Wednesday 29 December 2010

In the News: Christmas

Some of the latest news in the world related to Christmas. Make sure you understand the words in bold and if you have anything to comment, an opinion to share, please do! And as I always recommend... TRY NOT TO USE A DICTIONARY unless extremely necessary!

(And I hope you're enjoying the holidays).

 

 

Brits Angry at Xmas Reindeer Steaks (16th November, 2010)

British people are angry at a discount supermarket for selling reindeer meat. The store, Lidl, is offering “Rudolph steaks” as an alternative to the traditional turkey. The German chain is selling the frozen steaks along with other "luxury meats" such as pheasant, venison and springbok. The vegetarian campaign group Viva! say that "Lidl is destroying the magic of Christmas". Animal rights group PETA said: "The idea of ‘Rudolph’ being slaughtered and sliced into steaks for a novelty Christmas dinner is revolting."

Viva! spokesman Justin Kerswell is worried the reindeer suffer a horrible death. He claimed the Siberian reindeer are chased by snowmobiles and helicopters and may be killed in a cruel way. He added that transporting the meat from Siberia to Britain increased the supermarket’s carbon footprint. A PETA spokesperson agreed, saying: "Christmas is supposed to remind us of peace and goodwill - and the rest of the animal kingdom could do with a taste of it, rather than being tasted."

10-Metre Chocolate Christmas Tree on Offer ( 28th November, 2010)

A famous French chocolate maker has built a 10-metre-high chocolate Christmas tree. The Patrick Roger chocolate factory in Paris will sell the tree at an auction and give the money to charity. The edible tree weighs four tons. It needed a special piece of architectural design to keep it standing. Mr Roger explained: “We used a sort of cavity inside to make the chocolate solid enough, because there is very strong vertical pressure." The tree, which took one month to construct, will be a highlight at France's Telethon, an event to raise money for neuromuscular diseases.

This is a great way of raising money for charity. It will also provide amazing advertising all over the world for the chocolate factory. French chocolate is amongst the yummiest in the world. It is still not clear who might buy the giant tree and what the buyer will do with it. It is certain that many children will watch the telethon on the third and fourth of December wishing they could have some of the tree. The telethon organizers are hoping there will be a world record bid for the chocolate tree. They want as much money as possible for the charity.

 

Traffic Safety for Christmas Reindeer (22nd December, 2010)

There is an increasing number of cars on roads in Norway, home to many of Santa’s reindeer. About 500 reindeer are killed each year in car crashes. Officials from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration have come up with a great idea to keep Santa’s helpers safe this Christmas – reflective yellow tags that are put on the reindeer’s antlers. The leader of the project, Kristian Oevernes, told the Reuters news agency: “It really works….This is the first time it has happened.” Oevernes told the reporter that Santa might also use this idea.

Very few people think about the problems Santa and his reindeer have at Christmas. It must be difficult to fly around the world in one night to deliver so many presents. It gets more and more dangerous every year because there are so many planes in the sky and cars on the road. Santa and his reindeer need as much protection as they can get. Another problem with delivering presents is the disappearance of chimneys. Santa has to think of new ways to get inside houses that do not have a chimney. Apartments are particularly tricky.

Monday 27 December 2010

In the News: Top Store Fires Santa for Telling a Joke

Some news from last 10th December related to the topic of Christmas and Jobs. Do you understand the meaning of the highlighted words and expressions? (Think first! Do not use the dictionary until you finish the exercises I suggest!)

A top New York department store has fired its Santa Claus after two customers did not like one of his jokes. John Toomey, 68, had worked as Macy’s Santa for 20 years. A middle-aged couple asked him why Santa was always so jolly, to which he replied, “because I know where all the naughty boys and girls live”. They complained his humour was in bad taste. He was shocked to receive his marching orders the following day. Toomey instantly became the world’s second most famous Santa. Thousands of customers complained to Macy’s about his firing. He was offered dozens of new jobs around the world. He accepted one just down the road from Macy’s. He told reporters: "Helping the kids - that's what it's all about, you know.”

Macy's has refused to comment on the incident, calling it a simple personnel matter. Employees and former colleagues of Mr Toomey described his sacking as "devastating" and definitely not in the spirit of Christmas. Santa Toomey was a very popular and professional Father Christmas. He even had his own white beard. He claimed he was “no bad Santa”. He explained to the San Francisco Chronicle that no one had ever disliked his jokes before. He said he would never use inappropriate humour with children. He gave the newspaper another of his favourite jokes: "When I ask the older people who sit on my lap if they've been good and they say 'yes', I say 'Gee, that's too bad’”.

Find synonyms for these words in the text: 
speak - unsuitable - sacked - unfortunate - leading - upsetting - crude - criticize - happy - coworkers

Some opinion questions...
- What springs to your mind when you hear the expression "Santa Claus"?
- What does Santa Claus have to do with Christmas?
- What is really Christmas spirit?
- Should there be more images of Jesus and fewer of Santa at Christmas?
- What qualities should a professional Santa have?
- What questions would a department store job interviewer ask someone wanting to be a Santa?
- What would you like from Santa this Christmas?

You can read the original article here.

Monday 20 December 2010

The Digital Story of Christmas

For those of you addicted to New Tecnologies like me... You'll love this! Times change :)

Thursday 16 December 2010

Christmas Activities

Dear Students,

Let me remind you of the activities planned for the last week of class before the Christmas break.


MONDAY 2Oth:
@5pm: Film "The Nanny Diaries"

TUESDAY 21st:
Class as usual ....but 2nd part will be Christmassy :)

WEDNESDAY 22nd:
(These events will take place at the Centro de Formación y Empleo)

@5pm Film: "The Holiday"

@7:30pm: Christmas Party
with Christmas Carols, karaoke, snacks and drinks and... a Cooking contest! with prizes!
We will all be judges and the selected recipes to be followed will be:
(Click on their names to watch the recipe)



Monday 13 December 2010

Film: The Queen

The film programmed for today was THE QUEEN by Stephen Frears, starring Helen Mirren. Unfortunately, no member of this class came to watch it. However, I thought it would be nice if you could watch the film at home... perhaps during the holidays.

I strongly recommend you watch it as it is a great film, I was actually impressed myself! I'm sure you'll enjoy it as you know the historical facts of the plot. You will also learn a lot about the British character and the impact of Diana Spencer's life and death on the British people and, more importantly, on the Royal Family.

THE PLOT
It is 1997. Princess Diana, one of the most popular women in the world, has just died in a terrible accident. The Queen and the Royal Family want to deal with her death in private, with dignity. But the British people want the Queen to change. They want her to share publicly in their sadness. Tony Blair, the new Prime Minister, tries to make the Queen realize this.
Will she listen to his advice? Will the Queen and her traditions survive in this modern age?



Some vocabulary from the film
A curtsey (to the queen): reverencia hecha por las mujeres.
To bow: hacer una reverencia inclinando la cabeza.
A blessing: bendición
Tony Blair’s constituency: distrito u oficina electoral de Tony Blair
Any contingency: imprevistos, casos de emaergencia.
Lord Chamberlain: Lord Chambelán de la Casa, miembro oficial de la Casa Real y encargado de la organización de la corte.
You could hear a pin drop: Literalmente: “Se podía escuchar el sonido de un alfiler cayendo”, para describir un momento de silencio absoluto.
A hearse: coche fúnebre
The tarmac: asfalto
A gillie: ayudante
The scourge: el azote, causa de sufrimiento
Go stalking: ir de caza al acecho.
A nutter: loco, chalado.
A flunky: esbirro, lacayo
Grovelling on all fours: ponerse a cuatro patas, humillarse
To rehearse: ensayar
To marshal: formar, reunir a las tropas
A nonstarter: imposible, sin la más mínima posibilidad.
A stag: ciervo, venado
daft: tonto, bobo.
The prop shaft: el árbol de trasmisión (en un coche)
A vow: un voto
A family spat: una discusión, rencilla de familia.

Monty Python's Job Interview

Speaking of cruel job interviews and killer questions...

Extra practice Key 3

G1 1
1 for   2 For   3 since   4 Since   5 for

G1 2
1 has/since  2 been  3 long/you   4 haven't   5 teaching/for   6 hasn't   7 having   8 watching

G2 3
1 prepared   2 benn packing   3 been waiting   4 been driving   5 written   6 seen   7 been  
8 been working

KL 4
1 in   2 about   3 on   4 up   5 into   6 to

KL 5
1 just one last question
2 I'm glad you asked me that
3 That's a very good question
4 Let me just think about that for a moment
5 I thought you might ask me that

V1 6
1 glamorous  2 stressful   3 flexible   4 rewarding   5 challenging

V2 7
1 g   2 c   3 a   4 f   5 d   6 b   7 e

V3 8
1 time   2 work   3 time   4 work   5 time

Thursday 9 December 2010

No class today

Dear students,

As I am ill and with no voice...

There will be no class today

Sorry if this is a bit late for you now but I have waited in case I felt better...

Tuesday 7 December 2010

Level test for Oxford Bookworms

As you know, our School Library in EOI Alhama is full of graded readers of all levels for you to enjoy. One of the collections we have is The Oxford Bookworms, which offer enjoyable reading at seven levels (Starter to Stage 6).

Do you want to find out which Stage suits you best? 


The Oxford Bookworms Level Tests are interactive online tests designed to help you find the best level to start reading at. There are Level Tests for each of the seven Bookworms stages.

The 'pass' mark for each test is 80%. This will help you find the level that is most comfortable for you. It is important for you to read within your ability to experience the full benefits of reading. If you score less than this, you will be recommended to try a lower level. If you score above 95%, you will be recommended to try a higher level.

There are two Level Tests for each Bookworms stage.

Tuesday 30 November 2010

Up in the Air

Yesterday we watched "UP IN THE AIR" (2009) at EOI Alhama. If you couldn't come and see it with us I recommend you watch it at home. It's a very good film with a fantastic plot, brilliant dialogues and great actors.

Here you have the trailer and some information about the film.




The Plot and the main characters
Ryan Bingham’s job consists in visiting other companies to sack employees when the bosses don’t have the courage to do it themselves. He spends his life travelling around the country and becomes a flying addict, collecting air miles. He develops a philosophy symbolised by an empty backpack.
On one journey he meets Alex and they begin an affair which depends on their schedules coinciding.
Natalie is a clever young new employee of Ryan’s company. She proposes to do the job by video conference to save the company enormous amounts of money in travelling expenses. Ryan doesn’t like that and takes her on his next trip to show her the importance of direct contact.
Glossary:
-       fire (v), sack (v): despedir (del trabajo)
-       backpack: mochila
-       How much does your life weigh?: ¿Cuánto pesa tu vida?
-       straps: asas, correas (de la mochila)
-       10K, 10 grand: 10 thousand (dollars)
-       patronize: tratar con condescendencia
-       being grounded: quedarse en tierra
-       downsizing: reducción de plantilla.
-       layover: escala
-       resumé: curriculum
-       runway: pista de despegue o aterrizaje
-       severance package: paquete de indemnización por cese/finiquito.
-       golden lab: labrador dorado (kind of dog)
-       crash a party: colarse en una fiesta.
-       real estate venture: operación inmobiliaria
-       to get cold feet: cambiar de opinión en el último momento.

Friday 26 November 2010

The First Thanksgiving

What do you know about Thanksgiving?
When is it celebrated?
What do people do on this holiday?
What do they exactly celebrate?

Watch the video again about the First Thanksgiving from the History Channel.



Why did these Englishmen have to leave England?
What was the problem when they were in Holland?
Did they enjoy the journey to America? How long did it take?
What was their first winter in America like?
Who was Squanto? What did he do?
When was the first Thanksgiving? How was it? What did they eat?

Wednesday 24 November 2010

Amelia Earhart (II)

Check out this interesting video by National Geographic about the disappearance of Amelia Earhart.
Did the aviator run out of petrol and crash into the sea? or could she have survived?

Where's Amelia Earhart?



Comprehension questions:
1. After a desperate search, what does the Royal Navy conclude?
2. Was their any evidence of a plane crash?
3. What gave hope that she was still alive?
4. What's the 1st hypothesis about?
5. What's the 2nd belief about?
6. What does the 3rd theory say?

Tuesday 23 November 2010

Amelia Earhart (I)

KEY to Exercises on page 25.

3. a) 4    b) 1    c) 2    d) 5    e) 3
4. 1 fired    2 graduate    3 train    4 attend    5 give up    6 move    7 publish    8 awarded
5a. 
Before: +noun + past simple.  Ex: "before her third book was published" (past simple passive voice)
After: +verb-ing. Ex: "after graduating"
   OR: + time phrase (noun). Ex: "after a year"
When: +noun +past simple. Ex: "When her father was fired"
During: +time phrase (noun) + past simple. Ex: "During that time, she also wrote"
While: +past continuous. Ex: "while she was crossing"

5b. During is followed by a time phrase, While is followed by a verb/an action.

6.
1. Heyerdahl received a number of awards during his lifetime
2. Heyerdahl went to the Galapagos Islands before leading an expedition to Easter Island
3. Heyerdahl became curious about how the islands were inhabited while he was staying in Polynesia
4. He set out to prove his theories after giving up his study of geography

Did you know there was a film about Amelia Earhart filmed in 2009 starring Hillary Swank and Richard Gere? Have you seen it? Would you like to watch it?
Here you have the movie trailer.

Friday 19 November 2010

12 Bar Acid Blues

Poor Siobhan! We counted 7 problems and mishaps in her last trip.

You can check the lyrics here.



New vocab and expressions:
I was due a holiday --- gut --- to heed --- to crawl --- to be cursed --- to be over the creek --- all keyed up --- a fashion mag --- counterfeit

Thursday 18 November 2010

Pronunciation of 3rd person singular & Question Intonation

Yesterday at the PROE we practised the pronunciation of the sounds /s/ /z/ and /Iz/ for the 3rd person singular form and the intonation of questions.

1. You can remember the rules for the -s/-es pronunciation by clicking here.

2. You can practice more here and here.

3. You can watch this video by Professor Marsha Chan and impersonate her to practice endings and intonation.

Extra Practice Key 2

G1 1
1. was  2. led  3. crossed  4. stopped  5. hard  6. ran  7. started  8. flew  9. completed

G2 3
1. Have you ever been to France?
2. I've already told you that - don't ask me again
3. Bill and martin have neveer seen it so let's watch it now
4. Haven't you finished it yet?
5. Have you already finished your lunch?
6. Why haven't you ever told me?
7. I haven't had time to speak to her yet
8. has he ever been late for class?

G3 4
1. I've climbed  2. Have/ ridden  3. did/ die  4. Did/ have  5. 's just announced  6. raised  7. 've never lived  8. met  9. have/had  10. 've visited

KL 5
1. On the one hand it's cold
2. On the other hand it's beautiful
3. There are arguments for and against
4. Another disadvantage is that it's expensive
5. It's be a good idea to ask other people
6. I think we should see what they say

V1 6
1. travel  2. abroad  3. journey  4. trip  5. destination  6. package holiday

V2 7
1. b   2. d   3. g   4. e   5. a   6. f   7. c

V3 8
1. around   2. out   3.on   4. off   5. to   6. back 

Wednesday 17 November 2010

The Empty Quarter (p. 20)


Look at the photo. Why do you think it is called "The Empty Quarter"?
The answer is here.

Can you think of at least 6 words associated with deserts?
What might attract people to life in a desert?

Read about Wilfred Thesiger on the book or here. What attracted him to life in a desert?

Key to Exercise 2b:
1. one of the greatest
2. have won many literary awards; his best known book
3. a vast, waterless desert
4. tribespeople living in the area
5. he learned to love the Bedu and they learned to respect him

Key to Exercise 3:
1. False
2. True
3. True
4. False
5. False

Key to Exercise 4:
1. praised
2. vast
3. fierce
4. respect
5. urge
6. bordered
7. dune

Party "Torre de Babel"

Saturday 20th November
from 10pm onwards

PARTY

"TORRE DE BABEL"

An excellent opportunity to meet people and practice your English

Organised by LONDINIUM IDIOMAS 
at Fitzpatrick's Irish Pub
(near Bulevar Cetina)
Murcia

Free Foster's beer and mixed spirits at 4€
Feel free to come!
Everyone's invited!

In the News: Royal Wedding

Prince William has announced his engagement with Kate Middleton. The Royal Wedding will be next spring or summer.

You can read more about it here.

Watch the video of their first interview and answer some questions below.



According to William, why wasn't the wedding proposal a big surprise?

How does Kate describe her fiancé?

Did William plan how to propose or was it mostly improvised?

Did Kate suspect anything?

Where and for how long did William carry the ring?

What's special about the ring?


Find more interesting stuff about the next Royal Wedding (another video, vocabulary and a cartoon) on Helena's Intermediate 1 classblog.

Tuesday 16 November 2010

Song: Remembrance Day

This is a song by Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) dedicated to Remembrance Day.

On your maypole green
See the winding morris men
Angry Alfie, Bill and Ken
Waving hankies, sticks and books
All the earthen roofs

Standing at the crease

The batsman takes a look around
The boys are fielding on home ground
The steeple sharp against the blue
When I think of you

Sam and Andy

Jack and John
Charlie, Martin
Jamie, Ron
Harry, Stephen
Will and Don
Matthew, Michael

On and on


We will remember them

Remember them
Remember them

We will remember them

Remember them
Remember them

Time has slipped away

The Summer sky to Autumn yields
A haze of smoke across the fields
Let's sup and fight another round
And walk the stublbed ground

When November brings

The poppies on Remembrance Day
When the vicar comes to say
Lest we forget our sons

We will remember them

Remember them
Remember them

We will...

Learn about Remembrance Day.

Here you have a short explanation on Remembrance Day. The speaker goes very fast and has a strange accent (Belgian?) but you should understand by now what she says about the meaning, the dates and the poppies.




Learn About Remembrance Day

Monday 15 November 2010

Poem: In Flanders Fields

Our classmate Encarna has found the poem where the use of poppies on Remembrance Day comes from. If you still want to know more about the poem and its relation to poppies, you can have a look at the entry on the Wikipedia.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

The Mystery of the Poppy and 11/11

November 11th is Remembrance Day in countries like the UK, France, Belgium and those belonging to the Commonwealth, like Canada or Australia. The country honours those who died in wars. Many communities have ceremonies. At 11:00 A.M., everyone is silent for two minutes.
War Cemetery, 1939-1945, World War II, Bayeux, Basse Normandie (Normandy), France

War Cemetery, 1939-1945, World War II, Bayeux, Basse Normandie (Normandy), France
World War I ended on November 11th, 1918. The armistice -- the agreement ending the war -- was signed that morning. The fighting ended at 11:00 AM that day. It was the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

As these countries fought in more wars, the purpose of Remembrance Day has changed. It is no longer only a reminder of the end of World War I. It has become a day to honour all people who has died in wars.
The poppy is a symbol of Remembrance Day. During World War I, a Canadian army doctor named John McCrae wrote a poem about poppies growing in a cemetery. This poem – “In Flanders Fields” became very famous. Now, poppies remind many people of those who died in wars. Around November 11th, they wear artificial poppies to honour those dead.



Pronunciation of the -ed

Here you have a game to practice the pronunciation of the -ed endings.

Wednesday 10 November 2010

Air travel tips

Here you have 20 tips on flying comfortably.

Which one(s) do you consider useful?
Which one(s) do you consider not that important?

Conversation Exchange in Alhama

Where?: Partido Popular's Head Office, Los Pasos Street,
Alhama de Murcia City Centre.
Join us in Facebook: facebook.com/conversationexchange.alhama

At the Airport

Here you have some revision questions and links to practise vocabulary related to Airports. Would you be able to answer these questions?

  1. When was the last time you flew abroad?
  1. Do you ever get nervous when the plane takes off or lands?
  1. Which is your favourite seat: aisle or window?
  1. What kind of things can make the metal detector beep?
  1. What do you have to show when you go through the customs?
  1. What kind of things can’t you carry in your hand luggage?
  1. What can you buy at the duty-free shops?
  1. Which is your favourite low-cost air company?
  1. How do you usually book your flights?
  1. What do you usually do when you are waiting at departures / the departure lounge?
  1. When was the last time you went to pick up someboby at arrivals / at the arrival lounge?
  1. What are the usual problems with flights?
  1. What can you get at the baggage claim?
  1. What do you have to show at the check-in desk?
  1. What colour are usually life vests in planes?
Try these links as well for more words and expressions:


Monday 8 November 2010

Extra Practice Key 1 - Vocabulary

V1 5
1 adventurous  2 cautious  3 energetic  4 moody  5 reliable  6 thoughtful  7 open-minded  8 self-confident

V2 6
1 antisocial  2 bicycle  3 discomfort  4 misunderstand  5 monorail  6 overshadowed   7 redefine  8 outperform  9 ex-president  10 underrated

V2 7
1 bicycle  2 misunderstand  3 underrated  4 outperformed  5 monorail

Way down south

Here you have some pictures of my road trip down Highway One.
Southern Florida, USA, spring 2009.


Highway 1, on my way to Key West, Fl.


The 7 Mile Historic Bridge (the one on the right) built in 1912, joining Florida Keys


A Key called like me!


The Southernmost point of Continental USA, just 90 miles to Cuba!

 
Beginning (or end) of Highway One, Mile 0, Key West, FL.

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Extra Practice Key 1 - Grammar and Key Language

G1
1 Is  2 Do  3 Does  4 does  5 Have/done  6 are  7 May (or Can)  8 was  9 did  10 has/taken (or Did/take)

G2
2 Who designed the test?
3 What does Oprah Winfrey own?
4 Who married Joe DiMaggio?
5 How many languages is he able to speak?
6 What is your favorite time of the year?
7 What is the reason you are leaving?

G3,4
1 do/study  2 work  3 prefer  4 depends  5 ´m working  6 're setting up  7 do/know  8 get  9 ´m getting

KL
1b  2e  3d  4a  5f

Present Simple vs. Present Continuous

Here you can find the Key for Grammar Exercises 7b & 8a on Unit 1.3. Please contact me if you have any questions or problems or if you need further practice.

7b
1 regularly gives
2 is interviewing
3 is growing
4 I'm carrying
5 drives
6 are becoming
7 studies
8 is

8a*
1 Do you make friends easily?
2 What do you usually do at the weekend?
3 What are you reading at the moment?
4 Do you enjoy art and music?
5 Do you prefer extroverts or introverts?
6 Are you working on any new project now?
7 Are you doing anything interesting at the moment?
8 Do you lose your temper easily?

*Answer these questions for further speaking / writing practice.

Monday 1 November 2010

History of Halloween

This is the video we watched in class to find out a bit more about the history of Halloween.



This is some of the new vocab we learned:
druid - foretell - disguise - famine - starving - roaring - gourd - commonplace - bullet

Can you remember the meaning of these words? How did you find the video? Did you like it?

Alhama's Intermediate I Class Blog

On the right you can find a link to the Class Blog created by my colleague Helena for her Intermediate I students. 
In it you might find interesting websites and exercises to practice or revise other topics... but also some coincidences ;)

Remember: 
The more you practice and experiment with English... the better.

Wednesday 27 October 2010

The PROE starts today (NEW TIMETABLE)

Práctica y Refuerzo Oral y Escrito

PROE

Every Wednesday
from 17:30 to 18:45
(New timetable!)
For all Intermediate Level students

Room 2

All 33 Chilean Miners Rescued

All thirty-three miners trapped underground in Chile for 69 days have been rescued. One by one, over a tense 22 hours, the men emerged into freedom after spending over two months 700 metres underground. The men were met with wild applause and hugs from rescuers and family before being put on a stretcher and taken to hospital for two days of medical checks. They were all in surprisingly good health, although one had pneumonia and several had dental problems. Their story had gripped the world since the mine collapse in August. Their rescue attracted a TV audience on a par with Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon or a football World Cup Final. Television stations across the globe were reporting record viewing figures as people were glued to their TV sets.

Luis Urzua was the last man to be rescued. The operation worked perfectly and was the climax to months of careful preparation to save the men. No one has ever spent so long so deep underground and survived. Chilean president Sebastian Pinera was ecstatic with seeing the men freed. He said: "We have done what the entire world was waiting for. The 70 days that we fought so hard were not in vain. We had strength, we had spirit, we wanted to fight, we wanted to fight for our families, and that was the greatest thing." The president told Urzua "You are not the same, and the country is not the same after this. You were an inspiration. Go hug your wife and your daughter." Mr Pinera also had a message for Victor Segovia, the 15th miner out: "Welcome to life."

Read more about this story on the BBC News complete report.

Monday 25 October 2010

Personality test

Have you ever done a personality test?
Try this one!

THE BIG 5 PERSONALITY TEST

(At the end of the test they ask you for some personal details, just make them up!)

I did it and thought my results were fun. What's your opinion? Do you agree with the results?

Monday 18 October 2010

Graphological Analysis

Find out more about handwriting analysis. Here you will find samples of analyses of the handwriting of different celebrities. Diana Princess of Wales and Ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair among them.

Is any of the writing like yours?

Saturday 16 October 2010

Haven't met you yet

This is the song we dedicated to classmate Águeda to wish her all the best.


Michael Buble - Havent met you yet - Official Music Video HD
Cargado por luisanawebtube. - Ver los videos de música recién destacados.

I'm not surprised, not everything lasts
I've broken my heart so many times, I stopped keeping track
I talk myself in, I talk myself out
I get all worked up, then I let myself down

I tried so very hard not to lose it
I came up with a million excuses
I thought, I thought of every possibility

And I know someday that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, that I give so much more than I get.
I just haven't met you yet

I might have to wait, I'll never give up
I guess it's half timing, and the other half's luck
Wherever you are, whenever it's right
You'll come out of nowhere and into my life

And I know that we can be so amazing
And, baby, your love is gonna change me
And now I can see every possibility

And somehow I know that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet

They say all's fair
In love and war
But I won't need to fight it
We'll get it right and we'll be united

And I know that we can be so amazing
And being in your life is gonna change me
And now I can see every single possibility

And someday I know it'll all turn out
And I'll work to work it out
I promise you, kid, I'll give more than I get
Than I get, than I get, than I get

Oh, you know it'll all turn out
And you'll make me work so we can work to work it out
And I promise you kid to give so much more than I get
Yeah, I just haven't met you yet

I just haven't met you yet
Oh, promise you, kid
To give so much more than I get

I said love, love, love, love
Love, love, love, love (I just haven't met you yet)
Love, love, love, love
Love, love… I just haven't met you yet


Can you remember the meaning of all those phrasal verbs and expressions?

Summer nights



Summer loving
had me a blast 

Summer loving
happened so fast
I met a girl
crazy for me 

Met a boy
cute as can be

Summer days
drifting away
to oh
oh the summer nights

Tell me more, tell me more 

Did you get very far? 

Tell me more, tell me more 

Like does he have a car?



She swam by me
she got a cramp
He ran by me
got my suit damp
I saved her life
she nearly drowned

He showed off
splashing around

Summer sun
something's begun
but oh oh the summer nights 



Tell me more, tell me more 

Was it love at first sight? 

Tell me more, tell me more
Did she put up a fight?

Took her bowling
in the arcade 

We went strolling
drank lemonade 

We made out
under the dock 

We stayed out
till ten o'clock

Summer fling
don't mean a thing
but oh oh the summer nights 



Tell me more, tell me more 

But you don't gotta brag 

Tell me more, tell me more 

Cause he sounds like a drag 



He got friendly
holding my hand 

She got friendly
down in the sand
He was sweet
just turned eighteen 

Well she was good
you know what I mean 


Summer heat
boy and girl meet
but oh oh the summer nights 



Tell me more, tell me more 

How much dough did he spend? 

Tell me more, tell me more 

Could she get me a friend? 



It turned colder that's where it ends 

So I told her we'd still be friends 

Then we made our true love vow 

Wonder what she's doing now 



Summer dreams
ripped at the seams
but oh those summer nights 

Tell me more, tell me more!

Can you remember the meaning of those words and expressions?

Thursday 14 October 2010

Speed Dating



SCRIPT
For Miranda, the only thing worse than being Charlotte's 34-year-old bridesmaid was being a 34-year-old bridesmaid without a date. With the wedding less than a week away, Miranda fell prey to the siren song of a New York singles event: Multi-dating.
$20 bought you seven mini-dates, each eight minutes long which incidentally is about as long as blind dates should be.
- Hi. I'm Miranda Hobbes.
- Dwight Owens. Private wealth group at Morgan Stanley Investment Management for high net-worth individuals and pension plans. Like my job, been there five years, divorced, no kids, not religious. I live in New Jersey, speak French and Portuguese. ........... Business School. Any of this appealing?
- Sure. Portuguese, that's impressive.
- Obrigado. What about you, Mandy?
- Miranda.
- I'm a lawyer at a mid-sized firm. Actually, I was recently made partner.
- I'm a lawyer.
- I'm a lawyer. I went to Harvard Law School.
- I'm a stewardess.
- Really?

Wednesday 13 October 2010

The textbook

The coursebook we will be using, which also gives name to this site, will be:

LANGUAGE LEADER Intermediate (Pearson Longman)

For extra help with Grammar,we recommend ENGLISH GRAMMAR IN USE (Cambridge)

Welcome!

Dear IL2 students of EOI Alhama,

I am pleased to welcome you to this new class blog, your blog, as a meeting point for the class this year.

In this space you will mainly find extra material and activities related to what we do and see in class, as well as, hopefully, some fun stuff that might as well amuse you while practising your English.

However, the most important thing... BECOME A LEADER! Please feel free to participate with your comments and ideas. It's your blog after all! Remember that together we can make it more interesting, profitable and enjoyable.

I hope to see you around in the very near future.