Argente\’s blog

Congratulations to those who have passed the advanced level with flying colours! I hope you do not give up learning English at all and you will continue working a little bit every week…or you will end up losing vocabulary and fluency: Read, listen, write e-mails to friends and… talk to friends or set up a speaking club among your ex-classmates! why not??

For those who will have to continue working on your English during the summer months, do not “give up the struggle”, I do think it is worthwhile and eventually, you will manage to cross the finish line even if it takes longer! but do not give up, okay?

As I said, It has been a great pleasure teaching ye all and I hope you have enjoyed coming to class and working together.

Take care ye all and have a nice summer break!

Keep an eyed on the blog for Apertura de Centros, since we may organise a trip to Dublin next year and you might want to join us!!!

  Here you have some tips to write a well-planned”for and against” essay.

“For and Against” essays - guide

One type of argumentative essay is that which gives advantages and disadvantages (for and against). It is a formal piece of writing in which a topic is considered from opposing points of view. A good essay of this type should consist of:

• an introductory paragraph in which you state the topic. This means that you talk generally about the topic without giving your opinion;
• a main body in which the points tor and the points against, along with your justification, appear in two separate paragraphs; and
• a closing paragraph in which you give either your opinion or a balanced consideration of the topic.

Note: In this type of essay writing, you must not include opinion words (I believe, I think, etc.) in the introduction or the main body. Opinion words can only be used in the final paragraph, where you may state your opinion on the topic.

Points to consider

• Make a list of the points for and against a topic before you start writing.
• Write well-developed paragraphs in which the points you present are supported with justification, (i.e. reasons or examples). Make sure each paragraph has more than one sentence, e.g. One advantage of using a word processor is that it saves time. It is much quicker to make corrections on one than it is to do them by hand.
• Do not use informal style (e.g. short forms, colloquial language, etc.) or strong language (e.g. I firmly believe, etc.)
• Try to include a quotation relevant to the topic you are writing about. For example, if you are writing an essay on space exploration, a quotation you may include is: “One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” (Neil Armstrong)
• Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence which summarises what the paragraph is about.

Linking words/phrases

• To introduce points: one major advantage (or disadvantage) of, a further advantage, one point of view in favour of/against
• To list points: in the first place, first of all, to start with, secondly, thirdly, finally, last but not least
• To add more points to the same topic: what is more, furthermore, also, in addition to this/that, besides, apart from this/that, not to mention the fact that
• To make contrasting points: on the other hand, however, in spite of, while, nevertheless, despite, even though, although, it can be argued that
• To introduce examples: for example, for instance, like, especially, such as, in particular
• To conclude: to sum up, all in all, all things considered, in conclusion, on the whole, taking everything into account, as was previously stated

Techniques for beginnings and endings

The first paragraph may:

• make reference to a strange scene or situation, e.g. Some scientists believe that in tne future everyone will be genetically perfect
• address the reader directly, e.g. Are you aware of any characteristics which you may have inherited from your parents? or ask a rhetorical question (question to which no answer is expected), e.g. isn’t it amazing how some children look so much like their parents?
• start with a quotation, e.g. “Genetics holds the key to the future”

   The last paragraph may:

• state a personal opinion, e.g. In my opinion, I believe, in my view, It seems to me. The way I see it, I think, etc.
• give the reader something to consider, e.g. Perhaps the world would be a safer and more efficient piace if everyone was geneticali}’ perfect
• end with a quotation, e.g. “Genetics holds the key to tne future”, or a rhetorical question, e.g. K/fraf will they think of next?

Have look at the example

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being your own boss.”

   Have you ever considered becoming your own boss? In recent years the number of people choosing to start their own business has risen significantly. Many claim that this is because more and more people are no longer content to work for someone else.
One of the main advantages of being self-employed is the fact that you are completely self-reliant and can make decisions on your own. This can give you a great sense of freedom and allows you to do exactly what you want without interference from anyone else. What is more, your working day can be planned for your convenience, allowing you to work when you want rather than when you have to. Finally, if your business is successful, people will know that you alone should be given the credit.
However, there are disadvantages to being your own boss. Many self-employed people hr.e said that to build a successful business, you have to be prepared to work long hours and sacrifice your personal life. As B. C. Forbes once said, “If you don’t drive your business, you will be driven out of business.” Moreover, a 1996 government study found that over a quarter of the businesses run by newly self-employed people failed within the first two years.
All things considered, it seems to me that self-employment can be a very gratifying experience, although not one without difficulties. But when success is achieved, the greatest reward of all is the knowledge that you have done it on your own.

these tips were taken from:  http://leeloo.moo.pl/~fedey/eng/index.html

 Also visit:

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/essaymap/

Attention  bloggers!!

A lecturer from the University of Castilla La Mancha who is writing a thesis on educational bloggers has asked us to spend a few minutes and fill in a survey about blogs.

You can download the file and send it directly to him on this e-mail:

JoseFrancisco.Duran@uclm.es

The file you have to download and complete is:

cuestionarioblog.zip

Do it as soon as possible! Thanks in advance for your cooperation

Every February shops decorate their windows with red hearts and cupids in order to remind us that St Valentine’s day is round the corner, and that you shouldn’t forget your beloved one.Did St Valentine really exist? and why do we celebrate this holiday?

http://www.history.com/

You might be one of those for whom 14thFebruary is just another ordinary day. If so, here are some tips to celebrate “anti St Valentine’s day ( taken from “the History Channel website”)

If you hate all the hoopla surrounding Valentine’s Day, you’re not alone. Recent years have seen a boom in the anti-Valentine’s Day card and merchandise market, and you can even buy t-shirts promoting February 14th as “Singles Awareness Day.” If you find yourself single on Valentine’s Day, or if you’re in a couple and still prefer to ignore the overzealous florists, jewelers, confectioners and card makers of the world, you can still make the most of the day–or at least get through it with minimal discomfort. Couples can take the low-key approach (maybe a quiet dinner at home, a movie or a concert) while like-minded single friends can organize an anti-Valentine’s Day party or outing–no red or pink or chocolate allowed. Some cities even hold a large-scale anti-Valentine’s Day event (search your local listings for information). And by all means, if you’re single, don’t hesitate to treat yourself to a great meal, a warm bath, a funny movie or something else equally comforting and indulgent. Above all, take comfort in the fact that February 14th is, in the end, just another day.

On the other hand, if you want to have a perfect evening maybe you should plan ahead:

Read Valentine’s Day Survival Guide. Click here

http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=57794&display_order=2&mini_id=1084

In Unit 6 we have been having learning how to react in worst case scenarios such as storms or earthquakes. How about a tornado? what should we do in case our region has been hit by one as it has happened recently in South of U.S.

Read this news item about this recent natural disaster and then watch the video.

Which new words related to this topic have you learnt?

Tornadoes sweep U.S. South, at least 30 dead

By Steve BarnesLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Reuters) - Tornadoes and thunderstorms ravaged several states in the U.S. South overnight, killing at least 30 people, injuring dozens and causing widespread damage, authorities and local media said.The storms tore across Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi and Alabama, overturning trucks, trapping people, ripping up houses, smashing cars, and uprooting trees. By Wednesday morning, the city of New Orleans and the state of Georgia were also under tornado warning.Two of the states hit by the tornadoes — Arkansas and Tennessee — were among the 24 “Super Tuesday” states that held nominating contests before November’s presidential election.Several candidates expressed condolences to the victims as they addressed supporters in Tennessee, where media reported four polling stations were shut down by the storms.

Tornadoes killed at least 12 people in the state, according to the Nashville Tennessean. The newspaper also reported 60 tractor-trailers had crashed on an interstate highway.The roof of a warehouse collapsed in Memphis, killing at least three, while northeast of Nashville, a massive fire erupted at a gas station with flames shooting up 500 feet (152 meters) up in the air, the newspaper said on its Web site.Extensive damage included a dormitory at Union University in Jackson, where some students were trapped for a time, according to the Memphis newspaper. Classes have been canceled for two weeks.“It looks like a war zone,” university President David Dockery told CNN. “Cars and trucks thrown from one side of the campus to the other.”

In Arkansas, emergency services reported 11 dead after tornadoes hit as many as eight counties.“It’s a pretty rough night in the scope of it. I don’t know if I can remember when we’ve had as many (tornado) warnings and touchdowns,” Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe said by telephone.The governor’s spokesman, Matt DeCample, said the number of injuries was unknown. “We’re getting answers back in the multiples, but we’re still looking for folks,” he said.In Kentucky, at least seven people were killed, state emergency spokesman Buddy Rogers told Fox News on Wednesday.“We were preparing for the worst and we did get hit pretty hard — but it always could have been worse,” he said.

Watch this video clip reporting what has happened in some southern states of .U.S.

[googlevideo]
Deadly tornadoes rip across South[/googlevideo]

Right, so what should we do in case of a tornado hitting our region?

Visit this website and find out.

http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/tornado.html

Watch this video from National Geographic about  tornados

[googlevideo]
Tornadoes 101[/googlevideo]

Carnival is over! Yes, we’ve seen the floats parading downtown! We’ve had our fair share of pancakes and typical carnival delicacies!  Our fancy dresses and masks will have to be put away until next year.

Lent has come! All the fun and irreverence of Carnival has to make way for the seriousness and austerity of Lent. Goodbye “Mr Carnal” and welcome “Mrs Cuaresma”!!

In the English-speaking world Carnival is not a terribly popular festival, as it is in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Brazil or Germany, but there is a little corner in USA where “Mardi Gras” is a well-known cultural celebration…. In  New Orleans( yeah, the city so badly stricken by Hurricane Katrina!!)

I invite you to have a closer look at Mardi Gras in Louisiana ( it comes from French and it means “ Fat Tuesday”) and find out more about its origins and how it is celebrated by visiting this website.

http://people.howstuffworks.com/mardi-gras.htm

Visit a special website on Mardi Grashttp://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/ 

Watch this video clip where you can see how Mardi Gras is about in New Orleans.

Can you find out what people throw from the floats? What is a Krewe ?  and what does the King of Mardi Gras do?

Visit the glossary if you have any problems with Mardi Gras vocabulary

http://people.howstuffworks.com/mardi-gras3.htm

It’s time for reading!
Choose one book from the list and do the book review!
Here you have some tips to do it!
bookreview-parti.pdf
bookreview-partii.pdfbookreviews-complete.pdf

Halle Berry has a huge career; she’s one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood. In this interview she talks about aging, racial issues and important moments in her career.

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=qSkK0KmTB2Q

1. Can you mention some of the roles she has played and that she mentions?

2. What’s she doing these days?

3. What was her first role in tv?

4.Can you mention two important moments in her career?

5. Who was Dorothy Dandrige?

6. What’s similar between Halle and Dorothy Dandrige?

7. Did she really spend some time in a shelter? why?

8.Does she still feel she’s facing racism ?

9. What kind of characters does she love?

Key:

1. Bond Girl in ” Die another day”, Cat woman and ” Storm”.

2.She’s promoting a new film

3. Her career began twenty years ago and she was the “token girl”, she only could say “Hi” and “goodbye”.

4. When she was awarded an oscar for best actress (It was important for people of colour because they felt empowered, she said) and when she played the role of Dorothy Dandrige.

5. One of the most successful American actresses in the 50s; she was the first African American lady to be nominated for an award.

6. Both of them were from Ohio and their struggle eas very similar.

7.Yeah, she did. She didn’t have any money( her mum refused to send her any cash) and she didn’t want to go back home and get back to college. She wanted to pursue her dream, so she spent some time in a YMCA.

8. Yeah, even in the industry.

9. She loves vulnerable, somewhat tortured women who have a will to survive. She loves the fighting spirit.

Here you have some guidelines to make the oral presentation for this term. You can download them if you wish. There will be a copy on the noticeboard and in Páginas de Profesores, EOIGijón website.

Remember to put your name down for a specific day on the Speech Calendars ( noticeboard in class)

How to do the oral presentation 

1. Read an article from a magazine such as Speak Up or Think in English ( available in the library) or from InternetVisit the following links:

http://www.world-newspapers.com/
http://findarticles.com/http://

www.allyoucanread.com/

http://newslink.org/

http://www.thepaperboy.com/

http://www.time.com/time/

http://www.newsweek.com/

http://www.nytimes.com/ 

2.Look up words or vocabulary you don’t know and check the pronunciation.

3.Write out the presentation in rough, just like a first draft of a written report. Review the draft. You will find things that are irrelevant or superfluous-delete them.

 4.Rehearse your presentation. Bear in mind you will be speaking only for five minutes! 

5.Never read from a script. It is also unwise to have the talk written out in detail as a prompt sheet - the chances are you will not locate the thing you want to say amongst all the other text.  

6. You should know most of what you want to say! So prepare cue cards which have key words and phrases (and possibly sketches) on them. Postcards are ideal for this. Don’t forget to number the cards in case you drop them. 

7. Make list of specific words (necessary to understand the talk) that other students in class might not know, and pre-teach them before you start the talk. 

Making the presentation                                

Greet the audience (for example, ‘Good morning, ladies and gentlemen’), and tell them who you are. Good presentations then follow this formula:

• tell the audience what you are going to tell them,

• then tell them,

• at the end tell them what you have told them.

Keep to the time allowed.

Delivery

Speak clearly. Don’t shout or whisper - judge the acoustics of the room. Don’t rush, or talk deliberately slowly. Be natural - although not conversational. There’s no need to be nervous!!

Deliberately pause at key points - this has the effect of emphasising the importance of a particular point you are making.

Use your hands to emphasise points but don’t indulge in to much hand waving. People can, over time, develop irritating habits.

Look at the audience as much as possible, but don’t fix on an individual - it can be intimidating.

Pitch your presentation towards the back of the audience, especially in larger rooms.

Finally …,

Enjoy yourself. The audience will be on your side and want to hear what you have to say!  

[googlevideo]
Top 20 Tidy Tips[/googlevideo]  

Happy New Year to the 5th year bloggers!

It’s time to reflect upon the past year and to plan ahead for this brand new 2008. Is there anything you would like to change in your present lifestyle?  shed the extra kilos, get back in shape or be more organized, maybe it’s just tidying up and de-cluttering your home or office.If that’s your New Year’s Resolution, we have the solution for you!

Watch the following video about how to have a tidier home!

Clilck on the image above

Or maybe you want to start by tidying up your messy desk at work or at home. Watch the following video clip with some useful tips.

[googlevideo]
How to add order to your office[/googlevideo]