Monday 22nd Wednesday 24th June

Hello class!! How are you? I hope really fine just waiting for having some free and good time, now that summer is here!!


Today just some lines to thank you for your attendande and attention all along the course. I want you to know that I'm really happy with your job, you have been doing your best week after week, so I hope you can appreciate your improvement as I do.


Try not to stop doing your things, I mean, go on reading aloud and watching movies in English, having a look to the Internet to check and revise and of course, speaking... remember, if you have the chance go for it!! Don't worry if you commit mistakes.


And that's all. I hope you have enjoyed this course as I have.


Have a good time and enjoy your summer. See you!


Kiss, kiss, goodbye

Monday 15th Wednesday 17th June

Hello class!! How are you? Thinking about holidays? Well, that's ok, we're almost finishing this course which has passed very fast, hasn't it? It seems like yesterday when we started...


This week we have been working with this topic about animals. We learnt their body partsand the names of their babies. Very beautiful. Also we were working with pronunciation, you're doing better but you should go on paying attention to this, ok? Don't forget to revise your phonetic alphabet and try to have a look to a dictionary from time to time, at least to be familiar with all the symbols, right?


So as I told you last Wed next week we will start the new lesson related to our planet. This topic is a bit longer and a bit more difficult, but I trust you, and I know you'll do your best.

Be good, have fun, see you in class!!

Monday 8th Wednesday 10th June

Hi class, how's it going? I hope ok enjoying this wonderful stormy weather...   These days we have talked a lot about many different things, remember that trying to communicate is the best way to improve your English, and you're doing very well!


These days we finished the topic of NATURE with more speaking, listening and some grammar aactivities, especially relared to the article THE. We studied the use of the article with geographical names. Have a look in case you have any doubt so we can solve as soon as possible.


Then we introduced the new topic ANIMALS with a very sad video but a really funny chat about pets. We practised pronunciation and even we had time to play for a while.

Remember to bring your presentation next Monday, ok?


Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Monday 1st Wednesday 3rd June

Hello class, how's it going? I guess everything right, just waiting for some free time... to enjoy yourselves... especially if you're travelling taking advantage of this day ohh we have next Thursday.


Well, let's revise our things. Last two sessions we started our new book, second part. We started talking bout the topic of NATURE and we saw lots of voc. We also focused on pronunciation and you have improved!


We watched a very interesting video about countryside in Great Britain and discovered lots of new things... And paid attention to the differennt accents, that's very good for your listening skills.


Very important too was the introduction of the dfinite article THE. We started having a look to the main uses and practised some exercises. We will continue with this next week.


Here you have some notes to start.

Be good, have fun, see you in class!!

Monday 25th Wednesday 27th May

Hi class, how are you? I hope really well and ready to spend a good time, especially if you can enjoy a trip... Those who are here... please, have a look to your homework.


We were working with an interesting  article about clothes (and culture in general) in Jamaica last class and we learnt many things. Please, read it again and answer the questions in activity B.


These days we have finished out first book. We revised voc related to clothes and worked a bit more with the topic about the weather. We learnt some new idioms related to this. Remember that idioms are common expressions that in general can't be translated literally into Spanish. So you have to understand the meaning and the situations in which we can use them, but you don't need to translatee to understand, all right?


I recommend you to have a look again.

Remember: try to keepan example un your mind, not a literal translation.


I think that's all.

Be good, have fun, see you in class!!

Monday 18th Wednesday 20th May

Hi class, how's it going? I hope you're fine and ready to enjoy a nice and happy weekend... Although you have some homework! You have time enough so I hope you do your best and remember: if there's something you don't understand do not hesitate and ask me, right?

These days we have continued working with weather voc. One of the most important things we have learnt (or revised) has been CONNECTORS. Although in our book we didn't find a lot yet... last Wed we worked with the ones that are more frequent. Here you have: 

We will learn how we use them as we practice; don't worry if don't remember all of them all the time.

Next week we will finish this revision of clothes and weather and so with this book. And we will continue with more speaking practice as we have done these days.

Don't forget your activities, ok?

That's all.

Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Monday 11th Wednesday 13th May

Hi class! How's it going? I hope you're really fine enjoying a longer weekend... those who can! Even the weather is wonderful!



These days we have been working with more voc related to weather and we have introduced the FUTURE SIMPLE. As you saw in class is a very simple structure, now we will see more uses with some activities.


Remember:

So here you are the uses.


And remember also to bring your homework: it's on pages 67 and 68.


That's all today.


Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Monday 4th Wednesday 6th May

Hi class! How is it going? I hope everything's right and you're in the mood not to give up... As we said by the end of the second term, all  of us must make an effort in order to improve our skills. I know this can be tiring but the only way to learn a language is by practicing. The more the better, ok? So, please, don't get angry if I ask you to go on working.


These days we continued working with the topic about the weather. On Monday we watched the Weather Forecast and completed some activities. In fact, we have worked with listening a lot these days, don't you think? I encourage you to have a look to some more forecast videos. The more you listen the better you'll pronounce

On Wed we also learnt some "weather expressions"; as we said, these sayings are very common in spoken language. Here you have this link in case you want to watch again


http://www.engvid.com


Remember to do your homework, all right? On page 54-55 you have a letter. You have to complete that letter, record yourselves while reading, and write your own letter.


That's all, class.


Be good, have fun,see you in class!

Monday 27th Wednesday 29th April

Hello class! How are you? Ready to enjoy this long weekend? Well, I hope you have a really good time here or there... but having a nice time.


These days we finished that topic of clothes by revising everything learnt, voc, grammar, phrasal verbs... And then on Wed we started a new lesson: THE WEATHER. We distinguished the 4 seasons and described the weather for each. We also spoke about the things we like and we don't like of the 4 seasons and asked and answered these questions:

• What's your favourite season? Why?
• What's the weather like today? What was it yesterday?
• How does this kind of weather make you feel?
• Is the weather typical for this time of the year?

We had a very good chat!

And just for you in case you need some help with voc... 

That's all.

Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Monday 20th Wednesday 22nd April

Hi class, how are you? I'm sure ok enjoying some free time...  maybe you're also having fun doing your homework, as at last I asked you to record yourselves while reading... I hope you find this activity useful and funny. Although at first you may think it's ridiculous, believe me, it isn't at all... you'll see.


These days we have finished lesson 3 and we have started working with some phrasal verbs, I know  this can be a bit frustrating since they are a lot, but little by little you will learn how to use them. Also we have worked with pronounciation, focusing this week on silent letters; it was very funny.


On Monday we started working with a new audio-book as well. As last course we did and you liked we will do again. This time we are listening a Sherlock Holmes' case... let's see how the story goes on next Monday.

I hope you enjoy this activity.

Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Monday 13th Wednesday 15th April

Hi ladies, how are you? I hope you're fine afer these days of our "strange"week... Well from this moment on everything will be as usual. Thanks for your cooperation.



These days we have worked a lot with comparative and superlative adjectives. All your activities were right, very well done, so I think we don't need to stop to complete  mote activities or to give more explanation... don't you think? This is just a note for you to remember:

Also we have done many listening and speaking practice, related to clothes and so on. Your role-play activities were also very well. I'm very happy with your improvement in pronounciation, it makes me very happy to see that you take this very serious.


Talking about listening you will have to listen again to complete the activity. Although it can be done without listening I prefer you to ttry again as we did in class, I mean, first without looking at the trasnscrip and then... if needed you can have a look. You then answer the questions on page 34, ok?


http://www.elllo.org/english/1051/1091-Alex-Clothes.htm





To go on with your homework, please, complete activities on pages 31 and 32 as well.


That's all girls.


Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Bye!

Monday 6th Wednesday8th April

Hello girls! How are you after these days of holiday? I hope you have rested and you have had lots of fun; now it's time to work a bit hard to get good results in the last term, ok? Are you ready?


Well, these days we have worked with comparative and superlative adjectives; by the end of the second term we had seen comparative and now we have finished and introduced the superlative. As you could see it has no difficulty at all. We will finish next week.


We have paid lots of attention to pronounciation as well. I know that sometimes it seems a bit difficult but it isn't! Working with phonetics is very useful and the more you practice the sooner you enjoy speaking, believe me.


Remember you have to finish the activities on page 179 and the text on page 30 (class book) If you have any question or doubt don't hesitate and ask me, ok? I will be pleased to help you.


That's all today.


Be good,have fun, see you in class!

Bye

Monday 23rd Wednesday 25th March

Hello girls! How are you? We are on holiday!! I hope you enjoy these days and the time we have to rest and relax to come back with lots of energy to face the last term. These months you have worked very hard, so you deserve some days to disconnect for a while.


These days we have continued with our lesson, focusing on comparative adjectives, I think you're doing very well since you remember many things we studied last course. Also we have practised pronounciation and intonation, improving this area.


The last day we were watching a very interesting video about a different way to celebrate Easter. We discovered that the origin of this celebration, once again, is not Christian but pagan... very interesting!! So from now on we can celebrate the coming of spring, don't you think?? Well, as we said... it's up to you.


Remember I asked you to write a composition about Easter. I don't mind if you prefer writing about Easter itself or about your plans, or what you have done, ok? Just organize your writing in different and well separated paragraphs and use the appropiate verbal tense: GOING TO to talk about plans, PAST SIMPLE if you tell about what you have done or PRESENT SIMPLE if you want to talk about general ideas about this festivity.


That's all, ladies.


I really hope you have a great time.


Be good, have fun, see you in class (6th April)

Monday 16th Wednesday 18th March

Hello ladies, how's it going? I guess you're waiting for some holidays, aren't you? Me too, now all of us are tired and we need a little rest. But Easter is coming and we'll rest for a week very very soon.


Well, these days we have been working with lots of voc and listening activities. Also with many conversations to improve your pronunciation... that makes very very happy since you're doing a great effort.


We have revised phonetics, too; as you know the more you practise the better results you'll get. Don't forget that we are learning a different language and we have to take into account all the differences with our mother tongue. But you're doing better and better, although I must admit I'm always insisting on your practice.


Last 17th March we learnt many interesting facts about Saint Patrick's Day, legends, traditions, celebrations.... we read about his life and some poems related to his religious work. It was very good, wasn't it?


Remember you have to complete page 18 for homework. And don't forget you can ask me all the questions or doubts you may have, ok?

That's all.


Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Monday 9th Wednesday 11th March

Hi ladies!! How are you? Maybe thinking about your weekend... it seems spring so it feels like going out all the time... I hope you enjoy a lot!!


These days we have been busy revising many things. Phonetics, lots of voc related to clothes, more voc related to food... It seems it doesn't have a lot to do with the main topic... but when revising countable and uncountable nouns it's useful. Here you have some tips:

We practised many listening activities and also speaking. To be honest, I'm very happy with your job. You're working very hard these weeks, but that's what you are coming for, aren't you? Ok. You did a very good job and I'm really satisfied.

We continued with the first lesson of our new books, completing activities and playing games... I think this week  was more relaxed, as you asked and I promised.

Just one second to remind you what's your homework. I'd like you to complete the dialogue you can find on pages 9 and 10. You have to separate the three jumbled shopping conversations into dialogue 1, dialogue 2 and dialogue 3. Take your time in order to do your best; the activity is easy but it can take you more time than you expect because you have to write 3 conversations, ok?

All right my dear ladies, that's all today. I really wish you a happy happy weekend.

Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Monday 2nd Wednesday 4th March

Hello dear ladies! How are you? Tired... I know. I promised to have a "light" class last day but we haven't... I'm very sorry, especially because these days you're working very very hard. Next week we'll have lighter classes, ok?

These days we finished the revision of simple present and present continuous. You did very good homework and I think you don't have any probem with the use of these tenses. As I said, now it's time to improve pronounciation, ok? We were practising listening activities in which we had to join the sounds. I always tell you the importance of this because in order to get a natural accent is very important not to stop after every single word. And I know I repeat this a lot. But, please: try harder.

And also we started using our new books. I hope you like it and find it useful since you can go on practising the listening activities we do in class. You'll tell me next day if you did better at home, ok?
To start the lesson we first introduced some voc related to clothes. And to make things more interesting we revised phonectics. I'm happy with your job.

Remember that you have homework to do. Translate the article we were working with by the end of the class, ok? We saw lots of voc so it's not difficult.


That's all. I hope you enjoy the weekend and rest a while. You deserve!

Be good, have fun, see  you in class!

Bye!!

Monday 23rd Wednesday 25th February

Hi ladies! How are you?? I hope you're having a really nice time these days, now that you can rest and relax and enjoy your free time.

These days we have been working with present simple vs continuous. We have finished this revision with lots of listening activities, many excercises... and probably you have become a bit tired of this topic. Don't worry. I think that after this "excessive" practice you understand perfectly.


Also we have worked with vocabulary related to jobs and transport, and some expressions too:

• go by bike: cycle
• go on foot: walk
• go by plane: fly
• go by car: drive
• go by boat:sail

So, to finish, next week we will check the activities you have for homework, ok? Remember that we have to move our Monday class to Friday 6th March. You have extra time to complete these activities. And if you have any question or doubt or something like that, do not hesitate and ask me, right?

That's all girls.

Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Bye!

Monday 16th Wednesday 18th February

Hello girls, how is it going? I hope you're ok enjoying yor free time! And having a look to the structure and usage of the present continuos; as you can see it's everywhere. I think you don't have any problemm at all with this verbal tense, but once you said it was better to revise from time to time before we add more and new things, for this reason we're doing.

On Monday we introduced voc related to work and jobs as:

• web designer
• teacher
• dentist
• musician
• tour guide
• salesperson
• architect
• actor

And then more things as :

• company
• contract
• report
• message
• meeting
• conference

and so on. We will continue with this topic deeper next week since these days we have worked a lot with the present continuous tense. We have practiced listening and speaking activities, very well done by the way, and I think you have a very clear idea abut this.

On Wed we focused on the writing activity you have for homework. We said we were going to practice different types of writing during this term, and so we are. We have written short compositions, biographies... this week we're writing an informal e-mail taking advantage of the topic. We will write about how things are going in our life; remember this is the second use of the present continuous that you have in your notes. You will write around 100 words, ok? I'm sure you'll do your best!

And I think that's all. As always, thanks for your attention and your will to learn.

Be good, have fun, see you in class,

Monday 9th Wednesday 11th February

Hi ladies! How are you? Waiting for this special Saturday with so many things to celebrate?. I hope you have lots of fun no matter what you decide to do.

These days have been more "thematic" than others because of these two celebrations. On Monday you showed your presentations about Carnival or Mardi Gras in different places in the world; I want you to know that you did a very good job. All of you did your best and that makes me very happy, also because after your presentations you were speaking for a long time about all the info you had.

On Wednesday we had a very good time, really funny, when presenting the topic about Valentine's. We had lots of fun when speaking about the origin and the business and so on and so forth. Well, we had a very good time.

We learned lots of voc related to these two topics this week, but the most important thing has been your speaking. And also that we changed the routine, don't you think?

So, for next day I'd like you to translate the text we worked with and no more. You deserve to enjoy.

Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Bye

Monday 2nd Wednesday 4th February

Hello ladies, how's it going? I'm sure you're fine enjoying some free time, maybe looking for interesting things about carnival in the places you chose last class; I'm looking forward to hearing your presentations, I'm sure you'll do your best. Have you had a look to Maria Jesus' post? It's great!

Ok, that was your homework this weekend. These days we have been working with expressions to show time when using the past such as SINCE, AGO, FOR, and LAST... We completed activities of both listening and speaking and you also had to finish some exercises to revise WAS/WERE and the past simple of both regular and irregular verbs.

Finishing the week we were speaking a lot about what's in the news... very well done your listening this time!

And we introduced the topic of CARNIVAL or Mardi Gras with an overview related to its origin and the most representative and traditional festivities. For this reason we will present this topic next class; I really hope you enjoy!

We will know about this celebration in different parts of the world.

That's all girls

Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Carnival in New Orleans.

The Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, literal translation of the French because former it was fattened to a calf and a banquet was celebrated, is the name that receives the carnival parade that celebrates in New Orleans the day before the Ash Wednesday.

The season of the Carnival in New Orleans, inspired by the catholic tradition, begins on January 6, the night of Epiphany. From this day already they start seeing for the streets coaches, masked balls and the famous ones " king cake ", royal tarts, which are not but, a variant mas colouring of our  famous “roscón”. These sponge cakes with form of coil are decorated by the traditional colors of the Mardi Gras, the green one that symbolizes the Faith, the purple one that symbolizes The Justice and the yellow one that symbolizes The Power.

The Mardi Gras is the culmination of all these feasts, is the parade of coaches and confraternities that takes place last day, and marks the final moment to be able to enjoy the pleasures, both culinary and carnal, before the epoch of abstinence that he carries the beginning of the Holy Week and the Lent.

The French colonists introduced the celebration of the Mardi Gras in Louisiana, as far back as the year 1699. Since then in numerous occasions the authorities have tried to prohibit the celebration but with scanty success. Two weeks before the Shrove Tuesday, realize daily parades, of great color and very elaborated The associations, rocks or confraternities named "Krewes", are those who take charge organizing the parades and dances of the Mardi Gras, including the construction of coaches, the confection of uniforms and the purchase of the trinkets, which throw themselves to the crowd during the parades. It is a tradition from the sixties that many women uncover his chests to receive of the multitude account necklaces of colors with which to cover them.

 The Mardi Gras, finishes formally when there meet the kings of Rex and his "subjects", the king and the queen of the carnival and the king and the queen of Mistick Krewe's rock of Comus,  a dance in the municipal audience of the city. In the middle of the night a policemen's squadron, mounted his horses, starts clearing the street Bourbon ….

Monday 26th Wednesday 28th January

Hello girls, how is it going? I hope you're ok enjoying yor free time! And having a look to the pronunciation of the -ed ending of the simple past.

These days we have been working with the past of both regular and irregular verbs. I know I insist a lot but it's very important to pronounce this ending in the right way because if not you're not doing well and sometimes the message we convey is not the same, ok? So try and try and try. It's only practice.

For homework I asked you to translate the text we worked with last class and answer some questions. It's about the story of an in-loved couple in the war times; like a movie! But you did a very good job in class so I think you won't have any problem when translating.

Also we completed many listening activities in order to have a clear idea about continuing a conversation. This is important, too. We have said many times that if someone tells us something, whatever the kind, we can't remain as if nothing happens!  It's a bit rude! So we should give an answer and use some strategies to follow up the conversation with things like these:

• Oh, dear!
• Oh, great!
• What a shame
• Wow!
• You're joking!
• Really?
• Oh, right

So... take this into account, ok, ladies?

Be good, have fun, see you in class!

Bye!

Monday 19th Wednesday 21st January

Hi ladies! How's it going? I hope you're not tired of the past simple although we have worked very hard these days.

Last Monday we were listening to the pronunciation of the -ed ending in order to get a good accent. I know it can be difficult and a bit tiring, but little by little you'll get the right pronuncition without stopping to think.

Also these days we have worked with the biography as a type of writing. I have to say you did very good biographies, interesting info and few mistakes. Let's see next time without writing; I'm talking about your homework, as we said on Wed in class.  Remember you have to prepare a short presentation/speaking about an importat event in the past/history. You have to include these points:

1. Short description of the event
2. People involved
3. Why that event has made history

Try to include:

• Past simple, both regular and irregular
• Past time expressions (ago, since, when, IN with years)
• Connectors (however, on the one hand - on the other hand, although...)

Well, I think that's all this week. Although if you have a little time you could have  look to this video which shows the pronunciation of the -ed ending. Be careful: it's American:

I hope you enjoy!!

Be good, have fun, see you in class!!