Presentations' feedback

 Dear Students of 1º Bach.

First of all, I want to thank you all for your daily work and good mood for English lessons. That's the spirit, guys.

Now, let's talk about your individual presentations now that you already know the marks.

1) Federico: The Waitangi Day (New Zealand)

Although we had problems with the Internet, you did a great job.Your story was interesting, told with a good pronunciation and pace (fluency) and we could see that you had prepared it at home. It was a bit short, though. I think you could work on your speech at home, if you write it on a paper and record it with your phone first, that might help you adjust with the time. Also, you didn't provide links to your sources  nor a written copy of your speech. You already have a good level, a bit more preparation at home would be wonderful.

2) Amid: The Highland Games (Scotland) 

Your presentation was perfect. You followed the instructions, and made a very illustrative (and audio visual) presentation. I think the Power Point was very very helpful for your classmate to engage with your topic, and you also used the pictures to explain it. The only thing missing was the source of your information, but the rest was perfect. 

3) Jorge: Saint Patrick (Ireland)

You did a good job explaining what Saint Patrick is and your pronunciation and fluency was also pretty good. However, you showed little evidence of previous work and your writing was a bit short but generally well-written. Also, you didn't show evidence of your source or add sufficient visual materials. Next time, you may pay more attention to timing and length of your speech. Practise with your mobile sound recorder to adjust the time.

4) Nerea: Saint Patrick Parade

I really like your Prezi presentation, very-well organised and illustrated. It is evident that you have invested work and time in it. The presentation and visual parts are perfect, enough visual materials and text. However, please mind your pronunciation and fluency. Specially the pronunciation, because if we cannot understand your accent, we won't be able to get the message either. It is very important rehearse your pronunciation at home before coming. Use audio records and the Internet to know how to pronounce the words you say. And repeat them until they sound alike. I recommend http://www.voki.com/ to improving your speaking skills And finally, you should adapt the information found on the Internet so that you understand it and make it yours. But good job.





5) Sergio: The Victory Day (Canada/United Kingdom)

Sergio, you did a good presentation. Your message and fluency were good enough, and your pronunciation is even better. Keep it that way! However, you didn't submit your writing and source or sufficient pictures to illustrate your tradition.






6) Lidia: The Ocean dance (Kiribati)


You did a great effort to overcome your shyness. Well done! We all get nervous speaking in public, but it is just normal to get over it and speak up. You did a great job in previous work at home and illustrating your tradition, and you also picked an original topic, talking about a country many of us know little or nothing. That's was the idea when I said 'English -speaking countries', not only the famous ones ( UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand). There many more anglosaxon countries out there. You should rehearse and prepare a bit more your presentation at home, to become a bit more fluent and improve your pronunciation. Use your mobile phone and record yourself until you know it well.


And finally, I would like to thank you all guys for your effort and motivation. The criteria taken into account to mark were:
 -Story and message responding the three questions and explaining the customs to us clearly
- Pronunciation and clarity
- Fluency and pace of your speech
- Evidence of previous work, duration and writing
- Illustration and links to sources of information.

Each one up to 2 points.

Customs and Traditions of English-speaking Countries

 Dear students of 1º Bach.,

We have read and worked on this topic for two weeks now. Let's  move forward and learn something new.

As your speaking and writing task, you will have to (and you must) prepare a small presentation about an appealing and interesting custom/tradition (Food, music, holiday, festivals, ceremony) about a country.

  Follow these instructions:

1. It must be an English-speaking country (or territories) in this real world, not Matrix. 
2. The presentation should last up to 2 minutes. I will ask you questions about your topic. 
3. You need to show us images, pictures or videos of your custom (print it out or google it). 
4. Answer to the questions: What is it? Where does it comes from? How do they celebrate it?
5. You may use social networks to find pictures or personal description of it (Blogspot, wordpress, Humans of New York Facebook page, Reddit, Twitter, Youtube, Dailymotion, Vimeo) or formal website of that country (Newspapers, Emabassy, International organizations). You will have to show us your sources. 
6. Bring a written copy of your presentation to me, don't forget to add links to your web source (s) in order to see it. 

Useful tips:

• Always start with a short intro: saying hello and what you are going to talk about. 
• Organize your main information using linkers and connectors: Firstly, Secondly.../ On the one hand/ Besides, moreover, what is more/and then/ after that/ the next step is...
• Finally, eventually, last but not least... to conlude. 
• End your presentation with your personal opinion and ask the audience if they have any questions. 

Useful links you can use if you want:

A)  http://thecommonwealth.org/member-countries (Not all of them speak English, but the majority does). 

B) https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork (stories about people who live in New York )

C) http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/travel-tips-and-articles/77669  (An article from a travel agency  Festivals of India). 

D) Country profile on Wikipedia.org. 

E) The useful and interesting sites section of this blog. 

Good luck! 

PS: If you have any doubts about these instructions, ask me during our next class. ( Si tienes dudas sobre la actividad, pregúntame en la siguiente clase.) 

Best Regards, 

I want your opinions...

Dear students,

We are currently at the end of the second month of the class and I would like to get some feedback from you.

It is important for me to know if you are enjoying the lessons so far.

Please, fill in the following survey.

Thanks !!!

Formal and Informal English

 Dear students,

Today is Nigeria's turn. Listen and take notes on the different styles in which these people are talking. Both are Nigerians. 

Write a small summay of the message Chimamanda wants to share on Ted Talks. 
Did you know this platform?
Do you recognise the first audio's accent?

Created with Padlet

The voki and the English-speaking accents

 Dear students,



I am  that sure that most of you already know that English is spoken in many countries.

As this blog is about learning English from an International approach, let's start to experience it fully :)

1. Choose a country on a video platform like Youtube, learn the accent and show it to us. 
2. Use the Internt tool Voki that we have seen in the classroom, choose one permanent player for the whole year and record the text you wrote about your motivation and goals. 
3. Try to convince us that you come from than country. We will ask you to repeat it in the classroom. 
4. The example above is the Spanish accent according to Voki. Can you beleive it?

Here you have some examples of Indian English. 

Listen a couple of minutes. Which on do you understand best?