KVHS Course: English B2/C1

This course is offered by Joachim Körner through Kreisvolkshochschule Harz for advanced learners of English. It is designed as a conversation class based mostly on current topics and events.

Online Practice:

Getting Started

Vocabulary

Grammar

Speaking (B-1/B-2)

Linguistic Advice

Class Discussion Topics:

Cooperative Group Games:
- Theft in a Hotel (B2)
- Artists as Immigrants (B2)
- An Interview with Sir Peter (B2)
That's Funny
- Hilarious
- How to be funny in English (Podcast)
American vs British English
- Podcast
- How to Speak with a British Accent
Climate Change
- Farming and the Environment (B2)
In the News:
- Trying to Preserve Artisan Craftwork while Companies move Overseas (B2/C1)
Business English
- B E online Proficiency Quiz
- Surviving Language Driven Situations (B2/C1)
  - Public Speaking
    - Podcast: How Structure and Strategies Help You Speak Spontaneously
  - Choosing the right expression
    - Podcast: Language Choices That Can Undermine Your Career
    - Podcast: Which Idioms Can You Use at Work?
      - List of 110 Business related Idioms (pdf)
        
        Quiz on those idioms
      - Idioms in Movies
  - B E Vocabulary and Phrases (special sections on conference calls, presentations, and negotiations)
  - Talking about Politics
    - Prepare yourself to have political conversations
Reading and analyzing Poetry
- Using DARTS: Walt Whitman's poem, 'When I heard the learn'd astronomer.'
Telling Stories (C1):
- Using a Storytelling Grid
- True/False Stories
- Telling a Story or Anecdote
- Telling a Story, Sequencing Events
- How to make Storytelling more Effective
In the News: Grammy Winning Teacher Annie Ray on the Importance of Music Education
Language
- Reading: How Humans Evolved Language (C1)
- 5 Theories on the Origins of Language (C1)
- Where did Language come from? (C1)
- TED Talk: The Origins and Evolution of Language (C1)
- Scientific Research Article: Origin and Evolution of Language (C2)
- The Origins of Language Matching Game
- Foreign Words Used in English
Life on Mars
- Reading Task (C1)
- Video: The Challenge of Living on Mars
- Video: What the Journey to Mars will be like
- NASA Exploration of Mars
Survival: Group Activities (C1)
- Jamestown / Moon
- What was life like in Jamestown?
- Jamestown Review
- Jamestown Game Rags to Riches
- What would it be like to live on the moon?
- 10 fascinating Facts about the Moon
- Moon Trivia Matching Game
- Answers for the Survival on the Moon
- Earth and Moon Challenge Board
Solar Eclipse (B2)
- Guide to Eclipse Vocabulary
- Listening Exercise (Vocabulary)
- PBS Newshour: What we need to know ahead ...
- VOA News: America Prepares (Text)
- NASA Trailer April 8, 2024
- NASA Animation: the actual path of the Solar Eclipse
- NASA watch live (starting 19:00 our time)
- Game: Rags to Riches: Eclipse 8,2024
Is Coffee beneficial? (B2)
- Coffee around the world
- The history of Coffee
- 6 Minute English on Coffee
- Ordering Coffee at Starbucks
- Why is Coffee called "Java"?
- Why do we call Coffee" A Cup of Joe"?
- Coffee's Hidden Health Benefits, a Podcast
- Challenge Board: Coffee
- A Game of Coffee Jokes
- Coffee Trivia Game
P lay Codenames online (join either team Blue or Red as Operative or Spymaster)
Podcast for a New Year: No.1 Neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart (C1)
ESL Questions about Dogs (B2)
- Lost Dog (A short story)
- Lost Dogs and Drones (PBS Video)
- Song "Salty Dog" (two versions)
  - Bluegrass
    - lyrics
  - Rock
    - lyrics
- "Dog" idioms game
Henry Winkler, a TV actor's struggle with Dyslexia (B2)
- The Best of "the Fonz"
How the COVID Lockdown saved the Tedeschi Trucks Band (B2)
- The Story of Layla and Majnun
- The Story behind: "Layla"
- "Layla"lyrics
Lincoln Center Poet in Residence: Mahogany L. Brown
- Michael Rosen Poetry (e.g. "The space on the page", "Words are ours" , ... )
  - Text: "Words are ours"
- Meditation Ritual (starting 31:00)
- One of my favorite Poems
Local Theatres fighting for Survival
- Discussion Questions
Housesitting and Teaching English (B2)
- Video: House Sitting Horror Story
What is AI? (B1)
- The Risks and Promise of Artificial Intelligence (60 Minutes Video)
- Lesson Plan: AI
- Discussion Questions
Mardi Gras (B1)
- Reading : Mardi Gras
- Preparing for Mardi Gras
- Paul Simon: Take me to ...
- Questions about MG
- "Dat Talk" New Orleans Accent
- Why I should wear a costume
Rejection is good for you (B1/2)
- Psychologigal study
  - TED Talk: How to deal with Rejection
- 10 Benefits of Rejection
- The funniest rejection letter
Happiness (B1/2)
- An 85-year Harvard Study
  - The Harvard Gazette with TED Talk
- Why are Finland and Denmark the Happiest Countries in the World?
Shopping (B1)
- Are you a Smart Shopper?
AI & Art
- AI and the Future of Art
March is Women's Month (B2)
- The Ultimate famous Women Trivia Quiz
- Role Models
Protect our Oceans (B2)
- TED Talk Sylvia Earle
- Should we stop eating fish

Reading

Writing

Writing a Business Letter

Literature

Audiobooks
- Audiobooks for English Language Learners
British (BC)
Irish
- Novelist Sally Rooney on modern Irish Writing (BC)
- The Guardian: The Irish Short Story (G/C1
American Short Stories (VOA)
Famous Quotations Explored
- Shakepeare Speak
Other Stories as Lessons
- Alberto's New Neighbours (BC/B2)
- Bad Blood (BC/C1)
Storytelling Activities

Audio Lessons

Listen in English (by topic)
- The Science of Pain

Video/Film Lessons

Music Lessons

Music for ESL
Songs listed by topics
ESL Songs by Topic (Grammar or Vocabulary)

Games to learn and improve your English

Other Lesson Materials

Proprofs Quizzes