Once again, it's time to check your vocabulary improvement after the last "lesson". Here is a crossword, that you can also download and print here
Enjoy!
Across
2. a small group of people who spend their time together and do not welcome other people into that group 3. in an earlier time
5. to tell someone that you will kill or hurt them, or cause problems for them of they do not do what you want 8. seeming not to need any effort 9. working or operating quickly and effectively 11. further away in the distance 13. to do an action or piece of work 17. happening after something else 20. to pull or be pulled apart 21. difficult or unpleasant conditions of life 23. to win against someone in a fight, war or competition 24. the fact that someone or something disappears 28. different from what is usual or from the way most people do things 29. a list of planned activities or things to be done, showing the times or dates when they are intended to happen or to be done 30. to persuade someone to work for a company or become a new member of an organization, especially the army
Down
1. to represent or describe someone or something in a painting, film, book or other artistic work 2. someone who was found guilty of a crime 4. use manipulation 6. usually or to a large degree 7. a drug that makes your mind and body more active 10. to be public for the first time, for a play or any other time of entertainment 11. place where a battle is being fought 12. (fig) fulfill a commitment, keep a promise 14. the occasion when someone performs or presents something to the public for the first time = premiere 15. lawyer 16. to move or cause something to move around a central point or line 18. to keep a group of people interested or enjoying themselves 19. testicle 22. the offense of breaking a religious or moral law 25. permission for a prisoner to be released before their period in prison is finished, with the agreement that they will behave well 26. to develop gradually 27. conspire
Those of you who have followed my classes know how many times I have said that doing something we like in the language we want to learn is the best way to learn quickly and effortlessly. In my case, watching series proved to be very efficient as you get entertained at the same time as you train your brain. So here are the 12 series, according to Entertainment Weekly, that can't be missed this summer. Note that if you decide to watch them, you should watch them with English subtitles, as your brain will magically pick up new words, expressions, spellings, and, most importantly, develop your listening skills. For that matter, don't hesitate reading the article while listening the its audio version below.
Here is an American teen drama mystery-thriller series based on the novels by Sara Shepard. The story is about the lives of four girls whose clique falls apart after the disappearance of their queen bee: Alison DiLaurentis. A year later, they start receiving messages from a mysterious person using the name 'A'. This 'A' threatens to expose their secrets. At first, they think it's Alison herself, until her body is found. Because of the major success of the 10 first episodes of the TV show, the book series was extended beyond the initial eight novels. The 4th season premiered on June 11th, 2013 on ABC Family.
2. True Blood
This one is also an American television drama series and it was created and produced by Alan Ball. It is based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries series of novels written by Charlaine Harries. The story is about the co-existence of vampires and humans in Bon Temps, a small town in northwestern Louisiana. The main character is Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress. The show has been broadcast on HBO since September 7, 2008 and the first 5 seasons received mainly favorable reviews. They also won several awards, including a Golden Globe and an Emmy.
The sixth season premiered on June 16th, 2013.
3. Franklin & Bash
This is more of a drama-comedy television series, with the two main characters, Jared Franklin and Peter Bash portrayed as unconventional lawyers and longtime friends. In the UK, it was compared to Allie McBeal, but "with balls". It premiered in June 2011 on TNT. After defeating Damien Karp of the prestigious law firm Infeld & Daniels, Jared and Peter are recruited by Stanton Infeld, where they work with their assistant Carmen Phillips, an ex-convict out on parole, and Pindar Singh, a brilliant but agoraphobic attorney and classmate of theirs. The third season began on June 19, 2013.
4. Under the dome
Under the Dome is an American science fiction horror television series based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. The series premiered on June 24, 2013 on CBS. Set in the near future, Under the Dome tells the story of all the residents of the small town of Chester’s Mill, who suddenly find themselves cut off from the rest of the world by a mysterious, impenetrable barrier that surrounds the town. As the town begins to tear itself apart through panic, a small group of people try to keep peace and order, while also trying to find the truth about the barrier and how to escape from it. 5. Dexter
Is it Dexter’s turn to die? For the show’s 8th and final season, all bets are off. Dexter is an Ameican television drama series which debuted on October 1, 2006 on CBS. The series centers on Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter pattern analyst for Miami Metro Police Department, who also leads a secret life as a serial killer. The show’s first season was largely based on the novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter, the first of the Dexter series novels by Jeff Lindsay. However, the subsequent seasons have evolved independantly of Lindsay’s work. For this last season, we can expect Miami Metro’s killer to fight with his siter Debra, the arrival of a psychiatrist from his past, the return of his poisonous lover Hanna McKay, and a new Big Bad who steals pieces of victim’s brains. All that leads Dexter to a finale that the producers promise will deliver. «We want to go out as strongly as we came in. It will be scary and thrilling and very touching all at the same time.»
Showtime: June 30, 2013
6. Ray Donovan
This one is a new American television drama series, created by Ann Biderman and its twelve-episode first season is going to debut on June 30, 2013. The story takes place in Los Angeles, California, where Ray Donovan is a «fixer» for the rich and famous. However, he experiences his own problems when his father is unexpectedly released from prison.
7. Get out alive with Bear Grylls
Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls is a new American reality competition hosted by adventurer and survivalist Bear Grylls. The series made of eight episodes is scheduled to start on NBC on July 8th, 2013. Ten teams of 2 people will compete to survive in the wild of New Zealand while performing various tasks and missions. Each week, one team will be eliminated, and the last team remaining will win $500,000.
8. The Bridge
A Texas detective and a charming Mexican detective team up when a dead body is dropped on the bridge connecting El Paso (Tex.) to Juares (Mexico). But the producers promise the series will be about more than just the hunt for a killer. It’s an American police drama that will debut on FX on July 10th, 2013.
9. Orange is the new black
Based on Piper Kerman’s memoir Orange is The New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison, the original comedy-drama series will premiere on July 11, 2013. It revolves around Piper Chapman, a New York woman, who is sent to a women’s federal prison for possessing a suitcase full of drug money for Alex Vause, an international drug smuggler and a previous lover. She has to serve a 15-month sentence and she must survive the hardships of prison life.
10. Suits
This series is set at the law firm Pearson Hardman in New York City. Specter is looking for an associate and interviews Ross, who is the best candidate for the position and obtains it without having a law degree, and being on the run from a drug deal gone bad... The third season is about to premiere on July 16, 2013
11. The White Queen
Based on a series of best-selling historical novels by Philippa Gregory, this War of the Roses drama centers around King Edward who disobeyed his advisers to marry Elizabeth in 1464 and the rebellion that follows. It focuses on 3 ladies who want the throne. «It’s about how they plot and they maneuver, not on the battlefield but in their homes.» It is a British television drama and it was launched on BBC One on June 16th, 2013.
12. Breaking Bad
Set and produced in Abluquerque, New Mexico, Breaking Bad is the story of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer at the beginning of the series. He turns to a life of crime, producing and selling methamphetamine with a former student, Jesse Pinkman, in order to secure his family’s financial future before he dies. In this third and last season it’s time to find out if Walter will pay for all the sins he has committed over five dark seasons. It will be aired starting August 11th, 2013.
Here is a little crossword to test your memory. It gathers the vocabulary taught in relation to the previous blog entry "Brazil's protests raise fears for World Cup". Enjoy! Downloadable and printable version here.
Clues:
Across
4. one occasion when groups of people march or stand together to show that they disagree with or support something or someone
9. a large group of people who have come together
10. the set of services provided by a country or an organization for the treatment of the physically and mentally ill 13. not probably or likely to happen 15. very bad 19. to make someone decide something 21. a strip of metal going from the highest point of a building to the ground, that prevents lightning from damaging the building 23. the money that you pay for a journey on a vehicle, such as a bus or a train
Down
1. very great admiration or praise for someone 2. to make something become larger in amount or size 3. to give money or a prize following an official decision
5. Greek king who changed everything into gold
6. the act of politely or officially ask for something
7. to become worse 8. hurting someone or something 11. an elastic substance made from the juice of particular trees 12. 1,000,000 14. ask for something forcefully 16. the situation in which someone important gives jobs to friends rather than to independent people who have the necessary skills and experience 17. an object shot during shooting practice 18. Latin-American word for foreigners 20. a large angry crowd, especially one that could easily become violent 22. a public meeting of a large group of people, especially supporters of a particular opinion
Here is the first adapted news article for learning purpose. Read the article one time without stopping and try to have a general understanding of the text. You can also listen to the audio version of the text:
Football supporters shoot rubber bullets, the roads into the stadiums are blocked by angry people, mobs are throwing stones at Fifa offices, Confederations Cup signs are being ripped down in the heart of mass protests. These scenes are unlikely to happen in a country that loves football so much and they are the last thing that the organizers of the World Cup wanted to see in Brazil before next year's tournament. However, for the past week, they have happened almost every day and the country's favorite sport has become the focus of the biggest demonstrations in decades.
More than a million people went in the streets on Thursday night in at least 80 cities. The demonstrations prompt local authorities to request security reinforcements from the national government. The rallies and the violence were not only prompted by the tournament. The initial spark last week was a rise in public transport fares. Public anger has since been worsened by police brutality. Problems that have existed for a long time, such as corruption, dire public services, high prices and low levels of safety are also the target of the demonstrations. But the huge event was the lightning conductor. Many protesters are furious that the government is spending 31 billion reals (£9 billion) to set the stage for a tournament that will only happen once, while it doesn't react to everyday problems.
"I'm here to fight corruption and the expense of the World Cup," said Nelber Bonifcacio, an unemployed teacher who was among the big crowds in Rio on Thursday. "I like football, but Brazil has spent all that money on the event when we don't have good public education, healthcare or infrastructure."
It was different in 2007 when Brazil was awarded the tournament. Back then, the crowds in Rio were full of joy and Ricardo Teixeira, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, was adulated when he said "We are a civilized nation, a nation that is going through an excellent phase, and we have got everything prepared to receive adequately the honour to organize an excellent World Cup." Football belonged in Brazil. In the home of carnival and samba, it would be a party like no other. But euphoria faded away as the preparations for 2014 have drawn attention to the persistent corruption, cronyism, inequality and public insecurity. Those who appeared to have the Midas touch in 2007 now seem cursed.
What is going to happen next is difficult to predict. The government changed its mind on the bus fareincrease, but it is harder to meet the protesters' demands about the World Cup because the funds are mostly spent and the stadiums cannot be unbuilt. More planned marches are going to take place. In a country where football is almost the national religion, people want to enjoy the World Cup, but for millions, Fifa has become a tainted brand, associated with a distant global elite who profit at the expense of local people.
As a banned held by one protester said on Thursday "We don't want a country that is beautiful only for gringos."
That's it, academic year 2012-2013 is over. I am very happy to say that all my students that have taken their exams have also succeeded them. Today was the celebration of their success and the announcement of the birth of this blog. I don't know if all the teachers feel the same way I do, but every year, in June, on the last day, I cry. Some say I'm too sensitive and they are probably right, but I don't mind. I don't mind being touched by people. I don't mind them having an impact on me and perhaps on my perception of life. In this way, I can honestly say that doing my job is not a selfless deed at all: it's an exchange. I bring people something they need (or at least I hope I do) and in return, they bring me something priceless: their humanity.
I won't forget José Luis for being everyday stressed by his modern house-husband life, and trying to discreetly leave the classroom to pick up his children from school on time. The shy and funny Antoinette, who bravely continued coming to every class she could despite her job and who bravely adapted to the Belgian weather. Cookie, the chocolate girl from Korea studying for her final exams and for my English classes at the same time, who I'm sure will be a great chocolate maker - for the world is never too sweet. Sophie, who thinks she has a difficult personality but ends up being really funny and sociable. Roland and Julio, the two students on the first row, carefully paying attention to my classes and Julio getting angry at Roland when he would make a mistake. Aude, the humanitarian girl who tried and tried and finally got to be fluent in English. Jenifer from Brazil, finding English so difficult but managing pretty well in the end, hoping that it will help you sing the songs you love so much. Kind-hearted Joana who always thought she wasn't good enough but wasn't half-bad. Maria and Reilda, the girls with the same second name who come from different families in different countries but both speak Portuguese. I wish Maria to go back to India as she wished, and Reilda to have a wonderful life as a newly married woman. Gaëlle, the insect girl who drinks strong beer, who you should meet through her new business "bugsinmugs". Karima, who would like to go back to her family in Morocco if only there was a good job for her there. Alfonso, who studies music and doesn't understand French but says yes to everything with this easy-going look that Spanish people tend to have. Mohamed, with his heart in his deep eyes who will teach me to drive one day. Jean-Claude, who lives for rock music and didn't get married because it's too conventional. Rock on Jean-Claude! Abdel who always tried to be as quiet as a mouse when he arrived late in class because of his hard job. Umer who was only 16 but wanted to go study in UK for a year. Melina, quiet as a mouse but with a smile on her lips that can only be shared. Eugenio from Italy who speaks for a hundred, like a "vero italiano", but who isn't afraid of expressing his opinions. Catherine, the social worker with the thousand colors clothes, who has a thing for making people feel comfortable. And her sister, Marie, the forever-stressed French-teacher who realized the misery her students must undergo for her exams when she took mine.
Dear students, former students, future students, and ever-evolving English learners,
After having been a teacher for 9 years (has it been that long already?) and more specifically among adults for 5 years, I have come to the conclusion that what is missing the most to all of them is a practical aspect of the language. Of course, in class, we learn new language structures, we try to recognize them in context and then we use them in written and oral practice with other students. But when the class is over, most of the students switch to their native language until they do their homework quickly before the next class begins. Useless to say, once their training is over, most of them forget half of what they have studied, mainly because they don't know how to keep going with their apprenticeship. Which I, of course, feel very sad about, seeing how they struggled and worked to improve their skills in class.
This blog is dedicated to them, and to English-learners in general, who don't know what to do to keep going. On a regular basis I will post tips, texts, songs, resources, documentaries, exercises, links and ideas for you to continue evolving in your apprenticeship of English, whatever the level (which will be specified each time)
On the other hand, this blog will also function as an e-platform for my classes, to invite my students to go further in specific points than they can in the framework of the classroom, or to publish some of their works (with their consent, of course).
Finally, this blog will allow me to continue holding the hands of those of my former students who still need it a bit, as I cannot always follow them after my classes and always wonder how they are doing with their skills
I don't know exactly what will become of this place, but I wish it to go well and to be a support to all as it will probably be to me, to keep the passion of English alive and kicking :)
