Almeria, una tierra noble !

UNA TIERRA NOBLE 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6oWphMzd3I

6 SURPRISING WAYS ENGLISH HELPS YOUR CAREER

With English becoming a truly global language, it’s certainly a useful skill to possess in the working world. It’s no wonder that research has shown that about two thirds of learners in global markets such as Asia, Europe and South American are learning English in order to apply for jobs in their native country or to work overseas. But you might be surprised to learn that there are other ways English helps your career. Read on to find out how having a good grasp of the language can improve the way you deal with tasks, help you make better decisions and possibly even boost your earning power… 

1. Not speaking a second language may actually hold employees back

Not only is having a second language advantageous to individuals and the businesses they work for; speaking only one language may become an impediment to careers in future.

“There is a glass ceiling developing for monoglots within global businesses beyond a certain point; unless they’ve had overseas experience and have cultural awareness and probably a language, they’re not going to get into the more rarefied atmosphere,” says Richard Hardie, Chair at UBS. 

2. English skills improve employee agility

Aside from the obvious communication benefits of improving English; Andrew Hill, Associate and Management Editor at the Financial Times, suggests there is scientific research, “Indicating that multilinguals are more agile; that they have more capability of dealing with multiple tasks.” 

3. Multilinguals are better decision-makers

If you think that having a native familiarity with a language makes you more comfortable with using it to make decisions, you could be wrong.

“Multilinguals are better at making rational decisions in the second language,” says Antonella Sorace, Professor of Development Linguistics at Edinburgh University. “When the problem is framed in the second language, there is more emotional distance between the speaker and the problem and that allows a decision that is more rational in the sense that it is less coloured by emotional factors.” 

4. Multilinguals have ‘soft power’

Soft power certainly doesn’t mean a softening of abilities – quite the opposite, in fact. A concept developed by Joseph Nye of Harvard University, it is defined as: “A persuasive approach to international relations, typically involving the use of economic or cultural influence – rather than coercion or payment.”

Traditionally associated with international diplomacy, soft power can be useful in roles requiring mediation, networking and the building of client relationships. 

5. English skills could mean better negotiation skills

These ‘soft power’ abilities (as mentioned in item 5, above) that multilinguals have means they’re better at negotiating “partly because they can see the other person’s perspective; they can anticipate the other person’s point of view and respond,” says Antonella Sorace, Professor of Development Linguistics at Edinburgh University. This would be particularly useful in roles that require negotiations around contracts.

6. English could help you earn more

According to this Pearson infographic, employees feel that improved English would allow them to earn around US$5,000 more per year. And while that would mean greater expenditure for businesses, for the reasons given above – and more – this could also mean a more efficient, not to mention galvanized, workforce providing more long-term financial benefits.

Source: http://www.english.com/blog/english-helps-career

Africa Day !!!

Dublin engineers working with rural communities in Malawi have come up with an effective joint solution to two problems faced by developing countries.

Clean cooking has become a priority for Irish Aid and other organisations working to tackle the huge health and environmental problems from inefficient solid-fuel cooking methods. Now a simple, locally made device added onto a clay cooking stove can use the heat from everyday cooking to make electricity to charge mobile phones, lights and radios.

Malawi is one of the the world’s least developed countries. More than 85 per cent of Malawian people live in rural areas, and fewer than one out of every 100 rural people has access to grid electricity.

“At the very best by 2025, only 20 per cent of the population will have grid electricity, so there will still be a huge need to need to find energy solutions for the majority of Malawians,” said Aidan Fitzpatrick, head of development at Irish Aid in Malawi.

The vast majority of people burn solid fuels in their homes for cooking, heating and lighting. Traditional stoves are wildly inefficient, putting only a fraction of the energy from burning fuel to use.

Women in Malawi spend hours each day searching for firewood while household air pollution worldwide leads to more than four million deaths a year, according to the World Health Organisation.

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/irish-invention-is-giving-people-in-malawi-the-power-they-need-1.2288787#.V0XBxQFJp5E

PTE, TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, Cambridge exams… Which English exams should I choose?

In today’s globalised world, it is increasingly important not only to be proficient in English but also to be able to prove your level of proficiency. Companies with international business often require job applicants to present a certificate that shows how fluent they are in English, while for non-natives applying to universities in English-speaking countries, demonstrating you have a high enough level of the language to study your chosen subject is a basic entry requirement. With so many options available, the first question has to be, ‘Which English exams should I choose?’ Here we look at what’s on offer.

Which English exams should I choose?

1. PTE (Pearson Test of English), a globally recognised English language accreditation, focuses on assessing candidates’ ability to communicate in English in realistic situations and as such makes use of a range of real-life scenarios as opposed to direct tests of grammar and vocabulary. PTE tests both productive and receptive skills. There are six levels and candidates are assigned a score that maps to all six core bandsof the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (A1 – C2).

The tasks in the test follow on naturally from what happens in the EFL classroom, which, coupled with the score-based result, makes it ideal if you need to demonstrate your current level of English without taking a specialised exam preparation course.

A computer-based Academic version is also available, which is not only perfect if you’re planning to study overseas but is also accepted by the UK and Australian governments for visa applications. It can be taken any time, and unlike some other English language certificates, PTE certificates do not expire.

2. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is designed to test the academic English skills required in the university lecture hall or classroom. It is an essential requirement for entry to university in the US and emphasises North American English, making it the first choice for anyone looking to study in the States.

In the test, you may be asked to read a passage from a textbook or listen to a lecture and then speak or write in response. TOEFL is available both as a paper exam (PBT version) and online (iBT version) and is offered around 50 times a year. Candidates receive a score based on their aggregate performance in the four different parts of the test (speaking, listening, reading and writing).

3. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is designed to measure your ability to use English in an academic environment. It tests all four skills and is most commonly used for college, school or university applications. It is especially popular withUK universities but is recognised by over 8,000 universities, schools, colleges, agencies, companies and employers in more than 135 countries.

Candidates get a score between 1 (non-user) and 9 (expert user) for each section. Universities often demand an IELTS score of 6 or 7. They may also demand a minimum score in each of the 4 sections. Certificates have a recommended validity of two years.

4. TOEIC is used mainly for business. Companies, especially in Asia, often require employees to have a certain TOEIC score to prove their English is good enough to work with and understand English-speaking clients and colleagues. The exam is available in two formats, which can be taken separately: TOEIC Speaking and Writing and TOEIC Reading and Listening.

5. Cambridge ESOL provide a wide range of English language exams, all of which are known and recognised by schools, universities and employers across the English-speaking world. They focus heavily on skills and consists of sections dedicated to speaking, listening, reading, writing and Use of English (a test of grammar, vocabulary and collocation), with the speaking exam taken with another candidate. Most in demand are the First Certificate (FCE) at B2 of the CEF and the Cambridge Advanced (CAE) at C1.

Unlike the above exams, the Cambridge exams are pass or fail, so it’s essential to choose the one that is appropriate to your level and to make sure you are as fully prepared as possible before sitting it.

Once you’ve answered the question ‘Which English exam should I choose?‘, it’s time to think about how best to prepare.

Source: http://eltlearningjourneys.com/2015/07/01/which-english-exams-should-i-choose/

TOP TIPS FOR PASSING THE FCE FIRST CERTIFICATE IN ENGLISH

If you’re planning to take the Cambridge First Certificate in English, it’s not only your level of English that’s important. Understanding the exam itself and knowing how to tackle each of the papers is crucial for success. Below are our top tips for passing the FCE. 

**** Top tips for passing the FCE – general ****

1. Familiarise yourself with the structure and timing of the exam. An ideal way to do this is to work through practice exams at home, making sure you time yourself accordingly. You can find some examples here.
2. Understand exactly what is being tested in each part of the exam. Is it vocabulary, grammar, collocation, the ability to paraphrase, the ability to find detailed information in a text, the ability to understand a text more generally? Knowing this will help you devise strategies for passing.
3. Never leave an answer blank. In the FCE, as with other Cambridge Exams, you don’t lose marks for wrong answers (there’s no negative marking), so even if you really don’t know what the answer to a particular question might be, it’s always best to guess – you might just get it right!
4. Remember that you’re not expected to understand every single word you read or hear. The FCE tests your language skills as well as your language level – for example, understanding meaning from context or the ability to paraphrase – therefore it has to be challenging.
5. Don’t panic if there’s a text about an unfamiliar topic. Again, the exam is testing your language skills, not your general knowledge. Even if you nothing about, say, alternative medicine, birds, or rugby, with the necessary level or English and good exam skills, you’ll be able to complete the tasks.

**** TOP TIPS FOR PASSING THE FCE, PAPER BY PAPER ****

**USE OF ENGLISH**

Multiple-choice cloze – this tests vocabulary, including phrasal verbs, collocations, linking words and dependent prepositions

• Read the text first, ignoring the gaps, in order to have a general understanding of it.
• Pay close attention to the words before and after the gaps.
• When you’ve finished, read through the text with your answers to check that it makes good sense.

Open cloze – this part tests grammar, so the words you need to fill the gaps will be prepositions, auxiliary and modal verbs, conjunctions, articles, quantifiers, pronouns and so on. Follow steps (a) to (c) above.

Word formation – this tests vocabulary

• Read the whole text through first to get a general understanding of it.
• Work out which part of speech you need of the gap (e.g., adjective, adverb)
• Bear in mind that you might need to make more than one change. For example:

He’s so rude and _____________. FRIEND  > unfriendly

Key word transformations – this tests your ability to paraphrase

• don’t change the key word
• only use between 2 and 5 words
• make sure you keep the meaning the same.

Remember, correct spelling is important in this part of the exam.

**READING**

• Before answering the questions, read the text quickly to get a general understanding of it.
• Remember that you’re not expected to understand every single word in the text. Where possible, try to quickly work out the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context, but don’t waste time.
• Make sure you read both the questions and the options and underline key words and phrases. The questions often include words or phrases that are important in choosing the correct answer.
• Be careful of distractors – words or phrases that might lead you to choose the wrong answer. They are not there to trick you but to ensure you are paying attention to the whole text and not just looking for words that match between the questions and the text.

**WRITING**

• You have to write an essay and also one of the following: a formal or an informal letter, a review, a report or a short story.Each of these is a distinct kind of text and will require a particular kind of language, so bear in mind:

1. who you are writing to (a friend, a company, a magazine etc.)
2. what you are trying to do (get information, tell a story, express your opinions, etc.)
3. how the text should be organised (for example, essays need titles, formal letters use set phrases, essays require an introduction, two or three main paragraphs and a conclusion, etc.)
4. which register you need (formal, informal, descriptive, factual etc.)

• Make sure you include all the points in the instructions.
• Don’t repeat the input language. Use your own words!
• Obey the word limit!

**LISTENING**

• In the time you have before each recording begins, quickly read through the questions and options and underline key words and phrases.
• In the Sentence Completion task, try to predict what kind of information you will be listening for, e.g. a name, a number, an amount of time, a type of activity.
• As with the Reading paper (see above), be careful of distractors.

**SPEAKING**

The speaking paper has 4 parts and is done with another candidate.

Part 1 (Interview) – Here you answer simple questions about your job or studies, your hometown, you hobbies and so on. Make sure you extend your answers.

Part 2 (long turn) – Here you are given two pictures and asked to contrast them and answer a question about them. Say what they have in common and what the differences are, then answer the question. Don’t describe them!

Part 3 (collaborative task) – Here both candidates are given a task (for example, choosing ways for a local café to attract more customers) and some written prompts (e.g. showing live football, having an international food menu and so on). It’s important to interact well with your partner, making sure you work together to complete the task using language to express opinions, respond to suggestions, show agreement and disagreement etc.

Part 4 (Discussion) – Here you will have the chance to show that you can discuss the issues and ideas from Part 3 in more depth. Make sure you give full, extensive answersto the examiner’s questions.

Source: http://eltlearningjourneys.com/2015/09/15/top-tips-for-passing-the-fce-first-certificate-in-english/

TOP TIPS FOR PASSING THE CAE CAMBRIDGE ADVANCED ENGLISH!

As English grows ever more in demand in the worlds of education and employment, more and more people are taking the CAE to prove their level of proficiency. Preparation for the exam is an excellent way to improve all four language skills, but the exam is demanding. Knowing exactly how it works, what each part is testing, and how to tackle the different skills is crucial for success. Below are our top tips for passing the CAE Cambridge Advanced English.

**** Top tips for passing the CAE, Skill by Skill ****

**READING**

• One of the most important things to bear in mind when tackling any of the tasks in the reading paper (as well as the listening paper) is that the texts will contain distractors. These are words or phrases that aresimilar to or even synonymous with words or phrases in the question (or in the wrong answers) which might lead you to choose the wrong answer. They are there to ensure you are paying attention to the whole text and not just looking for words that match between the questions and the text.
• Before answering the questions, skim-read the text to get a general understanding of its content.
• Make sure you read both the questions and the options and underline key words and phrases.
• Where possible, try to work out the meaning of unfamiliar words from the context, but don’t waste time. You should only spend about 12 minutes on each of the CAE reading tasks.

**USE OF ENGLISH**

The Use of English tasks are included in the Reading Paper. There are four tasks:

• Multiple-choice cloze – this tests vocabulary, including phrasal verbs, collocations, linking words and dependent prepositions
• Open cloze– this part tests grammar, so the words you need to fill the gaps will be prepositions, auxiliary and modal verbs, conjunctions, articles, quantifiers, pronouns and so on.
• Word formation – this tests vocabulary
• Key word transformations– this tests your ability to paraphrase

Remember, correct spelling is important in this part of the exam.

For the Multiple Choice Cloze and the Open Cloze, make sure you read the text first, ignoring the gaps, in order to have a general understanding of the content. It’s important to look at the words both before and after the gaps in order to work out the correct answers.  Work out which part of speech you need in the gap (e.g., auxiliary, modal, adjective, adverb, preposition etc.) and always re-read when you’ve finished to check that the text makes sense.

For the Word Formation task, keep in mind that you may have to make more than one change. For example:

I was __________________ with the city so I quickly got lost. FAMILY > unfamiliar

The Key Word Transformation exercise can often be the trickiest, but remember that you get two points of each answer. Don’t change the key word, only use between 3 and 6 words (contractions count as two words), no more and no less, and make sure you keep the meaning the same. So, for example, in the following only (4) is correct. Can you work out why the others are wrong? (Answers at the bottom of the article):

*My sister wouldn’t mind if I borrowed her hairdryer without asking.*

DIFFERENCE

*It _______________________ sister if I borrowed her hairdryer without asking.*

1. It wouldn’t make any difference to my sister if I borrowed her hairdryer without asking.
2. It makes no difference to my sister if I borrowed her hairdryer without asking.
3. It would make a difference to my sister if I borrowed her hairdryer without asking.
4. It would make no difference to my sister if I borrowed her hairdryer without asking.
5. It would make no difference to your sister if I borrowed her hairdryer without asking.
6. It would make no different to my sister if I borrowed her hairdryer without asking.

**WRITING**

You have two tasks to complete:

1. An essay (this is compulsory and the topic is given).
2. A choice of one of the following (not all will appear as options in any given exam): a letter/email, a proposal, a report or a review.

Most importantly of all, remember that in order to write well you need to think about:

• the target reader. Who are you writing to? A colleague, a magazine, a company, your teacher? etc.
• the aim of the text. What are you trying to do? Convey information? Persuade somebody of something? Complain about a service? Express your opinion? etc.
• the typical organisation of the text. Do you need a title? How many paragraphs do you need and how should they be ordered? Do they need headings? etc.
• the style of the text. Should it be formal, informal or neutral? Should you use contractions? Should you write descriptively or should you write factually? etc.

For both tasks:

• Take a few minutes to brainstorm some ideas and make a very simple planbefore starting to write. This will help you to organise your ideas.
• Make sure you include all the points in the instructions.
• Don’t repeat the input language. Use your own words!
• Obey the word limit! Cambridge are very strict about this, so practice writing beforehand so that you are able to estimate your own word count reasonably well without having to waste time counting every few minutes.
• Sample answers are available online to give you an idea of what’s required, but remember the best writers are also the ones who read the most.

 **LISTENING**

The recordings you will hear in the CAE might be interviews on the radio, monologues, speeches, talks, lectures, people telling anecdotes, general conversations and so on. You should expect to hear a wide range of accents, so prepare beforehand by familiarising yourself by watching a variety of English films and TV and listening to English radio programmes and podcasts.

Use the time before each recording starts to skim-read the questions and the options,underlining key words and phrases in both. This will help you to pinpoint the section of the recording that contains the answer. However, distractors (see above) are as important to be aware of in the Listening tasks as they are in the Reading paper. Avoid listening simply for words or phrases that match between the questions and the answers. This will often lead you to choosing the wrong answer.

In the Sentence Completion task, try to predict what kind of information you will be listening for, e.g. a place, a number, an amount of time, a type of activity, and adjective etc.

**SPEAKING**

The CAE speaking paper has 4 parts and is done with another candidate.

Part 1 (Interview) – Here you answer straightforward questions about your work or your studies, your likes and dislikes, your hobbies and so on. Make sure you extend your answers.

Part 2 (long turn) – Here you are given three pictures and asked to talk about two of them for 1 minute. Don’t merely describe them! Make sure you answer the question that is put to you about them. Your partner will be asked a follow-up question to which they should give a brief answer.

Part 3 (collaborative task) – Here both candidates are given a task (for example, choosing which project to fund to attract more people to your town) and some written prompts (e.g. a festival, a new visitors centre etc.). The examiner will ask you first to discuss the prompts and then to make the decision.  Don’t simply take turns with your partner – interact! Make sure you work together to complete the task using language to express opinions, exchange ideas, respond to suggestions, show agreement and disagreement and so on.

Part 4 (Discussion) – Here you will have the chance to demonstrate that you can elaborate on the topics and ideas from Part 3 in more depth. Make sure you give full, extensive answers to the examiner’s questions and organise your ideas using linkers.

**AND FINALLY**

In order to do well at the CAE (as with all Cambridge exams) you need to have a good working knowledge of collocation. Collocations are pairs or groups of words that go naturally together. They will help you to understand the reading and the listening texts, they are tested in the Use of English paper, and they will make your speaking and your writing much more natural if you use them well. Be on the lookout for them when you’re studying and preparing (and make use of a good collocation dictionary). For example, can you complete the collocations in the following sentences? (Answers below):

1. I much prefer the countryside to the city. I like the peace and _________.
2. Even if I’m running late in the morning, I always have at least a _________ showerbefore leaving the house.
3. Tom was bitterly _________ when he heard the news.
4. The boss called a __________ with all staff to decide how to tackle the drop in sales.
5. I hate it when I fall __________ schedule. I like to keep on top of my work.

(See below for the missing words)

Good luck!

Source: http://eltlearningjourneys.com/2016/01/12/top-tips-for-passing-the-cae-cambridge-advanced-english-exam/

10 GREAT WEBSITES FOR LEARNING ENGLISH !

With such an abundance of authentic English online these days, from videos to articles, podcasts to blogs, there’s no excuse not to use the internet to help you improve. However, you might also want something targeted especially at the learner. Here, alphabetically, are 10 great websites for learning Englishthat we think you’ll enjoy.

Great websites for learning English you should know

1. Amigos Ingleses

Aimed at Spanish speakers, this website has resources for practicing listening skills and conversational English, including a Youtube channel with lots of fun videos to help you master the trickier aspects of English pronunciation.

2. BBC Learning English

The BBC website for learning English has lots of free resources, including courses at different levels, an online drama to follow, vocabulary, grammar and listening practice, words in the news and graded articles on all sorts of interesting topics. There are sections for kids, teens and adults.

3. British Council Learn English

Here you can find free video and audio resources for learners of all ages and at all levels, including games, English skills through football, a mini soap opera, podcasts, articles and a discussion forum to ask questions, find advice about learning English and make friends from all over the world.

4. Duolingo

A great website for learning vocabulary and grammar through interactive games and quizzes. There is an emphasis on pronunciation as you have to repeat back words and complete each lesson correctly before moving on to the next. It also lets you set your own goals and monitor your progress.

5. Flo-joe

If you’re planning to take the Cambridge First, Advanced or Proficiency exam or the IELTS exam and you’re looking for some extra practice, this site has lots of exam-task practice for each of the papers. Make sure you time yourself in order to get used to exam conditions and keep notes of what you learn.

6. Live Mocha

This website pairs you up with someone trying to learn your language so that you can have an online exchange with a real native speaker and become part of a global community of language learners. Everyone helps out with comments, corrections, tips and encouragement. You also have access to English lessons and various resources for listening and reading practice.

7. Lyrics training

Songs are a great way to practice both listening and – if you sing along – pronunciation. This fun website lets you test your skills by typing in missing words as the song of your choice plays section by section. You can challenge yourself from easy to hard.

8. News in Levels

If you follow the news, why not follow it in English? This site has loads of current news stories, plus an extensive archive, all divided into three levels so that you can catch up on what’s happening in the world no matter what your level of English is.

9. Talk English

This is a great site for learning English, with lots of free listening practice with accompanying exercises as well as lessons in general English, business English, English for interviews and English for travel.

10. TED

Here you can find hundreds of fascinating short lectures by experts in everything from design to psychology. Although not strictly a website for learning English, it is very accessible to non-native speakers. Subtitles are available in English for every talk; unlike subtitles for movies and TV shows, which are abbreviated versions of the actual dialogue, TED subtitles are complete, meaning they’re great for listening practice. A transcript is also available.

Source: http://eltlearningjourneys.com/2015/05/19/websites-for-learning-english/