Modern Day Fables

Modern Day Fables

Instructions: You and your partners will follow the tradition of Aesop's fables by writing your own modern story with a classic moral. Read the list of morals below and choose one that sounds interesting. Then click the link that corresponds to your group number. Here you can write your story. Try to include at least one image in each page. Also, be sure to include at least 7 of the conjunctions (connecting words) from the list below.

List of Morals

• Appearances are deceptive
• Revenge will hurt the avenger
• Necessity is the mother of invention
• Do not attempt too much at once
• Not everything you see is what it appears to be
• People often criticize what they cannot get
• There is always someone in a worse situation
• The one that laughs last, laughs the hardest
• A man can smile and still be a villain
• Try to please everyone and you will please nobody
• A liar only tricks himself
• Quality is better than quantity

Conjunctions

• WHEN
• WHILE
• BEFORE
• AFTER
• AS SOON AS
• UNTIL
• ALTHOUGH
• BECAUSE
• SO
• BUT

Group Links

Group 1: CLICK HERE

Group 2: CLICK HERE

Group 3: CLICK HERE

Group 4: CLICK HERE

Group 5: CLICK HERE

Group 6: CLICK HERE

Vocabulary Rally - Literary Genres

Vocabulary Rally - Literary Genres

Introduction: Work with your group to identify as many literary genres as possible. Look at the puzzles below and try to solve them. You can use Google if you need help!

Puzzle 1: These words are scrambled. The letters are disordered. See if you can figure out what they are saying. 

Click to see full size version

Puzzle 2: These words have some missing letters. See if you can figure out what they mean.

Click to see the full size version

Roleplay: Interview with the Customs Officer

Roleplay: Interview with the Customs Officer

Introduction: In this unit, you are studying situations related to air travel. One thing to consider when you travel from one country to another are the rules related to immigration and customs (aduanas). In this activity you will roleplay an interview between a customs agent and a Costa Rican traveler arriving in another country. The agent will ask the traveler questions about the items he/she is carrying to determine if they are allowed to enter the country.

Choose your roles. One person will be the customs agent and the others will be passengers. Click your link below.

Instructions for the customs officer: CLICK HERE

Instructions for traveler #1: CLICK HERE

Instructions for traveler #2: CLICK HERE

Instructions for traveler #3:  CLICK HERE

Designing a Proposal for a New Airport

Designing a Proposal for a New Airport

Introduction: In today's class we are reviewing vocabulary related to airports. As you probably know, the government of Costa Rica plans to create a new more modern airport in Orotina to replace Juan Santamaría International Airport.

Your Task: Imagine you work for an architecture company and you want to present a design proposal for the new airport. Work with your partners to create your design using Google Jamboard. When you are finished, you will present your design to the government officials and they will select the best proposal.

Example: Click to see full size image

Try to include at least 7 of the vocabulary words from the unit, but you can use more if you want..

• Airport terminal
• Baggage drop-off
• Baggage claim
• Check-in desk
• Customs
• Departures board
• Gate
• Runway
• Security
• VIP lounge
• Takeoff / Land
• Get on / Get off
• Others

CLICK HERE to go to the Jamboard and begin designing your airport proposal. 

Knock Jokes to Practice Homophones and Homonyms

Knock Jokes to Practice Homophones and Homonyms

Introduction: You saw that Knock Knock Jokes are a very common style of jokes in English that involve similar sounding words. To tell a knock knock joke, you must pretend that you are knocking on a person's door. The knock knock joke always follows  the same pattern.

• Joke Teller: "Knock Knock"
• Listener: "Who's there?"
• Joke Teller: "X"
• Listener: "X who?"
• Joke Teller: ...THIS IS THE FUNNY PART

Your teacher put you in two groups. With your partners take turns clicking on the links and telling your knock knock jokes. You do NOT need to share your screen for this activity. If someone does not understand the joke, you can say it again. If nobody understands the joke, write down the number so you can see it with your teacher later.

Group 1

Joke 1: Click Here

Joke 2: Click Here

Joke 3: Click Here

Joke 4: Click Here

Joke 5: Click Here

Joke 6: Click Here

Joke 7: Click Here

Group 2

Joke 1: Click Here

Joke 2: Click Here

Joke 3: Click Here

Joke 4: Click Here

Joke 5: Click Here

Joke 6: Click Here

Joke 7: Click Here

TOEIC Preparation: Identifying Common Distractors in Parts 1 and 2

TOEIC Preparation: Identifying Common Distractors in Parts 1 and 2

Instructions: 

Task 1: One of the most common distractor types in Parts 1 and 2 of the test are the use of similar sounding words. In this exercise you will practice identifying words that rhyme. On the top of page 1 in your anthology, draw the same shape around each of the words that rhyme. In the final column, you need to make your own symbol or letter system to identify the categories of rhyming words. 

Click to see full size image

Task 2: To practice some of the common distractor types for Part 1 of the test, draw a line to connect items from the three columns (Type, Description, Example) on the bottom of page 1 of your anthology.

Click to see full size image

Task 3: Match each set of descriptions on the top of page 2 of your anthology with one of the photos below and choose the answer choice that best describes it.

Click to see full size image

Click to see full size image

Advice and Obligations - Roleplays

Advice and Obligations - Roleplays

Instructions: Read one of the scenarios below. Then click play on the video timer and two students have a conversation for one minute to resolve the situation. You can give advice and also remind the person about their obligations. When the time is over, you can read another scenario, click play on the video timer, and act in another scene. 

Scenario 1: Social Media

Jessica is a customer service representative at SuperMart, a clothing store. She is friends with most of her coworkers on Facebook. Her boss recently looked at her Facebook profile and noticed that many of her posts, likes, and messages happen during working hours. Jessica thinks there’s nothing wrong with checking her FB on her phone as long as she gets her work done. Her manager wants to speak with her about this.

Scenario 2: Student Complaints

Jeff is an economics professor at a private university. Recently, his supervisor has received many complaints from Jeff’s students about the quality of his classes. Students say he is not prepared for class. They say he spends a lot of time talking about politics and his personal opinion about topics in the news instead of talking about content related to the course. They also say that his exams contain information that they never saw in class. Jeff’s supervisor wants to have a meeting with him to talk about the situation.

Scenario 3: Punctuality

Lindsey works as a cashier (cajera) at the National Bank downtown. She is a hard worker and is very meticulous with her job. However, she has had many problems with punctuality recently. She frequently arrives 5 or 10 minutes late and she always has an excuse. Her manager has already spoken with her about this problem and she promised she would make and effort to arrive on tie. However, the problem has continued and she was 25 minutes late for work this morning. Her manager called her into the office for a meeting. 

Scenario 4: Computer Use

John is an employee at DataTech where he is in charge of customer accounts. The IT department has received complaints from many employees about the slow WIFI recently so they started investigating. They discovered that John frequently uses the WIFI to stream music, movies, and podcasts on his company laptop during working hours. His supervisor wants to have a meeting with him to discuss the topic.

Giving Advice to People in Need

Giving Advice to People in Need

Instructions: Work with your partners to read the problems on the left and match them with the advice on the right. Then complete the next exercise where you have to fill in the blanks with the correct word or phrase.

Click to see the full size image

Click to see the full size image 

Clothing Vocabulary Practice

Clothing Vocabulary Practice

Instructions: Your teacher put you in a group. Click the link below that corresponds with your group number. You have two activities. First you need to complete a table to analyze different clothing items. Then you need to use the clothing vocabulary to describe the perfect outfit for a specific occasion. 

Group 1: CLICK HERE

Group 2: CLICK HERE

Group 3: CLICK HERE

Group 4: CLICK HERE

Group 5: CLICK HERE

Group 6: CLICK HERE

Compound Adjectives to Describe Personality

Compound Adjectives to Describe Personality

Instructions: Click on the link for your group to access the Google Slides presentation. Read the instructions and complete the exercises with your partners. If you have any questions, be sure to click the "call for help" option so your teacher can go to your Breakout Room. 

Group 1: CLICK HERE

Group 2: CLICK HERE

Group 3: CLICK HERE

Group 4: CLICK HERE

Group 5: CLICK HERE

Recruiting Process: Who is the best candidate?

Recruiting Process: Who is the best candidate?

Introduction: Comp-Tech is a successful company that sells and repairs computer equipment. It has nine locations in the Miami metropolitan area and this year Comp-Tech plans to expand its operations and open a new store location. To be able to open the new store location, Comp-Tech needs to promote the two best employees to be the General Manager and Assistant Manager of the new store. You work in the Human Resources Department for Comp-Tech. Review the employee files below and decide who should get the General Manager and Assistant Manager positions. Be ready to justify your decision with evidence.

Use these adjectives to compare and contrast the candidates:

• Ambitious
• Technological
• Autonomous
• Punctual
• Creative
• Open-Minded
• Funny
• Happy
• Patient

Click to see full size image.

Click to see full size image.

 Click to see full size image.

 Click to see full size image.

Human Computer: TOEIC Speaking Fluency Practice

Human Computer: TOEIC Speaking Fluency Practice

Introduction: One of the hardest parts of the TOEIC Speaking test is that you have provide your answers in a limited time so you need to learn to express your ideas quickly and in an organized way. Also, there are times where you need to talk for a long time when you don't really have a lot to say. In that case you need to learn to give more details and measure the time as you speak. 

Task 1: Warm Up - Human Computer

Let's practice this now. Spin the wheel to choose a topic. You should speak for 60 seconds about this topic without stopping! Your partner will keep the time and also listen carefully. When you finish talking, your partner will paraphrase what you said and try to include all of the important details in 30 seconds. 

1st Speaker Timer

2nd Speaker Timer

Task 2:TOEIC Speaking Test Preview

Let's try responding to some actual TOEIC Speaking test items.

Read a Text

• Student A: In this task you have 45 seconds to read a text aloud. Take a few seconds to review the text silently to prepare. Then click the timer and read your text clearly. 

• Student B: In this task you have 45 seconds to read a text aloud. Take a few seconds to review the text silently to prepare. Then click the timer and read your text clearly. 

Describe a Photo

• Student A: Describe the photo below with as many details as possible for 30 seconds.

• Student B: Describe the photo below with as many details as possible for 30 seconds.

• Student A: Describe the photo below with as many details as possible for 30 seconds.

• Student B: Describe the photo below with as many details as possible for 30 seconds.

Personal Information Questions

• Student A: Answer the following set of questions. Pay close attention to the time for each question.

• Imagine that a friend is planning to organize a book discussion group in which all members read the same book and then meet to talk about it. You are talking to your friend on the telephone about this type of group.

• Question 1: (15 seconds) Would you ever want to be the leader of a book discussion group? Why or why not?
• Question 2: (15 seconds) Do you think a book discussion group should have food and beverages for members at each meeting? Why or why not?
• Question 3: (30 seconds) Do you think book discussion groups should read only one kind of books, such as fiction or biography? Why or why not?

• Student B: Answer the following set of questions. Pay close attention to the time for each question.

• Imagine that a university professor is doing research in your area. You have agreed to participate in a telephone interview about the town where you live.

• Question 1: (15 seconds) What city or town do you live in, and how long have you lived there?
• Question 2: (15 seconds) What is your favorite place to go in your city or town and how often do you go there?
• Question 3: (30 seconds) Which of the following do you think your city or town needs more of and why?
• Restaurants?
• Parks?
• Bus routes?

Respond to Questions Using Information Provided

• Student A: Look carefully at the schedule below. Your partner will ask you questions about it. You have 15 seconds to respond to the first two questions and 30 seconds to respond the third question.

• I misplaced my schedule for May 23rd so can you answer some questions for me to confirm a few things?

• Question 1: (15 seconds) When will the first meeting start and finish and who will I meet?
• Question 2: (15 seconds) I remember that I will have lunch at noon with Andrew Simon. Is that right?
• Question 3: (30 seconds) I suppose that there are some sessions after lunch. Can you give me all the details about what I have to do in the afternoon?

• Student B: Look carefully at the schedule below. Your partner will ask you questions about it. You have 15 seconds to respond to the first two questions and 30 seconds to respond the third question.

• Hello, I saw an ad about the New Technology Fair and I'm interested in attending it. I'd like you to give me some more information about it.

• Question 1: (15 seconds) When is the fair and where will it take place?
• Question 2: (15 seconds) As far as I know, there is a fee of $100, right?
• Question 3: (30 seconds) I am very interested in robotics. Can you tell me all the detail about any sessions related to that topic?

State an Opinion

• Student A: Answer the following question for 60 seconds.

• Some people think that owning a pet has many benefits. Do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Why? Give reasons and examples to support your opinion.

• Student B: Answer the following question for 60 seconds.

• Which do you think contributes more to a famous athlete's success: luck or hard work? Give reasons or examples to support your opinion.

Task 3:Discussion

Now that you have finished the mini-test, either switch roles (Student A / Student B) and retake any part of the test you would like to practice, OR discuss the question below.

• What did you think of the warm up activity? 
• What is challenging about speaking to a computer?
• What is difficult about speaking for a specific length of time?
• What did you think of the mini-test?
• Which sections did you find to be most difficulty or easiest and why?
• What questions or doubts do you have about the real TOEIC speaking test?

TOEIC Preparation: Week 3 - Book Tasks

TOEIC Preparation: Week 3 - Book Tasks

Introduction: You will complete these book exercises in small groups at different points in the class. Pay attention to your teacher's instructions.

Page 50 - Task B

Click to see full version.

Page 10 - Task A

Click to see full version.

Page 11 - Task B

Click to see full version.

TOEIC Preparation - Part 2 - What is the Question Asking?

TOEIC Preparation - Part 2 - What is the Question Asking?

Introduction: The biggest strategy for Part 2 is to pay very close attention to what the question is asking. Once you know that the question is asking about a person, place, time, etc., it will be much easier for you to identify which responses are appropriate and which are not. The graphic below contains some common question categories. 

Click to view full size.

Task 1: Make two teams, A and B. For task 1, Team A is going to CLICK HERE. Team B should NOT look at it! Team A is going to read some different questions and Team B will quickly say what category the question belongs in. 

Task 2: Now it's time for Team B to read the questions and Team A to categorize them. Team B is going to CLICK HERE. Team A should NOT look at it!

Task 3: Now both teams are going to take turns playing another quick thinking game. Team A says the name of a student from Team B and then reads one of their original questions. The student on Team B needs to respond to the question with a socially appropriate answer. Then Team B calls the name of a student from Team A and reads a question. The idea is to see how quickly you can do this!

Listening Practice - Tilly Parkins

Listening Practice - Tilly Parkins

Instructions: With your partners go to page 59 in the student book and complete exercises 3 and 4. One person should share their screen while they play the audios. Be sure to select the option "play computer sound" when you share your screen so your partners can hear what you hear.

Click to see full size image.

Exercise 3: Play the audio and complete the spaces with the phrases in the box. Write your answers in your book or notebook.

Click to see full size image. 

Play the video to hear the audio.

Click to see full size image. 

Play the video to hear the audio.

Our Learning Journals and Vocabulary Lists

Our Learning Journals and Vocabulary Lists

Ana: CLICK HERE

Ariana: CLICK HERE

Danitza: CLICK HERE

Heydi: CLICK HERE

Iveth: CLICK HERE

Juliette: CLICK HERE

Karla: CLICK HERE

Katherine: CLICK HERE

Marcos: CLICK HERE

Margarita: CLICK HERE

Mariela: CLICK HERE

Nancy: CLICK HERE

Nela: CLICK HERE

Rocio: CLICK HERE

Ruddy: CLICK HERE

Tatiana: CLICK HERE

Find Someone Who...

Find Someone Who...

Introduction: Last we studied the present perfect. We can use this grammatical form to ask people about their life experiences. In this activity you will learn more about the experiences your partners have had. 

Task 1: Look at the list of experiences below. Ask your partners complete questions starting with the phrase "Have you ever...". If your partner says yes, write their name and the letter of the question. Fore example if you ask Mark "Have you ever traveled outside of Costa Rica?" and he says yes, write "A - Mark" in your notebook. At the end of the activity, we will see who found the most people.

Click the image to see the full size version.

The Most Interesting Person in the World

The Most Interesting Person in the World

Introduction: A few years ago there was an popular advertising campaign for the beer company Dos Equis. The television commercials included the many exaggerated adventures of a guy they called "The Most Interesting Man in the World". Watch the commercial and complete the exercise below. You'll get the idea.

Task 1: Watch the commercial and listen to the narration. Complete the empty spaces below. You can watch the video multiple times if you need to.

"Police often __________ him just because they find him interesting. His beard alone __________ more than a *lesser man's entire body. His __________ smells like cologne. He is the most interesting man in the world. I don't always drink beer, __________ I prefer Dos Equis." 

*un hombre menos macho

CLICK HERE to check your answers. 

Task 2: The Most Interesting Person in the World

The man in the Dos Equis commercial is a fictional character, not a real person. Work with your partners to use your creativity and write a description of who you consider to be the most interesting person in the world. Describe the person and his/her characteristics. Talk about his/her many interesting experiences. Feel free to exaggerate a lot! When you finish writing your description, look for a photo on the internet that you think best represents this interesting fictional person. Later we will compare your description with the ones from the other groups and we will vote for who we think is the most interesting person in the world.