BBC Listening + Most Valuable Brands

In today’s lesson we had a discussion on the most valuable brands, according to the Marketing consultancy company Interbrand. We had the chance to practice listening (gist, comprehension), grammar (reformulation of the text and grammarising the summary), finding and understading vocabulary connected to the tapescript. As homework I asked you to rewrite the text using the chunks we have learned and some information from the original article. I’m sure some of you might have found the lesson a little bit difficult and that’s the reason why I’ve decided to upload some material connected to what we learnt this afternoon. Here’s a list of some resources you can listen to, read, and practice as homework.

* Interbrand list of the 100 best global brands

* BrandZ top 100 ranking of the most valuable brands in the world

* Transworldnews article: The Coca-Cola Company Will Host a Conference Call to Discuss Financial Results

* BBC Learning English – Words in the News – Listening (With audio and tapescript)

* BCC News – Google Brand “on the rise”

* Top Brand values fall in recession (BBC Video)

Finally, a video with two business analysts discussing the ingredients Interbrand take into account when ranking the world’s most valuable brands among other things. Take a look.

Podcast – Music

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!

Podcast – Talking about Books

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!

Vocabulary Practice

I think some of you might have heard of this website – AID TO CHILDREN. It’s an interesting idea with the main desire of helping under privileged children in the most impoverished (very poor) places around the world through learning.  That’s right! You can help and practice your vocabulary and learn new words. Thus, the website claims that for every correct answer they will donate 0.25 cents to poor children.

So, what are you waiting for? Practice your English vocabulary and help poor children by clicking here.