An insight into grammar - Order of adjectives

One of the grammar aspects that we have to see in detail this year is how adjectives work, and the order they follow in the sentence. To do so, we'll start by listening to some adverts that provide a wide variety of them.

   LISTENING (Unit 7 - Grammar for First Certificate)

Your writings on the blog

These are a few selected passages from your own writings. The selection 
criteria are varied, either because the language used sounds very natural, 
the vocabulary is accurate or the structures used are appropriate for the 
level. Well done! And thanks for sharing them.

FILM REVIEWS

This is a strangely uplifting film directed by Danny Boyle. Set and filmed in India, it tells the story of Jamal Malik, a young man from the slums of Bombay who 
appears on the Indian version of Who wants to be a millionaire? He is hitting all 
the questions, but just before the last question, he is arrested by the police, 
who suspect him of cheating, because how could a street kid know so much? 
Jamal tells the story of his life in the slums where he and his brother grew up, 
and of Latika, the girl he loved. Each chapter of his story reveals the key answer 
to to one of the game show's questions.

Prepare yourself to be overtaken by emotions as varied as joy, pity, happiness 

and an uplifting end.

Although I'm not a fan of musicals, I'm really keen on this film. The plot is quite 
complicated. It is set in XIX century France, and it's based on the novel written 
by Victor Hugo. It tells the story of a man called Jean Valjean who is sent to 
prison for eleven years just for stealing a loaf of bread. When he gets out of 
prison, he tries to change his life, but things get rough when inspector Javert 
finds him. The story is really moving and the soundtrack is wonderful. I thought 
that the main stars sang brilliantly and the costumes were superb. This is the 
last film I've seen this year and I'm actually really glad I decided to go.

It's a thoroughly entertaining and action film, but I don't really like it. It has a 
poor script and the lighting is too dark. The best is the convincing acting by 
Javier Bardem. However, I don't like Daniel Craig's role. I believe that 007 is not 
a character for him. Only at the end, it manages to surprise me with the death 
of a known character.
I don't really recommend this film unless you are really into the saga.

It's an American sci-fi film, written and directed by Larry and Adam Wachowski. 
The story is set in 2199, in a simulated world that had been created by machines.
Nero, starred by Keanu Reeves, is a computer programmer who fights against the machines trying to rescue the humans. It also stars Laurence Fishburne, Carrie 
Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano. Matrix received positive reviews from most 
critics, some even raved about it. They said it had a brilliant and creative plot 
that showed a gripping story.

It's an American drama set in the 1960s in Mississipi, USA. The film is very moving and it's about friendship and racism. It's brilliantly directed by Tate Taylor and 
the main character is superbly acted by Emma Stone.
The story is about a girl called Skeeter, a young southern girl who returns from 
college determined to become a writer. Her arrival alters the life of the city and even that of her friends, because she is set on interviewing black women who 
had passed their lives in the service of wealthy families, suffering all forms of 
racial discrimination.
It's an inspiring and wonderful story.

The Impossible is a disaster drama, but above all, it's an strangely uplifting film 
directed by Juan Antonio Bayone and starring Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor.
It is set in Thailand, and is about the true story of a Spanish couple and their 
three children. It starts as the family begins their Christmas holidays with the 
intention of spending a few days at a tropical paradise resort. However, their 
idyllic holiday is interrupted when a devastating tsunami destroys the coastal 
zone, separating the family and triggering a frantic search.
The film is much better than I thought it would be. From my point of view, it has
a great plot, and lots of action keep you entertained throughout the whole story.

DAY TRIPS

This is the second largest natural park in Europe. If you are into hiking, mountain biking or simply want to spend a nice family day out surrounded by nature, this is the best place to visit.
The park has a lot of wildlife and incredible breathtaking views. Going for a walk you may see many natural species such as deer and imperial eagles. Finally, 
after hiking around the park, you could go to the centre of the village where the church of Santa Maria and its ruins are worth a visit. Of course, you can finish a proper day going to taste some of the most typical tapas.

Terra Natura is an aquatic and zoological park near the centre of Murcia, where you can spend a great day out with all the family, and where the kids, especially, can en enjoy themselves. There are swimming pools and you can go on a lot of amusing aquatic attractions. There are also shows with with sea lions and games for children. In the zoo you can see more than 300 animals of 50 different species, three of which are in danger of extinction. As regards plants, there are more than 500 specimens of of more than 50 species of trees and bushes in two areas: African Savannah and Iberian Peninsula.
Moreover, there are shows with animals and attractions, and you can eat or drink something at Carnivore restaurant while you see lions!

As a cultural place I would recommend (only if you are in London, obviously) the Tower of London. This is a building full of history and sitting on the banks of the Thames.
The access is free, although you have to pay for special expositions like the Royal Jewels.
The tower was built as a castle for the defence of the area, but after that it became a prison and many people were killed inside or just left there until their death, even Royal Family members. 
Because of this, the atmosphere in many of its narrow rooms is really sinister. There are a lot of stories about ghosts going through the walls at night, but surely you will have to conform seeing the great variety of ancient weapons, tools and personal goods which are exhibited.
At lunch time, there's a little stand whose speciality is fish and chips, and you can eat this tasty and typical english meal while you look at the Tower Bridge. Just perfect! But be careful with the crows...

I hardly ever go to theme parks, although I really like them. In fact, I only know two of them: Port Aventura, where I went about sixteen years ago, and Terra Mítica. I'm going to talk about the latter, which isn't as good, big and amusing as Port Aventura, but you can spend a great day there. No doubt.
The park is near Benidorm (Alicante), and the ticket to enjoy the whole place will cost you 35 €. It's expensive, I know, as the prices for eating inside... but if you love a good rollercoaster and things that put your legs up and head down you must go. There are also some interesting performances with gladiators and pirates that children may have fun with.
And don't leave the sunscreen at home; you'll thank me for the advice.

The Best Job in the World

This is a video that tells the story of a Job Ad that went round the world looking for applicants.

1.   What’s the job? Where is it?

2.   What are some of the job duties?

3.   Does this person have to rent a house?

4.   What’s the purpose of offering this job?

5.   What do applicants have to do?

6.   How are they going to select the best candidate?

Glossary:
off the coast
overwhelming
plunge pool
take the plunge
there's no catch

Listenings REVIEW 01

I asked you to do lesson 01 REVIEW in your book. Here are the listenings so you can work on them at home.

REVIEW 01

Page 33 - CONNECTED SPEECH
Page 34 - LISTENING



Click on the next track icon  
to listen to all the speakers.

Job interview - A class project

 Our project for this unit is going to be a job interview. To make it as real as possible, you are going to write your own CV/ resume and a cover letter. You will have to bring it to Emmi's class next week. Apart from this, there's something else you need to do. On the Internet, you have to find a job advertisement that you'd like to apply for. Why not your dream job?  Remember: Impossible is nothing! Print it and bring it to class together with your CV and cover letter.

Emmi will tell us all about how to work on them so that they are practical, straight to the point, and veeery professional.

THE TASK:

 

In class, we have given you two templates. One for your COVER LETTER, and one for your RESUME. Clicking the words you can download them in case you need them again.

Emmi's presentation:

Job interview questions NI2 

Emmi has also shown you on the board a projection of two samples. A COVER LETER,and a RESUME again. These are her examples, but just like she said, feel free to look for other samples on the Internet until you find one that works perfectly well for you. 

Sample cover letter 

  

 

Click on the images to download.

 

I found this presentation surfing the net, and I thought you may find it interesting. It's a step by step guide to creating your CV in an original and unique way. And what's more, you'll be able to follow a thorough plan to target those you'd like to impress. There's also a practical example of how the author, who is a designer, successfully made his way to his dream job. ENJOY!

So for next class with Emmi remember to bring... 

Your resume
Your cover letter
Your add (a dream job you'd love to apply for)
Do your research on the company you want to work for

Idioms & expressions related to work

With a partner guess the meanings of the following underlined expressions.

He has always taken his job very seriously but recently he has become a complete workaholic.

They gave her a golden handshake when she left the company.

I told him that I was up to my eyes in work and couldn't possibly go out with him this evening.

They've just employed a new financial adviser - a real high-flier according to the people in the accounts department.

He told me to pull my socks up, otherwise I'd be out of a job.

That Mrs Bates is a real slave driver.

Listening - Modals for obligation and necessity

Listen to this conversation between Chris and Alice.



Among the following sentences, choose the ones that are true.

1. Alice has left school because she is a trainee in a restaurant to become a chef.
2. Chris is in charge of the Kitchen at a hotel.
3. Alice reckons the job must be very enjoyable.
4. Working in an important hotel implies meeting a lot of famous people.
5. Chris works very long hours, specially in the summer.
6. Once the food is cooked he can go home and relax.
7. He had more time off in his previous job.
8. Alice is determined to become a chef.

Classic job interview questions

Watch this video giving tips on how to succeed at a job interview. 

Useful vocabulary:

to do well
to trip up
a dreaded question
to handle
to redress
on no account
where your major strengths lie
state your achievements
ethos
to relish
never utter the phrase...
innocuous
to throw you off guard 
a good balanced answer vs a well balanced answer
an overview
roughly

Now answer the questions below. 

Which two answers shouldn't you give to the first question?

Which phrase should you never utter as an answer to the third question?

Which of these things does she recommend for question number four?

tell your life history

give an overview of highest qualifications

go into as much detail as you can

run through the jobs you've had so far

avoid same structure as in your CV

give examples of things you've succeeded at

What can you focus on if it's your first job?