COMMERCIALS

A TV Commercial or a television Advertisement

is a notice or display advertising something on TV.

Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience (viewers, readers or listeners) to purchase or take some action on products, ideas, or services.

It includes the name of a product or service and how that product or service could benefit the consumer, to persuade a target market to purchase or to consume that particular brand . 

 

A television commercial or television advertisement (often just commercial, advert, or ad) is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message.

Most television advertisements today consist of brief advertising spots, ranging in length from a few seconds to several minutes.
The effect of commercial advertisements on the viewing public has been successful and powerful.

To Emphasize the POWER OF MUSIC in commercials, watch the next TV advert from Thailand with no lyrics. Just music and images. Simply brilliant !!
Enjoy it!
The story of a deaf and mute girl who learns to play the violin against all odds. One of the most touching advertisements I've seen in a long, long time.

TENNIS IN WIMBLEDON - GLORIOUS HISTORY

The very first Wimbledon Tennis championship take place in 1877 at the All England lawn tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London,United Kingdom - the real home of modern tennis and wimbledon tennis history. All England Crocquet Club was the sponsor and the event was initially made to produce money to repair a broken roller at the private club but instead, has grown to the most respected tournament in the whole world. Just 22 players introduced the Mens Singles and spectators pais a mere one shilling to watch the final match.

This year the tournament  takes place from 20 June to 3 July 2011 OFFICIAL WEB 

SUMMER SOLSTICE 2011

In the Northern Hemisphere, summer solstice begins on Jun 21 2011 at 1:16 P.M. EDT

In the UK June 21, 2011 at 17:16 UTC.

Sol + stice derives from a combination of Latin words meaning "sun" + "to stand still." As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and higher until it seems to stand still in the sky.

As a major celestial event, the Summer Solstice results in the longest day and the shortest night of the year. The Northern Hemisphere celebrates in June, but the people on the Southern half of the earth have their longest summer day in December.

The Celts & Slavs celebrated the first day of summer with dancing & bonfires to help increase the sun's energy. The Chinese marked the day by honoring Li, the Chinese Goddess of Light. 

Perhaps the most enduring modern ties with Summer Solstice were the Druids' celebration of the day as the "wedding of Heaven and Earth", resulting in the present day belief of a "lucky" wedding in June.

Today, the day is still celebrated around the world - most notably in England at Stonehenge and Avebury, where thousands gather to welcome the sunrise on the Summer Solstice.

Pagan spirit gatherings or festivals are also common in June, when groups assemble to light a sacred fire, and stay up all night to welcome the dawn.

Summer Solstice Fun Facts

Pagans called the Midsummer moon the "Honey Moon" for the mead made from fermented honey that was part of wedding ceremonies performed at the Summer Solstice.

Ancient Pagans celebrated Midsummer with bonfires, when couples would leap through the flames, believing their crops would grow as high as the couples were able to jump.

Midsummer was thought to be a time of magic, when evil spirits were said to appear. To thwart them, Pagans often wore protective garlands of herbs and flowers. One of the most powerful of them was a plant called 'chase-devil', which is known today as St. John's Wort and still used by modern herbalists as a mood stab

More about summer solstice around the Web:

On the Web, discover more about the topic, where & how Summer Solstice is celebrated around the world along with related history, folklore and rituals that mark the much-awaited long, bright days of summer ....

Summer Solstice - Good overview of its history, customs & holidays, illustrations, date & time charts and related links, from Wikipedia.

Summer Solstice Celebrations - Ancient & Modern - Skip past the intrusive ads for a detailed discussion about how the day has been celebrated over the centuries, and in many cultures, with suggested reading and related links.

BBC Religion - Summer Solstice - A brief overview of Pagan rituals and ceremonies with related links to more facts & information.

Weird Wilstshire - Summer Solstice - Archived pictures with a report on one particularly successful UK sunrise celebration, including related links & online forum.

The Pagan Festival of Litha - The origins of Druidic Summer Solstice celebrations and their meaning in the natural cycle of seasons.

PRONUNCIATION TIPS

The sounds of English

There is a system of symbols for writing the sounds of English. We have a guide to these symbols and also videos to show how to pronounce each of the sounds.

There are also activities to practise identifiying the difference between certain sounds which may sound similar.

Features of English
Information about different elements of English pronunciation.
There are also interactive and downloadable exercises to help you build your understanding of these areas.

Quizzes
Interactive quizzes to test your knowledge of and help you learn about English pronunciation.

Programmes
Three radio programmes from 2005 on the topic of pronunciation. You can download the full programmes along with the script and audio examples.

CLICK HERE TO START

WHIT SUNDAY

Pentecost comes from the Greek, meaning Fiftieth Day, as it is the 50th Day after Easter Sunday, 10 days after Ascension Day. It was the Greek name for the Jewish festival of Shavuot, although the dates for the two celebrations rarely correspond.

In the Orthodox church, Pentecost falls on the same day as Trinity Sunday.

Pentecost is also known as Whitsunday (the old-English for White Sunday) in the UK and other English speaking areas. 

The day after Pentecost is sometimes called Whit Monday and is a holiday in many countries.

Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit as described in Acts, Chapter 2, when tongues of fire are said to have descended from heaven causing the disciples to start speaking in many different languages and leading to the conversion of some 3,000 witnesses.

Pentecost is observed in churches across the world, but customs differ from country to country. Italian celebrations feature rose petals; the French blow trumpets to simulate a mighty wind; horse-racing and Whitsun ales used to be a major element in England, suppressed by the Puritans; In Poland people decorate their houses with green branches. In the Eastern Orthodox Church the whole week is regarded as an ecclesiastical feast and celebration.

ANTONIO BANDERAS INTERVIEWED BY ELLEN DeGENERES

JOB INTERVIEW

You can practice your speaking, reading and listening with the following links related to Job Interviews:

• INTERVIEW 1 
• INTERVIEW 2 
• INTERVIEW 3
• EXERCISES

DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?

Simon Pegg and the Big Train comedy sketch team perform a funny short on life of an English speaking tourist in France.

KING AND QUEEN ATTEND MILITARY TRIBUTE IN MALAGA (SPAIN) 29th MAY

Thousands turned out this weekend to witness the numerous events that formed part of the Armed Forces Day celebrations in the city of Malaga.

On Sunday some 50,000 people crowded into the Paseo de Parque for the final part of the celebrations which was attended by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía as well as the Prince and Princess of Asturias and Defence Minister Carme Chacón, among other authorities. Some 250 servicemen and women from the three armed forces took part in the flag ceremony and the tribute to the fallen followed by a 21-gun salute.

The previous day an estimated 80,000 people gathered on the Malagueta beach and promenade for the exhibition that took place on land, sea and air. While Harrier jet fighters and helicopters landed and took off from the Príncipe de Asturias aircraft carrier, a demonstration of the forces' skills and resources was given in the form of a staged operation to rescue UN observers captured by rebels. The exhibition culminated in an aerobatics display put on by the Patrulla Águila who finished by painting the Spanish flag in the sky with their vapour trails.

ARMED FORCES DAY IN MALAGA

The main events for Armed Forces Day, the Día de las Fuerzas Armadas, will be held in Málaga this year.

It takes place in the capital of the Costa del Sol on May 28 and 29.

The King and Queen of Spain, Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía, will be there to preside a ceremony in honour of the Spanish flag and of the troops who have died while serving their country.

One of the highlights will be an exhibition involving all three branches of the military: the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.

The celebration id very special for all members of the armed forces, who have been working throughout the year for the sacrifice of their country and who will have the chance to demonstrate their high standard of preparation.

The event is always held on the weekend of the Sunday closest to the Day of St Ferdinand, May 30th – King Ferdinand III during his lifetime.

It’s a day, which allows the public to show their support for the armed forces, for the respect and admiration they feel for Spain’s most appreciated institution.

EASY CONVERSATIONS FOR BEGINNERS

Here you have 25 topics to practice conversation. There are different situations in each topic.
You can practice "speaking" conversation with an online Robot.
Link on the image to start.

KARAOKE ON LINE

Here you have a real karaoke on line. Write the name of your favourite artist and song and start singing!
Link on the image and enjoy yourself.

INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY - 18th MAY

Every year since 1977, International Museum Day is held worldwide sometime around 18 May. From America and Oceania to Europe, Asia and Africa, International Museum Day aims to increase public awareness of the role of museums in developing society.

The theme for International Museum Day 2011 is Museum and Memory. Museums preserve memories and tell stories. They have in their collections numerous objects that are fundamental to the memory of the communities we live in. These objects are the expression of our natural and cultural heritage. Many of them are fragile, some endangered, and they all need special care and conservation. International Museum Day 2011 will be an opportunity to discover and rediscover your individual and collective memory.

AZERBAIJAN WINS 2011 EUROVISION SONG CONTEST!

After an exciting voting in front of tens of thousands of people in a fully packed Düsseldorf Arena and millions of TV viewers all over Europe, it was finally Ell/Nikki from Azerbaijan who received the highest number of points from televoters and juries from the 43 countries participating in this year's edition of Europe's favourite TV-show! Ell/Nikki managed to gather 221 points altogether - followed by Raphael Gualazzi from Italy with 189 points and Sweden's Eric Saade who collected 185 points

SONG: RUNNING SCARED - Ell & Nikki

Come to me, come to me tonight

Oh god I need you, anyway... baby

I just wanna be, be around you all the time

Oh god I need you.. oh...


I'm running I'm scared tonight

I'm running I'm scared of life

I'm running I'm scared of breathing

Coz I adore you

I'm running I'm scared tonight

I'm running I'm scared of breathing

Coz I adore you


Come to me, come to me a bit more

Oh god I need you, there's nothing left for me to say

So rest on me darling, stay forever more

Oh god I need you, I need you


I'm running I'm scared tonight

I'm running I'm scared of life

I'm running I'm scared of breathing

Coz I adore you

I'm running I'm scared tonight

I'm running I'm scared of breathing

Coz I adore you


Oh, what I wouldn't give away

To be you're shelter and keep you safe… oh… oh..



I'm running I'm scared tonight

I'm running I'm scared of life

I'm running I'm scared of breathing

Coz I adore you

I'm running I'm scared tonight

I'm running I'm scared of breathing

Coz I adore you

LEARN TO PUT YOUR MAKE UP ON IN ENGLISH

YouTube offers you so many opportunities to learn English and also to learn how to do new things, learn how to do things better or teach others how to do things.



In today's activity we'll look at some 'home' produced YouTube channels and learn a bit more about how to use make up and other cosmetics and develop your vocabulary in this area. We'll also look at how you can enter into a dialogue with the people who create the videos.


Task:

You are going to watch 3 short videos showing you how to apply make up. The FIRST VIDEO is by Andrea and has no words, just text and images. Pause the video to make notes of any new words you see in the text.


Now look at the new words you noted down and check to find a definition for them on this site: MAKE UP USA VOCABULARY

Just click on the word to the left of the screen and you will find images of the kinds of products in the video.

Now that you have a bit more vocabulary, you can watch this second video and listen as Michelle Phan describes how she puts on her make up.




The vocabulary in these videos and the range of accents can be very challenging, but if you watch and listen to a number of different ones you will find they become easier to understand, and if you do have a problem with understanding some of the things that they are saying or doing, remember that you can leave a comment or ask a question by going to the video on YouTube.


Here's one more video for you to watch. In this one Elle describes the make up used in the 'Blockbuster' movie 'Twilight'.



One of the great things about people who produce these kinds of videos is that they welcome communication with the people who watch their videos, so you can either go to their channel on YouTube and send them a comment or question.

JOHN PAUL II'S BEATIFICATION

The Vatican has hosted its biggest event in years - the beatification of the late Pope John Paul II.
The globe-trotting Pope credited with contributing to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe was blessed in St Peter's Square on Sunday 1 May.

The ceremony attracted more than one million people - the biggest crowd in Rome since John Paul II's death, and the election of Pope Benedict XVI, six years ago. Four million pilgrims came on that occasion.
When Pope John Paul II died in April 2005, there were shouts from the throngs of pilgrims who came to pay him their last respects: "Santo subito!" or "Make him a saint right now!"


Beatification is normally the Catholic Church's official authorisation for the local veneration of a person considered to have led an exemplary holy life. Canonisation means that this person may be venerated anywhere in the world.

SONG: FIREWORK - Katy Perry

Firework Poetic Devices Activity

View more documents from Tracee Orman

BALCONY KISS SEALS ROYAL WEDDING

Prince William and Kate Middleton kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace

Prince William and Kate Middleton have kissed twice on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their wedding service in Westminster Abbey.

They were cheered by 500,000 well-wishers who gathered outside the palace, as RAF planes flew past in honour of the new royal couple.

The church service, watched by 1,900 guests, ran smoothly but the prince did struggle to place the wedding ring on the duchess's finger.

After the couple said their vows - in which the bride did not promise to obey her husband - the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Dr Rowan Williams, declared: "I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

PRINCE WILLIAM - DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE

The Queen has today been pleased to confer a Dukedom on Prince William of Wales. His titles will be Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus.

Prince William thus becomes His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge and Miss Catherine Middleton on marriage will become Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.

Background:

DUKEDOM: Cambridge:
In 1706 George Augustus (subsequently George II) the only son of George Ludwig, Elector of Hanover (subsequently George I of Great Britain) was created with other titles Duke of Cambridge. On the accession of his father to the throne in 1714 he also became Duke of Cornwall and was created Prince of Wales. On his own accession to the throne in 1727 the Dukedom of Cambridge merged with The Crown and ceased.
Cambridge was previously a Royal Dukedom and four sons of James, Duke of York (afterwards James II) who died in infancy were all created Duke of Cambridge. As an Earldom Cambridge was a medieval Royal title. Edward IV was Duke of York and Earl of Cambridge till proclaimed King of England in 1461 when his titles merged with The Crown.

ROYAL WEDDING DATE: PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE MIDDLETON TO MARRY ON APRIL 29

Prince William and Kate Middleton are to marry at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, which has been declared a bank holiday in celebration.

April 29 falls on a Friday and the Government has designated it as a bank holiday. David Cameron welcomed the announcement of the royal wedding date, which he said would be a "happy and momentous occasion".
The Prime Minister added: "We want to mark the day as one of national celebration - a public holiday will ensure the most people possible will have a chance to celebrate on the day."
The timing of the wedding will mean there will be two four-day public holidays, two weekends in succession. The Monday after the wedding, May 2, is already a designated bank holiday; and the previous weekend is Easter, which also has two bank holidays on the Friday and Monday.
The couple, who revealed their engagement to the world last week, were described as "over the moon" about their forthcoming wedding.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, the prince's private secretary, said: "They’re on cloud nine like any other newly engaged couple and they’re now getting stuck into organising their wedding.

FOLLOW THE ROYAL WEDDING ROUTE

On Friday, the royal wedding procession will pass by some of London's most historical and visited sites. Follow along on the way to Westminster Abbey with this guide and photo gallery of the can't-miss attractions.

ROYAL WEDDING GAME

The main objective of this game is to make sure William and Kate's wedding goes according to plan. Players will help the two lovebirds were prepared at the same time ensure the event venue can be used.

This game has four levels short. At the first level, players must help William tidy her bedroom at Buckingham Palace and find the items needed.

At the second level, turn to Kate who need assistance to prepare at home. After that the players will go to Westminister Abbey to clean up the venue. Finally, after the wedding ceremony is completed, players must prepare the reception party.

WILLIAM AND KATE - ROYAL WEDDING SONG

TRAVELLING

Here you have an interactive game about travelling: by car, by train, by plane, on foot and a travelling game.
I hope you enjoy it!



EASTER SUNDAY IN MALAGA

It is Easter Sunday, the Day of Resurrection; the joyful day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the Gospels it is modestly told how, on this sunday morning the women visited Jesus' tomb and realised he had come back to life.The procession of El Resucitado is Malaga's celebration of the resurrection of the Lord and it is the last procession in the Holy Week Malaga. Nazarenes from each and every one of the societies take part together, creating a colorful cortege.


The procession of this day is:El Resucitado

EARTH DAY - 22nd APRIL

The April 22 Earth Day, founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson, was first organized in 1970 to promote ecology and respect for life on the planet as well as to encourage awareness of the growing problems of air, water and soil pollution.

Earth Day is a name used for two different observances, both held worldwide annually. While some people celebrate Earth Day around the time of the vernal equinox, others observe the occasion on April 22 each year. Earth Day aims to inspire awareness of and appreciation for earth's environment. It is currently observed in more than 140 countries around the world.

EARTH DAY . GIVE EARTH A HAND

Earth Day is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day is a time to unite around new actions. Earth Day and every day is a time to act to protect our planet.

EARTH DAY READING

CLICK ON THE BOOK TO READ A STORY ABOUT THIS DAY