Class Syllabus

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General Course Outline              

Week 1 Introductions                     Unit 1: What's the story?
Lesson A: The story of my life
Grammar focus: review of the simple past and present perfect
New vocabulary related to stories and storytelling
Listening for details & note taking

Week 2 Lesson B: Tell me a story
Reading a horror story:  “The Monkey's Paw” by W.W. Jacobs
Writing : Sequencing events using time expressions.
Communication: Interviewing a partner and reporting information          
                               
Week 3 Unit 2: Technology
                                Lesson A:  Technostress
                                Grammar focus: review of the passive voice
New vocabulary related to technology
Listening for cause and effect
Saying you're able/not able to do something

Week 4 Lesson B: Techno-shopping
Reading  an article about new technology (Skimming for main ideas)
Writing: Writing about the advantages and disadvantages of a topic

Week 5                Unit 3: Personality
                                Lesson A: Are you a morning person?
                               Grammar focus: Adverb clauses of contrast, purpose and time
                               Listening for gist, key words and personality types.
                               Communication: Making general statements      
                                                                                                                                  
Week 6                Lesson B: What type are you?
                                Reading: Reading about Chinese astrology 
Writing : Organizing a paragraph using a topic sentence
 
Week 7               Unit 4: Make an Impact
                                Lesson A: Change your world
                                Grammar focus: Modals and phrasal modals
New vocabulary related to generational differences
                                Listening for gist and details in an interview

Week 8 Lesson B: Take a stand
Reading:  Reading about a socially-conscious advertising foundation
                                Writing: Expressing opinion.
                                               
Week 9 Review of all units                          

Week 10              FINAL EXAM (Units 1 to 4)

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Vocabulary Unit 1 - What's the story?

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Vocabulary Focus

Note: definition is chosen according to what meaning is given in the World Pass book.  Words can have other meanings.

al·ter   (ôltr) v. al·tered, al·ter·ing, al·ters v.tr.

1. To change or make different; modify: altered my will.


cov·er  (kvr) v. cov·ered, cov·er·ing, cov·ers
b. To be responsible for reporting the details of (an event or situation): Two reporters covered the news story.

go after
Verb pursue an idea


go over
2. To examine or review: go over the test scores.


make up
4. To devise as a fiction or falsehood; invent: made up an excuse.

piece together
figure out what happened (World Pass-Upper Intermediate)

ver·i·fy  (vr-f)  tr.v. ver·i·fied, ver·i·fy·ing, ver·i·fies
2. To determine or test the truth or accuracy of, as by comparison, investigation, or reference:experiments that verified the hypothesis. 

Additional vocabulary
change a  / one's story - to change the details of a story
kill a story - to not publish a story that was ready to be printed or aired on TV.



con·se·quence  (kns-kwns, -kwns)
Something that logically or naturally follows from an action or condition

ex·pec·tant  (k-spktnt) adj.
1. Having or marked by expectation: an expectant look; an expectant hush.


fam·i·ly  (fm-l, fml) n. pl. fam·i·lies
1.
a. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.


fate  (ft) n.
1.
a. The supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines events.


magic charm  (chärm) n.


4. An item worn for its supposed magical benefit, as in warding off evil; an amulet.

sol·emnly  (slm) adj.
1. Deeply earnest, serious, and sober.
2. Somberly or gravely impressive.


sor·ry  (sr, sôr) adj. sor·ri·er, sor·ri·est
1. Feeling or expressing sympathy, pity, or regret:


stormy night - 
storm·y  (stôrm)
adj. storm·i·er, storm·i·est
1. Subject to, characterized by, or affected by storms; tempestuous.


vis·i·tor  (vz-tr) n.
1. a person who pays a visit; caller, guest, tourist, etc

wish  (wsh) n.
1. A desire, longing, or strong inclination for a specific thing.


loss  (lôs, ls) n.

1. The act or an instance of losing.
Your loss is my gain. 


Source: The Free Dictionary.com


Telling stories:
I'll never forget the time...
A couple of years ago...
Last summer...
It happened when...
One night...
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The Past Simple vs. the Present Perfect

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Understanding the differences between the Present Perfect and the Simple Past can be confusing.  Here are the notes from the class and some links that can help you understand it.  I am also adding some exercises that you may try to test your understanding.

We use the Present Perfect (have been / have played / have done, etc.) when we talk about a time from the past until now - for example your life: Have you been to France? (in your life) No, I haven't. (Source: Basic Grammar in Use, Raymond Murphy)
Present Perfect
Past Simple
Time Period
I have been to the theatre three times this week.

 This week has not finished yet.
I went to the theatre last week.

Last week is finished.
New or Old Information
Maria had a broken arm again.
Maria broke her arm last month.
Specific or Non-specific
I have been to Paris already.
I went to Paris two months ago.
Action Finished (´for´ o r ´since`)
I had lived in California for ten years.
I lived in California for ten years.

Online Sources for more information:
Use of Present Perfect

Exercises

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Using a Blog vs. a Wiki for English Class

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This week I start my English classes for the Fall 2012.  I have been pondering all summer if I will use a Wiki or a Blog to enhance my communication with my students and their learning.  Since I have not been able to make up my mind as to which one will serve my purposes better, I am going to try out both. I will be using a wiki for my Pre-Intermediate class and a blog for my High Intermediate class.

So far I have found that a Wiki is a great way to upload resources for students to use which may or not be a drawback of a blog.  However, with a blog it seems that you can organize information into posts much better.  A wiki offers the benefit of having a discussion forum where students can discuss ideas among themselves, whereas a blog might only give them the opportunity to comment and get feedback from me.


Since I still have many questions I will not get a clear answer until I try. I am starting on this new adventure hoping to get some great insight into the best way of helping my students learn English using these new technologies.
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