The term is almost over.
Next term I will be teaching the university prep course.
So, until it is time to teach advanced again, this blog will be suspended.
I want to say, though, that the students who have participated have done an excellent job and reading their blogs was a lot of fun and educational! So, to all of you who are no longer on the contact list and to those of you who still are- THANKS!
CA
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
A World Without Borders?
Think first
The movement of people, languages, cultures, products (trade), and technologies has rapidly increased into the 21st century. There are many reasons for this mass movement such as war, conflict, quality of life issues, work and education opportunities, and natural disasters, to name a few. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this mass movement? Do you think national borders will change because of this large scale movement? In the future, is it possible that we could have a world without national or political borders?
Then Write
Use the questions above to help you organize your ideas about a world without national borders.
The movement of people, languages, cultures, products (trade), and technologies has rapidly increased into the 21st century. There are many reasons for this mass movement such as war, conflict, quality of life issues, work and education opportunities, and natural disasters, to name a few. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this mass movement? Do you think national borders will change because of this large scale movement? In the future, is it possible that we could have a world without national or political borders?
Then Write
Use the questions above to help you organize your ideas about a world without national borders.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Communication Breakdowns
Think First
Everyone, even native language speakers, experience a communication breakdown. The consequences of a communication breakdown range from slight to very serious. As a language learner, you have no doubt experienced a time when you didn't understand someone or someone didn't understand you. What happened? What did you do? What were the consequences?
Then Write
Describe the event in your journal. Include this information in your description.
What happened?
How did you feel about this experience?
What did the other person (people) feel and/or do?
What can you do to avoid this experience next time? What class activities can help you?
Everyone, even native language speakers, experience a communication breakdown. The consequences of a communication breakdown range from slight to very serious. As a language learner, you have no doubt experienced a time when you didn't understand someone or someone didn't understand you. What happened? What did you do? What were the consequences?
Then Write
Describe the event in your journal. Include this information in your description.
What happened?
How did you feel about this experience?
What did the other person (people) feel and/or do?
What can you do to avoid this experience next time? What class activities can help you?
Monday, July 23, 2007
Inventions and Innovations
This is a two part question.
1) What do you think the most important invention over the past 100 years has been, and why.
2) Choose one common everyday item and come up with 5 other ways it can be used.
1) What do you think the most important invention over the past 100 years has been, and why.
2) Choose one common everyday item and come up with 5 other ways it can be used.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Something Must be Done!
When you watch TV or read the newspaper about different issues in the world, do you ever think, “Something must be done about this!” There are many issues that concern people on a global scale such as poverty, AIDS, war, natural disasters, environmental destruction, and racism to name a few. The world is interdependent and what happens on one side of the world will in some way affect the people on the other side of the world.
Then Write
Imagine that there is a World Government Body (WGB). Write a letter to the WGB. State what you think the greatest problem facing the world today is. Explain why. In your letter, also try to offer a possible solution to help with this issue.
Then Write
Imagine that there is a World Government Body (WGB). Write a letter to the WGB. State what you think the greatest problem facing the world today is. Explain why. In your letter, also try to offer a possible solution to help with this issue.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
The Media and You
This weeks question is easy. Discuss the influence of the media on you and society.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Free Time and Stress
Various inventions have been heralded as ways to make our lives easier by giving us more free time and reducing daily stress. Microwaves cook food faster; dishwashers clean for us; the internet means we can search for information from the comfort of our home. But, have these and other inventions really made life easier? Are our lives more relaxed? If we have more free time why are so many people, including young children, suffering from stress related illnesses?
Some of us have a little or a lot of stress every day. Sometimes we “grin and bear it” and sometimes we get relief. What do you usually do to decrease or relieve your stress? What is some advice that other people have given to you about dealing with stress?
Write out a list of 15 things that people can do to help them deal with stress. If you don’t have 15 ideas, feel free to ask other people and find out what they do. Structure Hint: You can use the imperative (or command) form of the verb. For example, 1) Take a long hot bath.2) Go into a closet and scream for 10 minutes.
Then, describe one stress buster which has worked for you. Explain why.
Some of us have a little or a lot of stress every day. Sometimes we “grin and bear it” and sometimes we get relief. What do you usually do to decrease or relieve your stress? What is some advice that other people have given to you about dealing with stress?
Write out a list of 15 things that people can do to help them deal with stress. If you don’t have 15 ideas, feel free to ask other people and find out what they do. Structure Hint: You can use the imperative (or command) form of the verb. For example, 1) Take a long hot bath.2) Go into a closet and scream for 10 minutes.
Then, describe one stress buster which has worked for you. Explain why.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Fate or Control?
Some people believe in fate. They believe “What will be, will be,” and “Life will unfold as it should.” “There is nothing that one can do to change what will happen in life.” On the other hand, others believe that people can “Make things happen,” and “It is up to us to control our future,” and “If you make clear and specific plans, you will be able to reach those goals.”
Do you believe in fate or controlling your own destiny, or do you believe in a combination of both?
William Arthur Ward, a motivational speaker, said, “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.”
Do you agree or disagree with his statements. Give reasons and examples to support your point of view.
Do you believe in fate or controlling your own destiny, or do you believe in a combination of both?
William Arthur Ward, a motivational speaker, said, “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.”
Do you agree or disagree with his statements. Give reasons and examples to support your point of view.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Culture and Language
This week our theme deals with travel to foreign places. Many people love to travel and, certainly, it is easier to travel now than it was in the past. Yet, when we travel can we really say we learned about a place. Can a brief stay in a country and a tour of its high spots really enlighten us as to how the people and the culture are? If I travel to 7 countries in 7 days what have I really learned?
Quite often when people are goiing on a long trip they study the language and/or carry a phrase book so they can communicate with the "natives." While this is a step in the right durection, is it enough? How important is language to culture and how important is culture to language?
That leads us to this question:
Title: Fluent Fools
Think First
Think about the following quotation. What do you think it means? Do you agree with it? Why or why not? You can ask your friends for ideas also.
“To study a language without learning its culture is a great way to make a fluent fool of yourself.” (Milton Bennett, cross-cultural researcher)
Then Write
Put the quote on the top of the page for the title. Explain what the quote means. Agree or disagree with the statement. Give reasons and examples to support your point of view.
Quite often when people are goiing on a long trip they study the language and/or carry a phrase book so they can communicate with the "natives." While this is a step in the right durection, is it enough? How important is language to culture and how important is culture to language?
That leads us to this question:
Title: Fluent Fools
Think First
Think about the following quotation. What do you think it means? Do you agree with it? Why or why not? You can ask your friends for ideas also.
“To study a language without learning its culture is a great way to make a fluent fool of yourself.” (Milton Bennett, cross-cultural researcher)
Then Write
Put the quote on the top of the page for the title. Explain what the quote means. Agree or disagree with the statement. Give reasons and examples to support your point of view.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
sacrifice
In the previous post I asked you about peace. I gave a quote from Aristotle.
This post is connected with that one. In class this week we will watch a 7 min video from the BMW series. The question I want you to think about is from the video "Ticker."
"What would you fall on your sword for?"
In other words for what would you sacrifice yourself. For what would you put yourself on the line? What would you stand up for no matter the cost to yourself?
Heavy, but interesting and important.
This post is connected with that one. In class this week we will watch a 7 min video from the BMW series. The question I want you to think about is from the video "Ticker."
"What would you fall on your sword for?"
In other words for what would you sacrifice yourself. For what would you put yourself on the line? What would you stand up for no matter the cost to yourself?
Heavy, but interesting and important.
PEACE!!
Peace, EIPHNH (Greek), Fandriampahalemana (Malagasy), Heiwa (Japanese) …
Think First
What does “peace” mean? Do you think there will ever be peace in every country of the world? Why or why not?
Then Write
Agree or disagree with the following statement. Give reasons and examples to support your point of view.
“Peace is more difficult than war”- Aristotle (384 – 322 B.C.) Greek philosopher
Think First
What does “peace” mean? Do you think there will ever be peace in every country of the world? Why or why not?
Then Write
Agree or disagree with the following statement. Give reasons and examples to support your point of view.
“Peace is more difficult than war”- Aristotle (384 – 322 B.C.) Greek philosopher
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Playing Hooky! an Expression of Free Will (?!)
OK. Fess up. Almost everyone has at some time skipped school.
When I was in high school I used to skip school one time each semester. I would go to a nearby museum and explore it and the grounds. The museum was really cool and old fashioned -very different from museums now. The new ones all look alike to me and show the same stuff. This one was filled with all sorts of things local people had donated and it had a room at the top of the one building set up as if it were the captain's room on a ship complete with a telescope! I would go to that room, look out over the river and pretend I was one of the first explorers.
There was something fun about skipping out. It felt liberating. I had to be in high school and learn because it was the law. But, when I skipped out, I was learning because I wanted to! And, if I went bowling or did something else it still felt great because I did it of my own free will. Plus, doing something different from everyone else also felt neat. It gave the illusion of freedom.
Did you ever skip out? If so, why? What did you do? Do you think everyone should skip out at least once in their life?
Did you ever watch Ferris Beuller's Day Off? If not, I recommend it - the best school skipping movie ever!
When I was in high school I used to skip school one time each semester. I would go to a nearby museum and explore it and the grounds. The museum was really cool and old fashioned -very different from museums now. The new ones all look alike to me and show the same stuff. This one was filled with all sorts of things local people had donated and it had a room at the top of the one building set up as if it were the captain's room on a ship complete with a telescope! I would go to that room, look out over the river and pretend I was one of the first explorers.
There was something fun about skipping out. It felt liberating. I had to be in high school and learn because it was the law. But, when I skipped out, I was learning because I wanted to! And, if I went bowling or did something else it still felt great because I did it of my own free will. Plus, doing something different from everyone else also felt neat. It gave the illusion of freedom.
Did you ever skip out? If so, why? What did you do? Do you think everyone should skip out at least once in their life?
Did you ever watch Ferris Beuller's Day Off? If not, I recommend it - the best school skipping movie ever!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
A Surprising Question
"When you go for a long walk, what do you think about?" I was standing at the skytrain when a stranger asked me this question. I was a little surprised but interested at the same time.
So, I started to think. This is what I realized. Some days I think about nothing (brain is dead or taking a break). Some days I just like to listen to music and get into the lyrics. Some days I walk and enjoy the scenery. Other days I think about what I have read. But, I would say that most of the time-whether I am listening to music or not- I make up stories in my head. Maybe I am a hero. Maybe I meet a famous person. Maybe I create a story about the person walking in front of me or that I just passed. . . .I make up stories about any and everything.
So, now I am asking you to think about the question "When you go for a long walk, what do you think about?"
So, I started to think. This is what I realized. Some days I think about nothing (brain is dead or taking a break). Some days I just like to listen to music and get into the lyrics. Some days I walk and enjoy the scenery. Other days I think about what I have read. But, I would say that most of the time-whether I am listening to music or not- I make up stories in my head. Maybe I am a hero. Maybe I meet a famous person. Maybe I create a story about the person walking in front of me or that I just passed. . . .I make up stories about any and everything.
So, now I am asking you to think about the question "When you go for a long walk, what do you think about?"
Assignment # 2
Hi Guys!
Well, here is assignment # 2
Title: What it means to be a citizen of ___________
Think First
What makes your culture unique or different than other cultures? What are some symbols of your culture? What makes your culture part of your identity (who you are)?
Then Write
Show 15 things/ ideas which explain what it means to be a citizen of your country. You can use pictures and sketches to support the English words that you have.
Well, here is assignment # 2
Title: What it means to be a citizen of ___________
Think First
What makes your culture unique or different than other cultures? What are some symbols of your culture? What makes your culture part of your identity (who you are)?
Then Write
Show 15 things/ ideas which explain what it means to be a citizen of your country. You can use pictures and sketches to support the English words that you have.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Welcome
I'd like to welcome my new class to the blog project.
I hope this gives everyone an opportunity to share some stories, ideas and maybe a few laughs. Who knows, maybe we'll all get some practice along the way.
So, if you're ready, let's get posting.
I hope this gives everyone an opportunity to share some stories, ideas and maybe a few laughs. Who knows, maybe we'll all get some practice along the way.
So, if you're ready, let's get posting.
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