Google has just launched a new version of Google Earth, a digital program that allows users to explore Earth by means of maps, three-dimensional images and satellite photographs. Whereas until now Google Earth only covered the planet’s land area, the new version covers the whole planet, including oceans.  [from http://www.vilaweb.cat/www/diariescola/noticia?id=3539765]

Easy exam:

1. Ten conditional sentences. Decide if they are 1st or 2nd conditional. Example: If the climate were better, they would come here more often = 2nd conditional. 
2. Complete the sentences with first conditional verbs. Example: If you practise (practise) your English, you will be (be) more fluent.
3. Complete the sentences with second conditional verbs. Example: If you practised (practise) your English, you would be (be) more fluent.
4. 20 irregular verbs. Any 20 you want, with the four columns.

Standard exam:

1. Ten half conditional sentences. Decide if they are 1st or 2nd conditional. Example: … they would come here more often = 2nd conditional.
2. Complete the sentences with the first conditional. Example: If you practise your English, you … will be more fluent or you will be happy or you will have a 10 in the exam…
3. Complete the sentences with the second conditional. Example: If you practise your English, you … wouldbe more fluent or you would be happy or you would have a 10 in the exam…
4. 30 irregular verbs. Any 30 you want, with the four columns.

Higher exam:

1. Invent 10 first conditional sentences (you can study 10 at home at write them down for the exam)
2. Invent 10 second conditional sentences (you can study 10 at home at write them down for the exam)
3. 40 irregular verbs. Any 40 you want, with the four columns.

We have dedicated four sessions to the study of story-telling in comics. We have paid special attention to the types of shots used in most cartoons: long shot, medium shot and close-up.
On the practical side, we have spent three sessions analising the opening pages of Osamu Tezuka’s ‘Future’ (included in volume 3 of ‘The Phoenix’). Students have been told to identify the type of shot, explain why the author used that particular type of shot and, in the case of frames with dialogues, translated them into Catalan.

This week we have been told about the tragic death of our former student, Sheryl Verbruggen. Teachers and students, specially those who knew her well, will miss her. God bless you, wherever you are, Sheryl.

Deze week hebben we al verteld over het tragische overlijden van onze oud-leerling, Sheryl Verbruggen. Docenten en studenten, speciaal degenen die haar goed kende, zal haar missen. God zegene u, waar u ook bent, Sheryl.

This BBC video story shows the last giant turtle of its kind in Galapagos (Lonesome George). It also talks about some new invading ants and the anniversary of Charles Darwin.

Watch it here!

Yesterday I watched this piece of imformation on the BBC4 news bulletin. It basically tells you about the crisis in the building sector and how workers are returning to agriculture as a source of income.

You can read the whole text on the BBC news website.

Where, where, where?

… why don’t you try this activity. It focuses on the use of ‘I wish’ and ‘If only’, which are the equivalent to our ‘tant de bo’ in sentences like “Tant de bo trobés les claus” (‘I wish I found my keys’).

The exercise is here.

If I were the principal (director) of this school, I would…