31st December 2017: New Year's Eve

As you all know, in Spain we eat twelve grapes at midnight. The actual countdown is primarily followed from the clock on top of  the Correos building in Puerta del Sol square, Madrid. It is traditional to eat twelve grapes, on on each chime of the clock. This tradition has its origins in 1909, when grape growers in Alicante thought of it as a way to cut down on the large production surplus they had had that year. Nowadays the tradition is followed by almost every Spaniard, and the twelve grapes have become synonimous with the New Year. After the clock has finished striking twelve, people greet each other and toast with sparkling wine (such as champagane or cider).

26th December: Boxing Day 2017

Today is Boxing Day. No, it has nothing to do with the sport of fighting with the fists. This is the reason for the name:

A box, usually of earthenware, in which contributions of money were collected at Christmas, by apprentices, etc.; the box being broken when full, and the contents shared.

So, the name Boxing Day derives from the tradition of giving seasonal gifts, on the day after Christmas, to less wealthy people and social inferiors, which was later extended to various workpeople such as labourers and servants.

What if Virgin Mary Had Whatsapp? 2017

THE DIGITAL STORY OF NATIVITY

How would the birth of Jesus be experienced through digital media such as Facebook, Twitter, Amazon...? Have a look at the video below:

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Christmas' Eve Dinner 2017

In Britain, turkey is the traditional dish for Christmas' Eve dinner. Enjoy it!

No copyright infringement intended. For educational purposes only.

Christmas Tube Map 2017

(Reblogged from The Telegraph)

This festive Tube map will make you wish the Underground was open on Christmas Day.

If you look closely at this beautiful map, you will see that a few festive changes have been made. We all love a good alternative Tube map. There's a geographically accurate one, one which shows average house prices at each stop, one which points out the most haunted tube stations and even one which shows you how to climb Everest. 

Now, there's a festive tube map, with excitingly-named stations. How do you feel about We Three Kings Cross St. Pancras? Regent's Park has been re-named Treegent's Park. Oxford Circus is now Boxing Day Circus. Our favourite is Victo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ria. And Angel has been left out - as it is already festive. They could have bunged a 'Gabriel' on the end.The map was created by a Twitter user named Paul, for us to enjoy during the festivities. He made it to use on his Christmas cards. It's impressive that one man managed to come up with all these different names. Sadly, we cannot use the map on Christmas Day - as the Underground is shut.

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

7 O´Clock News / Silent Night 2017

Recorded on August 22nd, 1966, "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night" is the twelfth and final track on "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme", a 1966 album by Simon and Garfunkel. The track consists of an overdubbing of two contrasting recordings: a simple arrangement of the Christmas carol "Silent Night", and a simulated "7 O'Clock News" bulletin of the actual events of 3 August 1966.

8 Facts about Spain's 'El Gordo' Lottery 2018

The following article was published by PR Newswire on7th December 2010.

Christmas Carols & Songs 2017

A carol is a song of praise or joy, especially for Christmas. But it is also an old round dance often accompanied by singing.  The word was probably from Old French, derived from Latin choraula, which means "choral song".

Enjoy a selection of traditional Christmas carols and songs in English. Lyrics are included, so you can learn how to sing them!

Merry Christmas 2017

Labor English Zone wishes you the 

Season's Greetings

At Labor English Zone we know what present we want for Christmas!

Football Quiz

1 point is up for grabs at the next Test for Unit 4 for the ESO student who sends the first correct answer to our email:

What football team does the shirt in the photograph above belong to?

NB: This quiz is for our students, NOT FOR THEIR PARENTS. Answers must be in English, of course, in correct English.

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Feast of the Immaculate 2018

The Immaculate Conception by Francisco Zurbarán

Two days ago in Spain we had a national holiday because we celebrated Constitution Day. Today we are out of school again and this time the reason is the Feast of the Immaculate. No matter what religion you are (or if you don't belong to any religion at all) it is useful to know the origin and reasons for our celebrations.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is celebrated on 8th December. It is the patronal feast day of the United States and it is a national holiday in over 20 countries besides Spain. It is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church as well as a few other closely related Christian churches.

The Immaculate Conception of Mary is, according to Catholic doctrine, the conception of the Virgin Mary without any stain ("macula" in Latin) of Original Sin. It is one of the four dogmas in Roman Catholic Mariology. Under this aspect Mary is sometimes called the Immaculata (the Immaculate One), particularly in artistic contexts.

The doctrine states that, from the first moment of her existence, Mary was preserved by God from the Original Sin and filled with sanctifying grace that would normally come with baptism after birth. Catholics believe Mary "was free from any personal or hereditary sin". Mary's immaculate conception should not be confused with the Incarnation of her son Jesus Christ; the conception of Jesus is celebrated as the Annunciation to Mary. Catholics do not believe that Mary, herself, was the product of a Virgin Birth. Catholic theology maintains that since Jesus became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, it was fitting that she be completely free of sin for expressing her fiat: 

"Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word"

The feast was translated to the Western Church in the eighth century, it began to be celebrated on December 8th. It spread from the Byzantine area of Southern Italy to Normandy during the period of Norman dominance over southern Italy. From there it spread into England, France, Germany, and eventually Rome.

In 1854, Pius IX made the infallible statement Ineffabilis Deus: "The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the saviour of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin."

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Believe in the Impossible - Finland's 100th Anniversary

Since Finns dare to dream and believe the impossible, 100-year-old independent Finland has become a success story. Its story deserves to be heard. #congratsfinland #finland100

No copyright infrintgement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Labor English Zone 8th Anniversary

Labor English Zone started on 6th December 2009. Since then we have published 1000+ posts and have received over 66,000 visitors who have viewed more than 280,000 pages. Our busiest day was 11th May 2010, when our hits peaked at 122 visitors (we guess the following day there was a pbl deadline or some kind of exam!!). Posted on February 27th 2010, the song If you give a little love, you can get a little love of your own, with over 3,000 visitors, has been the most popular one during these 8 years.

We want to thank you all for being there and for your visits. We would like to encourage you to send us comments and messages with your ideas and suggestions for new posts. We are interested in hearing what interests you.

To celebrate we are 8 years old, we publish again our first post, "The Italian Man Who Went to Malta":

6th December 2009

Let's begin with some humour. Italian and Spanish are arguably the hardest accents to get rid of. Practise pronunciation drills and try to polish your accent in case you go to Malta too!!

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Logo Quiz

A “logo” or “logotype” is a mark or symbol to promote or advertise enterprises, organizations or individuals.

Below, you’ll find 18 logos belonging to different institutions, brands or groups. One extra point in Unit 3 exam is to be given to the first ESO student who provides the name of the brand or group related to each logo as well as its country of origin.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10. 

11. 

12.

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17.

18. 

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Thanksgiving 2017 - 4th Thursday of November

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. While it may have been religious in origin, Thanksgiving is now primarily identified as a secular holiday. It is sometimes casually referred to as Turkey Day.

In Canada, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October, which is Columbus Day in the United States. In the United States, it falls on the fourth Thursday of November. Since being fixed at the fourth Thursday in November by law in 1941, the holiday in the United States can occur on any date from November 22 to November 28. When it falls on November 22 or 23, it is not the last Thursday, but the penultimate Thursday in November. As it is a Federal holiday, all United States government offices are closed and employees are paid for that day. It is also a holiday for the New York Stock Exchange and most other financial markets and financial services companies.

Remembrance Day 2018

LEST WE FORGET

Remembrance Day – also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day (the event it commemorates) or Veterans Day – is a Commonwealth holiday (observed in all Commonwealth countries except Mozambique) to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war, specifically since the First World War. 

Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night: Remember, Remember, the 5th of November - 2017

ESO Students,

We give you again the post published in previous years about Guy Fawkes' Gunpowder plot. Enjoy it:

In 1605, thirteen young men planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Among them was Guy Fawkes, Britain's most notorious traitor.

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason

Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

The History of the World: Every Year

Since 200,000 BCE, humanity has spread around the globe and enacted huge change upon the planet. This video shows every year of that story, right from the beginning (abbreviations can be found in this document).

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Unit 2 Quiz

1 point is up for grabs at the next Test for Unit 2 for the ESO student who sends the first correct answer to our email:

Who is the film character in the picture above and, most importantly, what is the origin and the inspiration of his name?

NB: This quiz is for our students, NOT FOR THEIR PARENTS. Answers must be in English, of course.

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Halloween 2017

Labor School Students,

Halloween is approaching and to celebrate it at LaborEnglishZone we give you again a very interesting post on the origins of this holiday.

Have a nice Halloween and enjoy the post!

Daylight Saving Time Autumn 2017

Daylight saving time (DST)—also summer time in several countries, in British English, and European official terminology—is the practice of advancing clocks so that evenings have more daylight and mornings have less. Typically clocks are adjusted forward one hour near the start of spring and are adjusted backward in autumn.

How many English speakers use the twelve tenses when speaking daily?

How many English speakers use the twelve tenses when speaking daily?

(Reblogged from Quora)

Pamila Jo Florea, psychotherapist, university ESL professor, answers:

Yes we really do. I'll explain how I became an ESL Professor. By the time I am done, you will have experienced all 12 tenses. Plus, I have always enjoyed a challenge. Here goes! Btw, I am using my phone, so forgive me if I make a typo.

Anyway, I've been teaching English for a lot of years. I was between jobs in 2006 and took a class on how to teach English. I hadn't thought about teaching before that class. I just liked it and stayed with it… In fact, by the time I finish this semester, I will have been teaching for about 10 years.

During the course, I had some doubts. I was wondering if I was up to it because I was older than the other students. Now ten years later, I will be getting a second masters (in education) here in Korea! Originally, I had been thinking of going back to the USA and back into psych, but I decided to stay in this field.

Yes we really do (simple present). I'll explain (simple future) how I became (simple past) an ESL Professor. By the time I am done, you will have experienced(future perfect) all 12 tenses. Plus, I have always (pres perf) enjoyed a challenge. Here goes! Btw, I am using (present progressive) my phone, so forgive me if I make a typo.

Anyway, I've been teaching (pres perf prog) English for a lot of years. I was between jobs and took a class on how to teach English. I hadn't thought (past perfect) about teaching before that class. I just stayed with it… In fact, by the time I finish this semester, I will have been teaching (future perf prog) for 10 years I think.

During the course, I had some doubts. I was wondering (past prog) if I was up to it because I was older han the other students. Now ten years later, I will be getting (future prog) a second masters (in education) here in Korea! Originally, I had been thinking (past perf prog) of going back to the USA and back into psych, but I have decided to stay in this field.

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Autumn 2017

Picture by Cuchuflette

(Reblogged from La Letra 15)

Autumn (or Fall in American English) is traditionally the third season of the year. It is time for leaves to fall and time for ocher, sienna, orange and reddish colours to flood the landscape. Autumn also means we are back to school and for many, just as at New Year's time, it is the beginning of new cycle, new plans and new resolutions:quit smoking, trying to study a foreign language, start working out in a gym...

Sky turns orange across UK

(Reblogged from CNN)

Sky turns orange across UK

(by Judith Vonberg and Brandon Miller)

The sky turned orange across parts of the UK on Monday as dust and smoke from fires in southern Europe swept north.

The reddish tint was a side effect of the remnants of Hurricane Ophelia and the wildfires that have been raging across Portugal and northwest Spain since Friday.

The Privilege Walk

The typical classroom version of this activity involves between 10-40 participants. Throughout the privilege walk, some statements are read by the facilitator and the participants are asked to take a step forward or backward based on their responses. This activity forces participants to confront the ways in which society privileges some individuals over others. It is designed to get participants to reflect on the different areas in their lives where they have privilege as well as the areas where they don't.

(Full video transcription at the end of this post)

«Un palo tártaro», por Herminio Huerta

Hace unas semanas, en un restaurante de cierto postín, el maître me sugirió como especialidad muy recomendable de la casa el "estik tartar" (así lo pronunció). Al responder yo que se trataría de un "esteik", pues estik significa palo, insistió con gesto contrariado espetándome que, para mi información por si yo no estaba familiarizado con el término, se trataba de carne cruda con variados aliños. Lo dejé por imposible -como dicen los gauchos: hay caballo que nunca coge trote- y pedí el famoso steak, que, por cierto, no estaba nada mal a pesar de que la carne había sido picada con una máquina y no cortada finamente a cuchillo como mandan los cánones y como lo hacen en The Forge en Miami, probablemente donde se come el mejor steak tartare del mundo.

How Spanish got its ñ - the story behind that "n with a tilde"

The history of an ordinary Latin mark that turned into an extraordinary Spanish letter. This is how espannol became español!

Back in medieval Spain, scribes were putting the Latin alphabet on parchment to hand stories and information down to us in their manuscripts. One of their unique, rare manuscripts tells the story of El Cid. But if you look at this manuscript, you'll see that the script is a bit... strange.

Get close enough to the pergamino (parchment) to see all the little squiggles. In Latin, that squiggle is a "titulus". In Spanish, the word "titulus" evolved into "tilde".

Let's follow just one of those squiggles to learn its story. It's the story of a routine little mark that became one of the world's most recognizable letters.

~ CREDITS & SOURCES ~

Art, narration and animation by Josh from NativLang. Some of the music, too (intro piano, ending, light guitar in the middle, Thoth's Pill bit and "Upbeat Thoughts").

Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com): Arid Foothills, Path of the Goblin King v2, Angevin B, The Show Must Be Go

Sneaky Snooper by Jason Shaw (audionautix.com).

Upbeat Thoughts (soundcloud.com/Botmasher).

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

2017/18 Exam Schedule for ESO 2, 3 & 4

Exam schedule for the 2017/18 schoolyear

ESO 2, 3 & 4 Students,

This is your exam schedule for the 2017/18 schoolyear (you can also find a calendar of exams, deadlines and other events at the bottom of this blog):

Please note that all exams and dates are subject to change. PBL's and irregular verbs tests dates to be confirmed. 

DIAGNOSTIC TEST

ESO 2 – Thursday 21st September

ESO 3 – Wednesday 20th September

ESO 4 – Tuesday 19th September

1st Term

UNIT 1

ESO 2 – Thursday 19th October

ESO 3 – Tuesday 17th October

ESO 4 – Monday 16th October

Sow and Thou Shalt Reap

Dear ESO students,

At LEZ we firmly believe that your actions dictate the consequences. That is why we would like to give you some advice: one of your main goals in life should be sowing... yes, sowing: your deeds, good or bad, will repay you in kind; the way you behave in life will affect the treatment you will receive from others.

Sit back, relax and take the time to listen to Francisco Salvador, Quesitosgiver on Twitter (please think carefully about the meaning of his username), a scholar of failure, as he calls himself. Be patient, listen right up till the end, pay attention and you will learn an invaluable lesson to live a better and happier life. Enjoy!

Quiz: "Quesitosgiver"... Why that name? Why?

NB: 1 point is up for grabs at the next Test for Unit 1 for the first ESO student who sends the first correct answer to our email (IMPORTANT: the message MUST NOT reach us before Thursday 21st at 5 pm so that all students have an equal chance to guess). 

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Why English is Hard to Learn

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Weekdays

Mood Adjectives

100 ways to describe how you feel.

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Math Gems

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Inauguration Day letter Obama left for Trump

During his final moments in the Oval Office, President Barack Obama folded into thirds a handwritten letter to Donald Trump, slid it into an envelope, and in neat capital letters addressed it to "Mr. President."

Dear Mr. President -

Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure.

This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don't know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful. Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years.

First, we've both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky. It's up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that's willing to work hard.

Second, American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It's up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend.

Third, we are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions -- like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties -- that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it's up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.

And finally, take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches.

Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can.

Good luck and Godspeed,

BO

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Summer 2017 Remedial Task

ESO Students,

Here is your 2017 summer remedial assignment:

• You should solve the activities of the vocabulary, grammar and writing pages in each unit (pages 1, 3, 4, 5 and 8 in every unit)
• You should also complete the three revision sections found at the end of every three units in your student's book: review A (units 1, 2, 3), review B (units 4, 5, 6) and review C (units 7, 8, 9).

Use an A-4 sized notebook to copy the formulation or wording of every activity and underline their key words. Then, translate that wording into Galician/Spanish and solve the activities.

This assignment is NOT COMPULSORY. You do not need to hand in your homework as it will NOT ADD ANY POINTS AT ALL TO YOUR SEPTEMBER MARK. However, we would like to advise you to prepare these activities if you want to be successful in your September remedial exams.

----------- ooo O ooo ----------

This is your English exams schedule for September 2017:

• Friday 1st September, 9.00 - 10.15 - ESO 4 Remedial Test.
• Friday 1st September, 16.00 - 17.15 - ESO 1, ESO 2 and ESO 3 Previous Years Remedial Tests.
• Monday 4th September, 10.15 - 11.30 - ESO 1 and ESO 2 Remedial Test.
• Tuesday 5th September, 10.15 - 11.30 - ESO 3 Remedial Test.

Have a very nice summer and... good luck!

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.

Labor Walk of Fame 5.3

And again, this 3rd term has quickly come to an end. As usual, we’d like to publish the names of those ESO students who obtained the best English grades during this period. Congratulations to you all for such a wonderful job!

                                             ESO 1A - Óscar Cordeiro Canosa 9.59

                                             ESO 1B - Camila González Franco 8.27

                                          ESO 2A - Santiago de Prado Saborido 8.72

                                      
                                                  ESO 2B - Elena Palacio Feito 8.70

                                                    ESO 3A - Sofía Lago Castro 9.35

                                               ESO 3B - Diego Rodríguez Riobó 7.45

                                              ESO 4B - Raquel Cordeiro Canosa 8.45

A special mention goes to Óscar Cordeiro Canosa, who has achieved the best grade of this term (9.59)

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non commercial purposes only.