The King's Christmas Broadcast 2023

 

Last year, King Charles III adressed his first Christmas speech to his country and the Commonwealth. Pay attention to his pronunciation, rhythm and entonation. Read the full transcript down below.

"I'm standing here in this exquisite chapel of St. George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother the late Queen is laid to rest with my dear father. I'm reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of you have sent my wife and myself, and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family.

Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones. We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season, and remember them in each cherished tradition.

7 O´Clock News / Silent Night 2023

Recorded on August 22nd, 1966, "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night" is the twelfth and final track on "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme", a 1966 album by Simon and Garfunkel. The track consists of an overdubbing of two contrasting recordings: a simple arrangement of the Christmas carol "Silent Night", and a simulated "7 O'Clock News" bulletin of the actual events of 3 August 1966.

Advent 2023

What is Advent? (Reblogged from here and here)

The word Advent comes from the Latin word for “arrival”: adventus. The celebration of Advent, whether with wreaths in church or calendars at home, marks the beginning of the Christmas period. It’s one of the major seasons celebrated by most Christian churches in the Western tradition: Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Episcopalians, Lutherans, and many additional Protestant churches mark the roughly month-long period with special observance.

Most Advent calendars start on December 1st, but the actual first day of the Advent season changes every year. In 2023, that day is Sunday 3rd December. The final day is the same every year: December 24th, Christmas Eve — though many calendars run through Christmas Day.

The reason for the shifting start date is somewhat straightforward: as celebrated by Christian churches in the Western tradition (as opposed to Eastern Orthodox churches, which keep a different calendar), the season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and is celebrated on each successive Sunday leading up to Christmas.

Once Advent finishes, the 12 days of Christmas start... It is the period that in Christian theology marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6th (the Epiphany, sometimes also called Three Kings' Day).

RC Celta beat FC Barcelona to stay safe from relegation!

RC Celta had a monumental task on their hands needing to beat Barcelona to be sure of 1t Division safety and not need to rely on other results. They did just that! Emotional scenes at Estadio Balaidos following the huge result.

Don't forget you can have subtitles pressing the second icon at the bottom of the screen.

 No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only

Asperger Day 2023

February 18th, International Asperger's Day. Can you feel it (too)?

Asperger is a show that visualizes the emotions of people with Asperger, a condition of the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Krister Palo is a 15-year-old student at the International School of the Hague who just happens to have Asperger's syndrome. In his talk, he shares misconceptions about people with Asperger's syndrome, and breaks down some of these popular stereotypes and assumptions.

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Coming Up Roses

 

Keira Knightley sings "Coming Up Roses" in a scene of the 2013 movie "Begin Again".

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Blue Monday 2023

Hi there, Labor Students.

Next 16th will be Monday,  not just any Monday, but... Blue Monday!

Blue Monday is a name given to the third Monday in January, thought to be the most depressing day of the year as part of a 2005 publicity campaign by Sky Travel.

The concept is considered pseudoscience with its formula derided by scientists as nonsensical.

The King's Christmas Broadcast 2022

 

King Charles III adresses his first Christmas speech to his country and the Commonwealth. Pay attention to his pronunciation, rhythm and entonation. Read the full transcript down below.

"I'm standing here in this exquisite chapel of St. George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother the late Queen is laid to rest with my dear father. I'm reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of you have sent my wife and myself, and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family.

Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones. We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season, and remember them in each cherished tradition.

7 O´Clock News / Silent Night 2022

Recorded on August 22nd, 1966, "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night" is the twelfth and final track on "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme", a 1966 album by Simon and Garfunkel. The track consists of an overdubbing of two contrasting recordings: a simple arrangement of the Christmas carol "Silent Night", and a simulated "7 O'Clock News" bulletin of the actual events of 3 August 1966.

Christmas Carols & Songs 2022

O Come All Ye Faithful 

The text to the carol O Come All Ye Faithful was originally written in Latin (Adeste Fideles) and was intended to be a hymn, it is attributed to John Wade, an Englishman. The music to O Come All Ye Faithful was composed by fellow Englishman John Reading in the early 1700s. The tune was first published in a collection known as "Cantus Diversi" in 1751. In 1841 Rev. Frederick Oakley is reputed to have worked on the familiar translation of O Come All Ye Faithful which replaced the older Latin lyrics "Adeste Fideles".

We wish you a Merry Christmas. 

The author and composer of We Wish You a Merry Christmas cannot be traced however it is believed to date back to England in the sixteenth century. The tradition of carollers being given Christmas treats for singing to wealthy members of the community is reflected in this Christmas song - We Wish You a Merry Christmas! Over the years the fashion for figgy puddings mentioned in We Wish You a Merry Christmas has faded. But for the curious, the recipe consisted of the most important ingredient which was of course figs together with butter, sugar, eggs ,milk, rum, apple, lemon and orange peel, nuts, cinnamon, cloves and ginger! Not dissimilar to the modern day Christmas Puddings!

Auld Lang Syne. 

Although not strictly a Christmas song this section would not be complete without the inclusion of the lyrics of Auld Lang Syne. The song Auld Lang Syne is traditionally sung by most of us on the stroke of midnight each New Years Eve. However in Scotland, where Auld Lang Syne originates it is also sung on Burns Night, January 25th, to celebrate the life of the author and famous poet Robert Burns. The lyrics of Auld Lang Syne actually consist of five verses. The words 'Auld Lang Syne' literally translates from old Scottish dialect meaning 'Old Long Ago' and is about love and friendship in times past. The lyrics in the song Auld Lang Syne referring to 'We'll take a Cup of Kindness yet' relate to a drink shared by men and women to symbolise friendship. Happy New Year!!!

No copyright infringement intended. For educational non-commercial purposes only.

Merry Christmas 2022

Labor English Zone wishes Merry Christmas

At Labor English Zone we know what present we want for Christmas!

Advent 2022

What is Advent? (Reblogged from here and here)

The word Advent comes from the Latin word for “arrival”: adventus. The celebration of Advent, whether with wreaths in church or calendars at home, marks the beginning of the Christmas period. It’s one of the major seasons celebrated by most Christian churches in the Western tradition: Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Episcopalians, Lutherans, and many additional Protestant churches mark the roughly month-long period with special observance.

Most Advent calendars start on December 1st, but the actual first day of the Advent season changes every year. In 2022, that day is Sunday November 27th. The final day is the same every year: December 24th, Christmas Eve — though many calendars run through Christmas Day.

The reason for the shifting start date is somewhat straightforward: as celebrated by Christian churches in the Western tradition (as opposed to Eastern Orthodox churches, which keep a different calendar), the season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and is celebrated on each successive Sunday leading up to Christmas.

Once Advent finishes, the 12 days of Christmas start... It is the period that in Christian theology marks the span between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. It begins on December 25 (Christmas) and runs through January 6th (the Epiphany, sometimes also called Three Kings' Day).

Asperger Day 2022

February 18th, International Asperger's Day. Can you feel it (too)?

Asperger is a show that visualizes the emotions of people with Asperger, a condition of the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Krister Palo is a 15-year-old student at the International School of the Hague who just happens to have Asperger's syndrome. In his talk, he shares misconceptions about people with Asperger's syndrome, and breaks down some of these popular stereotypes and assumptions.

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Only the Disciplined Ones Are Free in Life

 

“Discipline is not a one-time event,” explains Eliud Kipchoge. “Self discipline is like building your muscle. It’s like going to the gym. You cannot go to the gym today and build your muscle. You should get a program and go slowly by slowly—that’s the way to build your muscle. And that’s the way you can cultivate your self discipline.” 

And the same applies to studying

In order for you to be successful you need to consider some facts. One is self-discipline. Self-discipline starts with you. It's not other person. It starts with you. Self-discipline means it's doing what's right rather than doing what you feel. When you've decided to do something, do it. No excuses. Then you are self-disciplined. Discipline is not a one-time event. You make discipline your life-style. Remember, only the disciplined ones are free in life. I'll repeat again: only the disciplined ones are free in life. If you are undisciplined, you are a slave to your moods. You are a slave to your passions.

2022 Carnival Dance: Waterloo, by Abba

 ESO Students,

Waterloo, by Swedish legendary pop band ABBA, is the song you will be dancing at the school carnival this year, to be held next Friday 25th February.

Meanwhile, watch this video, practise the steps, movements, sequences and patterns in this dance. If you learn the lyrics and sing along, you will enjoy it even more. 

Have fun and remember: practice makes perfect.

My, my

At Waterloo, Napoleon did surrender

Oh, yeah

And I have met my destiny in quite a similar way

The history book on the shelf

Is always repeating itself

Waterloo

I was defeated, you won the war

Waterloo

Promise to love you forever more

Waterloo

Couldn't escape if I wanted to

Waterloo

Knowing my fate is to be with you

Wa-Wa-Wa-Wa-Waterloo

Finally facing my Waterloo

Blue Monday 2022

Hi there, Labor Students.

Next 24th will be Monday,  not just any Monday, but... Blue Monday!

Blue Monday is a name given to the Monday of the last full week of January, thought to be the most depressing day of the year as part of a 2005 publicity campaign by Sky Travel.

The concept is considered pseudoscience with its formula derided by scientists as nonsensical.

"No Motivation", by Michael Kofuzi

 

A question I frequently get is "how do I stay motivated? When it’s cold out or when it’s dark. Don’t I ever just want to stay inside and skip my run?"

And the answer is of course I do. I’m only human. And yet, I still find a way to get out there and go for a run.

So how do I do it? The answer is that, long ago, I realized that motivation is unnecessary. Motivation is fickle. Motivation is fleeting. What you really want is momentum. That feeling you have when you’ve got a run streak going and you don’t want to break that streak. That’s momentum. It’s the inertia of you, set in motion. And a body in motion wants to stay in motion.

So get out there. Run. And keep showing up. The run might be terrible, but that’s the thing about running. Even a terrible run is worth something. Because even a terrible run keeps your momentum going. If you’re going to wait for a day when you’re feeling motivated, the only thing you’ll ever accomplish is waiting. So run when it’s dark. Run when it’s cold. Go. No more excuses. No more waiting.

And next time, when you don’t feel motivated to run. You can tell yourself. I don’t need motivation. I’ve been here before. The dark isn’t so dark. The cold isn’t so cold. I have built a habit. This is who I am. This is what I do. I have momentum.

... AND EXACTLY THE SAME APPLIES TO STUDYING!

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

7 O´Clock News / Silent Night 2021

Recorded on August 22nd, 1966, "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night" is the twelfth and final track on "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme", a 1966 album by Simon and Garfunkel. The track consists of an overdubbing of two contrasting recordings: a simple arrangement of the Christmas carol "Silent Night", and a simulated "7 O'Clock News" bulletin of the actual events of 3 August 1966.

Christmas Carols & Songs 2021

A carol is a song of praise or joy, especially for Christmas. But it is also an old round dance often accompanied by singing.  The word was probably from Old French, derived from Latin choraula, which means "choral song".

Enjoy a selection of traditional Christmas carols and songs in English. Lyrics are included, so you can learn how to sing them!

Merry Christmas 2021

Labor English Zone wishes you the 

Season's Greetings

At Labor English Zone we know what present we want for Christmas!