Michelle Obama speech "Enough is Enough"

Such a superb speech on a pathetic behaviour. She speaks elegantly, directly and right to the point. Words we all can understand and agree with come out in a sincere heart to heart communitcation act. Love this woman.

GOT fan? Me too!!! Check this out ;)

Hello! If you happen to be a GOT fan like myself, you may love this documentary. I am sharing for the pleasure of combining two personal passions: English and this story. I confess I have read all the books and looking forward to the next one!!! It is kind of strange to watch this series' last season as it is in no book! and I am worried it will condition somehow what needs to be told from the author himself. Nothing we can do about it, but to enjoy both alternatives!  

British People???

We are working on culture this week...I guess this may come in handy. Other than the weather, tea seems to be the issue.... The guy is kind of funy...

A Beautiful Enquiring Mind

This young boy, Toby Little, took the initiative to write to people in each and every country around the world and guess!!! He had loads of lovely responses. I read it on facebook today (via BBC Breakfast web). What a beautiful story after losing hope in humankind due to yesterday's terrorist attacks in Brussels. I choose to focus on good news today. Here is why I am sharing this ambitious boy's story

Paris Attacks by Michael Hirst

France is observing three days of mourning for the 127 victims of Friday's multiple attacks on Paris.

British Education System explained ;)

What is Boxing Day?

Crazy Xmas shopping starts on Boxing Day, but the origin of this festivity has little to do with today's spending and abundance....
Happy Boxing day and Happy sales and deals :)
Boxing Day: THE BUSINESS
Boxing Day:  The History of its ORIGIN

Christmas Crackers!!!

They definitely are  as British and christmassy as mince pies and Christmas pudding, to mention a few examples. I suggest this funny article by Smitten by Britain describing THE TRADITION OF THE CHRISTMAS CRACKER to learn more about this unique tradition.
I also invite you to listen to this family introducing the fun of Christmas crackers ;)

The Berlin Wall 25 years later.

I was only 11 years old when the news were all over the press. Despite my early age, I could sense the magnitude of what was happening... To be honest, 1989 is a year I can distinctly remember for an unknown reason. Funny thing....These days, with time and perspective, I get very much moved by the powerful images and the freedom, the courage and the beauty they reveal....

In my opinion, there are too many walls erected in this world, They are not necessarily physical and more often than not, they are clearly unnecesary or useless. That is the reason why I adore the words by Tilda Swinton in "The Invisible Frame"(2009), a feature just 21 years after her "Cycling the Frame" (1988) movie was released. After her special relationship with the wall (it fell just 9 months after the filming mentioned above), Tilda states this beautiful reflection about what has happened: "Open  doors, open eyes, open ears, open air, open country, open season, open fields, open hearts, open minds, open locks, open borders, open future, open sky, open arms, open sesame". Beautiful description of a once future and now present time.

"It is a fearful heart that builds a wall. It is a fearless heart that can live without it"  

The Berlin Wall fell 25 years ago and thousands of Germans are gathering in the city to commemorate the anniversary. Nowadays, Germans are obviously happy about the end of their physical Iron Curtain. Berlin has seen the upcoming of a cosmopolitan and entrepeneurial scenece. The city boasts universities, museums, entertainment venues, festivals, sporting events, you name it. It is commonly agreed that it has turned into a reference cultural beehive. However, some local people complain about the amount of tourism invading the area, the rocketing house prices and growing filth as a result of that. Probably, a high price to pay but worth it, though.

To see the exact moment when the Berlin Wall fell dow, click here and read all about the end of the absurd separation of a nation. 

Red Phone Boxes to turn into Solar Boxes!!!

A couple of college students wanting a second life for these popular Phone Boxes came up with this super cool project. Nowadays, phone boxes are clearly less useful due to the rise of, formerly, mobile phones and, now, smartphones. What to do with the red icons then???

The solution they proposed really makes the past embrace the future as the phone boxes will become solar powered phone charging stations!!!! CLEVER!

Obviously, the "green" idea has also taken over the whole place ;)

Scottish Independence Referendum 2014 (I know I am late...)

We know the feelings of the citizens, the intense debate held the last few weeks and the result of the much applauded referendum. But do you know the history behind Scottish independence wish? This short video summarises and simplifies it a bit. The articles following it, explain the consequences of the democratic referendum as well as social and political implications after it.

 BBC News article 

The Guardian article

GOV.UK site

Books Should be Free

http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/

Here you are a very catching name for a website that offers audiobooks for FREE. Just click on your genre, age and language and a wide selection of titles will come up. You can either listen to the book online or download the chapters' audioclips. Handy and right what you need while still on holidays!!!!
Happy listening :)

This is not a "Silly the Bean" post!!!

Good morning! It is a beautiful summer day and that is no reason why we shouldn't go on with the challenging and amazing task of learning English. More often than not, you will hear people saying that it is vocabulary that shows your level of English. It is partially true. Once you have reached an intermediate level of grammar, more vocabulary is definitely the thing to make the difference, as you will find it easier to express yourself!

I have to suggest my "Silly the Bean" blog for those who would like to learn idoms and funny expressions to sound more native-like wearing a smile :D

The following video by Daniel Welsh, @MadridESL, explains some English proverbs and sayings. 

On top of that, if you were left wanting more and more, your wish is my command ;)

We Live in the UK: an activity for beginners

I tend to post activities for intermetdiate and advanced learners, but I guess that I should try and balance my proposals by including more basic English for those with an elementary level.

Click here to start

I found this listening excercise about the UK for those willing to do some practice!

WE LIVE IN THE UK was designed and posted by the British Council. You'll have to watch a short clip and then answer some questions. After that, vocabulary and grammar related to this topic will be delivered.

  

Ready for the challenge?  

Video Lessons to learn English, a classic

They were the hit some years ago as they came to replace the sad audiotapes. Obviously, we have so many other options nowadays to learn English, that we may find video lessons a bit old fashioned. I remember that when I was a child I used to watch Muzzy at school and I absolutely loved it!  

If you feel brave and resolved to start your Video Language Course today, here you are some proposals: "Let's Talk in English" is a popular DVD language course. Watch the first DVD and if you like it, you'll only have to continue the series with the link provided below the the image. Keep Calm and Speak English ;) 

Other options available are English Today (with subtitles), New English File (with beginner, elementary, (pre)intermediate, upper-intermediate levels. I have linked here the intermediate level videos) and BBC DVD English course "Follow Me", a widely popular, yet a much older, option. 

The idea behind the present post is to stay in touch with oral English. Exposure to the language is paramount for a better pronunciation and a progresive tunning into the different accents, the right intonation and a more natural English with daily used expresssions. 

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE VIDEO LESSONS VIA AGENDAWEB

Kings and Queens in the 21st Century

The King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, abdicated this morning in favour of Crown Prince Felipe, causing a wide range of mixed opinions and reactions. You can read about this piece of news in the world leading newspapers: The New York Times, The Guardian, BBC News...

More often than not, I have come across more Britons happy about their royal family and monarchy in general than Spaniards being content with their respective counterpart. The formers appreciated or respected the institution and what is more, considered it an interesting economic revenue for the country, while the latters always complained about having never been asked whether they wanted a king or not. It simply came imposed, unelected, at the end of Franco's dictatorship and that was it.

However, I was delighted to find this clever video about British monarchy, which I considered interesting enough for sharing a balanced exposition about pros and cons regarding the royal institution. It is like posting typical Spanish debate thoughts, but expressed in English and referring to British monarchy, although applicable to any. Worth watching indeed....

How the Giant's Causeway and Game of Thrones are related in my opinion.

Cliffs of Moher

Last April, I travelled to Dublin and as a result of a fast visit I had to leave without enjoying two nearby wonderful natural sights from Emerald Isle: Cliffs of Moher (Republic of Ireland) and The Giant's Causeway (Northen Ireland). After I browsed a few brochures and read about the legends behind the latter, my imagination started to run wild as I pictured giants in the country as they are described in Game of Thrones behind "The Wall". 

Personally, I seriously believe there is a strong paralelism between this fictional world and the real one. The shapes of the two isles are pretty similar, and "The Wall" in the book could perfectly be a frozen version of Hadrian's Wall, the savages could stand for the much feared Celts (also called "ladies from hell" by Roman troops), while the Giants could be a fusion of reality with myths and legends. Am I going too far? Probably! But that is my stream of consciousness for you.

Now, What is the Giant's Cause way for real? 

The National Trust (UK) website uses the following description to refer to the location of this oustanding natural wonder "Flanked by the North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, for centuries the Giant's Causeway has inspired artists, stirred scientific debate and captured the imagination of all who see it". These basalt columns resulting from a volcanic eruption leave no one indiferent beacuse of their unique, impressive and geometrical beauty. Please, watch this video offering the human and divine perspectives of one geological jewel to be treasured.

I know for a fact that many scenes from Game of Thrones have actually been filmed at the Giant's Causeway. It was the scenery for The Iron Isles (House Greyjoy). But here, is it just me or this Westeros map could be related to a pair of inverted British Isles? I'll leave you with that deep thought...

Westeros map from Game of Thrones (source).

Poem-Shaped Pronunciation Challenge

"The Chaos", by Gerard Nolst Trenité (1870-1946), is a poem that reached me a few days ago via facebook. I have to admit that it was an interesting activity although too long a task to fulfill! If you are able to complete the reading until the very end and without a mistake, consider yourself a champion in phonectics!!!! I'll leave you with your task, which has the incredible and challenging statistics of not being correctly pronounced by 90% of native speakers!!!

Click to read the Pronunciation Challenge Poem

So....How was that??? Now you can listen to the correct pronunciation and double check your performance by clicking HERE. I didn't embed the link to avoid the temptation of easy cheating ;)

Have you heard about Threading?

If I had to enumerate the different uses some cotton thread could have, this would certainly not be it!!!

Unbelievable but true, eyebrow threading is quite the thing in India and it is getting more and more popular around the world. It is an ancient technique devoted to hair revomal and the good news are it causes no pain while respecting all skin types. Indeed, it is time to have a go at this interesting and useful beauty treatment !

Spain has little salons offering this service, such as Sundara ("beautiful" in Sanskrit) in Madrid, Barcelona and Seville....

Summertime: Wales (Cymru)

Definitely, the least popular destination touristwise in the UK, but not for that, the less interesting place to visit. It is true that we are often unfair with Wales, a country of rich culture and history, known for their gifted singing skills and breathtaking scenery, by not praising the country as it really deserves. Not in vain, 9 million people visit Wales every year and enjoy 641 castles, three National Parks, plenty of gorgeous "blue flag" beaches and a welcoming population of 3 million inhabitants, very much outnumbered by the 11 million sheep :D