Monday, 23 June 2014

Spain in the News

Here´s a good listening comprehension exercise; watch this video and check how much you understand: you know everything about it since it is about the crowning of King Felipe VI so you know what to expect, and that, together with the images will make the listening understandable.




Anyway, just in case, here´s the transcript - both video and transcript have been taken from Newsy:

Jun 19, 2014

Can Spain's Felipe VI Restore Monarchy's Image?

(Image source: CBS)

BY ERIK SHUTE

​Even amid a shocking World Cup elimination, the streets of Madrid had something to cheer about Thursday as Spain crowned a new king.

"There are ceremonies to mark a new king of Spain. King Felipe VI was formally sworn in. The ceremony was low-key. His father, Juan Carlos, abdicated the throne at age 76." (Via WABC)

The 46-year-old king takes the throne at a time when the Spanish monarchy's ratings are at their lowest point. The country faces a double-dip recession and unemployment rates reaching 26 percent. (Via Flickr / Richter Frank-Jurgen)

The king's father, former King Juan Carlos I, ruled for more than 40 years but announced his abdication three weeks ago. He's credited with bringing democracy to Spain but also sinking the monarchy's reputation with a luxury lifestyle and no transparency. (Via EuronewsFlickr / Pedro de Matos)

While speaking to the Spanish Parliament, Felipe VI urged for a united nation. The Washington Post quotes him speaking to lawmakers:

"Today, more than ever, the people rightly demand our public lives be guided by ... moral and ethical principles."

In response to the speech, BBC News added: "But this cannot be business as usual for the Spanish monarchy, and the new king seems to accept that. Now, he has to deliver on his promise."

Many in the media pointed out the normally extravagant ceremonies now depicted a humble beginning Thursday. CBS noted they seemed deliberately simple to downplay the monarchy's grandiose image.

Standing at Felipe's side through each reception was his wife, Queen Letizia Ortiz. "Good Morning America" explains her marriage is a true Cinderella story and similar to another famous royal couple.

"She's a blue-collar beauty and he a blue-blood prince educated at Georgetown. … Her middle-class background has many comparing her to another famous royal, and like Kate, she's quickly becoming a fashion icon." (Via ABC)

Headlines have dubbed her the "middle-class Queen," and others drew comparisons to Prince William's wife, Kate Middleton. (Via CTVThe Globe and Mail)

As the ceremonies finish, the royal family will write their own history with some uncertainty.

In a recent poll by Spanish newspaper El Pais, crowning Felipe boosted the popularity of the royals. However, nearly two-thirds of Spanish citizens also support the idea of a referendum on whether Spain should continue to be a constitutional monarchy.

Tuesday, 17 June 2014

Short Film Starred by Luis Tosar

Luis Tosar was a student at our school, "Nosa Señora dos Ollos Grandes" and he always mentions he became an actor thanks to one of our teachers, Mavisa - read about that part of his life here. He left the school before I arrived but most teachers feel he is period of the history of our school and we feel very proud of his success.

The short film below is called "Cólera" - a word with two meanings in Spanish:  on the one hand, "anger / fury"; on the other hand,"an infectious disease which if often epidemic". Once you have seen the film, explain the choice of this noun for the title: what meaning of "cólera" does it refer to? why do you think so? is it a good title? (why (not)?)



 
Cólera from Sr.&Sra. on Vimeo.

I have decided to include one of the comments I read about this video; it was written by Adam Lerman. Read it to see how much you understand about its content and decide whether you agree with him or not - you may need to watch the film again to notice all the details he mentions:

A total work. The influence of blood red on the setting (purple skies, rust-brown earth), the raw sound design (mortally thematic circling of flies; that perfect sound of the rock hitting him in the head followed by the ringing), the seamless shift from camera fluidity to shakiness depending on the subject's level of confidence and fear, the cross formed in the doorway just before the hand emerges (a crossing over the threshold? a reference to the crucifixion of a do-gooder misunderstood?), the low light on the stunning makeup to emphasize the townspeople's lack of understanding, the circling repetition of the score (the disease repeating itself in cycles despite (or because of) their actions, everything in this film plays directly into the core of the film's themes. Love it.

What do you think about this short-film? Do you like it? Why (not)?





Sunday, 15 June 2014

Getting Ready for the End of the School Year


This will be the last week for students at school; they will start their holidays next Friday - teachers still have the worst part left: grading students and writing end-of-the-year reports…

But here are some funny images to get you through this last week with a smile on your face. Enjoy!














What´s your favourite picture? Why? 

Can you tell your friends about your favorite joke in the pictures above? How would you describe it (in English!) ?


Friday, 13 June 2014

Friday 13th


Today is Friday 13th; English-speaking people regard this date in the same way as some Spaniards think of Tuesday 13th so…is it a good / bad or ordinary day today?







Wednesday, 11 June 2014

The World Cup

The World Cup, promoted by FIFA, starts tomorrow bout I am sure you have heard about the protests against it in Brazil. 

The video below - by Brazilian director Carla Dauden - was the origin of the protests; in the video, Carla explains why she said she was not going to the world cup.

 

Some time after that first video, Carla shared a new one where she gave some reasons why you could change your mind and still go to the world cup; this video is called "Yes, you can still go to the world cup, if…"



Now it is up to you to decide, can people still go to the world cup?




Sunday, 8 June 2014

A Taste of My Students´ Oral Exams

Here is an example of the oral exam that Noé prepared when I suggested the topic for the third term - click here to read my suggestions


 

Noé, thanks for sharing the video



Monday, 2 June 2014

The Internet: Pros and Cons


Should we believe everything we see or listen to on the internet? Watch this video: is this conversation true or fake ? What do you think? Why do you think so? What evidence helps you support your opinion?




Sunday, 1 June 2014

Drawbacks of Social Networks

Think twice before posting news about you on Facebook or other social networks, or else something like this may happen:


 

It´s too easy to convince a stranger that you are an old friend, isn´t it? That´s scary!


Wednesday, 28 May 2014

Farewell to Senior Students. 2014



It´s that time of the year again…. saying goodbye to 2º BAC students:

Rosa´s Senior Students 2013-14 on PhotoPeach

Here´s some useful advice: 







Invest in yourself, invest in your mind: You can live your dream:


 





Sunday, 25 May 2014

The Meaning of "Elegance"


What does "being elegant" mean to you? Is it something important in your life? Watch this video and check if your opinion agrees with the meaning of "elegance" shown there (languages in the video: English and french)

 

Read the explanation that comes with this short documentary, do you agree with it?

In this documentary we illustrate the brightly coloured and social affairs that bring the 'Sapeurs' together. Their bold choice to live an unexpected lifestyle is a source of celebrated originality and positivity. Their life is not defined by occupation or wealth, but by respect, a moral code and an inspirational display of flair and creativity. The Sapeurs show us that whilst in life you cannot always choose your circumstances, you can always choose who you are. 

Share your thoughts!


Saturday, 24 May 2014

The Power of Education

How would you spread the message of the power of education?

This is what they did in Mexico: the Non- Violence Project divided one bus into two parts: a school bus and a prisoner bus trying to explain visually the following statement: Violence ends where education begins

 

Share your thoughts: what do you think of this project?



Friday, 23 May 2014

Reasons to Study Languages


A couple of years ago, Alex Rawlings won a national competition to find the UK´s most multi-lingual student; he is 20-something now and speaks eleven languages.

Watch the video and reflect on this question, how and why did Alex learn all those languages? When learning a language, do you use any of the strategies he mentions?



If you want to imitate Alex, here´s a video which tells you how to learn a language in ten days



Wednesday, 21 May 2014

Reported Speech


Here are some video lessons for you to learn about the reported speech










Click here to get lots of links to practise the reported speech (theory and practice).

If you want to watch any other video lessons with Jennifer, go to her blog, English With Jennifer.







Monday, 19 May 2014

Rules of Social Media

Many problems would be avoided if people followed these simple rules… (don´t you agree?) 






Friday, 16 May 2014

English Is Crazy

Peculiarities of English pronunciation, word formation...



I bet many of you agree, English is crazy


Monday, 12 May 2014

Graduation Speeches.2014. Day 6



Presenter: Uxía (like a pro!)
Speaker1: Clara
Speaker 2: María
Speaker 3: Omar

I must apologize to this group because they gave their speeches back in March but I was waiting for the videos...








Viral Video: Poem "Look Up"


"Look Up" is a poem written and performed by British writer Gary Turk, which encourages people to do just that: look up. It is a reflection on how mobile devices - originally designed to connect people - are, in fact, disconnecting people.

Remember to click on the captions (CC) to get the subtitles when you watch the video, otherwise, it may be too difficult to understand.




If you need the subtitles in Spanish, click here.

Click here to be directed to the Multimedia English webpage and have a look at the explanations of the vocabulary in the poem.

Any comments about the message of the poem?


Saturday, 10 May 2014

Graduation Speeches 2014. Day 5


Presenter: Lucía

 

First, the dance to the sound of "Happy":



  Speaker 1: Ana

 Speaker 2: Marta R.

 Speaker 3: Nuria

 Speaker 4: Marta V.

 Speaker 5: Andrea