What are 'manbags' for?

Manbag? No, it is not a man you use as a sort of a bag!!!!! Here's the definition provided by Cambridge Dictionary.

Here's a listening exercise to do: Who needs a manbag? (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

 

Activities for my 2º ESO students:  Has your father got a manbag? What does he use it for? If you had one, what would you use it for?

 

Revision for SELECTIVITY. 

Some exercises connected with the section USE OF ENGLISH.

1. Give one synonym of “FRIGHTENING” (adjective).     

2. Give a verb with the same root as CONNECTION (noun).

3. Turn the following sentence into reported speech: Prince Kretzulesco said: “I have been considering leaving Germany next year”

4. Turn the following sentence into the passive voice:  We would receive him with open arms. 

5. Fill in the gap with a correct adjective: The patient is too __________ to leave the hospital.

6. Give  a question for the underlined words.    Sally went to this school last year. 

7. Complete the following sentence: Mary would look for a place to live in London if…

8. Give one synonym of “GENERALLY” (adverb).

9. Give a noun with the same root as THINK (verb) and a noun with the same root as BEHAVE

10. Complete the series with another word of the same semantic group:  FILM, ACTOR, DIRECTOR, … 

11. Turn the following sentence into the active voice.     Children are easily influenced by violent games.

12. Complete  the following sentences:  a) If films were less violent....     b) Drinking is dangerous for you when....

13. Join the following sentences by means of a relative clause.   He was reading a book. Its characters were zombies.

14. Give one opposite of AGREE and another one of SOFT.

 

The English We Speak: That'll teach you! (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

The smart way to improve your English | Learn Collocations.... MAKE

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 180411 / 11 April 2018    >>>  Unknown bad habits tooth decay   -  Language related to 'Tooth decay'.  Need-to-know language: eats away, chip, swishing, acidic & erode.

Talking about Nadal's latest victory in Barcelona (his 11th Conde Godó title), here's a funny series about tennis "The self-appointed Commissioner of Tennis" starred by John McEnroe.

The future of our society is in real danger

We have got a serious problem in our society, especially in Spain. A great number of variables is affecting this dramatic situation. Educational system, uninterested and unmotivated children, broken families, fall in the number of marriages, increasing divorce rates... would be some of these negative factors.

Perhaps the solution is simple and it is based in just going back to our roots, as it seems to be happening in Scandinavian countries or Germany, where the concept of family is a major concern.

Here are some articles to read about the issue:

• Marriage on the decline as singles rise (BBC)

• Cycle of 'compulsive consumerism' leaves British family life in crisis, Unicef study finds (The Daily Telegraph)

• My advice for a good marriage? Don’t start with a dream wedding (The Guardian)

• Marriage falls out of favour for young Europeans as austerity and apathy bite (The Guardian)

• A crisis in the family (The Daily Telegraph)

• More Americans living without partners, especially young adults (CNN)

 

Interesting previous posts in this blog:

• Families in the future >> DIY families???

• Relationships and laughing

   

Activities for my 2º ESO students:  What would be your ideal family, your ideal teacher, your ideal school? Try finding solution for unmotivated students. You will have use HYPOTHETICAL CONDITIONALS.

 

Here's a listening exercise to do: The future of marriage (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

Here's a new section in BBC Learning English: The Experiment. This unit deals with...

... What they really mean: Sarcasm

 

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 180418 / 18 April 2018    >>>  An app to calm you down   -  Language related to 'Mental health'.  Need-to-know language: depressed, open up, comfort, counsellor & therapy.

Earth Day 2018

Here are two related articles you can read and a radio podcast you can listen to:

• What is Earth Day 2018 and why is it honoured with a Google Doodle? (The Sun)

• Earth Day checklist: five simple things you can do to make a difference (The Guardian)

• When did Earth Day begin? (BBC News)

 

Activities for my 2º ESO students:  What can you do to save the Earth? Use the future tenses learned, real conditionals and hypothetical conditionals.

 

Here's a listening exercise to do: Microadventures! (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

FUN ENGLISH LESSON with Big Bang Theory & Star Wars

Here's a new section in BBC Learning English: The Experiment. The first unit deals with...

... What they really mean: Suggestions as instructions

And, by the way, Nadal has done it again on clay!!!

Nadal beats Nishikori to win Monte Carlo Masters (2018) USA Today

 

 

Masters 1000 de Monte-Carlo: Rafael Nadal l'emporte (L'Équipe)

Some advice for your fellow students 2018

The school year is coming to an end and I would like you to read old students' advice (and here) and then give some advice to the students that will follow your steps. Try to be sincere and, using appropriate advice structures, tell them what they should do. Include the level you are referring to at the beginning of your comment.

Activities for my 2º ESO students:  What would you do if you were in 3º ESO now? Tell me the things you are doing next year (already arranged), the things you are going to do (plans, decisions) and some general predictions about what will happen.

For example, this is Albert telling you about next year:

1. We are reading Factfiles - England in the first term (here's the list of textbooks for school year 2017-2018)

2. I'm going to put more exercises in my site to help my students.

3. I think my students will get much better results because they will be more responsible. 

 

 

Here's an example. Pay attention to the structures used and also have a look at this (and then listen to the episode). 

Other examples:
I'm a student of 2º ESO and I would like to give you some advice if you are in 2º ESO next year with Albert:

• I think you should....
• You must....
• You have to.....
• Study everyday...
• Don't  keep your things untidy....
• If I were you, I would....
• If I were in your shoes, I would...
• You'd better.... 
• And remember TO ADVISE, SPELT WITH AN S, IS THE VERB (I'd advise you to do sth) and ADVICE, SPELT WITH A C, IS AN UNCOUNTABLE NOUN (My piece of advice for you is...  OR I will give you some advice about...)

 Write a comment giving your advice and tell me if you find any other useful structure or vocabulary connected with the issue.

Read this article connected with the issue:

Bill Gates Shares His Best Advice for Students

Here's a listening exercise to do: How do you learn to speak a language? (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

English with Lucy   >>>  MISS or LOSE or MISSING? - Differences and Collocations

 

 

The English We Speak: Rub it in (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 180404 / 04 April 2018    >>>  Turning bread into beer to fight food waste   -  Language related to 'Food waste'.  Need-to-know language: stale bread, leftover (adjective), niche & raising awareness.

 

Self-driving cars will also drive us round the bend

Yes, self-driving cars will also send us round the bell (check the meaning of this idiom), just like the people who come with you in the car sometimes do. Another good expression to learn is 'to drive someone crazy' (here's the song She drives me crazy by Fine Young Cannibals)

And here's English with Lucy talking about 10 grammar errors that drive British people crazy  >>>>

Read this related article:

Our Googledrivers will send us round the bend (The Times)

And some others:

• Robots: Lifesavers or Terminators?  (CNN)

• Ready for the robot revolution? (BBC News)

• If robots are the future of work, where do humans fit in? (The Guardian)

Activities for my 2º ESO students:  What would you do if you had a robot? Will your life be easier or more difficult if you have a robot at home? Have you got any kind of robot now? You can watch this New That's English episode.

Here's a listening exercise to do: Robot therapist (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

 

Most important information regarding grants for our 1º and 2º ESO students (for further information, here's my site)

INMERSIÓN LINGÜÍSTICA VERANO 2018 PARA 1º Y 2º DE E.S.O.

El B.O.E. del 7 de abril de 2018 publicó el Extracto de la Resolución de 22 de febrero de 2018 de la Secretaría de Estado de Educación, Formación Profesional y Universidades por la que se convocan ayudas para participar en un Programa de Inmersión Lingüística en colonias de vacaciones, organizado por el Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte para el verano de 2018.

          El plazo de solicitud se encuentra abierto desde hoy 9 de abril, y hasta el 30 de este mismo mes, y podrá formularse a través de estos enlaces de la web del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte:    

SOLICITUD PARA ALUMNADO DE 1º DE E.S.O.

SOLICITUD PARA ALUMNADO DE 2º DE E.S.O.

            En los siguientes enlaces de la web del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte puede accederse a información más detallada, así como a los mencionados enlaces de inscripción:

     MÁS INFORMACIÓN - ALUMNADO DE 1º DE E.S.O.

     MÁS INFORMACIÓN - ALUMNADO DE 2º DE E.S.O.

And now let's relax and learn English with Ed Sheeran 'Shape of You'

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 280307 / 28 March 2018    >>>  Cross-border sugar fix   -  Language related to 'Taxation'.  Need-to-know language: sugar tax, half the price, revenue-raising measure, policies & fall in consumption.

"How!", said the Native American chief.

We have learnt so many fake stories all along our lives. Some may be true, some may be false. Here are some fascinating stories of the Native Americans and how the White men came into scene.

Some related articles to read:

• How (greeting)   

• Here's a link to some wise things Native Americans used to say.

• Some facts about Native American Indian Chiefs  

• Did Native Americans really say “how” as a greeting? (The Straight Dope)

 

Activities for my 2º ESO students:  What can you tell me about the Native Americans? What did you know? and what have you learned in this post?   Why shouldn't we call the Native Americans 'Indians'? Watch the video about the differences between American and English food and tell me which you prefer. 

 

Video to watch: America's Great Indian Nations - Full Documentary  

A Major Clash of Cultures | Native American History

 

War of 1812 in the Old Northwest

Here's an example of the speeches recorded to Indian chiefs   >>>  Chief Joseph Speech - Nez Perce (other Indian Speeches) 

Here's a listening exercise to do: Hello, hello (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

Mihail Livaditis (4º ESO A, 2018-19) proposes us to watch these two videos:

• Native Americans History and Culture

• Oldest Native American footage ever

English with Lucy:  Top 10 American vs. British food differences   

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 280307 / 28 March 2018    >>>  Cross-border sugar fix   -  Language related to 'Taxation'.  Need-to-know language: sugar tax, half the price, revenue-raising measure, policies & fall in consumption.

Happy 600!!!

Incredible, but true!!! This is the post number 600 since we set off on this digital journey 8 years ago, so congratulations to everyone because I keep on working on it since I see that my students use it and how useful it is for our teaching-learning process of the English language. Even some of you have created your own blogs and sites, and I feel really proud of you all.

Anyway, here is a most important piece of news for our students:

REMINDERS FOR OUR STUDENTS >>>>>> B1 & B2 exams!!!!

You can register for the B1 and B2 exams as freelance student (estudiante libre) from 2nd April to 16th April.

Here's the LINK to the website of the Official Language School in Motril.

And you must also remember that you can apply to be an official student next school year from 1st May to 22nd May. Here's the LINK. 

Here's a listening exercise to do: How do you learn to speak a language? (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

 

 

Activities for my 2º ESO students:  What are your plans for the future, especially this summer? What have you already arranged to do this weekend? And what are your predictions for your future life (studies, job, family)? You will have to use all the future tenses we are going to analyse in Unit 6 and remember we are starting Unit 6 this week.

 

 

Have a look at this and then try with some exercises to practise:  FUTURE SIMPLE   ,   GOING TO FUTURE  &  PRESENT CONTINUOUS with a future meaning.

Learn English with the Big Bang Theory - The Bullies

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 210307 / 21 March 2018    >>>  Sao Paulo's high-flying commute   -  Language related to 'New business ideas'.  Need-to-know language: shake up, giving it a shot, a viable alternative & a pie in the sky.

 

FALKIRK, history and modernity

Falkirk may instantly remind you of the famous battle of Falkirk between the Scots and the English. Here's an extract of the film Braveheart:

Braveheart ~Battle of Falkirk 1298

Well, actually, that is not really what happened. Watch this other commented video.

But that is the past, here's the Falkirk Wheel as a landmark to stay for ever, made to commemorate the new Millenium  >>> Archimedes and a Boat Lift: the Falkirk Wheel

Other videos related to the Falkirk Wheel:   1   2   3   4   

Here are other solutions found in the past  >>>  The Famous Fort Augustus Locks:  1  2   

During my latest Scottish experience I came across several new expressions and words, a really interesting cookery channel (Classic Mary Berry):

• Two examples of this BBC celebrity: a retro version and a nowadays version:

Mary Berry's Easter Feast (part one)

 & some delicious easy beef burgers.

• New expressions and words connected with the road/traffic:

- CITY BYPASS is a synonym for ring road.

- How would you say this expression in Spanish: GIVE WAY? and what does the expression GIVE WAY TO ONCOMING VEHICLES mean?

- Be careful with the word DIVERSION. It is a false friend. Another expression is DIVERTED TRAFFIC.

- What is A BLIND SUMMIT? (Blind summits ahead)

• And, by the way, do you know what a 'front-line teacher' is? Albert is one, for example.

  

And finally here's an interesting episode by Joel & Lia to watch: Questions Brits Have For Americans!

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 140307 / 14 March 2018    >>>  Rescuing crumbling Paris landmark   -  Language related to 'Buildings'.  Need-to-know language: chunks, flying buttress, brace, Gothic masonry & crumbles.