Proficiency 1e Vafopoulou School of Languages

meme

2006-01-28T00:52:00.000-08:00

FOUR THINGS

Four jobs I've had:

Four movies I can watch over and over again:

Four places I lived:

Four places I've been on holiday to:

Four of my favourite dishes:

Four sites I visit daily:

Four favourite dishes:

Four places Iwww.flickr.com'd rather be now:

Four TV programmes I watch regularly:

try answering these questions.

My Christmas holidays

2006-01-17T06:50:00.000-08:00

I spent my Christmas holidays in Trikala where my family lives. I really had a great time there as I relaxed and met my friends who I hadn’t seen them for a long time. On Christmas Day I visited my grandmother who lives alone in a small village and on New Year’s Day I went to the Pertouli’s ski center with my friends where we had some fun playing with the snow. Unfortunately, these lovely days belong to the past and now I am back to Thessaloniki, back to work.

Eleni

SOS Children's Villages

2006-01-16T06:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/

Eleni

Unicef

2006-01-11T04:16:00.000-08:00

Visit the site of the most well known organization.

Chris!

Last night's wine and cheese do.

2005-12-20T00:25:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd post a few photo to remind you all of what happened last night.

My favourite songs (by Eleni)

2005-12-13T06:15:00.000-08:00

My favourite songs are the following five:
1. Stand by me, by Ben King
I love this song because it reminds me the corresponding movie, which was my favourite when I was a child. It’s a very simple song without many instruments, a fact that makes it very impressive. It takes me back to my childhood every time I listen to it.
2. Because you love me, by Celine Dion
It is a very romantic song with soft music and lyrics that are about love. The magic voice of Celine Dion takes it off.
3. Black velvet by Melissa Etheridge
I love the rhythm of this song and the passionate voice of the artist.
4. This love, by Maroon 5
It is a new song and the features that make it special for me are its orchestration and the strange voice of the artist.
5. Hung up, by Madonna
I like this song because it makes my mood.

Ice in Greenland and the Arctic is melting so rapidly!!!

2005-11-29T05:47:00.000-08:00

Arctic Melting Fast; May Swamp U.S. Coasts by 2099

Also, Antarctic's ice 'melting faster'!!!

Air polution

2005-11-29T05:34:00.000-08:00

http://www.stuffintheair.com/AirPolution.html

E.E.A.

2005-11-26T03:33:00.000-08:00

European Enviroment Agency
http://www.eea.eu.int/
Chris

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

2005-11-26T02:43:00.000-08:00

http://www.i-sis.org.uk/list.php

environment

2005-11-22T11:12:00.000-08:00

Greenpeace site

2005-11-22T09:51:00.000-08:00

Ground Control
by David Bowie

Ground control to major tom
Ground control to major tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on

Ground control to major tom
Commencing countdown, engines on
Check ignition and may god’s love be with you

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five,
Four, three, two, one, liftoff

This is ground control to major tom
You’ve really made the grade
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Now it’s time to leave the capsule if you dare

This is major tom to ground control
I’m stepping through the door
And I’m floating in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today

For here
Am I sitting in a tin can
Far above the world
Planet earth is blue
And there’s nothing I can do

Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles
I’m feeling very still
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell me wife I love her very much she knows

Ground control to major tom
Your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong
Can you hear me, major tom?
Can you hear me, major tom?
Can you hear me, major tom?
Can you....

Here am I floating round my tin can
Far above the moon
Planet earth is blue
And there’s nothing I can do.

2005-11-22T09:30:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone I'd like to inform you that there is an amazing party upcoming next week at my home planet, Betelgeuse 5. It is a few light years away, a conciderable distance, so the only reasonable way to get there on time is by the D4 Interstellar Spaceship that departs at 574gl (galavtic timing). It is cheap confortable and fast.
Another not so reasonable way is through the sub-dimensional teleporter, its much faster instant actually- but I definately don't suggest it.
Its going to be a great party and I will be pleased to meet you there!
P.S. Book a ticket a couple of days ago to be safe

We are the world (USA for Africa)

2005-11-15T06:11:00.000-08:00

There comes a time when we need a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying, oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We're all a part of god's great big family
And the truth, you know love is all we need
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start givin'
There's a choice we're makin'
We're savin' our own lives
It's true, we'll make a better day
Just you and me
Well, send them you your heart so they know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As god has shown us by turning stone to bread
And so we all must lend a helping hand
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start givin'
Whoa, there's a choice we're makin'
We're savin' our own lives
It's true, we'll make a better day
Just you and me
When you're down and out
There seems no hope at all
But if you just believe
There's no way we can fall
Well, well, well, let us realize
Oh, that one change can only come.
When we stand together as one
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start givin'
There's a choice we're makin'
We're savin' our own lives
It's true, we'll make a better day
Just you and me

A sight for sore eyes

2005-11-09T02:50:00.000-08:00

At last, photgraphic evidence of my students working. I'm off to call CNN! BTW, don't forget to post your song lyrics.

Russians by Sting

2005-11-02T13:31:00.000-08:00

Russians by Sting

In Europe and America there's a growing feeling of
hysteria
Conditioned to respond to all the threats
In the rhetorical speeches of the Soviets
Mister Krushchev said, 'We will bury you'
I don't subscribe to this point of view
It'd be such an ignorant thing to do
If the Russians love their children too

How can I save my little boy
From Oppenheimer's deadly toy?
There is no monopoly on common sense
On either side of the political fence
We share the same biology
Regardless of ideology
Believe me when I say to you
I hope the Russians love their children too

There is no historical precedent to put
Words in the mouth of the president
There's no such thing as a winnable war
It's a lie we don't believe anymore
Mister Reagan says 'We will protect you'
I don't subscribe to this point of view
Believe me when I say to you
I hope the Russians love their children too
We share the same biology
Regardless of ideology
What might save us, me and you
Is if the Russians love their children too

1 When do you think the song was written ?
2 What do you think it is about ?
3 How has the world changed since then?

Entertainment nowadays and at my parents time

2005-11-02T08:49:00.000-08:00

The world has changed in general since the time my parents were young , so did the ways of entertainment. At my parent's time young people weren't allowed to stay out late but now most of us return home in the early morning. At that time when friends were gathered in a place , they used to make long conversations but nowadays we prefer to watch dvds. In general while my parents were having fun with other people , we tent to amuse ourselves using technology or spending money. But we could say that the bigger change is the fact that we are given a lot of money in order to entertain ourselves but our parents didn't they usualy had to save up!
By Danae

Forms of entertainment...

2005-11-01T15:45:00.000-08:00

Forms of entertainment nowadays, obtained a new and more modern image since our parents’ adulthood. The presence of facilities we now enjoy, and the rapid technological evolution has lead to various new entertainment forms, and the replacement of others. Years ago facilities such as contemporary courts, multi-cinemas that give you the opportunity to choose among 9 or more different movies, and even home cinemas for private screening of extremely high sound and video definition, were inexistent. By now they have succeeded the long gone by disco halls and open-air cinemas and comprise some of the most common ways of entertainment. On the other hand, the spread use of personal computers that incorporate million capabilities such as the World Wide Web, gave another dimension of what we call interactive entertainment and online gaming. As entertainment has been interlaced with technology, all its forms will evolve into something new. Probably years after, entertainment forms will vary even more and will replace the way we enjoy ourselves nowadays.

By Irini

How have forms of entertainment changed...(by Eleni)

2005-11-01T05:54:00.000-08:00

I think that the forms of entertainment have not changed significantly through the years. They have just been affected by technology and have become more contemporary. My father, for example, used to spend his spare time with his friends going to the cinema, to taverns or cafés. These forms still exist today. My mother was born in a small village, the strict local society of which didn’t allow girls to go out and have some fun. So they would assemble at homes and spend their time doing several things such as cooking and knitting. Girls, of course, have the freedom to do whatever they want today but the meetings at homes remain a form of entertainment.

speaking practice

2005-10-31T23:26:00.000-08:00

A great way to improve your pronunciation and your speaking in general is to copy what actors say. Here is a sample of what you can do.

1 Go to

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches.htm

2 Go to the Remember The Titans page.
3 Download the mp3 file. Its not very big, about 1.6 mb
so it shouldn't take more than ten minutes, even on
a slow connection.
4 Listen to the part of the film and read the dialogue at
the same time.
5 Now record yourself giving the speech. If you have a
microphone on the computer use the ηχογραφηση
programme that come with Windows.

The important thing is to practice this so that you no longer are worrying about the pronunciation of individual words and focus on the flow of the language and how the actor is using his or her voice. Now listen to yourself. Do you sound like a real person or just a robot mindlessly mouthing words without any emotion ?

Check out more extracts.

Free music anyone ?

2005-10-29T13:27:00.000-07:00

I was thinking that we should set up a class music library. If everyone records a cdr with their 10 favourite albums in mp3 format we could then swop and everyone could get the chance to build up a killer music collection without spending loads of money.

Have a great break

2005-10-25T23:40:00.000-07:00

But before you go, remember your assignment;

How have forms of entertainment changed since the time your parents were young ?

Use pictures (if possible) to illustrate your point.

My biography!

2005-10-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

My name is Irini Karapistoli. I was born in Thessaloniki in 1982. I’ve received my degree of Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Democritus University of Thrace in 2005 with honours. During my studies, I’ve received three scholarships from the State Scholarship Foundation of Greece. I’m currently an associate researcher at the Informatics and Telematics Institute in Thessaloniki and I’m studying towards my PhD at the corresponding Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. My current research interests lie in the area of wireless sensor networks. I’m a student member of the IEEE society and also an incoming member of the Technical Chamber of Greece.

my glorious life in a few words

2005-10-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

I graduated from Eaton at 1990. I studied nano-science and biomedical engineering at M.I.T and received my degree with honors at 1992.I studied mases' psychology at Paris University and I received my degree at 1994.I was in the cover of Times magazine (September of 1995).I fought for the rescue of a specie of gazon that was in a great danger. I stayed 4 years in Nepal in order to find the cause of the existence. At 1999 I made my first and last movie (in London).For this movie I received two Oscars (for directing and producing the film) and the Berlin's Festival Gold Bear at 2000. For the inventions that I made as a student of biomedical engineering I received the Nobel price at 2001. I accepted to be the secretary of the united Nations for the years 2003-2005.At 2006 I won at the Rolang Garos final. Nowadays I am writing my first novel that I believe that will gives me my second Nobel prise.
I have written more than than 100 articles in magazines like Scientific American, Science, Newsweek, National Geographic, Times, Le Point.

My bio

2005-10-25T08:39:00.000-07:00

My earth name is Alexander Chassapis Gianakopoulos and my home-planet name can be expressed at the earth languages as Zvxwaegr Aztk, I was genetically transformed at my present form in Betelgeuse 5 during the L6E period (approximately 453 A.D.). I have been accepted with honours at the University of Alpheratz System (Alpha Andromedae HD 358 ). I got my degree on the subject of inter-stellar diplomacy and communication with new spieces. I worked as a lieutenant commander of a mission to the systems of the HID 39821 sector during which I was honoured for my services towards the A7 inter-stellar alliance and the Betelgeuse High Council. I have received meta-genetic treatment for trans-galactic transportation through hyper-dimensional links of sub-quantum type and since then I provide galactic services as an ambassador to planet earth.

bio

2005-10-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

My name is Danae Athanassia Softa , I am 19,5 years old and I study Architecture in Aristotelio Univercity.I can speak english well as I have the first certificate from Cambridge and I am preparing for the Proficiency exams.I can also speak satisfaing french as I have the Delf from 1 to 6.At my spear time I like to read books , dance and travell.

profbiography

2005-10-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

I 'm Nick cholopoulos,I'm 23 and I study nutrition in Thessaloniki.I'm in my third year of my studies and I'm looking forward to getting my degree with honours.I succeded in passing the exams for the FCE and I intend to expand my studies in English by getting the CAE.Besides from that, I plan to go abroad in order to continue my studies in nutrition,for my Master of Science,focusing on the nutritional habits of the children all around Europe.

HOLIDAYS

2005-10-24T23:00:00.000-07:00

This week we've got no lessons from the 26th to the 28th October!!!!!

My biography

2005-10-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

My name is Eleni B. and I am 26 years old. In 2003, I graduated from the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment of the Aristotle University and at present I am a postgraduate student in the same department. At the same time, I work as an assistant in a European research program. I speak English and I have taken the ECDL Core Certificate.

A few words about me

2005-10-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

My name is Ariadne Kalokiri, I am 19,5 years old and I have been studying architecture since October 2004 in Thessaloniki. I have also a brother who is 17. Actually, my permanent residence is in Athens, where my rest family lives. In my free time, I usually go to the cinema and theatre, by the way, one of my dreams is to act a part in a play, in order to overcome my stage fright. I also love reading books, especially poetry and novels.

biography

2005-10-19T15:21:00.000-07:00

My name is Joanna Gapkiadi. I was born in Lamia and I live in a small town near Lamia, called Makrakomi. I am 20 years old and I study Biology. I am in the 3rd year in the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki. I am attending courses and seminars in genetic and biotechnology. My dream is to find further information about human genome, in order to help scientific team to find cure for more diseases, especially for cancer and epilepsy.

Our first post

2005-10-18T17:59:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I hope everyone in Prof 1e takes the opportunity to use this blog to improve their English. Your first assignment is to write a professional biography in just one paragraph that gives people a sense of the talents and skills that you possess.

Welcome to the world of blogging

2005-10-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

Here's a warm welcome to Prof 1e.