Enjoy Earth Day 2014

Before watching the video, debate briefly with your peers:
 

What´s a "selfie"?

Is Earth Day important in your community / city ? Why?

Watch the video and discuss:

•  Is the message of the video presentation optimistic or pessimistic? What elements in the presentation give you that idea?
•  The narrator talks about cities mainly; why is that so in our opinion?
•  The narrator talks about two possible futures; can you describe them?

Watch the video again, find out when these terms appear and think of synonym expressions:

we need to stand up for the future

outdated

here´s the thing

rely on

within our grasp

After watching:

• Consider the pros and / or cons of having Earth Day in our calendars.
• Are there any initiatives in your city to foster a cleaner, more sustainable future? What would be good ideas in this sense?

A trip to Hong Kong

What do you know about Hong Kong? Would you like to visit that destination?

Watch the following video presentation and complete the activities below; then discuss in class.

As you watch the video, complete the blanks:

In tenth place, we have ……………………………………………………………, the …………………………. Permanent ………………………… and ……………………………………… show.

……………………. Hong Kong sky-scrapers on ………………………………………. of the beautiful Victoria Harbour participate in this …………………………… show.

Nineth place (…) the ……………………. Budha. Picturesque ……………………………… of fishing …………………………. And of course, the Budha´s ……………………. , home to …………………………… Budha ……………………………. in the world.

Enjoy the ……………………………….. atmosphere of quiet prayer, a perfect retreat from the fast and ………………………… Hong Kong.

The Center´s mid-level …………………………….. is ……………….…….. number eight, with the ……………………………. outdoors escalators in ……………………………, over …………………………………. meters long and over …………………………………………………. Meters from ……………………….. to ………………..

The escalator runs through hectic Centre District, filled with ……………………………………., restaurants and ……………………………………… Now, this is truly a memorable ride!

Seventh place is for Star Ferry, (…) which is an …………………………… trip across Victoria Bay in a ferry that goes …………………………………......... years back in time. Did you know that ………………………………… twelve ferries carrying over seventy thousand passengers a day? And a total …………………………………….. a year. Undeniably, this is one of the world´s ………………………………………………………………… ferry journey and an incredible experience.

Attraction number six is is the (…) Park, it´s right ……………………………………… of the city. It´s beautifully ………………………….. with an aviary live with birds and a pond …………………………………………….. flamingoes. Not only tourists come here, but many ……………………. As well to practice Tai-chi at every hour …………………………………………….

Continue watching and complete the chart with information about the remaining top five attractions in Hong Kong:

Hong Kong Attraction	Comment on the attraction
Number 5: The Avenue Stars
Number 4:	Biggest flea market
Number 3: Chung King Mansions
Number 2: Victoria Peek	552metres high summit
Number 1: The Temple Park

New Year Resolutions -how to keep then along the year

Watch this TV presentation by USA Today, and read the report on the same page, with some tips to make your New Year Resolutions stick.

After watching and reading, discuss with your peers and teacher:
- Do you usually make New Year Resolutions at the beginning of each year? What are they about?
- Can you usually keep your resolution goals along the year?
- What six tips does the reporter mention? 

How corrupt is your country? By Transparency International

Read the 2013 Corruption Perceptions Index, by Transparency International. Study the ranking and practice de name of continents, geographical regions, countries and nationalities in English.

 
After examining the information, debate about corruption perceptions in different parts of the world.
- How corrupt or uncorrupt is your country?
- Why does corruption exist?
- Is there anything we can do to diminish corruption?

Different uses of a favourite: verb GET

Do this quiz online by BBC to check on all the different meanings and uses of verb GET. Then, check your answers online.

Learning English - Quiznet by BBC

1: He's been quite ill recently, but he seems to be __________ now. getting better getting healthy getting recovered getting good 2: Which is the logical order of events? get engaged - get divorced - get married get engaged - get married - get divorced get married - get engaged - get divorced get divorced - get married - get engaged 3: Which of the following forms of transport do you NOT 'get on'? a train a plane a taxi a bicycle 4: You can imagine how he reacted when she told him she'd crashed the car, he ______________ and then started shouting! got really angry got really sad got really happy got really bored 5: Do you know what time your train gets ____? Let me know and I'll meet you at the station. on in at to 6: Which of the following is American English? 'Have you ever ________ lost on the New York subway - it's really confusing!' get getting got gotten