(Level: Intermediate to upper-intermediate / B1 to B2 / ** to ***)
You are going to watch CNN's look back on the year that was 2014.
You can also find the video on the CNN site by clicking HERE
No questions this time!
Wednesday, 31 December 2014
Christmas Truce
(Level: intermediate to upper-intermediate / B2 to C1 / ** to ***)
The 'Christmas Truce' refers to a series of unofficial cessations of hostilities that occurred along the Western Front around Christmas 1914.
It started on Christmas Eve when the German soldiers started singing Christmas carols and placing Christmas trees lit with candles above the trenches, particularly in the Ypres region and in the Comines and Ploegsteert sectors. Soldiers from both sides left their trenches and ventured into no man's land to shake hands, drink and smoke together.
 |
| During Christmas Truce Photo credit: www.spiritofremembrance.com |
No-one knows for sure when the truce ended and fighting recommenced.
In some areas, the Truce lasted until after Christmas Day and in other sectors until New Year's Day. But it stopped anyway after the higher command on both sides had issued orders to resume fighting and killing the enemy.
Letters were sent home by the soldiers who were there and some were even published in local newspapers.
Those letters can be considered first-hand accounts of what the Truce was really like.
You are now going to watch a BBC report focusing on that war event.
Click HERE
If you are interested, here is another site (http://www.history.com/topics) on which you can find an interesting account of the Christmas Truce.
Click HERE
In some areas, the Truce lasted until after Christmas Day and in other sectors until New Year's Day. But it stopped anyway after the higher command on both sides had issued orders to resume fighting and killing the enemy.
Letters were sent home by the soldiers who were there and some were even published in local newspapers.
Those letters can be considered first-hand accounts of what the Truce was really like.
You are now going to watch a BBC report focusing on that war event.
Click HERE
If you are interested, here is another site (http://www.history.com/topics) on which you can find an interesting account of the Christmas Truce.
Click HERE
Friday, 26 December 2014
The people who choose to be alone at Christmas
(Level: intermediate to upper-intermediate / B2 / ***)
Our society regards Christmas as the ideal festive moment for anyone to be sitting with the family or friends around the Christmas tree or a table with the traditional stuffed turkey on it.
Before reading:
You are going to read a BBC article (*) focusing on that issue.
(*) The people who choose to be alone at Christmas, http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-30512529
Click HERE to find the article.
(Level: intermediate to upper-intermediate / B2 / ***)
 |
| A family Christmas dinner Picture credit: www.theguardian.com |
Our society regards Christmas as the ideal festive moment for anyone to be sitting with the family or friends around the Christmas tree or a table with the traditional stuffed turkey on it.
Now if some would definitely rather enjoy their own company, specifically on that day, it is no wonder that they run the risk of being considered stressed, lonely, antisocial or anti-conformist people.
But that does not prevent them from experiencing a pleasant moment as they feel free of all constraints.
But that does not prevent them from experiencing a pleasant moment as they feel free of all constraints.
Before reading:
You are going to read a BBC article (*) focusing on that issue.
(*) The people who choose to be alone at Christmas, http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-30512529
Click HERE to find the article.
The following words and notes could be useful:
ubiquitous: widespread / omnipresent omniprésent
the Samaritans: a British charity […] which gives free help and advice to people who are very depressed or thinking of killing themselves […] (from: Oxford Guide to British and American Culture, New Edition; Oxford University Press; 2005)
likewise: similarly de même
a Yuletide: a Christmas season période des fêtes / fête de Noël
in one's own company: on one's own / alone seul / tout seul
disheartening: demoralising / discouraging démoralisant / décourageant
albeit: even if / although bien que
scuppered: ruined gâché / sabordé
devoid of: void of / destitute of / lacking dépourvu de / dénué de
to be construed: to be interpreted / regarded / viewed / considered interprété / considéré
to feel obligated to: to feel compelled to... / committed to... / constrained by... se sentir obligé / tenu de...
It's no big deal: It's no problem Ce n'est pas grave
to shun (company): to avoid fuir / éviter
trite: dull / lacking originality / commonplace banal
withdrawn: introverted / socially detached / reserved renfermé / introverti
While reading:
Answer the following questions in French:
ubiquitous: widespread / omnipresent omniprésent
the Samaritans: a British charity […] which gives free help and advice to people who are very depressed or thinking of killing themselves […] (from: Oxford Guide to British and American Culture, New Edition; Oxford University Press; 2005)
likewise: similarly de même
a Yuletide: a Christmas season période des fêtes / fête de Noël
in one's own company: on one's own / alone seul / tout seul
disheartening: demoralising / discouraging démoralisant / décourageant
albeit: even if / although bien que
scuppered: ruined gâché / sabordé
devoid of: void of / destitute of / lacking dépourvu de / dénué de
to be construed: to be interpreted / regarded / viewed / considered interprété / considéré
to feel obligated to: to feel compelled to... / committed to... / constrained by... se sentir obligé / tenu de...
It's no big deal: It's no problem Ce n'est pas grave
to shun (company): to avoid fuir / éviter
trite: dull / lacking originality / commonplace banal
withdrawn: introverted / socially detached / reserved renfermé / introverti
While reading:
Answer the following questions in French:
- Why is spending Christmas on one's own seen by some as being demoralising or else as being culturally stigmatising?
- Why would some people decide to spend Christmas alone instead? Complete the chart:
According
to Psychologist Dr Cassidy?
|
|
In the case of the author of this article?
|
|
In the case of Rob Moore?
|
|
In the case of Monika Pallenberg?
|
|
In the case of Diane Ofili?
|
When you are finished, you can check your answers:
1
(Décider de) rester seul n'est pas bien accepté dans notre société occidentale, encore moins à l'occasion d'une fête traditionnelle comme la Noël, synonyme de joie, de convivialité, ou d'un moment festif passé notamment en famille.
2
According
to Psychologist Dr Cassidy?
|
Se mettre à l'écart juste pendant une journée ne signifie nullement qu'on en arrive à se complaire dans l'isolement social.
Décider de passer la Noël en solitaire - même si, ce faisant, on est stigmatisé - plutôt que de se sentir obligé de se conformer à la tradition et donc aux attentes des autres est cathartique; cela procure un effet libérateur; on se met à l'abri de toute contrainte...
|
In the case of the author of this article?
|
Il s'est retrouvé par inadvertance tout seul à passer la Noël et n'a pas trouvé cela désagréable du tout. La télécommande lui était entièrement due; il était parfaitement à son aise sans être obligé de se raser ou de manger la dinde qu'on lui aurait imposée; il a pu se commander un plat indien à emporter bien plus à son goût; ...
|
In the case of Rob Moore?
|
Depuis qu'il est veuf, il a préféré rester seul pendant les fêtes; manière pour lui de se libérer de toute contrainte, de ne pas s'obliger à être ailleurs. Expérience positive, cathartique...
|
In the case of Monika Pallenberg?
|
Elle préfère aussi passer la Noël seule. Elle ne conçoit pas qu'on puisse lui imposer de célébrer un événement - religieux de surcroît - qui n'est pour elle qu'un jour férié comme un autre.
Elle ne supporte pas cet aspect religieux qu'on lui impose; c'est pourquoi elle ne se sent pas obligée de passer ce jour ni avec sa famille, ni avec qui que ce soit...
Ses amis (ou voisins) ont du mal à comprendre ses intentions de passer la Noël toute seule; ils lui proposent inévitablement de se joindre à eux...
|
In the case of Diane Ofili?
|
Elle préfère rester vague quant à ses projets pour les fêtes parce qu'elle s'est déjà heurtée à des gens hostiles quand elle dit qu'elle préfère les passer seule.
Elle est plutôt introvertie en tant que personne avec un cercle d'amis et de connaissances réduit. Elle n'a jamais été proche de sa famille non plus. Elle a toujours privilégié sa vie privée et son autonomie.
|
Wednesday, 24 December 2014
Why some people choose to work on Christmas Day
(Level: Intermediate / B1 to B2 / ** to ***)
If people may normally be relaxing, even drinking or eating too much on Christmas Day, others will simply go on working. It can be out of necessity, but for some it is out of choice and for good reasons.
Before reading:
You are going to read a BBC article (*) focusing on this issue.
(*) Peter Shadbolt, Why some people choose to work on Christmas Day, http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30513597
Click HERE to find the article.
The following words could be useful:
the fizz: effervescent beverage (like Champagne, cava etc.)
to clock in: to register one's arrival at work pointer (en arrivant au travail)
a pub landlord / landlady: a pub manager patron / patronne d'un pub
to aim: to intend avoir pour but de
to follow in (...the footsteps...): to carry on (the behaviour, action, habit of...) suivre la voie de / suivre les traces de / emboîter le pas de...
a Christmas carol: a song sung during the Xmas season chant de Noël
to relish: to look forward to / to be pleased with se réjouir de / tirer profit de
a callout: a call meant to summon someone to work at a time outside the normal working hours, usually in an emergency... to do repairs for instance... appel (d'urgence)
(a) drop-in (drinker): (a drinker) who drops in, i.e. who pays a casual / short visit (client de pub) de passage
While reading:
Complete the chart in French:
When you are finished answering, you can check your answers:
(Level: Intermediate / B1 to B2 / ** to ***)
 |
| The majority of Christmas workers are in service-orientated industries Photo credit: www.dailymail.co.uk |
If people may normally be relaxing, even drinking or eating too much on Christmas Day, others will simply go on working. It can be out of necessity, but for some it is out of choice and for good reasons.
Before reading:
You are going to read a BBC article (*) focusing on this issue.
(*) Peter Shadbolt, Why some people choose to work on Christmas Day, http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30513597
Click HERE to find the article.
The following words could be useful:
the fizz: effervescent beverage (like Champagne, cava etc.)
to clock in: to register one's arrival at work pointer (en arrivant au travail)
 |
| Clocking in on arrival at work Photo credit: plum.io |
a pub landlord / landlady: a pub manager patron / patronne d'un pub
to aim: to intend avoir pour but de
to follow in (...the footsteps...): to carry on (the behaviour, action, habit of...) suivre la voie de / suivre les traces de / emboîter le pas de...
a Christmas carol: a song sung during the Xmas season chant de Noël
 |
| A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Title page - First edition - 1843 Picture credit: en.wikipedia.org |
to relish: to look forward to / to be pleased with se réjouir de / tirer profit de
a callout: a call meant to summon someone to work at a time outside the normal working hours, usually in an emergency... to do repairs for instance... appel (d'urgence)
(a) drop-in (drinker): (a drinker) who drops in, i.e. who pays a casual / short visit (client de pub) de passage
While reading:
Complete the chart in French:
|
|
Why do they choose to work on
Christmas Day?
|
|
Mary Tucker,
guide touristique
(+
son mari)
|
-
-
-
-
|
|
Wei Chun Lee,
patron d'un restaurant
chinois (+ le personnel)
|
(avantages pour le patron)
-
-
(avantages pour le personnel)
-
|
|
Barakat Hagos,
chauffeur de taxi
|
-
-
|
|
John Bailey,
plombier ;
réparateur
|
-
-
-
|
|
Rebecca Davidson, patronne de pub
|
-
-
|
When you are finished answering, you can check your answers:
|
|
Why do they choose to work on
Christmas Day?
|
|
Mary Tucker,
guide touristique
(+
son mari)
|
-
Un des jours les plus chargés de
l’année = intéressant financièrement
vu le succès du concept et l’affluence (5 balades de 2 heures avec 30 à 40
participants à chaque fois / prix de 9 livres sterling par personne).
-
Le concept thématique (basé sur le
plus célèbre des contes de Noël écrits par Charles Dickens) plaît au public
et est approprié à cette période festive.
-
Aucune contrainte pour elle de
travailler le jour de Noël puisque son mari est aussi guide touristique (dans
la même société – London Walks –
qu’ils gèrent ensemble).
-
Quand ils ont fini leur journée,
ils passent ensemble une soirée de Noël bien méritée.
-
…
|
|
Wei Chun Lee,
patron d'un restaurant
chinois (+ le personnel)
|
(avantages pour le patron)
-
Intéressant financièrement ;
les 18 tables sont systématiquement réservées (soit par habitués ou
touristes) et le prix par couvert est de 90 livres sterling !
-
Patron satisfait des arrangements
pris par le personnel, à savoir qui est volontaire pour prester pendant le
réveillon de Noël ou celui de la Saint-Sylvestre…
(avantages pour le personnel)
-
Arrangements possibles en fonction
de la situation familiale de chacun ; les célibataires prestent la
soirée du 24 décembre et sont libres la nuit de la Saint-Sylvestre. Les
autres passent la Noël en famille mais viennent prester le soir du 31
décembre.
-
…
|
|
Barakat Hagos,
chauffeur de taxi
|
-
Il ne fête pas la Noël le 25
décembre mais plutôt le 7 janvier (en raison de son appartenance religieuse).
-
Intéressant financièrement car pas de
transport en commun. Or, les Londoniens ont toujours besoin de se déplacer…
-
…
|
|
John Bailey,
plombier ;
réparateur
|
-
Intéressant financièrement (100
livres la première heure de prestation après l’appel).
-
Manière de rendre service aux gens
pendant les fêtes. En cas de problème, il contribue au succès de la fête ;
il rend le sourire aux gens après avoir effectué une réparation.
-
Manière aussi pour lui de se
plonger dans l’atmosphère de fête…
-
…
|
|
Rebecca Davidson, patronne de pub
|
-
Intéressant financièrement ;
repas prévu au pub et 43 réservations cette année (64 livres par couvert),
sans oublier les clients de passage qui viennent consommer des boissons.
-
Pub ouvert de midi à 17 heures ;
le personnel peut passer le reste du jour de Noël en famille.
-
…
|
Tuesday, 23 December 2014
Up to a week without eating
(Level: Upper-Intermediate to advanced / B2 to C1 / ***)
Before watching:
The number of families using food banks in the UK is on the rise as they are now struggling to feed themselves.
You'll even hear one person in the report saying they had to last up to one week without eating!
You are going to watch a BBC report focusing on this issue.
The following words could be useful:
to collapse: to fall down (from lack of strength) / to faint s'évanouir
a lifeline: support to enable someone to go on; to survive... moyen de subsistance / bouée de sauvetage
to plummet: to decline suddenly plonger / chuter
While watching:
Complete the chart in French:
You can also watch the video on the BBC website by clicking HERE
When you are finished, you can check your answers:
(Level: Upper-Intermediate to advanced / B2 to C1 / ***)
 |
| A food bank Photo credit: theguardian.com |
The number of families using food banks in the UK is on the rise as they are now struggling to feed themselves.
You'll even hear one person in the report saying they had to last up to one week without eating!
 |
| Graph from www.independent.co.uk |
You are going to watch a BBC report focusing on this issue.
The following words could be useful:
to collapse: to fall down (from lack of strength) / to faint s'évanouir
a lifeline: support to enable someone to go on; to survive... moyen de subsistance / bouée de sauvetage
to plummet: to decline suddenly plonger / chuter
While watching:
Complete the chart in French:
The Weston family
|
Holly
|
|
Why do they have to go to the food
bank?
Can you give more details about
them?
|
You can also watch the video on the BBC website by clicking HERE
When you are finished, you can check your answers:
The Weston family
|
Holly
|
|
Why do they have to go to the food
bank?
Can you give more details about
them?
|
Le père a perdu son travail l'été dernier et le fils ne peut pas subvenir aux besoins de la famille avec un emploi à temps partiel!
Le fils a déjà fait une syncope au travail due à la privation de nourriture et la fille se passe parfois de nourriture pendant une semaine
Grâce à la banque alimentaire, ils peuvent finalement remplir quelque peu leurs étagères.
...
|
Son activité en tant que danseuse indépendante ne lui permet pas de nouer les deux bouts, surtout depuis la chute brutale de ses revenus.
C'est grâce à la banque alimentaire qu'elle peut nourrir son fils.
...
|
Monday, 22 December 2014
The shortest day of the year
(Level: Intermediate to upper-intermediate / B2 / ** to ***)
The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year and came on 21 December 2014 at 23:03 UTC or GMT (*) or on 22 December 2014 at 00:03 CET (**).
(*) UTC: Universal Time Coordinated (also called Coordinated Universal Time or CUT) corresponds with GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
(**) CET: Central European Time (= GMT +1 or UTC + 1) in winter (and CEST = Central European Summer Time in summer).
Before watching:
You are going to listen to BBC Weather's John Hammond explaining what the winter solstice is.
The following word could be useful:
to tilt: to incline incliner
While watching:
Identify the following diagrams (make notes in French):
Diagram 1
Winter solstice or summer solstice?
Consequences for:
- the UK?
- the Arctic?
- the Antarctic?
Cause?
Diagram 2
Winter solstice or summer solstice?
Consequences for:
- the UK?
- the Arctic?
- the Antarctic?
Cause?
You can also watch the video on the BBC site by clicking HERE
When you are finished, you can check your answers:
Diagram 1
Solstice d'été / Summer solstice
Consequences for:
- the UK?
16 heures d'ensoleillement vers le 21 juin / Journées les plus longues
- the Arctic?
Le soleil ne se couche pas (= soleil de minuit / le soleil reste au-dessus de l'horizon)
- the Antarctic?
Le soleil ne se lève pas ( = nuit polaire)
Cause?
L'hémisphère nord pointe le plus en direction du soleil (du fait de l'inclinaison de l'axe de la Terre sur le plan de son orbite)
Diagram 2
Solstice d'hiver / Winter solstice
Consequences for:
- the UK?
8 heures d'ensoleillement (vers le 21 décembre) / Journées les plus courtes
- the Arctic?
Le soleil ne se lève pas (le soleil reste en-dessous de l'horizon)
- the Antarctic?
Le soleil ne se couche pas
Cause?
L'hémisphère sud pointe le plus en direction du soleil (du fait de l'inclinaison de l'axe de la Terre sur le plan de son orbite)
(Level: Intermediate to upper-intermediate / B2 / ** to ***)
 |
| The shortest day of the year Picture credit: www.pinterest.com |
The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year and came on 21 December 2014 at 23:03 UTC or GMT (*) or on 22 December 2014 at 00:03 CET (**).
(*) UTC: Universal Time Coordinated (also called Coordinated Universal Time or CUT) corresponds with GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
(**) CET: Central European Time (= GMT +1 or UTC + 1) in winter (and CEST = Central European Summer Time in summer).
Before watching:
You are going to listen to BBC Weather's John Hammond explaining what the winter solstice is.
The following word could be useful:
to tilt: to incline incliner
While watching:
Identify the following diagrams (make notes in French):
 |
| Diagram 1 Credit: www.thesuntoday.org |
Diagram 1
Winter solstice or summer solstice?
Consequences for:
- the UK?
- the Arctic?
- the Antarctic?
Cause?
 |
| Diagram 2 Credit: www.thesuntoday.org |
Diagram 2
Winter solstice or summer solstice?
Consequences for:
- the UK?
- the Arctic?
- the Antarctic?
Cause?
You can also watch the video on the BBC site by clicking HERE
When you are finished, you can check your answers:
Diagram 1
Solstice d'été / Summer solstice
Consequences for:
- the UK?
16 heures d'ensoleillement vers le 21 juin / Journées les plus longues
- the Arctic?
Le soleil ne se couche pas (= soleil de minuit / le soleil reste au-dessus de l'horizon)
- the Antarctic?
Le soleil ne se lève pas ( = nuit polaire)
Cause?
L'hémisphère nord pointe le plus en direction du soleil (du fait de l'inclinaison de l'axe de la Terre sur le plan de son orbite)
Diagram 2
Solstice d'hiver / Winter solstice
Consequences for:
- the UK?
8 heures d'ensoleillement (vers le 21 décembre) / Journées les plus courtes
- the Arctic?
Le soleil ne se lève pas (le soleil reste en-dessous de l'horizon)
- the Antarctic?
Le soleil ne se couche pas
Cause?
L'hémisphère sud pointe le plus en direction du soleil (du fait de l'inclinaison de l'axe de la Terre sur le plan de son orbite)
 |
| The seasons Credit: scienceblogs.com |
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