Learning English

First Impressions are Misleading

2006-05-15T10:49:27+02:00

Have you ever realised that within the first three seconds of a new encounter, you are evaluated… even if it is just a glance?This first impression process occurs in every new situation. Within the first few seconds, people pass judgment on you – looking for common surface clues. Once the first impression is made, it is virtually irreversible.

What about you? Do you think first impressions are always misleading? or are you part of those who have intuition at guessing people's personality? Is image important when having a good first impression on someone? Have you ever made the mistake of thinking someone is big-headed and then come to realise he/she is a really good person?

Gender Stereotypes in Advertisements

2006-04-25T21:45:00+02:00

Gender stereotyping refers to stereotyped images of males and females. Images of males and females are sometimes difficult to see as stereotypes because they are strongly connected with deep beliefs about the roles of males and females in our society. Many people find it disturbing when these roles are questioned. But others, above all women, get really cross when being constantly portrayed holding a mop or a broom.

It is a fact that advertisements are a clear image of society and it is here where women clean, cook, they always play the role of mothers (where are the fathers?), they are concerned about their body and ageing, etc. On the other hand, men are the ones who practise adventure sports, they are the ones who drive any kind of vehicle (does this imply women do not know how to drive?), the ones drinking beer while watching football creating a male-bounding (this means a group of women cannot drink beer?). There are endless examples like these ones, just switch the TV on!

In fact, things are changing or at least this is what is said but why not breaking with the gender stereotypes too? I hope to see one day a father taking care of his kids while having an afternoon snack advertising some kind of milk or sausages!

Good for your health

2006-03-12T13:10:00+01:00

Having a healthy diet is one of the most important things you can do to help your overall health. Along with physical activity, your diet is the key factor that affects your weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of heart diseases, high blood pressure, stroke, breathing problems and so on. Nevertheless, having a healthy diet is sometimes easier said than done. It is tempting to eat less healthy foods because they might be easier to get or prepare, or they satisfy a craving.

As mentioned before, physical activity is also important for your health and it is highly recommended by doctors. Actually, doctors say that exercise is a critical component of good health, especially as you age. According to them, exercise will help you:

Sleep better
Lose weight, gain weight, or maintain weight, depending on your needs
Improve your resistance to fight infections
Lower your risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes
Help your brain work better, making you smarter.

As far as I am concerned, doctors are right and we should both keep a healthy diet and stay fit but is that possible with the type of life we're living? I mean the majority of us stay out of home for the most part of the day dashing around and do not feel like going to the gym when we come back home.

Travelling

2006-02-22T09:50:00+01:00

In my life-time I've travelled to different places but the most exciting trip was the one to Rome. I went with my friends and we had a wonderful time there! Rome is a fascinating city but you can't imagine the traffic jams! The food is great there and the people are really friendly! So I recommend it to everybody because it is really gorgeous! Next trip I'm thinking about is travelling to Australia, I've always wanted to go there and I'm sure one day I will be there. One of my friends was there on her honeymoon four months ago, and told me that the experience of a different light goes beyond everything you see there. I'm raring to visit it and see and proved she was right!!

The Passing of Time

2006-02-06T09:15:00+01:00

Have you ever thought why clocks were once invented? They do not only count the hours but the minutes and even the seconds! My God, someone wanted to get everybody stressed consciously or unconsciouly! Even right now that I am writing and you are reading this post, time is passing and this is a time you can't make up. Notice that our life is scheduled. We wake up at an hour, then we go to work or university until another hour, then at a given hour you have lunch, then you come back work again at another hour, and you even get stressed because you are not going to get there on time! Wouldn't life be easier without being aware of time? Wouldn't people be happier?

Guess what! Time is passing!

Are you hooked on a serial?

2006-01-25T11:45:00+01:00

After a long time thinking about a topic which could arise different opinions, I've come across this one: What do you think about TV? Do you think watching Tv today is a waste of time? Are you the type of people who think that most of the programmes broadcast today could be labelled as "rubbish"? I do not belong to this group. I think that Tv exists to entertain us, to turn it on when we are worn-out after a very long day. So when I get home, I just want to relax and watch TV without thinking too much. I just have to confess that I am hooked on a serial called "Porca Misèria" and when I am not at home on Sundays, I always record it! Throughout my life,I've been hooked on different serials and here you have in pictures some examples. What about you?

Trip to an English-speaking country

2006-01-15T10:45:00+01:00

Hi there!

Have you thought about the possibility of travelling to an English-speaking Country? I think it would be a great experience to spend 3 days abroad and share it with your classmates! In fact, It would be nice and useful to practise the language you have been studying for such a very long time not in your own country but in an English-speaking country, surrounded by locals and being in contact with them! So keep thinking about it!!! You can use this blog to add your comments, to communicate among you regarding the trip and other aspects of course! Feel free to post any comment you have on the trip and info about tickets, planes,etc. I think some of you are already searching info!! Come on, CHEER UP!

Back to work

2006-01-15T10:30:00+01:00

It is really hard to come back to work after a very long Christmas. And that is what happened last week! We all came back to the English class but It was a peculiar week, don't you think so? We felt like doing nothing, tired, excited to see your classmates again and so on. So tell me about your coming back to work? Was it like coming back to the English class? It is said that some people got a depression when coming back to work after holidays!I think that's too much, and you?

Childhood Memories

2005-11-28T10:35:00+01:00

There are moments which remain clearly in our minds although lots of years have slip by. Everybody has childhood memories. It is something we always remember. I have thousands of memories from childhood. What about you? Did your life use to be very different to how it is now? Do you remember any of your teachers? Were there any you particularly liked or disliked? Why?Did you ever do anything naughty? Were you caught and punished? I was a "good girl" when I was a kid and I never did anything naughty. Don't believe me!!! I was really naughty! I also remember some of my teachers but my least favourite one was my English teacher, Mrs. ... I can't remember her name! I think that I've become a techer just to prove that classes can be done in different ways!!!

A rush of Adrenalin

2005-11-13T11:50:00+01:00

Practicing sports is something positive because It helps you get fit and live longer. However, practicing some sports is better than others. Going to the gym, trecking, running, cycling,etc are called "safe sports" and it is what people are used to do but what about skydiving, scubadiving,climbing, bungee jumping among others? Would you just put your health and life at risk for the mere fact of having a rush of adrenalin? This is not my case but I really admire those who dare try them. What do you think?