Hi everyone,

I can't believe we'll be having our presentations in next week's lesson!  

Body Language:
In today's lesson, we looked at the dos and don'ts of body language for your presentation.  We then looked at how to use body language when you present your visuals.  Finally, we completed a eye contact activity with your group members.  

For your presentation next week, remember these points:

1. Make eye contact with the audience (don't look straight ahead). 
2. Use voice inflection and gestures.
3. Speak in a clear, loud voice.
4. Don't turn your back to the audience.  Turn your head to look at your visuals.  
5. Do NOT read your notes. 

Homework:

1. Complete slide presentation and practice your presentation dialogue. 

No blog comment this week!

Hi everyone,

We had a really busy class today!  I hope everyone enjoyed the Golden Week vacation.  I went to Cebu in the Philippines.  It was my second time, and I really loved it!  If you would like to see photos, you can "friend" me on Facebook to see them.  

Discussions:
Before our discussions, we reviewed Conversational Style.  As you know, English conversational style is very different from the Japanese one.  During a discussion, you can "jump in" at any time to ask a question or to make a comment.  You don't have to wait to be invited to speak during a discussion.  The handout from class is attached in a file at the end of this summary. 

For next week's discussions, remember these points:

1. Pay attention to your body language.  When you rest your head on your hand, it shows that you aren't interested in the discussion.
2. Make eye contact with each group member when you speak.  Just don't look at one person.
3. When you teach your vocabulary, make sure to have a short pronunciation practice.  In order to remember a word, you need to know how to pronounce it. 

Homework:
1.  Discussion Preparation
2.  Blog Post #4

Blog Question #4:

FOR GROUP MEMBERS:
Give yourself a score out of ten for your participation in today's group discussions.  Why do you think you deserve this score? Give reasons and/or examples to support your answer.

Example:
In today's class, I would give myself a score of 8/10 for my participation.  First of all, I asked my group leader when I didn't understand vocabulary.  For example, I asked the group leader to tell me the meaning of "gun control" and "amendment."  Second, I gave examples about Japan's gun control in the discussion.  However, I didn't always make eye contact with all my group members, so this is something I need to improve next week.  

FOR GROUP LEADERS:
Give yourself a score out of ten for your performance as a group leader.  Why do you think you deserve this score?  Give reasons and/or examples to support your answer.

Example:
In today's class, I was the group leader.  I would give myself a score of 8.5/10 for my performance.  First of all, I checked my group's understanding about 4 times during my summary.  Also, I encouraged all my group members to participate.  I asked them directly for their opinions and asked them to make comments the opinions of other group members.  However, I forgot to do a pronunciation practice for my vocabulary, so I need to do this for my next discussion. 

• Write 8-10 sentences.
• Use capitalization, punctuation & spelling correctly.
• Submit by Wednesday, May 15 by 6:00pm.

If you're interested in modern art, there is a wonderful exhibition called "All You Need is Love" at the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi Hills.  The exhibition is by Yayoi Kusama, who is respected world-wide for her creative "dot" designs.  It's a very rare chance to see her work, especially since she displays most of her work overseas.