Lockdown - Day 9

When the lockdown became a reality around the globe, American writer Michael Tisserand tweeted that we are all Edward Hopper paintings now. That comment went viral in a matter of hours, probably because it was sublimely succinct and surprisingly accurate. It even reached Spain by means of a glorious piece of journalism written and narrated by Carlos del Amor.

Tisserand's observation resonated with millions of people who, understandably, found a new way to relate to the atmosphere that pervades Hopper's paintings: loneliness, listlessness, melancholy, alienation. Hopper's characters tend to be loners that are silently having a drink or staring into the distance. Is that us now?

I'm telling you all this because, just weeks ago, we discussed Nighthawks, Hopper's masterpiece. If memory serves, I believe I told you that this particular work or art is arguably the most famous painting in U.S. history. That was no overstatement. It is indeed the most frequently referenced painting in popular culture. The number of versions, tributes, etc, it's been subject to is truly mind-boggling. That's the reason why, just last Monday, some Twitter users decided to post funny versions of the lonely diner.

Today I've decided to share with you an interesting analysis of that painting. Nerdwriter happens to be one of my favorite youtubers (the man can write!). In this specific video he analysizes Nighthawks in some depth. Even if you are not into art, bear in mind that the vocabulary he uses justifies the visit. If you watch it you won't regret it.

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N.B. These are the course codes you need to access the on-line material on https://myelt.heinle.com/.
The course keys are the following:

C1.1: E-2BGSG5NJ2Z67Z

C1.2: E-3AQSJHPQVSEE9

Lockdown - Day 8

Hey everyone! To nobody's surprise, this mandatory quarantine has been officially extended by the government, which means that the game goes on.

Just a few minutes ago I "successfully" held my first videoconference with some of my C1.2 students. It was both fun and messy. Anyway, I'm going to schedule similar e-meetings for every group. So be ready to get an email with an invite!

As far the on-line courses are concerned, I have already assigned exercises to the C1.2 class. As for the C1.1 course, I'm still waiting to receive the codes that will allow me to grant you access to the extra on-line Close-Up material.

In the meantime I have decided to revisit a grammar area that we were exploring right before the lockdown. I'm talking about comparative sentences. The texbook we are using in the C1.1 course (Close-Up) deals with the comparisons on pages 114 and 115. I realized that C1.2 students might also benefit from a quick brushup. Guess what I did... Yes. I edited a video so you either can refresh your frazzled memory or learn a few new tricks. Enjoy.

Lockdown - Day 5

The situation is as follows: I keep having technical problems with the presentations that I have already edited for all of you. The one about advanced comparatives is already finished but, for some inexplicable reason, my computer seems reluctant to cooperate. Today I have tried to convert the PowerPoint slideshow into a movie in four different ways... to no avail. I'll keep trying so you can watch it on Monday.

The access to the on-line platform is a different story.

C1.1: The National Geographic representative has promised to give me codes for all of you (which you will need to access the on-line exercises). Unfortunately, they seem to be swamped right now and, quite understandably, are taking quite a while to get things done. They have apologized and asked me to be patient. My hands are tied, but don´t worry. You'll soon get the codes and start working.

C1.2: You have it easier. In order to access the on-line material you will need in order to enter the so-called "content access code", which is in the scratch-off panel on the inside cover of your student book. Every code is unique to your student book. Okay, theoretically, it works like this:

Step 1. You go to this URL address

Step 2. Enter the username and your password. Don't worry. You will get them in an email I'll send you tomorrow.

Step 3. You will see our Outcomes course and a bunch of assignments.

Step 4. Click on the button that says: enter content access code, which is on the inside cover of your textbook (look at the photograph below) and voilà: you're in.

Content Access Code for the C1.2 course

I have already contacted all my C1.2 students in Laredo to join a videoconference on Monday morning. I'll do the same with my C1.2 class in Castro and, of course, with the C1.1 group. If everything goes according to plan (I don't see why it shouldn't), I will organize smaller sessions (around 6 students) so we can do on-line oral exercises. I tried the website (www.zoom.us) and it actually rocks! Be ready to meet me on-line next week.

Again, I have to ask you to be patient. This lockdown situation is going to be quite a protracted experience. Turning ours into an on-line course might pay off in the end.

Check your emails and visit this blog every now and then to get updates on my progress. Talk to you soon!

Lockdown - Day 4

Hi everyone! How are you holding up? I'm still ironing out the details of the on-line courses I'm stetting up for all of you. I'm afraid this lockdown situation is not going to be over anytime soon. So we might as well get used to the idea of remote-learning. I am in touch with National Geographic to make sure that you experience a smooth transition. 

In the meantime, you may check out this interesting coronavirus-related vocabulary that my favorite English dictionary analyzes some of the expressions that have become (sadly) common.

If your self-esteem needs a boost, you should take these two quick quizzes that put your advanced skills to the test:

Quizz 1: lexical accuracy
Quizz 2: statements and opinons 

Enjoy!

Lockdown - Day 3

My dear students at EOI Laredo. I'm back. Yes! It looks like I found a way to circumvent the technical glitches that plagued me yesterday. I'm still trying to set up an on-line classroom for you so I can present you with more resources. In the meantime, you can brush up on your advanced strategies by taking a look at the thirty-minute presentation below these lines in which I give you some pointers as to the most relevant skills you are expected to master. Nothing new under the sun. I know. Just take it as a reminder of the material we have already seen in class. I apologize for the typo in the last slide of the presentation. I typed aproach instead of approach. Sorry.

Lockdown - Day 2

Greetings, my dear students!

Bizarre as it may seem, I've been working like a slave for the past three days. Seriously, I've been building content (so to speak) trying to put together a series of videos that will hopefully help you keep your English afloat. An unfortunate chain of events, though, has prevented me from uploading any clips so far. To cut a long story short, my computer is giving me a hard time. I'm glad to say it's not a virus-related issue (it would be quite ironic, wouldn't it?).

Anyhow, for the time being, I'm going to use this blog to keep you posted on my progress. I might also try and send you emails to let you all know how I'll go about "teaching" in these challenging circumstances.

Most likely I'm going to use a rather eclectic approach, that is to say, I may resort to a combination of multiple systems. So rest assured, you won't be left to your own devices (but will be expected to use your own devices!). Get it? Your own devices... Anyway. Talk to you soon. In the meantime you can check out the poster below so you become acquainted with some words that are now sadly popular.

During the coronavirus outbreak

So, the state of alert has come into effect today and we are facing a nationwide lockdown. By any standards, this is an anomalous situation that demands patience from all of us. Strange as it may seem, I believe this state of affairs presents us with an opportunity to hit the pause button, look back and take stock of we've achieved so far. At the EOI we have received instructions to keep working, which is what I plan to do. So be ready to get some learning material and a bit of homework too.

Alright. Today I've decided to start by giving you a couple of references that, hopefully, you'll find helpful. As you probably are vaguely aware of, I'm not exactly prone to divulging practical information regarding exams and certifications but, given the extraordinary circumstances that have befallen us, I think we can take a look at the big picture and try and answer an old question from a different perspective. What does the C1 level sound like? You can check it out in these two videos:

1. Charlotte discusses a book 
2. Annabelle talks about communication development

Interestingly enough, the French Ministry of Education deemed those videos to be literally exemplary, which goes a long way to sidestepping the usual wordy descriptions, don't you think?

Also, if you happen to be curious about the official certification you should visit our school's website. It offers some practical information about the C1 official exam. Okay. That's it for now. Over the next few days I'm going to be working on ways to keep you busy. So stay tuned!