Extensive listening: The ten-item wardrobe

Jennifer L. Scott discovered the ten-item wardrobe concept while living in Paris with Madame Chic and her family.

In this talk she shares her endearing story, tips on how you can make a ten-item wardrobe work for you, and why living with fewer clothes can not only improve your style, but change your life.

Jennifer L. Scott is the internationally bestselling author of Lessons from Madame Chic and At Home with Madame Chic (Simon & Schuster) and creator of the blog The Daily Connoisseur.

You can read the subtitles for the talk by activating the CC option on the player.

Talking point: Fashion and trends

This week's talking point is fashion and trends. Before getting together with the members of your conversation group, go over the questions below so that ideas come to mind more easily the day you get together with your friends and you can work out vocabulary problems beforehand.

1. Do people in your country have a reputation for dressing well or badly?
2. Do you think women pay more attention to their appearance than men, or vice versa?
3. Are people generally very fashion-conscious?
4. What is in fashion at the moment for men and women?
5. What are the “current tribes” of young people? What do they wear? Do you like the way they dress?
6. Why are some people obsessed with the way they look?
7. Why is sometimes beauty more valued than intelligence?
8. Do people tend to judge others by the way they dress?
9. Do you think you dress like a typical person from your country? Why (not)?
10. It’s better to buy cheap clothes that don’t last because then you can buy new ones more often. Do you agree?
11. People who follow fashion are usually vain and superficial. Do you agree?
12. It’s very risky to buy clothes online. Do you agree?


Describe these people's appearance:

Talking point: Shopping

This week's talking point is shopping. Before getting together with the members of your conversation group, go over the questions below so that ideas come to mind more easily the day you get together with your friends and you can work out vocabulary problems beforehand.

Look at the picture from Les Galeries Lafayette shopping mall.
Do you have places like this where you live?
Do you ever go there?
What do you think is good/bad about shopping in a place like this?

What kinds of things do you most/least like shopping for?
What was the last thing you bought?
Talk about the clothes and accessories you are wearing at the moment:
-why did you choose them?
-where did you get them?
-how long have you had them?

Have you ever lied about the price of something?
Are there any shops you normally avoid going to?
Do you ever buy designer brands?
Do you believe in retail therapy (buying things makes you happy)?
Do you ever buy second-hand clothes?
Do you ever buy clothes online?
How often do you look at fashion magazines?

To illustrate the topic, watch this video clip, where some people will be answering the following questions:

What items do you enjoy buying most?
What sorts of things do you buy on impulse?
What sorts of things do you plan to buy?
What recent product or service do you think is impressive?
If you could start a business or invent a product or service what would it be?



V: Hi. I enjoy walking around the shops and I buy things like books and make-up on impulse but I always do my food shopping on-line – it’s such a fantastic service and you get everything delivered to your door. Today I’m talking to people about shopping and innovative products. What items do you enjoy buying most?
L: Oh, I enjoy buying food, and particularly food from farmers’ markets. I also like buying clothes for myself and I love buying plants for the garden.
M: Like most women I should say, like shoes, bags I think and make-up. Yeah, three top things, yeah.
S: Quite diverse really: I love food shopping. I love going to food markets, fish markets.
E: Well, actually, I’m in the perfect place for me right now, which is, er, markets: antique markets and vintage clothes.
J: I enjoy buying, I probably enjoy buying books the most, so er, oh and music as well, so anything where somebody’s given a recommendation.
C: I love to browse around bookshops and look at the latest books that are out and also CD shops.
V: What sorts of things do you buy on impulse?
P: Music, I suppose I buy that on impulse, erm, clothes.
L: Clothes, but not as much as I used to.
C: Food. I decide when I’m walking down the street one day I want to cook this this evening, I jump in a market and get the ingredients and go and do that.
M: Well, I’m not that type of person that buys things on impulse, I’m actually very controlled, self controlled.
D: Just now I was walking down the antiques market and I saw a pair of silver tongs which looked like a great bargain, so I bought those on impulse.
S: On impulse? Oh, dreadful! Handbags, that’s probably my biggest impulse buy.
V: What sorts of things do you plan to buy?
P: Train tickets, plane tickets because I have to travel a lot in my job, so I need to plan in advance so I get good value for money on the tickets.
E: Plan, I never plan, actually, in advance. No, I haven’t got the kind of money to plan.
D: Things like holidays. Anything over, like, £100 I’d say was a planned purchase.
V: What recent product or service do you think is impressive?
P: iPhone. Absolutely amazing. I mean, I bought one and it’s just, it’s really changed my life.
S: Probably my mobile phone. I’ve just changed it to a Blackberry Storm where I can get all my emails ...
M: The new camera that I saw on television, on the commercial, so you’re taking a picture and you are seeing yourself on the other side.
V: If you could start a business or invent a product or service what would it be?
P: I don’t know. I’d like to sell joy. If you could sell joy that would be good: I don’t know how you could do it.
L: My fantasy business is to have a thing called Sophia’s Bakery and to make really fantastic cakes that you can’t buy in this country.
E: I love the Arts, so anything that would, kind of, bring more creativity to people’s lives and expression, I think that would be great.

Reading test: Spain home of the luxury espadrille

In this week's reading test we are going to practise the multiple choice grammar and vocabulary test. To do so, we are going to use El Pais article Spain: home of the luxury espadrille.

Read the text and choose the option A, B or C which best completes each blank. 0 is an example.

Spain: home of the luxury espadrille

Back in the 1970s, Isabel and Lorenzo Castañer, a Spanish couple with a small artisanal business (0) … espadrilles, or alpargatas as they are known in Spain, (1) … Yves Saint Laurent in Paris. When the fashion designer discovered what they did for a living, he asked if they would be able to make a wedge version of the traditional sandal.
“My father, (2) … was always looking for new challenges, accepted,” says Antonio Castañer, now CEO of the family firm that dates back six generations.
The offer to work with Yves Saint Laurent came at a time when Castañer was facing a(n) (3) …: its traditional market, made up of farmers and villagers, was getting smaller as rural Spaniards left the countryside for the cities in search of work and better opportunities, leaving their espadrilles behind.
Now, four decades on from that meeting in the French capital, tastes have changed and the time-honored simplicity of the original espadrille is (4) … . Around a third of Castañer’s production are designs for luxury (5)… .
The espadrille’s rustic (6) … has always had its admirers but an increasingly varied range of models are now available, making it an haute couture option. In 2011, Karl Lagerfeld took Chanel’s famous two-tone dress shoe and adapted it to the traditional espadrille. A year later, Valentino created a sensation by using delicate designs (7) … the usual strong canvas for the top part. Since then, both pret-à-porter luxury companies and high street (8) … have helped put the espadrille in the center of attention. There is something special and (9) … about it, says Antonio Castañer. “It’s a return to something natural, to something hand-made, Mediterranean.”
Barcelona-based company Naguisa, a newish firm that (10) … a name for itself by reviving traditional, hand-made espadrilles, brought out its SOC model in 2012 by copying the traditional model using unusual colours. “Eight years ago we (11) … to see a trend developing for home-grown, sustainable shoes using natural materials,” says Claudia Pérez Polo, the firm’s co-founder. Naguisa exports more than 70% of its (12) … to more than 25 countries. Its designs, many of which have been copied and recopied, are sold in US trendy women’s fashion chain Anthropologie.
“When we started out, the truth is that I (13) … espadrilles,” says Pérez. But conscious it needed to attract a younger clientele, Naguisa was able to combine tradition with local know-how to build a business that could establish an international presence. Since then, other Spanish fashion designers (14) … Paloma Barceló, Like Mimika, and Prism have begun making luxury espadrilles now found in the best-known stores around the world by combining Spanish tradition with cutting-edge design.

0 Example:
A constructing
B doing
C making

1
A bumped into
B came up with
C encountered

2
A that
B which
C who

3
A downturn
B improvement
C rise

4
A in fashion
B into the fashion
C out of fashion

5
A brands
B makes
C marks

6
A exterior
B layout
C look

7
A instead
B instead of
C rather

8
A customers
B retailers
C shoppers

9
A appalling
B appealing
C disgusting

10
A had made
B has made
C made

11
A begun
B had begun
C has begun

12
A output
B input
C handouts

13
A had never worn
B never wore
C would never have worn

14
A as
B like
C such

traditional espadrille

wedge espadrille

KEY:
1A 2C 3A 4A 5A 6C 7B 8B 9B 10B 11A 12A 13C 14B

Reading test: Why we should never wash jeans

In this week's reading test we are going to practice the 'insert the word' kind of task. To do so, we are going to use the Independent's article Why we should never wash jeans.

Read the article and complete the gaps 1-12 with one of the words or phrases from the list below. There are three words you do not need to use. Disregard the use of capital letters in the text. 0 is an example.

Why we should never wash jeans

Laundry is inevitable, but thankfully there are people (0) like Levi’s CEO and President Chip Bergh who want to make our lives a little easier.  (1) … him, you should never wash a pair of jeans. Ever.
While this may prompt noises of (2) … from those are less-then-enamoured by the idea of walking around in dirty clothes, Mr Bergh explained that he "spot cleans" any stains with a toothbrush.
Speaking to Fortune in a video that was recently re-shared on social media he said: "The point I was trying to (3) … it was a wake-up call to consumers that we go into autopilot and after we’re finished wearing something, we just automatically toss it into the(4) … . "A good pair of denim doesn’t really need to be washed in the washing machine except for very infrequently or rarely."
His argument is based around the fact that washing a good pair of Levis (5) … causes damage to the material, and is a waste of water.
Mr Bergh isn’t the only denim expert to come out with this advice. Hiut Denim’s website says: "Raw denim is best given a good six months before washing. The longer you can leave it, the better your jeans will (6) … . " The reason for this is that the indigo will have worn off in places where you make natural creases. Just by sitting down, putting your phone in and out of your pockets, your hands in your pockets. All these (7) … little things will make your jeans great.
"When it comes to the big day, the indigo will (8) … where you made those little creases to reveal the contrasts that give it the well worn look. If you wash your jeans too early, the indigo will wash off uniformly so it will give it an even, dark indigo cover which means the magic will have gone.  Like anything in life, there are no (9) … cuts.”
Meanwhile Nudie Jeans offers this stellar piece of wisdom: “When you’ve come this far, you and your new stiff drys will have gone from being separate entities to a unity – a second (10). Compared to a new pair of dry jeans, the smell of a well-worn pair just before wash is a completely different matter. It's a smell that could most probably (11) … the dead. But it's most definitely the smell of a winner."
Advice from several major jeans manufacturers is to instead try putting your pair in the freezer overnight to help get rid of bacteria. (12) give them some air by leaving them outside in the sun, or with a neutraliser spray.

according to
actually
alternatively
appear
daily
disgust
do
fade
laundry
like – 0 Example
look
make
raise
rise
short
skin

KEY:
1 according to; 2 disgust; 3 make; 4 laundry; 5 actually; 6 look; 7 daily; 8 fade; 9 short; 10 skin; 11 raise; 12 alternatively

Listening test: History of jeans

Listen to a report on the history of jeans and choose the option a, b or c which best completes each sentence.




1. According to one anthropologist, around … of people wear jeans in daily life on average.
a. one-fifth
b. half
c. two-thirds

2. Jeans were created in the ... century.
a. 18th
b. 19th
c. 20th

3. Jacob Davis asked Levi Strauss for help because he ...
a. didn't have enough money to pay for the patent.
b. didn't know how to operate a large factory.
c. wanted assistance with marketing the brand.

4. Denim jeans were the most popular type because...
a. the color changed over time.
b. the fabric was lighter.
c. they were stronger and more durable.

5. Before World War II, jeans were seen as … clothing.
a. casual
b. trendy
c. rough

6. Jeans … in the 1950’s.
a. became fashionable because Brandon and Dean used to wear them
b. were associated with a positive image
c. were prohibited in schools

7. Women liked jeans because...
a. they found jeans time-saving.
b. jeans suited them.
c. jeans were seen as a symbol of middle-class.

8. Author Paul Trynka says we love jeans because...
a. there are many different fashions.
b. they are casual and comfortable.
c. they reflect our lives and personality.

Nearly everybody has a favorite pair of jeans. Invented in a simple tailor’s shop in the U.S., jeans are now a staple in wardrobes across the globe. One anthropologist observed hundreds of people on the street in dozens of countries and found that nearly half of passers-by wear jeans on any given day. How did this American invention win over the world?
Sometime in the 1870s, a woman asked a tailor named Jacob Davis to make a durable pair of pants for her husband, who was a woodcutter. To make the pants, Davis used a strong fabric, which he bought from a supplier owned by Mr. Levi Strauss. He then reinforced the pants with copper rivets to prevent tearing along the seams and around the pockets. Word about this robust new style of pants spread like wildfire among manual laborers, and soon Davis was receiving so many orders for the pants that he could barely keep up with the demand.
Davis wanted to patent his invention, but he couldn’t afford the patent application fee. This spurred him to call Levi Strauss to ask for financial assistance. As a result of this conversation, the famous brand of Levi’s jeans was born, and Strauss and Davis opened a large manufacturing plant in San Francisco. Jacob Davis continued to manage the factory for the rest of his life.
Levi’s jeans were initially made in two fabrics – one was cotton duck (which is similar to canvas) and the other was denim. Although both pairs were dyed blue, the denim jeans turned out to be far more popular. The blue dye didn’t penetrate the denim as deeply, and the result was that the color faded and changed over time – giving the denim jeans a unique “character.” In addition, denim was a softer and more comfortable fabric, and became even more so with age.
Jeans are certainly practical for workers - but their explosion in popularity can be credited to Hollywood. Before World War II, jeans were primarily worn in the western part of the United States. They were considered cowboy clothing - a symbol of rugged American individualism - but hardly appropriate for more casual or elegant wear.
In the 1950s, two legendary American actors - Marlon Brando and James Dean - wore jeans in films where their characters were portrayed as rebels who were "cool." Jeans became associated with the "bad-boy" image, and were even banned in schools - which of course made teenagers all the more eager to wear them.
Within a decade, jeans had spread to the middle class and many variations of color and cut were being produced. Women loved the fact that they didn’t require frequent washing, and didn’t need to be ironed at all. Not only that, but they fit close to the body in a way that rivaled even tailored clothing.
Today jeans are an everyday item and a symbol of youth, casualness, and comfort. According to Paul Trynka, the author of a book about jeans, we love our jeans because they come to represent our identity. He says, "The eternal appeal of jeans is just that they reflect us and they reflect the lives that we've had in them."

KEY:
1B 2B 3A 4A 5C 6C 7A 8C

Talking point: A question of taste

This week's talking point is A question of taste. Before getting together with the members of your conversation group, go over the questions below so that ideas flow more easily when you meet up with your friends and you can work out vocabulary problems beforehand.

• What's your taste in food and clothes?
• Do some nationalities have better/worse taste in clothes?
• Can you think of someone who has a poor taste in clothes?
• What international cuisines have a better reputation? Why is that?
• How often do you give dinner parties at your house?
• What food do you usually serve on these occasions?
• What traditional food from your country do you find most/least appealing? Why?
• What kind of food is soul for you? Why? (food that makes you feel good because it's tasty and nutritious)
• What feelings do you associate with it?
• What things are considered bad taste in your country? You can talk about the following:

- showing off sex and money

- flaunting that you're rich

- burping after eating

- talking about your salary

- expressing opinions that divide people

- disrespecting elders

- lining up for things properly

- make bad jokes about race and sex

To illustrate the point you can watch this Richmond video where Tom and Alex express their opinions about Mexican food.

Extensive listening: Why are glasses so expensive

About one year ago CBS 60 Minutes aired Sticker shock: Why are glasses so expensive?

This is the way reporter Lesley Stahal introduced the segment:

"For many of us, summer means a new pair of sunglasses. But bet your eyes popped when you saw the price tag. If you don't go to places like Walmart or Costco, you could easily be spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars for a pair that cost just $30 15 years ago. Talk about sticker shock!" And it's not as though things have changed that much: they're still made of a couple of pieces of plastic or wire, some screws and glass. Why should a pair of glasses cost more than an iPad?

You can read a full transcript of the episode here.

Madrid Teacher: Street style

In our Madrid Teacher video, four teachers talk about street style and fashion. As usual, we'll be using their conversation to pay attention to some of the features of spoken they use.

First of all, watch the video through, so that you get familiar with the conversation.

Now watch the video more carefully, paying attention to the following:

• Involving listeners in the conversation: How do you feel about...?
• Use of like to introduce examples
• Use of like as a filler
• Use of filler to gain thinking time: you know; like
• Use of really to emphasize the verb and the adjective
• Reacting to what you have just heard: Polka dots!; Oh, yes?; Oh, wow; Really?
• Showing agreement: Yes. Maybe, yes; That’s right; Yeah, that’s right; Exactly
• Use of vague language: and those kinds of places; all that
• Making suggestions: what about...?

Now it's over to you. If possible, get together with a friend or relative and discuss the topic the four Madrid teachers were talking about. Do you like the current fashions you see on the streets? Do you follow them? Where do you get the inspiration as to what to wear? Do you pay attention to friends, or colleagues/classmates and try to imitate the way they dress? Have you ever bought clothes in charity or second-hand shops? Are you creative fashion-wise?

In your conversation with your friend or relative, don't forget to use some of the features of spoken English we have revised today.

How do you feel about the current fashions on the street at the moment?
The eighties fashions?
Yeah, it’s a bit eighties at the moment.
Some things I like. Like, for example, leggings are comfortable at least. They’re quite a practical item of clothing. And some things I really, really dislike. Like . . .
Yeah.
Like what?
Like polka dots.
Polka dots!
Oh, I like them.
So, so you’re not really. . . You like them?
Yeah! I have a really nice black and white polka dot dress.
Sorry.
I think it depends on the size of the polka dots.
Yes. Maybe, yes. That’s right.
And are you going down, down the High Street to buy things from Top Shop and Zara and those kinds of places? Or you’re tending to avoid them?
Yeah, I think I would go to those shops.
Oh, yes?
But I think the best way to get, like, the new trends is just to go on the street and see what people wear and... because there are loads of different trends, and you can pick from everything.
Yes, but where do you find the clothes, then, to fit the trends? Where do you shop?
Yeah, High Street I guess, yeah. Zara, and for teenagers, Bershka, Stradivarius, all that.
Yes. And do you ever, do you ever buy things from charity shops or second-hand shops?
I have. Oh yeah. In, in the States they have, like, church bazaars, you know? And a lot of people, like, a lot of people, like from rich neighborhoods, like, donate clothes. And you can get real deals, like real bargains.
Yeah? What’s your best find?
Oh, wow. Oh, this leather dress.
Really?
Yeah, I once found a leather dress with a zipper going up the side. Yeah.
Sexy lady!
Yeah, that’s right. Yeah, it was really cool.
The thing is that, I don’t . . . Because in England there are lots of charity shops, aren’t there? But in Spain, not many.
It’s not that common, is it?
No. So, . . .
There’re a couple of shops, like around the Chueca area, Tribunal, there are a couple of shops, but it’s not...
Oh, yeah, there are quite a few, Retro City and a few others.
Yeah. There’re vintage, there’s vintage shops, I’ve found, but not charity shops.
Yeah.
That’s right.
It’s, there’s a bit of a difference because at the vintage shops, someone has found the great clothes somewhere else and then put them in the vintage shop and made them a bit more expensive, so… yeah, yeah.
Although you can donate clothes to the vintage shops, they just won’t ever give you money for them.
No.
Or give you par of exchange.
And what, what about adapting things that you buy from the High Street? You know, adding little bits and pieces that, that, that are creative.
That is good for the credit crunch, isn’t it? So you can “remodelate” everything.
Yeah.
Yeah, I, I don’t know.
You’re not creative that way?
I do it occasionally but, I do it occasionally but, I must admit I’m often lazy ‘cause often in my mind and I have great plans but the reality doesn’t materialise as often.
Well, what I have done maybe is do it like, a top, I wear as, as a skirt maybe…
Yeah.
Yeah.
Just to . . . so it looks different or something.
That’s a short skirt.
It would be, yeah.
But then you wear the leggings underneath.
Exactly!
That’s right.

Talking point: Urban tribes

This week's talking point is urban tribes. Before getting together with the members of your conversation group, go over the questions below so that ideas flow more easily the day you get together with your friends and you can work out vocabulary problems beforehand.

• Hippies, skaters, townies, preppies, goths, techies. What do you know about these urban tribes?
• What do these people do?
• What do they wear?
• What kind of music do they listen to?
• What other interests do they have?
• Where do they go and what do they do in their free time?
• What are their homes like?
• Judging from their appearance, what do you think these people believe it is important in life?
• Do you know anyone who is a member of an urban tribe or some other social group?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a member of such groups?
• How and why did these groups begin?
• 'People like to belong'. Do you agree?
• 'Your appearance shows your personality'. Do you agree?
• 'First impressions count'. Do you agree?

INTERACTION
Your teenage son/daughter has taken up the Goth look. They wear black ripped clothes, have a piercing, and have dyed their hair black and purple. All their new friends are also Goths.
Decide what you, as parents, should do, if anything.

To illustrate the topic, you can watch this BBC video about the explosion of urban youth culture in Mexico city and its implications.

Royal baby clothing at the Museum of London

July has seen the arrival of a new member of the Royal Family. The Museum of London has on display royal baby clothing. Fashion curator Timothy Long has selected some of the pieces and he shows them on this video.

Self-study activity:
Watch the three-minute video and answer the questions about it.

The activity is suitable for intermediate students.



1 When did the London Museum open?
2 Where were the items from the Royal Family originally shown?
3 What material is the robe made of?
4 Who was Prince Albert Edward?
5 What is special about Princess Alice's shoes?
6 What name did Prince Albert Eward use as a monarch?
7 What does PW stand for?
8 What items belong to Princess Alice and Princess Beatrice?
9 What items belong to Princess Louis and Princess Victoria?

To check your answers, you can read the transcript below.

Hello, my name is Timothy Long. I am curator of fashion and decorative arts at the Museum of London. The arrival of the newest member of the Royal Family is a momentous occasion that has captured the world's attention.
The Museum of London has quite a rare connection to the Royal Family because prior to the formation of the Museum of London in 1976 the museum was two different institutions. One was the Guildhall Museum and the other was the London Museum, which opened in Kensington Palace in 1912.
Kensington Palace accumulated an impressive collection of material that documents both the city of London, but also very unique items from the members of the Royal Family. Today we're going to focus on the material related to Queen Victoria's children. 
This is a robe that was made for one of Queen Victoria's children and what becomes quite apparent when you look closely at the pieces, the tremendous skill and craftsmanship that went into its production. It's a cotton child's robe that has a great deal of cotton thread embroidery and that lays all the way across the front of the piece.
This infant cap was worn by Prince Albert Edward, who was born in 1841. It was the second child of Queen Victoria and it is made of a very, very fine cotton fabric that has been embroidered with cotton thread across the front as well as a floral scene at the center back.
These shoes were worn by Princess Alice. The significance here is that these were actually made by her mother, Queen Victoria. Alice was born in 1843 but these were made for her a few years later and are made of a very fine white wall that have been embroidered and verifying silk thread in a floral pattern across the front throughout the sides and also at the center back.
These shoes here document two different generations of the Royal Family in the 19th century. If you look closely at a few of the pairs you can get some clues about the individual member who wore those items.
This pair in particular, if you turn over, you can see that someone has written Prince of Wales across the front, so you know for certain that this was worn by Prince Albert Edward when he was a child before eventually becoming King Edward VII.
We have a bed sheet that was used by Prince Albert Edward when he was a child. This piece was made in 1842. We can see that by the date above which you have PW for Prince of Wales, and above that we have the embroidery of a small crown in red thread.
Additional accessories in the collection related to the Royal Family are pieces that we have here from a few pairs of stockings worn by Queen Victoria's daughters, Princess Alice and Princess Beatrice, very finely embroidered both with the initials of the wearer as well as the royal crown, as well as two kid leather gloves worn by Queen Victoria's granddaughters, Princess Louis and Princess Victoria.
As the capital prepares itself for the newest royal arrival, we here at the Museum of London are looking forward to seeing what the next generation of royal baby clothing will be.

Speakout starter: Things

In another episode of our Speakout series, from Pearson Longman, people in the street are asked these two questions:

What’s in your bag?
What are your favourite clothes?

The video is an excellent opportunity for Básico 1 and Básico 2 students (elementary) to get familiar with the name of everyday objects and clothes.

After you have watched the video several times, try to answer the two questions above about yourself.



You can read the transcript here.

At a fancy dress shop

In a new installment of The Big Picture vodcast series, from Richmond Publishers, Tom and Alex try on various outfits for a fancy dress party they have been invited to.

The activity is suitable for Básico 2 and Intermedio 1 students.

Self-study activity:
Watch the introduction to the episode, where the presenter gives us the guidelines for today's episode. Complete the blanks in the transcript with the missing words:

Have you ever wanted to change your (1) ... ? Maybe grow a (2) ... or change your hairstyle. A fancy dress party is the perfect excuse to try a new (3) ... . Just for one evening you could wear an unusual (4) ... and be someone completely different, a famous person maybe or a historical (5) ... . Today, Tom and Alexandra are in a fancy dress shop trying to (6) ... their appearance. With over (7) ...  costumes to choose from, who will they be?



Now watch from 0.30 to 2.46. Which famous people and historical characters do Tom and Alexandra mention?

In the last part of the video clip (from 2.46 to the end) Tom and Alexandra play a yes/no game to try and guess who the other comes as. Listen to them and note down the questions they ask.

Key:
1 appearance 2 beard 3 look 4 costume 5 figure 6 reinvent 7 35,000


Chaplin, Batman, Henry VIII, Elvis, John Lennon, Tina Turner, Tony Branson



I think you might have chosen Tina Turner because you were singing that song earlier.
Have you come as Robin?
Has your person been in many films?
Are they alive?
Is it a woman?
Is it  Charlie Chaplin?


Are you a man or a woman?
Are you alive?
Are you from this century?
Are you Robin Hood?
Clue: I was a very jealous husband

Chance meeting

Oxford University Press is about to publish the third edition of the English File series. One of the key elements of the series is the video material, where learners come across practical language in everyday situations.

In the video clip you can see below Rob and Jenny meet in the street. He's from London, and Jenny is from New York. The video is suitable for Básico 2 and strong Básico 1 learners.

Self-study activity:
Watch the video clip and answer the questions below.



1 When's Rob's interview?
2 What time is Jenny's meeting with Daniel?
3 What size does Rob need?
4 How much is the shirt?
5 What are the people in Jenny's office like?
6 Where is Jenny while she's talking on the phone?
7 Is Rob Jenny's boyfriend?

You can read the transcript here.

Key:
1 In twenty minutes 2 at half past nine 3 medium 4 forty-four pounds ninety-nine 5 nice and polite 6 outside a men's clothing store (American English for "shop") 7 No

The physics of high heels

Learn what high heel shoes have to do with the laws of physics. Also, what makes one high-heel shoe more comfortable than another.

Debbie Berebichez tells us all about it in this video.

Self-study activity:
Watch the video and say whether the statements below are true or false.



1 Newton and Manolo Blahnicks have something in common.
2 You cannot buy a pair of Manolo Blahnicks for less than $1,000.
3 An elephant applies less pressure to the ground than a woman wearing high heels.
4 It’s not unusual that women who wear stiletto heels lose their balance.
5 A woman wearing a seven-inch stiletto heel is more likely to lose her balance.

You can read the transcript here.

Key:
1T 2F 3T 4T 5T

Fascinators

"Never has a hat stirred such a quall. Moments after the royal wedding, images of Princess Beatrice's spiralling Band-Aid-hued headpiece had gone viral."

This is the beginning of the The New York Times Learning blog activity where you have to complete the gaps in the text with the missing word to choose from the list provided at the bottom of the article.

You can read the complete article and check the answers here.

The main article is accompanied by a video from the series On the Street on Mad Hats.

Fashion glogster

From The Machine Goes On comes a new glogster, this time about fashion. I would say the level of the activities is suitable for strong Básico 2 (elementary) and Intermediate students.

On her interactive poster Daniela has put together a number of activities which dwell on the skills of listening, speaking and reading and on vocabulary work.

All in all the glogster will provide you with entertaining practice for a few days. Do not rush it, do it slowly and well.

Sunday fun -Spin and spell

Spin and spell is a wonderful online vocabulary game which can help lower level students revise (and learn) vocabulary around five major topic areas: The house, food, clothes, animals and transport.

How to play:
Click on the picture of an object and you will hear the pronunciation of the word you have selected. Then choose the letters that form that word. You will be able to hear the way the letters you choose are spelt, so the game also helps us consolidate the pronunciation of the letters of the alphabet.

When you have finished choosing the letters of the word, click on 'submit' and the game will tell you whether the word is correctly or incorrectly written.

H/T to DDeubel.