Since this week our topic is music, I’ve decided that our podcast should be somehow connected to music. So, let’s not waste time and get things going by clicking here to listen to the podcast.
Your task is to write about a concert or show you’ve been to recently or a while ago. But, if you haven’t been to a concert you can easily make one up.
Here’s the list of vocabulary and chunks that I might be useful while you are writing your comment.
* venue
* bad seat in the house
* street parking
* snag a spot
* bouncer
* get to the head of sth
* check one’s tickets
* put a wrist band on sb
* roped-off section
* VIP
* groupies
* opening act
* start boo-ing sb
* rowdy
* riot
* headlining band
* cheer
* happy camper
* turn out to be + noun
Don’t forget to leave your name and email when leaving your comment. Thanks!
Today’s podcast is about books, especially because this week we are going to talk about reading habits and trends.
So, basically all you have to do is click here and you will be redirected to the ESLPODCAST website.
Your work is to listen to it and write about a book you read recently or about books in general. Here’s a list of the chunks you might want to use while writing.
like sth well enough
a glowing recommendation
to start off with a bang
can’t put sth down
relate to sth
plot drags
pull sth off
ending + be (is/was…) + adjective (laughable/brilliant/etc)
that makes + one/two/three + us
can’t wait for + noun (sequel)
Don’t forget to leave your name and email when leaving your comment. Thanks!
In our lesson today we talked about heroes in general. Some of you mentioned sports heroes, celebrity heroes, history heroes among others. However, we decided to focus on one hero in particular, i.e. Che Guevara.
Some people considered him a hero while others though of him as being a ruthless disciplinarian. No matter what people say about him Guevara remains an admired, controversial, and significant historical figure.
Your task is to basically watch this documentary and write an essay based on the documentary. You must support an opinion – Was Che Guevara a hero or an assassin? Watch the documentary and draw you own conclusions.
Here are some more links about Che Guevara to give you some more background information about him.
* Che Guevara – A Web site dedicated to promoting the ideas and accomplishments of Che Guevara.
* Time Magazine – an article that named Guevara one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.
Everyday I get tons of e-mails from readers, current students, old students, among others asking me how they can improve their pronunciation. They all have something in common. They want to speak English clearly and confidently
I think it is everybody’s dream to be able to speak English like a native speaker, but English pronunciation is always a big problem to ESL/EFL learners. I don’t think you should try to have a native speaker accent, especially because even native speakers have their own accent. I mean, my wife is Canadian from Ottawa and my best friend is Canadian from Toronto and they have slightly different accents. So my question is, why bother?
I think you HAVE TO worry about having bad English pronunciation. I say that because bad English pronunciation may confuse people even if you use the most advanced English grammar. After all, we can always use simple words and simple grammar structures that will make people understand you but we cannot use “simple pronunciation”.
On the other hand, we have good English pronunciation and what I mean by good English pronunciation is being understood by people and people be willing to listen to you!
So, how to speak English clearly and confidently? There are three ways: practice, practice and practice!
I know you must be a little bit disappointed, but the truth of the matter is that there’s no secret to learning and improving your pronunciation. I remember as a student I used to listen to music, practice tongue twisters, repeat individual sounds, among other things.
So, starting now I will publish a series of posts devoted to learning and improving your pronunciation skills. I hope you all enjoy!
Tongue Twisters
According to wikipedia‘s definition, “Tongue Twisters” are phrases that are designed to be difficult to articulate properly. Tongue-twisters may rely on similar but distinct phonemes (e.g., s[s] and sh[ʃ]), unfamiliar constructs in loanwords, or other features of a language.
Try practicing the tongue twisters to improve your pronunciation and have fun!
and here’s a funny video about a French guy trying to learn English.
I recently found out that CNN has a section entirely devoted to students. CNN Student News utilizes CNN’s worldwide resources to bring each day’s top news stories to middle and high school classrooms. I think this a fantastic tool and a great way for students to become familiar with news vocabulary. Not only they will be able to catch up on the most recent stories, but also be able to practice and improve their listening skills drastically.
So I thought “Why not post these videos on the blog and encourage students to watch them and answer the questions?”. Well, that’s exactly what you guys are going to do from now on. Enjoy the first video and don’t forget to answer the questions in the comments section.
for the questions, click here or just read them below.
(CNN Student News) — December 16, 2008
1. According to the program: What types of weather events are wreaking havoc across the U.S.? What are some of the states that have been hit by this weather?
2. How do you think that early warning may have helped to control the damage from these weather events?
3. Is your state subject to severe winter weather? If so, what type(s) of winter weather has it experienced in the past? What, if anything, do you and your family do to protect lives and property in advance of severe winter weather?
4. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, how many people are homeless in America? Does this number surprise you? Explain.
5. How would you describe Bridgette Mitchell’s former living conditions? Where does she live now?
6. How is the Housing First program different from a typical shelter? What is the goal of the program?
7. In the video, we hear that in spite of the program, some of its homeless end up back on the streets. In your opinion, what might be some of the reasons why this happens?
8. Do you have any ideas for addressing the problem of homelessness in the U.S.? If so, share them with the class.
9. According to the government, at what time of year do Americans generate the most waste? List some of the kinds of waste that you think might add to this volume.
10. According to the video, what are some things that you can do to minimize holiday waste? What other ideas can you think of to cut down on seasonal trash?
Some students have complained that it’s been taking me too long to update new material on the website. All I can say is “I’m sorry”. Lately I’ve been really busy with some side projects and haven’t had the chance to update it daily – as I promised – but I promise that from now on I will try my best.
Today we have another podcast from ESLPOD website and the topic is MOVIES!
You know how this works, uh? Listen to the podcast by clicking HERE. Then, after listening carefully write down a situation or an anecdote (e.g. a movie you watched lately) using the vocabulary & chunks below:
to fit the bill
road block
lead actor
supporting cast
comic relief
villain
love to hate
happy ending
predictable
to not go out of one’s way
slapstick
throw you for a loop
figure out sth
plot twist
screenwriters
directors
pull sth off
classics
nail-biters
main character
a shocker
spoil the ending
thumbs up
fain-hearted
Don’t forget to write your piece on the comments section.
I know times are tough and the economy is going down but what do you think of a restaurant where the servers are monkeys?
A Japanese restaurant has two new employees and they pay them peanuts. The local hangout just north of Tokyo employs a pair of Japanese monkeys called Yat-chan and Fuku-chan to serve their customers.
The younger of the two, Fuku-chan, usually begins the first shift and is quick to hand out customers a hot towel to help them clean their hands before they order their first drinks. Fuku-chan, who is four, has only two years experience under his furry belt and his work load is limited to hot towels.
Both monkeys are well appreciated by customers who tip them with boiled soya-beans to enjoy during their down time. Kaoru Otsuka, who owns the restaurant in Utsunomiya, Japan, said he did not teach the sake-serving monkey its waiting skills.
Mr Otsuka claims Yatchan watched him serving customers and remembered how to do it.
“Lots of customers come to look at the monkey. He works everyday,” said Mr Otsuka.
The simian, called Yatchan, is also used to serve hot towels to the grateful customers who give him soya beans as tips. Mr Otsuka said the monkey also likes fruit, but was not fond of the sushi that the restaurant specialises in.
Watch this video from CNNand then answer the questions.
Questions for discussion
Do you think it is a good idea to employ animals to do jobs that are normally done by humans? Why (not)?
Would ever eat in a restaurant where animals take your order? Why (not)?
What other jobs could be done by animals? Name some.
don’t forget to answer the questions on the comments section
NB: If you’d like to watch the same video but with captions just click here
I have been thinking about good topics for my afternoon classes and today I think I just came up with a good one after reading a grotesque (strange and unpleasant) story about plastic/cosmetic surgery.
I know beauty plays an important role nowadays and people are doing crazy stuff in order to look more attractive, but I think this Korean woman has gone way too far.
Her name is Hang Mioku. Here’s a picture when she was an attractive , young lady in her 20’s. Ever since then, she has had numerous cosmetic surgery procedures. Click here to read the article.
Now that you have read the article, take these questions into consideration and answer them. (You can write your answers on the comments area).
A) DISCUSSION
What do you think about plastic surgery?
Would you ever have plastic surgery? If so, what would you change?
Woud you ever consider cosmetic surgery to make yourself more attractive to the opposite sex? Why (not)?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Only someone who is shallow and vain would consider cosmetic surgery.” Why (not)?
B) VOCABULARY
After you have read the article, focus on the words below and try to guess the meaning from the context. If you are not able to do it, you might want to use Cambridge Online Dictionary as a reference.
hooked
disfigured
carry out
grossly
notoriety
C) LISTENING
If you still want some more practice, here’s an interesting listening from ESL-Lab. This is an interesting lecture about Comestic surgery with Pre-listening, while-listening and after-listening tasks. All you have to do is click here and go for it!
D) EXPRESSIONS
Here’s a list of expressions connected to the topic. Enjoy!
Nose job: A type of surgery on your nose to make it look better. (“She’s been thinking about getting a nose job because her friends are always commenting on how big her nose is.”)
A nip (here) and a tuck (there): plastic surgery. (“I think she’s had a nip and tuck to look like that at her age.”)
Facelift: a type of cosmetic surgery procedure used to give a more youthful appearance, basically by tightening the skin on the face to remove wrinkles. (“I’m sure my neighbour had a facelift so she can look younger than she really is.”)
Hope you have enjoyed this lesson and don’t forget to say your piece (express your ideas and opinions) in the comments section!
