Growing up Gaming

Children are growing up at a time when games outearn movies and TV.

After listening to the podcast above, could you think of an answer for these questions?

What are supporters and critics' main viewpoints on this issue?

What parental attitudes does the episode depict?

How can gaming help children grow up?

Could you explain a bit about the long term effects of video games?

What findings about gaming are fueling parents' concerns?

What claims about violent video games could be regarded as positive findings?

How can gaming when you are a child, help you in your adult real life? Can you illustrate your answer with an example?

Why are kids who play Minecraft, gaining a lot from it?

Why should parents be mindful of which games their children are playing?

Are children being harmed by playing violent video games?

Next, compare your answers with your mates for a while.

Now read My Son, The Dragon Slayer: The Risks And Rewards Of Growing Up Gaming. While reading, take notes about the article: what you agree with, what you disagree with, the most outstanding viewpoints, the conclusions it has made you jump into, and so on.

Then, use all the information you have gathered both from the podcast and from the article and share it when discussing about the topic below:

Our Viewpoints: Gaming's Impacts.

Finally, write a report about this theme. Do not forget to use all the knowledge gained all throughout the various tasks you have been tackling. Remember the layout, the organization and the purpose of your text.

Picture from www.wbur.org

To learn more, watch and read Truths about Video Games and Learning:

Watch Extended Interview: Dr. James Gee on PBS. See more from Digital Media - New Learners Of The 21st Century.

LET´S GO ON SQUEEZING ...

A new one...

It is greater than God and more evil than the devil.The poor have it; the rich need it and if you eat it, you will die.
What is it?

5 Things Every Presenter Needs to Know About People

Five Useful Clues when delivering presentations.

5 Things Every Presenter Needs To Know About People from Weinschenk on Vimeo.

How to live with robots

If you had a robot, what applications would you give it?

As machines grow ever more intelligent, they're emerging not just as powerful tools, but close companions. This talk examines how robots are becoming an intimate part of our lives.

Video from TedED. Ideas Worth Spreading

While you are watching, try to make notes so as to build up a paragraph that suits each of the following headings:

Introducing the robot.

How the robot works.

Applications of the robot.

Advantages and drawbacks of the robot.

When you are ready, write your article and share it with the rest of the class.

Finally, build your own robot: include a description, how it works, what it is useful for, what drawbacks you have found along the process and any other aspects you would like to include.

A BRAIN- SQUEEZING RIDDLE

A WOMAN SHOOTS HER HUSBAND. THEN SHE HOLDS HIM UNDER WATER FOR OVER 5 MINUTES. FINALLY, SHE HANGS HIM. BUT 5 MINUTES LATER THEY BOTH GO OUT TOGETHER AND ENJOY A WONDERFUL DINNER.

Ready for a wild guess?

Spain dos and don´ts

Whether looking for sun, a beautiful landscape or a convivial atmosphere, travelling to Spain is, for sure, one of the best decisions you can take. Nevertheless, if you bear in mind some important information about Spanish customs, laws and feelings your stay in Spain can be really lovely.

Do...
Learn some Spanish words. Even if you only learn to say "buenos días" and "un café". Spanish people would appreciate your gesture. Take that into account, unnatural nationalists excepted, Spanish people are very proud of their language.

Before travelling to Spain, think carefully what kind of holidays you want, especially regarding weather. If you travel to the South, then do not complain about the stifling heat.

Try the traditional dishes of the places you visit, Spanish cuisine is one of the best of the world, and you cannot leave Valencia without trying The Paella or calçots when you go to Catalonia.

Visit small villages. When you get tired of the impressive Spanish monuments, then go for a walk to a small village and have dinner there. You will find pleasant landscapes and friendly people in the street, restaurants and shops.

Don´t...
Load your suitcase with outerwear. Whether you are travelling to the Mediterranean coast, the center of the country or the islands, you will always put on very light clothes as it is guaranteed to be hot (I mean, in summer).This statement is not true for the northern regions.

Complain about smoking. Although smoking has been forbidden in bars and restaurants since 2011, many owners break the law and let you do it, especially at night. And it is not the done thing for you to complain about it.

Criticise bullfighting. Spanish people can't stand foreigners accusing us of mistreating animals, if you do it, we will ask you to look at your country´s customs.

As regards beautiful places to visit and the best restaurants, there are numerous guides you can buy in every kiosk or you can get information at the tourist ofices in every council. Bon Voyage!

Let's get ready for the 85th Academy Awards

How many Oscar awarded films do you know?

Watch and make your comments.



Academy Awards: Best Picture Oscar Winners from Nelson Carvajal on Vimeo.


Now that you have the images, make up the words.

You are about to become a film narrator!

Your job is to attend the ceremony and be the voice for the video above.

Juanjo's Opening Speech

Scan and Comment

SPAIN DOS AND DON´TS

Spain is the favorite holiday destination for foreigners, above all for European ones.If you ask a foreigner to describe spain three words should be expected: sun, fun and siesta.

DOS

-If you like sunbathing, be sure you search the south as your destination, you will have sunny and hot weather for sure.
On the contrary in the north rain should be expected, above all in Asturias. However, not only has it beautiful sites to visit as Los Picos de Europa or its beaches, which are more used for strolling than for sunbathing, but you can also find warm weather all the year, neither very hot in summer nor very cold in winter.

-For food lovers, you have chosen the perfect country to eat.
In the south you can eat the famous "Mediterranean cuisine" ideal for healthy people.
On the other hand you should go to the north to taste those heavy meal dishes as for example beans with blood sousage and spicy sousage that will lead you to take one of those 2 hours relaxing siesta.


DON´TS

-Although it is called our "National Party" don´t go to a bullfight. It is a disgusting show to see how a man treats with cruelty those poor bulls until they bleed to death.

-Don´t go to a restaurant to have dinner before 9:00 pm. Spaniards usually have dinner later than this.

-In a pub, don´t pay a round of drinks to you fellows, most of them will say : "it´s late, I have to go home" when it´s their turn to pay

Useful channels to learn English!

Hi guys!! It´s a pleasure to join this awesome blog!!! Last week surfing the net I found out 3 interesting channels in you tube for ESL students! A funny "show" man talking about different topics and common expression! Actually, I have a hunch that I´m addicted to this funny man! I hope you like it!

http://www.youtube.com/user/dailydictation

http://www.youtube.com/user/DailyEasyEnglish

http://www.youtube.com/user/coachshanesesl

Spain Dos and Dont's

SPAIN DOS AND DONT’S

Our country is becoming one of the most desirable destinations for many International students. Not only are they interested in learning our language, but they are also fascinated by our culture.

However most of them have a preconceived idea about Spain that isn’t the real one. Here are some false stereotypes that young people should know about in order to avoid misunderstandings:

- Don’t be drawn into believing that Spanish people spend all their free time celebrating festivals. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, we work more hours than many European countries.

- Every year thousands of people arrive in Spain to benefit from the hot weather. However, don’t expect that the regions in the north of the country are as reliable as the south for beach holidays. Alternatively they offer amazing scenery.

- Don’t believe that all Spaniards are fans of bullfighting. Nowadays more and more people don’t enjoy ways of entertainment which involve cruelty to animals. Consequently some cities such as Barcelonahave banned bullfights and many bullrings have closed. Other kinds of leisure activities that have taken its place are cinema, theatre, concerts or exhibitions.

Do visit our country and see for yourself!

Inversions

Destination Times Square

Listen to Ana's mini story in Times Square, the crossroads of the world.

Picture from Broadway.com

Destination Argentina

Listen to Miguel's trip around Argentina and get to know his tour better.

Picture from Wikipedia

Destination Cabrales

Listen to Montse, one of our B2+ ESL students, and get to know this wonderful area in Asturias.

Picture from sobreasturias.com

Science of Love

What is love? 

Watch the video below and find out.

Have you found the answer? What is it?

Now, watch the video clip as many times as necessary so as to complete the activities below.

If in trouble, you can check your answers using this answer key sheet.

Next, watch this video clip:

How many stages of love can you recognise in the video clip?

What main characteristics of love are depicted?

Could you make up a dialogue for the characters? Work with your partner and play a role each.

To extend your knowledge about love vocabulary, try The Idiom Connection.

Women

If you are a That's English student at Intermediate Level, First Year, you might find the lesson below useful.

Enter the lesson.

Don't forget you need Java and the Malted plugin installed in your computer.

You will be gaining knowledge about the following contents while working with it:

Grammar: simple past, irregular verbs, there was, there were. 

Functions: talking about the past, making comparisons, expressing opinions. 

Vocabulary: Women's rights, Housework, History. 

Phonetics: pronunciation of wasn't and weren't

Have fun!

A Journey To Remember

This is The B2 ESL Bunch going live!

Listen to the most incredible journeys by our B2 brave travellers!

 

Photographs from Banco de Imágenes y Sonidos. INTEF

Brush up your Vocabulary

Why don't you use your smartphone or tablet and play Mezcladitos to brush up your ESL vocabulary?

The C1 ESL Bunch has already experienced this hooking game.

Talking about Times Square

María T., C1 ESL learner, is expressing her viewpoints on this famous landmark in New York City.

Picture from http://www.timessquarenyc.org/index.aspx

The Spanish National Health Service

Yolanda is sharing her viewpoints on the National Health Service in Spain.

Augmented Reality LuARca

Thanks to all my C1 ESL learners for making LuARca possible!

Today, the Spanish Ministry of Education has highlighted our Augmented Reality Project at their Blog for ICT and Foreign Languages.

Read the article.

The importance of health

Diana is sharing some viewpoints about health.

Julia's viewpoints on Health

Julia is talking about health today and sharing her opinions about some themes regarding health.

Alternative Medicine, by Aurelio

Aurelio is sharing his viewpoints and a bunch of health issues.

How to combat stress

Isaac is sharing his viewpoints on this health issue and giving us some tips, too.

The use of alternative medicine

Rosa is sharing her viewpoints on this health issue.

The placebo effect and Alternative Medicine

David F. talks about the placebo effect and the advantages and disadvantages of alternative medicine.

Insomnia

Soraya is giving her viewpoints on this health issue.

Listen to her and find out what she thinks.