GSIAS English
2019.04.17
Today, after our news briefing and before writing in our journals, we began thinking about topics for our next presentation. We will be sharing information on a problem or topic related to our specialization and or area of interest that is worthy of a 10- to 20-minute presentation to the rest of the class.
Much like the other assignments in this class, this one should focus more on clear communication and drawing audience interest rather than aiming at elevated academic discourse. Since we are specialists in a variety of areas, the topics we share should include enough background familiarity to be clearly understandable by everyone, without going too deep into specialized knowledge that we do not all share. If you go into areas in depth, please try to make sure your information is clear enough for all of us to understand.
As always, interesting counts. Not just in this class, but in every class.
Next week please take time to put together a copy of a brief research proposal to class with you for us to discuss. We will talk about your proposals in class week 9. I want everyone to be set on a topic and thinking and working on it as we go through the rest of this month toward presentation day (to be determined).
Also, please take a quick look at the Six Minutes presentation website for an interesting talk by a Korean-American writer who spent six months undercover, teaching the elite youth of North Korea at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology. We will talk about the presentation and an analysis of it when we meet next, along with our Word, Quote, and Joke of the Day, the daily news briefing, our presentation proposals, and journal writing.
See you in class!
JBH
2019.03.13
Today in class we talked about a word, Quote, and joke of the day before beginning a discussion of what was going on around the world.
We also got a little more clear on the "Bull in a China Shop" presentation before doing some journal writing on "Me & My Goals."
For next week, please remember we will be expecting students to present the word, quote, and joke of the day, cover word events, go over one page proposals about our presentations to be presented April 3, and write on another journal topic.
See you in class!
JBH
2019.03.06
At our first class meeting, we got to know each other a bit. This class has varying interests and needs, and the instructor will endeavor to meet as many of them as possible within our limited time frame.
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. Reflective Writing: Although the focus of this course is on presentations and spoken communication, we will also be working with written language to a limited extent. Writing in this class will include written documents related to your presentations and personal reflections on issues and topics of the day. We will be doing personal, reflective writing about a variety of topics on a regular basis. These short writings may be combined for a larger project later in the semester.
3. 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 stray too far away from the basics. I will continue to bring in items (hopefully) of interest and utility 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 April 3rd. Please read the assignment and be thinking about your topic. We will talk about it more 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 class time March 20th. (Double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font). On the day you present, before you give your presentation, please give me a copy of your written version. I must have a written copy of your script, notes, and/or PowerPoint in my hand to follow along and make notes on as you present.
Thanks!
JBH
