How to run a walking meeting

This is the text for the reading exam.

How to choose a good pub

This is the video from which they took the video in the exam. If you go to the website you can read the script.

British Food

Watch the video and do the tasks. You can also have a look at the script.

This website- Word on the Street- has lots of great videos with activities and scripts. You can learn a lot about British culture: food, transport, fashion, where to go out at night... You can also learn about different places in Britain.

How to write...

If you need some help with the writing skill, why don’t you have a look at this website?
It has been designed for university students, but you can get information on how to use linking words (with an exercise), how to write paragraphs or how to use punctuation. You also have information on how to write essays, reports, formal letters and some samples of them.

E.coli Outbreak

Watch the short news story and take notes (you can read it below).

The news

Listen to six people talking about where they get their news.

Global warming

1. Watch a short documentary from National Geographic explaining what global warming is and alerting about its consequences (there's a glossary and you can also see the script).

2. A very funny video about a very serious problem: The President of the most polluting country in the world (at that time) didn't care too much about global warming. Here, Will Ferrell makes a Parody of George Bush talking about this issue. In this parody we can forget about our worries and just laugh about it.

The Weather

1. What's the weather like today? Watch the video and learn some weather expressions. (The second part of the video is subtitled)

2. Watch this conversation and learn about the weather.

Exams

Go to the school website and check that your name is on the list of people admitted to do the exam. Check also the classrooms for the written exam and the possible dates for the oral exams.

Past passive

Watch the video (click on past passive) and see examples of the use of the past passive.

"The Spanish Revolution"

Demonstrators gather and shout slogans in Madrid's famous landmark Puerta del Sol, against politicians, bankers and authorities' handling of the economic crisis May 18, 2011. The demonstrations began on Sunday May 15, when thousands of people gathered in several cities in Spain to demand what they called 'real democracy' and protesters have vowed to occupy central squares in several Spanish cities until the May 22 local elections.
(photo taken from the front page of The Washington Post, 19 May)

Read an article about the Spanish demonstrations.

Watch this video and answer the questions. (key in "comments")

1. How have the protesters been dubbed?
2. What have thousands of them defy? Why?
3. How do they describe the camp?
4. Is the rally taking place only in Madrid?
5. Protesters are showing their frustation at _____________ and at the economic crisis that ________________________.
6. What is a major issue?
7. What does the young girl say?
8. What does the young boy say?
9. What does Egypt's Tahrir Square seem to be for them?
10. What do the protesters want?
11. Why do thousands of people go there?

Computer security basics for beginners

Watch the video up to minute 4 and answer the questions. (key in "comments").

1. Why does she say some people don’t turn on their computers?
2. What is she going to explain and how is she going to do it?
3. Complete the definition:
A virus is a piece of computer code that ___________________ itself to a program or ___________________. It___________________ a computer when the program or ___________________ is opened.
4. What can viruses do?
5. How are viruses spread?
6. What are the typical signs that show you that your computer may be infected?
7. What’s the best way to know if you have a virus?
8. Complete these definitions:
Spyware is ___________________ typically unknown to you, running on your computer that ___________________ your personal information and sends you ___________________ ___________________.
Phising is an attempt to gather your personal information including ___________________ and credit cards through *phony ___________________ and deceptive ___________________.
Spam is unsolicited *bulk e-mail sent to your e-mail address. They typically consist of ___________________ for a wide range of ___________________, many of which are fraudulent or ___________________.
*Phony /’foʊ ni/ not real or genuine; fake.
*bulk mail mail consisting of large numbers of identical items.

Playmobil Apple Store :: play set from ThinkGeek :: April’s fool!

Take a look at the new play set from ThinkGeek. They have created an Apple Store!! Listen and answer the questions, enjoy it!
Weird? don’t worry it’s an April’s fool product from ThinkGeek!! it looks real, doesn't it?

How to make small talk

Read some useful tips to help you make small talk.

Twitter

Listen to the first part of this radio programme where they explain what Twitter is and take some notes. Then listen and read the script to check your notes.

Home

A well-known image from Arthus-Bertrand's "Earth from Above" series, the grand prismatic hot spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States.















"Home": Watch this environmentally conscious documentary produced by Luc Besson, and narrated by Glenn Close. It presents the many wonders of planet Earth from an entirely aerial perspective and poses the prospect that unless we act quickly, we risk losing the only home we may ever have. (Unfortunately there are no subtitles, but the images are just wonderful and I don't think it's too difficult to follow).

Here's the Spanish version if you want to check what you've understood.

Royal wedding moments you might have missed

Watch the video and answer the questions (answers in "comments")

1. Where were they going at the beginning of the video?
2. What has Sarah Burton designed?
3. How many people were there in the Mall*?
4. What did Kate do when she came out on the balcony at Buckingham Palace? Why?
5. What happened to the three-year-old bridesmaid?
6. What did Prince Harry tell his brother while Kate was walking down the aisle?
7. What did Prince William tell his bride?
8. What did Prince William tell Kate’s father?
9. How did they leave the Abbey?
10. Why do they say “it’s a new image for a new monarchy”?
11. What time did the party finish?
12. What is a well-kept secret?

*The Mall in central London is the road running from Buckingham Palace at its western end to Admiralty Arch and on to Trafalgar Square at its eastern end.

Talking about a friend

Watch Layla talking about her friend Michelle and answer these questions. You can do something similar if you're asked to talk about a friend in the oral exam.
(answers in "comments")
1. When and where did they meet?
2. Why did they become friends?
3. How are they different?
4. Why does she say Michelle is “flaky”?
5. How are they similar?
6. Have they ever argued?
7. How often do they see each other? Why?
8. When was the last time they saw each other?
9. Why couldn’t they go to Banksy’s exhibition?
10. Where did they go instead?
11. What do they both have now?

DRABBLE COMPETITION WINNERS

Obama's speech about Bin Laden's death

Watch Obama’s speech and take notes.
Then read these ideas from his speech and try to order them using your notes. Watch it again and check the order. (answers in “comments”)

You have the whole text here.

a) Obama announces the operation conducted in Pakistan that has ended with the death of Osama Bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda.

b) The war is not against muslims but against terrorists. American cooperation with Pakistan has led to the killing of Bin Laden and Pakistan and the US will continue to fight Al-Qaeda together.

c) Al-Qaeda openly declared the war on the US. They went to war against them to protect their citizens, friends and allies.

d) Obama tells American families that lost loved ones on September 11 that they’ll never forget it and they will do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on their shores.

e) Last August Obama was informed that Bin Laden had been located in a compound in Pakistan.
f) Obama describes September 11 as the worst attack ever and speaks about the nearly 3,000 citizens taken from them.

g) Obama says that American people didn’t want the war but as a country they couldn’t tolerate their security to be threatened. He says they have to be true to their values and states that justice has been done.

h) Obama knows this is not the end of Al-Qaeda and assures they must and will remain vigilant.

i) In the last ten years the Americans have disrupted terrorist attacks and have captured and killed terrrorists (even some involved in September attack). However, Bin Laden had managed to avoid capture and had escaped to Pakistan.

j) When September 11 took place the Americans showed they were united and didn’t pay attention to their different countries, Gods, races or ethnics. They helped each other and were determined to protect their nation and bring the responsible ones to justice.

k) Obama thanks everyone who carried out the operation and achieved this.

l) Today (1st May), under Obama’s direction, they launched a targeted operation in which no Americans were hurt, civilian casualties were avoided. There was a firefight and they killed Bin Laden and took custody of his body.

m) Obama says that today’s achievement shows the greatness of the USA and the determination of American people. He says that the USA can protect the world because they are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

n) Obama says that shortly after taking office he made the killing or capture of Bin Ladent the top priority on their war against Al-Qaeda.

o) Obama describes Bin Laden’s death as the most significant achievement in their effort to defeat Al-Qaeda.

MAY LISTENING HANDOUT

I. Tapping the power of wind (1’43”)
http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,82090420001_1986203,00.html

II. NEWSPAPERS http://www.elllo.org/english/Mixer/42-NewsPart.html

III. MEDIA BLACKOUT (6’)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/2010/11/101104_6min_media_blackout_page.shtml

IV. International Internet Sites now allowed in China (3’16”)
http://www.manythings.org/b/e/367

V. MEGACITIES (3’25”)
http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/prof_mp3/city-population.mp3 (recording)
http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/prof_mp3/city-population.pdf (exercise and script)

VI. Sandquist (2’36”)
http://www.podcast.tv/video-podcasts/frontlineshop-com-streetfashion-im-web-62094.html

VII. Fashion
http://www.elllo.org/english/Mixer/09Fashion.html

Global Warming and first conditional

This is the video we've watched in class today.

EASTER

Watch this video, do the quiz and learn about Easter and some traditions.

Royal Wedding

British Prime Minister David Cameron speaks about the upcoming royal wedding. CNN's Fareed Zakaria reports. Watch the video and answer these questions (answers in "comments") 1.- Chose the right answer a.-According to the PM , the Government will be in charge of the plans b.-The Royal family will be in charge of the plans 2.-Who is paying for the wedding? 3.-The PM said that…… a.- The royal wedding will be a success for the country b.- The royal wedding will be a huge success for the country c.- The royal wedding will be a huge success for London d.- The royal wedding will be a success for London 4.-What does the PM think about the couple? a.- He thinks they are remarkable b.- He thinks they are 2 young people who love each other very much c.-He thinks it´s a great balanced couple 5.- Fareed Zakaria asked the PM: have you seen the couple? a.-The PM said he spent some time with the couple b.- he said that he spent some time with William trying to bring the world cup to England c.- The PM said he spent some time with the couple in Switzerland 6.- Fareed Zakaria asked the PM: will you give any words of advice as a married man , with some experience? And he answered: a.- Yes, I did b.-Certainly , I´ll tell you c.-If I did, I certainly wouldn´t tell you what it is

Resolución que regula las pruebas de certificación 2011

Check the school website and find all the information you need about the exams (including dates for the written parts).

Verb patterns 2

1. Watch this video about verbs that are followed by infinitive or -ing. 2. Another video: verbs that change their meaning depending on the verb pattern. 3. Watch this video and learn some expressions with some new and old songs.

Remember to look at the post Verb Patterns (February 2010) to see a list of verb patterns and do some exercises.

APRIL LISTENING HANDOUT

FACEBOOK PHOBIA (3’34”) http://www.youtube.com/hotenglishmagazine#p/u/24/Ax6MLoLU-8E CROSSLANDS http://www.ompersonal.com.ar/firstcertificate2/listening/fce01a.htm THE NEW IPAD 2 (3’13”) http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/03/10/technology/personaltech/100000000716029/ipad-two.html?scp=1&sq=ipad%202&st=cse SUPERSTITIONS (5’16”) http://www.examenglish.com/IELTS/IELTS_listening_part4.htm

Documentos marco de las pruebas de certificación 2011

En el Portal de Educación se han publicado los "documentos marco" de las pruebas de certificación de este curso. Este es un cuadro resumen confeccionado por la Jefatura de Estudios de la EOI de Albacete.

April Fool's Day!

Have a look at this webquest and learn about April Fool's Day.

Houses

1. Types of houses. 2. Vocabulary about houses. 3. Various people describe what their dream house would be like, what it would have and where it would be. Listen to them and do the quizzes. Have a look at other posts about houses from February 2010.

Elizabeth Taylor

Watch the video and answer these questions. (answers in "comments")

1. How do younger people remember her?

2. For movie lovers she was a sex goddess _________________________________.

3. When did she start acting?

4. In “A Place in the Sun” she has a kind of warmth, _________________, _________________and toughness.

5. What was the great white elephant of her career?

6. What did she win with “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf”?

7. Who was Richard Burton?

8. She was a very good friend to a lot of people, among them _________________ _________________ and _________________ _________________.

9. What was the second important face of her career?

10. She was not just a _________________ _________________, she was also a real _________________ of a kind that is very rare and very precious.

READING: main idea, details, inferences and restatements

Here you have some of the things you will be asked about in reading tests:

1. Read this to learn about how to find the main idea in a text and see an example.
2. Have a look at information about the details in a text here.
3. Click here to see some examples of inferences and restatements.

How to parent effectively without spanking

Watch this video in which an expert explains how you can discipline your children without spanking them.

HOROSCOPES AND PERSONALITY

Listen and answer these questions: (to see the answers click here)

1. What do they say about?
- The horoscope:
- The signs of the Zodiac:
- The astrology:
- The star sign elements:
- The planets:
- The birth chart:
- The characteristics:


2. What do they say about people with the following star signs?


Aries / Taurus / Gemini / Cancer / Leo / Virgo / Libra / Scorpio / Sagittarius / Capricorn / Aquarius / Pisces


3. What gives your star sign?


4. Listen to the dialogue and answer the following questions:


a) What does the first horoscope predict?
b) Where does she read her horoscope?
c) What does the second horoscope say?


These exercises are from http://www.busuu.com/es
This is a website where you can learn English online with interactive exercises. Have a look at it. Maybe you can register, it's free.

Naturally Better Homes

Watch the video and learn about environmentally friendly houses. You can record yourself and work with the vocabulary. THIS WEBSITE IS JUST GREAT FOR YOU.

IMPROVING YOUR SPEAKING

1. Speaking fluently. Watch this video and learn about how to speak fluently (you have the script, study notes and exercises).
2. Speaking coherently. Learn some expressions to make your speech more coherent.

LISTENING FOR SIGNPOST WORDS

We've been talking about signpost words in class and how we should use them in our talks. Watch this video and learn to identify some signpost words when listening to people. You have the script and you can also read the study notes and do some exercises.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY

- Watch this video and learn some facts about Ireland.

- Learn some vocabulary about St. Patrick and other expressions.

- This is the video we watched in class (How to celebrate St. Patrick's Day like an Irishman).

*Remember to see the posts from last year.

DRABBLE COMPETITION

A drabble is an extremely short work of fiction of exactly one hundred words in length. The purpose of the drabble is brevity, testing the author's ability to express interesting and meaningful ideas in an extremely confined space.

Have a look at the rules for the school competition here and get ready to write.

Food and Water Shortage in Fukushima

Watch the video about "Food and Water Shortage in Fukushima" and answer the questions (answers in "comments").

1. What happened where he's located?

2. Apart from food, what's especially necessary and why?

3. What are the longest queues for?

4. What does he say about Japan's reaction to the catastrophe?

5. What's the main thing now?

International Women's Day

Read about the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day and watch UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet's message.

MARCH LISTENING HANDOUT

I. MOBILE PHONES IN TAJIKISTAN (42”)
http://anglesonline.org/news/mobiles/comprehension/index.html

II. CHANNEL4 NEWS REPORT (EXTRACT) (1’52”)
https://sites.google.com/site/blogsmaterials/news.mp3?attredirects=0&d=1

III. GREAT APARTMENT (3’46”)
http://www.esl-lab.com/apart/apartrd1.htm

IV. ENERGY CONSERVATION (about 5’)
http://www.aprendeingles.com/2010/02/25/canales/english_on_the_go/1267120622.html

V. JOB INTERVIEWS – HOW TO DO THE BEST YOU CAN (about 16’)
http://esl.culips.com/?powerpress_pinw=3228-podcast

http://esl.culips.com/2010/12/tips-for-canadian-job-interviews/

A SHORT STORY

Read this short story: Endings and Beginnings.

INCEPTION

Click on Intermediate level B1 and do the exercises about the film trailer.

PRESENT PERFECT

Learn about the Present Perfect with this video.

USED TO / WOULD

Learn the difference between used to and would.

LUCKY ESCAPES!

1. SAVED BY HIS RUCKSACK

- Watch the video. You can follow the story reading the script.

- Read a longer article about the same story (the video at the bottom of the page is easier to understand)

2. EXPLORER WAKES UP IN JAWS OF A POLAR BEAR

- Watch the short video and read about this incredible escape.

One-bag Packing

Watch this video on how to pack everything in a bag and answer the questions (answers in "comments")

1. What does the “warrior road” do for a living?
2. Why is that bag perfect?
3. Why does it have no wheels?
4. How much does his new laptop computer weigh?
5. What does he use to change his powerpoint slides?
6. Which adjective does he use to describe his phone?
7. What’s his entertainment system?
8. What company is his flying with?
9. What does he say about his flowery soap bag?
10. How long is his next trip?

Some news

Don't forget to listen to some news from time to time!

127 HOURS

Select your level, watch the trailer and do the activities.

The King's Speech

Select your level, watch the trailer and do the activities.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

1. Read the text about the origin of Valentine's Day and do the exercises (answers in "comments").
2. A love song. Complete the song. Then watch the video, listen and check.

BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME - Celine Dion

For all those times you ………………….. (stand) by me
For all the truth that you ………………….. (make) me see
For all the joy you ………………….. (bring) to my life
For all the wrong that you ………………….. (make) right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I ………………….. (find) in you
I’ll be forever thankful baby
You’re the one who ………………….. (hold) me up
Never let me fall
You’re the one who ………………….. (see) me through, through it all
You were my strength when I ………………….. (be) weak
You were my voice when I ………………….. (cannot) speak
You ………………….. (be) my eyes when I couldn’t see
You ………………….. (see) the best there was in me
………………….. (Lift) me up when I couldn’t reach
You ………………….. (give) me faith coz you ………………….. (believe)
I’m everything I am
Because you ………………….. (love) me
You ………………….. (give) me wings and made me fly
You ………………….. (touch) my hand
I could touch the sky
I ………………….. (lose) my faith, you gave it back to me
You ………………….. (say) no star was out of reach
You ………………….. (stand) by me and I stood tall
I ………………….. (have) your love
I had it all
I’m grateful for each day you ………………….. (give) me
Maybe I don’t know that much
But I know this much is true
I was ………………….. (bless) because I was ………………….. (love) by you
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I ………………….. (cannot) speak
You ………………….. (be) my eyes when I couldn’t see
You ………………….. (see) the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You ………………….. (give) me faith coz you ………………….. (believe)
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me
You were always there for me
The tender wind that ………………….. (carry) me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You’ve been my inspiration
Through the lies you ………………….. (be) the truth
My world is a better place because of you
You were my strength when I was weak…
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me

An activity by Olga Umaña (Busy Teachers)

- Have a look at the entry from last year, you can find many other things there!

TRAVEL/SUGGESTIONS/PREFERENCES

Have a look at the exercise clicking here. Before listening to the conversation have a look at exercise 3 where you'll find useful language.
Click here to listen.
Answers are in "comments".


SOURCE: www.teachitworld.com

Groundhog Day

Learn about Groundhog Day. Click here and follow the instructions.
If it's too difficult for you, you can have a look at the post about the same topic on this blog.

LISTENING HANDOUT FEBRUARY 2011

I. MEDICINE (1’)
http://www.listenaminute.com/m/medicine.html
II. MY DREAM HOUSE (2’51”)
http://www.elllo.org/english/Mixers/T102-Dreamhouse.htm
III. GLOBAL WARMING (3’04”)
http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-70509.php
IV. A SHORT STORY: HOME AGAIN (2’56”)http://englishdesk.blogspot.com/2011_01_01_archive.html
V. GEORGE ORWELL
http://annie.gwynn.pagesperso-orange.fr/cours/ear/orwel.mp3

The Oscars

The race for the Oscars has already started. If you want to learn about the nominees and keep up to date about this year's ceremony, visit http://oscar.go.com/
You can watch videos, read about the hosts, the movies, the actors...

Isabel Allende's "Island Beneath the Sea"

Watch this interview with Isabel Allende in which she talks about her book "Island Beneath the Sea" and take notes. Then, listen and read it. Check your notes.

The Outback

Watch this video about a man talking about The Outback in Australia (This Outback life- 2'12")

Then read the script.

HOLIDAYS

Watch this video and learn about holidays and travelling. You can read the tapescript and see some vocabulay explained in the story notes. Do the multiple choice quiz and have a look at the spotlight.

Sticking to New Year's Resolutions

Watch the interview and answer the following questions. Then check your answers in "comments".
Glossary:
stick to something: to do something that you promised or decided you would do, or that you believe you should do.
downside: the disadvantage or negative aspect of something.
setback: a problem that delays or that stops progress or makes a situation worse.
I. According to the presenter some people have brains that seem to expose to change. The psychologist says she’s one of those people and mentions a downside to it. Which one?
II. These are some of the tips the psychologist gives to help you to stick to your New Year’s Resolutions. Can you explain what she says about them?
1. A real desire of change:
2. Ability to change:
3. A supportive environment:
4. Confidence to change:

How can you get it?

5. Instant feedback: new studies show that big dramatic changes cause a loop of feedback.
6. Good habits take time.What do people do when setbacks happen?

III. What is her New Year’s Resolution this year?
IV. She also says you have to put in a reward system. What will be her reward?
V. What is the presenter’s New Year’s Resolution?

JANUARY LISTENING HANDOUT

I. Janet talking about living in New York (1’15”)http://www.mansioningles.com/listening61.htm
II. I got a new computer
http://www.eltpodcast.com/archive/ic/igota.html

III. Travel Chaos (2’01”)
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1012/101222-travel_chaos.html
IV. Craig from England (8’04”)
http://thedailyenglishshow.blogspot.com/search/label/Monday%20Guest?updated-max=2009-12-07T09%3A37%3A00%2B13%3A00&max-results=20
V. Living on my own (4’02”)
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/i-wanna-talk-about/living-my-own
VI. Ecotourism (6’03”)
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/magazine/ecotourism

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Watch this video about different New Year's Celebrations and do the online activities (if you want to see the subtitles, click on "CC").