Sunday, September 28, 2014
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
English as Language of the World
Jay Walker explains why two billion people around the world are trying to learn English
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Friday, June 20, 2014
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Modern manners: children
What do parents have a duty to teach their children before letting them loose on the dining public?
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Slow Food UK
Slow Food UK: Simon Parkes looks at the work of the Slow Food movement in the US, Italy and the UK.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Monday, April 7, 2014
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Ten tips to save you money at the supermarket
There are some simple but effective ways to reduce the price of your weekly shop. Jessica Winch runs down her top ten.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Fairtrade
In this programme BBC reporter Barbara Colins talks to some English shoppers, a retail analyst who studies what people buy and a fairtrade expert from the international development charity, Oxfam.
Before you listen to the programme look at these comprehension questions. You'll hear the answers during the programme.
What is most important for the English shoppers?
What percentage of people say they want to shop ethically next year?
Do shoppers think there is enough choice of free trade items?
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Future of Newspapers: Anne-Marie Tomchak, BBC World News
On a day when The Washington Post was sold to Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, World's Newsroom looks at how newspapers are faring elsewhere and asks how will they survive in a rapidly changing media landscape. Presenter Anne-Marie Tomchak speaks to Bozorgmehr Sharafedin of BBC Persian TV and Amber Shamsi of BBC Urdu about the newspaper industry in Iran and Pakistan.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Angelina Jolie Exclusive Interview about Humanitarian Efforts
August 27, 2009
Angelina Jolie discusses in an exclusive interview with Paraview TV how her humanitarian efforts have shifted her perspective and changed her outlook on life.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Monday, March 3, 2014
Talking about art and exhibitions
Bob Dylan Artwork on show in Cardiff Bay
Watch the video and practise the following conversation either recommending or not the exhibition.
Conversation 1: Recommending an exhibition
I went to an exhibition in Cardiff Bay last Saturday.
Oh, did you? what was it?
It was a collection of graphics by Bob Dylan.
Oh really? It sounds quite interesting. What was it like?
Quite good, actually, the drawings were really great./I didn't think much of it myself.
So, would you recommend it, then?
Yes, you should go and see it./ No, I'd give it a miss, if I were you- unless you really like that sort of thing, of course.
Other expressions you can use:
It's OK if you are into that sort of thing./It's a must/ I really recommend it/it's well worth a visit
It's not worth the entrance fee/ It's not really my cup of tea/It's not my kind of thing/I just don't understand this stuff
Watch the video and practise the following conversation either recommending or not the exhibition.
Conversation 1: Recommending an exhibition
I went to an exhibition in Cardiff Bay last Saturday.
Oh, did you? what was it?
It was a collection of graphics by Bob Dylan.
Oh really? It sounds quite interesting. What was it like?
Quite good, actually, the drawings were really great./I didn't think much of it myself.
So, would you recommend it, then?
Yes, you should go and see it./ No, I'd give it a miss, if I were you- unless you really like that sort of thing, of course.
Other expressions you can use:
It's OK if you are into that sort of thing./It's a must/ I really recommend it/it's well worth a visit
It's not worth the entrance fee/ It's not really my cup of tea/It's not my kind of thing/I just don't understand this stuff
The Carder method can teach anyone to paint
David Wilson explains how the Carder method can teach anyone to paint.
Listen to him and complete the gaps.
Painting is nothing more than (1)……………………….paint, (2) ........................... the colours, and reproducing them on (3)…………………………………. .
But for a naked eye and the untrained hand that’s difficult to do.
What makes the Carder Method so different?
You don’t have to trust your own judgment when you mix and apply colours to the canvas instead you (4)…………………………………………… called color checker
It’s a device that duplicates the color you see in your still life into mix paint on a palette.
Anyone can do this simply, hold on your color checker and ask yourself some very simple questions, like which color is more red or darker, then (5) ……………………………………. colour accordingly.
Simple colour mixing rules tell you exactly what to do.
But you are saying to yourself, how do I (6) ……………………………………………..of the subject to be painted, if I can’t draw? You don’t need any drawing ability or knowledge of mathematics.
With the small end of the proportional divider you (7)……………………………………………………….you want to draw then flip the proportional divider over and the large end tells you where to place points on your canvas.
After you’ve pointed enough points, it’s just a matter of connecting them.
It’s a device that duplicates the color you see in your still life into mix paint on a palette.
Anyone can do this simply, hold on your color checker and ask yourself some very simple questions, like which color is more red or darker, then (5) ……………………………………. colour accordingly.
Simple colour mixing rules tell you exactly what to do.
But you are saying to yourself, how do I (6) ……………………………………………..of the subject to be painted, if I can’t draw? You don’t need any drawing ability or knowledge of mathematics.
With the small end of the proportional divider you (7)……………………………………………………….you want to draw then flip the proportional divider over and the large end tells you where to place points on your canvas.
After you’ve pointed enough points, it’s just a matter of connecting them.
It’s revolutionary, even people with no (8)……………………………………………………….. can paint
A review of a concert you’ve been to
A review of a concert you’ve been to (based on First Certificate Expert Pearson/Longman)
(include information about the band or singer, the music, and say whether you would recommend it or not.
Paragraph 1: Catching the reader’s attention
Have you heard/seen…..?/ I have to tell you about my favourite singer/band/musician…/ they’ve made one of the best ………………………
Paragraph 2: Describing the performers
On stage……………………..
Paragraph 3: saying what like
Paragraph 4: saying what you don’t like
The only thing I wasn’t really happy about was….
I must admit that …………..
Paragraph 5: conclusion/recommendation
Judging from the show, ……………………… is one of the best …………
If you like (disco music of the 1980s) you’ll love …………….
You really should /must ( buy the CD/ try and watch one of his/her/their shows.
MadonnaPop star Madonna thrilled fans with a dance spectacular in Manchester on Saturday night
She performed wearing black hot pants, a sequined silver top and knee-high black boots before a packed MEN Arena.
The show featured moving video screens, conveyer belts, a ballroom dance sequence and an electric chair.
The singer wore a kilt and a t-shirt proclaiming "Brits do it better" later in the show.
The 45-year-old performed songs from early in her career such as Holiday and Material Girl, as well as tracks from her most recent albums.
She also included a cover version of John Lennon's Imagine.
She has not played in Manchester since 1984 and such was the demand for tickets for her return that an extra date was added.
Reviews
Absolutely mind-blowing. The energy was non-stop for two hours and most of the songs had been reworked to some extent and sounded fantastic. I never realized how strong her voice was and the piper almost stole the show with his dancing (bagpipes in hand). Not one dull moment all night. Definitely worth the ticket price. Puts many other artists to shame. Obviously months of hard work were needed to put this awesome spectacle together. Superb!
If you like (disco music of the 1980s) you’ll love …………….
You really should /must ( buy the CD/ try and watch one of his/her/their shows.
MadonnaPop star Madonna thrilled fans with a dance spectacular in Manchester on Saturday night
She performed wearing black hot pants, a sequined silver top and knee-high black boots before a packed MEN Arena.
The show featured moving video screens, conveyer belts, a ballroom dance sequence and an electric chair.
The singer wore a kilt and a t-shirt proclaiming "Brits do it better" later in the show.
The 45-year-old performed songs from early in her career such as Holiday and Material Girl, as well as tracks from her most recent albums.
She also included a cover version of John Lennon's Imagine.
She has not played in Manchester since 1984 and such was the demand for tickets for her return that an extra date was added.
Reviews
Absolutely mind-blowing. The energy was non-stop for two hours and most of the songs had been reworked to some extent and sounded fantastic. I never realized how strong her voice was and the piper almost stole the show with his dancing (bagpipes in hand). Not one dull moment all night. Definitely worth the ticket price. Puts many other artists to shame. Obviously months of hard work were needed to put this awesome spectacle together. Superb!
It was fantastic, the best concert I have ever seen. The atmosphere was excellent and you could tell that everyone enjoyed themselves. She is amazing, If I could go again I would. We had £75 seats and the view was great. Worth the effort of going definitely.
The show was amazing and worth every penny. She is fantastic and shows that if you have a dream you should just go for it and not be told that you can't. In her own words "don't ever tell me to stop". Fabulous
Having been a fan ever since I can remember, Sunday night's concert just blew me away and was everything I hoped Madonna would be, and more. The show (which is what it was) was bright, vivid, electric and engrossing. Madonna sounded fabulous; it was high energy from start to finish.
Sample Review of a CD
Sample of Music review (from Premium B2 level Coursebook ed. Pierson/Longman)
Music Review of the week
Sandi Thom recorded her first album Smile …. It confuses people in 2006, and it quickly went to number one in the album charts. The hit single I wish I was a punk rocker from the album also got to number one.
I think this is a really beautiful album with some catchy pop tunes. Sandi is a good singer and her voice is different from most other singers at the moment.
My favourite track is I wish I was a punk rocker, which is lively and has very interesting lyrics. The only negative thing I would say about the album is that the backing band is a bit weak.
This CD gets better the more you listen to it. I would definitely recommend buying it and watching out for any further albums of this talented artist.
Paragraph 1: gives some information about where and where the writer got the CD
Paragraph 2: gives some information about the CD and singer
Paragraph 3: gives the writer’s opinion about the CD (both positive and negative)
Paragraph 4: gives a recommendation about whether to buy the CD or not
Music Review of the week
Sandi Thom recorded her first album Smile …. It confuses people in 2006, and it quickly went to number one in the album charts. The hit single I wish I was a punk rocker from the album also got to number one.
I think this is a really beautiful album with some catchy pop tunes. Sandi is a good singer and her voice is different from most other singers at the moment.
My favourite track is I wish I was a punk rocker, which is lively and has very interesting lyrics. The only negative thing I would say about the album is that the backing band is a bit weak.
This CD gets better the more you listen to it. I would definitely recommend buying it and watching out for any further albums of this talented artist.
Paragraph 1: gives some information about where and where the writer got the CD
Paragraph 2: gives some information about the CD and singer
Paragraph 3: gives the writer’s opinion about the CD (both positive and negative)
Paragraph 4: gives a recommendation about whether to buy the CD or not
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
In Business: The Music Industry 02.01.14
Peter Day investigates how much the music industry has changed in the past decade and asks how businesses, and musicians, have had to adapt as a result.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio/worldbiz/worldbiz_20140102-2100a.mp3
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio/worldbiz/worldbiz_20140102-2100a.mp3
Monday, February 17, 2014
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Faith. George Michael
Well I guess it would be nice
If I could touch your body
I know not everybody
Has got a body like you
But I've got to think twice
Before I give my heart away
And I know all the games you play
Because I play them too
Oh but I
Need some time off from that emotion
Time to pick my heart up off the floor
And when that love comes down
Without devotion
Well it takes a strong man baby
But I'm showing you the door
'Cause I gotta have faith...
Baby I know you're asking me to stay
Say please, please, please, don't go away
You say I'm giving you the blues
Maybe
You mean every word you say
Can't help but think of yesterday
And another who tied me down to loverboy rules
Before this river
Becomes an ocean
Before you throw my heart back on the floor
Oh baby I reconsider
My foolish notion
Well I need someone to hold me
But I'll wait for something more Yes I've gotta have faith
The Next Mozart 6-Year-Old Piano Prodigy Wows all
Transcription
How many 6-year-olds can say they performed at the White House? Emily Bear can make that claim.
The little girl from Rockford, Illinois, was born to play the piano. And she writes much of her own music.
So maybe, just maybe, we've found the next Mozart.
This is the story of a little girl who was born with a gift. And she opened that gift early.
-This comes out to me…this comes out. -Where does it come from?
-I don't know. Probably in my… -In your…? -…heart.
You could call her a piano prodigy, though the "P word" is never used in the Bear home.
This is all unknown territory for all of us. I've heard about kids like this. I never thought I'd have one!
Her siblings, 12-year-old Benjie, and 7-year-old Lauren, are also talented musicians.
My brother plays electric and acoustic guitar, my sister plays the harp and piano, and I only play the piano.
But I would like to play the flute.
Emily was "discovered" four years ago by her grandmothers – one of them, a concert pianist…
…who's made a career of teaching musically gifted children like Emily.
I just love music. It's my passion.
Four years ago, Emily's mom and dad took a trip, and left Grandma in charge. She heard someone playing piano and thought it was the eldest child.
I was overwhelmed. It was the baby, who was 2 years old and 1 month, playing a C-scale, with three fingers.
-Play your scale, Emmy. -Grandma Murrow immediately contacted the prestigious Julliard School of Music in New York.
He said there's only one person in the country, his name is Emilio Del Rosario, he teaches at the Music Institute of Chicago.
With instruction from Del Rosario and many generous mentors…
…including Mary Sauer, the Chicago Symphony's principal keyboardist, Emily has blossomed.
They're practicing Mozart's Concerto No. 23 that Emily will play next March with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra.
What she does in her music in all the styles that she plays in, she is speaking directly from inside of her……which is why jazz is so comfortable for her.
Yet her favorite song is not Jazz or Mozart, but one she wrote herself for Mr. D, her loving piano teacher, who is now ill.
-What are you gonna be when you grow up? -Composer. I like Mozart because he's kinda like me, and I'm kinda like him.
Like her playing, Emily's composing pours from her heart. It's her patience with fumble-fingered adults like me she has to work on.
With keyboard chops that would be the envy of most adults, it's easy to forget Emily is still a child.
-But this one is my favorite. Do you know why? -Why? -I got it at the White House.
-What is your hope for her? -To be happy. Seriously, to have good values, to be at peace in her heart. To be a really good grown-up.
-But until then, the one thing Emily wants you to know… -Actually, I'm just a normal kid that plays piano. And most…I like inspiring kids.
-Oh, wow. -Wow. Emily will play at Ravinia again in September. She played there last summer at the age of 5.
We've compiled a number of Emily's recent performances on our website, along with her latest CD.
-You can check out wgntv.com. Allison, she is such a joy to listen to. -You know what, Steve? You're right. I'm in love.
The Coors- Bono When the Stars Go Blue
Dancin' where the stars go blue
Dancin' where the evening fell
Dancin' in your wooden shoes
In a wedding gown
Dancin' out on 7th street
Dancin' through the underground
Dancin' little marionette Are you happy now?
Where do you go when you're lonely
Where do you go when you're blue
Where do you go when you're lonely
I'll follow you
When the stars go blue, blueWhen the stars go blue, blueWhen the stars go blue, blueWhen the stars go blue
Laughing with your pretty mouth
Laughing with your broken eyes
Laughing with your lover's tongue In a lullaby
Where do you go when you're lonely Where do you go when you're blue Where do you go when you're lonely I'll follow youWhen the stars go blue, blueWhen the stars go blue, blueWhen the stars, when the stars go blue, blue When the stars go blueWhen the stars go blue, blue, blueStars go blueWhen the stars go blueWhere do you go when you're lonely Where do you go when you're blue, yeah Where do you go when you're lonely I'll follow you, I'll follow you, I'll follow youI'll follow you, I'll follow you, yeahWhere do you go, yeahWhere do you go, Where do you go
Talking about music
Which type of music do you prefer?
MUSIC GENRES/ˈʒɑn rəz/:Reggae, rock, pop, hip hop, country and western, rap, folk, blues, jazz, salsa, swing, disco, heavy metal, Latin music, classical music
What kinds of musicCheer you up? help you relax?, evoke particular memories?, would you find it hard to live without?
Bore you?, get on your nerves?, do you find too highbrow? /ˈhaɪˌbraʊ/superior intellectual interests and tastes. Do you find too trashy? inferior in quality; rubbishy
Useful vocabulary: Expressions to describe how you feel about the different kinds of music.
You like it
It’s got a good beat/ it’s catchy/ It’s nice and relaxing/ It’s good to dance to/ It’s’ got loads of energy/ It’s got a nice tune/ It’s pretty mellow/ I like the baseline, the drums, the vocals/ the horns. She’s got a good voice.
You don’t like it
It’s a bit boring/ it’s a bit repetitive, it’s got no tune/ It’s rubbish/ It’s a bit too fast, loud, slow, weird for me. I don’t really like her voice.
Talk about the following.- What kind of music you are into/you like. If you’ve always liked the same kind of music.
- Your favourite band/singer at the moment.
- If you have a special song or piece of music that reminds you of someone/something.
- The kind of music you like to listen to if you’re feeling a bit down/in a romantic mood/when you want to wind down/ just before going to sleep.
- If you’ve got a big music collection. Your all-time favourite album. Your favourite track.
- Any kind of music you don’t like and why.
- If you go out to hear live music. Where you go and what kind of music.
- The last time you went to a gig/concert. Who you saw. What it was like.
- If you like dancing. The kind of music you like to dance to. Where you go dancing.
- If you can play any musical instrument. What? How long? And if you are any good.
MUSIC GENRES/ˈʒɑn rəz/:Reggae, rock, pop, hip hop, country and western, rap, folk, blues, jazz, salsa, swing, disco, heavy metal, Latin music, classical music
What kinds of musicCheer you up? help you relax?, evoke particular memories?, would you find it hard to live without?
Bore you?, get on your nerves?, do you find too highbrow? /ˈhaɪˌbraʊ/superior intellectual interests and tastes. Do you find too trashy? inferior in quality; rubbishy
Useful vocabulary: Expressions to describe how you feel about the different kinds of music.
You like it
It’s got a good beat/ it’s catchy/ It’s nice and relaxing/ It’s good to dance to/ It’s’ got loads of energy/ It’s got a nice tune/ It’s pretty mellow/ I like the baseline, the drums, the vocals/ the horns. She’s got a good voice.
You don’t like it
It’s a bit boring/ it’s a bit repetitive, it’s got no tune/ It’s rubbish/ It’s a bit too fast, loud, slow, weird for me. I don’t really like her voice.
Talk about the following.- What kind of music you are into/you like. If you’ve always liked the same kind of music.
- Your favourite band/singer at the moment.
- If you have a special song or piece of music that reminds you of someone/something.
- The kind of music you like to listen to if you’re feeling a bit down/in a romantic mood/when you want to wind down/ just before going to sleep.
- If you’ve got a big music collection. Your all-time favourite album. Your favourite track.
- Any kind of music you don’t like and why.
- If you go out to hear live music. Where you go and what kind of music.
- The last time you went to a gig/concert. Who you saw. What it was like.
- If you like dancing. The kind of music you like to dance to. Where you go dancing.
- If you can play any musical instrument. What? How long? And if you are any good.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Saturday, February 8, 2014
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