2012 in numbers

These are my 2012 stats.

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 21.000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 5 Film Festivals

click here for the whole thing.

Les Miserables

Hi, everyone!

This post is about the last movie I've seen at the cinema: Les Miserables, based on the musical (based on Victor Hugo's famous novel). I do recommend the film because most of it is in English - it's a musical, remember!.

So if you're thinking of going to the cinema this Christmas, why not seeing Les Mis? Take a look at the videos below and listen to one of the most famous songs from the musical, I dreamed a dream, performed by Anne Hathaway.

[youtube="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeLkEUgP8e4"]

 

[youtube="http://youtu.be/VvzLZIiD5TU"]

I dreamed a dream

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/i-dreamed-a-dream_md_1677632_1.mp3"]

so / such... (that...) - narrative tenses & KEY

Hi, everyone!

This is the handout I've given out in class. I hope you find it useful and didn't make many mistakes.

[scribd id=116697385 key=key-16ch1lhl0uxg38cnrkm9 mode=scroll]

All I want for Christmas

Hi, everyone!

I've come across this video on Youtube and I've just thought it'd be great to share it with you all.

As it appears on the video description, this is the instrument list and the people who played & performed:

Jimmy Fallon - wood block, tambourine, bass drum, kazoo
Mariah Carey - vocals

The Roots:

Questlove - wooden clacker w/ afro pick
Mark Kelley - Fisher Price xylophone
Kamal Gray - recorder
James Poyser - melodica
Captain Kirk - ukulele
Tuba Gooding Jr. - kazoo
Frank Knuckles - bongos
Black Thought - sleigh bells

Hope you like it as much as I do. 

[youtube="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWEfszb9h8Q"]

Xmas Party!!

[slideshow]

Hi, everyone!

On December 20th we'll be celebrating Xmas at our EOI de Montoro, so why don't you join us?

There'll be karaoke, trivia, we'll sing Christmas carols, and lots more. Ah, I almost forgot: there's a dessert contest, too.

So join us and let's say goodbye to 2012 together!

Take a look at the contest rules which Pilar, our head of the DACE department, has written for us.

We can help, can't we?

Hi, everyone!

It's always a good time to help those in need, so again this year we're going to help the MONTORO FOOD BANK.

How are we going to do such a great thing?  You can bring lentils, chick peas, rice, sugar, tinned food... to our office and we'll give it to the Montoro Food Bank on Friday 21st December.

Lots of thanks!

Xmas presents 4 all! 2012

[slideshow]

Hi, everyone!

Once again, Xmas time is nearly here, so I thought I could ask you for some presents, once more, just like last year.

The instructions are pretty much the same: you need to write me an email telling me what presents you bought. So let's imagine you won £1000 in a contest and you're going to spend that money on presents for your relatives, friends, and your English teacher -- don't forget to include me!!

You need to visit the following online shops and look for the right present, and explain why you chose them.

THANK YOU AND MERRY XMAS!

Firebox   Apple store UK    Topshop    Topman    Foyles bookshop    Hamleys    Tesco   ASOS

     interflora    HMV    MANGO    MAC

B2 - HEALTH related vocabulary & KEY

Hi, everyone!

This is the HEALTH handout I've given out in class this week. The KEY is at the end of the document.

[scribd id=115009974 key=key-9r89fbwwzsrr9lc877a mode=scroll]

B2 - Adjectives: types & order + KEY

Hi, everyone!

You can find below a few exercises on adjective order.

Hope you find them useful! (let me know in class)

 

[scribd id=114465269 key=key-16f7s2k1ues6l2pwr6ux mode=scroll]

VIII Certamen ESTRANGIS

Ya está en marcha la VIII edición de ESTRANGIS, el certamen de teatro escolar en inglés y francés en el que pueden participar los centros públicos y concertados de Andalucía. Este prestigioso certamen consiguió el Sello Europeo a las Lenguas en 2008 a las actividades innovadoras en el ámbito de la enseñanza de idiomas. Para más información, podéis contactar conmigo o con cualquier otro responsable de la asociación ATIFE en estrangisatife@gmail.com o visitando el blog haciendo click aquí.

Para los interesados, el formulario de inscripción al concurso lo podéis encontrar en el siguiente link.

INSCRIPCIÓN.

El plazo de recepción de inscripciones es del 1 al 21 de diciembre.

Como se suele decir en inglés,

BREAK A LEG!

healing songs

Hi, everyone!

As you know, the vocabulary we've been studying in the past few days dealt with health issues, that is, symptoms, illnesses, and treatments. I've always believed that any given topic has a song about it and that's why I'm writing about health (and its counterpart).

To begin with, there's a band whose name comes in handy: The Cure. I'm not a great fan myself, so I don't have a clue whether they speak about health or not, but their name is more than enough so far.

When it comes to songs, well, that's easier. The thing is that singers don't really write about flu, a cough, or even hepatitis. No. It's love and broken hearts what's more sung and written about (even cried about). From Bonnie Tyler's It's a heartache (just for its title) to Bon Jovi's Bad Medicine.



And let's not forget Robert Palmer's Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)




Lack of sleep can also be a good cause for feeling unwell, isn't it? As in I'm so tired, by The Beatles



 

Hope you like the songs and learn a lot from them.

B2 listening comprehension - national stereotypes

Hi, everyone!

These are the recordings, from unit 2A (p.20), on national stereotypes.

track 2.1

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/nef-upper-intermediate-2-1_md_1571735_1.mp3"]

track 2.2

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/nef-upper-intermediate-2-2_md_1571737_1.mp3"]

KEY:

2.1

Speaker 1 (American)

(+) individualistic, hard-working, optimistic

(-) materialistic, very interested in money

Speaker 2 (Irish)

(+) sociable, easy-going, religious, family oriented, good storytellers

(-) melancholic, nostalgic, drink a lot

Speaker 1 (English)

(+) tolerant, open to new ideas

(-) self-satisfied, arrogant towards foreigners, lazy, careless in the way they dress, drink too much

Speaker 1 (Scottish)

(+) proud of their identity, inventive, sociable, like to have a good time, great travellers, well behaved abroad

(-) melancholic, negative attitude towards their neighbours (the English), quite negative towards foreigners

2.2  

1. a) achieve  b) inherited  


2. a) emigration  b) climate


3. a) multi-ethnic  b) unwillingness


4. a) attitude  b) wrongs

B2 listening comprehension - unit 1 revise & check

Hi, everyone!

These are the recordings for the listening comprehension exercises on p. 19.

track 1.23

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/nef-upper-intermediate-1-23_md_1569028_1.mp3"]

track 1.24

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/nef-upper-intermediate-1-24_md_1569030_1.mp3"]

KEY:

a.  1-b  2-a  3-c  4-b  5-a

b. 

1. Because she was having a lot of problems with her fiancé.


2. That the problems would be resolved.


3. No, it wasn't.


4. That the psychic wasn't very professional.


5. Because Alice believes that psychics can really see into the future.


6. She told Alice she would have a new job.


7. She didn't get depressed when she lost her job.


8. Not to depend too much on psychics.

B2 readers

Hi, everyone!

These are the readers we're studying this course. In case you've already read The curious incident of the dog in the night-time, we'll let you know what else to read.

•  Agatha Christie. Death on the Nile. Penguin Readers. Level 5. Pearson Longman.


• Mark Haddon. The curious incident of the dog in the night-time. DFB


• Nick Hornby. About a boy (full text, not the abridged reader from Penguin).

[slideshow]

the news - British Education Secretary apologizes to former teacher

ADVANCED LEVEL

 

Hi, everyone!

 

On the following link, you can find this interesting piece of news:

 

 

Michael Gove, Education Secretary, apologizes to his former French teacher for misbehaving in class when he was 15.

 

lyrics training - PARADISE

Hi, everyone!

You can practise your listening as well as your writing (actually, typing) skills online. Click and explore lyricstraining, a website where you can listen to your favourite tunes and study at the same time. As an example, and for you to get started, I've chosen Paradise, by Coldplay. Click on the link to go to the song. There, you can try the intermediate level, and see how many words you get right.

PARADISE

B2 listening comprehension - the psychic

 

Hi, everyone!

This is the listening comprehension part in unit 1B. As usual, you can find the KEY down below.

 

track 1.6

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/nef-upper-intermediate-1-6_mn_1526222_1.mp3"]

track 1.7

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/nef-upper-intermediate-1-7_mn_1526223_1.mp3"]

track 1.8

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/nef-upper-intermediate-1-8_mn_1526224_1.mp3"]

track 1.9

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/nef-upper-intermediate-1-9_mn_1526227_1.mp3"]

KEY

exercise b.

part 1

1. Positive - Sally's office was more normal than she expected and Sally looked kind and sincere


2. Are you married? and Do you have any children?


3. Because she mentions two things which don't mean anything to Jane, i.e. the name Caroline and Australia.

part 2

1. T (She grew up there)


2. F (he is someone she already knows)


3. T (She's 1m 90.)


4. F (It is his brain that will attract her) 


5. F (She can't think of anyone who fits the description)

part 3

1. a  2. b  3. b

exercise e.    She thinks Sally is good at judging people's character but doesn't have any special abilities. However, since she saw Sally, she has met a professor who has invited her to go to Australia - two things which Sally predicted.

 

FUN vs FUNNY

B2 listening comprehension - SPEED DATING

Hi, everyone!



This is the listening comprehension audio track from unit 1A, the one about speed dating. The KEY is included at the end of the post, below the text, the picture and the audio buttons.

track 1.3

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/nef-upper-intermediate-1-3_mn_1515234_1.mp3"]

KEY

Speed dating was successful for Alex -- he married his second date, but Emily didn't have any successful dates.

1. B  2. B  3. E  4. A  5. E  6. E  7. A  8. A  9. E

Firework

Hi, everyone!

I've just come across this video on Youtube and thought it might be interesting to you. See if you can understand what they say and ask me in class for clarifications. The text below is an excerpt from the video's info box.

"Katy Perry and Jodi DiPiazza sing "Firework" at the Beacon Theater in New York. "Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs" is hosted by comedian and presenter Jon Stewart and raises money for autism programs, schools, and services all over the USA".

B2 Treasure restored

Hi, everyone!

These are the treasure restored handouts I gave out in class. You can also do the listening comprehension exercises by clicking on the buttons below.

track 27

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/treasure-restored-27_mn_1506207_1.mp3"]

track 28

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/treasure-restored-28_mn_1506210_1.mp3"]

[scribd id=110426848 key=key-rdw8iq97vh6weefpwns mode=scroll]

KEY

2. 1- potter  2- wealthy  3- vineyard  4- undamaged  5- merchant  6- ship  7- wrecked  8- divers  9- restorer  10- auction  11- museum

4. 1-b  2-g  3-d  4-f  5-a  6-e  7-c

5. 1- No, she isn't.  2- The Egyptian mummies

B2 auxiliaries & key

Hi, everyone!

You can find below just a few exercises on auxiliaries, along with the corresponding key at the end of the document.

[scribd id=110425438 key=key-2nbabgfwhhanan7zw0i6 mode=scroll]

B2 questions & key

Hi, everyone!

In the document below you can find a few exercises on questions for you to practise some more. The KEY is at the end of the document.

[scribd id=109692201 key=key-1wmwl51734u7410sw3xz mode=scroll]

B2 writing - an informal letter

This the informal letter handout we've been working with in class. If you want the model composition for exercise F (page 6), request it by sending me an email.

[scribd id=108871383 key=key-ksj6usciyn21fqv8chb mode=scroll]

The 100 most beautiful words in English

Hi, everyone!

Although I'm on holidays, I haven't forgotten about you, my dear students. I came across this webpage while surfing the net, and I thought you'd like to have a look at it. Enjoy!

By the way, what's your favourite word in English? Mine is... (I'll tell you in class!)

THE 100 MOST BEAUTIFUL WORDS IN ENGLISH

B1 practice test links

Hi, everyone!

You can find here a list of links to test your listening & reading skills. I'll be updating the list as often as possible, so check it out from time to time. Remember that for the University of Cambridge, B1 stands for PET. That means that if you're looking for B1 tests you should need to know that it is PET tests.

• http://www.examenglish.com/CEFR/B1.htm


• Pruebas de certificación de la Com. Aut. de Madrid


• Cambridge University - PET


• Online practice test for PET


• A web page with online tests as well as a comprehensive list of resources (you need to scroll down a bit to find this)


• B1 en La Mansión del inglés


• PET practice tests - The tests are at the top of the page, in the red banner.

That's all for now. If you have any question, feel free to send me an email and I'll answer asap.

Exámenes de septiembre

Este es el calendario de exámenes de la convocatoria extraordinaria de septiembre:

• nivel básico 2

• MARTES 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE (aula 3)
  
  
  
  • 16.00 - 17.00 - COMPRENSIÓN DE LECTURA
  
  
  • 17.00 - 17. 30 - COMPRENSIÓN ORAL
  
  
  • 17.30 - 19.00 - EXPRESIÓN E INTERACCIÓN ESCRITA
  
  
  
  

• MIÉRCOLES 5 DE SEPTIEMBRE (aula 1)
  
  
  
  • 16.15 - EXPRESIÓN E INTERACCIÓN ORAL
  
  
  
  

• nivel intermedio

• MARTES 4 DE SEPTIEMBRE (aulas 1 y 2)
  
  
  
  • 16.00 - 17.00 - COMPRENSIÓN DE LECTURA
  
  
  • 17.00 - 17. 30 - COMPRENSIÓN ORAL
  
  
  • 17.45 - 19.15 - EXPRESIÓN E INTERACCIÓN ESCRITA
  
  
  
  

• LUNES 3 DE SEPTIEMBRE  (aula 1)








• 16.00 - EXPRESIÓN E INTERACCIÓN ORAL (3º C)


• 18.30 - EXPRESIÓN E INTERACCIÓN ORAL (3º CAL)

La EOI de Montoro 2011-2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ECVGBhougI

Well done!!

You've done great so far and now it's time for the tests. All the best of luck for you all at the June examinations.

B1 conditional sentences

Hi, everyone!

This is the conditionals handout we studied yesterday. The KEY is at the end of the document, as usual.

You can also find the 2nd type conditional exercises we studied in A2 on the following link.

to go fullscreen, click on the fullscreen icon below

[scribd id=93789011 key=key-d55n3fivqfsgikt9jag mode=list]

B1 reported speech links

Hi, everyone!

Take a look at the following links for more reported speech exercises.

• Reported speech 1


• Reported speech 2


• Reported speech 3


• Reported speech 4

A2 - adjectives, common verbs & irregular verbs review

Hi, everyone!

These are the exercises we have been doing over the past few days. Check out the KEY at the end of the document.

[scribd id=93210931 key=key-kvt5zabuc637sine7mr mode=list]

Guía del candidato a las PUCs (examen de 3º)

Esta es la guía para los que os presentáis a los exámenes de tercero, ahora llamado nivel intermedio, ahora llamados PUCs, o sea, pruebas unificadas de certificación.

En este documento se explica el funcionamiento de estas pruebas, por lo que su lectura resulta de gran interés para los alumnos de nivel intermedio.

[scribd id=93001232 key=key-1t83zoxg4gqnrmmd9jbt mode=list]

Calendario de exámenes de junio

Hi, everyone.

The June examination calendar has just been published on our school's webpage. You can check it out on the following link:

JUNE EXAMS

Anyway, as far as we are concerned, these are the examination times for the written part:

The times and classrooms for the speaking part of the examination will be published shortly. 

15 grammar goofs that make you look silly

Like this infographic? Get more copywriting tips from Copyblogger.

B1 listening comprehension - HEALTH ISSUES

Hi, everyone!

These listening  comprehension and speaking exercises deal with health issues.

track 43

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/real-listening-2-43_md_1177994_1.mp3"]

track 46

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/real-listening-2-46_md_1177999_1.mp3"]

KEY:

A.  1.- a: cough  b: headache  c: sore eyes    2.- b: two  c: two  d: 24  e: eight  f: 1 or 2  g: twice

C.  1.- 2: c  3: d  4: a  5: e

   2.- Ali: lemon  Seiji: Chines radish, honey  Ana: garlic

   3.- b: hot  c: lemon  d: sore throat  e: carrot  f: juice  g: drink  h: water  i: half hour  j: 2  k: 3

A2 for & since - extra exercises

Hi, everyone!

These are the exercises we started last Monday. You can find the KEY below.

A2 - second conditional exercises

Hi, everyone!

These are the 2nd conditional exercises we did in class last Wednesday.

[scribd id=87334417 key=key-1x2o36somtsq6z96huiv mode=list]

[scribd id=87338666 key=key-1e62x95i4ds3zvxcorqa mode=list]

A2 listening comprehension - unit 5 revise & check

Hi, everyone!

You can find below the listening exercises from unit 5's revise & check section.

5.17

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/nef-pre-intermediate-5-17_md_1139908_1.mp3"]

5.18

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/nef-pre-intermediate-5-18_md_1139920_1.mp3"]

KEY

a. 1. c  2. b  3. c  4. a  5. b

b. 1. basketball  2. Thursday  3.  6.00  4. 7.30  5. Susan Stevens  6. free

Benny's timetable

Hi, everyone! This is Benny's timetable till the end of the course. Notice that he can help you with pronunciation and conversation strategies. So don't miss the chance.

[scribd id=87094304 key=key-1b7ixxgfypfqy2a8nsnq mode=list]

A2 listening comprehension - scary story (recording scripts)

A2 listening comprehension - scary story

Hi, everyone!

These are the listening comprehension exercises from last Wednesday lesson.

track 24

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/track-24_md_1131206_1.mp3"]

track 25

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/track-25_md_1131207_1.mp3"]

KEY

A2 listening comprehension - JOKES

Hi, everyone!

These are the listening comprehension exercises we started in class last Wednesday. The KEY is at the end of the post.

(Click on the pictures to see them full size)

track 5

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/track-5_md_1100379_1.mp3"]

track 6

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/track-6_md_1100388_1.mp3"]

track 7

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/track-7_md_1100390_1.mp3"]

track 8

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/track-8_md_1100394_1.mp3"]

KEY:

A2 - The four friends

http://youtu.be/8C-ebZOZaxw

Another nice story for you to listen and read along.

A2 - Turtle's flute

http://youtu.be/HfygGVlGI8o

Here's another videoclip for all of you to enjoy and work with. Read along as you listen to the story.

A2 - Zippy the Zebra

http://youtu.be/4LDOiLVh0Ro

Hi, everyone!

Here's another video clip for you to work with. As usual, write down all the new vocabulary and look it up in a dictionary. Watch the video a few times, but keep in mind to leave some minutes in between to help the new ideas settle in your mind.

A2 - The first well

http://youtu.be/a4uLfei-0kU

Hi, everyone.
Try to watch this video using your earphones. Write down all the new vocabulary and look up the words you don't know in a dictionary. After watching the video, let the ideas rest in your head for a while, and watch the video again after a few minutes. Then, try to watch it again after a few hours and concentrate on the pronunciation.

A2 - Chemical Secret test

Hi, everyone.

We're having the test on Chemical Secret next Monday 19th March.

For further information, I'll be glad to answer your questions on my email address or  in class.

A2 listening comprehension - unit 4 revise & check

This is the recording from unit 4 revise & check section.

4.17

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/nef-pre-intermediate-4-17_md_1060431_1.mp3"]

4.18

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/nef-pre-intermediate-4-18_md_1060462_1.mp3"]



 

KEY:

4.17 - 1. c  2. b  3. a  4. a  5. b

4.18 - 1. T  2. F  3. T  4. F  5. T

Actividades del DACE

Aquí os dejo los enlaces con información acerca de las próximas actividades del DACE (departamento de actividades complementarias y extraescolares) de la EOI de Montoro:

• Pon nombre a la EOI de Montoro.


• Fiesta de febrero 2012

MUCHAS GRACIAS POR PARTICIPAR

CONGRATULATIONS!

Dear students (2ºB, 3ºC & 3º CAL - and, of course, my former 2ºA students)

So far, you have done a terrific job. So keep it up at the exams to follow. I am very satisfied with your progress in general, so we will spend the rest of the year trying to improve those aspects that did not work out fine.

So, for now, this is for you:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/IxAKFlpdcfc]

J

B1 listening comprehension - call that a holiday?

This is the recording from unit 3C call that a holiday?

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/call-that-a-holiday_md_1001661_1.mp3"]

A2 - revise & check - unit 3 KEY

This is the KEY to the exercises on pages 38 & 39.

GRAMMAR

1. b  2. b  3. b  4. b  5. a  6. b  7. c  8. c  9. b  10. a

VOCABULARY

a.  1. about  2. after  3. forward  4. for  5. with

b.  1. D  2. C  3. A  4. E  5. B

c.  1. win a match  2. forget to pay  3. sell a car  4. teach Spanish  5. send a letter

CAN YOU UNDERSTAND THIS TEXT?

b.  1. T  2. T  3. DS  4. F  5. F  6. F  7. F

CAN YOU UNDERSTAND THESE PEOPLE?

a.  1. c  2. b  3. b  4. a  5. a

b.  1. Rome  2. Sunday 11th  3. 12.00  4. 9.00  5. Brown

CAN YOU SAY THIS IN ENGLISH?

b.

1. What are you doing this weekend?


2. Are you going to study English next year?


3. Who do you think will win the next elections?


4. Do you think it will rain tomorrow?


5. How often do you remember your dreams?

Pre-intermediate listening comprehension

These are the recordings from unit 3 revise & check.

3.20

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/nef-pre-intermediate-3-20_md_988893_1.mp3"]

3.21

[audio="http://www.ivoox.com/nef-pre-intermediate-3-21_md_988894_1.mp3"]