Module 01. Lifestyles. Couch potato

Hi,

Watch the following video. She's been nicknamed as the 'couch potato cat':



Are you a couch potato too? :)

Courtesy of Carmen Saura

Module 01. Lifestyles. What are the French like?

Watch the video about people describing the French. Then answer do the activities below:



1. Explain the meaning of the following words. Use a dictionary if necessary:
stuck-up - stand-offish - snobbiness - dour - chic - laid back - amiable

2. What would you answer if you were asked to explain what the French are like? Transcribe your answer as if it was a real interview.

3. What are the Spaniards like?

Module 01. Writing: Email (Students' mistakes)

Study these mistakes from your emails. We'll discuss them in the following class on Wednesday.

1. Dear Jackie:
2. I'm writting you because...
3. [Cartagena] is sited in the southeast of Spain, in the sea coast.
4. It has many beachs and many roman ruins.
5. Comming back some details of my life...
6. He told me you are really interested in contact with a Spanish-speaking person.
7. We like sharing Saturday's lunch all together with my brother and sister in love.
8. Although, we go on holiday in family... to spend some more time together and enjoy as well.
9. Don't doubt about stay at home.
10. I'm in my middle thirties.
11. I'm married with a lovely man.
12. We often have fun in my parent's home.
13. We enjoy swimming in the beach.
14. If you ever get the chance to visit Cartagena you would be wellcome at home.
15. You must know that my name is X.
16. Cabo de Palos is a village near Cartagena out of the stress of the city.
17. At winter it turns out to be very boring
18. My age is 20 so I'm studying at the university.
19. My mother is a housewife, so is my father the only one who works out then.
20. I'll be waiting to hear from you.
21. My family would be proud of knowing you.
22. My parents like very much having foreing people close to know more about others cultures.
23. We like to do touristic visists so we can prepare severals to do with you.
24. It's long time I don't write to you!
25. I suppose you will have already your home redecorated.
26. Don't forget to phone me when you arrived!
27. That's an astonished coincidence. I've lots of books about Spanish's traditions.
28. It's easy to practice a great variety of sports like dive, trek, climb or to hang-gliding.
29. I think I can help you to improve your Spanish in order to do not get lost.
30. My birthday is on November.
31. My brother is ten years old, but it's looks like two years younger.
32. To conclude, I invite you to visit my city.
33. I'm looking for your answer.

Module 01. Extra: Collocations

Hi,

I just checked out the possible collocations for the word argument, and these are the results:


argument noun
1. angry discussion:
angry, bitter, heated, violent, big, argument
little, silly, stupid argument

2. reason supporting opinion:
basic, general, main, good, major, powerful, sound, strong, valid, compelling, conclusive, convincing, persuasive, plausible argument

Source: OXFORD Collocations Dictionary for students of English

The collocation 'plain argument', as some of you suggested in class, might also be possible, but I haven't found any reliable sources to verify it. If you find any good references on the Internet, do not hesitate to post your sources in the Comments section.

See you tomorrow!

Module 01. Extra. An International Conference

Hi all,

In case you are interested, here is the document concerning the activity 'An International Conference', which we dealt with in the class on Monday.

You can print out the whole document, read the information for each of the seven countries, and do Exercise 2) on your own. I've posted the key to the exercise in the Comments section for your convenience.

See you!

Module 01. Lifestyles. Jenna Fischer Video

Watch the following video about Jenna Fischer, an American actress, and answer the questions below:



1. When does Jenna feel most comfortable?
2. What's her secret for being so beautiful?
3. What's the most beautiful city she's ever been to? What was she doing there?
4. What does Jenna like the most about people?

Use the Comments section to make notes of as much extra information as you may have understood.

Module 01: Strategies. The importance of a good pronunciation

Berlitz is one the most popular language agencies in the world. Have a look at one of their commercials:



- Can you explain the punchline of the joke?
- Did you find this commercial funny?
- Do you still believe that a good pronunciation is not so important as other aspects of languages (good grammar, rich vocabulary, etc.)?

You can use the Comments section to post your impressions, as usual.

Module 01. Extra Grammar: Present/Past States

Complete the gaps with the correct verb tense. Then check your answers using the key in the Comments section

PRESENT STATES
1. The coffee ______________ (taste) bitter.
2. Ring his home number. He ______________ (be) at home now. (I’m sure he’s at home)
3. Tom ______________ (always go) away for weekends and he hardly ever sees his parents.
4. How much ______________ (I owe) you?
5. It’s no use asking Tom; he ______________ (not know).
6. The director ______________ (see) the applicants this morning.
7. ______________ (Bill be) at the club now? What do you think?
8. ______________ (it smell) sour?
9. I ______________ (always make) that mistake!
10. A: I can’t find Jude’s new address. B: Ask Tom; he ______________ (know) it.
11. Let’s not go shopping now. The shops ______________ (be) very crowded.

PAST STATES: USED TO / WOULD

1. I __________ smoke cigarettes.
2. He ___________ drink beer.
3. Every time she _____________ (come) home she _____________ (sit) on the couch, drink a cup of tea and talk about her illness.
4. _____________ (you live) abroad?
5. Tom and Ann _____________ (be) a young married couple. Every morning Tom _____________ (kiss) Ann and set off for work. Ann _____________ (stand) at the window and wave goodbye. In the evening she _____________ (welcome) him home and ask him to tell her about his day.

Module 01. Grammar: Present Habits

Put the verb in the correct form.

1. I ____________ (always go) to work by car.
2. You ____________ (always watch) television. You should do something more active.
3. John is never satisfied. He ____________ (always - complain).
4. The train is never late. It ____________ (always - leave) on time.
5. My parents ____________ (live) in Bristol. They were born there and have never lived anywhere else.
6. I used to drink a lot of coffee but these days I ____________ (prefer) tea.
7. Air ____________ (consist) mainly of nitrogen and oxygen.
8. George says he’s 80 but nobody ____________ (believe) him.
9. Who is that man? What ____________ (he want)?
10. ____________ (you see) that man over there?
11. This room ____________ (smell). Let’s open a window.
12. You look serious. What ____________ (you think) about?
13. I ____________ (think) of giving up my job.
14. Ann ____________ (not seem) very happy at the moment.
15. How ____________ (you feel) now?
16. I ____________ (usually go) by train, but this weekend I ____________ (go) by bus. It ____________ (take) longer but it ____________ (cost) less.
17. Mrs Jones: My daughter ____________ (never write) to me so I ____________ (never know) what she ____________ (do). ____________ (Your son write) to you, Mrs Smith?
Mrs Smith: Yes, I ____________ (hear) from him every week. He ____________ (seem) to like writing letters.
18. These apples ____________ (cost) 40p a bag. ____________ (You think) that is expensive? – It ____________ (depend) on the size of the bag.
19. I ____________ (see) my solicitor tomorrow (I’ve arranged it); I ____________ (change) my will. – You ____________ (always change) your will. Why ____________ (you not leave ) it alone?
20. I ____________ (not think) your brother ____________ (enjoy) the party. He ____________ (keep) looking at his watch.

Courtesy of Carmen Saura