LenguaExtranjera

IV

Junio

2010

RECTORA GENERAL Marco Antonio Corts Guardado VICERRECTORA GENERAL Miguel ngel Navarro Navarro SECRETARA GENERAL Jos Alfredo Pea Ramos DIRECCIN GENERAL DEL SEMS Ruth Padilla Muoz SECRETARA ACADMICA Albert Hctor Medel Ruiz SECRETARA ADMINISTRATIVA Jaime Gutirrez Chvez DIRECCIN DE EDUCACIN PROPEDUTICA Mara de Jess Haro del Real DIRECCIN DE EDUCACIN CONTNUA ABIERTA Y A DISTANCIA Zeferino Aguayo lvarez AUTORES Camacho Real Claudia Macas Esparza Martha Estela Saldaa Schleske Martha Zavala Solano Jos Carlos ASESOR PEDAGOGICO Luna Rizo Marisol

PRESENTACIN

Esimportantequereconozcaslaimportanciadedominaryaprenderotralengua,comoeselinglsdentrodelambienteescolar,culturalysocialparaquepuedasexpresarteescrito,verbalyoralentodoslosmbitosenlosquetedesempees.

ElpropsitoprimordialdeestaGuaesquedesarrollestushabilidadescomunicativasenloscuatroelementos del idioma (leer, escribir, escuchar y hablar). Dentro de esta vas a encontrar lasactividades de aprendizaje que te van ayudar a expresar las inconformidades y quejas cuandorealizas tus compras; tambinmanifestando laspreferencias sobre lapersonalidadyaparienciafsicadelaspersonas;utilizandohistoriasyeventosdramticosqueestuvieronsucediendo;quetepuedan ayudar a predecir situaciones diversas con base en a la informacin obtenida. Hablaracercadehbitosescolarespasadosydelascostumbresdeotrospasesysobrelasconsecuenciashipotticasquesedesprendendediferentesacciones.

EstaunidadformapartedelacompetenciagenricadenominadaComunicacin,formapartedelasunidadesbsicasdeLenguaExtranjeraquerevisarsentubachillerato.Elcursoestintegradoporseismdulos:elprimeroIvebeenkeepingmyselfbusyestenfocadoenlapartedelusodelPresenteContinuoutilizandoelforandwith.Elsegundo,Couldyoutellmewhosheis?harsusodelasPreguntasIndirectassobrecontenidostelevisivos.Eltercero,Lifeismadedaybyday,utilizarslaVozpasivaquetepermitaanalizarelarte.Paraelcuarto,OntheNews,seaplicaelusoClausulasrelativas para analizar diferentes tipos de personalidad. En el quinto, Technology and you, esimportanteelusode los infinitivosygerundiosparadescribir la influenciade la tecnologaen tuentorno.Porltimoparaelsexto,Haveyoueverheardsuchastorybefore?,seutilizarelpasadoperfectoparaelanlisisdetextos.

METODOLOGA

La presente gua te ayudar, en coordinacin de profesor a que desarrolles actividades deaprendizajequeteproporcionenlosconocimientos,habilidadesyherramientasnecesariasqueserequierenparapoderexpresarseenlalenguainglesa.

Losmdulosdelprimeroalquintoseencuentranestructurasdelasiguientemanera:

Titulo Presentacin Objetivodeaprendizaje Actividadpreliminar Actividadesdeaprendizaje Actividadintegradora

Paraelsextomdulose incluye loquesedenominacomoActividad IntegradoradeAprendizaje,cuyopropsitoesque integrestodos losconocimientosadquiridosen losdemsmdulosenunproductofinalqueserevaluadoportuprofesor.Alfinaldeesteguaseencuentranelvocabulario

queconsultastea los largodelcurso,adems lasrespuestasde losejerciciosquerealizasteparaquepuedenserconsultadosalfinalizarlos.

Estaguasoloestdisponibleenlneaenlapginadelecademic,quesolopuedeserconsultadaporlosprofesores,quetienenquehacertellegarestearchivo,paraquepuedantrabajarenconl.

COMPETENCIA ESPECFICA

Desarrolla y aplica lashabilidades lingsticas enunnivel intermedio altopara comunicarse eningls en situaciones cotidianas en forma oral y escrita, segn el marco de referencia de laCommonEuropeanFramework(C.E.F.)

OBJETIVO GENERAL

AlfinaldeestaGuadeAprendizajeelalumnohabrdesarrolladoenformasistemticaysostenidalascuatrohabilidadeslingsticasdelidiomaingls:auditivas,lectoras,escritasyorales,teniendocomomarcodereferencialasestructurasgramaticalesdesarrolladasenelcurso.

CONTENIDO TEMTICO

I. IvebeenkeepingmyselfbusyII. Couldyoutellmewhosheis?III. LifeismadedaybydayIV. OntheNewsV. TechnologyandyouVI. Haveyoueverheardsuchastorybefore?

Module 1:

IVE BEEN KEEPING MYSELF BUSY

Presentation

This module seeks to develop mostly your reading and writing skills to stimulate class discussion. The exercises consist of fluency-focused pair and group work. The topics were well-selected to give you expanded practice on the present perfect continuous with for /since, vocabulary, writing and telling stories and poems. The model language activities will lead and allow you to personalize the information and adjust them to real-world situations. This module also promotes online stories that you might find of high interest.

Before you begin, think about the things you have been doing lately. Have you been studying enough? What things have you been doing to stay healthy? What things have you been doing to improve your reading? Or maybe you have been looking for a part-time job.

Whatever the activities you have been doing, this guide will help you practice a little more on this topic. Try to get the best of it.

Learning Objective:

Describing activities which started at an unspecified time in the past and are still going on in the present using The Present Perfect Continuous with for/since.

Activity 1: What have you been doing lately?

Read about what these people have been doing lately.

Melissa Garcia is an 18 year old university student from Chicago and has lots offriends.Shehasbeenspendingherweekendsdoinghomeworkforthelastcoupleofweeks.Butshe is thinkingof leavingschoolsoonbecauseshedoesnthaveenoughmoney tocontinuehereducation.Shehasbeenlookingforajob,butunfortunatelywithnoluck.

Arturo Guzman is a 35 year old man from Mexico. He works for an importantsoftware company inGuadalajara. Hehasbeen traveling todifferent countries since2005.Heplanstostarthisownbusinesssoon.Luckily,hehassavedmoneyfortheinvestment.

JessicaJones,a27yearoldwomanfromCanada.ShehasbeenteachingEnglishfortwo years. Shepreparesher classes very carefully tomake themmore interesting. She reallyenjoysbeingateacher;however,shewouldliketofindabetterpayingjob.

Group work. Discuss the things you have been doing lately. Are they similar to Melissas, Arturos or Jessicas activities? Then make a scrapbook and share it with your classmates.

A: Well, I have been studying a lot lately. B: I have been helping my father for two days. C: Well, I need money, so I have been looking for a job since last month. To make your scrapbook you will need:

1. Cardboard paper 2. Scissors 3. Glue 4. Photographs (minium 20) 5. Labels to describe your activities

How to make:

1. Cut your cardboard paper into pages 2. Cut some labels 3. Glue your photographs and leave room to

paste your label under the photograph 4. Write the sentence to describe your picture.

Ivebeenstudyingatthelibraryeveryday.

Activity 2: Talking about the stars Answer these questions: Have you been watching any good movies? Who are your favorite stars? What do you like about them? What qualities do you find in these stars? Make groups of five students. Watch a movie on TV or rent a video. You may want to choose some movies of famous stars listed in the box or your own.

Prepare

After you have watched the movie, discuss the things you would like to say about the stars. Add any extra information you know about them.

Create

Make a poster. Find pictures of these famous stars and paste them. Use the poster as a model. Bring the poster to class.

Present

Show your poster to your class. Tell the students what you think and know about these stars. Activity 3: Young entertainers

1. Heath Ledger 2 Christian Bale 3 Morgan Freeman 4 James Franco 5 Seth Rogen 6 Robert Pattinson 7 Blake Lively 8 Maggie Gyllenhaal 9 Angelina Jolie 10 Johnny Depp

IthinkBruceWillisisoneofthemosttalentedstars.Hehasbeenplayingexcellentrolesfor.

JuliaRobertsisoneofmyfavoritetalentedstars.Shehasbeenfilmingmoviessince

Read about this young TV entertainer. Then answer the questions.

This young TV entertainer was born Destiny Hope Cyrus, her sunny personality soon changed her name to Miley at home. Daughter of country star and actor, Bill Ray Cyrus, nicknamed her "Miley" because she is "always smiling". Now Disney Channel lovers know her as Miley Cyrus, the star of Disneys newest original show: Hannah Montana, where Miley plays the role of a regular girl called Miley Stewart who has a double life as the biggest singing superstar. At the age of 12, she earned the role of Disneys new TV queen. "All this hard work Ivedone my entire life is about to pay off," she says. She is not only taking into account theauditions which started with 1000 girls, but all the dedication she put in singing andacting for years. Miley has been taking extra parts in her Dads shows for a long time,most recently casted for an episode in his drama series Doc" as well as in the role ofRuthie in "Big Fish", at the age of eight. She has been singing and playing the guitar a huge part of her life too. She assures shehas written over 100 songs already. In fact, one of them will be featured in HannahMontana. She is now recording one new song per episode so that will make over 20 songsby the end of the season; however, no soundtrack has been confirmed as of now. Whenasked about the soundtrack, Miley stated by now the goal is making the best showpossible plus there will be a Hannah Montana soundtrack over the summer, "or a MileyCyrus album" she added. Soundtrack or not, Miley Cyrus will certainly be releasing analbum sooner or later. She is signed with Hollywood Records for a four-album recorddeal. Miley was chosen for the role of Hannah Montana by Gary Marsh, Disney Channelentertainment president because they saw a girl who has this natural ebullience and lovesevery minute of her life, which shows in her demeanor and performance. When she's not performing, Miley enjoys the company of her five siblings, Christopher,Braison Chance, Brandi, Trace and Noah Lindsey, and her dog Loco who lives with themin Los Angeles. The rest of her dogs, cats, horses, chickens and cows had to stay at theirNashville, Tennessee home when they moved to LA last December 2005 to start the

Activity 4: Writing

Read Marios incomplete email where he talks about some of Hannah Montanas personal qualities and talents. Use the present perfect or the present perfect continuous to complete it. After you compare your answers with a partner, send a classmate an email about your favorite entertainer.

Activity 5: Personal qualities

filming. Miley had to say goodbye to her whole-life friends, so her new lifestyle alsoincludes long hours on the phone plus the LA need: shopping. "I'm a big shoe person.Sometimes I'll be punky, the next day I'll be preppy. Every day after work, my mom and Igo shopping. My dad is about to kill me. I say, we need it, daddy! Her hobbies include her job: dancing, cheerleading, singing, playing the guitar andwriting music. She states, "As soon as I step on that stage, nothing matters. I don't thinkof it as work. It's just so much fun." Source: http:// www.miley-cyrus.com/bio.php 1) What is Hannah Montanas real name? 2) How long has Hannah Montana been famous? 3) Why did her father nickname her Miley? 4) What role did she earn on Disneys channel? 5) What has she been doing on her dads show? 6) What has been a huge part of her life? 7) What is her goal? 8) What personal quality did Disney Channels director find in Hannah Montana? 9) What does she enjoy doing when she is not performing? 10) What do her hobbies include?

1) WhatisHannahMontanasreal

name?

Herrealnameis.

Most of our personal qualities are from things we learned from our parents, from school or on our own. Where have you learned some of them? Check the boxes, then make groups of five and tell your classmates how you have been developing each personal quality. Use some of the activities listed in the second box below or your own ideas.

From my parents From school On my own creativity communication skills patience self-confidence affection for others politeness collaboration appreciation for art competitiveness perseverance

A: Ive been learning to appreciate art by going to art galleries. B: You can also learn it by visiting some museums. C: Well, Ive been learning to be creative from my mother who is an Interior Decorator.

Some activities

going to art galleries taking art classes visiting museums acting in a play playing in a sports team volunteering in boycotts taking a public speaking course

IvebeenlearningtobepoliteeversinceIjoinedtheboycotts.

GoodthingIvebeentakingspeechclasses.

Visitingsickpeopleformanyyearshasbeenmakingmeamoreaffectiveperson.

Activity 6: Writing poetry

Read the verses of the short story poem. Use the picture clues in the box to complete the missing words. Then underline the words that rhyme.

I_____Nick Jonas, he is my favorite young TV _____ Hes been _____ since the year two thousand and _____ This great star not only sings but dances and plays the _____ His effort has helped him to open a successful _____ He has recorded _____ with his brothers in their famous _____ He also filmed his first movie which was spectacular Because of his talent and personal qualities, he was given a _____ Thanks to Disney, he is now one of the _____ most popular

Activity 7: Poetry contest

Are you good at writing poetry? In groups of three use the model poem above to write a similar one about your favorite star. Think about the pictures you might use to describe it. Be prepared to say your poem and show your pictures to the class. Invite students to be judges from other English groups to decide which poem is the best.

Activity 8: Practice grammar and online stories

Practice The Present Perfect Continuous and read different stories on the following web page: http://www.agendaweb.org/verbs/present_perfect_continuous.html

Click any of the squares; you will find all kinds of fun and interesting activities to reinforce your English.

ImgladIhaveaplacewheretopracticemyEnglish

Activity 9: Reading: Born to be a star

Read the Yuridias story. Then complete the activities that follow.

Voculary check

Yuridia Francisca Gaxiola Flores was born in Hermosillo, Sonora. Her parents decide to move to La Mesa, Arizona where they managed to settle down. She is daughter of music lovers; her father is a composer and her mother an amateur singer. She has two sisters and two brothers.

She has been singing since the age of five and has demonstrated big interest in music and the piano. She is considered to be a very patient person and likes imitating Gloria Trevi. One of her favorite composer is Ricardo Arjona.

While studying in 12th grade in high school, she was chosen to take part in a singing contest in a Mexican television reality show called La Academia the fourth generation of TV Azteca where she won second place.

Undoubtfully, Yurida was born to be a star. She has been selling many discs with topics she interpreted in La Academia, from which she emphasizes the topic My Character success of Patricia Loaiza, Angel, version in Spanish composed and sung by Robbie Williams who managed to place her in first places in all of Latin America. His second single Damned Spring also managed to obtain the same success of the topic Angel. Another success was when she interpreted Friend in a short duet with Yahir who was another contestant of the same reality show.

Yuridias most recent hit is As I Nobody Has Loved You (original song, This Aint a Love Song by Bon Jovi, versioned and sung by them in Spanish. The song Habla el Corazon, after one week of having gone out reached platinum disc for more than 100,000 copies. The disc has overcome 200,000 copies, reaching double disc of platinum.

ACouple of years ago, Yuridia was living with her fianc Edgar Guerrero with whom she had a son; Phoenix Guerrero Gaxiola. Her popularity has been continuing to grow placing her as one of the best singers of La Academia.

Source:http://www.todomusic.cominfosobreyuridia493

Match the words on the left with their meanings of the right. Then compare you answer with a partner.

1. settle down (line 2) a. success

2. amateur (line 3) b. tolerant and perseverant

3. patient (line 6) c. interpreted

4. generation (line 10) d. production

5. emphasizes (line 12) e. stabilize

6. obtain (line 15) f. a short composition for two voices

7. hit (line 18) g. heaviest metal

8. duet (Line 16) h. give more importance

9. versioned (line 19) i. hobbyist, nonprofessional

10. platinum (lines 20, 22) j. to gain or earn

Complete the chart.

Once you have read the text Born To Be A Star and checked the vocabulary, complete the chart with the main idea and summary.

Main Idea Summary

Personal information about Yuridia Born in Hermosillo, Sonora, daughter of music lovers.

Her interests

Her participation in a singing contest

Summary

__Yuridawasborntobeastar.Shehasbeensingingsince____________________________________________________________________________________

Final Activity: What do you think?

Plan

In groups of four or five, discuss these questions.

Have you ever bought a pirated DVD or CD? Have you been downloading illegal music or movies from the Internet? Whats your opinion of people who download or buy pirated copies? Do you think people should be penalized?

A: Have you ever bought a pirated DVDs or CD?

B: No, I havent. I think it is illegal. C: How about you, Alejandra? D: Yes, I have. Since last year, but I know

I shouldnt. A: Have you been downloading.. ? C: Well, I havent. But I have a friend hes

been downloading music for many years now.

Prepare

Group work. Divide into two teams: The pro team argues why people should download free music and movies, and the con should argue why not. Before you do this, you should have done some research on the topic to have evidence to support your argument. Write a speech and be prepared to respond during the debate.

Present

Class activity Have a class debate. Use the information you wrote for your speech to support what you are saying. Remember you will be trying to convince the other team that you are right.

Gee,ImgladIhaventbeenpiratinganymovies or music,

Ithinkitsnotrighttopiratemoviesormusicbecause

Well,IvebeendownloadingmusicforayearnowbecauseCDsaretooexpensiveandIthink

Evaluation

Aspect Excellent

(5 points)

Good

(3 points)

Fair

(1 point)

Poor

(0 point)

Score

(total points)

Grammar Proper use of The Present Perfect continuous Have you been? to talk about pirate movies and music.

Minor grammar difficulties arose to talk about pirate movies and music.

Many minor grammatical errors led to a breakdown in communication to talk about pirate movies and music.

Severe grammatical errors limited the conversation to talk about pirate movies and music.

Vocabulary Vocabulary was used to express ideas eloquently.

Minor difficulties arose from inappropriate use of vocabulary.

Some difficulties due to lack of vocabulary and/or bad dictation.

Communications was severely limited due to the lack of vocabulary.

Fluency Student acted the conversation with fluency during the debate.

Minor difficulties to maintain the conversation during the debate.

A few long pauses, more effort was required to maintain the conversation during the debate.

Too many long pauses, much more effort was required to maintain the conversation during the debate.

Listening Student acknowledged all statements and questions, responding in an appropriate way.

Student acknowledged most statements and question incorporating many of them to the conversation.

Student failed to acknowledge some statements or didnt answer some questions appropriately during the conversation.

Student didnt understand most of the questions and statements, used notes most of the time.

Voice and non-verbal communication

Pronunciation was clear, facial and body expressions were used to enhance communication.

Could have made communication more efficient by using better pronunciation and non-verbal communication.

Some communication problems arose due to students unclear pronunciation and/or lack of non- verbal expression.

Communication was very confusing, student had much difficulty hearing.

Information Enough information was used to support argument during the debate

Information was used to support argument during the debate

Not enough evidence was used to support argument during the debate

No information was used to support argument during the debate

Self-evaluation

Check (9) the column according how well you can do this things.

Ican... Verywell.

Well

Nottoowell

Describe activities which started at an unspecified time in the past and are still going on in the present using The Present Perfect Continuous with for/since.

Ask and answer questions about TV stars.

Write poems with words that rhyme.

Read and understand the main idea in a text and write a summary.

Listen to other peoples opinion and give my own to debate about pirate movies and music.

Ifyouansweredverywell,congratulations!

Module 2:

COULD YOU TELL ME WHO SHE IS?

Presentation

This module will help you to reinforce the language of asking indirect questions to learn about people and their preferences. You will interact with different writing, speaking, listening and reading activities.

Through these activities you will get in touch with real life situations that will help you experience social and personal context where you can use the language to communicate.

Before you begin, think about the things and the people you may want to learn about, for example: What Madonnas real name is or what she is famous for.

Learning Objective:

Asking indirect questions using the auxiliary verbs do/does, and modals can, could in different contexts.

Learning Activities:

Activity 1: Do you know who they are?

Look at the following pictures and ask your partner if he/she knows who they are. Use the model below.

1 2 3 4 5

A: Do you know who the person in picture number one is? B: Sure, she is Ruth Padilla, director of S.E.M.S. A: Can you tell me what S.E.M.S. stands for? B: It means: Sistema de Educacin Media Superior

Activity 2: Could you tell me what they are famous for?

Look at the following pictures and ask your partner if he/she knows what they are famous for. Follow the example.

at

1 2 3 4 5

A: Could you tell me what Pedro Infante is famous for? B: Of course, he was a singer and actor who became famous

for movies like Escuela de Vagabundos, it was very funny, Los Tres Garca, a nice trilogy about a family named Garca, Pepe el Toro, a dramatic movie. . .

Activity 3: Do you like puzzles?

Read the clues and complete the crossword puzzle. Could you say who these famous politicians are? If you do not know the answers, investigate them.

WELL-KNOWN POLITICIANS IN MEXICO

Down

1.- Do you know how Ma. De la Soledad Leona Camila Vicario Fernndez de San Salvador is better known? (last name)

2.- Could you say who was called El Siervo de la Nacin? (last name) 3.- Do you know who the Benemrito de las Amricas was? (last name) 4.- Which D.F. governor took office in 2006? (last name) 5.- Could you say what the initials for the self-named Legitimate President in Mexico

are? (initials)

Across

a) Could you say who Doroteo Arango was better known? (last name) b) Do you know who El Padre de la Patria was? (last name) c) Could you say which president took office in 2006? (last name) d) Could you say what the name of picture number four in the activity one is? (last name) e) Do you know which president took office in the year 2000? (last name)

1

a

2

3 b

4

c

5

d

e

Activity 4: Board game. I wonder if you know....

To play this game just follow these instructions:

1. Work in groups of three players. 2. Use a dice. 3. Each student needs a marker (a

coin or a small object). 4. Put the markers on start.

5. Each student takes turns rolling the dice. 6. Advance the number of spaces on your dice. 7. The student who threw the dice has to read

the question and answer it. 8. The student to get to finish first is the

winner.

Activity 5: Lets talk about art

Do you know how to observe art work? When people dont know they normally ask for someone elses opinion. Make small groups and discuss the following questions:

Could you say who Velzquez was? Can you explain the meaning of Meninas? Do you know who the Meninas are? Where do you think the painting was done? What do you think the girls are doing? How many types of painting do you know of?

DoyouthinkMxicohasproblems?

Givetwoexamples.

Whatcouldwedoincaseofanearthquake?

Giveanexample

Couldyousaythenumbers1to20backwards?

Iwonderifyoucannametenanimals

Couldyoutellmewhatthetimeis?

Doyouthinkdrugdealersare

quarrellingamongthemselves?

Goaheadone

CanyouexplainwhattheGlobalwarmingis?

Canyousaythreereasonswhy

smokingisbadforyourhealth?

Couldyoudescribewhatyouarewearingtoday?

Couldyounamethelongestriverinthe

world?

Couldyounamethehighestmountainin

theworld?

Doyouknowwherethebiggestlakein

Mexicois?

Gobackone

Couldyouspellyourteachersfirstand

lastnames?

Couldyousaywhatthenameoftheborderriver

betweenMexicoandUSAis?

CanyoutelluswhenthefirstMexicanConstitutionwas

written?

CouldyousaywhodiscoveredAmerica?

CouldyousaywhenAmericawasdiscovered?

CouldyousaywhatthenameofthelastAztecemperorwas?

Activity 6: Analyzing: Las Meninas

After reading each paragraph analysis and answering the questions write a short opinion and compare it.

Lets watch it by frames. In this frame we have from left to right a girl named Maria Agustina Sarmiento bowing and offering a little red jar to princess Margarita of Austria. Margarita, who is at the center of the composition, is a lovely six year old girl. She accepts the jar while she is watching us.

Further to the right we can see another menina, Isabel de Velasco, who also show her respect to the princess by bowing. The next person is Maribrbola, a German

macro cephalic dwarf, who is also watching us. There is also Nicolasillo Pertusato, who looks like a boy, but he was a naughty dwarf kicking the mastin lying on the floor.

Increasing your vocabulary:

1. Do you know why Maria Agustina Sarmiento and Isabel de Velasco are bowing? 2. How the two dwarfs are different 3. Can you name other dog breeds.

The painter Velzquez is further back to the left. Hes holding a brush in the right hand and the palette and other brushes with the left one. He is getting inspired to paint the king and queen. He has painted himself as a very elegant forty year old gentleman when he was already fifty-seven.

In front of him is the back of the canvas on an easel.

Now backbround on the right, we can see two characters: lady Marcela Ulloa, lady under guard and an unidentified

gentleman who would be a servant of the court. He hold his hands together while listening the conversation of the lady. In order to emphazise the distance and space, Velzquez put them both in the dark and more sketched than the meninas.

4. Can you explain what an easel and a canvas are? 5. What is meant by sketched? 6. Have you ever seen other Velzquez master pieces? 7. Could you explain what a lady under guard does? 8. Why do you think Velzquez portrayed himself as a younger man? 9. How do you think he managed to paint himself in the portrait?

There is a paneled wood door at the bottom. It opens to a much lighted room, and Jos Nieto, court chamberlain is on the stairs. We dont know if he goes or comes. He has a hat in his left hand and hes wearing an elegant black cloak. The light makes the stairs, the door and Jos Nieto shine.

Hanging on the wall we can see a mirror. It reflect the king, the queen and a red curtain. We dont know if they are still posing for Velzquez or if they are entering in the room in that moment.

10. Explain what a court chamberlain does 11. Why cloaks were considered elegant? 12. Who the king and queen were at that time?

The room is large with a high ceiling. It might be the painter studio that is why there are big paintings on the walls (currently identified). There are windows in the right wall alternately open and close, which accentuates the feeling of depth and real atmosphere. The size of the figures, almost natural underscores their presence in a credible space.

Technically the picture is unbeatable. The set of perspectives used is unique. It produces an effect in the atmosphere in the environment represented, as if the painter had painted the air between the figures. The first perspective observed is linear, guiding our eyes toward the bottom, making us believe in a strong three-dimensionality. This amazing effect

if reinforced by a neutral ground, moving toward our position, with spaces alternately illuminated and darkened to emphasize the effect of restraining.

The other perspective is the aerial, progressive blurring of the contours and tonal ranges degradation will increase distance and remoteness. Top it off, Velzquez put a hole in the

center illuminated (the open door) that opens into a room where we cant see the end, that is, the picture has an unlimited scope. This combination of aerial and linear perspective is what has fascinated everyone, expert or not, since the seventeenth century.

The color range used by Velzquez in this work is limited and contained, predominantly gray and ocher, however he applies strong color like red fire on small detail of dress for girls as bows, hair barrettes and floral decorations. This way he breaks the monotony of color and attracts our attention. The quality of representation of bright silks with very light gray and white are of stunning beauty.

13. What techniques did Velzquez use to make this painting? 14. What effects did these techniques give the painting? 15. Why do you think light gray and white give the painting stunning beauty?

Information based on:

J. Carlos (2010, s/f). Mensaje dirigido al correo electrnico yahoo.

Activity 7: Online activities

Students are finding that going online to practice their English and being able to do quizzes is beneficial for their learning progress. You can do the same by visiting the following web sites:

http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoEnglish/gr.inqu.p.htm

http://www.egeacademy.com/blog/exercises/indirect-questions-exercises/

http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/indirectques.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CbUwUeyNJ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElagVbT498Y&feature=related

Final Activity: Making your own piece of art

Individual work. Make up your own piece of art. It can be a drawing, a picture, a painting, a sculpture, a song, etc. Depending on what you decide to do, remember to be creative with different materials and colors. Give it a name.

Written Analysis Describe your piece of art by explaining what it is made of, what inspired you, why you named like you did. You are to do your presentation orally without using your notes. Other students are going to ask you indirect questions about your piece of art, e.g. Can you tell us what inspired you to write the song?

Do you think the colors you used express your feelings? Evaluation

Aspect Excellent

(5 points)

Good

(3 points)

Fair

(1 point)

Poor

(0 point)

Score

(total points)

Grammar Grammar was used to communicate effectively.

Minor grammar difficulties arose.

Many minor grammatical errors led to a breakdown in communication.

Severe grammatical errors limited the conversation.

Vocabulary Vocabulary was used to express ideas eloquently.

Minor difficulties arose from inappropriate use of vocabulary.

Some difficulties due to lack of vocabulary and/or bad dictation.

Communication was severely limited due to the lack of vocabulary.

Speaking Student talks about his/her piece of art with fluency.

Minor difficulties to talk about his/her piece of art.

A few long pauses during the presentation, more effort was required.

Too many long pauses during the presentation, much more effort was required.

Listening Student acknowledged all statements and questions, responding in an appropriate way.

Student acknowledged most statements and question incorporating many of them to the conversation.

Student failed to acknowledge some statements or didnt answer some questions appropriately during the conversation.

Student didnt understand most of the questions and statements, used notes most of the time.

Writing Student was able to write a well sequenced, clear, logical and coherent description taking care of grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Student needed more effort in writing his/her story.

Student failed to write his/her description in a well sequenced, clear, logical and coherent way.

Student didnt write his/her description

Self-evaluation

Check (9) the column according to the things you can or cant do.

Ican... Verywell Well

Nottoowell

useindirect questions with do, does, can, could.

understandananalysis

communicatemyideasaboutpiecesofart.

describemyownpieceofart

Ifyouansweredverywell,congratulations!

Module 3:

LIFE IS MADE DAY BY DAY

Presentation

In English speaking countries the way the language is formed varies a little from what Mexicans are accustomed to. It is due to several cultural and educational reasons that we are not going to discuss in this module, but we consider it is important for you to know and identify. The Passive Voice is one of those different ways of how the target language, English, is structured. This common English countries construction is very useful to describe daily actions and situations. In this module, we are inviting you to recognize, identify, analyze and use the mentioned structure in order to enhance your English. We also hope you have fun while learning through all these activities and find them quite interesting and useful.

Learning Objective

Students will recognize, identify, analyze and use The Passive Voice structure throughout all the activities in this module.

Cartoon Strip

Activity 1: Completing a verb chart

Complete the chart with the correct forms of each verb. Compare your answers with a classmate. If you dont remember the tenses, you can look them up in a dictionary.

PRESENT PAST PAST PARTICIPLE

read

think

loved

see

Played

Taught

Walk

Work

Invented

stopped

Written

go

flew

Activity 2: Completing the blanks

Can you identify the following inventions, discoveries and artwork, and their inventors or creators? Check them out and write a sentence related to them using The Passive Voice. Follow the example, then share and discuss them with a classmate.

The oldest wheel was created by the Mesopotamians over five millenniums ago.

__________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Activity 3: Checking the correct sentences

Put a check mark ( ) if the sentences are correct or an ( ) if they are incorrect. Correct the ones that are wrong and rewrite them on your notebook. Compare with a classmate.

1. Angels and Demons was written by Dan Brown. 2. John and Sylvie was visited by their grandchildren last Sunday. ____ 3. The documents were print just on time. ____ 4. Im sorry Sir, but this letter was sended after the context. ____ 5. The gunpowder was invented by the Chinese people thousands of years ago. ____ 6. Georges mother wanted the bedroom fixed immediately. ____ 7. The sequel of the movie Three jewels for the queen is direct by John Quo. ____ 8. Do you know if the new Amandas CD was release last Sunday? ____ 9. Ancient vessels were found during the excavation. ____ 10. Viva la Vida was painted by Frida Kahlo. ____ 11. Were Saint John of the Cross painted by Dal? ____ 12. Where were the mortal remains of Saint Joan of Arc found? ____ 13. This equipment wasnt shipped on time. ____ 14. Rachels car werent payed in cash. ____ 15. My house is visited every year by the Swallows. ____

Activity 4: Changing to Passive Voice

Read the following text with a classmate. Write as many sentences as you can using The Passive Voice structure. Then compare them with other classmates.

Last Saturday my friend Blanca and I went to downtown to hang around and buy some stuff we needed. We were walking down the streets looking for beauty supplies stores. She wanted to buy some makeup; a lip liner, lipsticks and eye shadows. Blanca tried on different brands until she found exactly what she wanted. Later, after an hour, we went to buy some seeds, spices and herbs I needed from the market. Among the herbs I needed to buy, there was one that I specially needed to get; something to relief gastritis for a good friend. Blanca told me Cuachalalate herb was pretty good for that condition; so I purchased it. We were very hungry and went to a Chinese restaurant to eat something. We ate a lot; shrimp, roast potatoes, vegetable rolls and rice which were some of the meals we enjoyed. After those delicious dishes we said good bye; Blanca gave me a kiss and told me she was very happy about that wonderful afternoon we spent together. I think we need to do this again soon.

Last Saturday my friend Blanca and I went to downtown to hang around and buy some stuff we needed.

1. Last Saturday some stuff was bought by Blanca and me. 2. ____________________________________________ 3. ____________________________________________ 4. ____________________________________________ 5. ____________________________________________ 6. ____________________________________________

Activity 5: Having fun online

How much have you learned about The Passive Voice? Do you feel more confident using this structure? For extra practice you can visit these web pages listed below. You can work with a classmate. Your answers can be checked right there.

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cramup/grammar/passive/exercises

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cramup/grammar/passive/exercises?02

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cramup/grammar/passive/exercises?simplepresent

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cramup/grammar/passive/exercises?simplepast

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cramup/tests/hadrianswall

http://www.nonstopenglish.com/lang/es/exercise.asp?exid=921

Activity 6: Lets play

Instructions:

1. A moderator is named by all the classmates. Then, the moderator divides the class into six teams.

2. The moderator assigns different categories to each team; they can be about sports, science, culture, art, history, geography, etc.

3. Each team has to write five questions for the category assigned and they should be given to the moderator who will be reading later the questions.

4. Each question is worth 10 points and the moderator decides which one from each category has double value.

5. Each team will pick a piece of paper with a number on it, from the moderator, in the order in which they are going to participate. Every student from each team take turns answering the questions.

6. The moderator will read the question aloud: for example, "Who painted the Mona Lisa?"

7. Other teams will have a chance to answer if the first team cannot respond correctly. The answer must be given in The Passive Voice. E.g.: The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci.

8. There is a time limit of 60 seconds to answer each question. 9. The moderator will be registering the points for each team. 10. The game ends when all answers have been completed. 11. The team with the most points wins.

Activity 7: At the art museum

The local museum is being visited by Carlos and Yanoh in their town. They are admiring the wonderful paintings and discussing about the authors and their masterpieces. The dialogue is not in order, so you have to rearrange and read it out loud with a classmate. Make up a dialogue with your own ideas. Do not forget The Passive Voice.

_1_Yanoh: Carlos, did you know Salvador Dal was a Spanish painter, sculptor, graphic artist and a designer? ___Carlos: Great! I love Van Gogh. Hes one of my favorite painters; I love everything he made. I dont know many things about him, but Ive read he had a though life. His painting reflects his troubled life. ___Yanoh: Youre right, theyre incredible! They look so natural. What is in the next showroom? ___Carlos: Whatever, all his paintings were done with a lot of emotion and passion. Look at these flowers in the vase, arent they exceptional? ___Yanoh: Youre right. Im starving. Lets get something to eat. ___Carlos: I think, therere some of Leonardo da Vincis master pieces. I cant wait to see The Mona Lisa. I believe its the best piece of art Ive ever seen! ___Yanoh: As I know, some of his paintings were made after he had a love deception. I read he cut his ear because of it. ___Yanoh: Of course it is! Ive read it was painted as a self-portrait. That it was da Vinci himself who was the model of his painting. ___Carlos: Well, I know he was a painter and that the Christ of Saint John of the Cross was painted by him, but I dont know much about Dal. Hey Yanoh, look at those Fridas paintings! Arent they wonderful? ___Carlos: Hey Yanoh, I think we need to take a little break and get something to eat. We can continue going through all this beauty after a wonderful meal. ___Yanoh: Sure they are! I love her paintings; especially Viva la Vida. I think it was painted while she was recovering from a leg surgery or something like that. Hey Carlos, why dont we go to the next showroom, I think there are some of Van Goghs paintings there.

Activity 8: Animal documentary How many times have you seen animal documentaries? Do you consider them interesting or boring? Do you think you have learned anything from them? In the following whale documentary you will find many amazing and unknown facts about whales. Read the text in silence and answer the questions below, then share them with a classmate.

BlueWhalesBlue whales are the largest animals ever known to have lived on Earth. The oceans are ruled by these magnificent marine mammals. Their tongues alone can weigh as much as an elephant and their hearts as much as an automobile.

Mindboggling dimensions are reached by the blue whales because of a dietcomposed nearly exclusively of tiny shrimplike animals called krill. During certaintimesof theyear, four toeight tonsofkrillareeatenperdayby theearths largestanimal,theendangeredbluewhale.

Blue whales are baleen whales, which mean they have fringed plates of fingernail-like material, called baleen, attached to their upper jaws. How do they feed? First, enormous mouthfuls of water are gulped by the giant animals to feed, expanding the pleated skin on their throats and bellies to take them in. Then the whale's massive tongue forces the water out through the thin, overlapping baleen plates. Thousands of krill are left behindand then swallowed.

Blue whales look true blue underwater, but on the surface their coloring is more a mottled blue-gray. Their underbellies take on a yellowish hue from the millions of microorganisms that take up residence in their skin. The blue whales have a broad, flat head and a long, tapered body that ends in wide, triangular flukes.

Worlds oceans are occupied and visited by blue whales. Occasionally they swim in small groups, but usually alone or in pairs. Polar water is used to feed these mammals during summer time, but they undertake lengthy migrations towards the Equator as the winter arrives.

The oceans are cruised at more than five miles an hour by these graceful swimmers, but accelerate to more than twenty miles an hour when they are agitated. Blue whales are among the loudest animals on the planet. A series of pulses, groans, and moans are emitted by these animals; and it is thought that, in good conditions, blue whales can hear each other up to one thousand miles away. Scientists think they use these vocalizations not only to communicate, but, along with their excellent hearing, to sonar-navigate the lightless ocean depths.

Blue whale calves enter the world already ranking among the planet's largest creatures. After about a year inside its mother's womb, a baby blue whale emerges weighing up to three tons and stretching to twenty-five feet. Nothing but mother's milk is gorged by the baby and gains about two hundred pounds every day for its first year.

Between ten thousand and twenty-five thousand blue whales are believed to still swim the world's oceans. Aggressive hunting in the 1900s by whalers seeking whale oil drove them to the brink of extinction. Between 1900 and the mid-1960s, some three hundred and sixty thousand blue whales were slaughtered. They finally came under protection with the 1966 International Whaling Commission, but they have managed only a minor recovery since then.

Blue whales have few predators but are known to fall victim to attacks by sharks and killer whales, and many are injured or die each year from impacts with large ships. Blue whales are currently classified as endangered on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List.

Informationbasedon:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/bluewhale.html

1. What does the author mean by mind-boggling in paragraph two? 2. Why these whales are called blue whales? 3. Where do the blue whales emigrate during winter time? 4. At what speed do the blue whales swim when they are agitated? 5. How do these mammals communicate? 6. How much does a calf of a whale weight when it is born? 7. Which are the main predators of these magnificent animals?

Final Activity: Being an animal journalist

Make teams of five students and do an investigation about an animal you want to know about. Gather information (life-style, dietary, the length of its life, etc.) from different sources and write a brief essay. Present it to your classmates as if you were an animal journalist. Bring sufficient creative images, drawings or posters of the animal you chose and its environment. Every team member must also participate during the presentation. Check the whale documentary above to get ideas.

Evaluation

Aspect Excellent

(5points)

Good

(3points)

Fair

(1point)

Poor

(0point)

Images Manycreativeimagesduringthepresentation.

Somecreativeimageswereincludedduringthepresentation.

Afewimagesduringthepresentation.

Imagesarenotincludedduringthepresentation.

Grammar AccurateuseofThePassiveVoicestructure.

MinorerrorsintheuseofThePassiveVoicestructure.

PooruseofThePassiveVoicestructure.

BadornulluseofThePassiveVoicestructure.

Information Accurate,extensiveandinterestinginvestigation.

Enoughinformationandqualityintheinvestigation

Scarceamountofinvestigationandquality.

Inaccurateandinsufficientinvestigation.

Writtenskills

Veryclear,appropriate,andcoherentwayofwritingtheinformationrequired.

Clear,appropriate,andcoherentwayofwritingtheinformationrequiredwithminorerrors.

Unclear,inappropriate,andincoherentwayofwritingtheinformationrequired.

Severeproblemsinwritingtheinformationrequired.

PresentationVeryorganized,clear,coherentandfluentpresentation.

Minorerrorsintheorganization,clearnesscoherenceorfluencyduringthepresentation.

Lotsoferrorsintheorganization,clearness,coherenceorfluencyduringthepresentation.

Unorganized,unclear,incoherentornotfluentpresentation.

Self-evaluation

Check (9) the column according to the things you can or cant do.

Ican... Verywell

Well

Nottoowell

useThePassiveVoicewiththepastparticipleofregularandirregularverbs.

askandansweraboutwhatwasmade,said,seen,etc.bysomeone.

comprehenddifferentreadingsthatarewrittenwithThePassiveVoice.

usemyownideastowriteadialogueusingThePassiveVoice.

investigateandwriteadocumentaboutanimalsusingThePassiveVoice.

Ifyouansweredverywell,congratulations!

Module 4:

ON THE NEWS

Presentation

This module has the goal to help you feel more confident and competent interacting with reading, writing, listening and speaking language skills. The activities are designed to guide you through real life situations supported on different individual and group social practice.

The main subject of this module creates a background so you can communicate using the passive voice and relatives clauses which, who and that. Before you begin, take some time to ask yourself why news is so important? How do you find out about whats going on in the world? Which aspects of the news are you most interested in? What major events are on the news right now? You will find you are in a marvelous, but sometimes freaky and interesting world.

Learning Objective:

Describing and talking about past events using passive voice and relative clauses which, who and that.

Activity 1: Are you updated on the news?

Do you think that you know whats happening around the world? Lets find out.

Find out about your classmates news habits. Make teams of eight members and answer individually the following survey. Use the survey results to write a report about the groups interest on news.

1. How often do you keep up with the news?

a) every day b) once or twice a week c) less than once a week

2. Where do you usually get the news?

a) TV b) radio c) newspapers d) magazines e) Internet f) other___________

3. What news are you most interested in?

a) local b) national c) international

4. What three topics are you most interest in?

a) current events b) sports c) business d) science and technology e) celebrities f) the arts g) the weather h) other_________

NewsSurveyreport

Almost 80% of the students in my team class keep up the news every day. About 20% of us keep with the news only once or twice a week. Approximately two out of three students watch the news on TV...

The majority of students have access to Internet...

HelpNote

Activity 2: Most recent news!

Read the news stories below and write a headline for each one. Use the passive voice simple past tense to compose the new titles.

1.Terrorist destroys car on main street

2. Plant eats man in tropical forest

3.Bull chases famous bullfighter

4.Giant steps on a man, marvelous movie effects in Giants land film

5.Space camera runs over a martian

6.Traffic accident causes injures to many passengers

7.The Wall Street thief strikes again

8.Cat attacks his owner

1. A car was destroyed by terrorist on Main street 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Activity 3: Increasing Vocabulary

Look at the adjectives on the left. Highlight the word that is typically used with each one.

Latest UK weather Forecasts from

Freak a)rain b) hailstorm c) earthquake

Heavy a)wildfire b)tornado c)rain

Minor a)earthquake b)rain c)wind

Flash

catastrophic

a)tornado b)earthquake c)flood

a)thunder b)wildfire c) hailstones

For each sentence below, cross out the word or phrase that cannot be used to complete it.

Abuildingwas__________bylightning.

a) damagedb)destroyedc)injuredd)strucke)hit

_________wasdisruptedbyanicestormyesterday.

a) Electricalpowerb)Ashoppingmallc)Trafficd)Telephoneservicee)Trainservice

Twopeoplewere________injured.

a) seriouslyb)criticallyc)severelyd)partiallye)slightly

Thevillagewasstruckby_________.

a) anearthquakeb)lighteningc)ahurricaned)hailstonese)rain

Use relative clauses which, who and that to write the meaning of the words below:

Activity 4: Online world news stories

Top Breaking News Headlines

Go online and access http://www.esl-lab.com/worldnews/worldnewsrd1.htm.

Listen to different news stories. Select the correct answer which describes each one. Check your answers and your score.

Person

Thing

Subject who/that which/that

Object Who/that which/that

Example A clown is someone who makes you laugh.

An elephant is an animal that lives in hot countries.

Magazine:

Periodicpaperpublicationwhichreportseventscontainingpicturesandstoriesandarticlesofinterest.

Storm:

Newsreporter:

Hero:

TrafficAccident:

HelpNote

Activity 5: Extra, extra read all about it!

Source: http://vanda51.blogspot.com

I. Before reading the text, answer these questions:

1. What space travel books and / or films do you know about?

2. Do you think it is possible for people to travel to other planets?

When those words were broadcasted on the radio in 1938, thousands of Americans ran out from their homes. Roads were blocked by cars as people tried to escape from Martians. In fact, it was just a play called The War of the Worlds. The play was based on a story that was written by H.G. Wells in 1898. In the story, Earth is attacked by spaceships that come from Mars. We now know that there aren't any aliens in Mars. The Red Planet has been visited by several space probes, and photographs were taken by the Mars Orbital Surveyor every day. All the pictures show a cold, dead planet, and no signs of life were found there. Has it always been a dead planet?

Spaceships were seen in the sky above New York. Cities all over the USA have been attacked. We believe that the invaders were from Mars.

LIFEONMARS

American scientists believe that they have found signs of life on Mars. These signs werent found on the Red Planet itself; they were found in Antarctica in a small meteorite called ALH84001. The Earth is hit by millions of meteorites every year. This particular meteorite came from Mars. It is billions of years old and contains fossils that look like bacteria.

II. Skim the texts above and answer the questions.

1. What does the following refer to?

a) H. G. Wells

_________________________________________________________________________

b) ALH84001

_________________________________________________________________________

c) The Red Planet

_________________________________________________________________________

d) The Mars Orbital Surveyor

_________________________________________________________________________

2. Why will astronauts be sent to Mars?

_________________________________________________________________________

III. Answer true (T) or false (F) for each statement.

Statement Answer

1. New York was attacked by Martians in 1938.

T F

2. Space probes have found signs of life on Mars.

T F

3. People thought that the radio play was real.

T F

4. ALH84001 was found in the Antarctica. T F

Not everyone agrees that the fossils in the meteorite are bacteria so there are many plans to send astronauts to Mars.

The Earth won't be invaded by Martians, as H.G. Wells thought. Instead, Mars will be visited by people from Earth. It will be a difficult, dangerous and expense journey. We might only find bacteria but this will show that life can exist on other planets.

5. Meteorites don't hit the earth very often. T F

6. All scientists agree that ALH 84001 contains fossils of bacteria.

T F

7. Astronauts will be sent to Mars next year. T F

8. We know there is life on other planets. T F

Activity 6: Bombs away with peoples stories

Do you talk or read about celebrities news?

Many magazines or headlines gossip about celebrities; you can look up issues like the "Most Beautiful People", "The Best Dressed", and "The Sexiest Man Alive", Celebrity lifestyle, The best actor or actress of the year. People love to know about the stories behind the heroes, villains, and lovers on the screen. Use your celebrity knowledge to win this game. Lets play bombs away!

How to play:

Bombs Away is an old favorite Navy Game where two players try to sink each other's hidden ships. Each player has an ocean game board. The player who sinks the majority of the enemys ships wins.

1. Each player draws 6 ships (2 of each kind shown below) hidden from the opponents view.

2.Players take turns calling out their "shots" attempting to get "hits" on the opponent's ships in order to sink them. Strategy and some luck must be combined to be the first to locate and sink all 6 opponent's ships to win the game.

3. To call out shots or enemy attack, you say a verb from the square (on the top line) and use it make a question about a celebrity (side vertical line) using the passive voice simple past tense and relative clauses. Example: Was Brad Pitt married to Jennifer Aniston? Whats the name of the celebrity who acted in the movie Interview with a Vampire?

4. If the question matches the shaded boat area, you sink the enemys ship and continue playing the game. Sink as many the enemy ships you can. If the question doesnt match the shaded boat area the opponent player gets a turn again.

For every sinking ship you get a point.

The player with the highest score wins. Example:

acted kicked attacked married kissed loved hit seen run over

Megan Fox

Brad Pitt

Jonas Brothers

Angelina Jolie

Robert Pattinson

Yourscore:

OX

Enemiesscore:

XX

Jonny Depp

Evangeline Lilly

acted kicked attacked married kissed loved hit seen run over

Megan Fox

Brad Pitt

JonasBrothers

Angelina Jolie

Final Activity: Breaking the news

1. Group work; imagine you are going to be on a TV News Program. Think about all the things you need to do to make a creative news report.

2. Make a team of four members; choose four different events to follow up on. They can be events occurred in the following topics: education, fiction, entertainment, technology or common interest life stories.

Robert Pattinson

Jonny Depp

Evangeline Lilly

Entertainment News Avatar was fallen Short at the Oscars, and the Experts Weigh in on Why

March 8th of 2010

Avatar was awarded with 3 Oscars for Best Visual Effects, Best Cinematography, and Best Art Direction. The film The Hurt Locker won the nomination for Best Picture.

The sci-fi epic had been critically acclaimed, far more widely seen and was widely heralded for its breakthrough technology. And it boasted the deep-pocket backing of a major Hollywood studio.

Maybe, it was considered as an attack, the political right on the movie's plot, which was seen as a spotlight on America's Iraq incursion?

Or was "Avatar" doomed because it was sci-fi, a genre that rarely has been rewarded by the Oscar?

3. Each team writes about a news report with interesting titles. Set up scenery, supporting charts, pictures or materials related to each news report. Make sure to use the language learnt.

4. Give your news program a name. Act out as news reporters and have it film.

5. Show your video in class to your teacher and classmates for feedback.

Example of some news reports:

Technology

New green cars were showed in a fancy motor display: the future in motion

Published January 12, 2010

Hybrid and electric cars were the stars of a motor shows in Geneva, Italy. They were showed with glamour under the spotlights.

The recent launched technology is supposed to guarantee zero emissions but the expensive technologies could take 5 to 10 years to really hit European and American roads.

Meanwhile automakers work improving petrol and diesel cars to meet short-term targets.

Incredible News

Reporter was attacked by a pelican on live

Wednesday, 17 February 2010

An Australian weather man was attacked by a pelican as he presented the forecast on the breakfast program.

Channel Nine's Steve Jacobs was broadcasting live from Taronga Zoo, when Marnie the pelican launched at him as the weather graphics were showed.

Evaluation

Aspect Excellent

(5 points)

Good

(3 points)

Fair

(1 point)

Poor

(0 point)

Score

(total points)

Writing Correct spelling. Minor spelling and punctuation errors.

Many spelling and punctuation errors.

Severe spelling and punctuation errors.

Grammar Uses relative clauses with who, which, that; simple past passive voice to talk and write about the news appropriately.

Uses relative clauses with who, which, that; simple past passive voice to talk and write about the news with minor errors.

Uses relative clauses with who, which, that; simple past passive voice to talk and write about the news with difficulty.

Uses relative clauses with who, which, that; s simple past passive voice to talk and write about the news incorrectly.

Vocabulary Uses vocabulary to express past events eloquently.

Minor difficulties arose from inappropriate use of vocabulary.

Some difficulties in the use vocabulary.

Severely limited lack of vocabulary.

Fluency Student speaks with fluency while exposing a news report.

Minor difficulties to maintain fluency while exposing a news report.

A few long pauses, more effort was required to maintain fluency while exposing a news report.

Too many long pauses, much more effort was required to maintain clearness and fluency while exposing a news report.

Listening Student acknowledged allstatements andquestions, responding in anappropriate way.

Student acknowledged most statements and question.

Student failed to acknowledge some statements or didnt answer some questions appropriately.

Student didnt understand most of the questions and statements, used notes most of the time.

Voice and non-verbal communication

Pronunciation was clear, facial and body expressions were used to enhance communication.

Could have made communication more efficient by using better pronunciation and non-verbal communication.

Some communication problems arose due to students unclear pronunciation and/or lack of non- verbal expression.

Communication was very confusing, student had much difficulty hearing.

Information Enough information was used to support the news description.

Information was used to support the news description.

Not enough evidence was used to support the news description.

No information was not clear or does not correspond to the main news event.

Self-evaluation

Check (9) the column according to the things you can or cant do.

Ican... Verywell

Well

Nottowell

describerecentnewsusingsimplepastpassivevoiceandrelativeclauseswhich,thatandwhowritedefinitions

makeupstoriesforshortnewsevents

usevocabularytocommunicateappropriatelyinawrittenororalway

Ifyouansweredverywell,congratulations!

Module 5:

TECHNOLOGY AND YOU

Presentation

The activities presented in this module correspond to the topic of modern technology and inventions and how they have affected our lives. It provides stimulating extra practice integrating the four skills which promote genuine interaction and authentic communication using infinitives and gerunds to describe uses and purposes. Furthermore, this module invites you to visit the suggested websites where you can do more research about new inventions.

Think about what technologies you use today that didnt exist when you were a child. What is one of your favorite technological inventions? Do you think using some devices has made your life easier? It is likely that you will find out more things about technology you did not know about once you have gone through all the activities, so get started and learn more about it.

Learning objectives:

Discussing modern technology and inventions using infinitives and gerunds to describe uses and purposes.

Activity 1: Whats this used for?

Which objects do you use every day or often? Check the boxes, and then practice with a partner asking what each one is used for.

A: What is a cell phone used for? B: It is used for sending text messages. A: What is a USB memory used for? B: It is used to save documents. A: What is.. Activity 2: Users Manual Read the following users manuals. Do you know which of the objects above they belong to?

TROUBLESHOOTING

Problem Check if:

Doesnt turn on. Make sure that the power cord is connected into an electrical outlet. The screen is fuzzy. Make sure the antenna is adjusted Check if the volume is There is no sound. adjusted. Only a few channels are viewed. Check if all the channels programmed. The picture is too dark Check the brightness buttons ..

1.) Make sure all the red, yellow and white cables are connected.

2.) Turn it on. 3.) Set the volume. 4.) Check that both speakers are

working correctly. 5.) Program AM/FM stations. 6.) Tune in to your favorite station.

.

1. Place your copy in the machine where the arrow is pointing down

2. Dial the number where you are sending your document.

3. Listen for the tone. 4. Press send. 5. Hang up the receiver.

1. Try to keep it away from the sun and closed to protect the screen.

2. Remember to recharge it before the battery dies.

3. Dont forget to save all your documents before you turn it off.

4. Clean the keyboard with the recommended cleaner.

5. When connecting to the internet, dont forget to writeyour password.

1. Click the Start button on the bottom left corner of the display.

2. When a small menu opens, click on Explore with your mouse.

3. Find the drive called Removable disk (X:) which appears on the left of the Explore window.

4. Click the left mouse button. 5. The data on your device will

appear in the right half of the screen, and may be accessed and modified.

..

1.) Charge it for at least 12 hours. 2.) Turn it on. 3.) Dont forget to dial the area code. 4.) Press the send button. 5.) If you get a voice mail, make sure

to leave a message.

Activity 3: Modern technology Read the selection. As you read, note the different items of technology and what they are used for. Then work with a partner to answer the questions below. Compare your answers with other pairs. Today modern technology has made our lives easier. Just about everyone has a computer at home for communicating with other people from all over the world. It has helped us in many other ways too. For example, you can cook food easily without making a mess in your kitchen by using a microwave instead of your stove. Now you dont have to worry about washing dishes with your hands. Dishwashers are save and easy to use. They are used to wash all your dishes in a matter of minutes saving you time in comparison with the old fashion way. Have you ever thought about what life would be like without todays modern technology? People who cant afford to buy a computer, use a typewriter for writing a letter or report which can be stressful and time consuming since there is no spell check to correct errors. Technology has gone through radical changes since its first inventions. Both the computer and the telephone have changed substantially. Now there are hand-held computers which are used for sending and receiving e-mails when you are away from your computer. Likewise with cell phones which are used to write, send and read messages from just about any remote location. There are a lot more items of technology that sometimes we are not aware what they are used for. In case you didnt know, satellites are used for studying the weather, DNA fingerprinting is used to identify criminals, and robots are sometimes used for performing different tasks that might be dangerous. Although it is considered that many items of technology make our lives easier and quicker, many people dislike the production of technology because they feel it creates financial problems when buying some of these items because they are too expensive like computers for instance. In spite of some peoples opinions, technology indeed has showed good results and has been making life easier for many who dont have time to do many things. Just imagine yourself without the use of some of these objects of technology mentioned earlier. How would they affect your life?

1. What is the main idea in the reading? What made you decide? 2. Are there any comparisons made? If so, what and how is it being compared? 3. What two things mentioned have changed radically? 4. Which item of technology performs dangerous tasks? 5. What are some peoples opinions about technology? 6. Discuss how your life would be affected without modern technology.

Activity 4: Writing your own essay Learn more about modern technology by connecting to different websites. Once you have found the information, write an essay to describe items of technology with its use and purpose. You may use some of the listed items from the box to do your research or think of your own.

Activity 5: Advantages and disadvantages of new technology Although most people find that technology has many good advantages, some users fear new technology, others feel cost can be high when there is a breakdown with any kind of equipment because they require experts to do the repair. Moreover the initial hardware and software of computers and online connection can be costly as well. Most equipment rapidly gets outdated.

What other reasons do you think people fear when using new technology? Why do some find it beneficial? Complete the chart with the advantages and disadvantages of the technology mentioned in the first column. Then compare with your classmates, do you agree or disagree?

TECHNOLOGY

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Airplanes

Trips are shorter Airfare can be expensive

Calculators

Camcorders

Cd players

Cd Rom drives

calculator camcorder Internet

IPod telephone answering machine video games

electronic address book World Wide Web CD walkman

Cell phones

Compact disks

Computers

Digital videos

E-mails

Fax machines

Ipods

Laser discs

Liquid crystal displays

Microwaves

Modems

Photocopy machine

Printer

Projectors

Scanners

Slide projectors

Tape recorders

Televisions

Text books

The Internet

Transparencies, overhead projectors

Type writers

Videogames

Web sites

Word processors

X - Ray machines

A. Whats your opinion about airplanes? B. I think its a fast way to travel C. Yes, but it can be very expensive. Id rather take the bus D. Yes, youre right, but what about traveling to Europe for example

Activity 6: Everyday techno actions Match the pictures with the imperative sentences in the table below. Then practice with a partner.

A. Put them away ( )

B. Hook it up ( )

C. Look it up ( )

D. Pick it up ( )

E. Put it down ( )

F. Print it out ( )

G. Put them on ( )

H. Take them off ( )

I. Take it apart ( )

J. Throw it away ( )

K. Turn it down ( )

L. Turn it up ( )

A:Inpictureone,heshookingupthecomputer.

B:Inpicturetwo,shesturninguptheradio. Activity 7: Online activities

Visit these online sites to practice and learn something more about technology. http://www.eslflow.com/technology_worksheet.pdf

http://www.eslflow.com/Best_Inventions.pdf

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/pdfs/techineq_actsheet.pdf

http://www.tefl-magic.com/noframes/material/acro/approvedisapprove.pdf

http://advancedenglish2.wordpress.com/2009/12/22/listening-comprehension/

Final Activity: Advertising your invention

Instructions: Make groups of three, each student invents a modern technology device that would make a persons life easier, give its characteristics and say what it is used for. Then imagine you are going to advertise it by making a pamphlet attractive enough to get buyers attention. Exchange pamphlets with other groups. Each student chooses the device he or she would like to buy describes it and says what it is used for and why they think it can be useful to them.

MEGA MAID X

Tired of cooking, cleaning the house, washing clothes? Now you can relax and forget about doing all the hard work at home. Let Mega Maid X do the job for you. It is a robot which is made of stainless steel and needs no batteries. It is used for doing your shopping, answering your phone and and many other things. This easy to use robot has a life time warranty at a reasonable price. It was designed by women who were tired of cleaning their houses all day. So if you have been looking for something to make your life easier, MEGAMAID X is your solution!

Evaluation:

Self-evaluation

Check (9) the column according to the things you can or cant do.

I can . . . Very well Well Not too well

use infinitives and gerunds to talk about uses and purposes.

follow instructions on a manual.

talk about advantages and disadvantages about modern technology.

give and follow instructions using imperative sentences.

advertise my inventions.

If you answered very well, congratulations!

Aspect Excellent

(5 points)

Good

(3 points)

Fair

(1 point)

Poor

(0 point)

Score

(total points)

Grammar Grammar was used to communicate effectively.

Minor grammar difficulties arose.

Many minor grammatical errors led to a breakdown in communication.

Severe grammatical errors limited the conversation.

Writing Student was able to write a well sequenced, clear, logical and coherent pamphlet describing a modern technological device.

Student needed more effort in writing his/her pamphlet.

Student failed to write his/her pamphlet in a well sequenced, clear, logical and coherent way.

Student failed to write his/her pamphlet.

Speaking Student discusses about the invention he or she would like to buy with fluency.

Student discusses about the invention he or she would like to buy with minor difficulties.

Student discusses about the invention he or she would like to buy with much difficulty.

Student was unable to discuss about the invention he or she would like to buy.

MODULE 6 HAVE YOU EVER HEARD SUCH A STORY BEFORE?

Presentation

It is important to adapt fresh ideas and techniques to review and practice your English. The supplementary activities in this module were well selected to help you develop reading strategies and skills such as, skimming the text for main ideas, scanning for specific information or details, guessing meaning from context and inferring.

You will be reading a variety of texts types from newspapers, articles, and letters. Moreover, you will be expected to write your own stories using The past perfect; adjectives and adverbs to describe tragic accidents and mysteries with incredible story endings.

Before you get started, think about some incredible stories you have heard or read about. Can you describe what happened? Why did you find the story incredible or interesting?

Learning objectives

Describing an event that occurred before another event or time period in the past; modifying text using adjectives and adverbs.

Activity 1 What happened?

Complete parts of different stories. In column A, use the verbs in simple past or past continuous; then in column B, use the verbs in the simple past or the past participle.

1. President George Bush was giving (give) a speech a. Luckily, my friend..(take) when a man threw (throw) two shoes at him. me to the hospital immediately.

2. The elevator.. (break down) while I b. It was a good thing he. . (go) to the fifth floor. (buy) some candles.

3. We the street when a car.. c. Fortunately, he had ducked (crash) into a tree down before they hit him. .

4. He.. (watch) TV when the lights, (go out). d. Luckily, it someone ..right away.

5. I. (play) soccer when I (break) e. Fortunately, the owner .. leg. (have ) his seat belt on.

A B

Match column A with column B to complete the stories. Add more information of your own to end each story. Too make it more interesting, use drawing to show the sequence of the story. Take turns reading your stories to other students. Follow the example given:

Activity 2 Sound strange but its true

Have you ever read a tabloid? They are specialized newspapers that talk about people with incredible stories and leave the reader wondering if they are really true. Read the incredible story about a dog that saved his owner.

Buddy the Alsatian Saves His Owner Joe

Chris Trott had answered many phone calls when on duty for an answering emergency phone line but never one from a dog. She wouldnt have been blamed for hanging up, but something told her that the urgency of the whimpering and barking was for a special reason which made Chris stay on the line. Immediately, after checking the incoming phone number, Chris realized that the line belonged to Joe Stalnaker, a man known to be susceptible to seizures.

The truth to this phone rescue was that Joe had pre-programmed the buttons on his phone to dial 911, so all his dog Buddy had to do was to pick up the phone in his mouth. One of his

President George Bush was giving a speech in a conference in the prime ministers office when a man threw two shoes at him. Fortunately, he had ducked down before the shoes hit him. This incident happened while he was visiting Iraq.

teeth was almost certain to hold down one of the keys for 3 seconds and thus trigger the dialing.

Something very similar had happened twice before, unfortunately, Joe is subjected to seizures after suffering a brain injury while serving in the army. His dog Buddy arrived at the age of 8 weeks courtesy of 'Paws With A Cause', which trains miracle dogs like Buddy to help people like Joe.

Surprisingly, there have been other similar cases of miracle dog rescues; for example, Leana Beasley's Rottweiler called Faith seeks help by pressing a speed-dial button with her nose. Right after the operator answered, Faith barked down the phone so that the emergency services operator realized Leana needed medical assistance.

Activity 3 Rearranging the story

Some parts of the story you have just read are all mixed up. Rearrange and rewrite it, then compare it with your classmates. Take turns retelling the story.

Right after the operator answered,Faithbarkeddownthephone

so all his dog Buddy had to do was to pick up the phone in his mouth.

but never one from a dog.

Surprisingly,therehavebeenothersimilarcasesofmiracledogrescues;

Chris realized that the incoming call belonged to Joe Stalmaker, known to be susceptible to seizures.

LeanaBeasley'sRottweilercalledFaithseekshelpbypressingaspeeddialbuttonwithhernose so the emergency

service operator realized Leana needed help medical assistance

Joe had pre-programmed the buttons on his phone to dial 911

Oneofhisteethwasalmostcertaintoholddownoneofthekeysfordialing.

Chris had answered many phone calls

She wouldnt have been blamed for hanging up,

but something told her that the urgency of the whimpering and barking was for a reason.

Chrishadansweredmanyphonecalls.

Activity 3 An incredible ending

In groups of five, read the beginning of the story. Think of a good headline for each one, then continue the story and finish it with an incredible ending. Put the stories together to create a tabloid newspaper. Use pictures to go with each article. Be as creative as possible. Share your newspaper with the class.

StrangebuttrueTabloidstories

In Houston, Texas people had reported to the police a strange object flying over their houses. Police thought it was only an illusion until one day.

A teenager boy was found after being attacked by a crocodile. Witnesses said that they had seen the boy .

An eight month baby was kidnapped by a woman who had worked for the family for many years. After weeks of investigation the police found.

Fifty years ago, a woman from Chicago had lost a diamond ring which was valued over one million dollars. She received a letter from someone who.

A dangerous snake had crawled into an old womans house and lived there for years. The snake had slept on her bed without her knowing until one day her neighbor saw the snake on the bed.

Actvity 4 Online stories

Some web sites offer you free online stories. Look at the box below. This particular web site has many incredible stories you can download for free. Choose to read the one you find the most interesting and incredible. Take notes as you will need them for Activity 5 where you will be sharing these stories in your own words to other classmates.

Activity 5 I want to hear more

Make groups of four to five students. Share each others stories. Ask follow up questions to get more information.

Http: www.sdlback.comskins/Skin_1/free_samples/SBT_Book_1.pdf

The story I read online about two sisters who hadnt seen each other for 45 years.

Really, and what happened? Why hadnt they seen each other in such a long time?

I want to hear more. Did they ever reu