The iPasen Translator

Objective: Students will read a formal school notification in Spanish, extract the essential information, and relay it in informal English to a classmate who does not speak Spanish. Time: 30–40 minutes Format: Individual writing

1. The Scenario (To present to the students)

Read the following situation: Your new classmate, Oliver, just moved here from Ireland. He is still learning Spanish, and his parents don't understand the messages the school sends through the iPasen app.

Today, the school sent an important notification about next week's schedule. Oliver is confused and has asked you what is going on. Your task is to read the official Spanish notice and send Oliver a quick email or WhatsApp message in English explaining what he needs to know.

2. The Input Text

Give this formal iPasen notice to the students:

Notificación de iPasen - Equipo Directivo Asunto: Taller Especial para 4º de ESO

Estimadas familias: Les informamos de que el próximo martes, 9 de junio, el alumnado de 4º de ESO verá alterado su horario habitual. Durante la tercera y cuarta hora (de 10:15 a 12:15), participarán en un taller práctico de CYR (Computación y Robótica) impartido por ponentes externos en el salón de actos.

Es estrictamente obligatorio que cada alumno acuda con su ordenador portátil o tableta con la batería completamente cargada, ya que no habrá enchufes disponibles para todos. La asistencia es obligatoria y la actividad está totalmente subvencionada por el centro (coste cero).

3. The Mediation Task

Instructions for the students: Write a message to Oliver in English (approx. 80–100 words). Remember, your goal is to mediate the information so he understands exactly what to do.

• DO NOT translate the text word-for-word. Summarize the key points naturally.

• DO use an informal, helpful tone suitable for a classmate.

• MUST INCLUDE: What the activity is, when and where it takes place, what he must bring, and how much it costs.

Festivals of the world

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xM3xu22-aR3mpxtt-h3Z_l2D5cR9kW07/view?usp=sharing 

The Cultural Exchange

 

Activity 1: Written Mediation ()

The Scenario:

Your high school is hosting an exchange student from Ireland named Sean. He wants to join an after-school workshop, but the sign-up sheet and descriptions are only available in Spanish. Sean is very interested in creative arts but he is allergic to cats and has to be home by 6:30 PM.

The Source Material (Spanish):

Taller A: "Pintura al aire libre" – Lunes de 17:00 a 19:00 en el Parque Central. Traer pinceles.

Taller B: "Escultura en arcilla" – Miércoles de 16:30 a 18:00 en el Aula 4. El aula es compartida con la asociación felina (hay gatos presentes).

Taller C: "Fotografía Digital" – Jueves de 16:00 a 17:30 en la Biblioteca. No se requiere experiencia previa.

Your Task:

Write an email to Sean (80-100 words). Do not translate the whole text. Instead:

1. Explain which workshops fit his schedule and his allergy.
2. Summarize why the other options are not suitable for him.
3. Tell him what he needs to bring (if anything) for the suitable option.

The Food Truck Dilemma

 

Activity 1: Oral Mediation 

The Scenario:

You are at a local food festival with your English-speaking cousin, Sarah. She is a vegetarian and is very hungry. You are standing in front of a "Menu del Día" board written in Spanish.

The Source Material (Spanish):

MENÚ DEL DÍA - 12€

• Primeros: Gazpacho andaluz (vegano), Ensalada mixta con atún, o Sopa de picadillo (pollo y huevo).
• Segundos: Lentejas con chorizo, Paella de verduras, o Filete de ternera.
• Postre: Fruta del tiempo o Tarta de queso.
• Incluye pan y bebida.

Your Task (Roleplay):

In pairs, one student acts as Sarah and the other as the Mediator. The Mediator must:

1. Listen to Sarah's preference (she reminds you she doesn't eat meat or fish).
2. Look at the Spanish menu and explain in English only the options she can actually eat.
3. Briefly explain what "Gazpacho" is (paraphrasing) so she understands what she is ordering.
4. Tell her the price and what is included in the deal
   

APRIL FOOL'S DAY

 

Exercises on the video

How to communicate efficiently

. Video with questions: FOUR ESSENTIAL BODY LANGUAGE TIPS

HEALTH AND ILLNESSES

 - List of symtoms, illnesses and treatment: https://test-english.com/explanation/b1-b2-vocabulary-explanations/health-problems-and-injuries-b1-english-vocabulary/

- Flashcards: https://quizlet.com/es/824428853/health-problems-and-injuries-b21-vocabulary-flash-cards/?i=2k65i8&x=1jqt

- Exercises to learn illnesses: https://agendaweb.org/vocabulary/health-illness-exercises.html (basic)

https://www.eltbase.com/quiz/069_01.htm (intermediate)

https://janis-esl.issbc.org/esl-links/doctor/ (upper-intermediate)

- Health problems GAME: https://www.eslgamesplus.com/modal-verb-should-shouldnt-for-giving-advice-on-health-problems-esl-grammar-activity/

- Health worksheets: https://www.englishwsheets.com/health%20problems%20vocabulary%20esl%20matching%20exercise%20worksheet%20for%20kids.pdf

- At the doctor's: 

• dialogue: https://www.cristinacabal.com/pre-intermediate/atthedoctor.htm
• listening: https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/going-to-the-doctor
• video: 
  

ST. PATRICK'S DAY

 VIDEO ACTIVITIES

For and against essay

 text with exercises

Useful expressions

8th MARCH: International Women's Day

 What do you know about International Women's Day? Read the questions and guess the answers. Then, watch the video and check them:

Choose the correct answer (A, B, C, or D).

1. What is celebrated on March 8th every year?
   A. Human Rights Day
   B. International Women's Day
   C. Equality Week
   D. Women's Voting Day
2. What does gender equality mean?
   A. Women have more rights than men
   B. Men have more opportunities than women
   C. Everyone has the same rights and opportunities regardless of gender
   D. Only women can vote
3. About 150 years ago, what right did women NOT have?
   A. The right to vote
   B. The right to travel
   C. The right to speak
   D. The right to drive
4. What does the word suffrage mean?
   A. Education
   B. Work rights
   C. The right to vote
   D. Equal pay
5. What happened in 1920 in the United States?
   A. Women started working in factories
   B. The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote
   C. Women were allowed to wear pants
   D. Women stopped protesting
6. Why did many women work during World War I?
   A. Men were away fighting in the war
   B. Women wanted to travel
   C. Factories closed
   D. Women refused to work before
7. What is a stereotype?
   A. A scientific discovery
   B. A general belief about a group of people
   C. A political law
   D. A type of job
8. According to the video, which problem still exists today?
   A. Women cannot work
   B. Women cannot vote
   C. Women are underrepresented in leadership positions
   D. Women cannot attend school

- Reading comprehension about Women's Day: text and exercises

- Do you think it's still necessary to fight for women's rights? Read the article: 13 Shocking Facts About Gender Inequality Around the World   audio and article and discuss in small groups: 

Global Gender Inequality: Key Facts

Gender inequality means that women and men do not have the same rights, opportunities, and access to resources. Although progress has been made in recent years, inequality still affects millions of women and girls around the world.

Key Facts

1. No country has full gender equality
Although some countries have reduced the gender gap, none have completely eliminated it.

2. Many women live in extreme poverty
Over 380 million women and girls live on less than $1.90 per day.

3. Limited reproductive rights
More than 1.2 billion women live in places where access to safe abortion is restricted.

4. Child marriage still exists
About 12 million girls under 18 are married each year.

5. Violence against women is widespread
A woman or girl is killed by a family member approximately every 11 minutes worldwide.

6. Millions of women are displaced
Around 44 million women and girls have been forced to leave their homes due to war, conflict, or climate change.

7. Many girls are out of school
About 130 million girls worldwide do not attend school.

8. Women do most unpaid care work
Women spend billions of hours caring for children and doing household work without pay.

9. Women face more food insecurity
Nearly 1 in 4 women experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2022.

10. Discriminatory laws still exist
At the current rate, it may take 286 years to remove laws that discriminate against women.

11. Few women in leadership roles
Only about 1 in 3 managers is a woman.

12. Women are underrepresented in politics
Women hold only 26.5% of parliamentary seats worldwide.

13. Women earn less than men
On average, women earn about 77% of what men earn.

Why This Matters

Gender equality helps improve education, health, economic growth, and human rights for everyone.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think gender inequality still exists in many countries?
2. Which of these facts surprised you the most? Why?
3. What actions can governments or societies take to reduce gender inequality?

- Watch another video to learn more about this topic: 

DAY OF PEACE

 Download song exercises