27 octubre 2013

About Halloween

Introduction. Halloween is a holiday in most English-speaking countries that is celebrated on the night of October 31st. Children wear costumes and dress up as ghost, witches, zombies, monsters, goblins and other scary characters and then, they go to peoples' homes saying: "Trick or treat!" to ask for candy and sweets.

OriginsThe word Halloween comes from the original "All Hallows' Eve", that is to say, the eve before the Christian feast of All Saints' Day, which takes place on November 1st. This day is dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows) and martyrs. Halloween has pagan origins though, and for many scholars the Celts, in their harvest festivals or Samhain, introduced the celebration.

Costumes. On Halloween, it was believed that the spirits and ghosts of the dead came back to roam the earth. People then wore masks and "dressed up" in an outfit to look like one of the spirits to avoid being recognized as one of the living.

Jack-o'-lanterns. They are big empty pumpkins carved with monstruous faces that hold candles inside to project scary lights and shapes in the dark.

Trick or Treat! It is a short expression the children say to threaten people, and its meaning is basically: "Give me a treat or I will play a trick on you." The treat refers to getting the candy (or even money), and the trick is usually a prank, or any other mischievous action, played on the householders.


20 octubre 2013

We are BEDA!



Last Thursday, 17th October, our dearest School was officially approved and introduced into the BEDA Program as we were awarded the distinctive BEDA badge that, from now on, will be shown at the school's main entrance.

The event was part of the BEDA Congress for Catholic Schools that took place in the Lasalle School of Maravillas, in Madrid; here we post a couple of pictures.

As a result, the school will apply some important measures to improve the English learning and will start up some amazing projects.

Let's all give a warm welcome to the BEDA Program! This is just the beginning...

12 octubre 2013

Let's Certificate!



Times are changing... and English language is more and more universal every year. Students all over the world learn English at schools from an early age and millions of people speak English as a foreign language. It is a part of our education indeed.

In European countries, especially those attached to the European Union, English knowledge is more than just a useful communicative tool. It has definitely become the official language and even an obligatory requirement in order to have a successful professional career, either in a national framework or abroad.

Europe has developed the so called Common European Framework of Reference ("Marco Común Europeo de Referencia: Inglés") to establish the levels acquired in English language. The table below shows the different certificates and the information about the levels themselves. 

Take a look and help yourself with the information.



Calvin & Hobbes is so cool!


I just love "Calvin and Hobbes". I've always thought the series is a masterpiece. Bill Watterson, creator and drawer, is a genius, an icon, a reference.

The plot is simple, but brilliant: an imaginative five-year-old kid who behaves like a boy but thinks like an adult. His favourite toy is a teddy tiger that comes to life when others aren't around... but only in Calvin's imagination. The kid is terribly intelligent, moody, creative and very very naughty. The style and the speech is simple, but the message is deep and appealing, which makes the series suitable for both adults and youngsters.

"Calvin and Hobbes" is for sure one of my favourite English comics. Have a try. You won't regret it. Simply hilarious!

Click here for lots of comic strips!! Enjoy :)