ARE GIFTS PERJUDICIAL FOR KIDS?

BY ADRIÁN SÁNCHEZ #BTO2D

Every year, we spend more than 700€ (seven hundred euros) in Christmas presents.

There are many families who buy expensive presents and all kinds of things for the sons, daughters, cousins and family while other families can´t  celebrate Christmas because they don´t have enough money.

Which children will appreciate these presents?

I agree with the news when they say that children who receive all they want are more selfish and have less imagination than the rest.

In my opinion, parents should put limit to this problem, and communicate it to the rest of the family because we are at the point that the only thing we do is buying and spending.

MALVIVIENDO, THE FUNNIEST SERIES IN THE WORLD

BY PABLO MARTÍNEZ #BTO1D

Malviviendo is a Spanish TV series that takes place in Seville. It's a comedy and it tells the story of some families and their daily lives.

The main character comes from the Canary Islands, and he's also a rap singer. He appears in mostly every chapter and he gives us such a good vision of real life, but with a funny and moving touch.

There are lots of characters and each of them has a comic, humoristic or funny side.

Al in all, I recommend every one who'd like to have fun to watch this series from the very beginning, it will show you what happens to ordinary people and you will also empathize with every or mostly every character.

THE IMPACT OF DAILY LIFE

BY RUBÉN CUÉLLAR #BTO2D

Today, work is crucial for our lives, but if we spend too much time on it, we will develop an unhealthy habit. It is clear to me that people who dedicate their lives to work have a stressful life.

I believe that it is better to work fewer hours and earn less money, because, in this situation, we could have more free time to do sports, eat well and enjoy moments with our family. This can make us look good. But, on the other hand, if we spend a lot of hours working hard, although we earn more money, we couldn´t have leisure time. So, we might live in a stressful situation, and it can cause that we will be in risk of suffering illnesses and depression.

In conclusion, I think that it is better to have a heathy life, even though we have an adjusted salary. 

THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE IF PEOPLE UNDER 40 MADE THE DECISIONS

BY ANDREA ASTORGA #BTO1B

If people under 40 made the decisions, the world would be very different, good for some people and bad for others, because at each age people think differently. Older people are usually more responsible than youngsters. Moreover, the cultural and educational level is also important.

This statement is something real, but there are some young people who are very mature and hard-working, so we can think they may be prepared to make important decisions.

In a survey on this topic people from Spain showed that they didn't like this statement because they disagree with the idea that states that youngsters can not make correct decisions. I believe this statement is difficult to defend.

I think that older people are much more experienced, they have been on this world longer and know the consequences of actions. This is why they may know the final result of these actions.

Younger people can think that older people don't know about new or modern life. However, they have essential values of life to offer to younger people to behave correctly everyday.

THE FORCE AWAKENS: MY REVIEW

BY JAMES HAAG #BTO1D

The movie was released this year in mid December. It is basically about an empire (The First Order) that wants to destroy the Jedi, the rebels, and anyone who is a threat to them. They also want full control of the galaxy. 

I found the movie kind of disappointing for three main reasons. First of, I felt like the movie lacked creativity. Second of, I wasn’t impressed by Kylo Ren´s character. Finally, Rey´s control over the force didn’t seem reasonable to me.

The movie lacked creativity because it had no original plot. The movie essentially covered all of the same plots as the original trilogy. I didn’t feel like I was seeing anything new, nor was there any risks. Perhaps that was the objective of the director. As a Star Wars fan, and someone who has read the books, this movie was definitely a let down. However, there are Star Wars fans who did enjoy the movie because it was the computation of the trilogy with special effect and an overall good casting. 

I felt like Kylo Ren is the worst Sith in all the star wars movies. In my opinion, he was to quick to take off his mask, and that showed weakness and lack of confidence. If he ‘d waited longer, the character would have been far more interesting. On top of that, he didn’t even look like a bad boy. I thought that he would have battle marks on his face to show the tests he faced. 

Another thing I didn’t like was Rey´s quick ability to control the force when it took the strongest Jedi months to learn under great masters with strict training.  I found it quite out of line. 

In conclusion, the movie wasn´t bad. It just wasn´t as great as I had hoped for. 

THE GLASS SLIPPER: MY OPINION

BY BELÉN GALLEGO #BTO1D

Original title: Cinderella.
Year: 1950.
Genre: Fantasy, Romance.
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures. All Public.

Walt Disney Pictures brings us a story led to cinemas in the 1950’s: Cinderella.

This film tells the story of a beautiful young woman who lives with her stepmother and her two stepdaughters. She is in charge of cleaning the house and attending the family, until one day a prince comes to the place, and the stepmother locks up the girl, while her stepdaughters prepare to meet the newcomer.

Firstly, it’s a magical and entertaining film. You can not stop watching it. It will make you feel their sadness and joy.

On the other hand, if you've seen this version and you did not like it, you probably don’t like fantasy films.

In my opinion, if you like films of princesses and you like the love stories with happy endings, you have to watch it. And you can also watch the new version of this classic, equally amazing, with real characters.

IS IT GOOD TO HAVE A GOOD LIFE?

BY JULIO CABALLERO #BTO2D

Many people understand “a good life” as an easy life, with no obstacles that make it more complex to achieve your goals. However, is the adjective “good” properly used in this context?

From my point of view, having a comfortable life is not always advantageous. Owning less things makes you appreciate what you have more, whereas, if you receive everything you ask for, you don’t value anything. In addition, I think dreaming is essential, and a person who has everything can no longer dream. Imagine a boy with a medium-class mobile phone. He will be dreaming of having a better one. However, a boy with an iPhone will have no aims (in regards to this issue), as he has the best smartphone possible. In other words, improvements are possible unless you are or you have the best.

To sum up, I would say that “a good life” is beneficial up to a point, in which you are satisfied with your situation but you still have further goals. You will be likely to be happy if you do not have “such a good life”.

MOBILE PHONES: MY OPINION

 BY AMPARO PÉREZ #BTO1D

Nowadays, there are many people who can't live without a mobile phone. They use them in the beach, the park, and also when they are with their families and friends. Is it something good?

In the first place, the advantage is that you can take it with you whenever and wherever you want. Thanks to these new gadgets, you can talk to someone who is elsewhere or send a photo, but on the other hand, you don't really enjoy the physical activities or experiences which are happening there because you aren't able to share them with other people. Finally, mobile phones exist to help ourselves and make us the life easier but also to harm us socially and physically, specially to our health due to its microwaves.

In conclusion, I think that mobile phones are useful although you have to know how and when you have to use them properly.

THE WIND'S SHADOW

 BY MARÍA SERRANO #BTO1B

This is a review about ''The Wind's Shadow''. It was written by C.R.Zafón. The book has got intrigue, suspense and love.

It tells how a boy called Daniel discovers Carax's mistery, his favourite writer. That happens in Barcelona in the early 20th century.

I couldn't stop reading since I opened it. I like the way the author describes the city and his humour, too.

When I finished it, I couldn't start another book for a few month. Because when I started, I just thought about it. It was as if i missed the characters. I was specially attached to Fermín Romero de Tormes.

I recommend it to anyone who wants to live an exciting story.

MANAGING MONEY AND APPLYING FOR JOB AS ACADEMIC SUBJECTS

BY LOURDES MEDIALDEA, #BTO1D

The ordinary academic subjects, such as Maths or Languages, are the most important things to learn that would help you in your professional life. I totally agree with that. If you do not learn this basic skill you could never go into a college and have a degree. And also, to join a college, you need to have such high marks. 

On the other hand, we all know that, when we start "the adult life", like living alone and having our own bank account, you realize how much you really need some help from someome who has done all these things before. I know that teaching that subject might be a bit difficult. 

To sum up, it would be great to have a subject like that, and it would help us a lot, but we probably would have less hours of other subjects, such as PE or Art.

YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD READ CLASSIC BOOKS

BY BEATRIZ ARMILLAS, #ESO3D

Currently, young people read many ´best-sellers´ and they forget to read the most important books. Present ´best-sellers´ are about love or about a fantasy world. They deal with shallow topics, and they´ve got a very simple writing normally.

In my opinion, young people should read classic books or awarded books. Why? First of all, because they´ve got a crafted writing, and people can learn a lot of vocabulary or expressions from them. Secondly, because there are many important books that make you think about some topic, like humanity, power, society, relationships… They influence you along all your life. Finally, because a lot of ´best-sellers’ are based on great classic stories. For example, current ´dystopias´ (books that are about a vision of a society with very bad life conditions in the future) are based on the classic ´Brave new world´ (by Aldous Huxley), considered the first ´dystopia´.

As a conclusion, teenagers ought to read world literature books. They give us a grateful knowledge. So, what are they waiting for?

COMPULSORY FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES

BY MARIANA MÁRQUEZ #BTO2B

Nowadays, in my country, like in the majority of the whole countries, the study of a foreign language is compulsory in primary and secondary school, and I agree with that.

First of all, learning a foreign language will be helpful for our working life. On the one hand, because we would be able to work in another country if we did not find a job in our country. On the other hand, this would be an advantage over the other candidates for a job. Furthermore, if we know more than one language, it would be easier to make a booking in a hotel, asking for an address, or renting a car if we travel abroad on holidays. Moreover, it is thought that people who speak several languages are more open-minded and, as a result, they are able to understand the other points of view.

In conclusion, because of all these reasons, I believe studying a foreign language has to be part of people's education.

TECHNOLOGY, MY #OPINION

 By CLAUDIA PAREJO, #BTO2B

Nowadays, technology is present in a high level in human´s life. The question is, is it an advantage or disadvantage for humans?

Technology has had a massive development in the past few years; it has become an essential part of our everyday life, and it has also noticeably helped people increasing their life expectancy, curing diseases, and improving the quality of life, but the misuse people are giving to it is causing the upcoming of their destruction. This destruction does not occur only in humans, but also in the environment. We can see it in the environment in the massive pollution that new technologies bring to nature. As for the destruction of human beings, who are increasingly dependent on new technologies, such as in the mobile phone case, whose use is essential for people from all ages these days.

To my mind, new technologies are important to move forward, but humans have to find the best possible use of it, avoiding damage to nature and protecting themselves from it.

In conclusion, on the one hand, I think that new technologies are crucial today, and therefore, people should investigate to make progresses in this sector. On the other hand, I believe that people should learn to make a  good use of them. We must protect nature, because if all of this disapears, that is all we have.

CELEBRITIES INFLUENCE ON YOUNG PEOPLE

BY MARIANA MÁRQUEZ #BTO2B

Nowadays, we live in a world where, especially thanks to social MEDIA, we can know what all our FAVOURITE stars are doing daily. Are young people being influenced by celebrities because of that? In my opinion, of course they are.

First of all, we can take the example of their wardrobe because we are inspired by singers looks in their videoclips, or by actors in galas to be always up with the lastest trends.

Although we can name celebrities like Miley Cyrus, whose provocative twerking has been copied by girls all around the world.

Moreover, they launch styles, like the one of the "selfie", which started with the photo taken at the Oscars ceremony in which we can see actors like Brad Pitt or Jennifer Laurence. Besides, in other occasions it can do us join supportive MOVEMENTS, as the ice bucket challenge to promote awareness of the disease ALS, or the recent "je suis Charlie" (I'm Charlie) for the defense of the right of expression freedom.

In conclusion, it is true that celebrities influence young people nowadays, so we have to choose our role model carefully.

EXTREME RELIGIOUS, MY OPINION

BY DANIEL DE ASÍS #BTO2C

Last 7 January, there was a horrible attack in the office of Charlie Hebdo in Paris. Two masked-men killed twelve employees of the magazine. The terroristS were muslim origin. Possibly, they were anNoyed because of the publication of many drawings making fun of Alá, the muslim god.

In my opinión, I think that we can't be MUCH too extreme. You can be religious , but you should be tolerant.

On this case, it is very hard because you can't kill anybody for doing his job, that in this case it is drawing in a magazine.

Muslim are very radical with their religion. They always have wars because of religious issues.

The government should take action in that events. We can't allow people who make the religion a reason to murder.

In conclusion, it hasn't any justification. Government should make PEOPLE aware about the values of people's life.

THE CONSPIRACY OF THE ELECTRONIC RUBBISH

 BY NACHO GUERRERO #BTO2C

As time goes by, technology is even more present in one'S everyday life. Every year, new models of all technology ranges come up, and the old ones are replaced.

So, where do all these old devices end up? 

Even though there are strict rules about exportation, the electronic rubbish mostly endS up in Ghana or China. The most developed countries produce about 50 million tons of these residues, which the 75% of them dissapear ilegally. Furthermore, just in the UE, one third of electronic rubbish is recycled appropriately.

Therefore, the 'lost' rubbish is accumulated in poor countries, like Ghana, where toxic chemicals of all of those old and broken devices are a huge health risk. Inhabitants bet there lives just for some materials they can find like gold, silver, neodymium... These risky jobs and the illegal exportation from developed countries conform a bigger business than drugs.

Finally, speaking for myself, we should think more about getting a new smartphone every year, because this consumerist tendence we all have is destroying and polluting the Earth, our home.

CRISIS, MY OPINION

 BY FABI PEINADO, @BTO1A

As all Spanish people know, we are going through a difficult economic period of time where so many people don't have anything to eat or don't have a worthy house to live in, among other things.

It is clear to me, and to almost all Spanish people, that it is an inhuman behavior. We all are aware about the situation, but I think we could get over this poor time taking some actions, such us: 

Reducing the number of politicians in the government. There are too many people working in our government that are dispensable for the Administration.

Not wasting money. The government throw away a lot of money during the year as doing reforms or changing the way of studying.

Promoting the touring. We have very beautiful and wonderful places in our country. The government must advertise about them in the other world's states to improve the touring.

It is clear that we are in a very hard finantial time, but we can't fall down. We have to be strong and face the situation. Someday, we will get past this situation.

SHOULD UNIFORMS BE OBLIGATORY AT SCHOOL?

 BY EMILIO MIRANDA, #BTO2C 

I think that uniforms shouldn’t be obligatory in levels like ESO or Bachillerato, but they can be really useful with children who are in primary school.

Firstly, uniforms can help parents who have little children at primary school because they don’t have to wash up many clothes. Also, wearing a uniform is cheaper than wearing different clothes everyday.

Secondly, uniforms are useful in levels like primary because all children look the same and they can’t BE BULLLIED BY otherS because of their appearance. In levels such as ESO or Bachillerato students are more mature, so they won’t discriminate their mates. For instance, if they dress up with clothes that they are keen on, they can express their personality.

In conclusion, uniforms can be helpful, but only in some situations. We should know when students may wear a uniform or not.

WHAT MOTIVATES ME? WHAT INSPIRES ME?

 BY DANI PÉREZ, @BTO1A 

To me, to get success is really important to be motivated and inspired by someone or something. It's just not that, without hardworking and sacrifice there is no possible success.

What truly motivates me is the satisfaction of doing things well and the endless pursuit of perfection. I deeply ADMIRE people who can do great things for the world with any resources or less than other people.

People's recognition about my work also motivates me. When I give all my effort into something or someone, I like to feel that it IS really WORTHWHILE.

If you want to succeEd, you must work as hard and best as you can to fulfill your goal. Also, find a motivation that helps you wake up every morning and say "I can and I'm doing it".

DIFFERENT GENERATIONS LIVING TOGETHER?

BY CELIA GÁLVEZ, #BTO2C 

It is a fact that nowadays different generations of a family live together. I do think this can be profitable, because we can learn a lot about all the members in the family.

First of all, we can be instructed by people who are not on our same wavelenght. In particular, old people usually tell their children interesting things they know, stories they have lived, or the way they have lived their childhood.

Secondly, living with other people will help us respect different points of view. Although we can consider the age difference a disadvantage, I think this can help us be open-minded and grow as a person.

 In conclusion, I would say living whith other generations is beneficial, as we can share our skills and knowledge with other people and we can learn to be tolenrant.