Homes in Britain

After watching the video, answer the following questions and leave them in a comment:

1. What does the familiy do in the living room?
2. Why is a kettle important?
3. Who is Oscar?
4. Apart from houses and flats, where do people live?
5. Which is the most famous British home? Why?

Fairy Tales

Fairy tales are usually short stories that include magical or fantastic creatures. Each culture has got their own legends and heroes, but some stories have become known all around the world. Which one is your favourite fairy tale? Do you like the moral behind most of the stories? Write the summary of your favourite story in your comment this time.
Click on the video below to watch one of these famous stories.

Fiesta

Fiesta is the name of a famous novel written by Ernest Hemingway in 1926. He visited Pamplona during the Sanfermines on several occasions and he enjoyed it very much. Today is San Fermin's Day and it's the perfect day to learn more about the history of this celebration and Ernest Hemingway's visits to Spain.

History of the Fiesta 
Hemingway and the Sanfermines

After reading the articles, answer these questions and leave them in a comment.
1.  Which three celebrations are behind the origin of the Fiesta of San Fermín?
2. At the beginning, when was the fiesta celebrated? Why did it change?
3. Which events are common during the Fiesta of San Fermín?
4. Which is the English name for the novel Fiesta?
5. What did Hemingway do during his visits to Pamplona? Give three examples at least.

Game of Thrones in Spain

The popular HBO TV series Game of Thrones will be partly filmed in Andalusia in the next few months. These images will be shown on its fifth season and Spanish fans are excited about the news. If you want to know more, follow the link below.

Game of Thrones in Spain

Here are some questions about the article. Leave a comment with the answers.

1.  Who was the first person that talked about the news?
2.  Which places will be probably used for filming in Spain?
3.  What is Seville Mayor's opinion about the news?
4.  What did the HBO people study during their visits to Spain?
5.   In which other countries is Game of Thrones shot?

Grammar Holidays

If you need to revise your grammar during the summer holidays, I recommend you to follow the link below, print the worksheets and then check your answers with the key pages. Don't cheat and you will improve your grammar knowledge easily!

Grammar holidays with key

British and American English

This is a list of the most important vocabulary differences between British and American English. Or maybe you prefer to watch a video instead. Click below to help you with the exercises. Remember to leave your results in a comment.

Video exercises
Vocabulary list
More exercises

Mr. Selfridge

This summer the British TV drama Mr. Selfridge will be broadcasted in Spain for the first time. But , who was the real person behind the character? How was his childhood and young years? Did he become rich? Follow the link below and leave the answers to the questions in a comment.

Mr. Selfridge: the true story

1. On which book is the TV drama based?
2. Did he have a happy childhood? Explain why / why not
3. Which were Mr. Selfridge's jobs in America?
4. Why was Selfridge's Store a " marvel" ?
5. Explain two important innovations in the world of shopping made by Mr. Selfridge.

Present Simple and Continuous

The Present tenses are very common and you should know how to use them, but in case you need to revise, have a look at the links below, get some practice and leave your results in a comment!

Present Simple / Present Continuous 1
Present Simple / Present Continuous 2
Present Simple/ Present Continuous 3

UK Symbols

The Union Jack is not the only symbol associated with the United Kingdom, most of them are related to religious or historic people. Have a look at the link below to find out how many symbols you know and then leave a comment with your results!

UK Symbols

Alphabet

Summer is a good time for revising what you should know by now. The alphabet is something really basic and useful, especially in phone calls. If you still have some problems when spelling in English, click on the video below and let the Sesame Street muppets teach you. Have fun!

The Olympic Games

 From July 27th to August 12th, London will be hosting the 30th edition of the Olympic games. It will be the third time, having previously done so in 1908 and 1948. But, how much do you know about the history of the Olympic Games? Click on the link below and  leave the answers to these questions in a comment.
  The Olympic Games

1. When did the Modern Olympic Games begin?
2. The Statue of Zeus- How was it?
3. Why was the Sacred Truce important?
4. What events were in the pentathlon?
5. Were women allowed to attend the Games? Explain.

Summer plans

If you haven't got much money to spend on your holidays this year, don't worry! Click on the link below to get 13 ideas to enjoy yourself almost for free. Which ones do you prefer? Are there any other ideas that you would like to suggest? Leave your answers as usual. Enjoy your summer!
13 anticrisis summer plans

Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra was an American singer and actor who died in 1998. During his lifetime, he became extremelly famous both for his voice and for his romances. He sang some of the most beautiful traditional American songs, for example, "New York, New York" or "My Way".
This video below presents the lyrics of " Young at heart". I encourage you to translate it and send me the translation in a comment. I hope you will always be among the very young at heart.

Never Ending Story

 
The Never Ending Story is a 1984 German film, based on the novel of the same name, written by Michael Ende. At the time it was the most expensive film produced outside the USA and it's still a favourite for millions of people. I highly recommend you to read the book or at least watch the film. Follow the link below and complete the soundtrack.

Never Ending Story - Soundtrack

Modal verbs

 Learning how to use the modal verbs correctly is not a piece of cake, but with some practice and common sense you'll be able to cope with them. Follow the links below and leave your results as usual.

Modal Test 1
Modal Test 2
Modal Test 3
Modal Test 4

Famous games

 Almost everybody knows about the famous game " Angry Birds" because it has been downloaded by millions of people around the world. If you want to learn more about the future of this type of games, just click on the link below and leave the answers to the questions.
Angry birds and its sequel

1. What is the name of the new game that will be released next summer?
2. How much money did the Spanish developers receive for the idea?
3. What does the game consist of?
4. Why did Rovio like the game? Give two reasons.
5.What other iPhone application did Llopis create? What does it consist of?

Present perfect

We use the present perfect tense to talk about our experiences in life, to emphasize we continue doing an activity we began in the past or to show the result of an action. In any case, the best way to learn it, is to get some practice. Follow the links below and leave me your results.
Present Perfect- Easy
Present Perfect - Yet and Already
Present Perfect or Past Simple
Song U2 - I still haven't found what I'm looking for

Superstitions

Tomorrow we'll be enjoying a new Moving On theatre production. The name of the play is " With a little bit of Luck". We all need some luck in our life, but what may bring you good luck in Spain is not exactly the same as it is for British people. Read the following text and select the superstitions that appeared on the play. Include your opinion about the play in your comment!

BLACK CATS – Black cats have traditionally been related to superstitions. Many people associate these animals with witches and black magic and for this reason they appear to have some type of magical powers. In Britain, seeing a black cat that crosses the path in front of you is considered good luck. In Spain this is considered bad luck.

RABBITS – Rabbits’ feet are considered good luck in Britain. People often carry one on a key ring, in their pocket or in their car.

MAGPIES – In Britain, seeing magpies is considered a sign of things to come. There is a rhyme that explains what will happen in the future depending on the number of Magpies you see:

1 for sorrow,

2 for joy,

3 for a girl,

4 for a boy,

5 for silver,

6 for gold,

7 for a secret,

Never to be told.

LADDERS – Walking under a ladder is considered bad luck in most countries. The reason is probably very logical if you consider that if you walk under a ladder something may fall on your head.

HORSESHOES – A horseshoe is traditionally considered good luck. Some people say the horseshoe must have the open end at the top, and others say it must have seven nails in it.

MIRRORS – Breaking a mirror brings seven years bad luck.

CLOVER – Finding a four leaf clover brings good luck. A four leaf clover is very rare and probably you have to be very lucky to find one.

WOOD – Touching wood brings good luck in many countries.

SKY – In Britain the colour of the sky is considered a prediction about the weather for the future. There is a rhyme, which varies from place to place, and reflects the prediction:

"Red sky at night; shepherd’s delight. Red sky in the morning; shepherd’s warning."

Madame Tussauds London

Madame Tussauds is a great tourist attraction for people visiting London. It is located in Central London in a former planetarium building.  It is famous for recreating celebrities in wax. It was the first Madame Tussauds museum opening in 1884. If you want to learn more about this famous museum, click on the link below and find the answers to these questions. Leave your answers in a comment!
Madame Tussauds London

 1. How much is an online advanced ticket for an adult?
 2. What cultural figures can you see at the museum?
 3. Who was Madame Tussauds? Tell details about her life.
 4. What famous characters have got a wax figure at Madame Tussauds?
 5. Where can you find other Madame Tussauds museums?

Mother's Day

In a few days, people in Spain will be celebrating a new Mother's Day, but there are some differences and also some similarities. Click on the link below and leave the answers to the questions in a comment.

Mother's Day

1. When is Mother's Day in the U.K. this year? And in Spain ?
2. What are the most popular presents for mothers in the U. K. ?
3. What do people put inside a Mother's Day basket?
4. What types of chocolates can you buy nowadays?
5. Where can you find a Mother's gift voucher?