We learnt plenty of things about the origins of several common English words yesterday. In addition we also learnt how to make new words by using prefixes which add extra meaning, e.g. under-, over-, etc. Pronunciation was also focused on this, that is, on word stress in words with prefixes (having one main stress on the base word and a secondary stress on the prefix).

Check this link to review stress patterns in pronunciation and this other one to review relative clauses.

We also studied the colloquial English section in which an English lexicographer talked about the new words that have entered the English language and the way they've done it. Moreover, in the "In the Street" section, four non-native speakers of English were asked what English words have been 'imported' into their language, and if they think it would be better to have their own words for this. What's your opinion on this matter?

Deceptive advertising, that was the main topic yesterday in class. Businesses use advertising to tell consumers about the goods and services they are selling in order to convince people to buy their products. Nevertheless, some businesses cross the line by marketing deceptive advertising, such as Pumative. Sometimes advertising and media can manipulate and persuade an unwary consumer. Here you are a list of 14 false advertising scandals that cost brands millions and a video on the same topic.

What about having a look at advertising vocabulary? Check this web page and fill in the gaps in this advertising essay.

Then, we saw how to write an article by means of newspapers extracts. The paragraph plan of an article lead us to remember how to write headlines. As a result, I found it useful to include a listening exercise on the media. It also includes vocabulary related to business and advertising.

Reader’s Digest has
a. declared bankruptcy for the first time in years
b. been losing money for years
c. been trying to survive in the digital era

2. Reader’s Digest has an audience of
a. 40 million
b. 70 million
c. 17 million

3. Digital newspapers
a. made Internet popular 15 years ago
b. reduce paper waste
c. are read with the morning coffee now

4. In 5 years
a. advertising sales will reach the level of 1980s
b. most newspapers will have disappeared
c. newspapers will reduce their benefits in 50%

5. The orange country newspaper
a. have more subscriptions than 10 years ago
b. have a new management
c. have professionals from closed newspapers

Answers key: 1b, 2a, 3b, 4b, 5b

This has been a very productive week, guys! Through the topic of science we've looked at word related to science and the changing stress in word families on these words. We also learned the rules for using a variety of quantifiers correctly: all, every, most, no, none, any, both, neither and either. Click here to visit the Student's Book web page to practise your knowledge on quantifiers. For further explanation and exercises on the British Council web page click here.

We also listened to John Bigos, the managing director of London Duck Tours limited, which offer guided tours of the city of London. The video let us know some important colloquial English expressions. Afterwards, we also listened to some people being interviewed in the street about their favourite city and the city they would like to visit.

Then, we introduced the new lesson which focuses on wish structures to talk about present and past regrets, and to express annoyance, that is, things that annoy us in our daily life. Let's have a look at the following links:
- Explanation and exercises: wish
- Explanation and exercises: I wish - If only
- Wishes and regrets multiple choice exercise

The vocabulary focus lies on different ways of expressing feelings, with a verb or with an -ed or -ing adjective. Let's practise it with the following exercises: exercise 1, exercise 2 and exercise 3.

Finally, here you are some songs were "I wish" and "if only" structures are used so that you can practise your listening skill:
- The reason by Hoobastank in lyrics training

Knowing that we're not going to see each other until 6th May, let's have a look at the things studied in class. After doing a conversation practice between a tourist and a local person, the grammar focus has fallen on the passive causative, that it, the structure known as 'have/get sth done'. Consequently, this English video lesson on the topic and a multiple choice exercise will help you to master the grammar point.The exercise from the Student's book web page is also included here.

To review the grammar point studied on Monday, uncountable and plural nouns, here you are a useful guide:

We've also started Unit 6C and talked about 'creative thinking'. You may find it interesting to have a look at the experiment already mentioned in class. Did you see the gorilla o didn't you?

What about watching some other similar videos on change blindness? Thanks for sharing, David and Antonio José!

Next, we've focused on the writing task for Monday 6th May - writing a report. As I didn't really have all the time expected to explain it in depth, I'll include a guide as an exception.

Finally, let's practise the listening skill with a great animated video. Are you able to write the transcript of the video as if it was a dication? Definitely!

This week in class we learned a little bit more about speeches. As a result, it may be interesting to have a look at the following tips on how to present project in the classroom. Bear this in mind for the oral exam in june.

As for grammar, we still focused our knowledge on the usage of articles in English. We already practised this at some point on the blog some months ago but there's no excuse to keep on practising it. Therefore, have a go and try doing these two exercises: exercise 1, exercise 2.

However, the listening exercises provided here today as a revision is about the environment. Sorry for being a pain in the neck but it's crucial to take a step forward on this kind of issue. What do you know about your "Carbon footprint"? If you are not sure yet, watch the video below:

Now watch the video below and write down the 10 steps to reduce your Carbon footprint, as if it was a listening exam practice.

Step 1. Turn the thermostat up in the summer and down in the winter. Close doors and insulate windows
Step 2. Turn off and unplug electronics
Step 3. Change to compact fluorescent bulbs
Step 4. Do your laundry or run a dishwasher only with a full load
Step 5. Eat local and take a canvas tote
Step 6. Bring your own cup or mug when you buy coffee
Step 7. Cut back on bottled water, making and transporting them pollutes a lot
Step 8. Plant a tree, it produces greenhouse gases
Step 9. Use your car less
Step 10. Car pool, use public transport, walk or bike

Answers are written in white. Select the text above to see them.

You can also do some reading comprehension tests about the environment.questions (with the answers).

• Pollution
• Biofuels

Despite the fact of being an environmentally-friendly teacher, I do know that teaching environmental issues can bring out unexpected responses in you, my students. However, we all are more or less aware of the real problem and when the matter seems to confront one's personal lifestyle, political leanings or economic situation, then the topic is perceived in a very differente light.

Anyway, as we are green activists, here you are a vocabulary and listening exercise on the topic. Go first for the vocabulary exercise, then do the listening one.

I've also come across an interesting article entitled "Dirty Britain". It's a Reading Comprehension with a multiple choice exercise.

As for the new grammar point introduced in class on Wednesday, here you are two entertaining games: A SNAKES & LADDERS GAME ON THE ARTICLES & A BASKETBALL ARTICLES GAME. Have fun! Note: Scroll down the side bar, the game is on the same page but below the "jugar" icon. Do not clic on "jugar", it would take you to a different web page.

Speeches is the topic we're dealing with in class nowadays. Thus, what about understanding what is implied in some of the most famous speeches in English and what we can learn from them? In addition, you can also listen to many relevant speeches given in History. 

Global warming and climate change is looked at this week and the next one. We learnt new vocabulary about the weather and introduced are some of the effects of climate change. In  addition, we'll attempt to provide insights into what we can do about this issue, how we can protect the environment and how to face the challenges to come.

These exercises from the Student's Book will help you revise the vocabulary studied. Although you're required to do an exercise about idioms for Monday, try doing this HARD exercise on weather idioms.

The topic also allowed us to review future forms, mainly future perfect and future continuous. Here you are some other links to practise them at home: exercise from the Student's Book, exercise from Oxford University Press and explanations and a handful of exercises,

Taking into account the issue in focus, the environment, do you think it is possible to live with less? We can make a difference! Check on The No Impact Project! For one year, Colin Beaven and his family were UNPLUGGED from electricity, produced NO RUBBISH, travelled exclusively ON FOOT OR BY BIKE, and BOUGHT NOTHING but food (all of it locally grown). By the end, they discovered something SURPRISING: Living simply wasn’t just food for the environment; it made them HEALTHIER, HAPPIER, AND RICHER in ways they’d never expected.  First of all, watch the video of the tráiler. Then, listen to an interview with him with exercises below.

 Watch and listen to the interview with Colin Beavan and decide whether the sentences are True or
  False. Correct the false ones. The answers are at the bottom (don’t cheat…)

 1. He’s a history  writer
 2. In 2006 he was researching into global warming
 3. He decided to write about his own environmental impact.
 4. He just tried to reduce his personal negative  impact.
 5. The first stage was to produce minimum waste or rubbish.
 6. Stage 2 was local eating.
 7. Michelle doesn’t believe in the Project.
 8. Their relationship improved.
 9. Isabella, their daughter, found it hard to adapt to their new lifestyle.

Answer Key:
 1. True (though it could be argued he used to write about history but not now)
 2. False. He started reading about it.
 3. True.
 4. False. He also try to have some positive impact in order to compensate.
 5. True (he uses the American word ‘trash’)
 6. False. That was stage 3.
 7. False. She didn’t at the beginning but now she does.
 8. True.
 9. False. She has always been very enthusiastic about the changes.

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.

What about an exam simulation as a revision this time? I thought I could be a great idea summarize what we've studied in class by doing an exam. But before doing it, here you are two summarizing pictures of important grammar points.

Try to do the following practice in exam conditions, that is, sitting alone (no dictionaries or reference material) in a quiet place and timing yourself. Reading Comprehension: Do activities 2 to 4 from this article in 90 minutes. (KEY on the last page). 

Listening Comprehension: Watch the video below about poverty and employment and choose the correct answer.

1. Leila Janah is founder of
a. am NGO
b. a charity organization
c. a company

2. She spent
a. 10 years living in a poor countries
b. 17 years in Ghana
c. some years visiting poor countries

3. Samasource
a. is based on the use of internet
b. was first established in India
c. started working for a firm

4. Samasource
a. is based in San Francisco
b. has branches in San Francisco
c. has no fixed headquarters

5. Samasource collaborates with 16
a. countries
b. companies
c. centres

6. Samasouce began in
a. 2005
b. 2008
c. 2009

7. Samasource helps
a. 1,500 people
b. 1,000,000 people
b. 50,000 women

Answers (select this line to see them): 1a, 2c, 3a, 4a, 5c, 6b, 7a

Writing Expression: Write a for and against essay about downloding music from the Internet in 90 minutes.

Oral Expression: Monologue: You are a sales manager working in Madrid and witness a bank robbery near your workplace. Report as much detail as you can remember to the police. It should take you 4-5 minutes. Afterwards, check the vocabulary used on this webpage. Interaction: Get ready in 10 minutes to interact with somebody using the given prompts below:

Crime was the topic in our classroom at the beginning of the week, as a revision from last week. Then, we explained and analysed how to write a letter of complaint.

The grammar content deals with past modal verbs of deduction. Consequently, let's focuse on it. Have a look at the following links:
- British Council
- Prof Rich (a very useful blog, truth be told)
- OUP resources: Natural English, English Result, New English File.

However, you may prefer learning past modal verbs through movie segments: Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, The Butterfly Effect, Urban Legends, Premonition, Saw and The Joy Luck Club. Remember at the end of the exercises you have the worksheet with the answers!

Then, we also introduced another topics: having arguments. Do you really think anyone can be trained? Have a look at this article if you want to know reach that goal. You can also watch the interview with the author of the book, Amy, Sutherland!