My English Competence in 2012

1.

About my first and my last writing I can say that I have improved my level. I have learnt to use connectors when is necessary, more vocabulary and other gramatic aspects that I didn’t know when I started the course like the use of “the” or the conditionals.

Moreover, it’s important to say that I have more fluency writting, I don’t need the dictionary because if I don’t know how the say a word I can say it using a synonym.

About my oral presentation I always have had problems with it because my accent is bad and I don’t feel secure when I’m speaking English in front of the class. Apart from that, I also have improved this aspect, I have won more fluency and a better pronunciation, although it continues being bad, but I have to go step by step until achieve to speak clearly.

I have lernt to elaborate power points thanks to Lydia Penkert, she has helped me a lot with this programme.

Finally, say that I use more specific vocabulary of the topic I’m talking about, and this has helped to improve my oral expositions.

2.

My best writing:

http://alwaysyoursmile.blogspot.com.es/2012/03/laws-of-indonesia.html

This new I wrote in the second term, with the other about teh human right in Syria, is the best I have done.

I use connectors in many paragraphs and specific vocabulary that allows people understand it better and pictures the shows the feelings that I am describing. Apart from that, the topic is very important; if you like what you are writing about you will do it better.

My best oral post:

http://alwaysyoursmile.blogspot.com.es/2011/11/oral-presentation.html

This oral presentation about plastic surgery that I did with Lydia is the best I have never done. The topic was easy and funny so it wasn’t hard to do. Also is good because in the power point I put big pictures about operations and a few words in order to shock the public.

Other aspect of this oral I have to emphasize is that there is a moment that I interact with the public, answering them something about a model with plastic surgery.

To say “it’s enough” when something overwhelm you.

According to Pep Guardiola’s experience, in my opinion is essential say “it’s enough” in a stress situation that overwhelms you. The FC Barcelona trainer said it recently when he announce that he is not going to continue being Barça’s trainer. He was tired of the pressure his position because he isn’t only a football trainer. For the majority of catalans this team is a symbol of a culture different from the Spanish one, from a own culture; and, apart from that, the arrival of Pep in Barça’s bench has increased this feeling.

He symbolizes the fight for the independence, in my opinion that fact promotes the love that everybody feel to him.

This is a good example to show people that we must be strong, but is usual that something outstrip us. Although there are a lot of people who can fight for their rights shouting IT’S ENOUGH, there also are people who don’t dare to say it, maybe because they are scared or maybe because they are shy. Nobody have to put up with a burden that consumes them.

I encourage this scared and shy people to show their feeling to everyone, although they are bad.

Vora Riu

This Saturday in Olot has been celebrated the Vora Riu Festival. It’s a concert organizated by the Volleybal Club in the same city, the club where I play.

Firstly, I went to have dinner to a restaurant called Can Guix with my team. There I had a very good time singing and laughing. We bought a diadem that had the Mickey’s ears, and we went to the concert wearing it.

My team and I have had to stay serving drinks to the people in order to win some money for the club, because nowadays C.Volleyball Olot haven’t got a good economy because on the increase of the bus prices.

The club’s president though that if beautiful women serve drinks, more people would buy, so all women players were serving.

I have discovered the other view of the parties, without alcohol and friends, serving drinks to the others. I saw the tipical drunk guy who can’t speak clearly and only wants free drinks. It was very stressing because a lot of people wanted me to serve them but I only had two hands so I had to be very fast because at 4:00 on the morning people becames very angry if you don’t attend them.

Luckly, my trainer was there and if there were any problem with someone he came to solve it.

Montmeló 2012

Pastor Maldonado makeshistory.

The Venezuelan driver, Pastor Maldonado, have achieved his first victory in Formula One in the Spain GP (Montmeló’s circuit). The William’s driver has leading the race since the fisrt lap followed by Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) who has finished in the second position thanks to the new improvement of his car. Alsono has had the chance to become the first but Maldonado hasn’t left him.

This Montmeló Grand Prix is every year one of the most important ones because is when the teams show their car’s imporvements.

In the third position there is Kimi Räikkönen (Lotus) and then Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) has finished the eighth doing and amazing race because he has started in the last position. The Britain driver has move up a lot of positions and has obtained two points.

In the general classification Fernando Alsono has become the first with the same point than Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) who has finished sixth.

Finally, in the celebration of Pastor’s victory, in the podium Fernando Alonso and Räikkönen have taked up Pastor to their shoulders in order to show their recogniton.

Barraques 2012

From 30 to 6th of April there had been Barraques in Figueres. Barraques is a week full of concerts of different groups that plays different types of music.

This year has come Els catarres, Lax’n Busto, Mojinos escocios, Txarango, Di-versiones and other groups.

I have gone there on Monday 30^th, Friday 4^th and Saturday 5^th and everyday I have enjoyed a lot all the concerts, but maybe the best group has been Mojinos Escocios on Saturday because I know all their songs and I can sing and dance (well, in this type of music you can’t dance, you jump). I went there a lot of days although I had exams the following week, but Barraques only come here once a year, and all the Alt Empordà youth is there, so can’t walk more than fifty meters without meet someone you know. That’s the reason because everybody goes to Barraques in spite of the others discos.

Barraques has many advantages and disadvantages:

On the one hand you don’t have to wear high-heels or dresses, you can wear jeans and jumpers because everybody wears it. Moreover, it’s bigger than a disco so if you feel stressed because of the crowd you can scape from that.

On the other hand, it’s outdoor so if it rains you’ll need an umbrella, and if it’s cold you won’t be comfortable.

But in my point of view there are more advantages, so go to barraques every year is essential.

Iraq inquiri

Gordon Brown said war was 'right'.

The first minister of U.K., Gordon Brown, said thet the war in 2003 against Irak was ‘right’, he thinks that the invasion of Irak was necessary to preserve the control of islamic countries.

In my point of view, Gordon Brown was wrong because a war is not necessary, and the main reason to start this war was false, because there weren’t any weapons of mass destruction (as they thought). In conclusion, Brown only wanted to make happy his predecessor, Blair, who had got a lot of economical interests in that war, the same as Bush and Aznar.

I know this new is from 2010 but recently I have seen a film that is about this war and the spies that USA sent to Iraq and Nigeria.

Violence in football

In this entry I want to talk about violence in football because it’s a real problem that affects all the football clubs. The most important violent groups in the Spanish League are Ultras Sur and Boixos Nois, hooligans of Real Madrid and FC Bareclona, but there’re more violent groups like Biris, Frente Atlético, Brigadas Blanquiazules and Ciareiros.

The organized violent groups started in England in the 80’s, and since the UEFA Champions League final of 1985 in Heisel stadium (Belgium) this phenomenon didn’t extended to the world.

This groups are formed by skinhead people who have radical ideology so a lof of this groups are identified with fascist groups. On the other hand, there are some violent groups identified with anti fascist ideologies, the most important ones are Biris (Sevilla), Ciareiros (Deportivo) and the Marseille hooligans. Another important feature of this group is that all of them are nationalist.

We can find ano example of this violence in catalan derby in Lluís Companys stadium when boixos nois started to destroy the stadium and light flares.

This is England

This is England is a film that talks about the starrting of skinhead movement, in 80’s. The main character is a young boy, who is twelve years old and whose father died in Malvanias war. He’s fat and not popular, and he feels bad with himself because he has not friends, but this situation change when he meet a group of boys that helps him and give him confidence. These people wear military boots, Harrington jackets, black hat and hair shaven; they look after him and integrate him in the group.

Their ideology isn’t racist, so one member if the group is black, but they have a friend who has been in prison and has a nationalist and fascist ideology and wants to enter in politics. Some of the members of the group follow him, includiong the youngest boy. During days they come to different political meetings, buut is finished when theirs friend wants that he join with him to start racist movement, some of them back down and it caused a big discussion that finished with some deaths.

I like a lot this film because it reflects the starting of an extended movement and the different ideologies of skinheads.

I also like other films about skinheads like Green Street Hoologans ot The Basketball Diaries.

Rafa Nadal secures his eighth consecutive Monte Carlo title

Rafa Nadal secures his eighth consecutive Monte Carlo title

Rafa Nadal, 22th April

On Sunday, 22th of April it was celebrated the Monte Carlo tennis final between Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Nadal won 6-3 and 6-1 to a Djokovic who didn’t show his real tennis. It wasn’t the first final between these two sportsmen. The others seven finals were won by the Serbian.

Nadal said: “I had lost to Novak seven times, so losing eight would not been much different. Bot to win this one makes a big difference.”

Maybe this victory is the begginig of Rafa Nadal’s return, who lost the first ranking ATP two years ago in front of the hegemony of Novak Djokovic.

It is said that this victory is only a mirale because of the bad conditions of Novak after his grandfather death that week. It’s sure that this experience helped Rafa, but his level was increasing every day, so Novak’s dominance couldn’t last.

Informal letter

Hi Doraemon!

I said to you long ago that I World write you so, here I am!

Last week we celebrated Saint Georges’ Day in Catalonia and my mother gave me a book, like every year. It's called Death of a beekeeper by Lars Gifstadisson.

I began to read it that day and this morning I've finished it. It is said that it will be one of the best-sellers this year. I know you don'tlike reading books but you should try to read it because it's great!

At first it seems a thriller but it is not! you begin to read and you dive into a love story between a sick beekeeper and a new woman in the village. their love is so strong that makes her a lover of bees too.


It's a love story, besides it explains the job of a beekeeper, that is decreasing strongly in the last years. I know you love animals so you could like it.


Well that's all! I hope you give it a try. I'm sure that if you do that you'll discover a new world with every book.


Kisses, XXX


Novita

Describe a funny experience that occurred to you in High School

When I was studying 2^nd of ESO I had the worst class of my year. Every day our teachers were angry with us because of our attitude. My class was full of St Miquel’s people (a village where most of people haven’t got the ESO title) and non-working students. That year our tutor was Pedro Burgos, the French teacher. He hated us, like all teachers, because he couldn’t control us.

One day we were very excited in tutory class and all of us were throwing pieces of rubber to the others. One guy, I don’t know who he was, threw one at Pedro and everybody began to laugh. Pedro was desesperated because no one let him talk and he rested in silent the rest of the hour, letting us throw the rubber to him.

I know it is cruel, but we were twelve years old and very immature. Moreover, an important thing I haven’t said is that Pedro was hated by every student in the High School. What we did was bad but maybe… maybe was fair.

Informal letter (selectivitat exam)

Hi Sam!

Well, coming home I spent over three hours because I crashed into another car. It wasn’t an important blow but the car’s driver was horrified, she was afraid and crying (because of the fear). I had to calm her down before I went home.

It it’s possible I’d like the pics of the day we went to Port Aventura, in Tarragona. They’re the finniest! And also I’d like the photo where we couldn’t stop laughing.

By the way, I’ve found your watch, eventually. Yesterday I came across it while I was looking for the TV remote control. If you agree I’m going to keep it in my jeweller and I’ll give it to you in September, when we see each other again.

Given the choice I go for the city. There I’ll have the possibility of meeting other people; young people if it’s possible. We’ll be able to go shopping, to the cinema or the theatre and go out at nights. Do you agree?

Well I have to leave you because I have loads of work to do.

I miss you, Sam.

Kisses, XXX

Lady Elisabeth Darcy

HUMAN RIGHTS

HUMAN RIGHTS

1. What are human rights?

The human rights are these rights, understanding right as an action that allows people to live in a better way, without danger, suffering and pain; that belong to every human in our world.

2. Why were they created?

They were created to try to make a society more equal. Everybody with the same rights, nobody being more important than the others.

These rights expect to remove the differences between races.

3. How many human rights are there?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights consists in 30 items.

4. Which human right were you not familiar with? Mention an example where this human right is respected and where it is not respected.

The right of look for a refoge in other contries in case of persecution.

The example of the Spanish Civil War is very clear. It shows how Francisco Franco violated this right. He killed every republican he saw, unless they went into exile in secret. The dicatorsgips are always an example of vialations of human rights.

It was respected, for example, durind the Spanish Second Republic, when the general Sanjurjo tried to get into the government using the violence, but the police officers prevent it. The government left him go to Portugal, without going to prison.

Human Rights in Syria

Human Right Watch denounces executions, kidnappings and torture by Syrian Rebels.

In Syria there have been a lot of attempts to the government politicians, their army and people that are in favour with them. Armed groups of the oppositors to the regime are attacking them using tortures, executions...

This event is an attempt the the rights of this people. Everybody have the right of being safe and not to suffer. But the Rebels don’t consider it important. The kill other people and, that’s not all, they use tortures to kill. In my opinion it is worse.

Torturing someone you are doing that someone suffer until the last second of his life. Tortures are worse than murders.

“The Syrian government’s brutal tactics can’t justify abuses by armed opposition groups” said Middle East director at Human Right Watch, Sarah Leah Whitson.

I agree with what she has stated, there aren’t any reason that could someday justify these actions. The oppositors must leave the weapons and fight with the actual government using the words and the democracy. With these Civil Wars we are destroying our planet.

Formal letter

2, Puig de la cavalleria Street

Barcelona

Spain

20^th March 2012

White House

Washington

United States

Dear Mr Barack Obama

I am writing to complain about the United States’ economy. I don’t agree with some of the uses that the government gives to their money.

In my point of view your economic system is on the side of rich people. And the majority of American population has got a middle income. There is an example in the Universities fees; people need to borrow money from banks to pay them. Or another example is what people have to pay to hospitals. They haven’t got ‘Seguretat Social’ such as in Spain or other countries. It’s true that some jobs protect people of these hospital’s bills, but not everybody can obtain these kinds of jobs. Especially poor people and immigrants are being affected.

As I see, United States are the world’s economic and military power, but there are little aspects that must be changed. The societies need to change to an equal quality of life to everyone.

Adding to that, I can relate this topic to KONY 2012 project. The number of people who watch this video grew every day. This powerful project is near to change the mentality of the society because everybody wants to be equal to his neighbor.

In conclusion, I have to say that a lot of people in your country would be agree with me when I say that United Stated need some changes to help people with les financial resources.

Yours faithfully,

Núria

Public school vs private school

I have studied all my life in public schools or High Schools and I consider myself an intelligent person. I didn’t go to public education because I couldn’t pay the fees, it’s only that my parent believe in it, and me too.

There are a lot of ignorant ‘people’ that are against public education because they think in these High Schools there are more violence or the level isn’t the same. Well, I don’t agree with that. In my High School we have the level rather higher than others centers of the region, and I’m proud of it.

Last year, for example, a new gay arrived to my class coming of a private school. In his last center he passed all the subjects with marks between seven or six; and when he arrived to my High School he began to fail a lot of subjects. How can people explain it? I only see one reason: public education can be equal or better than private one. But of course, it depends on the center you study; I know other public schools with a low level.

How to finish a book if you are studying second of batxillerat

Well, I am a second batxillerat student and this year I have tried to read two different books. The first one was called ‘El sanador de caballos’ and is rather long but also people has said me it is definitely very passionate. I began it during the when the summer holidays were ending but I though I could finish it. But I was wrong. I started the course and I lost all my free time, I have forgotten what ‘free time’ means and I’m worried about it. Exams, exams, homework, exams…

However, I tried to read another book during the Christmas holidays, because maybe I stopped reading the first one because it didn’t like me, but I couldn’t finish it again. What I’m supposed to do? Everybody recommends us to read minimum one book during the year, but I CAN’T. It’s true that I have read books in some subjects like English, Catalan or Spanish, but nobody has allowed me chose these books. I was obliged to read it.

I’m not sure about if I am the only person with this problem, but I am starting to get very angry and to hate what I am studying.

Laws of Indonesia

Indonesia will ban the miniskirt to its diputies.

Scores of women demonstration in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, wearing miniskirts and tight pants, denouncing the sexism of local authorities.

I am in favour of these women who only defend their rights. In my opinion everybody can wear what they want, there shouldn’t exist dressing laws. And if someone wants to practise nudism, he should do it! If this activitie ennoy other people the can avoid watching him/her.

As I see it happens in Indonesia because of their religion. Islamic religion is less permissive than other religions. I’m not criticizing any religion; I’m only saying some aspects that could be good to somebody, of this religion.

Lots of people would be agree with me when I say that Islamic women have less freedom than men, but they have to accept it because it’s what their mothers and grantmothers are been doing all their lifes.

This demonstration is the first step. These women must continue fighting.

Mercadona's opinion

Mercadona’s president puts the “Chinese bazaars” as an example to overcome the crisis.

Juan Roig, Mercadona’s president, states that the effort of the bazaars’ workers have to be an example to all the Spanish population. Spanish workers are known to be lazzies, very different to Chinese people, who are known to sleep three hours and work twenty-one.

An example of their effort is the number of hours they work in the restaurants or bazaars, you can go one Sunday evening to the smallest village you know there is a bazzar, and you will see it opened. I’m not joking because I’ve seen it with my eyes.

Maybe they work too much hours, I agree with that, but I can’t accept that Spanish workers spend one hour to drink a coffee when they are in their job.

In my opinion, when you are working you must be concentrated to achieve the best resoults, if we do that Spain will overcome the crisis, I’m sure. Bosses would be happier with their employees; there would be fewer dismissals, less unemployment, more income in every family... I think the problem is our society, and someone should do something to change it.

Why everybody loves dogs?

This afteroon I was at home sitting near the chimney and I began to think about my dog, Darky, and why I love him so much.

To put it bluntly, he is only a dog, an animal that needs someone to go out to have a piss. And it always happens when his master/mistress is lying on the sofa nearly to sleep.

Despite of this situation. I have to accept that I love him. Every member of my family considers him part of our lifes. But why?

Maybe is because of his sad look which make us feeling sorry. Also his celebrations and parties when you arrive at home, the moment you are watching TV with him by your side, the movement of his tail when he’s happy (sometimes seems that the dog is nearly to be rushed up), the way he eats human food, without masticate it, or the way he snores when he is sleeping on the sofa... I don’t know what the main cause of my love is; I only know that my life wouldn’t be the same without him.

Adding to that, we have to notice that this love is usually to dogs. There are less people who prefer cats. In my opinion cats are treacherous and cold, but, well, everybody can have different opinions.
I’m sure that there is somebody in the world who loves snakes or spiders.

Oral Presentation

Personal Opinion.

Fisrt of all, the power point presentation: it's was good because it had got lots of images and all of them were big, to cause an impact to the public.

The stucture was also good because I started with my aims and then I expained what I did in my paper following a time line; and finishing with the conlusions.

The content: I think I talked about all I had to talk. I had to explain what Ihave done and I did iy in five minutes such as everybody had to do.

The body language: I wasn't much nervous so in my opinion I used my body to make the presentation more entertaining.

The language: I tried to us specific words, but in my case, my paper was about Maths so its tecnical words are more difficults than others.

Finnaly, the pronunciation: I consider that I have a good pronunciation, but it's not perfect, I will need a lot of years to talk like an English girl.

I can't give myself a mark because I can't evaluate me like I evalue the other people.

Saint Georges Day

This composition is a criticism about the typical catalan costumes of Saint Georges Day.

In Catalonia, on 23^rd of April, couples give presents each other. It’s similar to Saint Valentine Day but with one difference. Men give roses to their partner and women give books. I don’t understand why women have to make the difficult present. It is easier to buy a red rose, you don’t need to think about what kind of books does he like, or what happens if you partner hates reading? What is supposed to do the girl? She is “obliged” to buy a book, she can’t give another present in Saint Georges day, so she will buy it although she knows her boyfriend won’t read it.

It’s a waste of time and MONEY (very important with the crisis we are living with)!

I suggest a change. We could try to reverse the papers. What would you think if I give a rose to my boyfriend and I receive a book?

Well, for me, what people think is not important so I have decided that I will give a rose!

Maybe this idea seems funny, but I have a BIG BIG BIG problem coming soon. I like topics my partner hates… and he likes politic and economy books. I definitely can’t make a good present if I have to decide between these topics so, yes, we will be the first couple that skips the Saint George’s rules.

Can Internet help to make the world a better place?

Nowadays, almost everybody in our planet uses Internet. With computers, smart phones... it isn't important. However, we have to think about if Internet can help make the world a better place or not.

On the one hand, people can upload good videos on Internet, although they can also upload videos in favour of racism, for example. Besides, Internet allows you to attack somebody because it's anonymous; or people who know a lot about computers can steal you your information.

On the other hand, with the increase of people that use Internet, a message in Youtube, for example, could be watched for a lot of people. If this message is good and moving, these people will send it to other people. Moreover, people can study online or download films, music and documents free.

To sum up, we have to continue using Internet althouh we need some laws or someone that control it. We are living in the connected generation so we need it.

Me as an ideal partner

My name's Núria and I'm 17. I am rather short and quite slim. I am dark-haired and have brown eyes.

I like to keep fit, so I play volleyball in a team, but that isn't all. Also I like to play football, basketball, go running... However, I like to do quiet activities such as watching a film, lying on the sofa. If you like to go snowing or to practise sports I am your ideal partner.

Psicologically, I'm definitely very sociable and I've got a good sense of humour. I'm always joking when I'm with my friends. In the negative side I have to say that I am hardly ever on time.





I've never cheated on someone, in my opinion in a relationship people have to respect each other.

Tu sum up, I am the ideal partner to someone who is open-minded, honest and who loves doing sport.

Barça Vs Sporting 3/2/2012

Last Saturday FCBarcelona played against Sporting de Gijón. At the beginning Barça controlled the ball and had a lot of its possession, but they couldn’t score the goal they merit. Everybody began to talk and say that Barça can’t win without Messi.

It’s true that Messi is the world’s best player, and is normal that when he is not playing Barça loses efficacy. We are talking about the best player! Xavi, Iniesta, Fàbregas.. these guys look for Messi in the court, they assist him and it’s because of it that Lionel scores all his goals. Sometimes I think people don’t recognize Xavi’s merits.

Adding to that, that day the referee was clearly against Barça. He sent Gerard Piqué off the court with a red card. Watching the images I have seen that the referee was mistaken; Piqué didn’t touch the Sporting player. In my opinion the referee was a Real Madrid fan and he knew that this week Barça has got an important mach. He was detrimental to Barça, and for his fault Barça will lose one of its best defender

Carnival 2012

This year some people of my class and I have dressed up as Bulma (girls) and Fullet Tortuga (boys). They are characters of a cartoon called Dragon Ball. Everybody of my age has grown up following these cartoons.

This has been the first time that we have dressed up with a group of people of my village. They are older than me but I know them all because my village is small and everybody is neighbor.

My group went to four different cities to celebrate the carnival, but the most full of people was Roses. It was amazing! It was difficult to stay inside building, and also very stressing. That day, someone nobody knows throw up from a fire extinguisher twice. People had to leave the building but the crowd was so nervous and a lot of people had difficulties to go out.

Despite this, the party continued until the sun went up.

Everyday of carnival was different, and all of them were perfect. In my opinion carnival is the better party of the year.