The night when spirits walk among the living...Halloween 2012

Dear students & readers of this blog,

Once more, Halloween is coming along. It is a festivity that is especially associated with the U.S., altough its origins are to be found quite far from there. Anyhow, Halloween is gradually imposing again on the continent where it was born. Many of us know something about it through films or TV shows. Many others have heard about it, but don't really know much about Halloween traditions, or what people do to get ready for the night when the limit between the world of the living and that of the dead disappears. So let's have a look at what we can find available online. Endless websites...

The first one I recommend you to have a look at if you want to know more about Halloween is http://www.history.com/ (The History Channel). Find all sort of information, in the shape of videos, interactive games and much more. The following video about the origins has been extracted from it:

So now we know...

...that Halloween has Celtic origins. The Celtic festival SAMHAIN [pronounced /saun/] celebrated the end of the year, which finished in October.

...that the Celts believed that ghosts, witches and evil spirits entered the world of the living on the night of the 31st October.

...that people wore costumes to scare the evil spirits away.

...that orange and black are the colours of Halloween.

...that the word "Halloween" comes from "All Hallows' Eve", which is the day before All Saints' Day.

...that in some English-speaking countries people wear scary costumes and masks and go to parties.

If we could reduce Halloween to numbers, this would be it:

Jack-O'-Lanterns are made out of pumpkins. People put Jack-O'-Lanterns in front of their windows or in their gardens, to frighten evil spirits. Did you know that this tradition originated in Great Britain and Ireland and that, originally, people used turnips?

Now let's learn a few facts about PUMPKINS:

Would you like to know how a Jack-O'-Lanternt is made?

One of the most typical Halloween traditions, together with Jack-O'-Lanterns is the decoration of houses with Halloween lights. But man, some people can go just over the top to make an impression!!





What about haunted houses? Watch this video about the Bonanza Hotel (no subtitles)

And last but not least, the most popular Halloween tradition of all: TRICK-OR-TREATING! First of all, some basic precautions to enjoy Halloween night:





Let's see how Donald Duck celebrates Halloween:

TO ALL, HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Class Diary week 4 (22-26 Oct)

Dear students & readers of this blog,

This is what we did last week:

2º NB

Contents:

- Revision plurals, demonstrative adjectives and the article (a/an)

- Phonetics: Consonant sounds 2. Pronunciation plurals (/s/, /z/, /iz/)

- Adjectives: opposites, colours

Student's book:

- p.151 - things

- p. 12, ex. 2 a

- p. 15, ex 3 e

Homework:
- P. 152 - Common adjectives

Photocopies:
- Mystery objects

- Revision plurals

- Revision demonstrative adjectives

- Revision indefinite article 'a/an' (+ definite article 'the')

- Pronunciation plurals

Videos:
- None

2º NA

Contents:
- Talking about work: 5 questions to ask before choosing a career, job hunting (CV writing, reference letters), job interview tips

- What's your personality type? - Personality adjectives

Student's book:
- p. 7, ex. 6

- p. 8, ex 1 a, b, d. Ex 2 a

- p. 116

Videos:
Job interview tips - Maggie Mistal (see blog post on 'work'): 

When you watch, say:

- What moments of the job interview they discuss about.

- What tips Maggie gives for each of those moments. 

Photocopies:
- Job hunting: CV writing (from Inside Out Upper Intermediate)

Homework:
- Read the article "Working girl"

- p. 137 - Have

NA 2 - File 1A - Work, work...

Dear students & readers of this blog,

Recently we have been dealing in class with the topic of work and all related to it: job hunting, things we should ask ourselves when choosing a career to follow, how to dress for work, what makes you happy at work...Take some time to have a look at the contents of this post. It will be worth your while!!

Thanks to my colleague, Federico, for sharing all this with me!!

First of all, you have to think carefully about your future career, and what you want to do. Maybe you have to ask yourself a few questions:




(source: Psychologies Magazine. September 2012)

If you are job-hunting, you need to have a good CV. Click here if you want to read about the DOs and DON'Ts of CV writing.

Now, click here to take a test on CVs.

First of all, what do we need to know to face a job interview and succeed in getting a job? Watch the following video:

It’s understandable to feel a little nervous before an interview. Maggie Mistal offers some practical advice to help ensure that you put your best foot forward.

• Show up on time.
  
  
• Dress appropriately.
  
  
• Smile and try to relax! Remember, an interview is a conversation and your interviewer is a person, too.
  
  
• Be prepared to answer key questions like, “Why are you looking to leave your current position?”  It is key that you always stay positive, even if you are currently in a difficult situation.
  
  
• A way to turn tough questions into positive talking points is to bring the focus to things you are looking for in your next job.  Instead of bashing your current company for their lack of leadership or your lack of mangement experience, emphasize that you are seeking a job where you can work closely with a mentor or take on greater responsibility. 
  
  
• Don't get defensive if the interviewer makes a comment like, “you’re over-qualified” or “you’re under-qualified.” Turn the comment into a positive note, addressing the interviewer’s concerns behind the question: "I understand why you might feel I’m overqualified, but at this stage in my career I’m really looking to downshift and am looking for an opportunity where I can contribute but don’t necessarily have to run the show."
  
  
• Get as much experience as you can (especially if you are still in school). Highlight your past accomplishments. Show how you have learned, grown and succeeded in the past. Offer references of people who can attest to your ability to learn quickly and perform well.
  
  
• Do not be the one to bring up salary. Sell them on why you’re the ideal candidate first.
  
  
• Be prepared to answer salary-related questions if asked by the interviewer. Checkout online salary calculators to find out what your role is worth in your geographic area.
  
  
• Do not bring up benefits in the first interview; wait until you are invited back for another interview to ask about other benefits like vacation, 401K, etc.

Remember, an interview is the chance to find out if you are right for the company and if the company is right for you. Your odds of getting the job (and perhaps negotiating a higher salary) will improve if you first prove to them why you are the ideal candidate for the job.

-----------



UA FANTHORPE (1929–2009)
You will be hearing from us shortly (1978)

UA Fanthorpe was born in Kent. She studied at Oxford and went on to train as a teacher. She became Head of English, at Cheltenham Ladies' College (1962–70). In 'middle age' she 'dropped out' of teaching after training as a counsellor and took a job as a clerk in a hospital for neuro-psychiatric patients. The shock of what she saw made her write – to give voice to what the patients were experiencing. Her first collection of poems, was published when she was 49. The poems themselves all show a deep compassion for ordinary people and a suspicion of authority.

What is the poem You Will Be Hearing From Us Shortly by Ursula Askham Fanthorpe all about?

The poet puts the reader (you) in the shoes of an interviewee who is being asked questions at a job interview. The poem shows how unfair society is, and how qualified people often don't get accepted for jobs because of prejudice. Diferent types of prejudice are dealt with. Looks, accent etc... The words printed at the right after each stanza indicate that the intimidated interviewee doesn't speak in defence of self. The interviewer who doesn't want to employ the interviewee takes advantage of the interviewer's (presumed) silence and sums each attack on the interviewee's privacy with a statement such as 'so glad we agree'.
We assume that because of the interviewer's rude sarcastic remarks and rhetorics, the interviewee feels insignificant for the job. The poem shows us the intensity of unreasonable prejudice and its severe impact on its victims. The way the poet puts the reader in the shoes of the interviewee helps us empathise, sympathise and understand. The poem has an anti-prejudicial message and thus should be taken seriously. It therefore was not written for any humorous purposes.

The poem

You Will Be Hearing From Us Shortly

You feel adequate to the demands of this position?
What qualities do you feel you
Personally have to offer?
                                                                          Ah
Let us consider your application form.
Your qualifications, though impressive, are
Not, we must admit, precisely what
We had in mind. Would you care
To defend their relevance?
                                                                          Indeed
Now your age. Perhaps you feel able
To make your own comment about that,
Too? We are conscious ourselves
Of the need for a candidate with precisely
The right degree of immaturity.
                                                                          So glad we agree
And now a delicate matter: your looks.
You do appreciate this work involves
Contact with the actual public? Might they,
Perhaps, find your appearance
Disturbing?
                                                                          Quite so
And your accent. That is the way
You have always spoken, is it? What
Of your education? Were
You educated? We mean, of course,
Where were you educated?
                                              And how
Much of a handicap is that to you.
Would you say?
                        Married, children,
We see. The usual dubious
Desire to perpetuate what had better
Not have happened at all. We do not
Ask what domestic disasters shimmer
Behind that vaguely unsuitable address.
And you were born—?
                                                                          Yes. Pity.So glad we agree.

----------

Once you get the job, you have to worry about what you wear for work. Have a look at the following article:

(Source: Psychologies. September 2012)

And to finish, some tips on HOW TO LOOK BUSY AT WORK.

1. Never walk without a document in your hands

People with documents in their hands look like hard working employees going to important meetings. People with nothing in their hands look like they are going to the canteen. People with a newspaper in their hands look like they are going to the toilet. Most importantly, make sure you carry a lot of paper home with you at night, this will give the false impression that you work longer hours than you actually do.

2. Use computers to look busy

Any time you use a computer, it looks like 'work' to the casual observer. You can send and receive personal e-mails, chat, read this story, and generally have fun without doing anything remotely related to work. These aren't exactly the social benefits that the fans of the computer revolution would like to talk about but they're not bad either. When you get caught by your boss – and you WILL get caught – your best defence is to claim you're teaching yourself to use new software or English, and so saving the company the cost of expensive training.

3. Untidy desk

Top management can get away with a clean desk. For the rest of us, it looks like we're not working hard enough. Build huge piles of documents around your work area. To the casual observer, last year's work looks the same as today's work. It is the amount of documents you have that is important. Pile them high and wide. If you know somebody is coming to your desk, bury the document you know they will want halfway down an existing pile and rummage for it when they arrive.

4. Voice mail

Never answer your phone if you have voice mail. People don't call you just because they want a chat – they call because they want YOU to do work for THEM. Screen all calls through voice mail. If somebody leaves a voice message for you and it sounds like impending work, reply during their lunch hour when you know they will be in the canteen – it looks like you're hardworking and conscientious.


5. Looking impatient and annoyed 


Always try to look impatient and annoyed to give your boss the impression that you are always busy.

6. Leave the office late

Always leave the office late, especially when the boss is still working. You could read the magazines and books that you have always wanted to read but have had no time. Make sure you walk past the boss' office as you are leaving. Send important e-mails at unearthly hours (e.g. 7.05 am, 9.35 pm) and during public holidays.

7. Sighing for effect

Sigh loudly when there are many people around, giving the impression that you are under extreme pressure.

8. Piling strategy

It is not enough to pile lots of documents on the table. Put lots of books on the floor, etc. (thick computer books are best).

9. Build vocabulary

Read some computer magazines and pick out all the jargon and new products. Use the phrases when in conversation with the bosses. Remember: They don't have to understand what you say, but you will sound impressive.

10. Have two jackets

If you work in a big open plan office, always leave an extra jacket on the back of your chair. This gives the impression that you are still in the office. The second jacket should be worn while you are away from your desk doing something more interesting than work.

Has anyone got any additional suggestions?

NB 2 - Practical English File 1: At a hotel

Dear students & readers of this blog,

In our Practical English section in file 1 we have met Rob and Jenny, and we have revised some useful phrases to use when we check in at a hotel. Here you will find a sample dialogue and a few videos you might find interesting. Take a minute or two to have a look!

SAMPLE DIALOGUE:


Receptionist: Welcome to the Wyatt Hotel. How can I help you?
Guest: I'd like a room, please.
Receptionist: Would you like a single or a double room?
Guest: I'd like a double room, please.
Receptionist: May I have your name, please?
Guest: Timothy Findley.
Receptionist: Could you spell that, please?
Guest: Sure! It's F-I-N-D-L-E-Y.
Receptionist: How many are you in your party?
Guest: Just two.
Receptionist: Just for tonight?
Guest: Yes, that's right.
Receptionist: How will you be paying?
Guest: Is Visa okay?
Receptionist: Yes, sir. Would you like a wake-up call?
Guest: Yes, please. At 6.30.
Receptionist: Here's your key. That's room 405 on the 4th floor. The lifts are over there. Enjoy your stay, Mr Findley.
Guest: Thank you!

Here you have some videos you might find useful:




The following video recreates a real check-in situation. (In American English. Please note that the word "guys" is quite informal). Have a look!

An now, to finish, a bit of humour. Last Friday, in class, we watched a video of a very famous BBC classic TV comedy, "Fawlty Towers". 

Fawlty Towers is a hotel. The manager's name is Basil Fawlty and he's married to Sybil. Polly and Manuel work at the hotel. Polly is British and Manuel is Spanish. Manuel speaks a little English but he sometimes has problems with his translations! The hotel is terrible and Basil often gets angry with his staff and guests! (source: Speak Out)

If you want to do what we did in class, watch from minute 1.34 on and answer the following questions:



While watching: exercise 1

Are the following sentences true (T) or false (F)? 

1. Manuel speaks English.
2. The moose sepaks English.
3. The Major is surprised.
4. Basil Fawlty is angry.

While watching, exercise 2

Underline the word you hear in the sentences: 

1. How/Who are you, sir?
2. I speak English good/well.
3. I learnt it from a book/cook.
4. Hello, Major. How are you OK/today?
5. I'm tired/fine, thank you.
6. That's a remarkable animal/antique you have there, Fawlty.
7. Er...20/12 pounds, I think.
8. Canadian/American, I think, Major.

And now, Mr Bean:

Class Diary Week 3 (15 -19 Oct)

Dear students & readers of this blog,

This is what we did last week:

2º NB

Contents:
- Names of objects in the classroom
- Phonetics: 'a' sounds and 'e' sounds. Consonant sounds 1. Word & sentence stress
- How to ask for personal information
- Practical English: at a hotel

Students' book:
- p. 8, ex 1
- p. 9, listening & speaking (a, b)
- p. 10 - 1 a, 2 a , 3 b, d, g, 4 a, b, c, d

Homework:
- P. 151 (things)

Photocopies:
- None

Videos:
- Fawlty Towers (from Speak Out)

2º NA

Contents:
- Talking about motivation
- Talking about work
- How to look up idioms in a dictionary
- linkers

Student's book:
- p. 5, b
- p. 136 (briefly comment on grammar, two sentences of each exercise done in class, the rest for homework)
- p. 6 - ex. 3 - speaking & listening, a, b, c & d
- p. 7, ex. 3 - e & f, ex. 4 a & d

Videos:
None

Photocopies:
- Linkers

Homework:
- p. 136 - linkers
- p. 157 - work vocabulary
- Read the article "5 questions before choosing a career"

Extracurricular activities at the EOI Plasencia: Concurso de relatos cortos Jan Evanson 2012

Dear students and readers of this blog,

A few years ago, one of ours, teacher in our school, Jan Evanson, left us. And the school has created this short story contest to honour her. So if you like writing, and are into short stories, this is your chance. Please find the rules for participation below (it's in Spanish, I know. Just for this one time!). Take your time to read them and show us how good a writer you are!

Class Diary Week 2 (8-11 Oct)

Dear students & readers of this blog,

This is what we did in our second week of class:

2º NB

Contents:
- Revising the alphabet: spelling

- Revising numbers: 0-1,000,000, asking for & saying telephone numbers

- Revising the days of the week: focus on pronunciation
- Countries

Students' book:
- p. 5, ex. 5 a & b
- p. 7, ex. 6 a & b
- p. 148 - Numbers & days of the week
- p. 6 - world quiz
- p. 149 - The world (countries & nationalities)

Homework:
- Have a look at pages 148 & 149 at home.

Photocopies:
- Number dictation

2º NA

Contents:
- Talking about motivation

Student's book:
- p. 4 & 5 reading comprehension
- p. 4 ex. a, b & c.
- p. 5 - lexis in context

Videos:
- RSA animation: The surprising truth about what motivates us.
- TED, ideas worth spreading: Dan Pink: The puzzle of motivation
- Steve Jobs's commencement speech at Standford University (done in class, with comprehension questions)

Photocopies:
- Types of motivation: intrinsic, extrinsic & cooperative (speaking activity in class)
- Discussion questions on the different types of motivation (speaking activity in class)
- Comprehension questions on Steve Jobs's Commencement speech video

Homework:
None

Class Diary - Week 1 (1-5 October)

Dear students and readers of this blog,

This year there is going to be another section in our blog, or another 'lable': our class diary. When you see a post like this, you'll know that, if you read it, you will find information of what's been done in class in a particular week. This is mainly directed to those who can't come to class regularly, so that they can be informed of class activities and homework. So here it goes!

The first week was obviously the week of introductions. We didn't use our textbook, as most people still had to buy it. This is what we did: 

Day one (Monday/ Tuesday)

- 'Fichas del alumno' (please, if you still have to hand it in, do it ASAP!!)

- Important information was given on: 

•  evaluation and assessment
• attendance (60% is the minimun to keep a place at the school for the following year)
• Extracurricular activities - we started with the European Day of Languages and each student brought to class 'the most beautiful word of the English Language'
• Opening times of the Office (Secretaría) and the Library (please check the school's website)
• Readings for the first term (NA - About a boy, by Nick Hornby. NB - travelling library - starting November)
• Election of the Delegados and Subdelegados de Curso (Please think about it. It's not that much work!!)
• Leticia's tutoring hour: Remember - Tuesdays, from 7 to 8 p.m.
• Class on Fridays: see calendar in the classrooms.

- Ice breakers, to get to know one another:

2º NA - Choose an adjective that starts with the same sound as your first name (from a list given)

2º NB - Complete the sentence with a noun starting with the same sound as your first name: ' My name is ___________ and I like ___________'

Day two (Wednesday/ Thursday)

2º NA

- 'The most beautiful word of the English language' - Say which one you chose and why you chose it.

- Why are you learning English? - Video 'Global Voices'

- What is 'a global language' and what makes of English 'a global language'? - Video ' Global English with David Crystal'

- Quiz: Are you a good language learner?

- Homework: Read the text on pages 4-5 of our textbook + reading comprehension questions + lexis in context (to be checked in class along next week)

2º NB

- 'The most beautiful world of the English language' - Say which one you chose and why you chose it.

- Activitiy: 'Me in numbers' - Asking basic questions

- Classroom language

Day 3 (Friday) (Tues/Thru groups)

2º NB

- Revision of the alphabet and spelling practice - the spelling bee

- Phonemic chart: presentation of some sounds

2º NA

- Shapes personality test

- Comments on the quiz 'Are you a good lenguage learner'?

- 130 mistakes 1: revision of the most typical grammar mistakes made by Spanish speakers

And that was all, folks! (for now)