Hi everyone,

We finished up our last round of discussions. We'll be starting pair debates from next week!

How to Disagree (Refuting Opinions:
At the beginning of today's lesson, we reviewed expressions to refute opinions. Please makes sure to review these because you will need them for your pair debates in November. 

When it is not true, you choose one of these three ways to show disagreement:
a. This is not true because...
b. This is not always true because...
c. This is not necessarily true because...

When the opinion is not important, you can choose one of these three ways to express your disagreement:
a.  This is not relvant because...
b.  This is not significant because...
c.  This is easy to solve because...

Partners and Topics for Debate:
​At the end of our lesson, you chose your partner for your pair debate presentation. After, you also chose your first topic. In next week's class, you'll choose your second topic. 

Homework:

1. Blog Posting #6
2. Presentation Vocabulary: write down example sentences from today's opinion presentation vocabulary
3. My Vocabulary: write down 5 new words that you learn this week (e.g. in other classes, from watching TV/movies, etc.)
4. Opinion: In the homework section of your notebook, write your opinion on one of the topics from today's opinion presentations. These were the topic: (1) android phone hacking; (2) China walkway accident; (3) low levels of Vitamin D; (4) processed foods; and (5) dangers of sports days.
5. Download the article about your topic in the Discussion Skills-->Debate Topics section. Read the information. Bring the article to class next week. 

• In next week's lesson, I am going to collect your vocabulary books. If you can't come to class, please give your book to a classmate to give to me. 

Blog Question #5:

1. Read the information about your debate topic. 
2. Choose a position (for or against) and write your opinion.

Example: 
In my opinion, I am AGAINST the use of nuclear energy in Japan. This is because nuclear power isn't safe. For example, Japan has many earthquakes, so it's impossible to make nuclear reactors strong enough to withstand an earthquake. Therefore, there is a greater chance of nuclear accidents. 

* Write 12-15 sentences.
* Use capital letters, punctuation and spelling correctly.
* Submit by Wednesday, October 28 by 6:00pm. ​

Hi everyone,

Can you believe we're one-third the way finished with our course? Time sure does fly!

How to Disagree (Refuting Opinions)
At the beginning of today's lesson, we learned different ways to disagree with opinions.

When you hear an opinion, and you want to diagree, there are two ways you can diagree.  You can say the opinion is not true or it is not important.

When it is not true, you choose one of these three ways to show disagreement:
a. This is not true because...
b. This is not always true because...
c. This is not necessarily true because...

When the opinion is not important, you can choose one of these three ways to express your disagreement:
a.  This is not relvant because...
b.  This is not significant because...
c.  This is easy to solve because...

In next week's lesson, we'll review these expressions. You'll be using these a lot when we start our debates in November/December. 

Homework:

1. Blog Posting #5
2. Opinion Presentation Preparation
3. Presentation Vocabulary: write down example sentences from today's opinion presentation vocabulary
4. My Vocabulary: write down 5 new words that you learn this week (e.g. in other classes, from watching TV/movies, etc.)
5. Opinion: In the homework section of your notebook, write your opinion on one of the topics from today's opinion presentations. These were the topic: (1) coffee and caffeine; (2) African airplane accidents; (3) Tokyo's global standing; (4) Shinkansen fares to Hokkaido; and (5) technology and romance.

Blog Question #5:

In a few more weeks, it'll be Halloween, so we'll have some Halloween questions.

​Tell me about one of your scariest experiences. 

* Write 12-15 sentences.
* Use capital letters, punctuation and spelling correctly.
* Submit by Wednesday, October 21 by 6:00pm. ​

Hi everyone, 

Wow! Can you believe this is our fourth lesson already! One month has already passed! I hope everyone is enjoying the semester. 

Speed Discussion:
At the beginning of our lesson, we had our speed discussion activity. Today's new vocabulary included:
a. capital punishment / death penalty (n)
b. hanging (n) / hang (v)
c. victim (n)
d. bi-racial (adj)
e. sports day (n)
f. phubbing (n) / phubb (v)

Vocabulary Teaching:
We had a short activity to review how to teach vocabulary. When you don't know a word, you can ask these two questions:
1. What does this mean in English / Japanese?
2. How do you say ... in English / Japanese?

When you teach vocabulary, remember to teach your group both the Japanese and English meanings. 

Opinion Presentations:
Although three presenters didn't come to class, I was really impressed how today's presenters gave their presentations and led their discussions with five members in their groups. Everyone prepared, and knew their topic well and didn't need their worksheets. 

During your discussions, many of you nod your head up and down to show interest. This is normal in Japanese conversational style. In Anglo-Saxon conversation style, you need to verbalise (=say something) to show interest. You can use these expressions:
a. I see / Uh-huh / Mmm-mm
b. Really? / Are you serious? / No way!

Homework:

1. Blog Posting #4
2. Opinion Presentation Preparation
3. Presentation Vocabulary: write down example sentences from today's opinion presentation vocabulary
4. My Vocabulary: write down 5 new words that you learn this week (e.g. in other classes, from watching TV/movies, etc.)
5. Opinion: In the homework section of your notebook, write your opinion on one of the topics from today's opinion presentations. These were the topic: (1) dreams; (2) home-sharing; (3) tourist boom; and (4) 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

Blog Question #4:

When you were a child, what was your dream? Has your dream changed? (If yes, what is your dream now?) 

* Write 12-15 sentences.
* Use capital letters, punctuation and spelling correctly.
* Submit by Wed., Oct. 14 by 6:00pm. ​

Hi everyone, 

We started our opinion presentations today. I was really impressed with today's group leaders and your preparation!

Conversational Style:
At the beginning of our lesson, we had some discussion activities to review conversational style. When we have a discussion remember these points:
a.  volunteer your opinions and comments
b.  don't wait to give your opinion
c.  agree or disagree with speakers
d.  ask questions
e.  give your personal experience as examples

Discussion Leading:
We also reviewed how to lead a discussion. At the beginning of your discussion, remember to introduce the topic (e.g. Today, I'm going to talk about...)

Please learn the expressions for checking understanding, summarising and concluding your discussion. In this way, you won't need this worksheet when you give your opinion presentation. 

I have uploaded the slide presentation from our lesson in the Discussion Skills Lesson Materials section of the website. 

Homework:

1. Blog Posting #3
2. Opinion Presentation Preparation
3. Presentation Vocabulary: write down example sentences from today's opinion presentation vocabulary
4. My Vocabulary: write down 5 new words that you learn this week (e.g. in other classes, from watching TV/movies, etc.)
5. Opinion: In the homework section of your notebook, write your opinion on one of the topics from today's opinion presentations. These were the topic: (1) pet lifespan; (2) student protests; (3) teacher education; and (4) elderly and day-care facilities. 

Blog Question #3:

Answer the question. Use an opinion giving expression, and give a reason and TWO examples to support your opinion. 

You receive 100, 000 yen. What do you think is the best way to use this money? 

* Write 12-15 sentences.
* Use capital letters, punctuation and spelling correctly.
* Submit by Wed., Oct. 7 by 6:00pm. ​