Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas !

and have good relaxation and fun during your holidays!

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For those who like reading

George Carlin's paradox of our times. 
(Lat: para= against; doxa=opinion; contrary to opinion) 
The paradox of our time in history is that:
We have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. 
We spend more, but have less;  We  buy more but enjoy less; 
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgement; 
More experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. 
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life, we've added years to life not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. 
We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. 
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.  We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. 
We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. 
We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; big men and small character; steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom. 
A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight or to just hit delete.
Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it.  A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to Love, give time to speak, give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
(http://www.seafriends.org.nz/issues/cons/index.htm)

A discursive essay on environmental issues

The essay is supposed to have 5 paragraphs.
Start with an introduction raising the importance of  being aware of environmental problems.
Body -Part I -current threats to the environment. See
http://www.seafriends.org.nz/issues/threats.htm
But don't get lost in the enormous amount of different issues. Take the topic points

• threats to humans
• threats to atmosphere and water cycle
• threats to land and soil
• threats to the sea

and give simple and clear examples.

Part II - the relationship of business issues and the environment. Consider resource management, transport, pollution... with the main aim - to gain profit.

Part III - any action that you believe should be taken. How to raise the people's awareness, give some ideas for developing green business. Find some green business ideas on the net (like this
http://hubpages.com/hub/Cool-Green-Business-Ideas-)

Ending gives a summary of the ideas expressed in your essay. Make it enthusiastic about the topic and the problem.


Don't forget

• to count the words 
• don' use short forms (isn't)
• check the usage of  "is" and "are", "much" and "many"...
• and, please, register as a follower of the blog!

Nature

• Environmental problems in my neighbourhood: Problems and solutions

• How would YOU improve the environmental situation in the world?? 

These are two topics for discussion. Try to prepare to speak on each of them for 2-3 minutes.
See the PPt "Global Issues" notes for ideas and vocabulary.

If you are seriously interested in environmental issues you may use One Planet Many People provided power points visual presentations about the changes in the environment. The facts are fresh and could be used in other school subjects as well.
http://na.unep.net/OnePlanetManyPeople/powerpoints.html

Information about Latvia
http://www.li.lv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=46&Itemid=1147 - the webpage of the Latvian Institute.

And, please, sign up as the blog followers as i need some kind of feedback. (So that I don't talk to myself - for sometimes i have feelings like that..)

Statistics based discussion

http://www.sieviesuklubs.lv/jaunumi/aptaujas/sk-aptauja-majas-darbus-uz-pusem-dala-36-gimenu-/

Practising on ERROR CORRECTION exercises

 
School holidays sometimes seem quite boring, don't they? Here are some links where you can practice for the next unit test  use of English exercises. The first address is the book:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/6362150/Longman-Test-Your-Grammar-Usage-for-FCE

Tests 47-52 (p.)

  

Then there are some more links where you can practise and check the results online:

http://www.pearsonlongman.com/exams/fce/error-correction.html

 http://www.englishforjapanese.com/exercises/error%20correction/error%2009.html

http://www.englishforjapanese.com/exercises/error%20correction/error%2007.html

http://www.englishforjapanese.com/exercises/error%20correction/error%2005.html

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/tests/errtst1.htm

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/tests/errtst2.htm

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/tests/errtst3.htm

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/tests/errtst4.htm

http://www.imparareinglese.co.uk/esercizi_inglese/FCE_error_correction_1.html

(To stimulate you to practice - I think I'll use one of them in the test... )

Writing an Article

When you finish your work, please, check

1. number of words (15-20 more or less is OK)
2.  clear paragraphing (there should be six paragraphs clearly visible)
3. in the title: the main words are Capitalized
4. some grammar tips: usage of

• much and many
• is and are, etc.

  5. look back at the previous writing task - an essay or a letter and check for your "stupid" spelling mistakes...
  6.  and don't forget - your article is due to Thursday 21/10/2010

An Article for the Student Magazine

Here are some tips before you start writing

A realistic article should consist of:

1. an eye-catching title which attracts the readers’ attention and suggests the theme of the article. (Think about why you read a magazine or newspaper article recently - what made you read it?) Articles can also have subheadings before each paragraph.

2. an introduction which clearly defines the topic to be covered and keeps the reader’s attention.

3. the main body of two to five paragraphs in which the topic is further developed in detail.

4. the conclusion - summarising the topic or a final opinion, recommendation or comment.

REMEMBER
Before you begin writing it is important to consider:
• where is the article going to appear - in a newspaper or magazine?
• who are the intended readers - a specific group such as students or teenagers, or adults in general?
• what is the aim of the article - to advise, suggest, inform, compare and contrast, describe, etc.?
(More info see http://www.onestopenglish.com/section.asp?docid=147736)

HOME

I just found some quite good sources where you can see our module vocabulary:
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/ricardofornelo-207336-house-parts-rooms-furniture-prepositions-entertainment-ppt-powerpoint/
 Very weird houses :
http://www.howdoiselfbuild.com/blog/9-weird-houses
http://blog.xnepali.com/top-7-weird-houses-in-the-world/

Test results

Hi
The test results are not as bad as we were expecting though they are not perfect either.
Those who have grades 5 and 6 can be satisfied because the tasks were really difficult. But there are also some 7s and 8s!
Of course, some of you need more practicing.

Get ready for the TESTon Monday 4th September!

Hi,
I hope you did well in the Teacher's Day and are willing to return back to Student's role, aren't you?
Well, no choice, you will reply.
Here are some links where you can practice word building (word formation) skills for Unit 3 Use of English part:
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/cae/students/tests/wfts1.htm
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/tests/wfmtst2.htm
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/tests/wfmtst3.htm
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/tests/wfmtst4.htm
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/tests/2_wfmtst4.htm
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/tests/wfmtst1.htm
Of course, there are much more this type of exercises available online.  It would be vey useful if you tried at least these ones. Have a good luck!
And don't forget to write a letter of complaint (deadline Tuesday 5/10)!
By the way, who will be the first who writes a comment in our blog?

For and against essay

Some useful pieces of advice or TIPS for writing a good essay.
Follow this link
http://www.slideshare.net/monira21/for-and-against-essays-guide

Our School

This is our school.

Next try!

This post has been sent just for learning aim.

Getting Started!

Hello everyone!
If you have opened this page -  you are on the right track.
I've made this blog for several purposes but the most important - to make our lives easier.
As I am also only learning to squeeze through the web jungle, I hope you will forgive me and teach also me if I mix something up in the computer and web world.
So hoping for cooperation and good results as
Practice Makes Perfect
Yours
Teacher Daina