WORKING WITH FAIRY TALES

Here you have a new challenge... You all know folk tales ( a narrative that is primarily about people that may or may not have existed) and fairy tales ( a narrative that often has magical characters and elements). You all know their traditional endings, but we can change them and adapt them to our times....Think about new ways to approach these traditional tales.
Some possible fairy tales that you could use:
• The Three Pigs
• The Three Bears
• Cinderella
• Snow White
• Sleeping Beauty
• The Gingerbread Man
• Hansel and Gretel
• Alice in Wonderland
• The Wizard of Oz
• Rapunzel
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• Beauty and the Beast
• The Boy who Cried Wolf
• The Ugly Duckling
• The Princess and the Pea
• The Prince and the Pauper
• Jack and the Beanstalk
• Pinocchio
• The Little Mermaid
• Peter Pan
• The Emperor's new clothes
• Goldilocks & the three bears
• Hansel & Gretel
• Jack and the beanstalk
• The miller, his son and their donkey

THINK ABOUT A POSSIBLE STORY AND UPDATE THE FAIRY TALE YOU LIKE. YOU CAN MAKE AS MANY CHANGES AS YOU LIKE!!!!
THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO BE A STORY TELLER AND PRESENT IT IN CLASS. SO COME ONE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHOW US YOUR OWN CREATIVITY  AND IMAGINATION? HAVE A GO ENJOY!!!

TO START WITH, LET´S LISTEN TO ONE OF ROALD DAHL´S STORIES.
ROALD DAHL IS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN´S WRITERS.

Children love his poems and stories because he writes from their point of view - in his books adults are often the villains or are just plain stupid!
His most famous books are Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The BFG. Here is one of them for you to practice your intonation and practice rhyming words: LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
HERE YOU HAVE THE TEXT SO THAT YOU CAN READ IT AND A LINK TO LISTEN TO IT.
http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoem.do?poemId=7428

"As soon as Wolf began to feel
That he would like a decent meal,
He went and knocked on Grandma’s door.
When Grandma opened it, she saw
The sharp white teeth, the horrid grin,
And Wolfie said, “May I come in?”
Poor Grandmamma was terrified,
“He’s going to eat me up!” she cried.And she was absolutely right.
He ate her up in one big bite.
But Grandmamma was small and tough,
And Wolfie wailed, “That’s not enough!
I haven’t yet begun to feel
That I have had a decent meal!”
He ran around the kitchen yelping,
“I’ve got to have a second helping!”
Then added with a frightful leer,
“I’m therefore going to wait right here
Till Little Miss Red Riding Hood
Comes home from walking in the wood.”
He quickly put on Grandma’s clothes,
(Of course he hadn’t eaten those).
He dressed himself in coat and hat.
He put on shoes, and after that
He even brushed and curled his hair,
Then sat himself in Grandma’s chair.
In came the little girl in red.
She stopped. She stared. And then she said,
“What great big ears you have, Grandma.”
“All the better to hear you with,” the Wolf replied.
“What great big eyes you have, Grandma.”
said Little Red Riding Hood.
“All the better to see you with,” the Wolf replied.
He sat there watching her and smiled.
He thought, I’m going to eat this child.
Compared with her old Grandmamma
She’s going to taste like caviar.
Then Little Red Riding Hood said, “But Grandma,
what a lovely great big furry coat you have on.”
“That’s wrong!” cried Wolf. “Have you forgot
To tell me what BIG TEETH I’ve got?
Ah well, no matter what you say,
I’m going to eat you anyway.”
The small girl smiles. One eyelid flickers.
She whips a pistol from her knickers.
She aims it at the creature’s head
And bang bang bang, she shoots him dead.
A few weeks later, in the wood,
I came across Miss Riding Hood.
But what a change! No cloak of red,
No silly hood upon her head.
She said, “Hello, and do please note
My lovely furry wolfskin coat.”

HEALTH

Do you care about your health?

 

DO THESE HEALTH QUIZZES AND CHECK YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THIS TOPIC

http://www.english-4u.de/health1.htmhttp://www.english-4u.de/health2.htm

DO YOU KNOW HOW THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES WORKS IN THE UK. TRY THIS QUIZ TO FIND IT OUT. IS IT DIFFERENT FROM YOUR HEALTH SYSTEM?
http://english.specialist.hu/

Do you like going to the dentist? here you´ve got some useful vocabulary and some listening practice
http://www.esl-lab.com/vocab/v-dental-care.htm

http://www.dailyesl.com/dental-cleaning.htm

http://www.esl-lab.com/dental/dentalrd1.htm

CHECK THIS DIALOGUE AT THE CHEMIST´S. Listen to these examples at the pharmacy. You will listen to a person explaining his problem to the pharmacist and he will receive some advice, recommendations and reassurance.
http://www.englishmed.com/pharmacists/dialogue-5/flash/

http://www.englishmed.com/pharmacists/dialogue-6/flash/

http://www.englishmed.com/pharmacists/dialogue-7/flash/

http://www.englishmed.com/pharmacists/dialogue-8/flash/

CHRISTMAS IS BACK!!!!

HAVE YOU GOT THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT? MAYBE YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO SOME CAROLS TO FEEL IT.....





DO YOU CELEBRATE THE CHRISTMAS´EVE IN A SPECIAL WAY? LISTEN TO THIS VIDEO ABOUT A WELL-KNOWN POTCARD´S TRADEMARK AND DESCRIBE WHAT THE SPEAKER FEELS ABOUT CHRISTMAS TIME. DO YOU HAVE A SIMILAR SENSATION?




Time was, with most of us, when Christmas Day, encircling all our limited world like a magic ring, left nothing out for us to miss or seek; bound together all our home enjoyments, affections, and hopes; grouped everything and every one around the Christmas fire; and made the little picture shining in our bright young eyes complete.

And is our life here, at the best, so constituted that, pausing as we advance at such a noticeable milestone in the track as this great birthday, we look back on the things that never were, as naturally and full as gravely as on the things that have been and are gone, or have been and still are? If it be so, and so it seems to be, must we come to the conclusion that life is little better than a dream, and little worth the loves and strivings that we crowd into it?

No! Far be such miscalled philosophy from us, dear reader, on Christmas Day! Nearer and closer in our hearts be the Christmas spirit, which is the spirit of active usefulness, perseverance, cheerful discharge of duty, kindness, and forbearance! It is in the last virtues especially that we are, or should be, strengthened by the unaccomplished visions of our youth; for, who shall say that they are not our teachers, to deal gently even with the impalpable nothings of the earth!

Welcome, old aspirations, glittering creatures of an ardent fancy, to your shelter underneath the holly! We know you, and have not outlived you yet. Welcome, old projects and old loves, however fleeting, to your nooks among the steadier lights that burn around us. Welcome, all that was ever real to our hearts; and for the earnestness that made you real, thanks to heaven!

Welcome everything! Welcome alike what has been, and what never was, and what we hope may be, in your shelter underneath the holly, to your places round the Christmas fire, where what is, sits openhearted!

Of all days in the year, we will turn our faces toward that City upon Christmas Day, and from its silent hosts bring those we loved among us. In the Blessed Name wherein we are gathered together at this time, and in the Presence that is here among us according to the promise, we will receive, and not dismiss, the people who were dear to us!

by CHARLES DICKENS

BOOKING A ROOM IN A HOTEL

Pay attention to these sentences that may be useful for you when trying to book a room

AT A HOTEL:
1) The guest
- Have you got a single/ double room for tonight?
- I'd like to stay in a double room.
- Do all the rooms have air-conditioning?
- Is breakfast included?
- When do you serve breakfast?
- Could you give me a call at 7 tomorrow morning, please?
I'd like to pay in cash/by credit card/by traveller's cheque

2) The receptionist
- Hello, can I help you?
- Would you like a room with a bath or a shower?
- How long would you like to stay at our hotel?
- How would you like to pay?
- Your room in on the second floor on the right.
- Sorry, we're fully booked for tonight.
- Sorry, we are full up.
- Is there anything else I can do for you?

There are different types of accommodation:
- bed and breakfast
- guesthouse
- hotel
- inn
- resort
- youth hostel
- motel

What´s the difference between them? Which one do you prefer? Why?

When in a hotel you may need some vocabulary or expressions like this:
- Amenities / facilities
- cable TV
- check in / check out
- continental breakfast
- handicapped facilities
- hot tub
- indoor / outdoor heated pool
- kitchen / kitchenette
- microwave
- queen-size bed / king-size bed
- rollaway bed
- room rates
- call the front desk / reception
-cancel a reservation
- make a reservation
- order room service
- hire a car
- I would be very grateful if ...
- I would be grateful for an indication of your rates: including full board / half board / breakfast / evening meal.
Watch this video and pay attention to the requirements of these people.
Is there a problem with the check in?

A BIT OF HISTORY ABOUT THANKSGIVING

WHO WERE THE PILGRIMS? WHY DO AMERICANS CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING DAY? DO THIS WEBQUEST AND FIND OUT MORE THINGS ABOUT AMERICAN HISTORY AND THIS FESTIVITY

http://www.prof2000.pt/users/estante/web_adventures/thanksgiving/end.html

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AT THE FIRST THANKSGIVING? FOLLOW THIS GAME AND FIND IT OUT. BE A HISTORIAN RESEARCHER FOR A WHILE AND FIND OUT AS MANY THINGS AS POSSIBLE.

http://www.plimoth.org/media/olc/intro.html

THANKSGIVING´S FOOD

The annual Thanksgiving tradition in the United States can be traced back to the 17th century. In 1621, after a hard and devastating first year in the New World, the English Pilgrims had a very successful and plentiful fall harvest. The Pilgrims, who had settled Plymouth Colony (in present day Massachusetts), soon made peace with the local Native American tribe, the Wampanoag. To celebrate the harvest, the Pilgrims and the Native Americans joined together to feast. Since then, an annual day of Thanksgiving has been celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Thanksgiving is also celebrated in Canada, on the second Monday in October.
A traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes: roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and rolls. No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a pumpkin pie for dessert!

DO YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW TO COOK A TYPICAL THANKSGIVING DESSERT? HERE YOU HAVE SOME HELP. HAVE A GO!!!...

Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups pumpkin purée
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
1 9-inch pie shell

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, cornstarch, salt, ginger, cinnamon, pumpkin purée and 3 eggs. Beat well. Add evaporated milk and combine. Set aside.

WHY EATING TURKEY? WATCH THIS VIDEO AND SEE HOW TRADITIONS CHANGE.

1. WHAT´S THE NEW WAY OF COOKING TURKEY?

2. WHERE IS IT MORE POPULAR?

3. WHY DO THEY SAY IT IS BETTER COOKED IN THIS WAY THAN IN THE OVEN?

4. HOW IS IT PREPARED? CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE DIFFERENT STEPS THE WOMAN FOLLOWS?

5. WHO DECIDED TO USE THE TURKEY AS THE NATIONAL BIRD?

6. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COOK IT?

http://www.history.com/videos/holiday-foods-thanksgiving---turkey

AUSTRALIA

Australia is an epic romance set in Northern Australia in the late 1930s and 1940s. A transforming journey about romance, war, greed mistreatment, heroism, tragedy and triumph. The story deals with a period in Australia´s history when Indigenous Australians were dispossessed of their land, their children and their human rights. In the film you can see some consequences of white settlement on Australian´s original inhabitants, the development of the cattle industry, the effects of the second world war and the multicultural mix there were in the continent.
These topics are mentioned in different ways in the film. Pay attention to them and after watching the film discuss them. CHOOSE ONE YOU LIKE AND SPEAK ABOUT IT.
1. A transforming journey
2. Droving
3. Bombing during WWII
4. Land
5. Connections between Aboriginal people and white people
6. Stolen Generations
7. Connections between land and indigenous people
8. Love
9. Power of magic and beliefs

ADDICTIONS

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT ADDICTIONS IN THE LAST DAYS AND YOU HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING ABOUT LEGALIZATION OF DRUGS, ABOUT ALCOHOL AND TEENAGERS AND SO ON. HERE YOU HAVE A NEW VOICETHREAD AND A NEW TASK. CHOOSE ON OF THE TOPICS BELOW AND RECORD YOUR OPINION ABOUT IT. - STREET DRINKING. This is a kind of trend among teenagers. What are the reasons? IS it a good way of spending your leisure time?
- BINGE DRINKING. The idea of drinking alcohol in a very short period of time ( at the weekends for example) is very popular now and it is spreading among European teeangers. Why? What are the health risks of this abuse?
-People shouldn´t be allowed to smoke in public places.
- In Britain, young people aren´t allowed to buy alcohol until they are 18. Is this a good idea?
- IF drugs were legalised, a lot of more people would take them.

LIVING IN A MINE FOR 3 MONTHS?

/

Answer the following questions?
1. Do the miners know what date it is?
2. Why do they do shifts?
3. What are the timetables of their meals?
4. What do the paramedics do?
5. How do they kill time?
6. Can they smoke?
7. How many kms of tunnel are there?

TELLING A STORY WITH A SONG.

Tracy Chapman (born March 30, 1964) is a singer-songwriter, best known for her singles "Fast Car", "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution", "Baby Can I Hold You", "Give Me One Reason" and "Telling Stories". She is a multi-platinum and four-time Grammy Award-winning artist.
Tracy Chapman was born in Cleveland, Ohio, where she was raised by her mother. Despite not having much money, her mother recognized Tracy's love of music and bought her a ukulele at the age of three.Tracy Chapman began playing guitar and writing songs at the age of eight. She says she may have been first inspired to play the guitar by the television show Hee Haw.
Chapman was raised Baptist and went to an Episcopalian high school. She was quickly accepted into the program A Better Chance, which enabled her to attend Wooster School in Connecticut; she subsequently attended Tufts University. At Tufts she graduated with a B.A. degree in anthropology and African studies.

In Fast Car Tracy Chapman describes the hardships a girl faces with the people she loves and her search for a better way of life. The song has a narrative structure and the songwriter tells a hard story. Listen to the song and answer the following questions.


1. where is the woman working?
2. Where does she want to go and with whom?
3. What´s her plan?
4. who does she live with?
5. what´s the problem of this person?
6. Why does she quit school?
7. Does her dream come true? Explain the last part of the story.
8. Summarize the song and retell the whole story. As in a narrative there is a starting point, a development and a conclusion. Can you find them?

ALL ABOUT ME!!!!

THE LAND DOWN UNDER.

Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere (that is the bottom half of the world). This is why it is sometimes referred to as the Land Down Under.
It is the smallest, flattest, and driest inhabited continent in the world. It is also the only country which occupies a whole continent. Australia occupies 5% of the world's landmass (149,450,000 km2) and is the world's largest island. The official name for Australia is the Commonwealth of Australia. It is a stable, culturally diverse, democracy following the Westminster form of government (the British model). It is the 6th oldest democracy in the world

English is the national language of Australia. But you may not always be able to make sense of some of the things you hear Australians say. That's because Australian slang is different from American slang.

See if you can figure out what these sentences mean using TFK's own Aussie Glossary below.

"Hey, mate! Come along to our barbie this arvo. We've got some charcoal chook, and Grandpa's going to cook the snags."

I don't mean to grizzle, but I was feeling pretty crook during Chrissie. That, and there weren't enough lollies!
Now get the hang of Aussie slang!

(Note: A few of the words below are old-fashioned and are no longer spoken by most Aussies.)

arvo: afternoon ; barbie: barbecue ; billabong: waterhole in a dry riverbed; chook: a chicken ; Chrissie: Christmas; crook: broken or sick ; drongo: a foolish person ;
grizzle: to complain ; jumbuck: sheep ; lollies: candy, sweets ; mate: a best buddy; mozzie: mosquito ; snags: sausages

HOW DO YOU LEARN ENGLISH?. FOREIGN FOOTBALLERS IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE.

Listen to some foreign players from the UK Premier League.
Find out how they learnt English and how they felt living in a different country.

Player interviews Premier Skills
http://premierskills.britishcouncil.org/fans-uk/content/whats-best-way-learn-english





Listen to the following video and try to summarize what the players say about the best thing of learning English and the advice they give to foreign player coming to England
http://www.viddler.com/BCpremierskills/videos/61/
http://www.viddler.com/BCpremierskills/videos/57/

SUMMER TIME IS OVER!!!!

Summer vacation is time to relax and have fun. Most schools are closed and some people get a few weeks off from their jobs. It's a great time to go new places and try new activities. Summer is the most popular season for going on a cruise, spending time at the beach, golfing, playing baseball, rafting, hiking, gardening, and grilling food outside. Unfortunately it is nearly over and we have to go back to school.
What will you miss about your summer time?

Match the columns. Write the letters on the lines.
1. _____ hot a. any fun activity
2. _____ warm b. between cool and hot
3. _____ breezy c. brown skin tone from sunshine
4. _____ sandcastle d. bucket
5. _____ shovel and pail e. castle made of damp sand
6. _____ pail f. clothes for swimming
7. _____ shorts g. first day of summer
8. _____ swimsuit h. outside
9. _____ sandals i. over 85 degrees
10. _____ June 21 j. physical activity or game
11. _____ spring k. season after summer
12. _____ fall or autumn l. season before summer
13. _____ four m. shoes for the beach
14. _____ vacation n. short pants
15. _____ recreation o. star the Earth revolves around
16. _____ outdoors p. time off from work or school
17. _____ sports q. to sleep outside in a tent
18. _____ camping r. total number of seasons
19. _____ sun s. used to make sandcastles
20. _____ suntan t. windy

JUNO

A wonderful movie where teenage pregnancy is dealt with in a creative, different manner.

Juno is a sixteen year old high school student faced with an unexpected pregnancy. The father is another teenager who she doesn't consider to be her boyfriend. She wants it to go away like a bad dream, but she realizes she needs to take control of the situation and she undergoes a series of difficult situations in a very easy-going way. She asks for advice, she thinks of having abortion and she even thinks of giving her baby in adption. Will it be easy to find the perfect couple?...

warming-up:

1. Is unwanted teenage pregnancy an issue where you live?
2. What's your opinion about aborting a teenager's unwanted pregnancy? Would you consider it under any circumstances?
3. What about giving the child away for adoption? What do you think about it?
4. Are teenagers prepared to take care of a baby?

5. Have teenagers good information about contraceptive methods?

we´ll work with the film in class, watch the trailer first and try to answer the following questions

http://
1. What was her mother and father´s reaction?
2. What was her friend's reaction?
3. What did Juno say she was going to do with the baby? Do you like her idea?
4. What would you do if...?
- You were Juno?
- You were Juno's best friend?
- You were Juno's parents?
- You were the father of the baby?
- You were the couple to whom Juno promised to give the baby awa

VOCABULARY

CHECK YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT FOOD. HERE YOU´VE GOT SOME VOCABULARY ABOUT VEGETABLES, FRUIT AND MEAT.

PLAY THESE GAMES ABOUT MCDONALDS AND A GAME ABOUT FOOD!!!

THE SPY GAME. CHECK YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF FOOD AND PLAY THE SPY GAME!
http://www.scholastic.com/ispy/games/index.htm



FOR decades McDonald’s corporation has been heavily criticized for his negative impact on society and environment.
There are inevitably some glitches in our activity: rainforest destruction, livelihood losses in the third world, desertification, precarization of working conditions, food poisoning and so on… Denying all these well founded accusations would be impossible so we decided to create an online game to explain to young people that this is the price to pay in order to preserve our lifestyle.
http://www.mcvideogame.com/why-eng.html

THE COCA COLA STORY

HAVE A LOOK AT THIS BRIEF HISTORY OF ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZED TRADEMARKS IN THE WORLD AND PLAY THE GAME. CAN YOU ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS?

http://www.quia.com/cb/353496.html

ORDERING FOOD. jummy jummy!!!

LISTEN TO THIS PERSON AND FIND OUT WHAT FOOD HE IS ORDERING.
http://www.esl-lab.com/pie1/pierd1.htm






HOW DO YOU SAY A CARTON OF MILK OR A BOX OF MILK? DO THIS EXERCISE ABOUT FOOD QUANTITIES. (There are other exercises related to food in this page. If you want to practise have a go...!)
http://www.eslpartyland.com/quiz-center/foodcross.htm

Watch this video about "mouth´s revolutions". Mouths are demanding for real foodd.... have a look and guess what it is about....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nicOP2NLC0
AFTER WATCHING, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:1. WHAT ARE THE JOUNALISTS REPORTING?
2. IN THE CONFERENCE WHAT DO THE MOUTHS DEMAND?
3. WHAT KIND OF FOOD DO THEY WANT?
4. WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO UNTIL THEIR DEMANDS ARE MET?
5. THEY WRITE A MANIFESTO WITH THEIR DEMANDS. WHAT ARE THE ARTICLES ABOUT? Write the 5 things they want and why.

THIS QUIZ WILL HELP YOU PRACTICE KITCHEN VOCABULARY.
JUST TRY...
http://www.eslpartyland.com/news/kitchen.htm

ARE WE A LOST GENERATION?

WATCH THIS VIDEO ABOUT OUR SOCIETY. DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE PART OF THIS LOST GENERATION?

WHAT´S YOUR REACTION WHEN YOU WATCH THIS VIDEO?

IN YOUR NEXT TASK YOU WILL HAVE TO COMMENT WHAT YOU FEEL WHEN YOU WATCH THIS, WHICH PARTS YOU AGREE WITH, WHICH PARTS YOU DON´T AGREE WITH.
You will have to make a presentation showing your opinion.




http://

THE EUROPEAN UNION

The EU currently has 27 member countries, which have transferred some of their sovereignty – or lawmaking authority – to the EU. Three more countries have applied for EU membership: Croatia, Turkey and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Try to do this webquest about europe and check your knowledge about Europe. Come on!! have a go!!

http://www.ac-nancy-metz.fr/enseign/anglais/Henry/europewq.htm

IRISH TRADITIONAL DANCE AND MUSIC

What do you know about traditional Irish dance and music?
Music and dance has been at the very heart of Irish culture and heritage for as long as we can remember. These traditional songs and dances which have been passed down through the years give them a strong sense of cultural identity and are still a huge part of their social lives.

Let's take a closer look at how Irish music and Irish dance have become the cornerstone of our heritage and culture.

The beginning of traditional Irish music in Ireland is somewhat vague, as songs, music and lyrics were only passed down orally from one generation to the next, mainly in rural areas. It is said that there were thousands of ballads and Irish songs ever before people began writing them down! Most Irish songs and ballads reflected what was going on in the country at the time, so a lot of the songs that we sing today are steeped in history.

Long ago you'd usually only hear Irish music being played in peoples homes, but after 1920 (when Ireland gained its independence from Great Britain) Irish music flourished and crossroads dancing became very popular. It drew people from near and far and soon became the main social event in the area.

During the 1930's, the 'Dance Hall' was where you could enjoy Irish music and dance. The 'Ceilí Band' also emerged during this time.

In 1951, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann was set up to encourage traditional Irish music. This group created the Fleadh Ceoil Festival which is still held in various locations in modern day Ireland. By now traditional Irish music was a part of everyday living and became even more popular due to music programs on the airwaves.


The main instruments used in Irish music are the tin whistle, the accordion, the concertina, the uilleann pipes, the flute, the bodhrán, the banjo, the mouth organ, the piano, the fiddle and of course the harp. The harp was a very popular musical instrument in ancient Ireland and it's even said that Irish monks in the 6th century took their harps abroad when they travelled to Europe.

Of course, it's impossible to talk about Irish music and not mention Irish dancing, as the two go hand-in-hand! It's said that Irish traditional music was mainly invented to accompany dancing but it's also said that Irish dancing became a way of enjoying Irish music.

Traditional Irish dances include reels, hornpipes and jigs. These step dances originated from "Sean-Nós" dancing which was an old style/version of dancing in Ireland and there are many variations of them depending on what dance school you learn from.

Other popular Irish dances include céilí dancing and polka sets. Céilí dances can involve many people dancing to Irish music at the same time. Dances like this include the "Walls of Limerick", "Shoe the Donkey" or the "Siege of Ennis".

Irish set dancing is hugely popular all over the world and features a set of eight dancers (four couples). Sets can be different from one area to the next for example, in Ireland we have the Corofin Plain Set, the Clare Lancers Set and the Connemara Set to name a few.


Thanks to productions such as Riverdance, Irish music and dance have become loved all over the world, and it has even created many spin-offs like "Lord of the Dance" and "Celtic Storm".

Irish dancing is alive and well in Ireland today. You'll find céílís the length and breath of the country in halls or even in the local pub! Most towns in Ireland have their own schools of dance, which hold weekly classes in Irish dancing and some welcome beginners and visitors!

When you visit Ireland, make sure you go to a céilí where you'll enjoy a great night of traditional Irish music and dance. Don’t pass up the opportunity to join in, as Irish dancing is great fun!

No matter where you are in Ireland, you're sure to come across a session. If you join in with the locals you'll experience something that is truly "Irish". Or you can just sit back with your favourite tipple and take it all in. A lot of pubs have live traditional Irish music at the weekend, so browse our list and find somewhere you can enjoy a session. Don't forget to be part of it, mingle with the locals, make friends, and above all enjoy the atmosphere and the "craic".



These three songs are very popular and sung by Irish people when they want to have fun...





In Dublin's Fair City
Where the girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheel'd her wheel barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

Chorus
Alive, alive o!, alive, alive o!
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

She was a fishmonger
But sure 'twas no wonder
For so were her father and mother before
And they each wheel'd their barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

Chorus

She died of a fever
And no one could save her
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone
But her ghost wheels her barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!
Chorus






As I was going over the far famed Kerry mountains
I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting.
I first produced my pistol, and then produced my rapier.
Said stand and deliver, for I am a bold deceiver,

musha ring dumma do damma da
whack for the daddy 'ol
whack for the daddy 'ol
there's whiskey in the jar

I counted out his money, and it made a pretty penny.
I put it in my pocket and I took it home to Jenny.
She said and she swore, that she never would deceive me,
but the devil take the women, for they never can be easy

I went into my chamber, all for to take a slumber,
I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder.
But Jenny took my charges and she filled them up with water,
Then sent for captain Farrel to be ready for the slaughter.

It was early in the morning, as I rose up for travel,
The guards were all around me and likewise captain Farrel.
I first produced my pistol, for she stole away my rapier,
But I couldn't shoot the water so a prisoner I was taken.

If anyone can aid me, it's my brother in the army,
If I can find his station down in Cork or in Killarney.
And if he'll come and save me, we'll go roving near Kilkenny,
And I swear he'll treat me better than me darling sportling Jenny

Now some men take delight in the drinking and the roving,
But others take delight in the gambling and the smoking.
But I take delight in the juice of the barley,
And courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early




I've been a wild rover for many's the year
and I've _____ all my ______ on _______ and _____.
But now I'm returning with gold in great store
and I never ____ _____ the wild rover no more

Chorus:
And it's no, nay, never,
no, nay, never, __ _______
will I play the wild rover
no, never, no more

I went into an ___________ I used to ______-
and I told the _______ my money ___ ______.
I asked her for _____, she answered me nay,
Such "a custom like yours I can have any day

Chorus

I took from my ______ ten sovereigns bright
and the landlady's eyes opened _____ with ______.
She said I'd have ______ and _____ of the best
and the ______ that she told me were only in jest.

Chorus

I'll go home to my _____, confess what I've _____,
and I'll ask them to ______ their prodigal son.
And when they've _________ me as oft' times before
then I never will play the wild rover no more

Chorus X2


/


Another ______ hangs lowly,
________ is slowly taken.
And the _______ caused such ______,
Who are we _________?

But you _____, it's not me, it's not my_____.
In your head, in your head they are ______,
With their _______ and their _______,
And their bombs and their ______.
In your head, in your head, they are ______...

In your head, in your head,
Zombie, zombie, zombie,
Hey, hey, hey. What's in your head,
In your head,
Zombie, zombie, zombie?
Hey, hey, hey, hey, oh, dou, dou, dou, dou, dou...

Another ______'s breakin',
_____ is taking ______.
When the _______ causes _______,
We must be _______.

It's the _____ old theme ______ _________.
In your head, in your head they're still ________,
With their ______ and their _______,
And their bombs and their _____.
In your head, in your head, they are ______...

In your head, in your head,
Zombie, zombie, zombie,
Hey, hey, hey. What's in your head,
In your head,
Zombie, zombie, zombie?
Hey, hey, hey, hey, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, oh, oh, oh, hey, oh, ya, ya-a...

HOW TO CELEBRATE SAINT PATRICK´S DAY LIKE A REAL IRISH...

LET´S CELEBRATE SAINT PATRICK´S DAY!!
FIRST, A BIT OF HISTORY.
WATCH THE VIDEO AND ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.









1. After winter time, Saint Patrick´s means__________________________________
2. When does the story of Saint Patrick begin?
3. How long does he remain a slave in Ireland?
4. In the end, he managed to escape but he returned to Ireland. Why and when?
5. What does the legend say about snakes? Is it real?
6. How did he teach the Holy Trinity?
7. Why is Sain Patrick´s celebrated March 17?
8. In which colonial city was celebrated the first Saint Patrick´s?
9. Which is the most famous parade today?
10. When did the massive migrations take place? Why and Where did they go?


TRY THE FOLLOWING QUIZZES TO CHECK YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT IRELAND AND SAINT PATRICKS DAY!!
http://a4esl.org/q/h/lb/stpat.html
http://theholidayspot.com/patrick/quiz.htm


VOCABULARY
http://www.edhelper.com/StPatricksDay4126.htm

TREASURE HUNT. What have you learnt about Saint Patrick´s day? Do these treasure hunts at home
http://www.ac-nancy-metz.fr/enseign/anglais/Henry/patsday6.htm (easy)http://www.ecps.k12.nc.us/dfw/ebaker/St.Patrick%27sDay.htm (pre-intermediate)
GAME. Help Larry the Leprechaun to protect his pots of gold from the snakes...
http://funschool.kaboose.com/fun-blaster/st-patricks-day/games/game_wallop.html

DO YOU WANT TO CELEBRATE SAINT PATRICK´S DAY LIKE A REAL IRISH MAN? WATCH THIS VIDEO AND FIND OUT WHICH ARE THE FIVE STEPS TO CELEBRATE THIS PARTY AS A REAL IRISH!!!
/

SOUTH AFRICA 2010.

What do you know about South Africa?
What´s the first idea that comes to your mind?
Here you´ve got a beautiful video about South Africa marvellous sceneries. Come on have a look!!





















WHO IS NELSON MANDELA? WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HIM?
WHY WAS HE AWARDED THE NOBEL PRIZE?
LISTEN TO HIM IN THIS VIDEO ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA WORLD CUP.



THE OFFICIAL WOLD CUP THEME SONG IS MADE BY K´NAAN.
FIND INFORMATION ABOUT HIM. WHERE IS HE FROM? WHERE DOES HE LIVE NOW? HOW DID HE MANAGE TO RECORD HIS FIRST ALBUM? SEARCH ON THE NET AND FIND IT OUT!!

NOW LISTEN TO THE SONG.




WAVING FLAG
When I get _________, I will be _________
They’ll call me _________, just like a Waving Flag
When I get______, I will be ________
They’ll call me ________, just like a Waving Flag
And then it _____ _______, and then it ____ _____
And then it goes back
Born to a ______, stronger than Rome
But Violent prone, poor people zone
But it’s my home, all I have _______
Where I got grown, streets we would roam
But out of the ________, I came the farthest
Among the hardest _______
Learn from these streets, it can be bleak
Except no _______, surrender retreat
So we ________, fighting to eat and
We _________ when we’ll be free
So we _________ wait, for that _______ day
It’s not far away, so for now we say
When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
And then it goes back, and then it goes back
And then it goes back

So many ______ , settling scores
Bringing us ________, leaving us ______
I heard them say, ______ is the way
______ is the answer, that’s what they say,
But look how they _____ us, make us __________
We fight their _______, then they deceive us
Try to _______ us, they couldn’t hold us
Cause we just move forward like Buffalo Soldiers
But we __________, fighting to eat
And we _________, when we’ll be free
So we _______ wait, for that ______ day
It’s not far away, but for now we say
When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
And then it goes back, and then it goes back
And then it goes back
When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
And then it goes back, and then it goes back
And then it goes back
(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)
And everybody will be singing it
(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)
And you and I will be singing it
(Ohhhh Ohhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhh)
And we all will be singing it
(Ohhh Ohh Ohh Ohh)
When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
And then it goes back, and then it goes back
And then it goes back
When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a Waving Flag
And then it goes back, and then it goes back
And then it goes back
When I get older, when I get older
I will be stronger, just like a Waving Flag
Just like a Waving Flag, just like a Waving flag
Flag, flag, Just like a Waving Flag.

BUT THINGS IN SOUTH AFRICA HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN EASY. PROBLEMS LIKE APARTHEID, POVERTY or AIDS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PRESENT.

NELSON MANDELA IS THE MAN WHO REPRESENTS STRUGGLE, SACRIFICE. HE HAS DONE A LOT FOR HIS PEOPLE AND HIS COUNTRY. He is one of the most important reformors and revolutionarists in South AFrica.
LISTEN AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS MAN.
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.
1. Why did the UN create a special Mandela´s day? when is it?
2, What are Mandela´s contributions to his country and his people?
3. How many years was he in prison?
4. Why was he released?
5. when was he freed?
6. Mandela was the first _______________. He was in power for __________. He retired in ______.
7. What´s his most important award?
8. What has he done after his retirement?
CLICK AND LISTENhttp://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/0911/091112-nelson_mandela.mp3

DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION. 21 MARCH
March 21 is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It commemorates a tragedy that happened in the town of Sharpeville in South Africa on this day in 1960. Police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against the apartheid laws. The massacre shocked the world. For many years this day was known as Sharpeville Day in South Africa. In 1966, the UN General Assembly created this special day, calling on all countries to redouble their efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination, once and for all. Every March 21st, the offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva and New York conduct activities to highlight the evil of racism and our duty to combat it.
This day perhaps played a role in the ending of apartheid in South Africa. Today the country is a multi-racial society where the government is promoting equality at all levels. The ending of apartheid and the discrimination that went with it opened up South Africa to greater economic development. UN General-Secretary Ban Ki-moon spoke of how racism affects human rights and becomes an obstacle to a nation’s development: "Racist practices hurt their victims, but they also limit the promise of entire societies where they are tolerated. They prevent individuals from realizing their potential and stop them from contributing fully to national progress." Racism is still a damaging force in today’s world.
Try and make a difference on March 21.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE FILM INVICTUS?
In this film the director tells us about Nelson Mandela´s life  after the fall of apartheid in South Africa during his first term as president when campaigned to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup event as an opportunity to unite his countrymen.

Answer these questions:
1.Before watching. Who are the actors? what role do they perform?
2. Mandela says he was invited to__________________ and there he was received with a ___________
3. What was his reaction when he listened to that?
4. What type of song was that?
5.Is Invictus a real story?
6. What does Mandela do with the national team?

Married for 50 Years: Love Ever After

Married for 50 Years: Love Ever After


TRY THIS GAME. CATCH THE LETTER AND MAKE WORDS RELATED TO SAINT VALENTINE´S.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/winter/valentines/game2.html

BE MY VALENTINE...

Saint Valentine´s day is a special day to celebrate love and friendship.

On this day we give cards, flowers, candies to the people we love. Some people listen to romantic music, write love letters or have candlelit romantic dinners. Popular saint Valentine´s symbols include colour red, the bow and arrow, hearts and Cupid who is a mythical figure, a winged god of love and the son of Venus.

TRY DOING THIS TREASURE HUNT ABOUT SAINT VALENTINE´S. TRY TO GET AS MANY ANSWERS AS POSSIBLE . YOU CAN GET THE INFORMATION IN THE LINKS YOU HAVE IN THE SITE.

http://www.michellehenry.fr/valentine_th.htm

Have a look at these cards :
http://www.mightybook.com/MightyBook_free/new_month/february_fun/punny_valentine.html

What are the most romantic films you have ever seeen? here you have some examples.

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ADVERTISING AND COMMERCIALS

Advertising is a difficult task sometimes it all depends on having a catchy slogan and a good selection of images, words, etc.
Here you´ve got some famous slogans about world-wide known products. Do you remeber them:
CALSBERG: "Probably the best lager in the wold"
KETUCKY FRIED CHICKEN: "Finger lickin´good!!"
L`OREAL: "Because i´m worth it"
McDONALD´S: "I´m loving it"
M&M´S : "The milk melts in your mouth, not in your hand"
NIKE: "Just do it"
GILLETTE: "The best a man can get"


Do they ring a bell? Can you think of any others?
Watch some of these funny adverts. What´s your opinion about them?


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Have you got gmail? Beware of the Gemail man....