13 de noviembre de 2011
The Right Way to Receive Phone Calls
9 de octubre de 2011
Walking in the UK
In any new country, the roads can be dangerous for pedestrians … so …
Even for those not driving it is important to be aware that traffic may be approaching from unexpected directions.
Although, apart from motorways, it’s not illegal to cross the road at any point it is advisable to use crossings, some of them controlled by traffic lights, whenever you can.You may cross the road when the green man is showing but, if the light is flashing, don’t start to cross.
There are crossing points known as Zebra crossings which have black and white road markings and orange flashing beacons at each side of the road. Drivers should give way to pedestrians on the crossing, but you should be careful as there are no red traffic lights instructing drivers to stop.
Don’t forget, pedestrians are not allowed to walk along or cross any motorway at any time.
25 de septiembre de 2011
Language in the UK
The predominant spoken language is English, but in parts of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland their native language is still spoken.
What newcomers to the UK might find confusing are the numbers of different regional accents and dialects which can on occasions be difficult to understand, even for native English speakers!
It is possible in the early days of your stay in the UK, that you’ll need some assistance in interpreting or translating English into your preferred language. Interpretation services are often available locally and details of where and how to access them are normally available from your local authority or Citizens Advice Bureau.
14 de septiembre de 2011
How to pay a compliment - Como halagar o hacer un cumplido
Man: Good morning!
Woman: Morning!
Man: By the way, I just wanted to say well done on clinching that deal!
Woman: Oh, thanks. It wasn’t too difficult.
Man: You’re being modest! You did really well.
Woman: Thank you.
Man: You’re a great manager, you know.
Woman: Do you think so?
Man: Oh yeah.
Woman: I appreciate that.
(pause)
Man: Have you cut your hair?
Woman: Oh yes, I did actually. Thanks for noticing!
Man: Where did you get it done?
Woman: Oh, just that place on the high street.
Man: They did a great job and it looks great with the outfit.
Woman: Do you think so?
Man: Oh yeah. Very … fashionable.
Woman: Oh, it’s just an old thing.
Man: Well, you’ve got a great sense of style.
Woman: Thank you, you too.
Man: Thank you.
(pause)
Man: Nice perfume, too. Is that Dream?
Woman: Well, yes it is, actually.
Man: You wear it well.
Woman: I’m flattered.
Man: My pleasure.
Woman: Listen, do you want something?
Man: No. I’m just being polite, you know.
Woman: Hmmm.
16 de agosto de 2011
Leisure Activities
Leisure Activities
Most of Britain’s population enjoys sport and leisure activities in one way or another, and whether as a participant or a spectator there are a whole host of activities to enjoy.
In recent years the encouragement toward a more healthy lifestyle has led to more people taking up physical activity, whether to get fit or to keep fit. These activities can be found indoors at leisure, sporting and recreation centres and outdoors, at the many free publicly available playing fields and also at clubs and associations which are open to members or paying visitors. In any event there are plenty to choose from whatever your level of physical fitness.
As with most countries many of the leisure activities in the UK are much more sedate. Whether as an individual or a team, a child, adult or family, most towns and cities have something for everyone.
9 de julio de 2011
How to ask someone to repeat something
How to ask someone to repeat something
Try out the various ways in asking people to repeat what they said.Man: (Mumbling “Have you seen a green pen anywhere?”)
Woman: I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.
Man: (Mumbling)
Woman: Could you say that again?
Man: (Mumbling “Green pen, see it anywhere?”)
Woman: I’m sorry…er I still didn’t get that.
Man: (Trying very hard but still mumbling)
Woman: Could you say that again?
Man: (slightly frustrated and mumbling again)
Woman: One more time?
Man: (Mumbling)
Woman: No. Sorry. Nothing.
Man: (Mumbling)
Woman: Look! I can’t hear a word you’re saying.
Man: I said “Have you seen a green…pen”…oh, there it is!
Difference between the UK and Great Britain
Do you find it difficult to understand the difference
between the UK and Great Britain?
Man: So where are you from?
Woman: Scotland. Are you Scottish too?
Man: Well no, I’m English actually, but… you know… it’s all like the same thing, isn’t it?
Woman: Not exactly.
Man: Go on! Isn’t Scotland just like well, a bit of England?
Woman: No, it is not!
Man: Sorry, Britain I mean.
Woman: “Britain” is not “England”!
Man: Well yeah… I know that, I’m not stupid or anything… but Britain’s like, England, Scotland and Wales, isn’t it?
Woman: Not exactly.
Man: Yeah, it is; the UK, the United Kingdom.
Woman: The United Kingdom is “Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland”.
Man: Oh I see, but we’re all like the same nation, aren’t we?
Woman: Not really. Four nations, one state.
Man: Oh, I get it! So the UK (is) like the same as Great Britain...
Woman: Great Britain is a geographical term – it’s a big island with Scotland, England, and Wales on it.
Man: All right, but we all have the same prime minister, don’t we?
Woman: Yes, and the same head of state.
Man: The Queen!
Woman: Exactly.
Man: And the same government?
Woman: Well, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own local parliaments.
Man: Oh. I see.
Woman: It’s complicated.
Man: Yeah, I can see that.
20 de junio de 2011
Currency in the UK - La moneda en el Reino Unido
Although the UK is in the European Union, it has taken the decision at the moment not to adopt the Euro as its currency. Instead it retains pound sterling.
A pound consists of 100 pence. The word ‘pence’ being very often shortened to the letter ‘p’ in both the written and in conversational form.
The following coins are in regular circulation:
- 1p
- 2p
- 5p
- 10p
- 20p
- 50p
- £1
- £2
The following notes are also used:
- £5
- £10
- £20
- £50
These notes are usually issued in the name of the Bank of England and the notes and coins are accepted throughout the UK. You may occasionally find some bank notes bearing the names of Banks in Scotland or Northern Ireland, like the Scottish notes shown here. These are still legal tender throughout the UK but some traders, because they are not familiar with them, may be reluctant to accept them outside of the country in which they were issued. If you do have any difficulties though, any Bank will replace them without charge.
26 de noviembre de 2010
Ready for the Final Exam?
The term and 2010 are coming to an end, and to help you study and round off those topics that could be difficult to understand, we offer you a "virtual classroom". This lesson covers the main grammar issues and vocabulary areas that have been analyzed in class.

May you find the virtual class useful and hope you can have a great exam!
Kind regards,
Prof. Michael Scranton & Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas
6 de mayo de 2010
A seguir escuchando!
Seguimos con la ejercictación de comprensión auditiva, con 2 ejercicios que incluyen sus respuestas. Se vienen los días de frío, por lo tanto con una buena taza de te o café y paciencia, estos ejercicios nos harán entrar en calor. ¡Adelante!
Ejercicio 1 (Descargar en PDF)
Ejercicio 2 (Descargar en PDF)
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas
30 de abril de 2010
¡Empezamos!
En esta primera entrega de nuestra práctica permanente on line queremos acercarles 3 ejercicios para que practiquen elementos del idioma con los que probablemente ya estén familiarizados o conozcan.
Los ejercicios incluyen las respuestas, en la última hoja.
Sean curiosos, exploren, y anímense a equivocarse. De los errores, aprendemos más que de los libros.
Suerte y a trabajar, entonces!
Ejercicio 1 (descargar en PDF)
Ejercicio 2 (descargar en PDF)
Ejercicio 3 (descargar en PDF)
Que tengan una buena semana!
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro Univ. de Idiomas
NOTA: Para escuchar el audio deberán tener instalado el Flash Player de Acrobat
13 de noviembre de 2009
A seguir escuchando!
El cuatrimestre ya está entrando en la recta final, y eso significa estar un poco cansados, no sólo de estudiar, sino del año en general.
Hoy les acercamos un ejercicio para "estresarse" un poco más, pero para luego sentir que hemos logrado entender también un poco más!
¡Que lo disfuten!
EJERCICIO
Saludos a todos,
Prof. Mariano Ignacio
Centro de Idiomas
22 de octubre de 2009
Double Listening Comprehension Practice!
Esta semana les acercamos una práctica de comprensión auditiva doble.
Que les sea provechosa y ¡que la disfruten!
HOJA DE PRACTICA 1 (Spelling Practice)
HOJA DE PRACTICA 2
Saludos a todos,
Profesores del CUI
Para escuchar el audio deberán tener instalado el Flash Player de Acrobat (el programa que permite ver videos de YouTube)
25 de septiembre de 2009
Y... más comprensión auditiva!
Hay alguna diferencia entre OIR y ESUCHAR?
• Oír es una actividad pasiva y se refiere simplemente a la detección de sonidos por nuestros oídos.
• Escuchar es un proceso activo e involucra el deseo conciente de entender lo que se esta oyendo.
Aprender a ESCUCHAR requiere tiempo y esfuerzo, y es quizás la última habilidad que logramos adquirir en el proceso de aprendizaje de un idioma. El tiempo es tuyo, y en el esfuerzo queremos ayudarte.
El objetivo cuando vamos a un gimnasio es salir cansado y transpirado; suponemos que a mayor cansancio y transpiración más hemos trabajdo. En el aula nos debería pasar lo mismo con nuestra cabeza. A mayor dolor de cabeza y necesidad de oxígeno, mejor hemos trabajado! Hoy te proponemos otro ejercicio para que sigas "entrenando" el oido.
EJERCICIO (descargar desde aquí)
Saludos a todos,
Profesores del CUI
Para escuchar el audio deberán tener instalado el Flash Player de Acrobat (el programa que permite ver videos de YouTube)
10 de septiembre de 2009
Más comprensión de audio
¡Mucha suerte!
EJERCICIO 1 (descargar desde acá)
EJERCICIO 2 (descargar desde acá)
Saludos a todos,
Profesores del CUI
Para escuchar el audio deberán tener instalado el Flash Player de Acrobat (el programa que permite ver videos de YouTube)
5 de septiembre de 2009
Comprensión auditiva
esperamos que estas primeras semanas hayan sido fructiferas y que sus primeros pasos en el estudio de este idioma y su cultura los esté entusiasmando.
Les acercamos 2 ejercicios para seguir entrenando el oído.
Ejercicio 1 (DESCARGAR desde acá)
Ejercicio 2 (DESCARGAR desde acá)
Saludos,
Profesores del CUI
Para escuchar el audio deberán tenr instalado el Flash Player de Acrobat (el programa que permite ver videos de YouTube)
28 de agosto de 2009
Te acercamos 2 ejercicios. Esucharás 2 conversaciones y deberás completar información.
Las hojas de trabajo incluyen las respuestas. A no hacer trampa y suerte!
EJERCICIO 1: Descargar hoja de trabajo desde aquí
ESCUCHAR
EJERCICIO 2: Descargar hoja de trabajo desde aquí
ESCUCHAR