01-03/06. Monday-Wednesday

Hello

This week we were practising Reporting Verbs (see the previous post if you want to practise more) and Preffixes.
Here´s a link for FCE exercises to practise preffixes and suffixes:
FCE Word Transformation

We also learnt how to write A Restaurant Review. We usually include:
- details of the restaurant
- information about the service
- informations about the menu
- information about the atmosphere
- information about the prices

Here´re some tips for writing a review (FCE level):
FCE Writing Sample Restaurant Review

Review Example

25-27/05. Monday-Wednesday

Hello

This week we talked about World Food and food culture. We learnt  about a new concept - a food city.

What is yout favourite food city? - Madrid? Why?

Practise some listening on the topic:
Soul Food Listening
Tokyo vs. New York Listening

Also here´s a BBC radio programme about Food, listen and check your comprehension:
Food Waste Listening

As for grammar we were talking about affixations (suffixes and prefixes). Practise this with FCE tasks:
FCE Use of English Word Formation

We talked about reporting verbs, apart from "say, tell and ask" there´re a lot more that can be used in the Reported Speech.
The verb patterns are different:

promise + TO Inf = She promised to come back soon.
explain + THAT clause = She explained that she was really tired.
suggest + ING Gerund = We suggested going to the park.
advise + Object + TO Inf = He advised us to take a taxi.

Check for the verbs in this link:
Reporting Verbs List
Reporting Verbs Exercise 1
Reporting Verbs Exercise 2

Hey, plenty of things to work on! Enjoy!

18-20/05 Monday-Wednesday

Hello

Last week we did a lot of grammar within our topic. We talked about Reported Speech. 

Direct Speech	Indirect Speech
The boy said to his friend, “I am waiting for you here now.”	The boy told his friend that he was waiting for him there then.

Study this webpage and find out some more info about it:
Reported Speech Explanation

For extra practice, check for these links:
Reported Speech Exercises
Exercise 2

We also started talking about prefixes (mis-, dis-, un-, il-, ir-, im-, in-, over/under- etc.)
Practise with the exercises:
Exercise 1
Exercise 2

11-13/05 Monday-Wednesday

Hello

Last week we started a new topic "Environment" and learnt lots of new vocabulary:
global warming, acid rains, climate change, deforestation, sustainable, renewable energy etc.

If you want to practise or to know more - check for these links:
Environment Vocabulary
Vocabulary Exercise

What environmental problems are there in your country? We discussed different problems and the ideas to solve them. Do some listening on the topic:
Listening 1
Listening 2

We learnt some useful phrases to make suggestions:
Why don´t ...
It would be a good idea ...
We could/should ...
If ..., then ... etc.

Why don´t we use energy-saving light bulbs? We could save the energy consume.

Also to improve your listening skills, watch this series of programmes and do online exercises:
Green is Great Video

Monday-Wednesday. 4-6/05

Hello

On Monday we´re finishing our topic and writing a test - so, revise everything.

We learnt some new collocations:

HAVE fun, a good time, a break, ideas
GIVE a call, a talk, directions, instructions
COME back, by car, first, naturally
MAKE a profit, a choice, a mess etc.

We also watched a video podcast about History and people´s opinions about it. Here´s a link in case you´d like to watch it again:
Podcast - History

Also we were talking about how to write an essay (structure, linking words, supporting sentences) etc. Academic writing is a very important part of any English exams (Cambridge, Trinity, TOEFL etc.)
Here´s a link to get some info from FCE essay:
FCE Writing
Samples of Writing

Monday-Wednesday 27-29/04

Hello

This week we started some new grammar - Active and Passive Voice.

We use Passive:
1. If the action is more important then the agent. 
A demonstration has been held. This theatre was built in 1868. The important thing is what happened, not who did it. 

2. If the agent is not known/evident. 
He was offered a job. (someone offered him the job). The robber was arrested.

We form Passive:

To be + Past Participle (to be is the main verb which takes the tenses):

Passive Present simple 
The car is repaired.
Present continuous 
The car is being repaired. 
Past simple 
The car was repaired. 
Past continuous 
The car was being repaired. 
Present perfect 
The car has just been repaired. 
Past perfect 
The car had been repaired. 
Future simple 
The car will be repaired. 
Present conditional 
The car would be repaired. 
Perfect conditional 
The car would have been repaired. 

Exercises to practise:
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3

Monday-Wednesday 20-22/04

Hello

This week we started a new topic "History" where we talked about different important events and inventions in the history.

We learnt some new vocabulary:
a leap in the history, movement, advancement, progress, a turning point, discovery, invention etc.

If you´re interested in some listening, check for this link:
History Listening

For those who are interested in history as a subject, here´s a good link for documentaries on history topics:
Top Documentaries

We learnt some grammar aspects such as Word formation (suffixes to form a noun from the verb):

- ment - punishment
- tion - pollution
- ssion - permission
- ence/ance - dependance
- ure - failure etc.

Here´re some exercises to practise:
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3



Also we started talking about Third Conditional:

If + had(not) + Past Participle, would + Perfect Infinitive (have done)

If Galileo hadn´t defended his theory, he would have been a free man.

Exercise 1
Exercise 2






What would have changed in our history if some inventions/discoveries/events hadn´t happened?

Classes 2-3. Wednesday - Monday (8/04,13/04)

Hello

These weeks we were revising everything for our test.
We also watched a video podcast "My neighbourhood", if you´re interested in watching it again and practise your listening, here´s a link:

Podcast Unit 8

Also here´s a link to practise Quantifiers:
Grammar Exercise

Last class we were talking about the Internet and Technology and learnt some words (blog, online community, search engine, homepage, social networks etc.). Here´s a BBC link for some more exercises related to the topic:
You and Technology

If you want to practise some listening, here´s a link for a BBC radio programme:
Are you afraid of Artificial Intelligence?

To revise the pronunciation in the compound nouns, check for this link (it´s American pronunciation):
Pronunciation in Compound Nouns

So, we´ve finished with our topic and we´re going to start a new one next class. Practise the stuff and revise your grammar and vocabulary from time to time.

Trimester III. Class 1. Monday 06/04

Hello

So, as I promised here´s a link for the video we watched the other day - "Sight". We were talking about cyberspace and online communities.

Video Sight

Watch the video again and write the answer to these questions:
What are advantages and disadvantages of Sight?
Would you like to use it? What would you use it for?

Also we did some grammar - Relative clauses (defining and non-defining). If you feel like it, you may do some exercises online:

Exercise 1
Exercise 2

Enjoy!!!

Classes 20-21. Monday-Wednesday 16-18/03

Hello

This week we revised the vocabulary and did some grammar:
The use of articles (a/an and the). Here´re some exercises to practise:
Articles Exercise 1
Articles with Geographical names

Also we talked about the Quantifiers. What are quantifiers?
Explanation Quantifiers

It´s important to know whether the noun is countable/uncountable, singular/plural to use the quantifiers.

Exercise 1
Exercise 2

Have a look also at this chapter from BBC learning - "Not enough place to live in" and do the exercises.

Homework: do the exercises in the copies and practise the material online.

Classes 18-19. Monday-Wednesday 9-11/03

Hello

This week we had a test and got quite good results.

Also we´ve been practising how to give good/bad news and react to them. We learnt some useful expressions:
I´ve got to tell you something...
I´ve got good/bad news...
Bad news I´m afraid...etc.

Listen to some audio and learn how to give news:
Listening 1 - How to ... BBC listening
Expressions

Practise especially the pronunciation (See Aula Virtual - Audio files).

We´ve started a new topic "Communities" and strated talking about Neighbours.
We´ve learnt some useful expressions:
get on well, get on smb´s nerves, do a favour, ask a favour, invite over for ... etc.

Here´s a small text and some questions:
Reading task 
Listening "Neighbors"

Homework: learn the vocabulary and read grammar about articles.

Class 15. Wednesday 25/02

Hello

Today we talked about Extreme and Absolute adjectives. What are they?

Extreme adjectives are not gradable - it´s the highest expression of the quality:
cold - a bit cold - quite cold - very cold (gradable adjective - possible to give a grade of "coldness")
freezing (non-gradable - impossible to give a grade)

Absolute adjectives are those that are either "yes" or "no" - no grades:
dead - alive
possible - impossible etc.

Read the rules of using extreme and absolute adjectives and practise using them:
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3


We also learnt some set phrases with "to feel":
to feel sad, happy, angry etc.
BUT: to be in panic, to have fear and to be obsessive.


Also we started Second Conditional.

Your homework is to read the theory of Second Conditional, do the exercises.

Class 14. Monday 23/02

Hello


So, here as I told you I´m leaving a link for the video we watched.

Your task is to watch it again and write down what three experiments are about and what conclusions they draw from them:

The People Watchers Part 1 (from 8:57)
The People Watchers Part 2

If you liked the videos you can watch other episodes and tell us about them!

Classes 12-13. Monday-Wednesday 16-18/02

Hello

This week we practise mainly our grammar - Conditionals and Adjectives.

Also we learnt lots of adjective with prepositions:
to be afraid of, to be proud of, to be angry with, to be bored with etc.

Sometimes it´s easier to remember the words by grouping them in different categories. Of course you can´t memorize the whole list, but have a look and write down those you like:
Adjectives and prepositions Exercises and List

Also we talked about phrasal verbs. We grouped them by prepositions:
OFF:  go off, take off, switch off
ON: click on, try on
UP: dress up, chat up, look up
DOWN: shut down, settle down etc.

Here´re some exercises where you can practise:
Exercise with OFF phrasals
Exercise with ON phrasals
Exercise with DOWN phrasals

Your homework is to do the exercises in the copies and online.

Classes 10-11. Monday-Wednesday 9-11/02

Hello
How´re you? Hope ok, sorry for the delay. So, here we go...

This week we´ve started a new topic "Emotions" and learnt some emotions (angry, sad, excited, calm etc).
If you´d like to enrich your vocabulary, have a look at this web page. There´re a lot of words for feelings and emotions, write out and learn those that you like:
Vocabulary Link 

We also learnt some grammar points - ing/-ed adjectives:
-ing adjectives - to describe a situation/thing/person which/who causes your feeling(s):
A boring book (it causes my feeling - I feel bored).

-ed adjectives - to describe feelings
As we were going to a football match, I was very excited. (This is how I felt).

Practise the adjectives with these links:
Adjectives Exercise 1
Adjectives Exercise 2

And also we saw in the context the examples of Zero Conditional and First Conditional:
When you heat water up to 100 degrees, it boils. (Zero Conditional) - general truth
When/If + Present Simple, Present Simple

When you stury hard, you´ll get a good mark at the exam. (First Conditional) - specific situation
When/If + Present Simple, will/could/might

Exercise 1
Exercise 2

Your homework is to do the exercises in your copies, also practise online.

Classes 8-9. Monday-Wednesday 02-04/02

Hello

This week we´ve been practising all our material on the topic "Jobs".

We watched a video podcast where some people were interviewed about their dream jobs. Here´s a video if you want to watch it again:

Podcast Video Jobs

Practise would/used to/Past Simple on this webpage:
Grammar Exercises

If you want to practise more, have a look at the previous blog entry, I left a lot of links there.

Your homework is to revise everything and prepare for the test.
P.S. By the way, I forgot to mention that you revised confusing words, it will also be included at the test.

Classes 6-7. Monday-Wednesday 27-29/01

Hello

This week we´ve been talking about Dream Jobs. What is your dream job?
Watch this video where different people answer this question. Does the majority have a dream job or not?
Dream Job Video

We also listened to some people talking about the jobs they would like to do. Listen to it again:
Cool Jobs Listening

What jobs would you never do? Why? Listen to six people talking about it:
Bad Jobs Listening


We also learnt some new vocabulary.
We talked about "strong adjectives".
These are the adjectives that have the idea of "very", they emphasize the quality:
big - huge
good - wonderful etc.

Practise strong adjectives:
Exercise 1
Exercise 2

We started talking about one more grammar issue - "used to" and "would".




Used to or would are used to talk about a repeated past action that now is no longer performed. You can use Past Simple as well:
When I was a pupil, I used to take a bus to school. 
or I took a bus to school when I was a pupil.

Past simple and NOT used to - to talk about an action in the past that happened once:
Once I won a competition.

Used to and NOT would - for a past state:
I used to be very naughty at school. 

Practise used to and would:
Exercise 1
Exercise 2

Your homework: practise the vocabulary and grammar in the copies and online!

Classes 4-5. Monday-Wednesday 19-21/01

Hello

This week we talked about some confusing words in English or those that are false friends in Spanish:
actually - currently
forget - leave
remember - remind
work - job
fun - funny
career - course etc.

You can practise more with the following exercise:
Commonly Confused Words 

Also some words are false friends like caree or actually, they exist in Spanish, but have  different meaning (carera - Higher Education, actualemente - nowadays, currently etc.)

Here´s a list of some very common false friends. Choose those that seems familiar to you and which you usually use incorrectly:

Spanish False Friends

We also started talking about grammar (modal verbs - should/shouldn´t, must/mustn´t, have to/don´t have to):

Should - advice, it´s a good idea to do that
Shouldn´t - advice not to, it´s a bad idea to do that
Must - personal obligtion
Mustn´t - prohibition
Have to - rule, external obligation
Don´t have to - not necessary

Here´re some exercises to practise:
Exercise 1
Exercise 2

Also here´s a link for a BBC Learning course. Unit 10 - Jobs. Do some extra practise!
BBC Unit 10 - Jobs

Your homework: practise the vocabulary and grammar using the exercises in your copies and online.

Classes 2-3. Monday-Wednesday 12-14/01

Hello

This week we´ve started a new topic "Jobs and money". 

So, we revised some jobs and professions, we also talked about different personal qualities each job needs to have (a risk taker, competitive, to think out of box etc.)

If you want to practise more and improve your vocabulary, check for these links:
Jobs Exercises
Describing People Exercises

Choose the exercises form the list and practise, check your answers.

We also discussed a text "Have you got what it takes" about millionaires. What are millionaires like? What qualities do you need to have to be one?

Watch a BBC video about the survey they did on mi the millionaires:
BBC Video

Answer the questions in the comments below:
What qualities are necessary to be a millionaire?
How did millionaires "make themselves"?


One of your tasks at home is to study the examples of easy confused words (job, work, career, profession etc). Practise in the following webpage:
Job, work Difference Exercise

Your homework: to do the copy with confusing words and exercises in the copies.

Trimester II. Wednesday 07/01

Hello
I´m happy to see you again at our classes. Hope you had some rest and enjoyed your holidays.

So, at the class we revised the use of future expressions. Especially, the use of - to be going to and will to predict future.

will - to predict far future or express our opinion about future:
In the future we´ll use flying cars.
I think Atletico de Madrid will win the match. 

to be going to - to predict future based on the evidence
There´re a lot of black clouds, it´s going to rain.

You can practise with the following exercises:
Grammar 1
Grammar 2

We also learnt some new idioms: small talk, not my cup of tea, to be on one´s mind, run out of time etc. 

There´re loads of idioms and they´re changing all the time, becuase idioms mostly are used in spoken language. The best recommendation is to learn those you like or hear very often and always in the context.
Here´s a link for a fun youtube channel where they explain different (American) idioms:
American idioms
Also you may learn idioms by categories:
English idioms categories

Your homework is to finish grammar tasks in your copies and choose 5 idioms to illustrate them in your situations.