IMMIGRATION
Cick HERE to go to a post about WALLS. Do you think there are too many /too few / enough walls all around the world?
Vocabulary related to the topic IMMIGRATION -HERE (Video), HERE, HERE
Click HERE and then : English - Menu -2ºBachillerato - Issues - Immigration (Exercise 1 - Drag each word to its definition, Exercise 2 - Facts /Prejudices and Reading Comprehension: Globalization of goods but not people)
Click HERE to go to a unit about Immigration and do the following activities:Skills Practice - Listening and Reading // Use of English - Vocabulary // Speaking - Monologue. More speaking questions and writing topic HERE.
Click HERE to watch the video "The best student from a high school from Texas reveals her secret" and answer a few comprehension questions.
Click HERE to watch the video "Dangers of generalization" and answer a few comprehension questions.
In groups of three/four students, answer these questions about immigration and then share your answers with your classmates. More questions HERE.
HERE "The Arrival"("Migrants"). a wonderful illustrated book by the Australian artist Shaun Tan.
The best student in a high school from Texas reveals her secret
Listen to Larissa Martinez (first three minutes of the video without subtitles) and answer the following questions: (Then watch the rest of the video with subtitles)
At the beginning of her speech, Larissa (valedictorian) says it is going to be about........
Where is Larissa from? When did she arrive in Texas?
Unexpected reality Number 1 - ........ What was her dream? Did she think moving to America would be very hard?
Unexpected reality Number 2- ....... Why did she have to raise her sister Andrea? What things didn’t she have at home?
She says: "I know what it’s like to be......., to have....., to feel .......
Unexpected reality Number 3 - .............
KEY
At the beginning of her speech, Larissa says it is going to be about expectations versus reality.
Where is Larissa from? Mexico City When did she arrive in Texas? Six years ago
Unexpected reality Number 1 - At the age of eleven Larissa was a child with an abusive and alcoholic father who had to depend on her mother’s strength.
What was her dream? To be come an American Did she think moving to America would be very hard? No, she thought it would be the solution to all of the problems in her life.
Unexpected reality Number 2- At the age of twelve she had to embrace a new culture and her intelligence was questioned due to her backgrouds.
Why did she have to raise her sister Andrea? Because her mum worked until very late at night.
What things didn’t she have at home? Internet, a washing machine, her own bed.
She says: "I know what it’s like to be put down, to have your accomplishments unacknowledged, to feel powerless.
Unexpected reality Number 3 - I am one of the eleven million undocumented immigrants living in the shadows of the United States.
Don't slap her - 25th November
HERE "Kids react to slap her"
Too much grammar?
Here we have a funny advertisement for a company that teaches English grammar online. It is about the importance of using proper grammar when speaking English. This is a good video to show students the next time they complain about having to do another grammar test in class, as I’m sure none of them want to trip themselves up as this young man did.
Now YOU are the police interrogator correcting this young man... What should he have said instead of.....
- I didn’t do nothing!
- Maybe less (people) than you’d expect for a Friday...
- There were four very suspicious men there, two of who I seen go off....
- It must have been them what did it.
- Me and John were at an hotel, not doing nothing when we see four men, two of them whom done it.
- If I done it, how many year would I get?
KEY:
- I didn’t do ANYthing!
- Maybe FEWER (people) than you’d expect for a Friday...
- There were four very suspicious men there, two of whoM I SAW go off....
- It must have been THEY WHO did it.
- John AND I were at an hotel, not doing ANYthing// DOING NOTHING, when we SAW four men, two of them who dID it.
- If I DID it, how many yearS would I get?
British accents and dialects
Click here to do a quiz
Listening comprehension about British and American English
Click HERE, as well.
Watch the video above. What do these British and American slang words mean?
Flossing (American slang)=
Chin Wag (British slang) =
Ba-Donka-Donk (American slang)=
Chuffed to bits (British slang)=
Shawty (American slang)=
Differences in pronunciation: Click HERE and HERE
NOW….. YOUR TURN!!!!!!
Pronounce the following words, first with a British accent and then with an American accent:
ADULT – GARAGE – HOSPITABLE – MOBILE – CAN’T – CLASS – AFTER – EAR – CHAIR - MORE – CIVILIZATION – ORGANIZATION – GLOBALIZATION – BETTER – WATER – BOTTOM- NOTICE
Now read the following sentences with British and American accent:
1- Adults should drink more than a glass of water a day.
2- You can’t use your mobile now. Only after the class has finished.
3- I’ve noticed she isn’t a hospitable host.
4- Is globalization better for our civilization?
5- Where’s your old chair? It’s in the garage.
The sounds of American English
How to pronounce a monophthong ( front, central, back)? a consonant (fricative, affricate, nasal.... manner of articulation //bilabial, labiodental....place of articulation // voiced, voiceless?)
The pictures and videos in this very useful page will surely help you!!!!
BBC Learning English - Tim's pronunciation workshop
Say "NO" to bullying
The first video above was recorded by bullying victim Jonah Mowry. Mowry uses nothing but flash-cards throughout the video, titled “What’s Goin’ On,” to express his unbearable pain and self-mutilation, not to mention the fact that he’s contemplated suicide more than once.
Nearly 3 million people have watched it , with messages of support pouring in from strangers and major celebrities(Lady Gaga tweeted “Thank you Jonah for being brave enough to share your story + showing us strength. You matter to millions.”)
The video begins with Mowry holding up a hand-written card, “I look happy, right?” followed by, “Well, I’M NOT. What you all see is the fake me.” He uses cards throughout the video to tell his story, which includes a lifetime of bullying, of being called “Gay. Fag. Dick. Douche. Homo. Asshole.” (Mowry doesn’t specify his sexuality in the video but on Twitter he says he’s gay.)
“A lot of people hate me,” he writes, wiping away tears. “I don’t know why… But I guess I do. Cuz I kinda hate me too.”
And while he admits that suicide was something he considered “many times,” Mowry states in one of his final cards, “I’m not going anywhere. Because I’m STRONGER than that and…I have a million reasons to be here.”
RED, the second video: A bunch of bullies meet a red-haired boy on a playground. Would you have the courage to stand by one in need despite dangerous odds?
Third video: If you help (for example someone who is being bullied), you will probably be rewarded, even if your only reward is self-satisfaction
Why Finland has the best education (by Michael Moore)
Here’s a puzzle. Finnish children spend comparatively little time at school, don’t get homework and yet receive one of the best educations in the world. Curious? Watch how the Finns did it in this clip from Michael Moore’s compelling documentary film ’Where To Invade Next?’
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VIDEO HERE
Now listen to I JUST SUED THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ( By Prince Ea):
Video in English: HERE
Video in English with subtitles in Spanish: HERE
Exercise about the opening statement (alegato inicial) in the rap (1:05 min) HERE
Click HERE to go to a post about the book The Element, by Sir Ken Robinson.
GENKI ENGLISH
British Council press release:
"The Genki approach to learning English works by engaging all of the learners’ senses and appealing to a wide range of learning styles. Children are engaged visually through the simple but striking graphics, aurally/orally through the simple chants and songs and limited amounts of graded vocabulary input and kinaesthetically through the actions and games. Because all of the learning tasks are organised as game-like activities, children are immediately motivated to take part.”
Click HERE to go to GENKI ENGLISH, an excellent webpage.
Subject/Object Personal Pronouns - Possessives
My 2nd Bac students have asked me to revise with them the following gammar points:
- Subject / Object Personal Pronouns: Click HERE
- Possessive adjectives and pronouns: Click HERE
Exercises HERE
You can also go to the following webpage:
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar-vocabulary/grammar-videos/personal-pronouns-and-possessives
ESL GAMES PLUS
ESL Games Plus offers interactive online games for learning and teaching English as a Second Language. Their learning games are mostly suitable for teaching ESL Kids and Teenagers. There are activities for teaching and practising English grammar, vocabulary, sentences, listening and pronunciation skills.
Click HERE to go to their webpage.
"Where's the Love?" - The Black Eyed Peas
You will hear a song by the famous group “The Black Eyed Peas”. Read the title. What do you think it’s going to be about?
Now, you’re going to have to complete the song in different ways. Take a minute to see if you understand what you are asked to do in each part of the song.
Where’s the Love?
Complete with the missing words
What's................ with the world, mama
People livin' like they .........................
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you .........................
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got........................here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The............................. and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to ....................................
And to discriminate only generates ...........................
And when you hate then you're bound to get .............................yeah
......................................is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how ...................................works and operates
Nigga, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and ........................................
Let your soul................................... to the love, y'all, y'all
Rearrange the lines and put them in the correct order
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
People killin', people dyin'
Father, Father, Father help us
And would you turn the other cheek
Can you practice what you preach
Send us some guidance from above
Where is the love (Love)
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (The love)
Put these words in the blank spaces
unchanged sufferin’ insane lovin’ strong dividends bombs undercover chemical gasses
It just ain't the same, always .............................
New days are strange, is the world .............................
If love and peace is so .............................
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' .................................
..................................fillin' lungs of little ones
With the ongoin'............................... as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the .....................................really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin' in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them.................................
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's .........................................
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all
Put the lines in order
killin' people dyin' people
hurt and children hear you cryin’ them
preach you can what practice you
cheek would and you turn other the
Father help Father us Father
above send from guidance us some
questionin’ 'cause got people me got me q
love (love) is the where
Choose the right option
I feel the weight of the world / work on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder / cooler
Most of us only care about money breakin’ / makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our own direction / director
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images / imagine is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster / quicker than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality / equanimity
Instead in spreading love we spreading animosity
Lack of understanding / comprehending , leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder / wander why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith / fate alive till love is found
Now sing along!
People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love)
FIFTY ENGLISH-SPANISH FALSE FRIEND WORDS
Learning English for Spanish speakers can seem quite simple at first because as much as 40% of English words have cognates in Spanish. Cognates are words that sound similar, have similar spelling and have the same meaning in the two languages. Examples of cognates are: teléfono-telephone; persona- person; invitar-invite. However, there are many words called FALSE COGNATES or FALSE FRIENDS. In the case of False Friends, the English word sounds like a word in Spanish but the two words do NOT have the same meaning
| English word | Spanish Translation | Spanish word | English Translation |
| Actually | En realidad | Actualmente | Currently |
| to Advertise | Anunciar | Advertir | Warn/Caution |
| Advice | Consejo | Aviso | Warning |
| Argument | Discusión | Argumento (film) | Plot |
| to Assist | Ayudar | Asistir | Go to, Attend |
| Billion | Mil millones | Billón | Trillion |
| Cap | Gorra | Capa | Layer |
| Career | Carrera professional | Carrera (universitaria) | Degree |
| Carpet | Alfombra | Carpeta | Folder |
| Cartoon | Dibujos animados | Cartón | Cardboard |
| Casualty | Víctima o herido | Casualidad | Coincidence |
| Collar | Cuello (prendas de vestir) | Collar | Necklace |
| College | Universidad, facultad | Colegio | School |
| Complexion | Tono de piel | Complejo | Complex |
| Conductor | Director de orquesta | Conductor | Driver |
| to be Constipated | estar Estreñido | estar Constipado | to have a Cold |
| Contest | Concurso | Contestar | Answer |
| Deception | Engaño | Decepción | Disappointment |
| Dessert | Postre | Desierto | Desert |
| Embarrassed | Avergonzado | Embarazada | Pregnant |
| Exit | Salida | Éxito | Success |
| Fabric | Tela | Fábrica | Factory |
| Idiom | Modismo | Idioma | Language |
| Intoxicated | Ebrio | Intoxicado | Food poisoning |
| Jam | Mermelada | Jamón | Ham |
| Large | Grande | Largo | Long |
| Lentil | Lenteja | Lentilla | Contact lens |
| Letter | Carta, letra de abecedario | Letra | Lyrics |
| Library | Biblioteca | Librería | Book shop |
| Mayor | Alcalde | Mayor | Older |
| Notice | Notar, aununcio | Noticia | piece of News |
| Office | Oficina | Oficio | Job or trade |
| Pan | Cazuela | Pan | Bread |
| Pie | Tarta | Pie | Foot |
| Place | Lugar | Plaza | Square |
| Prize | Premio | Precio | Price |
| to Quit | Abandonar | Quitar | Remove, take away |
| Quote | Cita/presupuesto | Cuota | Fee |
| to Realize | Darse cuenta | Realizar | to Do/Make |
| to Record | Grabar | Recordar | Remember |
| Relative | Pariente | Relativo (adj) | Relative |
| Remove | Quitar | Remover | Stir |
| Rope | Cuerda | Ropa | Clothes |
| Sane | Cuerdo | Sano | Healthy |
| Sensible | Sensato | Sensible | Sensitive |
| Soap | Jabón | Sopa | Soup |
| Spade | Pala | Espada | Sword |
| Stranger | Desconocido | Extranjero | Foreigner |
| to Stretch | Estirar | Estrechar | to become narrow |
| Suburb | Barrio rico periférico ciudad | Suburbio de casas pobres | Slum |
| to Support | Apoyar | Soportar | to Handle/ Put up with |
| Sympathetic | Comprensivo | Simpático | Nice |
| Target | Objetivo | Tarjeta | Card |
| Terrific | Fenomenal | Terrorífico | Terrifying |
| to Translate | Traducir | Trasladarse | to Move (house) |
| Vacuum | Vacío | Vacuna | Vaccine |
THAT'S ENGLISH!
Click HERE.
What makes something Kafkaesque? (TED Lesson)
GREASE!!!!!
The next musical to be performed at IES Xesús Taboada Chivite will be Grease (in Galician language).
We are going to listen to two famous songs from the film and do some exercises:
Translation of those songs (and other songs from the musical) into Galician HERE.
Other musicals performed at IES Taboada Chivite:
Los Miserables ( 2012-2013)
Moulin Rouge (2013-2014)
Mamma Mia (2014-2015)
Hoy no me puedo levantar (2015-2016)
