A Glimpse Back in Time

Looking back I can say that my best memories are with my friends. I remember my first year in this school where I didn’t know anyone. But then I don’t remember how we became friends. We went to a lot of places together and spent our time enjoying eachother’s company. We went to movies, walks, online concerts, birthdays and so on and everytime we made new memories that I remember the most when taking a glimpse back in time.

Assignments for 02.12.24

Comment on the topic As if it were yesterday,
“In the Blink of Memory”
”Shadows of the Past”
“A Glimpse Back in Time”
“When do childhood memories start to fade?’

Grammar: Gerund and Infinitive slide 144/ 5.1 – 145 ex-es 1,2,3

1. Choose the correct options to complete the sentences about adolescence. One item has two correct answers.

My parents generally allowed me to go to bed whenever I wanted as a teenager.
They were constantly asking me to turn my music down.
They only let me stay out late at the weekend.
They always made me help them do the housework once a week. I didn’t mind doing most of it, but I hated washing up.
Two things my parents taught me were to be positive about life and to take every opportunity that came my way.

2. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct -ing form or the infinitive with or without to.

  1. Oliver’s offered helping me with my assignment.
    We’ve arranged to meet in the library after school.
  2. Elisa’s hoping to study history at university, but her family want her to study law.
  3. I don’t remember taking this photo! But I can’t imagine anyone else taking it with my phone.
  4. I really don’t want to go on the work training day. I can’t stand doing all those team-building exercises and so on. I’ve tried to find an excuse not to go, but they say everyone has to go.
  5. James has decided not to apply for a promotion. He’s intending looking for a new job with a new company instead.

3. Complete the second sentence so the meaning is similar to the first sentence.

  1. The plan is to leave at around six in the morning.
    We’re aiming to leave at around six in the morning.
  2. Hua watched TV for two hours last night.
    Hua spent two hours watching TV last night.
  3. She won’t say who broke the window.
    She’s refusing to say who broke the window,
  4. We should arrive in about ten minutes.
    We expect to arrive in about ten minutes.
  5. I wish I could see my friends back home.
    I really miss seeing my friends back home.
  6. Henrik wishes he hadn’t said all those things last night.
    Henrik really regrets not having said all those things last night.
  7. I’m having programming lessons from Peter.
    Peter is teaching me how to programm.
  8. Opening the window may help if you’re too hot.
    Try opening the window if you’re too hot.

Assignments for 29.11.24

Destination C1 slides 15-17 , es-es E, G, H Topic Vocabulary

E. Match to make sentences.

  1. I’m going to have to mull this — D. over for a while before I make a final decision.
  2. Detectives are still trying to piece — A. together exactly what happened that evening.
  3. It took him a very long time to take — B. in the fact that he’d never see her again.
  4. Tell us how you hit — C. up a briliant excuse to tell Rachel.
  5. It took us ages to figure — F. out how to get everyone to the sports centre without Phil knowing.
  6. I’ve just thought — G. upon such a great idea for a website.
  7. I’m not sure we’ve thought — E. this through properly yet.

G. Phrasal verbs with out, such as puzzle out, are often connected to the idea of finding information. Which of these phrasal verbs with out are also connected to this idea?

  1. Did you find out what time the parents’ meeting is? Connected
  2. I’ve been checking out whether it’s better to go by a ferry or a plane. Connected
  3. Susie reckons she’s sussed out a great way to get into the club for free. Connected
  4. We all piled out into the playground. Not connected
  5. I can’t figure out how to change my password. Connected
  6. The band were completely drowned out by the screaming fans. Not connected
  7. I’m going to sound Bob out about his investing company. Connected
  8. Two essays really do stand out from the rest. Not connected
  9. Jan’s good at keeping secrets, so you’ll have to worm it out of her! Connected
  10. None of us could fathom out why the experiment wasn’t working. Connected

H. Write one word in each gap.

  1. Jim seems to be under the misapprehension that tomorrow’s a holiday. It isn’t.
  2. These findings cast doubt any previous research done in this field.
  3. This photo’s a little out of focus, but you can still see their faces.
  4. Look on the bright side — it’s nearly the end of term.
  5. I’m not against animal testing in principle.
  6. I think I’ll always associate this song with our holiday in Majorca.
  7. You have to bear in mind that there’ll be quite a few children there.
  8. Where did Susan’s belief of reincarnation come from?
  9. Dad said that my borrowing the car tonight was out of the question.
  10. Hearing the news about Caroline put my small problems into perspective.
  11. What’s the best course of action from you point of view?
  12. You were hired on the basis that you would be able to work on Sundays.
  13. On balance, I think the government’s doing a reasonable job.
  14. We haven’t taken Julie’s thoughts into account at all.
  15. In conclusion, I’d like to thank everyone who supported me during the early years.


Assignments for 25.11.24

Navigate Upper-Intermediate Watch the video La Belle Epoque and do the ex-es 3,4 slide 45
Navigate Upper-Intermediate Review slide 46, ex-es 1, 2a,3a, 5a

3. Read the questions. Then watch the video and find the answers.

  1. What are the people in the painting at the beginning of the video doing?
    The people at the beginning of the video are outside, dancing, talking and enjoying the peace and prosperity.
  2. What two flags are flying on top of the Academie Nationale de Musique?
    There are the flags of France and the Europian Union.
  3. How many hot-air balloons can you see at the 1900 World Fair?
    There are 2 hot-air balloons,.
  4. What famous statue is there a model of inside the Musee d’Orsay?
    Its the Statue of Liberty.
  5. What Italian city is the name of the metro station with a yellow sign?
    It’s named Rome.
  6. What is the name of the department store at the end?
    The name is Galeries Lafayette.

4. Watch again. Complete the summary.

Built to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower is 324 metres tall and, for more that 40 years, it was the tallest tower in the world.
At the 1900 World Fair, people were able to see some of the latest incventions, such as films in which, for the first time, people were talking. The World Fair also popularized ‘Art Nouveau’, a popular style of design.
The Musee d’Orsay was originally a train station and it was opened in 1900. It became a museum in 1986 and now contains many famous Belle Epoque paintings.
The underground metro also opened in 1900, on 19th of July, and is still used by nearly 1.4 billion passengers every year.

1. Complete the texts with the correct passive form of the verbs in brackets. In some cases, more than one tense may be possible.

The lives of millions of babies could be saved by a new invention from British student James Roberts. His low-cost inflatable incubator was designed specifically for use in developing world and it can be manufactured and transported for just $250. Incubators are usually priced at closer to $30,000.

Suncayr, which was invented by a Canadian team of engineers last year, will show you when you need to reapply your sunscreen. You just write or draw something on your skin with special pen, then put on your sunscreen. When you are no longer protected, the drawing will change colour, letting you know that it’s time for more sunscreen to be applied.

2a. Rewrite each sentence using the structure in brackets.

1. Someone stole my bag last year.
I had my bag stolen last year.
2. If I have a problem, I can easily find someone who will help me.
If I have a problem, I can easily get someone to help me.
3. I go to the hairdresser for a haircut every six weeks.
I get my haircut done every six weeks.
4. I don’t know how to decorate, so I always hire a decorator.
I don’t know how to decorate, so I always have a decorator to do it for me.
5. In the UK, you have to get a mechanic to check your car every twelve months.
In the UK, you have to have your car checked every twelve months.
6. I’m very persuasive. I can usually make someone change their mind.
I’m very persuasive. I can usually get someone to change their mind.

3a. Underline the word which is different from the others.

1. control, fix, attach, stick
2. place, put, position, protect
3. monitor, generate, measure, check
4. reduse, enlarge, treat, increase
5. fix, generate, recharge, power

5a. Complete the sentences with the correct word from the box, in the correct form.

1. It was so quiet in the classroom that you could hear people breathing.
2. I am always losing my keys. I need to tie them to my handbag or something.
3. I couldn’t control myself any more and burst out laughing.
4. The accident wasn’t my fault, the other driver should have kept further away from me.
5. His problems at home seem to be affecting his work.

Mock UN Session

Migration in Qatar

Sara

Today, we will be presenting the topic of migration in Qatar, a key aspect of the country’s development and workforce.

People migrate to Qatar for various reasons, including seeking better economic opportunities, escaping conflict, or improving their quality of life. Many individuals leave their home countries in pursuit of higher-paying jobs and improved living conditions. In addition, migration is often driven by conflict.

The question of whether migration is beneficial or detrimental is complex. For sending countries, the loss of skilled workers can slow economic development. However, the receiving countries often experience economic growth, as migrant workers contribute to the labor force and help meet the demands of expanding economies.

Gohar

Qatar has consistently placed a high emphasis on migration as a key factor in its economic development. Each year, approximately 100,000 to 150,000 new migrants arrive in Qatar, depending on the nation’s economic needs. This number fluctuates based on large-scale construction projects and major international events, such as the FIFA World Cup.

The three largest migrant groups in Qatar are from India (698,100), Bangladesh (263,100), and Nepal (254,300). Other significant migrant populations come from countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Uganda, and others.

Through understanding the scale and impact of migration in Qatar, we can better appreciate its role in shaping the country’s economy and society.

Irina

Current Migration in Qatar

Migrants play a key role in Qatar’s economy, making up most of the workforce in several important sectors. As Qatar continues to grow and develop, especially with projects like the FIFA World Cup 2022, the demand for migrant labor has increased. Workers from countries like India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Philippines are vital to keeping Qatar’s major industries running. The main sectors that employ migrant workers include construction, domestic work, hospitality and tourism, retail and services, and manufacturing.

Construction

The construction industry is the largest employer of migrant workers in Qatar. Major projects, such as building stadiums, roads, and hotels, require a large number of workers. Migrants, especially from South Asia, take on difficult jobs, often in hot conditions. Even though Qatar is wealthy, construction workers usually earn low wages and work long hours.

Domestic work

Another major sector for migrant employment is domestic work. Many women from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Ethiopia are hired as domestic workers. They live in the homes of their employers and take care of household tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and childcare. Unfortunately, many domestic workers face problems such as not being paid on time, having their passports taken away, or not getting time off.

Hospitality and tourism

Qatar’s growing tourism industry also employs many migrants in hotels, restaurants, and entertainment centers. Workers from countries like India and Nepal are important for running these services smoothly. While the work is less physically demanding than construction, workers in this sector often have long shifts and earn modest wages.

Retail and services

Migrant workers also play an important role in Qatar’s retail sector. They work as salespeople, cashiers, and cleaners in shopping malls, supermarkets, and small businesses. These jobs are less physically demanding, but workers still deal with long hours and low pay.

Conclusion

Overall, Qatar depends heavily on migrant workers in construction, domestic work, hospitality and retail. While migrants are essential to the country’s growth, many face poor working conditions, low wages, and limited rights. Although Qatar has introduced reforms to improve the situation, more needs to be done to ensure fair treatment and better protection for migrant workers.

Migration in Qatar from 1950 to 2024 has changed significantly. In 1950 the local population was small, so the country needed foreign workers to help build roads, buildings, and the energy sector. Over time, Qatar became more dependent on migrant labor. By 2024, migrant workers make up the majority of the population, working in construction, services, and domestic jobs. While reforms have improved their rights, many challenges, like long hours and limited legal protection, still exist. Migrants remain crucial to Qatar’s economy today.

Gender distribution among migrant workers

The gender distribution among migrant workers in Qatar reveals significant differences between male and female employment patterns. Qatar’s booming economy, driven by major infrastructure projects and the service industry, heavily depends on migrant labor, which constitutes about 85-90% of the workforce. However, the sectors in which men and women work are often distinctly separated, with men dominating physically demanding fields like construction and women primarily employed in domestic work. This gender divide reflects broader patterns of labor migration in the Gulf region, where job opportunities for men and women vary significantly based on the nature of the work and the demands of the economy.

Male migrant workers

The majority of migrant workers in Qatar are men. They primarily work in construction, which is the largest sector employing migrants in the country. Many men migrate to Qatar for construction jobs because the wages, although low by global standards, are higher than what they could earn in their home countries.

Female Migrant Workers

Though domestic work is the largest sector for female migrants, women are also employed in smaller numbers in hospitality and retail. However, job opportunities for women outside of domestic work are more limited, and many female migrants face greater challenges in accessing employment in other sectors.

Gohar

Migration Policies in Qatar

Qatar is highly dependent on migrant workers, especially in sectors like construction, domestic work, and services. The country’s migration policies are shaped by the Kafala system, where workers must have a local sponsor (usually their employer) to enter, work, and stay. This system has been controversial due to the control it gives employers over workers. However, in recent years, Qatar has made important reforms.

One of the key changes is the removal of the exit visa requirement for most workers, meaning they no longer need their employer’s permission to leave the country. Additionally, workers can now change jobs without needing approval from their current employer, which was previously difficult.

To protect workers’ wages, Qatar introduced the Wage Protection System (WPS), which ensures that workers are paid on time through bank transfers, preventing employers from delaying or withholding payments. There are also improved worker welfare standards, especially in preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with better accommodation and safety regulations.

Despite these reforms, challenges still exist. Some workers face long working hours, delayed wages, limited access to legal support, and overcrowded housing. While progress has been made, Qatar continues to work on improving its migration policies to ensure fair treatment for all migrant workers.

Nane

The Director of Immigration and Passports in Qatar is responsible for managing the visa and passport processes for the country’s many migrant workers. These workers are essential to Qatar’s economy, especially in industries like construction and domestic work. Ensuring that migrants can easily apply for visas, renew them, and obtain residency permits is a crucial part of their ability to live and work in the country legally.

However, even with recent improvements, migrants still face problems related to their visas and passports. Under the old kafala system, workers needed their employer’s permission to leave the country, often trapping them in difficult situations. Although reforms were made in 2020, some employers continue to take workers’ passports or delay renewing their visas, which puts workers in a tough spot. Without valid visas or passports, these workers face the risk of being deported or imprisoned, and they have little power to seek help or return home.

While the system has improved, there are still serious issues that need to be addressed to ensure migrants are treated fairly and have the freedom to leave or change jobs without fear of retaliation from their employers.

Assignments for 28.10.24

Navigate Upper-Intermediate Grammar slide 142 / 3.2 ex-es 1,2,3/ slide 143 / 4.1 ex-es 1,2
Navigate Reading Can companies make people more creative slide 39
Inventive ideas

1. Choose the correct alternative.

  1. Don’t call me at 7 p.m. as we’ll be having dinner then. But we’ll have finished by about 8 p.m., so call sometime after that.
  2. This time next week, I’ll be driving to Scotland from London. Maybe I’ll be halfway there. But I’ll have arrived by the evening as long as there are no major delays.
  3. Experts agree that not too far in the future, physical media such as Blu-ray or DVDs will have become a thing of the past. Instead, we will be streaming on-demand music, film, news and games directly into our homes.
  4. By 2050, the world’s population will have risen from seven billion to over nine billion. And it is forecast that, by 2030, India will have overtaken CHina as the world’s most populous country.

2. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct future continuous or future perfect form.

The new Pangaea
The Earth’s continents are all on the move, as they have been since the supercontinent Pangaea broke up about 200 million years ago. Fifty million years from now, Africa already have started to collide with southern Europe. Within 100 million years, the Mediterranean Sea will disappear completely and thousands of miles of new mountain ranges will be formed. Around the same time, Australia and Antarctica will have steadily continue on their paths northwards and the Americas will have proceeded on their westward course away from Europe and Africa, also towards Asia. 250 million years from now, all the continents will merge, resulting in the formation of a new supercontinent called Pangaea Ultima. However, this newly formed land mass will split once more and start a new 500-million-year cycle of drifting and merging.

3. Write what will be happening or what will have happened at the following times. Use the verbs in the box.

  1. Come round at 6.30 p.m. We’ll be finishing eating by then.
  2. I’ll be doing my biology exam this time tomorrow.
  3. I imagine I have gotten married by the time I’m 30.
  4. According to the weather forecast, it’ll be snowing when we arrive.
  5. If we don’t hurry up, the bus will leave.

1. Complete the extracts about some great inventors and pioneers by putting the verbs in brackets into the correct passive tense.

James Dyson is a British industrial designer, inventor and businessman and is best known as the inventor of the Dyson vacuum cleaner, He initiated the James Dyson Award, which is given each year to an upcoming young design engineer.
An astronomical telescope for observing the planets first used by the astronomer, mathematician and physicist Galileo Galilei. Later in life, Galileo was criticized by the church in Italy for supporting the theory that the Earth revolved around the sun.
Pablo Picasso was considered by many to be the most influential painter of the twentieth century. A number of his paintings were recently sold for over $100 million.
Football legend Pele played 1362 professional matches and had been selected to play for his country in four World Cups. He was considered by many to be the greatest foorballer of all time and, in 1999, he was named athlete of the century by the IOC.
J.K. Rowling is a British novelist, best known as the author of the Harry Potter series. The first Harry Potter book had been published in 1997 and since then around half a billion book were sold worldwide. They had been translated into over thirty languages. It is thought that J.K. ROwling has done more to encourage children to read than any other author.

Inventive idea

Try to find the greatest, most interesting, strangest, funniest inventions.

The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, invented the airplane in 1903. After studying birds and testing gliders to learn how flight works, they built and flew the first plane, the Flyer, which could stay in the air, steer, and was powered by an engine. This historic flight took place in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where their plane stayed in the air for 12 seconds, covering more than 36 meters — the first controlled, powered flight.

3D printing is a way to make three-dimensional objects by stacking layers. It was invented by scientists in 1993. The process uses a computer design to create a model, which is sliced into thin layers. The printer then uses materials like plastic or metal to build the object. Originally, 3D printing made rough models, but now it can create precise and strong parts. We use 3D printers to create various products for industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and design.


Assignments for 16.10.24

Watch the video, ex-es 2a, 4
Navigate Upper-Intermediate Review slide 36,ex-es 1,2,4,5a

2a. Match the words and phrases in the box to definitions a-e.

a. The group of people who work for an organization — workforce
b. The way that work is usually done in an organization — working practices
c. Everything that forms part of the employees’ relationship with work — collegues, light and space, company rules, etc. — work environment
d. Flexibility in when or when you work — agile working
e. How long you work and at what time of day — working hours

4. Complete each statement with the correct topic from the box.

  1. Technology affected some industries negatively, but made others better and more profitable.
  2. Writing in code is something more people can do nowadays.
  3. Younger people are more used to creative environments.
  4. Now that many businesses use social media, there is a concern that wokers may take advantage of this.
  5. Young people starting careers need to find jobs they enjoy.

1a. Complete the advice about money. The first letter is given.

  1. Unless you have plenty of money to spend, never go shopping without a list.
  2. Use cash for small purchases so you notice how much money you are frittering away on newspapers and coffees.
  3. Save more. If you set aside a certain amount of money each month, you will have less available, so you’ll spend less.
  4. Invest in a short course to learn how to do simple repairs around the house. You’ll save a fortune.
  5. Don’t throw your money around unnecessarily. You don’t need to impress anyone.
  6. If you join a gym, make sure you get your money’s worth. Don’t keep paying monthly fee if you never actually go.

2. Choose the correct options to complete the sentences.

  1. “This is so heavy.””Don’t worry, I’ll help you carry it.”
  2. We need to get up really early because the plane leaves at 7 a.m.
  3. If you get there late, all the best seats will have gone.
  4. Stand back from the edge, the train is leaving soon.
  5. Don’t ring me at 7:30, I will be watching my favourite TV programme then.
  6. What subject are you going to study when you go to university?

4. Match the two halves of these eight collocations.

  1. pick something — e. up quickly
  2. think — c. ahead
  3. stick — a. at something
  4. do your — h. best
  5. lose touch — g. with someone
  6. make the — b. most of something
  7. drop — d. out of school
  8. know — f. your stuff

5a. Complete the sentences with nouns made from a root word in box A and a suffix in box B. Change the spelling if necessary.

  1. The firefighter recieved an award for her bravery.
  2. People usually work better if they are given encouragement.
  3. He has a lot of ability in the subject, but doesn’t work very hard.
  4. A Thank you for your assistance.
    B I was glad to help.
  5. I dream of being a pop star, but in reality I know it isn’t very likely.
  6. Older people have greater wisdom because of their life experience.

Assignments for 14.10.24

Navigate Reading slide 31, ex 7a /slide 32

7a. Complete the sentences using the correct form of the words in brackets.

  1. Winning a gold medal is quite an achievement.
  2. All her gold jewelery was taken in the robbery.
  3. The gold necklace was part of her inheritance.
  4. The Incas were an ancient civilization.
  5. Thank you for your generousity.
  6. The whole village received an invitation to the wedding.
  7. Having enough money gives you the freeness to do what you want.
  8. Gold has a special significance in some countries.
  9. I have a preference for silver jewellery, rather than gold.
  10. I get a lot of enjoyment from shopping.

Assignments for 10.10.24

Destination C1 Vocabulary Thinking and Learning slides 12-13 / learn the words / we will do the ex-es in class
Watch the Vox Pop and answer the questions in written form.

What do you think are essential qualities for finding a job at the moment and why?

I think the essentials for finding a job are being a convinient, dedicated, hard-working person with good social skills.

Do you think it’s important to plan for the future. Why/why not?

I think its necessary to plan some important things in life at some point, for example, what profession you will choose. But otherwise, I don’t think you should be planning all your life, because you just need to live in the moment and sometimes see what happens. When you plan everything and something goes wrong, you become dissapointed. But I think when you just live without excessive planning, everything becomes a little win for you.