Bruno Mars

Hi, Girls!,

I know that you like him, BRUNO MARS, who is one of the most popular American singer-songwriter in the world. He's gorgeous, isn't he? 

Bruno Mars, or better said, Peter Gene Hernández, was born on 8th October in 1985, in Honolulu (Hawaii). He grew up in a very musical family, since his father was a percusionist whereas his mother was a singer. By late 2000s, he became successful by writing songs for other popular artists such as K'Naan's "Waving Flag", the theme song for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. The same year, 2010, he broke out as a singer with his hit "Nothin' on You". Then, he wrote another hit "Just The Way You Are". Would you like to listen to this now?

If you are more interested, click on here: Bruno Mars

Meryl Streep

HI, Guys!,

Today, I'd like to write about one of my favourite actress, MERYL STREEP, I love all her films, in my view, she is lovely, fantastic, chamaleonic, ... And according to many critics, she is a great actress of our time. 

Meryl Streep was born on 22nd June in New Jersey (1940). She graduated in Vassar College and Yale Drama School, not only she is able to perform drama or musicals on stage, but also on films. So, in 1960s, she appeared in several musical productions. In 1970s, she began appearing in films. From the very beginning, she earned many  Academy Awards, Golden Globe nominations and recognitions of her brilliant career as an actress.At this point, I would like to highlight some of the films starred by Meryl Streep.

 

1. She starred opposite Clint Eastwood The Bridges of Madison County in 1995. Thanks to her work, she received an Academy Award nomination.

2. Due to her role as the magazine editor Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada (2006), she got and Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress.

3. In 2008, she performed Donna in the film adaptation of the ABBA's musical Mamma Mia! We could enjoy her performance, her dance, her voice. (I love it, this film is so fun!)

4. It's Complicated, a recommendable comedy. She earned a Golden Globe.

5. In 2001, The Iron Lady where Meryl Streep performed the British prime minister, Margaret Thacher. Thanks to this role, she has recently won an Academy Award.

Now, I encourage you to watch one of her films, I'm sure you'll enjoy!!! :)

Phrasal Verbs (post 2)

Hi, there!, 

If you need to learn and study PHRASAL VERBS, you can link on the following webpages, they are truly functional, with examples, definitions, synonyms, etc.
1. Phrasal Verbs in Context
2. kruharn

 

AIN'T, what does it mean?

Hi, Guys!,

Have you ever seen "AIN'T"? Where? Maybe in a lyric song? What does it mean? 

Well, according to some linguists, AIN'T comes from the contraction of AM NOT and it seems to have appeared in 1706. One century later, in Cockney dialect in London, AIN'T began to be used as a generic contraction for ARE NOT or IS NOT. Then, it was also used as a contraction of has not and have not. Even more, in some dialects, does not or do not can be replaced by AIN'T.

As you can imagine or see, AIN'T is a colloquialism. So those who use this are regarded as uneducated, informal or improper people. However, I can give some famous examples: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" or  "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone".

Therefore, I think it's interesting to know the origin and uses of this word, we just want to learn English, no matter if it's not always the Standard proper English ;)

Happy Saint Valentine's Day

HI, there!, 

You Are the Sunshine of My Life!!! I hope you'll enjoy this lovely song ... as well, you can learn how to say tender things to your boy/girlfriend....

You are the sunshine of my life,
That's why I'll always be around.
You are the apple of my eye,
Forever you'll stay in my heart...

Whitney Houston, the great voice

Hi, there!,

I'm quite shocked, Whitney Houston, one of the best singers in the world has recently died. Needless to say that she was one of my favourite singer, and I started learning English translating her songs at the language school. Maybe, most of you will never forget her lovely song "I Will Always Love You" and of course, her wonderful voice. 

Whitney Houston was born in 1963 and when she was 11, she began singing in her junior gospel choir in her church in New Jersey. Furthermore, Whitney and her mother sang together in New York city clubs. She released seven albums and sold million of them, undoutedly, she was a great singer, her godmother was Aretha Franklin. 

Besides, she was an actress. Actually, Whitney starred "The Bodyguard", "Waiting to Exhale" and "The Prieacher's Wife". She also recorded their wellknown soundtracks, among others, since Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey sang together in 1998 and they recorded "When You Believe", the main theme of the film "The Prince of Egypt".

Now, do you fancy listening one of her most famous singles?

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Hi, Guys!, 

I'm sure you're very familiar with this beatiful song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". There are many versions, indeed, but do you know when was the first time it was sung? 

In 1939, a long time ago, one of the best film was released "The Wizard of Oz" and Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale sang this theme song. Even more, the actress was awarded with a special Oscar in 1940 due to her remarkable performance.

Now, would you like to watch the orignal singer and then, a newer version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"?

10 CommoN ExpreSSionS in EnGlisH

Hi, Guys!,

Learning English idioms or common expressions is a very good way to enlarge your vocabulary. Let's take a look the following expressions which appear on this video.Can you guess their meanings? Have you ever heard them?

1. 24/7 twenty-four seven (every minute of everyday)
2. Get the ball rolling (to sart something)
3. Take it easy (relax)
4. Sleep on it (need time to take a decision)
5. I'm broke (I have no money)
6. Sharp (exactly)
7. Like the back of my hand (you're very familiar with it)
8. Give me a hand (help me)
9. In ages (for a long time)
10. Sick and tired (I don't like it or I hate it)

If you're a teacher, spend 10 min. talking about these common idioms, your students will get more involved 

and learn a lot! SURE ;)

English Dictations for Students Learning English

Hi, Guys!, 

Do you know that DICTATIONS can help you to improve your listening and writing skills? Besides, you learn how to pronounce some words and pay more attention to the English intonation. So, come on! Listen carefully to this teacher and then, write down the dictations. 

These dictation exercises have an elementary level. After that, you can check and correct your sentences. At first, this could be hard, but then, I'm sure your listening skill will get better.  Good Luck!!!

If you're more interested, click on Labels: DICTATION

There are many fun ways to learn English, 

don't you think so? ;)