FEBRUARY 2014 EDITION N° 1

By Jvlieth Berpal

TEACHER MARY ELEN NIÑO

The abilities tq cqmmvoicate io bqth qral aod writteo fqrn are dexelqr io the

oeed tq cqmmvoicate a message.Peqrle oeed tq be able tq take raru io a

cqoxersatiqo where they cao aoswer qvestiqos, share rersqoal stqries aod retell

stqries that they haxe heard vsiog details. Io this way, qral aod writteo skills

dexelqr cqmmvoicatiqo strategies io qrder tq imrrqxe grammar issves.

Io qther haod, sqme reqrle are oqt as cqmmvoicatixe as qthers, If yqv dexelqr

qral aod writteo skills io arrrqrriate way, yqv cao mastered these skills.

My oame is Jvlieth berpal I'm 20 years qld. I was bqrp qo Octq-

ber 7,. I lixe io Bqgqta, Cqlqmbia. I stwdy io LA GRAN CO-

LOMBIA voixersitz . I lixe with my mqm, Fabiqla; aod my dad,

Lvis . I haxe twq sisters, Siody aod Sara. ..I starued schqql wheo

I was fixe-years-qld. I weot tq kiodergarueo thrqvgh sixuh grade

at LICEO NAZARENO SAMARIA Schqql. Theo I atteoded

BRITALIA schqql after I gradvated io elemeotarz. I am oqw

stwdyiog io the voixersitz, i am takiog my thrid year. I hqre

tq get my bachelqr degree io Eoglish io a clqse fwtwre.

My faxqrite srqrus are xqlleyball, basketball aod teoois. Wheo I

dqo't haxe aoyuhiog tq dq, I lqxe watchiog TV, qreooiog my

mail, theo watchiog caruqqos. I rlay a lqt qf cqmrvter games

with my frieods aod cqvsios. I cao rlay sqme mvsical iostrw-

meots like, flvte Wheo tq sheer me vr. My faxqrite cqlqrs are

red, blve & black. My frieods lqqk at me as a kiod sweet chil-

dish frieodly rersqo. If yqv ask me...life tq me meaos frieods

aod family whq yqv cao trwst aod whq trwst yqv. Iam rrettz

mvch qo the harry side qf life, bvt I like all teeos I dq I haxe my

"days off." I'm hanging out with anyone now! I hope you have

eojqyed Readiog my life stqrz as mvch as I haxe eojqyed dqiog

it fqr yqv.

IDIOMS CHAPTER 1

Ao idiqm is a rhrase where the wqrds

tqgether haxe a meaoiog that is

differeot frqm the dictiqoarz defioitiqos

qf the iodixidval wqrds

"idiom" is a specialized language or a distinctive pattern in the usage of a language. As such,

it cao refer tq the way a laogwage is vsed io a gixeo regiqo; io svch vsage, ao idiqm vsvally

iso't seeo as distioctly differeot as a dialect is, althqvgh sqmetimes "idiqm" aod "dialect" are

vsed ioterchaogeably. Ao idiqm cao similarly refer tq the laogwage ratterps vsed withio a

ceruaio rrqfessiqo qr qther svbgrqvr. Fqr examrle, it might be said that cqllege stwdeots

Alsq Koqwo As: Io Sraoish, ao idiqmatic rhrase is amqdismq. The word idiqma vsvally

refers tq a laogwage io geoeral, bvt it cao alsq refer tq a ratterp qf laogwage vsage, dereo-

diog qo the cqotexu..

GRAMMAR

GET A KICK OUT OF SOMETHING

( xerz mvch eojqy sqmethiog)

EXAMPLE: I get a kick out of going for a run first

Thiog io the mqrpiog befqre aoyqoe is vr.

DO SOMETHING FOR KICKS

( dq sqmethiog becavse it is excitiog )

EXAMPLE: Sandra is keen to have a go at bungee jumping

Idiom poster

Idiom

This chapter includes

useful idioms

Attempts to include idiom

Idiom missing

Illustration

Illustrates literal mean-

ing of idioms

Attempts to illustrate literal

meaning of idioms

Illustration does not show

literal meaning of idioms

Sentence

Correctly uses idiom in a

sentence showing the

figurative meaning.

Attempts to use idiom in a

sentence showing the fig-

urative meaning.

Does not use the idiom

correctly in a sentence

showing the figurative

meaning.

Conventions No errors in grammar,

spelling or punctuation

Some errors in grammar,

spelling or punctuation

Many errors in grammar,

spelling or punctuation

Appearance

Poster is of good quality

Neat writing

Illustration carefully

drawn and nicely col-

ored Appearance is appealing

Poster is of satisfactory

quality Attempts to write neatly Includes an illustration with

color Appearance is satisfactor

Poster is of poor quality

Writing is illegible

Illustration shows

little or no effort

Appearance is un-

satisfactory

An idiomatic expression are common phrases or sa-

yings whose meanings cannot be understood by the in-

dividual words or elements. Examples of these

idioms are "Baker's Dozen", "Funny Farm" and "Cold

War".

Idiomatic expressions are also non-standard speech,

slang or dialect that are natural to native speakers

of a language. Examples of these idioms are "Apples

and Pears" for stairs and "Ruby Murray' for curry

Use of Idiomatic Expressions

Examples of Idiomatic Expressions can be found in

many examples of the poem, poems or poetry. Fa-

mous poets use this figure of speech to convey and

emphasize unusual and vivid images. The use of

strong word association changes the mode of

thought and adds variation, embellishment and adorn-

ment to literary works.

TICKLED PINK ( made very happy)

SHE WAS TICKLED PINK BY THE GOOD NEWS

SICK AS A DOG ( very sick)

I AM FEEL SICK AS A DOG

GREEK TO ME ( I dont understand )

ITS GREEK TO ME

Idiom poster

Idiomathic

expression

This chapter includes

useful idiomathic ex-

pressions

Attempts to include idio-

mathic expressions

Idiomathic expression

missing

Illustration

Illustrates literal mean-

ing of idiomathic expres-

sions

Attempts to illustrate literal

meaning of idiomathic

expressions

Illustration does not show

literal meaning of idio-

mathic expressions

Sentence

Correctly uses

idiomathic expressions

in a sentence showing

the figurative meaning.

Attempts to use idiomathic

expressions in a sentence

showing the figurative

meaning.

Does not use the idio-

mathic expressions cor-

rectly in a sentence show-

ing the figurative mean-

ing.

Conventions No errors in grammar,

spelling or punctuation

Some errors in grammar,

spelling or punctuation

Many errors in grammar,

spelling or punctuation

Appearance

Poster is of good quality

Neat writing

Illustration carefully

drawn and nicely col-

ored Appearance is appealing

Poster is of satisfactory

quality Attempts to write neatly Includes an illustration with

color Appearance is satisfactor

Poster is of poor quality

Writing is illegible

Illustration shows

little or no effort

Appearance is un-

satisfactory

Proverbs are wise sayings in a language based on the prac-

tical experiences of different kinds. They can mostly be

used independently to explain a situation in very few

words.

Here are some common

proverbs used in English

which you can also use in

your day to day talks to

cut the long talk short

and still convey it with

same conviction.

THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD."

(Trying to convince people with ideas and words is more effective

than trying to force people to do what you want. )

"NO MAN IS AN ISLAND.

(You can't live completely independently. Everyone needs help from

other people.)

Idiom poster

Idiomathic

expression

This chapter includes

useful idiomathic ex-

pressions

Attempts to include idio-

mathic expressions

Idiomathic expression

missing

Illustration

Illustrates literal mean-

ing of idiomathic expres-

sions

Attempts to illustrate literal

meaning of idiomathic

expressions

Illustration does not show

literal meaning of idio-

mathic expressions

Sentence

Correctly uses

idiomathic expressions

in a sentence showing

the figurative meaning.

Attempts to use idiomathic

expressions in a sentence

showing the figurative

meaning.

Does not use the idio-

mathic expressions cor-

rectly in a sentence show-

ing the figurative mean-

ing.

Conventions No errors in grammar,

spelling or punctuation

Some errors in grammar,

spelling or punctuation

Many errors in grammar,

spelling or punctuation

Appearance

Poster is of good quality

Neat writing

Illustration carefully

drawn and nicely col-

ored Appearance is appealing

Poster is of satisfactory

quality Attempts to write neatly Includes an illustration with

color Appearance is satisfactor

Poster is of poor quality

Writing is illegible

Illustration shows

little or no effort

Appearance is un-

satisfactory

SECTION I

1. THROW IN THE TOWEL

( when you feel tired with something)

EXAMPLE: "I was ready to throw in the to-

wel, but I stayed

with it."

SECTION II

RAIN OR SHINE

( you will do something)

EXAMPLE:We're going camping this

weekend rain or shine.

SECTION III

KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED

( WHEN YOU WANT TO SOMETHING

HAPPEND)

EXAMPLE Their team is not

favored to win. But I hope

they do. I'm keeping my

fingers crossed."

SECTION IV

TWENTY-FOUR SEVEN

(all time)

EXAMPLE 7-11 is a great

store because they are

open twenty-four seven.

SECTION V

NEVER MIND

( dont think in something

negative)

EXAMPLE Never

mind what I said before, I was wrong

SECTION VI

DON'T JOKE WITH ME

(Please be serious )

EXAMPLE He told me she likes me but I

said don't joke with me.

SECTION VII

IT'S A PIECE OF CAKE

(It's very easy. )

EXAMPLE That test we took was a piece of

cake.

SECTION VIII

PIE IN THE SKY

(That's an unrealistic dream )

EXAMPLE His dreams of becoming a famous

singer are just a pie in the sky

VERBS PATTERNS

CHAPTER 2

GRAMMAR

TEKE FROM: http://www.tolearnenglish.com/

GRAMMAR

TEKE FROM: http://www.tolearnenglish.com/

GRAMMAR

TEKE FROM: http://www.tolearnenglish.com/

GRAMMAR

TEKE FROM: http://www.tolearnenglish.com/

He finished

Reading his book

They enjoying play football

I want to be a

teacher

I hope to get a new job.

Would you like to

dance

You must come to visit me

I am thinking about buying a new house

I want you to come to my party

The basic part of any word is the root; to it,

you can add a prefix at the beginning and/or

a suffix at the end to change the meaning. For

example, in the word "unflattering," the root is

simply "flatter," while the prefix "un-" makes the

word negative, and the suffix "-ing" changes it

from a verb into an adjective (specifically,

a participle).

GRAMMAR

I think the government should alcohol.

(CRIMINAL)

TAKE FROM:http://www.tinyteflteacher.co.uk/

You need to make a today.

(DECIDE)

TAKE FROM:http://www.tinyteflteacher.co.uk/

is a problem

everywhere, not just in big

cities. (HOMELESS)

TAKE FROM:http://www.tinyteflteacher.co.uk/

The sales assistant was really and rude.

(HELP)

TAKE FROM:http://www.tinyteflteacher.co.uk/

Prepositions are short words (on, in, to) that usua-

lly stand in front of nouns (sometimes also in front

of gerund verbs).

Even advanced learners of English find prepositions

difficult, as a 1:1 translation is usually not possible.

One preposition in your native language might have

several translations depending on the situation.

GRAMMAR

Complete the exercise according to the picture.

1. ____________ the picture, I can see a woman.

2. The woman is sitting _________a table.

3. She is sitting ___________a chair.

4. There is another chair _____________the woman.

5. Her feet are ______________ the table

6. The woman is holding a cup ______________her hands.

7. _________the table are a laptop, a paper, a calculator, an appointment calen-

dar, two pens and a muffin.

8. The woman is looking ____________her laptop.

The woman's bag is ___________the table.

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=s7rJWgb1FrA

Why it’s important to improve our skills as English teachers?

Knowing a language implies multiple issues, which range from vocabulary or con-cepts comprehension to the skills a person needs to manage for communication. “Communication skills are the key to developing (and keeping!) Friendships and to building a

strong social support network “Antony, M. & Swinson, R. (2000). When we learn a language, we acquire it from our environment; that is, every day we learn words, grammatical structures and meanings without being aware of them. These become more and more complex as we grow up and interact with dif-ferent people, although it “is important to test skills out and use the trial and error process,

we can learn a lot from observing others. “Burns, D. D. (1985) This process provides us with a sense of correctness, which is continuously con-structed when we hear or read one or another word, or expression and when we use them in different contexts. It is the Gran Colombia English Department´s aim to facilitate students’ ownership and use of the four language skills, contributing to their communicative competence and mental abilities´ development, as well as their integral education. If we talk about these skills, we have to mention the Competences. They refer to the sum of knowledge and skills that allow a person to perform actions in a specif-ic situation. An also refers to the knowledge of effective and appropriate communication

patterns and the ability to use and adapt that knowledge in various contexts (Ralph E. Cooley, 1984)

Regarding foreign languages learning, the term competency is associated with a person´s ability to communicate effectively to speakers of other languages. The Gran Colombia English Department aims at facilitating the development of stu-dents´ communicative competence to understand and interpret their immediate surroundings, and to share ideas, feelings and opinions in communicative situa-tions ruled by certain socio-linguistic behaviors proper of their own and the target language´s culture. Understanding a language´s cultural context is pivotal in ac-quiring real command of said language; therefore English department´ students study several issues, as well as poetry and non-fiction pieces in order to gain awareness and familiarity with the world vision proper of the English speaking communities, their unique lifestyle and behavioral patterns. During this process, obviously we have to read a lot just because reading is a fun-damental process when learning a new language; it is a skill that also helps to de-velop listening, writing, and speaking. Reading stimulates students’ minds be-cause through word understanding, they exercise the brain, developing its ability

to analyze, comprehend, and enrich cognitive abilities. Reading helps learners to improve spelling, grammar structures, and expand their vocabulary; moreover, recognizing how words are used can make learners aware of the various mean-ings they have in different contexts. Reading at Gran Colombia University is very important because one of the main goals of the English program is to foster better readers. Hence, students need to be exposed to other kinds of written material besides that of the guided book. In addition, our students have shown a keen in-terest in popular literary and cultural trends which specifically manifest in English. Given this situation, they constantly seek involvement with music, literature, web-sites, and TV shows, among others, where English becomes a learning and un-derstanding vehicle, allowing them to interact in different contexts. The English department will use this phenomenon to make young learners see the subject as a complement to their own lives and tastes, expanding the commu-nicative approach to a real life interest; In other hand, the idea to communicate and improve our skills is focused in creat-ing a context when the student can be able to explore different situations outside the class, when the student discover new surroundings and its help them to im-prove speaking and listening. Off course, there are many aspects to effective communica-

tion, and you may want more specific help in certain areas (for example, learning how to deal with conflict, presentation skills, giving feedback, etc...). Antony, M. (2004).

In addition, the Gran Colombia teachers are searching in a way that the student

will be a better writer in order to emphasize, how to improve reading comprehen-

sion, and obviously skills helps our thesis and one of the skills that regular writing

will help you to develop is your ability to write critically.

Therefore, it is very important to improve English skills because it is never too

late, and we need to start our articles and learn with it as much as possible

maybe, we can start in our class as a daily exercise, when the teacher will be a

guide, we could improve our grammar because today English is one of the most

important things you can learn; but also if we mention a way to learn, maybe is

important we use some approach in class to enhance our level, for example,

in communicative approach the learner are involving in a real situation and the

idea is learn to use the language so, that we can use all strategies the teacher

gives us to learn more and more every day and every class .

Finally, the idea or the real importance to improve our skills in English is that

nowadays is necessary be able to communicate in another language for our jobs

and for our goals, for this reason the idea is use all tools that we have at class or

outside to change the way that we have English in our university is time to pro-

pose a new way to learn.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Antony, M. & Swinson, R. (2000). Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook: Proven Techniques for Overcoming Your Fears. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Antony, M. (2004). 10 Simple Solutions to Shyness. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Burns, D. D. (1985). Intimate Connections. New York: Signet (Penguin Books) McKay, M., Davis, M., & Fanning, P. (1995). Messages: The Communication Skills Book. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Paterson, R. (2000). The Assertiveness Workbook: How to Express Your Ideas and Stand Up for Yourself at Work and In Relationships. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger

URL: https://storybird.com/books/

sammy-the-witch-usage-of-articles/?

to-

ken=brdd6dap7r&utm_source=storybird