The unsolved housing problem

 

 

Fourteen years ago I published this post onto this blog: The housing problem in Spain

 

and it seems we still haven't managed to find the solution for it.

 

• ‘This can’t go on’: tens of thousands protest against housing crisis in Spain (The Guardian)

• 'Anger in the streets': Tens of thousands protest in Spain over housing crisis (BBC News)

• Can Spain's government survive the housing crisis? | DW News

 

 

 

 

Our society, especially the younger generations, should also make an effort to solve the problem by saving more and not wasting so much, by choosing the right place to live and not only thinking about living in big cities... What other solutions can you think of?

  

 

Learning English from the News:   Young people aren't weak, expert says  (BBC Learning English)  

 

 

  Here's my musical hint for today when you haven't got a home and you have to leave:    Hit the road, Jack! by Ray Charles. Here's a version with the lyrics for you to sing along.    

 

    

Here are some more activities for my students:

• How we talk about the weather:  How bad is really British weather?  (BBC Learning English)  

• 
  

  Real Easy English:  Talking about DESSERTS   (BBC Learning English)  

• The English We Speak:  In a tizzy   (BBC Learning English) 

• Listening exercise for you to do:   Why does heartbreak hurt so much?  (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English) 

 

 

 

 

 The sign of the four   Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of Four | Mystery & Horror | Dominoes Level 3 

 

 

The Entire History of Russia: From Viking Origins to Modern Superpower   

     

 

English in a Minute:   4 meanings of BLOCK   (BBC Learning English)  

Lucy tells us to... NEVER Add "-ING" to These 25 Common Verbs 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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

Learning English with Pirates of the Caribbean -     Jack Sparrow and Elisabeth   

 

   

   Memories of a champion / Gustavo Kuerten | Roland-Garros 

 

Carlos Alcaraz vs Denis Shapovalov Highlights | Tokyo 2026 Quarter-Final

 

 

 

Beware of the future! AI is here!

 

 

We are told to beware of the AI and all the dangers it brings along. Here are some articles for you to read:

• Artificial intelligence could lead to extinction, experts warn (BBC News)  

• AI could kill all humans in next decade, warn experts: but how seriously should we take them? (The Guardian)

• AI could pose ‘extinction-level’ threat to humans and the US must intervene, State Dept.-commissioned report warns  (CNN)   

• What is AI's biggest risk: Speed or autonomy? (DW)

 

Costs and Risks of Artificial Intelligence (Tufts)

 

 

You should always try to do exercises and tasks yourself so as to learn how good you are, to learn about the difficulties of every challenge and because, after all, you will come to a point when you will have just a piece of paper to do your best. 

COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

FOR, SINCE, AGO

  

 

Learning English from the News:   AI and trade: Will they agree?  & Could AI kill us all?  (BBC Learning English)  

 

 

  Here's my musical hint for today:    When I was young - The Irish song that brings back every childhood memory. Here's a version with the lyrics by Mikhail Bennet for you to sing along.    

 

   

 

Here are some more activities for my students:

• How we talk about the weather:  How can we talk about summer?  (BBC Learning English)  

• 
  

  Real Easy English: Talking about AUTUMN  (BBC Learning English)  

• The English We Speak:  Same person, different font   (BBC Learning English) 

• Listening exercise for you to do:   Is rejection good for us?  (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English) 

 

The Story of Greece and the birth of the West

     

 

English in a Minute:   4 meanings of JAM   (BBC Learning English)  

Lucy tells us to... STOP MISPRONOUNCING THESE WORDS 

 

  

 

 

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

Learning English with      SPIDER-MAN   -  Peter Parker meets Tony Sparks 

 

US Open 1982 - Semi-finals  Lendl vs McEnroe

 

 

What is left of summer '26?

 

 

Summer is over, although we can still taste it not just because the heat is not gone, but also because we have some good memories to remember for ever or even dramatic moments you will never forget. This summer could be an unforgettable moment as you passed an important exam, or got a post somewhere you had wished long before or just because you met the partner of your life...

 

  

Summer '26 can have also marked our lives because of the World Cup Spain won or because of a song you will have always in your mind since it was being played when you came across your prince/princess of your life.

 

By the way, what do you think was the best song of the summer? 

 

It may have been the hottest summer of your life, as well, or the summer when you made the best journey ever or spent the best holidays ever!!! However, it can bring horrible memories to our mind: wars, conflicts, loss of a relative or friend, the end of a relationship.

 

 

Summer 2026 was UK's hottest on record, says Met Office | BBC News

Missing a few days of school should not add up to a fine (The Guardian)

The US just had its hottest summer on record, beating the Dust Bowl era (CNN)

 

Important piece of news: Fill in this form at home so that your teacher has got all the information you are asked.

 

  

 

Learning English from the News:   Meta and YouTube lose social media addiction case   (BBC Learning English)  

 

 

  Here's my musical hint for today:    All summer long by Kid Rock. Here's a version with the lyrics for you to sing along.    

 

   

 

 

Here are some more activities for my students:

• How we talk about the weather:  How do tropical storms start?  (BBC Learning English)  

• 
  

  Real Easy English: Talking about CITIES  (BBC Learning English)  

• The English We Speak:  Keep yourself to yourself   (BBC Learning English) 

• Listening exercise for you to do:   Can apps teach you a language?  (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English) 

 

The Entire History of London in 24 Minutes

     

 

 

English in a Minute:   Phrases with YOUNG   (BBC Learning English)  

English with Lucy talking about... avoiding this word if you want to speak good English 

 

  

 

 

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

Learning English with Tom Hanks -     Cast Away    

 

US Open 2026: Final match... Shelton vs Zverev 

 

 

Alexander Zverev claims first US Open after four-set battle with Ben Shelton  (The Guardian)

Memories of a champion / Michael Chang | Roland-Garros  (Rome 2006 - Federer vs Nadal presented and commented by Murray's brothers)

 

 

Wow! Rachnar has come back from Valhalla!!

 

 

More than 4 years ago I took a decision: I would never teach bachillerato again (Valhalla awaits Rachnar!!). It has been tough for me not to go all the way long with my students till the end and the results in the Selectivity exam have been quite poor lately. So I asked my students in 4º ESO if they would like to have me as a teacher in Bachillerato and most of the best students were delighted with the idea (Thanks for your support!!). So here I go again in spite of all the problems it may bring along.

 

It is a huge challenge for my students and me, so we will have to work hard and all of us should try to do our best.

 

 

  

 

  

 

Learning English from the News:   Man lives 271 days with pig kidney   (BBC Learning English)  

Genetically modified pig kidney keeps man alive for record nine months (The Guardian)

US surgeons transplant first pig kidney to live patient (DW)

Transplanted pig kidney works in US man's body for record 271 days (BBC News)

 

Important piece of news: Fill in this form at home so that your teacher has got all the information you are asked.

 

  Here's my musical hint for today:    Valhalla calling by Miracle of Sound ft. Peyton Parrish, a version with the lyrics for you to sing along. And here's the trailer to the film Valhalla Rising...   

 

  

  

  The Viking who changed Britain Forever   — 793 to 1066 AD 

 

 

 

 

Here are some more activities for my students:

• How we talk about the weather:  Talking about SUMMER  (BBC Learning English)

• 
  

  Real Easy English: Talking about COMPLAINING  (BBC Learning English)  

• The English We Speak:  Try it on   (BBC Learning English) 

• Listening exercise for you to do:   The Enhanced Games  (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English) 

 

The Viking Who Was Literally Impossible to Kill | Lore & Ruin     

 

Why Does Spain Have Two Cities in Africa? ⭐ Ceuta & Melilla | B1 Graded Reader Audiobook

 

English in a Minute:   4 meanings of TIP   (BBC Learning English)  

English with Lucy talking about... some common mistakes in English 

 

  

 

 

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

Learning English with...    Michael Jackson   

 

 

US Open 2026: Álcaraz vs Tommy Paul (Round 4) and Shelton vs Tsitsipas .... and defeat against Shelton!!!

 

 

Javier Lahora (3º ESO) presents his project on Ireland

My travel to Mullingar, Ireland de JN1213

September! The party is over!

 

Summer is coming to an end and it is time to warm up for the coming school year. No more parties, no more barbecues, sunbathing  or swims at the beach...

 

We slowly go back to our daily routines. Holidays were an excellent break after a long school year to recharge our batteries and become stonger so as to face new challenges. Now going back to our daily routines is a good opportunity to slow down and be ready for higher hurdles in our careers. It will be easier for those who have not completely stopped during the summer holidays, but it will not be impossible for the rest.

 

 

 

Learning English from the News:   Nepal flash floods  & Listening exercise: Climate change and extreme weather (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

 

 

 

 

 

  

Grandpa showing a bunch of teenagers how to play basketball...

 

 

 

  Here's my musical hint for today:    When the party's over by Billie Eilish. Here's a version with the lyrics for you to sing along.  

 

 

  

 

Here are some more activities for my students:

• English in a Minute:  4 meanings of FILTER  (BBC Learning English)

• 
  

  Real Easy English: Talking about HOUSEWORK  (BBC Learning English)  

• The English We Speak:  Non-starter   (BBC Learning English) 

• Listening exercise for you to do:   How do we describe smells?  (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English) 

 

The Entire History of the Roman Empire in just 20 Minutes    (and about Rome) 

 

 

 

English with Lucy talking about... solving this one mistake 

 

  

 

 

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

Learning English with movies -   Pirates Of The Caribbean   & 2   

 

 

 

  Vintage tennis - Legends and legacies:  ES McEnroe Borg fire & ice V.O Hbo  

  

John McEnroe's Funniest Moments After Retirement