Writing assignment for Halloween

Hello there,

As part of your homework for Halloween (I know... what a bummer...sorry...),  you have to write a report about the topic below, following the practice and instructions given on the coursebook, pages 16 and 17, under the headings Reading and Writing Skills. Complete the exercises step by step, and get ready to write a report of which the title is:

A new form of Romance: Finding love in the Internet

Write about 140 words. Divide your report into four or five paragraphs, making sure you introduce the topic in one paragraph, develop the main ideas in two or three paragraphs, and conclude and give your personal opinion in a last paragraph, ok? Oops... And happy Halloween!

How optimistic are you?

Some people are always thinking about the worst things that can happen to them... Some other people are constantly wearing these rose-tinted glasses that make them totally oblivious to possible dangers, and most of us prefer to see the glass half full most of the times, while staying on the realistic side of life.   

Tali Sharot is a researcher who after conducting several lab studies believes that we are born to be optimistic, and that we are actually biased to look on the bright side of life. 

Click on the link below to review vocabulary and expressions, and get ready to watch her talk again. Next week I would like you to share your comments and ideas in class, so click on the open questions to get started!

Tali Sharot's vocabulary and expressions

Open questions on Tali Sharot's talk

It's all about taking risks...

You have probably realised by now that learning a second language means taking risks, and regaining your own creativity! You need to be creative, imaginative and, above all, you need to lose your fear of being wrong! 

Here follows the talk Kevin Robinson gave at TED several years ago, where he speaks about our current education system, and some things that we should change if we want to make the most of our human capacities. 

But first, before watching the video, review the list of vocabulary and expressions he uses, which a) I think you should know, and b) are gonna help you follow the thread of the story, ok? 

                                         Click here to see the vocabulary list 

Click here to see the vocabulary list

And now enjoy the lecture! I tell you, he's definitely a fun guy!

Now, could you please answer these open questions about his talk? We'll be discussing his points of view in class next week! Cheers!

Click here to answer the open questions
Click here to answer the open questions

School Calendar

Hey, but, are we going to school this Friday?.. Click on the link below to find out!

School Calendar

First day of class Info: Year 2012-13

Click on this link to view full information

The Yes Men fix the world

Do you wanna see more bold people acting? then you guys gotta chek this out. The Yes Men are a group of culture jamming activists who practice what they call "identity correction" by pretending to be the powerful people and spokespersons por prominent organizations. They create and maintain fake websites similat to the ones they want to spoof, and then they accept invitations received on their websites to appear at conferences, symposia, and TV shows. What they come up with while doing all this is simply amazing! A perfect film to stir up a hot and lazy summer day...

Have you ever wondered...?

Please, don't miss Victoria Grant, the 12 year-old Canadian girl who boldly explains the corrupt banking system we're suffering right now. Question is: How come banks get richer and richer while we get poorer and poorer? Well, according to Victoria Grant, simply because we're being robbed! Don't miss the girl! And thanks, Cosmina, for the heads up!