Christmas in 2012 is on Tuesday, the 25th of December.
Christmas Day is preceded by Christmas Eve on December 24, and in some countries is followed by Boxing Day on December 26.
The Armenian Apostolic Church observes Christmas on January 6, while certain old rite or old style Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on January 7, the date on the Gregorian calendar which corresponds to 25 December on the Julian Calendar.
Here are  the answers to Christmas questionary:

Santa Claus' reindeer is a team of flying reindeer traditionally held to pull the sleigh of Santa Claus and help him deliver Christmas gifts. The commonly cited names of the reindeer are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder (or Donner), and Blitzen. They are based on those used in the 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas", arguably the basis of reindeer's popularity as Christmas symbols

Dasher – It’s like when you name the tallest guy you know Little Bob. His name is “ironic,” he’s  slow   and sleeps all the time.
Dancer – Very flexible. The best dancer by far and she knows it, it definitely gets to her head.
Prancer – My joyful prince. Always a little light in the hooves.
Vixen – Besties with Dancer. They go out and paint the town red and green.
Comet – I was going to say something about him being really fast but I guess I won’t go there. Likes to clean.
Cupid – Another ironic name, he was very awkward  when he was a teenager.
DonDER  – Likes to wonder. And is always a little “in his head” if you know what I mean.
Blitzen – He got so drunk at the last Christmas work party ....
Rudolph – my main company  when I go out to cookie and milk bars.

and these are  the traditional x-mas decors: a X-mas tree (Tinsels, coloured balls, sugar candies, snow cover....), gingerbread house, Christmas pudding, the cradle with Jesus and Holy Mary, Carols, Holly Wreath on the door.....the Robin(a bird)....jingling bells... feast and night service...chimes .... Boxing Day ...toy soldiers on parade...

  The question arises: 

Who was the first to introduce these civic traditions to Britain?

Hurray! Today is Christmas Eve, the most expected and welcoming event of the year. Let’s see how many elements of traditional celebration you will find in these pictures (by the way, one element is missing on purpose - English kids enjoy it so much, but Russian ones seldom find it as a present under the Christmas tree. Did you guess what  it is?

(the answer is : a gingerbread man)

watch and enjoy a jolly video!  Best wishes with seasonal greetings, N.A.)

17/12/2012
 This message is very special, as I am sending our common greetings to CYRIL AKNER, the boy who is unfortunately in hospital now. we wish you soon recovery and would like to see you as soon as possible. ]
Best of luck, dear!
Enjoy this video! 

17/12/2012
dear friends, since we've agreed to promote more lingua tasks , here is a picture and some questions to :
* What place of our city is this?
** What are your actual associations with the place and human activites there?
*** is this  the typical look of the place or is there anything fresh because of winter days?
****what charity action is held here? Have you somehow contributed to it?

Would you also contribute to the new rubric and supply some pictures "My frosty city"?

Hello, everybody and everyone,
since I am away from you-I can't but share the frosty weather spirits via this media.
First- I hear, some of you have escaped English on Tuesday- Shame!!!( English is the first truly global language.....)
Then comes pleasant news- some of you have registered in the list of my readers- Congratulations!!!
For those newcomers there is a  winter video

and for everybody there is a question- What city Am I in? (watch the picture( and the ten-rouble banknote from your piggy-bank) 


Good luck,  See you soon!
(P.S. I like the frosty weather- and you?)

Hi, everybody!
Since I'm off to see the world, I can't but present you with a lovely musical -watch, enjoy, record it! click any deer to make it sing, dance, ding-dong!
Best of luck< N.A.

Dear 5th formers, 
Since you are going to have a dictation on Monday, here is a story to listen to  (=34) and the presentation to watch.
Best of luck, N.A.

I heartily welcome Lera  Bondareva, who is the first to join this blog.

 

here is a picture and a lovely song- just for you!!!

hello, everybody and everyone,
do you remember our agreement  to watch two videos at home and to discuss them in class later on?
here I go with the videos: SCHOOLS IN BRITAIN and SPORTS IN BRITAIN on your page 10* Intermediate 
keep your promise, too and have a nice hour of learning!

love, N.A.
P.S. learning English is a real fun even for a cat, isn't it?

 Dear friends, meet a new page in  our blog- Advice from a Caterpillar!

dear friends, 
here is a new presentation for you (Gerund VS Infinitive), in which you will find grammar patterns  alongside with some useful phonetic drills and some cliches to learn. 
So, go ahead and break your leg! 

Hello dear,
 I'd like to greet you again, but this time  not as my students, i'd better  mention you as your loving mums' sons and daughters. Here are some supplementary pics and video to help greet your moms tomorrow, since Mother's Day is coming  bringing  a chance to tell your love , respect and devotion to the best person in the world- your angel, your teacher, your friend----YOUR MOTHER.

Remember me to your moms and send them a lot of love from my heart, too.
P.S. and don't forget the  grannies.

 

Hello everyone,

Do you remember that the fourth Thursday in November is Thanksgiving Day?... Even if you are not good at numbers, you can’t miss the date which is right to arrive TOMORROW!

So, a very happy Thanksgiving to you all! 

Let the sun shine brighter and the wind blow at your back, 

let it be the day of family reunion, open-heartedness, gratitude and pleasure

 mixed with the family comfort.

 Many thanks to all my students, former and present

 for sharing  these  academic years and love to English 

(the truly global language of the world)

Let love enter your hearts and good spirit realm, 

let  every moment be filled with a cherished thing to value and remember ever since.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

P.S. the videos are on the corresponding pages of your grade, i.e. 5* and 10* .

Just watch, learn and enjoy!

Dear friends,
Since we are lacking some academic hours these days, I'd like "to cut down the corners" with two video episodes ( honestly, they are my favourites)- one is musical, by the way.
Hope you'll recognize the film (You've got mail) and enjoy them as much as I do.
Happy weekends, dear!
I'll see you when I meet you!

Hello, my dear,
on such a cold evening i'd like to share a bit of sun with you.
remember my saying "Keep your eyes open"? try to see the beauty of the world even if it's dark and snowy outside.
best of luck, here goes my film....

Dear friends,
I hope, you've started  searching the new right-corner presentations , ???- do you find them helpful?
there is a new one-just for the sake of grammar practical drill- watch it ( named "Gerund")
Best of luck, N.A.
P.S. The picture is to entertain- look closer -it's one dog in a cheeerful outfit.