Valentine's Ideas



Have you seen all the wonderful things you can make inspired by Valentine’s Day?





















Which one was your favourite?


Saint Valentine's Day in class

This week, we are exploring the many facets of LOVE. Be it romantic or not, love is a constant presence in our lives. Love for family, pets, books or a hunky celebrity, it is undeniably a part of our identities. So, let's explore its possibilities with these examples of classroom activity. One thing we are doing this month is compare love quotes from different books and historical figures. Also, The Beatles are a hit among students!






What are you celebrating this month? Let us know in the comments!

Be Valentine. Be you.

Some tips on FCE





Greetings! It is increasingly frequent nowadays that students take an exam as an evidence of their level either to request a grant, achieve an academic standard or simply to finish their oficial studies.

Therefore, here at our blog, we have decided to include some useful tips that will come in very handy to give you that final boost to upgrade your results. Let's start with a tutorial that focus on the technical aspects of completing the reading and use of English, writing and listening parts of the computer-based FCE Cambridge exam.


The following video is an example of an oral exam. We encourage you to watch it closely as it shows not only the different aspects of this part of the FCE exam, but also how each candidate reacts to the tasks.


The next video offers an insight on what makes a good candidate for Cambridge exams as discussed by some examiners.



What about advice from a candidate who's passed the CAE exam? Real experience from the original source!


For a thorough summary of things to take into consideration when doing the writing part of the exam, check out this video.



We hope you found those videos helpful! If you want tips and advice on a particular topic, don't hesitate to mention it on a comment.

Be open. Be curious.


DONE IN CLASS


Another brand new section on the blog is here!

DONE IN CLASS deals with all the projects and activities developed in the classroom as a visual evidence of the contents that the students are working on.

Do have a look at all the photos to check on some of the activities that have been taking place in different classroms and levels. Creativity abounds!













   What topic would you like to see covered in class? Let us know in a quick comment!

Be creative. Be free.

Read Watch Listen


Hello, fellow English speakers!

READ WATCH LISTEN is a new section on the blog that is all about recommending the books, films and music we love. You can let us know your own preferences either by leaving a comment or sending us a quick email (lctidiomas at hotmail dot com).

WHAT ARE YOU READING?

The BOOK of the week is CRUEL CROWN, by VICTORIA AVEYARD. It's a compendium of two short stories set in the steampunk fantasy world of Red Queen. The main character struggles with surprising magic powers in a society divided into magic-users and slaves. 

There are four books in the series as well as this two-novella book.




WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING?

Any interesting films and TV series you want to recommend? In the meantime, have you seen ASSASSIN'S CREED starring Michael Fassbender? Although a little removed from the game, this film is quite mindbending!


Right now, Queens is being broadcasted on channel 1 (TVE), but I couldn't find the undubbed version on my TV set. It's a co-production between UK and Spain, and many of the actors are British. Honestly, it'd be a waste not to watch it in English.

Another TV series I always recommend is The Big Bang Theory. This merry band of nerds and scientists put the funniest note on men and women relationships. Best comedy ever!


WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU LISTENING TO?



According to the Bill Board, THE HOT 100 songs kick off the chart with...

Bad And Boujee


Migos Featuring Lil Uzi Vert


Shape Of You

Ed Sheeran

Black Beatles

Rae Sremmurd Featuring Gucci Mane



You can listen to a simple of the tracks on the original webpage.

On the other hand, if you're curious to know what the official top 40 biggest hits were in 2016, you can visit OFFICIALCHARTS.COM for the UK charts, along with very useful vocabulary and the official singles chart.  




AT40 is one of the top places to keep up to date with the gossip in the music industry in the USA.


Have you discovered any new songs that you're madly in love with and can't stop dancing to? I'd love you to share your music tastes with me. Just as I'm about to with this amazing song by The Rag'n'Bone Man, HUMAN.




Keep in tune for updates on this lively section!

Be curious. Be yourself.


Tips and News

Greetings, fellow English speakers.

TIPS AND NEWS is a new section on the blog that deals with advice on improving your English level as well as finding those quirky or useful webpages that will surely interest you.

Let's start right now!


HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR PRONUNCIATION

  1. Listen to yourself
  2. Slow down!
  3. Picture it…
  4. Get physical!
  5. Watch yourself
  6. Copy the experts
  7. Practice English alone
  8. Find a language buddy
  9. Pay attention to intonation and stress
  10. Sing a song!

WANNA SOUND BRITISH?
This girl has some tips on how to sound British and master those pesky sounds when speaking English. Watch her video! You can also subscribe to her YouTube channel.



WRITE & IMPROVE

I've found a webpage that focus on pruning and correcting your writing style. At WRITE & IMPROVE, you have to submit a composition based on a topic provided according to a certain level. Then, you get immediate feedback on spelling, grammar and style, as well as some tips on how to improve your level. I encourage you to try it and see for yourself.



What did you think of these tips? Stay tuned for more !

New sections on the blog


Hello, beautiful minds! Today we are announcing a few new sections that hopefully will help and entertain you in your neverending quest of dominating the world, I mean, the English language.



  • TIPS & NEWS
Advice on pronunciation, how to study vocabulary, apps and podcasts, and interesting webs.

  • READ WATCH LISTEN
Books we are reading, TV series we are watching, Music we are enjoying.

You may send us a quick email or leave a comment with your own preferences, too.

  • DONE IN CLASS
Keep up to date with all activities and projects in the classroom.


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We hope these sections will agree with you, and if you have a suggestion for the blog, feel free to leave us a quick comment.


Be open-minded. Be free.