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 Euronews, Flickr / 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 CTV, The 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.

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!

Stockholm

This is a video dedicated to all the students at our school who have been to Sweden as exchange students and to those who are leaving for Stockholm soon.

Charlie Caper is a magician who makes a play on these words," the magic of Stockholm" - watch the video  and you will understand why; besides, you will learn a lot of facts and statistics about Stockholm and Sweden.

 

Start the Weekend With a Smile

This is said to be a real story: a waitress receives extraordinary tips, which, in fact, are part of a plan to thank her for her previous actions and help her have the "best shift* ever". Click here to read more about it

* shift= a person's scheduled period of work, esp. at a place of employment operating continuously during the day and night.

Do some speaking practice: tell this story aloud; include as many details as possible and remember to answer the 5 wh- questions: who? when? where? what? why?

What do you think about this story? Who do you think feels happier, the person who gives or the person who receives?

What Is Your Favourite Memory? (Homework Assignment 9))

What is your favorite memory?

The following video is a piece of a larger picture called Fifty People, One Question, by Benjamin Reece and Nathan Heleine. Fifty People, One Question is  a social experiment and film series exploring human connections through people and places. The project began in New Orleans in 2008; along the way it has managed to depict a slice of humanity: dreams, losses, reflections stories and secrets.

What is YOUR favorite memory?

Think about it and share it with us; consider the five questions to let us have a full picture of the situation: who? when? where? what? why?

If you could, would you photoshop any of your memories?

Happy Paddy´s Day!

The video "Ireland Inspires" will be played in the Embassies of Ireland all over the world tomorrow, March 17th: St. Patrick´s Day.  John Concannon, Director of Market Development for Fáilte Ireland said, "This video is our animated postcard to the world -- showcasing Ireland in the best possible way and highlighting the strengths and qualities which make this country a great place to be. Promoting a positive and upbeat image of today's Ireland, this video is tailored to appeal to visitors, investors and all those attracted to the type of energy, creativity and potential which this nation can offer. "

Information about the celebration of St. Patrick´s Day: click here

In the mood for an Irish song? Click here. 

Molly Malone is a popular Irish song which has become the unofficial anthem of Dublin. Watch the video  below and you will understand the lyrics.

Molly Malone´s Lyrics

In Dublin's fair city,
Where the Girls are so pretty,
I first set my eyes,
On sweet Molly Malone,
As she wheeled her wheel barrow,
Through the streets broad and narrow,
Crying cockles and mussels,
Alive alive o!

Alive alive o!
Alive alive o!
Crying cockles and mussels,
Alive alive o!

She was a fish monger,
And sure it was no wonder,
For so were her
Father and Mother before,
And they both wheeled their barrow,
Through the streets broad and narrow,
Crying cockles and mussels,
Alive alive o!

Alive alive o!
Alive alive o!
Crying cockles and mussels,
Alive alive o!

She died of a fever,
And no one could save her,
And that was the end
Of sweet Molly Malone,
But her ghost wheels her barrow,
Through the streets broad and narrow,
Crying cockles and mussels,
Alive alive o!

This is my favorite version of the song, Sinead O´Connor´s: 



And this is probably the most popular, The Dubliners´:

Finland´s School System

For the record, a long documentary about the school system in Finland: The Finland Phenomenon: Inside the World´s Most Surprising School System

What surprised you most? What do you "envy" the most? What do you disagree with?

If you would like to read some reviews of the documentary and its content, click here

Would you Give Up Your Jacket ?

Children in Syria are cold, give them a warm jacket:  this is the slogan of a social experiment set up by SOS Mayday, an action network which wants to raise awareness about the thousands of children suffering in Syria and to raise funds for SOS Children´s Villages, as part of their winter campaign. 

The experiment involved an 11-year-old boy who told people that his jacket had been stolen while sitting at a bus stop in Oslo, Norway. Watch the video to see how people reacted. 

What would you do? Do you think it is an effective campaign? Why (not)?

Video: "I Am A Ukranian"

Watch this video, "I Am A Ukranian," about the protests in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine.

Why are people protesting? Read about it here - for the record, Maidan is the  central square of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine

 

To read more about the protesters, click here

Grammar tip: why do we say "a Ukranian" instead of "an Ukranian"? Read an explanation here.

WCD (=World Cancer Day) 2014.

Today, February 4th, is WCD (= World Cancer Day).Let´s prepare a speaking activity about it: Homework Assignment 9

Here are two very different stories related to cancer that will make you think. Watch the videos, choose one and tell me about it in class. Remember to watch for the answer to the five questions: who?, when?, where?, what?, why?. I would also like to hear what you think about the project you choose







The first one is called "The Tutu Project"

The second one is called "If Only For a Second"; the audio is in French but the subtitles are in English- I am sure you will have no problem in getting the message

Superbowl 2014

Tonight is the Superbowl XLVIII: Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos. (Click here to know what this game is like)

On this side of the Atlantic we hear more about the music and the commercials played during the game than about the game itself, but here is a commercial you will not see: Native Americans protesting against the use of their distinguishing marks as mascots for the Washington Redskins. 

Click here to read about this campaign

January 30th: School Day of Non-Violence and Peace

Celebrating the School Day of Non-Violence and Peace

• A motto, Make Love, Not War, from a different perspective

• A song: John Lennon´s Imagine by "Playing for Change"

• The annual Global Peace Index 2013, International Alert and Vision of Humanity include lots of documents about peace research: maps, reports, videos…

• A video by "International Alert" that wants to show how words can stop bullets: Peace talks

International Alert - Peace Talks from International Alert on Vimeo.

Student Contest: Write a Rap About the News of 2013

Every year Flocabulary :The Week in Rap partners with the New York Times Learning Network for the "Year in Rap" contest: students have a chance to write their own raps about major events in 2013. The deadline is January 7, 2014

The Contest Rules: Write Your Own ‘Year in Rap’:

1. The rap should be 12 to 16 lines long.

2. Students should choose at least four important New York Times stories from one of the news categories listed below.

It’s fine to focus on a smaller topic found within a section in The Times. For example, you can write a rap based on just the government shutdown rather than the whole range of national or political news this year. Or, you might focus on 2013 movies rather than covering other news from the Arts section. But you should also feel free to include as many, and as wide a range, of news stories from a particular section as you like. (More about narrowing your choices can be found in this section of the lesson plan.)

Here are the sections from which you can choose:

• World
• U.S.
• Business
• Technology
• Science
• Health
• Sports
• Arts
• Fashion
• Obituaries (from 2013 only)

3. The rap should be original and must follow Learning Network commenting standards, which means no profanity or vulgar language.

4. Submissions must be from students from 13 to 19 years old. (Update:Students can come from anywhere in the world.) No last names please, but an initial is fine, as is a school or class code of some type. (For example, “Ethan G. CHS112.”)

5. Submissions are allowed from partners and teams as well as from individuals — just remember to submit all of your names when you post your rhyme. (This year we’ll judge all entries the same.)

6. One submission per student, please. If you’re submitting as part of a team, you should not also submit as an individual.

7. Raps must be submitted as comments on this post by 5 p.m. Eastern time on Jan. 7. If you have questions about the contest, please feel free to post them in the comments section as well, and we’ll answer you there.

8. The top five raps, as judged by The Times and Flocabulary staff using this rubric, will be featured on both The Learning Network and Flocabulary.com.

Because of privacy rules that apply to students under 18, we are asking foronly your lyrics. While we love YouTube videos of young rappers as much as anyone, please don’t post links to them here.

9. Want inspiration? Here are the winners from 2012 and from 2011. Can you top them?

Review of 2013

Just a few things to remember 2013:

• Pope Francis was chosen person of the year

•  click here to be linked to Flocabulary and their Year in Rap 2013

• This is Reuters review with their pictures of the year

• the video below is JibJab´s review (JibJab is a digital entertainment studio from California) ; click on the captions to get the lyrics

glitter-graphics.com

Restore Your Faith in Humanity

Read the story behind this video told by videographer Casey Neistat. The film studios 20th Century Fox asked him to create an ad campaign to promote their new movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Casey spent the entire budget ($25,000) on the typhoon victims in the Philippines - 20th Century Fox agreed ;  This is the story told by Casey: 

no crew traveled with us, it was just Oscar and me. we filmed this ourselves, with a tripod, using my personal cameras.

the whole story; i often get solicitations for work, all kinds of companies, people, organizations etc asking if i would be interested in making a video for them. i was really concerned after the typhoon, as anyone with a heartbeat was. left with the frustration and guilt i often feel when i learn of other people suffering, a guilt for not being able to help more. i had made donations but it's hard to see or feel the effects of ones contributions. a few days later i was contacted by 20th Century Fox, they wanted to know if i could make a promotional film to get the word out about Ben Stiller's great new movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Mitty is a movie about chasing a dream and they wanted me to make a movie about chasing a dream. I am a big dreamer but at that time only one thing came to mind; if i could do anything in the world right now what would it be? that's to help the victims of the typhoon. i, someone crassly, replied to 20th Century Fox that the only movie i wanted to make is one where i give away the budget to those in need. i still don't understand how or why but they agreed. i jumped on a plane with my best friend and fellow adventurer Oscar and we flew to Manila. there was little time to think or plan before we left, actually we did zero planning before we left. my original thought was that we'd connect with an NGO already in place, a non-profit that's already doing a lot of good, and i'd simply hand them a check. but that turned out complicated and it sort of felt like the non-profits we contacted did not want to link up with us. so on a whim we decided to launch our very own relief mission. it was complicated and at first improbable but with the help of an extremely loving group of locals, all who were total strangers, we were able to stretch the production budget really far. beyond the food distributed in the video we also worked with a local nurse and purchased a lot of medicine and medical supplies, as well as providing tools to village leaders to be shared within the village and aid in the rebuilding process. 

never have i met such people with the resilience of these typhoon victims. there was one thing that stuck out, one big huge tiny thing, that was; of everyone we were face to face with, thousands of people, not once, at anytime for any reason did anyone complain. no one. their focus was on rebuilding and healing, not sympathy.

big thank you to Fox and Ben Stiller for not freaking the fuck out when they saw what i did with their money.

Now tell this story to someone; remember the 5 questions: who? when? where? what? why? Rehearse it to yourself and then share it; include the expression "restore one´s faith in humanity" some time in your version of the story

Click here  to read some other amazing stories like this one.

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

A great man has died, one of the greatest, in my view.

Learn about Nelson Mandela´s life and about his fight for rights for black people in the video below. Some parts of the video are subtitled; I am sure  you will follow the content easily, despite the South African accent.

A photographic tribute to Nelson Mandela by Pulitzer Winner David Turnley: click here

Mourning Mandela around the world:




Why do I admire him? Click here

Typhoon Haiyan

Haiyan, a massive typhoon, devastated part of the Philippines last weekend. Read about it here.

The infographic below help you understand quite a few things about this terrible natural disaster

(Infographic by Visually, an information design community)

Click here  to see the devastating effects of the typhoon

Aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan: click here

A Movie Recommendation: "Captain Phillips"

Some days ago I included an entry in the blog about sea pirates; I called it "Life is Stranger than Fiction". Today I would like to recommend a film about the same topic: Captain Phillips - based on a true story that happened in 2009. Here is its trailer, subtitled in English (watch out for the mistakes in the subtitles).

If you would like to watch the trailer subtitled in Spanish, click here.

Read a review of this movie: click here

A worthwhile watch - I bet it will probably get one or more Oscars in the next Academy Awards

Life is Stranger than Fiction

Click on the link below and read the piece of news there about Big Mouth, a Somali pirate leader, who was arrested in a Belgium sting (=Slang. an ostensibly illegal operation used by undercover investigators to collect evidence of wrongdoing) last week.

Make sure you understand the story by answering the five w- questions: who, when, where, what, why?

At the end of the text, you´ll see this "critical thinking challenge":

Do you believe that Mohamed Abdi Hassan 'retired' because he was truly regretful of his past deeds or because things got a little tougher in the piracy business? Be sure to back up your answer with a reason.

This video may help you get a clear view of what happened:

Start the Weekend With a Smile

Did you know that October 4th is World Smile Day ?

Let´s see if I can help you celebrate!

Watch this video compilation of fails, wins and crazy situations from different countries.

In your view, what is the funniest situation shown in the video? (Don´t just mention it, explain why you think so)