guys
i have read your comments. what about the following for term 2 ...
1. more exam stuff. I was thinking in January that for one month we could do nothing but exam work. one saturday do a reading paper, one saturday do a use of english etc. just for the month of january to show you the standard required and do some stuff on exam technique
2.more writing homework. no problem will set more homework. a lot of people also said that they didn't mind doing writing in class as they didn't have time at home. no problem. more writing in class it is.
3. more speaking activities. no problem. but you have to realise that i can not listen to everyone at the same time. just because i am not listening to your group should not be an excuse to slip back into portuguese... it is highly likely in the future that you will speak english to a non english speaker - e.g. an Italian - so you should always speak to each other in English
4. a film for the last 30 mins. instead of a stupid game, we could watch a film. i quite like this idea for two reasons. firstly i don't think anyone can concentrate for 3 hours. Secondly films have great language presented in a context to assist with meaning. what do you think ?
5. a weekly topic for the blog. fine. you guys can choose the topic.
6.marking. guys i don't know if i have made this clear or not, but when i mark your home work the stuff in green is good, and the stuff in pink or orange is bad...
comments please
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
job satisfaction
guys - here is a list of things that affect job satisfaction. Put them into the order that is most important to you, and then try and work out your ideal job. In no particular order ...
challenge,meeting people, security,colleagues respect, working conditions, status in the organisation, learning new things, personal freedom, being part of a team, exercising power, helping people, being praised, social status, being promoted, making money
challenge,meeting people, security,colleagues respect, working conditions, status in the organisation, learning new things, personal freedom, being part of a team, exercising power, helping people, being praised, social status, being promoted, making money
the worst job I have ever done
when i was 17 , i left school and joined a bank. i was sick of studying and doing exams, so i decided not to go to university. At the bank i was the most junior member of staff so i had to do all the crappy jobs. In scotland, as you know, we all probably drink too much, and a consequence of drinking too much is throwing up. People occasionally threw up over our cash machine - and i would have to go out and clean it ! This is probably the worst job i have had to do .... but i got my foot in the door, and then worked for 12 very interesting years for them in 4 different countries, so i can't complain.
xmas homework
You have been asked by the womens institute, a very powerful womens organisation in the UK, to write a report on the situation of women in the portuguese workforce. Write a report (300 - 350 words) highlighting good points and bad points.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Proposal
The city of Lisbon has, in the past, been a reference point in Europe due to the most important role it had during the discoveries period. Nowadays, Lisbon is also known for its modernity, excellent weather and friendly people.
In the last few years, the city has also proved its merit in the organization of major international events, such as Expo 98, 2004 European Football Championship and the presidency of the European Union.
During this period, a significant effort was made to modernize and create new infrastructures to guarantee a unique and flawless experience for our guests. We proudly recognize that this effort paid of and, without a shadow of a doubt, we are sure that, in the future, we will keep the exceptional standards we have set ourselves.
We are aware of the high importance and critical aspects of a conference such as yours. For this reason, we would like to stress that our experienced staff could be very useful with the logistical aspects of the organization and, with the dedication and hard work of all, your conference in Lisbon can be the best you have ever held.
One of the main issues is related to the conference location. In the attached documents you can find information about 5 possible exceptional locations. We, nevertheless, dare to suggest the “Pavilhão Atlântico” (Atlantic Pavilion) located in the Expo 98 Area. This multipurpose facility is located in one of the most beautiful areas of Lisbon, near the river and near to all the major transport infrastructures. This is just 2 minutes walk from the prize-winning Orient train station and 5 minutes (taxi, bus or car) from the International Airport of Lisbon. You can also use the subway to get to any other part of the city.
The Expo area also provides numerous hotel alternatives (all the main international hotel chains provide accommodation here) and several entertainment possibilities.
We must also mention that this solution, despite its fabulous quality, is very affordable for students that, in other conditions, wouldn’t be able to attend.
At last, and of major importance, we would like you to consider that Lisbon is a very safe city in Europe and, if needed, has a state-of-the-art health care system (with a modern hospital also located in the Expo area).
For these reasons, we consider that Lisbon can be a first class location for your conference and can help you to provide an exceptional event.
In the last few years, the city has also proved its merit in the organization of major international events, such as Expo 98, 2004 European Football Championship and the presidency of the European Union.
During this period, a significant effort was made to modernize and create new infrastructures to guarantee a unique and flawless experience for our guests. We proudly recognize that this effort paid of and, without a shadow of a doubt, we are sure that, in the future, we will keep the exceptional standards we have set ourselves.
We are aware of the high importance and critical aspects of a conference such as yours. For this reason, we would like to stress that our experienced staff could be very useful with the logistical aspects of the organization and, with the dedication and hard work of all, your conference in Lisbon can be the best you have ever held.
One of the main issues is related to the conference location. In the attached documents you can find information about 5 possible exceptional locations. We, nevertheless, dare to suggest the “Pavilhão Atlântico” (Atlantic Pavilion) located in the Expo 98 Area. This multipurpose facility is located in one of the most beautiful areas of Lisbon, near the river and near to all the major transport infrastructures. This is just 2 minutes walk from the prize-winning Orient train station and 5 minutes (taxi, bus or car) from the International Airport of Lisbon. You can also use the subway to get to any other part of the city.
The Expo area also provides numerous hotel alternatives (all the main international hotel chains provide accommodation here) and several entertainment possibilities.
We must also mention that this solution, despite its fabulous quality, is very affordable for students that, in other conditions, wouldn’t be able to attend.
At last, and of major importance, we would like you to consider that Lisbon is a very safe city in Europe and, if needed, has a state-of-the-art health care system (with a modern hospital also located in the Expo area).
For these reasons, we consider that Lisbon can be a first class location for your conference and can help you to provide an exceptional event.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Do we really change? is the world changing?
"Change". Just a word. And sometimes words make all the difference. As a noun, this word means a change in something. For instance, " a change in Portuguese policy" or "what we need is a change of attitude on the part of politicians". As a verb, "change" means exactly the same, that is "when something changes, it becomes different". For example, "politicians should change laws to make the world better."
The main issue is to realise that every single second, we change and everything around us changes to. For worst? For better?
Recent studies show that as far as the Earth's climate is concerned, Man has done absolutely nothing to change it. When it comes to contaminated land sites, pollution of watercourses, household waste production or the huge amount of new roads and new housing which are under construction, the idea of building a fair society and a strong economy is without a shadow of doubt a kind of private joke heard among Members of Parliament and Prime Ministers all around the world.
Given the fact that the Earth's climate is changing dramatically and seasons are becoming wetter or hotter, Man shoul act immediately. Yet to ACT or to CHANGE is slightly different. In order to ACT, governments must ACT which means that they have to create solutions and putting them into practice. Does this really happen?
Portugal is an extraordinary example of the lack of creativity, commitment, truth and work. It is a territory where everything can happen and no one, absolutely no one, especially the governments, is punished. In the seventies, a dictatorial regime was replaced by a democracy (a very young one unfortunately) and still, the social and economical situation is far from being resolved. Education and Health are perhaps the two major problems. Despite the number of reforms which has been taken place, the results have been catastrophic. The authority has been taken away from the teachers in a ferocious way in this last decade. Discipline, study methods are no longer important. The most sophisticated IPOD, DVD or mobile phones and parents without any control over their children are a reality. Students are always right, even if they don't study. The fault is automatically given to the teacher who wasn't able to "reach the mind nor the psychological problems" of the poor kid! Hospitals and Health Centers are being closed every single month. As a consequence, five thousand people waiting to be put on a waiting list in a Health Center in Lisbon is just an example. Basically, governments have been promising to give back "some" authority to teachers or to cut hospital waiting lists , but in reality it is exactly the opposite. People are constantly being deceived by those who pretend to govern their countries.
To sum up, we really have to ask ourselves if something is being done to change societies. Man think that he is changing the course of Humanity by innovating, accelerating science or technology. However, all this high life change is just an illusion. By being overwhelmed with such changes, Man can't adapt himself to this new reality. Anger, anxiety, apathy, depression, despair, fear or fright are the REALITY. The Earth is indeed changing but those who inhabitate it are no longer having control over it.
So, is the world changing? For worst? For better? Are we really prepared to face these changings?
Maria Antónia
The main issue is to realise that every single second, we change and everything around us changes to. For worst? For better?
Recent studies show that as far as the Earth's climate is concerned, Man has done absolutely nothing to change it. When it comes to contaminated land sites, pollution of watercourses, household waste production or the huge amount of new roads and new housing which are under construction, the idea of building a fair society and a strong economy is without a shadow of doubt a kind of private joke heard among Members of Parliament and Prime Ministers all around the world.
Given the fact that the Earth's climate is changing dramatically and seasons are becoming wetter or hotter, Man shoul act immediately. Yet to ACT or to CHANGE is slightly different. In order to ACT, governments must ACT which means that they have to create solutions and putting them into practice. Does this really happen?
Portugal is an extraordinary example of the lack of creativity, commitment, truth and work. It is a territory where everything can happen and no one, absolutely no one, especially the governments, is punished. In the seventies, a dictatorial regime was replaced by a democracy (a very young one unfortunately) and still, the social and economical situation is far from being resolved. Education and Health are perhaps the two major problems. Despite the number of reforms which has been taken place, the results have been catastrophic. The authority has been taken away from the teachers in a ferocious way in this last decade. Discipline, study methods are no longer important. The most sophisticated IPOD, DVD or mobile phones and parents without any control over their children are a reality. Students are always right, even if they don't study. The fault is automatically given to the teacher who wasn't able to "reach the mind nor the psychological problems" of the poor kid! Hospitals and Health Centers are being closed every single month. As a consequence, five thousand people waiting to be put on a waiting list in a Health Center in Lisbon is just an example. Basically, governments have been promising to give back "some" authority to teachers or to cut hospital waiting lists , but in reality it is exactly the opposite. People are constantly being deceived by those who pretend to govern their countries.
To sum up, we really have to ask ourselves if something is being done to change societies. Man think that he is changing the course of Humanity by innovating, accelerating science or technology. However, all this high life change is just an illusion. By being overwhelmed with such changes, Man can't adapt himself to this new reality. Anger, anxiety, apathy, depression, despair, fear or fright are the REALITY. The Earth is indeed changing but those who inhabitate it are no longer having control over it.
So, is the world changing? For worst? For better? Are we really prepared to face these changings?
Maria Antónia
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
HOMEWORK
Your homework tonight is to watch Celtic beat Benfica ! , and to savour the atmosphere of football in Scotland - a full stadium, everybody singing, (everybody drunk) and hopefully no fans running on to the pitch this time ! good luck to all my benficista students - but i don't mean it - i am just trying to be nice . GO ON CELTIC !!!! (Mcdonald to score one, maybe 2)
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