Hello people:
I've a new corner to have our biographies. It shouldn't be very personal, just a few things about you. No private life details are necessary. Come on and write about you!!
2011/01/31
28th JANUARY SESSION.
Good morning:
Our conversation topics reflect our worries and the latest news. So, it's not so strange that our first topic was pensions and all the changes of the new Spanish law about it. Then, we talked about human resources and we talked about languages (including Spanish regional varieties). After that, Elena proposed us to explain her particular view on human evolution, nature, tele-transport or dimensions. We became a bit philophical in this point because we turned to discuss about the universe, the infinite and space. Apart from this, Jairo talked about the dark period of the Middle Ages. Another completely different topic was farms.
Linguistically speaking, we learnt two new expressions: "pull strings" (I copy definition by thefreedictionary.com):
Our conversation topics reflect our worries and the latest news. So, it's not so strange that our first topic was pensions and all the changes of the new Spanish law about it. Then, we talked about human resources and we talked about languages (including Spanish regional varieties). After that, Elena proposed us to explain her particular view on human evolution, nature, tele-transport or dimensions. We became a bit philophical in this point because we turned to discuss about the universe, the infinite and space. Apart from this, Jairo talked about the dark period of the Middle Ages. Another completely different topic was farms.
Linguistically speaking, we learnt two new expressions: "pull strings" (I copy definition by thefreedictionary.com):
2011/01/28
ENGLISH LEARNING SERVICES.
Hello group:
As you know the amount of Internet resources regarding English practice and English learning is so huge that one can easily get lost. I have chosen three sites from three media networks. They have a special section for learning English. They are varied: one from Australia, one from Britain and one from U.S. Maybe you know the BBC's service. It's a more interesting way of practising. Forget about boring books.
Australia network.
Voice of America.
BBC World service learning English.
I hope you find them useful.
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Image taken from: http://www.freedownloadpond.com/bbc-learning-english-pronunciation-tips/
As you know the amount of Internet resources regarding English practice and English learning is so huge that one can easily get lost. I have chosen three sites from three media networks. They have a special section for learning English. They are varied: one from Australia, one from Britain and one from U.S. Maybe you know the BBC's service. It's a more interesting way of practising. Forget about boring books.
Australia network.
Voice of America.
BBC World service learning English.
I hope you find them useful.
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Image taken from: http://www.freedownloadpond.com/bbc-learning-english-pronunciation-tips/
2011/01/26
THE GRAPES OF WRATH.
Hello people:
Maybe you already know that the library is showing a new film in English. It will be this Thursday (27th) at 18.00 in the Culture House. This time the film will be "The Grapes of Wrath" directed by the master John Ford. The homonym novel was written by John Steinbeck in 1939, considered one of huis masterpieces.
Here I leave you Roger Ebert's review on the film: "The Grapes of Wrath" review.
Bye!
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Image taken from: http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQS17TGNyJg1tENLvccMSEcpIjia-sNxK92WP6zyEoGBOLTB7sG6w&t=1
Here I leave you Roger Ebert's review on the film: "The Grapes of Wrath" review.
Bye!
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Image taken from: http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQS17TGNyJg1tENLvccMSEcpIjia-sNxK92WP6zyEoGBOLTB7sG6w&t=1
21st JANUARY SESSION.
Hello everybody:
In the last session we were less than normally. We talked about stand-up comedy and shopping centres, specially those in Villalba. Then we moved to a very recent topic of discussion: restaurants, smoking and the new law. We also analysed the current situation of employment/ unemployment in Spain as well as matters regarding the world of work. Then, we changed the topic to discuss about pollution and alternative energy sources.
So, as you can see, we always change from topic to topic and we never stop talking.
See you again on Friday.
In the last session we were less than normally. We talked about stand-up comedy and shopping centres, specially those in Villalba. Then we moved to a very recent topic of discussion: restaurants, smoking and the new law. We also analysed the current situation of employment/ unemployment in Spain as well as matters regarding the world of work. Then, we changed the topic to discuss about pollution and alternative energy sources.
So, as you can see, we always change from topic to topic and we never stop talking.
See you again on Friday.
2011/01/19
HOT ENGLISH MAGAZINE.
Hello everyone:
What do you think about having free e-mail lessons every week? If your answer is that it's a good idea, you should continue reading. I'm sure you know Hot English magazine. Well to get the free lesson, you only have to click in the link below:
Free weekly lessons.
And now extra material: if you want to watch free videos by Hot English magazine, don't forget to visit the following link:
Hot English magazine videos.
See you!
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Image taken from: http://www.hotenglishgroup.com/images/classes/covers.jpg
Free weekly lessons.
And now extra material: if you want to watch free videos by Hot English magazine, don't forget to visit the following link:
Hot English magazine videos.
See you!
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Image taken from: http://www.hotenglishgroup.com/images/classes/covers.jpg
2011/01/17
14th JANUARY SESSION.
Hello everyone:
It seemed very far away, but, finally, we've had our first session this year. At the beginning we were a bit shy and silent, maybe because our English had some "spiderwebs" after Xmas holidays. The warming up consisted of talking about our holidays (or in some cases lack of holidays, sorry Alberto and Marina). Then we started to talk about some movies as well as the shooting incident in the U.S. This led us to talk about violence nowdays. As usual, our final topic was a bit different: the National Health Service, basically in the U.S and Spain.
See you in the next session.
It seemed very far away, but, finally, we've had our first session this year. At the beginning we were a bit shy and silent, maybe because our English had some "spiderwebs" after Xmas holidays. The warming up consisted of talking about our holidays (or in some cases lack of holidays, sorry Alberto and Marina). Then we started to talk about some movies as well as the shooting incident in the U.S. This led us to talk about violence nowdays. As usual, our final topic was a bit different: the National Health Service, basically in the U.S and Spain.
See you in the next session.
2011/01/14
PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE.
Hello people:
In this post I'd like you to propose a topic (we can use it in the next sessions).
The topic is "planned obsolescence", that's to say, everything has been designed to last for a certain period of time in order to encourage new purchases. I'm afraid we're being manipulated by companies. What do you think?
I leave a short video about it, just click the link:
Planned obsolescence, perceived obsolescence.
You may also visit her website: The story of stuff.
Or her blog: Annie's Leonard's blog.
Bye!!
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Image taken from: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fqQaOSsgQ2E/S8SJ3QyutrI/AAAAAAAAAQw/aIbjlGi6MA0/s400/v_StoryStuff_Button.jpg
In this post I'd like you to propose a topic (we can use it in the next sessions).The topic is "planned obsolescence", that's to say, everything has been designed to last for a certain period of time in order to encourage new purchases. I'm afraid we're being manipulated by companies. What do you think?
I leave a short video about it, just click the link:
Planned obsolescence, perceived obsolescence.
You may also visit her website: The story of stuff.
Or her blog: Annie's Leonard's blog.
Bye!!
------------
Image taken from: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fqQaOSsgQ2E/S8SJ3QyutrI/AAAAAAAAAQw/aIbjlGi6MA0/s400/v_StoryStuff_Button.jpg
2011/01/12
SESSION REMINDER.
Hello English fans:
This post is to remind you we're having a session the next Friday, 14th. I hope to see you all there!
This post is to remind you we're having a session the next Friday, 14th. I hope to see you all there!
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Image taken from: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hWcExHhhU0g/SxLgg8gOlTI/AAAAAAAAAvY/LqI0HKH5OvI/s1600/imagesmyan_calendar_funny.jpg
2011/01/10
ACCENTS.
Hello people:
I think it's quite interesting to hear about different accents. That's why I want to propose some videos.
The first one is about 21 different accents. Get your ears ready...
I also leave a link to another site, in this case about different speech accents, and not only in English. Click the following link: Speech accent archive.
Finally, and just for fun, I leave you a video of Dr House's (Hugh Laurie) interview about English and American accents.
Bye!!
2011/01/06
16 WAYS OF SAYING "I LIKE IT".
Hi people:
I'm sure you've been very good. That's why I hope you've received your presents, or at least some: The Wise Men are in crisis too, but I'm sure you deserve them. On the other hand, excessive consumerism isn't very good either. This could be a topic for the first session, what do you think?
My present for you is the following video entitled "16 ways of saying I like it". There's no excuse not to use a wide range of expressions..."I'm really into, I can't get enough of..., I fancy someone..." Watch the video to see them all.
I hope it's useful and you are really keen on watching it.
See you next week!
I'm sure you've been very good. That's why I hope you've received your presents, or at least some: The Wise Men are in crisis too, but I'm sure you deserve them. On the other hand, excessive consumerism isn't very good either. This could be a topic for the first session, what do you think?
My present for you is the following video entitled "16 ways of saying I like it". There's no excuse not to use a wide range of expressions..."I'm really into, I can't get enough of..., I fancy someone..." Watch the video to see them all.
I hope it's useful and you are really keen on watching it.
See you next week!
2011/01/03
ABOUT THE VIDEOS.
Hi people!
I don't know if you notice about the videos section. Although it's called "the video of the week" it may not be changed so often for time reasons.
In addition, if you have not been able to visit the blog for some days, don't worry! You won't miss anything, because at the end you will find a section called "previous videos" where I'll post all the videos belonging to this section. Since I'm changing or adding things my advice is to have a look at the blog and all its sections from time to time.
And last, but not least, if you have any contributions or ideas or suggestions, I'll be pleased to hear you.
Bye!!
I don't know if you notice about the videos section. Although it's called "the video of the week" it may not be changed so often for time reasons.
In addition, if you have not been able to visit the blog for some days, don't worry! You won't miss anything, because at the end you will find a section called "previous videos" where I'll post all the videos belonging to this section. Since I'm changing or adding things my advice is to have a look at the blog and all its sections from time to time.
And last, but not least, if you have any contributions or ideas or suggestions, I'll be pleased to hear you.
Bye!!
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