1/18/2023 0 Comments October Week FourThis week we discussed work and specifically the more current topic of the Great Resignation -- the phenomenon of people quitting their jobs in search for a better work life balance. Do you this trend happening in Spain, too?
Listening: Learners can try a listening comprehension activity of a talk from a careers fair with a nurse describing her job. For original version listening, try a news segment from CNBC about how The Great Resignation is going global and how it is going to shake up the labor supply. Reading: Learners can try a reading comprehension activity from British Council about Work Life Balance. For original version, go read an opinion article from The Guardian called Turns Out the Great Resignation May Be Followed by the Great Regret. Writing: This week for writing, please write a piece about work. You could consider describing what a typical day on the job is like for you, or how your vision of work life balance has changed since the pandemic. Best, Kelly
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10/16/2022 0 Comments October Week FourThis week we celebrated Halloween together! The topic of our class was scary stories, ghosts, strange energies, and bizarre happenings that keep us up at night.
Listening: Learners can try an activity from ELLLO about people discussing their beliefs about ghosts. Are they real? For original version listening, try one of the latest episodes from the podcast Criminal, Ghostwatch or The Hammersmith Ghost. Reading: Learners can try a reading comprehension activity about A paranormal experience? Or a text called the only thing to fear is... For original version, try a humorous article from the New Yorker called The Scariest Story Ever told. Writing: This week for writing, please write a a scary story. It can be something that truly happened to you, a moment went you felt fear or something unsettling, or you can use your creativity and make it up! Best, Kelly 10/16/2022 0 Comments October Week TwoFirst off, I want to remind you that next week we are starting our intensive pronunciation course. It will be every other Thursday starting October 20th 17:30-19:30. Contact me for more information or if you want to sign up!
Now, on to the homework! This week we based our discussion about Artificial Intelligence by using the amazing tool Dall-E. Listening: Learners can try a listening comprehension activity from Breaking News English about Artificial Intelligence For original version listening, listen to an episode from Intelligence Squared US called Will Artificial Intelligence Do More Harm Than Good? Reading: Learners can try a reading comprehension activity from British Council called Robots: friend or foe? For original version, go read an opinion article from The Guardian about Dall-E called AI Generated Art illustrates another problem with technology. Writing: This week for writing, please write an essay about Artificial Intelligence. Which are the valuable applications of it? What are some aspects that make you nervous? Best, Kelly 10/16/2022 0 Comments October Week OneOctober Week One:
Before we get started with this week's topic, I wanted to let you know about a couple upcoming activities. We are going to have our first extra activity of the school year! This Thursday at 17:45 we will visit the current exhibit at the Würth Museum and discuss it in English. Please email if you are interested in joining. Secondly, I am offering an intensive pronunciation course over the next couple months. It will be every other Thursday starting October 20th 17:30-19:30. Contact me for more information or if you want to sign up! Now, on to the homework! This week we discussed personality and really tried to expand our vocabulary when describing ourselves and others. Listening: Learners can try a listening comprehension activity about The personality of centenarians. For original version listening, try an episode from the podcast, Hidden Brain. For instance, What Can A Personality Test Tell Us About Who We Are? Reading: Learners can read (and test their comprehension) about the relationship between Personality and health For original version, I recommend reading an article from the NYTimes about how Susan Cain Instigates a 'Quiet Revolution' of Introverts. Or try an article from the New Yorker, I'm Not An Asshole, I'm an Introvert. Writing: This week for writing, please respond to the following prompt: Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any experiences we may have in our life. Which do you consider to be the major influence?Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Best, Kelly 10/16/2022 0 Comments September - First Week of Class!Week One:
Welcome back! It was great to see some familiar faces today and to welcome new students in our conversation groups. Everybody is ready to get back into our groove studying English. As every year, the first week is dedicated to setting goals and brainstorming techniques to establish a productive study practice. You can check my list of favorite resources online (in addition to the links below). Your main homework this week is to establish your study practice for this year! Think about our conversation and ask yourself, which tools and techniques do I want to incorporate in my routine? Listening: Learners can check out some of the recommended BBC Learning English Podcasts: 6-Minute English or The English We Speak. For original version listening, check out some of my favorite podcasts in original version: The Daily, Serial (esp. season 1), Invisibilia, Rough Translation. Reading: Learners can try some of the top websites recommended for practicing reading: Breaking News English,Voice of America, Learning English - BBC. For original version, head on over to The Guardian, BBC, New York Times. Or check out a beautifully written article by Jumpa Lahiri about finding your voice in a different language: Teach Yourself Italian - In Translation from The New Yorker. This week for writing, please write your study proposal! Of all of the ideas, techniques and strategies that we threw around in class, which ones are the ones that could work for you? Be specific about your goals, plans, times and materials. Now get to work! Best, Kelly 6/22/2022 0 Comments June Week ThreeBefore we get started, don't forget to sign up for summer activities that start in July! This week we talked about the newest holiday in the United States, Juneteenth. This led to to a conversation about the history of slavery in the Americas. Listening: Learners can try a listening activity explainer about the history of Juneteenth. For original version listening, check out the highly recommded podcast from the New York Times, 1619. Reading: Learners can try an activity from Breaking News English about commemorating the end of the slave trade. For original version, read the NPR Article called Juneteenth is a sacred holiday. Writing: Pease write a report about slavery in the United States. What were its origins? Did anything surprise you about what we learned in class? Best, Kelly 6/22/2022 0 Comments June Week TwoHeat wave week! Hope you guys are staying cool. Don't forget to sign up for summer activities that start in July!
This week we had a series of mini conversation to practice the structure, "The more, the merrier." For instance, the hotter it gets, the less my students want to study English! Listening: Learners can try a listening activity about 5 Steps to Improve Your English Listening. I bet you can guess that the more you practice, the faster you improve! For original version listening, check out a great show from TTBOOK called: Mysteries of Migration. The more I learn about nature, the more fascinated I become. Reading: Learners can try an activity from Breaking News English about work life balance. The more you work, the harder it is to find time for yourself. For original version, read the New Yorker Article How Did Guns Get So Powerful? The deadlier the guns, the more tragic the shootings. Writing: This week for writing, please write 10 sentences using this comparative structure. Remember to use a variety of adjectives (not just better). Best, Kelly 6/22/2022 0 Comments June Week OneThis week we talked about artisans, crafts and handiwork.
Listening: Learners can try a listening activity about different craft workers giving advice to people who want to launch their artisan business. For original version listening, check out some of these videos from various Youtube series about craftsmanship: Artisans of Australia series or Analog Artisans. Reading: Learners can try an activity from Breaking News English about how robots could be taking over what was traditionally make by hand: furniture making. For original version, read about different artisans around the world and what they are renowned for in different countries. Writing: This week for writing, please write a report about one craft. It could be anything from basketry to weaving, woodworking or anything in between! What are the materials needed? What does the basic process consist of? Best, Kelly 6/22/2022 0 Comments May Week FourThis week we talked about manners, rudeness and profanity. It was a great chance to talk about etiquette in other languages and to practice swearing in English!
Listening: Learners can try a listening activity from Breaking News English about Swearing. For original version listening, check out some listening options from the Guardian about Why swearing is more complicated than you think. Reading: Learners can try an activity about if it is rude to use a full stop in text messages. For original version, check out an article about which countries are considered the rudest in the world for travelers. Writing: This week for writing, it's a great time to write a letter of complaint. Think about a recent situation where you have been frustrated, disappointed or dissatisfied with an interaction. First write a formal letter of complaint. Then, write a text message to a friend using colloquial language to describe your feeling. Best, Kelly 6/22/2022 0 Comments May Week ThreeThis week we used some newspapers to base our conversation, checking out different sections like the front page, the editorials, the classifieds, and the features.
Listening: Learners can try one of many news stories from the valuable resource Breaking News English available for listening (at a variety of speeds and levels). For instance, try Google Translate adds 24 new languages or Gardeners urged not to cut the grass. For original version listening, check out some listening options from online newspapers such as The Guardian or the New York Times. Reading: Learners can try an activity a reading and grammar activity in the style of the FCE: B2 phrasal verbs reading comprehension. For original version, check out the text version of online newspapers such as El Pais English Edition or The Guardian. Writing: This week for writing, you have two options:
Best, Kelly |
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