Wednesday, June 22, 2011

EVALUACIONES FINALES

Estimados alumnos:


Me han informado que cuando ustedes vuelvan a clases necesitarán completar las evaluaciones que faltan. Mayoritariamente tendrán que rendir tanto el examen oral como el escrito.


Quienes así lo deseen pueden prepararse accediendo a los siguientes sitios (además de la Plataforma):


Link 1: PET PRACTICE


http://www.english-online.org.uk/petfolder/pethome.php?name=Practice%20for%20the%20Preliminary%20English%20Test


Link 2: Oral Interaction Expressions (Agreeing & Disagreeing)


http://www.englishclub.com/speaking/agreeing-disagreeing-expressions.htm



Saludos cordiales,


Juan

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

ALTERNATIVE POST: UNIVERSITY STUDENT STRIKE


The mobilizations of Chilean university students are starting to spread all over the country. The strikes , sit-ins and marches of the universities in Chile’s capital city continue. The governmen t have made some promises but students say it’s not enough...

I’d like to hear your views on this. Here you have some questions and useful vocabulary to help you write about this hot issue.

-How Would you describe the crisis Chilean education is going through?

-How would you compare the situation of education in our universities with regard to other countries?

-Who or what would you blame for the problems Chilean university students have?

-What is the most important reason you have to protest? How do you feel about this problem?

-What do you expect to get as a result of the strike?

Be sure to write about 280 words and post comments on 3 of your classmates’s posts.

Useful vocabulary:

-be on strike / lead a strike / hold a strike / go on a strike / join a strike /

-oppose (privatization, current fees, the commercialisation of education , the current credit system within education, etc)

-protest for (profit-education, university fees, a raise of tuition fees, the prevailing model, the economic, social and cultural model, the increasing privatisation within the education system, etc)

-demand (reforms, help with tuition, an increase in funding, non-discriminatory access to education, an injection of resources to universities, funding by the state, etc)

-defend (your rights, public education, etc)

-receive ( public subsidies, etc)

-raise (tuition fees, etc)

-regulate (the private higher education industry)

-revise (the university admission system, the current model, etc)

-reform (the Chilean education system)

-increase (government funding for education)

-consider (concrete changes, etc)

-participate in (student demonstrations, university student protests, etc)

Saturday, June 11, 2011

ON THE STRIKE, BLOGS AND PLATAFORMA

Estimados alumnos:

La idea de continuar trabajando con los blogs fue sugerida por la coordinación general del Programa de Inglés, la cual está a favor de las demandas estudiantiles. De hecho, muchos profesores del área de inglés han participado en las manifestaciones junto a otros académicos de esta universidad.


Les aclaro que no tienen ustedes ninguna obligación de trabajar mientras se encuentren en huelga. La idea de continuar trabajando con la plataforma y/o los blogs es, por un lado, una manera de no perder la práctica regular del idioma, para que su desempeño no se vea afectado en los exámenes finales, pero por sobre todo es una forma de que su carga académica se reduzca una vez que termine la huelga y puedan concentrarse en las materias más directamente relacionadas con su carrera.


Les sugiero, a quienes se interesen en hacer sus blogs, que escriban de forma alternativa sobre la huelga y sus sentir en relación a ella (ver instrucciones en otro post). Las sugerencias para escribir sobre temas relacionados son bienvenidas.


Saludos cordiales,


Juan Luzzi

Thursday, June 9, 2011

POST 8: LITERATURE AND BOOKS



The topic you have chosen to write about this week is: Literature and books.
Here you are some bullet points to help you start writing your post:

Introduction.
-Why is literature important in our lives?

Your reading habits.
-Are you a book worm or do you only read books from time to time?
-Did you read books when you were a child?
-How many books do you read per year?

Things you like reading.
-What sort of books do you enjoy reading?
-Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?
-Who is your favorite writer?
-What is your favorite book?
-Who is your favorite character from literature?


Tell us a little about a book you have read recently:
-Did you enjoy it?
-How long did it take to read?
-Briefly, what was the story about?

Make sure to leave a comment on 2 of your classmates' posts and remember that the number of words is 280.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

POST 7: A PHOTOGRAPH THAT I LIKE



Hi everybody,
Do you enjoy taking photos? Do you have a camera? Do you collect printed photos? Are you a photolog freak?
This week you are expected to write about a photograph that you like. Make sure to include the following in your post:
  • Who took it
  • What it shows
  • When it was taken
  • Why you like it
Don't hesitate to ¡nclude any other information you think is important.
Write at least 280 words.
Finally, add comments to at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

POST 6: THE CINEMA


Gone with the wind... , The Godfather..., Singing in the rain... , Psicosis... , 2001: A space oddisey... , The exorcist... , Cabaret... These are just some of the most popular films ever. Have you seen any of these films?
This week's blog assignment is to write about a movie you have seen. Make sure to include the following in your post:

Do you like going to the cinema? If so, how often do you go?. When did you last go
Do you ever rent or buy films?
What's your favourite film?
What is it about?
How many times have you seen it?
What are the good and weak points of the film?
Would you reccomend it?

How would you rate it?: A must see? Good? Just fair? I want my money back?

Write between 200 and 250 words and remember to comment on two of your classmates' posts .I look forwards to reading your reviews.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

POST 5: MY FAVOURITE PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY


Hi everybody!
Are you the techy type? Do you try to keep up with the latest technology? Are you thinking of buying an IPOD, a digital camera, or something the like? Do you wish santa Claus would bring you an LCD television? Are you saving money to buy a lap top?

This week's blog assignment is to write about your favourite piece of technology.

When you write your post make sure you say:

>What it is.
>When you got it.
>How you use it.
>How often you use it.
>Why you like it.
>What life would be like with out it.

(150 words minimum)
Include a picture.

Comment on at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs