Saint George's Day & World Book Day

Saint George and the Dragon

Saint George's Day is the feast day of Saint George and the National Day for England. St. George's Day is not an official national holiday in England or the UK. It is celebrated by various Christian churches and by the several nations, kingdoms, countries, and cities of which Saint George is the patron saint. Saint George's Day is celebrated on 23 April, the traditionally accepted date of Saint George's death in AD 303 (Source Wikipedia).

The Legend of St. George and the Dragon

A traditional custom on St George's day is to wear a red rose in one's lapel, though this is no longer widely practised. Another custom is to fly or adorn the St George's Cross flag in some way: pubs in particular can be seen on 23 April festooned with garlands of St George's crosses. It is customary for the hymn "Jerusalem" to be sung in cathedrals, churches and chapels on St George's Day, or on the Sunday closest to it. 

23 April is also the anniversary of the St George Dragons Rugby League Football Club. The St George club coincidentally played their inaugural NSWRL first grade match on St George's Day, 23 April 1921 at the Sydney Sports Ground in Australia.

 The Dragon

23 April World Book Day

World Book Day  World Book and Copyright Day (also known as International Day of the Book or World Book Days) is a yearly event on 23 April, organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and copyright. In the United Kingdom, the day is instead recognised on the first Thursday in March.

UNESCO declared this day the International Day of the Book, since 23 April 1616 was the date of death and possibly anniversary of birth of both the English playwright William Shakespeare (according to the Julian calendar) and the Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes (according to the Gregorian calendar).

Fermi Mun 2014

"Aquarius"

We are going to the theater!!!

 Friday, 4th April

"Aquarius"

This the dawning of the Age of Aquarius”

That’s what the song says, but just what is behind this idea of a “New Age” and the approach of the fateful year 2012? With the help of some of the best songs from the 60’s and 70’s performed live, Rupert Marshall, musician, anthropologist and director of Firewalk Theatre, describes the revolutionary counter-culture philosophy of that time, offering us an alternative analysis of “la crisis”; a kind of musical lecture about what’s wrong today and why it is.

Aimed at students of English of an intermediate level and above this one-man show can be can be put on in any venue since it does not require any specialized theatrical infrastructure. 

The show lasts one hour and twenty minutes.

"Aquarius/

Let the Sunshine In" 

Today's preparatory work in the classroom.  You can download the songs used in the talk, as well as the lyrics. We are doing some exercises and activities based on them.

Today's preparatory work

"(I Can't Get no) Satisfaction" The Rolling Stones

Happiness

Five minutes singing... This is a karaoke class. 

Let's listen to the soundtrack of  "Despicable Me 2". 

Have you seen the film?  Maybe next class =) 

#listening #music #speaking #singing #karaoke

Carnival is coming!!

Carnival at IES Don Bosco!!

The Carnival of Cádiz is one of the best-known carnivals in the world. The whole city participates in the carnival for more than two weeks each year, and the presence of this fiesta is almost constant in the city because of the rehearsals, recitals, and contests held throughout the year.

The costumes are often related to recent news. The feeling of this carnival is the sharp criticism, the funny play on words and the imagination in the costumes, more than the glamorous dressings. It is traditional to paint the face with lipstick as a humble substitute of a mask.

Gran Teatro Falla

The most famous groups are the chirigotas, choirs and comparsas.  The chirigotas are well known witty, satiric popular groups who sing about politics, new times and household topics, wearing the same costume, which they train for the whole year. The Choirs (coros) are wider groups that go on open carts through the streets singing with a little orchestra of guitars and lutes. Their characteristic composition is the "Carnival Tango", and they alternate comical and serious repertory. The comparsas are the serious counterpart of the chirigota in Cádiz, and the poetical lyrics and the criticism are their main ingredients. They have a more elaborated polyphony, being easily recognizable by the typical countertenor voice. Source: from Wikipedia

Gurumeloman 2014

We also celebrate Carnival in Valverde. Our contest is well known in the province among chirigotas, choirs, comparsas, and quartets. The 'Official Contest' at the Puerta del Andévalo Teatre finishes just before the first Saturday of Carnival.... Who will win the contest this year????? Have you prepared your costume? Enjoy the Carnival and your holidays!!

The English Travelling Suitcases

The English Travelling Suitcases

The English Travelling Suitcases contains selected English materials (books, magazines, comics, ebooks, Cds, Dvds) which are chosen by the English Department every week and you can take them home. So... 

When your English Teacher… goes to your class with a SUITCASE and she tells you about a TRAVELLING suitcase,  listen to her, pay attention, but do not worry. She is not crazy. She is delivering materials so that you can read, listen to or watch them at home and then you give them back.

She is going to ask your opinion about them. Remember that your comments should be in English: Title, author, kind of material, your opinion…etc.  Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy them!

Run for Charity

SAVE  THE  CHILDREN

This year, our high school has organised a Charity Run to celebrate the International Peace Day in Valverde. Some people (teachers, parents, relatives, students, etc) sponsored the Run which was organized by several departments to support  the NGO  Save the Children. During the last weeks, we decided to organize this big run to get donations. So everybody helped to make this event successful. 

In advance, the participants had looked for sponsors which agreed to donate money for each kilometre. 

Thank you! To all those who ran in this Charity Run.