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.

Grammar- indirect questions: listen and repeat to gain fluency!

Listen and repeat ! Listen to Michelle´s recordings and repeat the indirect questions and polite requests.  It´s a good exercise to gain fluency and avoid transfer mistakes( word for word translations from your mother tongue).

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!

Films based on the books on your Reading List

Watch the film trailers to help you choose which book you´d like to read this year. But remember it´s important to read the book, not just watch the film! (you can watch the film later, after you finish the book and maybe you can compare the two in your book monologue. See Reading List above for more info about the books). 

Girl with a Pearl Earring:

About a Boy:

The Ladies´ No 1 Detective Agency (HBO series):

Rosa Parks- My Story:

How I Live Now:

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: