a reader you have a million lives
• You lose yourself in it
• It makes me richer
• Understand the world more
• Something that touches you
• I can’t help telling stories
• I have to tell them
• It’s larger than themselves
• The errors you made
• Life is not perfect
• According to plan
• The world needs creative people
• Its so terribly important
• Do what you love
• Keep your feet on the ground
• Dream while I’m still awake
• Get lost
• It’s your adventure
• I want to make people dream
• That’s what I love the most

 

Open your eyes back to nature

[The Great Big Story]

Culinary Artist, James Gop, has dedicated his life to embracing local foods, open fires and the vast beauty of the Berkshire Mountains. Mother Nature, to Gop, is a giant grocery store full of endless possibility. To celebrate the chef’s refreshing take on what it means to be an artist/explorer/chef in today’s world, Coors Light is enabling James’ next masterpiece: a sumptuous feast that showcases his top dishes, using hand-picked ingredients from the surrounding flora and fauna.

Follow James on   HERE

Vocabulary chunks to learn after watching the video

• Walk around in the woods
• Curious nature
• Culinary artist
• More often than not
• Later this week
• Building a menu
• Native species
• The growing seasons are short
• He never stops
• It’s very inspiring
• Continue to be better
• My artistic expression
• A seventeen-hour day
• Sauté them in a lot of butter and a lot of salt
• Little red berries
• To forever change your lives today
• Being here, present
• Weeds and grasses
• An edible grocery store
• Exposing them to something they’ve never seen
• Foraged pine bark
• Whole-wheat flour
• Making time
• Be part of this experience
• Open your eyes back to nature
• Giving us the opportunity to tell our story

How wonderful life is while you’re in the world

 [John  Lewis]

This year’s story is about the power of a gift. And how that gift inspired, changed and influenced the course of a little boy’s life. That little boy just happens to be Elton John. The film begins in present day and works backwards chronologically through Elton’s life right until the moment on Christmas morning when he received the special gift that changed his life.

Your Song Lyrics

It’s a little bit funny this feeling inside
I’m not one of those who can easily hide
I don’t have much money but boy if I did
I’d buy a big house where we both could live

If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show
I know it’s not much but it’s the best I can do
My gift is my song and this one’s for you

And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it’s done
I hope you don’t mind
I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you’re in the world

Writer(s): JOHN ELTON, TAUPIN BERNARD J P 

What is the power of trees?

New research shows that trees communicate with one another and share nutrients through their roots! They need each other. In urban areas, trees also help us with health, economic and social benefits. They are part of our culture. We need them. So, how can we return the favor?

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• Great great great grandson
• Run around in the woods
• Make rope swings
• Inland rain forest
• We spent all of our summers in the bush
• Trees in urban environments are essential
• As equal partners
• People recover more quickly from surgery in hospitals
• The workplace
• There is evidence of these benefits
• Every trees was connected to every other tree
• Everything was connected to everything else
• We would bury then in the trees
• They literally live in the trees
• Trees can recognize their kin
• The air is cleaner
• Constant contact with trees
• It comes down to economics
• Kids are doing better in school
• A more urbanized nation
• The value of having nature in the city
• The cycle of life
• We are just a strand in this web
• We don’t own the earth we are part of the earth
• Maintain that connection

 

Cook with your soul and spirit

great big story

Mexico’s Zapotecs are an indigenous community living in Oaxaca, Mexico. Before Spanish colonization, Zapotecan civilization was a thriving epicenter of food, culture and tradition. Today, chef Abigail Mendoza is on a mission to keep those traditions alive by cooking the food of her ancestors. All the dishes she cooks—including pre-hispanic mole, stuffed chiles with Oaxaca cheese and atole—are made using ancient techniques. Recognized by the world’s best chefs for her dishes, she hopes to keep the food of her ancestors alive and thriving.

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video

• An indigenous group
• Pre-colonial era
• Keep their traditions alive
• She has become world-famous
• Keeping the traditional ways of cooking alive
• A Corn-based sauce
• She cooks chilies directly on coals
• Foods that were eaten thousands of years ago

Map of Oaxaca :

3 000 Villages to discover

 

visit Greece

Bustling cities, small traditional villages, breathtaking nature, rich culture, archaeological sites, mesmerizing islands, culinary treats and recipes form a fascinating destination. Enjoy Greece all year round, as each season has something special to offer. Uncover Greece’s hidden treasures   HERE

Only in Africa

biggest leaf media

Visit the Nelis HERE

Vocabulary chunks to learn from video :

• An absolute passion for the primates
• Such close proximity
• Even the youngsters
• Mothers with infants
• A certain pose a certain look
• It’s all about being observant
• Keep an eye open
• Animal behavior
• The comfort zones
• Working very closely with wildlife
• Lighting conditions
• A really great safari experience
• To date I’ve done 45 gorilla tracks
• More in-depth knowledge
• Go on a safari
• The difficult part

I love life

Green Renaissance

For centuries, the greatest thinkers have suggested the same thing: Happiness is found in helping others. There is no greater gift than that of giving of one’s time and energy to help others, without expecting anything in return. “What you receive is just wonderful. You don’t receive it in money. Just the pleasure of seeing their faces.” – Peggy

Vocabulary chunks to learn from the video :

• I’m a very luck old lady at 83
• I’ve had a lovely life
• The departure lounge
• I love life
• We so fortunate to be alive
• Everyday is a challenge
• What’s around the corner
• Enjoy every minute of it
• I never get bored
• Think positive
• I never ever ever got lonely
• It’s beyond my understanding
• Make a cup of tea
• Just knit a few stitches or a few rows
• I love to knit
• I’ve knitted 25 jerseys so far
• A busy outlet
• It’s for you It’s a gift
• What you receive is just wonderful
• Packed like a sardine can
• I give them away
• What a wonderful idea
• I’ve never bought wool, It’s just arrived
• It’s part of me
• I’d be very heart sore
• I so badly want to be remembered

Fly me to the moon

futurism

Like a Segway for the sky, this hoverboard is piloted by shifting your body weight.

Visit the EZ-Fly site HERE