3 NI B1 Topic 6 Home

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. (Jane Austen)

Grammar	Compounds some, any, every, no
Language Function	Criticising
Listening	Dream house + audio
Reading	Living alone
Speaking	Your town/city
Vocabulary	Soft furnishings
Writing	Apartment to rent

 

2 NB A2 Topic 6 A Life

Every man dies. Not every man really lives. (William Wallace)

Grammar	The past
Language Function	Interpreting information
Listening	Life changes + audio
Reading	Nelson Mandela
Speaking	Life story
Vocabulary	A footballer's life
Writing	A biography

1 NB A1 Topic 6 Food & Eating Out

If you want to eat well in England, eat three breakfasts. (W. Somerset Maugham)

Grammar	much, many, a lot
Language Function	Expressing likes
Listening	Ordering food in a café : audio
Reading	School meals
Speaking	Food poem
Vocabulary	Food & drink
Writing	My favourite meal

 

Book 2 2025 Lost for Words by Stephanie Butland

'I like books cause they don't care

if your knickers match your bra.

If you've washed your hair.

I like books cause they don't invade your space

They sit on your shelf

They don't get in your face.

I like books cause they don't mind

What your heart contains

Who you've left behind.

I like a book cause it doesn't give a shit

When you get to the end what you think of it.

Books don't care if you've got a degree

What you watch on TV.

Books don't judge if you've got tattoos

If your friends are few.

I like books cause they don't care.'

For our second book of the year I recommend Lost for Words by Stephanie Butland. This is the tale of Loveday, who has come to prefer books to people, but who is eventually coaxed back into trusting and loving others, above all, herself. It is beautifully written and as her story unfolds, you will find yourself rooting for the girl who works hard but knows she is also hard work. Here is the worksheet. 

Book 1 2025 The Cactus by Sarah Haywood

'But these days fairy-tale endings come in all shapes and sizes. It’s okay for the princess to end up with the prince, it’s okay for her to end up with the footman, and it’s also okay for her to end up on her own. It’s okay for her to end up with another princess, or with six cats, or to decide she wants to be a prince. None of those make her any more or less a feminist. It’s about finding out who you are and what you want, and then being true to it.'    

For our first book of the year I recommend The Cactus by Sarah Haywood.  It tells the story of Susan, a control freak and a creature of habit who, entrenched in her routines and beliefs, finds herself having to adapt to change as life begins to throw her more than one curveball. I hope you enjoy it as you prepare for a new year of challenge and change. Here is the worksheet.

8 C2 Topic 5 Free Time 1

Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection. (Winston Churchill)

Grammar	Future time
Language Function	Describing time
Listening	Tarot readings + audio
Reading	Good & bad reviews
Speaking	Cultural entertainment
Vocabulary	Boogy woogers
Writing	Theatre group

    

7 NA C1 2 Topic 5 Free Time 1

The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals. (Melody Beattie)

Grammar	Prepositions
Language Function	Agreeing & contradicting
Listening	Jean-Michel Basquiat + audio
Reading	Vinyl revival
Speaking	Streaming leisure
Vocabulary	Music
Writing	Free time

      

6 NA C1 1 Topic 5 Free Time 1

T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. (Clement Clarke Moore)

Grammar	Prepositions
Language Function	Agreeing & contradicting
Listening	Digital camera basics + audio
Reading	Golden years
Speaking	Entertainment
Vocabulary	The arts & entertainment
Writing	TV programmes

5 NI B2 2 Topic 5 Free Time & Christmas

I once wanted to become an atheist, but I gave up - they have no holidays. (Henry Youngman)

Grammar	Leisure & pleasure
Language Function	Drawing conclusions
Listening	Christmas traditions + audio
Reading	Eating & partying
Speaking	Cultural activities
Vocabulary	Crossword
Writing	Leisure time

      

4 NI B2 1 Topic 5 Free Time & Christmas

I absolutely adore Christmas. (Aurora)

Grammar	Verbs with two objects
Language Function	Describing the weather
Listening	New Year Resolutions + audio
Reading	Christmas
Speaking	Christmas
Vocabulary	Books & reading
Writing	The best present