The internet is an amazing resource full of examples of authentic English... This week's question is simple: How can we make the most of it and use it to improve reading, writing, listening etc. If you go back through some of my older posts there are a few websites which are good to visit, but I'll mention a few that I think are good here.
http://www.tv-links.co.uk/ - You can watch nearly any British or American TV show from the past 50 years here, or on a similar site http://www.alluc.org/.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ - particularly useful are the archives of radio shows. There is also an excellent 'learning english' section.
http://www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglish.htm Not quite as good as the bbc, but has useful stuff on it.
http://www.facebook.com/ - social networking site, many EF students already use it!
http://www.lastfm.com/ - Find new English music, and sing along for pronunciation!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/ - The best English language newspaper, all articles available online.
I'm sure I'll think of some more this afternoon! Are these websites useful to you? Do you know of any others that students might be interested in? Leave a comment below...
Monday 2 July 2007
Wednesday 20 June 2007
Week 0725 - Online Debate
Hello everyone, welcome to my online blog thing. I will try and put something on here every week to help add to the unit we are doing and give you something extra to do in i-lab class.
If you start a blog of your own it is an excellent way to practice your writing, spelling and reading. I can also read and correct it for you and show you areas of grammar you need to work on. The website for creating a blog is http://www.blogger.com/ and you can see an example page from an old student at EF here http://mexicanjourney.blogspot.com/
This week I will put a statement up for debate:
What makes up a family? Does every family need a father/mother figure plus 2.4 children to function? (note: there was a famous survey conducted in the 1980s which concluded that the average family in the US had 2.4 children and the phrase has become very widely used since)
If you start a blog of your own it is an excellent way to practice your writing, spelling and reading. I can also read and correct it for you and show you areas of grammar you need to work on. The website for creating a blog is http://www.blogger.com/ and you can see an example page from an old student at EF here http://mexicanjourney.blogspot.com/
This week I will put a statement up for debate:
What makes up a family? Does every family need a father/mother figure plus 2.4 children to function? (note: there was a famous survey conducted in the 1980s which concluded that the average family in the US had 2.4 children and the phrase has become very widely used since)
Wednesday 16 May 2007
0720 - Everything you always wanted to know about grammar...
This week: grammar and vocabulary questions...
Is there something you just don't understand or that seems really strange? You have a week to ask as many hard questions as you like and I will answer them as best I can!
Is there something you just don't understand or that seems really strange? You have a week to ask as many hard questions as you like and I will answer them as best I can!
Thursday 10 May 2007
What a good website!
If you haven't already, please go and look at this website...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/
The 'Ask About English' section is particularly excellent!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/
The 'Ask About English' section is particularly excellent!
Wednesday 9 May 2007
Online Debate 0719 - Listening In
This week's statement for debate is this:
Due to growing danger from international terrorism it is important that governments monitor what people are doing closely in order to maintain a safe society. Things like CCTV, ID cards, microphones and telephone bugs are vital to let them do this.
articles to help you...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/attackonlondon/story/0,,1542336,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveillance
Due to growing danger from international terrorism it is important that governments monitor what people are doing closely in order to maintain a safe society. Things like CCTV, ID cards, microphones and telephone bugs are vital to let them do this.
articles to help you...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/attackonlondon/story/0,,1542336,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveillance
Tuesday 1 May 2007
Monday 30 April 2007
0718 You Are The Jury...
Susan Polk - Guilty or Not Guilty?
On Trial For Murdering Her Husband, Frank Polk.
On Trial For Murdering Her Husband, Frank Polk.
Susan Polk is facing trial on first-degree murder charges in the death of her 70-year-old wealthy husband, Frank (Felix) Polk. The prominent Berkeley psychologist was found with five stab wounds in the pool house at the couple's upscale San Francisco home in 2002. Polk claims she stabbed him in self-defense.
All the details of the case can be found here:
This is a real life court case currently being contested in America.
Questions for you...
Do you think Susan Polk is guilty, not guilty or not guilty by reason of insanity of 1st degree murder. If she is guilty what do you think would be an appropriate sentence? In this case it is important to recognise the difference between 1st and 2nd degree murder...
Tuesday 24 April 2007
Slang
English slang, it can seem like a whole different language...
Fortunately there is a dictionary available here!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/
Fortunately there is a dictionary available here!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/
Monday 23 April 2007
Online Debate 0717
Although I want to base these on the week's topic if you have any suggestions for debate questions then please let me know and I'll put them up for the class. This week, a short and simple question...
Is the Internet dangerous?
Every week it seems there is a story in the newspapers about the dangers of the internet, abuse of chatrooms, viruses, identity theft and the infringement of copyright on books and music are just some of the problems the internet has created. Are these real dangers? Or are people just scared of new technology? What can governments do to try and 'police' the internet?
Is the Internet dangerous?
Every week it seems there is a story in the newspapers about the dangers of the internet, abuse of chatrooms, viruses, identity theft and the infringement of copyright on books and music are just some of the problems the internet has created. Are these real dangers? Or are people just scared of new technology? What can governments do to try and 'police' the internet?
Thursday 19 April 2007
Listening
Here are some websites which may be useful for practicing listening... If you know of any others then please add them on the comments page!
www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/ - lots of different radio programmes, particularly useful is the listen again section. There are news, arts and current affairs programmes as well as debates and slightly rubbish comedy shows.
www.lastfm.com - An online radio station, no talking but a good way to discover new English music. Type in your favourite band and it will show you similar artists.
www.myspace.com/soundofacloud or www.cloudsounds.co.uk - Sometimes doesn't work properly... If you want to know about music in Manchester then listen to this podcast based radio show, the guy's quite funny and plays good tunes.
[Vocabulary: I've just used the word podcast but don't really know what it means... Can you help?]
www.alluc.org and www.tv-links.co.uk - these give you links to thousands of TV shows available online. Nearly anything you want to watch you should be able to find on one of the sites.
www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/ - lots of different radio programmes, particularly useful is the listen again section. There are news, arts and current affairs programmes as well as debates and slightly rubbish comedy shows.
www.lastfm.com - An online radio station, no talking but a good way to discover new English music. Type in your favourite band and it will show you similar artists.
www.myspace.com/soundofacloud or www.cloudsounds.co.uk - Sometimes doesn't work properly... If you want to know about music in Manchester then listen to this podcast based radio show, the guy's quite funny and plays good tunes.
[Vocabulary: I've just used the word podcast but don't really know what it means... Can you help?]
www.alluc.org and www.tv-links.co.uk - these give you links to thousands of TV shows available online. Nearly anything you want to watch you should be able to find on one of the sites.
Monday 16 April 2007
Online Debate 0716
Thankyou all for your very interesting contributions to last week's debate. This week, first a bit of vocabulary...
'To play the Devil's advocate' - to argue from a position you do not believe in to stimulate debate. Also a very entertaining film with Keanu Reeves.
and for discussion....
'The most important thing about a job is the money you earn.'
Lots of people say that they would prefer a job which is challenging and rewarding but at the end of the day these things don't matter as much. Life outside of work is far more valuable than life in work so if you earn lots of money doing a boring job during the week you can have more fun at the weekends!
Besides, if you earn lots of money doing your job you can save it and retire at 40 or 50 to do the things you want to do for the rest of your life.
'To play the Devil's advocate' - to argue from a position you do not believe in to stimulate debate. Also a very entertaining film with Keanu Reeves.
and for discussion....
'The most important thing about a job is the money you earn.'
Lots of people say that they would prefer a job which is challenging and rewarding but at the end of the day these things don't matter as much. Life outside of work is far more valuable than life in work so if you earn lots of money doing a boring job during the week you can have more fun at the weekends!
Besides, if you earn lots of money doing your job you can save it and retire at 40 or 50 to do the things you want to do for the rest of your life.
Thursday 12 April 2007
Kurt Vonnegut RIP
Kurt Vonnegut, one of my favourite writers, died today after being ill for quite a long time. He wrote lots of interesting and slightly crazy books and stories so I thought I'd put some links here in case anyone wants to read some of them...
Who the hell is Kurt Vonnegut?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Vonnegut
'Harrison Bergeron' - A Short Story
http://instruct.westvalley.edu/lafave/hb.html
Who the hell is Kurt Vonnegut?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Vonnegut
A radio version of 'Report On The Barnhouse Effect' - One of his most famous stories
'Harrison Bergeron' - A Short Story
http://instruct.westvalley.edu/lafave/hb.html
Monday 9 April 2007
Online Debate 0715
Every week I am going to post a debate question related to our unit on my blog. I think it will be really good reading and writing practice if all students try and contribute. If you want to create your own blog then go to www.blogger.com/start, if you don't want a blog but want to comment on mine then you can comment anonymously.
The Rules:
No personal insults.
Respect other people's opinions.
Write in English only.
I will not correct your English on here but please try and make your meaning clear!
This week's question:
Is religion still important and relevant to modern society? Why or why not?
The Rules:
No personal insults.
Respect other people's opinions.
Write in English only.
I will not correct your English on here but please try and make your meaning clear!
This week's question:
Is religion still important and relevant to modern society? Why or why not?
Tuesday 3 April 2007
Saturday
What are you doing on Saturday? Having your hair cut? Having you nails manicured? Having a fantastic dinner cooked for you by a beautiful woman?(spot the grammar point) None of these things?
Mine and Rich's band The Generalissimos are going to be playing live on Saturday night at The Royal Oak in Chorlton. Chorlton's really easy to get too, a short taxi ride (about 7 pounds) or the 86 bus from town or the residence will take you there, and the Royal Oak is right in the centre.
440 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, Manchester, Greater Manchester M21 0BQ
We will be playing UPSTAIRS. This is very important as downstairs can be quite rough and full of scallies. Don't worry though... the upstairs bit is really nice, it's quite a 'cool' night and most of our friends live in Chorlton so it's going to be a bit of a party! It's 4 pounds to get in, 4 bands playing, live music from 8.30 until closing time and students are most welcome.
P.S. While I was looking for the address for the Royal Oak I found this website which is a helpful and fairly accurate guide to Manchester. A little bit out-of-date but worth reading.
http://www.manchesterad.com/html/guides/index.php
Mine and Rich's band The Generalissimos are going to be playing live on Saturday night at The Royal Oak in Chorlton. Chorlton's really easy to get too, a short taxi ride (about 7 pounds) or the 86 bus from town or the residence will take you there, and the Royal Oak is right in the centre.
440 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, Manchester, Greater Manchester M21 0BQ
We will be playing UPSTAIRS. This is very important as downstairs can be quite rough and full of scallies. Don't worry though... the upstairs bit is really nice, it's quite a 'cool' night and most of our friends live in Chorlton so it's going to be a bit of a party! It's 4 pounds to get in, 4 bands playing, live music from 8.30 until closing time and students are most welcome.
P.S. While I was looking for the address for the Royal Oak I found this website which is a helpful and fairly accurate guide to Manchester. A little bit out-of-date but worth reading.
http://www.manchesterad.com/html/guides/index.php
Sunday 1 April 2007
Sunny Manchester...
The great Mark Twain wrote that he would like to die in Manchester, because the transition between Manchester and death would be so small as to be hardly noticeable.
Newspapers
Having spent most of the morning hungover, reading the Observer, I thought I'd try and offer my thoughts on some of the newspapers available here in England. I'd definitely recommend reading one on a regular basis to help with reading, vocabulary and recognising grammar.
The Metro: It's free, you can pick it up on most buses (try and find a copy without any sick on it!) and it's a pretty easy read. As it's designed to be read by almost everybody in about 30-40 minutes it has a nice balance of news and fluff (Fluff: in a magazine or newspaper, unimportant stories such as 'Paris Hilton has a new nose!').
The Sun: The most popular newspaper in England. It's pretty stupid, aimed at people with a very low reading age and does not contain serious journalism. On the other hand, it does have a very good football section. Sample headline: McCLARREN OUT NOW!
The Guardian: Liberal, fairly left-wing newspaper. Read by most students at Manchester University. Has some good articles in everyday, gives a balanced view of the news and has a high standard of language and vocabulary. Sample headline: Will Global Warming Destroy Us All?
The Times: Mostly read by older, richer more conservative people. A British institution, it has a very high standard of writing, the most complex grammar and vocabulary of any newspaper and balanced reporting. The Times can be hard to read even for English people, but is normally worth the struggle. Sample Headline: Labour Cuts Tax Again
The Daily Mail: Stay away from this one! Full of lies, hatred, racism and bigotry. Badly written as well. Sample Headline: Keep All Asians Out Of Britain.
The Daily Telegraph: The Daily Mail with more money. Sample headline: Keep All Poor Asians Out Of Britain.
The Daily Mirror: Easy to read and contains 'proper' news as well as fluff. Not as good as the Metro
The Financial Times: I've never read it but reliable friends have said that it's very good.
The Manchester Evening News: It's a local newspaper. For local people. Boring.
The Independant: A very good newspaper whose journalist give several different points of view on world events. It is very well balanced, has a lot of information, but is nearly as hard to read as The Times.
That's about all I can think of at the moment! I'd recommend The Guardian or The Indepedant. I'll try and think of some interesting books to recommend in my next post...
The Metro: It's free, you can pick it up on most buses (try and find a copy without any sick on it!) and it's a pretty easy read. As it's designed to be read by almost everybody in about 30-40 minutes it has a nice balance of news and fluff (Fluff: in a magazine or newspaper, unimportant stories such as 'Paris Hilton has a new nose!').
The Sun: The most popular newspaper in England. It's pretty stupid, aimed at people with a very low reading age and does not contain serious journalism. On the other hand, it does have a very good football section. Sample headline: McCLARREN OUT NOW!
The Guardian: Liberal, fairly left-wing newspaper. Read by most students at Manchester University. Has some good articles in everyday, gives a balanced view of the news and has a high standard of language and vocabulary. Sample headline: Will Global Warming Destroy Us All?
The Times: Mostly read by older, richer more conservative people. A British institution, it has a very high standard of writing, the most complex grammar and vocabulary of any newspaper and balanced reporting. The Times can be hard to read even for English people, but is normally worth the struggle. Sample Headline: Labour Cuts Tax Again
The Daily Mail: Stay away from this one! Full of lies, hatred, racism and bigotry. Badly written as well. Sample Headline: Keep All Asians Out Of Britain.
The Daily Telegraph: The Daily Mail with more money. Sample headline: Keep All Poor Asians Out Of Britain.
The Daily Mirror: Easy to read and contains 'proper' news as well as fluff. Not as good as the Metro
The Financial Times: I've never read it but reliable friends have said that it's very good.
The Manchester Evening News: It's a local newspaper. For local people. Boring.
The Independant: A very good newspaper whose journalist give several different points of view on world events. It is very well balanced, has a lot of information, but is nearly as hard to read as The Times.
That's about all I can think of at the moment! I'd recommend The Guardian or The Indepedant. I'll try and think of some interesting books to recommend in my next post...
Friday 30 March 2007
An interesting thing...
A good way to sample some of Manchester's alternative music scene...
http://www.myspace.com/nowhearthismanchester
http://www.myspace.com/nowhearthismanchester
some stuff....
hmm... Since I've asked my students to keep up a blog I guess I should do one too. If you notice any spelling or grammar mistakes then feel free to point them out!
Not sure what I should write about as this week I haven't been doing much. My girlfriend is sick so we've spent pretty much all our time sitting around, doing nothing and watching Battlestar Galactica. Sad, I know. Because I've had do do a lecture in school this week I've found it interesting researching the history of the cold war and the influence of nuclear weapons on the last 60 years or so of our history. It's strange being able to go on a website like youtube and find original footage of nuclear tests and presidential speeches from the 1960s. I particularly enjoyed watching the 'Protect and Survive' series of films designed to be shown in Britain in the event of a nuclear attack and finding out more about the Cuban Missile Crisis. Despite doing a degree in history there was still a lot I didn't know!
Hopefully this weekend I will get to do at least one of the following things:
A. See 300.
B. Get out of Manchester in my van.
C. Go out in town and get disgracefully drunk in a bar in the Northern Quarter.
D. Play some music
E. Chillax (chill + relax = chillax)
Not sure what I should write about as this week I haven't been doing much. My girlfriend is sick so we've spent pretty much all our time sitting around, doing nothing and watching Battlestar Galactica. Sad, I know. Because I've had do do a lecture in school this week I've found it interesting researching the history of the cold war and the influence of nuclear weapons on the last 60 years or so of our history. It's strange being able to go on a website like youtube and find original footage of nuclear tests and presidential speeches from the 1960s. I particularly enjoyed watching the 'Protect and Survive' series of films designed to be shown in Britain in the event of a nuclear attack and finding out more about the Cuban Missile Crisis. Despite doing a degree in history there was still a lot I didn't know!
Hopefully this weekend I will get to do at least one of the following things:
A. See 300.
B. Get out of Manchester in my van.
C. Go out in town and get disgracefully drunk in a bar in the Northern Quarter.
D. Play some music
E. Chillax (chill + relax = chillax)
Wednesday 21 March 2007
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