Cute and short video

This little baby loves being read to by his parents so much that he cries every time he hears the words "the end." How much of the little story can you understand? Click below for short article on the benefits of reading and cute video clip.CLICK HERE

POLITICAL AD

As those of you who were my students at the CSIM last year know, I retired at the end of January of this year. But I feel bad about just letting my blog die or not posting any material for the 437 people who I'm pleased to see have still been visiting my blog in the past month - despite only sporadic new material and summer vacation!


I'd like to start reorganizing the blog so that all posts are labeled and repetitions deleted. But for now I at least want to post short easy video clips with some written words or subtitles.
The following is a political ad by a progressive Democratic politician who's running for senator. It's a bit populist but because of that, the vocabulary is very predictable! What things he says are similar to Spanish politicians? What's different?
A little vocabulary help:
funds= fondos
lawsuit = pleito judicial
bill= decreto ley
For the 7-minute clip click here: Naturally, ignore the request for $$!   https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/graysonforussenate?refcode=em150825&amount=3&recurring=yes

short simple video clip

short interesting video clip with a valid point about staying healthy and in easy to understand English.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whPuRLil4c0

For nature lovers: about a very special tree

I have been on vacation ,
This is easy to understand, interesting and good review of names of fruits and farming vocab like harvest and graft (injerto.)
Aetical and short video clip:
CLICK HERE

A Wonderful Scene with subtitles

AND A WONDERFUL TRIBUTE TO THE LATE GREAT ROBIN WILLIAMS, whose first anniversary of his death is coming up in a few weeks.

QUESTIONS AND LISTENING EXERCISE

View the scene: CLICK HERE

Now answer the questions and do the listening exercise.

1. What are the key words of the title of the poem that Keating asks one boy to read?  Why does he say that this poem is appropriate for the boys?

2.      What is the Latin term for the theme of this poem?  What is its meaning in English?  Do you remember any of the words of the poem?

3.  Who are the boys in the photograph and when did they attend Hilton, the exclusive private boarding school of the film?  According to Keating, in what ways are these boys like his present students?

4.      While looking at the pictures of the old alumni, Keating comments that these boys are now “fertilizing daffodils.”  What do you think a “daffodil” is?  What is the meaning of this phrase?  Is there a similar expression in Spanish?

5.      What reaction would you have had to Keating’s class?   Would a teacher like Keating have had problems in the high school you attended?  Why or why not?

6.       What different reactions did the boys have to the class?

7.      What are some of the “weird” things that Keating did during the class?  What dramatic devices or tricks did he use to get the boys’ attention?

8.     Do you think that a good teacher is always a bit of an actor?  What adjectives would you use to describe Keating’s teaching style?  Are these the qualities you value most in a teacher or are there others you value as much or more?

 

DEAD POETS’ SOCIETY --- Sentences. Look up any words you don’t know in these sentences. Then number them in the order you hear them.

“If you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you.  Go on.  Lean in...”

“Cause we are food for worms, lad.”

“Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.”

“The world was their oyster:  they believe they are destined for great things, just like many of you.”

Easy to understand video clip in English

The subject isn't a very happy one, but it's plausible, unfortunately, and the dialog is simple and colloquial with short sentences and exchanges. CLICK HERE

Jon Stewart and Barack Obama

last interview between Jon Stewart and Obama, Stewart is going to leave the program soon and it's Obama's last year as president: not difficult.
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/22/obama-on-the-daily-show-executive-order-jon-stewart-cannot-leave