Making Up Stories

Last Friday, after the storytelling show we were reviewing the parts of a story and some fictional characters who are present in our everyday language. As part of the practice, pupils in 2NI had to write a short story with the different  parts: introduction, background, problem, resolution and a final comment or moral. These are the stories they came up with.

• Enrique, Esperanza and Mª Angeles wrote this story about a proud achievement.

Once upon a time there was a little girl who didn’t like helping her mother at home because she preferred to play with her dog so her mother was upset with her.

Suddenly, one day her mother got very ill. She was lying in bed when the doctor came. He told the girl that her mother should rest for a month.

The little girl realised she wasn’t able to do anything by herself because she never listened to her mother. She thought about what to do for a long time and finally she decided to apologise to her mother and asked for help.

She began to do the housework although she didn’t do it very well. Every day she was improving and her mother was proud of her.

Since then, the little girl helps her mother every day and both of them are very happy together.

You should listen to your parents and help them at home because one day you’ll have to do many things by yourself.

• This is an “overcoming-prejudice” story by Inma, Miguel and Vanessa.

Once upon a time, in a very near land there lived a beautiful girl, who liked sports a lot. One day she wanted to play with the boys but they didn’t allow her to do it. So she cut her hair and dressed in her brother’s clothes and told the boy that her name was Jack.

She started to play with the boys and  she did it very well, so she became really popular.

When the children realised that Jack was actually a girl, at first they felt annoyed but in the end, they allowed her to play because they needed her to win the match.

Give up your prejudices. It’s better to play together.

• Andrea, Ceci and Marian tell us this story whose title is “Phineas’ Dream”

Once upon a time in a faraway land there lived a very little mouse called Phineas, who wanted to drive a little fast car.

Then, he left his house and found a place where there were a lot of cars parked, which seemed to be abandoned. Phineas decided to drive one of them.

While he was trying to start the engine, suddenly he heard a big noise and he became really frightened so he hid under the seat.

The big noise was made by his mother who was knocking on the door to wake him up. Phineas realised that it had been only a dream so he felt relaxed.

• Carmen, Irene and Jose enlighten us with “The Slave Horse”

Once upon a time a little horse lived in a farm. He was very sad because he was tied.

Every day he saw a group of horses running in front of him, but he couldn’t run with them because he was tied. He dreamt of being free one day.

A few years later, someone cut its chains and then the other horses started running in front of him. However, he didn’t try to run after them.

After being tied for so long, he didn’t dream about being free any more because if you have been a slave for many years, you won’t be able to be free.

• And finally, Alba and Santi wrote this blood-curdling story.

It was a dark and cold night when suddenly a strong noise scared me.

I went towards the desk to pick up a candle to check what was going on outside. I went downstairs carefully. Suddenly, I heard footsteps in the living room. Someone had broken into my house! So I went upstairs as fast as I could to pick my rifle. I decided to wait for the burglar in the shadow and close the door. The footsteps were closer and closer. As I put a finger in the trigger, the stranger entered the room. Then, I pulled the trigger and blew his head off.

I was still for a couple of minutes. Then I reached the corpse and looked at his face. That’s when I realised he was …

Well, thanks for your stories and make us consider some aspects of our human condition. It was worth practising. 

Did you like them? Would you like to tell us your story? Feel free to post it. We are looking forward to reading it.

Tell me some stories, please!

Last Thursday, 20th of March, we gathered at the Community Centre in El Espinar to meet some fantastic storytellers -pupils like all of us who like storytelling.

Jose Ignacio, your classmate from 1NI, sort of decided to write an entry for the blog, which I really appreciate. This is what he writes:

Once upon a time, in a  far, faraway land ...

I want to begin this blog entry this way, but it really happened a few days ago here, in El Espinar.

As part of other school activities, a funny group of people came to El Espinar to tell us some stories in English, of course! Right now, I must have forgotten some of them, but I can remember more than ten. However, I am sure that the most important objective was that we realized we can understand English in a real situation, we are even able to speak English fluently. Why not?

A lot of stories spoke about animals. We could learn why leopards have spots on their skin. We met the first coloured bat in the world (it is Galician! Can you believe it?). Penguins were transported to the zoo in a lorry which broke down. A man bought a rat toy with a strange secret: All the real rats near the toy followed it! The man got panic and threw the toy away in the sea. Of course, all the rats drowned. This was its secret! And I want to finish this paragraph by writing about a donkey which could forecast the weather because of its ears. Since then, donkeys have been employed as advisers of kings, presidents, senators, etc. I wonder if this is our current problem! Congratulations to Pilar, who told us this story. She spoke in public for the very first time. I have never done that, and I think I will not be able to do it, so I write again: Congratulations!

We could also hear about people. For example, a queen without hair. "Well", she thought, "I will not have to spend time brushing my hair". One must make the best of a bad job. We knew why Chinese people dress in red and make a terrible noise when their New Year starts. We travelled to Heaven doors where Saint Peter had a lot of problems to manage a lot of people who have just arrived there. Do not ask why!

Another story told us about two fishermen. The first one was saying to the other how he could earn a lot of money fishing to be rich. And the second one answered him:

-"Why do you think I am doing what I want to do?" Yes, he was a rich man.

Finally, the last two stories I can remember. In one of them there was an old shoemaker with a brilliant memory, but a procrastinating person. And the last one narrated about a group of people having problems in their mouths who cannot extinguish a magic English candle.

The principal of The Official School of Languages invited us to join the group. It can be interesting! What do you think about it?

Great job, Jose Ignacio! Thanks for refreshing our minds and making us remember that wonderful evening we spent together. It was well worth!

Storytellers in El Espinar

Thanks to our head Mar Melchor and the storytellers Madalen Sánchez, Alba Gallego, Sofía Gómez, Mercedes Rodríguez, Lorenzo Moreno, Elena Arévalo, Mercedes Sanoja, Pilar Zomeño and Rosa Toril. We are looking forward to meeting you again!

And thanks to all the pupils who attended. Without your participation, the show won't have been possible.

And finally, just tell you that I liked every single story but if I had to choose one, I'd definitely choose "The Candle" because it was one of the stories my auntie used to tell me at bedtime. It reminded me vividly of my childhood.

Now, it's your turn. What story did you most enjoy? Which one made you think of your childhood or another moment in your life? Would you like to join this group?
Leave your comments.

Do vs. Make

Today, the difference between these two verbs, do and make. They have very similar meanings, and it is sometimes difficult to choose between them.

When we talk about an activity without specifying what it is, we tend to use do.

-         What are you doing? I’m doing nothing.

-         I’m not sure what to do about it.

Do is used to talk about work and what I usually call “boring and repetitive activities”.

-         I don’t mind doing the housework but I hate doing the cooking and shopping.

-         Don’t forget to do your homework.

Make is often used to express the idea of creation or “more productive activities”.

-         Let’s make a plan for next weekend!

-         Christine has just made another delicious carrotcake.

Study the diagrams below.

Common expressions with the verb DO

Common expressions with the verb MAKE

In some cases, there are no clear rules. If you are not sure about which verb you have to use, choose make –it’s more likely to be right.

Let's do a bit of practising!  Make an effort and try to give the correct answers. Don't forget to use the verb in its correct form.

1. I enjoy _____ these exercises a lot. They help me improve my English.

2. I've spent the whole morning at home. I _____ the ironing, I _____ the beds and I've just _____ a birthday cake for my sister. 

3. My neighbour upstairs is always _____ noise in the middle of the night.

4. The athlete _____ a decision. He was going to ____ an attempt to raise money for the poor countries in Africa and Asia.

5. He has _____ sport since he was at school. He's really keen on it.

6. "_____ me a favour, will you? Could you please _____ an appointment with the dentist for me?"

7. In a few weeks' time, you will be _____ your final exams so _____ a big effort and study harder.

8.  I do hope you have _____ some progress with this entry.

 

The answers, as always, on the first comment. 

Women in Art

Hi there,

The Official School of Languages, as you already know, is organising a challenging cultural contest to commemorate the International Women's Day, on the eighth of March. 

You are asked to guess the title of the paintings as well as the name of the artists. As you can learn different languages at school, not only English but also German, French, Italian and Spanish in case you are a foreign student, the variety of artists and paintings is huge. 

Here are the paintings you should guess.

These paintings are from two artists who spoke German as their native language.

Picture 1

Picture 2

These two other paintings are from Spanish-speaking artists. Can you guess who they were?

Picture 3

Picture 4

Two more works of art. This time from artists who spoke French while drawing these women.

Picture 5

Picture 6

Whereas these paintings belong to two English artists. I encourage you to guess who they were.

Picture 7

Picture 8

And finally, two Italian-speaking artists.

Picture 9

Picture 10

You can check as many books as you want, surf the Net and visit the most famous museums worldwide. You can ask a friend who happens to be an expert in art, or simply you can have seen these paintings before and know the answer straightaway. But the most important thing here is to participate. I'm sure you will learn a lot while doing your research.

Well, let's say that you have another week to participate. If you have guessed any of the paintings and artists, write your answers on a piece of paper and give it to any of your teachers. I would like to inform you that the prize could be a weekend for two in an European city and some free tickets to the most prestigious museums and be able to see those works of art in situ, but I'm afraid that's impossible with the budget we have. What I'm completely sure about is that you will get a nice gift for your research.

So, common guys!!! Start researching and win your prize!!!

Good luck!!!

Another vs. Other

The difference between these two words is really simple, however hard it seems to be for you all. Let’s see if this entry can help you with it.

ANOTHER is normally followed by a singular noun. Look at the photos.

I've got a grammar book, which I highly recommend.

I've got another grammar book to recommend.

However, another can be followed by a number with a plural noun or by few.

For example,

-         You will find another three examples in the exercise below. (= You will find three more examples in the exercise below.)

-         You can do another few exercises from the grammar book English Grammar in Use.

OTHER is followed by a plural noun. 

For example,

But I've got other grammar books with lots of activities to  do.

Other can also be used as an adjective, it has no plural form. OTHERS is a pronoun, which means other ones or other people.

For example,

-         Where are the other grammar books?

-         Can you tell the others that I’ll be spending the weekend here?

Let’s consider some sentences!

1. (In a clothes shop) I love that sweater. Have you got any _____ colours?
2. (At the restaurant) Can I have _____ bottle of water, please?
3. (A pupil at the school) I wish I had _____ few weeks to study before doing the final test.
4. (In our classroom) We need _____ chair here.
5. (At the garage) I’m afraid you will have to buy _____ car. This is very old.
6. (At the office) Some employees are working hard these weeks, _____ aren’t.
7. (At the travel agent’s) We can offer you _____ destinations, which I’m completely sure you’ll love.
8. (The teacher) We can continue practising _____ day if you need it.

The key is on the first comment. How well did you do it?