blog marks

Please remember the criteria for blog evaluation was published in April on this blog.

		blog freq	post 1	Post 2	BLOG MARK
	Fabian	4,7	4	4	4,3
	Tabata	6	4,5	4,5	5,2
	Hugo	5,2	4,7	5,5	5,1
	Pamela	4,3	5,5	4,5	4,6
	Nicolas	3,8	6,7	5,5	4,9
	Monica	6	6,7	6,5	6,3
	Yajaira	4,7	4,5	5,5	4,8
	Cristian	5,6	4,5	5	5,1
	Thyare	3,5	6,5	5,5	4,7
	Alexandra	5,6	6	6,5	5,9

Today we have two tasks :

There aren't many good websites dedicated to learning English that are free of charge. In my opinion, the BBC is a the best.

Go to:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/

Take a look around, then tell me what you think. 

Write a comment on your blog on the activities you visited, found more useful and if there is anything you didn't like (100 words) Once you finish, I’d like to invite you to visit this site:

Choose a piece of news or an article from:

http://www.theguardian.com/international

Write 100 words,

Mention why you chose it

What new things you discovered

Why you think it is important.

Anything else you find relevant.

DO NOT FORGET YOUR COMMENTS (3)

Hi guys,

Today music is with us again.  To me ,music is just the best company and I like more or less "all sorts". Sometimes you like songs just because, sometimes it's the rhythm, sometimes the lyrics. It’s hard to think of a favorite, but I’ll chose a classic I love every time I hear it.

This is a love song different to many. It’s about years together, routine and broken dreams and, at the same time, loads of love and sadness because of this.

“Love will tears us apart” was love at first sound and it was what opened the door to the Joy Division for me. I remember I was in a bar waiting for a gig to start when I heard this song.  The beginning maybe was not what caught me but the rhythm and Ian’s voice did it straight away.

The lyrics hit me hard because it made think of relationships and how they can deteriorate easily if you don’t look after them. At the time, I had a more idealistic idea of romantic relationships.   This song is from 1990 but I got to know it later. I love the guitars and the keyboards in it. But I must say I like most songs by this gloomy quartet from Manchester.

Write about your favorite (ideally English) song at the moment.

Say:

When you first heard it

Why you like it & anything else relevant about it

Upload video or link to see it.

Write a minimum of 220 words. Leave a mínimum of 3 comments in different blogs. And in mine too!

Webquest

Please write a 100 word text (minimum ) and give your opinion on the London webquest you did.

Hi Guys,
Today I'll give you two choices; one is to write about the strike and how you see the return to class as beneficial at this point. What have you gained? what have you lost? The other possibility is a free topic on anything you would like to comment on. This may include some of the topics I asked for before (presentation, medicine, pets, etc) or something different.

Today I’d like to tell you about a band I really like. Actually, it wasn’t easy to decide because I really love music and I sort of enjoy nearly all sorts. Nowadays there is so much choice that with a bit of organization (moneywise), one can get to a couple of shows a year.

One band I really like and have liked for a while is “Rush”. I really like the fact that they have gone through different styles from experimental rock to a more pop style at one point. I like them because some of the lyrics are very meaningful to me and the music is cool. I’ve never been a fan of the lead singer’s voice but I’ve learnt to like it with the years. I think I like many of the songs but today I’ll mention “time stand still” as my favorite ( I don’t really have one!). It brings me a lot of memories from being a teenager and hanging out with friends.

I saw them live a few years back here in Santiago and I really enjoyed it.  The musicians are all really great and I think anybody who knows about playing the drums or the guitar would know this. I really enjoyed even the songs I did not know.

What about you?

Refer to a band / singer >>
- name
- what do you know about them?
- what type of music do they play?
- why do you like this artist/band?
- what's your favorite song? why?
- publish a picture or video
- 170 words minimum
- make 3 comments on your classmates posts.

stereotypes

Dear students,

We will  revise some basic areas of English

Remember you can use www.wordreference.com  dictionary to look for vocabulary when needed.

1.       Visit the site, read the explanations and then scroll down to exercises on simple past and check your understanding by clicking on a minimum of  4 different links

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simple-past

2.       Do the following quiz:

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/questions/simple_past2.htm

3. Let’s listen

We will start with more basic and then a bit more ones.

Visit the following website. Listen to the conversation. Then click on the vocabulary quiz and the comprehension quiz on the right hand side.

a

http://www.elllo.org/english/0051/085-Kentaro-Apples.htm

b

http://www.elllo.org/english/1201/1219-Vella-MaleTears.htm

c

http://www.elllo.org/video/1151/V1194BradHabits.htm

Some more work.

http://www.lapetus.uchile.cl/lapetus/2009/1/ingles/themes/intermediate/theme01_act01.htm

If you can’t accesses the link above, visit www.plataforma.uchile.cl and go to Pre – intermediate, and then go to the activities 1,2,4,5 on unit 1 (you will need your password)

   Part II

4.     Let’s check how much you remember in terms of frequency:

http://www2.cambridge.org/interchangearcade/launch.do?activityID=591&level=1&unit=6&type=Cup_multiple_choice&stage=1

5.       Let’s check your pronunciation. Do you remember where to stress words?

Go to the easy level units 1& 2. Read instructions and then play

http://elt.oup.com/student/headway/preint/e_games/hwy_pre_stressmonster?cc=cl&selLanguage=en

6.       Select the correct alternative

http://elt.oup.com/student/headway/preint/a_grammar/unit01/hwy_preint_unit01_2?cc=cl&selLanguage=en

7.       Do you remember the difference between these two tenses?

I am studying philosophy

I study philosophy

Let’s see

http://elt.oup.com/student/headway/preint/a_grammar/unit02/hwy_preint_unit02_1?cc=cl&selLanguage=en

Thursday 18

Today you have a free post.
Choose a topic and just write. Remember to organize the text with an introduction and a closing.
200 words min and 3 comments.
Regards,
Beatriz

June 11

I've had lots of pets in my time. The pet I have at the moment is Kat. We got him from a neighbour who found him as a kitten. He had been abandoned and attacked by dog, and had a bad paw, one closed eye and a crooked tail.
At the time we lived in a flat so I was reluctant to bring an animal to live there but I felt sorry for the poor thing. So, Kat has been with us for about 15 years now. He's a bit of an oddball but I think it's because he doesn't realise that he's a cat. He has no social skills when mixing with other animals and spends a lot of time meowing to us to do things for him (usually to give him food but also to open the door or close the door or give him water or let him sit on our lap). He used to do tricks when he was younger but nowadays he spends most of his time sleeping and eating. For a long time he didn't leave the flat because he had a fear of going outside. However, since we moved home about 8 years ago he's been going out most evenings for a couple of hours. He chases other cats and can be quite sneaky (he hides behind a bush and ambushes other cats from the neighbourhood!). Kat loves eating, rolling in the dirt, and getting under my feet. He's a bit of a strange animal and I think he thinks I'm his mum!


Write about a Pet you have (had)

Say:
What it is,

Where you got it,

What it does,

What you do to look after it.



Mention anything else you think is important. Write at least 200 words. Leave a comment on my blog and on the blog of at least 3 classmates.

If you think this is not inspiring, choose a topic that is.

Thursday 4

Hi guys,

Today I’d like you to refer to why we are not in class.

I couldn’t be sure if this strike is a response to the national issues on education, the use of police force in public demostrations or if it also partly relates to internal problems  of the faculty.

On the one hand, I understand that striking and demonstrating seem to be the only ways to be listened to not only in this country, but worldwide. On the other hand, thanks to the strikes and the way in which classes are recuperated, we only see the deterioration of an already weak educational system.

It is very complex to find a happy medium.

Write about the strike from your view? Here are some questions to help you.

Why is Facso (and a number of faculties at U Chile) on strike this time?

How do you participate in these strikes?

What benefits do you think will be obtained?

From your experience, what are the drawbacks of these strikes?

Can you think of other means that can contribute to obtain what you (students) are after?

Write a minimum of 200 words and 3 comments.

Also I'd like to suggest to visit www.plataforma.uchile.cl /programa ingles/pre intermediate level (iii) and work on activities on units 1 to 4 ;)

Dear all,
I hope you are well.
Today you will have the chance to write about any topic or person you like. Please remember to organize your text in a way that is easy to read. You can use some bullet points mentioning what areas you'll include if it is more than one.
Please try to post by Sunday.
I will write my text later on today.

Write a minimum of 180 words and write 3 comments on different blogs. Keep up the good work!!

  I have to confess I am happy with a given topic or a free one. Maybe I find it even easier if it is open because I just need to think of basically anything, give it a bit of thought to organize it, and start.

 I will start with why I think good health and Ayurveda go hand in hand. Even though I recognize the importance of scientific research and western medicine, I have mixed-feelings about the role pharmaceutical companies play in research results and health policies.

I am going to address a small part of this millenary medicine from India. Ayurveda comes from two Sanskrit words Ayus “life” and veda “knowledge” or “science”. What I like best of it is that it is mainly preventive. One of the many aspects I appreciate from this approach is the fact that it recognizes each human being as unique from a preventive and curative perspective. Therefore, it acknowledges that each person needs a different diet, routine, lifestyle and treatment in case of illness. There is a lot more to it but the word limit does not allow me to refer to it. I really like the importance it puts on the power of our thoughts and the role meditation plays in having and preserving good health.

Post May 14

Dear all,

Today we will do a reflecting task.

I ll tell you about the theory of multiple intelligences because I have to admit I agree with Howard Gardner when he states the traditional idea of intelligence is very limited and the traditional educational models hinder the potential of a lot of children.

I structured my presentation in a way that allowed me to show you the foundation and the main elements of this theory in 3:30 minutes. I also allowed for a short justification of the topic chosen. I think like the idea that Gardner really challenged most experts in cognitive psychology and to a certain extent development. I strongly believe this theory should be applied at elementary school level so all children could develop their strengths and improve their weaknesses.

Today, I’d like you to reflect on your future presentation.

Tell us about the topic you chose.

Why you chose it

How well you think you organized it

Anything you would do differently if you did it again.

Roughly mention what is the most interesting part of this theory, author, etc. And why you think it could be interesting for us as an audience.

Write a minimum of 230 words and write a minimum of 3 comments

English practice

http://www.englishaula.com/en/pet-reading-part-1-exam-1-cambridge-preliminary-english-test-exercise.html

http://www.englishaula.com/en/pet-reading-part-1-exam-2-cambridge-preliminary-english-test-exercise.html

http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-exercise-simple-past.php

http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/vocabulary-lesson-society.php

http://www.elllo.org/english/0901/T920-Debate-Cooking.htm

Presentation

Dear all,
please put your e mail address as a comment here below.  e.g. Beatriz cienciasociales2@gmail.com


I will send you material relevant to the presentation.
Thank you

May 7

good technology

The word technology sometimes leads to confusion.

Actually, many people think of really funky machines when they come across it. The idea that a pen represented technology in the past or many other simple services created to satisfy people, does not really spring to mind at first.

I have mixed feelings about technology because I love the things new toys can do, but at the same time, I love the old ones. I used to play up the trees and now I see children who don’t leave their homes and sit for too long.

Anyway, regarding technology I think the first one is my mobile phone. That is for a very simple reason. I like the idea of integration. For me to have a camera the music I like and a diary with the numbers of people I want to ring, is really good. I can't believe I used to memorize so many numbers! My brain must be deteriorating big time nowadays. The best part of it is the organizer. This is the only way I get to pay bills on time, send an invoice "boleta" on certain dates; etc. got it in 2012 and use it all the time.

The second item I'd like to mention is the external disc drive. I think when you have lost all your info because your PC died or because you got it stolen or whatever reason, it can be really tragic. That is why I learnt we need to save info on a safe place that "ideally" will not collapse or disappear. I have complete books, whole albums of good music, and lots of documents that have taken me hours to download or write myself and don't want to lose. I don't remember when I got this, but it was long ago. Could I live without them? Hell yeah! I would have to get used to it, that's all.

Describe your favourite piece of Technology. Upload a picture if you like. Remember to use wordreference.com 

Say:

- How you got it

- How long you have used it

-How often you use it

-Why you like it

-Describe how life would be without it (180 words minimum)

Today write 1 comment on your teacher's blog and 3 or + Comments on your classmates'.

Thursday 30

I hope you feel like writing today. I’d like to tell you a bit about this image. To be honest, I found it hard to choose a special picture. This is because there are so many pictures I like and they are in so many different contexts. I decided to go for something nice and simple. I took this picture in July 2010. I was on holiday and my husband and I woke up at around 6 and decided to go for a walk. We walked from the place where we were staying to the next village around. The village was really funny because it was basically three houses and a post office. Anyway, everything was closed because it was so early. We took a lot of pictures of the sun rising. It was a beautiful moment. I’ll tell you why I like this photo in particular. It is a very simple picture but what I like about it, is the fact that it turned out just as I saw it on that morning. The light, the colors, the shadows, everything is exactly the way it was in my mind.

I love the way the sunlight hits the misty hills and you can see hills and more hills and more hills in the background. The image actually reminds me of the cover of a book I really enjoyed called “Ghostwritten” by David Mitchell. The nicest thing I can think of is that I had a lovely walk on a beautiful summer morning, breathing fresh air with someone I love.

Write about a special photograph you took or appear in.

Say: Who took it- What it shows- When it was taken- Why you like it

Upload it too!

Include any other information you'd like to mention.
Write a minimum of 180 words and write 3 comments on 3 blogs where you did not comment last week.

Dear students,
I am sorry nobody was punctual today. I walked past classroom 22 at around 12 and waited in the usual classroom on the fourth floor. I understand the classroom change was made weeks ago.
Please make sure you post on the blog. I am now at torre 15 therefore, cannot make it at 14:30. I will upload material on U cursos.
Regards,

Thursday 23

Today, we will choose a light topic to make your life easier. Please remember last week I published the marking criteria for the blog and some listening websites.

When I was younger, I loved to go out clubbing or to parties. However, in recent years I tend to go out to eat rather than to dance. Santiago has some great restaurants and you can eat out quite cheaply. There are "picadas" like Golfo di Napoli for wonderful pizza or pasta or slightly more expensive places with wonderful International cuisine like Thai House or Olan (Peruvian). I am a Pescatarian, I eat fish and seafood but not meat (of other kind) so that is always a factor when I eat out.

I don’t think I have a favorite kind of food. There are some foods that I do not like much, for example Korean food. I suppose it is because the meat dishes are the specialty. I love very hot food, lots of spices and taste. There is a nice Indian in Santiago. It is a bit pricy but it is really nice.  It is called Rishtedar . Many of the dishes are spicy hot and there is a scale of spiciness from 1 to 6 (from mild to blow-your-head-off). I love spicy food but grade 4 is as hot as I can stand.

I also love places like “el naturista” in the center, where you can enjoy porotos Granados or fantastic quinoa dishes for a very reasonable price.

Write about somewhere you like to eat out or a place you enjoy going to.

 Say:

What it’s called,

Where it is,

What it serves,

What you like to eat there.

Mention anything else you thing is important. Write at least 175 words. Leave a comment on my blog and on the blogs of 3 classmates.

Oral presentation

Dear students,

Please remember on May 7th you will have to give an individual oral presentation.

This should be on a career- related topic and should last from 3.30 to 4 minutes.

Remember this is not a reading test. You need to have command of the topic.

Kind regards,

Beatriz

Listening sites

www.plataforma.uchile.cl

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/listen-and-watch

http://elt.oup.com/student/headway/preint/f_everydayenglish/hwy_pre_dialogue08?cc=cl&selLanguage=en

http://elt.oup.com/student/headway/preint/f_everydayenglish/hwy_pre_dialogue01?cc=cl&selLanguage=en

http://www.elllo.org/

http://www.esl-lab.com/

Blog mark

Hello everybody,

About the marking for the blog activities.

When you come to class and do the post and comments in class, you get 2 points.

When you don’t come to class and do the post and comments within 48 hours, you get 1 point.

No post, no points.

The final mark for the blog consists of two marks.

1 mark for “coming to class and do the blog post and comments in class”

1 mark for 3 particular blog posts. These will be selected and marked considering linguistic aspects.

mark 1 (50%) + mark 2(50%) = final blog mark

Let’s start!

Dont forget the comments on your classmates' blogs count as part of the task. You get the points or not.
Thanks

Remember the oral presentation

It is scheduled for May 9.
It is a 3:30 to 4:00 min presentation on a career related topic.

Cheers!

Free topic

Hi guys,
Since today is a special day, I thought maybe some of you would like to express your views on a topic in particular( demonstrations, educational reform, etc). However, for some students this is not an easy task. For this reason, I will ask you please to look at the sample I wrote in case you just want to follow instructions. If you write a free text, please remember to give it some structure and respect the minimum number of words. Remember Saturday 18 midday. Thanks a lot.

something you'd like to learn

There are lots of things I would love to learn to do. However, to be realistic, some of them would be too complicated. For example, I’d love to learn to play the flute but you need a lot of time and dedication to become a competent musician and I don’t think it would be a feasible instrument to learn at this stage of my life. One thing that I would like to learn well would be to play the guitar. I can play basic stuff and I know some chords but I'd like to be able to play any old song nicely and in rythm. I I just wish I wanted it more so I devoted more time to it and improved. I feel and been told I am good. I took singing lessons for some time and made no progress whatsoever, so even though I'd like to sing better, I have little hope. It is all related to my lack of commitment, I suppose. Work and studies really take most of my time and I cannot seem to find time for pleasurable activities more than, watching movies and socialize at the weekends.  Another thing I'd like to learn is more about the mother of all sciences =philosophy (This would help me with my studies!). It is also the kind of thing I don't think I find the time to do. Finally, Improving my pc skills and dancing salsa is also on my list but I think I am one of the stiffest people ever:(
Last but not least, I really think this life is a constant learning experience. In everything we do, interaction we have, we have something to take with us. I love that.

Write about yourself.
Is there something in particular you would like to learn?
Is there something you started learning and stopped that you would like to pursue?
Tell us about your interest!
write a minimum of 170 words plus 3 comments on blogs where you have not commented before and 1 anywhere you like.