World AIDS Day

1st of December: "World AIDS Day"

According to UN AIDS estimates, there are now 33.2 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2007 some 2.5 million people became newly infected with the virus. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35.

Around 95% of people with HIV/AIDS live in developing nations. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children on all continents around the world.

Started on 1st December 1988, World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

Click on this link to learn more about AIDS:

http://www.avert.org/

Living With HIV PowerPoint

http://udisatenex.educarex.es/atemon/aids/index.html

Phonetics

Students are aware of the importance of learning phonetics.
And they know they need it for Selectividad (at least in Extremadura).
You can do activities in these websites to practise.

http://club.telepolis.com/phonetics/ You can learn all the phonetic symbols through explanations and lots of exercises to distinguish them.

http://www.stuff.co.uk/calcul_nd.htm A good way to learn how the phonetic symbols sound and test your knowledge with a quiz.

http://www.cambridgeenglishonline.com/Phonetics_Focus/ With exercises and games to do on line.

http://www.onestopenglish.com/upload/public/attachments/37/osephonemicchart.swf Listen to each sound

http://ipa.typeit.org/ You can type phonetic symbols on line.

They are a good chance to have fun and learn at the same time.

/lɒts ɒf lʌv frm jɔ: ti:tʃə/

/rəʊs./

Women's rights

25th November: International Day of Elimination of all Forms of Violence Against Women
What is violence against women?
“Violence against women is perhaps
the most shameful human rights violation. And it is perhaps the most pervasive. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As long as it continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development, and peace.”
Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations
“A World Free of Violence Against Women”
United Nations Global Videoconference, 8 March 1999

We can help stop violence against women.
End Violence Against Women!
For the Health of Women, For the Health of the World: No More Violence
Here are some ideas to talk about in class:
Domestic violence causes family destruction
Love builds harmony in the family.
Domestic violence destroys everything.
Physical assault is a crime whether it happens in the home or on the street." Build family respect and harmony. Speak out against domestic violence.
Campaign slogan:
Against violence against women.
Break the silence on men’s violence.
Disarm rapists - smash sexism.
End violence to women NOW.
Men assault 1 in 4 women.
Mutual sex is better.
No sex without consent.
Sex or Rape? The difference is Consent.
Sex without consent is RAPE.
Some men break more than their girlfriends’ hearts.
What part of NO don't you understand?
"Elimination of all forms of violence, including domestic violence, is an absolute priority"
"Zero tolerance of violence against women"
Women deserve better
Take responsibility for ending rapeMen: End the sex war.
Marriage is not a sex contract.
Being sensitive is not enough.
Because you know that violence is not okay.
Men: Take no for an answer.
Men are not born violent, men learn to be violent.
Men: Be proud to be non-violent.
Real men don’t hit.
Men can change.
Men: Violence is a choice you don’t have to make.

For male abusers, the messages are:
· domestic violence is a crime;
· domestic violence will ruin your life as an abuser as much as the life of your victim, and;
· help exists if you want to put an end to your violent behaviour.

For women victims of violence, the messages are:
· break the wall of silence surrounding domestic violence!
· don't tolerate violence!
· help exists, find out how!

For all those who witness domestic violence, the messages are:
· help women victims of violence break the silence
· help them escape from victimisation.

Now send me your own comments on this issue. We will discuss them in class and publish them in our school website.

Sweden

My colleague Manuel and I went to Sweden to spend a few days at a Swedish school. The experience was great. we have learnt a lot about this country and I hope some day we will be able to go back with our students.

Enjoy our pictures.

English songs

One of the best ways to learn a language and enjoy it is listening to songs sung in that language. This is a great website you can visit to listen to English songs and read them at the same time.
http://www.subingles.com/

I hope you enjoy it!
Rosa