Multilingual UN refugee game

These days it's impossible not to see news of refugees fleeing their home countries travelling thousands of miles, crossing deserts and the Mediterranean sea to get to safety and a better life.
Have you ever wondered what it might feel like?
Follow this link to play a PC game where you get a glimpse-

http://www.playagainstallodds.ca/


Choose the language you are learning - there is French, German and Spanish as well as English.
Choose your character and follow the instructions! Feel the oppression in your home country and try to get to a land where you can get help! Learn about the difference between migrants and refugees! Experience the prejudice and difficulty in finding a job! Open your mind!

If you manage to get out of the dark town with the dog patrols let me know how you did it...

The game was created for the UNHCR - the organisation of the United Nations looking after refugees. If you're further interested in the topic, they have also produced an app called 'my life as an refugee'  which you could download following this link: 

http://mylifeasarefugee.org/

If you're studying languages at A-level you find lots of info in your target language on the home pages of the UNHCR:
French: http://unhcr.fr
German: http://unhcr.de
Spanish :http://acnur.es/


Mit herzlichen Grüßen,
Frau Mahler

Student of the Month - January 2015

Student of the Month is back! 

Languages teachers have each nominated an outstanding student who has shown particular effort or excellent enthusiasm in the last month! 
Well done to all these fabulous linguists!

Imaan Saeed in 7P for excellent work and contributions

Luke Oldfield in 8Y for consistent hard work and excellent class participation

Callum Stennett in 9M for very hard work and enthusiasm

Alana Scott in 9K for excellent effort in Japanese mocks

Yara Mansour in 9Q for excellent effort and improved behaviour

Rachael Grey in 10X for consistent outstanding effort and achievement

Jonathan Mann in 10H for very good effort and progress

Rebecca Hill in 10Q for consistent hard work in Chinese

Emily James in 11Q for very hard work to improve her German  

Daniel Leemans in 11R for very good effort

Marcus Dainton in 11M for good progress

Navneet Brar in 11M for consistent hard work and dedication

Great Language Learning App - Duolingo

Some classes at Tomlinscote (and some staff!) are developing a slight addiction to Duolingo - a clever language learning and revision app (available for free, for example from itunes). You can also play online on www.duolingo.com.

You can choose between several languages, for example Spanish, French, German or Italian. In your first session, you complete a quick initial assessment and then you can practise and revise new skills, from colours and clothes to future tenses and conditionals, so students of all levels will find useful tasks. Before moving on to the more complex skills you need to pass tests, assessing your reading, translating, listening writing and grammar skills, as well as your pronunciaton. (Careful when you have a cold though: it might not understand you very well!)

Although the app gives you some vocab and grammar hints, it is probably better to use it for a language you have already started to learn, rather than attempting a completely new one. However, it is great fun and rather addictive- and your feathery coach will keep you motivated. You can also link with others and compare results. Who will earn the most lingots? Maybe give Portuguese or Dutch a try, if you're feeling really adventurous. By going into your profile you can even learn and revise two or three languages at the same time!
Have fun and let us know how you get on by leaving a comment here! 

Eurovision Song Contest 2014

Glückwunsch to Austria!

After Lena a few years ago, another German-speaking country has won the Song contest tonight. Singing the beautiful power ballad 'Rise like a phoenix', Conchita Wurst made it to the top spot, despite of (or aided by?) her well-trimmed beard. Unfortunately from a language learning point of view, the only German words were in her name (for you non-Germanists: Wurst  means sausage). 

While Germany entered with a negligible effort in English, here are the French and Spanish videos - who at least included some language snippets for you to enjoy...

The singer of Twin Twin complains about how he can't grow a moustache...



..while Spanish entry Ruth Lorenzo complains about the rain.




And Great Britain? Well, at least Molly didn't come last - France did! Upps!

Auf Wiedersehen in Österreich next year!

Adiós a Paco de Lucía. The Master.

Probably, you will have heard your parents or grand parents mention PACO DE LUCÍA some time. Or maybe not. He was 1 of the greatest GUITARIST in the world. For me, unique.

I am thinking of how to introduce him to you, it's difficult to do it in some lines. So, just some of his own words about FLAMENCO and how he felt it:

"... is the  music around you, made by people you see, the people you make music with. You learn it from your family, from your friends, in la juerga.  And then you work on technique. Guitarists do not need to study. And, as it is  with any music, the great ones will spend some time working with the young  players who show special talent. 

You must understand that a Gypsy's life is a  life of anarchy. That is a reason why the way of flamenco music is a way without  discipline as you know it. We don't try to organize things with our minds. We just live........ music is everywhere in our  lives"

¡Olé qué arte!

CONCIERTO DE ARANJUEZ by el maestro Joaquín Rodrigo, guitarist P. de Lucía

COMO EL AGUA by Camarón de la Isla and Paco de Lucía

De Lucía recorded more than 10 records with his friend Camaron de la Isla, 1 of the premier flamenco singers.

He collaborated with many Spanish and international artists, and received numerous awards like Grammy latinos, National award of Flamenco guitar, Premio Príncipe de Asturias, the Honorary Doctorate from the Universidad de Cádiz and from the Berklee College of Music (Boston, USA)

Paco de Lucía (Cádiz, España, 21 Dec. 1947 - Mexico, 25 Feb. 2014)

  ¡HASTA SIEMPRE MAESTRO!

Enrique Iglesias ft. Romeo Santos- Loco (Lyrics)

'Como tu no hay dos' - Spanish Song

HOLA AMIGOS!

Here you have a SPANISH SONG (with lyrics) that was very famous few years ago!

The singer, Beatriz Luengo, is a Spanish actress who was so successful dancing and singing in a popular Spanish TV series (UPA Dance), that then she also became a singer, being very popular in Spain and France as well!

Will you be able to repeat the catchy chorus?

HASTA LA VISTA!

in case the video doesn't work, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxAdD4N1tg8

En el Instituto Galileo

We are spending our last full day in Spain at school. Tomlinscote students had the opportunity to attend a variety of lessons with their partners.

One group attended a Biology lesson in English as part of the bilingual section. All Tomlinscote students were very impressed with the level of English used during this difficult lesson on "stem cells".

Students will leave school at either 2pm or 3pm for their final afternoon in Spain. There is a farewell party organised by the Spanish students this evening.


¡Hasta pronto!


 

Another Birthday - Happy Birthday Josh!

We have another birthday being celebrated whilst away on the Spanish Exchange. Happy birthday to Josh for yesterday. He enjoyed a rendition or two of "Cumpleaños Feliz" in the main square of Salamanca.

Once back at school students went home with their partners ready for a full day at school tomorrow!

La visita a Salamanca - Monday 25th November

At 9am on a VERY cold morning we all met up and set off on our trip to Salamanca. Our Spanish partners joined us today so were we a big group of 58! First stop was a trip on the tourist train. This train was most certainly not designed for 58 but somehow we managed to squeeze in and off we went round the city with the driver pointing out the most historical places.

After this refreshing trip we all visited the cathedral and climbed 100s of steps up to the bell tower. 

Then we made our way to the Plaza Mayor so that the students could have some free time to shop and be together.

La visita a Segovia - Friday 22nd November

Today we visited the beautiful city of Segovia with it´s amazing Roman aqueduct from the 1st century. As we approached the city our first view was of this impressive construction. After educatiing many of the students as to what an aqueduct actually is everyone agreed it was magnificent. 

Next stop was the spectacular 16th Century "Catedral de nuestra señora de la Asunción y San Frutos.

As we approached "Plaza de Socorro" with rumbling tummies it was time for a "bocadillo" break in the sun!!

Once refuelled it was off to the magnificent Alcázar castle from the 11th - 14th Centuries. First we walked round the rooms admiring the paintings, furniture and suits of armour. This is where the Reyes Católicos lived in the Middle Ages. Walt Disney found inspiration for his castle from this impressive structure. Then it was time for our PE lesson! 152 spiralling stairs up to the top of Juan II tower. At the top we rested in the sun for the climb back down.

After some free time for shopping we had to warm up again (appearances can be deceptive and although it was sunny it was certainly not warm!!) and so we went for chocolate con churros.

Once back at school students met up with their partners and went home for a traditional Spanish weekend.