A little love

The so long-awaited John Lewis Christmas commercial is here! The Christmas spot released every year before Christmas by this important retail company is very popular in the United Kingdom. Its popularity is almost as much as our most long-awaited commercial: the Loteria de Navidad one. 

Here it is... Click the following link and enjoy! 

John Lewis Christmas commercial 2020

Lyrics: 

A little love (by Celeste)

Of all the things to be, I choose the kindness
And if you gave some to me
I think we'd find ourselves here dancing in the street

[Pre-Chorus]
Everyone we meet would smile a little daydream
It could be amazing
Wouldn't it be wonderful if everybody gave a little love?

[Chorus]
Happiness, nothing better in this world to get than happiness
If I give this gift to you, wouldn't everybody get a little love?
gift to you, wouldn't everybody get a little love?

Love, love

 

A Lame Duck

Last Saturday, watching the news about the recent elections in The U.S.A, I heard an expression that I had never heard before. This expression is used in daily English but it is also used specifically in Politics to talk about periods of transition between two presidents. Here are the definitions:

• A lame duck: someone who is not successful and needs a lot of help and support

• a lame-duck leader or parliament:  is one that is not powerful

• A lame duck session:

when one Congress meets after its sucesor is elected, but before the sucesor’s term begins
During their “lame-duck” session starting this week, lawmakers will have little time to draft another continuing resolution to cover funding U.S. agencies and military operations.

So, the time between last Saturday and January 20th (Presidential Inauguration Day) is known as: a lame duck period. 

Living in Quarantine

 Living in Quarantine 

Quarantine: 

a period, originally 40 days, during which a person or animal is kept apart from others to ensure that any disease he, she, or it may have will not be spread. 

Pronunciation:  /ˈkwɒrəntiːn/

• Lay low: to do nothing until the right opportunity develops
• Shut down: closed (usually permanently) 
• Shelter in place:to stay where you are, because of some danger
• Stock up on: to fill a place with things that you will need
• A wave:a movement of the hand, as in greeting
• Get on someone's nerves: to make someone feel annoyed or nervous
• Flatten the curve: to cause something to increase more slowly
• Shelter: to find a safe place:

A little bottle of water

Here's the phonetic transcription:

UK: /

ə/ 

ˈlɪt^əl ˈbɒt^əl ˈɒv / v ˈwɔːtə^r    

USA:  /ə/ ˈlɪtəl (lit'l) ˈbɑtəl (bot'l) ˈɒv / əv wot tər

Here's some more information about the difference between British English and American and Australian English: 

British, American and Australian English

Some other differences: 

AUSTRALIAN ENGLISH:

Aussies are known for being great surfers.
She’s one hundred percent Aussie.
My mate and I went to the movies last weekend.
Your mate is really fun; we should hang out with him again.
If someone greats you with “g’day” a common response is, “not bad” or “great.”
Crikey! Did you see the size of that spider?
Streuth! You were almost hit by a car?!
A common response to “how ya going” would be “alright, how’re you?”, “alright, thanks”, “good, but…” or “not bad, thanks”
She’s as dinky die as you get.
I finally did it mate! Fair dinkum.
She’s Chinese and he’s true blue Aussie.

BRITISH ENGLISH:
That meal was bloody delicious!
The movie was bloody awful.
That’s rubbish!
I talked to my boss today and she agreed that my salary is pure rubbish. She said she’d give me a raise starting next week.
This is a lovely cup of coffee.
He was a lovely young man, wasn’t he?
I was so pissed last night that I couldn’t even walk in a straight line.
After only a few drinks he was pissed.
When I was a kid I had a bike that was bodged together.
We need to get this report right; we can’t take a chance on bodging it. 
If someone is excited about taking a vacation to a new place you could say “they’re chuffed to bits about traveling to Cuba.”
Katie gave her a cheeky grin.
The boy was cheeky with his mum (“mum” is used in Britain and Australia and “mom” is used in the United States).

AMERICAN ENGLISH:
A common response would be, “I’m good”, “I’m okay” or “I’m not doing so great.”
If you’re making plans with someone they may say, “I’ll pick you up at 8 o’clock, okay?” and you could respond, “Cool, see you then.”
Someone may ask, “What’d you think of the movie?” and you could reply, “It was awesome!” 
I really want to buy that coat, but it costs an arm and a leg.
OMG, did you see how big that pizza was?!
Oh my gosh, I haven’t seen you in so long!
Someone may ask, “Where do you want to hang out?” and you could respond, “let’s hang out at your place. My roommates are watching the soccer game today” (people from the United States use the term “soccer” and the British and Australians say “football”).
“I just hung out and relaxed at my house all weekend.”
We’re just chilling out at my place. You’re welcome to come over if you want
(if someone tells you to “chill out” they’re telling you to not overact about a situation or get too stressed about something small).
The concert was a blast!
I had so much fun hanging out with him. He was such a blast!

 “Aussie” refers to someone who’s Australian. 
“Mate” means friend (“mate” is also used in British English).
“G’day” (pronounced “geh-day”) means “hello” or “how’re you?”
“Crikey!” or “Streuth!” (pronounced “krai-kee” and “strooth”) are both exclamations of bewilderment, shock or surprise.
“How ya going?” means “how’re you?” 
“Fair dinkum” or “dinky die” are both used to say something is true.
“True Blue” is a way to say “the real thing.” Originally it meant to be patriotic, but today it means genuine or authentically Australian.
“Bloody” means “very.” This is a great way to show emphasis when you’re speaking.
“Rubbish” literally means “garbage” or “trash.” If you don’t like something this is the perfect word to use to say it’s worthless or untrue.
“Lovely” is a common British word to use if you want to express affection or approval for someone or something (commonly used amongst the older generation; specifically women). 
“Pissed” means someone has drank a large amount of alcohol and is intoxicated or drunk (not to be confused with American English which uses this word to say someone is extremely angry or irritated).
“Bodge” is a word used to say that a repair job is of a low-quality or is not done well. 
“Chuffed to bits” is a common way in Britain to say you’re very pleased with someone or something. 
“Cheeky” means playful or mischievous. 
“You alright?” or “alright?” is a common way to say “hello!” in Britain. You can simply respond by nodding your head or saying “Hi.” This sounds like a question, but it’s simply a greeting.
“Fancy a cuppa’?” means “would you like a cup of tea?” As many people already know, tea is a huge part of British culture and it’s very common to be offered a cup of tea if you visit a British friend. 
“How’s it going?” or “what’s up?” is a common way for people from the United States to ask “how’re you?” or “how’re you doing?” 
“Awesome” or “cool” are popular ways to express that you think someone or something is amazing or wonderful.
“Costs an arm and a leg” means that something is really expensive. 
“Oh my God”, “oh my gosh” or “OMG” are all ways to emphasize surprise or shock.
“Hang out” is a way to talk about spending time at a certain place or with someone. 
“Chill out” means to relax. 
“Have a blast” is a way to say that someone or something is fun. 

• • 
    

Samuel L. Jackson addresses D. Trump

Samuel L. Jackson has a message for Donald Trump in 15 languages. 

Here is some other ways of sending the same message in English: 

• Bugger off!
• Piss off! 
• Go to hell! 
• Get lost! 
• Go to Blazes!
• Go jump in a lake! 
• Kiss my ass! 

Chris Hemsworth has a message for you

·      To crush at something: To succeed at something in a particularly impressive way. Often used in the past tense. Her presentation for the CEO went really well. She totally crushed it! 

·      Pursue: Try to attain. Melanie is pursuing a career in medicine.

·      To take something by storm: to attack and conquer, be a sudden success

·      To brag about: to talk boastfully (with pride)

El Pais News  

Bilbao: best European City

Hello all!

Bilbao, my hometown has just been chosen as the best European city in 2018 by the academy of Urbanism.

Here you can read the news:

https://aboutbasquecountry.eus/en/2017/11/08/bilbao-chosen-as-the-2018-best-european-city-by-the-academy-of-urbanism/

Have you been to Bilbao yet? If the answer is no, what are you waiting for?

Haka: the All Blacks ritual dance

What is Haka?

If you really want to know, watch the video below:



Still want to find out more?

Here you are...

If you want to find some questions about the video to answer, please visit my padlet on:
https://padlet.com/Mr_Miller (Speak Out Unit 1)

Thank you!

I´m back!

Hello everyone!

I´m back! Before writing anything else, I would like to take this chance  to wish a warm welcome to all my students of NA1 at the Official School of Languages. I really hope you have a great course and your motivation and wish to learn continue throughout the whole academic year.

Now, very important news for my students and for everyone else. I have created a network of padlets where you´ll be able to follow the contents of the course and find many more extra material and resources. You can access my padlets on this link:

https://padlet.com/Mr_Miller

I really hope you find this tool useful and make the most of it.

This is all for now but... watch the space!

A few words about what happened in Orlando

Good afternoon! 

Sadly, a few days ago we all heard about what happened in Orlando. When I first heard the news I wondered: 'What's going on?' 'Why is the world so screwed up' (1)? A few days later, a host from a popular talk show in the US answered my question. Here are his words: 

Very interesting thoughts and very wise words. Now that you have watched the video, try listening to it again while reading the script at the same time. Here is the transcription of his words: 

"Like you, I am sickened (2) to the news that early yesterday a terrorist killed 49 people and wounded 53 more in Orlando, in the most deadly shooting in American history. Naturally, we each ask ourselves 'what can we possibly say in the face of this horror?'"

But then suddenly you realise you know what to say because it´s been said too many times before. You´ve got a pretty good idea of what most people are gonna say. You know what a president whoever it is will probably say. You know what both sides of the political Iowa say. You know what gun manufacturers will say. Even me with a silly show like this. You have some idea of what I will say. Because even I’ve talked about this when it’s happened before. 

It’s as if there’s a national script that we have learnt and I think by accepting the script, we tacitly accept that the script will end the same way every time,  with nothing changing except for the loved ones and the families of the victims for whom nothing will ever be the same. It's easy, it’s almost tempting to be paralyzed by such a monstrously hateful act. To despair (3) and that’s the way the world is now.  I don’t know what to do but I do know that despair is a victory for hate. Hate wants us to be too weak to change anything. Now, these people in Orlando were apparently targeted (4) because of who they loved and there have been outpourings (5) of love throughout the country and around the world. Love in response to hate. 

Love does not despair. Love makes us strong. Love gives us the courage to act. Love gives us hope that change is possible. Love allows us to change the script. So love your country, love your family, love the families and the victims and the people of Orlando, but let´s remember that 'love' is a verb and to love means to do something" 

Stephen Colbert. 

Finally, here is a glossary of words or expressions that you may find more difficult to understand: 

• Screw up (slang): if something is 'screwed up' is spoilt or ruined (in a very bad state or condition)
• Sickened (adj): if someone feels 'sickened', he feels disgusted, very sad and annoyed about something.
• Despair(n): lose of hope
• Targeted (v): if someone or something is 'targeted' he or she is identified as a target (objective, goal)
• Outpouring (n): expression of grief or sympathy
  

That´s all for now. I hope you have enjoyed the speech as much as I did. Have a great day!

Jodie was scared of Hopkins!

Good Morning!

Here is another of my favourite actresses' video where she talks about her relationship with a fellow actor in one of her most important films.

Let's hope you don't find it too scary!

Now, read the glossary and watch the video again:

• A read through (n): the very first rehearsal of a play or movie. 

•  Petrified (adj): very scared  or frightened.

• Glass partition: glass dividing wall 

•  Screwed in (v): locked up in a place (with the use of screws)

• Deliver his lines (v): say his text (used in plays or films) 

•  Cocking technique (n): from the verb 'cock' meaning 'tilt' or 'incline'. 

Now, have you seen 'The Silence of the lambs'? Did you like it?

Bye for now!

EU Referendum. What do expats living in Marbella think about it?

Good morning readers!

Less than a month for the EU referendum in the United Kingdom. Exit or stay in? We constinously hear opinions from people living in there but what do expats think? Well, quite interesting opinions I should say... Watch the following video and learn...!
Happy Monday!

• 'Expats': expatriate. Someone living in a different country to the one he/she is from.
• Many jobs have 'come to migrants': Many jobs have been given to people who came from other countries to work (migrants)
• 'Sky-rocketing (prices)': prices that have been increased suddenly, in a short period of time
• Travell agents 'dispute' this: argue about, argue against this.
• 'To be better off': to be more fortunate, in better circumstances
• 'Is the sun about to set?': metaphorical, is happiness for expats about to be affected by the EU referendum result?

Columbus top attractions

Hey readers... Check this out... Columbus, Ohio!

What do you think? Feeling like travelling to Columbus? Have a look at some of the vocabulary / expressions used in the video:

• 'The capital of the Buckeye State' : The Buckeye Statet is how Ohio is popularly nicknamed. 'Buckeye' is a type of a tree, typical of the State.  
• Buzzing night life: busy, noisy, lively night life. 
• is a Landmark in the city: and important building

See you in Columbus! 

Today, I am going to share with you another of my favourite film scenes. It is a very revealing scene from 'Dead Poets Society' where Tod, a shy and quite naive boy, is challenged to create a poem by his teacher. Tod would have never thought he was able to create a poem. However, Mr Keating's (performed by a wonderful Robin Williams at his best,  R.I.P.) arrival changed his life.
Beautiful scene! I hope you like it!

Glossary:

• 'put you out of your misery': to get you out of your misery (release, liberate)
• 'Yawp': loud cry or yell. 
• 'mumbling': to speak or to say something in a soft manner that is difficult to understand

Guiding Hands

What do you think of this video? Fiction or reality?
The true is that more and more people walk while texting and looking at their smartphones everyday. Maybe a funny video or maybe a video to think about...

Have a nice week!

The Gold of Paris

Hi blog readers! 

Translated by: Dani Miller, Judi Cunliffe and Michael García

Today, I am going to write about a book titled: 'The Gold of Paris' which was written by Antonio Nieto Díaz in order to raise money for AdELA. AdELA is a charity that helps patients of ALS (Amiotrophic Lateral Syndrome) raising money for the needs caused by the disease. AdELA not only uses the money collected to buy medical equipment but also offers physiotherapy treatments and psychological support for patients and their relatives.

The Gold of Paris was first written in Spanish under the title: 'El Oro de París' and shortly after being published was translated into several other languages: German, Italian, Catalan, Galitian and English. The English version was translated by me with the invaluable assistance of two native speakers: Judi and Michael. Translating the book from Spanish to English was a long and difficult task but the reason was well worth the effort. 

A few months after 'The God of Paris' was born, it was presented and sold at the yearly 'Book Fair' in The Retiro Park and I had the enormous pleasure of assisting to one of the 'signature days' in the AdELA stand and I even signed some copies myself!

Now, almost a year later, the book is going to be shown tomorrow at one of the 'Friday's Breakfast' that the Official Language School where I work usually organises and this makes me feel very proud again,  not only as a translator, but also as the son of someone who passed away because of ALS.

I really hope you like the book and you enjoy it even more thinking of the reason why the book was written.

Here is a link where you can enjoy the first chapter: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2007JPM4NSJWWljQXRqdXg2QTA/view?usp=sharing

And here is the link where you can buy the book: 

http://adelaweb.org/nos-ayudan/tienda-adela

Thank you for keeping on reading this blog and for your support. 
 

God Save The Queen!

Hello folks!

Today as you have probably heard is The Queen Elizabeth the II's birthday. She is 90 years old and one of the best sovereigns The United Kingdom has ever had. In order to commemorate her birthday and learn some English along the way, we are going to look at some 'royal idioms'. There are 10 idioms in the picture above. However, I am going to highlight five of them, which I consider more relevant, funny or interesting for the learners of English.

•  If someone is a 'Queen Bee', they think that they are the most important person in the group. Queen Bees often like feeling the centre of attention in meetings or parties and they usually get noticed at such events.
• If something is 'Your Crown Jewels'  it means it is your most favourite or most valuable possession. For example, your car or your flat may well be your crown jewels. 
• If someone is a 'Royal Pain' means that he or she is very annoying and often a bad influence. Everyone has a 'friend' or a 'neighbour' who is a royal pain. Don't you? 
• 'Drama Queen' is a popular expression given to people who tend to exaggerate and overreact in certain exciting or dangerous situations. 'Drama Queens' are very popular in TV shows or films and they are often the origin of the comical puns... 
• 'A King's ransom' is a very large amount of money, so large that would be very difficult to get it in a short time. For example, buying a house today would require a king's ransom. Do you agree? 

That's all for now.

I really hope you have liked this especial 'royal idioms' post and have a nice weekend!

Hillary & the New York Subway

Hi guys!

Today I want to show you another funny video and use it to  learn some new expressions and vocabulary.
This time, the video is from Hillary Clinton one of the potential candidates to be the next president of The United States and about her not so successful ride in the most popular subway in the world: The New York Subway. Have a look at the video:

Did you ejoy it? Have you ever been to the New York subway? Did you have any troubles swiping the ticket through? I did!
The first phrasal verb that we notice is 'to get around' (travel from place to place). Then, we read: 'had some troubles making it past the turnstile'. The idiom 'to make it past something' means to get to the other side of something, in this case of the 'turnstile' (a struture that stops passage until a charge is paid or a number of people has passed through). Then we see the number of 'swipes' that Hillary needs to do in order to get to the train platform. 'Swipe' can be a verb or a noun in English. As a verb, 'swipe' means to slide a magnetic card through an electronic device that reads data. As a noun, 'swipe' is the action of that verb. So, the number of swipes that Hillary needs mean the number of times she needs to swipe her ticket.
Finally, the video ends by quoting: 'but don't worry Hillary. Your opponent still thinks that people use subway tokens'. This line has no other meaning than adding a comic effect to the clip by making reference to Bernie Sander´s old age since the New York Subway users used to have to buy tokens to ride the subway from 1953 to 2003.

I really hope you have liked the video and don´t forget to swipe your ticket thoroughly when you visit New York's subway next! Have a good week!

OUGH!

Hello folks!

Today I am going to write about pronunciation. Have you ever noticed that words with same spelling patterns may be pronounced in different ways? Have a look at the following words:

• Bomb , Comb , Tomb , Sombre 

All of these words have the spelling 'omb' but all of them are pronounced in a different way. This is the right pronunciation for each word:

• Bomb /bɒm/
• Comb  /kəʊm/
• Tomb  /tuːm/
• Sombre  /ˈsɒmbə/

Can you think of a similar example? Have a look at the following video: 

Exactly! The words: bough, rough, through and cough are spellt similarly but they are all pronounced differently. This is the phonetic transcription of each word: 

• Bough /baʊ/
• Rough /rʌf/
• Through  /θruː/
• Cough  /kɒf/

So, we could say that the spelling 'ough' has different pronunciations. Here is the full list of pronunciations: 

/ʌf/	enough, hough, rough, slough, tough
/ɒf~ɔːf/	cough, trough
/aʊ/	bough, drought, plough
/oʊ/	dough, furlough, though
/ɔː/	bought, brought, ought, sought, thought, wrought
/uː/	brougham, slough, through
/ə/	borough, thorough
/ʌp/	hiccough
/ɒk/	hough
/ɒx/	lough

No, have you got enough /inʌf/ ? I leave you practising the different sounds. Have a nice week!