Xmas Activities & Xmas Party Programme

Look at the bounty of the activities. Why not take part?

B1 Listening: Environmental Problems

Here are some listening activities to do over the next week:

• Environmental Issues
• Taking action on climate change
• B1Listening: The Environment
• Breaking News English
• Saving theEarth

Participle Clauses

 – Exercise with key

- Participle Clauses Exercise 2

– Combine Sentences using Participle Constructions

– Combine Sentences using Participle Constructions (with Conjunctions)

– Replace Relative Clauses by Participle Constructions

– Rewrite Sentences without using the Participle Constructions

 Maxine Hong Kingston 

B1: Tour of London

Here is the activity we did this morning

Vocabulary for EXERCISING & SPORTS

- Vocabulary for EXERCISING at the GYM: Watch the video here

- Some exercises here
- Watch a video on Sports vocab

How to Write an Essay

Structure of an essay

• Title

You can use the one from the question or make up your own  

• Paragraph 1: Introduction

Introduce the topic and say what you are going to talk about and capture the interest of the reader

• Paragraph 2

Discuss one bullet point (perhaps the one you disagree with) and give reasons to support your argument, whatever it is. Point out advantages and maybe also disadvantages (on the other hand, it is ....). Use examples where possible.

• Paragraph 3

Discuss the second bullet point (perhaps the one you agree with) and give reasons. Point out advantages and disadvantages, if necessary.  

• Conclusion

You write a summary of what you have said.  You should give your opinion on which option you prefer here. 

• It goes without saying you should aim for advanced-level vocabulary and structures: inversion, participle clauses, passive forms,etc., and  advanced linkers like "In spite of the fact that", "furthermore", ...
• Avoid repetitions and contractions.

• Some teachers propose:  10 minutes for  planning, 25 minutes for writing and 10 minutes for  editing/proofreading.

Here are some essay samples with corrections and an essay sample with a makeover
CPE essay

Inversion in conditionals

Here's a great post to practise inversion in conditionals

Much Ado about Nothing

You can watch the plot here.   Spoiler alert: don't watch the ending if you're going to watch the play.

Sports:Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

• Amateur sports in the USA
• Doping

Why do Spaniards live longer if they smoke and drink?

Read the article : Why do Spaniards live longer
Another article :“I have no reason to lie when I tell you that everything is better in Spain”

Smell

1. Listen to this activity about smell & memory
2. National Sense of Smell Day 
3. Certain smells take you back to your childhood
4. How it works

What causes body odour?

Watch the video

SPORTS & GAMES Vocabulary on the Visual Dictionary

Take a look at this  SPORTS & GAMES  Vocabulary on the Visual Dictionary (AmE)

Grit

Thank you, Raúl
  Watch the video here

How to make a presentation: signposting language

You can read some examples here

The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin

Hellen Keller

Watch the video

What's Backbeat?

Adding a backbeat to bass grooves

Mother Nature

Thank you Yolanda for sharing. Here's the installation she mentioned in her talk

Arts and Architecture Vocabulary

Take a look at this Arts and Architecture Vocabulary on the Visual Dictionary