Christmas is a cultural affair by Camilo

 Christmas is a cultural  affair, Christmas is usually celebrated in different ways.  In Spain, for example, Santa Claus has not got a lot of importance, whereas the Three Wise Men are the ones who bring the presents to the children. In South America is different, in Colombia, for example, the children don't believe in the Three Wise Men neither in Santa Claus, but they believe in Jesus child. There, the people pray for nine nights until his birth on 24th December. The presents are requested to Jesus child and only can be opened at midnight on 24th December.  If you are an adolescent to believe in Jesus child, then you can play "Aguinaldos".

The " Aguinaldos" are games  in which something is usually bet, for example money, presents, punishment, etc.  These games are "Yes or Not", "Give and don't accept", " Ask for and don't answer", and of course, "A Stolen Kiss".

Even in Japan Christmas is celebrated, although they aren't Christians, they put lights on the street, they meet in family and at Christmas Eve they dinner in KFC ( Kentucky Fried Chicken), and they eat strawberry and cream cake.  But after all this, they go to work because in Japan 25th December isn't a holiday.

 Christmas is a worldwide event although it is celebrated in very different ways.

 

Men don't iron , women won't iron by ANA

MEN DON’T IRON WOMEN WON’T IRON

GENDER INEQUALITY

We live in a "modern fashion society" which says that men and women are equal and have the same rights. But is this totally true?  If we look back, many years ago, we see that women had an "insignificant’" role into society in comparison with men who concentrated all the power.  Women had to take care of kids and make the housework and they were controlled by husbands and fathers. They lacked the political rights and were treated inferiorly/ as inferiors.  Step by step, with effort, women advanced and became more independent.  Despite the turn of the century the inequality between women and men is still present as much in developed or undeveloped countries. The religion has a significant role in this situation.  For example the church considers woman inferior because she was guilty for/of man expulsion of/from Heaven (to be guilty of sth). Other reasons are the education, culture, tradition of different countries. (The) Gender discrimination brings a lot of consequences. (The) Work/Labour discrimination is one of them.  (The) / A  woman collides with many obstacles when she wants to get a job.  The 90% of executive positions are occupied by men, and (the) women salary is much lower than men despite doing the same work. Another consequence is the violence against women which is a problem of pandemic proportions. Many women are terrified by these threats of violence and this has an impact on their lives.  They are impeded to exercise their human rights.  Finally/Regrettably/ Unfortunately this situation will be very difficult to solve (it).  Nowadays there are people who still live in the past.

 
 
(Really good, Ana.  Very well written, many vocabulary and expressions well used and superb the content conveys inside.  I have attached a possible video, watch it to see if you like it.   Loli)

CHRISTMAS FEELINGS

SPANISH PAELLA December 2015

Enjoy it and we enjoyed the paella party.

Happy Xmas to all of you.

OPEN HERE

SPAIN ELECTION 2015

Have a look at this BBC piece of news to see the international Spanish perspective about politics.

OPEN HERE

 

SPEAKING ABOUT CHRISTMAS

• Did it snow last year at Christmas?
• Did you believe in Santa Claus when you were a child?
• Did you enjoy last Christmas?
• Do people behave differently during Christmas?
  • Do they try to be better?
  • Do you donate something (money, clothes...) to charities?
  • Do you give something to homeless people?
• Do you attend any special religious ceremonies during the Christmas season?
• Do you celebrate Christmas in your country?
• Do you celebrate Christmas in a special way?
• Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional way?
  • Do you have a traditional Christmas?
• Do you decorate the outside of your house for Christmas?
• Do you eat a turkey dinner for your Christmas dinner?
• Do you enjoy Christmas time?
• Do you enjoy singing Christmas songs? 

SOURCE:  http://iteslj.org/questions/christmas.html

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

Christmas time is coming soon!

Our last class this year will be next Wednesday 23rd December 2015.

Remember we won't have English classes till Monday 11th January 2016.

Plenty of time to enjoy and to review English through the blog, TV, books, films, friends...  or just singing carols and Xmas songs in English, I leave some of them at the Christmas blog category.

TO ALL OF YOU!

Loli

Sonia's introduction

                       I AM ...

Hello, my name is Sonia, I am from Peru.
I have got an only child, his name is Angello.
I work taking care of elder people.  I am a short person, I have got dark eyes, straight black hair and I wear glasses.
I am a cheerful person and I like dancing.
So am I!

Describing myself by Carmen

My name is Carmen.  I am Galician.  I am thirty-seven years old.

I live in La Puebla since one year ago.  I'm living with my partner and with our dog.

At present, I'm not working. But I'm looking for a job.

I am a short person.  I'm slim.  My eyes are greenish and my hair is dark and short.

I've got a fair complexion and I have the face full of freckles.

About my personality, people say that I'm a friendly and enjoyable person and very active.

I consider myself broadminded, independent and creative.

That's me!

INVERSION

 Learn about Inversion in English

INVERSION GRAMMAR

OPEN HERE

And try to do the exercises in that webpage 

My first article

My name is Cristina.  I‘m from Zaragoza but I'm living in Villafranca de Ebro.

I’m thirty-three years old.  I’m married and have got a daughter.

I studied Pedagogy and now I study a master in educational research.  I like very much the educational field.

My hobbies are doing sport, drawing, writing, reading, dancing, listening music…

I’m middle height, overweight and stronger than I used to be.

My hair is dark and my eyes are green and brown.

I’m hard working, tolerant and sensitive.

I like very much the English classes in La Puebla.

See you soon!

Cristina 

Marcos

My name is Marcos.
I came to live here in La Puebla thirty-one years ago.  My wife is Ana. I have got  twins:  one son and one daugther.  I am not a tall person.  My eyes are green or brown.  I consider myself an active and cheerful person.

My first job · Maria Jesús·

Hello,

My name is Maria Jesús but my friends call me Chus.
I am from Santa Isabel borough and I live in Puebla de Alfindén.
I am forty-nine years old.  I am married, we have got two sons.
I am not working but I am studying a lot.

       
I am going to describre myself:

I am medium height, my hair is short and brownish, my face is oval, my eyes are brown, and my nose is long. 
I have freckles. I wear glasses to see up close.
My build is medium.
Other  aspects, I consider I am clean,  extrovert, sociable, not crafty at all, friendly, curious and active.

Bye

Describing myself by Mara

I am Mara.  I am from Brazil.

Good afternoon my dears,

I am Mara, I like very much to speak English, but I need to study very very much. 

I am Brazilian, but almost Aragonese!

I am brown or black-skinned according to how you look at me. 

I am very active, gentle, not shy, broadminded and happy!

Now I study, because I do not know what to say... and I would love to speak in English fluently.

Goodbye and good weekend to all of you!