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...

http://www.maybournegroup.com/careers/default.asp

http://www.theritzlondon.com/misc/recruitment.asp

http://www.redcarnationhotelshr.com/

http://www.ihgplc.com/index.asp?pageid=7

And more practice!!! The night of the books- 23 April- British Council

http://www.britishcouncil.org/spain-arts-events-luke-sutherland

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

http://www.lanochedeloslibros.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

Guide to Basic Business Letters

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 .

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".

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...;)

Getting ready for your holidays.

If you are travelling by plane you may need this and more info here:

http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/security.html

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

http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/security.html

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.

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/

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

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?

Rainforest Alliance

Rainforest Alliance

Did 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.

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

Yahoo! Answers – Get answers, ask questions, find information

Yahoo! Answers – Get answers, ask questions, find information

We have been dealing in units 1 & 2 with questions formtion. It is time to practice here, a new tool created by Yahoo to make any kind of questions, so that you could by answered by anyone in the world... Why don't you try?

Or... why don't you answer one the travel questions as a tourism professional to be?

http://tinyurl.com/yhr4pq

n7w: Vote

n7w: Vote

Do you want to see the Alhambra as one of the seven wonders? Click on that website, register and vote your seven wonders.It is free and quick!

Journeys into understanding | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited Travel

Journeys into understanding | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited Travel

Have you ever been involved into "dark tourism"? What do you think about this new kind of tourism? Do you consider visiting a concentration camp a kind of tourism? Would you offer this kind of tourism as a travel agent?

I am waiting for you answers (Click on "commentarios")

TravelBlog | Travel Blogs, Journals, Diaries and Photos

TravelBlog | Travel Blogs, Journals, Diaries and Photos

Most of you ask me about how to improve pass this couse, and i always tell you that the only way to learn and improve a language is by practising. Here you are a Blog for tourism, with diaries written by normal people, forums dealing with travel and tourism, pictures for you to describe... Visit its page and have a look at it. It will be included also in the Reading room too, but the ideal thing would be taking part here.

Unit 4 Writing task. Sustainable tourism

You work in a travel agency. Your company is promoting this new kind of tourism, travelling being respectfull with the environment. Write a report explaing what is exactly this and what can do the tourist to travel in this way.

Have a look at different websites dealing with this topic and send them to this blog as a commentary so that they could help to other students to write their own report.

See you here!

Unit 3 Writing task. Opening a new luxurious hotel

A new luxurious hotel has been opened in Waikiki beach, Hawaii. You are a jounalist and you need to write an article explaining all the facilities and services that this impressive hotel will offer its guests.

Remember to use the main grammar and vocabulary topics dealt in this unit (adjectives and passive)

As usual, use "comentarios" to write your article.

Unit 2 Writing task. Bus vs Underground

Write and argumentative essay about advantages and disadvantages of using bus and underground in a city. Have a look first at pages 42 and 43 from the book and try to use the grammar seen in this unit (mainly prepositions).

Write your essays using the "comentarios" button.

Remember this is just a way to practice before the exam. The more you write the more you will improve your writing.

Unit 1 Writing task

Apart from our "Guessing section" we will have a writing task to do every unit. This time I will as you to look for some links with application tourism forms to fill avilable on the Internet. You can send all these links to this blog by clicking "comentarios", then write as usual and submit your comment.

An example would be: http://www.shusterman.com/citzforms.html

They can be downloaded as pdf. Have a look and try to imagine how to fill them. Look up in your dictionary any word you don't know. You can also print them out and fill them.

Any more forms??