NOTE: VERY CLEAR BUT YOU MAY HAVE TO LOOK UP A FEW WORDS / EXPRESSIONS.
Showing posts with label upper-intermediate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label upper-intermediate. Show all posts
Sasha Needs a Family (dog for adoption)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
NOTE: ESTA ENTRADA ES SOBRE UNA PERRA QUE NECESITA SER ADOPTADA. SI ERES, O CONOCES A ALGUIEN QUE PODRÍA CUIDARLA, MÁNDANOS UN CORREO Y NOS PODREMOS EN CONTACTO CONTIGO.
Sasha is a special girl. She is the kind of dog that likes to look around at the birds and the flowers when she is taken for a walk. Even though she loves going for walks (and gets excited and happy when you take her out), she will always follow right behind you ('to heel') if you tell her to do so. You can walk around without worrying about where she might be, she never tries to 'sneak off', not because she's particularly well trained but because she REALLY REALLY wants to please you. That is the kind of dog she is.
Her current owners found her in an animal rescue centre, she was very shy and very afraid. If she could talk she would tell you that she has lived through some sad experiences, but she didn't need to talk back then, you could see it the moment you met her. Time heals, even if you are a dog.
Now Sasha embodies the essence of the happy dog, she loves every part of the day and sometimes she gets excited about certain things, but nothing is more important for her than knowing that her owner loves her.
Unfortunately her owners (who love her very much) really can't afford to keep her. They are desperately trying top find a new home for her, but not just any home, one where she will be loved and appreciated. It is all she needs.
Sasha is a special girl. She is the kind of dog that likes to look around at the birds and the flowers when she is taken for a walk. Even though she loves going for walks (and gets excited and happy when you take her out), she will always follow right behind you ('to heel') if you tell her to do so. You can walk around without worrying about where she might be, she never tries to 'sneak off', not because she's particularly well trained but because she REALLY REALLY wants to please you. That is the kind of dog she is.
Her current owners found her in an animal rescue centre, she was very shy and very afraid. If she could talk she would tell you that she has lived through some sad experiences, but she didn't need to talk back then, you could see it the moment you met her. Time heals, even if you are a dog.
Now Sasha embodies the essence of the happy dog, she loves every part of the day and sometimes she gets excited about certain things, but nothing is more important for her than knowing that her owner loves her.
Unfortunately her owners (who love her very much) really can't afford to keep her. They are desperately trying top find a new home for her, but not just any home, one where she will be loved and appreciated. It is all she needs.
BBC Radio 4: An English Student's Dream
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Although it is somewhat disappointing to face up to it, most students of English lack the time and / or the motivation to practice it like they should. There is no need to criticise anybody here, it is a widespread problem and those who do put some time aside to read or watch some films, are the the exception and not the rule.
For this reason I have taken to repeating my new mantra every time I'm given the chance (and even when I am not). Listen to English language internet radio like you would to normal radio in your language. That is, don't listen to it, just play it in the background. Your brain will soak it in slowly but without tiring you.
You can focus on the kids, work you may have brought home, cooking, whatever, your brain will absorb new vocabulary and grammar structures, while at the same time confirming other vocabulary and grammar that you may not be one hundred percent sure about.
And so it is with this end in mind that I now suggest going on to the BBC Radio 4 website and clicking on the "ON NOW:" link, you can also browse around and listen to one of the many programs in their back catalogue. The point, however, is that you must 'boomark' the page so that you can easily find it on a daily basis. Between ten minutes and an hours should be enough to see some noticeable improvements within no more than two months.
Go on, give it a go, it could potentially be one of the best habits to get into.
For this reason I have taken to repeating my new mantra every time I'm given the chance (and even when I am not). Listen to English language internet radio like you would to normal radio in your language. That is, don't listen to it, just play it in the background. Your brain will soak it in slowly but without tiring you.
You can focus on the kids, work you may have brought home, cooking, whatever, your brain will absorb new vocabulary and grammar structures, while at the same time confirming other vocabulary and grammar that you may not be one hundred percent sure about.
And so it is with this end in mind that I now suggest going on to the BBC Radio 4 website and clicking on the "ON NOW:" link, you can also browse around and listen to one of the many programs in their back catalogue. The point, however, is that you must 'boomark' the page so that you can easily find it on a daily basis. Between ten minutes and an hours should be enough to see some noticeable improvements within no more than two months.
Go on, give it a go, it could potentially be one of the best habits to get into.
Annoying Orange (subtitled)
WARNING: THIS VIDEO DEPICTS SCENES OF FRUIT & VEG ABUSE THAT MAY OFFEND SOME VIEWERS. IT ALSO CONTAINS EXTREME (FRUIT & VEG) VIOLENCE AND COARSE LANGUAGE.
Getting English Into Your Life
If you are reading this you should feel very privileged, at your fingertips lies the biggest resource an English learner could ever wish for: the internet.
It brings together such a mass of information that it is difficult to quantify it. Like the omnipresent Wikipedia it is a fallible source of information, but its very vastness also allows us to double check and contrast anything we come across. It is up to us to maximise its potential and minimise the impact of its weaknesses.
All learners of English and those for whom English is a second language should integrate some reading, listening and writing into their daily routines. Speaking (that most important of exercises) can be very hard to do on a very regular basis, and this is something we must make up for.
News websites can be great places for the more advanced learners, and some news websites (such as the BBC) keep their articles so succinct that even intermediate learners can read them without having to over stretch themselves. Then there are never ending supplies of videos, podcasts, radio streams and other media available for listening.
It is also very easy to find structured / formal exercises for listening, reading, and grammar / writing. Get out there and find them.
It is essential for English learners to maintain their motivation and consistency. This does not mean that you have to stress or tire yourself out, quite the opposite in fact. Try to make your English exposure enjoyable, watch comedy programs like “The Simpsons” or any other programs you enjoy. Try to make it fit in around your life, and not the other way around.
Remember, you are not alone. Use forums to discuss doubts and compare opinions. Sign up to courses where you can practice speaking and where a structure will be provided if you need it, but never forget that most learning has to take place in your own time and in your head. Make use of everything you can and make it part of your life.
It brings together such a mass of information that it is difficult to quantify it. Like the omnipresent Wikipedia it is a fallible source of information, but its very vastness also allows us to double check and contrast anything we come across. It is up to us to maximise its potential and minimise the impact of its weaknesses.
All learners of English and those for whom English is a second language should integrate some reading, listening and writing into their daily routines. Speaking (that most important of exercises) can be very hard to do on a very regular basis, and this is something we must make up for.
News websites can be great places for the more advanced learners, and some news websites (such as the BBC) keep their articles so succinct that even intermediate learners can read them without having to over stretch themselves. Then there are never ending supplies of videos, podcasts, radio streams and other media available for listening.
It is also very easy to find structured / formal exercises for listening, reading, and grammar / writing. Get out there and find them.
It is essential for English learners to maintain their motivation and consistency. This does not mean that you have to stress or tire yourself out, quite the opposite in fact. Try to make your English exposure enjoyable, watch comedy programs like “The Simpsons” or any other programs you enjoy. Try to make it fit in around your life, and not the other way around.
Remember, you are not alone. Use forums to discuss doubts and compare opinions. Sign up to courses where you can practice speaking and where a structure will be provided if you need it, but never forget that most learning has to take place in your own time and in your head. Make use of everything you can and make it part of your life.
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