This week we turned to the recent achiements of the James Webb spaceship to talk about the topic of space and space exploration.

Listening:
Learners can try an exercise from Breaking News English about Space Exploration or What is Space Junk?

For original version listening listen to these podcasts about the James Webb Telescope: The James Webb Telescope, and The James Webb Time Machine.

Reading:
Learners can try an article from VOA English called Major Space Missions planned for 2022.

For original version, check out some articles from Vox's Unexplainable Series:The largest space telescope in history is about to blow our minds orThe quest to avert an asteroid apocalypse is going surprisingly well.
 
Writing:
Consider one of the following creative writing prompts:
 

• You just discovered a new planet. Imagine you are an astronaut, and you just crash-landed on a secret planet in the solar system. Describe this planet in great detail. Think about the climate, atmosphere, appearance, the sky and so on.
• Write a series of journal entries about travelling to Mars. You and your family have been selected to live on Mars for a few months, as a trial run for the government. Write a series of journal entries as you travel to Mars in a rocket. Think about the food you’re eating. How do you keep yourself entertained in the spaceship? And even how you go to the bathroom, or have a shower in a rocket. 

Best,
Kelly

This week we turned to the annual New York Times Travel compilation, 52 places to Visit in 2022.  Check out the full list here.

Listening:
Learners can try an exercise from Breaking News English about Ecotourism - Breaking News English

For original version listening try an episode from the podcast How Not to Travel about how to travel while being respectful of local cultures.

Reading:
Learners can try a text from the British Council about Voluntourism or Czeching out Prague!

For original version, read some of entries on the full list.  For a virtual experience, check out the list for the virtual traveler, read the descriptions and do some exploring!

Writing:
This week for writing, please write an article about one of your destinations for 2022 (you can dream big!).  Please use descriptive adjectives to describe the place.  Why do you think it could be a fantastic place to visit in the year ahead?

Best,
Kelly

Once again, we turned to David Bryne's fantastic website Reasons to be Cheerful.  Namely, we delved a list of 192 ways our world changed in a positive way in 2021 (despite it all!).  Check out the full list here.

Listening:
Learners can try their hand at an episode from 6 minute English from the BBC: The Human Library, or Changing the Earth's Climate.

For original version listening try an episode from the podcast To the Best of Our Knowledge, such as The Power of Pleasure and Joy, or In Search of 'Real' Food.

Reading:
Learners can try one of several articles from Words and their Stories from VOA English or an article from Breaking News English about how 2021 was better than 2022.

For original version,  check out the list of the year in cheer and click on one of the articles to learn more about a project that brought about positive change.

Writing:
This week for writing, please write an article about one of the changes you have discovered on the list of positive changes found here.  Why is this change important?

Best,
Kelly

This week we are back to a routine after a relaxing and somewhat unusual holiday!  Don't forget that the new year is a great opportunity to reconnect with your goals for your English.

Listening:
Learners can try a listening comprehension activity (b2 level) about how to market a business.  Or here is another one about advertising for different products.

For original version listening, check out any of the commercials highlighted in last year's Super Bowl.

Reading:
Learners can try a reading comprehension activity from the British Council: Shopping Signs and Adverts (easy) Battle of the Christmas Adverts (intermediate).

For original version, read an article called  Retail Therapy: How Viennese psychologist Ernest Dichter transformed advertising.

Writing:
This week for writing, please write an essay responding to the following prompt: 
 
Some of the methods used in advertising are unethical and unacceptable in today’s society.
To what extent do you agree with this view?

Best,
Kelly

Happy Holidays, everybody!  This was our last week before the break. I hope you enjoy the weeks off to rest, recoup and reconnect with family and friends.  

Classes start again on Monday January 10th. 

Thanks for a great 2021 and may 2022 be even better! Best,
Kelly

This week, we delved into music, playing Name That Tune and discussing the songs that have influenced us in our lives.

Listening:
Learners can try a listening exercise from British Council about Live music. To try your hand at listening comprehension with music lyrics, I highly recommend LyricsTraining.

For original version listening, there are several podcasts related to music that I recommend: All Songs Considered, Lost Notes, Song Exploder.

Reading:
Learners can try an activity from Breaking News English about Dance Music or Business News Lessons: Music streaming’s diversity problem. 

For original version, try one of the following longform articles: Meet the Shaggs, Billie Eilish and the Triumph of the Weird, The Strange and Mysterious Death of Mrs. Jerry Lee Lewis.

Writing:
This week for writing, please write an ode to your favorite song, artist, or band.  Please be very descriptive about what sets them apart from the rest!

Best,
Kelly

This week (in honor of my obsessive week of cooking and eating thanks to Thanksgiving) we talked food and cooking, specifically basing our conversation on the fantastic book SALT FAT ACID HEAT.

Listening:
Learners can try a listening exercise from British Council about ordering out or eating out.

For original version listening, try an episode from Anthony Bourdain's fantastic TV show No Reservations (for example, Madrid, New York).

Reading:
Learners can try a text about Food and Restaurants. For something a little more difficult, try Restaurant of the Year.

For original version, read an article about culinary trends in La Rioja or an article about food and travel in La Rioja.

Writing:
Your class wants to go to a foreign restaurant to mark the end of the academic year. Your English teacher has asked you to write a review of a foreign restaurant near your school. Include information about the food and the atmosphere, and explain how suitable it would be for your class.
Write your review.
 

Best,
Kelly

Don't forget that  at the end of this month we are going to have our first extra activity! Friday November 26th at 18:30 those of you how are interested in practicing your English outside the classroom can join us for an Art Walk in Logroño. We are going to visit an exhibit entitled Lo que mira by Francisco Gestal at La Lonja Galería on Beratúa 39/41. Please email if you would like to come!

This week we discussed charities, NGOs, charitable foundations and different ways we can give back to the community.

Listening:
Learners should try an activity from Breaking News English,  Charity - Breaking News English which is available in a variety of levels and speeds. 

For original version listening, try a TED talk such as The way we think about charity is dead wrong or  YOU ARE THE FUTURE OF PHILANTHROPY .

Reading:
Learners can try a reading activity about Waste not want not: Food projects in the UK, 
Five reasons why you should check out charity shops, or about  Voluntourism – a new trend of volunteer tourism..

For original version, read an article called The Billionaire Philanthropist, or Jeff Bezos: Hero or Villain?

Writing:
For writing this week, please write an essay responding to the following prompt:
 
Some people prefer to provide help and support directly to those in need. Others however prefer to give money to national and international charitable organisations.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Best,
Kelly

At the end of this month we are going to have our first extra activity! Friday November 26th at 18:30 those of you how are interested in practicing your English outside the classroom can join us for an Art Walk in Logroño. We are going to visit an exhibit entitled Lo que mira by Francisco Gestal at La Lonja Galería on Beratúa 39/41. Please email if you would like to come!

This week we continued to discuss the magic of the internet, sharing some of our favorite tools and websites.

Listening:
Learners should try an activitry from 6 minute English called  How can we make the web a better place?  or Is the internet good or bad?

For original version listening, try an episode from the fantastic podcast about the internet, Reply All, for instance #53 In The Desert or #86 Man of the People.

Reading:
Learners can try a reading comprehension activity about how to protect yourself on the web, an FCE reading about social networks in different contexts, or an infographic relating how the world spends its time online.

For original version, read a story by Patricia Lockwood called The Winged Thing, or an interview with the author about A Life Extremely Online.

Writing:
For writing this week, please write an essay describing your internet.  What type of content do you usually browse? What are the most useful tools to you? In what ways could your internet be better?

Best,
Kelly

 This week, in the wake of a month of Facebook news, from scandal to the Metaverse, we are talking about the good and the bad of the internet and social media.

Listening:
Learners can try a story from VOA English about the Facebook Papers and how they show they put profit before people.

For original version listening, check out John Oliver's great show Last Week Tonight, for instance Misinformation, Facebook.
Learners can try some other articles from VOA, Facebook to hire in Europe to build the metaverse.

For original version, check out an article from NPR, The Facebook Papers, What You Need to Know.
For writing this week, please write a for and against article about the Internet. Be descriptive and specific about what aspects of your life are improved by connectivity and what are the dark sides?

Best,
Kelly