Happy Christmas!! And Song 8

A very Happy Christmas and New Year to all my students!!!

Have a great holiday and see you again in January.

Christmas song 8: White Christmas- the best Christmas song ever!

http://youtu.be/aShUFAG_WgM

Christmas song 7

As Mahatma Gandhi said, An Eye for an Eye will make us all Blind. (Ojo por ojo nos convierte en ciegos).

I would like to share this wonderful song by John Lennon with you: Happy Christmas War is Over.

John´s message is optimistic but events have shown us in recent years, and in particular in the events of Connecticut, that violence in our society has not been eradicated. The video which accompanies the song is very, very hard to watch as it shows the reality of our times, where war is most definitely over...

Facebook Conversation Exchange

Hi everyone

This is the link for the Facebook conversation excahge which begins on 26 December. Worth checking out?

http://www.facebook.com/events/302916076485507/

Making 1000!!

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR READING THIS BLOG!

WE HAVE REACHED 1000 VISITS- I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE POSTS.

DON´T STOP VISITING!!

Facebook Lessons, anyone?

Hi everyone

Did you see that on Facebook they are setting up lessonswops , whereby people who want to practise certain languages sign up? It seems a good idea. Why not check it out?

ALSO don´t forget the LEG Language Exchange Group in Gran Canaria. They have a group in ARUCAS Here´s the link- great fun and good practice!!  http://www.google.es/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDQQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fes-es.facebook.com%2FLEGIntercambio&ei=9gbLUJjrEunE0QXOy4DYCA&usg=AFQjCNG9EasaHUDojUFJJYCZUd6TU1mbAA&sig2=uH7dAH6uOWTsbJbaIx22Uw

JANUARY EXAMS

The January exams will take place as follows:

Written exam 28 - 31 January

Orals: 4 - 7  February.

Reading Club

All classes have now finished the first book. WELL DONE!!!!  I hope you enjoyed it.

NOW YOU NEED TO ORGANIZE A SWOP WITH ANOTHER STUDENT.

AFTER CHRISTMAS YOU WILL HAVE YOUR FIRST CLASS WITH BOOK 2 ON 14/15 JANUARY, SO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE NEW BOOK FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!

Christmas class

Just to let you know that on Wednesday and Thursday we will have a special Christmas class! COMPETITION!! WITH A PRIZE!!

IMPORTANT:
Tuesday /Thursday groups- The 4 pm and 6pm classes should come at 5pm on THURSDAY.
The 8pm class should come at 7pm on THURSDAY. We will be joining classes together to do the competition .

Christmas song 6

A classic Christmas song- Jingle Bells by Frank Sinatra.

http://youtu.be/p07T4dlw2cc

Christmas song 5

A song maybe you don´t know from Queen - Thank God it´s Christmas! (I agree!!)

 http://youtu.be/xCON07r908g

Christmas song 4

A happy Christmas song from Shakin´ Stevens: Merry Christmas Everyone!

 http://youtu.be/ZxSka_Qt-pc

Christmas song 3

This time we have a charity song, recorded by famous artists as the group BAND AID in 1985 - do you recognize any?? they´re all looking a bit older now!! - to  raise money for the famine in Ethiopia.


http://youtu.be/6EJWEXrykdQ

Christmas song 2

Mariah Carey´s All I want for Christmas is You is our second Xmas song!

http://youtu.be/MBagqdscIdQ

Christmas songs 1

Hello everyone! From now till Christmas, I´m going to post some of the most popular Christmas songs. First, one you all know- Wham! Last Christmas.

http://youtu.be/E8gmARGvPlI

Santa: Intermediate 2

Hello everyone! Ho ho ho!! It´s almost that time of year when Santa Claus comes down the chimney and brings us lots of wonderful presents (we hope!)

Here is a text for Intermediate 2 about Santa - the author tells us about the day he discovered that Santa did not exist!

http://www.onestopenglish.com/skills/reading/pdf-content/reading-lessons-santa-upper-intermediate-reading-text/154335.article

Rastro at Anglican Church THIS SATURDAY

Do you know the Anglican Church in Ciudad Jardín? It was built by the British who settled in Ciudad Jardín in the last century. Every Christmas there is a Bazaar, or Rastro, where you can find seconD hand books in English, nice ideas for gifts, and And English tea!

THE BAZAAR

 

Gates open 12 noon and the event will begin

with singing by the Swedish Choir

Variety of food stalls,Books,White Elephant,Clothes,

Grand Raffle & lots more.

 

Holy Trinity Church
Calle Rafael Ramirez 13
Ciudad Jardin
35005 Las Palmas

St Andrew´s Day

On 30th November Scotland celebrates St Andrew´s Day. St Andrew, according to one account, was a disciple of Jesus, and is the patron saint of Scotland.  The Scottish flag, called the Saltire, represents the X shaped cross St Andrew was crucified on.

Here is an interesting activty to find out more!

http://www.esolcourses.com/content/lifeintheuk/scotland/st-andrews-day/lesson-activities.html

Interested in finding out more about Scotland? Here is our National Anthem, Flower of Scotland,  sung before a Scotland- Spain football match (!!) in 2010 (Guess who won?!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vkYiCdn834

Film of the Month

I´ve seen some very good films this month and I find it difficult to recommend only one. I really enjoyed:

* Babette´s Feast ((El Festin de Babette) which I saw recently at the Monopol, a remastered version of the film which came out 25 years ago- a real delight, if you can get to see it.

* The Angels´ Share (La Parte de los Angeles) which is currently on at the Monopol. It´s the latest film by Ken Loach , a British film director who has made a number of films over the years to highlight social problems in the UK. This time we can see a different, softer, Ken Loach and the film has a great deal of humour. I loved it, and not only because it´s about Scotland, and in particular Glasgow!! I really enjoyed the plot and the jokes, although of course I saw it in Spanish..so I missed hearing the Glasgow accent and Scottish words and expressions. Try to see the film, and let me know what you think!

Intermediate 2: Extra Reading

For those of you who like mysteries, here´s an interesting one about Maritime Mysteries!

The TEXT: http://www.onestopenglish.com/skills/reading/pdf-content/reading-lessons-maritime-mysteries-upper-intermediate-reading-text/155003.article

QUESTIONS: http://www.onestopenglish.com/skills/reading/pdf-content/reading-lessons-maritime-mysteries-upper-intermediate-reading-tasks/155004.article

KEY: http://www.onestopenglish.com/skills/reading/pdf-content/reading-lessons-maritime-mysteries-upper-intermediate-teachers-notes/155002.article

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the most important dates in the American calendar. Here is a funny video about a turkey, which is the traditional food at Thanksgiving, looking to be saved from the dinner!
 
http://www.facebook.com/l/NAQFaa1AwAQE88421JcdYWHGJ8dYWKYlGkg8LhFt2rLafYg/es.englishcentral.com/video/18820/a-turkeys-will-to-survive?utm_source=V1.5+LIST+PROD&utm_campaign=9c8dd846ee-Nov_15_2012_Thanksgiving_Day_Email_B11_15_2012&utm_medium=email

TESTS FOR INTERMEDIATE 2 MON/WED 17.00 and TUES/THU 20.00 classes

Hi guys

Just to let you know that we will have our tests as follows next week:

M/W class 17.00

MONDAY: reading and listening

WEDNESDAY: writing


T/Th class 20.00

TUESDAY: reading and listening

THURSDAY: writing

Intermediate 2 class Wednesday 21 November

Just to remind you - as I posted in the blog last week - that on WEDNESDAY 21 NOVEMBER, there will be NO CLASS for the INTERMEDIATE 2 GROUP AT 17.00 ONLY. Also, there will be no tutorial that day at 16.00. 

This only affects the group at 17.00, Intermediate 2. I will be there for the group, Intermediate 1, at 19.00, cross fingers!

Absence Tuesday 20 November

Sorry to tell you that there will be no classes today TUESDAY 20 NOVEMBER as I am still not well. See you on THURSDAY, cross fingers!

Absence today MONDAY 19th November

Hello everyone

Sorry to tell you that today there will be no class for both groups: Intermediate 1 and 2 as I am not well.

Great podcast: extra listening practice

Hi everyone

Here is a really good site for you to check- there is a new PODCAST every month recorded by an English woman, Anna, who is living in the USA. The voice is clear and slow, and the topics really interesting- about her life and family, about American and British traditions, etc. RECOMMENDED!!!

This is the lastest one, about halloween.
http://acupofenglish.libsyn.com/a-house-of-fright

She also has a facebook page, and you can follow her on that.

Intermediate 2: Extra reading - plastic surgery

An interesting reading about successful plastic surgery - a full face transplant.

http://www.onestopenglish.com/skills/news-lessons/monthly-topical-news-lessons/pdf-content/face-transplant-man-has-life-restored-advanced/552055.article

Intermediate 1: extra reading - PIZZA!!

Hi all Intermediate 1 students

Here is an interesting text about Pizza in Naples, the home of pizza. Yummy!

http://www.onestopenglish.com/skills/news-lessons/monthly-topical-news-lessons/pdf-content/naples-chefs-take-sides-in-the-ultra-pizza-wars-intermediate/552197.article

Intermediate 2 A: no class Wednesday 21 November

Hello everyone

Just to let you know in advance that on WEDNESDAY 21 NOVEMBER, there will be NO CLASS for the INTERMEDIATE 2 GROUP AT 17.00 ONLY. Also, THERE WILL BE NO  TUTORIAL THAT DAY FROM 16.00. 


THIS ONLY AFFECTS THE INT 2 GROUP - NOT THE OTHER CLASS - INTERMEDIATE 1 A- AT 19.00 WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AS NORMAL.

THANK YOU!!!

Food Shortages could force world into Vegetarianism

Are you a vegetarian? Do you know anyone who is? Why do people decide to become vegetarian? Is it for religious  or maybe  ethical reasons, or simply for health reasons?

Here is an interesting article from the Guardian newspaper about the problem with food shortages which may lead to more people having to become vegetarian.

http://www.onestopenglish.com/skills/news-lessons/monthly-topical-news-lessons/pdf-content/food-shortages-could-force-world-into-vegetarianism-warn-scientists-intermediate/552369.article

The answers are here, too!

Poppy Day / Remembrance Sunday

Those of you who watch British TV channels may have  noticed that all the broadcasters are wearing poppies (a red flower)? Do you know the reasons behind this? Here is an interesting link from the BBC which gives you all the details.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/events/remembranceday/

Obama´s Victory Speech

Here is Barack Obama´s election victory speech and some exercises to go with it. Go to the section from: 13.09 minutes.
http://youtu.be/Jll5baCAaQU

http://www.onestopenglish.com/skills/integrated-skills/video-projects/pdf-content/obamas-2008-victory-speech-lesson-plan-intermediate/156925.article

The answers are there, too!

Bonfire Night

Hello everyone

Tomorrow in the UK we celebrate BONFIRE NIGHT, which is also called GUY FAWKES NIGHT. You may have heard of it- it celebrates a failed attempt to BLOW UP!! the Houses of Parliament by Guy Fawkes. HerE´s an interesting link to find out more!


http://www.bonfirenight.net/

new dates for reading club

Here are the revised dates for our reading club for the first book, UP TILL CHRISTMAS.

INTERMEDIATE 2 AND INTERMEDIATE 1A HAVE ALREADY STARTED.

INTERMEDIATE B AND C START ON NOVEMBER 13.

NEW DATES !!!

R EADING PROGRAMME:

INTERMEDIATE 1A (l/x 19.00)

P

ERIOD 1: BOOK 1                                     

Session 1:        31 OCTOBER

Session 2:        7 NOVEMBER

Session 3:        21 NOVEMBER

Session 4:        5  DECEMBER

 INTERMEDIATE 1B and C

(Tuesday / Thursday)    

P

ERIOD 1: BOOK 1                                     

Session 1:        13 NOVEMBER

Session 2:        20 NOVEMBER

Session 3:        3 DECEMBER

 INTERMEDIATE 2 

P

ERIOD 1: BOOK 1                                     

Session 1:        24/25 OCTOBER

Session 2:        7 /8 NOVEMBER

Session 3:        21/22 NOVEMBER

Session 4:        4/5  DECEMBER

Enjoy your reading!!



The Canterville Ghost

This ghost story is especially for people who don´t like traditional scary ghost stories!  It is a funny ghost story by the famous writer, Oscar Wilde. ENJOY!!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j7aKDkCd6-S130Kd5mm30tFUH8qsE7ZXVOBAe2g2NQM/edit

PS This is also a film with the voice of Hugh Laurie- Dr House!

Hallloween Reading

It´s that time of the year when the ghosts and spirits are out! And a good time to read a scary book.

My recommendations are:

EASIER BOOKS (PRE- INTERMEDIATE, but OK for Intermediate 1)

1. Japanese Ghost Stories, by Lafcadio Hearn
2. Mysteries of the Unexplained, by Kathy Burke
3. The Black Cat, by Edgar Allan Poe
4. Tales of the Supernatural, by Frank Brennan

INTERMEDIATE 1

• The Unquiet Grave, short stories by MR James

INTERMEDIATE 2:

• The Invisible Man, by HG Wells 

Annie has copies of these books in the class library if you want to borrow them.

The Black Cat Part 3

And here is the final part of the Black Cat- I hope you have enjoyed the story!

http://youtu.be/bYyKrzta4rc

INTERMEDIATE 1A (MONDAY WEDNESDAY) READING CLUB START DATE

Hello all Intermediate 1 A students

Just to confirm here that we will start our Reading Club on Wednesday 31 OCTOBER (HALLOWEEN!!) as we have now organized the books. So please read the FIRST STORY (Shakespeare - read the first part of Romeo and Juliet only)and do your questions/activities that go with the story. You will discuss the story in class in your groups. ENJOY!!

READING CLUB: GOOD NEWS!!!!

GOOD NEWS ALL INTERMEDIATE 1 STUDENTS!

Idiomatika has just phoned to tell me the book we have been waiting for : 3 ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES has arrived! They have some copies now, and will get more next week, so please can you make sure you BUY THE BOOK AS SOON AS YOU CAN so we can start our reading club. Thank you!

The Canary News

Let´s get reading! Did you know there is a local ENGLISH NEWSPAPER called the Canary News? You can pick it up in the south, or in Las Palmas at Marks and Spencer´s shop...or check out their Facebook page- www.facebook.com/thecanarynews.

A great way to improve your reading and learn about the latest news here in Gran Canaria and in other places. A different perspective!

LANGUAGE EXCHANGE

Did you know that in ARUCAS there are informal language exchange conversation groups which meet regularly - the exchange is Spanish - English? There are also people who meet in Las Palmas. My students last year in Telde attended these groups and said they were very useful! They also organized their own groups in Telde...so why not think about joining one, or even organizing one in GUÍA? A great way to practice English and meet new people.

The contact details are: theresacoe@gmail.com and www.facebook.com/LEGintercambio

 

INTERMEDIATE 2 READING CLUB

Hello everyone

Just to let you know that we will start our READING CLUB this week - on WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY, so please make sure you have read the first tws stories and done the exercises / activities. I hope you are enjoying the books!!

The Black Cat, part 2

I hope you enjoyed part 1 of our Halloween story, the Black Cat. Here is part 2. Part 3 will be published next week!

http://youtu.be/Gb74XNZ0Ebs

Reading Homework

Hello everyone!  I hope you now have your book or that you will have it very soon.

Here is the homework for next MONDAY or TUESDAY.

INTERMEDIATE 1:
SHERLOCK HOLMES: read the first story and do the questions at the back of the book.
THE DREAM: read the first story and do the questions which are after the story.
SHAKESPEARE: read the first part only of Romeo and Juliet, and do the questions at the end of the book.


INTERMEDIATE 2:
TASTE AND OTHER: read the first two stories and do the questions at the back of the book
WORLD FOLKTALES: read the first two stories and do the questions at the back of the book 
CRIME STORY COLLECTION: read the first two stories and do the questions  which are after the stories 

Reading Project - latest!

Hello everyone!

Well, we have decided who is going to read which book in each class, so now all you need to do is go to IDIOMATIKA in calle Senador Castillo Olivares, and buy / reserve your book.

Please do this as soon as you can, because we START THE PROJECT ON MONDAY 22 OCTOBER OR TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER!

So you need to have the book, and do the homework BEFORE THIS DATE.

Next Monday / Tuesday, I will tell you what you need to read for 22 / 23 OCTOBER.

ENJOY READING! 

Portrait of Palistani teenager shot by Taliban

Here is a very interesting portrait of  Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani blogger and child activist who was shot this week by the Taliban.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/news/magazine-19899540

Nessie, the Loch Ness monster!

Do you believe that Nessie exists? Read this very interesting article and then..decide!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/news/magazine-19815457

Intermediate 2: ABBA

Here´s the official ABBA site if you want to find out more about the group:

http://www.abbasite.com/?cc=global&selLanguage=en

great Story for HALLOWEEN- The Black Cat

Hi everyone

Did you realize that HALLOWEEN is on the horizon? Yes, it´s celebrated on the 31st of October in many English speaking countries, such as Scotland! Here you have part 1 of the famous story by Edgar Allan Poe, The Black Cat, read by a Scot. ENJOY.. but don´t listen alone, ha, ha!

Next week, I´ll post part two.

http://youtu.be/9N2zEW4msTg

A love poem by Neruda

On the theme of poetry, here is a poem by Pablo Neruda which you may know in Spanish. It is a great idea to find poems in English translated from your own language - it helps you understand them better in English! Why not try?

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-do-not-love-you-except-because-i-love-you/

Poem of the Day

Hi everyone! Do you like POETRY??
I have found this nice website which will send you a POEM OF THE DAY, every day to your email. Sounds good, eh! All you need to do is enter your email address, then...wait for your daily poem to arrive!
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-love-is-like-to-ice/

British Canarian Relationship

Take a look at these interesting articles from the newspaper La Provincia on the long relationship between the UK and the Canaries.

http://www.laprovincia.es/dominical/2012/02/12/firmas-islenas-covent-garden/438235.html

Reading club starting soon!!

 

We will shortly be starting our Reading Club. In our next class, I will explain to you which books we will be working with and how the Reading Circle system works.

Later I will let you know about the fun activities planned for the reading project – I´m sure you will enjoy reading this year!

Click here to find out more about the reading project:

 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-a5bd7wtZSVmN_jS-q0sCB3x3XKimJvx0bofKSMxLqA/edit

Qatari sprinter: article about a woman in a man´s world

Hi everyone I think you will enjoy reading this article about an athlete from Qatar who competed in the London Olympics.
http://www.onestopenglish.com/skills/news-lessons/monthly-topical-news-lessons/pdf-content/why-reaching-the-start-line-is-worth-gold-to-qatari-sprinter-intermediate/552160.article

Audio reader: Space Invaders

Hello everyone

I´ve found an interesting audio serial of the graded reader for Intermediate students: Space Invaders.

The Space Invaders by Geoffrey Matthews

In this story, set sometime in the future, Varon, an intergalactic pirate, manages to steal one of the most valuable items in the universe. When he becomes trapped, Omega offers his help but he has his own reasons for doing so.
It´s a science fiction story, so I hope you enjoy it! Here is episode one. I will post episode 2 next week!

http://www.onestopenglish.com/5137.audio?js=yes&height=auto&width=742

Now you can send comments!

Hi everyone I´ve just changed the settings so you can all comment - I hope to hear from you all soon! Annie

Book of the Month

Hi, everyone! The BOOK OF THE MONTH this month is my own suggestion! I recently read a great book by Kate Morton called The House at Riverton which I really enjoyed. Perhaps you have read it in Spanish? Let me know what you think of it!

The House at Riverton is set in England and written by an Australian, Kate Morton. The main character is Grace, aged 98 who is interviewed by a young film producer about her knowledge and opinion of how the set appears regarding their reinvention of Riverton House during the first world war and 1920s. She is also questioned about her knowledge regarding a crime and a death but doesn’t reveal it to the film producer, instead, we learn about it through her taped recordings to her grandson. We visit Riverton House through Grace’s eyes from the age of fourteen when she enters The House at Riverton as a servant.

The portrayal of society, particularly domestic servants, pre and post the First world war is particularly interesting – how loyal they are portrayed, how deferent and inferior yet how appreciate of their position in the big house and then post war, how many younger members seek other types of employment, unions and their loyalties change drastically.

Every month I will ask you to send your suggestions for BOOK OF THE MONTH - I hope you will all send your suggestions. Don´t worry if you haven´t read anything in English yet (!!) your book can also be in Spanish, French, German...!

The Best 10 Books Ever Written

Hello, everyone! A little brainteaser for you! What do you think are the BEST 10 BOOKS EVER WRITTEN - in any language?

Send your ideas here and let´s discuss...I´m sure there will be interesting lists!

Roald Dahl

Do you know Roald Dahl? Maybe you know his great stories for children, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Well, did you know he also wrote some weird and  wonderful short stories for adults? In Intermediate 2 this year you will be reading a collection of his stories which I am sure you will love!

Until then, take a look at the Roald Dahl Day information from the Guardian newspaper- lots of great info about Dahl and also a recording of him reading one of his childrens´ stories.

ENJOY!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/2012/sep/13/happy-roald-dahl-day-roundup?CMP=EMCNEWEML1355