Monday, 14 April 2025

Do you need conversation topics for the holidays?

News in English EL PAÍS

Trump’s reversal on tariffs


Dear readers,

After launching a global trade war on his third “Liberation Day” in six months, the U.S. president was forced to reckon with the reality that he was steering the country — and with it, the global economy — toward a recession. Trump's sudden announcement of a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs (with the exception of China) weakens his negotiating position, precisely what he had hoped to avoid.

And it's not just the economy that's feeling the pressure. Scientists continue to warn that the future of American research is increasingly at risk from Trump's policies. This week we spoke with chemist John Hartwig about what to expect in a scenario of continuing cuts.

This week we also visited a restaurant that serves up "dishes in danger of extinction," and explored a renaissance of vinyl record stores focused on bringing back the Rio Grande Valley sound.

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

You can also read:

Saturday, 12 April 2025

Murcia Today (news from here)

More Riddles

 Try these... 



Answers after holidays.

Check your Spelling!


Check pronunciation (main stress included) too!

/ˌæb.səˈluːt.li/
/ˈæk.jə.rət/
/ˈben.ɪ.fɪt.ɪd/
/ˈbrəʊ.ʃə/ 
/ˈkæt.ə.ɡri/
/ˈfɔː.fɪt/

... and syllables in case you have to divide them. 

My advice is not to divide words into syllables in your writing. [The odds of making a mistake are high]

Thursday, 10 April 2025

C1: Review Writing

Let's start with an activity from Oxford Learner's Thesaurus Study Pages: A Film Review. Then have a look at some samples of Film Reviews (you choose them): study the structure, phrases and some useful vocabulary.
In this presentation (by Javi) you can see some more extra useful vocabulary for Book Reviews (remember to check How to Write a Book Review)
Check this Restaurant Review and Useful Vocabulary --both pages-- before getting down to writing.

        WRITING TASK
C1: Write a 250-word Review following the rubrics on EITHER p. 142  (8) OR p. 143 (10) in 8f. Deadline 1st May
[Check here all the answers to the textbook activities]

Another option (if you have already written book or film reviews other years) is to write a review of:
  • a website / blog. Write about the layout, information provided and why people should use it.
  • a new restaurant. Write about the decor, food and people you might find there.
  • a gig / concert. Write about the singer / band, the audience and the performance.

Semana Santa Cartagena 2025

Holy Week in Cartagena.

To get familiar with the vocabulary and concepts of our Easter have a look at this "Guide" to learn the basics. 

You can have a look at Holy Week Step by Step too. 

More specific info for this year: Guía de Semana Santa 2025 Radio Cartagena

Modelos Prueba Certificación EEOOII C1 & C2 (By Grammazzle)

C1




C2


Wednesday, 9 April 2025

Protein Snacks

CLEAN EATING: noun [U] /ˌkliːn ˈiː.tɪŋ/ us. /ˌkliːn ˈiː.tɪŋ/ the practice of eating only foods that are regarded as healthy, especially fresh food that has not been processed (= given any industrial or chemical treatment)

How Language Shapes the Way we Think


Just watch it! It's a thought-provoking video! 

Monday, 7 April 2025

Usual (phrasal) verbs for actions you usually do with your hands

News in English EL PAÍS

The simple formula behind the tariffs


Dear readers,

The Trump team's technique to calculate the tariffs he has threatened the world with is raising more than one eyebrow. Although the U.S. president said they'd use a sophisticated system based on each country and bloc, it turns out that the formula is a very simple one, even if "they cover it up by using Greek symbols," as one expert ironically pointed out.

This week we also take a look at the eight points that can get you identified as a member of the Tren de Aragua gang in the United States; interview Haydée Milanés, the daughter of renowned singer-songwriter Pablo Milanés; look at the war over robotaxis brewing in Austin; and go deep underground to a lab in the Pyrenees where scientists are searching for the answer to the Big Question.

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

Saturday, 5 April 2025

Thursday, 3 April 2025

Wednesday, 2 April 2025

Monday, 31 March 2025

Multilingual Poetry Recital at EOI San Javier

Difficult Words

News in English EL PAÍS

The Black Sea ceasefire deal


Dear readers,

​This week, the United States brokered a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine focusing on the Black Sea, aiming to ensure safe navigation and halt attacks on energy infrastructure. The news comes as Ukraine creates a new battalion made up of recruits who have voluntarily swapped prison cells for the battlefield.

In other news, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem traveled to El Salvador and visited the mega-prison where 200 Venezuelans are being held (...).

We also spoke to the Peruvian fisherman who survived 95 days lost at sea, and traveled to Antarctica to explore why pink snow has become a problem.

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

You can also read:

Saturday, 29 March 2025

Guía del Candidato 25 EEOOII CARM

The Guía del candidato is already updated. Check it to see all the info about the final exam!

You can also find it on the right column of the blog: 4th item from above.

Tax Terms (from Dictionary.com)

Check your tax vocabulary

Glossary

Thursday, 27 March 2025

Instead of SAID

Gradable vs Non Gradable Adjectives

Read it in pdf. format HERE. Level 2 HERE.

Use the right column adjectives to improve your narratives and reviews, making them more vivid.

Improve your Pronunciation!

C1 Writing Samples Marked (from Cambridge)

Read the different samples and check the bands (assessment) they were given by reading the explanations. Notice the different types of writings and formats. 

From: C1 Advanced Assessing writing for Cambridge English Qualifications: A guide for teachers © 2024 Cambridge University Press & Assessment. 

Remember that even though Cambridge and EOI's assessment is not exactly the same, the main principles are similar.

Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Tips to Improve your Grammar

Idioms Explained

Choose 5 idioms you didn't know 
and try to put them into practice asap!!!

Monday, 24 March 2025

Let's Communicate (2)

News in English EL PAÍS

Mexico's extermination center


Dear readers,

This week, we went inside the Izaguirre ranch in Mexico, which was used as a recruitment and extermination center by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. A group of searchers has found hundreds of skeletal remains, crematoriums, graves, and 1,308 objects. Hundreds of families are now searching among them for clues about their missing loved ones.

We also looked at Trump's decision to deport alleged members of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization to El Salvador, despite a judge ordering a halt to the flights. "He’s a good, hard-working boy," said one mother, who recognized her son in photos of the deportees.

And in science news, we took a tour of Spain's first publicly accessible quantum computer, and asked experts whether giving a polypill to everyone over 50 is a good way to prevent cardiac disease.

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

You can also read:

Saturday, 22 March 2025

Thursday, 20 March 2025

12 Character Archetypes (Revision)



Check them HERE.

Review vocabulary and phrases related to Personality