Eat Well For Under 15 Euros

Over the next month I want to turn this blog into a "listings magazine" for visitors to Barcelona. (Not really, but could be a way of making money). As part of my initiative I want to identify a Barcelona that is still accessible to the average pocket. First in this series is a list of restaurants where you can eat out for only 15 euros (or under). This price includes tax but does not include alcohol. It also means the evening and not an afternoon menu. Please leave your suggestions under comments. Should you visit, or have visited, one of the recommendations, then please give the venue a mark from one to five. Five meaning excellent value for money and 1 meaning very poor value for money. DON'T GRADE YOUR OWN RECOMMENDATIONS.

Mistakes We Have Made

Here at the International House Barcelona website you can hear some pretty funny language mistakes native English speakers have made here in Barcelona when trying to speak Spanish. It reminds me of when I told my German "Father-in-law" that "I was very beuatiful yesterday" (Ich war sehr schön gestern). Of course I meant to say it was very beautiful but the moment was lost.

Even more amusing is this 3rd grader's essay which has the most unfortunate spelling mistake. The word "Hores" to our adult senses seems more like whores than horses.

Have you got any language gaffes (errors) to share with us?

Revolutionary New Method

As you know, I'm always searching for new ways and ideas to improve my teaching. You can imagine my delight, therefore, when I discovered this marvellous blend of Total Physical Response, Situational Language Teaching and Intercultural Exchange. Don't worry if you don't understand this jargon, just bring along your gym outfit next week and we are going to have fun, fun, fun. I am so very excited about this new method. I think I need to go to Japan to really study it. How do you say "take anything you want" in Japanese? Anybody know?

Zen Time

So what is the sound of one hand clapping? After all that sex and violence , donuts and the upper floors of a certain hospital (ask Rosa, I've never been there myself) it's time, at last, for some spirituality. Here is a fabulous story from the equally fabulous website "Zen Stories to tell your neighbour", which contains even more of these wonderful gems. "Banishing a ghost" just happens to be my favourite. Please leave your opinions on the story, i.e what you think it means, whether you enjoyed it or not, in comments below. You will find responses already posted on the Zen Stories website to help you decide personally what you thought the message of the story was. Enjoy.

The World of Churnalism

This is an excellent article on the phenomena of “Churnalism”. Churrnalism is a play on words, a play on the phrasal verb to churn out, meaning to produce a great quantity of something automatically without any great skill or thought. Churnalism is being contrasted with the ideals of real journalism: independence, skill in analysing and presenting ideas, courage of conviction, investigation.

The Best Murder Mystery Game Ever

Having recently started a unit of the course book with my class at Grifols in which we talk about crime, I couldn't resist inroducing you all to the world's greatest murder mystery adventure. You might think this is Mrs Marple or Sherlock Homes, but you would be wrong. For sheer action and excitement, not to mention a test of your detective skills, this game simply cannot be beaten.

I suggest you start with game 1, Stabbing in Stickville, before trying the other games. Let us know how you get on with the game and please share your ideas on how to solve the murders.

Learning English doesn't get any better than this. Enjoy.