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" »

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

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" »

City Versus Country Living: Pros and Cons

Living in a city is often considered essential today. However, living in the country is also beneficial. On the one hand, in a city, you have everything you need very near your house. Nevertheless, in the country, if you need a supermarket, for example, you have to travel several kilometres to find one. Also, in a city, there are more possibilities to get a job than in the country.

On the other hand, living in the country offers many advantages; for example, you have more peace and you can enjoy the landscape. However, in the city, everything makes noise, and you do not have a natural landscape. In my opinion, it is better to live in a city because all my friends are here.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The Return of Draft Horses in Urban Environments

For several years, a unique initiative has been gaining traction in French cities: the reintroduction of draft horses for various urban tasks. This project, blending tradition with modern sustainability, offers numerous benefits, from environmental gains to community engagement and the preservation of endangered species.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases

Lisez

Read

Ci-dessous

Below

Puis/ensuite

Then

Depuis plusieurs années

For several years

Se bat (battre) avec

Is being fought with

Encourager

To encourage

L'usage

The use

Au-delà

Beyond

Les loisirs

Leisure activities/free time

Jusqu'à

Until

On les avait vus promener les touristes

They had been seen taking the tourists around

En calèche

In a carriage

Des endroits touristiques

Tourist