19.- MAY YOU HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

Would you like to share some christmas spirit? Do you want to know whether you are in the naughty and nice listof Santa Klaus himself? Do you like singing christmas carols? Try your luck at www.emailsanta.com

18.- NO CLASSES ON DECEMBER 9TH

Unfortunately I will not be able to go to work as I have an sprained ankle. Regarding information, please contact the school office. Sorry for the inconvenience.

17.- INTERNATIONAL MUSIC SHOW PARTY

The school of languages has the pleasure to invite you to the International Music Show Party that will be held on the 12th of december 2008 at the Kafe Antzokia in Bermeo. Tickets are available at the school at the price of 5 euros ( and make sure you get one because they are running out of them)
(The money will serve to pay the musicians, we do not intend to flee to the Caribbean with it yet, but some of us are considering the matter!!)

As regards the groups, I can only tell you there are varios groups from different backgrounds (sahara, basque country, senegal, and even Bermeo, I think)

Let us surprise you, anyway. Show up there, let's have a beer together and sing along. After all, your pronunciation gets incredibly better when you are having fun!

16.- "SLEEP, O' GENTLE SLEEP" Hamlet

It was a long time ago, that man discovered that we cannot live without sleeping. There are many bizarre questions about it too. Do cows dream? Can you sleep with your eyes open? How many hours should a person sleep on average? Do fish sleep? Here you have some good places to find some answers.

1.- Get your sleeping profile. Do you reach 60%? Have a try.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/profiler/
2.- Why do we sleep? Find the answers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/articles/whatissleep.shtml
3.- Discover your daily rythm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/crt/
4.- Play sheep dash and see how fast your reaction is
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/sheep/ I did it myself and guess, I found out I was a sluggish snail! I did not have any doubt, indeed! If you would like to become a turbo charged cheetah it needs a lot of coffee cups...hahaha...
5.- If you wish to know where I got all the stuff, click on the option you like best.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/

Hope you like it!

15.- HOW TO TELL THE TIME IN ENGLISH

Find here an interesting link on how to ask for the time in English. Here you have the link to click on:
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/howto/how_to_080903_time.pdf

Hope you find it interesting.

14.- COMPLAINTS FOR THE COUNCIL IN BERMEO

As we said it in class, the town council of Bermeo should have built a sidewalk or pavement to come to the school on foot, from downtown. Students have to walk on the road itself, and as cars run fast it might be the cause of an accident someday.

The bus company Bizkaibus could have extended the bus route, (for buses running from Gernika to Bermeo) so as it would reach the language school. That way, many students coming from Gernika wouldn't have to walk from the bus stop to the school. But , still they decided not to do it. The reasons are yet unknown to us.

Students of a language school must dedicate many hours to their personal study. For that purpose, the school will provide, or ought to provide for a library. Ours is still under renewal works. In some weeks time, it must be ready. We can't wait longer for that. It is a must for a school. However, the town council could provide for books and audio-video material to be lent to students. This is just a suggestion.

Students must not park their cars in front of the school, in the places where there are no painted lines. It is against the rules. If the policemen come, you may get a fine, or your car might be towed away or might get inmobilized. The council, or the Diputación, could have painted more lines for us to park our cars, and they could have painted a zebra crossing, in such a way that cars coming from Sollube would reduce their speed. One of these days, there may be an accident here.

I am sure you can think of many complaints about the city of Bermeo and our school. Please head your complaints to : b122008blog@gmail.com and make sure you use the appropriate modal verbs. Together with the complaints, we would like to have the proposals or new ideas. (use CAN, COULD or COULD HAVE to state them). Let's be positive!!

13.- NO CLASS ON NOVEMBER 24TH

We celebrate Begoña Bilbao day at the school. It is the school festivity. For that reason, classes from Monday November 24 will be taught on Friday November 28th. Optional speaking classes of the day will be cancelled.

If you happen to know who Begoña Bilbao was, and why she was important, please leave a message here.

12.- HOUSING QUIZ

Starting on november 18 we will deal with the problem of HOUSING. If you wish to enhance your vocabulary, click on this link to make the quiz.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/apps/ifl/worldservice/quiznet/quizengine?ContentType=text/html;quiz=1326_housing

Do you own a house? a semi-detatched house? a terraced house?
Are you one of those modern property owners who owns a loft or an attic?
What type of house do wish to buy? a houseboat, a mobile home, a penthouse, a mansion ....?

What is the trend in decorating a new house?

Please leave your comments here.

11.- Was it a success or was it embarrasing?

Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero made it to the White House at the end. Many in Spain, claim that he is not entitled to be in a meeting of the 21 richest countries in the world. Will this meeting be useful for our economy? Are we making a fool of ourselves? What is your opinion about this?

10.- THE YOUNGEST COUNTRY ON EARTH

If you wish to know about the youngest country on Earth, please click on the link below:

http://www.newzealand.com/travel/International/

9.- STEPS TO WRITE A GOOD COMPOSITION

A.- Make a brainstorming of ideas in your mind, think of the things you really want to say, and which ones you would like to avoid.

B.- Take your coursebook, your workbook, your notes, the dictionary, internet, or any other source so as to look up words, ideas etc...

C.- Follow a lay-out in which you have to make sure there is a BEGINNING , a BODY, and a clear CONCLUSION. Paragraphing is important.

D.- Although it takes time, writing a draft can be helpful, because you may check the neccessary changes that should be made for it to look perfect.

E.- Check your draft: Is the text fully understandable at a first reading? Are all words in the sentence in the appropriate order? Are sentences well linked by means of linkers? Did I use correct and varied verb tenses or syntactical structures?(passives, conditionals, relative clauses,etc..) Did I chose rich and varied vocabulary? Is it nice to read? Is it long enough?

F.- Now write your final composition. It should have: a title, and a good lay-out of paragraphs. Good handwriting is desirable. (we are not doctors anymore, are we?)

G.- As regards design, sometimes one picture can make your presentation different and nice. It is your decission.

8.- PHRASAL VERBS RELATED TO TRAVELLING

SET OUT- Leave for, head for, begin a journey
SET SAIL- begin a journey (usually by the sea)
SET OFF- Begin a journey
TAKE OFF- for aircrafts, go to the air
SEE OFF- say goodbye
TURN IN- go to sleep (usually after a long journey)
GET somewhere- arrive in somewhere
GET ALONG- to cope, be able to manage by ourselves
GET BY- manage to ... (get by in french, etc...)
GET AROUND- walk, and move in a city by using public transport
GET AWAY- go on vacation (to go on a getaway, can also be said)
GET BACK- return from a vacation
GET INTO A CAR- ride a car
GET OFF A TRAIN/ A HORSE/ A BICYCLE- end the lift
GET OUT OF A CAR/BUS/TRAIN- go out
GET OVER A HILL/ A MOUNTAIN RIDGE: cross
GET THROUGH: communicate to somebody on the phone. "I couldn't get through to you, you phone did not work properly."
TO MAKE A JOURNEY- to travel
TO MAKE FOR- head towards. "they made for Ayers Rock in a van"
TO MAKE OUT- be able to see a sight from a distance.
TO MAKE somewhere: to arrive on time somewhere. " I cannot make the class, I missed the bus"
TO GO FOR A WALK: walk in your leisure time
TO GO ON FOOT: walk
TO KEEP GOING: not to stop
TO HANG AROUND: be somewhere without doing anything, remain somewhere
TO GO DOWN: The sun goes down
TO HANG OUT: Spend time, walk with no destination, be somewhere having a chat and relaxing

7.- MY NAME IS LISA (YOUTUBE LINK)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiRHyzjb5SI

This is a girl whose name is Lisa and whose mother suffers the Alzheimer's disease. It is a short film that I found in http://www.youtube.com/ and I would like to share with you. It is a bit sad, but ... such is life sometimes...

6.- GUY FAWKES NIGHT

GUY FAWKES NIGHT or BONFIRE NIGHT

Guy Fawkes is also known as “cracker night”, “bonfire night” or “fireworks night”. It is celebrated mostly in the United Kingdom and (due to colonisation) in Australia and New Zealand.

It takes place annually on the fifth of November. It celebrates the foiling of the Gun Powder Plot of the 5th of November 1605 in which a number of catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes,(chief of the explosives and military command) attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London, England.

The purpose of the plot was to kill king James I and end with the protestant rule at the Houses of Parliament during the state opening ceremony of the Parliamentary year.

In the United Kingdom celebrations take place in towns and villages across the country in the form of both private and civic events. They involve firework displays, and the building of bonfires on which traditionally effigies of Guy Fawkes (member of the plot) are burnt. Before the fifth of November, children use the effigies to request “ a penny for the guy” in order to raise funds with which to buy fireworks, a tradition that seems to be losing due to the “trick or treat” of American Halloween.

In the old times it was typical to eat black treacle goods, toffee apples, baked potatoes (which used to be baked on the bonfire) and black peas with vinegar.

In the zone of England, known as the Black Country (west midlands, north and west to Birmingham, and staffordshire) it is typical to eat groaty pudding. (made with soaked groats, beef, leeks, onion, and beef stock)

This traditional song refers to the Gunpowder plot:

Remember, remember
The fifth of November
The gunpowder, treason and plot
I know of no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

Fawkes at midnight
And by torchlight there was found,
With long matches and devices, underground.

**********

VOCABULARY:
* foiling: frustrating
* cooking foil: Papel de aluminio
* take place: happen
* blow up: make it explode
* involve: enclose, include
* effigy: sculpture representing a person
* raise funds: collect money
* treacle goods: productos garrapiñados

5.- YOU CAN LISTEN TO BARACK OBAMA'S PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH ONLINE IN YOUTUBE. HERE YOU HAVE THE SCRIPT TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND ALL THE WORDS.

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA
44TH PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ADDRESS
Nov 4th , 2008

Hello Chicago!

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours, four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that THIS time must be different; that their voices could be THAT difference.

It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native american, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of Red States and Blue states: we are , and always will be, the United States of America.

It’s the answer that led those who’ve been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

A little bit earlier this evening I received an extraordinarily gracious call from senator McCain. Senator McCain fought long and hard in this campaign, and he’s fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him I congratulate Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner of this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the Vice-president-elect of the United states , Joe Biden.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family, and the love of my life, our nation’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both, more than you can imagine, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House. And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, I know that my debt to them is beyond measure. To my sister Maia, my sister Alma and all my other brothers and sisters. thank you so much for all the support that you’ve given me.... I am grateful to them.

To my campaign manager David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best political campaign I think in the history of the United States of America.

To my chief strategist David Axelrod, who’s been a partner with me every step of the way. to the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics- you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.

Above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to- it belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington- it began in the backyards of Des Moines and living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars, ten dollars, twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; it grew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers ; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from the Earth. This is your victory.

I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime – two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bill, or save enough for the child’s college education. There is a new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term, but America- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you- we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for the two-hundred and twenty-one years- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter can not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek- it is only the chance for us to make THAT change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you. Without a new spirit of service a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything , it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers- in this country , we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House- a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are the values that we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours: “we are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection”. And to those AMericans whose support I have yet to earn- I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world- our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

To those who would tear the world down, we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security- we support you. And to all those who have wondered if AMerica’s beacon still burns as bright- tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation come not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracry, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

For that is the true genius of America- that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is a hundred and six (106) years old.

She was born a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road nor planes in the sky when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons: because she was a woman and because of the colour of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America- the heartache and the hope, the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t , and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes, we can.

At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes, we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes, we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbour and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes, we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, he hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We shall overcome”. Yes, we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen , and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of ours, she knows how America can change. Yes, we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves: If our children should live to see the next century, If my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time- to put our people back to work and open the doors of opportunity for our kids, to restore prosperity, and promote the cause of peace, to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth: that out of many , we are one; that while we breathe , we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of the people:
Yes, we can.

Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

4.- A CITIZENSHIP TEST TO BECOME A CITIZEN OF BERMEO

A CITIZENSHIP TEST TO BECOME A CITIZEN OF BERMEO. As it is the fashion in countries such as USA, Germany, Australia etc... applicants must pass a culture test to become a citizen. Do you think you would pass a citizenship test about Bermeo?

........

1.- On a rock under the water, right beneath the chapel of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe there is a ................ , to which Biscayan scuba divers pay a floral tribute every year.
a.- a statue of the Virgin of Begoña
b.- the burial place of the captain of the “Bou Biscay”
c.- a treasure chest from 600 years ago
d.- A box with a paper containing the first words in Basque ever written.

2.- While walking in the streets you can marvel at the works of famous local sculptors such as :
a.- Nestor Basterretxea and Francisco Zuloaga
b.- Nestor Basterretxea and Taraska
c.- Nestor Basterretxea and Juan de Goyogana
d.- Nestor Basterretxea and Enrique Zubia

3.- The area of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Akatz island and Matxitxako cape has been recently declared :
a.- a UNESCO biosphere reserve
b.- a wildlife preservation centre for the production of crabfish
c.- a protected Biotope for marine fauna
d.- a National safety area due to the possible effects of “Gaviota” oil rink.

4.- In which part of Bermeo can you find the park whose name “Erreten”:
a.- near the port and the Franciscan church
b.- near the new building of the “Casa de Cultura”
c.- It is the new name of “La Atalaya”
d.- It is next to the school of languages and the Skate Park near it

5.- What is a “Taraska” in Bermeo?
a.- a typical type of bar where you can eat fish fingers.
b.- a type of ship used in fishing squid
c.- a woman who has a bad reputation for being easy.
d.- a fountain







6.- Who was “Xixili”?
a.- she was a mermaid who haunted fishermen, took them to Ogoño and killed them there.
b.- she was a fish seller who poisoned non-Basque people wanting to come and stay in Bermeo
c.- She was the wife of Jose Luis Butron, and his murderer. She forced him to eat five kilos of “Marmitako” till he died.
d.- She was the first woman to be major of the town council in Bermeo.

7.- Benito Barrueta was a well-known .............from Bermeo
a.- singer
b.- pelota player
c.- painter
d.- rower

8.- “They preferred , because of the rudeness of their hearts, to die rather than to surrender” Who said this referring to people that had died in the sea of the Bay of Biscay?
a.- Alfred Lord Tennyson
b.- Lord Walshingham
c.- Colonel Nelson
d.- Maria Diaz de Haro, Lady of Byscay

9.- Bermeo, and its “Bou Biscaya” rowing team ship have been the winners of the ACT league, which means:
a.- Asociacion Corporativa de Traineras
b.- Asociacion de clubes de Traineras
c.- Asociacion de Catamaranes de Traineras
d.- Asociacion central de Traineras

10.- What is the name of the actual major of the town council of Bermeo, and what political party does he belong to:
a.- Xabier Legarreta, EA
b.- Juan Carlos Goienetxea , EA
c.- Xabier Legarreta , PNV
d.- Juan Carlos Goienetxea , PN

3.- ONLINE DICTIONARIES

http://www.wordreference.com/ Multi-language online dictionary

http://www.askoxford.com/?view=uk Oxford English dictionary online

http://www.oup.com/elt/catalogue/teachersites/oald7/?cc=global
Oxford advanced learner’s dictionary online

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/
Cambridge advanced learner’s dictionary

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page World encyclopaedia online (in English)

http://www.hiztegia.net/ Assorted dictionaries for speakers of Basque

http://www1.euskadi.net/morris/dictionary.htm Morris-Harluxet Basque-English dictionary

http://onlineslangdictionary.com/ Online slang dictionary project

http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/ Online slang dictionary

http://www.englishpage.com/prepositions/phrasaldictionary.html
Dictionary of phrasal verbs.

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/ The Free Dictionary (section idioms)

http://www.idiomconnection.com/
The Idiom Connection (Proverbs, idioms and quizzes to practice)

http://www.merriam-webster.com/
Merriam-Webster dictionary online-Thesaurus

2.- Pictures of the lecture by Ahmadul Haque

Staff from the school with Mr. Haque, after the lecture



Students and teachers listening attentively.

Some people could ask questions.

We had a nice time at the Casa de Cultura.

Some issues were difficult to explain.

Flowers are painted so as to bring "good karma"

Maitane Kortazar presented the lecture and introduced the lecturer.

Mr. Haque showing the poster of the lecture.

South Asia is a mixture of different landscapes, peoples and religion. Let alone languages.

Thank you so much Mr. Haque and everyone who helped and attended the lecture.

1.- A warm welcome to your blog

May you be welcome to this newly open weblog. We hope you enjoy it