Good country

At this time of the year, when we're probably all thinking about how fabulous we're going to be next year and do everything differently: stop smoking, lose weight, become a vegetarian, recycle more, do some English listening every day, do some exercising, stop mugging people and running off with their handbags, etc, etc, etc, perhaps it's the time to think more globally? Just an idea!

Especially those of you who might be dreaming of the possibility of a new country? Maybe it's the time to consider what makes a country a "good" one.

In this TED talk, Simon Anholt talks about the factors that make some countries better than others, and about how what we like about a country may not be what we would have initially imagined.

He also says the name of the country that currently does the most good, and guess what: the country is... SPOILER!!! CENSORED CENSORED CENSORED!!!



(Remember to watch the video without subtitles a couple of times, if you're watching it for listening practice.)


Along the same lines, on this webpage http://www.goodcountry.org/ Anholt promotes the idea of a political party concerned with doing good.

And if you're like me and enjoy lots of statistics in different colours, you should really check out this part, where you'll be able to compare different countries and different aspects: http://www.goodcountry.org/index_intro

And if all that doesn't make you feel like being good in 2015, I give up! :)

Happy new year everyone!

Does Learning a Foreign Language Pay Off?

Is learning a foreign language really worth it?

Here they talk about the pros (and no cons): Does Learning a Foreign Language Pay Off?



In more detail here: http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2014/03/language-study

The world is running out of chocolate!!

It's a tragedy!! Apparently they've known for some time.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/worlds-largest-chocolate-manufacturer-adds-voice-to-warnings-of-potential-cocoa-shortage-by-2020-9864437.html

Natural reader

I've used this in class before, when I have a sore throat and can't force my voice, but it's also useful for you: http://www.naturalreaders.com/

I haven't downloaded it, but that option seems interesting too. If anyone does downlaod it, let me know if it's useful!

Weird Al Yankovic - Word Crimes

Weird Al's parody of Blurred Lines: "Word Crimes", although maybe some of you will prefer the original. ;)



Lyrics here.

The Most Common Travel Scams by Country

This page has an interesting list of tourist scams that I hope you're all avoiding right now!

http://www.justtheflight.co.uk/blog/16-40-tourist-scams-to-avoid-this-summer.html

A couple of examples:

Trip to England July 2014

My daughter and I made a short trip to England a couple of weeks ago, just to visit family really, not to do sightseeing, although we did get to visit a nice garden (as a lot of you know, I love plants!) here: RHS Garden Hyde Hall.

Here are some photos of our brief stay:

I wonder why they give a Spanish wine a French name...

Notice the price of the peppers is per unit!

Prices.

More prices.

Personally I like the chickens I eat to live a life of luxury.

You are continental, in case you didn't know.

Scones!!! My favourite type of tea thingy.

English country garden.

Can you believe they didn't ask me?

Some serious calories...

Does anyone get this play on words?

Bucolic countryside. And I swear those two horses were smiling at me from their field!

Tea in the garden with different bits of my aunt's china.

Who to support in the World Cup

If you're one of those football fans who doesn't know who to support in this World Cup, this chart might be able to help you.

Powdered alcohol?

I'm finding this hard to believe: alcohol in powder form?

Really, aren't there enough problems with alcohol already without making it easier to consume?!! "Yay, let's sprinkle alcohol on the guacamole"!!! Incredible.

I might have believed it coming from the UK, but no: it seems to be a US invention.

Read about it yourselves and reach your own conclusions: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/palcohol-us-government-reveals-it-has-approved-powdered-alcohol-9273019.html

The official page: http://www.palcohol.com/home.html 

Is it just me or does it remind anyone else of one of those weird sects? 



!!! Update from the 22nd of April: the government has withdrawn approval of the product, granted only 2 weeks before, at least temporarily: http://time.com/71664/powdered-alcohol-palcohol-error/