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/

Learning Languages . Monologue

 You have 1-2 minutes to prepare individually. You have to speak for  3-4 minutes. 

Top 10 reasons why you should learn a foreign language this year

 https://www.mondly.com/blog/2017/06/09/10-reasons-to-learn-a-foreign-language/

A blog Post

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/writing/upper-intermediate-b2-writing/blog-x-games

A Blog Post

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

A problem in your town

Work in pairs.Think about a problem in your town.

• Describe the problem
• Give some details about it
• Make some proposals to solve the situation
• Mention some advantages for the town if the problem is solved

Take notes to tell the class about the problem.

Letter to the editor . Questions

HIGHWAY NO WAY
 
Read the letter to the editor and answer:
How old is the writer? How do you know?
Who is he writing to?
What is he complaining about?
Why is he so worried?
What is his proposal?What is he asking for?
Is this a formal or an informal letter? How do you know?

Take note of the words and expressions used in a formal letter to the editor:
Opening remarks
Closing remarks
Other useful expressions


 LETTER OF PROTEST
  Read the letter of protest  and answer:
How old is the writer? How do you know?
Who is he writing to?
What is he complaining about?
Why is he so worried?
What is his proposal?What is he asking for?
Is this a formal or an informal letter? How do you know?

Take note of the words and expressions used in a formal letter of protest:
Opening remarks
Closing remarks
Other useful expressions

Weddings: UK

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/uk-now/video-uk/weddings

JOBS. e-mail

1. Answer the questions
• Why would Nadine be good for the job?
• What would she learn from the job?
• What previous experience does she have?

2.Find the following expressions in the e-mail and  match them with the definitions and the examples.
1. pick someone’s brain
2. think on your feet
3. What you don't know won't hurt you.
4. run smoothly.
5. hands-on experience
6. hold back
7. see/catch you later!
 

a) to ask someone's advice about a subject the person knows a lot about:
b) knowledge or skill that someone gets from doing something rather than just reading about it or seeing it being done.
c) to not do something, often because of fear or because you do not want to make a bad situation worse
d) a way of saying goodbye
e) If you do not know about a problem or a misdeed, you will not be able to make yourself unhappy by worrying about it. (Often used to justify not telling someone about a problem or misdeed.)
f) to make a quick decision or give an answer quickly
g) operating in a flowing and effective manner, without difficulties or obstructions


A. They will participate in workshops and get hands-on experience leading classes.
B. He always said he learned more about newspapers from hands-on experience than he did in the classroom.
C. I'd never heard about the company before, so I had to think on my feet.
D. Can I pick your brain about how you got rid of those weeds?
E. Ellen: What a beautiful diamond necklace! Thank you! But how on earth did you get the money to pay for it? Fred: What you don't know won't hurt you.
F. He held back, terrified of going into the dark room.
G. "Bye." "See you later."

2. Writing.
Last week you saw a job advertisement on the Internet. You realized it was be a great opportunity to do what you had always dreamt of doing. This meant leaving your current stable job, but you really needed a change in your life and decided to take the risk and wrote a letter of application.
Now write an email to your best friend and tell him/her about your decision, explain why you think you are a good candidate, why you really need a change in your life, in what ways this could affect your future and ask him/her what he/she thinks about it.

Cover Letter

Tips for a speaking test

http://www.talkingpeople.net/tp/skills/speaking/monologues/tipsideasb2c1.htm

Expressions to use in a monologue

https://natalialzam.wordpress.com/2015/02/25/expressions-to-use-in-a-speaking-test-monologue-interaction

As time goes by 2

AS TIME GOES BY
(Theme from Casablanca)
by Frank Sinatra 

You must remember this:
A kiss is  a kiss,
A sigh is just a sigh.
The fundamental things 
As time goes by.

And when two lovers woo
They still say: 'I love you'.
 that you can ,
No matter what the future brings,
As time goes by.

Moonlight and love songs,
Never  date.
Hearts full of passion,
 and hate.
Woman needs man,
And man must have his .
That, no one can deny.

It's still the same  story,
A fight for love and glory,
A  of do or die.
The world will always
Welcome lovers
As time goes by.

Casablanca .Resumen.