A New Online Bilingual Dictionary : Diccionario Pedagógico Bilingüe

Dictionaries

 

There are a few online bilingual dictionaries available to learners these days. A good thing no doubt, but what do you think they have in common (quite unappealingly, mind)? Advertising.

Every time you use one of those bilingual dictionaries (or monolingual for that matter), you are exposed to ads ˗ right, left, and centre. Annoying and distracting. It seems like nothing is really free, doesn´t it?

Well, no more! There is a new kid on the block and its name is Diccionario Pedagógico Bilingüe (English-Spanish Español-Inglés). This dictionary has been edited by Francisco Sánchez Benedito and Francisco Gámez Gámez, two experts in their field.

Diccionario Pedagógico Bilingüe was seven years in the making, and had a big editorial team behind it. I joined the team in late 2009 (if my memory serves) when Francisco Sánchez Bendito offered me the opportunity to work on the dictionary, initially as a proofreader, then also as an assistant editor.

What makes the dictionary stand out among the competition, you might ask? It is, first and foremost, a learner´s dictionary. Its purpose is to teach Spanish-speaking students how to use English words correctly. To do that, it covers lots of grammatical and lexical collocations, the heart of the language. Idioms, colloquialisms, phrasal verbs ˗ and even taboo language ˗ are also given special attention. The dictionary boasts almost 70,000 headwords and over 100,000 translations, a truly comprehensive work. It is not unlikely that you will find words in Diccionario Pedagógico Bilingüe that are not listed in other bilingual dictionaries.

 

So there you have it: a useful dictionary, with the expertise of a large team, freely available to everyone and… no ads! What more could you ask for?

Making the most of your dictionary

Whenever you´re browsing the internet, keep a tab open for the dictionary so that you can look up any unfamiliar words you may come across, quickly and easily.

Moreover, get into the habit of reading all senses of any given word (this goes for monolingual dictionaries too), not just the sense that fits a particular context. This will help you expand your vocabulary, at least your passive vocabulary ˗ those words you can understand when reading or listening. Using bilingual and monolingual dictionaries on a regular basis will really pay off. Take my word for it.

You can start searching the dictionary at http://diccionariopedagogicobilingue.uma.es/INDEX.PHP

This article has been written by guest blogger Javier Vallestero. Some years ago , Javier did  a round of interviews to different teachers and I was one of the chosen . You can read the interview here. 

Javier is also the proud writer of Modismos, Dichos y Refranes de la Lengua Inglesa and has collaborated actively as a proofreader and assistant editor on the Diccionario Pedagógico Bilingüe  .

Hints on Blank Filling Listening Comprehensions+ 2 Listening Activities

Listening, , , ,

In this kind of listenings  you don’t need to write  a full sentence to give the correct answer.
Normally there is a maximum of three  words to complete notes, statements or questions.

In these exercises it is very helpful to:

And don’t forget to read the completed sentences to make sure the words fit grammatically  🙂

PRACTICE 1

 

Source: Cambridge FC Practice Tests
PRACTICE 2
Source: Cambridge Complete First Certificate

Blog de Cristina is also on Facebook. Follow it! 🙂

Two Wonderful Sites to Practise Listening and other skills

Audio, Grammar, Listening, Resources, Speaking, Vocabulary, Writing skill, , , , , , ,

So, you’ve done all the listening exercises in your textbook, workbook and on my website 😉  but still, you feel you really need to go the extra mile?

Here you are two wonderful websites where you can find tons of Listening exercises to practise before the exam.

1. ESOL COURSES. Choose your level and then choose the skill you want to practise; they are all great!

2. ESL Lounge Students: on this site, you can also practise all skills. Scroll down the page and on the right sidebar, choose the skill you want to practise and your level.

 

Blog de Cristina is also on Facebook. Follow me! 🙂

Common Errors 1

Common Errors, , , ,

I am starting a series of posts on some common errors .These errors are mistakes B1/B2 students make.  I hope you find them helpful!

♥Read the sentence and identify the error

♥Rewrite the sentence correctly

♥Read the corrected version  and the grammar input after the  line.

The correct form is : The thief was sent to prison for two years

The definite article is used when referring to the building itself. When we  refer to “prison” as punishment , we do not use the article.

This also happens in common expressions such as “at school” ” in hospital” “ to church” when we are referring to the normal use of the building or place

I met her at school (when we were students)

I’ll meet you at the school ( the school as a meeting place)

My grandmother is in hospital ( as a patient)

I left my keys  at the hospital when I was visiting my gransmother

NOTE: In American English, university and hospital are always used with articles

Source: Practical English Usage (M: Swan) and Knockout Textbook

Blog de Cristina is also on Facebook. 

Conversation Starters: An Interesting Site to Help you with the Speaking Test.

In the Computer Room, Resources, Speaking, , , , , ,

“I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy – I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.” Art Williams

Of all the parts in the English exam  my students, without a single doubt, fear the speaking test  the most.

Oral exams require lots of study and preparation. Don’t dream for a minute of taking this exam without putting  some real elbow grease into it. It’s only the very skilled ones who feel at ease while facing a board of two or three teachers asking questions and taking notes.

Very often my students feel frustrated by their inability to react to questions; they mention things such as their mind going blank, panicking, having absolutely nothing to say on the issue, words not coming etc. While it is true that in an oral test you have to think on your feet  and some students don’t have this ability, it is also true  that, very often,  you know  or can guess what  topics you can expect  in the exam (  they are quite a few, yes, I know 🙂 ) so before the test, why don’t you  practise  how you would  answer some questions and see what vocabulary you need to study ?. If you do it, you’ll be absolutely fine!

So, my nothing-to-write-home-about tips

♥ Write a list of all the topics in the exam

♥Think of some questions you might be asked for each topic

♥ Study relevant vocabulary to talk about these topics. If you are talking about Technology, you might want to use the expression” keep in touch” or the word “gadget”

♥ Practise how you would answer these questions

♥ Record yourself

♥ Concentration during the speaking test is essential.

♥ Be positive. “Believe you can, and you’re halfway there”

To help you prepare for this part of the exam, I am going to share with you a nice site to practise your responses to questions you might be asked in the test. The site is called Conversationstarters .com  and it generates random questions for different topics. So, click the button and start practising!!

 

Blog de Cristina is also on Facebook.