REMINDER: The first writing test to be done at home during class hours (10:00-12:00) will be held on Monday 23rd March.

E-mail sent to students today:

Dear Students,
First things first - I hope you and your families and friends are doing well and stay well during these challenging times.
As we all know by now, it doesn't make sense to pretend that we can conduct "business as usual" or live life as usual these days - there is nothing usual about our current circumstances. So it's wise to keep our priorities in mind (stay as well as we possibly can) and then use the time we have in our hands in as meaningful and helpful a way as we can.
Following the government's decision to suspend classes until Easter and the Dean's latest e-mail (dated 16 March), it is realistic to expect that the remainder of the semester will be largely conducted online. I would therefore like to suggest that we carry out two tasks, and no more than these two tasks, in the time ahead. 
Task 1 - your  personal or argumentative essay on the topic of growing up or growing older or growing through love or hardship, as may be the case these days; basically what we are doing is adapting what was meant to be an oral presentation to a written paper or a video. What I would like to receive from you at this point is a simple summary or outline of what you plan to do. Feel free to be flexible and creative, as it's important that you enjoy what you are doing: what makes more sense to you in your current circumstances? Does it make sense to interview your family members? Do you feel like writing a poem or a song instead? Is there a book or a film that inspired you and that could be the springboard for your writing?As usual, you will be getting individual feedback on your drafts before submitting your final version.
Task 2 -  write a journal (in English). Maybe some of you keep a journal or a blog, maybe you don't. If you feel reluctant about it, feel free to be creative: how about creating a fictional persona and writing as if you were this other creature looking at these strange times? Write whatever comes to you: it could be a poem or a single line, a list or an outburst of anger or relief. You find some tips on journal writing below.Now, of course a journal may be too private to share, though some are public as well, as is the case with some blogs and published diaries. You are by no means expected to send me  all your journal entries, but I would appreciate if you could send me  one entry per week, if that's all right.
Here are some useful links:
Journaling as a coping tool: https://www.verywellmind.com/journal-writing-2584072

& in Portuguese: https://www.publico.pt/2020/03/16/impar/noticia/escrever-diario-antidoto-tempos-incerteza-1907804

You are creative and resourceful, so just use English to put your creativity into play - and enjoy while improving your English.
With all good wishes,

Teresa Casal