EASTER HOLLIDAYS

Now that you have more free time, you have a great chance to learn English barely realising it! I’ll tell you how…

1.    Watching films:

One of the best ways to learn English is watching films…

Reasons:

VOCABULARY: You’re learning new words.  In films, words are used as part of a story and this context helps you to learn and remember new words more effectively.

PRONUNCIATION: Nothing is better than listening to real native English in a natural way.  Hearing native speakers in films will teach better pronunciation.

CULTURE: You can learn about the culture behind the language when you watch movies in English. Language and culture are closely connected.   

      Tips to learn English through movies:

1.       Only choose interesting films. Watch films you will enjoy or even films you have already watched.

2.       Avoid difficult films. Try to choose a movie that suits your current level of English. If you are a beginner, you may want to start with simple cartoons or children’s films, like Toy Story.

3.       Don’t pretend to understand every single word, you should try to understand the general meaning.

4.       Repeat your favorite lines!

5.       Use subtitles. It is a good idea to turn the subtitles on, better in English than in  your own language.

       Some films you may like and be suitable for you:

1.  Toy Story (1995, 1999, 2010 y 2019). Easy to follow, both the story and vocabulary. For children and adults. Here you have a clip of one of these films to examplify how to learn with films.

2.  Forrest Gump (1994). Simple and clear language. The main character speaks slowly, perfect to follow his English while learning the recent American History.

3.  Love Actually (2003). A romantic comedy about the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in interrelated tales all set before Christmas in London.

4.  Notting Hill (1999). Another romantic comedy about a modest bookstore owner who meets one of the most famous movie stars in the world. It is the best choice to listen to the different American and British accents of the two main characters.

 B. LISTENING SONGS (you can find more songs in the label “exercises online” or in “Blogs”)

To practice simple present and continuous:

"Treat You Better" by Shawn Mendes

I won't lie to you
I know he's just not right for you
And you can tell me if I'm off
But I see it on your face
When you say that he's the one that you want
And you're spending all your time
In this wrong situation
And anytime you want it to stop

I know I can treat you better
Than he can
And any girl like you deserves a gentleman
Tell me why are we wasting time
On all your wasted cryin'
When you should be with me instead
I know I can treat you better
Better than he can

I'll stop time for you
The second you say you'd like me to
I just wanna give you the loving that you're missing
Baby, just to wake up with you
Would be everything I need and this could be so different
Tell me what you want to do

'Cause I know I can treat you better
Than he can
And any girl like you…

-   To practice Past Simple

"Viva la vida" by Cold Play

One the hits of the British Band “Cold Play”, is a great choice to practice past simple tenses with irregular and irregular verbs (specially  /d/ y /t/ sounds), to practice their pronunciation. You can also revise the expression “used to + infinitivo” (solía).

I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy’s eyes
Listened as the crowd would sing
Now the old king is dead long live the king
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can’t explain
Once you’d gone there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world

It was a wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn’t believe what I’d become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can’t explain
I know St Peter won’t call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

Oh oh oh oh ohh oh [x5]

I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Roman cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can’t explain
I know St Peter won’t call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

- I hope you like it.... and remember...