It's Christmas time!!!!

Do your remember our friend Jack and how he showed us about Halloween town?
Well, this time he has chosen the Christmas tree....have a look a what he finds

And of course, a Christmas classic, Let it snow!!!

Christmas party

Please, come to our Christmas Party. It will take place on Thursday 17th December at the Assambley Hall (salón de actos).
Starting at 19.00 you will find food, drinks, quizzes and Christmas Carols!!!
 Plus someone mentioned Singstar!!! Ready to display your singing skills?????

Family is more than welcome.

Exam information

Oral Thursday 10th December

Reading+Listening+Writing Tuesday 15th December

for other dates check here.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DECEMBER ORAL EXAM
Students will be called every 15 minutes in pairs. You will recieve 2 different  handouts.
1) Monologue: you are expected to speak for 3 or 4 minutes on the topic on the card. You will find some questions to be used as guidelines.
2)Dialogue: you will be assigned a role in a conversation and you will be given some prompts that you are to follow and maintain a conversation for 5 minutes.
The exam will be recorded so you can listen to your performance later on.
Here are some ideas for the exam:
-The secret of happiness
-Love and hate relationships (mobiles/computers/tv, etc)
-Feelings
-At a barbacue
-Are we living too fast?
-How could we slow down?
-Cooking
-Sleeping  patterns
-Giving and receiving advice
-Giving and receiving recommendations
-Holidays
-Ways of travelling
-Work

HERE IS THE LIST WITH NAMES AND TIMES FOR THE ORAL EXAM
DECEMBER 10TH 2009
16:00 Francisco Ríos & Alicia Hidalgo
16:15 Cristina García & Laura Tomillo
16:30 Mar Luque& Silvia Benitez
16:45 Eugenia Giraldo & Julio Rivera
17:00 Pilar del Pozo & Francisca Pérez
17:15 Teresa Fernández & Charo López
17:30 Macarena Paneque & Diego Caballero &Fran Espinosa
17:45 Gloria Cobano& Rosa García
DECEMBER 16TH 2009
17:00 Samuel Campano & Marta Ruiz
DECEMBER 17TH 2009,
17:30 Alfonso Torrelo &  Quino Roncero
17:45 Eva García & Joaquín González
18:00 Clara Vázquez

The following people need to contact me and manifest whether they are going to do the exams or not
-Cansino López, Inmaculada
-Carrasco Congregado, Susana
-Guevara Góngora, Adelaida
-Hidalgo Moreno, Roberto
-Konir, Ksenija
-Mason-Elliot Sempere, Victoria
-Moreno  Montero, María de la Caridad
-Muñiz Pérez, Cristina
-Rogríguez Oyega, Juan Manuel
-Sánchez Morgado, Elena

OSL Library

The Official School of Languages has finally opened its library. You can find it on the second floor on the left section of the builing (we teach on the right one).
Remember to take your library card with a photograph.
The OSL library opened on December 4th, click for information and timetables.
You can also have a look at this video where a student asks for "Second World War books"...see what happens!

Thanksiving

Think how hard it is to be a turkey on Thanksgiving!!!


And of course a new and Thanksgiving like version of the hit I will survive

If you are interested in knowing more things about Thanksgiving click here.

Have a look at this video explaining what Thanksgiving is about

Listen and practice "used to"

Here are a couple of songs for you to practice.

Viva la Vida activity.

This is the song with different photographs and album covers from The Cramberries, the Irish group.

If you want to watch the original video click here.
Just my imagination activity

Listening test and more practice

Last day we did a listening on Roxana Saberi. The results were excellent (it was a listening designed for the final exam of NB), and yes, I confess!!! The last question was a tricky one!!!
Click on the words in bold if you want to download the activity, the audio, the correction.

Here is a video on Roxana Saberi and Hillary Clinton once the journalist was released.

You can't hurry love (The Supremes)

Last Thursday we worked on this song (see students book page 114), here is the song with different photographs of the group.

If you want to sing along here are the lyrics (sorry, I did not choose this colour)


Feel like singing it? Get the lyrics and press play on this karaoke.

PUNCTUATION

If you want to know more on punctuation please click here

You can also have a look at this short video con punctuation

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HOMEWORK UNIT 2

Think of something you would like to sell.
As  pre-writing questions think about

-What it is.

-How much it is and whether you would take a near offer.

-How and when possible buyers can contact you.

Then write a notice on the comment section (DO NOT FORGET TO WRITE YOUR NAME)

*use your notes from the pre-writing questions

*organise  your notice and make it interesting

*use abbreviations

*read and check for mistakes

*publish it on the comments sections.

Room change!!!!!!!

We are moving from room 10 to room 6 on the floor below. I will leave a  note on the door of both rooms so that you don't get confused.
Remember your new room is NUMBER 6

Giving advice, lesson 2D

Here are three problems that I have found looking at Mrs Web advice webpage. Please read them carefuly and select one of them to be answered by you. Give the one you prefer some thougth and write your advice on the comment section. If you do not know how to leave a comment click here.

1. Dear Mrs. Web

My best friend and I like to dress and act punk. My parents don’t like it because they say that it is not good for me spiritually and some of the ideas go against our family faith. I like dressing in black and promise them I won't go too far. But they tell me that I cannot wear all black and stud belts and necklaces. How can I deal with this? I don’t want to follow their rules.

2.Dear Mrs. Web,

My father is moving in with my nine-year-old son and me. Dad recently had a stroke and is now partially disabled. Dad will need some help around the house and it will be great to have him there when my son comes home from school. My son loves Dad but is upset that he has had to move out of his room to a corner of the living room. We just don’t have anymore space.

3.Dear Mrs. Web,

My sister is coming for her annual visit next month with her three children. She has taken up smoking in a misguided attempt to lose weight; she is now fat and smelly. We don’t allow smoking in our house. What should we do?

Tips: in order to write your advice please check pages 22 and 23 from  your text book. You can also check this video clip as a lesson

How to publish comments on the blog

Some of you have already used the comment .section at least once. In case you are not 100% sure or it is your first time, please follow these instructions:
1. Click on "Comments" below the text or the post you have just read. A new window should pop up.
2. Scroll down until you find the "Leave your comment" section.
3. Write your text in the space given and indicate your group and full name.
4. When finished, check for spelling and grammar mistakes.
5. Type in the sequence of letters/numbers in the "word verification" box. Press "enter" when you finish.
6. Choose an identity. If you have a Google/Gmail account, you can use it to identify yourself. Otherwise, choose "Name/URL". You will then see two boxes. Write your name in the first box.
7. Click on "Publish your comment"
8. Be patient, your comment might not be there immediately.  DON'T submit your text several times in a row because it won't work.

Reinforcement lessons

Dear all, reinforcement lessons (clases de apoyo) will start next week. The sessions for the Intermediate Level will take place every Tuesday from 19:00 to 20:30. Your teacher will be Pablo and you will meet in room 10 (your normal room).

These sessions are designed for people who need a bit of extra help or who want to improve their skills.

If you are interesed, go to the front desk (conserjería) and ask for the list, write your name there and you are ready to go.

Cinema Time

Yes, it is this time of the year when films from all over Europe land in Sevilla. So we thought we could take you to the cinema.
When? next Thursday 12th November
Who? 50 students from the school
Where? Nervion Plaza Cinema
Why? Because films are a great way of learning
How? We will go there by underground
How much? The EOI pays the film, you pay the underground.

Have a look at the trailer:


SYNOPSIS: A bittersweet comedy about love, family and dropping bombs on Germany.


A bittersweet family drama tracing one veteran's efforts to make amends for the destruction he caused during World War II. Lovelorn art school graduate Ross is still down in the dumps when his eighty-three-year-old father announces plans for a family road trip to Germany. Back in the war, Ross' father accidentally bombed a small German town. He's regretted the mistake ever since, and now he's determined to visit the town and offer a formal apology. But getting to Germany won't be easy, because it's been years since father and son have exchanged a kind word. Along the way, father and son both learn some important lessons that will help them to be better, more compassionate people in the future.

Ayala dies 103

Yesterday was a sad day for Spanish memory. Spanish essayist and novelist Francisco Ayala died in Madrid, aged 103. Ayala was one of Spain's intellectual icons in the second half of the 20th century and wrote more than 50 books.
Francisco Ayala was born in Granada on March 13th, 1906 and won amongst others, the Cervantes Prize in 1991 and the Prince of Asturias Prize of Letters in 1998.
At the end of the Spanish Civil World, he went into exile to Argentina, Puerto Rico and later the United States (New York and Chicago). He came back to his homeland in 1960.
Click here to read his obituary in English

Justin's timetable & Conversation Club

Justin will be with us every two Tuesdays from 17.30 to 18.30 after our break. In case you want to make sure about his timetable check the schedule on the School Board (he is coming to our class on week B).

Every week you have 3rd year conversation club  from 18.00 to 19.00, please make the most of it and come, it is a great opportunity for you to improve your oral skills.

Halloween

Last week we celebrated Halloween. We started by having a look at some recut trailers that gave a new sense to classic movies.




We also sang along "This is Halloween" from Tim Burton's Nightmare before Christmmas.


Visit the EOI Blog and have a look at a nice presentation on Halloween done by María Martín.

Saying Good-Bye to 3A

Dear class, I am really sorry our time together was so short, nevertheless it was a wonderful time.
Today was our last lesson together, and I can only wish you all the best and hope you keep on loving and enjoying learning English.
You are more than welcome to keep checking the blog (although the Class Diary 3A section will dissapear in a few weeks), feel free to keep adding comments and having a look at the posts.
All the best.

Here is a funny clip by the muppets, if you want to have a look at the lyrics, click here.

class representatives elections

  Last week we had elections in class and the outcome was this:

Intermediate 3A

1. Paqui Pérez Barrios

2. Pilar Marín Elena

Intermediate 3 C

1. Pilar Del Pozo González

2. Mar Luque Lara

Carl Honoré's book

Remember our friend Carl Honoré and his friends the rabbit and the tortoise? If you are interested in knowing more please click here to visit his webpage or here to read an interview.

What is the connection between McDonald's and the Slow Movement? Read this and you will get the answer.

End of Unit 1

Well, you have made it! You have finished unit 1. Nevertheless you can find here a documents that will help you reinforce what we learnt and practiced.

For more activities on each of the lessons click here (anwers are also included)

If you want to focus on vocabulary click here (answers are to be found at the end of eah pag)

In case you missed the Progress Test from unit 1 click here to get a copy and here to get the answers.

Lesson 1C Happiness Club

Over the last two weeks we have talked about Laughter Therapy. Here is an example of a Laughter Class (at the end of the recording the teachers speak in German, do not worry, you are not supposed to understand it)


Both groups will be required to create a Happiness Club taking into consideration the following points:
-a name for the club
-number of different rooms, areas or locations
-activities people can do in each space
-music, food, drink, furniture, decoration, etc
-any other ideas
You will work on this mini project in class and then one member of each group will write on the comments section a summary of their Happiness Club.

PARENTS MEETING

As I mentioned a the beginning of the course, I will be having a meeting with the parents of all the students under 18. Please tell your father, mother or tutors to came and see me on the following dates.

If your parents cannot make it, please let me know and we will arrange another meeting or I will send them the information by post.

Monday 5/10/09
18.30-17.00 room 10

-Arévalo Chiriboga, Andrés

-Esteban Olaya, Pablo

-Jiménez Tola, Belén

-León Martí, Daniel

-López del Pozo, Elena

-López Nogales, Clara

-Lorente Callejo, María

-Moreno Lama, Lucía

-Mula Torres,  Marta
-Rapallo Díaz, Lourdes
-Romero Molina, Carmen
-Hidalgo Torres, Alicia (if possible)
-Ríos Bello, Francisco José (if possible)

Autumn is here!!!!

Dear friends, summer is over and we welcome autumn. Leaves are probably the most commonly associated words to autumn. Hope you enjoy this song by Nat King Cole "Autumn leaves", here you have the lyrics:

"The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon Ill hear old winters song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall"







Another beautiful song by Billie Holliday and the most wonderful images of the city of New York, it is called "Autumn in New York".



Tell us about what autumn makes you think of, what you like o hate about it, what makes you happy or sad about it. Write your thoughts on the comments section.

What are we reading this year?

Well, after long hours of thinking, brainstorming and discussion, the English Department has decided that Intermediate students will read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nigth-Time by Mark Haddon. Here you have two possible covers of the book:

If you are curious about the book but still have not had time to buy it, listen the beginning of it visiting the book webpage.

You may also be curious about the author, Mark Haddon. Then you should click on the name and learn a few things on him. You can also read an interview.

Class Diary

Dear all, if you  have a look at the top right side of the blog you will find a section called Class Diary. You have two of them, one is specifically for Intermediate 3A and the other one for Intermediate 3C. You should click on the one that matches your course but you are more than welcome to check both of them.
In those sections I will be posting what we did on each group during the different sessions and weeks and what is for homework. The aim of these sections is that you follow what we are doing in class in case you cannot attend.
The rest of the posts will be common for both groups. And again, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
Hope you find the sections useful.

Rosa

lesson 1A

Lesson 1A deals with things that make us happy. Here is a short film that I found on http://www.youtube.com/, hope you like it.

Yes, we can. Yes we did it!!!!!!

Yes, we did it!! It did seem quite unlikely when we started the tournament but in the end the Spanish team has shown how good it really is. It has been a crazy weekend with the semifinals against Greece and playing today against Serbia but it was worth every minute of it. If you are interested in knowing more about basketball click here or click here if you want to know more on the Spanish team.

Here is an article that I have just found on the net , click here.

That was the trailer Poland prepared for the Eurobasket 2009, as soon as I find a video of the closing ceremony or some interesting footage of the Spanish team I will update this post.

And remember....."We are the champions...We are the champions..."

When can you see me?

Intermediate 3A has lessons Mondays and Wednesdays, you can make an appointment to see me at the "tutoría" Mondays from 18.30 to 19.00.
Intermediate 3C has lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays, you can make an appointment to see me at the "tutoría"  on Tuesdays from 18.30 to 19.00.

Please contact me by email rosa73eoi@gmail.com or let me know in one of our teaching sessions when you are coming and the nature of the visit.

What do I need for this school year?

This is the book we are going to be using this year.

Face 2 Face Intermediate (Edition for Spanish speakers), Student's Book. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-84-8323-598-0

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As soon as possible I will post the title of the book(s) we have suggested for this year´s reading. Meanwhile have a look at this video. Is it really the most wonderful time of the year?

Hi there!

Welcome to the Intermediate Level!!!
 I have created this blog to share information, activities and experiencies with you. Hope we can all make the most of it and remember, your contributions are more than welcome!!
I will be posting information on what we did in class, extra materials, interesting links and news related to the lessons and the Official School of Languages.
In order to view and have access to the documents I will post on this blog, you all need to have a gmail account, you can get one here.