Grades (Listening Comprehension)

This week we are going to start training for the real world of English. How are we going to do this? By listening to native speakers talking about the topics we deal with in class. In this case we'll be listening to Todd and Nydja (Standard American English accent) talking about grades (marks). Do you think marks are important? Did you have to work hard to get good marks? Did you succeed?
Here you have the links to the conversation and the transcript. Don't worry! I'm aware that it's a difficult exercise. I don't want you to understand everything.

• Grades (conversation and transcript)

Keep Learning NI2 (Great Blog)

My colleague and friend Nieves, teaching at EOI Mérida as well, has just published a blog for NI2 and NA1 students. Have a look at it. It's really interesting. For instance, there is a section this week on conditionals which you shouldn't miss.

• Blog
• Conditionals

Wonderful world (Sam Cooke)

Now starting with the new topic of education we'll be listening to this song just to revise some subjects. Here you have the link to the video.

• Video with lyrics.

And since we are talking about subjects. Can you tell me which were tha subjects you preferred and hated at school?

Bad romance

Here is the song we're going to do in class. You'll find a link to different videos of the song.

• Original video
• Video with lyrics
• Game with lyrics
• Video with lyrics in Spanish

We could also talk about your opinion on Lady Gaga. She is quite a controversial figure.

Do you like her or do you think she is a freak?

End of course best wishes from Juanma

Well, it's all over. It's amazing how fast the course went by. I just wanted to thank you all for being such good pupils and putting up with me during the year. I hope you all pass (specially those of you who worked really hard). However, before saying goodbye I'd like to ask you one last favour. I'd love you to post comments on the year (things you liked and things you didn't like, what you've learned, what you need to learn, how you'd like to learn in the future, positive and negative aspects about me). I accept anything as long as it is done with respect.

I'd like to finish, guess what?, with a song. This is my favourite song. It's a love song. The most beautiful love song ever written (for me, of course). My friend and best man Richard sang it the first time I heard it. Here is the link (can you understand it?).

• The Price I pay (Billy Bragg)

And yes, this is the end. Have a great summer! See ya!


PS: I'm sorry about the trip to London. It's the second time I make a mess of it. EL PILAR weekend is now my aim.

Nathalie du Toit- Bethany Hamilton

This week we are going to read about these two amazing women. They both lost a limb and they made an effort to continue with their lives as they had been before. Have you ever thought of how you would cope if you had a disability. Do you know anyone who has gone through a similar experience and has succeeded? Here you have the links to Nathalie's and Bethany's webpage and also to two videos talking about their lives. The videos are very difficult, I know, but I think that with the visual aid you will be able to understand something (give them a try!).

• Nathalie du Toit' webpage
• Nathalie's video
• Bethany Hamilton's webpage
• Bethany's video

Now you can write comments giving your opinion about both stories or telling the story of a similar case you've come across.

Listening practice on descriptions

As I told you in class I've found some links to listening exercises which have something to do with descriptions. I hope you find them useful:

• Which woman is it?
• Hair description
• Description of couples