This week we tried practicing a notoriously difficult grammar point: the dreaded third conditional.  As we start shifting back toward our normal lives, it is common to use the third conditional as we reflect upon the last few months: If I had known the coronavirus was going to hit.... I would have...

Listening:
Learners can try a listening comprehension activity about the third conditional called Regrets or another one from British Council. 

For original version, choose one of the videos from the TED Talk Playlist: Talks to Watch When You Want to Let Go of Regret.

Reading:
Learners can try a story that uses the third conditional called Marge's Day From Hell!

For original version, can read an article about Noam Chomsky's viewpoint: Coronavirus Could Have Been Prevented or a recent article from the BBC: Earlier Lockdown Could Have Saved 36,000 Lives.

​Writing:
For writing, please write a composition starting with the sentence, "If I had known."  From there, it's up to you!

Best,
Kelly

 This week we talked about the song contest EUROVISION in all its glory: the camp, the costumes, the divas!  Sadly (for me, at least), Eurovision 2020 has been called off, but we celebrated our own version of the song contest in class this year.

Listening:
Learners can listen to an activity from ELLLO about Eurovision  and hear some differing opinions about the international song contest.

For original version, I recommend listening to Switched on Pop's episode about Eurovision 2020 which was an inspiration for this week's class.

Reading:
Learners can read about the history the contest and its wide reaching appeal.

For original version, check out a longread article about the meaning of Eurovision from the New Yorker. Or try another article, At Last, Scientific Proof That Eurovision Makes You Happier.

Writing:
For writing, write an essay defending your love or hate for this song contest.  Would you make changes to this event or do you like it just the way it is? Do you have a favorite act?

Best,
Kelly

 This week's topic is in honor of our new ability to socialize face to face! We talked about socializing, popularity, friends, and things that we can do TOGETHER (finally!). Happy socializing, everybody! And don't forget to do it safely!!!

Listening:
Learners can try one of several exercises about social life: Antisocial Networking, Is Social Media a Distraction from 6 Minute English,  

For original version, try an interesting article from Hidden Brain called A Social Prescription: Why Human Connection is Crucial to Our Health.

Reading:
Learners can check out an article from the British Council: The Importance of Friendship in Films, New Friends and New Experiences, or Making Friends in a Foreign Country.

For original version, check out an article from Longreads: When Friendship Fades But the Images Linger, The Art of Losing Friends and Alienating People, or Old Dudes on Skateboards.

Writing:
For writing, write an ode to a friend.  Please write a text describing your friend, how you met, what types of things you have bonded over.  Be as detailed and descriptive as you can!

Best,
Kelly

This week, in honor of our new found freedom to get out once a day and do some exercise, we talked about exercise and fitness, along with all the trends, equipment, and classes that go with it!

Listening:
Learners can try an intermediate listening activity about an exercise program, or a listening activity about sports programs. For something a little harder, try join a gym.

For original version, you could try some workout videos in English to kill two birds with one stone: Popsugar Fitness, Blogilates.

Reading:
Learners can try an article about the current wave of fitness trackers.

For original version read A Comprehensive Guide to Your Extremely Evil Fitness Mirror or the curious sport of lumberjacking (my fitness routines for the last months in Trevijano)

Writing:
For writing this week, please write an article about how our relationship with fitness and exercises has changed before, during, and now in Phase 0 of COVID 19.  Have people put on the pounds or have they discovered the joys of youtube workout videos?

Best,
Kelly

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