Would you ...?

 Remember to do the assimilation when you ask the questions!

and then --> /wədʒə/

... and use contractions in your answers!

Yes, I'd ... / I'd never... / 

I wouldn't ... ever!

Use CONJUNCTIONS in your writing and speech

Make your own sentences using the ones you hardly use.

C1 Mock Orals

During  February we'll be doing mock orals during Tim's lessons. All of you will stay with him, while one pair (2 couples an hour) will be coming with me to another classroom to do the oral. This is not compulsory.

I need you to send a message to the Post a Comment section below stating your names (in twos), and then I'll be writing your names next to the times listed. Chronological order will be used. I understand those of you who don't write the post will not do the mock oral.

Tuesday 25th Feb.

18.00: Sofía & Miguel

18.30: Ma Cristina & Antonio

19.00: Cristina & Jorge

19.30:

Corny Jokes

Corny jokes show no new ideas or have been too often repeated, and therefore are not funny or interesting... Have a look at some and give your opinion...

C2 Mock Orals

During  February we'll be doing mock orals during Harriet's lessons. All of you will stay with her, while one pair (2 couples an hour) will be coming with me to another classroom to do the oral. This is not compulsory.

I need you to send a message to the Post a Comment section below stating your names (in twos), and then I'll be writing your names next to the times listed. Chronological order will be used. I understand those of you who don't write the post will not do the mock oral.

Monday 24th Feb.

11.30: María & Pilar

12.00: José Luis & Carlos

News in English EL PAÍS

How America floods Mexico with weapons

Dear readers,

As President Trump doubles down on his demand that Mexico stem the flow of drugs into the US, we analyzed a related phenomenon: the river of weapons flowing into Mexico across the northern border. Between 70% and 90% of firearms in Mexico come from the US, according to the authorities. (...)

This week we also conducted a comparison of consumer prices across Latin America, and found that Argentina is the most expensive place for all kinds of everyday goods, from a cup of coffee to a parking spot, despite having very low minimum wages.

And our reporters traveled all the way to Antarctica, where they interviewed Spanish geologists who have confirmed the existence of massive methane leaks on the seabed that could potentially have very harmful environmental effects.

On a happier note, we bring you an interview with Jeff Tweedy, leader of Wilco, who says he remains optimistic about the future.

We hope you enjoy this selection of stories from EL PAÍS USA Edition.

You can also read:

• Timeline of a tech feud: Sam Altman and Elon Musk’s 10-year rivalry
• Lily Allen, Duffy, Amy Winehouse and Florence Welch: The struggles of a seemingly cursed generation of singers
• Trump 2.0: A presidency aired live 24/7
• The ‘Huberman husbands’ phenomenon sweeping the US: Protein, diet, exercise and the far right
• World Athletics considers genetic test for athletes competing in the female category

C1 & C2 Report Writing

· Impersonal Report Structures

· Report Phrase Sheet 

· Statistical Reports (extra info)
· Writing Task (deadline 28th Feb.)

Brrr! Break The Ice With These 14 Words For Winter

Winter Words (From Dictionary.com) 

Winter Words for Frosty Fun and Learning. (From yourdictonary.com)

Find a list HERE.

Fechas convocatoria EXTRAORDINARIA Exámenes finales

Remember dates for finals (before SEPTEMBER, now JUNE):

C1: 17th June

C2: 13th June

Exams start at 16.30

Fechas convocatoria ORDINARIA Exámenes finales

Remember dates for finals:

C1: 9th May

C2: 19nd May

Exams start at 16.30

What is Love?

Select 2 Sentences and 2 Pictures and be ready to explain why you chose them next Monday with Harriet / Tuesday with Tim. 

Fall In Love With 14 Captivating Valentine’s Day Words

Advanced Mistakes Chart (By Javier Blanco)

Here’s a list of common grammatical and vocabulary mistakes often made by advanced English learners. These errors tend to be more subtle than those at lower levels but can still occur frequently.

Mark the corresponding box according to your personal experience.

SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE

3 Tricks to Instantly Sound British (By Emma)

C2 Musak

This video explores the rise and fall of Muzak, the background music that once filled elevators, malls, and offices. From its origins as "wired radio" to its use as a productivity tool, discover how Muzak shaped public spaces—until changing tastes left it behind.

Today's Poem

Read Today's Poem: 

#meteorology and about Lee Ann Roripaughand, her author.

How do you feel about poetry?

Giving Visibilty to Women

We are looking for female students who would like to participate in the talks that we are scheduling for 3rd to 7th March, with the aim of giving visibility to women. It can be any activity in which you have excelled, either academically or professionally, and the only requirement is that the talk is given in your language of study. At the moment, we have a student who has distinguished herself for having been the first Spaniard to cross the Atlantic Ocean by sail.

You can write your data here: Dónde están ellas. 

Complaining Politely and Disagreeing

 

Passives & Causative KEY

Check last Thursday's passive and causative activities here.

News in English EL PAÍS

‘Owning’ Gaza

Dear readers,

This week our Jerusalem correspondent analyzes Donald Trump's headline-grabbing assertion about "owning" the Gaza Strip and puts it in the context of its historical background. Meanwhile, one of our reporters in Ukraine visited soldiers on the crucial Donetsk front to find out how they see the near future, and what they feel they need to win the war against Russia.

We've also featured several interviews, including one with Bill Gates, whom we spoke to in California, and another with Auschwitz survivor Albrecht Weinberg, who made waves by deciding to return the Order of Merit to Germany over the political cooperation between the center-right and the far-right.

Back in the U.S., a foundation is digitizing the nearly 300 films that the Hearst Corporation recorded during the Spanish Civil War and were shown in American movie theaters. You can see some of these historical recordings in the article below.

We hope you enjoy this selection of stories from EL PAÍS USA Edition.

You can also read:

• Third Man Syndrome: What is the strange presence that assists us in life-or-death moments?
• From Tiny Desk to the Grammys: Doechii’s rise from anonymity to rap royalty
• Silicon Valley’s ultra-individualist philosophy wants to conquer the world
• Traveling the world, a luxury that has surprisingly little to do with money
• Thousands of children are afraid to go to school amid deportation threats: ‘If one day I don’t come to pick you up from the bus, don’t cry’
• Does ‘liking’ everything mean you’re old?
• Roberto Ballestero Diego, urologist: ‘In the next decade there will be surgical robots for every specialty and pathology’
• Who do tariffs affect? How do they work? Trump’s tariffs explained in charts

Only for Blood Donors!

Next February 20 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. our center will host a blood donation campaign in collaboration with Hospital Nuestra Señora del Rosell.

The health workers will carry out a medical interview with the volunteers to see if they meet the requirements to donate. There will be sandwiches and drinks for donors.

Do something amazing and save a life!

Linking Adverbs

 

Relative Pronouns

Relative Pronouns and Relative Clauses (review)

C1 The Causative

 

If you don't want to revise have + sth + done and just learn new grammar, you can watch from 5'36'' to 13'36''. But I do advise to watch the whole video, which explains causative clearly and effectively.

C1 & C2 Passives and Causatives

Some grammar practice for Passives & Causatives in this file. [KEYS next Monday]

C1 Improve your listening skills for work

You will learn useful language for a wide range of business topics from talks, presentations and dialogues, as well as tips and techniques for dealing with business issues. Each recording has interactive exercises and a transcript to help you understand and use the language. [From British Council Learn English]

• Change Management
• Managing conflict
• Public relations
• Relationship-building
• Work burnout

Trump's billionaire bromance destined to fail as tycoons will face 'lambasting' if they disobey

bromance noun [C] informal UK /ˈbrəʊ.mæns/ a close, friendly, but not sexual relationship between two men romance amistoso 

tycoon noun [C] UK /taɪˈkuːn/ a person who has succeeded in business or industry and has become very rich and powerful magnate

lambaste verb [T] (also lambast) UK /læmˈbæst/ to criticize someone or something severely arremeter contra

Museum and Art Vocabulary

Art Vocabulary 1

Glossary

Art vocabulary 2

More Arts Vocabulary

Blood Donation

Expressing Opinions

100 Daily Words with British Accent

Get the pdf. document here!