30.4.15

The 2 Euro T-Shirt - A Social Experiment

Fashion for a bargain - that‘s what everyone wants. A t-shirt for 2€ or jeans for less than 10€ isn‘t inconceivable nowadays. Unfortunately, people don‘t often consider who is paying the real price.

We placed a bright turquoise vending machine, offering t-shirts for 2 Euros, at Alexanderplatz in Berlin, to test whether people would still buy it when they are confronted with the conditions in which it was produced.

29.4.15

10 commonly misunderstood words in English - infographic

28.4.15

What really happens to the plastic you throw away...

We’ve all been told that we should recycle plastic bottles and containers. But what actually happens to the plastic if we just throw it away? Emma Bryce traces the life cycles of three different plastic bottles, shedding light on the dangers these disposables present to our world.

27.4.15

High diving giraffes - video

26.4.15

MOVE YOUR LEGS AND ARMS - Song For Kids ♫

Move your legs, move them up and down
Move your arms, move them up and down
LEGS, ARMS
Move them all around
LEGS, ARMS
Move them all around and around
then you FREEZE
Move your legs, move them up and down
Move your arms, move them up and down
LEGS, ARMS
Move them all around
LEGS, ARMS
Move them then you FREEZE
Wave your arms
Wave them super slow
Lift your legs
Lift them super slow
NOW GO CRAZY
LEGS, ARMS
CRAZY LEGS AND ARMS
Go crazy going round and around
Then you FREEZE

25.4.15

Cardinal Numbers - 1 to 6 - video and interactive exercises

24.4.15

Asking About Occupations - What is your Job? [video]

23.4.15

St George's Day 2015: Five very English things that are not actually English

It is St George's Day and the nation is celebrating its Englishness. But here are five quintessentially English things which have origins that may surprise you

A 15

Here are five examples:

Fish & chips

The quintessential English fast food, what could be more English than picking up a portion from the chippie on a Friday? But fried fish was actually introduced into Britain by Jewish refugees from Portugal and Spain…

A spot of polo

Is anything more English than rubbing shoulders with the high-rollers at a polo match at the height of summer? Yet English plantation owners actually learned polo from locals in the Indian state of Assam in the 19th century…

A nice cuppa tea

We all know the English love a good cuppa! A lot of people know that tea was first grown in China, which was then taken to India by the British. But did you know that the tea bag was accidently invented by a New York tea merchant? In the very early 1900s, Thomas Sullivan sent his customers samples of tea in silken bags. Rather than emptying the tea from the bag, some assumed they should be used in the same way as metal infusers and consequently, the tea bag was born…

The good old pub

Long have the British population relished a pint in the local pub but it was after the arrival of the Romans, and the Roman road network, that inns began to appear where a passer-by could enjoy a refreshing beverage…

And Saint George

Believe it or not, even Saint George himself was born abroad! Although historians have argued the Roman’s soldiers place of birth for over a century, it is believed that that Saint George was born to a Greek Christian noble family in Syria…

Big Ben - listening comprehension exercise

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

22.4.15

Corruption - Time to wake up

Corruption in various forms seems to be running rampant all over the world. Relatively new nations encounter it in their struggle to build a fair society. Long-established countries face it while trying to maintain a working society. Public servants helping out those who grease their palms, large companies doing everything to get ahead – even if it means ignoring laws and people’s lives - in the short run bribery just favours one over another. Deplorably it is always the wealthy over the poor.

21.4.15

Belfast - watch the video and choose the correct option (multiple choice interactive exercise).

Click on the picture and... have fun!

20.4.15

Recipe: Date Nut Bars

(click on the recipe)

19.4.15

Recipe - Cow pies candy

(click on the recipe)

18.4.15

Meaning of the Slang "A chick flick"

17.4.15

10 Colorful Idioms [infographic]

As Black as the Ace of Spades

This idiom describes a state of being that epitomizes complete and utter darkness. It can also describe an object that represents the truest black color. For example, Jessica’s mink stole was as black as the ace of spades.

Blue Blood

Anyone who claims to have royal heritage, aristocratic status or luxury privileges can be called a blue blood. Here’s an example. Ivan the Terrible was a true blue blood, but he was also known for his reign of terror.

Out of the Blue

This common idiom describes an unusual or surprising occurrence. Here’s an example. Julian asked Chelsea to elope out of the blue.

A Gray Area

This idiom applies to a situation or concept that is unclear, open to interpretation or can be exploited to find loopholes. For example, zoning laws affecting commercial buildings and residential apartments have brought up a legal gray area.

Gray Matter

The gray matter describes a group of important cells that are found in the cerebral cortex. For example, Agatha Christie’s character Hercule Poirot praises the fortitude of his gray matter when he mentions his “little gray cells.”

Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side

This common proverb describes a place or situation that appears better but is often no better than current conditions. Here’s an example. Jessie thought it would be great to go to a private school, but the grass is always greener on the other side.

Pink Slip

Although notices of termination are not printed on pink paper, this common metaphor is used when a worker is fired. Here’s an example. After arriving late for the fifth time in one week, Sam was finally given the pink slip.

Wave a White Flag

This is an official military sign to surrender or to negotiate a truce, but it is also used in conversation. For example, after bickering for an hour, Margaret waved the white flag.

Red Herring

A red herring is a deceiving clue or distraction that is intended to be misleading. Here’s an example. Sherlock Holmes is never deceived by red herrings. He can always determine the true culprit.

Green Thumb

Those who are lucky enough to have a green thumb seem to grow lush plants without trying. Here’s an example. Mr. Wilson always has fresh strawberries and ripe tomatoes before summer begins. He certainly has a green thumb.

16.4.15

London, London

I'm wandering round and round, nowhere to go
I'm lonely in london, london, is lovely so
I cross the streets without fear, everybody keeps the way clear
I know there's no one here to say hello
I know they keep the way clear, I am lonely in london without fear
I'm wandering round and round, nowhere to go

While my eyes, go looking for flying saucers in the sky
Yes my eyes, go looking for flying saucers in the sky

Oh, sunday, monday, autumn pass by me
And people hurry on so peacefully
A group approach the policeman, he seems so pleased to please them
It's good to live at least and I agree
He seemed so pleased at least and it's so good to live in peace
And sunday, monday years and I agree

CHORUS

I know there's no one here to say hello
I choose no face to look at, choose no way
I just happen to be here and it's ok
Green grass, blue eyes, gray sky, god bless, silent, pain and happiness
I came around to say yes, and I say
Green grass, blue eyes, gray sky, god bless, silent, pain and happiness
I came around to say yes, and I say

CHORUS