Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Teaching & Education

Types of Conjunctions in Spanish

Coordinate Conjunctions

These connect elements of equal grammatical rank.

• Juxtaposed: I came, I saw, I conquered
• Coordinated (P1 - P2)
• Copulative: (y, e) Example: John studied and Anna works
• Adversative: (pero, mas, sin embargo) Example: We played well but lost
• Disjunctive: (o, u) Example: Either you come or stay
• Distributional: (ya...ya, bien...bien, unos...otros) Example: Some are playing, others do the task

Subordinate Conjunctions

These connect a subordinate clause to a main clause.

Substantive Conjunctions

These act as a noun phrase.

• Substitute for nouns or pronouns
• The conjunction acts as a link
• Subject: Example: I am concerned that I should study hard.
• (CD) Example: Andrew thinks that Carlos was right.
• (CN) Example: We

... Continue reading "Understanding Spanish Conjunctions: Types and Usage" »

Understanding Key Linguistic Concepts

Fundamentals of Language

• Language: The human capacity to communicate, transmit knowledge, and express thoughts. It encompasses various functions:
  • Emotional: Expressing feelings (e.g., "Visca!").
  • Conative: Influencing the listener (e.g., "Compte!").
  • Phatic: Establishing or maintaining communication (e.g., "Hello?").
  • Aesthetic: Focusing on the form of the message (e.g., poetry).
  • Referential: Conveying information about the world.
  • Metalinguistic: Language used to discuss language itself.
• Meaning (Signified): The concept or mental image associated with a word.
• Signifier: The written or spoken form of a word.
• Situational Context: A heterogeneous collection of extra-communicative factors and circumstances that significantly

... Continue reading "Key Linguistic Concepts and Spanish Grammatical Functions" »

English Verb Tenses Summary

Present Tenses

• Present Simple (Habitual actions): I/you/we/they → go/have. He/She/It → goes/has.
  • Example: Every day I go to school.
  • Time Markers: sometimes, usually, never, always.
• Present Continuous (Temporary actions): Are/is + -ing.
  • Example: She is eating an ice cream.
  • Time Markers: At the moment, tomorrow, today.

Past Tenses

• Past Simple (-ed / 2nd column irregular verbs). Used with When.
  • Example: He went to school.
  • Regular Verbs: Affirmative (-ed), Negative (didn't + base verb), Interrogative (Did + base verb).
  • Irregular Verbs: Affirmative (Past Simple form).
• Past Continuous (was/were + -ing). Used with While.
  • Example: He was painting his bedroom.
• Past Perfect (had + past participle).
  • Example: We had finished our meal when

... Continue reading "Essential English Grammar Rules and Verb Tenses" »

Text Linguistics and Communication

Defining Text Linguistics

Text Linguistics is the discipline that studies the text as a unit of communication.

Understanding the Text Unit

The Text refers to the unity of all oral or written communication intentionally issued by a speaker, with a particular communicative purpose and functioning as a complete unit of communication.

Essential Properties of Text

Consistency in Text

Consistency refers to the logical relationship between all parts of the text. We perceive it as a unit of meaning that:

• Presents a logical progression of ideas.
• Ensures the theme is always the same.
• Contains enough information, with facts related to the real world.

Cohesion: Unifying Text Units

Cohesion is the union or articulation of the units... Continue reading "Foundations of Text Linguistics and Literary Analysis" »

Evaluation Method

Knowledge Assessment

According to the "General Principles on Evaluation of Knowledge," the rules for the assessment of knowledge in the discipline of Oral and Written Communication are:

Continuous Assessment

This evaluation process is based on the work developed by students throughout the semester. Therefore, it requires presence (it is obligatory to attend at least 75% of classes planned for the semester) and participation in classes, in addition to performing the assigned work and exercises.

Consideration of the following forms of assessment in this model (exam waiver):

• Presence and participation in class (includes the carrying out of work and exercises) (30%)
• Presentation of a public work (40%)
• Written proof (30%)

Work and/or exercises... Continue reading "Oral and Written Communication: Evaluation and Course Outline" »

Unit 5 Vocabulary: Key Terms and Definitions

Attitudes and Authority

Liberal

(Lliurepensador/a): My parents are very liberal, and I can do what I want.

Referee

(Àrbitre): He works as a referee every weekend.

To be on your side

(Estar al teu costat): The referee is on your side.

Strict

(Estricte/a): My parents are very strict, and I can’t do what I want.

Neutral

(Ser neutral): The referee is never neutral.

Settle for

(Conformar-se): She settled for that job.

Actions and Events

Overhear

(Escoltar quelcom per accident): I overheard my parents' conversation.

Flee

(Fugir): The thief decided to flee.

Get away

(Marxar): The thief didn’t want to get away.

Bury

(Entarrar): They buried their treasure.

Nod

(Afirmar amb el cap): George nodded his head in agreement.... Continue reading "Essential English Vocabulary: Actions, Family, and Status Terms" »

English Verb Tenses: A Comprehensive Look

Past Simple

• Usage: For definite or concrete moments in the past.
• Positive Form: Subject + Verb (2nd form or -ed)
• Negative Form: Subject + did not + Verb (base form)
• Question Form: Did + Subject + Verb (base form)?

Past Continuous

• Usage: For actions in progress at a specific time in the past, or actions of ongoing duration in the past.
• Positive Form: Subject + was / were + Verb + -ing
• Negative Form: Subject + was not / were not + Verb + -ing
• Question Form: Was / Were + Subject + Verb + -ing?

Past Perfect

• Usage: To express actions that happened before another action in the past.
• Positive Form: Subject + had + Verb (past participle / 3rd column)
• Negative Form: Subject + had not + Verb (past participle / 3rd column)
• Question

... Continue reading "Mastering English Grammar: Tenses, Modals, and Conditionals" »

Humanistic Texts: General Characteristics

Humanistic texts study issues related to human beings, encompassing thinking, social relations, and human studies. They are distinguished from social sciences, which focus on the societal aspects, and human sciences, which address the individual sphere. Predominant text types in human sciences are expository and argumentative. The typical structure of classical humanistic texts includes an introduction, development, and conclusion. An idea is presented, followed by examples, and then a synthesis explaining the idea.

Linguistic Features of Humanistic Texts

The language of humanistic texts is characterized by the use of jargon, which is specialized terminology. Unlike natural languages, human sciences' language... Continue reading "Understanding Humanistic and Legal Texts: Characteristics and Analysis" »

Advanced English Vocabulary: Media, Film, and Connectors

Media and Journalism Terminology

A collection of terms related to news, reporting, and current affairs, with Catalan translations.

• Amazed by: Sorprès per
• Amused by: Entretingut/divertit amb
• Amusing: Graciós, divertit
• Awful: Horrible, espantós
• Broadcast live: Emetre en directe
• Broadcast worldwide: Emetre arreu del món
• Business: Economia (topic)
• Box-office hit: Èxit de taquilla
• Classified ads: Anuncis per paraules
• Continually: Constantment
• Cover a story: Cobrir una notícia
• Current affairs: Temes d'actualitat
• Deafening: Ensordidor
• Editorial: Opinió (article)
• Evidence: Proves
• Freedom of the press: Llibertat de premsa
• Gathering: Aplegament, reunió
• Give an interview: Concedir una entrevista
• Headline: Titular
• Hold

... Continue reading "Essential English Vocabulary for Media and Film" »