Valentine's Day Treasure Hunt

By Tatiana Ilina

At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet. (Plato)

Read the article and answer the questions following it.

From the Daily Star

Febraury 5, 2014

Stuck for Valentine's Day ideas? How about a candlelit dinner at MCDONALD'S?

ROMANCE isn't dead - it's just covered in lettuce, onions and burger sauce.

A branch of McDonald's is offering loved-up couples the chance to have the full candlelight dinner meal in their restaurant - although you would have to be alright with a Big Mac and fries.

One customer spotted this advert for the romantic night at their local and it looks like a night to remember.

The ad states: "Our crew will greet you at the door, seat you, take your order and deliver it to you.

"All you have to do is just sit back, relax, and enjoy your romantic evening with your date."

And if that wasn't enough, there will be some choice musical selections courtesy of Ron.

It doesn't get much better than that.

Sadly, this isn't something offered all over - the person who took this photo revealed it was at a branch in Southport, North Carolina, USA.

Questions:

1)     Would you like to spend Valentine’s Day with your boyfriend/girlfriend in the way described in the article?

2)     Do you know the history of this holiday?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_Day

http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy4KweX4CjY

3)     How do people celebrate Valentine’s Day?

      What presents do they give each other?

      What are the main symbols of this holiday?

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/uk/valentine-day

http://www.mydearvalentine.com/valentines-day-facts/

4)     Do Russians celebrate this day?

What is the similar holiday in our country?

      http://www.everythingvalentinesday.com/around-the-world/russia.html

      http://vanilla-love.com/blog/day-of-family-love-and-fidelity-in-russia.html

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_and_Fevronia_Day

5)     Have you heard any songs connected with Valentine’s Day?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGkfHyS93_s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgAx_sQ0mqE

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXtXHkgalwM

London's Olympic History Treasure Hunt

By Anastaisia Gulay

Read the article London's Olympic history: Looking back at the 1908 and 1948 editions of the Games

From Daily Mail

June 28, 2012

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2165896/London-2012-Olympics-1908-1948-London-Games.html  

Learn about the history of the Olympic Games and answer the questions.

1. What does the term Olympic games mean? When were the first ancient Olympic games held?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Games

http://www.olympic.org/ancient-olympic-games

2. What about the first modern Olympic games? Where were they held?

http://www.olympic.org/athens-1896-summer-olympics

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_were_the_first_Modern_Olympic_games_held

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Uq5amGfBg

What does the abbreviation IOC stand for? Who was the founder of the IOC?

http://www.olympic.org/ioc

http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/9096

Who participated in the first modern Olympic summer games? Who was the youngest participant?

http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1896/

How many nations were represented on the first modern Olympic games?

http://www.olympic.org/athens-1896-summer-olympics

What classes of medals were known in 1896? What was it like? What medal was given to the winner of the competitions?

http://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/11853332

What is the Olympic Symbol?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_symbols

http://answers.ask.com/Society/Other/what_is_the_olympic_symbol

What is the Olympic motto? Who created the official Olympic Flag?

http://www.mapsofworld.com/olympics/trivia/olympic-motto.html

http://history1900s.about.com/od/greateventsofthecentury/a/olympicfacts.htm

Where were winter Olympic games held in 2010? What cities were accepted as Candidate Cities to host the XXI Olympic Winter Games in 2010?

http://www.olympic.org/vancouver-2010-winter-olympics

Let’s speak about Olympics which are being held in our country now.

When and where exactly did winter Olympics start?

When was Sochi elected for the Olympics?

In how many clusters are the Games organized?

Where is the Sochi Olympic Park built?

What were other candidate cities?

http://www.olympic.org/sochi-2014-winter-olympics

3. Where will be next Olympic games be held?

When will they be held?

When was Rio de Janeiro elected for the summer Olympics?

http://www.olympic.org/rio-2016-summer-olympics

4. Give a brief talk on your attitude to the Olympic games.

Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games Treasure Hunt

By Polina Efimova

Read the article and answer the questions following it.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/winterolympics/article-2553810/Its-downhill-Alpine-curling-Winter-Olympics-opening-ceremony-wow-Sochi-let-Games-begin.html

“Let the Games begin! Winter Olympics gets underway in Sochi with spectacular opening ceremony featuring flying children, failed snowflakes, fantastic fireworks... and some dodgy German outfits”.

From Mail Online

January 7, 2014

I.   Answer the questions about the text:

1. In what country are the 22nd Winter Olympic Games held?

2. How many winter sports disciplines are being held during the Games? How many athletes will compete in 98 events?

3. How did the opening ceremony start?

4.  What was to transform into the famous five-ringed Olympic symbol?

5.  Which country’s team were wearing the most garish outfits?

II.  Explore the Internet resources in order to answer the following questions:

1. When was the idea of an Olympic mascot officially approved? What are the mascots of Sochi 2014?

http://talisman.sochi2014.com/en/

http://talisman.sochi2014.com/en/#/en/history/

2. What is the mission of  the Sochi 2014 Cultural Olympiad?

http://culture.sochi2014.com/en/about/

3. What does the slogan of the Olympic Games sound? What does the first part of it symbolize? The second?

http://www.sochi2014.com/en/news-sochi-2014-reveals-its-slogan

4. What is the period of holding the Olympics? What does the emblem of the 2014 Winter Olympics consist of?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Winter_Olympics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Winter_Olympics#Emblem

5. What is the name of the Olympic Stadium in Sochi? How will this stadium be used after the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games?

http://www.sochi2014.com/en/spectators-place-fisht-olympic-stadium

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQXwFczhhxk

6. What three things were allocated by the author of this article?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-2554541/SOCHI-SCENE-3-things-opening-night.html

III.  Discuss the following questions:

1. What is the most amazing moment of the opening in your opinion?

http://www.kgw.com/news/slideshows/Photos-Sochi-2014-opening-ceremonies-244294731.html?gallery=y&c=y&ref=%2Fnews%2Fslideshows

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk3IBKgFpgs

2. Sports outfit of what country do you like most of all? 

http://www.kgw.com/news/slideshows/Fashions-at-Olympics-opening-ceremony-244464141.html?gallery=y&c=y&ref=%2Fnews%2Fslideshows#

IV.         Give a brief talk to your group mates on the impression that the opening ceremony made on you.

The Main Variants of English Treasure Hunt

By Anastaisia Pustoselova

Read the article: Why are fantasy world accents British?

By Brian Wheeler BBC News, Washington

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17554816

It is natural that the English language is not used with uniformity in the British Isles and in Australia, in the USA and -in New Zealand, in Canada and in India, etc. The English language also has some peculiarities in Wales, Scotland, in other parts of the British Isles and America. Is the nature of these varieties the same?

1. American English

Study the information about the

•        Phonology
•     Vocabulary
•      Morphology

What are the English words that survived in the United States?

What are the regional differences?

http://schools-wikipedia.org/wp/a/American_English.htm

American vs British English

What are the differences between American and British English?

• Vocabulary
•  Spelling
•  Pronunciation
• Tenses

http://www.diffen.com/difference/American_English_vs_British_English

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nAnT3PASak

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpJ3yzUPbL0

2. Australian English

Study the information about the

•       Phonology
•      Vocabulary
•      Spelling

What are the varieties of Australian English?

http://schools-wikipedia.org/wp/a/Australian_English.htm

http://australianenglish1.narod.ru/

How to speak with an Australian accent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVgiG7_Ey9k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5aqOgbKuUM

3. Canadian English

Study the information about the

• Pronunciation
• Vocabulary
• Grammar

What are the Regional vocabularies?

http://www.answers.com/topic/canadian-english

http://schools-wikipedia.org/wp/c/Canadian_English.htm

Speak like a Canadian

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GFUC-uNpzA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXu2tVtaSWg

4. New Zealand English

Study the information about the

• Pronunciation
•  Phonology
• Vocabulary
• Spelling

http://www.answers.com/topic/new-zealand-english

New Zealand accent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZXlrkaYXkA

5. How to speak with an accent

Irish accent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2PHch4IPPQ

Scottish accent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mALkCGVA2BU

Welsh accent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq-mEejECcU

Theatre Web Treasure Hunt

By Kate Bychkova

TOP RUSSIAN CAST FOR CHEKHOV CLASSICS

Reporter: Kate Stanbury, first published Fri 07 Feb 2014 16:00

A cast of top Russian performers will star in the upcoming foreign language productions of Uncle Vanya and Three Sisters, which open at the Wyndham’s Theatre in April.

Directed by acclaimed Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky, the productions of Chekhov’s classics will take up residence in the West End from 23 April to 3 May following a successful run at Moscow’s Mossovet State Academic Theatre.

The all-Russian cast will comprise Aleksandr Domogarov, Julia Vysotskaya, Pavel Derevyanko, Aleksandr Filippenko, Vladas Bagdonas, Natalia Vdovina, Alksandr Bobrovsky, Larisa Kuznetsova, Galina Bob, Aleksey Grishin and Vitaly Kishchenko.

The same 13 performers will appear in both plays, which are staged on the same set in order to draw attention to the similarities that emerge within the two stories.

The productions will open at the Wyndham’s Theatre following the current run of Conor McPherson’s Olivier Award-winning play The Weir. The Irish-pub set tale about a group of locals sharing supernatural stories will close on 19 April.

1.     Can English children study the Russian language through dancing, singing and acting? Do you think it is important to share Russian culture with foreigners?

http://realadvert.com.ua/russian-theatre-school-for-children-in-london/aln651948.html

2.     What is the name of the organization which brings professional actors from Britain to stage contemporary British and American drama in Moscow? Which play is going to be shown? Give information about it. 

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/arts_n_ideas/article/english-language-theater-to-start-in-moscow/476814.html

3.     Look at the list of popular American and British Theatre Magazines and Newspapers.  Which one is the most helpful in learning news about theatres? Why do you think so?

http://www.world-newspapers.com/theatre.html

4.     Where can tourists seek for world-class entertainment? How can you buy theatre tickets in London? Is buying online available on this site?

http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/london-theatre-tickets/

5.     What are the Box Office Opening hours of the National Theatre? Are the children under the age of four permitted to enter the auditoriums of the Theatre?

http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/your-visit/booking-information

6.     Are the school visits to the National Theatre available? What are the rules of behaving in the auditorium of the National Theatre?

http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/your-visit/planning-a-visit-to-the-national-theatre

7.     Watch the trailers of National Theatre’s plays. Which one would you like to see? What does ‘National Theatre Live’ mean? What plays does the anniversary NT performance consist of?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3YWQMDrq04

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_UDVeU7iT0&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL7F039CB513487A1A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VA3ZSaC2nU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us__c_2bAUM&list=PLBEDCEBA00E7D1C9D

Education Abroad Web Treasure Hunt

By Ann Saakyan

1)   Read the article from Study Abroad.com by Nate Nault about studying abroad and answer the questions that follow it.

http://www.studyabroad.com/student-guide/why-study-abroad.aspx

1. What does the author say about student's claims that studying abroad isn't for them?

2. What does Nate Nault think about the situation when a student can't last the semester and comes home?

3. What was the author’s biggest fear when he decided to go abroad? What solutions does he offer?

4. What do most parents think about studying abroad according to the author?

5. What does he advise to say to the parents?

6. What other advantages of studying abroad does the author mention?

7. What is the best way to experience culture?  

2) Read about 10 reasons why you should study abroad and speak about three of them in more detail.

http://www.vistawide.com/studyabroad/why_study_abroad.htm

3) Read about education in Australia, New Zealand and say where you would like to go to. You can speak about any country you like.  

http://www.educationabroadnetwork.org/australia-degree-programs.html

http://www.educationabroadnetwork.org/new-zealand-degree-programs.html   

4) Listen to the student talking about studying abroad in Mexico and speak about his impressions of Mexico. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDPx3FboBmI

5) Say what you think about studying abroad and if you would take the plunge if you have the opportunity.

Scorpions: Maybe I, Maybe You

Maybe I, maybe you 
Can make a change to the world 
We're reaching out for a soul 
That's kind of lost in the dark 

Maybe I maybe you 
Can find the key to the stars 
To catch the spirit of hope 
To save one hopeless heart 

You look up to the sky 
With all those questions in mind 
All you need is to hear 
The voice of your heart 
In a world full of pain 
Someone's calling your name 
Why don't we make it true 
Maybe I, maybe you 

Maybe I, maybe you 
Are just dreaming sometimes 
But the world would be cold 
Without dreamers like you 

Maybe I, maybe you 
Are just soldiers of love 
Born to carry the flame 
Bringin' light to the dark 

You look up to the sky 
With all those questions in mind 
All you need is to hear 
The voice of your heart 
In a world full of pain 
Someone's calling your name 
Why don't we make it true 
Maybe I, maybe you