We’re back with another episode of 2Ts in a Pod. This time we’re delving back into the deepest darkest depths of Reddit to answer the question AITA (am I the asshole?) We examine 3 situations in which people are unsure whether or not they are in the wrong. Check out the episode right now!
If you want to read more AITA situations, or, if you’re a teacher, you want to use them in your classes, check them out here.
Next Saturday 27th April 2024 I will be speaking at the Macmillan Academy Day in Barcelona. The sessions run from 10:00-13:30 and there will be two sessions in total.
The first session, entitled “Challenging Students at C2” will be presented by the excellent teacher trainer and author Ethan Mansur. He will be presenting his new book “Ready for C2 Proficiency” and giving loads of great tips on how to help students bridge the gap from C1 to C2.
Then, the title of my session is “Teen Tactics: Engaging and Encouraging Adolescent Learners.” We will explore practical techniques, strategies and activities to tackle teens classes and make them more engaging and thus more effective.
Register now at this link or by scanning this QR code:
Download the programme below:
This is a PowerPoint I made a while ago to help C1 students practise making the kind of formal recommendations they often need to include in the formal writing tasks in the Cambridge C1 Advanced exam. Download the PowerPoint below:
This is a quick activity I made to revise some emergent language from a C1 Advanced listening task we did in class. I took the interesting expressions from the transcript and got Chat GPT to incorporate them into a new text.
Students read a text about professional sports mascots and then examine some expressions from the text. There is a complete version or a more challenging gapped version. I’ve also included an AI generated recording of the text from play.ht.
Download the handouts below:
C1 Advanced: A Mascot’s Life – Student Handout
“Hi everyone! I’m Jake, and I’ve recently started an exciting new job that I never imagined I’d be doing – I’m the mascot for our city’s professional soccer team! It’s a world full of energy, enthusiasm, and a few surprises along the way.
One major perk of this job is the thrill of entertaining thousands of fans. I seriously get a kick out of seeing their smiles and hearing their cheers. It’s not every day you get to be the heart and soul of a game!
Now, you might think being in such a huge crowd would be nerve-wracking. And you’re right! Initially, I used to get stage fright. The thought of performing in front of so many people would play on my mind for days before a match. But, believe it or not, once I’m in my mascot costume, all that anxiety just melts away.
Let’s talk about the financial side. While I’m not making megabucks, the salary is decent enough, and the joy I experience is worth more than any paycheck.
However, being a mascot isn’t always easy. There are times when the heat inside the costume can really put me off, especially on sunny days. It’s a challenge to stay focused and not get distracted by the discomfort.
Staying in shape is crucial in this line of work. You need a lot of stamina to perform energetically throughout the game. It’s not just about the costume; it’s about being fit enough to bring life to the character. For this reason, I keep trim by exercising at the gym at least 3 times a week.
At times, I can get hung up on small mistakes during a performance. Maybe I didn’t land a dance move perfectly, or I tripped over my giant mascot feet. It’s easy to get flustered in those moments, but I’ve learned to laugh it off and keep going.
The team I work with is a tight-knit group. They’re incredibly supportive and we all get a buzz from creating memorable experiences for the fans. I was taken aback by how welcoming and friendly everyone was from my very first day.
In conclusion, being a sports team mascot is an extraordinary experience. It’s a job that requires energy, dedication, and a love for the game and its fans. If you’re someone who loves to entertain and stay active, this might just be the perfect role for you!”
We’re back baby! We’ve finally managed to find time in our busy schedules to get back into the studio and record more episodes of 2Ts in a Pod. We’re aiming for shorter episodes and a more consistent release schedule.
In this episode we discuss six different expressions and their interesting origins…. check it out!
