Saying goodbye...for now

Dear students past and present, and readers of this blog,

This is the last working day for us of the year 2010. We won't see each other again until next year, 2011. It has been a good year, hasn't it? We have learnt lots of new things, shared lots of videos, comments, songs, met lots of wondeful new people...but the time comes now to go back home, stay with the family and friends, and why not, rest a little bit. Before saying goodbye until next year, let me share a few things with you.

First of all, I'd like to say a big THANK YOU to all those who came to the Christmas Party we threw at the school. We had lots of fun, and many people shared such a special moment with us. We hope to have many more like this. Without you, these events would not exist!!

On such a day, we watched a very funny video, that I strongly recommend to you. Please take a look at it:

Music is always a good idea, right? But this time not the traditional Christmas carol. I give you Christmas lights, by Coldplay.

Christmas Lights

Christmas night, another fight
Tears we cried a flood
Got all kinds of poison in
Poison in my blood

I took my feet
To Oxford Street
Trying to right a wrong
Just walk away
Those windows say
But I can't believe she's gone

When you're still waiting for the snow to fall
Doesn't really feel like Christmas at all

Up above candles on air flicker
Oh they flicker and they float
But I'm up here holding on
To all those chandeliers of hope

Like some drunken Elvis singing
I go singing out of tune
Saying how I always loved you darling
And I always will

Oh when you're still waiting for the snow to fall
Doesn't really feel like Christmas at all

Still waiting for the snow to fall
It doesn't really feel like Christmas at all

Those Christmas lights
Light up the street
Down where the sea and city meet
May all your troubles soon be gone
Oh Christmas lights keep shining on

Those Christmas lights
Light up the street
Maybe they'll bring her back to me
Then all my troubles will be gone
Oh Christmas lights keep shining on

Oh Christmas lights
Light up the street
Light up the fireworks in me
May all your troubles soon be gone
Those Christmas lights keep shining on

MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!!

A recommendation for this Christmas season: The King's Speech

Dear students and readers of this blog,

Sorry for my absence, but I've been incredibly busy these last few weeks. As the Christmas holidays are approaching, I want to leave you with "homework" to do. Don't worry, I'm not going to make you work. But I'd like to recommend you a film that will be released on 22 December:

Watch the trailer of THE KING'S SPEECH, with Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham-Carter:

Plot

After the death of his father King George V (Michael Gambon) and the scandalous abdication of King Edward VIII (Guy Pearce), Bertie (Colin Firth) who has suffered from a debilitating speech impediment all his life, is suddenly crowned King George VI of England. With his country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), the future Queen Mother, arranges for her husband to see an eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). After a rough start, the two delve into an unorthodox course of treatment and eventually form an unbreakable bond. With the support of Logue, his family, his government and Winston Churchill (Timothy Spall), the King will overcome his stammer and deliver a radio-address that inspires his people and unites them in battle. (source: wikipedia)

Learn about the two main characters of this story, King George VI (a.k.a "Bertie") and Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue. Click on their photos:

If you go and see it, write a comment with your opinion on the film. Merry Christmas!!

1º NB (A1) - Of jobs and the family

We are now studying vocabulary about jobs and the family in our class. So here you have some help to learn extra vocabulary on these two topics. Enjoy!!

Click here for a list of common jobs (with pictures!)

And now, watch the video below: jobs




We are also studying vocabulary about family and its members. So maybe you'll like this video:

So now, you can speak about your family and their jobs.

Here you have an example of how you can do that:

"My father's name is Joseph. He's 76 and he's retired. My mother's name is Angela. She's 70 and she's a housewife. I've got one brother and one sister. Their names are Peter and Chloe. Peter is 42, and he's a film director. Peter has a partner. Her name is Louise. She's 41. They are not married and they haven't got any children. Chloe is 46 and she's a psychologist. She's married. Her husband is my brother-in-law, and his name is Stephen. He is a bank manager. They've got two sons: Hector and Albert. Hector is 16, and he's a student. Alberto is 12, and he's also a student. This is my family."

Soon, you will have to tell me about your families!!!