Dear NI1 students,

Let's click on these links from our coursebook and review everything we've learnt in class lately:

• Grammar
• Food and restaurants
• Sports
• Personality
• Spot the mistakes
• Each other or reflexive pronouns
• Text Builder

Adverbs Key

Dear NI2,

This is the key to the adverbs activity we did in class:

We are family

Why don't you all sing along in this karaoke video. By the way, any idea about the the meaning of the song? Have a good day!

Adverb practice

Dear NI2,

Practice adverb position in these links:

- Exercise 1

- Exercise 2

- Exercise 3

Black Friday

As we saw in class, Black Friday is number 1 shopping day in USA. But not everything is bliss. Read this short news!!

(CNN) -- Violence marred Black Friday shopping in at least five states, including a California incident in which police say a woman doused fellow shoppers with pepper spray in a bid to cut to the head of the line.

The incident happened at a Walmart in the Porter Ranch area of Los Angeles, police spokesman Officer Robert Chavira said.

About 15 people were exposed to the spray. Los Angeles firefighters treated them at the scene and no one required hospitalization, Chavira said.

The woman was able to pay for her purchases and leave the store before police arrived, Chavira said.

-ed pronunciation

Hi!

Why don't you get extra practice on how to pronounce regular past tense verbs?

- Interactive Exercise 1

- Interactive Exercise 2

- Interactive Exercise 3

Successful Coffee Maker

The Icing on the cake

Dear NI1 students,

You can watch the video we saw in class again. Did you like it? Do you know a similar story? What does "the icing on the cake" mean?
Have a good day!

PS You can find more videos on: http://vimeo.com/2695298

Spanish election: convincing victory for People's party

This is what The Guardian says about Spain's election yesterday. What do you think are the challenges of the new government?


Spanish Election

Come fly with me

Dear NI2,

Little Britain, a British sketch comedy show, is back again with a new hilarious movie, Come fly with me. Ready for a good laugh? Click here! Isn't it hilarious?

Online speaking

Dear all,

Here you can find two web sites where you can speak English. You have to register and introduce your email address. These have been suggested by Alberto from NI1. Thanks a lot!

Busuu:
http://www.busuu.com/es/home

Livemocha
http://es-mx.livemocha.com/

Jokes

With a slice of cucumber

Girl: I'd like a triple vanilla ice cream sundae with chocolate syrup, nuts, whipped cream, topped off with a slice of cucumber.

Waiter: Did I hear you right? Did you say top it off with a slice of cucumber?

Girl: Good heavens, you're right! forget the cucumber – I'm on a diet.

For some Scottish jokes, visit this web page. Why not some British jokes, as well?
Choose one of them and be ready to tell in class.

London Riots

Hi!

You might like to have a look at the pictures of riots in London this summer.
You may read the editorial of The Guardian Newspaper.
The positive side of riots in London riots inspire army of street clearners.

And what do you think about it? What are the causes of violence among youngsters in the UK?
Do you think something like that may happen in Madrid? Why? Why not?

Supplementary Resources

Apart from the coursebook, you can also use these helpful resources for individual practice!

GRAMMAR:

• English Grammar with Exercises. Fernandez, Fraile y Zarzalejos. Longman
• Intermediate Language Practice. 3^rd edition with key. Michael Vince. McMillan
• English Grammar in Use (with key). R. Murphy. Cambridge
• Macmillan English Grammar in Context. Intermediate with key. Michael Vince. McMillan
• The Good Grammar Book. Michael Swan. Oxford

VOCABULARY

• Reward Grammar and Vocabulary. Simon Greenall. Heinemann
• English Vocabulary in Use. Upper-Intermediate. McCarthy, O’Dell. Cambridge

PRONUNCIATION:

• English Pronunciation in Use. Book & CD. Intermediate. Mark Hancock. Cambridge
• Pronunciation (book and tapes) Intermediate Pronunciation Course. B. Bowler & Sue Parminter. Oxford

ENGLISH MAGAZINES

• Speak Up (Magazine, CD and fim). RBA
• English Today (Magazine & cd). Bayard Revistas Jóvenes
• Hot English Magazine (Magazine & cd)
  

NI2 Readers

Dear NI2 students,

As some of you have asked, I'd like to inform you that the book we will comment first in class on January 11th & 12th is:

The curious incident of the dog in the night time (unabridged). Mark Haddon

and then (after March)

A love for Life (unabridged). Penny Hancock

You should be reading The Curious Incident these days...

Rockettes

If you happen to be in New York these days, it's time to visit this traditional rockettes' show, which has just been revamped at Radio City Music Hall.

Occupy Protests Become a Movement

Hi!
In this activity you can listen to the news and fill in the blanks. This is a great way of improving your listening skills. You can see more activities like this at listen to the news EnglishClub.com, .

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• district: a specific region or area
• occupy: to fill up or take over a space
• disproportionate: unequal or unfair amount in comparison to another amount
• general strike: a temporary refusal to work by people in many industries
• Arab Spring: 2011 uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa
• 
  

Standard Podcast [ 0.01 MB ] Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

Occupy Protests Taking Become A Movement

A protest called “Occupy Wall Street” (OWS) that took place in September in New York City’s financial district has inspired similar
around the world. With over 900 cities in over 80 countries
, OWS is now being called the “Occupy Movement”. Occupy protestors claim to represent “99 percent” of the population. They say they are no longer willing to accept that the other 1% have a disproportionate amount of the world’s power and wealth. Protestors are complaining of being
, unemployed, homeless, or without health care. In some cities,
have set up camps and are calling for general strikes. The original march was inspired by the
Spring.

Comprehension Questions

1. Where was the original “Occupy” demonstration held?
2. Why does the report mention 1%?
3. What are the protestors’ main issues?

Discussion Question: With winter arriving early in the US, critics say that the OWS movement will not have staying power. Protestors disagree. What do you think will happen?

show Answers

Reading

Dear NI2 students,

I'd like you to read "London Riots: Totteham residents seek answers" this weekend so that we can comment on it on Monday and Tuesday.

Have a good one!

Madrid Players' Pantomime

If you wish to go to the theater in English, this might be a good pick!