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!
Monday, November 26, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
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?
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
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.
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.
Friday, October 26, 2012
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?
Friday, October 19, 2012
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.
Friday, October 12, 2012
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!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
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!
Because I did not get this posted by Friday, lets say your comment is due by Wednesday 5pm this week. Cheers!
Friday, September 28, 2012
Blog 6
When I was young, it seemed like all adults smoked cigarettes. There were advertisements and ashtrays everywhere, and it was just a really common habit. Over the years, though, Americans have been smoking less and less. In recent years, many public places in the US, such as restaurants, waiting rooms, even parks, have been declared smoke-free zones. Last year, the whole University of Montana campus became a smoke-free zone. This was a somewhat controversial decision (which means people could see both good and bad points to such a move). What is your opinion about the fact that smoking is prohibited on the University of Montana campus? Can you give at least one example to support your opinion? Remember - 200-300 words.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Blog 5
Hi everyone! I really enjoyed reading your scary stories! They got me in the mood for HALLOWEEN, which is coming next month! I think you 've been working pretty hard lately, so this week you can take a break from the blog. NO BLOG this week! Have a nice weekend!
Friday, September 14, 2012
Blog 4
After reading all of your delicious food memories, I really want to go home and EAT now! The food entries were some good descriptive writing about a subject everyone enjoys!
On Thursday, we read a short narrative about an earthquake. I used to live in California, where there are many earthquakes, but I remember one really big one I experienced in 1989. It was called the Loma Prieta Earthquake, and it registered 6.9 on the richter scale. When it struck, I was standing in the library at San Francisco State University looking through the card catalogue. There was a girl near me doing the same thing. Gradually, I noticed the ground shaking and at first I thought maybe a big truck was driving by or something. Then I realized that the library was in the middle of campus, far from any roads. I looked up and at the same time the girl near me looked up and our eyes met.... Suddenly, there was a big bang, and the whole building felt like someone had picked it up and dropped it. Then it started to shake and sway back and forth in a sickening way. Bookshelves were falling down, and light fixtures stared dropping from the ceiling. Then the lights went out and only a little light came in through the windows. There was a deep low rumbling noise and the building felt like it was rolling down a hill. Then it stopped and things were quiet for a few seconds, but quickly everyone hurried to the stairs to get down and out of the building. The stairwells were completely dark, but they were crowded with frightened people trying to get out of the library as quickly as possible. People tried not to push, but it was very dangerous and terrifying....
In your next blog entry, tell us about a frightening experience you have had. Remember 200-300 words.
PS: Some people are doing a good job on their blog comments, but forgetting to post replies (See blogs 1, 2 & 3 for examples). Remember: comments are due every Tuesday at 5:00 and replies are due every Friday at 5:00. Replies should be about 100-150 words.
Have a nice weekend -
On Thursday, we read a short narrative about an earthquake. I used to live in California, where there are many earthquakes, but I remember one really big one I experienced in 1989. It was called the Loma Prieta Earthquake, and it registered 6.9 on the richter scale. When it struck, I was standing in the library at San Francisco State University looking through the card catalogue. There was a girl near me doing the same thing. Gradually, I noticed the ground shaking and at first I thought maybe a big truck was driving by or something. Then I realized that the library was in the middle of campus, far from any roads. I looked up and at the same time the girl near me looked up and our eyes met.... Suddenly, there was a big bang, and the whole building felt like someone had picked it up and dropped it. Then it started to shake and sway back and forth in a sickening way. Bookshelves were falling down, and light fixtures stared dropping from the ceiling. Then the lights went out and only a little light came in through the windows. There was a deep low rumbling noise and the building felt like it was rolling down a hill. Then it stopped and things were quiet for a few seconds, but quickly everyone hurried to the stairs to get down and out of the building. The stairwells were completely dark, but they were crowded with frightened people trying to get out of the library as quickly as possible. People tried not to push, but it was very dangerous and terrifying....
In your next blog entry, tell us about a frightening experience you have had. Remember 200-300 words.
PS: Some people are doing a good job on their blog comments, but forgetting to post replies (See blogs 1, 2 & 3 for examples). Remember: comments are due every Tuesday at 5:00 and replies are due every Friday at 5:00. Replies should be about 100-150 words.
Have a nice weekend -
Friday, September 7, 2012
Blog 3
Hi again students -
I really enjoyed reading all of your thoughts about how your life has changed since coming to the USA. I was really impressed by your great attitudes towards your American adventure, which can sometimes be difficult, I guess. Many of you are trying to speak up with new people, make new friends, try new sports and activities, and develop good habits! All of that will help you to not be so homesick. Great!
A lot of people wrote about food, so in your next blog, I'd like you to tell us about a special meal or meals that you remember. For example, I remember Christmas dinners when I was a little girl. We lived in Northern California at the time, so there was no snow, but it was usually a sunny day and everything outside was green and cool and wet (winter is the rainy season in California). My mother would cook a large turkey - maybe 15 pounds or more - stuffed with breadcrumbs, onions, celery and herbs. You could smell it cooking in the oven all day until it was ready to eat at around 4 pm, and it smelled so good it would almost make you crazy. She would also make sweet potatoes and green beans and rice and a special desert of some kind, like chocolate brownies. My father and I would set the table with a white linen table cloth and the good silverware and china. Sometimes we would have guests come and eat with us, but often it was just the three of us, since my cousins and aunts and uncles lived on the other side of the country. The sun would be coming in the big picture window, and everything smelled and tasted so great - it was a very special and happy time.
Tell us about a meal or eating experience that you remember. 200-300 words.
I really enjoyed reading all of your thoughts about how your life has changed since coming to the USA. I was really impressed by your great attitudes towards your American adventure, which can sometimes be difficult, I guess. Many of you are trying to speak up with new people, make new friends, try new sports and activities, and develop good habits! All of that will help you to not be so homesick. Great!
A lot of people wrote about food, so in your next blog, I'd like you to tell us about a special meal or meals that you remember. For example, I remember Christmas dinners when I was a little girl. We lived in Northern California at the time, so there was no snow, but it was usually a sunny day and everything outside was green and cool and wet (winter is the rainy season in California). My mother would cook a large turkey - maybe 15 pounds or more - stuffed with breadcrumbs, onions, celery and herbs. You could smell it cooking in the oven all day until it was ready to eat at around 4 pm, and it smelled so good it would almost make you crazy. She would also make sweet potatoes and green beans and rice and a special desert of some kind, like chocolate brownies. My father and I would set the table with a white linen table cloth and the good silverware and china. Sometimes we would have guests come and eat with us, but often it was just the three of us, since my cousins and aunts and uncles lived on the other side of the country. The sun would be coming in the big picture window, and everything smelled and tasted so great - it was a very special and happy time.
Tell us about a meal or eating experience that you remember. 200-300 words.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Blog 2
Hi Students! Nice job getting your first blogs up! And I see that it is probably easier in the future to respond to someone's comment by just clicking "reply." (You can see my replies to each of you. In some cases there are some website links you might want to check out).
I see that some people still have not posted or have not responded. Remember, this is important writing practice for you, and it is part of your grade.
For Tuesday (9/4) please write about the following topic:
How has your life changed since you came to the United States? Once again, 200-350 words is a good length. Have fun!
I see that some people still have not posted or have not responded. Remember, this is important writing practice for you, and it is part of your grade.
For Tuesday (9/4) please write about the following topic:
How has your life changed since you came to the United States? Once again, 200-350 words is a good length. Have fun!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Blog 1
Hello Writing & Grammar 4B students and welcome to our class blog! This is a place for you to practice writing and share your writing with your teacher and classmates. You can use this as a place to practice expressing your ideas in writing and try out new grammar and vocabulary you are using. Your grade will be based on how much and how often you write; your blog will not be graded for grammar, spelling or punctuation - just do you best.
In this first blog, please introduce your partner to us. Be sure to tell us your partner's name, and tell us a few interesting things about him or her. Remember, a good blog length is about 200-300 words. Have fun!
In this first blog, please introduce your partner to us. Be sure to tell us your partner's name, and tell us a few interesting things about him or her. Remember, a good blog length is about 200-300 words. Have fun!
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