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

Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta lingohack. Mostrar todas las entradas
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta lingohack. Mostrar todas las entradas

sábado, 16 de septiembre de 2017

Our mission is coming to an end



Our mission is coming to an end, and so is Cassini space mission. Six years ago we began a long journey full of hurdles and difficulties and some of our friends were left behind. I wish you the best for this last year, but let's read about Cassini space mission, which is also dealt in today's lingohack programme:

 

 

Breaking news: Spanish national basketball team has just defeated Russian in their match for the bronze medal in the European basketball championship in the last match Juan Carlos Navarro has played for the national team. CONGRATULATIONS once again!!!!

Listening exercise to do: Uniforms (6 Minute English, BBC Learning English)

 

Highway to Selectivity

Read the text and answer the questions about LEXICON.
COMPUTERS IN THE CLASSROOMS
The world of language learning is being transformed by rapid advances in information technology, giving students greater freedom in the way they study. Computers allow learners to choose what, when and how they study. It means that they can cut costs by staying at home to study instead of taking an expensive course, including accommodation and travel expenses. But educationists say that multimedia should only be seen as complementary to classroom teaching, not as substitute. An evidence suggests that, in saying that, teachers are not just being protective about their jobs. As ever, human contact is vital when learning a second language.
Many language schools across Europe now  have these technologies installed as a complement to classroom activities. Students can book the computer room for an hour or so and practise parts of the course that they are finding particularly difficult. "Computer allow students to consolidate language points in their own time," said one teacher of French. "People who are shy about speaking a foreign language in public in the early stages can practise without anyone hearing."
The younger generations are so familiar with the technology that they have come to expect it in any school. As time goes on and prices fall, computers will become an established part of educational process.

1. Find one synonym in the text for CHANGE
2. Find one synonym in the text for IMPROVEMENT
3. Find in the text the word that has the following definition:   "Make a reservation"
4. Find one opposite in the text for INCREASE
5. Give me the adjective that comes from 'generation'
6. Give me the opposite of 'familiar' 
7. Give me the noun that comes from 'expensive'
   

REVISION EXERCISE for 1º Bachillerato  >>>   

122. Write the following sentences into REPORTED SPEECH :


1. "Other people have been here to see this flat", the landlady said.
 2. "Did you smoke a lot yesterday, sir?", the doctor said.
 3. "Is there enough milk here?", I wondered.
 4. "How far is the new market going to be ?", my mother said to us.
 5. "I must redecorate my house this year", she said.
 6. "Don't have so many pills if you're ill. I think you should see and ask your doctor about it", my friend said.
 *7. "Let's have a beer", I said to my mates.
 8. "What about visiting our cousins the day after tomorrow?", my sister said.

123. Write suitable questions for these answers :

   1. ______ ?      No, I'm sorry, I can't. I've got to do my homework tonight.
    2. ______ ?      No, I can't. I'm a bit afraid of the water.
    3. ______ ?      She is tall with long fair hair and big blue eyes.
    4. ______ ?      If I were you, I would take them back to the shop.
    5. ______ ?      That's all right, but try not to be late again.
    6. ______ ?      I'm sorry, she isn't at home. Can I take a message?
    7. ______ ?     Yes, I went to France last year.




Proposed solutions to exercises 120 & 121 in the previous post

Ex120   >>>   
1. She told me    2. Correct        3. said         4. How long have you been...       5. has lived
6. gave it to her        7. it may be for me   8. If you knew Peter

Ex121   (you can have other possibilities) >>>>    
1. may - might      2. needn't       3. Shall       4. Would    5. must     6. mustn't    7. cannot
 


LINGOHACK  >>>




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.

miércoles, 19 de octubre de 2016

Bob Dylan, the minstrel of the 21st Century


In the Middle Ages there were minstrels who would go from village to village singing the news, entertaining the people, dancing... Actually, that was the way people learned about El Cid Campeador and the battles in which he participated. There are still a few of them left nowadays. Here are a couple of examples.



Some articles to read:

 


And here's an amazing story  >>> 

The real story of HURRICANE CARTER



Another poet singer, Canadian Leonard Cohen.


Some other hits by Leonard Cohen: Suzanne , First we take Manhattan , 

Some phrases to learn and use in your compositions: 'keen on', 'fond of' and 'fan of' in English with Lucy. And some linking words of CAUSE & EFFECT (English grammar).


LINGOHACK  >>>

Episode 191012 / 19 October 2016   >>>  Expressions presented: classified, deficiency & vessel. By the way, what is the Spanish for 'sweet potato'?

English at university: Room mate (episode 3)




miércoles, 5 de octubre de 2016

LAST CHANCE FOR EDINBURGH 2017!!!!


We'll be having our third meeting (clue number 3) next Thursday, 13th October, during the break in the Language Department. We will be handing out the lottery tickets for our ham raffle. So don't miss the meeting!!!

Today a group of students came to the Language Department thinking that we had our second meeting (CLUE NUMBER 2). I happened to be there and I told them that I hadn't planned any further meetings as there was only one girl who had fill in the form for the study trip, so we have decided to have our second meeting tomorrow during the break in the Language Department.

 

Therefore, if you are interested in participating in the experience here's the link to the form you have to fill in  >>>

Hey, I'm going to Edinburgh next year!!!!

 

Here are some activities to do for those preparing for the B1 or B2 exams:

LINGOHACK  >>>

English with Lucy >>>
  

sábado, 6 de agosto de 2016

Río de Janeiro 2016, Olympic Games in Brazil


Río is over and here are some activities to do:

>>>   News Review  >>  Brazil wins a gold medal in athletics  (BBC Learning English) 

>>>   LINGOHACK  >>>

 

 

Spanish flag on a flag pole gif animation
BREAKING NEWS   >>>  three more medals for Spain (17 medals in total so far):

 

  • Spain Men's basketball national team defeats Australia in an incredible match and get the bronze medal. Our golden generation will never disappoint us!!!!

  • A bronze medal for Coloma in mountain bike event.

  • Spanish rhythmic gymnasts get the silver medal among olé cries and guitar playing!!!



 

This is no country for men, IT BELONGS TO WOMEN, INDEED!!!




 

Ruth Beitia wins the seventh gold medal for Spain in women's high jump (read the report)   (watch the jump)

 

The latest from Río

 

 

 

Two more medals for Spain (13 medals in total): INCREDIBLE historical SILVER MEDAL for women's basketball national team (Congratulations for being so competitive!!!!) >> watch this and bronze medal for Saúl Craviotto in the k-1 200 metre event.

 


INCREDIBLE   >>>>>  Carolina Marin, the young lady from Huelva, wins the sixth gold medal in badminton!!!! (some images)

 

 

 

Another gold medal for Spain (the fifth one)  >>>  Saúl Craviotto and Cristian Toro in K-2 200 metre canoe sprint (watch the race)

 

Two more medals for Spain in Taekwondo: silver medal for Eva Calvo and bronze medal for Joel González (video)




Our men's basketball national team will fight for the bronze medal  (watch summary) and our Women's national team in basketball will be in the final fighting for the GOLD medal against the USA in the Olympic Games in Río after defeating Serbia in the semi-finals!!! GOOD LUCK!


The New Spain has brought us the fourth gold medal and the first silver medal, that is, the seventh medal in total for Spain >>> Marcus Cooper Walz, the canoeist born in Oxford whose father is English and whose mother is German, from Majorca wins the gold medal in K-1 1000 metres event (watch the event) & Orlando Ortega, Cuban-born, won the silver medal in 110 hurdles event (watch the event). 


 

 

And now the 110 hurdle race:


 

 

Fifth medal for Spain  >>  Marc López & Rafael Nadal wins the third gold medal for Spain in the men's doubles in tennis, the first one for our Spanish men!!!

 

  "A gold medal and with one of my best friends is just unforgettable", said Nadal after the match.

 

Fourth medal for Spain  >>>  Lydia Valentin wins the bronze medal in weightlifting!!!

 

Second gold medal for Spain (third overall) >>> Maialen Chourraut in canoe slalom!!! (Watch the race)



Our Golden Girl (Mireia Belmonte once again), the first gold medal for Spain!!!! in 200m butterfly

Watch the race and enjoy it!!!!









Mireia Belmonte wins first Spanish medal of Rio 2016 (Marca)


First medal for Spain: Mireia Belmonte wins the bronze medal in Women's 400m Individual Medley (estilo libre)

 

However, what does 'medley' originally mean? And what's the Spanish for 'heat'?

 

Tip: Make a glossary with all the words you learn in English related to the Olympic Games. (I'll do one myself for you in my site)

 

What time is it right now in Rio? Remember that they are five hours behind Spain.

 

RIO 2016 - official website   


Problems we may find during these Olympic Games:

 

 Nadal, the stand bearer for Spain. How happy he looks after his big disappointment for not being able to it in the last Olympic Games in London.


Some articles to read:

Murray (gold medal in London and Río), the stand bearer for the United Kingdom.

>>>>>>



Michael Phelps, the stand bearer for the United States
<<<<<<<<<

Michael Phelps selected as U.S. flag bearer for Rio Olympics (CNN)


The Shark from Baltimore is back and the American mermaid in Rio: Michael Phelps wins 19th Olympic gold, Katie Ledecky breaks record (CNN)

Michael Phelps extends his legacy with two more gold medals at Rio Olympics (The Washington Post)

 


 

Michael Phelps ties a 2,160 year-old Olympic record (Marca)

 

 

Here's a link to the coverage of the event in the newspaper The Guardian: Rio 2016    

STILL MORE TO COME!!!

 And don't forget Pau Gasol, our Spanish stand bearer in the previous Olympic Games in London!!!





lunes, 6 de junio de 2016

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." by Muhammad Ali



How would you put this sentence into reported speech?



Muhammad Ali was not only one of the greatest boxers and athletes ever, but also a fighter in every sense.


Muhammad Ali's funeral (News report, BBC Learning English)

Related articles to read and watch:

News report: Superbug threat (BBC Learning English)

LINGOHACK  >>>

Article to read: World's longest rail tunnel to open in Switzerland under Alps (The Guardian)

And always remember Muhammad Ali's words: "I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'"

I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.' Muhammad Ali
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/muhammadal148629.html
I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.' Muhammad Ali
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/muhammad_ali.html

When Muhammed Ali met Prince (BBC)