Boxing Day

Have you ever heard of "Boxing Day" in Anglo-Saxon cultures? Do you associate it with the sport practiced in the ring? Hm, then you'd better have a look at this webpage to learn about it ;-)

Merry Xmas!

Web Therapy

Hi there!
Here's a recommendation from Dani (NA1) for you all. It's a TV series starring Lisa Kudrow (the one who played Phoebe in Friends) that is called Web Therapy. Thx Dan!

Words, words, words

My colleague Mª José Bermejo passed me an interesting link. It's a video that tells you about the word "fuck."
Beware! There are some spelling mistakes:
centense > sentence
incompitance > incompetence
disatisfaction > dissatisfaction

I once heard something about the origin of the word but don't know for sure if it's true. Apparently the word derives from old times when it was posted on brothel doors as an acronym of "Fornication under the consent of the King"

Musicians and Singers Wanted

Some students from the Tue. and Thur. NI2 group have proposed to give a concert (in English, of course) at some point of the academic year, and I think it's a great idea. They have a pianist, a bass player, and a viola player. They need a singer and encourage any other musicians to join the band. If anyone is interested, please let us know

Thanksgiving

Hi there!

Here's a video for you to learn about Thanksgiving Day, which is celebrated today in the US.

Little Britain USA

Yesterday we saw a couple of Little Britain sketches. Here's the sneak preview ("preestreno") of Little Britain USA. Enjoy!

Headline English

Hi there! Here's a little exercise for you to do:

- Browse a newspaper in English (you have links on the right column) and choose a headline you would not have understood before studying the vocabulary we're learning in class.
- Now that you know the vocabulary, explain the headline in your own words, with an appropriate complete sentence.
- You may also want to do a bit of research on the political leanings or ideology of the newspaper you chose. That's a type of cultural content worth learning about.

An example has been given in the comment section below.

This song reminds me of ...

Those who came to class on Friday (14 Nov) practised description through free writing while listening to songs. The main objective of descriptive texts is to create a vivid image in the interlocutor's mind. You can try short description here by describing the image evoked by a song you like.

Write up to 100 words, but please make sure that you check for grammar, spelling, and vocabulary mistakes before you publish your text. There's no excuse not to do so when you're working at home ;-)

If you wish, you can add an Internet link to your song to share with others!

Gomaespuminglis

Check why learning a language is not a question of one-to-one correspondences...

Funky Phrasals

Dear All,

here's a good BBC page for you to learn phrasal verbs in context and to practise them (by listening and doing vocabulary exercises).

If you want to keep informed about new posts in the blog, watch this video and follow the instructions. I've just added a link to subscribe to new posts and comments at the bottom of the page.

Songs

Positive songs for dark rainy days ...
Turn the volume up! ;-)
And...
this one can't be missed on a rainy day... Don't expect me to go to class on a rainy day if Jack makes banana pancakes for me...

Hi there!

Here's a recommendation from Ana Vivas (NI2) for you to practise your English while having something to drink:
J & J
C/ Espíritu Santo 47 (Subway: Noviciado)
Wed. and Thur. @ 8pm.
(Remember that there's a whole list under "Intercambio nights" on the right).

Thx Ana!

New Link

Hi there!
I've added a new link (see links on the right) to a page where you can check the pronunciation of difficult names in English. Names are one of the most complicated things to pronounce and spell, since there are no rules.
No more /sin/ Conneries, please ;-) Hope this page helps!

All - Improving Your Skills

Dear All,

here are some tips to improve your skills (they're from another Escuela Oficial).
Hope they help!

All - Watch TV in English

Hi there!

Do you have satellite or cable TV at home? If not, you can watch TV in English from all over the world through the link I've posted on the right column. The channels are grouped by country. I particularly recommend news channels from any English-speaking country and "The Globe Trekker" (United Kingdom) for travel and sport enthusiasts.

Enjoy!

All - Changes in EEOOII

Hi there!
I've added a link on the right (bottom) so that you can keep informed about the changes brought about by the new laws and curriculum in EEOOII. The blog is maintained by EOI Students; what's happening affects both Students and Teachers!

All - Strategies

Dear All,

I've added a new link on the right ("Strategies") where you can read about strategies for the different skills (in Spanish). Learning is a process in which you have a high degree of reponsibilty. All students should question themselves things like "How can I improve my listening comprehension?", "What am I expected to do when I read a text?," etc.
Hope you find some time to have a look at it!

All - Punctuation IS important. Period.

Dear All,

you know how much I insist on the importance of "little" things like punctuation, since the inappropriate use of periods, commas, colons, etc. can spoil the coherence of a text.

The link to which I'm sending you here is quite an extensive explanation of the uses of punctuation. (It's designed to help University students write their papers ("trabajos de clase") well. Print it out and make your own summary (perhaps underlining what's most important to you).

Hope it helps!

All - Country Names

This is revision for all of you: country names. Let Lilly, an incredible two-year-old baby, help you revise!