GSIAS English (Discussion/Presentation)
2016.10.27
Back on track after exam week, we got back to the routine with a news briefing, a brief discussion of the changing relationship between the Phillipines and USA, and a language session on Common Problems with English.
In addition to our usual activities, next week please bring a one-page, typed proposal about your paper presentation for a final grade to be presented beginning Week 13 (Nov. 24th). It should be on an issue of interest in your area of research, either geographically, topically or both. Share something with us that we can learn from and that you can learn from too. Please use APA format. Times New Roman 12 point font, double spaced. Your paper should be based on fairly up-to-date resources (at least 3 to 5) and explore an issue of importance and interest to us all.
See you in class!
JBH
2016.09.29
In today's class we went over our usual schedule, with a news briefing agenda ranging from signs of peace in Colombia's long-running civil unrest to the first debate between Trump and Clinton in the USA.
We also began presenting our Bull in a China Shop languacultural presentations, looking at challenges with culture clashes related to Europe, India, China and Saudi Arabia.
We expect to hear more interesting material next week, as well as looking at some challenges.
See you in class!
JBH
2016.09.08/09.22
With a break for the Chuseok holiday 9-15, our class has continued to develop its routine with daily words, quotes, and jokes, followed by news briefings and Current Affairs issues or language discussions.
Remember, the major assignment is due September 29th. Please be sure to print a copy for me of your outline or script so I can use it to make notes while you are presenting your langua-cultural experience in class.
See you in class!
JBH
2016.09.01
Our first regular class day got off to a good start with a Word. Quotation, and Joke of the Day, Current Affairs Briefings, and a discussion of common English problems.
In addition, the major assignment due September 29th was mentioned, and students were reminded to complete proposals with as much detail as possible about their assignment next week by email.
Please be ready to again do the Word, Quote, and Joke, discuss the news when we meet again Sept. 8. We should also have a current issue/language discussion and continue working on our presentations for the 29th.
Thanks!
JBH
This is going to be a presentation/discussion-based class. We will also write and present a brief paper toward the end of the semester.
We will be using a variety of online and other sources throughout the semester to improve our language and presentation skills. For now, please get hold of a copy of Common Problems in Korean English by David Kosofsky from the HUFS bookstore or online. It is extremely useful, especially for Korean students, to avoid errors when speaking and writing in English.
The general routine each week will consist of
1. A Word, Quote and Joke of the Day to start things off right.
Instructions are linked here.
2. News briefings: Each student will bring in one news item weekly, to be presented (not read word-for -word) along with commentary on issues or language, questions or discussion ideas on items. Students should coordinate together to ensure that there are no duplicated efforts on the same stories.
3. The instructor or a student will occasionally bring in material for a class discussion. Be ready to digest and discuss a controversial topic of international interest and share opinions that may be different from those of other students (and the instructor).
4. Because I am an English teacher and a word person, I can't stay too far away from the basics. I will continue to bring in useful, and (hopefully) interesting items on language matters. Students are also encouraged to bring in any language/presentation/current affairs topics that are interesting and useful. Stay tuned for more. While members of the class may have different levels of speaking/writing proficiency, there is always something more that can be learned.
5. The first major assignment, A "Bull in a China Shop" Experience, will be presented Sept. 29th. Please read the assignment and be thinking about your topic. We will talk about it in class Week 2. I want you to email or bring a hard copy to class of a detailed, one-page proposal of your presentation by Sept. 15th. (Double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font). Before you give your presentation on the 29th, please give me a copy of your written version.
For next week (2016.09.08),
-Start at 9:15 a.m. with Word, Quote, and Joke
-Assigned students will go over the highlights of their selected News Briefing presentations, highlighting any interesting or different language challenges, and leading to a discussion of the issues involved.
-The instructor will provide some discussable topics, along with a language point to work on in class, possibly from the Kosofsky text.
Thanks!
JBH
