The Pronunciation Poem

Here is some pronunciation.
Ration never rhymes with nation,
Say prefer, but preferable,
Comfortable and vegetable.
B must not be heard in doubt,
Debt and dumb both leave it out.
In the words psychology,
Psychic, and psychiatry,
You must never sound the p.
Psychiatrist you call the man
Who cures the complex, if he can.
In architect, chi is k.
In arch it is the other way.

Tips for learning English: 1. Study more often

Dicas para aprender Inglês:
1. Estude com maior frequência.
Ao invés de fazer seu homework de uma vez só, estude um pouco todo dia. É melhor para lembrar das novas palavras aprendidas!

Scientific research published by Herman Ebbinghaus has revealed that we forget more than half of what we learn within 20 minutes. The same research reveals that information reviewed on a frequent basis is retained for much longer time. Since most English students only study the language once a week twice a week...they have more time to 'forget' things. So, instead of studying once a week for a couple of hours...study everyday even if it's only for 15 minutes. This will allow you to recall your words more easily, develop positive habits, and recall words when you need them.

Song of week - FOLDING CHAIR - Regina Spektor

I just love this song!!!!!


Come and open up your folding chair next to me
My feet are buried in the sand and there's a breeze
There's a shadow, you can't see my eyes
And the sea is just a wetter version of the skies
Let's get a silver bullet trailer and have a baby boy
I'll safety-pin his clothes all cool and you'll grafitti up his toys
I've got a perfect body, though sometimes I forget
I've got a perfect body cause my eyelashes catch my sweat
Yes, they do, they do…
Now I've been sitting on this abandoned beach for years
Waiting for the salty water to cover up my ears
But every time the tide come in to take me home
I get scared, and I'm sitting here alone
Dreaming of the dolphin song…
Maybe one day you will understand
I don't want nothing from you but to sweetly hold your hand
Till that day just please don't be so down
Don't make frowns, you silly clown
Just come and open up your folding chair next to me
My feet are buried in the sand and there's a breeze
There's a shadow, you can't see my eyes
And the waves are just a frothier version of the skies
There's a shadow, you can't see my eyes…

Optimist vs. Pessimist

It's all about perspective!

BBC's Funny Talking Animals

Natural world meets comedy talent Jason Manford.
What if animals could speak???
Walk On The Wild Side is a comedy series that seeks to provide a long overdue forum for the views and opinions of the animal kingdom.

Song of the week - "GRENADE" - Bruno Mars

Easy come, easy go
That's just how you live, oh
Take, take, take it all
But you never give

Should've known you was trouble
From the first kiss
Had your eyes wide open
Why were they open?

*Chorus
Gave you all I had
And you tossed it in the trash
You tossed it in the trash, you did
To give me all your love
Is all I ever asked 'cause
What you don't understand is
I'd catch a grenade for ya
Throw my hand on a blade for ya
I'd jump in front of a train for ya
You know I'd do anything for ya

Oh oh, I would go through all of this pain
Take a bullet straight through my brain
Yes, I would die for you, baby
But you won't do the same

No, no no

Black, black, black and blue
Beat me 'til I'm numb
Tell the devil I said "hey"
When you get back to where you're from

Bad woman, bad woman
That's just what you are
Yeah, you'll smile in my face
Then rip the brakes out my car

(repeat *Chorus)

Oh oh, I would go through all of this pain
Take a bullet straight through my brain
Yes, I would die for you, baby
But you won't do the same

If my body was on fire
Oh, you'd watch me burn down in flames
You said you loved me, you're a liar
'Cause you never, ever, ever did baby

But darling, I'd still catch a grenade for ya
Throw my hand on a blade for ya
I'd jump in front of a train for ya
You know I'd do anything for ya

Oh oh, I would go through all of this pain
Take a bullet straight through my brain
Yes, I would die for ya, baby
But you won't do the same

No, you won't do the same
You wouldn't do the same
Oh, you'd never do the same
Oh, no no no

How do you say it?

Here is a brilliant website to help you learn the pronunciation of thousands of words in English:

Click to visit howjsay
A free online Talking Dictionary of English Pronunciation

21 accents

Pretty fun video with 21 different English accents!

American Headway student site

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For other activities, click on "game zone".

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