«Nighty Night Circus» - bedtime story for kids | video

Listen & write the days of the week - interactive exercise

Click on the picture and... have fun!

Present Simple | affirmative | interactive fill in exercises

«The Wonderful Wizard of Oz» - Infographic & Plot Summary

As The Wonderful Wizard of Oz opens, Dorothy Gale is on the family farm in Kansas. She is an orphan cared for by her Uncle Henry, her Aunt Em, and her little dog Toto. She's a happy, laughing child, but her guardians are both careworn, hard workers who get little pleasure from life. Only Toto keeps Dorothy cheerful; the two friends play together constantly.

When the story begins, however, they're not playing. A cyclone is on its way, and everyone is afraid of what it will bring. While Uncle Henry looks after the stock, Aunt Em and Dorothy head for the storm cellar. But Toto jumps out of Dorothy's arms and hides. While Dorothy tries to catch the dog, Aunt Em starts down the ladder into the storm cellar. Before Dorothy can follow, the cyclone lifts the house into the air and carries it away.

The house lands in Munchkin territory within the Land of Oz, crushing and killing the Wicked Witch of the East. Dorothy learns from the Witch of the North that her best bet for returning to Kansas lies in appealing to the Wizard of Oz, in Emerald City. It's a dangerous journey, but Dorothy is determined to go. She helps herself to the dead witch's silver shoes, fills her basket, and sets out.

Soon after departing Dorothy makes three new friends: the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion. Each asks to accompany her, for they too have favors to ask of the Wizard. The Scarecrow wishes for a brain, the Woodman for a heart, and the Lion for courage.

After overcoming several hazards, the four travelers and Toto arrive at Emerald City, an amazing place that—as befits its name—is completely green. One at a time they are taken to meet the Wizard of Oz. He appears in a different frightening guise to each traveler, but he gives them the same assignment: if they can kill the Wicked Witch of the West, the Wizard will grant their wishes.

The way to the witch's castle is rough, and the witch dispatches three animal armies to kill the travelers. When that doesn't work she calls on the Winged Monkeys, who disable the Scarecrow and Woodman and bring Dorothy, Toto, and the Lion to her castle. There she imprisons the Lion and sets Dorothy to work cleaning the castle.

Days go by and Dorothy becomes more and more afraid that she'll never see her home again. One day the witch steals one of Dorothy's silver shoes and is about to steal the other when a furious Dorothy throws a bucket of water at her. To Dorothy's horror the witch melts away to nothing; water, it turns out, is fatal to her.

With the help of the witch's servants, the Winkies, and the Flying Monkeys, Dorothy and her friends return to the Emerald City. To their indignation the Wizard keeps stalling. When they're finally allowed into the Throne Room to see him, Toto knocks over a screen—and an ordinary little man is revealed behind it.

Sheepishly the man explains he is from Omaha, Nebraska. He blew adrift in a hot-air balloon and landed here. Since the populace believed him to be a wizard, he decided to pose as one. He got the people to build the Emerald City and his palace, then shut himself inside to avoid the two wicked witches. Much of his mystique comes from the fact that no one has ever seen him.

Dorothy and her friends are furious. They've met his terms, and now he won't do what he promised. After some thought Oz comes up with a way to satisfy the Scarecrow, Woodman, and Lion. But Dorothy's wish is harder to fulfill. Finally Oz decides that the two of them will depart the country in another hot-air balloon. Quickly they make a new balloon, bid farewell to their friends, and prepare to take off. Unfortunately Toto jumps out of Dorothy's arms; while she's chasing him the balloon drifts away with only Oz aboard.

Dorothy is heartbroken. On the advice of the Guardian of the Gates, she sets out on one more trip—this one to the castle of Glinda, the Witch of the South, who may be able to help. Dorothy's friends love her too much to let her make the trip alone, so they set out once again to meet another witch.

Again the journey is perilous, but this time it's short. When the travelers arrive at Glinda's castle, she tells Dorothy the silver shoes she's been wearing since her arrival have always had the power to get her home. All she needs to do is click her heels together three times.

Again Dorothy bids her friends farewell. Then she grabs Toto, clicks her heels—and finds herself back in Kansas. She lands on the grass near the new house Uncle Henry has built. Aunt Em rushes up, takes her niece into her arms, and kisses her. In Dorothy's absence she has learned how much she loves the little girl. For her part Dorothy is delighted to be back where she belongs.

Idioms: interactive game

Click on the picture and... have fun!!

Meaning of «lionhearted»

We associate lionhearted and its shorter brother lionheart with King Richard Iof England (1157-99). 

It is unknown whether King Richard could speak English(we know that he spoke French and Occitan, also called Provençal), butRichard’s nickname was not English; it was the French phrase Coeur de Lion. Lionhearted entered English in the 18th century; lionheart, the Englishtranslation of Coeur de Lion, was coined by Alfred Lord Tennyson in 1832.

Take Your Parents to Work Day with Jimmy Fallon & Jimmy Kimmel - Video

«Fahrenheit 451» - Infographic & Plot Summary

Part 1: The Hearth and the Salamander

Fahrenheit 451 is set in the United States in the near future. There have been two atomic wars, and the United States has won both. Jets continually fly overhead, reminding the population of the potential for even more devastating wars. Society has changed markedly, and it is now illegal to own books. In this topsy-turvy new world, the profession of fireman has also changed: instead of fighting fires, firemen respond to reports of illegal possession of books, go to the homes of the book owners, and burn the books they find there. Fire and its associated symbols, such as the hearth (an important element of the home) and the salamander (mythological creature able to live in fire), are largely destructive in this part of the text.

The main character, Guy Montag, is a fireman. He is largely content with his life and work until a teenage girl named Clarisse McClellan moves next door. Full of energy and curiosity, she is unlike anyone he has ever met. In their first conversation Clarisse asks Montag whether he is happy. Her question marks a turning point for Montag as he begins to question the meaning of his life.

When he gets home he finds his wife, Mildred, unconscious; she has overdosed on sleeping pills. He calls emergency technicians, who save her, but her suicide attempt makes him realize how unhappy he is. The next day, Mildred downplays her brush with death, creating a rift between the spouses.

Montag has several more conversations with Clarisse, each of which casts new light on some area of his life. The talks make him uncomfortable; still, he looks forward to their talks. Suddenly she disappears, and eventually he learns that she was hit by an automobile and has died.

The firemen respond to a report of books in someone's home and race to burn them. While the firemen are ransacking the house, Montag reads a sentence by chance in one of the books that has fallen open. Impulsively he steals another. An old woman, the owner of the books, refuses to let the firemen burn them. Instead she sets her house on fire and is burned alive along with her books. From this woman's perspective fire can be transformed into a source of strength rather than destruction.

Montag, sickened by the event and by the guilt of stealing a book, skips work the next day. His boss, Captain Beatty, visits Montag's house to check on him. While Beatty is there, he explains to Montag how their society developed as it did, including why books are outlawed. He also gives Montag a time limit of 24 hours in which to return the book he stole. After Beatty leaves, Montag shocks Mildred when he reveals that he has stolen 20 books over the previous year and hidden them in an air-conditioning vent in their house.

Montag reads the book with Mildred, or tries to. The Mechanical Hound, a dog-like killer android that assists the firemen, sniffs at the door but leaves. The sense of menace, however, remains.

Part 2: The Sieve and the Sand

Montag calls a retired professor named Faber for advice about the books and goes to visit him. Faber agrees to help Montag and gives him a tiny mobile radio called a Seashell to wear in his ear so that they can communicate. After disrupting a gathering of Mildred's friends by reading aloud a poem, Matthew Arnold's "Dover Beach," Montag returns to work and surrenders a book, though not the one he has stolen from the old woman's house. Montag's reading experience resembles the sieve and the sand, in that the human mind grasps for truth like the sieve but is unable to hold on to all the grains of truth that pass through it like sand.

Part 3: Burning Bright

The firemen respond to an alarm at Montag's own house. His wife has turned him in. As they arrive Mildred is leaving permanently. Montag burns his house room by room as Beatty mocks him. At one point Beatty hits Montag, knocking the radio from Montag's ear. Realizing Montag has a coconspirator, Beatty tells Montag he plans to track the person down. This threat causes Montag to snap, and he blasts Beatty with his flamethrower, burning him alive.

From this point on Montag is a fugitive, chased by a Mechanical Hound. He destroys the android with his flamethrower, but the authorities send another after him. He goes to Faber's house for advice, and Faber tells Montag about a group of book lovers who live along the railroad tracks, beyond the boundaries of society. Montag goes on the run to find them.

After a trek through the countryside Montag finds the group, who have been watching on television as the authorities fake a capture of Montag using a random pedestrian. The group takes him in and helps him cover his scent so the Mechanical Hound can't track him. They have all memorized great books or parts of great books to keep the books safe from the authorities and preserve the possibility of reprinting them in a better future.

Montag and Granger, the leader of the literary group, talk about life and how it should be lived. Jets bomb and destroy the city Montag has left behind. In this part the fire symbolism takes on a largely constructive quality. The novel ends on a hopeful note, with the group of book lovers starting back to the city to help its survivors and rebuild society.

100 Ways to Improve Your English — Language Exchange Sites

Language exchange websites are places online where people who want to learn a new language can go to meet native speakers of their target languages. For example, imagine that you are a French speaker who wants to practise your English. You can use one of the sites below to find an English native speaker who wants to learn French, et voilà — you can help each other learn. Typically, the exchanges take place via Skype, but there are other options. For example, some sites allow you to find a partner living in your area for face-to-face conversations.

Language exchanges are perfect for learners who want to use the language outside the classroom or those who are learning on their own and have limited opportunities to practise their oral skills. Some of my own students have had very positive experiences with language exchanges, and have even ended up visiting each other's homes.

Each of the following sites offers different possibilities, but they all have free services. So why not check out a few and see which one suits your needs best?

• Babelvillage — look for and find a language Exchange or Practice partner to train your target language.
• Conversation Exchange — Practice your second language by meeting up with native speakers living in your area. You can also find penpals or partners for text, voice and video chat.
• Easy Language Exchange — Free platform where language learners from all over the world can come together and learn their targeted foreign language.
• HelloTalk — The language app where your teachers are native language speakers from around the world.
• How Do You Do? — Helps you learn and practice foreign languages by text and video chatting with native speakers and learners from all over the world.
• InterPals — Free site for online correspondence, cultural exchange, and learning foreign languages.
• Language for Exchange — On this site you can arrange an exchange where you actually go and stay in your partner's home.
• LingoGlobe — Learn and practice foreign languages for free. 40,000+ registered members.
• MyLanguageExchange.com — The first site to host online language exchange practice. Over 3 million members from over 133 countries, practicing 115 languages!
• Polyglot Club — Find members ready to help you learn your favorite language and in return, teach them your mother tongue.
• Speaky — Instantly practice languages with people around the world. Also available as an app.
• Tandem — An app that helps you find native speakers of almost any language who want to learn your language in exchange. Check out the Tandem blog for tips on language exchanges.
• Vivalanga — An app that allows you to locate and connect with native speakers nearby. All you need is send an invitation and start learning from each other.
• WeSpeke — Learn and practice with native speakers from around the world using text, audio, or video.

http://www.englishblog.com/2017/04/100-ways-to-improve-your-english-3-language-exchange.html#.WPc-wtLyvZY

100 Ways to Improve Your English — Podcasts

If you’re not familiar with podcasts, here’s a definition : "a podcast is a digital audio recording, usually part of a themed series, that can be downloaded from a website to a media player or computer". I spend a lot of time listening to podcasts on my iPod when I’m at home doing the dishes, on the bus or train, or just out walking. My favourite podcasts would probably not be suitable for most learners of English (except those at a very advanced level), but the good news is that there are dozens of podcasts available specifically for learning English — and they’re a wonderful way to improve your listening skills. Here are some of the very best …

• All Ears English — Learn advanced conversational English or prepare for your IELTS exam.
• BBC World Service — 6 Minute English — Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations.
• BBC World Service — 6 Minute Grammar —Every Tuesday learn a new key area of grammar.
• BBC World Service — 6 Minute Vocabulary — Every Monday hear about different ways to develop your vocabulary knowledge and skills.
• BBC World Service — The English We Speak — Every week, a different everyday English phrase or piece of slang is explained in this fun three-minute programme.
• Better at English — Real conversations for more advanced learners (with transcripts).
• Business English Pod — One of the top ESL sites and normally a paid service, but you can also get free subscriptions without having to sign up.
• Culips ESL Podcast — Learn conversational English for everyday use (from Montreal).
• Deep English — Learn English with Stories —"Train your ears to understand fast English".
• Grammar Girl — "Your friendly guide to the world of grammar, punctuation, usage, and fun developments in the English language" (for advanced learners).
• ESL Pod — The "number one English learning podcast". Now a paid service but you can get some free sample lessons.
• Happy English — Over 400 free podcasts from New York teacher Michael DiGiacomo.
• Learn English Elementary Podcasts — British Council podcast with interactive tasks and transcripts.
• Learn English Professionals Podcasts — This British Council podcast covers a large number of business and work themes and is suitable for learners at intermediate to advanced level.
• Learning English Broadcast — Voice of America's 30-minute daily podcasts use a limited vocabulary and are read at a slower pace than VOA's other English broadcasts.
• Luke's English Podcast — An award-winning podcast that started in 2009 and now has over 400 episodes, with transcripts, videos and a special series on phrasal verbs.
• Podcasts in English — One of my personal favourites. The podcasts (at three levels plus a business podcast) are free, but you can pay to get transcripts and worksheets.
• Real English Conversations —Listen to natural English conversations to quickly build your understanding of conversational American English. With free transcripts.
• Splendid Speaking — Podcasts for advanced learners studying for IELTS and other exams
• The Business — Podcasts — This Macmillan podcast features authentic interviews focusing on working life in the UK. With tapescripts and worksheets.

Listening comprehension - free time activities

1

 Repeat

A: Tell me, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

B: I enjoy drawing and painting.

A: You know how to draw and paint?

B: Yes, I do.

A: When did you learn how to do that?

B: I learned back in high school.

A: Oh, so you took an art class?

B: Yeah, I loved that class.

A: I see that you're pretty talented.

B: Thank you very much.

A: I wish I had a talent like that.

B: I'm sure you have a talent. It's just hidden.


2

 Repeat

A: What kinds of things do you like to do?

B: I've always liked to draw and paint.

A: I didn't know you knew how to draw and paint.

B: I do it every once in a while.

A: How long have you known how to do that?

B: I first learned how to do it in high school.

A: Did you take some sort of art class or something?

B: That was my favorite class.

A: You have got to be talented.

B: Thanks.

A: If only I was talented.

B: You have a talent. You just don't know what it is yet.


3

 Repeat

A: Are there any hobbies you do?

B: When I have time, I sometimes draw and paint.

A: Oh, you actually do that?

B: Every so often, I do.

A: Did you always know how to draw and paint?

B: I was taught in high school how to draw and paint.

A: You had an art class?

B: Exactly, it was my favorite class.

A: Well, it's good that you're so talented.

B: I appreciate that.

A: Talent is a great thing, I wish I had one.

B: Everyone has a talent. They just need to find it.

New Year's Eve Customs and Traditions - video with subtitles in English

New Year's Eve is celebrated all around the world. Learn some English vocabulary while also learning about the customs and traditions of this holiday.