Monday 9 June 2014
MY OVERALL VIEW
Dear likely reader(s),
I would like to drop a line as a summary of the year we have just finished.
We all have become aware of the fact that acquiring the C1 level in English turns out to be a demanding but, at the same time, worthwhile experience, which my twelve classmates and I are hopefully able to attain either this month or in September.
For English teachers registering in the C1 course is, to my view, conditio sine qua non. I must raise the merit of those mates who do not teach English for they have overcome difficulties with hard work and enthusiasm. We have been exposed to a number of strategies, displayed by our teacher, who has meant to develop our communicative competence. The range of activities and approaches to the language will definitely be useful for our lessons.
We have mastered both oral and written skills for a variety of purposes. A quotation I have learned and will always recall is one by Confucius, "The educated man is able to see a problem from another point of view." That day Emilio made me go beyond knowledge to move on to the integral growth of the person, that third scope of the subject matter, represented by that circle drawn on the introduction day, that remote 19th September, 2013.
As a final remark, which I probably should not include but I will write though, I would like to express the fact that the exam has not been prepared by the teacher may have been quite unfair for both Emilio and the students.
I look forward to your reading this post and the drink after the oral exam.
I hope to see you all next Wednesday.
Sunday 1 June 2014
SELF-PORTRAIT IN THE MIRROR
Whenever, by chance, I catch a glimpse of myself
in the mirror, I usually scowl: a high brow merges with a receding hairline;
short, spikey, brown hair which, two weeks after having had it cut, becomes
mousy and grows tangled strands as though my pillow meant to snatch them from
me; asymmetrical, hazel eyes topped by bushy eyebrows and a one-centimetre scar
on the bottom left eyelid, caused by a concussion at the soft-hearted age of
three; a Roman nose featured by wide, maternal-grandmother-inherited nostrils; both
temples filled with dimples, which do not represent but the mark of teenage
spots; gradually bigger ears (whether I like it or not); medium-length
sideboards which lead into an everlastingly ill-shaven, four-day beard, which
covers a double chin and a square jaw; thick lips that enclose big, crooked
incisors; a rather dark complexion that suggests a resemblance to a regular
Arab’s appearance – hence purchasing some silver bracelets in Tanger turns out
to be truly economical for me.
INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE
Last Tuesday, 6th May, we attended a lecture by Professor Richard Harvey, of University of New Mexico.
The topic of "Intercultural Competence" was broached, alluding directly to those people who do not intend to travel or meet new people. When communicating, people must make a great effort to understand "the other" showing, in this way, not only empathy, but also tolerance and non-judgmentalism. As a matter of fact, the key of two people with different backgrounds to come across each other's messages surpasses the mere boundaries of language proficiency, merging into cross-cultural competence and religious expertise. He stated that interaction was an instance of the Iceberg model, in that it doesn't usually show values, beliefs or preferences of the people who take part in it.
Professor Harvey raised the importance of history as an ultimate conditioning for the individuals' conscience of the population of a country. He also exposed the D.I.E. exercise (Describe-Evaluate-Inform) and exemplified it superbly.
In conclusion, we had the opportunity to know about an interesting topic in a relaxed fashion, as Professor Harvey arranged the lecture as an exchange of impressions and made everyone present spend a nice evening.
The topic of "Intercultural Competence" was broached, alluding directly to those people who do not intend to travel or meet new people. When communicating, people must make a great effort to understand "the other" showing, in this way, not only empathy, but also tolerance and non-judgmentalism. As a matter of fact, the key of two people with different backgrounds to come across each other's messages surpasses the mere boundaries of language proficiency, merging into cross-cultural competence and religious expertise. He stated that interaction was an instance of the Iceberg model, in that it doesn't usually show values, beliefs or preferences of the people who take part in it.
Professor Harvey raised the importance of history as an ultimate conditioning for the individuals' conscience of the population of a country. He also exposed the D.I.E. exercise (Describe-Evaluate-Inform) and exemplified it superbly.
In conclusion, we had the opportunity to know about an interesting topic in a relaxed fashion, as Professor Harvey arranged the lecture as an exchange of impressions and made everyone present spend a nice evening.
Sunday 27 April 2014
ABOUT THE POETRY EVENT
Good afternoon,
I'd like to express how a wonderful experience "Discovering the Poem inside You" has been. The setting, which I'd never been to, is remarkably beautiful, with outstanding acoustics. The reciters did the best reading version, better than every rehearsal. Finally, the narration was carried out by a true master of ceremonies. I hope everybody enjoyed the event as much as I did.
I'd like to express how a wonderful experience "Discovering the Poem inside You" has been. The setting, which I'd never been to, is remarkably beautiful, with outstanding acoustics. The reciters did the best reading version, better than every rehearsal. Finally, the narration was carried out by a true master of ceremonies. I hope everybody enjoyed the event as much as I did.
Thursday 3 April 2014
ON POETRY
Thomas Hardy was, to my mind, an unusual writer. As a novelist he emerged as one of the late figures of the Victorian period. Some of his best-known novels are Tess d'Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure. With the change of century and although everyone does not share my opinion, nonetheless, Hardy excelled at poetry. With a Romantic influence and a critical view of society, he wrote some of the most brilliant poems of the beginning of the 20th century in English. Here is one sample:
Neutral tones
We stood by a pond that winter day,
And the sun was white, as though chidden of God,
And a few leaves lay on the starving sod;
– They had fallen from an ash, and were gray.
Your eyes on me were as eyes that rove
Over tedious riddles of years ago;
And some words played between us to and fro
On which lost the more by our love.
The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing
Alive enough to have strength to die;
And a grin of bitterness swept thereby
Like an ominous bird a-wing….
Since then, keen lessons that love deceives,
And wrings with wrong, have shaped to me
Your face, and the God curst sun, and a tree,
And a pond edged with grayish leaves.
Outstanding mental image of the feelings of an abandoned lover.
Moving on to something hilarious, I hope you enjoy this one:
Ah, Are You Digging On My Grave?
"Ah,
are you digging on my grave,
My loved one? Planting rue?"
"No: yesterday he went to wed
One of the brightest wealth has bred.
'It cannot hurt her now,' he said,
'That I should not be true.'"
"Then who is digging on my grave,
My nearest dearest kin?"
"Ah, no: they sit and think, 'What use!
What good will planting flowers produce?
No. Tendance of her mound can loose
Her spirit from Death's gin.'"
"But someone digs upon my grave?
My enemy? Prodding sly?"
"Nay: when she heard you had passed the Gate
That shuts on all flesh soon or late,
She thought you no more worth her hate,
And cares not where you lie.
"Then, who is digging on my grave?
Say, since I have not guessed!"
"O it is I, my mistress dear,
Your little dog , who still lives near,
And much I hope my movements here
Have not disturbed your rest?"
"Ah yes! You dig upon my grave...
Why flashed it not to me
That one true heart was left behind!
What feeling do we ever find
To equal among human kind
A dog's fidelity!"
"Mistress, I dug upon your grave
To bury a bone, in case
I should be hungry near this spot
When passing on my daily trot.
I am sorry, but I quite forgot
It was your resting place."
My loved one? Planting rue?"
"No: yesterday he went to wed
One of the brightest wealth has bred.
'It cannot hurt her now,' he said,
'That I should not be true.'"
"Then who is digging on my grave,
My nearest dearest kin?"
"Ah, no: they sit and think, 'What use!
What good will planting flowers produce?
No. Tendance of her mound can loose
Her spirit from Death's gin.'"
"But someone digs upon my grave?
My enemy? Prodding sly?"
"Nay: when she heard you had passed the Gate
That shuts on all flesh soon or late,
She thought you no more worth her hate,
And cares not where you lie.
"Then, who is digging on my grave?
Say, since I have not guessed!"
"O it is I, my mistress dear,
Your little dog , who still lives near,
And much I hope my movements here
Have not disturbed your rest?"
"Ah yes! You dig upon my grave...
Why flashed it not to me
That one true heart was left behind!
What feeling do we ever find
To equal among human kind
A dog's fidelity!"
"Mistress, I dug upon your grave
To bury a bone, in case
I should be hungry near this spot
When passing on my daily trot.
I am sorry, but I quite forgot
It was your resting place."
Monday 31 March 2014
JOSÉ MÚJICA
The President of Uruguay is one of the most atypical political leaders nowadays. Well-known for having legalized marijuana, with the intention of reducing the flow of money to criminal gangs in South America, as well as for being a mediator in armed conflicts such as the one in Colombia, Mújica donates 90% of his salary to Uruguayan charities. The scene we have been able to watch, striking though it may be as we see Mújica in his hacienda with no sign of opulence, makes us aware that another model of politicians is possible. What is more, he is not willing to set an example in spite of the fact that he has done it.
I would like to summarise this interview with a quotation from this charrúa, "(One has to) live in accordance with how one thinks." If Western-world political leaders were only said this once a day...
I would like to summarise this interview with a quotation from this charrúa, "(One has to) live in accordance with how one thinks." If Western-world political leaders were only said this once a day...
Tuesday 25 March 2014
ABOUT ADOLFO SUÁREZ
If I had to describe Suárez, I would call him "the fair politician" (nowadays' synonymous phrase for "nobody"), one who really wanted to be useful for the population. A father of our constitution of a really brave man - he showed it on 23rd February, 1981.
Adolfo Suárez meant the Spanish to be free and had the intention to rule a country with the policy of consensus. He resigned from his position without being forced to. Only could it have been possible in our country!
Adolfo Suárez meant the Spanish to be free and had the intention to rule a country with the policy of consensus. He resigned from his position without being forced to. Only could it have been possible in our country!
ABOUT MONOLOGUES AND DIALOGUES
It's been quite long since I last wrote something here. My apologies but the large pile of exams, waiting to be corrected, have prevented me from catching up with the blog.
Last week's mock exam dealing with somepractice of simulation of orals were not but a touchstone for Thursday's exam and, in longer term, the official one. We could become aware of all the situations that surround it. Congrats to all my mates. You did it very well!
Last week's mock exam dealing with somepractice of simulation of orals were not but a touchstone for Thursday's exam and, in longer term, the official one. We could become aware of all the situations that surround it. Congrats to all my mates. You did it very well!
Tuesday 4 March 2014
REVIEW OF "THE SAILOR-BOY'S TALE"
The Sailor-Boy's Tale is a short story by the Danish writer Karen Blixen, the author of Out of Africa.
On the way from Marseille to Athens, the sailor-boy, Simon, spotted a bird that stuck in the main-mast of the ship. The boy climbed up in order to free the bird, a peregrine falcon. Two years later, while on another ship on the northern coast of Norway, Simon stabbed a Russian sailor to death, for he tried to prevent him from meeting Nora, a girl who had promised to give him a kiss the previous day. Simon could meet Nora in the end, and she kissed him. Simon was eventually taken in by Sunniva, a Lapp-woman who avoided his capture for murder by pretending that he was her son. Then she explained to him that she was the falcon she had rescued, and she did nothing but return him the favour.
The story is an allegory of fate: what comes around goes around. The appearance of the supernatural creature, the old woman that becomes a falcon, provides the story with a fantasy element which I kind of dislike although it helps to convey the message in a more appropriate way and makes it more enjoyable.
On the way from Marseille to Athens, the sailor-boy, Simon, spotted a bird that stuck in the main-mast of the ship. The boy climbed up in order to free the bird, a peregrine falcon. Two years later, while on another ship on the northern coast of Norway, Simon stabbed a Russian sailor to death, for he tried to prevent him from meeting Nora, a girl who had promised to give him a kiss the previous day. Simon could meet Nora in the end, and she kissed him. Simon was eventually taken in by Sunniva, a Lapp-woman who avoided his capture for murder by pretending that he was her son. Then she explained to him that she was the falcon she had rescued, and she did nothing but return him the favour.
The story is an allegory of fate: what comes around goes around. The appearance of the supernatural creature, the old woman that becomes a falcon, provides the story with a fantasy element which I kind of dislike although it helps to convey the message in a more appropriate way and makes it more enjoyable.
Wednesday 19 February 2014
Reaction to Syrian refugee camp texts
When I first knew about the situation in Syria, nobody would imagine what it could be up to. I thought it was one more episode of the Arabian spring and not much more.
Almost three years after this, it has got to such an extent to be a major conflict with reference to casualties and the fact that it is the second largest demographical group in the world in terms of the number of refugees.
Personally, I wonder why the international community do not concern about Syria. They could have solved this stuff as soon as it started. The USA only worry about the matters from which they can earn the utmost quantity of money. I propose to have Bashar al-Assad working in the asphalt of A7. Were he to be forced to do this, he would leave the people in Syria in peace.
Almost three years after this, it has got to such an extent to be a major conflict with reference to casualties and the fact that it is the second largest demographical group in the world in terms of the number of refugees.
Personally, I wonder why the international community do not concern about Syria. They could have solved this stuff as soon as it started. The USA only worry about the matters from which they can earn the utmost quantity of money. I propose to have Bashar al-Assad working in the asphalt of A7. Were he to be forced to do this, he would leave the people in Syria in peace.
Tuesday 11 February 2014
A SONG THAT MADE MY DAY BETTER
Last weekend, I was a bit down. It was pouring with rain and I did not feel
like anything. Nevertheless, while I was zapping on TV, I glanced at MTV
and a video caught my eye. Maybe it's not the song, which is rather simple,
but the melody and, specially, the video. They encouraged me.
Due to its straightforward lyrics, I have chosen as the song of the month for
my 2nd ESO students, who have enjoyed it to a such extent.
Hope you like it too and bring joy to your day!!
like anything. Nevertheless, while I was zapping on TV, I glanced at MTV
and a video caught my eye. Maybe it's not the song, which is rather simple,
but the melody and, specially, the video. They encouraged me.
Due to its straightforward lyrics, I have chosen as the song of the month for
my 2nd ESO students, who have enjoyed it to a such extent.
Hope you like it too and bring joy to your day!!
Saturday 1 February 2014
THE NGO I SPOKE ABOUT: BANCO DE ALIMENTOS
It is a non-profit institution dedicated to the collection, storage and distribution of foodstuff to those people who are in need.
The first food bank in the world appeared in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1966 and, in 1993, the Federación Española de Bancos de Alimentos was established. Its original aim was collecting excesses of food in supermarkets.
The emblem of the federation is, as you can see below, two birds being fed.
This institution is made up by volunteers. Most people lack the time to become one. Thus, to contribute with it, you can donate some food, above all non-perishable items, to its headquarters in Motril, situated in "Camino de las Ventillas 61, Cerrillo Jaime nº 4, 18600 Motril". They organise a collection weekend every year, just before Christmas, and there are some volunteers in every supermarket in our town. The link to their website is:
http://www.bancoalimentos.org/index.php?page=pageindex.showPageDetail&id=8&anchor=delegaciones
I would like to conclude by encouraging to make your contribution to this NGO, one that has no economic aims, writing its motto:
"A little of you is a lot."
The first food bank in the world appeared in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1966 and, in 1993, the Federación Española de Bancos de Alimentos was established. Its original aim was collecting excesses of food in supermarkets.
The emblem of the federation is, as you can see below, two birds being fed.
This institution is made up by volunteers. Most people lack the time to become one. Thus, to contribute with it, you can donate some food, above all non-perishable items, to its headquarters in Motril, situated in "Camino de las Ventillas 61, Cerrillo Jaime nº 4, 18600 Motril". They organise a collection weekend every year, just before Christmas, and there are some volunteers in every supermarket in our town. The link to their website is:
http://www.bancoalimentos.org/index.php?page=pageindex.showPageDetail&id=8&anchor=delegaciones
I would like to conclude by encouraging to make your contribution to this NGO, one that has no economic aims, writing its motto:
"A little of you is a lot."
Saturday 11 January 2014
MANDELA'S GIFT
i. The book ends with a chapter named Mandela's Gift, which delineates what Stengel took from Mandela the man, after having worked with him so closely. What do you take from the book, in terms of your own life?
I usually value to a great extent those virtues which I lack. Nelson Mandela was indeed a man of virtue, but I had to underline three of them, I would choose:
1. Love of the Mankind
Mandela must not be considered the father of the black people, but the fighter for equality. He accomplished the death of the racial segregation in his country. In some ways, he spent almost 28 years in prison for this, but I do not think it was something that hurt him. Stengel said that he left his own family aside. However, he can be portrayed as an incarnation or messiah, who had to be an aid for those in difficulty. The concept ubuntu, a person is a person through other people, has its personification in Nelson Mandela.
2. Trust me
Mandela was a man with no folds. He was the person he seemed to be. I remember being 7 years old, the first time I saw him on Informe Semanal. I had not ever heard of him, but I immediately knew he was a great person. When you behold a picture of him, you become aware of the kindness. I do not remember a person with such a captivating, but, at the same time, simple smile. He must have been the friend everyone would like to have.
3. The Measured Man
In hundreds of situations he could have got on his nerves due to harsh events happening to him. Nevertheless, he seemed calm all the time, as in a kind of Zen state. This feature would him the possibility to see difficult questions from other angles and lead to the best solutions to them. I wonder how many Mississippis he did count during his entire life!
I usually value to a great extent those virtues which I lack. Nelson Mandela was indeed a man of virtue, but I had to underline three of them, I would choose:
1. Love of the Mankind
Mandela must not be considered the father of the black people, but the fighter for equality. He accomplished the death of the racial segregation in his country. In some ways, he spent almost 28 years in prison for this, but I do not think it was something that hurt him. Stengel said that he left his own family aside. However, he can be portrayed as an incarnation or messiah, who had to be an aid for those in difficulty. The concept ubuntu, a person is a person through other people, has its personification in Nelson Mandela.
2. Trust me
Mandela was a man with no folds. He was the person he seemed to be. I remember being 7 years old, the first time I saw him on Informe Semanal. I had not ever heard of him, but I immediately knew he was a great person. When you behold a picture of him, you become aware of the kindness. I do not remember a person with such a captivating, but, at the same time, simple smile. He must have been the friend everyone would like to have.
3. The Measured Man
In hundreds of situations he could have got on his nerves due to harsh events happening to him. Nevertheless, he seemed calm all the time, as in a kind of Zen state. This feature would him the possibility to see difficult questions from other angles and lead to the best solutions to them. I wonder how many Mississippis he did count during his entire life!
MANDELA'S WAY
c. Choose, out of the fifteen chapters of the book, the three ones that interest you more and explain why.
The chapters 8 (Know your enemy), 9 (Keep your rivals close) and 14 (It's always both) are the ones I have enjoyed the most.
First, it is narrated how Mandela tried to understand and discover his political opponents' weaknesses. Being imprisoned, Mandela learned the language of his oppressor, the Afrikaans, and the history of the Afrikaners. He would say that on addressing an enemy, you have to go beyond the rational and, literally, "you go straight into their hearts." It was both an act of persuasion and, at the same time, he converted some enemies into his allies. The parallelism he drew, in Afrikaans, between the submission of the Afrikaner to the British during the Boer war and the apartheid in front of the South African president, P. W. Botha, was awesome and resulted in the release of Walter Sisulu. Being the first South African president elected democratically, he turned to sports, specially rugby, as way of healing the nation. He wanted to convey that South Africa would be one, that there would be justice for the black minority and that there would not be any revenge and so the white population did not have to be scared.
In second place, Mandela was said not to lose track of his opponents, even his friendly ones. He did not make a god out of loyalty. That is what happened to Mandela's relation to Bantu Holomisa and Chris Hani. They were immature and visceral. Mandela behaved as a father for them, teaching them to make decisions on the head rather than the blood. The Zulu leader Mangosuthu Butelezi is portrayed as an ally to become an enemy. Therefore, Mandela, when appointed South African president, invited him into first cabinet as minister of home affairs as he was so dangerous for Mandela that he needed to "keep an eye on him."
Last but not least, Mandela the answer to optional questions was almost always both. In a dilemma all explanations might be true. A "both" or a "maybe" is closer to the truth than a "yes" or "no". When he was released, he tried to solve a problem reconciling both sides. Sometimes it was not possible to make everyone happy. For instance, in his negotiations for the country's first government, he made compromises in order to come to an agreement, that is, a unity government with the National Party, in which F. W. de Klerk was vice president in spite of knowing that he had been a traitor to him several times.
In all, Mandela constantly had to tolerate a lot of people who meant to do harm to him; however, he gave them back kindness and confidence. That is for most people impossible. It is an act that requires, according to Richard Stengel empathy and imagination. But the reward is something that can fairly be described as wisdom.
The chapters 8 (Know your enemy), 9 (Keep your rivals close) and 14 (It's always both) are the ones I have enjoyed the most.
First, it is narrated how Mandela tried to understand and discover his political opponents' weaknesses. Being imprisoned, Mandela learned the language of his oppressor, the Afrikaans, and the history of the Afrikaners. He would say that on addressing an enemy, you have to go beyond the rational and, literally, "you go straight into their hearts." It was both an act of persuasion and, at the same time, he converted some enemies into his allies. The parallelism he drew, in Afrikaans, between the submission of the Afrikaner to the British during the Boer war and the apartheid in front of the South African president, P. W. Botha, was awesome and resulted in the release of Walter Sisulu. Being the first South African president elected democratically, he turned to sports, specially rugby, as way of healing the nation. He wanted to convey that South Africa would be one, that there would be justice for the black minority and that there would not be any revenge and so the white population did not have to be scared.
In second place, Mandela was said not to lose track of his opponents, even his friendly ones. He did not make a god out of loyalty. That is what happened to Mandela's relation to Bantu Holomisa and Chris Hani. They were immature and visceral. Mandela behaved as a father for them, teaching them to make decisions on the head rather than the blood. The Zulu leader Mangosuthu Butelezi is portrayed as an ally to become an enemy. Therefore, Mandela, when appointed South African president, invited him into first cabinet as minister of home affairs as he was so dangerous for Mandela that he needed to "keep an eye on him."
Last but not least, Mandela the answer to optional questions was almost always both. In a dilemma all explanations might be true. A "both" or a "maybe" is closer to the truth than a "yes" or "no". When he was released, he tried to solve a problem reconciling both sides. Sometimes it was not possible to make everyone happy. For instance, in his negotiations for the country's first government, he made compromises in order to come to an agreement, that is, a unity government with the National Party, in which F. W. de Klerk was vice president in spite of knowing that he had been a traitor to him several times.
In all, Mandela constantly had to tolerate a lot of people who meant to do harm to him; however, he gave them back kindness and confidence. That is for most people impossible. It is an act that requires, according to Richard Stengel empathy and imagination. But the reward is something that can fairly be described as wisdom.
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