School trip to Gibraltar

Next week we are going to Gibraltar on a school trip. You know that you will have to work in groups and do a special Gymkhana during the visit. It will be really funny and it will give you the opportunity to be in direct contact with British people. You are encouraged to speak English with them and ask questions to complete your task.

Some questions are very easy but some others involve a deeper knowledge on Gibraltar. For this reason, you may want to have some information prior to the trip. I provide a series of links for you to start investigating:

Government of Gibraltar
Gibraltar: Wikipedia
Gibraltar: Tourism

Finally, when I was looking for a nice picture to show you Gibraltar's monkeys, I found something that made me feel really sad and terrified. It is a piece of news that announces that there has been and there is going to be a monkeys' cull (slaughter). They say that two of them have already been given lethal injections and vets have been ordered to kill another 23. The reason can be that some of these monkeys have vandalised hotel rooms and have run amok on a beach. (Click here and here for the news).

I am an animal lover and I consider that killing should be the last measure to take. These monkeys can be taken to a diffent place, a zoo for example, if they do not fit in The Rock anymore. I hope there is a better solution for this problem.
Look at these pictures, aren't they cute?

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My office

We all spend a lot of time at work and want our work environment to be nice. Where do I work and what is it like?

Find out by doing these four exercises:

Exercise 1: Match the words with the definitions.

Exercise 2: Click on the expressions you hear.
Exercise 3: Mix and match the expressions. Listen and check.
Exercise 4: Complete the script, then listen and check your answers.

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Thank you too! Let's go to Gibraltar, baby!

Thanks a lot, students from 1º Bachillerato A. The cake was delicious and the message really funny! You will enjoy your trip to Gibraltar, I'm sure.

I published a post on Gibraltar some time ago, click here to read it.

Lots of love,
Marisa.
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Thank you!!!

My dear students, thanks a lot for the wonderful birthday party you made today for me!

I am really touched and happy! The cake was delicious, mmmm!!!! A chocolate cake!!! And thanks for the card and the chocolate bar!!!

Many kisses and lots of love!

Marisa.

Color word jumble

Read the colour of the words below, not the actual words. Try to do it as fast as you can. Is it easy or difficult? This is called the "Stroop Effect", named after J. Ridley Stroop, who discovered this strange phenomenon in the 1930s. For more information of the Stroop Effect, click here. (Wikipedia).

Saint Valentine's Cards at our school

First of all, congratulations for your contribution to the contest. We have more than one hundred cards in only three groups: 4th ESO A, 1st BACHILLERATO A and 1st BACHILLERATO B!!! You've done a great job!

I wish you all a Happy Saint Valentine's Day!

Some Famous English Quotes III

“Not all those who wander are lost.”
J.R.R. Tolkien

“Smiles form the channels of a future tear.”
Lord Byron

“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.”
John Lennon

“Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong.”
Mahatma Gandhi

“I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.”
Jane Austen

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Saint Valentine's Card Contest

Make Your Own Saint Valentine's Day Cards

As you know, on February 14 we celebrate Saint Valentine's Day. I want you, my students, to show your feelings to your friends, boyfriends, girlfriends or even teachers. You are encouraged to make a Saint Valentine's card and hand it in before February 12. Remember to do it in English, you can include a poem, a quote, a drawing, etc.

The easiest way to make a Saint Valentine's Day card is to fold a sheet of paper in half and decorate it. Does it sound boring? Well, it doesn't have to be. There are several fun options for decorating cards.

Use your imagination to create fancy St. Valentine's Day cards and win the contest for the most loving, touching, shocking, fabulous, and above all, original Saint Valentine’s Card!

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Saint Valentine's Day (14th February)

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball.

Reading comprehension activity:
Click on this link for one of the stories.
Now, you can answer some questions on the story here.

Source and other stories: http://www.pictureframes.co.uk/pages/saint_valentine.htm

Isabel's ESL activities and links
21 Reasons Why I Love You
Love calculator
I love you in various languages
Valentine's Day resources St. Valentine's cards

Joaquín Sorolla, "Walk on the beach"

Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (February 27, 1863 - August 10, 1923), was a Spanish painter, born in Valencia, who excelled in the painting of portraits, landscapes, and monumental works of social and historical themes. His most typical works are characterized by a dexterous representation of the people and landscape under the sunlight of his native land.

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"Walk on the beach" is one of my favourite paintings and, although it has nothing to do with English, I wanted to have it here and share it with all of you. I hope you like it too!
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