A real friend

A REAL FRIEND

It’s a well-known fact that in your life you will meet a lot of friends. However, not all these friends are going to be part of your life and not all of them will be forever. So, how can find “a real friend”? Do they exist?

In many countries having a good relation with your friends means that you’re a sociable person, and in Spain it also does. Nevertheless, more and more young people reckon that this fact is relates with social networks like Facebook or Twitter. That is to say, they think that having more “followers” on Twitter or more “friends” on Facebook, they’re more sociable and popular. And they’re totally wrong, because the majority of these “friends” don’t even know them.

Other people however, prefer having fewer friends, but with whom they are closer. They usually have a better relation with them and what is more important, they can do many things together: going to the cinema, playing a film… It’s true that if they lost them, because one of them goes abroad or they have an argument, they can end in a bad way, but in my view this is the best type of friendship.

In my case, I don’t reckon I have lots of friends, but I think that I can always trust them, so for me, it’s enough. Moreover, I could say that I have a real friend, because even if we are very different and he isn’t still at the university, we get on really well since nursery school, so I think that is the best way to know if you have a real friend.

SPORTING HEROES SHOULD TRY TO BE GOOD ROLE MODELS. DO YOU AGREE?

SPORTING HEROES SHOULD TRY TO BE GOOD ROLE MODELS. DO YOU AGREE?

There are many people who like sports (mostly men, but also women). And most of these people like watching their favourite sports on TV. It’s for this reason that many sportsmen influence young people, but how much influence have they got? Are they a reference for them?

It’s a well-known fact that teenagers like looking like their sporting heroes: having the same haircut, wearing the same clothes and imitating their movements. Therefore, even if sportsmen don’t intend to be a reference for them, they have a lot of influence on them. Because of this, if a sportsman doesn’t behave as well as he should, he gives a bad image to their fans.  However, we also have to think that they are humans and there are moments in which they can behave badly.

Moreover, people usually watch more team sports on TV than other types of sports, so fellowship is also an important fact that young people see when they are watching their idols. Nevertheless, especially in football, we don’t see this fellowship in the biggest teams.

In conclusion, I personally reckon that they should at least try to behave as well as they can because they are a reference for them. It’s also true that this is also a lot of pressure for them because they can be distracted and even more if their fans also have bad behaviour towards them: jeer rat them in matches or throw things at them if they don’t play well.

Great books and "trash": The Canon wars

GREAT BOOKS AND “TRASH”: 

THE CANON WARS.

We could say that “Canon books” or “Canon authors” are the most important books or authors of the global literature that have become a reference for the current literature and that have inspired writers to make the literature of our days. In spite of this, I think that Canon literature has always been changing, that is to say, current authors haven’t always been inspired by “the Greek Canon”. I think that the society of the epoch has also influenced in this Canon, because if it weren’t like this, all the novels would have the same plot. For instance, it isn’t the same an Ancient Greek book than other from the Middle Age. An ancient Greek book is not the same as another written in the Middle Ages.

Moreover, I also think that this Canon is “fading” as the author says, because we have a very large kind of readings that traditionalists wouldn’t include in this “Canon”. In my opinion, you do your own Canon from the moment you begin to read. It’s obviously true that every young child should read first all these classics to make his own Canon in order to be a good reader. In addition to this, I think that it’s a pity that comic books, magazines or detective books aren’t considered as a “Canon” since I really enjoy them. Fromm y point of view, The books that traditionalists consider as “trash” have also inspired good novels or films, which could be considered as a “a Canon or a a Classic”, like for example The Adventure of Tintin (Les Aventures de Tintin) or in Spanish “Mortadelo and Filemón”, which I reckon they should be part of these classics is a few years’ time. But, the best example we have got in Spanish literature is “El Quijote”, which is obviously considered a canon, but whose origins are based on chivalry book. These books were considered as “trash” literature at that time.

All in all, I think that “my Canon” is not the same as that of others. And you, what is your “Canon”?

Example of an application letter

Example of an application letter

Young people of 18+ to become activity instructor with an International summer school. Experience is not important, as training will be given. Love of sport, energy, enthusiasm and an ability to relate to young people is essential.

     Dear Sir/Madam.

     Following the recent advertisement in your website, I would like to apply for the position as an activity instructor.

     At present I am studying English philology at the University of Granada (Spain). One of the main reasons I am applying for this job is that I would like to improve my English and spend some time using it in in your International summer school. As well as English I am also learning French, so, if it is required, I could also help.

     I have no much experience in these kinds of job, nevertheless I love sports. I swim twice a week, I play tennis on the weekend and during the summer I do a lot of trekking. In addition, I have enthusiasm and ability to relate to young people, because I look after my parents aren’t at home.

     I would be grateful if you could send me further details of the job. I enclose my CV. I can be contacted … at any time. Thank you for considering my application and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. After the end of the university year I will be available if I am required to come for an interview.

Yours faithfully

Alberto Romero.