Thursday 13 December 2012

In Montmartre, Paris, Mon amour!

In front of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Paris, Ile-de-France, in a Romanesque-Byzantine architectural style.

All girls in Canterbury 2012

Wednesday 12 December 2012

VIDEO practice

 Here you can find lots of videos to practise your listening and maybe your speaking , too. Don't worry if you don't understand everything! You can read the scripts if you click on the right.Good luck!!
http://www.elllo.org/english/video.htm

Listening Practise


If you wish to listen to different situations.  Now you have no excuse! This is a link full of them: http://www.esl-lab.com/

Sunday 2 December 2012

Grammar explanation: The present perfect

1. For actions totally finished in the past we use PAST SIMPLE.
2. For experiences and actions which still have an effect or influence in the present,
we use PRESENT PERFECT.

     PRESENT PERFECT + ever / yet / already / just
                     
A. Have you ever been to London?          Yes, I have.
                                                                Yes, I went to London last year.
B. Have you finished yet?  
    No, I haven't finished yet.
    Yes, I have already  finished.

C. I've just finished.

Notice:
  • Ever ( Middle position in questions) (alguna vez)
  • Yet (Final position in questions and negative) (ya, aún, todavía)
  • Already (Middle position in affirmative) (ya)
  • Just (Middle position in affirmative) (acabo de ...)

Wednesday 28 November 2012

The comparative and the superlative


This is a summary of the comparison of adjectives. Now practise writing some comparisons.

EXERCISE: 
1. Compare 2 elements (Superiority and inferiority): A monkey and an elephant.
2. Compare 2 elements (Equality): A lion and a tiger.
3. Compare 3 elements (Superlative): A monkey, an elephant and a tiger.

DIRECTIONS on the road


Excuse me, how can I get to the cinema, please?
Excuse me, can you tell me the way to the hospital, please?
Excuse me, is there a chemist near here?
Excuse me, I’m looking for the Official School of Languages. 
Can you tell me where it is?


Go out (of the hotel)/ Outside the hotel, turn left/right
Go straight (ahead) on/ down Canarias Avenue
Go along this street
Go across the level crossing (paso elevado)/ bridge/ 
subway (paso subterráneo)
Go down / up the street / the road
Go round the roundabout and take the first exit.
Go past the traffic lights / the pedestrian crossing/ roundabout.

Turn right/left into Oxford Street
Take the first/second turning on the right/ left
It’s the third street on the right
It’s three blocks / a few buildings   ahead
And it’s the first building on the right/left

And it’s there, opposite the bank / in front of you
Between the bank and the dental clinic/ next to the church

Slow down // Give way// Pull over (detenerse en el arcén) 
Hurry up//
Take the left/ middle/ right  lane (carril)
Pass / Overtake the slow cars (adelantar)
Find a parking place in a car park (BrE)/parking lot (AmE) 
rest area // park-and-ride

Tuesday 27 November 2012

Vocabulary: Asking for directions

Click on the picture to read vocabulary about directions.

Monday 26 November 2012

Video: Asking for and giving DIRECTIONS

Click on the map to see the video:


Sunday 7 October 2012

Game: PAST verbs


This is a game to practise irregular past verbs.
Click on the image. GAME: PAST VERBS

Tuesday 2 October 2012

Vocabulary: "At the airport"


Here you can find a long list of vocabulary. Choose ONLY what you need. Click on the image above.


Sunday 30 September 2012

VIDEO: "At the airport"












Watch this video session:
Video: "At the airport"

Thursday 27 September 2012

Useful expressions: At the airport



Questions you will hear at the check-in counter: 
Ticket please.
May I see your ticket?
Do you have an e-ticket?
Do you have some photo ID?
How many bags are you checking?
Did you pack these bags yourself?
Do you have a carry-on bag? (a bag or purse to take on the airplane)
Do you require special assistance? (example a “wheelchair”)
Have you paid your airport improvement fee/tax?
Would you like a window or an aisle seat? (aisle is pronounced “eye + l”)

Problems you may hear: 
Your baggage is overweight. (Remove some contents or pay a fine.)
Your carry-on luggage is too large.
Your flight is delayed. (It’s late.)
Your flight has been cancelled. (You must rebook a new flight)
Your connecting flight/connection has been cancelled/is delayed.
Your ticket is expired.
Your passport is expired.

Commands and questions at the Security Checkpoint: 
Boarding pass, please.
ID please. (show your photo ID)
Spread your arms out please. (Put your arms up and out to the sides of your body)
Take your shoes off.
Open your bag.
Take off/remove your belt.
Do you have any change in your pockets?
Do you have any metals?
Do you have any food/produce?
Do you have any liquids or medicine?
Walk through.
You must dump all food or beverages. (You can’t bring it through the gates.)

Questions YOU may need to ask: 
Is my flight on time?
When should I be at the gate?
Where is the boarding gate?
Where is the washroom?
Can I get a window seat?
Is there somewhere to eat?
Can I get a coffee at the gate?
Is my connection on time?
Where do I collect my baggage?
Where can I find a taxi?
Where is the departure gate?
Where is the arrival gate?
Where is the check-in desk for ….airlines?
Where is the domestics level?
Where is the international level?

Sunday 2 September 2012

List of Topics for Level 2


LEVEL 2:      NEF Pre-Interm TOPICS             WRITING                         ORAL*     
1.    Family. (Pres.S, Pres. Cont, Relative pron.)
a.    Introducing each other
b.    Family matters*                                  - Correct e-mail                     
c.    Describing pictures*                                                              
d.    Definitions of words
e.    At the airport.                                                                  - Pwk dialogue
2.    Holidays.  (Past S., Past Cont.,connectors)                                                                                 
a.    Describing places*                                                                 
b.    Describing events
c.    Pop music.
d.    Telling stories*                                   - Hand in pwk photo (U.2+4)
e.    At the hotel.                                                                      - Pwk dialogue
3.    Stories. (Pres. Cont., Going to, Will)
a.    Plans*              
b.    Predictions
c.    Promises, offers, decisions               - Hand in gwk infml letter
d.    Dreams.                                                       
e.    Restaurant problems.                                                        - Pwk dialogue
4.    Everyday life.  (Pres. Perf. + ever, just, yet, already; Comparatives + Superlatives)
a.    Clothes*
b.    Family conflicts.
c.    Living faster.
d.    Describing cities*                              - Pwk Comparisons
e.    Giving directions.                                                                - Pwk dialogue
5.    Feeling good.  (Verbs + to / -ing, have to, must, prep of movement)
a.    Parties.                                              
b.    Likes*
c.    Learning.                                           - Hand in pwk fml e-mail
d.    Sports*             
e.    At a department store.                                                        - Pwk dialogue
6.    Taking decisions.  (If + will, if + past, should, may, might)
a.    Murphy’s law.
b.    Surviving.
c.    Decisions*                                                                             
d.    Advice*                                            - Hand in gwk opinion essay (U. 8)
e.    At the pharmacy.                                                                  - Pwk dialogue
7.    Fears, inventions.  (Present perf + for, since, used to, passive)
a.    Fears
b.    Biographies                                                                          
c.    Inventions.
d.    Trips. Describing a building.                                                                                                                       
8.    Your body.  (Something, quantifiers, so/neither + aux.)
a.    On the phone.                                                                      
b.    Giving your opinion.                          - Hand in gwk opinion essay 
TIMING:
Sept-Oct:       unit 1                                      Oct:             unit 2 
Nov-Dec:        units 3-4                                  Jan:             unit 4
Feb:               units 5 - 6                               March:          units 6 - 7
April:              unit 8                                      May:            unit 9

Monday 21 May 2012

SONGS by Adele

Would you like to listen to some songs by the British singer Adele? Click on these links:

"Rolling in the deep": http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=eZiCNWgmrkc

and also here. "Someone like you": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5w5v6jzU0Y&feature=player_detailpage

and here, as well. "One and only": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDpkkdFdAyc&feature=player_detailpage

Here you are a "Love song": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2PVh4OifVU&feature=player_detailpage

"Make you feel my love": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WR3JyTCb_k&feature=player_detailpage

Want more? "Don't you remember?": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFGxSP-21ko&feature=player_detailpage

"Set fire to the rain": http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=_Gam_xkCrts


At M&M's in London

A memorable trip to London, Bruges and Paris in 2012, clockwise with Judith, Marta, Ángeles, Montse, Guaci, Carlota, Sita and me in the middle.

Tuesday 31 January 2012

Conversation at a restaurant

Do you need more practise? Click on this link to see an American conversation at a restaurant:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxd6LshVU8A&feature=player_detailpage

Monday 23 January 2012

Expressions: At the restaurant


To start:
-       Have you got a reservation? / Have you booked a table?    - Yes, we have.
-       We have a reservation under the name of Mr Smith.
-       Have you got a table for two, please? / A table for two, please
-       Certainly! Follow me, please / This way, please/ This is your table
-       Can I make a reservation for tomorrow, please?   
-       Certainly! / Yes, of course.
-       Can I have the menu, please?    – Here you are, Sir / Madam.

-       Are you ready to order? / Can I take the order, please?    - Yes, please.
-       Would you like to order now?     - Yes, please.
-       What would you like to drink
-       Would you like anything to drink? 
-       I’d like some mineral water/ fizzy water/ a glass of Rioja red wine, please.
-       Can I have a glass of water, please?     - Certainly! / Here you are!

To go on:
-       What would you like to eat?
-       What would you like for starter/ main course/ dessert?

-       I’ll have the steak, please.
-       Fried chicken for me, please.
-       How would you like your steak, Sir / Madam?
-       Rare, medium or well done?
-       I asked for my steak well done, please
-       I’ll change it / I’ll get you another one.
-       I’ll send it back to the kitchen.
-       Here you are another one, Madam/Sir.

-       What kind of pizza would you like?        - A pizza Margherita, please.
-       Could I have some more bread?    - Straight away. Here you are, Sir / Madam.
-       Would you like a coffee?    - Yes, a white / black coffee, please.
-       Is everything alright? / Did you enjoy the meal, Sir?

To finish:
-       Can I have the bill, please? / Could I have the check (American), please?
-       I’m buying / This is on me.
-       It’s very kind of you.
-       These shots are on the house.
-       How are you paying, Sir / Madam?
-       Can I pay by visa?  or in cash?    
-       You can pay by visa if you wish, Madam.
-       Can you sign here, please?     - Yes.
-       Here you are your credit card, Sir / Madam.    – Thanks.
-       Take the tip, please.    – Thank-you very much!

-       We hope you’ve enjoyed the meal.     – Yes, it was delicious!
-       Thanks for your visit.   – Thank-you!
-       Have a nice day!    - You too. Thanks!
-       See you soon!     - Good bye! 

Now Click on these to see a video: