Wednesday, December 16th, 2015

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

Well, we've made it to the end of term!!! Hooray!! I would like to thank you for all your hard work and dedication this term.  I will miss you all, but I wish you all the best as you take your next steps.  I have every confidence in each of you.  For those of you celebrating Christmas, a very Merry Christmas. And for all of you, all the very best in the new year! May all your dreams come true! 

Today, I would like you practice using the different tenses while talking about 'A Christmas Carol.' Please go to the Voicethread where I've placed some questions.

CLB 7/8 Voicethread

If you'd like more practice with the tenses, give these websites a try:

Verb Tense Tutorial

English Verb Tenses

Enjoy! 

Wednesday, December 9th, 2015

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

This afternoon, you will completing your speaking tests one at a time.  While you're waiting or after you've finished, please have a look at the links below.  The links are divided up according to skill or topic.

I saw this picture on Facebook, and it made me think of Ruba and Afsaneh. ;)


Also, I will give each of you a copy of the 'Strategy Inventory for Language Learning' (SILL).  Please work on it today and make sure to complete it for class on Monday when we will discuss it.

Listening:

http://tigger.uic.edu/~onufrock/lecture_main.html

http://www.teachitelt.com/academic?T=1654

http://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_dare_to_disagree

http://ed.ted.com/on/gTGfE82A#review

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/index.shtml

http://breakingnewsenglish.com/

Speaking:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/webcast/tae_betterspeaking_archive.shtml

http://m.busyteacher.org/18521-10-esl-speaking-mistakes-students-make.html

Grammar:

http://blog.ed.ted.com/2014/05/29/be-a-better-writer-in-15-minutes-4-ted-ed-lessons-on-grammar-and-word-choice/

http://www.englishpage.com/

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/word-games/verb-machine

http://blog.britishcouncil.org/tag/blog-awards/

http://efllecturer.blogspot.com.es/2014/06/gerund-or-infinitive.html?m=1

http://talk2meenglish.blogspot.co.il/2014/05/the-present-simple-1-back-to-basics.html?m=1

http://www.engames.eu/nouns-prepositions/

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/678/01/

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/grammar.htm

Pronunciation:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/quiz/quiz1/

http://evaeaston.com/

http://soundsofspeech.uiowa.edu/english/english.html (consonants)


http://soundsofspeech.uiowa.edu/english/english.html (vowels)

Vocabulary:

http://www.lextutor.ca/

http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/wordlist/english/academic/

http://www.englishvocabularyexercises.com/AWL/

Mohawk College Writing Centre:

http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/studentservices/writing-centre/esl-resources.html

http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/studentservices/writing-centre/helpful-fact-sheets.html

Online Language Tests:

http://clb-osa.ca/home  (The online CLB self-assessment tests listening & speaking and gives you a benchmark range.)

http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/researchenterprise/dialang/about (The DIALANG Test tests reading, writing, listening, grammar, & vocab and provides a score using the CEFR [European CLBs; CLB: 8 = approx. CEFR:C1.1/TOEFL: 85/IELTS 6.5) 

Test Preparation:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1143_exams/

http://www.ieltspractice.com/

http://ielts-simon.com/

http://www.dcielts.com/

http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/free-practice-tests

https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/prepare/test_questions

http://www.examenglish.com/TOEFL/toefl_listening.htm


Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

This afternoon, I would like you to complete the self-reflection portion of the presentation rubric, so that I can fill in my feedback.  Also, please email your slides to me, so I can save them with the audio copy of your presentations.  

Next, I would like you to reflect on your learning this semester. Please revisit the goals you set for this term and think about your future goals.  Please review the items in your portfolio binder, organize them if necessary and update your inventory sheets.  Complete the 'Final Reflection' handout and submit it before you leave.  I'll add my feedback to your sheet which we can discuss together before you add it to your binder.




If you have any extra time, please work on past tense /-ed/ sounds. 

http://evaeaston.com/t-d-Id-pattern.html

http://evaeaston.com/t-d-Id-irreg-pattern.html


Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 25th, 2015

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

Apparently, we're not the only ones reading 'Anne of Green Gables.' ;) 

'Lisa with an 's''

This afternoon, you will have the entire period to work on your presentations.  Please don't forget to keep track of the sources that you use.  Here's an example of how you can cite your sources in your slides: 

For a book:
Author's name. Date. Title. Place of Publication. Publisher.

Smith, J. (2015). References. Hamilton, ON: Mohawk College Press. 

For a website:

Author's name. Date. Title. URL.

Smith, J. (2015). Studying English. Retrieved from www.studyingenglish.co.ca. 

Don't worry too much about having perfect references.  What I'm really looking for is that you use a few sources and give credit the information that you use from these sources.  

Enjoy!

Which Everyday English Words Came from Arabic?

Wednesday, November 18th, 2015

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

This morning, we talked about problems and solutions, and how we should use research to help us.  I would like you to each prepare a short presentation for Friday afternoon (3rd period).  This time will just to practice making short presentations (5-10 mins.) about problems and solutions.  We won't worry about doing lots of research for now.  

Here's a website with a variety of social issues to choose from:

Social Issues

Please choose one topic from the list and listen to it.  You will see that there are different levels, accents, and exercises available to help test your understanding.

Please choose the highest level available (this can vary from topic to topic).  Complete as many of the exercises as you wish, but please take careful notes on your topic, so that you can present it to the class on Friday.  

Consider these questions and use the chart that I gave you this morning to help you organize your ideas.

1. What is the problem?
2. Why is it a problem? (What are the causes and effects?)
3. What are the possible solutions to this problem?

You will present your problem and solutions on Friday during 3rd period.  

Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 11th, 2015

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

This afternoon, I'd like you to finish the listening exercises that you started with Janice on Monday. You can use any notes that you have from Monday, but don't worry, you'll have the chance to listen again.  Follow this link to submit your answers via Google Forms.  (It's not a test. I'll share the results on Monday. ;) You will need to come back to the blog for the audio files.

"The Campaign to Humanize the Coffee Trade"

Here are the two audio files you will need:

Full Report audio file

Listening Skill audio file

When you've finished please go to the Voicethread to answer the discussion questions. 

CLB 7/8 Voicethread

On your speaking feedback from last week, I identified specific sounds for you to work on. This is another useful website:

Consonants

Vowels


Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 4th, 2015

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

This afternoon, you'll have some time for two different tasks.  First, I'd like you watch another video about 'Growth Mindset."  This one has more detail than the one we watched together this morning. 

"The Power of Believing That You Can Improve" ~ Carol Dweck

After you watched the video, I would like to summarize the main ideas related to a 'growth mindset.' Please don't simply summarize the two videos. I'm looking the main concepts related to the idea of 'growth mindset.'  I would also like you to incorporate some personal reflections on the topic.  Please refer to the rubric to specific instructions and task criteria.  

Instead of writing your summary, I would like you record your summary orally.  You can take notes to plan what you would like to say, but please don't read your summary.  Also, please use your own words.  You may repeat some of the important vocabulary, but I want you to put the ideas into your own words. 

Once you've planned what you want to say, use 'Clarity Recorder' to record your summary.  Look for this icon on your computer.  Please send your summary via email and hand in your rubric before you leave. 



Now, I would like you take some time to experiment with the Voicethread that I've created for our class.  Check your email for the invitation that I've sent you.  You will need to create an account because this Voicethread is private.  Only we can see it. It will only take a second, and then, you'll be able to join the conversation. :) 

Enjoy!

Academic Vocabulary List #4

Here's the link to the spreadsheet for the AVL #4. 

AVL #4

Wednesday, October 28th, 2015

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

This afternoon, you will doing some listening to learn about some additional strategies for improving your comprehension and note-taking skills.  Please look up any unfamiliar vocabulary before you listen.  I'd like you to hand in your paper before you leave today.

BBC Academic Listening #6: The Conclusion                                                                                

Following our conversation on Monday about the purpose of self-reflection, please consider this:

Self-reflection helps both you and me to reach your learning goals. 

If you have any extra time, you can the pronunciation website that I showed you on Monday.  Remember if you create a free account, it will track your learning. Here's the link:

English Accent Coach


Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

This afternoon, you'll be listening to a lecture and completing questions about the lecture.  Please read the instructions carefully because you will need to move back and forth between the blog and the test.  All of the audio files are located on the blog and the questions are in the questionnaire.

Listening Test

You will listen to the complete lecture two times.  For Part 3, you may also listen two times.

Part 1 (Complete Lecture)

Part 2 (Complete Lecture)

Part 3 (Follow-up A)

Part 3 (Follow-up B)

These are the assessment criteria for the listening test.

When you've completed all four parts, submit your test.  If you have any time left, you can work on the AVL #3. 

AVL #3

Good luck!

Communication Collocation 3.3 Flashcards

Here's the link to the flashcards that I showed you this morning.  If you would like to make your own, you just need to create a free account. 

Flashcards 3.3

Join CRAM and make your own flashcards

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

This afternoon, I'm going to give you time to do the pronunciation work that we didn't get to last Wednesday.





Follow this link to see some pictures and videos to show you what your mouth 'should' be doing when you pronounce the vowels in English.  



Sounds of Speech Vowels





Now, try some some exercises where similar sounds are contrasted with one another.  If you have trouble, go back to the Sounds of Speech website to review:

Unit 1

Unit 2

Unit 3

Unit 4

Unit 5



Remember the two TED Talks that we watched last week with Chris Lonsdale and Sid Efromovich. Who are these guys?  Do they really know the secret to language learning?

Please complete the handout I've given you to evaluate the content and speaker in ONE of the videos.  If you need to watch it again, here are the links:

Sid: 5 Techniques to Speak Any Language

Chris: How to Learn Any Language in 6 Months

Complete your handout and submit it before you leave today.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

This afternoon, you will be working on the AVL #2 list and some pronunciation exercises for vowels.

Here's the link for the AVL #2 spreadsheet.  Please fill in the information for the words you've been assigned. 

AVL #2

Enjoy!

Communication Collocations Activity from October 7, 2015

Here is the link to the list of collocations, definition, and sentences from today's class. I've also added antonyms for each expression.

 Communication Collocations


Happy Thanksgiving and see you next Wednesday!  Don't forget about the AVL #2 quiz on Wednesday, October 14th. ;) 

Kim

Academic Vocabulary List #2

Click on this link to go to the spreadsheet for AVL #2. 

Academic Vocabulary List #2

Language and Culture

Good morning. Please watch this 4 minute video several times, take notes, and be able to comment on the ideas expressed by these Maori students.

http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/youth-answer-what-it-means-be-maori-21st-century

Wednesday, September 30th, 2015

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

This afternoon, you're going to be completing a listening quiz.  I will give you a coloured paper for taking notes and a copy of the rubric for this task.  You may listen to the radio program only once.


Please read ALL of the instructions before you begin.  

Complete Part 1: Vocabulary first.  

Once you've completed Part 1, you will need to return to the blog for the audio recording. Remember to listen only once. 

Then, complete Parts 2, 3, & 4.  Do not submit your quiz until you're a completely finished. You won't be able to return to it to make any changes once you press submit.  

Hand in your coloured notes paper before you leave.  I'll give you feedback on your note-taking skills. Also, please complete the 'Learner's Comments' section of the rubric with your own self-assessment of the task and hand it in with your notes.  


Listening Quiz

Stars Use Fame for Good Causes


Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

This afternoon, you will be completing two tasks. First, I would like you to record yourself reading one of the passages from pp. 1-2 'Chapter 1: Your Pronunciation Profile.'  On your computer, you will find a program called 'Clarity Recorder.' The icon looks like this:


You can record yourself, listen to your recording, and save it as an mp3 file very easily.  If you have any trouble, please ask, and if you're not happy with your recording, you can erase it and try again.  Once you're happy with your recording, please email  it to me, so I can give you feedback on your pronunciation.  

Second, you will be listening to another episode of BBC Academic Listening.  Please complete the handout I've given you and submit your responses at the end of class.  You can use any of the dictionaries listed in the 'Useful Links' section of the blog. 

BBC Academic Listening #4

If you finish early, please complete your part of the vocabulary spreadsheet.

Academic Vocabulary List 1

Enjoy!

Academic Vocabulary List 1 Spreadsheet

Click on this link to go to the spreadsheet for AVL #1.

Academic Vocabulary List 1

10 Things Students Need to Know to REALLY Know a Word (and how a teacher can help them)

Wednesday, September 16th, 2015

Good afternoon CLB 7/8 and welcome to my blog!

We will use the blog regularly, so please check it frequently.  On the right side of the blog, you will find you 'Useful Links' which you might find helpful.  As I get to you know you all a bit better, I'll personalize these links for our class.

Today, we're going to complete two tasks. I would like you to listen to two podcasts about academic listening.  I'll give you the handout, and here are the links you will need.

BBC Academic Listening Part 2

BBC Academic Listening Part 3

Please complete the handout and submit it at the end of the class.  If you have any trouble at all, please ask.  I'm happy to help!

Enjoy!

Wednesday, June 17th, 2015

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

Well, we've made it to the end of the school!! :)  I would like to say thank-you for all your hard work this term.  I wish you all the best in your next steps where ever they may take you.  Please keep in touch to let me know how you're doing, and if there's ever anything I can do for you, please get in touch.  

Here are some links to help you keep up your English skills over the summer. Remember if you don't use it, you lose it! ;)

Listening:

http://tigger.uic.edu/~onufrock/lecture_main.html

http://www.teachitelt.com/academic?T=1654

http://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_dare_to_disagree

http://ed.ted.com/on/gTGfE82A#review

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/general/sixminute/index.shtml

http://breakingnewsenglish.com/

Speaking:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/webcast/tae_betterspeaking_archive.shtml

http://m.busyteacher.org/18521-10-esl-speaking-mistakes-students-make.html

Grammar:

http://blog.ed.ted.com/2014/05/29/be-a-better-writer-in-15-minutes-4-ted-ed-lessons-on-grammar-and-word-choice/

http://www.englishpage.com/

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/word-games/verb-machine

http://blog.britishcouncil.org/tag/blog-awards/

http://efllecturer.blogspot.com.es/2014/06/gerund-or-infinitive.html?m=1

http://talk2meenglish.blogspot.co.il/2014/05/the-present-simple-1-back-to-basics.html?m=1

http://www.engames.eu/nouns-prepositions/

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/678/01/

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/grammar.htm

Pronunciation:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/quiz/quiz1/

http://evaeaston.com/

http://soundsofspeech.uiowa.edu/english/english.html (consonants)

http://soundsofspeech.uiowa.edu/english/english.html (vowels)

Test Preparation:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1143_exams/

http://www.ieltspractice.com/

http://ielts-simon.com/

http://www.dcielts.com/

http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/free-practice-tests

https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/prepare/test_questions

http://www.examenglish.com/TOEFL/toefl_listening.htm

Vocabulary:

http://www.lextutor.ca/

http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/wordlist/english/academic/

http://www.englishvocabularyexercises.com/AWL/

Mohawk College Writing Centre:

http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/studentservices/writing-centre/esl-resources.html

http://www.mohawkcollege.ca/studentservices/writing-centre/helpful-fact-sheets.html

Online Language Tests:

http://clb-osa.ca/home  (The online CLB self-assessment tests listening & speaking and gives you a benchmark range.)

http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/researchenterprise/dialang/about (The DIALANG Test tests reading, writing, listening, grammar, & vocab and provides a score using the CEFR [European CLBs; CLB: 8 = approx. CEFR:C1.1/TOEFL: 85/IELTS 6.5) Have a lovely summer, and all the best!! Ramadan kareem for those of you observing Ramadan. 


Kim