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March 30, 2014

British Cemetery

For those who are coming to the visit on Friday 4th, we will be meeting at the exit of Urgel metro station at 16:45.
http://www.britishcemeterymadrid.com/

The British cemetery dating back to 1854, when the Madrid City Council gave permission for its construction and was intended for Christians (British) non-Catholics. With time it did not only limit to the British, and allied (Canadians, Australians, Americans), but expanded the list to other religions, such as Lutherans, Orthodox or Jewish. It's really worth visiting for an hour or so and enjoy a British cemetery in Madrid, very evocative and pleasant garden. It also has some burials of great artistic and historical interest. There are many tombs of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries who lived in Madrid: diplomats, artists, engineers, writers, military, nobles, etc.

March 28, 2014

Tv shows in English

Hi:

This is a web page with loads of Tv-shows in English with subtitles and built-in translator. There's no excuse now, don't miss your favourite series... fb.me/1h1jZfl4U

http://ororo.tv/en

March 27, 2014

Shakespeare's hour

Hi:
I'd like to inform you that on April 23rd the Official Schools of Languages are preparing a festival to celebrate learning foreign languages. There will be plenty of different activities related to learning languages.

In English we will be organizing some reading of Shakespeare's works. Would you like to join us?

March 25, 2014

Pitch Perfect's cup song

After Cristobal's wonderful performance in class, take this cup song and lyrics with you from the film Pitch Perfect:


I got my ticket for the long way round
Two bottles of whiskey for the way
And I sure would like some sweet company
And I'm leaving tomorrow
what you say

The End of the Line

As a follow-up of the text we read in class, Plenty More Fish in the Sea. Listen to the actor Ted Danson who narrates "The End Of The Line," a grim look at overfishing and the state of the world's oceans. He talks about the movie and what we can do to start helping the ocean now: WATCH:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Grammar review

Hi,

Why not reviewing some grammar and vocab that we've recently seen in class?

VOCABULARY
  1. Weather
  2. Weather Collocations
  3. Towns and cities
  4. Crime and Punishment
  5. Crime and punishment collocations

March 23, 2014

Ways of saying "I don't know"

Hi:

These are expressions that will allow you to express uncertainty. Memorize them and use a different one every time:

Perhaps/maybe: used for saying that you are not certain about something, or that something may or may not be true. Perhaps is more formal and is used more in writing while maybe is used more in speech:
I wondered if perhaps he had fallen ill.
‘When can you give me an answer?’ ‘I don’t know. Maybe tomorrow.’


probably/possibly: probably is used for saying that something is likely to be true, and possibly that it may be true but you are not certain:
If prices are low, it’s probably because of lack of demand.
‘Would you consider moving to another country for your work?’ ‘Possibly, I’m not sure.’


apparently: used when what you are saying is based on what you have heard, not on what you are certain is true:
Apparently, she resigned because she had an argument with her boss.


As far as I know: used for saying what you think is true when you think that there may be facts that you do not know:
No one has complained, as far as I know.


To the best of my knowledge/recollection/belief: used for saying that you think something is true, but you are not completely certain. These are fairly formal expressions:
To the best of my knowledge, no similar book has been published.
To the best of my recollection, we’ve never met.


Not to my knowledge: used for saying that you think something is not true, although you are not completely certain:
‘Have the letters been written yet?’ ‘Not to my knowledge.’


I imagine/suppose: used for saying that you think something is probably true, but you can’t be sure:
I imagine they’ve left already.
It’s difficult, I imagine, to keep your interest alive after doing the job for 30 years.
I suppose she must be delighted about getting the job.


March 22, 2014

Ways of suggesting something | Macmillan

Hi:

This is a post to remind you of the need to vary your expressions when suggesting. Try to use one different expression every time:
How about…?/What about…? an informal way of suggesting something
How about/What about going out to dinner tonight?
What if I…? an informal way of suggesting something that you can do to help someone
What if I babysat for you tonight? Then you could both go to the party.
Let’s… an informal way of suggesting to the people you are with something that you could all do together
I know, let’s go swimming!
Why don’t I/you/we/they…? a way of suggesting something when you are introducing a new idea that other people have not thought of
Why don’t you try phoning their office number instead?
What would you say to…?/What do you say I/we…? a way of asking whether someone would accept a suggestion
What would you say to a weekend by the seaside? ♦ What do you say we have dinner at that restaurant by the beach?
Perhaps we/you/they could… a way of suggesting something, especially when you are not completely sure if it is a good idea
Perhaps we could ask Jerry’s father if he has a tent he could lend us?
We/You could always… a way of suggesting something when most other possibilities have already been considered
I suppose we could always go to the cinema instead.
May/Can I suggest…? a polite and formal way of suggesting something
May I suggest that we postpone discussing this until the next meeting?
May/Can/Could I make a suggestion? a way of suggesting something, often used when interrupting people who are already discussing what to do
Could I make a suggestion? Why don’t we put all the guests on the first floor and then everyone will be happy?
I suggest… a way of suggesting something in a slightly annoyed way, especially when you think someone has been silly or has done something wrong
In future, I suggest you ask your father’s permission before you borrow his car.
Source: Life skills tip of the week: ways of suggesting something | Macmillan

March 20, 2014

The Hovding

The Hovding—a new bicycle helmet that doesn't cover your hair—tries to mix safety with style. In Sweden, 80 percent of people ride bikes, but only a third wear helmets. A new type of helmet is worn…
 
 
Do you think the Hovding would be a success in Madrid? Would you wear it if you were a cyclist?

March 19, 2014

Random acts of kindness

Hi:

After watching the video in class, I'd like you to have a look at this web page and get kind ideas to bring to the class on random acts of kindness. Remember to bring at least 3. You may filter them by categories

March 18, 2014

Kindness by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Hi:

After watching this video about Kindness, make notes using the following headings:
  • An old lady in a shop
  • Society and kindness
  • What kindness requires
  • A doctor and a patient
  • Mankind
  • A happy ending

March 17, 2014

NI2 June Exams

Hi:

I can tell you already the dates for the final exam in June.
  • Reading, Listening, Writing on Monday 2nd at 15:45
  • Grades will be published on Monday 9th
  • Speaking -> Wed 11th and Thursday 12th
  • Final grades will be published on Friday 13th at 16h
  • You'll be able to see your exams on June 16th at 19h 

March 14, 2014

Losing things

Are you absent-minded? If you keep losing your keys or mobile, follow these wise tricks from Hot English magazine:
Listen to it as well!

March 13, 2014

Vincent by Tim Burton

You can watch Tim Burton's short animated film again:

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Scholarships granted by the Chinese Government

Hi:

If you are interested in doing postgraduate studies in China, visit this website.

100 Women

Razan Ghazzawi, Fereshteh Khosroujerdy, Sigridur Maria Egilsdottir, Dinara Zhorobekova and Aditi Mittal (from left to right)

Razan Ghazzawi, Fereshteh Khosroujerdy, Sigridur Maria Egilsdottir, Dinara Zhorobekova and Aditi Mittal (from left to right)

Six-minute Learning English talks about the experiences of women who attended the recent BBC conference '100 Women: Half the World Speaks'. For these women, learning English was crucial to their success.

This week's question:
According to the World Economic Forum, which one of these countries is best for women? Is it:
a) Sweden
b) Iceland
c) Denmark

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

March 10, 2014

English Immersion course in Spain

Hi,

Read this call if you are interested in taking part of an intensive linguitic course in Spain.

Good luck!

March 09, 2014

How did the evolution of complex life on Earth begin?

Hi,

After Jose's presentation, find more info on this theory about the origins of complex life on Earth.


March 08, 2014

Life skills

What do you think are important skills in life? Do you agree with Adrian Hon, Founder of Six to Start, the award-winning games developer behind Zombies, Run!? Adrian Hon creates original smartphone games which combine the digital and physical world.

In this video interview, Adrian discusses why learning new skills is so important when thinking about future career opportunities.


Source: Macmillan
 

March 06, 2014

Man on Wire

This coming Friday, 7th we will be projecting the documentary "Man on Wire" at 17h in room 15. Come over!

March 05, 2014

And, the Oscar goes to

Hi,

Listen to this VOA English program about the Oscars and read the script if necessary. Don't miss the exercise at the end of the web page.

March 04, 2014

Bitcoins

Hi,

This is the video Alfonso presented in class about "bitcoins" or virtual /ˈvɜːrtʃʊəl/ coins. Will we use bitcoins in the long run? Would you buy bitcoins? Do you think it could help you?

March 02, 2014

Speaking phrasal verbs

Hi: 
This handout from Hot English Magazine will help you with phrasal verbs. Listen to it as well!