Is it good value for money? (Intermediate level)

Do you know the expression 'good value for money'? It means that something has a good price compared to it's quality (buena relación precio / calidad).

To start getting back into the swing of things (de vuelta a la rutina), we're going to have a look at contrasting connectors and a debate topic.

Here's a connector's map (like an underground map but with connectors) and I would like you to look at the orange line, the contrasting connectors:-

I'm going to give you some sentences with a gap and I would like you to fill them in with one of the connectors ( Whereas, otherwise, alternatively, nevertheless, conversely, although, instead of, however, on the other hand)

1. I was looking for a white wedding dress ___________ my friends all thought that was too traditional.
2. You could look for a job at a hospital or ______________ you could also work at a chemist.
3. I would prefer a face to face class ___________ an online class.
4. I think this car is very fast but _____________ it's not very good value for money.
5. I will have to pay the tax office _____________ they are going to fine me.
6. I think that globalization could be very positive for people to find new jobs _____________ others see it as an invasion.

Let's move onto the debate topic:-

Here's a debate question related to this expression and I would like you to try to answer this question using some vocabulary and the connectors we saw before:-

Some people say thayt the quality of a product is more important. Others say that the price of a product is more important. Which statement do you agree with and why?

On the following worksheet in section B you can find the vocabulary I would like you to use in your answer:-

Feel free to write your answers in the comments below!

What's in a name?

What's in a name?

LEVEL 1

Today we are going to use some familiar names to practise how to ask questions in English.

Here are the names of two people who are very important in my life:-

1.  VICENTE


2. GILLIAN


I would like you to look at these names and ask me some questions to discover why these people are important for me...... I mean, are they family members? Friends? Neighbours? Colleagues? 

So let's learn how to make a question.

The correct structure for a question in English has a simple formula:-

QU               A                S                    I                (QUASI)
question word         auxiliary            subject                        infinitive      ?

e.g.

What                 does           he/she                     do?
How old             is              he/she?
Where               does           he/she                     live?


Now you know why these people are important for me, let's do the same using some names of people who are important in your lives.

Listening can be fun too..... Carpool Karaoke

I know I have been a bit absent on my blog in the last few months but I'm back :)

Today I wanted to celebrate my return but sharing something really entertaining with you.
I know that traditional listening at school was really boring, play, stop, I can't hear it properly, etc!

But nowadays we don't have to stick with old-fashioned ways..... Have you ever done any video listening comprehension?

If you have or it's the first time and you want to try it out, try something entertaining, from my point of view, the funnier the better. I really like music and comedy so what better than a combination of the two? 

If that's what you're looking for try Carpool Karaoke videos. They are presented by James Corden and are both funny and make learning more entertaining:-

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckdsJ-LaCvM&list=RDckdsJ-LaCvM&start_radio=1&t=0

This is the Carpool Karaoke video with one of my favorite singers, Ed Sheeran.

Watch the video and try to do all the activities on the worksheet below.

I really hope you enjoy this activity, at a time like now it's handy.

Take care everybody!

Halloween

Are you ready for Halloween?

It seems that Halloween is another foreign import here in Spain, something that people didn't tend to celebrate some years ago but it's all the rage nowadays (all the rage = in fashion).

Do you celebrate Halloween? If you do, how? In my case I always celebrate Halloween in class with everyone as well as some small celebrations with friends. This year some trick or treating with a friend and her daughter :)

Let's go over some different ways to celebrate... Some inspiration perhaps if you haven't made plans yet:-

• Go to a fancy dress competition - So many bars, pubs, schools or associations (fallas, etc) hold a fancy dress competition where the best costume, make up or even song sang wins a prize 

• Go trick or treating - Trick or treat is a tradition in the UK, USA and even here in Spain nowadays. Children (and adults) visit houses and ask the owners if they would like a "trick" or they prefer to give them a "treat". The trick is normally a prank (a bad joke) and the "treat" (which can mean a "capricho" or a "deal") is normally when the residents give you some sweets to ensure they won't be victim of your "trick".

• A horror film marathon - There are endless horror films so a good scary line up at home is also a great way to spend "All Hallows Eve". Some suggestions are Friday 13th, Nightmare on Elm's Street, Annabelle or Poltergeist.

I hope you enjoyed these suggestions for Halloween! Feel free to share your Halloween plans in the comments below.

"What English qualifications can my teenager get?"

Many parents often wonder if their children's English level is up to scratch or, in fact, better than average. Some ask after official qualifications that can be beneficial for their future career or current education. I understand the struggle but we need to remember that just because a lot of people have a B2 or a C1 doesn't mean it's a piece of cake (easy).

So, what's the answer? The British Council have come up with a fantastic solution to this timely question: APTIS (para jovenes):-

https://www.britishcouncil.es/examenes/aptis/teens ----> Some information about the test

As you can see it's a level test which is very similar to an official Cambridge exam. It's the best way for you and your teens to verify their English level as well as getting a taste of what an official English exam is like.

For this exam we would need to revise suitable vocabulary topics like:-

• social networks (ICT)
• homework and studies (education)
• events (suited to their age; parties, fairs, outdoor events, etc.)
• school sports (hobbies and their leisure time)

This test is computer based and the results will be ready within a week of the test (compared to four to five weeks for an official exam).

Here are some sample grammar questions from the test:-

1. Written grammar 

He ______ me that the machine was broken. 

 told 

 spoke 

 said 

My boss says that I ______ to finish the report by Friday. 

 must 

 have 

 should 

My new computer works _____ faster than my old one. 

 many 

 more 

 much 

I have worked for this company _____ I left university. 

 since 

 after 

 from 

Here is a link to the candidate guide with a lot more information about the test:-

https://www.britishcouncil.es/sites/default/files/aptis_candidate_guide_jan18.pdf

To sum up, the beauty of this test is that you are not only tested for one level but tested to verify your level so your result can be anything from A1 to C.

Resolutions... Will they stick?

I'm sure all of you have made some resolutions for the new year, right? In my case I've taken up swimming, after a long time without any sport in my life (if you know me, you know it was for a good reason), so back to sport I am. So far, so good, I'm feeling great but will it last?

That's the point, what do we have to do to make sustainable changes? What are the keys?

Matt Cutts has some tips about how to stick to your new routine:-

https://eslvideo.com/quiz.php?id=33718

Can you answer these questions about his tips?


1. He says he felt like he was "stuck in a rut," so he decided to ____________________.
 go to McDonalds
 try something new for thirty days

2. He says it's a pretty simple idea. Just think about something you've always wanted _____________ and try it for thirty days.
 to add to your life
 to watch someone do

3. He learned a couple things, one, time became more memorable, and two, ________________.
 he took a picture everyday for a month
 his self-confidence grew

4. He figured out that if he really wanted something badly enough _______________.
 he could do it for thirty days
 he could write a book

5. He wrote a book in a month. He says ___________________.
 the book is awful
 it was an awful experience

6. He learned that when he tried something for thirty days, he could keep doing it if _________________.
 it was something small
 it was a big, crazy challenge

7. He says we should think about something we've always wanted to try, and ______________.
 guarantee that the next thirty days will pass, whether we like it or not
 give it a shot

Back to school and back to English class = Back to basics and why not? :)

After the rainstorms last week we are finally back to normal and most people are back to work / school and English class, which normally means back to basics, in other words you're going to start with the present simple again. So seeing as that's the case, why not make it entertaining.

Let's have a quick look at the Present Simple:-

USES:

- Facts
e.g. People speak Spanish in Spain. OR The sky isn't green.

- Routines and habits
e.g. I work from Monday to Friday. OR I usually go swimming twice a week.

- Timetables (present and future)
e.g. My next class starts at 10.45 OR He doesn't finish work until 20.00.

CONJUGATION:

+ 
I work
You work
He / She / It works
You work
We work
They work

- 
I don't work
You don't work
He/She/it doesn't work
You don't work
We don't work
They don't work

?
Do I work?
Do you work?
Does he/she/it work?
Do you work?
Do we work?
Do they work?

TIME EXPRESSIONS FOR THE PRESENT SIMPLE:-

• Frequency Adverbs:-

ALWAYS

USUALLY / NORMALLY / FREQUENTLY

OFTEN

SOMETIMES

HARDLY EVER

SELDOM

NEVER

• Frequency Expressions

Once / Twice / Three times a day / week / month / year.

Every day / week / month / year.

From time to time.

Once in a blue moon.

Now we have seen an overview of the present simple let's put it into practise with some comprehension, watch this video with Mr Bean and try to answer the questions:-

https://www.eslvideo.com/quiz.php?id=32905

1. Mr. Bean ____________ a picture of the stewardess.
 take
 takes
 does not take

2. Mr. Bean ___________ his first class pass to passengers.
 show
 shows
 does not show

3. Mr. Bean ____________ his shoes.
 takes off
 take off
 doesn't take off

4. The man next to him _____________________ Mr. Bean's feet.
 smells
 doesn't smells
 doesn't smell

5. The man _____________ having his picture taken.
 does not like
 do not like
 does not likes

6. Mr. Bean ______________ to wake up the man in front of her.
 try
 tries
 do not try

7. The man _______________ happy about his flight.
 isn't
 are
 does not be

8. Mr. Bean _______________ a gun.
 has
 do not have
 does not have

9. The officers ____________ he __________ have a gun.
 thinks, does
 think, do
 think, does

10. The officers _____________ him.
 chase
 chases
 don't chase

11. The officer ______________ him if he takes medicine.
 asks
 ask
 doesn't ask

12. Mr. Bean says he _____________ medicine.
 isn't take
 don't take
 doesn't take

Now let's play a game! Write three sentences in present simple about yourself in the comments below (two of them should be true and the other one should be a lie). The others should guess which one is a lie.

Have fun and welcome back to the routine!