Blog 13

Here we are at the end of the semester!  Its a good time to reflect on what you've achieved and what progress you've made towards meeting your academic goals.  You can also use this opportunity to send a message to the rest of the class - a sort of farewell blog!

For my part, it has been a pleasure teaching you this semester, and I wish you all good luck as we move towards final exams!

Blog 12

We are coming into what is commonly called "the holiday season" in the United States - Thanksgiving, Christmas and to some extent New Years, and all major holidays that happen within a few weeks of each other.  People start to put up their holiday decorations, shop for gifts and make plans with their families.  On TV, there will be more and more holiday shows, and holiday parties and parades around town.  Soon Santa Claus will be sitting on his big chair at the mall, waiting to say hello to little (and big) children, and everywhere you go, you will hear special Christmas song called Christmas carols.  Volunteer organizations will be collecting food and toys for poor people so they can also enjoy the holidays. When the houses and trees are decorated and the snow starts to fall, it is really beautiful.  For blog #12, describe your favorite holiday in your country.  What does it celebrate, and why is it special for you?

Blog 11

It is election day today in the United States, time to choose a new president!  So for this blog, you can choose which question you want to write about (1 or 2):

1)  What do you think about the American election process?  Any thoughts or questions about the way we choose our leader?  How is it similar to or different from the way a leader is chosen in your country?

2)  Tell us about a time when you had to make a difficult choice.  What was the choice?  What did you decide to do?  How did you decide?

This blog comment will be due next Tuesday, 11/13.

Blog 10

You have been in the United States now for 2 months or more, so you are starting to become pretty familiar with American culture.  For this weeks blog, think about American customs and tell us about one custom that you really dislike and one that you really like.  For example, I really dislike the amount of bad, rude and insulting language I hear (on TV, in the political campaign, and just walking across campus).  Sometimes I see T-shirts or bumper stickers (on cars) that I find offensive, stupid and insulting. On the other hand, I like the custom of helping strangers. I see a lot of cases where a person has an accident, gets lost, doesn't know what to do or just generally needs some help, and it seems like strangers are usually kind and willing to help them.  What customs have you noticed that annoy/impress you?

Blog 9

Whew!  I saw so many of you working hard on the TOEFL today!  Take a break from blogging and have a nice weekend.

Blog 8

Today is the end of week 8, which puts us exactly halfway through the semester.  In fact, during the next few weeks, there are several holidays so the semester will be over before you know it!  This would be a good time to reflect on what you have been learning since you arrived at UM - both in your classes and out of your classes!  It is also a good time to reassess goals.  What would you like to accomplish by the time ELI fall semester ends (December 7) - be realistic!  Write about what you have achieved so far this semester and what you hope to achieve before the semester's end.  200-300 words is great!  

Blog 7

Hi everyone - Well, here it is Sunday afternoon, and I'm looking out the window at a sunny, blue sky day.  The air is a little chilly and it feels fresh, and I see the leaves in the maple trees are starting to turn yellow and fall to the ground.  Fall has come to Missoula!  In this blog, please think about your favorite season (spring, summer, fall or winter) and describe for us what that season is like in your hometown.  Besides telling us about the seasonal sights, you can also describe special sounds or smells that come at that time of year, or even the tastes of foods you like to eat.

Because I did not get this posted by Friday, lets say your comment is due by Wednesday 5pm this week.  Cheers!