Writing an article

Well, as you know, you must write an article before Christmas holidays, and in this post you'll find the necessary information to do it.

First of all, you have available the contents in How to write an article. That's the document we saw together in class.

Secondly, you'll need to use a wide variety of linkers to make your text nice and more entertaining for the reader. At the end of this post, you'll find more resources related to that, but next, you have basic linkers you are going to use a lot, extracted from El blog para preparar el "writing" de la EOI.

Structuring your composition

As you know, you need your text to be structured, clear, with the different ideas adequately organized and separated. For this, dividing the text into paragraphs is a must. And also, you'll need to connect these paragraphs to establish connections.

a) Introduction

b) First paragraph

At first sight: "A primera vista"
First of all: "Antes que nada"
In the first place: "En primer lugar"
To start with: "Para empezar"

c) Second paragraph

In the second place: "En segundo lugar"
Second
Secondly
Third
Thirdly

d) Conclusion

Finally,
In conclusion,

To conclude,
Lastly,

Last, but not least: "Por último, pero no menos importante".

Linkers depending on their use

Linkers can connect paragraphs or sentences. They are needed to make the text more fluid, so it is enjoyable to read. They've got several uses, and you'll find them divided according to that:

Adding information

and eventually: "y finalmente,"
apart from + noun: "aparte de + sustantivo"
besides: do not confuse it with beside (meaning next to). Besides means "además".
in addition to + noun: "además de + sustantivo"
in addition: "además"
moreover,
furthermore
also 
on top of that: "además de todo eso"
what's more: "es más"
another point is that + subject + verb:  "habría que añadir que..."

Expressing similarity

Similarly: "Igualmente, de forma similar"
Likewise: "Asimismo, del mismo modo"
In the same way: "Del mismo modo"
In the same manner: "De la misma manera"
In a similar way: "De forma similar"

Establishing contrast between ideas

however: "sin embargo"
instead of: "en vez de"
neverthelesss: "no obstante"
on the contrary: "por el contrario"
whereas / while: "mientras que..."
though / although: "aunque". Use although/though at the beginning of a sentence.
On the one hand... On the other hand: "Por una parte... Por otra parte"

Explaining a cause/reason

because of + noun: "A causa de + sustantivo" (The children couldn't play outdoors because of the rain).
due to + noun: "Debido a + sustantivo" (The flight was delayed due to the rain).
due to the fact that + sentence: "Debido a que + oración" (The flight was delayed due to the fact that it was raining.)
for this/that reason: "Por esta/esa razón"

Explaining results

as a result,
consequently,
therefore, "Por lo tanto"

Expressing an idea with different words

in other words, "en otras palabras,"
in short, "en resumen,"
that is (to say), "es decir,"

Explaining facts

actually: "En realidad"
as a matter of fact: "De hecho"
in fact: "De hecho"
really: "En realidad"

Expressing personal opinion

as far as I’m concerned, "por lo que a mí respecta"
from my point of view
I agree / disagree with
In my opinion
In my view 
I think / feel (that)
It is true that 
Personally,
To be honest,
To tell the truth, 

Modifying what is being said

above all,  "sobre todo"
at least, "al menos"
basically,
especially
essentially
in general 
By and large, "Por lo general,"
Generally speaking, En general,
in particular
more or less
on the whole, "en general"
to a certain extent, "hasta cierto punto"

Giving examples

and so on, "etcétera"
and so on and so forth, "etcétera, y así sucesivamente"
for example,
for instance,
such as 

Summing up

All in all, "En conjunto, resumiendo"
In brief, "En resumen"
In conclusion,
In short, "En resumen"
On the whole, "En general"
To sum up, "Para resumir"

Arranging the composition in sequence

after that
all of a sudden: "de repente"
finally
first of all
in the end
in the meantime, "mientras tanto"
meanwhile: "mientras tanto"
next
suddenly
then
while

You can also check these resources:

• BBC Linking words.
• BBC Linking words 2.
• Linkers.

Prepositions of place and movement

Today I'll share some material with you. First, the list of the prepositions of place and movement, with explanation, examples and pictures illustrating them.

In the second place, I made a selection of videos from YouTube that you can watch at your own choice. They're very humble, but they can help you remember the prepositions thanks to the images. The first one is a more traditional lesson, with the teacher explaining and pictures. The second video is more like a story and you can read the examples every time they use a preposition. Finally, the last one is longer but I recommend you to watch it from minute 2.37 to 5.45.





To practise all this on your own, go to the new section Online exercises for further practice.

Family idioms

Idioms are a fun thing to learn, and still better if you can associate them with images. That will help you remember them. In this post, you can find the idioms we worked with last week.

Be the black sheep of the family: the worst member of the family because they have bad reputation

Be the apple of you father's eye: also the apple of one's eye (Diana was the apple of John's eye, he adored her). If you're the apple of someone's eye, this person is extremely fond and proud of you.

Be as different as chalk and cheese: to be completely different. Americans use an idiom more similar to ours: "as different as night and day".

Follow in your father's /somebody's footsteps: to do the same jobs or the same things in your life as your father or someone else, especially a member of your family.

Be as alike as two peas in a pod: when people are very similar, especially in appearance.

Be tied to your mother's apron strings: it describes someone who is so used to his/her mother's care that cannot do anything on his/her own. It also means being very influenced by your mother.

While the cat's away, the mice will play: when there is no one in authority present (as parents, boss, teachers, etc.), peple will do whatever they want, especially breaking rules.

Be your mother's daughter: this means that you are very close to your mother, and you both are very similar.

Twist someone round your little finger: to manipulate and control someone.

Blood is thicker than water: family relationships are stronger and more important than any other kind of relationships.

Lastly, if you want to have some reading, listening, and vocabulary practice around a story based on an idiom, use this lesson by the British Council called Two Peas in a Pod. Click on "instructions" and "preparation" to know how to do the task, and a pre-reading activity. Maybe it's a bit above an intermediate level, but you can try with patience and effort. So don't worry if you find it difficult.

Enjoy!

Stages of life

If you wish to revise some vocabulary related to stages of life, there is a quite easy worksheet to do from the website Lingua house: Stages of life.

And maybe you can enjoy this short movie called Sidewalk by Celia Bullwinkel, in which the author portrays the journey of a woman since childhood to adulthood.

Updated tips for speaking

As you know, rules have changed for this year and you're doing the Speaking task in pairs. That's good news!

So now it's time now for you to check the updated document showing you tips and useful expressions for conversations.

Speaking tips and useful language

Talking about past experiences (past simple, continuous and used to)

Hi there!

What a beautiful thing childhood is, isn't it? To talk about it, you'll need to use past verb tenses, such as the past simple, continous and used to.

I'll give you four different things. First, the document with the rules of these different tenses: Past tenses.

Secondly, the rules on how to pronounce -ed endings for regular verbs in their past simple form: Pronunciation of -ed endings.

Thirdly, here's the wheel for revising the irregular past forms of some verbs of the MacMillan Dictionary: Irregular verbs wheel game.

And finally, also the document with some examples of used to applied to childhood memories: I used to believe.

Do you feel like leaving a comment about something you used to believe when you were children? I used to believe that TV cartoons were drawn the same day that were on TV! So the cartoonists did an amazing job ;)

How to complain properly

In this post you will find several documents regarding formal complaints and letters of complaint. Some of them were used at class, but others (documents, activities and listening exercises) are new, so check them to have further practice.

• Structure of a complaint letter. In this document you'll find several kinds of letters, but for now we're interested in the letter of complaint.
• Formal letters. This is a nice document which summarizes the basics to write a formal letter (no contractions, opening, ending, etc.). In other words, it shows tips.
• Complaining and apologizing. This is the lesson we used in class, and the answer keys are on the last page. You can also check the listening track.
• Complaining as a customer. This is just a short file summarizing the basic information taught on a lesson by the BBC Learning English, which I include next.
• Traveller's tales. In this lesson from the BBC Learning English you'll find further information about complaining. You can listen to a conversation (and read the transcript later), checking the tips for complaining and do an activity at the end.

Are you shopaholic?

In this post I'll give you two different activities related to the topic of shopping.

The first one is a reading activity located on the BBC Learning English website (which, by the way, is great for autonomous learning) called The pop-up phenomenon. Here you can learn new vocabulary and revise the present tenses.

The second activity is a gapped text for a listening called Shopping. On the link you will have access to the audio track, the gapped text and the answer keys.

And that's all for now. Have fun!

Expressing possession

Do you already know how to express possession, right? In this post, I'm bringing you the material used in class with the rules, and some extra information and activities for further practice.

• Expressing possession: rules and examples
• British Council possessives. On this link you can revise the possessive nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and questions. There's a little bit of grammar and some questions to practise.
• Revise your knowledge of possessive pronouns and adjectives here.
• This interactive webpage has quizzes to practise: possessive 's, pronouns in separate sentences, pronouns within a text and more exercises on these links (exercise 1, exercise 2, exercise 3).

Remember: practise makes perfect!

Speaking with confidence!

We've got the weekend ahead!

If you didn't attend class, you should know that we did a speaking practice, using two model exams similar to the ones that could appear in the actual exam. We also spoke about how you must do this exam (what we expect from you), and also about strategies and techniques.

So, we spent some time performing the task and I gave you the choice to do the task in public next week. Don't think of it as a frightening experience but as a chance to see what you can do under a bit of pressure. If you start learning now how to control your nerves, then the day of the exam, you won't get so shocked. Plus, we all know each other already, and you mustn't worry about possible mistakes or nerves. We can learn a lot from other people, both good and bad things, and this way we can improve.

• Speaking models. There are two different cards, with different pictures and questions. Choose the one you like the best.
• Speaking tips. In this document you have some tips, strategies and useful language. Remember that you don't need the expressions for interacting with another person, such as "agreeing" or "asking for an opinion", because the exam is individual.

Good luck!

Mind map about holidays

Weekend's almost here! Before I leave, here I bring you the mind map I showed you in class. And here's another one which caught my attention and you can use as a model for your own.

That being said, have a wonderful weekend! See you next week!

Activities with adjectives

How's been the weekend?

As you'll see, I've uploaded some material from our books. You have these activities photocopied (I gave them to you in class), but I'm posting the full pages with the answers, so you can correct them by yourselves. I think there's no need to correct it in class, but you can ask for doubts if you need to.

• 1B Grammar: 
• exercise a) keys
• exercise b) keys.
• 1B Vocabulary: 
• exercise a) keys, first half
• exercise a) keys, second half
• exercise b) keys, first half
• exercise b) keys, second half

Ideal homes

It's already Friday, everyone! I know all of us were looking forward to it :)

However, here I bring you a listening activity related to homes. You'll find the answers on the same worksheet. You just have to follow the instructions and enjoy.

• Ideal homes worksheet
• Audio track
• Listening transcript

More and more practice with adjectives

Hi everyone! 

I'm bringing you another activity with which you can have further practice with adjectives and with your listening skills.

You'll listen to a posh woman talking about colour analysis. Complete the sentences and find out which mistake she does related to comparatives.

You only have to watch until minute 2.10.

Good luck!

  

1. Colour analysis is all about assessing your __________ colours

2. You want to wear those colours that share the same qualities _______/_______

3. The real benefits with wearing those colours that really __________ you ________ is that you can show your look your best every day, you can achieve the wow factor with any special __________ as opposed to relying on the little ________/_______.

4. By investing in your palette of optimal colours, you will also maximize your _________ as you can change the appearance of certain items, teaming them with different things each time you wear them.

5. By wearing the appropriate colour you can, in some cases, look _________, you can certainly look _________, less ___________ and, in many cases, look __________ in the face.

6. Shopping becomes so ________ easier, you just have to look for your colours, they will _______/______ to you and you can ignore all the rest.

And here you have the answers:

1. Colour analysis is all about assessing your natural colours.

2. You want to wear those colours that share the same qualities as yours.
3. The real benefits with wearing those colours that really suits you best is that you can show your look your best every day, you can achieve the wow factor with any special outfits as opposed to relying on the little black dress.

4. By investing in your palette of optimal colours, you will also maximize your wardrobe as you can change the appearance of certain items, teaming them with different things each time you wear them.

5. By wearing the appropriate colour you can, in some cases, look younger, you can certainly look (more) healthier, less tired and, in many cases, look slimmer in the face.

6. Shopping becomes so much easier, you just have to look for your colours, they will stand out to you and you can ignore all the rest.

Write a comment about this: what do you think is a wow factor? And who is someone posh? I'm looking forward to read your comments!

Practise English with songs

Hi again!
Do you remember that we listened to this beautiful song last week? It's called True Colors, and although the original singer is Cindy Lauper, I used a cover by the series Glee. I'm posting the lyrics with the gaps for the people who didn't come to class, and in case someone might want to do the exercise again ;)

You with the (1)____ / _____
Don't be (2) ____________
Oh I realize
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so (3) ___________

But I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be (4) _________ to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are (5) ________,
Like a rainbow

Show me a smile then,
Don't be (6)________, can't remember when I last saw you laughing

If this world makes you (7)___________
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are (8)_________,
Like a rainbow

Can't remember, when I last saw you laugh.

If this world makes you (9)__________
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show your true colors
True colors, true colors are shining through

I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be (10)______ to let them show your, true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow.

And here you have the complete lyrics.

You with the sad eyes
Don't be discouraged
Oh I realize
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small

But I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

Show me a smile then,
Don't be unhappy, can't remember
When I last saw you laughing

If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

Can't remember, when I last saw you laugh.

If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors
True colors are shining through

I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow.

And finally, if you like music and enjoy practising English with songs, maybe you'll like this webpage, Lyrics Training. There you'll find lots of songs with videos and lyrics. But careful! Because you'll have to complete the lyrics while the song is playing, and if you don't make a right guess, the song will stop until you complete the gap correctly. It's a chalenge, but it can be fun. By the way, you can choose a level or game mode with more or less words to fill in.

Okay, that's all now. Have fun and tell us how you did!

Welcome!

Hello everyone! So, this is our new blog, and I hope we can use it a lot during the course. It's been a couple of weeks since I wanted to create it, but I finally made it!

I still have to learn how to work with it, so be patient, please ;)
I'll try to always tell you if I add new content, but my head's in the clouds most of the time, so it would be great if you check it from time to time.

Of course, comments will be welcome (and recommendable!).

And that being said, I'll see if I can post some material for you.

Big hug!