London Olympics Countdown

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Yes, yes, yes ! I'm super hiper duper excited about the Olympics:)

How can't you be, when looking at these:

Btw, have a look at the names of the olympic disciplines. Have you known all of them?

If you don't have a chance to see it all LIVE, I hope you will become real couch potatoes just this one time;)

I won't be able to see it all since I'm taking my summer holidays this Saturday in a complete wilderness, with no electricity ....and running water (ugh!) - so forgive my prolonged not posting here. 

However, I AM going to watch Friday's opening ceremony which I expect will be mind-blowing! 

I strongly encourage you to join the Olympic fever:) To do so check the Olympic programme and read about Olympic disciplines or History of the Olympics in London. And ENJOOOOY :D

P.S. Congratulations to Bradley Wiggins  who won Tour de France as the first British rider in history. Poor French ;) 

source: google images

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See /i:/ and If /I/

Last time when talking about pronunciation we practised these two sounds.

Today, another pair of sounds (vowel) that might be confusing:

/i:/   and  /I/

                                                          

The first (left) sound is much longer and requires almost a smile ;) like in these words:

green

bead

reason

meal

feet

cheek

deep

each

The second sound (right) lasts shorter and requires a bit of a gloomy face ;) like in these words:

pig

miss

fit

chick

dip

itch

sit

lid

Mind the difference in the following sentences:

The beans/bins were quite cheap.

I'm going to leave/live with my brother.

Did you feel/fill it ?

The peach/pitch was bad.

He beat/bit the dog.

The children were badly beaten/bitten.

Practice makes perfect and you should already know this guy;) 

and

Now, are you ready for some tongue twisters? Here you are:

Denise sees the fleece,
Denise sees the fleas.
At least Denise could sneeze
and feed and freeze the fleas.

The sheep on the ship slipped on the sheet of sleet.

The keen king kissed the quick queen on her green ring.

I need not your needles, they're needless to me;
For kneading of noodles, 'twere needless, you see;
But did my neat knickers but need to be kneed,
I then should have need of your needles indeed.

If your tongue looks pretty much like this one below, it means you did a good job ;)

source: google images, youtube, 'sounds english'- a pronunciation practice book.

6 Minute English

Thanks to one of my Students, some time ago I came across this excellent listaning excercise on bbc website:

here

Why is it excellent? 

First of all, it lasts only 6 minutes ( you can easily make it your daily habit ). Secondly, the topics range from 'shopping' to 'Bangladesh cyber attack' (you can always find something of your interest). And finally, what I personally found most appealing, it's quite up-to-date, e.g. the most recent topic is about government plans to place weapons on civilian roof tops during the Olympics.

You can download audio or text from each of the listenings and what is more, there's always a list of vocabulary to learn. REALLY NICELY DONE. My 100% recommendation :)

Some of you have already known this website but it's always worth reminding to really USE IT ;)

p.s. When it comes to the promised tapescript of Serena's final speech - I know that some of you are still working on it. Not wanting to spoil it, I decided to send it to the email addresses of those who have actually done it :) Isn't it more sensible?? ;)

source: google images

Wimbledon 2012

Time for a sport event:)

Last Saturday, first time in 75 years, a Polish player Agnieszka Radwańska stood on Centre Court to fight against Serena Williams reaching Wimbledon final. She didn't manage to win but certainly gave us a beautiful spectacle. BRAVO 'Isia'!!!

Now, a few facts about Wimbledon Championships:

This is the oldest tennis tournament in the world (held since 1877) and the only one in Grand Slam still played, as originally, on grass. Undeniably, one of the most prestigious too.

It usually starts in late June and lasts over two weeks. A strict dress code is required from competitors which is all-white clothing (or at least almost all-white), whereas the traditional Wimbledon colours are dark green and purple.

Wimbledon traditions also include Royal patronage and when the Queen is in attendance (or Prince of Wales), players are asked to bow or curtsy.

Another crucial thing (for the game itself) are ball boys and girls (BBGs) since 2006 dressed in a new navy blue uniforms from Ralph Lauren ( for those of you who didn't know;). Those incredibly fast BBGs have to pass like a gazzillion of tests (e.g. written, fitness, mobility and suitability test). Only then, can they start a training (in February! ).....and we all thought it's just fast running:/

A new retractable roof built in 2009.

And now a task for the ambitious :)

Listen to the dialogue between Serena and the journalist (starts at 2:48) and try to write it down word by word. Then, send it to my email: 

mpiechowicz12@gmail.com

and I'll give you feedback as soon as possible.

Hopefully, you'll find the whole tapescript together with the next post:)

Have fun!

If you like, read more here.

source: google images, youtube.

English Breakfast

Hello,
for me it's still the time of breakfast (I know, lucky me! ) and for those of you who haven't eaten yet - i hope the pictures below will be persuasive enough to do it...

MoKA is where you should go to find more of these beautiful pictures and original, absolutely mouth-watering recipes. They are doing a marvellous job :) and ......everything is IN ENGLISH - Woo-hoo!

Anyway, if you click on the link below, you can watch how to prepare a 'Full English Breakfast' step by step:

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-a-traditional-full-english-breakfast

And, if you are still hungry for some more facts about 'A Full Monty' or 'A Fry Up' or 'A Chub' (in Ireland), go here and savour it ! 

I could definitely write more about the ingredients, the origins and the accompanying drinks but I'm already STARVING and just about to tuck in my vegeterian version ...:)