Category: NOTICIAS EN INGLÉS

What could go wrong with pushing China too far, right?

Everyone agrees that this is a time for deep political thought, for people to react and take action. People ARE actually voting! Changes can be made! We have all become oh too aware, that – for example – the decisions of some country folk in a different land (the main people responsible for Trump being in power) can affect – well, in this case, my son! He just bought a Huawei telephone for a «pretty penny» – just to discover a few days later that it may possibly be worthless, short-term.

This has become a trendy topic on everybody’s lips. How easily the rest of the world can see the power we have given, ignored for ourselves, as we’ve just gone on with our lives. Some say that it’s a test, to see how China reacts, some say it’s a tantrum of Trumps. Just another show of his negotiation «skills». Yet others describe a complot to rule the world- which we all know is true.

This article sums it up quite nicely. DO ENJOY – especially the parts where it makes sense that – does this trade war continue – we are just giving all the more strength to China, as it is exactly what they needed.

Suggested homework: your thoughts – or – find me the part of the article that cites what I just described, or better yet, answer the title: What could go wrong with pushing China too far?

Presentation GREF – Elingua Collaboration

It has almost been a year since we have begun with our weekly collaboration with GREF: AN OPEN DOOR TO ENGLISH. We would love to hear some feedback – or let’s just say – suggestions. The debate was opened last week at our round table – Is it worth the money invested? – Does the company see the returns? – Should we oblige the students to pay for all or part of their training? – to name a few. So – we invite you to comment below, or to send an email to: empresas@metodoelingua.es

The Marie Kondo effect

When was the first time you heard of Marie Kondo and her method? Under what circumstances did you have that conversation? A method to – improve your life? – to clean your house? – to end a marriage?

Yes! You heard right – the last conversation that I actually had was from a desperate wife – saying that her husband had gone crazy – even throwing out some of HER things!

Where does it all end? Where to draw the line?

For those of you who don’t realise what I’m talking about, the it topic in the recent past was the minimalistic interventions of her teachings. This article speaks about the movement (I venture to say). How less and simple leads to a happy life. It’s easy to validate (in your mind) – I mean, it’s a common practice to clear your desk off if you really want to get down and work. One seems to think better with a clear slate.

Meditation – yoga – exercise – it is all to clear your mind of noise. So this makes sense – right?

Well – what happens if you share your life, and SPACE with others? What do you do with all of your memories -acquired over the years?

So – my two bits of information is that – all is fine and dandy – as long as you agree with your partner on every single item involved in your cleansing process. I’m not sure if too many people would pass the test of that level of communication.

And you?

New HR trends for 2019

Reading this article, one may get the impression that the future is already here. When speaking of trends – do you usually consider that the preparation for future necessities is included? I mean – the topics include how the babies being born this year will live to be over a hundred years old.

The first headline does grab my attention though GENERATION Z – really? It that competition on already? Are we not still trying to find jobs for the previous (at least two) generations?

There does seem to be a clear trend though on attracting future employees – not just speaking of talent. This goes in line with what I would have predicted in this field – how to engage burnt out employees, or what to do with an older generation who is still work – worthy.

What would your predictions include? Care to elaborate? Do you notice a big difference in corporate culture within Spain – and, a big difference of corporate culture – upon comparing with other first world countries?

Be Like Water…


Elingua is proud to announce an event we are having in the heart of the financial area of Madrid – at the feet of the Torres Picasso. Sign up (empresas@metodoelingua.es) for our Master Class – you will NOT be disappointed! Send us a quick email and we’ll fill you in on the details.

Light pollution in Spain

Before going on with this article – NOTE DOWN THIS DATE: 24th of May, 2019. We are having an event, at the foot of the Torres Picasso. You WILL enjoy it – the title of the talk is «Be Like Water». If you write to me: jcardinal@elingua.es I will send you the program.

This article gives a general overview of the situation that we are currently undergoing in Spain. A few questions come to mind: Isn’t it obvious? What damage does it really do? Are we just discovering this? I mean, ever since I’ve been here (over 25 years now!), stargazers know that they have to leave the capital in order to dream in good conditions. What we DIDN’T know is that it is actually doing harm to our future – is it true? Does this mean that the plants are no longer being pollinated? According to this article, there is a relatively easy solution. If that is the case? Why is this even a subject? Ah… THERE is your homework.

Suggested homework:

  1. What is the real damage done by the light pollution?
  2. How can it be avoided?
  3. What cons come to mind when thinking of the solution?

I can do that

Enjoy this 8 minute video, very easy to follow – and extremely funny – IF you are British. Quick question – is it funny for you also? Humour can be quite territorial.

Suggested homework –

  1. How many expressions can you get out of the others, for normal everyday situations – that didn’t go through?
  2. Describe some of the situations – from the other person’s point of view.
  3. Which skit do you like the most? I particularly can’t stop laughing when she starts translating (I suppose it’s not politically correct though – absurd as absurd can get!).

Link to original video on Youtube

PARE – How far is too far for anglicisms?

Sometimes I have to stop the person I’m speaking with and ask them «Excuse me, but what exactly did you mean to say with ___?». It’s a bit complicated for me to follow the Spanish meaning of the English words, now used as something «cool». I’d love to hear your opinions – I tend to remember that a few years ago, most people were dead set against them, and it was considered treason to your own language to adapt words in English – just naturally including them into your sentences. So – what has provoked this cultural change? Is it, indeed, a cultural change? Do you hear many people speak like this, or is it only me?

Here is an interesting article with some well used English words (as of late) in the Spanish language.

We are getting old, and nobody is having babies!

Ok – it’s a slight exaggeration (I’ll never get old ;)), but now that I’ve got your undivided attention – what should we do about it? Whatmore, a few questions come to mind – how do we treat the elderly? What age shall we be expected to work until? How long will the younger generation be socially accepted in the homes they grew up in?

At an event last week – an excellent point was brought up. I had never stopped to think about it. In other countries – it is quite normal to be attended by an elderly person when you go to anyplace (receptionists, waiters) – I mean, if it’s a job they can do – it’s normal that they do it. Here in Spain – those jobs are quite typically assigned to young people. Do you see that changing in our cultural ADN as the population ages?

Read onto this article – it’s not the exact same topic – but more or less. So – the obvious homework for the day is answering the above questions and – let the debate begin!

Politics and the social media: are we learning?

Everybody knows, as our dear Leonard Cohen would have said – but do they care? How much do each one of us actually appreciate how much information is collected about us and used in order to «improve our lives»? I for one, don’t mind – that much. Here’s the thing though – I don’t feel like I’m easily manipulated (sound familiar?). But I somehow also feel that – well, maybe I just don’t know enough on the topic.

Everybody was in awe and shock last year, when push came to shove, and Facebook’s (let’s be benevolent and call it «passive») participation in the persuasion of votes in the US elections. After that incident – be honest now – how many of you actually quit facebook? What, you didn’t? Ha – I didn’t think so!

click on to read this article.

It speaks of what I believe to be a step in the right direction. Now, in Spain, political parties will have to register as such, where all of the information will be of public knowledge, and they will be accountable for their spending.

What do you think – is it enough?

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