Languagelab.com Blog

Hi Students,

I have been looking on the web this week for stories about music and world news. I am sure you have all heard about the earthquake in Haiti and how many people are still missing. Here is a positive story showing how social media can help people.

Read the article and answer the questions:

Former Fugees rapper Wyclef Jean’s charity text appeal for victims of the Haiti quake has reached a staggering $1m in just a matter of days.

Wyclef jean was one of a number of celebrities who took to social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook urging fans to pledge their support to the crisis. And it certainly seems to have worked.

The rapper, singer and producer had encouraged followers on Twitter to donate £5 (£3) text messages to the Yele for Haiti charity, with over 200,000 followers donating to the cause.

According to ABC news, fundraising experts claim the response has been truly staggering and breaks all previous records so soon following a disaster. A total of $1 million was raised by all charities through text donations in 2008.

“This is a watershed moment. It’s historic,” said Albe Angel, founder and CEO of Give On the Go, whose company is helping Jean raise funds for his Yele Haiti Foundation, said. “This has been remarkable in every way.”

On Tuesday the poverty-stricken Caribbean island was hit hard by a massive tremor measuring 7 on the Richter Scale that struck just south of capital city Port-au-Prince.

Wyclef Jean isn’t the only celebrity who moved quickly to help ease the crisis. Hollywood super couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have donated £1m from their foundation to Doctors Without Borders to help the organization’s emergency medical operation in Haiti.

Other stars lending their name to the relief effort including Oprah Winfrey, Paris Hilton, Ben Stiller, Lindsay Lohan, Coldplay singer Chris Martin and hip hop star P Diddy.

Questions:
1. How much were the text messages?
2. How much money did they raise?
3. What band was Wycleff Jean from?
4. What is the charity called?
5. What social networking sites did Wycleff use to promote the charity?

If you would like to join a discussion about this topic come and talk to Lane the English City journalist.

New music in China – News story from the BBC.

We don’t just use our voices to talk, you can sing, shout or even make music using your voice! Watch the video and answer the questions afterwards.

Questions:
1. What instrument does Lian Bo use?
2. How old is he?
3. How did he learn to beat box?
4. What city is he from?
5. Is beat boxing popular in China?
6. What songs does he name?
7. What is the reaction from the audience?
8. How many beat boxers are there in China?

If you want to try singing in English visit Griffin’s class at English City every Thursday and Friday.

Hi Everyone,

As 2009 ends and 2010 begins lets think about how you can improve your English.  Make it your New Years Resolution to practice for a few minutes every day at English City.

I have a few articles here and videos for you to watch to help you practice over the Christmas holiday.

Culture:
There have been some great pop videos in the last decade.  Here is one of my favourite videos !

Fat Boy Slim – Weapon of Choice

Questions:
1. Who is the actor dancing in the video?

2. How would you describe him at the beginning of the clip?

3. Where is the man dancing?

4. What does he look at quickly at the beginning of the clip?

5. How would you describe the man at the end of the video?

If you want to talk about music and also learn to sing in English, you can visit Griffin in English City. He is a composer and also teaches students how to pronounce words correctly.  If you want to see the top 20 videos that were voted in the Guardian website, click here.

Fashion:
In 2009 there have been a lot of different styles and trends.  Some of them have been cool, others crazy and some just very strange.  People Magazine have put together a list of different trends for 2009 on their website.  Here is one trend that I would like your opinion about.
Fingerless gloves !  These gloves don’t have any fingers so they are not designed to keep you warm.
1. Where would you wear gloves like these?

2. What material are they made from?

3. Would people wear these gloves in your country ?

4. What adjectives can you think of to describe them?

In English City we have several clothes shops, my favourite is Perwinkles.  Donatella one of my friends works there and she always has the latest fashions.

Sports:
It has been a great year for sports all over the world especially in China with the Olympics hosted there in 2009.
In the UK we have an award for best Sports Personality of the Year.  Watch this video and answer the questions.

1. Who won the award?

2. What sport is he famous for and which team does he play for?

3. Who does he mention as his heroes?

4. Who does he thank in his speech?

5. Who are the Sports Stars in your country ?

6. Tell me about your favourite sport and why you like it.

To read more about the Sports Personality of the Year 2009 visit the BBC website.

If you write back to me with your comments I will correct them all for you.  Good luck with the questions !

See you soon,

Jessie Teacher

Sally Teacher

Each week at Languagelab we will review one good English practice website that may complement your English studies with us. Each review will focus on two questions.

What are the key features of the site?
How can Languagelab students benefit from this site?

This week’s English practice website is BBC Learning English

What are the key features of this site?

Continue reading ‘English practice website review – BBC Learning English’