Hi folks!

Well, that's a wrap! This week was our last week of class, so summer vacation has officially begun!  I wanted to thank you for making fun and enjoyable.  I hope you'll choose to continue your work with English next year!

Go off and enjoy the break, I'll see you again in September!

Best,
Kelly

This week we talked about 101 ways to improve your city!  Did you get some good ideas?

Don't forget to fill out the online evaluation form and pre-registration if you'd like to reserve a spot for next year.

Listening:
For learners, try a listening exercise about the city of Manchester or about different types of cities.

For original version, check out any of the TED Talks about Cities, or episodes from the podcast 99 Percent Invisible.

Reading:
Learners can try killing two birds with one stone.  Read about cities in English speaking countries and learn about life in that city at the same time! Or try an activity form the British Council: my city

For something in original version, I recommend a more in-depth read of the article that inspired this week's class: 101 small ways you can improve your city.

Writing:
This week try writing a proposal about some of the important changes you would recommend enacting in Logroño to make it an even better place to live!
Best,
Kelly

Today we talked about emotions: anger, sadness, despair, frustration, the whole range of feelings that one can feel in a day.

Don't forget to fill out the online evaluation form and pre-registration if you'd like to reserve a spot for next year. Now to this week's homework!

Listening:
For learners, try a listening activity for emotions, or an interesting listening activity about emotional intelligence.

For original version, I can't recommend enough the 2 part podcast series that inspired this week's class: Invisiblia Emotions episode.

Reading:
Learners can read about different expressions used when talking about emotions, or a helpful explanation of some of the idioms we use in that situation.

For something in original version, you chould check out an interesting article about emotions by Lydia Davis.

Writing
Choose one of the emotions that we talked about in class from the emotion wheel we used.  Describe a situation in which you felt that emotion strongly, try to use evocative adjectives!
Best,
Kelly

Considering the recent current events about the Paris Climate Accord, I thought it might be an interesting time to discuss the environment and climate change.

But before we get to that, don't forget to fill out the online evaluation form and pre-registration if you'd like to reserve a spot for next year. Now to this week's homework!

Listening:
For learners, try a listening and quiz from National Geographic about global warming. Or listen to a news story about Trump withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord.

For original version, try Climate Change 101 with Bill Nye or any of these TED Talks about the topic.

Reading:
Learners can try a reading comprehension activity about global warming or another about climate change.

For something in original version, try some of the coverage over at the NY Times about Climate Change.

Writing:
So now it's time to do some writing.  Please write an essay about the effects of television and other media on climate change awareness.
Best,
Kelly

This week we extended last week's map class by using Google Earth and Google Earth Explore to explore some amazing places around the world.  For some more ispiration check out these 50 Amazing Finds on Google Earth.

Listening:
For learners, try an activity about world heritage sites like some of the ones we explored in class.  Or try a different exercise like New York Travel.

For original version, try the TED Talk about how Tiny Satellites show our changing planet.

Reading:
Learners should try an article about the UNESCO heritage site Angkor Wat or a reading activity about Adventure Travel.

For something in original version, read the article from Vanity Fair At Home at the End of Google Earth.

Writing:
How about some creative writing this week?  Choose one of the places we explored and class and write a short story that takes place there.
Best,
Kelly

May Week Four:
This week's work was focused on maps and giving directions.

Listening:
For learners, first check out some simple travel and sightseeing directions listening activities: 1 and 2. Or an activity from the British Council about giving directions. Or you may want to learn about how to protect your privacy on Google Maps.

For original version, check out the Backstory podcast about the History of Mapping or any of the fascinating TED Talks about Maps.

Reading:
Learners should try a map reading exercise or a reading activity about the controversy about the Persian Gulf on Google Maps.

For something in original version, read about the new maps used in Massachusetts Schools, or try the map puzzles over at Start Your Week with a Map!

Writing:
This week, please write a short story about a map of your world!  In my personal case, my map would include Logroño, Trevijano, New Hampshire and Oregon, and I could include a description of the physical and geographical aspects of those places.  What about your personal map?
Best,
Kelly

May Week Three:
This week we extended last week's law conversation to debate and expressing opinions.  Don't forget to review some useful phrases for giving your opinion.

Listening:
For learners, first check out something simple from Listen-A-Minute.
For original version, check out some interesting TED Talks about Law or the podcast More Perfect.

Reading:
Learners should try a legal reading comprehension task, an article about an interesting law in UAE, or about obsolete laws in India.

For something in original version, try 16 Hilarious Consumer Complaints, or How to Complain to Get What You Want (Without Being a Huge Asshole)
This week for writing, please respond to one of the following topics:

• Describe what happens in a court case.
• Explain about the different crimes that people commit.
• Describe how can mistakes in court cases be made and what happens when they are discovered.

Best,
Kelly

May Week Two:
Our topic this week was the law.  We took a look at several bizarre laws from around the world and also talked about our opinions of laws, lawyers and the criminal justice system.

Listening
For learners, check out a law and lawyer listening comprehension activity, a b2 Listening exercise about stupid laws, or lastly a more difficult exercise about Lawsuit Settlements.

For original version, check out some interesting TED Talks about Law or the podcast More Perfect.

Reading:
Learners should try a legal reading comprehension task, an article about an interesting law in UAE, or about obsolete laws in India.

For something in original version, try 16 Hilarious Consumer Complaints, or How to Complain to Get What You Want (Without Being a Huge Asshole)

Writing:
This week for writing, please respond to one of the following topics:

• Describe what happens in a court case.
• Explain about the different crimes that people commit.
• Describe how can mistakes in court cases be made and what happens when they are discovered.

Best,
Kelly