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.

Everyday actions

How busy is your day? You can find a list of usual actions in the picture below. Is there any other activity that is not listed and you would like to mention?

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

History of the Entire World, I Guess

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

Recommend me a book

Are you looking for new books to read? It is said that the first page of a novel is essential to grab the reader's attention just as the first two sentences of a tale are key for a writer.
Go to http://recommendmeabook.com/ and click on any of the book covers. Read the first page of that book. Are there any books you have not read because the cover was not appealing to you?

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

Jokes in English: "Accountants and engineers on a train"

Three engineers and three accountants are traveling by train to a conference. At the station, the three accountants each buy tickets and watch as the three engineers buy only a single ticket. "How are three people going to travel on only one ticket?" asks an accountant. "Watch and you'll see," answers an engineer. They all board the train. The accountants take their respective seats but all three engineers cram into a restroom and close the door behind them. Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the restroom door and says, "Ticket, please." The door opens just a crack and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on. The accountants saw this and agreed it was quite a clever idea. So after the conference, the accountants decide to copy the engineers on the return trip and save some money (being clever with money, and all). When they get to the station they buy a single ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment, the engineers don't buy a ticket at all. "How are you going to travel without a ticket?" says one perplexed accountant. "Watch and you'll see," answers an engineer. When they board the train the three accountants cram into a restroom and the three engineers cram into another one nearby. The train departs. Shortly afterward, one of the engineers leaves his restroom and walks over to the restroom where the accountants are hiding. He knocks on the door and says, "Ticket, please."