10.20.2009

A Writer and a Tormented Man.

Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American writer, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective-fiction genre. He is further credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction.[1] He was the first well-known American writer to try to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career.[2]

He was born as Edgar Poe in Boston, Massachusetts; his parents died when he was young. Poe was taken in by John and Frances Allan, of Richmond, Virginia, but they never formally adopted him. After spending a short period at the University of Virginia and briefly attempting a military career, Poe parted ways with the Allans. Poe's publishing career began humbly, with an anonymous collection of poems, Tamerlane and Other Poems (1827), credited only to "a Bostonian".

Poe switched his focus to prose and spent the next several years working for literary journals and periodicals, becoming known for his own style of literary criticism. His work forced him to move between several cities, including Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City. In Baltimore in 1835, he married Virginia Clemm. In January 1845, Poe published his poem "The Raven" to instant success. His wife died of tuberculosis two years later. He began planning to produce his own journal, The Penn (later renamed The Stylus), though he died before it could be produced. On October 7, 1849, at age 40, Poe died in Baltimore; the cause of his death is unknown and has been variously attributed to alcohol, brain congestion, cholera, drugs, heart disease, rabies, suicide, tuberculosis, and other agents.[3]

Poe and his works influenced literature in the United States and around the world, as well as in specialized fields, such as cosmology and cryptography. Poe and his work appear throughout popular culture in literature, music, films, and television. A number of his homes are dedicated museums today.

One of the most famous stories by Poe is The Black Cat. You can read it here, for free. If you´re more like, a poem person, enjoy The Raven: click here.

10.08.2009

no Yak Race?

Ok, some Sumo then! Click here and find out more. Brought to you by our Strange Sports World reporter, Zeno Batista.

Wanna see a Yak Race?

Click here. Brought to you by our Strange Sports World reporter, Rafael Rollo!

10.03.2009

O-oh!

So you think Olympic Games are good for everybody?

Hum.

Ok, click here. And pay attention to the loose money part and to the tourists part.

9.22.2009

Verbs and Prepositions

What can I say? They are verbs that come with.....prepositions. And that can make a great change on their meaning!

Here´s a list. And here a load of exercises. There´s more here, if that was not enough!

Enjoy!

Infinitive or - ing?

Infinitive or -ing?

Sometimes we need to decide whether to use a verb in its:

  • -ing form (doing, singing)

    or

  • infinitive form (to do, to sing).

For example, only one of the following sentences is correct. Which one?

  • I dislike working late. (???)
  • I dislike to work late. (???)
Exercises here, here, here, here and here.

When to use the infinitive

The infinitive form is used after certain verbs:
- forget, help, learn, teach, train
- choose, expect, hope, need, offer, want, would like
- agree, encourage, pretend, promise, recommend
- allow, can/can't afford, decide, manage, mean, refuse

  • I forgot to close the window.
  • Mary needs to leave early.
  • Why are they encouraged to learn English?
  • We can't afford to take a long holiday.

The infinitive form is always used after adjectives, for example:
- disappointed, glad, happy, pleased, relieved, sad, surprised

  • I was happy to help them.
  • She will be delighted to see you.

This includes too + adjective:

  • The water was too cold to swim in.
  • Is your coffee too hot to drink?

The infinitive form is used after adjective + enough:

  • He was strong enough to lift it.
  • She is rich enough to buy two.

When to use -ing

The -ing form is used when the word is the subject of a sentence or clause:

  • Swimming is good exercise.
  • Doctors say that smoking is bad for you.

The -ing form is used after a preposition:

  • I look forward to meeting you.
  • They left without saying "Goodbye."

The -ing form is used after certain verbs:
- avoid, dislike, enjoy, finish, give up, mind/not mind, practise

  • I dislike getting up early.
  • Would you mind opening the window?
WSM Image
Some verbs can be followed by the -ing form or the infinitive without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start.
  • It started to rain.
  • It started raining.
  • I like to play tennis.

Passive Voice.

Use of Passive

Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however, who or what is performing the action.

Example: My bike was stolen.

In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was stolen. I do not know, however, who did it.

Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following example shows:

Example: A mistake was made.

In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.).

Form of Passive

Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd column of irregular verbs)

Example: A letter was written.

When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the following:

  • the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence
  • the finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past participle)
  • the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the passive sentence (or is dropped)
You can move on practising here!

Examples of Passive

Tense Subject Verb Object
Simple Present Active: Ritawritesa letter.
Passive: A letteris writtenby Rita.
Simple Past Active: Ritawrotea letter.
Passive: A letterwas writtenby Rita.



Too and Enough

That´s TOO much. It means TOO MUCH = É demais, em excesso.
That´s ENOUGH. It means = É suficiente.

Exercises: 1 and 2.

Future!

Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to." Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very different meanings. These different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and practice, the differences will become clear. Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific time in the future.

FORM Will

[will + verb]

Examples:

  • You will help him later.
  • Will you help him later?
  • You will not help him later.

USE 1 "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action

"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use "will" to respond to someone else's complaint or request for help. We also use "will" when we request that someone help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use "will not" or "won't" when we refuse to voluntarily do something.

Examples:

  • I will send you the information when I get it.
  • I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
  • Will you help me move this heavy table?
  • Will you make dinner?
  • I will not do your homework for you.
  • I won't do all the housework myself!
  • A: I'm really hungry.
    B: I'll make some sandwiches.
  • A: I'm so tired. I'm about to fall asleep.
    B: I'll get you some coffee.
  • A: The phone is ringing.
    B: I'll get it.

USE 2 "Will" to Express a Promise

"Will" is usually used in promises.

Examples:

  • I will call you when I arrive.
  • If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has access to inexpensive health insurance.
  • I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.
  • Don't worry, I'll be careful.
  • I won't tell anyone your secret.

No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Simple Future cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Simple Future, Simple Present is used.

Examples:

  • When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct
  • When you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct

There are some more here and here.

Should and shouldn´t

They are used when you want to give advice. For example:

You are sick. You SHOULD SEE a doctor.

You are sick. You SHOULD NOT eat this.

Want to practice? Click here!

What´s the Past Simple?

FORM

[VERB+ed] or irregular verbs

Examples:

  • You called Debbie.
  • Did you call Debbie?
  • You did not call Debbie.

USE 1 Completed Action in the Past

Use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one specific time in mind.

Examples:

  • I saw a movie yesterday.
  • I didn't see a play yesterday.
  • Last year, I traveled to Japan.
  • Last year, I didn't travel to Korea.
  • Did you have dinner last night?
  • She washed her car.
  • He didn't wash his car.

USE 2 Duration in Past

The Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past. A duration is a longer action often indicated by expressions such as: for two years, for five minutes, all day, all year, etc.

Examples:

  • I lived in Brazil for two years.
  • Shauna studied Japanese for five years.
  • They sat at the beach all day.
  • They did not stay at the party the entire time.
  • We talked on the phone for thirty minutes.
  • A: How long did you wait for them?
    B: We waited for one hour.

USE 3 Habits in the Past

The Simple Past can also be used to describe a habit which stopped in the past. It can have the same meaning as "used to." To make it clear that we are talking about a habit, we often add expressions such as: always, often, usually, never, when I was a child, when I was younger, etc.

Examples:

  • I studied French when I was a child.
  • He played the violin.
  • He didn't play the piano.
  • Did you play a musical instrument when you were a kid?
  • She worked at the movie theater after school.
  • They never went to school, they always skipped class.
Exercises here, here and here. Some are with music, you will have some fun!

9.21.2009

False Friends!

Use your dictionary and learn a lot. Don´t forget to write down the meaning!

Exerciseshere. A big list is here. Here´s a HUGE LIST here, just print it.

Enjoy!

9.08.2009

Grammar: Modals

Hello, sixth year. There we go...

Modals are auxiliaries that can be used to modify the meaning of the following verb. Different modals can express the same notion, while one specific modal can have different meanings. For example, CAN.

You use CAN to express possibility, permission or ability. What shall tell you is the context. Check!

You CAN drive, because you are eighteen. - that means you are authorized to drive.

You CAN drive on the right - that means you have the permission to drive.

You CAN drive well! - that means you have the ability to drive.


We shall work only with the 3 below:

You should study. = advice
You must study. = obligation
You can study. = permission

Structure:

Affirmative:
S M V
I can drive


Negative:
S M + not V
I can not drive

Interrogative:
M S V
Can I drive?

Today at school!

Sixth year got through pages 79,80, 81 and 83. Don´t have to say that 82 and 84 is homework, plus wbk pages 44 and 45.


A New World

A lost world populated by fanged frogs, grunting fish and tiny bear-like creatures has been discovered in a remote volcanic crater on the Pacific island of Papua New Guinea. Click here, and know more.

Lots and lots of pictures here.

Oooppps....

Counting time to close this blog.
No visitors today whatsoever.

9.04.2009

Cat Med.

The Importance of Sharing...


... with the right one!

Hello, Everyone!

I must say that results in seventh year have been good so far. But remember that was an unique test, with little stuff to study. It shall be different on exams, ok?

And, no...I haven´t checked on eighth year. Not yet.

8.30.2009

Ok, ok...Eight year shall get some help too!

What´s about underdevelopment? And what´s about latin america in it?
Click here and find out more. In Sciences, there´s a lot about muscles and senses. In Maths, algebraic fractions, algebraic equations and literal equations.

Hello, hello, seventh year!

You´re about to have your tests at school, right? So I will help you with some interesting links.

History: Portugal and The Expansion, the The Renaissance, Mercantilism and Absolute Monarchy.

Sciences: Crustacean, Arachnids, , Chilopods. Also echinoderms are on the list.

More About the tests!


What´s the atmosphere? And what kind of ocean waters can we find? Click on the names, have a better grade in Sciences and practice your English!

You can do the same with History. For examples, the Persians. They were not cats, although they liked them - and who doesn´t? - click here and find out more! They also had a religion with a funny name. Then go crazy on the greatest museum ever on !

Water quality is something everyone worries about, but know veeeeryy little. Click here and be very afraid!

Maths: what do you know about fractions?

Study, read, get informed, debate, discuss. Knowledge is power!

8.28.2009

Where are We Going? How? Why?

We all hear about the future of Earth and that things can go really bad. Al Gore has had his say on the doc An Inconvenient Truth. The US environmental agencies publish data (click here), but what´s real and what´s just about the money?

It´s been said that recycled paper is a way of saving the planet, but now we know it´s not like that: making recycled paper makes greater damages to the environment than simply disposing it.For example, it is not good because toxics from the ink can leach into the soil.

Where do you think you are going? Do you think you´re too small to make a difference? Humpf! have you ever slept with a mosquito in your room? Annoying, right? And he´s really small....

Wow! Now that was a Mistery!

The piano man was a mysterious guy who showed up on the streets of Kent, England. If you want to know more about his story, click on his name at this post or at the BBC link here.

It´s About English, It´s About Maths!

Can you solve Simultaneous equations?

R u rly good at it?

Let´s Know More about Him!

So, the next book for ninth year is A Morte e a Morte de Quincas Berro d´Água, right?
Want to know more about the author? Just click in the words..

8.27.2009

Robinson Crusoe and Alladin. You can have the complete text on these links!

Enjoy!

Yesrday at school...

I can´t remember that well what was on, but all grades - but ninth, that´s got another book - we´re all due to the middle of Unit 10. That means unit nine is already checked, so if your stuff is not complete, check with a friend.

Remember our test is coming. Please.

Ok.ok...

Updating hasn´t been that frequent, I know. But it´s never too late...

Remember ninth year people: your test is next Monday! It´s THE chance to get your cows out of the mud, so work hard on it! There a lots of exercises on will x going to, and lots to read around here. Use your dictionaries, put down the words, make your own word list!

Reading tips:

America's Best Young Entrepreneurs - 25 people under 25 years of age that have been really making some money!

How to star your own business. Nice tips for youngsters!

See who´s making history at school!

8.24.2009

And the Unthinkable Happened!

Barrichelo won!!!

ATTENTION CAMBRIDGE TRIERS!

You can enroll until October eight at any Cultura Inglesa branch. Check out dates down here!

YLE - STARTERS - Written exam - 27/11 (Friday afternoon) / Oral exam - 27/11(Friday afternoon)

YLE - MOVERS - -Written exam 27/11((Friday afternoon) / Oral exam - 27/11((Friday afternoon)

KET - Written exam - 04/12 ((Friday afternoon) / Oral exam - 04/12 ((Friday afternoon)

PET - Written exam - 04/12 (friday morning) / Oral exam - 04/12 ((Friday afternoon)

FCE - Written exam- 08/12 (tuesday: morning and afternoon) / Oral exam- 11/12 ((Friday afternoon)

CAE - Written exam- 09/12 (Wednesday: morning and afternoon) /Oral exam - 11/12 ((Friday afternoon)

CPE -Written exam - 10/12 (tuesday: morning and afternoon) / Oral exam - 11/12 ()(Friday afternoon

TKT - Written exam - 27/11 ((Friday afternoon and morning)

Verbs + Prepositions

First things first: You have to know the prepositions. Not all of them of course - although it might be a good idea - but the most important ones. This one is to be printed. This one is click and go.

A list of prepositions with the verb is here (this one is quite broad and complete) and here. Remember prepositions are very important for text understanding and communication as a whole.

Today at school!

Ninth Year:
In class: checked all homework on student book. Reviewed will X going to during exercise.
Homework: none.

Eight year A:
In class: Checked all homework. Student book page 81 and 83 done in class.
Homeworks: stbk page 82. Wbk: pages 40/41. Reading sheet 2 ( on pop groups).

8.21.2009

This is THE girl!

Remember I told you about the brazilian girl who entered Harvard - with a scholarship?

She lived in São Gonçalo, studied in Tijuca (at Colégio Militar), commmuted every single day - it´s a hour and a half journey - and never stopped believing her dreams. More than believe, she worked hard for it! Remember this name: Flávia Medina da Cunha. Some day she may join Miguel Nicolelis on Nobel Prize.

More about this girl here. Read and follow the example. Dreams DO come true...if you work hard for them!

Wanna follow her? Click here.

Wiil x Going to

As we all remember - if you don´t that means trouble - the present continous may be used as a future form. And what´s going to?

A continous form, of course! And, as a continuous form, it may be used as future!

He is going to travel to Canada.
He is traveling to Canada.

Although they´re written in different forms, they mean the same: a scheduled action in the future. He probably has already bought tickets.

Check some exercises here.

Past Simple Passive

Never forget: what rules the passive is the verb to be.

Example: She is sent home. (present)
She was sent home. (past)
She will be sent home. (future)

Try your understanding here and you can print some here.

Today at school!

Eight year A and B:
In class: Correct homework. Student book pages 77,76 and 80. Corrected in class.
Homework: Wbk 38,39. Stbk: 78,76. Extra reading sheet for 8th year A.
Grammar issue covered: Past Passive.

Seventh year A:
In class: Correct homework. Student book pages 77, 78, 80. Corrected in class.
Homework: Wbk 38,39. Stbk: 78,80 Extra reading sheet.
Grammar issue covered: Going to for future.

8.19.2009

Windy Weather, huh?


Find out more here. Wonder why it´s been windy here in Rio!

Who´s checked my cell today?

Yeah, now we have an animal half armadillo, half crocodile. And a brazilian discovered that!!!

Isn´t it amazing??



Click here and find out much more!

Today at school!

On the sixth year:
We started unit 10. We did the first two pages.
Homework on workbook - pages 37 and 38.

Seventh year:
Stbk pages 73,74, 75
Homework: wbk 36 and 37. Stbk: 76 plus reading sheet.

Eight year:
Stbk pages 77, 76,79
Homework: Reading exercise stbk page 74 and wbk 36 and 37.

Ninth year:
Stbk: 53 plus exercise checking.
Homework: pre reading on student book pages 54 and 55. Wbk page 40.

Remember: I am NOT at school tomorrow, so papers in delay can´t be delivered!

We will do More.

Nopz! WE ARE DOING MORE!

Click here for more information.

More exercises here.

A post is done by the teacher!

The passive voice is used when focusing on the person or thing affected by an action.

The Passive is formed:
Passive Subject To Be Past Particple

Example:
We have produced over 20 different models in the past two years. ( active voice)
Over 20 different models have been produced in the past two years. (passive voice)

Exercises here and here .

Hello, people! Should We study?

Click here and find out more.

Past Simple

Uses:

A completed action in the past...


Examples:

I saw a movie yesterday.
I didn't see a play yesterday.
Last year, I traveled to Japan.
Last year, I didn't travel to Korea.
Finished actions.





Examples:

I lived in Brazil for two years. - but he probably moved.
Shauna studied Japanese for five years - she probably finished.



Structure:


I played violin. - Affirmative
S V

I did not play violin. - Negative
S A NOT V

Did you play the violin? - Interrogative
A S V

Notice that DID is the auxiliar for the past simple, and it already shows the sentence is in the past. In the affirmative, verbs can be regular or irregular. When they´re irregular, they´re from the list. When they´re not, all you have to do is put ED at the end of the verb. REMEMBER! When the verb has Y after a CONSONANT, the Y falls and we put I !!!

Irregular verb tenses list here

Exercises here and here. Enjoy!

7.14.2009

Today is...


... Bastille Day in France!



Read more here!

General Physics.

A Cat Illustrates Einstein´s Theory!

7.09.2009

Have Great Vacations!

Hello, everyone! So, this is the end of term. That means a new one will start soon, with a lot of new things.

This blog will go on being updated. Why? Simple: if we´re not in touch with a language, we will probably loose practice. That means we´ll get slower. That means will have less vocabulary. That means... trouble.

6.16.2009

Essays!

Attention, people from eight year! Here´s our CREATIVE MINDS list!

Heisenberg, Rita Levi Montalcini,Stephen Hawking, Brian Greene.

Ooops!

Almost forgot! Future exercises!

Here, here,here,here and here!

Enjoy!

More about the Future!

When you´re sure about what you´re doing, when everything is set and clear, you use the PRESENT CONTINUOUS to talk about your so sure plans. Let´s go for the examples:

  • I am meeting some friends after work.
  • I am not going to the party tonight.
  • Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
  • Is he going to visit his parents next weekend? ( be going to is also present continous!)
  • Isn't he coming with us tonight.
See? It´s not that difficult!

Hello, hello!

Guys, there´s something on FUTURE today. Here´s the thing!

When you use WILL, three things may be happening: distant future, something you´re not sure or something you have just decided. Let´s make it clearer!

When you decide at the time of speaking, a voluntary action:
  • I will send you the information when I get it.
  • I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
  • Will you help me move this heavy table?
  • Will you make dinner?

When you make a plan, something you´re not sure or it´s too distant:
  • I will call you when I arrive.
  • If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has access to inexpensive health insurance.
  • I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.

6.09.2009

Rita Levi Montalcini!

On Nobel Prize TV, in 1996, and more recently, on her 100th birthday. This one is in italian, but it´s very nice to see such a lucid and bright mind.

Rita LM anwers to the question about what the secret is of her extraordinary age and good shape:. She says "Death is nonexistent. What counts are the messages we leave behind us. My only secret is being completely uninterested in myself, and instead totally interested in the world and the possibilities of mankind. My message is: do believe in values, no matter if lay or religious ones".

Another great hit score to this wonderful person!

So you would like...

..to take Cambridge exams, but don´t know how good would they be for you?

I´ll show you.

How good in Brazil and in UK. Not to mention other countries.

Have you considered it?

I would...if I could...

Hello, sixth year. So now we have conditional. Big deal. The use of would has to do with many things, but in our specific case, we deal with conditions.

For example:
I would go to the beach - but I probably can´t.

Sometimes, what we are trying to do when communicating is merely being polite.

For instance:
Would you like some tea?

It´s not we´re conditioning anything, but just giving our speaker the chance to refuse our offer...or request, as in I would like some water, please.


Sometimes, it´s just the past of will.
I knew that she
would be very successful in her career. - that means time passed and your guess was right!


To practice the use of would, just get the sheet I will hand in to you next week. There shall be a key for you to check your answers, so there´s no excuse for not doing it whatsoever.

What´s Past Perfect?

Oh, well, that´s easy. It´s an action in the past, correlated to another, also in the past. Let´s put a simple example:

When I arrived, Joe had left.

Action one is the second action: it´s in the past simple. The other action, previous to the one in the past simple, connected to the second, it´s in the past perfect.

Easy , right?

No?

Oh, well....then read the whole stuff down here.

Past Perfect


FORM

[had + past participle]

Examples:

  • You had studied English before you moved to New York.
  • Had you studied English before you moved to New York?
  • You had not studied English before you moved to New York.

Complete List of Past Perfect Forms

USE 1 Completed Action Before Something in the Past

The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past. It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past.

Examples:

  • I had never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to Kauai.
  • I did not have any money because I had lost my wallet.
  • Tony knew Istanbul so well because he had visited the city several times.
  • Had Susan ever studied Thai before she moved to Thailand?
  • She only understood the movie because she had read the book.
  • Kristine had never been to an opera before last night.
  • We were not able to get a hotel room because we had not booked in advance.
  • A: Had you ever visited the U.S. before your trip in 2006?
    B: Yes, I had been to the U.S. once before.

USE 2 Duration Before Something in the Past (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With Non-Continuous Verbs and some non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Past Perfect to show that something started in the past and continued up until another action in the past.

Examples:

  • We had had that car for ten years before it broke down.
  • By the time Alex finished his studies, he had been in London for over eight years.
  • They felt bad about selling the house because they had owned it for more than forty years.
Although the above use of Past Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.

IMPORTANT Specific Times with the Past Perfect

Unlike with the Present Perfect, it is possible to use specific time words or phrases with the Past Perfect. Although this is possible, it is usually not necessary.

Example:

  • She had visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.

MOREOVER

If the Past Perfect action did occur at a specific time, the Simple Past can be used instead of the Past Perfect when "before" or "after" is used in the sentence. The words "before" and "after" actually tell you what happens first, so the Past Perfect is optional. For this reason, both sentences below are correct.

Examples:

  • She had visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.
  • She visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.

HOWEVER

If the Past Perfect is not referring to an action at a specific time, Past Perfect is not optional. Compare the examples below. Here Past Perfect is referring to a lack of experience rather than an action at a specific time. For this reason, Simple Past cannot be used.

Examples:

  • She never saw a bear before she moved to Alaska. Not Correct
  • She had never seen a bear before she moved to Alaska. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

  • You had previously studied English before you moved to New York.
  • Had you previously studied English before you moved to New York?
Oh, and don´t forget to practice here and here , if you lads don´t mind.

Here we are!

Back into business! For seventh year B, we have been practicing on a secret project, so this is nobody´s business.

Anyway, we can always use a poem...;-)




Funeral Blues

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,

Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.


Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,

Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.


He was my North, my South, my East and West,

My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;

I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,

Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,

Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods;

For nothing now can ever come to any good.


W.H. Auden

2.16.2009

Scary...


Isn´t it?

2.13.2009

This is THE girl!


Congratas to 18 year old Francine Grotto Arida, from Mauá, SP, the first at Fuvest! She was a public school student who basically got 939,6 points out of a THOUSAND!! Saying she is great is not enough to the girl! She is super! :-D

Read more here - it´s in portuguese - and spread the news! I wonder if something like this can make other girls be sure that there´s more in life than dreaming of being nothing more than a pretty face. Maybe a girl will believe more in herself instead of believing the best that could ever happen to her is finding a partner to pay her bills. Or maybe that maths and engineering are not only for boys?

Maybe some girl when reading this, will see that intelligence is also cool - and needs no botox , starvation or constant surgery. Maybe someone will look at her books and think that they are the promise to a better and bright future and studying is much better than dieting like crazy, dancing bizarrely or straightening her hair so much and so often you can be bald before you´re 40.

Be Francine! Be you! Be a smart, wonderful girl!

2.11.2009

Can x Can´t

Can is a modal. And what´s a modal: it´s not a verb, but it modifies a verb.

1. Modal verbs do not take "-s" in the third person.
Examples:
  • He can speak Chinese.

2. You use "not" to make modal verbs negative, even in Simple Present and Simple Past.

Examples:

  • He should not be late.

3. Many modal verbs cannot be used in the past tenses or the future tenses.

Examples:

  • He will can go with us. Not Correct

Can tells about a possibility or a permission. For example:

You can drive if you are over 18. ( Permission)
You can´t vote if you are under 16. (Permission)


You can get bloated if you eat a lot of cheese. (Possibility)

2.07.2009

American Literature I

It starts with the Colonial Literature, which was basically pamphlets and writings extolling the benefits of the colonies to both a European and colonist audience, besides the religious disputes that prompted settlement in America.

Captain John Smith could be considered the first American author with his works: A True Relation of ... Virginia ... (1608) and The General Historie of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles (1624). Other writers of this manner included Daniel Denton, Thomas Ashe, William Penn, George Percy, William Strachey, John Hammond, Daniel Coxe, Gabriel Thomas, and John Lawson. Some poetry also existed with Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor and Michael Wigglesworth , who wrote a best-selling poem, The Day of Doom, describing the time of judgment the end of times.

Later, writings described conflicts and interaction with the Indians, as seen in writings by Daniel Gookin, Alexander Whitaker, John Mason, Benjamin Church, and Mary Rowlandson.

Then, there was the Great Awakening Group, made by protestants. Its writings were about religion, as most of them were calvinists and Puritans: Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield were important names, as Thomas Hooker, Thomas Shepard, Uriah Oakes, John Wise, and Samuel Willard.

The revolutionary period also contained political writings, most of them helped to build the American identity as a country. Two key figures were Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine. Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac and The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin are esteemed works with their wit and influence toward the formation of a budding American identity. Paine's pamphlet Common Sense and The American Crisis writings are seen as playing a key role in influencing the political tone of the period.

During the revolution itself, poems and songs such as "Yankee Doodle" and "Nathan Hale" were popular. Major satirists included John Trumbull and Francis Hopkinson. Philip Morin Freneau also wrote poems about the war's course.

Students, be aware: just reading this will not make you know about Early American Literature. Click on the links, read the poems, write comments, TRY!

2.04.2009

For next week:

Nineth year:
Present Perfect

Explanation
: here.
Exercises: here.








Eight year:

Past Simple

Explanation
: here.
Exercises: here. Click on next exercise at the bottom of the page to do more exercises.








Seventh year:

Present Simple x Continuous.

Explanation
: here and here.
Exercises: here and here.









Sixth year: Present Simple.

Explanation
: here.
Exercises: here and here.

2.03.2009

Rules


Guys, most of classes have already have their first call with me. Therefore, you know how things will be this year, but a small reminder is never too much.

1 - If you have to miss class, LET ME KNOW BY EMAIL. It can be really helpful for both of us.
2 - No chatting during classes. I won´t yell to overcome your voices.
3 - Homework is homework. Do it at HOME, not in class.
4 - If homework is not done, I´ll stamp your books.
5 - Abduction happens. Try me.
6 - Whatever is on the board, is on my notebook. Anything you need, just ask me for a copy.
7 - This is an English class blog. So, this blog is in English. Use the dictionary or Google Language Tools. Take a chance and put down new words on your notebook.
8 - Bring all material: book, notebook, dictionary and our dear and beloved red pen. Students with no material won´t be allowed to be in class.
9 - Deadlines will be respected, believe me.
10 - If you think English is not important, check English marks at the public Universities. A low mark in English may mean not classified, and that shall trash out a year of your life.

Have a great year!

Welcome back, lads!