English in Madrid

My name is Graham - a name that some Spanish students have difficulty pronouncing. I'm from Inverness which, unless you've been to Scotland, is a city that you have probably never heard of. It is in the far north of the country and the most famous lake in the world lies next to it. 1. How is Inverness? It's a pleasant city to visit. It has a castle on a hill with some nice views of the surrounding countryside . There is a river that runs through the centre. 2. How long time are you teacher? Over twenty years now. I never thought that I'd still be teaching in my forties. 3. What would you do if you don't be a teacher? I'm not sure but when I was younger I liked the idea of being a journalist. 4. How long are you living in Madrid? Thirteen years. 5. Do you enjoy to live here? Not as much as I used to but I still think Madrid is a great city. 6. Have you lived in other country besides Spain? I lived in Rome for nearly ei...

Source: congerdesign from Pixabay It's been ages since I posted Part 1 about another. Here in Part 2 we will focus on other and others. While another is used with singular countable nouns, other goes before plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns . Some people  drive while other people (/others) prefer to cycle. I didn't help her because I had other more important things to do. Have you got any other trainers (/any others) or are these your only ones ? He's not just a chemistry teacher. He teaches other sciences too. Don't you like any other music apart from rock? When followed by a noun, other does not form a plural . We have others other colours if you'd like to see them. He has others other cousins who live in Australia. We can use other before singular nouns (when we specify something) but we need to use another determiner before it. I like this restaurant but I prefer the other one . María lives in Madrid bu...

Source: Youtube (woltersworld     Try to predict the five things that he loves and hates about Spain, from the point of view of an American tourist, before listening to the video. What are the five things that he loves and hates? Were your predictions correct? Do you agree with him? Listen as many times as necessary. Check the word list below - can you hear them in the video? Vocabulary :   * Hi guys! -   whether -   * awesome (adj) - tons to love - to dislike -   to end on a high note -     funny = (adj) -   downright hot - Southern (adj) -   * you 'd better ... -   oppressively hot - heat (n) - a mild irritation -   the lack of ... -    to take a nap -   actually -   tourist stuff -   might not -   supplies (n) -   to purchase -      annoying (adj) -   a fool - ...

Catalan parliament approves independence vote Catalonia's parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favour of giving its regional president the power to call an independence "consultation". Spain's government opposes the Catalan "consultation" vote and is taking the dispute to the Constitutional Court. The move comes a day after Scotland voted against independence from the United Kingdom. Catalan President Artur Mas said Scotland's referendum had "shown the way" for Catalonian independence. He is preparing Catalonia for a similar vote on 9 November, with large-scale support for independence from Spain. Catalonian lawmakers voted by a margin of 106 to 28 in favour of authorising the consultation. Spain's Constitutional Court is expected to consider the Catalan case on Tuesday and could suspend the region's vote on independence. 'Strong message'  Mr Mas earlier said Scotland's rejection of independence was "not...

Alex Salmond - First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party Listen to the speech . - * it starts here. Can I say thank-you for that reception but above all thank-you to Scotland for 1.6 million votes for Scottish independence. Our friends in the Highlands of Scotland are still to speak so the final results aren't in, but we know there is going to be a majority for the No campaign. It is important to say that our referendum was an agreed and consented process * and Scotland has by a majority decided not, at this stage , to become an independent country. I accept that verdict of the people and I call on all of Scotland to follow suit in accepting the democratic verdict of the people of Scotland. I think all of us in this campaign will say that 45%, that 1.6 million votes, is a substantial vote for Scottish independence and the future of this country. Let us say something which I hope unites all campaigns and all Scots. I think the process by whi...

Source: PACMA (Wikipedia) Protestors and supporters clash at annual Toro de la Vega bull hunt Elegido , the 596-kilo bull at the center of this year’s Toro de la Vega bull hunt in the Valladolid town of Tordesillas, got to live a half-hour longer thanks to the efforts of around 300 protestors who joined together to stop the 45 registered participants from setting out on their expedition. “We’ve come to prevent a murder!” said Daniel, who had journeyed from Mallorca to try to stop the controversial annual event. Much reviled by animal rights groups for its cruelty, the Toro de la Vega involves hunters on foot and horseback chasing a bull through a pine forest before spearing it to death. Over 120 civil guard and police officers had to remove the protestors by force, dragging them away by their hands and feet, causing the event to begin 30 minutes late. Elegido (The Chosen One) was nevertheless killed at around 12.30pm by 28-year-old Álvaro Martín, who preferred to ignore accusations...

This summer I was in Germany, Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Complete the following questions with an appropriate word before answering them. 1. What are the ___ of Hungary and the Czech Republic? A:     Forint  /  Euro B:     Forint  /  Koruna C:     Koruna  /  Ruble D:     Euro  /  Dinar 2. What are the rivers that ___ through Budapest and Prague? A:     Danube (B)  /  Danube (P) B:     Danube (B)  /  Elbe (P) C:     Rhine (B)  /  Danube (P) D:     Danube (B) /  Vltava (P) 3. Which two countries share a ___ with both Hungary and the Czech Republic? A:     Slovakia and Austria B:     Croatia and Slovakia C:     Slovenia and Croatia D: ...

Once upon a time, "amazing" meant "very surprising"; something that you found incredible - generally in a good way. I still find it amazing how many things you can do with a tiny mobile phone. She learnt to speak Chinese in just one year. It's amazing when you think about it. Nowadays too many people use the word to describe something that they really like. I find it really annoying and I just wish "amazing" would return to its original meaning. When people ask: How was your holiday? more than likely, the reply will be: Oh it was amaaaaaaaaaazing . In a guide book you will read: It's really worth the climb to the top because there is an amazing view of the whole town. We had the most amazing meal at that new Italian restuarant. So what are the alternatives to amazing? How was your holiday? We had a great time . / Wonderful .  / We really enjoyed ourselves. There is a spectacular / an impressive ...

Source: Alejandro Luengo on Unsplash Spain to reopen 'world's most dangerous walk' Malaga authorities have begun work on restoring Andalusia's infamous Camino del Rey walkway, a nerve-wracking gorge pathway in disrepair that for the past 20 years only adrenaline junkies and experienced climbers have dared to use. El Caminito del Rey, or the King’s Pathway is a well-known trail through the gorge of the Guadalhorce River near the Malaga town of El Chorro — fairly easy if you're fit and healthy, but next to impossible if you have any kind of fear of heights. "You're wearing a harness and a helmet but you still have to walk along a narrow concrete path ridden with holes," The Local Spain editor George Mills explains.  "In some sections, the path is missing and you have to climb or scramble over rocks even though there’s a massive drop right next to you.  "It’s not that actually difficult: the path is more a mental challenge than a physical ...

Source: Stijn te Strake en Unsplash Greenhouse gas fear over increased levels of meat eating Global consumption of meat needs to fall - to ensure future demand for food can be met and to help protect the environment - a study says. Research from Cambridge and Aberdeen universities estimates greenhouse gases from food production will go up 80% if meat and dairy consumption continues to rise at its current rate. That will make it harder to meet global targets on limiting emissions. The study urges eating two portions of red meat and seven of poultry per week. However that call comes as the world's cities are seeing a boom in burger restaurants. The research highlights that more and more people from around the world are adopting American-style diets, leading to a sizeable increase in meat and dairy consumption. It says if this continues, more and more forest land or fields currently used for arable crops will be converted for use by livestock as the world's farmers bat...