English Is Crazy

Peculiarities of English pronunciation, word formation...



I bet many of you agree, English is crazy…

Viral Video: Poem "Look Up"

"Look Up" is a poem written and performed by British writer Gary Turk, which encourages people to do just that: look up. It is a reflection on how mobile devices - originally designed to connect people - are, in fact, disconnecting people.

Remember to click on the captions (CC) to get the subtitles when you watch the video, otherwise, it may be too difficult to understand.

If you need the subtitles in Spanish, click here.

Click here to be directed to the Multimedia English webpage and have a look at the explanations of the vocabulary in the poem.

Any comments about the message of the poem?

Real Conditionals: Poem "If" by Rudyard Kiplin

Rudyard Kiplin´s poem "If" was written for his son aged 12. It is a very famous poem which you can read below (click here for a bigger view) while listening to it magnificently recited by the English actor Sir Michael Caine

And here is an excerpt of the poem read by tennis players Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Do you notice the difference in pronunciation, rhythm and intonation between  the three readings (the one above and the two below)? What suggestions would you give Nadal and Federer to improve their readings?

Valentine´s Day

Tomorrow is Valentine´s Day; let´s celebrate!:

Let´s start with a love story. Since the message of this story is so important, I have decided to include the video (divided into two parts) with the audio in English but the subtitles in Spanish. As you listen and read, try to imagine the words he uses to see how much you really understand. This is a very good listening exercise

Now (or in a couple of days)  you can watch the video below, without subtitles , to see how much you remember and understand this time.

What ideas / words do you associate with Valentine´s Day? Let´s see how many I get right:

• Love - especially the sentence "I love you." Watch the video where lots of people say this is different languages, how many do you understand?

• Kissing: thinking about Valentine´s Day reminds  many people of either kissing in general or a special kiss but if you think you know it all about kissing, check the following video; I am sure you will learn quite a few interesting facts

• poems: click here to see some important writers´favourite love poems. If you find any you really like, you can share it with all of us
• songs; there are so many love songs... what´s your favorite? Maybe it is included in this Valentine´s medley 

Songlist:
Kiss Me (Six Pence None The Richer)
I'd Do Anything For Love (Meat Loaf)
Eternal Flame (The Bangles)
Hey Delilah (Plain White T's)
Do You Wanna Date My Avatar (The Guild)
Your Song (Elton John)
Can You Feel The Love Tonight (Elton John)
Heaven (Bryan Adams)
Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper)
500 Miles (The Proclaimers)
Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You (Glenn Medeiros)
I'm Yours (Jason Mraz)
All my loving (The Beatles)
Love Me Tender (Elvis Presley)
I Was Made For Lovin' You (Kiss)
My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion)
I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing (Aerosmith)
To Be With You (Mr. Big)
Love Is All Around (The Troggs)
I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston)
The Reason (Hoobastank)

• love stories in films: this is a video with lots of confessions of love; I bet you can get some ideas...

TV's Best Confessions of Love from Flavorwire on Vimeo.

Click here for lots of facts, activities and information in general about Valentine´s Day (link to Brownielocks and the Three Bears)  

OMG! I am afraid you will get fed up with all the love in this post but remember this is not a day just for sweethearts and romantic love, but all kinds of love so 

Valentines Day Glitter Graphics