UNIT 11: NICHE HOLIDAYS

What kind of traveller are you?

What kind of holiday would you rather choose, a "flopout" holiday or a "niche holiday"?

Click here to listen to the radio programme discussing "Niche Holidays" again.

Do you feel like learning a bit more about Niche Holidays? 

If so, click here and try a "reading comprehension" activity based on an article about this type of holiday, and some links for you to listen to people talking about them.

UNIT 7: "TELL A STORY FROM TWO DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW"

USEFUL LANGUAGE

Telling a story:


"I was just having a shower when ...."
"All of a sudden/ Suddenly/ At that moment ...."
"I saw/heard that man shouting"
"In the end/ Eventually ...."

Comparing two stories:

"The man said it was midnight, whereas the woman insisted it was at one o'clock"
"According to the man, it was dark, so he couldn't see a thing"
"The old lady was absolutely certain it was a clear night"


Now, click here and here to listen again to these two people involved, somewhat, in the incident. Try to find the differences between their two stories.

Click here to check the script.

After listening to their two versions, who do you believe? Why?

UNIT 7: WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE?

Let's start with the video I showed you in class today:



Here you are some links to help you with  The Weather.

• weather vocabulary 1 
• weather vocabulary 2
• words in weather reports 1
• words in weather reports 2 (a quiz)
• weather idioms 1
• weather idioms 2

 Now, click on the links below to listen to some weather forecasts and conversations about the weather:

• Everyday English conversations: It is said that if it wasn't for the weather, English wouldn't have anything to talk about!
• Weather forecast: the four seasons
• Friday's weather forecast
• The Weather channel (US English!)
• BBC weather

Finally, have a look at this nice video. You can learn a lot from it:



Enjoy yourselves,

Ana

UNIT 6: ACCOMMODATION EXTRA LISTENING

Try these listening activities:

Living in NY
Roommates
Complaints
Loads of listening practice

UNIT 5: SPORTS AND INTERESTS

If you are interested in learning more vocabulary, have a look at "The Visual Dictionary Online" where you'll discover many different words to speak about SPORTS (this is an American dictionary, so some words like "field" are used in Am.English. In British English, they use "pitch" instead)

EXTRA LISTENING ACTIVITIES:

• Dream Team
• Video-activity: PARKOUR (watch the video and complete the gaps  (activity designed by Cristina, a fellow teacher):

Ana

UNIT 4: SOCIETY (Vocabulary)

Are you interested in politics?

Click on the links below to complete some online quizzes to learn more vocabulary on politics:

http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/vocabulary/esl-politics-elections-voting1.html

http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/vocabulary/esl-politics-elections-voting2.html

http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/vocabulary/esl-politics-elections-voting3.html

http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/vocabulary/esl-politics-elections-voting4.html


This link will take you to a list of terms related to the topic:

http://www.saberingles.com.ar/lists/politics.html


Some listening practice:

Campaign Speech

Japanese Economy

UNIT 3: SHOPPING COMPLAINTS

 


Hello everyone!

When was the last time you had to take something back to a shop?
What was wrong with it?

Click here for some listening comprehension practice.

Here you have some useful language to complain (if you are the customer) or to deal with complaints (if you are the shop assistant):

USEFUL LANGUAGE – COMPLAINING 

Making the complaint

• I’m ringing to complain about…
• I’m sorry, but I’m not satisfied with…
• Unfortunately, there’s a problem with…
• I am very dissatisfied with the service I received 

Insisting

• It really isn’t good enough
• I’d like to know why…
• I’d like an explanation for… 

Threatening

• If you don’t replace the product, I’ll complain to the manager
• If you can’t deliver on time, we’ll have to contact other suppliers 

USEFUL LANGUAGE – Dealing with Complaints 

Showing understanding

• I’m sorry to hear that
• Yes, I see what you mean
• I apologise for…
• I understand you're upset about

Getting the facts

• Could you give me some details, please?
• ·What happened exactly?
• What seems to be the problem? 

Making Excuses

• It’s not our policy to replace items
• It’s not our fault that it hasn’t arrived
• I’m afraid that’s not quite right
• I’m sorry, there’s nothing I can do 

Promising action

• Ok, I’ll look into it right away
• I’ll check the details and get back to you

Another important thing for you is to know how to write a letter of complaint.
Click here for some information and samples.
 

UNIT 2: EXTRA LISTENING

Have a look at Helena's ( a collegue teacher from Torre Pacheco) blogs to practice some more listening:

SIGHTSEEING IN AMSTERDAM