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

domingo, 31 de enero de 2016

My elder son is a commuter!!!


Do this listening exercise ('The Commute', 6 Minute BBC English) and tell me the meaning of the following words and phrases:
  • commuter
  • the commute
  • day in day out

Some articles to read about the issue:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of commuting? Would you do it or would you rather move to the bigger city? Is this usual in Spain?

Are you a commuter yourself? Well, my son is, as he usually takes the coach to the university in Granada on weekdays.

LINGOHACK: Episode 160127 / 27 Jan 2016   >>> Expressions presented: crossing, sporadic & spot.

miércoles, 27 de enero de 2016

Don't you like classical music?


Here's an example that classical music can be amazing? (original song)



What do you reckon about these two Slovenian-Croatian super-musicians?

Here are some other examples: 1   2   3   4   5   6  (original songs: 1   2    3   4   5   6 )

and here's a playlist for you to listen!!!!

martes, 26 de enero de 2016

Another BLACK day in the world of music: What a wonderful life he sang!!!

Black's Colin Vearncombe 'will need a miracle' to pull through after car accident (The Guardian)

Our tribute to this singer who made us believe that this life was wonderful ('Wonderful Life' by Black, the group he belonged to)


Colin Vearncombe, the voice of Black, dies, aged 53 (The Guardian)




DUBLIN 2016: Activities proposed during our stay


V Study Trip to the British Isles to Dublin (Easter 2016). 


Activities proposed to do during our stay in Dublin:




Horario aprox.
 Lunes 14 Marzo
Martes 15 Marzo
Miércoles 16 Marzo
Jueves 17 Marzo
Viernes 18 Marzo
Sábado 19 Marzo
Domingo 20 Marzo

10:00-12:30

Traslado al aeropuerto y vuelo hacia Dublín.

Recogida y traslado al punto de encuentro con familias



Walking Tour por Dublín
Merrion Square Park Natural History Museum
St. Patrick’s Day
(FREE)

Dublinia (entrada incluida)
Excursión día completo a GALWAY
Walking Tour Howth Seaside Village

12:30-13:00

Lunch



Clases

Lunch

Lunch

Phoenix Park
(alquiler bicis opcional)

Lunch

Lunch
Traslado aeropuerto a las 15.45h


Llegada a Málaga a las 22.30h

13:15-18:30
Clases

Clases


19:00
Cena y tiempo con la familia
Cena y tiempo con la familia
Cena y tiempo con la familia
Cena y tiempo con la familia
Cena y tiempo con la familia
Cena y tiempo con la familia




We'll talk about it in our next meeting

sábado, 23 de enero de 2016

What to eat or not to eat? that is the question!!!



Nowadays there are many food allergies and sometimes we don't feel well just because we have an allergy to certain kind of food.


Listening exercise to do: Are we afraid of food? (BBC 6 Minute English)







 

Have you ever seen the sitcom THE BIG BANG THEORY? Well, what is Leonard allergic to? Watch this and you'll discover it.


And what about Wolowitz?

And if you want to learn more English, here's: THE BIG BANG THEORY (English subtitled)



A couple of articles to read about the issue:
FAST FOOD crossword to do!!!


miércoles, 20 de enero de 2016

The economic situation in China is becoming worse and worse as petrol is cheaper and cheaper





The economy of China used to be so prosperous, but now....

 China growth slows (listening exercise to do) & China economic growth slowest in 25 years (article to read)

 And here's an article to read about the fall of the petrol prices:

Oil price falls to 11-year low with global glut expected to deepen in 2016 (The Guardian)

 

 

Taking advantage that we are analysing some aspects of the comparatives, superlatives and so on in the level of 4º ESO, here are some notes to study (for further information about the issue have a look into NOTES ON GRAMMATICAL ISSUES - 2º Bachillerato):


COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

  1. We use more.... for adverbs that end in -ly: more slowly, more quietly
  2. You can use -er or more... with some two-syllable adjectives, especially: quiet, clever, narrow, shallow, simple
  3. IRREGULAR COMPARATIVESgood/well  >  better, bad/badly > worse, far > further/farther
  4. FURTHER & FURTHEST meaning 'more' or 'additional': Let me know if you hear any further news
  5. Before comparatives you can use QUANTIFIERS such as: much, a lot, far, a bit, a little, slightly (He's much / slightly taller than his sister).
  6. You can use any, no + adjective in the comparative form. Ex. I'm not waiting any longer.
  7. Two comparatives of superiority connected by and meaning 'CADA VEZ MÁS'. Ex. The situation is becoming harder and harder.
  8. COMPARATIVE OF EQUALITY: so, as....as....    Fernando Alsonso is as fast as the wind.
  9. COMPARATIVE OF INFERIORITY: less....than...    My cousin is less intelligent than my sister.
  10. Difference between LESS & FEWER.   Examples: I've got less money than you. A bicycle has got fewer wheels than a bus.
  11. Some interesting collocations: the same as, different from, similar to   
  12. After superlatives we use in with places (the longest river in the world) and of for a period of time (the happiest day of my life)
  13. ABSOLUTE SUPERLATIVE meaning 'very'. The book you lent me was most interesting.
You've got all this information, plus the difference between USED TO, BE USED TO & GET USED TO in my site: 4º ESO  

Lingohack:
  Episode 160120 / 20 Jan 2016   >>>  Expressions presented: evenly, condition & boycott.





lunes, 18 de enero de 2016

MLK, a wise man to bear in mind


 

Read all about this holiday. When, why, what people do....   


 

What can you tell me about Martin Luther King? (Wikipedia)



Articles to read about the issue:
You can also have a look at this interactive article in the Guardian called THE SPEECH.

Watch these two interesting videos to learn about this great man:


And here's his famous speech "I have a dream":


Link to full speech with English subtitles: I HAVE A DREAM and you can also watch the film: Our Friend, Martin 


domingo, 17 de enero de 2016

Most interesting blog for That's English users

Here you've got a blog (That's Paco!) with most useful information about the New That's English course.

You can even have a look at the BOOKS!!!


Here are some of the things you can find:

That's English

jueves, 14 de enero de 2016

All work and no play makes Jack/Jill a dull boy/girl!!!


In which famous film have you seen this proverb? What does it mean?


Nowadays, students have to go to school in the afternoon and then in the afternoon they may have to go to private classes, to the music school or official language school in Motril, do some sport, do loads of homework, study... and yes, they also have to chat with their friends, keep their social networks updated and even slepp. This is just a restless life, but what can we do?

Listening exercise to do: Is modern life making us tired?

Apart from the proverb, my piece of advice would be to make the most of any experience or activity you have to do, so for example if you are in class, you have to be 100% attentive to all what teachers say and do as much as you can.

LINGOHACK: Episode 160113 / 13 Jan 2016   >>>   Expressions presented: vowed, partisan, bold ambition, census & iconic.



However, stress is not only an issue that affects students, here are some cases of people working under stress:
Crossword to do:  WORK 

miércoles, 13 de enero de 2016

Important piece of information for our students going to Dublin


LATEST NEWS (18th January, 2016)   >>>   The Agency has told me not to pay anything for the luggage check-in as Ryanair has no fixed fees. They are charging different prices in other flights for each piece of luggage, even depending on the outward flight or the return flight. 


Hi,
In our next meeting on Monday, 18th January, we will talk about these issues (please, inform your parents):
1.- Remind your parents the 3 places where they can find information about our study trip, read the diary or have a look at the photos:: site- study trip to the British Isles, blog- Study trip to the British Isles and in Spanish Viaje de estudios-Información para padres.
2.- The final price for the flight, also counting the flights for Mr Gallardo, is 249€ per student.
3.- If a suitcase is going to be carried, the student will have to pay 40€ extra for a 15kg suitcase and 60€ for a 20kg suitcase return (ida y vuelta). 
4. Therefore by the end of January, you must have done the second payment, which is 155€ for the remaining amount to pay for the course + 249€  for the flight tickets, that is, a total of 404€, apart from the suitcase check-in, in case the student carries one.
By the way, remember that this includes our one-day trip to Galway (25€) once we are in Dublin.
5.- Finally, there is only the coach that takes us to Malaga airport to pay left. We are still bargaining for better deals, but it will probably be around 14€ return (that is to say, taking us from the school to Malaga airport on 14th March and collecting us and bringing us home on 20th March).
6.- One final remark about the trip, please remember once again your parents to let me know by email or arranging an appointment with me if they have any further questions or doubts.
JUST TWO MONTHS TO GO!!!!!
By the way, those students who still have to hand in their Identity Cards or passports must do it as soon as they can.
Study these two proposals for activities to do in Dublin:   http://adventurerooms.ie/  & http://leisureplex.ie/bowling/
   
Hand luggage  >>  Each passenger can carry a hand piece of luggage on board not heavier than  10 kg, measuring 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm at the most, and a small bag no bigger than 35 x 20 x 20 cm.

Suitcases to check in:
For a 15kg suitcase you have to pay 40€ return and for a 20 kg suitcase 60€ return.

jueves, 7 de enero de 2016

Far from home (A dream)


Here's an incredible story to read about: FAR FROM HOME 

Can you make a summary of the story or film?



By the way, here are some interesting notes about the CONDITIONAL SENTENCES, If only... & I wish... (for further information visit my site):

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

To begin with, we have to differentiate between the 'IF-CLAUSE' and the 'MAIN CLAUSE'. If we put the IF CLAUSE first, you have to put a comma after it.
If we put the IF CLAUSE first, you have to put a comma after it.  (You have to put a comma after it if we put the...)
           IF CLAUSE                                             MAIN CLAUSE
- There are three main types of conditional sentences:
  1. REAL CONDITIONALS.- You are based on a real situation.
  2. HYPOTHETICAL CONDITIONALS.- You are based on a hypothetical (NOT IMPOSSIBLE) situation.
  3. IMPOSSIBLE or UNREAL CONDITIONALS.- You are based on past facts that cannot be changed at all.

REMEMBER THAT IN THE IF-CLAUSE WE DON'T USUALLY HAVE EITHER 'WILL' OR 'WOULD', WHICH IS A SIMILAR CASE TO THE TIME CLAUSES.

1. REAL CONDITIONALS

They are based on a real situation, so the main clause depends on the if-clause.
If + PRESENT SIMPLE......            >>> Future Simple  (we will have a barbecue in the garden)
If it is sunny,...                                >>> Modal verb (we can have a barbecue in the garden, we must moan the lawn)
                                                            >>> Imperative  (come to my house and we will have a barbecue in the garden)

ZERO CONDITIONALS

They are used when we refer to physical laws, rules.....    If + PRESENT SIMPLE...   >>> PRESENT SIMPLE

Example: Water freezes if it reaches a temperature of 0º C.

Exception number 1

You can have a real conditional in the past. They can be confused with the hypothetical conditionals, but they can be easily recognized when we translate them into Spanish as they don't use the subjunctive in the if-clause. The main clause is usually in the interrogative form.

Example: You had a car accident and someone tells you: 'If you could't drive, why did you take your father's car?'


2. HYPOTHETICAL CONDITIONALS

They are based on a hypothetical situation, which may seem in many cases impossible, so you have to be careful. Just imagine the case of Pau Gasol when he was 4 and said: "I would play in the LA Lakers and the Chicago Bulls if I played in the NBA).
SITUATION: It is raining and the weather forecast is not very optimistic, so it is not very likely that it is sunny.
If + PAST SIMPLE......            >>> Conditional Simple  (we would have a barbecue in the garden)
If it were (was) sunny,...         >>> MIGHT & COULD are also possible
'WERE' used to be the only possible form in the if-clause, although nowadays both forms (was, were) are possible.

3. IMPOSSIBLE or UNREAL CONDITIONALS

They are based on impossible situations which we cannot change at all.
SITUATION: Kennedy was murdered.
If + PAST PERFECT......            >>> CONDITIONAL PERFECT
If John Fitzgerald had not been murdered, he would have been a great president.

Exception number 2

Combination of a past fact that cannot be changed and a quality that you don't have, but that you could have (it is still not impossible)

Example: I would have been a Science teacher if I were better at Physics.

Exception number 3

Combination of a past fact whose effects are still permanent.

Example: If you hadn't drunk so much last night, you wouldn't have a hangover now.


OTHER CONDITIONALS

- UNLESS (= if not) a menos que   I will give a party for my birthday unless I am ill.
- AS LONG AS / PROVIDING (PROVIDED) THAT   (= only if)  con la condición de que, siempre que, siempre y cuando, en tanto, mientras         
I will help you with your English homework as long as / providing that you listen to my explanations
 
WISHES AND REGRETS
- wishes for change in the present  (I wish + PAST SIMPLE / PAST CONTINUOUS)  
I wish I were rich / we were spending our holidays in Honolulu this year.
- regrets about something in the past (I wish + PAST PERFECT)        
I wish At Madrid had defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League Final in 2014.
- complaints about a thing or situation and that you would like it to change in the future.        
I wish my students would listen to me (Actually they don't do it, but I would like them to do it).

Here's a similar structure, although it is a bit stronger:
 
- If only... (si al menos)    to express a strong wish that things could be different. It may be used for past, present and future unreal situations.
We use if only + past verb forms to talk about a wish for the present:
If only he could speak English properly. (he can't, but he wishes he could)
If only there was some snow to ski.
Remember we can use were instead of was in more formal situations:
If only I were (was) in the Alps (when our protagonist was back in Uganda).
To talk about a wish for the future or to show a contrast between how things are and how we would like them to be, we use if only + would + infinitive without to:
If only all the students would follow the teachers' advice.
If only it would rain more during the spring.
We use if only + past perfect to talk about a wish to change something that has already happened:
If only Benitez had kept his position as Real Madrid coach. (but he didn't.)
If only Andrea had come to Chester. (but she didn't come.)
And here's a song to listen to (If only by Dove Cameron):




miércoles, 6 de enero de 2016

January, a bitter pill to swallow


Here comes January (a bitter pill to swallow, do we have the same expression in Spanish?). Back to our daily routines, but this time it is the start of a new year, time for resolutions, time to think about the future. So let's begin revising the FUTURE TENSES (remember you can have a loot at all the tenses and their uses in my site):


Present Continuous
  • Future arrangements as part of your agenda (We have already bought the flights for Dublin, so we are flying there from Malaga airport on 14th March)
  
Future Simple
  • Abstract future (One day the Man will travel to Mars and live there.)
  • making general predictions or giving opinions about the future. (I hope I will win the lottery one day. I think she will visit us next summer).
  • Decisions taken at this very moment. ('Someone is knocking at the door.'   'Don't move. I'll open the door)TO MAKE A POLITE OFFER. You can also use SHALL to make a polite offer ('Shall I open the door for you?')
  • TO MAKE A POLITE REQUEST with WILL ('Will you open the door for me, please?). If you want to sound politer, you will use WOULD (Would you open the door for me, please? Would you be so kind...? Would you mind opening...?)
  • TO MAKE A SUGGESTION with SHALL ('Shall we go to the cinema this evening?)
 GOING TO Future
  • Predictions based on evidence. (Look at those clouds! I think it is going to rain this afternoon).
  • Personal plans and intentions (They are going to spend their winter holidays in the Alps). When these plans and intentions are shared with other people, they become arrangements and then we use the present continuous.
 Future Continuous
  • Actions that will be in progress at a certain time in the future. (Tomorrow morning at this time I will be lying on the beach next to my girlfriend).
  • Formal arrangements, especially used by tour guides (On Wednesday we will be flying to Copenhagen and then we will be visiting the Lofoten Islands at the weekend).
 Future Perfect
  • Actions or events that will be completed by a specific time in the future, often used with the time expression BY THE TIME (para cuando). (I will have written the composition by the time you arrive home).
 to be about to do sth
  • It is similar to the GOING TO future, but it mainly has a time meaning  >>  La película estaba a punto de empezar (The film was about to start when the TV set broke down).
 to be to do sth
  • It has a similar meaning of EXTERNAL OBLIGATION to the modal verb HAVE TO in some cases and in others it has got a time meaning (You are to watch That's English every morning).

So tell me about your plans, arrangements, resolutions, hopes...





And now what do you think about this issue: Will Obama ever pass a US gun law (News report) in the United States?

Articles to read:



Talking about the future, have you made any resolutions about the way we look (listening exercise)?

LINGOHACK Episode 160106 / 06 Jan 2016  >>>  Expressions presented: announcement, suspended & bionic.