ONLINE DEBATE

This week's issue for the online debate is Water Poverty.

• "Water companies should limit the amount of water we can use in our homes"

Please, come in and comment. Any contributions would be appreciated. See you son.

Idioms and Common Sayings.

What is an idiom? What are some fun idoms we can use in everyday English? Some good examples of idiomatic expressions.

An idiom is a combination of words that has a figurative meaning that is separated from the literal meaning of the words or are different from the meaning they have. It's a good idea to use idioms when you are talking to a person in English. When you use them you give more figures to the speech, in other words, you express ideas in a more natural way.

Be careful when you tell someone that you kicked the bucket because you mean that you have died! Another fun idiom is to say that someone is pulling your leg which means that he or she is teasing you. When it's early in the morning and you want to say something nice to a colleague or to a friend you can tell him that the early bird always gets the warm meaning that this person that starts an early day will get the best of it.

Other examples are:

Curiosity Killed The Cat: Being Inquisitive can lead you into a dangerous situation.

Break A Leg: A superstitious way to say 'good luck' without saying 'good luck', but rather the opposite.Buy A Lemon: To purchase a vehicle that constantly gives problems or stops running after you drive it away.
Get Over It: To move beyond something that is bothering you.Get Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed: Someone who is having a horrible day.

English as a tool for school in Mexico.

How important is studying English for people in Mexico?

There are many opinions about the importance of English for people these days. The students have their very own and realistic opinions. Also the parents and school teachers have a very personal concept of the importance of English in Mexico. Many students have family relatives living in the US or they have a close relationship to someone that has gotten back from over there. As a result, they can "taste" the importance of studying English today. They can understand that if they know English now, they can open a wide range of new life opportunities for them in the future. Some other students in higher levels, believe that English is the most important language today. They are aware of the use of English at the University classes and in business transactions. Furthermore, they have realized that many employers in Mexico offer job  opportunities better paid when you speak the language. When I ask my students if they know how important the language is, they often reply: "Yes, I know English is great for my future". Somehow the students have the fact that  studying English is crucial in the back of their heads.

Parents also realize that studying English it is a part of their kids "duty" at school. They refer to the subject as one the of the most important in the school. And even more, you can feel there exists a "silent code" among many parents in Mexico, when it comes to selecting the best private school for their children, parents find out if that particular school has daily English classes as a factor for taking their final decision. It comes to my mind a person I talked to a few years ago.  

Government authorities in Mexico have changed the laws and the education system so that English language instruction begins in all public schools of the elementary level of education. As a consequence, many English teachers are working for the public sector now. This has brought up the importance of English in Mexico to a new level.

Personally, I believe students in Mexico are sure of the main significance of English in their curricula. Parents are also convinced that studying English it is now a key subject for their children and young adults' education for life. Spite the cost of education, that sometimes it is not cheap, students in Mexico are  struggling for learning English.

• How important is studying English for you?
• Que tan importante es el idioma inglés para tí?         

What do you think? Please comment here or in Facebook.

Welcome!

Welcome to my 2013 brand new blog!

I'm so proud to announce my 2013 brand new blog, designed for students of English and people in general. I would like to thank Ms. Paulina Hernández for her technical support and assistance throughout the process of blogging. I´m César Girón and I have been an English Teacher for more than 18 years. I am from Mexico and I lived in Toronto, Canada for some time too. The best thing of being an English Teacher is helping someone to understand and to communicate in a different language.
 This blog can be used as reference for people who are studying English in Mexico or at any other country.
 If you are currently taking a course with me or you had taken an English course any time before, this blog can be a perfect way to communicate ourselves and to keep in touch.  

Working an interactive class in High School. (Picture by César Girón)

   I recommend these web pages in case you need any help on grammar or if you are looking for exercises of English grammar:

• http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises_list/alle_grammar.htm
• http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar

They are widely used for English students around the world and best of everything, you can get immediate feedback on your exercises.

   Listening to songs in English it's a great practice. Next, click on the link below and look at the video "Friday I'm in love" - by The Cure.

1. How many times did you hear the word Monday?
2. Where do you think the people in the video are?
3. Have you ever been to such a situation?

•  Please comment here or in Facebook. Thanx a bunch! See you folks!