And just like this the new academic
year has started and the summer already seems to be far, far away.
Luckily enough this October, at least up to know, is sunny and that
rather helps us to stay optimistic and full of energy. I don't know
about you, but for me October is about new beginnings. In past it was
time when I was going back to school, new books, new teachers, new
peers. Then it was time when I was back to the university and I was
leaving my family house behind and starting new “adult” life in a
new city. Now, funnily enough, it's almost the same. Being a teacher
has made my life keep on the same cycle as I was used to in my
childhood and then early adolescence. So, October is the month of
beginnings (and my birthday month!).
Even if you have never thought about
this time of year as something to make new resolutions, it's never
too late. Just think about it, you have just started using the
language laboratory at the university, you have just signed for a new
course... Aren't this kind of resolutions? You want to become better
at something. Why not to expand it a bit more? Here are some of my
ideas to stay on track, to learn more, to expand your horizons. I
hope it can inspire you to do something new, something special!
- LanguagesWell, you're here, on our official blog. That's the first big step. What else can you do? Many things and all of them quite easy:
- Join us at the MEET UP! It's fun, I promise! What is it? As Wilma, has perfectly explained on the meet up page: “We are a group of UPVEHU students, teachers and university workers who are interested in getting together at the weekend to walk, talk and explore Vitoria-Gasteiz and the surrounding area. Days out where the medium of English as a Lingua Franca will be used to share the thoughts and ideas of those who choose to come along. Mountain walks, city tours, packed lunches shared - old friends relaxing with new friends made. A warm welcome will be extended to one and all. Everybody is welcome, UPVEHU connected or not, family members, children...even dogs ;)”This very first Walk & Talk Meeting will be along the Green Ring of Gasteiz and it's on 30.10.2016. More info here:http://www.meetup.com/es-ES/Vitoria-Gasteiz-UPVEHU-Meetup-Weekend-Walk-Talk/events/234498229/?from=ref
- Write something for our blog! Or at least post a comment, share your experiences. If you are interested in writing something longer, please send it to languagelabgasteiz@gmail.comThe only requirements is to be somehow connected to the university and/or to our language laboratory. Send us your text, name and surname and the above mentioned connection and we'll post your work here. To avoid any unpleasant situations let's agree on not writing about politics, religion, money and anything vulgar, OK? ;)
- Apart from our courses/laboratory try using some app for your mobile or tablet. Just ten minutes per day could improve your vocabulary and grammar. I recommend a free DuoLingo, especially for lower levels:
- Read, Watch and Listen!!! Whatever your hobby is, you can do it in English. You like films? Watch them in English with subtitles. You prefer music? Listen to your favourite English songs with lyrics in your hand. You are an avid reader? Read in English. Magazines, books, levelled books (specially adapted for A2-C1 levels). The choices are infinite. Even look for Yoga classes in English!
- Culture
- Fusionarte (2-22.10.2016) is a fusion of scenic arts and music. One position that stands out in the program is the musical theatre with puppets 'Mrs. Brownie' (Saturday, 15th in Auditorio Txema Blasco) http://www.revistaktual.com/actualidad/1526-fusionarte
- Join a book club! Check your local library or the cultural centre. There is for example a comic and graphic novel book club in Centro Civico Salburua or contemporary novel book club in Centro Civico Aldabe. You can find more on the city hall website:
-
- Queen tribute band (Iradier Arena, 15.10.2016): the group God Save the Queen with Pablo PadÃn as a frontman prepares a 2-hours magical show.
- International Theatre Festival in Vitoria-Gasteiz (6.10-29.11.2016)Impossible to describe all the spectacles worth seeing here. Just follow the link: http://www.vitoria-gasteiz.org/we001/was/we001Action.do?idioma=es&aplicacion=wb021&tabla=contenido&uid=b864f49_1468923428a__7f94
The last point in languages is
actually something recommendable to do in any language. You feel
that culturally you haven't been as active recently as you wish you
were? Let's check what you can do about it. Just a few things that
called my attention:
- BooksI know, I know! It's culture. But I'm a bookworm and for me it's a whole separate category. AS I've said, you can join a book club. Or set a challenge for yourself. How many books can you read in a year? What new areas do you want to discover? But there is also something different. What books immediately jump to your mind when you think of October? I think of:
- Harry Potter (hmmm... Halloween in Hogwarts!),
- Dracula (duh! cloudy and misty Transylvania),
- Anne of Green Gables (“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” !!!).
Which books come to your mind?
Well, I could probably go on and on and
on... But I don't want to bore you just with the first post. Please
share your resolutions, beginnings, ideas. We would love to hear from
you!!!
(written by: Slawka)
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