Thanks a lot!, guys

Hi, there!,

First of all, "Nice to meet you all!",

Thanks a lot for your participation and effort to speak English,

Thank U 4 your spontaneous conversation in Spanglish,

Thank U 4 making me laugh all the time,

Thank U 4 meeting you and teaching you English,

Thank U 4 your cakes, milkshake, water, coffee, sweets, napkins...

I'm going to miss you, Guys!,
I hope I'll "see you later, alligator!"

HappY NeWYeaR, My BesT WisheS!!! ;)

Merry Xtmas from the American President and the First Lady

Hi, there!,

The President Obama and his wife wish families "Merry Christmas" and encourage everyone to support the troops and their families, specially this holiday season.

But once again, I hope you'll improve your listening skill.

Queen Elizabeth II in her annual speech

Hi, there!,

Several days ago, the Queen Elizabeth II delivered her annual Christmas speech. Listening to her could be interesting, but above all, we could improve our languale skills.

My Best Wishes for All of You

Merry Christmas and I hope all your dreams come true!!!

The Story of Santa Claus

Hi, there!,

Christmas is coming very soon! In these days, we can tell our students The Story of Santa Claus, we can read them his story or we can show them these fun videos to practise their listening and comprehension. Now, would you like to watch these? I hope you'll enjoy them! ;)

Carol of the Bells by Celtic Woman

Hi, Guys!,

This Christmas Carol is also known as the "Ukranian Bell Carol" since it was composed by the Ukranian composer Mykola Leontovych at the beginning of the 20th century. This carol became so famous that it was translated into English.

The music from Carol of the Bells was featured in the movies Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. So, next time when you watch these popular films, pay attention and listen to this Christmas song.

Now, would you like to listen to this "DING, DONG, DING; DONG, ... MERRY CHRISTMAS..."?
I love this version sung by Celtic Woman, I hope you'll like it!

ChRiStMaS CrAfTs

Hi, Teachers!,

Are you too busy these days? I suppose so ...Well, I'm going to recommend you to do some Christmas Crafts in class. They are very entertaining and your students can follow your instructions in English.



Thanks to this page http://video.kaboose.com/crafts.html, you can do Jingle Bells bracelets, Mini Wreaths, Dangling Snowman, ... for example.

Christmas for Kids

Hi, Guys!,

Would you like to sing Christmas carols with your students these days?

I recommend you to click on here: http://www.carols.org.uk/
You can find Christmas carols and their lyrics, origins, different versions, and you can download them free. Come on! It's very enthusiastic for your students!

Besides, I'd like to show all of you the following page where you primary students can play English games related to Christmas, and obviously, they can learn a lot of English playing. Let's have a look and click on here:
http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/christmas/games.htm

O Holy Night by Céline Dion

Hi, there!,

This is one of the most beautiful Christmas carols in the world.

Do you know the origin of this famous Christmas carol?

In 1847, a wine French merchant, Placide Cappeau, wrote a poem for the Christmas mass during a trip to Paris. Cappeau, who was also a major, imagined himself witnessing the birth of Jesus in Bethelem. When he arrived to Paris, he had already completed "O Hly Night" or "Cantique de Noel". Then, his friend Adolphe Adam composed the music for the poem.

Now, you can listen to Celine Dion singing "O Holy Ngiht", I hope you'll like it :) Thank U* JMsinger*

FuN PrOjEcT for ChRiStMaS (post 2)

Hi, Teachers!,

Would you like to decorate your classroom for Christmas? Well, let me give you some interesting ideas.

1. CHRISTMAS TREE

Three years ago, my workmate Cris, who is the Art teacher, carried out a similar Christmas tree with her pupils, and it was brilliant!

You only need some pieces of multi-colored cardboard, especially green, red and yellow. To make the Christmas tree, you have to draw on the green cardboard the shape of the tree, then cut it out. After that, you have to do the same with the little stars and red balls, where students can wirte their wishes fot the coming year. If you do so with your older students, you can practise the grammar construction: "I wish". So, every pupil could take part, decorate and learn English. Speaking of younger students, they could feel more involved and enthusiastic with this learning activity.

2. CHRISTMAS VOCABULARY ON POSTERS

To learn and pracitse new vocabulary related to Christmas, you may need to spend some time showing your students some flashcards, posters, etc. but, why don't you ask your pupils to do these posters?

There are many possible ways to find out these Christmas words, for instance: INTERNET! Thus, your students, divided into small groups, have to look for as many Christmas words as they can, then they'll do their posters.

Afterwards, they can show the other children their posters and ask each other about the new words.

I hope you'll like these fun ideas! :)

Fun projects and Worksheets for Christmas (post 1)

Hi, Teachers!,

I'd like to share with all of you some ideas for Christmas! Your students will become more enthusiastic and involved; besides they'll learn vocabulary, traditions, and how is Christmas celebrated in other parts of the world.

Now, you can have a look at the following page from BRITISH COUNCIL:
http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/category/topics/christmas
You'll find attractive worksheets, games, stories, ... about Christmas!

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lightning

Hi, there!,

Last Tuesday, tens of thousand of people gathered in the Rockefeller Center in New York city to watch the lightning of the most famous tree in USA. This huge tree will remain lit until New Year's Eve, although it will be there until 2nd January. Since this ceremony is very wellknown, some celebrities are invited every year. So, last Tuesday, we could see: Susan Boyle, Sherly Crow, Jessica Simpson, Annie Lennox, Katherin Jenkins, Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue, and so on.

PSP Play English - SONY & VAUGHAN Systems

Hi, Guys!,

As you well know, I'm fan of VAUGHAN radio and his English system. And once again, I recommend you to follow Richard Vaughan on TV, radio, internet, ... he's a great teacher. So, I'd like to share with you this PSP PLAY ENGLISH game created by Sony and Vaughan Systems.

If you want to improve your English having fun, you can do so with this fantastic game. You'll become the Spanish detective Jaime Rubio, who is actually very intelligent, but he's not good at English. There is an important robbery in the National Gallery in London, he'll need to sort out different problems using his basic English, can you help him? You'll find different characters with several English accents, it's quite entertaining, although we can't forget the goal of the game is learning English! Price 24'99 euros.

RePorTed SpeeCH (post 7)

Hi, Guys!,

Do you need to practise REPORTED SPEECH? Click on the following interesting links:

http://www.malhatlantica.pt/lestrangeiras_esag/english%20page/reportedspeech_exercises.pdf

http://bachiller.sabuco.com/ingles/eloy/1bach/reported.pdf

http://ies1libertas.edu.gva.es/departamentos/ingles/PDFs/segundob/erepspch2b1.pdf

www.iesdamasoalonso.es/english/download/ReportedSpeech-IN.pdf
(Please, remember there are more posts and exercises , click on the labels: Reported Speech).

FlaSH MoB at Heathrow Airport

Hi, Guys!,

I suppose you've seen a flash mobbing before, it's actually a new trend to entertain, to protest or to promote companies, and it's really works. It is said that the first flashmob took place in Manhattan in 2003, and it wasn't very successful. But nowadays, many people are interested in taking part of these "spontaneous" events, which are so blooming.

So now, I'd like to share with you all this flashmob staged by the company T-mobile at Heathrow's Terminal 5 in London. This reminds me of the film Love Actually. Now, please, enjoy the following video and pay attention to passengers' faces, they are surprised as well as cheerful. As the advert says: "Life's for Sharing".

McFly "Shine A Light"

Hi, Guys!,

Did you enjoy McFly interview yesterday evening? They are gorgeous, aren't they?
I hope you'll have fun listening to their new single "Shine A Light", let's sing it together! ..."She took the light and left me in the dark, eh, she left me with a broken heart, e-eh, now I'm on my own..."

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Hi, Guys!,

Every year, Macy's, a big department store in New York city, presents this fantastic parade, full of famous characters transformed into huge balloons, such a Mickey Mouse, Spiderman, ... as you can see in these videos.

In 1924, this colourful parade was created by all the Macy's employees, since they were immigrants, and they were really proud of their new American heritage. So, from that moment onwards, all the store workers and professional entertainers march from Harlem street to 34th Street at Macy's. All of them are dressed in colourful costumes and people, specially children are very excited.

I hope you'll like this!!! Happy Thanksgiving Day!!!

Thanksgiving Day, significant bank holiday in USA

Hi, there!,

Next Thursday, we are celebrating THANKSGIVING DAY in USA.

It's a special day where all families and friends have dinner together to commemorate the arrival of the first pilgrims to America.

This took place in 1620, when a large group of religious people crossed the Atlantic Ocean by a sailing vessel called Mayflower.

After travelling two months, they finally arrived and settled their first colony in Plymouth. The following year, they had dinner to thank God for their new life in America.

If you are more interested, please watch the following interesting videos!!!

In addition, you can click on:http://wilstar.com/holidays/thankstr.htm

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!!!

PreseNT PeRfeCT (post 4)

Hi, Guys!,

Once again, thanks to Scribd, we can keep on practising and improving our English.
Now, why don't you check your knowledge? 1, 2, 3, Go!!!!!

Test on Present Perfect and Past Simple Tenses

HarrY PotteR

Hi, Guys!,

Are you fan of Harry Potter and friends' adventures?

I think Harry Potter has become a wellknown literary phenomenon, since many children and teenagers are hooked to their stories, they enjoy reading all his books, there is a great mixture of magical universe with certain rules, unexpected elements, magicians, apprentices, battles, castles, witches, monsters, ...

J. K. Rowling is its writer. Her first book was published in 1997 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and ten years later, she wrote Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

I hope you'll enjoy reading the last book as well as watching some scenes of the film.

Prince William is getting married

Hi, there!,

You know what?
Prince William and Kate Middleton are going to get married in 2011. It was announced in Clarence House yesterday. It is reported that they got engaged in Kenya, during a holiday last October.

What is more, William gave Kate, his fianceé, his mother's engagement ring as if Lady Di was with them at this significan moment. If you are more interested, you can watch the announcement.
Congratulations and best wishes!

The SpiCe GiRLs

Hi, there!,

Do you remember this pop group? When I was a teenager, my classmates and I loved dancing as these Spice Girls, they became really famous due to their songs such as "Wannabe".

This English group was created in 1994, the members of the group until 1998 were Victoria Beckham, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. Thanks to "Wannabe" in 1996, the Spice Girls became a global phenomenon very quickly. This pop group have sold so many records that they have done the best selling girl group of all time.

In 1998, Geri Halliwell left the spice Girls. The four remaining girls released the third album called Forever,, but they separated in 2000. Seven years later, the Spice Girls decided to get back and start a world tour and release their Greatest Hits. It was an amazing success too.

Let's listen and see these successful videos, The Spice Girls singing "WANNABE"!!





Now, if you are more interested in The Spice Girls, click on: http://www.thespicegirls.com/

CoNdiTioNalS (post 6)

Hi, there!,

If you are interested in practising CONDITIONALS, please, click on the following links, there are some useful worksheets for you! (PDF format ready to be printed)


http://uczniowie.lo-zywiec.pl/~ang/cottage/files/other_grammar_points/CONDITIONAl_TYPE_I.pdf

http://uczniowie.lo-zywiec.pl/~ang/cottage/files/other_grammar_points/CONDITIONAL_TYPE_II.pdf

http://www.unrestrictedarea.com/esl/First%20Conditional.pdf

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894)

Hi, Guys!,

Have you read The Treasure Island? It's a great adventurous book written by Robert Louis Stevenson. Today, thanks to Google - doodle, we can remember this remarkable novelist, who was born in Edimburgh on 13th November in 1850.

Stenvenson was an essayist, poet and author of fiction and travel books such The Treasure Island. Thanks to this novel, Stevenson gained fame. The main characters are Jim Hawkins, a young boy, who meets an old pirate, Billy Bones, who shows him a misterious map which points out the Captain Flint's treasure. I enjoyed reading this novel, but I prefer The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, also written by the same novelist and published in 1886. I recommend you to read these exciting books.

Extra GRAMMAR, thanks to Burlington

Hi, Guys!,

If you want to learn and practise your English, you can click on the following link:

http://www2.burlingtonbooks.com/Spain/Page.aspx?PageID=411

Here, you can find plenty of exercises related to Present, Past and Future Tenses; Passive, Reported Speech,Modals, Relatives etc. Besides, there are key answers in every worksheet.

Come on! don't waste time and print your worksheets from Burlington (PDF format).

Guy Fawkes Night, November 5th in LONDON

Hi, GUYS!,

Last year, I told you the story of Guy Fawkes Night, but today I'd like to show these entertaining videos which also explain perfectly this historical episode. What happened on the 5th of November in 1605?
Happy Bonfire Night!!!

BEEFEATERS, at the Tower of LondoN

Hi, Guys!,

Have you ever visited the Tower of London? Do you know the BEEFEATERS? Who are they?

In theory, Beefeaters have to look after any prisioner in the Tower of London and safeguard the British crown jewels; but in parctise, they act as tourist guides. Even more, they are a tourist attraction, everybody wants to take a photo with them.

Beefeaters are actually the Yeoman Warders of Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, as well as Members of the Soverign's Body Guard of the Yeoman Guard Extraordinary; although these are popularly known as BEEFEATERS.

The nickname of Beefeater has an uncertain origin. The most probable origin is based on the fact they were fed by large portions of beef at court, which was a privilige at that time.

In addition, Beefeaters are also known as Raven masters since they have to look after all the ravens in the Tower of London. According to the legend, if the Ravens ever leave the fortress, the monarchy will disappear.

I hope you'll find this story interesting! ;-)

Decorating Your ClassRooM (post 3)

Hi, teachers and guys!,

Last Spetember, I wrote about how we could decorate our English classrooms, since I believe it is interesting for students, they can feel more involved, learn and improve their vocabulary and make up funny posters for their classroom, use their imagination and creativity, and so on.

Well, today, I'd like to share with you another project:

1. Ask your students to make groups of 4 or 5 people.

2. Every group has to make a poster with all the information they can find about:

Significant Biritish / American Celebrities, Musicians, Painters, Sportmen, or Cities.

3. They can surf on the internet to find out some information.

4. Everything must be written down in English.

5. These posters can be full of photos.

6. The teacher has to chooose the most important topics (mentioned before) for every group. For example: students from group A (1st year of Secondary) will look into relevant British / American cities whereas students from group B (2nd year of Secondary) will find out information about Musicians. So, there will be a lot of interesting posters to decorate the English Classrooms or corridors.

7. Above all, your students will learn a lot!
If you are more interested, click on Decorating Your Classroom

Learning English can be Fun! I hope you'll like this easy teaching recipe!!! ;-)