Someday from Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Have you ever listened to Someday, a song from Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame? Watch the video and listen to it. It has a beautiful message.



Now you can read the lyrics here. Think about them . . . and of course, think about the things you can do to improve the world!

Imagine by John Lennon

On 30 January we celebrate the School Day of Peace and Non-Violence. One of the most representative songs is Imagine by John Lennon. Enjoy the video here as you listen to the song and think about the lyrics. Then, you can sing using the karaoke version.

Obama's Oath of Office

Everybody knows that last Tuesday, 20 January 2009, Barack Obama became the President of the United States of America. Did you see him take the Presidential Oath of Office? Here you can see the video and read the original oath (as it is written in the Constitution).



Well, everybody gets messed up when speaking in front of an audience . . . but that's not a reason to keep silent when you have important things to say! Bear it in mind!

I Have a Dream

Last 19 January American people celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Do you know who he is? He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. You can learn more things about his life and work here. You can also enjoy this subtitled video of his famous speech I Have a Dream.

I'm sure you also have a dream about how people's lives could improve. Send a comment telling us!

Jobs and Professions

These days we are dealing with jobs and professions. What would you like to be in the future? Can you say it in English? If you click here you can do an online activity to review vocabulary. You just have to draw the elements on the right and check your answers. Here is a trilingual list of vocabulary so that you can practise your French too!

Happy New Year!

How did you say goodbye to 2008? How did you receive the new year? Did you eat the twelve grapes? As you know, not everybody has the same customs and traditions. Would you like to know how people in New York welcomed 2009 in Times Square? Have a look at this video and enjoy the atmosphere.

Would you like to see the Christmas lights in London?

If you want to see the Christmas lights in London, don't miss this opportunity. Get in my car and I'll give you a lift from Piccadilly Circus to Marble Arc. I'll turn on the radio if you want. By the way, don't panic! Remember people drive on the left here!

Jingle Bell Rock

If you feel like singing today, here goes this Jingle Bell Rock. Pay attention to the lyrics and then sing the karaoke version!

My Best Wishes for Christmas!

I Wish You a Merry Christmas!

We have already begun our Christmas holidays. I hope you enjoy yourselves and have lots of fun. Here are some interesting online activities for you to review English and have a good time:

If you want to learn some Christmas vocabulary by joining words and pictures, click here.

If you prefer to review what British people do at Christmas, click here.

Would you prefer something more challenging? Well, do this quiz on how people celebrate Christmas all over the world.

Here you can read and listen to a story about Christmas Day and here you can listen to a song about Santa. Go here if you prefer a story about his helper.

And now that you are an expert on Christmas, why don't you help Santa choose the best presents for some kids here?

Do They Know it's Christmas?

Band Aid is a British charity that calls artists to record a Christmas single. Do They Know It's Christmas Time at All? is a song written in 1984 to raise money for the relief of famine in Ethiopia in 1984 and 1985. Many famous singers contributed with their voices. Although the song is almost 25 years old, I think the message is still valid. What do you think?



Here are the lyrics for you to think about the content:

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Hi, students! Remember that our obligatory reader for this course is the adapted version of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, published by Burlington Books.

This is a quick post to remind you that you should have it by January 7, 2009. So don't forget to include it in your letter to the Three Kings!

Thanksgiving Quiz

What did you learn about Thanksgiving Day? How good are you at verb tenses (Past and Participle). Do this quiz and check what you can do!

Past Continuous

Here you can go to another explanation of the form and use of Past Continuous. In that site there are also activities to put into practice what you have learned.

You can also do this activity on Past Continuous. Do you think you need something more challenging? Click here for an activity to choose between Past Simple and Past Continuous.

Good luck!

-ed Pronunciation (Past Simple)

Do you find it difficult to pronounce regular verbs in past form? If you didn't have enough with the activities we did in class, click here and get further practice.

Happy Turkey Day!

As you know, on the fourth Thursday of November people in the USA celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Members of the family meet around a huge dinner where stuffed turkey with gravy, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes play an important role. Americans also enjoy American football on TV and there is a famous parade along the streets of New York.

People give thanks for all the things they have and they say "Happy Thanksgiving!". I wish you a happy day with this funny video I came across.



Here is the original song and a link to the karaoke version for you to sing alone.

Thanksgiving Day

The fourth Thursday in November is Thanksgiving Day in the USA. These days we will learn about both its origin and the way people celebrate it nowadays.

If you click here you'll visit a wonderful website where you'll be able to experience the first Thanksgiving feast.

If you prefer to read about their food (both in English and Spanish), click here.

And here is the worksheet we will work on in class. I hope you learn interesting things about how Americans spend this special day with their friends and family. And of course, I hope you have no doubt when and how to use Present and Past Simple!

Thanksgiving

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Education Spreadsheets Thanksgiving Education

Past Simple

As you know, these days we have been learning the form and use of the past simple tense in English. In this site you'll find an interesting explanation of it, with links to activities. If you think you need to review the past form of verb 'to be', click here or here.

Still difficult? Well, you can always have a look at this website and read the explanation in Spanish!

A song with all the meanings you want . . .

In the last comment Luis posted he included a website to see one of his favourite videos in YouTube. Now we will listen to a song he also likes: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by The Beatles.

Apparently there are several explanations for the inspiration of this song. Some people say John Lennon got the inspiration from a picture drawn by his son. Other people say it has to do with drugs.

Anyway, I agree with Luis it is a good song, easy to understand and follow. It includes a lot of vocabulary dealing with nature, doesn't it? How many of these words can you find? Any other explanation for it?

Enjoy the video!

What do we know about the American elections?

Everybody knows that Obama is the new president of the United States of America. Last Monday Boone, our language assistant, showed interesting pictures of Obama, his family, and people celebrating the election results. We have also voted for the ex-president with the coolest facial hair, haven't we?

If you click here you will see a video explaining the electoral system in the USA. The subtitles are in Spanish, but pay full attention and listen carefully. Do you find it complex?