Exploring the Wonders of Language and Culture: A Comprehensive Guide
Writing
1) Opening:
States the topic and the writer’s opinion.
2) Body:
Supports the writer’s opinion with reasons, facts, and examples; each idea is developed in a new paragraph.
3) Closing:
Restates the writer’s opinion.
Connectors
- And
- In addition (además)
- Also (también)
- Besides (por otra parte)
- As well as (así como)
- But
- However (sin embargo)
- In spite of (ya que)
- Because
- One/another reason for…is (una razón más para…)
- So (por lo tanto)
- Therefore (por lo tanto)
- Consequently (a consecuencia)
- For this reason (por esta razón)
- That is why
- In the same way (de la misma manera)
- Personally, I think that (personalmente, creo que)
- Generally (generalmente)
- In the first place (en 1er lugar)
- First of all
- Finally
- On the one/other hand
- In the end
- When
- Before (antes)
- As soon as (tan pronto como sea)
Directions
- Excuse me, I’m looking for
- Can you tell me where the is/are?
- Turn left/right
- Go straight
A Description of a Place
Opening
Mentions the name of the place and gives some introductory details.
Body
Describes the place in greater detail and gives examples of things you might see or do there.
Closing
Gives a summary or conclusion; often includes an opinion.
Letter
- Dear
- How are you?
- I’m writing to tell you about/I’m sorry I haven’t written sooner, but
- It was great to hear from you (fue genial tener noticias tuyas)
- Looking forward to hearing from you (espero escuchar de ti)
- Write soon
- That’s all for now (eso es todo)
- Love
- See you (nos vemos)
Narrative
- Last year/week/month
- It all began when
- Suddenly
- I had planned
Vocabulary
1)
- Ignore (ignorar)
- Keep in touch (mantener el contacto)
- Contact (contactar)
- Translate (traducir)
- Fluent (con fluidez)
- Bilingual (bilingüe)
- Discussed (hablar sobre)
- Misunderstood (malentender)
- Mother tongue (lengua maternal)
- Slang (jerga)
- Care about (preocuparse por)
- Challenge (desafío)
- Determined (empeñado)
- Harm (daño)
2)
- Official language (lengua oficial)
- Bad language (palabrotas)
- First language (primera lengua)
- Sign language (lenguaje de signos)
- Foreign language (lengua extranjera)
- Body language (lenguaje corporal)
3)
- Get across (comunicar/hacer entender)
- Get by (arreglárselas/defenderse idioma)
- Get through (comunicarse)
- Picked up (adquirir)
- Pass on (dar/pasar)
- Cut in (interrumpir)
- Cut off (interrumpir conversación)
- Cut out (suprimir)
- Passed down (transmitir/pasar)
4)
- I can’t stand: no puedo soportar
- I don’t mind: no me importa
- Hates: odiar
- I’m not keen on: no estoy interesado en
- Mad about: locos por
5)
- Complain: quejarse
- Apologize: disculparse
- Blame: culpar
- Warn: advertir
- Request: preguntar
6)
- Furthermore/in addition (va antes de coma)
- In addition to (no va antes de coma)
- As well as (así como)
- Too (va al final)
- Also (también)
- Besides (además=va antes de coma)
7)
- Crowded (lleno de gente)
- Local (local)
- Relaxing (relajante)
- Ancient (antiguo)
- Narrow (estrecho)
- Sandy (arenoso)
- Amazing (asombroso)
- Peaceful (pacífico)
- Well-known (bien conocido)
- Wide (ancho)
- Trendy (de moda)
- Remarkable (notable)
- Fascinating (fascinante)
- Luxurious (lujoso)
- Scenery (paisaje)
- Entertainment (entrenamiento)
Melilla
I live in Melilla, a small but big city located in the north of the African continent. It’s well known for its coves, and many tourists visit them every year. Melilla has everything that is wished for in a city. It’s beautiful, has ancient and new buildings, has big parks, cinemas, theaters, a river, and especially there are magnificent beaches and cliffs. The climate in Melilla is always very good. There is a great quantity of restaurants where to eat international food. In the center, we can see many modernist buildings, and also, the best shops of the city. In Melilla, four cultures coexist: Christian, Muslim, Bean, and Hindu, all of them with their traditions. Melilla is very ancient and is full of history. It possesses a walled, well-known city as”Melilla the Old” In addition, if you want more, you can enter Morocco, where you have snow, deserts, and beaches you praise, where Melilla turns into a door to another world. To end, I must remember that the best of my city is its nice, hospitable, and respectful people, where you will feel relaxed and captivated by its environment. Undoubtedly, Melilla is wonderful.
Opinion
Do you learn foreign languages at school? In my opinion, it is clear that everyone should learn at least two foreign languages at school, in addition to the mother tongue, not only for fun
, but also by necessity. There are many reasons for learning languages, and even more when you’re at school, which is when you learn and you have more time to do so. There are other foreign languages different from English which are spoken in many parts of the world, such as the Chinese, which is progressing through their technologies and is expanding globally. Approximately six thousand languages are spoken in the world, of which many of us only learn two. In fact, more and more companies require their employees speak several languages. Also, learning new languages helps us to have more culture and can communicate with anyone in the world. In conclusion, learning languages is important and I think it isfundamental to our future. Seize the moment!
MY WORST HOLIDAY: Last year, my friends and I wanted to make a trip. Emily suggested going camping, John wanted to go to a youth hostel and go sightseeing and Juliet wanted to go to a beach to sunbathe. No one could agree, so I proposed a trip unlike any other: a skiing holiday. All of us approved the idea and we went to Glencoe Ski Resort, a wonderful place on the top of a mountain full of snow. It all began when we went to ski away from the cabins. We had bought tickets for a whole day. Suddenly it started raining and it was when Juliet slipped, stumbled over a rock and broke her ankle. I had to call the ambulance, but it took an hour to arrive. Fortunately John had a first aid kit in his backpack and could heal the wounds. Finally, the ambulance arrived and Juliet was taken to hospital. They were my worst vacations, though Juliet has already recovered completely. This year we will go to the beach, I hope nothing will happen. PRESENTAR A UN AMIGO: Dear Cecily, how are you?It´s a long time that I don’t receive news of you. I miss you. I have to tell you many things. I´m writing to tell you about a friend of mine that I´d like you to meet. In my school, I have met many new people. They are very nice and sociable. Today a new boy has come to my class, called Juan. He is tall and well built, has blue eyes and short hair. On the one hand, he is very happy, always he is smiling, but on the other hand he is hard working. He loves basketball and also loves the movie Twilight, I think that you have got to meet him, because you both share the same interests. Next Friday, we are going to the cinema. You have to come, we will amuse ourselves! I´ writing for your response anxiously. Love, Meriem.
CARRERAS: Dear friend Ali: Yesterday I received your letter and I´m glad that you are okay. Do you remember when we saw the competition of motocycles? It was marvelous, wasn´t it? On Tuesday I saw a rally car race in Cerdeña. What a pity that you were not with me at that moment. I never saw a race in person, I always watch them on Television. I was very impressed the strong noise of the engines. There were many people watching the competition. One of the cars almost crashed into the public. Thanks of god nothing happened. There were twenty-four cars in the competition, one of them, the number fifteen, it skidded in a closed curve and gave six returns of bell. Luckily nothing happened to the driver. The truth is that I think that it is better to see from the TV, since many accidents happen and I still have great for living. Please write and tell me about your life. We are meeting on Saturday. A big hug. BIOGRAPHY: David Belles was born in 1973. He was born in Fécamp, France. He was raised by this grandfather, who told him stories about his father, an acrobat and hero firefighter. He grew up manting to be loke his father. David Belle began developing parkour at the age of 15 with his friend, Sebastien Foucan. He was daring, unconventional and determined. He loved athletics, gymnastics, climbing and martial arts. Then, he appeared as a stuntperson in films and adverts. Finally, the Parkour Worldmide Association was created to develop parkour all over the world. David Belle said parkour is a way to life and that it helps overcome fears and develops mind and body.