A sharp meditation on pride, human folly, and the collective silence born from the fear of appearing foolish.

This video includes a full C1 vocabulary practice session and comprehension homework.

A distraction-free approach to English learning, prioritising clear explanations, meaningful content, and effective learning over flashy visuals.

A full free video lesson is available on YouTube and Substack.

Content

00:00 Introduction

01:51 About Hans Christian Andersen

04:48 Story: The Emperor's New Clothes

15:39 Vocabulary

30:45 Homework: Exercises A & B

Join the Conversation: Leave your answers to the homework exercises in the comments below, and I will give you feedback!

Vocabulary

1) fond 2) rogue 3) realm 4) simpleton 5) knave 6) impostor 7) attentively 8) diligence 9) ascertain 10) exquisite 11) cobweb 12) canopy 13) mantle 14) betray 15) procession 16) approbation 17) retinue 18) graciously 19) excessively 20) to vex (verb - used here as a predicate adjective, vexed)

Question

Drop a comment below: Which words were the hardest to figure out from the context of the story?

A young French boy arrives late to school, only to discover that today is his last lesson ever taught in French.

This video includes a full vocabulary practice session and homework exercises. A distraction-free approach to English learning, prioritising clear explanations, meaningful content, and effective learning over flashy visuals.

A full free video lesson is available on YouTube and Substack.

Content

00:00 Introduction

01:10 About Alphonse Daudet

05:34 Reading — The Last Lesson

14:17 Vocabulary Practice — B2 words & idioms explained

26:27 Homework — True/False and fill-in-the-blank exercises

Join the Conversation: Leave your answers to the homework exercises in the comments below, and I will give you feedback!

VOCABULARY

1. to be in great dread of a scolding 2. to not know the first word about something 3. to chirp 4. to hurry off somewhere 5. to do something in unison 6. to rap on something 7. to count on something 8. to get over a fright 9. to come as a thunder-clap 10. at one stroke 11. to tremble with emotion

Question

Drop a comment below: Which words were the hardest to figure out from the context of the story?

A sardonic meditation on selfishness, death, and a life lived without love.

This video includes a full C2 vocabulary practice session and comprehension homework.

A distraction-free approach to English learning, prioritising clear explanations, meaningful content, and effective learning over flashy visuals.

A full free video lesson is available on YouTube and Substack.

Content

00:00 Introduction

01:21 About Honoré de Balzac

06:40 Reading — The Elixir of Life

55:10 Archaic Vocabulary (25 words)

1:20:49 C2 Vocabulary (17 words)

1:27:28 C1 Vocabulary (19 words)

1:35:01 Homework — comprehension exercises

Archaic Vocabulary

1. phial 2. comfit 3. casement 4. viol 5. reliquary 6. crozier 7. mien 8. cadaverous 9. diaphanous 10. pate 11. pusillanimity 12. licentious 13. impious 14. morose 15. sepulchre 16. to sear 17. to blight 18. to scintillate 19. viaticum 20. precentor 21. apotheosis 22. thou/canst 23. in articulo mortis 24. feu monseigneur 25. fulness of life

C2 Words

1. sumptuous 2. compunction 3. coquetry 4. dissolution 5. decrepitude 6. avaricious 7. phantasmagoria 8. parricide 9. facetious 10. credulous 11. resplendent 12. apoplexy 13. supplication 14. Machiavellian 15. debauch 16. hallowed 17. spendthrift

C1 Words

1. bantering 2. nocturnal 3. melancholy 4. rigidity 5. mockery 6. amassed 7. wrath 8. indulgent 9. contemplating 10. remorse 11. delirium 12. recluse 13. vengeance 14. tumult 15. splendor 16. devotee 17. blasphemer 18. consecrated 19. luminous

The story follows a struggling painter, Marcel, in the bohemian world of Paris as he faces an amusing challenge that reveals the creativity, hardship, and humour of artistic life.

This video includes a full vocabulary practice session and homework exercises.

A full free video lesson is available on YouTube and Substack.

Content

00:00 Introduction

02:11 About Henri Murger

04:30 Reading — The Passage of the Red Sea

18:18 C1 Vocabulary Practice — 25 words & idioms explained

29:36 Homework — comprehension exercises

C1 VOCABULARY COVERED IN THIS LESSON

1. obstinately (adverb) / obstinate (adjective)

2. to be engaged upon (something)

3. to throw someone off the track

4. to be taken in (by something)

5. insensible to (something)

6. to divine (that...)

7. propitious (adjective)

8. avaricious (adjective)

9. on coals of impatience

10. money down

11. my last word

12. sumptuous (adjective)

13. intoxicated (adjective)

14. on the verge of (something)

15. to hold back (someone) from the brink of (something)

16. on account

17. flattering (adjective)

18. the voice of the people is the voice of God

19. watch-dogs (noun, figurative)

20. canvas of Damocles

21. domestic joy

22. to compose an air to (words)

23. repulsed (verb, past tense of to repulse)

24. ostracism (noun)

25. to gaze at (something)