Queen Elizabeth's birthday

Elizabeth II has seen her birthday be celebrated several times this year. Do you know why? Check out this video, it explains why she has had no less than THREE celebrations this year: Queen Elizabeth's three celebrations

There have been massive celebrations around the world, not just in London or all around the UK, remember she is also the Head of the Commonwealth. Does that sound familiar?Check it out if it is something you have never heard of before.

I really recommend you to watch the following video, too. It shows how still at 90, Queen Elizabeth is in excellent shape. You can listen and watch the Queen deliver a very short speech (1 minute). Make sure you watch it until the end, there's a joke there. 
Enjoy her pronunciation, there sure is a reason why the 'standard' (meaning posh) variety of English is called the 'Queen's English'.

Here is the transcript if you want to read along:

'To everyone here today, and to those holding street parties elsewhere, I would like to say thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you continue to give me.

I hope these happy celebrations will remind us of the many benefits that can flow when people come together for a common purpose, as families, friends, or neighbours.  And I pay tribute to the commitment, selfless devotion and generosity-of-spirit shown by the hundreds of charities and voluntary organisations represented here today.  You are an example to us all.

I much appreciate the kindness of all your birthday wishes, and have been delighted and moved by the many cards and messages I have received.  How I will feel if people are still singing Happy Birthday to me in December, remains to be seen!'

Holborn's Station Hologram

What do you do when you have to go up - or down- some escalators? Do you stand? Do you walk?

Escalators inside Marble Arch tube station in London

A new type of escalator is being installed inside some stations of the London tube. On these new escalators, people are supposed to STAND, NOT WALK. Of course, people did whatever they wanted...what if you are late or in a rush to get somewhere?

To try and get people to follow the rule, they put some blue footprints on each step: 

Blue footprints in Heathrow Airport tube station in London

As you might have guessed...this didn't work. So, the next step was to ask metro employees to remind passengers. And this didn't work. The result of this sequence of failed ideas is absolutely innovative: they are using a HOLOGRAM of a lady to remind people. Londoners are having a laugh at this, as they find it to be something between amusing, bizarre or even surreal. 

Inside Holborn station

Check this article, you can find a video of the hologram and some extremely funny twits about it: Article about Holborn's tube hologram

Finally, just in case you were wondering why on earth would they do something like this in the tube, here is the answer: 

More people get to the top faster if everyone STANDS and NO ONE WALKS

Click on the following link to watch a really well done simulation to demonstrate this! Article and simulation

How well do you treat your pet?

Do you have any pets at home? Let me guess...most of you I'm sure have a dog or a cat. Am I right? Lots of people are very fond of having animals at home. 

Have a look at the following pictures, did you know these celebrity pets?

Freddie Mercury and his cat Tiffany 

 Salvador Dalí and his cat Babou

Cara Delevingne and her dog Leo

And what about Queen Elizabeth II? It is known that Queen Elizabeth II absolutely LOVES Corgis. All the dogs she has had are descendants of the first one which was given to her as a gift many, many years ago:

 

Her Majesty with Holly and Willow

 

The Queen and more Welsh Corgis

Official Corgi handlers (what a job!)

How well do you think the Queen treats her dogs? I bet you can't even imagine! Have a look at the following article: Daily Mail Article Link. The title is:

Who made a dog's dinner of cooking supper for one's corgis? Queen's shock as beloved dogs are fed reheated meals instead of freshly cooked

It is known she once said about the dogs 'they are family'. 

If you like the article take a look at the comments, many people approving and disapproving in an equally intense manner!

Once you have a look, tell me: how well do YOU treat your pets? Do you know anyone who treats their pets similarly? Have you heard about any celebrity who does this? Let me know!!

I have to admit that if I could, I maybe would do the same as she does :)

Reminder for GAD and AYF students!

GAD: Please, bring your writing packs on Friday + your book. We will finish the unit we're on.

AYF: We will mark your HW on Friday, please bring it in!

Thanks and see you then!

GAD Homework May 7th

What did the person ask to get this answer?

1) ANSWER: No, you'll have to transfer either in Chicago or Kansas City.
QUESTION:
a. Are there any direct flights to NY?
b. How much is a ticket to NY?
c. How long does the flight to NY take?

2) ANSWER: It's right there, next to that restaurant.
QUESTION:
a. How early should I check in?
b. How much do I have to pay for the extra bag?
c. Where's the lost-and-found office?

3) ANSWER: I'm sorry, this bathroom is being cleaned.
QUESTION:
a. Can I go into the bathroom?
b. Where can I get a coffee around here?
c. Where's the ticket office?

4) ANSWER:$75.
QUESTION:
a. Where's the lost-and-found office?
b. How much do I have to pay for the extra bag?
c. How long is the delay?

5) ANSWER: 2 hours.
QUESTION:
a. How long is the delay?
b. Has the flight been cancelled?
c. What time is it?

6) ANSWER: At 2:00 PM.
QUESTION:
a. How long is the delay?
b. When does the flight to Bangkok leave?
c. What time is it?

7) ANSWER: No, this is the arrivals area.
QUESTION:
a. Is this the departures area?
b. Is this the arrivals area?
c. Is this the lost-and-found office?

8) ANSWER: It's $10 per 24 hours.
QUESTION:
a. Where are the lockers?
b. How much does a locker cost?
c. Where are the luggage carousels?

9) ANSWER: It was. The gate has been changed to 44D.
QUESTION:
a. Can I buy a ticket here?
b. How long is the delay?
c. Is this the gate for flight 234 to Madrid?

10) ANSWER: You can bring one small bag on the plane with you.
QUESTION:
a. How much carry-on luggage am I allowed?
b. How many bags can I check?
c. Where can I pay for the extra bag?

Could YOU have answered this question?

There is some strong debate on education going on right now in the UK. 

Watch what happens when Caroline Lucas asks David Cameron to define some grammar terms. The video starts 'For the benefit of the house and for 10 and 11-year olds up and down the country...'

Click HERE for the full article. 

Could you have answered the question?

AYF 6th May HW

Very easy 1st conditional exercises:

1. If I ___ (to study), I ___ (to pass) the exams.
2. If the sun ___ (to shine), we _____ (to walk) to the town.
3. If he ___ (to have) a temperature, he ___ (to see) the doctor.
4. If my friends ___ (to come), I ___ (to be) very happy.
5. If she ___ (to earn) a lot of money, she ___ (to fly) to New York.
6. If we ___ (to travel) to London, we ___ (to visit) the museums.
7. If you ___ (to wear) sandals in the mountains, you ___ (to slip) on the rocks.
8. If Rita ___ (to forget) her homework, the teacher ___ (to give) her a low mark.
9. If they ___ (to go) to the disco, they ___ (to listen) to loud music.
10. If you ___ (to wait) a minute, I ___ (to ask) my parents. 

Enjoy your weekend!!

ERASMUS TALK

Those of you interested in going on an Erasmus next year need to attend the talk on MAY 10th, 12:30. In room 405. Plese, remember that it is COMPULSORY to sign up before you go in the PIJ. 

Scams Reading

This is an -very short- optional reading about different kind of scams: click here for the text

Did you know any of them? 

AYF Homework May 1st

No homework for AYF this long weekend. Relax, enjoy and get things organized for the upcoming exams. 

Modernizing Shakespeare's 130

This is your version for Shakespeare's 130, well done! There's a group whose part I never got sent  (B, AdF, L and D...). It will be added when I receive it. Again, congrats and good job!!

 My love´s eyes aren´t compared to the sun

 The red coral is redder than her red lips

 If the snow is white, so why her breasts are dark?;

 If the hair would be wires, black wires grow on her head.

I have seen roses that are red and white

but I didnt see those roses in her cheeks 

and some perfumes smell better than 

her terrible breath

I have to hear her speak although I know

That music has a better sound than her voice

I swear I hadn´t seen a goddess go,

My love, when she walks, she hits the ground.

I think my love is a better love than the ones based 

on false compare.

B.O.: body odor...

Did you know...?

Did you know that The Lion King and Hamlet have got a parallel narrative thread?

Shakespeare Lives celebrations

The British Council is celebrating Shakespeare's 400th anniversary, and one of the ways they are doing so is by re-adapting Shakespeare's plays. I have particularly liked the one they've made using Julius Caesar, so here it is for you to watch (it only lasts for a couple of minutes): 

When using subtitles with this video: select 'English (United Kingdom)' subtitles for subtitles in modern English, and 'English' subtitles for the original text.

If you want to explore the rest of the videos, the full playlist can be found here: Playlist with more modern adaptations. They will post a new one every month.

Here is the web in which you can read all about these things they are doing to celebrate Shakespeare's life and works: Shakespeare Lives

I have found quite fun this app they have created, in which you can fill in verses, quotes and sonnets with emojis. Look at the example they have used :) 

 Find more information about the FREE app HERE.

Have a nice weekend!

Homework GAD April 23rd

Your homework is to read the following text and answer the questions below.
Also, Nathan has posted a new entry in his blog, go and check it out and see what is he asking for this time.

Night Shift

Many people have jobs that are not very interesting, but a lot of people have to work at night, and this is very difficult. When everybody else is getting ready to go out, they have to go to work, and this outs a lot of psychological stress on them. It is also not very healthy because the human body is designed to be active in the day and to rest in the dark. If this cycle is reversed it can have a bad effect on a person's health. So, why do people do night shifts?

Nowadays, many businesses have to offer a 24 hour service, like hotels, delivery companies, some supermarkets open all night and all day, call centres and hospitals. It is true that some people only need a few hours to sleep at night, but the majority need eight hours. Humans are most active in the middle of the day, and the time when they are least able to concentrate and be efficient is between 2am and 4 am.

This is the worst time to drive, or to do anything that needs concentration. The body finds it very difficult to adapt to the opposite cycle. Things are not likely to get better in the future because more and more companies are working 24 hour cycles to keep in step with our 24 hour society.  

1. What is the writer's main aim in writing the text?
a. To describe the importance of work.
b. To say how working at night can be harmful.
c. To help people change their way of life.
d. To advise people to sleep more. 

2. What does the writer say about night jobs?
a. You get better working conditions.
b. There is a variety of them.
c. It is easier than working during the day.
d. Many people refuse to work at night. 

3. What would a reader learn about sleep from the text?
a. Everybody needs the same amount.
b. It's difficult to change your sleeping needs. 
c. People sleep better in the early morning.
d. Many people need more than 11 hours' sleep.

4. What does the writer say about the future?
a. Fewer people will work during the day.
b. People will demand fewer services.
c. People will work longer hours.
d. Some jobs will always be done at night.

5. Which of the following could also be a title for this text?
a. Society is changing but our bodies are not!
b. A good night's sleep can change your life!
c. A worker that sleeps more, works more!
d. The loneliest jobs in the world!

The following image shows the effects of night shifts on one's health. Have you ever worked the night shift? 

Homework AYF April 23rd

Nathan has got a new entry in his blog about idioms, go and check it out and see what he is asking for in your comments.

My homework for you is an extremely easy and short revision of prepositions of place - at, on, in. 

Complete the following exercises using at, on, or in and then answer the questions at the end.

1. I always keep some extra money ___ my bag in case of emergencies.

2. I'll read it tonight ___ home.

3. Do you live ___ a house or an apartment?

4. Did you learn English ___ Malta?

5. She grew up ___ a farm.

6. I read about it ___ the newspaper.

7. He went for a swim ___ the river.

8. The dog's sleeping ___ the carpet. 

9. The information is ___ the top of the page.

10. Were you ___ the party too?

The final question is, are you able to complete the rules? Try to fill in the following with either in, on or at:

1. ___ a Point

___ tells us that the following noun is located at a specific point or location. It shows an exact position. Examples:

'She's waiting ___ the entrance.'

'He's sitting on his chair ___ his desk.'

'I work ___ a bank.'

2. ___ an Enclosed Space.

___ tells us that the noun is in an enclosed space (surrounded or closed on all sides). Basically, we use it when something is inside something else. Examples:

'The child's toys are kept ___ a box.'

'Everyone is already waiting for the President ___ the dinning room.'

'My English teacher used to live ___ Jamaica some years ago.'

3. ___ a Surface.

___ tells us that the following noun is located on a surface. Use ___ when one thing is attached to or touching something else.

'The glass is ___ the table.'

'The paper he threw landed ___ the floor'.

'He sat down ___ his chair when he heard the terrible news.'

Have a look at this explanation and pay attention to which preposition is used for each type of location:

Aaand here's a sonnet for you to read

Im pleased to introduce you to Shakespeare's Sonnet 130. Shakespeare is mainly famous for having written plays which have been represented non-stop since the moment they were written... and that's quite a long time ago! 

Shakespeare's sonnets are also greatly appreciated, so have a taste of them by having a look at the one below. Be sure that you will read something very different to what you are used to!

Read through it carefully, once, twice, as many times as you need to get a general understanding of what he's expressing. 

It is a love poem, but... can you tell why is it different to the love poems we normally read? What makes it different? Would you be able to rephrase it in your own words? I would be impressed if anyone tried to explain it in their own words! 

We will talk about it more in depth on Friday- also about Shakespeare and his times. Any comments before Friday about this are welcome below.

1      My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;
        Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;
        If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
        If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
5      I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
        But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
        And in some perfumes is there more delight
        Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
        I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
10    That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
        I grant I never saw a goddess go;
        My mistress when she walks treads on the ground.
             And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
             As any she belied with false compare.

line 1 my mistress: my loved one

l.3 dun: grey/brown colour.

l.5 damasked: a pattern of both colours (red and white). 

l.8 reeks: smells strongly and unpleasantly.

l.10 hath: has

l.12 treads: steps heavily

l.14 belied: to show to be false

Bored? Try one of these!

Remember Oscar Wilde? We talked about him on St.Patrick's day, he was an Irish author famous for writing The Picture of Dorian Grey and The Importance of Being Earnest, among others. 


Find in this link some of his short stories, some of them as short as 4 pages. Have a look and see if you like any of them: http://www.wilde-online.info/short-stories.htm

I particularly enjoy The Selfish Giant and The Nightingale and the Rose.


The Importance of Being Ernest is a play, and it has been adapted to cinema several times. Have any of you seen it? It is really fun, I highly recommend you to watch it! It belongs to the genre called 'comedy of manners', which basically means that Oscar Wilde makes fun of the habits and the way the people from the upper class behave and their love life.Have a look at the trailer:

These are some of his most famous quotes, have you heard any of them before?

Enjoy!!

GAD 17th April

GAD students, no H/W this weekend as you might have guessed. Enjoy your Sunday.

See you on Tuesday. 

Nathan's Blog

Just a quick reminder! Don't forget about Nathan's blog: http://nathanaustria.blogspot.com.es/

He already posted a question and he's getting quite a lot of answers. So, students of AyF and GAD, looking forward to see your replies there, too!

Have a nice weekend.

Late trains in Japan

Homework GAD April 8th

1. The words and phrases in bold are in the wrong sentences. Re-write them so they are correct.

1. Wear your display board so people can identify you.
2. Many companies are taking part in the brochure this year.
3. Our name tag has got information about our company and pictures of our products.  Please take one.
4. I'll give you my exhibition so that you can contact me.
5. We've got very attractive posters on our business card.


2. Choose the correct answer.

1. Excuse me! Where can I ___

a. find a supermarket?   b. go to a supermarket?

2. Excuse me! How can I ___

a. find the railway station?   b. get to the railway station?

3. Excuse me! How ___ I get to the centre of town?

a. do   b. will

4. Excuse me! Is this the ___ way for the railway station?

a. good   b. right

5. Excuse me! ___ where the town museum is, please?

a. Could you say me   b. Could you tell me

6. Excuse me! ___ for the swimming pool.

a. I look   b. I'm looking

7. Excuse me! Is there a bank ___

a. near here?   b. right here?

8. Excuse me! Where's the ___ post office, please?

a. nearer   b. nearest

9. Excuse me! Do you know ___

a. where is the town hall?   b. where the town hall is?

10. Excuse me! Could you ___ me directions for the motorway?

a. give   b. tell


3. In the following video, you will be able to watch people being asked for directions on the street. All of their answers are spontaneous, so pay attention to the language they use. 

Can you spot the person who says ''left'' but points to the right?

Homework AYF 9 April

For each one, choose which is better from the options available.

1. I think you ___ wear that T-shirt. It doesn't suit you.

a. don't have to   b. must   c. shouldn't

2. When we were kids, ___ take our food to school. We went to the canteen.

a. had to   b. didn't have to   c. didn't need to

3. All children ___ fasten their seatbelt when travelling by car.

a. have to   b. should   c. must

4. You ___ drink that! It's poison!

a. must   b. should   c. mustn't

5. ___ I stay and help you or you can do it alone?

a. should   b. must   c. have

6. You ___ be very rich to go skiing nowadays.

a. mustn't   b. needn't   c. don't have to

7. I can't go out now. I ___ do my homework. 

a. should   b. have to   c. must

8. We ___ do so many things around the house, that we couldn't call you. 

a. did have   b. had to   c. must

9. You ___use your flash inside the Museum, it's forbidden. 

a. need to   b. must   c. mustn't 

10. We have to be cautious, this looks a bit dangerous! We ___ try and cross the river now. 

a. have to   b. should   c. shouldnt't

GAD HOMEWORK April 2nd

Your homework for this weekend is to do some research in the internet. By answering the following questions you will learn some new interesting facts about different countries.

Read the questions before you start looking for the answers online... How many can you answer without searching on the internet?

Enjoy and make sure that you check the actual location of the countries mentioned!

1. Which country has the second largest population in the world?
2. Where can you find the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh?
3. Where is the Great Barrier Reef?
4. Which nationality were the first men to land on the moon?
5. Which is the largest country in South America?
6. Where is the Yangtze River?
7. What animal is a kiwi and where does it live?
8. In what country would you find the islands of Santorini and Mykonos?
9. Which nationality was Nelson Mandela?
10. Adidas and Volkswagen are companies from what country?
11.Where are Lyon and Marseille?
12. What country was called Ceylon until 1972?
13. Where are Ankara and Istanbul?
14. Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in what country?

15. Look at this quote: 

First of all...do you agree? Who is the author of this quote? Why is he famous?

Have a nice weekend!

Practice your PRONUNCIATION

Here is an example of an excellent activity you can do to practice your pronunciation. 

In the video, Morgan Freeman reads aloud Justin Bieber's 'Love Yourself'. 

Pay attention to pauses, intonation, pronunciation, rhythm, etc. 

You can do this with any song you want. 

Look for the lyrics, play the song and follow the words. Then, read it yourself. Have a try, this is a really effective way of improving. 

Enjoy!

More: Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) reading HOTLINE BLING:

Homework February 27th GAD & AYF

Please, revise for your exams this weekend.


Good luck everyone!

American and British English

Job Interview links for GAD & AYF

These are the basic webs where you should start looking for information. Please, do some research of your own, too. 

GAD Students: NH London Kensington Hotel

AYF Students: 

Deloitte Financial Advisory  

Deloitte Financial Advisory Overview

Article from the Daily Telegraph top 9th place to work in UK