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

 

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 18th Feb.

18.00: Olga & Pablo

18.30: Sofía & Miguel

19.00: Natalia & Jesús

19.30:

Tuesday 25th Feb.

18.00

18.30: Ma Cristina & Antonio

19.00: Cristina & Jorge

19.30:

Passives & Causative KEY

Check last Thursday's passive and causative activities here.

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 17th Feb.

11.30: Ángela & Celia

12.00: Alejandro & Jessica

Monday 24th Feb.

11.30: María & Pilar

12.00: José Luis & Carlos

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!
 

The Palindromists

News in English EL PAÍS

No hope of survivors in deadliest US aviation disaster since 2001

Dear readers,

As rescuers continued to battle dangerous conditions in the Potomac River to search for victims of the midair collision over DC between a passenger plane and a military helicopter, we used graphs and charts to analyze what we know so far about the tragedy.

The week began with an event that is already being described as a technological and even a geopolitical milestone, after users all over the world massively downloaded China's AI app DeepSeek, which was reportedly developed at a fraction of the cost of its American rivals.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump continued to implement his plans for mass deportation. We spoke with migrants in Chicago who are afraid to go out on the streets, and with Colombian deportees who say they are not criminals.

We also bring you an interview with a theoretical physicist who explains the practical applications of his research, and a feature on a Spanish couple that owns the largest vineyard in Ireland, where they hope to popularize wine in the country of beer.

We hope you enjoy this selection of news from EL PAÍS US Edition.

You can also read:

• Groundhog Day: The European origin of the American tradition
• Zombieing: How to deal with an ex who ‘resurrects’ on your phone
• The 70-year-old fraudster who has been ripping off huge companies for three decades
• DeepSeek is no game: The dangers of China’s new AI
• Are dogs or cats smarter?
• Greenland: The land of suicides
• Data | Who are the more than 11 million migrants Trump plans to deport?

The Weather

Let's start with some general words; then some collocations (both from CALD 3rd edition). We will carry on with a dazzling activity prepared by Javi (English EOI teacher). Finally, more vocabulary about Natural Disasters and a reading comprehension activity by The Guardian Weekly, key included ...... we may as well look on the bright side!!!

Paragraph Writing

Cleft Sentences

Grammar, activities and key here.

Types of Criminals

Beware of these!

Día Escolar de la Paz y la No Violencia

On the occasion of the celebration of the Day of Peace and Non-Violence, we invite you to send us your messages, reflections, songs,... related to living together in harmony, without conflicts that separate us.

Asociación de Alumnos y Amigos de la Escuela de Idiomas de Cartagena

What your accent really makes people think about you

Interesting article on how people see us according to the way we pronounce. [From The Telegraph]

This is what your accent really makes people think about you. Read the comments as well!

C2 Improve your vocabulary

To watch little by little...

Blue Schools

Our EOI is carrying out a collaborative project within the framework of the Blue Schools network, together with two African schools: in Lagos (Nigeria) and in Labourdonnais (Mauritius). This project would seek to inform and raise awareness among students and the community of the environmental problems in a specific area of their local coast. Logically, we have chosen our Mar Menor.

The project consists of two parts. The first would be the celebration of a "Blue Week" in our EOI, possibly during the first or second week of March. We would carry out different information and awareness activities: one or more talks and a guided tour of the mural at Calle Gisbert are being considered. We would love your participation, collaboration, and ideas.

Our School would like to repeat the Mar Menor photo exhibition we had a few years ago. You can send snaps to blueschool2025@gmail.com with the subject MAR MENOR, and write: a phrase in the language you study describing the photo, full name and year in the message. You can give the physical photo to your teacher with the same data instead.

The second part of the project would be aimed mainly at French and English students (languages with which Mauritius and Nigeria will participate respectively) but could also include students of other languages speaking in Spanish. It would consist of one or more videos/presentations showing these coastal areas to the other schools, explaining the existing environmental problems and possible solutions. Further information will be provided soon, as everything is still in process.

Thank you very much for your collaboration. We look foward to your participation in this project.
 
Coordinator: Ana Fúster

Dairy Products

Dairy Milk Products Names in English with Pictures 

Yummy, yummy!

Not for Vegans!

Startling

 

News in English EL PAÍS

Trump returns to the White House

Dear readers,

The countdown is over: on Monday, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States. On his first day in office, the Republican leader declared a national emergency on the southern border, ended birthright citizenship and withdrew the U.S. from the WHO and Paris climate agreement. In total, Trump signed 41 executive orders, which experts say challenge the principles of the U.S. Constitution.

But it wasn't just this flurry of activity that made headlines. Melania Trump's inauguration outfit also raised eyebrows — specifically her wide-brimmed hat. The look quickly went viral, sparking broader discussion about what geopolitical message it may have been sending.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the ceasefire agreement has facilitated the entry of essential aid. The cessation of fighting has also allowed Gazans like Mohamed al-Najjar to return home. In his case, however, all he found was rubble.

In other news, we spoke with neuroscientist Rafael Yuste about his work creating devices that can modify the human mind, talked with Jeremy Irons about his love for villains, and explored why no one in the U.S. appears to know who Robbie Williams is.

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

You can also read:

• Migrants trapped on the Mexican border: ‘I don’t know what will become of us’
• The documentary on America’s gun obsession
• Patric Gagne, psychologist: ‘Antisocial personality traits are mistaken for strength, and people are drawn to leaders they perceive as strong’
• Mysterious song from outer space discovered
• Hughes wildfire rages in northern Los Angeles County, forcing evacuation of 31,000 people
• Johann Hari, journalist: ‘It’s so ingrained in our culture that obesity is a sin’
• My therapist is a bot: The rise of AI in mental health treatment
• Study highlights dangers AI poses to mental health of children and adolescents
• TikTok, the company that changed internet culture

C2 Speaking: Monologue & Interaction PREPARATION

Examples of phrases using C2 grammar in a suggested monologue about GM Foods. [From eoimalaga.com]

C2 Speaking MONOLOGUE Sample

C2 Speaking INTERACTION Tutorial & Language Functions Bank

C1 Speaking: Monologue and Interaction PREPARATION

Monologue: Samples and Grammar

Interaction: Samples and Language Function Bank

From: inglesmalaga.com

Oral Exam: useful phrases for interaction

 

Look at these and check here as well!

Much more about Expressing Opinion

Lucy's English Vocabulary Masterclass

Take her Free Vocabulary Level Test

Oral Exam: useful phrases for your monologue

Check here.

How to Be a Better Communicator (Online Talk)

Excellent communication skills are often cited as being the #1 skill required by employers, but what exactly makes for an expert communicator? In this workshop, we’ll explore this question and give you some ideas on how you can become a better communicator in English. Bringing the world to the classroom and the classroom to life ELTNGL.COM 

• With Catherine Hollings
• Next Tuesday 28th January at 6 pm
• Find the link to attend the webinar on your Aula Virtual

C1 Vocabulary Revision

Check how many words / phrases you can remember from previous modules:

New Year, New Words, New You: Make The Most Of New Vocab!

A new year means new opportunities. No, we don’t mean going to the gym with you for a week. It is a perfect time to learn cool new words! (From Dictionary.com) 

Improve your Vocabulary

Suggest, Recommend, Propose REVISION

Inversion in Conditionals

44 Idioms about FOOD

 Choose your favourites to use!

Missed Trump's speech?

Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. Here are five takeaways. 

From BBC

100 Food Words (By Lucy)

See the pdf. document here. [Really interesting!]

And keep practising here.

Blue Monday

Blue Monday is the name given to a day in January (typically the third Monday of the month) that is considered the most depressing day of the year. 

The term originated as a marketing campaign by UK travel companies to incentivize people to travel abroad.

${\displaystyle \frac{[W+(D-d)]\times T^Q}{M\times N_a}}$

where W = weather, D = debt, d = monthly salary, T = time since Christmas, Q = time since the failure of new year's resolutions, 

M = low motivational levels, and Na = the feeling of a need to take action. 

[From Wikipedia]

Key to Modal Verbs Test

Check your answers here.

KEY to 10 Health Beliefs ...

Check your answers HERE.

News in English EL PAÍS

Gaza ceasefire, a ray of hope after 15 months of war

Dear readers,

All eyes are on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who on Thursday announced that he would not submit the agreement in principle for a ceasefire in Gaza until the negotiators in Doha resolve last-minute discrepancies. Despite this setback, the deal represents the most hopeful step toward a possible end to a war that has claimed more than 46,700 lives in Gaza.

In other news, we continued to follow the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, which have scorched nearly 40,000 acres and damaged or destroyed at least 11,000 structures — including numerous homes on the city's iconic Sunset Boulevard.

We also spoke with Nicholas Thompson, the CEO of The Atlantic, interviewed the Palestinian filmmakers behind From Ground Zero, which has been shortlisted for an Oscar, and traveled to Myanmar to meet with the young soldiers who left their lives behind to find against the country's military junta.

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

You can also read:

• Greenland, the frozen island Trump has set his sights on
• The quest to sustain the global spell of Harry Potter
• The world’s most breathtaking abandoned sites: From Pakistan’s Bibi Jawindi to Italy’s Palazzo Athena
• What are the limits in the fight against obesity? Ozempic owner disappoints the market
• Who’s been invited to Donald Trump’s inauguration?
• Study suggests processed red meat, such as sausages, could increase risk of dementia
• Why 90% of cars sold in Norway are electric: VAT exemptions, free tolls and taxes on combustion vehicles

Facts and Tips for your Orals

The Skill of Speaking

A good speaker can:

• Produce the particular English speech sounds and sound patterns, both in isolation and in combination
• Use appropriate words and intonation patterns
• Use appropriate words and structures to express intended meaning
• Recall words and structures quickly
• Organize his thoughts and ideas in logical sentences
• Adjust his speech according to his audience, situation and subject matter

From englishgrammarsoft.com 

1. Trust yourself. What you are saying is right. You prepared the topic carefully and chose phrases and structures seen in the textbook and in class which are the usual ones to talk about that specific issue. So, you should not be afraid of using them. It is not the first time you are talking about this. You have heard and spoken on this topic before.
2. You have revised the vocabulary sheets and words in context you found in the readings you have been doing throughout the year. You have chosen the necessary specific vocabulary dealing with the proposed topic. The moment you hear about it, a large number of words and phrases related to this field come to your mind.
3. You can pronounce intelligibly. Your classmates, language assistant and teacher understand you perfectly well, even though you mispronounce a few words. You try to avoid those words you are not sure to pronounce correctly. You participate in class whenever speaking is required and are not afraid of making mistakes (they are necessary to learn).
4. You have rehearsed at home and in class. You usually speak in front of your classmates, language assistant and teacher; your speech flows. You know how to deal with the time you have to do your speech/interaction. You have structured ideas and times and know your plan will work out well.