One of the hardest things for Spanish people who are learning English is how to pronounce it.
In my opinion, you should take it slowly. First, you need to know the alphabet; I know it sounds silly, but that MUST be the first step, because it will help you with lessons. If you are doing this on your own, you can skip it.
Second, you need to learn the International Phonetic Alphabet. Take your time, because this will make it easier for you to pronounce any word you check in your dictionary. I have found this website quite useful, even if it is very simple: http://www.antimoon.com/how/pronunc-soundsipa.htm
Saturday 18 December 2010
Friday 13 August 2010
Three widespread mistakes
When talking to people, quite often I have come across some expressions which have surprised me; the speakers surely did not know, but they were making a hilarious mistake. The three expressions are selfmade, handmade and homemade.
selfmade is someone who does not get help for it. For example, we talk about someone who is selftaught when he or she did not learn from another person but on his/her own. Equally, a self-proclaimed president would be one who takes power instead of receiving it from the people.
handmade and homemade are somehow related* to each other and highlight the manner in which something has been made, particularly the personal involvement of the maker or the use of traditional means. Thus, we would usually talk about a handmade puppet or a homemade cake.
selfmade is someone who does not get help for it. For example, we talk about someone who is selftaught when he or she did not learn from another person but on his/her own. Equally, a self-proclaimed president would be one who takes power instead of receiving it from the people.
handmade and homemade are somehow related* to each other and highlight the manner in which something has been made, particularly the personal involvement of the maker or the use of traditional means. Thus, we would usually talk about a handmade puppet or a homemade cake.
*the only relevant distinction would be the denial of any especial machinary (for instance, a sewing machine) with "handmade"
So, what is the main mistake here? Most times (at least in reality) the "selfmade" construction only works with a person; a pie cannot be selfmade, as it cannot imagine itself into existence. On the other hand, a man could be handmade of homemade only if he was put together/created by another person.
Wednesday 11 August 2010
Ever-present mistakes you should not make
I was just watching TV and I heard, for the millionth time, the expression "el oficial"; although of course this can be appropriate in some cases (namely in war films), it does not make any sense whenever it refers to a police officer. If I hear that ever again, I swear I will jump out of my window.
Wednesday 21 January 2009
Selectividad
Most Bachillerato students intend to take the Selectividad exams when they finish so they can go on to University or other higher education.
You can read the evaluation criteria on this file. You will find a lot of useful information, I am sure.
You can read the evaluation criteria on this file. You will find a lot of useful information, I am sure.
Tuesday 2 December 2008
Ten points to get a top essay
Most essays make teachers want to kill their authors. Here you have some tips to stop that.
1. Do some research first. This doesn't mean copy & paste, but look for articles which are related to what you have to write about and learn something from them. That way the vocabulary will be a piece of cake.
2. Follow the rules. If you have to write 100-150 words about the environment, don't write 40 about workers' rights. Respect margins and a space between lines.
3. Think. Don't write anything that comes to your mind; go step by step, try to make sense, write something interesting.
4. What you learnt in 1.º de ESO is still good. Don't forget the subject; use capital letters for days, months, languages, etc.; be careful with articles; the adjective goes BEFORE the noun, etc.
5. KISS (keep it simple, stupid). You are not Shakespeare. You are not Tolkien. You are not even Dan Brown (may he burn in hell). Don't try to write more than you know, and don't be conditioned by Spanish.
6. You haven't finished yet. Check it half an hour after you finish, and ask a friend to check it too. If you cannot understand anything, neither can we. That includes your handwriting.
7. Don't cheat. We can see you. We know everything you have done today and yesterday. Online translators are useless; we recognise native articles. You are supposed to do your homework yourself.
8. Don't leave it for the last day. If you have enough time to do your assignment, you can check your doubts, rethink ideas, improve it, etc.
9. First impressions are important. If your text is hard to read, it might be marked lower than it deserves. Impress us!
10. Check it AGAIN. There is always another mistake, believe me.
1. Do some research first. This doesn't mean copy & paste, but look for articles which are related to what you have to write about and learn something from them. That way the vocabulary will be a piece of cake.
2. Follow the rules. If you have to write 100-150 words about the environment, don't write 40 about workers' rights. Respect margins and a space between lines.
3. Think. Don't write anything that comes to your mind; go step by step, try to make sense, write something interesting.
4. What you learnt in 1.º de ESO is still good. Don't forget the subject; use capital letters for days, months, languages, etc.; be careful with articles; the adjective goes BEFORE the noun, etc.
5. KISS (keep it simple, stupid). You are not Shakespeare. You are not Tolkien. You are not even Dan Brown (may he burn in hell). Don't try to write more than you know, and don't be conditioned by Spanish.
6. You haven't finished yet. Check it half an hour after you finish, and ask a friend to check it too. If you cannot understand anything, neither can we. That includes your handwriting.
7. Don't cheat. We can see you. We know everything you have done today and yesterday. Online translators are useless; we recognise native articles. You are supposed to do your homework yourself.
8. Don't leave it for the last day. If you have enough time to do your assignment, you can check your doubts, rethink ideas, improve it, etc.
9. First impressions are important. If your text is hard to read, it might be marked lower than it deserves. Impress us!
10. Check it AGAIN. There is always another mistake, believe me.
Monday 1 December 2008
Greetings
Welcome to Aula 10, where we will try to post any news concerning Selectividad, activities for English lessons and any other useful stuff.
Students' help is greatly welcome and appreciated.
Students' help is greatly welcome and appreciated.
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