Student Zone

Prof 2 (Saturday AM and PM)

2012-01-29T21:21:00.002Z

Here's the link I promised to the article and video clip about a teenager who has Kleine-Levin syndrome. Watch the clip and read the article for next week's lesson!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11897472

BBC Sleep

2012-01-21T16:15:00.001Z

The BBC guide to sleep is here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/

Your Voice is Amazing

2012-01-20T00:04:00.002Z

Something to think about. Anyone who has read (or is about to read) 'Refugee Boy' - see if you recognise one of the speakers in this short video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2YEvb4wRTo&feature=share

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T15:28:00.003Z

Merry Christmas, everyone! Hope you all have wonderful Christmas weekends with the people you care most about. Enjoy it!

T7 (Friday Class) Xmas Homework

2011-12-19T15:11:00.003Z

1. Look at pages 38 and 39 of your coursebook. Work through the activities 1 - 7. You'll have to be both student A and B for some of the activities(!), but this will give you good practice in thinking about both sides of an argument. Then, write either the essay in activity 6, or this essay: 'Christmas has lost its original meaning and is nowadays nothing more than an excuse for eating, drinking, and presents.' Discuss.
To be emailed to me or given to me by Monday January 9. This is the Monday after our first lesson, which means that you can do it over the holiday, and get ahead with the work, but if you want to check anything from pages 38-39 of the coursebook with me before you do the composition, then you have the weekend after our first class to write it.

2. We agreed as a class to read 'Refugee Boy' by Benjamin Zephaniah next term. You should get this book as soon as possible to make sure you don't get behind with the reading! You can get it on Amazon.co.uk here: http://amzn.to/vkApoB or on the Book depository here: http://amzn.to/vkApoB - you'll need to ask your parents to order it using a credit card or MBnet. New it is currently £4.47 on Amazon, though you can get used copies for just 1 penny!

Ordering locally usually takes a much longer time unless the book is actually in stock in the shop, and will probably cost more. I asked my proficiency students about selling their copies, but nobody wanted to - they must have enjoyed reading it a lot! :)

Prof 4 Xmas Homework

2011-12-19T13:02:00.003Z

Homework for the holiday was from your exam practice book (CPE Examination Papers Book 2). All of test 1 paper 1, one composition from test 1 paper 2, and test 1 paper 3 parts 1-4, NOT the summary question.

The book we're going to read next is 'The Secret Life of Bees' by Sue Monk Kid. Here's the Amazon link: http://amzn.to/suwiJq and here's the Book Depository link: http://bit.ly/vpqM29

If you want extra things to do, don't forget about 'English Vocabulary in Use Advanced' - anything you do from this book is useful!

Prof 1 (Saturday classes) Xmas Homework

2011-12-19T12:30:00.003Z

1. Write a creative composition about Christmas applying the creative principles which we talked about in the last class of term 1. About 300-350 words, to be sent to me or handed in by the first lesson next year. (If you email it, please remember to include your name and class in the file name - don't just send me things like 'xmas story.docx' etc).

2. The first topic of the next module is NIGHT and we'll also be talking about SLEEP, a theme to which one or two of my Saturday morning students will relate well! There are no specific units of English Vocabulary in Use Advanced for this topic, but before you breathe a sigh of relief, there are two things to do from this book. Firstly, this is a good time to catch up with the units from term 1 for those students who haven't already done them. Secondly, if you haven't already done it, you should work through the introductory units, i - viii, pages 6 - 19. Remember, the units from this book are an integral part of the course, and they shouldn't be seen as optional extra work.

3. The book we decided to read next term is 'A Cruel Madness' by Colin Thubron. Do order it in time to have it before the start of next term! The Amazon link is here: http://amzn.to/tKq5br and the Book Depository link is here: http://bit.ly/vZAv86 And feel free to start reading!

4. Finally, here's a podcast to listen to from ABC Radio National: "Dreams: the stuff memories are made of?"
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/stories/2010/2745024.htm

And do look at this blog now and then for updates!

Prof 1 (Saturday) - Racism in Britain

2011-11-26T16:30:00.002Z

Here's the story you were supposed to read for homework. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/15/racism-commuter-london-tube-train

And hot on the heels of that one, here comes another one.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2011/nov/25/ethnic-variations-jail-sentences-study

These stories are also on 'The Link' - you can comment on them there.

T7 Parent Meetings

2011-11-24T13:22:00.003Z

Your parents will have a chance to meet me and talk about your progress on Friday December 16th, at our usual class time. I'll be taking bookings for appointments from this week, so ask your parents what time they'd like to come in, and we'll start writing names into times. Slots are 10 minutes long, any time between 1730 and 2020 (last appointment). More information this Friday!

T7 Test this week!

2011-11-23T11:47:00.003Z

Don't forget you have your first progress test this Friday! You will be tested on the language of units 1-4 of the book. Make sure you look at the vocabulary and expressions in each unit. These might be obvious, like the purple 'headers' at the beginning of each unit, or in activities such as 'Work Idioms' on page 14, but don't miss vocab or expressions presented within other activities, for example the expressions in exercise 4 on page 10! You will also be tested on the grammar of the units, for example exercise 4 on page 24.

We've covered everything that's in the test, but there'll be a chance to ask questions about anything you're still not sure of or don't understand properly at the beginning of the class. As I said in class last week, do study, don't panic!

See you on Friday!

CAEX Homework

2011-11-18T12:00:00.002Z

The homework for Wednesday's class was to write a contribution to an information leaflet about Glasgow (the name of our classroom). The difference is that we're doing this activity on a wiki. The address is here: http://snowfinch.pbworks.com . From that page, click on BCAEDEC-19W-2011 and then go to Glasgow Information Sheet Activity . You can choose any of the areas which are not already taken, or add your own if you prefer! To log in, use your username and password. I have emailed students who missed the class their username and password, but I still don't have email addresses for two students - can you email me and ask for yours if you haven't heard from me?

If you'd like to pair up with someone for oral practice (see details on the blog, below), I suggest you put a note on the caex noticeboard which also links from BCAEDEC-19W-2011. I don't advise you to put your email address there, but I can pass your email address to the others, if you'd like me to do that. Let me know, as I only pass on emails of students if specifically asked to do so!

CAEX - Oral Practice Reminder

2011-11-17T13:23:00.002Z

A reminder about the extra speaking test practice you can sign up for if you would like to do a couple of extra run-throughs of the speaking exam.

Students preparing for the December exams will be offered up to 2 free 20-minute sessions over the next three weeks to run through a mock speaking test. The sessions will be on Wednesdays November 23, November 30 and December 7 in Breiner from 1600 - 1800, with the last slot starting at 1740.

To book a session or sessions, call British Council Customer Services on 222 073 060 from this Friday onwards (please don't call today, Thursday). You cannot just turn up on the day - you must book in advance! When you call, you need to give your name and class, and the time you would like to come. Finally, remember, you must book with a partner!

If you don't have each others' emails, don't forget you can communicate via our WIKI! I've put a noticeboard up there for messages.

Prof 1 (Saturday Classes): Law in Action Listening

2011-11-15T12:35:00.002Z

Anyone who would like to listen to the programme about British Law and Human Rights again can do it here. Note that you only have 24 days left from today to download and/or listen to this programme!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/law

CAEX Homework

2011-11-11T22:44:00.003Z

Here's this week's homework. Write one of the following articles in approximately 220-260 words.

1. An international student magazine is preparing a special edition about the challenges young people in different countries face today, especially challenges which are related to education, the environment, or work. Write an article about the most important aspects of one of these issues that young people in your country face today.

2. The British Council is planning a special issue magazine which will be published in 2012 to coincide with the London Olympics. Students are invited to contribute articles for publication in the magazine which talk about both of the following points:

- Which two sports do you most enjoy watching, and why?

- In what ways, if any, have sports in your country been influenced by sports from abroad?

3. The British Council is planning a special issue magazine which will be published in 2012 to coincide with the London Olympics. Students are invited to contribute articles for publication in the magazine which talk about both of the following points:

- Which two sports do you most enjoy doing, and why?

- What makes the Olympic games different from other sports competitions, and why are they still important today?

Prof 1 Saturday November 12

2011-11-11T12:22:00.002Z

I plan to use both the course book and 'English Vocabulary in Use Advanced' in tomorrow's class, so if you see this post, could you please bring both along with you! We will also be discussing 'Refugee Boy', so you might like to bring your copy of that as well.

See you tomorrow!

HOMEWORK - ALL STUDENTS!

2011-11-09T10:30:00.003Z

Will everyone who sends me homework by email PLEASE remember to put your name at the top or bottom of the document and give your attached document a name which includes your name and class! For example,' nununabo-prof1-article.doc'
Do NOT send me documents which are entitled 'composition.doc', 'british.doc', or even worse, 'documento do microsoft word.doc'. I have just opened 12 documents, none of which included any clue as to the author of the text - many of them did not even have the student's name in the document itself! The best (worst?) was one entitled 'can.doc'. It is time-consuming for me to have to rename documents and write in the name of the student who wrote it. Any more homework sent without the name of the student in the document title risks not being corrected - I will ask you to print it and hand it in in class, or write it by hand.

Thanks - Mark

T7 (Friday Class)

2011-11-05T16:22:00.002Z

Justice on Trial

The video we watched in class is on this site:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/series/justice-on-trial

Do listen again, and see if you can hear the answers you missed during the class!

Prof 1 (Saturday Classes)

2011-11-05T11:51:00.005Z

If you haven't already done it, this is your final chance to produce a post for the forum. Details below, on this blog. To be emailed to me or posted on the forum by Monday November 7!

Upcoming work

Over the next few weeks, you should work your way through one or other of the following Open University short courses:

ICTs in everyday life: http://bit.ly/usVOUp

Starting with Law: An Overview of the law: http://bit.ly/uYshhH

Justice on Trial

Also, you should watch another video or read about another case or cases from the Guardian's 'Justice on Trial' site:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/series/justice-on-trial

The video we watched in class is also on this site.

Kenney Richey

If you would like to learn more about the Kenny Richey case, you can watch a short video interview with him here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5p_gKFwc1I

and there is a BBC interview with him, just after he'd been released, here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/pm/2008/01/kenny_richey_1.shtml

Read about Kenny Richey here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Richey

T7 Homework (updated)

2011-11-04T19:17:00.001Z

Here's a CAE-type writing task, based on the topic of the last couple of lessons. You should email this to me or hand it in to me in our next class, on Friday November 11th.

You and your friend Alexia are looking for a holiday job in an English-speaking country. Read the note from Alexia, and the two adverts, below. Then, using the information given, write a letter to Alexia, comparing the two jobs, saying which you think is more suitable, and giving reasons for your opinion.

Hi!
I found these two job ads for holiday work in the paper yesterday. I know we were thinking about London, but there are no good jobs there, and these two jobs look really interesting. Which do you think would be better for us?

- Alexia

The MacDuff and Lady Beth Pub

Staff needed for our busy pub

- Central Edinburgh

- Friendly international staff

- Basic pay plus tips

- Lots of cheap accommodation available nearby

Skiberdeen Campsite

Do you enjoy working with young people? Are you creative and organised? Would you like to explore the very south of Ireland?

We need people to help organise the summer activity programme on our campsite.

- Set in beautiful countryside

- Beautiful fishing town and beaches nearby

- Good rates of pay

- Accommodation provided

Prof 1 Test

2011-11-03T16:44:00.003Z

Just a reminder that as promised, there will be a small progress test this Saturday. Make sure you've had a look at the work we've done, including Unit 7 of New Inside Out Advanced, extra materials we've done, and the units from Vocabulary in Use Advanced that I detailed on this blog on October 2: Unit 52 – Internet and email; Unit 60 – Technology and its impact; Unit 61 – Future visions.

Hopefully everyone will be up to date with Refugee Boy by then, too - I'm getting lots of positive feedback from people who've been reading (or even who have finished!) it.

CAEX HOMEWORK

2011-10-27T09:51:00.003+01:00

First of all, if you haven't already done it, you should do one of the compositions I set last week, either 'You Are What You Care About' or 'Good and Bad Role Models'. Scroll down this page and see my post of October 20 for details.

THIS week's homework is to do either question 3 or 4 on page 43 of your exam practice book - the competition entry or the article. If you would like to do the part 1 question as well, please do. Either scan your work [a good copy, please! :) ] and email it to me, or hand it in in the next class.

Don't forget to check thelink.lefora.com from time to time, and see if there's anything you want to add or comment on there.

And have a good Halloween!

T7 Homework

2011-10-23T21:27:00.005+01:00

Here's a CAE-type writing task, based on the topic of the last couple of lessons. You should email this to me or hand it in to me in our next class, on Friday November 11th.

- Alexia

The MacDuff and Lady Beth Pub

Staff needed for our busy pub

- Central Edinburgh

- Friendly international staff

- Basic pay plus tips

- Lots of cheap accommodation available nearby

Skiberdeen Campsite

Do you enjoy working with young people? Are you creative and organised? Would you like to explore the very south of Ireland?

We need people to help organise the summer activity programme on our campsite.

- Set in beautiful countryside

- Beautiful fishing town and beaches nearby

- Good rates of pay

- Accommodation provided

Prof 4 Homework

2011-10-23T21:17:00.002+01:00

Here is the choice of compositions for your first assessed homework writing. You should give your composition to me by Tuesday November 1st. Preferably write your composition by hand, and hand it in in class. Note that the third choice refers to the topic we didn't do last class because we went to the 'My Choice' exhibition. We'll do this this Tuesday.

Choose one of these questions, and write 300-350 words.

It is said that owners often end up looking like their pets. Write an article for a student magazine, giving your opinion about this.
Recently you have read about how global temperature can profoundly affect rainfall patterns. Write a proposal to your local government, outlining the arguments that suggest this is a problem, and suggest ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“Introducing biometrics to identity cards and passports causes as many problems as it solves.” Discuss this statement with reference to the types of biometric data that may be used, and outline the dangers and benefits to our society. Write an essay.

Prof 1 Homework!

2011-10-22T12:12:00.003+01:00

Remember, you should by now have written a post on a topic or issue that you feel strongly about for the link forum! You have one week left to do this. If you're not sure, write in either essay or article form, outlining the main points of the topic or issue you are talking about, saying why it is important to you, what your opinion and feelings about it are, and, if appropriate, why you think it should matter to other people. 300 - 350 words

Either email your post to me to check, or, if you feel confident enough, post it directly to the link forum, and let me know you have done it!

To be done by Sunday October 30

CAEX HOMEWORK

2011-10-20T20:05:00.003+01:00

Composition, below, to be done by next Wednesday, October 26!

Write an answer to one of the questions below. Write your answer in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

1 You see the following announcement in your college magazine.

You Are What You Care About

Some people say you can tell a lot about someone's personality from the things they care about. We would like to know what is important to our students! Write an article telling us about a topic or issue you care deeply about. Explain why it is important to you, and why you think it should be important to other people.

We will publish the best articles.

Write your article.

2. You see the following announcement in an airline magazine.

Good and Bad Role Models

Celebrities can have a big influence on young people, particularly nowadays, with so much international media coverage. Write to us and tell us which celebrity, in your opinion, is a good role model for young people, and who is a bad role model. Explain why you have chosen the two people you write about. The most interesting replies will win tickets for two to a destination of your choice. They will also be published in our in-flight magazine.

Write your competition entry.

Photos of Students at My Choice

2011-10-19T13:11:00.003+01:00

Prof 4 students who went to My Choice last night - some of the photos I took are now up on our facebook page! If you want to be tagged and can't tag yourself, send me your FB id, and I'll try to tag you.

Enjoy the album! :)

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.254467904599007.59864.138351786210620&type=1

Problems with writing by hand in the exam?

2011-10-13T18:10:00.002+01:00

If you think you've got a problem because you have to do the written papers of the Cambridge exams in pen and pencil and write by hand, take a look at this BBC report on the problem faced by Chinese students.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-15252102

I NEED YOUR EMAILS PLEASE!

2011-10-13T13:57:00.002+01:00

Several people still haven't sent me their email address. This morning I wanted to send emails to two students, one about recommended reading, and another emailing the answers to a class activity. I couldn't send either, as I didn't have the emails of either of the students.

Please don't delay - send me your email address as soon as you read this if you haven't already done so! snowfinch@yahoo.com

CAEX - Music on the Brain

2011-10-12T21:02:00.002+01:00

Anyone who found the text on music and the brain interesting (or anyone wh0's interested in this) might like to listen to one or both of these 'All in the Mind' programmes from Radio Australia's ABC Radio National.

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/index/subjects_Music_2011.htm

The two programmes are:

The precipice of creativity: the improvising mind

16/07/2011
Whether it's choosing words to make up a sentence or walking along a crowded street, we're all capable of improvising. But musical improvisation fills us with amazement. How do musicians make the moment-by-moment decisions to create spontaneous music that's more than noise -- and what's going on in their brains to make it all happen?

Fear, brains and rock'n'roll: meet Joe LeDoux

02/04/2011
Rock star by night, neuroscientist by day—Joseph LeDoux's research has redefined our understanding of fear and emotion—and now the possibility of treating fearful memories. Natasha Mitchell visits his NYC studio to talk science, song, and his band, The Amygdaloids, where mind and brain take centre stage.

Prof 1 Saturday (am AND pm classes)

2011-10-02T17:59:00.002+01:00

Following on from our class on Saturday, here are a few things to do and take note of.

First of all, the vocabulary book you should all have is English Vocabulary in Use Advanced by McCarthy and O'Dell (CUP). The units you need to look at over the next two or three weeks are:
Unit 52 – Internet and email; Unit 60 – Technology and its impact; Unit 61 – Future visions

Remember, the first progress test will include vocabulary from these units, so best get started as soon as possible!

The book we are going to read this term is 'Refugee Boy' by Benjamin Zephaniah. You can buy this locally if you can find it, or on sites such as amazon.co.uk or the book depository. You can also buy English Vocabulary in Use from these sellers. We will be doing work based on the book in upcoming classes, so again, do get it as soon as possible!

Remember to go to the link and see if there's something you want to comment on or post there. I posted a new 'Discussion Point of the Week' yesterday.

Over the next two or three weeks, I'll be asking you to look at the Open University module 'ICTs in Everyday Life'. If you'd like to get ahead with this, here's the link: http://bit.ly/rpLl5H

Next class we will listen to a short interview with Michio Kaku. Before next class, listen to this 20-minute programme where Michio Kaku is interviewed, and be prepared to comment on the programme in class:
http://bit.ly/CsVPu

Finally, but very importantly, send me an email identifying yourself so that I can contact you by email if I need to. My email is snowfinch@yahoo.com

I enjoyed meeting you all on Saturday. Look forward to seeing you next week!

- Mark

CAEX-Wednesday

2011-09-30T10:40:00.002+01:00

Just a reminder of things to do following our class on Wednesday evening.

First, homework, which was to have a look at the exam as a whole - get familiar with the papers, what's in them, how long you have for each paper, how much each paper is worth, etc. We'll have a quiz on this next class, so be ready!

For exam practice, I asked you to do Test 1 Paper 1 (reading) and Test 1 Paper 2 (writing) question 1. For the reading, self correct, and ask questions in class about anything you didn't understand. For the writing, remember to use the questions we answered about the writing task we did in class. These will help you plan your composition before you start! Please write your answer on lined paper. DON't do it on a computer - you won't have one in the exam! If you have a scanner (and write in dark ink!) you can scan your composition if you like, and email it to me. You can also hand it in at reception if you're close and it's convenient for you to do so. If you send it/hand it in by next weekend, I'll correct it before the class so you get feedback more quickly.

Do remember to go to the link and see if there's something you want to comment on.

And, very important, send me an email identifying yourself so that I can contact you by email. My email is snowfinch@yahoo.com

See you soon!

- Mark

Prof 4 - Tuesday

2011-09-28T18:14:00.004+01:00

Following on from our class yesterday, here are a couple of things to do and take note of.

First of all, the vocabulary book you should all have is English Vocabulary in Use Advanced by McCarthy and O'Dell (CUP). For homework this week, do unit 37 'Animals and birds'.

You should also look at the vocabulary you learned from the text we listened to and read about Dogs on the New York Catwalk (not the names of all the breeds, though, unless you really want to learn them). We'll do a follow up exercise on this vocabulary next class.

The book we are going to read this term is 'Refugee Boy' by Benjamin Zephaniah. You can buy this locally if you can find it, or on sites such as amazon.co.uk or the book depository.

Also remember to go to the link and see if there's something you want to comment on.

And, very important, send me an email identifying yourself so that I can contact you by email if I need to. My email is snowfinch@yahoo.com

Nice meeting you all last night. See you next Tuesday!

- Mark

Still Alice

2011-08-05T13:58:00.000+01:00

I bought this to read when I was away - it came on Monday morning, and I finished it at 2am Tuesday night. An extremely compelling read. Scary sometimes, moving, a lot of insight. Recommended. (I now need a book to read when I go away).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Still-Alice-Lisa-Genova/dp/1847396240/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312548669&sr=8-1

http://www.stillalice.com/

Quatro mortos em acidente

2011-07-16T19:46:00.002+01:00

How long is it since Angelico died? And people still drive like this? It's insane.

http://bit.ly/o2epfW

What a stupid way to die.

Don't let it be you this summer. Remember, when the car goes fast, you, and everyone in the car with you, go fast.

Drive safe.

Mark

Comment on this on TheLink

SpyWalk

2011-06-28T16:20:00.001+01:00

Anyone interested in this? http://www.digitaldebris.eu/ There's still time to sign up if you'd like to take part! Last time I was in it, and it was great fun. More on what it's about here - and you might just recognise the man in the hat carrying the strange briefcase... http://web.me.com/paul_driver/Spywalk2/spywalk_II.html

See you, or see you not? All part of the game...

Amateur captures glittering all-sky view of the cosmos

2011-05-16T16:32:00.001+01:00

Amateur astronomer Nick Risinger travelled more than 96,000 kilometres and snapped 37,440 exposures to create [...a...] detailed portrait of the entire night sky. The 5000-megapixel imageprovides a 360-degree interactive view of the Milky Way and more than 20 million stars...(New Scientist) Click here to find out more about this and see the really amazing pictures.

Apologies

2011-05-16T16:18:00.002+01:00

Apologies to all my students for missing classes last week. I was really quite ill (I won't regale you and the world with details here) but hope to be back in action this week.

I'll be in touch with some of you about things to do, the rest I'll see in class. Everyone check out 'The Link' for a couple of new things I've put up there.

Best wishes - Mark

Pickles and the Cup

2011-04-22T00:19:00.001+01:00

Everyone's probably heard about Real Madrid dropping the Spanish Cup under a bus. But did you know that the World Cup was stolen in 1966, and found by a mongrel called Pickles? Initially his owner was accused of stealing the cup, but eventually he got the reward money, and bought a house with it! Pickles, unfortunately, came to a sad end... Read all about it here. http://bit.ly/h7ghnD

Music and Wacky Websites

2011-04-21T21:19:00.003+01:00

Want to know what've I been listening to today? Want to see one of the most wacky websites ever? Check out the latest posts on 'The Link'!

BBC iplayer

2011-04-17T11:57:00.002+01:00

I've added a link to the BBC iPlayer on 'The Link' this morning.

I'll stop posting Link updates here soon - do remember to check The Link regularly for new posts.

The Link is Dead. Long Live the Link!

2011-04-17T11:56:00.000+01:00

The Link died a death this year, not least, I think, because I've taken a back seat and hoped the conversations would carry on themselves. It hasn't happened. The Link is as quiet as a ghost town. Also, I haven't put much time into 'The Link' or evenStudentZone as I've been concentrating so much on the British Council Porto Facebook page - and if you're not following that, you should be!

I think it would be a shame for 'The Link' to be closed down, though, and I keep getting warnings from 'Lefora' about lack of activity. It also struck me the other day, that I often find interesting things in my online work which are not suitable for our Facebook page, but would be of general interest.

So I'm going to try something new. I'll post occasional posts of interest, comments, links, whatever on 'The Link', and you can comment on them if you want to. My posts should be enough to keep 'The Link' ticking over. Of course, you're welcome, as ever, to post new things yourself.

All of my adult students reading this should have a password - if you've forgotten it, you can ask lefora to email you a new one. If you haven't got a password for some reason, you can always ask me to invite you on if you want to post or comment, but that should be the minority. Students under 18 (eg my YB2.2 class) can't join to comment, but you can see the links and info on the site.

Ex-students, feel free to join in too!

Mark

The Amygdaloids

2011-04-17T11:55:00.001+01:00

Find out about three neuroscientists and a biologist who have formed a successful rock band whose songs' lyrics are about their work and theories. Click here for more on this story.

YB2.2-9S Easter Homework

2011-04-16T11:49:00.002+01:00

Homework for Easter is Test 4 in your practice papers book - papers 1,2 (any of the part 2 questions - NOT part 1), and 3 - ie Reading, one composition, and Use of English. Composition to be handed in in the first class after the break.

Also, remember to add something to the FCEnglish wiki. You've all done some great work already, so do try out each other's exercises.

Hope you're all having good holidays with at least some time to enjoy this early summer weather.

See you soon. Oh, and don't forget the 50-word mini-saga competition on our Facebook page! I've simplified the instructions on how to enter, so check there if you don't remember or if you weren't in the last class before the break.

Enjoy!

AC2.1-17F Easter Homework

2011-04-16T11:08:00.003+01:00

First of all, Happy Easter everyone. Hope you're having some time off, and getting to enjoy the early summer weather. Here's the homework for the break.

First homework is to read Absolute Friends up to and including chapter 6. Don't get further behind on this - there's a lot to read by the end of term!

Second homework - write one of the compositions below. 300-350 words, to be handed in in the first class back. They're a bit more 'Cambridge-like' as we move towards the point where most of you will be starting an exam-preparation year.

1. The extracts below are from letters which appeared in a national newspaper. You decide to write a letterto the newspaper responding to the issues raised and expressing your own opinions.

Nowadays, parents let their children make their own decisions from a far too early age. They say that this freedom helps children to learn from their mistakes and gives them the confidence and maturity to deal with taking responsibility in adult life. I disagree. It is totally irresponsible to let young people make their own choices about friendship, how they spend their free time, and, in their later teens, crucial decisions about their future lives. We only have to read the newspapers to see examples of the common problems of today’s youth such as addiction to the internet, alcohol and drug abuse, bad manners, and poor results at school. Children and teenagers need their parents’ and teachers’ guidance, and sometimes their intervention! – C.U.P

When I was a kid, after school we would quickly grab something to eat at home and then take our bikes into the hills nearby. Today it is called downhill racing and it’s a ‘radical sport’ – you need a special bike and lots of safety equipment. Back then, the only requirement was having something with two wheels that you could ride. There were no mobile phones so our parents didn’t have a clue about where we were or what we were doing. If someone had an accident and got hurt, we had to deal with it and make up a convincing story to tell our parents – one that would allow us to get back there the following day! Those days, we had to manage the responsibility of having to take care of ourselves, and we suffered the consequences of the mistakes we made. Growing up wasn’t easy, but it didn’t kill us – it made us stronger! – R.S

Write your letter in 300-350 words. Do not include any postal addresses.

2. You have read an article in an English language magazine which claims that the internet was the invention of the 20th Century which will have he biggest impact on the 21st Century. The magazine has invited readers to contribute their own articles suggesting other inventions or discoveries of the 20th Century which will be as important as the internet in the 21st century.
Write your article in 300-350 words.

3. An online English Language magazine has recently run an article entitled 'The Book is Dead! Long Live the e-Book!' in which it is claimed that books will soon be a thing of the past, and all reading will be done either online or on electronic reading devices. You decide to write an email to the magazine expressing your opinions.
Write your email in 300-350 words.

Finally, do check out the newly revived 'Link', and don't forget the 50-word mini-saga competition on our Facebook page!

The Amygdaloids

2011-04-15T19:57:00.003+01:00

Find out about three neuroscientists and a biologist who have formed a successful rock band whose songs' lyrics are about their work and theories. Click here for more on this story.

The Link is Dead. Long Live the Link!

2011-04-15T19:49:00.002+01:00

The Link died a death this year, not least, I think, because I've taken a back seat and hoped the conversations would carry on themselves. It hasn't happened. The Link is as quiet as a ghost town. Also, I haven't put much time into 'The Link' or even StudentZone as I've been concentrating so much on the British Council Porto Facebook page - and if you're not following that, you should be!

Ex-students, feel free to join in too!

Mark

AC2.1-17F

2011-03-17T17:09:00.003Z

First of all, a reminder that you are all invited to bring in or email me your own materials if you have something you think people would enjoy doing in class. This could simply be a text or article you think people would like to read and discuss, but if you make them it into exercises, so much the better! Songs, videos, film extracts - all ok, but you need to do something with them - prepare some questions, or a related text or something 'doable' which relates to them.

Secondly, if you haven't already got yourself a copy of 'Absolute Friends' then you need to get your skates on! I will expect to start discussing this in class very soon, and it's quite a long book - if you don't get it soon you're going to have problems reading it by the end of the year!

Amazing Video

2011-03-05T13:16:00.001Z

When I saw this, I just wanted to share it with as many people as possible. Truly amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTrb6i7gJAk&hd=1

Enjoy!

English Vocabulary in Use - AC2.1-17F

2011-03-05T13:14:00.002Z

The units of English Vocabulary in Use I recommended you look at over the next couple of weeks are 16 - 19 inclusive. See how many new words you learn from doing these four units, and think about how you might use some of them to describe the characters in the film we're watching.

'Like' the British Council Porto!

2011-02-22T17:55:00.001Z

If you haven't already 'liked' the 'British Council Porto' Facebook page, why not do it now and help us get to 1000 likers? :)
http://www.facebook.com/BritishCouncilPorto

No More Emailed Homework

2011-01-26T18:20:00.004Z

This is the last time I repeat this. I have just opened four emails with homework attached. None of the pieces of work had the student's name in either the document name or the document itself. How am I supposed to know, once I've saved it, who 'proposal.doc' is from? Especially if there is no name in the document! There was even one called 'novo documento de microsoft office.docx'. Unbelievable!

Emailed homework MUST include your name in the document name AND in the document itself. Preferably, include your class time, too. For example: "proposal-catarina-silva-14S.docx". Or "TiagoLopes14S-proposal.doc".

I will not accept any more homework by email which does not include this information. You wouldn't hand in pieces of work with no name; don't email them with no name!

Mark

The Selector and Facebook

2011-01-19T18:41:00.001Z

Here's a link to the fabulous 'Selector' page, where you can hear a weekly radio show with all the latest from the British music scene. http://www.selector-radio.com/ Don't take my word for it - listen to it! It really is good!

Also, don't forget to check out and like the British Council Porto's Facebook page. Tell your friends and family to like us, too! http://www.facebook.com/BritishCouncilPorto

AC2.1-17F Outstanding Session One Homework

2011-01-19T18:36:00.004Z

Could people who have posted their restaurant reviews directly to 'The Link' please put their first name and class time at the end - I can't always identify people from their user name. Thanks!

Note that if you haven't done work you're running out of time. Particularly, I notice little progress on the 'Borderline' activity. I'm also missing quite a few restaurant reviews from people who were supposed to do that. Make sure you keep up!

Remember you also now have the 'Way to Work' composition to do - deadline for this is 28th January.

Thanks!

New Year, New Courses

2011-01-04T16:25:00.004Z

Hello everyone, and welcome to 2011! Hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year break.

The British Council is starting the new year with some new courses! Of particular interest to ex-students and, indeed, existing students who want some extra speaking practice, might be the one-term 'speak with confidence' course. More information here:
http://on.fb.me/eGjwu3

See you in class later this week!

Mark

ps - FCE students expecting a composition homework - news of that in the class on Saturday!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T18:20:00.003Z

Merry Christmas everybody! Hope you're having a lovely festive season. Have fun, enjoy yourselves, and if you're out on the roads, do drive safe.

Have a good one!

Mark

AC2.1 - 17F Xmas Homework

2010-12-10T18:57:00.003Z

(i) Read up to and including chapter 14 of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

(ii) Finish the 'Borderline' writing activity on snowfinch.pbworks.com

(iii) Write a proposal in about 350 words for either
- the next Nobel Peace Prize winner.
OR
- an alternative Nobel prize you think should exist.

Also, watch this blog - there might be something on the next theme from the book to prepare for next term. And finally, don't forget 'The Link'!

Palin's Travels

2010-11-27T20:44:00.002Z

For anyone who appreciates travel, this site is a must. Palin's Travels includes a wonderful photo library, and you can read all of Michael's books online here.
http://www.palinstravels.co.uk/

YB2.2 - Letter of Permission to join grou.ps site

2010-11-27T12:33:00.003Z

Here's the letter giving you permission to join the YL grou.ps site.

'I give my child..................... permission to join the 'British Council Young Learners and Friends' grou.ps site. This site is an online network for young learners of English run by the British Council in Madrid and aims to encourage YLs to use English outside the classroom. The site is passworded and only visible to members. I understand that the site includes areas for forums, wikis, photos, videos, blogs etc.
Signature………………………………………………. Date……….

Please bring this in signed for the next class so I can send your emails to the Madrid British Council!

LINK IT!!

2010-11-24T20:36:00.002Z

The Link is much too quiet! ALL AC2 students, please put something on there over the next week or so! Anything you like - a film recommendation, a news story you've seen, somewhere good to eat out (and we need suggestions - it's coming up to Xmas, and we'll need ideas for places to go)... and DO comment on other people's posts!

Also, everyone have a look at the 'Topic of the Week' and add your thoughts there.

Law Students!

2010-11-13T21:50:00.001Z

Anyone studying law might find this link interesting. Ten Legal Words You Don't Know! Click here to find out more!

AC2 Classes - Robert Pirsig Interview

2010-11-11T17:37:00.001Z

Here's the link to the BBC interview with Robert Pirsig, if you'd like to download it and listen at home.
From http://www.archive.org/details/RobertPirsigInerviewOnBbcRadio

British Council Porto on Facebook!

2010-11-05T19:28:00.001Z

The British Council Porto's Facebook page is now live! Check it out here! And remember to 'like' us!

All Students!

2010-10-25T20:07:00.004+01:00

Can anyone and everyone who has not yet sent me their email address please do so as soon as possible! I wanted to email 2 students today, and couldn't because I didn't have their email addresses!

AC2 students, if you still haven't been able to get onto the link, try joining from the home page, and if that doesn't work, drop me a line by email and I'll try to sort it out.

YB2.2

2010-10-25T19:54:00.002+01:00

First, a reminder that we have no class next week, and so we'll meet again, as long as the ghosts don't get us, on Saturday 6 November. Remember to write your ghost stories by then!

Here are a couple of links from Saturday's class.

The flying suit video is here. I never tire of watching this - it's an amazing thing to do, I think.

The Jackie Chan clip, with better music than what we saw in class is here.

Do check back here, as I'll try to put something else up on StudentZone for you before we meet again.

Happy and Haunted Halloween!

AC2.1 Homework and Reading

2010-10-25T19:42:00.003+01:00

AC2.1 students, remember there are no classes this Friday, so I will only see you on November 5th and 6th.

In the meantime your homework is:

- Write a ghost story based on the principles of creative writing we looked at in class.

- Do units 13 and 41 of English Vocabulary in Use Advanced

- (Saturday Class) Do the summary about the difficulties in investigating the origins of language

Friday class has agreed to read up to chapter 5 of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by next class.

Saturday class has agreed to read up to the end of part 1 by next class. Enthusiasm!

Finally, do try to go onto The Link and post a comment or a post on anything you feel motivated to write about!

And a Happy, I mean a Haunted Halloween to you all!

Linking Problems

2010-10-22T11:02:00.002+01:00

There seems to be a problem with the email invitation function on 'The Link' and none of the admin team have been able to invite anyone new on this week. If you are still not a member, go to The Link, click on 'Join now to start a new topic' at the top left of the screen, and apply to join from there.

Apologies on behalf of lefora.com for the inconvenience!

Links for AC2 classes

2010-10-21T13:29:00.002+01:00

Here's the link to the YouTube video of the first part of 'Carla's Song'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZmecDKCQ1o
A very powerful film, worth seeing, though very challenging with the accents, and be warned, a lot of strong language.

People waiting for the link to 'Stone Age Brains', please hang on - I still have one class to do this activity with!

British National Corpus

2010-10-09T22:27:00.002+01:00

I have updated the link to the BNC Simple Search page on the right. ==> Click on 'Sara' to take you to the British National Corpus simple seach page.

YB2.2 - Homework

2010-10-09T21:39:00.002+01:00

Here is your first writing task for this year. You should hand this in at the latest in the lesson on October 23rd. This gives you two weekends, including this one, to do this piece of work.

You have seen the following anouncement on the noticeboard of your British Council classroom.

Film reviews needed for the British Council Porto Magazine!

Have you been to the cinema recently? If so, could you write us a review of the film you saw? Include information on the acting, the characters and story, and the soundtrack, and say whether you would recommend the film to other people. Where appropriate, comment on other aspects of the film such as stunts, special effects, sets etc. The best reviews will be published next month.

Write your review in 120 – 180 words in an appropriate style

Note - in the exam, you don't have to tell the truth! If you had this question in the exam, you could write about a film you saw on DVD, or even about a film you invented!

AC2.1 - Open University Link

2010-10-09T21:31:00.003+01:00

The Open University materials about 'Identity' are here. The themes we talked about in class are here, and other aspects of 'identity' are also explored.
http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=399036

AC2.2 - Memory

2010-10-06T20:38:00.002+01:00

I'm doing this link in class before I forget I have to do it... MY memory isn't what it used to be!

For AC2.2 students who enjoyed talking about memory, here are links to three editions of ABC Radio National's 'All in the Mind' programme about this very subject. Listen or read the transcript by following the links.

All In The Mind 26 June 2010 - The Remarkable Story of HM: remembering the man without memory
Summary: Afflicted with amnesia after brain surgery, he became a man who lived in the perpetual present, and the most famous patient of 20th century neuroscience. Join Natasha Mitchell for a powerful posthumous encounter withhttp://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/stories/2010/2934031.htm - 51k - [ html ] - 26 Jun 2010

All In The Mind 6 August 2005 - Remember This! - The Origins of Memory (Part 1 of 3)
Summary: Do you remember your first kiss? The smell of your grandmother's perfume? How to do calculus? From birth through to death our brains will file away impressive amounts of information - names, faces, sounds, smells, andhttp://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/stories/2005/1420417.htm - 13k - [ html ] - 6 Aug 2005

All In The Mind 28 July 2002 - Faltering Memory
Summary: We'd like to think our memory is reliable even photographic, but more often than not, it isn't. How do our memories get screwed out of shape or are they all jumbled up to begin with? Why do our brains rewritehttp://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/stories/2002/616051.htm - 6k - [ html ] - 28 Jul 2002

More from 'All in the Mind' here. http://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/

Zen and the Art of Starting the Year

2010-10-01T11:28:00.002+01:00

The first post of the new academic year, so hello and welcome to new students, and welcome back to students I've had before!

First of all, can I remind everyone to please send me an email identifying yourself. My email is snowfinch@yahoo.com I can then invite you to 'The Link' forum, and get in touch with you when I need to.

The set book for all AC2 students for session one is 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'. You can download it free on the internet from sites such as these:
Here it is available in pdf and there is also an mp3 version.
Here it is in html format.
And here is another pdf version.
Of course, if you prefer to have a 'real book' you can also buy it from places like Amazon or The Book Depository.
Do buy or download this book straight away - we will be aiming to read at least a chapter a week so that we have read the first half of the book by the end of session one. I'll put some questions to think about and/or comment about on the 'burrowing into the book' section on 'The Link'.

And that's enough for one post. Any questions, do ask!

- Mark

AC2.1 BOOK

2010-04-07T09:56:00.001+01:00

AC2.1 students - I've emailed everyone the homework. DO also remember that you need to read the Gerald Durrell book! There will be a test on this in MAY!

Hope you're all having a good Easter break.

- Mark

AC2.2 Easter Homework

2010-04-07T09:45:00.002+01:00

Late posting due to lack of internet where I've been in the Algarve. Just a reminder that the Easter homework was:
For June Exam candidates: The whole of practice test 3 papers 1, 2 and 3 from your book of past papers. You should already have handed in the first composition from paper 2; composition 2 is to be handed in in the first class back after Easter, and the summary the week after that.
For people NOT doing the exam in June: The two compositions and the summary from paper 3. The rest is optional.
DO make sure to get this in on time - as I pointed out, we have a very strict deadline for handing in assessments in the last term.
Hope you all had a good Easter weekend. See you next week! - Mark

KUNDUN

2010-03-11T12:16:00.000Z

http://dalailama.com/gallery/album/0/45

AC2.1 Homework

2010-03-06T17:35:00.002Z

I have emailed everyone the homework. If anyone hasn't received it, please let me know and I will send it again. Tiago, can you please email me - snowfinch@yahoo.com - and I will send you the work.

Good to see a few posts on 'The Link'. Keep it up!

FYC1.1 Missing Homework!

2010-03-02T12:21:00.002Z

I am missing at least one piece of homework from everyone EXCEPT Mafalda, Eduarda T, Joana and Carolina. Two students have done no written homework at all according to my records. I was pretty careful about not returning work to you before writing the marks in my notebook, but please can you bring all your corrected work for session one to the lesson on Friday so that I can double check. Thanks - Mark

An Appeal

2010-03-01T14:47:00.002Z

The Link forum is in danger of dying a death! It needs contributions! Remember, this is YOUR site - I've put discussion topics up this last two weeks, but it should really be you who uses it - it's there for your benefit! DO have a look this week, and at least add a comment to something that interests you. And if nothing interests you, start a new topic!

AC2.2 Students: CPE June

2010-03-01T14:45:00.003Z

Remember that if you want to do the CPE exam this June, you have to register THIS WEEK! TO register after this Friday you have to pay a substantial fine!

Registration for the exam is now at Customer Services, not in the exams office, as it used to be.

Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy

2010-02-19T23:07:00.005Z

Did you know that Carol Ann Duffy is Britain's first woman Poet Laureate? She has this to say about love poems.
“All poems are love poems because all poems are a gift. Even a poem about darker or very painful things is putting something new into the world. A poem is a celebration. Even if it’s just a celebration of language, it’s never a taking away. Poets are great lovers, celebrators, adders. The love poem is looking at that most important of human experiences, and the poet puts into language what we have all felt or gone through, whether it’s falling in love or divorce or the act of making a cup of tea in the morning. (Times Online)

If you'd like to read an analysis of her poem, 'Valentine' then click here.

Whether you want to analyse or not, it's difficult not to feel the power and depth of her poetry. Here's another favourite of mine, a disturbing memory of childhood called 'We Remember Your Childhood Well.'

YC1.1 homework post below - don't miss it!

YC1.1 - 17F HOMEWORK

2010-02-19T21:55:00.003Z

Before the homework, thanks for being great students tonight. Quite honestly I'd had a lousy day, my throat was really sore, and you put me in a much better mood. Perhaps I should speak so little in all our classes - tonight worked well!

If anyone who didn't get one would like a copy of the handout with the poems, send me an email and I'll either email you a copy or print one out for next class. All the poems are easy to find on the internet, though.

Homework is:

1. - Join the Ning! You REALLY MUST DO THIS! It's such a good opportunity, and there are things we can now do there usefully. http://britishcouncil.ning.com/

2. - Writing 2 session 2, Write a ... and it's on the ning. Here:
http://britishcouncil.ning.com/profiles/blog/list?user=23hwegsag29dq
Sorry, but you'll have to go there to get it. If you've tried to join and can't get in, email me and I'll email it to you.

Enjoy your weekends, have a good week, see you on Friday!

The Link - Topics of the Week, Book of the Month

2010-02-06T19:48:00.004Z

I've put comments on two existing topics to try to keep the discussion going, and added a new topic on 'Discussion Point of the Week'. Do take a look and have your say!

http://thelink.lefora.com/forum/category/discussion-point-of-the-week/

I'll also add a thread to talk about which book the AC2.2 people think they would like to study. I would like to take a decision on this soon, so do think about it now and give your opinion!

Nings and Famous People

2010-01-30T15:28:00.002Z

Foz YC1.1-17F people, remember your homework tasks this weeks are:
1) JOIN THE BUCHAREST NING! You SHOULD have received an invitation to join this ning, but if you can't find it or you've deleted it, go to http://britishcouncil.ning.com/ and apply to join! The ning administrator has all your emails, so your membership should be confirmed.
2) Do a little research about someone famous you admire. Next week we will do some work on coherency in writing, and it will culminate in you lot writing a composition about your famous person. Remember, you can bring in some key words and expressions to use in your composition, but NOT chunks of text copied from Wikipedia etc!

Schoolboy Charlie Simpson raises £100,000 for Haiti

2010-01-25T12:26:00.002Z

Something inspiring to start the week...

Link

Set Book Session Two

2010-01-16T17:09:00.002Z

The set book for AC2.1 students for session two is 'My Family and Other Animals' by Gerald Durrell. Order from Amazon (there should be plenty of second hand copies available of this book), the Book Depository, or you may be able to pick up a copy from an ex-student, as we did this book in 2007. I'll ask around my ex-students and see if I can come up with any cheap copies! Or, of course, there are the bookshops in Oporto...

Mid-Year Exams

2010-01-16T16:38:00.002Z

All CPE and CAE students please note that this coming week, 18-23rd January, and the following week, too, for CPE2 students, is the Mid-Year exam! Please make sure to arrive well on time for your class this week, as the exams are worked out to a tight schedule!
The Bill Bryson test, for AC2 students, will be the week after the Mid Year exams finish, so make an effort to finish the book over the next couple of weeks!

Interesting Podcasts

2010-01-07T11:32:00.003Z

Promised links for AC2.2 following our class on Wednesday! Other students might find these links interesting, too.

First of all whales, and it isn't just Japanese Whaling ships after them. See this amazing little video from the BBC.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8438249.stm

Also on the environment, this edition of 'Science Weekly' from 'Guardian Podcasts' entitled 'Top 10 Myths of Ecological Living' questions some of the things we do to 'be green'. Listen online or download the podcast here.
Download mp3 file

Following the comments one or two people made on the Pope and the Catholic church, here are links to podcasts I heard recently about this, which I thought were thought-provoking:

First, a programme from Radio New Zealand entitled, 'Who on Earth was Jesus'. David Boulton talks about his latest book,"Who on earth was Jesus"in which he looks for what we can actually know about the Jesus of history. From Radio New Zealand's 'Spiritual Outlook' programme.
Download mp3 file

Another programme, this time from Radio Australia's 'Spirit of Things' was called 'Peace on Earth'. In the first half of the programme, Quaker Biblical scholar, Daniel Smith-Christopher, talks about 'the ancient Isaiah movement of peace that informed Jesus' vision and continues to speak to the present.' I found the way he challenged the way Christians justify war or violence refreshing, interesting and encouraging. You can both listen to the programme and read the full transcript by following the link above, or first link below.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/spiritofthings/stories/2009/2772042.htm
Download mp3 file

Drive Safe

2009-12-16T11:18:00.002Z

If you're driving over Christmas, please please please, don't be one of the idiots. Drive safely.

Remember, when the car goes fast, you (and whoever is in the car with you) go fast.

Too many deaths and injuries due to stupidity and behind-the-wheel beligerence. Help to make the roads a safer place.

Peace is the Way

2009-12-16T11:06:00.004Z

I don't normally cross my Buddhist interests over onto StudentZone, but I thought this little video, Peace is the Way, was appropriate for this time of year, when everyone talks about love and good will. It was put together by 'Wake Up', an organisation of young students of the Buddhist teacher who has probably influenced me more than any other, Thich Nhat Hanh.

Peace is the Way

Hope you have lovely Christmases and New Year celebrations with whomever you are spending them.

Merry Christmas,

Mark

Wednesday Evening CP2 - AC2.2-19W

2009-12-16T10:58:00.002Z

Here are the details of your homework for the Christmas holiday.

Test One from your exam practice book, 'Certificate of Proficiency in English 4': ALL of Paper One (pages 8-17), Paper Two, Part 1 (page 18), ALL of Paper 3 (pages 20-27). I will collect the composition and the summary in the first class after the Christmas break.

Don't forget you need to get on with reading the Bill Bryson book! And do try to find time to go on 'The Link' at least once or twice.

This might seem like a lot to do, but remember, you have 4 weeks between classes, and that's a long time with no English, especially in this exam year. Do keep it up!

Saturday Morning CPE1 - AC2.1-9S

2009-12-12T16:48:00.002Z

Sorry to do this to you, but here is your third assessed writing task for this session. Please give this to me in the first class after the holiday, or email it to me (in .doc format, and including your name in the document name and in the document itself) by then.

The extracts below are from letters which appeared in a national newspaper. You decide to write a reply. In your letter, respond to the issues raised and express your own opinions.

Write your letter in 300-350 words. Do not include any postal addresses.

Friday Night CAE! - FYC1.1-17F

2009-12-12T14:25:00.006Z

News for Friday night students! First of all, you should by now have received an invitation to join the Bucharest Ning! Do join the ning, set up a profile, and use the opportunity to get to know students from the Bucharest British Council. I've been looking at this Ning today, and there are some really nice things there, including a videos page, where you can post your own or favourite videos, and a photos page - some good photographers in Bucharest, it seems!

Your email addresses have also been sent to the administrator of the Madrid British Council ning. Hopefully you will also receive an invitation to join this Ning.

Christmas Homework, as I'm sure you remember, was to write an information sheet. This could be about a club you are a member of, or your university or college etc, or you could write an information sheet about the Ning you have joined. This would be an interesting option, I think.
See pages 36-37, 188 and 190 for more help with writing information sheets.

The Christmas Challenge was to write a Christmas story using the principles of creativity we talked about in class. This is not a compulsory homework, but if you do this and it is good, I will count the mark as one of your writing marks for this term to bring your overall mark up. :)

That's it. Hope to see you on the Ning. Have a good festive season, and enjoy your Christmas and New Year celebrations with the people you're spending them with! - Mark

Scottish Quizes

2009-12-02T20:01:00.001Z

10 Questionshttp://www.scotland.org/standrewsday/host-own-event/scotland-quiz.html

20 Questionshttp://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz135227f7d0b0.html

30 Questionshttp://www.mysterious-scotland.com/quiz.html

A selection of Scottish quizeshttp://www.funtrivia.com/quizzes/geography/europe/scotland.html

Emailing Homework

2009-11-17T16:48:00.002Z

Can people who send me homework by email PLEASE remember to put their NAME AND CLASS in BOTH the DOCUMENT NAME AND IN THE DOCUMENT ITSELF! It is extremely unhelpful to receive documents entitled ‘british.doc’, british(2).doc, ‘article.doc’, To whom it may concern.doc’ etc, and very time consuming for me to have to open each document when I receive it and type in your names and classes myself. Documents should be entitled something like this:

Nuno_Nabo_AC2-1-9S_Article.doc

AND put your name and class code IN the document at the top or the bottom.

If people can’t remember to do this, I will stop accepting homework by email.

Also, please could people with the latest version of Office remember that at the British Council we are still running Word 2003 so I can’t open docx files. Save as an earlier version, please.

Thanks

Mark

Link Discussion of the Week

2009-11-10T10:12:00.002Z

Just a reminder that ALL AC2 (CPE1 and CPE2) students should post a comment on 'The Link' discussion of the week. Only one reply so far to the first topic, and to make this work, we need everyone involved at the start! A one-liner will do, but say something!

This is part of your course - a chance to use your English out of class, so do make use of the opportunity.

And if you don't like the topic, remember you can always start the next one!

Looking forward to your comments and thoughts.

Thanks to those people who have posted other things, too.

Mark

The Youngest Headmaster in the World

2009-11-07T17:15:00.002Z

Here's a nice story to end the week. It's not all gloom and doom!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8299780.stm

The Link

2009-11-07T17:06:00.002Z

AC2 Students: Do remember to go onto The Link and see what is happening there. You need to accept your membership invitation, which I sent to your email address, and put a comment on this week's discussion topic. FYC1.1 students, feel free to follow what is going on there, too, and let me know next week if you'd like to join this forum.

AC2.2-19W Assessed Writing Task One

2009-10-22T17:13:00.002+01:00

Yesterday in class, I gave out the first assessed writing task for this session.

First, to explain a point in one of the questions. A 'Green Champion' is a member of staff at the British Council who promotes 'greeen' issues, and encourages other members of staff to be aware of the ecological impact of their work and to try to reduce their carbon footprint etc.

Secondly, if the subjects seem a bit 'dry', remember that these are the sorts of things you'll have to write about in the real exam. Cambridge Exams, unfortunately, are not renowned for their imaginative stimulating composition titles. I enjoy reading compositions about other, perhaps more interesting, issues, but we must remember that we're rehearsing for an exam, and I chose these first titles with that in mind. It doesn't mean we won't have an opportunity to write about something more interesting sometimes, though! Anyway, if you have a little imagination, almost any composition can be made more interesting that it might at first seem.

'Can we write our compositions on the computer?' You can. But I don't necessarily recommend it. Remember, that in the exam, you'll have to write with a pen, and it's good to practice.

Lastly, please note that the absolute deadline for handing this in is the next Wednesday class, November 4th. This gives you two weekends, so it should be plenty of time.

Proficiency Classes: English Vocabulary in Use Advanced

2009-10-17T15:50:00.004+01:00

Hopefully you all now have English Vocabulary in Use Advanced by McCarthy and O'Dell. Here are the units of this book you should now start looking at.

Everyone
Look at the introductory units of the book 'Aspects of Vocab Learning'.

AC2.1-9S
While doing Unit One of PassKey Profiency, you should do Units 28 and 29 (Food) and 55, 56 and 57 (Health).

AC2.2.19W
There are no specific links for Unit 20. Feel free to do units that look interesting.

Do remember to try things out in Sara (now linked on the right of this page under 'links'). Look at new words and see how they're used.

AC2.219W - Links

2009-10-16T13:33:00.003+01:00

Was it Ana who mentioned Monty Python on Wednesday evening?

Still completely different...

Fans of Michael Palin's travel documentaries will like his website, 'Palin's Travels'. Here, you can see the photos, and actually read the whole text of his books about his travels. Worth a look.