English out of the classroom: Theater in Madrid & trip to Dublin

Hi guys,

A couple of announcements with stuff to help you move forward with your English!

Christmas Pantomime by The Madrid Players. On Friday December, 10th, for just 6€ with the discount price for the school! A pantomime (Brit.)  is "a theatrical entertainment involving music, topical jokes, and slapstick comedy, usually produced around Christmas". It's a classic in the English community in Madrid, they've been doing it for ages. Tickets are going fast, if you are interested you need to bring the 6€ to class by Thursday, November 4th.



School trip to Dublin. From March 31st to April 3rd. The final price depends on total demand, but it's estimated at about 400€. There is a list going round where you can sign in if you are interested. Let us know! It doesn't express a commitment, but a serious willingness. Once the final price is known, a deadline for your last word and payment will be set.

I don't think I'll be going myself but as far as I know, Luis, who taught many of you last year, will.

Learning on the web: Vocabulary. WordChamp !

Hi guys,

Just a reminder of that terrific website we saw in class to help you learn massive amounts of new vocabulary www.wordchamp.com (word lists with pronunciation and fun drills, without that much effort!).

Check it out carefully if you haven't yet. It's worth it!
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Language Activities: WordChamp offers several ways to learn and practice any of more than 130 languages, no matter what your native language happens to be.

•	Language Drills — From the Flashcard tab, you can browse and use existing flashcards with our language drills, copy and edit flashcards for your own use, or simply create your own flashcards from scratch.
•	Web Reader — The Web Reader helps develop your ability to read foreign language websites or texts. With the point and click of a mouse, you can get translations for difficult words you encounter, including audio, and save these words to practice in language drills later.
•	Find a Language Partner — With thousands of members from all over the world speaking 130 languages, you can use WordChamp to find a language partner online to practice your language skills with.

Theater Scene: Drockula Show

Learn English with a smile!

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Drockula
This humorous rock musical in English is a take on Bram Stoker’s classic novel. Has-been rock star, Count Dracula, is confined to his haunted castle in Pennsylvania. Sad and lonely he misses his dead wife and rock and roll lifestyle. However, things are spiced up when two young divas, Lucy and Mina, drop in on their way to Broadway. Drockula will please adults and children alike. Drockula, Alcazar Theatre, C/Alcala, 20 (Metro: Sevilla). 13 Oct-7 Nov. Fri and Sat, 5pm. Tickets €12. www.gruposmedia.com.
From  www.in-madrid.com

Your English Learner Profile. Online submission

And finally, a snapshot of your "English profile" to help me --and you!-- guide your learning. Please fill out this online profile form with the information you used in the paper edition.

Ta,

Directions for an Assignments File

Our supporting computer infrastructure is pretty much set up by now. Hurray!

The last important thing we are missing is an online file. We'll use it to turn in your written assignments. Trying this out seems better than working on paper for a number of reasons:

• I'll suffer less from paper clutter. Sorry I gave my personal reasons first. :)
• All your written work is kept in one place: so it's easy for you to review your progress, and to mind your mistakes from previous assignments.
• You are likely to write it first on paper and then re-read it and type it in later. Or else, it's still easier to rewrite and make improvements on the computer. In any case, good writing is another name for re-writing!
• It's supposed to be greener!

Follow the instructions in this pdf file or in the presentation bellow (click on the double arrow to go to the next slide):

Diagnostic test, online submission

Hi guys,

As I said on the first day of class, we'll be taking an initial diagnostic test. The questions will be provided on paper, but submission of answers is online. Follow this link Grammar diagnostic test - Submission form  to submit your answers.

I'll provide the answer key at a later time. It may even be a good idea that you keep it all and re-take the test in a few months time, just for fun. Don't you think?

Directions for subscribing to discussion groups

Hi. It's highly convenient that you join the discussion groups as soon as possible. It will help to keep you posted!

You can find some tips about subscribing and creating a Google account here. See the presentation below or read this pdf

Welcome to my English blog!

Hi guys, this is a site for all things English!

I'll use it now and then to distribute class information and activities, and to let you know of any interesting English stuff I find on the web, or about English language happenings taking place in Madrid.

There will be daily English content from a number of sites, so bookmark the page and visit often! Your comments on any post are more than welcome too. You cannot post directly to this blog, but remember we have discussion groups for each class:

• Discussion group for NA1-A
• Discussion group for NA1-B
• Discussion group for NI2-A
• Discussion group for NI2-B 

These you can use for questions, class reports, community events...

Happy English!