Present perfect simple and continuous

This week in Intermediate 1 we've been working in class with two different tenses: present perfect simple and present perfect continuous. Since the differences might be difficult at the very beginning, here you have an interesting presentation that could help you distinguish between them. I hope you find it useful

Thanksgiving Day

I'm aware we're living very hard times but have you ever stopped to think about the many things we DO have and take for granted? Today is a special day to feel thankful about all of them. 

Thanksgiving is an unknown tradition for most of Europeans, but it is celebrated today across the USA. Watch here a video about the history of this important American holiday.

You can read the transcript here.

Inversions

Since you may've had been having problems with them, here you are a presentation that could be useful for the better understanding of inversions

And here you have some interesting exercises

Inversions with negative advervialsMany others

New English File Intermediate CD 1

As some people suggested, here you have the mp3 of the book if you need to practise listening at home

(You can also find it in the right-hand column of this blog, under the label New English File Listenings-CD 1)

I hope you use it!!!

Are native teachers the best?

Dear students,

According to the outcomes coming from your survey, I've noticed that less than a 10% of you consider that having a native teacher would be better for your learning.

I want you to read this interesting article and give your opinion about it (use the comments below, they're there for you) Is expertise the key or is it having a native teacher?

Obama's been re-elected!!!

Dear students,

As you may probably know, Obama will be the president of the USA for the next four years.
Here you have the video with the full version of his victory speech:

Then, if you want, you can do a gap-fill activity here. Since the video is very long, I've been forced to cut the video in two pieces (the second one starts in minute 18:45, so you'll have to move the browser FORWARD)

What do you think about it? Is it a good speech? Is Obama a good politician?

Theater in English

Dear all,

I've got the pleasure to announce that the school is planning an outdoors activity. This time, we'll go to the theater to see "A Christmas Carol. A Pantomime" , which is a wonderful piece by the Madrid Players. For more information you can click here

We are going to book tickets for December, the 7th (Friday season) at 7.30 pm. The school's got a special discount and the tickets' price is 8 Euro per person (you'll save 4 euro).

If you want to come, let me know and I'll note down your names in the list. The deadline to give me the money expires on November the 22nd. 

Past simple, past continuous and past perfect

If you still think you need more exercises about the past, click here for further practice.

You can only visit the book on-line here

U.S. elections, a war of the titans?

Today is a vital day for most Americans. They're deciding his leader and it seems that the polls are really, really closed. You can read an interesting article about it here. To learn how the American voting system works, you can also watch the following video

Finally, watch this video about Homer Simpson voting in this election. It might make you think a bit before you vote next time ;-)

Adele sets fire to the rain

Do you know this girl? Her name is Adele and she's a very famous British singer. She's only 24 years old and has already been awarded 8 Grammys and 3 Brit Awards. She has a very special voice, which makes her perfect for blues, jazz and soul, but also pop.

This is her last hit. I hope you like the song and the activity, too.