Talking about the past

We have been talking about the past this week. For today's activity you have to write a story of something that happened to you in the past. For this activity you need to follow these rules:

1. Use the grammatical forms we have seen, AT LEAST ONCE (present perfect, simple past, past continuous, past perfect, past perfect continuous).
2. A minimum of 400 words. A maximum of 500 words. NO less, NO more.
3. Use vocabulary from all the units we have seen.
4. Be very careful with spelling and grammar.
5. Save it in a Word document and mail it to ralfortiz@gmail.com as an attachment with the title ThePast_FirstNameLastName [for example, ThePast_RafaelOrtiz].
6. DO NOT use translators.
7. I will only grade documents sent by 5 p.m. NOTHING after that time. 
8. The work counts as your attendance to class. Consequentely, no work means no attendance.

Backpacking versus Flashpacking

How would you like to go backpacking or flashpacking around the world?
You are going to research online in order to build an itinerary for a 2-month backpacking trip, and another one for a two-month flashpacking trip in your designated area. Both itineraries must show the true difference between these concepts.
Rules:

1. Every thing has to be in the budget; food, entertainment, transportation (from San Luis Potosí and back) and accomodation.
2. No clubbing. Take a cultural interest in the cities you are visiting; museums, real restaurants, cultural festivals, sightseeing, and one sporting event if possible.
3. Include real schedules and fees for transportation.
4. You can not use translators or copy and paste your text. 
5. you must explain your choices and decisions.
6. Your itineraries must be saved in powerpoint presentations saved as Backpacking_team#, and Flashpacking_team#.
7. Both itineraries have to be mailed by the end of the class to ralfortiz@gmail.com
8. Look at the Travel Channel and the Food Network for recommendations.
9. Don't waste your time.

Places:

• Team 1. Australia: Fridé, Luz, Sophie
• Team 2. England, Scotland & Ireland: Paco, Sandra Rubio
• Team 3. New Zealand: Lalo Castro, Betzabeth, Alex
• Team 4. India. Gustavo, Karina, Tony
• Team 5. Malasya and indonesia: Lalo Mejía, Saide, Dulce
• Team 6. Vuetnam and Thailand: Jorge, Sandra, Julio
• Team 7. Russia: Edgardo, Michelle, Victoria
• Team 8. Finland, Sweeden, Norway: Esther, Vernice

Who has time to read?

I most certainly hope you do.
In college I read voraciously. I frowned upon books on tape, but I didn't really mind having tape on my books, battle scars. I did, however, listen to tons of music on tapes as I read (my faithful Sony Walkman). I wrote notes on the margin. I read on the bus. I read while I ate. I read on park benches. I read on my way to class. I read in classes which I did not find particularly interesting. I read in bed. Hell! I bought a book by Gabriel Zaid "Cómo leer en bicicleta" hoping it would enlighten me or awaken my senses, in order to safely carry out such a hazardous task. In all honesty I should point out that I haven't had a bike since I was 18, and that reading and riding (pun intended) was not the point of book anyway.


I am not a fan of listening to books. We must read, it is the aerobic workout of the brain. Nowadays, reading seems to be more of a challenge (as a result of time constrains for many, but mostly due to plain laziness). There are mp3 files which allow you to get some material in. I want to direct your attention to The New Yorker for downloads. These are short stories that have been published in this fine magazine. This is a way to get to know stories that, otherwise, we might not come in contact with. Having said that, you will go to the archive. Just click on the title "A Head Cold" to LISTEN to the the podcast on your computer. By the end of tonight you will email me (ralfortiz@gmail.com) an essay; a word document (300 to 350 words). If you do not know what an essay is go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essay . I do NOT want a critic's opinion or something from the internet. I want YOU to write it. The attachment must be saved with the TITLE_your last name. I will only accept the eamils that comply with the criteria and which are sent by 9:00 PM.
  Download it later if you want to listen to listen to it again, and I sincerely hope all of us can find the time to read.

Writing a REAL formal letter of inquiry GLION V

As a result of progress, letter writing has evolved, but mostly in format, not so much in form. We now are more likely to use email than a pen paper. I must point out that many instances still occur where people write formal letters on paper.

We have been reading about jobs in the tourism industry. After looking for opportunities for internship, employment or further study, you will go to the following links to get more pointers on letters of inquiry.

1. http://www.ehow.com/how_2048859_write-inquiry-letter.html
2. http://esl.about.com/od/businessenglishwriting/a/w_make_enquire.htm

Once you have acquainted yourself with the formalities of letter writing. You will visit the site of the Le Cordon Blue, or one of the sites you researched last Friday, and look for a program that you would like to take or apply for. After you have read information on the different programs, you will send a letter of inquiry requesting information on the program or position, its requirements, as well as, scholarship , financial aid information or salary and benefits

Address your letter to:
"Dear Sir or Madam" if you do not know the person's name. 
Choose one option and write a FORMAL letter of inquiry, and copy me in your email to ralfortiz@gmail.com
Your letter mus be written very carefully and with no spelling or grammatical mistakes.

To improve your vocabulary, and check your spelling, I suggest you go to Dictionary.Com so you start using an English-English dictionary.

BUILDING A RESUMÉ

Looking for work and applying for work is an ever changing process. Resumés have become more concise. They are also focused on skills not only experience. Competences have also become an important aspect. By clicking on the title you will access a PDF download of a resumé for you to emulate and personalize. Do not copy and paste. Analyze the information and apply it to your needs and Skills. create your own experience and build your education to suit certain jobs.

1. Your assignment for today is to build a simple resume for the job you wouuld like to apply to. Mail it in to ralfortiz@gmail.com with the covering letter as the body of your email; and your CV as an attachment, saved "Resume_LastName_FirstName.
2. Visit sites such as http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/ to look for employment opportunities around the world, then build a stronger CV, which should include higher level of education and several certifications, and work experience based on your future goals. BE REALISTIC. Your CV should be printed and turned in on Friday, October 25th. Make it look professional.

Why? What for?

"A fool's brain digests philosophy into folly, science into superstition, and art into pedantry. Hence University education"
- George Bernard Shaw

In our country, there is this idea that everyone deserves a college education. We are asked to make such an important choice at a very young age. As a result, we have tons of drop outs, and people changing their minds, which, to a certain point, is a good thing, as we all must try to both make a living and enjoy what we do.

Why did you choose your field of study? What characteristics do you have that make it a good choice? Is it what you really want? Do you have doubts about your choice? Are there things that you do not need to study? What subjects are important for you to study now? What actions do you have to do to achieve your goals? Do you have a plan to achieve them? What is important now? What isn't? What drives you? What are your motivations? When are you planning to be professional? What bothers you about your teachers? What do you like about them? Where would you like to work? Do you understand what it is like to have a boss? Do you like to deal with people? What is your attitude about being told what to do? Do you understand that eventually you will have to be independent? At what age should you be independent? 

For today's activity you have to think about all of these questions and others I have not pointed out.  

VERY important note:
I do NOT want a bunch of clichés oreven  a single one! I want you to write it from the heart. Furthermore, tomorrow [Tuesday, October 15th] you will give an ENTERTAINING two-minute talk on it.  You can NOT have notes, you can not use visual support, or music. It will just be YOU!

Portrait of Leader

We have been talking about accountability and being professional. Watch this video; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FKoQvtFr84
How does it connect to your life and professional life?
What lessons can be learned from it?

Write a 250 word essay on how this can be a lesson for you and your generation.Use what he says about your best effort as a quote for the title. Do not use Wikipedia, or translators. Your writing must be based solely on the content of the video and your understanding of it. 
Once you have finished mail the essay as an attachment to ralfortiz@gmail.com titled "LEADER_yourname.