Saint George

Happy Easter!

Easter Note Generator

History of Saint Patrick's

Here you have a little explanation about this wonderful celebration! Remember to wear green next Saturday, 17th March or you will get pinched!

Have a shamrocking day!

St. Patrick's Day Note GAMES E-CARDS

The History of Valentine's Day

Let's know Scotland!

Hi students, as you know one of the activities organized by the English Department consists on dancing Ceilidh. Our experience says to us that you will have a great time !! Ok, so before carrying out this activity we are going to work on the main features of Scottish geography and culture through a treasure hunt. Are you ready ?? Well, follow the steps:

1. Make groups of three people.

2. Click on this LINK.

3. Answer the questions.

Happy Groundhog Day!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!

I just want to wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS to each and everyone! I hope this new year 2010 will be full of fun and new challenges to achive both at school and in our lives! And I ask to Santa, as my Christmas present, more enthusiasm in your English lessons!!!

*ESTER*

CHRISTMAS VOCABULARY: Practise some Christmas words with this activity:

ECARDS: Now that you have learnt some new words, send your friends a Christmas ecard in English!

CHRISTMAS JOKES: Here you have some Christmas jokes to have some fun during these holidays. Did you understand them?

CHRISTMAS: Sing along with Cascada!

Lyrics | Last Christmas lyrics

Christmas origins and traditions

Christmas has been celebrated on December 25 since 336 A.D. The tradition started as a Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus and has evolved into an international holiday that embodies family togetherness and good cheer.

Christmas gets it name from "Christ," meaning "Messiah" or "Anointed One," and "Mass," meaning "religious festival." Jesus, born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary, was given the title of "Christ" because he was regarded as a great king who would protect people from all wrong and evil.

So great, in fact, that the Three Kings, or Three Wise Men, brought three gifts to honor him: gold, frankincense (a resin burned in the worship of God) and myrrh (a plant oil used to bury the dead and a symbol of mortality). These gifts symbolized Jesus' excellence, his close relationship with God (as His son) and his oneness with the human race.

While some still regard Christmas solely as a religious holiday, Christmas has become, for many, a day to celebrate family and be merry (and to needlessly spend aplenty, as some cynics would note!). In the spirit of holiday cheer, many observe the traditions of Santa Claus, mistletoe, Christmas trees and Christmas cards described below.

Santa Claus gets his origins from St. Nicholas, a generous man from the 4th century A.D. who helped the children and the poor, often throwing gifts through children's windows to make them happy. Brought to America by Dutch immigrants in the 1600s as "Sinter Klaas," Americans soon began calling him "Santa Claus." Through the imagination of various authors and illustrators, Santa evolved into the fat, jolly, red-suited man from the North Pole we know today.

Kissing under the mistletoe, our favorite sprig of green leaves and white berries, dates back to a 17th century English custom. At that time, a berry was removed every time a kiss was made, which meant there were no kisses when there no berries. We seem to have since forgotten about the berry removal - allowing us to fully concentrate on the kissing!

The tradition of Christmas trees was started in 16th century Germany. Martin Luther, a German theologian, is thought to have popularized the concept. On a brisk, clear Christmas Eve, Luther was walking home under a bright, starry sky, which was so beautiful that he wanted to recreate its beauty for his children. His idea was to decorate a large evergreen with glowing candles, a custom we still honor today in more modern forms.

And last but not least: the Christmas card, probably the most popular way to express holiday sentiments, was started in England in 1843. The first Christmas card was printed in the United States in 1875 by Louis Prang, a Massachusetts printer. By running nationwide contests for the best Christmas designs, Prang helped launch Christmas cards into a multibillion dollar industry.

Nowadays, most people prefer E-cards. An e-card is similar to a postcard or greeting card, with the primary difference being that it is created using digital media instead of paper or other traditional materials. Below, I'm posting a couple of links that let us send beautiful e-cards. I hope you like !!

E-cards 1

E-cards 2

THANKSGIVING: "Origins&History"

Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States. It is celebrated each year on the fourth Thursday in November. So, this year it's going to be next 28th November. On this day, families gather together, and many people say prayers of thanks for the years blessings. In many homes, a big dinner of roast turkey and dressing is served. Thanksgiving is traditionally a harvest festival. Similar festivals are celebrated in many parts of the world to give thanks after the years crops have been safely harvested. Canada also celebrates  Thanksgiving but during the second Monday in October. Now watch these videos to learn more!

After watching these videos, visit these links to complete your Thanksgiving Dossier:

- Picture Dictionary 1:  
http://www.mes-english.com/flashcards/files/thanksgiving1.pdf

- Picture Dictionary 2:  
http://www.mes-english.com/flashcards/files/thanksgiving2.pdf

- Wikipedia:  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving
- Enciclopaedia Britannica:  
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/590003/Thanksgiving-Day
- Thanksgiving Day Organisation:  
http://www.thanksgiving-day.org/
- Holidays Thanksgiving:  
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/thanksgiving-day
- All about Thanksgiving:  
http://www.rumela.com/events/events_november_thanksgiving.htm
- Holidays on the Net:  
http://www.holidays.net/thanksgiving/
- A kid's Heart Thanksgiving:  
http://www.akidsheart.com/holidays/thanks/thmain.htm

BONFIRE NIGHT: "Origins&History"

Hi everyone!! Have you ever heard of Bonfire Night. If it is not the case, through this activity you will have the oportunity to learn about this festivity that it is celebrated every 5th November. Watch the video and try to extract the main information from it to learn more about this celebration. Have fun!!

Happy Halloween

HALLOWEEN: "Origins&History"

Check out this presentation explaining the origins and ways to celebrate Halloween. You can also click on the two Halloween links I added below the presentation. Then post your own comments explaining the origins and ways to celebrate Castanyada. Come on! Show this Catalan Tradition to the world!

Halloween History

View more presentations from Sunnyme.

Halloween Link 1          Halloween Link 2

Latest news from Punxsutawney!

MERRY CHRISTMAS CARD

Happy Easter Holidays!

Have a wonderful holiday and relax, because after Easter break, you will have to study lots of English! So, before starting your free days, how about an Egg Hunt? You just have to discover where the Easter eggs are hidden. Come on! It's a piece of cake!
Have fun,
*ESTER*

Happy Saint Valentine's Day!

Look at this video to learn more about the history of Saint Valentine's Day! And have a lovely Valentine's Day!

Happy Groundhog Day!

Look at this video to learn more about the history of Groundhog Day! And watch carefully the news to check if there will be 6 more weeks of WINTER! Brrr!



Does it ring a bell? Do you remember this movie? No? Really??? Then watch this trailer to remember this comic movie! Have a wonderful Groundhog Day!