Hi guys,
Finally! I've posted the video I told you about. It's just so fun to watch! I hope you enjoy it. It is under "pop culture".
Have a great weekend, see you on Monday!
Cheers!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
My apologies once again and homework for Thursday 26
Hi guys!
I want to apologise for last Thursday, once again! As I told you on Monday, the previous Thursday my son was sick, last one I was!!! I had a terrible temperature and wasn't feeling well at all... I'm soooo sorry!
On the other hand, I just posted a new link that is a GREAT tool for you: it is an online dictionary that includes pronunciation and thousands of words, it is under Academic Skills, I really recommend it, you can use it all the time for anything!
I also want to tell you about another homework for Thursday 26. You will have to work in teams of 3 or 4. Look for a 5-minute video (approximately) of general interest and make questions about it. For Thursday you'll have to bring both the link to the video and the questions and you'll exchange them with another team. You'll have to answer other team's questions for Monday 30.
Have a great day, and see you tomorrow!!!
I want to apologise for last Thursday, once again! As I told you on Monday, the previous Thursday my son was sick, last one I was!!! I had a terrible temperature and wasn't feeling well at all... I'm soooo sorry!
On the other hand, I just posted a new link that is a GREAT tool for you: it is an online dictionary that includes pronunciation and thousands of words, it is under Academic Skills, I really recommend it, you can use it all the time for anything!
I also want to tell you about another homework for Thursday 26. You will have to work in teams of 3 or 4. Look for a 5-minute video (approximately) of general interest and make questions about it. For Thursday you'll have to bring both the link to the video and the questions and you'll exchange them with another team. You'll have to answer other team's questions for Monday 30.
Have a great day, and see you tomorrow!!!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Some more information about the course
Hi again!
This is just a reminder of some of the things we said today in class about your second report:
1. If you feel you need to practice more listening than reading, you can do just listening reports or a combination of both.
2. You will have to hand in your report on November 23 and you should have 6 reports in total.
I have just posted a new link: 6 Minute English. This is a site from the BBC, perhaps you've seen it already, it contains podcasts that last only 6 minutes; they publish one every week so if you listen to them your listening skills will improve a lot!! Give it a try!
On the other hand, I'd like to remind you too of important dates you need to be aware of:
1. November 23: Reading and/or Listening Report
2. November 26: Second Podcast
3. November 30: Listening and Reading Exam
4. December 1: Writing Exam
5. December 3: Language Exam
6. December 7: Final Grades and Exam Revision
Keep all these dates in mind!
See you tomorrow.
This is just a reminder of some of the things we said today in class about your second report:
1. If you feel you need to practice more listening than reading, you can do just listening reports or a combination of both.
2. You will have to hand in your report on November 23 and you should have 6 reports in total.
I have just posted a new link: 6 Minute English. This is a site from the BBC, perhaps you've seen it already, it contains podcasts that last only 6 minutes; they publish one every week so if you listen to them your listening skills will improve a lot!! Give it a try!
On the other hand, I'd like to remind you too of important dates you need to be aware of:
1. November 23: Reading and/or Listening Report
2. November 26: Second Podcast
3. November 30: Listening and Reading Exam
4. December 1: Writing Exam
5. December 3: Language Exam
6. December 7: Final Grades and Exam Revision
Keep all these dates in mind!
See you tomorrow.
Words for Vocabulary Quiz
Hi guys!
As I told you today, next Thursday we'll have a Vocabulary quiz based on the words seen in module 4 and on the vocabulary taken from some of the videos we have seen and from The Umbrella Man.
Here's the list that you need to study. Remember that not only should you know the meaning of the word, but also how to use it appropriately. Knowing what part of speech the word is (noun, adjective, etc.) will help you know how to use it.
Vocabulary Seinfeld episode:
1. eavesdrop (we saw it as "eavesdropping")
2. neat
3. hang around
4. whiny
5. fire away
6. spot (we saw it as "spotting")
7. slip (we saw it as "slipped")
8. steam
9. naked
10. fool (we saw it as "fooled")
11. get rid of
12. piece of junk
Vocabulary from the video of Alternative Medicine -Bullshit! (pardon my French!)
1. legit
2. trigger
3. heal ("healing")
4. devices
5. misuse
6. fake
7. phony
8. twitch
9. heartburn
10.down payment
11.wrinkles
12.smooth
13.rip off ("ripped off")
Vocabulary from The Umbrella Man
1. shelter
2. sharpness
3. scrape
4. wrinkly
5. poke
6. assure
7. rotten
8. stammer
9. bustling
10.scuttle
11.clasp
12.shriek
Vocabulary from Module 4
1. aggressive
2. articulate
3. bossy
4. co-operative
5. emotional
6. intuitive
7. practical
8. self-confident
9. stubborn
10.sympathetic
11.come up with
12.the latter
13.sources
14.adept at
15.multi-tasking
16.tackle (tackling)
17.ancestors
18.linear-thinking
19.intuition
20.logical thinking
I know it is a loooong list, but I'm pretty sure you already know many of them; so, I think it won't be that hard for you, right?? :)
Enjoy!!!
See you tomorrow!
As I told you today, next Thursday we'll have a Vocabulary quiz based on the words seen in module 4 and on the vocabulary taken from some of the videos we have seen and from The Umbrella Man.
Here's the list that you need to study. Remember that not only should you know the meaning of the word, but also how to use it appropriately. Knowing what part of speech the word is (noun, adjective, etc.) will help you know how to use it.
Vocabulary Seinfeld episode:
1. eavesdrop (we saw it as "eavesdropping")
2. neat
3. hang around
4. whiny
5. fire away
6. spot (we saw it as "spotting")
7. slip (we saw it as "slipped")
8. steam
9. naked
10. fool (we saw it as "fooled")
11. get rid of
12. piece of junk
Vocabulary from the video of Alternative Medicine -Bullshit! (pardon my French!)
1. legit
2. trigger
3. heal ("healing")
4. devices
5. misuse
6. fake
7. phony
8. twitch
9. heartburn
10.down payment
11.wrinkles
12.smooth
13.rip off ("ripped off")
Vocabulary from The Umbrella Man
1. shelter
2. sharpness
3. scrape
4. wrinkly
5. poke
6. assure
7. rotten
8. stammer
9. bustling
10.scuttle
11.clasp
12.shriek
Vocabulary from Module 4
1. aggressive
2. articulate
3. bossy
4. co-operative
5. emotional
6. intuitive
7. practical
8. self-confident
9. stubborn
10.sympathetic
11.come up with
12.the latter
13.sources
14.adept at
15.multi-tasking
16.tackle (tackling)
17.ancestors
18.linear-thinking
19.intuition
20.logical thinking
I know it is a loooong list, but I'm pretty sure you already know many of them; so, I think it won't be that hard for you, right?? :)
Enjoy!!!
See you tomorrow!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Homework for Thursday 22.
Hi guys,
I don't know if you have heard of a TV show called Dragon's Den; I have to say that I am hooked with it! I watch it every time I can! Well... it is about 5 British millionaires that are looking for business to invest in. People go and present them their ideas and they decide whether to invest on them or not.
I have posted an episode of the show and I want you to answer some questions about it and bring them to class next Thursday 22. We will discuss the answers and the topic there.
You may find it a little hard to understand, but you can play it as many times as you want!
The questions are:
1. What does each dragon do and how did they make their money?
2. How much money do Claire and Jill want and what share do they offer?
3. What's the product they are offering? What does in represent?
4. In what different presentations can they sell the product?
5. Why doesn't Deborah like the product?
6. How did they come up with the idea? What happened to one of the girls?
7. Why isn't Peter Jones interested in the product?
8. What does James want to know and what do they answer?
9. What does Theo think about the product?
10.What do you think about the product? Do you agree with what the dragons say?
The video is posted under the "Video section", but in order to watch the whole presentation, you will have to click on the second part which should come out after you've finished watching the first part.
I hope you enjoy it and see you soon!!
I don't know if you have heard of a TV show called Dragon's Den; I have to say that I am hooked with it! I watch it every time I can! Well... it is about 5 British millionaires that are looking for business to invest in. People go and present them their ideas and they decide whether to invest on them or not.
I have posted an episode of the show and I want you to answer some questions about it and bring them to class next Thursday 22. We will discuss the answers and the topic there.
You may find it a little hard to understand, but you can play it as many times as you want!
The questions are:
1. What does each dragon do and how did they make their money?
2. How much money do Claire and Jill want and what share do they offer?
3. What's the product they are offering? What does in represent?
4. In what different presentations can they sell the product?
5. Why doesn't Deborah like the product?
6. How did they come up with the idea? What happened to one of the girls?
7. Why isn't Peter Jones interested in the product?
8. What does James want to know and what do they answer?
9. What does Theo think about the product?
10.What do you think about the product? Do you agree with what the dragons say?
The video is posted under the "Video section", but in order to watch the whole presentation, you will have to click on the second part which should come out after you've finished watching the first part.
I hope you enjoy it and see you soon!!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
I'm soo sorry!!
Hi guys,
I'm so sorry! I completely forgot to upload the answer key on Tuesday. I just uploaded them. You have to click on the link that is under Grammar called Answer Key.
Tomorrow before the exam, we will spend 15 to 20 minutes checking if you have any doubts from the exercises on the workbook.
I apologize once more and see you tomorrow.
I'm so sorry! I completely forgot to upload the answer key on Tuesday. I just uploaded them. You have to click on the link that is under Grammar called Answer Key.
Tomorrow before the exam, we will spend 15 to 20 minutes checking if you have any doubts from the exercises on the workbook.
I apologize once more and see you tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Questions about the movie
Hi guys,
As I said today in class, I'm posting the questions you have for homework about the movie Shawshank Redemption. Here they are:
1. Red and Andy had a very special friendship. Have you ever had a friendship such as theirs? Write about it.
2. Red says there are things so beautiful they make your heart ache, have you ever felt this for something or someone?
3. From the list of adjectives, assign one to Red, one to Andy, to Captain Hadley and to Warden; give an example of their behaviour that shows this characteristic.
4. Was there a scene that you particularly liked? Which one?
That's it!! Not so much... I just hope you enjoyed the movie, tell me what you think about it!!
See you on Thursday, have a great day!
As I said today in class, I'm posting the questions you have for homework about the movie Shawshank Redemption. Here they are:
1. Red and Andy had a very special friendship. Have you ever had a friendship such as theirs? Write about it.
2. Red says there are things so beautiful they make your heart ache, have you ever felt this for something or someone?
3. From the list of adjectives, assign one to Red, one to Andy, to Captain Hadley and to Warden; give an example of their behaviour that shows this characteristic.
4. Was there a scene that you particularly liked? Which one?
That's it!! Not so much... I just hope you enjoyed the movie, tell me what you think about it!!
See you on Thursday, have a great day!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Talk given by Isabel Allende
Hi guys,
I was checking my email and found this video that was sent to me. It is a speech given by Chilean writer Isabel Allende. I can say that after listening to it, I felt grateful for the life I have, for the "freedom" many women in Mexico can enjoy; however, it got me thinking that what women in Mexico and in the world have achieved is still far from what they deserve. I felt a bit frustrated and anxious for not being able to help women around the globe who are right now being exploited, slaved and in great pain.
Watch the video, and tell me what we can do to change this situation or if it is just a dream that we may never see come true. Tell me what you think about the content of the speech, if you agree or not with what she says.
On the other hand, try to relax and enjoy the speech, it is a bit long (more than 17 minutes) but it is funny and easy to follow. Also, I want you to see how this Spanish speaker woman, can give a perfectly understandable speech in English; she has some accent, but that does not impede communication. Why do I want you to notice this? Because many times we are worried about our accent, about not being able to produce like a native speaker; but that's not important anymore, you have to worry about creating comprehensible speech, not perfect native English accent.
Post your opinions for next Monday 28 under this comment and boys: this is not a message just for men to wake them up and do something about the world's problems, men are not the only responsible ones for the change in the world, we all are, or not??? what do you think??
Have a great day and see you tomorrow.
P.S. Don't use the Spanish subtitles!!!!! If you need subtitles, use the English ones!! Remember this is great practice for you, don't waste it!
I was checking my email and found this video that was sent to me. It is a speech given by Chilean writer Isabel Allende. I can say that after listening to it, I felt grateful for the life I have, for the "freedom" many women in Mexico can enjoy; however, it got me thinking that what women in Mexico and in the world have achieved is still far from what they deserve. I felt a bit frustrated and anxious for not being able to help women around the globe who are right now being exploited, slaved and in great pain.
Watch the video, and tell me what we can do to change this situation or if it is just a dream that we may never see come true. Tell me what you think about the content of the speech, if you agree or not with what she says.
On the other hand, try to relax and enjoy the speech, it is a bit long (more than 17 minutes) but it is funny and easy to follow. Also, I want you to see how this Spanish speaker woman, can give a perfectly understandable speech in English; she has some accent, but that does not impede communication. Why do I want you to notice this? Because many times we are worried about our accent, about not being able to produce like a native speaker; but that's not important anymore, you have to worry about creating comprehensible speech, not perfect native English accent.
Post your opinions for next Monday 28 under this comment and boys: this is not a message just for men to wake them up and do something about the world's problems, men are not the only responsible ones for the change in the world, we all are, or not??? what do you think??
Have a great day and see you tomorrow.
P.S. Don't use the Spanish subtitles!!!!! If you need subtitles, use the English ones!! Remember this is great practice for you, don't waste it!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Homework for Monday 14
Hi guys,
Today we commented in class a question about the things foreigners would find most difficult to get used to if they lived in Mexico; we know that there are many cultural differences with people from other countries. We can say that Mexicans are more relaxed than other people; for instance, Americans may be pickier (less tolerant) in certain things that we just don't care about.
I have posted an article called 10-office-faux-pas, about the annoying things people do at their offices. Read it and give your opinion about it. Do you think the annoying habits mentioned there are exaggerated? Would you tolerate all of them or none of them? Which one do you find most annoying if any?
Post your comments under this post.
Also, you have to watch a Discovery Channel commercial (is called Boom De Ya Da and it is under the section of videos) and write the lyrics of the song. Today we also listened to the song Where Is the Love and to continue with this romantic feeling, I decided to post this video about loving our planet. I hope you enjoy it!!
See you on Monday!
Today we commented in class a question about the things foreigners would find most difficult to get used to if they lived in Mexico; we know that there are many cultural differences with people from other countries. We can say that Mexicans are more relaxed than other people; for instance, Americans may be pickier (less tolerant) in certain things that we just don't care about.
I have posted an article called 10-office-faux-pas, about the annoying things people do at their offices. Read it and give your opinion about it. Do you think the annoying habits mentioned there are exaggerated? Would you tolerate all of them or none of them? Which one do you find most annoying if any?
Post your comments under this post.
Also, you have to watch a Discovery Channel commercial (is called Boom De Ya Da and it is under the section of videos) and write the lyrics of the song. Today we also listened to the song Where Is the Love and to continue with this romantic feeling, I decided to post this video about loving our planet. I hope you enjoy it!!
See you on Monday!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Homeworks
Hi guys,
As I mentioned today in class, your homework for tomorrow is the exercise of Tense Review. Answer it and check what your major problems are.
Also, remember that you had to write a biography for today, if you didn't give it to me today, you can still do it tomorrow or on Thursday. Of course, it won't count the same as if you had delivered it on time, but it's better that you hand it in.
For Thursday, you have to watch the video of Steve Jobs, it is under the heading of videos. Watch it and post your opinion about it under this message; read other people's posts and exchange opinions with one another!
Have a great day and see you tomorrow!!
As I mentioned today in class, your homework for tomorrow is the exercise of Tense Review. Answer it and check what your major problems are.
Also, remember that you had to write a biography for today, if you didn't give it to me today, you can still do it tomorrow or on Thursday. Of course, it won't count the same as if you had delivered it on time, but it's better that you hand it in.
For Thursday, you have to watch the video of Steve Jobs, it is under the heading of videos. Watch it and post your opinion about it under this message; read other people's posts and exchange opinions with one another!
Have a great day and see you tomorrow!!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Homework for Monday 24
Hi guys,
Sorry for not having posted the homework yesterday but I had some urgent matters at my job.
The homework for next Monday is the following:
Go to a link I posted under reading comprehension, is called Recession, read the article and infer the meaning of the following words and phrases:
1. cold feet
2. ditching
3. dumped
4. deals
5. forgo
6. purchases
7. escalated
8. handling charge
Post your answers under this message. Don't use a dictionary! Analize the sentence where the word or phrase is presented and try to get the meaning on your own.
See you on Monday in the lab and have a great weekend!!
Sorry for not having posted the homework yesterday but I had some urgent matters at my job.
The homework for next Monday is the following:
Go to a link I posted under reading comprehension, is called Recession, read the article and infer the meaning of the following words and phrases:
1. cold feet
2. ditching
3. dumped
4. deals
5. forgo
6. purchases
7. escalated
8. handling charge
Post your answers under this message. Don't use a dictionary! Analize the sentence where the word or phrase is presented and try to get the meaning on your own.
See you on Monday in the lab and have a great weekend!!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Great to see you here!
Hi guys,
I just read all of your comments and it is very nice to see that most of you have, at least, entered the blog. That's a good start!
I'd also want to tell you about the homework for next Thursday. This is what you have to do:
-Enter the site of National Public Radio (it is under the heading of Listening comprehension).
-Go to the bottom of the page; look for the program Weekend Edition Sunday and click there.
-Click on the program Taking the Great American Road Trip, Google-Style. Listen to it and answer the following questions:
1. How are the two men taking their trip?
2. Where did they start their trip and where is it ending?
3. What have they done so far?
4. Have other people travelled with them?
5. Do they have plans of continuing the trip after reaching their destination?
6. Would you join their trip? Why? Why not?
Bring your answers to class on Thursday, we'll check them and talk about the listening text.
See you tomorrow!
I just read all of your comments and it is very nice to see that most of you have, at least, entered the blog. That's a good start!
I'd also want to tell you about the homework for next Thursday. This is what you have to do:
-Enter the site of National Public Radio (it is under the heading of Listening comprehension).
-Go to the bottom of the page; look for the program Weekend Edition Sunday and click there.
-Click on the program Taking the Great American Road Trip, Google-Style. Listen to it and answer the following questions:
1. How are the two men taking their trip?
2. Where did they start their trip and where is it ending?
3. What have they done so far?
4. Have other people travelled with them?
5. Do they have plans of continuing the trip after reaching their destination?
6. Would you join their trip? Why? Why not?
Bring your answers to class on Thursday, we'll check them and talk about the listening text.
See you tomorrow!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Welcome to our blog
Hi guys,
This will be our class' blog. Here you will find extra activities and links that will help you practice your English outside the class. Remember that we only meet 3 times a week, so you need as many opportunities as possible to practice apart from the class!
Some of the activities in the blog will be mandatory. I will let you know what you have to do when the moment comes. However, try to exploit it as much as possible, I'm pretty sure that you will find at least one interesting site to visit.
One more thing, I posted a poll about your preferences in the English class. Please answer it and feel free to post any additional activities that you like or would like to have in class. You can post your comment under this message.
I hope you enjoy this space and welcome to fifth level!!!
Greetings,
Viviana
This will be our class' blog. Here you will find extra activities and links that will help you practice your English outside the class. Remember that we only meet 3 times a week, so you need as many opportunities as possible to practice apart from the class!
Some of the activities in the blog will be mandatory. I will let you know what you have to do when the moment comes. However, try to exploit it as much as possible, I'm pretty sure that you will find at least one interesting site to visit.
One more thing, I posted a poll about your preferences in the English class. Please answer it and feel free to post any additional activities that you like or would like to have in class. You can post your comment under this message.
I hope you enjoy this space and welcome to fifth level!!!
Greetings,
Viviana
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)