AMY WINEHOUSE

Her distinctive soulful voice and 'beehive' hairstyle made her famous the world over. And Monday (July 23) marks exactly a year since the death of British singer Amy Winehouse. Her goddaughter Dionne Bromfield said on Sunday (July 22) the family are due to hold a celebration of her life. SOUNDBITE: Dionne Bromfield, singer, saying (English): "It's sad, it is really sad but she was an amazing girl, especially to me. And we're definitely going to be celebrating her life. We're going to be going to Camden Square which is where Amy's house was which is where also she passed away and then we're going to be having - I wouldn't say it's a party because it's not something to be happy about but it's just family and friends remembering her life." An inquest found Winehouse had more than five times the legal driving limit of alcohol in her blood when she died at her London home in July 2011. She was just 27 years old but had enjoyed great success in her short career with hits such as 'Rehab'. Born into a Jewish family with a history of Jazz musicians, Winehouse had fought a long battle with drink and drugs, the details of which were widely chronicled in the British tabloids. After her death fans flocked to her home in the Camden area of London and transformed a nearby square into a shrine. Her father Mitch has created the Amy Winehouse foundation in her honour to help young people with addiction problems. Edward Baran, Reuters

EURO 2012 FINAL

Euro 2012: Spain victorious por reuters

Tens of thousands celebrate in Madrid after watching Spain cement their status
 as a global football superpower.

Spain thrashed Italy 4-0 to retain their European title, in the biggest victory 
margin in a World Cup or Euro final.

Italy were in danger of losing from as early as the 14th minute when Spain took
 the lead.

As they failed to stop a further three goals, the party in Spain began at 
the countdown to the final whistle.

SOUNDBITE: UNNAMED SPAIN SUPPORTER SAYING (Spanish):

"Very happy. Champions Spain, champions"

SOUNDBITE: UNNAMED SPAIN SUPPORTER SAYING (Spanish):

"They were very bad, very bad. They couldn't meet the expectations. 
They should have done more. It was a very easy final."

The picture in Italy was of bitter disappointment.

Dreams of victory turned to dust as fans watched goal after goal 
being scored against them.

SOUNDBITE: FAN FEDERICO IZZO SAYING (Italian):

"It just shouldn't have finished like this. I hoped and hoped and waved my flag,
 but it counted for nothing."

In Spain the party carried on into the night.

They've become the first national side to win three major trophies after
 their Euro 2008 success and World Cup victory two years ago.

Sarah Charlton, Reuters

EURO 2012. SEMI-FINAL KNOCKOUT

Thousands of football fans gather across Spain and Portugal to cheer their nations vying for a spot in the Euro 2012 final. Rival fans watched with bated breath in Madrid and Lisbon as the semi-final ended goaless after extra time. The game went to penalties. As Portugal's fans watched in agony, Barcelona striker Cesc Fabregas struck a vital spot kick to give Spain a 4-2 victory. Celebrations erupted as fans looked towards the final. SOUNDBITE: SPAIN SUPPORTER, CECIRIA, SAYING (Spanish): "We are going to win, of course. I guess we are going to win 2-0." SOUNDBITE: UNIDENTIFIED SUPPORTER, SAYING (Spanish): "It couldn't have been any other way, Spain was superior to Portugal. Half of Portugal play in Spain. It has been an exciting and tough game until the last minute. I'm speechless." But in Lisbon there was an atmosphere of despair. Fans looked on with bitter disappointment as they watched Spain celebrate on the big screen. SOUNDBITE: PORTUGAL SUPPORTER, JOSE, SAYING (Portuguese): "It was a very good match, with two great teams. It was down to luck for each team." World champions Spain have reached a third consecutive major tournament final. They will play either Germany or Italy on Sunday (July 1) in Kiev. 
Sarah Charlton, Reuters.

LEARN ENGLISH FOR FREE

I have just come across a website launched Tuesday, Duolingo which offers users the ability to learn a language at their own pace and for no cost. You will have to register and then you can start.
Also here it is other website you can browse to learn English

PRACTICE YOUR AMERICAN ENGLISH

VOA 

Learn English to; Text, Shop, Count Money, Get a Taxi, Order Coffee and More!!!!

FOOTBALL VOCABULARY

Today it is a day devoted to football all over Europe and in most of the world.
I just want to recommend a page to learn words related to this sport.

LEARN LANGUAGES THROUGH SONGS

Choose among many songs and practice your English