ADVANCED 2 HOME-WORK FOR THE 9TH OF JANUARY

1. Listening: (CD 2 Rafa's) Listen up to and including exercise 8.

2. Reading: Do the pre-reading activities on the work-sheet I have given you and read up to and including chapter 3 of the reader (Frozen Pizza etc) focusing on the corresponding questions on the aforementioned work-sheet.

Decide which 'After Reading' activity you are going to do and if you are going to do it alone or with a partner. The deadline for finishing this book and the related activities will be the 13th of February.

3. Dictation: Follow the instructions and do dictation number 8, 9 and 10 of the Advanced dictations from this website, (press here) http://www.dictationsonline.com/

4. Correct the writings that I returned to you and take them to class for that first week back to class in January.

Revise the different types of writings we have done (article, report, review) for a writing exam in mid-January.

To help your writing revision, make a list of the differences between a report and an article.

5. S/B P.161 vocabulary. P. 142 and P. 38 do the grammar exercises on speculating and deducting.

6. W/B All of 3A plus corresponding listening on CD.

INTERMEDIATE 1 HOMEWORK FOR 9TH/10TH OF JANUARY

1. Listening: (Rafa's CD) Do up to and including listening 9.

2. Reading: Read up to and including chapter 5 of the class reader (Strong Medicine)
and do the corresponding activities on the work-sheet I gave you.

Think about which of the 'After Reading' reading activities you are going to do for the deadline date of reading the book which is the 13th/14th of February. Decide if you
are going to do the 'After Reading' activity by yourself or with a partner.

3. Dictation: Follow the instructions and do dictation number 11, 12 and 16 of the Pre-Intermediate dictations from this website, (press here) http://www.dictationsonline.com/

4. Correct the writings that I returned to you and take them to class for that first week back to class in January.

INTERMEDIATE 1 CD 1 Listening Answers

NI1
CD1

Key:

1. 1C 2B 3B 4ª 5C 6ª
2. 1 34º 2 30ª 3 Portugal 4 apartments 5 flight 6 £100 7 £80 8 Sitia
3. 1B 2A 3B 4B 5B 6A
4. 1A 2B 3C 4A 5C 6A
5. 1 17th October 2 Liverpool Youth Club 3 8.30 pm. 4 £10 5 glass bottle 6 Star 7 phone
6. 1A 2B 3B 4A 5A 6B
7. 1C 2A 3C 4A 5B 6C
8. 1 17 2 25 to 27 3 female 4 babysitting 5 $600 6 meals 7 medical insurance 8 plane/flight ticket
9. 1b 2B 3a 4b 5A 6a
10. 1C 2A 3B 4B 5C 6A
11. 1 Saturday 2 School car-park 3 2.30 pm 4 books 5 (old) toys 6 school hall 7 £2
12. 1A 2B 3A 4B 5A 6B
13. 1A 2C 3B 4C 5A 6A
14. 1 15th May 2 (large) plastic bags 3 8 4 wood 5 831 8729 6 park
15. 1B 2A 3A 4A 5B 6B
16. 1C 2B 3B 4A 5B 6A
17. 1 21 2 walk 3 America 4 swimming 5 internet 6 dolphin
18. 1A 2A 3B 4A 5B 6B
19. 1C 2C 3A 4B 5C 6A
20. 1 College 2 10 am to 6 pm 3 craft workshop 4 horse rides 5 tools 6 student’s café 7 £10
21. 1A 2B 3B 4A 5B 6A
22. 1C 2C 3B 4B 5C 6C
23. 1 leaves 2 dry 3 plastic bag 4 stone 5 sunny 6 weeks
24. 1B 2A 3B 4A 5B 6A
25. 1B 2C 3A 4C 5C 6A
26. 1 125 2 cook 3 video 4 (our) chefs 5 1868 6 (Scottish) food
27. 1A 2B 3A 4B 5B 6A
28. 1C 2A 3B 4C 5B 6A
29. 1 5 days 2 four 3 each floor 4 opera 5 dinner 6 Wednesday, 10th August
30. 1A 2B 3A 4B 5B 6B

Homework for 12th and 13th of December

INTERMEDIATE 1


1. Revision for consolidation test (All Unit 2 plus reading and listening) on 14th and 15th of December.

2. Rafa's listening CD, exercises 1 and 2

3. Do joke activity in previous post.


ADVANCED 2


1. Revision for consolidation test (Unit 2 plus reading and listening) on 14th of December.

2. Listening CD 14 and 15.

3. New Reader, read chapter 1, 2, 3.

4. Correct Report Writings and return them on Monday the 12th.

5. Hand in new Report on Monday the 12th.

6.W/B All 2C plus listening.

7. Joke activity from previous post.

Holiday Season Activity for the 12th and 13th of December

Intermediate 1 and Advanced 2


We are going to do a light-hearted activity. I would like you to read some Christmas jokes, these are typical jokes that are found in christmas crackers (check what this is, if you don't know!).

Please select a joke that you like and understand and write it on a piece of paper with an illustration, if possible, and bring it to class on Monday the 12th or Tuesday the 13th as we are going to put the jokes up on the notice board outside our classroom to let others see them and have a laugh.

Please practice being able to tell the joke without having to look at the paper!

In order not to repeat jokes, please read the jokes only associated with the letter of your surname and choose one that you like.

Surnames from and including:


A to D, go here for your jokes.

E to H, go here for your jokes.

I to L, go here for your jokes.

M to P, go here for your jokes.

Q to T, go here for your jokes.

U to Z, go here for your jokes.

See You in Class This Week...

...hello everyone,

I hope to see you in class this week (28th Nov. to 2nd Dec.). : )

To celebrate, here is a video of classic British humour where they play with
words like 'Apple' 'Orange' 'Blackberry,' words that now have a technical meaning.
Enjoy! : )

(P.S. Let me know what you think of the video... : ))

No Class This Week Beginning 21st of November and Inter 1 Work.

Hello Inter. 1, this is your work for this week. The deadline for all the work is Monday the 28th of Nov. Plesae make sure you have done all of last week's work, I am worried that some people are not doing the work! Please, get in touch with me if you have any problems, it is vital that you do not fall behind.

1.Reading and Grammar

1. W/B All 2D

2. CD Rom 2D

3. Go here and here in the wiki and do the exercises connected with 2A Slow Down and 2B Ready, Steady, Eat

2. Speaking

Go to S/B and Q4a) P. 23
Follow the instructions here to record yourself on Vocaroo
reading and answering the questions in this exercise. Send
the link to me here in Vocaroo Speaking 1.

(This will be a very good experience for you and will give you an opportunity to practice some speaking, I will give you a grade on this as part of your
continuous assessment).

3. Revision

We will have a Consolidation/Progress Test on all of Unit 2
on the 1st week of December, possibly the 7th/9th/12th/13th
of Dec. Please revise all Unit 2, if you have any questions or
doubts, leave a message for me here or in the Wiki discussion
area, ok? (And don't worry, remember these consolidation tests
are for you to see how you are progressing!)

4. Listening

Please go here to get the exercises for this video 'Eat, Pray, Love'
and do the exercises and correct them. How well did you do?



5. Answers to Last Week's Work


Please go here to the Wiki to get the answers to P. 23 and the Review.

No Class This Week Beginning 21st of November ...

Hello all,

I am unable to give class this week. Please keep informed through this Blog of the work I am going to set you to do this week.

Can you take advantage of the next day or two and catch up with the work that I have already given you to do as some students have not contributed their work on the Wikis and I am a worried that you are going to fall behind!

*Important*
I am hoping that we can do a 'Consolidation/Progress Test' on all of Unit 2 the last week of November or the 1st week of December, can you please revise for it and check with me here, or on the Wikis, on any doubts or questions you have. Thanks.
(I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be back at work next week).

No Class This Week Beginning 21st Nov. and Advanced 2 Work

Writing

1. Please collaborate in the 'Article Writing' that is being done here on the Wiki as part of your continuous assessment. Deadline: 21st Nov. postponed to 27th Nov.

2. Read this article here on the writing wiki. It is about Ryan Air boss/owner, Irish man, Michael O'l Leary. Plan how you would write a Report on this article. Do you remember the structure for a report? Give your own personal opinion in the conclusion. Write between 220 and 250 words. Deadline: 7th December

Listening

1. 12 and 13 Rafa's CD
2. W/B Listening in Unit 2C
Deadline: 27th Nov.

Grammar and Reading


1. W/B all exercises in Unit 2C

Deadline: 27th of Nov.

Speaking

1. If you have not already taken part in the speaking assignments that are outlined in last week's Blog post, please do so and send your recorded answers here to the wiki. This will be part of your continuous assessment score.
Deadline: 21st of Nov. postponed to 27th of Nov.


For Answers to last week's homework go here.

Progress Test on Unit 2

Revise for test above. Possible dates are the 1st week of December. (7th/9th/12th). (And remember these conoslidation tests are for you to check how you are progressing and to help clarify doubts you might have, so do not worry unduly about them).

No Class This Week Beginning 14th of November and Advanced 2 Work...

...
Hello Advanced 2,

I hope you are keeping well and also keeping up with the work load that I have given you.

Speaking

1. As part of your oral continuous assessment, I would like you to send me
the vocaroo links that you did last week about the Time Questionnaire.
Go to the wiki here titled 'Speaking Activities Go Here'and follow the instructions.
Deadline: 21st of November

**Vocaroo** If anyone is having trouble using Vocaroo, can you go here (press here!)to this Wiki I have set up with step-to-step explanations on how to use it....(so no excuses!; ))


2. Do you remember the monologue you prepared from here? , please send the link to the wiki page here and follow the instructions.
Deadline: 21st of November


3. Go to this webpage and watch some videos that give advice on how to do well in Speaking exams. What do you think?

You will also see on this page the assessment sheet I will use to give you a grade on the monologue and the Time Questionnaire. Please study it carefully.

Deadline for all the activities below: 21st of November


Reading and Vocabulary


1. P. 28 and P. 29 S/B and p. 160 vocabulary - all.

Grammar

1. P. 31 and P. 141 and 142

Writing

1. P. 32 S/B look and analyse model article text and do a similar one together
on this wiki page, each student adding sentences etc to complete one article together.
Use the 'edit' and 'save' buttons. Do not be afraid to add to and change sentences that others have written!

Listening

1. 10 and 11 on Rafa's CD

** I will put the answers up to the above activities at the week-end.

No Class This Week Beginning 14th of November and Inter 1 Work......

...Hi Inter 1,

I hope you are all well. This is your work for this week. It is very important that you do this work as when I return to class we will not be doing it again only checking for doubts or problems you have.

** Important** The Deadline for all the activities below is the 21st of November


A Reminder:

Only one person has participated in the activity here on the wiki, titled 'The Advantages and Disadvantages of Living on an Island' and no one has answered the work here, titled 'Read and Respond to What Others Say About Living on the Canary Islands.'
Please do this activity as all of these activities are part of your continuous assessment.
If you have any problems, let me know in the comments section of this Blog post.

ANSWERS to Previous Weeks' Work


1. S/B P. 16/17

Read tapescripts on p. 157, R2.1, R2.2, R2.3 and R2.4

2. S/B P. 18/19

Reading Q 3B 1C 2 B 3 D 4 A

Reading Q 4A 1f 2t 3f 4f 5t

P. 19 Ex. 7a 1= Linda, 2= Mother

1 am cooking 2 eat 3 prefer 4 am learning 5 watch 6 think 7 is getting 8 don't understand 9 is putting 10 never eats 11 doesn't know 12 is studying

3. S/B P. 20

Ex. 3 C answers on tapescript P.158 R.2.5

4. S/B P. 21

7 a b c - answers on P.131 V. 2.4

Work To Do This Week


1. Go here to the Wiki here and complete the work-card
titled 'World Rules - Choose the Correct Modal Verb.' Write your answers
in the 'Discussion' part above the page,do not forget to put your name
and class ( e.g 1. allowed).

2. Go here to form questions using the vocabulary from p.20 and p.21 to do a sleep survey (encuesta). Go to the 'Discussions' part to write your question. (A student wrote to me to tell me there was something wrong with this wiki page, I have now rectified it, thanks Ofelia! : ))

3. S/B P. 22

Read the tapescript 2.8 to answer the questions for Ex. 3 a).

Do Ex. 4 a) and check answers on p. 132 RW. 2.1

4. S/B P. 23

Do all of page 23 plus Review.

5. Go to this listening to films page here
and watch and listen to the video 'The Pursuit of HappYness' and do the 'Fill in the Blanks' quiz. Enjoy.

No Class This Week Beginning 14th of November...

...please check this Blog daily to see the work which I would like you to do this week and any other news relevant to your class situation.

No Class This Week and Home-Work for Inter 1

I am unable to give class this week, apologies.

Inter 1, please do the following work. (Adv. 2, check the previous post for your work!)

1. W/B p. 70/71 writing.

2. S/B P. 19 and 132 ex. 5, 7, 8,9

3. W/B All 2 B

4. S/B P. 20 Voca. ex. 1 (check p.130), ex. 2a + 3a

5. S/B p. 20 +21 reading and vocab. all check p. 131

6. W/B All 2 C and CD ROM 2B+2C

7. We now have a Wiki web space called Learn English Collaboratively, please go to it by pressing here, and follow the instructions on the activity. Have fun!

8. Plus have a look at the following videos related to the pronounciation
we did last week and follow the instructions!

Here are some videos to watch to learn about the simple past regular verb pronunciation (d, t, id) and irregular verb pronunciation.

List of verbs




Explanation and verbs



All past verb types plus irregular verbs and pronunciation



Podcasts from the British Council

Go to this website and explore some videos and tasks (tareas) to do. Choose the Pre-Inter. videos for the moment.


Listen to the videos below, only read the subtitles if you have to.

'Not Working Out'


British Food



British Festivals

No Class This Week Begining 7th of November and Home-Work For Advanced 2

I am unable to give class this week, apologies.

Here is some work for Advanced 2 to do while I am off sick. Please press here to go to our new Wiki to get the answers to grammar and vocab. work. I hope this helps you. Remember the advice to continue learning English successfully, it is about making an effort and then more effort and being motivated....so good luck with both. : )

1. S/B P. 24 + 25 Reading all.

2. S/B P. 25, 140, 141 Grammar 'Distancing'

3. S/B P. 25 Ex. 2c) Grammar - write a paragraph.

4. Up to No. 9 in Rafa's CD (Answers below).

5. S/B P. 27, 159 Vocabulary with Time

6. S/B P. 27 Do Time Questionnaire, answer orally
with Vocaroo (see previous post) and send to a class mate for
constructive criticism.

7. W/B All 2B

8. CD ROM All 2A and 2B

9. Remember Review writing and correcting application letters.



Advanced 2 CD Rom Answers

NA2 CD1

Books used:
© First Certificate Expert. Longman. 2003. Tracks 1-9
© New First Certificate Exam Maximiser. Longman. 2004. Track 10
© CAE Study Pack. Oxford. 2002. Tracks 11-18

Key


1
1 1987 and 1924
2 ferry (boat)
3 baggage
4 interviews
5 Wall of Honour
6 Bunk
7 Hope and Fears
8 11:10 am
9 Oral History Library
10 ticket office

2
1 T
2 F
3 F
4 T
5 T
6 F
7 F

3
1 China
2 The Naked Face
3 95
4 mirror
5 uncomfortable
6 personal
7 managers
8 chin and lips
9 make-up
10 nodding and smiling

4
1 B
2 B
3 C
4 C
5 A
6 B
7 A

5
1 C
2 A
3 A
4 B
5 C
6 C
7 B

6
1 Service Guide
2 names
3 keep people waiting
4 smile
5 red flag
6 smoking
7 car
8 wake-up call
9 blue arrows
10 taxi

7
1 modern languages
2 teacher
3 exhausting
4 romantic
5 history of science
6 (new) planet
7 clothes
8 events
9 plot
10 500 words

8
1 uncle
2 the past
3 London
4 stable
5 sensitive hands
6 back
7 1650
8 sentimental
9 clean
10 conservationist

9
1 F
2 T
3 F
4 F
5 T
6 T
7 F

10
1 Thursday, March 25
2 150
3 going out
4 watching TV
5 the theatre
6 play
7 a quarter
8 transport
9 the games room

11
1 3788
2 £39,99
3 £329,99
4 smallest
5 £149,99
6 lightest
7 thinnest
8 most popular

12
1 more famous
2 complain
3 brother
4 irritated/annoyed
5 facts right
6 look for work
7 wonderful part
8 book

13
1 act with confidence
2 you are driving
3 ban mannered
4 childish
5 civilized
6 conversation
7 their holidays
8 brush your teeth

14
1 climate
2 dry/airless
3 greenhouse effect
4 4-40 degrees Celcius
5 liquid water and plants
6 space mirror
7 optimists
8 much longer/600 years

15
1 Lasik eye
2 (far) shorter time
3 legally blind
4 a million
5 painless and quick
6 95%
7 support group
8 nothing

16
1 fourth
2 north end
3 (Northern Ireland)
4 June
5 running order
6 £80
7 cooking facilities
8 dairy ice-cream
9 train
10 coach

17
1 B
2 D
3 D
4 A
5 B
6 A
7 C
8 C

18
1 C
2 D
3 A
4 B
5 C
6 A

No Class From Today,Thursday, the 3rd of November...

...until further notice.

Sorry, everyone, but I am unwell again. I will let you know on this Blog when I can
return to class, please check in here daily.

Therefore, to clarify, the next message I put on the Blog will be about my return to class.
Thanks.

See You All in Class This Afternoon/Evening...

... that is today, Wednesday, the 2nd of November. : ))

Feeling Unwell Again So No Class Today....

...but please remember that at 8pm there is a talk on 'Vampires' so Advanced 2, especially, I would like you to go to the talk in order to do the review assignment.

Inter 1, you are also welcome to come to the talk at 8pm. Please check with Rafa, Diane or David as to where the talk is taking place.

And Remember that from 18:45 - 19:10, there is a Halloween Cocktail in the entrance to the School. Everyone is invited.


Apologies once again. I hope to see you all soon.

This Is Halloween

Be prepared for a sing-along this evening! ; )

Advanced 2 Write a Review of Our Guest Speaker's Talk

On Monday the 31st of October, you are invited to attend a talk on 'Vampires' by our guest speaker, Melena Illijin, at 8pm. Imagine you are a Reporter writing a review of this Halloween cultural event and your objective is to leave an impression with the reader on what you have experienced. Your review shall be between 220 and 250 words.

**Deadline** for handing in the review is Monday the 7th of November.

First please check the following websites.

1. Advice and guidelines on writing a review are to be found here.

2. Sample reviews are to be found here and here.

3. Listen to this movie review here.

4. View this linking words video here.

**Please check and study the following in your Student's book**

1. P.48 read the review and analyse the text.

2. P. 49 Do the exercises on participle clauses and adverbs and use both types
of grammar structures in your review.

** Home-work** Both of the above exercises from the Student's book should be done and completed for Wednesday the 2nd of November when we will discuss the answers.


Layout of Your Review

1. Title

Write an amusing/entertaining and eye-catching title
Play with words, for example, use a well-known song title and change it around e.g. song title = 'All Through the Night' Review Title = Vampires: All Through the Night) : ) Here is a list of song titles, maybe some here are well-known and can be used, have a look here.

2. 1st paragraph Introduction

Grab the reader's attention by, for example, asking a rhetorical question. Make what you are about to say sound interesting and captivating. Introduce the event you are reviewing and give some background (What type of performance is it, who is the performer and where is it taking place and why? What type of audience is attending?). Give basic first impressions and a general overview.

3. 2nd paragraph Give a summary of what happened. (In present tense)

Imagine you are relating the event to a friend, how did the event begin and how did it progress, what was dealt with?. What adjectives, adverbs would you use to describe it? Are there any anecdotes you can give regarding the performance?

4. 3rd Paragraph Give your personal reaction to the event.

What stood out for you? Would you attend another event of this type, why/why not? Did you enjoy the event, why/why not? List any positive/negative things related to this event for you. To what degree was it what you expected? What is your overall reaction to the performance, your seat location, the venue, the content of the performance. Name something that you learned from the event that you didn't know before. What was your favourite part and why?

5. 4th Paragraph Write a conclusion with your thoughts on recommending similar events.

Discuss what you think was a general audience reaction to the event. Rate the event on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best, explaining a little your reasoning.


Strategies to Use in the Review

Be personal. Use humour.
Be informal (can use colloquial language e.g. phrasal verbs etc)
Use adjectives, adverbs (e.g. entertaining...check in the dictionary for similar meaning adjectives and opposite meaning adjectives , think of adverbs e.g. totally absorbing...what others can you think of?)
Use rhetorical questions to create tension or irony.
Use a relaxed, friendly chatty style.
Use a variety of expressions for giving your opinion
Use linking words
Use a variety of grammar structures, especially the passive voice, participle clauses, adjectives and adverbs.
Do NOT repeat ideas nor vocabulary

Monday 31st of October Special Guest Speaker...

...read Diane's post here to find out about our special Halloween event on Monday the 31st at 8pm. (class as normal before and after) Don't miss it, it will be hair-raisingly good, I guarantee!

Adding in, read another post from Diane here speaking of our Halloween mini-Celebration on Monday evening.

No Class until Monday the 31st of October

Hello,

Due to being unwell, I will not be able to attend class today, Thursday, nor tomorrow, Friday. Once again sorry for the inconvenience.

I am looking forward to seeing you all next week. Monday classes, remember there is class this Monday the 31st.

Please check back here again as I will be putting up some work for you to do to compensate for the missing classes!

best regards
Liz

Today, Wednesday, No Class...

for Inter. 1 nor Adv. 2. Sorry for the inconvenience. I will keep you informed tomorrow and Friday if there is class or not. Please check here for an update.


However...I would like you to do the following to not fall behind
with our work:

Adv. 2

1. Rafa's CD ex. 3, 4 and 5. Answers will be on Blog tomorrow, hopefully.

2. S/B P.23 all of Exercise 5 related to vocabulary.

3. W/B all related to 2 A.

4. Prepare a 5-7 minute monologue (do not learn it by heart, make notes only)on the following:

Junk Food Ban

Read the article, check out the vocabulary and prepare your notes on the questions that follow. Record yourself on vocaroo here , listen and assess yourself and then send the recording to a class mate for mutual assessment and constructive criticism.

Inter 1 all groups

1.S/B p. 17 all of ex. 5 and 6b) Study and check on P. 131 G2.1

2.W/B All 2 A exercises

3. S/B Reading P. 18/19 and all connected exercises.

No Tuesday Classes Today (25th of October)

....Sorry but I am unable to attend class today, Tuesday the 25th of October. Please check here to confirm when I will be able to return to class. Thanks.

Home-Work Week Beginning 24th of October

Intermediate 1 Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday Groups

1. Prepare a 3 minute monologue on one
of the following, using the like/dislike
expressions that you have learned.

a)What I like and dislike about living on an island

b)What I like and dislike about studying English

c)What I like and dislike about my job/studies

d)Which season I like best and why, and which season I dislike and why

2. S/B p. 16 all vocab. And check on page 130 and do both
1a) and 1b)

3. W/B P. 70 and 71 do writing about a holiday week for the 27th of Oct. (Wednesday
group, do not do this yet! I will explain in class on Monday).


Advanced 2

1. S/B P. 80 and 81 plus report writing for 31st of Oct.

2. S/B Reading P. 20/21

3. Narrative tenses P. 21 and P. 139

4. Rafa’s CD Q. 1 + 2

5. Test on Monday

*Important Note*

The Tuesday and Thursday Groups will NOT have class on Friday the
4th of November as I shall be attending an E.O.I. congress in Las Palmas.

WE DID IT!!!

1ª Feria de la E.O.I. de Santa Brígida

1001 Beautiful, Useful or Unusual Things


We Did It!

The students and staff of the Escuela Oficial de Idiomas de Santa Brígida raised

1397,70 euros

in aid of hunger victims in Somalia.


On Monday 17th October, Dr Evelyn Fernández Bowyer, representative of Médicos Sin Fronteras (MSF), will come to the School’s Library on the ground floor at 19:00 to give a short talk in English about the work that this NGO does in the world, especially in the Horn of Africa. She will show a short documentary in Spanish. Afterwards we will have class as usual. See you there.

Intermediate 1 The 'Be Happy' Video

And here is 'The Book of Happiness' Song that we did last week and hope to sing again! Press here to see it. Enjoy!

Advanced 2 Homework Week Beginning 17th of October

1. S/B P.16 + 17 letter of Application.
2. S/B P. 19 revision work.
3. S/B P. 13 and P. 138 Pronouns
3. W/B P. 10 + 11 and listening on P. 12
4. Monologues (Wednesday the 19th)

Notes:

1. We will now have our consolidation test plus listening/reading test on the 24th of October as on the 17th of October, we are having a visit from a representative of 'Doctors Without Frontiers' to speak to us about their work in Somalia and to accept the cheque with the money we made on the Fair. Thank you very much for your generosity. I will let you know what the total sum is as soon as all the money is counted. : )

2. Regarding the handout I gave you with useful expressions etc, next week we will look in detail at the meaning of each in case there are some doubts regarding how the expressions are used, ok? So don't worry about that. The monologues will now be
on Wednesday and remember a point is given for each expression used! ; )

3. Some people are having trouble with the workbook CD Rom, I will check mine and let you know if it is working or not and we will try to resolve the problem...so please don't worry about that either!
I think that is all for now, have a nice week...

Homework Week Beginning 10th of October

Advanced 2

1.S/B p. 158 Family vocab.
2.CD Rom 1B
3.W/B p. 7, 8, 9.
4.S/B p. 16/17 all exercises plus letter of application for 17th of Oct.
5.Read aloud 3-5 mins. daily!
6.Study for impending consolidation test.

Inter. 1 Mon./Wed. group

1.S/B page 9 . ex. 8ª)
2.w/b finish p. 6 and do p. 7
3.CD rom 1B
4.Read aloud
5.S/B P. 10 ex. 4 a) check on p.128
6.Revise for consolidation test on Oct. 19th.

Inter. 1 (Tues. Thurs.)

1.W/B page 8.
2. CD Rom 1C
3.S/B page 11 ex.7 a) check p. 128 and ex. 8 a)
4. Read aloud
5. Revise for consolidation test on 18th Oct.

Advanced 2 Monologue 1 Preparation

Advanced Monologue

Speak for between 5 and 7 minutes on the following:
(find at least 7 or 8 different ways to give your opinion, e.g. personally speaking, to be honest I feel etc. )

The Job Market

Describe the job market in Spain/The Canary islands today.
What are the difficulties of finding a job here. Why?
Discuss your own job situation – experience, hopes, ambitions etc.
Is there equality in the job market? Explain.
What could be done to promote more jobs in your country?
Are you optimistic about the job situation, why/why not?
Describe an ideal job for you.
Give any personal experience of being employed/unemployed etc
What are the 5 most positive traits that you can offer to an employer.

If you need more motivating questions go here.


You will be assessed on the following:

1.Variety and sophistication of grammar used.
2.Relevance and coherence of content. (do not be repetitive)
3.Fluency, pronunciation.
4.Extent of vocabulary, variety and appropriateness. (vocabulary from word bank and book)
5.Use of opinion expressions, linking words etc.
Your group listening to you will award you 10 marks maximum in each area and justify their decisions. Good Luck!

Home-work for Week Beginning Oct. the 3rd

Intermediate 1

Monday/Wednesday Group

1. W/B page 6, Ex. 4a +b
2. Audio CD 1A
3. S/B P.8 all plus reading and P.9 4b
4. Make questions on the work-card
5. Read aloud for 5 minutes each day.

Tuesday/Thursday Groups

1. Audio Cd 1A 1B
2. W/B all p. 6 + p 7
3. Prepare work-card
4. Read aloud for 5 minutes each day.

Advanced 2

1. W/B p.5 ex. 3 b, p. 6 all.
2. S/B’have’ exercises p. 137 all + vocabulary bank p. 157 +p. 8+9
3. CD 1A Grammar checker
4. Prepare 5 minute speaking.
5. Next week listening and reading exam.

E.O.I. Santa Brigida Gift Fair

E.O.I. Santa Brigida Gift Fair In Aid of Hunger Victims in Somalia

1001 Beautiful, Useful or Unusual Things

Are there any beautiful, useful or unusual things in your home which other students at the EOI de Santa Brígida would enjoy having? (For example, a piece of jewellery, a book, a CD, a lampshade, a scarf, a perfume bottle, a tennis racket.)

BRING them to class on Monday 3rd or Tuesday 4th October.

TALK to your classmates about their history. (Where did you buy them or who gave them to you? Why? When? Why do you like them? Where do you usually keep them? Why do you think other students would like to have them? Will you miss them?)

GIVE the objects to your teacher at the end of the class. He or she will put them in a box and keep them safe for our fair.

LOOK AT all the beautiful, useful and unusual things on display in our Gift Fair on Wednesday 5th or Thursday 6th from 4.30 pm – 8.30 pm.

CHOOSE something that you really, really like.

DONATE a sum of money - minimum 1 euro - for every item you have chosen by putting it in the donations box in your classroom.

All the money we raise will go to help hunger victims in Somalia through the NGO Doctors without Borders/Médicos Sin Fronteras.

Homework for Week Beginning 26th of September

Advanced 2

1. Students' Book Page 136 all exercises on discourse markers.

2. Workbook page 4 and 5 (except grammar B) (correct at home, doubts in class)

3. Grammar revision sheets.

4. Workbook CD rom work (You choose what to do)


Intermediate 1

1. Mon./Wed. group descriptive writing for Wednesday the 28th. Tues/Thursday groups descriptive writing for 22nd.

2. All groups workbook page 5 for Mon./Tues. (correct at home yourself and mark any doubts you have).

3. Workbook CD Rom work (You choose what to do)

Advanced 2 Motivation Theme: Dare to Be Great

Hi everyone,

Here is the poem/speech we looked at briefly in class yesterday and also
the accompanying video. Enjoy! Hope it motivaties you for the year ahead! ; )

Dare To Be Great

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t
feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other
people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence
automatically liberates others.

The source of the speech is here.

Course Registration

Hello there to those of you who are still popping into this blog!: )

I want to remind this year's students to register as soon as possible, especially for the Advanced courses, as for the moment Advanced 1 and 2 are closed to new students (but there is a waiting list!). However, if at the end of the month there is availability, they will open these courses to those new students on the waiting list and you could lose your place...(currently, there are only 15 students out of approximately 40 Advanced students registered in Advanced 2!). Make your decision as soon as possible! Thanks!

A Message From Advanced 1 B About Meeting

This is a message from Marisol and Mape etc for the Advanced 1 B group...

Quote: 'We (the A1-B group)are meeting on Wednesday 15th of June to have dinner at the Clan restaurant, in Santa Brígida, at 20,30 hs. We would like you to come with us. Greetings, Marisol'

Sounds like a good idea...could someone give directions on where the restaurant is....? Thanks. It would be great to see all of you there.

IMPORTANT: Publishing of Results

INTERMEDIATE 1

I will put your results up a day earlier, on Wednesday the 1st of June at 5.00pm.

In the case of you wanting/needing to speak to me for whatever reason, I will be available between 5pm and 7pm on Wednesday the 1st of June or on Thursday the 2nd of June from 7pm to 8.30pm. Otherwise, have a good Summer!


ADVANCED 1

I will put your results up as previously planned, on Thursday the 2nd of June at 5.00pm.
In the case of you wanting/needing to speak to me for whatever reason, I will be available between 5pm and 7pm on the 2nd of June or on Friday the 3rd of June from 7pm to 8pm. Otherwise, have a nice Summer break!


(Can you please pass on this news to your fellow class mates in case not everyone sees it. Thanks!)

Happy Holidays, Meeting Suggestions and Course Results...

Hi everyone,

Well, it's that time of year again where some of you are finished with the exams and some of you are nearly finished ...and the holidays and course results are around the corner. : )

Regarding course results, they will be published on the E.O.I. notice-board from 17.00 hours onwards on Thursday the 2nd of June.

Regarding holidays, just to wish all of you a well-deserved break, thanks for being such lovely, hard-working people, it's been a pleasure and I hope we meet next course again.

Take care everyone and happy holidays!

xx

P.S. Just adding in this note: for the classes who were suggesting we meet for a coffee, drink or whatever...,please feel free to suggest and respond in the comments box... : ) (Mon./Wed. Intermediate, we all know our meeting day and time so no need to comment...see you Friday! : ))

LIPDUB EOI Güímar

Hi everyone,
Have a look at this very inspiring LIPDUB from the EOI in Güímar...and start thinking of ideas for EOI Santa Brigida LIPDUB for next year!!! ; )

Back in Class!

I'm feeling a bit better...see you later on today in class... : )

No Class Today Tuesday the 10th of May

Dear Tuesday Group,

I'm sorry I cannot make it to class today due to being ill.

I will keep in touch about Thursday through the Blog.

Thanks.

Liz

P.S. Can you please let other class mates know in case they do not see this post.
Thanks!

No Class Today Monday the 9th of May

Hi Monday/Wednesday class, sorry about this but I am unable to give class today due
to being ill. I will keep you informed each day through this Blog.

Tuesday/Thursday groups, if I cannot attend tomorrow, I will post a similar blog post.

Please take advantage of the free evening to do some exam revision. : ) And please let any other classmates know in case they have not seen this Blog post.

I hope to see you all again soon.x

ADVANCED SPEAKING ADVICE AND SPEAKING SAMPLES

The advice is similar to what I have already given the Intermediate groups so please read that post.

We are going to practice the second part of the speaking exam which is related to a discussion with your partner. I would like you and your partner to choose one debating topic from HERE or HERE and prepare a discussion related to it, remember to take opposite sides at different times. The debate should last 3-5 minutes. Prepare it for the 9th/10th of May with your partner.

EXPRESSIONS FOR CONVERSATION AND PERSONAL COMMENT

(1) When you start saying something contributing to a conversation
making a contribution

First of all, I would like to say/state that.............
To begin with, I...................
In the first line, I.............

(2) What can you say instead of "I think" (don't sink, please)

I would say/think
In my opinion
To my mind
I am of the opinion that
I hold the opinion that

(3) When you want to stress your "personal opinion":

Personally I think
As far as I am concerned
As for me
As I take it
As far as I can see

(4) When you "agree" or when you "don't agree":

I entirely/quite agree with you.
I agree to (with) her plan.
I am of the same opinion.
I differ from/with you entirely.
I disagree with you: I am sure you're mistaken.
I stick to my opinion.
Let's agree to differ!

(5) When you want to say the "opposite" of what someone else said:

on the contrary! quite the contrary! just the opposite!
That is the very opposite of what I said.
That is quite the contrary to what I said.
I maintain the contrary.
In contrast to what you said, I maintain that...........

(6) When you are "quite sure" of something:

of course!
That goes without saying (It goes without saying
that......)
I contend/maintain that................
It's my conviction that..................

(7) When you want to "ask a question":

May I interrupt you?
There arises the question/point whether/if......
This question raises the whole issue

(8) When you "haven't understood":

I beg your pardon. / Pardon?
Could you repeat what you've just said? But slower, please./
Could you slow down a bit?

(9) If you should want to "correct a mistake":

Excuse me (for interrupting) you should have said:"....."

(10)When you want to "distinguish" (make a distinction between)

two aspects of a question, when you want to distinguish one
aspect from the other:
on the one hand on the other hand
in general in particular
generally speaking
on the whole
taken as a whole
at first sight on second thoughts

(11)When you want to "add" something:

In addition,.........................
Moreover,....................
Furthermore,........................
Finally,...........................

(12)When you want to "emphasize" something:

I would like to lay (put) emphasis (stress) on the fact
that..
I just want to point out that................
(13)When you want to "say the truth":
To be frank (with you),...................
Frankly (speaking),.........................
To say the truth,........................

(14)And if you are "not sure":

I don't know exactly.
I don't know for certain.

(A) General phrases:
in other words in this respect
to a certain degree/extent It depends on your point
of
in brief/short.......... view
To be brief,..................
To cut a long story short,...... Let me put it this
way:....
I don't know. - I don't know either. Nor/Neither do I.

IMPORTANT: TRY ALSO TO USE EXPRESSIONS AND GRAMMAR THAT WE HAVE WORKED ON IN CLASS AND THAT IS BASED ON THE BOOK.

REMEMBER THAT THE SPEAKING WILL BE ASSESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH: FLUENCY, GENERAL PRONOUNCIATION, VARIETY OF GRAMMAR STRUCTURES, VARIETY OF VOCABULARY, COHERENCE AND RELEVANCE, COMPLETION OF THE TASK (THAT MEANS ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS ASKED).

Good luck! ; )

INTERMEDIATE SPEAKING EXAM ADVICE AND EXAM SAMPLES

This advice is connected to the Speaking Exam, Part 2 in particular, where you and your partner are having a conversation.

The topics that will be covered are based on basic English discussions in general and what we have covered in the book.... (giving advice (showing concern, giving and responding to advice), asking for and making recommendations and suggestions, comparing and contrasting, giving personal opinion (likes and dislikes), offering alternatives, giving preferences, making choices, describing feelings and giving reasons why...) (See appropriate pages in book).

Here are examples of questions and answers to practice with a partner. Choose one topic and prepare it for the 9th/10th of May.

IMPORTANT: REMEMBER TO USE AS MUCH VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR AS POSSIBLE THAT WE HAVE STUDIED IN THE BOOK...IF YOU WANT TO REALLY HELP YOURSELF GET A GOOD GRADE! ; )

REMEMBER THAT THE SPEAKING WILL BE ASSESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH: FLUENCY, GENERAL PRONOUNCIATION, VARIETY OF GRAMMAR STRUCTURES, VARIETY OF VOCABULARY, COHERENCE AND RELEVANCE, COMPLETION OF THE TASK (THAT MEANS ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS ASKED).


1. Holidays...go here to see the Q and A.

2. Jobs....here

3. Your Future...here

4. Your town ...here

5. Hobbies...here

6. Profile...here

7. Food ...here

Here are some other topics with questions and answers to also practice.

Advice

SOME USEFUL LANGUAGE FOR PART 2 OF THE SPEAKING EXAM

A) SUGGESTIONS

ASK FOR SUGGESTIONS
· What shall we do tonight?
· Where shall we go tonight?

MAKE SUGGESTIONS
· How about going to the cinema?
· Why don’t we have a meal in that new
restaurant?
· We could stay in and watch a video.
· Let’s invite some friends round for dinner.

RESPOND TO SUGGESTIONS
· Yeah, that’s a great idea.
· Yes, that sounds good.
· Well, I think I’d prefer to go to a disco.
· Yes, OK
· All right, I agree.

B)DISCUSS ALTERNATIVES

· Which do you think is best?
· Yes, that’s possible.
· It’s difficult to decide but …….
· I think this is more useful because …
· It would be better to go to the cinema
because ….

C) ASK FOR OPINIONS

· What do you think about that?
· Do you agree?
· How do you feel about that?

GIVE YOUR OPINION
· I think/I don’t think that’s a good idea
because…
· Personally, I think that’s a terrible idea
because …
· In my opinion it would be better to stay in a hotel
because ….

D)AGREE AND DISAGREE

· That’s what I think too
· I agree.
· I’m not sure I agree with you.
· Yes, you’re right.
· Well, that’s true but ….
· I’m sorry but I don’t agree with you.

E) EXPRESS PREFERENCES

· I’d rather go to a campsite
· I’d like to stay in a youth hostel
· I’d prefer to go to a hotel

F) TALK ABOUT PERSONAL LIKES /DISLIKES

· I love/quite like/really enjoy/don’t
like/hate camping because …
· I find (don’t find) visiting museums quite
boring/exciting/expensive/relaxing …
· I’m (I’m not) very interested in / quite
keen on sport …..

REMEMBER!

· Think about the type of situation – is it directly about you or a third person? If it’s about a third person, use he or she consistently.
· Give reasons for your opinions/ideas.
· Make sure you give your partner an opportunity to participate equally in the
discussion.
* Read some more advice in Spanish here
* And last but not least, do your best and try to relax...you might even enjoy it! ; )

Home-work For Week Beginning 2nd of May

INTERMEDIATE

Mon./Wed. group workbook p. 28/29 plus

Both groups:

1.I will be looking at your workbooks next week to give them a grade for the continuous assessment.

2. Speaking Presentation

3. Finish reader and the work-card

4. CD 4 Listenings 8 9 10


ADVANCED

1.I will be looking at your workbooks next week to give them a grade for the continuous assessment.

2. Speaking Presentation

3. Finish reader and the work-card. Presentation of act from Macbeth.

4. CD Listenings Test 3 numbers 3, 4 and Test 4 number 1

5. Letter of Application

'Creative Language Keeps Our Brains Alive' or (Another Reason to Read Shakespeare!)

Diane, a fellow EOI Teacher has posted this interesting link which contains a link to an article called 'This is Your Brain on Shakespeare'...Advanced people, I hope your reading of Macbeth is going well. : )

Reminder about Monday the 25th of April and Happy Easter!

As you already know I won't be here during Easter so will not be able to answer queries regarding your speaking exams etc as I will not have Internet access.

Monday and Wednesday Groups

Remember we do not have class on Monday the 25th and the progress test is on the 27th.

Tuesday and Thursday Groups

See you as normal on the 26th and we have the progress test on that day!

Happy Easter everyone. Hope you have time for some rest and relaxation. : )

Advanced - More Macbeth!

Take a look at this dramatisation of Hamlet that Michael Lord did (a fellow-EOI Teacher)...maybe we could try something similar with Macbeth...what do you say??; )

Advanced 1 MACBETH Rap and a 96 and 60 second summary!

Advanced people, guess what I found! ; ))) You are going to love this! (Patricia, you especially will love this! ; )). I have another plan for a Macbeth activity that you will love too....believe me! Happy listening!

1. Macbeth Rap




2. Macbeth 96 second summary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5nlx2XzP-4&feature=fvwrel


3. Macbeth 60 second summary

Advanced 1 CD 3 Answers

NA1 CD3

Test 1
1.

1 C
2 B
3 C
4 A
5 C
6 B
7 A
8 C


2.

9. (she was) 12
10. (a new) paperback/book
11. (an) engineer
12. (an) art teacher
11 & 12 in any order
13. tell/read her a story
14. read her (own) stories
15. poetry/poems
16. (a new) computer
17. (an) editor
18. (the) advice

3.

19 E
20 C
21 D
22 F
23 A

4.

24. M
25. A
26. P
27 A
28 M
29 P
30 A

Test 2
1.

1 B
2 B
3 B
4 A
5 B
6 C
7 A
8 C

2.

1. (the) hotel porter
2. hotel reception desk
3. (the) hotel doctor
4. 24 hours in advance/before
5. warm clothing
6. (a number of) local restaurants
7. until late at night/until midnight
8. credit cards
9. fine(s)
10. (a) special licence (plate)

3.

19 C
20 E
21 F
22 D
23 A

4.

24. C
25. C
26. B
27. B
28. A
29. B
30. C

Test 3
1.

1. B
2. C
3. A
4. B
5. C
6. C
7. C
8. B

2.

9. 2 weeks/a fortnight
10. all over the world
11. cold/chilly/ (only) 7 degrees
12. train
13/14. large/grey/very busy (two in any order)
15. learning Russian
16. English lessons
17. recipes
18. English suppers

3.

19. C
20. E
21. D
22. A
23. F

4.

24 G
25 T
26 H
27 H
28 G
29 T
30 H

Intermediate 1 CD 4 Answers

NI1 CD4

1.
1 courses
2 timetable
3 three lessons
4 (revision) classes
5 report

2.
1. Quite long and thin like a pen
2. He got out his mobile and took photos
3. At about 8 pm
4. A house
5. Black, with the size of a tiger

3.
1. Incorrect
2. Incorrect
3. Correct
4. Incorrect
5. Incorrect

4.
1. 1972
2. model
3. 21
4. comedy
5. (concert) tickets

5.
1. A digital video camera
2. His pen
3. Spacesuit
4. His laptop
5. Going to the gym

6.
1 B
2 C
3 A
4 B
5 B

7.
1 F
2 A
3 D
4 B
5 C

8.
1. Correct
2. Correct
3. Incorrect
4. Incorrect
5. Incorrect

9.
1. sang a (funny) song
2. told jokes
3. wasn’t nervous
4. a comedy show
5. not laughing

10.
1 A
2 A
3 C
4 B
5 A

11.
1 F
2 C
3 B
4 D
5 A

12.
1 A
2 B
3 A
4 B
5 C

13.
1. six months
2. washing-up
3. higher salary
4. computer programmes
5. less travelling

14.
1. Her key
2. The old pyramids
3. The (heavy) traffic
4. Paris
5. A sun hat

15.
1 E
2 F
3 A
4 B
5 C

16.
1. over 200 stores
2. 9 am on Saturday
3. order your food
4. the children’s play area
5. a cash machine

Specific May Exam Dates and Times

Inter N1A (Monday and Wednesday)

Monday 16th Reading and Speaking

Wednesday 18th Listening and Speaking

Friday 20th Speaking

Monday 23rd Writing and Speaking

Wednesday 25th Speaking


Inter NIC (Tuesday and Thursday)

Tuesday 17th Reading and Speaking

Thursday 19th Listening and Speaking

Friday 20th Speaking

Tuesday 24th Writing and Speaking

Thursday 26th Speaking


Advanced NA1A (Monday and Wednesday)

Monday 16th Revision class

Wednesday 18th Reading and Listening

Friday 20th Speaking

Monday 23rd Writing

Wednesday 25th Speaking


Advanced NA1B (Tuesday and Thursday)

Tuesday 17th Revision class

Thursday 19th Reading and Listening

Friday 20th Speaking

Tuesday 24th Writing and Speaking

Thursday 26th Speaking


Important: If you have not got a Speaking exam time, please leave a comment telling me your name and group and I will give you a time.

ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE SPEAKING TOPICS

Advanced and Intermediate

Please go to this site Conversation Questions and select a topic and some questions (4-5) to answer. ** Remember the questions are only a guide to help you think of ideas, in your presentation you do not have to mention the questions!

Intermediate: Prepare a 1-2 minute talk on the topic using the questions you have chosen as a guide.

Advanced: Prepare a 2-3 minute talk on the topic using the questions you have chosen as a guide.

** Advanced, you should select the more challenging and difficult topics as this
will be good practice for the Speaking exam.

You will present your topic to a group of 4 of your class mates. You may prepare some notes but you cannot read consistently from your notes. It has to be similar to the exam situation. You will receive feedback from your class mates on how you did. This will be done in a friendly and non-threatening way. The objective is for you to help each other. The CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK will be based on:

1. Fluency and Pronounciation; 2. Variety of Grammar Structures;

3.Vocabulary; 4. Relevance and Coherence of Content;

5. Confidence Shown in Speaking.

I will also give feedback, when necessary. This activity will form part of your speaking grade for your continuous assessment.

Please, prepare this speaking activity for next week (beginning April the 11th). Monday/Wednesday groups prepare for Wednesday the 13th. Tuesday/Thursday groups prepare for Thursday the 14th. Enjoy! (Remember our mantra: Yes, You Can! ; ))

INTERMEDIATE: D.H. LAWRENCE STORY IN FILM

Hi everyone,

What luck to find the first story 'The Virgin and the Gypsy' on film. Enjoy!

Home-work for Week Beginning 4th of April

INTERMEDIATE

1. Finish p.78/79 workbook. Do writing from p.79. (Tues/Thurs group for 7th; Mon./Wed. group for the 11th of April).
2. CD 2 Listenings 15, 16, 17, 18
3. Read to p.45 in Reader.
4. Work-book p.27 all, p.28 exercise 5 only.



ADVANCED

1. CD 3 Test 1 parts 1,2, 3.
2. Write Article for 6/7th of April.
3. Continue with Macbeth and order the events in the worksheet as you read.
4. Workbook p. 46, 47 and 48 exercise 12.


**Remember on the 4th/5th of May the workbooks will be checked,(not corrected, you do that as you work with them... ; )) to include them in the continuous assessment!

Home-work for Week Beginning 28th of March

INTERMEDIATE 1

Work-book Pages 23 and 24 all.
CD 2 listenings 12, 13 14
Reader: Finish story 1
Student's Book: Finish story work-card


ADVANCED 1

Reader: Continue with Macbeth and watch video below.
Work-book P. 40, ex. 8; P. 43 ex. 2, 3; P. 44 and 45 all.
CD2 Finish for end of March.

Advanced: Macbeth

Watch Polanski's Macbeth with subtitles



60-Second Shakespeare

Go to this page to see a summary of the play in tabloid style from the BBC.

And watch this very entertaining video of the summary of the plot. There are also other videos there to watch related to the characters and the theme of the play.

Important: May 2011 Exam Dates

Last day of class: 11th of May (Wednesday groups) and 12th of May (Thursday groups)

Exams Begin: Week beginning 16th of May until 30th of May approximately to include speaking exams

Results Published: Thursday 2nd of June

Note: Please make sure you can attend the exams on these dates specified as due to time limits and other factors it is impossible for us to provide extra exam dates.

Intermediate and Advanced Homework for Week Beginning 28th of Feb.

Advanced:

P55 and P 59 2(B)Students Book plus listening CD and Pub Quiz preparation! ; )
(NA1A also P58)

Intermediate:

P31 Students Book and Page 19 work-book plus listening CD and Pub Quiz preparation. ; )

How Now Brown Cow: A Phonemics Chart...!

Want to practice some English sounds? Go here to this great phonemics chart, press on the sound and get repeating! ; )
And don't forget to let me know how you got on...

Intermediate: Nelson Mandela Biography

Listen to this biography which will help you consolidate some of the information in the reader in preparation for the Reader Pub Quiz next week on the 2nd and 3rd of March. There will be a prize of some books for the group that gains the most points! ; )

No Class Today (Wednesday 16th)

Hello everyone,

I am unable to give class today as I am sick. I will let you know through this Blog Post if there is class tomorrow (Thursday, 17th), hopefully, I will be ok by then. Thanks.

*************************************************************************************
Update on Thursday 17th

I am feeling a bit better today (Thursday 17th) and hope to see you all in class.

Happy Valentine's Day!

How many song titles can you think of with the word 'Love' in them?

Can you finish the poem below? You can substitute 'do' for 'did' or 'could'

Do I love you?
(I think I do)
I think I love you more than ……….
But do I love you as much as ……….?

These are just some of the things we are going to talk about today in class...be prepared! ; )

Intermediate and Advanced: Class Reader Review

BOOKWORM

Remember that the deadline for finishing reading this first class reader is the 2nd and 3rd of March, just before the Carnival holiday break. Please prepare a written book review for the 23rd or 24th of February. Use the information below. Be prepared to discuss your review with other class members. Afterwards, I will collect the reviews.

Important:

Intermediate 1: Use phrases, vocab. and ideas from the exercises on Page 76 and 77 of your workbook to help you write your review.

Advanced 1: Use phrases, vocab. and ideas from the exercises on Page 93 of your workbook to help you write your review.




Book Review

1. Your Name:

2. Title of Book:

3. Type of Book:

Select what type of book it is from the following adjectives:

Adventure, Relationships, Action-based, Non-Fiction, Fantasy, Detective, Science-Fiction, Historical, Romance, Autobiographical.

4.Date Started:

5. Date Finished:

6. Choose from the list below or think of your own adjectives to describe this book.

Fascinating, Absorbing, Unusual, Interesting, Different, Realistic, Too Slow,

Boring, Repetitive, Too Unrealistic, Difficult, Easy, Complicated Story-line,

Predictable, Unpredictable,

Other Adjectives:


7. Describe a favourite character or event or both in the book. Explain why you have chosen this character or event or both.

8. Name one memorable thing, positive or negative, in this book for you, maybe it is an event, character or line. Explain why it is memorable for you.

9. Is this book similar to any other book you have read, if so, which book/s? Would you read a similar book again? Why? Why not?

10. Would you recommend this book to a friend? Select a star rating for the book.

5***** I totally recommend this book, I loved it.
4**** I recommend this book, It's good.
3*** This book is quite good so yes, I recommend it.
2** I didn't enjoy this book so I wouldn't really recommend it.
1* I would never read a book like this again. I absolutely don't recommend it.

Listen and Write

Hi everyone,

I'd like to show you another tool that will help with your listening skills. It's called Listen and Write and you can find it here. It is a great tool which has articles from the news and you can listen to these articles as many times as you want while you write and the tool corrects you. You do not have to download anything but you have to register on the site. It is definitely worth exploring. I hope to do one of these listenings in class sometime soon but meanwhile you can explore it yourselves. Good luck!

Improve Your Listening Through Lyrics Training

This is a great website. It's called Lyrics Training, you listen to songs and type the lyrics. Why not try it? ; )

An Article Called: Improve Your English by Investing Your Time In Learning It and Not Necessarily Your Money...

The below article has some very good advice on how to improve your English....what do you think of this advice?

Cómo mejorar tu inglés invirtiendo tiempo y no dinero
Autor: Bibiana Nunes

Normalmente la intensidad de cultura anglosajona nos permite obtener cierto conocimiento básico en inglés. También en las escuelas no faltaba el verbo “to be”. Para añadir más a la mezcla, cuando vives en un país de habla hispana, llega un momento que ni los cursos más avanzados hacen que tu inglés mejore. La única forma es viviendo en un país que lo tenga como idioma oficial. Sin embargo, he tenido la suerte -y la voluntad- de aprender de forma empírica, el 80% de mi inglés, el cual ya considero avanzado.

No es ningún secreto que la mayoría de las ofertas de trabajo hispanohablantes contienen el requisito místico al que muchos le temen: “Buen manejo del inglés”. Dada la exponencial demanda de profesionales bilingües, he decidido compartir unas cuantas técnicas que he empleado durante mucho tiempo para mejorar mi inglés sin necesidad de invertir un centavo:

* Leer bastante (+ en voz alta): esta es la más importante. Todo lo que puedas leer en inglés, léelo. Pueden ser libros, blogs, artículos de periódicos en internet; básicamente lo que sea. Internet nos brinda un mundo de posibilidades, vamos a aprovecharlas. “¿Y si no entiendo muchas palabras?” Google Translate es tu mejor amigo en este caso. Si bien es cierto que hay expresiones que no las traduce de forma precisa, la mayoría de los textos en internet podrán ser muy bien traducidos para brindar una idea general de qué se está hablando.

* Idioma por defecto de los programas que utilices: cambiarlos todos a inglés. Por ejemplo, Redes sociales, sistema operativo, Office, correo electrónico, navegador.

* TV por Cable: no depender de los subtítulos o doblajes: evitar los doblajes a toda costa. Lo ideal sería verlo completamente en inglés primero, entendiendo basado en el contexto audiovisual y luego verlo subtitulado de nuevo. Dile NO a los doblajes.

* Buscar las líricas de canciones foráneas: Internet no es sólo para Facebook. También puedes hacer uso útil de él, buscando las líricas de tus grupos o canciones preferidas (¡y leerlas!). Adicionalmente, puedes dedicarte a traducirlas verso por verso: traduce lo que entiendas de primera mano y deja las ayudas de Google Translate para el final.

* Cantar: ¡Sí, cantar! en voz alta las letras de las canciones que leíste en el tip anterior. Esto ayudará bastante con la dicción (más de lo que crees).

* Hablar con otras personas: “¿Pero cómo hago esto si no conozco a nadie que hable inglés?” La web te permite hacer conversaciones en video con otra persona en cualquier parte del mundo. No tienes que contarle tu vida privada, o decirle la verdad de ninguna manera… Sólo habla, no importa lo que le digas, lo que importa es practicar. Herramientas: Skype, ChatRoulette. “Pero me da vergüenza equivocarme”: Ayuda bastante si no conoces a la persona con la que hablas. ¿Cuáles son las probabilidades que la conozcas en la vida real?

* Participar en foros: únete a comunidades de todas partes del mundo en el tema que más te guste y escribe tu opinión. No tener miedo a equivocarse, nadie sabe quién eres y lo peor que puede pasar es que te corrijan (y así aprendes)

Espero que estos tips te sirvan de ayuda a mejorar tu nivel de inglés. Lo único que hace falta para llevarlos a cabo es tiempo y voluntad. Sobretodo voluntad.

Disclaimer: Esto no es un curso de inglés ni mucho menos. No garantiza que tu nivel de inglés va a mejorar ni son métodos comprobados en ningún estudio.