POEM: IF THIS TIME BY KEVIN McCORMACK

Read and listen to this wonderful poem written by the Irish singer and song writer, Kevin McCormack:

Did you like it? What did you feel after reading it? Is there a quote that you liked in particular? You can add comments below.

LISTENING ACTIVITY FOR ALL MY STUDENTS

Watch this video and answer these questions:

1) Write three things that people used to do before covid19
2) Write two changes in the world after the covid19
3) Write three changes in people's life after the covid19

4) AN OPINION ESSAY. ACTIVITY FOR 4ESO E AND B2B BACHILLERATO:
 Do you think that we are really going to change like that?

VALIDATION

Have you heard about this excellent SHORT FILM? VALIDATION  has been written & directed by Kurt Kuenne. It has been awarded with several important prizes. It's an allegory about being  positive & expressing our good feelings to other people. We can still make a better world!!!
You can't miss it.  It is a MUST. Take a break and watch it. It is worthwhile.
It's in English with Spanish subtitles. You WILL love it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ar_TSl2mP4

THE TOWERING INFERNO

Last night I watched on TV one of the classic films that impressed me the first time I watched it when I was a teenager. I don't like catastrophe films especcially but this one is unique for me. It's amazing that a film that was screened for the first time over 30 years ago is still so exciting. The Towering Inferno (El coloso en llamas, 1974, directed by John Guillermin) won 3 Oscars and had a cast full of stars: Paul Newman, Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Fred Astaire, Richard Chamberlain, Robert Wagner, Jennifer Jones and ...Steve McQueen!!!!

It seems that I'm not the only fan of this excellent actor. Sometimes a film can change your life. Watch this scene to find a real example:

ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW OF THE SPANISH CRISIS

This is a video which is publicity of a Spanish company but the ad is very original and it's in English. It can be a good LISTENING ACTIVITY. You can read the subtitles if you need it. It is also a positive view of our country:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUFMxmIoFRc&feature=youtu.be

HENRY VIII AND HIS SIX WIVES

ACTIVITY FOR MY CONVERSATION GROUP
We have read the book; Henry VIII and his Six Wives by Oxford University Press.
I suggest you some activities to do to work more deeply with the text.
This is the link to get more information about the book and resources to exploit the book. You can have a look at it.
http://elt.oup.com/catalogue/items/global/graded_readers/oxford_bookworms_library/stage_2/9780194790628?cc=global&selLanguage=en

Here you have a fantastic link with photos of all the characters, a text about them and a video. It is very intering to get into the context of the story
http://talesofcuriosity.com/v/HenrysWives/

PROYECTO: 6. GLENDALOUGH AND CLONMACNOISE

ACTIVITY FOR MY CONVERSATION GROUP

Describing a place before and now.

You are going to watch and listen to a video about Glendalough and Clonmacnoise, two medieval monasteries in Ireland. It deals with the history of these magnificent monuments. In the past the monks lived there. Now they are beautiful ruins visited by thousands of tourists. The background of both monasteries is impressive: green fields and mountains, waterfalls, lakes, rivers. Nature is all around. Enjoy the video and then answer to the following questions:

1. In which part of Ireland are the two monasteries located?
2. What is the most important element of their architecture?
3. Who was the founder of Glendalough?
4. What did the founder of Clonmacnoise see in a vision?
5. What is the meaning og Glendalough?
6. Did you like the monasteries and the settings? Why?
7. Why do artists usually go to these places?

PROYECTO: 4. A SONG: BEFORE AND NOW

ACTIVITY FOR MY CONVERSATION GROUP
Listen to the song: A Different Corner by George Michael. This is the video-clip of the 80s. 

Then, listen again and fill in the blanks of the lyrics of the song:

SONG: A DIFFERENT CORNER BY GEORGE MICHAEL

I'd say (1) ____ was a magical thing

I'd say (2) _____would keep us from pain

Had I been there, had I been there

I would promise you all of my (3) _____

But to lose you would (4) ____ like a knife

So I don't dare, no I don't dare

'Cause I've never come close in all of these (5) ______

You are the only one to (6) _____my tears

And I'm so scared, I'm so scared

Take me back in time maybe I can (7) ______

Turn a different corner

And we never would have met

Would you care?

I don't (8) ________ it, for you it's a breeze

Little by little you've brought me to my knees

Don't you care?

No I've never come close in all of these (9)

You are the only one to (10) ______ my tears

I'm so scared of this love

And if all that there is, is this fear of being used

I (11) _______go back to being lonely and confused

If I (12) ______, I would, I swear

I swear.

I was a fan of Wham and George Michael in the 80s. I am still his fan. I have been  to all his concerts in Madrid. The last one was last September. It was called Symphonica and he sang with an orchestra. He has changed a lot in many aspects in all these years but he stil has a wonderful voice.

SPEAKING ACTIVITY: Think about a famous person that you have always admired. Look for some information about him/her on the Internet if you want to. Write a short summary of his/her career. We'll talk about the past and the present of our idols in class.

St. PATRICK'S DAY

This activity is for THE CONVERSATION GROUP

St Patrick is the Saint Patron of Ireland. The celebration takes place on the 17th of March

Watch this video and listen to it as many times as you need and answer to the following questions:





1. Who was St Patrick?
2. Why is this celebration so important in the United States?
3. How do people celebrate it now?
4. Why is this festival celebrated on March 17th?
5. Mention three ingredients of the typical meal on St Patrick's Day.

KEY WORDS (Look up these expressions in a dictionary and ask me in class any questions about the task) :
- Emerald Isle

- Kidnap

- Sheperd slave

- Vows as a priest

- Converting the Irish to Christianity

- Shamrock

- Holy Trinity

- Potato famine

- Parade

- Pints to toast

EXPLOTACIÓN DIDÁCTICA: El video se trabaja con mi grupo de Inglés de Conversación  de adultos para reforzar la comprensión auditiva a través de preguntas sobre el contenido del texto. Al mismo tiempo introducimos elementos de la cultura de un país de habla inglesa, Irlanda, ya que el tema del video es la historia y las costumbres de la fiesta nacional irlandesa. Una vez que los alumnos hayan realizado la tarea, ampliaremos contenidos y describiremos fiestas típicas de nuestro país ya que este grupo está enfocado a desarrollar y mejorar las destrezas orales.