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Showing posts from March, 2014

WRITING PROPOSALS

Proposal writing basics Writing proposals and letters of intent Improve your writing Written expression Guide to grammar & writing Now, if you feel like it, check out the trailer for the film The Proposal . I haven't seen it, well, I had never heard about it, actually. I guess it's a light comedy but don't you agree it suits us fine? ;)

LEARNING ENGLISH APPS

       

Off to meet Tamara, ARE WE?

Where's Miranda? Miranda , Series 2 Episode 4 BBC Two Stevie is angry about Miranda having a new friend: Miranda: Right, I am off to the restaurant. Stevie: Off to meet Tamara, are we ? Miranda: What do you mean " are we "? I'm just going to meet Tamara for a coffee. Stevie: Going for a coffee with Tamara, are we ? Remember that sometimes we use an affirmative tag after an affirmative statement to express anger, interest, surprise, and so forth. Once again, intonation is very important here. You can find different exercises about question tags here , here  or here . Fancy some grammar review ?

TED speeches

TED is a platform for ideas worth spreading. Started in 1984 as a conference where technology, entertainment and design converged, TED today shares ideas from a broad spectrum — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independent TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world. https://www.ted.com/talks/jay_walker_on_the_world_s_english_mania   (do notice the pronunciation of the word "mania") http://www.ted.com/playlists/117/words_words_words   (hilarious) https://www.ted.com/talks/mark_pagel_how_language_transformed_humanity   (the power of language) Subtitles and transcripts are also available for all the speeches.

HOLIMADRID 2014

Holimadrid 2014 : 29 March http://www.holifestival.com/uk/en/worldtour Holi ( BBC ) Indian's vibrant Holi festival ( The New York Times ) Tips to play safe Holi ( The Times of India )

MAKE A PRESENTATION LIKE STEVE JOBS

I'm sure you can benefit from some of the techniques one of the most extraordinary speakers in corporate America uses to make his speeches more powerful and put them into practice in your own speaking exam. I know you don't have to sell computers or mobile phones but you can communicate more effectively if you follow some key techniques that'll help you to electrify your audience. Shall we? Hilarious:

TREME

Let me tell you about the brilliant TV show I'm hooked on (please, do notice the use of the relative clause in the previous sentence: the brilliant TV show that/which I'm hooked on or the brilliant TV show on which I'm hooked ): TREME. TREME , set in post-katrina New Orleans, is one of the best TV shows ever. If you are not already a fan, I strongly recommend it. If you want to know more: The New Yorker on Treme San Francisco Gate on Treme Treme explained ( nola.com ) NOLA means New Orleans, Lousiana. If music is what you like. here you can listen to songs from Treme . Please, do not forget to take a glance at the local press for Mardi Gras 2014!! News, videos and more. You can even check a live webcam here ! I can see all the throws hanging from the street cable. I know, I know, you are thinking that after watching some of the scenes from Treme in class this morning, it would be a major feat on your part to be able to cope with this show. Don'