Weekend Movies: "Mathilda"

Have you read Roald Dahl's amazing book Mathilda? This is the story of a truly intelligent and talented girl born into a stupid family. Her parents neglect and mistreat her, but she holds the line and tries to live her own life. She discovers a local library and spends most of her time reading, while her parents are at work. One day, she starts developing super-powers... CLICK HERE AND SEE IT WITH YOUR OWN EYES.

The film doesn't come with subitles this time, but I am sure you will be able to understand almost everything, since this is a comedy both for adults and children. I hope you like it.

Have a great weekend!

Listening to Music: The Show Must Go On

Did you enjoy this song today?

 Now you can listen to Queen at home while reading the lyrics and singing...

Empty spaces, what are we living for
Abandoned places, I guess we know the score
On and on, does anybody know what we are looking for
Another hero, another mindless crime
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime
Hold the line, does anybody want to take it anymore
The show must go on
The show must go on, yeah
Inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stays on

Whatever happens, I'll leave it all to chance
Another heartache, another failed romance
On and on, does anybody know what we are living for?
I guess I'm learning (I'm learning learning learning)
I must be warmer now
I'll soon be turning (turning turning turning)
Round the corner now
Outside the dawn is breaking
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free
The show must go on
The show must go on, yeah yeah
Ooh, inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stays on

Yeah yeah, whoa wo oh oh

My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies
Fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die
I can fly, my friends
The show must go on (go on, go on, go on) yeah yeah
The show must go on (go on, go on, go on)
I'll face it with a grin
I'm never giving in
On, with the show

Ooh, I'll top the bill, I'll overkill
I have to find the will to carry on
On with the show
On with the show
The show, the show must go on
Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on
Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on
Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on
Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on
Go on, go on

Music -RADIOHEAD and British Council podcast

This is the activity we did in class today: TALKING ABOUT MUSIC: RADIOHEAD. You can listen to the podcast at home whenever you want. And, if you enjoyed the music by this band from Oxford, don't miss the album Ok Computer:

 

And this is one of Radiohead's best-known songs. You can read the transcript below:

When you were here before
I couldn’t look you in the eye
You’re just like an angel
Your skin makes me cry

You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
I wish I was special
You’re so fucking special

But I’m a creep
I’m a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don’t belong here

I don’t care if it hurts
I wanna have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul

I want you to notice
When I’m not around
You’re so very special
I wish I was special

But I’m a creep
I’m a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don’t belong here, oh, oh

She’s running out again
She’s running out
Run, run, run, run!
Run!

Whatever makes you happy
Whatever you want
You’re so fucking special
I wish I was special

But I’m a creep
I’m a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don’t belong here
I don’t belong here

RESOURCES: TED TALKS /// LISTENING!!

Dear students,

as you all know, this year you need to train your ears!  The time devoted to do listening activities in class is not enough to improve your skills and become advanced English listeners and speakers. Therefore, I recommend to watch films and audiobooks (there are lots of them available on this blog), and also to explore webpages such as the one you can find here. Please, get a glimpse of the TED Talks Education videos. This project is the result of an exhilarating night of talks hosted by John Legend. I hope you enjoy some of the videos!

Listening and Speaking Activity: Lizzie Velasquez

Deceptive appearances: seeing looks in a new light

When Lizzie Velasquez was in high school, she found a video of herself on the internet: “The World’s Ugliest Woman,” the eight-second clip called her. It attracted thousands of comments - some of them suggesting she “do the world a favour” by killing herself. Instead, the now 25-year-old became a motivational speaker. Last year, she presented a TED talk about her experiences. Viewed by millions of people around the world, its core question was: what defines you? As a result of an extremely rare syndrome preventing her from gaining weight and building muscle, Lizzie’s appearance deviates significantly from the norm. After being ridiculed online, her public refusal to allow the way she looks to define her went viral. Today, she is a minor celebrity and the author of two books.
(Source: You can read the complete article here)

Watch Lizzie’s famous Ted Talk and answer the following questions:

1.      How would you describe Lizzie? Choose adjectives to describe her personality.

2.      Sum up Lizzie’s first day of school. How did she feel?

3.      In which ways was Lizzie bullied in school? What did she decide to do?

4.      Lizzie has a great sense of humour, can you remember any of the jokes she makes during her speech?

5.      Is Lizzie a successful woman nowadays?

6.      What’s her piece of advice?

HALLOWEEN, Reading and Listening: "The New Catacomb" by Conan Doyle

Dear students,
this is the video we watched today in class. You can watch it again at home and read the short story at the same time. Just click the links below:

The New Catacomb (Video)

Transcript of this short story (Text)

Enjoy!

Weekend Movies: "Coffee and Cigarettes", by Jim Jarmush

This weekend, I would like to invite you to watch this independent film. Coffee and Cigarettes is the title by independent director Jim Jarmush. The film consists of 11 short stories which share coffee and cigarettes as a common thread. It might be a bit unusual but I hope you enjoy it anyway.

Weekend Movies: "Detachment"

Detachment is a 2011 American drama film about the high school education system directed by Tony Kaye, starring Adrien Brody. This is also a distressing film only recommended for spectators who feel on top of the world, because the story turns quite tragic at some points. Just click HERE if you feel like watching this film.

And if you feel like researching a little bit more after the film, there is an interesting interview with Adrien Brody available in The Observer. Click and read!

The More Double Comparatives You Use, The Easier They Seem To You

If you still have doubts concerning the use of double comparatives, watch this video. This is quite illustrative.

Some extra links with quizzes and examples:

Double comparative: exercises 1
Double comparative exercises 2
Double comparative: exercises 3