Class Diary - Weeks 11 & 12 (10 - 20 December)

Dear students & readers of this blog,

This is what we've done in the two weeks just before Christmas:

2º NB

Contents:
- Talking about daily routine
- Vocabulary: adverbs & expressions of frequency

- Christmas vocabulary
- Expressing ability, possibility & permission: can/can't

Students' book:
- p. 30 ex. 3 a & b

- p. 31 ex. 3 d; ex. 4 (at, in, on) + p. 130; ex. 5 (speaking)

- pp. 29 & 30 - pronunciation

- p. 32 ex. 1 + p. 157; ex. 2 b, c & d.
- p. 130-131 (grammar & exercises)
- Game: at/in/on
- Game: frequency adverbs
- p. 33, ex. 4 a & b
- p. 36 + p. 158 (verb phrases)
- p. 36, ex. 2 a, b, c, d & e + p. 132 (grammar: can/can't)
- p. 37, ex. 3 (sentence stress)

Homework:
- Writing: my favourite day (p. 112)

- p. 158 (revise & check)

Photocopies:

- A day in the life of an aerobics teacher

- Prepositions at/in/on

Videos:

- Can you understand these people? ( revise & check units 3 & 4)
- A British policeman (see on itutor)
- A summary of 2012

2º NA

Contents:

- Talking about technology

- Distancing
- Debate: should prank calls be banned? (see blog post Dec 15, 2012)
- Talking about time & technology
- Pronunciation: linking; French borrowings
- Christmas: discussion questions, Christmas adds, 2012 News Quiz, Christmas Trivia

Student's book:

- p. 24 ex.1 b

- p. 25, ex. 1 d (lexis in context)

- p. 26, ex. 3 a, b, c, d, e, f, & g

- p. 27, ex. 4 a + time proverbs
- p. 28, ex. 1 a, b, c; p. 29 ex. 1 e

Videos & interactive games:

- Cell phone Addiction
- p. 34: In the street
- p. 34: Interview to Tony Hawks
- Digital Christmas

Photocopies:

- Cell phone Addiction

- Time proverbs

Homework:
None

The End is Near - Domesday 2012 according to the Mayans

Dear students & readers of this blog,

In the middle of all our Christmas preparations, rumours, or rather, beliefs that the world is going to end next Friday, December 21, are all over the media. Apparently, the Mayans, an Ancient people of Central America, forsaw the 'Domesday', or the day the world will end, in a catastrophe that will be preceded by natural disasters. Most people seem not to believe the world will end next Friday, but some others are getting ready for a catastrophe.

'Recent hurricanes, unrest in the Middle East, solar flares, mystery planets about to collide with us - all "proof" of that the ancient Mayans knew would come to pass on 21 December 2012.'

(Source: BBC)

So what do you think? Do you believe the end is near? Please COMMENT to give us your opinion.

If you want some more information on this subject, read the following article published on the BBC website: MAYAN APOCALYPSE: THE END OF THE WORLD, OR A NEW BEGINNING?

Or rather, if you wish to listen about it, rather than read about it, click on the link to the programme on BBC Radio 4 '2012 - The End of Time'.

Let's hope that the Mayans were wrong, and that we still have many hears ahead of us, to learn about English and English-speaking cultures!!

Favourite English words

Dear students & readers of this blog,

As you remember, the library corridor of our school has been full of words in 5 different languages. With this iniciative, we've ment to celebrate the beauty of language, and our passion for foreign languages in general, and for English in particular. Please find below the words that were more popular among those you chose.

Our acknowlegment and gratefulness to our colleague Federico for coming up with this idea and for creating these two beautiful images!!

Debate: are we facing the end of prank calls?

Dear students & readers of this blog,

On December 3, British people received with joy the news that the Duchess of Cambridge was expecting a baby. A few days later, though on December 7, the whole world was struck with the news that one of the nurses that worked at the King Edward VII hospital, where the Duchess was hospitalized due to severe morning sickness, was found dead in her room, in an apparent suicide.

Jacintha Saldanha, 46, was one of the two victims of a prank call (also called 'hoax call') made from an Australian radio station by DJs Michael Christian and Mel Greig, who pretended to be Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles, to inquire after the Duchess.

The BBC has recently published on its website an interesting article on the issue of prank calls. The article reflects, among other things, on the fact that it is different to call a public figure, used to the limelight, from calling a common member of the public. Here you have an extract:

'The death of the nurse Jacintha Saldanha has put the business of hoax calls under the spotlight. Where is the line between humour and cruelty?

Hoax calls - where someone winds up a friend or colleague by pretending to be their boss or an important person - are almost as old as the telephone itself. They have been a staple of TV and radio entertainment programmes since the 1950s when American comedians Steve Allen and Johnny Carson began making them on the Tonight show'.

(Source: BBC news)

For the full article, click here.

Now some videos:

The facts (Source: Euronews)

The prank call (unedited, and without subtitles. Do not worry if you can't understand everything)



'We're both shattered. My first thought was: Is she a mother?'

Radio hosts at centre of prank give self-pitying interviews.
Australian presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian apologise for stunt.
Two interviews on Australian TV about death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha.

Greig: 'When I heard it was the worst phone call I have ever had in my life'. She adds: 'I care about the family and want their privacy to be respected'

(source: mail online)

The DJs who made the prank call break their silence:


Click here for a full transcript of the interview. Please note that you'll have to scroll down to find the transcription)

So after examining all the facts, please WRITE A COMMENT answering the question: SHOULD PRANK CALLS BE BANNED?

Don't stop the music: songs we've listened to in class

Dear students & readers of this blog,

Yes, we love music. And we love it more if we can learn English with it in a fun way.

We have listened to a few songs in class lately. You will find them below, so that you can listen to them again as many times as you wish.

Enjoy!


ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK - Sting

Click here for the lyrics.

SOMETHING STUPID - Robbie Williams (featuring Nicole Kidman)

Click here for the lyrics.

SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW - Gotye (featuring Kimbra)




Click here for the lyrics.

Class diary - Weeks 8, 9 & 10 (Nov 19 - Dec 5)

Dear students & readers of this blog,

Sorry I've been unable to update our class diary for a while. Here's what we have done in class in the last three weeks:

2º NB

Contents:

- Talking about jobs & uniforms.

- Festivities: Thanksgiving.

- Telling the time.
- Talking about your daily routine.

- Practical English: how to order a coffee at a coffee shop.

- Vocabulary: the family.
- Vocabulary: verb phrases.
- Grammar: Questions & question words.
- Grammar: Saxon genitive ('s)

Students' book:
- p. 22, ex. 2 a, b, c & d.

- p. 23 - ex. 6  (reading) a, b & c. ex. 4 (pronunciation)

- p. 24, ex. 1 (listening) a, b, c,d, e, f & g.

- p. 25, ex. 2 - Correction of homework . pag. 129 (word order)

            ex. 3 (questions and question words), ex. 4 (speaking)

- pp. 26-27 - Practical English: coffee to take away.

- p. 28 ex. 2 b
- p. 130 & 131 (grammar + exercises)
-p. 29 ex. 3 c & d, ex. 4.
- p. 30 1a + p. 156

Homework:

- Writing: a profile (p. 111)

- p. 157 - Time & time expressions.

Photocopies:

- Present simple in questions.

- The Origin of Thanksgiving.

- British Royal Family-
- Word order practice
- Saxon genitive practice

Videos:

- Song: You can't gobble me (see post on Thanksgiving on this blog).

- Song: Something stupid

- Bang on time: interactive game.

2º NA

Contents:
- Grammar: pronouns
- Grammar: narrative tenses, used to & would.
- Thanksgiving
- Speaking about childhood memories.
- Vocabulary: abstract nouns
- Writing: writing an article

Student's book:

- p. 13, ex. 3 + p. 138
- p. 14, ex. 4 a, b, c, d & e. Ex. 5 (language terminology)
- p. 21 & 21 - Reading, ex 1 a, b & c. Ex 3 (speaking)
- p. 139 - Narrative tenses, used to & would
- pp. 22 ex. 4 a, b, c, d, e & f
- p. 23 ex 5 a, b & c
- p. 32-33 - Writing an article

Videos & interactive games:
- About a boy: clips
- Bruce Springsteen childhood memories
- Song: Somebody I used to know.

Photocopies:

- Key revise & check
- Childhood questions
- Word building (abstract nouns)

Homework:

- p. 15 - Language quiz
- p. 138 - pronouns
- Revise & check (unit 1)
- Video: Bet you didn't know (Thanksgiving)

NA 2 - File 1C - The adventure of a non-native speaker of English

Dear students & readers of this blog,

Last September 26 was the European Day of Languages, which aims to celebrate the rich and diverse culture behind each and every language. Their website offers information about the purpose of the celebration, a calendar of events in different countries, a self-assessment language test, etc. Have a look! 

 

Language Facts

Did you know that...

• There are between 6000 and 7000 languages in the world - spoken by six billion people divided into 189 independent states.
  
  
• There are about 225 indigenous languages in Europe - roughly 3% of the world’s total.
  
  
• Most of the world’s languages are spoken in Asia and Africa.
  
  
• At least half of the world’s population are bilingual or plurilingual, i.e. they speak two or more languages.
  
  
• Many languages have 50,000 words or more, but individual speakers normally know and use only a fraction of the total vocabulary: in everyday conversation people use the same few hundred words.
  
  
• In its first year a baby utters a wide range of vocal sounds; at around one year the first understandable words are uttered; at around three years complex sentences are formed; at five years a child possesses several thousand words.
  
  
• The mother tongue is usually the language one knows best and uses most. But there can be “perfect bilinguals” who speak two languages equally well. Normally, however, bilinguals display no perfect balance between their two languages.
  
  
• Bilingualism brings with it many benefits: it makes the learning of additional languages easier, enhances the thinking process and fosters contacts with other people and their cultures.
  
  
• Languages are related to each other like the members of a family. Most European languages belong to the large Indo-European family.
  
  
• Most European languages belong to three broad groups: Germanic, Romance and Slavic.
  
  
• The Germanic family of languages includes Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Icelandic, German, Dutch, English and Yiddish, among others.
  
  
• The Romance languages include Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Romanian, among others.
  
  
• The Slavic languages include Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Slovenian, Serbian, Croatian, Macedonian, Bulgarian and others.
  
  
• Most European languages use the Latin alphabet. Some Slavic languages use the Cyrillic alphabet. Greek, Armenian, Georgian and Yiddish have their own alphabet.
  
  
• Most countries in Europe have a number of regional or minority languages – some of these have obtained official status.
  
  
• The non-European languages most widely used on European territory are Arabic, Chinese and Hindi, each with its own writing system.
  
  
• Russia (148 million inhabitants) has by far the highest number of languages spoken on its territory: from 130 to 200 depending on the criteria.
  
  
• Due to the influx of migrants and refugees, Europe has become largely multilingual. In London alone some 300 languages are spoken (Arabic, Turkish, Kurdish, Berber, Hindi, Punjabi, etc.)

                                                                                                                       (source: http://www.ecml.at/)

Self-evaluation game: would you like fo find out your level of English? Language quiz: what do you know about European Languages? Memory game. How many flags do you know?

• self-evaluation game. Would you like to find out your level of English?
• plain English quiz (done in class)
• Language quiz: how much do you know about European languages?
• Memory game: How many flags do you remember?

A while ago, in class, we spoke about learning and speaking a foreign language. We discussed how a non-native speaker has to deal with the grammar, intonation or pronunciation of a foreign language. Maybe you can relate to the people in the video below:




Check this extremely interesting document: GUIA DEL APRENDIZ DE LENGUAS (in Spanish)

Guia aprendiz lenguas

View more documents from leticiaeoiplasencia.

Class Diary week 7 (12-16 November)

Dear students & readers of this blog,

This is what we did last week:

2º NB

Contents:

- present simple for things that are generally true.
- Vocabulary: jobs
- British life: steteorypes & facts

Students' book:
- p. 21. Reading Starbucks. ex. 4b & d
- p. 154 - jobs
- p. 22, ex. 2a. b. c & d

Homework:

- p. 21 - Reading + comprehension questions

Photocopies:

- True or not true
- present simple

Videos:

- song: Englishman in New York (Sting)

2º NA

Contents:

- English & non-native speakers

Student's book:

- p. 18 - In the street + ex. a, b & c
- p. 12, ex. 1a & b (first part of the text), c (+ quiz), d (second part of the text)
- p. 13 ex 1e - Lexis in context. Ex 1f - discussion

Videos & interactive games:

- In the street (interviews)
- Do you speak English?
- Plain English Quiz
- scary story endings (group D)

Photocopies:

None

Homework:

- p. 138 - Pronouns 

Class Diary week 6 (5-9 November)

Dear students & readers of this blog,

This is what we did last week:

2º NB

Contents:

- Guy Fawkes' Night: origins of the festivity, modern traditions & related vocabulary

- The Imperative - Power Point Presentation & examples from real life

- Pronunciation: connected speech

- British life ('how to be British' postcards)

- Vocabulary: verb phrases

Students' book:

- p. 16 ex. 2 a

- p. 17 ex. 2 b

- pp. 126 & 127 - Imperative grammar & practice

- p. 153 - Verb phrases

Homework:

- Revise & check - pp. 18-19

Photocopies:

- Feelings (from Longman Photo Dictionary)

Videos:

- Los Angeles. California

- In the street - p. 19

2º NA

Contents:

- Guy Fawkes Night: origins of the festivity, modern traditions & related vocabulary

- The family (cont.)

- How to write, edit & proofread a Halloween scary story

Student's book:

- Vocabulary game - revision of the unit

- p. 11, ex. 6

- p. 18 - Family secret 1: The Interview (David Shepherd)

Videos & interactive games:

- BBC: the Gunpowder Plot (see blog post)

Photocopies:

- The Gunpowder Plot (from The Book of Days)

Homework:

- pp. 16 & 17 - Writing task: Letter of application 

School Book Fair: Don't miss the talk on "National Symbols of the USA"

Dear students & readers of this blog,

This week we hold our Annual Book Fair in the Official School of Languages of Plasencia. Don't miss this wonderful chance to buy your books, dictionaries, grammarbooks and anything else you may need with a 20 % off!!!

Within the fair, as you know, you can attend fascinating talks in the different languages taught in this schools, about different aspects of the countries where those languages are spoken. The English Department is very proud to invite you to attend to a wonderful talk on

                                                   NATIONAL SYMBOLS OF THE USA

that will take place THIS EVENING, AT THE AULA DE EXÁMENES DE LA UNED, in two sessions: at 5 & at 6 p.m.

What do you think of when you think about the USA? What images or symbols come to mind? We'll take a look at a few well-known symbols and the stories behind them. From Lady Liberty to Uncle Sam, and down Route 66 to Hollywood. Join us on the journey!

The Speaker's bio:

Lyndsay Buckingham completed her degree in International Studies and Spanish Language at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania and a Masters in Spanish Language and Culture at New York University in Madrid. She worked in Accounting and Finance in Philadelphia before relocating to Madrid to dedicate her career to English language education. She has taught English to professionals and young children, and is currently a teacher trainer at Oxford University Press España. She holds a Masters in TEFL from the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares.

Come and learn about a fascinating country, on the day Americans are electing the one who will be their president for the next four years!

We hope to see you there!

Class Diary Week 5 (29-31 Oct)

Dear students & readers of this blog,

This is what we did last week:

2º NB

Contents:
- Physical appearance. Descriptions
- Halloween: history & traditions. Vocabulary
- Vocabulary of feelings
- The Imperative & let's

Students' book:
- p. 13. ex. 4 a & b
- p. 14, ex. 1, 2 a
- p. 152
- p. 15, ex. 3 e. ex. 4a
- p. p 16, ex. 1a

Homework:
- Choosing a famous actor/actress, sportsman/woman, TV presenter, policitian or singer, and write a short description.

Photocopies:
- Physical appearance

Videos:
- pumpkin carving

2º NA

Contents:
- Halloween: history & traditions
- The family

Student's book:
- p. 10, ex. a, b, c.

Videos:
- The story of Halloween

Photocopies:
- Video: the story of Halloween

Homework:
- p. 158: the family
- Writing a scary story (in class)

A penny for the guy...It's Bonfire Night in the UK!

"Remember remember the fifth of November

Gunpowder, treason and plot.

I see no reason why gunpowder, treason

Should ever be forgot..."

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

1600 - Elizabeth I dies. James I is the new King of England.

James I was the son of a CATHOLIC queen, Mary Queen of Scots. But he was PROTESTANT. And he passed (aprobó) some LAWS against Catholics. They had to practise their religion IN SECRET. So they weren't happy, and they felt the situation had to change.

AND SO...

...a group of men decided to KILL THE KING, HIS FAMILY AND ALL MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT on the 5 Nov 1506.

To learn about the conspirators, click HERE.

How? The king had to OPEN PARLIAMENT that day, so the CONSPIRATORS (= conspiradores)  decided to BLOW UP (= volar -with explosives!) the Houses of Parliament with the King inside, by using 36 BARRELS ( = barriles) OF GUNPOWDER (= pólvora). They hid (=escondieron) them in the CELLARS of the building. And a man called GUY FAWKES was left to WATCH (=vigilar) over the barrels, and light (=encender) the FUSE ( =mecha).

One of the conspirators sent a LETTER to a MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT telling him everything about the plot. And so the King FOUND OUT (= lo averiguó). Guy Fawkes was the first one to be ARRESTED. All the CONSPIRATORS were killed.

Click HERE to read the letter Francis Tresham sent Lord Monteague, telling him EVERYTHING about the plot!

This historical event originated one of the most characteristic festivities of the UK, BONFIRE NIGHT. Do you want to know more? Watch the video:





If you want to read more about the history behind Guy Fawkes' Night, click here.

WHAT WE CELEBRATE TODAY. AND HOW!

People light BONFIRES (= hogueras) and they burn EFFIGIES (= efigies) of Guy Fawkes. Children go around asking "A PENNY FOR THE GUY", and with the money they get, they buy FIREWORKS (= fuegos artificiales). There are also FIREWORKS DISPLAYS (= espectáculo de fuegos artificiales) IN THE STREET! Read more. Click on the picture:

Did you know that, even today, before every STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, the YEOMEN OF THE GUARD (a.k.a. BEEFEATERS) SEARCH (= buscan) in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament by the light of old candle-lanterns?

WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT THE INSIDE OF THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT? Click HERE for an online tour.

AND NOW, YOU CAN PLAY THE GUNPOWDER PLOT GAME. Discover the barrels of gunpowder and stop the conspiracy. SAVE ENGLAND AND THE KING!!

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!