21 Mar 2012

A brief history of money



Vocab: cowry shells: small shells
            barley: cereal used to make beer
            electrum: mixture of gold and silver
            die: An engraved metal piece used for impressing a design onto a softer metal, as in coining money.

11 Mar 2012

Writing job application letters (cover letters)

The covering letter is an introduction that leads into your CV and it must be concise and relevant. It is also a professional document, even if it is sent via email, so format it as you would a business letter. Keep it to a single page, including addresses and sign-off. If there's a job reference or advertisement reference, include it. An example ‘template' could be:

Dear (always use a name, if you can. Don't use a Christian name only, but use Mr. X, Mrs.X, Miss.X or MsX - appropriate if you don't know whether she is Mrs or Miss.)

Paragraph 1: clearly state which job you are applying for

For example:

I am writing in reply to your advertisement on the jobs.ac.uk website on (date of advertisement) for (the position/job title). I enclose/attach my CV for your consideration.

Paragraph 2: briefly outline why you are a good applicant -what you can do for them

You could echo (but not repeat!) some of the phrases in the advertisement. For example, if the advertisement says:

‘You will have excellent research and organisational skills, and the ability to work flexibly in a small team as well as alone. Although not essential, teaching experience and knowledge of the sector would be an advantage.'

You could write:

As you will see from my CV, I have considerable research experience in this sector. For the past three years I have had individual responsibility for my project as well as lecturing and working closely with team members to organise conferences and events.

Paragraph 3: Clarify or explain any problem areas (if applicable) or highlight relevant voluntary work.

Briefly explain anything in your CV that needs clarification - if your current position is completely different or if you have taken a break. Don't be apologetic! For example:

I took a break from academic research during 2003-5, and worked my way up to the position of Events Manager in a leisure centre, where I gained valuable experience and developed management skills. When a job opportunity came up at the University, I applied and returned to lecturing and research.

Paragraph 4: bow out gracefully!

You could include a sentence about the organisation or institution here, based on your knowledge or on what you have found out. For example:

I hope my application is successful. I would welcome the opportunity to continue my career in a University with such a good reputation for research/in a new and stimulating environment/in an innovative and exciting Company.

(from http://www.jobs.ac.uk/careers-advice/cv-templates/1067/applying-for-a-job-part-2-cv-and-covering-letter)

These are some interesting sites:
http://www2.elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/jal.htm
Here are some examples: http://www2.elc.polyu.edu.hk/cill/jaleg.htm
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/morejobletters/a/jobappletter.htm
 http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverletters/a/cover-letters-jobs.htm

8 Mar 2012

How to improve your writing

One way to improve it is by using transition words. If you want to know more download the file.

Download here

Do you want to practise those linkers? Try this site.

Films in original version in Coslada

Filmoteca Municipal - Cines La Rambla 

Honduras 25 y 27. Coslada

 Tel. 916 278 200  - Ext. 1234

Every Thursday a film in original version: Today it's Albert Nobbs. Next week it's The Artist.
Shows at 6pm, 8pm & 10pm
Tickets are: 6´50 € without Filmoteca Municipal card & 3´50 € with the Filmoteca card
You can download the programme  here 

Thanks for the info, Nerea.