Happy New Year!

Wishing you a wonderful New Year, bringing everything you wish for and more!

Traditionally, we wish others a "Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year".

Enjoy this video of Sydney's spectacular New Year fireworks:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/10544410/Sydney-celebrates-arrival-of-2014-with-spectacular-fireworks.html

Learn English Through Films

Films are an interesting and entertaining way to improve your English. Films expose you to language used in a (largely) natural way in a variety of accents and give many insights into the cultures of English-speaking countries.

Here's a great source of free online films:

http://www.openculture.com/freemoviesonline

Have fun!

Talking About the Future in English

Talking about the future

Here's a quick review of the main ways we talk about the future in English.

Let me know if you have questions!


 present continuous


definite arrangements

We're having a party on Saturday night.

They're driving to Wilmington tomorrow morning.

She's coming for lunch on Sunday at 1.00.


 going to


plans and intentions

I'm going to do my homework tonight.

We're going to play tennis next week.


predictions from something in the present


(The sky is cloudy.) It's going to rain.


 will


simple future

(He's 20 years old.) In 5 years he will be 25 years old .

It will be summer in January.


something we decide to do just before/as we speak

O.K. ! I'll answer the telephone !


Reading:

Here's a link to an article on predicted marketing trends in 2014: http://www.sugarspunmarketing.com/blog/marketing-evolution-changes-come-2014/#.UrmcSfk_tNM

After reading the article, make sentences about the future using

1. present continuous
2. going to
3. will

Examiner approved IELTS Tips

Go to http://www.ieltsessentials.com/prepare/essentials_pack.aspx to download IDP's free examiner approved IELTS tips.

You will need to complete a brief form before you can download.

Hope it helps!

Australians are living longer, are healthier and better educated than a decade ago

"Australians are living longer, are healthier and better educated than a decade ago, according to a snapshot released by the Bureau of Statistics.

The Measures of Australian Progress report is broken up into four areas: society, economy, governance and environment. It has found a nation in good shape in most areas."

Read the complete article at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-14/progress-report/5091566 .

What are the five areas in which Australia has seen progress?

Which are the two areas in which there has been regress?

Three Great Time Management Tips

Feeling your days slip by way too quickly? Most of us have hectic schedules to manage.

"We've all experienced it. The day ends, the to-do list is longer than it was in the morning, and you don't know where the time went. It just seemed to fly away.

Actually, the issue is never time. Time is time. It doesn't fly, walk, or crawl. The issue is how effectively you manage the time you have."

Read the article at

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/high-octane-women/201311/umm-what-just-happened-my-day

for three great tips.

Have a productive day!

In Memory of Rock Legend, Lou Reed

American rock legend Lou Reed died at age 71 yesterday.

Have you heard of him? Here's one of his most popular songs, which I remember from my youth!

http://www.youtube.com/watch v=QYEC4TZsy-Y



"Perfect Day"

Songwriters: JAMES, TIM / ARMATO, ANTONINA

Just a perfect day
drink Sangria in the park
And then later
when it gets dark, we go home

Just a perfect day
feed animals in the zoo
Then later
a movie, too, and then home

Oh, it's such a perfect day
I'm glad I spend it with you
Oh, such a perfect day
You just keep me hanging on
You just keep me hanging on

Just a perfect day
problems all left alone
Weekenders on our own
it's such fun

Just a perfect day
you made me forget myself
I thought I was
someone else, someone good

Oh, it's such a perfect day
I'm glad I spent it with you
Oh, such a perfect day
You just keep me hanging on
You just keep me hanging on

You're going to reap just what you sow
You're going to reap just what you sow
You're going to reap just what you sow
You're going to reap just what you sow

(Lyrics from http://www.lyricsfreak.com/ )

Read more about Lou Reed and his musical influence here:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2013/10/27/240841092/what-lou-reed-taught-me

IELTS Speaking Test - Intensive Preparation Package

IELTS Speaking Test - Intensive Preparation Package: 5 classes for $225 (prepaid)

Intensive program for candidates aiming to lift their spoken English to the next level in the IELTS test - see more at http://www.englishteachinglive.com/

Announcement of Next Live Chat Session ~ IELTS USA Experts

"If you’re thinking about studying in the USA make sure you join us for our ‘ASK THE EXPERTS’ live chat session here on the page on Friday 25 October at 15.30-16.30 BST (British Summer Time).
Experts from IELTS USA will be here to answer your questions so make sure you join us.
Find out the time of the session where you are: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/ "

Go to the "IELTS Official" page on Facebook to join the chat: https://www.facebook.com/IELTSOfficial .

(Information from IELTS Official Facebook Page)

IELTS News: High Tech ID Verification Measures Introduced

"IELTS, the International English Language Testing System and the world’s most popular English language test for higher education, has introduced biometric measures – including finger scans – to verify the identity of test takers."

According to IELTS, "the new security protocols incorporated finger scans in jurisdictions where this was permitted, along with high resolution photography."

For more details, go to http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=2013101111554962

Understanding Basic Patterns of Intonation in English

Here's link to a good, clear summary of the way some basic intonation patterns are used in English:

http://reallifebh.com/intonation-the-secret-ingredient-to-great-pronunciation-with-audio

You can use the audio which accompanies the article to hear, and practise, the examples.

Note: these are just some of the ways intonation is used in English. However, if you can begin to use these patterns correctly in your own speech, you're off to a very good start.

Always!

When you read and listen, question everything with a critical mind.

When you write or speak, ask yourself if you have evidence to support your claims. Sometimes, we accept ideas simply because they fit with our beliefs and values.

Make a habit of stopping often to check!

Reading: Choosing the people who are right for you

"There are people, places and things that make me feel like I’m building my energy stores, that rejuvenate me, and help me to do my best work. Likewise, there are also people and places that zap my energy; that leave me exhausted; that make me feel as though I’ve wasted my time and my energy – and my day – without getting anything useful done."

Do you feel the same way about the effects of spending time with different people?

This writer classifies people on an energy spectrum, from "high, positive energy, to balanced and stable individuals, to strong negative energy.

Read more at the link below, and make a list of the 11 groups into which people are classified.

http://itstartswith.com/2013/09/right-people-energy

Do you know people who fit into each of these 11 categories?
In which category do you think you might belong?
Do you disagree with the author on any points? Why?