Antonio Banderas on The Late Show

Last week Antonio Banderas was on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, one of the talk shows I told you about in class.  He spoke about his new National Geographic TV series Genius:Picasso, about where he lives at the moment, being arrested after a performance during Franco´s dictatorship and more...

Interactive Listening tests about different topics

UPDATE: 23.04
Some interactive listening tests you can take on this website ( B2 level).
If you find them difficult, you can try the ones at B1 level too. Click here. 
When you finish the test they show you your score,  the correct answers and you can also look at the script.

TED talk: How to live passionately no matter your age- Isabel Allende

A TED talk (about 8 min) recommended by Susana (group B):

TED talks about happiness

Homework for next week : 7-8 February
Click to choose a talk about happiness from the TED website.

Recommendations:

Less stuff more happiness

What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness 

All it takes is 10 mindful minutes

Want to be happier? Stay in the moment

How to buy happiness

The hidden power of smiling

The paradox of choice

 

1. Watch the video and take notes on the main ideas (disable the  subtitles to train your ear!!). You can listen again and again or hit stop and replay as many times as you want. 

2. When you have finished listening you can read the script or watch again with subtitles for any words or ideas that you have missed. 

3. Prepare a short presentation ( 3-5 min.) for your classmates where you explain ( as clearly as possible, you might need to simplify some ideas) what the video is about. ( you can use your notes while speaking).

4. Optional: include your own opinion about the topic. (under the video you have people´s comments, which can help you with critical thinking).

Youtube reviews of our books

Girl with a Pearl Earring: book+film review:

The No1 Ladies´ Detective Agency:

About a Boy:

How I Live Now : book+film review:

Rosa Parks: My Story: a third grader´s report:

TED talk: How books can open your mind

 TED talk with interactive exercises, about how books can open your mind:

http://www.eslvideo.com/esl_video_quiz_high_intermediate.php?id=17682

BBC Interview- Books

What 3 questions are the speakers asked?
Take notes about each question.

TED talk: The story inside the painting - Tracy Chevalier

 For those reading the book, in case you are interested. TED talk by Tracy Chevalier: 

Comparing a book and a film- by Desi (advanced student)

Desi, who was part of the teamwork Oral Presentation devoted to Pay It Forward, compares Ryan Hyde's novel and its movie version. The teacher includes comments and 5 final cards with tips on how to address this kind of task, but you will learn a lot from listening to Desi's work on structure and language range. Notice her relative clauses, adding info the listeners need to follow what she says, not taking for granted listeners know what they might not know!

Red Nose Day- Mr Bean Comic Relief Classic

Comic Relief is a major charity based in the UK, with a vision of a just world, free from poverty.

Since its launch in 1988, Red Nose Day has become something of a British institution. It’s the day, every two years, when people across the land can get together and do something funny for money at home, school and work. There’s a fantastic night of TV on the BBC, with comedy and entertainment to inspire the nation to give generously. Comic Relief spends the money raised by Red Nose Day to help people living tough lives across the UK and Africa. (from the Comic Relief website)

Here´s a  Mr Bean Comic Relief Classic: Mr Bean on Blind Date: 

BBC video : Great experiences

The BBC documentary clip we saw in class. Watch again and see if you understand a little more. Then check with the script on your Student´s book DVD.

TED talk: Try something new for 30 days (3 min.)

Comprehension questions: 
1. What example does Matt give of a habit to subtract?
2. How did his perception of time change?
3. What is the  first challenge he mentions that he did?
4. What 2 examples does he give of increasing self-confidence?
5. What´s the secret to writing a novel in a month?
6. Why is he glad he wrote a novel even though it was awful?
7. Why does he think small changes are better than big changes?

VOCABULARY:
Look at some examples of idiomatic language from the video. Can you guess the meaning?
1 A few years ago, I felt like I was stuck in a rut....
2 So I decided to follow in the footsteps of the great American philosopher, Morgan Spurlock* and try something new for 30 days.
3 ...instead of the months flying by, forgotten, the time was much more memorable.
4 Every November tens of thousands of people try to write their own 50,000 word novel, from scratch, in 30 days.
5 So why not think about something you have always wanted to try, and give it a shot for the next thirty days?
*Morgan Spurlock- American film maker, well known for documentaries in which he tries something new for 30 days.He´s best known for ´Super Size Me´.

BBC interview- Flatmates

Listen once: What 3 questions are the speakers asked? Write them down.

Listen again and take notes about what each person answers to each question.
e.g. Q1- S1: bites her nails, talks a bit too loudly
            - S2: ........................................................
 UPDATE: Download the audio script HERE to check your answers.

Be more polite: use indirect questions!

Indirect questions make you sound more polite. Watch this short video to remember how.  If the video appears with subtitles, don´t forget to turn them off!

TED talk: Global English

Why are so many people trying to learn English? Is it mania or is it a necessity?  Is the world obsessed with learning to speak English?

This interesting TED talk (4.30 min) by Jay Walker explores this issue :

 

 

Comprehension questions:

1. What are the three types of mania that Jay Walker talks about at the beginning of the video?
2. What are the three adjectives Jay Walker uses to describe Mania?
3. What method is often used in China to learn English?
4. According to Jay Walker, how many people are trying to learn English in the world?
5. According to Jay Walker, what are some of the reasons that so many people are trying to learn English?
6. What does Jay say that you can do with English?
7. Give two examples of global problems.
8. According to Jay Walker, what is the language of science?
9. According to Jay Walker, what is the language of emotions?
10. According to Jay Walker, what is the language of problem solving?
11. In conclusion, what does Jay Walker believe that English represents?

Do you agree with Jay Walker? 
What are the advantages of English as a  global language? And the disadvantages?

Answers here: