STORYBIRD

Storybird is a free tool that allows users to make visual stories. It's a fantastic combination of art and words. The many different illustrations that Storybird provides inspire writers of all ages, who can turn those images into fresh stories. When we want to ask our students to write stories, we have to keep in mind that starting with pictures is powerful and effective, and that it helps the students a lot.

Apart from creating stories, in Storybird you can also read and discover new stories. So, as a teacher, you can use Storybird to manage students, create assignments and build beautiful libraries. A fantastic tool to try!

GOOGLE FORMS

NO LANGUAGE FOR ETERNITY 

About one hundred years ago many educated people learned and spoke French when they met people from other countries. Today most people speak English when they meet foreigners. It has become the new international language. There are more people who speak English as a second language than people who speak English as a first language. Why is this? 

There are many reasons why English has become so popular. One of them is that English has become the language of business, science and technology. Another important reason is that popular American culture (like movies, music, and McDonald’s) has quickly spread throughout the world. It has brought its language with it. Besides, today it is important to have one language that the people of the world have in common. Our world has become very global and we need to communicate with one another. 

Scientists have already tried to create an artificial language that is not too difficult and does not include any one group’s culture: It is called Esperanto. But it hasn’t become popular. 

But maybe the popularity of English will not last that long either, who knows? China has strong aspirations to be the number one economic power and at the moment there are more people in the world who speak Chinese as their first language than any other language. Maybe some day Chinese will be the new international language. 

Reading comprehension