021 - Present Perfect

021 - Present Perfect

Assessment
You are a going to write an article of 80 words about an artist that you know of.
1. Present an artist, who they are and what they have been doing.
2. Include two famous works of art they have done.
3. Describe the style of their works and what material, instruments, tools or genre they use.
4. Express the possible future of the artist.
5. Give your opinion about what they have done.

020 - Contrasting Ideas

020 - Contrasting Ideas

Listening

Contrasting Ideas
http://study.com/academy/lesson/how-to-compare-contrast-ideas-in-a-reading-selection.html

Writing

Topics for Writing
http://grammar.about.com/od/topicsuggestions/a/causeff07topics.htm

Reading
- Contrasting Ideas
http://www.multimedia-english.com/grammar/how-to-express-contrast-40

- Various Rules
http://speakspeak.com/resources/english-grammar-rules/various-grammar-rules

Flashcard Practice
- Opposing Ideas
https://quizlet.com/99120303/expressing-contrast-flash-cards/

Writing Assessment
Write a brief research paper on a controversial topic showing to perspectives that antagonize each other. Follow the following steps:

1. Pick a topic where two clear sides collides.
Example: Gun Control - Abortion - Legalization of Drugs - Conflict in the middle east - The use of frakking in oil extraction - Clean Energy - The Peace Treaty in Colombia - Gender Equality - Diets

2. Create a Venn's Diagram or a Mind Map to state two main differences between the points of view chosen.

3. Write an essay using the following format to contrast the perspectives chosen.

A. Introduction: Explain what your topic is about, describe the what, where and why of the situation and point out how it is relevan by saying how it affects our world. (About 30 words)

B. Contrasting Idea 1: Explain one conflicting ideas between the struggling parties. Express their views and their reasons for acting. (About 40 words, use linkers of contrast).

C. Contrasting Idea 2: Same as B, but describing a second conflincting idea. (About 40 words, use linkers of contrast).

D. Possible Solution: Look for a way this situation could be solved or its negative effects reduced. If there is any common ground between the points of view, try to capitalize on that to come up with an answer. (About 30 words)

Grammar Practice

Using the formula given, give your own examples.

Formula	Example	Explanation
main statement, but contrasting statement	I'd really like to come to the film, but I have to study tonight.	Use a comma or semi colon (;) with 'but'. 'But' is the most common way to show contrasting ideas.
main statement, in spite of contrasting statement OR in spite of contrasting statement, main statement	They continued on their journey, in spite of the pouring rain.	Use 'in spite of' plus a noun, noun phrase or gerund
main statement, despite contrasting statement OR Despite contrasting statement, main statement	They continued on their journey, despite the pouring rain.	Use 'despite' plus a noun, noun phrase or gerund
main statement, althoughcontrasting statement OR Althoughcontrasting statement, main statement	ngerous.	Use 'although' with a subject and a verb.

019 - Comparatives and Superlatives

019 - Comparatives and Superlatives


Reading
Comparatives and Superlative Explanation
http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/adjectives-comparative-and-superlative.html

Comparatives presented in a video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrxTrvrCohE   (Part 1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8lX5I5sTPQ             (Part 2)

Flashcards Online

Quizlet for Comparatives
https://quizlet.com/91358319/comparatives-flash-cards/

Quizlet for Superlatives
https://quizlet.com/64819567/superlatives-flash-cards/

Games

PDF: Guessing Game
http://busyteacher.org/22906-superlative-adjectives-guessing-game.html

Comparatives with limited time to complete
http://gamestolearnenglish.com/compare/

Guess games with Comparatives and Superlatives
https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-games/comparatives-and-superlatives

Puzzle Games with Comparatives
http://www.marks-english-school.com/games/basketball.html

Comparatives and Superlative Questionnaire
http://www.grammar.cl/Games/Comparatives_Superlatives.htm

Useful Websites

Description of different activities that can be done with comparatives.
http://www.usingenglish.com/articles/fun-practice-for-comparative-adjectives.html

Worksheets
http://www.teach-this.com/resources/grammar/comparatives-superlatives

018 - Songs and lyrics for listening practice

018 - Songs for Lyrics Practice 

What exercises can you do with songs?
1 - Make a list of words that appear in the song and make students choose between some options.
2 - Cut out parts of the lyrics and make students organize them.
3 - Make a student repeat a line from the song after played.
4 - Play game in groups where students listen and try to get as many phrases as possible. The phrases must be composed of at least 3 words or more.
5 - Do not show them the screen and make students guess who sings the song, where the person is from and what style of music is being played.

Get up, Stand up 
Artist: Bob Marley
Style: Reggae
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuMlHdxiIZ8
Lyrics: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bob+marley/get+up+stand+up_20021743.html

Get Lucky
Artist: Daft Punk
Style: Disco Funk
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5EofwRzit0
Lyrics: http://www.metrolyrics.com/get-lucky-lyrics-daft-punk.html

Harder, Better, Faster
Artist: Daft Punk
Style: Disco Funk
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAjR4_CbPpQ
Lyrics: http://www.musica.com/letras.asp?letra=1245610

Someone like you
Artist: Adelle
Style: Pop
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNE6y879lCU
Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/adele/someonelikeyou.html

We are the champions
Artist: Queen
Style: Pop
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2NU98NZF8o
Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/queen/wearethechampions.html

Smells like teen spirit
Artist: Nirvana
Style: Grunge
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTWKbfoikeg
Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/emmeliedeforest/smellsliketeenspirit.html

Don't speak
Artist: No doubt.
Style: Rock.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR3Vdo5etCQ
Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/leelajames/dontspeak.html

R.E.M
Artist: REM
Style: Rock
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwtdhWltSIg
Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/rem/losingmyreligion.html

Enjoy the silence
Artist: Depeche Mode
Style: Electronic
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGSKrC7dGcY
Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/depechemode/enjoythesilence.html

Rehab
Artist: Amy Winehouse
Style: R&B
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUmZp8pR1uc
Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/arkarna/rehab.html


Fighter
Artist: Cristina Aguilera
Style: Pop
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PstrAfoMKlc
Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/christinaaguilera/fighter.html
Topic: Comparative

017 - Learning Languages

017 - Learning Languages

Videos on Language Learning

TED on how to speed up Learning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0yGdNEWdn0

Learning Languages with Media
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFpzeGoP-Kg

Why to learn English
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeahvBKzMLw

Reading on Language Learning

Tips on Learning a Language.
https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/10-tips-from-an-expert

Why to learn English
http://www.5minuteenglish.com/why-learn-english.htm