Talk about a time when someone was rude to you. What happened? (5 sentences)
Source: citysubwaycreatures.com
Unit 03: Rude behavior
Source: citysubwaycreatures.com
Source: citysubwaycreatures.com
Unit 3: Relaxing
How do you like to relax? Explain. (5 sentences)
Source: Getty Images
Unit 3: Driverless cars?
Would you consider buying a driverless car? Explain.
Source: Gizmondo UK
Final paper example: Life as a teacher
My life as a teacher is a busy and satisfying one. I teach classes every day of the week, ranging from the middle-level to the highest-level English Conversation class. This semester my classes are in Cheon-eun Kwan, Gyeong-cheon Kwan, and Shalom Kwan. My lessons are based on textbooks chosen by my supervisors. There is so much content from the textbook we have to cover, I
normally use PowerPoint to make things clear. I sometimes try to make things fun with discussions and activities, especially in my lower-level classes. The discussions give my students a chance to practice their thinking and speaking skills in a comfortable atmosphere. I think my students enjoy my class. Some of them leave me messages telling me how they feel. My work in the classroom is an enjoyable and important part of my job.
The classroom is only one of the places where I do my work. My time in the office is a chance to relax and catch up. My office is on the 5th floor of Cheon-eun Kwan. The walk up the stairs is a little tiring, but it is a chance for some exercise. Plus, the location
is convenient as many of my classes are in the same building. I am required to spend three hours a week in my office, though I probably spend about fifteen to twenty. If I have the time and energy, I bring food from home to eat between my classes. Usually, however, I simply get a sandwich, cup ramyeon or kimbap from the convenience store in the basement of Cheon-eun Kwan. I eat while I work, and I have a lot to do. I make PowerPoint presentations for class, grade quizzes, and mark papers. When the work becomes a little too tiring, I take a fifteen-minute nap to refresh myself. I try to work hard at the office in order to do a good job for my next class.
Teaching is not the only part of a teacher’s life. My dog Jaerong is another important part of my life. He is a poodle, and my wife and I got him earlier this year. I take him out for walks two to three times a day. When my alarm doesn’t wake me up, Jaerong usually comes over to remind me it is time to take him out. At the end of my work day, I take Jaerong out for a long walk so we can both get some exercise. He also gets a chance to smell things. Dogs are very curious, and smelling everything is how they learn about the world around them. When Jaerong and I get home, I wrap up my day and get ready for the next one. There’s always something for a teacher to do.
Doing English all year round
During summer and winter vacation, students will want to continue studying English. While STUDYING is important and necessary, it can be boring. Instead I recommend students spend their time simply DOING English. By that, I mean use and learn English as you entertain and express yourself.
Here are some fun, simple, and inexpensive ways to keep your skills sharp and even improve them.
1. Read aloud
Choose a book that is also available in Korean. Read the Korean first then the English, maybe one paragraph at a time depending on your comprehension level.
I’ve enjoyed reading The Chronicles of Narnia (나니아 연대기), Harry Potter, and Sherlock Holmes. English and Korean versions are easy to find.
If you want to save money, consider getting a book from the 영한대역문고 series by YBM Sisa. These books are a great way to become familiar with some English classics at a great price (4,000 won per book!). English is on one side, Korean on the other.
Don’t worry about understanding every word. Just keep practicing and you’ll get it. You’ll also be practicing the skills necessary to be a good presenter.
Check your progress by recording yourself with your phone! All you need is thirty seconds to a minute to find things you can improve.
2. Listen
Instead of listening to audio files that come with your textbook, how about listening to what other English speakers are listening to? Here are some suggestions:
Audiobooks — These are read by actors and can really make a book come alive. I recommend reading the book as you listen. CDs can be purchased at bookstores, though they are quite expensive. I have some CDs, which students may borrow.
Podcasts — These are free and can easily be downloaded to your smartphone.
- Android — Stitcher is a popular app you can use to download podcasts.
- iOS — Podcasts already comes with your iPhone.
Some podcasts I enjoy:
- The Today Show — a popular morning news show in the US. You can find the video version through Podcasts or through your PC.
- Global News (BBC World Service) — updated twice a day!
- This American Life — a popular public radio program providing interesting stories
- Serial — I have not heard this yet, but this true murder-mystery story has been the most popular podcast for weeks.
- StarTalk — hosted by astrophysicist (천체 물리학자) Neil deGrasse Tyson, who is like a rockstar in the science world
- WTF with Marc Maron — an interview-based program with one of America’s most respected comedians. There is a lot of bad language (so maybe a teacher shouldn’t recommend this), but Maron is such a brilliant conversationalist, I have to include it.
3. Keep a diary or blog
Write about your day in a journal. This activity is not just for kids. When you’re in your thirties or forties, you’ll be very happy (though probably a little embarrassed) to read about yourself during your college days.
If paper is too old-fashioned for you, start a blog. You can do this on platforms like WordPress (this website is WordPress blog) or Blogger. And, of course, there’s Naver. It’s simple; it’s free; you can pictures and videos with your text. If you’re shy, you don’t have to use your real name!
How about Twitter? Again, you don’t have to use your real name. Just share your thoughts throughout the day and post pictures with explanations about them. You can also follow other people and reply to their Tweets. It’s a great way to interact with people around the world.
Don’t know what to write about? Use your journal/blog to write summaries or reviews of what you read or listen to.
4. Talk with others
Of course, there is no substitute for personal interaction with others. And you don’t have to speak with only native speakers. Get together with friends and agree to speak English, perhaps during lunch.
Okay, that should be enough to keep anyone busy. If you have other tips to share with your friends, feel free to reply below. Enjoy your break and see you on campus in March!
41 – Health and disease (Unit 10)
Answer ONE of the questions below with a short paragraph (about 50 words).
- Do you worry about germs and getting sick? What you do to prevent getting sick.
- When was the last time you were sick? What happened? How did you get better?
Your paragraph is DUE THURS 27 NOVEMBER, 11:59 pm
Your reply to your classmate is DUE FRI 28 NOVEMBER 11:59 pm
03 – Communication (Unit 10)
Answer one of the questions below in a short opinion paragraph. (75-100 words)
- Background information: Explain your texting style. Are you someone who would text “See you later.” or “c u l8r”? Give an example of something you text (Korean is okay, but explain it in English).
- Do you think the way we text has had a negative effect on language?
- Take another look at Reading Two and the warnings Tyagi, Sigman, and Greenfield give about using social networking sites. Do you think the possible effects they talk about are something we should worry about? Do you think social networking sites create more benefits than problems?
- Be sure to include a counterargument (see page 217).
Your paragraph is DUE THURS 27 NOVEMBER, 11:59 pm
Your reply to your classmate is DUE FRI 28 NOVEMBER, 11:59 pm
When replying to classmate, don’t just say “I agree.” or something similar. Add to the conversation with a two or three sentences of a detailed thought.
43 – Health and disease (Unit 10)
Answer ONE of the questions below with a short paragraph (about 50 words).
- Do you worry about germs and getting sick? What you do to prevent getting sick.
- When was the last time you were sick? What happened? How did you get better?
Your paragraph is DUE THURS 27 NOVEMBER, 11:59 pm
Your reply to your classmate is DUE FRI 28 NOVEMBER 11:59 pm
50 – Health and disease (Unit 10)
Answer ONE of the questions below with a short paragraph (about 50 words).
- Do you worry about germs and getting sick? What you do to prevent getting sick.
- When was the last time you were sick? What happened? How did you get better?
Your paragraph is DUE WED 26 NOVEMBER, 11:59 pm
Your reply to your classmate is DUE THURS 27 NOVEMBER 11:59 pm
52 – Health and disease (Unit 10)
Answer ONE of the questions below with a short paragraph (about 50 words).
- Do you worry about germs and getting sick? What you do to prevent getting sick.
- When was the last time you were sick? What happened? How did you get better?
Your paragraph is DUE WED 26 NOVEMBER, 11:59 pm
Your reply to your classmate is DUE THURS 27 NOVEMBER 11:59 pm