Class notes: Wednesday, 28 October, 2015

1. Practical English: Speaking and Listening

Let's go to page 10. Let's describe Jenny and Rob.

Jenny has got long, straight blonde hair and big blue eyes. She has a nice smile. She's wearing a blue and white striped shirt and a silver necklace.
Rob has got short dark hair and dark brown eyes. It looks like he didn't shave. he's wearing a navy blue polo shirt and a beige jacket.

*striped -> a rayas
*polka-dot -> con lunares
*plaid -> a cuadros o cuadros escoces
*He hasn't shaved -> No se ha afeitado
*He's a bit scruffy -> Está un poco desaliñado

Listen to track 1.26 and put the pictures in order.

1-A  2-E   3-B  4-F   5-C   6-D

Listen again and answer the questions in 1c.

1. Jenny is the assistant editor at a magazine in New York.
2. She went to London.
3. Rob's a write for the same magazine in London.
4. They had coffee, went sightseeing and shopping.
5. Jenny thinks that Rob is funny and nice.
6. Rob isn't very punctual.
7. Rob is going to be in New York for one month.

Listen again with the transcript on page 118 and check your answers.

*Remember!
Fun -> divertido
Funny -> gracioso o raro
to have good taste -> tener buen gusto
to go sightseeing -> hacer turismo; ver monumentos
even -> incluso
agree -> estar de acuerdo

2. Practical English: Calling Reception

Let's go to page 11. Cover the dialogue and listen to track 1.27.

Now let's complete the dialogue in 2b.  Listen to track 1.27 again.

How can I help you?
I'll send somebody up to look at it right now.
Good evening, sir.
I'll put you through to IT. 

Listen to track 1.28 and repeat the phrases. 

*I will -> I'll : for offers
Remember we can use this structure to offer to do something.

Now, practice the dialogue with a partner.

Next, roleplay the dialogue with different problems. Look at 2e.

New words:

put through -> conectar por teléfono con otro departamento
IT -> servicio de informática
IT guy -> técnico de informática
solve -> solucionar   solve a problem
repair -> reparar   repair a machine
fix -> arreglar    fix a problem/ fix a machine

Problems at the hotel

The sheets are dirty -> Las sábanas están sucias
There is no hot water -> No hay agua caliente
The lights aren't working -> Las luces no funcionan
There are no towels -> No hay toallas
The toilet is clogged -> El sanitario está atascado
Maintenance -> mantenimiento
Housekeeping -> servicio de limpieza

3. Practical English: Jenny and Rob meet again

Let's go to exercise 3 on page 11. Listen to track 1.29 and decide if the sentences are true or false. Then correct the false sentences.

1. Rob says he doesn't like the hotel. F. the hotel is fine.
2. Jenny is going to show him round the city tomorrow. F. office
3. Barbara is Jenny's boss. T.
4. Rob is hungry. F. tired
5. It's four in the morning for Rob. F. two
6. They're going to meet at elven. T.
7. Jenny thinks that Rob is going to get lost. F. be late

You can listen again with the transcript on page 118 to check your answers.

Look at the phrases in 3c and complete them with the missing words.

Here you are at last.  Aquí estás por fin.
It's great to be here. Es genial poder estar aquí.
Do you have a good view? ¿Tienes buenas vistas?
Barbara's looking forward to meeting you. Barbara tiene ganas de conocerte.
You must be really tired. Tienes que estar cansadísimo.
I guess you're right. Supongo que tengas razón.
By the way . . . Por cierto . . .
It's great to see you too. Me alegro de verte también.

Listen to track 1.30 to check your answers.

4. Vocabulary: Holidays

Let's go to page 12. Take a look at 1a. Write down five things you do on holiday.

Now, talk about the questions in 1c with a partner or in small groups. Describe your ideal summer holiday. 

New words:

go out for . . . dinner  salir a cenar
                . . . a drink salir a tomar algo
                . . . tapas  salir de tapas
go hiking   hacer senderismo; andar por el monte
have a barbeque  hacer una barbacoa
sleep in late  dormir hasta tarde

Let's go to page 152. Let's do the exercises in 1, 2 and 3.

1. Phrases with go.

1. go away for the weekend  marcharse de fin de semana
2. go camping
3. go on holiday
4. go for a walk  ir a dar un paseo 
5. go sightseeing  hacer turismo
6. go by bus / car / plane / train
7. go skiing / walking / cycling
8. go out at night  salir de fiesta
9. go swimming / sailing / surfing   ir a nadar / hacer vela / hacer surf
10. go abroad  ir/viajar al extranjero

2 Other holiday activities

stay in a hotel / at a campsite / with friends  quedarse en un hotel / un camping / con amigos
take photos  sacar fotos
buy souvenirs comprar recuerdos
sunbathe on the beach tomar el sol en la playa
have a good time  pasarselo bien
spend money / time  gastar dinero / pasar tiempo
rent an apartment alquilar un apartamento/piso
hire a bicycle / skis alquilar una bici / unos esquís.
book flights / hotels online  reservar vuelos / hoteles por internet

*rent vs hire
"Rent" suele indicar un periodo más largo que "hire". Siempre usamos "rent" con viviendas o inmuebles.

3 Adjectives

1. warm, sunny . . .
2. comfortable, luxurious . . .
3. beautiful . . .
4. friendly . . .
5. delicious

*disgusting -> asqueroso
*lovely -> maravilloso, bonito
*crowded -> lleno de gente

*Pronunciation: OJO!  Comfortable is pronounced /comftabel/