Thanksgiving

Pilgrims? Mayflower? Puritans? What's all this? To learn about the history of Thanksgiving, watch this interesting video.

You may take a wonderful voyage aboard the Mayflower, you can visit:

http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/voyage/journey.htm

After this, check how much you've learnt!!

http://wilstar.net/holidays/thanksqz.htm

Spring is here!!

Here, in the Southern hemisphere we're enjoying a wonderful day. It's sunny and warm and the city is full of teenagers celebrating the arrival of Spring and also, student's day.

Spring is a time of hope, of new beginnings and this is the best song I could find about it. Listen, read and enjoy!

"Beautiful Day" by U2

A friend is...

A friend is someone who...

How would you complete this sentence?
While you think about it, listen and read the lyrics of this wonderful song. You can click on the words you find difficult.
Have a nice day!!

Another red letter day,
So the pound has dropped and the children are creating,
The other half ran away,
Taking all the cash and leaving you with the lumber,
Got a pain in the chest,
Doctors on strike what you need is a rest

It's not easy love, but you've got friends you can trust,
Friends will be friends,
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention,
Friends will be friends,
When you're through with life and all hope is lost,
Hold out your hand cos friends will be friends right till the end

Now it's a beautiful day,
The postman delivered a letter from your lover,
Only a phone call away,
You tried to track him down but somebody stole his number,
As a matter of fact,
You're getting used to life without him in your way

It's so easy now, cos you got friends you can trust,
Friends will be friends,
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention,
Friends will be friends,
When you're through with life and all hope is lost,
Hold out your hand cos friends will be friends (right till the end)

The Annoying Orange

I'm among the people who consider "The Annoying Orange" to be hilarious. Yes, yes, I know some others don't. What about you?



What do these words mean? You can click on them:

FRUITY
FOR CRYING OUT LOUD
YAMMER

Gmail Motion!

If this is not cutting-edge technology, what is?

American people celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. That day, families get together to celebrate. Even though we don't have this celebration in Argentina, I think we can also take some time to recall all those things we can be thankful for. Many times we are so involved in our everyday activities that we don't take the time to enjoy things we may take for granted.

What are you thankful for?

To learn more about the history of Thanksgiving:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving

Take a language quiz about this holiday:

http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/vocabulary/holidays_thanksgiving1.html

Anne Frank

Fourth Adolescents is reading The Diary of a Young Girl, a most moving story about Anne Frank, a girl who has to go into hiding with her family during the Second World War. You can take a tour of the house where they stayed at the time:
http://www.annefrank.org/en/Subsites/Home/About-the-house/

You can also learn about its inhabitants:
http://www.annefrank.org/en/Subsites/Home/Inhabitants/

For "Friends" lovers

Here's a deleted scene from the sitcom Friends. Embedding is not allowed but it's worth following the link. Watch it and answer the questions:
- Why is Rachel so happy?
- What does Joey say to Rachel after she abruptly comes into the bathroom?
- What does Chandler answer to Joey when he asks "Shaving?"?
- What does Phoebe think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwJa7qY3xIM&feature=related

Have you been able to answer them all?

Father and Son

In Argentina, we celebrate Father's Day on the third Sunday of June. While trying to find a song on the topic I remembered this wonderful oldie, originally by Cat Stevens. This is a newer version by Boyzone. Can you think of any other song about fathers? If so, please let me know.

In this one, the father gives the son some recommendations for the future. What about your father? What's the best recommendation you remember from him? You can share your ideas here.

Shrek Forever After

Who says that animation is for kids? I must admit I'm a fan of the Shrek saga. The characters are hilarious and the plots are so witty that they make children and adults laugh alike (although about different things).
In this film, Shrek realises people are not afraid of him anymore so he decides to regain his status as an Ogre. Watch the trailer and have fun! In Argentina we'll have to wait a bit longer but meanwhile, you can take one of these quizzes to check how much you remember:

http://www.thestate.com/2010/05/20/1293816/take-the-shrek-quiz.html http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz62177720e80.html

You can also visit the official website and play some games.

http://www.shrekinternational.com/intl/uk/

By the way, what's your reason for liking Shrek?

Places to visit

Listen to (and read,if you want) these extracts about two different places. On the right, there are comprehension and vocabulary exercises you can do if you want to practise new expressions.
After listening, share your opinion here. Would you like to visit places like these? Why? Why not?



http://www.elllo.org/english/1001/1019-Ron-Hawaii.htm

http//www.elllo.org/english/1001/1013-TNT.htm

Getting ready for the World Cup!!

Get ready for the big event! Listen to the song and read its lyrics!!

Travelling

Tourists, luggage, driving... How many other items does the picture make you think of? Learn some more vocabulary connected with this area.

http://www.metrocollege.edu.au/old%20website/ENG_Intermediate%20(Site)/travel/TravelVocabulary/1travV.htm
http://www.esl-lounge.com/student/vocabulary/2v18-travel-vocabulary.php

Reading and the Internet

Do you read fewer books because of the Internet? Listen to this dialogue and check if their opinion is the same as yours. You can listen to it and read at the same time. You can also click on the buttons on the side and practise the new expressions used.
I'm looking forward to your comments about this controversial topic.
http://www.elllo.org/english/1001/1023-Monica-Reading.htm

How much vocabulary for food do you know in English? Do these quizzes and find out.
http://a4esl.org/q/h/9801/cr-nutrition.html (Pre-intermediate)
http://a4esl.org/q/h/vc-meat-lb.html (Intermediate)

By the way, can you name all the food in the photo?

Invictus

Listen to this beautiful song from the film "Invictus". The name of the song is "Colorblind". What does it mean? You can read the lyrics while you listen to the song.

Colorblind - Overtone

And it's not just a game
You can't throw me away
I put all I had on the line
And I give and you take
And I played the high stakes
I've won and I've lost
But, I'm fine

Hear me say I'll wise up 'til the end
Hear me say I'll stand up for my friends
And I crash to the ground
And it's just my own sound
I drop in the blink of an eye
I'm colorblind

And your milky way fight
Won't stop my delight
You keep me and lock me away
And it's dark and it's bright
It's your colorful pride that kept me here 9000 days

Hear me say I'll see the sky again
Hear me say I'll drive for you my friend
There's a noise in the crowd
But it's just my own shout
A stumble I fall and I pray

Hear you say your eyes see green again
In the end we'll lived up holding hands
Yes, we'll spark in the night
We'll be colorblind
And these are the lives we gave

(I can't understand this part... Something about peace and freedom...)

Hear me say I'll wise up 'til the end
Hear me say that I'll stand beside my friends
I won't stay on the floor
I will settle the score
A stumble I fall and I pray

Hear me say it's time we stop talking
Eye to eye we see a different face (faith?)
Yes we we've conquered the war
With love at the core
A stumble I fall, but I'll stay
Colorblind.