miércoles, 21 de octubre de 2015

Don't say this when describing people!

Hey!

These are some typical mistakes elementary Spanish students make when they want to describe people. This occurs because we tend to think in Spanish and translate word by word.


1. "He's got A short dark hair"















Hey!  At least our most popular detective, Filemón, had TWO!


2. "My mom has A beautiful black eyes"
















Then, I'm not sure that I want to meet her at all! I would be having nightmares for the rest of the year!


3. "She's wearing A new shoes"


















Again, this does not look like the most comfortable thing ever!

So, remember that when talking about these things we have or wear, do not use "A", because there are at least, two!

martes, 20 de octubre de 2015

Speaking about physical appearance, possessions, family, etc: Have vs. Have Got (common mistakes)

Check these ways of talking about the things we have or do not have (family, possessions but also different hair styles, eye color, etc...). The options below are possible, but make sure you don't make those mistakes.



I HAVE = I HAVE GOT

I DON’T HAVE much money/ any children = I HAVEN’T GOT much money/ any children (but NOT “I haven’t much money…”)

SHE/HE HAS= SHE’S GOT       

SHE/HE DOESN’T HAVE blue eyes= SHE/HE HASN’T GOT blue eyes (but NOT “She hasn’t blue eyes”)        

DO YOU HAVE a car? = HAVE YOU GOT a car? (but NOT “Have you a car?”)


DOES SHE/HE HAVE wavy hair?= HAS HE/SHE GOT wavy hair…? (but NOT “Has she wavy hair?”)

lunes, 19 de octubre de 2015

Physical Descriptions: Listening


Here is an extra listening activity from the British Council website to practice physical descriptions. Listen and answer the questions that follow. The transcript is also available. You can also try this one if you would like. 

See you tomorrow!


lunes, 12 de octubre de 2015

Question formation exercises (pdf file)

The following file contains a compilation of different lessons on how to ask questions, but this time with the explanations in Spanish, which will help you understand question formation more easily. The keys to the exercises will be uploaded/ shared with you via e-mail soon!

Question formation exercises

martes, 6 de octubre de 2015

Questions?

Forming questions in English can be a little complicated but if you remember this simple formula you’ll have no problem:

ASI       Auxiliary      Subject         Infinitive
Do                   you                 like football?
Does              your sister     work?

or

 QUASI  Question word     Auxiliary   Subject    Infinitive
Where                      do                you              live?
What                       does            Peter           do?

 You can use this formula in the past simple too.
Try this game to practise and click here for another question formation activity.

Help!


Some students asked for some grammar explanations in Spanish. At mansión de inglés you have explanations in Spanish and also extra exercises if you click "ejercicios" at the bottom of the page on the right. There are both grammar and vocabulary pages.

Good luck!

domingo, 4 de octubre de 2015

Reading Practice

Improve your English by reading!


If you don't have a lot of time, read some of the short topics here or here.

The British Council web page is another option. 

Adapted Penguin readers are available in the library. 

If you are feeling particularly adventurous, I encourage you to try out one of Roald Dahl's children's books, which are also available in the library, or the Brother's Grimm fairy tales available here. 

PDF available below