We focused our work this week on musical icon and recent Nobel laureate Bob Dylan: his life, music, lyrics and legacy.

Listening:
Learners should listen to some information about his life (mp3 and transcript) or about some of his most famous songs (mp3 and transcript). For original version listening, listen to some of his songs with lyrics or some interesting commentary about his life: from protest to plugging in and blonde on blonde to modern times.

Reading:
Learners can read some of the many news stories that talk about Dylan's Nobel literature prize win: Singer Bob Dylan Wins Nobel Prize or Dylan finally acknowledges prize. For original version, take a look at some of the articles about Dylan at the Guardian: Bob Dylan archive or about a concert he played for a superfan.

Writing:
Now it's time to do some writing about this music icon. First, choose one of his famous songs (check out the beginners guide to Dylan for some clues) and analyze the song. What does the song sound like musically? Why do you think he wrote it? What do the lyrics mean? Finally, don't forget to give your review!

Best,
Kelly

The election is upon us!  Americans cast their ballots next week on November 8th to decide between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.  This week, we talked about the issues, the candidates, the circus that it has been!

Listening:
Learners can check out the video coverage over at VOA English Elections 2016 where most stories are available for listening.  Or try the listening activity Campaign Speech or US Elections. For original version listening, check out some election coverage podcasts: New Yorker Politics Hour, NPR Elections, or Wall Street Journal's Potomac Watch.

Reading:
Learners can try a grammar lesson about Presidential Rhetoric or a reading comprehension activity about elections. For original version, take a look at some of the election coverage over at VOX, FiveThirtyEight, or Time Magazine.

Writing:
Many US citizens do not exercise their right to vote at any level of government. They give up their right to important input on issues because they do not take the time to investigate the issues or go to the polls to cast a ballot for a candidate that may have similar values. Some think that one vote does not make a difference so why should they bother. Often elections are decided by a very small percentage of those eligible and registered to vote.
Your job is to explain the value of having and exercising the right to vote.

Best,
Kelly

Halloween is undoubtedly one of my favorite holidays!  So we spent the class telling creepy stories, talking about the Halloween festival in St. Helen's Oregon, and getting spooked!

Listening:
Learners can listen to a scary story to get them in the mood for halloween (mp3 and transcript) or the scaredy cat listening comprehension exercise. For original version listening, I cannot recommnend enough the podcast series Charles Manson's hollywood.  Or for horror stories try the No Sleep podcast.  For music try Songs that Give you the Creeps.

And of course, watch some scary movies!  My favorites are The Shining and recently I really enjoyed this year's movie The Witch.

Reading:
Learners can ready about people's beliefs about ghosts or a folktale called Bloody Mary. For original version, check out some creepy short stories.  I love the Lottery (PDF), and The Yellow Wallpaper.

Writing:
This week for writing, try to get creative! Please write a ghost story or a scary story.  Or tell about a moment in your life when you have felt really afraid.
Best,
Kelly editar.

This week we talked about some of the world's most famous long trail hikes both in the U.S. and Spain: the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and of course, the Camino de Santiago.

Listening:
Learners can listen to information about the Applachian Trail (mp3 and transcript).

For original version listening, try Only the Essential: The Pacific Crest Trail Documentary or the podcast episode from TTBOOK about a famous Appalachain Hiker.

For some movies about these trails, try watching Wild or The Way.

Reading:
Learners can read some information about the Appalachian Trail or about Backcountry Hiking.

For original version, check out some of the FAQs about the Pacific Crest Trail or the World's Best Hiking Trails from National Geographic.

Writing:
This week, please write an opinion piece about why you think it would be a good or bad idea to do one of these long trail adventures.  What experiences would you gain? How would your perspective change? What is the best age?
Best,
Kelly

Our topic this week was the Zika virus, which we used to talk about greater topics such as health, healthcare and prevention.

Listening:
Learners can try any of several news stories about Zika from VOA Learning English: WHO Concerned about Zika in Southeast Asia, More Zika in Florida, First Case in Hong Kong or Zika Could Affect Adult Brains.

For original version listening, try the Science VS podcast.

Reading:
Learners can get some more information about Zika by reading about it at Breaking News English

For original version, try an article about the First Case of European Microcephaly or Why There are More Infectious Disease Outbreaks.  The NYTimes also has numerous articles and resources.

Writing:
This week for writing, please write a short composition explaining what is the zika virus.  Try to use some of your new vocabulary (contagious, outbreak, to come down with, etc.).  Then propose what people and governments can do to prevent the spread of this infectious virus.
Don't forget this weekend is Cameros Weekend, a weekend of linguistic immersion in beautiful San Roman. If you're interested in coming, get in touch!
Best,
KellyParagraph. Haz clic aquí para editar.

This week we talked about yard sale, garage sales, flea markets, and Marie Kondo's method of tidying up.  We explanding or vocabulary about all the stuff we have in our homes, as well as shopping vocabulary like haggling, bargaining, c
Learners can try several adapted listening exercises such as this short episode from ESLPod Garage Sales or the video At the Garage Sale.

Listening:
For original version listening, try Ellen Generes learning from Marie Kondo, or watch a video about the 675 mile long yardsale.
To read some more information about garage sales (and get some vocabulary) try Garage Sale. Or try a text about the difference between garage sales and thrift stores or useful shopping vocabulary.

Reading:
For original version, try Top Tips to Joyfully Declutter Your Home or Marie Kondo and the Ruthless War on Stuff.

Writing:
So, now it's your turn to write!  Please write a composition about how you would declutter your home.  What would you get rid of and what would you keep?  How would you get rid of it?
Don't forget next week is Cameros Weekend, a weekend of linguistic immersion in beautiful San Roman. If you're interested in coming, get in touch!
Best,
Kelly

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)
• Teacher Joe Dictations
• Learn By Doing Listening

Podcasts for learners:

• ESLPod
• Let's Master English

Learning with music:

• Lyrics Training
• Tune into English Karaoke
• Lyricsgaps

Learning with 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
• 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
  

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
• 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.

In class, we took a look at several apps including English Monstruo, British Council Grammar, Phrasal Verb Machine, Ivoox (for podcasts), BBC News, Memrise, ABA English, Duolingo, Johnny Grammar, Great Videos.
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