Will Digital Technology Disappear?  (Video–Level B2 and above)

And how about mono-tasking? Would this device work for you?  (Video–Level B1 and above)

Another fun test: What Career Should you Actually Have? 

What is the difference between a career and a degree?

Photo Source: http://designspiration.net/image/1033194365751/

It’s the end of January and many of us find it hard to focus this time of year. So much happening, a new year full of things to do, things to begin, things to continue. Here are a few tips from fundersandfounders.com to help you focus better. How many of these do you already do? Which ones would you never do?

And here is a list of all hacks:

• Keep food on your desk. Glucose helps your brain focus.
• Turn off the phone. Most phone calls are not urgent.
• Get a good chair. There is a reason- bosses don’t sit on cheap chairs.
• Time yourself and see how much you did in 1 hour.
• Shut off everything that you are not really using.
• Clear your desk completely.
• Put on headphones. Classical music or no music is best for focusing.
• Make a list. Make it short.
• Reward yourself. If you get focused, be proud of yourself.
• Frame a picture of your goal. And look at it every morning before work.
• Bring your pet with you. They help you focus

It’s review time and most of you are getting ready to see how you have progressed in the last few months. So, we thought we could give you a fun test to see if you belong in the city you are at.

But before you do that, answer this: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Now take the test. Did you get the same city?

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ashleyperez/what-city-should-you-actually-live-in

Photo Source:http://shephaestion.tumblr.com/post/20178804120/foxontherun-via-design-theodore

Recently, a lot of people have been talking about Generation Y or The Millennials.

In other words, The Entreprenuers . The Digital Era. The Narcissists. Selfies! Born between the years 1980 and 2000’s, they are shaping our economy and work force today.

Watch this video, take notes and tell us, what generation do you belong to?

2000/2001-Present – New Silent Generation or Generation Z

1980-2000 – Millennials or Generation Y

1965-1979 – Generation X

1946-1964 – Baby Boomers

Do you agree with the comments on the video? And what are the pros and cons of the different generations they mention?

Photo Source: http://www.maddisongraphic.com/we-make-stuff-happen.php

It’s that time of year, new beginnings, new objectives…what are you planning to do to start off 2014? We propose the following and we think they are quite easy to maintain. Do you have any you want to add to the list? Happy 2014!

How do you plan to start your day? Would you start any of the routines above in 2014?

And it’s here! Our favourite links to look back at 2013.

Merry Christmas!

Link List:

–The Evolution of Santa Claus

–The Things We Talked about in 2013

–The Best Photos of 2013 According to Reuter’s

–Literary Jukebox – (a quote, a book and a song) daily updates. A great new habit for the New Year!

–A new perspective on the stress in our lives

– Christmas Comparisons – Which do you prefer? Compare two very different versions of the Christmas Classic, ‘Carol of the Bells’

A robot chior:http://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/james-houston-carol-of-the-bells 

The traditional version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oos7tkWrKyY

As the holidays quickly approach and we start preparing to end another full year, I am sure we all begin using our hindsight (an understanding of a past situation or event) to put the year 2013 into perspective and to prepare ourselves for a busy holiday season and 2014. No, this is not to stress you out more. On the contrary, this is to give you some tips (helpful hint or piece of information) on how you can begin the New Year successfully.

In this very interesting video by Amy Cuddy, Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are, we get some wonderful advice on how to face (confront) your fears and how to ace (do fantastically well) on that next interview or presentation you might have to do. It all begins with how you feel in the inside and how you use the information you have and know to arrive to your objective. Yes, there will be some challenges, but all it takes is a little practicing and a lot of confidence to say you DID

So what do you think? Will you start practicing “open posture” and facing your challenges?

http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html

Stay tuned for our Presentation Workshops in 2014!

This week, we are discussing with some students whether they feel learning English has become a race to the finish line (something urgent).

Here are two very interesting debates on whether English should become “The World Language”. Lately, this seems to be quite a debate. English is contagious and everyone around the world is trying to learn English. Did you know about 2 billion people are studying English as we speak?

Take a look at these stats (statistics):

http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-faq-the-english-language.htm

Some think that this is an opportunity for the world to communicate and do business. Others argue we are losing many minority languages. What do you think? Watch these two videos and see if you have a stance (position) on this important debate…after all, it is affecting you too:

Pro-Global English: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-world-s-english-mania-jay-walker

Against Global English: http://www.ted.com/talks/patricia_ryan_ideas_in_all_languages_not_just_english.html

Photo Source: Just Write Steve McCurry

We are beginning our 3rd year in business, we have a new office at Pau Claris 149 (two rooms!), Madeleine joined our team 6 months ago and we are ready to start making changes and share ideas, links and invite you to useful workshops to help you gain even more confidence. Sometimes Just knowing a little more about a subject and watching a video or two can help you take that extra step to feel connected. And that’s what we will do. Make sure that you are updated!
So you are learning English and you think you know why, but do you know where English comes from? Or why some words sound so similar to Latin, French and sometimes even Spanish?

Take a look at these videos. Perhaps they will make you feel just little more connected to the language you are investing so much time in. After all, everything has an explanation right? Of course, there is an exception, when… (sound familiar?).

A short 5 minute history on How English Evolved (not too difficult)
http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-did-english-evolve-kate-gardoqui

A 10 minute and creative in depth video on The History of English (a little more difficult):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3r9bOkYW9s