ABOUT PHRASAL VERBS

What are phrasal verbs? a phrasal verb consists of a base verb, e.g. catch or look, and one or two particles
(adverb or preposition), e.g. on or to. There are three main types of phrasal verb: 1 phrasal verbs with no object (intransitive). 2 phrasal verbs which take an object (transitive) and are separable. 3 phrasal verbs which take an object but cannot be separated by the object. These verbs may have one or two particles.
To keep on reading go to the following link: Phrasal verbs types and theory

Here you can also download the power point we've gone through in class, so that you can compile vocabulary you will need further on: Power Point about phrasal verbs

WEATHER FORECAST

What is the weather like in your hometown during different seasons of the year (temperatures, precipitation, humidity, etc.)? With this activity you will hear the weather forecast and do some activities to check your understanding. Furthermore, you can practice for your oral presentation when you become a weather forecaster. Click on the link below and do the simple activities for futher practicing. KEEP GOING!!!

Learning English teens - weather forecast

OLD WIVES' TALES

Old wives tale is an expression used to indicate that a supposed truth is actually a superstition or something untrue, to be ridiculed. It can be said sometimes to be a type of urban legend, said to be passed down by older women to a younger generation. Such "tales" are considered superstition, folklore or unverified claims with exaggerated and/or inaccurate details. 

To download the Power Point for the activity click on the following link: Old Wives' tales

POWER POINT OF VERB PATTERNS

When we use more than one verb in a sentence there are specific patterns, e.g. the infinitive to or –ing, that follow the first verb.
Look at this example:
"My friend suggested watching a dvd at home, but I want to go out.
The verb ‘suggested’ is followed by an –ing form of the next verb (gerund) and the verb ‘want’ is followed by the infinitive to.
Certain verbs can be followed by either a gerund or the infinitive with a difference in meaning. Some of these verbs are: forget, remember, stop, try.
Look at the first example:
"I forgot to say goodbye" Explanation: I didn’t say goodbye.
"I forgot saying goodbye" Explanation: I said goodbye, but I can’t remember that I did.

To download the PPT of the unit go to the link
For ann activity online: BBC flatmates
For a complete list of different verb patterns: Verb patterns list

In English we have many rules when it comes to using two verbs together in the same phrase. Verb patterns are the way you are going to use the second verb when it is dependent on the first verb. For example:

I like drinking green tea after dinner or I like to drink green tea after dinner

In this example you’ll see that in one of them I am using the “ing form” and in the other I’m using the “to infinitive.” In this example both forms are correct and both forms mean the exact same thing.
What’s so difficult about that???
Sure, it seems quite easy so far, but the verb “like” is an example of a verb that can be used with either form and the meaning doesn’t change. If I was to change the first verb from “like” and use the verb “stop,” this same rule, or pattern,  would not be the same and the meaning would change. For example:

I stopped drinking water when exercising or I stopped to drink water when exercising

In this example, both phrases are correct but they have different meanings. In the first, I have stopped the activity of “drinking water,” and in the second, I have stopped what I was doing (exercising) to drink water.
So, now you can see that depending on the first verb that I use, I have to know what form I will use with the verb that follows.
- See more at: http://reallifeglobal.com/english-grammar-made-easy-how-to-use-verb-patterns/#sthash.144M702g.dpuf

In English we have many rules when it comes to using two verbs together in the same phrase. Verb patterns are the way you are going to use the second verb when it is dependent on the first verb. For example:

I like drinking green tea after dinner or I like to drink green tea after dinner

In this example you’ll see that in one of them I am using the “ing form” and in the other I’m using the “to infinitive.” In this example both forms are correct and both forms mean the exact same thing.
What’s so difficult about that???
Sure, it seems quite easy so far, but the verb “like” is an example of a verb that can be used with either form and the meaning doesn’t change. If I was to change the first verb from “like” and use the verb “stop,” this same rule, or pattern,  would not be the same and the meaning would change. For example:

I stopped drinking water when exercising or I stopped to drink water when exercising

In this example, both phrases are correct but they have different meanings. In the first, I have stopped the activity of “drinking water,” and in the second, I have stopped what I was doing (exercising) to drink water.
So, now you can see that depending on the first verb that I use, I have to know what form I will use with the verb that follows.
- See more at: http://reallifeglobal.com/english-grammar-made-easy-how-to-use-verb-patterns/#sthash.144M702g.dpuf

In English we have many rules when it comes to using two verbs together in the same phrase. Verb patterns are the way you are going to use the second verb when it is dependent on the first verb. For example:

I like drinking green tea after dinner or I like to drink green tea after dinner

In this example you’ll see that in one of them I am using the “ing form” and in the other I’m using the “to infinitive.” In this example both forms are correct and both forms mean the exact same thing.
What’s so difficult about that???
Sure, it seems quite easy so far, but the verb “like” is an example of a verb that can be used with either form and the meaning doesn’t change. If I was to change the first verb from “like” and use the verb “stop,” this same rule, or pattern,  would not be the same and the meaning would change. For example:

I stopped drinking water when exercising or I stopped to drink water when exercising

In this example, both phrases are correct but they have different meanings. In the first, I have stopped the activity of “drinking water,” and in the second, I have stopped what I was doing (exercising) to drink water.
So, now you can see that depending on the first verb that I use, I have to know what form I will use with the verb that follows.
- See more at: http://reallifeglobal.com/english-grammar-made-easy-how-to-use-verb-patterns/#sthash.144M702g.dpuf

In English we have many rules when it comes to using two verbs together in the same phrase. Verb patterns are the way you are going to use the second verb when it is dependent on the first verb. For example:

I like drinking green tea after dinner or I like to drink green tea after dinner

In this example you’ll see that in one of them I am using the “ing form” and in the other I’m using the “to infinitive.” In this example both forms are correct and both forms mean the exact same thing.
What’s so difficult about that???
Sure, it seems quite easy so far, but the verb “like” is an example of a verb that can be used with either form and the meaning doesn’t change. If I was to change the first verb from “like” and use the verb “stop,” this same rule, or pattern,  would not be the same and the meaning would change. For example:

I stopped drinking water when exercising or I stopped to drink water when exercising

In this example, both phrases are correct but they have different meanings. In the first, I have stopped the activity of “drinking water,” and in the second, I have stopped what I was doing (exercising) to drink water.
So, now you can see that depending on the first verb that I use, I have to know what form I will use with the verb that follows.
- See more at: http://reallifeglobal.com/english-grammar-made-easy-how-to-use-verb-patterns/#sthash.144M702g.dpuf

CREATE AVATARS AND REVISE VOCABULARY

Do you want to create your own avatar? This is what we've done in class. Good stuff to revise parts of the body and adjectives to describe people's appearance for this UNIT 1. Furthermore, if you have a facebook account you can tune it with your created avatar. Go ahead, it's good fun!! To go to this website click on this link: Create an avatar

Or on this other: Downloadable avatar

This link will download the avatars yau've made in class to practice your description. You'll also find some handy vocabulary. Click on it and... do your best!!!
1º ESO class avatars

Verb to be online activities and games

The verb to be is the most irregular verb in the English language. It is normally a linking verb showing existence or the condition of the subject. It can also be used as an auxiliary verb when forming the passive voice. In this entry you will find some activities online for practising and games which help you consolidate this structure. HAVE SOME FUN!!ç

For activities online, visit the following sites: 

eclecticenglish

agendaweb
For question words: ESL Games+

For to be games: 

britishcouncil

Anglomaniac

STATIVE AND DYNAMIC VERBS

Verbs in English can be classified into two categories: stative verbs and dynamic verbs. Dynamic verbs (sometimes referred to as "action verbs") usually describe actions we can take, or things that happen; stative verbs usually refer to a state or condition which is not changing or likely to change. The difference is important, because stative verbs cannot normally be used in the continuous (BE + ING) forms. This will explain the differences between the two types of verb, and give lots of examples of each kind.

If you wnat to have some practice on this with some exercises and their key, download this document: Dynamic and stative verbs: rules, examples, exercises and answers

For some practice online, visit this website: My English pages.Or this other one: Perfect English grammar

For some online translation practice in Present Simple/Continuous: check this other site: Translation in English

To download your homework: Stative verbs homework

PRESENT SIMPLE VS. PRESENT CONTINUOUS

In this lesson we are going to compare the present simple and  present continuous tense. We are going to study the differences and do exercises together. It is a very common problem to confuse these to tenses.
Many students from Spain have problems in choosing the correct form of the verb when we talk about the “present”. Such problems arise because they translate from Spanish to English directly without paying attention to the communicative uses.
Here you can find exercises where you must work on the recognition between the two presents, both simple and continuous, and we'll check them out in class on Tuesday. GOOD LUCK!!

To download the activities: Present Simple vs. Present Continuous exercises

STATIVE VERBS LIST
Some verbs are only (or mostly) used in simple tens es, and are not used in continuous tenses. An example of a simple tense is the present simple, or the past simple. An example of a continuous tense is the present continuous or past continuous. These verbs are called stative, or state verbs. A verb which isn’t stative is called a dynamic verb, and is usually an action. Often stative verbs are about liking or disliking something, or about a mental state, not about an action.

To download the stative verbs list, go to the following link: Stative Verbs List

For online activities:
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Exercise 4

BIKE SAFETY

It's a beautiful day — the sun is shining, the birds are chirping. What could be more perfect than a bike ride? But wait! Before you pull your bike out of the garage, let's find out how to stay safe on two wheels.

To you, that you ride a bike and enjoy long rides, here you have interesting tips for you to move completely calm, wherever you go. On wheels we go faster and we must also be more secure. Do you know how? Then answer these quizes!

Educating road-bike test 1
Educating road-bike test 2

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The term "citizenship" refers to an identity between a person and a city, state or nation and their right to work, live and participate politically in a particular geographic area. When combined with the term "global", it typically defines a person who places their identity with a "global community" above their identity as a citizen of a particular nation or place. The idea is that one’s identity transcends geography or political borders and that responsibilities or rights are or can be derived from
membership in a broader class: "humanity".

Sustainable development is a process for meeting human development goals while sustaining the ability of natural systems to continue to provide the natural resources and ecosystem services upon which the economy and society depend. The modern concept of sustainable development is derived most strongly from the 1987 Brundtland Report. Sustainable development is the organizing principle for sustaining finite resources necessary to provide for the needs of future generations of life on the planet.

''Climate change is destroying our path to sustainability. Ours is a world of looming challenges and increasingly limited resources. Sustainable development offers the best chance to adjust our course.'' Ban Ki-moon

For downloading the Conceptual Map: Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development (Spanish)

PRESENT CONTINUOUS FOR FUTURE + BE GOING TO

We often use the present continuous tense to talk about the future. Of course, we normally use the present continuous to talk about action happening in the present, but if we add a future word, we can use it to talk about the future. (By "future word" we mean words or expressions like tomorrow, next week, in June. The future word may be clearly expressed or understood from the context.)
Sometimes there is no real difference between an intention (going to) and a plan (present continuous). In this case, it doesn't matter which we use.

For good practice go to these websites:
To be going to practice
Present Continuous for future practice
Just for fun:
British council teens

Reported Speech TUTORIAL

KIDS & CONSUMERISM

The market for children’s products and food is enormous. Parents on the one hand have a hard time raising children the way they want to, while on the other hand, kids are being increasingly influenced by commercialism that often goes against what parents are trying to do.

Even in industrialized societies, where governments and campaigners fight for better child advertising standards and regulations, or improved food quality, industry fights back preferring self-regulation (which rarely happens, or is intentionally weak), and arguing that it is individual choices and parents that are the issue.





For the activity we have worked on in class, watch this video and answer the questions in the handout: Kids & Consumerism handout

PRESENT SIMPLE vs. PRESENT CONTINUOUS WRITING TASK AND PPT

What's the difference between the Present Simple and Present Continuous and how to use them? That's the big issue we are going through these last lessons:
As we said in class we use the present simple tense when we want to talk about fixed habits or routines – things that don’t change. However, we use the present continuous to talk about actions which are happening at the present moment.

Compare these two statements:
I play tennis / I am playing tennis.

I play tennis tells us that playing tennis is something the speaker always does. It is part of a routine or habit. We can call this a permanent situation.  I am playing tennis tells us that the speaker is playing tennis right now. We call this a temporary situation.

For next writing task you must write a description of these four people on the slides above. On the left you can see what their profession is and on the right what they are doing in this moment. Pretty like the four stories we have done in class.
In the following post you can download the Power Point we have dealt with in class with all the activities this doc contains. Present Simple vs. Present Continuous

COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

Comparatives and Superlatives are special forms of adjectives. They are used to compare two or more things. Generally, comparatives are formed using -er and superlatives are formed using -est. This page will explain the rules for forming regular comparatives and superlatives, and also show some basic ways of using them.

In this unit 6 we are practising comparatives and superlatives. We have gone through a wide variety of structures that focus on the use of comparisons.For the homework sent in class go through some of the exercises you will find in this lot of photocopies you can download at a click.
English homework: comparative and superlative exercises

For further practice you have some websites which have nice and useful practice. Click on the links below and have a go.
World records website
Interesting websites

How to Write a Horror Story, Writing Horror

Horror stories can be as fun to write as they are to read. A good horror story can gross you out, terrify you, or haunt your dreams. Because horror stories depend on the reader believing in the story enough to be scared, disturbed, or disgusted, they can be tricky to write well. But like any fiction genre, horror can be mastered with the right planning, patience, and practice. If you want to learn how to chill the blood and raise goose bumps with a great horror story, then look no further.

Example seen in class

Download your planning template

Download your self-correction template

WRITING PLANS - HOW TO BECOME MORE EFFICIENT IN YOUR ESSAYS

Before you even begin writing the first sentence of your essay, you need to plan your essay. Planning is vital too to enable you to produce a first-class essay.

The plan gives your essay a clear structure. Without this you're likely to lose your ideas, and if examinators can't see why your arguments are relevant, or they can't see what you're doing and why, they cannot give you marks, no matter how good your work might be.

By rehearsing your ideas in detail you will avoid the problem of trying to do the two most difficult things in writing at the same time: pinning down your ideas clearly, and then summoning up the words and phrases that will convey them accurately.

Spend the first ten minutes writing down your plan before you begin to write the essay. Don't get panicked into writing too soon before you have exhausted all of your ideas and got them organised into a coherent, well structured plan, that answers the question with strict relevance.

To download the writing plan (next writing task) - The bank robbery
To download the writing plan template - template
To download tips for checking your writing - Check that you have done all these things

To download a self-correction template

THE LOST THING

The Lost Thing is a humorous story about a boy who discovers a bizarre-looking creature while out collecting bottle-tops at a beach. Having guessed that it is lost, he tries to find out who owns it or where it belongs, but the problem is met with indifference by everyone else, who barely notice it’s presence. Each is unhelpful in their own way; strangers, friends, parents are all unwilling to entertain this uninvited interruption to day-to-day life. In spite of his better judgement, the boy feels sorry for this hapless creature, and attempts to find out where it belongs.

CARNIVALS AROUND THE WORLD

It's carnival season. The roots of carnival are both older and newer than the Christian traditions that started in Europe and have spread with colonialism throughout much of the world. Ancient Greek and Roman pagan rituals as well as the folklore, music and dance of colonized peoples have forged colorful expressions of each country's respective history and cultures.
Creative disguises and parody are characteristic of carnival in many countries, which historically gave oppressed and marginalized groups the opportunity to subvert norms of class, race and gender.
Here are some of the most dazzling carnival celebrations around the world.

Carnivals around the world PDF

Carnivals around the world Word

Read the text obout these festivities around the world and answer these questions:
Questions about the carnivals PDF
Questions about the carnivals Word

CAFÉ TERRACE AT NIGHT (DESCRIBING A PAINTING)

Vincent's Bedroom in Arles is one of the artist's best known paintings. The striking colours, unusual perspective and familiar subject matter create a work that is not only among Van Gogh's most popular, but also one that he himself held as one of his own personal favourites.

This specific painting, now in the collection of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, was the first of the three oils that Van Gogh produced and, some would argue, the best executed. Furthermore, because Van Gogh was so pleased with the painting he described it at great length in letters to his family.

Time has come for you to describe Van Gogh's bedroom with the past structures we've studied. Following the artist's painting take a piece of paper and put it in words.

Example shown in class - Café terrace at night
Other famous paintings to describe 
Download the self-correction template

QUEST: THE WHITE HOUSE

In the late 1700s, it was decided that our country needed a capital city. Our first president, George Washington, picked a site on the Potomac River, midway between the northern and southern states. This spot would come to be called Washington, District of Columbia.

Pierre L'Enfant, a city planner from France designed the new city. He decided to place the Capitol Building on one hill and the "President's House" on another hill. L'Enfant had many plans for building the city, but he lost his job after too many disagreements with landowners. 

If you want to go on reading, click on the website link: Fact Monster - The White House

For downloading the webquest: The White House Quest

MAMMOTHS WEBQUEST

If you like stories about dinosaurs, you'll probably want to learn about the other titans of their age -- mammoths and mastodons, these unusual ancestors of modern mammals. Yes, they look like elephants but are they from the same family?

To find out we have to study these animals. One way is to examine their remains, mostly bones.We'll never really know what dinosaurs looked like or how they lived. Dinosaurs fossils re relatively rare, and fossil hunters almost never find skin or flesh with the bones. In addition modern reptiles are so different from their extinct relatives that it's hard to make comparisons. However, the story with mammoths is different. Their remains are plentiful, and frozen remains often include skin, hair, and internal organs. And there is more -- the mammoths are very closely related to their surviving relatives-the elephants.

Here you can find some questions about mammoths and a link which answers them all. Do this WebQuest and find out more about these amazing animals.

To download the questions PDF: Webquest
To download the questions Word: Webquest
and link: dialogue for kids - mammoths

FAMILY VOCABULARY ONLINE ACTIVITIES

If you want to consolidate your learning about the world you live in as well as the family you belong to, here you have the following links, charts, and exercises which will provide some helpful ways to help strengthen your knowledge about your current and extended family.

Put the names in the right boxes! A game to practise family vocabulary (father, mother, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, uncle, aunt, cousin...) as well as to practice pronunciation.

Go to the following link for some practice: Learning chocolate website

If you want to practice some other activities related to vocabulary and people from the same web, go to this link: more vocabulary about people

EUROSCOLA CONTEST

The European Parliament Information Office in Spain, together with the Representation of the European Commission in Spain and the Secretary of State for the European Union, announces the 21st edition of Euroscola Contest devoted to the European Year of Development ç.

“A life of dignity for all: eradicating poverty and  supporting sustainable development” is one of the main
messages to be transmitted to the European society during this year. The main goals for this year are to inform about the cooperation of the European Union (EU) in poverty eradication inside and outside Europe and about the role of the EU as the biggest donor of the official development assistance in the world; to encourage civic Participation; to foster a sense of responsibility among the citizens, to sensitise the public opinion about the role of cooperation, to achieve public commitment and to highlight the importance of the contribution of the youth.

For more information: Euroescola website (also in Spanish)
For downloading the rules of the Euroescola contest in English
For downloading the rules of the Euroescola contest in Spanish