Video Comprehension – The Wonders of Gold

Gold is one of the world's most sought after elements. It has been the symbol of luxury for millennia, and to this day it is still an important factor in world economics. The metal's bling factor makes it something which is yearned for by everyone from criminal despots to rap stars, to royalty. James Bond author Ian Fleming used the metal as a thematic element in a number of his bestselling novels, including “The Man with the Golden Gun,” and “Goldfinger.” In fact Fleming was so obsessed with the element that he wrote…Czytaj dalej …
Getting to know: Autumn Idioms

Getting to know: Autumn Idioms

The weather is changing around us, with trees steadily shedding their yellow leaves, and the Polish landscape is ever changing, from summer's green, to the present oranges, reds and browns. Let's look at some expressions and idioms relating to this colourful season, where we are starting to cuddle up by the fireside at night! IDIOM: Turn over a new leaf DEFINITION: To forget the past and begin again. EXAMPLE: You should think about the mistakes which you have made in th past, and not make them again, and turn over a new leaf.…Czytaj dalej …
Hello, My Name Is: Malala Yousafzai

Hello, My Name Is: Malala Yousafzai

In the 17 years I have been on this earth, I have been through a lot. I have worked hard for children's rights in my native region of Swat in Pakistan, spoken at numerous institutions around the globe, and, most significantly of all, I was shot in the face for wanting to go to school. My story starts in 1997, when I was born in a modest family and grew up surrounded by my father, mother, two younger brother and handful of chickens. I was always a hard working girl, who saw great…Czytaj dalej …
Learning English Through Play – Shiritori

Learning English Through Play – Shiritori

This is not the first time we have featured games here at the English Matters Blog. But this is the first time a game has been influenced by the orient. Shiritori is a Japanese word game where players have to come up with words starting with the letter which ended the other player's contribution. The longer the word, the more points the respective player earns. At the end of the round, the player with the most points wins. According to the almighty Wikipedia, “'Shiritori' literally means 'taking the buttocks' or 'taking the end.'”…Czytaj dalej …
We Hate Mondays

We Hate Mondays

Mondays are the bane of our existence. Following a weekend of relaxation, we return to work, and face a new week of annoying coworker, evil teachers and nagging bosses. As the the graph below shows, you actually have no plans this week anyway, and as the week progresses, you only look forward to Friday and the multitude of plans which await you this weekend. Mondays have also inspired some to create art. Poet Jelisa Jeffery wrote a poem about the world's least favourite day. The poem, made up of three quatrains, talks about…Czytaj dalej …
50 Years of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

50 Years of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

This year marks the anniversary of one of the world's most loved children's books: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Written in 1964 by Roald Dahl, the book follows the fate of Charlie Bucket, a poor child who wants nothing more than to visit the famous Wonka chocolate factory. One day he finds a Golden Ticket in a bar of chocolate. It is an invitation to tour the factory by the owner Willy Wonka. Four other children have already found the golden invitation. On the fateful day, they are greeted by the colourful and…Czytaj dalej …
English is Evolving

English is Evolving

As with any living organism, the English language is growing, evolving and changing. Not only do words come and go, but the accents gradually tweak and are eventually forgotten. Here is an extremely interesting documentary on the London's Globe Theatre's productions of some of Shakespeare's plays in the Original Pronunciation (OP) rather than the modern Received Pronunciation. Father and son team David and Ben Crystal discuss how Shakespeare's plays sound better in OP and many gags and word puns work in the original London accent but not in the modern interpretation. Linguist David…Czytaj dalej …
Somewhere, Over the Rainbow

Somewhere, Over the Rainbow

In 1939, the world greeted a magical film. Starring Judy Garland, The Wizard of Oz transported audiences to a magical land. The visuals and the music were awe inspiring. Perhaps the most memorable song was "Somewhere, Over the Rainbow" from the very beginning of the film. --------------------------- Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high There's a land that I heard of, once in a lullaby Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true Someday I'll wish upon a star and Wake up…Czytaj dalej …
How did the London Tube Map Came About?

How did the London Tube Map Came About?

Anyone who has ever travelled on the London Underground (affectionately known as the Tube), knows that it is relatively easy to travel from one station to the other. This is mainly thanks to the intuitive map which can be found at every station and on every train. It wasn't always like this. The colourful map as we know it today was first conceived in the early 1930s by Harry Beck, a draughtsman working for the underground train company. Before he had his brainwave, the maps were geographical, superimposed on the actual map of…Czytaj dalej …
Jack the Ripper was Polish?

Jack the Ripper was Polish?

New DNA evidence seems to confirm that the notorious Jack the Ripper -- who terrorised the East End of London in the late 19th century -- was in fact Polish immigrant Aaron Kosminski . What is impressive is not only that a name has finally been identified well over a century after the murders were committed, but that the discovery was made by an “armchair detective”. Russell Edwards is “definitely, categorically and absolutely” certain that 23 year-old Polish immigrant Aaron Kosminski was Jack the Ripper. “I’ve got the only piece of forensic evidence in the…Czytaj dalej …
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