English courses: Kristiina Latvanen / Järvenpään opisto: March 2026

Tuesday, 31 March 2026

Listening

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2604/260402-kimchi-nanoplastics-l.html

Monday, 30 March 2026

Monday, 23 March 2026

HOMEWORK for Monday 30 March 2026

Read the text about coolcations using this LINK.

Below pls find the words to be explained in class and also find the opposite adjectives in the text for these adjectives:

freezing
moderate
inconsistent
unfavorable
atypical
mild
secondary
fake
international

WORDS

heatwaves
floods
influencing
patterns
trend
destinations
demand
arrivals
experienced
domestic
promoting
long-standing
forecast
decline
avoid
peak
braving
rates
shift
accommodation
predictability
breakdown
unforeseen
opting
majority

EXTRA EXERCISES
True/False Statements
1. Coolcation means traveling to cooler destinations to avoid extreme heat. (True)
2. Norwegian Air added 5 new routes to northern Norway. (False)
3. International arrivals to Norway, Ireland, and Sweden increased by over 10%. (True)
4. Domestic flights in Alaska decreased by 10% in recent years. (False)
5. Spain and Italy recorded their hottest years in 2022 and 2023. (True)
6. 74% of travelers now prefer destinations with extreme heat. (False)
7. The Mediterranean summer is moving away from a single peak season in July and August. (True)
8. Safari camps in Kenya still follow traditional seasonal predictability. (False)
9. The majority of German tourists already travel to northern countries like Sweden and Norway. (False)
10. Many experts believe that coolcation is more of a marketing approach than a real phenomenon. (True)
  
  Translation from Finnish into English (from the text)
  1.      Matkailijat etsivät viileämpiä kohteita, kuten Norjaa, Tanskaa, Suomea ja Ruotsia, välttääkseen äärimmäistä kuumuutta.
  
  2.      Norwegian Air lisäsi 10 uutta reittiä Pohjois-Norjaan kasvavan kysynnän vuoksi.
  
  3.      Kansainväliset saapumiset Norjaan, Irlantiin ja Ruotsiin kasvoivat yli 10 %.
  
  4.      Samoin Alaskassa kotimaan lentojen määrä kasvoi 10 %, ja matkustajien määrä Dallasista, Texasista – kaupungista, joka tunnetaan äärimmäisestä kesäkuumuudestaan – nousi 30 %.
  
  5.      Espanja ja Italia ovat kirjanneet kuumimmat vuodet vuosina 2022 ja 2023, kun taas Kreikka on taistellut vakavien metsäpalojen ja kuivuuden kanssa.
  
  6.      Vuoden 2023 EU-komission tutkimus ennustaa matkailukysynnän kasvua Pohjois- ja Keski-Euroopassa ja laskua etelässä vuoteen 2100 mennessä.
  
  7.      Euroopan matkailukomission kyselytutkimus totesi, että 74 % matkailijoista välttää nyt kohteita, joissa on äärimmäistä kuumuutta.
  
  8.      Toisaalta uusi trendi viittaa siihen, että tulee kaksi huippusesonkia, touko–kesä ja syys–loka.
  
  9.      Suurin osa saksalaisista turisteista suosii edelleen lämpimiä kohteita.
  
  10. Monet väittävät, että coolcation on enemmän markkinointistrategia kuin todellinen liike.

Monday, 16 March 2026

HOMEWORK for Monday 23 March 2026

Read the text about rewilding using this LINK. Below pls find the words to be explained and also a preposition exercise. The sentences are from the text.

Fill in the correct prepositions

Rewilding aims to put nature ___ control.
Wolves were reintroduced ___ Yellowstone National Park in 1995.
The rivers started to erode because the deer ate all the trees, which changed the landscape ___ time.
Whales absorb carbon ___ their lifetime.
Phytoplankton absorb CO2 ___ the atmosphere.
People celebrated the first World Rewilding Day ___ 20 March 2021.
The aim of rewilding is to allow some of the damage to heal ___ nature’s own pace.
Bears returned ___ the forests after the trees grew back.
Ocean areas can be protected ___ fishing and shipping.
The message of World Rewilding Day is to inspire people to get involved ___ projects that help nature recover.

WORDS

1. rewilding

2. habitat

3. extinct

4. trap

5. predator

6. reintroduce

7. behaviour

8. erode

9. greenhouse gases

10. ecosystem balance

11. biodiversity

12. pollution

13. shipping

14. conservation

15. environmental damage

16. restoration

17. riverbanks

18. grassland

19. species

20. vegetation

21. carbon dioxide

22. population decline

23. global initiative

EXTRA EXERCISES

True or False: Rewilding

Rewilding is mainly about humans planting trees and rebuilding habitats.
The main goal of rewilding is to allow nature to take control of ecosystems.
Wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park to increase deer populations.
The reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone helped riverbanks become more stable.
Whales can absorb much more carbon during their lifetime than a single tree.
Phytoplankton absorb approximately 40% of the CO₂ in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Rewilding oceans involves creating areas where human activity is limited or banned.
The first World Rewilding Day was celebrated in 2021.
Rewilding always requires humans to intervene directly in nature.
Restoring ecosystems through rewilding can help combat climate change.

Lauseita tekstistä. Kirjoitta lauseet englanniksi. Vastaukset löytyvät tekstistä.

Ajatuksena on palauttaa luonnonympäristöt niiden alkuperäiseen tilaan.
Uudelleenvilliyttäminen pyrkii siihen, että luonto eikä ihminen on hallinnassa.
Tuomalla takaisin eläimiä ja kasveja, jotka elivät siellä luonnostaan, voimme auttaa ekosysteemejä toipumaan.
Maapallomme ja elämää ylläpitävä järjestelmämme on vakavissa vaikeuksissa.
Monet kasvit ja eläimet ovat kuolleet sukupuuttoon, ja monet muut ovat vaarassa.
Vuonna 1995 tapahtui inspiroiva uudelleenvilliyttämisprojekti Yellowstonen kansallispuistossa Yhdysvalloissa.
Lähes 70 vuoteen puistossa ei ollut ollut susia.
Susien palauttamisen tulos oli hämmästyttävä.
Terveemmät meret luovat terveemmän planeetan.

Listening

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2603/260316-english-language-music-l.html

Tuesday, 10 March 2026

HOMEWORK for Monday 16 March 2026

Read the text and find below the words to be explained in class next time.

Why Finland Continues to Rank Among the Happiest Countries

Experts explain that Finland’s consistently high position in global happiness reports is due to several social, institutional, and cultural factors. In these studies, happiness is measured not as momentary feelings but as overall life satisfaction, security, and trust in society. Finnish happiness is often described as a quiet contentment, a sense of stability, and satisfaction with everyday life.

One of the main reasons is the high level of trust that people have in public institutions and in each other. Finnish citizens generally believe that the government, the legal system, and public services work fairly and transparently. Low levels of corruption strengthen this trust and contribute to a sense of stability, making people feel that society functions reliably and that rules apply equally to everyone. Experts often describe this as a confidence in society that allows people to live without constant worry.

Another key factor is social equality and the welfare system. Finland offers accessible public services, including education, healthcare, and social support. These services reduce stress about economic risks and help people feel secure. Experts argue that when citizens know their basic needs are met, they are more likely to experience peace of mind and life satisfaction.

The education system also plays an important role. Finnish schools are known for their quality and for giving all students equal opportunities. Education emphasizes cooperation and well-being rather than competition. Free education helps ensure that people from different backgrounds have similar chances to succeed, which strengthens social cohesion and contributes to a sense of fairness and belonging.

Experts also emphasize the importance of nature and outdoor life. Finland’s forests, lakes, and other natural areas are easily accessible, and spending time outdoors has positive effects on mental and physical health. Traditions such as sauna and cold-water swimming are also seen as important for relaxation and well-being. This connection with nature is often linked to calmness, mental clarity, and personal balance.

Finnish happiness is also connected to cultural and social features. For example, design and architecture, such as Marimekko patterns or Alvar Aalto buildings, promote a sense of beauty and creativity in everyday life. The Finnish love for coffee (“kahvi”), sisu (a concept describing perseverance and resilience), and seasonal events like Midsummer celebrations and winter festivals also contribute to social bonding and enjoyment.

Finally, researchers note that Finnish happiness does not mean that people are always cheerful or expressive. Rather, it refers to a stable and balanced life, a feeling of security, and satisfaction with societal conditions. Many Finns value stability, calm, and balance, which are central to the concept of happiness used in these studies.

In conclusion, Finland’s high happiness is explained by a combination of trust, equality, effective public institutions, strong education, and connection with nature. Together, these factors create a society in which people experience quiet contentment, confidence in society, and life satisfaction, making Finland one of the happiest countries in the world.