English in Madrid

This is the song we sing in Scotland on important occasions such as New Year. It was written by the National Poet - Rabbie Burns. and this is a newer version. Which do you prefer? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne? CHORUS: For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne! And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp, And surely I'll be mine, And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet, For auld lang syne! We twa hae run about the braes, And pou'd the gowans fine, But we've wander'd monie a weary fit, Sin auld lang syne. We twa hae paidl'd in the burn Frae morning sun till dine, But seas between us braid hae roar'd Sin auld lang syne. And there's a hand my trusty fiere, And gie's a hand o thine, And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught, For auld lang syne Meanings auld lang syne ...

  Source: Wikipedia(Phooto)   Watch this CBS News report on Prince William sleeping rough. Source: You Tube (CBS News) Key Words: Prince William Pauper Prince William sleeps rough for homeless charity Prince William has spent a night sleeping rough in an event organised by a charity for the homeless. William slept in a sleeping bag near Blackfriars Bridge in central London last week, as part of his role as a patron of the Centrepoint organisation. He said he could not "even begin to imagine what it must be like to sleep rough night after night". Clarence House said a "small element of security" had remained with the prince during the night. Prince William said the experience had deepened his understanding of homelessness. "Poverty, mental illness, drug and alcohol dependency and family breakdown cause people to become and then stay homeless," he said. "Centrepoint's work - along with many other organisations' - in tacklin...

Source: Wikipedia (Remi Jouan)   Carla Bruni gives tramp 100 euros The French first lady, who lives in the chic 16th arrondissement when not at the Elysée palace, struck up   conversation with Denis, 53, after passing him every day on her school run with her son, Aurélien, eight. "She asks after me , she gives me one or two 50 or 100 euro notes. We talk about music," he told the magazine Closer, who tracked down Denis after Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy mentioned him in an interview she gave to Macadam – a magazine sold by the homeless . She told Macadam: "Over time we've built up a friendly relationship . I stop sometimes to greet him and very soon we talk about books and music." The 41-year-old model-turned-singer even handed him a signed CD of her latest   album, and even offered him to sing in her next one. "My friends from the street told me that as (the CD) has got her signature, it's worth a lot of money . I couldn't care less , I prefe...

Source: Filip Bunkens on Unsplash Snow and ice delay Christmas getaway Snow and ice continues to cause travel chaos in large parts of the UK, a day after thousands of motorists were stranded   by wintry conditions. Flights from Luton, Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports are still disrupted. Eurostar resumed a limited service on Tuesday, after being closed for three days due to extreme weather in France. The freezing conditions are affecting parts of England and Wales, with the south east and London worst affected. BBC forecaster Chris Fawkes said ice was the major problem, and there would be more snow in northern Scotland and north-west England during the day. He said Aberdeen might have a white Christmas but the rest of the UK could expect dry conditions. Christmas service Roads in south-east England were brought to a standstill   on Monday, forcing thousands to spend the night in their cars or emergency rest centres. Many flights were als...

Source: Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash Minister confirms Spain to implement extended smoking ban next year Restaurant terraces and bull rings will escape the harsher measures The Health Minister has confirmed that Spain is to introduce an extended smoking ban next year, when, from an as yet to be confirmed date, ‘No Smoking’ signs will be seen in all closed public places. The legislation which has been in place since 2006 currently permits the smaller bars and restaurants to choose whether to allow smoking on the premises or not; if they do allow it, they must provide a separate closed-off area for smokers. That option will no longer exist once the changes are brought in , but Minister Trinidad Jiménez has confirmed however that the stricter measures will not extend to open air premises, such as restaurant terraces and bull rings, where smoking will still be permitted. Europa Press reports that the Minister said in a radio interview with Rac1 on Monday that the government...

Source:  Brett Jordan en Unsplash Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct the ones that are wrong. How long are you living here in Madrid? He's been playing tennis from when he was a child. We know each other since we were at university. I have been in New York. When did you be to London? I haven't never seen "Gone with the Wind". I have been liking dancing since I met my girlfriend. I have worked there from March to October. Where have you met your wife? We are best friends since then. She's been talking on the phone since at least an hour. Have you ever forgot something really important? How long do you have your present car? I didn't hear from her for ages. They have been married last July. We've been studying during two hours. I am interested in cars all my life. They have started work since this morning. When did you last spoke English? We've driven around France 5 years ago. He's bought a new car. The presen...

Source:  Wikipedia (Sergi Larripa)    Barcelona considers bullfighting ban On the outskirts of Barcelona, a group of boys trains every week to join one of Spain's most celebrated professions. For three hours the would-be matadors twist and turn on a strip of land , waving bright pink and red capes before them. Their moves are smooth and graceful , like dancers. But the trainee toreros fear the days of bullfighting in Barcelona could be numbered . The corrida, or bullfight, has long been a part of Spanish life. But this week the Catalan parliament in Barcelona will consider a proposal to ban it, becoming the first region in of Spain to do so. Campaigners collected 180,000 signatures of support for their proposal to parliament. It asks deputies to include the bull in existing animal protection legislation. It also recommends compensation for those currently working in the industry, including breeders of the bulls. They are cautiously opt...

Source: Szabo Viktor on Unsplash I 'm really looking forward to escap ing from Madrid for the holidays. I didn't go home for Christmas last year and I won't be home for Christmas Day this year either . I won't get home until Boxing Day (26th Dec). My parents have * put off  Christmas lunch until 24 hours later. So hopefully ,  problem free travel permitting, I will arrive * just in time for the turkey. I would love to go sooner but I don't finish classes until the 22nd and the 23rd is ridiculously expensive . I can't afford it. I am going to spend most of my time with my parents. I hardly ever see them and I feel like be ing with them. It'll be cold and dark so I guess I' ll be spending most of my time indoors. I haven't been home for New Year for 11 years . I was in London for the Millenium and have been eating grapes ever since then . This year I will be having a quiet night in with Mam and Dad. I am fed up with  party ing ...

I was surprised the other day when a student claimed never to have heard of this song. This popular version is from the 80s but it was originally sung by The King (Elvis Presley - he was before my time too lol!). Which version do you prefer? Listen to the song and complete the lyrics . Always on my Mind Maybe I didn't treat you Quite as good as I should have Maybe I didn't love you Quite as often as I could have Little things I should have said and done I just never * took the time You were always * on my mind You were always on my mind Maybe I didn't hold you All those lonely, lonely times And I guess I never told you I'm so happy that you're mine If I made you feel second best Girl I'm so sorry I was blind You were always on my mind You were always on my mind Idioms : "You were always on my mind "  means I was always thinking about you and I was concerned about you. You look worried. W...

Go to Labels and review the confusing words (up until December 2009). Then look at the following sentences and decide if they are right or wrong. Correct them if they are wrong. Source:  Campaign Creators on Unsplash He hasn't attended the last two meetings. I am in my second year of my law career at university. My doctor made me some proofs. A: Can I try it on? B: Yes, the changing rooms are over there. Let's go to the shadow. It's too hot in the sun. Where's he living actually? A: Do you care if I open the window? B: Not at all. A: I think I'm getting constipated. B: You should take some aspirin and lots of vitamin C. The party was funny. I met a lot of nice people. I fell asleep so I don't know what happened in the end. I think it's just a topic. I know many Catalans and they aren't mean at all. He's going on a travel to Germany next week. She's worked in the shop for many years and knows many customers by their first names. I...

Are the following sentences right or wrong? Correct them if needed. I worked in Barcelona when I met her. What were you doing this time last week? I went to the supermarket yesterday but I didn't buy much. I used to be frightened of the dark when I was a little boy. I never use to like vegetables but I don't mind them now. I listen classical music when I need to relax. You remember me of my brother. You have the same laugh. We will lose the plane if you don't hurry up. A. Where did you use to go on holiday as a child? B. to my parents' home in the country. We still go there sometimes. I recognise the handwriting. Is it yours? Why do I always get the blame for things that go wrong? My parents were buying me a car when I was 21.

Complete the following sentences with a word in the correct form. Most women agree that George Clooney is g....... I b..... i... an old friend while I was walking to work this morning. My car is at the garage. Can you g... me a l... home tonight? I won a p.... for swimming when I was at school. The children usually behave well but they were really n...... today. I sometimes s....... to understand my teacher's explanations. Can you r..... me to post the letter tomorrow? Colin b ...... some of the younger children because he knows they are afraid of him. Sara is really b..... She has passed all her exams with top marks. I like a film with a good p... and a surprising ending. I used to collect stamps in my c....... I don't collect anything now. There is no rule. You just have to learn the expressions by h....

Source: Vitor Monteiro on Unsplash   Catalonia votes on independence from Spain This weekend, 700,000 people in Catalonia are eligible to vote in the region's first ever referendum on independence from Spain. Organised by activists and volunteers, the vote is not officially binding but it is taking place at a tense time in relations with Madrid. Supporters hope it is the first step towards a formal ballot for a separate state. Deep in the nationalist heartland of Catalonia, campaigners have been drumming up support for the vote. In the medieval town of Vic, hundreds of residents have already cast an early ballot at a tent in a corner of the main square. Many say the autonomy Catalonia already has is not enough, and they are voting "Yes" to independence. "More and more people think we have no room in the Spanish house, so we need a house of our own," organiser Alfons Lopez Tema says. "[The Spanish] don't want us, they don't l...

Source: Magdalena Smolnicka on Unsplash Do you prefer this version or the original one by Ben E. King ? Source: You Tube (severin109)  Key Words: Lennon stand by me Stand By Me When the night has come And the land is dark And the moon is the only light we see No I won't be afraid No I won't be afraid Just * as long as  you stand, stand by me And darling, darling stand by me Oh, now, now, stand by me Stand by me, stand by me If the sky that we look upon Should tumble and fall And the mountain should crumble to the sea I won't cry, I won't cry No I won't shed a tear Just as long as you stand, stand by me And darling, darling stand by me Oh, stand by me Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me Whenever you ' re in trouble won't you stand by me Oh, now, now, stand by me Oh, stand by me, stand by me, stand by me Darling, darling stand by me Stand by me Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me Spotlight on vocabulary : ...

Source: Splash Cam on Unsplash   Tiger Woods to take 'indefinite leave' from golf Tiger Woods is taking an indefinite break from professional golf to tackle   problems in his private life. In a statement on his website, he said he was aware of the disappointment "my infidelity" had caused to his family. The world's top golfer said he wanted to "try to repair the damage done" and asked for privacy. Woods' biggest sponsor, Nike, said it would continue to * stand by him,  but his agent said it was too early to discuss the impact on any other business deals . On his website, Woods said he was "profoundly sorry" and asked for forgiveness . "I would like to ask everyone, including my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors, for their understanding," the 33-year-old said. "What's most important now is that my family has the time, privacy, and safe ...

More young adults in 20s and 30s living with parents than in past 20 years The meals are hot, the fridge is always full and the rent is free. So is it any surprise that more twenty- and thirtysomethings in Britain are living at home with their parents than at any time in the past 20 years? The Office for National Statistics says many young adults in their mid-20s and early 30s, and especially men, are increasingly postponing the transition to adulthood . One in three "adult-kids" who have not left the parental nest say they are still living at home because they cannot afford to get a toehold on the property ladder by buying or renting. But others, who have been dubbed kippers – kids in parents' pockets – are, say the demographers, staying through choice. In the past, British children have tended to leave home earlier than their European cousins but the latest ONS figures, published today, show that 25% of men aged 25 to 29 now live with their parents. This ...