Reliving my youth, remembering "Monkey", a Japanese TV show which was broadcast in the UK in the 70s and 80s. It was dubbed into English.

Teacher Joseph's Podcast

Monkey Magic

university life in Britain
In Britain, many university students live away from home. This gives them more freedom and the opportunity co meet lots of new people, but can also be difficult for some students who arc not used to being on their own and have never learnt co cook for themselves or even iron their clothes. In their first year, most students choose co live in student accommodation, which is sometimes on campus. After that, they tend to rent a flat or house with other students.
Part of student life is about understanding the importance of managing your money carefully: tuition fees, loans you may have taken out, money for food, and payments you have co make for your living costs, for electricity, etc. For this reason, many students find part-time jobs.
At university, you can often choose when you want to study, but you need co attend lectures, do your assignments on time, and plan your revision period before exams.

English Mini Lessons

Student life

1-Follow the instructions on the exam paper.
2- Don't communicate with ocher candidates. You could be asked to leave for cheating.
3- Before you start, read the exam paper carefully. Don't waste time copying the questions.
4-Planning is essential if you are writing essays. Spend 5-10 minutes making notes.
5- Have a positive attitude. You are being examined on what you know, and this is your chance co show it. And it will be a relief when it's all over

How to sit written exams

In the UK, children are legally required to attend school up to the age of 16. Primary education is for students aged 5- 11, and then secondary education lasts until at Least 16, with many students carrying on at school for two more years to prepare for university. Both state and private schools are run by a head teacher, who normally has a deputy in charge of certain areas of the school. The rest of the staff includes teachers, receptionists, secretaries, cleaners, etc. There are normally three terms in a school year, and each term usually Lasts about 13 weeks. The school day is divided into about five Lessons, with a lunch break, typically 45 minutes to an hour, and often shorter breaks in the morning and afternoon. As well as teaching Lessons at school, teachers also set the students homework.

School system

In the digital age, people have new ways of networking with each other. Here are some popular social media sites:
Facebook To join, you create a profile. Then you can upload photos, selfies, videos, etc. It's a good way of keeping in contact with your friends and family. You can also sell goods on Facebook.
WhatsApp allows individuals and groups to share instantly and make free calls.

Twitter join Twitter and then you can tweet or post a tweet, which is like a short biog. You can also use Twitter to promote your business

Social media

If your computer does not start up, the first thing is to check that it is connected to the power supply.
When your mouse batteries are low, change them. With a wireless mouse, you need to plug it Into the computer to charge it. You can also charge your phone with a mobile charger.

If your apps are running slowly, it may be because of a file that you have downloaded from a website. You need to find out how to delete or remove it. Alternatively, you may need to update the app.

Computer problems

What is data? It's information which is stored (= kept) on your computer.

What's a search engine? It's a computer program like Google which searches the internet for information.

What's a network? It's a set of computers that are connected and can exchange information.

What's a username? It's the name or special word you use that allows you to enter a computer program or system.

What's a login? When you start to use the computer, you usually type in a name or word that you've chosen. You log on when you start the computer, and you log off when you finish.
When you want to use a particular app or website, you log in and then log out to leave it.
What is software? It's the programs which are used to to operate a computer.

What's an app? An app is a piece of software that you can put on a smartphone or tablet. You can use it to get information or to play a game.

What happens if my screen freezes?  You can't move text or images (= pictures on a computer) because there's something wrong with the equipment or programs.

The internet 

One of the most incredible entertainments in the world, Carnival is a four-day celebration of music, dance, food and drink, all over Rio. The event means a lot to the people from the poorest neighborhoods, who work hard for months preparing for it. It is an opportunity for the whole community to go out and have fun together. It ends with the Samba Parade for which the performers and dancers dress up in the most amazing costumes.

The Rio Carnival 


Cherry blossom is the national flower of Japan. As spring approaches, people make special trips to various sites to sec the first signs of the cherry trees in flower, which arc sometimes lit up at night. The festival includes all sorts of delicious food, games, rides, folk music, religious ceremonies and a beauty contest