Hi everybody!

Last week we practiced the Present Perfect and a little bit of the Past Simple. Remember that when we talk about an action that is completed we use the last tense: the Past Simple:

What time did you get up this morning? I got up at 8:00 o.clock.
What did you have for breakfast? I had a cup of coffee and some cereal
Did you do your homework? No, I didn't.

We read the text about the Bull Run in the San Fermin festival and had to study some new words like: length, gate, injure, bullring, handkerchief.

This construction was new for most students: The bulls are kept in the Corral of Santo Domingo.

In that sentence the verb is in the passive voice. That means we are more interested in the action that in the person or agent of the action. It's formed with the verb to be + past participle of the verb we are using: in this case keep. Students who are interested in finding out more about this construction and practicing it may click on the following link:http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive. You may read the explanation at the beginning and start with the exercises in the Present Simple and the Past Simple, which are the firs ones listed under the heading Exercises.
I insist, this is only for students who are in a hurry lo learn English.

We also practiced telling the story of the San Fermin Festival using the Present Perfect: The festival has happened nearly every year since 1941 (I don't remember the exact year). We use the present perfect because it is still happening.

We listened to Peter talk about Christmas in the UK. Peter is an English teacher in Mexico and was making a presentation for his students. He divided the topic into two main points: preparations for Christmas and the day of the celebration itself. Then, he divided each one of those points into some other points. For instance, when talking about the preparations for Christmas he mentioned: Christmas cards, decorating the house and shopping. This is a good way to organize a presentation. You first make a kind of map of what you are going to say.

The picture above is an example of a very simple mind map. each one of the branches, like Family could be divided into other points, for example: how many people in my family and what each person does (their occupation) and things we do together.
You can do the same thing when you prepare your writing about a festival or celebration.

Here is a link for people who would like to do some extra Listening. http://www.real-english.com/reo/81/unit81.asp  Here they use the Present Simple, Presents Perfect and Past Simple. Enjoy it!