See you in the next session.
-----------------
Image taken from: http://elproyectomatriz.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/internet.jpg
2011/02/28
25th FEBRUARY SESSION.
Hello everyone:
Well, this was our last session in February. As usual, varied topics were discussed. For example, we started with the New Zealand earthquake and the Lybian situation. Then we relaxed a bit and we changed the topics: we talked about the 1st meeting of the recently-created "Time Bank". Our last topic was about private information in the Internet, minors using social networks, piracy, copyright of intellectual, artistic... works as well as the current situation in the music industry.
See you in the next session.
-----------------
Image taken from: http://elproyectomatriz.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/internet.jpg
See you in the next session.
-----------------
Image taken from: http://elproyectomatriz.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/internet.jpg
2011/02/24
THE ALLERGIC PONTIAC.
Hello everyone:
It's true that there are lots of crazy people anywhere. Anecdotes about customers and customers' complaints can't be a never ending story. Let's see a real case. The story goes like this:
"Never underestimate your Clients’ Complaint, no matter how funny it might seem!
This is a real story that happened between the customer of General Motors and its Customer-Care Executive. Please read on…..
A complaint was received by the Pontiac Division of General Motors:
‘This is the second time I have written to you, and I don’t blame you for not answering me, because I sounded crazy, but it is a fact that we have a tradition in our family of Ice-Cream for dessert after dinner each night, but the kind of ice cream varies so, every night, after we’ve eaten, the whole family votes on which kind of ice cream we should have and I drive down to the store to get it. It’s also a fact that I recently purchased a new Pontiac and since then my trips to the store have created a problem….
You see, every time I buy a vanilla ice-cream, when I start back from the store my car won’t start. If I get any other kind of ice cream, the car starts just fine. I want you to know I’m serious about this question, no matter how silly it sounds “What is there about a Pontiac that makes it not start when I get vanilla ice cream, and easy to start whenever I get any other kind?” The Pontiac President was understandably skeptical about the letter, but sent an Engineer to check it out anyway.
The latter was surprised to be greeted by a successful, obviously well educated man in a fine neighborhood. He had arranged to meet the man just after dinner time, so the two hopped into the car and drove to the ice cream store. It was vanilla ice cream that night and, sure enough, after they came back to the car, it wouldn’t start.
The Engineer returned for three more nights. The first night, they got chocolate. The car started. The second night, he got strawberry. The car started. The third night he ordered vanilla. The car failed to start.
Now the engineer, being a logical man, refused to believe that this man’s car was allergic to vanilla ice cream. He arranged, therefore, to continue his visits for as long as it took to solve the problem. And toward this end he began to take notes: He jotted down all sorts of data: time of day, type of gas uses, time to drive back and forth etc.
In a short time, he had a clue: the man took less time to buy vanilla than any other flavor. Why? The answer was in the layout of the store. Vanilla, being the most popular flavor, was in a separate case at the front of the store for quick pickup. All the other flavors were kept in the back of the store at a different counter where it took considerably longer to check out the flavor.
Now, the question for the Engineer was why the car wouldn’t start when it took less time. Eureka – Time was now the problem – not the vanilla ice cream!!!! The engineer quickly came up with the answer: “vapor lock”.
It was happening every night; but the extra time taken to get the other flavors allowed the engine to cool down sufficiently to start. When the man got vanilla, the engine was still too hot for the vapor lock to dissipate.
Even crazy looking problems are sometimes real and all problems seem to be simple only when we find the solution, with cool thinking."
What do you think now?
-----------------
Image taken from: http://www.google.es/images?um=1&hl=es&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aes-ES%3Aofficial&biw=1024&bih=556&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=helado+de+vainilla&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=
Source: http://journal.naveeng.com/2007/10/17/vanilla-ice-cream-that-puzzled-general-motors/
It's true that there are lots of crazy people anywhere. Anecdotes about customers and customers' complaints can't be a never ending story. Let's see a real case. The story goes like this:
"Never underestimate your Clients’ Complaint, no matter how funny it might seem!
This is a real story that happened between the customer of General Motors and its Customer-Care Executive. Please read on…..
A complaint was received by the Pontiac Division of General Motors:
‘This is the second time I have written to you, and I don’t blame you for not answering me, because I sounded crazy, but it is a fact that we have a tradition in our family of Ice-Cream for dessert after dinner each night, but the kind of ice cream varies so, every night, after we’ve eaten, the whole family votes on which kind of ice cream we should have and I drive down to the store to get it. It’s also a fact that I recently purchased a new Pontiac and since then my trips to the store have created a problem….
The latter was surprised to be greeted by a successful, obviously well educated man in a fine neighborhood. He had arranged to meet the man just after dinner time, so the two hopped into the car and drove to the ice cream store. It was vanilla ice cream that night and, sure enough, after they came back to the car, it wouldn’t start.
The Engineer returned for three more nights. The first night, they got chocolate. The car started. The second night, he got strawberry. The car started. The third night he ordered vanilla. The car failed to start.
Now the engineer, being a logical man, refused to believe that this man’s car was allergic to vanilla ice cream. He arranged, therefore, to continue his visits for as long as it took to solve the problem. And toward this end he began to take notes: He jotted down all sorts of data: time of day, type of gas uses, time to drive back and forth etc.
In a short time, he had a clue: the man took less time to buy vanilla than any other flavor. Why? The answer was in the layout of the store. Vanilla, being the most popular flavor, was in a separate case at the front of the store for quick pickup. All the other flavors were kept in the back of the store at a different counter where it took considerably longer to check out the flavor.
Now, the question for the Engineer was why the car wouldn’t start when it took less time. Eureka – Time was now the problem – not the vanilla ice cream!!!! The engineer quickly came up with the answer: “vapor lock”.
It was happening every night; but the extra time taken to get the other flavors allowed the engine to cool down sufficiently to start. When the man got vanilla, the engine was still too hot for the vapor lock to dissipate.
Even crazy looking problems are sometimes real and all problems seem to be simple only when we find the solution, with cool thinking."
What do you think now?
-----------------
Image taken from: http://www.google.es/images?um=1&hl=es&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aes-ES%3Aofficial&biw=1024&bih=556&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=helado+de+vainilla&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=
Source: http://journal.naveeng.com/2007/10/17/vanilla-ice-cream-that-puzzled-general-motors/
2011/02/21
18th FEBRUARY SESSION.
Hello everyone:
Our first topic was the film "The First Day of the Rest of your Life" shown last Thursday. It was a complete success because there were many people despite the weather in the afternoon. Then we started to analyse the current triangle teachers- parents- children in the education environment as well as the parents' situation regarding lack of time because of the long timetables. We also discusses about the measures companies could take in order to facilitate the concilation between family and professional lives.
After such serious topics, Alberto proposed an analysis and comparison between British and Spanish humour apart from comic films. You know, some of them are based on semantics (=meaning) and puns. He also brought some jokes in English to illustrate.
I copy 3 of them:
1. A commercial traveller was passing through a small town when he came upon a huge funeral procession. "Who died?" he asked a nearby local. "I`m not sure," replied the local, " but I think it`s the one in the coffin."
--------------------
Image taken from: http://www.debateitout.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/teachers-cartoon.gif
Source: http://www.jokebuddha.com/joke/A_commercial_traveller#ixzz1EcGlqHS5
http://www.jokedictionary.com/jokes/b/busjokes.html
http://www.pinetree.net/humor/sherlockholmescamping.html
Our first topic was the film "The First Day of the Rest of your Life" shown last Thursday. It was a complete success because there were many people despite the weather in the afternoon. Then we started to analyse the current triangle teachers- parents- children in the education environment as well as the parents' situation regarding lack of time because of the long timetables. We also discusses about the measures companies could take in order to facilitate the concilation between family and professional lives.After such serious topics, Alberto proposed an analysis and comparison between British and Spanish humour apart from comic films. You know, some of them are based on semantics (=meaning) and puns. He also brought some jokes in English to illustrate.
I copy 3 of them:
1. A commercial traveller was passing through a small town when he came upon a huge funeral procession. "Who died?" he asked a nearby local. "I`m not sure," replied the local, " but I think it`s the one in the coffin."
--------------------
Image taken from: http://www.debateitout.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/teachers-cartoon.gif
Source: http://www.jokebuddha.com/joke/A_commercial_traveller#ixzz1EcGlqHS5
http://www.jokedictionary.com/jokes/b/busjokes.html
http://www.pinetree.net/humor/sherlockholmescamping.html
2011/02/20
"IN MADRID" MAGAZINE.
Hello everyone:
Maybe you already know about the "In Madrid" magazine, but I'd like to give its web where you can read it online for free. Have a look at it and enjoy it: In Madrid magazine.
See you!
-------------
Image taken from: http://www.in-madrid.com/images/masthead/inmadrid_mainlogo.jpg
Maybe you already know about the "In Madrid" magazine, but I'd like to give its web where you can read it online for free. Have a look at it and enjoy it: In Madrid magazine.
-------------
Image taken from: http://www.in-madrid.com/images/masthead/inmadrid_mainlogo.jpg
2011/02/17
STEVE JOBS AT STANDFORD UNIVERSITY.
Hello mates:
Do you know Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple company and of Pixar animation studios? Well, this is the speech he gave at Stanford University's in 2005.
It's worth listening, although it may seem a bit long, the way he tells his stories becomes very interesting and entertaining. It's also very easy to follow and it is divided into 3 parts:
1. Connecting the dots.
2. Love and loss.
3. Death.
It makes you think, doesn't it?
Do you know Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple company and of Pixar animation studios? Well, this is the speech he gave at Stanford University's in 2005.
It's worth listening, although it may seem a bit long, the way he tells his stories becomes very interesting and entertaining. It's also very easy to follow and it is divided into 3 parts:
1. Connecting the dots.
2. Love and loss.
3. Death.
It makes you think, doesn't it?
2011/02/15
SPOTIFY
Hello mates:
I'm writing on behalf of Estella, who suggested me to write a post about Spotify. It's a new way of listening to music in streaming. You just have to download an application to start listening to music.
Thanks Estella for your contribution (if you want to add something, just let me know).
Bye!!
I'm writing on behalf of Estella, who suggested me to write a post about Spotify. It's a new way of listening to music in streaming. You just have to download an application to start listening to music.
Bye!!
2011/02/14
"THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE"
Hello English "addicts":
This post is to remind you there will be a free film show this Thursday at 18.00 in the Cultural Centre ("Casa de la cultura") in Villalba. This time is the turn of a French film, so if you also speak/ understand French you can drop in. I leave its trailer: it's in original version, but with subtitles in English. If you finally go, enjoy it.
See you there!
This post is to remind you there will be a free film show this Thursday at 18.00 in the Cultural Centre ("Casa de la cultura") in Villalba. This time is the turn of a French film, so if you also speak/ understand French you can drop in. I leave its trailer: it's in original version, but with subtitles in English. If you finally go, enjoy it.
See you there!
2011/02/13
11th FEBRUARY SESSION.
Hi everyone:
To be honest, last session was one of the funniest. We were in a very good mood, so witty comments became something natural. Our first topic was the "Time bank project", which is currently starting in our town. Then, we also talked about different accents of non-native people. Then we moved to talk about resources to learn English or interesting websites e.g. the use of podcasts to train our ears or watching films in original version. Our last topic was related to that: dubbing vs. original version films.
Apart from the topics I'd like to tell you that Elena will not be coming for personal reasons. So, Elena, thank you very much for being a member and we expect your visit one day.
See you all on Friday.
P.S: Please write something about you for the blog. Thanks in advance.
-----------------------
Image taken from: http://evansheline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/full-glass.jpg
Apart from the topics I'd like to tell you that Elena will not be coming for personal reasons. So, Elena, thank you very much for being a member and we expect your visit one day.
See you all on Friday.
P.S: Please write something about you for the blog. Thanks in advance.
-----------------------
Image taken from: http://evansheline.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/full-glass.jpg
2011/02/11
THE ODYSSEY OF THE SPANISH TOMATO.
Hi people!
Today's post is about one question: Have you ever wondered why tomatoes are so expensive in the supermarkets? Maybe this post from a wonderful site can help you undesrtand.
The odyssey of the Spanish tomato.
Now I understand...
-------------------
Image taken from: http://kurioso.es/english/the-odyssey-of-the-spanish-tomato/
Today's post is about one question: Have you ever wondered why tomatoes are so expensive in the supermarkets? Maybe this post from a wonderful site can help you undesrtand.The odyssey of the Spanish tomato.
Now I understand...
-------------------
Image taken from: http://kurioso.es/english/the-odyssey-of-the-spanish-tomato/
2011/02/07
4th FEBRUARY SESSION.
Hello conversation mates:
Last Friday was a bit special for the group: Cecilia came back from her great two-month trip to Chile. She explained a lot of different aspects of her experience: her feelings after 18 years far from her country, how she spent Christmas holidays, her family, all what she did there...she had really lots and lots of things to tell us. For this reason, we only had one topic in this session.
Cecilia, welcome back to the group.
One of the vocabulary topics was seafood. I leave you a video about seafood idioms:
See you!
Last Friday was a bit special for the group: Cecilia came back from her great two-month trip to Chile. She explained a lot of different aspects of her experience: her feelings after 18 years far from her country, how she spent Christmas holidays, her family, all what she did there...she had really lots and lots of things to tell us. For this reason, we only had one topic in this session.
Cecilia, welcome back to the group.
One of the vocabulary topics was seafood. I leave you a video about seafood idioms:
See you!
2011/02/06
MORE ON PODCASTS.
Hello fans:
Today's post is about more podcasts (you know the Web is a great ocean of resources). Let's start:
Today's post is about more podcasts (you know the Web is a great ocean of resources). Let's start:
- The first one is divided into three levels. It also has a business English section. You can also find videos. They are short and very specific, but easy to follow. And you know you can always repeat them several times. So choose your level and start listening. Podcasts in English.
- The second web is a specific site with podcasts about lots of topics. Every podcast has got three parts: the conversation (at low speed), an explanation about the vocabulary and expressions and, finally, the same conversation at normal speed. So, as you can see, it's very complete. English as a second language podcasts.
- The third one is a very complete web, where you can find free lessons of all levels and varied material. All you have to do is signing up (it's free and you only need a email address and user name) to start the tour. Englishpod (free lessons).
2011/02/03
GROUNDHOG DAY.
Hi!!
Every 2nd February is a special day in Punxsautawney, Pennsylvania. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a grounhog emerges from its burrow on this day. If he leaves the burrow, it means that winter-like weather will soon end. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.This year is the 125th annual forecast for Phil.
You can find more information in the official web: Groundhog Day official website..
Maybe you remember a film about it: it was also called "Grounhog Day" (1993) with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Here you are Roger Ebert's review.
I leave you the trailer:
I also leave a link to this year's forecast: Phil's forecast for 2011.
Bye!!
-------------------------
Information taken from Wikipedia.
Every 2nd February is a special day in Punxsautawney, Pennsylvania. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a grounhog emerges from its burrow on this day. If he leaves the burrow, it means that winter-like weather will soon end. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.This year is the 125th annual forecast for Phil.
You can find more information in the official web: Groundhog Day official website..
Maybe you remember a film about it: it was also called "Grounhog Day" (1993) with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Here you are Roger Ebert's review.
I leave you the trailer:
I also leave a link to this year's forecast: Phil's forecast for 2011.
Bye!!
-------------------------
Information taken from Wikipedia.
2011/02/01
YOU KIOSKE.
Hello everyone:
Do you know You Tube? Of course will be your answer. What about having a kind of You Tube but with magazines? So here you have "You Kioske". It's in Spanish but you have lots of stuff to read (but I'm afraid, not possible to download).
What's more important: magazines in English, including some like "Hot English" magazine. And...what's even more important...it's FREE! It's worth to have at least a quick glance. I'll be pleased to read your feedback!
You kioske
----------------------
Picture taken from:
http://recursosgratis.com/boletines/2009/images/Logo-YouKioske.gif
Do you know You Tube? Of course will be your answer. What about having a kind of You Tube but with magazines? So here you have "You Kioske". It's in Spanish but you have lots of stuff to read (but I'm afraid, not possible to download).
What's more important: magazines in English, including some like "Hot English" magazine. And...what's even more important...it's FREE! It's worth to have at least a quick glance. I'll be pleased to read your feedback!
You kioske
----------------------
Picture taken from:
http://recursosgratis.com/boletines/2009/images/Logo-YouKioske.gif
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