Today's in class language points included use of ago, for, to, in, from, at, since, on:
I worked for DCI __________ 2007.
I have worked for DCI __________ 2007.
I worked for another company __________ 2003 __________.
I {began/started} {to work/working} for DCI __________ 2007.
I worked for another company __________ 2 years __________.
I have worked __________ DCI __________ 1 year __________.
We did this together as a class then individually we made it true for us.
We did a similar exercise focused on talking about ages of people drawing words or phrases from this group to complete the paragraph: am, is, are, were, was, will be, will have, has, have, had, years, years old, months, years, days, weeks.
I __________ 30 years old. In a few __________ I __________ 31, My mother _________ 50, She __________ 20 when I __________ born. My classmates ________ between 20 and 0 __________. Most of them __________ around 24 when they graduated from school. Franco's favorite niece __________ 3.
About the book: This is an author, Betty Azar, was introduced to me by a collegue at a school where I taught in Washington DC. I find her books clear, complete and to the point. I am looking forward to getting feedback on this text book from my clients.
Homework: Please use the comment section to post a series of brief autobiographical paragraphs telling who you are, what you have done in the past two years.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Friday: Spanish Scramble
This is great for vocabulary. It is easy to understand. And it's an interesting recipe to try. Listen to the video and write your comments, questions and RESULTS (lol) below!
Wednesday: Chew on This
"Chew on this! means "Give this some thought", means "Think about this". Please watch video and give your comments. Comment more than once about topic, video, and/or the remarks of others.
Monday: Food Glorius Food
Please use the comments section once, twice or thrice (three times) to answer the following questions:
What do you enjoy eating? (= What do you like to eat?)
What do you know how to cook well?
Me? Well I like eating raw fruits and vegetables. I love eating salted nuts like almonds, peanuts, walnuts, hazel nuts (filberts), etc. Of course, I enjoy eating chocolate, too. I really don't cook anymore. I have a crockpot in my bedroom. So recently I have been cooking vegetable soup. But it isn't my specialty. I used to enjoy cooking "Egg in a Window" and I think I was pretty good at it.
Friday, November 21, 2008
FRIDAY: FIELD TRIPS, RELATIVES, & EVALUATIONS
Friday
You are invited to meet the teacher and any others who decide to participate, at the RCI of the Gomez Morin Centro Educativo y Cultural del Estado de Queretaro at 1pm for a 2 hour field trip on Saturday. She will be seated close to the front in fila 9 or fila 2 from 12:30 to 1:00pm. We will leave from the entrance of sala C segunda planta at 1pm to have casual conversation over the course of some real life activity e.g. grocery shopping, viewing an art exhibtion, having lunch, etc.
If you are afraid we will have nothing to talk about, lol, explore BBC Knowledge and let's talk about it! (at that link, choose whatever region you want and get a slant that pertains to that region).
Uh, oh...one more thing This is NOT optional homework. I really want you to do this. Write about at least one of your relatives (one of your family members) and post in the comment section of this blog post. You can use any tense and any vocabulary that you want to use. Please include the present simple (affirmative and negative) and the present progressive (affirmative and negative), some of the basic vocabulary (numbers, time, days of week, months of year, seasons, seasonal verbs, members of family and of life) and additional vocabulary from readings, audio, video and in and out of class conversations. Write what is true and what makes sense.
Oh, and please complete the evaluations and get them back to me!
WEDNESDAY: CALL ME!
Wednesday
You may call (44-23-22-36-25) or text message me anytime. However, for homework, you are encouraged to call the teacher anytime on Wednesday to talk about any topic you like. It is a great opportunity for freer practice of what you have been learning and what you are not sure about.
These are some recent comments:
I'll try to call you because I like this exercise.
When I said “SOMETIMES” I meant to the poor signal in our telephone conversation.
I cannot understand most of what you say on the phone.
I feel nervous and I can't say much. I just freeze. It is as if I have some block between me and English.
I don't understand. Hablame en espanol.
MONDAY: MAKE A COMMENT ON A BLOG
Monday
Your homework is to read and comment on a post on a blog that interests you. In the comment section below (on THIS blog post, on THIS blog), include a link to the post and the reason that you decided to comment. To find blogs of interest I use Google Blog Search. Try it and let us know what you find.
Here is a sample. I did a search for "protein sources for vegans".
Vegans are people who are vegetarians. The only thing is that in recent years, many people in the United States call themselves vegetarians BUT they eat fish and seafood, and/or fish, and/or chicken, and/or eggs, and/or milk and/or milk products....In other words, the word "vegetarian" has been so mis-used that another word, "vegan" is now in vogue. "Vegan" is a person that doesn't eat animals or animal products. Some vegans also refrain from using leather shoes or clothing. I did the Google Blog Search and what ranked highest on the day I did the search was a clip from the Do Life Right blog. I loved the name of the blog, afterall we have one chance in this body, let's do it right! The post was great and the resources where right up my alley. The only thing was that there was no opportunity to leave a comment below the post... so I tried something else...how about "life after 50"?
This is the gem that I found. Pippin (it starts like this: "Charlie maneuvered the backhoe skillfully, ..." And my comment is the tenth one.
FRIDAY: WRITE ABOUT A NOUN YOU FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT
Friday
Your homework is to post a comment on THIS post commenting on a noun (A noun is a person, place, thing, idea or event.) that you feel strongly about or that you find particularly interesting. It would be great to use some of what you have recently learned in your comment.
Your homework is to post a comment on THIS post commenting on a noun (A noun is a person, place, thing, idea or event.) that you feel strongly about or that you find particularly interesting. It would be great to use some of what you have recently learned in your comment.
WEDNESDAY: FIND THE VIDEO & SING ALONG
Wednesday
Find a music video on You Tube. For fun, why not open up a You Tube account and then collect there the videos that you really like (favorites) and subscribe to contributors whose work you would like to follow. This is what my page looks like. I definitely need some music videos in my collection of favorites. Your homework is to search for a song by name and/or artist. Watch the video and comment (on You Tube) and send the teacher the link to the video after you have posted your comments. If you have time, find the lyrics online or copy them from the audio recording and sing along. (Sometimes the lyrics published online are not accurate.) Look up any words or phrases that you do not understand and/or send me an email.
Find a music video on You Tube. For fun, why not open up a You Tube account and then collect there the videos that you really like (favorites) and subscribe to contributors whose work you would like to follow. This is what my page looks like. I definitely need some music videos in my collection of favorites. Your homework is to search for a song by name and/or artist. Watch the video and comment (on You Tube) and send the teacher the link to the video after you have posted your comments. If you have time, find the lyrics online or copy them from the audio recording and sing along. (Sometimes the lyrics published online are not accurate.) Look up any words or phrases that you do not understand and/or send me an email.
We can never know about the days to come
But we think about them anyway
And I wonder if I'm really with you now
Or just chasing after some finer day.
Anticipation, Anticipation
Is making me lateIs keeping me waiting
And I tell you how easy it is to be with you
And how right your arms feel around me.
Bit I rehearsed those words just late last night
When I was thinking about how right tonight might be.
Anticipation, Anticipation
Is making me late, keeping me waiting
And tomorrow we might not be together
I'm no prophet, I don't know nature's way
So I'll try to see into your eyes right now
And stay right here, 'cause these are the good old days.
MONDAY: LISTEN TO BBC's WORDS IN THE NEWS
Monday
The British Broadcasting Corporation has great website. I have personally used it to brush up on my Spanish, German and French! At the bottom of the homepage are links to other areas of interest including Learning English.
The Flatmates is a great way to read and listen to dialog for expanded vocabulary, comprehension practice and language or grammar points.
Your homework for today is to read and listen to the latest "Words in the News" or to read this older article Marriage Training in Saudi Arabia. Summarize it in one sentence what the article is about. Give your opinion. Use one or more words, phrases or grammar points recently learned, in class or elsewhere.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Lesson 31
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Video
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Video
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Lesson 30
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Monday, September 29, 2008
Lesson 29
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.) English Baby
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.) English Baby
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Lesson 28
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Lesson 27
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Friday, September 26, 2008
Lesson 26
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Lesson 25
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Video
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Video
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Lesson 24
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Lesson 23
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Monday, September 22, 2008
Lesson 22
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Lesson 21
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Lesson 20
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Friday, September 19, 2008
Lesson 19
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Video
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Video
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Lesson 18
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Azar
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Lesson 17
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Lesson 16
Song: ImagineImagine there's no __________. It's easy if you try. No __________ below us, above us only __________ ...Imagine all the __________ , living for today. Imagine there's no __________. It isn't __________ to do. Nothing to __________ or die for, and no religion too. Imagine all the __________, living life in __________.You may say I'm a __________, but I'm not the only one. I hope __________ you'll join us, and the world will be as one. Imagine no __________. I wonder if you can. No need for greed or __________, a brotherhood of man....Imagine all the __________, sharing all the world...You may say I'm a __________, but I'm not the only one. I hope __________ you'll join us. And the world will live as one. (Why does the songwriter use "too" instead of "either"?)
Idiom: (cross out) I made a mistake, so I crossed it out. I didn't have an eraser.
Homework Review: Feedback on Previous Homework
English Baby : Mason's Date
Azar: p. 10, Chart 1-6 Spelling of -ing and -ed Forms
Homework:
Video: Eating Global Vancouver: Green Lettuce Restaurant
Flatmates: Episode 16 A Kitchen Romance (click on Listen to this week's episode) Oh, and make sure to read the Language Point and try out some of the new phrasal verbs and idioms!
Words in the News: China's New Anti-Pollutions Measures (read and/or listen to the news)
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Monday, September 15, 2008
Lesson 15
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Error Correction
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Error Correction
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Lesson 14
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Words in the News
Error Correction
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Words in the News
Error Correction
English Baby
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Lesson 13
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction
English Baby: Living with Your Parents
Azar
Video
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Flatmates
Words in the News
Error Correction
English Baby: Living with Your Parents
Azar
Video
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Friday, September 12, 2008
Lesson 12
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News: Horse Owners Hit by Turndown
Error Correction
English Baby: Valentine's Day
Azar
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News: Horse Owners Hit by Turndown
Error Correction
English Baby: Valentine's Day
Azar
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Lesson 11
Song
Idiom: (check into) investigate. I found a great article about Mexican food history. Have you ever checked into Mexian food history? I found a great article. Let's use it for some pronunciation practice and vocabulary expansion work. The Rich, Varied Culture of Mexican Food History (the article is reprinted below under Error Correction)
Oxford: page 11 Meat, Poultry, and Seafood (actually just poultry and seafood)
Homework Review:
Azar: pages 6-7 Chart 1-5 Summary of Verb Tenses (with time line representations)
Video:
Flatmates: Episode 11 Phoning the Landlord
Words in the News: Young Brittons Shy Away from Learning Languages Make sure to review the vocabulary below the article, before reading and/or listening to the article.
Error Correction: Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
No doubt, about it, Mexican food is one of the most popular foods in the United States. Tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas are just some of the fare that grace many an American table. Mexican recipes are spicy, colorful, and full of flavor. However, what may seem to be quintessential Mexican is not always the case. A little Mexican food history will reveal that things are not always, as they seem.
While it is believed that Mexican food has strong roots in the ancient Mayan culture, it was the Spanish invasion of Mexico in 1521 that most strongly influenced the dishes. The Spanish explorer Cortez and his followers brought with them new types of livestock like pigs, cows, and sheep. They also brought dairy products and various herbs and spices like garlic.
While Cortez introduced many new foods to Mexico, he was also, in turn, introduced to some new foods. Peanuts, chocolate, vanilla, beans, avocados, coconuts, tomatoes, corn, and squash were among the “new” foods that Cortez encountered. It was a well-balanced trade of regional delicacies and palate pleasing foods.
Mexican food history is an interesting mixture of cultures. Many of the Mexican foods that are so-called “traditional” are actually rooted in other cultures in addition to the Mexican culture.
Take quesadillas as an example. This mainstay of Mexican families is often considered to be quintessential Mexican, but in actuality, it takes its components from other cultures. The corn tortilla, the foundation for the quesadilla, is actually a Native American creation.
The cheese, pork, beef, and lettuce that grace so many of our favorite Mexican dishes, including the quesadilla, are Spanish. The hot sauce that is made from chili pepper, though, is indigenous to Mexico. However, it is a little known Mexican food history fact that many of the spices thought to be Mexican are actually Spanish in origin. Black pepper, cinnamon, coriander and oregano are several spices that are often used in Mexican cooking but are not native to the country.
In addition to the Mayans, Native Americans and Spanish influencing Mexican food, the French also left their mark. When Mexico was briefly under French occupation in the 1860’s, popular dishes such as chiles en nogado, a dish of stuffed chilies in walnut sauce, was a result. These dishes sport a distinct French flair, but have become a standard part of Mexican culture.
One of the most popular adaptations of Mexican food and an integral part of Mexican food history is the influence from the Southwest United States, namely southern Texas. This style of Mexican food, dubbed “Tex-Mex” has become a favorite of people all over the world. North meets south in this cultural combination of northern Mexico and Southwestern Texas. In many restaurants today, it is more Tex-Mex than authentic Mexican food that is being served.
When exploring Mexican food history, it is important to keep in mind the many, varied cultures that brought about these popular, delicious dishes. As the various countries and cultures melded to create such culinary delights, popularity has soared the world over. Moreover, it just keeps getting better and better.
English Baby: Corporate Stores
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom: (check into) investigate. I found a great article about Mexican food history. Have you ever checked into Mexian food history? I found a great article. Let's use it for some pronunciation practice and vocabulary expansion work. The Rich, Varied Culture of Mexican Food History (the article is reprinted below under Error Correction)
Oxford: page 11 Meat, Poultry, and Seafood (actually just poultry and seafood)
Homework Review:
Azar: pages 6-7 Chart 1-5 Summary of Verb Tenses (with time line representations)
Video:
Flatmates: Episode 11 Phoning the Landlord
Words in the News: Young Brittons Shy Away from Learning Languages Make sure to review the vocabulary below the article, before reading and/or listening to the article.
Error Correction: Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
No doubt, about it, Mexican food is one of the most popular foods in the United States. Tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas are just some of the fare that grace many an American table. Mexican recipes are spicy, colorful, and full of flavor. However, what may seem to be quintessential Mexican is not always the case. A little Mexican food history will reveal that things are not always, as they seem.
While it is believed that Mexican food has strong roots in the ancient Mayan culture, it was the Spanish invasion of Mexico in 1521 that most strongly influenced the dishes. The Spanish explorer Cortez and his followers brought with them new types of livestock like pigs, cows, and sheep. They also brought dairy products and various herbs and spices like garlic.
While Cortez introduced many new foods to Mexico, he was also, in turn, introduced to some new foods. Peanuts, chocolate, vanilla, beans, avocados, coconuts, tomatoes, corn, and squash were among the “new” foods that Cortez encountered. It was a well-balanced trade of regional delicacies and palate pleasing foods.
Mexican food history is an interesting mixture of cultures. Many of the Mexican foods that are so-called “traditional” are actually rooted in other cultures in addition to the Mexican culture.
Take quesadillas as an example. This mainstay of Mexican families is often considered to be quintessential Mexican, but in actuality, it takes its components from other cultures. The corn tortilla, the foundation for the quesadilla, is actually a Native American creation.
The cheese, pork, beef, and lettuce that grace so many of our favorite Mexican dishes, including the quesadilla, are Spanish. The hot sauce that is made from chili pepper, though, is indigenous to Mexico. However, it is a little known Mexican food history fact that many of the spices thought to be Mexican are actually Spanish in origin. Black pepper, cinnamon, coriander and oregano are several spices that are often used in Mexican cooking but are not native to the country.
In addition to the Mayans, Native Americans and Spanish influencing Mexican food, the French also left their mark. When Mexico was briefly under French occupation in the 1860’s, popular dishes such as chiles en nogado, a dish of stuffed chilies in walnut sauce, was a result. These dishes sport a distinct French flair, but have become a standard part of Mexican culture.
One of the most popular adaptations of Mexican food and an integral part of Mexican food history is the influence from the Southwest United States, namely southern Texas. This style of Mexican food, dubbed “Tex-Mex” has become a favorite of people all over the world. North meets south in this cultural combination of northern Mexico and Southwestern Texas. In many restaurants today, it is more Tex-Mex than authentic Mexican food that is being served.
When exploring Mexican food history, it is important to keep in mind the many, varied cultures that brought about these popular, delicious dishes. As the various countries and cultures melded to create such culinary delights, popularity has soared the world over. Moreover, it just keeps getting better and better.
English Baby: Corporate Stores
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Lesson 10
Song
Idiom: (check in) When did you check in at the Holiday Inn?
Oxford: page 10 Meat, Poultry and Seafood (Beef, Pork and Lamb actually)
Homework Review:
English Baby: Calling in Sick
Azar: page 5 Exercise 6 The Perfect Progressive Tenses
Video: Des Moines Butcher Cuts Steaks for Old-Fashion Meat Counter
Flatmates: Episode 10 Choosing a Film
Words in the News: UK Hacker Could Face Prison in US
Error Correction:
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom: (check in) When did you check in at the Holiday Inn?
Oxford: page 10 Meat, Poultry and Seafood (Beef, Pork and Lamb actually)
Homework Review:
English Baby: Calling in Sick
Azar: page 5 Exercise 6 The Perfect Progressive Tenses
Video: Des Moines Butcher Cuts Steaks for Old-Fashion Meat Counter
Flatmates: Episode 10 Choosing a Film
Words in the News: UK Hacker Could Face Prison in US
Error Correction:
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Lesson 9
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Error Correction
English Baby: The Last Kiss
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News: German Auto Restaurant
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Error Correction
English Baby: The Last Kiss
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Words in the News: German Auto Restaurant
Remember if you have questions about the homework contact a classmate or contact me at mi.maestra.de.ingles@gmail.com or by mobile (442)332-3625. See you in class soon! :)
Monday, September 08, 2008
Lesson 8
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Words in the News: Lost Beatles Record Still Exists
Error Correction
English Baby: Apologies
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Words in the News: Lost Beatles Record Still Exists
Error Correction
English Baby: Apologies
Azar
Video
Flatmates
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Lesson 7
Song
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Flatmates
Words in the News: Noisey Cows
Error Correction
English Baby: The Superficial.com
Azar
Video
Idiom
Oxford
Homework Review
Flatmates
Words in the News: Noisey Cows
Error Correction
English Baby: The Superficial.com
Azar
Video
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Lesson 6
Song: Let's Call the Whole Thing Off. You say "either" and I say "either." You say "neither." I say "neither." "Either" "either", "neither" "neither"... Let's call the whole thing off. You say "potato," I say "potato" You say "tomato", I say "tomato" Oh, let's call the whole thing off. Oh, if we call the whole thing off then we must part. And oh If we ever part, that would break my heart. So, I say "oyster" you say "oyster." I'm not gonna stop eating oysters just cause you say oyster. Oh, let's call the whole thing off. Oh, I say "pajamas", you say "pajamas" Sugar, what's the problem? Oh, for we know we need each other so we'd better call the calling off off So let's call it off, oh let's call it off. Oh, let's call it off, baby let's call it off. Sugar why don't we call it off. I'm talking baby. Why call it off ? Let's call the whole thing off.
Idiom: (call off) Michal thought he had a date with Helen but she called it off.
Oxford: page 6 Vegetables
Homework Review:
Video: Let's Call the Whole Thing Off (lipsync)
Flatmates: Episode 6 Breakfast Time Which one of Michal's sentences is correct? (1) I'm feel awful, too. (2) I have a pain stomach. (3) My head hurts. Correct the two sentences that are incorrect.
Words in the News: Obesity Epedemic
Error Correction:
English Baby: Only Child
Azar: page 3 Exercise 4 The Progressive Tenses
Idiom: (call off) Michal thought he had a date with Helen but she called it off.
Oxford: page 6 Vegetables
Homework Review:
Video: Let's Call the Whole Thing Off (lipsync)
Flatmates: Episode 6 Breakfast Time Which one of Michal's sentences is correct? (1) I'm feel awful, too. (2) I have a pain stomach. (3) My head hurts. Correct the two sentences that are incorrect.
Words in the News: Obesity Epedemic
Error Correction:
English Baby: Only Child
Azar: page 3 Exercise 4 The Progressive Tenses
Friday, September 05, 2008
Lesson 5
Song:
Idiom: (call in) ask to come to an official place for a special reason
Oxford: page 5 The Human Body (internal)
Homework Review:
Azar: page 3 Chart 1-2 The Progressive Tenses
Video:
Flatmates: Episode 5 Helen at Home Wow. Helen seems to be having a tough time. What should she do? What would you do if you were in her shoes?
Words in the News: Missing Father Now this is a strange story. What makes it unusual? Do you think that it is true? Why? Remember to take a look below the article to study some of the phrases that you will read and hear in the article
Error Correction
English Baby: Scissor Sisters
Idiom: (call in) ask to come to an official place for a special reason
Oxford: page 5 The Human Body (internal)
Homework Review:
Azar: page 3 Chart 1-2 The Progressive Tenses
Video:
Flatmates: Episode 5 Helen at Home Wow. Helen seems to be having a tough time. What should she do? What would you do if you were in her shoes?
Words in the News: Missing Father Now this is a strange story. What makes it unusual? Do you think that it is true? Why? Remember to take a look below the article to study some of the phrases that you will read and hear in the article
Error Correction
English Baby: Scissor Sisters
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Lesson 4
Song: Them Bones, Them Bones, Them Dry Bones
Idiom: (call back) return a telephone call
Oxford: page 4 The Human Body (external)
Homework Review:
English Baby: Opera
Azar: page 3 Exercise 3 The Simple Tenses
Video:
Flatmates: Epipsode 4 Another Round Team up with a classmate to act this out during Homework Review in the next class!
Words in the News: Concentrating Solar Power This is another great source of vocabulary phrases. Remember to study the vocabulary below the article before listening and/or reading the text.
Error Correction:
Idiom: (call back) return a telephone call
Oxford: page 4 The Human Body (external)
Homework Review:
English Baby: Opera
Azar: page 3 Exercise 3 The Simple Tenses
Video:
Flatmates: Epipsode 4 Another Round Team up with a classmate to act this out during Homework Review in the next class!
Words in the News: Concentrating Solar Power This is another great source of vocabulary phrases. Remember to study the vocabulary below the article before listening and/or reading the text.
Error Correction:
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Lesson 3
Song: Row, Row, Row Your Boat is a great song for family road trips. It is fun to sing as a round. Let's do it! Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily life is but a dream.
Idiom: (bring up) Many people bring their children up in Queretaro because they think it is a good environment. = Many people rear their children in Queretaro because they think it is a good environment.
...and there is one more meaning...
I brought up the fact that for a full week in November there were three of us living in the house. = I mentioned that for a full week in November there were three of us living in the house.
Oxford: page 3 The Family (plus supplemental vocabulary given in class)
Homework Review: Feedback on Previous Homework
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby: Wordplay
Homework:
Azar: page 2 Chart 1-1 The Simple Tenses
Video: Biking in Beijing (Watch video and be prepared to share your thoughts during Homework Review) Compare where you live with the places that you saw in the video. How are they the same, how are they different?
Flatmates: Episode 3 In the Pub Predict what Michal says next.
Words in the News: Middle East's First Women Only Hotel
Makes sure to read the the phrases and definitions below the article before you listen and/or read the text. What do you think about this concept? Would such a hotel be popular in your country? Use some of the new vocabulary to express your ideas.
Idiom: (bring up) Many people bring their children up in Queretaro because they think it is a good environment. = Many people rear their children in Queretaro because they think it is a good environment.
...and there is one more meaning...
I brought up the fact that for a full week in November there were three of us living in the house. = I mentioned that for a full week in November there were three of us living in the house.
Oxford: page 3 The Family (plus supplemental vocabulary given in class)
Homework Review: Feedback on Previous Homework
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
English Baby: Wordplay
Homework:
Azar: page 2 Chart 1-1 The Simple Tenses
Video: Biking in Beijing (Watch video and be prepared to share your thoughts during Homework Review) Compare where you live with the places that you saw in the video. How are they the same, how are they different?
Flatmates: Episode 3 In the Pub Predict what Michal says next.
Words in the News: Middle East's First Women Only Hotel
Makes sure to read the the phrases and definitions below the article before you listen and/or read the text. What do you think about this concept? Would such a hotel be popular in your country? Use some of the new vocabulary to express your ideas.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Lesson 2
Song: Don't Worry, Be Happy Listen. Write the lyrics. Sing along!
Idiom: (bring about) cause An organization like Nabuur might really bring about a change! I learned about it from one of my Twitter collegues, wwhitlock.
Oxford: page 2 Family and Relationships (supplemental list will be given in class)
Homework Review: Feedback on Previous Homework
Words in the News: Marriage Training in Saudi Arabia (first review vocabulary below article, then listen while reading text) Is marriage training a good idea? Are there other ways that engaged couples can prepare for marriage? If you are married, how did you prepare?
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
We will begin "homework" in class as time permits.
Homework:
English Baby: Female President
Azar: page 2 Exercise 2 Overview of verb tenses. Create 10 questions using what + a form of do (e.g. What are you doing? What did you do? What have you done?) Use the given expressions. Be prepared to answer these questions in class during Homework Review.
Video: Family Reunion. Can you guess why this video is called family reunion? What is going on? I didn't hear the audio before posting but I saw some of the visuals.
Flatmates: Episode 2 In the Flat (Tim, Alice & Michal) Can you spot Michal's mistake: (1) From near Warsaw--the Polish capital. (2) I'm a guide tourist. (3) To improve my English. Team up with a class mate and practice the dialog (the parts of Alice and Michal) to perform in class during Homework Review
Idiom: (bring about) cause An organization like Nabuur might really bring about a change! I learned about it from one of my Twitter collegues, wwhitlock.
Oxford: page 2 Family and Relationships (supplemental list will be given in class)
Homework Review: Feedback on Previous Homework
Words in the News: Marriage Training in Saudi Arabia (first review vocabulary below article, then listen while reading text) Is marriage training a good idea? Are there other ways that engaged couples can prepare for marriage? If you are married, how did you prepare?
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
We will begin "homework" in class as time permits.
Homework:
English Baby: Female President
Azar: page 2 Exercise 2 Overview of verb tenses. Create 10 questions using what + a form of do (e.g. What are you doing? What did you do? What have you done?) Use the given expressions. Be prepared to answer these questions in class during Homework Review.
Video: Family Reunion. Can you guess why this video is called family reunion? What is going on? I didn't hear the audio before posting but I saw some of the visuals.
Flatmates: Episode 2 In the Flat (Tim, Alice & Michal) Can you spot Michal's mistake: (1) From near Warsaw--the Polish capital. (2) I'm a guide tourist. (3) To improve my English. Team up with a class mate and practice the dialog (the parts of Alice and Michal) to perform in class during Homework Review
Monday, September 01, 2008
Lesson 1
Song: Fly Me to the Moon Fly me to the moon. Let me sing among those stars. Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars. __________ __________ __________ hold my hand. In other words, Baby kiss me. Fill my __________ with song. Let me __________ forevermore. __________ are all I long for, all I worship and adore. In other words, please be true. __________ __________ __________, __________ __________ __________.
Idiom: (ask out) I didn't ask my Ubuntu teacher out.
Homework Review: Feedback on Previous Homework (normally)
Flatmates: Episode 1 At the Airport
Words in the News: Artic Dispute Map
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
Homework:
English Baby: Beck The Information
Azar: page 1 Exercise 1 Introductions and Interviews Activity B Write a brief autobiographical paragraph telling who you are, what you have done in the past two years, and what your plans are for the next two years. Be prepared to exhange with a classmate and ask each other questions to clarify your understanding and get more information.
Video: Free Hugs
Idiom: (ask out) I didn't ask my Ubuntu teacher out.
Homework Review: Feedback on Previous Homework (normally)
Flatmates: Episode 1 At the Airport
Words in the News: Artic Dispute Map
Error Correction: Focus on correct pronunciation, language patterns and stress patterns (Call instructor if no specific assignment given in class.)
Homework:
English Baby: Beck The Information
Azar: page 1 Exercise 1 Introductions and Interviews Activity B Write a brief autobiographical paragraph telling who you are, what you have done in the past two years, and what your plans are for the next two years. Be prepared to exhange with a classmate and ask each other questions to clarify your understanding and get more information.
Video: Free Hugs
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