Breaking NEWS!

Harvard scientists predict the future of the past tense




Verbs evolve and homogenize at a rate inversely proportional to their prevalence in the English language, according to a formula developed by Harvard University mathematicians who've invoked evolutionary principles to study our language over the past 1,200 years, from "Beowulf" to "Canterbury Tales" to "Harry Potter."

The researchers tracked the status of 177 irregular verbs in Old English through linguistic changes in Middle English and then modern English. Of these 177 verbs that were irregular 1,200 years ago, 145 stayed irregular in Middle English and just 98 remain irregular today, following the regularization over the centuries of such verbs as help, laugh, reach, walk, and work.
Extant irregular verbs represent the vestiges of long-abandoned rules of conjugation; new verbs entering English, such as "google," are universally regular. Although fewer than 3 percent of modern English verbs are irregular, this number includes the 10 most common verbs: be, have, do, go, say, can, will, see, take, and get.
They expect that some 15 of the 98 modern irregular verbs they studied will regularize in the next 500 years.

A Web to learn English Irregular Verbs

VERBBUSTERS will you with the Irregular verbs. This page has a funny game in which you will try to answer as much as possible right forms of the irregular verbs. There is a world Ranking and you can practice with other languages : Spanish, German, French, Italian...

http://www.verbbusters.com/index.php

Culture

British - American English - Spelling Rules

There are some spelling differences in American English. In the 1800's, the US Congress actually called for several changes to make words more phonetic. Look at the following examples:

British English American English Example (British - American)

1 words ending in -re change to -er
centre - center
metre - meter
2 words ending in -our change to -or
colour - color
3 words ending in -ogue change to -og
catalogue - catalog
4 words ending in -ise/ize ending only in -ize
realise/realize - realize
5 final -l doubled after short vowel
travelled - traveled
modelling - modeling
6 words ending in -ence change to -ense
defence - defense
licence - license

Look at the followings lists for words which have different meanings or are spelled differently in British and American English:

BRITISH-AMERICAN words

COLDPLAY-VIVA LA VIDA

COLDPLAY -VIVA LA VIDA

translation into Spanish:
Viva la Vida, Coldplay
Yo gobernaba el mundo
Los mares podía elevar cuando poseía el mundo
Ahora, en la mañana duermo solo
Barriendo las calles que dominaba

Yo jugaba los dados
Sintiendo el miedo en los ojos de mi enemigo
Escuchando a la muchedumbre que cantaba
Ahora el rey murió, larga vida al rey

Un minuto tenia las llaves
Al siguiente las paredes me encerraron
Y descubrí que mis castillos estaban construidos
Sobre la arena y la sal

Escuche las campanas de Jerusalem sonar
Los coros de la caballería romana cantaban
Se mi espejo, mi espada y mi escudo
Mis emisarios en campo desconocido

Por alguna razón que no puedo explicar
Nunca hubo
Una palabra honesta, nunca
Y así era cuando gobernaba el mundo

Hubo un malvado y salvaje viento
Que sopló las puertas y dejó entrar
Ventanas destrozadas y el ruido de tambores

Los revolucionarios esperan
Mi cabeza en bandeja de plata
Solo un títere colgando de un solo hilo
Oh, Quien alguna vez no quiso ser rey?

Escuche las campanas de Jerusalem sonar
Los coros de la caballería romana cantaban
Se mi espejo, mi espada y mi escudo
Mis emisarios en campo desconocido

Por alguna razón que no puedo explicar
Se que San Pedro no me llamará por mi nombre
Nunca una palabra honesta
Y todo eso cuando gobernaba el mundo

Escuche las campanas de Jerusalem sonar
Los coros de la caballería romana cantaban
Se mi espejo, mi espada y mi escudo
Mis emisarios en campo desconocido

Por alguna razón que no puedo explicar
Se que San Pedro no me llamará por mi nombre
Nunca una palabra honesta
Y todo eso cuando gobernaba el mundo

300 Proverbs and Sayings / Proverbios y Refranes

A proverb , is a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity.

English proverbs and sayings with their Spanish equivalents :

for example:

A man may learn wit every day.
Todos los dias se aprende algo.

Between the devil and the deep sea
To choose between two equally bad alternatives in a serious dilemma.

Where there's a will there's a way
When a person really wants to do something, he will find a way of doing it.

Press here:300 English Proverbs

Press here:Commonly used Proverbs Quiz (test acerca de Refranes)

CLASSROOM TIPS FOR ENGLISH STUDENTS

A List about what teachers should do in Class!

1. Use choral repetition
is a very useful and confidence-building technique. A lively chorus can wake a sleepy class and provides a change of pace and focus.

2. Be visual whenever possible

Flashcards, magazine pictures, board drawings, mime, and gesture are all very relevant at this level to put across meaning and set up student practice. The more visual your language presentations are, the more memorable they will be for your students.

3. Think about your board work

The board is your main teaching aid. Think how best to use it. Write clearly, and make sure students copy correctly.
4. Give clear instructions
It is crucial that students understand what they have to do. Always give instructions in English first, but check in L1 if it's a complicated activity.

5. Teach your students to be good learners

Encourage students to:
buy a good dictionary
do homework regularly
revise regularly and copy up notes taken in class
have a 'handout partner' to take copies for each other and who they can ring to get homework when ill, etc.
6. Always set homework

Emphasize the importance of students doing their homework. Don't set homework just after the bell goes - allow time to tell students what you want them to do. It's a good idea to set aside a few minutes every class to correct exercises and feedback problems.

7. Motivate students to learn vocabulary.

Stress the importance of revising vocabulary regularly, and make sure students do this by giving frequent short vocabulary tests.

8. Teach your students to usea bilingual dictionary

9. Encourage students to read
Reading is the key to vocabulary extension

10. Make listening a positive experience

For many students listening, especially to cassettes, is a stressful activity.
11. Make English the language of the classroom

Talk naturally with contractions but not too fast, and repeat as often as necessary, especially at the beginning of the course.
12. Get students to talk in English as much as possible

Always get students to give their opinions.

13. Don't over-correct

Students naturally like being corrected but it can be very demotivating if every time they say anything the teacher corrects or improves it! , in freer activities encourage students to keep talking to build confidence and fluency.
14. Motivate students to work on their pronunciation

Students' pronunciation doesn't have to be perfect but it needs to be sufficiently clear for communication.
15. Don't have the book open all the time

Use warmers, books-closed presentations, or photocopiable activities to give variety to your lessons.
16. Revise constantly

As students' knowledge of English increases, revision becomes even more essential as it becomes increasingly harder for them to remember everything they know. Always revise what you did in the previous lesson.

Writing Skill (3-4 ESO): Add Words to a Story

Adding words to a story

Time: 30-40 minutes
Aims:

To give the students an opportunity to start writing creatively within a safe, controlled frame.
Preparation Choose, or make up, a very short story and write it out as four to eight sentences. .

Procedure:

1 Dictate:
This was a village with [SPACE] walls and [SPACE] roofs.

Ask the students to add a few words in each of the spaces.

2 Dictate:
It had not rained for many, many months. Soon the wells would run dry. The villagers desperately needed [SPACE].

Ask the students to complete the sentence with two or more words.

3 Dictate:
The men of the village went to the [SPACE] mosque to pray for rain. And no rain fell.

Ask the students to add two or more words in the space left.

4 Dictate:
The women of the village went to the [SPACE - add the same words as last time] mosque to pray for the rain clouds to come. One little girl stayed at home. And no rain fell.

Ask the students to draw a quick sketch of the little girl they imagine and to add to the caption: She was...+ three words.

5 Dictate:
The next day the little girl went to the [SPACE] mosque on her own to pray for rain. She took her grandfather's umbrella.

Tell the students to end the story in not more than three words.

6 Group the students in threes. In turn they read their stories to each other.

7 Put up walls, roofs, mosque, etc. on the board.
Get the students to come up and write the words they used to qualify these nouns on the board under each heading.

8 Ask your students to copy into their notebooks the new words they take a liking to.

Verb To Be

La estructura básica del verbo "to BE":

La estructura básica del afirmativo del verbo "to be"

Afirmativo-----------------------------------------------------
Sujeto Verbo objeto

I am a student. Soy alumno.
You are happy. Eres feliz.
He is John. Es John.
She is in the car. Está en el coche.
It is a hot day. Es un día caluroso.
We are David's parents.
Somos los padres de David.
You are from Madrid. Sois de Madrid.
They are ours. Son nuestros.

practice
practice 2


La estructura básica del negativo del verbo "to be"

Negativo-----------------------------------------------------

I am not a student. No soy alumno.
You are not happy. No eres feliz.
He is not John. No es John.
She is not in the car. No está en el coche.
It is not a hot day. No es un día caluroso.
We are not David's parents. No somos los padres de David.
You are not from Madrid. No sois de Madrid.
They are not ours. No son nuestros.

Nota: Aparte de la contracción en "I'm not", "am not" no se suele contraer. En el lenguaje de la calle se suele decir "ain't" en vez de "am not", "are not" e "is not"), por ejemplo, "I ain't a student", "You ain't happy" y "They ain't ours". Suena algo informal.
Activity 1
Activity 2

La estructura básica del interrogativo del verbo "to be"

Interrogativo------------------------------------------------

Verbo Sujeto objeto?

Am I a student? ¿Soy alumno?
Are you happy? ¿Eres feliz?
Is he John? ¿Es John?
Is she in the car? ¿Está en el coche?
Is it a hot day? ¿Es un día caluroso?
Are we David's parents? ¿Somos los padres de David?
Are you from Madrid? ¿Sois de Madrid?
Are they ours? ¿Son nuestros?

Activity 1

Activity 2

Inversión del sujeto y el verbo para hacer la pregunta!!

Welcome to the New Course :2008-2009

Today, It has begun the new course, new teachers, new students, new high school... We realize about what we had and what we have; we miss certain things and people but we look beyond the boundaries of Today. For all my previous and actual students I send this words: Today is the beginning of a new possibility to achieve our dreams. Good Luck and if you've doubts just call , write,email or post me. Best wishes for this course.

Game: Guess my word (3-4 ESO)

GUESS MY WORD
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Age: 12-14
Subject: Vocabulary

Before starting, write word on different Post-it notes. They may be related to recent vocabulary, or to a themed vocabulary. For example: bus, car, truck, etc. or apple, banana, orange, etc.
Stick a note on each of the student's forehead. They will love this part!
Then, at turns, each student comes to the front of the class and the others have to give clues so that the student in the front can guess his/her own word.
A variation to this games is that each student has to ask the rest of the class yes/no questions until he guesses what's written on his/her own tag.

Recommended Books for Teaching English(1&2 ESO)

Easy & Engaging ESL Activities and Mini-Books for Every Classroom
Terrific teaching tips, games, mini-books and more to help new students from every nation build basic English vocabulary and feel welcome!





ESL Active Learning Lessons: 15 Complete Content-Based Units to Reinforce Language Skills and Concepts
Fifteen comprehensive units that provide practice and reinforcement in the use of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Each unit contains a content focus, activity sheets, a vocabulary list and other materials to teach English in a active environment.


The Complete Book of Activities, Games, Stories, Props, Recipes, and Dances: For Young Children
This book is rich in ideas and could be a time-saver for busy teachers seeking ideas to enrich their themes. In more than 500 pages, it includes a great deal of games, stories, songs, poems and other activities to enligthen your class

There's a Frog in My Throat: 440 Animal Sayings a Little Bird Told Me
A great book that contains animal idioms grouped by types of animals (domestic, barnyard, winged, etc.). Each adage is also accompanied by a short definition. Children will find themselves captivated by the engaging text and great illustrations.

CONVERSATION TOPICS (3 & 4 ESO)

We have compiled a list of conversation topics to make your students speak. They are presented in questions, just to motivate your students or to make them react. Be sure to use topics according to the age and knowledge of your students.

Topic: Clothes

Do you like buying new clothes? Where do you go?
What kind of clothes do you prefer?
What kind of clothes do you wear to play sports / to go out with friends / to go to school?
Do you wear a hat, a cap, sunglasses, jewelry? When?
Are clothes expensive in your city?
What is your favourite colour? Why?
Do you dress differently according to your mood?
Should men wear earrings?
Would you buy secondhand clothes? Why?
Are high-heels shoes good or bad for the health?
Is fashion important?
You can obtain topic vocabulary here.

Topic: Music

What kind of music do you like?
Do you have many CDs / MP3s? Which one is your favourite? How often do you listen to them?
Do you like classical music? Why?
Do you prefer to listen to the radio?
Can you dance? Where do you go? With whom? How often?

Who is your favourite band/singer?
Do you like musicals?
Have you ever been to a concert? Where? When?
What kind of music is popular in your country?
Do you think that MP3s are good or bad for the music industry? Should them be banned?
What was the last CD you bought? When?
Can music help to calm down a stressed person? How?
What do you think of karaoke?
Do you play any instrument?

Topic: Travel

Do you like travelling?
Why do people travel?
Where have you been? Have you ever been abroad?
What was your best trip?
Do you travel with your family, with friends or alone?
Do you prefer to travel by bus, plane, train or car?
Have you ever got lost? Why?
Do you like to go camping?
Where would you like to go next?
What do you do for the holidays?
Where did you go last year?
Do you prefer a budget hotel or a first-class hotel? Why?
Is travelling expensive in your country?
If you had $100,000 where would you go for your holidays?
You can obtain topic vocabulary here.


Topic: Sports

What is your favourite sport? How often do you play? With whom? Where?
Do you prefer watching sports on TV?
Have you ever played golf / rugby / baseball?
What sport is popular in your country?
Are you interested in sports from other countries? Which ones?
Can you swim?
What is the most dangerous sport?
Do you go to a gym club? How often?
Would you like to learn a new sport? Which one?
What is your favourite team? Are you a real fan? Do you often go to the stadium?
Do you play sports at school?
Can women play boxing / soccer / football?

Topic: Television

What kind of TV shows you like/don't like?
How long do you spend watching TV? Do you think it's too much?
When do you watch TV?
Is TV educational or not?
If you were the station manager, what show would you add/remove?
Do you like/watch commercials?
Do you use the remote too much?
Do you think that TV makes people lazy?
Do you like reality shows? Why?
Can you learn something watching TV?


Topic: Cinema

What is your favourite movie/actor/actress?
What kind of movies do you prefer?
What was the last movie you saw? With whom? When? Where?
Do you prefer to watch movies at home or at the cinema? Why?
Do you often rent movies?
Would you like to be in a movie? Why?
Do you like romantic movies? Why?
Do you prefer action or comedy movies?
Do you read the subtitles?
Is it expensive to go to the cinema?

Topic: Famous people
Why is somebody famous?
What are the pros and cons of being a celebrity?
Have you ever seen a celebrity? Who? Where? When?
Are you a member of any fan club?
Who is your favourite star? Would you like to see him/her in person? What would you tell him/her?
What do you think of papparazzi?

Vocabulary within the classroom

This list of Vocabulary includes the commonest vocabulary used in a classroom, (especialmente para niños de 1 ESO Bilingüe) Within a bilingüal classroom. Our students in this kind of classes will have to become familiar with the objects that surround us in the class.

IN THE CLASSROOM

classroom aula
class clase
bag bolso
blackboard pizarra
board pen marcador / fibra para pizarra
board eraser borrador
book libro
briefcase portafolios, maletín
chair silla
chalk tiza
crayon lápiz de cera, crayón
desk escritorio
eraser (US) goma de borrar
folder carpeta
highlighter pen rotulador fosforescente, resaltador
hole punch perforadora
notebook cuaderno
notepad cuaderno
paper papel
pencil lápiz
pencil sharpener sacapuntas
rubber (GB) goma de borrar
ruler regla
tape player reproductor de cassette
tape recorder grabadora de cassette
whiteboard pizarra
workbook libro de ejercicios

to ask a question hacer una pregunta
to clean the board limpiar el pizarrón
to listen to a tape escuchar una cinta
to open/close the book abrir/cerrar el libro
to raise one's hand levantar la mano
to share a book compartir un libro
to swap places cambiar lugares
to talk to your partner hablar con tu compañero
to watch a video mirar un vídeo
to work in groups trabajar en grupos
to work in pairs trabajar en parejas

Online Free Library

This site has lots of free books about: Literature, History, English, social sciences... all of them are free. ( especialmente buenos para ampliar temas de oposiciones en secundaria. Esta Web tiene montones de libros gratis que podemos descargar acerca de muy diversos temas , todos en Inglés.)

WorldWideSchool

Tales from Shakespeare

Tales of Shakespeare
by Charles and Mary Lamb offers you as a teacher or student of english the possibility to dowload all Shakespeare's works adapted for young people, using a plain and rich language for ESL learners.

Practice your Listening

This web allows you to practice the Listening Skill, (something usually forgotten in class), with lots of Downloadable MP3 Files
This is a sub-page of The Internet TESL Journal's .

We can find: News in Special English - 10 Minute Audio with a Transcript,Education Report (Once a Week) (Voice of America),- Daily 30 minute radio show as an MP3 file, fables, American stories, etc. It's really usefull to train your Listening Examinations.

Remember!

Listening is a seven stage process :

hearing

selecting

attending

understanding

evaluating

remembering

and responding actively with feedback

Penguin Dossiers are of great help for our students

Penguin Dossiers - articles for learners of English. There is a new article on the 1st of every month. There is a 'Factsheet' too, with teacher's notes and exercises. Each article is written at the same language level as a level 3 Penguin Reader.The archive has all the past Penguin Dossiers. Penguin Dossiers are great for reading and listening practice, for class discussion, and for learning new vocabulary.
This month:
Harry Potter book and film

Test: Am I able to speak in English abroad?

Sometimes we study a foreign language for years but we realize how bad we're in that language when we are travelling abroad. This test is designed to show if you manage with English while travelling.
(Test para saber si podemos defendernos cuando viajemos al extranjero.)

Hay tres posibles respuestas pero solo una es correcta y cortés.

1Estás esperando en el aeropuerto por tu equipaje, pero este aún no ha llegado. ¿Qué le dirías al personal del aeropuerto?
You! Where's my suitcase?
Excuse me, my suitcase hasn't arrived.
I need my suitcase now.

2Quieres utilizar el teléfono, pero no tienes cambio. ¿Qué le dirías a la encargada de la tienda?
Quick. I need to change this.
Could you change this for me, please?
Give me change for the phone, please.

3Te vas a dar una ducha en la habitación del hotel, pero el agua no sale. ¿Qué dirías al llamar a recepción?
The shower isn't working. Fix it now.
Could you send someone to repair my shower, please?
Why isn't my shower working?

4Estas en un país que no es de habla inglesa y no entiendes lo que dice en el menú. ¿Qué le dirías al camarero?
You should give me a menú which I can understand. You jerk!
Have you got an English menu?
I want an English menu.

5Quieres ir al banco pero no sabes dónde está. ¿Qué le dirías a un desconocido en la calle?
Take me to the bank.
Could you tell me the way to the bank, please?
Where's the bank?

6Estás en una tienda y los vaqueros que te has probado son demasiado grandes. ¿Qué le dirías a la dependienta?
I can't wear these. Give me a smaller pair.
They're a bit too big. Have you got a smaller size?
These are too big. Smaller, please.

7No te encuentras bien de salud y necesitas un doctor. ¿Qué dirías a la recepción?
Let me see a doctor now.
Could you make an appointment to see a doctor, please?
Give me an appointment to see a doctor.

8Hay algunos "extras" en la facture del hotel y no sabes de que son. ¿Qué le dirías al recepcionista del hotel?
I won't pay this eight dollars.
Excuse me. What's this eight dollars for?
Why do I have to pay this eight dollars?
Puntuación/ Score:

Mayoría de B : Sabes que decir en la mayoría de las situaciones, y no cometerás ningún error.
Mayoría de C : La gente te entenderá, pero ten cuidado, deberías intentar ser un poco más cortés.
Mayoría de A : Definitivamente cómprate un buen libro de frases, o consigue un intérprete si es posible. Por Quéimbrich blog

First Conditional

The basic structure of this conditional is this:

IF + present simple, + future simple (estructura básica)

If you leave me nown You'll take away the biggest part of me (Bee Gees' Video).
You can see the use of the first conditional in this song.

The first conditional (also called conditional type 1) is a structure used for talking about possibilities in the present or in the future. This page will explain how the first conditional is formed, and when to use it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The structure of a first conditional sentence
A first conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an "if" clause and a main clause:

if clause main clause
If you study hard, you will pass the test.

If the "if" clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the "if" clause comes second, there is no need for a comma:


main clause if clause
You will pass the test if you study hard.

We use different verb forms in each part of a first conditional:


if clause if + subject + simple present verb
main clause subject + will + verb



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Using the first conditional
The first conditional is used to talk about things which are possible in the present or the future -- things which may happen:

Example Explanation

If it's sunny, we'll go to the park. Maybe it will be sunny -- that's possible.
Paula will be sad if Juan leaves. Maybe Juan will leave -- that's possible.
If you cook the supper, I'll wash the dishes. Maybe you will cook the supper -- that's possible

Practice 1
Practice 2

Cry me a River by Justin Timberlake

Song lyrics | Cry Me A River (Remix) lyrics

Essential Phrasal Verbs

This are some Essential Phrasal verbs for my Students:( verbos frasales básicos)

AGREE WITH - estar de acuerdo
BREAK DOWN - averiarse
CARRY ON - seguir. continuar
COME IN - entrar
CUT OFF - cortar, desconnectar
GET IN(TO) - entrar
GET OFF - bajar (de un autobus, tren)
GET ON - subir (a un autobus, tren, moto)
GET UP - levantarse
GIVE BACK - devolver
GIVE UP - dejar (de fumar, beber), rendirse
GO AWAY - irse, marcharse
HANG UP - colgar (el teléfono)
LOOK AFTER - cuidar
LOOK FORWARD TO - esperar con ilusión
LOOK UP - buscar algo (en un libro, diccionario)
PUT IN - meter, introducir
PUT ON - encender
RUN OUT OF - quedarse sin algo
TAKE OFF - despegar
TAKE OUT - extraer, sacar
THROW AWAY - tirar (en la basura)
TURN DOWN - bajar (el volumen)
TURN UP - subir (el volumen)
TURN ON - encender (televisión, luces etc.)

What is a Phrasal Verb?

A phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition or adverb which creates a meaning different from the original verb.
Example:I ran into my teacher at the movies last night. run + into = meetHe ran away when he was 15. run + away = leave home
Some phrasal verbs are intransitive. An intransitive verb cannot be followed by an object.
Example:He suddenly showed up. "show up" cannot take an object
Some phrasal verbs are transitive. A transitive verb can be followed by an object.
Example:I made up the story. "story" is the object of "make up"

If you want further information click here:1000 Phrasal Verbs

The Best of Chandler Bing

This video shows parts from the famous tv-serial FRIENDS, in particular those parts in which Chandler Bing character is involved. Have a lot of fun with his jokes. Don't worry if you're not good in American English. We have the subtitles in both languages, English and Spanish.

Click in the image below:

Learning with songs: Fergie-Big Girls don't cry

This song is the debut of Fergie singer in The Black Eyed Peas. A beautiful song that you can follow singing it in the original language and at the same time you have the translation in Spanish. Big Girls don't cry. "Las Chicas grandes no lloran"

Harry Potter*** Half-Blood Prince

This video shows the presentation of Potter's new Movie: Half-Blood Prince. The dialogues of the presentation are written in English to help you to follow the speech and translated in English at the same time as an extra help for the students.

Learning with songs: MAMMA MIA (ABBA)

Here you are one of the best-know classics by ABBA. I'm sure you know it. Click and listen to that fantastic song translated into Spanish.MAMMA MIA

Learning English/Spanish with songs: Avril Lavigne- I miss you

Click here to wach and listen the song Avril Lavigne's I miss You. You can see a simultaneus translation from the lyrics in English and Spanish. (Las letras están en Inglés y Español)

Congratulations

Congratulations to all my students who have passed the September recovery Exams:

4ESO A

Luis Antony C.

Alejandro P.

4ESO B

Nerea J.

Esther P.

Macarena S.

4ESO C

Juan G.

1Bach B

Joaquín A.

Mario B.

Raquel P.

2 Bach A

Fco Javier G

Emilio G

Angel Cayetano G

Jose A R

Eugenio M.