Dear All,
although I've already told you in class, let me remind you here of what I expect you to do during the holidays:
- The listening exercise I posted below. (Attention to and study of vocabulary included, of course).
- The cloze text I gave you in a handout. (It's a text about shopping malls).
- The composition I asked you to write (letter of complaint), for which you have a model text in a handout and in your Student's Book (pp. 122-123). Remember to use the structure of the model text, appropriate opening and closing formulas, the right level of formality and politeness, and correct grammatical structures combining active and passive sentences.
- The Review for Units 1-4 (starting on p. 32). This will allow you to revise the vocabulary, grammar, and functional language we have studied so far.
- Speaking: you can practise alone (preparing a 3-minute presentation) or with somebody who speaks English at home (role-playing a conversation). Here are some possible topics:
1. For a presentation:
- Work (current situation - what people have to do - possible solutions to unemployment)
- Learning languages (why - how to do it best - personal experience)
- Gadgets / Technology (advantages and disadvantages of using them - personal experience)
- Social networks (people's use of themn noawadays - pros and cons of using them - personal experience)
- Health (things or situations that affect people's health - what you do to keep healthy - how important health is)
- Travel (how and how much people travel nowadays - positive things about travelling - personal experience)
- Saving energy (alternative energy sources - how much energy we use at home - ways we can save energy)
2. For conversation, talk about:
- Looking for an English course abroad
- a friend who's just been left by their partner
- a friend who's just been made redundant and needs to find another job
- how consumerism affects people's lives
- a friend who's decided to volunteer abroad
- how fashion and beauty standards affect women's (and men's) lives
- Reading the novel we set as reading material at the beginning of the course: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, which we will comment on at the end of January.
I know it's quite a good amount of homework ;-) But this is Intermediate 2, and you'll have a Certificate exam by the end of the year...
Well, for now... Merry Christmas to you all!
23/12/2013
19/12/2013
Listening to the news
this is listening comprehension homework for Christmas. Go to page 28 of your Student's Book and read the social issues listed in Exercise A. Then, click on this link and listen to the news twice. You have to match the pieces of news with one of the headings (social issues). There are five social issues you will not hear about.
You can also do Exercises B and D on that page, and check the transcript of the news on page 167.
13/12/2013
12/12/2013
08/12/2013
Mandela Day
This weekend's song is not one under the label "Song meanings" but one I'm posting just as a tribute to the great fighter Nelson Mandela was. Not all the politicians are the same...
03/12/2013
Harlots, Housewives and Heroines
Dear All,
a colleague sent me a link to a BBC series that looks wonderful. If you like history, or you're simply interested in the history of women, you can watch 12-minute episodes like the one below (the first one in the series)
I haven't had time to exploit the video with questions, but I will at some point in the near future ;-)
Thanks, José María!
a colleague sent me a link to a BBC series that looks wonderful. If you like history, or you're simply interested in the history of women, you can watch 12-minute episodes like the one below (the first one in the series)
I haven't had time to exploit the video with questions, but I will at some point in the near future ;-)
Thanks, José María!
01/12/2013
Cultural Day
Dear All,
next Monday 9th December, we'll hold a cultural day in our school. You can check the programme here. As we have traditionally done, there will be a cooking contest and, as students of English, you may participate by making a dish which is typical from one of the countries where English is spoken. There are two categories: sweet and savoury. You can find the rules of the cooking contest here.
Now, what dish are you thinking of cooking? Need any ideas? Maybe these links can help ;-)
Scottish recipes
Welsh recipes
English recipes
Canadian recipes
U.S. recipes
Australian recipes
New Zealand recipes
Indian recipes
Jamaican recipes
Nigerian recipes
And if you wish to be part of the contest jury, please sign up at the reception, where María is.
next Monday 9th December, we'll hold a cultural day in our school. You can check the programme here. As we have traditionally done, there will be a cooking contest and, as students of English, you may participate by making a dish which is typical from one of the countries where English is spoken. There are two categories: sweet and savoury. You can find the rules of the cooking contest here.Now, what dish are you thinking of cooking? Need any ideas? Maybe these links can help ;-)
Welsh recipes
English recipes
Canadian recipes
U.S. recipes
Australian recipes
New Zealand recipes
Indian recipes
Jamaican recipes
Nigerian recipes
And if you wish to be part of the contest jury, please sign up at the reception, where María is.
30/11/2013
Society
Hi there!
here's this weekend's song: it's called "Society" and it belongs to the soundtrack of the movie "Into the Wild", which is worth seeing if you haven't seen it. I thought about this song as a timely link between the last topic we've dealt with in class and the one we're going to do next week.
Enjoy the voice of the great Eddie Vedder! ;-)
here's this weekend's song: it's called "Society" and it belongs to the soundtrack of the movie "Into the Wild", which is worth seeing if you haven't seen it. I thought about this song as a timely link between the last topic we've dealt with in class and the one we're going to do next week.
Enjoy the voice of the great Eddie Vedder! ;-)
22/11/2013
Good People
Hi there!
Since paying attention to lyrics can be a fun and interesting way to learn vocabulary and pronunciation, here's a new section in the blog: you know there are webpages where people write their comments about the meanings of songs. Well, I'll try to post a song every weekend here for you to make short comments and we'll see what happens...
You just have to listen to the song (which comes with the lyrics) and write about the meaning of the song in the comment section below. Try to be careful with the grammar, but don't be intimidated by the possibility of making mistakes. I won't correct anybody unless you tell me to do so.
Since paying attention to lyrics can be a fun and interesting way to learn vocabulary and pronunciation, here's a new section in the blog: you know there are webpages where people write their comments about the meanings of songs. Well, I'll try to post a song every weekend here for you to make short comments and we'll see what happens...
You just have to listen to the song (which comes with the lyrics) and write about the meaning of the song in the comment section below. Try to be careful with the grammar, but don't be intimidated by the possibility of making mistakes. I won't correct anybody unless you tell me to do so.
21/11/2013
Destruction in the Philippines
Dear NI2,
we all have heard and seen the horrible news. Here I'm directing you to Ms Bermejo's blog so that you can listen to a piece of news and do a listening comprehension exercise she has done: http://msbermejo.blogspot.com.es/2013/11/typhoon-haiyan-destruction-in.html
Thanks, Mª José!
we all have heard and seen the horrible news. Here I'm directing you to Ms Bermejo's blog so that you can listen to a piece of news and do a listening comprehension exercise she has done: http://msbermejo.blogspot.com.es/2013/11/typhoon-haiyan-destruction-in.html
Thanks, Mª José!
Expressing purpose
Dear NI2,
here's the power point presentation I showed you in class, in case you want to save it or revise.
here's the power point presentation I showed you in class, in case you want to save it or revise.
The Butler
Hi there!
As I told you, my colleague Mª José is organizing an evening at the movies. Here's the poster with the info you need. Remember that you have to bring the money before Wednesday, 27th November. (I'm still not sure if you'll get a discount, but I've already asked Mª José and I'll let you know as soon as she tells me...)
As I told you, my colleague Mª José is organizing an evening at the movies. Here's the poster with the info you need. Remember that you have to bring the money before Wednesday, 27th November. (I'm still not sure if you'll get a discount, but I've already asked Mª José and I'll let you know as soon as she tells me...)
17/11/2013
13/11/2013
A blog to learn to write
Hi there!
here's a blog where you can learn to write EOI exam tasks, vocabulary and expressions. Thanks, María, for sending me the link!
here's a blog where you can learn to write EOI exam tasks, vocabulary and expressions. Thanks, María, for sending me the link!
Cultural Day
we're having a Cultural Day at the School on 9 December and we want to you to actively participate in it. One of the activities we want to promote is the writing of literary texts. Here's what you have to check depending on your level:
Haiku contest for Basic Levels
Mini-saga contest for Intermediate Levels
Short story contest for Advanced Levels
Don't underestimate your creative capacities and start putting your ideas down on paper!
08/11/2013
07/11/2013
City vocabulary
Dear NI2,
here's a handout with vocabulary exercises that I'm setting as homework for next week. We'll correct the exercises and use the vocab in class!
here's a handout with vocabulary exercises that I'm setting as homework for next week. We'll correct the exercises and use the vocab in class!
01/11/2013
Typical mistakes
And here's the document I showed you to comment on typical Intermediate mistakes. It can hopefully help you as a checklist before you hand in any writing assignment.
Writing assignment
Hi!
Here's the writing assignment for next week (Wed. 6th & Thurs. 7th Nov.):
Write an email to a friend/relative telling them about a book/film you've recently read/seen and that you would recommend (or not).
Write between 125-150 words.
Remember to use appropriate opening and closing formulas and to use the 4-paragraph structure we saw in class. Here's a handout elaborated by another teacher that can help you learn useful vocabulary and expressions. (Thanks to Saro Rosales!)
Here's the writing assignment for next week (Wed. 6th & Thurs. 7th Nov.):
Write an email to a friend/relative telling them about a book/film you've recently read/seen and that you would recommend (or not).
Write between 125-150 words.
Remember to use appropriate opening and closing formulas and to use the 4-paragraph structure we saw in class. Here's a handout elaborated by another teacher that can help you learn useful vocabulary and expressions. (Thanks to Saro Rosales!)
30/10/2013
Music historian
Morning!
Yesterday, because of technical problems, we couldn't listen to this interview with a music historian. You've got the handout, the one with sentences with gaps to fill, so you can read the sentences and then listen twice, as we would have done in class ;-)
The key is in the comments.
Yesterday, because of technical problems, we couldn't listen to this interview with a music historian. You've got the handout, the one with sentences with gaps to fill, so you can read the sentences and then listen twice, as we would have done in class ;-)
The key is in the comments.
29/10/2013
A message from Leah
Dear All,
in yesterday's class, we were lucky to have Leah, an American Masters student who came to observe the class and talk a bit about California. She has written to me with a couple of recommendations she told you she would give you. So here they are (the following are Leah's words):
El cuentacuentos - this is from this week, but it happens every Tuesday:
in yesterday's class, we were lucky to have Leah, an American Masters student who came to observe the class and talk a bit about California. She has written to me with a couple of recommendations she told you she would give you. So here they are (the following are Leah's words):
El cuentacuentos - this is from this week, but it happens every Tuesday:
CUENTOS DE LAS MIL Y UNA NOCHES
Espectáculo-río de narración oral; noche LVII (57)
Martes, 29 de Octubre
Taberna Alabanda
C/ Miguel Servet, 15 (metro Lavapiés-Embajadores)
21:30 h (30 minutos de duración, aprox.)
Aportación: 3€
Martes, 29 de Octubre
Taberna Alabanda
C/ Miguel Servet, 15 (metro Lavapiés-Embajadores)
21:30 h (30 minutos de duración, aprox.)
Aportación: 3€
El intercambio:
English Unplugged
They have a facebook page: English Unplugged Spain
They meet every other Wednesday night at 8pm at La Taberna Tintorería, around Sol.
I met one of the people who helps to put it on through a friend of a friend. They pick a specific topic to talk about each time they meet to help guide the conversation, and there are people of all levels.
28/10/2013
Review exercises
Hi!
Here's a handout with review exercises that you may need to do. You can correct them yourselves with the key you can find in the document after the exercises, and ask whatever you want to ask in class.
Here's a handout with review exercises that you may need to do. You can correct them yourselves with the key you can find in the document after the exercises, and ask whatever you want to ask in class.
27/10/2013
Top ten 'English' words invented by the Spanish
http://www.thelocal.es/galleries/Culture/twisted_english
Beware of the English words invented by the Spanish...
Beware of the English words invented by the Spanish...
21/10/2013
A virtual visit to the Tate
You are going to listen to the Tate Director, Penelope Curtis, talk about the organisation of works in the gallery. Read the following sentences before you listen, and decide whether they're true or false, according to what you hear.
0. Example. Over the last three
years, the Tate has re-hung its collection to organise the works of art
according to different schools. - F (The collection has been reorganised chronologically)
1. Before the changes, the
sculpture dating from 1908 could be seen together with works from the Victorian
period.
2. The sculpture and the painting of
naked bodies have been put together because they belong to the same artist.
3. According to the Tate Director, the
Gwen John painting makes female viewers think about solitude.
4. The painting by Mona Hatoum speaks
about how politics and democracy make us free.
5. Sonia Boyce’s work deals with the policies made to favour the Church in Britain.
6. The painting by Richard Hamilton
refers to Northern Ireland street protests against the British Government.
You can check your answers in the comments below, and you can read the transcript here
Watch many other wonderful videos from the Tate here!
The Prado Museum, online and in English!
A couple of years ago, I posted this in the blog:
You can enjoy some of the Prado's masterpieces online and in English. You just have to go here, choose a work and click on "listen to the audioguide" to get the story of the painting in English. If you prefer to read, the option also exists.
Enjoy!
Ashes
Remember that you have to invent a (spoken, not written) story for the painting we saw in class, by Edvard Munch. It's called "Ashes". It was assigned as homework for Wednesday and Thursday.
For the Tuesday and Thursday group, this homework is postponed for Tuesday 29th October, since there's a state-wide call for strike to defend public education for Thursday 24th October.
16/10/2013
14/10/2013
Finding stories in paintings
You are going to listen to a talk given by the writer Tracy
Chevalier, about how she finds stories in paintings. The following sentences
with gaps have been created for you to complete them during the first 8 minutes
of the video.
You can check the answers in the comment section or see the
whole video with subtitles in English.
Hope you enjoy this interesting talk!
After 15 or 20 minutes walking in an art gallery,
Tracy Chevalier admits she suffers from _____[1]_____
Instead of paying attention to all the paintings in a
gallery, Chevalier stops at those that _____[2]_____ her like a _____[3]_____
A poster of Girl with
a pearl earring has been hanging in Chevalier’s house since she was
_____[4]_____
Some people have suggested that the girl in the painting is
_____[5]_____, 12 years old at the time of the painting
In Dutch painting of the time, painting a woman’s mouth open
indicated _____[6]_____
In Vermeer’s paintings, women ususally wore sumptuous
materials, like _____[7]_____, silk or _____[8]_____
Catharina’s clothes _____[9]_____ to Vermeer’s models
11/10/2013
More videos
Dear All,
a couple of people in the Mo.&Wed. class have asked me to post the videos we saw in class, so here they are! (The Couch surfing video is no longer online, sorry!)
Singles Cruise
Home exchange or House swap
Woofing
Road trip in a camper van
Volunteering for an NGO (watch up to 2:22)
As with the "Canoeing in Scotland" video, the idea was to provide visual material to create discussion. Think of the advantages and disadvantages of each of these experiences, and you'll see how much vocabulary is activated ;-)
a couple of people in the Mo.&Wed. class have asked me to post the videos we saw in class, so here they are! (The Couch surfing video is no longer online, sorry!)
Singles Cruise
Home exchange or House swap
Woofing
Road trip in a camper van
Volunteering for an NGO (watch up to 2:22)
As with the "Canoeing in Scotland" video, the idea was to provide visual material to create discussion. Think of the advantages and disadvantages of each of these experiences, and you'll see how much vocabulary is activated ;-)
Alice Munro Nobel Prize in Literature 2013
I'm happy to know that one of my favourite writers has just won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Here's some material for you to enjoy reading or listening to a couple of Alice Munro's stories over the weekend:
Free Radicals (audio) - The text can be found here
Some Women (audio) - Sorry I couldn't find the text online (But the collection to which the story belongs is in our library)
Enjoy!!!!
Free Radicals (audio) - The text can be found here
Some Women (audio) - Sorry I couldn't find the text online (But the collection to which the story belongs is in our library)
Enjoy!!!!
08/10/2013
Grammar Review and Key to exercises
Hi!
This is the grammar review worksheet we've done in class. The key is also included. The homework for this weekend is checking the grammar points you had problems with. If you don't have a grammar book, you can always surf the Internet to find online exercises and explanations on those points. (I think it's better to always have a grammar book at hand ;-)
This is the grammar review worksheet we've done in class. The key is also included. The homework for this weekend is checking the grammar points you had problems with. If you don't have a grammar book, you can always surf the Internet to find online exercises and explanations on those points. (I think it's better to always have a grammar book at hand ;-)
Alternative holidays
Hi there!
Here's the video we watched (but could not hear very well) yesterday in class, in case you want to see it again in the quiet of your home. (The Tu.&Thurs. group will see it today, so I guess you can wait until then ;-))
I'm sure you'll notice the Scottish accent of the guy who makes the introduction... Well, you don't have to understand everything; try to understand the main ideas.
If you want to know more about this remote part of Britain, check this other video out. You'll be longing for your next summer holiday after seeing it ;-)
Here's the video we watched (but could not hear very well) yesterday in class, in case you want to see it again in the quiet of your home. (The Tu.&Thurs. group will see it today, so I guess you can wait until then ;-))
I'm sure you'll notice the Scottish accent of the guy who makes the introduction... Well, you don't have to understand everything; try to understand the main ideas.
If you want to know more about this remote part of Britain, check this other video out. You'll be longing for your next summer holiday after seeing it ;-)
03/10/2013
Reading material for the first semester
Dear NI2,
here's the title of the novel we're going to read in the first semester: The no.1 Ladies Detective Agency, by Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith. You're supposed to read it at your own pace at home and we'll do group activities about the book in January and an individual writing activity as well. Don't wait until Christmas to start reading it!!!!
(Since the book was first published in 1998 and became very popular, you will find different editions with different covers. Don't worry as long as you buy the right title)
here's the title of the novel we're going to read in the first semester: The no.1 Ladies Detective Agency, by Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith. You're supposed to read it at your own pace at home and we'll do group activities about the book in January and an individual writing activity as well. Don't wait until Christmas to start reading it!!!! (Since the book was first published in 1998 and became very popular, you will find different editions with different covers. Don't worry as long as you buy the right title)
24/09/2013
NI2 - Welcome & New Coursebook
Dear Students,
Welcome to the new academic year! We will be starting our classes next week:
Wed. 2nd for the Mo. & Wed. group (16:30-19:00)
Thur. 3rd for the Tu. & Thur. group (19:00-21:30)
This is the coursebook we'll use in class:
Outcomes. Upper-Intermediate. Cengage (Heinle), 2010.
ISBN: 9781111034047
The answer key to the Student's Book is here. You can download the PDF and keep it in case you don't come to class one day and still want to check the answers to the exercises. But remember: don't check them before coming to class ;-)
There is a Workbook as well, but it won't be obligatory for class. The workbook can help you to learn and revise the materials we deal with in the classroom, but it's up to you to buy it or not.
Hope to see you all ready and eager to start the course next week!
Welcome to the new academic year! We will be starting our classes next week:
Wed. 2nd for the Mo. & Wed. group (16:30-19:00)
Thur. 3rd for the Tu. & Thur. group (19:00-21:30)
This is the coursebook we'll use in class:
Outcomes. Upper-Intermediate. Cengage (Heinle), 2010.
ISBN: 9781111034047
The answer key to the Student's Book is here. You can download the PDF and keep it in case you don't come to class one day and still want to check the answers to the exercises. But remember: don't check them before coming to class ;-)
There is a Workbook as well, but it won't be obligatory for class. The workbook can help you to learn and revise the materials we deal with in the classroom, but it's up to you to buy it or not.
Hope to see you all ready and eager to start the course next week!
28/05/2013
26/05/2013
Online Revision for NI2
Dear NI2,
let me remind you that the book we've used in class offers you online resources to help you revise. Here's the link for you to double-click ;-)
let me remind you that the book we've used in class offers you online resources to help you revise. Here's the link for you to double-click ;-)
24/05/2013
23/05/2013
Kindness meter
Dear NI2,
this is the object I told you about in class yesterday, whose exact name I couldn't remember. It's called "kindness meter" (not "charity meter").
You can find the definition from Wikimedia here
this is the object I told you about in class yesterday, whose exact name I couldn't remember. It's called "kindness meter" (not "charity meter").
22/05/2013
18/05/2013
Funny Talking Animals
You may not understand everything, but I thought it was funny anyway... And you can also think of the names of the animals that appear in the video for revision...
Happy Saturday!
16/05/2013
Writing Models
08/05/2013
Spelling and numbers
I've noticed you sometimes have problems spelling names quickly and saying numbers. So here's an exercise I propose: in the list below, you'll find the names of people who were important for Education at some point in history. Some of them, unfortunately, did not approve the education of women. You may want to reasearch a bit and learn something about these landmark names.
Anyway, the task is: Spell their lastnames and say the dates of birth and death. For example: "Aristotle, which is spelled a-r-i-s-t-o-t-l-e, was born in three hundred and eighty-four and died in three hundred and twenty-two before the Christian era"
Of course you don't have to write anything; this is supposed to be an oral exercise.;-)
Hypatia (350–370 B.C.E.)
Aristotle (384 - 322 B.C.E.)
Plato (428 - 347 B.C.E.)
Socrates (470 - 399 B.C.E.)
Antonio de Nebrija (1441-1522)
Martin Luther (1483 -1546)
John Amos Comenius (1592 - 1670 )
John Locke (1632-1704)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 - 1778)
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797)
Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852)
John Dewey (1859 - 1952)
Maria Montessori (1870 - 1952 )
Virginia Woolf (1882 – 1941)
Friedl Dicker-Brandeis (1898 - 1944)
Eduardo Frei Montalvo (1911 - 1982)
Sakena Yacoobi (couldn't find her year of birth; she's alive)
* B.C.E. = Before the Christian Era
Dalí in English
Morning!
My colleague Míchel posted this video on his blog, and I found it so funny that I had to share it, too ;-)
My colleague Míchel posted this video on his blog, and I found it so funny that I had to share it, too ;-)
07/05/2013
NI2 - Listening Comprehension
Dear NI2,
here's the link to the programme we listened to yesterday in class. Listen again if necessary and read the transcript if you like. As I told you, there are loads of programmes with transcripts on the NPR, so make good use of them!
here's the link to the programme we listened to yesterday in class. Listen again if necessary and read the transcript if you like. As I told you, there are loads of programmes with transcripts on the NPR, so make good use of them!
29/04/2013
Tattoo Torment
Dear NI2,
here's the audio file we listened to last week, in case you want to listen to it again or you didn't come to class and want to do the exercise. Ask me for the handout in class ;-)
here's the audio file we listened to last week, in case you want to listen to it again or you didn't come to class and want to do the exercise. Ask me for the handout in class ;-)
Psycho
Dear NB2,
I'm sorry I forgot to post the Psycho trailer we watched in class on Thursday. Here it is in case you want to see it again. Remember that you were supposed to describe the house and its decoration (for revision of vocabulary related to houses), and the type of family that could live in such a house (how many members does it have, what do they do, how do they get on, etc.). I don't mind if you write it, but the most important thing is that you can do the description orally, without reading.
I'm sorry I forgot to post the Psycho trailer we watched in class on Thursday. Here it is in case you want to see it again. Remember that you were supposed to describe the house and its decoration (for revision of vocabulary related to houses), and the type of family that could live in such a house (how many members does it have, what do they do, how do they get on, etc.). I don't mind if you write it, but the most important thing is that you can do the description orally, without reading.
23/04/2013
Book Day
Happy Book Day to everyone!"When I read a book I seem to read it with my eyes only, but now and then I come across a passage, perhaps only a phrase, which has a meaning for me, and it becomes part of me."
(W. Shakespeare)
Are you a bookworm?
Treble Clef
In case Irene (NI2) wants to have her tattoo made in an English-speaking country, "Treble Clef" is what she'd have to say for "Clave de Sol" ;-)(Image by Chema Madoz)
19/04/2013
Exams and Education
Dear All,
here's a video I "stole" from a friend's blog which I found very pertinent to publish, since we had a debate (NB2) on the topic not long ago. You can play it with subtitles in English.
I put the post under "Music", but in fact the performance's a type of poetry called "Spoken Word".
Hope you like it! Have a nice weekend!
here's a video I "stole" from a friend's blog which I found very pertinent to publish, since we had a debate (NB2) on the topic not long ago. You can play it with subtitles in English.
I put the post under "Music", but in fact the performance's a type of poetry called "Spoken Word".
Hope you like it! Have a nice weekend!
Hungry Planet
Dear NB2,
here are the images I told you about yesterday:
here are the images I told you about yesterday:
Some
years ago, the photographer Peter Menzel decided
to travel around the world and take photographs of 30 families from 24
countries. The idea was to photograph the families, and the food they would eat
that week, as well as taking note of the money each family would spend.
The book Menzel published is called Hungry Planet. I’d like you to pay attention to the differences between the families and the food they eat. Try to enumerate / describe what you see; stop the video with each of the slides. At the same time that you revise vocabulary, you’ll become aware of tremendous social differences.
The book Menzel published is called Hungry Planet. I’d like you to pay attention to the differences between the families and the food they eat. Try to enumerate / describe what you see; stop the video with each of the slides. At the same time that you revise vocabulary, you’ll become aware of tremendous social differences.
17/04/2013
Third type conditionals
Dear NI2,
here's a very timely example of the third type conditional, which we have recently studied:
here's a very timely example of the third type conditional, which we have recently studied:
I don't need to tell you who the possessive "her" refers to, do I?
Going to the movies
Seen on Twitter:
Kinépolis Madrid. Precio día del espectador en películas V.O. para alumnos y profesores de las EOIs presentando el carnet de lunes a domingo
— ctrueba (@ctrueba) 16 de abril de 2013
16/04/2013
Weak form of "have"
So that you practise the weak pronunciation of "have" in these modal forms: Should've been, Could've been... with Moloko
11/04/2013
NI2 - Arguments
Dear NI2,
here's the audio file for exercise 4 on page 58. As I told you, listen once and tick the tips the psychologist mentioned. The second time you listen, complete the gaps in sentences 1-8. The key will be in the comment section tomorrow.
Have a nice weekend!
here's the audio file for exercise 4 on page 58. As I told you, listen once and tick the tips the psychologist mentioned. The second time you listen, complete the gaps in sentences 1-8. The key will be in the comment section tomorrow.
Have a nice weekend!
10/04/2013
Learn English while on holiday
Hi everybody!
I'm posting this as a suggestion from one of my last year students. Francisco (now in NA2, Mo&Wed 19:00 - Room 7, in case you want to talk to him) has already had the holiday-practising English experience that you can find in this link. You may find it interesting as well.
Actually, I'm thinking of going to that part of Britain next summer ;-)
I'm posting this as a suggestion from one of my last year students. Francisco (now in NA2, Mo&Wed 19:00 - Room 7, in case you want to talk to him) has already had the holiday-practising English experience that you can find in this link. You may find it interesting as well.
Actually, I'm thinking of going to that part of Britain next summer ;-)
Extr@
Dear NB2,
here's the first episode of a youtube series for English learners that you may want to follow. It might be a bit easy for you, but you can watch it without reading the subtitles ;-)
Thanks for the recommendation, Mirko!
here's the first episode of a youtube series for English learners that you may want to follow. It might be a bit easy for you, but you can watch it without reading the subtitles ;-)
Thanks for the recommendation, Mirko!
05/04/2013
NB2 - One Week Job
Dear NB2,
here's the video we saw yesterday in class, so that you can listen to it again in the comfort of your home ;-)
I know it is difficult, but the questions I gave you were the easiest ones I could make. Don't despair...
here's the video we saw yesterday in class, so that you can listen to it again in the comfort of your home ;-)
I know it is difficult, but the questions I gave you were the easiest ones I could make. Don't despair...
04/04/2013
Going to the Movies
“UPSIDE
DOWN” (UN AMOR ENTRE DOS MUNDOS) RELEASE ON FRIDAY, 5TH APRIL, IN ORIGINAL
VERSION WITHOUT SUBTITLES. EXCLUSIVELY AT CINES VERDI MADRID.
Next
Friday 5th April we will release the Canadian film Upside Down directed by Juan
Solanas and starring Kirsten Dunst and Jim Sturges. The film will be release IN
ENGLISH at Cines Verdi Madrid. “Upside
Down” will be screened in English without subtitles.The story happens in two opposite planets that are one on top of the other, these worlds have opposite gravities that alter the usual order of things. The fantastic frame, the unique setting and the audacious visual has made difficult to insert subtitles the usual way.Written and directed by filmmaker Juan Solanas (“Nordeste”) and set in twinned worlds with opposite gravities, the film puts an eye-popping, original twist on the classic tale of forbidden love.
A long time ago, two planets came so close to each other that they are almost touching. Instead of the skyline all its inhabitants see the terrain of another planet. Each planet has its own gravity laws and natural conditions. These parallel universes connect but this proximity and the two gravities involve a lot of complexity.
Adam (British actor Jim Sturgess, “Across the Universe” and “The Way Back”) is a seemingly ordinary guy in a very extraordinary universe. He lives humbly trying to make ends meet, but his romantic spirit holds on to the memory of a girl he loved once upon a time from another world, an inverted affluent world with its own gravity, directly above but beyond reach... a girl named Eden ((Kirsten Dunst, 'Spider-Man' y 'Melancolía'). Their childhood flirtation becomes an impossible love. But when he catches a glimpse of grownup Eden on television, nothing will stop him to get her back. In a desperate attempt to find her, he quickly sets about infiltrating the upper-world. And so, begins a quest fraught with dangers and challenges.
“Upside Down” is a visually stunning romantic adventure that asks the question: What if love was stronger than gravity?
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY
“This
is a fairy tale, so love cannot die(...)Upside Down's spectacular
gravity-defying Inception-style trickery will come into play. Prepare
yourself for something special”. -Stuart Heritage, The Guardian -
“The
look of the film is great, particularly when we get to situations where the two
worlds try to coexist. (...) It's a wonderful visual shock — seeing two planes
of action, with people walking upside down across the screen while other people
cross it "normally." -
Stephen Whitty, New Jersey On-line -
”The
sci-fi love story “Upside Down” features a Romeo and Juliet separated not by a
family feud, but by gravity.There are some really pretty special effects, too,
such as rain that falls up and the cinematography, which renders everything in a
cool, blue pallor, is simply gorgeous”.
- Michael O'Sullivan, The Washigton Post -
UPSIDE DOWN (UN AMOR ENTRE DOS MUNDOS) HD
ORIGINAL VERSION IN ENGLISH WITHOUT
SUBTITLES
16:00 H 18:05 H 20:15 H 22:25 H
CINES VERDI MADRID
Bravo Murillo 28,
28015
Madrid
(Metros Canal y Quevedo)
22/03/2013
London Markets
Dear NI2,
here's the audio file with which you can do a listening comprehension exercise. The gaps to fill are in a photocopy I gave you in class (the one with the cloze text called "Taking Risks" on one side). You can find the key in the comments and the transcript here.
Have a great holiday!
here's the audio file with which you can do a listening comprehension exercise. The gaps to fill are in a photocopy I gave you in class (the one with the cloze text called "Taking Risks" on one side). You can find the key in the comments and the transcript here.Have a great holiday!
13/03/2013
What inspires you?
Dear All,
here's the video we saw yesterday in the NB2 class, in case you want to listen to it again.
The sentences below are for NI2. The answers are in the comment section.
Complete the sentences:
1. When Ken was a child, everybody thought he was going to be a ____________ (2 words).
2. When he got polio, his father immediately saw he had other ____________.
3. When Ken was nine, his father had an accident, he ____________ (3 words).
4. Ken's father behaved as the _______________ (2 words) of the family.
5. Ken describes his father as a funny, __________, independent, _____________, man.
6. Ken devotes his life to education because his father _____________ him __________ into it.
7. Ken's father taught him it was important to __________________ (3 words) to be yourself.
8. He wasn't just Ken's dad, he was an _______________ to him.
I asked NB2 to write a short piece titled "Who or what inspired you?" for next Tuesday. You can follow these points to organize your text (80-100 words):
1. What did you want to be when you were a child?
2. Did anybody encourage you to do/study something in particular?
3. What was that person like?
4. Did you change your opinion about what you wanted to be at some point?
5. What happened in the end? Did you become the person you thought you were going to be?
here's the video we saw yesterday in the NB2 class, in case you want to listen to it again.
The sentences below are for NI2. The answers are in the comment section.
Complete the sentences:
1. When Ken was a child, everybody thought he was going to be a ____________ (2 words).
2. When he got polio, his father immediately saw he had other ____________.
3. When Ken was nine, his father had an accident, he ____________ (3 words).
4. Ken's father behaved as the _______________ (2 words) of the family.
5. Ken describes his father as a funny, __________, independent, _____________, man.
6. Ken devotes his life to education because his father _____________ him __________ into it.
7. Ken's father taught him it was important to __________________ (3 words) to be yourself.
8. He wasn't just Ken's dad, he was an _______________ to him.
I asked NB2 to write a short piece titled "Who or what inspired you?" for next Tuesday. You can follow these points to organize your text (80-100 words):
1. What did you want to be when you were a child?
2. Did anybody encourage you to do/study something in particular?
3. What was that person like?
4. Did you change your opinion about what you wanted to be at some point?
5. What happened in the end? Did you become the person you thought you were going to be?
08/03/2013
NB2 - Education in Finland
Dear NB2,
here's the video and questions I told you I would post for you.
First, read the sentences below.
Then, listen to the video twice and complete the sentences.
After listening, check your answers in the comment section below.
Finally, if you still need to listen to the video more times, do so until you identify the missing information.
1. Between the administrators and teachers, there is a relationship of __________.
2. In Finland, every teacher has to have a __________ degree.
3. In this country teachers are __________, valued.
4. Teachers work __________ hours in the classroom.
5 & 6. In the Finnish system, the important subjects are not only Math and Literacy, but also __________, art and __________ are integrated.
7. The important thing is not winning an argument, but __________solving.
8. The system makes sure teachers __________ what they need to accomplish their task of educating.
here's the video and questions I told you I would post for you.
First, read the sentences below.
Then, listen to the video twice and complete the sentences.
After listening, check your answers in the comment section below.
Finally, if you still need to listen to the video more times, do so until you identify the missing information.
1. Between the administrators and teachers, there is a relationship of __________.
2. In Finland, every teacher has to have a __________ degree.
3. In this country teachers are __________, valued.
4. Teachers work __________ hours in the classroom.
5 & 6. In the Finnish system, the important subjects are not only Math and Literacy, but also __________, art and __________ are integrated.
7. The important thing is not winning an argument, but __________solving.
8. The system makes sure teachers __________ what they need to accomplish their task of educating.
07/03/2013
NI2 - Listening practice
Hi there!
Here's the audio file for the homework I asked you to do yesterday. Once you've read the text titled "Japan's children play safe", listen to the interview and fill in the gaps (p. 47 of your book).
You can check the answers in the comment section below.
Here's the audio file for the homework I asked you to do yesterday. Once you've read the text titled "Japan's children play safe", listen to the interview and fill in the gaps (p. 47 of your book).
You can check the answers in the comment section below.
01/03/2013
Listening Practice
Dear All,
some of you asked me to make it easier for you to access good links to listening comprehension exercises.
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/listen-and-watch (With all types of listening exercises)
http://www.ted.com/ (Great videos with the possibility of playing subtitles)
http://elllo.org/ (Different accents and types of exercises)
I'm writing this post for both NB2 and NI2, since it's best to go to the different pages and try different exercises until you feel comfortable doing them.
some of you asked me to make it easier for you to access good links to listening comprehension exercises.
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/listen-and-watch (With all types of listening exercises)
http://www.ted.com/ (Great videos with the possibility of playing subtitles)
http://elllo.org/ (Different accents and types of exercises)
I'm writing this post for both NB2 and NI2, since it's best to go to the different pages and try different exercises until you feel comfortable doing them.
NI2 - Housing facilities at the university
And here's another exercise, a bit more challenging for the brave at heart ;-)
NI2 - Are tests important?
Hi NI2s!
Here's some listening comprehension practice. In this link you'll hear several people talking about the importance of tests. Choose the "Audio Slide Show" tag and answer the questions in the "Vocabulary check" and "Comprehension check" (to the right).
Here's some listening comprehension practice. In this link you'll hear several people talking about the importance of tests. Choose the "Audio Slide Show" tag and answer the questions in the "Vocabulary check" and "Comprehension check" (to the right).
NB2 - What makes a good date?
Hi NB2s!
Here's some multiple choice listening practice: just go to this link and listen twice (more times if necessary), to answer the questions. You can check the answers on that page, too.
Here's some multiple choice listening practice: just go to this link and listen twice (more times if necessary), to answer the questions. You can check the answers on that page, too.
27/02/2013
50 difficult words to pronounce
18/02/2013
Phrasal Verbs
Here's a recommendation Isabel sent me for the blog: a booklet of phrasal verbs you can get in this link.
Thanks, Isabel!
14/02/2013
The Three Rs
We've been dealing with the topic of the environment (NI2), so here's the song I told you about in class yesterday.
Jack Johnson: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - 3 R Song from Team Explore on Vimeo.
Can you write little tips in the comments on how to reduce, reuse, or recycle?
Jack Johnson: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - 3 R Song from Team Explore on Vimeo.
Can you write little tips in the comments on how to reduce, reuse, or recycle?
09/02/2013
Sounds conveying meaning
Go to this Bristish Council page and do the exercise on sounds. It's interesting!
04/02/2013
Spain in the International Press
Not something to be proud of, unfortunately...
You can read this article from The New York Times
You can read this article from The New York Times
29/01/2013
Irregular Verb Rap
Some teachers are good at rapping; others - myself included - would not even try it... ;-)
25/01/2013
Speaking Practice
Dear NI2, here's the link to four cards on some of the topics we've studied in class so far. Choose one and get ready for a mini presentation (3-4 minutes) you'll have to do next Wednesday. Work on the vocabulary (of course, pronunciation included), the grammatical constructions, the structure of your text, the linkers you will use to connect the different parts of your presentation.
And have a wonderful long weekend!
Sharing housework
Dear NB2,
here's the video we saw yesterday in class, in case you want to listen to it again. Do you agree that if the couple shares the housework, the risk of divorce is higher? You can write your reactions in the comments.
Have a nice weekend!
here's the video we saw yesterday in class, in case you want to listen to it again. Do you agree that if the couple shares the housework, the risk of divorce is higher? You can write your reactions in the comments.
Have a nice weekend!
18/01/2013
Comparative adjectives
Another silly song... ;-) This one to practise comparatives. Fill in the gaps with the missing words, which are comparatives and one irregular superlative. You'll learn an idiom, too: "What doesn't kill you, makes you_________"
You know the bed feels _________
Sleeping here alone
You know I dream in colour
And do the things I want
You think you got ____ ________ of me
You think you had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I'd come running back
Baby you don't know me, cause you're dead wrong
Chorus
What doesn't kill you makes you ___________
Stand a little ___________
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes you a fighter
Footsteps even _________
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone
What doesn't kill you makes you __________, ___________
Just me, myself and I
(Repeat)
You heard that I was starting over with someone new
They told you I was moving on, and over you
You didn't think that I'd come back
I'd come back swinging
You try to break me but you'll see
Chorus
What doesn't kill you makes you ___________
Stand a little _________
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes you a fighter
Footsteps even _________
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone
What doesn't kill you makes you _________, _________
Just me, myself and I
(Repeat)
Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I'm not the broken hearted
Thanks to you I'm finally thinking 'bout me
You know in the end the day you left was just my beginning
In the end...
Chorus
What doesn't kill you makes you _________
Sleeping here alone
You know I dream in colour
And do the things I want
You think you got ____ ________ of me
You think you had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I'd come running back
Baby you don't know me, cause you're dead wrong
Chorus
What doesn't kill you makes you ___________
Stand a little ___________
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes you a fighter
Footsteps even _________
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone
What doesn't kill you makes you __________, ___________
Just me, myself and I
(Repeat)
You heard that I was starting over with someone new
They told you I was moving on, and over you
You didn't think that I'd come back
I'd come back swinging
You try to break me but you'll see
Chorus
What doesn't kill you makes you ___________
Stand a little _________
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes you a fighter
Footsteps even _________
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone
What doesn't kill you makes you _________, _________
Just me, myself and I
(Repeat)
Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I'm not the broken hearted
Thanks to you I'm finally thinking 'bout me
You know in the end the day you left was just my beginning
In the end...
Chorus
What doesn't kill you makes you _________
Stand a little _________
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes you a fighter
Footsteps even _________
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone
What doesn't kill you makes you _________, _________
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you _________
Stand a little _________
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes you a fighter
Footsteps even _________
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone
What doesn't kill you makes you _________, _________
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you _________
Stand a little _________
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
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