Human speeches

 

Last week I came across with these HUMAN stories and I think they are worthwhile listening to them.

 

Francine's interview - FRANCE - #HUMAN

 

I was so captivated by these human speeches that I decided to use them in my blog with the intention of making my students conscious of what is really important in life and how people can be really influenced by real human stories apart from Tiktokers or Youtubers or whatever we have in social media.

 

Listening to these ordinary people you will discover how differently many people surrounding us behave. People who are supposedly our leaders and who have the power in their hands, with thousands of supporters or followers. It is up to us to decide who deserves our attention and interest.

 

Road towards success in the new PAU (Selectivity exam)

 

Some revision exercises:

8. Fill in the blanks with SO, SUCH or SUCH A,and then put the verb in brackets in the correct tense :

1. The apples were ________ good ones that we (EAT) ________ them all.

2. I had ________ many things to do that I (SLEEP) ________ in my office.

3. It was ________ rainy day that I (NOT GO OUT) __________ .

4. George was ________ liar that we (PAY) ________ no attention to his words.

How would you rephrase these sentences?

 

9. RELATIVE CLAUSES . Insert the second clauses into the first ones :

1. The milkman comes at ten o'clock every day.He got married last week.

2. I went to that supermarket.Your sister works there.

3. Mr Smith works with that man.I saw that man at your house.

4. She works with John.His sister is my neighbour.

5. I've just bought a horse.It won theGrand National eight months ago.

 

10. Put the following sentences into Indirect Speech :

1. "I'm going out now, but I'll be here by nine", he said.

2. "Who has been using my typewriter", my mother asked me.

3. "Do you want me to study this lesson?", the student asked the teacher.

4. "Don't come next Tuesday, please!", we told her.

5. "I'm leaving tomorrow, because my parents and yours will arrive this evening", she told you.

 

11. Put the following sentences into the ACTIVE VOICE :

1. His name was called out. ______________________________

2. The message had not been delivered. ____________________

3. Some songs will be sung. _____________________________

 

 

As you know, I'm very keen on music, but honestly I don't like the Eurovision contest at all. Actually, I haven't seen it for years and, apart from the music style,  I believe it is a fake musical contest. Again this year the event is said to have been a complete masquerade. Here are some articles for you to read about the issue:

Eurovision 2025: Austria wins with last-minute vote, as the UK comes 19th (BBC News)

Eurovision winner did not take cocaine (DW)

Fraud at Eurovision? 'Irregular' jury points from six countries had to be recalculated (The Brussels Times)

Eurovision song contest: Fears over text voting system (The Guardian)

 

 

And remember the case of Spain some years ago with Chikilicuatre, who we had one of the best results in the latest years with:

Your thoughts on Chikilicuatre - Baila El Chiki Chiki (Spain 2008)

 

Here are some more activities to make my students stronger:

• Prepositions with Georgie:   Prepositions of MOVEMENT  (BBC Learning English)  
  

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  English in a MINUTE: Verbs to use with TRIP  (BBC Learning English)  

• Listening exercise for you to do: Which cooking oil is the best?  (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English) 
  

• Learn English from the News:   Weight-loss drugs reduce cancer risk, study finds  (BBC Learning English) 

 

 

English with Lucy sets a grammar test for us!!!

 

 

Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer - Roland Garros 2011 - Full match , Men's Final.             

 

 

"All work and no play makes Jack/Jill a dull boy/girl"

Learn English with Troy  - Epic movie with Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom   

 

 

 

 

 Rome 2025 -  Semi-finals  and final between Álcaraz vs Sinner   

 

 

 

 

Speechless

What can leave you speechless? First of all, let's start by looking up its meaning. Obviously, 'speechless' comes from the word 'speech', to which you add the suffix '-less'. What is the verb this noun comes from? What is the opposite suffix to '-less'? Can you give some more examples.

The word 'speechless' may also remind you of something we learn in English classes and that is: REPORTED SPEECH, which will shortly see in class. Why is it called 'reported speech' and what is the opposite?

Let's go back to our initial question: What can leave you speechless? A speech, a song... an advance in technology. You will find some of these below, but let me know any other things that can leave you speechless.

For a start, here I present you the song Speechless by Michael Jackson  >>>

And here's another one by Robin Schulz.

You've also got the brand new TV series called SPEECHLESS (presentation on ABC TV). By the way, can you remember a most famous person who also suffered from cerebral palsy? Click here and please watch his inspirational speech: IT CAN BE DONE.

Denzel Washington's speech will leave you speechless - One of the most eye opening speeches ever.

Episode 3: USED TO & WOULD in our series of BBC Learning English: The Grammar Gameshow, where you can test your knowledge of grammar.

 

You may have some doubts when to use Don't mind vs Doesn't matter , have a look at this episode of English in a minute (BBC Learning English). 

 

 

Do you like music? I hope you do. Have you ever heard of a group called Bee Gees? Here's an interesting video about their musical evolution: "Bee Gees - Musical Evolution (1960-2016)" 

  

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 190213 / 13 February 2019    >>>  3D  printing human anatomy -  Language related to 'human biology'.  Need-to-know language: anatomy, organs, abdomen & cadavers.