Ready For IELTS Unit 2 Technology - Now and Then

Speaking
ESL Discussions.com - Conversation Questions on Technology (Sean Banville) (link)

IELTS Speaking Part Two tasks about technology TEFLTASTIC (Link)

IELTS Speaking Test - Technology (link)

Online Grammar games
Present perfect vs past tenses rally (link)

Past Simple Tense vs Present Perfect Tense- Spin the Wheel Game Pactice differentiating past simple from present perfect by answering the questions the arrow drops you on (link)

Vocabulary online (Phrasal Verbs) English Phrasal Verbs Quiz, Match Phrasal Verbs to Similar Verbs (link)

Breakingnews English:
*People use technology more, sleep less (link)
*Internet Addiction – A Growing Problem (link)
*Technology goods to become cheaper (link)

Writing: 7 Types of Task 2 questions for IELTS (link)
Technology Questions from IELTS Liz (link)

TechnoPop: The Secret History of Technology and Pop Music (link)

Writing Task 1
Letter (general) (link)
IELTS Letter Writing / GT Writing Task 1:
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You want to sell your television. You think a friend of yours might like to buy it from you.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter explain
*Why you are selling the television
*Describe the television
*Suggest a date when your friend can come and see it
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write and addresses.

Academic Task 1 (link)
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
*The graphs show enrolment in different colleges in the Higher Colleges of Technology in 1999.
Write a total of 150 - 200 words about the information in the three graphs.
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information given.
You should write at least 150 words.



Writing Task 2:
IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem and Solution Essay Lesson (link)

The Road Less Traveled? Not Since Waze Came To Los Angeles (link)

Kevin Kelly: How technology evolves | TED Talk (link) Tech enthusiast Kevin Kelly asks "What does technology want?" and discovers that its movement toward ubiquity and complexity is much like the evolution of life.



David Pogue: 10 top time-saving tech tips | TED Talk (link)Tech columnist David Pogue shares 10 simple, clever tips for computer, web, smartphone and camera users. And yes, you may know a few of these already — but there's probably at least one you don't.

Sugata Mitra: The child-driven education | TED Talk (link) Education scientist Sugata Mitra tackles one of the greatest problems of education — the best teachers and schools don't exist where they're needed most. In a series of real-life experiments from New Delhi to South Africa to Italy, he gave kids self-supervised access to the web and saw results that could revolutionize how we think about teaching.

Tuesday, 5 July 2016 TOXIC TICKS (link)

Unit 14 Money and Happiness

IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.

IELTS Mentor (link)
Describe a happy event of your life
You should say:
*When it happened
*Where it happened
*What it was
and explain why this event is a happy event in your life.

Follow-up Questions:
• What do you think is important in achieving happiness?
• How do you celebrate some happy events?
• What do the camera and video play in celebrating?

Breakingnews English:
*Money makes you a bad person (link)
*Money can buy happiness (link)
*Study shows money makes us worry (link)
*Australians are the happiest people in the world (link)

Money Discussion Questions (link) Pair work from ESL Discussions.com







Can Money Buy You Happiness?




Check out my lesson for the NPR listening above: Lesson

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6HKvrbcVsKyTlVBQ1JuSkhZZUE/view?usp=sharing

IELTS Writing Task 1 (General) Letter (Link to IELTS Exam.net)
You have had a bank account for a few years. Recently you received a letter from the bank stating that your account is $240 overdrawn and that you will he charged $70, which will he taken directly from your account. You know that this information is incorrect.

Write a letter to the bank. Explain what has happened and say what you would like them to do about it.
You should write at least 150 words.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You do NOT need to write your own address.
Letter Writing Tips from IELTS Liz: 10 Essential Tips (link)

IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic): Pie Charts
Lesson on IELTS Buddy ~ Describing an IELTS Pie Chart (Link)

IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Happiness is considered very important in life. Why is it difficult to define? What factors are important in achieving happiness?
You should give reasons for your answer using your own ideas and experience.

Grammar: SENTENCE STRUCTURE: SUBSTITUTION AND ELLIPSIS Online Activity (link)
One feature of extended discourse is that we generally avoid repetition by the use of ellipsis (omission) or substitution.
*SUBSTITUTION (link)
*ELLIPSIS (link)

Slideshow on Substitution and Ellipsis (link)
From Slideshare made by Ana Enriquez Sanchez (link to source)

Grammar: Cambridge Dictionaries online (link)


Watch Catalyst Episode (link) Tuesday, 14 June 2016 Unboiling an egg

Unit 13 - The Importance of Infrastructure

Cities Discussion Questions (link) Pair work from ESL Discussions.com

Speaking Task 2: Describe an interesting city you know and like
(link) to IELTS Exam Preparation course - Ielts exam.net
Where is it?
How did you go there?
What did you do there?
Explain why you found it so interesting.
Follow-up:
Say something about the tourism development in your country, facility, services and the effect on environment.
What is the importance of travel and tourism industry?
What do you think the function of tourist guides?

Reading: City Vs. Country (link)

Reinventing Infrastructure: How Hard Is It?


Reinventing Infrastructure: How Hard Is It? Lesson Worksheet (link)

Breakingnews English Lessons
*Bicycles outsell cars in most EU countries (link)
*China opens world's longest high-speed railway (link)
*City living makes it harder to concentrate (link)
*London Subway Passengers Stressed Out (link)

TED Talks

Watch Catalyst Episode: Meditation (link)

Writing Task 1 (Academic): Describing a Pie Chart (link to IELTS Advantage)

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample 33 - Compare the advantages and disadvantages of living in the city to living in the country side
Check out essays written by others at: (link)

IELTS Advantage (link to Advantage / Disadvantage essay)

Mexico City: Mega City (6min 13s)


Online IELTS, Vocabulary Test Practice Exercise - Mind & Memory (link)

IELTS Unit 12 Travelling around the World

Breakingnews English
Australia to dump sludge in Great Barrier Reef (4th February, 2014)(Link)
Moon vacations possible by 2024 (link)
Standing Room On Airplanes A Possibility (link)
British TV bans Australian tourism ad (link)
Ecotourism a danger to wildlife (link)


Travel Discussion Questions (link)
Pair work from ESL Discussions.com



Vocabulary For IELTS (Advanced) By Pauline Cullen p. 43-46 Unit 7 On the Move (Tourism, Travel)

Background Reading:
Bhutan: The World's Happiest Country (link)
Is this the happiest country on earth?(link)
Background video:
Youtube
Bhutan - The happiest place on Earth - One Life (link)
Bhutan (Asia) Vacation Travel Video Guide (link)

To Avoid Intestinal Distress While Traveling Overseas, Skip The Ceviche (link)

To Avoid Intestinal Distress While Traveling OverseasLesson Worksheet (Link)

Can You Protect Your Tummy From Traveler's Diarrhea?(link)

The Year In Air Travel: Packed Planes And More Perks — For A Price (link)

Ted Video (link)
Ted Video* A glimpse of life on the road (link)

ABC TV - Catalyst: Tick Allergy Tuesday, 17 February 2015 (link)


Writing Tasks
IELTS-Exam.net
Task 1 (General) Letter: (Link)
You travelled by plane last week and your suitcase was lost.
You have still heard anything from the airline company.
Write to the airline and explain what happened. Describe your suitcase and tell them what was in it. Find out what they are going to do about it.
*You should write at least 150 words.
*You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
*You do NOT need to write your own address.


Task 1 (Academic):
(Link)IELTS Mentor
The table in the link gives information about changes in modes of travel in England between 1985 and 2000. Describe the information in the table and make comparisons where appropriate.

IELTS Mentor (link)
The graph below shows the different modes of transport used to travel to and from work in one European city in 1960, 1980 and 2000.

Writing Task 2
Task 2 - IELTS Mentor (link)Today more people are travelling than ever before. Why is this the case? What are the benefits of travelling for the traveler?

Example essay (link)Today more people are travelling than ever before.Why is this the case?What are the benefits of travelling for the traveler?

Online Video Multiple choice lessons ESOL Courses

Life in the U.K. The City of London: Multiple Choice video quiz (link)

Life in the U.K. The City of Bath: Multiple Choice video quiz (link)

Life in the U.K. The City of Cambridge: Multiple Choice video quiz (link)

IELTS Unit 11: Psychology and Sociology

Speaking Task (Link) describe someone in your family
Where's The 'Village' For Our Youth? (link)
NPR Lesson (link)

Breakingnews English:
*Most divorces due to household chores (link)
*Fatherhood lessons to help families stay together (link)
*Spain legalized same sex marriages (link)

Ted Talks: For Parents, happiness is a very high bar (link)

Joseph Kim: The family I lost in North Korea. And the family I gained. (link)

Writing Task 2: Discuss both view and give your opinion
Some people believe that children should be allowed to stay at home and play until they are six or seven years old. Others believe that it is important for young children to go to school as soon as possible. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
IELTS Advantage for Structure (link)
IELTS Essentials Listening Practise (link)
IELTS Academic Reading practice tests (Link) Task 1
IELTS Letter Writing / GT Writing
Task 1:
You should spend about
20minutes on this task.
You are going to visit New Zealand for an 'English and Homestay' program. You have just received details of your homestay host family.

Write your first letter to the family. In your letter...
Introduce yourself
Ask the family some questions to get information that is important to you
Tell the family about your arrival date and time.
You should write at least 150 words.

http://www.ielts-mentor.com/writing-sample/gt-writing-task-1/1447-general-training-writing-task-1-sample-57-write-your-first-letter-to-the-homestay-host-family

Writing TASK 1: Letter of apology (link)

Worksheet for Letter of apology (link)

Complaints cards (link)

Complaints language (link)

Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Present a written argument to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of the following topic.
Nowadays, families are not as close as in the past and a lot of people have become used to this.
Why is this happening?
Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the drawbacks?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.
You should write at least 250 words.

http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/family-values-essay.html

IELTS Unit 9 What is Beauty? (Architecture)

Ready for IELTS Pp. 116-125
Vocabulary: Adjectives Talking about buildings
Describe physically and how it makes you feel

Breakingnews English:
1. World's tallest building opens in Dubai 2010(link)

2. World's largest building opens in China 2013 (link)

3. Cubans can now build their own homes (link)

Online Interactive Quiz Modal Verbs Jeopardy (link)

Objective IELTS 10.2 Pp. 68-69 Reading: Norman Foster - Architect
Grammar: Infinitives (~ing forms)

Grammar (British Council) -ing forms (link)

Prefixes: Under / Over (link)

Vocabulary to talk about buildings - TEFLTASTIC: (link)

Homes and architecture vocabulary Pictionary (link)

Speaking Task 1:
Practice with these Speaking Part 1 questions: (link)
*Describe your neighbourhood.
*What kind of house do you live in?
*Are there any monuments in your hometown?
*Do you like to visit historical buildings?
*Have you ever visited a famous structure?
*What are the landmarks in your hometown?
Speaking Task 2: Describe a building you like or dislike.

(link to IELTS-Simon.com),
(Link to IELTS Mentor: Describe an unusual building you have visited)


NPR Listening (National Public Radio)
Architecture:
(link)

1. After Decades, A Shanghai Preservationist Heads Home To America (link)


Lesson at (Link)
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6HKvrbcVsKyTklSS1hJVkJvblE
1. After Decades, A Shanghai Preservationist Heads Home To America
2. Words You'll Hear: Gentrification
3. Renowned Iraqi-British Architect Zaha Hadid Dies At 65
4. Encore: Housing Costs Inspire London Builders To Create Underground Mansions
5. Meet The Architect Who Helped Bring Modernism To The Masses
6. This House Is A Work Of Art, So The Owner Is Donating It To A Museum

Writing Task 1 (General) Letter: There is a problem with your accomodation

Writing Task 2 Writing Task 2 Discuss Both Views (+opinion) Essay Lesson (Link) IELTS Advantage Website


Topics: *In the past, buildings often reflected the culture of a society but today all modern buildings look alike and cities throughout the world are becoming more and more similar. What do you think is the reason for this, and is it a good thing or a bad thing? (link)

*Some people feel that the design of newly constructed buildings in big cities should be controlled by governments. Others contest those who finance the construction of a building should be free to design it as they see fit. What is your position? Discuss both sides in your response.(link)

*It is more important for a building to serve its purposes than to look beautiful. Architects do not need to worry about whether it is a real work of art. Do you agree or disagree?

*Modern buildings are appearing in large numbers. Some people believe that we should build our buildings in traditional styles. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

TED Talk How Can Public Spaces Change A City's Character? (link to video)

IELTS Unit 8 The History of Geography

Breakingnews English British Museum has most successful year (link)
Sahara desert twice as old as we thought (link)
Map shows Chinese discovered America (link)

Speaking
ESL Discussions.com
Conversation Questions on Geography (link)

Practise IELTS Speaking Conversation Topics - Geography (link)

Task 2
Describe a historical place that you know about. You should say:
what the place is
where it is located
what is the historical significance of the place
and describe your experience of the place.

Follow-up Questions:
• What do you think of the future trend of historic places?
• Will government strengthen its protection toward historic places?
• What are the changes brought about by the historic place in local economy, people, etc?
• What is the effect of tourists on the place?


Part 3 IELTS Simon (link)
Catalyst (Video): Thursday, 28 February 2013
Measuring Our Coastline (link)

Ready for IELTS Pp. 104-113
Vocabulary:
i. Interchangeable nouns
ii. Verbs related to changes in Maps

Listening: IELTS Section 4 - Migration (gap fill)
Speaking: Section 2 - Describe a place which is special to you.
Reading (Academic): Cartography
i. Complete endings
ii. Fill in table
Writing
Task 1: Maps
Writing Task 2 (Link)
Task 2: Benefits outweigh drawbacks essay

Some people think that all children should learn geography in school. However, some others think that it is more important to learn subjects that are more relevant to life. Do the advantages of learning geography at school outweigh the disadvantages?

Paraphrase question
Thesis - Write what you believe...
Body paragraph 1
Body paragraph 2
Body paragraph 3
Conclusion

Listening
IELTSExam.com - Antartica (link)

Writing Task 1 (General) (link)
Your car is hired from a company and while you are driving on holiday, you have a small accident. You will have to write a report to the company to explain it.
In your letter: You need to explain the following:
» When and where you hired it?
» Describe how the accident happened?
» What kind of action did you take after the accident?

Writing Task 1 (Academic) Maps IELTS Liz Video Tutorial (link)

IELTS: Describing maps By Sam McCarter (Link)

Ready for IELTS



NPR: National Geographic (link) Around The World In ... A Lot Of Steps
Paul Salopek has discovered that the best way to a storyteller is by foot.
Lesson connected to this listening (link)
Contents: Vocabulary / Listening for main ideas / Fill in table from listening /Speaking / Writing: Benefits outweigh Drawbacks
TED Talk
Mapping the future of countries Parag Khanna (link)
Instant IELTS:
* The History of Migration (Academic reading Passage 3)
* Homegrown Maps (Academic reading Passage 3)


Brief History of Cartography and Maps (link to video)

John Green: The nerd's guide to learning everything online (link to video)

Catalyst:
Tuesday, 9 August 2016
ANTARCTIC FOSSILS (link)

Tuesday, 9 August 2016
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS (link)

Content Lesson (passives): The Empire of the Incas (link)

Ready for IELTS Unit 5 The Future

Breaking news English
*Robots smarter than humans by 2029 (link)
*World’s first flying car makes its debut (link)
*Electric car does 0 to 100kph in 2.8 seconds (link)
Speaking:
ESL Discussions.com
Conversation Questions on The Future (link)
IELTS Speaking
Part 1
The future What are your plans for the future?
Are you planning to change your job?
Would you ever consider changing your job?
How might your industry change in the future?
Why are you taking the IELTS test?
IELTS Speaking Part 2: future plans
Describe a future plan which is not related to work or study. You should say
- what the plan is
- when you thought of the plan
- who is involved in the plan
- and say how you think you will achieve the plan.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 Guide (link)


Different ways to talk about the future DC IELTS (link)

Writing Task 1
Letter:
You are going to study in a college in the UK next year. You would like to stay in a college Hall of Residence.
Write a letter to the college giving your accommodation requirements. You should outline what your room and food needs are and also ask what alternatives are available if they cannot provide what you want.

You should write at least 150 words.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You do NOT need to write your own address.

General Writing Sample Task 1 #13 IELTS.net (link)



Academic Writing Task 1: Maps
Link to IELTS Advatage (link)

Worksheet (link)




IELTS Liz Maps: Vocabulary and Sentence Structure with Video (link)

IELTS Liz Maps: Model Writing Task (Map Comparison): (link)

Pictures from The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
Maps Question from IELTS Mentor (link)

Writing Task 2
*Genetic engineering is an important issue in modern society. Some people think that it will improve people's lives in many ways. Others feel that it may be a threat to life on earth. Discuss both opinions and give your opinion?

*Some people believe that robots will play an important role in future societies, while others argue that robots might have negative effects on society. Discuss both views and give your opinion.(link)

*We are becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used in business, hospitals, crime detection and even to fly planes. What things will they be used for in the future? Is this dependence on computers a good thing or should we be more suspicious of their benefits?

*The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by almost 20% in the last ten years. Discuss the causes and effects of this disturbing trend.


NPR: What Predictions From 1984 Came True? (link)


Check out my lesson based on the NPR Lesson above: Lesson

Lesson link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6HKvrbcVsKySTF6QWF6Yk9MalE/view?usp=sharing
NPR Page: http://www.npr.org/2013/09/13/219719902/what-predictions-from-1984-came-true

IELTS Unit 7 The World of Work and Training

Breakingnews English:
Travelling to and from work is work, says EU (link)
Chinese maths teachers to help UK schools (link)
Finland has world's best education system (link)
Speaking:
*ESL Discussions.com Conversation Questions on Work (link)
*iPass IELTS (link)
*IELTS Advantage (link)

Writing Task 1 (general)(link)
You want to apply for the following job. Write a letter to Mr. Moore
*describing your previous experience
*and explaining why you would be suitable for the job.
* Waiter/waitress required for evening work. Some experience necessary.
You should write at least 150 words.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Writing Task 1 (Academic) (link)
The bar chart below shows the results of a survey conducted by a personnel department at a major company. The survey was carried out on two groups of workers: those aged from 18-30 and those aged 45-60, and shows factors affecting their work performance. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below.




IELTS Liz Bar Chart Video (link)



Australia's Unemployment rate (link)

Writing Task 2:
IELTS Liz Questions about Work (link)

*Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their free time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the individual teenager and society as a whole.
Do you agree or disagree?

*The length of the working week does not reflect modern lifestyle needs. It should be substantially reduced to give people more leisure time and time with their families.
How far do you agree with this statement?

IELTS Liz Essay Questions (link)

Vocabulary for IELTS: Striving to Achieve
Complete IELTS: Unit 1 Getting Higher qualifications
NPR Talks: Drawing from an experiment with chickens, entrepreneur Margaret Heffernan explains how our cultural obsession with individual success is threatening our potential for collaboration and productivity. Is The Professional Pecking Order Doing More Harm Than Good? (link) Worksheet (link)



Shawn Achor: The happy secret to better work | TED Talk | We believe we should work hard in order to be happy, but could we be thinking about things backwards? In this fast-moving and very funny talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that, actually, happiness inspires us to be more productive. (link)

TED Talks on working smarter (link)
TED Talks: Changing education Paradigms (link)

Barry Schwartz: The way we think about work is broken - TED.com (Link)

Nigel Marsh: How to make work-life balance work | TED Talk |Work-life balance, says Nigel Marsh, is too important to be left in the hands of your employer. Marsh lays out an ideal day balanced between family time, personal time and productivity — and offers some stirring encouragement to make it happen. (link)


Thursday, 23 October 2014
Open Plan Office (link)


Dateline: “Secret Lives of Call Centre Workers” (link)

IELTS Unit 6 Fruits and Seeds

Breakingnews English:
New Zealand to rid non-native pests by 2050 (Link)
Desert beetles used to get water from air (Link)
Bananas in danger of becoming extinct (Link)
Massive coral reef found in Amazon River (Link)

ESL Discussions.com Conversation Questions on Conservation (link)

Speaking:
IELTS Environment Vocabulary (link)

Writing Task 1: IELTS Mentor
The diagrams below show the life cycle of the silkworm and the stages in the production of silk cloth (link)

IELTS Diagram: Introduction and Overview (link) IELTS Liz

NPR Listening: Froggy Went A-Courtin', But Lady Frogs Chose Second-Best Guy Instead (link)

Worksheet for NPR Listening (link)

TASK 1 (Academic): Process

*IELTS Liz Life Cycle Activity (link)
*IELTS Advantage: Process (link)

IELTS Writing Task 1: Useful Language (link)

Language for IELTS Writing Part One- Describing Processes & Tasks Worksheet (link)

IELTS Academic Writing Part One flowchart phrases (link)

Writing Task 1 (General): Letter
You have been doing some voluntary work to help your local community. However, now you are unable to continue doing this work. Write a letter to the manager of the organisation where you have been working. In your letter:
*describe the work you have been doing
*explain why you can no longer do this work
*recommend another person who is interested in the work.
You should write at least 150 words.



Writing task 2:
IELTS Writing - Key Words & Expressions (link)

Dan Barber: How I fell in love with a fish (link)

Writing Task 2

Some people think that wild animals should not be kept in zoos. Others believe that there are good reasons for having zoos. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (link)

Essay Structure (link)

IELTS Academic Writing Part Two- Longer Phrases TEFLTASTIC (link)

Why We Need Zoos | Gabriela Mastromonaco (link)

When You Change Your View of The World You Change The World You See | Vikram Dewan | TEDxWilmington (link)

Catalyst Thursday, 25 September 2014 HONEY BEES (link)

Ready for IELTS Unit 5 The Future

Breaking news English
*Robots smarter than humans by 2029 (link)
*World’s first flying car makes its debut (link)
*Electric car does 0 to 100kph in 2.8 seconds (link)
Speaking:
ESL Discussions.com
Conversation Questions on The Future (link)
IELTS Speaking
Part 1
The future What are your plans for the future?
Are you planning to change your job?
Would you ever consider changing your job?
How might your industry change in the future?
Why are you taking the IELTS test?
IELTS Speaking Part 2: future plans
Describe a future plan which is not related to work or study. You should say
- what the plan is
- when you thought of the plan
- who is involved in the plan
- and say how you think you will achieve the plan.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 Guide (link)


Different ways to talk about the future DC IELTS (link)

Writing Task 1
Letter:
You are going to study in a college in the UK next year. You would like to stay in a college Hall of Residence.
Write a letter to the college giving your accommodation requirements. You should outline what your room and food needs are and also ask what alternatives are available if they cannot provide what you want.

You should write at least 150 words.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You do NOT need to write your own address.

General Writing Sample Task 1 #13 IELTS.net (link)



Academic Writing Task 1: Maps
Link to IELTS Advatage (link)

Worksheet (link)




IELTS Liz Maps: Vocabulary and Sentence Structure with Video (link)

IELTS Liz Maps: Model Writing Task (Map Comparison): (link)

Pictures from The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
Maps Question from IELTS Mentor (link)

Writing Task 2
*Genetic engineering is an important issue in modern society. Some people think that it will improve people's lives in many ways. Others feel that it may be a threat to life on earth. Discuss both opinions and give your opinion?

*Some people believe that robots will play an important role in future societies, while others argue that robots might have negative effects on society. Discuss both views and give your opinion.(link)

*We are becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used in business, hospitals, crime detection and even to fly planes. What things will they be used for in the future? Is this dependence on computers a good thing or should we be more suspicious of their benefits?

*The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by almost 20% in the last ten years. Discuss the causes and effects of this disturbing trend.


NPR: What Predictions From 1984 Came True? (link)


Check out my lesson based on the NPR Lesson above: Lesson

Lesson link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6HKvrbcVsKySTF6QWF6Yk9MalE/view?usp=sharing
NPR Page: http://www.npr.org/2013/09/13/219719902/what-predictions-from-1984-came-true

Ready for IELTS Unit 4: Global Problems and Opportunities

Online Interactive Exercises
*Countable uncountable a an rally (link)
*Countable uncountable nouns game: Choose whether to practice countable uncountable nouns by navigating a treacherous galaxy filled with green monsters, a sea filled with pirates or a river filled with crocodiles. (link)
*COUNTABLES & UNCOUNTABLES - Exercice 8 (link)
*COUNTABLES & UNCOUNTABLES - Exercice 9 (link)
*Other count/non count exercises (link)

Speaking:
ESL Discussions.com
Conversation Questions on Global Warming (link)
IELTS Speaking
(link) Part 1 – sample questions
What is the climate like in your country?
Are there any problems with the climate in your country?
What is your favourite type of weather?
What kind of weather do you dislike?
Would you prefer to live in a hot or cold country?
What is the best/worst weather for travelling in?

Part 2
Describe an environmental problem. You should say:
what it is
how long it has existed
how it affects people’s lives
and explain how you think the problem will develop in the future.

Part 3 – sample questions
Which environmental problems are people most concerned about in your country?
What are the main causes of these environmental problems?
Do you think it is the responsibility of governments alone to protect the environment?
What measures can individuals take to protect the environment?
Do you think large companies and business organisations should be more environmentally friendly? Why? How?
How can we teach children about the importance of protecting the environment?

Breakingnews English:
Snow leopard under threat from climate change (link)
UN - We can control Global Warming (link)
Climate change threatens fish populations (link)
Adidas to make shoes from ocean garbage (link)



Finally, Some Good News For Manatees And Green Sea Turtles


Manatee Lesson (link)

IELTS General Writing: environment problem (link)

Writing Task 1 (Academic) (link)


*DC IELTS: IELTS writing task 1 – process diagrams – an introduction (link)
Read more: IELTS writing task 1 - process diagrams - an introduction | http://www.dcielts.com/task-1-2/ielts-writing-task-1-process-diagrams/#ixzz4EjgHfvy5 Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives *The language of process diagrams (link)

Ready for IELTS Unit 3: Thrill Seekers

Breakingnews English Lessons
*Historic jumps made above Mt. Everest (link)
*Daredevil Steve Fossett’s attempt to fly solo around the world (link)
*31-year-old Norwegian man has died in a failed parachute from the Eiffel Tower in Paris.(link)
*Video games should be in Olympics (link)

Speaking
ESL Discussions.com
Conversation Questions on Sport (link)
Conversation Questions on Adventure (link)
Speaking Questions Tasks 1-3
NPR: Wingsuit Flying: Incredible Thrill, But 'No Second Chance'

Ted Talks

Unit 10 Is it Art?

Ready for IELTS Pp. 140-149
Vocabulary: Words associated with Art
Listening:IELTS Section 2 - Radio program about a street exhibition
Speaking:
Task 2: Describe a favorite work of Art
Task 3: Advantages / Disadvantages of the arts society - Arts funding - Does Art have an educational role
Reading: Graffiti (Street Art or crime)
Breakingnews English:
1. Art galleries waste of time for kids, says artists 2014 (link)
2. The Louvre is most visited art gallery 2013 (link)
3. Graffiti and litter linked to obesity (link)
4. Pensioner attacks famous work of art (link)

Speaking Tasks
(link) Super Best IELTS
Describe a work of art that you really like. Tell:
* What it looks like
* Where you first saw it
* Why you like it

Describe a well-known painting you have seen or know about You should say:
* What it looks like
* What is interesting about it
* Why it is well-known

Objective IELTS 10.1 (Communicate) Pp. 8-13
Reading: Whistling in Gomera (Scanning / True - False - NG)
Grammar: The Passive
Speaking Task 1: Problems communicating
Listening: Part 1 (Completing a form)
Reading: The Functions of Language
NPR Listening (National Public Radio)
Graffiti:
(link)

1. Miami Area Muralists Rouse A New Reputation For An Industrial City (link)

2. When There's Art On The Bus, You'll Get To Your Stop Sooner.
3. On A Roman Street, Graffiti Celebrates 'SuperPope'




Graffiti and Street Art (British Council) Link

TED: My wish - To use art to turn the world inside out (link)

Ted: Art that craves your attention (link)


Writing Task 1 (General) Letter of Complaint (lesson Link)

Letter of complaint language cards (link)



Writing Task 2:

1. Graffiti is a form of street Art. What is your opinion of graffiti as a form of art?

2.More graffiti would make the city look more beautiful.To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

3.What are the advantages / disadvantages of legalizing graffiti?

4.Some people think that the government is wasting money on the arts and that this money could be better spent elsewhere.
To what extent do you agree with this view?

5. Art is considered an essential part of all cultures throughout the world. However, these days fewer and fewer people appreciate art and turn their focus to science, technology and business.
Why do you think that is?
What could be done to encourage more people to take interest in the arts?

6. Some people think that art is an essential subject for children at school while others think it is a waste of time.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

7. Artists need a certain amount of freedom to develop their creativity. Some people think that artists should have total freedom to express any thoughts and ideas.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

8. Most artists earn low salaries and should therefore receive funding from the government in order for them to continue with their work.
To what extent do you agree?


Writing Task 2: Two part question essay Worksheet (link)

IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.

IELTS Mentor (link)
Describe a happy event of your life
You should say:
*When it happened
*Where it happened
*What it was
and explain why this event is a happy event in your life.

Follow-up Questions:
• What do you think is important in achieving happiness?
• How do you celebrate some happy events?
• What do the camera and video play in celebrating?

Breakingnews English:
*Money makes you a bad person (link)
*Money can buy happiness (link)
*Study shows money makes us worry (link)
*Australians are the happiest people in the world (link)

Money Discussion Questions (link) Pair work from ESL Discussions.com







Can Money Buy You Happiness?
(link)

Check out my lesson for the NPR listening above: Lesson

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6HKvrbcVsKyTlVBQ1JuSkhZZUE/view?usp=sharing

IELTS Writing Task 1 (General) Letter (Link to IELTS Exam.net)
You have had a bank account for a few years. Recently you received a letter from the bank stating that your account is $240 overdrawn and that you will he charged $70, which will he taken directly from your account. You know that this information is incorrect.

Write a letter to the bank. Explain what has happened and say what you would like them to do about it.
You should write at least 150 words.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You do NOT need to write your own address.
Letter Writing Tips from IELTS Liz: 10 Essential Tips (link)

IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic): Pie Charts
Lesson on IELTS Buddy ~ Describing an IELTS Pie Chart (Link)

IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Happiness is considered very important in life. Why is it difficult to define? What factors are important in achieving happiness?
You should give reasons for your answer using your own ideas and experience.

Grammar: SENTENCE STRUCTURE: SUBSTITUTION AND ELLIPSIS Online Activity (link)
One feature of extended discourse is that we generally avoid repetition by the use of ellipsis (omission) or substitution.
*SUBSTITUTION (link)
*ELLIPSIS (link)

Slideshow on Substitution and Ellipsis (link)
From Slideshare made by Ana Enriquez Sanchez (link to source)

Grammar: Cambridge Dictionaries online (link)


Watch Catalyst Episode (link) Tuesday, 14 June 2016 Unboiling an egg

Cities Discussion Questions (link) Pair work from ESL Discussions.com

Speaking Task 2: Describe an interesting city you know and like
(link) to IELTS Exam Preparation course - Ielts exam.net
*Where is it?
*How did you go there?
*What did you do there?
Explain why you found it so interesting.
Follow-up:
Say something about the tourism development in your country, facility, services and the effect on environment.
What is the importance of travel and tourism industry?
What do you think the function of tourist guides?

Reading: City Vs. Country (link)

Reinventing Infrastructure: How Hard Is It? Link
Reinventing Infrastructure: How Hard Is It? Lesson Worksheet (link)

Breakingnews English Lessons
*Bicycles outsell cars in most EU countries (link)
*China opens world's longest high-speed railway (link)
*City living makes it harder to concentrate (link)
*London Subway Passengers Stressed Out (link)

TED Talks
The 4 commandments of cities Link

Watch Catalyst Episode: Meditation (link)

Writing Task 1 (Academic): Describing a Pie Chart (link to IELTS Advantage)

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample 33 - Compare the advantages and disadvantages of living in the city to living in the country side
Check out essays written by others at: (link)

IELTS Advantage (link to Advantage / Disadvantage essay)

Task2 - Infrastructure >> Problems of the Expanding Megacity (link) Take a look at how other people have answered questions on this topic... This site shows you the break down of vocabulary / nouns / transitions / main ideas. It also has comprehension questions.

Writing task 2: Example essays Mexico City: Mega City (6min 13s)
Link

Online IELTS, Vocabulary Test Practice Exercise - Mind & Memory (link)

IELTS Global problems and opportunities

IELTS Global problems and opportunities

Online Interactive Exercises
*Countable uncountable a an rally (link)
*Countable uncountable nouns game: Choose whether to practice countable uncountable nouns by navigating a treacherous galaxy filled with green monsters, a sea filled with pirates or a river filled with crocodiles. (link)
*COUNTABLES & UNCOUNTABLES - Exercice 8 (link)
*COUNTABLES & UNCOUNTABLES - Exercice 9 (link)
*Other count/non count exercises (link)

Speaking:
ESL Discussions.com
Conversation Questions on Global Warming (link)
IELTS Speaking
(link) Part 1 – sample questions
What is the climate like in your country?
Are there any problems with the climate in your country?
What is your favourite type of weather?
What kind of weather do you dislike?
Would you prefer to live in a hot or cold country?
What is the best/worst weather for travelling in?

Part 2
Describe an environmental problem. You should say:
what it is
how long it has existed
how it affects people’s lives
and explain how you think the problem will develop in the future.

Part 3 – sample questions
Which environmental problems are people most concerned about in your country?
What are the main causes of these environmental problems?
Do you think it is the responsibility of governments alone to protect the environment?
What measures can individuals take to protect the environment?
Do you think large companies and business organisations should be more environmentally friendly? Why? How?
How can we teach children about the importance of protecting the environment?

Breakingnews English:
Snow leopard under threat from climate change (link)
UN - We can control Global Warming (link)
Climate change threatens fish populations (link)
Adidas to make shoes from ocean garbage (link)

Finally, Some Good News For Manatees And Green Sea Turtles (Link)


Manatee Lesson (link)

IELTS General Writing: environment problem (link)

Writing Task 1 (Academic) (link)


Writing Task 2 IELTS Liz Essays (link)

*DC IELTS: IELTS writing task 1 – process diagrams – an introduction (link)
*The language of process diagrams (link)

Melati and Isabel Wijsen: Our campaign to ban plastic bags Plastic bags are essentially indestructible, yet they're used and thrown away with reckless abandon. (link)
Charles Moore: Seas of plastic - Capt. Charles Moore of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation first discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch — an endless floating waste of plastic trash. (link)
Dianna Cohen: Tough truths about plastic pollution - Artist Dianna Cohen shares some tough truths about plastic pollution in the ocean and in our lives — and some thoughts on how to free ourselves from the plastic gyre (link)

IELTS We are all friends now

Online Interactive Vocabulary game: Jeopardy (link)
Speaking
ESL Conversation Questions on Friends (Sean Banville) (link)

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Cue Card 1: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe a friend who you really like to spend time with.
You should say:
*When and how you met.
*How often you see this friend.
*What kind of personality your friend has
*and say why you like to spend time with this particular friend.
Follow-up Questions:
• Is friendship important in your culture? How many close friends can you have?
• Are friends more important than family?
• What are the important things among good friends?
• Do you have any friends from foreign country?
• What are the difference between real life friends and pen friends?

Cue Card 2
Describe a social networking website you know.
You should say:
*what is it
*how long have you been using it/why you don't use it
*give details information about the website
*and explain why people often browse this website.
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Follow-up Questions:
*How long have you been using the Internet?
*How Internet has changed our life-style?
*What would be the possible uses of Internet in the future?

Online activity: Adjectives for personality (link)
Match the adjectives on the right with their opposites on the left.

IELTS Personality Vocabulary (link)
*IELTS Mentor (link)
Breakingnews English
*Rent-A-Friend Agencies Growing in Japan (link)
*A billion people on Facebook in one day(link)
*Do You Suffer From Facebook depression? (link)
*Volunteering helps you live longer (link)
When You Become The Person You Hate On The Internet


NPR Lesson Worksheet (link)

Measuring what makes life worthwhile


Online Interactive Grammar games
Billionaire Conditionals Grammar Game (Link)

IELTS Letter Writing / GT Writing Task 1: (link)
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
A friend has agreed to look after your house and pet while you are on holiday. Write a letter to your friend.
*Give contact details for when you are away
*Give instructions about how to care for your pet
*Describe other household duties
You should write at least 150 words.

Writing Task 1 (Academic): Language of Graphs
* Bogglesworld Reporting Changes (link)
* WriteFix (link)
* IELTS Buddy (link)
* ESL Flow Describing Graphs Worksheet (Link)
* IELTS Academic Writing Part One- Worksheet Trends Bingo (link)

Watch Catalyst Episode (link)
Tuesday, 21 June 2016 LIVE LONG DIE YOUNG
Tuesday, 6 October 2015 DIAGNOSING DEPRESSION (link)