POST 9: 2013 GOOD AND BAD POINTS (So far...)

Today you are expected to evaluate the past year, 2013. Have you had a good year?

Write about:
> Good things that have happened in your life
> Situations that did not go so well
> Your achievements in 2013
> Things you did not do (last term) / have not done yet / still have to do this year
> Important news / event you would like to highlight
> Any other comments

Keep in mind that the wordcount: is 250 and don't forget to write comments on  3 of your classmates' posts.

PET SESSION 2

Hi everybody,
Today you are going to have some practice for the final exam.
Here are the links to the different sections.
Reading:

 http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_reading3.htm

http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_reading4.html

http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_reading_part5.htm

 

Listening:

 http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_listening_part3.htm

http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_listening_part4.htm

 

Vocabulary:

 http://www.examenglish.com/vocabulary/B1_vocabulary_topics.htm

VIDEO 3: AN ACTIVITY YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR FREE TIME

Record a 2-minute mobile phone video presentation about an activity you like to do in your free time.
Say:

· What the activity is,
· How often you do it,
· Where you do it,
· What the activity involves,
· Why you enjoy doing this activity.
· Mention anything else you think is important.

Remember the deadline for video 3 is 28th November.

POST 8: MY BEST FRIEND / MY WORST ENEMY

Today's post has two possible topics. Choose the one you like best and answer the questions.

MY BEST FRIEND:
What qualities should a good friend have?
Are you a friendly person? Do you make friends easily?
Do you have a good relationship with people in general?
Who is your best friend? How did you meet? What do you value in him/her?
Do you remember a situation in which your best friend was good to be around?
Tell us about an anechdote you have had with your best friend.

MY WORST ENEMY
What makes someone a bad person from your point of view?
Do you know someone you consider your enemy? Why is that?
Do you remember a situation in which you had to confront your worst enemy?
Your worst enemy can be something other than a person. What is your worst enemy: hunger? corruption?
Write anything else you would like to add on this topic.

Write 240 words and comment on 3 of your classmates' posts.

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( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIwbCYfGI8s )

“For good times and bad times I'll be on your side forever more : That's what friends are for” This is what a famous song about friendship says and I agree with it. I think a friend is someone you can count on when you are in trouble, but also someone who is around when you feel well and want to share your happiness. I like people who are fun to be with, so I really value people who are funny, have a good sense of humour and are able to talk about interesting things.
I´m a sort of sociable person and make friends easily, but I’m afraid I don’t see my friends as regularly as I should, because I tend to spend too much time on my own. I should also acknowledge the fact that I forget to give my friends a call on a regular basis, so I guess I’m not a very good friend in that regard, but, on the other hand, I’ve been able to keep long friendships with some people and when we meet it feels as if we had just seen one another the week before.
One of my closest friend is Eduardo. We met well over thirty years ago when we were doing our first year in high school and still see each other from time to time. He’s a very funny guy and quite clever, and he always has a good story to tell. He started working as a chauffeur at the law courts some fifteen years ago, but now he is about to get his degree as a lawyer.
I don’t think I keep in touch with any of my childhood friends, but I’ve met with some of my ex university classmates four or five times lately these years. We got in touch again thanks to Facebook and now I’m looking forward to our next get together.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Here are the links to a couple of songs about friendship:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VsnaGPIJ8U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_gPIxYdDy8

POST 7: HOW GREEN ARE YOU?

 My heart must be green. Ever since I was a skinny little kid I have been fond of nature. I must have been six when I was walking in the street and bumped into a heap of a very simple type of creeping plant. I couldn’t help feeling sorry for the plant that had been cut off and unmercifully thrown away. So, by way of compensation, I picked up a piece of the plant, took it home and planted it. It didn’t take the little plant very long to grow bigger and thankfully offer me larger and greener leaves. And that was the beginning of my friendship with nature, which later developed into care for all type of living things and care for the planet.
Some years ago I started recycling things like cardboard, aluminum tins and tetra-pack cartons, which is not easy when you live in a small flat and the recycling points are far from your home, but I think it’s been worth the effort.
I must admit that I don’t walk very much and I use public transportation a lot, but that is because my place of work is rather far away from home to walk or ride there. I wish there were more facilities for byke riders in our city, as in The Neatherlands. When that happens I’ll go into a shop a buy a nice bicycle for me to ride everywhere.
I’ve been a suppoorter of Green Peace for some years now. Well, I don’t jump into little boats and go to Antartica to try and stop Japanese whale factory ships, but I donate to Greenpeace on a monthly basis. So, even when I wouldn’t dare personally participate to stop whale slaughter, at least I’m contributing to prevent it happening, aren’t I?

This week´s post is related to looking after the environment. So, we want you to tell us how far down the green road you are, in other words, what shade of green you are: an Eco-Hero, a Tree-Hugger-Hater or a Green-in-Between.
Here you are some questions to help you start off writing your post:

- Where do people learn about enviromentally friendly practices?
- Have you incorported recycling into your habits? Describe
- Do you use a bike or your legs instead of a car?
- Have you joined or supported any eco-organisations? Why/Why not?
- What else have you done /would you like to do?
- What have you done to reduce your carbon footprint?
- What's missing in our society/Santiago ragarding this issue?

Keep in mind that the number of words is 240 and don't forget to make comments on at least 3 of your classmates posts.

(Tree-hugger: an environmentalist or one who believes trees and all living things should not be cut down or harmed. Someone who works to protect the environment from destruction or pollution)

SHORT SURVEY

At Plataforma Programa Inglés - http://www.lapetus.uchile.cl/japeto/interior.php?id=105 - we have uploaded a short survey that we want all students to answer. It won't take you more than 5 minutes. Can you help us?

PET SESSION 1

Hi everybody!
Today you are going to have some practice for the final written exam. Please, click on the links below to access the sites to practise your Reading and Listening skills, and also your vocabulary. I hope you get a lot done and learn new things.


PET (Preliminary English Test) Practice

Reading:

http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_reading1.htm
http://www.examenglish.com/PET/reading1.htm
http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_reading2.htm

Listening:

http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_listening_part1.htm
http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_listening_part2.htm

Vocabulary:

http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_vocab.htm

VIDEO 2: A JOURNEY YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE

SECOND VIDEO PRESENTATION:
A JOURNEY YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE

Record a for 2 –minute mobile phone video presentation* about a journey you would like to make

Say:
-Where you would like to go,
-Who you would go with,
-What you would do there,
-Why you would like to make this journey.
-Mention anything else you think is important.

°A mobile phone video presentation is a video of you talking directly to the camera.
Please feel free to practice and record as many versions as you see fit in order to complete the task. However, the final video must be in one take (i.e. it must not be edited).
Remember: you musn’t be wearing sunglasses or read when you do the video.

IMPORTANT: The deadline to send me your video by e-mail is: 4th November.

POST 6: A COUNTRY I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” This quote was written by St. Augustine and I absolutely agree with him on this one. Travelling is one of the things I enjoy the most in life. I’ve been to many places but Guatemala is one of the countries I have always wanted to visit but have never been to.

I’d like to visit Guatemala because I have heard lots of people say that Antigua and Chichicastenango –two of the most important touristic places there- are even more colourful and interesting than some Mexican cities that I have already visited. Antigua is a city which was destroyed by an earthquake centuries ago, but then it was rebuilt and became the most beautiful colonial Guatemalan city, and Chichicastenango is a place that has an important market where you can buy good fruit and vegetables, along with high quality handcraft –which is something I’m very interested in.

If I went there I would like to walk around the places, eat in nice restaurants, talk to the locals, visit the museums and buy some textiles and pottery. However I wouldn’t like to work or live there, because I think that after spending a few months there I would probably get bored -I’m a city person and I would surely miss the things that a big city like Santiago can offer.

As the saying goes: Where there's a will, there's a way, so I'm saving money and one day lady luck will surely knock at my door and help me make another dream come true.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> o <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
What about you? Is there a place you have always wanted to visit but haven't had the chance?
Today you’re supposed to write about a country you would like to visit. Make sure you answer these questions when you write your post.
- Which country would you like to go to? Why?
- What do you know about it?
- What would you like to do there?
- Would you like to study/work/live there? Explain.

Remember to make comments on 3 of your classmates’ posts and to write 220 words.

POST 5: ANIMALS AND PETS

Some people are animal lovers, others use and abuse animals. Some people can't live without their pet animals, others raise animals to make a living . I like pets, but I don´t like the idea of having animal hair all over my home.
I got my first dog, which I still remember after all these years, when I was around six, and I was very fond of a dog we had when I was a teenager, but, even though I would like to have a dog now, my flat is so small that there´s no room to swing a cat in it, -like they say, let alone a dog!

I absolutely disagree with animal mistreatment. I think animals can only be used for medical research as long as they are not hurt in any way, and it really upsets me to see what some scientists do to some defendless animals. With regard to keeping animals in zoos, I used to think that this was a reprehensible practice, however I’ve changed my mind now that I know that, in some cases, they have been saved from a certain death and would surely die if they were set free.
People who have a dog should be responsible owners and take the necessary precautions so it won’t hurt another animal or person. I’ve been bitten by dogs twice and, -believe me, it wasn’t funny at all! The owners of these dogs should have been more careful and known that pets have to be well taught, the way children are.
According to the Chinese astrology I was born under the year of the dog, and if I had to be born again an animal I would probably choose a dog because they are loyal, friendly, intelligent and fun to be around. Do you know what animal you are according to the Chinese Zodiac?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> o <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Today you have decided to write about animals, so here you have some questions to guide you. You don't have to answer all the questions, just choose one or two from each group to develop your paragraphs.

PARAGRAPH 1
Do you consider yourself an animal lover?
Did you use to have a pet when you were a kid?
Do you have a pet now? If so, tell us about it. If not, would you like to have one?
What animal do you think makes the best pet? Why?
Do you know someone who owns an unusual pet?

PARAGRAPH 2
How do you feel about the use of animals for medical research?
Do you think it is right to keep wild animals in a zoo?
Do you think people should buy and wear fur coats?

PARAGRAPH 3
Have you ever been bitten by a dog? (... or by a snake!!?)
Do you think dogs should be banned or muzzled?
P
ARAGRAPH 4
If you could be an animal, what would you (choose to) be? Why?



KEEP IN MIND:
- Leave a comment on 3 of your classmates’ posts
- The word count for this post is 220 words

POST 4: SUMMARY FROM A CAREER-RELATED ARTICLE

POST 5: SUMMARY FROM A CAREER-REL​ATED ARTICLE FROM THE GUARDIAN OR THE SANTIAGO TIMES (ONLINE NEWSPAPERS)
In order to write today’s post you have to go to either http://www.guardian.co.uk/ or http://www.santiagotimes.cl/ . Once there you have to:
> Select a piece of news connected to your area of studies / future career.
> Write a summary of it.
> Provide the link to your piece of news.
> Leave a comment on 3 of their partners' posts.

Remember:
•Do not rewrite the original piece. Don’t copy and paste.
•Keep your summary short.
•Use your own wording.
•Refer to the central and main ideas of the original piece.
•Read with who, what, when, where, why and how questions in mind.
•Do not put in your opinion of the issue or topic discussed in the original piece.

Make sure to write about 220 words.

Please have a look at my sample post below to get an idea.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 0 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Private universities complain of insecurity (By Anna Fazackerley) , The Guardian, Monday 1 October 2012 19.30 BST http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/oct/01/private-higher-education-reforms This article is about the complaints made by private higher education providers, in spite of the fact that they are doing well, and the reaction of their critics. While some in the public sector resent the freedoms given to private providers, these, in turn, acknowledge the fact that they feel they have benefitted from the policies of the new coalition government and are doing good business, but they fear insecurity and claim that if the current system doesn’t change they might be affected. Although public universities have now to restrict to a certain number of applications, private institutions can recruit as many students as they want and these students are now entitled to get public loans. Notwithstanding this, Alain Jenkins, of the the Edge Hotel School, acknowledges that there is less hostility towards private institutions, but says that some new policies are still not friendly. While the number of applications in the whole sector has declined and the participation of for-profit institutions across the sector is still small, the latter have dramatically increased the number of recruits. Regardless this, Prof Terence, Kealey of Buckingham, states that many of his colleagues feel the system is unfair, and Paul Marshall, of Business Schools, points out that private providers fear that expansion is risky because a new Labour government might affect investors. Besides, some people from the private sector are annoyed because, although their institutions succeded an accreditation proccess to have degree-awarding powers, they have to reapply every six years. On the other hand Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, accuses private providers of being shameless because while they are making demands, they are said to be committing several frauds. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 0 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Here you have some useful words and expressions to help you write your summary.The article is about… / deals with… / presents… / describes… / explains…In the text / excerpt / story/ article the reader gets to know…/ is confronted with / is told about
The author / Mr X / · says / states / points out that …· claims / believes / thinks that…· describes / explains / makes clear that· uses examples to confirm / prove that· agrees / disagrees with the view / the thesis· contradicts the view…· criticises / analyses / comments on…· tries to express…· suggests that…· compares X to Y· doubts that…· tries to convince the readers that…· concludes that…

VIDEO 1: A PRESENT I RECEIVED

A PRESENT YOU RECEIVED
Record a 2 minute mobile phone video presentation* about a present you received as a child.
Say:
What the present was,
Who gave it to you,
Why they gave it to you,
How you felt when you received it.
Mention anything else you think is important.
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°A mobile phone video presentation is a video of you talking directly to the camera.
Please feel free to practice and record as many versions as you see fit in order to complete the task. However, the final video must be in one take (i.e. it must not be edited).
Remember: you musn’t be wearing sunglasses or read when you do the video.

POST 3: MY FAVOURITE MOVIE EVER

I have always enjoyed going to the cinema. When I was a child my parents used to take me , together with my two brothers and three sisters (at the time, now they are four!!) to the local cinema, which was a shabby place that showed three movies in a row. But for me this run down cinema was a magical place where I saw excellent movies that I still remember after all these years (Please, don't ask me how many). Fortunately these days you can watch movies at home with great quality images and stop the movie if you want to go to the kitchen for snack, for example.

One of my favourite movies of all times is Brazil, by Terry Gilliam. I remember that Robert de Niro stars in it, but I don't remember the other actors. "Brazil" is based on another amazing film that you may have heard of: Orwell 1984 and it is about a fully technologycal futuristic city where everything is controlled by a central government: people's lives, the economy, the press -and even history!, which they change as they please.
I like this movie because, Unlike Orwell 1984, which is an extremely gloomy movie, Brazil is full of humour and irony, the characters and the situations are really unbelievable.
I strongly reccomend this movie.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> o<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Today you have chosen to write about your favourite movie, so here you have some questions you should answer:

What do you prefer, going to the cinema or watching movies at home?
What is your favourite movie?
Who stars in it?
What is it about?
Why do you like it?
Would you reccomend it?

Remember to leave a comment on 3 of your classmates' posts
The Word Count for this post is 180 words

POST 2: MY IDEAL JOB

Hi everybody! Have you thought about what you want to do after you graduate from university? Is there any kind of job that you are considering? Your first blog assignment this term is to write about your ideal job. Say: - What your ideal job would be - What qualities and skills you would need to do this job - Why you would be good at this job - How difficult it would be to find this kind of job. Write 160 words and comments on at least 3 of your classmates' blogs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 0 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< USEFUL WORDS AND PHRASES I’m thinking of working as/in… / I’m considering to work as/in…/ I’m planning to … / I have in mind to… / I’ve decided to… / I’m hoping to… / I’m playing with idea of… __ing / I’d love to…/ I can’t choose between ….. or …../ I’m torn between ….. and ..… / It looks like I’m going to… / I’m not 100% sure, but I might …/ It's a toss-up between ……… and ……….. I’d like to get a job as…/ I’d like to work as …/ I hope to get a job in… /I wouldn’t like to…/ - I’m good at … ___ing / I’m good with… (money, numbers,etc)/ I’m terrible at…./ I become (nervous) about ___ing / I am very confident in… __ing / I can… / I can’t… / - Some aspects to consider could be: Salary - Benefits - Location – Hours - Co-workers - work atmosphere/environment.

FIRST TERM: GOOD AND BAD POINTS

Your first blog assignment consists of writing about  your experiences during the first term of 2013 You may want to include the positive and negative aspects of it.  Be sure you read my sample post to get some inspiration , and then describe:

- what you learned/studied

- the sports and free time activities you did

- the challenges/problems you had to face

- Others (family, friends, etc..)

- Word Count: 150

- make comments on at least 3 of your classmates posts.

Let me tell you about my last term.

Time really flies, the older you get, the faster it goes by. However, during this swift first term many things happened, I learned new things, I tried to make good use of my free time, overcome some problems, and  spend time with the people I care for.

Although I didn’t study anything in particular, I started to watch the chefs on cable television and learnt how to make some nice dishes. So, at least,  I can’t complain about my diet, which has improved significantly –but I’m afraid I have put on some weight, though. Well everything has  good and bad sides, doesn’t it? 

I´m ashamed to say that I don’t do much exercise, and last term was not an exception, but since I got me a new guitar I tried to catch up on  my playing skills, and so I learnt some new songs and  also spent time singing karaoke, one of my favourite past-times.  I almost forgot to mention that I did lots of repairs in my house, I built a new closet for my tools, got rid of things I had stopped  using  and had my flat painted and new curtains put up -Feg Shui experts should  be very pleased and proud of me!  Unfortunately, all the paint tubes and brushes I bought are still waiting in a box, begging me to use them.

A very positive aspect of last term is that, although I didn’t see much of my family, I met with my friends regularly and also made some good new acquaintances; togheter we went to lots of places, such as restaurants, the cinema, fairs, and interesting sites in Santiago.

 As you can see, even though last term seems to have been too short for me, I managed to do  lots of things. I cant’t complain, can I?