Catching up

I knew it had been a while since I'd written on this blog, but didn't realise it had been THAT long!

But then again, since my last post, I've set up and/or delivered 19 sessions of Cambridge English Young Learners Tests.  It's always a busy, busy time  (and sometimes stressful - I must admit - making sure that each session has all the administration materials and that everyone of our team of examiners knows where to go and at what time takes some doing).  But the end is in sight and thanks to the professionalism and willingness of the YLE examiners at the Exams Centre where I work here in Cantabria, things have run smoothly like every year.

Normally, while we are inside schools, other lucky people are heading to the beach, but we haven't had that this year.

But today the sun is shining brightly!!

http://doubtfulnews.com/2013/01/tanning-as-safe-as-a-ray-of-sunshine/

Having a bit of spare time today (Saturday), meant I had time to reflect, and I started challenging myself to think of songs about the sun!!!

'Here comes the sun' came to mind of course and I posted a link to the version by Steve Harley and the Cockney Rebels on Youtube.

I also thought of 'Ain't no sunshine when she's gone' (sung by several different artists I like) of course.

And one I hadn't listened to for years - 'Sunshine after the rain' by Elkie Brooks.  Just found that and listened to it on Spotify.  'Sunshine on my shoulders' by John Denver, 'the House of the Rising Sun' by the Animals.


And I discovered a new song to add to my spotify lists - 'The sun, the trees' by Russian Red.  It's great to discover new things.

Now, time to switch off the computer and get outside .......in the sun!

But before I do, just a quick mention of a Spanish group based in Somo here in Cantabria - a great song and fantastic scenery.

American English

Another day with a few minutes spare to try and clean out and organise my email inbox.  (Some days because of (lack of) time, all I can do is read the emails that come in.)  

While re-reading one email, I checked out a useful resource I'd been sent by the local Teachers' Centre.

http://www.americanenglish.state.gov/

I haven't had time to try out all the resources yet, but I did download the Sing Out Loud Traditional Songs mp3 file and liked what I heard (and sang along!).

I have also downloaded the pdf. document of the book:

I shall continue to check out more resources, but thought I would make a move and share this site with you asap.

Tomorrow, I'm off to Alcalá de Henares, to the

4th Cambridge English Iberian CEM Conference, Centenary Reunion, 2013

I'll be meeting up with my seminar presenter team, with centre managers, team leaders, inspectors, people from the Cambridge ESOL Madrid office and from Cambridge ESOL UK too.  I hope to come back with lots of ideas and inspiration!!

Speak to you next week!

Off on holiday!

Photo taken from:http://www.excitingvacations.net/specialty-vacations/honeymoons-romantic-getaways/

I am taking (a well-earned) rest!!  Won't be back for a couple of weeks .........

But just before I go, here are a few links based around the topic of summer:

http://www.anglomaniacy.pl/summerTopic.htm
A collection of games based around some summer words.  It's a shame that the model pronunciation given isn't always accurate, but nevertheless, it's attractive.

A new site I discovered this week:
http://www.esolcourses.com/uk-english/elementary-course/travel-and-holidays/beach-picture-vocabulary.html  (very attractive pictures)

Conversation questions for the classroom:http://iteslj.org/questions/beach.html

And just to get myself in the mood (and to make you feel relaxed too!), here is a link to a youtube video with great music and photos!!!

http://youtu.be/2thfSJ0Iox8

Bye ........

Busy times

Today, I have finally returned to this blog - at least for long enough to sit down and write this post.

Busy times!!

http://forum.belmont.edu/eleader/2012/04/05/message-from-the-associate-dean-busy-times-a-month-in-the-life/

Right now, my roles of Speaking Examiner for Cambridge ESOL and Supervisor and Coordinator for the YLE Tests in my area for centre ES027 are taking up most of my waking hours!

Yesterday, during the Advanced Speaking Tests, candidates gave lots of different reasons for why they are studying English:  students in their last year of high school who will be heading off to university want and need a qualification to help them along their path towards a career; engineers and businessmen and women for their current or future work; more than one candidate who had lost their job recently and need to prove that they have an advanced level of English on their CV.  I hope they find a job soon.  I have never come across so many people in one examining session who had lost their job at this point in their lives.

Lets hope the situation here in Spain (and other countries) picks up soon.

A week ago, I travelled along the north coast again to San Sebastian, but this time, not for work, but to watch Bruce Springsteen in concert.  Fantastic experience!  Best concert I've ever been to I think.

Bruce sang lots of songs from his latest album, including Jack of All Trades, which he dedicated to all the people in Spain who are affected by the current economic situation:  http://youtu.be/_uoAd36koX8?t=30s


You can listen to a better recording of the song here:

Jack of all trades is a term that we could apply to us teachers.  I could add more roles to this poster, and I'm sure you could too!

Well, that's my post written for today - now I'll turn to something else on my 'to do list'! ................