Image comment

Have a look at this trailer. Comment on the images:
-What kind of film is it?
-Can you try to guess the plot?
-Would you like to watch it? Why?

Canada

Have a look at these Canada symbols. Do you recognize them?

Oral presentation guidelines

1.Organising the content

a.Introduction

Capture your listeners’ attention: Begin with a question, a funny story, a startling comment, or anything that will make them think.

-State your purpose; for example:
‘I’m going to talk about...’
‘This morning I want to explain…’

-Present an outline of your talk; for example:
‘I will concentrate on the following points: First of all…Then…
This will lead to… And finally…’

b.The Body

-Present your main points one by one in logical order.

-Pause at the end of each point (give people time to take notes, or time to think about what you are saying).

-Make it absolutely clear when you move to another point. For example:
‘The next point is that ...’
‘OK, now I am going to talk about ...’
‘Right. Now I'd like to explain ... ’
‘Of course, we must not forget that ...’
‘However, it's important to realise that...’

-Use clear examples to illustrate your points.

c.The Conclusion

-It is very important to leave your audience with a clear summary of everything you have covered.

-Make it obvious that you have reached the end of the presentation.

-Summarise the main points again, using phrases like:
‘To sum up...’
‘So, in conclusion...’
‘OK, to recap the main points…’

-Restate the purpose of your talk, and say that you have achieved your aim:
‘I think you can now see that...’
‘My intention was ..., and it should now be clear that ...’

-Thank the audience, and invite questions:
‘Thank you. Are there any questions?’

2.Delivering your presentation

-Talk to your audience, don't read to them! A presentation is not the same as an essay.

-If you read out your presentation as if it were an essay, your audience will probably understand very little and will lose concentration quickly.

-Speak to the audience. Include everyone by looking at them and maintaining eye-contact (but don't stare or glare at people).

a.Watch your language!

-Keep it simple. The aim is to communicate, not to show off your vocabulary.

-Emphasise the key points—and make sure people realise which are the key points. Repeat them using different phrasing.

b.Use your voice to communicate clearly

-Speak loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear you. This may feel uncomfortably loud at first, but if people can't hear you, they won't listen.

-Speak slowly and clearly.Don’t rush! Speaking fast doesn’t make you seem smarter, it will only make it harder for other people to understand you.

-Key words are important. Speak them out slowly and loudly.

-Vary your voice quality. If you always use the same volume and pitch (for example, all loud, or all soft, or in a monotone) your audience will switch off.

-Slow down for key points.

-Use pauses—don't be afraid of short periods of silence. (They give you a chance to gather your thoughts, and your audience a chance to think.)

c.Use your body to communicate, too!

-Stand straight and comfortably.

-Hold your head up. Look around and make eye-contact with people in the audience. Do not just address the lecturer! Do not stare at a point on the carpet or the wall. If you don't include the audience, they won't listen to you.

-When you are talking to your friends, you naturally use your hands, your facial expression, and your body to add to your communication. Do it in your presentation as well. It will make things far more interesting for the audience.

-Don't turn your back on the audience!

d.Interact with the audience

-Be aware of how your audience is reacting. Are they interested or bored? If they look confused, ask them why. Stop if necessary and explain a point again.

3.So you are nervous…

-The first few times you make a presentation, you will be nervous. That's quite a good thing—a bit of adrenalin often helps you to perform well.

-However, to make sure that your nervousness does not become a problem, here are some things to consider:

-Smile! Your audience will react warmly to you if you smile and at least look relaxed.

-Treat your audience like friends.

-Confess that you are nervous! Your audience will be very sympathetic—they know how you are feeling.

-Breathe deeply. It will calm you down and help to control the slight shaking that you might get in your hands and your voice.

-Be well-prepared. Practise giving your talk

-Be organised. If you are well organised, your task will be easier.

-Slow down! When people are nervous, they tend to get confused easily. So your mind may start to race, and you may feel panicky. Make use of pauses: force yourself to stop at the end of a sentence, take a breath, and think before you continue.

-Remember: The way you perform is the way your audience will feel. Giving an oral presentation is a performance—you have to be like an actor. If you act the part of someone enjoying themselves and feeling confident, you will not only communicate these positive feelings to the audience, you will feel much better, too.

-Check if the audience is still with you.
‘Does that make sense?’
‘Is that clear?’

(Adapted from the Academic Skills Program of the University of Canberra. Link.)

A trip to London

Look for information on the net to answer these questions and write them in the worksheet:

1.What is the London Eye? How many capsules has it got? How many people can travel in each capsule? Go here to get the information.

2.What is The Monument? What does it commemorate? Who built (to build: construir) it? When? Information here.

3.What is Canary Wharf? What is the name of the tallest building of the Great Britain? Info here.

4.What is the most famous cathedral in London? Who built it? When? Google the word and good luck!

5.What is the Millennium Dome? Which architect designed it? When was it opened? Info here.

6.What was the Tower of London? What symbol of Great Britain can you find inside? Is it open on Mondays in January? Click for information here.

7.This is a famous building in London built by architect Norman Foster:

What is its name? How tall is it? When was it finished? Info here.

Say another building Norman Foster built in London.

8.How many airports are there in London? Name them. Info here.

10.What is the name of the wax museum of London? How much does the standard ticket cost?

Google it to get the info!

11.What is the name of this bridge?

A clue: Norman Foster built it.... Google it for the info!

12.What is the Westminster Abbey? What is it famous for?Info here.

13.What is the Speaker´s Corner? Where is it? Info.

The apartheid: the Soweto riots.

Curious about what we have been working in class these days? Visit these links:

-Images and more info about the Soweto riots here. Read the information under the videoclip and answer the questions:

1)How many people were killed during the first riot (on June 16,1976)?
2)How many people were killed in other riots that year?

-The story behind the iconic photograph of Hector Pieterson. Read about it here. Answer the questions:

1)Who took the picture? What happened with him?
2)How old was Hector?
3)Who is the girl running next to them?
4)Who is the boy carrying Hector´s body? What happened with him?
5)Which newspaper published the picture? What happened with it?

Ampliación 2º: Role-play activity "My region is the best"

Hi all! This is the role-play you have to act out: you are the local authorities of a region in an English-speaking country of your choice (e.g. Cornwall, Wales, Alaska, etc). The rest of the students in the class are important investors who want to build a huge hotel and leisure centre somewhere in the world. You want your region to be chosen, of course! So you have to "sell" it to them and convince them that yours is the best alternative.

-Rules:

-You must work in groups (between 2 and 4 people). If groups are not made up SOON (in the next class), I´ll organize them.

-You must choose an area (not a city) in an English-speaking country and tell me as soon as possible.

-You must give a presentation (in powerpoint or a brochure) showing the most interesting features of the region you represent. Each person in the group must speak at least 4 minutes.

-When all the presentations are over, we´ll do a class-debate and the "investors" will choose the best alternative.

-The deadline is November 15.

-Evaluation: 2 points. One point will go for the brochure or powerpoint presentation, so that mark will be shared by the members of the group, and another point for the oral presentation of each member of the group, that mark will be individual. For the brochure or powerpoint presentation I´ll take into account the design, pictures/videos used and the elaboration of the information. The powerpoint presentations will get extra marks (if they are good enough, of course!).

-The brochure or powerpoint presentation must have a minimum of 6 pages plus a cover page. Include a map of the region you have chosen so that we can follow your presentation. You can´t copy and paste texts from the internet (and I´ll notice that!), elaborate the information using your own words. If you want to do it in brochure format, make four copies of the brochure to hand out in the class.

-Good pictures and/or videos are very important. Search the internet for them, you can begin in Google images and Youtube.

Good luck!

South Africa

Watch this video about South Africa. Then do the following:
1.Describe in 50 words what you can see in it.
2.Working in pairs, think of 10 adjectives to describe this country.

Gattaca quiz 1ºA

Remember next Friday we´ll do the quiz about the film. These are some of the questions I´ll make (the other questions are secret, but they all are about the plot):

-Would you like to live in a world like the one the film shows? Why/why not?
-What is Vincent´s key to success?
-Why hasn´t Vincent´s brother reached as far as Vincent having better genes?
-Why does Jerome commit suicide at the end of the film?
-Why does Vincent leave hair at his desk every day? Whose hair is that?
-What is special about the pianist in the film?
-What does Jerome have round his neck when he dies? Why?
-What is a "borrowed ladder"?
-What is a "God-child"?
-According to the trailer of the film, which you can watch HERE (go to "CLIPS" and then "TRAILER"), how many cells do we shed every day?
-What do we discover about the doctor at the end of the film?
-Who murdered the man in Gattaca? Why did he do it?
-Watch the alternative ending of the film HERE and explain it.
-Which moment makes Vincent think he can achieve anything if he fights for it?
-Who is a "Valid"? and an "In-Valid"?
-What is the difference between Vincent and his brother Anton?
-Why was Vincent operated on his legs?
-Search for this information in the internet: Who is the director of this film? Say two other films he has directed. When was this film released?

We´ll do the quiz in groups, the two groups which get the most points will get extra marks.

"There is no gene for the human spirit"

Debate 1ºA

Instructions for the debate:
-You must gather in groups of 2. There will be a group with 3 people.

-In groups of students with different levels the stronger student will be rewarded.

-In each group, one member will be for the statement and the other will be against. If you have the same opinion on the topic, one will have to pretend.

-The script with the debate must be handed in to the teacher on next Friday , I´ll give them back to you, with my corrections, next Monday.

-The debates will begin the next Tuesday.

-Each member in the group must speak at least 5 minutes.

-Participation of the rest of the students in the debate will be rewarded.

-Topics of the debate. Choose one of these statements:
1.All politicians are corrupted. I don´t believe in Democracy.
2.Parents should let teenagers do whatever they want. they are old enough now.
3.A computer with internet connection. I don´t need anything else in my life.
4.I agree with free abortion at the age of 16.
5.I would disconnect a dying but conscious person from the machines that keep him/her alive if he/she asked me to.
6.Spanish educational system doesn´t work.
7.The real crisis is the starving people in the Third World. No more money for banks!
8.Armies should disappear.
9.I believe in death penalty.
10.Sportsmen salaries should be controlled by the state. Nobody should earn more than 50,000 Euros a year.
11.I would manipulate the genetics of my future son to "design" him/her as I like (tall, blonde,intelligent...).
12.All drugs should be legalised.

-Each group must choose a different topic. Choose the topic fast! The first to tell me their choice will get it; if you are too late you´ll have to choose another one.

-Evaluation:2 points. 1 point will be a common mark, the other will be individual.

ADVERTISING

Watch these TV commercials (click on the link below) and do the following:
-Explain what is going on there, what´s the story in the ad.
-Say what product, concept, etc they are advertising in them.
-Is the commercial effective in your opinion? Why? Did you like it? Why?

*COMMERCIAL #1
*COMMERCIAL #2
*COMMERCIAL #3
*COMMERCIAL #4

ENVIRONMENTAL CYBERGYMKHANA

A.Click on this link and answer the questions below:

CLIMATE CHANGE:

1.How many degrees has the earth warmed over the last century?

2.What is the greenhouse effect?

3.What can be the consequences of global warming?

4.What is the difference between weather and climate?

5.How does ice regulate climate?

B. Go to this website and answer the questions:

TIGERS IN CRISIS

1.Where do tigers live?

2.Which country has the largest number of tigres ?

3.What do they eat ?

4.What are the enemies of the tiger ?

5.What s the weight of a female tiger ?

C. Go to this website and answer the questions:

ANIMAL STORIES BY STUDENTS AROUND THE WORLD

1.What´s the meaning of TENAN?.

2.Which is TENAN´S website?.

3.What´s the meaning of TESAN?-

4.What can you do to join the TESAN project?

D.Go to this website, watch the video and answer the questions:

LEONARDO DICAPRIO´S VIDEO QUESTIONS

1.What keeps the balance between the temperature of air and water?

2.Who has put our planet in danger?

3.How did fuel originate?

4.Why is fuel important for us?

5.What has been the warmest decade ever?

6.Give examples of climate change

7.What kind of energy should we support?

8.Who should we vote?

9.Who must we save the planet for?

E. Answer the questions below. Check the link first:

LEONARDO DICAPRIO: THE BEACH

1.Who directed The Beach?

2.The film was based on a famous novel. Who is the author?

3.Where was this film shot?

F.Answer the questions about the text in this link:

1.What do the new German rules try to break?

2.Which way will the companies take care of the problem?

This cyberghymkana was designed by the Departamento de Inglés of the IES Luis García Berlanga

Moby Dick chapters 7-12 (4ºB)

Answer the questions in English:

CHAPTER 7

1.Who is captain Boomer? Describe him.

2.When did captain Boomer last see Moby Dick?

3.What do Ahab and Boomer have in common?

4.How did Boomer lose his arm?

CHAPTER 8

5.What favour did Kwee-Kweg ask Ishmael to do him when he felt sick?

6.Why didn´t Kwee-Kweg die in the end?

7.What did he use his box for?

CHAPTER 9

8.How long ago did the sailors in the Rachel see Moby Dick?

9.Who was in the harpoon boat that followed Moby Dick?

10.Did Ahab help the captain of the Rachel? Why?

11.Why didn´t Ahab want to sleep at night?

12.Who could finally see Moby Dick?

CHAPTER 10

13.How many harpoon boats were set to catch Moby Dick?

14.Who was in the first boat?

15.What could they see in the back of the whale?

16.Why did Ahab fall into the sea?

CHAPTER 11

14.How far was Moby Dick from the ship when he jumped for a second time?

15.What did Moby Dick do with the boat where Ismael was?

16.What did captain Ahab lose in Moby Dick´s attack?

17.Who died in the attack?

CHAPTER 12

18. What did Starbuck ask Ahab not to do?

19.What did Moby Dick attack?

20.Who was the only sailor who survived Moby Dick´s last attack?

21.What did he hold while he was at sea?

21.How was he able to survive?



-Now think of 5 questions more about these chapters and write them together with their answers.

-Deadline: next Thursday. Good hunt!!

Moby Dick activities for 4ºB

-Answer these questions about the book in English:

CHAPTER 1
1.Why did Ishmael become a sailor?
2.Describe the picture he saw in the depressing hotel in New Bedford.
3.What was Kwee-Kweg trying to sell?
4.What did the harpooner take from his pocket?

CHAPTER 2
5.What is the Pequod? Describe it.
6.What happened to captain Ahab on his last voyage?
7.What is the objective of the next voyage of the Pequod?
8.How long will the voyage last?
9.Say the names of the first and second officers in the ship.

-True or False? If False, correct the sentence:

CHAPTER 3
10.Starbuck wasn´t married.( )
11.Starbuck´s son was killed by a whale.( )
12.Stubb was a confident sailor.( )
13.Islanders weren´t good at fishing whales.( )
14.Ahab´s artificial leg was made of wood.( )

CHAPTER 4
15.Ahab offered the sailors a Spanish gold coin if they were the first to kill the whale.( )
16.Little Pip saw a whale.( )

-Answer these questions in English:
CHAPTER 5
17.Who were Ahab´s "special sailors"?
18.What happened while the sailors were rowing to the Pequod with the dead whale?
19.What is the superstition Kwee-Kweg tells Ishmael?
20.What did captain Mayhew tell Ahab?

CHAPTER 6
21.What musical instrument did Little Pip use to play?
22. What did he do while they other sailors were hunting the whales?
23. Why did the sailors get very angry with Little Pip?
24.What did Ahab do when Little Pip began to behave strangely?