What we wear at -71°C in Yakutia

What we wear at -71°C in Yakutia

by | Dec 17, 2022 | Travel and nature

Sorry, but lessons on The Blue Tree work only on a computer or a tablet.

Bardzo mi przykro, ale lekcje na platformie The Blue Tree działają jedynie na komputerze lub tablecie.

Do zobaczenia na większym ekranie 🙂

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What we wear at -71°C in Yakutia
Learn more words

THE BLUE TREE

Travel & Nature

CEF B1

CEFR B1

Intermediate

Practise speaking by describing this image

warm up

Answer the questions below.

Which of the seasons do you like the best and why?
TRANSCRIPT

I love autumn the most. The air feels fresh and crisp, and the colours of the trees are amazing. I also enjoy wearing cozy clothes, drinking warm tea, and reading when it gets dark early. For me, autumn is the most peaceful and inspiring season.

Why do people live in places which are so inhospitable for humans, like Yakutsk?
TRANSCRIPT

Well, I guess it’s a mix of history, culture, and family roots. People often stay where they were born because they feel connected to the land and the community. In places like Yakutsk, life may be hard, but people learn how to manage. They have their traditions, warm homes, and strong social ties. And sometimes, jobs in mining or other industries keep them there too.

Imagine you were given a choice: to live in the Sahara Desert or in Yakutsk. Which place would you choose? Why?
TRANSCRIPT

Hmm, tough choice! But I think I’d go for Yakutsk. I don’t mind the cold if I have the right clothes and a warm house. The extreme heat of the Sahara would be much harder for me. Also, I’ve always found snowy landscapes beautiful, and the way people survive in Siberia is really fascinating.

part one

KEY LANGUAGE

Go through the flashcards below. Make sure you understand all the words and expressions.

VIDEO

Watch the first part of the video.

COMPREHENSION

Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.

  • ⌚ 0:08 What is Yakutsk famous for?
  • ⌚ 0:30 What’s the first rule for keeping warm in cold weather?
  • ⌚ 0:40 Which part of the body is particularly prone to freezing in extreme cold?
  • ⌚ 0:56 What was special about the boots Dayana was wearing?
  • ⌚ 1:10 What two looks do women have in Yakutsk?
  • ⌚ 1:32 How do they protect their hands from frostbite?

part two

KEY LANGUAGE

Go through the same words once again. This time play a matching game. Try to get the shortest time possible, ideally somewhere in the region of 10 seconds.

VIDEO

Watch the second part of the video.

COMPREHENSION

Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.

  • ⌚ 1:49 Where did Dayana go?
  • ⌚ 3:09 What is the mean temperature in January?
  • ⌚ 3:24 Why is it a bad idea to wear glasses in such cold weather?
  • ⌚ 3:33 What happens to people when they stay outdoors in such extreme cold weather?
  • ⌚ 3:39 What is the longest time people can  stay outdoors when it’s -70C?
  • ⌚ 3:34 How do people get to work or school?
  • ⌚ 4:00 How do the drivers protect their vehicles?
  • ⌚ 4:08 What type of clothes is best for keeping them warm?

part three

Collocations are words that are often used together in a particular way. For example, we say “a cup of coffee” instead of “a coffee of cup.” It is important to learn collocations because they help us speak and write more naturally in a particular language.

Here are some more examples of collocations:

  • “make a mistake” instead of “do a mistake”
  • “have a conversation” instead of “have a talk”
  • “do homework” instead of “make homework”

Learning collocations can help you sound more fluent and natural when you speak or write in a language, and it can also help you understand native speakers better.

Study the entry from the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary (Collocations) about snow and do the exercises that follow. Your teacher will share their screen with you.

Create a mind-map similar to the one below. 

Complete the sentences in this Wordwall game with the most appropriate collocation. Check the dictionary or refer to your mind-map for help. 

Two friends (Joana) and (Greg) are meeting in the street. They haven’t seen each other for a long time. The weather is cold and snowy. They are talking about life using many idioms and collocations with the word ‘snow’.

Read this dialogue aloud with a pertner or your teacher. Do you understand what all these idioms and collocations mean in this context?

Joana: Hey Greg, long time no see! How have you been?

Greg: Hey Joana, I’ve been good. How about you?

Joana: I’ve been busy as a one-armed paperhanger.

Greg: Ha, that’s a new one. So what have you been up to?

Joana: Just trying to stay on top of things. How about you?

Greg: Same old, same old. Just trying to keep my head above water.

Joana: Yeah, it’s been a rough winter. I feel like I’ve been shoveling snow every day.

Greg: Tell me about it. It’s been snowing nonstop for weeks. I’m sick of the white stuff.

Joana: I know what you mean. I’m ready for spring to come and melt all this snow away.

Greg: Me too. Let’s hope for a warm thaw soon.

Now, create a similar dialogue. Make sure your characters use collocations and idioms connected with snow and cold weather. 

w

DISCUSSION

DIALOGUE

Alita and Pete are chatting over coffee after watching a documentary about Yakutia, one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth. Fascinated by how people survive there, they reflect on what it takes to live in such a harsh environment.

Read or role play their dialogue.

Alita: Can you believe people live in Yakutia, where the mean temperature in winter can be below -50°C?

Pete: I know, right? I’d probably get frostbite just by stepping outside. You really need to wear the right layers to survive there.

Alita: Absolutely. I was surprised to see how many of them wear fleece, down jackets, and even wadded pants. They must be incredibly insulated.

Pete: And let’s not forget the mittens. Your fingers would be the first to freeze! Did you see that woman with a coat made from reindeer and mink fur?

Alita: Yeah, I noticed the beaded patterns too—so beautiful and traditional. But it’s not just about looks. In that kind of cold, every detail is crucial.

Pete: For sure. I’d be so prone to complaining in that weather. I can’t even handle a Polish winter without a decent jacket!

Alita: Same here! I only have a rough idea of what -71°C must feel like. But the residents there seem so hardy. It’s impressive.

Pete: And did you notice how tired they looked after going outside? The cold must cause real fatigue. Even starting a vehicle is a challenge.

Alita: I read they sometimes tear off parts of their clothing when it gets stuck to the frozen metal. I can’t imagine dealing with that every day.

Pete: Honestly, I think I’ll stop complaining about icy mornings here. Compared to Yakutia, we’re living in a tropical paradise!

Alita: Haha, exactly. Still, it’s inspiring to see how humans adapt—even in the coldest corners of the world.

OVER TO YOU

Discuss these questions. Refer to the topic of the lesson and your own experience.

BulletDo you own a down jacket or other insulated clothing? How effective is it in winter?
BulletWhy do you think layers are important when dressing for extreme cold?
BulletWould you ever consider wearing reindeer or mink fur if you lived in a place like Yakutia?
BulletWhat’s your rough idea of how it feels to live in a place with temperatures below -50°C?
BulletWhat do you think makes the residents of Yakutia so hardy and resilient?

POLL

Cast your vote in the poll below.

Would you like to live in Yakutsk?
1 vote

CAST YOUR VOTE
×

lesson glossary

COMMENTS

What do you think of life in Yakutsk? Is this something you would like to experience yourself? Why do you think people live in places like that? Is there anything else they could do to keep warm?

Share your thoughts and ideas below.

Seven habits of highly effective people by Stephen Covey

Seven habits of highly effective people by Stephen Covey

by | Dec 9, 2022 | Personal productivity

Sorry, but lessons on The Blue Tree work only on a computer or a tablet.

Bardzo mi przykro, ale lekcje na platformie The Blue Tree działają jedynie na komputerze lub tablecie.

Do zobaczenia na większym ekranie 🙂

Zespół The Blue Tree

back to HOME > Personal Development > Personal Productivity >

Seven habits of highly effective people by Stephen Covey
Learn more words

THE BLUE TREE

Personal
Productivity

CEF B1

CEFR B1

Intermediate

Practise speaking by describing this image

warm up

Answer the questions below.

What qualities should parents pass on to their kids to help them in adult life?
TRANSCRIPT

I think parents should teach their kids to be proactive and responsible. Growing up, my parents always encouraged me to take ownership of my actions and not wait for things to happen. They also stressed the importance of setting goals and thinking about the bigger picture, which is something I’m still working on. I believe those qualities—being proactive, setting clear goals, and staying focused—can really help kids when they become adults.

How would you define somebody who was decent?
TRANSCRIPT

A decent person, to me, is someone who practices empathy and honesty. Someone who listens first and tries to understand others before speaking, like in Covey’s habit of ‘seek first to understand, then to be understood.’ It’s about being kind and fair in your actions and treating people with respect. Integrity is huge for me, too—it’s important to stick to your values, even when it’s hard.

What’s the most important lesson you have taken from your parents?
TRANSCRIPT

The most important lesson I’ve taken from my parents is to prioritize self-care and balance. My dad always told me to ‘sharpen the saw,’ even before I read about it in Covey’s book. Whether it’s taking care of your body, mind, or just spending time outdoors, I’ve learned that you need to recharge to stay effective. It’s something I try to apply not just in work, but in life in general.

part one

KEY LANGUAGE

Go through the flashcards below, and memorize as many words and their translations as you can.

video

Watch the first part of the video.

COMPREHENSION

Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.

  • ⌚ 00:20 What was his grandma’s favourite story?
  • ⌚ 00:32 What do reactive people focus on?
  • ⌚ 00:50 What’s the proactive people’s mindset?
  • ⌚ 01:10 What question do proactive entrepreneurs ask themselves?
  • ⌚ 01:29 What is the first habit of highly effective people?

part two

KEY LANGUAGE

Go through the flashcards below. Make sure you understand all the words and expressions.

VIDEO

Watch the second part of the video.

COMPREHENSION

Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.

  • ⌚ 01:44 What is the most powerful question you can ask yourself?
  • ⌚ 02:13 What will most of us have to do when we ask ourselves this question?
  • ⌚ 02:18 What is the second habit? 

part three

KEY LANGUAGE

Go through the flashcards below. Make sure you understand all the words and expressions.

VIDEO

Watch the third part of the video.

COMPREHENSION

COMPREHENSION

Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.

  • ⌚ 2:30 What are some of the things people say are the most important to them?
  • ⌚ 2:50 What is the disconnect about?
  • ⌚ 2:54 What is the third habit?

part four

KEY LANGUAGE

Go through the flashcards below. Make sure you understand all the words and expressions.

VIDEO

Watch the fourth part of the video.

COMPREHENSION

Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.

  • ⌚ 3:59 What is the first scenario about authors about?
  • ⌚ 3:42 What is the second scenario about? How is it different from the first one?
  • ⌚ 3:47 What is the fourth habit?
  • ⌚ 3:54 How do we need to stop thinking? 

part five

KEY LANGUAGE

Go through the flashcards below. Make sure you understand all the words and expressions.

VIDEO

Watch the fifth part of the video.

COMPREHENSION

Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.

  • ⌚ 4:08 What aren’t we going to hear from the creator of this video?
  • ⌚ 4:15 What is the most important question we should ask about such videos?
  • ⌚ 4:32 What is the fifth habit about?

part six

KEY LANGUAGE

Go through the flashcards below. Make sure you understand all the words and expressions.

VIDEO

Watch the sixth part of the video.

COMPREHENSION

Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.

  • ⌚ 4:45 What example can be used to illustrate synergy?
  • ⌚ 4:51 What does synergy mean?
  • ⌚ 4:55 Can we achieve synergy with anyone?
  • ⌚ 5:05 What is the benefit of looking for synergistic opportunities?
  • ⌚ 5:09 What is the sixth habit?

part seven

KEY LANGUAGE

Go through the flashcards below. Make sure you understand all the words and expressions.

VIDEO

Watch the seventh part of the video.

COMPREHENSION

Answer these questions. Refer to the information from the video.

  • ⌚ 5:22 What advice did a neighbour give to a guy who was cutting down a tree?
  • ⌚ 5:28 Why didn’t he want to sharpen the saw?
  • ⌚ 5:42 In what sense do some of us do something similar as shown in this story?
  • ⌚ 5:56 Why does he say that we have ‘the audacity to ask for tips on how to be effective’?
  • ⌚ 6:05 How do you understand the ‘floating bricks’ illustration?
  • ⌚ 6:08 What is the seventh habit of highly effective people by Stephen Covey?

POLL

Cast your vote in the poll below.

Which habit(s) do you think is/are the most practical? You can choose more than one.
6 votes

CAST YOUR VOTE
×
w

DISCUSSION

DIALOGUE

Read, or role-play, this dialogue between Alita and Pete.

Alita:
So, after going through the Seven Habits again, I realised how practical they actually are. They’re not big theories — they’re more like daily choices.

Pete:
Exactly. For me, Be proactive made the biggest difference at work. I used to wait for instructions or complain about things I couldn’t change. Once I focused on what I could influence, my job became much less frustrating.

Alita:
I had a similar experience. Being proactive helped me personally too. Instead of reacting emotionally, I started pausing and choosing my response — especially in difficult conversations.

Pete:
That links nicely to Seek first to understand. I used to jump straight into defending my point. Now I try to really listen first. It’s improved my relationships at work — fewer conflicts, more trust.

Alita:
Same here. And it’s helped at home as well. When I actually listen instead of preparing my reply, conversations become calmer and more meaningful.

Pete:
Another habit I rely on is Put first things first. Once I started planning my week around what’s important — not just urgent — I felt more in control. Less stress, better results.

Alita:
That one changed my work–life balance. I realised I was always busy, but not always effective. Prioritising helped me protect time for health and learning — which is basically Sharpen the saw.

Pete:
Yes! Sharpening the saw felt like a luxury at first. But investing time in rest and development actually made me more productive. Funny how that works.

Alita:
I also like Begin with the end in mind. Having a clear sense of what kind of person I want to be has guided my decisions — both professionally and personally.

Pete:
And when you combine that with Think win-win, teamwork becomes much easier. I stopped seeing success as a competition. Collaboration started paying off.

Alita:
That’s true. Once you stop trying to “win” every situation, you often gain much more in the long run.

Pete:
So in the end, the habits kind of build on each other. You don’t have to master all seven at once — but even applying one or two can change a lot.

Alita:
Exactly. They’re not about being perfect — just more conscious. And that already makes a huge difference.

discussion questions

Discuss these questions. Refer to the content of this lesson and your onw experience. 

BulletBeing proactive often means taking responsibility. Why do some people avoid this?
(Habit 1: Be proactive)
BulletHaving a clear goal can guide decisions. Why do many people struggle to define one?
(Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind)
BulletDaily life is full of urgent tasks. What happens when important things are always postponed?
(Habit 3: Put first things first)
BulletSuccess is often seen as competition. Why is a win–win approach difficult to accept?
(Habit 4: Think win–win)
BulletListening is essential for understanding. What usually prevents people from listening well?
(Habit 5: Seek first to understand)
BulletTeamwork can produce better results than individual work. Why doesn’t this always happen?
(Habit 6: Synergize)
BulletRest and renewal improve effectiveness. Why do many people treat them as a waste of time?
(Habit 7: Sharpen the saw)

DIVE DEEPER

Use the mind-map below to dive deeper into this topic.

lesson glossary

COMMENTS

What do you think of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People? Which of the habits would you like to implent in your life? What you add any other habits?

Share your views and experience here.