New IDIOM! NEVER GIVE UP

Those who know me are aware that I can be persistent. Like, reeeeeeeally persistent. 

And yesterday my students  in my class of 4ºESO witnessed this trait of my personality . 

And, guys, you know what, this reminded me of a very powerful idiom. So here I am, in a Saturday morning, writing this post so you can learn a new Idiom. 

Am I a ESL-FREAK?

So here it goes!

Never give up on something you really want.

How many times did I try to fix the computer smartboard so you could do your listening exam? huh? 

HOW MANY?! (picture me like this)

I must confess that I lost the count on my 5th trial (sigh)....

But......thanks to my persistence (and your patience), we finally DID IT! 

YAY!!! (now picture me like this tiny snail)

(I dunno why, but I'm quite sure that you are not as happy about doing yesterday's exam as I am).

So, remember next time your patience is being tested...

Persistence is the twin sister of excellence. One is a matter of quality; the other a matter of time.

Ayudas para participar en el programa CAMPUS CIENTÍFICO DE VERANO

Hello my scientists-to be!

Llevo unos días queriendo subir esta información pero con tanto examen no he tenido mucho tiempo.

Bueno, ahora sí, os comento de qué se trata. Es la convocatoria de este año del programa "Campus científicos" para estudiantes cursando 4º ESO y Bachillerato.

¿Y eso qué es? Os copio la información.

Estos Campus pretenden que los estudiantes de cuarto curso de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria y primer curso de Bachillerato de la especialidad de Ciencias y Tecnología tengan una primera experiencia de contacto con la labor investigadora, a través de su participación en proyectos de acercamiento científico diseñados y dirigidos por profesores universitarios del más alto nivel en colaboración con profesores de enseñanza secundaria.

 Para aquellos interesados, copio a continuación algunos de los requisitos. 

Serán requisitos necesarios para poder participar en los Campus: 

a) Estar cursando, en el año académico 2014-2015, enseñanzas de cuarto curso de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria o primer curso de Bachillerato de la especialidad de Ciencias y Tecnología, del sistema educativo español. 

b) Haber nacido con posterioridad al 31 de diciembre de 1997. 

c) No haber sido adjudicatario de una ayuda, habiendo participado en un proyecto, en ediciones anteriores del Programa Campus Científico de Verano. 

d) Haber cursado en el sistema educativo español, el curso escolar 2013-2014, habiendo obtenido una nota media igual o superior a 7,50 puntos. 

e) Estar situado en un lugar de orden de prelación de solicitudes que le permita la obtención de una de las ayudas convocadas, tal y como consta en el artículo 7 de las presentes bases.

La información completa con las fechas y la información sobre las actividades que engloba el campus la tenéis disponible en el documento oficial de la convocatoria: 

CONVOCATORIA CAMPUS CIENTÍFICO DE VERANO

Si alguno se anima, las solicitudes de participación se deben cumplimentar mediante el formulario disponible en la siguiente web del Ministerio de Educación:

CAMPUS CIENTÍFICOS DE VERANO 2015

ANSWER KEY. UNIT 4

STUDENT'S BOOK

Page 53
Exercise 1:
1. chemicals
2. travel agent
3. competitive
4. destroy
5. overpopulated
6. deforestation
7. rubbish
8. scored a goal

Exercise 2:
1. save
2. keep fit
3. training
4. recycle
5. protecting
6. determined
7. environmentally friendly
8. conservation
9. global warming

Exercise 3:
1. will be watching
2. will help
3. have you seen
4. will have finished
5. are leaving
6. had lost
7. am going to live
8. met

WORK BOOK
Page 32
Exercise 2: 
1. increase
2. pollution
3. harm
4. landfill
5. decompose
6. care about
7. protect
8. recycle

Exercise 3:
1. eat too much
2. oppose
3. you've used it before
4. other schools
5. several colours
6. hasn't got

Exercise 4:
1. anti
2. under
3. re
4. over
5. inter
6. multi

Page 36
Exercise 1:
a. 5
b. 4
c. 7
d. 8
e. 6
f. 1
g. 2
h. 3

Exercise 2:
1. care about
2. protect
3. ecological disasters
4. damages
5. pollution
6. increase
7. interconnected
8. multinational

Exercise 3:
1. I'll answer
2. will have finished
3. will have become
4. is visiting
5. are going to discuss
6. will be preparing

Exercise 4:
1. is going to buy
2. will enjoy
3. will have completed
4. am going to meet/ am meeting
5. sill still be sleeping
6. will get

Class materials---> UNIT 5

Click on the link below to download the copy set of unit 5.

UNIT 5. COPY SET

And click on the following link to download the grammar explanations of this unit.

COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

Upcoming...

I know, I know... I've been MIA for a couple of days (or maybe more) and I'm sorry. It won't happen again!

Things are getting hectic right now: exams, prep work and marking...phew!

But, our blog must go on...

And here's a clue about the main vocabulary topic of our next unit! Enjoy!

And, look at these two!  They've filmed an interesting homemade video showing us the most common differences regarding British and American English.

Listening Practise ---> 2º ESO

Hello guys!

Click on the links to download the listening exercise :)

Listening exercise: PART 1

Click on this link to listen to the conversation

Listening exercise: PART 2

Listen to the conversation and fill in the gaps with the missing information.

Click on this link to listen the conversation

(Tenéis las respuestas disponibles en el apartado de comentarios bajo la entrada).

Online resources---> Vocabulary for FCE (B2)

Hello!

Check out today's entry! A vocabulary book  (.pdf format) perfect for FCE (or B2 exams). And it's free! Woohoo!

Check your English vocabulary for FCE

Happy Tuesday!

Getting in the mood for February 14th...

Here's a suggestion...

You can practise your listening comprehension with one of the most beautiful love songs ever.

There are many different versions in Youtube including the lyrics (and some of them even show the Spanish translation!).

However, given that this is a blog focused on English learners and teachers... I'm giving you some online resources.

Have you tried LYRICS TRAINING?

This is one of the best resources to learn English at home using your favourite songs.

LYRICS TRAINING

An a different tool (in the form, but not the content). I must say that Lyrics training is more appealing and it doesn't include as many adverts as this one. 

However, Lyrics gaps gives you the possibility of printing a worksheet in pdf format (so, maybe, this resources is better for teachers).

LYRICS GAPS

New web and new resources---> FCE (B2 level)

Hi guys! How are you doing? Ok. I know, it's Monday....

And that's why I've brought you a present... TO CHEER YOU UP!

It's a new webpage with tons of exercises. It's perfect for those of you who are taking the B2 exam any time soon. And ... oh yes, it's free! Click on the link to start.

Enjoy!

flo-joe FCE (B2)

Costume ideas

In need of costume ideas for this weekend? Let me help you! 

Check out Zoey's costume! 

Isn't she the CUTEST LITTLE PERSON EVER?

Listening Practise

And again, more listening exercises to practise online.

LISTENING PRACTISE--> PART 1

Listening Resources---> Movie Trailers

Hi guys!

I've found a new webpage where you can improve your listening skills while watching some movie trailers. 

You've got loads of trailers (old and new) and each video offers different exercises according to the level of the students.

Can you see the available list on the right column?

Cool, huh?

Learning English Through Movies

Look what I've found!

It's a very complete picture and it's perfect for our unit 4!

Have a look at it and if you like it, you can always print it and bring it to class!!

See you!

More speaking materials---> B1 (or PET)

So, here you've got another example of a B1 speaking test. The quality is not as good as the last video but the sound is OK. 

Yesterday I found this useful presentation including the vocabulary you can use in the speaking test divided into several topics. Have a look at it:

Useful ppt with lots of vocabulary for the Speaking test

And finally, some sample materials for the speaking test. You can use them to practise at home:)

Unit 3 sample

Unit 1 sample

Unit 4

Coming soon----> More listening resources!

I know, I know, I'm getting quite obsessed with listening resources lately... But, it's totally worth it! There are wonderful webs/ exercises/ worksheets online and I want you to become as obsessed as me so you can NAIL your listening exams.

By the way, what's the meaning of that expression "nailed it"? Can you guess it?

I've brought you some pictures to give you a clue...

These are pictures from people who wanted to make a meal using a food recipe they saw online but... apparently... something went wrong...

 

So, have you guessed the meaning? I'll ask you about it on our next class =)

Annnnnnd in case you wanted to see more food fails, click on the link below ;)

THE 34 MOST HILARIOUS FOOD FAILS ON THE INTERNET

Have a nice weekend!

English idioms: Love

Well, well, well... Valentine' s day is around the corner and...

Whether you are loved-up like these two squirrels...

Or you are not much of a fan of this festivity...

I've brought you some idioms dealing with LOVE in our third entry of this section. 

Learning English with songs

This is a new web focused on the listening skills and on English songs. The web includes several songs divided into three groups (depending on your level of English) and you have plenty of songs to work on. 

Have a look at it!

English and songs: Listening

Terrific web ---> FCE level

Look what I've found!

It's a terrific web containing lots of exercises. You've got grammar, vocabulary and listening exercises! And the best part is..... IT'S FREE! 

Enjoy!

FCE exercises (B2 level)

Test your level of English

Do you want to test your level of English? This web offers a quick and free online English test for children and young learners. So.... c'omon! What are you waiting for?

Click on the link below the picture to start.

What is your level of English?

Vocabulary practise--> Means of transport

As you know, in unit 4 we're studying the different means of transport in English. And look what I've found!

These are very useful games to revise and practise the vocabulary seen in class. Have fun!

In the first one, all you have to do is to shoot balloons, I'm sure you'd love that!

TRANSPORTS VOCABULARY- GAME

Do you know the name of these means of transport?

VOCABULARY GAME- TRANSPORT

And finally, a classic in our classes: AN ONLINE HANGMAN (about travel)

VOCABULARY GAME- HANGMAN TRAVEL

Listening Practise online

Some of you are worried about the listening exams, so here you've got more exercises to practise at home :)

Click on the link below each picture to be directed to the webpage.

LISTENING EXAM PART 1

LISTENING PRACTISE---> MULTIPLE CHOICE

Listening B1 exams online

Over the last few days, some of you have asked me about the listening exams. Annnnd, given that these exams are round the corner... I have a present for y'all!

It's a brand new B1 exam to practise online your listening skills (remember to click on the links below the pictures).

B1 LISTENING PART 3

PET LISTENING PART 4

PET LISTENING PART 2

PET LISTENING PART 1

Enjoy!

Dear pupils...

Can you excuse my absence from class?

Those of you who saw me on Monday may have imagined what has happened to me.... Let me give you a clue:

Yep, as you know, on Monday I lost my voice....again.... (deep sigh) and in order to recover I have to rest my voice.

Are you missing me?

I'm sure that today, when you realised that I was not coming to class, you were all like...

But I'd rather imagine you like this: 

Because just the thought of missing my classes is UNBEARABLE, ;)

.................................

....................................................................................

.............................................................................................................

Although, being honest, I picture you more like this (deep sigh again):

A Charles Dickens Webquest!

As you know, this year we're studying some of the most important authors and works from English literature.

Last term, we started with Dickens and now I'd like to continue what we started with this Webquest.

Three important rules:

1. The due date is on February, 15th 2015! So, please, note it down in your agenda/calendar/notebook so you won't be like this poor pup when I ask you about the webquest you didn't submit.

2. You have to do it in pairs (choose wisely, I won't accept any group changes/arguments). 

3. ENJOY!

Here's the link:

A Charles Dickens Webquest

Some Super Bowl highlights

This morning I was happy to see that some of you were comparing notes about the super bowl. It's always nice to prove that your students actually listen to you ;)

And, to show you that there's plenty to talk about, here's a super-interesting video including some curious facts about one of the most important sporting events in the world.

Did you know that there's a strong link between the Super Bowl and food? If you are a student, you can practise your listening skills while watching the following video. If you are a teacher, you can use this listening-comprehension exercise for your next Super Bowl-themed lesson.

You can download the corresponding listening-comprehension exercise to work with your class:

Super Bowl food facts: Listening Comprehension

And... Did you watch the halftime show? It was awesome: I loved the atmosphere, the stage, the songs... Check it out!

And last, but not least... THE COMMERCIALS! Yay! 
Keep posted for more information because I'm already working on a bunch of funny ads for our classes ..... Be patient!