ALBERTO CONTADOR POSITIVE ON DOPING TEST

Surprising information on the news this morning. Three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador blamed contaminated meat Thursday for his positive doping test during this year's race, the latest blow to a sport battered by drug scandals. We include a video-report on the subject.

Video-report on Contador's doping positive:

SPAIN ON STRIKE

Here's a report from CNN previous to the strike-day in Spain held today. Watch and listen, see how much you understand.

A video from today:

NADAL SPEAKING IN ENGLISH AFTER WINNING THE U.S. OPEN ON SEPT 14th

Rafael "Rafa" Nadal Parera (born 3 June 1986) is a Spanish professional tennis player currently ranked No. 1 in the world. He is regarded as one the greatest players of all time. Nadal has won nine Grand Slam singles titles, the 2008 Olympic gold medal in singles, a record 18 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments and also was part of the Spain Davis Cup team that won the finals in 2004, 2008 and 2009. He completed the career Grand Slam by winning the 2010 US Open, being the 7th player in history, and the youngest in the open era, to achieve it. He is the second male player to complete the Career Golden Slam (winner of the four grand slams and the Olympic Gold medal).
Nadal was ranked World No. 2, behind Roger Federer for a record 160 consecutive weeks before earning the top spot, which he then held from 18 August 2008 to 5 July 2009. He regained the World No.1 ranking on 7 June 2010 after winning his fifth French Open title.In 2008, Nadal was given the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports, in recognition of his achievements in tennis.

We have found a video of Rafa speaking in English after winning the U.S. Open. Do you understand him? Do you think he speaks English well? Give you opinions & comments.

Video Rafa Nadal:

29th SEPT: THE ECONOMIC CRISIS BRINGS SRIKES THROUGHOUT EUROPE

The European Trade Union Confederation has called an international day of workers' action for 29 September. The coordinated protests, action and general strikes, have the potential to shake the continent.
The Committee for a Workers' International (CWI) will work enthusiastically to mobilise workers and youth to take action on the day, under the banner of international struggle and solidarity, against Europe's axe-wielding governments and the dictatorship of the capitalist markets.
The attacks implemented across the continent in most cases represent the most brutal austerity programmes implemented in living memory. The devastating policies of the Greek government have meant dramatic attacks on the already impoverished Greek working class.
A real cut of between 30% and 50% in public pensions and public-sector wages slashed by between 25% and 30% have been emulated in Spain and Portugal.
The Spanish government's austerity package will see public-sector wages and pensions attacked, as well as a €55 billion public spending cuts programme.
In Portugal, where workers receive among the lowest wages in Europe (with a monthly minimum wage of only €475), public sector workers are being hit with a four-year pay freeze and a raising of the retirement age to 67.
In Britain the Con-Dem coalition government has announced a package which includes attacks on social benefits and savage cuts of 25% or more in every area of public spending. Angela Merkel's coalition government in Germany is set to slash €80 billion in the next four years.
Greece has recently been the epicentre of developments in Europe. However, as well as the near collapse of its state finances, it is the tidal wave of struggle - with six general strikes in 2010 - that has put it at the centre of developments. This has aroused the fighting instincts of workers around the continent.
Massive strikes and demonstrations have been seen in France where two million took to the streets to defend pensions. Italy, where a general strike against the government took place in July, is braced for a significant national demonstration on 16 October organised by the FIOM, a metal workers' union, which has led the way in putting forward a militant strategy in fighting attacks on wages and conditions.
On 29 September Spain will be shaken by its first full general strike in response to the devastating crisis that has left over four million unemployed and to the anti-working class reaction of its government.

ANA TORROJA IS BACK. DO YOU KNOW THAT SHE HAS SUNG IN ENGLISH?

One of the most singular voices in Spanish music is back. After a long time without any new songs and recovering from a serious car accident, Ana Torroja is back in the music business with a brand new record: "SONRISA" ("Smile").

Ana Torroja (born December 28, 1959 in Madrid) is a Grammy Award-nominated Spanish singer. She is the lead singer of the pop trio Mecano, considered one of the most popular pop bands from Spain during 1980's and 90's. In 1998 Mecano separated, and she kept a solo career. Ana has sung in Spanish, Italian and French, with Mecano. But she has also sung in English and that's why we can post her here today. In 2003, on her third solo-album "FRÁGIL" ("Fragile"), Ana covered a Pink Floyd's classic song "WISH YOU WERE HERE". Today we include the audio of this song by Ana with subtitled lyrics.

Audio "WISH YOU WERE HERE", Ana Torroja (+ subtitles):

PAUL, THE PREDICTING OCTUPUS, RETIRES

UPDATED: HE HAS DIED

Yesterday, we talked about this summer's top news in Spain: winning the Football World Cup 2010. Today we've learnt, from another English teacher's blog from Neda's Secondary School " that Paul, the predicting octupus is to retire. Here's the news from that blog:

[englisharound.blogspot.com]
One of the stars of the South Africa World Cup is retiring - Paul the predicting octopus!

Paul lives at an aquarium in Germany and correctly predicted the results of all seven of Germany's games as well as the Spain v Netherlands final. When the tournament ended, staff presented him with his own model of the World Cup trophy, complete with treats. But now the aquarium says Paul will now retire to do what he likes best - play with his handlers and delight visitors.

Spokeswoman Tanja Munzig said: "He won't give any more oracle predictions - either in football, nor in politics, lifestyle or economy. "Paul will get back to his former job, namely making children laugh." During the tournament, Paul made his predictions by choosing a snack from one of two glasses that were put in his tank showing the flags of the sides playing.

SPEAKING ENGLISH IN THE ENGLISH CLASS

Here's some help for you to be able to understand and speak in the English classroom:
- WHAT THE TEACHER SAYS:
Open your books (on page...).
Close your books.
Write it down! - Take this down! - Copy this into your notebooks!
Get your notebooks / workbook / student's book! - Get a sheet of paper!
Think! - Spell. - Read loud. - Choose. - Check / Correct.
Listen (to the CD) / Listen and repeat.

Come on...
Has everybody got (a)....?
Draw a circle / cross / tick...
Underline this word.

Look at the blackboard. - Come to the blackboard.
Come on, everybody. Now look at me.
Listen to me! - You aren't listening to me.
Pay attention! - Can I have you attention, please / for a minute?
Stop it!
Be quiet! - Shut up! - Silence, please!

Ask me if you don't understand.
Tell me if it's true or false.
Tell me if you find it too difficult.
Put up / Raise your hand if you don't understand.

You need... to do this.
Do this at home. - This is for homework. - Do it for next Monday.
Finish this exercise for homework, please.
Try to find an example of...
Try to finish this before...
When you finish, revise your exercise before you give it to me.
Please, get into groups of 3 / 4 students / pairs. Make groups of 3 or 4 students.

Let's check / correct the exercise now.
Let's sum up what we've seen today.
Don't worry about...
Now we're going to...

- WHAT STUDENTS MAY NEED TO SAY:
Good morning / afternoon. - Hello / Hi
Good bye / Bye bye. - See you tomorrow / on... / soon.

Excuse me...
What's this in English? / How do you say "---" in English?
How do you spell "---" (in English)?
What does "---" mean? - What's the meaning of "---"? - What's the English / Spanish word for "---"?
I'm sorry. - Sorry, I'm late. - Sorry, I forgot my...
I don't understand. - I don't know. -
I'm sorry / afraid, I don't know / understand / haven't understood the question / I don't know what you mean / I've no idea / I'm not sure
Is this OK / right? - Is it correct / right?
Can / May I come in?
Can / May I go to the toilet?
Can / May I open / close the window / blinds?
Can / Could / Would you repeat / say it again? - Pardon? - I'm sorry I didn't hear / catch what you said. - I'm sorry, what did you say?
Can / Could / Would you explain it again / write it on the blackboard / spell it... please?
Can / Could / Would you speak louder / more slowly, please?

THE BLOG RE-OPENS FOR THE 2010-2011 ACADEMIC YEAR. WELCOME BACK!

Here we are once again: back to school! This blog's second year opens up as a new school course opens, too.

A new course which the Rafael Dieste Secondary School receives with many changes. A complete new school organization will start. There won't be one class for each group any more. Now the classrooms will depend on the subject. Each subject/teacher will have its own classroom. Students will have to change from one classroom to another for each session. We'll see how long it takes to get used to the new system and if students, teachers like it or not.

Also this course, Rafael Dieste Secondary School has been selected as one of the two public schools in the city of Coruña to be named a Plurilingual School. This means that, from this year onwards, starting at 1st ESO, all students in this school will have, apart from the English class, other subjects in the English language. This year 1st ESO students will have Physical Education and Interdisciplinary Project in English. (A total of 6 hours in English every week). In following years this will be introduced in higher levels.

Hoping that you all have a successful year, welcome back!

SCHOOL'S OVER. IT'S SUMMER HOLIDAYS, AT LAST!!

School's over, at last!!! The summer holidays are here!!!
This blog closes down for this school year. In September we'll be back with more...
Meanwhile, have a nice holiday and enjoy...!!!

HERE IS SUMMER!

As the Beatles songs says... "Here comes the sun"... because it's summertime already!

Audio "HERE COMES THE SUN", by The Beatles (+lyrics):

IT'S TIME FOR FOOTBALL: 2010 WORLD CUP, SOUTH AFRICA.

In blue, countries qualified for the World Cup Finals 2010

I'm not a football fan, but I must admit that during the following days, football is going to be an important part in everyday's life. Here's some information about the 2010 World Cup:

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is the 19th and current FIFA World Cup, the premier international association football tournament. It is being held in South Africa, beginning on 11 June and scheduled to conclude on 11 July 2010. The tournament is the culmination of a qualification process that began in August 2007 and involved 204 of the 208 FIFA national teams. As such, it matches the 2008 Summer Olympics as the sports event with the most competing nations. The final is forecast to be among the most-watched events ever, possibly behind only the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games.
This is the first time that the tournament has been hosted by an African nation, after South Africa defeated Morocco and Egypt in an all-African bidding process. Italy are the defending champions, after winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. The draw for the finals took place on 4 December 2009 in Cape Town.

SCOTTISH-GIRL, AMY McDONALD SANG TODAY AT ROCK IN RIO, MADRID 2010

Amy @ RockInRio, Madrid 2010

Amy Macdonald (born 25 August 1987 in Bishopbriggs, Scotland) is a Scottish singer and songwriter. Her debut album, "This Is the Life", was released on 30 July 2007 and has sold more than 3 million copies.

Macdonald started playing on stage acoustic gigs at 15. She has played at music festivals such as Glastonbury, Hyde Park Calling, T in the Park and the V Festival.

The second album, titled "A Curious Thing", was released on 8 March 2010. It was preceded by the release of the first single, "Don't Tell Me That It's Over", a week earlier on 1 March 2010. The single was released to UK radio on 11 January.

Today she has performed at the Arganda del Rey stage for the Rock In Rio Festival, Madrid 2010. We enclose her live performance of her best known hit and a video with the lyrics to sing along.

Video lyrics of "THIS IS THE LIFE":

Video Amy's performance of the song at RockInRio, Madrid (06/06/2010):

GOODBYE TO ANOTHER GROUP OF STUDENTS FROM RAFAEL DIESTE SECONDARY SCHOOL

Last night we rolled out the red carpet once again in front of our school's main entrance to receive our 2ºBAC students in their Farewell-Graduation party. Students, parents and teachers gathered together to celebrate the end of these students' life in our school. Everybody elegantly dressed took part in a celebration where we took photos, listened to speeches, danced, sang, laughed -or even shed a tear or two. After a snack and a chocolate fondue, the students continued partying... To all of them, good luck!

ERNEST HEMINGWAY, THE BIOGRAPHY

Here is a sample answer to the writing exercise of Ernest Hemingway's biography:

Ernest Hemingway was born in Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, in 1899. He had a middle-class upbringing, as his father was a doctor. However all his life he rebelled against the morals of his parents and the conventions of life in Chicago. He graduated from High School in 1917, but, being impatient for a less sheltered environment, he didn't go to college. Instead, he went to Kansas City, where he was employed as a reporter for a leading newspaper, "The Star", and this gave him invaluable vocational training. He wanted to be soldier, but was rejected for military service because he had poor eyesight, so he became an ambulance driver for the American Red Cross. He was injured in World War I, and also decorated for heroism. He was fascinated by war, working as a war correspondent in Spain, China and Europe, and many of his books were about war, For Whom the Bell Tolls, his most succesful book, was written in 1940, and is about a volunteer American soldier in the Spanish Civil War. This book dealt with the comradeship of war, while A Farewell to Arms is about the pointlessness of war. He won the Nobel prize for literature in 1954, but he suffered from depression towards the end of his life. He loved life, although he was obsessed with death, and he committed suicide in 1961.

PASSIVE vs ACTIVE

The passive voice is used when we want to focus attention on the person or thing affected by the action.

Normally, the performer of the action, or the agent, comes first and is made the subject of the verb and then we use the active form of the verb. The other person or thing is made the object of the verb. Consider these examples:

'The boss invited her to the party.'
'The construction company in Station Road employs three hundred people.'

However, if you want to focus on the person or thing affected by the action, you make the person or thing the subject of the sentence and use the passive voice:

'She was invited to the party by the boss.'
'Three hundred people are employed by the construction company in Station Road.'

When, then, should we use the passive voice in preference to the active?
We often prefer to use the passive voice when:
1. We do not know who the agent is:
'I don’t know who did it, but my pet rabbit has been let out.'
'I had the feeling that I was being followed.' instead of:
'I don’t know who did it, but someone has let out my pet rabbit.'
'I had the feeling that somebody was following me.'
2.When it is obvious to the listener or reader who the agent is:
'I had been instructed to remove all the ash trays.'
'She discovered that she was being paid less than her male colleagues.' instead of:
'My boss had instructed me to remove all the ash trays.'
'She discovered that the firm was paying her less than her male colleagues.'
3. When it is not important to know who the agent is:
'Do you want a lift?' 'No thanks, I’m being collected.' instead of:
'Do you want a lift?' 'No thanks, someone is collecting me.'
4. When the agent has already been mentioned:
'In the next session of parliament, new laws will be introduced aimed at stopping domestic violence.' instead of:
'In the next session of parliament, the government will introduce new laws aimed at stopping domestic violence.'
5. When people in general are the agents:
'All the Beatles records can be borrowed from the central library. instead of:
'You can borrow all the Beatles records from the central library.

Here is a complete list of all the verb forms that are normally used in the passive.
Passive forms are made up of an appropriate form of the verb ‘to be’ followed by the past participle (pp) form of the verb:

Present simple am/is/are + ppHow is this word pronounced?
Present continuous am/are/is being + ppThe house is being redecorated.
Present perfect simple has/have been + pp
He's just been sacked!
Past simple was/were + ppAll his credit cards were stolen last week.
Past continuous was/were being + ppHe was being treated for depression when he won the lottery.
Past perfect simple had been + pp
The vegetables had been cooked for far too long, but we had to eat them.
Future simple will be + pp
The house contents will be auctioned a week on Saturday.
Future perfect simple will have been + pp
There’s no point in hurrying. It will all have been eaten by now.
Infinitive (to) be + ppExams have to be taken almost every year you are at school.
Do you know who is going to be invited?

Links to exercises:

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?simple-present

http://www.nonstopenglish.com/allexercises/grammar/grammar-passive_voice.asp

http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_passive2.htm

RAFAEL DIESTE'S GREEK WEEK

Our students dancing the syrtaki at the Greek Week in our central indoor hall.


Greek week at Rafael Dieste Secondary School on PhotoPeach

Note: The song that sounds during the photo-slide is "Syrtaki" ("Siko Chorepse Syrtaki"), it was written by Greek composers G. Zambetas & A. Sakelarios. It's the same song which our mate-students danced to at school. This version is sung by Swedish singer Frida (Anni-Frid Lyngstad), best known as one of the girls in Swedish pop group Abba, the red-haired one. Her version is sung in Swedish and belongs to her 1975 solo-album "Frida ensam" ("Frida alone").

PRACTICE CONDITIONALS: KATIE MELUA, "IF YOU WERE A SAILBOAT"

Katie Melua

Ketevan "Katie" Melua (English pronunciation: /mɛˈluː.ə/),born 16 September 1984, is a Georgian-British singer, songwriter and musician. She was born in Georgia, but moved to Northern Ireland at the age of eight and then relocated to England at the age of fourteen.In November 2003, at the age of nineteen, Melua released her first album, Call off the Search, which reached the top of the United Kingdom album charts and sold 1.8 million copies in its first five months of release. Her second album, Piece by Piece, was released in September 2005. Melua released her third studio album Pictures in October 2007, which was the last of her albums to be made in collaboration with Mike Batt. In May 2010 she's about to release her fourth album The House.

The song we listen today was the first single from the album Pictures, and it's full of second type conditionals.

Video "If I were sailboat", Katie Melua:


"If you were a sailboat" lyrics:
IF YOU WERE A COWBOY, I WOULD TRAIL YOU
IF YOU WERE A PIECE OF WOOD, I'D NAIL YOU TO THE FLOOR
IF YOU WERE A SAILBOAT, I WOULD SAIL YOU TO THE SHORE.

IF YOU WERE A RIVER, I WOULD SWIM YOU
IF YOU WERE A HOUSE, I WOULD LIVE IN YOU ALL MY DAYS
IF YOU WERE A PREACHER, I'D BEGIN TO CHANGE MY WAYS.

Chorus:
SOMETIMES I BELIEVE IN FATE
BUT THE CHANCES WE CREATE
ALWAYS SEEM TO RING MORE TRUE
YOU TOOK A CHANCE ON LOVING ME
I TOOK A CHANCE ON LOVING YOU.

IF I WAS IN JAIL, I KNOW YOU'D SPRING ME
IF I WAS A TELEPHONE, YOU'D RING ME ALL DAY LONG
IF I WAS IN PAIN, I KNOW YOU'D SING ME SOOTHING SONGS.

(Rep chorus)

IF I WAS HUNGRY, YOU WOULD FEED ME
IF I WAS IN DARKNESS, YOU WOULD LEAD ME TO THE LIGHT
IF I WAS A BOOK, I KNOW YOU'D READ ME EVERY NIGHT

(Rep first paragraph)

"SWEET DREAMS", EURYTHMICS (The song we heard at the "McBeth's" theatre-play)

Eurythmics (Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart)

During Tuesday's theatre play "McBeth's", we heard the melody of this famous 1983 hit by Eurythmics. Of course, it was a version, as the lyrics were adapted to the play. But it gives us the opportunity to remember this hit.

Eurythmics are a British musical duo, formed in 1980 by Scottish front woman Annie Lennox and English musician Dave Stewart. The pair have achieved significant global, commercial and critical success, selling 75 million records worldwide, winning numerous awards, and have undertaken several successful world tours. They are Britain's biggest selling duo, and are noted for their songs that showcase Lennox's powerful and expressive alto voice and Stewart's innovative production techniques. They are also acclaimed for their promotional videos and visual presentation.

"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" is the second album by the duo, released on January 21, 1983. After almost two years of initial commercial failure for them, this album became a commercial breakthrough for the duo on both sides of the Atlantic. The title track became particularly popular and it remains one of Eurythmics' most recognisable songs, and its music video, popular on MTV in the United States, is memorable for Annie Lennox's gender-bending imagery.

Video "Sweet Dreams":

Lyrics "Sweet Dreams":

Sweet dreams are made of this

Who am I to disagree?

I travel the world and the seven seas

Everybody's looking for something

Some of them want to use you

Some of them want to get used by you

Some of them want to abuse you

Some of them want to be abused

Sweet dreams are made of this

Who am I to disagree?

I travel the world and the seven seas

Everybody's looking for something
Hold your head up, movin' on

Keep your head up, movin' on

Hold your head up, movin' on

Keep your head up, movin' on

Hold your head up, movin' on

Keep your head up, movin' on

Movin' on!

Some of them want to use you

Some of them want to get used by you

Some of them want to abuse you

Some of them want to be abused

Hold your head up, movin' on

Keep your head up, movin' on

Hold your head up, movin' on

Keep your head up, movin' on

Hold your head up, movin' on

Keep your head up, movin' on

Movin' on!

OUR VISIT TO A THEATRE-PLAY IN ENGLISH

These last two days, students from our school have been to watch a theatre play in English performed by face2face theatre company. The plays were performed at a nearby school, these were the plays:

MONDAY, "SUPERLOSERS":

Ex-Super Hero, Jack Lipshitz is faced with a new mission to clean up the streets after years of retirement. A freak accident at Sci-Tech Technologies turns Eco-Scientist, Dr. Einsteen into the evil Bag Lady, a deformed and powerful villain. To save the world from the evil Bag Lady, Super Loser must return to school to regain his super powers. With the help of his new super friends he will take on the Bag Lady and her cohorts. Will Bag Lady succeed with her demonic plan? Or will Super Loser triumph over evil and save the day? Find the asnswer to these and other questions in this hilarious romp through the world of sperheroes, baddies and recycling.

TUESDAY, "McBETH'S":

Face 2 Face sets Shakespeare's famous tragedy in a fast-good restaurant, where Macbeth is a conniving kitchen boy. This tragedy adeptly converted into social satire illustrates how the Macbeth couple's amibition and unbridled greed drives them to ruin while the audience cracks up laughing. Once more Face 2 Face manages to bring the world of Shakespeare to students in a pleasant and fun way.

Browsing the internet we've found a video of one of the other plays which the company performs, have a look:

IT'S ALREADY 40 YEARS WITHOUT THE BEATLES

It's 40 years ago already,since April 10th 1970, when Paul McCartney made official Beatles' breakup in a press note which announced that the four members of the biggest group in history would never play again. As John Lennon said a bit later, the dream had ended. Actually, the group had stopped working a few months before, when they finished recording the album "Abbey Road". The four beatles were busy working on their personal projects, but nobody dared to anounce their split up. "I didn't leave The Beatles. The Beatles left The Beatles, but nobody wants to be the one who says the party's over", said McCartney in the group's autobiography "Anthology".

Video "YESTERDAY":

"YESTERDAY" lyrics:

Yesterday, All my troubles seemed so far away,

Now it looks as though they're here to stay,

Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be,

There's a shadow hanging over me,

Oh, yesterday came suddenly.

Why she Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.

I said, Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday, Love was such an easy game to play,

Now I need a place to hide away,

Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Why she Had to go I don't know, she wouldn't say.

I said, Something wrong, now I long for yesterday.

Yesterday, Love was such an easy game to play,

Now I need a place to hide away,

Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mm.