Tuesday 30 November 2021

Swingin' London comes to Milan, courtesy of Mark Worden and Alfredo Marziano



A Field Guide 
by Mark Worden and Alfredo Marziano 

The term Swinging London entered the language in 1965 when Time magazine ran a cover story on the subject. More than fifty years later, the idea is still very much alive. This book takes the reader to the places that made London swing. 

Fully illustrated throughout, Swingin’ London: A Field Guide looks at some of the most important locations in the scene and reveals what became of them. It is based on extensive research and entertaining reminiscences by the bright young things who frequented them. They include Private Eye cartoonist and A Whole Scene Going presenter Barry Fantoni, Groupie author Jenny Fabian and musician Brian Auger, as well as some late greats like actress Anita Pallenberg, ‘Social Deviant’ Mick Farren, artist Duggie Fields and album cover designer Storm Thorgerson. The result is an affectionate and informative tribute to a bygone era – a time when London appeared to be the centre of life on earth.

Multi-media Presentation

Après-coup, Porta Romana provided the perfect setting for Mark and Alfredo's presentation of Swingin' London on Thursday 25th November 2021, with music and video clips from the interviews, entertainingly and expertly narrated by Mark (mainly in Italian with some English for good measure). He was also joined on stage by James Clough, who shared some reminiscences from the heady days of the 1960s. It was a truly memorable evening and a chance to see "old" friends and make some new ones. 

Swinging London: A Field Guide by Mark Worden and Alfredo Marziano is available in both print and digital format (Kindle) from Amazon, IBS.it and in all good bookshops. It's the perfect Christmas gift for anybody visiting or living in London who wants to explore this fascinating part of the capital's history.




















Monday 19 July 2021

39 fashion words: video and language activity

 
 Do you love fashion? Are you excited by great design, colours and textures? Do you like to create a unique look that expresses your personality? Watch this video from payasyoulearn.com featuring 39 words that you can use to talk about fashion! Learn some useful vocabulary that you can use to talk about looking your best in the day and going out in the evening. Then, try the vocabulary exercises which use all the words and phrases from the video. You have to choose the correct verb – and sometimes the correct form of the verb – to complete the sentence.




Monday 12 July 2021

Try this exercise to help you learn 37 action verbs in English!

How often do you, run, walk or ski? Have you ever surfed or been skydiving? Do you ever rush, scream, sprint or ride a bike? If you look out of the window, can you see people bustling about?
Watch this video, created by Robert Dennis, and then try this vocabulary exercise which uses all the verbs from the video. You have to choose the correct verb – and sometimes the correct form of the verb – to complete the sentence.

Good luck! I hope you enjoy this practice exercise.


Check out the other videos in my YouTube channel Business English. Remember to “like and subscribe”!

Monday 7 June 2021

Welcome to Milan! Robert Dennis walks and talks in the city centre



Welcome to Milan! In this video, Business English teacher Robert Dennis talks about where he's from - a "leafy suburb" just outside London. Find out what "commute" means, experience some street life in Italy's business capital, Milano, and spend a few minutes in the company of Robert. 

Check out the Business English YouTube channel for some useful and fun videos to help you learn English!