Anna Kendrick - Cups (Pitch Perfect's "When I'm Gone")

Valentine's Day

Find information about Valentine's Day here.
Try the vocabulary matching quiz.

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day  is a day celebrated on February 2.

According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then spring will come early; if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.
In southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Lodges celebrate the holiday with social events in which food is served, speeches are made, and one or more g'spiel (plays or skits) are performed for entertainment. The Pennsylvania German dialect is the only language spoken at the event, and those who speak English pay a penalty, usually in the form of a nickel, dime, or quarter per word spoken, with the money put into a bowl in the center of the table. The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Groundhog Day, already a widely recognized and popular tradition, received widespread attention as a result of the 1993 film Groundhog Day.

Map of the United States

A map of the United States in google maps.

Project for the second term: presentation of a country or a city

In pairs, prepare a 10-15 minutes exposition about a country where the people speak English or a city from an English speaking country.

Prepare a PowerPoint with images to illustrate your exposition. You can also include videos or music.

Don't forget to talk about:

- Geographical situation

- Population

- Geographical features (sea, rivers, mountains)

- Climate

- Languages spoken

- Economy

- Art

- Music

- Food

- Type of government

- Important people

- and any other aspects that you may consider of interest

Don't forget to write the web pages where you found the information.

Good luck!

Happy New Year!!!

Eid al-Fitr

In Pakistan on the day of Eid al-Fitr, people wear new clothes to get ready for Eid prayer. People are supposed to give obligatory charity on behalf of each of their family member to the needy or poor before Eid day or at least before Eid prayer. This will allow everybody to share the joy of Eid and won’t feel depressed. There is three days national holiday for Eid celebration, while festivities and greetings tradition usually continues for the whole month. There is also a tradition that has developed in the recent past of people sending Eid greeting cards to distant family members, relatives and friends.

For Eid prayer, people gather at large open areas like sports grounds, parks or large open area. After Eid Salat people meet and greet each other with traditional hug of friendship. Before going home people give charity to needy and the poor, to further make it possible to have everybody be able to enjoy the day. On their way home, people buy sweets, gas balloons for kids, and gifts for the family. At home family members enjoy special Eid breakfast with various types of sweets and desserts, including traditional dessert sheer khurma, which is made of vermicelli, milk, butter, dry fruits and dates, etc.
Eid is mainly enjoyed by the kids, as they mostly receive money in cash called "Eidi" as gift by every elder in the family and relatives when they visit their places. On Eid day kids are allowed to spend their gift money (Eidi) as they want. Media also covers Eid festivities all day and airs various special programs on TV for all age groups.