My name is who. My name is what...relative clauses.

Learn all about relative clauses from our rapper friend Eminem otherwise known as ´Slim Shady´or the 'Real Slim Shady'.

I will post some sentence transformations up here at a later date but for now just look at the presentation and refresh your memory.

And will the best students please stand up....

... and do these sentence transformations:







1. He is famous for becoming one of the first serious white rappers and working with established talent like Dr Dre.

Who

He is famous for becoming _________________ who with Dr. Dre.

2. He is a rapper to whom the people of Detroit listen.

Who

He is a rapper ___________________

3. His is the music which criticised George Bush during the second term elections.

Whose

______________________ music criticised Bush during the second term elections.

4. Out of the two rappers Enimen is the one I know least about.

Which

Eminem is the rapper ________________________ about.

5. In fact I´m struggling to come up with anything. So only four sentence transformations for you tonight. You lucky things.

Mystery Box: Future Forms

Another mystery box. This time on Future Forms.

Mystery Box: Modals of obligation

The mystery box is back! Is it going to be a good mystery box or a bad mystery box? Well click and find out.

All I know is that this presentation of the mystery box modals of obligation is great. Thanks to my friend Matt Ruiz for the original idea. Check it out   below.

Jose is frightened but writing a review, check it out.

REVIEW

The topic was taken from the red book Test 1, Part 2 (page 15)

GLEE

“Glee” is a musical TV series set in McKinley High School in Ohio, USA. The TV series combines both drama and comedy stories with complex musical numbers. The starring is formed by Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Jane Lynch, Heather Morris and more stars.

[Star can only be used as a verb in an active tense i.e. the series stared Chris...etc. Or Chris etc. stared in, or Glee stared ... etc. The noun for the list of actors is 'the cast'.] 

The series takes place in a High School of Ohio, and focuses on Glee Club, which is a music choir joined by some friends. The plot is especially based on the based on the love story between Rachel (Lea Michelle) and Finn (Cory Monteith). During the three seasons some celebrities make a cameo, like Lindsay Lohan, Gwyneth Paltrow or Ricky Martin. Also, Glee Club has made several tribute episodes for Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears or Madonna.

Contrasting with nowadays TV series, Glee is different because they plot is continued with some songs (they all are covers), which makes the viewer to love the series and continue watching it.

I would recommend this TV series with any hesitation. The viewer will love how they sing modern songs and also will discover old songs.

[Notice the correct combination of love without preposition in the last paragraph.]


PS: I didn’t know if a TV series is a TV programme, so here I got a question: if in the writing I consider a TV series as a TV programme, and it’s not the same, will I fail all the Writing part, or will they take into account how I write it?

Jose Homework: Informal Letter

The topic was taken from the red book Test 1, Part 1 (page 14) (Yes, I copied Angel, hehe)

Dear Robin
It’s been a long time since I heard from you last time. I would like to thank you for considering me a good person to trust in, especially if we are talking about a sports camp, because I love them. I have been to six sports camps, the last one was held in December, so I maybe have more experience in this topic. Sleeping in a room is not a bad idea, but I think we should sleep in tents, that’s what camps are about, aren’t them? [camps are the subject not the object of this sentence.]

Cooking is not my specialty, but I’ll try to do my best with the “gazpacho”, soap made of tomatoes and oil, or some “espetos”, which are some sardines put together in a stick.
I think I’ll travel to Canada a week before the camp, so I can get used to its weather. I would like to visit Toronto, because I’ve loved all I ever seen and heard about this city.

[errr have you been readin
Anew, thank you for inviting me.g 17th century novels Jose (or I guess you really did see Fernando's tomb, instead of a anew. You should just write 'Thanks for inviting me again. Remember it's an informal letter.]
See you soon,
Jose.

Two and a Half Men reporting verbs

Below is a presentation of how reporting verbs work in English. If you are feeling confident that you know all about this topic complete the sentence transformations below. If not scroll down for the presentation. Thanks.

     1,   'I am the greatest.' said Ali.

     Boast

     Ali _____________________ the greatest.

     2.  'I'm going to make you an offer you can't refuse' said the Godfather.

     Threaten

     The Godfather _____________________ an offer he couldn't refuse.

     3. Don't underestimate Chelsea they might beat Barcelona.

     Warn

     He __________ the students not to underestimate BCN.

     4. You guys mustn't go near him I think he's dangerous.

     Warn

     He ___________________  not to go near him, as he was dangerous.

       5. 'Shall I compare thee[you, but an old fashioned way of saying usted in English] to    a summer's day.'

       Suggest

      Shakespeare ____________________ the fair lady to a summer's day.

       6. I know you're not sure but you definitely should go and see San Fernando's Tomb.

       Persuade

      He ______________________ go and see San Fernando's Tomb.

     7. I'm frightened about my exam said Jose.

      Admit

     Jose _________________ frightened about his exam.

     8. If you don't give me money I'll betray you.

      Threaten

     The snitch __________________ the man.

     9. 'I wish I wasn't doing this on my day off.'

       Complain

       David ____________________ on his day off.

       10. 'I am really tired now.'

       Admit

      He ___________________ really tired.

It's the.....MYSTERY BOX ONLINE

It's the Mystery Box! Loved by teachers and students alike play it as a whole class or bet with fellow students at home. Everyone loves the Mystery box.

I will upload every mystery box if you want to practice before your exams. This is the first one gerunds and infinitives.

Check it out.

Letter of Application

This isn't a model of a letter of application, but it's just an example one of my students requested based on a job I applied for as Director of Studies in Granada. I got a job offer so at least I know the letter isn't bad! Have a look for an example.

Dear Angel and guys please don't correct this the marking scheme! (or do if you can find a mistake). :)

Dear Sir/Madame

I am an accomplished teacher who has worked for some of the best schools in Andalucía (The British Institute and Eli) and am now seeking a management position to compliment my two years management experience as a Course Director at Studio Cambridge in England.

I also have education management experience as an Enrolment Supervisor from South Nottingham College in England, as well as management experience from outside the education sector as the manager of a music bar.

Although I am very happy at my current school Eli (English Language Academy) and feel that I am receiving excellent weekly training and guidance to improve my teaching skills I am looking for a Director of Studies or Assistant Director of Studies role as the next logical step in my career.

If you require any further information please take a look at my online CV at: https://docs.google.com/open?id=1Wri_dO_u4BwP1LC_QxlL6WjuPxNbvsSevXrks8M16xS5AJTa7e6GNX6SVJfR

Yours faithfully,

David Brown.

Review by Angel

Idea taken from the page 15 of the red book

Spanish TV has lots of programs but since one of the most important channels is owned by Silvio Berlusconi There aren’t many good TV programs. The best in my opinion is one whose name was “Se Lo Que Hicisteis” (I know what you did would be the translation to English).

It was a humor program that finished about a year ago because the best of the presenters left the program and it because worse and nobody saw it in their last period. It was also issued in a small TV channel, La Sexta

It was very famous because they put others videos made jokes about them and most of the times the videos were from gossip programs and these channels demanded them and prohibited to reproduce their videos in the program. The presenters and scriptwriters were some of the best humorist of that time like Dani Mateo, Angel Martin or Miki Nadal.

I liked it because although not many people saw it they continue making people laugh and it was such an important program that it was TT in twitter for remembering that we have been a year without it.

Informal Letter by Angel

The topic was taken fom the red book Test 1, Part 1 (page 14)

Hi Robin

Thank you for the invitation, that would be great because I have never been to Canada and it will surely be very exciting for me as I have never been to the mountains neither in Spain nor abroad so doing sport there with the fresh air would be a very good experience. [This is a good use of neither Angel, well done]

You mentioned the accommodations in your letter and sincerely I’d prefer the room because my experience about sleeping in tents is no very nice: neckache, backache, and lots of mosquito bites. I sure will cook for you typical Spanish dishes. I can cook paella, potato’s omelet and gazpacho which is like a cold tomato soup. Which dish do you prefer?

[When you have something which doesn't translate exactly i.e. potato omelette, it is better to write as you have done with gazpacho, a short description afterwards].

Finally I would like to something there before going to the camp as I won’t go many times to Canada. I would like to visit the city, eat typical Canadian food and maybe go shopping if there is nothing else to do.

Thank you for the invitation again and see you soon.

Angel.

Exam practice T7 + Grammar update!

T7´s I also recommend you look at writing an article again. As well as the discursive composition or essay presentation and keep coming back the blog or follow us on Twitter for the upcoming presentation on writing a report or in the meantime look at this review by one of the FCE students and this one too.

Follow us by email, twitter or on Facebook here. 

Also you should look at these presentations before the grammar exam. Hypothetical situations, I wish i was taller and Bigger than Jesus and it´s time.

You should revise gerunds and infinitives. Check out the mystery box presentation
modals verbs where we also have a mystery box presentation.

Future forms

And finally relative clauses. This should do the trick.

If that doesn´t keep you satisfied click here for the Eli official exam content page.

Good luck.



D

Exam practice T8

Dear T8 students, particularly everyone who has missed classes. GP.

Here is everything you need to revise for the exam.

For the writing I suggest you look at http://joseisfrightened.blogspot.com.es/2012/05/writing-article.html before the exam along with posts on a formal letter (this is one I wrote for a job)and in informal letter, check out some examples by FCE students Angel  and Jose a report that I am going to write.

Regarding the grammar you should revise be used to get used to etc.

Also reporting verbs check out this presentation here.

Sturcutres with I wish, look at them both here and here.

Relative clauses here

And if that´s not enough check out these other activities from ELI here.

Oral. We are going to do this in class but have a look at the presentations for the oral exam here: 1, 2 and 3.

Any question post them below.

David
David

I can't hug every cat

You know you can't hug every cat right?

Below is a presentation about all and every, a grammar mistake that occurs frequently. Answer the questions below first, if you're feeling confident, or watch the presentation first and answer afterwards if you're not.

1. A, I go to work all days a week. B. I go to work every day of the week.
2. A. I work all the time during the week. B. I work every time during the week.
3. A. I hate all the people in my class. B. I hate every people in my class.
4. A. I want to hug every cats. B. I want to hug every cat.
5. A. I want to buy drinks for every one of my freinds. B. I want to buy drinks for all my friends.

Answers in the comments section below please. Thanks.

Soy rapero y Soy gotico

Don't want to be associated with Canis? What's the English word for Cani again? It begins with C, remember? Why not do a translation from one of these other songs, 'Soy rapero' or 'soy gotico' and report the sentences for the reported speech homework?

Personally I think neither of these videos are very good and you should watch the Ali G show. It's about 10 years old now but it's much funnier and cleverer. It's by the guy who did the Borat movie, which was popular a few years ago. I've posted this short clip I hope you enjoy it.

Peace Out

Speaking part 2

Here are some comments for the second part of the speaking exam. Some of my students did the exam this Saturday, the 26th May. Guys could you leave any feedback in the comments section. Or you can post it, just follow this guide.

I just can´t stop thinking about every cat.

  Ok I a more detailed powerpoint presentation is coming soon but for now just look at this video and see if you can come up with some more tips for all and every. 

Check it out.

Yo soy cani, cani, cani, cani. He said he was a cani...

He said he was a cani, cani, cani cani. In this blog post we will look at reported speech so you can tell me what the cani by the way cani in English is chav.                                                                      We will look at all the structures for reported speech in the presentation below and hopefully you will write some good sentences for homework in the comments section below. Click below to view my powerpoint presentation. Just in case you need some inspiration on sentences to report, translate them into English first, here is a link to the video

It's time

I know right! It's time he stopped breastfeeding! In this presentation we are going to look at the structures; it's time, I wish + past perfect, I'd rather and the difference between I hope and I wish.

Please post comments at the bottom of this page. There is only a little time left before the exam and I want to correct as much work as possible.

So check out the following powepoint presentation and write the answers below:

Bigger than Jesus: Structures with wish + past perfect

We start with Paris, but in the presentation below you can see many famous people who have said or done stupid and regrettable things and we will look at the structure for expressing this.

How to post in the blog

Ok Access guys, here's how posting works. Can you read below and post your video for tonight.

Hey bloggers! Here's a new entry of how blog stuff's done

Today’s contribution is about “how to post in the blog” I’m sure you all want to know it and post a lot of interesting things. Here I’ll give you an example of “how to post in the blog” with this same writing.

1^st STOP: The IDEA

Before doing anything THINK! This is the very first point on writing. Once you have your idea, it’s about time to keep on reading this post.

2^nd STOP: How can I write?

For doing so you must have a GMAIL account and also to be given the opportunity to contribute posting your ideas.

3^rd STOP: Getting access to the blog

As said many times, a picture is worth a thousand words here it is

Just kidding I’ll type the how to do it too... I have enough time :D

Once inside your Gmail account, look for the Blogger tag under MORE tab. If you found this tag, you should be able to see this page:

Look for the blog name and tap it, then you'll get access to the blog and the next STOP

4^th STOP: You are in! don’t forget what you were going to write!

All above done, you’ll gain access to this page where you see a summary and highlights of the blog, where you can edit existing posts, have a look to some statistics and so on... but we’re focusing on that tiny tag at the upper left of the screen, the one which says “new entry” (entrada nueva for Spanish bloggers)

5^th STOP: Start writing before your idea flies away!

When you tap the new entry bottom you will get to a page similar to Word, where you can write, edit and anything you need to write your idea, but watch out where are you writing on!

If you go to HTML tab, this is like writing on a typing machine, no sizes, no margin, anything, but on “Redactar” tab, this is where you really can do whatever you need just like word, font size, underlining letter, whatever. 

6^th STOP: Before publishing

At the top of the page you’ll see 3 useful tabs (close is not useful) Publish, Save, Preview.

And don’t forget to write a title for the post! No one will read anything without a title 

If your are writing something but you need to leave, no worries, just SAVE it and it will be kept in the main page but unpublished. You can come back whenever you want and keep on writing

If you want to look how it will be looking like tap on PREVIEW

When you're sure that's how you'd like the other to see it, tap PUBLISH and automatically it will be published on the blog... CONGRATULATIONS!

 

7th STOP: Inserting an image/video in the post

First you have to look for this icons and once inside choose the option that fits you the best; tag one is for uploading pics from your pc and the other tags are for different internet pics

When you have chosen your images, you can edit them a little bit just clicking on them and this bar will show up. Different options, different uses.

And that's how you can share your knowledge to everyone who enters this blog. Simple, easy and worth doing, so... what are you waiting for?

Any questions, just ask them, I'll help on whatever I can

Paul L. Dennis

Angel Corrected Homework

Angel here is your homework. If you looked at the square brackets [] this is wear I have given you advice to reword your essay to make it sound a little better, by putting in a word or two.

Overall it´s a solid piece of writing with a good use of the conditional and some natural phrases.

Our life is [made up of] plenty of moments that define and change us, [in our life there are many moments that define and change us]. A song, a film, other person etc. So knowing well a person takes much time [so even when we think]that we know very well a person, he or she [may]surprise [or surprises] us with something new. In four minutes we can only know some music, some films he or he likes and maybe some others tastes but you won’t know this person as much as you would like in 4 minutes.
On Thursday night every FCE student in the academy did a sort of speed dating [activity] to practice for the part one of the oral exam and it was funny but, do we really know each other better than before that? I guess no.
If I had to choose one of them for the oral exam I don’t know who I would choose since I felt confident with everyone but if I had to choose I would prefer someone in my class rather than a stranger.

Is it just me: Men in Black 3 vs It

I promised myself I wasn´t going to use my blog to project my own thoughts and it would be totally professional, but then I saw the advert for the new Men in Black film.



And, well, just...it´s...well it looks totally like this. I mean it looks totally like this (below) and it´s a film for kids.


´