Category: Checking Understanding

Oral English 2: Lesson 5

5/8/2015

Hi everyone,

I hope everyone had a great Golden Week vacation, and you're well-rested for a busy May.

Checking Understanding:
Before our discussions, we reviewed expressions that you can use to check your group's understanding. You can use these expressions;
a. Are you following me?
b. Are there any questions?
c. Do you understand?

Also, when you don't understand during a discussion, you can ask these questions:
a. Can you explain that again?
b. What was that again?
c. What does ... mean? (when you don't know a word)

Discussions:
For next week's discussions, remember these points:

Transitions. When you lead your discussion, you need to connect each section smoothly. You can use the expression: Let's move onto ... (e.g. Let's move onto my summary.)
Eye contact. Remember to make eye contact with each group member when you speak. Also, don't look up and don't look down. In some cultures, this means you are telling a lie.

Homework:
1. Discussion Preparation
2. Blog Post #5

Blog Question #5:

What suggestions do you have to stop bullying?

Example:
In my opinion, I think we should ... (1st suggestion).
In addition, we should ...2nd suggestion).

Write 8-10 sentences.
Use capitalization, punctuation & spelling correctly.
Submit by Wednesday, May 13 by 6:00pm.

23 Comments

Oral English 2: Lesson 4

4/30/2015

4 Comments

Hi everyone,

Can you believe that it's already been one month since we first started our course? Time flies!

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.

For next week's discussions, remember these points:

Explain your summary step-by-step. Do NOT read your summary. When you explain your summary, use these steps (a) explain 2-3 points; (b) pause; (c) check your group's understanding.
During your summary and opinion, check your group's understanding. You can use these expressions: (a) Are you following me? (b) Are there any questions so far?

Course Absences:
Please remember that if you miss our lesson, you still have to complete the homework, especially if you are a discussion leader. If you have to change your discussion date due to illness, you need to contact me the day BEFORE (on Wednesday) and then give me a medical certificate in the next lesson. If you miss your discussion and do not contact me, you cannot re-schedule your discussion.

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

Blog Question #4:

What are your plans for the Golden Week vacation?

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

4 Comments

Oral English 2: Lesson 5

Oral English 2: Lesson 4

Categories