Intensive Reading 2

Andrea spoke to me today and asked me to change the test date. I have no problems in changing the test for Wednesday as long as you write a signed list asking for that.

Again, just for the record, yesterday nobody except Daniela P. showed up with the homework done, and today only four people handed in their essays.

See you!

Vocabulary activities Booklet 1

http://uk1.hotpotatoes.net/ex/20119/VHORDVRP.php

http://uk1.hotpotatoes.net/ex/20119/WVHZBAJK.php

http://uk1.hotpotatoes.net/ex/20119/LWHMNDLO.php

Vocabulary Acquisition/Learning

You have a lot to say about this topic since you have been studying EFL (English as a foreign language) for a good amount of years now to have an empirical opinion based in your own experience.
I value that. As you must have read in the articles handed out, essays are supposed to be subjective and persuasive. Just make your point clear.
Now, you need to complement your opinion and experience with scientific data or I can easily say, "That's your opinion, I respect it, but I disagee."

ASPECTS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE VOCABULARY ACQUISITION
http://www.cc.mie-u.ac.jp/~lq20106/eg5000/master2001-3.html
This is a summary of a master thesis

Academic listening: A source of vocabulary acquisition?
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=14894590
Abstract

Collection of links to related articles
http://iteslj.org/links/TESL/Articles/Vocabulary/

Essay (Diagnostic)

Topic: How do people learn/acquire vocabulary in a foreign language?

Due to: Thursday, April 26th.
Length: 2 pages (including references)
All margins (top, bottom, left, right) must be set in 2.5 cms.
Double space.
Font: Tahoma 11
References: APA Style

Preparación de un ensayo
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgmvk7jn_41fp5rxz

Elaboración de referencias y citas según las normas de la American Psychological Association
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgmvk7jn_40cgkjvf

Cómo escribir un ensayo
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgmvk7jn_39hrw8sq

Acerca del ensayo
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgmvk7jn_38g83t3b

Intensive Reading

The intensive reading will be constructed as follows:

1. True or False

2. Answering questions about the text.

3. Determine the meaning of terms. Provide a definition of vocabulary items.

4. Make sentences with some vocabulary items.

5. Translation.

Questions? email me.

Instant communication

If you have any questions please feel free to msn me or add me to your gmail chat.

MSN: violeta.cautin@yahoo.com (for both, MSN and Yahoo messenger)
gmail: violeta.cautin@gmail.com

Good luck with your test!!!

Hi!
Remember that "responsible" is the word from me to you. Today only two people brought the material to class.

Please remember:
1. Show up to class and with the material.

Well, we have two homeworks for tomorrow:

1. Write a three-sentence summary of the reading "The stuggle to beat the cold" (page 26, booklet 1)

2. Do exercises 2 and 3 (pgs. 3-5, booklet "How to write a summary") The booklet is on the photocopy center behind the former cafeteria. I'm going to upload that one in here, too.

Well, today we started working with the booklet "How to write a summary". We read that an identified controlling ideas in paragraphs 1-7 (exercise 1). After that we answered the question about the controlling idea for paragraph 8. We then moved to "booklet 1" and read the guidelines for the exercise. (Act. 1, pg. 26) after which we did the gap filling exercise on pg. 27. Finally, I wrote some vocabulary items on the board which are important for you to have in mind. We will work with them tomorrow.

About the essay you have to write for Thursday, I will post later today. I handed out some articles that will be a good introductory reading to the topic. REMEMBER: This is not a graded exercise, it is just a diagnostic. The results of this diagnostic assessment will provide us with important insights into your current writing skills and will help me develop an appropriate plan to help you improve those skills. Underlined message: Help me help you!

All comments are welcomed!

Remember that you are more than welcome to correct spelling or grammar mistakes if you spot one here on the blog posts or comments!!

See you.

Agreements

Hi students!
Well, today we talked about the development of our class.
I am really happy with the outcome.
I will compromise to:

1. Be punctual.
2. Go over contents faster.
3. Do more vocabulary activities in class.
4. Give you more homework.
5. Encourage you to speak English at all times in class.

I expect you to:

1. Be punctual.
2. Come to classes prepared. That means: homework done, contents studied.
3. Ask questions and verbalize what you think with respect.
4. Be professional.
5. Check the blog and post at least 3 times a week.
6. Speak English at all times in class.

See you!

Vocabulary

Well, as a matter of fact, we haven´t done many vocabulary activities. We'll solve that in the coming lessons.
You'll have to use plenty of new vocabulary for the summaries and other activities.
The difference is that I don't like you to regurgitate vocabulary definitions, my objective is that you can use the language in meaningful communicative exchanges.
I want you to apply the knowledge, not to demonstrate your knowledge.
That does not mean that you should not look for vocabulary definitions, because you know yourself and the strategies you are used to in order to acquire the target language. I just do not see the point of making you memorize 30 definitions that you will most likely forget in 2 months. I prefer to use our classroom time to make you speak, listen and process.
There is another factor to have in mind, and that is the "plateau effect". This idea states that once students have reached an intermediate command of the target language they perceive no visible improvement. This may lead to a discouragement in the learner that must be avoided. We will fight that if it comes. Do not worry! But unless you verbalize your feelings I can not know that.
There are other factors to take into account. Students must be aware that they need to take part in their own learning.
Due to Internet, globalization and other factors, there has been a change in the paradigm. You need to take part in that. We will definitely talk about that in class.
In the meantime, please read the following:
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociedad_de_la_informaci%C3%B3n
http://tecnologiaedu.us.es/nuevosretos/ponencias/juliocabero/juliocabero.htm
http://critical.tamucc.edu/~blalock/readings/tch2learn.htm
http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-freir.htm
http://www.campaign-for-learning.org.uk/projects/L2L/What%20is/What%20is%20L2L.htm
http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/bloom.html

See you on Monday!