Listening Comprehension

Spring is coming in my terrace

Dear All,
I may have said it only in one of my groups, but this homework was intended for both groups. So here's the task: 
- Page 52 of your book: Do the vocabulary exercises A and B
- Page 53, Exercise A (7.2 Listening): Read the statements and match them to the texts you hear. There is one you will not need. (Exam-like)

Text 1 
Text 2
Text 3
Text 4
Text 5

And have a nice sunny weekend! 

The Weather - Vocabulary

Since we're starting with a unit about the weather and nature, here's some vocabulary you have to study. Do the exercises and correct them checking the comments below.

Man on Wire

Hi there!

This Friday we're going to show a thrilling documentary called Man on Wire. Click on the poster to see all the info.

If you want to read a review you can find one here.

Theatre Going

If you're interested in going to the theatre in English on Friday 28th March, just bring 8 euros to class before Thursday 6th March.

All the info is on the poster (click to enlarge)

If you want to read the text before you see the play, you can find it here. It's very poetic and the show is a mixture of words and music. Even if you don't understand everything, I think it can be a beautiful experience for your ears. Let yourself get carried away by the sounds of English ;-)

Culture Shock

Hi!

The Tu. & Thurs. group couldn't listen to this programme about culture shock. Read the questions on page 47 and make notes to answer them. 
When you are done with the listening, think about a time when you experienced culture shock, and prepare a mini presentation where you describe what happened and the stages you went through. 
Next week, you'll do your presentations to each other or to the class.

Have a nice weekend!

Personality Adjectives

Hi everybody!
In yesterday's class we looked at the structure and characteristics of a personal statement. One of the things you have to do in such a text is "sell yourself". So here's a list of personality adjectives, which is meant to help you choose those you could use to describe yourself. You don't have to learn all of them, of course!

Modifiers and adjectives

A couple of links to practice a bit more with gradable and non-gradable adjectives:
1) exercise
2) explanation

Getting ready for oral exams - Interaction

Dear All,

"Conversation", by Jason Schultz

here's the first part of the strategies you could use to prepare for oral exams. For any topic we deal with in class, or for any topic of the possible ones included in the curriculum for your level, you should try to imagine situations where you have to speak about the topic.

Step 1 - brainstorm vocabulary about the topic (make sure you don't use the same vocab. you could have used two years ago).
Step 2 - brainstorm questions and answers you could make / give in that situation. Make sure that you can orally phrase questions with all their elements and in the correct order. Here's the example I showed you in class.
Step 3 - make sure you know appropriate structures to fulfil different functions (suggesting, comparing, giving opinions, reacting to suggestions, agreeing with people, disagreeing, describing, expressing lack of understanding, asking for clarifications, etc.)
Step 4 - meet a classmate (or find somebody at home or among your friends) you can practise with. Set a time limit between 4-5 minutes to rehearse this interaction task. Record the conversation.
Step 5 - listen to your recording and be your own examiner. Pay attention to the grammar (verb tenses, concord, lack of subjects, etc), vocabulary, functional phrases you used, pronunciation, whether you interrupted your partner, whether you followed up on your partner's questions / statements.

Give this a go and let me know how you feel about it. 

Job or Work?

I keep posting this entry with an exercise to differentiate between "job" and "work"... 
Check it out here

June and September exams

Dear NI2,

I've just received the dates for the written parts of the June and September exams:

2 June 2014, at 15:45

11 Septemeber 2014, at 15:45

We still have to do the complete calendar with the dates for the oral part. I'll keep you informed.