English is crazy!

Easter is over, and we're going back into class for a few days before the long May break. Isn't it good to live in Poland? ;)
To boost your English-learning motivation a bit, I am posting a short clip about the "wonders" of the English language. If people tell you it's easy, make them watch the video! You can try and watch it a few times to catch as many tricky bits as you can. Don't try to tell me you haven't been surprised by at least some of these pronunciations! ;) Try to remember a few (write them down?) and we'll discuss them in class.



BTW, I've just found out about a new English word: to phub. Do you know what it means? If not, I hope you are curious enough to check it in our favorite dictionary. If you are a careful enough reader, you'll also learn the origin of the word. Have you been phubbed recently? Do you ever do it yourself? I admit I sometimes do, at home, when we sit at out kitchen table. But I try not to.

The secret of happiness revisited (with my 3rd year)

It so happens that I've just come across a short article about the very topic of our recent classes. I find it very relevant to what you and I said about happiness, and since there is some reference to research there, I think it is worth reading. It is basically a list of habits "employed by those who've successfully located the bliss button". (drumroll...)
Here it is:

1. They go to parks or live in green spaces
2. They live in Scandinavian countries
3. They practice 'hygge' (a cultural concept that revolves around intimacy, gratitude and family; it's a kind of emotional coziness). 
4. They have satisfying jobs — and if not, they quit
5. They smell the flowers
6. They get dirty
7. They exercise
8. They don’t try to be … happy?

Some aren't easy to adopt (Scandinavia?!), but others don't require much effort. I guess the last one is key.

Getting ready for your test, MA1 students?