Neither trekking nor just climbing... it is actually running in the Alps!!!!

Read and watch how a Swiss runner has established this incredible record:

New Alps Mountain Running Record

Swiss mountain-runner Andreas Steindl breaks his own record  (The Guardian)

It is time to revise the EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES: LINK 

Palmyra: Historic temple destroyed, archaeologist murdered and AMERICAN HEROES IN FRANCE!!!

Articles to read and news to watch:

• ISIS reported to have blown up ancient temple in Palmyra (CNN) 

• Daily Mail: ISIS blow up pagan temple in Palmyra that has stood for 2,000 years as jihadi group continues its destruction of Syria's heritage   

• The New York Times: ISIS Blows Up Ancient Temple at Syria’s Palmyra Ruins  

• BBC news: Syrian archaeologist 'killed in Palmyra' by IS militants 

• CNN: Train shooting heroes: The men who helped avert a massacre in Europe 

• Heroes on a train to Paris: A Shot, a Glimpse of an AK-47, and U.S. Servicemen Pounced on Gunman on Train to France   

BBC Learning English: Historic temple destroyed (Listening exercise)

Another listening exercise:

Turkish PM: No plans to send troops to Syria 

Happy birthday, Magic Johnson!!!!

The Legend is back!!!!

Happy Birthday, Magic Johnson (The Post Game)

Happy 60th Birthday, Magic! | Lakers  (Los Angeles Lakers)

 

Pharrell Williams Happy 5AM Magic Johnson

Historical moment: the American flag back in Cuba!!

After so many years, the American flag is back in Cuba.

Here are some articles to read:

• Marines who removed flag at U.S. Embassy in Havana see it raised again (CNN) video to watch 

• The Guardian: American flag raised as US embassy reopens in Cuba  

• ABC News: Why these Cubans are rocking the American flag  

• The Washington Post: Kerry calls for democracy as US flag rises in Cuba

And now what is the difference between the verbs 'raise' and 'rise'? What are the opposites?

Beware of global warming!!! It can cause tsunamis

Global warming is essential issue these days. Among other things, watch these two videos and see some of its consequences (it is not science fiction or part of a film, it's real!!!!):

• Global warming effects (National Geographic): Article to read

• Bella Bathurset (The Guardian): Global warming  

• Implications of global warming (BBC)   

Vocabulary learned: global warming, greenhouse effect....  Any other???

A dream come true!!!!

Incredible!!! A dream come true (how would you translate this?)

Read about another dream come true  >>  Felix Baumgartner's dream  

What are your dreams???

Some articles to read about the issue:

• The Guardian:  ‘Pipe Dream’ motorbike rider surfing giant wave ‘thought he was a goner’ , Robbie Maddison cheats death 

• Top Gear: Watch: Robbie Maddison rides a dirtbike across water  

• Robbie Maddison Just Rode a Wave in Tahiti… on a Motorcycle 

 

Ned Flanders in Chester!!!

Here's a link to the entry our Philosophy teacher has posted in his blog (it includes a wonderful video of the places visited):

CHESTER 2015

Solos or duets?

Which one do you prefer - solos or duets? Obviously, I like both, but here's one of my favourite duets:

Let's make a hit parade of your favourite duets, so send them to me.

By the way, do you know why gibbons sing duets? (Listening exercise from the BBC Learning English) + Articles to read about the issue:  1   2

Our hit parade  >>>>

• Alex  suggested: Albano and Romina's Felicita , Aretha Franklin and Michael McDonald's Ever Changing Times , Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson's State of Shock    
• Ariadna suggested: John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John's Summer Nights, Eminem & Rihanna's Love the way you lie, Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson's Say Say Say, David Bowie & Freddie Mercury's Under Pressure, Frank & Nancy's Sinatra's Something Stupid.  

Another listening exercise: Secrets of the rainforest   
 

Le Tour de France est fini...mais Paris est toujours là!!!

 

Even if the Tour de France is finished, we still have the city of Paris to visit. Why??? To begin with, at this time of the year (end of July and August) the weather is most suitable to go sightseeing (cool temperatures), fewer people and loads of things to do and monuments and museums to visit.

However, remember that Chris Froome has just won his second Tour de France!!!!

Chris Froome joins legends of Tour de France with second win  (The Guardian)

Listen and watch to this delightful video provided by our Philosophy teacher:  'Paris sera toujours Paris' by ZAZ  (original version by Maurice Chevalier)

Another article to read.

Have you ever visited this wonderful city? Tell me about any other good places to visit during your summer holidays and that you've been to.

A bloody matter

To begin with, what does 'bloody' mean? Can you tell me its different meanings?

Listening exercise to do: The wonder of blood (6 minute English)

Articles to read: The importance of blood in human health  

Top 10 tips for a healthy heart (The Guardian)

Too skinny for the catwalk!!!!

During the summer time we tend to worry a bit too much about our happy bellies, especially men. Here are some articles about eating healthily, or just eating:
- Politicians eating 
- BBC:

Body image: Men 'most unhappy about beer bellies'

Article from the BBC to read:

French MPs back ban on skinny catwalk models

Another article from the Daily Mail: Are size zero models too thin for the catwalk? 

Listening exercise to do: Are models too skinny? (Can you find and give me synonyms for the word 'skinny'? , would you say this to your girlfriend/boyfriend? Is it a compliment or rather an insult?)

An expression to learn: The penny dropped

And finally a drama to read: The importance of being Earnest or Ernest?   (Who wrote this play? Where was he from? Where are we going this year for our study trip?)

Solar-powered planes and the music war

Some articles to read about these two issues:

• Solar-powered plane lands in New York to complete cross-country trip 

• Swiss pilots attempt first around-the-world solar flight

• Apple U-turns after Taylor Swift slams music policy (What does a 'U-turn' mean?)

Listening exercises to do: 

• Solar-powered plane takes off again  

• Taylor Swift forces Apple music change   

Greece, Europe and the future

Articles to read:

- The Guardian: Ten things people in Greece can't do...  

- The Guardian: Eurozone must not allow Greece....   

- Greece debt crisis   (BBC)    

- CNN: No! Greek vote shocks Europe  

Listening exercises:

• Third Greek bailout  

• Greek finance minister resigns after 'no' vote   

Linkers expressing cause and effect. (Interesting notes and activities to do)

Food banks and chewing gum ban

Here are two listening exercises to do (6 minute English):

• Why did Singapore ban gum?

• Food banks

And some articles to read about the issues:
- Chewing gum ban   1   2   3
- Food banks   1   2   3 

VERY IMPORTANT NEWS: September Exam Schedule

 

SEPTEMBER EXAM SCHEDULE

Click on the link to see all the times for the September exams of all the subjects:

SEPTEMBER EXAM for 2º Bachillerato   

(My group 2º Bach B  >>>  We will do the exam in the classroom 1º ESO A)
The exam will be on Tuesday, 1st September at 8.15 a.m.

SEPTEMBER EXAM for ESO   

(My groups 1º ESO A   +  3º ESO A & B  >  We will do the exam in the classroom 1º ESO A if it is free)
The exam will be on Tuesday, 1st September and I will be in the classroom from 8.15 a.m. in case you want to start earlier (as you may have PENDIENTES) and if you don't have the previous exam. However, remember that the official time for the exam is at 10.30 a.m.