-ing and infinitives

2nd Intermediate - Job interview questions

Listen (don't watch) and write down the 4 questions that are usually asked in an interview. Listen again and take notes about how you should answer each of them. Then watch and check your answers.

Speaking about jobs and work

2nd Intermediate - Work as a volunteer in the Olympic Games

Tired of your routine? Improve your English in London.

Listen and fill in the gaps.

1. Ladies and gentlemen of the world and other worlds whomay be listening
2. We need volunteers from the UK and from around the world
3. If you lack common sense, just relax and watch it on telly
4. There will be 3 days of training and then 10 days of working
5. You could have to work with a big megaphone shouting to people in a nice way
6. It is not glamourous work
7. You will not get paid, you'll be given food and water
8. You will be part of the greatest show on earth

Does it sound interesting? A pity the application date was years ago.

Answers: Select the sentences to see them

2nd intermediate - The best job in the world

1. The campaign started with local advertising
2. They are looking for an island babysitter
3. They offer a 6 month contract
4. The pay is 75,000 dollars
5. The chosen person would have to explore the island
6. This job was created in order to promote tourism
7. The job also involves visiting holiday resorts
8. There is a minimum age requirement
9. The only problem will be getting rid of tourists
10. To apply you have to send a 60 seconds video
11. The area is considered the 7^th world wonder
12. You can send in applications until February 2011

Answers: 1F, 2F, 3T, 4F, 5F, 6T, 7T, 8F, 9F, 10T, 11F, 12F

Meet the winner

Advantages and disadvantages of being self-employed

Retirement speech

Visit this page to do a listening activity.

2nd Intermediate - Poverty and employment

Watch the video and choose the correct option:



Do you need the script?

1. Leila Janah is founder of
a. am NGO
b. a charity organization
c. a company

2. She spent
a. 10 years living in a poor countries
b. 17 years in Ghana
c. some years visiting poor countries

3. Samasource
a. is based on the use of internet
b. was first established in India
c. started working for a firm

4. Samasource
a. is based in San Francisco
b. has branches in San Francisco
c. has no fixed headquarters

5. Samasource collaborates with 16
a. countries
b. companies
c. centres

6. Samasouce began in
a. 2005
b. 2008
c. 2009

7. Samasource helps
a. 1,500 people
b. 1,000,000 people
b. 50,000 women

Answers (select this line to see them): 1a, 2c, 3a, 4a, 5c, 6b, 7a

Work - Get That Job

Lots of activities about how to get a job: tips, vocabulary and writing exercises

Housing mind map

Cave houses in Turkey

Buying or renting

Types of homes

Types Of Houses from Danica Kubi

The smallest flat in London

Watch the video and answer the questions:

1. What's the number of the apartment? 8F
2. What’s the size of the apartment? 10’4’’ x 8’4’’ (=3’14m x 2,54m)
3. What are its good qualities? Unusual, unique, high ceiling, location, natural light
4. What’s the price? $280000
5. Why is it so expensive? Next to Harrods
6. How many people have seen it? 100 viewers – 12 offers
7. Who wants to buy it? Investor from Greece

Answers written in white. Select above to see them.

2nd Intermediate - Rent a house

Watch the video and choose the correct option

1. The house was built in
a. 2005
b. 2006
c. 2007

2. The dining room is
a. in the centre of the house
b. on the ground floor
c. next to the kitchen

3. The porch is
a. accessible from the dining room
b. matches the living room
c. enclosed by windows

4. The kitchen was inspired by
a. a friend’s home
b. a country house
c. a trip

5. The library transmits
a. a domestic feeling
b. a refined atmosphere
c. an artistic taste

6. The lower level includes
a. a dancing room
b. a bathroom with spa
c. a bar

7. Outside there is
a. a barbecue outside
b. a private dock
c. a seawater pool

Answers written in white select this line to see them:  1b 2a 3a 4c 5b 6a 7b

Housework

 

Bill Gates's home

Watch this video of Bill Gates's house and answer the questions below.



1. Bill Gates's house design is
a-typical of the area
b-typical of the US
c-typical of warmer countries
2. The house includes innovations which
a-you can find in many houses now
b-you will find in houses in the future
c-you could find in houses in the future
3. The house is placed on a hill
a-to save energy
b-because of the views
c-to save energy and because of the views
4. The house is made of
a-recycled wood
b-recycled glass
c-recycled stone
5. On the west you can see
a-a river
b-a forest
c-some mountains
6. A special pin
a-controls the electronic services of the house
b-helps to locate a person in the house
c-is used to identify the tastes of its wearer
7. When someone calls
a-all the phones in the house ring
b-the house lets you know
c-only you hear the phone
8. The living space areas
a-are large
b-are modest
c-are medium-sized
9. There is a large video screen
a-in every room
b-in the library
c-in one of the pavilions

Answers written in white. Select the following text to see them: 1a, 2c, 3a, 4a, 5c, 6c, 7c, 8b, 9c

2nd Intermediate - Looking for a place to live?

Watch the video and fill in the gaps:

1. The lobby is chic and sophisticated
2. The ceilings are 11-12 foot high
3. It has almost floor-to-ceiling windows
4. It has views over the historical part of Soho
5. The kitchen mixes exotic woods and stainless steel
6. There's radiant heating in the master bathroom
7. There's a 24h doorman
8. In the gym you can train with your personal trainer

Leave a comment: Do you feel like moving?
Answers: select the statements to see the words in the blanks.

2nd Intermediate - Living in the city vs Living in the countryside

Listen to a discussion
Read a text about living the countryside

Urban life vs. Surburban life

Watch this video and do the activities

Write about the city and the countryside
Advantages and disadvantages of living in the city or the countryside (listen)
Discussion questions

Cities and homes of the future

Watch a video about homes in the future and do the exercises
Listen to this BBC podcast about cities in the future

Home appliances

Education mind map

Speaking about education

EDUCATION - mediation tasks

How to choose an English course abroad

1. Ask about events and activities organised by the school
2. Consider accommodation options
3. Choose an interesting location
4. What do you get for your money?
5. Class size is important

How to choose extracurricular activities for a child

1. Promote natural talents and interests
2. Don't make him join too many activities
3. Team sports are always a good option
4. Listen to your child
5. Take into account the time it will take

How to prepare for a state exam

1. Take regular practice tests
2. Be realistic
3. Make summaries
4. Organise and plan your time
5. Find a study partner

Production
Speak about the importance of education - 3 things
The most useful things you’ve learned

Women's day

Try a short listening task
Listening comprehension about this day

Women's day

Women's day listening comprehension
More activities

Women inventors

Check the transcript

Conditionals

Exercises 1
Exercises 2
Exercises 3
Exercises 4

2nd conditional to speak about results

Use a 2nd conditional to speak about results
Example. Cooking and housework should be taught at school
If students were taught cooking at school, they would be more prepared to live alone.

1. Physical education should be optional
2. School summer holidays should be shorter
3. English lessons should focus more on speaking and writing
4. Homework should be forbidden
5. Parents should be fined if their children skip class
6. Driving lessons should be included as an extracurricular activity
7. Classrooms should have fewer students

Education questions

1. Do you know anyone who was expelled? Why?
2. Were you ever punished at school? Why? How?
3. What’s the most difficult exam you’ve ever passed?
4. How do people cheat in exams? And in the past? Cheat note
5. Do you revise the day before an exam?
6. What was your first day of school like?
7. Who was your favourite teacher?
8. When was the last time you did an exam?
9. Who has been your worst teacher?
10. Do you know anyone who skipped class?
11. What’s the last course you have taken?
12. When was the last time you had to make a presentation?

Schools now and then

 Complete

PAST	NOW
The classroom had a maximum of ___ Discipline in schools was ___ They had slates or inkwells for ___	___ share a classroom Children have lunch in the ___ Classes are much ___
Teachers had to have ___ There was only one teacher for all their ___ After school children had to help ___	Students have much more ___ Teaching has a better ___ ___ teach different subjects
Not all ___were taught to all pupils	Teachers have to follow a ___

Answers: 100 pupils, strict, writing, second jobs, studies, work in the fields/chores/help parents, subjects, 
boys and girls, cafeteria, smaller, free time, reputation, different teachers, curriculum

Education vocabulary

NOUNS

Fees, grant, state school, boarding school, uniform, discipline, results, extracurricular activities, primary, secondary, timetable, subjects, compulsory education, nursery school, certificate, degree, vocational training studies, break time, canteen, entrance exams, single-sex school, distance learning, face-to-face classes, intensive course, teacher's pet, swot, bully

ADJECTIVES

strict, lenient, friendly, encouraging, inspiring, useful, useless,  

VERBS

enroll, register, take an exam, sit an exam, fail, pass, attend class, get detention, be expelled, learn things by heart, play truant or skip class, do/take a course, graduate from university, to swot or cram for an exam, be good at, bully

PHRASAL VERBS

drop out, take up, carry on, get on with, hand in

Education: UK vs Spain

2nd Intermediate - Education systems

Education in the UK




What's a public school in the UK?

Education in the US
Compare the two systems

2nd Intermediate - Private vs State education

Careful! In the UK public schools are PRIVATE SCHOOLS!



TRUE OR FALSE

1. Parents worry about money when choosing a school
2. Private schools have fewer students per class
3. Students with special needs receive more attention
4. The curriculum of many schools includes technology
5. All private schools have sport facilities
6. 30% of students in each school receive financial aid

Answers: 1T, 2T, 3F, 4T, 6F, 6F

Watch a debate about this topic (also in the US)

Do you agree with all these people?

2nd Intermediate - A public school in China

Watch the video and decide if the following statements are true or false:

Wellington College

1. Wellington college has been working for years
2. Most pupils are foreigners
3. Parents must pay more than 15,000 euros a year
4. The Chinese state system is strict
5. Some Chinese students have been allowed to enroll in the sixth form
6. Britain is a desired destination for Chinese university students
7. Student visas in Britain have always been hard to get
8. Chinese life has been based on hard work and little leisure time

 Answers written in white. Select this line to see them: 1F, 2T, 3F, 4T, 5T, 6T, 7F, 8T

Boarding schools