Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all of you. I just wanted to send this message to say hello and that I hope you're having a good school year. Mine's quite good so far, I'm very busy as usual, but apart from that everything's ok.
I wanted to include a couple of websites that I've found recently that you might find useful.
http://ingles.fm/
It's a podcast, but it's got some additional material. Most of it is free of charge. I haven't used it very much yet, but it seems interesting.
http://www.podcastsinenglish.com/index.shtml
This one I haven't tried yet, to be honest, but it looks very interesting too. It's got audio material classified into different levels.
My favourite website for listening material and exercises is still www.elllo.org, though.
Hoping you are all doing well. Kind regards
David

Cheers from England

Hi everyone, I am spending two weeks in Guildford close to London. I hope everythings is ok in your holidays. Yesterday I went to London in order to watch The Notting Hill Carnival and a few before I visit the New Forest.

Discover the New Forest National Park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWvtwAba0XU&list=PLPERa4Ls5Arof6Xf-jAr-uuQ9vvumOUON

The Notting Hill Carnival

SUNDAY 25 & MONDAY 26 AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY 2013

Notting Hill Carnival is largest festival celebration of its kind in Europe.

http://www.thenottinghillcarnival.com/

Recipe sponge cake

Ingredients:

300 gr. grated marrow (calabacín)
250 gr. flour
250 gr. sugar
3 eggs
1 baking powder (levadura)
120 ml. milk
120 ml. vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

Step 1
Preheat oven to 180 C.

Step 2
Peel and share the marrow.

Step 3
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the eggs until fluffy. Beat in the sugar, oil and marrow. Gradually mix in the flour, baking powder. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.

Step 4
Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Some resources to practise your English throughout the year

www.bbclearningenglish.com
www.elllo.org

To get everyday news in English with their tapescripts:
www.cnnstudentnews.com
http://www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered/

For grammar and vocabulary:
http://mansioningles.com/
http://isabelperez.com/

For conversation:
www.conversationexchange.com
www.busuu.com (this is not free, I'm afraid)
http://www.duolingo.com/ (I haven't tried this one out, but it looks good)

If you are preparing for a specific exam, check out this one:
http://www.examenglish.com/

Podcasts (different topics): you can find them through google or itunes.

Apps for mobiles:
http://iphone.appstorm.net/roundups/lifestyle-roundups/80-apps-to-learn-a-new-language/

I can't remember the name of the one Edu mentioned in class, was it vlanguage? And Águeda also mentioned the BBC application which must be really good.

Any other resources that you find useful, you can add here, so that we can all try them.

An excellent reference point is EOI Jesus Maestro's "virtual classroom". Here's the link:
http://www.educa.madrid.org/web/eoi.jesusmaestro.madrid/inglesnet.htm

And something that's always good to remember: try to take English to your territory, by using it for things that are interesting to you. It has to be fun, that way you can make sure you have the necessary motivation when things get difficult.

Nerea's delicious crepe recipe

INGREDIENTS

You will need …
4 eggs
250 grammes flour
_ litre milk
_ teaspoon salt
1 spoon sugar

STEP 1

Place ingredients in a food processor or blender 

STEP 2

Blend until smooth, then strain into a jug. Cover and set aside to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.

STEP 3
Switch on the machine, when it is hot enough, cook crepe for about 1 minute in the machine until underside is golden, then use a metal spatula to flip. Cook other side for just under a minute until golden.

STEP 4

Transfer to a plate and add any extra ingredient you want.

STEP 5

Let´s enjoy them all together!!

Thank you so much Nerea for sharing it with us.

Some songs and activities we have used in class

Natasha Bedingfield - "Unwritten" (video with lyrics):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IPAeo3zJ-Q
Stevie Wonder - "I just called to say I love you"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lKrQySP6EQ
Al Green - "Love is a beautiful thing" (video with lyrics):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnTAWljWQ2w 

And...
Carly Rae Jepsen - Call me maybe (video with lyrics):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWAdb1vgoik

...but I think your version is much better!!!

Listening exercise about a family road trip (from Elllo.org):
http://www.elllo.org/english/0501/527-Tres-RoadTrip.html

Introduction to Okinawan Karate

Hi everyeone, in this video you can watch some information about the origin of Karate. One of the most important things is the meaning of the word Karate, which is the spirit of this martial art: "Empty Hands", based on respect, honesty and humility.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgGRGXYX0-c