First sight, second thoughts

I have given away a cd with recordings about life in Britain as seen through the eyes of her immigrant population.
In this series from 1999, we discover if their ‘first sights’ of Britain matched their expectations. Immigrants from India, Guyana, Mexico, Germany, Pakistan, Botswana and Iran tell us about their first impressions. There are 9 episodes.
Make a copy and pass it around!

Where there's a will, there's a way.

Here you have a sample of The Secret!

Report

I'm posting here a Report by your classmate, Carlos. Feel free to post your reports in the comment section.
Well done to you all!


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A report: ‘Access for disabled people in Spain’

Introduction

The aim of this report is to describe the situation of accessibility in Spain and to point out those weak points that do not allow disabled people to move with the same opportunities as the able-bodied majority.

Present-day situation

The current Accessibility Law specifies the requirements needed to guarantee the accessibility and use of goods by all people and, particularly, by disabled ones. The law is obeyed in all new constructions and also in public buildings restorations. Nevertheless, in some old protected architectural treasures, some areas will be unavoidably always blocked to them.

In main cities, the kerbs of sidewalks are adapted and provide clear way for all around zebra crossing. However, it is really easy to find a car blocking the way for pedestrians.

Old buses have been phased out and replaced by modern ones which are supplied with ramps allowing access to wheelchair users. Sometimes, the ramp opening takes some drivers some annoying minutes which causes an uncomfortable feeling in the disabled user.

Suggestions

Great achievements have been reached in accessibility but we have a lot of things to improve: more investment, more licence control and more pressure to adapt old buildings and out of phase public service vehicles. But the main target must be the people: social conscience has to be developed if we want principles to be more than some words in a text called ‘law’.

Overall opinion

The able-bodied majority’s habitual behaviour casts doubt on the suitable education received and moves us away from the social achievements of more advanced countries.

Halloween needn't be a nightmare!

Happy Halloween to you all!

I suggest you read this article from The Guardian about how to get through Halloween celebration! An interesting encounter between American and British culture.

By Tim Dowling.

The Freegan Phenomenon

One man's trash is another man's treasure. This proverb goes well with the Freegan Phenomenon. Watch this video from Ophra's TV Show in which Freegans take Lisa Ling along on a search in the trash for food.

So what are freegans? Can you tell?
For extra listening, download the following podcast!

A report

For Monday we have to write a report about Accessibility in Spain and specifically in Madrid.
How well prepared is our environment to provide for people with disabilities? Do you think something should change? Can you imagine your life in a wheelchair? How about crossing a pedestrian area without your eyes shut? Is our city prepared for all types of citizens?

Remember, an effective report is one that is read; and that stimulates some sort of an action as a result of being read.
Use subtitles to separate sections and short paragraphs.

"It never rains but it pours."

After the downpour of yesterday night in Madrid, I thought of this proverb. It means that misfortunes do not just happen a few at a time, but in large numbers all at once. For example:

Fred: I can't believe it. This morning I had a flat tire. When I went to the garage to get the tire patched, I discovered I didn't have any money, and I couldn't even charge it because my credit card's expired.Jane: It never rains but it pours.

This proverb implies a pessimistic view of things. Do you agree with it? Has it ever happened to you something similar? Or would you rather think in a more positive way? Do you know a positive proverb opposing the one for today? ;)

Being different!

This week we are going to talk about disabled people. We already did a listening on how accessible San Francisco is for disabled people. Now you can listen to a series of podcasts from the BBC on this subject.

Geoff Admas- Spink travels to three continents to meet a number of disabled people.
He finds out what motivates and frustates other disabled people in their daily lives and compares their experiences with his own.

PART ONE

Ghana
Geoff meets Peggy in Ghana, where disability rights are just beginning

PART TWO

Denmark
Mads on the enlightened provision for those with disabilities in Denmark

PART THREE

Jordan
Muhannad and Ghada Alazzeh talk about being visually impaired

Proverb of the day!

Each day we will start the class with a different proverb. The one for today is "Actions speak louder than words", which means that what a person actually does is more important than what they say will do.

I quite agree with this statement. Just by words, we can draw up wonderful plans, but these plans will lead us to nothing if we don't have necessary actions.

What do you think? Do you agree?

The Uneducated American

Paul Krugman was the Economics Nobel Prize winner in 2008. He is a professor of Economics and International Affairs at Princeton University.

We read "The Uneducated American" in class and here you have access to the comments readers made online. Feel free to participate yourself!

If you are interested in economics, you can listen to an interview with him.
And here you can find the article published in Spanish by ELPAIS.

Fridays

Throughout the year we will be having class the following Fridays:
- Oct 16th
- Nov 13th
- Dec 11th
- Jan 15th
- Feb 5th
- March 5th
- Apr 9th
- May 14th

Christmas holiday goes from Dec 23rd to Jan 7th.
Spring break from March 26 to Apr 5th (included).

Bibliography

Coursebook: Premium C1 Level. Coursebook. Pearson. Longman. 2009

SUGGESTED GRAMMAR BOOKS:

§ Foley, Mark and Hall, Diane (2003). Advanced Learner’s Grammar. A self-study Reference and Practice book with answers. England: Longman.

§ Hewings, Martin. (2005) Advanced Grammar in Use. Second Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

§ Vince, Michael with Sunderland, Peter. (2003) Advanced Language Practice with key. English Grammar and Vocabulary. Oxford: McMillan.

§ West, Clare. (2002) Recycling Advanced English. Georgian Press.

§ Richard Side and Guy Wellman. Grammar and Vocabulary for Cambridge Advanced and Proficiency: With Key (Grammar & Vocabulary). Longman.

VOCABULARY BUILDING:

• English collocations in Use. Advanced. Felicity O’Dell and Michael McCarthy. Cambridge University Press. 2008
• English Vocabulary in Use. Advanced. Cambridge University Press. Michael McCarthy and Filicity O’Dell. 2002
• English Idioms in Use. Michael McCarthy and Felicity O’Dell. Cambridge University Press. 2002