Some of you may be studying at our English school in Cape Town, and I'm sure you've become fascinated by the country's history.
I want to spend a lot of my summer in the garden. Here's a description of my grandparents garden. Can you complete the gaps with the missing garden related vocabulary? Good luck!
Bonus question: What do people in America call a garden?
Lesson by Caroline
I woke up at eight this morning, wandered into the kitchen and made myself a cup of coffee. While waiting for the kettle to boil, I put together a plate of fresh Gozo cheese and tomatoes, and a handful of basil crackers. I sat on the terrace crunching away happily, and when the plate was empty I alternated between sips of coffee and drags on a cigarette until there were no more sips to sip or drags to drag.
England has been a united country since the eleventh century. Before that, several groups of people had invaded the British Isles. Between 700 and 400 BC, the Celts came to Britain from modern Belgium. There had been people in the British Isles before the Celts, but we don't know much about them. The Celts were farmers and traders and they had settled all over Europe from the Black Sea to Spain.
Here's a reading exercise to help you remember the names of some of the most celebrated holidays in the UK.
Match each holiday to its description below. Which is your favourite holiday? I absolutely love Christmas, especially in London when everyone becomes a bit happier, but I also really enjoy Pancake day!
Lesson by Caroline
Today, after a month of working 14 hour days as Director of Studies for a school, I am desperate to get away! Although I'm not a fan of long, uncomfortable coach journeys, Paris for a pound sounds good right now. I thought this article might also be of interest to some of our students studying in the UK at the moment. Read through the article and fill the gaps with the missing words. I've written the meanings of the words to help you out. Right...who's off to Paris with me?
By Caroline Devane
Read this story and answer the comprehension questions below:
A man had two daughters, one was married to a gardener, and the other to a tile maker. After a time he went to the daughter who had married the gardener and enquired how she was and how all things went with her. She said, "All things are prospering with me, and I have only one wish, that there may be a heavy fall of rain, in order that the plants may be well watered."
As far as months go, this one has not been brilliant. I'm not sure whether it's just me, or the month of May in particular, or perhaps a combination of the two, but either way, it could have been a lot better, a lot shorter, and a lot less tiring. And, while we're at it, a lot less windy.
Twiggy is one of the most famous British UK supermodels. Now in her sixties, she has achieved iconic status. Here is an interview with her that appeared in UK newspaper The Guardian earlier this year. All you need to do is match the interviewer's questions with her answers.
I bet all our students in the UK are enjoying the beautiful weather we've been having. Hopefully, the sunshine will stay around for a while, so why not take your books outside and go and study in one of our parks or at the seaside? Not only will you feel happier, you’ll also be healthier! Read this article about the benefits of time in the sun and try to complete the gaps with the missing words. Enjoy!
Lesson by Caroline
