Keep On Blogging

Good Luck with your studies.

Don't forget to KEEP ON BLOGGING

Wednesday Morning

Dear Students,

If you want to see your final test, please come along to the Uni on Wednesday morning. I will be there (our old classroom or the area on the 2nd floor) from 9.00 am (ish) until 9.30.

If you don't arrive I will post the final results later that day.

See you then.

Simon

Blog Marks

Dear Students,

Here are the blog marks. Those of you who have no mark, this is because you haven't sent your final video. Please get it to me asap.

The marks were calculated using the agreed method and the weighting was two thirds (66%) official posts (not blogathon), and one third essay and final vblog.

In general, for the final task the writing was good and, for most of you, if you compare your first posts with your final ones I'm sure you will see a large improvement in a number of areas (accuracy, range. structure, etc). The sound files lacked a little care at times but I think you will be able to listen to them at the end of the year and evaluate your own progress.

Remember, both the oral and the written test will concentrate on themes and contents of Straight Forward.

Lots of you mentioned that you would carry on blogging and if you do I'm sure you will be rewarded for your perseverance.

See you in cyberspace!

ALBORNOZ POBLETE MACARENA 6.6
ARANEDA FERNANDEZ CARLA 6.8
AVILA BRAVO CAMILA 6.3
BARRAZA SOTO VIVIANA
BERROCAL SANHUEZA CONSUELO
CID VINET CYNTHIA 5.9
FLORES GALLARDO NICOLE 6.4
FLORES VENEGAS VANIA 6.4
GONZALEZ LIGÜEÑO TANIA 5.6
GUTIERREZ JARA MARTA 6.5
GUZMAN MUÑOZ ADRIAN 6.4
HURTADO LAGOS ROMINA 5.9
INOSTROZA MÜLLER FERNANDA 6.1
MADARIAGA ROJAS JOCELYN 5.9
MALVERDE BARRIENTOS MARIA 6.3
MARQUEZ ARANCIBIA CLAUDIA 5.6
MORENO DUARTE JOSE 6.4
MUÑOZ ALARCON ANA 6.3
NUÑEZ AYALA DANIEL 6.1
PEREYRA BARRA PAMELA 5.8
PEREZ CARVALLO FERNANDA 6.1
VELASQUEZ JARA NATHALIE
VILCHEZ CABEZAS CATALINA 5.7
VILLACURA PINTO VANESA 6.6
PEZOA INGRID 6.6

Inversion 1

The first thing I'd like you to do is work this one out backwards!
Take a look at the sentences in the examples. Now un-invert them and post the results on your blog. Then do the other activities below (Inversion 2 & 3) Post your answers.

Here's an example of the first sentence (above):

Inverted (with emphasis):
Not only will you get under the skin of the island but you can also ensure your money goes....

Un-inverted /without empasis):
You will get under the skin of the island and you can also ensure your money goes....

Now try all the activities. Then visit your classmates' blogs to check your answers.

Inversion 2

Do the exercise. Write the answers in your blog.

Inversion 3

Responsibility

Teacher: Each of you is responsible for your own learning

Students: Duh!

Why?

You can lead a house to water but, you can’t make it drink.

Basically, this is the idea that “you can give someone the opportunity to do something, but you cannot force them to do it if they do not want to” (http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/You+can+lead+a+horse+to+water)

Vlog it!!!

THIS POST WILL BE MARKED USING A WRITING RUBRIC. IT MUST BE FINISHED IN CLASS.

WRITE A 300 WORD TEXT ON YOUR LANGUAGE 5 BLOGGING EXPERIENCE.

THIS WILL BE THE TAPESCRIPT FOR A SUBSEQUENT VIDEO BLOG WHICH WILL ALSO HAVE A MARK.

THE DEADLINE FOR UPLOADING THE VIDEO IS MONDAY EVENING AT 23.00 (JUNE 22ND).

Favourite Website

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE WEBSITE?

I guess my favourite website is the Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/). I visit it at least 5 or 6 times a day. Normally my first stop is the football section, unless a news headline on the first page catches my eye. I've been reading the Guardian since I was about 20 (phew! that's a loooooooooooong time!!). I started when a I worked as a laboratory technician at Shell (my first full-time job!). With a group of workmates we used to do the crossword in every paper. The Guardian crossword was the one I liked best so I started buying the paper on Saturday (the day I didn't do the crossword at work).

Over the years I got to appreciate the way they presented the news and the type of news they presented. At university I bought the paper everyday because it was cheaper for students.

When I came to live in Chile, it was one of the things I missed most from back home.

Since it's been online, I've been an avid follower!

Whoops! I'm late for work.

So, tell me about your favourite website. 80 words please.

(Addoland I hope you're happy. I expect a decent response!)

Blogathon 14: Cartoon or Anime Character

I started to read Dragonball when I was in Spain. I used to read it with a friend's son and it really helped me improve my Spanish. I like Goku, the main character, because he is pure-of-heart. He is almost always happy and has a very positive attitude to life.

So, who is your favourite cartoon or anime character and why?

Blogathon 14: Household Chores

Which household chore do you hate doing? Why?

80 Words and a bucket load of comments!

Blogathon 13: Lucky Number

My lucky number is 13 so I thought lucky numbers would be a good topic for blogathon 13. I chose 13 as my lucky number because I was born on the 13th. If I believed the stories that 13 was bad luck then I'd always have a lousy birthday. Luckily, my birthday is usually a groovy day.

What about you? What's your lucky number? Why do you find it lucky?

80 words and a ton of comments.

Blogathon 12: My House

Describe your house.

80 words and a room full of comments.

Reflective Essay

Write a reflective essay of 400 to 600 words on one of the two essays posted on the virtual platform (Low-risk activities/Motivation).
Discuss how they relate to the Chilean context (your professional practice/possible future work environment).
Back up your opinions with at least 2 in-text quotes, using MLA format. These, will not count towards the 400-600 word count.
Include the word count at the end of your essay before the MLA STYLE bibliography.
Your essay portfolio will include:
1. A copy of your blog post (deadline Monday 8th)
2. Draft 1 to be handed in on 8.30 am Wednesday 10th.
3. Second draft 8.30 am Monday 15th
4. Final draft: 8.30 am Wednesday 17th

Blogathon 11: A place you like to visit in Chile

At Easter I went to Los Molles. It was the first time I'd been. It was nice and relaxing and the early morning light was amazing for photography. My wife and I went for a walk down the beach accompanied by 4 stray dogs. It was rather windy and quite deserted apart from a few fishermen. Definitely not a party town, but a nice place to relax and take things easy.

What places do you like to visit in Chile?

80 words and a boat-load of comments.

Blogathon 10: Learning English

What aspect of learning English do you find most difficult? Why? What are you doing to make it happen?

80 Words a sack-full of comments

On Friday we looked at the Ken Robinson video about creativity in schools from Ted.com. For those of you who didn't manage to finish it in class, remember, you should have that finished by now!!

That was a 200 word text and at least 3 comments on your classmates' posts.

Blogathon 9; A good read

What do you like to read? Who do you like to read? Where do you like to read? When do you like to read?



Talk about reading or your reading habits.

80 words and a variety of comments.

Blogathon 8: Something you would like to learn

What would you like to learn? To play a musical instrument? A martial art like Kung Fu? Maybe just something down to earth like learning to cook?

Given the chance, what would you learn to do?

80 words and a stream of comments.

Blogathon 7: Someone you like

Well, firstly, I seem to have mislaid the blog-list. Actually, I think my wife ate it. I really must remember to go food shopping! Funnily enough though, I found the first list we did.

So, I been asked to post the new posts earlier - here goes.

Write about a person you like. The Language Phive student who suggested this topic didn't leave any guidelines so, you'll have to provide your own. I'm not sure if this is meant to be a famous person or someone you admire or someone you have a crush on. You decide.

80 words and mountains of comments.

Blogathon 6: Pets

So, Ingrid has a new dog. What about the rest of you? Do you have a pet? If not, what pet would you like to have?
I've got a handsome cat called Kat. Despite being handsome, he's a real nuisance. Most of the time he's on the prowl looking for food. When he's not eating, he's sleeping and if he's not eating or sleeping he's bothering me!




Tell me all about you pet or would be pet.

80 words and heaps of comments!

Blogathon 5: Dream Vacations

Where would you spend your dream vacation? Would it be on a beach in the Caribian or up a mountain in the Himalayas? Would you prefer a week in historic London or romantic Paris? Where would you go? What would you do? Who would you go with?

80 words please (and lots of comments)

Blogathon 4: Education

Why is education so important?

What do you think?

At least 80 words please.

Comments always welcome!

The City of the Future

Today we're going to talk about one man's vision of the city of the future.

Visit http://www.victorycities.com/

Take a look around. Then answer the following questions in your post.

What is your opinion of Victory City?

What ideas do you think are forward-thinking and innovative?

What ideas do you think are too idealistic?

What will Santiago be like in 2050?

At least 150 words please.

Then comment on at least 3 of your classmates' posts.

Dreams

Dreams. This could be a dream you have had (whilst sleeping) or a dream you have (of your future). You decide.

80 words (approx) and lots of lovely comments!

2012

I have no idea who had the idea to write about 2012 or why. Anyway, I typed it into google images and this is what I came up with.......... Doomsday!

So, what does 2012 mean to you? Is it the end of the world or do you have other plans?

Get them fingers movin!

About 80 words and as many comments as you can.

Conversation Circle

Stefani Evans, an exchange student from Mt. Holyoke College (located in the United States), is hosting a conversation circle for LV students on Fridays 1:30-2:50 in the patio near the photocopy center/casino.

Blogathon 1

Ok gals n' guys, it's time to start posting.
First up we have today's post which was to create a text (approx 80-100 words) using as many of the words and expressions from Unit 8 as possible (see page 85).

Next up (tomorrow's topic) is PARANORMAL EVENTS!

This can include ghosts, UFOs, aliens, strange creatures, el Trauco, etc.

Have you ever has a paranormal experience? Do you know someone else who has? Tell us about it.

Then leave comments on at least 3 of your classmates' blogs.

ps. Please remind your classmates to write their posts!!

Exam Week Post - A Film you like

One of my favourite movies is Brazil by British director Terry Gilliam. It has a great cast and it's very funny funny. Genre wise, it's a sort of science fantasy comedy. The humour is quite wicked which is most probably why I like it. I first saw this film in 1985 in a cinema called The Rio, an old arts cinema in London that's very like the Normandie. I went with my friend Martin on a Saturday afternoon. A crazy movie that makes me cry with laughter every time I see it.

Tell me about your favourite film.
Say
Who's in it
What's it about
Why you like it.

150 words please and then comment on at least 3 of your classmates' blogs.

(Deadline: Sunday 17th)

Homework: Favourite song

What is your favourite English song at the moment?

Personally, I can't stop listening to "Going home" by British singer Richard Hawley. His sound is very laid back and at times he sounds like Country and Western singer Johnny Cash.
This track starts off like a Velvet Underground song. It's very simple, only 3 or 4 chords and hardly any drums - just a snare somewhere in the background.
The lyrics aren't very original either. One of the verses is a re-write of the old blues song Trouble in Mind by Richard M. Jones (but I LOVE Nina Simone's version).
Nevertheless, I can't stop playing this song.
What about you? What's your favourite English song of the momment?

Tell me about your favourite song at the moment.

Say:

Who sings it,

When you first heard it.

Why you like it,

Add any other things you think are important.

Add a picture of the artist and the song lyrics please.

Talk! Talk! Talk!

Talk! Talk! Talk!

These are the topics.

Secondary School (behaviour/punishments)

Rudeness

Crime

Personality

Friendship

Record and post 2-3 minutes of your thoughts on one (or more) of these topics:

Homework - Wordle

Go to http://www.wordle.net/

Create a wordle.

Post it on your blog.

You can copy the image by publishing your wordle then finding it in the gallery and "right click" on the image then save as.

Have fun!

Pimp my post!

Write a 200 word review of a classmate's blog.

Mention:

Presentation,

layout,

colour,

etc

Then pimp a classmate's blog by doing an error correction of a post (use the marking key).

Post the original and your correction.

Leave messages on at least 3 of your classmate's blogs.

The right to complain (Write to complain!!)

Do you get angry when so many cars ignore the highway code?

Are you fed up of walking down streets strewn with litter?

Are you tired of breathing polluted air?

Write an open letter to the Government about something you feel strongly about:

150 words min.
Comment on at least 3 classmates’ posts

What do you do at Easter?

As homework, please write a short post telling me what you do at Easter.

At least 60 words. Please upload this by Tuesday 14 at the latest.

Interview your classmates about an aspect of Chilean Culture you disapprove of.

Then póst comments on at least 3 of your classmates' blogs.

BBC - Learning English

There aren't many good websites dedicated to learning English that are free of charge. In my opinion, the BBC is the best.Go to:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/

Take a look around, then tell me what you think. Write at least 150 words please.

Write about:

What things you looked at on the site

What you liked

Whether or not you think it is a good language learning tool

Don't forget to post comments on at least 3 of your classmates blogs.

Gimme Phive!!

Dear English Five Students,
Welcome to the world of blogging. Your first task is to create a blog and to link all your classmates. Then you have to write a short introduction.
To begin with you need to create a gmail account. Then, go to blogger.com and follow the instructions. Please remember to change the language during set up so that your blog is in English.

1. If you have a google account: sign in first, if you don’t have a google account: create a google account

2. Go to: http://www.blogger.com/

3. Click: create your blog now

4. Name your blog

5. Choose any template you like

6. Go to dashboard, scroll down to the bottom of the page & change the language to English.

7. Start posting (dashboard)