Word of the week: Testing the waters

This week's expression is

testing the waters

which means trying or experimenting to see how successful or useful something is before implementing it.

Example: We're testing the waters to see if social networks help us get more clients. 

Are you testing the waters with something at the moment?

Podcast: Youth unemployment crisis

Today's podcast is about jobs and crisis and how this economic crisis especially affects young people. This is a very recurrent topic for exams, so if I were you, I would listen to it carefully.

Youth Unemployment Crisis

After listening to it, remember to have a look at new vocabulary and the transcript to check for understanding.

And if you want to do some research on this topic, read the following article.

The Star-Up of You

Enjoy!

Multitasking: saving or wasting time?

Today I want to share with you a very interesting article I've found on multitasking, since we've been discussing this in class. All of us are nowadays good at multitasking, or that's what we believe. I must confess I'm uploading a photo on my mobile while writing this post. In fact, I recall I've been multitasking all my life. I used to do my homework while watching TV when I was little. But is it really a good idea to do this? It seems research wants to show us that we're wasting our time more than saving it. Have a look at the following article on this topic and decide for yourself.

Why multitasking doesn't work

So, what do you think? Share your opinion in a comment! 

Stepfamilies

In our society it's so common nowadays to have half-brothers and half-sisters, stepbrothers and stepsisters, single-parent families, two fathers or two mothers, etc., so we can say that the traditional concept of family has changed completely. We've already discussed this topic in class. Now, have a look at this article. 

When Branches Tangle in a Stepfamily Tree

What's your opinion? Share with us in a comment!

Spooky Halloween

Halloween is here, and with it the orange colour, pumpkins, witches, skeletons, ghosts, parties and even trick or treat! We even have plenty of recipes to scare our guests. Have a look at this Top 10 Halloween recipes article. 

But what do you think of this holiday and the recent custom of celebrating Anglo-Saxon traditions in Spain? Is it a good idea? 

Or should we preserve only our own traditions?

Discussion is open! Write your opinion in a comment!

Podcast: Speak any language instantly

We've talked in class about learning languages and how important fluency and accuracy are when learning a new language. However, perhaps in the future we won't need to learn other languages since technology will translate everything for us. Check out the following podcast on this topic.

Speak any language instantly

What do you think? 

Will we need to other learn languages in the future?

Muse

For this first post in the new academic year I want to talk to you about a British alternative rock band of all times Muse. Besides, they're giving a concert in Madrid this Saturday and two of my best friends are lucky enough to attend. 

I'm sure you've heard many of their songs in films and commercials, or even you've danced with them in some bars.

I have many favourite songs by them ('Time is running out', 'Hysteria', 'Plug in baby', 'Supermassive back hole') and also Starlight. Watch this video!

Do you like this kind of music?

Word of the week: To show off

Dealing with personality types as we were last week I thought of a new verb to teach you

to show off

which means to try to impress others by talking about your abilities, possessions, etc. 

Example: He's just showing off because that girl he likes is here. 

You can even use show-off as a noun, e.g. He's always been a real show-off. 

Podcast: Family belongings

In class we've already talked about families, so now it's time for you to listen to a podcast related to family belongings. 

Family belongings 

You can also check some relevant vocabulary which appeared in this podcast on its web and of course the transcript to check for understanding. 

Now confess, what is your most treasured possession?

Word of the week: To pay under the table

I'm back with the word of the week section, and since we've already talked in class about companies and jobs, I'm going to show you an expression related to work.

to pay under the table

which refers to the illegal method of paying in which the financial transaction is hidden not to pay tax.

Example: He was visiting the country on a travel visa so I paid him under the table for painting the house.

The expression under the table can also be used to refer to something done secretly and illicitly.

Example: The street vendors are selling DVDs of recent films under the table.

New academic year: Making a difference!

So, here I am after a fantastic and very busy holiday period. Still I had time to enjoy with my husband, family and friends, time for myself, time to travel, to lie on the beach, and to finish my master project! 

Now, back to work! We're starting a new academic year with new students, new things to learn and work to do! 

The other day in class we had a short debate about what 'making a difference' means. And I want to show you this very inspiring image, to encourage you to make a difference, even a small one everyday of your life. 

What do you think, are you making a difference in this world? 

Enjoy the summer!

Hey everybody! After a whole long academic year it's time to relax and do all those things we didn't have time to do. It's been a very busy year for me, you know, working and studying at the same time. So I guess I earned my spare time. 

This is what I'm going to do and you should do it too! 

Spend time with friends 

Have a rest 

Read a good book

Take time for yourself

Quit the diet

Have some real couple time

Be happy!