7/01/2010
Dr. RANDY PAUSCH and how to live life.
I won't write anything about this entry. Dr. Randy Pausch words' are more important. Listen to this amazing man.
"Inspirational Speech by Dr. Randy Pausch On the Oprah Winfrey Show: The Last Lecture. Dr. Pausch Passed Away on July 25th, 2008.
This is a video that everyone should see. For those of you who aren't familiar with who Dr. Randy Pausch is, the short story goes like this:He is a happily married man with three very young children. He spent years working for Disney as an Imagineer who helped them develop some of their theme park attractions. He then went on to teach at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pennsylvania.
Abruptly, his life took a turn for the worse when he got cancer and fought it off after years of treatment. The cancer has since returned and has near-totally corupted several vital organs leaving him with mere months to live.
This video is his shortened speech on how not even death can bring this man down and how the dreams he sought to come true can inspire us all.
This video has changed my life and I will NEVER forget it. Will it do the same for you? Please pass this video from the Oprah Winfrey Show on to anyone you feel takes life for granted or just pass it to someone who loves to live.
The full video can be found here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?doc...
Additional Info on Dr. Pausch: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Pa...
Dr. Pausch's final fight to get the message out about his disease:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iP7xr6ig-shttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ7zeZ...
http://www.firstgiving.com/randypausch PLEASE donate to the Randy Pausch pancreatic cancer research fund.
Please watch this and find some true happiness in your life."
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9ya9BXClRw TheArchfiend
6/22/2010
ABOUT WRITING. You can learn anywhere.

EBAY, as you all know is basically a website to buy and sell items so it is essential to write a very good description of what you want to sell or need to buy. They include some hints about this which you may find interesting to read and then use in your essays, compositions, etc as thay are practical and easy to use.
This is their advice:
Writing a good title and description
Writing an effective title
What to avoid in your title
Writing an informative description
What to avoid in your description
Examples of titles and descriptions
Your listing's title and description are your advertisement; an opportunity to inform and excite buyers. A good title and description provides a clear picture of your item, which increases your chances that buyers will find and bid on or buy your item.
http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/title_desc_ov.html
If you also want some listening practice on "Learn How To Sell On Ebay - Tips For Selling On Ebay" and get your ear working, here you can find some videos to learn some more vocabulary on descriptions:
http://g4tv.com/videos/8093/EBay-Tips/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Mn9C-3pGI&feature=related
6/14/2010
MORE ON BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/

Or try the NEWS, Sport, TV, the weather or the QUIZZES for your exams:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/apps/ifl/worldservice/quiznet/quizengine?ContentType=text/html;quiz=157_mobiles
you can also find very useful this link to EXAM SKILLS:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1143_exams/
and all these interesting sections:Preparing Building vocabulary Writing exams
Listening exams Speaking exams Reading exams Advice from IATEFL Insider guides
Useful Links
"It's easy to waste time worrying about exams - even when they're still months away! But there's a great deal you can do to help yourself prepare thoroughly and perform well... We've created resources for every move you need to make - from choosing the right course in the first place and planning your revision, to improving your exam technique. Each unit contains a handy list of tips from teachers, examiners and students. You can also listen to short programmes and download transcripts. There are glossaries to help you understand the audio. You'll also find a unit of tried-and-tested advice from English language experts who took part in the 2006 International Annual IATEFL conference. And to help you choose the right exam for you, we begin a series of Insider guides to different exams. These are written by the institutions which create the exams. Read up on the Cambridge ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) exams and the Trinity College London Examinations. Coming soon ... there'll be a chance to put your questions to an English language revision expert and an English language examiner in a live web chat! And if you e-mail us with your strategies for revising, we'll pass on the best of your advice! You can send all your comments and recommendations to us at: mailto:learningenglish@bbc.co.uk?subject=Exam. "
6/07/2010
RON CLARK, THE TEACHER

Ron Clark interview Part 1 of 3.wmv
cnn - ron clark academy "teaches you how to be a global citizen and a global leader"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkHMJMApeT8&feature=related
Ron Clark and students return from South Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOxHZVx7XHs&translated=1
Ron Clark Kids - You can Vote However You Like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEKNAZbn9p0&translated=1
Obama Inauguration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e1Qyt6V2Pc&feature=related
5/28/2010
SOME READING, SOME PRACTICE, SOME SMILES
WHY GOD MADE MOMS Answers given by 2nd grade school children:
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2.. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.
What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.
What kind of a little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Why did your mom marry your dad?
1.. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them..
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.
What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter.. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.
5/22/2010
BBC LEARNING ENGLISH

Our students want to know about sites to keep on improving or practicing their languages.
The Flatmates,Community , Specials, Downloads where you can practice Listenings, pronunciation, podcast, news, even a 6 minute English and if you have children try English kids!
4/25/2010
http://vox-nova.com/2007/06/ 4/20/2010
MAUREEN AND URSULA AND OTHER INSPIRING WOMEN. Writing a script.

Pic: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2917920/Top-secret-Harry-Potter-movie-script-left-in-a-pub-by-boozy-film-crew.html
Posted by Sarah Harlan - email (NBC) - Here's an example of what not to do after a night out drinking at a pub. The British newspaper The Sun claims to have obtained a copy of the top-secret script for the next Harry Potter movie. A film crew allegedly left the script under a table at a pub in England after a night of drinking, where someone picked it up. The Sun said the script was marked "private and confidential" and contained some major changes from the original book by J.K.... http://celebrifi.com/gossip/British-newspaper-Top-secret-Harry-Potter-script-left-at-pub-2118632.html
It was given to The Sun by a reader who found it at a boozer in Kings Langley, Herts, often used by star Daniel Radcliffe, 20.
The script - marked "Private and Confidential" - was spotted under a table.
It reveals how film chiefs have made several dramatic changes from JK Rowling's book Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows.
Studio Warner Bros last night thanked The Sun after we handed back the lost script.
And bosses launched an urgent investigation into how the inch-thick booklet was lost - as sources told how the film's crew went on a major drinking session.
The £250 million film, starring Daniel Radcliffe as the schoolboy wizard, is currently being completed at Leavesden Studios in Kings Langley, Herts.
On Thursday night a large group of film crew went to the nearby Waterside Tavern.
A source at the pub said: "They'd got behind schedule in filming but then caught up, so they went out for a celebratory drink which led to many more.
Surprise ... we've obscured script to keep spoilers secret
"There was a huge group. They were here all night, laughing and joking, chucking back beers.
"They usually come down for a session on a Friday, but because it was Easter they were in a day early.
"Daniel Radcliffe is the only member of the cast who has been known to come down and have a laugh with them, but he wasn't there that night."
The Sun reader who found the script said: "I couldn't believe my eyes. I know guys that work on the film drink in the pub, but it's very embarrassing that someone could just leave it there.
"I'm glad I've helped to stop any surprises being leaked."
The script shows how film bosses have split the final Potter story into two parts to keep fans in suspense. The first film - with Daniel's co-stars Emma Watson and Rupert Grint back in their usual roles - is due for release in November. Part two will follow in July next year.
The Sun has seen how producers are making a number of dramatic changes from the book, but we are keeping the details secret and have blurred our picture of the script so as not to spoil fans' enjoyment.
Crew's boozer ... Waterside Tavern
A Warner Bros spokesman said: "We are grateful to The Sun for the safe return of this script." It is the THIRD time that Harry Potter secrets have almost been revealed prematurely.
In May 2003, copies of The Order Of The Phoenix book were found in a Suffolk field six weeks before the publication date. Then four years ago the script for that film was found at an alleged "dogging" site beside the A25 in Chipstead, Kent.
a.crick@the-sun.co.ukRead more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2917920/Top-secret-Harry-Potter-movie-script-left-in-a-pub-by-boozy-film-crew.html#ixzz0kVQxDIKh
Contribution Dr. Jordano
Now, is this serious? Are we going nuts? Are those writers sensible, responsible, good workers?
Isn't it that important? Can this happen to anybody?
Why, in your opinion, is this happening more and more often at work?
4/09/2010
PRACTICE: English Central.com videos.

http://www.englishcentral.com/en/videos
Our unique speech recognition platform allows you to practice SPEAKING with any video you choose and then get INSTANT FEEDBACK on how well you are doing.
TRY THE DEMO
Apple: Making a Difference
This Apple commercial pays tribute to people who make a difference.
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Learn English while watching videos!
You are ONE CLICK away from learning English.
Be curious, an have a look! Then, Write your comments!
3/27/2010
HAPPY EASTER!
http://blog.jumpitz.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/happyeaster.pngEaster is the celebration of Jesus Christ's rising from the dead (His Resurrection) after His crucifixion which took place on what we now term Good Friday.
Easter is usually celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon following the Vernal or Spring Equinox on March 21st. This can be any Sunday between March 22nd and April 25th. It is the most sacred of all the Christian holidays or celebrations.
Christ's return (or rising) from death is called the Resurrection. According to the scriptures, Christ's tomb was empty three days after His death, which is commemorated on Good Friday. His followers saw Him and talked to Him after this. Christians therefore believe that they have the hope of a new life (an everlasting life in Heaven) after their earthly death.
The Holy week is the last week of Lent. It begins with the observance of Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter Sunday. The name, Palm Sunday originated from Jesus's entry in Jerusalem. The crowd laid carpets of palms on the street for Him. The Last Supper is commemorated on Holy Thursday of special week (often called Maundy Thursday) and Friday is the anniversary of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross. The Lenten season and Holy week end with Easter Sunday (the Resurrection of Jesus Christ).
HOW DID EASTER GET ITS NAME ?
The English name "Easter" is much newer. Before Christianity in early England, the people celebrated the vernal equinox with a feast honoring Eostre, the Pagan goddess of spring. When the early English Christians wanted others to accept Christianity, they decided to use the name Easter for this holiday so that it would match the name of the old spring celebration. This made it more comfortable for other people to accept Christianity. Some believed that the word Easter came from an early German word "eostarun", meaning dawn and white. Newly baptized Christians wore white clothes as a sign of their new life on Easter.
NAMES OF EASTER
Easter was called Pesach by early Christians. It is the Hebrew name for Passover. Today, the name for Easter in many cultures in Europe are similar to the word Pesah. For example :
France -Paques /Spain -Pascua /Italy -Pasqua /Albania -Pashke/ Greece -Pascha /Norway -Paaske /Holland -Pasen /Sweden -Pask
EASTER EGG
As Christianity spread, more familiar traditions, symbols and celebrations of spring were associated with Easter . One of the oldest spring symbols in the world is the egg. The oval shape of the egg was the same shape for a raindrop and a seed. These two were important life-giving elements. The egg itself promises new life as in spring, birds, and many other animals are hatched from eggs. In fact, the Persians, Hindus and Egyptians believed that the world began with a single egg. In ancient China, Rome and Greece, eggs were given as springtime gifts. In Polland and Russia, hours are spent on drawing intricate designs on Easter eggs. In England, members of the royal families gave each other gold-covered eggs as Easter gifts in the middle ages. The most famous Easter egg decorator was Peter Carl Faberge. He designed eggs from gold, silver and other precious gems for kings of Europe and czars of Russia. These eggs are priceless now and can only be found in museums and private collections. In early America, children decorated their eggs by using dyes made from natural materials like fruit and leave coloring.
3/20/2010
HAVE YOU HEARD OF EARTHHOUR? MARCH 27TH 20:30 hrs.

Saturday 27 March 2010 at 8.30pm
We want a billion people around the world to switch off their lights for one hour, WWF’s Earth Hour, to show they care about people
and wildlife threatened by climate change. WWF’s Earth Hour provides a fun and effective way of giving students a voice in tackling
climate change, and your participation is crucial to its success!
Watch this WWF-UK video to find out more: http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/about_earth_hour/aboutearthhour/
What do you think of these initiatives?
Do you take part in them?
Are they useful to make people aware of what's going on?
Please send your comments!
3/17/2010
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig




"Welcome to St-Patricks-Day.com for 2010!Dedicated to the Irish & Irish at Heart all around the World. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by the Irish and Irish at Heart in big cities and small towns alike with parades, "wearing of the green," music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids such as crafts, coloring and games. Its a time for fun. Some communities even go so far as to dye rivers or streams green! See all the Parades & Events going on around the World to celebrate St Patricks Day 2010 http://www.st-patricks-day.com/
Well now St. Patrick's Day wouldn't exist if not for the man himself! But how much do we know about him? Did you know that he spent six years of slavery in Ireland until he escaped and undertook religious training abroad? Read more about this great man!
And some practice for your ears: do not miss these great videos on St. Patrick's Day: history, traditions, parades...
********* http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day
3/14/2010
MORE ON SHRINKS AND PSYCHOANALYSIS

shrink
n.
1. a. The act of shrinking.
2. Slang A psychotherapist.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The Country Shrink
A psychologist from rural America comments on psychology, psychiatry, religion, and politics.
PSYCHOANALYST PUPPETS???
Go nuts with this set of psychoanalyst puppets, including Freud (the father of psychoanalysis), his daughter Anna Freud (a noted child therapist), Carl Jung (king of the collective unconscious). Comes with a red chaise lounge so the shrinks can take turns shrinking each other.
You and your friends can debate psychological theory, reenact the friendship and breakup of Freud and Jung, and turn psychoanalytical theory on its head! The box converts to a puppet theater. Made in China.
http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?itemId=12060
2/28/2010
Teaching a Foreign Language? Best Teach in the Accent of the Listener



ScienceDaily (Feb. 17, 2010) — Perception of second language speech is easier when it is spoken in the accent of the listener and not in the 'original' accent of that language, shows a new study from the University of Haifa. The study was published in the Journal of Psycholinguistic Research.
Many adult schools teaching second languages insist on exposing their students to the languages in their 'original' accents. However, this new study, carried out by Dr. Raphiq Ibrahim and Dr. Mark Leikin of the University of Haifa's Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center for the Study of Learning Disabilities, Prof. Zohar Eviatar of the Department of Psychology and Prof. Shimon Sapir of the Department of Learning Disabilities, found that this system is not necessarily the best and certainly not the most expeditious.
The present study set out to reveal the level of phonological information that the adult learner requires in order to identify words in a second language that had been learned at a later age, and whether the level of phonological information that they require varies when the words are pronounced in different accents.
Read more:
Source:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100216101326.htm
Do you agree with this?
Do you think you would then understand the natives' accent when talking to them?
Why does this seem to work better for adults?
Would you like to tell us about how this works for you?
2/18/2010
MY PROMISED POST FOR PALOMA

COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS.
We ALL have communication problems whether we're using our mother tongue, a second language, if we have hearing problems...
If we are studying a language we need to learn the rules, grammar, vocabulary, etc. in the best way but in the end what we need is communication.
So...never feel shy or embarrased, feel free to speak, many people will smile when we speak, some will help us, some will correct us and finally we will learn, we will know more.
We could have done it better, why did we say this or that in the wrong way, we did not pronounce that properly...that's the way we learn!!!
This post is for Paloma, one of our students who is doing a great personal effort everytime she speaks, as she finds it hard to do it as perfectly as she'd like. She is a fighter, so keep on improving Paloma!! (let me include your mates, too: KEEP ON WORKING!)
Well, this is for Paloma and her mates, to have a real good laugh.
For those of you who have not heard about Fawlty Towers (no? and Monty Phyton? ;-) ) please have a look: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fawlty_Towers
Now, you can check we all have communication problems (the plot around Mrs. Richardson) . If it is a bit long you can use fast forward but try to watch it little by little, once and again, and you will understand a bit more every time. Enjoy it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5frHEREsYPM&feature=related 1st part
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ez4x6IYfMo&feature=related 2nd "
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=225SOyk1fzg&feature=related 3rd "
Please send us your comments on Fawlty's episode or your anecdotes on communication problems!!




