MERRY CHRISTMAS, Mr BEAN!

Let's welcome 2017!

New Year’s Day is a time of new beginnings and learning experiences. Now that 2016 is coming to an end and 2017 is approaching, Andrea and Gema, 3º ESO, would like to share with you a number of 12 inspirational quotes to begin 2017 with motivation and strength! 

Before the end of this first term, you have learnt some differences between British English and American English. We'll go back to them in January when the second term begins.

Since Christmas is coming, we want to share a video on how to have a British Christmas. Where do British kids hang their stockings? What do they do with their letters to Father Christmas? Do you write to Father Christmas or to Santa?

Yes, it's the title of a beautiful song but it is also true. Christmas is approaching!

In Spain we have some adverts that tell us that this festive season is coming. In the UK, they also have some adverts, quite different from ours but very moving.

The following advert is the one by John Lewis, one of the biggest department stores in London. It is the story of a little girl called Bridget who loves to bounce. When her mum and dad buy her a trampoline for Christmas, they soon discover that she isn’t the only one with a passion for jumping.

Another well-known department store in London is Harrods. If you want to enjoy a beautiful Christmas tale, have a look at the video below: A Very British Beartale.

And a very beautiful one too, Sainbury's! It tells the story of Dave, a hard-working and devoted Dad, who realises that the greatest gift he can give people this Christmas is his time. But Christmas is not about presentes and food only!

HAVE YOU BEEN GOOD THIS CHRISTMAS?

Christmas is a time for meeting friends you haven't seen for a long time, for long chats and for eating. 

Maybe you've heard your parents say something like "Did you notice how young she/he looks? I don't understand how she/he manages". 

Well, Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones shares some advice about how to keep young and healthy with us. Why don't you tell your parents?

1) SLOW DOWN. Work less, rest and take vacations. Relaxation is key, take time to relieve stress. Don’t rush – plan on being 15 minutes early. Cut out noise and limit time spent with the television, computer, or radio on.

2) KEEP MOVING. Find ways to move more naturally such as walking, gardening, and using fewer labour-saving devices. Identify activities you enjoy and make them a regular part of your day.

3) FIND PURPOSE. And pursue it with passion. Write your own personal mission statement. Take up a new challenge like learning a language or an instrument.

4) STOP EATING WHEN YOU’RE 80% FULL. Reduce calorie consumption at dinner by 20-30%. Use smaller plates, bowls and glasses. Sit and eat your meals.

5) DINE ON PLANTS. Eat more veggies and less meat and processed foods. You don’t need to become a vegetarian, but increase your intake of fruits and veggies, beans, rice and tofu. Have a 2-oz handful of nuts daily.

6) JOIN A GROUP. Create a healthy social network. Identify your inner circle. Reconsider ties to people who bring you down.

7) FEED YOUR SOUL. Engage in spiritual activities. Deepen your existing spiritual commitment. 

8) LOVE YOUR FAMILY. Make family a high priority. Establish family rituals like game night, family walks and Sunday dinners. Create a place for family pictures and souvenirs that show how you’re all connected.

9) DRINK WATER. Water is essential not only for rehydration but also forms the basis of good blood, dewy skin and healthy body tissues. Every cell in your body, as well as the space between cells, every tissue and every organ needs water. 

BOXING DAY!

26th December is Boxing Day. How much do you know about it? Here you have an MP3 recording and some exercises on this special day in the UK.

Listening
Exercises

MERRY XMAS!

It's Christmas Day! Merry Christmas! Let's celebrate it with some beautiful Christmas adverts that British people could enjoy this season in the UK.

John Lewis: Man on the Moon
This is the story of a young girl called Lily. Looking at the moon through the family telescope one night, she's amazed at what she finds... a man on the moon.

Sainbury's: Mog Christmas Calamity

Harrods: Once Upon a Christmas

M&S

Santa is coming...

Hello again,
Are you ready for tonight? Yes! Santa is coming!!!!

Have you sent your letter to Santa?

Today, we want to tell you about letters to Santa. We are sure you've alread written yours ans so have many British celebrities.

You can read all the letters in the  Letters Live website.

This is the letter that wrote Benedict Cumberbatch to Santa. He asks him "A little more time for those children to be children." What do you ask Santa for?

How much do you know about Santa?

Today's challenge is a knowledge quiz. How much do you know about Santa? Click on the image to do it.

Let's play and revise some Christmas vocabulary

Fancy playing and revising vocabulary? This is today's challenge. Enjoy it!
Memory Game
Christmas quiz

Some history today

Why do we decorate Xmas trees? 
What did pines decorated with apples represented?
Where does this tradition come from?
Who made the Christmas tree popular in Britain?
Feeling curious?

1st QUIZ

Are you ready for the challenge? We thought it would be a good idea to start with a Xmas song, but a traditional one.
This is a song by Coldplay. Can you complete the quiz?

Let's start the celebrations!

Hello everyone!
We know you are enjoy your deserved Xmas holidays. This year we want to challenge you. We will leave a quiz everyday. It can either be a song, a text, a video or an interactive game.
We hope you take on this challenge!

How to have a British Christmas

This week we have been learning bout sme differneces between British English and American English. We'll go back to them in January when the second term begins.

Since Christmas is coming, we want to share with you video on how to have a British Christmas. Where do British kids hang their stockings? What do they do with their letters to Father Christmas? Do you write to Father Christmas or to Santa?