Blog #10: English Language Challenges

> What comments can you make about your experience learning English at university? What about the use of blogs?
> What aspects of your English need to be improved and how do you plan to do this?
> Outside the English class, how much are you using English these days? What for?

- Wordcount: 250
- Make comments on 3 of your partners' posts.


Hi dear students, today's blog session is about the English challenges during the process at university and in the future. 

I think using blogs while learning, in this case English language, has a lot of importance, because you have to use the language to show your thoughts. Also, it gives you the opportunity to be in touch with the language the whole time. The use of blogs or any other interactive platform to learn English not only at university, but in general terms is an amazing manner to improve your skills as a non-native speaker. I believe that by using blogs you can improve your writing skills as well as your knowledge about vocabulary.

However my speaking skills are not bad at all, I think I have to improve them in order to have more understanding of variety of topics, so I can talk to people about them. Also, my reading skills are quite good but they need to be improved as well. To improve my skills, I will start a weekly plan to remember everything I've forgotten about these two important skills. I will start by reading a lot of tips about reading and speaking skills, so at the end of this year I will recover every aspect of my English abilities.

I use English all the time, wherever I go I can use my English, because tourists are usually lost so I give them directions or just a piece of advice about a new place in town or the best way move around the city.

That's all folks.

See you soon (I hope) 

 

Blog # 9: Have you had a good first semester??

First Semester 2015: Some reflections

Write about:
> Good things that have happened
> Situations that haven't worked so well
> Your achievements
> The subjects you've enjoyed and the others..
> Other things you want to mention


Wordcount: 250 + 3 comments

Hey guys!! Sorry for the delay. I'm now writing the blog session #9. This time we're going to write about our first semester and some reflections about it.

Well, I have met a lot of interesting people this semester and I have learned a lot also. Another good thing that happened was finishing my Master's degree with an outstanding grade in my thesis work. Also, during these months I haven't been working so much and that's quite good for me at the moment, because I needed a short break from working too hard. :)

One of the ugliest situation this semester was to be on strike at University, because I really wanted to guide your learning process, but every strike has it purpose and I hope you achieve your goals with this strike!! 

As I said before, I got my MA with a really good mark; moreover, I got two fantastic jobs at 2 universities and more importantly I improved my teaching skills...  I really think that teaching you guys has been one of the best things that have occurred to me and I've really enjoyed all the lessons that I have done with you. 

Finally, I hope this semester finishes in a good way with more projects to do in the future, but no one knows what's going to happen, so we just have to wait for it ;) !!! 

Have a nice week!!!

Blog session #8 : A favourite picture of you.

Blog Session # 8

A favourite picture of you

Say the following things while you write your text:

- Why do you like it?

- Where are you in the picture?

- How long ago was the picture taken?

- Describe the situation in which the picture was taken.

- How do you feel when you see the picture?

Number of words: 240

Don't forget to make comments on at least 3 of your classmates posts.

Hello dear survivors of the English course, today's blog session is about a picture of you. Well, I already added a picture of myself and I hope you like it. 

I'm going to tell you more about the picture. I think you all know where the photo was taken, yes!! It's our beautiful London. For someone like me, I mean a Teacher of English, being there is like a dream came true. I really like this picture, because as a said it's in London and also because it was one of my first travels in Europe. 

This photo was taken back in 2010, a long time ago, but every time I see this picture is like being there once again. It was the first day, I have just arrived from Sweden and I think it was past midnight. Well, after a long journey, by taxi, from the airport to the hostel a friend of mine took this photo. The taxi cost at least £150, which is equivalent to $97.000, so you can imagine how I felt when the taxi driver told me how much I had to pay. After this photo was taken, I went to grab something to eat because I haven't eaten anything at that moment and luckily I found a good and cheap place.

I chose this picture because it reminds me that dreams come true, and if you work hard and put a lot of effort in achieving what you want, you will get your reward in the future. 

Blog Session #7

How green are you?

While you are writing your thoughts, you will have to answer these questions: 

- Where do people learn about enviromentally friendly practices?

- Have you incorporated 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 regarding this issue?

Number of words: 230

Don't forget to make comments on at least 3 of your classmates posts.

Hello dear Students, well today's blog session is about how green you are in your daily life, and I'm going to tell more about this issue in my life.

I think most people learn to be friendly with the environment mainly watching T.V or movies that are related to global warming, and how the earth is being destroyed little by little. In my case, I have incorporated some of these things into my daily routine. For example, I try no to use plastic bags or throw rubbish to the ground. Also, I don't have a car on my own so I have to walk. Moreover, if I need to go somewhere near my house, I use my bike.

There are a lot of advertisements about organisations, which are trying to do their best to help our earth, and I believe that we all have to support these eco-organisations around the world, because they have made a very good job trying to keep our planet as healthy as possible. I'd really like to start a recycling project in my community and try to change people's mind. 

Well, Apart from using my legs and not throwing rubbish, another thing that I usually do is to turn off every light at home if I'm not using it. Besides, I have shortened my showers and the use of water in general. 

According to our city / country, there's still a lack of being aware of what is going on around us, because we tend to live our lives inside of a bubble without caring about the others or about our own nature. People need to start changing their view of the world and start helping these eco-organisations. Perhaps without giving money or going to every protest, but I think is more than enough being a little bit more conscious about this matter. 

 

A technological device (Blog session # 6 )

THE BEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVICE IN MY LIFE

Say:

What it is.
When you got it.
How you use it.
How often you use it.
Why you like it.
What life would be like without it.

Wordcount:  220

Hey guys! 

In today's blog session I'll tell you more about my favourite technological device. Well, as you may notice during the lessons, I'm always carrying my computer with me, because it's a part of me. So, my favourite tech device is the computer. 

I still remember when I first got this computer, it was the first thing I bought with my very first salary as a teacher 5 years ago. I believe that's why I take care so much of it and also because I save everything in it. I can keep everything here, from old pictures to lessons material. In addition, I use it all the time, for example to watch movies, listen to music and to keep in touch with my family or friends. 

One of the things I like the most about my computer is how useful can be, because I can keep everything saved without using any paper or space at home. Some people might say that a cellphone is more useful than a computer, but I think a computer is better in terms of utility. 

According to what my life would be without this device, I believe that it wouldn't be the same, because I'm so used to have my computer with me all the time and that's why my computer is a big part of my life.    

Cheers.

Tips:

- Remember to keep your ideas into paragraphs.

- Be careful while using verbs in past tense.

CA 2 (video presentation #2)

Hi guys!!!!!!!!

This SECOND presentation activity is about recording a 2 minute mobile phone video presentation. 

 

Topic: Talk about journey you would like to make in the future.

 

Say:

Where you would like to go,

Who you would go with,

Why you would like to make this journey,

What things you would like to do on the journey.

Mention anything else you think is important.

IMPORTANT: Bear in mind that you DON'T have to read while recording your video.

Tips: Rehearse your speech as many times as possible, in order to present a good piece of work!! ;)

 This is the rubric, same as the last time, which I'll be using to evaluate your work!!!!!!

 

Finally, as I already said to you during the lesson, you can EITHER send it to my e-mail account OR bring it to class in your pen-drive...

E-mail: ignacio.araya86@gmail.com (By Sunday night)

Pen-drive: By Monday afternoon.

My future job

MY FUTURE JOB

> At university, what major have you taken / are you thinking of taking? Explain why.

> What kind of job would you like to have? Describe.

> What aspects would you consider  when choosing your job?

> If you were asked in a job interview about your strengths and weaknesses, what would you say?

> Words: 210

> Leave comments on 3 of your partners posts.

USEFUL WORDS AND PHRASES: (by Juan Luzzi)

-I’ve taken… / I’m doing a major in… / I’m thinking of taking… / I’m considering to study…/ I’m planning to do… / 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… / As long as we can get ……………, I'll be studying… / 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…/

- Some aspects could be: Salary - Benefits - Location – Hours - Co-workers  - work atmosphere/environment.

- 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… /

Hello there, in today's blog  session I'll be telling you more about my future job. As you may know, I studied English pedagogy at Universidad Católica Silva Henríquez for 5 years. Since then, I've taken several courses to improve my English skills. I've just completed my Master's degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). The main reason for doing this, despite the salary or the benefits, is that I love teaching and more importantly I love English as a whole. 

I'd like to get a job as a teacher of an English programme, maybe in a good environment where people share ideas and experiences, in order to keep learning how to be better teacher every day. I'm not 100% sure about the location andt the amount of hours per week, but I might like to work at my home University. 

I've been interviewed in several occasions and I've answered their questions in the same way every time. I'm good at learning new things, also I'm good with languages but I'm terrible at remembering things, such as names and dates. I can create different and innovating material, but I can't work at home after my schedule. 

Well, now I'm playing with the idea of going abroad to get a PhD in Applied Linguistics and then to work doing research all around the world, but I can't choose between going to Sweden or to England.

Can you help me out with my decision? 

Writing tips!!! (quite useful for the upcoming sessions)

http://boostblogtraffic.com/editing-tips/

* Click on the link and read the author's suggestions about writing!!!





http://www.iesjacaranda.es/TRINITY/Connectors%20and%20useful%20expressions.pdf

* Another useful webpage could be this one.... It gives you A LOT OF connectors to be used!!!!!





* Finally, you can click on the following link and learn more about different writing styles!!!

http://www.word-mart.com/html/formal_and_informal_writing.html

YOUR FAVOURITE SONG OR ALBUM

Hello dear students, in today's blog session I'm going to express my thoughts about one of my favourite albums. This album is called "Vientos Modernos" and belongs to the Chilean Hardcore punk group of music "S.I.A". This album was released in 2003 and it was one of the best sellers’ albums in those years. 

 When I first listened to this album I felt quite motivated, because of songs' rhythm and motivating but at the same time depressive lyrics. This work was the beginning of big changes in the music scene, as to the hardcore music is concerned. 

This album reminds me of my adolescent years, in which with a bunch of friends used to go to these big "tocatas", and the whole idea was to have the most amazing time while listening to this kind of music. Another important thing about these events was that I always bumped into old friends or ex-girlfriends, and at the end of every “concert” we ended up being a huge group of people singing and jumping.

After twelve years, I continue to listen to the same music and every time I start listening to this specific album I fill myself with positive energies, happiness, and old good memories with friends, and of course my first love relationships.

Your written piece should include:

- The name of the song or album

- The name of the band / singer

- A little of background of the band / singer

- How did you feel when you first listened to it?

- Some positive / negative memories about this song / album

- Something more you want to add. 

* Remember: Try to organize your ideas into different paragraphs.

                          Use as many connectors as you wish.

                          Be careful with the punctuation.

* Wordcount: 200 words.

* You can add here the link if you want us to listen to your choice.

THE BEST HOLIDAYS/CONCERT I'VE HAD

You should include the following ideas...

- when / where it was
- the artist/the band you saw
- a bit of info about the artist
- describe the atmosphere during the event
- describe how you felt and why you enjoyed it
- any other memories about it

Wordcount: 180

Hello dear students, 

This time I'm going to write about one of the best musical performance I've ever seen. This concert was about 10 years ago and it was here in Santiago, especifically at Victor Jara stadium. I went there with a couple of friends to see a great band called "Millencolin", they're from Sweden and they have visited Chile at least four times, but that's was the first time they played here; Moreover, another band I liked came on stage, so it was quite a fantastic experience not only for me but for my friends as well. 

As I mentioned before, this band is from the city called Örebro, in Sweden. They have recorded lots of albums and even though they are from this country, they sing in English. Their style is similar to "punk" music, but a little bit softer. 

As people who attended this concert were all fans, the atmosphere was totally special and motivating to all of us. For this reason, I was quite excited about being there having this amazing experience and listening to the songs with which I grew up. 

To sum up, it was a great experience being with a bunch of friends of mine and I think one of the best memories I will always have about this is that I went to their first concert and afterwards we drank a couple of beers...

THEMED POST N°1

A FAVOURITE ARTIST / PIECE OF ART

*Write about your favourite artist or your favourite piece of art. 

You'll need to say the following:

- The name of the artist. / The name of the piece of art.

- What kind of artist is she/he? / Who did the piece of art? When did you see it for the first time?

- Describe his or her work. /  What does it represent for you?

- Why do you like him/her?  / Why do you like it? 

- Do you have any good memories about your choice? Tell us more

*Wordcount: 170

* Add a picture of either your favourite artist or the piece of art.

          Today I'm going to write about my favourite artist. He is a very well-known painter from the XVI century. Moreover, he was sculptor, architect and inventor, among other occupations, and his name is Leonardo Da Vinci. He painted amazing paintings, which are very famous nowadays; for instance, “The last supper” and “La Gioconda” or “Mona Lisa”.

           His work is very complex, and for me it is the best way to describe it. He had a detailed knowledge about a wide variety of subjects, such as anatomy, light, botany and geology, his interest in physiognomy and the way in which humans register emotion in expression and gesture, his innovative use of the human form in figurative composition, and his use of the subtle gradation of tone.

          I really like him, firstly because he was not only a good painter but also he was a person who could think beyond the normal things that people usually thought back in those times. Secondly, he created different and amazing masterpieces. Finally, I would like to say that one of the memories I've got about Leonardo is related to the book called "The Da Vinci code", which tells about different mysteries around his work. 

  

          

A COUNTRY I'D LIKE TO VISIT

- 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.

- Make comments on 3 of your classmates’ posts

- Word Count: 160 words

Hello everybody!! This time I'm going to write about a country I'd like to visit. One of the countries that I'd really like to go in the future is Scotland. I believe it's because I've always felt a certain connection with its culture and history. I really enjoy reading and knowing everything about Scottish history, and I really admire the way they have built this country keeping all their ancient customs. 

If I go there some day, one of the first things I will do is to visit all the castles near the Highlands, which you only have the chance to see by watching movies or pictures, because I think they are amazing old buildings that are still there despite the ages. As a second thing I would do while visiting this amazing country, it's to taste their traditional food called "haggis". And finally, I'd walk through the streets while listening to its traditional music coming from the "bagpipes" and trying to understand the Scottish weird accent.

I'd really like the idea of going there as a teacher of English and work at their schools or Universities, but I think it's quite difficult to do it, since its mother tongue is English or maybe as a Spanish teacher. That's why I think for the moment I'd go there just for travelling around the different cities and towns.

I hope this dream comes true some day in the future. 

Comparing German with other languages...

Hello dear students,

According to our today's lesson (Wednesday 1st), I leave this video here for you to watch it again if you want. Please leave a comment showing what are your thoughts about the languages around the world, specially those that are known for you!! Do you think that, apart from learning English, you could learn German in your life?

WELCOME

Dear students;

Welcome to your first blog session of this semester.

Throughout this semester we will be dealing with different topics. As I told you during the last lesson, there will be three blog sessions that are different from the others, so we need to decide which topics are more motivating for you to write about it. 

Please, go to this link: http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_vocab.htm and do the activities.. It's only for you to practice outside the classroom! 

After you finish doing the activities, please leave a comment with your thoughts about the activities (they were too easy, too difficult or fun, boring..). Also, write your ID number,career or any other information that you think it may be important.  

Big hug! see you next class!!