English Recordings

PART 1: Geography and tourism
Hollywood, also called Tinseltown, (tinsel meaning a sparkly Christmas garland) is a district within the city of Los Angeles, California, U.S.A, whose name is synonymous with the American film industry. Since the early 1900s, moviemaking pioneers found in southern California an ideal mix of mild climate, much sunshine, varied landscape, and a large and cheap workforce and soon the image of Hollywood as the fabricator of tinseled cinematic dreams has been engraved worldwide.

The most visible symbol of the district is the white-lettered Hollywood sign which is located on the hills and overlooks the entire area. First built in 1923 (a new sign was erected in 1978), the sign originally said “Hollywoodland” (to advertise new homes being developed in the area), but the sign fell into disrepair, and the “land” section was removed in the 1940s when the sign was repaired.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a street which comprises more than 2,690 five-pointed stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California. The Walk of Fame pays tribute to many celebrities.
The stars are permanent public monuments to achievement in the entertainment industry, bearing the names of a mix of singers and musicians like Michael Jackson, actors like Marylin Monroe, directors like Steven Spielberg, producers, and fictional characters like Mickey Mouse. Disney Studios elevated the cartoon character Mickey Mouse into what was probably the most universally recognized icon of the 20th century. This Hollywood attraction had 10 million visitors in 2010.

I’m Oliver.

I study at Brighton Vocational Training Centre

I specialise in vehicle maintenance

I was an apprentice at “SOS Cars”

I worked from Tuesday to Friday

My last work placement was really exciting

My name is Allie.

I study at Milford Vocational High School

I specialise in the catering industry

I was a trainee at Lola’s Cupcakes

I worked from 7:30am to 6:30pm

My last work placement was very instructive

-Hi Nelson! Can you help me with my homework assignment?
-Sure! What is it?
-I'd like to ask you some questions about food in America. Is that OK?
-Yeah, go ahead! What do you want to know?
-Well, I'd like to know about American food habits. First, what do you have for breakfast and what time do you have it?
-Oh, I see. On schooldays, I usually have cereal with milk and some strawberries, because it's quick. I have it quite early, usually at half past seven. But at the weekend, I sometimes have pancakes with eggs and bacon.
-Nice! In the UK, we usually have cereal with milk as well and sometimes at the weekend mostly, we have a traditional cooked breakfast, with ham, sausages, eggs, baked beans and toast.
-Mmmm, yummy yummy! I love eggs and sausages.
-It's great but not very healthy.
-Yeah but still delicious.
-Ok, now what about your lunch?
-Well at school, I have lunch at 11 o'clock and I often take mine with me, because there is no cafeteria. But my dad makes fantastic packed lunches . My favorite is chicken wraps with spinach and fresh avocado of course.
-Wow, that sounds healthy!
-And my dad never forgets to put in some fruit, like a pear or some grapes. What about you?
-We have lunch a little bit later than you, at 12 o'clock. We have a canteen at school but I also prefer to bring a packed lunch from home, often a cheese and ham sandwich, crisps and an apple.
-Crisps are ... chips, aren't they?
-Yes, in England, we call them crisps. I love the cheese and onion flavored ones. And by the way, do you have a snack?
-Mmmm, I often have a snack in the afternoon, at around half past three. When I'm at home, I usually have a peanut butter sandwich. Do you like peanut butter?
-I do, but it isn't so popular in the UK, so I hardly ever have it but I sometimes have a bar of chocolate before the end of school, at around half past two.
-Chocolate is good too. Do you need more info?
-Yeah, we're almost done. So can you tell me about your dinner?
-Sure, I have dinner at around 7 o'clock in the evening. My parents usually make something like pasta or burgers with lettuce, tomatoes and French fries. Sometimes, we have a take away. My favorite is spicy tex mex food, which is very popular here in L.A.
-Tasty! I also love spicy food. Sometimes, we go out for dinner at a curry house. Curry is very popular in the UK. But at home, my favorite meal is roast chicken with mashed potatoes and peas.
-Tasty! We should share some videos with some specialties from our country.
-Yes, that would be fun! Thank you for helping me with my presentation.
-No problem, Amelia! See you later!
-See you Nelson, bye!

I hate the way

I hate the way you kick and punch
I hate the way you steal my lunch

I hate the way you always stare
I hate the way you always swear

I hate the way you think you’re strong
I hate the way you think I’m wrong

Telling me I am weak
Doesn’t make you stronger
Telling me I’m ugly
Doesn’t make you prettier.

I am here to tell you
I won't let your words hurt.
‘Cause whenever I fall,
Then, I rise from the dirt.

So unless you have something
Positive to say,
Just keep your mouth shut
Or please, go away.

Maybe I didn't win,
Maybe I didn’t place,
But I tried really hard
And I finished the race.

I set a personal best,
Which makes me feel good.
Today, I did much better
Than I thought I ever could.

listen to Oliver. Tick the correct answer

I’m Oliver.
I’m 17
I’m a mechanic apprentice
I work from 7:30am to 6:00pm every day
To me a work placement is very instructive and motivating

Listen and tick the correct answer

number 1:

My name is Allie.

I’m almost 17

I’ m a bakery trainee

I work from 7am to 5pm every day

I think a work placement is very enriching and exiting

The Rosetta stone is a huge slab of stone which was part of the door of a temple.
It was found in Rosetta, a city in the North of Egypt, on the Nile river, in 1799 by Napoleon’s army during the campaign of Egypt.
After the French army was defeated in 1801, the stone was given to the British, that’s why it is now in the British Museum.

On the rosetta stone, the same text is written in 3 languages : hieroglyphs, Demotic and ancient Greek. French archeologist JF Champollion studied these texts and he could decipher the Hieroglyphs thanks to the Rosetta Stone.

Melissa Timmins has a week to decide: Does she keep her hand to herself, or does she let her employer microchip it? The implant is the size of a grain of rice. It would slip under the skin between her forefinger and thumb. It would sting for only a second. Then she could unlock doors or log onto her computer with a wave. Her flesh could hold her credit card, her medical records and her passport . . . “At first, I thought it was a joke,” she said.
Timmins, 46, works in sales at Three Square Market, a Wisconsin company that makes vending-machine software. The offer came after her boss returned from a business trip in Stockholm, where he encountered Biohax Sweden, a start-up that aims to endow body parts with technological power. On Aug. 1, Three Square Market will throw a “chip party,” where employees can insert the $300 microchips, provided free from management. About 50 of 85 employees are expected to accept the company’s present.
The Radio Frequency ID chips, as they’re called, could also function beyond the office. If Timmins got the implant, she could use it to buy snacks at shops or vending machines that support the technology. People have long tagged pets. And businesses regularly use chips to track shipments. Implanting employees, however, still sounds like an idea out of science fiction.
Electronic-privacy advocates argue that trackable data is hackable data, and that someone, somewhere, could find a way to invade your privacy. Hand implants could also be miniature logs of comings and goings, or tiny purchase histories.
Tony Danna, Three Square Market’s vice president of international development, has no privacy concerns. He asked: Weren’t people worried about cellphones? For him, the appeal is convenience. “I don’t want to have to carry my wallet or passport or car keys,” he said. Eventually, he added, the technology will be everywhere and Three Market Square wants to be at the forefront. He said his company’s chip program will be the first in the United States.
Timmins, the sales associate, likes the idea of being first. But she’s still on the fence, and not because she thinks her boss or some hacker could secretly track her. Phones these days, she said, already make that easy. “I’m just concerned about implanting something into my body,” she said. “I’m thinking about infections. Then there’s the other side of me that thinks: This is exciting. Cutting-edge.” Workplace dilemmas used to be less . . . corporeal. Timmins said she'll sleep on her chip decision for a night or seven. Then she'll go to the party, size up the syringes and make the call.
Adapted from The Washington Post July 2017

9 benefits of coworking spaces - Ideas

Imagine colorful workspaces draped in office plants, kombucha on tap, and a diverse network of professionals working in lounges, hot desks, and kitchen benches. The workday’s new look is best seen in coworking spaces, and the popularity of these shared offices in cities and urban centers isn’t going to decrease. 
In 2018, the number of coworking spaces in Russia increased by 16 percent, and the number of flexible workspaces outside Russia jumped by 36 percent. This growth is expected to continue, with projections showing the number of coworking spaces will rise by 6 percent annually in Russia until 2022, and by 13 percent around the world. 
More than a trend, this phenomena is caused by changes in work culture. Remote work and flexible working are becoming more common as technology advances and the corporate world modernizes. With this, coworking spaces aren’t only the choice of freelancers and entrepreneurs; they’re a thriving ecosystem involving remote enterprise teams, established companies in private offices, promising startups in brainstorming areas, and a variety of creative workers. 
Here, we look into the diverse (and, in some cases, surprising) benefits of coworking spaces. 

Rethinking your workspace?
1. Networking and community events
One of the most commonly touted benefits of coworking is the ability to connect with people you otherwise wouldn’t meet. Part of this comes from working alongside new people every day, but elements of a community are also built into workspace solutions like WeWork. 
Monthly networking events are an easy way to find fresh collaborators and exercise your networking know-how, while the programming of educational workshops, yoga classes, catered lunches, and seasonal markets helps you to turn those introductions into lasting relationships—and possibly new business. 
2. Reduce loneliness; increase connection 
When the alternative is working from your living room, coworking spaces surround you with a network of professionals and can reduce the isolation sometimes associated with working from home. 
Recent research shows the significance of small, seemingly irrelevant interactions on our sense of belonging; that friendly conversation with the barista, the postman, or your neighbor can help heighten happiness. These interactions are the fabric that binds coworking communities together, and everyone—from the person greeting you as you arrive, to the person sitting at the hot desk next to you—adds to this sense of belonging. Even outside the planned community events, you’ll find that inspiration flows in an energetic environment bustling with coworkers. 
3. Access to shared and private spaces 
In terms of design, coworking spaces are much more than your standard office: There are no cubicles here. Between expansive lounges, convenient hot desks, glass-walled private offices, and write-on-the-wall conference rooms, there’s plenty of space for collaboration when teams get together. Privacy and heads-down productivity is possible, too, with bookable meeting rooms and sleek private offices. 

WeWork 777 6th St NW in Washington, D.C.
4. Flexibility and cost savings
Whether you’re a freelancer looking for a drop-in space, or an established team seeking a dedicated desk or private office, coworking solutions allow you to pay for only the space you need. Plus, flexible agreements mean you can scale at your own pace, without the pressure or rigidity of long-term traditional leases—and this flexibility is absolutely essential to growing companies. 
“WeWork gives us that flexibility to grow fast, without having to worry that we’re overpaying for space we don’t need,” says Rich Liu, chief revenue officer at WeWork member company TripActions, a travel management website. 
In addition to this, built-in amenities like front-desk and cleaning staff, printing services, internet connectivity, and kitchen and bathroom amenities eliminate the overhead costs typically associated with opening an office space of your own. 
5. Remote access
With coworking spaces dotting cities around the world, the ability to plug in at any time, in any location, is a major draw for coworking professionals. Working while traveling is instantly more achievable when you know there’s accessible WiFi, a comfortable place to work, and office essentials like printing and coffee just a card-swipe away. Plus, employers can choose to hire the best talent, regardless of location, without relocation costs or the fear of remote employees feeling disconnected.
6. Enhanced productivity 
From the morning meeting flurry to the 3 p.m. slump, your focus and energy levels fluctuate during the workday—and your workspace should accommodate this. Typically, coworking spaces blend a range of work environments to cater to different work styles. Offering greater variety than a traditional office, yet greater structure compared with working from home, coworking spaces are optimized for productivity. Progress comes easy in intentionally designed spaces, while intangibles like background music, natural light, and moderated air temperatures keep you energized and refreshed. 

711 Atlantic Avenue in Boston.
“WeWork provides a comfortable vibe that feels a bit like home,” says Meg Chen, general manager of marketing and PR at Alimama, the digital marketing platform that’s part of the Alibaba Group. “The space makes it easy for [my team] to focus and it helps with work efficiency.”
In addition, coworking solves a problem often associated with working from home that’s linked to equity theory. In an office environment, you can see the work of your colleagues—how they’re performing, when they’re arriving each day—which serves as a reference point for tracking your own performance. When this is eliminated in a home office environment, it can be difficult to stay productive, and the question “Is this enough?” is a constant nag. Surrounding yourself with people pushes you to focus—and also allows you to rest easy in breaking for coffee or taking a walk outside. 
7. Breaking out of your comfort zone
If you’re not used to open, buzzing office plans or the social aspect of coworking, the ever-changing work environment can be challenging at first. But by breaking out of your comfort zone, meeting new people, and working in different settings each day, you’re required to stay innovative and creative in the face of uncertainty—traits similar to those needed in growing a startup. 
According to clinical psychologist and author Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, stepping out of your comfort zone to try new things and consider different perspectives helps fuel innovation and entrepreneurship. The challenge keeps you agile and this, in turn, leads to greater success in both your professional and personal lives. 
8. Wellness and work-life balance
Exercising during the workday has been linked to increased productivity and enhanced cognitive ability, and activities like meditation and yoga can help fuel focus and drive creativity. Coworking spaces often include design elements like internal staircases and expansive indoor lounges that encourage movement during the workday. Many WeWork locations are also built into a wider complex, giving you access to gyms and exercise studios. WeWork also provides wellness rooms for meditation, frequent community yoga sessions, and onsite showers that are convenient post-workout. 

WeWork Galaxy in Bengaluru.
9. Bring structure to your day 
A workday at home can pass in a blur, with minimal structure and without a commute to separate home life from work responsibilities. As a result, this schedule can have you working long past the time you should have clocked off: checking your emails from bed, or reading through project plans before your morning coffee. Coworking spaces offer structure to your day, providing a place to arrive every morning and leave once the work is done. Whenever you choose to start work each day, you’ll find that this structure helps prevent the unbidden creep of work life into personal time. 
The advantages of coworking spaces depend on your business needs 
Perhaps not all advantages of coworking spaces apply to you personally—you might be exploring the benefits for remote teams, or before hiring talent elsewhere. No matter your professional needs, flexibility is at the heart of coworking, and you can make the experience fit your team, company, clients, or creative pursuits. 
Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking for investors, a creative looking for collaborators, or an established team looking for new clients, coworking spaces can be incubators for fresh opportunities. These vibrant shared offices help you increase productivity and foster fresh connections. Plus, they give you the flexibility to work when you want, where you want, and scale operations as you see fit.