Source: https://www.bebc.co.uk/postcard-conditionals

Conditional sentences or if clauses are used to describe conditions and results. There is an if clause that tells you the condition (if you read this post) and a main clause that describes the result (you will master conditionals).

There are four main types of conditional sentences.

ZERO CONDITIONAL

Structure: if + present simple, ... present simple

You can also reverse the order: You get sunburnt if you lie in the sun too long. (No comma is necessary in this case)

Usage: facts that are generally true (the result is always the same), for example scientific facts or rules.

FIRST CONDITIONAL

Structure: if + present simple, ... will + infinitive

You can also reverse the order: They will cancel the concert if it rains. (No comma is necessary in this case)

Usage: describe possible or probable future situations and their consequences.

SECOND CONDITIONAL

Structure: if + past simple, ... would + infinitive

You can also reverse the order: They would travel the world if I won the lottery. (No comma is necessary in this case)Usage: imaginary, unlikely or impossible situations.

Careful: If I WERE you, I’d study harder. NOT: *If I was you.

THIRD CONDITIONAL

Structure: if + past perfect, ... would have + past participle
You can also say: I would have passed the exam if I had studied.
Usage: talk about the past and describe a situation that didn't happen, and to imagine its hypothetical consequences.

Last but not least, if you’ve perfectly understood conditional sentences…have a look at the MIXED CONDITIONALS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mv7fBqauvc

ACTIVITY 1 - 1st conditional

MURPHY’S LAW "If a toast falls, it will land with its butter face on the floor"

Ironic! https://www.eslsongs.com/practice/grammar-constructions/conditionals/alanis-morissette-ironic/

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/csm_web/6048893898

Write 10 Murphy's laws related to your school or job. Use the first conditional.

ACTIVITY 2 - Second conditional

If you could have dinner with any three people (dead or alive), who would they be and why?
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?
What would you do if... you had to live on a deserted island?
What would you do if... you could swap lives with your teacher for a day?
What would you do if... aliens landed in your backyard?
What would you do if... you could control the weather?

ACTIVITY 3- Third conditional

Watch this clip from the film " The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". Then write sentences using the third conditional.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZj1Yeb-tVg

1. Daisy’s friend’s shoelace broke.

2. The delivery truck blocked the taxi.

3. The package wasn’t wrapped.

4. The girl broke up with her boyfriend.

5. The man forgot to set his alarm.

6. The taxi driver stopped for a cup of coffee.

7. The woman didn’t remember her coat.

Example:

If Daisy’s friend’s shoelace hadn’t broken, Daisy would have crossed the street and the taxi would have driven by.

EXERCISES:

1) https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/conditional-exercises.html

2) https://agendaweb.org/verbs/conditional-mixed-exercises.html

3) https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/tests/conditional-sentences-3

SONGS:

IF I WERE A BOY... : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsCv_NcT0uQ

IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLARS... : https://www.eslsongs.com/practice/grammar-constructions/conditionals/if-i-had-a-million-dollars-bare-naked-ladies/

Conditionals - If you read this post carefully, you will master conditionals

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/londonmatt/30637426472

Dyslexia Awareness Month is celebrated each October. It is estimated that dyslexia affects approximately 1 out of 10 people worldwide.

It is high time we created an inclusive and positive neurodiverse environment. Here are some key strategies to make your texts more accessible for EVERYONE.

How to make your text more accessible

1. Font and Text Formatting

Fonts: Fonts sans serif like Arial, Verdana, Tahoma, or OpenDyslexic are easier to read.
Avoid Italics and All-Caps: Italicized or CAPITALISED text can be difficult to read.
Use Bold for Emphasis: Rather than italics or underlining, bold can help highlight important points.
Adequate Font Size: Use a minimum of 12-14pt.

2. Line Spacing and Paragraphing

Use 1.5 or Double Spacing: Adequate spacing between lines helps reduce visual clutter.
Short Paragraphs: Break text into smaller paragraphs.
Avoid Justified Text: Left-aligned text with a ragged right edge is easier to follow.

3. Colour Contrast

High Contrast: Use high-contrast colour combinations, like black text on a white background or black text on pastel colours.

4. Clear Layout and Structure

Consistent and Clear Layout: Maintain the same layout and avoid multiple columns.
Headings and Subheadings: Use clear headings to break down the text.
Bullet Points and Lists: Organise content using lists to make it easier to scan.

5. Simple and Clear Language

Plain Language: Avoid complex sentence structures.
Short Sentences: Use concise, direct sentences. Full stop.

AFTER READING, TAKE THIS QUIZ:

COMPREHENSION QUIZ: https://quizizz.com/embed/quiz/670a97ca48f133454628d597

ASSIGNMENT:

Copy and paste the following text on a Word document and try to improve its readability.

Celebrity Spotlight: Salma Hayek Owns Her Dyslexia

When Salma Hayek arrived in Los Angeles from Mexico at age 25, she could barely read a street sign. She spoke almost no English. And having struggled with dyslexia her whole life, she knew that learning a new language would be a challenge.

But Hayek isn’t one to back down from challenges. The acclaimed actress, producer, and director rose above her learning differences and the language barrier. Like many other famous people with learning and thinking differences, she looked beyond her weaknesses and pursued her passion.

Today, Hayek is a megastar, famous for her talents in film and TV. She’s also a passionate champion for the many causes she supports. That includes global health care, domestic violence prevention and environmental issues. And Hayek has worked to create more opportunities for Latinas in Hollywood.

From: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/salma-hayek-owns-her-dyslexia

If you want to learn more about dyslexia, watch this video:

Dyslexia is Rubbish and Awesome – Dyslexia Awareness Week Presentation

HOW TO MAKE YOUR TEXT MORE ACCESSIBLE - DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH

10 HERRAMIENTAS DIGITALES GRATUITAS PARA DINAMIZAR TUS CLASES

Days, months and seasons

Cinco (o más) maneras para mejorar tu español

¿POR O PARA? El eterno dilema

Short stories and an easy atmosphere to practise speaking and expand your vocabulary

Let’s put the kettle on and let’s have a relaxed chat about a nice story. This is the idea at the basis of our book club for busy people.

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald was an American writer. Both his life and his novels and short stories depict the spirit of the so-called Jazz Age of the 1920s. It was a period of economic growth and cultural dynamism, in which jazz music flourished. He said he belonged to “a generation grown up to find all Gods dead, all wars fought, all faiths in man shaken”.

He led a glamorous life full of parties and alcohol, spending lot of money and accumulating debts.

In his literary production he presented the contradictions of his age. On the one hand, the optimism of the American Dream, the belief that each person can succeed in life. On the other hand, the sense of loss and emptiness behind the cult of money and materialism.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (1922) is the incredible story of a child born old and returning to infancy as time passes. The story was also adapted into an Oscar-winning film starring Brad Pitt as Benjamin. The plot of the film is not exactly the same, so you have to read the book…no cheating! 😉

Before reading, DOWNLOAD THE WORKSHEET of the story HERE: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12fIXVRL4QKBv_bHe6GASOg19winPUKf4/view?usp=sharing

Here you can find the short story: https://freeditorial.com/en/books/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button

Here’s the audiobook: https://archive.org/details/benjamin_button_mv_0812_librivox

If you want, here you can find the book with the whole collection of Fitzgerald’s short stories: https://amzn.to/40l7n7G

2) The Fall of the House of Usher, E. A. Poe

Before reading - find out:

1) What problems characterised Poe's personal life?

2) What led to his premature death?

3) What contributions did he make to literature?

Here you can download a PDF version of an abridged text: https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/the_fall_of_the_house_of_usher.pdf

Here's the original version: https://shortstoryproject.com/stories/the-fall-of-the-house-of-usher/

Easy-busy book club

Five (or more) ways to improve your English

¿Tienes un nivel intermedio y aún no te has atrevido a leer un libro en español? ¡No tengas miedo! Hay libros adecuados para ti: no son solo lecturas adaptadas, también puedes disfrutar y entender los textos de grandes autores en su versión completa.

Aquí te dejo unos títulos para que empieces a adentrarte en la literatura en castellano (sin morir en el intento).

1) CAPERUCITA EN MANHATTAN - Carmen Martín Gaite

Esta entrañable novela, como su título indica, es una transposición en clave moderna del célebre cuento de Caperucita Roja. Sin embargo, no es un banal relato para niños, sino una historia de iniciación a la vida adulta. De forma amena y divertida, trata temas como la búsqueda de la libertad y de nuestro lugar en la sociedad.

Puedes encontrar este libro AQUÍ

2) EL CUADERNO DE MAYA - Isabel Allende

Este libro adictivo cuenta la historia de Maya Vidal, una adolescente problemática que tiene que refugiarse en una remota isla chilena para escapar del FBI. Allí, lejos de su familia y de sus amigos, tendrá tiempo para reflexionar sobre sus aventuras rocambolescas y tal vez para aprender de sus errores.

Puedes encontar este libro AQUÍ

3) VEINTE POEMAS DE AMOR Y UNA CANCIÓN DESESPERADA - Pablo Neruda

Un libro de poesía...¿por qué no? Podrás disfrutar de este clásico de la literatura universal con esta bonita edición bilingüe español-italiano. Y ya que una imagen vale más que mil palabras, a continuación tienes una de las numerosas citas procedentes de este libro:

Puedes encontrar este libro AQUÍ

4) LECTURAS GRADUADAS

Si los libros anteriores te han parecido demasiado difíciles (o si los temas no son de tu interés), en la web de Cideb y ELI podrás encontrar muchos más títulos de obras de vario tipo en versión simplificada. Además, también hay audio para que puedas escuchar a la vez que estás leyendo.

Algunos de mis títulos favoritos de nivel B1: