Post 10. >>ESSAY

The last, but not the least!!!

Dear students,

You have come to the end of your blog writing activity. Biggest congratulations on your effort!!! I’m sure your hard work has paid off.

Your last post consists of a short essay.

Here you are some webpages with the main features of an essay and some simple and useful tips on how to write it.

http://www.articlesbase.com/writing-articles/how-to-write-a-basic-essay-133332.html

http://esl.about.com/cs/writing/ht/ht_essay.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_4562285_write-simple-fiveparagraph-essay.html

And here are three possible essay topics to choose from:

1. Your experience learning English at the university / A general reflection
2. The use of technologies within the different subjects you've studied this year (Review/opinion)
3. Chile 2010: What are your views on Chile's bicentennial year?

Keep in mind that the structure of your essay should be as follows:

- Introduction (about 80 words)
- Body: 2 or 3 paragraphs (about 200 words)
- Conclusion: (about 70 words)

I hope you get a lot done!!

POST 9 B. THEMED POST: ANIMALS AND PETS

Some people are animal lovers, others use and abuse them. Some people can't live without their pet animals, others raise animals to make a living .
Today you have decided to write about animals, so here you have some questions to help you write your post.


Do you consider yourself an animal lover?
Did you use to have a pet when you were a kid?
Do you have a pet now? If so, tell us about it. If not, would you like to have one?
What animal do you think makes the best pet? Why?
Do you know someone who owns an unusual pet?

How do you feel about the use of animals for medical research?
Do you think it is right to keep wild animals in a zoo?
Do you think people should buy and wear fur coats?

Have you ever been bitten by a dog? (... by a snake)
Do you think dogs should be banned or muzzled?

If you could be an animal, what would you (choose to) be? Why?

Remember to leave a comment on 2 of your classmates' posts.
Number of words: 300

POST 9. THEMED POST: HOME SWEET HOME

So far I have lived in 5 different places, and the flat I live in now is, by far, the best of all of them. Why? Well, for many reasons: it’s near the underground -which Is very convenient, there are lots of shops, banks and restaurants nearby, my street is safe and quiet, and there’s a park just a hundred meters from my block of flats.But nothing is perfect in life. My flat is rather small, so when I entertain guests, if just five people come over, then there’s no room left to swing a cat! I would definitely like to live in a bigger flat.
Today you’re supposed to write about your home. Here you have some questions to help you put your thoughts on paper.
How many different homes have you lived in?
How long have you lived in your current residence?
Is your home in a convenient location?
Who do you live with?
Who are your neighbors? Do you get along well with them?

What is in your bedroom?
What do you like about it?
What do you like about your home? What don't you like about it?
What changes would you like to make to your home?

In the future, would you rather live in a house or an apartment? Why?

Describe your dream house (money is no problem): location, style, size.

What do you think houses will be like in the future?

Remember to leave a comment on 2 of your classmates' posts.Number of words: 300

Post 8: HOW GREEN ARE YOU?‏

This week´s post is related to looking after the environment. So, we want you to tell us how far down the green road you are, in other words, what shade of green you are: an Eco-Hero, a Tree-Hugger-Hater or a Green-in-Between.
Here you are some questions to help you start off writing your post:

- Where do people learn about enviromentally friendly practices?
- Have you incorported recycling into your habits? Describe
- Do you use a bike or your legs instead of a car?
- Have you joined or supported any eco-organisations? Why/Why not?
- What else have you done /would you like to do?
- What have you done to reduce your carbon footprint?
- What's missing in our society/Santiago ragarding this issue?

Keep in mind that the number of words is 300 and don't forget to make comments on at least 2 of your classmates posts.

(Tree-hugger: an environmentalist or one who believes trees and all living things should not be cut down or harmed. Someone who works to protect the environment from destruction or pollution)

POST 7. >ART: PAINTING

This week you have decided to write about art. So as to narrow down this broad topic we are going to focus into Painting.

Here you are some bullet questions to start writing.

Introduction

-Why is art important?

-Why do you enjoy art?

-Were you interested in art when you were a kid?

-Do you like to visit art museums?

Body

Your skills.

-Can you draw or paint pictures well? Have you ever participated in any art competitions?

-Have you ever been jealous of someone else's artwork?

Your personal views.

-Do you like modern art? Do you find Picasso's work astonishing or weird?

-Do you consider graffiti a form of art or vandalism?

Your favourites.

-Who is your favorite painter?

-Do you have a favorite painting? If so, what is it? Why do you like it?

Make sure you write at least 300 words and remember to leave a comment on 2 of your classmates' posts.

POST 6 : SUMMARY FROM A CAREER-RELATED ARTICLE FROM THE GUARDIAN

In order to write today's post you have to access the following web site: http://www.guardian.co.uk/
Once you are there...
> Select a news item connected to your area of studies / future career.
> Write a summary of it.
> Provide the link to your piece of news.
> Make sure you write between 200 and 250 words.

Remember to leave a comment on 2 of your partners' posts.

POST 5. THEMED POST: The Cinema

THEMED POST: The Cinema
Gone with the wind... , The Godfather..., Singing in the rain... , Psicosis... , 2001: A space oddisey... , The exorcist... , Cabaret... These are just some of the most popular films ever. Have you seen any of these films?

This week's blog assignment is to write about a movie you have seen. Make sure to include the following in your post:
Do you like going to the cinema? If so, how often do you go?. When did you last go?
Do you ever rent or buy films?
What's your favourite film?
What is it about?
How many times have you seen it?
What are the good and weak points of the film?
Would you reccomend it?
How would you rate it?: A must see? Good? Just fair? I want my money back?
Write between 250 and 300 words and remember to comment on two of your classmates' posts.
I look forwards to reading your reviews.

POST 4 >> WHAT TO DO / WHERE TO GO IN SANTIAGO

How well do you know Santiago? Were you Santiago-born and bred? Or did you move here after you were born or after you graduated from high school?
The topic of this week's post is: WHAT TO DO / WHERE TO GO IN SANTIAGO .
When writing your post be sure to answer these questions:
- What places should a foreigner tourist visit in Stgo?
- What things should a foreigner tourist do?
- Make a list of top 5 places/activities, describing them, giving suggestions and explaining the reasons for your choice.
- Don't forget to leave a comment on 2 of your classmates' posts.
Number of words: 250 - 300

SESSION 3: 1st THEMED POST

Hi everybody,
The topic you have chosen to write about today is Music.
Here you have some bullet questions to choose from that will help you write your post.
Introduction:
-How important is music in your life?

-How does music make you feel?

Body:
-What kind of music do you like?

-Is there any kind of music that you particularly dislike?

-Who's your favourite music group or singer? Why do you like him/her/them?

-Have you ever been to a concert.

-Do you listen to the radio, or your own music collection, primarily?

-Do you ever download music files from the internet?

-Do you ever buy CDs?

-If you were a song, what song woud you be and why?

-Can you play a musical instrument or read music?

-How well do you sing? Do you like singing karaoke or while in the shower?

-What is your first memory of learning a song?

Closing paragraph or conclusion (choose one):

-What do you think the world would be like without music?

-Why is music so important to people and culture?

Remember to write around 200/250 words and leave comments on 3 of your classmates' posts.
I hope you get a lot done!!!!

POST 2: A COUNTRY YOU'D LIKE TO VISIT

Hi everybody,
The topic of this week's post is: A COUNTRY I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT.
-In order to write about it, try and answer the following questions:

- Which country would you like to go to? Why?
- What do you know about it?
- What would you like to do there?
- Would you like to study/work/live there? Explain.


You are supposed to make comments on 3 of your classmates’ posts.
Make sure you write at least 200 words.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

HOW TO INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR BLOG:
1. as editor, visit your blog dashboard
2. click: layout or design
3. click: add a gadget
4. select: link list
5. add links info
6. save

HOW TO ADD IMAGES TO YOUR BLOG.
1. dashboard > click: image (add image)
2. examine
3. choose layout/image size
4.upload an image/click on " I accept terms of service"
5. save & publish

POST 1 - FIRST TERM: GOOD AND BAD POINTS‏

Hello everybody!
Please follow the instructions for your first post, which will be related to last term.

Write about your experiences during the first term of 2010.
Describe:
- the relevant things you learned/studied
- the sports and free time activities you did
- the challenges you had to face
- Others (family, friends, etc..)
- Word Count: 200

GREETINGS

Hello dear students,
You might be wondering where the name of my blog came from. Well, I just named it after a song I really like, which has been recorded by many singers, such as Johnny Nash, my favourite version ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkwJ-g0iJ6w ), Jimmy Cliff ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OITxdCJg2Y&feature=related ), and many others.
This song is very cheerful and optimistic and, since the days are getting warm and sunny, I thought it would be quite appropriate.
Here´s the lyrics to the song in case you are in the mood to sing along:

I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me down
It's gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day
It's gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day

Oh yes I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
It's gonna be a bright bright bright bright sun shiny day

Look all around there's nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead there's nothing but blue skies