Before we get started, don't forget to sign up for summer activities that start in July!

This week we talked about the newest holiday in the United States, Juneteenth.  This led to to a conversation about the history of slavery in the Americas.

Listening:
Learners can try a listening activity explainer about the history of Juneteenth.

For original version listening, check out the highly recommded podcast from the New York Times, 1619.

Reading:
Learners can try an activity from Breaking News English about commemorating the end of the slave trade.

For original version, read the NPR Article called Juneteenth is a sacred holiday.

​Writing:
Pease write a report about slavery in the United States.  What were its origins? Did anything surprise you about what we learned in class?
Best,
Kelly

Heat wave week!  Hope you guys are staying cool. Don't forget to sign up for summer activities that start in July!

This week we had a series of mini conversation to practice the structure, "The more, the merrier."  For instance, the hotter it gets, the less my students want to study English!

Listening:
Learners can try a listening activity about 5 Steps to Improve Your English Listening.  I bet you can guess that the more you practice, the faster you improve!

For original version listening, check out a great show from TTBOOK called: Mysteries of Migration.  The more I learn about nature, the more fascinated I become.

Reading:
Learners can try an activity from Breaking News English about work life balance. The more you work, the harder it is to find time for yourself.

For original version, read the New Yorker Article How Did Guns Get So Powerful?  The deadlier the guns, the more tragic the shootings.

Writing:
This week for writing, please write 10 sentences using this comparative structure.  Remember to use a variety of adjectives (not just better).
Best,
Kelly

This week we talked about artisans, crafts and handiwork. 

Listening:
Learners can try a listening activity about different craft workers giving advice to people who want to launch their artisan business.

For original version listening, check out some of these videos from various Youtube series about craftsmanship: Artisans of Australia series or Analog Artisans.

Reading:
Learners can try an activity from Breaking News English about how robots could be taking over what was traditionally make by hand: furniture making.

For original version, read about different artisans around the world and what they are renowned for in different countries.

​Writing:
This week for writing, please write a report about one craft. It could be anything from basketry to weaving, woodworking or anything in between!  What are the materials needed? What does the basic process consist of?
Best,
Kelly

This week we talked about manners, rudeness and profanity.  It was a great chance to talk about etiquette in other languages and to practice swearing in English!
 
Listening:
Learners can try a listening activity from Breaking News English about Swearing.

For original version listening, check out some listening options from the Guardian about Why swearing is more complicated than you think.

Reading:
Learners can try an activity about if it is rude to use a full stop in text messages.

For original version, check out an article about which countries are considered the rudest in the world for travelers.

​Writing:
This week for writing, it's a great time to write a letter of complaint.  Think about a recent situation where you have been frustrated, disappointed or dissatisfied with an interaction.  First write a formal letter of complaint.  Then, write a text message to a friend using colloquial language to describe your feeling.
 
Best,
Kelly

This week we used some newspapers to base our conversation, checking out different sections like the front page, the editorials, the classifieds, and the features.
 
Listening:
Learners can try one of many news stories from the valuable resource Breaking News English available for listening (at a variety of speeds and levels).  For instance, try Google Translate adds 24 new languages  or Gardeners urged not to cut the grass.

For original version listening, check out some listening options from online newspapers such as The Guardian  or the New York Times.

Reading:
Learners can try an activity a reading and grammar activity in the style of the FCE: B2 phrasal verbs reading comprehension.

For original version, check out the text version of online newspapers such as El Pais English Edition or The Guardian.

Writing:
This week for writing, you have two options:

1. Write headlines in English for some current events.  Remember to use the more concise style frequently used (check some examples at AP)
2. Write a newspaper article about the topic of your choice.  It could be something well known or a news story from your personal life.

Best,
Kelly

This week's topic was the world of work!  We discussed how the nature of work has changed in the pandemic, what are our daily challenges, and also looked at some vocabulary related to job searches.

Listening:
Learners can try an activity from 6 Minute English BBC Learning English - Working for yourself , Internships: would you work for free?,or Flexible working .

For original version listening, try one of the many podcasts episodes from Vox: Today Explained about the future of work: The Gig is Up, or I Quit!

Reading:
Learners can try an activity about Work–life balance. For something a little harder, try a C1 reading comprehension activity about if you are happy where you work.

For original version, try one o the many fantastic articles form the Future of Work Series:What does it mean to take America’s “jobs of last resort”? ,Gen Z does not dream of labor, What it would take to make us love our jobs again .

Writing: 
This week for writing, please write a job description for your job.  Include the following sections:

• Job Title
• Qualifications
• Job Description
• Tasks and Responsibilities
• Schedule
• Perks and Benefits.

Best,
Kelly

Last week was Book Day in Spain, which is a great excuse to talk about one of my favorite topics, books, reading, authors, novels, etc. etc. etc.!

Listening:
Learners can try an activity from 6 Minute English The soothing power of books - BBC.  Or watch a video about Tips for Reading in a Foreign Language.

For original version listening, try an episode from To The Best of Our Knowledge called Traveling by Book.

Reading: 
Learners can try an activity about Discovering Britain Through Literature or Reading Children's Books.

For original version, read the fantastic article by Sherman Alexie called Superman and Me about the power of reading.

​Writing:
This week for writing, please write a review of a book that you have recently read.  

Describe the plot, characters, style.  Who would you recommend it to?
Best,
Kelly

April Week Three:

This week as we approach a new stage of the pandemic, we discussed social life!  Hanging out with friends, making friends, catching up... Finally, we are back at it!

Listening:
Learners can try an activity from British Council about Meeting an old friend or Leisure Activities  from Randalls.

For original version listening, try an episode of This American Life, such as To Make A Friend, Be A Friend  or Why Can't We Be Friends?

Reading:
Learners can try a reading comprehension activity from Breaking New English that friends help you live longer or The importance of friendship in films.

For original version, read an article called What Did COVID Do to Friendship? | The New Yorker.

​Writing:
This week for writing, respond to one of the following prompts:

How has the quality or nature of your friendships changed as an adult? What do you love most about your adult friendships and what do you miss most about your childhood and teen friendships?

Do you have rules or beliefs about friendships and what one should or shouldn’t do in order to be a good friend? What are these “shoulds” and where did they come from?
Best,
Kelly

This week we used our imagination responding to lots of would you rather questions. 

• Would you rather go into the past and meet your ancestors or go into the future and meet your great-great-grandchildren?
  
• Would you rather lose your ability to speak or the ability to hear for your entire life?
  
• Would you rather experience the world beginning or ending?
  
• Would you rather have more money or more time?
  
• Would you rather only be able to whisper or only be able to shout?
  

Listening:
Learners can try an activity on Youtube called Would You Rather? in London or Advanced English Conversation: WOULD YOU RATHER...?

For original version listening, we can turn to The most difficult celebrity 'would you rather' questions .
Would you rather travel to the future or to the past? 

Reading:
Learners can try a reading comprehension activity about time travel.

For original version, read an article about whether it would be better to travel to the future or the past.

Writing:

• Would you rather be an otter or an eagle? Once you have made your choice, write a paragraph from your point of view describing some things you did today.
• What are your five favorite foods? Would you rather not be allowed to eat these five foods for a year or be allowed to eat only your five favorite foods for a year? Explain your decision.
• Would you rather wake up to find that you’re 7 years younger or 7 years older? Give three reasons for your answer.

Best,
Kelly

​This week we talked about spring cleaning, chores, and errands!  The ones we hate the most and how we organize our tasks to keep on top of it

Listening:
Learners can try an activity entitled Saturday's Chores from Randall's or BBC Learning English - 6 Minute English / Domestic chores.

For original version listening, How to Spring Clean Your Whole House | Apartment Therapy or 12 Spring Cleaning Basics You Need to Know .

Reading:
Learners can try a reading comprehension activity in the FCE style called Kitchen Hygiene or Housework not good exercise, says study.

For original version, read an article from from the fantastic resource Unfuck your Habitat or a web comic about the Gender Wars of Housework.

Writing:
This week please write a text about how and your family divvy up household chores and errands.  Do you find it equitable? What would you like to improve?
Best,
Kelly