BEING A TEACHER....

BEING A TEACHER IS A DIFFICULT TASK NOWADAYS, SO I DECIDED TO FOLLOW THIS PIECE OF ADVICE BY BRUCE LEE:

Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.

by Bruce Lee

jueves, 29 de diciembre de 2016

Not long ago when the magic was on court...



What is 'magic'? What is 'show time'? In bastketball terms, it is just Earvin "Magic" Johnson jr.





MAGIC JOHNSON


Other interesting videos to watch:

 

Interesting article to read:

How Has Magic Johnson Survived 20 Years with HIV? (Live Science)


And watch him dancing in this video >>>

English with Lucy >> 5 lovely English proverbs   

Preparing for B2 (Ex. 01)  >>>  Multiple-choice exercise on VOCABULARY. Choose the appropriate option:

1. The film ................... several scenes that might upset young children.   (A  admits    B   involves   C  contains   D   displays)
2. They talked for three days before finally .................. to a decision.    (A  reaching    B   coming   C  bringing   D   arriving)
3. I am not in the least ........................ about his opinion.  (A  aware    B   concerned   C  interested   D   regarded)
4. Their aim is to ..................... up a new political party.     (A  strike    B   stand   C  set   D   show)
5. I phoned the bank to ........................ how much money there was in my account.   (A  control    B   inspect   C  test   D   check)
6. ..................... he had no money for a bus, he had to walk all the way home.      (A  For    B   Thus   C  So   D   As)
7. I looked everywhere, but I couldn’t find ............ at all.     (A  anybody    B   no one   C  someone   D   somebody)
8. It was ................ and we had to walk quickly to keep warm.        (A  cold      B   fresh   C  frozen   D   mild)
9. I do my best to practise the piano every day, ................... it is difficult sometimes.   (A  even    B   when   C  also   D   although)
10. Please would you .................. me where the railway station is?     (A  say     B   explain   C  tell   D   point)
11. He has been waiting for this letter for days, and at .......................... it has come.        (A  last    B   the end   C  present   D   the finish)
12. You asked me to .................... you to post that letter.  (A  remember   B   remark   C  remind   D   recall)
13. He was busy when I phoned, but I hung ................. until he was free.   (A  back    B   off   C  to   D   on)
14. It is hot in the day-time, but the temperature ........................ sharply at night.         (A  slips    B   drops   C  descends   D   reduces)
15. The children threw snowballs at ............ on their way to school.   (A  themselves    B   another   C  each other   D   their own)
16. It happened ............ we were asleep last Friday night.   (A  during    B   for   C  while   D   since)
17. The plate was right on the ....................... of the table and could have been knocked off at any moment.    (A  border    B   tip   C  margin   D   edge)
18. I am not sure how old he is, but he must be ..................... for 70.   (A  going by    B   getting up   C  getting on   D   going off)
19. My watch has stopped, so I had no way of knowing the right ......................  .           (A  hour    B   moment   C  time   D   o’clock)
20. I absolutely ................ with everything that has been said.     (A  agree    B   accept   C  admit   D   approve)
21. We’re in good time; there’s ............. to hurry.  (A  unnecessary    B   no purpose   C  no need   D   impossible)
22. My brother had his camera ........................ from his car in the office car park.      (A  robbed    B   missed   C  lost   D  stolen)
23. The woman who lives opposite us sometimes comes ........................ for a cup of coffee.           (A  on    B   over   C  off   D   to)
24. She was singing an old Spanish folk song, a favourite of ......... .   (A  her    B   hers   C  herself   D   her own)
25. There was a small room into ................ we all crowded.    (A  which    B   where   C  that   D   it)

martes, 27 de diciembre de 2016

A stunningly enchanting New Year's Eve story



New Year's Eve is coming closer and our expectations are high as most of our happiness and future seems to depend on how well it all goes. Read this stunningly enchanting New Year's Eve story and give me your opinion:

 


The Guardian: The New Year’s Eve party when a bad fairy turned into a good friend (


What are your preparations for this occassion? Do you wear anything special? What are your expections? Are you looking forward to it? Are you meeting anybody special? Are you going to a party or are you staying at home with the family?

 

 

By the way, do you know the difference between these verbs?

Expect, Hope, Look Forward & Wait (explanation + exercises  & quiz)

 




Word formation: which verb and adjective does 'stunningly' come from? Watch the latest video of ...

English with Lucy >> 10 stunningly beautiful English words   

 

What are the most beautiful words for you in English? and in Spanish? or any other language?


 English at university: A home from home (episode 16)





lunes, 26 de diciembre de 2016

Christmas crazes




For a start, some questions on word formation (these are words that appear all along the post):
  • What is the adjective that comes from 'craze'
  • What is the opposite of 'take off' in this context?
  • What is the verb that comes from 'hopper'? Which animal do you know that is based on this word and that is the name of Swiss football team?
  • What do you think a 'herd mentality' mean? Tell me a job derived from this word. Do you think teens have a herd mentality, especially with regard to the Big Bottle phenomenon.

Listening exercise to do: 'Why do crazes take off?' (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

Some related articles to read:

 

And remember that you must be responsible when giving or receiving gifts at Christmas

 

 A VERY IMPORTANT THING TO DO AT THE END OF THE TERM  >>>  English at university: Feedback (episode 15)

 

English with Lucy >>  My thoughts on Muslims, my age and my love life

 

And here's my tribute to George Michael, who has just passed away  >>

 

 

Some of his most songs: Faith, Last Christmas... 

 

Christmas pantomime: 'Dick Whittington and his cat' (Drammas from BBC Learning English) Which other children's story does it remind you of?


LINGOHACK  >>>

Episode 161221 / 21 December 2016   >>>  Expressions presented: cabin feverish, harness, holographic & companion.

Some Queen's English: The Queen's Christmas message  

miércoles, 21 de diciembre de 2016

Enjoy London at Christmas with Lucy!!!


On our II Study trip to the British-Irish Isles we visited Cambridge and London. Although it was not winter, it snowed a lot and our incredible Philosophy teacher took some incredible photos. Have a look at them and enjoy the video.


Anyway this post is not about our study trips, but about a video I have just come up with   >>>  What is London like at Christmas? (English with Lucy). It reminded me of our visit to the market in Covent Garden. Enjoy this listening exercise.



Another scenic video you can watch is about Wildlife in Canada  >>>



Tell me about any other place to visit at Christmas or send me any photographs.


HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!! & congratulations to my students in 1º Bachillerato for their good results in the first term, although they can even do much better.







domingo, 18 de diciembre de 2016

What do winter rainy days make you feel like?



How do weather conditions affect your mood? >>>> (Can weather affect your mood?)

 

 


Some articles to read about the issue:

Word formation: Tell me all the adjectives you can think of connected with the verb TO SLEEP


Listening exercise to do: 'When do you feel sleepy?' (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)


English with Lucy >>  PRONUNCIATION

 

 

PRONUNCIATION >>    English Pronunciation Training | Imitation Technique | Tongue Twisters - /l/ /r/ /s/ /ʃ/ /θ/  

 

 

English at university: Lost property (episode 14)

LINGOHACK  >>>

Episode 161214 / 14 December 2016   >>>  Expressions presented: a testament, lived rough, sanctuaries & urban oasis.

 



martes, 13 de diciembre de 2016

Christmas carols are a must-have these days... Merry Christmas!!!

  


Santa and Sleigh in Morning from AnimateIt.netWhat is a 'must-have' used as a noun or even as an adjective ('must-have accessories)? Looking  it up in the Merriam-Webster, I have found out this: must-have  & synonyms/antonyms

Some examples:
  • A gem of Gothic art that is a must-see.
  • The newest version of the software is a must-have. (something that is necessary to have or get)
  •  Aprons are must-have accessories for the cooking class



English with Lucy >>>> 

Christmas!!!!




Christmas is coming and it is time to sing!!! 


Here's our list of traditional Christmas carols:

CLICK HERE  

 You can send me your hints or give me your opinions about your favourite carols.

Paola's hint: All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey
David's hint: Santa Claus is coming to town    
Alex's hint:  his hint   

Et voici quelques Chants de Noël en français:

Les Choristes-Vois sur ton chemin 

25min of Christmas songs for kids with lyrics to learn French! 





domingo, 11 de diciembre de 2016

Families in the future >> DIY families???


 

To begin with, what does DIY stand for? What does it mean? In the TED talk you will come up with the term 'DIY families', what do they mean?



Talking about future families, there are certain issues to bear in mind, such as those presented in these articles and talk:




LINGOHACK  >>>

Episode 161207 / 07 December 2016   >>>  Expressions presented: in labour, keeping up & up close.

The English we speak  >>>  When is a kiss not a kiss? (BBC Learning English)


Listening exercise to do: Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)




English with Lucy >>>> 


English at university: Deadlines (episode 13)

 

sábado, 3 de diciembre de 2016

Chapecoense: History of a tragedy and a miracle




 Who are Brazil's Chapecoense Football Club?


Who are Chapecoense? A profile of the Brazilian football team aboard crashed aircraft in Colombia (Daily Telegraph)


Tribute of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in El Clásico to Chapecoense:



Here are some articles to read about the incredible history of this modest Brazilian team:

Not long ago we were talking about fears and phobias, here's a listening exercise to do about an irrational fear >>>  Animal phobia (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

LINGOHACK  >>>

Episode 161130 / 30 November 2016   >>>  Expressions presented: mourning, cathartic release, prognosis & advance.

English with Lucy >>>> 

Modal Verbs

English at university: Reboot! (episode 12)

 



sábado, 26 de noviembre de 2016

Fighting for women's rights!!!!








 This figure is just outrageous:  1 in 3 women will be raped, abused or beaten in her lifetime (according to Amnesty International)


WE MUST ALL STOP IT!!!!



TED: Ideas worth spreading (a most interesting site to improve your listening skills)

Sandi Toksvig: A political party for women's equality (you can watch with English subtitles)

 

 

How will you mark 16 days of activism against gender abuse? Share your stories

English grammar lesson  >>> 

Linking Words of Contrast & Concession  (Anglo-Link)


Listening exercise to do: Women's right to vote (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

English at university: Getting down to business (episode 10)

English with Lucy >>>> 

How to speak English CONFIDENTLY | My Top 5 Tips 

 

LINGOHACK  >>>

Episode 161123 / 23 November 2016   >>>  Expressions presented: a murky world, fell into the hands of, falling well short & boom.