The French Revolution

 This term we'll be dealing with this important historical event. Click on the video below to get started and then follow the links to the Quiz and the Crossword.

Quiz: French Revolution Symbols

Symbols of the French Revolution

Crossword

Web Page Info

Back to school in a pandemic

 This new academic year is quite different from others. On the one hand, it's a new beginning after some months of online learning, and , on the other hand, schools have changed to avoid the risk of coronavirus. Watch the video below and then, leave a comment answering these questions:

1. What is your school like due to the pandemic? Are there new rules? 

2. Do you prefer school or online learning? Explain the advantages and disadvantages.

The Canterville Ghost

This term we'll be reading this classical story written by Oscar Wilde. If you click on the link below, you'll find the Audio Material and the Website Activities. You can download both but be patient, it may take some time!

The Canterville Ghost

Living English 2

In the link below, you'll find the Website Activities related to the book Living English 2 for the second year of Bachillerato. There are exercises to practise your Vocabulary, Grammar and Listening. Be patient because it may take some time to download into your computer.

Living English 2 - Website Activities

Classic Ghost Stories

This term we'll be reading this book in class. In order to do the activities related to it, I recommend you to click on the link below to download both the Audio Material and the Website Activities. I hope you enjoy this reader without having nightmares.

Classic ghost stories

Listening: Tea Time

In this post I suggest that you check your understanding after watching a video about how to make a very British cup of tea. Remember to leave your answers in your comments as usual!

1. What do you need to boil some water?
2. What is the perfect temperature for black teas? And for green ones?
3. How long does a tea bag take to brew?
4. What rules must you follow when drinking tea in public? Mention three of them.

50th Moon Landing Anniversary

These days we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing. Do you want to learn more about the different Apollo Missions? Click on the link below to read an article about this interesting topic and then leave the answers to the questions in a comment as usual.

The Apollo Missions

1. Which US President started the Apollo Program?
2. How many astronauts managed to land on the moon?
3. Was Apollo Flight 11 the first to visit the moon? Explain
4. Why is Apollo Flight 13 famous?
5. How big was the spacecraft?
6. What is a rover?

Finally, you can test your knowlege about the first landing with this quiz. Have fun!

Moon Landing Quiz

Famous Eurovision Songs

Last night, millions of fans around the world followed the Eurovision Song Contest. It is not easy to convince the audience in only three minutes, but from time to time we listen to some songs that go beyond the boundaries of the festival and become hits. In this post, I suggest that you try writing the lyrics of the most popular ones sung in English and leave your results in your comments as usual.

Duncan Laurence- Arcade

Mans Zelmerlow- Heroes

Lorren- Euphoria

Abba- Waterloo

Top 10 Must Visit American Cities

If you are learning English, you may visit the USA some day. It´s a huge country with lots of interesting places to visit and things to do. Click on the video below to check the Top 10 List suggested there and then answer the questions below in your comments as usual.

1. Some of the cities receive other names or nicknames. Which are the other names for Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, New York and Los Angeles?
2. Which cities should you visit if you are interested in architecture and history?
3. Why should you go to Chicago if you like sports?
4. Where should you go if you like amusement parks? And for gambling?
5. Which city should music fans visit?
6. Name 5 places to visit in San Francisco.
7. Which city would you like to visit? Explain your reasons.

Book Day

World Book Day is a day to encourage reading, celebrated every year on 23rd April. On this date, people in Spain commemorate the death anniversary of Miguel de Cervantes whereas in England, it is the birth and death anniversary of William Shakespeare.
Reading in a foreign language can be tough at the beginning, but it will help you a lot with your vocabulary, grammar and your pronunciation if it is an audiobook. Try the links below and enjoy your reading choice. Remember to leave in your comments what you liked / didn't like about the story and if you picked up new vocabulary and structures.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

The Black Cat

Extract from Robison Crusoe

Extract from Alice in Wonderland

Extract from Dracula

Writing: Tips to improve your essays

If you want to improve your writing skills, I highly recommend you to click on the link below and read the 11 Tips that are provided in it.

11 Tips to improve your writing

Some writing examples to get good ideas from are:

A For and Against Essay

A Formal E-mail

A story

An Opinion essay

A Magazine article

Pancake Day

Tomorrow British people will be celebrating Pancake Day 2019. What is it about? What is the story behind this festival? Is it always on the same date? What happens in Olney? What's the meaning of Shrove Tuesday? Click on the video below to find the answers to these questions and then leave them in your comments. Happy Pancake Day!

National Tooth Fairy Day

Did you know that today is  National Tooth Fairy Day? Have you got a "tooth fairy" in your country or is it a "tooth mouse"? Click on the link below to find out more about this tradition and leave the answers to the questions in your comments.

Video: History of the Tooth Fairy

1. When are children told about the Tooth Fairy?
2. What happens when children are around ten?
3. What is the Tooth Fairy like? Explain about three imaginative descriptions.
4. In which three countries is there a Tooth Mouse?
5. What did people do with their teeth in Medieval times?
6. Why do parents still follow this tradition?

Project: She's my influencer

As you know, every 8th March  International Women's Day is celebrated. In this post, I'm going to ask you to write a short presentation about a woman who is a model for you. She may be a famous singer, actress, journalist, scientist, businesswoman, sportswoman or housewife. You choose, but remember to include a picture, details about her life and the reasons why she is an inspiration for you. You can use mine as an example:

Her name is Isabel Gemio. She is a  TV presenter and radio journalist. She was born in Extremadura in 1961. She became very popular because she presented the TV shows " Sorpresa, Sorpresa" and " Hay una carta para tí".
 In 2017, she received the Ondas Award for her career on the radio. She has got two children and the oldest, called Diego, has got a rare illness. In 2008, she set up a Foundation to help more people who suffer from rare illnesses. I admire her because she is using her fame to help people in need.

Listening: What's in a name?

Have you got a rare name? Has it got another meaning? Were you named after a family member?
Click on the link below to listen to two people talking about unusual names and common trends when giving names to babies. Which one did you like the most? And the least? Remember to do the "True and False" and the "Fill in the gaps" exercises. Leave the answers to these questions and your results in a comment as usual!

Listening: What's in a name?

All About Ireland

This term we'll be reading this book. It explains the country's history and culture apart from myths, legends and other Irish traditions. You'll get to know about famous writers like Oscar Wilde and James Joyce. I hope you'll enjoy reading it and you should start by downloading the Website activities you'll find if you click on the link below.

All About Ireland- Website activities

The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution started in the 18th century in Britain. It mostly affected the economic activity in the western world, but it was also a time of great inventions and scientific discoveries. It changed people's lives drastically, but not always for good. In order to learn more about this important period watch the video and click on the links below.

After watching the video, answer these questions:
1. Which invention marked the beginning of the Industrial Revolution? Who perfected it?
2. What happened to the artisans during this period?
3. How did transport and trade change in Europe?
4. What was the bourgeoisie?
5. Why were there conflicts at the factories?
6. How were the workers' labour conditions improved?

Click on the link below to learn more about this historical period and then try the Test:

1.  Revision: Everyday Life in the Industrial Era
2,  Test: Everyday life in the Industrial Era

Geography lesson

In this post I want you to click on the video below and undestand at last the difference between England, Great Britain and the United Kingdom. Take some time to watch it and answer the questions below in your comments.

1. Are the woman and the man from the same nation?
2. Is Northern Ireland part of the United Kingdom?
3. What four nations belong to the United Kingdom?
4. What is called Great Britain?
5. Which nations have got a local parliament?

Speaking: Take a seat, make a friend

After waching the video above, choose seven of the topics suggested to discuss them in pairs or in groups of three people. Make a video and send it to your teacher.

1. Something you've never done.
2. Share three things on your bucket list.
3. Describe the first time you fell in love.
4. Talk about someone who inspires you.
5. Talk about the experience that changed your life.
6. Create a secret handshake.
7. Talk about the best memory from your childhood.
8. Recommend a TV series, a book, a film or a YouTube channel and explain your reasons.
9. Talk about your fears and describe your scariest experience.
10. Talk about your favourite celebration or festival. Explain why it's special for you.

Living English 1

Hello everyone and welcome back to the high school! This year we'll be using a new book for the 1st year of Bachillerato. I hope you like and learn a lot from it! If you want to practise what you have learnt in the classroom, I highly recommend you to follow the link below and download the Websites Activities that you'll find when you click on the blue words Bachillerato 1 Activities.

Living English 1- Website Activities