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:

• 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).

Bye!!

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!!
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Information taken from Wikipedia.

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

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Picture taken from:

http://recursosgratis.com/boletines/2009/images/Logo-YouKioske.gif

SHORT BIOGRAPHIES.

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!!

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):

To pull strings - influence or control shrewdly or deviously; "He manipulated public opinion in his favor" Synonyms: manipulate, pull wires. related words: act upon, influence, work.  have and exert influence or effect;E.g. "The artist's work influenced the young painter"; "She worked on her friends to support the political candidate" The second one was: "be as thick as two short planks" (be very dumb, be as dumb as a brick, have no intelligence at all), what in Spanish would be "no tener dos dedos de frente". Meaning (British informal): to be very stupid. E.g. He might be good-looking but he's as thick as two short planks (from wordmagicsoft.com and thefreedictionary.com) There's something new to learn everyday... Bye!!