Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving:

As you can see, Americans are also having weather trouble these days to visit their loved ones on Thanksgiving. Watch this CNN video and try to answer the questions below.

QUESTIONS

1. What is the weather like this morning in the USA?
2. What happened  in Wisconsin?
3. How deep is snow in Pensylvannia?
4. What happens in Arkansas?
5. What happened to the young lady talking on the video?
6. Why is air travel so important today?

Cultural Day

Dear students,

On December 9th the school is celebrating a Cultural Day. There will be an international gastronomic contest. Would you like to take part of the jury? 
If that is so, you just have to provide your data at the caretaker office. 
Mmmm!

Eyes on the Stars

Dear NI2 students, 

You may watch the video we saw in class again. Try to answer the questions below after that.
Eyes on the Stars from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

1.       What time did the story of the library take place?
2.       What happened when he entered the library? What names was he called?
3.       How was the problem solved?
4.       How did the librarian give Ronald his book?
5.       What was special about Star trek?
6.       How did a coloured boy from South Carolina become an astronaut?
7.       How old would he be today?

Two reporters recall Kennedy's assassination

NPR Social Tools

On President Kennedy's assassination anniversary we may listen to two reporters who were there recalling the shooting. 

2 Reporters Recall The Assassination That Shocked The World

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy was a news event covered unlike any before it.

Business English: Using technology at work

"I'm sorry, my phone isn't working"

Using technology is part of everyday working life for many people around the world. But even the best technology breaks down from time to time - and that often means making a phone call to get help.

In this programme, Feifei and Neil practise dealing with technology-related problems. What should you say when you're on the phone to IT support?

Listen to Business English: Using technology at work

Mini Sagas

As commented in class, a mini saga is a short story told in 50 words. With some discipline and creativity, you can say a lot in 50 words. Find an example from Squidoo.com below:

Love at first sight

John was a regular in that train. Today seemed different, probably because of Sally who was in New York for work. They started the conversation casually but both became very close in less than thirty minutes. They exchanged phone numbers, of course. John promptly called a day later – “Wrong number!”

This one is from one of my students last year:

José Vicente said...

We had known each other for a long time. I always knew I didn´t like him. He never smiled or had a kind word to me. A casual fact made him fall. I now miss him. Perhaps I should buy me another mirror.

I'd like you to be inventive and ingenious! Don't be shy!

Mississipi Goddam

Hi:
You can listen to Nina Simone's Mississipi Goddam again. Lyrics are below. 

Rosa Parks

Hi: 

Listen to Rosa Parks' bio and try to answer the questions below:

1. What did Rosa Parks do for a living?
2. Why did she give up school?
3. When did she get her school diploma?
4. How did she become a role model?
5. How old was she when she became a leader?
6. Can you explain the meaning of “quiet eloquence”?
7. How long did the strike last? Who was the leader?
8. Why did she move to Michigan?
9. When did she die?
10. What’s Rosa Parks’ legacy?

News Report Schedule

Hi:

This is the news report that will take place throughout the year. We'll comment on it in class.

• Mond & Wed group
• Tuesd & Thur group

Have a good one!

Minisaga competition

Dear NI2 students: 

There is a Minisaga competition going on at our school. I'd like you all to take part on it as it will be a great experience to write this type of short stories. Besides, there will be a little prize for the winners which will be awarded on December 9th, the date of our Cultural Day.
You can check the requirements in these links:

• Basic Level
• Intermediate Level (Minisaga Competition)
• Advanced Level

It'll be fun!

The Butler

Film reviews

Hi, 

These are some of your colleagues' film reviews. 

News Report Project

Dear NI2 students,

As agreed in class, we are going to make a news report project for you to present individually in 10 minutes in class. Find the requirements below. 
If you have any doubts, just let me know!

 

Typhoon Haiyan: Destruction in the Philippines

Officials estimate up to 10,000 people have died in Tacloban city and elsewhere in the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. Many other people are now struggling to survive without food, shelter or clean drinking water.  
11 November 2013

Reporter: Jon Donnison

This is Word-in-the-News Programme from the BBC Learning English

For a fill-in-the-blanks activity, click here 

This aerial photo shows destroyed houses in Tacloban, in the Philippines

Someone like you

Hi: 
Listen to the song again and check the lyrics below:

Film review feedback

Hi: 

After reading your reviews, I've detected some general problems that you might tackle by having a look at these remarks.

 

The Curious Incident

Dear NI2 students,

I hope you are taking advantage to read "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" these days. I think it would be a good idea to research on these issues whether you have already started reading the book or not. We will comment on them in class.

WEBQUEST

• Find information about the writer Mark Haddon.
• What is Asperger’s syndrome?  
• What are the signs of Asperger’s syndrome? 
• How is Asperger’s syndrome different from other autism spectrum disorders?

Try to find that info in English!

Town and city Vocabulary

Dear NI2 students,

This is a nice post on how to showcase your expressions referring to Town and City. Although the dialogues of the IELTS exam is not the same as our school exam, it might inspire you to talk to your partner or to elaborate your monologues.

Examiner: What is it like where you live?

Christiane: I live in a residential area of a busy town in the south of Spain … we have all the facilities you need … good public transport … a good shopping centre … it’s nice …

Examiner: Do you like living in the city?
Andrea: Yes I do … I like going out with my friends and there are lots of lively bars and restaurants within walking distance of my apartment … I’m a bit of a culture vulture as well so it’s great to have access to art exhibitions and that kind of thing …

Examiner: Do you get many tourists visiting your area?
Mandy: Not really no … I live in the inner-city and the area is a little run down … it’s basically a lot of high-rise flats and many of the shops are boarded up … so nothing to interest tourists really …

For more expressions on IELTS Vocabulary practice for Speaking click here

Vocabulary to talk about education

At your speaking exam, you're likely to have to provide info about your studies. In this link you will find info to talk about a class, a teacher or a school memory and give your opinions on education. Being able to call on a wide range of vocabulary to talk about education is very important. 

Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.

Source: IELTS Education Vocabulary

Eleven new Alzheimer's 'risk genes'

Dear NI2 students,

Find the news we listened to in class in Words in the News BBC Learning English programme. 

Scientists have identified 11 new genes linked to the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The discovery was brought about by the largest study into the disease, and has used information gathered from more than 50,000 people across 15 different countries. 
For more practice, fill-in-the-blanks exercise.

Pronunciation Quizzes

Hi:

Why don't you go over othese quizzes which will help you to improve your speech?

• Quiz 1
• Quiz 2
• Quiz 3
• Quiz 4
• Quiz 5 

Source: BBC Learning English

Hairy toe

Can you retell the story we read in class? Why don't you try? 
For more stories, remember to visit this web

 

Madrid, Spain

Dear all,

As we talked about interesting places in our town, have a look at this BBC news. What do you think? Is there any other place in the city you think it's worth a visit?