About Me

My photo
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.

Friday, June 26, 2009

25th June: The death of two icons


Yesterday was devastating for both the film and music industry.
The deaths of FARRAH FAWCETT and MICHAEL JACKSON shocked fans worldwide. Though there have been several tributes since their passings were announced, the most significant ones will be broadcast tonight.

Farrah Fawcett, an American actress and multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee, died in Los Angeles at 62, after a long battle with cancer.

A great artist, Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, also passed away yesterday and in Los Angeles but after suffering a cardiac arrest in his home. After a life in the limelight from the age of five to fifty, "Wacko Jacko", truly lived the life of an enigmatic legend often involved in controversies, surrounded by guards and hidden behind masks / umbrellas. He will surely be remembered not only by his musical legacy but also as the singer / man who was born "black" and became "whiter and whiter" due to his many operations.
If you would like to find some more information about Michael Jackson and his music, click, for example, on
http://www.michaeljackson.com/
http://www.youtube.com/michaeljackson

Why don't you leave here your opinion on Michael Jackson and his music? What's your favourite song?

Monday, June 22, 2009

Art'e Vicios show

Another stunning success by Art'e Vicios - the show on the 19th June was fantastic, ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys.
Teachers and pupils gathered together to rehearse and prepare for this performance but it was worthwhile I can assure you! Such commitment and dedication are harder and harder to find at schools - especially now in these troubled times...

Below there is a selection of pictures taken during the event starting with the opening speech delivered by our "Principal", Eng Ramos Pereira. Then, there are several pictures of a folklore group from Alfarelos and still others from pupils/teachers playing, singing, dancing and acting on stage. The final ones include all those involved.

I hope you like them!

SMS

The correct message, ladies, was:

Hi, ladies!
I have to admit I am really sad to leave you after these 50 hours of English but, if you need me, you know where and how to find me, don't you?
It was a pleasure to work with you! I wish you all the best. Farewell...
Your teacher, Alexandra

As promised there will be prizes - one for Rosa and another for Magda!
Congratulations.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

School Visit to Oporto

On the 19th June off we went to Oporto for another school visit with adults from classes Animação SócioCultural (diurno) and Acção Educativa 1. The atmosphere was great and the school visit monitored by the pair Anabela Guiné and Rita Rocha was very interesting. In the morning we headed straight to CASA DA MÚSICA and in the afternoon we visited IGREJA DE S.FRANCISCO and PALÁCIO DA BOLSA.
As always, it was a bit tiring (also due to the heat) but really worthwhile for those involved. In the end, all were asking for more in spite of the ambitious tasks they still have to focus on - just for you to have an idea, these adults have to present reports on the facilities (or not) for disabled people, on the different architectural features of the buildings, on the importance of the English Language...

Now enjoy pictures of all participants as well as of the most relevant moments!

Farewell, ladies!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

sms

Now that our classes are coming to an end, it's time for other challenges, like this sms which you are asked to convert into plain English...

Hi, ladies!
I hav 2 admit I M rly :-( 2 Leav U aftR dEz 50 hrz of eng bt, f U nEd me, U knO whr & how 2 find me, dun u?
It wz a plSUR 2 wrk w U! I wsh U aL d best. Farewell...
yor Tcha, Alexandra

I am waiting for your texts, ladies, and there will be (a) prize(s) for the first correct answer(s)!
I am counting already on Rosa's text - the countdown has already started and the deadline will be next Sunday, 21st June.

Good luck!

Friday, June 5, 2009

5th June - WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

World Environment Day (WED) was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.

Commemorated yearly on 5 June, WED is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The day's agenda is to:
- Give a human face to environmental issues;
- Empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development;
- Promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues;
- Advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

The theme for WED 2009 is 'Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change'. It reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year, and the links with overcoming poverty and improved management of forests.

This year’s host is Mexico which reflects the growing role of the Latin American country in the fight against climate change, including its growing participation in the carbon markets.
Mexico is also a leading partner in UNEP's Billion Tree Campaign. The country, with the support of its President and people, has spearheaded the pledging and planting of some 25 per cent of the trees under the campaign. Accounting for around 1.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the country is demonstrating its commitment to climate change on several fronts.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon states that the WED celebration will “further underline Mexico's determination to manage natural resources and deal with the most demanding challenge of the 21st century – climate change."

To highlight this date, you can watch HOME premiere online. Just click on
http://www.youtube.com/homeproject

There are obviously many other links you can click on (some have already been suggested to you in previous postings connected with the environment) such as
http://www.unep.org/wed/2009/english/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Environment_Day
http://www.sofiaecho.com/2009/06/05/730531_world-environment-day-eu-plea-for-urgency

For all those who love MUSIC as much as I do and are concerned with the ENVIRONMENT, visit, for example,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w63gN8adA0E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW7ZuM9UNaI&feature=related

In our school a team of teachers and pupils belonging to Clube Art'e Vícios organised an end of the school year party joining "artists" of all ages in an Art Gallery and on stage. And guess what the theme was??????? The Environment, of course! Have a look at the first pictures taken just a couple of hours ago...


Monday, June 1, 2009

International Children's Day 1st June


I couldn't skip this date, really!

Let's appreciate the gift of life, of having children around us!


Happy Children's Day, children (and parents) !!!!!!

More photos, ladies!

Well, ladies, more photos! These were all taken by teacher Carlos Ferreira who kindly sent them to me.

We are now expecting your comments. EhEhEhEh!!!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...