Another interesting website

Check this website: Aprenda inglés BBC Mundo

How to improve your READING skills

Hello everybody!
Summer time! Although it might get quite difficult for you to study during this time of the year, remember it's really important for you to revise and work on all the skills we've been working on during the year.

Today I'm going to focus on your Reading skills, ok?

First of all, let me give you some tips that might help you:

• Try to read a bit each day. There are different options: graded books (You can purchase them in specialized shops such as Fnac or Diego Marín), magazines (I've already told you about Hot English Magazine) or newspapers. Remember you have lots of resources online. 
• Read the text 3 times: 
• If there are questions to answer, go through them, and make sure you understand them. 
• Once you have read them, start reading the text. But take a quick look- skim it -, just to know what the text is about. 
• Read the questions again and go back to the text. This time, pay attention and read carefully. Underline the important information.
• Now you have a better idea, answer the questions. Then, read the text a third time andcheck your answers.
• It's really important to read WITHOUT checking the dictionary each time you come across a new word. Try to guess the meaning of those words you don't know. Remember you won't have a dictionary with you all the time, specially if it's a reading test. Later, when you have check your answer, go to those words and check their meaning. After doing this, learn them, since reading is one of the best ways to improve your vocabulary.

How to be a better reader
Reading levels 

INTERESTING PAGES
- Hot English magazine: if you want to receive a free weekly lesson, click here
- Magazine (Learning English) - here you can listen or read the text.
- Reading - Intermediate

Well, and that's all for now.

Next post: how to improve your listening

Enjoy!

EUROCOPA 2012: Fábregas and Piqué speaking in English

Do you want to hear Piqué and Fábregas talking about the match in English?

Click here

SPAIN 4 - ITALY 0

 

Spain made history in magical fashion as they outclassed Italy and claimed a successive European crown to add to their 2010 World Cup triumph.

Vicente del Bosque's side staged a compelling claim to be the greatest international side of all time as the Euro 2012 final was transformed into an exhibition with Italy - who performed creditably for long periods - passed brutally into submission.
David Silva's header was reward for Spain's early supremacy and new Barcelona recruit Jordi Alba doubled the lead just before half-time with a blistering run and finish.

The scoreline was emphatic at the conclusion but Italy performed with great resolve. Once they were reduced to 10 men after losing third substitute Thiago Motta to injury, however, they were ruthlessly exposed by masters of the passing art.

Fernando Torres emerged as a late substitute to make a powerful impact; steering home Spain's third then setting up Chelsea team-mate Juan Mata to inflict the final wound on a bedraggled Italy.
Spain's virtuoso performance was a decisive answer to a growing band of critics who had forced coach Del Bosque and his players to defend themselves against allegations that they had been "boring" throughout Euro 2012 at the pre-match media conference.
And even Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, in an ill-timed contribution, wrote that Spain "have betrayed their philosophy and turned it into something more negative".
Not on this night.
Every quality that has led to them dominating world football since they won Euro 2008 and the World Cup in South Africa two years later was brought to bear.
It was a heartbreaking night for Italy and coach Cesare Prandelli but there was no shame in being beaten by a team of such quality. They can reflect with satisfaction on their work before this chastening evening.
Spain, perhaps stung by the words of criticism aimed in their direction, started with a pace and tempo of passing that the Italians found impossible to live with.
The warning signs were posted for Italy when a long spell of possession ended with Xavi shooting just over - but it was not long before they were ahead.
Cesc Fabregas was employed in the so-called "False Nine" role as Del Bosque played without a conventional striker. The former Arsenal star proved the tactic is a positive force rather than a negative one.
He collected the masterly Andres Iniesta's pass and outflanked Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini before delivering perfectly for Silva to head beyond keeper Gianluigi Buffon.
It was Chiellini's final contribution as he swiftly succumbed to the thigh injury that has been troubling him in the later stages of the tournament and was replaced by Federico Balzaretti.
Italy's response to Silva's goal and the early Spanish onslaught was commendable as Antonio Cassano twice had shots saved by keeper Iker Casillas but a goal of brilliance in creation and execution made their task mountainous.
Alba demonstrated exactly why Barcelona were so keen to bring the graduate of their famous La Masia youth academy back to the Nou Camp from Valencia when he finished a blurring run on to Xavi's perfect pass with a composed finish past Buffon.
Prandelli acted during the interval, sending on Antonio Di Natale for Cassano. Twice he almost got the goal that could have halted Spain, heading just over before bringing a fine save out of Casillas.
Italy's third and final change came when Motta replaced Riccardo Montolivo but Italy's luck was summed up when he suffered a hamstring injury within minutes and the Azzurri were reduced to 10 men.
Spain were now winning with something to spare and Del Bosque took the opportunity to remove the outstanding Fabregas and introduce Chelsea striker Torres for the closing stages.
It was an opportunity he took, adding the final flourishes by steering home Spain's third and unselfishly setting up Mata's finish to round off a spectacular performance.

SOURCE:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18355496