A survey

This is the forth year that we make use of the blog. Either if you are enrolled in this subject this year or any other, please, take yourself some time to fill it out so that you could help us to do some research and future improvements in this blog.

A BBC Quizz on the London Underground

I don't know if our are familiarized with bbc learning English, a very practical website thought to learn English on the web. This time, you will find vocabulary dealing with this kind of transportation, apart from a video and the text of it. Have a look at this and use the comments option to give us your oppion about travelling by tube in general. If you like it, if you think it is useful, I you prefer other means of transport instead...

Carving a Thanksgiving Turkey

Today is a very speacial day for USA people. If you want to share with them the art of curving a good turkey, here you are a very practical video taken from NYT to do it ;)

LONDON 10 QUIRKY PLACES

LONDON 10 QUIRKY PLACES

An alternative sightseeing trip round London, taking a look at some of it's quirkier sights. From the Mandella Tank to the Traffic Lights Tree. Directed, filmed and edited by me. Camden Castles Camera Operator: Barry Parker. Shunt work: White cranes installation- Serena Bobowski, Perceptive Error (backlight images on the wall) - Katriona Chapman, Paula Coakley, Sergio Galaviz, Susan Gregory, Masha Solon, Nick Huggins, Xenia Capacete, Simon Solon, Cassie Solon, Lawrie Solon, Christina Petrie,Susannah Cruton, Francis Campbell, Bandsalat (Video tower) - Susanne Dietz and The Hair Salon - Eleanor Barrett, Gemma Brockis and Serena Bobowski

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPNJV-SK--k&feature=player_embedded

ChrisCLondon






As always, you can tell us about your special places in any of the cities you have visited or write any comments on this video.

Have you ever slept inside a dog? Dog Bark Park Inn

Dog Bark Park Inn
Idaho USA


"Dog Bark Park Inn is a bed & breakfast guesthouse inside the World's Biggest Beagle.
Guests enter the body of the beagle from a private 2nd story deck. Some of the dog's decorative furnishings are carvings by Dog Bark Park chainsaw artists Dennis & Frances.
Inside and up another level to the head of the dog is a loft room with additional sleeping space plus a cozy alcove in the muzzle."
http://www.dogbarkparkinn.com/

At Dog Bark Park Inn sleeping in the doghouse is a good thing!

Named a Best of America by Reader's Digest, July 2009

Welcome back after the summer break. Today's entry is about DOG BARK PARK INN. As you can see, it is not a very usual design for a hotel or B&B.
To start practicing your writing, you can describe peculiar hotels, restaurants, bars, etc you have visited this summer or any other time.

INDIA TO LAUNCH COW URINA AS SOFT DRINK?

http://www.jla.co.uk/dynamicUploads/sunday-times-logo.jpg

From Times Online February 11, 2009

India to launch cow urine as soft drink
Jeremy Page, Delhi
source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article5707554.ece

Does your Pepsi lack pep? Is your Coke not the real thing? India's Hindu nationalist movement apparently has the answer: a new soft drink made from cow urine.
The bovine brew is in the final stages of development by the Cow Protection Department of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), India's biggest and oldest Hindu nationalist group, according to the man who makes it.
Om Prakash, the head of the department, said the drink – called "gau jal", or "cow water" – in Sanskrit was undergoing laboratory tests and would be launched "very soon, maybe by the end of this year".
"Don't worry, it won't smell like urine and will be tasty too," he told The Times from his headquarters in Hardwar, one of four holy cities on the River Ganges. "Its USP will be that it's going to be very healthy. It won't be like carbonated drinks and would be devoid of any toxins."
The drink is the latest attempt by the RSS – which was founded in 1925 and now claims eight million members – to cleanse India of foreign influence and promote its ideology of Hindutva, or Hindu-ness.
Hindus revere cows and slaughtering them is illegal in most of India. Cow dung is traditionally used as a fuel and disinfectant in villages, while cow urine and dung are often consumed in rituals to "purify" those on the bottom rungs of the Hindu caste system.
In 2001, the RSS and its offshoots – which include the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party – began promoting cow urine as a cure for ailments ranging from liver disease to obesity and even cancer.
The movement has often been accused of using more violent methods, such as killing 67 Christians in the eastern state of Orissa last year, and assaulting women in a pub in Mangalore last month. It also has a history of targeting foreign business in India, as in 1994, when it organised a nationwide boycott of multinational consumer goods, including Pepsi and Coca Cola.
The cola brands are popular in India, now one of their biggest markets, but have struggled in recent years to shake off allegations, which they deny, that they contain dangerous levels of pesticide.
Mr Prakash said his drink, by contrast, was made mainly of cow urine, mixed with a few medicinal and ayurvedic herbs. He said it would be "cheap", but declined to give further details about its price or ingredients until it was officially launched.
He insisted, however, that it would be able to compete with the American cola brands, even with their enormous advertising budgets. "We're going to give them good competition as our drink is good for mankind," he said. "We may also think of exporting it."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-ht0DJZBpU




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G_7Yb5dilE&feature=related

AND it may help bees....



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iowt6WPekA&feature=related

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR VOCABULARY

Whether you are looking to improve your grades, seem smarter at work, or simply wanting to impress your friends, these tips will help you achieve your goal of an increased vocabulary.

You Will Need Reading material
Dictionary
Notebook
Note cards
Word-a-day calendars
Internet access
Crossword puzzles
Address book (optional)

Step 1: Read as much as you can
Read as much as you can to encounter words that you don’t already know.

Step 2: Look up the definitions unfamiliar words
Use a dictionary to look up the definitions of the unfamiliar words that you come across in your reading.

Remember a word can have different meanings. Note all of the definitions for your word.

Step 3: Keep a list of your new vocabulary words
Use a notebook to keep a list of your vocabulary words. Write the definition as well as a sentence using the word to help you remember the context.

Use an address book to keep an alphabetical list of your words.

Step 4: Make vocabulary flash cards
Create flashcards to reinforce your new words. Write the word on one side of a note card and the definition on the other. Quiz yourself by looking at the word and remembering the definition.

Step 5: Use word-a-day calendars and web sites
Make efforts to learn a new word every day. Use a word-a-day calendar and web sites to introduce you to new words.

Learn common prefixes and suffixes. These parts that come together to create words can help you figure out what a word means.

Step 6: Play word games
Play word games. Use computer games or crossword puzzles to grow your vocabulary and help reinforce the words you are learning.

Step 7: Use your new words in daily conversation
Use your new words in your daily conversations. Continue using and reviewing your words to reinforce what you’ve learned.

In 1857, British scholars decided to build a dictionary to contain all words in the English language. They created the Oxford English Dictionary, which still serves as the language’s definitive dictionary.

http://www.howcast.com/videos/349857-How-To-Increase-Your-Vocabulary

How To Increase Your Vocabulary on Howcast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-556oxBdnh4&NR=1

WRITING AND DESCRIBING. 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:

Video Games - E3 2010

http://g4tv.com/videos/8093/EBay-Tips/




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Mn9C-3pGI&feature=related

Hotel vocabulary

When dealing with writing and spoken skills (units 7 and 8), having a good command of hotel vocabulary is crucial. Here you are a very simple but practical website to revise your knowledge on this kind of data.

And talking about vocabulary study, I would recommend you as well to have a look at this new visual dictionary. Type a word and see its results...http://www.englishclub.com/english-for-work/hotel-vocabulary.htm

Did you like it? Post your comments if you wish it...

Describing sculptures

One of the most frequent compositions asked in Lengua Inglesa I exams for the second semester is perhaps describing a masterpiece, a building, etc. Here you are an exhibition on African art dealing with sculptures. By clicking each image, you could listen to a very detailled description of the image shown.

http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/all_current_exhibitions/kingdom_of_ife/multimedia_guide.aspx

Have a look and share your experience here using the comments option.

Letter of complaint

Imagine that you are the manager of a very famous hotel. Read the whole list of topics enumerated in this page, an reply a letter of complaint of a very upset client. You could take some ideas to express your apologies from page 83 in your textbook.

http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/news/troubleshooter/

As you may have noticed, it have belongs to part of the travel section by CNN website, called "travelshooter".

Don't forget to do this task by using the comments option!

How to Dial a Rotary Telephone and more.

How to Dial a Rotary Telephone!

As dial telephones were introduced - replacing operator service - instructions were shown in movie theaters as to how to use the new instruments.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIDw75mUl6c&feature=related

Telephone Doctor Customer Service Training
Telephone Doctor eLearning that addresses how the provide excellent customer service when customers are very upset.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDvEWS018nw

Learn the most common phrases and expressions for making phone calls in English. In this beginner English lesson you will see two phone conversations. You will learn how to answer the phone, how to ask to speak to someone, and how to take a message. You will also learn how to cancel an appointment and reschedule for another time.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-W6dXfm7YE


6 Quick tips to help you diffuse anger and create calm with unhappy customers. This video is part of a 25-module online video course for customer service professionals. If you'd like to learn more, please go to http://www.goldenmethod.com.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACKbkmO9rLg&feature=related

Do you usually speak on the phone in English?
Do you call overseas or to EU and use your English?
Do you find it hard?
How do you cope with difficult and/or angry customers?
Please, do tell us!!

12 Top Tips for Successful Interviews and more

12 Top Tips for Successful Interviews : PFJ media introduce 12 top tips for successful interviews.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnLQy0ACIOs&feature=related


Important Questions to Ask Employers
Job candidates talk about important questions employers should answer.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQByQrECXNA


5 mistakes to avoid for job interviews



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opYjNr_4A5k&feature=player_embedded


monster.co.uk and skillstudio.co.uk show you how to answer some of the most common questions you will face at a job interview:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr2bpcpNQWY&feature=related

Are you prepared for an interview?
Which is your impression after watching these videos?
Would you follow the hints they offer?
Please, leave your comments.

VIDEO CV

Nowadays people tend to send video cv's when they are looking for a job. Have a look at this:

Video CVs/Résumés are the new thing!
If you want to make your job application memorable send a video file about you along with your CV on paper.
A video CV/Résumé is not meant to be a substitute for the traditional résumé but an addition that will undoubtedly make you stand out and greatly increase your chances of being remembered by any potential employer.
Video files can be easily accessed through a PC or a DVD player connected to a TV set. Most schools have one or both of these facilities so you will not inconvenience them.
One of the great unknowns for any employer looking to hiring staff from abroad is the personal aspects of a candidate which are missing from your paper CV.
A thoughtfully prepared video CV can convey instantly a lot of information about yourself, your personality, your demeanour, and so on, which usually do not come across in a paper CV.
On video they will be able to see what you look like and sound like and generally get a pretty good idea of the kind of person you are: shy, loud, gentle, outgoing, sincere, excited, confident, etc.
Of course, they’ll know you have tried to portrait yourself at your best but just being able to see you in person will be a great added bonus and probably one of the key factors in their final decision.

http://www.icalweb.com/wiki/index.php?title=Video_CV/Resume

You can find many different video cv's depending on what kind of job people are searching, on what they want to highlight, on their personality...These examples are quite different --and with different accents for you to practice.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYJBLrsA-WY&feature=player_embedded




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT1XYjZcmck&feature=player_embedded




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWMA7bi3Y4E&feature=player_embedded

Would you try and record one?
Have you heard of this kind of CV?

THE MOM'S SONG

The course is coming to its end. Many of you complain about lack of time, lots of work, many other tasks and activities to be done, family to take care of...Let me put a smile on your faces, moms and dads as well. And enjoy your time, even if studying!




As always, your comments and impressions are more than welcome!!

elllo.org

Do you know ELLLO? ELLLO means English Listening Lesson Library Online :
Learn English naturally.
You can practice English in the funniest way.

Listening Lessons (Views, Mixer, Games ...)Activities include multimedia, free MP3 files, vocab tasks, language notes, print page and more.ViewsMixerGamesVideosSongsNewsPoints

There are now over 600 audio clips on ELLLO. Below are just a small sample of what is on the site.

High BeginnerThese activities are good for students who are new to learning English.

High IntermediateThese listening activities are a little more difficult.

Low IntermediateThese listening activities are a little more difficult, but not much.

AdvancedIn these clips, the speakers talk faster and the topics are more difficult.

The mp3 files and text on elllo are Creative Commons. Students and teachers are free to download, copy and distribute these materials for educational purposes. They are not transferable for commercial purposes.
ELLLO! Listening Games:
http://www.elllo.org/months/weeks/games.htm

CVs, BUSINESS LETTERS, COVER LETTERS. MORE INFO

How to write a business letter, the eight parts of a business letter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxFs5zeRBn0



How to Get a Job : How to Make a Cover Letter

A cover letter is a quick description as to why this resume is better for a particular job position than all the other resumes, so having specific job position details in it is very important. Write a cover letter specific to each job application by using these tips from a career adviser in this free video on job guidance.

Expert: Pat Goodwin
Contact: www.PatGoodwinAssociates.com
Bio: Pat Goodwin is a certified personnel consultant and a career transition consultant who has worked with hundreds of individuals over the past 20 years.
Filmmaker: Todd Green





CV Writing, How to Write Your Resume
CV writing is a skill that you absolutely must master if you want to get a great job. However, not many people know how to write a good CV. Of course, you can pay someone else to write your resume for you, but that is not always a good idea.Resume writers know how to create a professional CV, but they don't know you and usually aren't writing a document which is targeted to fit a specific job. So it pays to learn how to write your own.It's actually not as difficult as you might think and once you know the basics, you can create a laser targeted CV in no time at all.Start out by getting all of the relevant information in one place In fact, try to make a note of all your employment and student activities as you go. This will save you a lot of time when it comes to updating your resume. Keep a file on your computer with dates, addresses and contact details of potential referees.Make sure you have all your physical documentation in one place too - degrees, professional qualifications, and any certificates you obtained from short courses. The next stage is to go through the job description and person specification in detail and highlight all the qualities, skills and experience you need for the job. Then make sure this is reflected in your CV and cover letterOnce you have assembled all of your information, you are ready to move on to the next stage, in part 2.Want to discover the right way to write your CV or resume? Go to http://www.coolercareers.com/how-to-cv-writing.html to download your free e-book.




Have you already written your cv, cover letter, etc.
You can try now.
You can also tell us about it, if you need more info, etc. Make the most of this post!

More on cover letters...

have you ever had to write a cover letter? a CV? A formal letter? Don't you think it i a very important task to do in your training as tourism professional?

Have a look at this website. You will find sample letters, tips about how to write a cv or even quizzes about everything learnt!

http://www.cvtips.com/job-search-tests/

MANAGING EXAM ANXIETY

http://www.teachercreated.com/blog/pics/TCR2907%20p9_1.jpg

http://www.english.ucla.edu/faculty/mcgurl/anxious%20students.JPG

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2007/02/17/images/2007021702670301.jpg

MANAGING EXAM ANXIETY

Exams are round the corner...Almost everyone feels nervous before an exam. Butterflies in the stomach and worrying thoughts - 'Will I be able to answer the questions?' 'Have I done enough revision?' - are indications of exam nerves that are probably familiar to all students. In fact, a certain amount of nervous tension probably helps us perform to the best of our ability, producing a rush of adrenaline that helps us to feel alert and focused.

But too much anxiety can BLOCK thoughts, create a negative frame of mind, and lead to panic and potentially poor exam performance.
There are a number of things you can do to help manage exam anxiety and turn uncomfortable, panicky thoughts into more creative tension

http://cs3.brookes.ac.uk/student/services/health/exam.html

What does test anxiety feel like?
Some students experience mainly physical symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, faintness, feeling too hot or too cold, etc.
Others experience more emotional symptoms, such as crying easily, feeling irritable, or getting frustrated quickly.
A major problem of test anxiety can be its effect on thinking ability; it can cause a person to blank out or have racing thoughts that are difficult to control.
Western students are strongly encouraged to seek assistance in the Student Development Centre if you experience interfering levels of anxiety prior to and/or during tests and exams; if you are not a Western student, speak with a counsellor or physician about support services.
What can you do to control test anxiety?
Be well prepared for the test.
Include as much self-testing in your review as possible.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle:get enough sleep, good nutrition, exercise, some personal "down" time, and a reasonable amount of social interaction.
As you anticipate the exam, think positively, e.g., "I can do OK on this exam. I've studied and I know my stuff."
Engage in "thought stopping" if you find that you are worrying a lot, comparing yourself to your peers, or thinking about what others may say about your performance on this exam.
Before you go to bed on the night before the exam, organize anything that you will need for the exam -- pen, pencil, ruler, eraser, calculator, etc. Double check the time of the exam and the location.
Set the alarm clock and then get a good night's sleep before the exam.
Get to the exam on time - not too late but not too early.
Be cautious about talking to other students about the exam material just before going into the exam, especially if this will make you more anxious.
Sit in a location in the exam room where you will be distracted as little as possible.
As the papers are distributed, calm yourself by taking some slow deep breaths.
Make sure to carefully read any instructions on the exam.
As you work on the exam, focus only on the exam, not on what other students are doing or on thinking about past exams or future goals.
If you feel very anxious in the exam, take a few minutes to calm yourself. Stretch your arms and legs and then relax them again. Do this a couple of times. Take a few slow deep breaths. Do some positive internal self-talk; say to yourself, "I will be OK, I can do this." Then direct your focus on the test; associate questions to their corresponding lecture and/or chapter.
If the exam is more difficult than you anticipated, try to focus and just do your best. It might be enough to get you through with a reasonable grade!
When the exam is over, treat yourself. If you don't have any other commitments, maybe you can take the night off. If you have to study for other exams you may have to postpone a larger break, but a brief break may be the "pick up" that you need.

http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/learning/mcanx.html

***Many universitites offer help so have a look whether you need it or just to tell us if you think these links can be of any help:

http://cs3.brookes.ac.uk/student/services/health/exam.html

http://www.studygs.net/tstprp8.htm

http://www.theiet.org/students/resources/revision/exam-anxiety.cfm

http://www.ualberta.ca/~uscs/managing_test_anxiety.htm

http://www2.essex.ac.uk/stdsup/welfare/examanxiety.shtm

***As for UNED :TÉCNICAS PARA EL CONTROL DE LA ANSIEDAD EN LOS EXÁMENES:

http://portal.uned.es/portal/page_pageid=93,150664&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&text=ansiedad&desde=0&hasta=10

Volcanic ash cloud and tourism implications

Watch the following video dealing with the chaos provoked by the Icelandic volcano and try to think on possible consequences for tourism. 



Do you think a travel agency could be forced to compensate in some way incidents like these to their affected clients? Use the comments option in order to reply to do this writtin task and don't forget to include as many linkers as you could.