Macmillan Dictionary - Word of the Day

Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas in Portugal. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!


My students have written about Christmas in Portugal. 

Read their texts:


Here in Portugal Christmas is a very important season. In the night of the 24th December we exchange gifts with our friends and family.

On the 24th I usually go to my grandmother's house and have dinner along with all my family. We eat codfish with boiled potatoes and on the next day, at lunch, we eat a dish called "Roupa Velha" which in English means "Old Clothes". It's a traditional dish and it's made using the remains from the codfish and kind of mixing everything. It's pretty good.


On December 24th we have dinner at our uncle’s house, where our whole family meets. Then we play games and wait for midnight to open the presents. Someone in the family usually dresses up as Santa Claus because children become very happy. The traditional Portuguese food is awesome.


Christmas is based on the catholic religion, but we have a bit of consumerism too! The streets are enchanted because of all the lights on the trees and balconies. There are pretty Christmas ornaments everywhere. At home, things aren't much different from the streets. In the last weekend we set up the Christmas tree, and decorated the entire house with ornaments. It is so beautiful;  my family and I had a blast of joy while doing this. We all love this season of the year!


Here in Portugal we put lights and we can listen to Christmas songs playing on the streets. The weather is cold but that's not a problem to us. It's a time of joy and share to all the people. And we have 15 days of school holidays!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The Spanish Residence and Spanglish (two films about multilinguism)



We have concluded the unit, a multilingual world, so we had time to watch some parts of the films: The Spanish Residence (an interesting film about students’ mobility within Europe) and Spanglish (a film which deals with the integration of a Mexican family in the American lifestyle).
This school term is about to end. I have been correcting students’ last tests and evaluating their oral skills and attitudes. They have recently presented the debate about the topic: should we defend the existence of a global language or should all languages be considered equal? I had students who prepared themselves very well for this activity, while others didn´t invest enough time and work to overcome their difficulties.
I wish some would work harder. There are so many temptations everwhere that many have difficulty in sorting out their piorities.
Nevertheless, it was a worthwhile school term. I had students who told me they liked their English lessons a lot.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Varieties of English ...



English is spoken and learned all over the world. It can be used as a first language, a second language or a foreign language. However, English is not the same everywhere. There are differences in spelling, vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar among the different varieties of English.

In Portugal we are exposed to different varieties of English, especially to British English and American English. TV programmes are all in their original audio form; consequently we have access to people’s real voices. It’s no wonder that Portuguese people have a natural aptitude for learning languages, at least, that’s what we hear....

Young people love listening to music and watching foreign films and series/serials. They learn much vocabulary by doing that. Most films and series are American ones, so American English has a strong influence on them. But there are those who prefer the English pronunciation, they find it so charming and chic ... Spelling is another problem for students because the books we use in the English classes have texts written in American English and in British English.

This year, they have been corresponding with American epals, so they are improving and learning new American English words.

My advices are :
• Use English a lot and don’t get too obsessed with these differences...
• Expose yourself to the English language (the maximum you can) by listening, reading, speaking....
• and  HAVE FUN

Now take this quiz - British English and American English

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Due Date trailer



I saw this film yesterday and I found it really fun.

I was the therapy I needed then. My brain was (and still is) so much overloaded with work that it helped me relax for a while.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

The 1st December is a holiday in Portugal



On December 1, 1640, Portugal regained its independence from Spain, after sixty years of dominance, and John IV of Portugal became king.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

The importance of learning languages ...

I love languages because this type of knowledge allows me to communicate with people from different countries in their mother tongue. It is so rewarding to travel to a country and be able to speak the language which is spoken there. In fact, people appreciate when we make an effort to speak their language. We can learn so much about a new culture, new values, and about a new way of thinking by talking directly to people. We feel refreshed when we talk to people from a different nationality and exchange views on different matters.
I have learned five languages at school. I started with Portuguese, my mother tongue. The way we learn our native language is very different from the way we learn a foreign language. Firstly, I learned Portuguese by listening to the people around me and by repeating after them. Then, when I was six years old, I started my formal education. At that stage I learned to read and to write in Portuguese.

When I was ten years old, I started learning French, and I continued learning it during five years. At that time French was a very important language in Portugal and most children learned this language at school. Nowadays I don’t use this language a lot unless I travel to French or Switzerland, where I have relatives. Nevertheless, I can still understand when I listen to it or when I read it. Speaking and writing are more difficult ...

When I was twelve years old, I started learning English, and I have fallen in love with it since that moment. I like everything about the English language, except for phonetics. 

When I was fifteen years old, I started my Secondary Education. At that time I chose to study humanities because I loved languages so much. I stopped learning French and I decided to start learning two other languages, German and Latin, besides the English language. I found German really fantastic and enjoyed every new lesson. I can’t say the same about Latin. In fact, I found it really difficult. We don’t use Latin for oral communication, so I have forgotten everything I learned then. However, Latin helped me to know my mother tongue better because Portuguese derives from Latin, as well as the other Romance languages: Spanish, French, Italian and Rumanian.

When I was eighteen, I decided to take an University degree in the teaching of English and German as foreign languages. At university the teachers who taught me English came from very different countries, such as: New Zealand, the United States of America and Britain. They had different accents; consequently my English accent has suffered the influence of all those varieties of English.

I have been a teacher for twenty years, and during this time I have taught English and German to Portuguese students. However, I haven’t taught German for seven years. French and German are losing importance in Portugal and Spanish has taken the place of these two languages. Spanish is very similar to Portuguese, so we can understand Spanish easily, even if we have never studied it. Writing in Spanish is another thing because we need to study grammar …

I love Portuguese because this language reflects the history and culture of my country. This is the language I use every day to communicate with my co-citizens. I also love English and this is the language I use every day as a teacher.
 I have been telling my students that English can be an excellent medium of communication among people who do not have a language in common. Nevertheless, the more languages we know, the better for us.

Don’t you think so?

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Portuguese is spoken in: Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guiné-Bissau, São Tomé e Príncipe, East Timor and Macau

 

As I was surfing the web, I 've found this site which gives some good reasons to learn Portuguese. Read it!

Good Reasons to learn Portuguese

Source: http://www.eu-student.eu/why-you-should-learn-portuguese/

"Portuguese is spoken by more than 200 Million people, it’s the official language in Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Cape Verde, East Timor, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tome and Principe and Macau. It is the 6th most spoken language in the world.
Learning Portuguese is very important if you want to get to know the Portuguese culture, speak to people around the world and create a closer link to locals who don’t speak English. If you plan to travel to one of the many countries, where they speak Portuguese – it will really facilitate communication.

Portuguese is also an official language in the European Union and MERCOSUR, the economic alliance among the different countries of Latin America including Brazil. As Portuguese is spoken in so many places, you will have many occasions to use the language.

While learning Portuguese, you make the first step in learning other Latin languages (Spanish, French, Italian, Romanian) which are very similar. Portuguese is a very romantic language.

Portugal has a very rich literature. To mention some of its famous writers you should have a look on Gil Vicente, who captured the humanistic spirt of the renaissance or more recently José Saramago who received the Nobel Prize in Literature en 1998.
Learn Portuguese and you can read amazing books in their original language."
Read the whole text at: http://www.eu-student.eu/why-you-should-learn-portuguese/

A debate: Should we defend the existence of a global language or should all languages be considered equal?

Students are going to participate in a role play, where they have to defend their points of view concerning the topic: Should we defend the existence of a global language or should all languages be considered equal?


They are going to work in groups of five. One of them is the moderator of the group (he/she will function as a journalist in a debate). Then there are three people who are going to defend the existence of a global language. Besides the English language, they can choose two other languages among: Spanish, Mandarin, Portuguese and Esperanto. Finally, there is a student who defends that all languages should be considered equal.

We have already chosen the groups and the role each element is going to play. Now they are preparing themselves for the debate that is going to take place within two weeks. They still have plenty of time …

They are going to be evaluated according to their:

• Complexity of speech;

• Accuracy;

• Fluency:

• Interaction;

• Development of the theme.

Here is a list of links where you can find information about the different languages and about the different arguments you can use.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

50 THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ...

I was searching the web, when I found this site. I 've found it so interesting that I 've decided to share this "discovery" with you.

http://www.world-english.org/facts.htm

.
The word "queue" is the only word in the English language that is still pronounced the same way when the last four letters are removed.
Beetles taste like apples, wasps like pine nuts, and worms  like fried bacon.
Of all the words in the English language, the word 'set' has the most definitions!
What is called a "French kiss" in the English speaking world is known as an "English kiss" in France.
"Almost" is the longest word in the English language with all the letters in alphabetical order.
"Rhythm" is the longest English word without a vowel.

In 1386, a pig in France was executed by public hanging for the murder of a child.



(to be continued)  http://www.world-english.org/facts.htm

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Thanksgiving facts

Facts
1.Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States.
2.By the fall of 1621 only half of the pilgrims, who had sailed on the Mayflower, survived. The survivors, thankful to be alive, decided to give a thanksgiving feast.
3.Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October in Canada.
(...)
11.The Wampanoag Indians were the people who taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate the land.
See the whole text at: The Holiday spot

Thanksgiving ...

Read a text about the history of Thanksgiving and then try a quiz.

http://startswithabang.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/thanksgiving.gif

Monday, November 15, 2010

The advantages of learning English ...



Today we have started another topic: the importance of the English language in the world.

In the following text you can see why it is so important to learn English today.

The Advantages of Learning English

By Jeanne Baird, eHow Contributor .updated: October 27, 2010

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_5230958_advantages-learning-english.html

The English language is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, second only to Mandarin. That English is used almost everywhere is only one of the many advantages of learning the language.

Business
English is the primary language of business throughout the world. Most international business transactions, including emails, memos, reports and contracts, are written in English.
Employment Opportunities
The ability to fluently speak the English language in addition to your native language can be beneficial if you're seeking job opportunities with international companies. The ability to speak a language spoken by most business people can place you a step ahead of the competition.
Movies
Major Hollywood movies have dialogue in English. The plot of these movies is easier to follow if the person watching the movie speaks English. Subtitles in other languages can sometimes cause the meanings of words to be lost in the translation, and they can be a distraction or even block the action taking place on the screen.
Travel
The English language is predominantly spoken throughout the world, so international travelers may find that speaking English can make their travels a little easier. Most hotel and restaurant employees, as well as store merchants, probably speak English to some degree.
Schools
Students from other countries who attend school in the United States will benefit greatly if they can know basic English. This knowledge will help them communicate better with both their students and teachers. The students also will have an easier time with any research or readings they are assigned.
Academics
The English language is the predominant language of academics all over the world, with a large amount of research conducted, written and presented in English. Knowing English can helpful for scholars who wish to communicate their ideas and research findings to peers in their field.
Computers
Most software programs are written in English. Those seeking to expand their computer knowledge can find the ability to read and understand the English language invaluable.
.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Read about some Erasmus experiences ...




Erasmus: Another student exchange programme we talked about in our lessons.

Read what some students wrote about their Erasmus experiences:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/erasmus-britishcouncil-casestudy-4.htm

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Friday, November 5, 2010

I love music ...


Tomorrow I am going to attend a big concert with some of the most important Portuguese music groups/ singers. This concert, whose name is RFM Prémios- Ernestos 2010, is going to take place in Espinho, Portugal.
Below you have a list with the names of these artists/bands.

Xutos e Pontapés
David Fonseca
Pedro Abrunhosa
João Pedro Pais
Luis Represas
Tim
Miguel Gameiro
Taxi
Ezspecial
Santos e Pecadores
Fingertips
Hands on Approach

Sunday, October 31, 2010

WHAT IF ...




A song I used in class to motivate my students for learning the conditional clauses.

Next week we are going to analyse the different conditional clauses, their uses and their struture.

Coldplay- What IF


What if there was no ………………….
Nothing wrong, nothing …………………….
What if there was no ………………………
And no reason, or ……………………….

What if you should ……………………
That you don't want me there by your side
That you don't want me there in your life

What if I got it ………………………….
And no poem or ……………………….
Could put right what I got …………………….
Or make you feel I …………………………

What if you should ……………………..
That you don't want me there by your side
That you don't want me there in your life

Ooh ooh-ooh, that's …………………………
Let's take a breath, jump over the side
Ooh ooh-ooh, that's ……………………….
How can you know it, if you don't even ……………..
Ooh ooh-ooh, that's ………………………

Every step that you …………………………
Could be your biggest ……………………………
It could bend or it could ………………………..
That's the risk that you …………………………

What if you should …………………….
That you don't want me there in your life
That you don't want me there by your side

Ooh ooh-ooh, that's …………………….
Let's take a breath, jump over the ……………………
Ooh ooh-ooh, that's …………………
How can you know when you don't even ………..
Ooh ooh-ooh, that's …………………… (BIS)

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Student exchange: The Comenius Programme




In class We have started a new topic: Student Exchange.

We have been talking about some student exchange programmes, such as the Comenius Programme and the advantages of participating in such projects for both teachers and students.


Read more about The Comenius Programme at: http://www.britishcouncil.org/comenius-benefits-teachers.htm

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Halloween is coming ...




Choose a game!

Learn about Halloween, enjoy yourself and improve your English.

Monday, October 25, 2010

The students' first tests...


I have been correcting the students' first tests. The results range from bad to excellent. I have been trying to motivate the students who have more difficulties. I hope I succeed ...

However, much of the work must be done by them.

In their tests I used a text I encountered on the web. This text was about the benefits of having a epal.

Have a look at this text: http://www.foreign-languages-guide.com/international-pen-pals.html

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Pele's biography (Pelé was born seventy years ago)



Pelé, the most famous soccer player, was born in Brazil 70 years ago. He was the only soccer player who succeeded in winning three World Cups.

Happy Bithday Pelé!


Watch a video with his biographt at:

http://www.biography.com/articles/Pele-9436416

Sunday, October 17, 2010

A multilingual world ...



We have already started Block 1: A multilingual world.

Right at the beginning of this block, we talked about different types of activities that students can do outside the classroom to improve their English. My students were able to present many different ideas.
Then we read the text: Making cyberfriends is fun! We read this text because having a cyberfriend can be a wonderful way to meet a native speaker and improve your language skills.
At home, many of my students wrote their first email to their American epals. They could put into practice what we had learned at school. They used the educational site: http://www.epals.com/.

In the web I have found a good site about some of the ways to improve our English.

Ways to improve your English
Practice, practice and more practice! It is true that the more you try to speak English the more you will naturally improve. Just by using the English language as much as possible, your fluency will rapidly develop. Speak on the phone, write e-mails and letter, make lists, read as much as possible. Surround yourself with English!

Make contact with native English people. If you have friends who are English then speak with them about as many different topics as possible. The more diverse your subject matter, the wider the vocabulary you will develop. Try mixing with different kinds of English people, those in different jobs and with diverse interests in order to expose yourself to wider varieties of vocabulary and language usage. Speak English whenever you can: in shops, at the pub, in a queue - seize your opportunity to communicate!

Watch English television. Many films are in English and this is a great place to start to listen to faster spoken sentences, colloquial expressions and accent varieties. Be aware of which English you are listening to though as in many mainstream films you will be listening to American accents which are very different from British accents. Television soaps are an excellent way to pick up idiomatic expressions and casual language usage.

Read newspapers. Read all the English text you can find. Newspapers are a good way of reading lots of smaller articles if you do not feel ready to tackle a book. The tabloid newspapers use more basic English vocabulary and sentence structures and will be easier to read than broadsheet newspapers. Cartoons are a excellent way of involving humour in your reading and offer visual clues to the text.

Find a pen friend. Writing skills can be improved by writing to an English person regularly. Perhaps you can find an English person who wants to learn your native language? You could both write half a letter in English and the other half in your native language and correct each other's messages. Exchanging letters, e-mails or chatting on instant messengers on the internet are great ways of making friends. The messages from your English pen friend will expose you to new words and sentence structures.

Make it fun! If your language learning is not enjoyable then you will find it hard to be motivated. What do you find fun, amusing or fulfilling? Try to incorporate the English language into that. If you like computer games, find an English language interactive adventure game where you have to understand and use instructions to play; if you like cartoons, read them in English; if you like comedy, watch English comedies or go to see a English comedian. Play word-based board games, do crosswords, chat in internet chat rooms or read crime thrillers - whatever floats your boat, as long as it is in English!

Read the whole text at : http://www.myenglishlanguage.com/improving-your-english.htm

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Born on this day: John Lennon



John Lennon was born on the 9th October 1940; consequently if he was still alive, he would be seventy today.

On 8th December 1980, he was shot by a disturbed fan in New York.

He became worldwide famous as a member of the Beatles. But, in the the last years of his life, he dedicated himself to promote peace in the world. Do you know his song: "Give Peace a Chance"?

A wonderful song- Imagine

Watch John Lennon's biography

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Interests and ambitions...

We have been talking about students' interests and ambitions.
Many of my students refered that they would like to travel to other countries in the world and visit cities like New York and London.

There's a song that refers to New York and to people's expectations towards it.

Listen to this song now and try to fill in the gaps with the correct words.



Empire State of Mind

Ooohh New York x2

Grew up in a town that is famous as the place of ............... ...............
Noise was always loud, there are sirens all around and the streets are mean
If I can make it here, I can make it ..............., that's what they say
Seeing my face in .................... or my name on marquees found down on Broadway

Even if it ain’t all it seems, I got a pocketful of ...................
Baby, I'm from New York
Concrete ................. where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do
Now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will ................. you
Hear it for New York, New York, New York!

On the ................., there ain't never a curfew, ladies work so hard
Such a melting pot, on the corner selling rock, ............... pray to God
Hail a gypsy cab, takes me down from Harlem to the Brooklyn Bridge
Some will sleep tonight with a .................. far more than an empty fridge

I'm gonna make it by any means, I get a pocketful of .............
Baby, I'm from New York
Concrete ............ where dreams are made of
There's ................. you can't do
Now you're in New York
These street will make you feel brand new
Big lights will ............. you
Hear it for New York, New York, New York!

One .............. in the air for the big city,
Street lights, big dreams all looking .............
No place in the world that can ...............
Put your lighters in the air, everybody say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

In New York
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's .............. you can't do
Now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will ............ you
Now you're in New York!

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's ................. you can't do
Now you're in New York
These street will make you feel brand new
Big lights will................inspire you
Hear it for New York!

Check Lyrics

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Magnificent!



I succeed in getting two tickets for the U2 concert on Saturday afternoon, and I had the opportunity to see them alive.

It was truly magnificent
!

• The musicians;
• The sound;
• The lights;
• The stage;
• The interaction between the musicians and the public;
• The environment inside the stadium;
• The public’s enthusiasm;

Bono said : “ I surrender to YOU”
Truly magnificent!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

The U2 are in Portugal ... I wish I had a ticket and could see them alive...



Which words are missing in this song?

Magnificent lyrics
Songwriters: Clayton, Adam; Eno, Brian; Evans, David; Hewson, Paul; Lanois, Daniel Roland; Mullen, Laurence;

Magnificent
Oh
, oh, magnificent

I was born, I was born
To be with you in this space and ...........
After that and ever after
I haven't had a clue only to ......... rhyme
This foolishness can leave a heart black and ......., oh, oh

Only love, only love can leave such a .........
But only love, only love can heal such a ........

I was born, I was born to sing for you
I didn't have a .......... but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my ............... from the womb
My first cry, it was a joyful ........, oh, oh

Only love, only love can leave such a ......
But only love, only love can heal such a ........
Justified, till we die you and I will magnify, oh, oh
Magnificent, magnificent, oh, oh

Only love, only love can leave such a .......
But only love, only love unites our .......
Justified, till we die you and I will magnify, oh, oh
Magnificent, magnificent, magnificent


© POLYGRAM INT. MUSIC PUBL. B.V.; UNIVERSAL MUSIC CORP.;

these lyrics are submitted by OarSmaN
these lyrics are last corrected by Katja Olsen


Check Lyrics

Sunday, September 26, 2010

When September ends ...




September is about to end. Do you know there is a song called "When September ends"?

Have you ever paid attention to its lyrics? Yes .... No ....

Never forget to pay attention to the lyrics of the songs you listen to. It's one of the best ways to learn new vocabulary ...

Thursday, September 23, 2010

I still haven't found what I' m looking for...



This is a great song to revise the present perfect.

The present perfect is a verb tense that many Portuguese students have difficulty with.

Pay attention to the lyrics and try to memorize the sentences where the present perfect is used.

Look at these examples:

e.g. I have climbed highest mountains - An action that takes place at an indefinite past.

e.g. I still haven't found what I'm looking for - An action which started in the past but continues up to the present.

Whenever you study grammar, try to associate it to something you hear ... It's easier this way ...

For more information: http://esl.about.com/library/grammar/blpresperfect.htm

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

It's time for lessons...

Lessons started on Monday. I ‘ve already had the opportunity to meet my new students (except for one class). It is going to be a tough year since I have a lot of students ( about 140).
For most of them this is a totally new school. They have come from many different schools in this region. This year they are starting their Secondary Education and consequently they feel a bit anxious. In fact, many changes are taking place at the same time.
Today I’ve presented the syllabus for this year and the evaluation criteria:
• Reading and Writing: 60%
• Listening and speaking: 30%
• Attitudes (behavior, commitment, punctuality, organization): 10%

They also had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the class and to the teacher. This activity helped me to know them and their language level. After doing this, they wrote a text about themselves, which they delivered to me.
Finally, we did a brainstorming exercise related to the word : Teens, and before we left we had the opportunity to listen to the song: "I still haven’t found what I am looking for" by U2.

P.S: Temperature are still high (above 30 degrees). The Summer doesn't want to leave us ...

Speaking about the summer, I had the chance to know wonderful places. Look at this photo!
Pego do Inferno-Tavira

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Back to Work!

The new school year started on the 1st September 2010.In these first days of September many meetigs are taking place, so that everything is ready for the students' arrival on the 10th September. Lessons are going to start on the 13th September(a Monday).

This year I am going to teach students in the 10th grade (six years of English). I don't know how many students I will have, but they will surely be a lot. I don't know what sort of skills they will present, but I'll try to do my best to motivate them to learn and improve their language skills.

My school has changed so much! We have much more space and better conditions to work. We also have many more students than last year.

Last year was a very difficult one, because the school was under reconstruction. We had little space, much noise and dust, but everything turned out well in spite of the available conditons.

This year I hope to have more access to technologies, and consequently be able to do different things.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

The Algarve!



I'm travelling to the Algarve (in the south of Portugal) for some days.

I'll be able to appreciate:

the sea,
the beach,
the sunset,
beautiful landscapes,
good food and
the company of family and friends.

Have fun!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

August: a month for resting ...

It´s been a while since I last posted anything.

August is the month for holidays, when the school activity is reduced to a minimum.
It’s a time for new projects, new activities, new people, new places, new commitments, new …

The computer is left aside… It deserves some rest too…

Old friends and relatives come on visit. The house is full of people. Meals are long and cheerful. Outside temperatures are high (around 38 degrees). Forest fires are consuming our precious natural landscapes. The best places to be are: near the sea, near a river, a pool or under a tree. It feels good to escape the heat. A good book is mandatory.

Moreover, a festival happened around me, which demanded much work and commitment. It took three days, but the preparation took much longer. I volunteered to help at the bar and at the restaurant. When it finished, much work was needed again.

School starts in September, so I have to size the days which are left…

Travelling is a good option ...

Have fun!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Herta Müller: Nobel Prize for Literature 2009



Excerpts from The Passport (Der Mensch ist ein großer Fasan auf der Welt)

Source: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/2009/muller-prose_en.html

THE POT HOLE

Around the war memorial are roses. They form a thicket. So overgrown that they suffocate the grass. Their blooms are white, rolled tight like paper. They rustle. Dawn is breaking. Soon it will be day.
Every morning, as he cycles alone along the road to the mill, Windisch counts the day. In front of the war memorial he counts the years. By the first poplar tree beyond it, where he always hits the same pot hole, he counts the days. And in the evening, when Windisch locks up the mill, he counts the years and the days once again.
He can see the small white roses, the war memorial and the poplar tree from far away. And when it is foggy, the white of the roses and the white of the stone is close in front of him as he rides. Windisch rides on. Windisch's face is damp, and he rides till he's there. Twice the thorns on the rose thicket were bare and the weeds underneath were rusty. Twice the poplar was so bare that its wood almost split. Twice there was snow on the paths.
Windisch counts two years by the war memorial and two hundred and twenty-one days in the pot hole by the poplar.
Every day when Windisch is jolted by the pot hole, he thinks, "The end is here." Since Windisch made the decision to emigrate, he sees the end everywhere in the village. And time standing still for those who want to stay. And Windisch sees that the night watchman will stay beyond the end.
And after Windisch has counted two hundred and twenty-one days and the pot hole has jolted him, he gets off for the first time. He leans the bicycle against the poplar tree. His steps are loud. Wild pigeons flutter out of the churchyard. They are as grey as the light. Only the noise makes them different.
Windisch crosses himself. The door latch is wet. It sticks to Windisch's hand. The church door is locked. Saint Anthony is on the other side of the wall. He is carrying a white lily and a brown book. He is locked in.
Windisch shivers. He looks down the street. Where it ends, the grass beats into the village. A man is walking at the end of the street. The man is a black thread walking into the field. The waves of grass lift him above the ground.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Edgar Allan Poe: the magic of poetry ...



EDGAR ALLAN POE
(1809-1849)

THE RAVEN

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As some one gently rapping at my chamber door.
‘ ’Tis some visitor, ’I muttered, ‘tapping at my chamber door—
Only this, and nothing more.’

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the Bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; —vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Nameless here for evermore

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
‘ ’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door—
Some later visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;—
This it is, and nothing more.’

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
‘Sir’, said I, ‘orMadam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you’,—here I opened wide the door;—
Darkness there, and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, ‘Lenore!’,
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, ‘Lenore!’—
Merely this, and nothing more.

Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
‘Surely,’ said I, ‘surely that is something at my window lattice:
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
’Tis the wind and nothing more.’

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore.
‘Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,’ I said,
[‘art sure no craven,]
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore—
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian Shore!’
Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore’.

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning—little re relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door—
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as ‘Nevermore’.

But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—
Till I scarcely more than muttered, ‘other friends have flown before—
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.’
Then the bird said, ‘Nevermore’.

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
‘Doubtless’, said, ‘what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of ‘‘Never-nevermore’’.’

But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;
Then upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking ‘Nevermore’.

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o’er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o’er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then me thought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.
‘Wretch’, I cried, ‘thy God hath lent thee—
Respite—respite and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!’
Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore’.

‘Prophet!’ said I, ‘thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—
Whether Tempter sent,or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet allundaunted, on this desert land enchanted—
On this home by horrorhaunted—tell me truly, I implore—
Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore’
Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore’.

‘Prophet!’ said I, ‘thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—
By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore—
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore.’
Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore’.

‘Be that word our sign in parting, bird or fiend,’, I shrieked, upstarting—
‘Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!’
Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore’.

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp lighto’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted—nevermore!


Translation to Portuguese of “The Raven” by Fernando Pessoa

Ernest Hemingway: a great novelist (born in this week)



Ernest Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899, Cicero [now in Oak Park], Illinois, U.S.and died on July 2, 1961, Ketchum, Idaho. American novelist and short-story writer, awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954. He was noted both for the intense masculinity of his writing and for his adventurous and widely publicized life. His succinct and lucid prose style exerted a powerful influence on American and British fiction in the 20th century.

Source: http://www.biography.com/articles/Ernest-Hemingway-9334498

Watch a video about his life!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Carlos Santana & Rob Thomas



Nominated in nine categories at the Grammy Awards including Album of the Year (Supernatural), Record of the Year, and Song of the Year (both "Smooth") Santana won in every category. With his eight awards (the award for Song of the Year went to Thomas and Itaal Shur, who wrote "Smooth"), Santana tied Michael Jackson's 1983 record for most Grammy Awards won in a single year.

Smooth lyrics

Man, it's a hot one
Like seven inches from the midday sun
Well, I hear you whispering in the words, to melt everyone
But you stay so cool
My muñequita, my Spanish Harlem, Mona Lisa
You're my reason for reason
The step in my groove

Pre-Chorus
And if you said this life ain't good enough
I would give my world to lift you up
I could change my life to better suit your mood
'Cause you're so smooth

Chorus
And it's just like the ocean under the moon
Oh, it's the same as the emotion that I get from you
You got the kind of lovin' that can be so smooth, yeah
Give me your heart, make it real
Or else forget about it

But I'll tell you one thing
If you would leave it would be a crying shame
In every breath and every word
I hear your name calling me out
Out from the barrio
You hear my rhythm on your radio
You feel the turning of the world, so soft and slow
Turning you round... and round

Pre-Chorus
And if you said this life ain't good enough
I would give my world to lift you up
I could change my life to better suit your mood
'Cause you're so smooth

Chorus x 2
And it's just like the ocean under the moon
Oh, it's the same as the emotion that I get from you
You got the kind of lovin' that can be so smooth, yeah
Give me your heart, make it real
Or else forget about it

Or else forget about it
Or else forget about it
Let's don't forget about it
Give me your heart, make it real
Let's don't forget about it (5 times)

Carlos Santana: born on the 20th July 1947



Born in Autlán de Navarro, Mexico, musician Carlos Santana began playing guitar at 8. In 1966, he formed the Santana Blues Band, and their debut album went triple platinum. Santana earned his first Grammy in 1987. A decade later, Santana won Grammys in every category, tying Michael Jackson's 1983 record.

Read full Carlos Santana biography

Monday, July 19, 2010

Mandela International Day- 18th July



Nelson Mandela turned 92 years old on 18th July 2010. In spite of his age he hasn’t given up the fight. When he was younger he fought against racism and apartheid, which took him to prison for 27 years. Although he suffered a lot, he succeeded in changing the established values of his country. Now he is fighting against an epidemic that kills people all around the world, especially in Africa. He launched his global HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaign, 46664 in 2001 on his birthday and he hasn’t stopped ever since.

His life continues to be an inspiration for all of us. The Media concentrate too much on scandals and gossips. We are tired of all that, we want to hear about true stories of courage and dedication. Each of us can make a difference.


Below you can read a text I found about Mandela’s Day.

http://globalvoicesonline.org/2010/07/17/south-africa-67-minutes-of-change-%e2%80%93-mandela-day/

Many people know that Nelson Mandela spent 27 years of his life in a prison on Robben Island in South Africa. What most people don’t know is that Madiba (as he is affectionately known in South Africa) spent 67 years in the fight against racism and poverty. South Africa’s former President will turn 92 on Sunday, 18 July 2010. For the past 16 years, South Africans have been celebrating Madiba’s birthday with fervor and enthusiasm. In 2002, however, Nelson Mandela himself used this day to launch his global HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaign, 46664.
In 2009, the success of the 46664 campaigns and celebrations evolved to what is now known as “Mandela Day”, a day in which people around the world dedicate 67 minutes to making the world a better place for all. The organisers explained:
It was decided that there could be nothing more fitting than to celebrate Madiba’s birthday each year with a day dedicated to his life’s work and that of his charitable organisations and to ensure his legacy continues forever.
2009’s Mandela Day was a roaring success in South Africa. So much so that 2010 will be the first Nelson Mandela International Day as Joburg reports:
It will be the first Nelson Mandela International Day, as the United Nations passed a resolution on the day in November 2009, declaring 18 July an international day set aside for humanitarian activities. It is the first time the organisation has dedicated an international day to an individual, recognising him as a symbol of hope for those who are oppressed and marginalised.
Although the day will be celebrated worldwide, Madrid, in Spain has been chosen as the host of the first official Nelson Mandela International Day celebration concert, at which BB King is billed to perform.
New Yorkers will also host its own celebration concert. Staying with New York, an installation celebrating the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela was put on display in Grand Central Terminal in New York in honour of Mandela Day 46664. The installation features six illuminated 3-D action words: act, listen, lead, unite, learn and speak. The front of each word shows key messages that reveal Nelson Mandela’s values and inspire visitors to act.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Summer Festivals ...



Praia do Meco - Super Bock Super Rock Festival


Summer festivals are happening all over the country, mostly at the seaside or near a river or a lake.

High temperatures , holidays, music, water, cold drinks, good mood and an adventurous spirit are the ingredients for the great success of these summer festivals.

However, be alert and don’t let yourself be fooled by the temptation of drugs. You needn't be “stoned” to have a great time and enjoy life. The more alert you are, the more authentic your feelings will be.

Say yes to a free will and to enjoyment! Say no to drugs and to the destruction they carry with them !

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Cristiano's fatherhood: a Portuguese father and an American mother ...



Cristiano Ronaldo becomes a father – but mother keeps mum

Identity of the mother a mystery amid speculation that former Manchester United forward had arranged for a surrogate

He may have been an overpaid flop during the World Cup in South Africa but Cristiano Ronaldo is basking in the joys of fatherhood for the first time.

Portuguese media reported that Ronaldo's 9lb 8oz baby boy was born on 17 June two days after Portugal played the Ivory Coast and four days before he helped his side defeat North Korea 7-0.

But the identity of the mother was a mystery amid speculation that the former Manchester United winger had arranged for a surrogate after he said he had "exclusive guardianship" of the child.

The Portuguese newspaper, Diario de Noticias, said the baby boy was conceived last summer in San Diego, California.

Ronaldo's youngest sister, Katia Aveiro, told the newspaper that the baby boy has dark eyes and hair like his father.

"He is very happy, of course, who wouldn't be happy to have children?" Aveiro said. "The news is true but he doesn't want to talk about it. It's personal and when he wants to, he will talk." Ronaldo will make an official announcement when he had returned from Madrid, where he is dealing with professional matters, she said. She did not give the baby's name and the Real Madrid star insisted that the identify of the mother would be kept confidential.

The newspaper said Ronaldo, 25, had travelled to the Algarve immediately after his team were knocked out of the World Cup last Tuesday to be with his son.

A statement posted on Ronaldo's official Facebook page said: "It is with great joy and emotion that I inform I have recently become father to a baby boy.

"No further information will be provided on this subject."

Source: http://reidamoda.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/cristiano-ronaldo.jpg

Sunday, July 4, 2010

4th July:The national day of the United States


Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Cape Town : Portugal vs Spain




Portugal is going to play against Spain in this beautiful city today.

The Portuguese team is known as the Navigators in homage to the first Portuguese who reached these coasts in the fifteenth century and opened the sea route to India and to the East.
These Portuguese were led by Bartolomeu Dias(1488), a great Portuguese explorer and navigator. Some years later (1497-1499)Vasco da Gama sailed through these same waters and succeeded in arriving at India by sea. This was a time of great feats …

Let’s hope the Portuguese can once more beat their opponents and conquer the route to victory.

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (born on this day ,110 years ago) )


Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a French writer and aviator who was born on the 29th June 1900 and who died on 31st July 1944 during a reconnaissance flight over the Mediterranean during World War II.

He is best remembered for his novella The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince), and for his books about aviation adventures, including Night Flight and Wind, Sand and Stars.

I read The Little Prince many years ago and I found it superb! The simplicity of life and the purity of thought are revealed through the eyes of a child, the Little Prince. His vision of the world contrasts deeply with the grown-ups' vision and he fails to understand why we are turning our magnificent world into such a mess ...

Below you have a chapter of the book which illustrates what I said before (chapter VII). I advise you to read the whole story- http://wikilivres.info/wiki/The_Little_Prince

VII
On the fifth day — again, as always, it was thanks to the sheep — the secret of the little prince's life was revealed to me. Abruptly, without anything to lead up to it, and as if the question had been born of long and silent meditation on his problem, he demanded:
"A sheep — if it eats little bushes, does it eat flowers, too?"
"A sheep," I answered, "eats anything it finds in its reach."
"Even flowers that have thorns?"
"Yes, even flowers that have thorns."
"Then the thorns — what use are they?"
I did not know. At that moment I was very busy trying to unscrew a bolt that had got stuck in my engine. I was very much worried, for it was becoming clear to me that the breakdown of my plane was extremely serious. And I had so little drinking-water left that I had to fear for the worst.
"The thorns — what use are they?"
The little prince never let go of a question, once he had asked it. As for me, I was upset over that bolt. And I answered with the first thing that came into my head:
"The thorns are of no use at all. Flowers have thorns just for spite!"
"Oh!"
There was a moment of complete silence. Then the little prince flashed back at me, with a kind of resentfulness:
"I don't believe you! Flowers are weak creatures. They are naïve. They reassure themselves as best they can. They believe that their thorns are terrible weapons..."
I did not answer. At that instant I was saying to myself: "If this bolt still won't turn, I am going to knock it out with the hammer." Again the little prince disturbed my thoughts:
"And you actually believe that the flowers — "
"Oh, no!" I cried. "No, no, no! I don't believe anything. I answered you with the first thing that came into my head. Don't you see — I am very busy with matters of consequence!"
He stared at me, thunderstruck.
"Matters of consequence!"
He looked at me there, with my hammer in my hand, my fingers black with engine-grease, bending down over an object which seemed to him extremely ugly...
"You talk just like the grown-ups!"
That made me a little ashamed. But he went on, relentlessly:
"You mix everything up together... You confuse everything..."
He was really very angry. He tossed his golden curls in the breeze.
"I know a planet where there is a certain red-faced gentleman. He has never smelled a flower. He has never looked at a star. He has never loved any one. He has never done anything in his life but add up figures. And all day he says over and over, just like you: 'I am busy with matters of consequence!' And that makes him swell up with pride. But he is not a man — he is a mushroom!"
"A what?"
"A mushroom!"
The little prince was now white with rage.
"The flowers have been growing thorns for millions of years. For millions of years the sheep have been eating them just the same. And is it not a matter of consequence to try to understand why the flowers go to so much trouble to grow thorns which are never of any use to them? Is the warfare between the sheep and the flowers not important? Is this not of more consequence than a fat red-faced gentleman's sums? And if I know — I, myself — one flower which is unique in the world, which grows nowhere but on my planet, but which one little sheep can destroy in a single bite some morning, without even noticing what he is doing — Oh! You think that is not important!"

His face turned from white to red as he continued:
"If some one loves a flower, of which just one single blossom grows in all the millions and millions of stars, it is enough to make him happy just to look at the stars. He can say to himself, 'Somewhere, my flower is there...' But if the sheep eats the flower, in one moment all his stars will be darkened... And you think that is not important!"
He could not say anything more. His words were choked by sobbing.
The night had fallen. I had let my tools drop from my hands. Of what moment now was my hammer, my bolt, or thirst, or death? On one star, one planet, my planet, the Earth, there was a little prince to be comforted. I took him in my arms, and rocked him. I said to him:
"The flower that you love is not in danger. I will draw you a muzzle for your sheep. I will draw you a railing to put around your flower. I will — "
I did not know what to say to him. I felt awkward and blundering. I did not know how I could reach him, where I could overtake him and go on hand in hand with him once more.
It is such a secret place, the land of tears.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

24 th June: the great festival of São João (Saint John)




São João is celebrayed in many Portuguese cities, such as Porto, Braga( my hometown), Figueira da Foz and many others ...

Madredeus with English subtitles



Madredeus (vocalist:Teresa Salgueiro)

Music from the movie Lisbon Story (Wim Wenders 1995)

The 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal




Portugal is currently voting for its 7 Natural Wonders. There is a list of the 21 finalists in 7 different categories which range from protected zones to caves and which can be voted at www.7maravilhas.sapo.pt.

The winners will be announced in the Azores (itself a nominee) in September 2010.

I have already voted! And you?

The wonders of Portugal



Pictures of Portugal. Music by Madredeus (Portuguese group)



On July 2007 the New 7 Wonders of the World were announced in a spectacular ceremony at the “Estádio da Luz” in Lisbon.

On that same day, in the same location were also announced the 7 Wonders of Portugal, which had been chosen by the Portuguese during the seven previous months.

Portugal has such a rich historical heritage (the initial list included 793 national monuments); consequently choosing the 7 final ones was not an easy task.



Here are the 7 finalists!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Portugal is celebrating ...

World Cup 2010:



Raul Meireles celebrates the first of many. Seven, to be precise. Photograph: Lars Baron/Getty Images

Watch the best moments
Portugal 7-0 North Korea -

Saturday, June 19, 2010

José Saramago, the Portuguese writer who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1998, died yesterday ...




José Saramago (1935 - 18th June 2010)

Considered by Harold Bloom as the "most gifted novelist alive in the world today" Saramago has combined in his work history of Portugal, myths and surrealistic imagination. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1998.

José Saramago was born in Azinhaga, a small village in the province of Ribatejo. In 1924, Saramago's family moved to Lisbon, where his father started working as a policeman. A few months later, his brother Francisco died. Although Saramago was a good student, due to financial problems, he was forced to leave school in order to earn his living. Saramago was educated as a technician, and before becoming a journalist, translator, and writer, he did a number of manual jobs.

He joined in 1969 the Communist Party of Portugal, which was forbidden during the military dictatorship, but he also criticized the party. In the 1970s Saramago supported himself mostly by translation works, and since 1979 he has devoted himself entirely to writing. The author was living on the Canary Islands when he died on 18th June 2010.

Below we can find a list of some of his works.
(Many of his works have been translated into many different languages)

Prose

Memorial do Convento: romance. Ed. Caminho, 1982, Círculo de Leitores, 1984 (English)
O ano da morte de Ricardo Reis: romance. Ed. Caminho, 1984
A jangada de pedra: romance. Ed. Caminho 1986, Círculo de Leitores, 1987 (English)
História do cerco de Lisboa: romance. Ed. Caminho, 1989
O evangelho segundo Jesus Cristo: romance. Ed. Caminho, 1991 (English)
Ensaio sobre a cegueira: romance. Ed. Caminho, 1995
Todos os nomes: romance. Ed. Caminho, 1997
Terra do Pecado : romance. 1947. 2. ed. Lisboa : Caminho, 1997
O conto da Ilha Desconhecida / desenhos: Pedro Cabrita Reis. Lisboa : Assírio & Alvim, 1997
A caverna : romance. Lisboa : Caminho, 2000
O homem duplicado : romance. Lisboa : Caminho, 2002
Ensaio sobre a Lucidez : romance. Lisboa : Caminho, 2004



Read the all article at : http://www.lisbon-guide.info/celebrities/jose-saramago

Friday, June 18, 2010

National exams ...




National exams are taking place in all Portuguese secondary schools for all the students who have finished their eleventh and twelfth grades.

The exams students are taking depend on the course they are attending. My science students are taking: Chemistry/Physics and Biology or Geometry. My art students are taking: Geometry and History of Art. Finally, my language students are taking: a foreign language and Geography.
Today was the day of the foreign languages: English, French, Spanish and German. Students arrived at school loaded with all sorts of dictionaries.

Below you have the links to some national exams. Try them ...

English Exam

Spanish Exam 1

Spanish Exam 2

French Exam

German Exam

Portuguese for foreigners 1


Portuguese for foreigners 2

Monday, June 14, 2010

The Magic of Football ...


The eyes of the world are concentrated on South Africa and on the World Cup 2010.

We are celebrating the magic of football. It's amazing to see the power Football (Am. Soccer) has in bringing the world together.

I hate seeing violence and fanaticism, but I like the sharing of experiences, of cultures and fair play.

I hope the magic of football and fair play will win this competition.

Good luck to all teams.

Portugal, my heart is with you!

http://www.marca.com/deporte/futbol/mundial/sudafrica-2010/calendario.html

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Portugal and the Portuguese ...


In this month edition of the magazine Activa, I read a very interesting article about the Portuguese people. The article was written by Catarina Fonseca.

I found it so fun and interesting that I decided to present some ideas.
Free translation

We,Portuguese, are:


fanatic for football


bad at deciding one’s priorities in life- We have a jeep, but we may not have a tooth, because we don’t feel like spending money at the dentist. We have a smartphone, but our dinners are just bread with butter. We spend our holidays at Varadero, but our house mortgage is at risk.

conciliators- There is always a solution for anything. If someone has a car accident, people say : “It could be worse. He/she could have died”. If someone dies, people say: “It was better this way than sit all life on a wheelchair.”

always late- In every classroom or in every workplace there is always someone whose alarm clock failed to ring. Many think: “Why arriving on time?” Then we’ll have to wait for the others. No one likes waiting, we become restless and start thinking about life…

modest- We are incapable of accepting a true appraisal. If someone tells us: “What a nice skirt!” we immediately reply “ I bought it on the sales or “ It’s so old.”

adventurous- Since the moment we set foot on a caravel during the time of the Great discoveries, we feel unable to stop. There is a Portuguese in every corner of the world, no matter how far, hidden or dangerous it is. In fact, the more dangerous the place, the more adrenaline we feel…

sensitive- We always have a tear in the corner of the eye. There is a (bad) poet in every Portuguese. We may have several defects but we have a heart of gold. In fact, we love misfortunes. We are so soppy. We adore love poems (that others write, because we are too macho)

envious- The moment we see someone getting successful and rich, we try to pull him/ her down. If a woman has success, she has reached it horizontally … If a man earns much money, he has licked his employer’s boots. Politicians are all corrupt; laywers are all thieves… Footballers are the ones who may earn more in a second sleeping than we all life working, because they are our reason to be living; besides they are respected abroad.

pessimist
- There are no greater supporters of Murphy’s law. Everything that may go wrong, will surely go wrong…

able to find a solution for everything- there is nothing that will not function again if a Portuguese is there. The true Portuguese is the one that had dismantled four laptops, five mobiles and fourteen radios to see what they had inside (when he was only four years old).

insecure
- We are afraid of trying, because we are afraid of what people may say about us. We always think that the others will say something negative. Improbably, someone will say: “It was so good you did it, I’m so glad”. No. They will, surely, criticize us. This creates in us a fear that paralyses us. It makes us prudent. Society becomes a litlle bit paranoic. People are too conscious about themselves …

patriotic- We can’t stand hearing someone saying bad things about us. The only people who can criticize us are we, the Portuguese. Obviously.

dangerous at the steer wheel- More than dangerous, we are a totally mortal people: more people die in Portuguese roads than in the battles of Afonso Henriques (The first King of Portugal).

solitary- Catastrophes are our speciality. No one raises funds as quickly as us. We truly like helping. We are good at crisis. We are bad at routines. It’s the destiny of heroes…

addicted – To café (if we don’t drink one in the morning we get furious and start seeing aliens everywhere and start to listening to voices in the elevator; to mobile phones (we have at least four); to food, hmmmmmm!

Free translation