AND THE WINNER IS... SPAIN!!!

Yesterday the Spanish football team finally made it and won against Germany. It was a very exciting and emotional match.

To learn more and practice your English go to Euro2008 and answer these questions (To do so, on the right, you will find four links: matches, teams, players and statistics. Click on each of them to look for the specific information):

1. Who was the MVP in the Final?
2. Who is Germany's number 16 and when and where was he born?
3. Who is Spain's number 4 and when and where was he born?
4. Who are the coaches (entrenadores)?
5. Who is the tallest player in the Euro2008? How tall is he?
6. Which were the four teams in Semifinals?
7. Which countries scored (marcaron) more goals? (Name 3).
8. Who is the top scorer (máximo goleador)?
9. Which were the four countries in group D?
10. Name at least 4 official sponsors (patrocinadores) of the Euro2008?

WHAT ABOUT READING?

In summer you have extra time. It's good to relax, to play computer games, do some sport... and why not reading? You can read in the beach or in the swimming pool or inside your house with the air conditioner if you don't like the sun! Apart from reading in Spanish, try to read soemthing in English as well. Here comes my recommendation:

"Braveheart", Penguin readers, Level 3.

Braveheart tells the story of Willian Wallace, a Scottish hero who in the year 1280 fought against the English for the Scottish independence. The book narrates his life, so you will find war, love, history and adventure.

After reading the book you can try to watch the film. It was broadcast in 1995 and it was a big success (one of my favourite films, as well).

And after this, if you want to know more about this story try to answer these questions on the Internet about the film:

• Write a summary of the plot (story in a film)?
• Who was the director and the main actor?
• An inaccuracy in a film is when something is not completely correct or exact. Write at least 2 inaccuracies in Braveheart.
• Who is the actress that plays Princess Isabelle?
• How much money did the film make worldwide?
• How many Oscars did it win? Name them.
• The word braveheart is a compound word: brave-heart. What's the meaning of the word? Use the dictionary.

If you still want to know more and find the truth about William Wallace check this site.

WE MADE IT!!!

We have finally finished school this year. Only some of you still have to take retake tests this week and then you have two and a half months to rest and have fun (in my case I still have to work a bit more...). It's been a hard year (my first at this school) but I think it's been a good one. We have all learned something and I hope you don't forget some of our classmates that will not continue here: Konstantina, Elisabet and Kostas are going back to Greece. I'm sure they're happy and at the same time sad to leave Spain behind. Also, Amador and Javier will change school. So, good luck for everyone and I hope you keep in touch.

My advice for the summer is to rest and at the same time don't forget your English. You can continue visiting my blog and try the activities I'll post and also practice with the on-line games you can find here. To do so, click on the "Other interesting sites" section and choose the one you prefer, you can find plenty of games and exercises here.

Keep visiting and post messages if you like. Good luck and see you in September!!!

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

PHIL COLLINS – ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE

She calls out to the man on the street

'Sir, can you help me?

It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep,

Is there somewhere you can tell me?

'He walks on, doesn't look back

He pretends he can't hear her

Starts to whistle as he crosses the street

Seems embarrassed to be there

Oh think twice, it's another day for

You and me in paradise

Oh think twice, it's just another day for you,

You and me in paradise

She calls out to the man on the street

He can see she's been crying

She's got blisters on the soles of her feet

Can't walk but she's trying

Chorus

Oh lord, is there nothing more anybody can do

Oh lord, there must be something you can say

You can tell from the lines on her face

You can see that she's been there

Probably been moved on from every place

'Cause she didn't fit in there

Chorus

What do you think about the lyrics? The song talks about homeless people and hunger. It makes us think about the way we live our lives and to realize how lucky we all are to have a roof over our heads and food on a plate every day. There are many more people in the world having problems like these than what you can imagine. Let's now do some research and find out more about homeless people and hunger in the world. Use the links below to answer the questions (write them in your notebooks):

Homeless (Wikipedia)

1. What is the definition of the word "homeless"? Use the dictionary.
2. Write at least the causes of homelessness. Which one do you think is the worst? Why?
3. How many people are homeless in the world? How many are there in Europe?
4. The word homeless has different cultural perceptions depending on the country. In Spanish we have the word "sin techo" (person without a roof above). Write other 3 definitions and write the country they correspond to.
5. How many people were homeless in England in the 1930s?
6. Which is the last film made about homelessness? Name it and write the year.
7. Who wrote the song "Man on the street" about homeless people?

EXTRA EXERCISE: Now find out more about Phil Collins and the song. Answer these questions:

1. When was Phil Collins born? Where is he from?
2. When was the song published? What was its position in the hit lists of the U.K and U.S.A?
3. Watch the video here and write a short paragraph about your opinion and thoughts. What is the image that impacts you the most? Why?