Entradas
Press the picture to do the quizz.
High School Musical
Press the picture to find out what you know about this movie.
(If you want more quizzes about different themes, you'll find them at the bottom )
30/11/08
Quizzes about famous tv series and movies
The Simpsons
The Weather (el Tiempo)
Let's revise the weather with some games. Repasemos El vocabulario del tienpo con algunos juegos!
Can you make your way across the maze and reach home? Practise listening to words for the weather words
Practise listening to weather words with the weather maze! In this listening you will listen to a weather forecast, you have to match the countries with the weather.
Can you make your way across the maze and reach home? Practise listening to words for the weather words
Practise listening to weather words with the weather maze! In this listening you will listen to a weather forecast, you have to match the countries with the weather.
Fairy Tales / Cuentos para niños
Fairy stories (or fairy tales) are traditional stories for children. Magical things often happen in the stories, and sometimes there are magical or imaginary creatures too. Read and listen to some fairy tales, and find lots of activities to do.
Estos cuentos tradicionales ayudarán a desarrollar la imaginación de los más pequeños, así como su Inglés. Podréis escuchar y leer los cuentos que vienen acompañados por muchas actividades.
Little Red Riding Hood (caperucita roja) is visiting her Granny. But when she gets to Granny's house, Granny looks very strange! Is it Granny? Or is it the wolf she met in the wood? What will happen to Little Red Riding Hood?
CLICK HERE TO READ AND LISTEN TO THE STORY
Have you read the story?
Have you read the story?
Jack and the beanstalk (Jack y las judías gigantes)
Jack and his mother are very poor. One day he sells their cow - for some beans. His mother is very angry. What will they do now? Read and listen to this traditional story. There is a game for you to do while the story loads.
CLICK HERE TO READ AND LISTEN TO THE STORY
Have you read the story?
Jack and his mother are very poor. One day he sells their cow - for some beans. His mother is very angry. What will they do now? Read and listen to this traditional story. There is a game for you to do while the story loads.
CLICK HERE TO READ AND LISTEN TO THE STORY
Have you read the story?
Goldilocks and the three bears (Rizos de oro y los tres ositos)
Goldilocks is a young girl. One day she is walking in the forest and she sees a house - and the door is open. What does Goldilocks find in the house?
CLICK HERE TO READ AND LISTEN TO THE STORY
Have you finished the story?
Goldilocks is a young girl. One day she is walking in the forest and she sees a house - and the door is open. What does Goldilocks find in the house?
CLICK HERE TO READ AND LISTEN TO THE STORY
Have you finished the story?
Source: British council
29/11/08
Traditional Songs for our younger students
Incy Wincy is a spider.
Listen to a song about Incy Wincy
in the rain and the sunshine, and make an Incy Wincy mobile for your room.
Print the words to this song (407KB)
Print an activity to do with this song (160KB)
What animals has Old MacDonald got on his farm? What noise do they make? Listen to the song and find out.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OLD MACDONALD
Have you listened to the song?
Practise animal noises with a game
Find words about Old MacDonald in a wordsearch
Guess the words about Old MacDonald and save the monkey!
Print the words to this song (48KB)
Print an activity to do with this song (128KB)
Print answers (125KB)
if you're happy and you know know it
twinkle, twinkle, little star
Print the words to this song (238KB)
Hickory Dickory Dock
Print the words to this song (80KB)
Print an activity to do with this song (365KB)
(source: British council)
Listen to a song about Incy Wincy
in the rain and the sunshine, and make an Incy Wincy mobile for your room.
Print the words to this song (407KB)
Print an activity to do with this song (160KB)
What animals has Old MacDonald got on his farm? What noise do they make? Listen to the song and find out.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OLD MACDONALD
Have you listened to the song?
Practise animal noises with a game
Find words about Old MacDonald in a wordsearch
Guess the words about Old MacDonald and save the monkey!
Print the words to this song (48KB)
Print an activity to do with this song (128KB)
Print answers (125KB)
if you're happy and you know know it
twinkle, twinkle, little star
Print the words to this song (96KB)
What do you do in the morning? Do you brush your teeth?
Listen to a traditional song about the things that we do in the morning.
Print the words to this song (240KB)
Practise counting from one to ten with a song about
Print the words to this song (238KB)
Hickory Dickory Dock
Print the words to this song (80KB)
Print an activity to do with this song (365KB)
(source: British council)
26/11/08
Today is Thanksgiving Day / Acción de Gracias en Los Estados Unidos
History about...
Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, at the end of the harvest season, is an annual American Federal holidayto express thanks for one's material and spiritual possessions. The period from Thanksgiving Day to New Year's Day often is called the holiday season . Most people celebrate by gathering at home with family or friends for a holiday feast. Though the holiday's origins can be traced to harvest festivals that have been celebrated in many cultures since ancient times, the American holiday has religious undertones related to the deliverance of the English settlers by Native Americans after the brutal winter at Plymouth, Massachusetts.
The first recorded Thanksgiving ceremony took place on September 8, 1565, when 600 Spanish settlers, under the leadership of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, landed at what is now St. Augustine, Florida, and immediately held a Mass of Thanksgiving for their safe delivery to the New World; there followed a feast and celebration. As the La Florida colony did become part of the United States, this can be classified as the first Thanksgiving.
Since 1947, or possibly earlier, the National Turkey Federation has presented the President of the United States with one live turkey and two dressed turkeys, in a ceremony known as the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation. The live turkey is pardoned and lives out the rest of its days on a peaceful farm. While it is commonly held that this pardoning tradition began with Harry Truman in 1947, the Truman Library has been unable to find any evidence for this. The earliest on record is with George H. W. Bush in 1989.
Foods of the season: Stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet corn, other fall vegetables, and pumpkin pie are commonly associated with Thanksgiving dinner. All of these primary dishes are actually native to the Americas or were introduced as a new food source to the Europeans when they arrived.
Future Thanksgiving dates 2008–2014
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Friday after Thanksgiving
The Friday after Thanksgiving, although not a Federal holiday, is often a company holiday for many in the U.S. workforce, except for those in retail. It is also a day off for most schools. The Friday after Thanksgiving, colloquially known as Black Friday, is usually the start of the Christmas shopping season.
(Source Wikipedia)
Questions:
1. When is celebrated Thanksgiving?
2. When did take place the first recorded Thanksgiving?
3. Name three typical food in this Day.
4. What does happen to the turkey which is presented to the President?
5. What is interesting about the Friday after Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, at the end of the harvest season, is an annual American Federal holidayto express thanks for one's material and spiritual possessions. The period from Thanksgiving Day to New Year's Day often is called the holiday season . Most people celebrate by gathering at home with family or friends for a holiday feast. Though the holiday's origins can be traced to harvest festivals that have been celebrated in many cultures since ancient times, the American holiday has religious undertones related to the deliverance of the English settlers by Native Americans after the brutal winter at Plymouth, Massachusetts.
The first recorded Thanksgiving ceremony took place on September 8, 1565, when 600 Spanish settlers, under the leadership of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, landed at what is now St. Augustine, Florida, and immediately held a Mass of Thanksgiving for their safe delivery to the New World; there followed a feast and celebration. As the La Florida colony did become part of the United States, this can be classified as the first Thanksgiving.
Since 1947, or possibly earlier, the National Turkey Federation has presented the President of the United States with one live turkey and two dressed turkeys, in a ceremony known as the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation. The live turkey is pardoned and lives out the rest of its days on a peaceful farm. While it is commonly held that this pardoning tradition began with Harry Truman in 1947, the Truman Library has been unable to find any evidence for this. The earliest on record is with George H. W. Bush in 1989.
Foods of the season: Stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet corn, other fall vegetables, and pumpkin pie are commonly associated with Thanksgiving dinner. All of these primary dishes are actually native to the Americas or were introduced as a new food source to the Europeans when they arrived.
Future Thanksgiving dates 2008–2014
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Friday after Thanksgiving
The Friday after Thanksgiving, although not a Federal holiday, is often a company holiday for many in the U.S. workforce, except for those in retail. It is also a day off for most schools. The Friday after Thanksgiving, colloquially known as Black Friday, is usually the start of the Christmas shopping season.
(Source Wikipedia)
Questions:
1. When is celebrated Thanksgiving?
2. When did take place the first recorded Thanksgiving?
3. Name three typical food in this Day.
4. What does happen to the turkey which is presented to the President?
5. What is interesting about the Friday after Thanksgiving?
25/11/08
It's pointless learning Slang, Idioms and lots of vocabulary if we don't know the basic verb tenses, we'll revise The Present Perfect Simple
Present Perfect Simple
FORM
[has/have + past participle]
Examples:
You have seen that movie many times.
Have you seen that movie many times?
You have not seen that movie many times.
USE 1:
Unspecified Time Before Now
We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important.
You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc.
We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.
Examples:
Have you read the book yet?
Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?
Have you read the book yet?
Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?
USE 2:
Duration From the Past Until Now
Examples:
I have had a cold for two weeks.
She has been in England for six months.
Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.
I have had a cold for two weeks.
She has been in England for six months.
Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.
EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS
Verb Tense Exercise 5 Simple Past and Present Perfect
Verb Tense Exercise 6 Simple Past and Present Perfect
Verb Tense Exercise 12 Simple Past, Present Perfect, and Past Perfect 
21/11/08
A list of Common Mistakes in Written English (1) Prepositions
Common mistakes with Prepositions:
wrong use of ‘at’ after ‘come’:
‘They come home’
‘We can follow the evolution of her state of mind through the description of the house’
wrong use of ‘‘with’ instead of ‘to’:
‘Daisy is married to Tom’
wrong use of ‘to’ instead of ‘with’
‘The problem I am confronted with’
wrong use of ‘during’ instead of ‘for’:
‘She has not seen her son for eight years’
wrong use of ‘since’ instead of ‘for’:
‘They have known each other for eight years’
wrong use of ‘in the whole of’ instead of ‘throughout’:
‘throughout the story…’
wrong use of ‘in’ instead of ‘inside’ :
‘She is unaware of the conflict happening inside her’
wrong use of ‘in’ instead of ‘into’:
‘She only wants to get into her son’s room’
wrong use of ‘as’ instead of ‘like’:
‘She felt like a stranger’
wrong use of ‘of’ instead of ‘with’:
‘They cause Mrs Carnavon to be disgusted with herself’
wrong use of ‘of’ instead of ‘by’:
‘In this story by Doris Lessing…’
wrong use of ‘of’ instead of ‘for’:
‘I think there are two reasons for the fact that she decides to clear the room’
‘She feels confused, and the reason for this is to be found in…’
wrong use of ‘that’ instead of ‘as’:
‘The second waiter feels the same as the old man’
wrong use of ‘to’ instead of ‘with’ after ‘confront’:
‘They are confronted with an inextricable situation’
wrong use of ‘to’ instead of ‘at’ after ‘arrive’:
‘She must arrive at a decision’
wrong use of ‘explain’ without ‘to’:
‘This story explains to us how we must look beyond the appearance of things’
wrong use of ‘say’ without ‘to’:
‘He said to him/told him that he liked the house’
wrong use of ‘present’ without ‘with’:
‘John O’Hara presents us with the evolution of a mother’s state of mind’
wrong use of ‘at’ after ‘come’:
‘They come home’
‘We can follow the evolution of her state of mind through the description of the house’
wrong use of ‘‘with’ instead of ‘to’:
‘Daisy is married to Tom’
wrong use of ‘to’ instead of ‘with’
‘The problem I am confronted with’
wrong use of ‘during’ instead of ‘for’:
‘She has not seen her son for eight years’
wrong use of ‘since’ instead of ‘for’:
‘They have known each other for eight years’
wrong use of ‘in the whole of’ instead of ‘throughout’:
‘throughout the story…’
wrong use of ‘in’ instead of ‘inside’ :
‘She is unaware of the conflict happening inside her’
wrong use of ‘in’ instead of ‘into’:
‘She only wants to get into her son’s room’
wrong use of ‘as’ instead of ‘like’:
‘She felt like a stranger’
wrong use of ‘of’ instead of ‘with’:
‘They cause Mrs Carnavon to be disgusted with herself’
wrong use of ‘of’ instead of ‘by’:
‘In this story by Doris Lessing…’
wrong use of ‘of’ instead of ‘for’:
‘I think there are two reasons for the fact that she decides to clear the room’
‘She feels confused, and the reason for this is to be found in…’
wrong use of ‘that’ instead of ‘as’:
‘The second waiter feels the same as the old man’
wrong use of ‘to’ instead of ‘with’ after ‘confront’:
‘They are confronted with an inextricable situation’
wrong use of ‘to’ instead of ‘at’ after ‘arrive’:
‘She must arrive at a decision’
wrong use of ‘explain’ without ‘to’:
‘This story explains to us how we must look beyond the appearance of things’
wrong use of ‘say’ without ‘to’:
‘He said to him/told him that he liked the house’
wrong use of ‘present’ without ‘with’:
‘John O’Hara presents us with the evolution of a mother’s state of mind’
This tool is really useful... in Learning English
Spellchecker.net is a web which allos you to check everything you write: Spelling, Grammar mistakes, vocabulary... In that way you can improve your English by your own. This resource will check your texts as if you had a personal teacher by your side!! Recomendamos esta página web para comprobar vuestras oraciones y textos en Inglés, este programa corrige y proporciona sugerencias a la hora de traducir un texto al Inglés. Nos dice si la oración es gramatical, si hay algún fallo de Spelling, etc.
11/11/08
Leona Lewis
LEONA LEWIS__________BETTER IN TIME
More music to learn English!! can you translate it?
LEONA LEWIS PROFILE
Name: Leona Louise LewisKnown As: Leona Lewis
Date of Birth: 01/04/1985
Age: 23
Place of Birth: Islington, London
Marital Status: Long-term Relationship
About:
Leona Lewis was born in Islington, London in 1985 to Joe and Marie. She is the middle child of three, with two brothers, Kyle and Bradley. They grew up in Highbury and went to school at Ambler Primary School in Finsbury Park. Leona wrote her first song at the age of 12, and at the age of 13, she won the Lady D under-18 talent show at the Hackney Empire. She attended the Sylvia Young Stage School and the Brit academy. Although her big passion is singing, she is also a keen dancer and actor. Before auditioning for The X Factor, Lewis recorded an album of her own songs called Twilight, but the album was never released.
Leona lives in Hackney. She has been with her fiancé for over 4 years. Prior to winning The X Factor she worked as a receptionist for a chiropody surgery in Stoke Newington High Street. She also worked in Pizza Hut as a waitress.Leona Lewis won the X Factor in 2006 and her single, "A Moment Like This," broke a world record after it was downloaded fifty thousand times in thirty minutes. The single was also the 2006 Christmas number one.
Leona's second single, "Bleeding Love," was also extremely successful and reached number one in around seven countries and stayed at the top of the UK charts for seven weeks. Leona's debut album, "Spirit" became the UK's fastest selling debut album, and Ireland’s fastest selling album of all time.
Lyrics | Leona Lewis - Better In Time lyrics
More music to learn English!! can you translate it?
LEONA LEWIS PROFILE
Name: Leona Louise LewisKnown As: Leona Lewis
Date of Birth: 01/04/1985
Age: 23
Place of Birth: Islington, London
Marital Status: Long-term Relationship
About:
Leona Lewis was born in Islington, London in 1985 to Joe and Marie. She is the middle child of three, with two brothers, Kyle and Bradley. They grew up in Highbury and went to school at Ambler Primary School in Finsbury Park. Leona wrote her first song at the age of 12, and at the age of 13, she won the Lady D under-18 talent show at the Hackney Empire. She attended the Sylvia Young Stage School and the Brit academy. Although her big passion is singing, she is also a keen dancer and actor. Before auditioning for The X Factor, Lewis recorded an album of her own songs called Twilight, but the album was never released.
Leona lives in Hackney. She has been with her fiancé for over 4 years. Prior to winning The X Factor she worked as a receptionist for a chiropody surgery in Stoke Newington High Street. She also worked in Pizza Hut as a waitress.Leona Lewis won the X Factor in 2006 and her single, "A Moment Like This," broke a world record after it was downloaded fifty thousand times in thirty minutes. The single was also the 2006 Christmas number one.
Leona's second single, "Bleeding Love," was also extremely successful and reached number one in around seven countries and stayed at the top of the UK charts for seven weeks. Leona's debut album, "Spirit" became the UK's fastest selling debut album, and Ireland’s fastest selling album of all time.
Lyrics | Leona Lewis - Better In Time lyrics
Profesores CAL . Curso de Adaptación Lingüística para centros Bilingües
These expressions are addressed to those teachers who are teaching their subject( Maths, Biology, Social Science...) in the English language. I will add more expressions and tips in the following days.
LESSON NUMBER 2:
Classroom Language: Simple instructions
Here are some common instructions which the class can easily understand:
Come in.
Go out.
Stand up.
Sit down.
Come to the front of the class.
Stand by your desks.
Put your hands up.
Put your hands down.
Hold your books/pens up.
Show me your pencil.
A number of instructions can be used at the beginning of a session, and as the semester continues:
Pay attention, everybody.
You need pencils/rulers.
We'll learn how to ...
Are you ready?
Open your books at page ...
Turn to page ...
Look at acitivity five.
Listen to this tape.
Repeat after me.
Again, please.
Everybody ...
you have five minutes to do this.
Who's next?
Like this, not like that.
A number of instructions can be used at the end of a session, and as the semester continues:
It's time to finish.
Have you finsihed?
Let's stop now.
Stop now.
Let's check the answers.
Any questions?
Collect your work please.
Pack up your books.
Are your desks tidy?
Don't forget to bring your ... tomorrow.
Instructions can also be sequenced:
First
Next
After that
Then
Finally
Comprehension language:
Are you ready?
Are you with me?
Are you OK?
OK so far?
Do you get it?
Do you understand?
Do you follow me?
What did you say?
One more time, please.
Say it again, please.
I don't understand.
I don't get it.
Like this?
Is this OK?
LESSON NUMBER 2:
Classroom Language: Simple instructions
Here are some common instructions which the class can easily understand:
Come in.
Go out.
Stand up.
Sit down.
Come to the front of the class.
Stand by your desks.
Put your hands up.
Put your hands down.
Hold your books/pens up.
Show me your pencil.
A number of instructions can be used at the beginning of a session, and as the semester continues:
Pay attention, everybody.
You need pencils/rulers.
We'll learn how to ...
Are you ready?
Open your books at page ...
Turn to page ...
Look at acitivity five.
Listen to this tape.
Repeat after me.
Again, please.
Everybody ...
you have five minutes to do this.
Who's next?
Like this, not like that.
A number of instructions can be used at the end of a session, and as the semester continues:
It's time to finish.
Have you finsihed?
Let's stop now.
Stop now.
Let's check the answers.
Any questions?
Collect your work please.
Pack up your books.
Are your desks tidy?
Don't forget to bring your ... tomorrow.
Instructions can also be sequenced:
First
Next
After that
Then
Finally
Comprehension language:
Are you ready?
Are you with me?
Are you OK?
OK so far?
Do you get it?
Do you understand?
Do you follow me?
What did you say?
One more time, please.
Say it again, please.
I don't understand.
I don't get it.
Like this?
Is this OK?
10/11/08
High School Musical 3
High School Musical 3: Senior Year is the third installment in Disney's High School Musical film franchise. Its theatrical release in the United States began on October 24, 2008. Kenny Ortega returns as director and choreographer, as do all six primary actors.
This latest sequel follows high school seniors Troy and Gabriella, who are faced with the ultimate prospect of being separated from one another as they go off in different directions after graduating from East High. Joined by the rest of their Wildcat friends, they stage an elaborate spring musical reflecting their experiences, hopes, and fears about the future.
In its first 3 days, High School Musical 3: Senior Year grossed $42 million in North America and an additional $40 million overseas, breaking the record for the largest opening weekend for a musical film.
External links:
Lyrics | High School Musical 3 - Can I Have This Dance lyrics
High School Musical 3 : now or never
by topparents
Lyrics | High School Musical 3 - Now Or Never lyrics
Official site
High School Musical 3: Senior Year at the Internet Movie Database
High School Musical 3: Senior Year at Allmovie
High School Musical 3: Senior Year at Box Office Mojo
7/11/08
Compulsory Reading for 4 ESO (2nd Term)
Ellis Peters, A Morbid Taste for Bones
A Morbid Taste for Bones, the first chronicle of brother Cadfael, is the first medieval mystery in a series which narrates the adventures of Cadfael, an unusual monk who joined monastic life and the Benedictine abbey of Shrewsbury, England, late in life. Cadfael has lived an adventurous life: he has taken part to the Crusades and known many women, before deciding to take the vows as a form of retirement, looking for the quietude of monastic life and the industrious pleasure of gardening.
Soon the quietude is broken and adventure presents itself again to Cadfael, in the form of a strange illness and a dubious miracle. Brother Columbanus, prone to holy visions and of weak health, falls dramatically in the middle of chapter and seems unable to recover his senses thereafter. The following night, Brother Jerome, who would do anything to please prior Robert, the head of the abbey, has a convenient dream: Winifred, an obscure Welsh saint, will cure brother Columbanus, if he is brought to the place where the saint was beheaded. Everybody views this as an excellent omen, since prior Robert had been desperately looking for the unclaimed relics of a saint after a “rival” abbey had acquired their own.
One trip to Holywell restores Columbanus’s health. From then on, there is no reason to delay another trip to Gwytherin, in Wales, where the saint is buried, in order to claim her. Cadfael, who is Welsh himself, manages to be part of the voyage, and also obtains for Brother John, a young man whose vocation he questions, to come along. Once the congregation has obtained the authorization from both temporal and spiritual authorities, there is no impediment to their holy quest… or at least they think.
In the midst of passions raised by the holy bones, a death occurs, that will keep brother Cadfael guessing, enquiring and setting up traps in order to find the murderer. Among these proud and outspoken Welsh people, Cadfael will uncover hidden passions and secrets. In an age of piety and miracles, the truth will be harder to uncover without the help of forensic sciences, but Cadfael’s deductive mind and cunning will do the trick.
I really enjoyed A Morbid Taste For Bones. First of all because of the originality of the monk-detective and the XIIth century context (Umberto Eco has not invented the monk-detective: Cadfael was created 3 years before The Name of the Rose was published). Unlike The Name of the Rose, A Morbid Taste for Bones has no pretense at erudition, though it is full of accurate historical information. It is also full of humor and wit. Of course, it is not as satisfying as Eco’s masterpiece but it is an enjoyable reading nonetheless. It is also a good whodunit: not the best whodunit ever, but the ending presents an interesting complication.
I will definitely read more Brother Cadfael chronicles…
A Morbid Taste for Bones, the first chronicle of brother Cadfael, is the first medieval mystery in a series which narrates the adventures of Cadfael, an unusual monk who joined monastic life and the Benedictine abbey of Shrewsbury, England, late in life. Cadfael has lived an adventurous life: he has taken part to the Crusades and known many women, before deciding to take the vows as a form of retirement, looking for the quietude of monastic life and the industrious pleasure of gardening.
Soon the quietude is broken and adventure presents itself again to Cadfael, in the form of a strange illness and a dubious miracle. Brother Columbanus, prone to holy visions and of weak health, falls dramatically in the middle of chapter and seems unable to recover his senses thereafter. The following night, Brother Jerome, who would do anything to please prior Robert, the head of the abbey, has a convenient dream: Winifred, an obscure Welsh saint, will cure brother Columbanus, if he is brought to the place where the saint was beheaded. Everybody views this as an excellent omen, since prior Robert had been desperately looking for the unclaimed relics of a saint after a “rival” abbey had acquired their own.
One trip to Holywell restores Columbanus’s health. From then on, there is no reason to delay another trip to Gwytherin, in Wales, where the saint is buried, in order to claim her. Cadfael, who is Welsh himself, manages to be part of the voyage, and also obtains for Brother John, a young man whose vocation he questions, to come along. Once the congregation has obtained the authorization from both temporal and spiritual authorities, there is no impediment to their holy quest… or at least they think.
In the midst of passions raised by the holy bones, a death occurs, that will keep brother Cadfael guessing, enquiring and setting up traps in order to find the murderer. Among these proud and outspoken Welsh people, Cadfael will uncover hidden passions and secrets. In an age of piety and miracles, the truth will be harder to uncover without the help of forensic sciences, but Cadfael’s deductive mind and cunning will do the trick.
I really enjoyed A Morbid Taste For Bones. First of all because of the originality of the monk-detective and the XIIth century context (Umberto Eco has not invented the monk-detective: Cadfael was created 3 years before The Name of the Rose was published). Unlike The Name of the Rose, A Morbid Taste for Bones has no pretense at erudition, though it is full of accurate historical information. It is also full of humor and wit. Of course, it is not as satisfying as Eco’s masterpiece but it is an enjoyable reading nonetheless. It is also a good whodunit: not the best whodunit ever, but the ending presents an interesting complication.
I will definitely read more Brother Cadfael chronicles…
6/11/08
Jack
Due to the interest of my students I have posted this entry about Jack-o-lantern. Debido al enorme interés de mis alumnos con la historia de Jack-o-lantern, aquí tenéis un anticipo...History of the Jack-o-Lantern
People have been making jack-o-lanterns at Halloween for centuries. The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack." According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.
Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with it ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."
In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack’s lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o’lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack o’lanterns.
Source: The History Channelhttp://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/halloween/pumpkin.html
People have been making jack-o-lanterns at Halloween for centuries. The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack." According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.
Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with it ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."
In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack’s lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o’lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack o’lanterns.
Source: The History Channelhttp://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/halloween/pumpkin.html
4/11/08
Talking about the WEATHER (el Tiempo)
Talking about the weather:
Talking about the weather is an excellent way to start a conversation (speech starter) with new people. Hablar del tiempo siempre ha constituido una excelente excusa para empezar una conversación con desconocidos. A los británicos, en especial, les encanta hablar del tiempo, así que podemos practicar nuestro Inglés de esta manera. Más abajo he incluido algunas expresiones útiles para desarrollar una conversación.
The first thing you notice when talking about the weather in Spanish is the use of "hace" and "hay" whereas in English we use "to be"
EG: It is sunny = Hace sol (literally it makes sun)It is hot = Hace calorIt is very windy - Hace / Hay mucho viento.
Talking about the weather is an excellent way to start a conversation (speech starter) with new people. Hablar del tiempo siempre ha constituido una excelente excusa para empezar una conversación con desconocidos. A los británicos, en especial, les encanta hablar del tiempo, así que podemos practicar nuestro Inglés de esta manera. Más abajo he incluido algunas expresiones útiles para desarrollar una conversación.
The first thing you notice when talking about the weather in Spanish is the use of "hace" and "hay" whereas in English we use "to be"
EG: It is sunny = Hace sol (literally it makes sun)It is hot = Hace calorIt is very windy - Hace / Hay mucho viento.
Asking about the weather:
what’s the weather like? = "¿qué tiempo hace?" or "¿cómo está el tiempo?"
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS:
there’s been a change in the weather ------ha cambiado el tiempo.
it looks like it's going to rain-------parece que va a llover.
the bad weather is still with us-----seguimos con mal tiempo
weather permitting ----------si hace buen tiempo
I don’t like the look of the weather---------no me gusta cómo se está poniendo el tiempo
the bad weather is still with us-----seguimos con mal tiempo
weather permitting ----------si hace buen tiempo
I don’t like the look of the weather---------no me gusta cómo se está poniendo el tiempo
a clear sky/day------un cielo/día despejado
a cloudburst, a downpour --------un chaparrón
a hailstorm------una granizada a flash of lightning-------un relámpago
a flood -----------una inundación
a stormy day-------- un día tormentoso
a streak of lightning ---------un rayo
a sunny day ----------un día soleado
a thundercloud --------un nubarrón
to rain cats and dogs --llover a cántaros
dew --------el rocío
It's chilly today--------- hace fresquito hoy
fog -----la niebla
to ride out the storm --------capear el temporal
a weather vane ------una veleta
a heat wave-------- una ola de calor
hailstones ----------los granizos, las piedras de granizo
he was struck by lightning ------le cayó un rayo
it’s cloudy -------hace nubes or está nublado
it’s drizzling -------está lloviznando
it’s foggy ----------hay niebla
it’s raining ---------está lloviendo
it’s snowing --------está nevado
it’s windy ---------hace viento, está ventoso
scattered showers ---------chubascos aislados
the outlook for tomorrow --------la previsión del tiempo para mañana
to clear up -----------despejar
a cloudburst, a downpour --------un chaparrón
a hailstorm------una granizada a flash of lightning-------un relámpago
a flood -----------una inundación
a stormy day-------- un día tormentoso
a streak of lightning ---------un rayo
a sunny day ----------un día soleado
a thundercloud --------un nubarrón
to rain cats and dogs --llover a cántaros
dew --------el rocío
It's chilly today--------- hace fresquito hoy
fog -----la niebla
to ride out the storm --------capear el temporal
a weather vane ------una veleta
a heat wave-------- una ola de calor
hailstones ----------los granizos, las piedras de granizo
he was struck by lightning ------le cayó un rayo
it’s cloudy -------hace nubes or está nublado
it’s drizzling -------está lloviznando
it’s foggy ----------hay niebla
it’s raining ---------está lloviendo
it’s snowing --------está nevado
it’s windy ---------hace viento, está ventoso
scattered showers ---------chubascos aislados
the outlook for tomorrow --------la previsión del tiempo para mañana
to clear up -----------despejar
3/11/08
Tourism Australia
AUSTRALIA
The land area of Australia is 7.69 million square kilometres, making Australia only slightly smalle
r than the USA mainland.
r than the USA mainland.Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the mainland of the world's smallest continent, the major island of Tasmania and numerous other islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Neighbouring countries include Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia to the northeast, and New Zealand to the southeast. Australia is the only single country to occupy an entire continent.
Prior to European settlement in the late 1700s and early 1800s, the Australian mainland was inhabited by around 250 individual nations of indigenous Australians who lived sustainably on the land for around 40,000 years. After sporadic visits by fishermen from the north and then European discovery by Dutch explorers in 1606, the eastern half of Australia was later claimed by the British in 1770 and initially settled through penal transportation to the colony of New South Wales, commencing on 26 January 1788. As the population grew and new areas were explored, another five largely self-governing Crown Colonies were established during the 19th century.
On 1 January 1901, the six colonies became a federation, and the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. Since federation, Australia has maintained a stable liberal democratic political system and remains a Commonwealth realm. The capital city is Canberra, located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The population is just over 21.3 million, with approximately 60% of the population concentrated in and around the mainland state capitals of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
Travel Information:
MONEY
Here in Australia our currency is Australian Dollars (AUD). We also accept American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa, JCB and their affiliates.
Currency exchange is available at banks, hotels and international airports. Try this handy web tool for International Currency.
Currency exchange is available at banks, hotels and international airports. Try this handy web tool for International Currency.Health and Safety
Take advantage of our many beaches but always remember to follow basic water safety. Always swim or surf at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags which mark the safest area for swimming.The emergency number is 000.All travellers to Australia or any country should consider health insurance.
Communication
Our country code is 61. We have service for all mobile (cell) phones. Internet access is available at many Internet cafes, accommodation and libraries.Australia Post offices are usually open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and some are open on Saturday morning from 9am to 12pm.The electrical current in Australia is 220-240 volts, AC 50Hz. The Australian three‑pin power outlet is different from some other countries so you may need an adaptor.
Australia's domestic airlines provide extensive coverage allowing you to hop quickly between cities and sights. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, travel by rail or road. Australia has an enormous network of well-maintained roads and highways with some of the most beautiful road touring in the world
Australia's domestic airlines provide extensive coverage allowing you to hop quickly between cities and sights. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, travel by rail or road. Australia has an enormous network of well-maintained roads and highways with some of the most beautiful road touring in the world
Shopping
Shopping plays a large part of travelling. Whether you are shopping or sightseeing, there is always a place to shop or purchase souvenirs. In Australia you are covered by Australia's consumer protection laws which require businesses to treat you fairly.
Accessible Travel
If you have a disability and are planning to explore Australia, there is a host of services and special deals to meet your needs. Make your travel agent aware of your needs and have a look at the NICAN site for in depth information on Australia meeting accessible travel needs. The Australia For All website allows visitors to search for accommodation and tourism venues which cater for the requirements of people with disabilities.
Climate
The Australian summer from Dec-Feb is warm and sunny and you
can enjoy lazy days on the beach and typical Aussie meals cooked on the barbecue. Summer is the rainy season in our tropical regions in the north that brings our lush rainforests to life. Spring and autumn are mild and are the best seasons for bush walks and discovering nature. The Australian winter Jun-Aug is generally mild, but offers snow on the snow fields in the southern mountain regions. At the same time our northern states have balmy 24 degrees Celsius temperatures.
Sites and Webs to find information about tourism in Australia:
Páginas de interés:
Este post está creado para ayudar a mis alumnos de 4 ESO con el project de cultura Inglesa. I hope it's been of help.
2/11/08
50 adjectives to describe the personality
50 Adjetivos para describir a las personas
ambitious ambicioso
annoying pesado
argumentative, quarrelsome discutidor
bad-tempered malhumorado
big-headed creído, engreído
bitchy de mala leche, venenoso;
brave valiente
cantankerous cascarrabias
carefree despreocupado
careless descuidado, poco cuidadoso
cautious prudente, cauteloso, cauto;
charming encantador
cheerful alegre, jovial;
conceited, full of oneself presumido
conservative conservador
conventional convencional
cowardly cobarde
crazy, nuts loco, chiflado
cruel cruel
dull, boring soso, aburrido
flirtatious coqueta
friendly amigable, simpático, agradable
generous generoso
hard-working trabajador
honest honesto
kind amable
laid-back tranquilo, relajado
lazy perezoso, vago
loyal fiel
mean tacaño
modest modesto
moody de humor cambiante
naive ingenuo, inocentón
naughty (children) malo, travieso (niños)
narrow-minded: de mentalidad cerrada, intolerante;
pious piadoso
polite cortés, educado
proud orgulloso
reliable: he’s a very reliable person fiable, confiable: es una persona en la que se puede confiar
self-confident: to be self-confident seguro de sí mismo: tener confianza en sí mismo
selfish egoísta
sensible sensato, prudente;
sensitive sensible
shy - introverted tímido, vergonzoso - introvertido
strict estricto, severo, riguroso
stubborn terco, testarudo, tozudo
sympathetic (understanding) comprensivo
talkative conversador, hablador
trustworthy digno de confianza
two-faced falso
weird raro, extraño
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