Plenty of time... A teacherly back-to-school-ramble! (Part 1)

Freddy Mercury sings "No time for losers, cos we are the champions..." (See the previous post.)

As much as I love the music of Queen I have to disagree with this sentiment! I have plenty of time for anyone who loses, of doesn't gain the grades they want in exams or fails to achieve in any other project they have set their sights on completing.

No, (I can hear all you realists out there harking on) I'm not a deluded 'everyone can win' type (not exactly) or even worse, 'every student deserves an 'A+'.

"That ain't gonna happen!"

(And anyone who tells you otherwise is a bare-faced liar!) 

I believe that everyone can do their best and achieve what they want if they are determined to. That goes for just about anything . (No, George, I don't mean that if you really want to, you can surf the Milky Way. That is a fantasy not a goal.)

First of all, have a look at this video. It's about ADHD but more importantly about how we learn and how we judge learning/passing/winning or whatever label you want to put on it.

(Thanks to Colin for sharing this so I can share it with you.)

 

You know which part I like the most? (One of many!) The bit where Sir Ken says 'Don't Copy! Because that's cheating!...Outside of school that's called collaboration.' It reflects something I always tease my classes about.

"If I could enter you in the exam as a group, you'd get straight As!"

It gets a laugh more often than not and students know full well that I'm not angry at them. Some of you might be tutting at my unruly classes but remember collaboration is a really important life skill to learn. "It's the stuff of growth." 

 

That put me in a bit of a sticky, hypocritical situation as the thing is I have to 'train' my students to pass exams where 'collaborating' most certainly doesn't go down well. What I try to do is to make the fun bits fun and get through the necessary, pen-on-paper, hard work, so let me quote Sir Ken again, "Our Children are living in the most intensely stimulating period in the history of the earth." (Sir Ken Robinson, educationalist) 

and use his idea of  'divergent thinking'. Use all this lovely 'genius' you had as a preschooler and answer this question:

 

How many ways to learn English can you think of?

 

Throughout September, I'm going to post some sites where you can find interesting things to help you learn English as well as all kinds of other hints and tips for helping you listen, speak, read and write better. Hope to be of some help...

 

Miss

 

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

The summer has passed us by once more and we are all thinking (dreading?) back to school. The blog took a bit of a hiatus during this period but now it's back with a monthly up-date for August.

First of all, with the PTE results out yesterday, the last of the Greek summer exam results in EFL, I'd like to congratulate all my students who tried so hard this year and with such difficult pressures that are happening out of school, your achievements are truly great! I dedicate this video to you all!

 

Secondly, When I started teaching I used to take photos of my classes at the end of the year.(I don't know why I stopped, I found the albums while clearing out the basement over the summer!) I was wondering what you think about about my adding some photos of classes past to the page? I probably taught your cousins, parents(!!) or even teachers(!!). I really don't remember all their names so perhaps you can help me out! What do you think?  

 

Miss!

The long break or a musical interlude?

(Click on the coloured words as you read)

School's out for summer or so the song goes but that doesn't mean that you should forget English. (Now I know I sound rather like a boring teacher but bear with me.) I recommend you put all you've learnt into practice in fun ways.

Galaxidi, Greece.

1. Most importantly get out there and speak to someone (who doesn't speak your language but speaks English) and learn about them. Make friends with the person on the next sun lounger. Give that lost looking tourist help and directions (even if they don't understand what you've told them, they're already lost so it won't matter)!

2. Find a radio station that you like through the Internet. (I recommend BBC Radio 1 for all the latest pop in Britain.)

3. Watch movies and pop videos with English subtitles or English language TV to help your listening skills and build vocabulary.

4. Take an English book out of your local library, buy a magazine in English on a topic you love and read all about it or subscribe to a blog you like.

5. Write a diary of the summer in English - you don't need to show it to anyone and it doesn't matter if the spelling and grammar are all wrong this still helps you become familiar with writing. If you feel more confident try writing a short story and if you are even more confident send it off to a competition (try 99 fiction net for Free very short story competition) or even a publisher!

Whatever you decide to do, stay safe and enjoy your summer holiday!

Miss!

An American flavor to Spring!!!

May is here and the weather is beginning to look up at last. The hills are verdant and the swallows and storks have returned and I was reminded of two poems my dad taught me which I will pass on to you. There are a lot of differences between British and American English, in grammar, spelling, (The latter of which is more logical in American English thanks to Weber's Standardisation) and accent. Accent is something that isn't really taught these days so long as 'pronunciation doesn't impair comprehension', neither is it talked about although it is one of the things that makes a language rich. So FYI the first poem highlights one regional American accent: The Bronx.

SPRING IN THE BRONX

ee Cummings or Ogden Nash or Anon

(Depending on who you ask!)

 

Spring has sprung,

the grass has ris,

I wonder where all the boidies is?

They's on the wing,

but that's absoid,

the wings is on the little boid!

 

NOTES



boid = bird

absoid = absurd



 

You can probably spot the grammatical errors here (there are 4) - I hope you can anyway! They are representative of the very distinct Bronx accent. (I have seen many longer versions but this is what I learnt as a kid!) 

 

The Bronx is a suburb of New York City

 

 

 

SPRINGTIME IN THE ROCKIES

Anon

 

'Twas springtime in the Rockies

and the snow was raining fast,

when a barefooted girl with shoes on

came slowly running past.

She turned straight round a corner,

to see a dead donkey die,

took out a pistol to stab it

and got kicked in the eye. 

 

This is a poem of contradictions - when one thing is the opposite of the other and cancels it out. Can you  find 6? This apparently isn't even an American poem but something to do with the Welsh infantry! The Rocky Mountains are in the U.S. at least!



 

The Rocky Mountains, U.S.A.

 

 

 



THE MONUMENTS OF MEN

I thought that with George Clooney getting his Parthenons and Pantheons mixed up it would be fun to debate the Parthenon Marbles this month. It seems to me that the Brits, when it comes to our own country and culture, are all very protective in one way or another. When it comes to the culture of another country some are also very possessive.

George Clooney recently reignited the debate about the Parthenon Marbles (or Pantheon Marbles as he accidentally called them) in a press conference in February for the launch of his new movie The Monuments Men.

No matter how much the British Museum would like to sweep this issue under the carpet once and for good it is sure to keep rearing its ugly head as long as it is kept in the media. There are a hundred ways in which this could be debated and both sides have their supporters. Where do you stand?

Read the following articles and form your own opinion.
This is George Clooney's reaction to (Lord Mayor of London) Boris Johnson's comments and gives you some idea of the reasons why the marbles should be returned to Greece.
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/feb/16/george-clooney-boris-johnson-parthenon-marbles
This article was published when the Parthenon museum opened and shows the British Museum's reasons for keeping them in Britain.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/richard-dorment/5699534/The-Elgin-Marbles-will-never-return-to-Athens-the-British-Museum-is-their-rightful-home.html

Click here for a worksheet that goes with both articles.
Parthenon Marbles Worksheet

There will soon be a short summary of points to argue in the new 'Cause for Debate' section, as well as a super Museum Visit role play for levels B1 - C2!

Vocabulary
to reignite the debate  -  to start people talking about a controversial issue
to sweep sth under the carpet  -  to hide and/or forget sth
to rear one's ugly head  -  to have a problem/ difficult/embarrassing issue appear when you least want it

 

We All Need Heroes!

Times are tough and you need a little moral support at the very least to get you through to the exams, the day or even the next lesson. What you need is a hero! No, I don't mean someone to do the work for you but someone whose own triumph spurs you on to complete your goals. Perhaps this person is your role model or a mentor or just someone you admire.

So, who inspires you? Who are your heroes/heroines? Who do you admire? Are you a fan of Manchester United or the LA Lakers? Are you a 'Directioner'? (One Direction groupie) or a 'Belieber' (Justin Bieber fan)? Maybe Richard Branson or Bill Gates are your men? Or are you a J.K. Rowling or Stephen King aficionado? Do you admire the work of Mother Theresa or Martin Luther King?

Whatever the field, perhaps sport, politics or Hollywood, the arts, fictional characters or philanthropists, it doesn't really matter. All these people have something going for them and all of them have positive traits that a good role model needs and of course all of them probably have something which their detractors can hold against them; the thing to remember is that in their field they are all leaders and successful. They all have qualities which we aspire to either directly or indirectly. In moments of insecurity, they give us hope that we can succeed too.

Shhh! Can you keep a secret? The answer that I would give if asked 'Who inspires you?' or 'Who is your Hero?' would be (and has always been) 'ROBIN HOOD!'

Now if you are a student of mine that has learnt anything in the years I have been teaching you you will want to know WHY? Well, let me tell you!

Ever since I was knee-high to a grasshopper I can remember being in awe of his bravery and daring, his will to fly in the face of the opposition; he knew in his heart that what King John was doing was wrong and he wasn't afraid to say so. His focus on a singular goal (well double if you count getting Maid Marion to love him as well as robbing the rich, to give to the poor!) was admirable, he sacrificed many things to assist others. He fought for equality between rich and poor, between the genders (in my mind at least Maid Marion became very easily one of his Merry Men!) He fought for the right to live in freedom from oppression. He fought against hypocrisy. (He also fought unfair taxation...) These are qualities and principles which, if you ask me, a true hero needs. These are the kind of things that everyone should aspire to. (Of course you have to remember that he was also an outlaw for deeds that weren't so honourable but for the sake of argument we'll overlook that for now!)

Robin Hood is what we call a folk hero - a hero of the people. He is part legend and possibly part historical figure. Watch the History Channel video (click on the link below) to see some of the current theories. This is part of a much longer documentary series called 'The Real Robin Hood' which is one of the best I've seen. http://www.history.com/topics/british-history/robin-hood

 

There are of course many representations in popular culture of his character a few of the more recent Hollywood movie trailers are shown here:

Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe, who also features in the History Channel documentary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMcDeNo6KUs

Robin Hood - The Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner, this is a more romantic version which has a great soundtrack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCxzyVfAz3E

Robin Hood Men in Tights (Comedy) a reaction, so it was said, to the Prince of Thieves as it was rumoured that KC wouldn't wear tights! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX4Ik-cyp-Ind

Disney's Robin Hood - the all time classic! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkyWC5OQrMo

Then there's my personal favourite, partly because it was largely filmed around where I grew up and partly for the superb music by Clannad, the ITV series 'Robin of Sherwood'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo9PSgOIIwo

 

 

There have been many songs written about heroism over the years but Bonnie Tyler's 'Holding Out For A Hero' has to be one of the best known. Listen to the song and see if you can spot the adjectives (there are 11) but how many describe a hero? Click here for a worksheet. Holding Out For A Hero Gapfill

 

Just a last note: 

I hope you feel inspired to go and search for the hero inside yourself!

Make the most of who you are!

Do not waste precious time on those who say you cannot succeed!

Remember everyone has a talent that someone else needs.

Listen to the advice of those you respect!

(Not the criticism of those who wish you harm.) 

Do what you know in your heart to be right!

Make your life have meaning!

Be the hero in the story of your own life!

 



 

TOO MUCH LOVE! (Expressions with 'heart', matching exercise)

Read the text and match the phrases and idioms high-lighted in red to their meanings below!

Click this link for a classroom friendly version with separate answer sheet!
Heart Expressions

Take heart, this is a heartfelt story of a young city businessman who took  his sweetheart for a hearty lunch one Valentine's day.

He had it in mind to promise her her heart's desire but when he presented her with a diamond ring in a heart-shaped box her reply was not what he expected.

"Please don't take this to heart my love, but I've had a change of heart. To get to the heart of the matter, after my father suffered a heart attack he and I had a good heart to heart talk. I've realised that my loyalties lie elsewhere. I'm drawn to the heart of the countryside where people are kind hearted."

The poor man's heart skipped a beat,

"Please have a heart!" He begged but there was no going back,

"I have to follow my heart." She explained.

"Think with your head not your heart!" He pleaded from the bottom of his heart,

"How can you be so cold hearted?"

"If you have your heart in the right place, you will understand."

He knew he had to pour his heart out to her.

"When I First met you you had a heart of gold but it seems to me that your feelings are rather half-hearted. You have broken my heart."

"Please believe me I didn't want it to end like this, cross my heart and hope to die."

"Don't worry! I'll tell you something that'll have you eating your heart out! I've been promoted and I'm moving to the Caribbean!

And with that he fled from the restaurant out into the heart of darkness.


1. Darkest night, unknown territory (The title of a book by Joseph Conrad, inspiration for the film Apocalypse Now).
2. Something we say to prove we're telling the truth.
3. A good character.
4. Have good intentions.
5. With all one's love and feelings.
6. Follow one's calling/desires.
7. Feel nervous/excited/afraid.
8. Kind, generous.
9. Personal, private, honest, with no secrets.
10. Find the cause.
11. (Don't) take something personally/seriously.
12. Anything one wants.
13. Lover.
14. Be sympathetic,listen.
15. Make someone jealous.
16. Unenthusiastically.
17. Share everything that is troubling someone.
18. Unemotional/unfeeling/insensitive.
19. Think logically not emotionally.
20. Beg for understanding and sympathy.
21. In the centre of the countryside.
22. Heart failure.
23. Change one's mind.
24. In the shape of a heart.
25. Large, filling meal.
26. Emotional.
27. Diappointed in love.