Word of the Day: Selfie

Word of the Day

Did you know that the English language doesn’t have a Real Academia de la Lengua? Well, if you don’t know, it might be an excellent idea to read a post I published about four years ago on this subject. Here.

The word “selfie” has been chosen as WORD OF THE YEAR by Oxford Dictionaries. The word, research shows, has increased its frequency by 17,000% in the last year and it was added to the Oxford Dictionaries Online in August although you might not find it in any printed dictionary right now.

I am going to share a little secret with you. It was my birthday yesterday. I am not going to tell you how long I’ve been around (that’s a most private matter) but I feel good. I feeeel goood!!! Whoa-oa-oa!! Well, there might be “some” things ( to be honest, the word “some” falls somehow short) I’d like to change about me but, all in all, I am not complaining.
Now, to commemorate my birthday I wanted to upload a new selfie to my social networking site. I took like ten pictures with my mobile only to realize ( I was utterly devastated!!!  🙁 ) that even  though I might feel as fit as a teenager -in an adult’s body- sadly, my age shows on my face. As wisdom comes with age,  I have decided to stick to the one I uploaded in the summer. I know, I know … not so long ago but there’s a huge difference between a fresh image enjoying the warm open air and one taken under the freezing air of December. I am sure you’ll agree!

So, what’s a selfie?

Selfie is defined by Oxford Dictionaries as “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website”.

Now, how often do you change your selfie ?

Speaking: Fashion and Trends

Pictures, Speaking, , , , ,

I’m really stressed now. Internet has been down for three days and I only had it serviced this morning after  countless phone calls to the company.

Preparing exams, marking exams, preparing classes, publishing…. this is all part of who I am and what I do for a living …. but listen!, catching up on  my email has been nothing short of a nightmare. Christmas is coming and it seems all the companies have got hold of my email address ’cause there were like 500 emails waiting for me. Most of them junk! Really, if I get one more email informing me that I can get a 40% discount in ( insert shop here) I am going to go postal.

Anyway, I am sure my students have been checking my site to see if I have published their last oral test as promised. Here it is guys! Sorry to keep you waiting !

The topic: Fashion and Trends

First of all, three nice pictures you need to use as an excuse to talk  about the given topic

and now some questions to talk about. Time to show off, guys!

A word on Grammar : Position of Adverbs in the Sentence and Confusing Adverbs and Adverbial Expressions

A word on Grammar, , ,

Exams are right around the corner and it is time to get down to some serious study and also time to pull your socks up. I don’t want any of you failing !

Learning the position of Adverbs in the sentence is one of the  areas of grammar where the students’ instinct as to what sounds right or wrong will probably be more useful than studying  the rules.

There are lots of adverbs that end in -ly; a useful tip  would be to, when in doubt, put adverbs not ending in -ly  ( even, just…etc) in mid -position  that is, before the main verb.

Watch this presentation to help you remember the position of adverbs in the sentence but be ready to rely on your instinct whenever you are not sure.

and now that we are on the subject, let’s have a look at some confusing adverbs and adverbial expressions. There is a post published some time ago, dealing specifically with the confusing expressions at the end and in the end . Click here to read it and do some exercises!!

Now, click on the image to see the pdf below

Some Useful Websites for Elementary Students to Practise Listening

Listening, ,

Have I ever told you that I’m not a morning person? Fortunately, at the EOI, I work the afternoon shift otherwise I don’t think I would be able to get a coherent thought out of my mind in Spanish, let alone in English, and I’m sure this is something my demanding students would not be too happy about.
Have I ever told you that I’m not a Monday person either? I very much prefer Fridays… ha,ha,ha … just joking!

Let’s start Monday with a smile on my face and three cups of coffee in my body and this selection of websites to help my Elementary students improve their Listening Skill. Hope it is helpful,guys!

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