Christmas wishes

Christmas is almost here, so we can't go without a proper Christmas post :)
I truly hope that your holiday time will be full of warm feelings and joy, and that it will help you find the strength and motivation you need to achieve your goals. There are probably some that you set yourselves at the beginning of this year, but for some reason have not yet reached, and there will probably be some new ones, which you will be inspired to pursue in 2015. Sometimes it's better to just move ahead and start a new year without looking back. For some of you it is going to be a pretty important year: graduation, first jobs, perhaps moving to a different town? Whatever is ahead, I'm sure you can handle it well, and make those big steps in the right direction. And even if there are problems on the way (let's face it, there will be some!), you will succeed in the end. Best of luck, then, and make sure you have some fun, too!

To add a slightly educational element here, I'm posting a video on typically British Christmas traditions. Do any of them surprise you? I would be surprised if none did ;)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Real Grammar: bored with or bored of?

English prepositions are a real challenge.

Look out for these!

English has many words which either sound similar but mean very different things or are similar to words in other languages, but mean something else. Be aware of the problems, then, but do not avoid these words. Try to use some of them soon, and come back here to check if you got them right :)

Question of the month - October

Inspired by an article I've seen somewhere, I've decided to introduce this feature into our blog project. Each month I will post one question which I would like you to address in your blogs during that month. I hope it will help you find some topics to address.

This month, then, I would like you to consider the following problem:
The world has shrunk a lot in recent decades, and many people settle in countries where they can find better opportunities for themselves and their families. Should those who choose to live in a foreign country be required to learn its official language? If you know some real-life stories or problems related to the question, share them with us. Present your opinions on your blogs before October ends.

by quinn.anya on Flickr

Something to set you on the right track this semester - for your English, French, Spanish or any other language you are learning

7 Ways to Blend in with Native Speakers (Even if You Don't Sound Like One Yet) from Transparent Language, Inc.

Summertime pleasures

The end of another academic year is coming. You've worked a lot, you've learned new things and now, before you leave for holidays, you need to prove to all your teachers that this is the case. There's always an element of luck involved in tests and exams, but if you worked hard during the semester, I'm sure you'll do great. For some of you it is the end of your studies, or at least the end of the first stage of your university education. For others, next year is going to be crucial: working on your MA thesis will make real researchers out of you. Are you looking forward to this?

I would like to ask you something:
Please use some of the free time you will have in summer to read books. They don't need to be very ambitious, heavy stuff, just something you will find enjoyable. I should encourage you to choose something in English, and I do, of course, but I would rather you read something in Polish/French/Spanish/Italian than nothing at all. Some of you may be surprised that I feel the need to do it at all, but believe me, when I ask students after holidays what they have read, many are genuinely surprised: "It's holidays, time to relax, so we don't want to read anything!" And yet, I'm sure each of you could find books which will give you a lot of satisfaction and pleasure. As far as English goes, I would recommend any of Joanne Harris's books (author of the delicious Chocolat and its two sequels) or, if you feel like something a little more action-oriented, John Grisham will work perfectly. If, on the other hand, you prefer something a bit more grown-up, try Alice Munro. Her stories are a real treat!

So, have a wonderful summer and come back well-rested and refreshed, with heads full of ideas inspired by travel, enjoyment and... good books!

Photo by Josué Goge  CC BY 2.0

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.