Five Short Stories by Roald Dahl

Most of you may already be acquainted with this famous Welsh author; there is actually quite a few books by him in our library. He's written very many different things (novels, poetry, scripts for films...), but he's best known for his children's books, and short stories. Dahl's short stories are known for their unexpected endings, and his children's books for their unsentimental, macabre, and often darkly comic mood. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.

During this uncertain period of home confinement, I suggest reading five of his best-known short stories: The Umbrella Man, The Landlady, Lamb to the Slaughter, The Hitchhiker, and The Way Up to Heaven. Here they are, on this free link below for you to download. We will be holding a class discussion once we're back to class. Hopefully soon!

Enjoy the read!

Roald Dahl's five short stories

Guided Meditation For a Better Learning

Here follows the five-minute guided meditation session we did these last days. Remember staying focused is a great tool to help ourselves when producing an oral or written text in English.

NB: And do not forget to revise your writing before turning it in!

Good Old Memories Just For the Sake of a Smile

A year ago... some humans of Pinto filled the school patio with their visual poetry. 



Intermediate Students...
Back in May 2016

     

Alberto Manso

Alicia Santos
Ana Muñoz
Andrea Loarte
Antonio Cansino
Candelario López
David González
Dolores Tomás
Eduardo Morcillo
Elena Miguel
Javier Real
Jose Miguel Martín
Jose Luis Camino
Joyce Zegarra
Julia López
Julia Oyo
Karen Zea
Laura del Moral
Laura Pedraza
Lourdes Céspedes
Lourdes Moruno
Luis Manchado
Luis Miguel Navarro
María Burgos
Marta Navarrón
Montse
Olga Barragán
Óscar Tocino
Paloma de Castro
Raquel García
Rubén Muñoz
Ruth Gutiérrez
Silvia Pérez
Teodora Vas
Teresa Díaz

I would like to thank each and every one of you for the love you shared with me and everybody else in class. 

KEEP UP THE HUMAN SPIRIT!!

                                                                  All my love,

                                                               
                                                                María

No I didn't! Yes you did! The Fabulous Monty Pythons

As I promised, here you have the sketch by the Monty Pythons to practice question tags and short answers: The Argument Clinic. 
This is just a sample of the fabulous, marvellous, and unique humor displayed by this British surreal comedy group, whose comedy sketches were first aired in the BBC in 1969. 
The group's influence on comedy has been compared to the Beatles' influence on music, and, personally, I couldn't agree more.
 Please, don't miss the argument versus contradiction discussion, you're definitely going to have a laugh! 

To help you understand the jokes, here follows the script of the sketch:

The Argument Clinic Script

By the way, don't you think this type of argument clinic could be a fantastic way to avoid arguing with our family, friends, and workmates in these stressful times? We should all get a voucher for Christmas!

Required Reading before Xmas: Roald Dahl's Short Stories

Most of you are already acquainted with this very famous Welsh author, there is actually quite a few books by him in our library. He's written very many different things (novels, poetry, scripts for films...), but he's best known for his children's books, and short stories. Dahl's short stories are known for their unexpected endings, and his children's books for their unsentimental, macabre, and often darkly comic mood. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide.

Before the end of this year you are required to read five of his very famous short stories: The Umbrella Man, The Landlady, Lamb to the Slaughter, The Hitchhiker, and The Way Up to Heaven. Here they are, for you to download. A total of 45 pages that you are asked to read by December 12th/13th (you have two weeks for that).

After that, we will do plenty of things with what you've read, but for the time being concentrate on reading the five stories, and understanding all they say, will you? The rest of the instructions will be delivered in class by Ignacio.

Enjoy the read!

Roald Dahl's five short stories

Being Grateful and Showing It

From William Shakespeare to Roald Dahl

The English Department is honored to invite you to celebrate World Book Day with a tribute to two authors spanning the centuries: William Shakespeare and Roald Dahl. Clik on the link below to find out about our evening schedule. We're really looking forward to seeing you around guys!

From William Shakespeare to Roald Dahl

Colorful Emotions: Born to be Blue

Emotions in English are strongly related to colors: green with envy, red with rage, white with anger, red or pink with embarrassment, blue with cold, rosy or peachy to indicate good fortune or optimism, yellow-belly which means coward in American English... And this post's protagonist: the Blues.

To have the blues, or to feel blue, means to be in a state of depression or melancholy. Also, Blues music has at its heart this idea of melancholy mixed with anger against slavery and humiliation, as it is associated with the blue color of the indigo plant, grown in many southern US slave plantations.

I'd like to present here one of my favorite jazzmen, Chet baker, who really had the blues deeply entrenched in his singing: The song that I post for you today is called Born to be Blue. Check out the lyrics below before or after you listen to it, to discover how he plays around with the colors that surround us in nature, and complete the missing words please!

Enjoy the jazz and happy (and not blue at all) new year!

Born to be Blue: Words and Glossary

The Argument Clinic, by the genious Monty Python

As I promised, here you have the sketch by the Monty Pythons we saw in class a few weeks ago: The Argument Clinic. This is but a taste of the fabulous, marvellous, and unique humor displayed by this British surreal comedy group, whose comedy sketches were first aired in the BBC in 1969. The group's influence on comedy has been compared to the Beatles' influence on music, and, personally, I couldn't agree more.
 Please, don't miss the argument versus contradiction discussion!! 

By the way, don't you think this type of argument clinic may be an awesome way to avoid split-ups and fall-aparts with family, friends and workmates in these stressful times? We should all get a voucher for this clinic for Christmas!

Here follows the script of the sketch:

 The Argument Clinic Script