This is a short motivational video by Danielle LaPorte, a popular motivational speaker and former news show commentator.
Just watch Danielle's video clip and let her ideas permeate you. I don't think you will have very many problems with comprehension, because the key ideas Danielle is trying to convey are shown on the video, but you have the transcript below if you wish to understand everything.
Danielle is a fast talker. Try to repeat some of the phrases she says at her speeed.
You wanna make it happen? Life is short, let's do this.
Your mantra of choice is this: I'll figure it out. You'll figure it out. You will figure it out.
You need to strike this from your vocabulary: I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do. But I don't know what to do. You'll figure it out.
Remember this: everything you have ever done in your entire life, in the history of humanity, has brought you to this point. It's a whole lot of life force on your side. The first kiss, a blank page, white space.
A beginner's mind is an open mind, and an open mind innovates.
Respect your fear. It's part of the creative process and it keeps you alert.
What are you gonna give up to get where you wanna go?
Because you can't have it all. But you can always have and always do great things.
Balance? It's a myth. Tell us your dream.
When you declare it and share it, you're accountable and you're helpable.
Don't let perfection become procrastination.
Every masterpiece that's ever been done? It could've been better. Just launch and learn.
Everything is progress. The universe is always expanding and that includes you.
You wanna make it happen?
Do what you say you're gonna do. Do what you say you're going to do. Do what you say you're going to do.
Keep it pointed to where you want it to go.
Every day, today, now, do a little more of what you really wanna be doing and do a little less of what you don't want to do, until your ideal becomes what's real.
You can do this. You got this. You can make it happen. You wanna make it happen?
lunes, 8 de octubre de 2012
sábado, 6 de octubre de 2012
Five rules of thumb for polite language
Some months ago The MacMillan Dictionary Blog published a really interesting entry by guest blogger Luke Thompson about the importance of indirectness in English to establish "a respectful and polite relationship between speakers", especially within a business context or if we don't know the other speaker(s) very well.
Luke Thompson explains, for example, why it is wrong to say "I disagree" in some contexts, as we can come across as impolite or aggressive, and we should say "I see what you mean, but..." or "I agree up to a point, but...".
Luke Thompson establishes five basic rules of thumb for polite and diplomatic language:
1 Listen and be understanding
2 Avoid negative words
3 Say "sorry"
4 Use little words to soften your statements
5 Avoid using the word "you"
Being polite and diplomatic in this way is something native speakers of English take for granted, and something they do automatically. It is, therefore, a cultural aspect of the language that some speakers from other nationalities find it difficult to come to terms with, as they come from cultures where directness is an asset.
Drop by The MacMillan Dictionary Blog and read the explanations and examples Luke Thompson provides on this cultural issue.
Luke Thompson explains, for example, why it is wrong to say "I disagree" in some contexts, as we can come across as impolite or aggressive, and we should say "I see what you mean, but..." or "I agree up to a point, but...".
Luke Thompson establishes five basic rules of thumb for polite and diplomatic language:
1 Listen and be understanding
2 Avoid negative words
3 Say "sorry"
4 Use little words to soften your statements
5 Avoid using the word "you"
Being polite and diplomatic in this way is something native speakers of English take for granted, and something they do automatically. It is, therefore, a cultural aspect of the language that some speakers from other nationalities find it difficult to come to terms with, as they come from cultures where directness is an asset.
Drop by The MacMillan Dictionary Blog and read the explanations and examples Luke Thompson provides on this cultural issue.
viernes, 5 de octubre de 2012
The gang who sold houses they didn't own
Crime and accident stories are perfect to gauge our understanding of English, especially if they deal with events we know little or nothing about. Take "The gang who sold houses they didn't own", a news item
that Skynews informed about some months ago.
Self-study activity:
Watch the news clip and answer the questions below about it.
1 What are the jobs of the gang members?
2 What's the problem with the female member of the gang these days?
3 What does four million pounds refer to?
4 What kinds of homes did the gang look for?
5 What was the gang's usual procedure when they spotted a suitable home?
6 How serious is this crime?
7 Why is a barber shop mentioned?
8 What does 8% refer to at the end of the clip?
To check your answers you can read the transcript below.
It was a property scam in which a criminal gang made millions of pounds by effectively stealing people’s homes. At the heart of it was a trio of corrupt officials: A land registry clerk, a solicitor, and a bank manager who for legal reasons can’t be identified.
Surjeet Chana worked at the land registry and provided title deeds and owner signatures so they could be forged.
"She’s is now with a very serious depression…"
Her daughter said she was now very ill.
"The thing is she’s not well because even she is not talking to the family either."
Solicitor Charles Spiropolous did the conveyancing using his office to complete the illegal house sales and collect money. The bank manager helped the gang hide their profits.
"Can I talk to you about the case on Friday?"
"Which case?"
He left them use his bank to launder the money they made, nearly four million pounds. The gang searched for homes like this, neglected or abandoned, their owners dead or in care.
The old lady who owns this house died and left it in her will to five different charities. While that complicated legal situation was being sorted out, the house was neglected and became an obvious target for the gang. They boarded it up, changed the locks, then erected an official-looking sign urging the owner to get in touch. If none did, they went ahead and sold the houses, a quick cap price sale usually to an unsuspecting developer. Police don’t know how many they sold.
"The arrogance with which is some way this is carried out… they wouldn’t get detected. But this is not seen as a serious crime but yet when you look at it we have elderly victims, in care homes, whose homes are left there and suddenly being sold underneath them."
The gang leaders at first used a barber shop in Surrey to launder the drugs profits. Then they developed for more sophisticated property fraud. The gang sold this home in Croydon for £140,000. Owner Ann McKendrick said “I have lost my past, much of my identity and reason for existing.” This house in Wimbledon went for £190,000. Owner Frida Gallagher said she’d been left very confused and in total shock. But at times the gang were moving hold-alls of cash through the corrupt bank manager’s branch. He got 5% on each illegal house sale, when he should have been reporting the gang for money laundering.
Martin Brunt, Sky News, South London.
that Skynews informed about some months ago.
Self-study activity:
Watch the news clip and answer the questions below about it.
1 What are the jobs of the gang members?
2 What's the problem with the female member of the gang these days?
3 What does four million pounds refer to?
4 What kinds of homes did the gang look for?
5 What was the gang's usual procedure when they spotted a suitable home?
6 How serious is this crime?
7 Why is a barber shop mentioned?
8 What does 8% refer to at the end of the clip?
To check your answers you can read the transcript below.
It was a property scam in which a criminal gang made millions of pounds by effectively stealing people’s homes. At the heart of it was a trio of corrupt officials: A land registry clerk, a solicitor, and a bank manager who for legal reasons can’t be identified.
Surjeet Chana worked at the land registry and provided title deeds and owner signatures so they could be forged.
"She’s is now with a very serious depression…"
Her daughter said she was now very ill.
"The thing is she’s not well because even she is not talking to the family either."
Solicitor Charles Spiropolous did the conveyancing using his office to complete the illegal house sales and collect money. The bank manager helped the gang hide their profits.
"Can I talk to you about the case on Friday?"
"Which case?"
He left them use his bank to launder the money they made, nearly four million pounds. The gang searched for homes like this, neglected or abandoned, their owners dead or in care.
The old lady who owns this house died and left it in her will to five different charities. While that complicated legal situation was being sorted out, the house was neglected and became an obvious target for the gang. They boarded it up, changed the locks, then erected an official-looking sign urging the owner to get in touch. If none did, they went ahead and sold the houses, a quick cap price sale usually to an unsuspecting developer. Police don’t know how many they sold.
"The arrogance with which is some way this is carried out… they wouldn’t get detected. But this is not seen as a serious crime but yet when you look at it we have elderly victims, in care homes, whose homes are left there and suddenly being sold underneath them."
The gang leaders at first used a barber shop in Surrey to launder the drugs profits. Then they developed for more sophisticated property fraud. The gang sold this home in Croydon for £140,000. Owner Ann McKendrick said “I have lost my past, much of my identity and reason for existing.” This house in Wimbledon went for £190,000. Owner Frida Gallagher said she’d been left very confused and in total shock. But at times the gang were moving hold-alls of cash through the corrupt bank manager’s branch. He got 5% on each illegal house sale, when he should have been reporting the gang for money laundering.
Martin Brunt, Sky News, South London.
jueves, 4 de octubre de 2012
BT Everyday Lives - Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Meet Anthony, a volunteer coastguard rescue officer with HM Coastguard. He explains the ins and outs of his job. The activity is suitable for Básico 2 and Intermediate 1 students.
Self-study activity:
Watch the video clip and fill in the blanks in the transcript with the missing words.
My name is Anthony, I’m an (1) ... but I’m also a Coastguard. I could be sat in the office just doing my normal (2) ... and the phone will ring. We can get calls at any time, often as you’re about to sit down for dinner or if your just getting into that (3) ... . The Olympic event taking place down in the wayward area we expect to have a (4) ... season. A lot of specatators expected around the cliffs. It can be a very (5) ... job, when your going out, your helping someone and you can maybe pass a (6) ... back to the parents, you see the joy in the parents faces, it’s fantastic.
The worst thing that I think I have to do sometimes is actually speak to friends and family and sometimes give them the (7) ... and obviously that is is a very hard thing to do. The Coastguard Rescue Teams are the ones who are at the forefront of peoples' (8) ... because they they are what the public will see when an (9) ... happens on the Coast. They don’t see behind the (10) ... , the operations RRCC where the calls come in, they are also very much responsible for making sure that they are tasking the right people, they are making sure the right (11) ... are going to the (9) ... , they are certain times where we can’t get to the (12) ... then the helicopters are invaluable just for that very speedy response.
The only way those elements can work as a team is with a (13) ... resilient and secure communication and the Maritime and Coastguard agency use BT as a backbone to their communications infrastructure.
Key:
1 Estate Agent 2 day job 3 deep sleep 4 busy 5 rewarding 6 message 7 bad news 8 mind 9 instant 10 scenes 11 resources 12 causalty 13 reliable
Self-study activity:
Watch the video clip and fill in the blanks in the transcript with the missing words.
My name is Anthony, I’m an (1) ... but I’m also a Coastguard. I could be sat in the office just doing my normal (2) ... and the phone will ring. We can get calls at any time, often as you’re about to sit down for dinner or if your just getting into that (3) ... . The Olympic event taking place down in the wayward area we expect to have a (4) ... season. A lot of specatators expected around the cliffs. It can be a very (5) ... job, when your going out, your helping someone and you can maybe pass a (6) ... back to the parents, you see the joy in the parents faces, it’s fantastic.
The worst thing that I think I have to do sometimes is actually speak to friends and family and sometimes give them the (7) ... and obviously that is is a very hard thing to do. The Coastguard Rescue Teams are the ones who are at the forefront of peoples' (8) ... because they they are what the public will see when an (9) ... happens on the Coast. They don’t see behind the (10) ... , the operations RRCC where the calls come in, they are also very much responsible for making sure that they are tasking the right people, they are making sure the right (11) ... are going to the (9) ... , they are certain times where we can’t get to the (12) ... then the helicopters are invaluable just for that very speedy response.
The only way those elements can work as a team is with a (13) ... resilient and secure communication and the Maritime and Coastguard agency use BT as a backbone to their communications infrastructure.
Key:
1 Estate Agent 2 day job 3 deep sleep 4 busy 5 rewarding 6 message 7 bad news 8 mind 9 instant 10 scenes 11 resources 12 causalty 13 reliable
miércoles, 3 de octubre de 2012
Talking point: You and politics
Discussing the topic of politics is always a hot issue, as some people always make it personal and express their ideas in a vehement way.
Anyway, let's give politics a try in this week's talking point. Get together with the members of your conversation group and discuss the questions below, which you can (or should) prepare before holding your discussion.
Who’s the President of the Government?
How long does he hold a term of office?
When is the next election in Spain (or in your country)? And the next general election?
Do you think it is important to vote in elections?
How many people usually vote in Spanish elections?
Should voting be compulsory?
There are around 400,000 politicians in Spain. Why are there so many people interested in becoming a politician?
Do you know any scandals involving politicians?
Things in Spain will get better if …
Which celebrities in Spain are or have been involved in politics or in protests?
And in other countries?
Do you think that celebrities should be involved in politics?
Do celebreties have social responsibilities because of their fame?
Do you agree with the statements below?
I wouldn't vote for a celebrity politician unless I really liked their films.
I'll probably always vote for the same party unless they change in a big way.
If I had the chance, I'd love to be a politician.
I'd prefer it if there were more women in politics.
At least 50% of those holding public office should be women.
Do US politics have a direct influence in Spain (or in your country)?
To illustrate the topic, we are posting two videos today. Towards the end of the summer both the Republican and Democrat parties held conventions to choose their candidates for the November elections and to get their messages across the country. Some celebrities took part actively in the conventions in support of the candidates. Watch Clint Eastwood's and Scarlett Johanson's at the Republic and Democrat conventions.
First, here's Clint Eastwood's speech at the Republican National Convention. You can watch the full eleven-minute version here.
And here's Scarlett Johanson's speeach at the Democratic National Convention.
You can read the transcripts for the two full speeches here.
You can do a video listening activity about Scarlett Johanson and her campaign for Dolce and Gabbana here.
You can watch Clint Eastwood and his famous It's half time America ad here.
Anyway, let's give politics a try in this week's talking point. Get together with the members of your conversation group and discuss the questions below, which you can (or should) prepare before holding your discussion.
Who’s the President of the Government?
How long does he hold a term of office?
When is the next election in Spain (or in your country)? And the next general election?
Do you think it is important to vote in elections?
How many people usually vote in Spanish elections?
Should voting be compulsory?
There are around 400,000 politicians in Spain. Why are there so many people interested in becoming a politician?
Do you know any scandals involving politicians?
Things in Spain will get better if …
Which celebrities in Spain are or have been involved in politics or in protests?
And in other countries?
Do you think that celebrities should be involved in politics?
Do celebreties have social responsibilities because of their fame?
Do you agree with the statements below?
I wouldn't vote for a celebrity politician unless I really liked their films.
I'll probably always vote for the same party unless they change in a big way.
If I had the chance, I'd love to be a politician.
I'd prefer it if there were more women in politics.
At least 50% of those holding public office should be women.
Do US politics have a direct influence in Spain (or in your country)?
To illustrate the topic, we are posting two videos today. Towards the end of the summer both the Republican and Democrat parties held conventions to choose their candidates for the November elections and to get their messages across the country. Some celebrities took part actively in the conventions in support of the candidates. Watch Clint Eastwood's and Scarlett Johanson's at the Republic and Democrat conventions.
First, here's Clint Eastwood's speech at the Republican National Convention. You can watch the full eleven-minute version here.
And here's Scarlett Johanson's speeach at the Democratic National Convention.
You can read the transcripts for the two full speeches here.
You can do a video listening activity about Scarlett Johanson and her campaign for Dolce and Gabbana here.
You can watch Clint Eastwood and his famous It's half time America ad here.
martes, 2 de octubre de 2012
Hong Kong series: My career
Kim, Niki and Mike, teachers at The British Council in Hong Kong, answer the questions below about their career choice.
How long and where have you taught?
Why did you become a teacher?
What do you like about the job?
If you were not a teacher, what would you be?
As usual, you will get plenty of help to understand the answers, as most of what the three teachers say is shown in subtitles on the screen. However, today's questions are a bit more complicated grammar-wise, and will be within the grasp of Intermediate 1 and strong Básico 2 students.
How long and where have you taught?
Why did you become a teacher?
What do you like about the job?
If you were not a teacher, what would you be?
As usual, you will get plenty of help to understand the answers, as most of what the three teachers say is shown in subtitles on the screen. However, today's questions are a bit more complicated grammar-wise, and will be within the grasp of Intermediate 1 and strong Básico 2 students.
lunes, 1 de octubre de 2012
How to spread the perfect slice of toast
I learnt about How to spread the perfect slice of toast through Jeffrey Hill, who in late June published a post on his blog, The English Blog, letting us know about Warburtons' invention to solve this English breakfast dilemma.
I have used Warburtons' video clip to create a listening activity suitable for Básico 2 students.
Self-study activity:
Watch the video and complete the blanks on the transcript below with the missing words.
Once the full transcript is completed, try to improve your English pronunciation through the shadow reading technique, that is, reading at the same time as the narrator.
And make a point of dropping by The English Blog to read Jeffrey's comments and ideas on the toastie knife.
How to butter the perfect slice of toast?
No one enjoys the (1) ... of trying cold butter straight from the fridge on to toast in the morning. It’s too hard to spread and it’s a (2) ... experience first thing.
To help with this breakfast time trauma, Warburton has (3) ... the perfect solution –introducing the toastie knife. Using state-of-the-art technology to (4) ... an optimum butter spreading experience, the toastie knife comes complete with a handy (5) ... blade that can be (6) ... at the press of a button.
The toastie knife gently heats to (7) ... degrees in (8) ... seconds, the perfect temperature for efficient butter spreading, as identified by the country’s top toast experts.
Using the toastie knife start in the middle of your toast and use (9) ... , short strokes to the edges to secure even butter coverage. For best results, use a good quality loaf, one that is soft enough to (10) ... taste but strong enough that it won’t tear when (11) ... . That will ensure you have the perfect breakfast bite.
Now, that we call the perfect toast experience.
Warburtons toastie knife, what do you think? Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook.
I have used Warburtons' video clip to create a listening activity suitable for Básico 2 students.
Self-study activity:
Watch the video and complete the blanks on the transcript below with the missing words.
Once the full transcript is completed, try to improve your English pronunciation through the shadow reading technique, that is, reading at the same time as the narrator.
And make a point of dropping by The English Blog to read Jeffrey's comments and ideas on the toastie knife.
How to butter the perfect slice of toast?
No one enjoys the (1) ... of trying cold butter straight from the fridge on to toast in the morning. It’s too hard to spread and it’s a (2) ... experience first thing.
To help with this breakfast time trauma, Warburton has (3) ... the perfect solution –introducing the toastie knife. Using state-of-the-art technology to (4) ... an optimum butter spreading experience, the toastie knife comes complete with a handy (5) ... blade that can be (6) ... at the press of a button.
The toastie knife gently heats to (7) ... degrees in (8) ... seconds, the perfect temperature for efficient butter spreading, as identified by the country’s top toast experts.
Using the toastie knife start in the middle of your toast and use (9) ... , short strokes to the edges to secure even butter coverage. For best results, use a good quality loaf, one that is soft enough to (10) ... taste but strong enough that it won’t tear when (11) ... . That will ensure you have the perfect breakfast bite.
Now, that we call the perfect toast experience.
Warburtons toastie knife, what do you think? Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook.
Key:
(1) annoyance (2) frustrating (3) invented (4) ensure (5) heated (6) activated (7) 41.8 (8) 30 (9) quick (10) guarantee (11) buttered
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