Friday 20 May 2011

TASK N.5 - WRITE AN ARTICLE-

Hi, everyone:

You must write an article (200 words) about whatever subject matter you choose ( politics, heath, environment, men and women, ...)


Thanks

Wednesday 18 May 2011

Friday 6 May 2011

SPEAKING: small problem with a TV

Dear Sir/Madam:

On 24 April 2011 I bought a TV in your local shop Worten Cartagena. The number of my receipt is W233345, which covers the guarantee of the object.

Unfortunately, when I arrived home, I tried it to check the quality of the image and sound, but the TV did not work. I tried it in different rooms, making sure that there was not a problem with electricity.

Consequently, we would like to have our TV replaced as soon as it may be possible. Furthermore, we would like to know if some member of your staff can come home to do the service we request.

(my address)

We would like to have a reply at your earliest convenience.

Yours faithfully,

Speaking-writing exercise PROBLEMS IN A HOTEL FORMAL LETTER

HILTON HOTEL Alfonso Allepuz
Highstreet Lane, 24 Address
LONDON LN23QW

To whom it may concern:
Dear Sir/Madam:

From January 2 to January 7 2011 we stayed in your hotel in room 122, as your records must surely show. Unfortunately, our stay was far from pleasant because we encountered some problems, as follows:
• The heating in the room did not work properly and, consequently, the room was not warm enough for my family and me
• Room service did not fulfil our expectations, because they failed to bring the breakfast, as we requested the previous day
• The reception staff did not offer to help us take our luggage to our room

Taking all these things into consideration, we would like to reaffirm our dissatisfaction with the time we spent in Hilton Hotel (London). We expected a considerably better service, as could be presumed from any 4-star hotel and as was indicated in the brochure we could see at our local travel agent’s ( Viajes El Corte Inglés – Cartagena, Spain).
To conclude, we would be very glad if we could receive an apology from you, or any other kind of compensation.

Yours faithfully,

A.Allepuz

COLLOCATIONS EXERCISE- LINK-

Here's the link: COLLOCATIONS

TASK FOR SESSION 4

Write an email of application of about 200 words, following the requirements of Tarea 1 as shown in this exam: INGNAVANZADO

TOP 10 EXPRESSION -FORMAL LETTERS

Here's the link: POWERPOINT

LINK TO MATERIAL SESSION 4

Here's the link to most of the material of the session: SESSION 4

Monday 25 April 2011

SESSION N.4 MAY 6TH

Hi:

I just wanted to remind you that our next session will be on 6th May and will be about formal letters

Monday 21 March 2011

TASK 1 - TO EMAIL ME-

Remember that you must write an argumentative text (about 200 words) about one of the following topics:

- Pros and cons of having children

- The quality of Spanish National Health Service

- Are you for or against bullfighting?

Once you've done it, please email it to me and I'll email you back with the corrections

Friday 18 March 2011

KEY CLOZE

KEY

What can be done to encourage people to take more exercise?

It can generally be said that people today do not take enough exercise, a fact which accounts for an alarming increase in the number of heart attacks among young men and women. The 1. fact that many people today lead busy lives means they have little time for leisure activities.

What clearly needs to be 2.done is to encourage people to take more exercise by emphasising the health benefits that it can bring, as 3.well as the risks that we face by not taking any exercise. Doctors can play an effective role in persuading people to change their 4.routine/habits by encouraging them to exercise.

5.Another suggestion is that sports centres open earlier, close later and offer weekend activities. In this 6.way/sense, it would be easier for people to fit an exercise programme into their busy schedules.

Finally, companies 7.should sponsor sports teams and hold regular sports events in an effort to persuade employees to exercise. As a 8.result, they will not consider exercise an exhausting chore, but a way of making the most-of their 9.free/leisure time. However, if these measures are to have any effect, people must change their lifestyles.

All 10.things considered, exercise should be an important part of everyone's weekly routine. If followed, the suggestions above should result in an improvement in the general health of the population.

CLOZE: AN ARGUMENTATIVE TEXT

What can be done to encourage people to take more exercise?

It can generally be said that people today do not take enough exercise, a fact which accounts for an alarming increase in the number of heart attacks among young men and women. The 1._______ that many people today lead busy lives means they have little time for leisure activities.

What clearly needs to be 2._____ is to encourage people to take more exercise by emphasising the health benefits that it can bring, as 3.______as the risks that we face by not taking any exercise. Doctors can play an effective role in persuading people to change their 4.______ by encouraging them to exercise.

5.________ suggestion is that sports centres open earlier, close later and offer weekend activities. In this 6.______, it would be easier for people to fit an exercise programme into their busy schedules.

Finally, companies 7.______ sponsor sports teams and hold regular sports events in an effort to persuade employees to exercise. As a 8._____, they will not consider exercise an exhausting chore, but a way of making the most-of their 9._______ time. However, if these measures are to have any effect, people must change their lifestyles.

All 10._______ considered, exercise should be an important part of everyone's weekly routine. If followed, the suggestions above should result in an improvement in the general health of the population.

Wednesday 16 March 2011

IDIOMATIC LANGUAGE

Powerpoint about idiomatic expressions: IDIOMS

POWERPOINT-PRESENTATION

An interesting presentation to illustrate an aspect of intermediate writing:

ADVERBS

Monday 14 March 2011

Useful Phrases for Writing Argumentative Essays

Useful Phrases for Writing Argumentative Essays

To list arguments in the main body: In the first place, First of all, To start with, To begin with, Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly, Finally, In addition (to this), Furthermore, Moreover, Besides, last but not least

Presenting arguments for: The main/first/most important advantage of ..., One major advantage of ..., A further advantage ..., One/Another/An additional advantage of ..., One point of view in favour of ..., It is often suggested/believed/argued that ..., Some/Many people suggest/feel/argue that ..., Some/Many people are in favour of/are convinced that ...,

Presenting arguments against: One major disadvantage of ..., The main/most important disadvantage/drawback of ..., One/Another/An additional disadvantage of ..., One point/argument against ..., Some/Many people are against ...,

Presenting examples, causes and results: for example/instance, such as, like, in particular,therefore, for this reason, because, as, since, as a result,

To add more points to the same topic: what is more, furthermore, also, in addition to, besides, apart from this/that, not to mention the fact that, etc.

To make contrasting points: on the other hand, however, despite/in spite of (the fact), while, nevertheless, even though, although, it can be argued that, one can argue that, etc.

To conclude: to conclude/sum up, all in all, all things considered, in conclusion, on the whole, taking everything into account, taking all this into account/consideration, above all, as was previously stated, etc.

Useful Phrases for Writing Opinion Essays

To list points: In the first place, first of all, to start with, in the first place, etc.

To add more points: what is more, another major reason, also, furthermore, moreover, in addition to, besides, apart from this, not to mention the fact that, etc.

To introduce conflicting viewpoints: It is argued that, people argue that, opponents of this view say, there are people who oppose, etc.

To express opinion: I believe, In my opinion, I think, In my view, I strongly believe, etc.

Smart ways to begin an argumentative text:

Smart ways to begin an argumentative text:

INTRODUCTION: 'AGREEMENT WITH THE READER'

Everyone agrees that

Everyone knows that

Everyone will agree on the fact that…

It is a well-known fact that…

VP-ing …is one of the most … / E.g. Cycling is one of the most eco-friendly ways to move around a town / Cycling is one of the healthiest exercises that we can do today.

SAYINGS -REFRANES

A good thing to do show off your good knowledge of English is the use of sayings (in both your writing/speaking tests). Remember to use the introductory phrase: as the saying goes... (como dice el refrán...).

Here's a website where you have plenty of sayings and their translations to Spanish: PROVERBS

VOCABULARY: REPORTING VERBS

Here's the link to this important field of vocabulary: REPORTING

Sunday 6 March 2011

EXAMPLE OF ARGUMENTATIVE TEXTS

Here's the link: FCE MANSIONINGLES

DEEP, HIGH, STRONG

Deep

deep depression

deep devotion
a deep feeling

deep pockets
deep sleep
in deep thought
in deep trouble


Heavy
a heavy drinker
heavy rain
a heavy sleeper

a heavy smoker
heavy snow
heavy traffic


High - Low.

Notice that a number of nouns (but not all) which take 'high' also take 'low'.

high - or low - cost
high - or low - density
high - or low - energy
high - or low - esteem
a high - or low - expectation (of)
a high - or low - level (of)

a high - or low - opinion (of someone or something)
high - or low - pressure
a - or low - high price
high quality
high speed


Strong
strong criticism
strong denial
a strong feeling
a strong opinion (about something)

a strong sense (of)
a strong smell
a strong taste

COLLOCATIONS TOTAL, COMPLETE, BIG, GREAT, LARGE

Absolute / Complete / Total / Utter

Absolute, complete, total and utter are used to express strong feelings, extreme situations, and other events - especially negative experiences.
absolute agony
complete astonishment
total bliss
(an) utter catastrophe
absolute despair

total ecstasy
utter fury
a complete idiot
utter loathing
total madness


Big

Big tends to describe a happening or a type of person. It is not usually used with uncountable nouns.
Happenings

a big decision
a big disappointment
a big improvement
a big mistake
a big surprise

Types of Persons

a big eater
a big dreamer
a big drinker
a big spender
a big talker


Great

Great usually describes nouns which express feelings or qualities.
great admiration
great anger
in great detail
(a) great disappointment
great enjoyment
great excitement
a great failure
great fun
great happiness
great joy
at great length

a great number (of)
great power
great pride
a great quantity (of)
great sensitivity
great skill
great strength
great understanding
great wealth


Large

Large is often used with nouns concerning numbers and measurements. It is not usually used with uncountable nouns.
a large amount
a large number (of)
a large population

a large proportion
a large quantity
a large scale