Happy December!

Hello everyone!

December is already here and with it comes winter, the festive season and (finally) the end of 2020!

Have you answered the questions from the previous blog post? I hope so! Today we’re going to discuss the answers.

These were the questions to be answered:

1. Has the writer answered the questions fully?
2. Was the text easy to read?
3. Was it well organised both in paragraphs and using connectors?
4. Look for adjectives and adverbs in the text, what sort of information do they give you? Why are they important?
5. How does the reviewer describe the action in the book? Have you learned about main characters and plot twists?

The answer to questions 1, 2, 3 and 5 is “YES” but, how about question 4? Were you able to find the adjectives used and identify why they were important? Let’s take a look at the text again, but this time you’ll find the adjectives (or words functioning as adjectives) highlighted in yellow:

The words in yellow are used to describe the nouns that accompany them. For example “enormous” and “inflatable” describe the noun “turkey”, not only clarifying that we’re talking about a plastic one but also conveying the idea that it’s floating in the air. But, what about the words in green?

As you have probably guessed, they are not adjectives but different parts of the speech (especially nouns) that give us extra information and help us draw the appropriate picture in our heads. This is called descriptive language. Let’s take a look at it!

Thousands of people indicates the amount of people at the parade. It is used instead of “There were a lot of people at the parade”

Spiral of anxiety, pain and blame. This series of nouns (spiral, anxiety, pain and blame) could have easily been omitted or replaced by adjectives like “the father becomes nervous and scared”. However, our first option seems, not only more natural but it also provides a clearer image of what the situation was like while letting on to the idea that the nightmare the main characters are living won’t end any time soon.

Many. We can also use quantifiers to indicate amount but not a specific number.

Undergraduate. By using this word we are letting the readers know that Miren has not finished her degree and, maybe even making them curious about why that is relevant.

Real page-turner. This is more of an expression than a part of speech in itself but it perfectly transmits the desired image to the reader: one of a person turning page after page trying to figure out what happened to Kiera Templeton.

As you can see, sometimes nouns are more important than adjectives when we are writing a review or article, do you dare give it a go? We invite you to write your review following the instructions given on the previous post and hand it to your ES teacher!

I really hope you have enjoyed this post. Leave us a comment or pay us a visit to learn more about any area of the English language!

Have a great december!

Writing part 2. Book review.

Hello everyone! I hope October has treated you well and you have received November with open arms!

Today, we are starting a series of posts about writing. One of the most common questions when using descriptive language is how to do so, what words and parts of the speech to use and how to organise it.

Well, we think that it is always better to work hands-on so here I bring you my review about Snow Girl, by Javier Castillo. I have chosen it because I know that it is a book that many of you have read and so you’ll be able to relate to this piece of writing.

There will be four posts in total divided in two blocks: B2 and C1 level. This first one will show a sample of the book review for first certificate and you’ll be asked to read it and give your opinion of the review answering a series of questions, which will be answered and highighted in the text for the second post. The second block will do the same but with a change of focus towards C1.

Let’s go for it! This is the task:

You must answer this question.

An international arts website is looking for reviews of novels for a new section called ‘A Reader Writes’. You have decided to write a review of a novel you’ve recently read for this section. Describe the novel and say what you think about it. Would you recommend this novel to other people?

Write your review in 140- 190 words in an appropriate style on the separate answer sheet.

B2 Sample review task

And this is the sample answer:

Snow Girl

I really liked The Day Sanity Was Lost, by Javier Castillo but with his latest book, Snow Girl, he has surely outdone himself.

The book starts with the 1998 Thanksgiving parade in New York City. Thousands of people wait for the enormous inflatable turkey and amongst them is the Templeton family. Aaron, Grace and her 3-year-old daughter Kiera enjoy the parade before her brother comes along in a few months. Aaron takes Kara to get a balloon she gets lost in the crowd, which leads to a spiral of anxiety, pain and blame, changing their lives forever.

Many journalists become interested in the case, including the undergraduate Miren Giggs, but as years go by without new leads, people lose interest and many in the police department think that Kiera is no longer to be found. However, five years after Kiera’s kidnapping, the Templeton’s receive a VHS film with recent footage of their daughter, who is now eight years old, playing in an unknown room and it won’t be the last one.

I really loved this book, it’s a real page-turner, engaging from the very beginning and keeping you engrossed chapter after chapter. If you like mystery and noir novel, I’d recommend this book as Javier Castillo never disappoints.

So, what did you think of it? Would this get a 5 out of 5 in the B2 First Exam?

Think about the following:

1. Has the writer answered the questions fully?
2. Was the text easy to read?
3. Was it well organised both in paragraphs and using connectors?
4. Look for adjectives and adverbs in the text, what sort of information do they give you? Why are they important?
5. How does the reviewer describe the action in the book? Have you learned about main characters and plot twists?

Read the review again and answer these questions, the answers will be discussed in our next post.

Until then, as usual, #staysafe !

Photo by Koshevaya_k from Pexels

We. Are. Back.

Hello everyone and welcome to the 2020/2021 school year!

There’s no doubt that the first half of 2020 has been a tad rocky, so to speak, but at ES we have started this school year stronger than ever. We couldn’t be more proud of our teachers and administrative staff for all the hard work they’re putting in and, most importantly, we couldn’t be more proud of our students, who have adapted to this “new normal” showing not only responsiblity, but also the same eagerness to learn that motivates us to keep going every year. For all of this, and much more not included in this text:

Thank you

In this post, we are going to sumarise all the changes we’ve undergone over the past months so that we could go back to class in the safest possible way. Take a look at the following Q&A:

What are the first changes I’ll notice when I go to ES?

One of the most noticeable changes is that, when you buzz, the street door opens automatically to avoid touching surfaces. When you leave, there’s a pad with a sensor in the hall: simple swipe your hand close to it (without touching it) and the door will open. 🙂

The second change you’ll notice is that, since the summer, both doors at ES are opened and the corridor is now one way. This means that, while you will still enter the school through the usual door, you’ll need to follow the arrows on the floor to leave through our (new) “exit door”.

Is there any procedure to be followed before we go to our class?

Indeed, there is. We’ve changed our London mat for a new one that will allow you to clean a disinfect your shoes and, once in the reception, you’ll have your temperture checked and you’ll need to use hand-sanitising gel.

Are the classrooms different?

Yes. We have reduced the number of students and placed transparent pannels in between each one of them, as well as the teacher, so that you can have your lesson with the most safety. Also, ventilation is really important so we have one of the windows in the class slightly open and, when possible, the door will stay open as well.

Note that, as the number of students per class has been reduced, we have limited spots and some times are already fully booked so, if you want to learn with one of the best schools you possibly can, don’t take too long in popping by!

Our new classrooms.

Can I feel safe at ES?

We have done, and keep doing, everything in our hands to make you feel that way. The classrooms are disinfected in between classes and we have created closed groups to reduce the number of people you’re in contact with. We feel safe at ES, and hope you do too. 😀

Is there any alternative to traditional face to face lessons?

Yes, there is. This year we are also offering the possibility of attending the lessons online, whether they are in a group or private one-to-one classes. Give us a call or send us an email for more information! We’ll be happy to talk to you!

Are you ready?

Our contact details

Phone number: 981 140024

Email: info@euroschoolofenglish.com

Address: C/ Fernando Macías 13, 1º 15004 ( A Coruña)

We really hope to see you soon. Until then: #staysafe

Developing your writing skills

Hello everyone!

How’s November treating you? It seems autumn has arrived to stay, and we love it! With rainy days we have more time, and it feels like we’re more motivated to go to classes and learn. So, today we bring you a special contribution by one of our teachers.

It’s exam time

Hello everybody!

I hope you’ve had a great Easter and a fantastic beginning of May. 🙂

Happy Easter!

Hello everyone!

Easter is round the corner and today we want to show you how we have been celebrating it at Euroschool.

Inversions (Part 1)

Hello everyone!

Today we’re going to talk about inversions.

What is an inversion and when can we use it?

A gift for life

Hello everyone!

You know that at Euroschool we’re always bringing you new ideas, so…..

Merry early Christmas!

Hello everyone and welcome to Euroschool’s Christmas! 

Comparative Adjectives

Hello everyone!

Today we are going to talk about comparative and superlative adjectives. I am sure you all have seen sentences like the following: