July 30, 2014

Recessionista

Hi,

Are yo a recessionista? Or did you shop on July sales?

recessionista, noun [countable]

A person who is able to dress in a fashionable way even though they do not have a lot of money to spend on clothes:

'Modern takes on glamour are about deceiving the eye while preserving the purse, demanding all the imaginative skills of today's artful recessionistas. In short, getting the high-fashion look at a low-down price …' Irish Times29th September 2008

Recessionista is a popular new term for a person who manages to dress stylishly on a tight budget, and it gained currency rapidly in the pre-Christmas weeks of 2008, when people's disposable income was seriously curtailed by the knock-on effects of an ailing economy. 'Shoppers' guilt' is worse than ever in the current financial climate – with people losing their jobs left, right and centre, there seems to be no way of justifying frivolities such as clothes, shoes and handbags. So, instead of satisfying her fashion needs with a trip to the local shopping mall, the recessionista adopts a different strategy to replenishing her wardrobe. Typical activities include swapping clothes with friends, hiring rather than buying, or trawling the charity shops to find designer garments at a fraction of the high street price.

Recessionista is a clever blend of recession and the noun fashionista, which was coined in the early nineties to describe a person who wears fashionable clothing or works in the fashion industry. The suffix -ista, taken over from Spanish, has entered productive usage in English in recent years to describe a follower or devotee of someone or something. It regularly pops up in political commentary for example Blairista, Bushista, Palinista.
Source: Macmillan buzz word

July 29, 2014

Deleting memories

What if you could erase your memories with the click of a button?

We all have bad memories that we would prefer to forget. But can science actually help us delete specific unwanted memories? New research suggests it could be possible.
Rob and Finn discuss the research and explain some words relating to the brain.

This week's question:
How many neurons do scientists think we have? Is it:
a) 8-10 million
b) 8-10 billion
c) 80-100 billion

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

July 27, 2014

Seville's silent summer: Spanish city bans outdoor noise

Activities ranging from domino games to singing in the street banned as locals win fight for peace and quiet.

Regulations focus on Seville's hundreds of bars and cafes, where patrons regularly crowd outside. Photograph: Ingrid Firmhofer/Getty Images/LOOK

As the heat of the day gives way to the evening breeze, Seville comes to life. Distant wails of flamenco singers mix with hearty cheers of seniors engrossed in a game of dominoes. Bar patrons spill onto the sidewalk as they noisily recount the day's events over a round of cañas.

Now the push is on in this fun-loving city for a little peace and quiet. On Friday, councillors passed a raft of regulations looking to silence the noisy city banning activities ranging from domino games on the outdoor terraces of bars and cafes to singing in the Street.

How does your brain respond to pain? - Karen D. Davis

Everyone experiences pain -- but why do some people react to the same painful stimulus in different ways? And what exactly is pain, anyway? Karen D. Davis walks you through your brain on pain, illuminating why the “pain experience” differs from person to person.

Source: Ted Talks

And can you personally define pain?

July 24, 2014

The many meanings of Michelangelo's Statute of David

Hi,

This video will give us a new perspective to interprete David.
What meaning would Michelangelo’s Statue of David have if it appeared outside of your favorite sports team’s arena?

Source: Ted Talks

July 23, 2014

Birds of paradise

July 21, 2014

How to Keep Husbands Happy When Wives Make More

If you earn more than your partner, these strategies will help ensure both spouses feel valued and comfortable with their financial roles.

July 19, 2014

Facekini

Hi,

If you go to the beach this summer, will you wear a facekini? ;-)

facekini also face-kini, noun [countable]

A face mask worn on the beach in order to protect the face from the sun

'For something less revealing this summer, take a look at the face-kini, the ultimate alternative to slathering on sunblock on trips to the beach.'
Huffington Post 21st August 2012

A facekini is a fabric mask which covers a swimmer's entire head and neck down to their collarbone, incorporating slits for the eyes, nose and mouth. You can see a photo illustration here. Looking like a brightly-coloured balaclava, the facekini is made from a stretchy, lightweight material which protects the wearer's skin from exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun, and is often worn with an accompanying long-sleeved body suit. Facekinis come in a whole range of colours, patterns and sizes, retailing where available around a very affordable £2.50. They also have the added bonus of protecting the wearer from mosquito bites and jellyfish stings when swimming. And if all that isn't enough to persuade potential purchasers, the following might just be the clincher – the bright orange version can, allegedly, help to scare away sharks!

Source: Buzzword from Macmillan

July 17, 2014

Ways of expressing agreement

These expressions will make your speech richer!!

That’s right/You’re right/I know: used when agreeing with someone:
‘It’s supposed to be a very good school.’ ‘That’s right. They get great results.’
‘He’s really boring, isn’t he?’ ‘Oh, I know, he never stops talking about himself.’

Exactly/Absolutely/I couldn’t agree more: used for saying that you completely agree with someone:
‘When we were young, people didn’t get into debt.’ ‘Exactly. You just bought what you could afford.’
‘I think Jacob is the best person for the job.’ ‘Absolutely. I’ll be amazed if he doesn’t get it.’
‘We had to wait three months to get a phone line – it’s ridiculous.’ ‘I couldn’t agree more.‘

You can say that again/You’re telling me: a more informal way of saying that you completely agree with someone:
‘It’s so cold outside!’ ‘You can say that again!‘
‘The buses are so unreliable!’ ‘You’re telling me! I’ve been waiting here for half an hour.’

Why not? used when agreeing with a suggestion someone has made:
‘Let’s go to the cinema tonight.’ ‘Why not? We haven’t been for ages.’

I suppose (so)/I guess (so): used when you agree that someone is right, but you are not happy with the situation:
‘We’ll have to get some new tyres.’ ‘I suppose so/I guess so. But it will be expensive.’

Source: Macmillan

Undocumented chidren in the US

Hi:

This is an important controversial debate that is going on right now on the USA, migrant children arriving to meet their families in the country. The government says up to 90,000 children will arrive on their own this year, compared with about 39,000 the Border Patrol detained last year.

By Tom Cohen, CNN

July 16, 2014 -- Updated 1216 GMT (2016 HKT)

July 16, 2014

5 ways to make time for Language Learning

No excuses now! In this presentation you are shown how to make some time to keep learning English :-)

5 Ways to Make Time for Language Learning from Transparent Language, Inc.

July 14, 2014

Germany erupts with joy as 24-year World Cup wait comes to an end

(CNN) -- In a twist of fate, the hosts' vanquishers became the heroes. Germany's Mario Götze's late, late strike made the difference in the final against Argentina, and his sublime goal prevented Brazil's neighbors and arch-rivals from lifting the trophy.

The two finalists played out an entertaining match that left both the teams' fans and neutrals on the edge of their seats until almost the last kick of the game. Ultimately, all it lacked was the goals that these Brazil crowds have come to expect.

Source: CNN

Language tip of the week: cook

This week’s language tip looks at some other ways of saying cook:

boil to cook food in boiling water: Boil the potatoes for about 20 minutes.
simmer to allow something to boil very gently: Bring the sauce to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer gently.
bake to cook food, especially bread or cakes, in an oven: I spent all afternoon baking cakes.
roast to cook meat or vegetables in an oven with fat or oil: Roast the chicken in a hot oven.
fry to cook food in hot oil: Do you want your eggs fried or boiled?
broil American to cook food under or over a very strong heat. The British word is grill: Broil the pork chops about four inches from the heat for four minutes on each side.
grill British to cook food under or over a very strong heat. The American word is broil: The lamb patties can be grilled in the oven very quickly.

Source: Macmillan Dictionary Blog

July 13, 2014

Will the Germany vs. Argentina World Cup Final Be Any Good?

Netherlands v Argentina: Semi Final - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil — Lionel Messi of Argentina controls the ball as Jordy Clasie of the Netherlands gives chase during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Semi Final match between the Netherlands and Argentina at Arena de Sao Paulo on July 9, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Ronald Martinez—Getty Images

Lionel Messi doesn’t take up much space on the field, given that he’s all of 5-ft.-7 in. tall, if that. Then again, he doesn’t need much. Messi is one of those performers who, like a sunbeam splitting through thickening clouds, produces a moment of brilliance when things are getting dark. He did it against Nigeria, Iran and Switzerland to keep Argentina marching toward the final.

Dumb laws

Hi,

You may read and listen to some dumb /dam/ American Laws ;-)

Source: Hot English Magazine

July 11, 2014

Celine Dion’s Response to a Viral Video

hen Richard Dunn was stuck all alone in the Las Vegas airport, he entertained himself by recording a hilarious lip-sync video set to Celine Dion’s “All By Myself.”

Well, Dion herself caught wind of the viral video and recorded a response deeming it “hilarious” and “touching.” In fact, she loved it so much that she’d like Dunn to be a guest at her show sometime. Guess he won’t be all by his self for much longer.
Here’s the original video:

Celine Dion response to one man's "All by Myself" airport ballad:

July 10, 2014

An Hour of Exercise Can Make Up for a Day of Sitting Down

It's not just how much exercise you get, but also how much time you spend off your bottom that keeps your heart healthy

Another day, another study that confirms the dispiriting reality that sitting is bad for you. Fortunately, says that same study on heart health published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, it doesn’t take much to offset the harmful effects of sitting.

Because exercise has a more powerful effect in helping the heart than sitting does in harming it, one hour of physical exercise could counteract the effects of sitting for six to seven hours a day, according to researchers led by Dr. Jarett Berry at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

The Silk Road: Connecting the ancient world through trade

With modern technology, a global exchange of goods and ideas can happen at the click of a button. But what about 2,000 years ago? Shannon Harris Castelo unfolds the history of the 5,000-mile Silk Road, a network of multiple routes that used the common language of commerce to connect the world's major settlements, thread by thread.

Source: Ted Talks

After listening to this presentation, answer the following questions:

Which factors hindered early connections between early river valley civilizations?
What role did nomadic people play in the establishment of the Silk Road trade?
The conquests of which Greek leader led to the expansion of the Silk Road?
What religion makes it way from India along Silk Roads to China?
The diffusion of maritime technology, like the magnetic compass, led to which effect?
What role did the physical geography of Eurasia play in the establishment of Silk Road trade routes?
Silk Road trade led to global exchange and cultural blending to create new cultural elements. Can you think of a specific example of how the modern world economy has led to similar effects?

We often glorify the positive exchanges along the Silk Road, but can you think of a possible negative impact of global trade on society in either the ancient or modern world?

July 07, 2014

Language Tip of the week: Eat

This week’s language tip helps with other ways of saying eat:

have breakfast/lunch/dinner to eat a particular meal:

Have you had breakfast yet?

He phoned while we were having lunch.

have something to eat to eat something or to have a meal:

We’ll stop and have something to eat when we get to Newcastle.

snack/have a snack to eat something small between your main meals:

We usually have a drink and a snack around 11.

No snacking on the bus, kids!

grab a bite (to eat) (informal) to eat a snack or small meal when you do not have much time:

Maybe we could grab a bite at Charlie’s before the film.

eat up to finish all the food you have been given:

Eat up! There’s plenty more.

nibble (at) to take very small bites from your food:
          She nibbled at her sandwich politely, waiting for the others to arrive.

chew (on) to use your teeth to break food up slowly in your mouth:
          He was chewing on a piece of celery.

munch/munch at to eat something noisily and enthusiastically:
           The kids were munching crisps in front of the TV.

stuff yourself (informal) to eat so much that you feel ill or uncomfortable:

I’m not surprised you feel sick, the way you stuffed yourself last night.

Source: MacMillan Dictionary Blog

July 06, 2014

Foul on Neymar

Fifa pledges to examine Colombian Juan Zúñiga’s foul on Brazil’s Neymar

• Fifa concerned that tackle may contravene fair play
• Ronaldo calls challenge ‘very aggressive, very violent’ The Observer, Saturday 5 July 2014 15.56 BST

Neymar Juan Zúñiga — Colombia's Juan Zúñiga catches Brazil's Neymar in the back with his knee in the World Cup quarter-final. Photograph: Sipa USA/Rex

Fifa’s disciplinary committee is studying the challenge that led to Brazil’s Neymar suffering a fractured vertebra to decide on action against Colombia’s Juan Zúñiga. The defender caught Neymar with a knee in the forward’s back during Brazil’s 2-1 quarter-final win.
Fifa’s head of media, Delia Fischer, said: “The disciplinary committee is analysing the matter. The spirit of fair play is very important and we want to avoid difficult things on the field of play.”

Ronaldo, Brazil’s former World Cup-winning striker, believes Zúñiga intended to hurt Neymar. He told a news conference in Rio de Janeiro: “The challenge was a very violent one – I believe there was an intention by the Colombian player to cause some harm. I don’t think it was normal football play, I don’t know whether he had planned this beforehand but I do believe it was very aggressive, very violent.”
Zúñiga defended the challenge after the match, saying he had not deliberately hurt Neymar. He said: “It was a normal move, I never meant to hurt a player. I was on the field, playing for the shirt from my country, not intending to injure anyone. I was just defending my shirt.”

July 05, 2014

What gives a dollar bill its value?

The value of money is determined by how much (or how little) of it is in circulation. But who makes that decision, and how does their choice affect the economy at large? Doug Levinson takes a trip into the United States Federal Reserve, examining how the people who work there aim to balance the value of the dollar to prevent inflation or deflation.

After watching the video, answer the following questions:

In a democracy, does it make sense to have decisions about monetary policy made by people who are not elected? Why or why not?
Should the government encourage people to own their own homes, even if they have to go into debt to do that?
What is your opinion about the long-term health of the U.S. economy, and why do you have that opinion?
What is United States currency linked to?
Which branch of government decides how much money will be in circulation in our economy?
If the total amount of currency circulating increases faster than the total value of goods and services in the economy that is referred to as ...
One effect of deflation is ...
Where do profits from the Federal Reserve System go?

How about you?, How have you experienced inflation/deflation in your personal life?
Source: Ted Talks

July 04, 2014

Summer readings

Dear NI2 students,

I thought that you might want to read in English this summer so I am attaching some really good short stories for you to read:

Mrs Bixby and the Colonel's coat, Roald Dahl
Miriam, Truman Capote
Lamb to the Slaughter, Roald Dahl
The Lottery, Jackson

As this is an old post, you may want to follow TED recommendations for the summer, have a look: TED-Ed’s super summer reading list: 40+ books recommended by our educators

July 03, 2014

How to speak so that people want to listen

Have you ever felt like you're talking, but nobody is listening? Here's Julian Treasure to help. In this useful talk, the sound expert demonstrates the how-to's of powerful speaking — from some handy vocal exercises to tips on how to speak with empathy. A talk that might help the world sound more beautiful.

Source: Ted Talks (Transcript)

July 01, 2014

Expressing personal opinion in writing

Today I bring more useful content and tips from the Macmillan Dictionary on expressing yourself.

In our recent post on ways of giving your opinion we looked at some phrases that are used when saying what you think. Expressing your opinion in writing involves the use of some different expressions.
In informal writing you can use I think and I believe to say what your opinion is. Phrases such as in my opinion and in my view can also be used to express your opinions explicitly:

I think that a sense of humour is a very important quality.

A partnership can, I believe, be temporary and for a fixed purpose.

In my opinion, America continues to set an example for women around the world.

The most obvious implication of the single market is, in my view, the abolition of trade and customs barriers.

In academic writing and other formal types of writing such as professional reports it is usual to give your opinion implicitly. One way of doing this is by using an impersonal structure:

It is worth noting that some writers on business strategy are well aware of this problem.

It is reasonable to assume that such changes have significant social and economic effects.

It is essential to have good professional advice and to review your insurance cover from time to time.

It seems that education is not even essential to happiness.

It would seem that the date of the invention of the mechanical clock is some time between 1280 and 1300.

You can also use adverbs as a way of giving your opinion, especially when you want to qualify or evaluate the content of your message:

Interestingly, virtually all published studies from around the world have reported similar findings.

Significantly, leading Japanese computer makers have adopted export strategies similar in some respects to those of the car industry.

There is, surprisingly, still a good deal of uncertainty about whether animals can solve problems of this kind.

You can use the phrase according to when talking about someone else’s opinions, but not when giving your own. Use in my view or in my opinion instead:

According to Freud, our dreams represent our hidden desires.

~~According to me/to my opinion~~, women and men are equal.

In my opinion, women and men are equal.