John Wayne winning the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in "True Grit" - 42nd Annual Academy Awards in 1970. Presented by Barbra Streisand.

(now, that would be a very nice and profitable exercise for you to check your listening ability! HC.)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qQhODwivLU

SONGS AS A TEACHING AID

Hugo Caldas

SHOULD WE USE SONGS IN CLASS ?

ADVANTAGES?



A – Learning becomes something fun and enjoyable.
B – Music warms up the atmosphere and creates conditions for the approach of a new subject.
C – Students improve their English vocabulary and get acquainted with the culture and the spirit of the people whose language they are learning.
D – Students develop listening and pronunciation skills.
E – Students feel gratified and proud of being able to use English from the very beginning of learning it.
F – Singing together helps socialization.

WHEN SHOULD WE SING ?

A –When we want to encourage then to learn.
B –When we notice that they are tired.
C –When they ask us to.
D –When the song has something to do with the lesson we’re studying.
E – At the end of a term and at the beginning of a new one.
F – On the eve of a special holiday, students’ birthday, Xmas, etc.

WHAT SONGS SHOULD WE SING ?

A – The ones which have a lot of repetition and which contain the vocabulary and grammatical structures, we want to emphasize in that particular class.
B – Songs appropriate to the age and educational level of them.
C – Folk songs, which are familiar in both the students’culture and the culture of the new language they are learning.
D – Songs that are not familiar in the students’culture but they are likely to hear because of the international nature of the songs.
E – Hit Parade songs which are also known here.
F – Try different styles but do not forget to ask your students what they would like to sing.

LAUGHTER’S THE BEST MEDICINE

No Light No Work

Two factory workers are talking. The woman says,

- "I can make the boss give me the day off." The man replies,

- "And how would you do that?" The woman says,

- "Just wait and see." She then hangs upside-down from the ceiling. The boss comes in and says,

- "What are you doing?" The woman replies,

- "I'm a light bulb." The boss then says,

- "You've been working so much that you've gone crazy. I think you need to take the day off." The man starts to follow her and the boss says,

- "Where are you going?" The man says,

- "I'm going home, too. I can't work in the dark."

Clever Drinker

A guy goes into a bar, orders twelve shots, and starts drinking them as fast as he can. The bartender says,

- Dang, why are you drinking so fast?' The guy says,

- "You would be drinking fast, too, if you had what I had.

- " The bartender asks,

- "What do you have?" The guy answers,

- "75 cents."

Clever Dog

Wife: - "We've got such a clever dog. He brings in the daily newspapers every morning."

Husband: - "Well, lots of dogs can do that."

Wife: - "But we've never subscribed to any papers."

The Clip below was supplied by my friend Breno Grisi.

Good For Nothing Information - GFN

No piece of paper can be folded more than 7 times if it is being folded in half for each of the 7 folds!! (isn't that wonderful?)

QUOTATION OF THE DAY

"Wrinkles will only go where the smiles have been".
Jimmy Buffett, a singer, songwriter, author, businessman, and movie producer.

Today's Quotation was supplied by my good old friend
Mrs Hornung

Rules of Thumb

IT’S NOT THAT EASY BEING GREEN

And so, you think you know what green is, right ?

- "It's a color!" you say. "The color of grass and emeralds and little, round peas, and long, thin string beans!"

- Okay, that is true. Green is all those things. But green is also SO MUCH MORE! Here are some uses of green you might not know:

green - inexperienced (as in green like a young tree)
e.g. - I think he's too green to bear this kind of responsibility, but his boss wants him as a manager.

green - not ripe (describes fruit)
e.g. - These papayas are still green. You'll have to wait for a couple of days to eat them.

green - concerned about the environment.
e.g. - More and more people are becoming green: they are recycling and looking for ways to get rid of waste that don't pollute the land, water and air.

greens - leafy, dark green vegetables such as spinach and kale.
e.g. - Kids don't like to eat greens. They prefer ice cream and candies.

Green Expressions
to have a green thumb - to be good at growing plants.
e.g. - My wife has a green thumb, and I sure don't.

to be green with envy - to be jealous of something someone else has.
e.g. - When Helen was given a pay increase, her friend Martha was green with envy.

to give the green light to something/someone - to say that a project can proceed; to say yes to a plan.
e.g. - Bob’s last project went so well that the boss gave him the green light immediately.

Green Things
Green card – official permission for a foreigner to work and live in the USA.
Greenhouse – glass building where plants are grown all year round.

Word of The Day

PULVERISE

Function: verb (with object)

Inflected forms:
pulverizes; pulverized; pulverizing


Meanings:
1 - technical : to crush, beat, or grind (something) into powder or dust
e.g.: The mower pulverizes grass clippings. Bits of pulverized rock filled the air.

2 - informal : to destroy or defeat (someone or something) completely
e.g.: They pulverized the opposition.

Clip of The Day

This is a scene from the movie "Shall We Dance?" a romantic comedy where a bored, overworked Estate Lawyer, upon first sight of a beautiful instructor, signs up for ballroom dancing lessons. Richard Gere as John Clark and Jennifer Lopez as his teacher Paulina do the tango dance. See the Clip. HC.

45 Llife Lessons and 5 to Grow On

By Regina Brett


To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

To reach this Plain Dealer columnist:

rbrett@plaind.com

LAUGHTER’S THE BEST MEDICINE

Don't Mess With Old Guys

An older gentleman had an appointment to see the urologist who shared offices with several other doctors. The waiting room was filled with patients.

As he approached the receptionist’s desk, he noticed that the receptionist was a large unfriendly woman who looked like a Sumo wrestler. He gave her his name.

In a very loud voice, the receptionist said,

- “YES, I HAVE YOUR NAME HERE, YOU WANT TO SEE THE DOCTOR ABOUT IMPOTENCE, RIGHT?”

All the patients in the waiting room snapped their heads around to look at the very embarrassed man. He recovered quickly, and in an equally loud voice replied,

- "NO, I’VE COME TO INQUIRE ABOUT A SEX CHANGE OPERATION, BUT I DON’T WANT THE SAME DOCTOR THAT DID YOURS."



Family Planning

The bride said she wanted three children, while the young husband said two would be enough for him.

They discussed this discrepancy for a few minutes until the husband thought he'd put an end to things by saying boldly,

"After our second child, I'll just have a vasectomy."

Without a moment's hesitation, the bride retorted,

- "Well, I hope you'll love the third one just as if it's your own."!


A small boy is sent to bed by his father.

Five minutes later…..

- Da-ad….
- What?
- I'm thirsty. Can you bring a drink of water?
- No, You had your chance. Lights out.

Five minutes later: Da-aaaad…..

- WHAT?'
- I'm THIRSTY. Can I have a drink of water?
- I told you NO! If you ask again, I'll have to smack you!!

Five minutes later……
- Daaaa-aaaad…..
- WHAT!
- When you come in to smack me, can you bring a drink of water?

TIP OF THE DAY

“THE PEAR IS TO PARE AND THEN TO EAT. THE OTHER IS A PAIR TO PUT ON FEET”! Nice poetry, isn’t it ?

Check the pronunciation of PEAR - PARE and PAIR !!

Rules of Thumb

THE WORD WHEN

You have probably heard children use the phrase when I grow up... It means "when I get older."



When I grow up, I want to be a soccer player.
When I grow up, I want to be a teacher.
When I grow up, I want to be a movie star.
When I grow up, I want to work at the University.

Notice that the phrase “when I grow up” uses the present tense.
In English, if we use "when" to talk about the future, we often
use the present tense. Here are some more examples:

When I go to the store, I'll buy you a pack of gum.
I want to have seven children when I'm older.
When I'm the president of this country, everyone will get a raise.
I want to visit the Statue of Liberty when I go to New York.

Word of The Day

OUTLET

Function: noun (count)

Plural: outlets

Meanings:


A - Something that people use to express their emotions or talents.
e.g.: Emotional/artistic outlets.

Note: This sense of outlet is often followed by for.
e.g.: She used poetry as an outlet for her sadness. They needed a healthy outlet for their anger. Dn outlet for his talents.

B - A store that sells products made usually by one company and often at reduced prices.
e.g.: Designer clothing outlets. A discount furniture outlet. Retail outlets.
Outlet stores.

C - A television, radio, or publishing company.
e.g.: Media/news outlets. A cable TV outlet.

D - In the US a device in a wall into which an electric cord can be plugged in order to provide electricity for a lamp, television, etc.
e.g.: Electrical outlets. A wall outlet.

Note: This sense of outlet is called also socket, (British) point, (British) power point.

E - A place or opening through which something can go out.
e.g.: An outlet for the air to escape. The river’s outlet to the sea.

Clip of The Day

I might not say a word. Just enjoy the clip. HC.
(Thank you, Aline)

THE CHAUFFEUR

Mrs. Winterly was a very rich woman. Her husband was a multi-millionaire. She was quite young and he was quite old. She was twenty-eight and he was fifty-eight. They lived in a very large house in England. Mrs. Winterly never cooked or cleaned the house. She never worked and she never drove a car. When she wanted to go anywhere she would call Charles. Charles was her chauffeur. Mr. Winterly travelled a lot. He flew to many countries to do business. Mrs Winterly did not like to fly so she often stayed at home. Once Mr. Winterly went to America for a week. Mrs. Winterly decided to go shopping so she walked to the garage to find Charles. She found him in his room above the garage. Mrs Winterly looked at him and said in a whisper,

“Charles, take off my hat”
“Certainly, madam,” Charles replied.
Then he took off Mrs. Winterly’s hat.
“Charles, take off my coat.”
“Certainly, madam,” Charles replied.
Then he took off Mrs. Winterly’s coat.
“Charles, take off my shoes.”
“Certainly, madam,” Charles replied.
Then he took off Mrs. Winterly’s shoes.
“Charles, take off my dress.”
“Certainly, madam,” Charles replied.
Then he took off Mrs. Winterly’s dress.
Then, Mrs. Winterly looked deep into the eyes of the chauffeur and said

…“AND DON’T YOU DARE TO WEAR MY CLOTHES AGAIN!”…

Good For Nothing Information - GFN

Today we start a brand new section in the Bulletin. It’s called the GFN Information. Now, what does GFN stand for ? GFN is an initialism for Good For Nothing. The point is that, the information which is brought to you is absolutely worthless. Below you will find the very first GFN!!

“Matches used in the U.S. in 1840 could be lighted from either end” !!

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

This is to inform you readres that I received the message below with the following warning:

"In writing, an abbreviation is any shortened form of a word or phrase. However, there are types of abbreviations; the most common being acronyms and initialisms.

acronym - (a type of abbreviation)
A word formed from the initial parts (letters OR syllables OR arbitrary parts) of a name.

Examples: NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation)

initialism - (a type of abbreviation)
A group of initial letters used as an abbreviation for a name or expression, each letter being pronounced separately.

Example, "BBC" (British Broadcasting Corporation), or "PBS" (Public Broadcasting System).

The key difference between an acronym and an initialism is that an acronym forms a new word, while an initalism does not.

For example, you say "nay-to" for NATO; this means you are saying a word, as opposed to saying each letter (ehn-ay-tee-oh).

So "NATO" is an acronym. But "U.K." is an intialism for United Kindom: you say each letter individually (you don't say "yuk", so you know it's not a word). Also, the periods are a dead-giveaway that's it's an intialism...

Corrections made, I should realize that there are times when old teachers ought to be replaced by younger people. Regardless the fact that the sender of the message is a certain Claudio Henrique Caldas Mattos, who happens to be my grandson, 18 years of age, and already a teacher of English. HC.

LAUGHTER’S THE BEST MEDICINE

The Polish Divorce:
(joke sent by our friend Breno Grisi)


A Polish man moved to the USA and married an American girl. Although his English was far from perfect, they got along very well. One day he rushed into a lawyer's office and asked him if he could arrange a divorce for him. The lawyer said that getting a divorce would depend on the circumstances, and asked him the following questions:

Have you any grounds?
Yes, an acre and half and nice little home.

No, I mean what is the foundation of this case?
It made of concrete.

I don't think you understand.
Does either of you have a real grudge?
No, we have carport, and not need one.

I mean what are your relations like?
All my relations still in Poland .

Is there any infidelity in your marriage?
We have hi-fidelity stereo and good DVD player.

Does your wife beat you up?
No, I always up before her.

Is your wife a nagger?
No, she white.

Why do you want this divorce?
She going to kill me.

What makes you think that?
I got proof.

What kind of proof?
SHE IS GOING TO POISON ME !!!!
She buy a bottle at drugstore and put on shelf in bathroom.
I can read English pretty good, and it says:

~~~Polish Remover~~~

Quote of the Day

"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life."

Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for a federal anti-smoking campaign. It doesn't matter the color of her hair!

TIPS OF THE DAY

PREPOSITIONS

ACROSS - Indica movimento ou extensão por cima de um objeto, de um lado para outro. – Através de.
e.g.: - He lives across the street.
She swam across the river.

AFTER - Depois de, após, atrás de, em busca ou no encalço de, à maneira de, abaixo de (graduação),
e.g.: - After a storm comes a calm.
The letter arrived the day after.
Peter went after his brothers.
The policeman ran after the crook.
A painting after Rembrandt.
A captain comes after a major.

AGAINST - Contra, em contato com, para, (em previsão de).
e.g.: - Let’s all fight against tyranny.
The public opinion was against Bill Clinton.
She was leaning against the wall.
We must save against bad days in the future.

Word of The Day

VISTA

Function: noun (count)

Plural: vistas

Meanings:

1 - A large and beautiful view of an area of land or water

e.g.: Colorful mountain vistas

2 - A large number of things that may be possible in the future

e.g.: Computers have opened up (whole) new vistas for scientific research.