Writing task MAC 3 (I guess)  Pg 39 - Resource Pack - ex 7.

Dear Mr. Bill Jones

I am writing this letter to oppose about the plans for the new library; I may say that when I saw the plans, I sensed a good variety of mistakes.

Firstly I feel that the decision to use concrete should be rethought, besides the location is suitable to use the local stone, not only to the building but as well to support the quarries, not only this, with time, concrete tend to lost its beauty.

Even living nearby the coast, there is not a need to build it based on a ship, it wouldn’t pass a good sensation having a boat-looking library in the town, since ships were made with the initial intention to stay in the sea and it may not fit to be a model building. Another issue I could notice is the absence of windows, which give to the place a need to use more lamps to illuminate the place instead of natural light, spending more with illumination that the necessary if solar light could enter in to the building.

What really called my attention was the plan which our gardens are going to be replaced by paving stones, our city has enough pavements, and there is a need for a natural place along the streets, putting that aside would make the city lost the few green points we have.

Hoping a change, yours faithfully, Mr. Barking

  

Bruno Akira

Hello people!

Finally I'm posting my voicethread link with my speech.

voicethread.com/share/3213237

Sorry about my voice (I don't like my voice when recorded) and the poor quality of the recording.

I really wanted to add more pictures to it, specially because I'm talking about photography, but I quit struggling with that thing.

These are the photos I've mentioned in my speech.
The first one is a picture from Vietnam War (Mariane had mentioned this war in her speech and I have instantly remembered this one) which is very famous and iconic. The latter is another famous picture of the protest of a student in front of war tanks in China. Both photos are dramatic and a good example when words become not enough to describe the depth of some pictures.

=)

Finally, here is my voicethread link:

http://voicethread.com/share/3216961/

It sounds like a child, but it's me. =P

My gosh!!!It was hard, but I did it. http://voicethread.com/?#u2776673.b3214354.i17041721
ufff!!

Bruna here is  my voice thread link. http://voicethread.com/?#u2774551.b3212441.i17033098 sorry for the background noise.

Bruna, finally, this is my voicethread:

voicethread.com/share/3209291/

Hello to all :)
As teacher Bruna asked us, I made my speech "Words are not enough" and I recorded it in voicethread website. So, I am posting here the link for you.

https://voicethread.com/?#u2766399.b3195940.i16955716

Thank you. Good week for us.

 Mariane.

This week and last week we [MAC 2 (I guess its MAC 2, i dont have a clue)] talked about some cases, juridic cases like Stella Liebeck; the Worst ever Play to Appear on London Stage; basically pg. 60 - 63, and the Magazine Super Interessante made in April 3 pages about the craziests sues ever happened, its in Portuguese but...

Bigger image

Bigger image

If u want to read some article in English, here is another one, its pretty insane too.

Avaaz: Hours to save the Amazon

Dear friends across Brazil, 

Days ago, Congress passed a catastrophic forestry bill that gives loggers and farmers free rein to cut down huge swaths of our precious forests, from the Amazon to the Atlantic. Now only President Dilma can stop it. 

Timing is on our side -- in weeks Dilma will host the world’s biggest environmental summit and insiders say she cannot afford to be pinned as the leader who approved the devastation of the Amazon. Dozens have been murdered for standing against deforestation. Now it's up to us to turn up the heat and push her to veto. 

Dilma will make her decision in the next 24 hours! Let's get her to veto the bill. Click below to sign the urgent petition to stop the Amazon chainsaw massacre and if you have already signed -- send this to everyone: 

http://www.avaaz.org/en/brasil_veta_dilma_reblast/?vl 

Over the last decade, Brazil has succeeded in vastly reducing deforestation rates, achieving a 78% reduction between 2004 and 2011. The reason? A world-acclaimed forestry law, strong enforcement and satellite monitoring. But this dangerous new code threatens to unravel this progress and spark total forest devastation. 

The forest slayers are celebrating -- not only does this new law open up an area the size of France and Britain combined to clear-cutting devastation, it also gives them amnesty for all past deforestation crimes.

Dilma has said that she wants to strike a “compromise” between the pro-deforestation lobby and the environmental champions. But we know a compromise is not necessary -- in Brazil, economic development and the protection of our environment go hand in hand. Studies confirm that the impressive transformation of Brazilian agriculture is strongly based on productivity gains more than land area expansion. While in Russia, lenient forest protection has led to disastrous consequences -- with a huge increase in forest fires and a 20% reduction in the country’s wheat production. 

79% of us across the country reject this new forest law -- let’s make sure we are heard before it is too late. Sign now the petition to Dilma to veto now and then forward this email to everyone: 

http://www.avaaz.org/en/brasil_veta_dilma_reblast/?vl 

In the last 3 years, Brazilian Avaaz members have taken massive leaps towards the world we all want: we helped pass Ficha Limpa against all odds and have lobbied our government to play a leadership role at the UN, protect human rights globally and intervene to support democracy in the Middle East. Now, again, it's up to us to preserve our most cherished natural treasures for the benefit of our children and our grandchildren. 

With hope and determination, 

Luis, Pedro, Diego, Alice, Ricken, Maria Paz and the rest of the Avaaz team.

MORE INFORMATION: 

Brazil's Congress approves controversial forest law (BBC)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17851237 

Brazil Forest Code Passes In Defeat For Dilma Rousseff (Huffington Post)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/27/brazil-forest-code_n_1457149.html 

Revised Brazilian Forest Code good for environmental criminals, bad for forests (IB Times)

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/20120501/revised-brazilian-forest-code-environmental-criminals-forests-common.htm 

Amazon deforestation record low (BBC)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8358094.stm 

ER Lesson 18, finally: One world?

Hello again.

Here are the links related to our lesson about international cooperation (pronunciation practice, again: don't confuse it with 'corporation'...):

• http://www.cic.nyu.edu/;
• http://www.jica.go.jp/english/about/;
• http://www.ipea.gov.br/portal/ (you can always switch to the English version, LOL...);
• http://public.web.cern.ch/public/.

I haven't had the time to check them all yet, but I'm pretty curious about the Japanese one (the Japanese, Henrique, the Japanese, yes! LOL) - oh, did any of you manage to go to Matsuri? Besides meeting a handful of (former) students, I had some mouth-watering fried ice-cream and left the place with two Kokeshis and a Daruma. Thank you so much for the invitation, Lucas. :-)

Mother's Day?

ER Lesson 17, finally: Meu Brasil brasileiro

Hi there!

I know this should've been posted a while ago, but it's still worth reading anyway - BTW, it'd be great if you tried to answer the following question in your comments to the text:

Could it be that the Brazilians have the most swaggering inferiority complex in the world? The next time I'm asked "Do you like Brazil?", I will reply unequivocally: "Yes, it's a great country. But you shouldn't need me, or any other foreigner, to tell you so."

Also, a friend of mine recently posted this (cute little) video on Facebook, which reminds me of this discussion about stereotypes (and of my childhood, of course) - I hope you like it!

"Não, senhor. José Carioca, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil." :-D

Posts about more recent lessons coming soon. ;-)

5th Matsuri São Carlos - Next Friday!

As Bruna allowed me, I am here to invite you, and of course, for you to invite your friends and family, to visit the 5th Matsuri São Carlos!!

Programmation: click here

It's a great festival that brings a little of the japanese culture, like beautiful presentations, handicrafts and of course the food :9

I'm from the Yanagi Taiko group (Taiko is the japanese drums) so don't forget to watch our presentation, and come visit us in the tent of 'SORVETE FRITO'! (It sounds better, and strange, in Portuguese, for me =D). For those who never tasted it, give it a try! Its unique! But don't forget the other tents, delicious foods and beautiful handicrafts.

Thank you, we'll be waiting for you!

Off-topic* 2: Bando de babacas

Hello, guys!

Again*, I know it's not in English (this time, it's not even on-topic*!), but I simply couldn't help it* - I had to* post it! ;)

'What are you laughing at?'*
asked Capitão Nascimento - or so they say*. ;)

Humour (a topic those taking MAC2 now will be discussing* next semester - can anyone from MAC1 please check if there's anything about it in our new course[book]? Thanks!) has always been a potentially controversial issue* - but it's not what has actually inspired this post. This has:

"[...] eu sou da época da gentileza, do muito obrigado e do por favor, acredito no ser humano e ainda sou canceriano e baiano, ou seja, um babaca total. [...]"

I don't know about you*, but this got me thinking*. It made me wonder* (Led Zeppelin!*) about the sort of world we now live in, a world where kindness* is often dismissed as* silliness* - and, yes, where many can't tell* (Pink Floyd!*) 'absolutely hilarious'* from 'downright rude'*.

Don't worry: you're not being invited to take sides* here (did you hate/love 'Tropa de Elite'? Do you hate/love 'Pânico na TV'?), but to read, reflect, write and share your ideas about a topic which I believe is worth our time* - very simply put*, living in society.

So, please, don't leave me talking to myself - I'm only uploading this because I did feel* an uncontrollable urge* to discuss the subject (even though*, as has been pointed out* on* Facebook, those might not even be* Wagner Moura's words)!

*Some focus on (clichés* of) the English language and culture (for me not to* feel so guilty about* this post, indeed*) - your task: pick* a couple of the marked items and explain why they've been marked*. Yes, I'm being serious*.

Off-topic? MAC1 Midterm test: Materials and instructions

Dear MAC1 students,

Please check all your email accounts to make sure you get our Midterm-Test-Extra-Materials-and-Instructions, which I've just sent to the addresses in my list - I mean, not necessarily to the addresses you used when accepting my invitation to our blog.

I hope you've already started studying and send me your questions via email as soon as possible - if you do want them answered in time, that is... :-D

See you next class!

ER Lesson 14: So academic

I hope you're enjoying your weekend, guys.

Here's the link to the (very) extensive reading of the week, which you must do as part of your preparation for Writing Task 2.

Since it's a long text, don't forget to highlight (in your comments!) what you consider to be its main points, that is to say, the advice which might be of most use to you when writing your own essays.

As both a teacher and a writer, I particularly like the following:

• "There are no foolproof recipes for producing a quality assignment. Each student will employ an individual approach to essay writing; however, what follows is an outline of the fundamental steps involved in the essay writing process."

and

• "A clear understanding of what you are expected to do is crucial to writing a quality assignment. Make sure you understand what issue/problem has to be addressed. Analyse the wording of the question carefully to gain an understanding of what is being asked. There are three aspects of the question to consider: instructional/operational/directive/task words; content/information key words; delimiting words."

What about you? Which recommendations do you like the most? Bearing in mind "there are no foolproof recipes for producing a quality assignment", what approach to essay writing do you usually employ?

Have a nice Sunday!

P.S.: It's a semiformal article, not an academic essay, but have you read Bruno's text about life skills being taught at school yet? What's your viewpoint on the subject? Tell us!

P.P.S.: Thank you, Rodrigo, Mariane, for keeping posting such nice comments!

P.P.P.S.: As the number of signatures on the petition to save Balandra beach has increased from 14,204 to 14,211 since I myself signed it, I do believe some of you have done so as well - muchas gracias! ;)

Wirting Text 2 - Mac 2 -

Writing Text 2: Should life skills be taught at school?

It really depends on which skill and his real necessity in our daily, the school should taught these skills only if really needed, cookery for example would have no need to be taught on school, since we can learn by ourselves in our houses with the help of parents or with a cookery book.

The school should know too, when and how to teach these skills, you can`t, for example, teach sex education to kids on primary school! This should be focused on students of high-school at least. In racism awareness the teachers must take care to don’t promote a prejudice that, for example, Afro descent`s or Indians need protection or something to let them feel better. Drug and alcohol awareness is another which needs careless, this shouldn`t induce the students to want to know how they worked, only by curiosity, their dangers and side-effects should be taught and not only the "good effects".

Besides that, some skills are almost obviously why they should be teach in school, first aid is important to at least know what to do in an emergency, but even this should be taught with careless, maybe not by teachers, but by someone specialist in the subject, like nurses, fire-fighters or even doctors.

The best subjects to be taught should be the ones you won’t have interest in learn it on home. Economics it`s usually something the people, at least the kids or teenagers, that doesn`t pay attention in, so if doesn`t applied in school, maybe these students will even know why understand economy is important.

Bruno Akira

Lesson 13: Saving Balandra

'An idyllic place or experience is extremely pleasant, beautiful or peaceful.'
(Cambridge Dictionaries Online)

"Development of Balandra would surely have brought jobs: margaritas would have to be served, tour parties guided and pets pampered. But the people of La Paz have looked into that particular future and dared to choose another path. They have shown that it is possible to take on the inevitable - and win."

"Development of Balandra would surely have brought jobs: margaritas would have had to be served, tour parties guided and pets pampered (the tourist publication Baja Traveler magazine last year, without irony, printed a picture of a waistcoated Mexican smilingly massaging a blond spaniel). As in Acapulco or Cancún, air-conditioned boutiques would have sold trophy watches while wandering hawkers flogged hand-plaited wristbands. But the people of La Paz have looked into that particular future and dared to choose another path. They have shown that it is possible to take on the inevitable - and win."

'Grassroots campaign' at a shopping centre
(Would it be allowed here in Brazil?)

Hi there!

We were talking the other day about the difference in impact between a simplified version of a text and its original version, remember? Here are two questions that you could try to answer in your comments about the conclusion of today's article:

1. Why might it be said that, in this case, the shorter version of the paragraph 'sounds better' than the longer one? Which do you prefer? Why?

2. What information from the original paragraph is lost in the edited one? How important do you consider it? Why?

Also, have a look at the full article, as published in The Guardian, and find two more factors which could possibly explain the resistance to the creation of a resort on Balandra beach.

Finally, if you believe in the importance of such cause and in online activism, you can sign Colectivo Balandra's petition here. In the 'ANP' and 'Novedades' section of the page, you'll see that the place's still in danger (a 'protracted struggle', indeed!) - I reckon all help's welcome!

P.S.: Have you checked what's going on in the comment section of some of our blog posts yet? ;)

ERV Lesson 12: Come and visit - responsibly!

Good afternoon, people!

About yesterday's lesson, you should read/watch at least one of the following:

• E-Campus, Web Project Ecotourism: log in, click on 'Word & Phrase Search' under 'Search' and type in the words 'Web Project Ecotourism' - that's quite simple! :)
• http://www.igtoa.org/info-for-travelers: videos on challenges facing the Galapagos Islands, plus best practice and safety tips for tourists - check also the PDF document entitled 'Best Practices in Galapagos'.
• http://www.global-changemakers.net/marketplace-entries/young-explorers-program-usa-become-an-environmental-ambassador: not much on this page, but I might have missed something...

Your Websearch of the day is:

• 'Environmental ambassadors? Global changemakers? Social entrepreneurs? Read the website and find out more!'

Bonus points (well, not really, but...) if you comment on Rodrigo's (thank you!), Mariane's, Felipe's or Amanda's contributions to our blog! Even more if you write a comment or a post of your own.

Oh, and, Vilela, I'm waiting for uploads of some English-lessons-inspired works of yours... ;-) It'd be a really original way to comment on the texts/videos, don't you think so? Seriously!

Lesson 11: Hello, Harriet

Also as promised, here are the links to:

• lesson 11 video about Galapagos and its tortoises;
• Jurassic Park's scene about the ill triceratops.

Can you also see a resemblance between the two videos? :-D Oh, and an extra link:

• Meet Harriet, the giant tortoise that (supposedly) belonged to Darwin!

Hi there!

P.S.: Sorry, Mariane - I hope you have no nightmares about Harriet! To me, she looks almost like a pet dog in this picture! :-D

ER Lesson 11: Preservar é preciso

As promised, here's your suggested extensive reading of the holiday:

• http://rainforests.mongabay.com/mata-atlantica/mata-atlantica.html (really nice to be reminded that the Amazon rainforest isn't the only one in our country, isn't it?)
• http://www.greenlivinganswers.com/archives/197 (features a video, which I haven't been able to see yet - please let me know if it's worth it if you do!)

And here are my personal recommendations (from contributors to our very own blog - thanks a lot, Mariane, Felipe! - and from the same page as the article on Mata Atlântica):

• "I think every experience in our life is valid. I have never visited the sea and I am sure that when I can I really would soak up it. In the beach, in a cruise or maybe to work in a cruise :)" and "I totally agree with your understanding of this text. You really saved me some time of writing about it! =P". =D

• "Some things are just better when you turn off the lights. Such as star-gazing, campfires, movies, kissing, and the new mushroom species from Brazil, Mycena luxaeterna. This bioluminescent fungi casts an eerie, yet beautiful glow. Researchers named it luxaeterna, 'eternal light', after a movement in Mozart's haunting Requiem. The species is from the Atlantic Forest, one of the world's most threatened and fragmented rainforests. It grows on rotting branches. © Cassius V. Stevani (Instituto de Química – Univ. de São Paulo, Brazil)."

No, that's not what I meant by 'my personal recommendation'!

Star-gazing, campfires, movies, kissing... mushrooms? And Mozart (or sort of...)! Ideas for the holiday - since it's unfortunately too short for a cruise!... ;)

Oh, and don't forget to:

1. join our fellow bloggers Felipe, Amanda and Mariane in their discussion of Lesson 09  and Lesson 10 texts (I'll be doing so myself this weekend!);
2. find, in today's articles, one expression which appeared in yesterday's lesson;
3. highlight at least one interesting collocation per article read;
4. leave a personal comment on at least one of these articles.

A happy Easter to those who celebrate it - I'll be still accepting chocolate on Tuesday! LOL

ER Lesson 10: "Navegar é preciso"?

And today's reading suggestions are...

First, “Put it this way,” Mr. Middleton said: “Those who can afford million-dollar megayachts will be able to afford security teams, insurance premium hikes, and basically whatever it takes to get there.” - thumbs down?

Second, Yes. Green travel is not just what happens at the destination, or indeed how you get there. It does not demand that you eschew air travel altogether or hotels or comfort, or that your holiday is within 10 miles of your home. Rather, it asks you to pack your brain as well as your swimsuit, and to assess and then act on the impact of your visit. - thumbs up?

Third, For some, the appeal of a cruise is 360-degree ocean views, endless entertainment and waking up in a new destination every day. For others, a cruise is basically being trapped at sea, fighting for deck chairs and getting only eight hours to explore an entire country. - thumbs...?

Last but not least, This is a good article that may convince someone who wants to help people, but lacks that encouragement to start. Nevertheless, the people who park their lazy "@*$" in front of the TV will never even finish to read that! and The article: “How graduates can stand out from the crowd” is very motivating and gives important tips. The tip title as “Break the mould” can be very useful in our task of writing a covering letter. ;) - double thumbs up (how many have I got, again? LOL), Felipe, Amanda! Comments soon!

Little tasks to choose from, guys:

1. join our fellow bloggers Felipe and Amanda in our discussion of Lesson 09's texts;
2. find, in today's articles, one word which appears in two of them and one which appeared in yesterday's lesson;
3. highlight at least one interesting collocation per article read;
4. tell us which article most and least appeals to you and why (I intend to do so myself ASAP!);
5. using the frame suggested in lesson 08, write a summary of one of these articles.

Have fun! ;)

ER Lesson 9: Working for free?

Facebook post now? Please read the article first.

So here are our Extensive Reading recommendations of the day:

• VSO UK - got (several) five minutes to spare? Then check the 'LIfe changing stories' section of the site as well;
• Pick this one if you believe in taking action, in doing something - and also if you don't (you might as well end up changing your mind!);
• Finally, the link you were all anxiously waiting for, starring David, The Historian!

Needless to say I'll be anxiously waiting for your uploads, with summaries of and/or comments on the articles, right? Oh, interesting vocabulary's also very welcome.

ER Lesson 8: 'Accent neutralisation and a crisis...'

Good evening, guys!

Finally, our first after-class post, with the link to our Extensive Reading of the day - and a couple of bonuses:

• On its cover image, click on "Click to LOOK INSIDE!" to read the first pages of the novel Q&A, by Vikas Swarup, on Amazon if you're interested in knowing the book on which the film Slumdog Millionaire was (loosely) based;
• Haven't seen the film itself yet, but would love to check a few opinions so you could decide whether it's really worth seeing? Well, you can have a look at its entry on IMDb - but beware of spoilers!;
• OK, so you're the visual type and can't actually afford to spend much more than two minutes of your precious time on finding out more about the film? Here's the link to one of its trailers;
• But if you're here just for the fun of it, this is the perfect stuff for you.

My intention was obviously to direct you to the call centre scene from here, but I simply couldn't find it! If anyone manages to do so, please leave a comment with the link - thanks a lot! :)

P.S.: I've actually read the novel (besides seeing the film at least twice, yes), so if you like its beginning enough to order a copy and would like someone to discuss it with, just let me know.

ER Lesson 2: 'Google generation has no need for...'

In an attempt to encourage you to do some reading of your own, here I am, on a Saturday afternoon, trying to get my head round a couple of points mentioned in the original version of the article on Don Tapscott's view of education - can anyone help me, please?

• The Battle of Hastings (there's even a game here - which I can't seem to win, playing as either William or Harold!...);
• Ofsted;
• shadow schools?...

I'd appreciate it if each of these items were briefly explained by at least one of you - thanks! ;-)

P.S.: Vocabulary I particularly like in the article: "His observations chime with a trend in British classrooms to cut back on traditional teaching and to personalise learning."

ERV catching-up: lessons 2 to 7

Hello, guys!

Below are the links to the webpages included in the 'Suggested Extensive Reading/Viewing' section of our lessons so far:

Lesson 2: 'Google generation has no need for rote learning' (original version)

Lesson 4: 'Indra Nooyi' and 'Georges Simenon'

Lesson 5: 'Guardian Jobs' and ''Working Holiday' Job Programmes'

Lesson 6: 'Graduate 'made to stack shelves' seeks judicial review' (features video)

               'The battle over your data' (features video)

               'Get that job: Virtual interview' (reading game)

Lesson 7: 'Internships at UNESCO', 'What is voluntary work' and 'UNESCO on Facebook'

I'm fullly aware that this is quite a long list. However, if you work on the materials of one of the lessons above per week (plus those of the lessons of such week, obviously), you shouldn't take long to end your catching-up - much less become bored by it!

Reading's fun, trust me on that. I, for one, will be soon posting comments on these texts - and looking forward to your own posts and/or replies. :-)

Welcome, Leaders

Welcome to this blog!
It has been created for my Advanced students at Cultura Inglesa São Carlos to post, besides their own summaries of online news articles read during the term, comments, reflections and insights on the topics discussed in class.
As long as you mention their authors and/or sources and briefly explain their connection with our lessons, feel free to recommend texts, videos and images which you believe might be of interest to fellow students - I will be doing so myself.
'Work' and 'play' are both keywords here. So, keep an eye out for weekly updates, and let us climb up the English learning ladder together! :-)