Class Diary 26-Feb-2020




- In class:


Review of the exams and make up tasks

p 52, 53

- HW:

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4. Mediation: Write a review comparing two adverts. Useful vocabulary here:



Empower p 125. Adverts. Mediation

(180 words). Deadline 18 Dec

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- 7.

Empower p 41. Commenting on a Story. Written Mediation

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6. Empower p 41. Write a review of a place you have been to

(150 words). Deadline  17 Feb

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-Write a scrapbook after Christmas with the activities you did together with family and friends.

Empower p33. Writing: Christmas Scrapbook.

(180 words). Deadline 20 Jan

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- Book Fair:  (16 Dec) Speak for 5 minutes about the books or articles you are reading this year.
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- Presentation (Feb) Speak for 5 minutes about a topic (mediation).
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- Read an article/short story (weekly) (mediation). 
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3rd term:
 
8. Empower p 53. Write a profile article about someone you know
Deadline: 11 March
180 words____________________________________________

9- Write a review comparing the two books you will have read this academic year. Deadline 23 Apr.
In your review you can include your favourite quotes from the books and add some explanations. In the final paragraph try to compare the two books you have read. You can also try to convince the reader that the books you have chosen should (not) be on the Reading List next year.  Useful language .

____________________________________________________________


- Announcements:

­- SPEAKING sessions:
Wednesdays 16-17 in room EOI 210
Thursdays 16-17 on the first floor (fish tank)
Thursdays 18-19 in room EOI 202

- What's on

- Exchange English- Spanish

END OF SECOND TERM!!!!!! 

- Sentences to discuss in our next session:


Empower p 53. Key Word Transformations

Class Diary 24-Feb-2020



- In class:


READING AND USE OF ENGLISH

LISTENING

- HW:
________________________________________
4. Mediation: Write a review comparing two adverts. Useful vocabulary here:


Empower p 125. Adverts. Mediation

(180 words). Deadline 18 Dec

__________________________________________
- 7.

Empower p 41. Commenting on a Story. Written Mediation

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6. Empower p 41. Write a review of a place you have been to

(150 words). Deadline  17 Feb

________________________________________________

-Write a scrapbook after Christmas with the activities you did together with family and friends.

Empower p33. Writing: Christmas Scrapbook.

(180 words). Deadline 20 Jan

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- Book Fair:  (16 Dec) Speak for 5 minutes about the books or articles you are reading this year.
_____________________________________________________
- Presentation (Feb) Speak for 5 minutes about a topic (mediation).
_________________________________________________________ 
- Read an article/short story (weekly) (mediation). 
 __________________________________________________________

3rd term:
- Write a review comparing the two books you will have read this academic year. Deadline 23 Apr.
In your review you can include your favourite quotes from the books and add some explanations. In the final paragraph try to compare the two books you have read. You can also try to convince the reader that the books you have chosen should (not) be on the Reading List next year.  Useful language .

____________________________________________________________







- Announcements:

­- SPEAKING sessions:
Wednesdays 16-17 in room EOI 210
Thursdays 16-17 on the first floor (fish tank)
Thursdays 18-19 in room EOI 202

- What's on

- Exchange English- Spanish

END OF SECOND TERM!!!!!! 

- Sentences to discuss in our next session:

Review of the exams and make up tasks

Class Diary 19-Feb-2020


- In class:

Empower p 48. Key Word Transformations

p 49, 50, 51, 52


- HW:
- 7.

Empower p 41. Commenting on a Story. Written Mediation

6. Write a review of a place you have been to

(150 words). Deadline  17 Feb

- WB U3

-Write a scrapbook after Christmas with the activities you did together with family and friends. 

Empower p33. Writing: Christmas Scrapbook.

(180 words). Deadline 20 Jan



- Book Fair


- Write a review comparing the two books you will have read this academic year. Deadline 23 Apr.
In your review you can include your favourite quotes from the books and add some explanations. In the final paragraph try to compare the two books you have read. You can also try to convince the reader that the books you have chosen should (not) be on the Reading List next year.  Useful language .




- Read an article/short story (weekly).
- Book fair (16 Dec)
- Presentation (Feb) 


- Announcements:

­- SPEAKING sessions:
Wednesdays 16-17 in room EOI 210
Thursdays 16-17 on the first floor (fish tank)
Thursdays 18-19 in room EOI 202

- What's on

- Exchange English- Spanish

 
- Sentences to discuss in our next session:

READING AND USE OF ENGLISH

LISTENING

Class Diary 17-Feb-2020

- In class:

Empower p 47. Key Word Transformations

p 47, 48, 49


- HW:
- 7.

Empower p 41. Commenting on a Story. Written Mediation

6. Write a review of a place you have been to

(150 words). Deadline  17 Feb

- WB U3

-Write a scrapbook after Christmas with the activities you did together with family and friends. 

Empower p33. Writing: Christmas Scrapbook.

(180 words). Deadline 20 Jan



- Book Fair


- Write a review comparing the two books you will have read this academic year. Deadline 23 Apr.
In your review you can include your favourite quotes from the books and add some explanations. In the final paragraph try to compare the two books you have read. You can also try to convince the reader that the books you have chosen should (not) be on the Reading List next year.  Useful language .




- Read an article/short story (weekly).
- Book fair (16 Dec)
- Presentation (Feb) 


- Announcements:

­- SPEAKING sessions:
Wednesdays 16-17 in room EOI 210
Thursdays 16-17 on the first floor (fish tank)
Thursdays 18-19 in room EOI 202

- What's on

- Exchange English- Spanish

 
- Sentences to discuss in our next session:

Empower p 48. Key Word Transformations

Class Diary 12-Feb-2020





- In class:

Empower p 45. Key Word Transformations

p 46, 47


- HW:
- 7.

Empower p 41. Commenting on a Story. Written Mediation

6. Write a review of a place you have been to

(150 words). Deadline  17 Feb

- WB U3

-Write a scrapbook after Christmas with the activities you did together with family and friends. 

Empower p33. Writing: Christmas Scrapbook.

(180 words). Deadline 20 Jan



- Book Fair


- Write a review comparing the two books you will have read this academic year. Deadline 23 Apr.
In your review you can include your favourite quotes from the books and add some explanations. In the final paragraph try to compare the two books you have read. You can also try to convince the reader that the books you have chosen should (not) be on the Reading List next year.  Useful language .




- Read an article/short story (weekly).
- Book fair (16 Dec)
- Presentation (Feb) 


- Announcements:

­- SPEAKING sessions:
Wednesdays 16-17 in room EOI 210
Thursdays 16-17 on the first floor (fish tank)
Thursdays 18-19 in room EOI 202

- What's on

- Exchange English- Spanish

 
- Sentences to discuss in our next session:

Empower p 47. Key Word Transformations

Class Diary 10-Feb-2020




- In class:


Empower p 42. Key Word Transformations

p 45


- HW:
- 7.

Empower p 41. Commenting on a Story. Written Mediation

6. Write a review of a place you have been to

(150 words). Deadline  17 Feb

- WB U3

-Write a scrapbook after Christmas with the activities you did together with family and friends. 

Empower p33. Writing: Christmas Scrapbook.

(180 words). Deadline 20 Jan



- Book Fair


- Write a review comparing the two books you will have read this academic year. Deadline 23 Apr.
In your review you can include your favourite quotes from the books and add some explanations. In the final paragraph try to compare the two books you have read. You can also try to convince the reader that the books you have chosen should (not) be on the Reading List next year.  Useful language .




- Read an article/short story (weekly).
- Book fair (16 Dec)
- Presentation (Feb) 


- Announcements:

­- SPEAKING sessions:
Wednesdays 16-17 in room EOI 210
Thursdays 16-17 on the first floor (fish tank)
Thursdays 18-19 in room EOI 202

- What's on

- Exchange English- Spanish

 
- Sentences to discuss in our next session:

Empower p 45. Key Word Transformations

Speaking Production. Monologue. Sample Answers.

Shopping and consumerism:

  1. Why do people often buy things they don’t really need?

  2. How has online shopping changed consumer habits?

  3. Do you think consumerism has a negative impact on society?



The way we shop says a lot about the society we live in, and in today’s talk, I’d like to reflect on why people often buy unnecessary things, how online shopping has transformed consumer behavior, and whether consumerism does more harm than good. To put it simply, I’ll be exploring the emotional, technological, and social sides of consumption.

First of all, people frequently buy things they don’t need for emotional or psychological reasons. For example, some people shop to deal with stress, boredom, or even low self-esteem. In fact, advertising often plays on these feelings by creating the illusion that buying a product will make us happier or more successful. Another factor to consider is that modern life encourages instant gratification—people want things quickly, and they want to feel rewarded right away. As a result, buying becomes a way to fill emotional gaps, at least temporarily.

Moving on, online shopping has revolutionized how we consume. Unlike traditional shopping, it’s available 24/7, often cheaper, and incredibly convenient. Not surprisingly, this has led to a rise in impulse buying. What’s more, algorithms now suggest products based on our browsing history, which makes it even harder to resist temptation. To illustrate this, you might search for a pair of shoes once, and suddenly you’re seeing ads for shoes on every website you visit.

As for the final question, I do believe consumerism has several negative effects. For one thing, it encourages overproduction and waste, which is bad for the environment. In addition to that, it can increase social inequality—some people buy luxury goods just to show status, while others feel pressure to keep up. Let’s not forget that constant consumption can also lead to debt and dissatisfaction. Having said that, not all consumer habits are harmful—ethical and sustainable brands are gaining popularity, which is a step in the right direction.

To wrap up, people often buy for emotional reasons, online shopping has made spending easier than ever, and although consumerism has its downsides, it can be managed more responsibly. In the end, the key lies in becoming more conscious about what we buy, why we buy it, and how it affects both ourselves and the world around us.
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Education:

  1. What qualities make a good teacher?

  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of online learning?

  3. How might education change in the future?


Today I’d like to talk about education, focusing on what makes a good teacher, how online learning is changing the way we study, and what the future of education might look like. In other words, I’ll be sharing some thoughts on both traditional and modern approaches to learning, as well as how they may evolve.

Let’s start by looking at what makes a good teacher. From my point of view, a great teacher isn’t just someone who knows the subject well, but someone who can explain it clearly and engage students. More importantly, they need to be patient, approachable, and able to adapt to different learning styles. To illustrate this, I had a maths teacher who used games and real-life problems to make lessons more interesting, and that really helped me learn.

Turning to the second question, online learning has both pros and cons. On the positive side, it offers flexibility—students can study from anywhere and at their own pace. Besides, it can be more affordable and accessible for people in remote areas. That said, there are some clear disadvantages. One downside is that students may feel isolated or unmotivated without in-person interaction. In some cases, they may also struggle with technical issues or lack of structure.

Looking ahead, I believe education will continue to become more digital and personalized. There’s a strong possibility that artificial intelligence will be used to tailor lessons to each student’s level and learning speed. At the same time, soft skills like communication and teamwork will likely become more important, especially as technology takes over more routine tasks.

To conclude, I’ve talked about the qualities that define a good teacher, the benefits and drawbacks of online learning, and possible changes in the future of education. All things considered, I believe education is becoming more flexible and inclusive, but we still need to balance technology with human connection and support to make it truly effective.


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The environment:

  1. What are the most serious environmental problems today?

  2. What can individuals do to help protect the environment?

  3. Do you think governments are doing enough to address environmental issues?



To begin with, I believe that some of the most serious environmental problems today are climate change, pollution, and deforestation. In particular, the increase in greenhouse gas emissions has led to rising temperatures and more extreme weather events. Actually, we’re already seeing the effects—a case in point is the devastating wildfires and floods happening in various parts of the world.

What’s more, air and water pollution continue to be major concerns. For example, many cities struggle with poor air quality, which can lead to serious health problems. In fact, environmental issues are closely connected to public health, which is why they’re so urgent.

Moving on to the second question, I think individuals can make a big difference through small, consistent actions. To give you an example, using public transport or cycling instead of driving can reduce carbon emissions. Another key point is reducing waste—things like recycling, composting, or even just bringing your own bags to the supermarket. Not only that, but people can also influence others by raising awareness and supporting eco-friendly companies.

That brings me to the final question—whether governments are doing enough. To be honest, I think many are trying, but their actions are often too slow or too limited. Indeed, there are some promising steps, like international agreements and investments in renewable energy. However, we still see a lot of dependence on fossil fuels and weak enforcement of environmental regulations. In other words, the political will is there, but the follow-through is lacking.

To sum up, the environment faces serious threats, but both individuals and governments have a role to play. If you ask me, real change will only happen if both sides work together and act with urgency.



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Health:

1. Why do some people find it difficult to live a healthy lifestyle?


2. What role does mental health play in overall well-being?


3. How can governments encourage healthier habits in society?


Health is a topic that affects everyone, and today I’d like to explore a few key aspects of it: why living healthily can be challenging, why mental well-being is just as important as physical health, and what governments can do to help citizens make better lifestyle choices. Put simply, I’ll be discussing both personal and public perspectives on staying healthy in modern life.

To begin with, not everyone finds it easy to live a healthy lifestyle. One reason for this is that many people lead extremely busy lives and often prioritise convenience over nutrition or exercise. Take fast food, for example—it’s quick, cheap, and widely available, which makes it hard to resist, especially after a long day. In many cases, people also lack motivation or feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice about what’s “healthy.” As a consequence, they might give up before they even start making changes.

Now, when it comes to mental health, its importance cannot be overstated. To put it bluntly, if your mental health is poor, your physical health usually suffers too. Whether we’re talking about anxiety, depression, or simply feeling burnt out, these conditions can affect sleep, appetite, and energy levels. What’s often overlooked is that good mental health helps us stay motivated to exercise, eat well, and maintain relationships. Without it, even basic self-care can feel like a huge task.

Shifting focus to the third question, governments have a key role to play in promoting healthy habits. For instance, they can fund public campaigns that raise awareness about the dangers of smoking, poor diets, or sedentary lifestyles. In addition, they can implement policies that make healthy choices easier—like banning junk food ads aimed at children or offering tax breaks on gym memberships. Crucially, they should also invest in mental health services so that support is available before problems become serious.

In conclusion, living healthily isn’t always straightforward, but both individuals and governments have parts to play. On the one hand, people need to take responsibility for their own habits, while on the other hand, public systems should make it easier for people to make better choices. Ultimately, a balanced approach that considers both physical and mental well-being is the best way to build healthier societies.

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Technology:

1. How has technology changed the way we communicate?
2. What are the disadvantages of being too dependent on technology?
3. How do you think technology will develop in the future?


Technology plays a huge role in our daily lives, and today I’d like to explore how it’s changed the way we communicate, what problems can arise from relying on it too much, and how it might evolve in the future. To put it briefly, I’ll be looking at both the benefits and challenges that come with living in a digital world.

To begin with, communication has become much faster and more convenient thanks to technology. Nowadays, we can send a message across the world in seconds using apps like WhatsApp or Zoom. This has completely transformed not only personal relationships but also how we work and learn. For instance, remote working and video conferencing have made international collaboration much easier. At the same time, though, some people argue that digital communication lacks the emotional depth of face-to-face interaction.

As for the second question, being overly dependent on technology can have serious drawbacks. One major concern is that it can reduce our ability to think independently or solve problems without help. For example, many people rely on GPS for directions and wouldn’t know how to read a map if needed. Another issue is that excessive screen time can lead to health problems, such as poor sleep or reduced physical activity. In some cases, people even become addicted to their devices, which affects both productivity and mental well-being.

Turning to the final point, I believe technology will continue to advance at an incredible pace. In the coming years, we’re likely to see developments in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and automation. What this means is that tasks currently done by humans may eventually be taken over by machines. Having said that, I think there will still be a need for human skills—especially in areas like creativity, empathy, and critical thinking. Ultimately, the challenge will be finding a balance between using technology to improve our lives without losing the human touch.

In conclusion, while technology has brought huge improvements in the way we communicate, it also creates new challenges—especially when we depend on it too much. Looking ahead, I think the key will be using it wisely so that we can enjoy its benefits without letting it control us. All things considered, it’s up to us to make sure technology serves us—not the other way around.

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What would the ideal holiday destination for you be like?



Sample answer

To start with, the ideal holiday destination for me would be somewhere hot and sunny near the sea. Although I like the snow, I cannot ski, so going somewhere cold would not be much fun.

Ideally, I would like to visit a tropical island in the South Pacific such as Fiji or Vanuatu. This is because I have seen pictures of these places and their cultures look very interesting. As a matter of fact, in  Vanuatu they have an unusual bungee jumping ceremony that I would like to witness. Furthermore, I also enjoy swimming in the ocean, surfing and scuba diving.

For all these reasons a tropical island with crystal clear sea and sizeable waves would be perfect for me. I can't imagine a better place to go on holiday.


sizeable /ˈsaɪzəbəl/ adjective    fairly large . E.g. sizeable amount/number  a sizeable amount of money. sizeable proportion/portion/minority (of something)  Part-time students make up a sizeable proportion of the college population.

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Do you think it is important to take action to protect the oceans?

 


 

Sample answer:

 

First and foremost, we should all save our seas. Personally, I believe that it is essential that we do everything we can to protect our oceans and all the creatures in them for many reasons.

To begin with, we need the oceans to survive. Not only do our oceans produce more than half of the oxygen in the atmosphere, which is something that we cannot live without, but  the air we breathe, the water we drink and a lot of food that we eat also come from the them.

Secondly, the oceans are the lifeblood of our planet. Indeed, on Earth, all life is interdependent, which means that the more biologically diverse Earth is, the better the chance all species will have for survival. Therefore, losing species that live in our oceans would be disastrous.

To conclude, we must protect our oceans. If we don't start making positive changes now, we may soon lose our invaluable marine ecosystem forever

 

lifeblood /ˈlaɪfblʌd/ noun [uncountable]    1 the most important thing needed by an organization, relationship etc to continue to exist or develop successfully. E.g. lifeblood of  Communication is the lifeblood of a good marriage 

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What advice might you give to friends suffering from loneliness?

 


Sample answer:

 

In the first place, I would suggest that they join a club in their local community doing an activity they enjoy. As a matter of fact, meeting with people who share interests is a good way to make friends.

Second of all, I would also recommend that they take up a team sport or a hobby that involves other people since this is a good way to socialise with others. Not only would they get some exercise, they could also learn about team spirit and cooperation. Actually, these are forms of support that make everyone feel better.

Last but not least, I would also advise them to get a dog as pets are great company. In actual fact some pets, like dogs, need to be walked. This means that there is an opportunity to meet people this way.

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How important is it for students to gain some work experience?

 


Sample answer

 

To begin with, I would like to mention that it has been said that all experience is valuable. In my opinion, work experience is extremely valuable to students for a number of reasons.

Firstly, you can put it on a CV and use it to help you get job interviews. Undeniably,  A graduate who has some work experience is far more likely to get a job after university than someone who has none

Secondly, working while at university allows you to explore career options. For instance, you can find out whether or not a particular line of work suits you

Finally, working while studying has financial benefits. Not only will you be able to have some pocket money, but you will also avoid being burdened with so many debts when you leave university.

However, there is one disadvantage. It must be taken into account that working while studying reduces the time you have for your university work. Therefore, you need to have good time management skills.

In conclusion, I feel very strongly that work experience is vital to students. After all, it can only help them in life. 

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1. How has the idea of family changed since the past century?

2. The trouble with most children nowadays is that their parents are too easy with them. Do you agree? 

3. What's the best way to raise your children? 

 


 

 



Sample answer

The topic I would like to discuss with you today is the one of family and relationships. More specifically, I would like to focus on an area that I consider particularly interesting. It is how the concepts of family and relationships in general have changed in our lifetime.

To start with, I would like to reflect on how families have evolved since the times of our grandparents. As strange as it might seem today, our grandparents' generation believed that having children meant an increase in their workforce and therefore they embraced the idea of having many of them. So, the more children they had, the more work could be carried out in the fields. As a matter of fact, my grandparents were farmers and all family members were supposed to lend a helping hand and shoulder the burden of the daily farm chores.

Nowadays, however, we tend to have fewer children. Evidently, we no longer see them as workforce. Quite the opposite, we have become aware that they need our constant attention and a lot of TLC (tender, loving care).  Additionally,  we also enjoy an extended life expectancy. People live definitely longer and this has of course influenced family structures. We even have coined a new term, the so-called  "Beanpole family", which describes a multi-generational family that is thinly stretched over several generations, with fewer family members in each generation and with growing numbers of single-parent families.

In addition to family size, a further point to discuss is family types. At the time of our grandparents you would just find the most traditional families. Our generation, on the other hand, has witnessed the emergence of a much wider range of family structures. A case in point is the single-parent families, which have become  more common in recent years. Another family type to consider is the rainbow families, which include same-sex families and gender-diverse families. Apart from these, there is also the blended family, a family consisting of a couple, the children they have had together, and their children from previous relationships. Finally, another family type that has gained prominence recently is the foster family, which takes a child into their home for a while and takes care of him or her. In any case, what we should bear in mind is that there is no such thing as 'normal' or 'abnormal' family structures – we are all equal and love is what really makes a family.

 

Another area to consider, is our children's upbringing. There are mainly two types of parenting, helicopter parenting and free-range parenting. In The former parents pay extremely close attention to their children's experiences and problems. And the latter advocates encouraging independence in children. These parents believe that over-protectiveness is a danger in itself. Indeed, a child who thinks he cannot do anything on his own eventually can't. As the popular saying goes "either if you say you can or you can't you are always right.

Obviously, these two types of parenting lead us to a dilemma. Are we living in a risk-averse culture where we stifle our children's ability to deal with danger by never allowing them to take reasonable risks? Does our society mollycoddle its children? Or do free-range parents expose their children to real and unnecessary danger? What do you think?

In conclusion, our generation has witnessed a major shift in not only the area of family size and structure but also in the emergence of unconventional family types. Likewise, today's parents are in a quandary over whether in our modern times  they should rear their children in a protective or permissive way. In any case, at this moment in time, we have all become perfectly aware that we are propelling our children to an unpredictable future.  So, as long as they have the skills to fend for themselves, we as a society should feel proud and contented.

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 Family. Monologue Practice. Word Formation 

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Science and Technology. Monologue. Sample Answer. Word Formation

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