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?

The Oscars again

It's the Oscars night! Are you interested? Does it matter to you what the Academy decides? Are your choices affected by awards in general? Please address at least some of these questions on your blogs. To get you in the right mood, I am posting a very short video overview of this year's nominees for the best picture:

Charlie Rose Oscars Special Opener from Al Boardman on Vimeo.

A few words from the author:
"I was delighted to be asked to produce the opening sequence for the Charlie Rose 'Oscars Special' show, which aired on PBS on 27th February 2014. The sequence features 8 Oscar nominated films with actors and directors that had previously appeared on the Charlie Rose show. The 1 minute sequence shows a series of custom animated illustrations and transitions from the film Gravity, Before Midnight, Blue Jasmine, 12 Years A Slave, The Wolf of Wall Street, Philomena and Nebraska."

Client: Charlie Rose
Creative direction, design and animation: Al Boardman
Producer and additional design: Torrey Paquette
Music: "Awakenings", courtesy of Grayson Matthews

Any advice?

Having finished one chapter in my life (PhD), I am thinking of opening another. Since I have been a proud member of the Romance Philology Institute's faculty for a few years now, I feel I should start learning at least one Romance language. I have ALWAYS wanted to learn French, so the choice should be easy, except that there are some practical reasons why it should rather be Italian. The thing is I teach a course in Information Technology for students of Italian. Knowing that language would help me make their lessons more attractive for them, more suitable to their needs. Another thing is that I am surrounded with speakers of Spanish (I share my office with some native speakers of Spanish), so my everyday contact with them would probably be very useful if I chose that language, and would make the whole process easier. The problem is I am not particularly keen on it, to be honest.
So there it is - my dilemma.
What would you advise? And do you know of any good courses in French/Italian/Spanish in Poznań? Mind you, I don't want to make it very intensive or expensive ;)

When I listen to the song in the video below, however, all my doubts fade away... Isn't it perfect? I just wish I didn't need the translation! ;)

What are 10 most common IDIOMS in English? Look below to find out. PLUS - a blogging task!

Here is a special blogging assignment for everyone:
Look at the list of idioms below, choose ONE, and try to illustrate it with a situation you have been in or have witnessed. Give an account of the situation, say which idiom it is supposed to exemplify and how it relates to it. I hope the assignment will help you remember the idioms and use them properly. Get set, go! :)

The Idiomgraphic - An infographic by LAL Schools

Back to work

It is quite difficult to come back to normal day-to-day routine after such a long break, don't you think? I hope you haven't forgotten your English yet! ;)

Just to refresh your memories a bit, and to get your minds on the right track, I would like you to do just a few collocation tasks here and here. Remember: collocations are crucial to making your English natural and fluent.

Growth metaphors

I've come across an interesting post on another blog. It connects to some of the things we discussed in our academic English classes, though the focus here is more on business English. Still, quite useful, and well presented. Here is a link to that post: 10 metaphors that are used in business