all - Merry Christmas

I would like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Thanks to everyone who brought food and drink on the last day of the term. I hope you enjoyed yourselves.

For those of you who believe in the Christmas spirit, and for those who don't, this is a fantastic example of it (Thanks, Mercedes C.). Watch and enjoy!

See you on Thursday 8th January (eagles and flamingos) or Friday 9th (angels and alligators)!

angels, eagles & flamingos - homework for Christmas

Hi there,

I would like you to do the following at Christmas:

1. Read the story My wife is a white Russian by Rose Tremain.

2. Revise what we have done so far by using the workbook and the CD_ROM.

3. If you haven't visited the blog yet, take the chance to do so during the holiday and do the listening exercises.

4. Check this page to learn more about Christmas.

angels, eagles & flamingos - DIY

Last week we talked a bit about DIY (Do It Yourself). Most of you seemed to be quite handy, but would you buy a house and renovate it by yourselves? Listen to John and do the exercises.

CONSOLIDATION - ANSWER KEY

Vocabulary:
1 a spectacular b world-wide c blend d siblings
2 a inept b shy c grotesque d dull
3 a low-fat b self-esteeem c bad-tempered d co-ordination
4 a wealthy b optimistic c penniless d valuable
5 a life jacket b lifeguard c social life d private life
6 a set out b under-dressed c took off d I was so terrified I could barely / nervous wreck
7 a aggressive/bossy/stubborn b articulate/co-operative/sympathetic/practical/self-confident/intuitive
8 a make up your mind b Mind your own business! c never mind d you've got something on your mind

Active and passive verb forms
1 was arrested 2 tricked 3 was telling/told 4 persuaded 5 had been placed 6 to be removed 7 returned 8 found 9 had disappeared 10 had been taken 11 arrested 12 was boarding 13 had been paid for 14 am not usually deceived 15 said 16 was returned

Forming nouns and adjectives
b creative c determined d enthusiastic e fit f good-looking g honest h optimistic i persistent j self-confident k talented l wealthy

alligators - headlines

We've been doing some work on newpaper language today. Your headlines were really professional, well done! To get a bit more practice, have a look at this news archive and do the following:

1. choose a piece of news (some of them are quite funny) and listen to it.

2. rewrite the headline in 'proper' English

3. write a short summary of the story

4. post it in a comment

By the way, I've added a link (on the right) for you to have access to newspapers online.

angels, eagles & flamingos - Mini-check module 3

Here are the answers:

A 1 she'd run out of time 2 drew up 3 broke down 4 I slipped on some ice 5 we'd left our passports at home

B 6 arrived 7 had been waiting 8 was travelling 9 had promised 10 had broken 11 have been running up

C 12 At 13 for 14 in 15 What 16 all

D 17 whispering 18 You're joking 19 that he's telling 20 snowing

ALLIGATORS - REVIEW & PRACTICE - UNIT 2

1 1 to consult 2 spending 3 to hearing 4 to buy 5 applying 6 to buying 7 to make 8 living 9 to wear 10 taking

2 1 You'd be BETTER off going to Texas in the spring than in the summer.

2 Paraguay is nowhere NEAR as big as Brazil

3 I'D sooner go to Cartagena than Bogotá for a holiday.

4 Fiji is nothing LIKE as rich as new Zealand.

5 Switzerland is much the SAME as it always has been.

6 The more cars we use, the MORE polluted our environment becomes.

7 Poland ISN'T quite as cold as Norway.

8 Honduras is a tiny BIT bigger than Guatemala.

9 China is by far THE most populated nation in the world.

10 Rather THAN getting a job in Madrid, why don't you travel around Spain?

3 a j g d b f i h c l k e m

4 1 carried out 2 vast 3 get away from 4 side by side 5 run-down 6 bustling 7 came up with 8 held up 9 keep up with 10 charming 11 turn up 12 come across 13 stunning

angels, eagles & flamingos - The logical song

Hi there,

We've listened to this Supertramp hit single in class and I'd like you to answer the questions on your handout about the message of the song. You can do it in a comment to this post.

alligators - living abroad

You may want to hear this 6 minute radio programme on the subject of emigrating. Living abroad needn't be as tough as the picture suggests! (I guess it illustrates the meaning of insurmountable which came up the other day)

I'm still waiting for your answers to the post below, by the way...

alligators - health online

This didn't come up in class today but it's quite interesting. Read and listen to this piece of news and give it a thought. Do you think this tool may be useful? Can you think of any drawbacks?

angels, eagles & flamingos - Mini check - Module 2

Here are the answers:

1 happiness 2 criticism 3 healthy 4 patient 5 scientific 6 development 7 childhood 8 creativity 9 healthy 10 friendship 11 anxious 12 exciting 13 getting 14 depressed 15 not to 16 self 17 non 18 anti 19 over 20 post

angels, eagles and flamingos - mishaps

Hi there,

We're about to start a unit about adventures and mishaps. Here's a listening exercise where you can hear some people talk about car accidents. Have a go at answering the hard questions first, if you find them too difficult then you can always do the easier ones (clicking on basic quiz).

alligators -webquest

Hi,

We've been discussing different aspects of community life. Here's a webquest to find out about life on a group of islands off the coast of Scotland. Post a comment with yor answers.

Go to www.visithebrides.com and answer the following questions:

1 a) In the first paragraph on the home page find another word for ‘relax’.
b) In the second paragraph find another word for ‘a lot of’.
c) What is one of the great traits of the local heritage?
d) Click on ‘islands’ on the left. How many islands are there in the Outer Hebrides?
e) Now click on ‘FAQs’ (frequently asked questions) on the left. What is the weather like in the winter in the Outer Hebrides?
f) Why might it be good to visit the Outer Hebrides in June, July and August?
g) What is a common misconception about the Outer Hebrides?
h) What do islanders do on a Sunday?
i) What is a good way to learn Gaelic?
j) What does a Ceilidh refer to now?

2 Now you! Navigate further through ‘FAQs’ or go to another part of the website to find 5 more interesting facts about the islands.

3 Would you like to live in the Outer Hebrides? What do you think of the community life? Give reasons for your answers.

ALLIGATORS - REVIEW & PRACTICE - UNIT 1

Here are the answers. If you have any questions, you can write them down in a comment.

1. 1 faced 2 daunting 3 babbling 4 pick up 5 relied on 6 distinguished from 7 lacking in 8 benefited from 9 succeeded in 10 intelligible

2. 1 ... seems to HAVE abandoned its research... 2 ... is said TO be recovering... 3 It IS believed...
4 ... appears to HAVE finally retired ... 5 it seems AS if summer is really coming.

3. 1 By the time she finishes her degree, she will have been at the university ten years. 2 He was delighted when they told him he had got the job. 3 I feel healthier niw that I have taken up kickboxing. 4 Where were you? I've been waiting here for an hour. 5 It was a shock when i saw him. I would have expected to see a big man, but he was tiny. 6 When she got to work, she found out she had been fired. 7 Hi John! We've just been talking about you! 8 It's 9:00. Mandy will have landed at Heathrow Airport by now. 9 correct 10. We'll have used up all the world's oil long before 2100.

4. 1 Yes, I know it like the back of my hand. 2 I don't know offhand, but not many. 3 I know next to nothing about it. 4 Never, as far as I'm concerned. 5 I've never heard of him. 6 I can't tell you off the top of my head.

angels, eagles and flamingos - stress

We've done a bit of work on the different stress in nouns and verbs with the same spelling. Here are some more examples. Usually (although there are some exceptions), the stress of a verb is on the last syllable, and that of a noun is on the first syllable. Make sure you pronounce the words out loud.

to susPECT: to believe that someone is guilty
SUSpect: a person under suspicion

to preSENT: to give, to introduce
a PREsent: a gift

to contract, a contract
to convert, a convert
to convict, a convict
to insult, an insult
to project, a project
to protest, a protest
to rebel, a rebel

Can you make up a few sentences that include some of these words?

angels, eagles & flamingos - Mini check - Module 1

Here are the answers to the mini-check. I'm sure you got most of the answers right. Please, post a comment if you have any doubts or if you want to tell the world you've done really well.

1 is looking after 2 do you think 3 is 4 're having 5 Was it raining 6 was reading 7 had 8 used to play 9 lived 10 had started 11 saw 12 over 13 in 14 At 15 on 16 get back 17 during 18 these days 19 to 20 will you?

Alligators - big adventures

Click here and listen to some people talking about challenges they'd like to face. If you want to, you can also read the transcript. Which of these challenges appeals to you?

You may be pursuing a dream yourself. Why don't you post a comment describing it?

angels, flamingos & eagles - childhood memories

We've been having a look at the past and here is Lois remembering her childhood. Listen to her, do the exercise and check the transcript (you'll find a few spelling mistakes, though).

I'd also like you to write an anecdote you remember from when you were little. Don't be embarrassed, I've already written mine!

All - Class Survey

Dear students,

I'd like to share with you the conclusions I've drawn from your surveys, so here is a summary of your opinions and experiences:

A personal affection for the language and getting a better job are your main motivation to learn English

The teacher, lessons and peers influence your interest in learning a language. In fact, getting to know your classmates is one of your priorities.

You don’t think you can spare more than an hour a day to work outside the classroom

A good student of English should be hard working, constant and enthusiastic.

A good English course should be attractive, dynamic, varied, interactive and complete.

Some of you are reluctant to change places but most of you wouldn’t mind doing so now and again, depending on the activity.

It is not necessary to know about English-speaking cultures in order to speak English. (I can't agree with you on that, sorry)
After this course you expect to have improved your listening comprehension and oral expression

You seem to find listening to songs, watching films/series (Friends especially) and playing games enjoyable activities

You find group work and pair work particularly useful.

It's your turn to tell me and your partners if these ideas reflect yours or not.

my family and other animals

Dear eagles. flamingos, angels and alligators,

This is just a quick reminder:

- Make sure you know which textbook we're using this year. Remember that we won't be using the workbook in class.

- Read again the information for students at this school carefully.

- Check the instructions on how to do written assignments.

Alligators,

- Remember that continuous assessment plays a role in your final mark.

- The book you're required to read is the collection of short stories From the cradle to the grave (Oxford Bookworms collection) Oxford University Press ISBN 0194226921

Just to break the ice, why don't you write a comment explaining your own learning objectives for this year?

EOI COLLADO-VILLALBA 2008/09

A big hello to my new students in Intermedio 2 and Avanzado 1. We'll be using this blog to reinforce the work we do in class and it will also give you the chance to practise your writing.

I hope this new academic year will be full of good things.

Barajas students, I haven't forgotten you! Feel free to visit the blog and contribute to it.

a promise is a promise

Here are the photos of our group and this is the video of Jack Johnson's song Upside down.

Enjoy!

Cheerio!

I hope you all have a well-deserved summer holiday. Thank you for your effort and interest.

If you left before the end of the class today, click here.

Soon to come: the photo of our group and the video of the song 'Upside down' - great to use with children!

Bye bye!

Asking and giving directions

Hi there,

I suggest you watch this video to learn more expressions about giving directions. Andrés is having some trouble finding a pizza place and people are trying to help him. What happens in the end?

Extra practice

For those of you who want to get more practice, here are a couple of exercises on object pronouns: 1 and 2.

Check the comments section in the post below to see the corrections of your paragraphs.

Summer school students

I'd like you to have a look at the following activities and have a go at some of them. They all have to do with topics we've worked on in class.

If you want to practise some listening, click here. Listen to the descriptions and match them with the picture.

If you need some explanations in Spanish of some of the grammar and vocabulary so far, have a look at this website.

What about everyday activities? Watch this video and answer the questions.

It's your turn now ... Write a short paragraph about your daily routine this month of July. You can do so by clicking on comments (at the bottom of this post) and typing your text in the space provided. Write your name down and click on publish your comment.

NB1 & NB2 - September exams and enrollment

Dear students,

Those of you who have already passed, click here to know when you can enroll for next year.

Those of you who have to take the exam in September, click here to know the dates for the written and oral parts. Here are some tips to help you prepare for it (thanks, Cris).

Have a great summer!

NB2 - IMPORTANT CHANGE

Dear NB2s,


Important information:

As you know, your exam results will be issued on 10th June.

I told you that you could come for revisión from 18h to 20h. but I have to be part of the examiners board of Nivel Intermedio at that time.

These are the times when you can come, instead:

preferably, 10th June from 16h to 18h

exceptionally, 13th June from 17h to 19h

Please, let all your partners know about this change.

Thanks

Good luck!

Our classes have come to an end. I'd like to wish you all good luck in the exam.

Here are some pictures.

NB2 - helping you to prepare for the exam

Dear NB2s,

A very generous student is willing to share her notes with all of you (thanx, E.). If you click here:

grammar

vocabulary

vocabulary 2 and expressions


you'll find a very well-organised summary of the linguistic contents of this year.

Hope it helps!

NB2 - REVIEW AND PRACTICE - UNITS 9, 10 & 11

As I told you in class, we won't have time to correct these exercises in class (sorry!).
Here are the answers. Make sure you check them and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask next week.

Unit 9 - Review and Practice (page 94)
1. 1. can tell 2. couldn't take 3. Can/ could you help 4. could stand 5. won't be able to play 6. couldn't sleep 7. won' be able to finish
2. 1 Can she read music? 2. Could you see the sea? 3. How much can he afford? 4. When will he be able to walk again? 5 . What can he/it do? 6. When will he be able to start? 7. How many languages could she speak?
3. 1. This letter was posted last Friday 2. The animals were given some food. Some food was given to the animals 3. They were invited to Raul and Sharon's wedding 4. All the flights were cancelled because of the weather 5. This chair was made in Italy in the sixteenth century 6. We were warned to stay indoors until the morning 7. A lot of money and jewellery were stolen from their house.
4.1. More than fifty people were arrested. 2. The store was opened at exactly 9 am. 3. I was paid a lot of money to do the job. 4. We were not met at the airport 5. Everybody was rescued from the ship 6. All the classrooms were cleaned yesterday
5. 1 interviewee 2. qualifications 3. OK. 4. OK. 5. receptionist
6. 1. apply 2. jury 3. employee 4. complaint 5. favour 6. company 7. appointment.

Unit 10 - Review and Practice (page 104)
1. 1. (-), 2 (-), 3 (-), 4 a, 5 (-), 6 (-), 7 an
2. 1. a, a. the; 2. a; 3 the; 4 (-); 5 the; 6 (-); 7 the
3. 1. much, 2 a lot, 3 piece, 4 some, 5 little, 6 many, 7 a lot of
4. 1 a few, 2 of, 3 many, 4 a , 5 piece
5. 1 on, 2 to, 3 with 4 on, 5 for, 6 about, 7 to, 8 to.
6. 1 depends, 2 up, 3 rat, 4 after, 5 cat, 6 up, 7 fish, 8 mouse, 9 up, 10 grew up.

Unit 11 - Review and Check (page 114)
3.1. I told him all my secrets
2 Juan owes me a lot of money
3. Can I offer you some tea?
4 He promised me a pay rise this month.
5. My grandmother always gives me really good advice.
6. I sent some flowers to the nurse who looked after me.
7. Could you bring us the bill please?

6. 1 shake, 2 get, 3 had, 4 rented, 5 waved, 6 going.

NB1 - REVIEW AND PRACTICE - UNITS 10, 11 & 12

Here are the answers to the review and practice exercises of units 10, 11 & 12, for those of you who missed the class when we corrected them.
Unit 10
5) 1. paying; 2. swimmimg; 3.going; 4. driving; 5. taking; 6. commuting

6) 1. direct; 2. return; 3. class; 4. platform; 5. garage; 6. passengers

Unit 11
3) 1 where e; 2 how g; 4 What a; 5 How long d; 6 Who h; 7 Why b; 8 How much f.

Unit 12
1) 1 They're going to build an old people's home in the suburbs.
2 They're going to open a local history museum in the town centre.
3 Our town is going to close the swimming pool in Rectory Road
4 Our town is going to introduce a 35 km speed limit in the central area.
5 Our town is going to start a new 24-hour telephone information line.

2) 1. Toyota isn't goimg to build new factories in europe.
2. Is the situation going to get better or worse?
3. Are all the students going to pass the examination?
4. My parents aren't going to sell their house.
5. Is you father going to retire next year?
6. Your team isn't going to win the next swimming competition.

3) 1 I am going...
2 The children are ...
3. ... going to go back ...
4. ... to meet...
5. ... isn't going to...

NB1 & NB2 -English-speaking Spaniards (second part)

Following Elena's suggestion here's an interview with Cesc Fabregas. Listen to it and give your own answers to some of the questions he is asked. Sure yours are much more imaginative than his (I've always wondered why footballers are so unoriginal).

NB1 - listening practice

Dear students,

Take a bit of time to listen to these two conversations. One is about getting around Tokyo and the other one about booking a hotel room. You can answer the comprehension questions first and then do the vocabulary practice activities.

NB1 & NB2 - JUNE EXAM

Dear students,

The information about the exams is no longer available on this blog. Please, click on the link Eoi Barajas to know the dates and times.

NB1 - passengers and commuters

Hi,

We've had an interesting discussion on the meaning of these two words.
'Commuter' does not necessarily involve using public transport: a person who travels some distance to work, especially in a city, usually by car or train.

You can be a 'passenger' and not pay for the journey: a traveller riding in a vehicle and not operating it.

NB1 & NB2 - English-speaking Spaniards

Dear all,

Here are some well-known Spanish celebrities speaking English. I'd like you to listen to them and tell me what you think about their grammar, vocabulary, fluency and pronunciation. Click on their name to watch the video:

Penélope Cruz
Javier Bardem
Pau Gasol
... and two very sexy players playing for Liverpool: Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso

We'll leave Mrs Esperanza Aguirre for some other time when she's not in the limelight!

NB1 - REVIEW & PRACTICE - unit 9

Here are the answers to the review and practice section of unit 9, for those of you who missed the class when we corrected it:

1. 1 taller; 2. more handsome; 3. fitter; 4. fatter; 5. happier; 6. darker; 7. shorter

2. these are the comparative forms: 2. worse; 3. more beautiful; 4. crazier; 5. drier; 6. fitter; 7. better; 8. more informal; 9. noisier; 10. more private.

3 we skipped this exercise

4. 1 watching; 2 prefer reading books; 3 ... to fiction ones; 4 prefer; 5 driving; 6 ... to listening to CDs; 7 prefers swimming to sunbathing.

5. we skipped this exercise

6. 1 a play; 2 a painting; 3 classical music; 4 an opera; 5 a film; 6 a novel; 7 a sculpture, 8 a song (rock music)

NB1 - Mysterious celebrity

This is a description of a celebrity written by one of your classmates. Can you guess who it is?

She is a singer . She is middle-aged. She has straight orange hair. It is long.

She has green eyes. I think that she wears contact lenses but she never wears glasses.

She isn't tall, she is short, but she wears shoes with platforms. She has pale skin and a big mouth. Her nose is very big, too.

She isn't pretty but she's very friendly. She always wears fashionable black clothes. She usually wears dresses and hardly ever trousers. She sometimes wears huge earrings, too.

NB2 - My first part-time job

We've started talking about work in class. Listen to these people talking about their first job and answer the comprehension questions. I'd also like you to tell me about your first job if you are an adult or the way that you earn pocket money if you are a teenager. To break the ice, I'll tell you about mine in the first comment to this post.

NB2 - WORLD BOOK DAY

Three of your classmates are going to make a presentation on a book they've read. If you want to know more about words to describe emotions that books make us feel, listen to this conversation and answer these questions, too.

Can you write down the six-word stories that the speakers tell?

Can you make up your own six-word story?

By the way, I'm still waiting for the answers to the post named 'listening exercise' (19th April)

NB1 - UNITS 9-12

Dear students,

As you already know, the book that we're using in class does not correspond entirely to the contents of your level. It includes points that you will work on next year. We've been skipping some parts throughout the course but it's now when you'll notice it more. Do not worry, I'll give you plenty of warning in case you miss a class or you're using your workbook.

NB1 - REVIEW & PRACTICE - unit 8

Here are the answers to the review and practice section of unit 8, for those of you who missed the class when we corrected it:
1. 1. usually; 2. hardly ever; 3. always; 4. never; 5. sometimes

2.a. 1. digging; 2. making; 3. planning; 4. reading; 5. riding; 6. sitting; 7. studying; 8. swimming; 9. using; 10. waiting; 11. writing; 12. carrying
b.1. 'm writing; 2. 'm waiting; 3. is studying; 4. is using; 5. is making; 6. 'm reading; 7. are planning

3. 1. Are you reading a good book? Yes, I am;
2. Are you studying German? No, I'm not studying German, I'm studying English;
3. Is she cooking diner? No, she isn't cooking dinner, she's preparing tomorrow's lunch;
4. Is he working at home today? Yes, he is;
5. Are they playing tennis? No, they aren't playing tennis, they're playing badminton.

4. 1. She usually wears formal business suits;
2. Today she's wearing jeans and a T-shirt;
3. She usally talks to people in the office;
4. Today she's talking to clients at the match;
5. She usually has a sandwich for lunch in the office;
6. Today she's having a big meal in a restaurant.

5. a. 2. f; 3. a; 4. c; 5. b; 6. d.
b. 2. loudly; 3. comfortably / uncomfortably; 4. quietly; 5. carefully / carelessly / badly /
well / slowly / fast.

6. Possible answers: 1. a coat; 2. a hat; 3. trainers; 4. a dress; 5. a suit; 6. a jacket.

NB2 - listening exercise

Dear students,

You know how much I've insisted on learning how to describe personality - people are much more than just funny and friendly- so you can listen to a conversation on a radio programme in which the speakers discuss the topic of intelligence. I'd like you to try and pick up the personality adjectives that are mentioned in the conversation (clue: we've talked about two of them in class). You can also learn a few words to describe intelligent people.

Friday classes

This is to remind Monday and Wednesday groups that tomorrow 18th April we have a class. Tuesday and Thursday groups will have a class on Friday 9th May. These are the last Friday classes.

NB1 - REVIEW & PRACTICE - unit 7

Here are the answers to the review and practice section of unit 7, for those of you who missed the class when we corrected it.

1.the red one?; modern ones?; those ones in the corner; the metal ones; how about this one?; I don't like that one; a different one.

2. we skipped this exercise.

3. 1. left; 2. spoke; 3. came; 4. spent; 5. became; 6. thought; 7. had; 8. ate; 9. wrote; 10. bought.

4. 1. eighth; 2. twenty-fifth; 3. first; 4. eighteenth; 5. ninth.

5. 1. put together; 2. pick up; 3. give back; 4. looked at

NB1 & NB2 - JUST FOR FUN

Dear all,

This is just a quick quiz to test if your brain works in a male or female way. It's quite interesting, actually, but I don't know whether it has a sound scientific basis. Let me know your results and if you agree with them or not.

NB2 - QUESTIONS WITH 'LIKE'

Dear NB2 students,

As you very well know, we're working on how to describe people's appearance and personality. This is connected to the different uses of like which we saw in the last unit. We will revise it in class but if you want extra practice, this page will help you with a listening exercise, an explanation and a quiz.

By the way, I'm still waiting for more descriptions of the three ladies in the photo. Everybody can answer: What do they look like? and those of you who go to class with them can also answer: What are they like?

King Lear - comments

Dear students,

I hope you enjoyed the play last Friday. I think all of you told me that you did. (I hope you were being as sincere as Cordelia). The text adaptation, the performance of most of the actors and the stage design were very good, I thought.

One of my favourite aspects was the idea of 'reason in madness': Both Gloucester and Lear need a long time to recognise the truth. When Lear is mad he is able to understand the world around him and when Gloucester is blind he is able to see better than when he had eyes. Here are a few aspects you can comment on: parent-child relationship, pride, ingratitude, reality/appearance, old age and death...

For your information, there's an interesting film based on King Lear but set in a typical rural American community. The title is A thousand acres (Heredarás la tierra) (1997) and it stars Jessica Lange, Michelle Pfeiffer and the gorgeous-looking Colin Firth, among others.

Nothing will come of nothing. Speak again.

NB1 & NB2 - DESCRIBING PEOPLE

Dear students,

We're working on physical appearance now. Here is a photo of three students: Isabel, Argentina and Begoña. Why don't you write a description of one/all of them in a comment?

King Lear

For those of you who'are going to see this play on Friday, don't forget to collect your ticket at Secretaría this week.

Those of you in NB1 who come to class on Mondays and Wednesdays, remember we have a class on Friday.

HAPPY EASTER!

Dear all,

I know the word Easter puzzles you a bit, so here you can read something about the origins of the word and the history of this religious celebration. I wish you all a lovely holiday!

See you on Tuesday 25th March (Tuesday and Thursday groups) and on Wednesday 26th March ( Monday and Wednesday groups)!

LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE AT THE EOI

Dear all,

I've already told you about the uncertain future of Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas. The new study plans seem designed to lower the level of our teaching (and consequently, of your learning). I've included two new links: EOI students and EOIndignados (on the right hand side of this blog) which will help you understand the current situation and form your own opinion. I am convinced that if we all work together, we can make our voices heard ... YES, WE CAN!

NB1- REVIEW & PRACTICE

Here are the answers to the 'Review and Practice' section of unit 6.

1. + -ed: looked, owned, started, wanted
+ -d: closed, decided, lived, moved
+ -ied: married, worried
+ consonant + ed: planned, stopped

2. They were lovely people; worked in a car factory; he owned a car; she was a girl; She married; she stayed at home; My great-grandfather stopped work; always carried a little bag; died too.

3. 1. Was Pablo Picasso Spanish? Yes, he was.
2. Did Mozart play the guitar? No, he played the piano.
3. Was President Kennedy Russian? No, he was American.
4. Did the USA launch GPS satellites in 1983?No, they launched them in 1973.
5. Was the Hoover Building a factory 80 years ago? Yes, it was.
6. Did Alexander Graham Bell invent the computer? No, he invented the telephone.
7. Did the ancient Romans speak Latin? Yes, they did.
8. Did Neil Armstrong walk on a star? No, he walked on the moon.

4. 1. In front of
2. on
3. under
4. next to
5. in
6. between
7. behind

5. These are some possible answers:
1. café, Internet café, bar, restaurant
2. supermarket, bookshop, newsagent's, pharmacy, department store
3. art gallery, museum, church
4. bus station, train station, tram station
5. library, park, church
6. pharmacy, police station, post office, bank, bus station, train station, church

If you have any questions, please ask them tomorrow in class (NB1D) or on this blog (NB1D).

NB1 & NB2 Geography

I've just watched this video on my colleague Cristina's blog. It's a great way to revise where the countries are on the map. Lilly is absolutely amazing, isn't she? I want to be like her when I grow up!

NB2 - WHERE SHALL WE GO?

Dear travellers,

Take a bit of time to visit Britain and Ireland here.You can go on an online tour around the British Isles while you listen to different accents and answer some questions. It's also a good way to know more about English-speaking countries and some of their most attractive locations. Watch your wallet or you' ll have to come home before the end of the trip!

NB2 - MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANIMALS

Dear students,

Last week we met these two peculiar characters. Would you like to tell us something about them?

NB1A - REVIEW & PRACTICE. UNIT 5. ANSWER KEY

Here are the answers to the exercises on page 54 (remember you didn't have to do exs. 2 and 3):

Ex. 1. 2. Is there; 3. there isn't; 4. there's; 5. there isn't; 6. there's; 7. are there; 8. there aren't; 9. is there; 10. there's.

Ex. 4. Possible answers:1. very; 2. really; 3. not very; 4. quite; 5. really.

Ex. 5. A. the sea; B. an island; C. mountains; D. a city; E. a forest; F. a river; G. a lake; H. a beach.

Ex. 6. Possible answers: Living room: coffee table, sofa
Overlapping living room / kitchen / bedroom: bookshelves, CD player, table
Overlapping living room / bedroom: armchair
Kitchen: cupboard, dishwasher, fridge, washing machine, cooker
Bedroom: bed

NB1D & NB2D - FYI

This is just to remind you that we have a class on Friday 22nd.

NB2 - PLACES AND CITY LIFE

Dear students,

We're going to start a unit devoted to places around us and far from us. To warm up, do you know the place in these photographs? If you've been there, tell us something about it. I adore it, by the way!

NB1 - homes

Dear students,

You can listen to several people giving a description of their homes here (nivel básico). Check them out, do the exercises and tell me how difficult you find them.

An inconvenient truth - Answer key

It seems nobody dared give the answers to the questionnaire on An inconvenient truth. I hope the reason was shyness and not laziness. In any case, here are the answers:
1. the image of the Earth taken from the Apollo 8.
2. the atmosphere
3. the thickness of varnish
4. it keeps the temperature of the earth between certain boundaries, making it apt for living.
5. it produces global warming.
6. they give a precise idea of temperature and CO2 concentration year by year.
7. they run parallel: the more CO2, the warmer temperature is.
8. in the last 14 years.
9. it increases too.
10. it has tried up to almost nothing.
11. more than 90%.
12. climate
13. 20 feet/ 6 metres
14. 1. population; 2. scientific and technological revolution; 3. our way of thinking.
15. USA
16. USA and Australia

NB2- contributions

Dear NB2 students,

I suggest that you read the comment to the post of 13th January. It is a very interesting text written by Elena Rábanos (NB2B) on the subject of 'inconvenient' social issues. Thank you, Elena, for your effort. I remind you all that your comments are part of this blog, too!

An Inconvenient Truth - questionnaire

Let me remind those of you who saw An Inconvenient Truth last Friday that you were given a handout with questions. Try to answer all or, at least, some of them - I know that NB1 students may find it quite tough - and post your answers in the comments to this post.

NB1 & NB2 - An Inconvenient Truth

For your information, and in case you were wondering whether the data in Al Gore's film had been challenged.

Just one day before Al Gore won his Nobel Prize, a British high court made an inconvenient ruling. Judge Michael Burton said An Inconvenient Truth could be shown in schools only if teachers added a disclaimer saying the film's facts are disputed. Burton found nine "significant errors," among them:

SEA LEVELS: Gore warns that the sea level will rise 20 feet when parts of West Antarctica or Greenland melt, but Burton calls this "distinctly alarmist" and says it will take thousands of years for this type of melting to transpire.
HURRICANE KATRINA: In the film, global warming bears much of the blame for Hurricane Katrina and the devastating destruction it caused. Burton's verdict? "It is common ground that there is insufficient evidence to show that," he writes.
POLAR BEARS: These gentle giants now have to swim up to 60 miles to find ice banks, says Gore, and they are drowning because of the excessive distance. Burton argues that only four bears have drowned -and as a result of storms.
CORAL REEFS: Gore's film presses the point that coral reefs are being bleached because of environmental change. But Burton maintains that the climate does not bear the burden alone. Overfishing and pollution are also to blame.

NB2 STUDENTS- SURVIVAL SKILLS

We're about to start a unit about survival. To warm up, why not do this quiz to see if you would survive extreme cold? Some of the words may not be familiar to you, try to use the context to guess the meaning of them.

I've checked my score, and I'd be in real trouble to stay alive! What about you? All comments are welcome.

NB1 STUDENTS - VOCABULARY

We're going to start 2008 learning about food. If you're interested in knowing more words in this field, click here and choose among the different categories. Remember to listen and repeat the pronunciation.