Questions for the test

You can post a comment with your answers

Study Questions

• What was your first impression of Nick Naylor? How did you feel after the opening scene on the talk show?
• Did this film have a “hero”? Could that be Nick? The Captain? The Senator? The reporter? In what ways did they all fall short of truly being the “good” character in this story?
• The film gives the impression that Nick’s influence on his son was not negative. Do you agree? Why or why not?
• In what ways was the Senator a hypocrite?
• Nick’s job was a lobbyist, but how would you describe what he did for a living? Was he a defender of the right to choose or a professional deceiver and liar?
• Were you surprised that Heather, the reporter, betrayed Nick?
• Nick justified what he did as a way to “pay the rent.” Did you think that was honest? What things would you do, or not do, to “pay the rent?”
• Did your feelings change towards Nick by the end of the film? Did he change?
• Were you satisfied with the ending of the film or would you have preferred a more ethically satisfying ending?

Student Writing

Hey students,
I've found a really interesting blog with some examples of student writing. You may find them useful if you want more examples of what we've been discussing about concluding paragraphs, topic sentences, etc.

Enjoy!!

http://alea-english.blogspot.com/search/label/IELTS%20preparation%20student

Crime and Punishment

Hi!
On Wednesday we talked about diffent crimes.

Domestic violence:
What would you do if you saw a man beating his wife?

Here you may find information about domestic violence:

Chile (Spanish)
http://www.violenciaintrafamiliar.org/chile/guia_rapida.php
http://www.violenciaintrafamiliar.org/chile/actuacion_terceros.php

International (English)
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_help_treatment_prevention.htm

Shoplifting:
What would you do if you saw a person shoplifting?

Shoplifting may become an addiction:
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/good_friends/shoplifting.html



Did you know that in some cultures adultery is considered a crime?
Adultery in the Military
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/justicelawlegislation/a/adultery.htm

Adultery in Cambodia
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9804E3DB1F3EF931A3575AC0A9609C8B63&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fSubjects%2fA%2fAdultery
http://mongkol.wordpress.com/2006/09/01/cambodia-makes-adultery-a-crime/

What would you do if you saw a man/woman cheating on his/her spouse?

This and next week

Hi!
This week we started reading the article "Thirty-eight Who Saw Murder Didn't Call the Police."
We'll finish reading it on Monday.
On Tuesday, we'll continue with the handout "Summarizing a text."
If you do not come with the text answered, we won't be able to move faster.
I am sending the ppts containing each class' material. Read them and if you have questions please ask them in class or just post them as comments.

More information on

Civil Rights Movement:
http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112391/Welcome.htm

JFK Assassination:
http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/home.htm

America during the 50's:
http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/decade50.html

America during the 60's:
http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/decade60.html

America during the 70's:
http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/decade70.html

Might help

This website might be helpful for your Language Studies class.

http://www.indiana.edu/~hlw/

Homework for Monday

Hi!
Homework for Monday:

A.
Read the two texts (Creatividad, La Llave del Siglo XXI, Thirty Eight who saw murder didn't call the police) and follow the fisrt three steps in writing a summary.

1. Step One: "...accurately read the original text.", "...identify the controlling idea of each paragraph." (Summarizing a Text, 1)
2. Step two: "...analyze the rest of the information in the text, interact with the ideas." (Summarizing a Text, 2)
3. Step three: "... read through your highlighting and marginal notes and determine the controlling idea of the entire reading." (Summarizing a Text, 5)

B.
Read the handout "Summarizing a Text" and complete exercises 1-17.


If you are curious about who Marco Antonio de La Parra is, you can find information about him on this website:
http://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0717-68482006000200008&lng=pt&nrm=

This week

Hi!
Remember, on Wednesday we have the Intensive test.

For Thursday we have two homeworks:

1. Workshop 1: This must be done.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgmvk7jn_7827pk4g

2. Summarizing a Text: This document consists of 21 pages and is now at Picachu photocopy center. I can also email it to you if you want. I'm uploading it at SIGA also, but that might take a while. This document must be read for Thursday's class since we will discuss it and use it to start producing summaries.

Today we reviewed the handout about APA Referencing System. We did some exercises and finished with that.

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!

It's collaborative time!

Hi!
Remember I told you we were going to practice the exercises on this booklet here?
Well, I have created a discussion board where you will find extra exercises.
Post the answers to the exercises and receive feedback from me and from your classmates.
YES, you can correct grammar, spelling or any other mistake you see in your classmate's answers that way we will all learn from each other's mistakes and contributions.

Do you think it's a good idea to correct each other? Post a comment.
What do you think about this blog? Do you like it?
What things could be done to improve this blog?
Do you think blogging enhances your learning? Why? Why not?

See you!

Summarizing a text - Note taking

The class yesterday was really good and productive. I think you all got the idea of how to produce a good summary from your notes.

Keep these points in mind when you are writing a summary:

A summary:

Is shorter than the original piece of writing.
Includes an introductory sentence which refers to the source and states your controlling idea.
Includes the most important elements of the original text.
Has reminders that the ideas are coming from another text.
Is written in your own words or, when necessary, has original text in quotation marks.
Shows that you understand the original piece of writing.
Does not express your opinion of the ideas in the original text.

We will continue working to develop efficient note taking strategies in order to produce better summaries.

Here you can find more information on writing summaries:

http://learnersstrategies.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

Breakfast pictures

There are some blurry ones, but still nice.. Thank you all for participating.

Test

For the test, study only the article "Global Warming is human made" and of course all the review pages and exercises related to it.
Oral presentations: NO.