ECI on Caravaca Radio tonight....Driving in my car!

To celebrate our son, Bradley, passing his driving test today. Tonight's show will be all about driving.

ECI on Caravaca Radio 18-09-12 on-line NOW!

The Paparazzi...

Too busy watching last nights football match ,between Real Madrid and Manchester City (what a game!), to listen to our show on Caravaca Radio? Don't worry you can listen now on-line by clicking the play button on the DivShare bar below.

Last night we talked about the intrusion and integrity of the press and related that to the recent news stories about Kate Middileton and the recent Hillsborough enquiry and report.

We also did our usual celebrity birthdays, Brazilian ex-footballer Ronaldo (36) and Hollywood Goddess Greta Garbo. (see the video opposite for her immortal line of "I want to be alone...")

We also had our usual look at English grammar and vocabulary.

ECI Caravaca Radio.....LISTEN HERE! on-line

Higgins' - Caravaca Radio

We are now able to publish our weekly radio show via this blog....enjoy!

Please give us your feedback so that we can make it better! Tell us what you think we should be covering. Tell us what you want to learn. You can even tell us if you think this show is worth our while doing and if anyone is listening to it.

On this show we had Tony's parents on as guests. We also talked about the summer and discussed the use of some common prepositions.

Teresa & Matt

Click on the "play" button below to listen.

C'mon Caravaca FC!....or as they say in Newcastle Howay the Lads!

Tony has been doing some football blogs on the English language Spanish football web-site Inside Spanish Football. This week he has written all about Caravaca FC.
http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/lunchtime-la-liga-with-anthony-higgins-2/

Caravaca Calling......on my radio!

El Centro de Inglés is back on the Caravaca Radio this evening at 

20:30. Tonight's subject is  "What we have done" in the 

summer.Also we will be helping you with some grammar points and

vocabulary. If you are not in the Caravaca area you can can listen on-line 

http://www.caravacaradio.com/

Football is back....life good!

Last weekend saw the start of the new football season both in Spain and England. The usual suspects of Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all expected to continue their successes both domestically and in Europe.

Perhaps it’s the battles for the places in the Europa League or to avoid relegation that provide more excitement? Anyway nine months of excitement ahead!

One footballer who didn’t start the new season last weekend was ex Newcastle United player Joey Barton. Barton, now with London club QPR, is currently banned for 12 games for violent conduct (see youtube video below) and has become somewhat of a hate figure in the English game. 

Joey Barton has some ideas on Grammar............

However, Joey always gave 100% effort in the black and white shirt of Newcastle and opinion is split, about him, amongst the Magpies (urracas) support. Joey even tweeted the other day how much he misses playing for the Geordies (people from Newcastle). “Proper proper football fans, stadium, city…..” was his tweet as he watched Newcastle’s live televised game, from St. James’ Park, against Tottenham.

Barton has a long record of trouble dating back to his days with Manchester City and during his time at Newcastle he even served a 77 day jail term for his part in a late night fight in his home city of Liverpool.

Although recently (prior to his latest outburst) Joey has tried hard to get rid of his bad boy tag and has become somewhat of a philosopher via his Twitter account and articles for the homeless peoples charity magazine The Big Issue. Problem is some of his “tweets” have led to on-line clashes with various people including leading British journalists. All of this has led to Joey publishing his own web-site so that he can express himself more and I have to say I found it very interesting. Joey Barton Official site 

One article in particular “caught my eye” (idiom) , in it he discusses the complexity and development of English grammar and to be fair he has made some great points. I posted this on facebook the other day, but if you missed it here it is again. Joey Barton - Who's in charge of grammar?

Another football story of note is that it is great to see Caravaca FC back in business and hopefully pushing for promotion to the third tier of Spanish football. I think most people reading this will know the recent history of the club and hopefully this is a new era for football in Caravaca. So good luck to the team “we’re with Curro!”

Tony Higgins (August 2012)

Enjoying the games?

After almost two years I have just finished working in London and whilst it is great to be back in Caravaca, with the family, a small part of me wishes I was still in London and going to some of the Olympic events. I have especially enjoyed watching, on TV, the boxing, football and the triumphs of Bradley Wiggins, in the cycling, so soon after him winning the Tour de France. Bradley appears to be such a nice guy and so cool in victory.  

Everyone seems to be enjoying the games and Team GB is picking up lots of medals of all colours, the atmosphere appears to be amazing and even the weather seems to be good! Team GB basketball team even pushed the mighty Spanish team to the wire losing by only one point. Unfortunately and surprisingly Spain at the moment doesn’t seem to be doing so well; maybe it’s something to do with that Olympic team kit??

Bradley Wiggins- Worthy Champion!

No gold medal for the designer of this kit

Not only is the capital London benefiting from the games but our home town of Newcastle has been playing host to the men’s and women’s football tournaments. The Spanish and Brazilian men’s teams both have played matches on the hallowed turf of St. James’ Park, home of Newcastle United. The Tyne Bridge looks amazing bedecked in the Olympic rings.

Geordie Pride! The Tyne Bridge adorned with the Olympic Rings.

It’s a great time to be in the UK and we are happy to report that we have broken our own records. This year we have organised more study trips than ever before. We have people in Newcastle and Edinburgh and looking at the International House Face Book page everyone seems to be having a great time especially in North East England. https://www.facebook.com/pages/International-House-Newcastle/111269662246547?ref=ts

Let’s hope that the games continue to be a success and more medals are won by Team GB and Spain.

Written by Tony Higgins (August 2012)