I Heart English - The Year-End Issue

I Heart English

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• The Year-End Issue
• New year's Eve
• Auld Lang Syne
• New Year In Times Square
• Idioms With The Word END
• End Of The Year Crossword
• The Year-End Issue - Solutions

The Year-End Issue Posted: 11 Dec 2014 05:35 AM PST New Year's Eve Discussion & Reading Activity New Year In Times Square Vocabulary & Listening Activity    Auld Lang Syne Listening Activity, Song & Video    Idioms With The Word END Idioms & common expressions with the word “END”      The End of the Year Crossword  Vocabulary & Game Activity

New year's Eve Posted: 11 Dec 2014 05:33 AM PST Discussion & Reading Activity Discussion What traditional ways of welcoming the New Year do you have? Are there any special meals or activities for New Year's eve? Was this year good for you? In what way or why not? Can you think of a few things you will remember from this year? What are you looking forward to the next year? Have you ever made any New Year's resolutions? Pre-reading questions: Choose the option that you think is true and then read the text to find out if you were right. 1. What "drops" at midnight in Times Square?     a. a ball     b. a clock     2.Where in The USA is the biggest New Year's Eve party?     a. New York     b. Los Angeles     3.Where do temple bells ring 108 times?     a. China     b. Japan     4.Countries around the world celebrate New Year's Eve     a. In the same way     b. In different ways 5.Where is there a famous celebration with fireworks on the beach?     a. In Cuba     b. In Brazil 6. Where is the celebration called Réveillon?     a. In France     b. In Australia 7.What are New Year’s resolutions?     a.Reflections on the year that is ending.     b.Goals to carry out in the following twelve months 8.What food is associated with money and eaten in many countries on this day to bring good luck?     a.Beans     b.Cherries Reading New Year's Eve, also called Old Year's Night, is celebrated on December 31st, the final day of the year. It is celebrated all over the world with parties and social gathering with usually a lot of fireworks and noise. In the United States of America, New York is the place where this celebration is associated with. People gather in the Times Square just before midnight in the last minute of the countdown to see the "ball dropping". The celebration is also associated with parties in other parts of the world. In France, for instance, the celebration is called le Réveillon. People also to the Eiffel Tower in Paris to see fireworks display. In Japan, people traditionally clean their home. Buddhist temple bells are rung 108 times at midnight. In Brazil, the beach of Copacabana is considered by many to be the place of the most beautiful fireworks show in the world. Certain foods are eaten on this day in different parts of the world. However a common practice is to eat beans to bring good luck and good fortune for the upcoming year. They are considered lucky, because of the similar shape with coins. December is also the month when we look back at the year that was and reflect. On New Year's Eve, some people commit themselves with resolutions or goals to carry out in the following twelve months. Such as eat more healthily, do more exercise, or learn something new. How are you wrapping up this 2014?   Source: some information taken from Wikipedia

Auld Lang Syne Posted: 11 Dec 2014 05:31 AM PST Listening Activity, Song & Video Voice Of America  5.34 min link: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/audio/audio/240098.html  Listen to the first part of the audio clip and find the 5 mistakes in the text below.    link: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/audio/audio/240098.html This New Year’s Eve millions of people in English speaking countries will sing and hear a song called “Auld Lang Syne.”  It is the traditional music played during New Year’s day.  Auld Lang Syne is an old Scottish poem.  It tells about the need to remember family and loved ones.  The words “auld lang syne” mean “old long since”  and more roughly it means "yesterday". Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish poem, composed by Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns in 1878. Here is the complete English version of the lyrics, although usually people only sing the first two stanzas : Listen to the second part of the audio clip and follow the first part of the lyrics. Or Watch a video clip of Rod Stewart’s version of Auld Lang Syne, live at Stirling Castle, Scotland.  Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind ? Should old acquaintance be forgot, in the days of old lang syne ? CHORUS: For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take/ drink a cup of kindness yet, for (the sake of ) auld lang syne. And surely you'll buy your cup ! and surely I'll buy mine ! And we'll take/ drink a cup o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne. We two have run about the slopes, and picked the daisies fine ; But we've wandered many a weary foot, since auld lang syne. We two have paddled in the stream, from morning sun till dine† ; But seas between us broad have roared since auld lang syne. And there's a hand my trusty friend ! And give us a hand o' thine ! And we'll take a right good-will draught, for auld lang syne.

New Year In Times Square Posted: 11 Dec 2014 05:24 AM PST Vocabulary & Listening Activity NPR 4.22 min The New Year's celebration in Times Square in New York is well known around the globe. What do the preparations involve? What are the details of this emblematic event? A.Pre-watching: Match the terms and pictures. Which do you expect to find at the event in Times Square?  Listen to the audio report from National Public Radio and find out which ones are mentioned. Fireworks - Confetti   -  LED  - Party hat  - Cheerleaders  - Baloons  Sparkling wine  - Porta-Potties   - Party props  - Snacks B.QUIZ : Listen again and answer the questions below. 1.How long does it take to plan The New Year's celebration in Times Square in New York? 2.Who watches the event on TV? 3.How many people show up each year for the New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square? 4.How many LED lights does the ball have? 5.What does the confetti test involve? Why? 6.What other tradition involves confetti? 7.What is popular with tourists? 8.When did this ball dropping tradition originate and why? 9.What will create a sea of blue at the event? 10.Why did the organizers think of having thousands of red Chinese scarves? 11.What there isn’t in Times Square on New Year's Eve? 12.How has the celebration changed over the years in terms of safety?

Idioms With The Word END Posted: 11 Dec 2014 05:23 AM PST Idioms & common expressions  Read the idioms and explanation in the chart and then try the exercise that follows. To be a dead end/ be at a dead end: To be in a situation in which no progress can be made.   A means to an end: Something that one is not interested in but do because it will help get something else To be at the end of the/one’s rope: To be at the limits of one's capacity, tolerance or endurance. To burn the candle at both ends:  Work or study very hard during the day and stay up very late at night.   Can't see beyond the end of nose:  To think about oneself and what affects ones situation so much that one does not see what is important. End of Story: A phrase meaning that you will say no more. To get the short end of the stick: To suffer the bad effects of a situation To end in tears: A phrase meaning that something will end badly. Light at the end of the tunnel: Something that makes you think that a difficult or unpleasant situation will end Loose ends/ Tie loose ends: The final details for something to be complete To make ends meet: To earn and spend equal amounts of money. To have little  money after one pays basic expenses. Never hear the end of it: A phrase you can say meaning that another person will continue talking about something, which is annoying. Not the end of the world: Not the worst thing that could happen. Odds and ends: Miscellaneous things. The end justifies the means: Phrase meaning that you can use bad or immoral methods as long as you get something good by using them. Exercise: Fill in the blank spaces with a suitable idiom. We had lots of ..................................... we didn’t want to keep so we orgnized a garage sale. The party decorations are nearly done. I'm just tying up one or two ................................... at the moment. I'm ............................................ today my boss is driving me out of my mind. Sarah lost her job after the company downsized. She got ................................................. this time.  There is no solution for our store. Unfortunately we  are ................................... This movie star is so busy thinking about himself that he can't  .................................................  Sean is so self-centered that if he wins, you know we'll ................................................... For me at this moment working as a waitress is only .........................................  while I finish my studies.  The candidate believed that ................................................ In order to get elected, he used all kinds of lies and tricks. We're almost finished cleaning the apartment, finally we can see ...............................................  Getting married after only two months of meeting can only ................................................. I didn’t say anything about my trip because I didn’t want people to know. .................................................!  I need to get another job soon to ....................................... If I don't get the job, it won't be ........................................  You’ll get ill if you keep on burning ............................................. You need to rest too.

End Of The Year Crossword Posted: 11 Dec 2014 05:21 AM PST Vocabulary & Game Activity Use the clues below to complete the crossword puzzle.    Across 4. Two words at the end of every movie. 5. According to an old saying "It's not over until the fat .... sings". 8. According to William Shakespeare in Troilus and Cressida "The end crowns all;And that old common arbitrator, ...., Will one Day end it. 9. Whoever laughs last, laughs .... 13. Last month of the year. 15. Small pieces of brightly colored paper that people often throw at celebrations. 17. An imaginary fat man with a white beard and a red suit who gives toys to children near the end of December (2 words). 18. An eight-day Jewish holiday that is celebrated in the end of the year. 19. A small device that explodes to make a display of light and noise. 20. To count backwards to an event that will start when zero is reached.   Down 1. An interjection to emphasize the finality of something. Also a punctuation mark. 2. December 31st (3 words). 3. To engage in festivities or rejoice. 4. An act of proposing or drinking in honor of somebody or something. 6. The start of the New Year is at the .... of midnight. 7. The site of the annual New Year's Eve ball drop in New York City (2 words). 10. When the year is ending and a new one is starting, many people make these goals. 11. Food that people around the world traditionally eat for luck to ring in the New Year, and that symbolizes coins. 12. A Christian holiday celebrated at the end of the year. 14. "Auld Lang Syne" is the traditional .... for ringing in the New Year in almost every English speaking country. 16. A message in video games which signals that the game has ended, commonly due to a negative outcome (2 words).

The Year-End Issue - Solutions Posted: 11 Dec 2014 05:23 AM PST New Year's Eve Pre-reading questions 1.a 2.a 3.b  4.b  5.b  6.a  7.b 8.a New Year In Times Square Part A:  1.Porta-Potties 2. Party props  3.Fireworks  4 Party hat   5.Sparkling wine     6. Confetti  7.Snacks 8.LED  9.Baloons 10. Cheerleaders Mentioned in the report: 1, 4, 6, 8, and 9. Part B 1.It takes a year of planning.    2. more than a billion people around the world. 3.Close to a million people.  4. 32,000 LED lights.  5.Confetti is dropped from seven buildings and from an eighth floor window onto Times Square, over and over to check that it floats and is fluffy.  6.People write their wishes on pieces of confetti.  7.Tourists get their pictures taken in front of a replica of The Time Square Ball.    8.The first ball drop took place in 1907, after fireworks were banned. It's also an old nautical tradition.   9.About 30,000 Nivea hats that will be given.  10.To celebrate the Year of the Snake and because the previous year half a billion Chinese tuned in to the event.  11.Porta-Potties or portable restrooms.  12.In the 70’s there were horses, people worried. Now security is better. There is no alcohol. Police divide up the crowd surrounded by safety lanes. In 2002, there were still one or two retail stores that put up plywood over their windows since they were smashed. Auld Lang Syne Find the 5 mistakes. 1.during the New Year’s celebration 2.to remember old friends 3.it means "long, long ago" or "days gone by." 4.The poem is thought to be composed by Robert Burns 5.in 1788 Idioms With The Word END 1. odds and ends   2. loose ends   3.at the end of my rope  4. the short end of the stick     5. at a dead end. 6.see beyond the end of his nose.  7.never hear the end of it.  8.a means to an end   9.the end justifies the means  10. light at the end of the tunnel .  11.end in tears. 12.End of story! 13.make ends meet. 14.the end of the world.  15.the candle at both ends The End of the Year Crossword Across:  4. The End   5.  Lady  8. Time  9.  Best  13.December  15. Confetti  17. Santa Claus  18. Hanukkah  19. Firework  20. Countdown   Down:  1. Period  2. New Year's Eve  3.Celebrate  4. Toast  6. Stroke  7. Times Square  10. Resolutions  11. Beans  12. Christmas  14. Song  16. Game over

Sing irregular verb list - choose your rythm

no melody list

romanian grammar book - for foreigners

Romanian grammar book by Miruna Leontescu on Scribd

Teach.yourself.romanian by Toine Zxy on Scribd

Learn English Through Story ● THE UNIVERSITY MURDERS - Richard MacAndrew -- Pre-Intermediate Level

Learn English Through Story ● THE UNIVERSITY MURDERS - Richard MacAndrew -- Pre-Intermediate Level

I heart English - The Olimpic issue

I Heart English

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• The Olympic Issue
• The Ancient and The Modern Olympic Games
• Bonfire of Olympic Ads
• Sports Idioms - The Olympic Issue
• The Olympic Puzzle - The Olympic Issue
• The Olympic Issue

The Olympic Issue Posted: 09 Aug 2016 04:41 PM PDT The Ancient and The Modern Olympic Games Reading, conversation and vocabulary  Bonfire of Ads  Discussion and video activity Sport Idioms    Vocabulary The Olympic Puzzle   Crossword

The Ancient and The Modern Olympic Games Posted: 09 Aug 2016 04:44 PM PDT Reading comprehension and conversation activity (A) Discuss the following questions in pairs or small groups: ·        Do you like watching the Olympic games? Why (not)? Which sports are your favorite ones? ·        When and where were the first Olympic Games? How many past games can you remember? Where are the next games? ·        Do you know any famous athletes? How many Olympic sports can you name? ·        Do you think that the Olympics are important? Why (not)?              (B)Read the text below and answer the questions that follow. The first known Olympic Games date from 776 BC, and were held in Olympia, Greece. They were celebrated until 396 AD.  The ancient games consisted of only one race, the "stade" race, which was the length of the stadium and between 180 and 240 meters long. Over the years more running races and other events were added, including boxing, wrestling, chariot racing, long jump, javelin and discus throwing. At the time, only young men could take part. They had to be free men, and speak Greek. They usually competed nude, and the prize was a crown of olive leaves, a sign of hope and peace. Women were not allowed to take part and married women were not even allowed to watch. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. A French nobleman, Pierre Fredy, the Baron de Coubertin, born in 1863, had a passionate belief that sport could encourage peace throughout the world and bring people from all over the world together. Coubertin was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games and travelled around the world, spending his own money, trying to persuade people to revive them. Eventually he managed to bring together representatives of many different countries in Paris, in 1894, and the Olympic Movement was begun. Women began to compete in 1900. For many years there were problems for the women athletes about what to wear, because it was considered rude to show any part of the body or even the shape of the body.  When Coubertin founded the Olympic Movement he established the International Olympic Committee (the IOC) to supervise it, in 1894. He himself served as its president for 29 years, and there have been 8 presidents since then. There were originally 14 members but the Committee has now grown to over 130 members, all of whom must speak either French or English. Existing members elect new members as required. The IOC is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. 1.When were the first Olympic Games? 2.What events took place in the Ancient Olympic Games? 3.Who took part in the Ancient Olympic Games? 4.Who revived the idea of the Olympic Games? 5.When and where were the first modern Olympic Games held? 6.Who supervises the Olympic Games? 7.What is the aim of the Olympic Movement?

Bonfire of Olympic Ads Posted: 09 Aug 2016 04:45 PM PDT Video and conversation activity Watch a few of the most-liked Olympic ads in English for Rio 2016. ·        Which one do you like best? ·        What is the message in each ad? Do they have any message in common? ·        Can you spot any famous athletes? 1.Procter & Gamble, “Thank You, Mom – Strong” 2.Visa, “The Carpool to Rio” - featuring Team Visa Olympians 3.Nike 2016 Olympic Commercial 4.Dick’s Sporting Goods, “The Contenders” 5.Gatorade, “Never Lose the Love” 6.Kellogg’s Cereals, “What Gets You Started?”

Sports Idioms - The Olympic Issue Posted: 09 Aug 2016 04:44 PM PDT Sports idioms originate from a specific sport such as basquetball, sailing or tennis. Over time these phrases have become part of everyday language. Their meanings may be a little different or not so literal but they still carry the original  general idea. Front runner: (from track & field) someone among those expected to win. Get into the full swing: (from tennis) doing something with ease after some time of practice. Get a second wind: (from sailing ) have a burst of energy after feeling tired. Give it your best shot : (from shooting) try your hardest. Go overboard: (from sailing) do or say more than you need to. Hit someone below the belt: (from boxing/ martial arts) do something unfair to someone. Jump the gun: (from track & field)  start too early.        Keep one's head above water: (from swimming) try not to fall behind in work or other duties. Keep you eye on the ball : (from baseball) be alert to events and situations around you. Kick off: ( from soccer ) start something. Make a splash: (from swimming) get noticed for a remarkable action or success. Skate on thin ice: (from skating)  do something risky, take a chance. The ball is in your court: (from tennis) it’s your turn or responsibility to take action. Throw in the towel : (from boxing) give up, abandon. To be down to the wire: (from horse riding) be right at the end. Touch base with someone: (from baseball) be in contact, communicate with. Use one of the idioms above to complete the sentences. Use one each time only! Please can everyone be seated so we can ....the launching of the campaign. You can't believe everything he says. He tends to...  sometimes. Give it your ... and you may just make it to the final round. I guess I ... by saying I was being promoted. They chose someone else. She was exhausted after working for 12 hours on the campaign, but she got ... after lunch. It's coming ....  to get these documents sent on time. You're ... by not saving part of your income now. We are so busy during the high season I can barely ...  If they don't accept our offer this time we are going to ... and look for something else. I think I’m a ...for the manager position. It will probably take some time at my new job before I ... of things. When you arrive in New York, remember to ... us. We’ll be waiting for your call. It’s not up to me anymore. I’ve done my part, now ... Down to the last days before we finish the deal. Please, ... and focus more than ever. I never though we could ... with this ad campaign but it seemed everybody loved it. It was ...when she used her best friend's weakness to get the job. Answers here!

The Olympic Puzzle - The Olympic Issue Posted: 09 Aug 2016 04:43 PM PDT Try and complete the following crossword and test your knowledge on sports and everything Olympic. Across 2. For this sport you need small paddles.(2 words) 4. The number of points a competitor or team earns during a game 9. a person who trains and directs an athlete or a sports team. 11. A person who trains for and competes in a sport. 12. The official name for Track & Field. 14. The centrepiece of the Olympic games, where athletic events are held. 16. Years between Ancient Olympic Games. 19. Sport with bikes. 21. A piece of land marked out for a sports contest e.g. hockey. 22. A contest featuring five different events. 24. Team sport with a net and six players per team. 25. A team sport with eleven players per team. Down 1. Originally known as the International Wheelchair Games. 3. Country where Ancient Olympic Games were held. 5. A quadrangular area on which ball games are played, such as tennis or basketball. 6. Long run, typical in the Olympic games. 7. Highest prize that an athlete can get at the Olympics. (2 words) 8. To shout encouragement to a team or a player. (2 words) 10. Aquatic sport involving a ball. 13. Sport that includes walking, driving and shooting. 15. multi-discipline sport divided in artistic, rhythmic and trampoline. 17. Fastest time registered in an event. 18. An event where athletes fight with gloves. 20. A punishment imposed on a player or team for breaking the rules of a sport.  23. A result in a game in which teams have the same final score. 25. Aquatic discipline. Answers here!

The Olympic Issue Posted: 09 Aug 2016 04:18 PM PDT Sports Idioms 1. kick off   2. go overboard  3. best shot   4. jumped the gun  5. a second wind  6. down to the wire  7. skating on thin ice   8. keep my head above water. 9. throw in the towel  10. front runner  11. get into the full swing  12.touch base  13.the ball is in your court  14.keep your eyes on the ball  15.make a splash   16. hitting below the belt The Olympic Puzzle Across: 2. table tennis   4. sore  9. coach  11. athlete  12. athletics   14. stadium  16. four  19. cycling  21. field  22. pentathlon 24. volleyball  25. soccer Down:  1. Paralympics  3. Greece  5. court  6. marathon  7. gold medal 8. cheer on  10. waterpolo 13. basketball  15. gymnastics   17. record 18. boxing   20. penalty   23. tie  25. swimming

Let's read! The Railway Children - Level 4

English is an excellent language to learn, whether it's for business, travel or personal reasons. Learning any language requires hard work, commitment and a willingness to make mistakes, and English is no different. Read below to gather information about learning English Part 1 of 3: Improving Your Spoken English - Speak a little English every day. - Work on your pronunciation - Expand your vocabulary and use idiomatic phrases. - Carry a dictionary. Part 2 of 3: Improving Your Writing, Reading and Listening Skills - Listen to English radio or podcasts. - Watch English movies and TV shows. - Read an English book, newspaper or magazine - Keep a diary in English Part 3 of 3: Committing to Your New Language - Stay motivated - Practice every day. - Train yourself to think in English - Make friends with English speakers

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