A Numbers Game

This week we talked about numbers and practiced saying them in all forms: big, small, ordinal, cardinal, percentages, ratios, etc.

Listening
All learners (even advanced!) could benefit from taking a look at English Number, where you can find lots of listening exercises for all levels. Also, you could try a simple exercise from esl-lab or this Erin Brocovich Exercise.  For original version listening try the fascinating RadioLab program, Numbers.

Reading
Now, reading!  Learners should check out Words and Their Numbers: Number One (also available with listening) and Numbers Phrases to check out some expressions. For original version reading I highly recommend checking out infographics at Good Infographics, and Information is Beautiful.  For example: A Perspective of Time, The Decline of Detroit, or Workplace Wellness.

Writing
For writing this week please select an infographic from any of the sources stated above and describe what it teaches you and your reaction to it.  Are you surprised by any of the statistics? Does it make you feel differently about the topic?

Best,
Kelly

The Sharing Economy

This week we talked about how our habits and possibilities are changing with a new sharing economy.  Many of you have used websites like Couchsurfing, Airbnb, or Bla Bla Car and we have shared our experiences and opinions. Check out this slideshow to familiarize yourself with some of the options out there!

Listening
Learners can try the story from Six Minute English about Couchsurfing or the ELLLO Listening about this popular website. For original version listening watch the video the numbers behind the sharing economy or an NPR podcast about it.

Reading
Now, moving on to some reading!  Learners can try reading comprehension activity about home exchanges. For original version reading try the New Yorker Article Couchsurfing the world.

Writing
For writing this week please tell me about if you would ever use any of these websites or networks to share or solicit services and goods.  Why or why not? Which ones do you think are the most useful and why?

Best,
Kelly

April Fool's Day

In honor of April Fool's Day (April 1st), we talked about famous hoaxes and pranks in history this week.

Listening
Learners  can try a story about April Fool's Day (mp3 and transcript). or the BBC story at 6 Minute English. For original version listening I highly recommend the RadioLab Story about Orson Welles' War of the Worlds.  Or check out any of the videos at The Onion.



Reading
Don't forget to make time to practice some reading. Learners can try an activity about the History of April Fool's Day. For original version reading check out the Museum of Hoaxes or Can You Spot the April Fool's Gag?

Writing
Have you ever played a joke on someone? Have you ever created a hoax? If so, describe what happened and if not, invent your own hoax!

Best,
Kelly