Monday 19th Wednesday 21st January

Hello class!! How are you? I guess you're  fine since it's nerly weekend and you can rest and relax... and maybe take  little time to work with the things we practised in class these days! As you can see through this photo we said this and some more examles of disasters caused by the hand of man. Well, this was part of the things we were working with, comparing man-made disasters and natural ones

To go to the end of this topic I askedyou  to speak or write about something of this kind answering these questions:

1. How can you help after a natural disaster? If you could volunteer to help after a natural disaster, what would you do?
2. If you had the chance to stop a natural disaster happened in the past, which would you choose? Why?
3. Do you know any true story related to this? (hurricane, earthquake, tsunami...) Tell us about it

Remember that this is homework and I asked you to prepare a speaking or a writing, I don't mind, the activity you prefer, it's up to you, ok? But try to use conditionals, as it has been the main topic these weeks, and voc related to it.

Next week we'll finish talking about disasters and we'll have a look to more phrasal verbs, right? I consider that our work with conditionals is done, don't you think? So we'll move to some other things. 

These days we have listened to the 9th chapter of the novel Frankenstein, it's only one more to finish and then I hope we can watch the movie; of course as I told you, after watching it we'll work on some questions and revision and maybe we can include some info about the gothic novel. Well, we'll see!

Also we revised the form and use of the gerund or -ing form. That's something we use everyday so I hope if you have any question or doubt you'd better ask me for more activities or deeper explanations. It's something so common that I want you to understand and use in the right way, ok? Do not hesitate in case things are unclear. The same happens with phonetics and pronunciation. I know I'm very repetitive week after week with the -ed ending, but it's very important.

As I'm so repetitive.... I wanted you to have a good time last class and taking advantage of the gerund we listened to a funny song full of   "-ings". It was so good that we even have time to have a look to the video... what a classic! Here you have

That's all. Thanks for your attention.

Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Bye!

Village & City Life

                             VILLAGE & CITY LIFE

Many people decide to move to the city nowadays, there is a tendency to abandon the villages and migrate to big cities looking for work and study opportunities. However, both lifestyles have advantages and disadvantages.

   

I would like to start with the aspects of living in the villages. First important thing is related to the healthy life because countryside is not polluted so you can breathe fresh air and enjoy with the beautiful landscapes and green zones. Countryside is not crowded of people, there are not traffic jams, therefore it is very easy to find peaceful and silent so that you can relax at any time of the day. In addition, living in the countryside can be considered safer than living in a big city, the probability of a burglary is lower, and the level of confidence in your neighbours and other citizens are higher. The most serious problem of living in a village is the unemployment, there are not enough companies or factories to offer jobs. Majority of people in the countryside works as farmers, it is a hard lifestyle that let them being self sufficient as they are able to grow what they need to survive.  Other important disadvantage is the lack of universities, public transport and hospitals which restrict the opportunities of studying, moving and heath cares.

The other hand is to live in a big city, as in the case of the village, living in a city has a lot of advantages, the most significant are the variety of work, studies, recreational activities, transport, etc. The city offers many chances of work and you can obtain a good salary and more interesting jobs. Also there is a wide offer to spend your free time, you can find a lot of museums, theaters, cinemas or restaurants, so you will enjoy your free time, that usually is very short, doing entertaining things, including going to the gym or going shopping. Also noteworthy the public transport, you have much more ways to travel, you can pick what is the best transport to travel. However, there are negative aspects of living in a city, cities are very crowded so you can find traffic jams, long queues, long waits, and summing up, more stress. As it is known the level of pollution is higher, so your health can suffer from it, and the landscapes are based on flats and more flats, skyscrapers and vehicles. 

Although the number of disadvantages of living in a city are pretty high, I will always prefer living there because the positive things that a city offers us are more important for living your life, but that is my personal opinion.

MARTA

Monday 12th Wednesday 14th January

Hi class! How's it going? I hope you're fine enjoying a great weekend; you don't have to do lots of homework so I think it could be nice. But it's true the weather is not very nice...  Anyway... life's goes on!

How about the city? Last class we were discussing the advantages and disadvantages of living in a village or in a city. Very good speaking activity.  I'm really pleased with your job; you're taking part in the lessons the way I like; for this reason I want to know what you want and what you expect in order to make things right. Some weeks ago one of you asked for some more activities, so I tried to do it (I hope it's ok!) I also read about watching a movie or an episode of any series... I hope I can fullfil your expectations. You asked for songs, too. Well, we can plan a "musical session" too. It would be nice if you prepare also some topics for conversation or songs or any other idea... I'm sure it'll work!

Right. We worked with conditionals, mainly with the second. I think you did a good job, but in case you have any doubt, please, don't hesitate to ask me for more explanation or activities, ok? In addition, we listened to the pronunciation of some diphthongs and the contracted forms of   'd in second conditional sentences. We had lots of fun when pronouncing, haven't we?

More things.  We were reading some people's opinion through their blogs and for this reason this is your task for next class. You will write (please, do it) an article following the directions on the handout I gave you, with the way of living in these two places as its main  topic, ok? This will help us to introduce the next part about the current environmental situation in our planet.

That's all. I really wish you a great weekend and hope to see you next Monday!

Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Bye

Wednesday 7th January

Hello class!! First of all: Happy New Year! and welcome to the second term of our course.I hope you have enjoyed these weeks of holidays and you're ready to work a bit more.

Last class we continued with the topic of "crime" and watched the short film we couldn't finish before because of the project. We completed the activities and we also worked with conditionals. Here you have this chart to revise the structures whenever you need, since next week we will continue with this. We will work a bit harder not only with pronunciation but also with the more important structures of English grammar, so I hope we can have funny classes full of everything you need, ok?

We will also continue with the novel Frankenstein, very few chapters remain so we will finish in about 3 weeks. Maybe we could watch a film... what do you think? We will see.

Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Bye

Monday 15th Wednesday 17th December

Hello class!! We're on holiday!! I really hope you enjoy these special days with family and friends and have only the best.

I have not much to say... just I want you to know that I'm very happy with your hard work of these weeks... And of course, congratulations for your Christmas project. It has been a very nice experience and I have enjoyed a lot with all the things I've lernt from you. Thank you very much!!!

And in the end, as we couldn't listen to many Christmas songs, here you have the "number one" of this course. I hope you like:

I really wish you happy holidays, merry Christmas, and a wonderful 2015.

Monday 8th Wednesday 10th December

Hi class!! How are you? I think you're very tired since these days not all of you are coming because you're workingreally hard... Oh, I'm sure you'll enjoy our Christmas break.

What about your projects? I trust you, you know, but at this moment I've seen only Marta's information, but the others?? Please, it's next week and time's running out! It's going to be a surprise...

These days we've worked with voc reated to crime. You have practised lots of speaking activities and that's make me happy. And although this week we've had just one session it has been really nice. I've enjoyed a lot with your participation.

Next day we'll work with a piece of filmcrime-related, too since you have all the material with you. Then we will continue with more listening activities and so on.

Anyway, to go into our Christmas project here you have an interesting video which tells us about the origin of some traditions, I hope you like:

Next day you can tell me your impression.

That's all today

Be good, have fun, see you in class!!

Monday 1st Wednesday 3rd December

Hi class! How's it going? Ready to relax this great weekend I guess. Me too.

First of all thanx for your contribution to our blog; I know this can be tiring but I'm glad to trust you.

These days we introduced all types of conditionals although we spent lots of time speaking and in the end we didn't work very much. But it's great your willingness to speak, believe me, it's hard to get so talkative students!! Next week we'll work harder with conditionals.

And we'll see the video that was ready last class, now that you've got all materials. Anyway, it'll be really interesting and we can comment on many topics related to crime. We'll learn (or revise) voc and we'll practise more listening activities too. Apart from the novel... that's coming to its end.

I really hope you enjoy this long weekend and don't forget to enter your project info, ok? Thank you!

Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Bye