They say "laughter is the best medicine" so this week we took to the topic of humor: sense of humor, jokes, cultural differences in humor, embarrassing stories.

Listening:
Learners can check out an episode from the BBC's six minute English called What Makes Us Laugh? or listen to some jokes for English students.

For original version, watch some classic comedy: Don't Mention the War (Faulty Towers) or stream some stand up comedy.  If you have Netflix, I recommend Baby Cobra! 

Reading:
Learners can check out an article from Breaking News English entitled: Men Are Funnier than Women, Says Scientist.

For original version read satirical news site The Onion, or something by David Sedaris.

Writing:
This week, write about something funny!  You could try to write some jokes, or write an essay about a humorous, embarrassing or absurd situation you have been in.

Best,
Kelly

This week, we extended our conversation about music and focused on an American music legend and face of resilience, the high priestess of soul, Nina Simone.

Listening
Learners can try a listening exercise from VOA English about the Civil Rights Movement. 

For original version, surely the best option is to listen to some Nina Simone songs on youtube with lyrics. If you have Netflix, I recommend the documentary What Happened, Miss Simone?

Reading:
First off, learners should try a reading comprehension activity about the Black Civil Rights Movement. Or for something more advanced, King Holiday Considered Mixed Blessing for Some Historians.

For original version read the article from the New Yorker, The Many Battles of Nina Simone or about the march from Selma to Montgomery.

Writing:
This week I would like you to write an article about a person who you consider to be a face of resilience.  What have they faced in their life and how have they overcome it?

Best,
Kelly

We made it through another week under lockdown!  And if you are like me, I bet music has been a lifeline through this tough time.  This week we discussed the power of music and some of our favorite songs that give us strength.

Listening:
Learners can try a listening activity from British Council about Boy Bands.  One of the best ways to combine listening practice and music is to use the website www.lyricstraining.com


For original version, listen to a great episode of All Songs Considered that was an inspiration in my preparing of this week's class: Old Songs, New Meanings.

Reading:
First off, learners can try a reading comprehension article about one of my favorite musicians, Prince or something from Learn English Teens about different ways we consume music.

For original version reading, try an article from the BBC about Coronavirus Lockdown Chart or how to choose a Coronavirus playlist.

Writing:
This week I would like you to write an essay about why a particular songs is important to you. Describe it, give some background information, and tell about what feelings it conveys.

Best,
Kelly

 April Week Two:

Another week under lock down!  As we settle into the rhythms and routines of life at home, it has been helpful to keep up with English class, to socialize with our classmates and keep up a sense of normalcy.  As you know, I am trying to keep it light and entertaining this week, and this we we kept it superficial and talked about clothes and fashion.

We talked about our current COVID style (sweatpants and legging anyone?), trends throughout the ages, and described some outfits using the website The Sartorialist.

Next week we are going to be doing a class on music -- please send your suggestions of uplifting anthems to get us through these times!!!!

Listening:
Learners can try a listening activity about working on a fashion shoot, or for something a little more challenging, about Camden Fashion. 

For original version, choose one of the following NINE cult fashion documentaries you can watch on Youtube.

Reading:
First off, learners can try any of several articles from British Council about fashion and style.

For original version reading, try any of the many articles available from Google Arts and Culture called We Wear Culture.

​Writing:
This week practice writing an article about keeping up with trends.  Feel free to use some of the notes.
Many people like to follow different styles in fashions. Is it a good or bad thing to keep up with these trends?
Notes
1. slaves to fashion
2. too expensive and not practical
3. pressure from department stores

Best,
Kelly

Greetings to all of you from my confinement to yours!  We made it through another week and now we are into April.  

In our pledge to use our online classtime to discuss things unrelated to COVID-19, we turned to to the world of Art, primarily using the Google Arts and Culture website which provides for endless exploration and inspiration.

Listening:
Learners can try an activity from British Council Work on the Street about buying art or about Museums and Galleries in the UK.

For original version, try listening to some podcasts about the world of art, such as A Piece of Work or ArtCurious.

Reading:
First off, learners can try reading an article about The history of graffiti or an article about art galleries from Breaking News English.

For original version reading, try an article from the Guardian: The 10 Greatest Works of Art Ever, or How Street Artists are Responding to Coronavirus.

Writing:
This week you you can choose a piece from Google Arts and Culture to describe. Please use strong adjectives.  Why do you think the piece is important?

Or, write an article responding to the following prompt:We should concentrate on science and maths more than arts in schools. Do you agree?
Notes
Speak about:

1. the economy
2. personal development
3. (your own idea)

Best,
Kelly

​Hey everybody!  It was great to see you guys online this week, for a lot of us we can use our classes as a little piece of normalcy and an excuse to talk about something other than COVID 19 for an hour a week!  What a relief!

This week we played games together and talked about the value of play and games in our lives, both as children and as adults.

Listening:
Learners can try an activity from BBC 6 minute English about if gaming can be considered a sport.  For something a little harder (C1 level), try a listening exercise about boardgames.

For original version, try watching a TED Talk about Play or about gaming.

Reading:
First off, learners can do a reading comprehension articles about how video games are good for you.

For original version reading, try an article from the New Yorker called The Unexpected Philosophical Depths of the Clicker Game Universal Paperclips or a humorous text called Naturally Occurring Escape Rooms.

Writing:
This week you have a couple options for writing.  You could write an essay detailing the importance of play.  Or write the rule for a game you love or used to love as a child!
Best,
Kelly

Hi guys!  Thanks for logging into class online, it is great to still see your faces, keep in touch, laugh, and practice English throughout the insanity!

For those of you who have decided to put your English work aside in a moment of crisis, I totally understand.  I am keeping you updated on homework in case you want to take advantage of some free time to do some work!

This week we checked in on one another, talked about our best strategies to cheer us up (things to do, taste, smell, hear) and talked about things that we find beautiful.  We are going for feel food time away from the breaking news cycle.

Listening:
Learners can try an activity from BBC 6 minute English about Food and Mood.

For original version, try watching something that will make you laugh.  I love this episode of This American Life: Fiasco.

Reading:
First off, learners can read a short article that puts into practice some good expressions about cheering somebody up.

For original version reading, try an interesting article about how strangers can cheer you up.

Writing:
This week for writing I would like you to write down your plan for how to keep your mood up in the upcoming weeks of adversity.  What are the things that make you feel good and why?  When can you do them? What do you need?
Best,
Kelly

March Week Two:

This week I confessed my guilty pleasure of watching Netflix latest reality TV series, Love is blind. we use that as a jumping-off point to discuss reality TV in general, and all the crazy situations that play out on our screens.

Listening:
Learners can try an activity from BBC about reality TV called rants and raves.

For original version, you could start by exploring reality TV options on Netflix or other streaming platforms that you may be a member of. Or try an episode from the podcast This American Life called I'm on TV?

Reading:
First off, learners can an article from British council about some unusual British reality TV show concepts.

For original version reading, try an interesting article about 10 secrets of filming reality television.

Writing:
This week for writing I would like you to write an essay about what reality TV says about our culture today.
Best,
Kelly

This week we practice a couple of confusing grammar points including used to, usually, get used to, and be used to.

Now it's time to get down to doing your homework, but don't forget that if you are interested in participating in intensive pronunciation workshop March 21st and 22nd, registration is open!

Listening:
Learners can try an activity from BBC learning English about you using the grammar point used to talk about the past.  or, try another listening activity entitled you have changed.

For original version, I recommend listening to some podcast about gentrification. Here's an interesting one from NPR called there goes the neighborhood, or an episode from science versus.

Reading:
First off, learners can check out an explanation about using used to correctly from the BBC.

For original version reading, try an interesting article from the guardian called look back and enjoy the power of nostalgia.

Writing:
This week, choose one of the cartoons in this collection from bored panda about how life is changed. Now write an article explaining how things used to be compared to nowadays.
Best,
Kelly

This week we discussed swearing in English and appropriate alternatives to use.

Listening
​
Learners should try How Not to Swear, Curse, Cuss or Use Profanity English.or try 

• Learn English Swear Words With Natalie Portman
• Learn English Swearwords With Justin Timberlake (Dick in a Box)

For original version, check out some of the videos embedded in this site called 16 times Britain was the best country in the world at swearing. Or watch the classic George Carlin stand up Seven Dirty Words.

Reading
First off, learners should check out the activity from Breaking News English about swearing.

For original version reading, try How to Swear Around the World, or about the 7 Dirty Words.

​Writing
This week, you have two writing options.  You could try your hand at using some swears in English, writing sentences in the form of a dialogue to check to see if you have used them appropriately.

or you could write an article about profanity in our culture. Do people swear too much?
Best,
Kelly
​