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This is the Jack-o'-lantern my 9-year-old son made.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
MEN AND WOMEN
Watch this video, it's really good!!! Ooops! It really comes in handy after talking about memory and that kind of stuff in class! Sorry guys, boys, I mean... but it's really funny and food for thought anyway!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Whodunnit
A very interesting and entertaining ad that Sandra C. sent me, hope you enjoy it. Click here.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
FROM JUDITH about Blackeyed Peas
Don't miss this video PLEAAAASE, it's simply AWESOME !!! on the Oprah Show or a special program or sth. haha, and look at Oprah recording with her mobile ;-)
click here
click here
MORE ON VAGUE LANGUAGE
Vague language
Vague language is not totally accurate or clear. Although some people think this is "bad" English, all native English speakers use vague language when they are unable or unwilling to give accurate information, or they think it is either unnecessary or socially inappropriate to do so. A good example of vague language is rounding up numbers when telling the time. Twenty-six minutes past two becomes:
It's about half past two.
It's almost half past two.
It's half two-ish.
It's nearly half past two.
Often, speakers use vague language not because they do not have accurate information, but because they feel it is more polite to make a less definite statement. That is wrong becomes:
"I'm not sure that's completely correct."
As short definite statements sometimes sound too assertive to native English speakers, they often add extra vague language to a sentence. This extra language has no extra meaning, it is just a social softener.
The use of vague language differs from language to language and is an important cultural consideration when doing business in a foreign language. Native English speakers, for example, can find Germans direct because German uses little vague language. On the other hand, for Germans, native English speakers can sound indecisive, inaccurate and lacking authority. In both cases they are reacting to characteristics of the language, not their business partner. Here are some more examples of vague language commonly used by native speakers of English.
List completers
Sometimes a speaker might start a list of some kind and then cannot remember the rest of the list or does not think the other items are important enough to mention. In these cases, list completers are ideal:
"I typed some letters, reports and other things like that."
"You have to ask a doctor or a lawyer or someone like that."
List completers are very common and use words such as things and stuff. Here are some more list completers:
and stuff like that
and things / stuff
or something like that
or stuff like that
or what / where / whoever
Placeholders
Placeholders are for when a speaker does not know or cannot remember the name of something or someone.
"I need a thingummy for the slide projector."
"I gave it to whatsisname in the accounts department."
Grammatically these simply replace the name of the person or object that the speaker cannot remember and never change their form. Other place holders include:
whatsername (for a woman)
whatsit
thingy
thingummyjig
Quantities
Vague language is very common with numbers when expressing quantity, frequency or the time. Low numbers are often substituted by phrases such as a couple of / a few, whereas larger numbers are rounded up with about / around or replaced with lots of / loads of.
"Should we say around three or four o'clock?
"It cost around 20 pounds or so."
"It's about a million."
"The computer caused loads / lots of problems."
With vague language, a couple does not necessarily mean two, it could mean up to three or even four. When people do not want to give accurate numbers they can use the following:
"There were about 30 odd / or so people at the meeting."
"He's not that old. I'd say he's about 30-ish."
"There were a lot of / lots of / loads of problems."
"I've been to Prague a couple of / a few times."
"I think we need about / around 30 (or so)."
BBC LEARNING ENGLISH.
This quiz might help you to understand the meaning and use of vague language a bit more, as well as see some more examples.
quiz
Vague language is not totally accurate or clear. Although some people think this is "bad" English, all native English speakers use vague language when they are unable or unwilling to give accurate information, or they think it is either unnecessary or socially inappropriate to do so. A good example of vague language is rounding up numbers when telling the time. Twenty-six minutes past two becomes:
It's about half past two.
It's almost half past two.
It's half two-ish.
It's nearly half past two.
Often, speakers use vague language not because they do not have accurate information, but because they feel it is more polite to make a less definite statement. That is wrong becomes:
"I'm not sure that's completely correct."
As short definite statements sometimes sound too assertive to native English speakers, they often add extra vague language to a sentence. This extra language has no extra meaning, it is just a social softener.
The use of vague language differs from language to language and is an important cultural consideration when doing business in a foreign language. Native English speakers, for example, can find Germans direct because German uses little vague language. On the other hand, for Germans, native English speakers can sound indecisive, inaccurate and lacking authority. In both cases they are reacting to characteristics of the language, not their business partner. Here are some more examples of vague language commonly used by native speakers of English.
List completers
Sometimes a speaker might start a list of some kind and then cannot remember the rest of the list or does not think the other items are important enough to mention. In these cases, list completers are ideal:
"I typed some letters, reports and other things like that."
"You have to ask a doctor or a lawyer or someone like that."
List completers are very common and use words such as things and stuff. Here are some more list completers:
and stuff like that
and things / stuff
or something like that
or stuff like that
or what / where / whoever
Placeholders
Placeholders are for when a speaker does not know or cannot remember the name of something or someone.
"I need a thingummy for the slide projector."
"I gave it to whatsisname in the accounts department."
Grammatically these simply replace the name of the person or object that the speaker cannot remember and never change their form. Other place holders include:
whatsername (for a woman)
whatsit
thingy
thingummyjig
Quantities
Vague language is very common with numbers when expressing quantity, frequency or the time. Low numbers are often substituted by phrases such as a couple of / a few, whereas larger numbers are rounded up with about / around or replaced with lots of / loads of.
"Should we say around three or four o'clock?
"It cost around 20 pounds or so."
"It's about a million."
"The computer caused loads / lots of problems."
With vague language, a couple does not necessarily mean two, it could mean up to three or even four. When people do not want to give accurate numbers they can use the following:
"There were about 30 odd / or so people at the meeting."
"He's not that old. I'd say he's about 30-ish."
"There were a lot of / lots of / loads of problems."
"I've been to Prague a couple of / a few times."
"I think we need about / around 30 (or so)."
BBC LEARNING ENGLISH.
This quiz might help you to understand the meaning and use of vague language a bit more, as well as see some more examples.
quiz
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Blackeyed peas-I got a feeling
Watch the video and listen to the song. This song always makes me feel good!! Click here.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
flashforward
Are you following this new series? In fact you can watch the 3 first episodes online and undubbed!! Good stuff! This is just the trailer.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Muse
Interesting video, with a nice interview for listening comprehension. Sent by my former student Ana García Lerma.
Thanks for your contribution, as usual. Hope everybody enjoys it or at least finds it useful.
click here
Thanks for your contribution, as usual. Hope everybody enjoys it or at least finds it useful.
click here
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Milow-Ayo Technology
click here
She work it girl, she work the pole
She break it down, she take it low
She fine as hell, she about the dough
She doing her thing out on the floor
Her money money, she makin' makin'
Got the way she shakin'
Make you want to touch it, make you want to taste it
Have you lustin' for her,
go crazy face it
She's so much more than you're used to
She know's just how to move to seduce you
She gone do the right thing and touch the right spot
Dance in you're lap till you're ready to pop
She always ready, when you want it she want it
Like a nympho, the info
I show you where to meet her
On the late night, till daylight the club jumpin'
If you want a good time, she gone give you what you want
Baby It's a new age,
You like my new craze
Let's get together
Maybe we can start a new phase
The smokes got the club all hazy,
Spotlights don't do you justice baby
Why don't you come over here,
you got me saying
Aayooh
I'm tired of using technology,
Why don't you sit down on top of me
Aayooh
I'm tired of using technology
I need you right in front-- of me
In her fantasy, there's plain to see
Just how it be, on me, backstrokin',
Sweat soaking
All into my set sheets
When she ready to ride, I'm ready to roll
I'll be in this bitch till the club close
What should I do, on all fours
Now that that shit should be against the law
Different style, different move,
Damn I like the way you move
Girl you got me thinking about,
All the things I'd do to you
Let's get it poppin' shorty
We can switch positions
From the couch to the counters in my kitchen
Baby It's a new age,
You like my new craze
Let's get together
Maybe we can start a new phase
The smokes got the club all hazy,
Spotlights don't do you justice baby
Why don't you come over here, you got me saying
Aayooh
I'm tired of using technology,
Why don't you sit down on top of me
Aayooh
I'm tired of using technology
I need you right in front of me
Ooh she wants it, Ooh she wants it
Hmm she wants it, I got to give it to her
She wants it, Hmm she wants it
Hmm she wants it, I got to give it to her
I got to give it to her
Baby It's a new age,
You like my new craze
Let's get together
Maybe we can start a new phase
The smokes got the club all hazy,
Spotlights don't do you justice baby
Why don't you come over here, you got me saying
Aayooh
I'm tired of using technology
Why don't you sit down on top of me
Aayooh
I'm tired of using technology
I need you right in front of me
She work it girl, she work the pole
She break it down, she take it low
She fine as hell, she about the dough
She doing her thing out on the floor
Her money money, she makin' makin'
Got the way she shakin'
Make you want to touch it, make you want to taste it
Have you lustin' for her,
go crazy face it
She's so much more than you're used to
She know's just how to move to seduce you
She gone do the right thing and touch the right spot
Dance in you're lap till you're ready to pop
She always ready, when you want it she want it
Like a nympho, the info
I show you where to meet her
On the late night, till daylight the club jumpin'
If you want a good time, she gone give you what you want
Baby It's a new age,
You like my new craze
Let's get together
Maybe we can start a new phase
The smokes got the club all hazy,
Spotlights don't do you justice baby
Why don't you come over here,
you got me saying
Aayooh
I'm tired of using technology,
Why don't you sit down on top of me
Aayooh
I'm tired of using technology
I need you right in front-- of me
In her fantasy, there's plain to see
Just how it be, on me, backstrokin',
Sweat soaking
All into my set sheets
When she ready to ride, I'm ready to roll
I'll be in this bitch till the club close
What should I do, on all fours
Now that that shit should be against the law
Different style, different move,
Damn I like the way you move
Girl you got me thinking about,
All the things I'd do to you
Let's get it poppin' shorty
We can switch positions
From the couch to the counters in my kitchen
Baby It's a new age,
You like my new craze
Let's get together
Maybe we can start a new phase
The smokes got the club all hazy,
Spotlights don't do you justice baby
Why don't you come over here, you got me saying
Aayooh
I'm tired of using technology,
Why don't you sit down on top of me
Aayooh
I'm tired of using technology
I need you right in front of me
Ooh she wants it, Ooh she wants it
Hmm she wants it, I got to give it to her
She wants it, Hmm she wants it
Hmm she wants it, I got to give it to her
I got to give it to her
Baby It's a new age,
You like my new craze
Let's get together
Maybe we can start a new phase
The smokes got the club all hazy,
Spotlights don't do you justice baby
Why don't you come over here, you got me saying
Aayooh
I'm tired of using technology
Why don't you sit down on top of me
Aayooh
I'm tired of using technology
I need you right in front of me
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