FINAL REFLECTION

MY ENGLISH PROGRESS FROM 4th ESO TO 2BAT 

When I first started using blogger, I was in 4th of ESO. My first post was the one about MY DREAM, where I talk about which was my dream when I was 16. The last composition that I posted was WHERE DO I WANT TO BE RIGHT NOW..., that we did it in class.

In my first composition the content is a little bit immature, but I think it is good enough for a 16-year old boy. I think is one of my best posts. The structure is quite simple and, as you can see, it is not very elaborated: the arguments are simple, so I only explain a kind of tale which is the dream I had when I wrote it. The vocabulary has improved from the first composition to the last one. In the latter, I can see a good structure, the maturity has extremely improved as well as the complexity of the content. Noticeably my level of English is richer and better compared to the first composition. 

In the first post I only wrote what I felt, and that is why it is good enough. However, in the last one I can assure it is better because of the kind of vocabulary and grammar that are used.

Regarding oral presentations, I couldn't find which was my first one. I think it was one about MY HERO, in which I talked about a great musician from my town. I remember that I was quite relaxed. However, during 1st batxillerat and a part of 2n batxillerat, every time I had to do an oral presentation I was very nervous and I didn't do my best. Nonetheless, when I had to do the research paper oral presentation I did it good enough. I wasn't very nervous but confident. It was a topic that I really know by hard and it was easier to me to present it. I must say that my English pronunciation is not good for a 2nd batxillerat student, but I think I have improved.

Obviously there are many differences in this two oral presentations: in the first one (I have to supose it) the maturity and the content were very basic. But in the last one the difference is very clear. The maturity of the content, the complexity of the arguments were good.

I can see a personal development in all my posts. I achieved a level of maturity in all my old compositions compared to the first ones. Although I have improved, I don't think I am ready to face a daily situation in English yet. 

MY ENGLISH COMPETENCE IN 2016

My best oral presentation is the Research Paper one, so it is the one I prepared better, I worked on more and I knew it better. The reason why I chose this oral production is because it is about a topic that catched the eye to me because it was the first time I didn't care about presenting it; I was sure enough about the topic and this is thank to I had prepared it well during a long time. I was very inetersted in this oral presentation and that is why it was easier to me to talk about it. 

My best writing production is Last Post. It's not the longest one, or the one in which I showed better the vocabulary and expressions that I have learnt. However, it was a composition that I enjoyed writing because I could express what I thought about my years in high school and what future holds to me. I think that the level of maturity in that kind of writing is better, as you can make a reflection about a personal topic. This leads your composition to improve.

I chose these productions because they are really my best ones. They are both linked to me in the sense that they are own productions, they are very "personal".

Where do I want to be right now...

Imagination is a powerful ability that humans have. It can lend you to represent in your mind whatever you can imagine. A place could be an option. There are many idyllic places that I can imagine right now. However, there is one that I expect to be in someday.

This place would be an island in the middle of the ocean. The island would be big enough to built in it buildings, such as markets, hospitals and, over all, music stores.

There would be beaches with palms and bars in which music bands would play every day.

The best landscape of this island would be the sunset view from the beach while people are playing music and dancing; the orange light of the sunset would lite this amazing scene.

But, what is more, in this island there would be calm, I mean, it would be a place in which you only will think of relax my and have my fun.

So, if I had to choose an idyllic place, of course would be that one.

Last post

Finally, the end of my school travel is almost near. Time flies and years have passed quicker and quicker. I hve to admit that both primary school and now high school have left a mark on me. During these schoolar years I have learnt many things (some of them more useful than others) but, what is more important to me, I have met lots of people: classmates, good friends, teachers and staff of the center. 

Its hard to recognize but I am a bit sad that an important part of my life is almost finished. However, a new passage is going to start and it makes me feel excited to discover a new world and get out of my confort zone. Now I will be aware if I am actually ready to make that big step. That is why this new stage worries me a bit; its difficult to accept that you are not an student of the school that has seen you grow anymore and now it is time to fly away and discover a new life.

Let's hope everything goes well!!

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NEWS 6

Egyptian president says ‘Western’ human rights don’t apply to his country

Activists say the government should stop making excuses for 'disturbing' civil liberties crackdown

This piece of news tells us that Egypt’s president has said that human rights and freedoms should not be viewed from a “Western perspective”, because of the differences between the conditions of their country and the European ones. This makes it difficult to apply the same rules that regard civil liberties.

However, Britain and France have recently criticised Egypt’s government for human rights abuses and attacking the freedom of the press. An Egypt specialist at Amnesty International, Nicholas Piachaud, told that president Sisi should stop making excuses for disturbing human rights crackdown.

This article is an example of what human rights violations are. Sisi’s excuses are unjustifiable. Saying that “Western” perspective shouldn’t be applied to his country because of the differences between the countries is a big lie. Human rights should be always respected, in all over the world.

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Vocabulary:
campaigner
sparked
uprising

Complain about third term

Third term was a crazy term. We have done the course topics in half of a term, what is mad!! I am really stressed out. 

I know this is the only way to prepare us for Selectivitat, but it is very difficult to motivate students if they are aware of the schedule. Most teachers tried to simplify their subject and taught us the basics. However, it is too much information for a short periode of time. Students know they have to do their best every term, but in this last one it is hard to get the results you want. We should keep up-to-date all the subjects but some ones are more difficult than the others.

This term is challenging because pressure don't have to discourage us, we have to keep working to get the best marks and results to get ready for Selectivitat and achive tha higher mark possible.

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NEWS 5

Could this 'miracle drug' extend your life? First results of anti-ageing medical trial on dogs are ‘astonishing', says scientist

This article tells us about rapamycin, which it is a bacterial by-product discovered in soil at Easter Island. This by-product is already used in transplant patients to prevent the common organ rejection. Rapamycin was first tested on mice and scientists found it increases their life and this anti-aging drug is now tested on dogs. The study found that dogs that received the drug showed improved heart functionality, and what is more, it increased dogs lifespan.
It is a very intersting news because it tells you that it is possible to find a way to extend our life. Maybe it remains a lot of time to achieve this goal, but who knows if this drug can improve human lifespan as it did with mice and dogs. Science is the largest field of investigation and, with patience and improvement, can let humans life longer.

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Vocabulary:
lifespan
weed out
rejection

NEWS 4

A lack of sleep can leave you 'functionally DRUNK', in a matter of days, experts warn 

This news article says that experts warn sleep is much more important than people realize. People who sleep 6 hours a night are already building up a sleep debt. This article says that an study reveals that middle-aged men are most likely to be sleep deprived. In addition, women tend to go to bed earlier and wake up later (especially aged between 30 to 60).
In this news appears the amazing comment that experts at University of Michigan said: 'It doesn't take that many days of not getting enough sleep before you're functionally drunk'. That means that the effects of lack of sleep could be similar to the ones you have when you are drunk. This piece of news is interesting because, as it is said, people don't realize how important sleep is. Some bad habits could lead people to think this way.

This news made me reflect about this issue and awared me of the importance of sleeping the necessary time to let the body and the mind rest.

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Vocabulary:
counterpart
tug-of-war
board