Inspiration from space

It's been a busy week.  Thursday already and I haven't written a post for this blog all week.  I haven't had much time to watch TV or see the news either, but one story I did stop and listen to was the version of Space Oddity by the Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield.

I'd checked out Chris Hadfield's photos taken from space before.


On You Tube, there is another great video where Chris explains how he takes photos from space, what he likes taking photos of and why space is such a great place to take photos from.  There are also other videos that would be useful for classes about opening a can of soda in space, sleeping in space, cutting your toenails in space.....!!!

Chris and the rest of the crew are now back on earth.  Reading through their tweets as they travelled back down and landed makes fascinating reading.

That last tweet about smelling and feeling Spring caught my attention (maybe because the weather here has now returned to winter!) because training our students to use their 'senses' when describing photos and scenes is something I talked about recently in Santander, Malaga and Granada.

And finally, here are some photos that Chris Hadfield has shared via Twitter.  Can you guess which parts of the world they show?

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Answers:  1  Ibiza    2  The UK and Ireland    3  Istanbul

Today we chat with Caroline Nixon who will be delivering a talk at The Cambridge Experience Santander

Today I have the pleasure to chat with Caroline Nixon. Caroline will be delivering the talk “Box of Tricks” at The Cambridge Experience Santander next Saturday 4th of May at Hotel Santemar.

Caroline Nixon has been teaching English since 1983 and is co-author of the Cambridge Primary course Kid’s Box. She gives teacher-training workshops in Portugal, Spain and England.

Hi Caroline, can you tell us why did you decide to go into English language teaching?

I needed a job. I started training and loved it immediately. I felt like I was doing exactly what I should be doing, and still does.

Who or what inspires you?

My pupils, and seeing their progress

What's your all time top-tip for English language teachers?

See it from your pupils' side of the table.

Do you have a favourite ELT website?

Cambridge, of course! In fact, it's the only ELT website I consult

A gadget you can't live without?

I can live without everything except my breath

And finally, why do you think teachers should see your talk?

I think teachers should decide for themselves what they should or shouldn't do. Those that wish to see my talk will be most welcome!

Thanks Caroline! A pleasure to chat with you