In August 2012, a group of Portuguese teachers of English spent two weeks in beautiful Cambridge / UK in a teacher training course. Besides the updates I published then - starting here -, below is my report of that wonderful experience just published by APPI in its newsletter:
About Me
- Teacher Alex
- Portugal
- I am from Coimbra, Portugal, and am currently teaching in a school in Soure, about 30 km away from Coimbra. I have been a teacher of English for over 20 years and have already taught different levels and age groups. After all this time I can say I love working with adult groups because there are no coursebooks and I can create my own resources. I am an avid reader, a blogger and very curious about free tools and their implementation in the classroom.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
New. Neat. Nice for holidays.
Figueira da Foz. Coastal city with several beaches and seaport facilities, about 40 km west of Coimbra, sheltered by Serra da Boa Viagem (hills).
Founded in 1885, Casa Havanesa was a bookshop, a newsagent, and also a
photography shop until 2006. In spite of all odds, it is now a bar, and its new
owners have kept its identity as a century-old bookshop.
Inside this bar/restaurant that (re)opened last April, there
are still the original glazed cabinets as well as one of the counters, among
other details.
Down the hall that leads to the basement and toilets, there is
also a small bookcase with some books awaiting customers - leave one and get
another! Besides the typical (Portuguese) espresso drinking, customers can also taste
delicious meals and snacks. Yummy!!!
Casa Havanesa is really a plus for Figueira da Foz, a place
like so many others, where traditional shops are closing down and there are more and more derelict buildings. When on holidays, I used to buy there books and foreign magazines; more recently I bought there books for my kids. Though it is sad to see such an emblematic bookshop disappear, I believe that more important than that is refurbishing these areas, and therefore recognising the remarkable effort of the new owners - on the one hand, in investing there and preserving the building, and, on
the other hand, in promoting book launches, presentations (please check, for example, here) and exchanges, hosting music (please check, for example, here) and other cultural events, including gastronomy (please check, for example, here).
If you happen to be nearby or plan to visit Figueira da Foz, be sure to hit Casa Havanesa, during the day or at night, to exchange books, eat, drink and/or to listen to good music. Trust me, you won't regret it!
If you happen to be nearby or plan to visit Figueira da Foz, be sure to hit Casa Havanesa, during the day or at night, to exchange books, eat, drink and/or to listen to good music. Trust me, you won't regret it!
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| Casa Havanesa, as it is now (indoors) |
Happy Holidays, y'all, wherever you are!!!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
CONNECTing
A fortnight has already gone by and no new posts! I guess you assumed I was on holiday and you were/are not mistaken.
The 2012/2013 schoolyear was very demanding and intensive; my last teaching day was July 19 and, my goodness, what sacrifice!!! After a tiresome year, strikes, "no-meetings", real meetings, exams, developing materials, planning and preparing lessons, these last weeks have been really tough but the students are obviously not to blame.
Besides feeling I desperately needed some rest, I also felt it was high time I dedicated quality time to my dear ones, friends, acquaintances - in other words, time to nourish my relationships, to celebrate summer and time off from work and school, and, well, yes, laughing, eating, drinking, clubbing. That's exactly what I've been doing.
I admit I do make an effort not to check on my laptop and time (and weather!) allows me now to go to the beach, to read and definitely to socialise. It has made wonders... you know, chatting in the typically funny way of people around my age about the things we used to do when we were "younger" (though I'm still young - at heart!), recollecting celebrations and/or events with our kids... I'm sure you know what I mean :)
These last days have been indeed to (re)connect - connecting with all those who, one way or the other, make part of our lives and connecting with the simplest and purest joys of life such as reading.
Let me assure you that soon, very soon, other posts will follow and, hopefully, some of a different kind, though that part doesn't depend on me only.
Needless to say, I keep counting on you - as always - and it's never too much to show my appreciation to all readers/visitors who keep sending me encouraging emails, leaving comments and facebook entries.
To all, a huge THANK YOU and a happy summertime.
The 2012/2013 schoolyear was very demanding and intensive; my last teaching day was July 19 and, my goodness, what sacrifice!!! After a tiresome year, strikes, "no-meetings", real meetings, exams, developing materials, planning and preparing lessons, these last weeks have been really tough but the students are obviously not to blame.
Besides feeling I desperately needed some rest, I also felt it was high time I dedicated quality time to my dear ones, friends, acquaintances - in other words, time to nourish my relationships, to celebrate summer and time off from work and school, and, well, yes, laughing, eating, drinking, clubbing. That's exactly what I've been doing.I admit I do make an effort not to check on my laptop and time (and weather!) allows me now to go to the beach, to read and definitely to socialise. It has made wonders... you know, chatting in the typically funny way of people around my age about the things we used to do when we were "younger" (though I'm still young - at heart!), recollecting celebrations and/or events with our kids... I'm sure you know what I mean :)
These last days have been indeed to (re)connect - connecting with all those who, one way or the other, make part of our lives and connecting with the simplest and purest joys of life such as reading.
Let me assure you that soon, very soon, other posts will follow and, hopefully, some of a different kind, though that part doesn't depend on me only.
Needless to say, I keep counting on you - as always - and it's never too much to show my appreciation to all readers/visitors who keep sending me encouraging emails, leaving comments and facebook entries.
To all, a huge THANK YOU and a happy summertime.
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