ACRONYMS IN ENGLISH

What is an ACRONYM? An acronym is a word formed from the initials of words in a phrase. For example: 

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

English is a language which contains a lot of acronyms. Do you know what these initials stand for? 

BBC                 .....................................................

BC and AD       .....................................................

GMT                .....................................................

RSPV               .....................................................

CIA                  .....................................................

FBI                  ......................................................

GCSE               ......................................................

LOL                 .....................................................

BTW                ......................................................

SOS                  .....................................................

UFO                 ......................................................

VAT                 .....................................................

VIP                  ......................................................

Ph.D                 .....................................................

Do you know any of them? Leave a comment and guess their meanings! I'll post the solution in a week. Good luck! 

WORLD TEACHER'S DAY

Today we celebrate THE WORLD TEACHER'S DAY. It is an important date to remember those teachers who were supportive with us and helped us one day when we were at school. When I remember those days, I cannot but smile when I think of my classmates and my teachers. I had good teachers but I also had VERY GOOD teachers who prepared their classes with interest and motivation and transmitted the passion for their subject to us. 

Being an English teacher now,  I see  the world of education from a different perspective. I can confirm that my job is one of the most difficult but rewarding jobs that exist today (and this is not because we have more holidays than others as most people might think); it is because it involves taking care of young people and making sure that their process of learning is succesful. Every day and at any time, there is a teacher working at home, preparing his/her classes and getting worried about those things that can be improved in class. 

Teaching English is also a challenge for foreign language teachers. Despite our love and passion for the English language, the students' limited contact with the target community makes our task harder. There are many many things that could be improved in our educational system regarding English teaching (number of students, mix-ability classes, lack of time, materials...). However, in my opinion, the worst one is that our students do not have contact with the language outside the classroom and 3 hours a week is not enough to master a language. They need to be linguistically immersed in the daily use of the language. 

Despite these negative aspects, it is still possible to prepare motivating, interesting, innovative and practical classes. The most important thing is that we love what we are doing because if we love it, our students will love it too. 

Happy World Teacher's Day! 

La UE se queda sin fondos para pagar las becas ERASMUS

La Unión Europea está a punto de quedarse sin fondos para financiar las becas Erasmus de intercambio de estudiantes universitarios y otros muchos programas de ayudas comunitarias debido a los recortes al presupuesto de 2012 impuestos por los Estados miembros y la Eurocámara.

"Erasmus es uno de los programas que se queda corto de dinero. Hay muchos otros", ha dicho el portavoz de Presupuestos de la Comisión, Patrizio Fiorilli. La mayor parte de las ayudas a los estudiantes para el periodo entre enero y septiembre ya se han pagado, pero para lo que queda del año sólo se ha cubierto el 70%.

El Ejecutivo comunitario asegura que la falta de fondos "no es una sorpresa" y que cuando se aprobó el presupuesto comunitario para 2012 ya avisó a las capitales que "no habría bastante dinero".

Los recortes en las ayudas de la UE, ha avisado el portavoz, "agravan los problemas de liquidez de varios Estados que ya tienen grandes problemas" ya que impiden que Bruselas les reembolse los pagos ya realizados.

No obstante, la Comisión no ha querido confirmar las cifras adelantadas por el eurodiputado conservador francés Alain Lamassoure, que cree que España podría perder hasta 900 millones de euros este año, Grecia 600 millones y Reino Unido, uno de los países abanderados de los recortes, 200 millones.

Para evitar llegar a una situación de "suspensión de pagos", el Ejecutivo comunitario presentará el próximo 23 de octubre un presupuesto rectificativo "sustancial". Bruselas pide a las capitales que lo aprueben y que cumplan así su compromiso de invertir en crecimiento.

Entretanto, la Comisión ya ha tenido que hacer una transferencia de fondos por valor de 420 millones de euros entre partidas para atender los pagos más urgentes.

Great book!

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME 

What does this title suggest to you? The curious incident of the dog in the night-time is a fascinating book! The title makes the reader think the book is about the mystery of a murdered dog in the night-time. However, the story hides an unexpected and surprising plot: the story of a 15 year-old kid who lives in Swindon (England) and suffers from Asperger's Syndrome. He is smart, he likes pets, he is really good at maths but he hates yellow, brown, the lack of organisation and the chaos. 

I came across this book because I was told English teachers recommended it to students in some official school of languages. I bought it and after reading it... I think it's a great book! Simple and easy English constructions make of it an accesible and amazing piece of literature! 

THE BEATLES

Why did The Beatles become so famous? Where were they from? What were their lyrics about? For a rainy and cold afternoon like the one today, here you have one of their most nostalgic and emblematic songs. Read the lyrics and enjoy the music!! Then, write a comment and tell me things you know  about The Beatles or their music. 

FALSE FRIENDS

What is a false friend? False friends are words that are similar in Spanish and English but their meanings are different. For example, when a Spanish student reads the word EMBARRASSED, he/she thinks it means embarazada. However, despite its similarity to the Spanish word, the meaning is : avergonzado.  Although most of you know the most common ones, Spanish speakers tend to forget the real meanings of the words when writing and speaking. That is why, I provide you with a short revision of them! 

What are the meaning of these words? 

1. QUIET                                                         11. EVENTUALLY 

2. CONSTIPATED                                           12. LECTURE 

3. COLLAR                                                      13. MASCARA

4. ACTUAL                                                      14. SENSIBLE

5. ADVISE                                                        15. COLLEGE

6. ARENA                                                         16. AVOCADO 

7. PROVE                                                         17. BALLOON 

8. DISCUSSION                                                18. CARPET 

9. RECEIPT                                                       19. CONDUCTOR 

10. LARGE                                                         20. IDIOM 

How many do you know? 10, 12, 20? 

KEY: 

1. Calmado (no quieto) 

2. Estreñido (no constipado) 

3. Cuello de una camisa (no collar de joyas) 

4. Real (no actual) 

5. Aconsejar (no avisar) 

6. Estadio, ruedo (no arena) 

7. Demostrar ( no probar) 

8. Conversación, debate (no discusión) 

9. Recibo (no receta) 

10. Grande (no largo)

11. Finalmente (no eventualmente) 

12. Conferencia ( no lectura) 

13. Rímel (no máscara) 

14. Sensato (no sensible) 

15. Universidad (no colegio) 

16. Aguacate (no abogado) 

17. Globo (no balón) 

18.  Alfombra (no carpeta) 

19. Director de orquesta (no conductor de vehículos) 

20. Frase hecha, expresión (no idioma) 

Now, what's the English word for the blue words? Leave a comment and tell me if you know all of them! 

BASIC ENGLISH FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

BASIC ENGLISH FOR IT 

Dear English teachers,

I am proud to present a coursebook designed for students of vocational courses on Information Technology. The book contains activities that will help your students develop the four skills: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking, as well as the vocabulary and grammar they will need in real work situations.

THE COURSEBOOK OFFERS: 

• Right level for vocational training courses
• Real work situations -telephoning, socializing, and reading technical information
•  Interactive speaking tasks relevant to the student's needs
• Specific vocabulary in the area of Information Technology
• Listening practice in every unit
• Glossary of key topic-related vocabulary
• Audio CD

CONTACT: 

Educàlia Editorial

Tel. 96 327 35 17 | 610 900 111 | 610 888 870

Belén Pascual - Verónica Real

educaliaeditorial@e-ducalia.com

basicenglishforit@gmail.com

Click here to see UNIT 1 

ESCUELAS OFICIALES DE IDIOMA AL LÍMITE DE ESPACIO

EL PROFESORADO DE LAS ESCUELAS OFICIALES DE IDIOMAS ADVIERTE QUE ESTÁ AL LÍMITE DE ESPACIO. 

Cientos de adultos que pretenden aprender lenguas, sobretodo para confeccionar su CV en busca de trabajo, se quedan sin plaza en las EOI: más de 25.000 alumnos sin puesto en un edificio que no puede crecer más. 

En el nuevo curso la preinscripción es de más de 28.000 personas- 32.000 incluyendo las instancias duplicadas- frente a las 22.000 del año anterior (un 21,5 % más) pero el número de plazas se mantiene en torno a las 3.200 en el básico de los distintos idiomas, además de en inglés, en diferentes niveles. 

De los 13.000 preinscritos son en inglés aunque por primera vez, el alemán le supera. 

En este curso escolar se ofertarán 6.468 plazas en el nivel básico; 4.296 en el intermedio y 1.775 en el avanzado.