Wednesday 30 March 2011

A formal letter

18 Ramsey Road
Edinburgh
12th Mar.
Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to the advertisement for a dog sitter. Which was published on his personal blog today, 12th March. I enclose a copy of my CV with references to other residents of the area to which I have already cared for their dogs.

I think that I would be suitable for this job because I love animals, especially dogs. I love playing with them and take them for walks. I am very careful with animals. I have been taught to first aid to dogs and I know many vets in the area. Also, as you will see in my CV, I work with more than 7 neighbours like a dog sitter. So I have experience.

I would be happy to attend an interview and look forward to hearing from you soon. I will be available and would love to care for your pets; I await your prompt response.

Yours Faithfully.

Carlos Rubio

Christian Bale

"American Psycho"
Christian Bale was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales. He started in the theater as a child and following the artistic talent of his mother. At the age of 8 (1983), he appeared briefly in an advertisement for the cereal "Pac Man."

At the very young age of 13, he debuted in the film by Steven Spielberg "Empire of the Sun", passing a cast of more than 4000. He was praised by critics.

In 1989 he worked in the movie Henry V and the following year at Treasure Island.
"The Machinist"
In 2000, he played a role in the movie "Shaft: The Return" and "American Psycho." In this second film, Bale plays the role of a fantastic physicist who seems to elevate to the status of sex symbol, but he is a versatile actor. Four years later, his role in "The Machinist" was a physical and mental challenge when faced with one of the most difficult roles of his career so far. He lost a lot of weight. He overcame the challenge with great satisfaction from both the critics and the public.
"Batman Begins"
His great opportunity to become an actor of contribution arrived with the role in "Batman Begins" (2005) for which he had to regain lost weight and also achieve high fitness and martial arts mastery.

In 2006 he played the movie "The Prestige" with Hugh Jackman and Michael Caine, directed by Christopher Nolan. In 2007 he participated in "Rescue Dawn", "I'm Not There" and "3:10 to Yuma." In 2008 he returned to the role of Batman in The Dark Knight ", which had very good impressions and broke box office records in the United States achieving more than 500 million dollars. His recent work has been in Tape "Terminator Salvation", where he played John Connor and "Public Enemies", as Melvin Purvis, an FBI agent.
Bale is a winner of an "Oscar" and "Golden Globe" for best Supporting Actor in his role in the movie "The Fighter", and in April he will begin filming for Nolan's next film, "Batman: The Dark Knight Rises".

I liked the performance of Bale when I saw the movie "Batman Begins", then "Batman: The Dark Knight", which made me see more films as "American Psycho", "The Machinist" and "The Fighter" where (for me) He does a great job.

Tuesday 29 March 2011

Relative Clauses presentation

This is a simple and clear presentation of defining and non-defining relative clauses.
I'm sure you'll find it very useful.
(Thank you to the user andani for sharing this presentation.)

Friday 25 March 2011

Ellen Degeneres learning Spanish

Hi guys!

I found this video of Ellen Degener, who host "Ellen" one of the most popular shows in America. In this video Ellen goes to middle school to learn Spanish. I think it could be good for us see that for them it could be difficult to learn our lenguage, as is difficult for us to learn their lenguage.

Just enjoy!!

PS: she loves humor and comedy so don't take some moments so seriously


Thursday 24 March 2011

A FORMAL LETTER

87 Don Pelayo
Badalona
27 February 2011

Mr. David Glass
PO Box 987
Aberdeen


Dear Mr. Glass,

I am writing in response to the advertisement for a waitress to join the team in your restaurant, which was published in Student Jobs magazine on 14th April. I enclose a copy of my CV, amd I would be grateful if you consider me for the position.

I think that I would be suitable for the job because, as a student, I learn quickly and I am hard-working. As you can see in my CV, I have never worked as a waiter but I have experience looking after children. I would enjoy the opportunity to work in your trendy restaurant and I am available to start immediately.

I would be happy to attend an interview and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Delia Cervantes Rodríguez

My perfect job


My perfect job isn’t an office job, because I need to move myself constantly or I get stressed. I’m a pretty active person, so my perfect job has to let me move and don’t be quiet for too long. For this reason I think my perfect job could be a sport monitor.

I really love doing sport and I have practised many of them since I was about 3. I also love watching sport on TV, all kind of them and I know a lot about all of them.

My perfect job could be with kids, as a sport monitor of a summer camp or something similar, because I really enjoy playing with them and I used to get on well with kids.
Actually, I already did a similar job once, doing sport activities for kids in my high school, and I really had a good time. It was a good experience.

I think that kind of job could be suitable for me because I even have a motivator title.
I could do this job with kids from 1 to 12 years old, at first, because these are the ages I have experience with.

I’m really caring with little kids and I give the olders ones the freedom that they need but always keeping an eye on them.

I’m reliable, so parents will be okay letting me their kids.

In conclusion, that my perfect job.

If one day I find a job like this, even it its only for a summer, I would be extremely happy. And if the pay is good, even better more!

A formal letter

1234 Psj Rio Ter
Badalona
17th April

Human Resources Camp España
PO Box 123
London

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing in response to the advertisement for an Activity Leaders, which was published in Students Jobs magazine on 14th April. I enclose a copy of my CV, and I would be grateful if you would consider me for the position.
I think that I would be suitable for the job because I have a dynamic title (títol de dinamitzadora) and I have experience of working with kids. At present I am working as a monitor at my high school sport activities and I am also a babysitter for my little cousins.
I am reliable and caring with kids. I also used to have a good relationship with people younger than me and they used to be obedient when I said something to them.
As you can see from my CV, I worked organizing sport activities for kids, so I have experience in this field. You can see that I have practiced more than one sport during my life and I know about almost all the sports too.
In addition, I have experience babysitting kids from 1 to 12 years old and even I have eyendone that work for my high school recently.
I read on the advertisement that you are looking for people who speak English and Spanish. I speak Spanish fluently, because it is my mother tongue, and I speak English fluently too. You can check this information on my CV.
I would enjoy the opportunity to work for you and am available to start immediately. If you choose me, I won’t disappoint you.

I would be happy to attend an interview and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Mireia Martín de Hijas Villalba.

My perfect job

For me the perfect job is one that makes you feel good and helpful person.
I like the work that allows you to help others to improve their lives. I prefer to work directly with people, not in an office or behind a computer. I like to think I'm improving someone's life just by being there, seeing as the person appreciates and relies on every step that I take because he knows I'm for him. I want people to realize that I will help no matter what happens, I won´t leave them alone and I'll always be there when they need me.
I like that in my work I have personal freedom and I could make certain decisions without I having to see the boss. Despite that, I prefer to work being part of a team so that we can support each other. I think that working alone is very boring and heavy. In contrast, teamwork motivates you more than working alone, that makes you fun and also it makes you have done best moments at work. On the other hand, if you are part of a team you can meet many interesting people. So my ideal job should allow me to meet people through it, by colleagues or by dealing directly with people who need that service.
A good job must make me learn new things every day, it should encourage me to improve everything I do. It should provide challenges that make you think and exploit the potential of the individual.
Besides, I would like to work in an area with good relationships between colleagues and with mutual respect.
Besides, my perfect job is one that keeps you fixed on the job and it makes me I don’t be thinking every day if I will be fired. I prefer a half-day schedule and a job near my house.
Finally and most importantly, I want to enjoy my work and I enjoy every day to be there.
Therefore, I think my ideal job is in medicine.

A FORMAL LETTER



Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to apply for the position of volunteer worker which I saw advertised in GVN Foundation last week. I would be interested in teaching spanish to primary children in your camp in Haiti. I enclose a copy of my CV.

I would like to work for you because I am very interested in teaching and helping people. I would also like to learn about different cultures as I feel that intercultural understanding s extremely important.

I am hard-working and a commited person. I think I could be a good primary teacher.

I look forward to hearing from you
Yours faithfully

Angela

Lang Lang (郎朗)



Lang Lang is a well-know Chinese concert pianist. He has short dark hair and small brown eyes, like all the Chinese. He was born in china on 14 June, 1982. His height is 179mm. He is the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and the top American orchestras.

When he was three, he has started to learn piano. At the age of nine, he won a notional piano competition. Then he admitted to the renowned Curtis Institute of Music United States. In 2001, he signed the world's leading record companies in Germany DG, become the most watched of the artist. In 2011, he played at the White House state dinner in honor of Chinese President!

He changed other people’s perception of China: Chinese people can play the piano so well! He changed the popular view of the classical: classical can also become a popular!

A formal letter

42 Felip II Road
Badalona
3th March 2011





Mrs David Glass
PO Box 987
Aberdeen

Dear Mrs David Glass,

I am writing in response to the advertisement for a waitress which was published in Student Jobs magazine on 14th April. I enclose a copy of my CV, and I would be grateful if you would consider me for the position.

I think that I would be suitable for the job because I have experience of working as a waitress. At present I am working in a bar, so I have experience of taking customers’ orders and dealing with money. As you can see from my CV, I can speak English, Spanish and Chinese. I am reliable, hard-working, and kind. I would enjoy the opportunity to work in your trendy new restaurant and I am available to start immediately.

I would be happy to attend an interview and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Lexian Xu

Julia Roberts


Who wouldn’t like to feel like a "Pretty-woman? I'm sure we all would like that. Julia Roberts became the bride of America thanks to his performance in Pretty Woman and has since been one of the queens of romantic comedy. Also, she is one of the best paid Hollywood stars.

Julie Fiona Roberts was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up surrounded by entertainers, both her parents and years later his brother Eric was devoted to interpretation. At first she wanted to become a vet, but when her brother began to succeed in Hollywood Julia decided to try his luck as an actress too.

Julia became a major Hollywood star thanks to the huge international success of Pretty Woman; also, choose love, Notting Hill, Runaway Bride and others. She won the Oscar for best actress for her role in Erin Brockovich.

I think she is a good actress and I like most of his films and she deserves the Oscar. She also has good taste with clothes and whatever she wears she looks good.

Tuesday 22 March 2011

A formal letter

125 Torras i Bages
Badalona

04th March

Tribu Urbana Center
44 Balomer Solà
Badalona


Dear Madalm,

I am writting to response to the job advertisement as a dancer teacher on your web site. This is a job I would like because it is a one of my passions. In addiction, I can dance many styles and I would be good at this job.

Firstly, I have to say that I have eight years dancing in a training school. In these eight yars, I have been training Hip-Hop, old school, contemporany and classic. At the same time, I have been teaching dance to earn some money and for training as a dancer teacher. Secondly, I would like continue training as a teacher of dance. I want to obtain the title of a good dance teacher in this field and I may join all the other teachers.
Finally, If you give me the job, you won't hace complaints from me. I am a very carefuly nd serious person in my work and I have no problems with the schedule, I am a very flexible person. Futhermore, also I am a hard-working person. So I think that I would be suitable for the job.

I look forward to your response.

Yours faithfully,

Albert Balañá Navarro

Monday 21 March 2011

"Nuclear Boy" Fukushima

After an earthquake, a tsunami and an evacuation, children must be in such a state of shock, that it might not be easy to explain a nuclear accident to them. This is how Japanese people explain to little children what's going on at the Fukushima Nuclear Plant.


It is very moving to see how the "doctors" are risking their own lives or work at the risk of permanent radiation damage to their bodies. Real modern samurais.

It's been created by the media artist Kazuhiko Hachiya. 

From here, we hope for everyone's quick recovery 
and that everything gets under control soon. 



See the whole article published last Friday in The Wall Street Journal.
 


Thanks to plusi for the Spanish subtitles and thanks to shibatabread.com for the English subtitles.

The original video in Japanese has already been seen by almost one million people.

Vocabulary work:
  1. have stomachache
  2. have an upset stomach
  3. my tummy hurts
  4. stinky poo
  5. It would surely ruin everyone's day if he pooped
  6. fart
  7. to ease his pain
  8. a doctor pays him a visit
  9. it's most important to cool down Nuclear Boy
  10. doctors work around the clock (=work 24 hours 7 days a week)
  11. to make sure he doesn't poo
  12. smelly neighbourhoods
  13. doctors might get sick
  14. it's a risky job
  15. doctors have to take turns

Monday 14 March 2011

A FORMAL LETTER

Dear Sir or Madam,
I'm writing in reponse to the advertisement for baby-sitting, wich was published in www.jobs.org on 20th Jenuary. I enclose a copy of my cv, and I would be grateful if you would consider me for this job.

I think that I would be suitable for the job because I have had a little brother and I was taking caring of him. I worked the last summer with one family babysitting their children, so I have experience with children and I love them. I like playing with children, I think they're naive and honest.

I would enjoy the opportunity to work with kids and I'm avaible to start immediately.
I would be happy to attend the interview and look forward to hearing from you soon.


Yours faithfully,

Malika

Sunday 13 March 2011

ZEITGEIST: Jacques Fesco and Peter Joseph

Jacques Fresco is a very important person for me because without him, I wouldn't know how the world really works and I don't have motivation to ask myself all the time how the FMI, or OMS or ONU or other institutions control people and how the money corrupts them, and thanks to him I can see a better future for all the people of the world and not only for a few, I put a few videos related to his movement.

Jacques Fresco in "El Mundo" : We must eliminate money


You can find more speeches by Jacques Fresco that he makes all around the world, this isn't a unique interview you can find more about heterosexualidad and mentiraexpuesta this 2 user of youtube have very much interview from Jacques Fresco. And below the 3 most magnificent films that I have ever seen in my life, very, very, very important to understand the present political scene. I hope you enjoy it and learn too.

The first film about the zeitgeist movement (3 parts):

Part 1: The Greatest Story Ever Told



This section explores the little known foundations of the Cult of Equinoctial Christolatry (Christianity) which, unannounced to most, rests in the astrotheological belief systems of the ancient world, maybe not all the information is true but it is worth seeing.

Part 2: All the world's a stage




Part II uses integral footage of several 9/11 conspiracy theory films to claim that the September 11 attacks were either orchestrated or allowed to happen by elements within the United States government in order to generate mass fear, initiate and justify the War on Terror, provide a pretext for the curtailment of civil liberties, and produce economic gain. These claims include that the US government had advance knowledge about the attacks, the response of the military deliberately let the planes reach their targets, and the World Trade Center buildings 1, 2, and 7 underwent a controlled demolition.
In a March 17, 2009 New York Times article, Alan Feuer reported that Peter Joseph had indicated that he had "moved away from" his opinion on whether the September 11 attacks were an inside job perpetrated by the U.S. government. Peter Joseph later stated that his stance on 9/11 had not changed.

Part 3: Don't Mind the Men Behind the Curtain


WebIslam


Part III argues that three wars of the United States during the twentieth century were waged purely for economic gain by what the film refers to as "international bankers". The film alleges that certain events were engineered as excuses to enter into war including the sinking of the RMS Lusitania, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.
According to the film, the US was forced by the Federal Reserve Bank to become embroiled in these wars, not with a view to win but to sustain the conflict, as this forces the US government to borrow money from the bank, allegedly increasing the profits of the "international bankers". The film then goes on to claim that the Federal Income Tax is illegal.
This section also claims the existence of a secret agreement to merge the United States, Canada and Mexico into a "North American Union". The creation of this North American Union is then alleged to be a step towards the creation of "One World Government." The film speculates that under such a government, every human could be implanted with an RFID chip to monitor individuals and suppress dissent.
An updated version of Zeitgeist released in 2010 removes the North American Union section among other changes.

Zeitgeist 2: Addendum

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeitgeist:_Addendum


and Zeitgeist 3: Moving Forward (My favourite :D I haven't words, only watch the film)



All the videos are in English with Spanish subtitles

Webs pages of interest:
Venus Project: (very interesting)
Zeitgeist group in facebook: Join us!!! if you want...
Zeitgeist movement in Spain

If we don't do something, anything will happen. Spread the zeitgeist movement!!!. A better future awaits us!!!.


(maybe I copied and cut a few paragraphs from wikipedia, because I haven't a lot of time)

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Blog recommendation: Homage to BCN

Three months ago a friend of a friend of mine started a very interesting project, it's a blog in which he comments and highlights all the cool places he is discovering in Barcelona as well as interesting issues related to Bcn. The blog is called "Homage to BCN".

He is also asking people to describe his/her "perfect day" in the city. I will start thinking about mine. So far, seven people have described their perfect days in Barcelona: BCN days.

So it seems like a good combination: reading about Barcelona and doing it in English.

Do not hesitate to subscribe via RSS or email.



Sunday 6 March 2011

LYRICS TRAINING improves your listening skills through music

Dear all, 

If you are one of those people who have never had much fun learning a foreign language, here we have some good news for you. 

Lyrics Training is a neat website which uses music and lyrics to help people learn English. With this clever website you can expand your vocabulary, improve your pronunciation as well as train your listening skills in a pleasant way. 


The site doesn't require registration, though if you set up an account, you can save the results of your efforts. 


There are thousands of songs and all kind of music to choose from.

I totally recommend it you you!! :)

Below you can see a screencast which I did to help you become familiar with it. 


Wednesday 2 March 2011

Modal verbs (meaning + structure)

Below I have embeded a couple of power point presentations:
  • The first one explains very clearly the different meanings of modal verbs in the present. 
  • The second one is about perfect modal verbs / modal verbs in the past. 
(Thank you to the author, this time a teacher from Málaga, concettadalterio)  

Tuesday 1 March 2011

Empathy glasses

Coursebook listenings are not enough for us to improve fast our listening skills, so here we have another 4 minutes of listening practice. 


This video is about empathy. According to the English wikipedia, empathy is "the capacity to recognize and, ..., share feelings (such as sadness or happiness) that are being experienced by another person." So it means to feel things and see things from the point of view of the other person. 


The quality of the images is not very good, and it's a shame some of the Spanish subtitles are misplaced right on top of the English subtitles, but anyway, it's a touching video which makes you think. I thought it was very inspiring. I wish we were always wearing those empathy glasses from the video. 





Language work
  • grieving her best friend
  • avoids relationships for fear of pain
  • struggling with sense of purpose
.