BITS AND PIECES

AWEINSPIRING BLOG!!

2008-06-10T00:44:00.002+02:00

I've come across a beautifully pictured blog by a person who is in her 60's, I think it's well worth a visit. http://60b460.blogspot.com/ I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. Don't you think her drawings are great?

MARKS AND APPOINTMENTS FOR ORAL TESTS!!

2008-06-10T00:08:00.003+02:00

You can already see your marks in the Reading, Writing and Listening Tests together with your appointed time and date for the ORAL TEST. Go to http://huelva.eeooii.org/ ACTUALIZACION CONTINUA: TABLON DE ANUNCIOS / DEPARTAMENTO DE INGLES. I hope you can easily find it.

See you soon.

KEY TO LAST CLOZE TESTS

2008-05-28T12:49:00.000+02:00

The following links are the key for the cloze tests I gave out in class last Tuesday.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_76hmr87gfx
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_77d86dpmhn
Remember tomorrow Jessica will have her last conversation class. Don't you miss it!!
After that we'll have our last class. I hope to see you all there.

JESSICA'S LAST CLASS

2008-05-22T17:44:00.000+02:00

Although Jessica is having a conversation class with you next Thursday, it was her last class today. We had fun, as usual with her, talking about American English and British English and her story about her English friend's pants.

The following document shows what we've been doing in class today.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_75gtsv3nhj .It includes the original text "An Englishman in New York" and the answer key.

Remember about the end-of-the-year party next Thursday 29th May from 19.30 to 22.30, it includes music and a band, a cooking contest... And it is a good chance to meet Jessica before she says goodbye.

LISTENING PRACTICE

2008-05-20T19:36:00.001+02:00

I haven't posted interesting stuff for a long time. In this case it is a site with a lot of LISTENING, WATCHING AND READING. Try some of them, depending on your taste or mood of the moment. Definitely, enjoy them!
http://www.kantalk.com/lesson/View/ID/237 Particularly this one is about FLORENCE. You can find many others in http://www.kantalk.com/Lesson/ Don't you trust the rating, when it says intermediate, it doesn't really mean it. Believe me!!

LESSON CANCELLED

2008-05-15T20:09:00.000+02:00

Sorry, but there won't be a lesson tomorrow Friday 16th. Family reasons!! I will explain next Tuesday 20th. Rob will be coming, so you will have a conversation class at 10.15, plus our class at 11.15.
Sorry about the inconveniences.

EIGHT LESSONS TO GO!!

2008-04-30T19:40:00.000+02:00

We need to bear in mind that there are less than 8 classes to go. We did quite a lot in class the other day:
- We decided that from the 13th May onwards, we will start our classes with NEWS DISCUSSION. It means that every day 3 of you will come to class at 11.00, I'll give you a different piece of news to read, and we'll start the lesson at 11.15 by talking in turns about the news you read, and end up discussing your partners news. Just a little bit of practice for the oral exam in June.
- We did the listening on p.106 about a CHANGE OF PLAN, and revised the structures on p. 105 "Language Reference: the future seen from the past" As part of your homework for the following day you have to do ex. 4 on the same page. This is the round off for the unit about the future (U.8).
- Then we did another listening, back to p.25 7, and focussed on the Language Reference: hedging. This is very useful for our NEWS DISCUSSION and led us to U.9 which deals with the news and headlines. As part of your homework I gave you "some" handouts:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_73xwcj89ch ABOUT HEADLINES
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_74gfffmmfb CLOZE TEST

CONGRATULATIONS

2008-04-30T19:29:00.000+02:00

I wanted to congratulate you all for your book presentations last 24th April. They were very good, and I think you have plenty of things to do once you finish your studies with us, for example reading that book you liked so much!

In the link below you will get a cloze test which Veronica kindly prepared for us.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_72fhvv8nfx

OUT FOR A DRINK

2008-04-20T22:28:00.001+02:00

Last Thursday we went for a drink and some tapas. We had a few good chats. Carolina, you know whatever you decide it will be the best. Big hugs from everybody!! And cheer up!!

DR JEKYLL & MR HYDE

2008-04-18T15:46:00.000+02:00

On Monday 28th April you will have the chance of watching the play
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. It will take place in Gran Teatro at 18.00. You can get your ticket in class next week or at the gate just before the performance starts. Hope to see you all there.

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

2008-04-18T12:20:00.000+02:00

After watching this documentary about global warming we had a bit of a discussion with Jessica. As part of your homework, there you go the correction of "Global Warming".http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_70gtvtzcfg

SMS TEXT

2008-04-14T11:15:00.000+02:00

Last Friday 11th April Robert was in class with us. He taught us about sms texts in English. In the following link you can find some of the material used for it.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_58fvct3hg8

We also learnt some idioms and proverbs.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_59dp326pdq

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_64cc9rk8g3

As part of your homework, I handed out the following documents, don't try to do the cloze test without doing the exercises. http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_696z8pvnhn

CUTOMORO

MY PORTFOLIO UNITS 6/7

2008-04-08T10:25:00.000+02:00

As a round off for units 6/7 there you have the portfolio so that you can decide what you will have to work a little harder on. http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_57gzmcssc6

We will start unit 8 by watching a video about Stephen Hawking. Remember tomorrow we will have a special class to watch THE KITE RUNNER (10.15-12.15 in the lab) and Jessica will come with us after that to share our thoughts about the film.

I'll ask you to send me the composition by Thursday morning, before 10 a.m. because, otherwise, I won't be able to correct it to hand them back to you on Friday. Don't you hate me too intensely, please!!

JESSICA'S CLASS

2008-04-03T13:46:00.000+02:00

Jessica was with us today, and we did the following activities.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_53cbzswjdw

Then we did exercises 1/2 on p.61 together with the listening on p.62. I also handed out the following document about different ways to request things politely (MIND).
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_56fb8bm6cn

As for homework: In your books p. 63 ex.1/2; p.64 1/ p.66 ex.1

See you next week! Remember we're having class on Tuesday, Wednesday (10.15-13.15 Film+discussion) and Friday 11.15-13.30 (Rob in class with us).

PETS AND ANIMALS

2008-04-01T13:39:00.000+02:00

We've corrected homework from your books pp. 59-60 and I've handed out a xcopy about PARTICIPLE CLAUSES (grammar point in the unit) taken from Grammarway 4, together with some exercises (16/17).

Then we started a discussion about the use of ANIMALS FOR PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT. That's the second part of the following file. In the first part you can see exercises about vocabulary related to ANIMALS. HOMEWORK http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_52pgnqbdfh

Jessica is coming to class on Thursday, and we'll listen to a song, play bingos... It should be fun, don't miss it!

ROB'S CLASSES

2008-03-31T13:29:00.000+02:00

You will have your conversation classes with Rob from 10.15to 11.15 on the following Fridays:
4th April / 18th April / 23rd May
We will have him in class on 11th April (The Kite Runner will be on 9th April) / 16th May (instead of the class 15th May)

LOOKING FOR A JOB?

2008-03-28T15:22:00.000+01:00

I've been asked about students who speak good English, German and/or French who might be interested in working as a tourist guide in Huelva and surrounding area. I immediately thought about those of you who are unemployed and looking for a job. Do I need to give names???

Get in touch with SARA RODRIGUEZ CABRITA sararod68@hotmail.com or 696431071.

Good luck!!

I'M BACK!!

2008-03-28T12:04:00.000+01:00

I've been neglecting you and the blog lately, haven't I? I've been a bit too busy, even at Easter.
Right, we're about to finish U.6 about MIND.
Some of the material I've handed out in class can be found below:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_50gmj5fff3
The other day we corrected a "test" which you had to do at home, but as if you were in class (not to waste class time, you know I trust you). This is the test, for those of you missing those days.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_49hs48p9ct + a photocopy revising Wish Sentences not available at the moment (class file).
Homework for the following day: Inside Out p.59 Reading "The Canine" +ex. 1/3+p.60 Close up ex.1/3/4/5/7.
See you next Tuesday.

MIND. UNIT 6

2008-03-11T13:49:00.000+01:00

HOMEWORK:
- http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_4659ss7qfk
- reading on page 56 in your books together with p.56 lexis 1.
- reading the following text about BAD LANGUAGE, we'll be working on that with Jessica.http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_47fg9zk7gt
- I also handed out the following document, it will be the second part of Jessica's class.http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_48fb6dbcc8
- finally we're interested in knowing more about the Tourette's syndrome and Oliver Sacks, if you want.

EOI MIERES

2008-03-10T22:06:00.000+01:00

I came across an interesting blog by a teacher in EOI Mieres, her name is Carmen, and she shares her blog with her students. I think it's a very interesting thing to do, so I may start sharing my blog with you. Ready?? I want to get your opinions about this.
http://web.educastur.princast.es/eoi/eoimiere/myweb/blog/ . As you can see students post their own review of the books they are reading.

Don't miss the other activities for the 5th year in the same blog, English department.

ST. PATRICK'S CLASS

2008-03-04T12:06:00.000+01:00

On Monday 3rd we had a class with Robert, who tried to show us a bit of the Irish Culture related to the history and nowadays' celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Some of the material used in the class will be found in the following links.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4xnb9AmY28 SHORT CLIP FROM IRISH FILM
http://www.irelandseye.com/animation/explorer/leprechaun.html FAIRIES
http://holidays.kaboose.com/patrick-history.html HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Video_Clips&content_type_id=1328&display_order=6&mini_id=1082 VIDEO (4 mins)
http://www.theholidayspot.com/patrick/quiz.htm QUIZZ
http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/hisfarmzo1/l/blquizholstpat.htm QUIZZ WITH BASICS

The following is some information Robert also gave you, but, unfortunately I cannot remember the site I got it from, so there you go.
We celebrate Saint Patrick's Day each year on March 17th. The festive holiday has everyone wearing green (so they don't get pinched) and chatting of four leaf clovers, shamrocks, lucky leprechauns, and kissing some big rock called a blarney stone. Does it all sound a bit strange? It did to me too but after a bit of research it all made sense. Here's what I found out.
Did you know that Saint Patrick's name at birth was Maewyn Succat? He was born somewhere near the end of the fourth century and took on the name Patrick or Patricus, after he became a priest, much later in his life. At the age of sixteen Maewyn Succat was kidnapped from his native land of Britain, by a band pirates, and sold into slavery in Ireland. Maewyn worked as a shepherd and turned to religion for solace. After six long years of slavery he escaped to the northern coast of Gaul.
In Gaul, Maewyn became Patrick (a more christian name) and studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for twelve years. He came to believe that it was his calling to convert the pagans of Ireland to Christianity. St. Palladius was appointed to go to Ireland first but transferred to Scotland two years later opening up the door for Patrick. Patrick was about sixty years old when he arrived in Ireland and it is said that he had a winning personality that helped him win converts. He used the shamrock, which resembles a three-leafed clover, to help explain the concept of the Trinity (father, son, holy spirit).
Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries and setting up schools and churches to aid in converting the Irish country to Christianity. Legend has it that Saint Patrick drove all the snakes out of Ireland. Evidently, they all went into the sea and drowned. The snake is a pagan symbol and perhaps this is a figurative tale explaining that he drove paganism out of Ireland.
Patrick's mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. He then retired to County Down and died on March 17 in 461 AD. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since. The first year St. Patrick's Day was celebrated in this country was 1737 in Boston, Massachusetts. As the saying goes, on this day "everybody is Irish!" Over 100 U.S. cities now hold Saint Patrick's Day parades.
Shamrock
St. Patrick used the shamrock leaf to symbolize the Trinity, and today many people wear a shamrock to commemorate Saint Patrick's Day.
Blarney Stone
So what's all this talk of kissing the Blarney Stone?
Blarney Castle is located in County Cork, Ireland. Built in 1446 by Cormac Laidhim McCarthy (Lord of Muskerry) the Blarney stone is located in the southern tower wall between the main castle wall and the parapet. In order to kiss the stone one has to lie on their back and bend backward (and downward), holding iron bars for support. It is said that the Blarney stone has magical properties. As legend has it an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone gave the king the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly.
Leprechauns
Just what does a Leprechaun look like and why are they so special? A Leprechaun (Irish fairy) looks like a little old man. He's about 2 feet tall and dresses like a shoemaker with a cocked hat and leather apron. A Leprechaun's personality is described as aloof and unfriendly. They live alone and pass the time by making shoes. They're special because they also possess a hidden pot of gold.
If you listen closely for the sound of their hammer you might be able to capture one. If you do you can force him (with the threat of bodily violence) to reveal where he's hidden his treasure. Be careful! Do not take your eyes off him for if you do he will surely vanish and your hopes of finding his treasure will vanish with him.
Green
So why do we all wear green?
Probably because you'll be pinched if you don't! School children started this tradition. Green is also the color of spring, the shamrock and is connected with hope and nature.
The luck of the Irish
Want to be lucky this St. Patrick's Day? Follow this advice:
1. Find a four-leaf clover. 2. Wear green (so you don't get pinched). 3. Kiss the blarney stone. 4. Catch a Leprechaun if you can.
In honor of the festivities we leave you with this Irish blessing: May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow and may trouble avoid you wherever you go!

Once Robert left we did a listening from your books, p.48 "A lucky break", together with the exercises in the "close up" p. 49 1,3 and 6.
As part of your homework I asked you to do some more grammar exercises. I cannot upload the copies, sorry!! But I'm uploading the revision of unit 5 in the following link.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_44gf39cqhp

Remember there won't be a class next Thursday!! See you on Tuesday 11th March!

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE STILL YOUNG

2008-02-26T21:54:00.000+01:00

The following link will take you to a site where you can get information about SCHOLARSHIPS for young English learners (18 to 30 y.o.) for next summer.
MINISTERIO DE EDUCACIÓN Y CIENCIA (Orden ECI/ /2008, de 4 de febrero)

Those of you who are still young, and are scholarship holders, as Estela points out, don't miss this oportunity! I wish...!

TODAY'S CLASS

2008-02-26T10:59:00.001+01:00

THESE ARE THE KEY FOR THE OTHER DAY'S HOMEWORK FROM YOUR BOOKS AND HOMEWORK FOR NEXT MONDAY (WITH ROBBERT)
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_43gsvt5zg2
THESE ARE SOME REFERENCE SITES FOR YOU TO REVISE AND WORK WITH CONDITIONAL SENTENCES.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv342.shtml
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/conditional-sentences
http://www.englishpage.com/conditional/conditionalintro.html
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises_list/if.htm

WE DID SOME WORK GROUP USING THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_41c44ptwpz
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_42hm45rncz

VIDEO NATION AGAIN!

2008-02-25T00:01:00.000+01:00

THIS IS JUST TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU SHOULD OPEN THIS DOCUMENT AND WRITE DOWN YOUR NAME AND THE TITLE OF THE VIDEO YOU'VE CHOSEN.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgb2k5np_33d3tgm6hb&pli=1

A TRIP TO DUBLIN

2008-02-22T12:42:00.001+01:00

We're setting up a trip to Dublin. Dates 8th -11th May. 500euros.
The price includes all kinds of transportation from Huelva-Málaga. And once in Dublin from airport to city centre and the other way around when returning back to Spain. The lodging would be in double rooms in the Harcourt Hotel and breakfast is included. http://www.harcourthotel.com/
The flight from Malaga leaves midday and gets there 3ish. So you will have part of the afternoon and all evening free to start tasting the city. As for the flight back it leaves at 6.30 in the evening, still time in the morning and afternoon to sightsee a little more, you should forget about shopping because it is a Sunday. The flight will arrive in Malaga at about 10.30 p.m., and back to Huelva.

I know it's not a bargain, but as prices go in Ireland... It's a good chance to practice your English and move around Joyce's city. I've heard some students would be interested in organising some money raising, verbena , t-shirts...

I'd like to know your opinions here. Would you like to go? Can you go?...

One more thing, you may be wondering why the flight is leaving from Malaga and not from Faro or Sevilla. Easy answer, it's a matter of budget. Over 100euros more expensive than from Malaga!