Final Reflection

When I started first of batxillerat, my level of English, compared with my current level was much lower. Now I have seen my first post from last year "Description of myself" and compared it with last I wrote this term and I was very surprise. My first redaction didn't have connectors, it didn't have interesting vocabulary, and only had short sentences. Now when I see my last post I realize how much I have improved with these aspects of writing. The vocabulary is better, the sentences are more elaborate, and I use more connectors. Also I know to use an introduction and a conclusion. The toppics I have written about these last week are more interesting than the ideas I had in first of batxillerat. I think that my use of verbs tenses has improved, but still it is not perfect!

Also I compared my first oral presentation of last year with my last oral presentation of this year and for me, the most important change, is the pronunciation. The way that now I talk is much better than last year and also the way of moving in front of the video/audience is improved. In my first oral I was very nervous and was speaking very quickly. I am not so nervous in presentations now , I have more confidence, but it is not a relaxing experience.

Another change that I see is the time that I can talk now in English because last year was so difficult for me, it was difficult to make my presentation sufficiently long. Now, although I still think it is difficult, I have more capacity to talk, communication with my teacher and students is better.

I'm happy to see the improvments in my English in my years in batxillerat. I still have a lot more to learn and I know English is very important for my life in the future. If I can I will try to study and try not to forget the English I jave learnt.

Dialogue

Yesterday I was talking to a farmer about his job, his life, his routine... and our conversation was like this:

S- What's you job?
F- I'm a farmer
S- Oh! nowadays it's a job which is wiping out.
F- Yes, yes... I know but we can't do anything.
S- Why do you think so?
F- I think so because in our days young people are used to working in companies, industrial areas, etc. in the city in general.
S- It's true and now times have changed... you got any son? to continue working in this job?
F- Yes, I have 1 son and 1 daughter. My daughter is eleven years old and my son is studying at university so he won't be a farmer.
S- Hahaha! because of people like your son, agriculture, and jobs related to rural areas are dying out! aren't they?
F- Yes it's a shame, but true!
S- I'm aure that in a few years farmers will be able to see their jobs improved.
F- I hope so!
S- Thank you for the interview and for your time, Good Luck!

MY 3 COMMENTS,,

http://somewhereonlyweknoow.blogspot.com/2011/04/he-thogh-he-was-suffering-from-migraine.html#comments

http://douaaenglishblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/film3-metros-sobre-el-cielo.html#comments


http://justundiscovered4.blogspot.com/2011/04/last-months-on-high-school.html#comments

The death penalty

Nowaday in Spain the death penalty doesn't exist. I think that if a country uses the death penalty they have to be very sure that they have all the evidence and know that the person is guilty. If they make a mistake and execute someone, they cannot change the result. There have been examples where after years of being in prison someone has been found to be innocent.

On the other hand, for example, if in the future I have a child and someone hurts, violates or kills my child I would want yhem to suffer the same. In the bible it says: " An eye for and eye, a tooth for a tooth". If someone kills another person, that person should also be killed.

The death penalty only exists now in some states of America and in some Asian countries. I believe in revenge but I still have to think that if they make a mistake, then someone innocent dies.

In conclusion I think that the death penalty in our country, Spain, should exist because there are more cases of violent crimes, murders, sexual violations... that with the death penalty, maybe, there wouldn't be so many cases like these. However, I also think that when applying the feath penalty we must be sure that the person convicted is the correct one because this person could die accused of a thing that he it had nothing to do with! Here we have a big problem, the worst problem about having or not having the death penalty.

Formal Letter

Almogavers street, nº10

Castelló d'Empúries, Girona

17486

14th april 2011

Jonh Ritch

Director general

World Nuclear Organization

White Street, nº14

London

Dear Mr Ritch I am a student at IES Castelló d'Empúries and I'm writting to inform you of My opinions about Nuclear power stations. Every Year more power stations are built and I know that we need power for bussines and in general for all people, but I don't believe that we need to depend on nuclear energy; I think that we should for search alternatives energies.

After the recent disaster in Japan, we should be trying to prevent anything like this happening againd at least we should make sure that all power stations are safe. New safety precautions should be implemented. I know this involves spending a lot of money but so many people have died in Japan, it is the minimum that we can do.

I don't believe near a power station, there are only 4 nuclear power stations in Catalonia, but in France there ara more than 30. The products produced by a nuclear disaster can affect countries sorrounding; look at what happened in Hiroshima! I think that we need to do something. I hope that you agree.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully

The more the world develops... The greater it's thirst for energy

Today, all of countries, use a lot of energy; energy for them is indispensable. For them to survive, for us to survive.

In 1800 with the Industrial Revolution, the big countries like USA, United Kingdom, France, Germany... started a race to be the first in everything, for example: in economy, energy, consume, etc.

Until 10 years ago, the consequences of this growth were not evident. It is only now that we are aware of the consequences.

Also these countries to arrive at this level of development they have put in a lot of money! But I think that the money is not the most important; the most important and also the most biggest error is that in the desire to develop so quickly and the need for energy power supplies to develop, these countries have not considered the environment. The developers have destroyed rainforests; they have caused huge amounts of pollution; there have been disasters with oil tankers and nuclear explosions (An example of that is Japan).

In conclusionj I think that tecnology, development... of a country is not bad, but the problem appears when do not think about the problems that can arrive after the "abuse" of our world because maybe in this moment we don't see the consequences but later they become clear often too late. What will happen when our energy resources finish? how will all this development function without oil, gas, electricity? NOTHING LAST FOREVER!

Home Alone

Last weekend my parents and my brother went to Germany for visit cities like Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Cologne. My parents asked me if I wanted to go with them, but I said that because of exams, homework, etc. It was better that I didn't go, to make things worse for to finish the course, we only miss one month!

When I thought well, without parents, alone in my home... PARTY! I should organise a party! In these cases it's the "normal" thing, but how I knew that my parents go out only for two days, I organise some thing more than "normal" than a party, a BBQ! I told all of my friends: " this night BBQ in my home! you must bring meat snacks, crisps... or something like that. The BBQ went very well.

Everything has a bad part. My parents trusted me and also to look after the house and do things like sweep the floor, wash plates, look after the dog, etc. This was a lot of work! But I managed to do everything and also have a good time!

Now, I know the good work of my mum.

Animal Cruelty

Everyone loves animals, especially when they are young. Many people get small animals or give small animals for Christmas or birthdays. All is good until the animal starts to grow. Then the problems start.

Animals are a responsibility, like a child. An animal needs food, you have to clean them, walk them. You have to look after them. When they start to grow they start to make problems; dog eats objects, cats destroy the furniture, etc.

What do the people do? They abandon the animals or leave them outside all day and all night. When the people are tired of the animal, they dicide to leave the animal. You could not do this to a child!

Here in Castelló the animal sanctuary "Progat" is over capacity with abandoned cats and dogs. Do not buy or accept an animal unless you're prepared to look after it all of its life.

UNDERAGE DRINKING

Nowadays almost of teenagers drink alcohol before they are 18. The younh people today want to experiment too much. They don't have enought fun at parties, discos, etc. If they don't have drugs or alcohol.

Why? possibly with this age of technology, where all our free time is with computers, video games and mobiles, we have no imagination. We don't know how to have fun. Perhaps all the extreme video games and films we watch we think normal life is boring.

Also we start to do things like go to discos too young and too often it is nothing special- so to make it special... Alcohol.

Alcohol and drug abuse before the age of 21 results in one part of your brain not developing - therefore your intelligence is also affected.

In conclusion I think that drinking alcohol isn't bad if you are old enought. But If someone drinks so much and their body gets used to it, then alcohol is destructive. Everything in moderations acceptable, but anything in excess is damaging.

TaTToos

Tattoos are in fashion. Even the rich and the famous are "wearing" tattoos. There are so many different tattoos. Some are words, some symbols. People have tattoos just for decoration, other people because it has a special significance, someone special, religion, etc.

Tattos are not expensive to have. They are hygienic ( if you visit a correct saloon) but you must remember that they are permanent! There are methods of removing them, but they leave a scar. Before having a tattoo you must thinking well where to have the tattoo, what is the tattoo.

I think that famous people have a bis influence over "normal" people, for example: If I see Cristiano Ronaldo (Football player of Real Madrid) and he has a tattoo on his arm, maybe he can change my opinion and I will say " well, I'll have one done too".

At the moment I hven't dicided If I'll have a tattoo or not... I still have time to decided.

JAPAN

Now Japan is in a emergency situation. On the 11th of March, in Japan there was an earthquake in the Pacific Ocean; 8,9 on the richter scale, and this earthquake provoked a tsunami, a huge tsunami! In a question of moments this tsunami destroyed everything in it's path, killing thousand of people and leaving thousands more homeless.

When I saw this news, I dind't belive it. I feel a lot of pity for all the japanese affected by the disaster. They will have to rebuild their homes and their lives.

Not only an earthquake and a tsunami but also the threat of a nuclear disaster and now freezing weather and snow! and with all of this the rescue teams now, have to search for souvivours, their job is much more difficult.

With all of my heart I wish that the situation in japan will become good and also wish that all of people affected by the tsunami, earthquake, etc. can recuperate quickly.

MOTHER OF 4 JAILED FOR HAVING SEX WITH A 13 YEAR

a MUM of four was jailed today for seducing a 13 years old she dubbed " Rude boy" on her mobile phone.

Perverted Kerry Lee, 25, sent the lad dozens of text messages inviting him to her home at 2am. The messages read: "Are you still awake? if you are, come round "," Love you" and " See you in the morning babe". A judge heard that brunette Lee then carried out sexual acts on the schoolboy who became " besotted" with her. Prosecutor Marion Lewis told Cardiff crown court: " Lee saved his number on her phone as Rude Boy and sent him 28 text messages in a week. " He didn't ser her any text messages because her never had any credit. The way he would respond is to go over to her house. The relationship came to an end when the boys shocked mother found love bites on his neck and called police. Mr. Lewis added: " The boy said they had been boyfriend and girlfriend for about a week. He said the relationship with her kissing him. She asked him whether he would like to come and sleep with her in her bed,

Single parent Lee, of wildmill, Bridgend, claimed the boy " had a crush" on her and had made uo the allegations after she rejected him. But she was found guilty of four charges of sexual activity with a child and jailed for 18 months today.

THE DAILY MAIL.

TIME GOES TOO FAST

Time goes too fast. It has been "two days" ,in a manner of speaking ,since we were in primary school with no responsabilities, we were younger... and now I'm here, doing and English work for second of Batxillerat. Next week is holiday, then Easter, then Selectivitat, then summer, then University... The hours, days, weeks, months pass so quickly!

I would like to " stay young like Dorian Grey", but I know that this is impossible, I think that I have to take advantatge of all the moments in my life. Live my life to the limit. Enjoy all that I can before it is too late.

Perhaps we are making time to go to quickly by always trying to do too many things. Perhaps we are always looking forward too much. We should enjoy the day we are in not be looking forward to weekends, holidays, etc. Perhaps we all need to stop looking at the clock and relax.

The consequences of FAME!

Fame is a thing that all the world would like to have; the money, the clothes, the big houses ,the expensives cars ... but fame has a price like privacy, no freedom, you must always have a perfect image and behaviour.

I think that if you want fame, you must be a very responsable person, with a strong character, etc. to be able to withstand the pressures and temptations. Many young people do not have the necessary characteristics. Look at the examples of : Hannah Montana, Demi Lovato, Paris Hilton, Drew Barrymore, Wayne Roony ( English football player) all became famous young and the consequences have been disasterous.

They have problems with drugs, alcohol, prostitute, attitude and more problems that we don't know.

My favourite sport

In general , I like sport, all team sports like football, tennis, volleyball... but my favourite sport is football ; I like it very much. I played football from five years old, in the team of my village. Last year this team was broke up because all my friends left, the trainer go to other team... and I dicided to play five a side football. At the beggining I thought it was very boring but after when I started to play I saw that this sport was fun and more dynamic than normall football.

I played five a side football for one year, then my team again broke up and now the team is in figueras. I would have liked to continue but to go to Figueras three times a week takes up too much time because I'm in second of Batxillerat and I have to study. At the moment studying is my priority and my future.

In conclusion I like football very much and I hope in the future I can start to play again.

Extra weeks holidays ( February best time)

This year the Government changed the school holidays. They removed one week in September and put this week at the end of February. In September it's the end of the summer holidays and when you thought that you could have had one more week of holidays, you feel that you have been deprived like you have had a week taken from you. All the first week of school, you feal bad and not prepared to start work again.

However, now it is February and soon we will have this extra weeks holidays. This is like an extra susprise and we forget about the week we "lost" in September.

Also I think that now this change is very good because on the 11th of March the second term finishes and I have a lot of work, exams, etc. and for this, this week will be useful to relieve the pressure and rest. Then I can start the third term with work finished and with myself recharged.

ESO to BATXILLERAT

I started ESO when I was younger, 12 years old. ESO is four years long and to graduate you have do these four years. After that, you can try two options: 1- go to work or 2- continue your studies doing batxillerat or spacialist studies.

I tried de second option, batxillerat studies, especially social batxillerat. This change was very big because, in a manner of speaking, ESO appears too easy in comparison to batxillerat.

Last year I started to do first of batxillerat and I addapted very well, but my main problem was English. In ESO the teachers didn't insist we work a lot, they didn't put pressure on us, because of this English wasn't important to me. To start batxillerat I saw that the leavel of all the subjects were very complex, especially, English, and since this moment I knew that I had to do something with English. I started private classes of English and all started yo get better.

This year also I am doing private classes and still have some problems with English but a lot less than before

Oral Presentation: My research project

HuMaN rIgHtS

0. Do you know about human rights? what's your score?
My score is 14/41! Before doing the quiz I thought that my score would better, but from my results I can see the bit that I do not know about human rights.

1.What are human rights?
Human rights are rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled.

2. When did human rights start?
On December 10th of 1948 the general assembly of United Nations proclaimed the declarations of human rights.

3. Why were they created?
Human rights were created to try to get all the people to respect each other. To try to prevent problems concerning the race, colour, sex, religion...

4. How many rights are there?
There are 30 articles, and each one is a definition of one right.

5.Which human right were you not familiar with?
I think there aren't any human rights that I'm not familiar with, because I think that all the rights are very important if we want a society that works well.

6. Choose one human right and discuss:
- Watch the video of human rights
-It is fully respected in your country today? justify with news, comments, studies of the sbject ( cite the links of your information sources)
-Do you know if it has been respected in the past? why or why not?
-Where in the world is this right not complied with? Check here.

7. Are Human rights relevant in the world today? why?
I think that now, even more than ever, human rights, are relevant and very important in the world today, because in fact, every day the world gets " a bit crazier". There are people that have extreme power and money. This power and money can be used for bad porposes. With human rights this power and money should be used to respect the people, for example. Preventing child labours, appropriate work/living standards, the ability to speek freely without being punished.

My FaUvOrItE dAy Of tHe ChRiStMaS hOlIdAyS

My fauvorite day of the christmas holidays is, exactlly, the last day of the year, 31 of Desember, New years Eve. It's a very special day for all the people in the world because we think about all the things that have passed in the year, they stay with family, they have a dinner, talk... At twelve o' clock they eat 12 grapes and then they go with friends to party!

Last year I went to dinner with my family at my grandmother's house, like every year. After that I went with my friends to a disco (Millenium, Girona) and we spent all night there. This night, was the best night of all the year.

This year, I don't know my plans. Perhaps I will go to Barcelona, a new place, different emotions, atmosphere... but definately I will first spend time with my family: eating, talking, remeniscing and eating grapes.

I think that this year will be better than the last year