FINAL REFLECTION

In this entry, I have to do a final reflection about my English. First, I have to say that when teachers talks to us we have to do this task, I’m very happy because it means that we are reaching the end of the school year and it is the best news now, because this year has been very difficult and stressful.

Regarding to my evolution and progress in English, I think that the best way to look at how much I have improved throughout batxillerat is by comparing my first writing with the last one. In this way, althought it’s difficult for me, specially, the grammar and I make a lot of mistakes in this aspect, I observe a big progress. The first one is in the fluency, because now I takes less time to do writings when I do compositions. The second one progress I observe is that now I don’t have to use too much the diccionary. The last big change has been the way of own writing that I have acquired. In addition, I have also denoted other small improvements, such as vocabulary.

In summary, this progress can be seen if we read one of the first news in first of Batxillerat and, then, we read the last one:

·       http://englishblog4esomarina.blogspot.com.es/2015/09/obama-heartbroken-as-white-house.html (First term first Batxillerat)

·       http://englishblog4esomarina.blogspot.com.es/2017/05/connecticut-high-school-draws-backlash.html. (Third term second Batxillerat)

Apart from writings, from my point of view, the progress in English in a student also can be seen in his oral presentations. In this way, I also seen progress in the presentations. The most importants are the pronunciation and the body language.

Although I observe a progress, I also have to say that there are a lot of things I have to improve, for example and the most important, in writings, the grammar, and, in oral presentations, I don’t have to be shy because it affects on my mark and I also have to improve the body language and pronunciation, because, although during this two years I improve it, I have and I can do it better, especially if I continue studying English and it is what I want to do.

After this analysis of my evolution, I want to show which I think is one of the best composition I have written and uploaded to the blog, in this way can be seen my English level. So, I don’t know which one is the best and that’s why I want to show two that I like it the most: Letter to a friend who is addicted to her phone and writing about soulmates.

·        http://englishblog4esomarina.blogspot.com.es/2017/05/writing.html

·      http://englishblog4esomarina.blogspot.com.es/2017/05/write-about-your-soulmate.html

Apart from the fact that they are two of the writings whit the best mark, I would like to comment that I have chosen them because they are two compositions that show the evolution I have done. So, in this two task I have improved over the others in the structure, because now I know a lot of connectors, in grammar, because now I know more things like passives or conditionals, in vocabulary, because now I can write with propriety and fluency, because now I can elaborate writings faster than when I begin in batxillerat.

Finally, I want to share what kind of activities we did in class with teachers that help us to learn and improve English. The best one I think that is the blog because along the school year we did a lot of writings and it helps a lot to improve in all aspects. Then, there are more activities that help us to learn, for example, songs or oral presentations. But I think we could also have done more debates between the whole class.

Definitely, during this two years I observe a very big progress in English but I know that my level isn’t the best and that’s why I have to continue studying English.

IMMIGRANTS IN SPAIN.

Do you remember the slaves of ancient civilizations? It seems centuries ago that this issue was solved and that the slaves were extinguished giving life to free people.

One thing that you have to know is that, nowadays, althought it seems incredible, slaves still exist.

Nowadays, slaves still exist, althought not the type of slaves we imagine when this word comes to our mind, but an evolution of the slaves in history. Thos, we can call them modern slaves.

If we look at our daily life we will find several examples of this type of slaves that will help us to define this term. For example, immigrants who come to a country. They don’t usually find work, by which they are forced to work in places where they are exploited.

From this example we can define modern slavery. In this way, they would be the new immigrants who flee their countries to look for a new opportunities and, when theu don’t find a job, they are finally being exploited by their bosses.

In short, today there are still slaves and to prove it we only have to look at our daily lives, Thus, a new way of calling the slaves has been created.

WRITING

20th April, 2017

Dear Alice,

How are things? Thank you so much for the lovely message you sent me for mu birthday. It was so beautiful. It has been so long since we didn’t meet.

I’ve got so much to tell you. Last week your best friend sent me a message. He was very worried about you because you have a season very hooked to social networks and your mobile. That's why I would like to give you some advice about it.

In the first place, all those electronic devices are very harmful to health if you spend a lot of time with them. For example, the screen may hurt your view if you look a lot. It is also scientifically proven that if you sleep next to the mobil, it transmits radioactivity to you. Well, I know all this things happens in the long run and it seems like I'm getting paranoid.

Secondly, I think you need to remember the most important thing: there is a beautiful world to discover off the screen of the mobile. You cannot waste time looking at social networks as time passes. You have to go out to discover the world and live experiences. That's why I think we should have a meeting of friends and plan a camping where there is no internet. This way I could show you the time you are losing dedicating it to social networks.

I hope it seems a good idea, write and tell me how about it. Can’t wait to hear from you.

Love,

Marina.

WRITE ABOUT YOUR SOULMATE.

Soulmate is someone who fits with you, but not necessary who has absolutely the same hobbies and interests, because both soulmates complement each other. This would be my definition of soulmate.

I’d rather say that is what I understand nowadays as a soulmate because years ago I didn’t believe in the existence of such people. But this opinion about non-existence of soulmate changed when life showed me the opposite, this was when I met my soulmate. I haven’t left him sice I met him.

Mario, my boyfriend and soulmate, is 18. He has brown eyes and is dark-haired. He also has lovely featuures and a beautiful mouth. Relating to his figure, he is very tall and he looks very attractive when he is groomed, althought still atractive without grooming.

In terms of his interests and hobbies, Mario loves playing PlayStation. He also loves to draw and sleep, but he also loves to do outdoor activities and sports. Mario is very smart, witty and so amusing with a wonderful sense of humor, he always makes me laugh. Besides, when I’m sad or overwhelmed he always cheers me up and he gets me to forget all my problems. I think his only fault is to be, at times, too good.

I admire him because he has a way of thinking and seeing things and the world very unique that I love it. I love all the moments that I spend whit him, for the way he is and how he makes me feel.

Connecticut high school draws backlash after it suspends 150 students for dress code violations

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/high-school-suspends-150-students-dress-code-violations-article-1.3141969

SUMMARY:

This news, written by Jessica Schladebeck and publishes last Saturday six of May, is about a Connecticut high school, which recently attempt to crack down on dress code violations prompting 150 suspensions in one day.

The students were called by the loudspeaker and immediately suspended for the following day. The reason was that students wore forbidden colors and sweatshirts with hoods. They even suspended a student, Allyanna Jones, who had never got into trouble. This girl offered to take off her sweatshirt and get cold before being suspended but didn't give her the opportunity.

As the dress code of the institute says: “they calls for boys to wear black or green shirts tucked into a pair of belted pants. Female students are required to wear shorts, dresses, and pants in navy, blue, black, gray or khaki.” The institute justifies the dress rules dictating that students are more focused on studying, it is more difficult to hide weapons and reduce the cost of clothing worn in school. Later the district erased the suspensions.

Different entities have commented on this event. Also the critics of the district contributed their opinion and criticized the extreme discipline to the cultural insensitivity between the members of the staff.

MY OPINION:

I have chosen this news because the title caught my attention. I wanted to check if the students had been suspended because of bad behavior or how they were dressed.

From my point of view, Although the institute has justified that they demand a certain way of dressing so that the students focus more on the studies and there are less problems, I consider that each one is free to dress as it wants. I don't think that they avoid everything they have said that is avoided by imposing how you should be dressed. If it works, I think there are other ways to avoid all that they have justified.

In addition, one could say that the right of free expression is violated because they can not express their style and their way of being.

WORDS I DIDN'T KNOW.

• tucked into
• Foster
• scrutiny

Cops fatally shoot BB gun-toting 15-year-old outside his San Diego high school

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/san-diego-cops-fatally-shoot-bb-gun-toting-teen-school-article-1.3143429

SUMMARY:

This news, written by Nicole Hensley and published last Saturday six of May, is about 15-years-old boy, who was killed by police in Sant Diego.

The reporter explains that the boy held a BB gun outside his school after calling 991 to get a welfare check. Lieutenant Mike Holden stated in a communiqué that when the police arrived, the boy held the gun and refused to release it, as he approached the police. The police saw their lives in danger and fired several times at the boy. The teenager was taken to the hospital but didn’t survive. Police declined that he was a student at the suburban Carmel Valley school and lived in the neighborhood.

The police identified the gun of the boy: a semiautomatic BB airgun, but they havn't revealed the name of the tenageer. The cops were a 28-year veteran and another police officer who had been in the department for four years, Holden said. San Dieguito Union High School District Superintendent, Eric Dill, also sent a word to the the family and friends of the boy.

MY OPINION:

First of all, I would like to explain why I chose this news. Therefore, in English class we have been working on human rights and I believe that in this news violates one of the most important fundamental rights: the right to live.

From my point of view, although the child carried a weapon and was a danger, I consider that the case could have been treated differently without the need to kill anyone. In my opinion, could have acted differently and disarm the child to be able to find the reasons why he was in that state with the gun.

I want to point out that it is true that the child was a danger but I consider that there were other ways to solve the problem.

WORD I DIDN'T KNOW.

• weapon
• brandishing
• rushed

LONDON

1.    

On our school trip to London, we will settle in The Safestay London, a hostel located about five minutes walk from the Elephant and Castle subway. The location of the hotel is very good, being close to the tube we can move easily inside the city.

2.     As for the hotel, this offers many facilities. For example, we will have internet, we can rent towels, etc. It also has spaces with computers and sofas to hang out with classmates. On the other hand, as for the rooms, these are spacious and have a washbasin and a separate shower.

3.     In London, one of the most visited cities in the world, there are a lot of amazing places and monuments to visit. Here are three of the most beautiful:

·       THE TOWER BRIDGE. The Tower Bridge is a bridge that crosses the River Thames in London. Its construction ended in the year 1894, after eight years of work. This bridge was born in response to public pressure for the construction of a new bridge for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, due to a high population density that demanded to communicate with other sectors within the same city. From my point of view, it is a very beautiful bridge and it is one of the monuments that makes me very illusion to visit.

·       BUCKINGHAM PALACE. It is one of the few remaining active royal palaces in the world. The palace is the official residence of the Queen and has hosted many historical events, from royal baptisms to visits by world leaders.

·       TRAFALGAR SQUARE. One of the most important and lively squares in central London. It was created in 1830 to commemorate the victory of the British Navy against the Spanish and the French in the Battle of Trafalgar. I want to visit this square because, apart from it is so beautiful, it also is situated in the middle of the city and the localization is very good to move inside the city.

Indonesian man claiming to be 146 years old passes away after wanting to die 'for a long time'

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/indonesian-man-claiming-146-years-old-dies-article-1.3129153

Summary:

This news, written by David Boroff and published last Tuesday two of May, is about a 146-year-old Indonesian man, called Mbah Ghoto and also known as Sodimedjo, who wanted to die and finally died last Sunday.

This man died in his house surrounded by his relatives. Papers belonging to the man indicate that he was born in 1870, although not documented in any paper because Indonesia didn't begin documenting births until 1900. As his age has not been verified, the Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment is recognized as the woman who has lived most years, mourned at 122 years.

Mbah Ghoto was hospitalized last month but he recovered and returned home, although since then he only ate tablespoons of oats and drank very little. In his last days, he did not eat or drink hardly, the man wanted to die. The man affirms that the key to living so many years is to have a family that loves you and cares for you, like his family.

In an interview last year, the man states that what helps him to predict his age is the memory of the construction of a factory in 1880, when he was helping his family to cultivate the land.

MY OPINION:

First of all, I want to explain why I chose this news. I caught the attention the title of the news because, despite how old man was, he claimed to want to die. Once I read the news, it made me reflect the fact that the man wanted to die.

We have to enjoy life to the fullest, in this way, if life gives us many years of life, as this man has, we have to be happy and continue to enjoy, above all, as well said this man, the family but also of everything in general.

Definitely, if life gave me all those years to live, I would be very grateful and I will live them to the maximum, in everything I could.

WORDS I DIDN'T KNOW:

• plow
• paddy

• porridge

HUMAN RIGHTS

As defined by the BusinessDiccionary, Human rights are the fundamental rights that human have by the fact of being human, and that are neither created nor can be abrogated by any government. Besides, Human Rights are supported by several international conventions and treaties, such as a the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human rights.

In the same way, human rights were created at the end of World War II, after the creation of the United Nations, it also was created organizations that looked after and protected human rights. So, that’s why, nowadays, we have the thirty articles of Declaration of Human Rights.

I consider it important to pay attention to the right to education. I would like to comment on the importance of this right, considering that without education countries can't evolves, and most importantly, no individual evolves. In this way, the most important thing to fulfill this right and as it has to be, as stated in the article, is that basic education should be free.

After exposing the positive of this article, I would like to make a small criticism about the education in my country. Although in most countries, including my country, this right is fulfilled and basic education is free, in my country to continue studying and to take a university degree or a medium or higher degree is very difficult, because it is so expensive. But leaving aside this comment about my country, I would like to comment on the worrying cases. There are many underdeveloped countries in which education is not a fundamental right or in which education, by the fact of being a poorer country, is not equal to that of the rest of the more developed countries. In these cases, this fundamental right is violated. Always happens the same in history, the poorest are those who suffer the most while the rich have no problem.

In summary, this right is essential for personal development and, although it is fulfilled in most countries, there are many others in which it is not fulfilled.

WE NEED HOPE.

In today's English class we have worked human rights phrasal verbs. In this way, the issue of radical political parties that nowadays governed different countries has emerged. So, in this entry, I want to state my point of view.

First of all, when we hear that a radical party rules, comes to our minds the name of Donald Trump. Because his victory in the elections has been one of the last surprises for the world, as far as politics, since such results weren't expected. But, although it is only spoken of America, in the majority of countries the radicals parties are triumphing. Another example is the upcoming elections in France, where the radical party has a chance to win. In addition to these, there are other countries in the same situation or that will soon find them in the same situation, as is the case of Venezuela, Russia or Africa.

After this small review, it is proven that you have to start worrying. I don't know why people vote for radical parties because, so far, history has taught us that it doesn't bring anything good to be so radical and closed-minded, as in the case of Germany and Italy years ago. So, although I don't know what is worse, I prefer to think that most citizens don't vote for these parties and the elections are manipulated or something similar. I cannot believe that there are rational and educated people who, reading the proposals of these types of parties, want to vote for them. 

From my point of view, the crises, although they are hard and difficult, are no excuse to vote for radical parties that don't propose anything good or solutions and that could lead us to situations similar to those of Nazi Germany or another dictatorships like that of Franco.

Caitlyn Jenner says she has no regrets, but admits strained relationship with Kardashians in interview with Diane Sawyer

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/caitlyn-jenner-no-regrets-transitioning-woman-article-1.3087877

SUMMARY:

This news, written by Peter Sblendorio, is about The transformation of Caitlyn Jenner, the father of the Kardashian who is now a woman. So, this news talks about how she feels after its transformation.

First, the writer exposes that the previously known Bruce Jenner, two years after his transition, doesn't regret her change but says that, along the way, she could have done some different things. In addition, she says, according to the interview, she behaved in that way in some subjects because she didn't know how to act and that he had never met a transgender person before her, so these last years have been for her a great dose of reality.

Later, Jenner talked about her relationship with her daughters, the Kardashians, and she admitted that the relationship with some of them is more distant, although she doesn't know if it is because of her transition or because they are very busy. But she thinks she's done the right thing.

Finally, Jenner will soon write a book and also help those parents and children who do not know how to act in the face of such situations. In addition, at the end of the interview, he gave his opinion on politics.

MY OPNION.

In the first place, I would like to explain why I chose this news. So, using the interview made to this entity known that has been changed gender, Caitlyn Jenner, I will give my opinion on gender change.

From my point of view, I think that although society seems to have advanced and modernized by accepting these cases, there are many aspects in society that demonstrate the opposite, for example, the criticisms that this woman has received.

I think we must change our minds and be more open because these kinds of changes are totally natural.

WORDS I DIDN’T KNOW.

• stated
• revoked
• vehemently

TORN'S SUMMARY

Torn is about Alice's adolescence. A good insecure and shy girl who loses her mother because of cancer. The story begins in the memorial of Tara, the typical popular girl. After this first chapter, the girl explains what happened.

They were in a school trip in Scotland when Alice, Tara, Polly, Rae, and Cass, the best friend of Alice, were put in the same cabin. No girl in the room could stand Tara, especially Polly and Cass because Tara makes them bullying. That’s why Cass planned a joke to Tara: she wanted to scare her off at midnight and pretend she was kidnapped. So, Cass convinced the rest of the girls. Finally, the joke went wrong, because when they had Tara tied to a tree, this one got an asthma attack. When the girls saw what was going on, Alice and Rae ran for the inhalator to the room, but when they arrived it was already too late: Tara had died. All the girls were very scared. Alice and Rae wanted to call the police but Polly and Cass forbade him and finally decided to hide the body in a well.

In a chapter, Alice explains that, when she was little, Alice and Tara were best friends.

After all this events, Alice, Cass and Rae were so affected and very guilted, especially Alice who began to see the ghost of Tara and to speak with him, but Polly seemed unaffected and glad of what had happened.

One day Jack, Tara’s brother, called Alice to stay. From that moment, they began to fall in love. Finally, they started to be a couple. The problem was that Alice kept that dark secret about his sister. Eventually, Rae couldn't stand it and committed suicide. The only happy one in the story was Polly, who became a popular girl with Friends.

Finally, when Alice and Jack were going to have sex, Alice cannot take it anymore and she confesses everything to the boy. The boy was very angry with her but he also was so in love with her that he didn’t tell the police. But Alice couldn’t keep the secret anymore and she told her father. Her father insisted on not telling the police because Alice was all he had, but Alice was very mature and she called the police.

TRAVEL DIARY

A couple of weeks ago we did a school trip to London, it was the trip of the end of the school year. So, in this entry I want to explain our experience and what we did in those four days that we were there.

DAY 1-  4 April

The first day we meet at 2:30 a.m in the school. There we took the bus to Barcelona to catch the plane to Gatwick Airport. When we arrived, we took another bus to get to the city. Finally, we arrived at the Safestay Hostel at Elephannt and Caastle and left the luggage. At that momento, the adventure began and we saw many incredible places.

The rest of the day we did a guided tour

around the city, where we visit among other places Trafalgar square, Buckingham Palace, Saint James Park, Houses of Parliment and The Big Ben.

Even though it was a very tiring day, it was incredible to be able to see all those sites, because I had been dreaming of being able to see them for years.

DAY 2-  5 Abril

On the second day, after having rested, we got up at 8 o'clk to have breakfast at the hostel and then start a new adventure.

After breakfast, we went to the British Museum, where we saw thousands of spectacular relics. Once seen by free the whole museum, we went in the typical red buses until Camdem Town Market. We stayed there from 13:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. After all the amazing thing we were seeing, we took a boat from Camden town to the other side of town. When we got to the other side of the city, after dinner, we found another guide, but this time it wasn't to see monuments, but to hear the story of one of London's most famous and terrifying characters: Jack the ripper. After the tour, we returned to the hostel.

Although every day were incredible, in my opinion, the second day was the best because one of the things I liked the most was the Camden market, the boat and Jack the Ripper route, among other things.

DAY 3- 6 April.

Like the previous days, we got up at 8 and had breakfast at the hostel. Afterwards, we headed to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. This day was our day off, so after the visit to the museum, we could visit and go wherever we wanted. In my case, we met a friend who now lives there. After free time, we visited two more museums: National History Museum and Science Museum. Finally, we went to dinner together and went back to the hostel.

DAY 4- 7 April.

We get up and have breakfast at the same time, we visited some places, among them, those I liked the most were The monument, because we were able to climb it and they gave us a certificate as we had climbed all the stairs, Tower Bridge, because I had always seen it in photos and videos and I was excited to see it, and also, Brought Market, because I really like the food markets. Finally, we went to the guided tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theater.

After all this, we return to the hostel to pick up suitcases and take the road back. We arrived at the institute at 4 a.m. Then our trip was over.

PARIS POLICE ARREST THREE RELATIVES OF ISIS GUNMAN WHO KILLED OFFICER IN CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES TERROR ATTACK

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/paris-police-cuff-3-relatives-isis-gunman-killed-officer-article-1.3084064

Summary:

This news, written by Chris Sommerfeldt, is about the arrest of three relatives by French authorities because of the gunman who killed a police officer and injured two others in central Paris shootout Thursday night.

First, the writer exposes that French prosecutors have found that a second suspect is involved in the ISIS attack. Then, all the information they have about the gunman and his crimes is presented. So, the last one crime he did was last Thursday, when he jumped out of a car and began firing an automatic weapon. Finally, he targeted a cluster of unsuspecting officers killing one of them. The shooter fled while firing until one of the cops shot at him. ISIS later took credit for the attack.

The authorities also found a pump-action shotgun and multiple knives in his car. Although the research continues, French interior ministry, Pierre-Henry Brandet, communicated to the radio that the man could be a Belgian national. Then, Belgian Interior Minister, Jan Jambon, opposed those words. The only thing that can confirm the authorities is that the man was a French national. When the investigations and incursions have been completed, whoever is to blame will be published, as Francois Molins, Paris prosecutor, said. But the prosecutor confirm that the attacker was well known by French authorities as a potential Islamist radical.

It is necessary to emphasize the situation in which France was during the attack: France readies for its first round of presidential elections, scheduled for Sunday. As Trump said, this attack will influence in the results. Besides, other important entities of France gave their opinion.

MY OPINION.

First, I want to say that I chose this news because nowadays terrorist attacks are starring our days. So, I want to give my opinion about this social problem.

From my point of view, last year a lot of terrorist attacks and deaths were caused and, this year, they continue. I think that a lot of damage has already been done and too many innocent lives have been destroyed. So, it's time to stop. The only thing that is achieved with this type of attacks is more hatred and war.

Finally, the only thing that can be said when we continue to see more news like this is that we are a very stupid species, because although we have great power of reasoning and mental capacities, we continue to kill each other for reasons that can be solved through speech .

WORDS I DIDN’T KNOW

·       Scheduled

·       Weighed

·       sow