Specific vocabulary: Internet

Hello all again!
Today I want to share a couple of images containing specific basic vocabulary to use on a daily basis: Internet. 
I know it sounds too easy but I have found out that sometimes this is that obvious that it doesn't get covered in any Spanish class. 
When can this specific vocabulary comes in handy?
The first time I realized the importance of it we were going through a web quest for my Spanish class. One of the requirements for my students were to cite their sources and they all turn to me when they reached that point of the task. 

Yes, our students usually have to cite their sources for their projects/essays... and nowadays almost every single source is on line, so that is what they use it. Therefore if we want our students to be ready for that we need to teach them this essential vocabulary.
I hope these two visuals come in handy to use them for your classes and also feel free to take the brief quiz below to check if you already mastered this specific vocabulary.

Check your answers here ;)

“Five years from now on the Web for free you’ll be able to find the best lectures in the world. 

It will be better than any single university.”

– Bill Gates, chairman of Microsoft (2010)

Want to expand your knowledge?

• Vocabulary list in English and Spanish
• Computer and Internet words
• A comprehensive list with audio

Lunaprofe 10/21/2014  No comment

Expressions in Spanish: Ser más lento que una tortuga

To learn expressions in the target language is essential because native speakers do use them all the time. 
Expressions are used in formal and informal speech. 
A language learner that is using expressions transmits certain information about him/her that is implied. Students communicating effectively with expressions show a deeper understanding of the language and also of the target culture.
This expression is just a comparison. A turtle is slow, doesn't go fast.
Sometimes expressions make sense in your native language others don't. It could be similar to phrasal verbs in English (just to some extent). So sometimes you will have to use just your memory to internalize them (you can use multiple techniques to do it, like acronyms, connect the expression to an image...)
What can we use expressions for?
For showing our proficiency in a language. Once you have mastered a certain number of expressions and include them in your interactions you are ready to go beyond the language borders.

Did you like the article? Share it! It's free ;)

“We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race."

Kofi Annan (UN Secretary-General, 2001 Nobel Peace Prize Winner)

Lunaprofe 8/25/2014  No comment

Visual orthography: la coma

This visual can be used for teaching just the ortography or we can also show our students a couple of things about the multicultural world we are living in.
My students always love how different is the perspective of using the comma with numbers in Spanish and Engish. 

After reviewing this graphic, challenge yourself doing this on-line activity [Google form] where you have to rewrite some paragraphs using commas:

Learn when to write a "coma" 

Remember: Smiling has a lot of benefits.

  A study of the European Journal of Social Psychology found that smiling actually makes you more attractive to those you smile at, you are more personable, easy going and empathetic when you smile.

Source for online-activity: 

• Orlando Cáceres Ramírez [Perfil en About.com]
• www.about.com

Lunaprofe 6/09/2014  No comment

Stop and think: Paulo Freire, a Thinker

It is important to nurture our students minds with thoughts, but deep thoughts to make them think about crucial problems and reflect on them.
Paulo Freire can be a great example to introduce the concept of Thinker from the IB Learner Profile.

A Thinker is a person who use critical and creative thinking skilss to analyze and take responsible action on complex problems & exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions. [From IBO]
Want to know more?

• Paulo Freire [Wikipedia in Spanish]
• Paulo Freire - Pedagogía [Youtube]
• Paulo Freire - a thinker [Unesco]
• Colectivo Paulo Freire [Colombia]

Lunaprofe 6/06/2014  No comment

Visual orthography: Punctuation [dos puntos]

I use these visual stimuli in my classes all the time, every day. 
It doesn't have to be something you really spend a lot of time on it. 
It works great to 

• warm up your class before you get into longer/more complicated things 
• use it like quick daily reminders
• use it as flashcards to review if you print them out and make a booklet with them
• use as posters to decorate and inspire your class
• .....

Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.

Albert Einstein

Lunaprofe 5/14/2014  No comment