Reflection

I think that since the beginning of the course until now. I have improved a lot. Before I couldn't write a sentence but now I have more ability to write. If compare the entries from before and now, there is a big diference, and improvement the on subjects of the entries because there is more content. I didn't give my opinionabout the news items during the first term but in the last term I did this. Also there is a difference between the first entries and the las ones. The fist ones were simpler and easier, and now for example, I did one about my future.

The activity that I think that I helped me to improve my level of English was the blog. At first, I thought that it would be very difficult to do the blog but after a time it became easier and now I even like it.
You can see an improvement from the first entries to the most recent entries.
I also think that the oral presentations, have helped me even tought I didn't like this activity because I am very shy.

My level English and my improvement you can see by the videos the oral prseentations at first I thought that I could never do well but I have got better.
In the language classroom have improved, too, because of the podcast because it has helped to improve my pronunciation which I need to improve a lot.

The activity that has helped me to learn and improve my English I has been most of all the language room as I think that it was useful to advance work. For example, when I saw a film I don't learn a lot of words.

Finally, the activity that I liked most and the one that I have made effort to pass was the blog. In this activity I have learnt ghat I mustn't leave everything until the last moment but to do the activities during the term.

My oral presentation

Valoration

I think that my oral presentation has better than previous ones. I think that the power point was the part that I have improved, because the other power points had a lot of words and not many images but this time there were enough images and not too many words so it was better.

I have not found any changes from the other presentations. When I practice in my house I do it very well but when I arrived in class I was very nervious and I looked at the page and I read.

This presentation has been the most difficult to prepare and express because it is the social topic and the words are very difficult and complicated.
The information and structure was very good, because we explained all the different parts of violence against women and it was well ordered.

I did the other presentations alone and I think that I was very nervious, but this presentation I was with somebody. However it is better to do it alone, because in my case I have has a lower mark and maybe if I had done it alone, I would have passed the oral presentation.
In my opinion, I think that I deserve to pass, at least a 5 because I worked very hard.


Transcription

Definition: Sometimes, the different denominations of abuse leads to confusion: Gender Violence, Domestic Violence, couples, towards women, male or sexist ... Domestic violence refers to that which occurs within the home, both the husband to his wife, and mother to their children, the grandson to the grandfather, etc. Excludes those relationships in which there is no coexistence.

Types of Violence

Physics: Physical violence is one that can be objectively perceived by others, usually leaves most external traces. It refers to pushing, biting, kicking, punching, etc, caused by hand or any object or weapon.

Psychological: The psychological violence inevitably arises whenever there is another kind of violence. It involves threats, insults, humiliation, contempt for the woman herself, devaluing their work, their views

economic: In which the perpetrator does everything possible to control the victim's access to money

social : In which the aggressor limited social contacts and family of your partner, isolation from their environment and thereby limiting important social support in these cases.

Sexual: Is exercised through physical or psychological pressures that seek to impose an unwanted sexual coercion, intimidation or helplessness.

Impact on society

The World Health Organization reports that violence against women puts an undue burden on health care services with women who have suffered violence being more likely to need health services and at higher cost, compared to women who have not suffered violence. Several studies have shown a link between poor treatment of women and international violence.

Women are at risk when:

-He only talks about his ideals, your aren't important.
-He forbids you or doesn't like you to make up.
-He tells you to shut up and not to say stupid things.
-He compares you with other girls.
-He frequently lets you down.

Conclusion

If a girl finds her self in this situation, there are solutions; the first is to ask for help from the family, friends or go to a help center.
Even though he threatens you about going to the police, you have to go and you mustn't be afraid.
If he has hit you, you sould go straight to a doctor and take photos so that you have proof.
We think that this problem has increased over the years because women have more freedom.

Travel to Italy

The notebook

Allie Hamilton spends the summer in Seabrook city. She meets a boy, called Noah Calhon at the city fair Noah and Allie fall in love at first sight, but she comes from a rich family and he is the opposite. During the summer they fall deeply in love, but there is a problem, Allie's parents don't want Noah and finally after summer she goes to study in another city. Noah sends her a letter every day of the year, but he doesn't get any answer.

Later, Allie goes to Seabrook city, but she is married to Lon. After many years and every day you see a man telling this story to a women she listens to the story she is able to remember that the two young people in the story are themselves.

MY OPINION

I like romantic films, and it is my favourite film, because it is very real. There are people can't be together because of the distance and because their family stops them.

I think that when two people love each other nobody should stop them from being together.

Flowers in plate

You can eat many flowers. Brocoli, cauliflower and artichoke are a few of them.
In the Middle East, rose buds are delicacies and can be in the form of liquor or crystallized. The ancient Romans enjoyed the fragrant flowers, too.
However, we can't eat all flowers, and the experienced gardener or gourmet knows which flowers to use.
My favourite flowers a mong those that can be eaten: they taste lovely, and they are really beautiful. "Banksiae Lutea", for example, has no thorns but it is covered in pretty yellow buds. Those buds can be used to for cocktails.
Modern species may blossom all year, but for your own garden you should always use the most fragrant.

OPINION
I think that flowers are very nice on a plate because they are very elegant.
There are people who like them very much and I think that this idea is very original. Personally, I will like red roses.

"The kiss"

Today I'm going to talk about this photo, it's very famous, this photo was taken in París by Robert Doisneau.

I like very much this photo because it transmitts a lot of love, the typic couple in love kissing. This photo shows city a very beautiful city which is perfect for the couple, but maybe it isn't real.

This photo was taken in front of the "Hotel de Ville" and the town hall in París. It was prepared, even though is looks natural. The photographer was in cofé and asked the couple if, they wanted to take this photo and they accepted people were fascinated because everyboody thought that this photo was spontanious.

This photo was sold for 155.000 the person who bought it is anonimous. the majority of the photos by Robert Doisneau are similar to this are because everything is in black and white, and the efect is very old.

The magic midsummer night of St. Joan

Bahia news

Midsummer's eve, or the Nit de Sant Joan (St John's Eve), as the night of 23 June is called in Catalonia, is a magic night of old traditions. It is celebrated everywhere in Girona.

Fire and music are the most important. These traditional festivities go on in the streets of the towns and cities, people eat the tradicitional st.John coca (a sponge cake made with custard and crystallised fruit) and they dance all night until the early hours of the morning. They also let off fireworks.
In Catalonia you can spend midsummer eve in any town or village in the various counties of Girona province, from the costa Brava to the Pyrenees.

In my opinion I think that it is very amusing. When it is St.John I always go to Empuriabrava to the beach with my friends. At the beach there is a party with fireworks.
Everyboody is very happy and people swim in the sea. Fireworks are quite dangerous, but when it is the festival it is very beautiful.

Snoweed 2010

A few days ago it snowed a lot in Catalonia.

Nobody thought it was going to snow, when we were at school were covered in snow, it was beautiful.

We had to go home. At home it was very boring and we made of the snow with friends. We put on skiing clothes, because it was very cold. We were throwing snowballs, it was very enjoyable.

But I when arrived home it was very cold and I went to bed for two hours, the worst thing was that there was it any electricity. At night it was very boring, and we put candles everywhere, I went to bed very early.

The next day when I got up I thought that there was electricity, but there wasn't and there was no water or telephone.

In conclusion, we were two days without electricity and the consequences of the snowfall were negative.

INFORMAL LETTER

C/del temple

nº4

Castelló d'Empúries/Spain

8 April 2010

Dear Kieron,

Thanks for your letter, I will talk about Empuriabrava and what places I recommend you in summer.
The coast and beaches are impressive and it's a nice village, but in the summer there are quite a lot of people.

Well, you can do some activities too, for example, sailing and there is a parashutting park, it's an experience that you cannot miss, because it is very amusing.
You can also try some adventurous activites, the "mini-golf" is a relaxing place.

When you are bored you can visit villages. The atmosphere is very relaxing. For example, Rosas, Figueras, Cadaques... Castelló d'Empúries is very near Empuriabrava.
This village is very calm, because it's small and there are not many people.

Keep in touch.

Hugs,
Ariadna xx

My oral presentation

In my oral presentation I was very nervious, and it wasn't as good as I had prepared.
Also, I think that it is most difficult to do the oral exposition alone than with friends.
I saw on the video that I read quite a lot read, but less than the previous oral. My pronunciation I thought that part, after the presentation I thought that my pronunciation wasn't bad, but I saw on the video that it was.
I'm very happy because it lasted five minutes, and it was thanks to the information because I had a lot about Ireland.
Referring to the power-point I think that there were too many words and not many images.
However, I think that I deserve to pass because I have improved since my previous oral presentation.

TRANSCRIPTION

In my oral presentation I am going to talk about of Ireland.
Ireland forms part of the European Union. The capital is Dublin. In 1949 it was dectared the Republic of Ireland.
Also, Irland his called “The Emerald Island”, because it refers the green colour of the Irish country side Ireland is the third island of Europe. Ireland is situated in the north-east of Europe on the west side of the Irish sea to the west of Great Britain, Irland is surrounded by small islands.

GEOGRAPHY

Ireland extends over 84’421 km2, it is bounded to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the northeast by the North Camel and to the east there is the Irish Sea.
The interior of the country is relatively flat land, with rivers such as the River Shannon and Several large lakes.
It has the biggest natural park, Fenix Park.
Also, the country has a lot of lakes for example, Neah, the laugh Erne and Corrib, the most important rivers are the Shannon and Blackwater.
The temperatures are quite mild.

ARMY

Ireland army is organised as the Irish Defence Forces. The Irish army is relatively small when compared to other armies in the region, but is well equipped with 8500 soldiers.

ECONOMY

The Republic of Ireland’s economy has grown a lot in the last two decades.

DEMOGRAPHICS

The poblation total of Ireland is 4.239.848 who live in the Republic of Ireland.

CULTUR

One of the most popular area of Dublin is the Temple Bar and Thunder Road Café. In the area there is a spectacular dance called the Riverdance.

SOCIETY

The nacional holiday Ireland is 17th March, Saint Patrick’s day. It is said that he got Rid of all the snakes in the territory. The harp that you can see an the shield of the province of Leinster and the three leaved clover are also symbols that indentify the Irish. Also green is the color which indentifies the Irish the three leaved clover is a symbol because it is said that St. Patrick used it to explain the holy trinity.
The day after Christmas, 26th of Dicember, Saint Stephen’s day is celebrated and the 1st February is the celta party the Imbolc.

IDIOMA

The official languages of Ireland are Irish and English (the second official language). It is compulsory to learn Irish at school but English predominates.

MUSIC

In Ireland there is a lot of traditional Irish musicians, for example; Christy Moore, Pat Ingolsby, Shane MacGowan and Sinéad O’Connor. There is also the famous bands U2 and The Corrs. The most traditional music is Enya and the Dubliners.

GASTRONOMY

In Ireland the typical dishes cure Irish stew and also bacon and calsbage. The Boxty is a traditional dish. In Dublin the most popular is Coddle, cooked sausage and pork.

Fashion

Actually, I think that fashion is very important for people especial young people. Fashion has always been important but now it's different. For example, before people wore differentclothes and hair styles that young people don't wear nowadays. I like going to buy clothes very much. Always I go to Figueras or Girona; I usually go to the shops Zara, Stradivarius, Bershka... I don't think t is necesary for people to buy designer label clothes, I think that if you likesomething you should buy it.
I have some designer label clothes, but most of the clothes I buy are from normal shops.
Also, I think that some people follow the fashion too much.
When I go shopping what I like most are handbag, jeans and T-shirts. But I is very difficult
to find high heels because I take a very small size. I also like earnings and necklaces but I
don't go especially to Figueras to buy them.
Finally, I like people for what they are like inside, not for exterior appearance.

MELENDI

My favourite singer is Melendi Espina, he was born on January 21, 1979 in Oviedo, Asturias.

He worked as a waiter in several bars and spent all night out, living experiences that would later go on to make up the lyrics of his songs.

In 2001, he joined a group called "El bosque de Sherwood", and soon after recorded a demo with only three songs, "Sin noticias de Holanda", "El informe del forense", and "Vuelvo a traficar".

In February 2003, Melendi released his first disc, called "Sin noticas de Holanda" with twelve songs. In December 2003, the disc was released with two new songs, "Asturias" and "Moratalá". In May 2004 he start small tour arround Spain, selling 50,000 of his CD. In 2005, he releases his second CD, "Que el cielo espere sentao", has sold more than 200,000 copies. He also became a father little children is called Carlota. He wins a Onda award for his best song "Caminando por la vida".

In 2007 he wins an award for the best tour in Cordoba.

Melendi is my favourite singer because I love his songs. When he will comes I go to see in his concert.

Fear and silence in Chechnya

The bombing deafens the Civilian population that hides wherever it can. It is the first wave of fear.


When the projectiles finally cease, the next wave arrives. It is the din of tanks breaking the liberating silence that followed the bombing. They say that they are looking for terrorists.


All the men are rounded up and taken outside the town. For example, in abandoned ware house, have set up detention areas that they call " filtration points".
The troops have installed them selves in the houses devoid of the men folk. If it were to become know that they had been with the soliders.
It did so ten years ago and it continues to do so today in Chechnya.
The police officiers sont to investigate emerge white as sheets.

My sister

I have got a sister. Her name is Xènia, she is twenty years old and she is studying Industrial Engineering university, Xènia is very intelligent.

My sister is short, brown-eyed and she's got long blond hair. Xènia is very attractive.

The thing that I like about here is that she is always laughing, she is very happy.

Everyboody says that we look a like. Sometimes we get angry with each other but I love her a lot.

Now we don't see each other very much because she is studying in Barcelona and I'm studying here.

I like having an older sister because she always helps me sith everything. Xènia is a very extroverted and sociable person but sometimes she is a bit big-headed.

PODCAST

San Francisco, the city of my dreams

San Francisco, it is the fourth most populated city in California and the thirteenth of the U.S.A, the city has 8080.976 in habitants.

The city has several islands in the bahía, the most famous is Alcatraz. The islands communicate with the rest and the world by way of the international Aeroport of San Francisco.

Nowadays San Francisco is popular with international tourists, it is famous for the Golden Gate, bridge Transamérica the Pirámide the trams, and Chinatown.

It is situated on the west coast of the U.S.A, several islands like Alcatraz, treasture island, Yerba Buena and smalls islands of Alameda. It also has uninhabited islands Faralones, 43 kilometres from the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

San Francisco is famous for its hills. There are more than fifty inside the city. The most important hill of San Francisco, in the Davidson, it it 282 metres high.

The climate of San Francisco is mediterranean with mild humid winters and dry summers.

Finally, to say that I like much the city of San Francisco.

EXCHANGE SERVICES

Nowadays people who do not like spending money are looking for other ways to find services. The exchange of goods or services instead of paying for them is a possibility. You can do this through a website, for example as www.loquo.com (which has a Girona section).

There are a lot of different services to exchange, for example guitar lessons, english lessons, massages, information technology etc. You can offer to give english lessons and somebody can walk your dog. Unfortunately, sometimes it can be difficult.
Another way to do this is by using a time bank.
When you join, like with any new bank account, you will receive a chequebook. This is used to denote services, the person who received it must write out a cheque stating the time taken for the task.

I think that this new activity is very good, because people can receive help from another person and the other person can receive help from them.
Also, I agree because you don't have to pay and I think there are more people who want to use these services.

THE MODELS INFLUENCE ON TEENAGERS

Nowadays there are a majority of girls who have illnesses, for example: Bolimia and anorexia. I think this is caused by the fashion models nowadays.

But, there are more things that affect the adolescents, magazines, advertising and photoshop.

On the catwalk there are girls very thin, before they weren't like this the models were normal like real people, girls that could be compared to normal people.

But, at the moment the girls that are in the magazins are changed until they look perfect and then the girls try to be like them, but it is all false.

Formal later

C/del temple nº 5
18th January 2010

The headmistress
C/ muralla nº 6
Castelló d’Empúries
17486


Dear Lluïsa Pintó,

I am a student in 1r.Batchillerat at I.E.S Castelló d’Empúries and I would like to tell you my opinion about the good and bad points of the new school calendar.

On the one hand, I disagree starting school a week earlier, because we will lose a week’s holiday and the medieval festival in Castelló d’Empúries will be different because we will have already started school. On the other hand I agree because in February there will be a week’s holiday and everybody will like it.

I think that it is unfair to start school on the 7th January, because the children will not have time to play with their toys.

In my experience at I.E.S Castelló d’Empúries, I would like you to consider my opinion because I think that the calendar should not be changed and it should continue the same.

Yours faithfully,

Ariadna

Ariadna Fernández