domingo, 12 de dezembro de 2010

Santa Claus is coming to town...

Listen to the song carefully and fill in the gaps with the missing words.
Then correct the exercise by checking the lyrics in the video.
Identify the verb tense that you had to use and... have fun!!!!!!


You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'________ you why
Santa Claus ____________ to town
He'____________ a list
And checking it twice;
Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you'______________
He knows when you're awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'_______________ you why
Santa Claus ________________ to town
Santa Claus is coming to town


Christmas

Christmas is Britain's most popular holiday and is characterized by traditions which date back hundreds of years. Many Christmas customs which originated in Britain have been adopted in the United States.
The first ever Christmas card was posted in England in the 1840s, and the practice soon became an established part of the build-up to Christmas.
Christmas decorations in general have even earlier origins. The Christmas tree was
 
popularised by Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, who introduced one to the Royal Household in 1840. Since 1947, the country of Norway has presented Britain annually with a large Christmas tree which stands in Trafalgar Square in commemoration of Anglo-Norwegian cooperation during the Second World War.
Carols are often sung on Christmas Eve by groups of singers to their neighbours, and children hang a stocking on the fireplace or at the foot of their bed for Santa Claus (also named Father Christmas) to fill. Presents for the family are placed beneath the Christmas tree.
Christmas Day sees the opening of presents and many families attend Christmas services at church. Christmas dinner consists traditionally of a roast turkey, goose or chicken with stuffing and roast potatoes. This is followed by mince pies and Christmas pudding flaming with brandy, which might contain coins or lucky charms for children. (The pudding is usually prepared weeks beforehand and is customarily stirred by each member of the family as a wish is made.)
The pulling of Christmas crackers often accompanies food on Christmas Day. Invented by a London baker in 1846, a cracker is a brightly coloured paper tube, twisted at both ends, which contains a party hat, riddle and toy or other trinket. When it is pulled by two people it gives out a crack as its contents are dispersed.
Another traditional feature of Christmas afternoon is the Queen's Christmas Message to the nation, broadcast on radio and television.
The day after Christmas is known in Britain as Boxing Day, which takes its name from a former custom of giving a Christmas Box - a gift of money or food inside a box - to the deliverymen and tradespeople who called regularly during the year. This tradition survives in the custom of tipping the milkman, postman, dustmen and other callers of good service at Christmas time.

 

domingo, 21 de novembro de 2010

School Routine

Listen to the text very carefully.
Then take it as an example and write or record your own text about a day at your school!
To make it easier to you, you should listen to the text more than once!


domingo, 31 de outubro de 2010

HALLOWEEN

Halloween Traditions & Customs
Bonfires
In northern Ireland, it was customary for Druids to perform ritualistic ceremonies and make sacrifices to pacify their gods. The Celts would bring wood and start their Samhain bonfire or, fire festival, on the hilltop. Often, they would throw the bones of slaughtered cattle into the flames.
The word "bonfire" is said to be derived from such "bone fires."  Bonfires and sacrifices guaranteed that the sun would burn brightly after a long, dreary winter. It's common to witness hundreds of traditional bonfires in Ireland every year on Halloween Night.

Costumes
Halloween costumes originated from the Celts when they lit huge bonfires and celebrated Samhain by dressing up in elaborate animal skins and heads to disguise themselves as spirits and demons so that the real ones couldn't distinguish them as being human. Their ceremonies consisted of dancing, telling stories, and reading fortunes.
Jack 'O Lanterns
The traditions of carving jack 'o lanterns originates with the Celts. A miserable man named Jack, tricked the devil. Unable to enter heaven or hell after his death, he was destined to roam the earth listlessly. Jack placed a piece of coal into a carved-out turnip and used it as a lantern to keep the evil spirits away. Today, pumpkins (which are easier to cut) are carved into jack-o-lanterns, lit and placed outside of doorways for the same purpose.

Trick or Treating
The custom of trick or treating evolved in Ireland, centuries ago. In preparation for All Hollow's Eve, the poor would call upon the rich folks and request money, gifts and food. The food was gathered for a huge feast and celebration.




London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and one of the most famous cities in the world.
Let's walk around...
 
London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom.
London is a leading global city, with its strengths in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transport all contributing to its prominence. It is the world's largest financial centre alongside New York and it is the most visited city in the world.  London's five international airports make its airspace the busiest of any urban centre worldwide In 2012 London will become the first city to host the Summer Olympics three times.
London has a diverse range of peoples, cultures and religions, and more than 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries. In July 2007 it had an official population of 7,556,900 within the boundaries of Greater London.
London contains four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London; the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; the site comprising the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret's Church; and the historic settlement of Greenwich (in which the Royal Observatory marks the Greenwich Meridian (0° longitude) and GMT). Other famous landmarks include Buckingham Palace, the Lloyd's building, the London Eye, Nelson's Column, Piccadilly Circus, St Paul's Cathedral and Tower Bridge. London is home to numerous museums, galleries, libraries and other cultural institutions including the British Library, British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern and the Victoria and Albert Museum. London's Chinatown is the largest in Europe. The London Underground network is the oldest underground railway network in the world and the most extensive after the Shanghai Metro.

quinta-feira, 21 de outubro de 2010

INTRODUCING THE PRESENT PERFECT

BONFIRE NIGHT/ GUY FAWKES NIGHT

BONFIRE NIGHT/ GUY FAWKES NIGHT
5th November

Gunpowder, Treason and Plot

Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated throughout the UK and some British colonies on 5th November. It marks the downfall of the Gunpowder Plot of 5th November 1605 in which Catholic conspirators including Guy Fawkes were alleged to be plotting to blow up the Houses of Parliament to unseat the government of the day. Today celebrations include fireworks and the building of bonfires, often topped with a "guy" traditonally made by children and burnt. Before the night children often go  door to door around the neighbourhood requesting "a penny for the guy". 

Bonfires and Fireworks

Naturally the central feature of any Bonfire Night celebrations is likely to be a bonfire and associated fireworks. If a pub has a large external area one might be lucky enough to host a bonfire and organised firework display - alternatively one may be able to cater for customers returning from an organised display nearby.

Bonfire Night Food

No traditional Bonfire Night would be complete without the obligatory pork pie and mushy peas, or jacket potatoes. Also toffee apples and cinder toffee are traditional treats. Most customers will be only too happy to pay a little extra for some traditional Guy Fawkes Night fare while standing in the cold watching the fireworks display and bonfire.

domingo, 17 de outubro de 2010

Hoje...

Hoje...

Às 17h47 nasceu o blogue Around the world...
Após os primeiros testes, tudo aponta para que tenha uma longa vida.
A "mãe" permite desde já que seja visitado...
Não tenham problemas, podem comunicar em Português, Inglês ou qualquer outra língua. Afinal estamos no reino de Around the world...

Até já...