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Oral English 2: Lesson 5

5/8/2015

23 Comments

 
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:
  1. 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.)
  2. 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:
  1. 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.
  2. 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 3

4/24/2015

20 Comments

 
Hi everyone,

In today's lesson we had our first group of discussions. Before we started our discussions, we went through the steps for leading a discussion. Please bring this worksheet to every class, especially if you are a discussion leader.

Discussion Feedback:
  1. When you have your discussion, you need to use English Conversational Style.  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.
  2. Prepare vocabulary cards if you are a discussion leader next week. You need to teach your vocabulary to your group before you give your summary. 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. Please see the Vocabulary Teaching handout at the end of the posting
Absences:
Today, there were 7 students who did not come to class. If you are not a discussion leader, and you miss class without a good reason, you will lose points from your own discussion. Please attend class so that there are enough group members for discussions.


Homework:
1.  Discussion Preparation
2.  Blog Post #3

Blog Question #3:

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, April 29 by 6:00pm.
Revised OE2 Discussion Schedule Spring 2015
File Size: 56 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Leading a Discussion
File Size: 70 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Vocabulary Teaching
File Size: 77 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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