It’s getting cold out there and there is nothing better than a hot cup of_________ to warm you up. So, we asked our teachers how they took their favorite drink to wake up, warm up or cuddle up with a good book/movie:

Heidi: I love my cup of jo (coffee) and all I need is for it to be freshly brewed with warm milk and two small teaspoons of brown sugar. Don’t give me coffee that has not been freshly brewed…I need fresh! And if you are wondering, I do not drink “American” coffee. I only have espresso, but I do miss the smell of a large pot of coffee brewing.

Madeleine: An English Cup of Tea:

I’m a devoted coffee drinker since living in Barcelona, (I don’t drink tea, as it’s just not the same, and I’m also not a great fan of trying to replicate traditional things in another country!) I could write an essay on British tea drinking, but this is my short personal version.

The best cup of tea is made in a pot, and when I was young, I was always taught by parents and grandparents that you must warm the pot first. (Pour a small amount of boiling water into the pot and swirl the water around to get it warm.) Then add the tea leaves, cover with boiling water and leave for 4-5 minutes.

I drink my tea with a very tiny amount of semi-skimmed milk, (poured into the cup first,) and then finally pour the tea with a strainer.

No sugar.

(Quite the opposite of ‘builders tea’!!!)

Claire My perfect “Cuppa Rosie-Lea” = Cup of Tea (Cockney Rhyming Slang from the East end of London)

– Boil the kettle

– Place your tea bag (PG Tips or Tetley brands will do nicely) in your cup

– Pour boiling (very important!) water over the tea bag

– Squish and squeeze the tea bag in the cup with a teaspoon, leaving it in to brew for a few seconds

– Get your milk (fresh cow’s milk is best) from the fridge and pour a reasonable amount into your tea

– Squish and squeeze the tea bag again until you’re happy with the colour, a nice milky beige

– Take out and discard the tea bag (never use it twice!!)

– It’s ready to drink!

– A bonus is to drink it with a nice biscuit! 😉

Tim Earl Grey tea – decaffeinated, a little bit of cold milk added when it’s brewed plus some McVities Digestive biscuits for dunking (500 year old ancient British tradition of dunking biscuits, nothing to do with USA’s Dunkin Donuts)

Photo source: http://www.twisteddoodles.com/post/54380592146/how-do-you-take-your-tea

This week’s post is all about idioms. You know, those expressions or sayings that exist in every culture and only make sense in your own culture? Well, here are a few great ones that have been translated to English. Can you think of any in your own language? How would you translate them to English? Or how would you explain it to an English speaker?

Here are some in English. How would you translate them to your own language? Can you figure out (determine) what they mean?

It’s raining cats and dogs= it’s raining heavily

Make ends meet= have enough money to cover expenses

Race against the clock= do something quickly because of a pressing deadline

Money talks= money has power and influence

When pigs fly or when hell freezes over= never

Still curious for more? Check this link out for more interesting idioms

Photo Source: http://www.hotelclub.com/blog/idioms-of-the-world-infographic/