Oldies but Goodies - Merry Christmas

A few days ago I came home from work and upon entering my kitchen I saw my two lovely sons (19 and 7yr old) dancing to Christmas songs… yes, I did suddenly realize that it is December and that certainly means it is Christmas time… and that means that Christmas songs will follow us around in all supermarkets, elevators and cars. Hence, in honor of those songs which every year so diligently remind us that we must be jolly, I would like to pay a tribute to some of my favorites:

WHITE CHRISTMAS  - old time classic. According to the Guinness Book of Records the version sung by Bing Crosbyis the best - selling single of all time, with estimated sales in excess of 100 million copies worldwide. It has been sung by artist such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and even Lady Gaga… but Bing is just one. 

LITTLE DRUMMER BOY - known "Carol of the Drum" is a popular Christmas song written by and American classic music composer Katherine Kennicott n 1941 and recorded in 1955 by the Trapp Family Singers – yes the ones from “The Sound of Music.” Yet, the Johnny Cash performance is my favorite.

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSE RAINDEER – shall I say anything more…there is a child in all of us

SILENT NIGHT (German: Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht) is a popular Christmas Carol composed in 1818 by Franz Xaver Gruber to lyrics by Joseph Mohn in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria. It was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011. The song has been recorded by a large number of singers from every music genre. The version sung by Bing Crosby is the third best - selling single of all time. 

and now... get ready because you will hear them over and over and over again. Why? Because (on behalf of all the teachers in EDUCAnet) I would like to:  WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS 

Monty Python (sometimes known as The Pythons) is not well known among the younger and most importantly Czech generation yet, in my humble opinion, there should be a maturita question just about them.

Monty Python were a British surreal comedy group who created the sketch comedy show Monty Python's Flying Circus, that first aired, 1969. The Python phenomenon developed from the television series into something larger in scope and impact, spawning touring stage shows, films, numerous albums, several books, and a stage musical.

The group's influence on comedy has been compared to The Beatles' influence on music.

Broadcast by the BBC between 1969 and 1974, Flying Circus was conceived, written, and performed by its members Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. Loosely structured as a sketch show, but with an innovative stream-of-consciousness approach (aided by Gilliam's animation), it pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in style and content. Their influence on British comedy has been apparent for years, while in North America, it has coloured the work of cult performers from the early editions of Saturday Night Live through to more recent absurdist trends in television comedy.

What is more, "Puthonesque" has entered the English lexicon as a result.

This year I decided to introduce this great British classic to our students and invited them to a new re-lease of the Monty Python and the Holy Grail which took place in Svetozor cinema. Without knowing what it was, the students still showed up. Being 17, I think they had no idea what to think of when the movie started. However, with they did manage to crack a smile or two at the absurdity of King Arthur quest to find the Holy Grail. 

COOLEST THANKSGIVING FACTS

·         The first known thanksgiving feast or festival in North America was celebrated by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado and the people he called "Tejas" (members of the Hasinai group of Caddo-speaking Native Americans).

·         The first Thanksgiving was not a feast, but rather a time when Native Americans helped Pilgrims by bringing them food and helping them build off the land.

·         Thomas Jefferson thought the concept of Thanksgiving was "the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever heard."

·         Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be a turkey. Because he simply liked it.

·         Here's one of those funny Thanksgiving facts: Turkeys have heart attacks. When the Air Force was conducting test runs and breaking the sound barrier, fields of turkeys would drop dead.

·         Fossil evidence shows that turkeys roamed the Americas 10 million years ago.

·         It was not until 1941, that congress declared Thanksgiving as a national holiday. It was declared to be the fourth Thursday in November.

·         91% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving Day.

·         Every President since Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving Day. But in 1939, 1940, and 1941 Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Thanksgiving the third Thursday in November to lengthen the holiday shopping season. This upset people.

·         The North American holiday season (generally the Christmas shopping season in the U.S.) traditionally begins when Thanksgiving ends, on "Black Friday" (the day after Thanksgiving); this tradition has held forth since at least the 1930s.

·         Corn is one of the popular symbols of thanksgiving. It came in many varieties and colors - red, white, yellow and blue. Some Americans considered blue and white corn sacred. The oldest corns date 7000 years back and were grown in Mexico.

·         A spooked turkey can run at speeds up to 20 miles per hour. They can also burst into flight approaching speeds between 50-55 mph in a matter of seconds.

Happy Halloween

When I first arrived in the Czech Republic in 2001 there was no Halloween here. Yup, no pumpkins, no trick or treating and no costumes… I remember my basic attempt of creating a Halloween party for my students – mean less to say only my 7 year old son Andrew came in Harry Potter costume (which I spend days and days sowing and making.) There was no pumpkin pie or there was no pumpkin latte, just crude replies “you’re in the Czech Republic, we don’t celebrate it here.”

15 years later, and I am having a hard time distinguishing between the Halloween fevers here or in the USA. Every child gets a paper as early as first class with pictures of ghosts, witches and pumpkins to color, cut, glue and well… memorize.

Here in Prague there is a very small “American neighborhood” which ironically doesn’t have that many Americans living there but is located right next to the American School. Additionally, years back it was designed and built according to the American suburbian architecture. Given the fact that so many international families live there and have such strong connections to the local school, they organize a yearly trick or treating event.  I went there for the first time last year and was completely amazed. It was almost the best trick or treating even I have ever been to  - even better than the ones in the good old USA.  Not only did my second and now the youngest son, got a basket full of candy but he managed for the first time to experience a true Halloween.

This year I decided to go again and even invite some students. Part of me really didn’t believe that any will show up, but they did and we all had a marvelous time.

With this I would like to thank all the lovely families in NEBUSICE, Prague for organizing such yearly event and to all the students who found some time to celebrate this unusual event. 

Kamila and Michal - I didn't even recognize them at the bus stop

They all arrived on time... and yes that is Tomas

since all my students think I am a witch at times (test time) I decided to really get in the role

this is where I buried the students who hadn't done their homework

who is that? Jan (a bit different than in class)

ooopssss, I forgot to hide all the body pieces

Trick or Treat

Big Apple

Personally, I have no idea why there is such fascination with New York City. It’s big, it’d crowded and it’s expensive – yet somehow it is a city that is known to everyone all over the world and it is one of a few that has its own recognizable nickname “the Big Apple”.

I did have a chance to go there for a week last year and even my mother joined me from sunny California for a nice mother-daughter weekend. We did the touristy stuff and then we got stuck – I mean literally stuck at the airport as it just happened that New York was hit by the biggest blizzard of the century. So yes, there was snow and there were a lot of cancelled flights at the airport.

Yet, despite my hours of boredom at the JFK airport I did manage to think that there is something to the one and only BIG APPLE- yes that is what New York is nicknamed for. Why do we call New York City the Big Apple? While I’ve seen several apple trees in New York City, I don’t particularly recall them as being a notable quantity – there are certainly more pigeons than apples in New York City, but we don’t call New York City the “Big Pigeon.”

Surprisingly, the name is connected to horse races. Who would have thought! At the beginning of the 20^th century, a writer for the New York Morning Telegraph, John Fitzgerald, referred to New York City’s races “around the Big Apple.” It is rumored that he got the term from jockeys and trainers in New Orleans who aspired to race on New York City tracks, referring to them as the Big Apple. Later on, the City’s jazz musicians began to refer to the city as the Big Apple and then in 1971 a campaign to increase tourism to New York adopted the term “Big Apple” as an officially recognizable reference to the biggest city in the USA.

History Comes to Life ( + the Fifty Shades Of Grey guy)

We are often asked to organize, lead and teach…in a way that is the basic definition of a teacher. 

This month, however, I was able to take the student role when I was invited to join my colleague and her class to Berlin. Given that I have visited every continent, I was intrigued by the only major European city which I have never  seen. My curiosity was even more filled with enthusiasm as for years I was more than a bit obsessed with the history of WWII. So when prof. Veronika asked, I eagerly said “ yes”. Of course, I didn't know at the time that I would have to wake up at 4am to catch something which was suppose to be a bus :-)

Well, we got there. We walked, we listened and we learned – or maybe I should replace the pronoun “we” with “I” as at one point the students thought more about the sausages than the architecture… But I was in awe. I swallowed the info about the Reichstag Building and the Brandenburg Gate, as well as Nefertiti at the museum island and Humboldt university...and about the Berlin Airlift. The Topography of Terror and the Holocaust museum left chills down my spine.

And then I chewed some currywursts… Extra spicy.

And although I was more than satisfied with my field trip (and ashamed for the lack of my German language skill,) it wasn't till the day after my return that the true meaning of Germany hit me like a falling star. It was the next day, while I was walking through the streets of Prague that I saw this ….

Not the usual banners....
 And oh …this

Just a bit odd to see them walking towards me

My bewilderment was immeasurable. I was stunned. Nothing like a 6 ft bling Nazi standing next to me. History lesson comes to life. The power of one symbol, the power of one man, the power of one ideology still bring goose bumps to all.

Ps. I did google the film being made at the moment in Prague. It the “Anthropoid” about the Heydrich assassination starting the one and only Jamie Dornan (the Fifty Shades of Grey guy) .

Filming Anthropoid

Why you should take the FCE Exam?

 Listen to why you should take the FCE exam

Students already have a lot on their plate… so why do we add extra work such as the FCE exam? Well there are 6 good reasons? It’s not always easy – but the rewards definitely make it worthwhile. :)

Doing the FCE exam will give you a qualification that could change your job opportunities, give you the chance to travel, and experience a whole lot more! So if you’re undecided, here are six reasons why it’s a really great step to take.

1. You can take the exam whenever you want

Unlike some qualifications, the FCE is really flexible. There are exams taking place virtually every month, which means that you get to decide when to complete it.

That lets you learn at your own pace – when you’re ready to take the exam, you can do it, giving yourself the best chance to do really well on it – first time.

2. The FCE will improve all your language skills

The FCE isn’t just any old language test. Because it covers all aspects of learning English, passing the FCE shows that you have proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking English to a very high standard.

The added benefit of this? Because the course addresses all the different parts of learning English, preparing for the FCE will actually help you improve your language skills while you’re doing it.

3. It’s internationally recognised

The FCE is very highly regarded around the world. Employers in different countries can all immediately see that your English language skills are up to the high, professional standard that would be needed to work in an English-speaking environment.

This can give your CV a real boost – and increase your job opportunities, especially if you are keen to work in a different country.

4. It’s one of the accepted qualifications for Visa applications

If you’re planning to study in the UK and need to apply for a student visa, you’ll need to have some certification of your English language skills. The FCE is one of the accepted qualifications recognised by the UK Border Agency.

So if your goal is to study at a UK institution, this will bring you one step closer to achieving it.

5. It will give you something to work towards

Learning a language by yourself can be rewarding, but can also be quite hard. The FCE is a very well-structured exam, and it gives you a concrete qualification at the end of the process, giving you something to motivate and guide you.

When you have something you want to work towards, this can make learning much easier, and helps you to focus your attention on it properly.

6. It’s a great foundation for further learning

Do you want to take your English studies further? The FCE provides you with a great starting point to develop your skills, especially if you’re planning on adding more qualifications.

One of the most prestigious is the Cambridge Advanced English Exam. This is a much more challenging exam, and completing the FCE will give you the essential preparation to do well in it.

Sneak Peak Behind the Doors

As a child I always looked up to the teacher and saw their little pencil cases with perfectly sharpened pencils, charted notebooks with straight lined papers and properly hand written notes and grades in it- the perfect example of an organized person.

Then I became a teacher. And every week I tell myself “I will get organized.”

Usually, on Monday my voice is full of enthusiasm, zeal of motivation and spirited passion… with eventual degeneration to anguished heartache and gloom.  

So here it is: This is my desk…..

While am sitting here staring at my desk and slowly move my head from left to right, I do notice that there is a lot I may aspire to. After all there are those few who seem to have it all under control.  I mean Prof. Tom without a doubt knows what is important and keeps is simple – coffee and donuts are a must.

Picture curtesy of my colleague Prof. Tom

My eyes spark, my hear skips a bear – I focus… yes, this is what I want:  Prof. Veronika surely has reasons for her daily cheerfulness. Perfect combination of Janus and Hydieia – maybe will rename her the Janudia  - goddess of perfection and organization.Yup, that is her desk… and my mood drops to pure meloncholy.

Picture curtesy of my colleague Prof. Veronika V.

My hand twitches. The black marks on the papers suddenly crawl like spiders… time to clean, time to hide….. and then I glance behind me… well, on I do believe that I am not so bad after all… it could be worse….

Picture curtesy of my colleague Prof. Irenka

Picture curtesy of my colleague Prof. Verinka

In the end…. I still have more than 150 days of school in front of me…plenty of time to clean the desk. 

Baby Got Class

Just this morning I visited my neighbour whose young son (let’d call him S)  will be attending 1t grade with my son. While expecting to see an nice calm morning with a shared cup of coffee and donought , instead I heard “Go get your school stuff ready for school!” scream across her flat.

My heart skipped, my coffee dripped and my dougnut never even made into my mouth. My teacher side of me panicked -“should I be at work?” My motherly side of me panicked -“should I make J get his stuff ready for school?”…

No, way….there is still ……13 days…

However, after a month and a half of a summer break I can really really really get the move on and start singing :

Back2School

Being American, the term “back to school” I immediately associate with yellow pencils and back to school sales in every shop, not to mention the piles and piles of school supplies at the front of each store. From my early childhood days, I vividly remember the excitement of buying new clothes or crayons and the counting of days …

Now, as a mother of two, the term back to school is no longer connected with pure joy and anticipation. Rather, this morning I held a list of things to buy, which was given to me by my son’s future 1^st grade teacher. Yes, it was his first time shopping and catching the “back to school” fever. For me, it was an excruciating hour and a half of looking at one or two aisles filled with a endless selection of pencils, notebooks, book covers, pencil cases, and oh… let’s not forget the most important – the backpack.  (ok, so in all honestly I ordered that one thing way in advance – just to make sure we got the Star Wars one. J )

Then I got to thinking… as a little kid there is a zestful fever and eagerness for the approaching 1^st day of school.  As a parent, without a doubt it’s one of the times when the fake smile covers up the anxious thoughts of things to do and prepare. So today, I did some research – what do teacher need for the “back to school”? After all, I am a teacher.

Surprisingly, the internet displayed a massive amount of articles ranging from “Survival Guides for Teachers”, “10 Things Every Teacher Needs for the First Day of Class”, “Check List- Get Ready for School” and the ”50 Things Every Teacher” needs. While browsing all those references telling me how many pencils I must have, and how to organize my class room I noticed that there is that one thing missing – one major fact that they forget to mention that we teachers must have.

Zeal for teaching.

We need that delight and cheer, the passion and yearning with a touch of frenzy and gaiety- all that is needed to pass on to those little ones who in a week’s time will be looking up at me. So, I think I am going to get a cup of coffee a big chocolate bar and say...

Withdrawal Symptoms

June came to an end with that the smiley (to be honest- sometimes cranky) students’ faces.  

What does one do when the withdrawal symptoms start to creep up:  anxiety, headache, nausea, sweating and as my sons point out – major irritability and confusion? One would say that these symptoms belong to alcohol withdrawal but I am certain that it is caused by sudden abstinence from students.

So what does one do in such difficult times?

Well, finds a new bunch of happy faces - I would say!  Please say hello to:

 JACKIE CHAN

MYSKA

NESSIE

ODDIE

GASPRO and BABE

 and my favorite EVIL LADY GREY

I am certain that I have taught them how to properly meow in English, both in British and American accents. Not to mention the fact that their knowledge of past, present and future tense is more than adequate for the cats' all 9 lives.

After all, there is a very big difference between:

Past Simple           I ate a mouse

Past Continuous    I was chasing a mouse when bird flew in.

Present Perf.         I have eaten several mice

Present Perf Cont. I have been eating a mouse hence don’t have any room for a bird.

Present Simple      I eat a mouse every day.

Present Cont.        I am eating a mouse now so please don’t bother me.

Future                   I am going to meow all day till I get a mouse. 

                              Vs. I will eat a mouse no matter what….

I haven’t gotten as far as teaching them passive tense- so “The mouse has been eaten by me” will just have to wait till next summer. J

One tried many things to calm withdrawal symptoms  and just in case the patting, snuggling and curling up doesn't help there is always a nice visit with DORIS the PIG

Have a lovely summer holiday!

Summer Holiday – no way, teachers work hard

When I tell someone that I work as a teacher I often get an enthusiastic and somewhat sarcastic comment “great you have free and long summer holidays, I wish I did.” 

Without a doubt, being a teacher has many perk, one of which is the summer holiday. However, it is a myth that we teachers don’t work over the summer holiday. I, for one, am working extra hard this summer especially since I will be teaching an all new course for me “English Literature.” One would think that I am sitting by the computer day and night typing syllabus or worksheets or collecting information about which writer lived when and where….

Nope.

To better explain my hard working summer I would like to post a few illustrations describing the sweat that I must go through.

Is there a better relax than reading George Orwell's 1984 with your feet in Orlik Dam.

 Or dreaming of Robinson  Crusoe on Croatian shores

and discussing Brave New World during and all American barbecue. 

As it is so clear, my summer holiday has a perk… I get to do what I enjoy! And after all that is the purpose of life, isn’t it? Of course, I didn’t have to make a promise to myself that I will reread every book that I have on the syllabus…but I did. And as I am reaching for book number 5 I realized one thing and that is the fact that I really like my job, summer or no summer. 

Cambridge Day

When one says “Cambridge Day” it can be easily assumed that it will be a day celebrating the historic and marvelous city of Cambridge in Great Britain. After all it is a city worth visiting. It is a university city in the town of Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom with a population of about 125 000 inhabitants. Cambridge is most widely known as the home of the University of Cambridge, founded in 1209 and consistently ranked one of the top five universities in the world. The university includes the renowned Cavendish Laboratory, King’s College Chapel and the Cambridge University Library.

However, at our school Cambridge Day is not filled with free food, English costumes, festival-like music. Rather it is filled with a bit of stress and competing among our most brave students. The day is packed with a practice test for First Certificate of English (FCE) exams.

Cambridge English: First, also known as First Certificate in English (FCE), is an upper-intermediate level qualification. It proves you can use everyday written and spoken English for work or study purposes. Every year, thousands of people who want to use English to improve their work and study prospects take the FCE exam. 

This year, for the first time, our school organized internal competition. A large group of students from all 4 years of gymnasium participated in the 5 hour tests. They listened, read, wrote and even answered grammar questions in the Use of English part of the test.

Among those that passed the tests, it is important to say that three students excelled in all four categories. Zdenek David, Radovan Opocensky and Tomas Reichtig all scored above 95%. Several additional students passed with Honors. 

Certainly, our Cambridge Day is going to become a yearly school tradition.