Halloween

“Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. . . Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. In a number of countries around the world, as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, people continue to usher in the winter season with gatherings, costumes and sweet treats.” (History.com)

Watch the following videos and ask the questions:

Video no 1: Bet you didn’t know – Halloween

1. Watch Bet you didn’t know – Halloween: http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/videos#bet-you-didnt-know-halloween
2. What is the true story of Halloween according to the video? Use your own words and describe the content of the video. Use the following keywords to be able to retell the story: 2000 years, samhain, ghosts, food& wine, All Hallows Day, souling, soul cakes, guising, big business

Video no 2: Bet you didn’t know – The Witch Watch Bet you didn’t know – The Witch: http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/videos#bet-you-didnt-know-witches

1. Describe a typical witch!
2. In the past witches used to be blamed for what? Give examples!
3. The video describes witchcraft during Medieval times. Who could be accused of being a witch?
4. The presenter claims that we are still fascinated by witches. What are his proofs?
5. What is the history behind the witch’s green skin?
6. What is the history behind the witch’s tall black pointed hat?
7. What is the history behind the witch’s broom?
8. What is Wicca?

Video no 3: All About the Pumpkin

1. Watch the video All About the Pumpkin: http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/videos#all-about-the-pumpkin
2. Give three examples of facts about pumpkins.

The Power of Music

Assignment 1

Find information about a singer, songwriter or a music group. Describe the artist’s career. How did he/she or they learn to sing or write music? How  and when did he/she/they become famous? What choices did he/she/they make during their career(s)? If the group is still playing/the artist is still alive, describe his/her/their career(s) today.

Present your information in  Microsoft Publisher – Newsletter

Assignment 2

Give two examples of music produced or performed by the artist/artists. Select two-three lines of the lyrics. Is there an explanation to how these songs were created? Why do you like these songs? What role do the songs play in your life?

Present the songs in the newsletter where you have presented the information about the singer/songwriter/music group where you presented the artist/artists career(s).

**World Athletics Championships

Listen to/read the report and practice the words here : World Athletics Championships

*Business English: Telephone

A lot of people find it difficult to make phone  calls in a foreign language – and that’s understandable. You can’t see the  person you are talking to, their voice might be unclear, and you might find it  difficult to find the right words.

One thing you can do to improve  your telephone skills is to learn some of the multi-word verbs that are  commonly used in telephone conversations. Most of them are featured in this  module. Hold on means ‘wait’ – and hang on means ‘wait’ too. Be careful  not to confuse hang on with hang up! Hang up means ‘finish the call by breaking the connection’ – in  other words: ‘put the phone down.’

Another phrasal verb with the same meaning as hang up is ring off.  The opposite of hang up / ring off is ring up – if  you ring somebody up, you make a  phone call.  And if you pick up the phone, (or pick the phone up) you answer a call when the phone rings.

“Hang on a second…”

If you are talking to a  receptionist, secretary or switchboard operator, they may ask you to hang on while they put you through – put through means to connect your call to another telephone. With this verb, the object (you, me, him, her etc.) goes in the middle of the verb: put you through.

But if you can’t get  through to (contact on the  phone) the person you want to talk to, you might be able to leave a message  asking them to call you back. Call back means to return a phone call – and if you use an object  (you, me, him, her etc.), it goes in the middle of the verb: call you back. (Source:http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/business)

Learn how to make a formal business phone call, take messages, what you can say if you call the wrong number, make appointments and  book flights. Follow the instructions on Talking Business – Telephone

*Three wishes

Hear what people in London say, then join the conversation! This week, you can have three wishes. What will you wish for?