This is the key

Here yoy have the key to the exercises in the workbook and the copy I gave you
Click here

Remember if you have doubts contact me!
THERE'S A MISTAKE IN 2.2
2. what time do the banks close

Mandela is Dead

I have to admit this piece of news has made me very sad.
Thank you for making a better world.

Click here to read inspirational quotes from Nelson Mandela
For example:
It always seems impossible until it’s done.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Read and listen about Nelson Mandela by clicking here

Christmas is coming

...and this is the song we listened to the other day in class

If you prefer the oldies, here you have the original song by Frank and his daughter Nancy

Speaking about anniversaries...

Yesterday with one of my groups I played this song after class.

A "different" birthday song.
If you want to know the lyrics

25th Anniversary

Read the following information about the 25th anniversary.
This is the official blog
25 Aniversario de EOI Las Rozas

Letter to the students
Logo contest

Video about the UK

An interesting video about the UK that we watched in class.

Imperative

Some extra exercises on imperatives:
Exercises 1
Exercises 2

REM song

Here it is the original version of Shiny Happy People

Song with lyrics, so you can sing along at home

And this is Furry Happy Monsters

If you want to see the lyrics click here to

How do you feel?

Watch this video where Elmo speaks about feelings.
What are the feelings that he mentions? Sad, angry and happy. Highlight the text to read the answer (subraya o resalta el texto para ver las respuestas).

Colours

This is the song we listened to in class

 

Note: Colours in British English and colors in American English

Halloween

Thank you everybody for taking part and I hope you had a ....











This was part of the decoration in the school.

This is a video we watched in class explaining how to trick-or-treat.

 And the songs we listened to...

This is the video that Antonio recommended and we partially watched in class.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Halloween costume contest

As you all know on Thursday it's Halloween, and so there will be a costume contest in every class. Come with your Halloween costume, there will be a prize for the best one and sweets for everyone in disguise.

Tower Bridge

London's Tower Bridge is one of the most recognizable bridges in the world. Its Victorian Gothic style stems from a law that forced the designers to create a structure that would be in harmony with the nearby Tower of London.

The proximity of the harbor and its location in the direction of the sea required for the bridge to allow the passage of large vessels. Hence the decision to create a moveable bridge which can be opened to accommodate boat traffic. The mechanism to open the bridge is hidden in the two towers.

Taking photographs of the Tower bridge is a favorite London tourist activity, but you can also go inside the bridge, where you'll have a magnificent view over London from the walkway between the two bridge towers.

Brighton

The Royal Palace
The spectacular seaside palace of the Prince Regent (George IV) transformed by John Nash between 1815 and 1822 into one of the most dazzling and exotic buildings in the British Isles.  The Pavilion houses furniture and works of art including original pieces lent by HM The Queen and a magnificent display of Regency silver-gilt.

The Brighton Pier
Displays activities such as restaurants, kids games and funfair.

Courses recommended by your classmates

Aba English recommended by Almudena
Hugo's site recommended by Juan

Thank you for your contribution!

Video about classroom language

You can extend your vocabulary about classroom language with this video.

The alphabet

Have a look at this website.
And you can also use this video to help you learn the alphabet

All over the world by ELO

This is the song we sang in class

A good dictionary online

Click here and access an excellent online dictionary. And remember it's not just English, you can also find other languages.

Video about countries and nationalities

Real people saying the names of their countries and nationalities. I know,  the image seems a bit outdated...

Somebody asked this in class...

It wasn't Lord but God.

Football or soccer?

Some words have a different meaning in British and American English. Have a look here.

  

Welcome to my blog

Common pronunciation mistakes Spanish speakers make in English

Although it is in Spanish it is really interesting especially for Spanish speakers.
Read here

James Gandolfini dies

You know I'm talking all the time about TV series and maybe the Sopranos was my favourite. James Gandolfini played the main role.
Read about it here.
Watch about it here

Here you can see a video about The Sopranos 

 

The Local: Spain's News in English

It is an intersting newspaper, Spain's news but in English and I'd also say from a different point of view. Useful to practise your reading skills and keep updated before the exam.

Key for the exercises we did in class on Tuesday

Click here.
If you have last-minute doubts you can always send me an e-mail.

Careful with the words you use...

Fired for using the word "negro" in her Spanish class

Super short survey about the books

I would love to know your opinion on the books to read this course. For this, I've created a very short survey. Please answer it, it doesn't take more than 1 minute.
Go to the Survey.
Thank you for your contribution.

Here is the pdf with part of your report (Avanzado 2 19:00)

Click here

Learning languages at the EOI

You know I don't usually post anything in Spanish but being about the EOIs and Madrid I thought I had to do it.
Read it here.

The Report

This is the report you have to write. Good luck!

You have been asked to write a report for an international survey about attitudes to jobs in your country. You should:

• ·         Describe the ways in which some jobs have gained or lost respect during the past twenty years
• ·         Explain why you think this has occurred
• ·         Say what other changes in jobs status may take place in the future

The key for the exercises on gerund or infinitives

Here is the key to the exercises on gerinds and infinitives that we dind't do in class.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxiVRdFY3kIRdGJmODdWX05uaHM/edit

Questions for Invictus/Playing the Enemy

Introduction 

1. Where and when did John Carlin speak to Mandela about writing the book?
2. What other sportsmen does Carlin mention as having been a shaper on political perceptions?
3. Who did Carlin have a very emotional interview with and why did this surprise him?
4. What does Carlin say are the basic conditions for a fairy story?  Do you agree?
5. In what way does Carlin say Mandela had the edge over other charismatic politicians?

Chapter 1  Breakfast in Houghton

1. What ritual could Mandela never fail to do no matter where he was?
2. What ritual annoyed his cell mates on Robben Island?
3. How did the Springboks feel that they could play a part in politics by winning the final?
4. What figure did Mandela’s bodyguard, Moonsamy, compare Mandela to on entering the stadium?
5. Name two things they were afraid could happen in the stadium to upset the atmosphere.

Continue reading to see ALL the questions.

Oral situations June

Finally you have the oral situations to practise for the exam.
Click here

A touchy subject

We tend to think that we (Spaniards) are normal and the foreigners are strange. See through a foreigner's eyes how they see the touching issue.
Read the article

Passive reporting

Feel too lazy to flick through your notes? Just watch this video.

Extra exercises on inversion

Have a look here if you'd like to practise more.

Linguee very useful to see words in context

This is a very recommendable website since you can see the words in context. And for once not only in English!!!
Click here

Those Summer nights...

There is just something in this film I've never understood, are they supposed to be teenagers???

The Queen

This is the film we were speaking about in class, it's not exceptional but entertaining and I think it's a realistic portrait of the British monarchy.

How Much Food Can You Buy For $5 Around The World?

Different way of reviewing vocabulary about food...

Obsolescence

We all have built-in obsolescence, but can obsolescence be programmed or planned? (I'm not referring to humans, of course)
If you are interested watch this documentary. Video

I couldn't believe my eyes...

Did you know you could read "El País" in English? I didn't.
You just have to follow this link  http://elpais.com/elpais/inenglish.html

If you want to know more about Henry VIII

and the Tudors you can click here

or you can also watch IN ENGLISH the TV series the Tudors

Lemon Tree

I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do. It reminds me when I spent that summer in Germany...

Margaret Thatcher: The best anecdotes

Find here some anecdotes about UK's former prime minister.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2013/apr/09/margaret-thatcher-the-best-15-anecdotes

Do your genes make you a criminal?

If you want to know the answer read this article in The Independent.
Click here

Juan in Avanzado 2 (19:00) spoke about this in class

He was so nice to send me the links about what he thought was a real unsung hero. Thank you

Its slogan "Learn almost anything for free"

 In Kahn Academy you can find videos about anything for free, learn English at the same time you learn something new.

Very useful apps to learn English with your phone

It's a pity its in Spanish.

Here are the apps

The Great British Class Calculator

This is a curious calculator. Remember we aren't British so the results may not be very accurate. Traditional British social divisions of upper, middle and working class seem out of date in the 21st Century, no longer reflecting modern occupations or lifestyles.
Calculator

Recommended websites

Esther in Avanzado 2, sent me these two sites. (Thanks for your contribution)
This is Russia Today, but it's international and in English, of course from a Russian point of view.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, an excellent dictionary, it also has an American version.

Do you like stand-up comedy?

Now you have the hance to enjoy it in Madrid and in English for just 6€.
Have a look here

If you thought cuts were just taking place in Spain....

have a look at this...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jun/25/david-cameron-wants-further-welfare-cuts
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/public-sector-cuts

Breaking my own rules...for a good reason

Only for students in Básico 1
It would be a great idea if you read this brief summary ( from Wikipedia )in Spanish before watching the film.
Lincoln es una película que narra los esfuerzos del presidente Abraham Lincoln, en enero de 1865, para pasar la Decimotercera Enmienda a la Constitución de los Estados Unidos que abolió formalmente la esclavitud en el país

Create your own dictionary and review the new words

Some time ago Marian student in Avanzado 2 (16:30) recommended in class this app, I think it can be very interesting to review new words.

Click here

Better late than never, it was yesterday

If you want to learn about its origins you can watch this (it's just 1 minute)

Useful site to practise listening and keep updated

Recommended by Miriam, student in Avanzado 2 (19:00). Thanks for your contribution!

Ted Talks

What do you prefer? The Sound of Music...

Just in case you are curious about the original "Fa es lejos en inglés"

Or The Sound of Silence

by Simon and Garfunkel

Excellent song it's a shame it was overused in Spain, you know...

Homework for Avanzado 2

Here you have all the homework for these two weeks. The exam samples are for self study since you also have the key.
Homework

Do you know what Mardi Gras is?

Go to this website and do the video listening activity!