Some days ago one of my colleagues at school suggested me to insert Alejandro Sanz' video of his latest hit 'Looking for paradise' in this blog.
I hope you all will enjoy it.
viernes, 13 de noviembre de 2009
domingo, 8 de noviembre de 2009
20th anniversary of the Fall of Berlin Wall: 9th Nov., 1989
"During a revolutionary wave sweeping across the Eastern Bloc, the East German government announced on November 9, 1989, after several weeks of civil unrest, that all GDR citizens could visit West Germany and West Berlin. Crowds of East Germans climbed onto and crossed the wall, joined by West Germans on the other side in a celebratory atmosphere. Over the next few weeks, parts of the wall were chipped away by a euphoric public and by souvenir hunters; industrial equipment was later used to remove almost all of the rest. The fall of the Berlin Wall paved the way for German reunification, which was formally concluded on October 3, 1990."
From www.wikipedia.com
From www.wikipedia.com
miércoles, 8 de julio de 2009
Guía para aprender idiomas más fácil y mejor
Esta guía procede de la EOI de Pamplona. I hope you will enjoy it.
Guia Alumnos Eoipamplona
View more documents from blancoja2003.
sábado, 27 de junio de 2009
Michael Jackson - Black or White (1991)
In 1991 I was doing my second year at university. One day I watched this video on TV at home. I really liked it because of the great variety of cultures it shows and because I think it gives us a message of respect to the different races all over the world. You can enjoy this video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OK8SO0lT8U0&feature=related
sábado, 20 de junio de 2009
Day of Spanish Language
Today is the Day of Spanish language. This day is organized by Instituto Cervantes all over the world.
I hope you'll enjoy this video:
- The best video clips are right here
I hope you'll enjoy this video:
- The best video clips are right here
lunes, 25 de mayo de 2009
Pilgrimage of El Rocío (Almonte, Huelva, Spain)
Romeria del Rocio, Huelva
Here you can find an example of how some Anglo-Saxon people explain El Rocío to their fellow citizens: [You may agree or disagree with those explanations, however, you can find useful vocabulary to talk about it]
"Bridle those oxen and tie some flowers on your cart--it's time to make a dusty pilgrimage to the Andalusian countryside for Spain's biggest festival--the Romeria Del Rocio. Up to one million people are expected to travel to the marshes near the mouth of the Guadalquivir River to sing, eat, dance and pay homage to the Virgen del Rocio.
And while the religious fanaticism will be kicked into overdrive for the next few days, the Romerio is also a chance have some serious Spanish fun. Many of the participants are city-dwellers from Seville, Madrid and Barcelona who have come to spend time with nature and to get in touch with their roots.
The Virgen Del Rocio has been celebrated at this isolated site for over 800 years, and since 1758 the Romeria Del Rocio has been celebrated at Whitsun , the fiftieth day after Easter Sunday. There are really two parts to this celebration, the festival in Almonte and the actual pilgrimage that starts several days before. As with many Spanish festivals, the Romeria is a blend of Catholic and local pagan beliefs.
The Virgen Del Rocio has been the patron saint of Almonte since the 15th century, when a hunter found a statue of the Virgin Mary in a tree trunk near the marshes. The devoted claim her intense powers can cure disease, infertility and mental disorders.
The pilgrimage is a pretty traditional affair. Hundreds of "brotherhoods" from the surrounding villages and towns organise the processions that all end up in Almonte. Travellers (or "romeros") come from all over Andalucia on foot, on horseback or by cart. No motorised vehicles are allowed. Most of these pilgrims wear traditional clothes, women in bright gypsy-inspired flamenco dresses and men in the unique wide-brimmed "bolero" hats and short-cropped jackets associated with Andalusia. As they get closer to Almonte, the pilgrims camp out in the fields and forests of the surrounding Donana National Park.
All the romeros arrive in the village of Almonte just before dawn, and then the festivities really kick into gear. Accompanied by tambourines, flutes and guitars, the entire group strolls across the broad plains to the El Rocio shrine in the nearby marshes. Almonte's elite "Hermandad Matriz" brotherhood carries along a large silver shrine that contains an effigy of the Virgen. The sound of firecrackers fills the air as the crowds cry "Viva la Reina de la Marisma" ("Long live the Queen of the Marshes"). Once everyone arrives at the shrine, mass is recited and the Virgen is paraded around the dusty fields for several more hours.
For the next couple of days, the scene at El Rocio resembles a makeshift camp-out, a carnival, and a family reunion all at the same time. The crowds sing traditional songs and dance together in the fields. Snacks of tortilla, jamon, prawns and fried peppers are sold along with plenty of local wine and sherry. First-time pilgrims "baptise" themselves by dipping their hats in water and dousing themselves. In a day or so, the crowds will disperse and the fields of El Rocio will become quiet again."
Here you can find an example of how some Anglo-Saxon people explain El Rocío to their fellow citizens: [You may agree or disagree with those explanations, however, you can find useful vocabulary to talk about it]
"Bridle those oxen and tie some flowers on your cart--it's time to make a dusty pilgrimage to the Andalusian countryside for Spain's biggest festival--the Romeria Del Rocio. Up to one million people are expected to travel to the marshes near the mouth of the Guadalquivir River to sing, eat, dance and pay homage to the Virgen del Rocio.
And while the religious fanaticism will be kicked into overdrive for the next few days, the Romerio is also a chance have some serious Spanish fun. Many of the participants are city-dwellers from Seville, Madrid and Barcelona who have come to spend time with nature and to get in touch with their roots.
The Virgen Del Rocio has been celebrated at this isolated site for over 800 years, and since 1758 the Romeria Del Rocio has been celebrated at Whitsun , the fiftieth day after Easter Sunday. There are really two parts to this celebration, the festival in Almonte and the actual pilgrimage that starts several days before. As with many Spanish festivals, the Romeria is a blend of Catholic and local pagan beliefs.
The Virgen Del Rocio has been the patron saint of Almonte since the 15th century, when a hunter found a statue of the Virgin Mary in a tree trunk near the marshes. The devoted claim her intense powers can cure disease, infertility and mental disorders.
The pilgrimage is a pretty traditional affair. Hundreds of "brotherhoods" from the surrounding villages and towns organise the processions that all end up in Almonte. Travellers (or "romeros") come from all over Andalucia on foot, on horseback or by cart. No motorised vehicles are allowed. Most of these pilgrims wear traditional clothes, women in bright gypsy-inspired flamenco dresses and men in the unique wide-brimmed "bolero" hats and short-cropped jackets associated with Andalusia. As they get closer to Almonte, the pilgrims camp out in the fields and forests of the surrounding Donana National Park.
All the romeros arrive in the village of Almonte just before dawn, and then the festivities really kick into gear. Accompanied by tambourines, flutes and guitars, the entire group strolls across the broad plains to the El Rocio shrine in the nearby marshes. Almonte's elite "Hermandad Matriz" brotherhood carries along a large silver shrine that contains an effigy of the Virgen. The sound of firecrackers fills the air as the crowds cry "Viva la Reina de la Marisma" ("Long live the Queen of the Marshes"). Once everyone arrives at the shrine, mass is recited and the Virgen is paraded around the dusty fields for several more hours.
For the next couple of days, the scene at El Rocio resembles a makeshift camp-out, a carnival, and a family reunion all at the same time. The crowds sing traditional songs and dance together in the fields. Snacks of tortilla, jamon, prawns and fried peppers are sold along with plenty of local wine and sherry. First-time pilgrims "baptise" themselves by dipping their hats in water and dousing themselves. In a day or so, the crowds will disperse and the fields of El Rocio will become quiet again."
domingo, 17 de mayo de 2009
Eurovision Song Contest 2009
The Eurovision Song Contest (French: Concours Eurovision de la Chanson) is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition. Each country participates via one of their national EBU-member television stations, whose task it is to select a singer and a song to represent their country in the international competition. The Contest has been broadcast every year since its inauguration in 1956 and is one of the longest-running television programmes in the world. It is also one of the most-watched non-sporting events in the world, with audience figures having been quoted in recent years as anything between 100 million and 600 million internationally. Eurovision has also been broadcast outside Europe to such places as Australia, Canada, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Jordan, New Zealand, South Korea and the USA, despite the fact that these countries do not compete. Since the year 2000, the Contest has also been broadcast over the Internet, with more than 74,000 people in almost 140 countries having watched the 2006 edition online. [From www.wikipedia.org]
I liked the singers and song by Azerbaijan a lot. I hope you'll enjoy them:
Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition. Each country participates via one of their national EBU-member television stations, whose task it is to select a singer and a song to represent their country in the international competition. The Contest has been broadcast every year since its inauguration in 1956 and is one of the longest-running television programmes in the world. It is also one of the most-watched non-sporting events in the world, with audience figures having been quoted in recent years as anything between 100 million and 600 million internationally. Eurovision has also been broadcast outside Europe to such places as Australia, Canada, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Jordan, New Zealand, South Korea and the USA, despite the fact that these countries do not compete. Since the year 2000, the Contest has also been broadcast over the Internet, with more than 74,000 people in almost 140 countries having watched the 2006 edition online. [From www.wikipedia.org]
I liked the singers and song by Azerbaijan a lot. I hope you'll enjoy them:
sábado, 9 de mayo de 2009
Today is Europe Day
On the 9th of May 1950, Robert Schuman presented his proposal on the creation of an organised Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations.
This proposal, known as the "Schuman declaration", is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union.
Today, the 9th of May has become a European symbol (Europe Day) which, along with the flag, the anthem, the motto and the single currency (the euro), identifies the political entity of the European Union. Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and peoples of the Union closer to one another.
Enjoy your weekend
This proposal, known as the "Schuman declaration", is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union.
Today, the 9th of May has become a European symbol (Europe Day) which, along with the flag, the anthem, the motto and the single currency (the euro), identifies the political entity of the European Union. Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and peoples of the Union closer to one another.
Enjoy your weekend
jueves, 9 de abril de 2009
The Holy Week in Seville
Holy Week in Seville (Semana Santa en Sevilla) is one of the most important traditional events of the city. It is celebrated in the week leading up to Easter, one to two weeks before the city's other great celebration, the Feria, and is amongst the largest religious events within Spain, internationally renowned for its drama. The week features the procession of pasos, floats of lifelike wooden sculptures of individual scenes of the events of the Passion, or images of the Virgin Mary showing restrained grief for the torture and killing of her son. Some of the sculptures are of great antiquity and are considered artistic masterpieces.
During Holy Week, the city is crowded with residents and visitors, drawn by the spectacle and atmosphere. The impact is particularly strong for the Catholic community.
The processions are organised by hermandades and cofradías, religious brotherhoods. During the processions, members precede the pasos (of which there are up to three in each procession) dressed in penitential robes, and, with few exceptions, hoods. They may also be accompanied by brass bands.
The processions work along the shortest route from the home churches and chapels to the Cathedral, usually via a central viewing area and back. The processions from the suburban barrios may take 14 hours to return to their home churches.
As of 2007, a total of 59 processions are scheduled for the week, from Palm Sunday through to Easter Sunday morning. The climax of the week is the night of Maundy Thursday, when the most popular processions set out to arrive at the Cathedral on the dawn of Good Friday, known as the madrugá.
[From www.wikipedia.org]
During Holy Week, the city is crowded with residents and visitors, drawn by the spectacle and atmosphere. The impact is particularly strong for the Catholic community.
The processions are organised by hermandades and cofradías, religious brotherhoods. During the processions, members precede the pasos (of which there are up to three in each procession) dressed in penitential robes, and, with few exceptions, hoods. They may also be accompanied by brass bands.
The processions work along the shortest route from the home churches and chapels to the Cathedral, usually via a central viewing area and back. The processions from the suburban barrios may take 14 hours to return to their home churches.
As of 2007, a total of 59 processions are scheduled for the week, from Palm Sunday through to Easter Sunday morning. The climax of the week is the night of Maundy Thursday, when the most popular processions set out to arrive at the Cathedral on the dawn of Good Friday, known as the madrugá.
[From www.wikipedia.org]
domingo, 22 de marzo de 2009
'All you need is love' by The Beatles
Yesterday I visited Seville. It's nice to see everybody walking in the streets and enjoying the evening. I wish you all a happy spring:) First year exams will take place at the end of may, and third year exams will take place at the beginning of june.
Enjoy this video by The Beatles:
Enjoy this video by The Beatles:
martes, 10 de febrero de 2009
"Air, con el carair" by The Yuyu
Some English in the Carnival of Cadiz by the Yuyu's chirigota:)
On Wednesday 11th February, on Canal Sur TV you can watch a summary of the carnival contest in The Falla Theatre in Cai.
On Wednesday 11th February, on Canal Sur TV you can watch a summary of the carnival contest in The Falla Theatre in Cai.
viernes, 6 de febrero de 2009
'Irresistible' by The Corrs
Today one of my students asked me in class to place this video on this blog. We listened to it in class and commented on the use of different adjectives. I hope you will enjoy it.
domingo, 25 de enero de 2009
The Carnival of Cadiz
The Carnival of Cádiz is one of the best known carnivals in the world.
(from the wikipedia)
The city of Cádiz is often considered to have the funniest people in Spain. The whole city lives the carnival for more than two weeks and the presence of this fiesta is almost constant in the city throughout the year with the rehearsals, representations and contests. The feeling of this carnival is the sharp criticism, the funny play on words and the imagination in the costumes, more than the glamorous dressings. It is traditional to paint the face with lipstick as a humble substitute of a mask. It is easy to get involved in the fiesta even not knowing the language and to live the Carnival. On Saturday everyone wears a costume, which many times is related to the most polemical news. However, the Cádiz Carnival is famous mainly for the satirical groups called chirigotas, their music and their lyrics.
(from the wikipedia)
The city of Cádiz is often considered to have the funniest people in Spain. The whole city lives the carnival for more than two weeks and the presence of this fiesta is almost constant in the city throughout the year with the rehearsals, representations and contests. The feeling of this carnival is the sharp criticism, the funny play on words and the imagination in the costumes, more than the glamorous dressings. It is traditional to paint the face with lipstick as a humble substitute of a mask. It is easy to get involved in the fiesta even not knowing the language and to live the Carnival. On Saturday everyone wears a costume, which many times is related to the most polemical news. However, the Cádiz Carnival is famous mainly for the satirical groups called chirigotas, their music and their lyrics.
sábado, 17 de enero de 2009
Curso de Principiantes gratuito de inglés
Yesterday one of my students told me about a course for beginners and children. I found this course by using google:
http://www.ompersonal.com.ar/omkids/presentacion.htm
Enjoy yourself
http://www.ompersonal.com.ar/omkids/presentacion.htm
Enjoy yourself
jueves, 15 de enero de 2009
The Europass Language Passport
Happy New Year to everybody!
Portfolio europeo de las lenguas
(De Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre)
El Portfolio Europeo de las Lenguas (PEL) es un documento personal potenciado por el Consejo de Europa, en el que el usuario o alumno que está aprendiendo una lengua - bien en un contexto escolar o fuera de él - puede consignar sus experiencias de aprendizaje, reflexionar sobre ellas marcándose objetivos y autoevaluarse utilizando los parámetros del Marco Europeo de Referencia para las lenguas.
En enero de 2006 ha comenzado en Andalucía, en 25 centros de todos los niveles educativos, la experimentación del Portfolio Europeo de las Lenguas. Tras un año de trabajo y formación, la comisión de experimentadores, nombrada por la Consejería de Educación, ha comenzado a trabajar en los centros con su respectivo alumnado, para llevar a cabo su implementación. Esta iniciativa del Consejo de Europa, apoyada por el Plan de Fomento del Plurilingüismo y puesta en marcha en colaboración con el Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, tiene por objeto fundamental, además de una función informativa que favorezca la movilidad del alumnado en Europa, el de mejorar y actualizar los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje de las lenguas, basados en la comunicación y el uso, propiciando, a la vez, una reflexión y autoevaluación por parte del alumnado sobre estos procesos, así como la potenciación de los valores interculturales. Los resultados de esta experimentación servirán de punto de partida para una aplicación más generalizada a medio plazo, especialmente en el ámbito de los Centros Bilingües. Asimismo, se abrirá una línea de investigación sobre el Portfolio Electrónico, para descubrir cómo se puede desarrollar a través de las TIC y así poder llegar a una mayor generalización en el sistema educativo. Más información en la web del Portfolio Europeo de las Lenguas, del MEC.
The Europass Language Passport
What is it?
The Europass Language Passport allows you to describe your language skills, skills that are vital for learning and working in Europe.
The Europass Language Passport was developed by the Council of Europe as part of the European Language Portfolio which consists of three documents: the Language Passport, the Language Biography and the Dossier.
Portfolio europeo de las lenguas
(De Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre)
El Portfolio Europeo de las Lenguas (PEL) es un documento personal potenciado por el Consejo de Europa, en el que el usuario o alumno que está aprendiendo una lengua - bien en un contexto escolar o fuera de él - puede consignar sus experiencias de aprendizaje, reflexionar sobre ellas marcándose objetivos y autoevaluarse utilizando los parámetros del Marco Europeo de Referencia para las lenguas.
En enero de 2006 ha comenzado en Andalucía, en 25 centros de todos los niveles educativos, la experimentación del Portfolio Europeo de las Lenguas. Tras un año de trabajo y formación, la comisión de experimentadores, nombrada por la Consejería de Educación, ha comenzado a trabajar en los centros con su respectivo alumnado, para llevar a cabo su implementación. Esta iniciativa del Consejo de Europa, apoyada por el Plan de Fomento del Plurilingüismo y puesta en marcha en colaboración con el Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, tiene por objeto fundamental, además de una función informativa que favorezca la movilidad del alumnado en Europa, el de mejorar y actualizar los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje de las lenguas, basados en la comunicación y el uso, propiciando, a la vez, una reflexión y autoevaluación por parte del alumnado sobre estos procesos, así como la potenciación de los valores interculturales. Los resultados de esta experimentación servirán de punto de partida para una aplicación más generalizada a medio plazo, especialmente en el ámbito de los Centros Bilingües. Asimismo, se abrirá una línea de investigación sobre el Portfolio Electrónico, para descubrir cómo se puede desarrollar a través de las TIC y así poder llegar a una mayor generalización en el sistema educativo. Más información en la web del Portfolio Europeo de las Lenguas, del MEC.
The Europass Language Passport
What is it?
The Europass Language Passport allows you to describe your language skills, skills that are vital for learning and working in Europe.
The Europass Language Passport was developed by the Council of Europe as part of the European Language Portfolio which consists of three documents: the Language Passport, the Language Biography and the Dossier.
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