More practice for you all

http://www.mappedup.com/

Have a look and try to tell us what this is about, whether it is interesting to have a look at it or not, etc. Share your opinions with us.

Are you familiar with Easter traditions and symbols?

From: http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Holidays/Easter/

WHAT IS EASTER ?
Easter is the celebration Jesus Christ's return to life after his crucification. It is usually celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon following the first day of Spring. This can be any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. It is the most sacred of all the Christian holidays or celebrations.
HOW EASTER WAS CELEBRATED IN ANCIENT DAYS ?
A long time ago, people used to celebrate when Spring arrived. People used to believe that changes in seasons were guided by spirits or gods. The blooming of plants and flowers and animals coming out of their hibernation and the return of birds brought life back to the land. This new life in spring symbolizes the new life Christians gain because of Jesus's death on the cross and his resurrection or back to life again.
WHAT IS LENT ?
Lent is the forty days special season prior to Easter Sunday. Sundays are not counted because it is the Lord's Day and should be celebrated and therefore no fasting. Lent is a period of fasting or doing without certain foods, praying and repentance.
WHAT IS THE HOLY WEEK ?
The Holy week is the last week of Lent. It begins with the observance of Palm Sunday. The name, Palm Sunday originated from Jesus's entry in Jerusalem.
NAMES OF EASTER
Easter was called Pesach by early Christians. It is a 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 SYMBOLS
Find out about all the Easter symbols:
Easter egg, bonfires and candles, Easter lily, cross, Palm Easter bunny,
lamb, pretzels.
EASTER CUSTOMS
Foot washing, making an Easter tree, Easter egg hunting, Easter egg rolling.

Source: http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Holidays/Easter/

April Fool's Day

April Fool's gone past,And you're the biggest fool at last.

Are you an April Fool? What does it have to do with fools?

Is there an April Fool in Spain?

April 1st is coming soon and you can make the most of it if you have a look at this or browse for more information using this link or Internet.

You can even play some jokes but remember "(...) have to be played before noon".

Happy April Fool's!!

http://homepages.tesco.net/~derek.berger/holidays/aprilfool.html

St. Patrick's Day

This week, Irish people celebrate Saint Patrick's day. But, do you know why? What kind of things are done either in Ireland and New York to celebrate this festivity? This is also a wonderful occasion to visit Ireland. Try to plan a cultural trip to Dublin and other famous town in Ireland during a whole week. Any suggestions?? Remember to post your writing task using the "comments" tool.

** Click here to know more things about this festivity at the same time your practice your English with language exercises

Firefox features: Spellchecking and Dictionaries

I would like to recommend your this fabulous navigator in order to improve your English and avoid from having spelling mistakes, not only for using this blog but also to sent post to our webct forum.

The first tool I would like to introduce you is the new spell checker you could find in the new Firefox version: http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/products/firefox/

Thanks to it, everything you write, either in English or Spanish, could be checked while you are writing. You could also add new words to the default list of words.

The other option, not new by the way, is the possibility that Firefox (and now Explorer 7) has to add quick search buttons to the most famous and useful dictionaries (Open Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, DRAE...)

Just click here and write "dictionary" or anything you would like to find.

Fallas

I have never been to Valencia during Fallas, but I would like to go some time. Could anybody tell me what's the meaning of "Mascletá" (I don't know If I wrote it fine)? Could you give me a picture to put it here? Could you recommend me a good place to see or enjoy this festivity in Valencia?

Please, use "comments" to reply...

Unit 5. Resort tourism

You are working in the marketing department of a big travel agency chain. Write a brochure offering the new product you want to launch, travelling to Disney World as a First Communion gift.

In order to do that, your must include a very detailed schedule, indicating: flights, hotel inside the resort, prices for a whole week, possible discounts for children, etc.

Use the "comments" option to write this composition. (See page 90 of the book for more info)

Unit 6. Cultural tourism

What's this? Could you tell me the name of this famous Spanish building in English? Imagine that you are a tourist guide and you have to tall about this monument. What would explaing to your audience? Style? History? Function? Year of construction?


Remember to write your compositions using "comments".

Have you ever been to Jaén?

Many of you will have been to Granada, Córdoba or Sevilla, but what about Jaén?

Jaén, a town in northern Andalucía deserves being visited. Look at its wonderful cathedral.

You can find more information about Jaén and its province in:

Jaén province

Now, why don't you write about Jaén? What did you see? What did you like most? Can you describe it?