Time to start again!

It's September and holidays finished some weeks ago. We all know it's been a long time since you last opened an English book, but as you should remember, learning a language doesn't need to be a boring task. Right the opposite! You can go on travelling, discovering interesting places and meeting new people to share your experiences with by using the English language.  For this reason, I've chosen some exercises to help you for warming up. Are you ready? All aboard!!!!
 

PRESENT SIMPLE & CONTINUOUS         PAST           POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES         LISTENING

Summer revision

Click here and check all you have learned for your September exam.

See you next course!

Bloomsday

All 16th June, Dublin remembers this same date in 1904 in Leopold Bloom's life, the main character of James Joyce's novel Ulysses.

This day is known as Bloomsday. The novel is the excuse for Dubliners and their visitors to relive Bloom's adventure which takes place during a day in different settings in Dublin. Thus, it's a tradition to visit his birthplace, have a walk along the Liffey or go down to the beach of Sandycove. If you go to the city centre, don't miss O'Connell Street, Belvedere school or Monto. These are remarkable landmarks in Joyce's life and novel and the scenery for many performances as well.

If you want to enjoy, a look on Ulysses is a great idea to start with.

More information, Bloomsday Festival 2010

English test

Watch this video and answer the questions below.

Environment Day

LET'S CARE THE PLANET! Here you can find some tips for a good start!

The Three Waves

Traditional Norwegian tale.

Once upon a time, there a was a young fisherman called Olaf who lived happily with his parents. He had mysterious powers to look beyond reality and in addition, he could make himself invisible just by putting his hands over his eyes.

One day, Olaf's father went out fishing, but he never returned. The young man grew up and a ship hired him as a crew member. Before sailing, the sailors went to have some fun...except for Olaf, who stayed as a guard. Then, he saw some black crows come on the ship. Olaf made himself invisible and listened what they were saying: "Nobody knows that we're witches, and when the sailors go to sea, three giant waves will come up and they'll die. Ha, ha, ha!", the birds laughed outrageously, and went on, "And what they don't know either is that to save themselves they'll have to throw a birch beam over each wave".

Olaf quickly went for the birch beams and put them on the boat. And as it was planned, when things were most peaceful on deck the enormous waves rose up. Olaf told the sailors to throw the beams, one after the other..., and that's how they were saved. They reached the island of the castaways where Olaf found his father and took him back home.

If you go to the beach, be careful of the tides and the jellyfish! Enjoy the sea!
Source: Sofia Adalid's Collection of Tales of the World.

No Tobacco World Day

Every year, many people suffer from diseases caused by the addiction to tobacco. This year, its campaign against has been conceived focused on Tobacco and Gender. What we cannot allow is being a passive smoker whenever we go out for some fresh air! A good health is a precious token. Good habits contribute to keep it.

Remember it's up to you. Decide and say NO.

The Girl in the Portrait

The girl in the portrait

Traditional Baltic Tale

The natives of many cultures thought that if someone made a portrait of them, they were robbing their soul. Could there be some truth in this?

A young sailor found a phantom ship adrift. When he went on board, he came across a series of useless objects...except for the portrait of a mysterious girl who seemed to look at him from the bottom of her soul. The sailor hung the painting in his house and from then on, no longer felt so alone. The girl, apart from looking at him, cooked and did the housework when he was away. One day the sailor visited a witch: "If you want the girl to stay with you, wait until she steps out the painting, and then, keep the empty frame, under lock and key, in the basement".

The sailor followed her advice and a few days later, he married the girl. In nine months, they had a son who also became a sailor. They lived happily for many years until the old sailor died. That night, when the woman was preparing the shroud, she found the key of the basement. There, she discovered the frame and returned to the painting where she had always been. When the son came home after a long voyage, he looked for his parents everywhere, even in the basement, where he found his mother's portrait when she was much younger. Then, he understood everything: he hung the portrait in the ship so that she returned to the sea.

Maybe portraits don't have a true soul, but they do have something that unsettles and attracts us.
Source: Sofia Adalid's Collection of Tales of the World.