LET'S TALK, martes 25 de febrero .No Habrá sesión

Este martes no habrá sesión de Let's Talk , pero podéis asistir a la sesión del jueves a las 16.30 horas o el viernes a las 19:00 h.

LET'S TALK, martes 29 de octubre a las 12:00 h., Seminario

Please note there is no session on Thursday this week, so, on Tuesday, let's talk about Halloween. Is it a harmless celebration of life, death and the afterlife, imported American commercialism, an offence to religious values or irrelevant? Do you think it should be a holiday?
Are there any other celebrations that you think should (or should not) be a holiday?

Come to your public library on Tuesday at 12.00 for a fun English chat (native speakers free of charge), for further details please ask at the information desk.

LET'S TALK, martes 28 de mayo a las 12:00 horas, Microfilm

This week we are going to talk about nothing in particular! It is our last class for the year and, by way of a celebration, it seems a good idea to have an open discussion about whatever interests you. Ideas include, but not limited too, culture, Salamanca, the local football club, food, science and more! So bring your ideas and lets get talking!

LET'S TALK, martes 21 de mayo a las 12:00 horas, Seminario

Three cheers for the European Europe (EU)? This article, taken from the official EU website, presents the values and goals of this ambitious endeavor. It notes the achievements of the EU, in addition to suggesting the EU has been responsible for a (more) stable Europe. 

Questions for discussion:

1. Do you agree that the stated ideals from this document apply in Spain? Or are they just 'ideals' with limited power?
2. Do you think that the EU has managed to achieve some important goals, for instance, greater stability, prosperity and improved human rights? 

UNK HERE

LET'S TALK, martes 14 de mayo a las 12:00 horas, Seminario

Well if the UK can do it, why can't other countries do it! The UK has achieved its first week - since the Victorian age - without using any coal to produce electricity. Rather it has used renewables, gas and nuclear power instead. A small miracle or a product of a concerted effort from all social and political sectors to achieve a doable goal? This article, taken from the ABC in Australia, makes a comparison to Australia where coal is still 'king' and notes some key differences. 

1. What does the article say about the respective political parties position in the UK on reducing CO2 emissions? Are they in agreement?
2. Is the zero emission target of 2050 'too little to late' or reasonable in the context of 'saving the planet'? What do you think?

UNK HERE

LET'S TALK, martes 7 de mayo a las 12:00 horas, Seminario

This week we are going to talk about Morocco - a country so very close to Spain yet somehow so very far away - at least culturally and linguistically. This week's article discusses seven facts about the country that perhaps are not well-known. More broadly however, it will also be useful to discuss how Morocco has influenced Spain and visa versa. 

Questions for discussion:

1. Do you agree with the article that Moroccans have a fine sense of humour and enjoy couscous too much?
2. And would you say Morocco as an 'exotic' destination, has influenced western writers and their thinking?

LINK HERE

LET'S TALK, martes 30 de Abril a las 12:00 horas, Seminario

Having recently visited the 'Mezquita' of Cordoba, it seems timely to discuss this magnificent Spanish treasure. This article, taken from the culturetrip website, gives us a potted history of this great building. 

Questions for consideration:

1. What does the writer say about the history of the 'bells of Santiago de Compostela'? Why is this significant?
2. What do you think is the writer's position/attitude towards the Islamic history associated with the mosque? 

LINK HERE

LET'S TALK, martes 9 de abril a las 12 h., Seminario

Given it is almost Easter, it seems appropriate to talk about a religious theme. This week lets talk about 'El Camino de Santiago'.
It is said that no matter what religious affiliation one has, all are impacted by the experience. This article summaries various reasons why it is so special. Do you agree with this article or does the 'El Camino' simply have something special that is beyond explanation?

Questions for discussion:

Does the track provide an opportunity to 'discover nature' or is this less important?
Can this journey really encourage people to 'discovery themselves'? Why?

LINK HERE

LET'S TALK, martes 2 de abril a las 12 h., Seminario

The Alhambra is a well known Spanish national treasure which attracts many tourists each year. This weeks article, taken from El Pais, also notes that its 'unmistakable sights and smells' are a major contributing factor to its essential beauty and uniqueness. Examples include its gardens, wildlife, orchards and water systems. For those who have visited the Alhambra, what makes it so special? Do you agree that its gardens and orchards give the Alhambra a special flavour that is both distinct and uplifting?

Link here

LET'S TALK, martes 26 a las 12:00 horas, Seminario

There has been much discussion about rape laws in Spain recently given the high profile case of the Manada trial. This article, from the BBC, covers another similar trial where two men were found guilty of sexual assault and not rape. Is it time that the law is changed to meet community expectations, or is the current law fair and reasonable? What do you think?

Questions for discussion:

1. According to the article, evidence of 'intimidation and violence' must be shown in order to meet the criteria of 'rape'. If this is the case, what is your opinion?
2. Are judges simply following the current law in their rulings, or is the system inherently patriarchal and prone to bias against women?

Link here.

LET'S TALK, martes 19 de marzo a las 12 h., Seminario

Madrid has recently introduced measures to curb air pollution in the city with the aim of reducing contamination by 40%. According the World Health Organisation (WHO), air pollution is responsible for the deaths of millions each year.  

Questions for discussion:

1. What are hybrid cars? 
2. Should the government invest more in cycling lanes and public transport?
3. Do you agree with the mayor of Madrid, Manuela Carmena when he said in 2016 that the issue needs to be addressed urgently in order to improve the health of "our children, our grandparents and our neighbours"?
4. Do you think that this initiative in Madrid is sufficient, too harsh, or a little too late?

Link here

LET'S TALK, martes 12 de marzo a las 12 h., Seminario

We all know that there is a problem with depopulation in the Spanish countryside. This week we will discuss a possible solution to the problem - the so called 'caravans of love'. Women from cities are taken to small towns with the aim of meeting local single men and possibly forming a relationship with them. 

Questions for discussion:

1. What do you think is the BBC's position on this initiative? Positive or negative?
2. Is this a case of exploiting two vulnerable groups in the community or a practical solution to depopulation?

Link Here

LET'S TALK, martes 5 de marzo a las 12 h., Seminario

This week we will be discussing a review from El Pais of a book by English author Paul Preston - an expert on the Spanish Civil War. Called 'The Spanish Holocaust', Preston argues strongly that  - with all the evidence we have - Franco's forces 'were responsible for a far greater number of civilian deaths'. Moreover:  'The majority of those who died, wherever it was, died needlessly...and where there was no resistance.'

In reading this review, which contains confronting detail, do you agree with Preston's argument? In particular, that Franco's forces used sexual abusive as a weapon and were more blood-thirsty during and after the war?

Link here

LET'S TALK, martes 26 de febrero a las 12 h., Seminario

 This week's article discusses the history of Spanish colonization with a particular focus on the Western Sahara and Morocco. How did we get here? To what extent is Spain responsible for the quagmire that is Western Sahara and should it be more proactive in attempting to find a solution to the problem. What do you think?

Link Here

LET'S TALK, martes 19 de febrero a las 12 horas, Seminario

This week we are going to talk about New Zealand. Specially, its reputation as a socially progressive country. In fact, its reputation as one of the most socially progressive countries on the planet. Is this true? This local NZ article discusses the key differences between Australia and NZ in terms of social policy and questions to what NZ is that progressive. 

Questions for consideration:

What is NZ historian Peter Moon overall argument about NZ? Is it progressive or not? 
Do you think a country that has a tradition of being socially progressive, like NZ, makes it easier to implement ongoing progressive social policy? How does this compare with Spain and its dictatorship? 

Information Link here

LET'S TALK, martes 12 de febrero a las 12 h., Seminario

This week we shall be talking about language but this time specially the Spanish and French languages. This article notes how similar these languages are and why learning one facilitates learning the other. According to the article, the origins of each language derive from vulgar Latin and therefore grammatically they are similar - albeit with distinct forms of pronunciation.

Do you think:

1. It is easier for a native Spanish speaker to learn French or English? Why?
2. Are the grammatical features similar or are there important differences to acknowledge?
Link here

LET'S TALK, martes 5 de febrero a las 12 h., Seminario

This week we are going to talk about Spanish food! Is it really that good? This articles unpacks 8 'myths' about Spanish food and discusses some 'home truths' about it. Do the Spanish really eat a lot of vegetables and is Spanish wine just 'ok'...nothing special? What do you think?


LINK HERE

LET'S TALK, martes 29 de enero a las 12 horas, Seminario

His week we are going to discuss the problem of the Earth's oceans - do we have a grave problem? This National Geographic article suggests that we are facing serious consequences for global warming. Not least because if you oceans are sick, then so are we. 

Questions for discussion:

According to the article, what are the two key solutions offered to solve the problem?
If traditional warm water fish stocks start to migrate towards the north and south poles because the water temperature is rising, what will be the consequences?
What do you think? Is this article too alarmist or simply factual? 

LET'S TALK, martes 22 de enero a las 12 h., Seminario

This week we will be discussing smoking in Spain. The article discusses the new laws that were  implemented in Barcelona in 2011 to further restrict where smokers could and could not smoke. Was this just a case of Spain 'catching up' with the rest of the developed world in terms of 'best practice', or did smokers get a bad deal. What do you think?

Questions for consideration:
Do you think that the new smoking rules in Barcelona were required?
In comparison with English speaking countries, Spain has a high smoking rate. Why?
Should the government do more to discourage smoking?
Zona de los archivos adjuntos

Link Here

LET'S TALK, martes 15 de enero a las 12 h., Seminario

This week we are going to discuss our obsession with sport. Is this a good or bad thing - or both? This article, taken from the Seattle Times, provides us with an American context. But it could equally be applied to Spain. With sportsmen and women now the 'new gods', is their perspective lost in a world of super incomes and hero worship? And why are some members of the public so obsessed with any one team anyway? What do you think?

Questions for consideration:

According to the article, some American sportsman have behaved inappropriately. Does this occur in Spain?
Do you think that sports' persons are 'put on a pedestal' and therefore this is unhealthy for both them and the broader public?

Link here