We have mentioned Voice of America (VOA) a couple of times on this blog, and we should have put more emphasis on this site, as it provides news coverage from around the world as well as learning English lessons.
As a matter of fact, our blog entry of 24 November 2010 informed about VOA News The Classroom, a new (at the time) segment of the VOA Learning English section where students, especially lower level ones, could find more resources to learn through activities, articles, programmes and stories.
All in all, Voice of America (VOA) provides an invaluable source of authentic and updated material which comes in really handy for those intermediate students who must sit an exam where they will have to deal with authentic material.
Today's listening activity is taken from Voice of America (VOA), although it doesn't belong in the VOA Learning English section, but in the mainstream one. The activity is suitable for intermediate students.
Self-study activity:
Watch the video and answer the questions below.
1 How high is unemployment in Eastern Congo?
2 In what parts of Congo can you find the Chikudu cart?
3 What does the Chikudu cart symbolise?
4 How and where is the Chikudu cart made?
5 What does Matias Mulumba sell for children in his art store?
6 Who invented the Chikudu cart?
7 Why don't some drivers buy motorcycles or trucks?
To check the answers, you can read the transcript.
In this dusty corner of Eastern Congo, locals say unemployment is 70, 80 or 90 percent. With no available jobs, many seek out a living carrying things - vegetables to the market, construction materials, crates of goods to the supermarket.
Unlike other parts of Congo, this region boasts a vehicle they say is only found here: the Chikudu cart. It is a two-wheeled scooter of sorts that these men can push more than 24 kilometers a day, carrying more than 114 kilos of materials. On a good day, they can make $6 to $8.
But for Eastern Congo natives, the Chikudu cart is more than just back-breaking work. It is a symbol of Congolese endurance through decades of conflict and crushing poverty. One man takes photos to sell to tourists of the Chikudu statue in the center of downtown Goma.
“The statue that you see here represents the hard work of the drivers to survive and to develop our town,” he said.
Like other Congolese tools and art, Chikudu carts are hand-made, deep in the countryside. They cost drivers $50 to $100 dollars and are crafted from wood found in the Virunga Forest, a national park that has been plagued by conflict for decades.
Matias Mulumba owns an art store in Goma. He sells miniature Chikudu carts for children, and occasionally foreign visitors. He says the Chikudu is not just a symbol of the Congolese struggle, it is also representative of this region’s unique and practical craftsmanship.
“The Chikudu cart is unique to this region- you can't see it any other part of Congo. That’s why they decided to build a monument to the vehicle. It does a job. It helps many families to eat.”
He says Chikudu carts were developed by farmers, who once pushed their goods to market over Congo's rocky roads on wheel-barrows, and can now deliver three times faster.
But in a land now populated by motorcycles and trucks, some drivers say they wish could afford a more modern method of transporting goods for cash.
“I’m doing this because it is not possible to get another job here in Congo.”
The driver laughs when asked about the golden Chikudu statue in the center of town, saying with eight children at home and without even the ability to read, what else would he do for a living?
viernes, 31 de agosto de 2012
jueves, 30 de agosto de 2012
Imagine all the water
Imagine All the Water provides information on the way water is used these days. It deals with the problem of how much water is consumed in producing foods and manufacturing products. The site offers many short readings and a short video that could be a good source of information on the issue for learners at all levels.
H/T to ESL Etc.
H/T to ESL Etc.
miércoles, 29 de agosto de 2012
Talking point: What can other schools learn from your school?
This week's talking point deals with the positive side of your school, and it is taken from The New York Times Learning Network.
Think about your [language] school –its routines, timetables, teachers, facilities, even traditions and unofficial habits that are all part of the average day.
How does it work?
How many teachers have you had?
How much time do you spend in class?
What's your favourite place at school?
Which room(s) have you discovered recently?
What happy (and not so happy) moments have you lived in your school?
What successful aspects of your school could other schools learn from your school?
To gain some insight into this topic before you get together with your conversation group to discuss your school, you can read David Brooks article in the in the Op-Ed piece of The New York Times “The Relationship School”.
Think about your [language] school –its routines, timetables, teachers, facilities, even traditions and unofficial habits that are all part of the average day.
How does it work?
How many teachers have you had?
How much time do you spend in class?
What's your favourite place at school?
Which room(s) have you discovered recently?
What happy (and not so happy) moments have you lived in your school?
What successful aspects of your school could other schools learn from your school?
To gain some insight into this topic before you get together with your conversation group to discuss your school, you can read David Brooks article in the in the Op-Ed piece of The New York Times “The Relationship School”.
martes, 28 de agosto de 2012
US astronaut Neil Armstrong dies: Video listening activity
On 25th August astronaut Neil Armstrong died. We have been flooded with news and reports about this sad event. I think that this BBC video clip is more than suitable for a listening activity intended for intermediate students.
Self-study activity:
Watch the clip by clicking on the picture or the BBC link and answer the questions below.
1 What was the problem the Apollo 11 had to face right before landing on the Moon?
2 When did Neil Armstrong start flying?
3 What did he do before becoming a test pilot?
4 What negative characteristic of his personality is mentioned?
5 What characteristics made him suitable to command the Apollo mission?
6 What did he do after his return from the Moon?
7 What was happening while President Obama was talking to the Apollo 11 crew?
8 What was the positive effect of the moon landing for mankind?
To check your answers you can read the transcript below.
If you wish to find out more about Neil Armstrong and the first landing on the moon, you can watch this BBC4 documentary. It is really long, one hour, and unfortunately there are no subtitles available.
In July 1969 the world watched in awe as Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon.
“It’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
The commander of the Apollo 11 mission had earlier manually piloted the lunar module to a suitable landing site with just seconds of fuel to spare…
“Listen… The Eagle has landed.”
… to the obvious relief of mission control.
“You got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We're breathing again. Thanks a lot.”
Tonight his family said “While we mourn the loss of a very good man, we also celebrate his remarkable life and hopes that it serves as an example to young people around the world.”
And a man who walked beside him on the lunar surface issued his own tribute.
“I was fortunate enough to be one of those crew members and to fly with an outstanding test pilot, Neil Armstrong, and accompany him in the Lunar Module Eagle. We’re missing a great spokesman and leader in the space programme.”
A pilot from the age of 16, Neil Armstrong flew 78 missions during the Korean War before working as a test pilot flying rocket powered aircraft at Edwards Airforce Base. He was chosen as an astronaut for the Gemini Programme bringing his Gemini spacecraft safely to earth in March 1966 after it got out of control while reentering the atmosphere. Though painfully shy his professional approach and coolness under pressure, shown here when he ejected during training on a lunar landing module, made him a natural choice to command the Apollo mission.
Following his return from the moon, Neil Armstrong avoided publicity and became a professor at Cincinnati University. On the 30th anniversary of his historic landing he made a rare public appearance which summed up his view of the moon landings.
“The important achievement of Apollo was the demonstration that humanity is not forever chained to this planet, and our visions go rather further than that and our opportunities are unlimited.”
Ten years later the Apollo 11 crew were feted by President Obama to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their mission, but as hands were being shaken the White House was making plans to scrap the Space Shuttle Programme ending the US’s man space programme. When I met Neil Armstrong later that year he wouldn’t speak out publicly against a decision that angered him and many of his Apollo astronauts, but when I spoke to him 15 years ago he was confident that one day astronauts would follow in his footsteps back to the Moon and maybe on to Mars.
“The dream remains, the reality has faded a bit but it will come back in time.”
Although the flag was American, it was a moment that belonged to the world, bringing together a warring planet and showing us all what humanity could achieve.
Self-study activity:
Watch the clip by clicking on the picture or the BBC link and answer the questions below.
1 What was the problem the Apollo 11 had to face right before landing on the Moon?
2 When did Neil Armstrong start flying?
3 What did he do before becoming a test pilot?
4 What negative characteristic of his personality is mentioned?
5 What characteristics made him suitable to command the Apollo mission?
6 What did he do after his return from the Moon?
7 What was happening while President Obama was talking to the Apollo 11 crew?
8 What was the positive effect of the moon landing for mankind?
To check your answers you can read the transcript below.
If you wish to find out more about Neil Armstrong and the first landing on the moon, you can watch this BBC4 documentary. It is really long, one hour, and unfortunately there are no subtitles available.
In July 1969 the world watched in awe as Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon.
“It’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
The commander of the Apollo 11 mission had earlier manually piloted the lunar module to a suitable landing site with just seconds of fuel to spare…
“Listen… The Eagle has landed.”
… to the obvious relief of mission control.
“You got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We're breathing again. Thanks a lot.”
Tonight his family said “While we mourn the loss of a very good man, we also celebrate his remarkable life and hopes that it serves as an example to young people around the world.”
And a man who walked beside him on the lunar surface issued his own tribute.
“I was fortunate enough to be one of those crew members and to fly with an outstanding test pilot, Neil Armstrong, and accompany him in the Lunar Module Eagle. We’re missing a great spokesman and leader in the space programme.”
A pilot from the age of 16, Neil Armstrong flew 78 missions during the Korean War before working as a test pilot flying rocket powered aircraft at Edwards Airforce Base. He was chosen as an astronaut for the Gemini Programme bringing his Gemini spacecraft safely to earth in March 1966 after it got out of control while reentering the atmosphere. Though painfully shy his professional approach and coolness under pressure, shown here when he ejected during training on a lunar landing module, made him a natural choice to command the Apollo mission.
Following his return from the moon, Neil Armstrong avoided publicity and became a professor at Cincinnati University. On the 30th anniversary of his historic landing he made a rare public appearance which summed up his view of the moon landings.
“The important achievement of Apollo was the demonstration that humanity is not forever chained to this planet, and our visions go rather further than that and our opportunities are unlimited.”
Ten years later the Apollo 11 crew were feted by President Obama to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their mission, but as hands were being shaken the White House was making plans to scrap the Space Shuttle Programme ending the US’s man space programme. When I met Neil Armstrong later that year he wouldn’t speak out publicly against a decision that angered him and many of his Apollo astronauts, but when I spoke to him 15 years ago he was confident that one day astronauts would follow in his footsteps back to the Moon and maybe on to Mars.
“The dream remains, the reality has faded a bit but it will come back in time.”
Although the flag was American, it was a moment that belonged to the world, bringing together a warring planet and showing us all what humanity could achieve.
lunes, 27 de agosto de 2012
Hong Kong series: What's your hobby?
What’s your hobby?
Can you tell us a bit about your hobby?
Why do you like your hobby?
These are the questions three teachers from The British Council in Hong Kong answer in today's videocast.
The activity is suitable for strong Básico 1 students, and for Básico 2 and Intermediate 1 learners.
Self-study activity:
To develop your listening skills, just minimise the computer window and see if you understand the way the teachers answer the questions above.
Then you can check the answers by watching the video in a normal way. Many of the phrases the speakers use are subtitled on the screen.
Finally, you can practise your pronunciation by trying to say some of the phrases on the screen in the same way as the speaker has pronounced them.
As a follow-up you can answer the questions on the video about yourself.
Can you tell us a bit about your hobby?
Why do you like your hobby?
These are the questions three teachers from The British Council in Hong Kong answer in today's videocast.
The activity is suitable for strong Básico 1 students, and for Básico 2 and Intermediate 1 learners.
Self-study activity:
To develop your listening skills, just minimise the computer window and see if you understand the way the teachers answer the questions above.
Then you can check the answers by watching the video in a normal way. Many of the phrases the speakers use are subtitled on the screen.
Finally, you can practise your pronunciation by trying to say some of the phrases on the screen in the same way as the speaker has pronounced them.
As a follow-up you can answer the questions on the video about yourself.
domingo, 26 de agosto de 2012
The Shard
In early July the Shard in London opened, right in time for the Olympics.
Self-study activity:
Watch this Associated Press video and answer the questions below. The activity is suitable for strong Básico 2 and Intermediate 1 students.
What do the following figures refer to?
1,016
310
11,000
one and a half
two
Watch the video again. Answer these questions.
1 What does the first girl compare the Shard to?
2 How does the second girl feel when she looks at the Shard?
3 What two adjectives does the man use to describe the Shard?
4 Why has the construction of the Shard been criticised?
5 How long will the Shard be the longest building in Europe?
Key:
1016 feet tall; that's nearly 310 metres; 11,000 glass panels; one and a half billion pounds is the cost of the building; that's the equivalent of more than two billion dollars.
1 a Christmas tree; 2 she feels dizzy; 3 fantastic and great; 4 it has cost too much money in recession times; 5 until the end of the year.
You can read the transcript below.
A laser show wrapped up the official opening of Europe's tallest building, the Shard in London, 1016 feet tall, that's nearly 310 metres. It dwarfs the rest of the city skyline, including the relatively new skyscrapers in the Canary Wharf financial district. But its structure is still graceful. With its 11,000 glass panels it resembles a giant sliver.
"It was clear enough that this building was not going to be a symbol of arrogance, a symbol of power, but more like a sparkling, quite gentle spire, playing, flirting with the weather."
Still, the structure gets mixed reviews from people in the street:
"When I first saw it, I thought it was a Christmas tree to be honest. It looks a bit like a Christmas tree, so.”
"It makes me feel sick, when I look up at it, it makes me feel dizzy."
"I actually think it's a phenomenal looking building, you know, made out of glass, I just think it's fantastic, I love looking at it. I've seen it from the outset, from the start, when it started to be built, and now this is the first time I've seen it almost completed, and I think it's great, I love it, I think it's a real landmark for London."
Even so, spending one and a half billion pounds, the equivalent of more than two billion dollars, on a structure in the teeth of a recession has got to be a big gamble. But with a solid Qatari investor behind him, the developer believes the mix of apartments, offices, restaurants and a hotel will prove to be a success...
"No, we're not nervous. We are confident. We're confident we've got very strong financial backers, who have provided long-term funding."
Successful or not, the building has made a permanent change to the London landscape, even if it won't be the continent's tallest for long. Russia's Mercury City Tower is expected to eclipse the Shard before the end of the year.
Self-study activity:
Watch this Associated Press video and answer the questions below. The activity is suitable for strong Básico 2 and Intermediate 1 students.
What do the following figures refer to?
1,016
310
11,000
one and a half
two
Watch the video again. Answer these questions.
1 What does the first girl compare the Shard to?
2 How does the second girl feel when she looks at the Shard?
3 What two adjectives does the man use to describe the Shard?
4 Why has the construction of the Shard been criticised?
5 How long will the Shard be the longest building in Europe?
Key:
1016 feet tall; that's nearly 310 metres; 11,000 glass panels; one and a half billion pounds is the cost of the building; that's the equivalent of more than two billion dollars.
1 a Christmas tree; 2 she feels dizzy; 3 fantastic and great; 4 it has cost too much money in recession times; 5 until the end of the year.
You can read the transcript below.
A laser show wrapped up the official opening of Europe's tallest building, the Shard in London, 1016 feet tall, that's nearly 310 metres. It dwarfs the rest of the city skyline, including the relatively new skyscrapers in the Canary Wharf financial district. But its structure is still graceful. With its 11,000 glass panels it resembles a giant sliver.
"It was clear enough that this building was not going to be a symbol of arrogance, a symbol of power, but more like a sparkling, quite gentle spire, playing, flirting with the weather."
Still, the structure gets mixed reviews from people in the street:
"When I first saw it, I thought it was a Christmas tree to be honest. It looks a bit like a Christmas tree, so.”
"It makes me feel sick, when I look up at it, it makes me feel dizzy."
"I actually think it's a phenomenal looking building, you know, made out of glass, I just think it's fantastic, I love looking at it. I've seen it from the outset, from the start, when it started to be built, and now this is the first time I've seen it almost completed, and I think it's great, I love it, I think it's a real landmark for London."
Even so, spending one and a half billion pounds, the equivalent of more than two billion dollars, on a structure in the teeth of a recession has got to be a big gamble. But with a solid Qatari investor behind him, the developer believes the mix of apartments, offices, restaurants and a hotel will prove to be a success...
"No, we're not nervous. We are confident. We're confident we've got very strong financial backers, who have provided long-term funding."
Successful or not, the building has made a permanent change to the London landscape, even if it won't be the continent's tallest for long. Russia's Mercury City Tower is expected to eclipse the Shard before the end of the year.
sábado, 25 de agosto de 2012
How to learn English
I came across this inforgraphic from Kaplan International through Blendedmec.
Kaplan International asked hundreds of people what helped them learn English. Read their infographic to learn some interesting facts about what has helped people learn the English language.
How do these results reflect your English learning habits?
Do you find any of these ideas appealing for you to put into practise?
Kaplan International asked hundreds of people what helped them learn English. Read their infographic to learn some interesting facts about what has helped people learn the English language.
How do these results reflect your English learning habits?
Do you find any of these ideas appealing for you to put into practise?
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