Thursday 17 June 2010

Enjoy your Summer Holidays!

Dear students,

The school year is almost finished. It's been a pleasure having had you as my students for nine months. I hope you have learned new things and I wish you keep on learning. In the future you'll see how important it is to speak foreign languages. You know how to contact me for whatever you want or need. I really would like to have you as my students next year.

Have a good summer!

Monday 31 May 2010

Have to

As you know, we have learnt how to use have to to express obligation and don't have to to refer to lack of obligation. Here you have another explanation with interesting activities for you to practise.

Let's Review Conditional Sentences

We shouldn't have any problem using conditional sentences (type 1). In case you need further practice or clarification, you can visit this website and read the explanations and do some activities. Remember we have just seen Type 1 Conditional Sentences. There are another two types, in case you want to go into further details. I hope it helps!

Let's Visit Devon Island!

As you know, these days we have been reading about the project The Mars Society is developing on Devon Island, which according to scientists have many things in common with Mars. Here you can learn more things about this society, the island and the planet. Moreover, you can also enjoy this video and see that they are in fact really similar!
Would you like to be a volunteer for the project?

Monday 24 May 2010

Forms for the Future

Lately we have learnt about the three different forms English has to refer to future time: be going to, Present Continuous and 'will'.

For an explanation and activities on be going to, click here.

Remember that we use Present Continuous to talk about totally planned activities. You can review it here.

But we can also refer to the future using the modal auxiliary verb will.
You can click here for further explanation on this topic. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to do some more activities. I hope it helps!

Sunday 16 May 2010

In the Future . . .

As you know, these days we are learning how to make instant decisions and future predictions with will. Here you can see a video and listen to a song Mariló has chosen for you to work with.

A new final act for Romeo and Juliet by such talented actors!

Last Tuesday we enjoyed a new final act of Romeo and Juliet, written and performed by a great company of actors. Here you can see the video. Congratulations! You did a good job!


Sunday 9 May 2010

Students' Posters on Shakespeare and Elizabethan Period

Last Friday all the students made a presentation of the posters they had designed. As you know, this was one of the activities in the WebQuest they have been doing for a couple of weeks. The posters are hung on the school walls but here you can also see them!

Saturday 8 May 2010

Shakespeare in Love

Last Tuesday we saw the film titled Shakespeare in Love. It gave us a great opportunity to see the main aspects of the Elizabethan period: people, streets, theatres, performances, etc.

I include below the worksheet we used before watching the film, which includes a plot synopsis.


Did you like the film? Why? Please send a comment giving your opinion.

Shakespeare in Love

Wednesday 5 May 2010

Superlosers!

Today we enjoyed Superlosers, the adapted play we attended. You were a wonderful audience and I think everybody had a really good time. Congratulations!

Here is the worksheet we used to introduce the play and sum up the plot:

Super Losers
And here you can have a look at some pictures:

Thursday 22 April 2010

Book Day and Copyright Day

On 23 April we celebrate Book Day and Copyright Day. But do you know why? This day is the anniversary of the death of three important authors around the world: William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. All of them died on 23 April 1616 (although there are some days of difference because some countries followed the Julian calendar and others the Gregorian one). That is the reason why UNESCO chose this day to encourage people to enjoy reading.

In fact, we are not celebrating a particular day, but the whole month, by working on the WebQuest on Romeo and Juliet and Elizabethan England. Very soon we will see the final projects and we will enjoy a new final act of the play performed by our own company of actors. I can't wait for it!

Good WebQuest Work!

The students keep on working on the WebQuest on Romeo and Juliet and Elizabethan period and they are doing a great job, so congratulations to you all!

This is just a quick reminder with all the groups and pairs:

GROUP A
- Biographers: Mercedes and Alberto
- Work researchers: Mª Jesús and Carolina

GROUP B
- Period historians: Patricia and Antonio
- Place historians: Virginia and Álvaro
- Everyday life historians: Laura and Jairo
- Celebritry journalists: Clara and Saray

GROUP C
- Architects: Jesús and Marta
- Literary critics: Ana and Manuel Tejero

GROUP D
- Stratford-upon-Avon travel agents: Juan Manuel and Raquel
- London travel agents: José Antonio Cordero and Daniel

GROUP E
- Company of actors: María, Jenifer, Manuel Caro, Desirée, José Antonio García and Benito

Monday 5 April 2010

A WebQuest: Our Project for April


As you know, we will work on a WebQuest on Shakespeare and Elizabethan theatre after having read Romeo and Juliet.You can click here to go direct to the website.

Sunday 4 April 2010

Easter Egg Hunt


As you know, people in the United Kingdom and the United States go egg hunting to celebrate Easter. Here you can see how they enjoy the hunt!






Thursday 1 April 2010

April Fool's Day


April Fool's Day, or All Fools' Day, is the first day of April. It is a traditional day for playing pranks on unsuspecting people. In many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, people play tricks on others. A favourite joke is to send someone on a fool's errand (a search for something that does not exist), or to get people to believe ridiculous things. The victim is called an April Fool.

No one knows where the April Fools' custom began. The origin is uncertain but may be related to the arrival of spring in late March, when nature "fools" humanity with changes in weather. Another explanation has to do with the change to the Gregorian calendar in 1582, which moved New Year's Day to January 1.

The tradition originated in France and Great Britain and it was introduced into America in colonial times.

The French call April 1 "Poisson d'Avril" or "April Fish". French children sometimes stick a picture of a fish on the back of their schoolmates, crying "Poisson d'Avril" when the prank is discovered.

Thursday 25 March 2010

Easter

Next week we'll be enjoying our Holy Week vacation, which finishes with Easter. What do you know about Easter? If you want to learn about its origins (both religious and pagan) and about the way in which it is celebrated in different parts of the world, read the following text and do the activities proposed in the worksheet.
Moreover, you can do many other types of interesting activities, both on paper and on line, if you click here.
Have a happy holiday!

Easter

Thursday 18 March 2010

St. Patrick's Day



Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year on March 17th. In Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day is both a holy day and a national holiday. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland because he brought Christianity to the Irish.

According to legend, Saint Patrick used a shamrock (a type of clover) to explain about God. The shamrock has three leaves on each stem. Saint Patrick told the people that the shamrock was like the idea of the Trinity – that in the one God there are three divine beings: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Although it began in Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated in countries around the world. People with Irish heritage remind themselves of the beautiful green countryside of Ireland by wearing green and taking part in the festivities.

Saint Patrick’s Day is usually celebrated with a parade. The one in Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is very famous. But the one in New York City is one of the biggest. It lasts for hours.

One tale about Patrick is that he drove the snakes from Ireland. This is a metaphor for his bringing Christianity to Ireland and driving out the pagan religions. It’s true that Ireland has no snakes, but this has to do with the fact that Ireland is an island and being separated from the rest of the continent the snakes couldn’t get there.

Play a game here and have good luck! You can also read poems and listen to songs for this special day here.

Sunday 7 March 2010

Present Perfect Simple

As you know, in the last unit we have learnt how to form and use the Present Perfect Simple tense.

Here you can read a funny introduction to the topic and you can also review its form and use, apart from doing some interesting activities.

International Women's Day

International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future. In some countries like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, this day is a national holiday. If you want to learn more about this day, you can click here.

This is the message the Secretary General of the United Nations has sent to the world.


And here goes a short tribute to some of the many important women throughtout history. Do you know them?

Monday 1 March 2010

Europeans Care for the Environment

As you know, these days we are working on a didactic unit on the European Union and the care of the environment. Here you are a copy of the activities (this time in full colours, more attractive than the photocopy I gave you). First of all I include the slide presentation for activity 3.a.a and the links to the websites that are necessary for other exercises.



This is the slide presentation for activity 3.a.a:


These are the Internet links:

Europoean countries (activity 1.e.c.)

Global warming video (activity 3.i.)

Energy video (activity 3.j.a.)


Carbon calculator (activity 3.j.b.)

Party listening (activity 3.k)

Final quiz (activity 5)

And here is the worksheet:


Didactic Unit. Europeans Care for the Environment

Why do People Choose Andalusia?

Yesterday people from Andalusia celebrated the day of the community. Have you ever thought about the reasons why so many tourists come to Andalusia? There are also many foreigners that choose the south of Spain as their ideal residence. Have a look at this video and pay attention. Which are the reasons why foreigners enjoy Andalusia?

Tuesday 16 February 2010

II El Fontanal Spelling Bee

As you know, next Wednesday February 25th students and teachers at I.E.S. El Fontanal will be celebrating Andalusia Day. We will listen to the Andalusia Anthem, we will eat molletes with chocolate and we will do different activities in the classrooms.

The English Department will organise the II Spelling Bee, a funny and interesting way of proving you are good at spelling. You will be able to take part in the contest for Segundo Ciclo (3º and 4º ESO). You can review the vocabulary lists for your level and you can also have a look at the rules and the recommendations here.

There will be great prizes for the winners!!!

Below you have some pieces of advice for the contest, the rules of the Spelling Bee and the wordlist for your cycle. Have a look at them.

Good luck to everybody!




Algunos Consejos Para El Concurso de Deletreo
Spelling Bee Rules
listado segundo ciclo

Sunday 14 February 2010

Andalusia Day


As you know, Andalusia Day is coming and I'm sure you are already working on your presentations. Here you are the instructions, in case you need them.

Presentations on Andalusia

The First Cell Phone Ad

These days we have been reading about the mobile revolution and we have talked about how mobile phones have changed since they were invented in 1973. Do you know when the first mobile phone was advertised on TV? It was in 1989 (you were not even born!). Would you like to see the advertisement? Here it is!

Past Continuous

Here you can go to another explanation of the form and use of Past Continuous. In that site there are also activities to put into practice what you have learned.

You can also do this activity on Past Continuous. Do you think you need something more challenging? Click here for an activity to choose between Past Simple and Past Continuous.

Good luck!

-ed Pronunciation (Past Simple)

Do you find it difficult to pronounce regular verbs in past form? Do you think it's time to review? If you didn't have enough with the activities we did in class, click here and get further practice.

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Happy Valentine's Day!

February 14, St. Valentine's Day, is said to be a day for people who are in love. No matter whether you have a boyfriend or girlfriend or whether you like someone in particular or not, there must be lots of people you love: your parents, your brothers and sisters, your relatives, your friends . . . In fact, there are many people that make our lives nicer, aren't there?

Here you are some interesting links you should visit. The idea is for you to skim them and choose the ones you want to work on. But bear in mind that you should send comments showing what you have done or learnt.

There are many reasons why we love people. Click here to read 21.
You can also write a short love poem. Here you just have to drag and drop while in this site you can use a magnetic board.
There are funny love limericks here and famous quotations on love in this website.
If you really like a person you can use this calculator to see how happy you will be together but if you think you need something more exciting you can always read this kissing advice.
Apart from that, you can read about the origins of the day here .
But if you still don't like this topic, then perhaps you should do these activities and learn how to say something interesting.
Are you a language lover? Have you got foreign friends? Then click here and learn how to say "I love you".
If you like it so much you have done everything, go to this site and choose other activities, there are hundreds!

And remember, I wish you a happy Valentine's Day!

Thursday 28 January 2010

We Are the World

This is another interesting song related to peace and better days in the future. Do you agree with the idea that we are the world? If so, what can we do to improve it? What should you do? Enjoy the song and the video and send comments!


What a Wonderful World!

What a Wonderful World is a song by Louis Armstrong. Here is a nice video with beautiful images of nature (landscapes, mountains, the sea . . . ). Which is your favourite picture? Do you think they represent a wonderful world? What is a wonderful world for you? Send a comment and tell everybody!



This is the karaoke version. Don't be shy and sing along!

Someday from Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Have you ever listened to Someday, a song from Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame? Watch the video and listen to it. It has a beautiful message.




Now you can read the lyrics here. Think about them . . . and of course, think about the things you can do to improve the world!


Imagine by John Lennon

On 30 January we celebrate the School Day of Peace and Non-Violence. One of the most representative songs is Imagine by John Lennon. Enjoy the video here as you listen to the song and think about the lyrics. Then, you can sing using the karaoke version.
















Saturday 23 January 2010

I Have a Dream

Last 19 January American people celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Do you know who he is? He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. You can learn more things about his life and work here. You can also enjoy these subtitled videos of his famous speech I Have a Dream. We will devote some time in class to talk about it, so take your time and think about his words:



I'm sure you also have a dream about how people's lives could improve. Send a comment telling me and your classmates!

Thursday 21 January 2010

What's the weather like today?

These days we have been talking about natural disasters human beings can suffer, which have a direct impact on the weather and are also related to specific adjectives. Sadly, we have talked about the earthquake in Haiti, haven't we?
Now please have a look at this presentation and see what the weather is like in different cities where English is spoken. Then you can send a comment saying what the weather is like in these places.





Thursday 14 January 2010

Introduction to Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Today we have been having a look at the adapted reader for this school year: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (Ed. Vicens-Vives). We will do lots of interesting activities while we learn many things about the period and the author and we enjoy the play.


This is the presentation we have seen in class:

Saturday 9 January 2010

Would you like to see an English pub?

These days we have been reading about a strange tale that takes place in an English pub. Here you can see some pictures of typical British pubs:
Would you like to see the menu of one of these pubs? Then you can click here or here. Which onedo you prefer?

Monday 4 January 2010

Happy New Year!

How did you say goodbye to 2009? How did you receive the new year? Did you eat the twelve grapes? As you know, not everybody has the same customs and traditions.

Would you like to know how people in New York welcomed 2010 in Times Square? Have a look at this video, join the countdown and enjoy the atmosphere.
If you click here you can also see a brief overview of other countries' celebrations and enjoy the firework display in London next to the London Eye.