2016 End of Year ESO Exam Schedule

ESO Students,

This is your English exams schedule for both June and September 2016:

• Wednesday 15th June, 10.45 - 12.15 - ESO 2 Final Test.
• Thursday 16th June, 10.45 - 12.15 - ESO 3 Final Test.
• Friday 17th June, 12.30 - 14.00 - ESO 1 Final Test.
• Tuesday 21st June, 9.00 - 10.30 - ESO 4 Final Test.

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

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

Good luck!

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

Eight Ways to Study Better

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

English Can Be Weird

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

The Cíes Islands

(Reblogged from Travels)

The archipelago of the Cies, located at the entrance of the ria de Vigo, consists of three main islands and smaller islets. The Cies Islands offer nature, good walks and trails, spectacular views and beaches and a haven of tranquility. It’s an incredible maritime-terrestrial National Park and one of the most beautiful in the country, hence the Romans put them ‘islands of the gods’ name.

Cies form part of the Atlantic Islands National Park: a paradise of beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters, with a natural setting that makes it an Observatory of flora and fauna unique.

From North to South the Islands son:br Monteagudo or North, island of medium or lighthouse, South Island or San Martiño. The first two are United by a barrier of sand caused by ocean currents, called Beach das Rodas, on the Western side is called two Nenos saltwater lagoon.

The West coast of the Islands is sown and abrupt cliffs that may exceed 100m in height. It also has numerous caves originated by marine erosion, while the East coast have mild slopes that reach the beautiful beaches of fine sand. They include the mentioned beach of Rhodes, selected as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by the British newspaper “The Guardian”.

Cies Islands, were declared “Natural Park” in 1980 and belong to the National Park of the Atlantic Islands, developed in 2002.

A visit to Cies is ideal for hiking in the family to a break in search of Virgin and quiet beaches. You can make a day boat trip to Cies or rent a yacht in Vigo. Or, if you prefer, spend a weekend in Cies campsite. In addition, it is an exceptional place for diving in the Vigo river and, with luck, you can swim surrounded by arroaces (local dolphins, of smaller size).

Can only access the archipelagos of the National Park from the sea, by the means of maritime transport services of passengers who fly on specific dates or, with prior authorization if it’s a private boat. Currently, several shipping companies provide regular services at Easter, weekends of May and summer to visit the islands of Cíes and Ons. Access is restricted to a maximum of 2200 people per day.

To preserve the environment the number of visits is regulated as well as activities within and around the Islands.

Here are some things to keep in mind when visiting the Cíes Islands:

– It is not recommended to approaching the cliffs, can be dangerous.

– It is recommended to travel on public roads.

– Please always take plenty of water and sunscreen.

– You never leave trash, take it with you.

– Is not permitted to camping except in the permitted areas.

– It is not allowed to pull up plants or disturb the animals.

– Anchoring of boats without authorization is not permitted. Click here to request authorization.

– Diving in the vicinity of the Islands without permission is not allowed. To request permission please click here.

– Is not allowed to light fires.

– Is not permitted sport fishing.

– Is not allowed the entry of animals on the Islands, with the exception of dogs Guide for visually impaired.

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

'Mind the gap' announcer Phil Sayer dies aged 62

(Reblogged from The Guardian)

Voiceover artist was heard on London’s tube network and railway stations across the country

The man who voiced some of London Underground’s “mind the gap” announcements has died.

Phil Sayer, 62, whose voice was heard daily on the capital’s tube network, as well as on many automated PA systems on railway stations across the UK, died on Thursday from cancer.

His wife, Elinor Hamilton, made the announcement on Facebook, writing: “Phil Sayer – voice of reason, radio, and railways. A dearly loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. We are sorry to announce that this service terminates here.”

Phil Sayer appearing on This Morning in 2014. Photograph: Ken McKay/ITV/Rex/Shutterstock

Twitter

Sayer worked as a BBC presenter in the 1980s before setting up a company with he and Elinor working as voiceover artists. He retired from doing voiceovers in April after his health declined.

In 2007, Sayer old the BBC: “These days, most of my work is as a voiceover artist, though I still present live shows and conferences for corporate clients from time to time. It’s my voice on most of the automated PA systems on railway stations across the UK. As a result, I’m heard saying ‘Sorry…’ quite a lot.

“The company I run with my wife Elinor also provides PA announcements for large parts of the London Underground. We’re quietly proud that our two-person company from the north-west of England beat off competition from the big boys in London to win this lucrative contract.

“Lastly, at the grand old age of 54 I’m the proud dad of two-year-old twin boys. Silly old fool, eh?”

The mind the gap announcement was introduced in 1968 after it became impractical for drivers and station attendants to warn passengers. The warning was also painted on the edge of the platforms.

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

Filming on your smartphone

Tips for filmmakers on how to get the most out of your smartphone.

(Reblogged from BBC Academy)

Smartphones mean that everyone can be a filmmaker.

Arthur Haynes is part of the BBC Production Talent Pool and is a seasoned smartphone filmmaker. In this video, recorded on a smartphone (iPhone 5), Arthur shares his tips for filming on your smartphone.

"My advice is to go out there and have a play. You never know what you might create."

– Arthur Haynes

Setting up

1. Set your phone to airplane mode so that you don’t have any interruptions when recording.
2. Adjust your brightness. Set it to high so you can see clearly what you’re filming.
3. Always film in landscape so that the format is set correctly when you playback.

Now for the actual filming…

Before you start filming, think about what your story is and then think about the shots that will best tell the story.

1. Set the scene.  Have an establishing shot and make sure you introduce your characters to your audience pretty early on.
2. Don’t just stick to one shot. Use different types of shots to make your story more interesting.  Change the angle of the camera to give different points of view.
3. Zooming in when filming on your smartphone is a big no-no! It’s always best for you to physically move with the camera instead.
4. Blurry footage is of no use to anyone so make sure you focus before you start filming. Hold down the square box on your screen to focus on your subject.
5. Exposure - smartphones have this built in. Tap on your subject and then adjust your settings according to what you want.
6. There’s nothing worse than having great footage but having the sound let you down. Make sure you know where the microphone is on your phone so as not to cover it up when filming. If you’re filming in a quiet area then the phone’s own microphone might be enough…
7. …. But you can always use the phone’s headphones as an additional mic.
8. You'll want to stabilise your shots and limit movement so that you don't have shaky shots. Depending on what you’re filming, holding the phone in your hand might work. If you’re going to be filming for a while, you might want to think about leaning the camera on something or even etting a tripod and a mount.

Click here to watch the video.

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

Labor Walk of Fame 4.2

Since the second term has come to an end, we want to congratulate those students who did best during these three months. And those are:

ESO 1A: Javier Pintos González (9.29)

ESO 1B: Laura Conde Lema (9.42)

ESO 2A: Sofía Lago Castro (9.13)

ESO 2B: Diego Rodríguez Riobó (7.77)

ESO 3A: Lucía Díaz Cameselle (9.62)

ESO 3B: Raquel Cordeiro Canosa (9.14)

ESO 4A: Álvaro de Prado Saborido (9.14)

ESO 4B: Marta Rivas Ramallo (8.46)

And the best overall ESO student of English in the 2nd Term is Lucía Díaz Cameselle, with an average mark of 9.62. Congratulations!

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

Learn the Cockney accent with Jason Statham

Ok... We couldn't afford Jason Statham, so we got what we could afford! Learn aspects of the Cockney accent and even take a little test at the end!

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

Bolsas de Inmersión Lingüística 2016

A Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria convoca 682 prazas para realizar actividades de formación en linguas estranxeiras no ano 2016.

Poderá solicitar estas axudas o alumnado de centros sostidos con fondos públicos da Comunidade Autónoma de Galicia dos cursos que aparecen na seguinte táboa.

Acceso ao texto da Orde de convocatoria

Acceso ao cartel informativo

Acceso á guía para cubrir a solicitude (aplicación axudasle)

- Lémbrase a necesidade de achegar, xunto coa documentación, a fotocopia de todas as páxinas cubertas do libro de familia ou, de non dispor deste, da documentación que xustifique o número total de membros da unidade familiar.

- Para as personas que non empreguen a aplicación (que obrigará a cubrir esta información), indícase a importancia de facilitar, alomenos, un teléfono de contacto, procurando cubrir todas informacións indicadas na solicitude en letra lexible.

- No caso de remitir a solicitude vía Correo Postal (o Anexo I debe selarse e datarse por Correos), o enderezo de envío é:

Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria

Dirección Xeral de Educación, Formación Profesional e Innovación Educativa

Edf. Administrativo de San Caetano s/n

15781 – Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña)

 Prazo aberto dende o 29 de marzo ata o 28 de abril (incluído)

						Achega das familias (€)
	MODALIDADE	DURACIÓN	RÉXIME ALOXAMENTO	Nº PRAZAS	CUSTO POR PRAZA (€)	GRUPO A	GRUPO B	GRUPO C	GRUPO D
2º BACHARELATO	Inglés en Galicia	1 semana	Residencia	33	800	100	180	300	350
1º BACHARELATO	Inglés en Galicia	1 semana	Residencia	59	800	100	180	300	350
4º EDUCACIÓN SECUNDARIA OBRIGATORIA	Inglés en Galicia	2 semanas	Residencia	90	550	70	125	220	275
3º EDUCACIÓN SECUNDARIA OBRIGATORIA	Inglés en Galicia	2 semanas	Residencia	120	550	70	125	220	275
2º EDUCACIÓN SECUNDARIA OBRIGATORIA	Inglés en Galicia	2 semanas	Residencia	190	550	70	125	220	275
1º EDUCACIÓN SECUNDARIA OBRIGATORIA	Inglés en Galicia	2 semanas	Residencia	190	550	70	125	220	275
			Total prazas:	682

CONSULTAS

Web da convocatoria: http://www.edu.xunta.es/axudasle

Enderezo electrónico: axudasle@edu.xunta.es

Atención telefónica:  981957296 - 881997497 - 981957538 - 981546503

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

2013 Best Graduation Speech, by Alejandro Penín

ESO 4 Students,

We give you here an example of a brilliant graduation speech by Alejandro Penín. In just 382 words, with acute wit and joyful humour, he has addressed all the points a good valedictorian speech should cover. Superb effort. Congratulations, Alejandro!

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

2015 Best ESO 4 Graduation Speeches.

ESO 4 Students,

Here you are the two best 2015 graduation speeches, by Andrea Aguado and Andrea Cobo, so that you can get some ideas and inspiration. Enjoy both their contents and spirit.

ANDREA AGUADO OLIVEIRA

Good afternoon everybody! 

Thanks to all of you for coming. Teachers, here we are again. Parents, hi, mum and dad! And classmates, you are the best.

Eight years ago in third grade primary, I never thought I would be here standing in front of you giving my graduation speech, but now it’s very exciting for me to be here.

Write music, by Gary Provost

This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It’s like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety.

Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals–sounds that say listen to this, it is important.

So write with a combination of short, medium, and long sentences. Create a sound that pleases the reader's ear. Don't just write words. Write music.

This Sentence Has Five Words on Vimeo.

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

April Come She Will 2016

At LEZ we have posted 2 songs by Simon Garfunkel: I am a rock and 7 O'Clock News/Silent Night. We give you now another of their masterpieces, 'April Come She Will.' Whatever happened to poets and musicians like them?

April, come she will

When streams are ripe and swelled with rain.

May, she will stay

Resting in my arms again.

June, she'll change her tune,

in restless walks she'll prowl the night.

July, she will fly

and give no warning to her flight.

August, die she must,

the autumn winds blow chilly and cold.

September, I'll remember

a love once new has now grown old.

This brilliant, beautiful video clip illustrating the song is by a young American genius, Justin Ho. Keep his name in mind: Sooner or later he will become a very famous film director.

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

April Fools' Day 2016

April Fools' Day or All Fools' Day is a day celebrated in many countries on April 1st. The day is named for the custom of playing practical jokes and hoaxes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, enemies, and neighbours, or sending them on a fool's errand, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible. Traditionally, in some countries, such as the UK, Australia and South Africa the jokes only last until noon, and someone who plays a trick after noon is called an "April Fool". Elsewhere, such as in Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Russia, The Netherlands, and the U.S., the jokes last all day.

Daylight Saving Time 2016

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.

Graduation Speech: ESO 4 2015-16 3rd Term PBL Assignment

ESO 4 Students,

This is your PBL assignment for the 3rd term. All of you have to WRITE and DELIVER your GRADUATION SPEECH.  You have to imagine you are going to stand in the school Assembly Hall before your teachers, classmates, parents and guests at your ESO graduation ceremony (to be held on June 21st) and deliver your speech, which must be at least 350 WORDS LONG.

The best student will be offered the chance to deliver his or her speech at your graduation ceremony... in English!! Of course, he or she will get extra points in the final mark for that effort.

Spring 2016

Click here to enlarge image

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

How do dogs "see" with their noses?, by Alexandra Horowitz

You may have heard the expression that dogs ‘see with their noses.’ But these creature’s amazing nasal architecture actually reveals a whole world beyond what we can see. Alexandra Horowitz illustrates how the dog’s nose can smell the past, the future and even things that can’t be seen at all.

(Reblogged from Brain Pickings)

We humans tend not to spend a lot of time thinking about smelling. Smells are minor blips in our sensory day compared to the reams of visual information that we take in and obsess over in every moment.

What are you thankful for?

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

Becas de inmersión lingüística «Vigo en inglés 2016» (programa Pilivigo)

O aloxamento

Os participantes residen, en réxime de pensión completa durante toda a súa estancia, con familias nativas escolmadas para a súa participación no programa.

As actividades

Despóis do xantar, realízanse diversas actividades, entre elas unha visita cultural a algún sitio de interese. Na fin de semana faise unha excursión dun día enteiro.

Atención 24 horas

Os estudiantes e as súas familias dispoñen dun centro de atención telefónica 24 horas para resolver calquer cuestión que lles puidese xurdir.

Clases de reforzo

Durante a participación no programa, os rapaces reciben clases de reforzo e perfeccionamento de lingua inglesa.

Requisitos

Os adxudicatarios da presente convocatoria serán os alumnos e alumnas, españois ou estranxeiros con tarxeta de residencia ou de estancia por estudos en vigor, de centros educativos do Concello de Vigo sostidos con fondos públicos que cumpran os requisitos que a continuación se sinalan:

1. Estar a cursar 3.º da ESO nun centro educativo sostido con fondos públicos do Concello de Vigo durante o curso académico 2015/2016
2. Ter aprobadas todas as materias de 2.º de ESO.
3. Ter obtido como mínimo unha nota de 7 na materia de Lingua inglesa nas cualificacións finais de 2.º de ESO.
4. Estar empadroado no Concello de Vigo, con vixencia mínima dende o 01/01/2016 , dato que será comprobado de oficio pola propia administración.
5. Non ter concedida, no ano 2016, outra axuda coa mesma finalidade.
6. Ter DNI/NIE, permiso de residencia ou pasaporte en vigor cunha vixencia mínima de 6 meses.

Deberán solicitar as prazas os representantes legais (pai e nai ou titor/a legal) dos alumnos e alumnas.

Documentación

1. Solicitude da praza debidamente cuberta e asinada polos solicitantes, segundo modelo que figura noAnexo I.
2. Fotocopia simple do DNI/NIE ou pasaporte en vigor do/a alumno/a solicitante (mínimo por 6 meses). No caso de alumnado estranxeiro, deberán presentar fotocopia simple da tarxeta de residencia ou de estancia por estudos e o pasaporte en vigor (mínimo por 6 meses).
3. Fotocopia simple do DNI/NIE dos solicitantes (pai e nai ou titor legal) que asinan a solicitude de participación do Anexo I.
4. Certificación académica orixinal e Anexo II, emitida polo centro educativo na que deberá figurar que o alumno/a está matriculado en 3º de ESO nun centro sostido con fondos públicos do Concello de Vigo no curso 2015/2016 e as cualificacións finais que deberá ter aprobadas todas as áreas ou materias cursadas en 2º de ESO;con mención específica da nota na materia de Lingua inglesa nas cualificacións finais de 2.º de ESO, que deberá ser como mínimo dun 7.
5. Xustificación de ingresos: Aquelas familias que non autoricen ao Concello de Vigo á solicitude de información fiscal á Axencia Tributaria, deberán presentar Fotocopia da última declaración da renda de todos os membros da unidade familiar ou certificado de estar exento/a emitido pola Axencia Tributaria.
6. Autorización asinada polo pai, nai ou titor legal, segundo o modelo que figura no Anexo III.
7. Fotocopia simple do libro de familia na que figuren todos os membros da unidade familiar ou documentación acreditativa da titoría legal e, de ser o caso, acreditar documentalmente outras circunstancias familiares considerando como tales: familia numerosa, pai/nai solteiro/a, divorcio ou separación, viúvo/a.
8. Certificado de discapacidade, de ser o caso.
9. Declaración de non ter concedida, no ano 2016, outra axuda coa mesma finalidade, segundo o modelo que figura no Anexo IV.
10. No caso de que o participante precise de atencións médicas especiais (por mor de alerxias, discapacidades, intolerancias, etc.), deberá presentar un certificado médico orixinal que así o acredite. .

Non serán tidos en conta nin valorados os requisitos alegados e non xustificados documental e correctamente tal como se indica, nin os que se aleguen fóra do prazo establecido para esta convocatoria nin os que conteñan emendas.

Pódense descargar as BASES DA CONVOCATORIA aqui.

En caso de ser notificado da adxudicación da praza definitiva, deberá presentarse, no prazo de 5 días hábiles, o Anexo V.

Cómo participar

Unha vez obtido o modelo de solicitude e demais formularios na oficina do programa VIGO EN INGLÉS ou na páxina web www.vigoeningles.org, deberán presentarse ditos formularios debidamente cubertos, xunto con toda a documentación requerida, no Rexistro Xeral do Concello de Vigo (Praza do Rei s/n).

O prazo de presentación das solicitudes será do 15 de febreiro ao 26 de febreiro de 2016, ambos inclusive.

Bases convocatoria

• Bases e convocatoria ordinaria 2016 para a adxudicación de prazas para a participación no Programa Municipal de Inmersión en Lingua Inglesa (VIGO EN INGLÉS 2016. Convocatoria Ordinaria) dirixidas ao alumnado de 3º de ESO de Centros Educativos do Concello de Vigo sostidos con fondos públicos.

Anexos

• ANEXO I: SOLICITUDE DE PARTICIPACIÓN NO PROGRAMA "VIGO EN INGLÉS 2016. CONVOCATORIA ORDINARIA".
• ANEXO II: CERTIFICACIÓN DO CENTRO EDUCATIVO.
• ANEXO III: AUTORIZACIÓN DO/A REPRESENTANTE LEGAL.
• ANEXO IV: DECLARACIÓN COMPLEMENTARIA DO CONXUNTO DE AXUDAS CONCEDIDAS PARA A MESMA FINALIDADE.
• ANEXO V: ACEPTACIÓN OU RENUNCIA DA PRAZA CONCEDIDA.
• Tríptico e cartel programa "Vigo en Inglés 2016.Convocatoria Ordinaria".
• Documento instruccións participación "Vigo en Inglés 2016. Convocatoria Ordinaria".

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

A Chemical Romance, by Brian Bilston

 

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

2016 Carnival, Lent, Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) & Ash Wednesday

Carnival

Carnival is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, masque and public street party. People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations, which mark an overturning of daily life.