Punctuation..? A review
10 years ago
Stative Verbs
Stative Verbs
Stative verbs describe states and feelings (not actions). They are not used in the present continuous
I feel sad. (stative)
I jump on the bed. ( not stative)
BBC Stative Verbs - Definition and Exercises
Perfect Grammar Stative Verbs - Definition and Exercises
Watch this video to review Stative Verbs
Stative verbs describe states and feelings (not actions). They are not used in the present continuous
I feel sad. (stative)
I jump on the bed. ( not stative)
BBC Stative Verbs - Definition and Exercises
Perfect Grammar Stative Verbs - Definition and Exercises
Watch this video to review Stative Verbs
English Language Jokes
-Me han contratado como profesor de inglés.
-¿Trabajo estable?
-No, mesa es table. Trabajo es work.
-¿Trabajo estable?
-No, mesa es table. Trabajo es work.
- ¿Nivel de inglés?
- Alto.
- Traduzca "amarillo".
- Yellow.
- Úselo en una frase.
- Me da un vaso con mucho yellow por favor?
- Contratado
- Alto.
- Traduzca "amarillo".
- Yellow.
- Úselo en una frase.
- Me da un vaso con mucho yellow por favor?
- Contratado
-Nivel de inglés?
-Alto.
-Diga "arriba en estas ciudades".
-Up in these cities.
-Haga una frase.
-Me operaron de up in these cities.
-Largo.
-Alto.
-Diga "arriba en estas ciudades".
-Up in these cities.
-Haga una frase.
-Me operaron de up in these cities.
-Largo.
¿Sabe usted ingles?
-si
¿nivel?
-level
-si
¿nivel?
-level
—¿Nivel de Inglés?
—¡10! Lo domino.
—Ok. ¿Qué significa "I am"?
—¡Una de la mañana!
—¡10! Lo domino.
—Ok. ¿Qué significa "I am"?
—¡Una de la mañana!
- Buenos días, me gustaría alquilar "Batman Forever"
- No es posible, tiene que devolverla tomorrow.
- No es posible, tiene que devolverla tomorrow.
- ¿Nivel de inglés?
- Alto
- Traduzca "Yo libro los lunes"
- I book on mondays
- Contratado.
- Traduzca "Yo libro los lunes"
- I book on mondays
- Contratado.
High Inter Writing - Songs-Violent Lyrics
JOSE ANTONIO
Banning something in the Western societies could have the opposite effect. Human beings never understand the prohibition, and the result is that never works it. In my point of view is not the way to resolve the problem. Violence is part of music, if you like or not. But the issue is that children do not tell the different right and wrong, you have to teach them. They are listening all the time the songs with violent lyrics in video games and TV, too. To conclude, it is time to all of us to do something about violence.
FRANCISCA
In my opinion, all the external factors of the environment have an impact on people´s behavior. It can be in a good or bad way. And it´s impossible to control all this factors. Violence it´s part of the human behavior. And we can think that through music, humans can control this violence. It´s a way of expression.
So maybe songs with violent lyrics don´t make people more violent. Anyway, to banned this kind of songs won´t resolve the violence in the society. I disagree with this opinion.
CARMEN
Banning something in the Western societies could have the opposite effect. Human beings never understand the prohibition, and the result is that never works it. In my point of view is not the way to resolve the problem. Violence is part of music, if you like or not. But the issue is that children do not tell the different right and wrong, you have to teach them. They are listening all the time the songs with violent lyrics in video games and TV, too. To conclude, it is time to all of us to do something about violence.
FRANCISCA
In my opinion, all the external factors of the environment have an impact on people´s behavior. It can be in a good or bad way. And it´s impossible to control all this factors. Violence it´s part of the human behavior. And we can think that through music, humans can control this violence. It´s a way of expression.
So maybe songs with violent lyrics don´t make people more violent. Anyway, to banned this kind of songs won´t resolve the violence in the society. I disagree with this opinion.
IVAN
Songs with violent lyrics make people more
violent and should be banned.
The first question is
this. How is a song with violent lyrics? For example. Is it the same one song
with sentences about fascism than another song with sentences about street
fight?
I
think that violence always is here, it
is a reality and it is very difficult that we can hide this reality, so I am disagree with this
affirmation. I know songs about important people that they had to take the
weapons to defend the liberty and social justice. I think that a lot of songs
have lyrics with violence expression, but the writer didn´t want to generate
more violence. I´m thinking in Silvio Rodriguez.
Another thing is if
you ask me if I am agree with songs with violent messages. I´m disagree this
type of songs.
ELENA
It is Clear that music is one of the best way to connect different kinds of people.People with different ideas, ages or sex find a point of agreement in music. Sometimes this music brings a kind of life, and in this case, when we are talking about songs with violent lyrics ,it is true that perhaps those songs get people more violent in particular moments,probably it is increased by alcohol or other drugs, but I don’t think that it should be banned. I have different reasons. First, a lot of people could enjoy these songs because they like the music and they don’t agree with their contents. Second,if it was banned it could become in something to protect therefore more attractive. Third, I think that hearing isn’t so powerful than sense of vision , It’s worse to watch a violent film than to hear a violent song. Finally , nowadays it is impossible to ban anything because there are so many ways to keep informed.CARMEN
I don´t think that violent music , videogames, film can do violent to people.I think that the social injustice , in healt , education do the violence to the people.
When person don´t have enough money to have a dignified life it ´s appear the violence.The biggest violence is from the avarice of a people than confusing charity with justice.
ARACELI
CRISTINA
FEDRA
ISIDRO
MARIA
PABLO
ARACELI
CRISTINA
FEDRA
ISIDRO
MARIA
PABLO
Students' Useful Links to Learn English
The following websites are sites that my Upper Intermediate students found and wanted to share with the class. These are the descriptions as to why they like the sites in their writing.
Francisca
Francisca
Google Translate: http://translate.google.com/?hl=es
-You can listen to any
word you want as much as you want
-It´s good for the
pronunciation because you can try to imitate the word´s pronunciation
-You can translate any word
you want from any language
-This program gives you
many synonyms of the translated word
-It gives you an example
using the word in each language
-You can also talk and
the program writes the word for you
-But it is not
recommended to use this program for translating a sentence or to improve
grammar
Fedra
I would like to inform
you about the Website that I picked because I like some of its tips http://www.ecenglish.com/101-ways-to-learn-english
Other Websites:
Ivan
Actually, we have a lot of
possibilities to learn English on the internet. I was looking in my computer
and I found several resources on websites and Youtube.
I chose the website http://www.aprendeingles.net because
- It has a lot of possibilities like
videocast, vocabulary, grammar, listening…
- You can do
a level test, to know what exercises are better for you to improve
your English.
- This website has a lot of books
about several subjects like history, economics, fiction, and politics
- It has a very interesting blog,
where you can learn to improve your English while you are working,
for example. (popling, flash cards. Once every few minutes (you choose how
often) the Popling displays a notification containing a question from
a flash card set).
- I can´t use this resource, but
this web has connections with important channels in English: BBC
news, Reuters, CNN. You can hear the news while you do the chores or
another activity.
High Inter Writing - Career History
Cristina
My profession is my passion I am journalist. It´s true that I have studied a major in Journalism at Madrid University and I have ten years of experience in different mass media. But, I think that I am not only journalist for this reason, I have chosen this profession because I love reporting histories for understanding the world where I live. The first time I realized this fact, I was only 12 years old.By coincidence my first job was ten years ago at a local TV, and since then I have always worked in TV. I enjoy this kind of job because every day I learn something new. In my last job I was working in a newsreel for Madrid TV where it was a mass layoff nine months ago.
Now, I am triying to find a new job. I know the situation due to economic crisis is not so good. But I don´t give up hope and I think that I will work again in the field wich I love. I continue studying to be prepared for the future, whereas I unemployed.
Elena
When I was a child a lived in a small village with only 250 population. It was located near a mountain in the countryside, I was always looking for different animals, insects and plants and I loved it. I hated to be in a flat, far of this kind of life. I always said that I would be a veterinary or a biologist, and my father said that I should be a economist like him because these degree aren’t very good to obtain a job in the future , but I’m very obstinate and I studied biology. I love it but, one more time, I should have listened my father! actually I don’t regret, althought we’d need a million of economists to sort out the world problems.Spain isn’t the best country to research and there aren’t so many natural reserves.
When I finished my degree I started to work in my husband’s pharmacy and I found a very interesting job, because I love to be with people, to talk with them and to heard their problems or diseases, mainly old people who are alone and need somebody to speak more than pills to take. There are so many reasons for me to love my job and this is one of them, other thing that I like is that I need to be up to date and this is a way to don’t feel boried.
Sometimes I dream that I work in an exotic, far or wild place like jungle or savannah, because I like to be outside without noise cars , only with the sound of the animals but I recognize that it”s imposible ,and perhaps it would be so hard.
In spite of sometimes the election is difficult, but I think that you should study what you think that it ‘d make you happy in this moment because you couldn’t know the future.
Ivan
My professional life
In think that my professional life has two sides. As you can think, one side is better than another. I started to work since 1999. The first years were well, I learned fast and I felt good because I earn a few money and had friends in my job. But, as normal, after my boss wanted more of me but with the same salary. I have known a lot of interesting people like presidents of latinamerican countries or prestigious academics, but I knew a few bad persons too. For example, I was with important Mexican politician, who wanted to drink a Vega Sicilia wine in a one dinner. That dinner was paid for Mexican people with their taxes.
Actually I´m laid-back, but I´m not happy in my job because I want to change it and to know new things, new experiences. I feel that I achieved my goals in my actual job, and I need new challenges. For example, I´m here, in my English class because it is one challenge. It´s good for my job but it is good for my growth like a person too.
This year I´m studying one master in Rey Juan Carlos university. I want to be a teacher of high school and I need this diploma because European Union required. All days I wake up at 7:00 am and I go to my job. After, at 16:00 I catch my car and I drive to Fuenlabrada, where I stay since 17:00pm to 21:00. When I arrive to my house, I´m tired, I can doing nothing. I don´t know how I will do this year because I doní want to die, but I know that I do well because I am writing my future.
Fedra
I'm working at the European Commission, in the Documentation Service, since 1988. (This year added at the Press Department).I like my job. (I'm so lucky).
When I was selected, as Local Agent, they interviewed me in a selection company, who was famous and independent of the EC, named Tea Cegos. The interviewers selected to me for the EC and, at the end, they selected me. Oh Yeah ¡¡¡.
My carreer in the EC has developed in steps with different tests, and now, I want to improve my lenguages, with English.
My first job was "Instrumentista de quirófano", en Ruber Clinic, 30 years ago. I finished when the studies system changed. After that, I worked at a Spanish Company, which sold veterinarian materials, that was merged with a French Company.
Jose Antonio
When I was a boy, I want to be an architect. I studied very hard, in order to get the grade, which allow to study in the architecture school, here in Madrid. I was very glad to achieve this goal. But it was only the beginning, a lot of large days was passed and the responsibility which involves the adult´s life.
Now I have my dreamed degree, although at the moment I don´t work like an architect, I am working like a librarian, who make the Psychology´s web site in the Autónoma University. Sometimes, this job maybe interesting, however the most time I am only modify or update the information, indeed.
During the last few months till now, I was making an exhibition, which subject was statistics in Psychology. For the reason, that 2013 is The International Year of Statistics (Statistics2013). I make the web design and the university professor, who teach maths in the Faculty of Psychology. Nevertheless I hope in the future to work everyday planning beauty and useful buildings .
Maria
I´m Degree in Economics and Bussines Studies and Master in Financial Markets. I have developed all my professional career in a Saving Bank at the Treasury´s Back Office department. At first, during 10 years, I have worked on the Foreing Exchange Market and something at the Stock Exchange and Syndicated Loans.
When my first baby was born I requested for 2 years of maternity permission, that it continued for 3 years more when was born my second baby. At this time I retaked my Psicology studies that I began years ago as the same time I´m working, I like Psicology A lot. I enjoyed this time of my live very much.
After that, 3 years ago, I was incorporated at the same department at the Saving Bank, worked with Derivates and Estructural Financial Products. This year after a fusion with another Saving Bank and a processing in which the Entity was conversion into a Bank I decided to leave it, it was a very difficult decision but I think it was the correct one.
Now I spend my time take care of my children, take care of me, doing exercise ,doing voluntary work, and of course, studying English.
Almudena
I studied Law and currently I'm working on issues related to the laws. I'm a lawyer. One of the things more difficults for me in my job, is having to speak in a Court, with the Judge, other lawyers (who are waiting for my mistakes), my client, legal experts, and sometimes my boss, etc. It's the most difficult for me, in my job (hold trials), for two reasons mainly:
1.- Because I have to speak in front of people (I mean public speaking); normally people who are very high skilled professionaly people.
2.- Because although I don't have to talk to many people, the consequences of my actions in Court, it will be very important for the judgment and also these consequences will be suffered or enjoyed by other person, the client, who has placed, their trust in me, for I solve theirs problems.
By the moment, I don't think I have reached my professional accomplishment, but I have obtained satisfactions like for example when I won a judgment to the City Hall (or Council) of Madrid. It was a judgment about a property (ground) of my client that was occupied by the Council without permission. I won the judgment and now the Council has to compensate my client.
I think one of the most important things for the career of a lawyer is to being recognized for your peers, that your clients/customers trust you and to be able to open your own office, but is not in my plan in this moment.
This is more or less a summary of the work I do.
ISIDRO
When I was children, I wanted to be a veterinarian. Years later I wanted
to be a journalist. But I ended up studying art history. This degree offers a
multidisciplinary training, very wide and varied, which I still find
fascinating. I studied at the University of León (Spain) and the Università
degli Studi di Lecce (Italy) for one and a half course. Then I back to León and
during the last several years I also took the Diploma in “Biblioteconomía y
Documentación”, and I decided to began a Ph.D. in Art History with a main
discourse about the Pre-Romanesque architecture.
During all those years that I was studying in León, I worked in a
Restaurant every single weekend and hole the Summer for five years in a row.
From 2002 I had a work-scholarship in the University of León: two years in the
Office of International Relations, and three more years in the
Radiouniversitaria. I also worked in the Diputación de León and I was a guide
in the exhibition “Las Edades del Hombre” in 2007. But my first job with my
degree was in the Summer of 2008, teaching a subject about Spanish Art History
for North-American students in the Language Center of the University of León. And that was the moment when I understood what I would to be, and where
I would to work.
In Autumn 2008 I got my first job in Madrid. It was a “cultural
orientation” course for North-Americans studients at the program of the
Stanford University – BOSP in Madrid. Five years later I still working with
them like Cultural Guide, and also teaching a subject about El Camino de
Santiago in the Spring quarter. I also teach for The George Washington
University at the Universidad Autónoma, and in the Language Center of the
University of León during the Summer. I’m so proud of myself but I have pretty
clear that my job, like freelance, depends 100% not only by myself, but also
from students evaluations, and personal decisions of the different Directors. In the near future I would like to continue with my jobs, got another
course for other Universities, and to finish my Ph.D. in 2014. And the biggest
challenge I never had… becomes father.
PABLO
Hardworking would be a great word to summarize all my childhood. Since I have memory I have been awake and hard worker. I was always doing something. Quickly I discovered what my passion was, music. But also I used to practice sport. So, since I was a child I have been doing these three activities; school, music and athletics. With Bachillerato became more difficult to keep this activity and the decision of what I wanted to study. Although my teachers pushed me to study at the university because of my good marks, I chose music.
These days I’m studying the last of 6 years of Music Mid-Degree(called here Grado Profesional de Música). Here, we study classical music preparing us to play in orchestra which requires decades to reach the level. I play in a lot of ensembles which fill my schedule. I’m studying English and German also for studying outside in the future and as usually, I’m always doing something.
The next year I’m going to start Music Degree(Grado Superior de Música) which is 4 years totally. Maybe later I’ll study Composing Music Degree. My plans are to become trumpet player at a good orchestra. But I also would like to became composer of videogames's music. But I'm sure that I'll have to move outside for searching job.
FRANCISCA
FRANCISCA
I would like to be an actress. That is why I´m concerned about improving many aspects related with drama. At the moment I´m taking different lessons that I think they going to help me in my process, which I hope enjoy. I want to do many things in an intensive way, but it´s quite hard. So I want to get in a good British drama school that can give me a quality education.
First of all, I´m taking English lessons. Now a days, English it´s very important in our lives. It´s the most important language. It´s very useful to speak English. Anybody knows it. And it´s even more important for me because of my future job. The cinema world is dominated by Anglophones. I already speak Spanish and French fluidly, which is a huge advantage.
I´m also taking dancing and singing lessons, which I like very much. An actor has to be very complete. I´ve been dancing since I was 7 years old.
Obviously I´m taking drama classes, which includes interpretation, body expression and voice. I´m really looking forward to having some little jobs related with drama. So I have to do many auditions and castings.
ARACELI
Subject Relative Clauses
Who, that, and which are subject relative pronouns which are used to join two English sentences, or to give more information about something. A relative clause defines or gives information about the noun that it follows.
Use that to talk about people or things.
Use who and whom to talk about people, and which to talk about things.
Examples:
She bought a blouse. The blouse is red.
She bought a blouse that is red.
Defining Relative Clause - tells which noun we are referring to, this information is necessary to understand the sentence.
I was working at the company that went bankrupt.
(If we don't say that went bankrupt we don't know why I don't work there anymore)
Non-defining Relative Clause - gives extra information about something, but it is not necessary to understand the sentence.
Marie, who was married to Steve, is coming to Madrid this week.
(What is important is that she is coming to Madrid this week, that she was married to Steve is extra information.)
More Information on Relative Clauses
What is a Relative Clause?
Relative Clauses Powerpoint
Use that to talk about people or things.
Use who and whom to talk about people, and which to talk about things.
Examples:
She bought a blouse. The blouse is red.
She bought a blouse that is red.
Defining Relative Clause - tells which noun we are referring to, this information is necessary to understand the sentence.
I was working at the company that went bankrupt.
(If we don't say that went bankrupt we don't know why I don't work there anymore)
Non-defining Relative Clause - gives extra information about something, but it is not necessary to understand the sentence.
Marie, who was married to Steve, is coming to Madrid this week.
(What is important is that she is coming to Madrid this week, that she was married to Steve is extra information.)
More Information on Relative Clauses
What is a Relative Clause?
Relative Clauses Powerpoint
Food and Eating Well Vocabulary
bad habit
|
(N) something that you do regularly that has a negative effect on you
or others
|
balanced diet
|
(N) the food you eat everyday that is considered healthy and includes
a variety of nutrients from different sources
|
benefit
|
(N) the help or advantage you get from something
|
cut back
|
(V) reduce something
|
delicious
|
(ADV) have a very pleasant taste
|
eat out
|
(V) when you go to a restaurant to consume food instead of cooking it
yourself
|
eliminate
|
(V) to remove something completely
|
fried
|
(ADJ) when food has been cooked in a pan that contains hot fat or oil
|
increase
|
(V) become greater
|
juicy
|
(ADJ) food that has a lot of juice in it and is very enjoyable to eat
|
lifestyle
|
(N) the living conditions, behavior, and habits that are typical of a
person or group
|
plenty
|
(ADJ) a large amount of something, often more than is needed
|
protect
|
(V) to prevent someone or something from being harmed or damaged
|
salty
|
(ADJ) something that contains salt or tastes of salt
|
separate
|
(ADJ) when the two things are apart and are not connected
|
spicy
|
(ADJ) food that's strongly flavored with spices
|
sweet
|
(ADJ) food or drink that contains a lot of sugar
|
tastes like
|
(V) the quality something has when you put it in your mouth, for
example: is sweet or salty
|
Simple Present vs. Present Continuous
Formulation
| Present Simple | ................. | Present Continuous |
| I play soccer | I am playing soccer | |
| You play | You are playing | |
| He/She plays | He/She is playing | |
| We play | We are playing | |
| You play | You are playing | |
| They play | They are playing |
Use
Exercises
Exercise 1Exercise 2
Exercise 3
People in My Life and School Days Vocabulary
Concentration Game
acquaintance
|
(N) someone you have met, but
don't know well
|
attend
|
(V) if you attend an
institution such as a school, college, or church, you go there regularly
|
close friends
|
(N) friends who are close to
each other like each other very much and know each other very well
|
co-worker
|
(N) someone that works at the
same job, department, or company as you
|
colleague
|
(N) a person you work with,
especially in a professional job
|
date
|
(V) when you go out with a
person regularly because you are having a romantic relationship with them
|
get a bad grade
|
(V) to receive a low mark on an
exam or assignment due to poor performance or skill
|
have practice
|
(V) to gather with your
teammates to train and play games in order to prepare for competition
|
just friends
|
(PHRASE) a phrase usually
relating to two people that are very close but do not share romantic feelings
for one another
|
pass an exam
|
(V) to meet the minimum
requirements or answer a certain amount of questions correctly for a test
|
take a class
|
(V) be enrolled in a course at
a school or institute
|
take a lesson
|
(V) have instruction on how to
do something
|
tutor
|
(N) someone who gives private
lessons to one student or a very small group of students
(V) to help someone study |
work together
|
(V) when you have to do
something with another person
|
Teaching YLs with English Movies
Movies are a useful tool to learn English if you tie them to language activities.The students have been watching children's movies enhanced by many language activities. This week the movie was "Goonies." They practiced some of the to go with our 80's theme. They practiced some of the important vocabulary from the movie playing vocabulary games. They also watched a trailer of the movie and made predictions about what they thought the movie would be about.
They watched the movie with English subtitles to support students with lower English levels. During the movie they worked as a group to answer some simple questions that checked their understanding. Finally the next day we shared what part of the movie they liked best. Then they drew their favorite part of the movie and wrote a sentence to describe it. The students had enjoyed "Goonies" so much that some asked to draw and write about more than one favorite part.
They watched the movie with English subtitles to support students with lower English levels. During the movie they worked as a group to answer some simple questions that checked their understanding. Finally the next day we shared what part of the movie they liked best. Then they drew their favorite part of the movie and wrote a sentence to describe it. The students had enjoyed "Goonies" so much that some asked to draw and write about more than one favorite part.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Has un intercambio online
There are various offers to make exchanges online.
- Open Language Exchange - This one also has quite easy registration. It offers you the option to video chat with your own system or do it in person in your city. It has a dictionary at hand that you can use if you need it during your conversation.
Consigue un intercambio en tu ciudad
Hay varios sitios en internet que te ayudan a contactar gente para hacer intercambios. Para sacar lo mejor de los intercambios debes acordar el tiempo que le dedicaras a cada idioma. A mi me gusta cambiar entre los idiomas cada 10 minutos. De esta manera es menos presion para cada individuo. Si quieres puedes poner un temporizador y asi te olvidas del tiempo y te concentras en la conversacion. Tamtien es importante que consigas un intercambio que tenga un nivel similar a ti. Si tu eres principiante consigue una persona que sea principiante o que tenga un nivel pre-intermedio porque si no puede haber frustracion de parte de la persona que sea mucho mas avanzada.
- Base de datos de Intercambios - Este sitio me gusta porque te da la opcion de hacer el intercambio con gente fuera de tu area y hacerlo online o encontrar a alguien en Madrid para quedar en persona.
- Intercambios - Este sitio es muy facil de usar. Elijes si deseas hacer el intercambio en persona o online, elijes que idioma quieres que tenga la otra persona, tu idioma, el pais y la ciudad y listo. Te da una lista de candidatos con su informacion de contacto.
Ponte metas para aprender inglés
Decide lo que puedes hacer para aprender inglés Cuanto tiempo le puedes dedicar. Se realista con el tiempo que tienes disponible. Empieza con metas cortas y alcanzables. Una buena manera es hacer un examen, de los muchos que hay online, para saber tu nivel al principio de tu meta y volverlo hacer al final de la meta. Así te das cuenta de que en verdad has aprendido. Cuando las alcances date un premio y ponte nuevas metas.
Prueba de Nivel English Club - Muy bien
porque te da un porcentaje y te da una idea de que nivel tienes: Intermedio,
etc.
Prueba de Nivel ESL Lounge -- Muy bien porque te da un porcentaje
y te da una idea de que nivel tienes: Intermedio, etc.
Prueba de Nivel ESL Blue - Este solo te da el porcentaje,
pero lo bueno es que te da una lista de tus errores y links para que trabajes
en cada uno de ellos.
Cree que es posible
La actitud al emprender cualquier empresa es sumamente importante y creer que puedes aprender ingles es vital. Si has intentando una y otra ves aprender ingles y aun no lo logras no te des por vencido. Aprender un idioma necesita dedicacion y constancia. Si tomas un curso y por alguna razon por un tiempo ya no puedes tomar otro curso hay varias cosas que puedes hacer por ti solo para que no pierdas lo que has aprendido.
"Cada artista primero fue un amateur."
"Every artist was at first an amateur."
- Ralph W. Emerson
"Si te encuentras diciendote a ti mismo 'Pero no puedo hablar ingles...' intenta agregar la palabra '...aun'
"If you find yourself saying 'But I can't speak English...', try adding the word' ...yet'
- Jane Revell & Susan Norman
A Taste of Summer: Learning about our Senses
 |
I had forgotten how it
feels to be working with kids for five hours straight. Add to it 40 degree
weather and I come home exhausted everyday. The summer camp at the
International Institute of Madrid is
all about learning English and practicing it. We have four themes this
summer. This week it is the Five Senses. I like this theme because
there is so much vocabulary to work with and you can do so many activities.
Today we did a Taste Test so that they could learn the words salty, spicy, sour, bitter and sweet. During our vocabulary lesson we went over these words and associated them to different foods and they wrote them in their notebooks. I put salt, black pepper, coffee grounds, a lemon wedge and sugar in small trays. I had students write in their notebooks the title Taste Test. |
Then I had each table (four students to a table) come up to my desk to do the test. They took their finger and tasted the salt. I had them tell me what it tasted like and then sent them to write the word salty in their notebooks. We did this with each item and each table.
Next I had them come to the carpet and help me write sentences on the board, so that they can extend their learning to phrases instead of loose vocabulary words with no connections. We wrote the following:
The salt tasted salty.
The pepper was spicy.
The coffee tasted bitter.
The lemon was very sour.
The sugar was sweet.
The look on their faces when they tasted salt and lemon was precious. They amazingly liked the bitter taste of coffee and of course they loved the sugar which I left until last so they were left with a sweet taste in their mouth and a positive experience. It was no problem getting them to help me write the sentences they had learned the vocabulary words quite well.
Tomorrow we will review with a taste sort so that they can use these words again and continue to associate them to different food items. The students are six and seven, so I don't want to overload them with too much vocabulary, but I want them to make these few words part of their vocabulary.
English Writing Resources
Your writing should be well organized and focused. Here are some links that show you how to organize your writing, so that it stays on topic and your ideas are supported. The 4 Square Writing Method helps you make a simple visual outline of your topic with supporting details. It helps you put together your ideas and stay focused on your topic. It also helps you see if you are supporting your ideas. It keeps you from getting off-topic and rambling on (too long and confusing).
4 Square writing method powerpoint
Here an example of the connecting words you can use to connect your paragraphs.
 |
Tips to Improve Writing
- Do not use contractions
- Avoid there is/there are
- Avoid really, very, so, and a lot
- Use Active Voice instead of Passive
- Use Strong Verbs
Writing Progress: Maria Jose
Last Writing
Emergency situations like a fire or a terrorist attack could occur in our work place. To prevent the effects there are some essential things that you can implement.
First of all, devise an evacuation plan. In case you are forced to leave the building don’t use never lifts, don’t panic, take out your heels and run as quickly as you can towards the emergency exit. Be sure any colleague stay back in their office and never try to come back to take your personal objects because you could jeopardize the security of other people. Then walk through the plan several times. Everyone at work must know exactly what to do in case of real danger.
Finally, when you are outdoors go directly to the meeting point and figure out if there’s someone who could’ve been trapped in the building. Give information in depth to authorities about any detail you may remember. Following orderly an evacuation plan can help you to get safe and negative effects can be minimized.
1st Writing
Two months ago I bought a ticket to Tenerife South, at the beginning the price was 160 € but, at last, it raised up till 300 €. At first, I could have never guessed that Ryanair was so expensive due to the fact that on entering their website in order to look for cheap flights, you can find low cost tickets, but the reality was another one.
First of all, the price was completely disappointing but, next, I had to pay an extra cost for a priority boarding in order not to queue for over an hour to get a good site in the plane. Then, I also had to pay for having a larger space in my seat since my husband has long legs. Finally, I thought there would not be more setbacks but when the time of arriving to the airport came, I discovered I had forgotten to print my boarding cards and, astonished, I had to pay another extra cost. In the end, I was penalised too for exceeding the exact dimensions, regarding size and weight, of my cabin baggage.
Looking back on it, I think next time I go to Tenerife I will fly with Iberia since I am convinced that it gives their customers better services and, over all, no surprises concerning additional prices.
Emergency situations like a fire or a terrorist attack could occur in our work place. To prevent the effects there are some essential things that you can implement.
First of all, devise an evacuation plan. In case you are forced to leave the building don’t use never lifts, don’t panic, take out your heels and run as quickly as you can towards the emergency exit. Be sure any colleague stay back in their office and never try to come back to take your personal objects because you could jeopardize the security of other people. Then walk through the plan several times. Everyone at work must know exactly what to do in case of real danger.
Finally, when you are outdoors go directly to the meeting point and figure out if there’s someone who could’ve been trapped in the building. Give information in depth to authorities about any detail you may remember. Following orderly an evacuation plan can help you to get safe and negative effects can be minimized.
1st Writing
Two months ago I bought a ticket to Tenerife South, at the beginning the price was 160 € but, at last, it raised up till 300 €. At first, I could have never guessed that Ryanair was so expensive due to the fact that on entering their website in order to look for cheap flights, you can find low cost tickets, but the reality was another one.
First of all, the price was completely disappointing but, next, I had to pay an extra cost for a priority boarding in order not to queue for over an hour to get a good site in the plane. Then, I also had to pay for having a larger space in my seat since my husband has long legs. Finally, I thought there would not be more setbacks but when the time of arriving to the airport came, I discovered I had forgotten to print my boarding cards and, astonished, I had to pay another extra cost. In the end, I was penalised too for exceeding the exact dimensions, regarding size and weight, of my cabin baggage.
Looking back on it, I think next time I go to Tenerife I will fly with Iberia since I am convinced that it gives their customers better services and, over all, no surprises concerning additional prices.
Writing Progress: Jose D
Last Writing
Hey Amy,
I am sorry to hear this news, I think You should try to talk him other time. If he continues with this attitude, you must forget him. Perhaps He isn´t your
soulmate. He is very insensitive if he don´t want to talk with you one minute. There are a lot of interesting men in your class, perhaps if you talk with other
man he become jealous. Good luck!!
Greetings
Tony
Dear Amy Karlson,
I read your email, I suggest you that You may not pressure some men, because there are a lot of men that They don´t react well to these ways. You should
take it easy these relationships and don´t fall head over heels. You should try to find some man similar you, Someone that are looking for a serious relationship.
I think if you follow my advices You probably find what you are searching.
Cordially
Dr. Dating
1st Writing
Ten Things I Can't Live without
Refrigerator: I think this is the most important appliance because It save the food and maintain in a good state.
Oven: It is very necessary to make the food
Washer: I need it to keep clean my clothes
Computer: It is very useful for me because I use it to find a job, to work, to play videogames and I download movies or series.
Mobile phone: I use it to comunicate with my family and my friends, I also use it to find a job.
Media Player: It is a hard disk portable, When I download movies or series I copy them in the Media Player and I can see them in my TV
TV: I don´t see the public o private programmes except the soccer or basketball matches because I prefer see my movies or series
Stereo: Although I listen music in my computer or in my mobile phone, I relax in my room listenig to music and reading a book or a comic
Iron: I don´t iron very often, but I think it´s important that the clothes seem arranged
Dishwasher: It is vey comfortable, but I think that is not very necessary because You can wash the dishes manually.
Hey Amy,
I am sorry to hear this news, I think You should try to talk him other time. If he continues with this attitude, you must forget him. Perhaps He isn´t your
soulmate. He is very insensitive if he don´t want to talk with you one minute. There are a lot of interesting men in your class, perhaps if you talk with other
man he become jealous. Good luck!!
Greetings
Tony
Dear Amy Karlson,
I read your email, I suggest you that You may not pressure some men, because there are a lot of men that They don´t react well to these ways. You should
take it easy these relationships and don´t fall head over heels. You should try to find some man similar you, Someone that are looking for a serious relationship.
I think if you follow my advices You probably find what you are searching.
Cordially
Dr. Dating
1st Writing
Ten Things I Can't Live without
Refrigerator: I think this is the most important appliance because It save the food and maintain in a good state.
Oven: It is very necessary to make the food
Washer: I need it to keep clean my clothes
Computer: It is very useful for me because I use it to find a job, to work, to play videogames and I download movies or series.
Mobile phone: I use it to comunicate with my family and my friends, I also use it to find a job.
Media Player: It is a hard disk portable, When I download movies or series I copy them in the Media Player and I can see them in my TV
TV: I don´t see the public o private programmes except the soccer or basketball matches because I prefer see my movies or series
Stereo: Although I listen music in my computer or in my mobile phone, I relax in my room listenig to music and reading a book or a comic
Iron: I don´t iron very often, but I think it´s important that the clothes seem arranged
Dishwasher: It is vey comfortable, but I think that is not very necessary because You can wash the dishes manually.
Writing Progress: Hector
Last Writing
You don´t know when an emergencycan happen . It could be a natural desaster or medical emergency. In this way, it´s very important to have a prepared plan for to know how to do in each case. The most important thing is don´t doubt and avoid to involve panic. In the case of weather emergencies, it can occur in any country, and they are very difficult to prevent. As you never will know when will happen, it´s necesary to be preparer.
The first thing to do is to have food, drink and electric generator that it can to work without energy outside. A little first aid-kit it can be necesary, and it must incluided especial medicines if somebody has an especial diseases or health dependencies. The best advice is you think the worst thing, so nothing will surprise you when finally you can go out and to see the results of the disaster.
Take the time you need to preparer a kit of basic documents to keep with you, and another copy in one safe place. Is recommendable to include a map for to know where is the emergency points a helped hummanitary, the principal highways, hospitals, and personal documents, as mortgage, personal identify carnet, account. and any other paper you think you could need in the future.
The next steep is to decide what to do if it´s neccesary to leave home. I think the first decission should be to take things that had survivered to desaster and go to an principal point of information. If somebody needs a doctor, with our first aid-kit we could give them first treatment and then looking for special help. There are always Red Cross Center or out of the town.
This essay information will help us for to know what to do if the Mother Nature wants to show her strenght and the way the humans we are defenceless in reality. In summary, to have a kit emergency with medicines, special articles and electric system emergency; documents and to know where is the points of emergency.
1st Writing
Acording to oficials numbers from Spain´s National Stadistic Institute, the quantify of divorce grew in 2011 only 0,7% opposite the year before (2010). Specify, it was 110.651 ends of married, 30.000 less than years before the beginning crisis (for example, it was 145.919 in 2006). Experts considerer that people have now more economic´s problem, so they are not sure to take a important decision, and maybe the couples with problems try to solve them by another ways.
Every couple has their own circunstances. The recently spanish divorce's law, known as "Divorcio express", allow to put finish a marriage in only three month after to wedding, and it´s no now necesary to separate as a previously condition. This regulation is the principal adventage to avoid a seriously problems about living together.
If a couple got wrong (a mistake) because they were too young, or not knowing about themselves, the "Divorcio Express" is the best way for to avoid more problems. But there is another side. The process of divorce can be very hard in the case the couple had a children. Unfortunately they are the principal argument in front of judge to try convince him that you,re on the right side, you have the reason. Lawyers and psycologist agree that childs are who most suffering. The distance between the love and the worst hate is a thin line.
You don´t know when an emergencycan happen . It could be a natural desaster or medical emergency. In this way, it´s very important to have a prepared plan for to know how to do in each case. The most important thing is don´t doubt and avoid to involve panic. In the case of weather emergencies, it can occur in any country, and they are very difficult to prevent. As you never will know when will happen, it´s necesary to be preparer.
The first thing to do is to have food, drink and electric generator that it can to work without energy outside. A little first aid-kit it can be necesary, and it must incluided especial medicines if somebody has an especial diseases or health dependencies. The best advice is you think the worst thing, so nothing will surprise you when finally you can go out and to see the results of the disaster.
Take the time you need to preparer a kit of basic documents to keep with you, and another copy in one safe place. Is recommendable to include a map for to know where is the emergency points a helped hummanitary, the principal highways, hospitals, and personal documents, as mortgage, personal identify carnet, account. and any other paper you think you could need in the future.
The next steep is to decide what to do if it´s neccesary to leave home. I think the first decission should be to take things that had survivered to desaster and go to an principal point of information. If somebody needs a doctor, with our first aid-kit we could give them first treatment and then looking for special help. There are always Red Cross Center or out of the town.
This essay information will help us for to know what to do if the Mother Nature wants to show her strenght and the way the humans we are defenceless in reality. In summary, to have a kit emergency with medicines, special articles and electric system emergency; documents and to know where is the points of emergency.
1st Writing
Acording to oficials numbers from Spain´s National Stadistic Institute, the quantify of divorce grew in 2011 only 0,7% opposite the year before (2010). Specify, it was 110.651 ends of married, 30.000 less than years before the beginning crisis (for example, it was 145.919 in 2006). Experts considerer that people have now more economic´s problem, so they are not sure to take a important decision, and maybe the couples with problems try to solve them by another ways.
Every couple has their own circunstances. The recently spanish divorce's law, known as "Divorcio express", allow to put finish a marriage in only three month after to wedding, and it´s no now necesary to separate as a previously condition. This regulation is the principal adventage to avoid a seriously problems about living together.
If a couple got wrong (a mistake) because they were too young, or not knowing about themselves, the "Divorcio Express" is the best way for to avoid more problems. But there is another side. The process of divorce can be very hard in the case the couple had a children. Unfortunately they are the principal argument in front of judge to try convince him that you,re on the right side, you have the reason. Lawyers and psycologist agree that childs are who most suffering. The distance between the love and the worst hate is a thin line.
