TED's Talks: Jamie Oliver

It is not a secret how interesteing and appealing TED's talks are! There are a myriad of different speakers and subjects covered. This post is to show you one I especially like. I am a fan of British Chef Jamie Oliver and have followed his cooking-related adventures, which include a fight for healthy and nutritious food not only at a family level, but also in schools and similar institututions.
Truth is that he has recently won a more than noteworthy case against McDonalds (read article here) for using "pink slime" in its burgers. You can learn about "pink slime" in this shocking video filmed during Jamie's Food Revolution show in America and that EVERYBODY should watch. I hope you enjoy Jamie's talk about teaching kids to eat wise :)

6 Minute English article: When does adulthood start?

Do you remember 6 minute English clips?
I told you about it some months ago, but yes...memory tends to play tricks on us :P
I'll play conscience here by suggesting this section's last post under the title WHEN DOES ADULTHOOD START?  Don't you have 6 minutes to listen to some English today?
Click here to have access to the 6 Minute English BBC page.

Celtic Heritage in Southern England

One of the many interesting sights the South of England has to offer are chalk figures from Celtic times, a very interesting local heritage indeed. Personally, I was extremely and pleasantly shocked when I saw them on different hills for the first time. No one had ever told me about their existence. Impressive figures such as Cerne Abbas Giant or  The White Horse truly surprise the traveller as he or she enjoys a visit around the south of England. Click here for more information.
You can watch them in the following youtube clip

New Year, New Life?

So how is 2014 treating you????
Well, erm....we all try to start the new year in the best possible way. It is like the omen of good things to come...More often than not, we ideally design how to change and improve those things we are not happy with everytime the new year comes closer. Unfortunately, they tend to be along list of wishy-washy good intentions rather than real resolutions we end up committing to.
Thanks to a collegue in a forum, Yolanda Gimenez Ballesteros, this video was posted and I thought of sharing it :)

TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR LISTENING SKILLS

Mind Mapping

According to Tony Buzan, mindmaps will help you remember thousands of words and phrases mainly for two reasons:

1. They group related concepts together and that mirrors the way in which your brain organises and stores new inforamtion.
2. They are visual, which helps you recall all information, especially language. That makes them idieal for learning and revision.

Comprehensible Input Masterclass

Hands up if you also think Krashen is more than right when suggesting that "Comprehensible Input" is the effective tool to both teach and learn a foreign language. Listen to this 3 minute masterclass. Old, but still good :)

Why Remembrance Day is also known as Poppy Day

Remembrance or Armistice Day is also commonly and popularly known as Poppy Day. If you want to learn about the story behing the Poppy, watch the following video with a delicious Scottich accent.

Countdown to Christmas. Make your own Advent Calendar.

If there is a thing people go all crazy about, that is Christmas time. Celebrations, family and friend gatherings, that special atmosphere and the presents. We all know it is a very materialistic festivity, although that is only so, whenever we choose to go along with the imposed shopping fever.
It is very common in cities to boast a massive Christmas lights switch on event, as well as season adverts by the hand of popular business, such as Morrisons, John Lewis or the classic Fenwick themed windows that everyone loves!
I propose you a countdown to Christmas time with another all-time favourite: Advent Calendars. I offer you the chance to make your own digital version and surprise anyone you want or ,simply, treat yourself!
Click on the link provided let your creativity take over! There is a Monty Python version to let you see a final version of the product :)

http://advent-calendars.org/

Gunpowder Plot. A treason never to be forgotten.

Tonight you'll hear it all over Britain: "Remember, remember the fith of November" and the kids' old story "a penny for the guy". It is the night of gunpowder, bonfires, fireworks display and celebration of a plot fail. Do you know about the popular rhyme and the history bihind it?

Click the link to learn more about Guy Fawkes and The Gunpowder Plot.