In Hard Times…Is Glamorous Optimism the Answer?

 Opinion essay

History shows that in times of trouble, humans turn to sparkle and shine. Liane Wiggins, head of womens wear at Matches Fashion said,” high shine and metallics exemplify what fashion is all about: dressing up, having fun and lifting the spirits."

Does such exuberance feel out of place? We all know how wasteful the fashion industry is!

It’s important not to confuse consumerism with creative optimism," Francesca Muston, vice president of fashion at WGSN explains. "People are likely to express their reaction to global developments in different ways: there are those who will focus on simplicity and minimalism, and those who seek a release via creative expression," she continues.

 

In Hard Times…Is Glamorous Optimism the Answer?

1.     Decide whether you agree or not.

2.     Introduction.

Are we in times of trouble? Why? Do we need to lift the spirits? What do some people do to feel better in hard times?

3.     1st paragraph.

First of all, I think that………In my opinión, ……

What do you think about dressing up as a means of cheering up ? Does it work? Do you feel better when you are clean and well groomed? Can the clothes and accessories you wear reduce your anxiety?

4.     2nd paragraph

In addition……………………………. Some people think ……

Is fashion a way to express people´s creativity? Can it be a form of art? Are people´s clothes and accessories a way to express their reaction to global developments? What can a glamorous dress mean?

5.     Conclusion

To sum up, I belive that glamour and style………

Formal e-mail. B2

 https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/upper-intermediate-b2-writing/more-formal-email

https://www.wallstreetenglish.com/blog/how-to-write-formal-emails-in-english

https://www.inenglishwithlove.com/blog/how-to-write-an-email-in-english

https://oxfordhousebcn.com/en/how-to-write-a-b2-first-formal-email-letter/

https://teacherphill.com/fce-how-to-write-an-email-letter/

B2 Writing

 https://ejemplos.net/5-ejemplos-de-opinion-essay/

https://kseacademy.com/cambridge/b2-first-fce/writing/articulo/

https://vibenglish.com/como-hacer-un-writing-del-first-certificate-paso-a-paso/

https://es.liveworksheets.com/worksheets/en/English_as_a_Second_Language_(ESL)/Writing/Writing_b2_article_db1455647fm

For and against essay

 https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/intermediate-b1-writing/against-essay

Opinion essay

 https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/intermediate-b1-writing/opinion-essay

Learning languages

 https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/general-english/audio-zone/learning-languages

Match the definitions (a–h) with the vocabulary (1–8).

Vocabulary Definition

1. …… to be a struggle

2. …… to rehearse

3. …… to get over

4. …… a degree

5. …… a catchphrase

6. …… to pick up on

7. …… by far the best

8. …… to make a right mess of

a. clearly the best

b. a certain level

c. to be difficult to do

d. to notice

e. to do something quite badly

f. to feel better about something upsetting

g. to practise something you plan to say or perform

h. a short, popular phrase that makes you think of the person who says it

Listen to Simon talking about how he learned several languages in a variety of different ways.

Circle the best answer.

1. Which continent has the speaker NOT lived in?

a. Asia

b. Europe

c. South America

2. Which two things does the speaker do to learn a new language?

a. Go to classes and speak to people

b. Speak to people and use a dictionary

c. Watch TV and listen to the radio

3. Why does the speaker think watching game shows is useful?

a. Because of the pictures

b. Because contestants are always winning

c. Because the language is repetitive

4. What does the speaker say about using newspapers?

a. It was easy to learn a lot of new words quickly.

b. A lot of things were happening in the country.

c. Other people sometimes explained new words to him.

5. What does the speaker say about talking to people in the street?

a. Preparation was necessary.

b. The embarrassment made it a failure.

c. People reacted negatively.

6. Why were colloquial expressions a problem for the speaker?

a. They took ten years to learn.

b. They were never written down.

c. They were often unnoticed.

Complete the sentences with the following words .

over degree find way

typical again mess far

1. I’ve learned several languages to one ……………………………… or another.

2. I just ……………………………… them fascinating.

3. The ……………………………… kinds of programmes we see every day

4. You can really quickly hear the same words repeated ……………………………… and again.

5. There was no ……………………………… I was going to understand everything.

6. By ……………………………… the best practice I had was just talking to people.

7. Usually, I’d make a right ……………………………… of it first of all.

8. But after you get ……………………………… the embarrassment, it’s quite funny really.

7 Common Language Learning Strategies That Don’t Work (And How to Fix Them)

 https://www.fluentin3months.com/language-learning-strategies/