Fashion design, dresses and danger
English-to-go resources enter the fashion world with stories on fashion shows, a fashion designer helping convicts and the cheapest way to get the clothes you want without spending anything.

While fashion houses are trimming their fashion shows and focusing on the product, not the production, people who love clothes but don't want to spend money are having swishing parties:  bring any clothes you don't want and swap them for other people's clothes, while drinking wine and eating nibbles. 

Meanwhile, a fashion designer in the Philippines has braved the dangers of a maximum security prison to conduct fashion design workshops for prisoners.
"These people are also human beings, and they're creative...and they deserve a second chance," the fashion designer said. Prisoners learn how to create cocktail dresses and accessories which are then sold in boutiques.

We also look at whether the American Dream is still alive for young people in the US, the rise in foraging amongst urban populations and don't forget to check out our featured lessons to remember World Water and Meteorological Days on March 22 and 23. There's a great speaking warmer for elementary students on the climate and weather of different cities.

Newest resources in the Teachers’ Room include:

- A Second Chance, Elementary Instant Lesson
Prisoners in the Philippines work with a fashion designer to learn how to make cocktail dresses. Prisons and rehabilitation.

- Swishing, Pre-intermediate Instant Lesson
Welcome to swishing--for people who want shopping, clothes and entertainment but don't want to spend any money. Clothes shopping in a recession, ordering a conversation, present continuous for future plans and arrangements.
 
- Thin Is Not In, Intermediate Instant Lesson
Fashion houses in 2009 are slimming down their expenditure on shows. Role models, fashion,  going to and will.

- The Gleaners, Upper Intermediate Instant Lesson
It's closing time at a market in Belleville in Paris, and a young woman is rummaging through the abandoned crates for her dinner. Economic difficulty, scavenging.

- American Dream, Advanced Instant Lesson
Young Americans are still optimistic that the American dream is alive for them, despite the recession. Summarizing, verb forms.

- What's The Weather Like? - Weekly Warmer
Asking and answering questions, talking about the weather and climates of different cities.

- Swishing - Pre-Intermediate Instant Workbook
Practicing reading and using grammar - the present simple and the present continuous to talk about habits and what is happening now.