School rules

The American School System

The ages for compulsory education in the US vary by state. It begins from ages five to eight and ends from ages fourteen to eighteen.

In most public and private schools, education is divided into three levels:  elementary school, middle school (sometimes called junior high school), and senior high school.

In almost all schools at these levels, children are divided by age groups into grades, ranging from kindergarten for the youngest children in elementary school, up to twelfth grade, the final year of high school.

Answer 3 questions about the text:

Freshman: a student in the first year of high school or college

This video is designed for freshmen entering the senior high school

Watch the interactive video and answer the questions
https://vizia.co/videos/bc3e4a14d46cef2be585e3/share

 Express obligation

school rules

 

Classroom language

http://www.cambridge.org/us/esl/letstalk/support/language.htm

The photocopier

Listen:

Language points:

Quiz

Chose a situation and discuss about it:

I can’t find my wallet.

Burglars broke into my house.

I was fired from my job.

This food I’ve just cooked tastes terrible.

My wife / husband left me.

I didn’t pass the exam.

My business has gone bankrupt.

I didn’t get the job.

Difference between PREFER and WOULD RATHER

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv107.shtml

Exercises about HAD BETTER and WOULD RATHER
http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-13451.php


Board game: Advice needed

http://forum.indire.it/repository/working/export/5825/stuff/attach/board_game_advice_needed.pdf

A song for Christmas

PDF

Song lyrics

I don't really like it!

Listening

How to say you like things:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1210_how_to_converse/page4.shtml
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/howto/howto_express_likes.mp3
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/howto/howto_express_likes_script.pdf
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/howto/howto_express_likes_rearrange.pdf

How to say you don't like things:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1210_how_to_converse/page5.shtml
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/howto/howto_express_dislikes.mp3
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/howto/howto_express_dislikes_script.pdf
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/howto/howto_express_dislikes_ex.pdf

http://www.multimedia-english.com/contenido/ficha/4-i-likes-and-dislikes/837

A complete pre-intermediate course

BBC makes it better!
If you are interested in a well built course, that can enrich your vocabulary and make you feel more comfortable with functions and grammar, this is for you. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/lower-intermediate/unit-1

Another good resource is an online soap opera called "The flatmates"
Meet the characters

Surf all the opportunities and try the "Language point" and the "Quiz" feature.

If you want to listen click on the "Download mp3" (not the "Listen" button because it's not working anymore). In order to read and listen, open two pages with the same address, so you can read while you listen.

A good resource to improve your pronunciation (and listening ability)

Choose a word, write it in the search box, and you will be linked to a video in which your chosen word is pronounced: there are subtitles running under the video screen on your page: a fantastic source, I wish I could have had something like that!! 

The good thing about this free source is that you not only listen to the single word, but you can hear it in a context, in the rhythm of a sentence, and that will help you the next time you will hear it again.

A podcast to keep up your English level (listening)

Listening is very important to keep you language updated, and why not, it can be interesting!

Try the following links:

the first one is updated with the latest news,

while the second is older, but offers a glossary that can help before listening.