Ready for the New Year?

 

Happy New Year to you all!!! but are you ready for the New Year? Especially my students in 2º Bachillerato, I hope they are having a good rest and that they are trying to do some work in advance as we will be increasingly speeding in this second term.

The first thing to do is try to think about some resolutions, that is to say, you have to resolve to do things or just to do them in a better way. For example, you have to improve your writing skills by means of your compositions written at home and your comments in this blog. However, cheating is not very advisable as you will have to do them under exam conditions, as in the Selectivity exam. So it is up to you!!!

The TOP 10 WORDS  in English in 2021, according to BBC Learning English:  mask, woke (politically speaking), binge-watch, conservatorship, home, GOAT, anti-, space, climate & vaccine.

 

What was the best thing that happened in 2021? Which would be the best song for you in English? Here some of the best goals!!

 

 

And what about the worst?

 

 

 

Here's my musical hint for these days before going back to school: Back to School song 

 

 

Learn English with  The MATRIX Resurrections | Advanced Lesson 

 

 

 

mmmEnglish teaches some English idioms related to weather 

 

 

La Palma volcano: Eruption has officially ended, authorities say (Sky News)

Spain's La Palma volcano eruption declared over after three months (BBC News)

La Palma is quiet: Memories covered in ash | Volcano | Spain

 

 

 

 

Vintage tennis... Some players to remember >>>

He wasn't and he isn't one of my favourite tennis players, but he was and he is such a gentleman as you can appreciate here: Stan Smith talking on His 1972 Wimbledon Win

 

 

 

Give me one reason why...

 

You have thousands of reasons not to do what you have to do, but just give me one reason why we should keep fighting to get to the summit. 

Well, life consists of challenges and the moment we have no more challenges in our lives, it is time to quit and that is not my case because I'm still here in the front line!!!! 

 

 

Here's my musical hint for today: Give Me One Reason sung by Tracy Chapman & Eric Clapton and here are the lyrics for you to learn about what the singer really means.

 

 

Here's my very good friend Porty, electrical guitar player who used to perform along with Pablo Alborán, Café Quijano, Diana Navarro, among others, presenting his brand new website and the jingle piece of music he has just made for CANAL FIESTA RADIO.

 

Some activities for you to do: 

• English in a Minute:   How to use INFINITIVES OF PURPOSE   (BBC Learning English)

• News Review: Increase in extremist online content  (BBC Learning English)

• International Law : Can you commit a crime in space? & our water series: What's the future of water?    (BBC Learning English)

• A listening exercise for you to do: Algorithms (BBC Learning English)

 
 

How algorithms rule our working lives (The Guardian)

The algorithms that make big decisions about your life (BBC News)

Max Hawkins: I let algorithms randomize my life for two years | TED talk

What is an algorithm?  (another explanation)

And now give me one reason not to consider Pau Gasol one of those people who love accepting challenges!!!

 

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LINGOHACK  >>>

Episode 211222 / 22 December 2021    >>>  Queen's Christmas pantomime costumes displayed   -    

Language related to 'royalty'.  Need-to-know language: state rooms, princesses, on the throne & monarch.

 

Project about A Foreigner in New York  by Miguel Ángel Rufino (2º Bach A)

Be careful, you're not looking too clever!

There are 3 photographs in this post. Which one is the most suitable for the expression we are dealing with?

Don't get annoyed!! I am not insulting or teasing you or doubting about how intelligent you are. 

 

Have a look at this simple explanation given in The English We Speak section of BBC Learning English. As you may have found out it is more related to your health.

 

Anyway, did Santa visit you?

News Review: A real-life secret Santa  (BBC Learning English)

 

Dramas from BBC Learning English  (Intermediate and above level)

A Christmas Carol - Part 1: Marley's ghost   01  , and more episodes:  02 , 03 , 04 , 05 

 

And talking about Christmas, here's a delicious recipe, where you will learn 10 cooking verbs: Rob's Christmas cookies  (BBC Learning English)

 

 

Here's my musical hint for today: Parallel Line by Keith Urban (you can have a look at the lyrics and guess what the word 'misplace' means). 

Some activities for you to do: 

• Learn English with Papa:   How to use 'BOLLOCKS' in English   

• News Review: Omicron: Lockdown in the Netherlands  (BBC Learning English)

• International Law : What happens if you break an international law?   (BBC Learning English)

• A listening exercise for you to do: Could diamonds prevent climate change? (BBC Learning English)

 

English with Lucy: JUST ALREADY STILL YET - English Grammar Lesson

 

 

 

 

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 211215 / 15 December 2021    >>>  Most advanced polar ship heads for Antarctic   -   

  Language related to 'seeing things'.  Need-to-know language: set sail, top deck, living quarters, crew & vessel.

 

 

Vintage tennis... Some players to remember >>>

MAC ENROE-SOLOMON Final at WEMBLEY 1979

Guillermo Vilas vs Ilie Nastase Masters 1974 Final (Highlights)

Stan Smith v Ilie Nastase W 1972 Final

 

 

Everybody's talking...

... that winter is coming!!

 

What is Winter Solstice? | Winter Solstice Fun Facts for Students

 

 

 

Everybody's talking that once upon a time a young man from a little village in the far west in the United States wanted to move to New York city. Here's the main theme of the film I am talking about (MIDNIGHT COWBOY: some scenes from the film: the opening scene, classic trailer, that's strictly for Fags!, Spanish-subtitled trailer,   ): Everybody's Talkin' by Harry Nilsson and here are the lyrics, which I recommend you to have a look at.

 

Here's also a harmonica theme  (live) and the whole album for you to listen to, plus a film review done some years later.

Everybody's talking about some activities for you to do: 

• Merry Christmas:   What is an Advent Calendar?   (BBC Learning English)

• News Review: Tornadoes devastate US states  (BBC Learning English)

• International Law : What are human rights and why do they matter?   (BBC Learning English)

• A listening exercise for you to do: Body language online (BBC Learning English)

 

 

There is a poverty of body language in telehealth appointments – but there is tenderness too (The Guardian)

More than 80 feared dead after tornadoes hit central and southern US (CNN)

 

Everybody's talking about a Romanian tennis player called Ilie Nastase, who once upon a time did things like this...

or his Grand Slam highlights or playing against Connors in Wimbledon 1972!!!

 

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 211208 / 08 December 2021    >>>  The future of shopping   -    

  Language related to 'consumerism'.  

  Need-to-know language: charged, stock shelves, unmanned, mainstream & digitalisation.

 
 

 

Everybody's talking that our students are doing a good job.... and if you want to learn more about the city of New York  >> New That's English episodes to watch

MODULE 12 (NOTES)

 Unit 1B      Unit 2B

  or the differences between American and British English  >>>

MODULE 11 (NOTES)

  Unit 2A

Project about A Foreigner in New York  by Álvaro Martín (2º Bach A)

 

Project about A Foreigner in Britain  by Raquel Peinado (1º Bach A)

 

 

 

Project about The adventures of Tom Sawyer  by Rocío Valdés (2º Bach A) 

DART mission

There are times when fiction becomes reality and that is the case of the Dart mission. Here you've got an article for you to read to learn about what it really is:

Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Mission (NASA)

 

and another one explaining the reasons why:

 

Dart mission: why is Nasa crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid? (The Guardian)

 

 

And here's "Armageddon", the film whose plot is similar to what it is really going to be done:

Armageddon - Official Trailer 

Another video related to the film: Armageddon - Shuttle Crash 

 

The original soundtrack of the film is my musical hint for today: I don't wanna miss a thing by Aerosmith and here are the lyrics, which I recommend you to have a look at. 

 

 

 

 

Some activities for you to do: 

• 6 Minute Vocabulary:   Weather words and MODAL VERBS   (BBC Learning English)

• News Review: Omicron: New Covid strain, new travel restrictions  (BBC Learning English)

• International Law : Who are the actors in international law?   (BBC Learning English)

• A listening exercise about you borrowing a person you wouldn’t usually meet for a half-hour candid conversation and learn what it is like to be in their shoes: The Human Library: Life as an open book (BBC Learning English)

 

* "if I were in your shoes" means, according to Cambridge Dictionary: used when you want to tell someone what you would do in their situation. For example, "If I were in your shoes, I think I'd write to her rather than try to explain over the phone".

 

Omicron variant in Europe earlier than thought - BBC News 

 

 

LINGOHACK  >>>

Episode 211201 / 01 December 2021    >>>  Dog rescue with a drone   -    Language related to 'seeing things'.  

Need-to-know language: thermal imaging, heat signatures, spot, the naked eye & jumps out.

 

 

TENNIS  >>>  Vintage Forest Hill

NASTASE-MC ENROE FOREST HILL 1978 

 

 

Slow, but where's the point in hurrying?

 

People may think I'm a slow learner, perhaps the world is going too fast, so where's the point in worrying if I get to my destination in time or I achieve my goals? However, what is the point in living a pointless life? A life without goals to achieve?

 

Listen to the song below and then: first, fill in the gaps in the first verse and, secondly, how would you translate the expression: "where's the point in + Verb in the -ing form"?

"Slow Learner"

People say '_______  _______  ________  __________?'
Or '________  ___________  ____________  _____________?'
I'm a slow learner
________  ___________  ____________  _____________
It's my way, has to be true
The world ________  ___________  ____________  _____________
But where you're concerned
________  ___________  ____________  _____________ to last
Where's the point in worrying
If we should start a little late
Where's the point in hurrying
When waiting feels so great?
I'm a slow burner
________  ___________  ____________  _____________ a while ago
I'm a slow learner
I do everything slow

Breaking news:

Covid: New variant classed 'of concern' and named Omicron (BBC News)

New UK Covid measures to be announced to tackle Omicron spread (The Guardian)

Omicron: What we know so far about the new COVID-19 variant | DW News

 

 

 

Some activities for you to do: 

• The English We Speak:   Another string to my bow   (BBC Learning English)

• News Review: Adele gets spotify to take shuffle button off all album pages  (BBC Learning English)

  

• International Law : Who are the actors in international law?   (BBC Learning English)

• A listening exercise for you to do: How green is nuclear energy? (BBC Learning English)

   

   

   

   
  

  

 

Here's my musical hint for today: Slow learner by Mark Knopfler and here are the lyrics, which I recommend you to have a look at. 

 

mmmEnglish talking about Zero and Real Conditionals, and when to use them

 

Project about  Jane Eyre  by José Corzo (2º Bach A)

 

LINGOHACK  >>>

• Episode 211124 / 24 November 2021    >>>  Denmark's green hydrogen   -    Language related to 'energy'.  

  Need-to-know language: renewable, clean fluel, plant, grid & fossil fluel.