Kaleidoscope

Numbers

2012-01-26T13:54:00.002+01:00

Hi NI1 students!

Here you are some links where you can practice numbers.

http://www.esl-lab.com/num.htm

http://esl.about.com/library/listening/blnumbers1.htm

http://ww2.college-em.qc.ca/prof/epritchard/numbers.html

Have fun!

Interview to Sophie Calle. Take Care of Yourself.

2012-01-19T13:47:00.002+01:00

TateShots - Venice Special: Sophie Calle (2007) por zwischenzug

Santa Baby

2011-12-21T12:35:00.003+01:00

Dear Students,

Here you are the version of Santa Baby by Kylie Minogue that Marta (NI1) suggested. A classic revisited.

Enjoy! but don't get too carried away by consumerism ;)

Narrative tenses

2011-12-19T12:25:00.003+01:00

Dear NA2 students,

Here you are some links where you can practice narrative tenses online.

Hope it helps!
Leticia

UNDERSTANDING THE ORDER OF EVENTS:
http://www.gapfillers.co.uk/?atk=392

EASY GRAMMAR EXERCISES:
http://www.eltbase.com/get_quiz.php?id=22
http://www.eslpartyland.com/quiz/knee.htm

PAST SIMPLE AND PAST CONTINOUS:
http://englishlearner.com/tests/past_simple_-_past_continuous_quiz_1.shtml

PAST SIMPLE AND PAST PERFECT:
http://www.rainschool.com/school-of-english/level-5-advanced/english-practice-exercises-narrative-2-for-proficiency-p6-04g/

PAST PERFECT AND PAST PERFECT CONTINOUS:
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbs13.htm

Brazilian Forest Law

2011-12-13T22:43:00.002+01:00

Dear Students,

Please have a look at the following video by WWF about the consequences of changing the Forest Law in Brazil.

For further information and to do something, if you feel like doing so, please go to:
http://www.llamadadeemergenciadebrasil.org/

Weather Report

2011-12-12T14:54:00.002+01:00

Hi NI1 students!

Here you are a weather report. Listen to the tenses!

NA NA NA

2011-12-04T18:10:00.002+01:00

Dear Students,

Here you are a great song to practice the rhythm of English (weak and strong parts of the sentence). Sorry for any swear words or disgusting content, this is just for the sake of phonetis ;)

Enjoy!

Happy Hump Day

2011-11-30T13:24:00.004+01:00

Hi everyone!

On Wednesday, people say 'Happy Hump Day" which implies that the week is like a hill and when you're over the hump - that is the highest part- you're closer to the end of it.

To put it in a nutshell: the weekend is closer!

Hump as a slang meaning too... it's up to you if you want to find it out! I you feel like doing so, go to the SLANG DICTIONARY link on the left.

Happy Hump Day!

The History of English in 10 minutes

2011-11-28T14:17:00.000+01:00

Family issues

2011-11-22T12:26:00.003+01:00

Dear NA2 students,

Please have a look at the article below and match the definitions with the words in blue
(source: http://www.examiner.com)

Family is a concept which has become increasing difficult to define. The idea of what a family is can differ from person to person. There was a time when a family was strictly defined as two parents (mother and father), their biological children, and extended relatives. Today, the family dynamic is considerably more complicated and its boundaries can seem endless.

If one were to open photo albums of a dozen families in 1955, and compare them to families in 2009; there would be a considerably different look to the individuals and the roles they play. Step-parents are almost as numerous as biological parents. Step-siblings, half-siblings, and all the corresponding relationships and associations, can be overwhelming and confusing. There may be difficulty in finding a name for some of the relationships due to the newness of the phenomenon of the blended family. There may be a great deal of confusion surrounding the new idea of family. For instance, what does an adult child call their new relatives? How far-reaching do these new extended relationships go? Extended family can include step-grandparents, step-aunts and uncles. How is an adult child supposed to refer to the mother of their half-siblings? There is no limit to the possibility for confusion and discomfort.

Adult children may find these transitions and new relationships especially difficult to absorb and integrate into their lives. They may have their own families and a full spectrum of activities and issues to deal with. Parents divorcing and dating others can be difficult for adult children to accept or understand. Remarriage can bring extreme feelings as well. Add to that, half-siblings, who are as young as their own children, can be a source of embarrassment or resentment. The ability to accept a remarriage after the death of a parent, and the subsequent introduction of step-siblings may seem impossible. Not having grown up with step-siblings can make them feel like complete strangers, who are suddenly expected to be a family.

Whether it is through divorce and remarriage, or the death of a parent; adult children may feel resentful and disconnected from their parent and the new spouse. Being an adult does not insulate one entirely from the complicated feelings and mixed-emotions which accompany these situations. It may be painful to discuss feelings with family members; and the desire to avoid the new family dynamic may cause rifts or periods of no communication. In some cases, this need for distance can alleviate itself. Time and space is often necessary for adult children to adjust to the new environment. Each person and each family will have their own way to handle and cope with familial changes.

Becoming a step-grandparent can present its own difficulties as well. When adult children marry a person with children, it can be uneasy for the children and the adults to forge the role of step-grandparent. As with most situations, honest discussion and sincere kindness can help to work through the initial period of awkwardness, and transition beautifully into a loving relationship.

Parents of adult children should reach out with love and honesty to with their children, and step-children, and find ways to blend the families reasonably and sensibly for all concerned. There are resources and literature on the subject; and professional counseling may be beneficial for those who are experiencing prolonged detachment from their family members.

DEFINITIONS
1. a social unit consisting of two previously married parents and the children of their former marriages

2. an open break in a prevhttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7496744729898497750iously friendly relationship

3. a feeling of anger due to a real or imagined injury or offense.

4. a line or something else that marks a limit or border.

5. to make (something false) or imitate (something genuine) for purposes of deception or fraud; esp., to counterfeit (a check, signature, etc.)

6. astonishing

7. to make something easier to deal with or endure

8. clumsiness or embarassement

9. having a wide range, extent, influence, or effect

10. to set apart; detach from the rest; isolate or separate

You can check your definitions in this dictionary. Also, you can listen to the words!

http://www.yourdictionary.com

The doodle I fell in love with

2011-11-18T12:11:00.001+01:00

Phonetic Link for Module 6 students

2011-11-03T15:03:00.003+01:00

Hi there!

Please go to this link

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/sounds/chart.shtml

There you can click and listen to the sounds of English. Hope it helps!

Enjoy

Razzle Dazzle them

2011-10-19T13:32:00.010+02:00

This is for NA2 students...

http://youtu.be/YW3MIixEps4

BAILIFF(Spoken)
Mr. Flynn, his honor is here

BILLY(Spoken)
Thank you. Just a moment.
You ready?

ROXIE(Spoken)
Oh Billy, I'm scared.

BILLY(Spoken)
Roxie, you got nothing to worry about.
It's all a circus, kid. A three ring circus.
These trials- the wholeworld- all show business.
But kid, you're working with a star, the biggest!

(Singing)
Give 'em the old razzle dazzle
Razzle Dazzle 'em
Give 'em an act with lots of flash in it
And the reaction will be passionate
Give 'em the old hocus pocus
Bead and feather 'em
How can they see with sequins in their eyes?

What if your hinges all are rusting?
What if, in fact, you're just disgusting?

Razzle dazzle 'em
And they;ll never catch wise!

Give 'em the old Razzle Dazzle

BILLY AND COMPANY
Razzle dazzle 'em
Give 'em a show that's so splendiferous

BILLY
Row after row will crow vociferous

BILLY AND COMPANY
Give 'em the old flim flam flummox
Fool and fracture 'em

BILLY
How can they hear the truth above the roar?

BILLY AND COMPANY
Throw 'em a fake and a finagle
They'll never know you're just a bagel,

BILLY
Razzle dazzle 'em
And they'll beg you for more!

BILLY AND COMPANY
Give 'em the old double whammy
Daze and dizzy 'em
Back since the days of old Methuselah
Everyone loves the big bambooz-a-ler

Give 'em the old three ring circus
Stun and stagger 'em
When you're in trouble, go into your dance

Though you are stiffer than a girder
They'll let you get away with murder
Razzle dazzle 'em
And you've got a romance

COMPANY(The same time as BILLY's)
Give 'em the old
Razzle Dazzle

BILLY
Give 'em the old Razzle Dazzle
Razzle dazzle 'em
Show 'em the first rate sorceror you are
Long as you keep 'em way off balance
How can they spot you've got no talent
Razzle Dazzle 'em

BILLY AND COMPANY
Razzle Dazzle 'em
Razzle Dazzle 'em

And they'll make you a star!

Queremos negociar

2011-10-17T10:46:00.000+02:00

Dile a la viceconsejera de Educación que impulse la negociación con los profesores

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sometimes, you feel like saying...

2011-10-13T13:15:00.000+02:00

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

2011-10-06T12:59:00.001+02:00

Nice speech by deceased Steve Jobs.

I strongly recommend the last 3 minutes.

http://youtu.be/6zlHAiddNUY

Manifestación día 20

2011-09-19T13:38:00.001+02:00

MALA EDUCACIÓN

2011-09-14T14:12:00.000+02:00

Obssesive-Compulsive Grammar Disorder

2011-09-10T15:05:00.003+02:00

Por la Educación Pública

2011-09-05T10:53:00.001+02:00

PEDIMOS A LA PRESIDENTA Y A LA CONSEJERA QUE SE RETRACTEN DE SUS INSULTOS Y MENTIRAS

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En Defensa de la Educación Pública

2011-08-25T15:07:00.002+02:00

Añado una carta que se ha realizado por algunos profesores explicando detalladamente cómo afectan los recortes a los alumnos y a las familias...

Esto es un texto extenso. Si no tiene tiempo de leer todo, quédese al menos con el MENSAJE PRINCIPAL, que es el siguiente:

Se está recortando en la Educación de sus hijos. Los profesores nos estamos movilizando para defender nuestra dignidad como trabajadores y la calidad de la Educación que damos, y quiero pedirle que aporte su granito de arena o, cuando menos, comprenda la situación y apoye al profesorado.

No es habitual que los docentes seamos tan directos en cuestiones como éstas, pero creo que la gravedad de la situación lo merece. También quiero dejar claro que esta carta no pretende hablar de política sino de Educación pero, por desgracia, la primera influye fuertemente sobre la segunda. No obstante, trataré de limitarme a exponer datos objetivos dejando para ustedes la reflexión en los planos no puramente educativos.

¿Qué es lo que está pasando?
El 4 de julio de 2011, coincidiendo casualmente con el periodo estival y cuando los centros educativos están prácticamente vacíos y, por tanto, sin forma de contacto directa con las familias, la Consejería de Educación de la Comunidad de Madrid ha dictado unas instrucciones dirigidas a los Institutos Públicos (no concertados ni privados) de ESO, Bachillerato, Formación Profesional y otros, que suponen un recorte sangrante de plantilla. Un recorte difícil de cuantificar, pero la mayoría de los equipos directivos de los centros lo han calculado en torno al 15%, unos 3.000 profesores en total. Esto significa que un instituto medio perderá 10-12 profesores de distintas materias. Es una barbaridad que ya se suma a otro recorte similar producido en el curso anterior y por el cual la plantilla general de docentes ya se redujo en más de 2.000 compañeros.

EN LA ESO Y EN EL BACHILLERATO el recorte se traducirá en:
• Eliminación de desdobles de Lengua, Matemáticas y otras materias.
• Desaparición de grupos reducidos de Inglés.
• Reducción del número y calidad de las optativas.
• Cierre de la biblioteca y de otros servicios.
• Peor funcionamiento de los medios técnicos, informática, audiovisuales…
• Reducción de las guardias de patio y de aulas. Sus hijos estarán menos vigilados (o no vigilados) en el recreo y ante la circunstancia de bajas por enfermedad, ya que dichas bajas se cubren tarde y mal.
• Reducción o eliminación de las actividades extraescolares.
• Aumento del número de alumnos por clase, superando en muchos casos los 30 alumnos por aula y en algunos niveles casi 40 alumnos por aula.
• Menor disponibilidad de los equipos de Orientación educativa/profesional.
• Reducción de la atención a alumnos con problemas de aprendizaje. Esto impacta directamente no solo sobre estos alumnos, que se quedan sin la atención más individualizada que necesitan, sino también sobre el resto, que inevitablemente verán lastrado su aprendizaje con un profesor que debe simultanear varias líneas de enseñanza: una con el grupo principal y otra por cada uno de los alumnos menos adelantados.

En la FORMACIÓN PROFESIONAL también tiene el mismo impacto, ya que esta se imparte en los mismos institutos que la ESO y el Bachillerato. En la FP se invirtieron muchos recursos para darle la dignidad que perdió y que merece. No hay que olvidar que Europa está insistiendo constantemente en la importancia de la FP. Pero estos recortes son un jarro de agua fría sobre un objetivo que poco a poco se va consiguiendo. Tienen, entre muchas otras, las siguientes implicaciones:
• Eliminación de ciclos de FP totalmente necesarios para regenerar el empleo y la tan mencionada productividad. La FP tiene que estar en los barrios y en los pueblos para llegar a todos. Se trata de una formación más local y cercana a las empresas y debe estar dispersa por el territorio.
• Masificación de alumnos en las aulas. Esto es especialmente grave en este nivel educativo en primer lugar porque el perfil del alumnado es en muchos casos uno que no ha triunfado en otros estudios más teóricos y que requiere una atención muy personalizada, y, en segundo lugar, por el carácter eminentemente práctico de la FP que requiere lo mismo.
• Dificultades para la autoformación de los profesores de FP, que son en gran medida autodidactas, al poder dedicar menos tiempo a esta tarea, mientras que en el ámbito de la FP la formación día a día es vital.

Por otro lado, también se ven afectadas las ESCUELAS OFICIALES DE IDIOMAS y las de ARTES PLÁSTICAS Y DISEÑO. Los recortes son brutales en todas las etapas educativas.

Además, en los centros de INFANTIL Y PRIMARIA ya se vienen arrastrando desde hace mucho tiempo problemas de masificación y falta de medios humanos que provocan un deterioro en la etapa Secundaria y siguientes. El deterioro es global y llega hasta el mercado laboral: si los niños no vienen con una buena base no se puede construir gran cosa sobre los conocimientos que traen.

Todas estas medidas ya están aprobadas de forma unilateral por parte de la Consejería (sin previa consulta o negociación con los centros ni con los mediadores sindicales), así que sólo cabe pedir que sean retiradas.

Esto se suma, además, a demasiados años de dejadez y abandono de los medios materiales, sistemas audiovisuales, salas de ordenadores, sistemas de calefacción, aire acondicionado (donde lo hay), internet…

¿Cuál es el motivo de los recortes?
El motivo que esgrime la Consejería es la necesidad de ahorro por la crisis. Pero:
En primer lugar, ahorro se lleva haciendo desde hace mucho tiempo por cuestiones como las enunciadas arriba. A este ahorro se suma, además, la bajada de sueldo conjunta de Gobierno Central y Autonómico.
En segundo lugar, paralelamente a estos recortes, valorados por la propia Consejera de Educación en 60 millones de euros, se están implantando ventajas fiscales para quienes estudian en centros privados que cuestan en torno a los 74 millones a la Comunidad, según datos publicados recientemente en la prensa de Madrid.
Por ello, parece que el motivo de los recortes en lo Público NO es el ahorro.

¿Y qué ocurre con las tutorías?
Otra de las instrucciones directas de la Comunidad de Madrid afecta gravemente a las tutorías. En un principio, la Consejería había decidido eliminar completamente la hora de tutoría con alumnos (no así en concertados ni privados, por supuesto). Después, ante la protesta del colectivo docente en pleno y las críticas de la opinión pública ante tamaño escándalo, dieron instrucciones de que en esas horas de tutoría los alumnos recibirían apoyo de Lengua, Matemáticas e Inglés. Han intentado enmendar esta chapuza mediante una orden que exige a los tutores realizar tutorías individualizadas con los alumnos, pero esto es algo que ya realizamos todos cuando es necesario, y de ningún modo sustituye a la tutoría grupal.

El perjuicio de cara a los alumnos es enorme. Con estas medidas, la labor tutorial queda completamente disminuida y no se podrán llevar a cabo algunas cuestiones de vital importancia en el desarrollo educativo y personal del alumno:
• Multitud de talleres que vienen realizándose todos los años sobre determinados temas transversales y educación en valores.
• Técnicas de estudio.
• Orientación académica y profesional.
• Interacción positiva de la clase y diagnóstico y solución de problemas.
• En general, la tutoría se convierte en un espacio de “ruegos y preguntas” muy necesario en los centros educativos.

Además, la supresión de la tutoría tampoco produce absolutamente ningún ahorro por lo que no somos pocos quienes pensamos que su motivación es evitar que puedan tratarse en clase temas que es necesario tratar. La tutoría lleva décadas así y funciona bien. Lo sabemos los profesores. No hay por qué cambiarla.

¿Qué son las horas de docencia directa?
La Consejería se ha dedicado a difamar datos sobre las horas de trabajo de los profesores en los que sólo habla de las horas de docencia directa, es decir, las horas que estamos físicamente delante de los alumnos. Sin embargo, hay muchas otras tareas igualmente importantes que es necesario realizar, y no solo la preparación de las clases sino muchas otras actividades complementarias que están perfectamente estipuladas por la legislación y en los horarios individuales de cada uno de nosotros.
No se dejen engañar. Esto es como si contáramos las horas que trabaja la Consejera de Educación en función del tiempo que está sentada en su escaño.

¿A quién afecta todo esto?
¿A quién afectan las medidas dictadas por la Consejería? Al menos:
• A los alumnos, que reciben una peor formación como estudiantes y como personas.
• A las familias, que verán cómo el tiempo de que disponemos los profesores para atenderles se reduce (¬todavía más¬ del que ya se redujo el curso pasado).
• A los profesores que actualmente conservan su trabajo, ya que, además de soportar una reducción previa de sueldo del 7%, soportan también un aumento en la carga de trabajo de más del 10%. En estas circunstancias no es posible trabajar con calidad en un ámbito en el que cada detalle cuenta.
• A los profesores que pierden su trabajo, que son, por ahora, los interinos. En realidad, esto supone una doble amoralidad, cuando menos: haber tenido trabajando como eventuales a miles de personas de forma continuada sin un contrato fijo y despedir ahora de golpe a 3.000 personas sin convocar un ERE (una cifra que hay que unir a la de los 2.200 despedidos el año pasado).
• A la sociedad, que pagará las consecuencias de la mala formación de los futuros trabajadores que deben levantar y mantener el país. El impacto de un curso desaprovechado se arrastra durante todos los estudios, igual que cuando un chico pincha en una asignatura un año en concreto y cuesta tanto recuperar el nivel en próximos años.

¿Qué va a hacer el profesorado al respecto?
Todo esto desmotiva y mina enormemente el ánimo de los profesores, que no dejamos de ser personas, y desvía nuestra atención y nuestros esfuerzos de lo que es importante de verdad, que no es otra cosa que educar y formar a sus hijos.
Nos estamos organizando para luchar contra estos despropósitos. Dadas las fechas, es muy difícil realizar acciones concretas. Una de las opciones que se baraja con más fuerza es la de la huelga indefinida a partir del 1 de septiembre o a partir del primer día de clase. Estoy seguro de poder decir en nombre de todos que sentimos sinceramente tener que recurrir a esta situación por los perjuicios que ocasionará pero lo creemos desgraciadamente necesario en el contexto actual. Estamos mirando a medio y largo plazo y luchando por el futuro de la Educación Pública y de nuestros alumnos. Esperamos que lo entiendan.
También luchamos, lógicamente, por nuestras condiciones como trabajadores pero por suerte o por desgracia la mayoría de nosotros se mueve en gran medida por vocación. Basta observar que la respuesta ante la situación actual no tiene nada que ver con la que se produjo ante la reducción de salario de un 7% de hace unos meses.

¿Y, ahora que lo sabe, qué va a hacer usted?
En esta situación ESPERAMOS CONTAR CON SU APOYO, y este es el principal objetivo de esta carta. Está en juego la educación de sus hijos, que están siendo ninguneados por la Consejería, con el agravante de que a los alumnos de la enseñanza concertada y privada no les afectan los recortes.

Los profesores necesitamos sentirnos apoyados por los padres y alumnos, verdaderos protagonistas del sistema educativo. Ante esta petición, por favor ignoren la imagen que puedan tener de los pocos profesores y maestros no válidos que puedan haberse encontrado. Tengan por seguro que en la Educación Pública de la Comunidad de Madrid, la enorme mayoría son profesionales implicados que se dejan la piel por los alumnos. Pero, así, en estas condiciones, nos ponen en una situación insostenible.

Estamos convencidos de que si estas movilizaciones tienen el apoyo de las familias la Consejería va a tener que rectificar en muy poco tiempo y se podrán reanudar las clases pronto. Es más, estoy seguro de que, una vez resuelta la situación muchos profesores lo daremos todo para recuperar el tiempo perdido. Yo el primero.

¿De qué forma concreta puede protestar?
Les animo a realizar por su propio interés, apoyen o no nuestras movilizaciones, la mayor cantidad posible de las siguientes acciones (¡o al menos una!):
• Pidan explicaciones a la Dirección de los institutos. Algunos han protestado enérgicamente. Otros, no tanto. Infórmense de qué ha hecho su instituto al respecto y pongan una queja allí mismo si no es suficiente.
• Pidan explicaciones e interpongan una reclamación por escrito en la Inspección Educativa. Todos los días hay un inspector de guardia con el que se puede hablar sin ningún problema ni implicación posterior. Están para atender a profesores, familias, etc. Los inspectores están en las Direcciones de Área Territoriales. Hay cinco: Norte, Sur, Este, Oeste y Capital. Infórmense de cuál es la que corresponde a su centro. Podrán encontrar fácilmente las direcciones y teléfonos en Google buscando “DAT Madrid Oeste”, por ejemplo.
• Pidan explicaciones y pongan una queja por escrito en la Consejería de Educación. También deben atenderles.
• Pidan explicaciones y pongan una queja por escrito en el 012, teléfono de la Comunidad de Madrid. Si tienen tarifa plana pueden llamar gratis al 915804260 –es lo mismo–. Marquen la opción 4: Educación.
• Pongan un escrito genérico quejándose de los aspectos que más les preocupen en cualquier “oficina de registro de la Comunidad de Madrid”. Busquen ese literal en Google: en el primer resultado de la búsqueda está el buscador de oficinas. En el segundo está el listado completo.
• Coordinen sus acciones con la AMPA. La del Blas de Otero, entre muchas otras, ya se está moviendo: ampaiesblasdeotero.wordpress.com
(*) Realizar las quejas por escrito es MUY importante, ya que lo verbal no consta en ningún sitio y se toma más a la ligera. No hace falta saber redactar como Cervantes: palabras llanas y claras son perfectas para hacerse entender. Pidan explicaciones y quéjense de la situación. Tienen todo el derecho del mundo y también el deber, si me lo permiten, ya que la Educación Pública es de todos: profesores, alumnos y familias.

Insisto: necesitamos su apoyo.
No dejen de quejarse por pensar que no vale de nada. Les aseguro que su participación es importantísima. Probablemente muchos de quienes reciban esta carta se preocupen por el asunto y empaticen con el profesorado. Eso ya es mucho. Pero si un pequeño porcentaje de las familias se presenta en la Consejería de Educación a pedir explicaciones, esta carta habrá triunfado. Formen parte de ese 1%, ó 10%, o, quién sabe, de esa mayoría que al menos pide explicaciones, y siéntanse orgullosos de haber puesto su granito de arena para el futuro de sus hijos.

Siéntanse libres de reenviar o fotocopiar esta carta a todas las familias interesadas en la Pública, de la guardería a la universidad. Es más, háganlo por favor.

Para información y noticias, googleen “recortes huelga educación madrid”.

Para terminar, quiero darles las gracias por tomarse el tiempo de leer este escrito y reitero mi malestar por las molestias que las movilizaciones puedan ocasionarles. Espero que entiendan su necesidad y se unan para que las movilizaciones tengan la menor duración posible y se restablezca el necesario ambiente de aprendizaje.

Hashtags

2011-07-30T18:17:00.003+02:00

What Are Hashtags ("#" Symbols)?

Definition: The # symbol, called a hashtag, is used to mark keywords or topics in a Tweet. It was created organically by Twitter users as a way to categorize messages.

Hashtags: helping you find interesting Tweets

People use the hashtag symbol # before relevant keywords in their Tweet to categorize those Tweets to show more easily in Twitter Search.

Clicking on a hashtagged word in any message shows you all other Tweets in that category.

Hashtags can occur anywhere in the Tweet.

Hashtagged words that become very popular are often Trending Topics.

Example: Below, @VegNews added the hashtag before the word "vegan" in their message. The word is now a link to search results for all Tweets containing "#vegan" in the message.

Using hashtags

If Tweet with a hashtag on a public account, anyone who does a search for that hashtag may find your Tweet.

Don't #spam #with #hashtags. Don't over-tag a single Tweet. (Best practices recommend using no more than 3 hashtags per Tweet.)

Use hashtags only on Tweets relevant to the topic.

Further Discovery and Reading

The third party site hashtags.org offers an overview of popular hashtags used on Twitter. Find out about trends, look at small, pretty graphs, and search to see if the hashtags of your fantasies exist.

You may also want to read this article about hashtags, which appeared in The New Yorker magazine.

from: http://support.twitter.com/articles/49309-what-are-hashtags-symbols

Amy Winehouse, rest in peace...

2011-07-25T23:52:00.003+02:00

Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011) was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz.

Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. Her 2006 follow-up album, Back to Black, led to six Grammy Award nominations and five wins, tying the then record for the most wins by a female artist in a single night, and made Winehouse the first British female to win five Grammys, including three of the "Big Four": Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year. On 14 February 2007, she won a BRIT Award for Best British Female Artist; she had also been nominated for Best British Album. She won the Ivor Novello Award three times, one in 2004 for Best Contemporary Song (musically and lyrically) for "Stronger Than Me", one in 2007 for Best Contemporary Song for "Rehab", and one in 2008 for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for "Love Is a Losing Game", among other distinctions. The album was the third biggest seller of the 2000s in the United Kingdom.

Winehouse was credited as an influence in the rise in popularity of female musicians and soul music, and also for revitalising British music. Winehouse's distinctive style made her a muse for fashion designers such as Karl Lagerfeld. Winehouse's problems with drug and alcohol abuse, and her self-destructive behaviours were regular tabloid news from 2007 until her death. She and her former husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, were plagued by legal troubles that left him serving prison time. In 2008, Winehouse faced a series of health complications that threatened both her career and her life.

Winehouse died at the age of 27 on 23 July 2011, at her home in London; police have said that the cause of her death was "as yet unexplained".

bbc.co.uk

Recortes en la Educación Pública

2011-07-15T10:20:00.002+02:00

La Comunidad de Madrid debe retirar los recortes en educación pública

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English Pronouns

2011-03-21T13:22:00.002+01:00

Dear NB1 students,
Please find some links below to practice English pronouns:

PERSONAL PRONOUNS (Subjects)

OBJECT PRONOUNS (Objects)

POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES

POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS

Hope it helps!

If I were a boy...

2011-02-23T10:50:00.002+01:00

Dear NI2 students,
Here you are the video I couldn't show you yesterday.
Enjoy!

St. Valentine's Dialogue

2011-02-16T11:04:00.003+01:00

Dear Ni2 students,

Please have a look at this link:

http://elllo.org/english/0901/T944-Mel-VDay.htm

You'll listen to people speaking about St. Valentine's Day. This webpage is great because you can listen and read at the same time and the speakers use a really natural language. You can find comprehension questions too.

Hope you like it!
Leticia.

The time

2011-01-19T11:45:00.002+01:00

Dear NB1 students,

here you are a video to listen and practice telling the time in English.

Enjoy!

New links

2010-12-20T11:30:00.004+01:00

Dear NB1 and NI2 students,

I've added a couple of links to our listening section.

Words in the news is specially good for NI2 students, so that you can practice news English. You can listen and read at the same time as well as learn new vocabulary.

English central is good for any level students. You have to register and then choose your level (easy,medium or hard). The procedure is simple:
- watch a video with subtitles
- then record yourself reading the subtitles.
- the software will give you feedback on your speech.

This way you will learn:
- pronunciation of words
- sentence intonation
- sentence rythm

I hope you like it!

All and Everything

2010-12-16T14:36:00.001+01:00

Dear Ni2 students,

Since it seems you have problems with "all" and "everything", here you are a quite straightforward explanation (and some exercises). Just click on the words below:

ALL AND EVERYTHING

Hope it helps!

Flamenco Maestro Enrique Morente dies at 67

2010-12-14T15:01:00.002+01:00

The music and arts world in Spain is in shock. Flamenco maestro Enrique Morente died today in Madrid at Madrid’s clínica La Luz. The legendary singer, composer and producer had been in a coma for several days and this morning he had been pronounced brain dead. Spanish newspapers are reporting that the family may sue the clinic for malpractice.

The clinic has become a focal point for Morente’s friends. At the time of death, Morente was surrounded by flamenco singers Arcángel and Carmen Linares, producer Javier Limón and singer-songwriter Joaquín Sabina.

The Morente family put out a new press release. “The Morente Family announces that today, Monday, December 13th, after 5:00 pm, Enrique Morente has died. After several days of tireless fight against death, Enrique Morente, an extraordinary creator and a wonderful person, leaves an enormous emptiness in our hearts and in music, to which he dedicated himself entirely and with passion during all his life.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL NEWS

URBAN TRIBES

2010-12-12T19:03:00.003+01:00

Dear NI2 students,

Here you are some reading about urban tribes...

You may also want to find out your urban tribe here:
http://www.findyourtribe.co.uk

Enjoy!

YOUNG URBAN TRIBES FIGHT OVER FASHION
BY ALEX STEPHENS

Yuppies, Tweenies and Sloane Rangers move over - it is time to introduce the Trendies, Indie Scenesters and Blingers.

After questioning more than 80,000 people across the UK, social experts have identified 26 different "tribes" that young people fall into.

The categories, ranging from Emos, who are sensitive types with floppy fringes, to Indie Scenesters, whose uniform is Converse and skinny jeans, have been listed on the website www.findyourtribe.co.uk as part of an online quiz. Visitors to the site are placed in a tribe after being questioned about their lifestyle.

The quiz has been created for Channel 4 by research agencies Crowd DNA and Voodoo. The results will help brands to understand customers.

WHICH TRIBE ARE YOU?

BHANGRA MUFFIN: Your accent is half Asian, 25 percent urban and 25 percent English. You bought Shilpa Shetty's perfume. You wear Iceberg jeans and Rocawear.

BLINGERS: You think Mr T was under-dressed and wear your bling on your D&G sleeve. People ask you if you're from the US because of your New York accent and you take this as a compliment.

EMOS: You have dyed black hair brushed over your face to protect you from the cruel world. You seek solace in poetry and music.

GET PAID CREW: You devote your life to getting rich and aspire to having an empire.

GRUNGERS: Your god is Kurt Cobain. Your bleached blonde hair is the same length as your girlfriend's and your jumpers have thumb holes in.

SKATERS: Your motto is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". You're happy if there's concret to grind, trainers to ruin and rock to rock to. You regularly video your own stunts - but would run a mile if you saw the police. You don't want no trouble.

INDIES: You know all the major players in the indie scene. You're always moving on to the next thing once everyone joins in.

STREET RATS: You're always ducking and diving, trying to make a few quid. You hang on park benches, drinking and getting in the face of any innocent passer-by.

TRENDIES: Your look is more important than life itself. You buy Vogue and Glamour, mainly just to carry around and remind the plebs of your social standing. You aspire to be a fashionista and worship at the skinny feet of Gwen Stefani and Kate Moss.

Other tribes are:

CLUBBERS

PC WORLD

TECHIES

TOWNIES

CHAVS

SPORTS JUNKIE

SMART URBAN

MOSHERS

Do / Does

2010-11-29T11:07:00.003+01:00

Dear NB1 Students,
Please go to this webpage

REAL ENGLISH LESSON 21

to listen and read some people using DO and DOES in conversations.

Have a nice day!
Leticia.

small talk

2010-11-15T11:07:00.002+01:00

Dear NI2 students,
Here you are a video on small talk. Relax, because you can read the most important information while you watch and listen:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/06/earlyshow/leisure/books/main917356.shtml?tag=currentVideoInfo;videoMetaInfo

Enjoy,
Leticia.

Alphabet Time!

2010-11-09T14:35:00.002+01:00

Dear NB1 students,

Sing along with Elmo and have fun with the alphabet!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION NI2

2010-11-08T10:16:00.002+01:00

Hi there!

This is a message for B and D groups (Tue / Thu):

THERE'S NO CLASS TOMORROW, BUT THERE'S CLASS ON FRIDAY.

Have a nice day!

Where are you from?

2010-11-05T11:50:00.002+01:00

Dear NB1 students:

Here you are a video to practice 'Where are you from?'

Enjoy!

Larry King: Interview to Lady Gaga

2010-10-28T11:51:00.002+02:00

Dear NI2 students:

Here you are the full interview:

Enjoy!

Pleased to meet you

2010-10-18T11:22:00.005+02:00

Dear NB1 students:

Here you are a video to practice greetings and meeting people language.

Have a nice day!
Leticia

Getting to know each other

2010-10-04T23:28:00.003+02:00

Dear NB1 and NI2 students,

Welcome to your blog!

I hope you'll enjoy it.

Cheers,
Leticia.

New Link

2010-09-14T11:29:00.004+02:00

Dear Students,

I've added a new link to our 'Dictionaries' section.

It's the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. It's a monolingual dictionary that defines meanings using a range of 3000 words (the so called Oxford 3000 key words) which are supposed to be the most useful words in English.

Enjoy,
Leticia.

Learn English and Donate Food

2010-09-09T13:12:00.002+02:00

Hi there!

Would you like to learn English and feed hungry people at the same time?

Go this website and answer questions about English. For every correct answer 10 grains of rice are donated to the World Food Programme.

Have a nice day,
Leticia.

USEFUL TOOL

2010-08-04T12:13:00.004+02:00

Dear Students,

How are you doing? Are you spending a nice summer?

I'm back from Glasgow and I've learnt many useful things that we can use in class. I'm looking forward to using them with you!

If you click HERE you'll go to the Virtual Language Centre webpage. If you enter a phrase or sentence in the WEB CONCORDANCER you will find examples of how that particular chunk of language is used in English. If there are no results, it means that it does not exist in English. This way you can check whether your phrase is correct and natural in English or not...

I hope you can practice and improve your writing with this! The link will be in the DIDACTIC WEBSITES for you.

Have a nice summer!
Leticia.

To the funniest students!

2010-06-19T12:41:00.003+02:00

Dear B2 students,

First of all, I hope you're ok today after your exam. Marks will be out on Wednesday 23rd at about 7:30 pm.

Secondly, THANK YOU FOR THE PARTY YESTERDAY!! It was real fun, I have to admit I was really scared when I had to open the box (well, the boxes!) but the surprise inside was just wonderful. It'll be a very very special ball for me ;).

As for the rest of presents, it wasn't necessary, really, but thank you very much anyway. I felt really fortunate and thankful. It's been a very hard year for all of us, don't you think?

Thank you for your words as well and congratulations for your creativity! I'm still amused at the wooden piece with the parody on my class plan! hahahaha!

Well, see you on Wednesday come what may.
Love,
Leticia.

PD: I'm going to miss you so much sweeties...

BÁSICO 2 EXAM: important information

2010-06-17T14:33:00.002+02:00

Dear B2 students,

I'm writing to tell you that I'll be late tomorrow for your exam, so don't worry if you don't see me.

Margarita will be with B2-C in our classroom and Patricia with B2-D in class 1-15. Please, bring your ID with you!

Be relaxed and concentrate a lot in you reading and listening tests!! Read the instructions carefully too.

I think I'll be there at about 18:00 anyway.

Take care and GOOD LUCK!
Leticia.

To my dearest students

2010-06-12T12:48:00.003+02:00

Dear B1 students,

Thank you very much for our lovely dinner yesterday! Thank you for your wonderful presents, your delicious chocolates and specially for your card and all the moving and beautiful comments we told each other.

You know I'm going to miss you a lot, but I'm happy too because I feel really pleased with our results this year. Congratulations!

I wish you all the best and please be always so active, so motivated, hard-working and nice.

Good luck and love,
Leticia.

PS: Please feel free to go to the teacher's room with your pendrives to copy the garden day videos.

The Body

2010-05-20T13:36:00.002+02:00

Dear Students,

Marta has found a very interesting blog where you can practice language about

THE BODY

You can hear the words pronounced.

Thank you!

The Earth

2010-05-15T10:40:00.003+02:00

Dear B2 Students,

Please have a look at the complete documentary about the Earth. I'm sure you're going to enjoy it much more in this format.

I've also copied the video script so that you can listen and read at the same time.

Have a nice weekend!

Solar System:
All About Earth

Here is short video all about planet earth. Full of information on our very own planet Earth, this film covering physics, chemistry and biology shows you a vey different side to Earth as we know it.

1.

Earth is the third planet from the Sun and is the largest of the rocky planets in the Solar System, in both diameter and mass.
2.

It is located about 150 million km from the Sun between Venus and Mars.
3.

Home to the human species, it is also referred to as "The Earth", "Planet Earth", "Terra", "The World", and "The Blue Planet". It is the only planet not named after a Roman or Greek God. The name derives from old English and Germanic.
4.

It was not until the time of Copernicus in the 16th Century that it was understood that the Earth is just another planet.
5.

The Earth is the first planet known to have liquid water on the surface and is the only place in the universe that is known to harbour life.....up to now.
6.

The Earth was formed around 4.5 billion years ago and its only known natural satellite, the Moon, began orbiting it around 4 million years later.
7.

The Earth travels around the Sun at nearly 30km per second or 67,000mph. It makes one complete orbit for every 365.25 times it rotates about its axis. It is this quarter day that produces a leap year or extra day every four years.
8.

The Earth's axis of rotation is tilted 23° away from the perpendicular to its orbital plane, producing seasonal variations on the planet's surface.
9.

Ice caps of frozen water at the North and South poles are gradually receding because of the build up of carbon emissions in the atmosphere causing the overall temperature to rise in a greenhouse effect.
10.

Earth has a magnetic field that, together with a primarily nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere, protects the surface from radiation that is harmful to life. The atmosphere also serves as a shield that causes smaller meteors to burn up before they strike the surface.
11.

The Earth's atmosphere is composed of 77% nitrogen, 21% oxygen with traces of argon, carbon dioxide and water. But the atmosphere is very thin. There is no definite line between atmosphere and space, it just gradually thins out the higher you go. Although humans cannot exist over about 10,000m without oxygen. At 80km you are considered to be an astronaut.
12.

The atmosphere is coloured blue because of the light scattering abilities of water molecules and other gases. Blue light is scattered more than the other colours.
13.

At Sunrise and Sunset the sky appears red because the longer red wavelengths are more prevalent.
14.

Magnetic radiation streams from the Sun and congregates at the poles in the upper atmosphere and cause the Aurora, coloured lights that dance across the sky at extreme latitudes.
15.

Clouds in the atmosphere are caused by a build up of water molecules. Clouds can be created at ground level (fog) and can extend to a height of over 8000m in the case of cirrus clouds.
16.

The presence of life on Earth has greatly affected the composition of the atmosphere. Plant life inhales carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and emits oxygen as a by-product.
17.

Mammals on the planet inhale oxygen and emit carbon dioxide, a wonderful arrangement!
18.

It is estimated that there are 6.6 billion humans, this figure is expected to rise to 7 billion by 2013.
19.

The 29% of land mass consists of deserts, mountains, plains and plateaus. The tallest mountain is Mount Everest on the border of Nepal and China it is nearly 9,000m or 29,000ft.
20.

The surface of the Earth is made from a crust of rock 0 to 60km thick, known as the Lithosphere. Below this surface is a superheated and viscous liquid inner core.
21.

The Lithosphere essentially floats on the surface of this liquid inner core, in what are known as tectonic plates.
22.

Tectonic plates are rigid sections of the Earth's surface that move in relation to each other. It is when two or more of these plates grind together that we get Earthquakes.
23.

Collisions between the plates give rise to high mountain ranges as the surfaces are pushed up.
24.

71% of the surface is covered by salt water oceans. The abundance of water on the Earth's surface is what makes it unique amongst the other planets in the Solar System.
25.

The deepest underwater location is the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean with a depth of almost 11,000m (35,798ft or 6.78mi).
26.

If all of the land on Earth were spread evenly, the water would rise to an altitude of more than 2.5km (approximately 1.7mi).
27.

About 97% of the Earth's water is saline, while the remaining 3% is fresh water. The majority of the fresh water, about 68%, is currently in the form of ice.

Chocolate Cake Recipe

2010-05-11T16:12:00.004+02:00

Dear B1 students,

Since we won't have time to look at recipes, I'd like you to watch this sweet video where you can get an idea of recipe language.

Enjoy!

PS: you can see the text below

Chocolate:
How To Make Chocolate Cake

Step 1: You will need:
Units:

* 200 g caster sugar
* 200 g softened butter
* 4 medium eggs, beaten
* 170 g self-raising flour
* 30 g cocoa
* 1 tsp baking powder
* 2 tbsp milk
* 200 ml double cream
* 50 g butter
* 3 tbsp clear honey
* 200 g dark chocolate

1.
Step 2: Mix

Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5, 375F. Butter two 20cm (8 in) sandwich tins and line with non-stick baking paper.
2.
Step 3: Bake

In a large bowl, beat together 200g softened butter with 200g caster sugar, 4 eggs, 170g flour and 30g cocoa powder until you have a smooth, soft batter.
Divide the mixture between the tins, smooth the surface with a spatula or the back of a spoon, then bake for about 20 mins until the top is a beautiful golden colour. The cake should spring back when you press it. Turn it onto a cooling rack and leave to cool completely.
3.
Step 4: Frosting

For the fudge frosting, heat 200ml double cream until it just begins to boil. Take it off the heat and add 50g butter, 3 tablespoons honey and 200g dark chocolate, which has been broken into pieces. Leave the mixture for five minutes so the chocolate melts, then stir it briefly to combine all the ingredients - don't over-mix it or it will lose its shine.
4.
Step 5: Ice

Sandwich the cakes with a third of the just-warm frosting and spread the rest over the top and sides. Top with shaved or grated chocolate.

Agony Aunt

2010-05-05T11:57:00.003+02:00

Dear B2 Students,

This is the opening message from a website called "My Agony Aunt"

Here at My Agony Aunt you can read letters from other people suffering with problems just like you, the letters we publish cover everything from relationship advice, marriage advice and teenage agony aunt letters.

You can not only read the letters you can also post your suggestions on what people should do, maybe you have some personal life experience that can help others.

Why don't you have a look at it? You may find some nice grammar and vocabulary as well as human interest stories... And who knows, maybe you can also give some advice!

MY AGONY AUNT

Have a nice day!

I - ME - MY - MINE

2010-04-16T11:44:00.003+02:00

Dear B2 students,

Here you are some more grammar exercises at your request.

PERSONAL PRONOUNS 1

PERSONAL PRONOUNS 2

OBJECT PRONOUNS 1

OBJECT PRONOUNS 2

POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES

POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS

POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES AND PRONOUNS

Have a nice weekend!

Irregular verbs

2010-04-13T11:40:00.003+02:00

Dear Module 3 students:

Here you are a blog where you can practice irregular verbs:

ENGLISH IRREGULAR VERBS

See you next Monday!

Easter listening

2010-04-08T15:29:00.002+02:00

Dear B2 students:

Here you are the link to the listening activity about Easter.

And this is the learning English section from the BBC.

Enjoy!

The Latest Weather Report

2010-03-09T13:11:00.003+01:00

Dear B2 students,

Here you are a really charming 1950's video on weather forecasts.

You can practice and learn vocabulary such as:
haze
overcast
below zero
chance of...
risk of ...
fair
freezing
partly cloudy
cool
mild

Don't forget to use the dictionary!

PEN DRIVES

2010-02-28T20:18:00.003+01:00

This is a message for B1 students.

Please bring your pen drives to class on Monday, so that you can have your oral exam recordings.

Have a nice evening and see you tomorrow!
Leticia.

Using Audacity

2010-02-19T17:45:00.004+01:00

Hi everyone!

There's a computer programme you can easily use to record yourselves while speaking. This will help you notice many good (and not so good) things.

Here you are a link to download AUDACITY in your computers:

AUDACITY DOWNLOAD

And here you are some easy instructions and tips:

AUDACITY TIPS

Remember the right way to get a mp3 file is:
ARCHIVO
>
EXPORT AS
> mp3

Have a nice weekend!

EOI Vigo

2010-02-16T11:27:00.005+01:00

This is a message for B2 students:

Laura from B2C has found some sample exams in EOI Vigo's webpage.

They're slightly different from our exams, but I think this will do nicely for our exam practice.

According to my planning we still have to work a little more on grammar and vocabulary before starting to practice exams like these, but if you feel you have to practice now, feel free to do so. However, don't get upset if there are things you don't know!!

So, here you are the link (remember to copy and paste it in a new window):
http://www.eoidevigo.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=478&Itemid=100092

or you can click HERE

Thank you very much Laura!!

Listening practice links

2010-02-15T12:27:00.005+01:00

Hi!

This is a message for B1 students.

Here you are a list of list of links where you can find listening practice (remember you have these links in this blog, on the right):

www.podcastsinenglish.com (level 1)

www.real-english.com (beginner level)

www.esl-lab.com (easy level)

www.elllo.org --> no levels in this website, so just relax -'cause it's difficult- listen and read. This kind of listening will help you get features of natural English speaking.

http://www.eslpod.com/website/index_new.html (American English)

And, of course, listen and read your Oxford bookworms books.

Improving listening takes time, so, as I said before, relax and practice as much as you can!

Have a nice day!

B2 exam samples

2010-02-09T12:43:00.003+01:00

Dear Básico 2 students,

You can find exam samples from previous years in this link:

http://www.educa.madrid.org/portal/c/portal/layout?p_l_id=3889.25&c=an

Remember to copy and paste it in a new window.

Have a nice day,
Leticia.

Rock Around the Clock

2010-01-27T09:46:00.002+01:00

This is a message for B1 students!

Here you are the video of the famous Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley.

The lyrics:

One, two, three o'clock, four o'clock, rock,
Five, six, seven o'clock, eight o'clock, rock,
Nine, ten, eleven o'clock, twelve o'clock, rock,
We're gonna rock around the clock tonight.

Put your glad rags on and join me, hon,
We'll have some fun when the clock strikes one,
We're gonna rock around the clock tonight,
We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight.
We're gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight.

When the clock strikes two, three and four,
If the band slows down we'll yell for more,
We're gonna rock around the clock tonight,
We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight.
We're gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight.

When the chimes ring five, six and seven,
We'll be right in seventh heaven.
We're gonna rock around the clock tonight,
We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight.
We're gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight.

When it's eight, nine, ten, eleven too,
I'll be goin' strong and so will you.
We're gonna rock around the clock tonight,
We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight.
We're gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight.

When the clock strikes twelve, we'll cool off then,
Start a rockin' round the clock again.
We're gonna rock around the clock tonight,
We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight.
We're gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight

Internet Dating

2010-01-22T19:12:00.005+01:00

Dear Students,

Here you are the video we worked with last Tuesday about 'How to Find Love by Internet Dating'

Find Love In A Month:
How To Find Love By Internet Dating

This is the webpage it belongs to:

www.videojug.com

You can find a menu on the left with the following categories: beauty, culture, family and education, food and drink, health, home and lifestyle, love, money and careers, sports and technology and cars.

And remember you can read what you listen if you click on the option "TEXT VERSION"

Give it a try! You'll find something of your interest for sure!

Have a nice weekend

Listening on Friday

2010-01-18T13:26:00.003+01:00

Dear B2 students,

Here you are the link to the listening we did last Friday:

http://www.elllo.org/english/Points/PT06-Cities.html

You can get the worksheet tomorrow in class.

See you and have a nice week!

No class today!

2010-01-11T13:20:00.004+01:00

Dear B1 and That's English students,

Just in case you don't know, there's no class today because of the snow.

But you can practice some English anyway!

Go to the link below to watch a video from BBC News about this Snowfall in Europe:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/video_and_audio/default.stm

(You'll see it just in the centre of your screen, its title is SNOWFALL CAUSES CHAOS AROUND THE WORLD)

Try to think about the following comprehension questions:

- What happened to drivers in Germany?
- How many people have died in Poland?
- How many centimetres of snow have been predicted in Eastern and Southern parts of Britain?
- What has Gordon Brown said about gas supplies and salt?
- Which country is mentioned next?
- Can you mention some of the problems in China?

Now this piece of news is really kind of... negative. What's your own experience with snow? I love it! Just walking and looking at the landscape, having some snowball fights... maybe you like skiing or doing snowmen...

Have a nice day and enjoy!

How to pronounce 2010?

2010-01-09T18:59:00.005+01:00

Hi everyone out there!

How are you doing this year so far? before you can answer this question maybe you need to know how to pronounce the year itself!

There's been a lot of debate as to how to say it: twenty-ten or two thousand ten.

One of the most important English Linguists -David Crystal- thinks that the rhythm or "flow" of "two thousand (and) ten", beats that of "twenty ten" (here you are the full wikipedia article about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010s)

And if you go to the link below (please copy the link and paste it in a new window) , you will hear (and read) some other opinions on this topic.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120470656

What's your personal feeling?

Mine is definitely twenty-ten!

See you soon!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T19:23:00.003+01:00

Hi everyone!

How was your New Year's Eve?

Have a look at how people in N.Y. celebrate the coming of the New Year. It's called the BALL DROP because a ball is lowered or dropped from a building in Times Square.

All the best for 2010!!

How to Make Christmas Cake

2009-12-18T14:52:00.003+01:00

Dear Students,

Please visit the following link to watch a very nice video about how to make Christmas Cake:

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-christmas-cake

This webpage is very interesting and I think we are going to use it quite often. In the meantime you may want to have a look at it...

http://www.videojug.com

Have a nice weekend!
Leticia.

English Idioms

2009-12-11T18:03:00.003+01:00

Dear Students,

Here you are some links to learn English idioms. Copy the links and paste them in a new window.

Have a nice weekend!

http://www.mailxmail.com/curso-ingles-para-espanoles-pronunciacion-1/dichos-refranes-proverbios-modismos-ingles

http://www.tamiu.edu/engl4347/grp9/dichos2.html

Happy Christmas Karaoke

2009-11-17T23:24:00.004+01:00

Dear Students,

Here you are a karaoke to practice our Christmas song this week.

This are our next rehearsals:

Thursday 17th from 6:30 to 7:30 (this one is really important!)
Monday 21st from 5:30 to 6:30

Kind regards!
Leticia

World March at the EOI

2009-11-11T23:15:00.006+01:00

Dear Students,

You were W O N D E R F U L this evening! Congratulations!

I've had a very special and nice time with you and I've really enjoyed the experience.

Are you ready for the next one...?

Cheers,
Leticia.

PS: A gift by David from Básico 2D... (thank you very much David!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cpfVrtXnm0

WORLD MACH CONCERT IN MADRID

2009-11-08T13:19:00.002+01:00

Dear Students,

Here you are information about a concert next weekend. If you are interested, just let me know:

Hola a todos

Miguel Rios, Cómplices, Antonio Carmona, Pitingo, Asfalto, Coti, Pastora Soler, Cristina del Valle y más artistas, recibirán a la Marcha Mundial por la Paz y la No-violencia a su llegada a Madrid este próximo 14 de noviembre con un Concierto en la Sala Penélope a partir de las 21:00 horas.

“Artistas por la Paz en Concierto” Dará el punto final a una jornada festiva en Madrid para recibir al Equipo Base de la Marcha Mundial por la Paz y la No-violencia.

El Concierto será el aporte desinteresado de los artistas al deseo común de un mundo en paz y sin violencia que ya están expresando millones de personas de los cinco continentes a través de esta gran iniciativa de Mundo Sin Guerras y Sin Violencia.

OS INVITO A ASISTIR AL CONCIERTO.
Finalmente será en Madrid, Sala Penélope (C/ Hilarión Eslava, 36) a las 21,00 h.

Si queréis ir, por favor confirmármelo, tengo en este momento 25 entradas que voy a llevar a la presentación del día 11 en la EOI para todos los alumnos que quieran asistir.

ENTRADA 10 EUROS
Por favor, pasad este mensaje a las personas que puedan estar interesadas.
Muchas gracias
Un abrazo

Nacho

IMAGINE KARAOKE

2009-10-21T11:51:00.005+02:00

Just for you to practice...
... just one week left...

Mariluz's blog

2009-10-21T10:44:00.003+02:00

Dear Students,

I'd like to show you a really good blog you can also use as follow-up and extension.

Her author is Mariluz. She's a Básico 2 teacher at EOI Aranjuez. You can find the link to her wonderful blog under the heading "INTERESTING BLOGS" (see down right)

http://www.mindyourb2english.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

BOOKS

2009-10-20T11:07:00.002+02:00

Dear Students,

Here you are this year's readers for B1 and B2. You only have to choose one of them!

You may find cheaper second hand books in this webpage:
www.eoipinto.com/alumnos.

BÁSICO 1: 2 books
- January
'Survive!' , Helen Broke, Oxford Bookworms Starter
OR
‘The Fifteenth Character’, Rosemary Border, Oxford Bookworms Starter.

- April
'Five Short Plays', Martyn Ford, Oxford Bookworms Stage 1.
OR
‘Christmas in Prague’, Joyce Hannah, Oxford Bookworms Stage 1.

BÁSICO 2: 3 books
- December
‘One Way Ticket. Short Stories’, Jennifer Basset, Oxford Bookworms stage 1
OR
‘The President’s Murderer’, Jennifer Basset, Oxford Bookworms stage 1

- March
‘Death in the Freeze’, Tim Vicary, Oxford Bookworms stage 2
OR
‘New Yorkers Short Stories’, O. Henry Oxford Bookworms stage 2

- April
‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, Oscar Wilde, Oxford Bookworms stage 3
OR
‘Love Story’, Erich Segal, Oxford Bookworms stage 3

Learning Types

2009-10-09T13:36:00.006+02:00

Dear Students,

Here you are a funny video about the types of learners we discussed in our last session:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6XAiTSLW5g&feature=fvw

Enjoy!

Click and pronounce

2009-10-08T12:36:00.003+02:00

Dear Students,

You can download a pronuciation chart from this webpage:

http://www.macmillanenglish.com/methodology/phonetic-chart.htm

There is another one here:

http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/download/pron_chart/pron_chart.shtml

Enjoy!

start...

2009-10-03T18:54:00.003+02:00

"Although she has been teaching now for some eight years, on and off, although she enjoys it, feels she's good at it, and would like to go on doing it for the rest of her life if possible, she always feels a twinge of anxiety at the beginning of a new term.

This does not disturb her self-confidence; a good teacher, like a good actress, should not be immune from stage fright."

Nice Work by David Lodge

New Listening Link

2009-05-09T10:14:00.002+02:00

Dear Students

Conchi from B2A (our scribe, remember?) has found a great page to practice listening:

http://www.eslpod.com/website/index_new.html

It's somehow similar to www.elllo.org in its approach, but there's an introduction to each listening (or podcast) and there are vocabulary explanations at the end. It also seems people speak more slowly...

It's also a good practice for American English!

I'll add this link to our right-hand menu for you to find it whenever you need to.

Thank you very much Conchi! I think this is a very interesting website! I'm sure your partners will be thankful!

New Link

2009-03-16T14:49:00.001+01:00

Dear Students

Sergio from B1 has found an interesting web page:
http://www.english-area.com/index.htm

I'll add it to our menu on the right and I hope it'll be useful for you!

Regards
Leticia

TOP ACTIVITIES IN NYC

2009-03-13T18:31:00.009+01:00

Miriam and David prefer NYC... read their comment below

TOP ACTIVITIES IN SPANISH CITIES

2009-03-13T18:19:00.002+01:00

Hello everybody!

Our Básico 1 classmates have some top activities to do in Spanish cities...

Do you like their ideas?

2009-03-09T11:50:00.002+01:00

Dear Students

This post is specially addressed to B2 students since we're currently looking at clothing vocabulary. But B1 students can also follow it easily due to the subtitles...

The video you're going to see was recorded last year during a school performance in EOI Villalba, featuring Intermedio 1 students. It was great fun!

I hope you like it!

The Oldest Words

2009-02-27T09:50:00.002+01:00

Dear Students

Our classroom blog is back after its holiday with an interesting article about words in English. It's in Spanish, so it won't be difficult!

See you soon

Identificadas las palabras más antiguas del inglés
Un programa informático de la Universidad de Reading cataloga 'I', 'We', 'Two' y 'Three', como los vocablos más tempranos históricamente

For more information, go to:
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/cultura/Identificadas/palabras/antiguas/ingles/elpepucul/20090226elpepucul_6/Tes

If he can do it, we can do it too!

2008-12-07T16:54:00.004+01:00

Hi dear students!

I hope you're having a nice bank holiday.

If you're bored at home and don't know what to do, I recommend you to have a look at this video. I think you'll get a lot of motivation from watching it.

It's a proposal by Francisco Maeso, from B2-D (thanks a lot!)
Have fun!

Audacity Download

2008-12-05T17:59:00.004+01:00

Hi dear students!

Here you are a link to download AUDACITY in your computers:

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

Here you are some easy instructions and tips:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/

Have a nice bank holiday!

LEARN ENGLISH

2008-11-26T13:02:00.004+01:00

Hi dear students

here you are a proposal by David, from B1-B... which ones do you prefer?:

Let's go Don't fuck me
Vamos no me jodas

From lost to the river
De perdidos al rio

The mother who gave birth to him
La madre que lo pario

Sissy the last
Marica el ultimo

For if the flies
Por si las moscas

Great sissy the last
Maricon el ultimo

Everywhere they boil beans
En todas partes cuecen habas

Composed and without girlfriend
Compuesto y sin novia

Go out by legs
Salir por piernas

If I have seen you I don't remember
Si te he visto no me acuerdo

Switch off and let's go
Apaga y vamonos

It is not turkey mucus
No es moco de pavo

It sweats me
Me la suda

That if you want rice Catherine

Que si quieres arroz Catalina

Shit little parrot
Cagate lorito

Morning-singer
Cantamananas

Another who such dance
Otro que tal baila

To another thing butterfly
A otra cosa mariposa

What of-taylor
Que desastre

Among whistles and flutes
Entre pitos y flautas

Like water of May
Como agua de Mayo

To fuck the female pig
Joder la marrana

Marking parcel
Marcando paquete

To put in a cigar
Meter un puro

My happiness in a hole
Mi gozo en un pozo

Sissy beach
Marica playa

Which-o
Cualo

It finished what it was given
Se acabo lo que se daba

To go by the Ubeda's mountains
Irse por los cerros de Ubeda

You see less than Joseph Milks
Ves menos que Pepe Leches

Until then Lucas
Hasta luego Lucas

What brown
Que marron

The gold that shited the Arabian man
El oro que cago el moro

What so doggish life
Que vida tan perra

You shited Burt Lancaster
La cagaste Burt Lancaster

You roll yourself like a window blinde
Te enrollas como una persiana

Go away to frie asparagous
Vete a freir esparragos

Send eggs
Manda huevos

Who sings his bads frightens
Quien canta sus males espanta

It peals me it
Me la pela

Good of the Paraguay
Guai del Paraguay

You hallucinate little cucumbers
Alucinas pepinillos

Without-shame
Sinverguenza

I don't give foot with ball
No doy pie con bola

My pan has gone
Se me ha ido la olla

You have more tale than little street
Tienes mas cuento que calleja

Neither fu nor fa
Ni fu ni fa

To make the Mongolian man
Hacer el mongolo

You are more silly than arse's hair that see the shit comming and don't move away
Eres mas tonto que los pelos del culo que ven caer la mierda y no se apartan

I can't with my soul
No puedo con mi alma

class vocabulary

2008-11-22T17:31:00.001+01:00

Here you are Conchi's job (thanks!):

Hello Leticia, what's new?
Here you are the new words of this week. They aren't meny, but...

-Mend
-Look up
-Pedestrian
-Anyway
-Kick
-Queue
-Hire
See you

our class vocabulary

2008-11-12T08:52:00.002+01:00

Dear students:
We have a scribe (escriba) in Básico 2A who is going to record all the new words you want to learn during our activities.

She has started her work very quickly and here you can see what she has done.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH CONCHI!!

Hello Letícia,
I'm Conchi (2º A), I leave you the new words that appeared during the class 10th of November.
- Speech Bubble
- Sculpture
- Sending a sms
- Dialling a number
- Look after
- Ballot
- Sorrow
- Clause
- Try on
- Bell boy
- Garlic
This is all for now
See you
Conchi
AH!! Congratulation for your blogs, I like it!!!!!

PHONETICS BLOG

2008-11-10T11:00:00.003+01:00

Dear students:

I've recently received this message from another EOI teacher inviting us to use her phonetics blog:

Hi Leticia;
I'm Ana López Pozo,a phonetics teacher trainer and an English teacher at an EOI.We did an on-line course together last year, remember?
I like your blog and would like to invite you to use mine, Alpozo phonetics blog http://allphonetics.blogspot.com/ with your students if you wish. The activities are all based on songs, and cover most sounds of the phonetic alphabet. Apart from different charts to practice sounds individually, you can also use the phonetic transciber, one of the tools I've recently inserted in the blog.
Bye for now,
Ana

I've added a link to Ana's blog under the section "Interesting Blogs" so that you can enter it and practice with all the exercises she's posted there.

I really think it can help you improve your pronunciation and understanding of the English language in an amusing way.

So, mates, have fun and see you soon!

Bus' buzz

2008-11-05T01:03:00.004+01:00

Hi dear students!

At Maika's request, here you are a couple of links with extra practice for sounds /s/ and /z/:

http://www.inglesmundial.com/B7/pronunciation.htm

http://www.english-zone.com/convo/pron-s1.html

See you!

Important Information

2008-10-28T09:14:00.003+01:00

Hello everybody! Your classmate "DVD" from group B2-A has left this comment for you in our blog:

Hello Leticia and the other students! I´m a student of basic "a" and I just want to tell you that i´ve found some important files that may help us. For example, for the people who wants it, I have the book "Girl On a Motorcycle" in .pdf to print or just to read on the PC. I also have visual dictionaries and other books to read that are so interesting. If you think that is a good idea to give it to you and share with the other students, just tell me and i will send it all to your e-mail. See you in class Leticia!

Thank you very much for your information!

I will try to bring the classlist you did (with your personal information) so that you have your classmates' emails and you can send them all the files you've found.

See you in class!

Playing with sounds

2008-10-19T23:20:00.004+02:00

Dear students:

Click HEREto practice the sounds of English

See you!
Leticia

TIPS TO LEARN ENGLISH

2008-10-07T18:31:00.001+02:00

What type of learner are you? Are there any tips to learn English better depending on your learning styles?

Students from Básico 2 have the answer to these questions... Just read the comments below!

2008-10-01T18:33:00.002+02:00

Dear Students

Welcome to your new class!

Here you are some links related to el Portfolio Europeo de las Lenguas just in case you are interested in this optional activity.

Click here to learn more about this project.

Click here to download it and start using it. Go to "Portfolio Adultos" at the end of the page.

See you soon!

INDEPENDENCE DAY

2008-07-04T14:57:00.003+02:00

Hi everyone!

Here you are a wikipedia article on the fourth of July and Independence Day celebrations.

Have fun wherever you are!

In the United States, Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Congress approved the wording of the Declaration on July 4 and then sent it to the printer. Whether John Hancock, as the elected President of the Second Continental Congress, or anyone else signed the document that day is unknown, because that document has been lost — presumably destroyed in the printing process.[1] Hancock's name and that of a witness do appear on the typeset broadside that was published within a few days. On August 2 in the following month, an engrossed document in script form[2] was signed by Hancock and other delegates.

Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, picnics, baseball games, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States, but is often also viewed as simply a summer festival, apart from its patriotic overtones.

Independence Day, the only holiday that celebrates the United States, is a national holiday marked by patriotic displays. Similar to other summer-themed events, Independence Day celebrations often take place outdoors. Independence Day is a federal holiday, so all non-essential federal institutions (like the postal service and federal courts) are closed on that day. Many politicians make it a point on this day to appear at a public event to praise the nation's heritage, laws, history, society, and people.

Families often celebrate Independence Day with a picnic or barbecue, and take advantage of the day off and in some years, long weekend to gather with relatives. Decorations (e.g., streamers, balloons, and clothing) are generally colored red, white, and blue, the colors of the American flag. Parades often are in the morning, while fireworks displays occur in the evening at such places as parks, fairgrounds, or town squares.

Independence Day fireworks are often accompanied by patriotic songs such as the national anthem ("The Star-Spangled Banner"), "God Bless America", "America the Beautiful", "My Country, 'Tis of Thee", "This Land Is Your Land", "Stars and Stripes Forever", and, regionally, "Yankee Doodle" in northeastern states and "Dixie" in southern states. Some of the lyrics recall images of the Revolutionary War or the War of 1812.

Firework shows are held in many states, and many fireworks are sold for personal use or as an alternative to a public show. Safety concerns have led some states to ban fireworks or limit the sizes and types allowed. Illicit traffic transfers many fireworks from less restrictive states.

Major displays are held in New York on the East River, in Chicago on Lake Michigan, Boston on the Charles River, in St. Louis on the Mississippi River, and on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. During the annual Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival, Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario host one of the world's largest fireworks displays, over the Detroit River, to celebrate both American Independence Day and Canada Day.

While the official observance always falls on July 4th, participation levels may vary dependent upon which day of the week the 4th falls. If the holiday falls in the middle of the week, some fireworks displays and celebrations may take place during the weekend for convenience, again, varying by region.

Results

2008-06-15T11:03:00.004+02:00

Dear students

I'd like to congratulate you on your exam results.

If you've failed any part, you still have a chance in September. I'll try to post some resources in this blog for you to practice listening. In case of speaking, you know what you have to do... and please feel free to send me any compositions per email if you want to. I'd be also really glad to receive some news about you, your holidays...

If you've passed, I really wish you the best of luck next year!

Take care and have a wonderful summer!

Past Tenses Practice

2008-06-01T19:24:00.004+02:00

Hi everyone

Here you are some links to practice grammar on past tenses.

Please don't hesitate to contact me or to leave a comment here in case of doubt ok?

Click HERE to practice the use of Past Simple and Past Continuous

Click HERE to practice Simple Past and Past Perfect

Click HERE for exercises on Past Simple and Present Perfect

Finally, click HERE to practice Past Simple, Past Perfect and Present Perfect.

See you soon!

Bunch of Flowers

2008-05-30T10:42:00.004+02:00

Dear students

I'd just like to thank you again for your lovely bunch of flowers and the card you've given me.

I've been really moved (=emocionada) by your messages and I'd like to tell you that such feedback is really helpful for me to improve my teaching.

Thank you also for the nice time yesterday having something to drink. Perhaps you could start a Thursday evening English meeting... some beer, nice company and a little bit of English, sounds like fun!

I'll post some exercises to revise verbal tenses at the weekend ok?

Thanks again and see you in a week.
Leticia.

Last Day

2008-05-29T09:42:00.006+02:00

Dear students

Today is our last day in class...

I've just posted this entry to tell you that I've enjoyed this year a lot and I'm very grateful because I've learned many things from you as well.

You know you can contact me per email just in case you have doubts or questions before your final test.

Here you are some exam tips.
Best of luck!

SOME ADVICE FOR EXAMS

Writing exams is sometimes a problem for students, but there are some suggestions which can help students to make better exams.

Before the exam, check the time and place of the exam to be punctual and sleep and eat well. And don’t drink too much alcohol the day before, that’s the worst thing you can do before an exam!

During the exam, read everything first, underlining important words and the instructions. Many students feel initially that they cannot answer any questions adequately, but this is a common reaction. In this point, relax is very important. Then, the order to answer the questions is: easy, favourite and, finally, difficult. Another advice is to answer all the questions because the first 50% of marks are easier to obtain than the next 50%.

A very important point is to plan the answer. Perhaps you think it is stupid, but don’t forget to read the instructions carefully! Use about 10 minutes to plan the words and sentences to answer the questions. Think: ‘is the answer logically explained?’ and ‘am I answering to all important points?’

When you write your answers, check the language you are using. Did you forget to write any subject (for example, ‘it’)? Did you forget the famous third-person ‘s’? Is the word order in your sentence good? Are you sure about the spelling of a particular word? A language exam is not a honesty exam and you will not be penalised if you tell the examiners that you are twenty-nine years old because your don’t know how to say or write thirty.

If you have to do a multiple-choice exercise (a, b, c or d) don’t forget that examiners can choose the same letter successively for the correct answer. Many students start to feel confused and worried and they choose another letter. Don’t do that! Your comprehension is more important than the order of letters. If the multiple-choice exercise is based on a text, don’t choose and option just because the same word appears in the question and in the text. This type of exercise is used to check your comprehension of ideas, not of single words.

Be relaxed in the speaking exam. The questions and topics you have to speak about are normally based on you and on the activities you have done in your course. Meet your oral exam partner to speak about the topics you've covered in class. And of course, make sure you understand your examiner’s instructions well. If not, you can always ask for clarifications!

The most important thing in the listening test is concentration. Read the options and instructions carefully. Examiners sometimes give options which match more or less the information from the recording. For example, a person says that she is going to be late for the meeting and the question is: T/F Finally, she was late for the meeting. What would you answer?

One of the Lads

2008-05-26T09:58:00.005+02:00

Hi everyone

Tomorrow we will deal with your last story from Frozen Pizza, so here you are a review about One of the Lads by Mariló from group L

The title of this story is ‘One of the Lads’ and it suggests a story about a gang of young boys who study in the same school.

The story is about Luke Thomas, a Chelsea supporter who belongs to a gang of troublemakers: Luke himself, Big Dave, Mick, Gerry and Steve.

Luke copies the rest of the gang so completely that his teachers and his parents believe that he is the same as the others. None of them pass any exams so they leave school without any qualifications, but Luke decides that he wants to be a carpenter and so his new teachers and his parents are very pleased and proud of his work. However he can’t share out this feeling with the gang because “the lads”, as they call themselves, only think and talk about fights.

One day, they decide to visit Amsterdam and watch England - Holland, and this day everything changes for Luke. He decides to go back home and accept a job from a handmade furniture company. He hadn’t said yes yet because I had known that the lads wouldn’t agree to it.

As regards the story's linguistic interest, the author‘s style is informal. She uses everyday words in the dialogues and a lot of adjectives in descriptions, for example: “Dave put his glass down firmly on the table that was damp with spilt beer”.

Some new words I’ve learnt from the story are:

Verbs: mutter (murmurar), swear (jurar), nodded (asentir con la cabeza).
Noun: crowd (tumulto).

I like this story very much because it’s about a teenager who decides to change the things that doesn’t like in his life and abandon the gang.

I recommend this book to all type of persons that think that changing their lives is very difficult

Role Play

2008-05-23T17:15:00.003+02:00

Dear Students:

Please have a look at the following youtube links to listen to some advice as to what to do and what no to do in your role play task.

The type of exam they're talking about is not exactly the same as your interaction task and it all seems quite old fashioned, but in my opinion it's quite easy to understand these women, so at least you can practice some listening.

Have a nice weekend!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa9lU4KJ26Y&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCfyLOvNbok&feature=related