Wednesday, October 29th 2014

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

This afternoon, you will be listening to the podcast that I previewed on Monday 'Mind Your Language- Part 1' and 'Mind Your Language- Part 2.'  Please listen to each of the podcasts (listen. Do NOT read the transcript!) If there are any words, you don't know, you can use the glossary or one of the online dictionaries.   Please complete the review quizzes and vocabulary exercises.  Prepare your responses to the discussion questions for Monday afternoon's class.

http://www.businessenglishpod.com/quiz/360-Tone1/player.html

http://www.businessenglishpod.com/quiz/360-Tone2/player.html

For some more practice with the consonant sounds we've been working on, please follow these links. I've tried to include something for everyone.

f/v: http://www.learnersdictionary.com/pronex/pron1.htm

b/p: http://www.learnersdictionary.com/pronex/pron11.htm

sh/ch: http://www.learnersdictionary.com/pronex/pron26.htm

r/l: http://www.learnersdictionary.com/pronex/pron41.htm

v/w: http://www.learnersdictionary.com/pronex/pron56.htm



Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

Since we can all use a little practice talking about graphs and charts, I'm going to collect some data from you to create my own graphs and charts.  Then, next Monday, I'll present my graphs and charts and show you what I mean about analyzing rather than describing.

Please answer the five questions from my Google Form. This will be the basis of my data.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZO7KBQPG2r294X5C7gGOhMCAKJbqj8rxcm027B0xd9g/viewform?usp=send_form

Once you've completed the survey, I'd like you to continue working on your note taking and summarizing skills.  You all seemed to do better with the note template that we used on Monday morning.  There's another method of note taking, called "Cornell Notes."  You might find this easier to use.  Please look at the outline and sample notes using the Cornell notes style.

http://lsc.cornell.edu/LSC_Resources/cornellsystem.pdf

Now, go back to your summary from Wednesday, October 8th "On the Art of Choosing." Try listening again using the Cornell notes template (I will give you one to use) to take your notes and create your summary.  Please remember to include only the main ideas. You also need to put the summary into your own words.  You can use your previous summary to help you, but you may find it easier to start fresh with the new notes.  

When you're finished, I would like you to submit your previous summary and this week's summary for feedback.   For those of you who have just joined us, you'll only need to submit this week's summary.

http://www.ted.com/talks/sheena_iyengar_on_the_art_of_choosing?language=en&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_content=awesm-publisher&utm_medium=on.ted.com-facebook-share&utm_campaign=&awesm=on.ted.com_e0SUb

Here's the link to register for the Communication in the Workplace for Internationally Trained Professionals:

https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e9womfhoc7a506d4&oseq=&c=dc1b8fe0-5297-11e3-8d79-d4ae529a8786&ch=dc7aedf0-5297-11e3-8dfd-d4ae529a8786

Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

This afternoon, we're going to continue working on analyzing research findings and graphs/charts.  In the presentations you completed earlier this month, you did a good job collecting survey data and expressing it in chart form.  However, the analysis of the data wasn't as strong as it could have been.  

Please begin by going to this website and completing some exercises.  We're not going to be focusing on writing about graphs, but the language you would use to write about graphs can also be used to speak about graphs.  What I would like is for you to have the ability to identify and analyze the main ideas and major trends in any graph, whether you're writing or speaking about it.

 http://writefix.com/?page_id=713

Try the exercises in these two sections: "Graphs: Getting the Main Idea" and "Graphs: Grouping Information."  If you would like some additional practice, you can also have a look at the other sections: "Graph: Vocabulary" and "Types of Graphs."

Once you've learned a little more about analysis, please go to the Statistics Canada website. I have selected a list of tables by subject.  With a partner of your choice, choose one of the topics from the list and look for some trends in the information provided.  On Monday, I'm going to ask you to report on the information you've researched.  You and your partner will give a short 5-10 minute presentation of your findings.  You don't need to create your own graphs and charts, but you may need to refer to the source of your information during your presentation.   

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/z01/cs0002-eng.htm

Please try to apply what you've learned fromWritefix.com.

Here's some additional information about the 'Baby Boom' in case you're interested. 

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/baby-boom/


Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

Good afternoon, CLB 7/8,

This afternoon, I'm going to have you listen to a TED Talk.  Before you listen, here are some words from the talk that might be unfamiliar to you.  Please look them using one of the dictionaries from the 'Useful Links' section.  DO NOT use Google Translate! 

• procure
• anagram 
• vegetative
• imposition
• disparate
• disseminate

Here's another word that you won't find in the dictionary,  'gai jin.'  This is a Japanese word for foreigner.

Take notes while you listen to the talk.  After you've listened and understood the main ideas, please write a short summary of the main ideas.  Also, please consider this question and include your response in your summary: does choice empower us or hold us back?

Submit your summary before the end of class.  

http://www.ted.com/talks/sheena_iyengar_on_the_art_of_choosing?language=en&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_content=awesm-publisher&utm_medium=on.ted.com-facebook-share&utm_campaign=&awesm=on.ted.com_e0SUb

If you finish early, please continue to practice the consonant sounds we've been working on together: /b/, /p/, /t/, /d/, /g/, /k/.

http://evaeaston.com/consonants.html


Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 1st, 2014

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

This week, we've have heard and talked about graffiti.

Please visit these two websites showing both sides of the argument.
http://www.chch.com/new-graffiti-store-hamilton-causing-conflict/

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/09/14/tribute-to-graffiti-50-beautiful-graffiti-artworks/

What do you think about graffiti? Is it art? Is it vandalism?

The City of Hamilton spend approximately $250, 000 per year removing graffiti from city buildings and streets (Source: http://www.hamiltonnews.com/news/graffiti-is-a-hamilton-wide-problem-say-councillors/).

Is that money well spent? What would the result be if the graffiti were not removed?

Have your say!  Once you've visited the websites and thought about your opinions, please record your responses.  Please structure your response as if you were organizing your ideas in a paragraph, with an introduction, body, and conclusion.

When you're ready, use Vocaroo.com to record your opinion. Click record, and then, click 'allow' for your microphone.  Once you've finished, you can listen to your recording.  If you're happy with it, you can save it and share it with me, using the link, downloading the MP3.  If you have any difficulties, please ask Chet or me for help.

http://vocaroo.com/

When you're finished, practice your final consonant sounds in the story of "Pam & Pat at the Old Inn" with a partner.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 24th, 2014

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

This afternoon, I would like you finish up your autobiographies and place the final draft in your portfolios. I would also like you finish setting your SMART goals on your 'Action Plan' sheet and place those into your portfolios. Both of these items should go into your 'About Me' section.  Don't forget to fill out the inventory page at the beginning of the section.

You should have collected all of the responses to your survey questions by now and be ready to work with your data.  With your partner(s), analyze and organize your information into a short PowerPoint presentation using charts and/or graphs to highlight your findings. You will present your results to the class on Wednesday, October 1st. (no extensions, no delays, no second chances! ;) 






Please remember what we talked about in class when creating PowerPoint slides: background colour, text size and colour, font, font size, graphs/charts/photos, and the number of lines of text.  If you have forgotten, please refer back to page 90. 


Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 17th, 2014

Good afternoon CLB 7/8,

Please notice that I have placed some additional websites under the 'Useful Links' section. This will give you some more information about the TOEFL and IELTS tests. 

This afternoon, we are going to be creating a document for your new learning portfolios. This morning, we talked about the purpose of a portfolio and how we will be using them. In the first section, 'About Me', you will place information about your specific needs and goals.  The first document will be your autobiography.  This is your story about who you are, where you're from and what you're planning to do in the future?



Please write several paragraphs describing what you think are the important details of your life. You don't need to write anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.  This information will help you to assess your needs, establish your goals, and make a plan for your future learning.  


Submit your writing before the end of class, and it will become part of your portfolio.  

Once you've finished your autobiography, please work with your partners on your survey questions.  Next week, you will be collecting responses to your questions from the other LINC students in the J Wing.


If you still have time, please follow the link to the POSE Test.  I would like you to complete the 'Word Stress' test.  

http://eslactivities.com/pt/mainMenu.php?sesID=7a774dc993e99bd547dedfa39b03cd13


Enjoy!