B2.1 Christmas

Christmas Day is celebrated in the United Kingdom on December 25.

In most of the countries of the UK, the festive season begins in Advent. During this time, holly wreaths are made with three pink, one white and one purple candle. Shops however, start selling Christmas decorations from mid-November to enthusiastic Christmas shoppers who prefer to have a one-upmanship over their friends and neighbours. In England as well as in most other nations of the U.K., the beautiful Christmas Trees are an essential part of traditional Christmas decorations. In England, the decorating of Christmas trees has been widely popular since around the 1850s when Prince Albert had a Christmas tree set up in Windsor Castle for his wife Queen Victoria and their children. In modern times, the Christmas decorative items last until 6 January (Epiphany). It is considered bad luck to have these at home even after this date.

The tradition of Christmas observance is believed to have begun in England in 596 AD, when St Augustine landed on her shores with the message of Christianity on his lips. The present day Christmas festivities here sees the celebrators adorning their homes with Christmas trees, lights, tinsel and other decorative items in the days counting to the festival. The traditional Christmas dinner in England is a mouth watering affair with the main dish being roasted turkey with vegetables and sauces. The dessert is usually a rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. For English kids, Christmas is the time to have fun with family and friends and receive gifts from Father Christmas, a Santa Claus-like figure, who is pictured as wearing a long red or green robe. This lover of children is said to leave presents for them in their stockings(or pillowcases that they hang at the end of their bed) on Christmas Eve. The gifts are usually opened on Christmas Day, though not until the afternoon.

The festive spirit can be discerned all over Britain with most public places such as department stores, gift shops, town halls and restaurants decorated beautifully with electric lights and festoons for the occasion. Churches and Cathedrals all over the country hold masses, with many people attending the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, or a service on Christmas morning. For Catholics, it is one of the main Holy Days of Obligation. In London and the provinces, a number of theatres traditionally organized for kids a special Christmas pantomime based not on Biblical tales but on such popular children's stories such as Little Red Riding Hood and Aladdin, with a subtle connection to the festival being made deliberately.

In England the day after Christmas is called Boxing Day, named so because young boys used to go around on this day collecting money in clay boxes. The boxes were smashed open, when they were full. The Boxing Day is still celebrated in the UK. It is a bank holiday in England. If it happens to fall on a weekend, then a special Bank Holiday is delivered on Monday.

Read more at http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas/uk.htm#pDmlLShf7q7P14MH.99

Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3SKLqywpCY

Conversation questions. 

Discuss or debate the questions below. Remember to support your answers!

• Do you celebrate Christmas? If yes, what's a typical Christmas like for you?
• Do you make a big deal out of Christmas or do you think Christmas is just a bunch of humbug? Why?
• Are you expecting any special gifts this holiday season? Please explain.
• Have you bought any special gifts this holiday season? Or do you plan to buy any? Why?
• Would you prefer a white Christmas or a Christmas at a tropical holiday resort? Why?

---

• What would be the perfect Christmas for you? Please explain.
• Please describe the best Christmas you have ever had. What made it so great?
• Have you ever had a terrible Christmas? If yes, what happened?
• Many movies, songs, and stories refer to something called the "Christmas spirit." What do you think this means?
• How do the people in your country usually celebrate the winter holidays? Please explain.
• How would you feel if Christmas got canceled?
• What will you do for Christmas this year?
• How many Christmas songs do you know the words to? Would you care to sing one?

---

• Is Christmas more about commercialism or goodwill? Please explain.
• What would you do if your child asked, "Is Santa real?"
• If you could be Santa for a day, would you want to? Why/not?

---

• What do you know about the history of Christmas? Please explain.
• What do you know about the history of Santa Claus? Please explain.
• When you were a child, did you believe in the Three Wise Men or Santa Claus? Why/not?
• At what age should kids stop believing in the Three Wise Men /Santa? Why do you think so?

Lesson: Stop picking on Santa

https://yourenglishpal.com/blog/esl-conversation-lesson-plan-christmas/

B2.1 Exam practice

 https://helendipity.wordpress.com/2020/10/03/b1-b2-oral-mediation-written-mediation-activity/

https://englishlevelb21.weebly.com/exam-practice.html

B1 extraordinaria JCLM 2022

B2.1 Writing an article

 AN ARTICLE

TITLE

INTRODUCTION

 - ASK ONE RHETORIC QUESTION connected to the title. Answer it. e.g: If you ask me, I would say that… 

 -  Explain things. e.g: It goes without saying that…  

CENTRAL PARAGRAPHS

 - 1st idea (connected to the rhetoric question) + example

   For one thing, it is a well-known fact that … Let me illustrate this point.

 - 2nd idea (connected to the rhetoric question) + example.    

  Besides,… / In addition,… / What is more,… / Furthermore,…

 - 3rd idea (connected to the rhetoric question) + example.

   Last but not least,…  

​

CONCLUSION

To sum up,…

B1- B2.1 Past simple. Explanation: Form, uses and pronunciation

 The happy verb: Past simple. Explanation: form and uses

https://www.liveworksheets.com/worksheets/en/English_language/Past_simple/Regular_verbs_rr1083919re

Pronunciation

B2.1 Black Friday and Buy Nothing Day

Homework for the weekend (25th-27thNovember).

Listen and learn about Black Friday and Buy Nothing Day: Do the exercises in the links below and send the answers about the first link (Black Friday) to my email.

👉https://www.liveworksheets.com/lt2675748fc 

Buy Nothing Day exercises

Telling the time

What time is it?

It´s ...... 

http://esl.fis.edu/vocab/q21/time_r.htm

http://www.agendaweb.org/vocabulary/time-exercises.html

https://www.gamestolearnenglish.com/clock/

B2.1 Taller de conversación en inglés

 

C1 Climate change: Before the Flood

GREEN
___________________________________________

How green are you?

Do the following quiz to find out how ‘green’ you are.
 Check the answers with your teacher afterwards. One point for every correct answer.

 1) You are busy in your house tidying up going from room to room spending 5 to 10 minutes in each. Which is the best way to save energy? 
a) Switch the lights on and off every time you move from room to room
b) Keep the lights on as you move about the house

2) You are hungry and want to bake a potato. Which method is ‘greener’?
a) Put it in an electric oven for an hour
b) Quickly zap it in the microwave


3) You are thirsty so you go to a café to buy a drink. What do you choose? 
a) A bottle of mineral water
 b) A cup of coffee in a polystyrene(pronunciation) cup

4) You need a new shirt / blouse and there are two that you like in the shop. You look at the label and see that one is made of 100% pure natural cotton and the other is 50% polyester. You want to be as environmentally friendly as you can. Which one do you choose? 
a) The 100% cotton shirt
b) The 50% polyester shirt

5) Do you leave the tap on when you brush your teeth? 
a) Yes
 b) No

6) As well as putting their health and the health of those around them in danger, smokers also put the environment in danger.
a) True
 b) False

7) Which is the ‘greenest’ way to wash your clothes?
a) Machine wash in cold water
 b) Hand wash in hot water

8) Which form of transport is better for the environment?
a) Driving by car
b) Flying by plane

9) When you go to the supermarket how do you take your shopping home?
a) In plastic carrier bags from the supermarket
b) In your own bag or basket

10) If you have the choice, how do you prefer to buy a cold drink in a café?
a) In a can
 b) In a glass bottle

Key answers

How many did you get right?

1-3 You have a lot of changes to make if you want to be greener.
4-6 Not bad! You know about how you can help the planet. You are quite green. Well done!
7-10  You have a very green head on your shoulders!

________________________________________________________________________________

1. Below is our list of the top terms you need to know to understand the basic science and political sphere of climate change.
   • Carbon dioxide (CO2) ...
   • Your carbon footprint is the sum of all emissions of CO2 (carbon dioxide), which were induced by your activities in a given time frame
   • Greenhouse Gas/ greenhouse effect..
   • eco-friendly/environmentally friendly
   • Emissions. ...
   • Fossil Fuels. ...
   • fumes
   • Methane
   • ozone layer
   • Sea-Level Rise. ...
   • Global average temperature. ...
   • Renewable energy. ...
   • Sustainable is an adjective used to mean causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time.
   • Cycling is a totally sustainable form of transport.
   
   Discuss in groups
   
   1. Environment: What do you do to help the environment?
   2. Global warming: How do you feel when you hear about global warming?
   3. Recycle: Do you recycle? What kind of things do you recycle?
   4. Renewable energies: Do you know what renewable energies are? Do you use any of them? Why? Why not?Renewable energies (sun, rain, wind, tides,waves and heat)  are sources of clean, inexhaustible and increasingly competitive energy. They differ from fossil fuels in their diversity, abundance and potential for use anywhere on the planet, but above all in that they produce neither greenhouse gases – which cause climate change – nor polluting emissions.
   Green, worksheet for the students 

________________________________________________

– Global warming message board 

A message board on a weather website asked its readers to write in with their views on global warming and climate change. Here is a selection of their messages.


Gonzalo – I’m all in favour of global warming. I grow tropical plants so for me the warmer the weather is the better!

Tanya – In 20 years time the traditional British weather will be a thing of the past. We’ll have a climate like the south of France. People will be healthier as they’ll spend more time outdoors. Just think, dining al fresco in the summer months. It’ll be great!

Luis – no one can tell me that global warming isn’t happening. We’ve just had the hottest year on record! My sister lives in the north of Spain and she said that it is beach weather there and it’s November. I mean it’s not normal is it?

 Kevin – When I was a boy we used to have heavy snow most years. Since the early 90s all we’ve had is a light dusting of snow. It must be due to global warming.

Ruth – You only have to switch on the news to see the crazy things the weather is doing. There are so many floods, hurricanes and droughts. It’s the extreme weather conditions caused by global warming.

Oliver – There’s no such thing as global warming. It’s all media hype * to brainwash people. If they told us the moon was made of cheese often enough people would believe it!
*(extravagant or intensive publicity or promotion.)

 Mark – The world will never be the same again, but that’s how it has always been. It changes constantly and nature and man can adapt to these changes. If we couldn’t, human life on the planet would have finished years ago.



• Who do you agree with most?
• Who do you disagree with?
• What would you write to the message board?

 Put your message here.👉

Students´ messages

____________________________________________________________________________

Climate Change – Discussion Statements 

Vocabulary: Natural disasters

1. Climate change is the most serious threat to our planet at the moment. 
2. All countries should be forced to apply serious regulations to reduce carbon emissions. 
3. Normal people can’t do much to stop global warming.
4.  Everybody should do whatever they can to save energy. 
5. I am worried about climate change. 
6. Climate change isn’t as serious as people say. People like to worry about something! 
7. There are simply too many people living on planet earth! 
8. We are going to lose many animal species and areas of low land in the very near future because of global warming.

Tasks about the film
While watching- Before the Flood, Qs and answers


                                                      

Before the Flood (the film)

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” —Margaret Mead

For more details about the film, click the link.__
___________________________________________________________________________

Letter Writing Assignment 

Write a letter to Leonardo DiCaprio. Thank him for making this movie – this is going to be a very important part of history, and hopefully it will prompt a change. Tell him what you’ve learned from the movie. Tell him about your favorite (or the most impactful) one or two examples from the movie of either climate change or what we need to do to stop climate change. Also, tell him what you plan to do to make change based on what you learned from the movie.

https://spark.adobe.com/page/EfP3eQDL9R426/

B2.1 Halloween

 Speaking:

1. Why is halloween celebrated?
2. Can you explain the history of halloween?
3. How is halloween celebrated in your country?
4. What are some of the symbols of halloween?
5. What kind of costume are you going to wear to the halloween party?
6. Why do you like to celebrate Halloween?
7. Do you believe in magic?
8. Do you think there are really witches and monsters and creatures living amongst us in the real world, or are those things just from our imagination?
9. If you could choose to be any monster or creature, what would it be?
10. If you could use a magical spell, like a love spell, on somebody, would you?
11. Do you think Halloween is dangerous?
12. Do you think it is appropriate to celebrate it still today?
13.  Do you believe in ghosts? Do you know any stories about ghosts?
14. ·Has anything ever happened to you that you cannot explain?
15. · Do you believe that vampires or zombies exist?
16. · What is the most frightening experience you have had

 

The history of Halloween
http://www.esolcourses.com/content/topics/autumn-festivals/halloween/history-of-halloween-listening.html

https://www.esolcourses.com/content/topics/autumn-festivals/halloween/crossword.html

HTen things you should know about Halloween

Halloween in the USA, 

Video and comprehension questions

http://www.esolcourses.com/content/topics/autumn-festivals/halloween/halloween-in-the-usa-listening.html

Reading a horror story 

http://www.isabelperez.com/hotpot/horror_halloween.htm

Writing: 

 One Halloween my friends and I were going trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. Down the street from us was and old deserted house that everyone thought was haunted. My mother said “Do not you dare go near that house!". Naturally, her warning made us even more curious. We went to the house and rang the bell. There was no answer. We tried the door. It was unlocked, so we entered the house. The door slammed behind us and…..

Horror music

Enjoy this spooky song and video :Thriller

C1 That´s English!

  

FECHAS TUTORÍAS LUNES

FECHAS TUTORÍAS MIÉRCOLES

INFORMACIÓN ALUMNOS

B2.1 Pronouns

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAGnKpE4NCI

https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/meaning-of-nothing-else-matters-by-metallica/

B2.1 Talking about names

 

NAMES DISCUSSION

1) Do you like your name(s)?

2) Why did your parents choose that name for you?

3) What is the coolest name in the world?

4) If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

5) What names do you really dislike?

6) What are good names to give to pets?

7) What do you think of old people’s names?

8)  What is the most ridiculous name you’ve ever heard?

9) Do you have a nickname and do you like it?

10) What do you think of the idea of naming babies after their parents?

11) What do you think of people naming their children after actors and pop

stars?

12) How many middle names does a person really need?

13) Do you have problems with your name and legal documents?

14) Do you think children’s names should be from their culture?

Listening: https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening/b2-listening/whats-name

Mercadillo de libros usados

 El viernes 7 y el martes 11 de octubre  de 12h30 a 14h tendrá lugar en el vestíbulo de la EOI, el mercadillo de libros de texto usados.

Existe la posibilidad de vender y/o comprar más barato los libros de texto y cuadernos de ejercicios de este curso.

B2.1 Bibliography

B2.1 C.Oxenden & Latham-Koenig, Kate Chomaki: English File B2.1, 4th edition Student’s Book & Workbook. Oxford. ISBN 9780194058247 

EXAMENES DE SEPTIEMBRE

 B1 

EXAMEN ESCRITO 5 DE SEPTIEMBRE A LAS 16.00 

C1 

EXAMEN ESCRITO 6 DE SEPTIEMBRE A LAS 16.00 

PENDIENTE DE CONFIRMAR AULA, SEGURAMENTE OS LO DIRÁN EN LA ESCUELA EL MISMO DÍA DEL EXAMEN.

EXAMEN ORAL POR DETERMINAR, RECIBIREIS INFORMACIÓN AL RESPECTO

CONVOCATORIA DE ORALES C1

LOS DE B1 POR DETERMINAR.

8A It´s no use trying to go to sleep. HEALTH

___________________________________________________________________________

1. SPEAKING AND READING

👉 Think about these questions:

In a typical day, how many hours do you spend on these activities?

-eating  -finess  -sleeping  -travelling   -entertainment  - household tasks  -studying   -working

-other not mentioned

How much does this pattern differ from two years ago?
How much do you expect it to change in the future?

a.b.  Answer the questions before you listen to the radio interview to check your answers.

🎵🎵 Track 3.45

If you have doubts, read the script on page 185 to confirm your answers.

c. Look at the headings and match them with tips A-D.

key: Compile a playlist, Acknowledge distraction,  Everybody out   It´s as it is.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. GRAMMAR: Gerunds and infinitives



                                           
                 
ADVANCED EXPLANATION 



After watching the explanation, please do some online exercises on the link below and finally take the quiz.
Exercises
Take this quiz

_________________________________________________________________________
4. LISTENING AND VOCABULARY: (page 94)

Do age or gender or anything else make you more likely to wake up at night?

a. You will hear four people talk about waking up at night. Look at the words in the speech bubbles in your book. What do you think each person is going to say?

🎵🎵   Track 3.48

b. Listen twice to the radio programme in the link above and check if your ideas in 4a were correct. Check with the help of the script on page 185.

c.  Look at the expressions in the box from the recording. Which are about...?

1.Sleeping well or too long
2.Not sleeping or not sleeping well
3.Falling asleep.
4.Having a short sleep.

Key
Oral mediation in groups: Segmented sleep

READING AND LISTENING: SEGMENTED SLEEP_______________________________________________

IDIOMS WITH SIMILES.

There are a few similes with the same pattern as SLEEP LIKE A LOG ( verb + like + noun). 
Can you complete them?
Eat like a_____
Sing like a______
Sink like a_____
Watch something like a ______
Have a face like_____
            
_____________________________________________________________________________

👉f. Optional speaking task. Talk about your sleeping habits using expressions from 4c. Answer the questions in the exercise.
__________________________________________________

Choose one of the activities below and send it to my e-mail. You can do both if you have the time.

👉Oral mediation task
👉Written mediation

USEFUL LANGUAGE TO MEDIATE AN ORAL OR WRITTEN TEXT

B1- C1 and That´s English : EXAMENES CERTIFICACION JUNIO 2022 FECHAS

Dear students,
Please find attached some the relevant information related to your exams. 

The exact time for your oral exam will be arranged soon. Here you´ll find the date. 

http://eoileon.centros.educa.jcyl.es/sitio/index.cgi?wid_seccion=38&wid_item=213

Written exam: (reading, listening, mediation and writing)

C1 and C1.2 That´s English: 15th June 16.00 (presentation 15.45´)

B1 and B1.2 That´s English: 20th June 16.00 (presentation 15.45´)

Oral exam: (mediation, monologue and dialogue)

C1- 13th June 16.00 

C1.2 That´s English: 8th June 16.00

B1 (Mondays-Wednesdays) 1st June 16.00

B1 (Tuesdays- Thursdays) 2nd June  16.00

B1.2 That´s English. 9th June 16.00

 

C1 May exam practice

https://educajcyl-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/monica_otegar_educa_jcyl_es/Et0CqKP_vgFCmj2br_8-oO0BUS-T7xYrTuBRyBVJcLzTqQ?e=6AmkeN 

B1 Exam practice May 13th

Dear students, 

Find some exam practice  in the link below.

You´ll find the tasks and the key answers for the readings and listenings.

As for the speaking part, choose one of the topics and record a 3 minute monologue and send it to my email. You´ll get some feedback afterwards. 

https://educajcyl-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/monica_otegar_educa_jcyl_es/ElW_G4O_GI5ChHTKwCgalYwBQr_1d1-8wgivMlW7S8gS7A?e=olw06P

B1-C1 instrucciones y tiempos para el examen oral

INSTRUCCIONES BLOQUE B. PRUEBA ORAL

 

B1 Reading and listening

Distance dictation

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/intermediate-b1/how-be-safe-smart-searcher

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening/intermediate-b1/an-interview-about-listening-skills 

C1 Listenings. Topic Work

 https://sites.google.com/view/listening-comprehension/c1#h.ohcf3erz4qfw

C1 Formal letters. CVs and Cover letters.

HOW TO WRITE A CV

Cv template 1

CV template 2

CV Template 3

HOW TO WRITE A Formal Letter or Email

Beginning

Most formal letters will start with ‘Dear’ before the name of the person that you are writing to: ‘Dear

Ms Brown,’ or ‘Dear Brian Smith,’ You can choose to use 􀂅rst name and surname, or title and surname.

If you don't know the name of the person you are writing to, use: ‘Dear Sir/Madam,’ Remember to add

the comma. Your opening sentence should clearly state why you are writing the letter - get to the point

straight away: ‘I would like to apply for the position of ...’ ‘I am writing to complain about the poor

service we received at ...’

Tone and purpose

Your letter, like the opening sentence, needs to be precise and to the point. Tone, or the way your letter

sounds, is very important and 􀂅nding the right tone can sometimes be di􀂃cult. You may need to be

􀂅rm, but polite. In a formal letter, the aim is to sound ‘businesslike’. Avoid any language that seems

casual or chatty. Think about the purpose of your letter and include all the relevant details to help the

reader to respond. For example: In a job application, include some speci􀂅c details about why you are an

ideal candidate for the role. In a letter of complaint, include a summary of what has happened to

prompt your complaint, with names, locations and dates, if necessary. Make sure that each point you

make is given a separate paragraph.

Ending

Before you end your letter, make sure that you provide a clear course of action for the reader. Making a

complaint? Make it clear that you need a reply. Applying for a job? End on a positive note and say that

you are looking forward to hearing from them. Signing o􀂂 will depend on how you started your letter.

If you used someone’s name, end with ‘Yours sincerely,’ If you didn't use their name, you used

‘Sir/Madam’ instead, so end with ‘Yours faithfully,’

Finally, don’t forget to proofread your letter for spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Task (optional)

Imagine you are having problems with someone at work and you decide you have to inform your bosses

about it. Think of what the problem is, incidents that have happened and what you think needs to be

done to solve the proble. Write your bosses a formal letter or email.

HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER

https://monicaoterogarcia-ingles-eoi.blogspot.com/2020/03/how-to-write-cover-letter.html

https://monicaoterogarcia-ingles-eoi.blogspot.com/2020/03/how-to-write-cover-letter-2.html

TASKS FOR HOMEWORK THIS BANK HOLIDAY. (FROM YOUR HANDOUT ABOUT JOBS).

1. Write a cover letter

Apply for the  job advert that most appeals to you: (ART GALLERY ASSISTANT, ASSISTANT SALES MANAGER OR OFFICIAL GUIDE). 160-180 words. 

2. Written mediation

Prison Officer Interview Questions and Answers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX_X7uwQbnE

Watch the following videos  and take notes on key information in order to do the task below. You can use subtitles to  understand all the important information.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PRISON OFFICER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7HSpoKX5dw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQAYpYFl6ZE

The British authorities have done some videos with testimonies from different prison officers in which they explain what is involved in their job. You have a friend who’s trying to decide which career path he/she should follow. He knows you´ve also been doing some research  and asks you to summarise what you´ve found out.

Write an email  to your friend summarising the main ideas of the three clips you´ve watched on youtube. (180-200 words).

DEADLINE 6 TH MAY

How to write a Cover Letter 2

Dear students, 
Let´s continue this lesson about Covering letters and then you will write one.




You are required to do the exercises in the links below,.
Work individually whenever it´s said discuss or work in pairs. 
After having done the exercises proposed, you´ll write a Covering letter following the instructions on exercise 10 in the second link.  This way, you´ll apply for the  job advert that most appeals to you: (ART GALLERY ASSISTANT, ASSISTANT SALES MANAGER OR OFFICIAL GUIDE). 140-180 words
Send your letter/e-mail to me within this week. 

You can make use of all the material in the posts How to write a Cover Letter 1&2

1st exercise: Covering Letters
2nd exercise and final task
3rd exercise: Arrange the paragraphs in this letter of application

Key answers for all the previous exercises