Easter Island

Easter Island stands 3700 kilometres West of Chile. It was discovered on Easter Sunday, 1722 by the Dutch navigator, Jacob Roggeveen. The indigenous Polynesian inhabitants, who were probably several thousand at the time of discovery, were later decimated by disease, war, and slave-raiding activities.

The most surprising sights of the island are the huge stone figures of men which are standing or lying on the ground. There are more than 600 stone men. The figures were carved from volcanic stone by early inhabitants of Easter Island. They are standing facing the middle of the island with their backs to the sea. Archaeologists suggest that the images represented important personalities who were deified after death.

The means used by islanders to transport theses enormous statues (11 m. tall) have never been satisfactorily explained. Native accounts claim that the statues were dragged with heavy rope while small round stones placed beneath the statue served as rollers.

Photo by jasonpearce

The Face - Memory Game

Click HERE

Insects

Picture 18 (Pre- Intermediate)

Describe the pictures.
Have you got a pet? Describe it.
If not, Would you like to have one? Why? / Why not?
Do you love your pet?
Do you ever talk to your pet?
Do you take care of it every day?
How do you take care of it? If you don't take care of it, who does?
Do you prefer dogs or cats? Why?
What are some popular pets?
Have you ever been bitten by a dog? Talk about it.
What are the pros and cons of keeping a pet?
What are the most unusual pets?
Do you think animals have souls?

Watch these videos and have fun!

Picture 17 ( Pre - intermediate )

1. Can you describe these pictures?
2. What would you do in each of these places? How would you feel?
3. If you wanted to go on holiday to one of these places with a friend, which one would you choose? Why?
4. Which is the most beautiful place you have ever visited?
5. When did you go there and what did you do?
6. Can you compare it with the place where you live? Which differences can you find?

Parts of the body

Have got / Has got

Try the following exercises:

1) Have got or to be?

2) Have or has?

3) Phrases with have.

4) Have got or to be?

5) Have got or to be?

6) Have got or to be?

7) Have got or to be?

8) Have got or has got?

What has Bart got in his bedroom?

Picture 16 ( Elementary )

1. Describe the two women.
2. How are they different? 
3. Do they have anything in common?
4. What does Susan do every day? Can you imagine what her life is like?
5. What does Mary do every day? Can you imagine what her life is like?
6. Do most women work outside the home in your country?
7. Do men work as hard as women do? 
8. Are women happrier now than they used to be 50 years ago? 

Photo by  Old Shoe Woman
Photo by wbpartridge

Present Continuous - Negative

Hampton Court

Hampton Court Palace is one of the major tourist attractions in England. It is a Tudor palace situated on the left bank of the River Thames.

It was built in 1514 by Thomas Wolsey who was Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellor of England. He was a powerful man both in the church and in the state. Unfortunately, Wolsey couldn’t enjoy the palace for a long time. King Henry VIII was very angry with him, particularly when he failed to help Henry to divorce his first queen. As he wanted to retain the king’s favour, he gave Henry the palace, but it was no good. Wolsey died in disgrace in 1530.

Henry VIII enlarged Hampton Court and lived there with five of his six wives. Two of them are said to haunt the palace: Jane Seymour, his third wife, who died after giving birth to a son, and Catherine Howard, his fifth wife, who was beheaded.

Many kings and queens lived in this palace which is now open to the public.

Hampton Court is beautifully decorated. You can see portraits, weapons and pieces of armour. Antonio Verrio, a great Italian artist, painted the ceiling of the King’s Bedroom and the King’s Staircase. The palace has got wonderful gardens. If you visit it, don’t forget the famous Maze, which was planted in the 18th century. But try not to get lost in the twisting paths with their high hedges!

Have got

Do the following exercises

 

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Jobs - Present Simple - Present Continuous

Click HERE

Picture 15 ( Pre - intermediate )

1. Describe the children in the picture (physical appearance, clothes, attitude, age)
2. Where are they?
3. What season is it?
4. What are they doing?
5. Do older brothers or sisters always look after their younger ones? Talk about your personal experience.
6. Some brothers and sisters are always quarrelling. Why?

Photo by evilpeacock

School - Memory Game

Click HERE

ROALD DAHL

Roald Dahl (13 September 1916 – 23 November 1990) was a British novelist, short story author and screenwriter. He was born in Llandaff, South Wales. During the second world war, he fought as a fighter pilot, and was badly injured when his plane crashed. As a result, he spent sixteen weeks in a German hospital. After the war, he worked in America, and soon started writing stories. He was famous as a writer for both children and adults. However, some critics considered his work too violent for children.

His most popular books include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, The Witches and The BFG, The Gremlins

Roald Dahl Quotes

And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.
Some children are spoiled and it is not their fault, it is their parents.

Watch this video and answer the questions.
(Elementary)


1. Do Matilda's parents love her?
2. Is her father a good driver?
3. Do they pay attention to her?
4. What does her father do?
5. What can she cook?
6. What does she want?
7. Matilda’s father doesn’t want her to read books. What does he like?
8. Where does Matilda go every day?

Answers:

1. No, they don’t.
2. No, he isn’t.
3. No, they don’t.
4. He buys and sells cars.
5. She can cook pancakes.
6. She wants a book.
7. He likes watching TV.
8. She goes to the library.


Read the following story and answer the questions.
(Upper intermediate students)Lamb to the Slaughter

Was Mrs Maloney happily married? Why (not)?
What was Mr Maloney’s routine in the evening?
What did Mr Maloney announce?
Why did he say “it’s a bad time to be telling you”?
Was Mrs Maloney afraid of what would happen to her?
How does Mary Maloney create the alibi?
Do you think the murder was a crime of passion or premeditated?
Did she react in a normal way? Why (not)?

About People

Past Continuous

Past Continuous

Picture 14 ( Pre - intermediate )

1. Describe the man in the picture.
2. What is he wearing?
3. What is his job?
4. Why is he looking happy?
5. Describe the room.
6. Is the room suitable for parties? Why?
7. Compare this dining room to the one in your house.
8. Is it better to live in a house or in a flat? Why?

About Imagination

Present Continuous - Questions and Negatives

Infinitives and Gerunds

After reading the section on infinitives and gerunds, try these fantastic links:

Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Exercise 4
Exercise 5
Exercise 6
Exercise 7
Exercise 8
Exercise 9
Exercise 10
Exercise 11
Exercise 12

Past Simple and Past Continuous

Click HERE

Family

Picture 13 (Intermediate)

Look at the pictures and describe them.
Which natural disaster do you think is the most frightening? Why?
What's the worst storm you've ever been in? Where were you? What were you doing when the storm hit? Did the storm cause any damage? Talk about your experience.
What natural disaster has your country experienced? What happened?
How can you help after a natural disaster?

From FloraG
From jmreymond
From stocky

Past Continuous and Simple Past

Past Continuous+Past Simple When While

Have got - Parts of the body

(Learn English Kids - British Council)

Click HERE

Click HERE

Picture 12 (Elementary)

School

Describe the picture. What are the children doing?
Do you like going to school?
What time do you go to school?
How do you get there?
What’s your favourite subject?
Do you play any sports at school?
Who is your favourite teacher? Why?
Do you do your homework?
What is the best thing about going to school?
What is the worst thing about going to school?

Animals - Listen & Repeat

Present Simple or Continuous

Present Simple or Continuous

Infinitive or Gerund?

* Some verbs are followed by infinite or gerund without a change in meaning.


He began to sing / singing.
He didn’t bother to ask / asking for permission.
It started to rain / raining.
They continued to talk / talking until 12.30.

* Some verbs are followed by infinitive or gerund with a change in meaning.

Stop + infinitive = stop in order to do something else.
When she got to the top of the mountain, she stopped to take a photo.


Stop + gerund = not continue.
Stop talking, please.


Try + infinitive = attempt
He tried to do the exercise but it was very difficult.


Try + gerund = experiment.
If you have a headache, try taking an aspirin.


Remember + infinitive = not forget, remember that you must do something.
Did you remember to send the invitation?


Remember + gerund = recall, remember what you have done.
I remember breaking my leg when I was a child.


Forget + infinitive = not remember
I forgot to buy the book. I have to go out again.


Forget + gerund = not recall
He’ll never forget meeting his favourite actress.


Regret + infinitive = be sorry that you must do something.
I regret to say / to inform you that you have failed the exam.

Going- to Future

Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Exercise 4
Exercise 5
Exercise 6
Exercise 7
Exercise 8
Exercise 9

Guided Composition (Elementary)

Write a composition about your best friend. Use the following questions to help you.

What’s her / his name?
Describe her / him.
Where does she / he live?
Who does she / he live with?
What does she / he do?
Does she / he like her / his job? Why? Why not?
What does she / he like doing in her / his free time?
Why is she / he your best friend?

Composition (Pre- Intermediate)

A magazine is asking its readers to write about their sleeping habits and a dream or a nightmare they have had. Write an article.

Paragraph 1

Talk about your sleeping habits.
How many hours do you sleep at night? Are they enough?
Do you generally take naps?
Do you snore or talk in your sleep?
How often do you dream?
How often do you have nightmares?

Paragraph 2

When did you last have a dream / nightmare?
What was it about?
Where were you?
Were you alone?
When did you wake up?
How did you feel about it?

Vocabulary connected with sleeping.

To fall asleep
To go to sleep
To have a nap / siesta
To walk in your sleep
To sleep lightly
To sleep deeply
To be a light sleeper
To be a heavy sleeper
To sleep like a log
To oversleep
To talk in your sleep
To snore
To wake up
To yawn

Tips (paragraph 2)

Use past simple, past continuous and past perfect
Use linking words: first, then, later, just then...
Use words such as: I dreamed that..., I thought that...

Animals

Click  HERE and  HERE  and play the games.

Classic Audio Stories for Children

Listen to the stories while you read the text.

GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
(Brothers Grimm)

Click HERE

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

(Brothers Grimm)

Click HERE.

Visit Cuentos para Chicos and go on reading wonderful stories.

Gerunds

* The gerund can be used as subject of a sentence.

Living in Japan is expensive.
Smoking is bad for your health.


* Prepositions + gerund


He left without saying goodbye.
After having breakfast, she went to the office.


* Expressions and verbs + preposition + gerund


What about going to the club?
They are used to getting up early.
She is good / bad at swimming.
I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.
They were accused of robbing a bank.
She is fond of playing the piano.
Do you feel like going for a swim?


* After certain verbs such as admit, avoid, consider, deny, imagine, involve, miss, postpone, suggest, etc.


He admitted being jealous.
He is considering buying a country house.
Imagine yourself lying on the beach.
I miss riding my horse.


* After like, dislike, love, hate, enjoy (to talk about general preference)


I like painting.
I hate cooking.


(BUT: I like swimming.
I would like to swim.)

Infinitives

* Some verbs are followed by (OBJECT) + TO + INFINITIVE

Advise, allow, afford, agree, arrange, ask, decide, expect, forget, help, hope, invite, learn, manage, prefer, promise, refuse, regret, seem, teach, tell, want.

The doctor advised her to stay at home
She decided to go to the party
I forgot to phone her.
They asked him to wait for a few minutes.
He seems to be a pleasant man.
I want to teach him to read.
He decided not to wait.

* Some adjectives are followed by TO + INFINITIVE

Able, afraid, angry, delighted, difficult, disappointed, easy, glad, happy, impossible, possible, sad, sorry, supposed, surprised.

They are delighted to see each other again.
You are supposed to come here at 8:00.
She was surprised to see her old friend.
It’s not possible to play football today.

* HOW TO + INFINITIVE

I don’t know how to explain the problem.
Can you tell me how to get to the cinema?
She taught me how to ride a bike.

* INFINITIVE OF PURPOSE.
To express purpose we can use to-infinitive.

She went to the supermarket to buy some meat.
He phoned Mary to tell her that she was ill.

* TOO / ENOUGH + INFINITIVE

She is too tired to go out.
The box is too heavy for one person to carry.
He is old enough to see the film.
It isn’t warm enough to swim in the lake.

* After some nouns or pronouns such us something, nothing, somewhere, etc. we use TO + INFINITIVE.

There is nothing to do there.
I’ve bought some meat to cook for lunch.
She had to find somewhere to live.

Complete the letters - Going To- Future

Click HERE and do the exercises

Picture 11 (Pre-intermediate)

Summer

Describe the Picture.

What are the people wearing?

Where are they?

What is the weather like?
What do you usually do in summer?
What do you usually drink / eat in summer?
What are your favourite summer activities?
What is the best thing about summer?
What is the worst thing about summer?
What do you prefer: fans or air conditioners?
Have you ever been camping? Talk about that.
Where did you go last summer?
How did you get there?
Who did you go with?
What did you do there?
Do you like sunbathing?
How do you protect yourself from the sun?

Clothes (kids)

Muffi's wardrobe - GAME

Picture Dictionary

Painting  pictures (they can paint them using mimio tools)

Read and match

Animals - Memory Game

HERE, HERE and HERE

Parts of the body

Click Here

Try these exercises
1) Parts of the body

2 ) Head

3) Arm

4) Internal Organs

Say what you see - Animals

Animals playing soccer

Watch this funny video. What animals can you see?

Adjectives

Drawings by Royalty-Free Clip Art Collection for Foreign/Second Language Instruction

Feelings

Exercises HERE (Learning Chocolate)

Adjectives

The Horoscope

Click HERE and learn adjectives

Let's play Hillbilly Hangman

Help this hungry hillbilly get something to eat with this fun ProProfs version of hangman. As you select the right letters you will be cheered. But as in hangman, choosing the wrong letters will put you on the road to a loss. If the treat is built before you guess all the words, the game of Hillbilly Hangman is over!

Click HERE

THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Form:
It is formed with the verb to be (am / is / are) + the present participle (infinitive + ing)

AFFIRMATIVE

I am working.
He/she/it is working.
You/we/they are working.

NEGATIVE

I am not working.
He/she/it isn’t working.
You/we/they aren’t working.

INTERROGATIVE
Am I working?
Is he/she/it working?
Are you/we/they working?

SHORT ANSWERS

Yes, I am.
No, I’m not.
Yes, he/she/it is.
No, he/she/it isn’t.
Yes, you/we/they are.
No, you/we/they aren’t.

Uses:

• For actions happening now. 

Adverbs: Now, at this moment

She is dancing now.
A: What are you doing? B: I’m watching TV.

• For arrangements in the near future. 

Adverbs: tonight, tomorrow, next Friday;

I am flying to Italy tomorrow.
She is meeting Sam tonight.



Spelling:
1) Verbs of one syllable with a vowel between two consonants, double the last consonant.

Run ------- running
Swim ----- swimming

2) Verbs ending in l after a single vowel, double the l and add ing
Signal ---- signalling
Travel ---- travelling

3) Verbs ending in e, drop the e and add ing
Argue ---- arguing
Write ----- writing
(but : see ----- seeing / agree ----- agreeing)


FREE EXERCISES
TRY THE FOLLOWING LINKS:
http://www.agendaweb.org/verb/present_continuous.html
http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.prescon2.i.htm
http://www.roadtogrammar.com/welcome/

What are they doing?

Used to / Be used to

Used to (do) : Habits in the past


Did you use to eat sweets when you were a child?

I used to play the piano but now I play the violin.

I didn't use to drink tea when I was a child.





Be / Get used to (doing) :  Be  / Get  accustomed to



I'm very tired. I'm not used to getting up early.

My workmates are very nice. I'll soon get used to working with them.






Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Exercise 4
Exercise 5
Exercise 6
Exercise 7
Exercise 8
Exercise 9
Exercise 10

ARGENTINA, NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Argentina  has a total area of 2,776,888 square kilometres.
In Argentina you can see high mountains, prairies, deserts and seacoasts. All these differences are accompanied by great contrasts in climate, animal life and vegetation.

Aconcagua. Photo by gamillos

The western borderlands are dominated by the Andes Mountains. The Aconcagua is the highest peak (7000 m). The Andes contain a cold, dry desert area known as the Puna.

Quebrada de Humahuaca. Photo by_Geronimo_

In the northwest, you can see canyons called quebradas.

Chaco. Photo by Valerio Pillar

In the north, there is a prairie covered by forests and savannas (Grassland with scattered trees)

Iguazú Falls. Photo by Ivoinperu

In the northeast, there is a region known as Mesopotamia where there are small hills, marshy lowlands and, of course the fantastic Iguazú Falls.

Mar del Plata. Photo by ThiagoMartin...

The Atlantic coast has large beaches, dunes and cliffs.

 The plain. Photo by by julianrod

In the Provinces of Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Santa Fé and La Pampa there are fertile plains (The Pampas) were cattle is raised.

Perito Moreno. Photo Boyd_

To the south of Río Colorado there is a region called Patagonia were people breed sheep on the plateaus. To the west, there are popular tourist resorts with mountains, lakes and glaciers.