A Message for Lola from Marisol (NI2 A)

One of my students, Marisol, wanted to improve her speaking and listening skills in English so she took an imaginary job in a hotel in California. She wrote to her friend Lola and described her duties on the job. Both Lola and Marisol are in our NI2 (fourth year) class this year having returned to EOI study after a 15-year break. During that time they have been busy with lots of over activities, raising children, teaching and doing development work. We are lucky to have them in class.
-David


Hi Lola,
How are you? I haven´t written you because I didn´t have time. I´m fine although quite tired. As you know, I’m working at a hotel in California, at the beautiful seaside town of Long Beach. I decided that this summer I would improve my English, especially my speaking and listening skills, because I need it for my development projects.
My job in the Tamarindo Hotel which is interesting and exciting, but it´s really hard-work! I begin the working day very early in the morning, exactly at six o’clock. I thougth at this time there isn´t anything to do at the reception of hotels, but I wrong. The reception of my hotel is always very busy. I didn´t know when I arrived here, but the Tamarindo Hotel is the most important hotel in California! Its has 3300 rooms and 33 suites!! Uf! Really, it´s very huge!
Normally, at six o´clock, I start to supervise the notes that my workmates leave me. After this, I take note of the day’s news entries and I attend the phone calls too. While, the clients are having their breakfast and in a moment… the daily dance begins! : there are people coming and going everywhere! They ask me all types of questions: “Is there hot water in my bathroom?” “Could you give us another card? We lost the keys of our suite…” “Please, could you phone a taxi for me?” “Please, do you know the menu of dinner tonight?” “Please, at what time does the Art Museum open?”… And, yes, I practice my speaking and listening with this but it is very exhausting!! I end up feeling very tired when I get home.

But, in spite of it all, the job is very amusing. Every day something interesting or funny happens, or even crazy! So the days pass quickly.

In another way, tell me about you!! Is it all right there? Are you looking after Nalah, my favourite doggy? Have you seen Jose y María? Do you know if she had the baby already? Give them my fondest regards.

A lot of kisses for you and Nalah! I miss you!!
Marisol

Fishing Blues (an old song)

We've been talking about how the Native Americans helped the Pilgrims settlers to fish and hunt. So here is a favorite fishing song which I learned from my hero Taj Mahal, a great blues guitar player and singer.
The Fishing Blues
Went up on the hill about twelve o'clock.
Reached right back and got me a pole.
Went to the hardware and got me a hook.
Attached that line right on that hook.
Says you've been a-fishin' all the time.
I'm a-goin' fishin' too.

I bet your life, your lovin'wife.
Can catch more fish than you.
Any fish bite if you've got good bait.
Here's a little somethin' I would like to relate.
Any fish bite, you've got good bait.
I'm a-goin' a-fishin', yes, I'm a-goin' a-fishin',
I'm a-goin' a-fishin' too.

Looked down the river about one o'clock.
Spied this catfish swimmin' around.
I've got so hungry, didn't know what to do.
I'm gonna get me a catfish too.

Yes, you've been fishin' all the time.
I'm a-goin' a-fishin' too.
I bet your life your lovin' wife.
Catch more fish than you.
Any fish bite, got good bait.
Here's a little somethin' I would like to relate.
Any fish bite, you've got good bait.
I'm a-goin' a-fishin', yes, I'm goin' a-fishin',
I'm a-goin' a-fishin' too.

Put on your skillet, don't never mind your lead.
Mama gonna cook 'em with the short'nin' bread.
Says you been fishin' all the time.
I'm a-goin a-fishin' too.
I bet your life, your lovin' wife.
Can catch more fish than you.
Any fish bite, if you've got good bait.
Here's a little somethin' I would like to relate.
Any fish bite, you've got good bait.
I'm a-goin' a-fishin', yes, I'm goin' a-fishin',
I'm a-goin' a-fishin' too.

If you would like to hear the (original) Henry Thomas version of this song taken from the Harry Smith Anthology of American Folk Music, go to: http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/electricapricotquestforfesteroo/fishingblues.htm
This is probably the version that Taj Mahal worked with when he came up with his own version. You can find Taj Mahal in You Tube, I am sure. Good luck and keep singing! - David

Liverpool Light (Thanksgiving class song )

Here is the song we are going to learn for Thanksgiving Day. It is an old favorite of mine and tells the story of sailor who just wants to get back home from his long voyage at sea. The longing described in the song is emphasized by the very singable refrain. Bill Staines, the author, has composed many wonderful singalong songs. He is also a champion yodeller!

Liverpool Lightby Bill Staines

Cho: Singing, Shine, shine, Liverpool light
Shine on your children below;
Singing, Shine, shine, Liverpool light
Shine on your children below.


1) I've sailed this island for most of my life
All the way from the Minch to Dundee
And in Liverpool once I did take me a wife
And it's her that I'm longing to see (Cho.)

2) Three months ago April I left her with child
A child that was mine sure as she.
But she'd not complain, for she's gentle and mild
And it's her that I'm longing to see. (Cho.)

3) I've sinned a lot, for a sinner I be;
As a sailor, I've sailed in the storms.
But in Liverpool, that’s where I'm longing to be,
With her arms wrapped around me so warm.( Cho.)

4) When the light from your tower is all that I see,
And her footsteps they run to the door.
Then I'll lift up my glass and for all men to see,
I will vow to go sailing no more. (Cho.)



Greetings from Fran in Brighton!

Hi Richard,

I am working at a seaside resort hotel near Brighton for one month. I am a receptionist at the front desk of a four-star hotel. I have to devote most every minute to the telephone. I give the room keys to the guests and recommend interesting places to visit. I work from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. three days during the work week and from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. one day each weekend.

I enjoy this work so much because I am meet a lot of amazing people. I have to tell you a lot of fun anecdotes but especially I like this job because I can brush up my English a lot!

Regards

Fran

Sara's Spooky Story

Here is Sara's tale of a nightmare that seemed so real, she couldn't believe it was a dream. This story won second prize in the Halloween Spooky Story competition. Victor won first prize and Jesus B came in third. Congratulations to all three and thanks for giving us a fright! -- Your teacher, David

WAS THIS REAL OR A NIGHTMARE? by Sara

This story happened to me some years ago… I was only seven years old and I was a very happy child. Since that horrible life that changed my life.

I used to go to bed at 10:30 every night (when my favourite TV series finished). That day I went to sleep at the same hour, more or less. It was too cold because it was winter and it had been raining all day.

Before going to my bedroom, I went to say good night to my parents and they gave me a kiss. I was really tired but when I got into bed I was wide awake. I couldn’t sleep a wink so I was trying to think of beautiful things so I could get to sleep. Suddenly I saw some people moving into my bedroom. I thought they were Native American Indians dancing around something. I closed my eyes because I thought it was a nightmare but when I opened my eyes again they were still there.

I tried not to make any noise and I only felt fear at this sight. After a few minutes, they started making a bonfire with the wooden chair I always sat in to do my homework. They continued dancing. I thought they were part of a tribe and they were doing a ritual or something similar. I only wanted to cry and call my mom but it was too far. If I wanted to go to my parents’ room I had to pass through this mob. So I decided to close my eyes and cry in silence.

The next day I told this story to my mom and dad but of course they didn’t believe me. Nobody believed me but I am sure that wasn’t a normal nightmare because my eyes were wide open!
Sara

Real Application Letter by Fran (NI2A)

Francisco saw this ad for a job and wrote a great application letter which he kindly shared with his class. Thanks Fran! -- Your grateful teacher

ps If you get the job in Holland, will you still come to class here in Sta B????

PHP DEVELOPER Eures reference: 4739811
The PHP Developer shall design, program and maintain software, offer support to the customers in relation to this software.
He/She is responsible for the design of the functionality in different layers of an application, responsible for reading, interpreting and translating functional and technical designs to an implementation, providing an accurate, well-tested and robust implementation in accordance with the system architecture and design. - Good communicative skills - Team player - Analytical and initiative - Enthusiastic attitude to grow in the position - Able to make good thoughtful decisions with a strong sense of responsibility. Experience with Javascript, XHTML, CSS, SQL is required. j.vanslooten@tricode.nl

Fran's Letter

Job application


Dear Sir / Madam

I would like to apply for the job of PHP Developer (reference: 4739811), last week advertised on Eures website in the international section.

At the end of 2007, I graduated in computing engineering and I developed a website about logistics distribution as part of my degree final project. I spent eight months programming in PHP, CSS and Javascript. As part of this job, I improved my communicative skills, because I needed to understand whole functional requests.

As you can see from my CV, I have worked as a software designer in Apple for two years. This job required to be well-organised, courageous and have capacity to work in a team. I am currently working as a freelance web developer. I implement complete websites with all types of characteristics such as chat, forum, database access, or virtual shop.

I believe that I possess good skills to make decisions with a strong sense of responsibility and I am hard-working and decisive. I can speak English at an intermediate level. Last year, I studied English in Dublin for three weeks. At the moment, I am studying in the official languages school.

I enclose my curriculum vitae. Thank you for taking the time to consider this application and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Yours faithfully,

Francisco S

Jesus B's spooky story: lost in a dark night

Once, when I was a teenager, two friends and I decided to walk to the next village across the mountains. It was summer and it was very hot, so we set off late in the afternoon. When we were in the mountains the night fell and we soon got lost. It was a very dark night and we were wandering trying to find our path for a long time, but we could not. At about 12 we felt tired, thirsty, hungry and so frightened. Then we sat down on a rock and decided waiting there until sun rise. Suddenly, we heard some voices not very far away and we quickly stood up.
“Ehh, Ehh. Is there anybody over there?” we shouted.
No answer. But a little red light could be seen on the other side of the mountain. We ran fast to the light and when got there isn’t anybody and there is no light, but the path was exactly there. Voices could be heard again, farther.
“Wait for us, please”, we shouted, but we did not get any answer.
We still walking fast until the end of the path. There we met the owners of a house sit down close their front door home.
“Have you seen anybody going up or down this path a few minutes ago? “, we asked them.
“We have stayed here almost an hour and nobody have gone up or down this path”, they said.
“Sure?”
“Of course”
We never knew what really happened that night, but I have never walked in a dark night again. Jesus B. NI2B.

FRAN'S LONG-TIME FRIEND

Fran from NI2A wrote this lovely essay about a long-time friend.


My best friend is Juan. We met at school when I was ten years old. We were in the same class. One day a teacher asked me a difficult maths question. I really hated studying that subject so I didn’t know the answer and I felt very nervous about this situation. Suddenly, Juan was standing up and he said the correct answer. I recovered and when the class finished, we were speaking two hours and that afternoon we met to play tennis. He won the game but that didn’t matter because that day was the first day of our friendship.

We look very similar in physical appearance despite the fact that I’m taller than Juan. We’re both thin although we like going to McDonald’s! Our hair is short and dark and our eyes are small and black, but we don’t have similar taste in clothes. He likes wearing bright clothes and I like buying dark clothes. He looks like 60s pop singers such as John Lennon. We’re very keen on playing sports. He’s good at tennis but he’s bad at football. I think he’s the worst football player that I’ve ever seen. We both like going clubbing and having lie-ins at the weekends.

Our personalities are different. He’s much more disorganised than I am but Juan is very funny. I think he’s the funniest person that I know. He has a really good sense of humour. He never looks worried about problems. He thinks all problems have good solutions. On the contrary, I get nervous about problems. He’s doesn’t mind helping people in bad moments. He’s a very good person and I hope we will be friends forever. I think I should learn a lot of things from him.

Victor's Very Scary Halloween from Lomo Espino

My scary tale happened in a dark classroom with an electronic white-board. No lights... well, one or two soft lights, no more. No moon and two dogs howling: “Ouuuhhh!!!”.
The teacher, Dracked Shea... from Rumania, was speaking about... about... I don't know about what … but everyone in the classroom understood what he was saying. I really tried but I couldn't.
Suddenly, he lift up his right arm and began to extend it. He was pointing in my direction with his extremely long, bony finger. So, I hid myself behind Rodolfo.... from La Palma. I was frighten, really frighten. I started to tremble. My legs were trembling. I was trembling with fear. My hair stood on end and a cold sweat dripped down from my forehead.
The teacher, Dracked Shea... from Rumania, wanted my blood. His eyeteeth were raising... two or three centimeters long. I couldn't breathe.
Then, Dracked Shea said with a deep, calm and horrible voice:
-“Víctor... from Lomo Espino, what do you think about my opinion?”
-”Aaaahhhh..... Aaaaaaahhh”. I tried to pronounce a word, any word but it was impossible. My throat and mouth were absolutely dry.
He asked again but with no results. I couldn't look up, my eyes fixed on on my book. Then, he shouted very angrily: “Wake up and answer!. Wake up and answer!. Again and louder: “Wake up!. Wake up!
Finally, I opened my eyes and saw my wife. At once, Uufff!, I could breathe. What a nightmare! by Victor NI2B (from Lomo Espino)

A Louis Armstrong Language Exercise

To my Intermediate Students, Here is a portion an article by jazz critic David Lida taken from the California Review (to read the entire piece, see http://calitreview.com/3167#) called “A Tour of Louis Armstrong’s Unconscious”. Try to fill in the gaps with the words in italics below the text. Or, if you are daring, try to fill the gaps without any assistance. Good luck and enjoy the Satchmo film clip below. -- David

A musician friend once told me a story about Louis Armstrong. It is one of those anecdotes that, while possibly apocryphal (fictional), ought to be true. Waiting to go through customs in an airport, Armstrong found that Richard Nixon, then vice president, was standing in the same ¬_____________. He approached the politician, exchanged a little _________ talk, put on his famous smile, and asked, “Mr. Vice President, would you like to carry my trumpet through customs?” Nixon replied that it would be an _________, and took the case _________ containing the instrument in his hands. Legend has it that Armstrong packed his marijuana – he smoked it every day of his adult life – in his trumpet case.
The story ought to be true because it is _________ of Armstrong’s humor, shrewdness and the slyly complex nature of a man who appeared to be absolutely straightforward. He was often said to have _________ jazz, and while this is hardly the case, he was the most emblematic and influential exemplar of that most American of musical _________ .
Sidney Bechet, Bix Beiderbecke and Armstrong were jazz’s first great soloists, but the trumpet solos recorded by Armstrong with his Hot Five and Hot Seven groups in the mid 1920s were those that all jazz musicians of the time aspired to emulate. Few could dream of _________ his high notes. He became so famous for them that the saxophonist Lester Young referred to all high notes as “Armstrongs.”
Answers (but not in order!):
honor // reaching // forms // invented // emblematic // supposedly / small / line /

SINGALONG WITH SATCHMO: LOUIS ARMSTRONG SINGS

We are traveling in the footsteps
Of those who’ve gone before
But we’ll all be reunited
On a new and sunlit shore

Oh when the saints go marching in
When the saints go marching in
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

And when the sun refuse (begins) to shine
And when the sun refuse (begins) to shine
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

When the moon turns red with blood
When the moon turns red with blood
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

On that hallelujah day
On that hallelujah day
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

Oh when the trumpet sounds the call
Oh when the trumpet sounds the call
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

When the revelation (revolution) comes
When the revelation (revolution) comes
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in

HOW TO BEHAVE IN MY COUNTRY: Sabrina's Suggestions

If you are invited to someone’s house in my country, there are some things you should remember to do:

First of all, you should salute without kisses, you say “hello” and that’s enough. People here don’t like having contact with people that are not from the family.

Secondly, during the meal, all the food you serve, handle it with spoons, here people don’t use knives or forks, and if you need to eat something tough, use your hands, as in the case of meat, chicken, etc.

When you invite some people to your home, please, use plastic crockery, so you can throw it very quickly and you don’t have to worry about cleaning. On the other hand, if you are invited to someone’s house, you should avoid helping the owner with the cleaning up, you just must enjoy yourself.

Finally and above all, when you have lunch or dinner in someone’s house, and you don’t like the food they serve, you can stop eating if you want and also you can drink a toast with water and are not obliged to drink wine, you can drink whatever you want, there’s no problem with that. By Sabrina NI2A

Report about the important rules of behaviour for a guest in my country

If you are invited to someone’s house in Canary Islands, there are some things you should remember to do. First of all, you should bring a little present or even a meal, preferably a delicious, sweet dessert.

When you arrive, you never take off your shoes, because you can look like a homeless. This is very different in Sweden where guests at a dinner party will often take off their shoes and walk around in socks. If you feel hot, you should ask about a clothes rack and your hosts will tell you.

During the meal, it’s a good idea to be as relaxed as possible. You should try to talk friendly about most subjects such as the weather, sports, politics but you should avoid talking about money. Please don’t ask about the price of the house or the car. In Britain you shouldn’t discuss serious topics and you never should talk about money as you can in Spain..

If you don’t like food, you can say it respectfully and your host will try to change the food. You must avoid eating food with your hands, it is considered very rude, even when you eat pizza. Don’t worry about the use of cutlery, it is less important here than other countries. In Germany you can’t use a knife to cut potatoes or fish and in Italy you only can eat pasta with a fork

Above all, the most important thing is the guests should feel as if they were in their own home! FRANCISCO NI2A

Manners Matter: Sara's Advice

If you are invited to someone’s house in my country, there are some things you should remember to do.

First of all, you must give two kisses (one on each cheek) to your host and it is very polite if you also give them a small present like a bottle of wine or some chocolates or biscuits (they should be a little expensive in order to make a good impression).

When you arrive at the house it is a good idea to say how beautiful their home is (whether this is true or false) they will answer you: Really? or Do you like it? After that, the host family well insist on showing you all round the place, all the rooms, the kitchen, the bathroom….even the garage.

During your tour, you will find many televisions ( the biggest one is in the living room but there is one in every bedroom too because the Spanish generally watch some series before sleeping) only a few of us read before falling asleep.

Do not worry about taking off your shoes at home because we usually use them inside or, maybe, we wear slippers. During the meal, it is normal talk about many subjects but the main things are football, the lives of the famous and your neighbour’s life too.

In Spain the most important meal is lunch (between 1 and 4 pm, more or less), for breakfast we only have a cup of coffee or an orange juice and, sometimes, some toast, but we do not often eat a lot of food at breakfast because at 10 or 11 am, people often eat something like a sandwich or, it is very common eating sugar-donuts.
At 9 in the evening, it is dinner time and, please, do not phone anybody after 10 because it might be considered a little rude.

Finally, if you come to my country in January, you will receive many presents because on the 6th of this month we celebrate the Epiphany or Little Christmas!
-- Sara of NI2B

Polly Wolly Doodle: Pronunciation Practice Singalong

To my students,
Singing along with a nonsense song is a good way to concentrate on improving pronunciation. Shirley Temple rewrote this children's ditty for a film she starred in when she was just a little curly-haired girl. Good luck and enjoy!
David

Polly Wolly Doodle

Oh! I eat watermelon and I have for years,
sing Polly-wolly-doodle all the day;
I like watermelon but it wets my ears,
sing Polly-wolly-doodle all the day.

Maybe grass tastes good to a moo cow's mouth…
But I like chicken 'cause I'm from the south…

Fare-thee well, fare-thee well,
Mister gloom be on your way,
If you think you're gonna worry,
You can stop it in a hurry,
Sing Polly-wolly-doodle all the day!

A woodpecker pecks till he gets his fill…
But the woodpecker pays 'cause it's on his bill...

Oh! I feed my pigs with molasses yam…
They should be sweeter than they really am…

Ev'rything went wrong but it turned out right…
The skies were gray but the future's bright…

A polly is a parrot, we all know well,
But just what a wolly is I can't tell.
I wouldn't know a doodle if one came along,
But polly-wolly-doodle
Makes a darn good song!

Chely's Trip to a Wind Mill Home

Nine years ago, I went with Paco, my husband, and my sons, Javier and Álvaro, to Amsterdam, a charming city with many canals and bridges, and, of course, with many bicycles throughout streets.

We took an excursion or day trip to Edam 8 Km from Amsterdam and saw the mill houses like the one in the photo. My son Álvaro, who was ten years old at the time, was amazed and we decided to get out of our car to have a closer inspection.

The family who lived in this house mill, were working crushing cereals to make flour and to sell it. We went into the house to have a look around. Although it was quite noisy inside, because the mill was working, it was fantastic. It was a rustic house, with small rooms and a huge granary. Álvaro told us he would like to live in a mill!
(by Chely, NI2A)

Side by Side, Harry Woods Hit from 1920s

To my students, I now I am not great at keeping up with pop music trends but here is a hit single that put Harry Woods on the map in 1927! Although the clip I include here does not exactly capture the message of the song, I think the guitar strumming troubador does a great job. Looking back on the historical aspect of this ditty, it must have been an inspiration to folks when the roaring 20s gave way to the economic crash that ushered in the 1930s. Anyway, enjoy the song, keep singing and see you soon! David Shea

The lyrics: Oh we aint got a barrel of money,
Maybe we're ragged and funny
But we travel along, singing a song
Side by side

Oh I don't know what's coming tomorrow
Maybe it's trouble and sorrow
But we travel the road, sharing our load
Side by side

Through all kinds of weather
What if the sky should fall
Just as long as we're together
It really doesn't matter at all

When they've all had their quarrels and parted
We'll be the same as we started
Just traveling along, singing a song
Side by Side

We have been talking about houses in NI2. Nira wrote a nice essay describing an amazing house in Holland. Unfortunately for us, Nira is leaving this week for the USA for three months. This talented young doctor will be working in Los Angeles on a temporary basis till around Xmas time. We wish her much success and look forward to seeing her when she returns to class in 2010. Happy trails, Nira! -- David

The Most Amazing House I Have Ever Seen (Nira)
The house I remember most was not here but in Rotterdam, Holland. In 2002, I travelled to Europe with five close friends. One of our destinations was Rotterdam. There, we visited cube houses or cubic houses, the most amazing house I have ever seen! These houses were built in 1984. I remember this date because it is the year of my sister´s birthday.

When you are outside the house you cannot imagine how someone can live over there. They look like geometric trees with a crown like a yellow cube held up by a grey tube. Inside the house you have a strange sensation. In the first floor you can find the living room and kitchen. The living room look likes a spaceship and the sofas are very small.
When you look through the window you can see the street below your feet because the walls and windows are angled. On the second floor there are the bedrooms and the bathrooms.
The bedrooms are cozy. It seems to be a cabin. You feel safe inside the room. The top floor is a beautiful living space with French windows.

I think it is an original house but not functional. There is a lot of wasted space and empty corners. Besides, it is very rare to look at one side of the house and realize that the wall is not vertical. It is interesting to visit it but in my opinion, it is not the best home to live in.

Tito's Ideal Home

One of our students, Prudencio (or Tito, as he prefers to be called!) from Llanos de Maria Rivera, wrote a nice essay about his ideal home. Good work, Tito! -- David


My ideal home would be very huge. I would like my house to have very big windows, because this would allow more light to come in. My ideal home needs a very good central heating system because I am very sensitive to the cold. I would prefer that my home has a roof, and of course, it will be a detached house. I would like it to have a big garden and a garage. I would also like my ideal home to have a big swimming pool, because I like swimming very much. It would be nice to have a lot of enormous trees around my home and I would like to have a gym so I can do lots of exercise in the morning and after work.
By Prudencio (Tito)

Jose Luis Goes on Holiday

In the NI2 class, Jose Luis wrote a wonderful, detailed note to an imaginary friend Mary. He is going on holiday for a while and Mary has offered to look after his place during his absence. Of course, Mary gets to have a wonderful vacation in the Canary Islands. This is a nice first assignment for Jose Luis, a very cheerful student. Good work, Jose Luis! -- David

Dear Mary,

Just a few words to tell you some tips about the house. As you know, houses like this, by the sea, need some extra work on it, because of the humidity and salty atmosphere that deteriorate everything, especially metals and wall paint.

I lend you my home because I know you are a careful person like me. Anyway, please remind the following:

First of all, leave the windows and doors closed and set the alarm anytime you go out.
Remember to feed the dog twice a day. Its food is in the cupboard in the kitchen. There you will also find the food for the fish. Once-a-day should be enough for them.

I hope you will find everything you need. Just in case, there is a little shop at the corner where you can find almost anything you need.

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any problem.

Have a nice stay and I hope you find a beautiful weather.


Jose Luis


P.S: Please water the plants twice a week.