If, if, between

That's all Folks!

2009-09-20T17:06:00.009+02:00

Hi folks!!
I guess that was it. September exams are over and you already know your results. I would like to congratulate all those of you who passed them and are going on to NA1. Make the most of it and keep working hard on your English! (Geez, I keep repeating myself...).
As for those of you who did not pass, I am truly sorry, but I am sure you will do better next time. You will have brand new teachers for NI2, so it will be a different and, I am sure, enriching experience.

In case you are wondering, this blog will still be available for anyone who needs to get back to it, but I will not be updating it. I will nevertheless open two new blogs for the groups I will be teaching this year in Águilas, NB2 and NI1, in case someone should be interested.

Finally, and as I said last June, it has been a great pleasure teaching all of you and I will not forget the past year!! I learned a great deal with you too.
Take care and maybe I will see you around.

Like Porky Pig used to say: That's all folks!

P.S. I'm providing you here with one final link that I think can be of great interest to you. Check it out: More than English
And if you like playing Trivial, you can test what you know about the past decade with Bring on the 90s Trivial Pursuit. Enjoy!

Patrick Swayze has passed away

2009-09-16T12:50:00.003+02:00

Hi there again dear students!!
How are you doing? I hope you're all keeping well! I don't know if you already had your September exam revision (those who failed one or more skills in June). If you did, let me know about your results!
As for me, I'll be tomorrow at the school for a meeting since I started working at the EOI in Águilas on Monday. That means I will no longer be your teacher, which is just too bad since I really enjoyed teaching you, but I'm sure you'll have a great teacher whoever she or he is!!

Anyway, the real reason I'm posting this is to pay a small tribute to actor Patrick Swayze. I am sure that by now you've all already heard about his death. I felt truly sad to hear he's passed away. I have really fond memories of him mainly because of his blockbuster films Dirty Dancing and Ghost. I mean, who hasn't seen and enjoyed them??
He will be terribly missed. Defined by many as a heartthrob, he was also an accomplished dancer and a great person.
I'm posting here a video from the BBC dating from September 2006 in which he talks about the influence Dirty Dancing had upon his life and career, among other things.
When you're through watching the video, can you answer the following question:
What is the Hundred Plus Club?

Enjoy!!

Listening Practice with Keira Knightley and David Letterman

2009-09-04T20:06:00.003+02:00

Hi there folks!
How's everything going? Did you have a nice and relaxing summer (whether you had to work or not)? I hope so!
Now, unfortunately some of you need to retake one or several tests early next week so, in order to help those of you who failed the listening part, here's a video with actress Keira Knightley when she visited the David Letterman Show some years ago. I don't know if you've ever heard of this TV host, but I've been recently watching some of his shows and I quite enjoy them. I have chosen this extract with a British guest so that you can compare their different accents.
Below are some questions for you to answer (they cover up to min. 4:55, but do watch the whole clip if you like it!).
I'll post the keys this weekend as usual, but if someone wants to go ahead and do it, feel free to do so!
Enjoy!!

Oh, before I forget, congratulations Paco for your gorgeous newborn, Adrián!!

1. When is King Arthur, Keira Knightley's new film, opening?

2. What did she ask for when she was 3?

3. What did she use to do after memorizing books when she was a child?

4. What are her parents still waiting for?

5. Before auditioning for The Jacket in London what happened to her?

6. What genre is The Jacket?

New English File Intermediate Plus Site and More

2009-08-11T12:34:00.002+02:00

Hello again!!
I have just discovered that Oxford has finally started a website with the contents of your book, the New English File Intermediate Plus, so you might want to give it a try to practise or test your knowledge about grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, etc. Don't forget to visit it!!

I also wanted to let you know about the textbooks that you will be using next year at the school and that the teachers in the English department decided on. Click here to visit the school site and scroll it down until you see LIBROS DE TEXTO - CURSO 2009/10.

That's all for now. Take care and enjoy the new site!!!

Up!

2009-08-06T14:00:00.014+02:00

Hi there folks!
Yesterday I watched the latest Pixar's film Up and liked it so much that I decided to post here a video with the original trailer together with a short listening activity for you.
Some of you may have already seen the film, but those of you who haven't should really go see it. It's the best animated film I have seen in a looonnngg time. I can assure you. It is really sweet, funny, and it gives you food for thought too. So, what are you waiting for?

If anyone out there reading this wants to leave their opinions or feelings on the film, you are more than welcome to do so using the comments section ;)

Enjoy!!

R stands for Russell (the eight-year-old boy).
CF stands for Carl Fredriksen (the old balloon salesman).
N stands for narrator.
D stands for Dug (the dog).

Complete the lines below with the words you hear:

R- Good afternoon. Are you in need _______ today, sir? (3 words)

CF- No.

R- I could… help you _______. (3 words)

CF- No.

R: I could…help you _______. (3 words)

CF- No.

-----

N- All his life Carl Fredriksen dreamed of adventure. Today his adventure is finally _______. (2 words)

-----

R- Hey, look! A dog!

D- Hi there! My name is Dug. My master made me this collar so that I ________.

(2 words)

-----

R- This is my _________ explorer GPS. We’ll never be lost! (1 word)

In a few days you will find the keys to the activity in the comments section.

The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town America

2009-08-02T13:00:00.019+02:00

Hi again!!!
What about some nice summer reading? Do you remember about an American author I told you about: Bill Bryson? Chances are you don't, so just to refresh your memory I'm posting here a short excerpt of the book I read entitled The Lost Continent: Travels in Small-Town America. I also thought I could put your reading comprehension skills to the test with a couple of activities about this funny passage (at least I found it funny). But before reading it, here's a bit about the man himself and the book:

Bill Bryson is a best-selling American author of humorous books on travel, as well as books on the English language and on scientific subjects. He's long lived in England where he settled with his British family.I had been told about Bryson's books while in England, and I was eventually lured to this particular book by the fact that it was about small-town America, so not your typical idea of the new continent that is all about huge cosmopolitan cities. From the very beginning, I also noticed his witty, sarcastic tone, which I actually found captivating and hilarious. What I also loved about his writing was his ability to offer a (sometimes extremely) critical view of the current American society.
The Lost Continent was first published in 1989, and it is Bryson's chronicle about his return to the land of his youth after 10 years living in Great Britain. He drove around 38 of the lower states to find he had become a stranger in his own land.

In the passage you're about to read, he is sitting in a dark bar in a small town somewhere in the state of Illinois when he strikes up a conversation with the waitress that appeared to be in her sixties.

She told me in great and frank detail about her life, which seemed to have involved a long succession of marriages to guys who were now in prison or dead as a result of shoot-outs, and said things like: "Now Jimmy kilt* his mother, I never did know why, but Curtis never kilt nobody except once by accident when he was robbing a gas station and his gun went off. And Floyd -he was my fourth husband- he never kilt nobody either, but he used to break people's arms if they got him riled."
"You must have some interesting family reunions" - I ventured politely.
"I don't know what ever became of Floyd", she went on. "He had a little cleft in his chin rot year - after a moment I realized that rot year was downstate Illinois for right here- "that made him look kind of like Kirk Douglas. He was real cute, but he had a temper on him. I got a two-foot scar right across my back where he cut me with the ice-pick. You wanna see it?" She started to hoist up her blouse, but I stopped her. She went on and on like that for ages. Every once in a while the guy in the corner, who was clearly eavesdropping would grin, showing large yellow teeth. I expect Floyd had torn his leg off in a moment of high spirits. At the end of our conversation the barmaid gave me a sideways look, as if I had been trying to fool her, and said, "Say, where do you come from anyway, honey?"
I didn't feel like giving her my whole life story, so I just said "Great Britain".
"Well, I'll tell you one thing, honey", she said, "for a foreigner you speak English real good".

(I've adapted the text slightly so that it's more understandable.)

Reading Comprehension Exercises:
1- What do you think the waitress meant by kilt? Why do you think Bryson spells it that way?
2- Find words in the text that suit the definitions below. Careful, they're not in order:
1. (v) Listen to someone else's conversation without them knowing.
2. (v) Guess.
3. (v) Annoy; irritate.
4. (adj) From the side; obliquely.
5. (here adj.) The chiefly rural part of a state when the major metropolitan area is to the north.

3- Would you say the waitress has a standard American English? Why (not)? What examples can you provide to justify your answer?

Finally, if you want to comment on this piece of reading, whether you're one of my students or not, please feel free to do so!! In a few days I'll post the answers to the proposed activities.

I hope you liked it!

Some News for You

2009-08-02T12:51:00.004+02:00

Hello everyone!!

How's your weekend going so far? Doing anything out of the ordinary?
I'm posting this to let you know that I won't be at the school in September. Unfortunately, my contract hasn't been renewed for next year, so it ends on 31st August. This basically means two things: 1) I cannot make it to your exams and 2) I'll be unemployed starting 1st September (not for long, I should hope!!).
There's nothing for you to worry about, though! Most of my fellow teachers will be there. I've asked them to take good care of you and they will, so all you have to do is practise your English (I know some of you are or have been abroad this summer, so I'm positive you're following my advice) and just relax. I really wish I could be there, but it just doesn't depend on me, as you can imagine.
As for next year, there is a whole bunch of new teachers to be working at the school and I'm sure that they'll do their best!
That's all for now, but... don't go too far... there are more things to come!!

September Dates and More

2009-07-25T11:51:00.005+02:00

Hi folks!!
How's everything going? Everything OK, I should hope. Life's treating me well, I can't complain, and I finally found the time to post your September dates. You can see them all on the left-hand side. Remember to be in the classroom/s (this will be duly announced in the school) at 16:15 if you have to take the reading test. If you don't, you may be there some minutes before the time of your test. For instance, if it's the listening part you're taking, you should be there at about 17:45. If you choose to wait right outside the classroom, please be as silent as possible, so that you don't disturb your classmates.
As for those students who only need to take or retake the Speaking part, you must go to the classroom where the written exams are taking place at 16:15 so that you can sign up for a time and date with a partner.
I still don't know if I'll be there in September, but as I said, I'll let you know when I do.

Exams aside, I've added some new things to the blog, such as a link to the EOI Coruña Self-learning blog that you can visit by clicking on the link from My Blog List.
I'm also displaying now a Search this blog! box where you can easily enter keywords to look for posts on the blog. I think it can be pretty useful.
However, remember, if you need assistance with something, you can always e-mail me.

That's all for now. I hope you're either enjoying your holidays to the fullest, or making the most of your time off from work!!

Take care!! :)

A Love Story

2009-07-20T21:14:00.006+02:00

Hello there everyone!!

Long time no hear!! How are you doing? I hope you are all practising your English, whether you did well in June or not!
As for me, I'm nearing the end of my northern Spain holidays and plan on posting some new thingies this week together with the September dates for your exams, (so that I don't forget how the blog works...lol), but in the meantime I've found this surprising piece of news online and think you should read it too!!
Check it out!

Happy Ending for Steve Smith and Carmen Ruiz Pérez
after Letter is Found

Times Online

Have a Great Summer!!

2009-06-24T11:28:00.007+02:00

Hello there!!

Exams and revisions are over now. The year has gone by pretty fast, hasn't it? I just wanted to wish you a happy summer and great holidays (for those lucky enough to have them)!!
It's been a pleasure teaching all of you and I'll never forget you've been my first EOI students (together with my cheeky NB2's, :P; great people too!!). Thanks for being good students, coming to class and I hope you learned as much English as possible and had fun at the same time!! I really did!! I enjoyed teaching this level a lot.
I'd also like to congratulate those aptos in June, but I especially want to encourage those no aptos in whatever skill not to be let down by it!! Practise your English this summer as much as you possibly can and be optimistic for your September test/s!! Please!! That's the key to success!! As soon as I know if I'll be there in September, I'll let you know. But, even if I'm not there, there's no reason to worry!!
Besides, don't forget what I told you about finding the things you need on this blog. Below the pic of Berto, you can find Labels where you can easily look for listening practice or anything else that you need. If you still don't find what you're looking for, just e-mail me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. I'll be travelling most of the summer - northern Spain, Portugal and Italy!! Possibly England too... lol, I'm really looking forward to it!- but, I'll check my e-mail and answer any question you might have.

So, again, enjoy your summer, don't spend too much time sunbathing, take your English podcasts with you to the beach (everyone!) and be happy!!

P.S. Oh, I'd also like to thank my NI2-B students for treating me to dinner. That was really nice of you!! Thankssss!!!

Your Favourite Song

2009-06-18T21:58:00.007+02:00

Hello there everyone again! :)
I'm still grading your final exams and I thought that, while you wait (impatiently, I can only imagine...) for the results, you may want to comment on your favourite song (in English, if possible!). I actually saw this post on Randall's blog and found it so interesting that I wanted to post it for you.
Here's how it goes. Think about your favourite song (or one from your own "top ten") and share it with us. Don't forget to say what makes it so special for you, if it brings back any cherished memories, what the lyrics mean to you... well, just about anything that you want to let us know about it!

As for me, this would actually be quite tough, since I'm such a music lover that choosing only one might take me years at best. Besides, some of the ones I like the most are not in English, but I guess it would be one by Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, U2, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Neil Finn or the like.

I expect your comments and I'll be more than happy to learn about new songs and artists!! So, go right ahead!!

Classroom 1 for your Speaking Tests

2009-06-11T10:33:00.005+02:00

Hello there folks!
Remember that your speaking tests today and tomorrow will be held in classroom 1. It's cooler than ours and hopefully we won't be as hot as these last days.
For those tests on Monday I still don't know what classroom will be free, since it's Selectividad already, but don't worry, I'll keep you posted!!

Good luck and relax!!

NI2 Lexical Contents (A.K.A. Topics)

2009-06-10T13:30:00.006+02:00

Hi there!
If you want to check the curriculum for NI2, which was available throughout the year at the school for you to make copies and also on the school website, you can download the whole syllabus (programación) for all levels by clicking here.
Once you've downloaded it, you need to go to pages 124-172 for NI2 and the whole list of lexical contents is on pages 127-131.
You already know that the list of 14 topics - the same list for all levels with varying degrees of difficulty, obviously- is not only for your speaking test, but also for the rest of the skills (reading and listening comprehension and written expression and interaction).

If you have any other questions or doubts about this or any other issue, just let me know!

And... more sample exams!!

2009-06-10T00:08:00.003+02:00

Hi there!
Here's one more site with sample exams for all levels from the EOI Durango in the Basque Country. Remember your level is Intermediate (it doesn't say NI2) and that you can also download some sample speaking cards!!

Besides, I came across this site about the book Speaking for Fluency where you can download two sample units: Unit 5 about New Technologies and Unit 10 about Money. They also have listenings, but the interesting thing to you at this point are the dialogues and vocabulary they have so that you can enhance your own lexicon.

Try both sites, you won't regret it!

Conversation Questions Useful for your Exposition

2009-06-07T19:41:00.004+02:00

Hi there again!

You can visit this site to find a comprehensive list of topics with questions that you can use for the exposition (monologue) part of your exam. Be alert, though, because some of the questions contain typos and grammar mistakes!!

If I find anything else that can be useful, I'll post it!!

Sample Exams

2009-06-07T19:36:00.003+02:00

Hi there everyone!
Are you enjoying the long weekend? I hope so! However, don't neglect your English and practise your speaking skills for your upcoming test!
I'm posting this because I stumbled upon a great link at the EOI Coruña website where you can download or do sample tests online from other communities. There are also speaking card samples, that's why you may want to give it a try now!
Click here and once on the site, scroll it down until you see Exames de mostra doutras CCAA.
There are also French and Italian exams for those of you who not only study English!

I truly wish I could have posted this BEFORE your exam (you might think what's the use now), but I didn't simply cause I didn't know about it! Sorry!
It will be useful for those of you retaking one or more tests in September though.

Hope it helps anyhow!

Good Luck to You All!!

2009-06-04T11:03:00.010+02:00

Hi there everyone!!!
How are you doing? I hope you're feeling optimistic and confident and that you're revising English like mad (lol). I'm sure you've already done it, but just in case, don't forget to read the Writing Bank on pages 156 & 157 of your student's book. It's some good advice!!

I wish all of you the best of lucks!!!!

I'll see you tomorrow!!
One more thing, I won't be at the school today since I'll be working here in Águilas, so if you have any questions or doubts, e-mail me!!

(Remember to go to classrooms 11 and 1).

And now... enjoy these hilarious cartoons!!

You know you've lived long enough in Spain when...

2009-06-02T11:36:00.005+02:00

Hi there folks!
Some time ago I came across this on the Internet and I think it can be interesting to you to have a glimpse into what foreigners living in Spain think about us. I would say it's pretty accurate!
You may want to leave your own opinions about it in the comments section.

What follows is a text written by an American expat on his blog entitled From Barcelona, dedicated to the city, the life and the people of the capital of Catalunya (Catalonia).
(It easily applies to the whole of the Spanish population, I believe).

You know you've lived long enough in Spain when... you are nodding in agreement with the following statements:

1) When asked to do something, your first answer is: “mañana”

2) Coming home at three in the morning is early, six the norm - even if you are 40 or 50.

3) You aren't just surprised that the plumber/decorator/electrician/carpenter has turned up on time, you're surprised he turned up at all.

4) You know a 50-year-old man whose mother still does his laundry, and another who still picks his nose.

5) You think it's fine to comment on everyone's appearance.

6) Life is broken down into possible and impossible.

7) You plan your weekends around the siesta.

8) All your answers are prefaced with: “Yes, but...”

9) You know the time after lunch has its own word - sobremesa.

10) You no longer wait for the waiter to clean the table before sitting down.

11) The imperative is used to ask for things, and ‘please’ and ‘thanks’ said sparingly.

12) Nothing is ever your fault anymore.

14) There's a neighbour who likes drilling and hammering, but only between eight and ten on a Saturday morning.

15) You're known as the guiri.

16) Every sentence you speak, even in your native language, contains at least one of these words: ‘bueno’, 'coño', 'vale', 'venga', 'pues nada'...

17) The question: "How are you?" is a chance to complain about your day.

18) A beer or two with lunch during the week isn't anything out of the ordinary.

19) Free time is more important than money.

20) You eat lunch after 2pm and would never even think of having your evening meal before 9pm.

21) Breakfast is a coffee and a small sandwich or a croissant.

22) You know what a Catalan is...

More Podcasts

2009-06-01T13:53:00.003+02:00

Hi again!
Here's one more useful site with podcasts for English learners. You should listen to those at the intermediate or upper-intermediate level. Some of them can come in handy for the interaction part in the test.
It's American English, by the way!!Enjoy!!

Speaking Tests

2009-06-01T13:12:00.007+02:00

Hi there!
This is what I have so far for your speaking tests. If you spot a mistake, let me know.
Please take into account that each test will be about 25 minutes long:

- 15' preparation
- 3' exposition + 3' exposition
- 4' interaction

(I'm sorry about the layout of this post, but no matter how hard I tried, there was no way of making it look right...)

Classroom 1 – Teachers: Raquel Abril and Maribel Oliver

Wednesday 10^th June

TIME

STUDENTS’ NAMES

16.00-16.15

- Mª Eugenia Martín

- José Manuel Cabrera

Thursday 11^th June

TIMES	STUDENTS’ NAMES
16.00-16.15	- Fernanda Paz - Ana J. Jesús
16.15-16.30	- Carmen Pimpinela - Mercedes Fernández
16.30-16.45	- Ana Alonso Jiménez de C. - José Miguel Pérez
16.45-17.00	- Mariana Pérez - Clara Navarro
17.00-17.15	- José M. Miras - Isabel Mª González
BREAK
17.45-18.00	- Carmen García - Antonio D. García
18.00-18.15	- Marcos Molina - Vanesa Martínez
18.15-18.30	- Antonio Motos - Ana Belén Díaz
18.30-18.45	- Rosa Mª Pérez - Marta García

Friday 12^th June

TIMES	STUDENTS’ NAMES
18.30-18.45	- Francisco J. Pérez - Juan A. Cuello
18.45-19.00	- Mª Eugenia Gutiérrez - Mayte Rodríguez
19.00-19.15	- Carlos Meca - Domingo Sánchez
19.15-19.30	- Ana I. Alonso García - Paco Millán
19.30-19.45	- Susana Cano - Lucía Ros
19.45-20.00	- Marisol González - Juan M. Soler
20.00-20.15	- Inma Carrillo - Mª José Díaz
20.15-20.30	- Antonio C. Garre - Antonio Segura

Monday 15th June

TIMES

STUDENTS’ NAMES

16.00-16.15

- Irene Amorós

- Patricia Carrasco

16.15-16.30

- Sonia Terrones

- Toñi Piernas

British Pronunciation Tutorial

2009-05-31T17:03:00.002+02:00

Hi again!
As I said on my last post, you need to watch your English pronunciation and do your best to improve it. I think the videos below can be of help. Enjoy!!!

RP British Accent (Part One)

RP British Accent (Part Two)

Preparing for the Speaking Test

2009-05-31T15:48:00.003+02:00

Hi there!!
I thought you might find this post useful. Just one thing: for the exposition part, you do not necessarily have to deal with everything you have on your card or answer every single question (those are mainly for guidance), so long as you deal with the topic you've chosen.
What matters is that your monologue is communicative, coherent, fluent and well structured and, of course, you need to watch your pronunciation, grammar and structures and use a varied vocabulary. Remember this is NI2, not NB2!!

And...don't forget to let me know if you're coming to Paddy's class on Tuesday at 6 pm!!

Cheers!

Making Phone Calls in English

2009-05-29T12:27:00.003+02:00

Hi there once more!
Here's a good site where you can learn about set phrases to use when calling someone (not to someone!!) on the phone. It mainly focuses on business calls. It may be useful to you, so check it out!!

And... click here to learn how to leave a message on an answering machine.

Never Stop Learning Video

2009-05-29T11:06:00.002+02:00

Hi there again!!
I'd like you to see this nice and entertaining video about the importance of education that I found on You Tube. I almost played it in class, but then I changed my mind and played the one with Howard Gardner's interview instead.
However, you can watch it now at home. It's called Never Stop Learning.
Hope you like it!
(Oh, and it's American English).

Visiting a Doctor's ESL Role play

2009-05-29T10:51:00.005+02:00

Hi there again!
Classes are over now, but I'll keep posting things for you, things I told you I would post and others that I find interesting enough to make it here.
So, check this site with the coolest and most complete role play about visiting a doctor. It's just great!! I think Eu and Mayte are going to love this ;)
You not only get the role play situations, but also a dialogue between a patient and a doctor and lots of vocabulary related to ailments and treatments.
Oh, and you may also want to check this part of the website with health and sickness cards.
Enjoy!!!!

BBC Podcasts

2009-05-28T12:38:00.007+02:00

Hi again!
Don't forget what I told you about podcasts. I especially recommend those from the BBC service. Click here to visit their site. You can find a wide variety of topics, accents, etc, and even though there are no exercises for you to do, they are an excellent source of authentic language to enhance your listening skills at home. Remember they're free and very easy to download. You can also take them everywhere you go on your mp3, mobile, listen to them in your car... so, there's no excuse!!
Now, if you want to listen to the whole podcasts I played in class last Tuesday click here to download the first one about new sports to entice Britons to take up exercise (for the activity listen up to min. 2) and here for the podcast about Abraham Lincoln (listen up to min. 2:45) and his influence across the world.

Hope it helps!!

Role Plays for Interaction Practice

2009-05-28T12:30:00.005+02:00

Hi there!!
You can now download a document with some of the role plays I took to class. You can print them and use them for interaction practice with your partner (or anybody else) at home.
Remember there are lots of them available on the Internet. Just look for them!!
I'll post more soon.
Enjoy!!!

Baby Anteater Tries to Find its Feet

2009-05-25T22:07:00.007+02:00

Hi there!
Click on the link below to watch a BBC video with a baby anteater at an aquarium in Tokyo. He/She's cute, isn't he/she?? lol

Baby Anteater tries to find its feet

Hidden Spanish Verses

2009-05-25T12:55:00.005+02:00

Hi again!
I've found the video below on Sergio Viñals's blog for NI1 and found it so funny that I thought you'd like it and have a good laugh.
Enjoy!!! ;)

Some Mistakes in your Writings

2009-05-25T12:19:00.005+02:00

Hi there!
I've decided to post a selection of mistakes I've found in your last writings so that you can read them and think about how they can be corrected and avoided in the future!
I hope you don't mind. Everyone makes mistakes and this is, I believe, a good way to prevent them. So, look at the list below and try to correct the sentences. Many of them have more than one mistake.
You can leave your corrections in the comments section.
- According to the hotel, you told me that it had five stars.
- I had to wait for other forty minutes at the airport.
- You asked me information about a house which I would like to rent.
- It is taking you five minutes to arrive to your job. There is also a bus stop near there.
- All of them were very kind with us.
- In that ocassion, when I opened the door there were nobody there.
- After fifteen minutes I was attended by a looking tired receptionist.
- Besides the service restaurant was so slowly and I felt disgusted to find the cutlery covered with grease.
- It has 130 metter square.
- If you have other offers I would like that you send me them.
- Be relaxed, because you are going to have a nice experience.
- I tried to ignore it, but the more time we waited, the more loudly was the sound.
- Sorry, but the manager is too busy now: he is trying to caught a butterfly.
- Normally I stay there for three days and I am doing it since 2004.
- I am writing to complain about the service from the hotel, while my family and I had our holidays in the hotel last weekend.
- We phoned to reception to ask for assistance, but after being on hold for about 15 minutes we did not find a solution.
- Our destination was Greece, a journey that we have ever dreamt, but became our nighmare.
-We hope not only your apologise, but we also expect you to pay us back the money.
- This attractive detached house, it is only 2-year-old.
- Carefully, we booked two hotels in Lisbon and Oporto, 4 star hotels. The first one was very nice but when we arrived to the Oporto's hotel, we felt really disappointed.
- I am sending you an e-mail for telling you about the flat I would like to rent.
- (Description of a flat). After that I am thinking about rent it for 800€ more or less, a price that in my opinion is very good, above all if you think (...) that it is near the restaurants, cinemas...
- As far as your employee said to me this mobile could take photos.
- I am writting to express my dissastisfaction with kind of accomodation that we could use during our holidays.

Find out Your Own Multiple Intelligences

2009-05-24T20:29:00.005+02:00

Hi there!
I told you I'd give you a link to a site where you can find out what your multiple intelligences profile looks like. Well, here it is. Click here to get to know yourselves a bit better! It's really interesting, takes only a few minutes and if you want to, you can listen to every item in the quiz by simply choosing "audio version".
If you want to know about my own profile, click here.

If you do it, please, let me know!! :)

Revise & Check Keys (yellow pages)

2009-05-24T20:18:00.005+02:00

Hi again!
You surely remember I asked you to do the final Revise & Check section (the one with the yellow pages). Well, here are the keys!

GRAMMAR

File 1

File 2

File 3

File 4

File 5

File 6

File 7

a
b
c
a
c
b
a
c
VOCABULARY

VOCABULARY

1. channel

2. audience

3. pavement

4. big

5. tight

6. slim

7. fence

8. bat

1. viewer

2. prescription

3. overdose

4. guinea pig

5. windscreen

6. dictador

7. monarchy

8. witness

1. pulling

2. made

3. having

4. doing

5. enter

6. go

7. caught

8. pay

1. to

2. away

3. against

4. on

5. with

6. to

7. of

8. for

1. scientist

2. untidy

3. behaviour

4. impersonal

5. shorten

6. enjoyable

7. patience

8. performance

PRONUNCIATION

1. blinds

2. sweatshirt

3. basic

4. wall

5. wolf

6. laugh

7. humour

8. sport

9. verdict

10. huge

1. foreign

2. recover

3. physics

4. island

5. shocked

6. citizen

7. designer

8. cupboard

9. building

10. mature

1. ADvertise

2. objECtive

3. BIased

4. eVENtually

5. unforGEttable

6. enginEER

7. exPEriment

8. psyCHOlogy

9. admiRAtion

10. POlicy

11. iMAginative

12. REAsonable

13. reSPONsible

14. RAdiator

15. CAtalogue

16. pyJAmas

17. TErrorist

18. aSSAssinate

19. appreciAtion

20. ORganized

Immersion Teaching Keys

2009-05-24T20:16:00.003+02:00

Hi there!!
Are you having a nice weekend? I hope so! However, don't forget to devote some time to practise your English!!
You can now check your answers to the exercises about the text I gave you entitled Immersion Teaching.

Multiple Choice Exercise:
1. c
2. b
3. d
4. c
5. d
6. d
7. c
8. a

Synoyms:
9. fully
10. proficiency
11. monitor
12. partake in
13. goal

Listening Practice for you!!

2009-05-21T14:03:00.004+02:00

Hi there!
The academic year is coming to an end very soon (our last lesson is next Thursday) and most of you need to practise your listening skills. To do so, I've found a great site with lots of listenings for EOI students (it was created by a school in Aragón). The ones for you are those marked with four stars, since the three-star ones are way too easy for you.
You can also check your answers yourselves on the same site.
You shouldn't miss it!!! Click here to visit it and enjoy doing listening activities!!!!

Hope it helps!!

Multiple Intelligences Theory by Howard Gardner

2009-05-20T11:09:00.003+02:00

Hi there!
Here's the video we watched in class yesterday with Howard Gardner's interview extract about the Multiple Intelligences (MI) Theory.
I'm leaving the keys to the exercise in the comments section.
Enjoy!!

Keys to the Grammar Bank for files 5 and 7 (p. 139 & 143)

2009-05-19T15:04:00.008+02:00

Hi there!
Sorry it's taken me longer to post this than I intended, but that's life!
You can check your answers to the grammar bank on pages 139 AND 143. I'm killing two birds with one stone here.
Hope you did great! ;)

Page 139
5A 1.
1. have played
2. has been trying
3. have been shopping / haven't bought
4. have been waiting
5. has Vicky been going out / have met
6. has been living or has lived
7. have you been learning / haven't learnt
8. have you been doing / I've been repairing
9. have been looking / haven't found
10. has travelled / 's ever been
11. have known / have never had
12. haven't had / have been working

5B
a. 1. everybody / all
2. Everybody / the / all
3. Everything
4. All
5. everything
6. all (the whole is also possible)
7. everywhere
8. every

b.1. any
2. no
3. none
4. any
5. none
6. no
7. any
8. None

5C
a. 1. which
2. what
3. which
4. which
5. whom (who is not correct here)
6. what

b. 2. ...I work for is published weekly.
3. ... of the man you spoke to?
4. ... you're sitting on was my mother's.
5. ... look at the person you're speaking to.

Page 143
7A
a. 1. ... are being opened every day.
2. ... has been changed by the concept of "fast food".
3.... are taught at the McDonald's university.
4. ... of family mealtimes was destroyed by fast food.
5. ... had been regarded as bad manners.
6. .... will never be forgotten.
7. ... of fast food on our lives can't be forgotten.
8. ... has been spread around the world.

b. 1. I was told the film was good.
2. She was taught how to cook by her mother.
3. He was offered more money by his boss.
4. I was promised they would finish the work today.
5. We were given free tickets for a concert.
6. He was asked to make a speech at the wedding.

7B
a. 1. so
2. such an
3. so
4. such
5. such a
6. so
7. such a
8. so

b. 2. It was such a boring film that we left in the middle.
3. Her French accent is so good that she must have had a good teacher.
4. It's such a good advert that it makes me want to buy the product.
5. He's made so much money that he doesn't know what to do with it all.
6. I was so exhausted that I went to bed early.
7. The hotel was so awful that we complained to the manager.
8. He's so boring that no one wants to sit next to him.

She's a Rainbow

2009-05-18T17:07:00.003+02:00

Hi again!
Not much of a Rolling Stones fan myself, but I really like this song (with simple lyrics and quite psychedelic). Enjoy!

She's a rainbow
by Justfriend

She comes in colours everywhere;
when she combs her hair
She's like a rainbow

Coming, colours in the air
Oh, everywhere
She comes in colours

She comes in colours everywhere;
when she combs her hair
She's like a rainbow
Coming, colours in the air
Oh, everywhere
She comes in colours

Have you seen her dressed in blue?
See the sky in front of you
And her face is like a sail
Speck of white so fair and pale
Have you seen a lady fairer?

She comes in colours everywhere;
She combs her hair
She's like a rainbow
Coming, colours in the air
Oh, everywhere
She comes in colours

Have you seen her all in gold?
Like a queen in days of old
She shoots colours all around
Like a sunset going down
Have you seen a lady fairer?

She comes in colours everywhere;
She combs her hair
She's like a rainbow
Coming, colours in the air
Oh, everywhere
She comes in colours

She's like a rainbow
Coming, colours in the air
Oh, everywhere
She comes in colours

Something and More

2009-05-18T16:57:00.004+02:00

Hi there!
You can watch here the video for one of the songs we talked about last week, George Harrison's Something (read the lyrics below too). You can see Patti Boyd at the beginning.
Also, if you like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Queen and U2, you may want to check out this site with their videos and lyrics. Really cool.

Something in the way she moves
Attracts me like no other lover
Something in the way she woos me

I don't want to leave her now
You know I believe her now

Somewhere in her smile she knows
That I don't need no other lover
Something in her style that shows me

Don't want to leave her now
You know I believe her now

You're asking me will my love grow
I don't know, I don't know
You stick around now it may show
I don't know, I don't know

Something in the way she knows
And all I have to do is think of her
Something in the things she shows me

Don't want to leave her now
You know I believe her now

Sample Letters & Writing Tips

2009-05-17T13:34:00.004+02:00

Hello there!!
As promised, below are some links where you can find sample letters:
This one is really good. Check it out!!

Also, to read about different kinds of writing in English (especially formal and informal letters) together with punctuation tips, etc, click on the following link. It is an Argentinian site with lots of samples. Instructions come in Spanish though (that's a pity!), but it will be useful to you nonetheless.
Give them a shot!!

And don't forget about the formal letters I asked you to write this week!!
You know you need the practice!!

Reported Speech Practice

2009-05-13T17:32:00.003+02:00

Hi there everyone!!
Click on the links below to find lots of practice on reported speech. Don't forget to visit them!!

Reported Speech Practice on Sergio Viñals's Blog

Lots of Exercises!

Reported Speech Quiz

Grammar Goblins

Enjoy!!! ;)

Test your Tenses Keys

2009-05-12T13:03:00.003+02:00

Hi again!
Some more keys for you!! Check your answers here to the Test your Tenses handout I gave you a couple of weeks ago.
1. didn't recognize
2. haven't seen
3. met
4. was
5. are you doing
6. 'm living / live
7. 've just come back
8. have you been living / have you lived
9. 've been
10. bought
11. are wearing
12. have you been
13. had
14. broke
15. went back
16. Do you still live / Are you still living
17. 'm staying
18. 've been looking
19. 've seen
20. haven't found
21. 'm meeting

If you have any questions or doubts, you know where to find me!

Keys to last week's texts

2009-05-12T12:50:00.004+02:00

Hi there folks! :)
Did you read the texts I gave you last Tuesday? And did you do the exercises? I hope so!! If you're reading this and realize that you don't have the texts, tell me in class and I'll give you a copy.
You can now check your answers. I hope you did perfect (without your dictionary)!
Text 1: Natural Disasters
1. Tectonic Plates
2. Lava
3. Tornado
4. Drought /draʊt/
5. Fault line
6. Cone
7. Overflow
8. Impact
9. Active
10. Asteroid

This activity was a piece of cake. The text was mainly intended for you to enhance your vocabulary related to natural disasters.

Text 2: Fed up? The truth about low-fat diets
1)
1. F
2. C
3. D
4. A
5. B

2)
1. precious commodity
2. blare
3. reduce
4. quit /kwɪt/ (This is mainly AmE)
5. benefit

The Fat Duck Food Poisoning Scare

2009-05-11T11:18:00.005+02:00

Hello there again!
I'd like to share with you a video about the Fat Duck restaurant. I told you to do some research about it at home and one of your classmates in group B, Antonio Garre, told us he had heard something connecting the Fat Duck and food poisoning. He was right. That happened a few months ago. Antonio has sent me this link with the video in which Heston Blumenthal, the head chef of the restaurant, talks to journalist Matthew Fort, from The Guardian, about what happened. It's interesting and, as always, good practice for your ears!!! Thanks Antonio for the tip!!

(I'm sorry but I haven't been able to embed the video here, so you need to click on the link above).

This is what the restaurant looks like from the outside And this is what their snail porridge looks like... delicious, don't you think? lol

Whole Foods vs Processed Foods

2009-05-11T11:01:00.006+02:00

Hi there everyone!
Here's the video we saw in class last Thursday about whole foods and processed foods.
If you didn't come to class (or you're not one of my students), you can download a copy of the activity by clicking here. Just bear in mind that the activity finishes at minute 3:15. (Find the keys in the comments section below this post).
The second video I'm posting is also by Natalie and deals with the Mediterranean diet. I thought it could be of special interest to you, but there are many more you can watch.
Have fun!!

The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid

A Mother's Day Moment

2009-05-06T16:51:00.007+02:00

Hi there!
Do you remember our friend Darren (from the Thanksgiving video)?
Well, here he is once more. This time he tells us about mums and Mother's Day.
I hope you like the activity and find it useful. I'll post the keys in a few days in the comments section.

A Mother’s Day Moment

Fill in the gaps with the missing words (D stands for Darren and M for mum):

1. D: Mother’s Day is the day to celebrate the one who …….. the world. (3 words)

2. D: My mum was …….. for 12 hours. (2 words)

3. D: A famous quote goes: “All that I am or hope to be I …….. my mother”. (2 words)

4. D: - I like this shirt.

M: - It’s not …….. (2 words)

5. (Phone rings) M: - Answer it, …….. (1 word)

6. D: It seems that my mum’s favourite son is gonna be …….. for lunch. (2 words)

7. D: So, I hope that all you mothers …….. have a happy Mother’s Day. (2 words)

Now, answer the following questions:

1. Which celebrity does Darren’s mum think said the quote in sentence 3 above?

2. Why does she say: Honey, we do not live in a barn!?

Keys to the Grammar Bank (p. 141)

2009-05-06T15:33:00.004+02:00

Hi there!
As promised, here are the keys to the exercises in the Grammar Bank on page 141. We've seen everything on the previous page and you had this for homework. I hope you did it!
6A- Gerunds (-ing); to + infinitive; bare infinitive
Verbs followed by...
to go
choose; decide; expect; manage; need; plan; promise; refuse; want; would like

go
let (me); make (me); may; might; must; should

going
enjoy; hate; love; (don't) mind; stop

b
1. Walking
2. to pay
3. being; living
4. not stopping
5. to borrow
6. insuring
7. to lock
8. watching; committing
9. tell
10. coming

6B - Reported Speech
1...for breaking the vase.
2. ... to pay for the drinks.
3. ...Sally / her to get a new job.
4. ...Peter / him to take the dog to the vet.
5. ... shooting him.
6. ...Helen to open the window.
7. ... getting a taxi.
8. ... stealing the money.

6C - Clauses of Contrast
a 1. Although they do no marketing, their products sell well.
2. In spite of a perfect alibi, he was arrested.
3. Even though the company was the market leader, it went bankrupt.
4. Despite not having a burglar alarm, they've never been burgled.
5. Although I was late, the boss wasn't angry.
6. Even though he is the managing director, he goes to work by bike.

b. (These are possible options. If you send me or show me your answers, I can tell you if they're right).
1. ... I've seen it three times already.
2. ... his wealth.
3. ... managed to understand her.
4. ... the nasty weather.
5. ... I had taken a sleeping pill.
6. ... being exhausted.
7. ... it was too crowded.
8. ... I failed the exam.

Mother's Day

2009-05-05T00:18:00.004+02:00

Hi there!
Yesterday it was Mother's Day and I had a couple of videos to post, but it totally slipped my mind... Geez, I'm really getting old... :(
Anyway, here goes this one with some kiddies talking about their mums. Aren't they cute??

Do you understand what each of them would change about their mommies? Leave your comments!!

Staycations

2009-05-04T17:44:00.005+02:00

Hi there everyone!

English is forerver evolving and changing, and every once in a while new words and expressions are coined to reflect new realities and to suit the speakers' needs. One example of this (that I really like) is the term staycation. Have you ever heard of it? Can you guess what it is? It's not difficult, is it?
Well, if you want to find out more about it, visit the following link where you can do a nice listening activity. This is good practice!! What you should do is listen for the definitions to the words and expressions in the Vocabulary from the Programme box right below the question of the week. But don't cheat!! Check your answers when you're finished.

(Just remember your final exam is round the corner!!)

Have fun!!!!

Fun Stuff... Enjoy!!!

2009-05-03T13:12:00.009+02:00

Spain... on the Road Again

2009-05-03T12:44:00.007+02:00

Hi there folks!
How's your long weekend going? Doing anything exciting? The weather has been great so far (except for some Friday showers), so it's a perfect time to head for the beach!
Anyway, I'm posting here the clip we watched in class last Thursday. It's the introductory video to the American TV show called Spain... on the Road Again, on which chef Mario Battali, New York Times journalist Mark Bittman and actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Claudia Bassols embark on a road trip throughout the country to taste the best Spanish dishes.
You can also download a copy of the listening activity we did with it by clicking here.
Just keep in mind that the exercise starts at min 1:13.

Finally, you can visit their nice website at: http://www.spainontheroadagain.com where you can read about Spanish recipes and ingredients, traditions, etc, in English! It's really worth a visit!

Enjoy!!

Swine Flu Cases Confirmed in the UK

2009-04-27T22:59:00.010+02:00

Hi there!

As you must already know, the swine flu outbreak started in Mexico last week is spreading throughout the world. Let's hope it can be stopped before more people die!
You can watch the BBC video below in which Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon talks about the two cases in Britain.

Swine Flu Cases Confirmed in the UK

Two people admitted to a Scottish hospital after returning from a holiday in Mexico have been confirmed as the UK's first swine flu cases

Nicola Sturgeon says the pair are recovering in hospital

Do you notice a "slight" accent in Ms Sturgeon's speech or does she have a standard British pronunciation? Leave your comments!

Further information on swine flu:

- It is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezing.

- Symptoms mimic those of normal flu - but in Mexico people are beginning to die.

- Good hygiene like using a tissue and washing hands thoroughly can help reduce transmission.

One more thing: Ms Sturgeon has a funny surname... do you know what it means? How could you explain it in English (without translating it into Spanish or copying the definition from a dictionary)?

Hugh Laurie on the Ellen DeGeneres Show

2009-04-26T20:41:00.006+02:00

Hi there my dear NI2 students!

Did you have a nice weekend? And, most importantly, did you do your homework and practise your English? I hope so!

Now, why don't you watch the video below with British actor Hugh Laurie, also known as Dr Gregory House, on the Ellen DeGeneres Show?
They play a game in which they test each other's knowledge of slang words on both sides of the Pond (Britain and America).
I didn't know any of these words (some of them are not very common), but it doesn't matter, it's a good and funny listening activity! I really like these two!
When you watch the video, try to get the meanings (not the regular meaning, but the slang meaning) of the following terms:

Flossing
Chin Wag
("ch" in chin should be pronounced /tʃ/, not /ʃ/, as Hugh does).
Ba-Donka-Donk
Chuffed to Bits
Shawty

Please, leave your answers in the comments section!!

Lost

2009-04-25T21:18:00.004+02:00

Hi there!!
If you enjoy a good TV series with lots of adventure and mystery that keeps you glued to your seat, but you've never watched Lost, you should start now!
Cuatro will be showing the first seasons starting tomorrow with the first episode at 15.30. My friends got me all hooked on it and now I love it, but of course, the interesting thing for you is to watch it in the original version (if you have TDT), and you'll have the chance to hear different English accents: standard American, southern American, British and Australian.
It's really worth it!! If you follow my advice, let me know!

St George's Day

2009-04-25T13:47:00.009+02:00

Hello again!

Last Thursday, 23 April, was St George's Day, the patron saint of England. Why don't you listen to this interesting podcast from the BBC Learning English site to learn more about British identity? I suggest you try to get the definitions for the terms and expressions in the Vocabulary from the programme section near the bottom when you listen to the podcast. Then, you can check your answers by either reading the transcript, or by clicking on each of the expressions. They are: patron saints, diverse society, multiple identities, mass immigration, labour mobility, hybrids and melting pot. (Note also the pronunciation of the word mayor at the beginning of the listening when Jackie says: Here in London, the mayor has organised... It's a common mispronounced word among English learners).

Besides, and as you already know, 23 April is also the World Book and Copyright Day started by the UNESCO. But... do you know why they chose this particular day?

Leave your comments!

Present Perfect Simple or Continuous?

2009-04-25T13:34:00.003+02:00

Hi there!
I know how much you like your grammar, so I've found these sites where you can easily practise what you know about both the Present Perfect Simple and Continuous. Enjoy!!

Multiple Choice Activity
Test on Present Perfect Simple and Progressive (assorted exercises)
The Grammar Aquarium

My Driving Test by Francisco Millán

2009-04-22T16:36:00.007+02:00

Hi!
I'd like to start posting some of your writings. I'll choose those that I find especially well written and interesting, so that everyone can read them and learn from them.
The first one is by your classmate in group B, Francisco Millán, better known as Paco. I really liked this writing. Enjoy!

A SHORT STORY

I sat in the waiting room and nervously looked at my watch. It was half past three, and I was just about to take my driving test for the third time. The door opened and the examiner walked into the room. She was a smart, middle-aged woman, with a little tattoo on her right hand. “Ready?”, she asked me with a deep and unfriendly voice. I nodded, and we left the room while I was trying to slow down. A few minutes later, we were inside the car. I still remember her perfume, as an air of stench emanated from her. “Start”, she grunted, and, of course, I started the car, and the exam began. Soon, the strong smell became unbearable, and I could hardly breath. “If I don´t open the car window, I will faint straight away”, I thought desperately. So, I rolled it down, and my lungs only took a few seconds to fill with fresh air. Unfortunately, a big, black and yellow wasp went into the car and stung my forehead.

The surprise mixed with the pain caused the accident: the car crashed into a tree which was placed near the road. Luckily, neither the examiner nor myself suffered any injuries, and as it was an accident, I will retake the exam tomorrow morning. I wish the examiner would change her perfume.

Greenpeace Ad

2009-04-22T15:10:00.005+02:00

Hi!
You can watch again the Greenpeace ad we saw in class yesterday and read the transcript too.

The scientific community released a report that proves beyond a doubt that the Earth is getting warmer. This global warming is caused by the things you grown-ups do, and by the things you don’t. If drastic measures aren’t taken soon, by the time I grow up, there won’t be any fish left in the sea, rainforests and clean air will be a thing of the past, polar ice caps will be gone, oceans will rise, entire countries will disappear. Life will change in ways you can’t even imagine. There could be famine, worldwide epidemics, life expectancy will be lower.

We’re not just talking about the future, we’re talking about my future. But this is no surprise. You adults have known about this for years, and though you could have done something about it, you haven’t. You can say “It’s not my problem”; you can say “I won’t be around in 50 years”, but from now on, you can’t say “I didn’t know”.

Starting today, the lines are drawn. You have to choose sides. Either you’re for my future, or you’re against it; you’re a friend or you’re an enemy. I may just be a kid today, but tomorrow will be different. This is the last time I’ll be talking to you adults. You had your chance to fix this problem, now we have ours. We won’t be cute, we won’t be patronized and we will not be denied our future.

Carbon Footprints

2009-04-22T11:32:00.014+02:00

Hi there folks!
You can read the transcript and listen again to the audio I played in class yesterday about Carbon Footprints by clicking here.
(I strongly recommend you the BBC Learning English site. It is a wonderful resource!! I also love their Keep your English Up to Date section too, that deals with new terms and expressions coined in the English language or existing ones changing their meaning. It's really interesting and useful!).

Now, if you want to calculate your own carbon footprint, go to the WWF Footprint Calculator right here! You need to sign up, but it's really easy, it only takes a few minutes and, at the end, you'll get tips on how to lead a greener lifestyle.
Besides, and interestingly enough, today 22 April, is Earth Day, so that could be a good way to celebrate it! (I don't like these kinds of celebrations, as I think every day should be Earth's Day or Mother's Day, etc, but well...).

Now, this is what my own carbon footprint looks like (not good). Let me know yours if you find it out!

My footprint is
3.29 planets

Just one more thing: remember that you can get the keys to the Darren goes Fishing listening I posted last weekend by clicking on the comments section below that post.

Bad Moon Rising!

2009-04-21T23:16:00.010+02:00

Hi everyone again!
Here's some more music for you! Do you like oldies? You can now listen to Bad Moon Rising, one of my all-time favourites, by Creedance Clearwater Revival (or CCR), an American band from the late 60's-early 70's.
This song is now exactly 40 years old and it still rocks!! I totally love it! It gets me in a good mood even though the lyrics are not precisely cheerful!! (Quite the opposite).
Maybe you know the group, but if you don't, songs like Proud Mary or I heard it through the Grapevine are some of their biggest hits (although Marvin Gaye's version of I heard it... became more famous).
So, read the lyrics below the video and when you listen to the song, try and fill in the gaps with one word related to weather and natural disasters. I'll post the keys in the comments section.
I hope you like it!!

I see the bad moon rising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see ................ and ...................
I see bad times today.

Chorus:
Don't go around tonight,
Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.

I hear ................... a-blowing.
I know the end is coming soon.
I fear rivers ......................
I hear the voice of rage and ruin.

Chorus
All right!

Hope you got your things together.
Hope you are quite prepared to die.
Looks like we're in for .......... weather.
One eye is taken for an eye.

Chorus

You Definitely Have to See This

2009-04-21T22:35:00.005+02:00

Hi there!
I've come across a couple of videos and I'd like to share them with you. They're from the show Britain's Got Talent and are pretty recent.
I cannot embed them, so you have to click on the links below. I hope you like them as much as I do!!
Susan Boyle sings I dreamt a dream from The Miserables. (She's from Scotland).
She has become incredibly famous in the UK in a matter of weeks.

Dimitri and Lagi dance to Irish music (They're originally from Cyprus, I guess...).
I loved them! I couldn't stop laughing!

Check them out!! ;)
Enjoy!!

Cloze about Environmental Awareness

2009-04-20T14:52:00.006+02:00

Hello there everyone!
Why don't you do this cloze about environmental awareness and music? It's interesting, useful, it won't take you long and you'll be able to check your answers by listening to the whole text, instead of reading the key!
How about that? ;)
In a few days I'll post the link in the comments section below this post.
I hope you do it and do it well!!

Enjoy!!!!

Record Month for Spanish Wind Farms

2009-04-19T18:21:00.002+02:00

Hi!
Ever wondered exactly how useful our Wind Farms are? Watch the BBC video below to find out!

There's a new superhero in town: Grammarman!!

2009-04-19T13:04:00.006+02:00

Hi again!
I'd like you to watch the video below about a new hero, Grammarman and his crusade against bad grammar, poor punctuation, etc. It's really funny! It can also help you improve your pronunciation!
Why don't you try and spot the eight grammar and coherence mistakes in the TV show?
As Grammarman wisely says:
"Bad grammar never takes a holiday!".

When you've done watching the video and have spotted the 8 mistakes, you can click here to read the comic with the Answers at the bottom!
Besides, there are more episodes available on the site www.grammarmancomic.com

And just one more thing: Can you recognize the tune in the video? (Hint: it's from an American TV show very popular back in the 80's).

Thanks Carmen Romero for the tip!

Fishing Tips Listening

2009-04-19T12:35:00.006+02:00

Hello there folks!
How's your weekend going? My trekking plans for the day have been ruined because of the gloomy weather (maybe next week!) and I thought I could post some things for you.

I've prepared a multiple-choice activity (exam-like) with an audio track I found online.
It doesn't have anything to do with the topic we're dealing with in class right now (environment and climate), but this is included in your curriculum too, so it's really good listening practice for you.
So, when you're ready, click here to download the activity and here for the track.

In a few days I'll post a link in the comments section of this post for you to download the keys.
When I do, I'd really like to get some feedback about how you did (how many right answers you got), please! Thank you!

That's all for now...

If I were a Boy

2009-04-18T17:08:00.005+02:00

Hi there!
I've wanted to share this music video with you for some weeks now. It's the song If I were a Boy by Beyoncé. I find it has both thought-provoking and beautiful lyrics. It's also good to refresh your second conditional and pretty understandable.
Most of you must already know it, but I hadn't seen the video until recently.
Besides, we talked about the differences between men and women in class and this relates well to that (although to be fair I should add this doesn't apply to every man and woman, of course!).
After watching the video below, you may want to see it with subtitles. You can do so by clicking here.

Beyonce - If I were A Boy (New)
by Le-Tour-2Lor

There are a couple of nice idiomatic expressions you can learn from the song:

Stick up for someone
Take someone (something) for granted
Put yourself (someone else) first
Make / do something as you (I, we...) go

I hope you enjoy it.
I must thank my dearest friend Judith for the tip!!

Global Warming Video and Activity

2009-04-18T16:55:00.004+02:00

Hi again!
You can watch again the video about Global Warming taken from www.nationalgeographic.com that we saw in class on Thursday.

You can download the listening activity by clicking here.

Finally, why not watch a video to learn how fluorescent light bulbs can help preserve our planet?
Let Natalie Portman, Kyra Sedgwick and Chloe Sevigny tell you about it!

Speaking Prompts and Free Audiobooks

2009-04-18T16:34:00.008+02:00

Hello there!!
I'm having a break from grading your writings. I must say I got lots of them. You just can't begin to know how happy I am right now... ;) (just kidding).
Anyway, I wanted to share with you a document which has different topics and ideas to use as speaking prompts at home. I've borrowed this from English Trainer (really good site).
What you can do is have a look at them, choose a topic and try to speak about it for 2 or 3 minutes. It's not much to ask!! The more practice you get, the better!!
Ielts Topic Cards

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Books educationelearningon ielts speaking

Besides, I've found this site from which you can download up to two audiobooks for free. You can get a whole bunch of them free of charge, though, if you agree in class beforehand which titles you'd like to have and each one of you downloads a different one.

I hope these resources are useful!!
Keep working on your English!

Keys to the Test for files 3 & 4

2009-04-15T18:06:00.001+02:00

Hi everyone!
Did you do the last test I gave you covering files 3 & 4? If you did, click here to check your answers.
If you have any questions, just let me know.

Keys to the Clothing Idioms Handout

2009-04-15T13:53:00.004+02:00

Hi there folks! Here are the keys for you to check your answers to the Clothing Idioms handout I gave you before Easter. I'm sorry it's taken me ages to post this, but I kept forgetting. Sentences are not numbered but you can do it, so that I don't have to type the whole thing here, OK?
There you go!

1. c
2. b
3. a
4. c
5. b
6. a (BrE)
7. c
8. a
9. b
10. a
11. b
12. c
13. a
14. b
15. a
16. c
17. a
18. c
19. a
20. a

Our Mascot

2009-04-14T23:10:00.004+02:00

Hi!
I think it's high time our class mascot had a name. If you feel inspired, leave your suggestions in the comments section and if there are several proposals you'll vote for your favourite. It is from Scotland, if it's any help.
Here's a pic of "him".

Keys to Exercises on p. 65

2009-04-14T12:20:00.005+02:00

And more keys...
Here are the answers to the exercises on p. 65 that you had for homework. I hope you did perfect!
Below I'm also posting two pics I took in a bakery in York. You can see how the ladies working there posed for me spontaneously. I didn't ask them to. So much for the British reputation of unfriendly people!

Shopping in London
b. 1. 17.30
2. Wednesday or Thursday
3. Supermarkets and department stores
4. Camden Passage, Bond Street, King's Road
5. (possible answers) a camera- Tottenham Court Rd; a dictionary- Waterstone's; a CD- HMV; a scarf- Marks and Spencer
6. Yes

4. SHOPPING
1. department store
2. a lipstick
3. No
4. a skirt
5. It's too small and the wrong colour
6. Visa (credit) card

b. 1. Have you got
2. sold out
3. just
4. size
5. try
6. changing
7. fit
8. another
9. have
10. receipt

UNDERSTANDING PRICES
1. 4.99 (in a greengrocer's: a melon)
2. 3.50 (in a newsagent's: Time magazine)
3. 4.60 (in a café: a coffee and a croissant)
4. 25.99 (in a music shop: a CD of Frank Sinatra)
5. 8.30 (a taxi)

b. Total = 47.38

Keys to the Revise & Check Section (File 4)

2009-04-14T12:13:00.002+02:00

Hi there!
Check here your answers to the Revise & Check section for file 4, p. 67.
GRAMMAR
a. 1. X dark curly
2. Right
3. X hideous pink
4. Right
5. X gorgeous 16th century
6. Right

b 1. The more tired you are, the more mistakes you make.
2. The angrier she gets, the more she shouts.
3. The nearer the centre you live, the more expensive it is.
4. The sooner we start, the sooner we'll finish.

c. 1. hadn't gone
2. could
3. hadn't told
4. would help
5. would play

d. 1. have them painted
2. had it repaired
3. having it cut
4. had it cleaned

VOCABULARY
a 1. dressing-gown (the others are sportswear)
2. cap (the others are materials)
3. gloves (the others are all kinds of shoes)
4. plain (the others are all types of design)

b. 1. casual
2. bargains
3. designer
4. discount

c. 1. illogical
2. immature
3. unsociable
4. insensitive
5. dishonest
6. irresponsible
7. inconsiderate
8. unselfish
9. impatient
10. disorganized

d. 1. cosy
2. tap
3. gate
4. dishwasher
5. detached house

Teacher Going Bananas

2009-04-13T18:37:00.005+02:00

Hi there folks!
The end of the Easter holidays is nearing and I'm ready to resume classes again! I hope to see ALL of you (and your writings, don't forget) in class tomorrow. Try not to be couch potatoes!
Now, both for a little fun and for some spelling (and grammar) awareness, look at the cartoon above and tell me what needs to be corrected in the sign (there are several mistakes).
I really empathize with the poor crazed teacher (especially when it comes to Spanish spelling)...
Use the comments section for your corrections.
Thanks!!

The Space Between

2009-04-11T11:26:00.004+02:00

Hi everyone!
How's your weekend?
I'm really happy because I finally got my hands on tickets for the concert in Lisbon of one of my favourite current groups, Dave Matthews Band. It's been really hard, though, since they rarely play in Europe and when they do, I cannot go (that's life!). But this time, I'll kill two birds with one stone. Not only will I go to one of their concerts, but I will also visit Lisbon which I had been meaning to for a long time now. To celebrate it, I'd like you to listen to The Space Between, a gorgeous song (and really nice video too), very popular in the States back in 2001. I've prepared a simple activity with it:

First, read the seven adjectives I've taken out from the lyrics, then watch the video and listen to the song carefully. Finally, try and fit the adjectives in their right place. The trickiest part is that I'm not giving you the gaps, so that you have to decide where they go. It's not too complicated though!! Give it a try!!
I hope you like the song!

Dave Matthews Band - The Space Between - For more amazing video clips, click here

crowded ; fickle ; safe (x3) ; strange ; twisted ; warring ; wicked (x3)

You cannot quit me so quickly
Is no hope in you for me?
No corner you could squeeze me
But I got all the time for you, love

The space between
The tears we cry
Is the laughter keeps us coming back for more
The space between
The lies we tell
And hope to keep from the pain

But will I hold you again?
These fuddled words confuse me
Like 'Will it rain today?'
We waste the hours with talking, talking
These games we're playing

We're allies
With hearts
What a wild-eyed beast you'll be
The space between
The lies we tell
And hope to keep from the pain

Will I hold you again?
Will I hold...

Look at us spinning out in
The madness of a roller coaster
You know you went off like a devil
In a church in the middle of a room
All we can do, my love
Is hope we don't take this ship down

The space between
Where you're smiling high
Is where you'll find me if I get to go
The space between
The bullets in our firefight
Is where I'll be hiding, waiting for you
The rain that falls
Splash in your heart
Ran like sadness down the window into your room
The space between
Our lies
Is where we hope to keep from pain

Take my hand
'Cause we're walking out of here
Oh, right out of here
Love is all we need, dear

The space between
What's wrong and right
Is where you'll find me hiding, waiting for you
The space between
Your heart and mine
Is the space we'll fill with time
The space between...

Some Useful Links + Nice Reading Comprehension Test

2009-04-10T12:52:00.007+02:00

Hi there folks!
How's your Good Friday going? Don't spend the whole day just watching processions!!
Anyway, I wanted to provide you here with some interesting links to continue improving your English.
For listening practice, these two are really good sites: Better @ English
and elllo.
Maybe you already know them, but just to be on the safe side. They offer you the possibility of downloading English podcasts to do your own listenings at home with lots of different topics. So there's no excuse!!

I also found this site which is more comprehensive (for vocabulary practice, listenings, exams, etc): English4u

Finally, here's the blog I told you about by a teacher in Alcalá de Henares (the one who throws monkeys at students speaking Spanish in class.)
It's a really good one!

I hope you find all this info useful ;)

Films in English!!

2009-04-09T12:02:00.004+02:00

Hello there again,
I wanted to remind you that you can now see films in the original version with Spanish subtitles at Multicines El Hornillo in Águilas.
This week's film is Cadillac Records starring Adrien Brody and Beyoncé. They show it every day at 19.15.
So, if you like cinema, why not drive to Águilas and enjoy a nice movie at the cinema in English?? It's not every day that you can have this (unfortunately)!!
When Easter is over we could organize a trip to watch an interesting film.
Well, I'm embedding here the trailer so that you know what it is about.

Homework

2009-04-09T11:26:00.007+02:00

Hello there!
I'm posting here your homework for those absent last Thursday (especially in group A!!):

- Do everything on p. 65 in your Student's Book.
- Revise & Check section on p. 67.
- Writing: An informal email following the instructions on p. 66 in a maximum of 150 words. For this, please read everything carefully and remember it's an email (so you will need opening and closing phrases, etc). Do also activities a and b on that same page before you start your own email.
The deadline to submit your writings is Tuesday 14 April. You can either give them to me or send them via email, as usual. Let me just remind you how to send your documents. You should save them with your name, surname and topic.

For instance, Perico-de-los-Palotes_Informal-Email.doc
- I also gave (most of) you a test covering files 3 and 4. Do it!! Those of you who don't have it should let me know next week.

That's all for now...

Keys to the Master Bedroom of the Year Activities

2009-04-08T13:55:00.003+02:00

Hello there again!
You can now download a copy of the keys to the activities about the Master Bedroom of the Year by clicking here.
Some of you found it kind of complicated; don't hold it against me ;) Remember that the activity was not meant for you to understand every single piece of information, but only what was being asked in the exercises. Besides, I like to keep things a bit challenging because... where's the fun in extremely easy activities??
I'm sure you did a good job!!
It'd be nice if you gave me some feedback about how it went. You can leave your comments if you want to.
Now, I'm posting the answers to the Stardust trailer activity below its post in the comments section.

American Students: "Ser" and "Estar"

2009-04-08T12:48:00.005+02:00

Hi there everyone!
I'd like to share with you this funny video (bloopers included) made by my dear friend Jessica Suárez's American students (in Spanish III). Jessica is teaching Spanish at East Mills High School in the town of Glenwood, IA (Iowa), USA.
In the video they show the difference between the Spanish verbs ser and estar. You can see how they struggle with them! (Something we don't even think about...). So, when you think English is way too complicated and tricky, think again!
Besides, you can see what a real American high school looks like.
Leave your comments and enjoy!!!

Presentation on Australia by Juan Antonio Cuello

2009-04-07T14:55:00.005+02:00

Hi there!!
How's your Easter going? Whether you have holidays or not, I hope you have a great time and make the most of your week off from school to study English autonomously (that includes listening and speaking activities, yes sir...).
I'll be posting different things for you throughout the week and why not start with this cool presentation on Australia? (I finally managed to embed it!!). Some of you in group A already know it, but for the rest of you, this was a presentation made by Juan Antonio Cuello in group A. He lived in Australia for some time and wanted to share his knowledge of the country.
Thanks Juan for letting me post it!
I hope you enjoy it!!

Australia

View more presentations from Beleoi.

Fun Stuff

2009-03-31T00:31:00.008+02:00

Hi there again!
I've found these jokes online where you can read what we learnt last week:
have / get something done.
Do you remember?
Well, I just couldn't help myself.
I love the first one. Enjoy!!!!

In Holy Land

A man, his wife, and his mother-in-law went on vacation to the Holy Land. While they were there, the mother-in-law passed away. The undertaker told them, "You can have her shipped home for $5,000, or you can bury her here in the Holy Land for $150". The man thought about it and told him he would just have her shipped home. The undertaker asked, "Why would you spend $5,000 to ship your mother-in-law home, when it would be wonderful to be buried here and spend only $150?". The man replied, "A man died here 2000 years ago, was buried here, and three days later he rose from the dead. I just can't take that chance".

Two Little Boys in a Hospital

Two little boys are in a hospital and are lying next to each other. The first boy leans over and asks, "What are you in here for?" The second replies, "I'm in here to get my tonsils out and I'm a little nervous". The first boy says, "You've got nothing to worry about. I had that done to me once. They put you to sleep and when you wake up they give you lots of jello and ice cream. It's a piece of cake!" The second boy then asks, "What are you in here for?" The first boy replies, "Well, I'm here for a circumcision". The second says, "Whoa! I had that done when I was born. I couldn't walk for a year!!!"

Taken from the site Funny Lessons.

Test your Speaking Skills III

2009-03-30T21:59:00.007+02:00

Hi folks again,
In order to better gauge (=evaluate) how fluent your spoken English is, ask yourself the following questions after listening to your recording. Then, read the advice below, it's really good!!

Do I pause a lot when I speak?

Do I say “ahh” or “uuhmm” many times because I can’t remember the right words that would be suitable for my sentences?

Do I often say “you know” to replace the phrases I can’t remember or explain myself?

Do I speak so slowly, because I’m too careful not to make mistakes in my sentences, that my listeners have a hard time following my train of thought or tend to look drowsy?

Do I make up words which don't exist in English because I translate them directly from Spanish?

Do I make the pronunciation of certain words indistinguishable intentionally, because I am not sure how they should be pronounced?

Do I sound too "Spanish"?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, then you do have a problem in English fluency. In order to be more fluent, I suggest you practise speaking English as often as possible. However, it’s not enough to practise all the time. You have to make sure you are doing it the right way. You can do this by practising with a friend or classmate who can speak English well, so that he/she can correct your mistakes if you commit any.

Also, surround yourself in an all-English atmosphere. Listen to English songs, read English books, and watch English TV programmes and movies. You can also try to record yourself as you speak English, and then listen to the recording afterwards. Listen for the mistakes that you commit repetitively and study the rules behind those mistakes. Be more careful not to commit them the next time you speak.

If you do this regularly, your English language skills will definitely improve a lot!

I've borrowed most of the questions and tips above from the blog Learning the Art of English Conversation. It's a very useful site. Click on the link to visit it.

(I actually meant to post this this afternoon, but I was in a hurry and, yes, I forgot. I tend to be kind of forgetful. Sorry about that!).

Test your Speaking Skills II

2009-03-30T13:43:00.011+02:00

Hello there again!
If you did your homework, that is, the speaking activity I proposed last week (describing a cartoon), now you can check how you did. If you still haven't done the activity, do it first and then, come back here again. Here's how it goes:

Click on the link below. It will take you to a site created by the EOI Málaga on which you can listen to another student at your same level (or the level you're supposed to be at, anyway), which is B1. What you should do is compare your recording to the one you can find on the site and draw your own conclusions: Is the other student's monologue better than yours? Is yours better? In what way/s? This activity is meant to make you reflect on your own spoken production.

Listen to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The levels you can see on the site, A1 up to B2, are the first four ones described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and NI2 at the School of Languages roughly corresponds to the Framework's B1.2. The CEFR is basically a mechanism designed by the EU to standardise the teaching and learning of foreign languages throughout the Union (click on the hyperlink above to visit their site). The current levels at Spain's EOIs are based on the Framework's A1 to B2 levels (the two highest C1 and C2 are not presently taught).

I also advise you to listen to the student at the highest level, B2, and to the native speaker (obviously), that you can find right below the cartoon.

Besides, if you want to, I'm more than willing to listen to your recordings to let you know how you did, what you should work upon, etc. Just let me know in class and I'll organize it.

I hope all this information is clear enough. However, if you have any questions regarding this, just tell me and I'll explain gladly!!

I hope you did really well!!! And if you didn't... well, you simply need the practice!!

Master Bedroom of the Year

2009-03-29T16:16:00.006+02:00

Hi folks again!
I've just prepared a new listening activity related to houses and decoration. We listened to a British couple talking about the choices they made for their living room in class. Now you can listen to a real American decorator working for Country Living magazine talking about her decorating choices in the video below.
I agree that it may be a bit trying, but I'm sure you CAN do it! Just remember, you are NOT supposed to understand every single word or sentence, but the gist (= main ideas) and the specific information I ask from you. So, DON'T give up!!
Besides, you are allowed to play the video three or more times if you really need to, since it's longer than the listenings we do in class.
Click here to download the activities.

Leave your comments if you wish to!!
I hope you do well!

Clozes Galore for the Young and Old!!

2009-03-29T13:10:00.007+02:00

Hi there again folks!!
I'm really happy because I've found a great site with lots of clozes for you (well, they're different levels actually).
Click right here and enjoy doing upper-intermediate clozes (the intermediate ones are waaayyy too easy for you).
When you do them, let me know how it went.

Note, however, that they're written in American English (which is English nonetheless), but just so that you know.

I hope they're useful!! ;)

Listening Activity for a Rainy Day

2009-03-29T12:30:00.010+02:00

Hello there everyone!!
How's your weekend going? Over here it has just stopped raining after a torrential downpour. So, I thought that, since the weather is so miserable (even though we do need some water), you might as well stay at home and study English!
If you already did the speaking activity in the previous post, why not do some listening practice?
I've found this one online. It's quite simple: watch the trailer for the film Stardust below and do the exercises.
Also, if you've seen the film, why not leave your comments on it?? I haven't, but now I feel like it!
Enjoy!!!!!

1. Whose lines are these? (Careful, they’re not in order!).
Decide if they're said by Robert de Niro (RN), Michelle Pfeiffer (MP), Tristan (T; the hero), Victoria (V), the narrator (N) or the man in black (MB).
a) You have seconds to live. →
b) You’re the star. You’re the star? Really? Oh, wow! →
c) Hold me tight and think of home. →
d) When I find her, the glory of our youth
shall be restored. →
e) You'd better be telling the truth, you two-faced dog. →
f) Enough! →
g) ...Wicked witches... flying pirates...
and dashing princes. →
h) Victoria, for your hand in marriage, I’d cross oceans. →
i) You can’t cross the wall. Nobody crosses the wall. →
j) I know what you are. →
k) Oh, Tristan, a shooting star! →

2. Fill in the blanks with as many words as you need.
I have a ________ for you- Victoria, for your hand in marriage, I’d cross oceans - ___________________, Tristan- Oh, Tristan, a shooting star! - I’ll ________________ and I’ll ____________________ that fallen _____- You can’t cross the wall. Nobody crosses the wall - Excuse me, have you seen a _________________________?- We’re in a crater. ___________________________- ____________________ where I fell- You’re the star. You’re the star? Really? Oh wow! - You’ve ___________________________________________, wicked witches, flying pilots and dashing princes. But never has there been ___________________ quite like this- Everyone’s talking about ____________________- When I find her, the glory of our youth shall be restored - This is the part where __________________________________ you’re up here- __________________ to make our way home- You'd better be telling the truth, you two-faced dog. - I can get you _________________, actually. _________________ guard dogs. They can watch the back and the front door _________________.- Enough! - Where’s ____________?- You have seconds to live - Now, we __________________- I know what you are - Get _________!- It’s just __________________ now- _____________________- Hold me tight, and think of home.