Here you are some intriguing resources about environment.

For the youtube videos below you can click on the subtitles tab to make it easier. However, the subtitles are not always correct as they're automatically translated.

"A Swedish family have won a competition that entitles them to a six-month stay in an eco-house with an electric car awaiting them on the drive. The family have been set the target of dramatically reducing their own carbon footprint as part of the experiment, and that may mean dispensing with some home comforts." BBC News.

Finally, check on this reading with exercises on the UN_Climate_Change_Conference in Copenhagen.

STORMY WEATHER

Exercise a
1. Amsterdam, Holland (bikes, canals)
2. London, UK (underground, pub)
3. The State of California, USA (yard, truck, Interstate 5, awesome)

Exercise b
1 1 ok    3 ok
2 2 ok
3 3 ok
4 2 ok
5 3 ok
6 1 ok 3 ok
7 1 ok
8 1 ok 3 ok
9 2 ok

Exercise  c
storm = very bad weather with strong winds and rain
hurricane-force winds = very strong winds
blown = past participle of "blow", what the wind does
scorching = very hot
heat = the noun of hot
melting = becoming liquid because of the heat
sweat = to lose water through your skin when you are hot, ill or afraid
fan = a machine with blades that go round to create a current of air, or a thing you move in your hand to create air
frozen = past participle of "freeze", to become hard and often turn to ice
thaws = (of snow) to become water again

LET YOUR BODY DO THE TALKING

Exercise c
A 8    B 7    C 6    D 3    E 4    F 2    G 1    H 5

Exercise d

fidgeting = keep moving, e.g. your hands and feet, because you are nervous or bored.
tapping = hitting somebody / something quickly and lightly.
clasped = hold something tightly in your hand.
index finger = the finger next to your thumb.
strokes = moves hand gently over a surface, usually several times.
ear lobes = the soft parts at the bottom of your ears.
a lock = a few hairs that hang or lie together on your head.
tuck their hair behind their ears = to push their hair so that it is held in place.
rubbing (your eyes) = moving your hand backwards and forwards over something while pressing firmly.

HOW I TRAINED MY HUSBAND

1. She used to stop what she was doing and help him. Now she doesn't pay him any attention.

2. Because she was writing a book about exotic animal trainers, she spent a lot of time watching them training animals.
    It occurred to her that she could use the same techniques to "train" her husband.
    That you reward good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour.

3. Teaching someone new behaviour by rewarding each small step they take. She began to praise him every time he did something she wanted him to do like put dirty washing in the hamper, etc.


4. He wanted to stop the birds landing on his head and shoulders. He trained them to land somewhere else (on mats). She stopped him from getting in her way in the kitchen when she was cooking by giving hime a job to do, e.g. grating cheese, at the other end of the kitchen island.

5. She learned a technique called L.R.S. which means not responding at all when someone does something wrong. The idea is that if you don't respond to it, the bad behaviour will disappear. When her husband was looking for his keys she just said nothing and carried on with what she was doing.


6. They start to use the same technique on their trainer. He used the L.R.S. technique - he ignored her when she was complaining about her braces.

Here definitely comes the online TV resource many of you were dying for! Vaughan TV is already being broadcast! Many hours of recorded classes. All levels available.

StoryCorps interviews are featured every Friday on NPR’s morning edition. You can hear all of the stories from their long-running public radio series—and more—on this page and in their podcasts. You can also check out their books and animations.

Welcome back everybody! After the long examination period, here we are again, ready to conquer the world of English! We started the week proposing a toast to St. Patrick's Day. We watched a live celtic session at an Irish inn, we watched some videos about the patron of Ireland, the celebration of such an important date (17th March) and some symbols and facts associated with Paddy's Day.

Creativity came next! You had to write your own limericks in groups and sing them out loud. It was increadibly awesome! Please, send them to me so that I can post them in the Workshop section. Last, but not least, we listened to the so-called Whiskey in the jar song by The Dubliners.

On Wednesday, moreover, we enjoyed the showing of the The Moving Finger, a BBC adaptation for television, to compare the book storyline and the film adaptation. Many striking differences could be easily noticed. You passed the comparison test with flying colours! If you skived off school or didn't have the chance to come to class but feel like watching the TV adaptation, click here or watch it below.

Here you are some background information about Saint Paddy's Day.

The patron saint of Ireland and the Irish is St. Patrick  who was born about 385 A.D. in Northern Wales. He studied religion in Europe to become a priest and bishop. He then brought Christianity to the Irish by teaching in Ireland for 29 years. According to early Irish tradition, he died on March 17, 461 AD. The anniversary of his death is celebrated as Saint Patrick's Day. St. Patrick is most known around the world as driving all the snakes out of Ireland through trickery.

An Irish tale tells of how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.

Green is associated with Saint Patrick's Day because it is the color of spring, Ireland, and the shamrock. However, this article from National Geographic points out that not all traditions - including wearing green - are observed in Ireland.

The mythical miniature man, known as leprechaun, is one of the most well-recognized symbols of Ireland and actually has quite a storied history, according to The Times. "A leprechaun is a diminutive fairy, a supernatural creature about whom tales were passed down within the rich history of Irish oral storytelling. Many European countries have fairy lore, but according to A Treasury of Irish Folklore, the Emerald Isle is unique because “the fairy powers in Ireland have been endowed with names and personalities – they are not a nameless commonality.”  Irish folklore described leprechauns as crotchety, solitary, yet mischievous creatures. They were said to be shoemakers who socked away their profits in pots at the end of rainbows, or scattered them around in mountains, forests, or rocks."

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/03/17/happy-st-patricks-day-a-brief-history-of-leprechauns/#ixzz2NtU0ohgN

Finally, you may try these easy recipes:

Green Veggie/Fruit Snack: Prepare a snack using slices of fresh green vegetables. Use cabbage, cucumber, avocado, zucchini squash, green bell peppers, and lettuce. How many green fruits can your class name? Think: kiwi, honeydew melon, green apples, green grapes, papayas - bananas start out green!

Shamrock Shake: Blend 1 banana, 2 cups lime sherbet, and 2 cups milk.

Pot o' Gold Rainbows: Materials needed: (per student) 1 graham cracker, 1 portion blue frosting, 1 mini Reese cup, 1 pack Skittles. Directions: Students spread frosting over graham cracker and place Skittles in the shape of a rainbow. Then place the Reese cup at the end of the rainbow

Baked Potatoes: bake a potato for each student and have them add garnishes such as green onion, bacon bits, sour cream, etc.

Potato Pancakes: Materials needed: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp. salt, 2 medium potatoes, 2 tbs. melted butter, milk (You may want to adjust the amount according to your class size.) Directions: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Mix in potatoes and melted butter until well blended. Add milk if necessary to obtain a soft, manageable dough. Break off egg-sized pieces, and roll each piece until it is paper-thin. Cook on a hot, ungreased griddle until brown spots appear. Try eating with some sugar and cinnamon sprinkled on top. Makes 6 pancakes. In Ireland, a potato pancake is often referred to as a "boxty."

Really Easy Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Language teacher (German, French or Spanish) in Langport, Somerst (UK)

Huish Episcopi is a successful and oversubscribed Academy with Specialist Status in Science, Languages and Applied Learning. Full knowledge of German, French or Spanish is required to teach students aged from 11 - 16 during the academic year 2013-2014. University degree and professional experience are also required.

Deadline: 08/03/2013
Webpage: http://www.huishepiscopi.net/content.asp?c=45


Spanish teacher in Kirksville, Missouri (USA)

A temporary full-time position in the Spanish program beginning August 12, 2013 with possibility of renewal, depending on department needs and resources. Teaching Responsibilities: Teaching load will consist of 12 credit hours (four courses) per semester, predominantly beginning and intermediate language courses, with the possibility of teaching Spanish Grammar and Composition or Spanish Conversation.

Qualifications: Minimum of M.A. in Spanish or Spanish linguistics; ABD or Ph.D. in Spanish or Spanish linguistics preferred.

Candidates Evaluated On:

·         Evidence of teaching effectiveness at the college level

·         Evidence of excellent communication and interpersonal skills

·         Academic preparation or experience related to responsibilities of the position

·         Native or near-native proficiency in Spanish

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience and education; benefits package includes life, health and disability insurance, and partial reimbursement for moving expenses.

Deadline: 18/03/2013
Webpage: https://secure.truman.edu/positionlisting-s/positiondetails.asp?positionId=128

The Diputación Provincial de Jaén organizes and produces The 12th Cine Español Festival which is going to show unreleased or non screened fims about the role of women as well as some other short films for ever cinema-loving and curious audiences. Discussion workshops about those films will be also held. Free entrance until full capacity is reached.