2016.03.30 Class 22

Buzz Aldrin selfie from 1966

Today we talked about our focus for Term 3, which I suggested be doing FCE practice exercises, especially from the Reading & Use of English paper, as well as the Speaking paper. Some of you requested Listening practice as well, and we'll definitely do that.

We went on to consider the topic of Science and Technology, starting by viewing and talking about a short film called Aspirational (below). We then continued with the topic in Unit 8 in the SB, doing the reading and vocabulary exercises on pp.64-65.

Later we looked quickly at the passive voice in exercise 2 on p.67 (note that your homework is to do exs. 3, 4 and 6 on that page). Later we practice Speaking section 4 using p.68 and a part 4 in Cambridge video on YouTube. We ended class by doing a Kahoot quiz on social media.

Homework:

• SB p.67 exs. 3, 4, 6

ASPIRATIONAL from Matthew Frost on Vimeo.

2016.03.16 Class 21

TED Talks

Today we had a short class from 15:00-16:00 only, as I was available to meet with your parents from 16:00-17:30. You did a short practice test with a Reading part 1 and Use of English part 1 section from the exam. These practice tests are really important not only for preparing for the exam, but also as a measure of how ready you are. 





Homework:

• Do the practice exam I handed out to you either today or in Class 20. If you missed both Class 20 and Class 21, you can download it from the Cambridge English website. It's test 2. I'm not going to collect this, but if you do it, we can review it in class and, more importantly, if you want to take the exam this year, you really need to work to prepare yourself!
• Have at least three hours of contact with English. This could be on TV, in the cinema, reading – whatever best suits you. If you don't know what do, here are a few ideas:
• LearnEnglish Teens
• TED Talks (watch videos in English! use subtitles if you have to, but try to understand some on your own)
• Voice Of America Learning English

2016.03.09 Class 20

Today we began class by discussing the homework. Understanding the solution to the mystery was difficult, so we listened to the radio broadcast together and I helped you understand it. Some of you were amazed!

We then did three parts of the Reading and Use of English paper in exam conditions: parts 3 (Word formation), 4 (Sentence transformations) and 7 (Reading). We corrected them and discussed the correct answers.

After the break, we did the geography quiz that some of you wrote in the last class, worked on the lyrics of a couple of songs and watched a short film called Lost Property on the topic of loss.

At the end of class, I gave you your reports – which you should take to your parents – and also gave each of you a practice exam (Reading & Use of English and Writing sections) to do at home over the Easter holidays. I'll be giving the same thing to the rest of you next week, but I handed these out today since many of you are going to be absent next week.

Homework:

• Nothing to hand in but you should really keep studying the vocabulary in Quizlet and/or doing practice exercises in flo-joe
• You could also read and listen to this report, which we'll talk about next class:

 Some vocabulary from the report:

1. skid row
2. thought bubble (similar to speech bubble)
3. sidewalk
4. toiletries
5. shipping container
6. fundraiser

2016.03.04 FCE Registration Information

I haven't officially recommended everyone for the exam because I don't do that until your average exam mark is about 65%. But some of you may be ready to take the exam soon after June, and so I wanted to add a link to the British Council exams schedule in case you or your parents find it useful.

Barcelona
Periodos de inscripción y convocatorias Cambridge English

2016.03.02 Class 19

Today we began by reviewing your homework (SB p.39 ex1), a UE4 exercise, and also did ex4 together. We then reviewed how to say some difficult numbers and did some Listening practice (L2) on p.66.

There is a lot of useful vocabulary in Unit 4. I began a list in Quizlet for you that you should study: Compact First 2nd ed. - Unit 4

After the break, we played a tourism/geography trivia game in teams and then you wrote some similar questions, which we'll use in a future class.

We finished up class by recapping the film The Way Way Back a bit, as several weeks had passed since we last watched some of it, and then watched another 10 minutes of the film.

Homework:

1. Study these lists in Quizlet:
1. Unit 4
2. Harrison Bergeron (if you haven't read the story, look for the link in Class 17)
2. Read the brief description news article below, which describes something that happened in western North America, as well as the different solutions people proposed to the mystery. Then listen to the video to find out what the answer to the mystery is. Explain it in writing on a small piece of paper to hand in to me, or, if you prefer, write your answer in the comments - please just don't use your surname in your answer.

Why are severed feet washing up in Pacific Northwest?

Since 2007, sixteen detached human feet, all clad in running shoes, have been found on the shores of British Columbia and Washington State, including two grisly findings in the past month.

The mystery has prompted many to speculate wildly on their origins: from natural disasters like the 2004 tsunami, to organised criminals using the coast as a dumping ground, or maybe a serial killer with foot fetish.

To set us straight, and provide an answer to the mystery, we spoke to Barbara McLintock from British Columbia's Coroner's Office.

(from http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03l0w36)