London's Olympic Story

I will be adding more sites about this topic:

The story
Inspire a generation

...to be continued...

Speaking exam

This web contains some tips to prepare yourself for the oral exam!!

"Tingo"

Tomorrow, we'll be looking at words English borrowed from other languages. You might be interested in the following links:
"The meaning of Tingo"
An interesting blog
Etymology dictionary
Where do words come from?
Interesting origins

Listening Practice

Click on the following links:
Private lives
Listening lessons
Videos

Film Reviews

Here you have a model of a film review. Click on here to get a full-sized worksheet to print out and fill in. This worksheet is only to help you organize your thoughts about the movie!
Click here to read real film reviews.

Complaint letter

samples
how to write a letter
tips
more samples (American version)
how to reply to complaints

HOMEWORK:
Write a complaint letter about one of this topics:
- a product you bought
- your last holidays
- health service at the hospital

Health

Revise vocabulary about health. Click on the following links:
vocab
Health in Britain
Article
Health News
Medical dialogues

Doctor appointment. Video

Do

Phrasal Verbs

Click here.

Homework

Write a composition (200-250). Include the following information:

- A dish (where it comes from)

- Its recipe (how you make it)

- How it tastes

- Pieces of advice (what to do to prevent it from tasting weird, when it's the best time to do it, special occasion in which it can be made)

- An anecdote about it.

Deadline: 9th April

Remember you can send me any writing you want!!!! I´ll mark it as soon as possible!!!

Telephone

Telephone Terms

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Exercise 4

Health

Click here to learn some vocabulary.

More vocab here.

Exercise 1

Exercise with phrasal verbs

Recipes

Bunny cakes for Easter

The Perfect Omelette

Doughnuts

Doughnuts again!

Full English Breakfast

Coleslow

Scrambled Eggs

Travelling alone!

Read this article which has lot do with your exam composition!! Enjoy!

Sessions 29, 30 & 31.

During these three sessions we have been talking about cities and towns. We have learnt a lot of vocabulary about it and we have been able to point out the positive and negative aspects of a place we have visited. These contents can be found in Unit 6 in your books and in handouts given in class. (ask the teacher or any of your classmates).
Remember to give me your last composition before the exam so that it can be marked before it.

St Valantine's Day

Click here to know you are in love. On the side, you can find some other videos of the series. Very funny!! Enjoy!!!

Popular ads

Click here to watch the ads from the Super Bowl.

More about idioms!!!

Look at this site!! You will love it!!!

And click here to know about colour idioms!! great video!

Sessions 26, 27 & 28

During these three sessions, we haven't paid much attention to our student book!! (except p.87: collocations and pauses when speaking in public).

Ernesto did a great presentation about idioms in English. Watch the video.

We celebrated an auction about idioms as well. We have done a listening comprehension exercise and a specific exercise about changing the category of the word.

We worked on a handout about well-known quotations and we listened to professor Atkinson talking about techniques to speak in public successfully!

Sessions 24 & 25

On Friday, we corrected p 85 and after explaining some specific uses of articles, we did the exercises on page 143. Then, we did two listening comprehension exercises which will probably be very similar to the one in June.
On Monday, I gave you a handout with some instructions about how to write an essay stating the advantages and disadvantages about a given topic (brief version on page 113). Then, we read the text on page 86, we did the listening exercises and talked about possible problems with presentations.

HOMEWORK:

Write a composition (225-250 words) about the advantages and disadvantages of any of the following topics. CHOOSE ONLY ONE! Deadline: 30th January.

1. Studying English in an English speaking country
2. Living in Seville
3. Study a degree abroad
4. Being a teacher, nurse, secretary, architect, student, footballer, doctor, etc. (any job!, choose only one!!)
5. Shops with unlimited opening hours (like in Madrid)

-

Session 23

Happy New Year!!! Coming back from holidays I found out your English is not rusty at all!! well done!! On Monday we watched a couple of videos on New Year's celebrations in New York and in London. We alse watched some celebrities making New Year's resolutions.

Moving on, we started unit 6 on your books. We talked about the importance of definite and indefinite articles (text on the moon landing). Finally, we talked about some strategies to speak in public (watch this video).

HOMEWORK:

For Friday, complete the texts on page 85 and do the exercises about articles on page 143.

Session 19, 20, 21 & 22

During these four sessions we have focused on unit 5C:

Grammar: direct speech, indirect speech and reporting verbs. Look at these sites to practise:

1, 2 (with extra links), 3 and 4.

Vocabulary: The media.

Speaking: Apart from daily class talking, we have worked on this handout.

Listening: Apart from the exercises on your books, we have also watched a video on "how to write an article" (sent via email)

Reading: A text about "sleep-texting".

Answer key for "Revise and Check" pp.82 &83:

Grammar: A. used to driving, to have, Sarah to talk, killing her husband, apologized for being, as a waiter.

B. meeting, cleaning, to get, to be

Vocabulary:

A. conductor, violinist, drummer, editor, composer, journalist, soloist, reporter, presenter, commentator

B. weather forecast, review, biased, catchy, tune, censored, pillow, snore, nap, insomnia

Pronunciation:

A. whole, convince, crossword, accurate, cartoon

B. guitarist, orchestra, biased, sensational, critic

Reading: 1b, 2a, 3b, 4b, 5c, 6a, 7b, 8c

Exams

Let me remind you the dates for the "end-of-term tests":

12th Dec: Oral test (describe a picture, monologue and role play).

16th Dec: Listening, reading and writing.

19th Dec: Normal lesson

23rd Dec: Revision and results.

Videos on "News of the World"

Here you have the website I told you about yesterday in class.
Enjoy it!!

Interesting article

Read this article to start unit 5C. What's your opinion about it? Use the "comment" section below to write what you think about privacy.

More interesting online newspapers here.

Session 18

On Friday, Ernesto was talking about Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. We watched a video about our internal clock and talked about the "siesta syndrome".

Answer Key Vocabulary

SENSES:

71.1. Possible answers:

1. It smells wonderful

2. looks great

3. sounds brilliant

4. tastes delicious

5. feel great

6. sounds fantastic

7. you look upset

8. he smells disgusting

71.2

1. witness, 2. peer, 3. observe, 4. glance, 5. stare

71.3

1. witnessed, 2. gazed/stared, 3. grasped, 4. press, 5. stroked, 6. observed, 7. grabbed/snatched, 8. glanced

71.4

1. bitter, 2. sweet, 3. hot, 4. sour, 5. Spicy, 6. salty

71.5

1. snatch/grab, 2. finger, 3. handle, 4. paw

71.6

1. aromatic, 2. smelly, 3. evil-smelling, 4. fragant, 5. sweet-smelling, 6. scented

71.7

1. UFO, 2. telepathy, 3. ghosts, 4. intuition, 5. déjà-vu, 6. premonition

Session 16 & 17

Last Friday, we were describing our favourite pictures in detail. We revised points to bear in mind when writing a composition (handout in class). We played "Find someone who..." using the following structure: used to.
Do the following exercises:
exercise 1
exercise 2
exercise 3
This later led us to practise "get used to + verb-ing" and "be used to + verb-ing". Finally, we did a long listening comprehension exercise to infer certain information (sent via email).

On Monday, we started unit 5B about "being sleeping deprived". We followed the activities in your books to learn new vocabulary. Finally, we listened to the song "I don't wanna miss a thing". Click here to listen to it again!

Tongue Twisters

I hope you find them useful to practise pronunciation. Click here.

Session 14 &15

On Friday, Ernesto talked to us about culture and religion (quite interesting lesson indeed). Yesterday, we watched the second part of the video, we did an exercise on "should" and "had better". We learnt some vocabulary to describe music and you were given some points to bear in mind when writing a composition.
HOMEWORK.
Write an email talking about your favourite song. Include what's the song about, the rhythm, the lyrics and say why it is important for you. Convince the addressee to listen to it. 150-180 words. Deadline: 21st November.

Those who didn't come to class should address the email to me.

Session 13

On Monday, we read the text about postures. We watched a video about a Canadian actor and I showed you my favourite picture.
Send me your favourite pictures via mail!!

Gerund and Infinitive

Do the following exercises to revise this grammar point.

Exercise + key

Answer key Revise and check unit 4

GRAMMAR

A. 1 hadn't found, 2 must have, 3 should have told, 4 had much time, 5 can't have got

B. 1c, 2a, 3c, 4b, 5c

VOCABULARY

A. relieved, anxious, calf, hip, nod

B. remind, matter, stole, raise, argue

C. over, up, in, off, down

D. chew, yawn, scratch, frown, stare

PRONUNCIATION

A.notice, delighted, frown, comb, chew

B. exhausted, prevent, expect, kidney, elbow

READING

A-0, B-1, C-4, 5-D, 2-E, F-3

Session 12

Another rainy day yesterday! We kept on practising verb of senses. We learnt some idioms expressions and actions related to parts of the body and vocabulary about the six senses (exercises from handout due to Monday). We also watched a video of Hugh Laurie and Ellen talking about English slang.

HOMEWORK:

- Describe mentally what you look, taste, smell, touch and hear in ENGLISH!!!!

Session 11

Happy Halloween! (happy bank holiday, to be honest:-) On Monday, we continued giving opinion about some controversial issues. We also kept on practising verbs of senses and new vocabulary to describe things. We listened to some contestants guessing mystery objects. We then focused on body vocabulary, verbs related to some parts of the body. For Friday, remember to hand in your opinion essay and read the text in 4C about body language.

Session 10

Friday at last!!! Today we have had a special guest: Ernesto, our language assistant. He'll be coming every 15 days to make us talk A LOT!!! After his nice introduction, we have continued learning about verbs of senses. We have practised them and I have sent you a great handout with plenty of vocabulary to describe what we see, taste, feel and smell.

Don't forget the opinion essay!!!

Session 9

On Monday, we saw the difference between giving our opinion orally and in a written essays (handout given in class). We also focused on some pronunciation exercises to see vowel and consonant distinctions. Later, we started unit 4C that talks about body language (importance of facial gesture and expressions when we don't know how to explain things with words).
Homework:
- Opinion essay (130-180 words). Deadline: 31 Oct. Topic: For those who didn't come to class write about ONE the following statement:
"Should sports be compulsory in schools?"
"Is it OK for newspapers to revel a celebrity's secret?"
LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE STRUCTURE OF AN OPINION ESSAY (HANDOUT SENT BY EMAIL)

- Grammar Bank exercise 4C. (verbs of senses)

Session 8

Last Friday, we learnt other ways of giving our opinion apart from our "so-lovely" expression "I think..." :-) We watched a video of an episode of Friends (sent by mail) to check how different are women from men. Then, we listened to some people giving opinion about controversial topics such as Cosmetic Surgery, Downloading music for free and Banning cars from city centre. We learnt some new expressions to express: agreement, disagreement and partial agreement. These will have to be used on classroom debates next Monday!!!

Homework:

Do the grammatical exercises on past deductions (handout sent by email)

Internet

Could you live without the internet? Read this article about Britons!!

Session 7

On Monday, we talked about why people might have reacted in certain ways (from given situations). We corrected the exercises on verbs that may be confused (handout) Click here to expand your knowledge. Later, we did some spontaneous writing after listening to some noises. With respect to "would rather", we played "Find someone who" and learnt how to structure questions.
Running out of time (like everyday), I gave you the second part of the reading which you can complete at home.

Session 6

On Friday, we did the following tasks:

- Used all new grammar structures on photo descriptions.

- We listened to a journalist talking about training techniques (sent via email)

- We saw a powerpoint presentation on verbs that may be confused (idem)

- We talked about "would rather" and "had better". Do the following exercises:

exercise 1

exercise 2

exercise 3

- Finally, we did a brief writing exercise using Mafalda cartoons.

Session 5

Last Monday, we continued making deductions about the past (looking at photos, exercise on spontaneous reactions and domino). Then, we talked about arguments and focused on money conflicts and how couples should come up with solutions by talking about this issue more often. After sharing our opinions, we watched a video and listened to an expert. Lastly, we did exercise 6 on page 59 and looked at false friends.

Homework for October 15th:

- Have a look at "would rather" and "had better" on page 59.

Session 4

On Friday, we practised unreal conditionals (3rd conditional) and deducting in the past (modals+have+pp) by describing some photos. We completed the grammar exercise in the Grammar Bank section. Then, we were talking about the text on page 57 and we discussed about how we deal with annoying behaviour (ignoring?, telling off?, having an argument?). What's the difference between "discussion" and "argument"? After listening to a peculiar phone message from a school in Australia, we listened to a psychologists talking about how to deal with conflicts (p.58).

Homework for Monday:

- Do exercise 6 VOCABULARY (A). PAGE 59

Session 3

Yesterday, we finished revising 3rd conditional (If you had met Lady Di, what would you have done. I you had known English was going to become so important, what would you have done?).
We did a listening comprehension exercise about "What's the best way of learning English?".
Finally, we started with the book (p.56). We practised modal verbs expressing deduction in the present. Later, we focused on modal verbs expressing deduction in the past. You became Sherlock Holmes for a while!!
Click here to practise!!

Session 2

Today we have been brushing up on Conditionals, especially 2nd, 3rd and mixed one. Here you can find some exercises to do at home:

exercise 1

exercise 2

exercise 3

We have been talking about "turning points" in our lives and we have done a listening comprehension exercise about other people's decisions. Finally, we have listened to one of Adele's song in which the 3rd Conditional is used.

HOMEWORK

Write a short composition (100 words) about WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE DONE (what you would have decided if you had been able to choose) in the situations proposed in this handout.

Deadline: Friday 7th October.

New words

Click here and find out about a new English word which is currently being used. You can even listen to the conversation!! Enjoy!

Session 1

Today, we've been talking for a while about "bullfighting" and "becoming a sheep"... . Later, we have done an oral exercise to know each other better (talking about certain aspects of our lives). Then, we have been revising vowel sounds and we've practised by doing some exercises.

Practise them by visiting the BBC Pronunciation Website which is brilliant! (you can find the link above) Complete the "Learning Style Test" and find out which learning style suits you better.

Relax and enjoy this "poem on pronunciation".

See you on Friday!

ENGLISH ACCENTS

How many "Englishes" do you know? Here you have two links in which you'll be able to listen to different accents in English! There is not just one! Congratulation! I'm pretty sure yours is brilliant!

24 accents

21 accents

Welcome!

Welcome back to the EOI!! As I have said in class, we'll improve your English, fix any problems and fill any gaps you may have. I hope you enjoy this year!!