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rosie1973
Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 33 Location: Chicago
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Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 8:19 pm Post subject: A4 notebook???? |
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I'm an American and doing the CELTA in Sevilla very soon. They asked me, along with a few other items, to bring an A4 notebook with holes. Assuming this is a European standard type notebook - I was just wondering what exactly it is?? I couldn't find anything in any stores here in Chicago. No one had a clue what I was talking about.
Any takers? What is an A4 notebook and where can I find one?
Thanks in advance
Carrie |
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Glenski

Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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A4 is the size of paper. We have it here in Japan, too. I'm American, and I know what you mean by being confused.
A4 is slightly larger paper than what Americans are used to for regular notes and such (the standard 8.5 x 10 inches stuff). Don't fret over it. After you land in Sevilla, go to any store that carries paper/office supplies and you'll find what you are looking for. If it isn't clearly marked with a huge A4 on it, just get one that is as close to 8.5 x 10 as you can judge with your eyes. That'll be it.
The only problem you'll have is when you take it home and try to use it for your American paper. |
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Gordon

Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan
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Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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I'm sure a regular 8.5 x 11 notebook will do. They probably don't want you to bring a pocket size notebook with you. |
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rosie1973
Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 33 Location: Chicago
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Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 10:11 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, I just wanted to be sure it wasn't some wierd legal pad or something unfamiliar. I'll just pick one up in Seville. |
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Ludwig

Joined: 26 Apr 2004 Posts: 1096 Location: 22� 20' N, 114� 11' E
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Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 7:03 am Post subject: |
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Don't listen to them, 'rosie1973'! The 'A4 notebook' to which they allude is in fact a city in Sweden, which is itself part of Africa. This is all over in the non-US part of the planet (the bit over to the right near the edge of the Earth).
Only joking. An A4 pad - in Europe - actually simply means a (non-pocket sized) notepad, A4 is standard. Indeed, it is pretty hard to get anything other than A4. Have you never selected margin and document size on Word?
Anyway, if I were you I would begin tending to matters outside of the realm of paper size. The CELTA is a fairly tough entry level course, wherever and however it is completed. In a few weeks, your notepad will be the last of your worries! But, you know what they say, 'Anything worth having will be difficult to get!'
Good luck with the course. |
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phis
Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 250
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Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 10:29 am Post subject: |
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Rosie
We all know how it feels! (Except those people who claim that they have never worried about anything! - I wish I could be one of them!). You have made this 'big' decision and jumped in with both feet, and know you have the last minute 'jitters'. And yes, the size of a notebook, at this time, may well give you sleepless nights.
To shorten your list of worries by one: A4 is similar to the size of paper you would write a business letter on. This size varies slightly from country to country. Here in Indonesia, it is slightly wider than A4 Spanish and English size. You will also see a 'letter' size paper on your computer. This is slightly longer and narrower than traditional A4.
All the school is saying to you is: 'Don't bring a scrappy little notebook that you can fit into your pocket because you will be writing A LOT OF NOTES'! When you actually start the course, you are going to laugh aloud at the variety and size of notebooks you see.
I lived in Spain for more than 18 years and did my TEFL course there. If you have any more questions, either about the course or about Spain, just PM me. Or put your questions on the open forum so everyone can see the answers and contribute. |
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phis
Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 250
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Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 10:35 am Post subject: |
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Just wanted to add: the paper you usually feed into your computer printer will probably be A4 size (with some slight variations).
Why didn't I think of that before my long-winded explanation in the previous post? |
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AsiaTraveller
Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 908 Location: Singapore, Mumbai, Penang, Denpasar, Berkeley
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Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 6:03 pm Post subject: |
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Most versions of Microsoft Word enable you to customize your printouts for many different sizes of paper. My version has eight sizes, including both U.S. standard "letter" size (8 1/2" x 11") and A4.
In checking the exact size of A4 in Word, I learned that A4 is 8.27" x 11.69" (narrower but longer than American standard letter size). The differences aren't too big, so a standard notebook in the US will almost always accommodate A4 paper. Just measure it!
But as others suggest, you should probably just buy all your supplies in Spain if you have the time before your course.
Good luck! |
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phis
Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 250
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Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 7:29 pm Post subject: |
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And we all forgot the HOLES! This probably means that they are going to give you a 'ring-pull' folder where you can keep all your handouts. Don't fret this. You can buy a cheap 'paper punch'. These have standardized hole-making facilities which will fit any folder you are likely to be given.
Basic Spanish no.1:
Por favor, necesito papel de tamano (pronounced: ta-mahn-io) A4.
Please, I need A4 size paper. |
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lajzar
Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan
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Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 11:05 pm Post subject: |
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AsiaTraveller wrote: |
In checking the exact size of A4 in Word, I learned that A4 is 8.27" x 11.69" (narrower but longer than American standard letter size). The differences aren't too big, so a standard notebook in the US will almost always accommodate A4 paper. Just measure it!
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In the UK, standardised A4 paper writing pads normally come pre-punched with 2 holes. Assuming the usual economies of scale and EU directives, I suspect Spain follows the same standard. Worth considering if you plan on buying a binder in advance. |
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rosie1973
Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 33 Location: Chicago
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2004 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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okay, well thanks for all the responses. And no I'm not stressed about the size of the paper and it is, in fact, the least of my worries. It was just something I was trying to buy on my massive list of things to prepare before leaving and I just shot the question out on the board to see if I could get a response. |
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Ludwig

Joined: 26 Apr 2004 Posts: 1096 Location: 22� 20' N, 114� 11' E
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Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 6:11 am Post subject: |
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Have no fear, Spain has these things called 'shops'. |
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