ex. G, p. 111 Student's book (Letter/Email) B2 (lower)

Dear Keeley,

I'm glad to have received your email and I hope you figure something out after my suggestions, COMMA as that's a serious decision for your future.Also, you will certainly benefit from that school, COMMA since it is specifically designed for talented students, like you, COMMAS and many more who might not have the opportunity to have a learning experience like that.

To begin with, I can understand why you are not comfortable with this decision. I was in your shoes 9 years ago when I had to choose between the mathematic school and the normal/ conventional one, where most students used to be. So after a lot of consideration, I opted for the maths school and today I am one of the best mathematicians in the country, having a really well-paid job and a family, too. * So, if where you, I would probably opt for the music school for the simple reason that it will be one off of the most beneficial colleges high schools for you and for every talented musician to go to.

On the other hand, you may lose some friends and won't you may not be able to communicate with them in person when you are used to, in the mornings before the school ring rangs bell rings and start the lessons start. Nevertheless, (that is a little too formal for a letter to a friend- you can still use however) you will be able to chat with them, COMMA using the social media or even having video chats with them providing you have a smartphone or a tablet. Besides, you could meet them at cafés and talk about the news in their school, as you will be absent.

In conclusion, that's a great opportunity for you το expand your knowledge on music and try to study it at the future.Nonetheless, (too formal again) it's up to you what you choose and I hope that you are well-informed about the music school and what it will imply.

Love/ Best wishes is more appropriate for a penpal,
Anderson-> you must sign off with your first name

*Jim, you are supposed to be a student with an English-speaking friend. You don't have to assume the role of a successful adult just to convince your friend to follow your advice. You have to be you and that is enough! (Good life advice, by the way!) So you are just a student choosing to pursue Maths and you recommend this kind of special school to your penpal. Simple as that!  

Your attempt at writing the letter was a great one! Some words could be a little less formal, but still you proved you can use advanced vocabulary and grammar. Your sympathy towards your friend and good advice also gave you marks. Pay attention to my corrections, which we can discuss in person or in the chat group with the rest of your class. 

Communicative effect 4/5 (because of the way you signed off and your new identity!)
Language 4/5
Organisation 4/5
Content 5/5 

17/20!!! Well done, Jim! Keep up the effort! Christina 💪😏👍

My 2020 song

David Guerra  ft. Sia is the song that represents my personal goals for 2020.I want to be stronger and to be able to stand out in everyday life's challenges.My swimming routine and my school schedule are the most difficult and maybe the most important things, especially school which I need to keep on working hard for.

https://youtu.be/JRfuAukYTKg

You will excel, as always! Great choice, swimmer! Christina 

Sugata Mitra: Build a School in the Cloud

Watch the video and click on the interactive script underneath to read the speaker's words

Use this online dictionary to help you with difficult words when necessary.

Read more about Sugata Mitra.

Now write your opinion on this TED talk in a comment or in a new post:

• What is the 'Hole in the Wall' experiment all about? 
• Do you agree that Minimally Invasive Education is effective? 
• Could it ever replace traditional schooling?

Computer room activity on Poetry

International Day of Poetry 21st March: Dead Poets’ Society

Watch the videos, read the poem and write down your thoughts in a comment, answering the question:

Why do we read and write poetry? How will the inclusion of poetry in the national school curriculum help the development of the young minds?

(Remember to turn the profile you are using for this blog from a Google+ one to a simple Blogger profile if you are currently using your Google+ information to sign in here, as this platform is soon to be shut down. Go to the settings of your account to fix this.)

Benefits of using technology

  Technology is used in every classroom. It is a widespread phenomenon and there are many ways in which it aids both teachers and students during the learning and teaching process. 

(The students can reap the benefits of the use of technology as it is suitable for all learning styles.)--> not to be stated in the introduction, but in the main body

  There are a lot of benefits of using technology. Firstly, the lessons become more interesting because of the wide variety of online activities and the opportunity to chat with foreign students. Students can be more open minded and knowledgable, (comma) as they have access to the internet and they can obtain useful information, read e-books and encyclopedias or join a social networking site. Moreover, there are online lessons for students to do at home.
  There are further benefits related to technology in the classroom. It encourages people to keep learning and it helps students with disabilities to conduct research more easily. Also, teachers can prepare their lesson, find lots of activities and discover new methods of teaching.
  In conlusion, there is a number of advantages related to the use of technology. It is a blessing and an intriguing way to learn information if we use it wisely.

Material on Educational Technology

http://markaki-reading.wikispaces.com/Educational+Technology

Letter of opinion!

Dear Sir/Madam,

       I am writing with reference the article about the safe space for schools that I read with interest. I stronly believe that scchools have to provide a safe space for keeping students in good health, mentally and physically.

      Firstly, I could not agree more that students need a place where they can exercise and be sociable. So, I support the idea of turning the school yard into an attractive one with a lot of greenery. Due to the fact that are tired after the lesson so they need a place to relax and to breathe a sigh of relief. Therefore, in an modernplace students are able to come together and to feel up to excercising and having fun. So, boredom will wear off. Moreover, new students can easily settle into a tidy and beautifully decorated place.
   
       I also understand the fact that schools spend money on equipment for classrooms and laboratories because they aim at providing students whith a more pleasant way to learn and to pursue a dream. On the other hand, it is hazardous for students to trip over or have an accident, especially students tht are in puberty, due to the enthusiasm and the lack of attention that they have.

      Taking all of this into consideration, safe space for schools has to be on our agenta because schools have to help students learn pleasantly, provided that students have an attractive and safe place to relax after the lesson.

                                                         Yours faithfully,
                                                               Varverakis Marinos

   

Studying abroad vs studying in your home country

Nowadays, it's true that more and more students are tend to study abroad for their education. In spite of this fact, some people think that studying abroad doesn't make any difference than is not different to studying in local universities. In my opinion, studying in the interior or abroad should be considered from according to what the students want to accomplish.


Firstly, by studying abroad students are enabled to study subjects that might not be available in their countries. What's more, the students get involved and learn new cultures and ideas, broaden their horizons and make friends around the world. Another important part of studying in a foreign country is that there are many international students doing the same, so in this way the students can discuss and learn many things on their subject by getting in touch with them. To sum up In other words, I think that studying abroad can supply to the students new friends and experiences, better knowledge on the subject they are interested in and also important life experiences.


Although studying abroad could be a great opportunity to visit and live in different places around the world, there are also some important barriers which should be taken into consideration of by all the students who are interested in studying in a foreign country. The most important parameter is the high living cost other countries have. It's difficult to study abroad without spending too much money on house, food , clothes or fees. Furthermore, another serious problem is that the lectures in the other countries are usually given in the native language, so (thus/ hence) the students should be prepared and literate of fluent in the language. (Avoid 'To sum up' in the main body) Therefore, the high living expenses and the language could be a problem to the students who want to study abroad.


In any case, I personally believe that by breaking down the (aforementioned) barriers of living abroad and by learning the topical local language students would have a unique experience and they would also make friends all around the world.

Essay on Homeschooling

Nowadays, a growing number of parents consider more about school and an alternative to traditional education or homeschooling, as we call it. Homeschooling is a different method of education that allows the students to study at home with their parents, instead of attending the formal lessons at school. Many people believe that homeschooling could be a better solution for some families which have difficulties to send difficulty sending their children to a public school and others say that this will create problems to the children and that it will work against their natural development. In my opinion, homeschooling could create more problems than alternative education.


It is true that homeschooling refers mostly to people who are not capable to leave of leaving their house because they have some serious health problems or in the past had have been victims of bullying and improper treatment from their schoolmates. However, (comma) homeschooling can be used for more reasons and it might sometimes have a better effect than state schools. At first, homeschooling gives students a more flexible program. In this way, they can attribute perform better and will also give the capability to the students to focus more on the subjects they prefer. What's more, because of this flexibility, if some families live in isolated locations or they have problems because they can't pick up their children on time, they will now be able to avoid these problems and also keep an eye to on their kids (more formally: children/ young learners) during their studies. In addition, the material of their studies can be chosen from a wide range of books and subjects so the students will be enabled to have a well- rounded education. There are so many books that someone could choose or download from the Internet as well as games and other activities. These can be the formal school's books or other ones. At last Last but not least, another advantage of homeschooling is that these who have problems on a subject or they want to attend to a local school's lessons to get a better knowledge of it, are always free to do it.


Although that homeschooling can be a great source of knowledge and education, it can also create instability and undesirable problems. What concerns people who are against alternative education is that because of the conditions that it has in which it takes place, it could have an effect on children's socialization and make them more unsociable. It is also believed that parents are not always in the position to educate their kids and that is due to the fact that most of them are not qualified educators. Public schools might have problems too, but they also have the necessary equipment and staff that is required to for them them to perform their role as well as the y desirable social environment for students to socialize. I think that not facing the problems that concern s most of the parents, such as bullying or educational problems, (comma) doesn't help them (who? weaker students?) become better, but it results in them being isolated and maybe academically worst worse.


In conclusion, I think that homeschooling should only be allowed to kids (informal) that face serious problems with their education and not an optional tool that can be used by anyone. What would happen if one day everyone decides to leave schools? Would the educational system become better?

E.C.C.E- Speaking Test: Education/School/Future education

1.I'm in the first class of senior high school.

2.I like my school because it has a pleasant atmosphere and generally I have a great time there.

3.I would like extra scholl trips and I would like to do more sports too.

4.+ 5. I generally like subjects like maths, physik or chemistry because I am of the positive direction and my favorite subject is maths.

6.I don't like ancient greek or such subjects because they are boring for me.

7.+8.I'm planning to go to the university after the exams.

9.The education is very important and I believe that it should be compulsory but it is ok the level of  the compulsory education.

ECCE- Speaking test Education/school/future education

1)I am first year of senior high school.I am going at the 3th senior high school.

2)I really like my school because we have very good teachers.Also,we have very clear toilets and clear schoolyard. Furthermore,we have good children.

3)In my school I would like playing volleyball and school trips but we aren't going every year.I want it very much.

4,5)My favourite school subject is chemistry.We are doing in this subjects a lot of thing. We talk about atoms and microorganism.I really like going to the laboratry and doing experiments.

6)I don't like mathimatics because it is very difficult.I think that it is horrible.

7)I dont't know exactly.I really want to go on vocations.I dont't know where but I would prefer go to the island.Also,I want to go to Matala for camping. Furthermore,I really want to relax this summer.

8)My plans are very difficult after finish senior high scgool.. I want to be a lawyer a very succesfull layer.I really like this job because I want to go to court very much.

9)I believe that education is very imporant for children because it teaches you a lot of new things for example :mathimatics,ancient Greek,chemistry e.t.c.I believe that it should be compulsory until high school.