Everyday Informal Language

Fluency Activity

Talk about 3 of the suggested topics for about 1 minute each. 

Don't forget to use expressions in your speech such as:

To be honest / As far as I'm concerned / Definitely / In my view / If you ask me / controversial issue / if I could take any measure to ensure or prevent / governments are (not) taking steps to ...    

Word Lists from Dictionary.com

Our Word Lists include flash cards and multiple choice quizzes—they’ll help you retain word definitions and learn how to use the words in conversation, too. With these features, you’ll be interview-ready in no time!

Revise Personality Vocabulary with the DiSC Model

What does DiSC mean?

DiSC is an acronym that stands for the four main personality profiles described in the DiSC model: (D)ominance, (i)nfluence, (S)teadiness and (C)onscientiousness.

People with D personalities tend to be confident and place an emphasis on accomplishing bottom-line results.

People with i personalities tend to be more open and place an emphasis on relationships and influencing or persuading others.

People with S personalities tend to be dependable and place the emphasis on cooperation and sincerity.

People with C personalities tend to place the emphasis on quality, accuracy, expertise, and competency.

Everything DiSC also measures priorities (the words around the circle), providing more nuanced and memorable feedback in profiles.

Explore the DiSC Styles

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a celebration held by African American people in the USA from 26th December to 1st January to honour their African background. Learn about it with this activity! And much more on Wikipedia's entry.

EL PAÍS in English

  Dear readers,

The image of the week was no doubt that of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressing the US Congress to request more support for the war effort. We analyzed how America's pledge to deliver a Patriot surface-to-air missile tactical defense system, one of the most advanced in the world, will help Kiyv - and aggravate Moscow.

In the aftermath of recent events in Peru, we took a look back at the legacy of the last 10 presidents of the Andean nation, most of whom suffered tragic fates, including jail terms, exile, or death by suicide.

Elsewhere, an EL PAÍS reporter joined a Colombian expert on a climb to check on one of the world's last remaining tropical glaciers, and our Berlin correspondent took a dive into a fascinating exhibition on the extravagant millionaire Heinrich Schliemann, who 'discovered' the city of Troy and used his fortune to search for Homer’s heroes.

We hope you enjoy this selection of articles from EL PAÍS USA Edition. Thanks for reading.

You can read too:

• Qatar World Cup 2022: Leo Messi’s title-winning tournament in statistics
• To rest is human, even if modern work culture brands it as shameful
• Key political issues that will define 2023

A Christmas Read

A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens [By courtesy of AAEOICT (Asociación de Amigos y Alumnos de la EOI de Cartagena)]

Merry Christmas!!!

Get Giggly with it

17 Funny Adjectives To Make You Laugh

Dictionary.com's Word of the Year...

It’s one of the oldest words in the English language. One that’s fundamental not just to our vocabulary but to who we are as humans. And yet it’s a word that continues to be a source of intense personal importance and societal debate. It’s a word that’s inseparable from the story of 2022. 

Check it here!

This is an IMPORTANT Entry

Read about this imPORTant word. And see words related to it: big, critical, crucial, decisive, essential, extensive, far-reaching, great, imperative, influential, large, meaningful, necessary, paramount, relevant, serious, significant, urgent, vital, effective

Dear readers,

The crisis in Peru keeps deepening: around 20 people were dead as of Friday following clashes between protesters and the police, and President Boluarte declared a nationwide state of emergency in a bid to quell the unrest.

In the US, authorities issued an arrest warrant for disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who was detained in the Bahamas and has been charged back home with eight counts of fraud and conspiracy.

In brighter news, scientists announced a breakthrough in the decades-long search for clean, abundant energy after they achieved "ignition" through nuclear fusion, generating more energy than was consumed.

We hope you enjoy this selection of articles from EL PAÍS USA Edition. Thanks for reading.

Don't miss:

• Saul Martínez-Horta: ‘I haven’t come across any paranormal phenomena that cannot be explained by a damaged brain’
• A technology that makes water out of air
• How are women treated in Qatar? 
• Are you a workaholic? Keys to discovering a work addiction

Next Week at the EOI...

JUGUETEA, contagia sonrisas, contagia ilusión: Cartagena Townhall Department of Social Services has contacted us asking for our collaboration, so we have decided to go ahead with the TOY collection. The (new) toys can be brought throughout next week. On December 23 at 12:30 p.m. we are invited to participate in the official act of gratitude. The collection point for the toys will be the cafeteria and a box will be placed behind the bar to identify the exact location for them.

C2 Outside the Box

Syllable Quiz

 Take this syllable quiz and if you're not happy with your result, learn the rules here.

Redefining Words

Cambridge Dictionary Updates definition of "woman".

BBC Radio 4

Four-minute reads

Leverkus: The humanitarian efforts of a British consul during the Spanish Civil War

Next Monday, December 19 at 5 pm, the presentation in English of the book Leverkus: The humanitarian efforts of a British consul during the Spanish Civil War will take place at the Assembly Hall (next door from our classroom). The book is William Leverkus's diary. This Englishman was the British consul in Cartagena during the civil war. The book will be presented in English by its translator, Antonio Cortiñas. Due to its clear connection with the history of our city, it can be an extremely interesting event. 

Don't miss it!

[Excerpt from the book]

Weather & Atmosphere Idioms

Page 1

Page 2

EL PAÍS in English

Dear readers,

EL PAÍS has spoken with a close aide of Peruvian president Pedro Castillo, who on Wednesday attempted a short-lived self-coup, to get inside views about the tense few hours that preceded his arrest.

We also analyzed what Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's corruption conviction means for Argentina's politics, and looked at an ambitious project to identify the bodies of missing migrants who perished on their way to the United States.

This week we also explored a new solo show in San Diego by renowned Mexican painter Sergio Hernández, who draws inspiration for his dream-like universes from his native Oaxaca.

We hope you enjoy this selection of articles from EL PAÍS USA Edition. Thanks for reading.

Don't miss Why are some people so bad at giving presents?, Philosopher José Antonio Marina: ‘The fact that happiness has become fashionable is catastrophic’ or Helga Nowotny, sociologist: ‘The metaverse will be a time machine’ either.

School Supplies for the Islands of Mana & Wayaseba

We'll be collecting donated school supplies for the islands of Mana and Wayaseba, in Fiji: from English textbooks, to any type of writing material, notebooks, pencil cases, backpacks, and even computers. The place will be the CANTINA space at the school.

How we Talk

He could talk the hind legs off a donkey

Has the Cat Got your tongue?

C2 Climate Metaphors

Do this quiz and check your answers at the end. Remember:

• When the word before the answers is an indeterminate pronoun, it may be a or an.
• Some questions may have more than one correct answer.

The Guardian: Morocco-Spain World Cup Last 16 Match Report

Morocco caused a seismic upset by knocking out Spain on penalties 3-0, after the game had finished goalless after 120 minutes

Spanish News in EL PAÍS

Dear readers,

This week we spoke with Serhii Plokhy, director of the Institute for Ukrainian Research at Harvard University, who in a 2021 book foreword had already warned that conflict with Russia posed the greatest threat to the international order since World War II.

In a joint investigation with Lighthouse Reports, EL PAÍS created a 3D reconstruction of the migrant tragedy at the border between Morocco and the Spanish exclave city of Melilla this past summer.

We also looked at a new project to determine Columbus' lineage once and for all, and featured a historic wine tasting at Spain's famous Marqués de Riscal winery, which opened bottles dating all the way back to 1862.

We hope you enjoy this selection of articles from EL PAÍS USA Edition. Thanks for reading.

Don't miss The best new music of November: Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen and Niño de Elche or Nine expert tips for packing your suitcase.

C1 (group H) Important Notice

This afernoon C1 class is due to start at 5 pm (not 4 pm as usual). The reason is the union teacher election held today. Teachers in the afternoon shift will vote from 3 to 5 and, during the hours scheduled for voting, school teaching activity will be suspended.

Languages in the World

Learn more about this topic here.

Can the world feed 8bn people sustainably?

Even though World Food Day was last 16th Oct., why not read this interesting The Guardian article today.

Use of Commas in English

EOI Xmas Activities

 

EL PAÍS Spanish News in English

Dear readers,

With the Qatar World Cup well underway, we bring you a simulator to help you predict the final winner, based on probabilities that are updated on a daily basis. Check to see if your guess is statistically sound!

This week EL PAÍS interviewed the prime minister of Romania, Nicolae Ciucă, a former army general with clear views on what the West needs to do to defend peace and protect itself against Russian aggression.

We also talked to victims of the FTX crypto exchange platform collapse, which has affected over a million people across the globe, and looked back at the life of the recently deceased Pablo Milanés, considered one of Cuba's greatest singer-songwriters.

We hope you enjoy this selection of articles from EL PAÍS USA Edition. Thanks for reading.

Don't miss ‘1984′: How George Orwell’s Big Brother was born during the Spanish Civil War, Bruce Lee may have died from drinking too much water or Five keys to dealing with difficult people.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the color orange is used to represent a brighter future, free from violence against women and girls.

Orange the World (stunning photos)

Job Offer

SPANGLES A Cappella Singing

 

C1 Are you robot ready?

From killing machines to your very own AI domestic guru, these 9 (28:38min.) (186.7K VIEWS) videos will help you prepare for a robot future.

Study Trip to Malta

Read the info about the study trip here.

C2 Fall 2022 New Words

Antiwork, bachelorx party, 45, Ohtani rule, pawternity leave, Zelenskyy. As ever, there is great variety in the new terms and meanings just added to Dictionary.com.

Are you an artist?

 

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

World Cup 2022 takes place in Qatar from November 20 to December 18; 32 teams to compete in eight groups

If you're interested, learn necessary vocabulary to comment on the matches!

Another football vocab list (no translations) with excellent examples!

Check your knowledge doing this Football Vocabulary Quiz

EL PAÍS Spanish News

Dear readers

The entire world was on edge this week as a missile hit Poland, raising fears that NATO members might be dragged into the war in Ukraine. We interviewed the Defense Minister of Estonia, who underscored the importance of continued support for Kyiv.

In Latin America, we analyzed how Bitcoin's decline could be a deadly blow for El Salvador. And EL PAÍS was also in Qatar, where soccer fans from all over the world are flocking for the start of the FIFA World Cup.

Meanwhile, in the US, the effects of last week's midterm elections continued to be felt as Republicans took control of the House and longtime speaker Nancy Pelosi announced her decision to step down.

Our top story this week, however, was the decyphering of mysterious inscriptions on The Hand of Irulegi, a 2,100-year old bronze artifact that may be the earliest known writing in the Basque language.

We hope you enjoy this selection of articles from EL PAÍS USA Edition. Thanks for reading.

Don't miss: Antonio Banderas: ‘It really pisses me off that one day I’ll die’; Over a billion young people may be at risk of hearing loss from headphones and loud venues or Rosalía’s ‘Motomami’ triumphs at 2022 Latin Grammys either.

World Children's Day 20 November

World Children’s Day is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.

Visit MURAM

C1 Key to Positive Personality Traits 2 (10th Nov.)

Persistent = Relentless

Enthusiastic / Bubbly = Ebullient

Calm = Sangfroid

Reliable = Dependable

Outgoing = Gregarious

Desiring = Amorous

Friendly / Socialble = Convivial

Charming = Suave

Modest = Unassuming

Non-Progressive Verbs

 p. 457 from Practical English Usage By Swan M. OXFORD (The best grammar & vocabulary reference book in my opinion). 

Practical English Usage answers the questions that teachers and learners ask about English grammar and vocabulary, using clear corpus-informed explanations and examples. More than 600 entries range across issues such as: 

• article problems    • using tenses      • singular they    • get as a passive auxiliary    • the truth about conditionals    • bring or take?    • can, could, may or might?    • classic or classical?    • emails    • politeness    • avoiding offensive language ...

Democracy vs Republic

You probably hear countries like the United States or France referred to as democracies. At the same time, you probably also hear both of these countries called republics. Is that possible? Are democracies and republics the same thing or different? (From Dictionary.com)

An Interactive Cultural Talk

 Next Tuesday 22nd ...

Subjunctive in English

C1 Eyes, Face, Hair, Skin & Body Description + Actions Expressing Emotions

Review descriptive adjectives and verbs used to describe body expressions HERE.

EL PAÍS News in English

Dear readers,

Three days after Americans voted in midterm elections, control of both the House and the Senate remained undecided. We analyzed how the outcome may shape the race for the 2024 presidential campaign, including a potential run by the big winner of the day, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

In international news, this week we bring you a special report about the likelihood of a nuclear strike by Putin and a series of maps showing the evolution of the war. We also explored why Chile is becoming a global leader in solar energy.

We hope you enjoy this selection of articles from EL PAÍS USA Edition. Thanks for reading.

Don't miss ‘Fasting 12 or 13 hours every day improves metabolism and sleep quality’, or ‘The Crown’ delves into the British monarchy’s darkest decade.

C1 Prepositions: Use and Practice

Revise Prepositions: 

presentation

Practice:

- a. verbs + prepositions
- b. adjective +prepositions
- c. noun + prepositions
- d. prepositional phrases

Thanks Asun (CT EOI C1 teacher)!!!

Visit her blog!