BUILDING VOCABULARY

 

LEGENDARY ACTRESS MAGGIE SMITH DIES

Legendary British actress Maggie Smith has died today at the age of 89. Among many other works she will be mostly remembered for her late roles in the TV series "Downton Abbey" as Lady Violet, dowager Countess of Grantham and in the Harry Potter saga as teacher Minerva McGonagall at the Hogwarts School of Magic.

Anglotopia:

Dame Maggie Smith, the legendary actress whose remarkable career spanned over seven decades, has passed away at the age of 89. Known for her exceptional versatility, razor-sharp wit, and powerful performances, Smith leaves behind an indelible legacy in the world of theatre, television, and film. Born Margaret Natalie Smith on December 28, 1934, in Ilford, Essex, she began her acting journey in the early 1950s, training at the Oxford Playhouse....

Link: MAGGIE SMITH: A LIFE IN PICTURES (The New York Times)

Videos 10 top moments from her acting career:

Videos the news given on BBC:

 

Video interview with Maggie Smith:

WORDS & THEIR OPPOSITES

WRITING POSTCARDS & ABOUT HOLIDAYS

 

"CLICKONENGLISH" FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY!

It's 15 years from the first day we started publishing the first post on this blog and here we are still counting, although this time with a difference... 

This year I won't be working at Rafael Dieste school, I won't be following the day by day activities that may be happening... but I'll keep on publishing anything that I might find useful or interesting to learn and practice English. At least, every Wednesday there will be a new post... 

Good luck to all students and teachers that start the new school year!

 

ALTERNATIVES TO 'GOODBYE' & ITS ORIGIN

 Now that the summer holidays begin, here are different Ways to say goodbye... and also the origins of the expression. Enjoy!

KINGSTON UPON HULL, MY BIRTHPLACE

Kingston upon Hull, often shortened to Hull, is a city in East Yorkshire, England, located where the River Hull meets the Humber Estuary, about 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Historically a market town, military supply port, trading hub, and a significant fishing and whaling center, Hull has evolved into a modern city with a rich maritime heritage and a growing cultural scene.

The city's origins date back to the 12th century, developing as a port for the wool trade by the monks of Meaux Abbey. In 1293, King Edward I acquired the town, then known as Wyke, and in 1299 granted it a Royal Charter, renaming it Kingston upon Hull. Its strategic location made it a vital port, facilitating trade with Europe and beyond.

Hull played a notable role in English history, particularly during the English Civil War when it sided with Parliament and famously denied entry to King Charles I, an act considered to have contributed to the start of the conflict. The city also became a center for the anti-slavery movement, being the birthplace of William Wilberforce, a key figure in the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. His birthplace, Wilberforce House, is now a museum. While its traditional industries like fishing and whaling have declined, Hull remains an important port city with modern docks handling significant cargo. It has also seen regeneration efforts, particularly after being named the UK City of Culture in 2017, which brought investment and highlighted its cultural assets.

Culturally, Hull offers a variety of attractions, including The Deep, a striking aquarium; the Museums Quarter in the Old Town, featuring the Streetlife Museum and the Hull and East Riding Museum; and the Ferens Art Gallery, home to a diverse collection of art. The city also has a vibrant arts scene with theaters and music venues, including the legendary Adelphi Club. Hull's unique character is reflected in its dialect, known as "Hullensian," and its friendly, resilient population.

[Gimbal Walk TV]

WEATHER IDIOMS

 

MORE BrE/AmE DIFFERENCES

MEGABAU 2024 @ COLISEUM, A CORUÑA

This morning the MEGABAU* 2024 Gala was held at the Coliseum in A Coruña. In this event, the more than 1000 students, who have achieved the highest marks at this year's ABAU exams, and their high schools were awarded in the presence of authorities (the Galician Education counsellor, the deans of the three Galician public universities, the mayoress of a Coruña and hosted by the president of CIUG, Pedro Armas), teachers and their families.

[*Mellores Expedientes Galicia ABAU]

Among these students, four were from IES "RAFAEL DIESTE", alphabetically:

- ANGÉLICA IGLESIAS LORENZO, ISABEL GARCÍA ALLER, IZAN PARIS PRADO & TOMÁS ALONSO CALVO. (in the photos below, together with our Spanish language and literature teacher Carlos Blanco Dávila).

This year, I happened to be attending in the audience, as a parent, because my daughter was another of these students, but belonging to another high school. (below the photos of the awarded students from IES "Eusebio da Guarda", where my daughter is).

CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM ALL AND LOTS OF LUCK IN THEIR FUTURE!

"RAFAEL DIESTE" GRADUATION 2024 + "ATSF" CONCERT

Yesterday we celebrated the Graduation of our 2nd BAC students. With their ABAU exams already finished, they all got together at the assembly hall of the Conservatorio Superior de Música to celebrate with their families y teachers. Congratulations and luck to them!

At the same time at the Tolerance Square, nearby our school, the "Aquí Tamén Se Fala" concert was held with great success. Lots of people gathered to listen to different artists singing in Galician: Leria, Lontreira, Boyanka Kostova, & Grande Amore.

"And full of pride we say that yesterday @aquitamensefala made history. That a state secondary school in a working-class neighbourhood organized like this that has no parellel throughout all Europe.

But we say it proudly for the work done by the teenagers of @iesrafaeldieste. we say it full of emotion and passion because yesterday we celebrated the festival of Galician youth of the active youngsters who did basic work all over the country!

[Instagram aquitamensefala]

A huge success having been organized from a public school!

ELECTRICITY VOCABULARY

 

REMEMBERING OUR CONVERSATION ASSISTANTS

On the day before we say goodbye to this year's conversation assistant, we also want to remember the previous* who have been teaching our students ever since we started our Bilingual & Plurilingual Programmes. Thanks to all of them wherever they are now.

[*Including all the existing assistants that have been until I left the school in Dec 2023]

Sarah Wade (USA)

(School year 2022-2023 & 2023-2024)

Kayleigh Vantassel (USA)

(school year 2020-21 & 2021-22)

Joshua DeYoung (USA)

 (school year 2018-19 & 2019-20. Fulbright programme)

Ben Davidson (USA)

 (school year 2017-18. Fulbright programme)

Laura Oxenreiter (USA)

(school year 2016-17)

Byron Santi (USA)

(school year 2015-16)

Tom Pazo (USA)

(school years 2013-14 & 2014-15)

Paul Behrend (USA)

 (school years 2011-12 & 2012-13)

Sarah Needham (UK)

(third term in school year 2010-11) 

(school year 2010-11) + another Canadian girl called Nicole

 

Kasia (UK)

(school year 2008-09 & 2009-10)

Rose (from UK)

(school year 2007-2008)