Conditional sentences

Let's revise real and unreal conditionals, mixed conditionals and some alternatives to if in conditional sentences using this sheet.

Open publication - Free publishing - More advanced

Pronunciation notes

Common spellings: sh, ti, ci, x. Less common: ss, e.g. pressure, ch, e.g. machine, s, e.g. sugar.

Common spellings: s before u or i, e.g. pleasure, decision.

Common spellings: ch, tch, t before ure / ury, e.g. literature.

Common spellings: all j, e.g. jury, g before e, e.g. wages, dge and sometimes g before i, e.g. imagine.

Barack Obama 2012 Campaign Launch Video - "It Begins With Us"

Can you scoop?

Do you know what a curator is?

What workplace would you associate a curator with?

Now watch the video and listen:

What is Scoop.it?

After watching the video, would you be willing to use it? What for?

Watch the video again and answer these questions:

1. Is Jack an expert on electric guitar? Why?
2. How would Jack love to share his passion?
3. Why didn’t a blog meet his needs?
4. What solution is available for Jack to share his passion nowadays? What steps does Jack take to manage his tool? List them.
5. Can Jack now be more socially active with his guitar? In which way?

Now discuss the questions below:

Why do you think this tool is called Scoop.it?

What does scooping imply?

Do you ever scoop on the net? How do you select your contents?

What topic would scoop? How would you organise your job as a digital curator? Would you like to try? Go to Scoop.it and start.


Now, you can check your answers using this answer key sheet or, if you'd like a printable version of this activity, just download it.

Compound adjectives

Click on the image below and have a look at these compound adjectives.



Now, try to win this three-minute race:

Grammar: verb + object + infinitive or gerund

Click on the image below and you'll open a couple of exercises to practise this grammar item in a new window.



In order to view the exercises correctly you need to have Java and the Malted Web 2.0 plugin installed in your computer.

Then, activate your speaking skills by discussing these questions with your teacher or with a partner.

Does the Internet make people more sociable, or does it isolate them?

Do you mind musicians busking in the street?

Should we really expect pupils to be responsible for their own learning?

Should local governments force people to use public transport in places where there is a traffic issue?

How can governments encourage citizens to respect the environment?

Can you imagine yourself living the rest of your life in a different country?

Good morning Vietmam!

Maybe the best way to wake up in the morning. Have a nice day!



  Good morning Vietnam! by mjgsm

The Dukan Diet: Food for Thought

'There is no question this very restrictive diet will lead to weight loss, if you can actually follow it.  But the elimination of healthy food groups, and the unpleasant side effects, makes The Dukan Diet an unlikely choice for the long haul. 

Protein is an essential part of a healthy diet, but it cannot stand alone.  A truly healthy diet includes all the food groups -- vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy and healthy fats along with lean protein. Your body needs the nutrients these foods provide.

Skip this fad diet. Instead, choose a calorie-controlled eating plan that you can stick with for the long term.'

Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, is director of nutrition for WebMD. Her opinions and conclusions are her own.

(Extract from The Dukan Diet Review)

Comprehension activities

     1. Have a look at the cover of the book:

Does it look familiar? Have you heard of it? Would you consider it a self help book? Might you be tempted to buy it?

2. Read the text above and pay special attention to the words and phrases in bold. Can you guess the meanings from context? If so, explain them in your own words. If not, look them up on an online dictionary, e.g. 

    3. Finally, complete the phrases below using the following expressions:

Just as, Quite a few, At all, A bit of, Entirely

a.      Well, I know __________ people who are into the Dukan Diet.

b.      I see the diet as __________ a trend that will soon fade away.

c.       According to this review, keeping up with the diet in the long term is __________ out of the question.

d.      A protein-based diet is not healthy __________.

            e. A calorie-controlled eating plan should be __________ fine to lose weight healthily.

After doing the tasks, check the answers for activity 3.

Polite requests

Think of something you'd really like someone to do for you. Have a look at the prompts below and submit the end of your polite request.
Ask other students and see if you find three people who are prepared to help you. Try to be as persuasive as possible. Think of some persuasive reasons why you need this favour done, and try to convince them to do it!

Do you think you could possibly ...?... at AnswerGarden.ch.

How to say Hello in 60 languages

Verb + Object + Infinitive or Gerund

View full size on Wix.com

5 reasons you’re probably wasting time with QR codes

Do you know what QR codes are? Have you ever seen one? Have you ever used one? If so, comment on your experience.


Now, read this article on GIGAOM about QR codes and make a definition of what a QR code is in your own words.

How are QR codes supporters selling them? According to them, what do QR codes join?









Then, have a look at these headings from the article:

Not everybody has a smartphone

The process can be confusing

They lack cross-media functionality

They may trouble for the consumers

A bad experience could be prohibitive

And match each phrase below with its corresponding heading:

• QR codes can't be broadcasted
• QR codes are not fit for every mobile phone
• Over 30% of schoolers have heard about QR codes
• The use of QR codes should be limited to adequate sources
• The way QR codes are shown does not really promote the trade name well.

Read the article again, carefully, looking up any words you may not know. Finally try to associate the words below with the adequate definition or synonym:

WORDS FROM THE ARTICLE	DEFINITIONS/SYNONYMS
Blotchy Hype Tout Figure out Billboard Glare Muck up Allotament Tech-savvy On the go	Having practical knowledge of technology Strong light Amount There and then Spoil Large panel Irregularly spotted Sell Find, understand how Intensive promotion

When you are ready, check the answers for these last two tasks.

Historical films quiz

European Day of Languages

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the European Day of Languages with us!

At the initiative of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, the European Day of Languages has been celebrated every year since 2001 on 26 September.

Throughout Europe, 800 million Europeans represented in the Council of Europe's 47 member states are encouraged to learn more languages, at any age, in and out of school. Being convinced that linguistic diversity is a tool for achieving greater intercultural understanding and a key element in the rich cultural heritage of our continent, the Council of Europe promotes plurilingualism in the whole of Europe.

More information: Site of the European Day of Languages 

Stickers and pins

Listen how people say hello in many different languages!

Recommended classic ebooks

Mini-presentation: a historical figure

Have a look at this sample mini-presentation about Cromwell and complete it with the correct discourse markers from the list below:

in fact    that is to say    by the way    obviously    in other words    to sum up    anyway    on one hand    on the other hand    basically    besides

Next, give a three-minute presentation to the class about a famous historical figure who interests you. If you need to find information, try searching on the Internet in English. When you give your mini-presentation, use the discourse markers you've been learning. You can also use pictures, video clips or any other media to back up your talk.

*Adapted from New English File Teacher's Book Advanced.

Which were the UK Top Hits when you were born?

Click on the image below and find out.

Discourse markers. What for?

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards

Born to learn

Ten years without The Twin Towers

World Trade Center: Ten years after

Originally printed at http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local/World-Trade-Center-Ten-years-after-129488733.html

By Michelle Franzen
September 8, 2011

NEW YORK (NBC) — This Sunday, the world will be watching as the nation marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

In New York City the rebuilding of ground zero is still not complete after a decade.

Ten buildings, including the Twin Towers, were destroyed or damaged beyond repair that day.

In the decade since the 9/11 attacks, the World Trade Center site has slowly transformed from a gaping hole of death and destruction into a symbolic place of renewal, the hum of construction sharing space with sacred ground honoring the lives lost.

Today the scars where the Twin Towers and surrounding buildings once stood are still visible, along with the progress.

The rebuilt transit system runs beneath.

The first tower to be completed in 2006, World Trade Center 7, is open for business, and after countless changes in design the building once known as the Freedom Tower is on the rise.

Now renamed World Trade Center One, construction on the 104-story tower isn't expected to be complete until 2013.

At the center of the World Trade Center site is the National September 11th Memorial and Museum, two reflecting pools symbolizing where the Twin Towers once stood with all the names of the victims surrounding them inscribed in bronze.

"They are the largest man-made waterfalls in the country," says museum president Joseph Daniels. "52,000 gallons of water being pumped through pools, the water fountains every minute and they really symbolize the fact that the people are no longer here with us.

The 9/11 Memorial Plaza will be dedicated on Sunday.

For the families who have made the journey each 9/11 anniversary to honor their loved ones, this year takes on new meaning.

"For so many that didn't get any human remains back to bury. So when they come here and that first experience, the first time that they place their hand, touch their hand on their loved ones names," Daniels says.

Some have criticized the memorial has taken too long.

Organizers say given the challenges of building in New York City and the importance of this memorial, the timing is perfect to mark the 10th anniversary.

The memorial will be open September 12th to the public.

The museum is slated to open in 2012.

Visit the Youtube Channel Reflections on 9/11

Languages do matter!

My dear little bear

My Dear Little Bear Short Film from Michelangelo Manrique on Vimeo.

E-learning systems

Summer captions

Longing for summer holidays? You're not the only one, but now that we are back to school, let's extend the summer break by showing and commenting our favourite summer pics.

Guess the hidden words scattered around the text-image below and make a caption about what summer memories it brings to you.

Some resources for the ESL classroom

I've been scooping around to meet a new challenge: try and become a curator.
Now I'd like to share with you some of my favourite sites for digital web 2.0 resources.

Have you been reading during the summer?

If you have, KUENTALIBROS is looking forward to hearing from you. Be brave, and record your recommendation, in English, of course! It doesn't matter if it is a videoclip or an audio file, anything goes!
Just send it to kuentalibros@gmail.com and it'll be published sonner than you expect.