QUEEN ELIZABETH II CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

Every year Queen Elizabeth delivers her Christmas message where she talks about current issues and which reinforces a tradition initiated back in 1932 by King George V.

You can watch it on this video and read the script below (although it´s quite easy to understand).

Any differences with the one delivered by King Juan Carlos I?

This year she emphasizes the importance of friendship and group work; I really like that!!! 6 years ago on my first visit to Manchester I went to a museum and one of the activities we did was to build the following motto with some cubes: "United we stand, divided we fall". Nice, isn´t it?? :)



In this past year my family and I have been inspired by the courage and hope we have seen in so many ways in Britain, in the Commonwealth and around the world. We’ve seen that it’s in hardship that we often find strength from our families; it’s in adversity that new friendships are sometimes formed; and it’s in a crisis that communities break down barriers and bind together to help one another.

Families, friends and communities often find a source of courage rising up from within. Indeed, sadly, it seems that it is tragedy that often draws out the most and the best from the human spirit.

When Prince Philip and I visited Australia this year we saw for ourselves the effects of natural disaster in some of the areas devastated by floods, where in January so many people lost their lives and their livelihoods. We were moved by the way families and local communities held together to support each other.

Prince William travelled to New Zealand and Australia in the aftermath of earthquakes, cyclones and floods and saw how communities rose up to rescue the injured, comfort the bereaved and rebuild the cities and towns devastated by nature.

The Prince of Wales also saw first hand the remarkable resilience of the human spirit after tragedy struck in a Welsh mining community, and how communities can work together to support their neighbours.

This past year has also seen some memorable and historic visits – to Ireland and from America.

The spirit of friendship so evident in both these nations can fill us all with hope. Relationships that years ago were once so strained have through sorrow and forgiveness blossomed into long term friendship. It is through this lens of history that we should view the conflicts of today, and so give us hope for tomorrow.

Of course, family does not necessarily mean blood relatives but often a description of a community, organisation or nation. The Commonwealth is a family of 53 nations, all with a common bond, shared beliefs, mutual values and goals.

It is this which makes the Commonwealth a family of people in the truest sense, at ease with each other, enjoying its shared history and ready and willing to support its members in the direst of circumstances. They have always looked to the future, with a sense of camaraderie, warmth and mutual respect while still maintaining their individualism.

The importance of family has, of course, come home to Prince Philip and me personally this year with the marriages of two of our grandchildren, each in their own way a celebration of the God-given love that binds a family together.

For many this Christmas will not be easy. With our armed forces deployed around the world, thousands of service families face Christmas without their loved ones at home. The bereaved and the lonely will find it especially hard. And, as we all know, the world is going through difficult times. All this will affect our celebration of this great Christian festival.

Finding hope in adversity is one of the themes of Christmas. Jesus was born into a world full of fear. The angels came to frightened shepherds with hope in their voices: ‘Fear not’, they urged, ‘we bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.’

Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general (important though they are) – but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.

Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love.

In the last verse of this beautiful carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem, there’s a prayer:

O Holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us we pray
Cast out our sin
And enter in
Be born in us today

It is my prayer that on this Christmas day we might all find room in our lives for the message of the angels and for the love of God through Christ our Lord.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas.

IT´S WORTH WATCHING!! SMILEEEEEE

Validation from Veiko Kruustük on Vimeo.

JUSTIN BIEBER - MISTLETOE

Especially dedicated to all my "teenagers" who will (not too sure about this, though)enjoy this Christmas song by Justin Bieber. If you follow the link below the video you can read the lyrics, the meaning of the song plus (very important!!) some language notes!! :)



http://www.multimedia-english.com/contenido/ficha/mistletoe/3676

TODAY IS... BOXING DAY!!!

The origin of Boxing Day:

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/boxingday.html

How Boxing day is celebrated today:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16330449

What is Boxing Day? ( A listening activity):

http://www.elllo.org/july/nico/nboxing.htm

2 NB "A" and "B" - CHRISTMAS CAROL

This is the Christmas song we´ve listened to in class. Relax and enjoy it!!! :) :) :)

2 NB "B"

Hi there,

Yesterday we finished the extra sheet I gave you on prepositions (How far is it...? / How long does it take to get there?) and we also corrected the exercises from the book. And, of course, we did an activity with a Christmas carol which I´ll upload in another entry.

Homework: Write a composition about "The place where I live" (try to use as many structures and as amuch vocabulary as possible!!).

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

1 NA

Hi everyone,

On Wednesday we corrected the grammar exercises on the future as well as those on collective and plural nouns. We also did exercises 5A and B on page 36.
We also started lesson 3.3 ("How does it work?") and we did exercises 1 and 2.

Homework: do the exercises on page 133(future forms) as well as exercises 3A, 3B and 4A

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

1 NI

Hi everyone,

Today we´ve corrected the reading on the train and plane journeys and we´ve also done the listening activity on the car journey. Besides, we´ve done the reading comprehension on page 36. And, of course, we´ve listened to a really really Christmas song by Coldplay: "Christmas Lights" (I can´t help it: I JUST LOVE THIS BAND!!! :)



MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! :)

2 NB "A"

Our last day of class before Christmas!!! and we´ve corrected the exercises on prepositions and vocabulary of place plus someextra exercises.

And,of course, we´ve devoted some time to listen to a Christmas carol and do a fun activity (I´ll upload it tomorrow after the other group has also done it).

Homework: Write a composition about your area trying to use all the expressions that we´ve learnt ( near, quite near, not near, not far, quite far, a long way, far, on the edge of town, on the outskirts, right in the centre, next to, close to, it´s a 5-minute walk, it´s a 10-minute drive, it´s a 2-hour bus ride...).

And, last but not least: MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! :)

2 NB "B"

Hi there,

Today we´ve started unit 5 and we´ve done the vocabulary and the reading sections on page 42 plus some extra exercises on prepositions.

Homework: Do the vocabulary section (Prepositions of place) exercises 1 and 2 on page 43 plus the exercise on page 145.

SEE YOU ON THURSDAY!!!

Rajoy sworn in as sixth PM in Spain's democratic era

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/english/Rajoy/sworn/in/as/sixth/PM/in/Spain/s/democratic/era/elpepueng/20111220elpeng_2/Ten

1 NI

Hi there,

Today we´ve worked on some vocabulary related to travel and we´ve done the vocabulary, pronunciation and speaking sections on page 35.

Homework: Do the reading comprehension about the plane and train journeys (for Thursday) and do the "Nightmare journey" reading and writing for Christmas.

SEE YOU ON THURSDAY!! :)

HOY SÍ HAY CLASE

My face is still a bit swollen but I´ll see you today in class.

1 NA - HAPPY IDIOMS

Click on the link below and learn some idioms connected with the topic of happiness.

http://www.better-english.com/vocabulary/happy.htm

1 NA - USED TO /WOULD/ BE USED TO/ GET USED TO - key

EXERCISE 1 (state verbs side)
a)
2. driving
3. living
4. eat
5. being
6. getting up
7. play
8. get used to

b)
2. got used to working
3. not used to having
4. used to wear
5. got used to living
6. used to looking after
7. got used to
8. used to sleeping

EXERCISE 5B

a)
1.  WRONG- usually go
2. WRONG- drinking
3. RIGHT
4. RIGHT
5. WRONG- have
6. WRONG- I´m used to
7. WRONG- Did you use

b)
1. get used to getting up
2. get used to eating
3. ´m not used to having
4. used to spend
5. is used to working
6. get used to wearing
7. didn´t use to
8. is not used to sharing

USED TO DO (A)
1. We used to like
2. used to be
3. we didn´t use to have
4. Did you use to help
5. I used to look

USED TO TO and BE USED TO DOING (A-B)
1. She is used to flying planes.
2. They used to play badminton.
3. He is used to climbing mountains.

USED TO DO and BE USED TO DOING (A-B)
1. to living
2. to stop
3. to work
4. to be
5. to drinking
6. to being
7. to have

1 NA - OPINION COMPOSITION - key

EXERCISE 1

a)
1. recently
2. as a result
3. furtheremore
4. on the other hand
5. in conclusion

b)
1. nowadays
2. consequently, therefore
3. moreover, in addition
4. however, nevertheless
5. to sum up, finally

EXERCISE 2

1. such as, like
2. personally
3. think so
4. firstly
5. besides
6. secondly
7. although
8. like, such as
9. just
10. to sum up

NO CLASS TODAY

Como os dije, hoy no puedo asistir a clase. Mañana, si no os informo de lo contrario, SÍ iré.

See you!!

ADELE- SOMEONE LIKE YOU

One of the most beautiful yet moving songs I´ve listened to recently. If you want to enjoy it, practise your English and, who knows, maybe cry a little...sit back, watch this video and do the activity below.


LYRICS

I heard you’re settled _______ (1)
That you found a _________ (2)
And you’re … married now.
I heard that your dreams came _______ (3)
Guess she ___________ (4) you things I didn’t give to you
Old friend, why are you so _________ (5)?
Ain’t like you to hold back or hide from the ___________ (6)

I ________ (7) to turn up out of the blue, uninvited
But I couldn’t stay away, I couldn’t fight it
I had hoped you’d see my ______________ (8) and that you’ve reminded
That for me it isn’t over.

Never mind, I’ll _______ (9) someone like you
I wish nothing but the ___________ (10) for you, too
Don’t ___________ (11) me, I begged, I remember you said
Sometimes it _________ (12) in love, but sometimes it hurts __________ (13)
Sometimes it _________ (12) in love, but sometimes it hurts __________ (13)

You know how the __________ (14) flies,
Only ___________ (15) was the time of our _________ (16)

We were born and raised in a ____________ (17) haze
Bound by the ___________ (18) of our glory days

(CHORUS)

Nothing ___________ (19), nothing worries or cares
Regrets and ___________ (20), they’re memories made
Who would have known how bittersweet this would ___________ (21)?

(CHORUS)

3 THINGS I LEARNED WHILE MY PLANE CRASHED

Probably you´ve heard of this moving video lately, so here you have the original version. You can watch it without subtitles, with subtitles in English or even in Spanish. If you are from one of my advanced or intermediate groups, watch it first without subtitles and to try to understand as much as possible.

1 NA - LOOKBACK UNIT 2 ANSWERS

1B
1. poverty
2. famine
3. pollution
4. drought
5. drug abuse
6. domestic violence
7. homelessness
8. debt
9. obesity
10. divorce

2A
1. How long have you been learning English?
2. Your English has improved a lot. What have yoou been doing?
3. How many teachers have you had?
4. Who was your favourite teacher before your current one?
5. How far have you travelled to class today?
6. Have you done your homework for today?
7. How long did it take you to do it?
8. Have you studied/been studying a lot this week?
9. Have you practised/been practising English outside the class regularly in the past year?
10. Have you ever forgotten to bring anything to class?
11. How long have you been trying to understand the present perfect?
12. Have you been spending too much time in front of your computer lately?


3
1. e
2. f
3. d
4. c
5. b
6. a

4A
2. I was brought up in a house full of pets.
3. I´ve never been robbed.
4. I hate being given clothes as a present.
5. I´m often told I look like my father.
6. I´ve always wanted to be admired for my intelligence.

5A
1. Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
2. Would you like to be invited to dinner by a celebrity/ by a celebrity to dinner?
3. Do you enjoy being photographed?
4. Do you always want to be told the truth even if it hurts?
5. What will you be remembered for after you die?

6A
1. I´m in favour of
2. I´m not so sure
3. You´ve got a point there, but
4. Fair enough, but
5. I agree to some extent, but
6. I´m still not convinced
7. I suppose so

A BIG BIG THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

2 NB "B"

Hi everyone,

Today we´ve done the keyword section "have" on page 39, the explore writing on page 40 and exercises 2,3,4 and 5 on page 41.

Homework: Write an email to your friend giving news.

1 NI

Hi everyone,

Today we´ve corrected the keyword section "with" on page 31 and exercises 1 4 and 5 on page 33. We´ve also finished the Explore Writing section on page 32.

Besides, we´ve started unit 4 and we´ve done the vocabulary, speaking and listening sections on pages 34 and 35.

Homework: Write a recipe (ingredients and instructions) and bring it with you on Tuesday.

1 NA

Hi guys,

Today we´ve done the speaking activity on page 33 ( bad habits) and also exercise 10 B (share your opinions on the essay topics).

We´ve also started unit 3.2 "Find your niche" and we´ve done the listening and vocabulary sections on page 35.

Homework: Opinion essay (page 34) plus exercises 4A and 4C on page 36 plus the vocabulary section on page 37 and the Collective nouns (Vocabulary Bank) on page 150.

Hope to see you on Friday.

IMPORTANT: NO CLASS ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 19th)

2 NB "A"

Hi everyone,

Today we´ve corrected exercise 5 on page 41 and we´ve started unit 5 "Places": we´ve done the vocabulary and the reading sections on page 42 plus some extra activities on prepositions and places.

Homework: Do exercise 6,1 and 2 on page 43 (Vocabulary: Describing places and Prepositions of place), do the vocabulary exercise on page 145 and the vocabulary section (Things in the home) on page 44. Rememeber to write your email as well  (exercise 6 page 40).

Hope to see you on Friday!!!

IMPORTANT: NO CLASS ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 19th)

2 NB "A" and "B" - PREPOSITIONS

These are the two exercises we did in class:

http://www.esolcourses.com/content/exercises/grammar/prepositions/prepositions-of-place/prepositions-of-place-quiz.html

http://wwwedu.ge.ch/cptic/prospective/projets/anglais/sharing/Prepositions1.htm

Two interactive games:
http://www.quia.com/rr/837928.html

http://www.quia.com/cz/221643.html

2 NB "B"

Hi everyone,

After 12 days without class, we´ve finally corrected all your homework (cloze test, reading comprehension and grammar exercises). We´ve also done the speaking section on page 37, the Target activity section (Talk about an important event) on page 38 and the pronunciation exercises (4a and 4b) on page 41.

Homework: Draw a diagram with all the expressions with "have" (page 39) and write about your English studies (exercise 1a on pager 39)

1 NI

Hi there,

Today we´ve corrected the reading comprehension "What´s for dinner?" and we´ve done the target activity section on page 30 "Plan a meal" plus the Across cultures section on page 31 (Mealtimes) and we´ve also done exercises 1a, 1b, and 2a on page 32.

Homework: Keyword section "With" on page 31 exercises 1a,1b,2 and 3a + exercise 1a and 5a on page 33 (for Thursday). Surf the Internet in order to find info about mealtimes in the UK ( for next Tuesday)

1 NA

Hi everyone,

Yesterday we did the grammar section (use and form of "used to/would/ be used to/ get used to") and did exercises 6A and 6B on page 33 (plus an extra activity). We also started the Writin section "An opinion essay" and we did exercise 8, 9 and 10.

Homework: grammar exercises on page 133.

2 NB "A"

Hi there,

Today we´ve done exercises 2 and 3 from the Keyword section "Have" and we´de done the Explore Writing section on page 40. Besides, we´ve done exercises 2a, 3a , 4a, 4b and 4c on page 41.

Homework: exercises 5a and 5b (only write the dates) for Wednesday. Write an email (exercise 6a on page 40) for December 21 (next Wednesday)

6 DAYS TO GO!!! ;)

1 NA

Hi everyone,

Yesterday we did exercise 6A on page 29 and started unit 3 "Downtime" (= stop working and relax). We did the speaking, vocabulary and reading sections on page 32 `plus a quick look at the grammar (exercise 5) on page 33.

Homework: Write 3 tips for being happy (1 paragraph each - exercise 6B on page 29). Do exercises 1B, 2A, 3, 4A, 5A and 6A on page 30 (I´ll upload the answers to the blog).


ENJOY YOUR FREE DAY!!!

2 NB "A"

Hi everyone,

Today we´ve done exercises 6 and 7 on page 37 as well as the grammar and speaking sections on that same page. we´ve also done the "Target Activity" saction page 38 and exercise 1 on page 39.

Homework: do a mind map with all the expressions with "have" and write your opinion about the different skills when learning a language (reading,listening, speaking....: EXERCISE 1 in the "Independent Learning" section on page 39.

1 NI - FOOD

Listening comprehensions:

BREAKFAST: http://www.elllo.org/nine/breakfast/breakfast.htm

RESTAURANTS: http://www.esl-lab.com/eslbasic/restaurants-1.htm

EATING OUT: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/multimedia/london/unit6/index.shtml

Video: "Is this the supermarket of the future?"




Shops in England (info + photos):

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/shops/main/index.html

1 NA - HAPPINESS

Have a look at this link if you want to find out more about the "Happiness Formula". You will have information about the 6 instalments as we only watched part of the one about "richer but not happier"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/happiness_formula/4783836.stm

You can also listen to this 6-minute programme on happiness (with script):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2009/04/090409_6min_happiness.shtml

Happy vocabulary:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/2009/05/090526_fm_198_lp.shtml

10 DAYS TO GO!!!

 Have you already thought about your English dish?? Aren´t you curious about what the others are preparing?? Don´t you want to try some delicious English specialties??

You cannot miss the opportunity of having a good time with your classmates and teacher before Christmas!! JOIN US ON DECEMBER 16TH AT 6PM!!!

1 NA

Hi there,

Today we´ve talked about the stereotypes on page 27, we´ve corrected exercise 8C on that same page and we´ve also discussed the statements on that page. Besides, we´ve started lesson 2.4 "The Happiness Formula" and we´ve talked about what happiness is for ous, and we´ve done exercises1, 2 and 3 on page 28 plus exercises 4A, B and C on page 29.

Make the most of your free day!!And... BE HAPPY!!! :)

See you again on Wednesday!!

2 NB "A"

Hi there,

Today we´ve corrected your homework: the cloze test, the reading comprehension and the grammar exercises. We´ve also continued with our unit and we´ve done the vocabulary and speaking sections on page 35 and the vocabulary and listening sections on page 36.

Enjoy your free day!!! :)

See you in class on Wednesday!!

2 NB "B"

Hi everyone,

Today we´ve corrected the grammar exercises on page 136 and we´ve done the vocabulary and speaking sections on page 35. Besides, we´ve started lesson 4.2 and we´ve done the vocabulary and listening on page 36 plus the pronunciation section on page 37.

Homework: Grammar section on page 37.

REMEMBER: We have class tomorrow in room 210 at 5

BRITISH PRONUNCIATION - A NIGHTMARE??

Language is alive and it evolves. So,if you are interested in finding out how the English language is changing...have a look at these videos:

1 NA

Hi everyone,

Yesterday we corrected exercise 5A on page 24 (The answers to the grammar exercises on page 131 are in another entry). We also did the speaking and function sections on page 26 and exercises 6, 7A, 8A and 8B on page 27.

Homework: exercise 8C on page 27, think about exercise 7B (what´s your opinion about those stereotypes?) and the letter of complaint.

1 NI

Hi everyone,

Today we´ve corrected the cloze test about work and we´ve done a listening activity about an English cook and his restaurant in Chile. We´ve also done the pronunciation, grammar and the two speaking sections on page 29.

Homework: Reading comprehension "What´s for dinner?" // Writing: Advantages and disadvantages of the opening of Mercadona in Béjar.

1NA - PASSIVE EXERCISES - KEY

Hi,

Here you have the answers to the grammar exercises on page 131:
EXERCISE A
1. My cat´s being operated on this afternoon.
2. He´ll be caught sooner or later.
3. Kim was badly burnt in the fire.
4. They don´t mind being woken up in the middle of the night.
5. Someone could get hurt if you don´t take care.
6. I´ve been asked to give a speech to the whole school.
7. She´s expected to be at her desk by 9am every day.
8. Employees´emails are sometimes monitored  by their supervisor.

EXERCISE B
2. was found
3. was discovered
4. put
5. has been arrested
6. is believed
7. being separated
8. might be given

2 NB "A"

Hi everyone,

Today we´ve corrected exercises 1a, 3a, 5a and 5b on page 33 and we´ve started unit 4: Changes. We´ve done the reading section on page 34 (plus the grammar reference on page 136) and the grammar section on page 35.

Homework: Do exercises 1 and 2 on page 136 (the ones about the past. For Monday!).

REMEMBER: We have class on Friday at 5pm in room 210.

2 NB "B"

Hi there,

Yesterday we did the pronunciation exercise on page 33 and started unit 4 where we will talk about "Changes". We did the reading section on page 34 (plus the grammar reference onpage 136) and the grammar section on page 35.

Homework: Do exercise 1 and 2 on page 136 (the ones about the past).

See you tomorrow!!

2 NB "A"

Hi everyone,

Today we´ve done the grammar section on page 29 and 135 ( Present simple:questions). Wé´ve also done the speaking activity on that same page and the listening and vocabulary (Invite someone out9 onpage 30. Besides, we´ve done exercises 1 and 2 from the Across Cultures section (Conversation "dos and don´ts) on page 31 plus the pronunciation part (exercise 4 on page 33 - how to pronounce words with -ch, -tch and -sh).

Homework: exercises 1a, 3a, 5a and 5b on page 33 (for Wednesday) // write a paragraph about topics which are/ aren´t OK to talk about with people you don´t know very well in Spain and write another one about a country you want (for Friday).

SALTY RECIPES - IDEAS FOR THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

SWEET RECIPES - IDEAS FOR THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

2 NB "A" and "B" - ANSWERS TO "DAILY ROUTINES" EXERCISES

Hi guys,

Here you have the answers to the exercises on "Daily routines".

53.1
have a snack - have a bath - have a lunch break - have a sleep - have a late/early night - have a wash - have a shave - have a rest - have friends for dinner - have a lunch break

53.2.
fall asleep - have a rest - play cards - go to bed - clean my teeth - feed the dog - get up early

53.3.
2. go out
3. stay in
4. early
5. sleep
6. come round
7. play
8. alone

53.4.
1. What time do you have breakfast?
2. In the morning I always leave home at 8 o´clock
3. I didn´t shave this morning
4. I live on my own
5. I usually wash my hair every day.
6. I fell asleep very quickly

53.5.
1. up / up
2. in / out
3. round

1 NA - SURVEILLANCE

Hi guys,

Watch this video abour pizza surveillance.


Scary, isn´t it??

Obama Under Fire for Not Saying 'God' in Thanksgiving Speech

1 NA - Number of young people classed as 'NEETS' hits record 1.16m

On Wednesday we commented on one of the major problems in Spanish society: NEETS ( young people who neither study nor work). So, if you want to find out more about this problem in the UK, click on this link:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/nov/24/neets-number-climbs-record-high

2 NB "B"

Hi everyone,

Today we´ve done the grammar and speaking sections on page 29 and exercises 1, 2 and 3 on page 30. Bsides, we´ve also been discussing "do´s and don´ts in conversation" on page 31.

Homework: write a short paragraph about "topics which are OK to talk about with people you don´t know very well" (Exercise 3 on page 31).

Happy weekend!!! (Check the links about Thanksgiving Day!)

1 NI

Hi there,

Today we´ve corrected exercises 2a, 3a and 5a on page 25. We´ve also done the pronunciation section on that page and we´ve started unit 3 ("How´s your food?"): we´ve done the vocabulary and speaking sections on page 26 and exercises 1, 2 and 5 on page 27.

Homework: exercise 3 on page 27.

Enjoy your weekend and spend some time finding out what Thanksgiving day is about!!! :)

THANKSGIVING DAY

Listening (Basic):
http://www.audio-lingua.eu/spip.php?page=recherche&id_rubrique=&recherche=Thanksgiving

http://www.audio-lingua.eu/spip.php?page=recherche&id_rubrique=&recherche=thanksgiving

Dictation (Basic):

http://www.learnenglish.de/Dictation/edictationthanksgiving.html

Listening (Intermediate):

http://michel.barbot.pagesperso-orange.fr/hotpot/history/thanksgiving/thanks2.htm

Reading comprehension (Intermediate):
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/node/286

Interactive activity to find out about Thanksgiving origins (Intermediate and Advanced):
http://www.prof2000.pt/users/estante/web_adventures/thanksgiving/

"Friends" video (Advanced):
http://youtu.be/A0-1vwCn-WM

1 NA

Hi everyone,

Yesterday we did the vocabulary bank on page 149 on social issues and verbs and nouns with the same form. We also corrected your homework (exercises 9a, 9b and 9c on page 22) and did the quiz on that page and page 158 (with some surprising results, by the way...). Besides, we started unit 2.2 and did the vocabulary section on "surveillance" and the listening activity on page 23.

Homework: do exercises 3a and 3b on page 24

Enjoy your weekend!!

2 NB "A"

Hi there,

Today we´ve done exercise 4a and 4b on page 27, the vocabulary section on page 28,135 and 136, the pronunciation section on page 29 and 155, a reading comprehension on an English teacher´s daily routine and we´ve also done exercises 1a and 1b fromthe grammar section on page 29.

Homework: write a composition about  New Year. Write about whether you like it or not and what you usually do (food and drink / people / activities).

Have a nice weekend!!

WHAT´S ON IN BÉJAR - ANOTHER WIKI!!!

http://whatsoninbejar.wikispaces.com/

Apart from our cooking wiki, I´ve also created this new wiki I told you about a few weeks ago. Here you ca

n write about everything that you want: a film you´ve watched, a book you´re reading, a concert you´ve been to, a band that you like, a theatre play that you would/wouldn´t recommend, a nice hiking route, what you did on Sunday... WHATEVER!!!

I encourage you to write here because it´s an excellent opportunity to improve your writing skills. As I´ve said in class, even if I´m not going to correct your mistakes, you´ll have to plan what you´re going to write and, probably, you will need to look up unknown words in a dictionary.

Try and you´ll see that you´ll improve your English!!! (You can also upload videos or music to liven up your entry!!)

I already have in mind what I´m going to write about in my first entry... :)

2 NB "B"

Hi everyone,

Yesterday we corrected your homework and did exercises 4a and 4b on page 27. We also did the vocabulary section on page 28 and the pronunciation on page 29. Besides, we did a reading comprehension on daily routines.

Homework: Write a composition about New Year in which you mention whether you like it or not and what you usually do (food and drink / people / activities).

See you tomorrow!!

1 NI - USES OF "FOR"

For the difference betwen "to" and "for, click on this link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv314.shtml

1 NI

Hi there,

Today we´ve corrected your homework and we´ve worked on the keyword section ( "For"), the independent learning section ( "Collecting and recording collocations") and the Explore Speaking section.

Homework: page 23 exercise 2b, page 25 exercises 2a, 3a and 5a ( for Thursday). For next Tuesday: page 25 exercise 2b.

See you on Thursday!

1 NA

Hi guys,

Yesterday we listened to your speechs about charities and corrected exercise 5 on page 21. Besides, we did exercise 6 on that same page and dealt with the vocabulary section (Social Issues). You can have a look at the slide presentation again if you look for it on the blog (I uploaded it last Saturday).

The Scrambled Issues exercise was so much fun that I want to publish here the results of your votes on the best/ most effective solutions to the different issues (Thanks Fernando for being our secretary!!):

- Drought: responsible use of domestic water.
- Divorce: not getting married.

- Homlessness: government protection.

- Pollution: renewable energies.

- Domestic violence: education.

- Drunkenness and drug abuse: education + info.

- Poverty: supply resources to poor areas.

- Lack of drinking water: to drink wine (* it was for having fun)

- Famine: food banks + getting drunk (* the same as above)

- Obesity: teaching healthy habits

Homework: do exercises 9a, 9b and 9c on page 22.

See you tomorrow!

INSPIRING QUOTE

The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don´t tell you what to see" (Alexandra K. Trenfor)

2 NB "A"

Hi everyone,

Today we´ve corrected the fill in the gaps exercises taht you had to do at home and we´ve done the vocabulary reference (prepositions) on page 145, and exercises 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b on page 27. We´ve also done the grammar section (exercises 1a, 1b and 2a on page 27) plus the listening activity on that page.

Homework: Do exercise 2b on page 27 (on a separate piece of paper!). Show me what you know!! Make complex sentences!!!

See you on Wednesday!

Spanish election: exit polls suggest landslide victory for People's party

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/20/spain-election-polls-rajoy-victory

Whether we like it or not, politics is trending topic today and a good source of new vocabulary and collocations such as:

- landslide victory
- polls
- absolute majority
- general election
- People´s party (PP)
- prime minister
- lower chamber
- seats
- austerity measures
- a free hand
- voters
- take over
- kickstart growth
- cut spending
- spokeswoman/spokesman
-

2 NB "A" and "B" - EXTRA EXERCISES

Subject and object pronouns:


http://www.usingenglish.com/handouts/73.html

Prepositions:


http://www.cristinacabal.com/pre-intermediate/inonat.htm

http://www.cristinacabal.com/pre-intermediate/inonat1.htm

Spain heads to the polls amid eurozone crisis

Click on the link below if you want read about the Spanish general election

http://gu.com/p/33gve

WANNA HAVE A LAUGH?(= Do you want to have a laugh?)

WIKI WIKI - LET´S COOK!!

Our Christmas festival is fast approaching and it would be a great opportunity for you to cook one of those wonderful recipes which I´m  sure you want to share with us in our Wiki http://englishinbejar.wikispaces.com/

My pumpkin pie feels lonely... ;)

2 NB "A" and "B" - ANSWERS TO PROGRESS TESTS 1 & 2

Hi everyone,

Open your email!!! I´ve sent you the answers to Progress Tests 1 and 2 (in that document you also have the answers to Progress Test 3 but try not to look at them until i have given you the test!! Tenéis también las respuestas al test de la unidad 3 pero no las miréis hasta que no lo hayáis hecho...)

Enjoy this rainy Saturday!! I hope the weather is better in Béjar... ;)

See you on Monday/Tuesday

1 NA - SOCIAL ISSUES

Hi everyone,

We´ll work on this on Monday!! In the meantime, enjoy your weekend!!

Social issues

View more presentations from cristinaeoi82.

2 NB "A" and "B"

Hi there,

Here you have the video that we watched today in class. You can watch it again and read the script to see what other things the boy likes and doesn´t like.

http://www.multimedia-english.com/contenido/ficha/4-i-likes-and-dislikes/837

2 NB "B"

Hi everyone,

Today we´ve corrected exercises 1a and 2a on page 25 and we´ve done exercises 4a, 4b, 5a, and 6a on page 27 . Besides, we´ve done the grammar exercises on Present simple: negative sentences: 1a, 1b, 2a, 3a and 3b.

Homework: do exercise 2b on page 27 ( on paper, NOT EMAIL) and the exercise on negative sentences on page 135.

REMEMBER: WE HAVE CLASS TOMORROW IN CLASS 210 AT 5PM

1 NI - LISTENING: JOB INTERVIEWS

Click on this link if you want to do a listening exercise. You can do the Gap Fill,  Correct the Spelling and Unjumble the Words

http://www.listenaminute.com/j/job_interviews.html

1 NI

Hi there,

Today we´ve corrected and finished your vocabulary sheet on "Work" and we´va also practised the pronunciation of some words related to the topic.
Besides, we´ve done exercise 2 on page 20 and exercises 3, 5 and 6 on page 21. We´ve also started lesson 2.3 and we´ve done exercises 1, 2 and 3 on page 22.

Homework: do exercise 4 a and 5a on page 22 (you have to answer the questions and also add two more questions).

Have a nice weekend!!

1 NA

Hi,

Yesterday we continued with our unit about Comic Relief and did exercises 2B and 2C on page 20. Besides, we explained the grammar section: the differences between the present perfect simple and present perfect continuous and did exercises 3A, 3B and 4A on page 21 (plus the grammar exercises on page 131).

Homework: do exercise 5 on page 21 and prepare a 1-minute speech about a charity that you like (be prepared to talk about that in class on Monday without reading!!)

Have a nice weekend!!

2 NB "A"

Hi there,

Today we´ve done exercises 1a and 2a and 5a on page 25. You´ve also exchanged your emails with your partners, read them and replied them (Remember to answer ALL the questions of a written exercise!!!)

We´ve also started unit 3 and we´ve done all the exercises on page 26 (plus the grammar one on page 135) and we´ve done exercises 4a and 4b on page 27.

REMEMBER: WE HAVE CLASS ON FRIDAY AT 5PM IN ROOM 210

2 NB - PRESENT SIMPLE EXERCISES - KEY

Hi,

These are the answers to the grammar exercises on the present simple.

5.1.
2. thinks
3. flies
4. dances
5. has
6. finishes

5.2.
2. live
3. She eats
4. They play
5. They go
6. He sleeps

5.3.
2. open
3. closes
4. teaches
5. meet
6. washes
7. costs
8. cost
9. boils
10. like ...likes

5.4.
2. I often play basketball
3. Margaret usually works hard
4. Jenny always wears nice clothes
5. We always have dinner at 7.30
6. Tim never watches television
7. Children usually like chocolate
8. Julia always enjoys parties

5.5.
2. I usually read in bed
3. I often get up before 7 o´clock
4. I never go to work by bus
5. I usually drink two cups of coffee in the morning

1 NI - PRESENT PERFECT & PAST SIMPLE - KEY

Hi,

These are the answers to the grammar exercises on the present pèrfect and`past simple.

13.1.
2. has gone to bed
3. has fallen/ has dropped/ has gone down
4. has turned on the light/ has turned the light on/ has turned it on
5. has grown
6. has taken off

13.2.
3. went
4. has gone
5. have forgotten
6. forgot
7. had
8. has been
9. haven´t finished
10. has just gone
11. arrested
12. gave...lost/ have lost
13. was...has disappeared
14. have improved

13.3.
3. did Shakespeare write
4. RIGHT
5. was
6. RIGHT
7. My grandparents got married...
8. were you born
9. RIGHT
10. was the scientist who developed...

13.4.
2. has broken / did that happen / fell
3. Have you had / cut ... Did you go 7 did

14.1.
3. RIGHT
4. I bought
5. were you
6. Jenny left school
7. RIGHT
8. RIGHT
9. wasn´t
10. When was this book published

14.2.
2. The weather has been cold recently
3. It was cold last week
4. I didn´t read a newspaper yesterday
5. I haven´t read a newspaper today
6. Ann has earned a lot of money this year
7. She didn´t earn so much last year
8. Have you had a holiday recently?

14.3.
2. got ...was...went
3. Have you washed it? (Did you wash it is also possible)
4. wasn´t
5. worked
6. has lived
7. Did you go ...was ...was
8. died...never met
9. have never met
10. I´m afraid he has gone out / When exactly did he go out?
11. How long have you lived there? / Where did you lieçve before that? / And how long did you live in Chicago?

14.4.
2. I haven´t bought anything today
3. I didn´t watch TV yesterday
4. I went out with some friends yesterday evening
5. I haven´t been to the cinema recently
6. I´ve been swimming a lot recently

2 NB "B"

Hi everyone,

Yesterday we checked your homework (looking up words in a dictionary) and you exxhanged your emails with a partner a wrote a reply to them.

We also worked on the pronunciation section and adjectives7opposites on page 25. Besides, we started unit 3 and did exercises 1, 2 and 3 on page 26.

Homework: page 25 exercises 1a and 2a

See you tomorrow!

1NA - PRESENT PERFECT EXERCISES - KEY

Hi guys,

These are the answers for the exercises on the Present Perfect.
3.1.
1. have read
2. went
3. have had
4. wore
5. have spent
6. overslept

3.2.
1. hasn´t wanted - fell
2. has worked - hasn´t had
3. rescued - has been
4. has happened - spoke
5. has been able - have felt
6. has improved - has been

3.3.
1. a) have signed     b) signed
2. a) have finished    b) finished
3. a) got                   b) have got
4. a) heard               b) have heard

3.4.
1. have lost (has lost)
2. has closed ( has been closed) - died
3. defeated - has beaten
4. have been stolen - insisted - held

1 NI

Hi everyone,

Today we´ve corrected the grammar exercises on pages 133 and 134, we´ve also checked the pronunciation section on page 19 and the speaking exercise onthat page (number 5).

Besides, we´ve started lesson 2.2 and we´ve done the speaking section.

Homework: Do exercises 1a and 1b on the sheet that I´ve given to you

1 NA

Hi everyone,

Yesterday we corrected the reading comprehension "Fresh Start" and we did the exercises on page 17. We also started unit 2 which is about Comic Relief (if you want to learn more about it, click on this link: http://www.comicrelief.com/) and we did exercises 1 and 2.

Homework: Write a summary of your partner´s story following this structure:
- 1st paragraph: Background of the story.
- 2nd paragraph: Description of what happened.

2 NB "A"

Hi guys,

Today we´ve corrected your homework (the words that you had to look up in the dictionary) plus the sentences using "in".

We´ve also done the Explore section on page 24 and exercise 4 on page 25.

Homework: Write an email to the Sofasurfing.com website (page 24, exercise 5). WRITE IT ON A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER AND BRING IT WITH YOU ON WEDNESDAY.
Do exercises 1a and 2a for Friday.

REMEMBRANCE DAY - POPPY DAY - VETERAN´S DAY

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918....
 






Watch this video to find out what Remembrance Day is about:
http://www.watchmojo.com/index.php?id=4984


Read this article and find out "Who, What, Why: Which countries wear poppies?"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15637074

Listen to these homeless veterans
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13983279

Watch this video and "Meet the Remembrance Poppy makers"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8348491.stm

Do this exercise on Remembrance Day collocations
http://www.englishgateway.com/ArticleVm.aspx?SectionID=1eb00d1a-dedd-4dd3-a0f8-88b826f29452&ArticleID=c43719b5c6464d45a432ad9093e11304

Listen to this song by Mark Knofler (You can find the lyrics below)

We will remember them! 

On your maypole green
See the winding morris men
Angry Alfie, Bill and Ken
Waving hankies, sticks and books
All the earthen roofs


Standing at the crease
The batsman takes a look around
The boys are fielding on home ground
The steeple sharp against the blue
When I think of you


Sam and Andy
Jack and John
Charlie, Martin
Jamie, Ron
Harry, Stephen
Will and Don
Matthew, Michael


On and on


We will remember them
Remember them
Remember them


We will remember them
Remember them
Remember them


Time has slipped away
The Summer sky to Autumn yields
A haze of smoke across the fields
Let's sup and fight another round
And walk the stublbed ground


When November brings
The poppies on Remembrance Day
When the vicar comes to say
Lest we forget our sons


We will remember them
Remember them
Remember them


We will remember them
Remember them
Remember them