10 Reasons to become a Teacher

As the end of the academic year approaches, I start thinking (one more year!) about the reasons why I am a teacher.

After mulling over for a long period of time and bearing in mind that I’m reluctant to use humour in the classroom, these are my conclusions. They are obviously rated in order of importance. Then it is up to you to trust them or not. ;-)

10. Good salary!

9. Know all the answers in the tests.

8. Teaching is learning. That’s why I learn from you every single day.

7. Practise pedagogy and creativity without fear of arrest.

6. Free apples! (… and carrot cakes, biscuits, chocolate, candies, “obleas and barquillos”, juice, coffee, …)

5. Almost massive funding for classroom supplies in times of crisis. 

4. Accept diversity, advice and others’ opinions.

3. Feel that I am a part of an extraordinary team.

2. Spend leisurely summer in intensive therapy trying to recover my strength for the next course.

1. Might have to work for a living otherwise.

Haaaahh! What do you think? Are they good reasons for you to become teachers in the future? What are your reasons for doing your jobs? Write them down if you feel like it.

“The sense of humour is the oil of life’s engine. Without it, the machinery creaks and groans. Not lot is so hard, no aspect of things is so grim, but it relaxes before a hearty laugh.”

G.S. Merriam

THUNDER ROAD

Well, here we go with an entry created by Abel, your classmate in 2NA.

This tries to be the first entry of a series of our favourite or for-any-special-reason-I-like-it songs. So, maybe it's high time you reflect on that and start writing. This is what Abel wants to share with you all. 

Enjoy yourselves!

“THUNDER ROAD”

A harmonica and a walking piano that will quickly change to running, are the faint prologue that leads us to raise the curtain and introduces a girl who is dancing in her doorstep in front of a boy in a running car. It could be a scene captured by the lens of Scorsese in Little Italy any summer evening.

And indeed, the film is about love, like almost rock and roll songs but they aren´t  the usual lady and gallant. There are two characters physically and, above everything, spiritually beaten for life. Their prime was much time ago, with their broken dreams very far away. And indeed, the film is about love, but it´s about much more too.

Along the song, it flies over the omnipresent topic in the work of the most inspiring Springsteen: the way to fight against pain, defeat or  failure.  And of course, they are here: the, not so classic at that time, images of faith, magic, redemption or promise land to incarnate the idea of the new chance, the always opening possibility of reviving again, leaving  the past behind or understanding tomorrow as the first day of the rest of your life.

There´s only one voice in the song, the boy at the steering wheel´s one. He is telling us how he feels and, in a dangerous leap of faith for his purposes, trying to show to her loved one, which is the way to be able to understand her past and dreams.

With that series of overelaborated images that Bruce´s poetry was made of at the beginning, he will try to explain us that the exit could be there but anyway, it is never simple or easy.

To decide to fight could be dangerous and to challenge the own life could be the hardest work and he has nothing except his love and devotion; maybe the only useful fuel for the last and longest path that he will go through with her by his side. A song run through suspicious and prefabricated epic, only acceptable if it´s the voice of integrity the one that speaks, if the password to lower our guard is a telecaster again.

“And I´m pulling out of here to win” A certain Bruce sings the last verse because, at that moment, he has become the character. He has always believed in himself but, after the commercial failures of his two first albums, it looks like this one was his last chance to triumph, to prove to CBS and everybody else that he was right, that he really had the special talent that someone was talking of time ago. Indeed “Born to Run” was his first masterpiece that turned him into one of the greatest rockers of History.

It´s my favourite song and it´s probably the song that I have listened to more times but, at the same time, it is many other people´s song and it could be the song of everyone. All of us bear defeats and need to heal some hurts. It made me feel better when I was fourteen, when I didn't understand the meaning of a dream because then, I didn't know his price and it continues being useful for me, thirty years later. The song hasn't changed, it remains with the same shine and ability to thrill.

That “Thunder Road” without end is the direction that everybody looks for in their lives. Even the most self satisfied man can see the horizon in his own thunder road that would or not decide to go along. The road and the moving car will stay by our side forever. It´s everything we need. “These two lanes will take us anywhere”. We´ll never know if Mary got  into the car. Did you? Would you?

Here's a link with the lyrics in English, of course.

This is a very good song and a very good entry. Thanks Abel for your contribution to this blog, once again.

Now guys, it's your turn. Leave your comments straight away. They are really welcome.

International Laughter Day

Victor Borge said "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people" and he was absolutely right, don't you agree? I think we have spent really good moments by laughing together along this year and I hope to keep doing it.

Today is another "International Day". This time "World Laughter Day". And this year seems to be our "must-days". Here's a bit of its origins.

The first World Laughter Day was held on January 11, 1998, in Mumbai, India by the creator of Laughter Yoga, Dr Madan Kataria, with the objective of laughing for World Peace. A huge success, the date was later changed to the first Sunday in May and has been observed every year since. There are Laughter Clubs in over 60 countries which meet and laugh at around midday, sending a massive wave of laughter all over the world.

Here's a flash mob where you can notice the different stages in a good fit of laughter.

It is clear that laughter unites us and is universally understood – it connects people, breaks down barriers and promotes positivity, better health and happiness.

But ... what makes you laugh nowadays? A joke? A performance? A person's fall in the snow?

Your classmates' mistakes? Write down anything you may usually laugh at and improve your health and mind.

MAYBE WE CAN HELP

After a few weeks without any entries, here we go again. This time with the help of one of your classmates; Elena, from the second year of the Advanced Level, who has been extremely kind to collaborate with our class blog.

Even when everybody could think that Physiotherapy is a new therapy, the truth is that it has existed since human beings  are in this world. It hasn't been recognised, as a profession apart from doctors and nurses,  until thirty years ago, when it started to be a university degree in Spain. Nowadays, a lot of people are still a little confused about us and it would be interesting for you if you are aware of what a physiotherapist can do for you and, even more important, what we cannot do.

It is well-known that films and TV can be a useful way of making it known, and I have selected a movie, that I’m sure almost everybody knows, just to remind you of the physiotherapy part. Regarding Henry with Harrison Ford, a lawyer who is shot and needs help to come back to his life after losing his speech and mobility. Here is the trailer where you can do two minutes of listening. Of course, you can see the entire film in English online but I am sure everybody knows where. 

 

 

Neurology is a field not very well-known as part of my job however, it is more and more needed every day. Traffic accidents, brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy.... We are going to take cerebral palsy as an example of what physiotherapists are ready to do. This is a disorder occurred near the moment of birth. For any reason (there are several causes) the motor development is not how it must be and that creates the disability of movement. The affected can have other damages such as vision and speech problems, learning disabilities, epilepsy...The extension of the lesions will depend on the location and degree of brain damage.  However, it  is demonstrated that with the appropriate treatment, it goes much better helping, in some cases, until the completely integration of the child in the society. In this fight, against the unfair, a lot of experts are working in what we call multidisciplinary teams.

This video is the sweetest one I’ve found in order not to offend someone, although the reality is not so sweet and easy, the video shows you how Physiotherapist´s world works.

Take it as an example of when we can help.

                

 

And now... did you know what a physiotherapist can do for you? Have you ever needed one? Was that a good or bad experience? Do you remember any other films related to physiotherapists? 

Thanks, Elena, and congratulations for you work. Undoubtedly, physiotherapists do a great job. It must be extremely rewarding to see your patients' progresses every day. 

OK, guys, now it's your turn!!!

International Kissing Day

“A kiss is just a kiss”, this verse from the popular song “As Time Goes By” could not describe what most of us feel when we kiss somebody. Whether you agree or disagree with me, a kiss is a good way to express your love, friendship or attachment for somebody.

I like kissing but obviously, I cannot deny having been reticent to kisses in the past for several reasons – perhaps when you are a child and your parents push you to kiss people you don’t feel any kind of fondness for, just to set an example.

Today, The International Kissing Day is a good opportunity to evoke some of the best kisses we may have ever had, such as our mother’s pure kiss, our first kiss of love, those morning kisses or maybe a goodbye kiss, …

The film industry is “plagued” with good kisses, unforgettable ones. A few days ago, we mentioned some of them when writing about films (check the comments to the entry “Mystery is all around”). Well, if there is a kiss I especially like is the one photographed by Alfred Eisenstaedt in Times Square, New York and published in Life Magazine in 1945.

VJ Day in Times Square

 

As hard as it is to believe, this may well have been a spontaneous kiss or maybe the photographer was clearly aware of the success this kiss would have worldwide. The contrast between the dark clothes of the sailor and the white dress of the nurse is deliberate, in my opinion. But, whether it was carefully prepared or not, the photographer achieved his goal. He seems to invite us to join in the celebration. Ooops, I forgot to tell you that this romantic kiss is due to the celebration of the definitive end of World War II. Everybody was happy and relieved that day.

To tell you the truth, I keep this photo in my bedroom and it makes me feel upbeat when I look at it. In case, you want to find out more about the story behind the photo, click here.

By the way, people in the UK have two days to celebrate kissing –the thirteenth of April and the sixth of July. What do you think?

Now, it’s your turn. Are there any special kisses you want to share? 

From some photos, film scenes, commercials or advertisements or even kisses in songs, …??? Don’t miss the opportunity to do it!

Meanwhile, … I'll blow you all a kiss!

 

The 5-minute Personal Reflection

From time to time, it's extremely good to stop and think about what we are and what we do, what we would like to do or have done and lots of other personal reflections. Let's reflect upon ourselves for five minutes.

This is me! 

And this is my five-minute personal reflection:

 

A phrase I use too often is …

“Do you understand?” and “No” is the most usual word that you can hear coming out of my mouth.

I wish people would take more notice of …

The importance of beauty in our world. We should teach the future generations to appreciate the good and beautiful things around us.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was …

When I got my driving licence, and nearly after a decade, I learnt how to drive a car.

I’m good at …

Teaching English in a funny way, or at least, I try it! ;-)

My job is a big part of who I am.

I’m very bad at …

Handicraft, because it requires a lot of patience and a careful skill in the use of the hands –the sort of things that I don’t really have. I’m totally lousy at it.

The ideal night out is …

Time spent in the company of the people I love. For instance, the last time I had dinner at an Italian restaurant and then had some drinks in the “you-must-pay-a-visit-to” top pubs in Salamanca.

You know me as a teacher but in another life I’d have been …

A teacher. I can’t think of myself doing a different job but this.

The best age to be is …

Now. I don’t usually look back in desperation. Nowadays, I’m enjoying the moment I’m living, that’s all.

In weak moments I …

Need to have a confident person near me who can hold my hand as well as having faith in the people around me.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

“If you really will a thing, that thing will be.” My Swiss friend, Stephan, told me that years ago and it definitely works.

Now it's your turn! Leave your reflections about you.

 

(This entry is based on a proposed activity in unit 7 from the book English Unlimited Intermediate, Cambridge University Press.)

LIKE versus AS

 

As you have told me a lot of times that you find difficult to distinguish these two words, here's a bit of explanation and practice.

Like is used:

• for similarities.

-         My sister swims like a fish.

• after feel, look, smell, sound, taste and a noun.

-         I wish my skin felt like silk.

• with nouns, pronouns or the –ing form to express similarity or contrast.

-         There’s no place like home.

-         Nobody can drive like him.

As is used:

• to say what somebody or something really is.

-         I work as a teacher. (I’m a teacher.)

-         Pierce Brosnan was fantastic as James Bond.

• in certain expressions: as usual, as … as, as much, such as, the same as, …

-         My pupils complained about the homework as usual.

• after accept, be known, class, describe, refer to, regard, use.

-         Margaret Thatcher was known as “The Iron Lady”.

• in clauses of manner with the meaning of “in the way that”.

-         Do as you are told.

Now let’s practise a little bit. What would you use in the following sentences?

The key is in the first comment. Click and check.

1. A: How can I complete these sentences?

B: Do them _____ I taught you.

2. A: What kind of meat is it?

B: I don’t know. It tastes _____ pork.

3. A: I’m sure I know that woman over there.

B: Me too. She looks _____ my old English teacher.

4. A: I wish he would stop being so immature.

B: I agree with you. He acts _____ a child sometimes.

5. A: Bruce Springsteen is a great singer.

B: He’s known _____ one of the greatest rock musicians of our time.

6. A: I’ve just bought a new pair of shoes.

B: Gosh! They’re exactly the same _____ the ones I bought yesterday!

7. A: What’s his job?

B: I think he works _____ a plumber.

8. A: Shakira is amazing, isn’t she?

B: Yeah. No one else can sing and dance _____ her.

 

Is it clearer now? Don’t forget to check the key and continue practising.