Blog Session 12 English language challenges

Dear Class,

I invite you to think about the last months this year, so you can write about this:

a) How did you like this subject at university? What about the use of blogs?
b) What aspects of your English need to be improved? And how do you plan to do this?
c) Outside the English class, how much are you using English these days? What for?

Write this post in 300 words and remember to make comments on three of your partners' posts.

Best,


Belén

Blog Session 11

Dear Class,

Please write about this year. This post is called "Year 2013: Good & bad points". You can write about your studies, family, friends, free time and problems or challenges.
Write this post in 250 words and don't forget to make three comments at least.

Best,

Belén

Preliminary English Test - PET

Dear Class,

Here you have some links for the PET Practice sessions. Please complete all the activities in the links to practice Reading, Listening and Vocabulary.

Reading:

 

http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_reading1.htm

http://www.examenglish.com/PET/reading1.htm

http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_reading2.htm

 

Listening:

 

http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_listening_part1.htm

http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_listening_part2.htm

 

Vocabulary:

 

http://www.examenglish.com/PET/pet_vocab.htm

Best,

Belén

Blog Sample 10

Learning and teaching languages

After reading about different methodologies not only to learn languages but to learn in general, I feel more motivated to continue teaching Spanish and English. There is nothing new in saying that we all learn in different ways but in what this is especially true is when we learn languages. One more thing that is not new about humans is the fact that events in life, can define who we are and what we like or don’t like.

I can say that the idea of learning languages was first triggered by a Russian family living in Santiago. I was 7 or 8 years-old the first time I heard a language different from Spanish. At home, I had heard French and English before but it wasn’t fluent because my father and mother studied those languages at school but they couldn’t speak in French or English; they knew how to pronounce words, phrases and questions.

Speaking fluently in a language that is not your mother tongue is to be able to expand the limits sometimes we create for ourselves. Some people learn languages easily than others and some other people never learn a foreign language but considering how many and how different we are, learning a foreign language could be a very good idea if we want to travel,  and if we want to meet people. Apart from meeting people, when we speak one or more foreign languages we can understand more cultures. So, the way people think, act, what they believe in and the language they speak can help us learn more about us and our limits.

Going back to Russian, I can’t say I feel frustrated because I don’t speak it fluently because I haven’t been studying it they way I need to. Even though I have nobody to practice Russian with, I really want to learn something else that’s not numbers 1 to 10, days of the week and personal pronouns; so one day I can talk with Russians or with people who speak it as a foreign language, like me.

Blog Session 10 The last free post

Dear Class,

This is the fourth and last time you can choose what to blog about...
And I'm sure it'll be as interesting as it has been to read about the different topics you had chosen.

Write this post in 240 words and remember to make at least  three comments.

Good luck,


Belén

Sample Post 9

Reading about reading (or more about the brain)

I can find many reasons to continue reading and to encourage people reading, in more than one language better still. Considering we start reading since we are children, we can enjoy as many books as we manage to read. Sometimes, though, and for different reasons we can’t read very well or can’t read at all, which differs from reading without being able to show comprehension of what you read.

According to an interesting author, “Reading comprehension is one of the single most remarkable inventions in history and this extraordinary ability of the human brain, is able to make connections among its existing structures” (Wolf, 2004). So, the brain and other organs in our bodies- is linked with the human mind, and we are able to read because the brain and eyes, form the perfect camera for us comprehend what we read.

Reading can also be considered as a psychological process. This happens at the right back region of the brain, where experts have said that the successful comprehension of written words can be found.

Furthermore, images of the brain, which are called positron emission tomography (PET) scans, scientifically show that according to the precise nature of the task performed by a conscious human subject, different regions of the brain will be involved.

Then, several organs are part of an orchestra so we can not only read but also understand, analyse, internalise or critique. Organs such as your eyes are also really important so we don’t want to have a blurred vision; we better take care of our eyes, interest in reading as well as in what you are reading.

Blog Session 9 Free Post

Dear Class,

You're free to choose the topic one more time. This time please write 240 words and don't forget to make three comments.


Best,


Belén

Blog Session 8 How gree are you?

Dear Class,

This time is about the environment we live in. Please write:

a) Where do people learn about enviromentally friendly practices?
b) Have you incorported recycling into your habits? Describe
c) Do you use a bike or your legs instead of a car?
d) Have you joined or supported any eco-organisations? Why/Why not?
e) What else have you done /would you like to do?
f) What have you done to reduce your carbon footprint? 
g) What's missing in our society/Santiago regarding this issue?

Number of words: 240 minimum
Don't forget to make comments on at least 3 of your classmates posts. 

Best,

Belén Farías


P.S. Remember you can send me your videos to my email or upload them in your blogs or youtube.

Sample Post 8

How green are you?

This is 2013 and I can’t believe how people are not yet aware of the importance of taking care of the planet we live in. I think people should learn about “green issues” at school. Sometimes children learn how to make recycled paper and some others have workshops to learn some aspects of recycling but environmental-friendly practices can be learnt at school and also at home.

I’ve always tried to be careful with the waste I produce. I use special bins (usually glass, plastic and organic bins) every time I can. Apart from that, I use water wisely; I learnt that in Chiloé when I was 12. It was only when we spent more than 2 weeks with a family in Nalhuitad, where they didn’t have tap water. I’m constantly thinking about ways to reduce my carbon footprint and transmitting the information so more people are aware.

I use my bike in the summer mostly. In winter it’s too cold for me and too contaminated as well but as in spring and summer is windier I tent to think that I’m not breathing so much smog. Also, as I don’t have a car, I’m always walking and taking the bus or the tube.

I support Greenpeace but only through the internet. I do that by signing emails requesting more laws or an action to stop some stupid objective of a millionaire company. I think we should support any eco-organisations if it’s because they want to take care of the planet. I’d love to make tons of copies of “The 11^th Hour”, which is a documentary about the state of the Earth, considering air and water contamination mainly. Finally, in terms of the capital city, I think Santiago is missing more laws and public policies so people learn and participate in solving matters related to the environment.

Blog Session 7 Free Post

Dear Class,

This time you can choose what to blog about again.
Please write 220 words and remember to make three comments at least.

Best,

Belén

Blog Session 6 Summary of a career-related article

Dear Class,

This post is about a summary that you are going to write with your own words.

Go to http://www.theguardian.com/uk

Select a piece of news connected to your area of studies/future career and then write a summary of it.

a) Provide the link to your piece of news.
b) Leave a comment on at least 3 of your classmates' posts.
c) Write the summary in 220 words minimum.

Before you start, check this out:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/factsheet/en07unde-l1-f-hints-for-summarising-written-text

Good luck,

Belén

Sample Post 5

My best holiday

Considering the length, I have to say that my best holiday was one that lasted a month and a half. Also, it could be the best because I was travelling on my own and it was quite an exciting experience. I spent most of my time in Belgium, in the capital Brussels but from there I travelled to other cities in Belgium like Liége and Bruges. By bus, by car or by train I visited London, Paris and Amsterdam too.

Apart from getting around old and beautiful cities, I visited friends and they were very nice with me. I stayed with them, sometimes for two nights some others for a week depending on who I was visiting. I spent 6 films, so I got plenty of black and white pictures from that trip. I spent money going to museums, and all of them where so interesting... I’m sure I would have visited more museums if I had had more money.

The most important reason to consider this my best holidays was the fact that I was on my own and obviously the chance I had to visit different countries in a bit more than a month. I’m afraid I have no pictures to upload as I didn’t take digital photos and I haven’t scanned them either.

Blog Session 5 Free Post

Dear Class,

Again, today you choose the topic. In my case, as we have been talking about travelling, getting around and places to stay I chose: Me best holiday.

Write this post in 180 words minimum and remember to make comments on at least three of your classmates' posts.

Good luck,

Belén

Sample Post 4

The human brain

I’ve always been interested in how the human body works. One of the reasons why I’m interested is because I practice sports, so why we sweat, stretch and how we can work out our muscles are intriguing facts about our bodies. Those, among other incredible facts like gestating as to have new generations. Sleeping, dancing, walking and reading are just some of the activities that have to do with the brain.

Biology and Education are closely related if we analyse the brain activity. As a teacher, when we study the way human beings learn, we study Psychology but unfortunately we didn’t study Neuroscience. Therefore, as this science has always caught my attention I wanted to learn more about it. A couple of years ago, because of the Masters programme I was studying, I had the chance to read lots of interesting papers about how the brain works when we read and how the way we stimulate the brain affects our learning process.

The human brain is a complex organ and as human beings we are supposed to be the only ones to know something about the way the brain works. With that skill, Pierre Paul Broca (1824-1880), a French pioneer doctor was able to draw a map of the brain and consequently, he discovered a small area in the left hemisphere, which controls the production of language. Indeed, 100 billion neurons in our brains* are responsible for language, communication and many other aspects of our lives.

*http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/sciencetech/facts-about-your-brain/7038?image=2

Blog Session 4 Free post

Dear Class,

This is the first time you can choose the topic this semester. So, as this is a free topic you can choose anything you want.
In my case I'm going to write about the human brain. When I was in school I wasn't as interested in Biology as I am now, so I think this is a good choice.
This time please write 180 words minimum and remember to make at least three comments on your classmates' posts.


Good luck,

Belén

Blog Session 3 Sample Post

A country I’d like to visit

It’s incredibly difficult to choose one single country I’d like to visit because I want to visit at least two in every continent. One country I’d love to visit is Angola, in Africa, because this continent is one of most interesting in so many respects. I know very little about Angola but when I go, I’ll visit the capital city Luanda. I heard about this place because my first capoeira teacher my first Portuguese teacher are both from there; and I know they speak Portuguese because Portugal invaded that part of Africa. I also know it’s a poor place but not as poor as many others in that continent.When I’m there, I’d like to visit Miguel and Zeferino, -my first capoeira teacher and his cousin, my first Portuguese teacher- as well as their families. They’re both from there and they’re currently working there too. Apart from that, I’d love to go to the beach, walk around the city, dance zouk and practice Portuguese.Although I haven’t been there yet, I’d like to work, to study and live there. As a teacher I could work teaching Spanish and/or English, I could also study there and if I stay to live there, I’ll try to find a place near the Atlantic Ocean.

Blog Sesion 3 A country I would like to visit

Dear Class,

This post is not about how many countries you have visited but about the one you would like to visit, maybe for the first time, maybe again...

Say:
a) Which country would you like to go? Why?
b) What do you know about it?
c) Whay would you like to do there?
d) Would you like to study/work/live there? Explain
And also, make comments on at least three of your classmates' posts. 170 words minimum


Good luck,


Belén

Sample Post 2

My ideal job

Before I explain my ideal job I have to say I really enjoy the jobs I have in the present because I love active jobs where communication is part of it. I have three ideal jobs but this time I’ll explain the one I would enjoy the most… and “dreaming is free” so this is what I dream to have as a job.

My ideal job would be to teach to read, children and adults, somewhere in Africa. As I speak English I think I could teach the first steps for them to read syllables, words, phrases and then ideas and concepts! I think the traits and skills I would need for this job are patience, enthusiasm, good human relations skills, motivation, and of course to know the contents to able to provide quality teaching. Also, I need to be organised and flexible and to create a nice atmosphere for learning.

I’m always trying to improve all these traits and skills but I think I would be good at teaching to read because I’ve incorporated the most necessary ones to work as a language teacher. Also, as I’m a risk-taker woman; therefore I wouldn’t mind to move far from Chile and I wouldn’t mind not having electricity, the food I eat here, tap water or similar sanitary conditions to what we have in Santiago.

I think it would be difficult to find a job like this because I don’t have the experience –just the enthusiasm – and maybe, NGO’s are going to choose people from Europe before choosing someone from South America. Maybe it’s not as difficult as I think but as I haven’t found out about how to apply for a job like this, I’m not sure.

Blog Session 2 My ideal job

Dear Class,

This time, please write about your ideal job. Say:

a) What your ideal job would be
b) Whay qualities and skills you would need to do this job
c) Why you would be good at this job
d) How difficult it would be to find this kind of job

Write this in 160 words minimum and make comments on at least three of your classmates' posts.
Remember not to use google translator. You can write using www.wordreference.com or www.linguee.es

Good luck,


Belén

Sample Post 1

The first semester this year

During the first semester I studied plenty of things. I studied languages (Spanish, English and Portuguese) because I love learning languages but sometimes I can’t find all the time I’d like to have to study Russian or Italian. Also, because of my job as a tour guide, I studied wilderness first aid, the History of Chile, and the History of native people together with the flora and fauna in the different regions. And I learnt about inclusive tourism and the kinds of disabilities such as hearing, cognitive, physical and visual disability.

In my free time, I practiced yoga and only a bit of capoeira but in terms of sports I climbed many hills in Santiago mostly. As I love photography, I took lots of pictures in the marches during the first semester and outdoors when we were in the mountain, and I read about inclusive projects round the world, trekking and I practiced singing.

The first half of this year, I had more challenges than problems. The most important challenge was to create our own tourism company and work as a guide. The other challenge in terms of teaching was to have for the first time a course at DETUCH. Before, I’d taught at FACSO, ICEI or INAP but teaching Scenography students has been a great experience because I love meeting people and I’ve learnt a lot about this career and its needs.

On the other hand, I can’t pretend there’s nothing going on in the city I live because it affects everybody in various ways. I feel sad and mad about all the unfair situations people live, especially students, mapuches, workers and people from other regions. There are many things I can’t understand but the worst and something everybody who’s involved should solve soon are pollution and fundamental social rights.

Blog Session 1 The first term this year

Dear Class,

This time please write about the past. Write about your experiences during the first term this year.

Describe:

a) What you studied/learnt
b) The sports and free time activities you did
c) The challenges/problems you had to face
d) Others like family, friends, your faculty and/or school, etc.

Write 150 words minimum and make comments on at least 3 of your classmates' posts.

Good luck,


Belén

Welcome back to English!

Dear Class,

Get ready to keep posting every week as part of your language learning process. Remember to use online dictionaries and forget about any kind of google translator or friends who can translate for you.

Hope you can make the most of this and hope you have a great second semester.

Belén