UOC – Fair tourism: Another way to travel
Have a look at this article written by the Open University talking about sustainable tourism. You will find also the translation in Spanish and Catalan, so that you will also have the opportunity to compare grammatical structures,a very useful way to improve your English writing.
Have a nice summer,
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
BBC/OU Open2.net - Home
BBC/OU Open2.net - Home
Hi again! Have you ever wondered who would be studying at distance in other country? Perhaps, you may have watched a UNED program at TV. Would you like to have a look at the kind of programs British people have in their country. Click on the link and will find some some of the material used by the Open University students, the equivalent of UNED in the UK. Could you see anything related to your subjects?
Hi again! Have you ever wondered who would be studying at distance in other country? Perhaps, you may have watched a UNED program at TV. Would you like to have a look at the kind of programs British people have in their country. Click on the link and will find some some of the material used by the Open University students, the equivalent of UNED in the UK. Could you see anything related to your subjects?
Thursday, July 12, 2007
7 secrets for improvement of learning English
I have just read from another blog a post talking about some tips to improve your learning strategies. Have a look and try to put them into practice thi summer while you study for your September exam!!
http://saichonkloyiam.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!746752006E311830!329.entry
Have fun!
María
http://saichonkloyiam.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!746752006E311830!329.entry
Have fun!
María
Saturday, June 02, 2007
What criteria is used to rate the "star value" of hotels?

Hotel star ratings have been around for decades. "Five stars" means doves serenade you in the shower. "One star" translates into vibrating beds and a $5 deposit on all ice buckets. In short, the more stars, the better. But beware the rub. Many different rating systems exist in the U.S. Choose the wrong one and you could be in for a sleepless night.Nearly all major travel sites have their own ways of ranking hotels. For example, there's no definitive answer on whether the Super 8 in Sioux City merits one star or two. Expedia says two. Orbitz says two. However, the rebels at Priceline say one. It all depends.You may be best off using AAA's system. Their official magazine explains "some online services are notorious for handing out stars liberally," while rankings from AAA and Mobil have (according to AAA, anyway) more stringent requirements.No matter where you go, or what system (if any) you use, keep in mind that one man's palace is another man's pit. That should help you minimize the unpleasant surprises. Happy travels!
How did the chef's hat originate? Does it serve a purpose?The chef's hat, or "toque blanche" (French for "white hat"), has been around for more than 400 years. Back in the 16th century, artisans (including chefs) were among the "free thinkers" who were often persecuted, imprisoned, or executed because of their views. To escape this treatment, some chefs hid in monasteries and wore the same type of clothing as the priests, including tall hats. However, chefs wore gray, while priests wore black. But there are other theories regarding the hat's history. One source states the hat may have evolved from the stocking cap ("casque a meche") worn by French chefs throughout the years. The color of the casque a meche indicated the chef's rank.Sometime in the mid-1800s, chef Marie-Antoine Careme decided white was a more appropriate color for toques as it indicated cleanliness in the kitchen. Careme also believed the hats should be of different heights to indicate rank. Cooks wore shorter hats than chefs. Reportedly Careme's hat was 18 inches tall.Interestingly, the number of pleats in a chef's hat is also a status symbol. Many toques have exactly 100 pleats, supposedly the number of ways a chef can prepare an egg.
From: www.topgreetings.com
How did the chef's hat originate? Does it serve a purpose?The chef's hat, or "toque blanche" (French for "white hat"), has been around for more than 400 years. Back in the 16th century, artisans (including chefs) were among the "free thinkers" who were often persecuted, imprisoned, or executed because of their views. To escape this treatment, some chefs hid in monasteries and wore the same type of clothing as the priests, including tall hats. However, chefs wore gray, while priests wore black. But there are other theories regarding the hat's history. One source states the hat may have evolved from the stocking cap ("casque a meche") worn by French chefs throughout the years. The color of the casque a meche indicated the chef's rank.Sometime in the mid-1800s, chef Marie-Antoine Careme decided white was a more appropriate color for toques as it indicated cleanliness in the kitchen. Careme also believed the hats should be of different heights to indicate rank. Cooks wore shorter hats than chefs. Reportedly Careme's hat was 18 inches tall.Interestingly, the number of pleats in a chef's hat is also a status symbol. Many toques have exactly 100 pleats, supposedly the number of ways a chef can prepare an egg.
From: www.topgreetings.com
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Oral and Writing Communication

As students of Tourism, you'll have to deal with customers in different situations, and this means that you'll have to write letters or emails giving details (about a hotel, a restaurant, a country, a town or city, for example) or answering people's requests or complaints. But that's not all. You'll have to speak with them, in person or on the phone.
http://www.ego4u.com/en/business-english/communication
In the link above, you can find some useful vocabulary about oral and writing communication and you'll also find some information about the structure of the letters.
You could practice writing a letter, a hotel complaint, for example and then writing the apologising letter.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
The worst part of being a receptionist

When working, we all have things we don't like to do. Unit 8 has been dealing, most of it, with the job of being a receptionist. I always have thought this could be a very nice occupation, but we could also find very hard tasks...Have a look at this funny article!
http://www.notmydesk.com/guide/receptionist.html
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Metropolitan Museum: New Greek and Modern Galleries

As you may have read in the news, a new section on Classic art has been opened in the Metropolitan Museum of New York. Works have been collected by buying sculptures and other item to private collectors. What do you think about this? Do you think it is a good way of acquiring art?
Friday, April 27, 2007
Practice for lessons 7 and 8

Browse some of these pages, see what they are looking for, read all the info and check the vocabulary, have a look at what you might need if you wanted to work for The Ritz, for instance.
There are tons of web pages offering info under the labels "work with us", "careers", "recruitment", etc. Imagine how to write you CV or resumé, a cover letter, and so on to be part of their staff.
You may end up being one their trainees next summer...
Thursday, April 19, 2007
And more practice!!! The night of the books- 23 April- British Council

Luke Sutherland The Night of the Books
British Council. Madrid. 23 April 19.00h
The Night of the Books is an organised reading tour across the European cultural institutes in Madrid. In each institute there will be book readings by European authors around the theme of the writer as literary character. In a singular setting, each reading is given in the original language and in Spanish.
The British Council begins this round with readings by the British author, musician and songwriter Luke Sutherland whose works include Jelly Roll, Sweetmeat and Venus as a Boy. The work of this author, highly autobiographical in nature, touches on themes of unease and anguish within the context of social inclusion and integration. In A boy from the Islands, Luke Sutherland contrasts the ambivalence between his own deep sense of belonging to the land where he grew up – a black child raised in the Orkneys - and the impossibility of his integration due to his own perception of himself.
www.contemporarywriters.com
Tourism lesson plans for ESL Teachers: eslflow webguide
I was sufing the web looking for some other thing, and I found this website: http://www.eslflow.com/Tourismlessons.html.
It is a compilation of material for teachers and students about English for tourism. Have look or save it anywhere for you to see later.
See you!
María
It is a compilation of material for teachers and students about English for tourism. Have look or save it anywhere for you to see later.
See you!
María
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Guide to Basic Business Letters
Guide to Basic Business Letters
From Kenneth Beare,Your Guide to English as 2nd Language.
http://esl.about.com/cs/onthejobenglish/a/a_basbletter.htmGuide to Basic Business Letters
The Basics
The basics of good business letter writing are easy to learn. The following guide provides the phrases that are usually found in any standard business letter. These phrases are used as a kind of frame and introduction to the content of business letters. At the end of this guide, you will find links to sites that give tips on the difficult part of writing successful business letters – arguing your business objective. By using these standard phrases, you can give a professional tone to your English business letters.
The Start
Dear Personnel Director,
Dear Sir or Madam: (use if you don't know who you are writing to)
Dear Dr, Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms Smith: (use if you know who you are writing to, and have a formal relationship with - VERY IMPORTANT use Ms for women unless asked to use Mrs or Miss)
Dear Frank: (use if the person is a close business contact or friend)
The Reference
With reference to your advertisement in the Times, your letter of 23 rd March, your phone call today, Thank you for your letter of March 5 th .
The Basics
The basics of good business letter writing are easy to learn. The following guide provides the phrases that are usually found in any standard business letter. These phrases are used as a kind of frame and introduction to the content of business letters. At the end of this guide, you will find links to sites that give tips on the difficult part of writing successful business letters – arguing your business objective. By using these standard phrases, you can give a professional tone to your English business letters.
The Start
Dear Personnel Director,
Dear Sir or Madam: (use if you don't know who you are writing to)
Dear Dr, Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms Smith: (use if you know who you are writing to, and have a formal relationship with - VERY IMPORTANT use Ms for women unless asked to use Mrs or Miss)
Dear Frank: (use if the person is a close business contact or friend)
The Reference
With reference to your advertisement in the Times, your letter of 23 rd March, your phone call today, Thank you for your letter of March 5 th .
From Kenneth Beare,Your Guide to English as 2nd Language.
http://esl.about.com/cs/onthejobenglish/a/a_basbletter.htmGuide to Basic Business Letters
The Basics
The basics of good business letter writing are easy to learn. The following guide provides the phrases that are usually found in any standard business letter. These phrases are used as a kind of frame and introduction to the content of business letters. At the end of this guide, you will find links to sites that give tips on the difficult part of writing successful business letters – arguing your business objective. By using these standard phrases, you can give a professional tone to your English business letters.
The Start
Dear Personnel Director,
Dear Sir or Madam: (use if you don't know who you are writing to)
Dear Dr, Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms Smith: (use if you know who you are writing to, and have a formal relationship with - VERY IMPORTANT use Ms for women unless asked to use Mrs or Miss)
Dear Frank: (use if the person is a close business contact or friend)
The Reference
With reference to your advertisement in the Times, your letter of 23 rd March, your phone call today, Thank you for your letter of March 5 th .
The Basics
The basics of good business letter writing are easy to learn. The following guide provides the phrases that are usually found in any standard business letter. These phrases are used as a kind of frame and introduction to the content of business letters. At the end of this guide, you will find links to sites that give tips on the difficult part of writing successful business letters – arguing your business objective. By using these standard phrases, you can give a professional tone to your English business letters.
The Start
Dear Personnel Director,
Dear Sir or Madam: (use if you don't know who you are writing to)
Dear Dr, Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms Smith: (use if you know who you are writing to, and have a formal relationship with - VERY IMPORTANT use Ms for women unless asked to use Mrs or Miss)
Dear Frank: (use if the person is a close business contact or friend)
The Reference
With reference to your advertisement in the Times, your letter of 23 rd March, your phone call today, Thank you for your letter of March 5 th .
Unit 7. Written communication for Tourism. Task
One of the writing topics most usual at UNED exams is" writing a complaint letter". Imagine you have booked a flight and once you are in the airport the staff tells you that you that there is overbooking and you cannot fly till next day. Explain that you needed to arrive very early in the morning the first flight you had was for next day the 13.00.
Don't worry to use all the linkers and expressions suggested in the book (page 122) .
Here you are some useful websites:
http://www.businessballs.com/complaintsletters.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?10-Secrets-For-Writing-Killer-Complaint-Letters&id=15696
http://www.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/tows_past_20010531_e.jhtml?promocode=089
Remember to write your tasks as a "comment".
Don't worry to use all the linkers and expressions suggested in the book (page 122) .
Here you are some useful websites:
http://www.businessballs.com/complaintsletters.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?10-Secrets-For-Writing-Killer-Complaint-Letters&id=15696
http://www.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/tows_past_20010531_e.jhtml?promocode=089
Remember to write your tasks as a "comment".
How many different kinds of letters could you write?
Did you know that we have different rules to write business letters in English depending on the person person are you are addressing? In this post I suggest you to have a look at this website (mainly for native speakers, but also useful for us : http://www.writing-business-letters.com/). You could find on the Internet even templates like the very practical ones at Microsoft: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT101485751033.aspx (Just download and edit) .
Try to have a look and read them! After that, tell you about them here! Did you find them interesting? Did you know of their existance before? Have you ever used a template?
You could even use a writing generator!
http://www.english-test.net/esl/learn/english/grammar/ii095/esl-answers.php
Have a nice writing...;)
Try to have a look and read them! After that, tell you about them here! Did you find them interesting? Did you know of their existance before? Have you ever used a template?
You could even use a writing generator!
http://www.english-test.net/esl/learn/english/grammar/ii095/esl-answers.php
Have a nice writing...;)
Getting ready for your holidays.

If you are travelling by plane you may need this and more info here:
Hand Luggage - New Security Measures.
Passengers are requested to be patient while additional security measures are in place, allow extra time for their journey and be prepared for possible delays. On 6th November new security measures came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports.
Cabin baggage and size allowed
ONE item of hand baggage is allowed; dimensions: 56 centimetres long [approximately 22 inches], 45 centimetres high [approximately 17.5 inches], 25 centimetres deep [approximately 9.85 inches] including wheels, handles, side pocket.
All items of luggage which do not fit in the permitted cabin baggage size must be checked in to be placed in the aircraft hold.
Musical instruments which do not fit in the permitted cabin baggage size are allowed as a second item of cabin baggage, they will need to be screened and passengers should check with their airlines if special arrangements (e.g. purchasing an extra seat) for these large instruments will be required.
Laptops and other large electrical items (e.g. a large hairdryer) have to be removed from cabin baggage and screened separately. A laptop bag will be regarded as your one item that is allowed in the cabin.
Pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs are permitted but will be screened.
LiquidsSome liquids (e.g. gels, lotions, pastes, liquid cosmetics, foams and foodstuffs) are now allowed through airport security check points. There are the following restrictions on the quantity of liquids:
Liquids may only be carried within separate containers each of which with a capacity not greater than 100ml.
These containers must be brought to the airport contained in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, which itself must not exceed 1 litre in capacity (approximately 20cms x 20cms). The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and the bag must be sealed.
Each passenger may carry only one such bag of liquids. The bag must be presented for examination. Liquids that can not be placed inside the re-sealable bag must be packed into the hold luggage and checked in. Liquids of any amount can still be carried in luggage checked into the aircraft hold.Please note 'Liquids' include:
All drinks, including water, soup, syrups
Creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara etc
Sprays and pressurized containers including shaving foam and spray deodorants
Pastes, including toothpastes
Gels, including hair and shower gel
Any other solutions and items of similar consistency
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Unit 5. Cultural tourism. Have you ever been to Santiago de Compostela?
Now that we have just finished our holidays, it's a good moment to talk about the places and monuments we have visited. If you have been to Santiago at Easter or in another occasion, I suppose you can identify this monument, can't you?Imagine you are a tourist guide, could you tell anything about it? The style, the period, the history... Did you know that it's mentioned in "The Pillars of the Earth", the novel by Ken Follet.
If you have been to this cathedral, you will know that it has several facades and a beautiful inside. Can you tell anything about the interior of this monument?
Could you identify this photograph?
Tell us something about it, and at the same time you will be able to remember the wonderful time you spent watching it.
The Phrase finder
One of the most difficult things to understand and reproduce when writing is dealing with fixed expressions, sentences, etc. Apart from having a look at all the dictionaries that I have been mentioning this course, you could ask here for some help.
Monday, April 02, 2007
interesting : http://www.answers.com/

You can find here: today's highlights, in the news, today in history, Who said it? Where? Why?, etc. etc.
Good and fun practice for your English.
http://www.answers.com/
http://www.answers.com/
Today's Highlights April 02, 2007
Hans Christian Andersen View Poster Spotlight: Which is your favorite Hans Christian Andersen tale? "The Emperor's New Clothes," "The Ugly Duckling," "The Little Mermaid" or, maybe, "Thumbelina"? Born on this date in 1805, Andersen wrote poetry, travel books, plays and novels, as well as the fairy tales that made him so famous and so beloved. He had hoped to be an actor and had his first walk-on role in an opera in 1821. An actor who tutored Andersen privately advised him to find another career path. Quote: "Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale." — Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen View Poster Spotlight: Which is your favorite Hans Christian Andersen tale? "The Emperor's New Clothes," "The Ugly Duckling," "The Little Mermaid" or, maybe, "Thumbelina"? Born on this date in 1805, Andersen wrote poetry, travel books, plays and novels, as well as the fairy tales that made him so famous and so beloved. He had hoped to be an actor and had his first walk-on role in an opera in 1821. An actor who tutored Andersen privately advised him to find another career path. Quote: "Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale." — Hans Christian Andersen
Friday, March 30, 2007
More practice for you all
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/
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/
Monday, March 26, 2007
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
Monday, March 19, 2007
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
Friday, March 16, 2007
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.
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...
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)
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
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".
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
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?
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Rainforest Alliance
Rainforest AllianceDid you know this? Have a look at this website and tell us what these people can do for the traveler and the tourism industry.
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/tourism.cfm?id=main
Use "comments" to write your answers.
Friday, January 19, 2007
How to write recipes (Unit 3)

Since you could be asked to write an article/report about the gastronomy of the area you live, I thought I might be of your interest this website, a section from Spain.info
http://www.spain.info/TourSpain/Gastronomia/Productos+y+Recetas/?Language=en
I invite you also to write here more recipes about the town where you are living now...
María
I invite you also to write here more recipes about the town where you are living now...
María
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)





