Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year 2015

blog.oxforddictionaries.com

As you have probably heard, several days ago Oxford Dictionaries announced that Word of the Year 2015 is not a word at all. It's a pictograph, officially named the 'Face with Tears of Joy' emoji. Thewas chosen as the 'word' that best reflected the themes of 2015.

For this year's Word of the Year campaign, Oxford University Press has collaborated with SwiftKey - mobile technology business - to find out statistics for the most popular and most used word worldwide. It turned out to be a symbol rather than an actual word. It has been identified that use of the word emoji increased considerably in 2015, and that the 'Face with Tears of Joy' one won the battle. According to the presented data, made up almost 20% of all the mojis used in the UK, and 17% of those in the US in 2015. 
 

In this case, the idiom 'a picture is worth a thousand words' definitely makes perfect sense. The emoji has certainly become a language of its kind and a new, enhanced way of communication. A message you want to convey to somebody in this manner gets a completely different dimension.

The following image represents the shortlist of notable words for this year.

What would you choose to be the 2015 Word of the Year?

I'd love to hear what you think - do you agree with the result? 

The Project Competition 2016

The Project Competition 2016 is organized by Oxford University Press and is open to students between the ages of 10-16.

All teachers need to do is come up with some good ideas in class and inspire students to enjoy using English by creating a poster on this year's topic:

Heroes, Myths and Legends

How to enter

1. Divide your class into groups of 2-6 students.

2. Each group should make either an online poster using Popplet, or an A3 poster on the above-mentioned topic.

3. Submit each poster via this online entry form.

Prizes

You and your students could win some fantastic prizes, including…

• Resource Books for Teachers
• A set of 20 bestselling Dominoes Readers
•  Oxford University hoodies and more!

For more information, please visit the competition website.

Good luck!

Climate and Metaphors

www2.ucar.edu

Climate metaphors are often used, especially in written English. 

The word climate can refer to the general atmosphere or situation in society.

° The words - cultural, economic, current, financial, moral, social, political, prevailing - collocate strongly with climate in the social sense. 

° The company's dishonest policies towards the workers created a climate of distrust.

°  The reforms of the education system will create a climate of change.

°  Unfortunately, my plans met with a frosty reception.

°  'You cheated on me, didn't you?', he said icily.

°  After the long ride, I was in a haze for many hours.

°  I have only a hazy idea what you're talking about.

° He has a very sunny disposition - he's hardly ever unhappy.

°  Our future is sunny.

°  Her boss was greeted with a hail of insults as he entered the building.

°  The manager left under a cloud of suspicion after a fraud scandal.

°  Your passion for him could cloud your judgement.

°  The message sparked off a whirlwind of speculation.

°   It was a whirlwind romance  - they married two months after they met. 

°   Thunderous applause followed his song.

°   The horses thundered down the dirt road.

°  The winds of discontent are blowing across the country.

°  The truth has been lost in the mists of time.

°  She goes misty-eyed every time she hears that song.

If you find this post useful, please share it. And don't forget to follow this blog down below for more posts and tips on learning the English language.

A Language Learning Challenge

Cambridge University Press

In order to celebrate the European Day of Languages (26th September), Cambridge University Press Education invite you to create a short video (max 20 seconds) sharing your language learning tip for a chance to win an iPad mini! 

The competition is open to all language learners, students and teachers so be creative and, of course, have fun!

Deadline for video submissions is 31st October 2015. Find out more and enter here.

Good luck!

Program besplatnih časova engleskog jezika

ELTA

Zahvaljujući saradnji ELTA Serbia (Udruženje nastavnika engleskog jezika) i Američke ambasade, organizovaće se dvogodišnji program besplatnih časova engleskog jezika namenjen osnovcima i srednjoškolcima od 13 do 15 godina iz socijalno ugroženih porodica iz Beograda i Kragujevca. Broj polaznika je ograničen.

Program se odvija posle časova, a pored časova engleskog, učenici će moći da nauče više o američkoj kulturi, kao i da učestvuju u raznim vannastavnim aktivnostima.

Nastavnici engleskog jezika i odeljenske starešine mogu, na osnovu navedenih kriterijuma, predložiti potencijalne kandidate i pomoći im, uz saglasnost roditelja, da se prijave za ovaj program.

Popunjen prijavni obrazac treba poslati do 27. septembra na ovu imejl adresu za Beograd, a na ovu za Kragujevac.

Super Safari Competition

This competition is open to teachers of kindergarten and primary level English who, at the time of entering the competition, are associated with an institution of English teaching or teach as a private tutor.

To take part in the competition, teachers must watch the 'Super Safari' song and dance video down below and then submit one video of their class performing this 'Super Safari' dance and song routine.   

The prizes are as follows:

1. One grand prize consisting of a Super Safari - themed classroom party, run by Cambridge University Press. This includes safari - themed decorations, mascots and food for the winning class to enjoy.
2. One monthly prize: one Super Safari parrot puppet and one Super Safari colouring book for each member of the winning class.

All entries must be received by 15th December 2015.

Enter the Competition

For more details on this competition, click here.

Join the Super Safari adventure, for a great start to learning!

Good luck!

William Wordsworth: Poetry, People and Place

This free online course is open to anyone interested in the great poetry of William Wordsworth, focusing on his writing process and the beautiful landscape of the Lake District. 

The course has been filmed at Dove Cottage, Grasmere, where Wordsworth lived and produced much of his greatest work, including ''I wandered lonely as a Cloud'' (better known as ''Daffodils'') and ''The Prelude'' (his autobiographical masterpiece).

You will study how Wordsworth created and revised these poems and Lyrical Ballads, using the magnificent collection of manuscripts held by the Wordsworth Trust in the museum next to his home.

Through different readings and discussions with an emphasis on Grasmere and the Lake District, the course will explore why this location was so special for Britain's best-loved poet.

Date: Monday, 7 September 2015

Duration: 4 weeks/4 hours pw

Lead Educator: Simon Bainbridge

Educators: Sally Bushell, Sharon Ruston 

Register

In order to celebrate the start of Lancaster University's course, you are challenged to write a poem inspired by your favourite place. Join the challenge. 

Nouns Formed From Phrasal Verbs

° There are many compound nouns formed with a verb + preposition, or preposition + verb combination. 

• an outbreak of food poisoning
• The city has a bypass, which keeps traffic out of the centre.
• I'll need regular updates on her progress.

°  Some of these nouns operate as phrasal verbs, and some don't.

• Rioting has broken out all over the city.
• I passed by your house on the way to the station.
• There is no verb to date up.

Here are some example sentences with a compound noun starting with the word given.

◊  take

1. Shall we eat out or get a takeaway (US takeout)?

          a meal you buy in a restaurant to eat at home

     2.  They were involved in a takeover two years ago.

          getting control of a company by buying most of its shares

   
◊  down

      3. You can download it for free. I'll forward the link to you.

           information obtained from the Internet, usually free

      4. It was gambling that eventually led to his downfall.

          failure or ruin following success

      5. I didn't bring an umbrella, so I got soaked in yesterday's downpour.

          a lot of rain that falls fast

◊   out


       6. I've bought a new outfit for the party tomorrow.

           a set of clothes worn together

       7. We may not know the outcome of the meeting until tomorrow.

            the final result of something, when no one knows what to expect

       8. The outlook for people on low incomes is grim.

            the likely future situation

     
◊   break


       9. After her husband died, Anna had an emotional breakdown.

          a serious mental illness

     10. It is a significant breakthrough in computer design.

            new and successful development

 
And here are some examples of compound nouns ending with the word given.

◊  up


     11. You need to have a copy of your work as a backup (ALSO back-up) in case something goes wrong with the computer.

            support or help

     12. She is going through a break-up (ALSO breakup) right now. That's why she is depressed.

           ending a relationship

     13. This firm is currently facing a radical shake-up (ALSO shakeup).

           a large change



Can you think of any other combinations matching this type of nouns?

150 Years of Alice - Write About Your Wonderland

To celebrate 150 years of Alice in Wonderland, Macmillan Readers have organised a Write about your Wonderland competition for all English language learners. All you have to do is submit your fictional story about your Wonderland. 

This competition is open to schools and independent learners and is divided into three age groups:

• 12 years and younger
• 13 - 17 years
• 18 years and older

You can send in a short story (between 500 and 1000 words) and/or one drawing based on the theme My Wonderland.

In the writing category, there will be one winner per age group. They will win:

• 10 printed copies of the short story collection
• 5 Macmillan Readers of their choice from the current catalogue
• £100 worth of Macmillan Education eBook vouchers

Four runners-up in this category will win:

• 1 printed copy of the short story collection 
• £25 worth of Macmillan Education eBook vouchers

In the drawing category, there will be one winner per age group. Their drawigns will appear on the cover of the collection. They will win:

• 5 printed copies of the short story collection
• 3 Macmillan Readers of their choice from the current catalogue

The competition runs until 31 August 2015 (midnight GMT).

Please carefully read the Terms&Conditions.

You can find some activities for inspiration here.

Submit Your Story

Good luck!

Getting Emotional

123rf

Are you an emotional person? What emotion represents you the most? Does it depend on a situation?

Here are some examples that illustrate various emotions.

• Come on, tell me. I promise I won't breathe a word to anyone.

          {curiosity}

• No, I'm not going there. Look how high that tower is!

          {fear}

• Are you kidding me?! Nobody gets hitched wearing ski boots!      

         {astonishment}

• Could you not keep criticizing me in front of everyone? It looks so bad.

          {irritation}

• Although you didn't win, I think you did very well to come third. Just keep up the good work and the results will come!

         {encouragement}

• Words can't express how much you mean to me!

          {adoration}

• What do you mean I'm a couch potato? I exercise at least twice a week.

          {indignation}

• You'll have to consult my secretary. I have a hectic schedule at the moment. You know me, I'm so much in demand.

         {boastfulness}

• It was nothing. Anybody would have done the same.

          {modesty}

• Thank God you're here. When I couldn't get you on your mobile, horrible thoughts came to my mind.

         {relief}

• Oh, honey, don't cry. You'll be all right. It's just a small cut.

          {reassurance}

• Get this bunch of useless things out of my house! Now!

          {fury}

• I can't tell you how much I appreciate everything you've done for me. I'd have been completely lost without your support.

          {gratitude}

• Wow! I could never do anything like that. Fifteen kilometres are my limit.

          {admiration}

         

        

Adverbs With Two Forms

Oxford Dictionaries

Some adverbs have two forms, one with and one without -ly. Sometimes the two meanings are connected and sometimes they are not.

easy/easily

1. Relax! Take it easy! [calm; free from worry]

    Real Madrid won the match easily. [not difficult]

late/lately

2. We hate it when you arrive late. [arriving after the planned, expected time]

    Have you been doing anything useful lately? [recently]

hard/hardly

3. He's been working very hard all his life. [using a lot of physical or mental effort]

    I hardly ever go to concerts. [almost never]

wrong/wrongly

4. You're definitely doing it wrong. [in a way that is not correct]

     She spelled her own name wrongly. [not correctly]

sure/surely

5. Can you lend me your book? Sure. [certainly]

    Surely you don't expect me to say that? [used to express surprise that something has happened or is going to happen]

most/mostly

  

6. What do you like most about her? [more than anything else]

     I think that those kids are mostly orphans. [mainly]

free/freely

7. For the first time in years he could move freely. [without being limited or controlled]

     The prisoner walked free after seventeen years in jail. [not limited]

wide/widely

8. I was wide awake last night. [completely]

    

    She has travelled widely in Europe, Asia and Africa. [including a lot of different places]

high/highly

    

9.  We were flying high over the ocean. [at or to a large distance from the ground]

  I think very highly of Andrew and his wife. [have a good opinion of someone/above average]

In which examples does the meaning alter significantly?

Exploring English: Language and Culture

Future Learn

Are you interested in finding more about British culture as well as improving your English language skills? If yes, then you will find this free online course incredibly helpful.

Short videos will be used in this course in order to present a different topic each week, including English as a global language, the environment, literature and entrepreneurship. An experienced tutor will examine the language used in the videos and present main points that will help you improve both spoken and written English.

Also, there will be quizzes and discussions to help you check your understanding and practise English throughout the course. At the end of each week you will be asked to describe your experiences about that week's topic in a short piece of writing. 

Date: Monday, 22 June 2015

Duration: 6 weeks/2 hours pw

Educator: Simon Carrie

Register

10 Random Clichés

• I got a card from Laura ten days after my birthday.

      - Oh, well. Better late than never.

• David's got chickenpox, Sarah's just been fired. What's next?

      - They say these things come in threes, you know.

• Mum! He's broken the vase! 

     - Never mind. Accidents will happen. 

• It's been raining non-stop for days! Do we need some sunshine!

      - You can say that again.

• It took me eleven years to build up my business. Nearly killed me.

      - Well, you know what they say. No pain, no gain.

• You should get a new job and stop smoking.

      - Easier said than done.

• I need to go back in the house and make sure I've turned off the iron.

      - Good idea. Better safe than sorry.

• I don't know whether to apply for this job or not. What do you think?

      - Well, I'm not quite sure. At the end of the day, it's your decision.

• Michael is a weird bloke. Have you heard he's going to cycle across Europe?

      - It takes all sorts.

• I'm having a complete break for a week.

      - Sounds like just what the doctor ordered.

What is your opinion about clichés?

Do you have any similar clichés in your language?

Integrated Skills: Language for the Future

Oxford University Press

Date: 27th May 2015

Times:  09:00 - 10:00, 15:00 - 16:00 (BST)

Speaker: Rachael Roberts

In this webinar, Rachael Roberts, co-author of Navigate, a new course for adults, will look at a number of practical ways in which they can be integrated into the classroom practice, providing students with everything they need to unlock both reading and listening.

Register

Examples of Euphemisms

Let's revise!

What is the definition of a euphemism?

>>A euphemism is a polite way of expressing something thought to have negative connotations.

# For example, a blind person is visually challenged, a fat person is full-figured, and politicians don't lie, they are simply economical with the truth.

# According to the officialdom, an old person who cannot use their arms or legs in a normal way is a disadvantaged senior sitizen.

# One will not die but pass away. 

# Going on strike equals taking industrial action, and someone who makes things difficult for others and opposes their views for no good reason is working to rule.

# Ministry of War becomes Ministry of Defence.

# People who come from lower income brackets are merely poor.

# And, you don't have a pet any longer, but a companion animal.

# Individuals with low IQs are also known as stupid.

# If you are/feeling under the weather, it means you are ill.

# Money that the government (UK) pays to unemployed people who are looking for a job is Jobseeker's Allowance rather than an unemployment benefit.

# Having a dialogue is nothing but talking.

# To change a system or situation so that it obeys laws is to regularize it.

# Your statements are definitely misleading if they are causing someone to believe something that is not true.

Are you fond of using euphemisms?

Or, you're trying to avoid that diplomatic tone and be straightforward instead? 

Teaching with Video - Tip Exchange Competition

Cambridge Univeristy Press (CUP) is organising a competition for teachers of English who, at the time of entering the competition, are associated with an institution of English teaching or teach as a private tutor.  

You should share your top tip for teaching with video in the classroom with other teachers around the world for your chance to win! Help your fellow teachers embrace video in the classroom by sharing your most effective tricks and techniques. Join in by uploading a video of yourself explaining how you use video in the classroom.

How do I enter?

1. Record a 90 - second video clip in landscape explaining your top tip for teaching with video.
2. Upload your entry here to add it to the gallery!
3. A panel of judges will choose the best clips and announce them on Facebook and Twitter.

What can I win?

• First prize: One of three GoPro kits including the GoPro Hero4 Silver camera and your choice of accessories.
• Monthly prizes: Exciting DVDs from Discovery Channel and other prizes including inflatable globes, notepads and pens.

The closing date is 3 January 2016.

Good luck!

Understanding IELTS: Techniques for English Language Tests

futurelearn.com

Are you planning to take an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test soon? Then this free online course will be particularly useful to you. It will help you improve your English and prepare for tests, such as IELTS reading, writing, listening and speaking. Nevertheless, all English language learners will benefit from the tips given in the course.

The course will take you through each of the stages of this test and at each stage there will be advice from a video tutor and a team of experienced IELTS educators. You can also share your experiences, opinions and tips with other learners.

Date: Monday, 11 May 2015

Duration: 6 weeks/2 hours pw

Register

Konferencija o bilingvalnom obrazovanju - dan sa profesorom Stivenom Baksom

U organizaciji Britanskog Saveta i Pokrajinskog sekretarijata za obrazovanje, propise, upravu i nacionalne manjine održava se konferencija stručnog usavršavanja za bilingvalno obrazovanje u Novom Sadu 12. maja 2015.

Uvaženi profesor primenjene lingvistike, Dr Stiven Baks sa Univerziteta u Bedfordširu u Velikoj Britaniji, vodiće ovu konferenciju koja je podeljena u četiri tematska dela:

I  Efektivno bilingvalno obrazovanje / obrazovanje gde se engleski jezik koristi kao medijum za davanje instrukcija - politika i praksa   

II  Planiranje kvalitetne nastave u okviru bilingvalnog obrazovanja / obrazovanja gde se engleski jezik koristi kao medijum za davanje instrukcija

III  Praćenje i ocenjivanje bilingvalnog obrazovanja / obrazovanja gde se engleski jezik koristi kao medijum za davanje instrukcija

IV Integrisanje nastave, učenja i ocenjivanja u bilingvalnom obrazovanju /  obrazovanju gde se engleski jezik koristi kao medijum za davanje instrukcija

Ukoliko želite da učestvujete na ovoj konferenciji, pošaljite vaše ime, prezime, naziv institucije u kojoj radite, grad i imejl na ovu adresu najkasnije do 7. maja 2015. Uspešno registrovanim učesnicima potvrda će biti poslata 8. maja. Radni jezik konferencije je engleski.

12. maj 2015. godine

Gimnazija ,,Laza Kostić''

Laze Lazarevića 1

Novi Sad

Za više informacija, kontaktirajte Kristijana Rajkovića ili Žolta Sakalaša.