ER Lesson 9: Working for free?

Facebook post now? Please read the article first.

So here are our Extensive Reading recommendations of the day:

• VSO UK - got (several) five minutes to spare? Then check the 'LIfe changing stories' section of the site as well;
• Pick this one if you believe in taking action, in doing something - and also if you don't (you might as well end up changing your mind!);
• Finally, the link you were all anxiously waiting for, starring David, The Historian!

Needless to say I'll be anxiously waiting for your uploads, with summaries of and/or comments on the articles, right? Oh, interesting vocabulary's also very welcome.

ER Lesson 8: 'Accent neutralisation and a crisis...'

Good evening, guys!

Finally, our first after-class post, with the link to our Extensive Reading of the day - and a couple of bonuses:

• On its cover image, click on "Click to LOOK INSIDE!" to read the first pages of the novel Q&A, by Vikas Swarup, on Amazon if you're interested in knowing the book on which the film Slumdog Millionaire was (loosely) based;
• Haven't seen the film itself yet, but would love to check a few opinions so you could decide whether it's really worth seeing? Well, you can have a look at its entry on IMDb - but beware of spoilers!;
• OK, so you're the visual type and can't actually afford to spend much more than two minutes of your precious time on finding out more about the film? Here's the link to one of its trailers;
• But if you're here just for the fun of it, this is the perfect stuff for you.

My intention was obviously to direct you to the call centre scene from here, but I simply couldn't find it! If anyone manages to do so, please leave a comment with the link - thanks a lot! :)

P.S.: I've actually read the novel (besides seeing the film at least twice, yes), so if you like its beginning enough to order a copy and would like someone to discuss it with, just let me know.

ER Lesson 2: 'Google generation has no need for...'

In an attempt to encourage you to do some reading of your own, here I am, on a Saturday afternoon, trying to get my head round a couple of points mentioned in the original version of the article on Don Tapscott's view of education - can anyone help me, please?

• The Battle of Hastings (there's even a game here - which I can't seem to win, playing as either William or Harold!...);
• Ofsted;
• shadow schools?...

I'd appreciate it if each of these items were briefly explained by at least one of you - thanks! ;-)

P.S.: Vocabulary I particularly like in the article: "His observations chime with a trend in British classrooms to cut back on traditional teaching and to personalise learning."

ERV catching-up: lessons 2 to 7

Hello, guys!

Below are the links to the webpages included in the 'Suggested Extensive Reading/Viewing' section of our lessons so far:

Lesson 2: 'Google generation has no need for rote learning' (original version)

Lesson 4: 'Indra Nooyi' and 'Georges Simenon'

Lesson 5: 'Guardian Jobs' and ''Working Holiday' Job Programmes'

Lesson 6: 'Graduate 'made to stack shelves' seeks judicial review' (features video)

               'The battle over your data' (features video)

               'Get that job: Virtual interview' (reading game)

Lesson 7: 'Internships at UNESCO', 'What is voluntary work' and 'UNESCO on Facebook'

I'm fullly aware that this is quite a long list. However, if you work on the materials of one of the lessons above per week (plus those of the lessons of such week, obviously), you shouldn't take long to end your catching-up - much less become bored by it!

Reading's fun, trust me on that. I, for one, will be soon posting comments on these texts - and looking forward to your own posts and/or replies. :-)

Welcome, Leaders

Welcome to this blog!
It has been created for my Advanced students at Cultura Inglesa São Carlos to post, besides their own summaries of online news articles read during the term, comments, reflections and insights on the topics discussed in class.
As long as you mention their authors and/or sources and briefly explain their connection with our lessons, feel free to recommend texts, videos and images which you believe might be of interest to fellow students - I will be doing so myself.
'Work' and 'play' are both keywords here. So, keep an eye out for weekly updates, and let us climb up the English learning ladder together! :-)