Straightforward Upper-Intermediate U5: Orlan

You can watch a video about the famous performance artist Orlan. After watching, try to answer these questions:
According to Orlan, how important is it for an artist to be extravagant and exhibitionist?
Do you think her work is interesting and intelligent? Do you think her work says anything about our society?

Do you know which words are the most annoying words in English, according to a recent poll?

Flap your arms!

Dedicated to 4C. I am sure you will remember what the word "flap" means from now on.
If you can't help to look for a deeper meaning in this sketch, then think about the coming maturita exam: Nothing is impossible provided you have the right motivation. In the end, you will fly :)

Monty Python's Flying Lesson


(Translated into normal speech: DO study a little bit)

Advertising

It is not only products that can be advertised, sometimes it can even be a sport. (Topic: My favourite or my least favourite advertisment; Straightforward Intermediate, Unit 5)

An ad for a nose gel, which "attacks, before it (a virus) has a chance to spread and develop".
Or as it says, attack is the best form of defence.

Musicians (The Lost Tribes of London)

(Extra video material to Straightforward Upper Intermediate, 3A)

Jimi Hendrix, who died aged just 27 in 1970, is still revered as one of the greatest rock guitarist ever. With his band, the Jimi Hendrix experience, he created innovative music that still sounds extraordinary today. Among his hit records were Purple Haze and All Along the Watchtower.

Janis Joplin was a female US singer with a very strong and striking voice. She died of a drug abuse in 1970. (Cry Baby and Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin)

Johny Rotten was the lead singer if the Sex Pistols, the most influential and most parent-shocking punk band. Most live concerts ended up in chaos and riots (if they weren't cancelled before they even started). They had a number of hit records between 1975 and 1979 including Anarchy in the UK, Pretty Vacant and God Save the Queen. (Sinatras My Way by Johny Rotten)

The Cure are a UK band that have survived from the 1980s to the present day. Their lead singer is wild-haired Robert Smith. Although mainly an album band, they have had a number of hit single records including Lovecats and Friday I'm in Love.

Siouxie and The Banshees were a successful punk band from the 1970s, led by a female singer Siouxie Sioux. (Kiss Them for Me)

Marilyn Manson is a contemporary singer who often wears Gothic make-up and clothes.

Maturita z AJ: Cieľové požiadavky

Štátny pedagogický ústav v roku 2008 vydal katalóg cieľových požiadaviek na vedomosti a zručnosti maturantov z anglického jazyka. V dokumente je uvedených 25 tematických okruhov (sú zhodné pre úroveň B1 a B2). Užitočný je aj prehľad jazykových vedomostí, na prečítanie odporúčam časti Grafická stránka jażyka, Lexika a Morfolóogia a syntax (str. 9-15).

Celý dokument si môžete stiahnuť tu: cieľové požiadavky pre B1 a cieľové požiadavky pre B2

"Spoločný názov pre obe úrovne je samostatný užívateľ (independent learner), čo predpokladá, že žiak aktívne pristupuje k získavaniu vedomostí nielen na hodinách anglického jazyka, ale i prostredníctvom všetkých dostupných médií (samoštúdiom) v zhode so svojimi osobnými záujmami a profesijnou orientáciou. Požiadavky kladené na žiaka predpokladajú uvedomelý prístup žiaka k osvojeniu si cudzieho jazyka."

Past tenses (Intermediate)

Past simple and past perfect - grammar explained + exercises and tests bellow.

Past simple and past continuous - exercises

Modal verbs

Modal verbs explained + interactive exercises.

Can, could have to, might, must, should

Have to, must

Couldn't, might not

Could, might, should, would

Modals, verb forms

Final test

Adventure in the desert

A desert, a kiss by a camel, riding on a camel, annoying flies, an unexpected accident and a dangerous encounter. (2 in 1:Cartoon & Test).
Aim: Mixed tenses revision.
Level: Intermediate and upwards.

http://www.englishtenseswithcartoons.com/page/visualtests/1

Present perfect or past simple? (Intermediate)

Try this short online exercise - it is very similar to those we have done in Unit 2.

http://www.englishtenseswithcartoons.com/pages/exercises/PastSimplevsPresentPerfect1.php

First conditional exercises (Pre-intermediate students)

For more practice on first conditional, try to do these online exercises:

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/if_clauses/type_1_statements.htm

or

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/firstconditional/exercise1.html

Let us know if you find some more.

Unusual journeys

Two follow-up videos for 2AB/Straightforward Intermediate Unit 2.



Apparently, this somewhat controversial video has not been accepted among some Slovaks with great enthusiasm (see - or rather not - the steamed comments on youtube :) ). The author, Michael Palin, is an excellent British comedian and writer known for his rude humour, so consider this and be merciful to him :)

Having talked about unusual journeys and giving up your job to do something more exciting, here is Matt Harding's story in Slovak, video included. Via gobl.blog.sme.sk  Absolutely gripping.

Marec mesiac knihy

Využite výhodnú marcovú ponuku vydavateľstva Macmillan, ktoré nám ponúka zľavnené anglické knihy v zjednodušených verziách, tzv. "Readers". Texty sú adaptované na úroveň Starter (300 slov) až po Upper-Intermediate (slovná zásoba 2200 ). Knihy sú v cene od 2,20 do 7,80 Eur za knihu/knihu s CD a kompletný zoznam je vyvesený pri kabinete AJ.

Do čítania, priatelia!

The Rhino Song

Class PRIMA attention!
The Rhino Song competition is on the way! :)
See and listen to the song and answer the questions:

1. How many tails has Mr. Rhino got?
2. How many feet and toes has the rhino got?
3. How many horns has it got?
4. How many friends has Mr. Rhino got? Who are they?
5. How many eyes has he got and how are they?
6. Where does he live?
7. How many rhinos make a herd?
8. Where do the big horns grow? (grow=rásť)

Guess what these words mean:
9. munch.........
10. unicorn.......



Ask your teacher for more :)

Compensation culture

Additional reading to the topic we have covered in Straightforward Intermediate book, Unit 12B. (3C students)

It brings the comments from the UK public. As the text is quite long, you can try to read at least some of the comments. They are very interesting personal experiences. Here are a few of my favourites:

"During a trip to San Francisco earlier in the year, I was astounded to read a notice in a shop door saying 'Caution - there is a glass pane in this door'..."

"My son broke his arm falling from a swing in a local park. People told me I could get £5,000 in compensation. But my view was - if everyone does that, how are we going to be able to afford swings?"

"Service providers in this country got away for years with shoddy services because there was most definitely a "one-mustn't grumble" culture..."

More on http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3582766.stm

"Will" and "going to" future (Pre-Intermediate)

Class: 1A/Ms. Balogová group
Book: Straightforward Pri-Intermediate, Unit 5

Additional online exercises for the grammar topics we have covered in Unit 5. (A. Spontaneous decisions vs. arranged plans; B. promises, offers and threats)

Will / going to future on www.better-english.com

"Have something done" (Intermediate Students)

(Not only) for Class 3C - Straightforward Intermediate, Unit 11.

Not sure how to use the structure "have something done" (Causative) correctly? Here's a link to some very nice online interactive exercises by Caroline and Pearson Brown on englishgrammarsecrets.com

Click for a short introduction to the topic.
You'll find 5 exercises bellow the text.

The Dinosaur Song

Today there is something special here for our beloved Prima, Sekunda and maybe even Tercia students.
Or just simply for anybody brainy :)



Can you guess what these mean:
walk
swim
fly
some ate plants
some ate meat
big as tree
brain like pea
jaws
claws
teeth
bones
growl, groan and moan

Do you think it is important to learn English?

THink again :)

Looking back at how English was taught in 20th century Slovakia

Each time we choose a new series of textbooks, we try to pick up the newest and trendiest ones, which follow the newest language teaching methodology and are motivating for both teachers and students. Each time you (our students) yawn during the class, we think about our old textbooks. 

Have a look at some scans and a couple of quotations from one of the books. Enjoy them!   :)

page 109:

My home is in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic.

Yes, my country is very beautiful.

Yes, Great Britain is a beautiful country too.

Yes, there is much industry too.

No, there is not enough work for everybody.

page 45-46:

Write in your exercise-books:

The Great October Socialist Revolution

Karl Marx: Workers of all lands, unite.

Resources: Benešová, Fabianová, Knesplová, Šalková: Angličtina pre 7. ročník základnej školy. Slovenské pedagogické nakladateľstvo, n.p., Bratislava 1982.