'Alberto', first storm of the season

This is a news report on the damage and progress of hurricane 'Alberto' as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico. Its effects are felt both in the United States and the Caribbean Islands. Is your region affected by natural disasters like hurricanes? This resource is great reading practice and could be used as the basis for a reading comprehension.

http://www.consumer.es/web/es/medio_ambiente/

Hurricane Irene

This is an informative site that discusses the effects and consequences of Hurricane Irene which hit the Caribbean and North East of the United States. The great advantage of this resource is that it includes videos. It also focuses on the Red Cross rescue operation, offering useful advice to readers about what to do in the event of a hurricane. Why not use some of the advice provided to create a leaflet or presentation on “Hurricane Safety”? The resource is constantly updated so you can learn more about hurricanes as and when they happen.

http://noticias.univision.com/clima/huracanes/

History of oil-spills

This site provides you with a short history and description of some of the worst man-made disasters in recent history. The focus is on oil spills. The vocabulary is accessible and small images accompany each description. Has your country faced a disaster of this kind? If so, what was your country's response? The site does not offer happy reading, but the information it provides could be used for projects on the environment and the protection of our natural habitats.

http://www.paralibros.com/passim/drcat4.htm

Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico – reportage 1

This short and excellent reportage offers more information on the devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. There is also an informative article beneath the video, which charts the development of the disaster. The article could be used to explore the long and short-term effects of this environmental disaster in class.

http://www.rtve.es/noticias/20100511/vertido-petroleo-del-golfo-

Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico – reportage

This short video is taken from the Spanish version of the news channel BBC World. It gives further insight into the oil-spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and explores the serious nature of the disaster. This is a great introduction to the topic, and could be used as a basis for classroom discussion.

http://www.3tv.cl/index.php?m=video&v=11594

Special Report on earthquake and tsunami in Japan

This is an excellent resource for both students and teachers. It is a comprehensive dossier created by Spanish daily El País. It includes videos, eyewitness testimonies, photos and tables and statistics on this incredible human tragedy. It is a superb resource that could be used in a myriad of ways: presentations, vocabulary building, listening exercises, debates and written exercises (students writing responses to the event – diary entries, newspaper articles, letters).

http://www.elpais.com/especial/terremoto-japon-2011/

What to do in an earthquake

This is a great visual resource that could be used in a myriad of ways. The first page shows maps of recent earthquakes both in Spain and around the world. On the right click ¿Quéhacer en unterremoto? to read what to do in an earthquake. Use a dictionary to look up any vocabulary that you do not know. Why not create a poster or leaflet that advises people on what to do if they find themselves in an earthquake?

http://www.alertaterremotos.com/