English mania

Watch this video and fill in the gaps with the appropriate words:
https://www.ted.com/talks/jay_walker_on_the_world_s_english_mania?language=en

- China will______________________________ this year

- Gao-kao is __________________________________________.

- English represents a percentage of ___________ in the mark of the Chinese students.

- It is good for Chinese people to speak English because ___________________________________________________________

- Nowadays English is nicknamed as_________________________________

Every breath you take, and how to understand collocations

Complete the song Every Breath You Take by The Police with the missing verbs. Then, cover the lyrics and try to remember the collocations.

"Every Breath You Take"

Every breath you ________ (1)
Every move you ______ (2)
Every bond you ______ (3)
Every step you ______ (4)
I'll be watching you
Every single day
Every word you ______ (5)
Every game you ______ (6)
Every night you _______ (7)
I'll be watching you

O can't you see
You belong to me
How my poor heart _______ (8) with every step you _____(4)

Every move you _____ (2)
Every vow you ______ (9)
Every smile you fake
Every claim you _____ (10)
I'll be watching you

Since you've gone I been lost without a trace
I dream at night I can only see your face
I look around but it's you I can't replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I keep crying baby, baby please

Every move you _____ (2)
Every vow you _____ (9)
Every smile you fake
Every claim you _____ (10)
I'll be watching you

* Bond [bɒnd]: A feeling shared by the same people that make them feel together.

Now, cover the lyrics and complete the collocations with the appropriate verb

     1)      _________ your breath

     2)      __________ a move

     3)      ___________ a vow

     4)      My heart _____________

     5)      __________ a game

     6)      __________ a bond

     7)      ___________ a night

     8)      __________ a step

     9)      __________ a word

     10)   __________ a claim

Any problems? Have a look at the verbs in the box

break (x2)           take (x2)             play                       ache                      say           stay    make                  stake

Collocations and how to understand them. A practical example

Can we really judge a book by its cover?

1) How do we exactly form lasting impression of others?

2) Why do we pay more attention to immoral behaviours than to good behaviour?

3) When does the positive information is taken into accour over negative information?

4) Can you explain the example of the man in the football game lending you an umbrella with your own words?

5) Do you agree with the video? Do you think someone can actually change or are they always the same?

C1 self-reflection questions and info

Answer these questions related to the C1 level

• What does C1 mean to you? Is your job or a prospective job at stake if you don't get a C1?
• What kind of things do you think you'll be able to do at the end of this school year? What are your expectations?
• What do you think is necessary to keep up with your English level?
• How many hours are you willing to spend outside the classroom to improve your English / achieve C1?

Here is the level that you're expected to achieve by the end of the school year. 

a) Global scale

b) Self-assessment grid

c) Spoken language use

Welcome to a wonderful yet hard English trip

Hiya everybody!
Today we're inaugurating the C1 level, which I reckon is kind of important for most of you, as a high level of English is required at work or many other institutions. They trip you are now starting is long and harsh, but also rewarding and hopefully fun. This is the class blog we'll be using where I'll upload most of the materials we use in class. 
I wish you the very best for this course, but bear in mind that this course might be difficult and don't get frustrated if yor level of English at the end of the year desn't live up to your personal expectations. Try to enjoy the course and all the materials: songs, videos, games...

Remember your mark will ONLY depend on the final mark of the exam in May, which includes:
- Reading
- Listening
- Writing
- Speaking 
- Mediation

To get the C1 certificate you'll need to have a positive mark in evey task and a final mark of, at least, 65 % in the final exam. Don't get discouraged. These are the rules but, you know., if there's a will, there's a way!!
Good luck! I recommend you pay a visit to the blog regularly and especially to the important resources to keep learning English on the right-hand side of the blog. 
Welcome everyone and let's enjoy the ride. You know, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so we'll have to speak as much English as possible!