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)

2016.02.24 Class 18

Today we began by reviewing your homework. We also did the exercises 4 and 5 on SB p.37. You should study the verb forms in the appendix for unit 4 on p.106 (-ing or infinitive).

We then turned to the story that you were to read the first page of for homework. After going through page 1 together, you identifed vocabulary to learn,

In the computer room, we worked on Quizlet. I asked you to add words and definitions to a list that I started:

1. Harrison Bergeron

We then checked out a science fiction game called Samorost 2. You worked in pairs to advance in the game, using two computers:

1. Computer 1: used to play the game
2. Computer 2: used to read the walkthrough

Homework:

1. go on reading Harrison Bergeron (p.2)
2. study the vocabulary on Quizlet

Here is a 3 minute bio ('biography') of the author Kurt Vonnegut's life on Youtube:

2016.02.17 Class 17

After reviewing your homework and jokes, we worked in the book, working on the grammar on SB p.36 ('too' and 'enough') and practiced using it in the speaking exercises on that page. I gave each of you individual feedback on your speaking. Remember that in the FCE, you are not only evaluated on your grammar and vocabulary, but also on how you interact with your partner.

After the break, you had a debate on vegetarianism vs. meat-eating and did a dictation and trivia quiz which involved numbers which are difficult to say in English. I also gave you a story to begin reading (see homework below) and we watched a few minutes of the film.

Homework:

• read page 1 of the story Harrison Bergeron
• SB p.37 ex 2 and 4

2016.02.10 Class 16

Today I handed back the compositions you wrote for part 2 of the Writing test. Many of you got failing marks for this task simply because you didn't follow the instructions. It's a real shame to fail a task that you could easily have passed simply because you didn't read the instructions!

Today we worked in Unit 4 of the new book. We worked through pages 32-33 of the SB, which involved vocabulary and Reading part 6 practice.

We then did a series of activities related to film (a brief bio of Daisy Ridley) and numbers ('Massive numbers'). Finally, you did a quiz on part 2 of the Use of English that you had on the most recent exam.

Homework:

• bring a (clean) joke to tell to the class
• bring ideas for a debate
• SB p.33 ex 6 and 7

2016.02.03 Class 15

Today we reviewed the exams that you've done over the last couple weeks and did some activities to practice for the Speaking paper. You also collected all your grades into a table so that you can easily track your own progress. Finally, we continued with the film.