Macmillan Dictionary - Word of the Day

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

A Happy New year for all ....



I love languages! So I’ve decided to wish you all a Happy New Year in all the languages I know something about.

Feliz Ano Novo- Portuguese

Happy New Year - English

Bonne Année- French

Ein gutes neues Jahr- German

Feliz Año Nuevo- Spanish

I wish I knew Italian, but I can only understand a few words.
Felice Anno Nuovo, Buon Anno – Italian

I studied Latin at school, but I have already forgotten everything.
Felix sit annus novus

More languages at http://www.freelang.net/expressions/newyear.php

Monday, December 28, 2009

A new year is about to start. It's time for some new year's resolutions.


Top 10 New Year's Resolutions

I have just found this site and and it seems very interesting ....
Some of my new year's resolutions can be found there, such us:

- spend more time with family and friends;
- do physical exercise and keep fit;
- enjoy life more;
- learn something new;
- get more organized;
- sleep more;
- travel, etc.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Have you had difficulties in understanding The Avatar Movie Trailer? Watch it now with Portuguese subtitles


http://videolog.uol.com.br/video.php?id=493739

Avatar Trailer

Avatar: The Movie New 2nd Trailer [HD]
Director: James Cameron
Release: 12/18/2009
Genre: Action/Adventure
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Website: www.avatarmovie.com
In the future, a paraplegic war veteran is brought to the planet Pandora which is inhabited by the Navi. The Navi is a humanoid race with their own language and culture, but the people of Earth find themselves at odds with the Navi.


See the lyrics of the song: Do they know it's christmas time at all? and find the meaning of the unknown words .

Do They Know It's Christmas Time? You can find here great singers for a great cause ...

Band Aid was a British and Irish charity supergroup, founded in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia by releasing the record "Do They Know It's Christmas?" for the Christmas market that year. The single surpassed the hopes of the producers to become the Christmas number one.



I can find here some of my favourite singers! And you do you like this song?

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Travel effortless and learn by doing it ...


Travelogues

Watch short videos about the pie team’s travels. Be an armchair traveller and follow them wherever they go - and improve your English at the same time!

http://www.podcastsinenglish.com/pages/travelogues.shtml

Monday, December 14, 2009

Learn English with games ...

SECOND LIFE FOR TEENAGE LEARNERS OF ENGLISH

Do you want to learn English and visit the UK for free? Now you can, virtually. The British Council has created a learning zone for learners in the Second Life virtual environment. Interactive LearnEnglish activities and quests based on UK culture are available for all registered Second Life residents.

http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-second-life-for-teens.htm


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Do this quiz and enjoy yourself!

What kind of music do you like? What kind of films do you like? - A video

If you want to speak English well, you've got to listen to it constantly.
In the web you can find thousands of podcasts/videos in English. Listen to them and improve your oral skills.
Another advice: when you watch a movie at home, use English subtitles or no subtitles at all.

Here is the example of a video you can watch.

Monday, December 7, 2009

I was surfing the web, when I found a site which deals with the pros and cons of being famous. Read it ...



Will Smith, a famous actor

Here is an extract of the text:
"With being an actor, comes certain responsibilities that you might not have asked for in the first place. ...One of them that almost all actors have to deal with on a daily basis is: Being famous.
You may be thinking, but being famous would be an advantage, right? Well, being famous has its advantages but it also has disadvantages. One of the disadvantages is of course, fame. Fame brings many things to you that you might not want..."

Read more at http://purpleslinky.com/offbeat/is-being-an-actor-worth-it/

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Careers that produce celebrity- Source: wikipedia


Gisele Bündchen, international supermodel

"A celebrity (or celeb) is a person who is famously recognized in a society or culture.Generally speaking, a celebrity is someone who gets media attention and most frequently has an extroverted personality.

There are a wide range of ways people can become celebrities, from their profession, appearances in the mass media, beauty or even by complete accident or infamy. Instant celebrity is the term that is used when someone becomes a celebrity in very short period of time. In the 21st Century, the insatiable public fascination for celebrities and appetite for celebrity gossip has seen the rise of the gossip columnist, tabloid, paparazzi and celebrity blogging.

The rise of international celebrities in acting and popular music is due in large part to the massive scope and scale of the media industries, enabling celebrities to be viewed more often and in more places.

Some professional activities, by the nature of being high-paid, highly exposed, and difficult to get into, are likely to confer celebrity status. For example, movie stars and television actors with lead roles on prominently scheduled shows are likely to become celebrities. High-ranking politicians, businessmen, national television reporters, daytime television show hosts, supermodels, successful athletes and chart-topping musicians are also likely to become celebrities. A few humanitarian leaders such as Mother Teresa have even achieved fame because of their charitable work. Some people have achieved fame online and thus are Internet celebrities."

Read the whole article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrity

Thursday, December 3, 2009

A love song - No one... by Alicia Keys

Alicia keys, a successful artist ...


Life and career

Fame- once a television series... now a movie ...

Getting famous ...


In class we have concluded that getting famous is a dream for many boys and girls. But going up the ladder demands much hard work, true talent and a bit of luck. The "entertainment" world is very competitive; consequently only the best ones will succeed.

If you want to be famous, here are some hints:

- You must be prepared to work and be judged by demanding critics;
- You must be open-minded and be willing to learn;
- You must work hard every day;
- You shouldn't get anything for granted;
- You must believe in yourself;
- etc ...

The consumer society


We have been talking about the consumer society and its effects on people, specially on teenagers. The media and the fashion industry are succeding in getting their messages to the people.
In class we have come to some interesting conclusions:

- People are evaluated by what they have, wear and look like;
- The Media make people buy what they don't need;
- The media take people to a world of fantasy and glamour;
- It's a way to escape from the monotony of everyday life;
- There's an obsession with material possessions and body image;
- Girls become anorectic in order to fit into the new patterns of beauty.
- etc ...

And you? What do you think of the consumer society?