Wednesday, December 18, 2013

2º Bto. Presentations

There will be four groups in each class:
GROUP 1. Conditional  Clauses

Definition, commas, examples
Zero & first conditional.
Second & third conditional.
Mixed conditionals.
Linkers: if/ unless/ as long as/ provided that / providing that…
Wishes.

GROUP 2. Reported Speech.

Definition and examples.
Changes: verbs, pronouns, adverbs
Statements and commands.
Questions: yes/ no and wh-questions.
Suggestions
Reporting verbs and structures (students’ book)

GROUP 3. Relative Clauses.

Definition and types.
Relative pronouns and adverbs
Defining Relative Clauses. Definition , pronouns, commas?, etc…
Omission of the relative.
Non-defining Relative Clauses. Definition, pronouns, commas? etc…
What ,whose and whom
-ing and –ed clauses.

GROUP 4. The Passive.

Definition. Explanation with an example.
Verb changes (from active to passive)
The passive with two objects.
The impersonal passive. (two different ways)
Supposed to
Have sth done.


Sunday, December 1, 2013

WRITING A PROS AND CONS ESSAY

Instructions

1.   Begin your essay by introducing your topic and explaining that you are exploring the advantages and disadvantages of this topic. You do not need a thesis because this is not a persuasive-paper. You aren't proving anything; you are simply giving informationIn articles and compositions, we may use any of the following techniques to make the beginning more interesting to the reader:
- a reference to an imaginary scene or situation
- addressing the reader directly
- a rhetorical question
- a quotation
2. The main body usually consists of two paragraphs. One presents the points for the issue, along with our justifications or examples. The other presents the points against the issue with supporting sentences.
  • -Write a list noting the advantages and disadvantages of your topic. Arrange them in the order you plan on writing them in your essay. Create a rough outline of your essay, including how many paragraphs you want and what you plan on writing for the conclusion.
  • - Use transitions when writing your essay. Do not start every sentence with the words, one advantage or one disadvantage. Use words like despite, nevertheless, yet, however and although. Keep your advantages and disadvantages grouped together. Write one or two paragraphs for each.

3. In the final paragraph we give our opinion and/or a balanced summary of the topic. To make the ending of the composition more effective, we can use one of the following techniques:
      - state a personal opinion
      - give the reader something to consider
      - use a quotation or rhetorical question
  • -Do not include opinion words (I believe, I think, etc) in the introduction or the main body of compositions, reports and articles.


In a discursive composition, ideas should be linked with appropriate linking words and phrases. Examples of these include:

To list and add points:
Firstly/In the first place/To start/begin with ...; Secondly/In addition/Furthermore/Moreover/Besides...; Thirdly/Finally/Last; Last but not least; etc

To introduce or list advantages:
The first/main/most important advantage of...;
One/Another/An additional advantage of ...;
One point of view in favour of...; It is often suggested/believed/argued that...;
Some/Many people suggest/feel/argue that...; etc

To introduce or list disadvantages:
The main/most important disadvantage/drawback of...; One/Another/An additional disadvantage/negative effect of...; One point/argument against; etc

To introduce examples/reasons/results:
For example/instance; such as; like; in particular; therefore; for this reason; because; as; since; as a result; etc

To show contrast:
On the other hand; However; still; but; Nonetheless; Nevertheless; Although; Even though; Despite/ In spite of (the fact that); etc

To introduce a conclusion:
In conclusion; To conclude/sum up; All in all; Finally; Last; All things considered; Taking everything into account/ consideration; etc

2º Bachillerato. Graded Readers: 2nd term

This term you could also choose between two different levels: 5 and 6.  Here are the books:



Thursday, November 14, 2013

Página Web Definitions 2

If you want further practise to review for your term test on grammar and vocabulary, click on the link
Tomorrow, Friday 15th November, I'll give you the sign-in names and passwords

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

HALLOWEEN 2013-14

Where does Halloween come from?

Nowadays everybody celebrates Halloween, but do we really know where this custom comes from?. Watching this video you will understand why people celebrate it.

 



The art of pumpkin carving. If you want to learn the process and do your own Jack o Lantern:






HALLOWEEN ON LINE GAMES
 
Game 1. Word search 1 
Game 2. Crossword Puzzle 

HALLOWEEN VIDEOS & EXERCISES

Watch a video and follow the steps. Click here.
Listening comprehension exercise. Upper Intermediate. Click here.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Differences between: Present Simple & Going to Future


DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS AND THE GOING TO FUTURE

 The Present Continuous is used to describe an event in the future which has already been arranged by the time of speaking.
e.g. They are visiting the Prado Museum next week.
=(They’ve got the tickets)
Compare this with the use of be going to:
e.g. They are going to visit a museum sometime next week.
=(The visit is not arranged yet, the focus is on their intention)
We usually use the Present Continuous for future events which involve other people and where we have made some form of commitment (eg. buying the tickets). However we can also use this tense for arrangements that don’t involve other people. In this case we see it as an “arrangement” the speaker makes him/herself.
e.g. I’m staying in tonight. I’ve got lots of paperwork to do.
The focus here is on the “arrangement”, i.e. there is no suggestion that the speaker wants to stay in, which is the case when we use “be going to”. Compare:
e.g. I’m going to stay in tonight. (focus on intention)
We also use the Present Continuous for impersonal plans:
e.g. Computer City has announced that it is opening four new shops next month.
We cannot use this tense with events which are beyond human control, e.g.  the weather, because these events are predictions, not intentions or arrangements.
e.g. It’s going to  rain tomorrow (not It’s raining tomorrow).
 (From Advanced Learner’s Grammar- Longman-)

Graded Readers for 1º ESO.Year 2013-14

This year we are going to read three books, one each term:











Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Enjoy your holiday but don't forget what you've learnt!

Summer is here after so much hard work!, but now we deserve a break.
 If you passed your English you still could do many things  to learn HAVING FUN: watch movies in original version, listen to your favourite songs and write the lyrics to sing them afterwards, find English-speaking people on the beach in your town or city and start a friendship, go to an English-speaking country for some time (if your parents can afford it). This will help you to keep your English updated..
If you want or need to work harder, remember:
-If you are in ESO: do your digital workbook again. You can also do the exercises  again in a new notebook.
-If you are in Bachillerato here is a link. But you can also work on the Macmillan website.Your teacher gave you a log-in and a password.
Bye guys and HAVE A NICE SUMMER!

Friday, June 21, 2013

EXAMEN DE AMPLIACIÓN DE INGLÉS 1º BACHILLERATO SEPTIEMBRE Y
ALUMNOS DE 2º DE BACHILLERATO QUE QUIERAN MATRICULARSE EN AMPLIACIÓN DE INGLÉS II Y NO LA HAYAN CURSADO EN 1º

Habrá una prueba escrita de vocabulario (unidades 1 a 11), dos audiciones y una prueba oral.
Para la prueba oral tendréis que preparar un speech.

-         Describing a photo
-         Talking about your life choices for the future.
-         Stating the advantages and disadvantages of studying abroad.
-         Talking about your hobbies.
-         Pros and cons of banning the advertising of violent toys to children.
Instructions:
-         You have to speak at least three minutes.
-         You have to develop the topic giving full explanations.


Los alumnos que no tuvieron esta asignatura en Primero de Bachillerato y ahora quieren cursarla en Segundo, tendrán que presentarse sólo a la prueba oral en Septiembre. Los contenidos son los enunciados arriba.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

ELIGE LA OPTATIVA: AMPLIACIÓN DE INGLÉS EN BACHILLERATO




If you really want to improve your English, choose Ampliación de Inglés. Watch this presentation before choosing your optional subject. Click here.

SEPTEMBER EXAM 2º BACHILLERATO

CONTENTS:

  1. TENSES.
  2. MODALS & PERFECT MODALS.
  3. –ED &-ING PARTICIPLES.
  4. INFINITIVES & GERUNDS.
  5. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
  6. WISH/ IF ONLY
  7. REPORTED SPEECH (statements, orders and questions)
  8. REPORTING VERBS.
  9. DEFINING & NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES.
  10. THE PASSIVE.(with two objects, the impersonal…)
  11. THE CAUSATIVE FORM: have sth. done.
  12. All the vocabulary (units 1 to 6)
  13. Writing

What can we change?




This is the project carried out by my 1º Ampliación de Inglés students'. They had to write a slogan, create a logo, say who the project is aimed at and what they would like to change. Great job guys!


Sunday, June 2, 2013

PAU JUNE 2013

 Here you have the information you will need to revise for your exam. Click on this link
 For the timetable, click here


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

DESDOBLES 1º ESO. UNIT 6

DESDOBLES 1º ESO. UNIT 6
1. Present Continuous. Exercise one
2. Present Continuous. Exercise two.
3. Present Continuous. Exercise three.
4. Present Continuous. Use.  Exercise four.
5. Contrast: Present Simple/ Present Continuous. Exercise one, two, three, four
6. Can / can't. Exercise one
7. Can /can't Exercise two.
8. Play, go or do. Exercise one, 
9. Play, go or do. Exercise two. 
10. Play, go or do. Exercise three.

DESDOBLES 1º ESO. UNIT 5

DESDOBLES 1º ESO. UNIT 5

 1. There is / are. Exercise one
2. There is / are. Exercise two..
3. There is/ are. Exercise three.
4. Put the sentences in order. Exercise four
5. There is/ are. Short answers. Exercise five.
6. Vocabulary: fittings and furniture. Exercise one.
7. Vocabulary:Matching. Exercise two
8. Vocabulary. Memory. Exercise three.
9. Much, much more more practice. Several exercises.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

2º Bachillerato Final Exam Contents.



  1. TENSES.
  2. MODALS & PERFECT MODALS.
  3. –ED &-ING PARTICIPLES.
  4. INFINITIVES & GERUNDS.
  5. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
  6. WISH/ IF ONLY
  7. REPORTED SPEECH (statements, orders and questions)
  8. REPORTING VERBS.
  9. DEFINING & NON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES.
  10. THE PASSIVE.(with two objects, the impersonal…)
  11. THE CAUSATIVE FORM: have sth. Done.


VOCABULARY:
  1. UNIT 4 ( pages 39&44)
  2. UNIT 5 (pages 49 &54)

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Asking & Giving Directions. Ampli 1º Bto.


Excuse me. How can I get to……..?
I’m sorry, I don’t know.
I’m a stranger here myself.
Thank you anyway.
Go through the ……….into ……….Street.
Turn left past the Town Hall.                                         
That’s the biggest/smallest building on the left.
You’ll see post office in front of you.
You can’t miss it.
Where is the entrance?
Is it far from here?
Just a few minutes on foot.

Excuse me. Where is the bus stop?
Is there a post office near here?
Over there, near the police station.
The chemist’s is on the right.
The bank is on the left.
Between the post office and the cafe.
In front of the shopping centre.
Behind the taxi rank.
Next to the car park.
Excuse me, can you tell me the way to………?


Go along Oxford Street.
Go straight on.
Turn right / turn left.
Turn right at the traffic lights.
Turn left at the roundabout.                         
Take the second turning on the right.           
First on the right.
It’s the second street on the left.
Go down the street. / Go up the street.
10 minutes by car/on foot.
5 minutes walk.
It’s no distance at all.

Now you can practice:

Exercises
1.- Read the dialogue and fill in the missing words.
·  Excuse me. How can I ………to St Mary’s Church?
I’m sorry, I don’t know. I’m a …………..here myself.
·  Thank you anyway.
Excuse me. Do you know ………….St Mary’s Church
is?
·  Yes. Go through the Golden Gate ……….Long
Street, and then ………….left past the Town Hall –
that’s the biggest building ………..the left. You’ll see
St Mary’s Church in ………….of you. You can’t miss
it, it’s enormous.
Fine. Where is the entrance?
·  ……………..the left.
Is it far ……………..here?
·  No, just a few minutes ………..foot.
Thank you very much.
·  You’re……………..

2.- Match the halves to make sentences.
1. Excuse me. How …..        a. I get there?
2. Is it far …..                     b. the bus stop?
3. Show me …..                  c. from here?
4. How can …..                   d. can I get to the centre?
5. Excuse me. Where is ….. e. near here?
6. Is the underground …..     f. on the map, please.

3.- Rearrange the sentences to make the dialogues.
A.
…..Certainly. Take the first street on the left, then the second on the right.
…..First on the left, second on the right...
…..Can you tell me the way to the post office, please?
…..That's right.
…..Excuse me!
…..Thanks a lot.
…..Yes?
B.
…..Thank you very much
…..Is it far from here?
…..Go down this road, then take the second street on the left.
…..Oh, no. It's just five minutes' walk.
. …..Excuse me. How can I get to the railway station, please?

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The Eco-friendly Saint Patrick's Day

As we did last year, we want to celebrate St. Patrick's Day but we don't want to forget our worries about the environment. So, as green is the colour of St. Patrick's, we GO GREEN.


-->
Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated each year on March 17th. In Ireland, Saint Patrick's Day is both a holy day and a national holiday.  Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland as he was the one who brought Christianity to the Irish.
According to legend, Saint Patrick used a shamrock to explain about God. The shamrock, which looks like clover, has three leaves on each stem.  Saint Patrick told the people that the shamrock was like the idea of the Trinity, that in the one God there are three divine beings: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The shamrock was sacred to the Druids, so Saint Patrick's use of it in explaining the trinity was very wise.
Although it began in Ireland, Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated in countries around the world. People with Irish heritage remind themselves of the beautiful green countryside of Ireland by wearing green and taking part in the festivities.
Saint Patrick's Day is usually celebrated with a parade. The one in Dublin, Ireland is known to some as the Irish Mardi Gras.  But the one in New York City is actually one of the biggest. It lasts for hours. Two Irish wolfhounds, the mascots of the New York National Guard infantry regiment the Fighting 69th, always lead the parade.  More than one hundred bands and a hundred thousand marchers follow the wolfhounds in the parade.

Saint Patrick and the Snakes:

Another tale about Patrick is that he drove the snakes from Ireland. Different versions of the story, tell of him standing upon a hill, using a wooden staff to drive the serpents into the sea, banishing them forever from Ireland.
One version says that an old serpent resisted banishment, but that Patrick outwitted him. Patrick made a box and invited the snake to enter. The snake insisted it was too small and the two argued. Finally to prove his point, the snake entered the box to show how tight the fit was. Patrick slammed the lid closed and threw the box into the sea.
Although it's true that Ireland has no snakes, this likely had more to do with the fact that Ireland is an island and being separated from the rest of the continent the snakes couldn't get there. The stories of Saint Patrick and the snakes are likely a metaphor for his bringing Christianity to Ireland and driving out the pagan religions (serpents were a common symbol in many of these religions).


SEE MY 4TH ESO STUDENTS' WIKI  FROM LAST YEAR . Click here



Thursday, March 7, 2013


International Womens Day


Tomorrow lots of women will celebrate the International Women's Day, unfortunately some others won't be able to do it. Let's hope things change for them.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Phrasal Verbs Game Two and Grammar Checker




 Click on the image and it will redirect you to Macmillan Dictionary and you can try your knowledge. There is also a useful grammar checker. Good Luck.
 If you have an i-pad or and i-phone, you can download the app The Phrasal Verbs Machine, freely




Thursday, January 31, 2013

Test your Spelling and Pronunciation



If you want to test your spelling and pronunciation try this website and surf to find what you really want.Click on this link

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

ORAL PRESENTATIONS IN 2º BACHILLERATO


Before you start writing and working on your presentations, have a look at my wiki, here you have: grammar reference, vídeos and power point presentations which can help you to do your own one.
Click HERE  and work hard.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

How to Write a Description of a Person


A descriptive essay is a form of academic writing that is built around a detailed description of a person, building, place, situation, notion, etc. The main purpose of a descriptive essay is to describe something in a vivid and particular manner, so that the readers can easily picture the described object, person or state, in their mind.

Steps for Writing a Descriptive Essay

1. Choose a subject on which you want to write and decide what, or who, you will describe.
2. Do an outline or a sketch, listing the facts, characteristics and peculiarities you will develop throughout your essay.
3. Gather information for the introductory paragraph, if necessary (in case you choose to write about a certain holiday, historical event, building, place or well-known figure).
4. Decide upon the main idea for each of your paragraphs in the Main Body section.
5. Write each of the paragraphs, starting from an introductory sentence and then going into details as you develop your thoughts.
6. Write a conclusion.
7. Lay your work aside for some time and then do a thorough proofreading.

Key Points to Consider

·     A descriptive essay, as with any other successfully written piece, needs to have a clear well-balanced structure. Normally, you should start with an Introduction of the object, person or place you plan to describe. You should specify your relation to the person, the location of the place, the purpose of the object, etc.
·      In the Main Body, you should focus on specific qualities of the chosen subject, and go into details of each of the most peculiar qualities in the following paragraphs. For instance, if you chose to write about a person, you could include a paragraph about their appearance, another one about their personality, traits and justification, and the third paragraph of the main body can be about the person’s hobbies, talents and interests.
·         Your Conclusion should focus on your personal feelings about the chosen subject, justifying why it had such an influence on you that you decided to write about it.
·      A descriptive essay focuses on details, so make sure to be specific in your descriptions. Including as many colorful adjectives as you can is always a good idea. Another tip is to introduce some peculiar facts, situations and words that you associate with the person, place or object you are describing. The more innovative and unique you get, the better.
·        When going into the details of your description, group similar and opposing qualities together to make your writing sound more versatile. For similar qualities, use “also”, “as well as”, “in addition to”; for opposite qualities use “”at the same time”, “in spite of this”, “nevertheless”, “although”, “however”.

Dos and Don’ts

Dos
- Do use a variety of connective words to make your descriptions more logical and connect one idea with another.
- Do use comparisons to make your descriptions more vivid and brighter. For example, when describing an object, say what its shape reminds you off; when talking about a person, compare their characteristics with that of an animal, flower, or whatever you associate with the person.
- Do use your emotions, analyze how you feel about the described person, place or object and do not be afraid to include your subjective opinion.
- Do be creative in your descriptions.
- Do not be afraid to approach your description from an innovative angle.
- Do use a variety of techniques to express your thoughts: build your ideas into subjective clauses and compound sentences.
Don’ts
- Don’t begin all your sentences in a similar way as it will make your essay sound boring and template-like.
- Don’t switch from present tense to the past and back. If you chose to describe an event that occurred in the past (your visit to some place, a person you used to be close with etc.), then only write in the past tense throughout your essay. Similarly, if you chose to describe everything in the present or future form, be consistent throughout.
- Don’t write too generally or too sketchily. Go underneath the surface in your descriptions to make your essay sound more realistic.
- Don’t write about everything you can think of. Whether it is a person or building that you chose to describe, think of the most peculiar and interesting characteristics that distinguish and highlight this particular person or building for you.
-Don’t focus on what is generally known, believed or considered about your subject. Write about things that matter to you personally.

Common Mistakes

·                   Absence of a general idea. Your essay should focus around one main idea that needs to be transparent. Students often forget about this rule and get lost in separate striking descriptions, which make the whole essay sound abrupt and inconsistent.
·                   Usage of too many banal and trivial adjectives which make your writing sound mediocre. Instead, try to describe the object or person from a personal perspective, using your emotions and feelings.
·                   Applying an out-and-out approach when you include negative adjectives in your description. Try to use mild language in such cases. For example, you can replace “John is arrogant” with “John can sometimes be rather arrogant”.

Thanks to Academic Help


Tuesday, January 8, 2013

EXAM DATES FOR B 2º B & C, 2ND TERM

READING TEST (Far from the Madding Crowd)

B2ºC - Tuesday, 15th January 2013
B2ºB-Wednesday, 16th January 2013

WRITING TEST ( For and Against &  Descriptions )

B2ºC - Tuesday, 5th February 2013
B2ºB-Wednesday, 6th February 2013

GRAMMAR TEST 

B2ºC - Tuesday, 12th February 2013
B2ºB-Wednesday, 13th February 2013

2ºB January 2013
8th (planning the grammar presentations), 9th(vocabulary one and reading unit 3), 14th (How to write a description), 15th (writing a description in class-practice), 16th (reading test), 21st( vocabulary two unit 3), 22nd (Conditionals and Wishes Presentation), 23rd (Practice on Conditionals and Wishes), 29th (Conditional Clauses- teacher's review), 30th ( Practice on Conditionals)
February 2013
4th (Relative Clauses, students' presentation), 5th (Relaltive Clauses, teacher's review). Further practice on Conditionals and Relative Clauses), 6th (Writing test), 11th( further practice on Relative Clauses), 12th (Vocabulary i & ii, unit 5), 13th (2nd term:Grammar & vocabulary exam).

2ºC January 2013
8th(planning the grammar presentations)(vocabulary one unit 3), 9th( reading unit 3), 10th (How to write a description), 15th (reading test) 16th(writing a description in class)-practice), 17th( vocabulary two unit 3), 22nd (Conditionals and Wishes Presentation), 23rd (Practice on Conditionals and Wishes), 24th (Further Practice and Progress check unit 3), 29th ( Practice on Conditionals).30th (Further practice on Conditionals) 31st (Relative Clauses, students' presentation)
February 2013
5th (Writing test), 6th (Practice on Relative Clauses), 7th (Vocabulary i &ii Unit 5), 12th (grammar test)