Online dictation

Hi again, and please note that I'm doing this on a Sunday morning. Yes, I was going to dig out some witch-looking clothes for tonight, but I got distracted by my teacher's blog.

Well, this is just to say that I've added a new subgroup in the links in the column on the right: Online Dictations, just below Listening or Watching.

I'd like to thank Toni Corella from 5A (currently AWOL), for the first link on the list: http://www.listen-and-write.com/, which got me hunting for more.

There aren't many, and there's a great deal of disparity of levels, quality, etc, between the different pages, but all of them are useful in some way or another.

If you know of others, or better ones, please let us know.

PS. I've also added a new link to the listening/watching list: http://www.real-english.com/new-lessons.asp

Clocks back: sorry for repeating a video

Hiya people and good morning! I've just enjoyed a nice breakfast on the terrace, with trees and plants still moving a bit after last night. I wonder if the wind and rain have affected the Mir, not having a roof and that. After that thought I frown a little, because it's not funny.

Well, apart from freaky weather conditions, I got home last night just before 5, only to discover that the clocks had gone back while I was out having fun.

I've googled videos on the subject, but believe me, the most educational and informative is still the one that I posted last year. Sooooo, if you watched it then, just skip it, but if not, here you are. Having said that, I've watched it before, and I don't mind watching it again, so maybe you're weird like me.

Transcript:

This weekend the UK changes, from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time.

Now this often leads to some some confusion, which is why we've made this simple educational film for you and your friends.

Now the first point to make is that the clocks will actually be going backwards rather than forwards. The easiest way to remember that is that it's Autumn, or "Fall" as the Americans call it, as in to fall back rather than spring forward.

Now what this means is that at 2 am on Sunday morning, old time, it's actually going to be 1 am Sunday morning, new time.

So that means for one day only you have a whole extra hour to do... well, whatever you want with.

So be selfish. Why waste it on anybody else?

Brought to you by Radox, official sponsors of the clocks going back.

Well, hope you enjoyed that (again). Now if you'll excuse me I have to start going through my cupboard to dig out something I can wear tonight at the punk halloween party I'm going to. I suppose the easiest thing would be to go as a witch. Luckily, that look isn't difficult for me.

My new toy

I am in my twenties, ha ha

Well, I must say I was pleased with this result: it's just how I feel.

You are in your twenties

You can still hear reasonably well and you can play this without my old fart colleagues hearing it which makes you feel kinda good. The highest pitched ultrasonic mosquito ringtone that I can hear is 15.8kHz

Find out which ultrasonic ringtones you can hear!

Want to try?

Test your hearing and see how old/young you are with the ultrasonic ringtone test. Is it reliable? I don't know. I don't care! I'm in my twenties!

Arianespace launch

I don't know about you, but I'm a great fan of Arianespace and watch the launches whenever I can/remember.

If you enjoy watching launches, don't miss the one tomorrow:

Live 197th Ariane launch from Kourou, October 28th 2010. Live webcasting starts at 9:36 pm (Universal Time).

As far as I can make out, Universal Time is GMT, so we're 2 hours ahead and for us the launch will start at 23.36. But don't trust me; check out the countdown here: http://www.videocorner.tv/index.htm

And watch the live video of the launch here: http://www.videocorner.tv/videocorner2/live_flv/index.php?langue=en

You can choose to hear the running commentary either in English or French, but hey, choose English.

Pearls Before Swine

When I remember, or when a friend reminds me, I read this comic strip. Actually, I think I may have posted one before.

I should have taken photos

I forgot to take photos.

For those of you who haven't come to class yet, a bit about IES Mallafré:

Bad points:

• My students tell me it's more difficult to park, although I didn't have a problem at 16.15 of course.
• It's a bit dark outside when we finish.
• It's further away and more difficult to get to for those poor souls who have to take public transport.
• No nice Granja Neus opposite :(

Good points:

• The building is more modern and pleasant to be in, unlike the Overlook Mir.
• The windows actually open and close
• It's quieter: no traffic or sirens or heart-attack-inducing bells
• No "cicle" students: we're on our own there
• The acoustics inside the classroom are better
• The classrooms are better equipped. I mean, the classes ARE equipped.
• You don't have to walk up stairs.
• It's not so cold as the Overlook Mir
• The architect didn't design it to look like a top security prison
• It has a roof

How about coming and seeing it for yourself, if you haven't already?

See you!

Rumours confirmed

We're moving to IES Dolors Mallafré, presumably until the work on the school roof is finished.

www.eoigarraf.com

Rumours rumours rumours

Today there are the beginnings of rumours that I can't repeat, at least not without a substantial amount of money being slipped my way, ha ha. Only joking!

It looks like something will definitely be decided this week. I'll let you know as soon as I can, but as usual, stay tuned to www.eoigarraf.com for official information.

Well, now, time for some music with lyrics for listening practice:

Still nothing.

Nothing new today.

People are working on the roof, but no new information. Sorry.

Still no solutions

Again, lots of speculation but still no solutions.

Today they were doing SOMETHING:

The institute is trying to relocate their own students to other classes on the ground and 1st floor. But we don't know if they'll be enough room for us. Maybe not. ???

Well, all I can say is: 5th years, read as much as you can these days, and 1st years, revise everything and work on the CD*.

Have a good weekend everyone!

*els de 1er, repaseu molt i feu servir el CD.

IES Joaquim Mir and the ... tornado?

Was it a bird, was it a plane? Or was it a tornado that tore the roof off our beloved EOI, lodged in IES Joaquim Mir? Some people claim to have seen waterspouts at sea (="mànegues". I didn't know that word) that day.

Looking at the damage it definitely must have been something pretty powerful to lift practically the whole roof off the building.

Yesterday we all went to work and had a look around, and then a meeting. As architects and technicians are still assessing the damage, no decisions can be made for the moment, although there's a lot of speculating going on.

For the moment classes have been cancelled for all this week. It also seems unlikely that they will be able to continue next week, but who knows: official notifications will be on the EOI's webpage, so keep checking.

Several newspapers and tv channels have covered the news:

http://www.lamalla.cat/infolocal/noticies/article?id=411640

http://www.tv3.cat/videos/3146850/Escola-sense-teulada

http://www.acn.cat/acn/ResultatsCerca.acn?cid=2543

http://www.europapress.es/videos/video-temporal-arranca-tejado-colegio-20101013194726.html

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/cataluna/techo/volo/instituto/estaba/vacio/elpepiespcat/20101014elpcat_2/Tes

But I would say that this one is the best and most complete: http://www.tdtgarraf.com/video/31069/migdia-13102010?a7eca8862593b770ffa28e0532e39562 (minute 9.30+)

Well, I leave you with some photos. As I say, keep checking the school webpage for more information. I don't know when or where, but see you !

Who's suing who?

Welcome to the fascinating world of mobile phone lawsuits. I hadn't really been following this, but apparently Microsoft sueing Motorola over Android was just the latest in a long line of mobile-related lawsuits, which The Guardian represented like this:

Too confusing? A clearer (and prettier) representation here: http://news.designlanguage.com/post/1252039209

PS. They seem to have patched it all up in the end, by the way. At least between Microsoft and Motorola...

The White Stripes - We're going be friends

Today I was re-listening to the White Stripes, and I thought I'd post this cute song about the beginning of the school year.

How old do you think the kids are in the song? What clues are there to their ages?





Lyrics:

The White Stripes - We're going be friends

Fall is here, hear the yell
back to school, ring the bell
brand new shoes, walking blues
climb the fence, book and pens
I can tell that we are gonna be friends

Walk with me, Suzy Lee
through the park, by the tree
we will rest upon the ground
and look at all the bugs we've found
then safely walk to school
without a sound

Well here we are, no one else
we walked to school all by ourselves
there's dirt on our uniforms
from chasing all the ants and worms
we clean up and now it's time to learn


Numbers, letters, learn to spell
nouns, and books, and show-and-tell
at playtime we will throw the ball
back to class, through the hall
teacher marks our height against the wall

And we don't notice any time pass
we don't notice anything
we sit side by side in every class
teacher thinks that I sound funny
but she likes the way you sing

Tonight I'll dream while I'm in bed
when silly thoughts go through my head
about the bugs and alphabet
and when I wake tomorrow I'll bet
that you and I will walk together again
cause I can tell that we
are going to be friends

PS. Remember that "I can tell" also means something like "I can see/distinguish, etc".

Shweeb

What do we need? We need Shweeb! :D

What do you think? The revolutionary new ecological public transportation system. Look!

I especially love the happy girl's face in seconds 37-38. Of course we'd all be happy, travelling by Shweeb! We could imagine that we're in Futurama, except that we'd actually be... doing exercise, pedaling like mad and probably sweating like pigs.

But that's what everybody really wants to do, isn't it?

Well, the people at Google must think so, because they've invested in it, and they do tend to make lots and lots of money.

This won't be like the segway, which was also going to revolutionise transport and is now only used by American millionaires, rich tourists and security guards at Carrefour. Of course, unfortunate accidents won't help the segway's cause.

Shweeb looks pretty safe, though, if even blondes can use it. ;)

Read more about it here: http://shweeb.com

Can you imagine the traffic jams?

It's Friday!!!

Friday

FRIDAY

FRIDAY!!!! :D

Have a good weekend everybody!