FINAL REFLECTION: My English Level

Now that we've finished English classes (this is my last post!) it is time to look back and see the transition of my English level. I have chosen two your says where I've talked about the same topic to compare them. The first one was written the first term of 1st Batxillerat, and the second on in the second term of 2nd Batxillerat. The topic is "Gender Violence". 

This is one of my first YOUR SAYs. It is weird but I feel ashamed after reading it. It is full of silly mistakes like not writing the final "S": "because nobody deserve". There is also a sentence that I don't understand: "Never be obsessed with someone is like love him a lot". The sentence "Every year thousands of woman and girls die for the gender violence" is hideous. I didn't wirte correctly "women", I made a bad use of the preposition "for" (because of) and I am not sure at all but the article "the" it was not needed. 

In regard to the maturity of the essay, I have to say that it seems like it was written by a kid. The issue requires maturity and be treated in another way. Furthermore, there is no originality regarding vocabulary. The YOUR SAY of 2nd Batxillerat is 12487129784 times better. There are connectors, varied and mature vocabulary, a good structure and arguments, etc. I really think that it is one of my best compositions. 

If I have to choose my favourite and best written production of all I've done, I would pick out Can technology make a better world?. I worked in it with Mireia, so we joined our ideas and wrote a good argumentative text. It is simple, accurate and well crafted. It doesn't have much complication but is correct. Moreover, it contains phrasal verbs and "rich" vocabulary. This composition shows my currently English level (we've done it in class without using internet).

One analyzed my work, I can assert that I am proud of my English evolution. My grammar is better, my vocabulary wide and my ideas more mature. Now for example, I am able to write an introduction that can get the reader's attention. As to speaking, I talk more fluently than before. An anecdote, is that one of my interviews of my research paper was in English: I talked with a montessorian teacher in English during 30 minutes and she understood me without any problem. Also, when we went to London I could talk quietly. In addition, I can watch programs, TV series (The Vampire Diaries), movies, interviews in british or american English and understand the 80% of it. So, my next goal is to get the First Certificate this year. I have to improve a lot but in two years I've experienced an incredible change. English lessons are REALLY useful, what you learn you will use it in real life, and this fact I appreciate it a lot. 

DESCRIPTION PLACE: BORA BORA

If there is any place in this planet where I would like to be right now, it would probably be Bora Bora, an astonishing island located in the French Polynesia, in the Pacific Ocean. Bora Bora is a part of a group of volcanic islands linked to the activity of a danger zone. In fact, most mountainous point of the island is an extinct volcano.

First of all, Bora Bora has marvelous beaches that attract tourists from around the world. The smooth, warm and fawn sand or the sheer and transparent water can drive crazy anyone. It is such a piece of paradise for those who love summer. Species of marine animals abound if you immerse yourself in the depths of the ocean. Colors, feelings, wonders: a beautiful spectacle that does not disappoint anybody.

In my understanding, Bora Bora is the perfect place to blow your mind, forget everything for a moment and just enjoy the environment: connect with it, be a part of it. There, I would get my maximum serenity. Sincerely, I see the island as a spiritual space that arises in you optimism.

1st TASK 3th Term: EDUCATION

Redefine how you view education. Understand its true meaning. Education is not just about regurgitating facts from a book on someone else's opinion on a subject to pass an exam. Look at it, Picasso was educated in creating art; Shakespeare was educated in the art of [word] that was written. Colonel Harland Sanders was educated in the art of creating Kentucky Fried Chicke. 

As the paragraf says, first we have to understand the meaning of education. When we think about education what comes to our mind is students memorizing pages and pages, entire books. The most intelligent of them is the one who knows more, or in other words, the one who has copied the book's information in his head. 

Education it can be seen in different ways. Every one of us has maybe a talent or an hability in doing something. You can play the piano since you are a little kid while you don't pass history exams. But who cares? When you grow up you may become an expert musician. Or you can start writing stories that are amazing but be bad at maths, where is the problem? You are a good writer! The big deal is that our society has an idea of what education is, they treat us like if we were machines, when in fact each of us is different. So let's start from there, from changing our view. Education is how you focus your life, how you use your tools to be who you really are. 

CAN TECHNOLOGY MAKE A BETTER WORLD?

Are humans controlling technology or is technology controlling us? Where is the limit? There is no clear answer.

On the one hand the incorrect use of technology can drive us to bullying situations, in the case of kids psychological bullying is increasing; moreover ir changes relationships in general, talk face to face is more difficult nowadays. Also we can find false information on Internet. Technology took to a high level of consumerism, we buy more than what we need as a consequence of it, the production has increased in the last century and that fact caused dramatic pollution.  

On the other hand, it presents a lot of advantages; for example, it provides bionic body parts for those who need it. Plus, it expands your opportunity to achieve your objectives. Everybody can discover you. Also it’s easier for enterprises to be disclosed because of publicity. Definitely technology makes our lives more comfortable.

To sum up, bearing in mind that technology can be negative in some aspects, the vast majority are positive. So yes, a good use of technology can make a better world.

Description: THE TOWER BRIDGE

Tower Bridge is a bridge in London, England, over the River Thames. At the second half of the 19th century, the commercial development of the East End of London led to the need to build a new step under the London Bridge. Jones's design was a bascule bridge of about 244 m in length with two towers, each of 65 meters high. The central light of 61 meters between the towers is divided into two sheets, which can be lifted up to a 86º angle (almost vertical) to allow river traffic.

The construction of the bridge began in 1886. There were spent eight years with five major construction and almost 500 workers. When Jones died in 1887, his chief engineer, Sir John Wolfe-Barry, continued the project. Wolfe-Barry replaced the original design of Jones medieval style  with Victorian ornamentation. The towers and sidewalks contain an exhibition of the history of the bridge, including the original steam engines that had moved the bridge. The bridge is on the Tower Subway, the first line of tube (underground railway) in the world (1870).

The second day, after going to Shakespeare Globe Theatre, we went to Tower Bridge freely. I was with Nadia and Mireia, and we made like thousands of photos in the bridge. My first impression was that it was bigger than what I thought (this happened to me with the Big Ben too). The Tower Bridge is gorgeous, it left me speechless.  

GET READY FOR LONDON

1. Locate our hostel  "Safestay Holland Park" in google.

Check out the facilities and regulations of the hotel. What you can do and what you mustn't do.

-Here is our hotel Sfestay Holland Park! newly renovated! There's a lounge room opened 24h, free wifi, a private big and precious garden, a computer room, etc. There are many things we can not do like smoke or drink alcohol drinkings, make noise after 23:00h.

In google maps:

It is near The British museum, the London eye, the Madame Tussauds and The Big Ben. If you want to go to Picadilly Circus, a big square of London in foot is around 1 hour and 4 minutes.

2. Look for 3 must-see landmarks in London you definitely would like to visit.

The Big Ben: How to go there: I'll walk to the High Street Kensington Station during 13 minutes and then I'll take the tube to the Westminister Station (this will be like 12 minutes). Later, in 2 minutes walking I'll arrive to the Big Ben. The Big Ben, officially named Elizabeth Tower, was completely built in 1858 by the architect Augustus Pugin. Big Ben is the nickname of the Great Bell of the clock, located in the Palace of Westminister.

The Piccadilly Circus: How to go there: Bus 94 from the Holland park (Stop HL) to the Piccadilly circus (Stop HL) in 28 minutes. Piccadilly Circus is a famous place and street intersection located in the West End of London, in the district of City of Westminster. Was built 1819 to connect Regent Street with the shop street.

The London Eye:I'll walk to the High Street Kensington Station during 13 minutes and then I'll take the tube to the Westminister Station (this will be like 12 minutes). Later, in 8 minutes walking I'll arrive to the Big Ben. The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. Is the Europe's tallest wheel. You can observe the whole city in a booth. I'm not coming back without going there!

3. The musical. Browse the theatre plays available in London at the time of our visit. Choose two shows you would like to see, state why and their cheapest ticket prices on Saturday night.

Billy Elliot: Session at 7:30 pm at the Victoria Palace Theatre £51.00. After seeing the movie (more than three times...) it would be nice to watch the musical.

The Lion King: The cheapest ticket is £90.00. It's such a pitty for the cost but it would have been really extraordinary to see it! It doesn't matter hwo old are you, The Lion King is a classic that no one can say no to it!

NIP TUCK DIALOGUE

Scenario: two best friends in a restaurant waiting for the food

Characters: two best friends

Sarah: Have you seen my legs…?

Lauren: Mmm, what’s wrong?

Sarah: They are so big and fat, and… have you seen my lips?

Lauren: I’ve never noticed them.

Sarah: Look at them! I’m going to the surgeon this Saturday. I’ll pump my lips like Angelina Jolie. And as for my legs, the best option is to do a lipo.

Lauren: What?? You’re kidding me? Are you serious? You don’t need to look like somebody else…

Sarah: Yes, but…

Lauren: Shut the f*** up! Your lips are yours. You are who you are. If there’s a reason why people love is because of your personality, not because of the size of your lips.

Sarah: But, what about my elephant legs? Shall I do the lipo?

Lauren: If you really feel bad with yourself we can go to the gym together.

Sarah: It takes a long time to get the perfect legs. And…

Lauren: Don’t be silly, it’s healthier doing sport than a surgery intervention.

Sarah: Yeah, maybe you are right…

Lauren: I’m always right, aren’t I?

Sarah: Don’t be snooty. Don’t worry, I’ll think about it…

MIREIA PÉREZ AND CHAKIRA FARISS

Self-Avaluation: Oral Presentation

After presenting my research project in English class I can finally say it: I HAVE DONE IT. Is so satisfying to know that after months preparing it, now I only have to wait for my mark. There is something that I would tell to every 1st batxillerat student: do it in summer!!!!! It was so stressing, but worth it.

Bearing in mind that our oral presentations had to take just 5 or 10 minutes, mine was a bit long in this. About the speaking, I need to speak louder and slowly, but about the pronuntiation I think I did it right. My eye contact and gestures were correct. Presenting something that only you know better than anyone else makes you feel confident, and this was what happened to me, zero nerves. My average rating that my classmates gave me is around the 9/9'5. So I'm happy for it! Most of them have enjoyed it and this satisfies me too.

I can not upload the video of my oral presentation, but here is the link of my Research Paper Prezi!

RESEARCH PAPER ABSTRACT

Key words: Montessori Method, child, pedagogy, education

Are we satisfied with our current educational system? Let’s take a look to another way of education, a philosophy of life: the Montessori method. This research paper has different objectives: look into what is the Montessori method (who had created it, what are the mains principles), observe WHAT is a class in a Montessori school, interview professionals of the topic, do 3 activities based in the method with a 2-year-old kid and recreate what is called “prepared environment” at home. Among other things, in my practical part I teached how to count to ten in spanish and english and the colours in english to a 2-year-old child through the Montessori method and the special material. The vast majority of the aims have been achieved.