virtualingua

I teach, therefore you learn... or do you?

virtualingua — 2009-03-02T11:09:32+01:00

I teach, therefore you learn... or do you? from José Picardo on Vimeo.

José Picardo is "a modern languages teacher at Nottingham High School, where I have just been appointed Head of Modern Foreign Languages, and I believe fervently in making education compatible with the needs and expectations of our students through the effective use of technology."

I teach, therefore you learn… or do you?
José talks about the video on his blog Box of Tricks:

"If you search 21st century skills on YouTube, more than 1700 videos come up. There is a mind boggling wealth and variety of resources on this topic on sites like YouTube or Slideshare.So why make another video or another set of slides on how pupils are changing faster than teachers can keep up? Well, I wanted to make it personal: this is a video that I made to show my colleagues at work. I hoped that the fact that I made the video would make them realise that this concept doesn’t only live in YouTube or Slideshare and that this is a concept worth examining and reflecting upon.In it, I explore my own understanding of what it means to teach and learn today and I invite those who watch it to share their thoughts and opinions."

Simple English Wikipedia

virtualingua — 2009-02-16T18:47:21+01:00

This is the front page of the Simple English Wikipedia. Wikipedias are places where people work together to write encyclopedias in different languages. We only use simple English words and grammar here. The Simple English Wikipedia is for everyone! That includes children and adults who are learning English.

Grammar Ninja

virtualingua — 2009-02-09T12:05:04+01:00

Test your grammar with Grammar Ninja here

Did You Know 3.0

virtualingua — 2009-01-26T11:33:57+01:00

2008 Latest Edition - Did You Know 3.0 - From Meeting in Rome This Year

Niseko Snowshoe Tour

virtualingua — 2009-01-18T19:07:17+01:00

Sarah from The Daily English Show takes us on a Niseko Snowshoe Tour

Last week I went on a snowshoe tour for the first time. I went on a tour with Scott Adventure Sports. The tour left at 9:30 in the morning and we drove to a national park.

Our guides Binod and Masa showed us how to put the snowshoes on.

And just put your feet … here. And you have to leave the, like, two finger space here.

Binod told us we were walking to a lake.

Hangetsuko means half moon. The lake shape looks like a half moon, that’s why we call Hangetsuko (半月湖).

He said we might see some animals.
If you are lucky you can see some animals.
Such as?
Jackals.
Polar bear?
No, no.

Genki ii na! (You’re really going for it)
Oh, oh, oh, back country!
Nice!

When we got to the lake, Binod dug a hole.
Mmm, peace.

He made a cup of tea.

I’m making chai.
Wow.
You know the chai?
Yes. Nepalese chai.
Yes.

On the way back we took some photos under a tree.

We also had a snow shower.

OK, one, two, three …

There were some really nice people from Singapore on the tour. I asked them if they enjoyed it.

That was fantastic.
From a hot 30 degrees to a minus ten degree … yeah, it’s a wonderful adventure for us. Very good tour and very good tour leaders.
Very beautiful!
Yeah, very good companion here. Fantastic! Cheers!

notes

This tour was on Tuesday 30 December 2009.

Fried Christmas Trees

virtualingua — 2008-12-16T11:39:46+01:00

Sarah from The Daily English Show shows us how to make "Fried Christmas Trees"

Sunday Kitchen #119 Fried Christmas Trees

Today I’m going to show you how to make fried Christmas trees.

First slice a potato. Then put the slices in a pile and cut out the rough shape of a tree.

Then cut out the details of each tree individually.

Put the trees in a frying pan with some olive oil, garlic, basil, and chili.

Fry them for a few minutes.

When they look like they’re ready, take them out of the frying pan and put them on a plate. Mmm delicious fried Christmas trees.

Past Continuous - What Were They Doing?

virtualingua — 2008-12-02T11:11:30+01:00

Following on from last week, Sarah from The Daily English Show gives some examples of the Past Continuos.

1. He was protesting.
2. He was counting.
3. She was complaining.
4. She was holding some books.
5. She was modelling.
6. She was cutting a ribbon.
7. She was campaigning.
8. He was gloating.
9. She was reading a book.
10. She was teaching.
11. She was bleeding.
12. He was ordering a pizza.
13. He was delivering a pizza.
14. They were talking photos.
15. She was ordering a glass of wine.
16. He was crying.
17. They were stripping.
18. She was giving her son a Christmas present.
19. He was writing on the wall.
20. He was making toast.
21. They were weightlifting.
22. They were throwing up.
23. They were watching TV.
24. They were eating pasta.
25. He was screaming.
26. He was digging.
27. They were riding bikes.
28. He was riding a bike.
29. She was telling someone off.
30. He was explaining something.
31. She was tramping.
32. She was falling.
33. He was singing and playing the guitar.
34. He was celebrating.
35. He was delivering some documents.
36. She was picking mushrooms.
37. He was filling up his tank.
38. He was riding in a hot air balloon.
39. He was shooting.
40. She was pushing her baby.
41. He was threatening someone.
42. She was giving him a cup of tea.
43. She was giving him some money.
44. He was refusing to get up.
45. She was kicking something.
46. He was running.
47. She was giving him a hat.
48. She was reading the paper.
49. They were dancing.
50. She was giving them some cocoa.
51. They were swimming.
52. She was drawing.
53. She was apologising.
54. She was throwing something in the bin.
55. She was flying.

Present Continuous

virtualingua — 2008-11-24T11:38:10+01:00

Sarah from The Daily English Show gives some examples of the Present Continuos.
Transcription and more information here

He’s cleaning a shoe.
She’s playing tennis.
They’re queuing.
They’re riding on a rollercoaster.
He’s falling out the window.
He’s playing golf.
He’s crying.
She’s watching TV.
He’s smoking.
He’s drilling.
She’s talking on the phone.
He’s getting a massage.
She’s holding some books.
She’s crying.
They’re talking on the phone.
He’s escaping.
She’s buying a ticket.
She’s dreaming.
They’re dreaming.
They’re getting married.
He’s driving.
He’s rowing.
He’s throwing a rock.
He’s sleeping.
He’s doing a wheelie.
They’re flying.
They’re drinking.
He’s voting.
He’s leaving.
She’s dancing.
He’s skateboarding.
He’s drinking coffee.
He’s giving a speech.
He’s crying.
He’s listening to water.
She’s counting.
They’re eating.
They’re getting married.
They’re arguing.
They’re talking.

Grammar games

virtualingua — 2008-11-16T09:04:04+01:00

Practise or revise your grammar with these online games from the British Council.
Click here to play.

English For The Damned

virtualingua — 2008-11-09T21:26:09+01:00

English student Pep Espluga writes a blog about his experiences of English learning - check it out here and leave a comment

Podictionary

virtualingua — 2008-11-03T20:57:33+01:00

Podictionary is a short, free podcast with a transcription available daily or weekly.
 Charles Hodgson, creator of Podictionary says, 
“Every day podictionary delivers a new short story about the history of a common word to thousands of subscribed listeners.
Not only is podictionary an audio word-a-day, but as the number of words grows in the podictionary archive the website is becoming an on-line audio etymology reference of sorts.
It’s all for fun, so please enjoy.”
Check out Podictionary

I've Been Working ... Present Perfect Continuous

virtualingua — 2008-10-26T11:18:48+01:00

Sarah from The Daily English Show explains the present perfect continuous and much more. Read the transcription here.

My day

virtualingua — 2008-10-19T22:00:29+02:00

Sarah from The Daily English Show describes a day. Transcript here

Pumpkin Pie recipe

virtualingua — 2008-10-12T11:22:05+02:00

With hallowe'en just around the corner, we thought it would be a good time to share this recipe for pumpkin pie by Sarah at The Daily English Show. Click here for the recipe

Did You Know 2.0?

virtualingua — 2008-10-07T20:07:12+02:00

Did You Know? 2.0 - video powered by Metacafe

Welcome

virtualingua — 2008-10-07T19:55:59+02:00

Welcome to the virtuallingua extras page.