Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for French

Dear Sara,

Comparing Education: Japan vs. Spain

I hope this letter finds you well and that everything is going great in Japan. I was recently reading about the Japanese education system and was amazed at how different it is from ours in Spain!

Cultural and Operational Differences

Several key operational aspects distinguish the two systems:

• School Maintenance and Meals: In Japan, students and teachers are responsible for cleaning the school and preparing lunch. This contrasts sharply with Spain, where we rely on dedicated janitors and cooks.
• Academic Calendar: The Japanese school year runs from April to March, while the Spanish academic year traditionally begins in September.
• Time Commitment: Japanese students dedicate significantly more hours to extracurricular

Personal Background and Academic Aspirations

I was born in Quinta Normal in 2001. I grew up in Cerro Navia, where I used to play soccer with my friends on the field next to my house. Since I was a child, I have always liked construction, and now I’m studying it at college. My family has always supported me, and I still spend time with my childhood friends. One important moment in my life was starting to study what I love.

The Thrill of Radio-Controlled (RC) Car Racing

In my free time, I enjoy playing with my RC (radio-controlled) cars — it’s one of my favorite hobbies. This activity is fun, exciting, and relaxing. Controlling the cars at high speed and trying new tricks keeps me focused and happy.

Shared Passion: RC Cars and Family Time

I... Continue reading "Construction Student's Passion: RC Cars and Outdoor Life" »

Tiempos Verbales (English Verb Tenses)

Present Simple (P.S.)

Present Continuous (P.C.)

Present Perfect (P.P.)

Synonyms and Advanced Terms

• Presents/Features: (Presenta/Característiques)
• Makes an official agreement/Signs a contract: (Fa un acord oficial/Signa un contracte)
• List of the most popular songs/Music charts: (Llista de les cançons més populars/Llistes de música)
• Started/Pioneered: (Va començar/Va ser pioner)
• Large/Substantial: (Gran/Substancial)
• Promote/Publicise: (Promoure/Donar a conèixer)
• Rises rapidly/Rockets: (Puja ràpidament/Es dispara)
• An innovative system/Technological background: (Un sistema innovador/Fons tecnològic)
• Fund/Pay for: (Finançar/Pagar)
• Background/Experience: (Antecedents/Experiència)
• Get my head around/Work out (Understand/Solve): (Fer-se una idea/Resoldre)
• Backed up/Saved in another form: (Còpia de seguretat/Guardat en

Strategic Vocabulary: Competition, AI, and Global Dynamics

1. AI, Geopolitics, and Power Dynamics (Terms 1-22)

1. Intensifying competition: Intensification de la concurrence / Concurrence croissante
2. Long-standing trade disputes: Un conflit commercial de longue date
3. To reshape global power dynamics: Remodeler la dynamique des puissances
4. To be weaponized: Être utilisé comme arme
5. To thrust AI into the heart of national security: Mettre l’IA au cœur des questions de sécurité nationale
6. To reshape the balance of power: Refondre l’équilibre des pouvoirs
7. Centralized planning: Planification centralisée
8. With direct state funding funneling into specific AI projects: Avec des financements publics directs versés pour soutenir des projets particuliers en

Part 1: Word-Formation Examples

1. Reversative verb: uncork — to reverse the state of being corked/sealed.
2. Locative noun: bakery — a noun denoting a place where something happens or has a specific function; here, a place where baking occurs.
3. Denominal verb: cannibalize — a verb derived from a noun (cannibal).
4. Diminutive noun: duckling — a noun with the diminutive suffix -ling, indicating a small or young duck.
5. Attenuative adjective: None from the set. An attenuative adjective expresses a lessened degree of a quality (e.g., greenish). Indecisive is negative/privative, not attenuative.
6. Repetitive verb: replay — a verb with the prefix re-, indicating an action done again.
7. Collective noun: aristocracy — a noun referring to a collective social

Multiculturalism: Living in Diverse Societies

In many countries, people from different cultures live together. This coexistence forms what is known as a multicultural society.

Benefits of Multicultural Societies

• Learning and Growth: We can learn immensely from each other, discovering new foods, music, languages, and ways of thinking.
• Enhanced Understanding: This exposure fosters greater understanding and respect among individuals.
• Vibrant Communities: Life in a multicultural environment is often more interesting and colorful, enriching daily experiences.

Challenges in Multicultural Societies

• Misunderstanding Customs: Differences in customs can sometimes lead to confusion or arguments.
• National Unity: It can be challenging to foster a sense of national

Essential English Vocabulary & Phrases

Common Terms & Translations

• Oil = petróleo
• Solar power = energía solar
• Cloning = clonar
• Flood = inundaciones
• Global warming = calentamiento global
• Wind power = energía eólica
• Gas = gas
• GM food = comida modificada genéticamente

Descriptive Adjectives & Nouns

• Bright = brillante
• Thames Barrier = el muro del Támesis
• Holiday = vacaciones
• Tidal wave = tsunami
• Huge = enorme
• Landmarks = edificios emblemáticos
• Homeless = vagabundo
• Crew = tripulación
• Submerged = sumergido

Verbs & Related Nouns

• To head = dirigirse
• Straight for = directamente a
• To run out = quedarse sin
• To save = ahorrar/salvar
• To fail = fallar
• To rise = subir/aumentar
• To release = liberar/soltar
• To pollute - pollution: contaminar - contaminación
• To recycle

The Impact of Travel on Personal Growth

I definitely think traveling helps you to broaden your mind. If you want to travel to another country and learn about its culture, countryside, towns, ways of living, museums, etc., it means you are interested in something beyond your country and life. If you want to make a profit from your visit, you'll have to find out more on the internet or in books. In my view, if you do such things, you're already broadening your mind; you are getting interested in something else than you and your background.

Discovering New Cultures

Then you visit the country: you'll discover a new culture, how people think and live, and what they think about problems in the world. All these new experiences will broaden your mind... Continue reading "The Impact of Travel on Personal Growth and Education" »