We are the future

Today I was wondering how I could contribute in this blog without writting too much and doing things in a tiring way. The thinking process which made me choose what I choose is not something which someone would get interest. So let us go to the point.

As things goes on in our classroom and University I believe that education has to be thought and re-tought on and on. I'll post a link about "It's noon" network. I have presented a seminary about this at UEM but unfortunately just few fellows understood what it was about. "It's noon" is a new way of realizing the education process - by using technology and all the tools available.

This video is about a workshop for English teachers that took place in London. http://www.youtube.com/user/ProjetoEGO?feature=mhum#p/c/1/sHa9k0hX-Zk


At http://itsnoon.net/eletrocooperativa/ you can find something interestin for your life as teachers.

Gilmore Girls

There is a TV series called Gilmore Girls that tells the story about a single mother and her teenager daughter. Even though it seems a common story, it's not. The main character named Lorelai Gilmore is a unique person, with a strong personality, and looks more like the sister and not mother of Rory Gilmore. Lorelai was born in a rich family, but she got pregnant with only 16 years old. So, instead of getting married like her parents wanted to, she ran away from home to live in Stars Hollow. Which is also a unique town.

This is a very special serie for me. When I started watching I was 11 years old and lived with my also single mother. It ended when I was 16 years old, and until today I watch it whenever I have some free time. Through the years, Gilmore Girls has taught me so much in the matter of American culture than any trip I've made. It was because of this amazing series, and it's complex and unstoppable dialogue that today I have a much bigger knowledge of the U.S.A and its culture.

The characters are my role models. Lorelai is always fun, without forgetting her responsibilities. And Rory is a cute girl, who wishes to major in English in Harvard. She studies very hard to achieve that, and because of her mother, she also developed a fun personality. I guess, in a way I studied very hard to be majoring in English at UEM because of Rory.

I chose this series because it has influenced my life in so many ways, that I can't even describe in such a small text. Its dialogue is one of the things that most amazes me, and that will be my focus for the English class project.

I hope people can see what I see when I watch Gilmore Girls. If not, at least have fun with the episodes.

Off the Map

I have been watching TV series for some years now, and I started watching because I wanted to improve my English and maybe I learn something interesting. I watch many series, but for the past few months I have been watching a new TV series called Off THE MAP. It’s a new medical drama that tells a story about seven doctors who try to help people in South America. Each of them has their own personal tragedy and that´s why they are running from their past. So far my favorite character is Dr. Ryan Clark, because she is still a mystery to me, and I still don’t know anything about her past. I have always liked medical shows, such as Grey’s Anatomy and House but I don’t know why. Although I do not like hospitals or anything that relates to that, I like seeing the gorgeous scenery and how the doctors save people’s lives. I think it’s so rewarding. However, last week I found out that they are thinking about canceling the show, since it’s not getting too many hits. I hope they keep it! This has come to be of one of my favorite shows and I look forward to watching it every week.

If you feel like watching; you can go to this site
http://www.ch131.com/

Curious untranslatable words

Translation...what comes to your mind when you think about that?
Today, we were studying at our Translation class at college how to translate (or not ) the puns. That silly little group of words that are mostly ambiguous, which means, you´ll probably have two ways of understanding it.
My point here is, sometimes we cannot translate a word! How do we react when our students come to us and just ask: Teacher, how can you translate SHRUG? (the act of shaking your shoulders). – You may give a definition or even a non-verbal explanation, but how would you translate? (This example was a little stupid, I must confess. Just couldn´t think of a better one!)
I found a really nice ‘article’ about untranslatable words. It worths the click.
Just for the record: I didn´t know that there isn´t a translation for ‘cafuné’. Have you ever thought about that?

http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/20-awesomely-untranslatable-words-from-around-the-world/

Image source: Google Images

Ugly Betty

Imagine the scene: Manhattan, a fashion magazine, young girl wearing a ponche and braces. That´s the day-by-day life of Betty Suarez known as Ugly Betty. This funny and fashion TV serie started in 2006 and had 4 amazing seasons, with impecable plot and originality, always talking in a respectable and funny way about polemic issues like family problems, corruption and stereotypes.The main character is Betty, who has an amazing heart and intelligence but no external beauty. Although she has no fashion sense she gets a job at Mode, a famous fashion magazine in New York City , full of skinny models wearing Prada, Gucci, Dolce and Gabanna. The adventures, complicated relationships, hilarious characters like Marc, a fashion addicted, and Amanda, a girl that does everything to call everyone’s attention, will make you have fun like you had never done before. I recommend you to watch and learn about fashion, have some great laughs, and most importantly fall in love with Betty Suarez the Diva who proves that the real beauty comes from the heart.

Interested in learning or improving your English pronunciation?

Rachel, the blog owner , has taught English as a second language both abroad and in the United States. She did not study ESL or even English in college, she studied Applied Math and Computer Science. Then, she studied music, through the graduate level and got in contact with the study of the sounds in English. So, she got inspired to start the blog while living abroad and now she posts videos and texts explaning every single detail about English pronunciation including exercises, mouth positions,sounds of the vowels, diphthongs and consonants. Go there and check this out!

http://www.rachelsenglish.com/

EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN

As I checked the news yesterday morning I saw the most devastating news and those images broke my heart about how this huge earthquake and tsunami destroyed Japan. The Earthquake hit Japan around 2:30 in the afternoon and many people were hurt, but then came a tsunami with its strenght and destroyed pretty much everything; houses; buildings; boats; cars; and the most important families. I feel so sad thinking that so many people lost theirs. As I have my family  living in another country, I can feel how worried parents who live away from their children are and the worst part is not knowing if they are going to see each other again. I just hope that these people will be fine and my heart goes out to all the victims of this natural calamity.

By Ketwly Martens

Maringá in UK news??

I was astonished to see this piece of news on http://7newsdailyreport.com/uk this morning!
Who is this woman? Have you ever heard about her?

Wilsilene

WATCHING and LEARNING

In the last 5 years I have met some people who have proved that learning English using the internet is definitely possible. In the past, it was a privilege for those who could afford a private English school or live abroad. We have to admit that our contact with the language was very restricted  to a few magazines, cable  TV (also a privilege of few), DVD, video-games or songs. Nowadays, with easy access to the internet, people can download films, series, read and watch the news, research whatever you can think of, play games, check lyrics of old and new songs, talk to people all over the world, use google maps and walk along the streets of London (have you tried??), exchange messages, meet new and old friends and much more.

My concern is how we can make use of all that stuff and relate to education, getting the most of it. The challenge is to  choose any kind of series and get used to watch it regularly, something that it is interesting for you. It can be a drama, a sitcom, a cartoon, a cooking programme, adventure, travelling ideas, family problems, cars, tattoos, children or anything else which is in English. Start watching and set the general idea, characters, layout or theme. As you keep watching, focus on the language of one character, how the show is connected to real life (or not), appropriateness of the songs, you can describe thoroughly a character you like or simply use your imagination and creativity to express why you like it so bad.

Start now!! Show your point of view and maybe others will start watching too!
Just to help you with new ideas, take a look at www.tvcatchup.com and check some new shows.
Hope you join us and have fun!

Wilsilene

REPORTED SPEECH

Since the beginning of our lessons in February, we have been talking about REPORTED/INDIRECT speech, how it works and when it is commonly used. We first read in class some current news and told each other, not only reporting the message but also expressing opinion about their relevance.

Last class, 4th March, we watched the first episode of Glee, which was not appreciated by everybody(my mistake), but I still believe it was worth doing the activity. The second part of the lesson consisted of watching the video release of the new iPad. If you haven't watched it yet, take a look at  http://www.apple.com/uk/ipad/ and give your opinion about it. What do they say? Do you think it is worth spending the money to use it here in Brazil? How useful would it be for you?

Wilsilene