The English we speak: SLANG

Hi everyone!

How is your summer going? Hope you are doing well and improving your English.

Today, I am going to write about "slang”, what is slang? basically slang are those words and expressions you are not going to learn in formal education unless you have a teacher like me ;) or you go to live to an English speaking country, let’s say, England where you will pick them up as you go. It happened to me when I lived in London, the first time I heard the word "quid" I was on a bus on my way home until a night out with pals and there was a guy trying to get on the night bus and he was asking people for a couple of “quids”. I had never heard that word before after 5 years studying English at the school of languages plus other 5 years studying English at university. Isn´t it ridiculous? “quid” means pound and 90% of English people say quid instead of pound in informal situations. The thing is that we need to learn everything because at the end of the day we are going to interact with real speakers of the language so, apart from being able to write essays, we do have to learn slang and ....it´s fun!

Wanna learn slang? Try this website and have fun!

The English we speak by bbc learning English

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theenglishwespeak/index.shtml

English summer

Hi dear readers,

Sorry about delay in posting but the latest days of the academic year have been hectic and I have been very busy moving back to my city, etc.

Well, the academic year is over but you need to go on studying English so you have to read books in English, watch TV in English, travel to an English speaking country if you can afford it, etc.

Some of my students have asked me: what can I do now that you are not here giving input? I´m afraid you have to look for that input elsewhere… HOW? WHERE? WHEN?

HOW? Listening to songs in English, watching films, reading books, talking to foreigners,  or with a private English tutor over the summer.

WHERE? Everywhere really, download podcasts in English and take them to the swimming pool with you!

WHEN? Depending on your possibilities, a couple of hours a day may do.

Other students want to travel to the UK or Ireland in summer in order to improve their English and I think that´s an excellent idea and then they ask me: Do you advise me to go on an English course abroad? Where? Am I going to understand the accent if I go to Scotland?

Do you advise me to work as an au pair? Where? How can I find an agency?

Well, this will be my next post….keep reading!

Stereo Hearts Lyrics.

EDINBURGH-EDIMBURGO

Hi dear readers!

How is it going? I guess most of you are busy with your final exams. My advice, keep calm and carry on....just joking.

Well, today I want to write about a wonderful city: EDINBURGH

Do you want to improve your English? Why don´t you try Scotland? You know, London is the favourite destination for those Spaniards who want to learn English and/ or find a job so, if you don´t want to bump into your next door neighbour at your local Sainsbury´s, escape the crowds and face north!!

Apart from its breathtaking scenery, Scotland has a great advantage: if you want to study at university, you don´t have to pay any fees. We don´t know how long this measure will last but, make the most of it now and check these websites: http://www.ed.ac.uk/home
http://www.gla.ac.uk/

Now, some highlights about the city of Edinburgh

·       The city is famous for its impressive castle, a must you shouldn´t miss. Tickets are pretty expensive but still worth it because of its great views of the city. Don´t wait until 1p.m for the cannon shot, it’s not worth it.

·      You´ll find lots of places to wine and dine, from the typical chains such as Nando´s (they serve food until midnight), to the gastro pubs at affordable prices: “The standing order” in George Street where you can have a tasty hamburger and a pint of beer for 5 pounds (a bargain!)

·      You can also visit the café where J.K Rowling envisaged her famous book Harry Potter. It´s called The Elephant House (George IV Bridge St) and apparently J.K Rowling was so penniless at the time that she could not afford the electricity bill. I guess she chose this café because it´s really cozy and warm inside, the best location to fight Edinburgh´s chill! It´s worth a visit! Coffee is delicious!

·       Have a drink in Grassmarket square and jump into a bike taxi to return to the hotel, it´s good fun!

·       Gatecrash a typical Scottish wedding, you´ll see the groom wearing the traditional kilt. Scottish people are really friendly so don´t doubt it and ask them for a pic!

·       Do not miss Saint Giles church, its impressive outside but do not miss the inside!!it contains the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle (Scotland's chivalric company of knights headed by the Queen). As the guide told us, a coat of arms is made for those knights who do not have one in their family. How do they make it? Taking into account the knight´s profession, hobbies and other details.Make your own clicking here:http://www.makeyourcoatofarms.com/

·       Visit Rosslyn Chapel, it´s a few miles away but you can get there in 20 minutes if you take the bus number 15 (there is a bus stop in Lothian Road). More info here: http://www.rosslynchapel.org.uk/

·       Accommodation? We stayed at The Point Hotel: good location and great rates, a good option when travelling to Edinburgh. Book it by www.booking.com and get a good deal!

And now, do you feel like visiting Edinburgh?

PRUEBAS DE CERTIFICACIÓN INGLÉS EOI

Dear students,

Exams are around the corner and I guess you are starting to panic and revise grammar,pronunciation,spelling,etc.Unfortunately,little can be done in a couple of weeks unless you have been studying throughout the academic year.

English is not the typical subject you can study by heart, go to the exam, answer the questions and forget about it. English is a language so you need to learn everyday

Do you want my advice? Read books in English, watch telly in English, films in their original version with or without subtitles, go abroad and chat someone up! An English speaking boy/girlfriend is the best teacher you will ever have!!

For those taking “Pruebas de Certificación  EOI”, you should have a look at the samples from different CCAA (regions) and do all of them following the given timing. If you have not been attending lessons but want to get the B1 or B2 level (por libre), bear in mind that it might not be as easy as you think. Check the Common European Framework (CEFR) .The CEFR is a document which describes in a comprehensive manner i) the competences necessary for communication, ii) the related knowledge and skills and iii) the situations and domains of communication. The CEFR defines levels of attainment in different aspects of its descriptive scheme with illustrative descriptors scale. In conclusion: have a look at it and you will know what the examiners will expect from your level of English.

Click below for the complete text:

http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/Source/Framework_EN.pdf

If you still think you have the level,check these samples below and practice:

http://www.educastur.es/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2708&Itemid=54

http://www.eoivalencia.es/es/ultima-convocatoria.html

http://www.educarm.es/admin/webForm.php?ar=637&mode=visualizaAplicacionWeb&aplicacion=ARTISTICAS_IDIOMAS&web=92&zona=PROFESORES&menuSeleccionado=

http://www.eoieuskadi.net/es/pcertificacion.php?pag=modelos

For more samples, google "pruebas de certificación de eoi"      GOOD LUCK!!!

speaking · engVid

Videos to improve your speaking skills!!surf this great website!

speaking · engVid

How to improve your Speaking skills

Hi everyone!

Your speaking exams are very close and most of you panic when you even think about having to make an oral presentation of a topic. In order to make you feel more confident, I’m going to give you some clues so you can face your oral exam in a more relaxing way.

As you know, the speaking test consists of two parts: an individual one where you have to talk about a topic for some minutes depending on your level (A2,B1 or B2),the speech includes the following topics: healthy eating, sport, hobbies, environmental issues, global affairs, the media, a book review, the last film you´ve seen,etc (a post about the B1 topics coming soon!)

TIPS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL PART:
First and foremost: relax and do not panic. Your teacher is in your shoes because he/she has gone through the same situation before.
Secondly: Follow a structure and order your ideas in a sensible way. Start like this:
 I’m going to talk about...
I’d like to talk about...
Thirdly: Use linkers to order your ideas

·       Pay attention to the intonation and pronunciation

·       Use specific topic vocabulary

·       Be clear

·       Don´t try to say things you cannot say because you lack vocabulary or structure

·       For more tips click here: http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/oral-presentation

 The second part consists of a conversation where you will have to interact with your partner about a given topic. For example, you are going to prepare a party and have to agree on the things you are going to do (the food, the music you are going to play, the time, the place, etc)

TIPS FOR THE CONVERSATION:
1.    Greet each other and set the conversation

-        Hi Mary

-        Hi Carmen, how you doing?

-        I´m fine thanks. Do you know we are having our end of year party next month?

-        Yeah, I know and we have to prepare it, have you thought about…?

2.    Ask and answer questions using conversational strategies so you show you are interested, to keep the conversation going and so on.

To Agree or disagree (depending on the task) you can use these expressions http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/exams/exam-speaking/agreeing-and-disagreeing

3.     Finish the conversation saying good bye.

For more tips, check these websites:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/audio/english/index.shtml
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/exams/exam-speaking/communication-strategies
http://www.eslgold.com/speaking/phrases.html

IDIOMS

IDIOMS

                              
What happens if you go on a date and your partner decides to go Dutch? Would you feel disappointed? And what happens if you are “up to your eyes”?
These are just two examples of idioms (expresiones o frases hechas) that come very handy to show your excellent command of the English language in the speaking/ writing exam.
Below you can find some more examples and some links so you can research and select some of them according to the topic.
If you are talking about sport, food, holidays, etc… you can say that something is not your cup of tea. This is a British idiom and it means that you are not keen on sth.
Climbing is not my cup of tea/ Extreme sports are not my cup of tea.

 “At the end of the day” is not an idiom but a commonly used expression in British English, especially used in informal conversation. You used it to mean “al final” or sth like that. For example: At the end of the day we end up using the same words instead of adding new expressions to our speeches.

  “We´ll cross that bridge when we get to it” means that it´s not worth it getting worried before facing a problem. For instance you can say:

A says -I´m a bit blue because I might lose my job in September.
B replies-Don´t worry darling, we´ll cross that bridge when we get to it.

To be under the weather- you can use this idiom when talking about health and even when talking about healthy eating. If you are under the weather, you are ill. For example, you could say: When I am under the weather, I try to boost my defenses with “Actimel” although it has been said that it could be dangerous for your digestive system.
The last straw- if something is the last straw, it means is the final problem that makes someone lose their temper or the problem that finally brought about the collapse of something. For example: The warning from our city water and sewer department was simple the last straw. For Spanish speakers “el colmo” or “la gota que colmó el vaso”.

In the nick of time-if you arrive at the airport “in the nick of time” it

means that you were about to miss your flight because it means not too late but very close. In Spanish we use “por los pelos” in this case.
  Take it easy means relax. For example, if you are talking about stress at work, you can say: “I try to take it easy and do not worry  too much because otherwise I suffer from insomnia”.
In the red: If you are asked to talk about the economic crisis, you can say that many companies are in the red and, consequently, they have been forced to sack many employees. So, as you may have guessed, it means that "the business is losing money, it is unprofitable"
These are just a few examples but there are a lot of idioms you can use according to your needs. Click on the link below and select the ones you wish to use in your monologues taking into account that they fit in the topic.http://www.goenglish.com/idioms.asp

http://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/10-common-idioms

           http://www.idiomconnection.com/mostfrequent.html
           http://www.henry4school.fr/Language/idioms.htm

GET THAT JOB!!

Dear readers

Have you ever thought about working/studying abroad?summer is a great season to take the plunge and look for a greener grass elsewhere.When I was at university, I used to go to England in the summer in order to improve my English. I used to attend English courses for a month and live with a host family.Apart from being a great experience,meeting lots of people from many countries and improving your English,you can also pick up informal words that are not taught in class and learn about different lifestyle, customs,food,etc...
If you can´t afford an English course abroad, you can look for a job.I am aware things are quite difficult at the moment but if you don´t try, you´ll never know....
Here I leave a few tips that I have found in BBC learning English website:http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/business/getthatjob/

Welcome to Get That Job!
Finding a job can be a complicated and tiring process. Sometimes you just don't know where to start looking, let alone how to persuade a company that you are the best person for the job!
This site is full of activities and quizzes to build on your knowledge of career-related vocabulary and offer some tips on things like how to put together a good CV or come across well in an interview.
You can work your way through this site step by step, from 'Job Search' to 'Interviews' - just click on 'What's next?' on the right of the page each time you have completed an activity. Or you can go straight to whichever units are of most interest to you by using the links at the top of the page.
Happy job hunting!

LISTEN,LISTEN AND LISTEN

Hi everyone!
A post to remind you that the end of the academic year is here and you have to pass your listening tests.To do so,apart from attending your English lessons,you should listen and read English as much as you can. A good way of doing so is visiting the following websites:
www.elllo.org
www.breakingnewsenglish.com
So keep listening and good luck in your exams!!