Are you afraid of HALLOWEEN 2014?

'Where there is no imagination there is no horror' - Arthur Conan Doyle

Dear students & readers of this blog,

Once more, Halloween is here. It is a festivity especially associated with the U.S., although 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 find out...





FOR NB STUDENTS - Take a look at this video:




What do we know now?

...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 trick-or-treating comes from the ancient "Souling", when poor people used to go around asking for "soul cakes" to eat in exchange for prayers for the family.

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

...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?

Would you like to know how a Jack-O'-Lantern is made? Watch the video below:

Anyhow, we have never thought how terrifying this is for pumpkins, have we? So please, don't miss this excellent, and really scary, short film about THE LIFE & DEATH OF A PUMKIN:


(source: tlfclips.com. Thanks, Rosa!)

For the transcript, click here.

And now that we are with scary stories, why not one more? Don't miss SUCKABLOOD!!

• For vocabulary & comprehension questions, click here.
• For the transcript, click here.

Have you been to Halloween town? Watch the following video and sing along:

TO ALL, HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

NA2 - Ways of responding: question tags & echo questions

Dear students & readers of this blog,

These days, in our advanced class, we have been revising the different ways one has to respond in English to what other person says. Short phrases like "¿ah sí?", "¿De verdad?" are of frequent use in Spanish. But English uses something completely different, a short grammatical structure that is usually very hard for Spanish speakers to incorporate to their active set of structures to manage. 

This, basically, has to do with the extended use of AUXILIARY VERBS, those underrated and underestimated nice little words. They can be used in all sorts of ways:

• For emphasis: I do believe you.
• In 'echo questions': I'm going to buy a house / Oh! Are you? How wonderful!
• In question tags: You locked the door, didn't you?
• To avoid unnecessary repetitions: My friends loved the film, but I didn't.

That's why, taking advantage of the chance our student's book gives us, we had a look at it again. Because...guess what? English speakers find it veeeeery difficult to use these structures on a regular basis and without thinking.

So let me give you a hand. Here are some wonderful power point presentations I found on the Net. Enjoy!!

ECHO QUESTIONS

Interesting cultural-facts-echo-questions from leticiaeoiplasencia

QUESTION TAGS


 

Question tags from leticiaeoiplasencia

Thanks to the person who generously posted this on the Internet!!

For more on question tags. Click here.

Interesting, isn't it?

NA2 - Unit 1A Sibling rivalry

Dear students & readers of this blog,

Have you got any brothers or sisters? How do you get on with them? What do you have in common? Have you ever felt jealous or envious? Do you compete with one another?

If you have answered 'yes' to any of these questions, then you suffer from 'sibling rivalry'. This rivalry may be positive, in the sense that you may have a bit of healthy competition and stay friends with your brother or sister. But sometimes, sibling relationships are difficult.

The short film you're about to see illustrates what I'm talking about. It's a semi-real, semi animated film, which tells the story of a teenage girl and her relationship with her brother. You will find the exercises we used to practice in class below.

(source: British Council)

• Exercises
• Key
• Transcript

In the following video clip, parenting expert and show host, Bill Corbett, interviews outlines tips on handling sibling rivalry.

Answer the following questions:

• What tips does he give to handle sibling rivalry? Can you give details about each one.

Feel free to write a COMMENT answering the questions above.

Do you know any siblings that are also rivals? Here you have some notorious examples, that are mentioned in our textbook (just in case you want to find out something more about them and what their relationship was like):

• Rudi & Adi Dassler: the brothers who revolutionized sportswear.

• Joan Fontaine & Olivia de Havilland: Eternal enemies. 

• Noel & Liam Gallagher: Life beyond 'Oasis'

• Venus & Serena Williams: Friends in life, rivals at court.

TALK TUESDAYS - Will you join us?

Dear students & readers of this blog,

If you are, or were, a student of the Official Language School of Plasencia, and you miss the chance to be able to practise your English and meet new people or your old friends, or if you have finished your English studies at the school and you need to find somewhere to keep the language living and fresh...

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE!!!!!!!!!!

We are going to start what we have called 'Talk Tuesdays'. Student old and new will meet at the SCHOOL LIBRARY, have some tea with pastries, NEXT TUESDAY 14 OCTOBER, from 7 to 8 p.m. 

This will only be the start. After next week, we will meet every two weeks, but this time, from 8 to 9 p.m. 

 

PLEASE JOIN US!!

Course 2014-2015 is here. Are you ready?

Dear students & readers of this blog,

How are you all? I hope that you had a good summer, and that you could rest and relax. Why? Because now...

IT'S TIME TO GET BACK TO WORK!!!

This year, I will be teaching Basic level 2 and Advanced level 2, so the contents that will be published here will be primarily designed for my students in these levels. But at this point, I think there's no need to say that this blog is open to all of those who have been students of mine before (or not) and those who simply like English and the culture of English-speaking countries. Here you will find some practice on the topics we study in class, links to some interesting English-learning websites, a place where you'll be able to learn about the culture of the different English-speaking countries, and much more!!

Please take time to browse and explore. Take a look at the sidebar. Find out what the weather wil be like in Plasencia, join the site or sign up to receive updates of the posts in this blog. Read Spanish & English newspapers in English, or get some skill-based practice.

These will be the coursebooks this year:

Advanced Level 2: CUTTING EDGE, Upper-Intermediate. 3rd Edition. Pearson Longman.

Basic Level 2: New English File, Elementary, third edition. Oxford University Press.

 

For more info on what the course will be like this year...COME TO CLASS!

Otherwise...

WELCOME HOME!!

NA 2 - File 5A: An Education

Dear students & readers of this blog,

Last week, in our Advanced class, we've been dealing with the topic of education. And the starting point has been a famous comedy panel show from the British Television: QUITE INTERESTING, a.k.a. QI, hosted by actor and comedian Stephen Fry.

This is not the usual kind of quiz show. It's based on different premises from those of any other programme of the kind your mind might come up with. To start with, yes, there are questions, but you are not expected to know the answer. It is all rather the matter of having a good luck while proclaiming your love for knowledge and your innate curiosity. Click here if you want to read about the philosophy behind the show.

Here's a taste of it:

The spirit behind QI is that everything in life is interesting. The creators of the show believe in an education system that doesn't kill creativity, that enhances the student's curiosity and where children can decide what to learn and when to learn it. Do you think this is possible?

There are many different views as to what education should be like, and about the adequacy of the different education systems in every country. Here there are some of them. Take some time to watch the following videos, and if you wish, you can leave a COMMENT  below with your opinion:

CHANGING THE EDUCATION PARADIGMS

BRING ON THE LEARNING REVOLUTION




DO NOT MISS THIS INTERESTING DOCUMENTARY: How do they do it in Sweden?

'Sweden's attitude to teaching nursery children seems incredibly relaxed and informal. There's little structured learning, play is paramount, there are few locks or security-coded gates and children are encouraged to help with cleaning and catering.

Most Swedish children who leave pre-school at six can't read or write. Yet within three years of starting formal schooling at the age of six or seven, these children lead the literacy tables in Europe. 

This video travel to Motala to discover just how they achieve such stunning results, and asks whether the absence of testing, inspection and excessive paperwork, combined with a strong empasis on play and relaxation, could be the secret to their success...'

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Enjoy!

The Official Language School of Plasencia turns 25

Dear students & readers of this blog,

Our Official Language School of Plasencia is in full celebration mood. We are celebrating no more, and no less, than our 25 years of existence, helping the citizens of Plasencia and Northern Extremadura to get in contact with other languages, other cultures and other ways of
thinking. In this 25 years, we have enjoyed showing you why we love languages and our job as teachers and transmitters. That is why, as you already know, we have been preparing different events and activities to get you involved in our celebration. Because...

And that's why we are preparing a very special event, that will take place next THURSDAY 3 APRIL, at the SALÓN DE ACTOS DE LA UNED, at 5.00 p.m. Here is the programme:

Programa 3 abril 2014 from leticiaeoiplasencia

Apart from this, we want to have a nice, informal chat with you while we have something to eat and drink at . 
the end of the ceremony. Why don't you join us? Please be so kind as to bring a little something to eat - much better if it is something typical of an English-speaking country!! -. We'll prepare some tables at our patio downstairs (weather permitting), that will be ready at 7.30

You will also have the chance to have a look at the exhibition we are preparing commemorating our 25th anniversary, with old photos, school children artwork, old student's books...at the school corridors. Here you have a taste of it. Do you recognize the place?

Happy 25th anniversary!! To other 25 years together!!! 

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit !! ST. PATRICK'S DAY 2013

Dear students & readers of this blog,

Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá ’le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig), colloquially St. Paddy's Day or simply Paddy's Day, is an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick (circa AD 385–461), one of the patron saints of Ireland, and is generally celebrated on March 17.
The day is the national holiday of Ireland. It is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland and a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland and Montserrat. In Canada, Great Britain, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand, it is widely celebrated but is not an official holiday. (Source: wikipedia)


First of all, don't miss the video just below if you want to know something more about the BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW: ST. PATRICK'S DAY..

For Basic Level (NB) students, here's some info on St. Patrick's Day.

Everybody associates colour GREEN with St. Patrick's Day. But why do we associate this colour to the festivity anyway? Does it have any solid basis? Watch the video to find out!

What if you were walking around your town one day, and people suddenly started dancing? Watch the Riverdance Frashmob at Sydney's Central Station on Saint Patrick's Day 2012:




Now, some Irish songs that are perfect for a good St Patrick's day celebration.

WILD ROVER (Blarney Lads) 

I've been a wild rover for many a year 
And I spent all my money on whiskey and beer, 
And now I'm returning with gold in great store 
And I never will play the wild rover no more. 

chorus: And it's no, nay, never, 
No nay never no more, 
Will I play the wild rover 
No never no more. 

I went to an ale-house I used to frequent 
And I told the landlady my money was spent. 
I asked her for credit, she answered me "nay 
Such a custom as yours I could have any day." 

chorus

I took from my pocket ten sovereigns bright 
And the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight. 
She said "I have whiskey and wines of the best 
And the words that I spoke sure were only in jest." 

chorus 

I'll go home to my parents, confess what I've done 
And I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son. 
And if they caress (forgive) me as ofttimes before 
Sure I never will play the wild rover no more. 

chorus

DIRTY OLD TOWN, by the Pogues



I met my love by the gas works wall
Dreamed a dream by the old canal
I Kissed my girl by the factory wall
Dirty old town
Dirty old town
Clouds are drifting across the moon
Cats are prowling on their beat
Spring's a girl from the streets at night
Dirty old town
Dirty old town
I Heard a siren from the docks
Saw a train set the night on fire
I Smelled the spring on the smoky wind
Dirty old town
Dirty old town
I'm gonna make me a big sharp axe
Shining steel tempered in the fire
I'll chop you down like an old dead tree
Dirty old town
Dirty old town
I met my love by the gas works wall
Dreamed a dream by the old canal
I kissed my girl by the factory wall
Dirty old town
Dirty old town
Dirty old town
Dirty old town


St. Patrick's Day is also widely celebrated in the US, especially in the cities like New York and Chicago. We have learnt that, in Chicago, the river turns green (the colour of the festivity, the colour of Ireland) every 17 March. Watch this video to see how:

OH!! Before I forget. We are going to celebrate St. Patrick's Day at the Official Language School of Plasencia. Please join us next Mon 17 at 7.00 ir at 8.00 p.m. Our language assistant, John Gaffney, is going to tell us about St. Patrick's Day. And who knows! There might also be SOME SINGING!!!!

DON'T MISS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit !!