A Christmas Carol

Do you like Christmas stories? You have probably heard about Disney's new movie: A Christmas Carol 3D. Did you know that this story was written by Charles Dickens in 1843? Yes, this is not a new tale but there are a lot of film versions based on it.

Let's talk about its main character: At the beginning of the novel, Ebenezer Scrooge is a cold-hearted, tight fisted, greedy man, who hates Christmas. Scrooge has only his nephew left but doesn't particularly care for him. On Christmas Eve he is visited by three ghosts. Who are they? What do they want from Scrooge? To find out more, read an easy adaptation ( five chapters ) of
" A Christmas Carol ".

Happy Turkey Day!

In the United States, Thanksgiving is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.This year Thanksgiving is on Thursday, the 26th of November. However, in other countries like Canada people celebrate this day on the second Monday in October!

Do you know how do people celebrate that day? or why is it celebrated? Try to look for information on the net or ask Sara, our language assistant, for help.

However, most people mark Thanksgiving on their calendar for a very different reason: the day after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday and it marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Sales bring big crowds to shops and shopping malls all over the USA. Black Friday is not an official holiday but many employees have the day off, which increases the number of potential shoppers.

Discuss in pairs the following questions.( Double-click on the image below to enlarge it).

Spooky writers

What do Poe, Mary Shelley or Stephen King have in common? Yes, they all wrote about fantasy or horror stories. Try to find out some details about these authors by clicking on this link .

Then, compare in groups and try to find similarities and differences in their lives and works. Can you name two books written by these authors ? When did they write ? Did they have happy or miserable lives ?

Now watch this video about one of Poe's most famous and spooky stories.


Edgar Allan Poe - El Corazón Delator (Tell Tale Heart) Subtitulado

The boy does nothing !

Practice questions in present simple with this catchy song. Look for information about the singer: Alesha Dixon. Try to complete these details:

Age
Place of birth
Nationality
Job
Hobbies

Cheese rolling

This is a 200-year-old tradition: every year a group of "brave" competitors roll down a hill ( Cooper’s Hill ) in Gloucester, England. The first person to arrive at the foot of the hill wins the cheese, which weighs about 3.5 kilos. Those who come second or third receive a small cash prize. The slope has a surface that is very rough and uneven and it is almost impossible to remain on foot for the descent. Injuries incurred are usually minor.

If you want to watch a video, follow this link.
Are there any curious traditions in your area? When do they take place? Which are their origins?

Earth Day

Earth Day -- April 22 -- each year marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. On April 22, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values. Now, the fight for a clean environment continues. Why not be a part of this history and a part of Earth Day? Earth Day falls on Thursday, April 22, 2010--and it's the 40th Anniversary of the holiday.

There are many films that deal with this issue. Did you see Wall-E ? After mankind has used up all of the Earth’s resources and abandoned it for a new, lazier frontier in space, it is up to Wall-E, a garbage collecting robot, to convince the human race to return and re-cultivate.

Now discuss in pairs what you have just seen in the clip above. Make notes in your notebook.

Flightless Bird, American Mouth

Listen to this song by Iron & Wine.

Marley & Me

Try this listening exercise about Jennifer Aniston's last movie.

Link: Video

St. Patrick's Day

Today, March 17th, is St. Patrick's Day. Let's find out more about the traditions and symbols associated to this day. Also, we'll meet some leprechauns on our way. Be careful!

Click here for symbols.
Learn a bit about St. Patrick
Play some games.

Bedtime stories

Try to understand the words in this trailer about the last movie by Adam Sandler.

Click on this link: Video

U2

Listen to the song and practise the Present Perfect while you watch the video.

Pancake Day

Try to answer these easy questions about this tradition. To help you, click on this link.

What is Pancake Day?
Why are Pancakes eaten on Shrove Tuesday?
When is Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day)?
What is Shrove Tuesday?
What is an English Pancake?

Watch this video for a funny recipe: link
Look at some toppings: link

I have a dream

" I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character"

Who said these words? One clue: This speech was given in 1963.

Write your answers in comments.