Little modern things

They used to go there due to refill the tank. But nowadays most of the people who you can see in that place are sellers, or buyers, just waiting for their customers. Certainly, there is a place in my town, near a petrol station, that has become a meeting point for Wallapop users - a place where people who don’t know each other can easily meet and make their exchanges. This is a symptom of how the new economy is really working in our daily lives.

Another spark of Postmodernity happened to me yesterday: I was coming back to my home when I saw a young lady walking and, at the same time, using her phone. This is nothing new – we can see many people today like her. But she had the flashlight turned on. It reminded me when you crosses path with another car during the day and it also has the lights on.

One of my favourite trips: Brittany and Normady

Hi there!

A couple of weeks ago a very good friend of mine told me about this blog. He himself created it to upload compositions, to share them with the community, and all of this with the purpose of practicing English. At that moment it resembled to me a very good idea, but I didn’t think about it too much later. Some days after, he talked to me again of the blog. Then he offered me to post something if I would like to, despite not being a student of EOI right now (my purpose is to start C1 next course). Two words came to my mind: why not?

As I said I’m planning to sign up EOI in the next course. Writing in a blog is a great way of practicing, and that’s just what I want to do. I just only pretend to exercise my language, my writing skills and my vocabulary in a funny way. How? Sharing with you my thoughts about topics that are interesting to me, about my life experiences, maybe about hot news… who knows?

So, few days later, sitting comfortably in my sofa, I’m starting to write my first post in this blog. Today I’m going to talk about an easy topic. It’s a common topic. Everyone likes talking about it. Everyone likes doing it: travelling.

To start, let’s put some context. What’s travelling for me? Travelling for me it’s not an action. It’s much more. It’s a way of truly living life. Let’s put an example on this. Imagine an alien who comes for the first time to our planet, and standing above our atmosphere, and having a more or less global vision of Earth. Imagine how amazed he would be, seeing the immensity of the blue oceans, the beauty of the clouds, the spectacular contrast of land and sea, the gorgeous green tones of the Amazonia and the shiny white tones of Greenland, Antarctica and Himalaya. And now, imagine this alien thinking about a living being of this absolutely marvelous world who do not travel. Who has never left his place of birth, his hometown. Who only knows his city, his village. Who has never exited his little comfort zone. Probably this alien would think that this could not be possible, living beings in this amazing world can’t be so intelligent.

I accept that this isn’t probably the best example, but sometimes it’s good to take some perspective and to see the things from a higher point of view, like our alien. Now, forget about this alien (today we don’t know if aliens exist or not, and we are not going to discuss it now, maybe in another post), and let’s put our feet in the ground again. Let’s travel.

Travelling is the only thing that despite costing you some money makes you richer. This is a great truth. I’m going to remember now one of my favorite trips I’ve ever done. It was three years ago, with two friends and a van, travelling from Catalonia to the north of France. We planned the trip during the month before leaving. But there wasn’t so much planning. In fact, we only booked some of the nights, what would give us some freedom to improvise.

Our first stop was at La Rochelle, in the Atlantic coast of France. We happily found La Rochelle lovely village. We could experience this although we only spend there one night and one morning. When we arrived there was late afternoon. There were a lot of people in the streets, walking, sitting in cafes and having fun. The weather was perfect, keeping in mind that we came from Catalonia, what is known to be very hot in summer especially in august.

The next stop was Brittany. What to tell about Brittany. There’s nature at its highest expression. Wild coast, high cliffs, beaches, rocks, forests... it sets an amazing landscape. The French coast continued like that as we went north, to Normandy. Our plan was visiting Utah and Omaha beach, since we are very concerned about the facts occurred there and their importance in contemporary history.

One of the most memorable moments in this trip, and surely in my whole life, that for sure I will never forget, is the moment at sunset when me and my friends walked alone by Omaha beach. There were only the sea, the beach (huge and beautiful beach), the weight of history and us. That was amazing. Another memorable moment was visiting the American cemetery in Omaha Beach, the day after. The opening scene of Saving Private Ryan was exactly what we had in front of our eyes. It was absolutely heartbreaking.

The trip was plenty of other adventures that make me smile every time I think about them. One night we cannot enter to our hotel and we had to search for another one at 1 a.m. This sounds to be a good adventure in France, isn’t it? Another day we had to be rescued by a rescue team after being trapped in the rocks, because of not being so prudent with violent tides of Normandy. Another moment to remember nowadays, but very scary in that moment!

In another post I will explain some more memorable things about this trip. I think it’s enough for today. As a conclusion, I say: travel. Travel, please, as much as you can. You owe it to yourself.

See you soon!

Keeping our English afloat, again

Hi there! As you have read, this blog was created by students from EOI Tortosa, as a way to practice English during the summer — and beyond. We are starting 5th level (OMG!) at the end of September, so it’s important to keep practicing this summer, if we don't want to forget many things we have learned.

Our plan is the same as last year, to train our English skills during next weeks on the four main flanks: reading, listening, speaking and writing.


READING. EOI Library has several interesting books for every level. Last summer I achieved to read four and that was a good point to refresh vocabulary and grammar in a pleasant way. Check EOI website so as to know the availability and schedule. As well, you can find English-written books in other libraries —although I prefer much more the ones from EOI, as they are newer and cooler—. Finally, you can also read the posts that will be published here ;)

LISTENING. Recently, I’ve bought a Netflix account: it has got plenty of TV series and films and most of them can be set up in English. I also like watching documentaries, due to its slow tempos – much more easy to follow than the series. I discovered the documentaries from Lucy Worsley (an English historian and presenter): I like her pronunciation and her diction, and also the issues she speaks about. Finally, I want to listen to more music and be aware of the lyrics; this year our classmate Gonzalo has taught us that there are many interesting structures and vocabulary behind the songs.

SPEAKING. As I said last year, it's the hardest skill to train, because you need to find English-speaking people, and that is not always easy. Just take all opportunities you can to speak: talk to some tourist or foreign people living in your city or maybe when you are abroad on a trip; I have been going to the Marcel·lí Domingo, where every Monday at 19.00 h there is a conversation group managed by two young American boys; I have also been going to the Forn de la Canonja (every Wednesday, 19.00 h) with two guys from Bristol (England). Other places you can go to do conversation with natives: Tradicionàrius, Botànic, Roquetes public library, etc. And of course, you can meet with people from your class to have a drink and speak in English.

WRITING. During this year, we have written some post here and some compositions from class too. There is a list of the different kind of composition on the right side of the blog. Actually, writing was the main reason of the blog, because it's a good way to revise and maintain our vocabulary and grammar structures. Unfortunately, there will be no correction from a capable teacher, but the mere fact of writing will help us to revise and remember important things in our English career. So I encourage you to write here whatever you want. Just choose a subject you like and write a few lines.

We have ahead almost four months without any English, therefore we must keep our English afloat. Welcome and let's go… again!


If you want to publish your compositions here, please let me know it and I will enable you as an editor. You can post a comment or send us an e-mail to inpresentperfect@tortosins.com.

Planning a great trip

Hi there,

How are you?! I’ve just seen the photos… What a great trip! I would have come with you, if I hadn’t worked!

I’d like to know more things about your tour around America. Last summer I visited London; it was a really nice trip, but maybe too typical. This year I’d like to do something original, so I’ve thought to ask about your experience.

I’ve been reading lots of travel guides for the last weeks and I’ve written several places and cities to go sightseeing. But there are so many possibilities that I need you to take a decision!

Is the public transport a proper way to travel there? Or maybe I’d have to hire a car to move more freely? By the way, must I visit the most important cities? Or should I focus on the main national parks and non-urban places? I’m thinking of Yosemite — I’d love to climb El Capitán hill), Yellowstone and Rushmore.

I’m looking forward hearing from you soon.

TTYL!


[Composition #8, 3rd Level]

The door opened and a tall mysterious-looking man walked in

The door opened and a tall mysterious-looking man walked in. It was the first time I saw him. He was wearing old clothes and his shoes were totally wet. He was holding a leather suitcase and his eyes were looking down all the time.

It was half past seven in the evening, so I was alone in the office. He didn’t say any word, he just took a gun from his pocket and pointed at me.

With no time to react, that guy started firing to the picture behind me. It was a portrait of the company’s owner. When he finished all his bullets, he said: “let your boss know Don Matteoti send his regards”.



[Composition #7, 3rd Level]

Be yourself and don’t lose your enthusiasm

Hi there,

I remember when we were children and watched together those musicals, I knew one day you would become a great singer; and now I’ve just read on your Facebook that you have got an audition in the Great Chorus of London.

Giving up your job, you’re leaving an economic security, but I’m sure you’re starting a great path to do what you really love, and I think that’s the most important point.

I’m so excited to talk with you in person to know more details about it. Shall we meet next Saturday for a meal?

Finally, I will only give you a piece of advice: be yourself and don’t lose your enthusiasm!

Love,


[Composition #6, 3rd Level]

Hungry and cold, but safe

This happened a few years ago. We were travelling around Scotland. We had spent two days in Edinburgh —the nice capitol city—, when we rented a car to discover the Highlands.

We visited Stirling, took photos with William Wallace and enjoyed drinking Scottish whisky. But when we drove towards North again, we started getting in trouble. Our first problem was because of our car. It simply stopped working.

We were in the middle of an empty field, our cell phones didn’t work and the sun started falling. After walking for more than three hours, we found a lake and decided to camp there. It was spring, but night was really cold.

Next day, we noticed that this lake was the famous Loch Ness; however, the monster didn’t come to see us. If we had seen Nessie, we would have lived a full Scottish trip. That morning, a farmer helped us and drove us to Inverness, hungry and cold but safe.

[Composition #5, 3rd Level]

Moving day

Hi Sam,

I told you in my last letter about problems with my neighbours. Certainly, is not pleasant to live under a heavy metal drum player and above a loudly bowling alley. A few weeks ago, I found a nice flat for rent and I decided to move there.

Like all moves, it's been so tiring and it seemed that it would never finish, but I've just been moving into the new place for ten days. I'm glad to live here: the area is much quieter and the neighbours are much more peaceful than the formes ones. Now, I'm not as close to the city centre, but here there are a lot of parks and amazing green areas.

Next month, I'm celebrating a house-warming party. I hope you will be able to come, but remember: you have to wear your Polynesian clothes.

Love,


M



[Composition #3, 3rd Level]

My grandpa

My grandpa was very special to me. I remember sitting by the fireplace and listening to his exciting stories. He used to tell us amazing stories about when he was young and fought in Europe during the 40s. When he was only 20 years old, the United States became involved in World War II and he decided to enlist as a volunteer in the Army. After an intense instruction, which lasted almost a year, he joined the 101st Airborne Division.

Although his company’s codename was the “Easy Company” —Company E, 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment—, the mission that was given to them was not easy at all. They had to jump out at about fifteen thousand feet over Normandy before dawn on the June 6th 1944. When they got to land, they had to destroy an enemy position, which threatened the landing by allied troops on the beaches of Normandy. And all this surrounded of German patrols.

A few months later, they were going to Bastogne when a large panzer division surprised my grandpa’s unit. They suffered a heavy number of casualties and my grandpa fell down a deep ravine because of an artillery attack. He was seriously injured and trapped in snow for several days.  Fortunately, lieutenant general George Patton came with his troops and repelled the Germans. My grandpa was taken to the field hospital and saved his life, but many comrades died in Bastogne.

While he stayed in hospital, he met a beautiful nurse from the Belgian Résistance. They fell in love and got married. My grandpa used to tell us how the five-star general Eisenhower in person officiated the ceremony and gave him a Purple Heart medal for military merit. Of course, that nurse would be my grandmother.


[Composition #2, 3rd Level]

Spring break

Hi there, guys!

I came back from London a month ago and, uhmm… I haven’t written to you yet. I’m sorry! I'm still recovering…! :)

Well, first of all I want to thank you for your hospitality and your excellent organization of my stay, I had a lot of fun and it was a great trip. But especially thanks for showing me the “Sir Winston Churchill Special Whisky”! It’s the most delicious cocktail that I have ever drunk! LOL I enjoyed myself a lot at the university party too; in fact, I got some ideas that I’d like to import…!

After this spring break, I’ve just returned to my daily routine. In a few days, I’ll start the final exams and, if everything is be OK, in June I’ll finish my master degree.

Needless to say that this summer you are coming here. I’m going to prepare a complete tour around “Costa Brava”, so it will be better that you all bring a high-factor sunscreen!

Oh yes, one more thing… I’m uploading my photos to our shared folder on Dropbox.


I think that’s all for now. TTYL!



Manel


PS.- Meanwhile, in Stamford Bridge, FC Barcelona is beating Arsenal 0-3 (half time)! Are you crying!??



[Composition #1, 3rd Level]  

The canvas

As soon as Ashley walked into the room, she knew something was wrong. She was alone, but the felt like somebody was watching her.

The house was empty because she moved there a few day earlier. However, she saw a strange canvas hanging on the wall. Obviously, she didn't remember seeing it before. It showed a hand in red on a white background.

Ashley Williams didn't know that the foundations of the house were an Indian cemetery. The spirit of the Great Ancient reclaimed His earth and the red hand was the old war insignia of the Seoux. A large wolf appeared in front of Ashley and was roaring at her when suddenly she woke up.

That was a scary nightmare after passing all night studying History. She was sweaty and she needed a cup of coffee...



[Composition #6, 2nd Level] 

Children should have lessons about spending and saving money at school?

Subject: Children should have lessons about spending  and saving money at school?

Dear Colleagues,

I have followed your discussion about the topic and I’d like giving my opinion.

We all agree that there are a number of basic pillars for our daily life, which is necessary to teach since time zero for a person’s full development; I’m speaking about reading, writing, social habits, etc. In the same way, we all agree that money is a fundamental variable in our society because it conditions the most phases of our life: we need money to buy food, to pay for our home, to get the things we like.

In fact, in the business world, money is the Boss and ‘Mrs Accountancy’ and ‘Mr Budget’ are his prophets. Nobody can conceive a company without a balanced assessment and a control mechanism for income and expenses.

However, in the domestic sphere, in my opinion, many times people go blindly along their financial way. People like their money but don’t apply any type of useful control because they were not taught any economic principles.

So I think that a domestic accounting would ease the stress produced by the sensation of not knowing if you have enough money or not. It would be a great idea to introduce in primary education habits for rationalisation and control of everyday problems related to spending  and saving money. Children need to know how much the things they like cost.

Have a nice day.



[Composition #5, 2nd Level]

About last summer

And it's love what I feel,
for you, for me,
for the moment we are sharing,
even it's as ephimeral as a shooting star,
because we are giving us the best we have,
our here and our now.
And we are never going to recover it,
it will be always shared.

Dear Sir or Madam

Manel

XXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXX

The Director

LingoLearners – School of English

221B Blacksmith Street

NE1 7RU Newcastle 

United Kingdom

November 29, 2016 

Dear Sir or Madam,

After having seen your advertisement in the newspaper, I am writing this letter to enquire about English summer courses at your school.

I am 33 years old and I have been studying English for three years in my local English school. However, I am sure that I need to improve many issues, in particular my level of oral comprehension and vocabulary.

It is for these reasons that I would be grateful if you could send me further details regarding courses in July 2017, especially the starting dates and how many hours a day. With reference to the mention about ‘small friendly classes’ I would like to know the number of students in each class approximately. In addition, I would like to know details about the different planned trips and how much they cost.

Finally, I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide me with some information about accommodation with host families.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully,

Manel

[Composition #2, 4th Level] 

Roman the "philo-lover"

Roman is probably the only one philosopher in Terres de l’Ebre. Born in Tortosa in 1982 he was the first child of his parents. They lived in Tortosa, in a little house where Roman didn’t even have a window in his room. When he was four, they moved to Campredó, where he had his first sister.

His first years at school were quite difficult. He used to be more thoughtful than other children at his class and this caused him some problems, with teachers because he used to question them and with other students who didn’t agree with some of his playtime’s social theories. Unfortunately, more than once he was punched in the mouth.

These situations made him feel insecure about his thinking and himself. He felt like a weird boy. When he had to start the university he was such an insecure boy that he bought big glasses just to hide under them. Luckily, in Barcelona he found another atmosphere, he was spot on with the degree he chose: Philosophy.

Nowadays he writes for some digital magazines and he makes the most of his imagination writing incredible little stories about his magical routine life. He also manages some philosophy cultural events around Catalunya and he is a happy philosophy teacher. Although he was able to adapt himself to a world which is not prepared for people so sensitive like him, it wasn't easy to be born being a philosopher in a land which wasn’t ready for it.