All my support

A very special post to encourage all the people sitting for the competitive exam (oposiciones) to become a teacher.

Believe you can do it, because one day you will.
Good luck

Exam Time

Final exams are coming really soon. 

If you have come to class and studied at home 
you're prepared enough to succeed. 

So, no need to worry! 
Just keep calm and focus on the exam.

Sample Writing Tasks

I know, I know! You're all very worried about the exam at this point. However, you shouldn't be, since we've been working hard the whole year and you're more than prepared for it, as I told you in class.

Some of you asked about the writing exam and the possibility of encountering a writing task from previous years in the final exam. I recommended you to check all the writing tasks in the advanced and upper-intermediate books.

Besides, one of your classmates told me about a webpage with examples of writing texts for your level (B2). In fact, it's quite an interesting webpage since it includes not only the sample texts but also explanatory notes and useful expressions. So, you can have a look at it in order to study for your exam. 

Advanced Writing Tasks

Have a good study time!

Word of the Week: Down-to-earth

This week's word is the adjective

down-to-earth

which means sensible, realistic and practical, in a way that is helpful and friendly; not pretentious.

Examples:

Despite the fact that he won a lot of money, he's very down-to-earth. 

He's a down-to-earth, average guy who's turned his life round.

What can we do?

Bikes, Beers & Bananas

Here you are an interesting article on environmental issues from Hot English Magazine. You can read it or listen to it. It goes with some exercises, so I also include the key for you to check them.  

Bikes, Beers & Bananas 

 Audio File            Key

Environment Vocabulary List

I've prepared a list of important vocabulary on the environment topic we're seeing at the moment. Feel free to download it, print it and make sure you're familiar with this vocabualy since you might need it to talk about this topic.

Environment vocabulary list

Enjoy your study!

Environment News

Our next discussion topic is going to be the environment. So, I recommend you start reading pieces of news or listening to some podcasts on this topic in order for you to get informed and learn some vocabulary on it. 

On the website Breaking News English you have many articles on this topic. You can read or listen to them. They even include exercises for you to practise your comprehension.

You can find another environmental post published on this blog here.

Word of the week: Nasty

This week's adjective is

nasty

which means very bad or unpleasant; morally offensive or in bad taste; or even exasperatingly difficult to solve.

Examples:

Don't buy that coat; it looks cheap and nasty.

Try not to make nasty comments about her speech. 

He told a very nasty joke.

That's a very nasty problem. I don't know what we can do about it.

What if money was no object?

I came across this amazing video and I wanted to share it with you.

I believe most of what it says is absolutely true!

What do you think? 

Share your opinion in a comment!

Computer and internet texts

On the same topic of computers and internet, we're going to have a look now at a reading comprehension text, which also includes a video, and some comprehension questions for you to practise. 

Steve Jobs

Another very interesting text is this one on computer addiction, something very common nowadays. It also goes with activities. 

Computer addiction

We'll discuss this last text in class next day, so make sure you read it. 

See you soon! 

Advanced computers vocabulary

Hey students! We already saw some basic vocabulary on computers.

Now here you are some more practice on internet and computers.

Multiple Choice Exercise

Matching Quiz

Build Words Exercise

Fill-in the Gaps Exercise

Reorder the Sentences Exercise

Practice makes perfect!