TED talk: The story inside the painting - Tracy Chevalier

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

Girl with a Pearl Earring- The paintings in the story

For those reading the book , if you want to use it in your final presentation:

http://www.tchevalier.com/gwape/paintings/

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!

Emilie´s letter of complaint

Read Emilie´s letter of complaint to her neighbours (see task in your Student´s book) and listen to her teacher´s corrections (the mistakes are highlighted in yellow):

https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/c2lj61eZYP

Carmen´s letter of complaint

Read Carmen's letter of complaint to a restaurant manager. Try correcting the piece of writing yourself first: use the marking codes to think about what might be wrong (or what's good) about the piece of work. Then when you're ready, go to the original website and click the green buttons in the text for the feedback.

Dear Sir or Madam
  I am writing to complain about the unacceptable treatment that I received in your restaurant last Friday when I was intended WF to have dinner with my husband.
  First of all, we were given a table just in front of the toilets because there was not any other available, although we had booked it in advance. Furthermore, we were forced to leave at 10 p.m because someone else had also booked the same table.
  Secondly, we had to wait for nearly half an hour to be served and after the long waiting WF we were obliged to change our minds and ask for meat because there was no lobster left. In fact, only three out of the seven main courses were available.
  I would also like to point out Gd the incompetence of the service because the waiter spilled the sauce over my husband´s dish even though we had asked him not to do so.
  To make matters worse, Gd there was no response when I asked to meet T/WW the manager of the restaurant so I have been forced to write to make you know about WW these unfortunate incidents.
  I very much hope that in future you will take care of WW these mistakes in order to prevent them /\ and I am afraid to say that I will have no alternative but to put the matter in the hands of my solicitors should not I WO receive compensation within the next few days.

Yours faithfully,
Carmen Pliego

BBC Grammar: passives in 90 seconds

Watch the videos and do the quizzes (very short!) for a quick revision of the passives:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/upper-intermediate/unit-6/session-1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/upper-intermediate/unit-12/session-1

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: