MERRY CHRISTMAS

For this year's last post, let's look into some interesting facts about Christmas which we read about in class:
- England: mummering. & crackers
- Scotland: Hogmanay  , First Footing & singing "Auld Lang Syne"
- Ireland: midnight mass, St Stephen's Day, Epiphany... and this is a wren

- Australia: the "Swag Man". He spends all winter under Uluru with his merry dingoes (wild dogs) and then at Christmas time, he gets in his huge four-wheel drive and sets off through the red dust to deliver his presents

- Canada: maple syrup            MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Do not forget to watch this video before you have your office Christmas party and have a look this one to survive a family Christmas.     .... ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY!!!!!

COLD OR FLU?

Watch this video from the NHS webpage to find out what the differences are. To do this listening exercise it is important you turn off the subtitles by clicking on the ‘T’ at the bottom of the video. Otherwise you will be practising reading; you can turn on the subtitles after doing the exercise to check what you heard.

Would you like to stay young forever? Then read this. Or would you like to live forever? Then listen to this song by Queen.

IMPORTANT WARNING

There will be NO CLASS tomorrow, Monday 29th November, at EOI Arucas because of the bad weather.

There will probably be class as usual on Tuesday 30th November, but  watch the news or read the press to make sure.

Take advantage of your "free" afternoon and do some extra revision or read your book. Have a good day!
Today TUESDAY 30TH there are lessons as usual.

JORNADAS CULTURALES

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS YEAR'S CULTURAL WEEK (24th-25th November)?

We have some COMPETITIONS for you:

1. BOOKMARKERS: please bring them to the school before Tuesday November 23rd. Don't forget to write your name and group at the back. 

2. PHOTOS FROM ARUCAS. See them in the advanced blog and follow the instructions there.

3. MINISAGAS: write a complete story in EXACTLY 50 words (without the title). People will vote the best ones during the week. Give it to your teacher before Tuesday too!

4. CAKES: have yours ready for Thursday 25th at 5.30 p.m.  Remember to email your teacher the recipe in English. We'll give a booklet with all the recipes to everybody who participates!

5. POEMS: write a poem in less than 55 words
programa
Miércoles  24
16.00  
- Aula 1  Password (básico)
- Aula 3:  ciclo de cortometrajes franceses (cine fórum)  Paris je t’aime
- Aula 4  Theatre Workshop (intermediate)
17.45  Café y té
18.00 
- Salón de Actos   BOLLYWOOD (se requiere ropa cómoda ¡nada de tacones!)
19.00  
- Aula 1  Charla : A  Year’s Turning: Britain and  Ireland Through the Seasons (intermediate & advanced)
- Aula 2  Who wants to be a millionaire? (básico)
- Aula 3: Taller de crêpes

Jueves 25 (mañana)
9.30 
- Aula 1: karaoke/ Who wants to be a millionaire?
- Aula 2: Workshop: Patchwork
- Aula 3:  Theatre Workshop
11.00   Aula 3  Concurso de Tartas

Jueves 25 (tarde)
16.00 
- Aula 1: pub quiz (intermediate & advanced)
- Aula 2 Workshop: Patchwork (básico)
- Aula 3: Concurso sobre cultura francesa
- Aula 4:  Who wants to be a millionaire?
- Aula 6:  Wer wird Millionär?
17.35   Concurso de Tartas. Café y té
- Libros de ocasión de Canary Books. Aprovecha las ofertas!
18.20  Presentación de juegos  malabares
18.45 
- Aula 1:  Password (básico)
- Aula 2:  Taboo (int & adv) Pili y Loli
- Aula 3: Taller de crêpes. Exposición de cultura francesa.
- Aula 6: Taboo. Comida típica alemana

CONDITIONALS

Hi

This is the presentation I used in class to revise CONDITIONAL SENTENCES. 

Conditionals 0 1 2 3
And don't forget to have a look at previous entries in this blog (grammar section) that revise this grammar point, they'll help you practise it.

This is beyoncé's video "If I Were A Boy", a great song and a wonderful example of the second conditional. You can also listen to the songs in the NB2 blog here and here.



 Now the question is... What would you do if you were... God? Please leave your ideas in a comment below!

GUY FAWKES

On November 5th, we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night in Britain.

Watch this video where historians discuss how terrifyingly simple the gunpowder plot was and what a narrow escape the government of 1605 had. 

This is the rest of the story. Notice the use of third conditionals to talk about the hypotheses about what would have happened if the plot had succeeded.

This is the poem that commemorates such a feat:

Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot ;
I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,
'Twas his intent.
To blow up the King and the Parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below.
Poor old England to overthrow.
By God's providence he was catch'd,
With a dark lantern and burning match

Holloa boys, Holloa boys, let the bells ring
Holloa boys, Holloa boys, God save the King!

Hip hip Hoorah !
Hip hip Hoorah !

A penny loaf to feed ol'Pope,
A farthing cheese to choke him.
A pint of beer to rinse it down,
A faggot of sticks to burn him.
Burn him in a tub of tar,'
Burn him like a blazing star.
Burn his body from his head,
Then we'll say: ol'Pope is dead.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Once again, it's Halloween... if you would like to know a bit more about it, watch this video on Halloween history from esol courses and do the questions below the video, you can do them as you listen.

If you are thinking of throwing a Halloween party this weekend, here are some ideas (mostly for children, but anyway...the video is OK) and, remember, beware trick-or-treating and of pranks!  Have fun!!!

ADVERBS

Hi! This is the presentation I prepared for you to revise the use of adverbs. I hope it helps you!
Adverbs

Mamma Mia

Do you remember the trailer of "Mamma Mia" we saw in class? Watch it at your own pace here, and answer the questions on the photocopy.

We also talked of catchy tunes. This is my latest, I just can't get it out of my head! Sick of love! I hope you enjoy it and sing along!

PRONUNCIATION of -ed

I hope this explanation helps you clarify this point:

• when the verb ends in a VOICELESS sound (/p/, /k/, /s/...) we pronounce it /t/ (also voiceless)
• when the verb ends in a VOICED sound (/b/, /d/, /g/, /n/, /i/...) we pronounce it /d/ (also voiced)
• when the verb ends in  /t/ or  /d/ we pronounce it  /id/ 

To see which consonants are voiced or voiceless (unvoiced) go here and here. Click and listen. Then watch this video.

Listen to some examples here. You can also have a look at this explanation in our NB2 blog here.
For a good laugh, watch the video in this post (as promised... The Italian who went to Malta). Don't miss it! It's really worth it!

THE NEWS TODAY

If you want to watch the news to know what the world thinks of today's general strike... watch these two videos. Then you can do the comprehension questions below. The answers... you'll get them by e-mail. Good luck!

The BBC talks of austerity measures.
1) How many unemployed are there, according to the video?
2) How long was Jose working for the same company?
3) Why have many ambitious projects stopped?
4) Which 3 consequences of austerity do they mention?
5) Does José agree with the timing of this strike?

In Youtube you can find this headline: "Spain austeriry package fuels anger"

6) How much will the government save with these measures?
7) How much more unemployment is there in Spain, if we compare it with the rest of Europe?
8) How much less will the Spanish Prime Minister get at the end of the month?

REVISION

Hello again!

As you know, we're revising some grammar points from last year, I hope this post helps you with them.

1- UNREAL CONDITIONALS IN THE PAST (3rd conditional)
This video explains them and can help you understand them "in context".

For some exercises, click here and here.
2- PHRASAL VERBS: here and here. You can also do this crossword.
3- QUESTION TAGS: exercises here and here.

4- INDIRECT QUESTIONS: an explanation can be found here. For exercises go here and here.
In case you need further practice for WHICH/WHAT, go here. And if you would like to do some reading on TV, click here.

Welcome!

Hello everybody and welcome to a new year!
During the first days (and while I give you some time to get your new books) we'll revise a little and do some stuff you couldn't finish last year. One of the things we'll work with is this video; although in class we'll just deal with the first part, you're welcome to watch it all.

Do you know of any other names whose meaning is unfortunate? Please leave a comment, it'll be more fun!
See you in class!

Last minute listening practice

OK, so you've just done your exams and you're now panicking about the listening exam. Well, don't worry because here are some links to help you get in some last minute practice for June.

First of all, why don't you click here and here to listen to BBC news reports, with or without the text, and download activities to do while you listen.

You can also practise listening to news reports read by an Englishman on this website and also download activities to do while you listen.

And if you want to watch a video while you listen, then why don't you click here for the Yahoo.com website news videos. You can choose different categories. You may even find Buddy the dog hero (do you remember him?). Happy listening!

Finding Your Way

Worried about getting lost when you go to Britain? Ever been lost for words when a tourist asks you how to get to the rum factory? Click here to practise typical expressions from Unit 5 on finding your way and giving directions.

Reporting Verbs Again

Click here to see how many reporting verbs you can find in this wordsearch.

Reporting Verbs

If you want extra practice on how to report what someone says using reporting verbs (promise to do sthg, insist on doing sthg, remind sb to do sthg etc), click here.

Memory Test

Do you remember the work we did on memory? No? Do you mean you've forgotten? Well, here is a website to help you improve your memory - very interesting if you're trying to remember lots of words from the course in time for the exam! Click here to expand your memory.

Past continuous or simple

If you want extra practice on when to use the past continuous or simple, click here.

Argument Clinic

As we have been learning how to express our opinion and argue for and against different points of view, why not look at this Monty Python sketch. Monty Python is a comedy team which had its own series in the 1970s and went on to make films like 'The Life of Brian'. In this sketch a man goes to an 'Argument Clinic' to pay to have an argument... but he isn't happy as he only is only contradicted. Remember, when you disagree with someone, it's not enough to just say, 'Yes, it is', 'No, it isn't' etc. Enjoy the sketch.

Changing Rooms

Click here if you want to see part one of the programme 'Changing Rooms'. In class I only played the first part so you can watch the whole of part one if you want. If you want to watch the middle part of the programme (part 2) click here...

...but to do the exercise on the photocopy, watch the video below from 4 minutes and 9 seconds. This is the moment when both couples return to their houses and we can see if they like the changes or not.

Have something done

Remember that we use 'to have something done' when asking (or paying) people to do things for us. If you want to practise the structure, click here for the English File website and here for another website to listen to a podcast about it and play a game. The podcast also shows you synonyms of the structure. The game is like 'The Weakest Link'. See if you can answer get all 500 points in a category. Click on the option for one or two players to start.

Extra Listenings Unit 4

Here are a few extra listening exercises from the website http://www.elllo.org/. Remember to HIDE THE TEXT by clicking on that option and only read it when you have listened and done the exercise first!!!

Click here to do a listening exercise about gender roles in Sri Lanka, and here for another one about gender roles in Estonia. Here's a listening exercise about fashion.

Happy listening!

Text-building unit 5

Click here for the text-building exercises for unit 4. Select the text you want to reconstruct and off you go...!

Vocabulary unit 4

Click here to practise 'men and women' vocabulary and here to practise 'houses and decoration' vocabulary.

Wish...

Click here to practise 'wish + past simple/ present perfect/ person + would (not) + infinitive.

Get rid of your old clothes

Here's a video of an American man throwing out clothes he hasn't worn in 10 years. Watch it and see how much you can understand... he talks REALLY fast, but you will be surprised at how much you can follow. Listen for words you have seen in the course to describe clothes... and how many times he says the word 'hideous'. Notice American words such as 'pants' for 'trousers'. Do you think he should keep any of these clothes? Leave a comment.

Clothes

Click here for a word search to practise clothes vocabulary.

Adjectives Unit 4A

Click here for some extra practice on adjective word order and the structure 'the... the... + comparative'

must have/can't have etc.

Click here for extra practice on making deductions in the past using might (not) have, must have, can't have and infinitive.

FINAL EXAMS

We have to do two sets of exams this year: the "pruebas de dominio " and the "pruebas de certificación". You have already done one prueba de dominio (in January) but there is another in May. The dates are as follows:

Pruebas de dominio (in your usual lesson time):
WRITING: Wednesday 5th & Thursday 6th May
LISTENING & READING: Monday 10th & Tuesday 11th May
SPEAKING: Wednesday 12th, Thursday 13th, Monday 17th & Tuesday 18th May (talk to your teacher beforehand, to arrange a time). After the exams, we will have normal lessons to prepare more for the certification exam and finish the course. You will get your results ("notas") on Wednesday 2nd & Thursday 3rd June.

Pruebas de certificación: from June 4th until June 14th, but we do not know the exact dates yet. We will keep you posted.

Extra practice for rainy days

Are you bored because there is no English today? Here are a few ideas for you to practise from home on your computer.

Although the schools are closed for two days, people literally crawl to school in the UK before they close them! Watch this clip from the BBC news.

Here's another link to a news report about freezing cold weather in the UK. Don't forget to watch the video of police officers sledging on their riot shields!

If you want pronunciation practice so people can understand you when you speak English, why not try these online pronunciation quizzes? Click here.

3rd conditional... and all the others

And if you're really hooked on conditional practice or simply confused, here's a page which has many interactive exercises on all types of conditional sentences. Just select the one you want to practice. You also have an example of each to help you. Click here and have fun!
And here's another exercise to practise the 3rd conditional. Click here.

3rd Conditional

Click here for more practice on the 3rd conditional. Do the exercises so you don't have any regrets... you don't want to be thinking in June; 'If I'd done those exercises, I wouldn't have made as many mistakes in the final exam!'

Happy New Year 2010

So it's a new year and a new decade! And what shall we call it? The first decade of the new millennium seems to be called 'the noughties' - a play on words as '0' is 'nought' but 'noughty' sounds like 'naughty' suggesting we've all been behaving badly for the past 10 years. But what shall we call this year and this next decade? Here is an article from The Guardian about this problem.

Don't forget classes start again on 11th January and one week later the 'prueba de dominio' begins... that is, the mid-year exam. So now is a good time to get those books out and brush up on the last few months. See you in a week!