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10/24/2015 0 Comments

October Week Four

This week we talked about stuff! Our prized posessions, the things we buy and why we buy them. That led our conversation to consumerism and the impact it has on our lives and society.

LISTENING
This week, learners should try a podcast about consumerism or Big Ideas: Consumerism.

For original version check out the Story of Stuff
or the TED Talk Less Stuff, More Happiness.

READING
Learners should try some adapted texts about how men suffer from cumpulsive shopping, too or the article consumer society from the British Council.

For original version, try an article about a new technique that is sweeping the globe, the Joy of Tidying Up: WSJ
WRITING
This week for writing, try this essay topic:

Many people say that we now live in 'consumer societies' where money and possessions are given too much importance. Others believe that consumer culture has played a vital role in improving our lives.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Best,
Kelly

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10/15/2015 0 Comments

October Week Three

By now you must be settling into your routine of studying English, right? Well this week we talked about some of the great National Parks of the United States: from Acadia to Olympia and everywhere in between

LISTENING
This week, 
learners should try hiking Arches National Park or Yellowstone, World's First National Park.

Or for something a bit harder, try something in original version: Any of the National Geographic Video profiles of parks such as Denali, or Utah's National Parks. Or, try the TTBOOK episode National Parks.
READING
Learners should try an article from VOA English, National Parks called America's Best Idea, or Everglades National Park.

For original version, try the article A Death in Yellowstone.

WRITING

​This week, start by exploring Fodor's National Park Directory. Choose a national park and write about a trip you would like to go there. What would you do? How you prepare? What would you need? Please be as specific and as descriptive as possible!

Best,
Kelly
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10/11/2015 0 Comments

October Week Two

So hopefully you've started off October with a bang and are motivated to keep up your studying in English. This week's topic -- cities! We talked about cities all around the world, what makes them unique. Finally, we debated some proposals that would change Logroño.

LISTENING

This week, learners should try The City of Belfast Listening Exercise, New York City Museum, or for something more difficult, Taxi Ride (with quiz).

For a bigger challenge, check out some great original version pieces: Cities and It's Alive (Radiolab), Why Cities Rock from Freakonomics Radio, or any of the many pieces that are part of NPR's Cities Project.

​READING
Learners should try some adapted texts about visiting the Statue of Liberty, about how City Living Makes it Hard to Concentrate, or learn vocabulary through Cities Around the World.

For original version, try some articles from the Guardian: The Popsicle Test: What Makes a City Good for Children or History, vegetation, happiness... Your Thoughts on What Makes a City Attractive.

WRITING
Now on to writing! Don't forget to give me your writing either by email or on paper.

This week, you have a few different options. You can choose to challenge yourself and your vocabulary by describing a city. Be specific! Use strong adjectives!

Or, what about brainstorming about the city of the future? What will Logroño be like in 50, 100 years? Get creative.

Best,
Kelly
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10/4/2015 0 Comments

October Week One

Welcome to another great year of English at Meetinghouse. As usual, the first week of class is to make a plan of how to study English in the upcoming schoolyear. Please take a look at some of the resources below, find a couple that you find interesting or worthwhile and bookmark them to return to them throughout the year.
​
LISTENING

Here are lots of links to places to practice listening both adapted for learners and original version. Find at least one you like and get into the habit of listening to things in English regularly. Remember to incorporate both active and passive listening.


Online listening activities adapted for learners:
  • Randall's Listening Lab
  • English Listening
  • BBC English
  • English Central
  • British Council Listen and Watch
  • Elllo
  • English Speak Lessons
  • Voice of America Special English
  • Vaughan Radio (also available on TDT Radio)
  • Connect with English (video series)
  • Listen and Write (dictation)
  • Teacher Joe Dictations
  • Learn By Doing Listening
Podcasts for learners:
  • ESLPod
  • The Bob and Rob Show
  • Let's Master English
Learning with music:
  • Lyrics Training
  • Tune into English Karaoke
  • Lyricsgaps
Learning with movies:
  • Learn English Through Movies
  • Ororo
Original Version Resources:
  • BBC
  • NPR
  • TED Talks (also available as TED Radio Hour)
  • Frontline Documentaries
  • StoryCorps
  • This American Life
  • Radiolab
  • Invisibilia
  • Favorite Poems Project
  • University courses and lectures at Coursera

READING

Adapted reading for learners:
  • Study Zone (first select level, then reading)
  • Time for Kids
  • Breaking News English
  • VOA
  • Academic Reading and Writing Resources
Original version reading:
  • New York Times
  • Vox (Explains the News)
  • The Guardian
  • Magatopia
  • The Feature (essays)

Original version blogs and websites: Blogs are a fantastic way to explore your interests and study English at the same time.  There are blogs about everything: culture, TV and film, music, cooking, science, the possibilities are endless!  If you need help finding websites about your interest, please let me know!

WRITING

There are lots of ways to keep writing on a regular basis. Start a blog or diary about your daily life. Or follow my weekly writing prompts.


This week for writing I recommend writing a text about your English goals and how you plan to incorporate English in your life this year. Be specific! What problems do you think you may come up against?

As always, send me your writing and I will correct it. Write on paper or on the computer, whichever is more comfortable for you.

GRAMMAR

There are tons of sites out there to help you review and challange your grammar. Try some of the ones below.
  • Grammar Quizzes
  • Self-study Grammar Quizzes
  • Use of English Grammar Test
  • EnglishGrammar
  • Learn By Doing (Grammar)
  • TalkEnglish
  • Survival English Exercise and Games
  • Intermediate English Exercise and Games
  • Upper Intermediate & Advanced English Exercise and Games

VOCABULARY

I suggest you study vocabulary with the Quizlet sets that I have prepared, so take a look and consider downloading the app onto your phone or tablet, so if you are interested, please register online.  Other resources are:
  • 20 Minute ESL Vocabulary Lessons
  • Words in the News
  • Self-Study Vocabulary Quizzes
  • English Vocabulary Level Test

PRONUNCIATION

The best for pronunciation is to listen and repeat a little bit every day. Here are some further resources to help:
  • BBC Pronunciation
  • Listen and Repeat: Daily Pronunciation Practice
  • Minimal Pairs Practice
  • Learn By Doing (Pronunciation)
  • Ship or Sheep
  • Perfect Pronunciation
  • Pronunciation Course
  • English Central Pronunciation
  • Speaking English Activities

Last but not least there are several apps that can be helpful and are convenient to use with your tablet or smartphone. Check out Learn English Apps (British Council) and Cambridge English Apps.

Well that should be plenty to keep you busy for at least this school year! Get to work and be in touch about your progress.

Best,
Kelly


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