Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts

Nov 30, 2017

A 90-SQUARE-FEET MICROSTUDIO IN MANHATTAN

I find this video really interesting and a good example of how we can adapt to anything if necessary!
Pay attention to the way she describes her tiny apartment because you will have to dub the first couple of minutes in class...


Nov 22, 2017

THANKSGIVING AND BLACK FRIDAY

Most of you probably know that tomorrow is a very special day for Americans all around the world. For a few I know it may also be kinda a nightmare since they are expected to show their culinary skills, having none in fact (or for that matter, not even having an oven!!). 

But why all this fret about a turkey? What or who are they giving thanks to?

To cut a long story short, going back in history, the Pilgrims (those adventurous Brits that embarked on a ship of such pretty name, the Mayflower) who landed in American land in 1621, were thankful to the Native Americans for teaching them a bit of agro science. So they invited them round for dinner. And since 1789 it was established that the last Thursday of November Americans would get together and stuff themselves like we do here for...... Christmas? weddings? (originally the feast lasted three whole days - today just a lame meal)

Now, if you want to learn more, go to Wikipedia yourself!!

This video shows current digital panic attacks by citizens in search of recipes and other stuff.


Americans invented the lovely trend of anticipating the Christmas holiday and shopping season by at least one month. This is how Black Friday was born (created by store owners and marketing experts). 



This pic reminds me of something...mmmm...El Corte Inglés on the first day of the sales according to the ever cheerful, biased and  outdated Televisión Española?? But naive shoppers of the world, beware of 10 tricks evil retailers may try to pull on you by checking out this website.

Anyway, good luck with your last-minute shopping and send a shot of that lovely turkey roasting in the ... oven?

What I can show you is the world's first TWURKEY!!


If you have something to share about your Thanksgiving dinner or Black Friday shopping spree, please leave a comment. It will be much appreciated!

Nov 9, 2016

TRUMP IS HERE TO STAY

Unfortunately today we have to talk about the most important news in the world right now: Donald Trump´s victory in the American elections, after defeating Hillary Clinton. We will also be connecting the news from America to the recent constitution of the government in Spain after months on stand-by.

To be able to have a fluent discussion and debate about this topic, you need to learn and review political vocabulary beforehand.

Check this website where you can read and listen to the definition of important concepts for the U.S. political system. Be selective and just choose those who are most relevant to you!


From BBC one-minute news here's today's headlines on video.

Of course the BBC has a lot to offer on this topic, for example, five reasons why Trump won. Check their special about the election.

Another interesting article to understand what has happened and especially, what is going to happen, is John Carlin's opinion article   An American tragicomedy plays out , from El Pais in English.



Nov 29, 2015

TOUR OF MURCIA VIDEO

This is a summary of our tour with Sarah. Students showed her around the city center. It was a great experience for everybody. 



Mar 12, 2012

CROSS-CULTURAL ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS


Tomorrow Steven will be working with you on the topic Etiquette, manners and relationships across countries. Before you check the info from a couple of interesting websites,do this test:
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/culture-test-1.html


Please go through the facts and tips on these sites, and compile the topic vocabulary you are less familiar with. For instance: (from website 1, section American society and culture) MELTING POT; COMMODITY; RELIABLE; NUCLEAR FAMILY.

The main activity will be to think about the same issues applied to Spain and write
a kind of on-the-spot guide giving info and tips to foreigners. You will do this
in groups. It will be followed by a class discussion and comparison of ideas.
Preparing for this will make things easier and the discussion more fluent.

Oct 28, 2011

LISTENING: Three people talking about British culture

This is the recording that goes with activity 2.3 on page 18 of your book. 
 

After you listen twice and do act. A and B, check the transcript on pages 161-62. Notice the following expressions and look at the context of usage:

Oct 25, 2011

BRITISH IDENTITY AND CULTURE

This PowerPoint presentation will give you quite a thorough account of one aspect of British culture: leisure time

Think about the main icons that define or represent Spanish culture in the world.


May 10, 2010

POWER POINT ON BRITISH FOOD BY NADIA

Nadia has prepared this presentation of some typical dishes or meals in the UK. It is intended to complement the other stuff on food you have.