Hidden in Plain Sight

Gran Capitán student Rocío Espinosa Varón took first prize in the Bilingual Project Photography Contest, "Córdoba: Hidden in Plain Sight."

Rocío's photo, "Patrons with the Protector", showed a display case on Córdoba's famous Roman Bridge, with the reflection of the statue of San Rafael and the San Rafael Bridge in the background.

The second prize went to Noelia Morales Rubio, with her eye-catching photo of "Starfish in the Mezquita." Elena Mebrives Sepúlveda came in third with "Dark and Light", showing contrasting views of the stained glass window of San Lorenzo Church.

The photograph contest was the latest in a series of cultural activities in which the Bilingual Project students have participated this year.

Last December, they enjoyed a visit to the Medina Azahara, with its new archaeological museum. They attended an English-speaking guided tour within the museum, by a tourist officer. Each student read a description in English of one of the parts of the caliphate city.

Later, in January, the group toured some of Córdoba's most beautiful hotels, including the Parador Arruzafa, the Ayre Hotel, the Cordoba Centre Hotel, and the Adelfas Hotel. It was a good opportunity to learn about the hospitality business directly from the professionals.

In addition, the students took a tour of the historical center of Córdoba in March, using audio-guides that they had recorded themselves in English. Jose Aguilera of the Information Technology Department adapted the recorded audio files to be heard on mobile phones.

These cultural activities have helped the students to learn more about their home town of Córdoba, as well as giving them the chance to improve their English.



Dark and Light

It is a Romanesque Gothic Rosette, 13th century that belongs to the Church of San Lorenzo.
In this picture you can see it from outside and from inside the church, its colours change with the light and season of the year.
I chose this picture because it has a lot of symbolism for Cordoba.



Starfish in the Mezquita

In the west wall of the Mezquita we can find a fossil of a starfish. It draws my attention because the legend says that if you put your hand on it and you can make a wish and this will be fulfilled.






The Patrons with the Protector

I chose this picture because the reflection of The Archangel San Rafael in the morning seemed very pretty to me and also because it is found in one of the most visited tourist areas of Cordoba and hardly known. It is newly built.
The picture shows the altar dedicated to the patron saints of Cordoba, San Acisclo and Santa Victoria, located in the Roman Bridge, in a glass protected display case. Inside are engraved the names of the saints and palms that symbolize martyrdom. We can see the reflection of the statue of San Rafael (The Protector of Cordoba), which stands on an altar and at its feet is a shelf to place candles. Also, we can see the reflection of the San Rafael Bridge.

The journey back

Hello everybody! The experience is almost finished. The course was closed yesterday afternoon and after the last evening with the group I took a train this morning to the airport. It was raining, just for a change! I will have the oportunity to tell you many things and you can ask about any aspect you feel interested or curious. It has been a good time for me. Do you know one of the things I have learnt from? Being a student again. I have had three teachers and now I will think about what I like most of their classes. It is not easy to be sitting on a chair for six hours every day!
Another thing I have to decide is what to do with the blog COMPASS 2010. It was thought for these two weeks but maybe we can consider to use it along the whole year.
I am writing while I wait for the plane, and you just have to look at the picture of the post to know which airport I am now........YES, from Liverpool. I hope to see you on Monday,BYE BYE.

Sightseeing clues.

Read carefully anf look for information to find out the name of a beautiful town in England.

1. This town has the northern Europe largest gothic cathedral.

2.There is a river passing through the town.

3. You will also see a castle.

4.The name of the river is "Ouse"

5.There is a famous street in the old part of the town known as "The Shambles"



GOOD LUCK!!

Sightseeing at the weekend

Hello, everybody.Last Saturday and Sunday we did not have work and I decided to sightsee in Yorkshire, the county where Anglolang is. Following the advise of the teachers, I visited a beautiful place not far from here. It took 50 minutes by train. I really enjoyed the place and the things I could see. I invite you to discover the name of the town I visited.Read the following clues and try to guess where I was. The first person to write and send the right answer will get a prize.The deadline is Wednesday evening. Good luck!

First week has gone!

Hello everybody! The first week of the course has already finished. I have been busy all day so I could not believe when this morning in the school we were asked to fiil in a questionnaire about what we had done these first five days. The course is very interesting and well-organized.We are a group of nine teachers from five different countries and each day we have discussions about methodology, different ways of learning and teaching a foreign language, British culture and the different education systems we have in our school. The day is usually busy but not boring.

When schools finishes I go to my host family's house. It is a couple in their fifties, very nice and welcoming. She cooks really well, especially vegetables because her husband is vegetarian. After dinner, which is at 6 clock, I usually prepare some work for the next day, check my mail or go out with the teachers in the course.

The weather is being really chilly and snowy. Have a look at some of the pictures!. Thanks god I brought warm clothes and I am this kind of people who likes winter anyway.

What about you ? Tell me if there is any news in the school and how your work is going on.
Have a good week-end .I will tell you about mine next Monday. Probably I will go on trip to a nearby town.

Take care
Lourdes

(I encourage those of you who haven´t written yet to do it soon.)

(ESO) THe adventure of Tom Sawyer

Hello,Tom Sawyer and his adventures will be with you in the English lessons this month. There are 8 chapters in the book, so you will have one lesson to read and work on each part. After reading, you have to answer the activities at the end of each chapter .On the 26 of January, Tuesday I will take your work and it will be evaluated. It will be next Friday(29 of January) when we will do a test about vocabulary and comprehension.
Reading the book will be an opportunity to learn English and also to know about American society and literature. Good luck and enjoy the book! (I honestly believe you can do it)

(TVC). WORKING ON THE AUDIO GUIDE.

Hello, one of the most interesting activities of the course is the presentation of an audio-guide of Córdoba. You will work on this during this month of January. You will look for information, make a selection, write it and produce the text orally. It is a nice activity in which you will learn English, but you will also learn about Córdoba.We are really lucky to live in such a fascinating town. Let's show it to the people who visit us!

Once or twice a week you should get in contact with me, practising your written English. I promise to answer.
These two activities will be evaluated in the second term.
Good luck! I expect interesting work from the group.

Let's be in touch with web 2.0

Hello everybody. It is a new way to start a term. As you all know I will be in UK for two weeks doing a course, "English for Vocational Teachers". It will be a combination of course and meeting, since teachers from six different countries will be there. I am really enthusiastic about the idea and willing to learn a lot , refresh and improve my teaching and my job.
But what is really new and challenging for me is this new way to communicate with the students. It is the first time that I will use this tool for my classes. I want to be in contact with you and follow your work. I will tell you about my lessons , about the cultural aspects of the British life and anything I consider can be useful and interesting for you. Maybe I will have to ask for your help because you manage better with technology than me.
We will be in touch, I am sure I can have your participation.