English Christmas Food - B2+

Christmas day is just around the corner... 

If you would like to prepare an English dish for this special occasion, look no further!

Here are some of my favourite Christmas recipes;

Jamie Oliver is my favourite chef, I love this man! He has single handily changed British cooking, not just in your own kitchen but also our school food has been revamped as a result, swapping unhealthy cheap food, for good wholesome food at a low cost.

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/turkey-recipes/the-best-turkey-in-the-world/

Gordon Ramsey, he's a dude... a little hot tempered, but he's a cool guy and surprisingly short too!
I saw him once, walking down the street in Brighton.
Feast your eyes on his cooking tips for Christmas day... The Pumpkin Soup looks scrumptious!

http://brandonmotzlm.hubpages.com/hub/gordon-ramsay-ultimate-christmas-recipes

Desserts;

Mince pies... 'Sorry? Did you say mince? But isn't that meat from a cow?' Nope, mince pies are sweet and delicious!  I hope I will be able to find them in New Zealand, cause there aren't any in this town!

Take a look at this video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDA60XAW7yo

Coming up next... Christmas Vocabulary!

Kissing Etiquette - B2 +

Kissing etiquette

For Skype English classes Contact Lisa by email lis.j.grant@gmail.com or Whatsapp 0034
645424237. Skype friendlyteacher14.

A potential minefield? 

 

Kissing friends and acquaintances

I have lived in Spain for more than ten years now, and have grown accustomed to cheek kissing as a form of greeting. I do believe that it is a lovely way to greet someone you know or someone you have never met before, in a social setting. It says a lot about a person, it shows that they don't find you repulsive, you don't smell bad! It means that they like you enough to get up close and give you two small pecks on the cheek and you in turn feel the same way.  I do like it when I walk into a room and everyone gets up out of their chairs to greet me.  In the United Kingdom, you would be lucky to get a small wave from someone as you enter, but I'm referring to acquaintances! I am sure if I walked into a pub in my home town and a bunch of friends were waiting for me, most of them would stand up to give me a kiss (one peck, never two) and maybe even a hug.  It makes you feel nice and special, and you also feel welcome.  I sometimes do feel a little awkward in the UK, when I am introduced to someone new, I immediately (as if on impulse) step forward to kiss them, then quickly step back and offer my hand for them to shake. I feel ridiculous!  Why can't I just give them a peck on the cheek? I guess its because I don't want to make them feel awkward either. Most of the time I get accused of being 'Oh, so continental!'

Kissing at work

Now, this is something I don't feel comfortable with, perhaps its the English in me, but I would prefer a good old handshake any day!  Why do I have to kiss my boss or colleague when I meet them?  I usually offer my hand straight out. I've asked a few of my students about this, and they agree, kissing has no place in the office! Men aren't expected to kiss at work, why are women expected to do this?

Who makes up these these rules?

It's probably a case with most customes, they evolve over time... Maybe one day women won't be expected kiss in the work place.

How to avoid embarrassment!

Make your actions clear to avoid embarrassing situations.  In Spain it's usually right cheek first, then the left cheek.  If you are just giving one kiss, pull back decisively, don't hover! You don't want the other person to go in for a second kiss only to be shot down! Very embarrassing indeed! Humour can cover this up, just laugh a little and pretend that it's funny, this will relax you both. On one hand, if you really object to being kissed, then Spain isn't the country for you! But if you insist on living in Spain and not joining in with the customs, then I suggest that you stand back hold out a straight arm and offer to shake their hand, which should give a clear message. On the other hand, if you are in a social situation where kissing prevails it is more polite to go along with everyone else... When in Rome and all that!

Other kinds of kisses

kiss
snog
smooch
peck

Vocabulary

minefield; This an expression, meaning that something is very difficult to understand or confusing.

repulsive; disgusting, offensive. Tending to repel.

straight out; Phrasal verb meaning - with out hesitation or deliberation.

makes up; Phrasal verb meaning - to invent something.

For Skype English classes Contact Lisa by email lis.j.grant@gmail.com or Whatsapp 0034
645424237. Skype friendlyteacher14.

 

Odd but somewhat funny collective nouns - C2 proficiency English

A few of the best collective nouns

 For English classes via Skype, Contact Lisa by email lis.j.grant@gmail.com or Whatsapp 0034
645424237.   

From a murder of crows to a misbelief of painters, Chloe Rhodes investigates the intriguing origins of her favourite collective nouns

A damning of jurors

This collective noun provides a window on to British history. Before the 13th century the old feudal system of justice prevailed, under which anyone accused of a crime could be charged, tried and sentenced by the lord of the manor. When King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215, he enshrined in law the right to a trial by jury. A "damning" verdict was one that found the plaintiff guilty of the crimes they were charged with. The word comes from the old French word dampner, from the Latin damnāre, meaning to injure or condemn, and in the middle ages it implied that your crimes made you worthy of eternal damnation.

An incredulity of cuckolds

Like most collective nouns, this one is 15th century in origin and shows how much of a game the invention of such terms had become by the mid-1400s. The word "cuckold" comes from the habit of the female cuckoo bird putting her eggs into other birds' nests, and can be applied to any male unwittingly raising a rival's offspring. The term sheds light on attitudes towards female sexuality and morality. This group of husbands is incredulous to discover that their wives have been unfaithful to them. It's not a "fury of cuckolds", or "a weeping" or "a shamefulness", they're not in despair – they're either in denial or they're in the dark.

A murder of crows

While most terms for groups of birds are linked to their song or habitat, this one has its roots in medieval folklore. With their dark feathers and jet-black eyes, crows were regarded by 15th-century peasants as messengers of the devil or witches in disguise. They were suspected of having prophetic powers, and the appearance of a crow on the roof of a house was taken as an omen that someone inside would soon die. There are also accounts of the birds living up to their murderous name by enacting something known as a crow parliament (kråkriksdag in Swedish), during which up to 500 birds are said to gather together before suddenly setting on one of their number and tearing it to pieces.

A misbelief of painters

We're talking artists here, rather than decorators, and, in particular, painters of portraits. One aim of medieval portraiture was to present the sitter as they hoped to be remembered after their death. Artists, like poets, were dependent on wealthy patrons for their living, so portrait painters had to strike a balance between truth and flattery. Shoulders could be broadened, eyes brightened, paunches flattened and foreheads heightened. Misbelief meant an erroneous belief, rather than an inability or refusal to believe, so the painter's job was to conjure misbelief in those who viewed his work; to create the illusion of beauty even where he found none.

A parliament of owls

This group name has its origins in the 1950s children's classic The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis and is a reference to Chaucer's allegorical poem "The Parliament of Fowls", in which all the birds of the Earth gather together to find a mate. Lewis adapts the title of Chaucer's poem to describe a council of owls who meet at night to discuss the affairs of Narnia. The huge international success of Lewis's books – they've sold more 100m copies in 47 languages – means that the term has become far more widely known than most of the traditional collective nouns and is now recognised by dictionary compliers as the "correct" term for a group of owls.

A promise of tapsters

"Tapster" is now obsolete but can be translated as barman or barmaid – whoever is in charge of the "tap". The tapster's "promise" is something we're all familiar with: that slight inclination of the chin, subtle nod or lift of the eyebrow that says: "You're next". But can it be trusted? There's never been a better embodiment of a false promise than the tapster's. In As You Like It, Celia and Rosalind make the point perfectly in their discussion about the promises of love with the damning line: "… the oath of a lover is no stronger than the word of a tapster."

Source: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/19/ten-best-collective-nouns

Vocabulary Builder 

feudal; (adj) according to, resembling or absurdly outdated or old fashioned.
prevailed; (verb, past tense) prove more powerful or superior.
enshrined; (verb) place in an appropriate receptacle, preserve in a form that it will be protected and respected.
incredulous; (adj) (of a person or their manner) unwilling or unable to believe something.
paunches; (noun) a large protruding belly, (verb) disembowel (an animal).
erroneous; (adj) wrong, incorrect.
conjure; (verb) cause to appear by magical ritual.
allegorical; (adj) constituting or containing allegory. Synonyms; symbolic, metaphorical.

Questions for students

Do you have any collective nouns in your language?
Can you think of any others?
Tell us about your favourite collective noun. 
  
 For English classes via Skype, Contact Lisa by email lis.j.grant@gmail.com or Whatsapp 0034
645424237.   

The wine tasting experience! - C1 +

Wine Tasting and Pairing in Valdepeñas

For English classes via Skype, Contact Lisa by email lis.j.grant@gmail.com or Whatsapp 0034645424237.

Highlights from our wine tasting experience!

 On Saturday 6th of September we went along to a wine tasting event in Valdepeñas, Castilla-La-Mancha. This is one of the largest areas of Spain for producing wine... And boy! I was impressed.

For 18 € each, we were treated to 4 bottles of wine (between 4 people) and a large 'tapa' with each glass of wine. All the wines were exquisite, but we have our favourites, which we would like to share with you...

The event was hosted by Chato Grato (www.chatograto.com) and it was held at La Maquina in valdepeñas town centre.  The wine was provided by the winery (bodega) Aruspide (http://www.aruspide.com/).

The presentation and explanation of the wine, was funny, entertaining and informative all at the same time! How he managed to keep us all in our seats for well over two hours, is beyond me... and a credit to him!

The first wine we tried was called Agora Lagrimas (tears), this was a young white wine, with a fruity aromatic intensity, leaving a smooth and crisp sensation in your mouth. (I've just ordered 6 bottles!) This wine was paired with Manchego cheese and 'Membrillo, this is quince jelly.

Our second favourite wine was the Agora Roble, red ruby in colour, with a touch of violet, aromas of oak and fruit. Once you've taken a sip, it leaves a lasting taste, which stays with you for a while. We tried this wine with Manchego cheese accompanied by a dollop of raspberry jam.  The food brought out the flavours in the wine, I would have to say that this was an ideal pairing. (Another 6 bottles please!)

There were two other wines with two dishes, all delicious!

I will definitely be attending another event!

Thank you to Chato Grato, La Maquina and Bodegas Aruspeda, for this delightful experience!

 For English classes via Skype, Contact Lisa by email lis.j.grant@gmail.com or Whatsapp 0034645424237

Lisa Jane's film review - English B1+

For English classes via Skype, Contact Lisa by email lis.j.grant@gmail.com or Whatsapp 0034645424237.


Hi there! I'd like to share my thoughts on the latest three films I've seen... 

Firstly, the best film I've see all year has to be Chef...
Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and many more outstanding actors!

What's it about?  Well, in a nutshell... A chef who loses his restaurant job, reluctantly starts up a food truck with his son and a friend in an effort to regain is love for cooking, and to build up a reputation online which was shattered as a result of an argument with a food critic, the argument went viral!

I would recommend eating before you see this film, as it is pure food porn! The film has inspired me to make a number of dishes, like Cuban Sandwiches, made with pork, ham, melted cheese, gherkins and mustard! Delicious! 10/10

The second film I'd like to review is Transformers 4: The Age Extinction. Let me start by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed the first three films, I grew up watching the cartoons and the first three films were superb! However, this one was cheesier than cheese itself!! I mean come on! There were more than 20 cheesy lines in this film, totally cringe worthy!  The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, amongst others. I've seen Mark Wahlberg star in other films, and he's not a bad actor, but the script he had was appalling! Fingers crossed this hasn't ruined his career! 1/10

The third and final film I'd like to review is The Guardians of the Galaxy, starring Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, amongst others.  This film is highly entertaining, funny and is also packed with action and comical one liners.

What's it about? Well, in a galaxy far far away, after being abducted 26 years earlier, Peter Quill has become the target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by the most evil and powerful character in the history of Marvel Comic movies (in my opinion) Ronan the Accuser. 8/10

Vocabulary builder:

In a nutshell; something you say when you are describing something in as few words as possible.

reluctantly; (adverb) unwilling, struggling in opposition.

gherkins; (noun) a small immature fruit of a variety of cucumber, used in pickling.

cheesier (cheesy); (comparative adj) Slang, inferior or cheap.

one liners; (noun) a brief joke, or amusing remark.


Questions for students; 
Have you seen any of these films? What did you think of these films?
Now, you write a review about a recent film, good or bad, it's up to you!


For information about Skype classes, please contact Lisa  by email lis.j.grant@gmail.com or whatsapp 0034645424237.

A Multi Language Invasion?

Good morning!

If you would like to come along to "The Spanish Invasion" meeting this Thursday, 23rd April... please do!

I would like to know if any members would be interested in setting up another language exchange group. I would really like to learn French, Portuguese and Italian.... Please come along on Thursday and we can have a chat about it!

If you are not able to attend the meeting, please contact me; lis.j.grant@googlemail.com

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=166369925402
http://invasionfriendly.blogspot.com/

Lets make language learning fun!

The Latin Invasion has its first meeting...

Hey hey!!

The very first Latin Invasion, has already begun.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=81276647068&ref=ts

If you are living near to Witney, Oxfordshire.... then find out whats going on!

The Latin Invasion is part of the "Invasion Friendly" group. Once you join Latin Invasion or The Spanish Invasion, there will be a wide range of discounts and information sources, which you will be be able to tap in to. And it's all free!!

We look forward to hearing from you and meeting you all in person....