PI2_MW_20H20

We did unit 7.2 exercises 1 and 2 and some powerpoint activities which will be sent by email as soon as we finish the unit. Homework: student's book page 74 exercises 1 and 2.

FCE_MW_18H30

We did lots of activities about reporting passive structure, workbook page 46 exercises 1 and 2, and page 81 exercises 1 and 2. Homework: workbook page 47 exercises 3 and 4 and the four first ecampus exercises in unit 9.

I2_MW_16H00

We did exercises 2, 3 and 4 on pages 62 and 63 and some powerpoint activities. Homework: workbook page 42 exercises 4, 5 and 6 + ecampus - modifiers and quantifiers, determiners - quantifiers.

WORD OF THE WEEK - POSH

The Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners defines the word posh as follows:

1. something that is posh looks expensive and attractive.
2. someone who is posh talks and behaves in a way that is typical of people from a high social class.

It is widely believed that this word has its origins in the days of the British Empire when members of the civil service and armed forces would travel out to India to do their duty, often taking family members with them. The journey by sea was quite arduous and in order to make it more pleasant, wealthier passengers would buy the more shaded cabins on the port (left) side of the ship on the voyage out to India. This kept them out of the sun. Likewise, on the return journey they would buy cabins on the starboard (right) side of the ship. Thus the story went round that posh is an acronym for ‘port out, starboard home’. It is a nice theory but unfortunately one that has never been proved. In fact the Oxford Concise Dictionary of English Etymology states simply that the word posh is “of unknown origin”.

The word posh only functions as an adjective: in very colloquial British English, a posh person is sometimes referred to as a posho

MAC3_SAT

We started the class checking vocabulary. Then you were exposed to future tenses (page 148 and 149). We also talked about the past (back to the future film) and a time capsule (pages 92 and 93). Homework: page 150, exercises 2, 4 and 5, and the first, second and last exercises in module 9 (ecampus).

PI2_MW_20H20

We did exercises 4 to 9 on pages 66 and 67, so please have a look at 'will' for predictions. Homework: workbook page 43, exercise 5 and student's book page 67, exercise 10.

FCE_MW_18H30

We started the class with a review of vocabulary, then we did some class discussion from a powerpoint file and page 80, up to exercise 2 (close up). Homework: exercise 3 on page 80.

I2_MW_16H00

We did exercises 4, 8 and 9 on page 61 and the CDROM unit 8A (the passive). Homework: workbook pages 40 and 41, exercises 2 and 5.

PI2_MW_20H20

We started unit 7 Places, I used the website www.visitbritain.co.uk to check britain's top 15 attractions and we also did page 66 up to exercise 3.

FCE_MW_18H30

We started unit 9 and did some activities about how to describe people's appearance.

PHRASE OF THE WEEK

Dear students,
I'm not going to post anything because it's test week.

According to the Macmillan English Dictionary, if a place or an organization is going to the dogs, it is not as good as it was in the past. People often say things like “This country’s going to the dogs. Things aren’t like they were 30 years ago” or “This train service is going to the dogs. The trains are always late. The seats are uncomfortable and the fares are high”.

The origin of this expression is believed to be in ancient China where dogs, by tradition, were not permitted within the walls of cities. Consequently, stray dogs roamed the areas outside the city walls and lived off the rubbish thrown out of the city by its inhabitants. Criminals and social outcast were often expelled from cities and were sent to live among the rubbish – and the dogs. Such people were said to have “gone to the dogs”, both literally in that that was where they were now to be found, and metaphorically in the sense that their lives had taken a distinct turn for the worse.

PI2_MW_20H20

We corrected the exercises you were supposed to do and also checked your doubts about 'used to, modal verbs and since and for'. Study for the test!!!!

FCE_MW_18H30

We did a review of dynamic and stative verbs, affixes and reporting verbs. We also did an oral activity in pairs.

I2_MW_16H00

Unit 7D done and indirect questions. Homework: ecampus unit 2, study for the test indirect questions, abilities and unreal conditionals.

FL11_TT_18h30

We did pages 71 to 74 and the writing task preparation. Homework: writing task 4

FCE_MW_18H30

We finished unit 8 and did the exercises about affixes. In addition, we talked about better words to be used when writing a report. Homework: writing task 2.

I2_MW_16H00

Hello! We corrected the homework and finished unit 7B. Then we did the writing task preparation, which can be found on pages 76 and 77 (reading and writing portfolio) exercises 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7.
You have to write instructions according to the ones in exercise 1.

FL11_TT_18h30

We finished patterns to notice on page 61 and also the listening activity, pages 62 and 63 and, finally, the writing task preparation. Homework: writing task 3.

MAC1_ESPM

We did page 14 (wordspot) and the writing task preparation, in which you have to write about the most pressing problems in São Paulo and its possible solutions. Homework: writing task 2.

PHRASE OF THE WEEK - TO PULL SOMEONE'S LEG

If you try to pull someone’s leg, you try and make them believe something that isn’t true. “You’re pulling my leg!” is another way of saying “I don’t believe what you’re saying” or “You must be joking!”.

It often has humorous associations but the origin of the expression has nothing to do with making jokes or telling funny stories. It has its origins in the criminal world of 18th and 19th century London. In those days street robbers often worked in gangs of two. One would trip up the unsuspecting victim and the other would remove his money and other valuables while he was lying on the ground. The robber didn’t literally pull the victim’s leg but caused him to stumble and fall and then lose his valuables. If your leg is pulled now, you don’t lose your money but you might betray your ignorance and lose your temper.

PI2_MW_20H20

Dear students,
The first thing we did tonight was the correction of exercise 6 on page 57. Then we had extra practice on modal verbs and moved on to page 58 exercise 1-3 and talked about 'since' and 'for' and present perfect. Homework: workbook pages 36, 37 and exercise 2 on page 38 and exercise 4 on page 58 of your student's book.

FCE_MW_18H30

As agreed last class, we started off by doing a vocabualry activity about the clip seen last class and then we did 'weather lovely,..' on page 73 and page 74. Homework: workbook page 45 exercises 1-3, which will help you write the second composition.

I2_MW_16H00

We did unit 7B exercises 3 and 4, a flipchart and a powerpoint file about conditional sentences, page 55 exercise 9 and CDROM unit 7B second conditional. Homework: ecampus exercises 'second conditional - interrogative, negative, affirmative and use'.

PI2_MW_20H20

We did unit 6.1 up to exercise 5 and I explainde the modal verbs 'should, can and have to'. Homework: the first, fifth, sixth and seventh exercises in the ecampus, unit 6.

FCE_MW_18H30

We did an activity with the song 'Summer Loving' from the film Grease and also the book pages 72 and 73 up to exercise 5.

FL11_TT_18h30

Dear students,
The first activity today was about 'brain power' (resouce pack page 50) and then we started module 6, pages 56 and 57.

MAC1_ESPM

We did the reading and speaking activity on page 7, exercise 2 on page 8 and the text on page 9 and also an oral activity in which I gave you feedback on.

PI2_MW_20H20

We started unit 7 by doing exercises 1, 2 and 3 on page 56 and exercise 3 on page 55. We also did an oral activity about the three students in exercise 2.

FCE_MW_18H30

We did exercise 4 on page 71 and an activity about the vocabulary from the text. We also did an exercise about reporting verbs from a book called 'exam maximiser' and error correction using extracts from your compositions.

WORD OF THE WEEK

Booze can be either a verb or a noun, meaning to drink alcohol and alcoholic drink respectively. Despite its use in present-day informal British English, it is quite an old word and has been traced back as far as the 13th century. It is believed to derive from the old Dutch verb busen meaning ‘to drink to excess’.

These days it is more commonly used as a noun than a verb, although the form boozing can often be heard, as in We went out boozing last night. The related noun boozer can either mean a person who boozes, in other words a drinker, as in He’s a bit of a boozer, or, much more commonly, the place where a boozer boozes, namely a pub, as in The King’s Head is a decent boozer. Finally, there is the compound noun booze-up, which the Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners defines as 'a party or social event where people drink a lot of alcohol'. Cheers.

www.onestopenglish.com

MAC3_SAT

Dear students,
In the first part of the class we did an activity about all the vocabulary seen in module 8 and I asked you to write a paragraph using it. I'll correct everything and give you feedback next class. Apart from that, we did the activities on page 84 (exercises 1-4) and other exercises I prepared in a powerpoint file. You have to write a tactful letter like the one in exercise 2 and hand it in next class. I have also asked you to do the following ecampus exercises - a letter of complaint, adverb position, holiday around venice and time for tea.

FL11_TT_18h30

I handed in your reports and showed your tests. We finished the activity on pages 48 and 49, did 'paterns to notice' on page 50 and exercises 6 and 7. I also asked you to do page 20 in your phrase builders and we did an activity about education. Homework: Resouce Pack page 66.

MAC1_ESPM

We did the activities on page 15, a dictogloss and watched a youtube clip about different accents, which was the topic seen in the exercises. Homework: wordspot page 14 and 5 ecampus exercises.

PI2_MW_20H20

We corrected the homework and did the speaking activity on page 51, CDROM practises 1 and 2 and Communication page 52. Homework: page 54 ex 5 and any 5 exercises from the ecampus.

FCE_MW_18H30

We started the class with a powerpoint activity about vocabulary from the text on page 69 and we did the exercises 1 to 3 (close up) on pages 70 and 71. In the end of the class we did an activity using reporting verbs. Homework: workbook page 41 and 42 exercises 1 to 4.

I2_MW_16H00

We started the class with an activity about computers. Then we did the quiz on page 52 and exercise 3 as well as extra exercises about abilities in the past and present. Don't forget to bring the reader next class as we are doing the reading cicles activity. Homework: workbook page 30 and 31 exercises 3 to 6.

FL11_TT_18h30

In the first part of the class we corrected the activities about passive voice, we had a review of vocabulary of both units and I checked your doubts. The second one was the test.

MAC1_ESPM

We did the activity 'Learner questionnaire' on page 13 and then the writing task preparation, which is on pages 42 and 43 in your resource books. We have also agreed to do an oral activity on the 30th of September in which you have to choose any topic related to 'globalization' and prepare a 5-minute presentation. Some of the topics mentioned in class were: advertisings and China. Homework: writing task 1: 'Is globalization good or bad?'

PI2_MW_20H20

We started off by checking vocabulary from the previous classes and then we did exercise 7 on page 51 and extra practise on indirect questions as well as the workbook exercise 1, page 34. Homework: workbook page 34 and 35, exercises 2 and 3.

FCE_MW_18H30

We started the class talking about what could go really wrong on a holiday. Then we moved on to the text on page 69 and did exercise 3 on page 68. We did an activity using the vocabulary from the text and finished by doing the exercises 'lexis' and 'anecdote' on page 70.

I2_MW_16H00

Hello everybody,
Today we did unit 6D exercises 1-4 and the CDROM unit 6D, discussion 3 and 4. Homework: page 34 exercises 1 and 2. Don't forget that you have to hand your compositions in on Wednesday!!!!

PHRASE OF THE WEEK

If you are caught red-handed you are discovered in the middle of committing a crime or doing something wrong. Criminals can be caught red-handed by the police at the scene of their crimes and children can be caught red-handed by their parents committing some minor misdemeanour like taking food from the fridge in the middle of the night. For many centuries it was not considered to be proof of guilt if someone was in possession of meat from another man’s animal. It was impossible to prove that they were guilty under such circumstances. If, on the other hand, they had the blood of a freshly killed animal on their hands this was incontrovertible proof of guilt. In those days being caught red-handed usually meant a death sentence. Today, while the punishment is likely to be far less draconian, the idea of being discovered in the middle of wrong-doing still remains with this expression.

from onestopenglish.com

MAC3_SAT

Hello guys,
We started off by doing a quick review of vocabulary, then we moved on to the listening activities (You're so Vain) on page 80. We also did exercises 1 and 2 on page 81, and exercises 1 and 2, page 146. I've sent the powerpoint file used in class about adverbs by email and, in he second part of the class, we did the wordspot activities on page 80 and phrase builder page 33. Homework: pages 146 and 147, exercises 4, 6 and 7. See you all in a week!

HOT TIP_BLINDNESS

When a sudden plague of blindness devastates a city, a small group of the afflicted band together to triumphantly overcome the horrific conditions of their imposed quarantine. Blindness is a psychological thriller about the fragility of mankind. Adapted from Nobel Laureate José Saramago’s masterwork, the film is directed by Academy Award-nominee Fernando Meirelles from a screenplay by Tony Award-winner Don McKellar (“The Drowsy Chaperone”).

FL11_TT_18h30

The early bird catches the worm
Dear all,
We started the class with activities about instructions which were used as writing task 2 preparation, we talked about how new words are created, watched a youtube video and did the activities on page 48, up to exercise 3. Don't forget to hand in BOTH compositions until Tuesday and study passive voice and the expressions in the phrase builder module 4.
Enjoy your weekend!

MAC1_ESPM

Hi there,
We finished the discussion about the future of the English language, we did an oral activity and talked about different uses of the verb 'have'. Once again, you can do any ecampus exercise.
Take care!

PI2_MW_20H20

Hello everybody,
We corrected the homework (workbook page 32, exercises 3 and 4) and did exercises 2-5, page 50. Don't forget that you are supposed to hand your compositions in on Monday, the 1st of September. Have a nice weekend,
Daniele

FCE_MW_18H30

Hello guys,
We corrected the exercise I've assigned as homework (SB page 61, exercise 4) and then brainstormed ideas for your writing task 1, in which you'll have to write an argument about the advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones. We also did exercises 1-3 (writing page 61). Don't forget to use the language seen in the language toolbox and try to hand it in on the 3rd of September, please.
Have a nice weekend,
Daniele

FL11_TT_18h30

Dear students,
We had an interesting discussion in the beggining of the class about education, we did a quiz about skills that students should learn in order to prepare for the real world, such as how to run a meeting or how to get along with their co-workers. Then we watched a snippet of American students exchanging their views on how prepared high school students are for college. We also did some passive voice exercises and, finally, page 53, exercises 1 and 2. Homework: read pages 132 and 133 and do the exercises 1, 3, 5 and 6 on pages 134 and 135. The test will be on the 2nd of September and don't forget to hand in your compositions next class!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Take care,
Daniele

MAC1_ESPM

Dear all,
We started the class with a game and then moved on to page 10 'Listening and Speaking'. We talked a lot about the English language in the future and did exercises 1-4. No homework today, hope to see you all next class.
Daniele

PI2_MW_20H20

For those who were absent, we finished unit 5.2 and did writing task preparation. You are supposed to write a 'thank you note' to a friend using the expressions in exercise 5, unit 5.2. I asked your classmates to hand it in on the 1st of September. In the end of the class we did an activity about England and Great Britain and also the text in exercise 1, unit 5.3.

FCE_MW_18H30

We started the class with the text 'Child's Play' and moved on to page 60, lexis exercise and linkers. Also, we did the workbook exercise 8 on page 33. Homework: page 61, exercise 4.

I2_MW_16H00

We did page 48, exercises 6 and 7, reading activity and synonyms. Homework: CDROM unit 6C synonyms 1.

DEEP FRIED MARS BAR

Fancy a piece of deep fried chocolate? Give this Scotish delicacy a go!
read more
recipe

WORD OF THE WEEK

Dear students,
The word of this week is LUDICROUS. These words or phrases will be posted on a weekly basis to inspire you to read a little more in English and help you gain vocabulary. MAC3 students - that's an easy one for you!
read more

MAC3_SAT

Dear students,
In the beggining of the class, we had an oral activity using those clothes idioms from last week, a powerpoint exercise on the same subject and then we talked about the style icons Madonna, James Dean, Frank Sinatra and Audrey Hepburn.
There's an activity about them on page 78 and 110, we also did exercises 3, 4, 5 and 6 and 'Patterns to notice' on page 79. For homework, I asked you to choose any ecampus exercise.
Have a nice weekend!