🎄 Happy New Year 2026 🎄
************************************* EVENTS IN THE AREA
************************************* EVENTS IN THE AREA
🎸 "Café musical - David Bowie"
📆 Tuesday 24th February 2026
à la médiathèque L'Ellipse
For more details, click here.
🎸 "Café musical - David Bowie"
📆 Tuesday 24th February 2026
à la médiathèque L'Ellipse
For more details, click here.
************************************* HOMEWORK
Cornwall - Monday 9am
Optional preparation for January 26th
Prepare your contribution to the "tour de table" 😊
Je vous invite à lire le texte et préparer des éléments de réponse aux questions suivantes.100-yo sushi chef Jiro Ono article video
1 Jiro Ono says "working is the “best medicine”" - prepare a range of ideas to agree or disagree.
2 What are the pros and cons of working at such an advanced age?
3 Would this situation be possible for you with your career path?
4 Do you think someone should have a “retirement age”? Why or why not?
5 In your opinion, what is the recipe for a long and fulfilling life?Article bonus pour les curieux-ses ici
************************************* HOMEWORK
Cornwall - Monday 9am
Optional preparation for January 26th
1 Jiro Ono says "working is the “best medicine”" - prepare a range of ideas to agree or disagree.
2 What are the pros and cons of working at such an advanced age?
3 Would this situation be possible for you with your career path?
4 Do you think someone should have a “retirement age”? Why or why not?
5 In your opinion, what is the recipe for a long and fulfilling life?
Dorset - Monday 10.30am
Message from Marlene DATI to the Dorset group :
Hi Dorset's team, Hi MC,
I am very touched by your pretty card and your comforting messages, that so sweet of you,
I promise I'll do my best to find you as soon as possible
Don't worry, be happy 😃 Thank you for your support 😊
Optional preparation for January 26thPrepare your contribution to the "tour de table" 😊Screen tourism aka set jetting article
1 What are the pros and cons of set jetting as a visitor?
2 What are the pros and cons of set jetting as a host?
3 What kinds of places benefit most from TV-inspired travel, and why?
4 If you were planning a TV-inspired trip, what show would you choose and why?
5 What real places would you want to visit thanks to a film or a series?
6 Have you ever visited a place as a result of watching a film or a series?
Hi Dorset's team, Hi MC,
I am very touched by your pretty card and your comforting messages, that so sweet of you,
I promise I'll do my best to find you as soon as possible
Don't worry, be happy 😃
Optional preparation for January 26th
1 What are the pros and cons of set jetting as a visitor?
2 What are the pros and cons of set jetting as a host?
3 What kinds of places benefit most from TV-inspired travel, and why?
4 If you were planning a TV-inspired trip, what show would you choose and why?
5 What real places would you want to visit thanks to a film or a series?
6 Have you ever visited a place as a result of watching a film or a series?
Cumbria - Monday 3.30 pmOptional preparation for January 26th
Prepare your contribution to the "tour de table" 😊
Hampshire - Monday 6.30pm
Optional preparation for January 26th
Prepare your contribution to the "tour de table" 😊
Netflix Series Adolescence BBC article trailer1 Prepare pros and cons about social media consumption for teenagers.
2 In your opinion, how can we ensure safeguarding children in our current society?
3 Has a TV programme ever changed your way of being / thinking / doing?
3 Who are / were your role model(s)? Why?
Music: Carole King "You've Got a Friend" audio
Kent - Wednesday 4.30pmOptional preparation for January 28th
Optional preparation for January 26th
Hampshire - Monday 6.30pm
Optional preparation for January 26th
Prepare your contribution to the "tour de table" 😊
2 In your opinion, how can we ensure safeguarding children in our current society?
3 Has a TV programme ever changed your way of being / thinking / doing?
3 Who are / were your role model(s)? Why?
Yorkshire - Wednesday 6pm
Optional preparation for January 28th
Prepare your contribution to the "tour de table" 😊
Netflix Series Adolescence BBC article trailer1 Prepare pros and cons about social media consumption for teenagers.
2 In your opinion, how can we ensure safeguarding children in our current society?
3 Has a TV programme ever changed your way of being / thinking / doing?
3 Who are / were your role model(s)? Why?
Music: David Bowie "Changes" audio
************************************* CORE LINKS
Yorkshire - Wednesday 6pm
Optional preparation for January 28th
Prepare your contribution to the "tour de table" 😊
2 In your opinion, how can we ensure safeguarding children in our current society?
3 Has a TV programme ever changed your way of being / thinking / doing?
3 Who are / were your role model(s)? Why?
************************************* CORE LINKS
- Grammar: English Grammar in Use (PDF)
- 33 Situations Du Quotidien (PDF)
- Pronunciation: Natural Readers is a free text-to-speech tool (5mins a day maximum).
- Grammar: English Grammar in Use (PDF)
- 33 Situations Du Quotidien (PDF)
- Pronunciation: Natural Readers is a free text-to-speech tool (5mins a day maximum).
************************************* Archives
33 situations du quotidien "At the Restaurant"
Listening exercise ordering in a café booking a table eating out
- Happiness text
1 Pleasure is more important than purpose for happiness.
2 People are happier when they help others.
3 Money can buy happiness.
4 Doing difficult things makes people happier than easy things.
5 Young people worry too much about being happy.
6 Which is more important : having fun or having goals?
7 Free time or hard work - what will you choose?
8 Would you rather be happy now or in the future? - Captain Fantastic trailer news article
QUESTIONS1 The film raises alternative-lifestyle values: self-sufficiency, rejection of consumerism, deep intellectual education, closeness to nature. What are the strengths and vulnerabilities of such a lifestyle as depicted here?2 The parents teach their children to think critically — yet the children have little exposure to external influence beyond their father’s worldview. Is that truly “critical thinking,” or a different form of indoctrination?3 Do you think the film’s depiction of this family is universal or culture-specific? How might the story resonate differently depending on the viewer’s cultural, social or economic background?BRING games to play 🎲 - Unit "At the hotel" in PDF (from p47-56 onwards) here
- vocabulary pronunciation
- Role play example1 example2 booking on the phone video - News article here1 The article suggests that Mount Rushmore is “considered a finished work of art.” What does that mean — and do you agree monuments should remain unchanged once completed? Why or why not?2 What objections — besides geological/structural ones — do critics raise against modifying Mount Rushmore?3 What does the debate around adding a new face to Mount Rushmore reveal about how societies choose what to commemorate — or not — in public monuments?4 Do you think public monuments or memorials should remain static, or evolve when collective views about history change? Develop your opinions and examples you may know of.5 Do you think a monument should only reflect people from the past — or also recent figures? Find pros and cons about that.Extra - Mount Rushmore video1 video2 TedED video
- John Constable complete works biography
- Vocabulary landscape - countryside - art verbs
- Geography of the UK - Wales video - Wales text - Northern Ireland video - Northern Ireland text
- Matilda, Roald Dahl book vocab list
- Louvre heistvideo from ABC News here
- audio from the BBC Historic jewels stolen from Louvre
- Irregular verbs list: here - games 1 2 3
- Grammar games - was or were: 1 2 3 4
- On human hibernation article TedEd video - good night's sleep
Grammar practice - modals in the past: here.
The German grumpy guide - article from the Guardian here
Why is this experience successful? - Find reasons why this would be a success or a disaster in France. - What is your opinion on shouting and being shouted at? - Give a list of strategies to cope with other people's mood.- Giving your opinion - vocab list
- Conversation theme: Gen Z
- main article from the Guardian article QUESTIONS
1 If Gen Z makes workplace communication more informal, does this reduce professionalism?
2 Why do older generations often view Gen Z communication styles as unprofessional or disrespectful? Are these conflicts based on real workplace needs or on cultural bias?
3 To what extent should younger employees adapt to existing norms versus companies adapting to new digital norms?
4 If a junior employee’s humorous or casual communication style clashes with a senior manager’s expectations, who should adjust? What does this say about power in the workplace?
- second article about Gen Z's recent protests hereBonus: BBC's 6-minute English podcast: What is Generation Z audio - transcript Do you think a robot can be a “real” artist? Why or why not?
If a robot produces a painting, who owns the art? The robot? The creator? The programmer?
How might people feel threatened by an AI “artist”? Do you think these feelings are justified?
What is the future of art with more AI “artists”?
At the Bank client role-play card banker activity sheet client activity sheet.
- Banking vocabulary definitions video 1 video 2
- quiz about money here
100-yo sushi chef Jiro Ono article video
1 Jiro Ono says "working is the “best medicine”" - prepare a range of ideas to agree or disagree.
2 What are the pros and cons of working at such an advanced age?
3 Would this situation be possible for you with your career path?
4 Do you think someone should have a “retirement age”? Why or why not?
5 In your opinion, what is the recipe for a long and fulfilling life?
Thanksgiving video
Visit from Nicholas. Please feel free to prepare some questions to interview him:
- living in / adapting to a foreign culture
- pros and cons of living in France
- best and worst experiences
- hobbies, films, music, sports
- practicing numbers 1 2
- Air travel vocabulary game Unit 2 At the Airport p19
- Airport announcements audio exercise
- Airport check-in video
- Role play "at the airport" custom officer traveler prompts
- Unit 2 "At the airport"- in PDF (from p17 onwards) here
- Role plays at the airport: scenario 1 "At check-in" + scenario 2 "At security"
- Role play "Getting through the customs" custom officer traveler prompts- Air travel vocabulary game
- Conversation theme: humans and robots (to finish)
- "Ai-Da: Robot artist and celebrity influencer on threat posed by AI" video 1 video 2
- "China has more robots working for it than the rest of the world combined article
QUESTIONS
1 Find pros and cons to consider AI-Da's paintings as masterpieces.
2 What is the impact of massive robotisation on our daily lives?
2 In your opinion, what is the future ahead for the next generations? THEME: Gifts
- Article from the Guardian article
QUESTIONS
1 Why do you think “kidults” are spending on toys as a form of self-care?
2 What could be the long-term social implications if adults increasingly treat toys as a way to manage stress?
3 How do you personally define “play”? Has your idea of play changed as you’ve grown older?
4 What is the best gift - something that reflects the giver's intention or the receiver's tastes?
5 Find reasons why it is acceptable or not not to give any present.
6 Have you ever re-gifted something?7 Have you ever received a best gift ever? What made it so special?
SHORT ROLE PLAY - theme: shopping
************************************* Archives
33 situations du quotidien "At the Restaurant"
Listening exercise ordering in a café booking a table eating out
- Happiness text
1 Pleasure is more important than purpose for happiness.
2 People are happier when they help others.
3 Money can buy happiness.
4 Doing difficult things makes people happier than easy things.
5 Young people worry too much about being happy.
6 Which is more important : having fun or having goals?
7 Free time or hard work - what will you choose?
8 Would you rather be happy now or in the future? - Captain Fantastic trailer news article
QUESTIONS1 The film raises alternative-lifestyle values: self-sufficiency, rejection of consumerism, deep intellectual education, closeness to nature. What are the strengths and vulnerabilities of such a lifestyle as depicted here?2 The parents teach their children to think critically — yet the children have little exposure to external influence beyond their father’s worldview. Is that truly “critical thinking,” or a different form of indoctrination?3 Do you think the film’s depiction of this family is universal or culture-specific? How might the story resonate differently depending on the viewer’s cultural, social or economic background?BRING games to play 🎲 - Unit "At the hotel" in PDF (from p47-56 onwards) here
- vocabulary pronunciation
- Role play example1 example2 booking on the phone video - News article here1 The article suggests that Mount Rushmore is “considered a finished work of art.” What does that mean — and do you agree monuments should remain unchanged once completed? Why or why not?2 What objections — besides geological/structural ones — do critics raise against modifying Mount Rushmore?3 What does the debate around adding a new face to Mount Rushmore reveal about how societies choose what to commemorate — or not — in public monuments?4 Do you think public monuments or memorials should remain static, or evolve when collective views about history change? Develop your opinions and examples you may know of.5 Do you think a monument should only reflect people from the past — or also recent figures? Find pros and cons about that.Extra - Mount Rushmore video1 video2 TedED video
- John Constable complete works biography
- Vocabulary landscape - countryside - art verbs
- Geography of the UK - Wales video - Wales text - Northern Ireland video - Northern Ireland text
- Matilda, Roald Dahl book vocab list
- Louvre heistvideo from ABC News here
- audio from the BBC Historic jewels stolen from Louvre
- Irregular verbs list: here - games 1 2 3
- Grammar games - was or were: 1 2 3 4
- On human hibernation article TedEd video - good night's sleep
Grammar practice - modals in the past: here.
The German grumpy guide - article from the Guardian here
Why is this experience successful? - Find reasons why this would be a success or a disaster in France. - What is your opinion on shouting and being shouted at? - Give a list of strategies to cope with other people's mood.- Giving your opinion - vocab list
- Conversation theme: Gen Z
- main article from the Guardian article QUESTIONS
1 If Gen Z makes workplace communication more informal, does this reduce professionalism?
2 Why do older generations often view Gen Z communication styles as unprofessional or disrespectful? Are these conflicts based on real workplace needs or on cultural bias?
3 To what extent should younger employees adapt to existing norms versus companies adapting to new digital norms?
4 If a junior employee’s humorous or casual communication style clashes with a senior manager’s expectations, who should adjust? What does this say about power in the workplace?
- second article about Gen Z's recent protests hereBonus: BBC's 6-minute English podcast: What is Generation Z audio - transcriptDo you think a robot can be a “real” artist? Why or why not?
If a robot produces a painting, who owns the art? The robot? The creator? The programmer?
How might people feel threatened by an AI “artist”? Do you think these feelings are justified?
What is the future of art with more AI “artists”?At the Bank client role-play card banker activity sheet client activity sheet.
- Banking vocabulary definitions video 1 video 2
- quiz about money here
100-yo sushi chef Jiro Ono article video
1 Jiro Ono says "working is the “best medicine”" - prepare a range of ideas to agree or disagree.
2 What are the pros and cons of working at such an advanced age?
3 Would this situation be possible for you with your career path?
4 Do you think someone should have a “retirement age”? Why or why not?
5 In your opinion, what is the recipe for a long and fulfilling life?Thanksgiving video
Visit from Nicholas. Please feel free to prepare some questions to interview him:
- living in / adapting to a foreign culture- pros and cons of living in France
- best and worst experiences
- hobbies, films, music, sports- practicing numbers 1 2
- Air travel vocabulary game Unit 2 At the Airport p19
- Airport announcements audio exercise
- Airport check-in video
- Role play "at the airport" custom officer traveler prompts- Unit 2 "At the airport"- in PDF (from p17 onwards) here
- Role plays at the airport: scenario 1 "At check-in" + scenario 2 "At security"
- Role play "Getting through the customs" custom officer traveler prompts- Air travel vocabulary game
- Conversation theme: humans and robots (to finish)- "Ai-Da: Robot artist and celebrity influencer on threat posed by AI" video 1 video 2
- "China has more robots working for it than the rest of the world combined articleQUESTIONS
1 Find pros and cons to consider AI-Da's paintings as masterpieces.
2 What is the impact of massive robotisation on our daily lives?
2 In your opinion, what is the future ahead for the next generations? THEME: Gifts
- Article from the Guardian article
QUESTIONS
1 Why do you think “kidults” are spending on toys as a form of self-care?
2 What could be the long-term social implications if adults increasingly treat toys as a way to manage stress?3 How do you personally define “play”? Has your idea of play changed as you’ve grown older?
4 What is the best gift - something that reflects the giver's intention or the receiver's tastes?
5 Find reasons why it is acceptable or not not to give any present.
6 Have you ever re-gifted something?7 Have you ever received a best gift ever? What made it so special?
SHORT ROLE PLAY - theme: shopping
************************************* Resources from KarineHere are some links to short stories with varying levels of difficulty : - Selected short stories - The Little Prince by Antoine de St-Exupéry in English - Lamb to the slaughter by Roald Dahl - The pedestrian by Ray Bradbury - The lottery by Shirley Jackson
You can also try this audio book (with the text): Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Here are some links to short stories with varying levels of difficulty : - Selected short stories - The Little Prince by Antoine de St-Exupéry in English - Lamb to the slaughter by Roald Dahl - The pedestrian by Ray Bradbury - The lottery by Shirley Jackson
You can also try this audio book (with the text): Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë