Spain in the News #3

Animation réalisée sur le site http://www.komcitiz.com

My dear students, I propose a listening activity. It's authentic material taken from BBC Radio. It's a radio program about Spanish current affairs-you will for sure recognize a very well known Spanish politician... and I will say no more... What I need is that each of you listen carefully to this radio program and think of a title that describes its content. As soon as you have decided on the best title for this audio, email me the answer and, if it's accurate, I'll email you back some more activities. Greetings... and be happy!

The Juliet Club

This is the film I asked about when we spoke of "The Juliet Club". Have you seen it? It seems interesting...

Parque de Lisboa News 10

Parque de Lisboa News 10

Welcome to our tenth weekly program. Today we will talk about Pope John Paul II, Badalona FC and their anthem, and we bring you our question, only to be answered by football fanatics this time. But first,

JOHN PAUL II
Karol Wojtyla was born in Wadowice (Poland) on 18th March 1920 and died on 2nd April  2005 in Vatican City. His 26-years pontificate (1978-2005) was the third longest of the Catholic Church History, after Saint Peter's and Pius' IX popedoms. His beatification, to be concluded on October 2010, started three months after his death, without waiting for the five years specified by the rules of the Church. It is, actually, the agile rhythm of "the God's Athlete". In his papacy the most important highlights are: innovation of the pastoral practise (e.g: the worldwide christian youth meetings), his influence on the liberation of Poland and his four visits to Spain. After his death, a French woman who had Parkinson was miraculously cured. John Paul II changed the world history only with the strengh of the spirit, becoming a reference for all the people, catholics or non catholics. (By David Cirbián).

BADALONA FC
Last month a football club of Barcelona called Badalona FC decided to give up playing their own anthem because the company SGAE wants to be paid 140€ every time that the club plays the song in their stadium. It seems that the club asked for a new anthem in 2003 because of the centenary of the club. It was composed by two authors and one of them wants to take more money for doing it, and he acussed them to the SGAE. The team says that they can't pay for it because they have many teams in all categories and they would have to pay more than 1000€ every weekend, so they decided to pay for all the weekends that they have been playing the anthem up to now and not play it any more. (By Álvaro Muñoz).

To finish our program, we must give you the answer for last week's question. It was "What's the capital of the United Kingdom?" and the answer is... "London". Our new weekly question is: "Where will next world football championship be celebrated?" Leave your answer as a comment to this post. Thank you very much for your kind attention, we will meet again next week.

Listen a Minute: Holidays

Thank you very much, because you, my dear students, are doing a great job with this blog. So, for you not to forget me or your English subject, here is your homework for next Thursday, March 11th. Visit Listen a Minute and prepare your speaking activity as usual, in this case about holidays. Bring me your pendrives with at least three recordings. Have a nice weekend, anyway...!

Listen a Minute: Friends

Your homework for next Monday is here: Listen a Minute, Friends. Remeber to try as many times as you wish with this listening. When you are sure about the way you pronounce it, record your own voice at least three times and bring your recordings to class next Monday. If you haven't done it yet, here you can download audacity and here you have some instructions and tips on how to use it. Greetings!

Listen a Minute: Family

As promised, here you have your homework for next Wednesday. It's here: Listen a Minute. Family. Remember to listen to the audio as many times as you need, while reading the tapescript at the same time, for you to be able to reproduce it. Then record your own voice repeating the audio at least three times, paying attention to the differences between your words and the original audio and trying to improve your pronunciation. Bring the files (MP3 format) to class on Wednesday for me to check how well you do it. Enjoy yourselves!!

VERB FORMS

Hello!
I have posted this for give you one web.

This Monday is the english exam, and it will be about all that we have study

in all clases.

For the person that have difficults with the verbs forms, in

this page are all the forms. The page it´s called OM VERBS.

There is a square where you can choose the verbal form that you want.

All the forms that we have seen are in "SIMPLE" , the other option:

"PROGRESSIVE" we haven´t seen yet.

I hope that it help you.

The direcction web is:

http://www.ompersonal.com.ar/omverbs/contenidotematico.htm


María Bonilla Cubero 3ªA

The Wonder of You.

For those of you who like classical, or even antique music, here you can enjoy one of Elvis Presley's great songs, The Wonder of You.


Apart from sharing our taste for good music, maybe you can tell me examples of "zero conditional" sentences taken from this song. Greetings.

Hogmanay in Stonehaven.

Well, this IS your promised homework, its title is Hogmanay in Stonehaven, it's obviouslty a listening activity. You will receive a questionaire in your in-box, so pay attention to your gmail and, as soon as you have the answers, email them back to me. Don't worry, it's much easier than the previous one. Enjoy yourselves and be happy! Juan.

New Year´s Eve

Hello!! Merry Chrismas!! In these notable dates, I decided to write this post about New Year's Eve because I think that everybody celebrates this incredible night surrounded of their family and friends, but really few people know the real history about New Year´s Eve, his antiquity, traditions, typical things of this festivity ... so I decided in this occasion to "talk" about this topic, with the purpose of that we all know little more of this so notable night. I hope that you like this post and to wish all you a happy New Year 2008.

"The New Year is an event that happens when a culture celebrates the end of one year and the beginning of the next. The date in which this celebration is realized depends on the type of calendar used, being most used of January 1st, date according to the Gregorian calendar used in the majority of the countries of the world.

Actually, the celebration of New Year is one of the principal celebrations in the world. Big events are realized in the principal cities of the world during the New Year's Eve (eve of the New Year corresponding to December 31st), being accompanied of the biggest events of pyrotechnics. The biggest events of the world are produced on Sydney, Hong Kong, London, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Valparaiso.Also, a lot of discotheques realizes big New Year´s parties."

Ancient New Years

The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon (actually the first visible cresent) after the Vernal Equinox (the first day of spring).
The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year, because it´s the season of, planting new crops, and of blossoming. January 1st, hasn´t astronomical or agricultural meaning.
The Babylonian New Year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had his own particular mode of celebration, but the modern New Year's Eve festivities aren´t the same that those celebrations.
The Romans continued to celebrate the New Year in late March, but their calendar had continually changes by various emperors so that, the calendar soon was synchronizated with the sun.
In order their calendar, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1st to be the beginning of the New Year. This calendar continue with Julius Caesar in 46 BC, that established that their calendar had to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1st as the New Year. But to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to allow that the year should last 445 days.

The Church´s view of New Year celebrations

Although in the first centuries the Romans continued celebrating the New Year, the Catholic Church of the epoch condemned the festivities as paganisms. But as Christianity became more extense, the Church began having his own religious observances related with many of the pagan celebrations, and New Year's Day was not different. New Years is still observed as the Celebration of Christ's Circumcision by some denominations.
During the Middle Ages, the Church was opposed to celebrating New Years.

New Year traditions

Other traditions of this celebration include the making of New Year's resolutions. That tradition also dates back to the early Babylonians. Popular modern resolutions include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. The Babylonian's most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.

The tradition of using a baby to signify the New Year was begun in Greece around 600 BC. It was their tradition at that time to celebrate their god of wine, Dionysus, by a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility. Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth.
Although the Christians denounced the practice as pagan, the popularity of the baby as a symbol of rebirth forced the Church to think about his position. The Church finally allowed his members to celebrate the New Year with a baby, which was to symbolize the birth of the baby Jesus.

For luck in the New Year

Traditionally, it was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. For that reason, it has become common for people to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of family and friends. These parties often last into the middle of the night after the rings of the bells that announce the New Year.

It was once believed that the first visitor on New Year's Day would bring either good luck or bad luck the rest of the year. It was particularly lucky if that visitor happened to be a tall dark-haired man. This belief about the good luck is realized usually in Scotland.

Traditional New Year foods are also thought to bring luck. Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle. For that reason, the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune.

Many places of the U.S.A. celebrate the New Year by consuming black-eyed peas. These legumes are typically accompanied by either pork jowls or ham.(These legume give the name to a popular music group). Black-eyed peas and other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures. The pork and his meat, is considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. Cabbage is another "good luck" vegetable that is consumed on New Year's Day by many people. Cabbage leaves are also considered a sign of prosperity. In some regions, rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day.

Auld Lang Syne

The song, "Auld Lang Syne," playing like background music, is sung at the midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the new year.It was written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Robert Burns' death. A lot of variations of the song were sung before of 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scotch tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days."

Auld Lang Syne (letter)

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne?
Refrain
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne
We twa hae run about the braes
And pou'd the gowans fine meaning: pulled daisies
But we've wander'd mony a weary fitt : foot
Sin' auld lang syne. : long ago
We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine meaning: dinner time
But seas between us braid hae roar'd : broad
Sin' auld lang syne.
And there's a hand, my trusty feire
And gie's a hand o' thine
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught
For auld lang syne.
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp
And surely I'll be mine
And we'll tak a cup o'kindness yet
For auld lang syne.

Here you could learn to sign a part of this tradicional song:

http://www.manythings.org/songs/ckmp3-auld-learn.html

If you want to listen the "Auld Lang Syne", click on the links that appear here:

Auld Lang Syne (Traditional Tune)
Auld Lang Syne (Original Tune)
Auld Lang Syne (Bagpipe Version)

Spanish Current Affairs.

Spanish Current Affairs

My dear students, I propose a listening activity. It's authentic material taken from BBC Radio 4, as you will hear at the beginning. It's a radio program about Spanish current affairs-you will for sure recognize a very well known Spanish politician... and I will say no more... What I need is that each of you listen carefully to this radio program and think of a title that describes its content. As soon as you have decided on the best title for this audio, email me the answer and, if it's accurate, I'll email you back some more activities. Greetings... and be happy!

DIFFERENT WORLDS, DIFFERENT LIVES.

Different Worlds, Different Lives

Today we are going to interview three people. I'm going to ask you some simple questions.
-Hello, Mr.Lumbreras. Do you enjoy your life?
-Yes, because I have a lot of money and I can buy whatever I fancy.
-Do you miss having an ordinary life?
-No, because I have never had a normal life.
-Do you usually go to the gym?
-Yes, I often go to my own gym with my personal coach.
-I can see that, you are really fit. Are you successful in love?
-No, I'm not. Most of the women I met are after my money.

-Sorry. Now, we will continue with Olga, our pop star. Do you enjoy your life?
-Yes, I enjoy my life because I love singing in my concerts and watching my fans. I like signing autographs and, the most important thing, I love travelling all around the world.
-Do you miss having an ordinary life?
-Yes, sometimes I do because the journalists disturb me; however, I love my life and I think that I'm not different from the rest of the people, the only difference is that I've got a lot of money.
-Do you usually go to the gym?
-Mmm... It is very important for my job to be fit, but I have no time to go. I watch my weight and I am usually on a diet.
-Do you rebember you first concert?
-Oh, yes! I remember it very well, it was in Brunete, a small and beautiful village in Madrid, on Christmas holidays, and I was seventeen. I will never forget it.

-Well, we are going to finish with Diana, a new actress. Hello.
-Hello, JS.
-Do you enjoy your life?
-Yes, but only since I have been acting in films.
-Do you miss an ordinary life?
-Well, my life is still quite normal, because I'm not very famous for the moment.
-Are you successful in love?
-Yes, I found the man of my life eight years ago.

-So, that's all for today, folks! Goodbye!

By: Diana, Adrian Lumbreras, Javier, Olga

Interesting People interview.

Interesting People Interview

L: Good morning to everybody. Here we're again in Interesting People. Today we've got a very special programme. Our first guest is Caroline, the famous teenage millionaire. Caroline arrived this morning from her mansion in Hollywood. Hello, Caroline.
C: Hello!
L: What do you do in a typical day?
C: I get up at seven o'clock. I go to an exclusive school in Hollywood. At lunch time I go to one of the best restaurants of the city with my friends. When the high school ends I go to a massage session. After that, I go shopping , I love going shopping!!. I've dinner with my parents. After dinner, I call my friends until eleven o'clock, because I need to sleep eight hours for my skin to be perfect.
L: Oh, ok. What do you do during your holidays?
C: I do a lot of things, from travelling to Hawai's beaches to going to parties.
L: Why are you a teenage millionaire?
C: Because my parents are the owners of a famous multinational.
L: And when you'll be older, will you go to work?
C: Me?? Oh no!! I'm never going to work, I'm rich.
L: Thank you for coming, Caroline. Our next guest is Bea, the pop star. Hi, Bea.
B: Hi!
L: What do you do a in typical day?
B: I do what normal people do.
L: What is your favourite city?
B: New York, because I love going shopping.
L: Do you like being famous?
B: Yes, I like it, but I dislike the paparazzi.
L: And when will we be able to buy your new cd?
B: It may be in shops in spring.
L: That was very interesting. Finally our last guest is Omar, who is living alone in a desert island, he's a castaway. Omar is now on the telephone.Hello, Omar.
O: Hello, Leo.
L: How did you arrive to the island?
O: I jumped from the plane.
L: What? Why did you jump?
O: Because I've got claustrophobia.
L: What do you think of in your free time?
O: About nothing.
L: And what do you do in the island?
O: I fish, sleep and swim.
L: Thank you very much.
O: Thanks you.
L: That's all for today. Until next week.

Authors: Carol Bernal, Beatriz, Omar and Leonardo.

Different lifestyles in the world.

Different Lifestyles in the World

Hi every body!! This is the radio program Different lifestyles in the world. Today... Today is a special day because we have three excellent people:
Jessica!
- Hi, Jesica, you are a popstar singer, your life must be stressful. Do you enjoy your life?
- Hi! Yes, I enjoy my life because I love singing.
- OK. What do you do in a typical day?
- I sing and I write music for my new CD.
- What do you do at the weekends?
- In the morning... in the morning I sleep and in the afternoon I go shopping.
- What do you do in your holidays?
- I go to parties with other famous people, we go shopping, we look for the best fashionable clothes...
- Where do you live?
- In New York.
- And... What do you want us to do for you?
- You can buy my new CD.
- Ok, Jessica, thank you and good luck with your new CD. The new guest is Víctor, the teenager millionaire. Hi, Victor! Do you enjoy your life?
- Hello! Yes, my life is very interesting.
- What do you do in a typical day?
- In the morning, I go to my school and in the evening I normally stay at home because my friends study in the evening.
- Ok. What do you do at the weekends?
- At the weekends I stay over with my friends, we go to the cinema, to a disco or I invite my friends to my mansion.
- Oh, your weekends are very entertaining! What do you do in your holidays?
- I travel to work with my parents because they don't want to leave me alone at home.
- Where do you live?
- In los Angeles.
- And... What do you want us to do for you?
- I think I have everything I need, I don't need anything.
- Ok, thanks a lot. Our new guest is Sergio the castaway in a desert island. Hi, Sergio. Do you enjoy your life?
- My life is usually very boring because here I haven't got any friends.
- What do you do in a typical day?
- I fish, seek food, write messages in bottles...
- What do you do in the weekends?
- The same things as the other days.
- What do you do in your holidays?
- The same things as well, my life is boring because it is always the same, always doing the same things. I think this will be always my vacation.
- Where do you live?
- In this island.
- What do you want us to do for you?
- You can save me!!! Please!!!
Ok, bye, Sergio, go for some fishing... And up to now, today's program; next day, more and better things. Have a good day.

Authors: Jessica, Sergio, Víctor and Paola.

Blue Night Interview.

Blue Night Interview

B: Welcome to Night Blue. Before ads, we were talking about lifestyles. We have invited three people, they have very different lifestyles. First, the famous rich teenager, Jamelia. Hi, Jamelia...
M: Hello!
B: What do you do in your typical day?
M: Well, in the morning I go to school, after that I go to the best restaurant in the city with my daddy, then I go shopping with my little dog-he is called Paris, it's a chiguagua. In the afternoon, I go to my own spa, oh, it's lovely...

B: Oh nice!! Do you enjoy your life?
M: Yes, of course, it's easy if you have a lot of money, don't you think so? I don't mean that money gives happiness, but it helps...
B: Right, what do you do in the weekends?
M: Oh, a lot of things, there are always things to do, parties, dad's acts... whatever... I usually do pyjamas parties too.
B: And what do you do during your holidays?
M: Well, daddy loves travelling, we have visited all the continents, last summer we went to a lot of places... We went to a concert at the Royal Theatre, then we went to Los Angeles at mum's house, I spent a lot of time there...
B: Thank you very much, thanks for letting us know you better.
M: You're welcome.
B: Our next guest is a famous pop-star and now he is working at his new work. Hello, Nacho.
N: How is it going?
B: What do you do in your typical day?
N: Oh... In the morning I have to go to the record studio, to improve my new album. After that I go home to have lunch with my girlfriend... After that I go shopping... I love going shopping but the fans follow me everywhere...
B: That's right... Do you enjoy your life?
N: I enjoy my job, I love singing and playing my guitar, but I can't stand the press, the journalists follow me all the time, it's very annoying...
B: That's the price of fame... what do you do in the weekends?
N: Well, it depends... Sometimes I go to my mum's house to have lunch. And at night I have to go to events with all celebrities, my girldfriend can't stand them.
B: And what do you do during your holidays?
N: Well, I travel a lot, I have to do it for my new disco tour, I don't like it very much, but...
B: Thank you very much, Nacho , we hope that your CD will be great!
N: Thank you!!
B: Well, our next guest is the most important scientist at the moment, she studies monkeys and gorillas at her own island. Hi, Sandra!
S: Good evening!
B: What do you do in your typical day?
S: In the mornig I wake up early, I have lots of things to do... First I have to feed the mokeys and gorillas, after that I look for the new gorilla babies, they're so sweet. Then I have to keep fit so I go swimming or running... Later, I study monkey's behaviour. At night I check it all is ok and I go to bed.
B: Well, do you enjoy your life?
S: I love gorillas' community, and my work is great... I have no stress and I'm never in a hurry... but I miss company, loneliness is horrible...
B: I agree... Well,do you like studying the monkeys?
S: Oh , yes...!! They are incredible animals! They are more clever than some people. They work together all the time, but the smallest monkeys are very annoying, they shout too much...
B: And do you have holidays?
S: No, of course not. I live all the time at the island.
B: Thank you, Sandra... And this is the end of the programme, I hope that you have enjoyed it. In the next programme we are talking about violence in the streets. Good Bye and thank you for listening...

Authors: Sandra, María, Nacho and Blanca.

This is very funny!

Learning English (...in Brunete?)