Get ready for the DISCOVERY party!

Any ideas? any problem?
Let us know so that we can share it at the party!

Nicenet

"Nicenet" Una comunidad internáutica de fácil acceso.

Los BLOGs en el aula

Un proyecto de BLOGs como excusa para desarrollar la escritura creativa:

Welcome to the teacher's Blog

As we are starting a new school year, I encourage you to visit my previous year student's blogs for you to see how active and creative they were.

I hope you enjoy learning English as much as I enjoy teaching!

Discoveries. Ian McEwan

I’m curious enough to follow my instincts when I read a review about a film. Thus it was with the film Atonement based on the novel of the same title by Ian McEwan. When I saw the film, I liked it, but I had the feeling that the novel would give that detailed information I was longing to know and the film, in spite of the beautiful scenes could not provide. I was right. His writing hooks you completely.
Here is a little taste of the film for you to admire the beauty of some scenes:

What I have discovered after the experience of the film is that Evan McEwan is one of the best British literary authors of the present time. His literature is real, deep, modern, and passionate. He explores the human beings and the conflicting situations they inevitably come across. I’ve just finished reading Enduring Love and realized that there’s also a film to the novel. What intensity! And how easily you think you can control a situation that when you are on a dire straits, you just can, or can’t you? Here is a good example of both:

Enjoy them in the original version. They are both stories excellent films and novels.

Once

I cannot speak but I can listen and of course I can watch! I love the movies, so, tired of being at home, I took my beloved train to Barcelona which I miss so much and went to see “Once”. My intention here is to convince you all to go and watch it!
There are plenty of reviews you may read on the Net. Have a look for yourselves, I’m not going to tell you about these but I just want to encourage you to take some time to go to the Verdi Cinemas. It’s going to be removed, so do it soon!
The film is fresh and unconventional. The English – Irish can be easily understood (maybe because the main female character is a foreigner, just like you) because they do not speak too fast and, of course, they sing. They clearly sing and pronounce words really well. Let me know if you watch it.
Here is a taste of the film! Enjoy it!

A matter of identity: Chasing a “tortilla” sandwich

While I am still trying to assimilate the book I have read in French Les Identités Meurtrières by Amin Maalouf (a must!!!) and still wondering about personal and community identities, I am facing the fact of the disappearance of the French Omelette “bocata”. Last Thursday I did not have time to have a proper lunch, so I decided to have my favourite sandwich. My first attempt was a bar I had visited in the past quite often. The owner was a very nice, stout lady with a fresh, friendly and county look, who used to ask me to keep an eye at her bar while she was in the kitchen making the omelette. She was not there, instead I found a Chinese looking young woman, very polite and smiling by the way, but she could not understand “un bocadillo de tortilla”, please. She looked so puzzled that I wasn’t even able to ask what had happened to the previous lady. I finally gave up and went into another bar in the neighbourhood and asked for the same thing. The man, this time, said “de patata”? I corrected him “francesa” I said, so I could get my precious desire accomplished. He was sorry but he could not make such sandwich. My third attempt was another bar on the corner. I asked for the food almost reluctantly and completely decided to fast in case nobody could make it. The bar tender said that his stove did not work and he could only offer me a tuna, cheese, jam or sausage sandwich. I probably showed my discouragement so clearly that a man having his “carajillo” looked compassionately at me and said. “Go across the street, a few meters down, they’ll make you one there”. That was going to be my last attempt and I was so happy to hear after my request “kitchen, a French omelette sandwich, with tomato!”, “marchando!” was the answer from the rear room. I think I’ve never enjoyed a meal so much as I did last Thursday but I fear the disappearance of a real identity meal. At least it is for me! Are you ready to fight that reality? Or, are we fighting against the inevitable?

Best Wishes

I’ve tried to update with my corrections. However try to understand if there is one among your posts that has not been corrected. This will happen. If I don’t correct everything it doesn’t mean you do not have to write. You MUST WRITE in order to get loose, to practise, to respond more naturally. It is a constant training.

Enjoy the holidays but do not forget your English completely during these days. Enjoy yourself and use the language for your own benefit. Each of you learns in a different way. Find your own learning way!!!

Suggestions? Films, English TV programmes, articles on topics you are interested in, pod casts, going to the country if possible really or virtually…

I’m leaving for Marseille in a few hours. I will not be able to check my mail, so meanwhile I do hope that you enjoy your holidays and send you my best wishes for the New Year.

And do not be too “shopaholic”…