EXTREME SPORTS

BY LAURA REY, 2BT0-D

Now, many people want to practise extreme sports, but this has got advantages and disadvantages.

One advantage is that if you practise one extreme sport, you will PRODUCE a lot of adrenalin and you will feel fine. This means tHAT you are a brave person because there are a lot of people who say they WOULD never practise one of them.

On the other hand, there are disadvantages too. You have to use the correct protection SO AS NOT TO have a serious accident, and if you want to practise those sports in Spain, you will have to pay a lot of money because the courses are very expensive.

In my opinion, those sports are expensive, but if you really want to practise one, you will have to pay fOr it. I would like to practise one someday. 

CATALONIA'S INDEPENDENCE

BY RAÚL SÁNCHEZ-RUBIO, 2BTO-D

Lately, this topic is heard everywhere: the independence of the community that politicians want to carry out in Catalonia. Many of us don't know the real causes of why they want to do this although some of the causes that they expose are: independence would be the best for the integration of immigrants, the problem of infrastructure managed by central government would be disappear, improvements in education, and that the money would be managed by the Generalitat...

In my opinion, the independence of Catalonia is definitely a ruin. According to some studies, it will take them about ten years to join the Euro group. On the other hand, I think it isn't fair that public constructions that have been done with all the Spanish money can stay there. If they want the independence, they'll have it with all its consequences. How much money they are willing to spend? This process is too expensive, and if the Generalitat doesn't have the money, what will they do? I think it's a waste of time.

RIHANA

Reading, Listening, Grammar and Vocabulary activity about the famous singer Rihana:
http://www.englishbaby.com/mobile/lesson?id=6186
Ebaby! Mobile Lessons

E-BOOKS VS. P-BOOKS

BY JULIA DÍAZ, 2BTO-D

Technology or tradition? Electronic books or paper books? Since few years ago, people's opinions have been divided in two. Different brands as Apple, Amazon or Sony have been launching onto the market a variety of these new e-books. But which one is better? Personally, I think that we must give newness a chance.

E-book gives you the posibility to take with you your favourite books everywhere. It doesn't matter if it's a huge mistery noVel or a historical book, because this little device can have tens of them. It's more ecological than paper ones, since it's not necessary to cut trees to make it. And contrary to what people think, this kind of technology doesn't hurt your eyes.

But I also like paper books. I think that nothing will be able to replace that smell of new book and that sensation when you turn the paper pages. I've got an e-book, but I will continue buying some "p-books" for me and for people who I love.

BASIC MATHS VOCABULARY

Watch this video-lesson to learn some basic maths vocabulary.

Then, do the comprehension quiz here: http://www.engvid.com/basic-math-vocabulary/#quiz

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY

Saint Patrick's Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland,[9]Northern Ireland,[10]Newfoundland and Labrador and Montserrat. It is also widely celebrated by the Irish diaspora around the world; especially in Britain, Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.
For more detailed information: Saint Patrick's Day - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

TECHNOLOGIC CHRISTMAS GIFTS

BY CARLOTA ARMILLAS, 2BTO-D

Christmas finished last 6th January, and The Three Wise Men (in some families, Santa Claus, too) have left lots of presents in children's houses. Some children have received toys, and other children only got coal... but, if we ask them, it is not a surprise to hear "they gave me a mobile phone / a tablet / a Nintendo / a PSP / a laptop / etc.”. The question is the following one: is that good for children?

It's true that technology is a necessity nowadays, so children need to get used to it. Unfortunately, spending so much time looking at small screen is bad for our sight: more and more children need glasses today. Also, smartphones, tablets and some other devices are able to surf on the Internet, which is good if you are a responsible adult, but it might carry some trouble if you are an innocent child. Nobody knows what kind of things (images, videos...) may appear while they are using Google.

In spite of the disadvantages, I think that playing videogames and enjoying with apps IS not bad for children at all, but parents must take care of them and be careful, because it is not good to focus ON technology so much time. As everybody knows, the best games are traditional ones, such as playing with dolls, running or kicking a ball!

HOW TO MAKE A CHOCOLATE & BISCUIT CAKE

BY ANA BENÍTEZ & WILLIAM GAWN, 2BTO-A
If you want to learn how to prepare this tasty cake, watch this video and follow the instructions:

DON'T PANIC, BY COLDPLAY

Hey! Here you are British music to put a good end to this week. I hope you like Coldplay. Have a good weekend. Enjoy!

CARNIVAL OF CADIZ

BY LUCÍA BECERRA, 2BTO-C

What is the first thinking that comes to your mind when I say "Carnival"? For example, I imagine a lot of people dressing up with strange clothes, laughing, singing and dancing.

Here in Cadiz, we have a  song contest which makes so MANY tourists visit the city, and a carnival nigth, when people have a great time with their friends in the street of Cádiz.

On the other hand, the festival makes people who live here feel bad with the noise and the rubbish that visitors throw everywhere.

In conclusion, carnival in Cádiz would be a good opportunity for tourism if people were more respectful with the city.

You are invited to carnival, too. You will have fun!

TELEPLEBE'S KITCHEN SHOW

BY MARÍA MANRUBÍA & CRISTINA DEL PINO, 2BTO-A
Watch this fun video of a "special" TV show :) 

GLOBAL WARMING

BY DARÍO CALA, 2BTO-B

Many people think that “global warming” is a very important problem.

The first thing to be said about this topic is that “global warming” is a term that we use to speak about the increasing of the global temperature or the atmosphere and the ocean.

To start with, it is caused by CO2 emissions, as a consequence of the burning of fuel and human behavior. As a result, there are some consequences as it follows: if we talk about the climate, we will notice an increasing of the temperature, there will be hurricanes and thunderstorm. As for health, we will suffer from different diseases.

In my opinion, we should worry about our planet. We should take care of it in different ways: reduction of the consumption of electrical energy, not using the car so many times, not wasting running water, or recycling waste.

CHILD EXPLOITATION

BY LAURA GARCÍA, 2BTO-C

More than two hundred million children in the world are forced to work to survive. Unfortunately, it's a scary topic that happens in Spain too.

I think it may be due to several reasons. One of them is poverty and economic situation in the world. Other can be the despair to put money in the family, and companies that employ child labour for a low cost in labour for their own profit.

In my opinion, these reasons are not enough to make it happens. Children have to study, to play, to learn and to do homework, like other children, without being exploited or marginalized.

Globally, in my opinion, this is one of the most disturbing topics nowadays and one of the least DISCUSSED today

MUSIC INFLUENCE

BY MARÍA GIL, 2BTO-D

Many people think that music doesn't concern children or young people behaviour, but in my opinion, music, which has a very direct influence on them, can make their way of acting or feeling a lot different.

A few years ago, not everyone could afford paying for a CD, but nowadays, even a five-year-old child can go through the internet and download or listen to whatever he likes.

There are songs with contents that only people over eighteen should be able to listen to,  and other types of music as those which only contains drunk people in parties, drugs, violence or sex, and that almost shows those scenes on their official videos that, from my point of view, should be banned.

In conclusion, although it seems to be impossible to keep this bad influence AWAY from young people because of the abundance of communication media, this is an important topic to treat and should be taken into account.

MOBILES & COMPUTERS: GOOD OR BAD THINGS?

BY CLAUDIA SALAGRE, 2BTO-B

Computer and mobile phone are new technologies. Many people say that they are some of the best invention of the century, but for me, they can be antisocial and addictive things.

Last summer I had my new mobile phone with Android. It was fantastic, because I could chat with my friends when I wanted and I could surf on the Internet.

At first, all was fantastic but then, I couldn´t stop using the mobile phone and I didn't do other important things, like studying or speaking with the people that ARE near me, because I was always chatting.

In conclusion, mobile phone and computer are very useful and good things if you know when you have to stop using them and you are responsible. For me, one of my intentions is to be responsible and not use the mobile phone from Monday to Friday, only AT indispensable moments.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO LEARN ENGLISH

BY CRISTINA MARTÍN,  2BTO-C

There are many ways to improve our English level. Obviously, to learn this language the solution could be going to other country where you practice it, England for example, but so many people can't afford it. So, what can they do? For this reason, reading books and watching films in English is advisable to everyone, because you would have the possibility to get more vocabulary besides of having a better pronunciation. 

At first, it will be difficult for people who don't know English, but if you practice these habits, it will become easier. You can watch your favorite film or TV series with subtitles in English too, to know how to write words. Also, you may use a dictionary when you don't understand something. 

On the other hand, the trouble  is when we put subtitles in Spanish, and you usually look AT THEM MORE. It isn't useful. In addition, there are many expressions that are unknown to us, so you won't know what it means.

To sum up, things as simple like that would help us to improve this language so important.

MODERN HOMES

BY JOSÉ MIGUEL MORA, 3ESO-D

At present, people are buying modern houses. Houses have electronic programmes. Electronic programmes have a lot of improvements for the person who is using them.

Some of these improvements are: intelligent alarms with automatic calls for you, automatic lights when you pass into the house, thermo regulator when you are having a bath or a shower, or EVEN when you are swimming in the pool of your house, it prepareS your daily food, and a lot of things.

You can download applications in the central panel that lets you organize your home. For example, when you want to do a party, you can order the house to prepare the event with a specialized application, or you can play simulate that you are in some place of the world. You can simulate that you wear any type of clothes.

These houses are typical in the USA, some places of Germany and some places of China. Because they have a highly developed economy. Only a little part of people of the world can buy these modern houses, because they have a lot of informatic systems and that is very expensive and not everyone can buy it. Not everyone would have much money to spend.

CRUISE SHIPS IN CÁDIZ

BY MÓNICA MOVILLA, 2BTO-C

Now, it's very common to see many cruise ships from different countries that dock at the pier of Cádiz. 

It could be said that it's good for the city itself, but it has advantages and disadvantages. 

On one hand, the arrival of these foreigners in cruise ships gives money to the city. as well as prestigious and the opportunity to make themselves known in the world, causing the arrival of more people.

But on the other hanD, the city doesn't adapt to these tourists, who can't visit it because the establishments are closed when they go to walk through the streets. Because of this, the cruise ships prepare tours to other places, usually Jerez and Seville.

I believe that Cádiz should do everything possible to adapt itself to this TYPE OF tourism, because it improves the local economy, something that comes very well in the situation where we finD ourselves.

SMART PHONES

BY ALMUDENA SÁNCHEZ, 2BTO-C

Technology is one of the most important things in the world. For example, smartphones. They are new phones which have a lot of applications.

Nowadays, we normally use phones in our daily life. You can chat with your friends with an application called ''Whatsapp'', but it is essential to have Internet on your phone. Also, it is easy to find information on Internet and even to do shopping.

There are many smartphones which have even more megapixels than a real camera, and it is so useful, because if you need to take photos, you only have to take your phone up.

However, there are many disadvantages about smartphones. For example, mobile companies have expensive fares to use your mobile phone with Internet, and sometimes they can charge prices!!

HOW TO MAKE AN ORIGINAL PEARL NECKLACE

BY ELENA LLORET, 2BTO-A

GENETIC RESEARCH

BY MARÍA SERRANO, 2BTO-B

Many people believe that genetic research is good for humanity, but is this really true? In my opinion, genetic research is very good, but it can be dangerous if it is used inadequately.

Genetic research can use bacterial genes in order to develop proteins. These  proteins are used as insecticides. In addition, genetic research will be able to find cures. In my opinion, it is good for humanity.

Moreover, it is true that there are risks, like producing allergies or cancer in extreme cases. I think that although this may have some risks , it is a good idea in order to salve serious problems. Hovewer, genetic research must be used in a controlled way.

In conclusion, genetic research could be good, but it can also be  dangerous. To my mind, it is good if it is used in a proper way.

TEENAGERS' RELATIONSHIPS

BY IGNACIO MARTÍNEZ DE MURGA, 2BTO-D

We often find partners going out when they are teenagers, but not everything about these relationships is good, there are also negative facts.

On the one hand, couples are happy because they fall in love with each other and now they can show their feelings without being scared.

On the other hand, couples usually focus on their relationship and forget all the world around them. For example, when people are going out, it is common to see that they get lower school marks. Or even they start to meet each other without their friends, so if they break up, they will be with no friends.

Consequently, I think teenagers must be careful with boyfriends and girlfriends. It is a way to be happy and show their feelings, but to be worried about school and friendship, too.

SOLDIER MANNING TELLS HIS REASONS

Thanks to this listening & reading activity we can know why Wikileak soldier Manning revealed those secrets:
Learning English - Words in the News - Wikileaks soldier reveals why he shared secrets

HOW TO MAKE A SPONGE CAKE

BY ALEXANDER GAWN, RYAN GAWN & JUANMI PASTOR - 4ESO-D

TOO MUCH MONEY

BY MARÍA MANRUBIA, 2BTO-A

Most people love football players. BuT in my opinion, they earn a lot of money and IT isn´t necessary.

They earn a lot of money and this is good because if they have money they will spend it on products from Spain and many tourists come to Spain thanks to them because tourists like football.

Although I can´t stand them earning so much money because they play for a short time and make much more money thaN a person who works all day. Therefore, it isn´t fair that they earn so much money while other people have to work 8 hours a day to make LITTLE money.

In conlusion, there are more and more people who want to be football players because they earn money doing something they love, buT I think they should earn less money

SAFA STUDENTS IN GLASGOW (UK)

Once again SAFA San Luis English Department is out of Spain taking part in an international meeting thanks to a Comenius programme.

Our representatives there: teachers Ms. Isabel Grosso and Ms. María de los Ángeles Bollullo; and 4th ESO students Regina, Jaime, Diego and Enrique. Teacher Mr. Juanma Palma (Dpto. Pastoral) also joined the group.

This time, the trains*e programme's event is held in Glasgow (Scotland, UK) and it has been well organised by teacher Gordon Reid (pic: the first on the right).

TOURISM IN EL PUERTO

BY MARÍA LECHUGA, ALICIA RIQUÉ & SONIA