“To learn a language besides one’s native idiom, to penetrate its syntax, is to open for oneself a second window on the landscape of being.” Steiner, G. (1971)
12/21/2011
Ding Dong Merrily on High
Christmas seems to be a recurring theme in films. My favourite Christmas film of all times is rerun almost every year, but I never tire of watching it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJfZaT8ncYk
What’s your favourite Christmas film or scene?
12/08/2011
And Charlie, don’t forget about what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he wanted.
I have always enjoyed reading children’s literature. I love the stories, and I admire adults who write for children and are able to look at life from a child’s perspective.
Here are some examples of books for children in English:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14838/14838-h/14838-h.htm (Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JggkF7jsi78&feature=related (Mr. Men by Roger Hargreaves)
http://www.kids4classics.com/l_frank_baum/The_Wonderful_Wizard_of_Oz.php?chapter=1 (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum)
http://www.planetebook.com/ebooks/Treasure-Island-2.pdf (Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson)
What children’s story do you find special?
11/19/2011
Cock-a-doodle-doo
Onomatopoeia is language used efficiently.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/onomatopoeia?q=onomatopoeia
Here’s a list of onomatopoeia in English:
http://www.englishbanana.com/big-activity-book/bab_page33.html
Do you like any in particular? I really like fizz, zip, and mmm (we use this last one in Spanish too…)
11/04/2011
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot…
What is the significance of the 5th of November in Britain?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9k6ZvfGCac
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Guy.html
http://www.parliament.uk/about/faqs/house-of-commons-faqs/gunpowder-plot/
10/18/2011
And the trees are stripped bare...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2011/oct/17/autumn#/?picture=380556551&index=0 (UK)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gvOVWKKxmo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv1L0Fp2n8Y
Is there anything that comes to mind when you think of autumn?
10/08/2011
Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World...
October 12 is called ‘Día de la Hispanidad’ in Spain. In the US, Columbus Day is observed on the second Monday in October. I’ve always wondered why I got so little information about such an important event in history when I was at school. Here are some interesting videos about Columbus:
http://www.history.com/topics/columbus-day/videos#christopher-columbus-man-and-myth
http://www.history.com/topics/columbus-day/videos#christopher-columbus-sets-sail
http://www.history.com/topics/columbus-day/videos#christopher-columbus-sets-sail
http://www.history.com/topics/columbus-day/videos#columbus-ships-are-marvels-of-engineering
Is history always written by the victors?
9/26/2011
Happiness is a warm puppy
Almost 61 years ago Charles M. Schulz published his first comic strip. I have always found comic books fascinating, and have always admired people who are able to draw and concisely write a powerful story in just a few frames. Comic strips are easy to read and therefore will improve your English in a fun way.
Here’s a page with lots of cartoons:
http://www.gocomics.com/explore/comics
Do you read comics? What’s your favorite comic character?
Source of image: www.amazon.co.uk
9/01/2011
Back to School
6/28/2011
5/29/2011
5/08/2011
Trips and Journeys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q4foLKDlcE
http://jonimitchell.com/music/song.cfm?id=212 (lyrics)
Where would you like to travel next?
5/01/2011
May Day
4/23/2011
World Book Day
“Properly, we should read for power. Man reading should be man intensely alive. The book should be a ball of light in one's hand.” Ezra Pound (1885 - 1972)
If I had to choose just one word to describe what I think about reading I’d go for freedom.
How does reading make you feel? Any book suggestions?
4/14/2011
Language and Power
4/01/2011
Poems, poets
http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/41
Here is one of my favourite poems by my favourite poet ever : http://www.poesia-inter.net/ps33004.htm
3/31/2011
April Fool's Day
3/26/2011
Humour
These are three examples of humour as understood in three different countries:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teMlv3ripSM (England)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY8Mx8p0YEw&feature=related (Scotland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA1sx-vyWVk (US)
Can you think of any series/film scene or even comedian that makes you laugh?
3/16/2011
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh!
http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/videos
Here are two Irish songs (the second one sung by an American singer-songwriter):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfngKaaDVro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7-PM_4aeE4
Can you think of anything Irish worth sharing with others? I personally like Jonathan Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels' and Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'.
3/11/2011
Interconnections
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DEtA5fhk4k
Find the lyrics here: http://www.brucespringsteen.net/songs/TheGhostOfTomJoad.html
Can you think of two or more things that complement each other in some way? It could be a song and a book, a book and a film, a song and a film, or anything you can think of!!
3/06/2011
We are lucky to be living in a relatively civilized world, but there is still a long road ahead for women in other countries: http://www.un.org/en/events/women/iwd/2011/
3/02/2011
Tricky Words
http://www.developingteachers.com/tips/false_friends.htm
2/22/2011
Sayings/Proverbs
Feel free to comment on any you like in particular.
2/16/2011
ACCENTS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX_8knnjbbo (Glasgow, Scotland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO1kmfLmGRA (South Carolina, USA)
2/11/2011
There's nothing you can do that can't be done...
2/07/2011
When in Rome, do as the Romans do
http://blogs.surinenglish.com/spanish-language/2010/05/24/when-in-rome-haz-lo-que-vieres/#comments
Interesting ideas on mingling:
http://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/offcampus/preparing/cultures.php
When in Rome, do as the Romans do?
2/01/2011
Black History Month
http://www.black-history-month.co.uk/sitea/BHM_FAQ.html
http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/about.html (in the US)
http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/audio.html (videos)
Throughout time, there have been many African, African American and Caribbean people who have played an important role in creating and developing music, literature and cinema, among other forms of art.
Who comes to your mind when we talk about Black History Month?
Here’s one of my many choices:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNPK6cYxrA4
1/27/2011
Censorship
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/jan/26/kings-speech-swearing-weinstein-oscars
What are your views on censorship in films? To what extent should films be cut or changed to meet the public likes? Should freedom of speech be respected at all times?
Here are some details about a few censored films:
http://www2.lib.virginia.edu/exhibits/censored/film.html
1/19/2011
Action! Cut!
Which film/s have you watched again and again? Which film made a great impact on you?
A couple of recommendations in case you're in the mood for a good film today:
Any of Buster Keaton's movies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzZYZj0i3Og&feature=related
Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prcs7b7Qfp0
For some free streaming movies you can go to: http://www.jaman.com/movies/free-movies/
1/13/2011
1/09/2011
Time Banks
What do you think of time banks? Would you take part in one of them? If so, what would you offer to do in your community?