Monday 20 December 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO SOUTH AFRICA


My 1BAT students at IES TORRE DEL PALAU sing a Xmas carol to all South African people, especially to Chester Williams, the rugby player who exchanged mails with them in November 2010. Happy Christmas.

Friday 3 December 2010

AN AMAZING IMAGE OF THE CONTROLLERS' STRIKE



http://www.radarvirtuel.com/

CONTROLLERS' STRIKE


New words to learn before a holiday break: STRIKE (huelga/vaga) NOT TURN UP FOR WORK (no presentarse en el trabajo/no anar a treballar).
In short: many people's holidays are RUINED and Spaniards offer a really POOR image to the world (again).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11913878

NOTTING HILL VOCAB AND QUESTIONS


Notting Hill Vocabulary[2]

Tuesday 30 November 2010

WORLD AIDS DAY







December, 1st. World Aids Day. You too can do something to stop AIDS.
Follow this link and take a lesson about this important day. Then jump to the official website and get some ideas for action. Little actions can change a life. Perhaps your own life.

Monday 29 November 2010

FROM TERRASSA TO THE GUARDIAN.CO.UK


I'm not much into football, but I like to see Xavi,BARCELONA FC player, appearing on the frontpage of THE GUARDIAN.CO.UK He's from Terrassa, too, and I'm proud of him.

Friday 19 November 2010

IT ALL ENDS HERE! HP 7 ON SCREENS TODAY


The story that has gripped a generation of readers comes to an end and today we have the release of the first installment of HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS- PART ONE. Have you read the books? Have you seen the films? What do you think about them?

A NEW BLOG IS HERE!



A new blog is here! ORAL ENGLISH PRIMER BATXILLERAT will be full of recordings, videos, glogs and oral production from the students of 1BAT at IES Torre del Palau in Terrassa.
Thanks to all the participants and we encourage you to leave feedback on their posts.
Thanks a lot and have fun

Monday 15 November 2010

THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN



If you want to remember your childhood times, if you want to feel like a boy again and if you want to learn an important lesson on humanity, I recommend you watch Stephen Sommer's "THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN". Then, follow this link and land on EL RACO INTERACTIU DE CINEMA: you'll practice prepositions, vocabulary, readings, Mark Twain's life and many more things. Enjoy your adventures on the Mississippi river!

A LETTER FROM SOUTH AFRICA



After seeing the fim INVICTUS my 1BAT students wrote some questions to ask Chester Williams, a member of the SPRINGBOKS TEAM that won the Rugby World Cup in 1995.
Mr. Williams has answered every single question. These are the questions and the answers.You can read Chester Williams' replies in BOLD. Thanks to all the people who have taken part in this wonderful experience.

Dear Mr. Williams, I got my students write you some questions about you and about your performance in the 1995 final. I hope you can answer some of their questions, as they are really excited about it and it has been a very motivating moment in our English class.
Thanks a lot for your interest.
Abel Gálvez
English teacher.


These are their letters:
Dear Mr. Williams

Hi, first I want to introduce my self, I'm Carlos Ramírez, a student of IES Torre del palau, a school of Spain, Catalunya.

I write this letter for you because I want to ask you a few things, and of course because it's a really good oportunity to talk with a hero like you.
I think that what you and you team mates did was really amazing. Where did you take the trust, the courage and the motivation for do this incredible act?

I'm a football player, I play in a really good team, but we don't have motivation because this year is our first year like “juveniles” and it means that we have to play with people one or two years older and no one trusts that we can be the best team of our league, but I know it's possible.

Can you give me any advice to motivate my team, please?, I don't know what to do.

PD: Thank you for spend a bit of your time.
Carlos Ramírez Carmona

CARLOS RAMIREZ

When I got selected t represent my country in the RWC 95 I new I was there to represent my black people and nothing was going to stop me from making them proud. I also believed that I was the best in my position and trained very hard to remain the best.
2. I was always told that I was to small or to slow or could not tackle well and I worked harder and harder. 80% is psychological & 20% is talent and no one can take it away from you accept yourself that's how I got to where I am now.

3. Its important to believe in yourself as individual and work together as a team like we in 1995 and Spain football team in 2010.



Dear Mr. Williams,

Let me introduce myself. I am Marian, a student from Barcelona. I am studding post-obligatory education.
Few days ago I saw the film Invictus and it really liked me.
I have a few questions for you, if you could answer me. You were the only black men in the Springboks team when there was apartheid. Was it difficult to you to get into the team and feel like one? And what did you feel when you won the World cup of rugby?

I hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.
Yours faithfully,
Marian García

MARIAN GARCIA
1. It was always difficult for a black person to get in the Springier team. I always hard to work 2 times harder then the other players to remain in the team. Luckily for me I scored almost every game if not scoring I was making and defending well so it was very difficult for them to leave me out of the team.

2. I was very proud to be part of a Springier team that help united the team with Nelson Madela.


Hi!
My name's Helen and I love sports. My favorite sport is ski! I practice ski since I was 6 years old.
I liked a lot the film, and I found interesting that you where the only black player of Rugby, when the apartheid was in the power.
Did that point afect you in the way you played?
You have met Mandela, haven’t you? so, did you thought it was impossible to be real, that the apartheid was almost in the end, and a very good time was coming?
The first time you talked to Mandela, what where the impressions that you had? What was it like?
I supose you admire him, like most of the world, but did you agree with the first actions that he did? Or did you think that it would be impossible to change the opinion of the whites and the fanatics of the blacks?
I even don't know how old you were when all that things happened, but I guess you were young, so, was it difficult to understand it all?
Thanks a lot for your time!
Helena Cabeza
HELEN CABEZA

1. Nothing effect me with my performance the harder they made it for me the more inspired I became.

2. I have met Mandela 5 times having lunch and dinners with him alone 3 times and 2 times with the family.

3. No I knew they had to release Mandela to give every one a right full chance. Most South Africans did not know what's going to happen after Mandela was release since the whites thought he was going to abandoned them and blacks was just hoping for freedom of speech and choice.

4. He was human, most forgiving person who set our country free. Down to earth. I always wanted to met some one more important than my father and manage to meet with Mandela.

5. He surprised the whites because while he was in jail he studied the culture of the whites and treated them with the same respect as how he wanted to be respected that change the mind set of all in South Africa.

6. When you grow up as a child with it and you accept it as a child but as you become a teenager/adult you start to question. It was a difficult time to see signs of only whites for train carriages or toilets. I'm glad it is all in the past






Dear Mr. Williams:
I am a student of a secondary school of the IES Torre del Palau in Terrassa.
I have some questions for you:
How did you live the Apartheid?
What did you think when you won the rugby World cup?
Thanks for your time, goodbye.


Luis Anibal Sánchez

LUIS ANIBAL SANCHEZ

1. We had to live as blacks together and the whites will live together. We were also not allowed to attend white schools at the time.

2. I was very honored to be part of the Springbok team that won the RWC 95.


Mr. Williams
I am a high school student Torre del Palau, in Spain. On October 29 we went to see the movie invictus and I would like to ask:
Were you reflected in the role of the actor?
How did it feel being the only black person in those moments?
What is your opinion about Mandela?
Thank you for your attention.
Noelia Lopez
NOELIA LOPEZ

1. I wish I could play the role myself but I must say that the person who played my role did ok.

2. It was always a challenge to stay in the team. I had some very good white friends in the team and could always rely on them for support.

3. He is honorable, dignity, passion and truthfull to his own word. Through his forgiveness he has changed our country.


Dear Mr Williams

When did you start playing rugby?
Nowadays are you playing rugby?
How did you feel the last day of the league?
Silvia Monroig
SILVIA MANROIG

1. I started playing rugby at the age of 8 and stop at 10years because of circumstances. Started playing at 17 years again.

2. I am a business man working with petroleum. I also consult with rugby teams so if you know if the Spain team need some help I will come around and assist.

3. If I understand you right my last game I played was emotional but a big relief since I achieved everything through rugby and had challenge a new venture in life. I am a very positive person and do believe I will be extremely successful as I am now and be better.




Dear Mr Williams
My name is Gemma Cardona. I write this letter to tell you that I saw your movie and has been an honor to know a bit about. I think that being the only black person in the team had to be unique and very good.
Well, If I received an answer that would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a lot.
Gemma Cardona Sotelo

1. It was very cool and unique but I carried a huge responsibility on my shoulders representing the black people in a Springier team assisting the team to united the country through sport.


HI, MY NAME IS ESTEBAN CASALEIRO, AND I'M A STUDENT FROM TERRASSA, BARCELONA IN SPAIN. I'M A STUDENT OF A TEACHER THAT SENT YOU AN EMAIL.
LAST WEEK MY CLASS AND OTHER CLASS OF BACH, WENT TO THE CINEMA, TO SEE THE FILM “INVICTUS”.
THE FILM WAS VERY GOOD. I THINK AT THAT TIME THE SITUATION BETWEEN WHITES AND BLACKS WAS VERY HARD.
I'M HAPPY FOR YOU, TO WIN THE RUGBY FINAL.
SEE YOU.
ESTEBAN CASALEIRO

ESTEBAN CASALEIRO
1. I enjoyed my time braking the boundaries between white and black. I made the most amazing friend through rugby across the world. I even met more friends in Spain now


Dear Mr.Williams
Since I saw the film, I'm very interested in your person, because you were the only black person in the Springbok team. Why were you the only black in the team? Why during the Apartheid were you accepted in the team?

Thank you.
Sandra Solvas
SANDRA SOLVAS

1. I believe that I was selected in the team because I was the best player in my position as did proof it.

2. There will be people that like you and some don't I was very lucky that my team mates accept me because I was in the team on merit and they supported me 100%.


Dear Mr. Williams.

My name's Alvaro and I'm 16 years. I'm a English student and last week we saw the film Invictus. The film it's very emotional and I think that you and yours team partners were very important to your country. I'd like to make you some questions:

How did you live the apartheid?
You were the symbol of black people in SouthAfrica before the World Cup, were you proud with this?
You met Mandela, how did you feel when you talked with him?

I wait for your reply.
Write you soon.

Alvaro Jaime.
ALVARO JAUME

1. As a child I always did what my parents expected from me as a child and as a grew up I question and had to make choices. I choose to fight apartheid through sport and luckily for me I got it right.

2. It was a great responsibility and honour to represent my people in the RWC in 1995. I am very pleased that I could open doors for my fellow black south africans young and old.

3. I felt so small yet so honored. He made me feel very good about myself since he came down to my level. We spoke about politics, sport, and everything about life how his time was in jail.



Dear Mr. Williams
I saw the film INVICTUS with my school.
How did you feel in the Springboks team in the 1995 final?
Jordi Muñoz
JORDI MUNOZ

1. I was very excited to play in the final since I new that not only were we well prepared for the game but Nelson Mandela and the rest of the country and more were supporting us. When you on the field you are in control, coaches and manager can only hope the players do it that's what was so nice about the final we were in control of our county's destiny.


Dear Mr Williams,

My name is Ivan. I'm a basketball player, but I really like rugby.
Last week I saw invictus, and I'd like to ask you something.
When you were playing, were you nervous?
And when you saw that all the team was with white people, what did you think??
Well, I wish you luck.
Thank's a lot! +
Write soon.
Ivan Smirnov

IVAN SMIRNOV

1. No I was not since I believed that I trained hard enough to be where I was. All I had to do is what was expected from me in my position anything extra made me special luckily for me I brought something special to the team.



Dear Mr.Williams,

I'm pretty glad of have found the real you, and for the post you left on my facebook's wall!

I saw 'you' on the film Invictus when it was released and last weekend with school, I think you are a great man, and that South Africa should be super proud of people as you, Madiba and Pienaar. I really admire you all.

I have no question for you, I just wanted to congratulate you for being as brave for entering in a team of 'white people' sport in apartheid years, an example to follow.

Greetings for you and your family! :)
Bego Río

o BEGO RIO

Thank you so much for your support I trust that you are doing well. Good luck with all your future ventures.

Where ever I go people always asked me about Mandela. I would like to end off to say that : To the world he is Nelson Mandela to me he is the WORLD.

Wednesday 10 November 2010

RECORD MANDELA'S BIOGRAPHY


Watch Mandela's biography with subtitles on. Then, RECORD YOUR OWN READING OF THE BIOGRAPHY AND PRODUCE AND MP3 FILE. Send it to your teacher via EMAIL or if you want a higher mark, UPLOAD YOUR RECORDING TO WWW.ESNIPS.COM and SEND THE LINK TO YOUR TEACHER. He will embed the player in the CLASS BLOG! Give it a try!
ATTENTION!! TO ACTIVATE THE SUBTITLES YOU MUST OPEN THE VIDEO IN YOUTUBE AND UNDER THE VIDEO, CLICK ON A BUTTON THAT SAYS "CC"; YOU WILL SEE YOUR SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH.

INVICTUS FORUM: TOPICS

After you've seen INVICTUS, it's time you participate in a FORUM. Read the questions and write your OWN PERSONAL ANSWERS. Feel free to express your own opinions honestly and agree or disagree with previous comments. COPYING FROM A PREVIOS POST WILL BE PENALISED!
THE TOPICS OF INVICTUS: Pick one or two topics and discuss about them.

SOUTH AFRICA AND THE APARTHEID
RACISM
LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE
MANDELA'S LIFE
FRANCOIS PIENAAR'S CHALLENGE
THE HARD WORK OF SPORTS PEOPLE
IS SPORT A HOBBY OR A BUSINESS
THE POEM "INVICTUS"
WHERE HAVE YOU FOUND INSPIRATION IN DIFFICULT TIMES?
FORGIVENESS AND RECONCILIATION



INVICTUS FORUM: OPINIONS

What's your opinion of the film INVICTUS? Did you like it? Why? Why not?
What's your opinion about Nelson Mandela? Do you like him? What do you think about his life?
What were your favourite moments in the film?
Was there something you didn't like?

INVICTUS FORUM: CHARACTERS

Which character in INVICTUS do you prefer? Give reasons for your answer!
What do you think about the women in INVICTUS? How are they important in the story?
Nelson Mandela, Francois Pienaar, Chester Williams and the rest of characters are REAL people that made a real dream come true. What lessons have you learnt from these people?




Saturday 6 November 2010

FAVOURITE CHARACTERS IN INVICTUS


Which character in INVICTUS do you prefer?
Nelson Mandela
Francois Pienaar
Chester Williams
Nerine, the girlfriend
Brenda, the President's secretary
Jason, the bodyguard
detect yahoo status

Wednesday 3 November 2010

FRANCOIS PIENAAR TALKS ABOUT NELSON MANDELA


Watch this video of Francois Pienaar talking about Nelson Mandela and in the comments section write down 5 sentences you hear in the clip. Don't forget to write your name and your course!

Monday 1 November 2010

What does peace look like?


If you ever wondered what peace (or any other word) looks like, have a go at the free visual online English dictionary called SNAPPY WORDS. See the meaning of words, how they relate with other words, their opposites and much more.
It's worth the visit!

Monday 18 October 2010

HALLOWEEN: ZOMBIES IN PLAIN ENGLISH


Halloween is round the corner and it's also in our English lessons. In this video you can get instructions to survive a zombie attack.You can find an interesting listening activity following this link at islcollective.com
Enjoy the video and after you've watched it answer the following question in the comments section: what's the most terryfing experienced you've had?
Have a hellish Halloween!

Sunday 17 October 2010

Thursday 14 October 2010

EL RACÓ INTERACTIU DE CINEMA: NEW SEASON!


Enjoy cinema and improve your English and French at the same time with the interactive activities at EL RACÓ INTERACTIU DE CINEMA 2010.
Keep visiting the website, as more activities will be added along the school year. And remember to visit the PREVIOUS SEASONS ACTIVITIES, with more than 20 different films to choose from!
And if you want to watch trailers, videos, songs and listen to the real protagonists of the films, don't forget to visit EL BLOG DEL RACÓ INTERACTIU DE CINEMA

Glogster

Wednesday 13 October 2010

JOY AS CHILE MINERS REACH SURFACE


What a nice hug! I think everyone will always remember this heroic tale. Read and watch the coverage of this happy piece of news at bbc.co.uk
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11518015
What do you think about this hard experience?

PICTURE DESCRIPTION


Write a description of the picture you see here and post it in the comments section. Don't forget to write your name and your course.
You can use these ADJECTIVES FOR DESCRIBING PLACES in the powerpoint presentation.
Due date: OCTOBER 18TH.

Friday 1 October 2010

AN EMBARRASSING MOMENT


Write a text of 50 words minimum describing an embarrassing situation. It can be real or invented. Remember to use the PAST SIMPLE AND THE PAST CONTINUOUS tenses.
VERY IMPORTANT: WRITE YOUR NAME AND YOUR COURSE IN YOUR COMMENT!

Sunday 26 September 2010

Friday 24 September 2010

Monday 13 September 2010

CELEBRATIONS


What 3 special occasions do you celebrate? Write sentences including the ideas below and a frequency adverb: BUY FLOWERS-EAT A SPECIAL MEAL-GIVE PRESENTS-GO OUT FOR DINNER-HAVE A PARTY-INVITE FRIENDS ROUND-LIGHT CANDLES- PRAY- PUT UP DECORATIONS- SET OFF FIREWORKS- VISIT RELATIVES- WEAR TRADITIONAL CLOTHES.

Thursday 9 September 2010

WELCOME BACK!


Dear 3ESO students,
I'm really happy to be back at school and have you as my pupils. I hope we have a great year together and your English improves as a result. Little by little you're going to get used to our English class routines, so don't worry and ask me if you need help.
I'm an active and happy person who enjoys cinema, cooking and celtic music. I'll show you some of my hobbies in our future lessons.
Last August I spent a few days in Asturias with my family. We love Asturias! It's a wonderful place, with wonderful landscapes and really friendly people. Oviedo, its capital, is an awesome and exciting city. You must visit it.
Something funny that happened to me in Oviedo was this: I was doing some shopping with my family when I saw a famous actor from a Spanish TV series. I was surprised, but I didn't talk to him, as he was busy, shopping with his girlfriend. It was a funny experience.
Well, that's all for now.
Tell me a bit about yourselves, so that I can get to know you! Write your post below, and remember to write your name and course.
See you!
Abel
Enjoy

Sunday 5 September 2010

A TRAILER FOR A NOVEL! WOW!

I'm currently reading PIRATE LATITUDES, by Michael Chrichton. I was surfing the web trying to get some info about it and I came across A TRAILER FOR THE NOVEL! Wow, I thought! They know how to engage people in reading books!
I've always envied the British and the Americans for their marketing abilities when promoting books and novels! They make you want to read them straight away! And what is more, they are cheap and accessible if you're short of money! I love reading, but I don't want to spend half my budget in a copy of the book. If you want to read LATITUDES PIRATAS in Spanish, you'll have to pay 18.50 €, but you can read the English paperback edition of PIRATE LATITUDES for just 9.50 € What do you think? Isn't English a good way of saving money!
Well, have a look at the trailer and keep on reading in English, Spanish or whatever languages you can!

Monday 30 August 2010

CHEER UP WITH MIXPOD

Hi, everyone! Welcome back! It's not very good to get back to work, but such is life!
To cheer you up in this back to school season, I've chosen a new gadget to embed in your blog with three videos of happy songs. Get your own and customize its skin at mixpod.com
Welcome back!After all, September is a very good month!


MusicPlaylist
Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Tuesday 13 July 2010

HERE COMES THE SUN



No doubt summer is here! Let me recommend you another blog created and fed by a really creative colleague of mine, Anabel Ponce. Enjoy it and get a lot of wonderful ideas to use in your classes next course.
Happy summer! (Warmest greetings, too!)
http://herecomesthesun-esl.blogspot.com/

Graham Stanley's Blog




http://blog-efl.blogspot.com/

Wednesday 30 June 2010

Thursday 27 May 2010

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOG!

An interesting article about the use of Blogs in secondary schools, which was published in MACMAG ONLINE.
It's worth reading!
http://macmagonline.macmillan.es/editions/current/issue-21-summer-2010/secondary/new-kids-on-the-blog/

ANNA MORALES BLOG CHOICE


Anna Morales is an EOI English teacher in Terrassa. Her blog http://blocs.xtec.cat/amorales/ is one of the best blogs in our teaching panorama and she's been rewarded with "VALE A PENA FICAR DE OLHO NESSE BLOG" award.
In turn, Anna has chosen ten blogs worth visiting and he has picked this one in her list. Thanks, Anna, for the choice which makes me really proud!
http://blocs.xtec.cat/amorales/2010/05/02/its-worth-keeping-an-eye-on-that-blog/

ENJOY MY STUDENTS' GLOGS ABOUT THE AIRPORT!


I'm very proud to share with you the glogs that my 4ESO students have created after 3 weeks of hard work and happy learning with ICT. The experience has been great and I have been rewarded with quality projects that really surprised me. I want to tell all of my students: YOU ARE GREAT AND I AM PROUD OF YOU. Congratulations.
Well, it's time to shut up and let their interesting glogs speak for themselves. Enjoy the glogs and the video interviews, too.
Follow the links to see the glogs.
http://www.oralenglishquarteso.blogspot.com/
4ESOA GLOGS
4ESOB GLOGS

Thursday 15 April 2010

Wednesday 14 April 2010

Friday 19 March 2010

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE ACTIVITIES



Slumdog Millionaire won the Best Film Oscar last year. It is an excellent film that shows the life of three orphan children in India. It is exciting, moving, well written and well interpreted by a wonderful cast. Enjoy the film and practice your English with these interactive activities hosted at EL RACÓ INTERACIU DE CINEMA.
TAKE ME TO THE ACTIVITIES!

Monday 15 March 2010

BBC LEARNING ENGLISH WIDGET



Friday 5 February 2010

Wednesday 20 January 2010

CREATE A GLOG ABOUT SHERLOCK HOLMES

Forget blogging! Try glogging!
Glogs are a new and powerful tool that can offer you the possibility of creating amazing interactive posters. We have thought that after seeing the film SHERLOCK HOLMES you could create a GLOG with information about this important British detective. You must register at www.glogster.com and then you will be able to create your glog. Below, you have a GLOG with instructions to create your own and with all the sections you must include. Don't put limits to your creativity!
HAPPY GLOGGING!

Monday 18 January 2010

HEAL THE WORLD

A student of my class suggested me this song: Heal the world.
Enjoy!

Monday 11 January 2010

DIALOGUES ABOUT NORTHERN IRELAND


My students have been working on a webquest about Northern Ireland. They're creating interactive trivia games about this wonderful country, and they've written dialogues as well. Do you want to listen to them? Here you have some samples of their work. Enjoy!
JUDIT AND JOEL
SARAY AND MARTA
RICARD AND OSCAR
ADRIA AND JUAN
DAVID AND RAUL

Friday 8 January 2010

FROZEN BRITAIN SEEN FROM ABOVE


JUST AN IMAGE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.
HAPPY NEW AND FROZEN YEAR!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8447023.stm