World Book Day

World Book Day is a celebration of reading and books. The date marks the anniversary of the death of possibly the two greatest writers of all times,  Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare, as well as that of Garcilaso de la Vega.

Many students shared their favourite book with all of us

This year the prestigious Cervantes Prize was awarded to Spanish writer Juan Goytisolo. Many people, among them The King and Queen of Spain and many other important officials, were in Alacalá de Henares, Cervantes' birthplace. But they were not the only ones.
Can you recognize anyone else? (Fastforward to 11' 20")

Audiencia Abierta - 25/04/15

What is in the News?

What is going on in these pictures? What are they about?

1. Search the web, find out what each of them is about and then write a brief comment.

2. Now leave a comment on this blog about one of them.

What else is in the news? 
3. Browse these news websites, choose some stories that you find interesting and share them with your classmates.

CNN World

BBC World

BBC videos

Two stories by Oscar Wilde

The Happy Prince and The  Selfish Giant are two well-known stories by Irish writer Oscar Wilde. They are part of a collection of stories for children, The Happy Prince and Other Tales, published in 1888.


You can find both tales on BIBLIOMANIA 

Listen to The Happy Prince being read here.




The  Selfish Giant

Writing an Opinion Essay

When writing an opinion essay, it is important to present your ideas and thoughts in an organized way.These two videos will help you.







Examples and extra practice
 
 An Opinion Essay

Opinion essays. Connectors.

Linkers and connectors

More connectors exercises

Happy New Year!

Chinese New year, China's most important holiday, is celebrated by one in six people in the world. This year they welcome the year of the goat . Or is it the year of the sheep?


The Chinese zodiac follows a twelve year cycle, each of the years being named after an animal. Find out which animal you are here

You can wish people a happy new year by saying “Xin Nian Kuai Le” in Mandarin or “San Nin Faai Lok” in Cantonese.
So to everyone in class and especially to Peyton Tan and María Du, “Xin Nian Kuai Le”






  Do you want to learn more about the Chinese New Year?

Describing a Photo

Here are some useful links to practice describing pictures

British Council speaking Exams. Describing a photo. Click here.

Describing a photo from Angela Ruiz Montero


 

Comparing two pictures  (FCE)

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

A tour around Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London

1. Is The Globe Shakespeare's original theatre?
2. Where does it get its name from?
3. Why weren't plays performed at night?
4. What were the groundlings?
5. Were there many women actors?
6. What did the church call the theatre?
7. Why is underwear mentioned?
8. Which were the most expensive seats?
9. What three elements are represented?
10. What took eight years? Why?

I Wish I Could Live There...

Your next speaking assignment

Think of your favourite place (town, village,...)

• Show us a photo  
• Describe it 
• Explain why you would like to live there 

Dates: Fridays 5th and 12th of December