Let's welcome 2017!

New Year’s Day is a time of new beginnings and learning experiences. Now that 2016 is coming to an end and 2017 is approaching, Andrea and Gema, 3º ESO, would like to share with you a number of 12 inspirational quotes to begin 2017 with motivation and strength! 

Before the end of this first term, you have learnt some differences between British English and American English. We'll go back to them in January when the second term begins.

Since Christmas is coming, we want to share a video on how to have a British Christmas. Where do British kids hang their stockings? What do they do with their letters to Father Christmas? Do you write to Father Christmas or to Santa?

KEY TO 2º ESO EXERCISES

Yes, it's the title of a beautiful song but it is also true. Christmas is approaching!

In Spain we have some adverts that tell us that this festive season is coming. In the UK, they also have some adverts, quite different from ours but very moving.

The following advert is the one by John Lewis, one of the biggest department stores in London. It is the story of a little girl called Bridget who loves to bounce. When her mum and dad buy her a trampoline for Christmas, they soon discover that she isn’t the only one with a passion for jumping.

Another well-known department store in London is Harrods. If you want to enjoy a beautiful Christmas tale, have a look at the video below: A Very British Beartale.

And a very beautiful one too, Sainbury's! It tells the story of Dave, a hard-working and devoted Dad, who realises that the greatest gift he can give people this Christmas is his time. But Christmas is not about presentes and food only!

KEY TO EXERCISES 4º ESO

Units 1 and 2 2º ESO

Units 1 and 2 4º ESO

As promised, here you have extra practice to help you with exam review.

PASSIVE VOICE 2º BAC

Here you have extra information and practice on the passive voice.
Theory and practice
Task 2
Impersonal Passive

OURENSE'S FILM FESTIVAL

This year we have been invited to attend the OUFF. A group of 3ºESO students went to the Auditorio to enjoy a beautiful film about friendship and growing up, Stand by Me on its 30th anniversay. It was directed by Rob Reiner and based on a short story by Stephen King entitled The Body.

After enjoying the film and discussing it with a film critic in the Auditorio, we work on it in our English lessons. We discussed the characters and how they grow up together. We enjoyed its tiemless soundtrack and we want you to enjoy too. Why don't you try fill in the blanks here? You can have a look at the video below first, if you prefer.

After the film, we wonder about the cast and we want to know how they look like nowadays and here they are:

Wil Wheaton, Gordie Lachance

River Phoenix, Chris Chambers

Jerry O’Connell, Vern Tessio

Corey Feldman, Teddy Duchamp

John Cusack, Denny Lachance

Kiefer Sutherland, Ace Merrill

Casey Siemaszko, Billy Tessio

Read More: See the Cast of ‘Stand by Me’ Then And Now | http://thefw.com/stand-by-me-then-and-now/?trackback=tsmclip

You can also listen to the podcast that Gema and Andrea have recorded about this film. We hope you like it!

12th OCTOBER: COLUMBUS DAY

Columbus Day, which is on the second Monday of October, remembers Christopher Columbus' arrival to the Americas on October 12, 1492.Christopher Columbus is often portrayed as the first European to sail to the Americas. He is sometimes portrayed as the discoverer of the New World. 

Some Americans celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of their country with church services and other activities. In some towns and cities, special church services, parades and large events are held. Many celebrations happen in the Italian-American community. The celebrations in New York and San Francisco are particularly noteworthy. In Hawaii Columbus Day is also known as Landing Day or Discoverer's Day.

Columbus Day originated as a celebration of Italian-American heritage and was first held in San Francisco in 1869. The first state-wide celebration was held in Colorado in 1907. In 1937, Columbus Day become a holiday across the United States. Since 1971, it has been celebrated on the second Monday in October. 

The date on which Columbus arrived in the Americas is also celebrated as the Día de la Raza (Day of the Race) in Latin America and some Latino communities in the USA. However, it is a controversial holiday in some countries and has been re-named in others.

Columbus Day celebrations are controversial because the settlement of Europeans in the Americas led to the deaths of a very large proportion of the native people. It has been argued that this was a direct result of Columbus' actions. It is clear that the arrival of the European settlers led to the demise of a large proportion of the history and culture of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. It has also been argued that Columbus should not be honored for discovering North America, as he only went as far as some islands in the Caribbean and never got as far as mainland America.

DON'T GIVE UP!

We are starting the school year and beginnings aren't always easy, but as Bruno Mars and some Sesame Street Characters say DON'T GIVE UP! It's too early. And if you feel like revising the present simple and some body parts, this is the song to do it! 

It's a good way to review it!

BUSY DAISY

Let us introduce Daisy, Oliver and Alfie to you. They will offer you some useful information and extra pratice on the topics we learn in the classroom.

We started revising the present simple so Daisy is chatting to her brother Oliver, and his best mate Alfie, about her new boyfriend. Click on the image below to watch the video and do the exercises.

The Present Simple: Grammar Snacks

The Present Simple: exercises

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to all the students who took part in a new edition of the English contest The Big Challenge!

More than 40000 students participated in Spain. We feel very proud of our students because they've improved their registers regarding last year's. These are some  photos of them showing the prizes they've received.

 1st, 2nd and 3rd ESO students

1st ESO students

 4th ESO students

Lucía (4º ESO student)

We want to congratulate Xu Chen (4ºESO) for an outstanding performance since he has come 1st among all the students who participated in the province. CONGRATULATIONS!

IRENE: AN ITALIAN ERASMUS STUDENT VISITS US!

As part of the Letter exchange activity with Erasmus students, 2º ESO A received the visit of one of them: Irene. She is an Italian student whose reading recommendation was Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

She spent one lesson with us and we could ask her questions about her country and reading habits. She also asked us some questions!

It was so good to have her with us! Thanks Irene!