Idiom of the day (49)

When it rains, it pours.

Siempre llueve sobre mojado.

Interview with Tom Cruise

A good way to practice the listening skill...

10 libros gratis en PDF para aprender inglés

Si quieres 10 libros gratis en PDF para aprender inglés, sólo tienes que pinchar aquí.

Cortesía de http://www.oyejuanjo.com/, blog educativo.

Waterloo (Abba)

Ejercicios de pronunciación

Ejercicios de pronunciación - Inglés básico

Ejercicios inglés - pronunciar inglés

Pronunciación en inglés - Ejercicios inglés online

Vídeos de youtube:

News reports

A news reports is a brief piece of writing for publication in a newspaper, giving factual information concerning an important current event. It is formal and impersonal in style, presenting facts objectively and unemotionally.

A successful report should consist of:

a) a headline which is short and eye-catching, giving the reader an idea of the subject of the report.

b) an introductory paragraph (paragraph 1) which summarises the event, including information about the people involved, the place, the time, etc (what/who/where/when/how/why).

c) a main body (paragraphs 2-3-4) in which the relevant information is developed in detail, including an explanation of the cause(s) and/or result(s) of the event.

d) a conclusion (final paragraph) which mentions the significance of the event, future action to be taken, reactions/comments of a witness/spokesperson, etc.

Points to consider

Comments made by witnesses, victims, the police, etc may be given in direct or reported speech:

     "We won't give in." commented a workers' spokesman.

     The two boys later admitted that what they had done was wrong.

Passive voice and appropiate reporting verbs (e.g. confessed, protested, etc) are widely used in news reports, together with a range of linking words and time expressions.

Example: You can find hundreds of examples of news reports in all the newspapers which are in the "Prensa digital en ingles" section of this blog.

Idiom of the day (48)

The best things in life are free.

Lo que no cuesta dinero, siempre es bueno.

Spain's millenary olive oil: New taste for ancient flavor

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/24/foodanddrink/millenary-olive-trees-spain/

Breathless (The Corrs)

Idiom of the day (47)

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

No se puede tener todo.

A letter of complaint

Introduction

First paragraph = state your complaint, including details of what has happened and where/when the incident took place.

      Mild

     I am writing in connection with.../to complain about...the terrible 

     behaviour/attitude/rudeness of...

     I am writing to draw your attention to...which...

      Strong

     I wish to bring to your attention a problem which arose due to your

     staff/inefficiency...

     I am writing to express my strong dissatisfaction/unhappines at...

     I wish to express my dissatisfaction/unhappines with the 

     product/treatment I received from (your staff) on (September 22nd)

Main body

Second, third and fourth paragraph = present each of the specific points you are complaining about. You start a new paragraph for each point and justify theses points by giving examples and reasons.

Closing remarks

Last paragraph = explain what you expect to happen (to be given a refund/replacement/apology/etc)

      Mild

     I hope you will replace... 

     I feel/believe that I am entitled to a replacement/refund...

     I hope that this matter can be resolved/dealt with promptly.

      Strong

     I insist on/I demand a full refund/an immediate replacement or I shall be

     forced to take legal action/the matter further.

     I hope that I will not be forced to take further action. 

Example: You recently hired a car for a part of your holidays. However, there were several problems with the arrangements. Write a letter of complaint to the manager/manageress explaining the problems and requesting compensation.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my extreme dissatisfaction with the service I received when I rented one of your cars on 20th July.

Firstly, I had specially requested a four-door model. However, I was given a smaller two-door version which, apart from being too small for my needs, was clearly in need of extensive repair. Despite my objections, your employees informed me that it was the only car available and assured me that it was in perfect order. Having no other alternative, so I accepted the vehicle.

Contrary to what I had been told, there were, in fact, several things wrong with the car. Despite the fact that I had driven it for only one hour, I was forced to stop when the engine showed signs of overheating. Having added two litres of water to the radiator, I was able to continue, although during the course of my journey a knocking sound from the engine became increasingly persistent and the windscreen wipers stopped working.

My subsequent journey was most uncomfortable. Not only did I have the worry of driving a car which was not roadworthy, but I also had to stop on three occasions to refill the radiator. Finally, I had no choice but to leave the car at your Oxford branch and continue my journey using public transport.

I feel that your employees acted irresponsibly in issuing a car which was not safe to drive, and I believe I am entitled to compensation for the interruption to my holiday. I therefore request that you send me the sum of 200€ to cover the cost of my train ticket and compensate me after the distress I was forced to suffer as a result of your neglicence.

I insist that you give this matter your urgent attention, otherwise I will be forced to take legal action.

Yours faithfully,

Mr S. Mallison

Idiom of the day (46)

You could've heard a pin drop.

No se oía ni una mosca.

Let it be (The Beatles)

Idiom of the day (45)

There's always a catch.

No hay miel sin hiel.

A letter to apply for a job

A letter to apply for a job is also known as letters of application or cover letters. You can write to apply for a job or a course.

Introduction

First paragraph = opening remarks

     - Reason for writing

     - The name of the job/course, where and when you saw it advertised

Main body

Second, third and/or four paragraphs = you give details

     - Age, present job and/or studies

     - Qualifications

     - Experience

     - Skills and personal qualities that are suitable for the job/course

Conclusion

Last paragraph = closing remarks

     - When you are available for interview

     - Where and when you can be contracted

     - A remark that you hope that you application will be considered

Example of a letter to apply for a job:

                                                                                         18 Kings Road

                                                                               Birminghan, M24 6HD

                                                                                         June 16, 2003

Mr P Bradley

Trans Europe Tours,

17 Bridge Street,

Cambridge, SW12

Dear Mr. Bradley,

I am writing to apply apply for the position of travel courier, which I saw advertised in the February edition of Sunshine Holidays.

As outlined in my curriculum vitae, which I have enclosed, I have got a degree in Modern Languages from Bristol University. I have been working as a travel courier for the las two years.

I believed that I would be an ideal candidate for the position because I speak French, German and Spanish fluently and I have got a working knowledge of Greek. This makes me capable of dealing with people from different countries. Besides, I am outgoing, talkative and friendly, which are the perfect qualities for a travel courier. Apart from this, my time spent traveling around Europe gives me a valuable knowledge of several countries. Therefore, I would be good at showing people all those places.

I thank you for considering my application and am willing to attend an interview at any time.

Yours sincerely,

J. Henderson

Idiom of the day (44)

The grass is always greener on the other side.

Nadie está contento con lo que tiene.

Vocabulary (11) - Cinema

actor

actress

director

screenplay
script

plot

film (BE)
movie (AE)
cast
lead role
secondary role
main actor
secondary actor
original version
scene
setting
special effects
star
story
subtitles
stuntman/stuntwoman

soundtrack: if you want to know what a soundtrack is, click here (you will find some examples)

genre, types of genres: action film/movie, animation film/movie, cartoon film/movie, comedy, historical drama, horror film/movie, martial arts film/movie, musical, romantic comedy, science fiction film/movie, silent film/movie, thriller, war film/movie, western

Verbs related to the cinema
act
be based on
be dubbed into
direct
film
play the part
record
set
subtitle
test

Interview with George Clooney

A good way to practice the listening skill...

Red red wine (UB40)

Idiom of the day (43)

Let sleeping dogs lie.

Mejor no revolver el asunto.