Day 9

MEI 028 C- Conversation Elective

Friday 7-17-15

Schedule:

1. Homework: Discussion
2. Group Discussions
1. Example Discussions
1. You will watch two example group discussions. For each discussion, write notes about how the people act. We will decide which discussion is better and why. Do not worry if you do not understand everything they say. I just want you to watch how they act.
1. Example Group Discussion 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn4BX9Pes3c
2. Example Group Discussion 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZbvw1XyLFA
2. Which was better? Why?
2. Group Discussions (handout)
3. Topics: Let’s choose one and have a group discussion about it.
1. Nationalism is a good thing.
2. Friendship is the most important thing in life.
3. Doing a job you like is more important than earning a lot of money.
4. Democracy is the best kind of government.
5. Immigration helps society.
6. Drugs (nonmedical) should be illegal.
7. Exploring space is a waste of money.

Homework: Study for the final exam. For this exam, you need to be able to talk about the following topics:

• Small Talk
• Likes/Dislikes
• Asking About Problems & Giving Advice
• Asking For & Giving Opinions
• Describing Things & Processes
• Complaining
• Group Discussions

You will be given five different situations to talk about. Three will be about: Describing Things & Processes; Complaining; Group Discussions. The other two will be about two of the other four topics.

Day 8

MEI 028 C- Conversation Elective

Wednesday 7-15-15

Schedule:

1. Return Quiz 1 (Rubric)
2. Air Quotes: Video (from Friends)
1. Worksheet (homework check)
2. Pre-Listening Questions (discuss)
3. Vocabulary (discuss)
4. Discussion: (1) What are air quotes used for? (2) Your questions.

1. Complaining

1. What is a complaint?
2. Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX_H8CeBnro
1. What did you think?
3. Direct v. Indirect Language
1. English does not have a formal version of the language; instead we are indirect with those we don’t know well: see pp. 200-202 in book.
4. Complaining in English (handout)

5. Practice:
1. Example Situation: You had a horrible stay at your hotel last night. All night people were partying and in the middle of the night your ceiling started leaking water! You called downstairs and they said someone would fix it, but they never did! You didn’t sleep a wink (=zero sleep). Go downstairs and complain to the front desk.

2. Situations 1: For each scenario pretend that one of you is complaining and the other is responding.

3. Situations 2: (1) What are some other times you might need to complain? Discuss in pairs. (2) Role play each situation using vocabulary from the Complaining in English Handout.

Homework:

(1) Read and study the Common American Hand Gestures handout. Write down at least three questions about the gestures.

(2) Begin reviewing for the final exam (final speaking test), which will be next Wednesday (7-22).

Day 7

`MEI 028 C- Conversation Elective

Friday 7-10-15

Schedule:

1. Describing Things & Processes

1. Guess what/how:
1. Round 1-- Draw a card. DO NOT SHOW YOUR CARD TO EVERYONE ELSE. Describe the object/thing. Then, we will guess.
2. Round 2: Describe the process. DO NOT TELL US WHAT IT IS. Explain how to do it. We will guess.
3. Candy is awarded to the winner! :)

2. Pronunciation Focus: [r] v. [l]  
1. Video: http://www.elementalenglish.com/l-vs-r-english-pronunciation-lesson-for-japanese-speakers/
2. Demo: lock v. rock
1. How are the sounds made?
1. Handouts
3. Handout (pp. 178-180 from Well Said Intro)

Homework: (1) Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc967-3gbrg and read the handout about the video. For homework, write down THREE QUESTIONS about the video.

Day 6

MEI 028 C- Conversation Elective

Wednesday 7-8-15

Schedule:

1. Homework: Submit

2. Review: Asking for and giving opinions
1. What are some words and phrases we can use to ask for and give opinions?
2. Discussion: Tipping in restaurants

3. Speaking Quiz [~30 minutes]
1. Questions?
2. Quiz
1. Small Talk
2. Likes/Dislikes
3. Problems & Advice
4. Opinions

4. Describing Things & Processes

1. Handout (adapted from your textbook)

2. Practice! :)

1. Describing things:
1. chocolate cake (Heather)  
2. a dishwasher (Takeru)
3. your dream house (Thuan)

2. Describing processes:
1. make coffee (Heather)
1. What about in your country?
2. send an e-mail (Thuan)
3. download images from a camera to a computer (Takeru)
4. use an ATM machine (Thuan)
5. tie a tie (Takeru)

Homework: (1) Watch Rachel’s English [l] v. [r]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH-9lqrGbBU

Day 5

MEI 028 C- Conversation Elective

Wednesday 7-1-15

Schedule:

1. Homework
1. Any questions?
2. Submit Homework

2. Pronunciation: [æ] v. [ɛ]
1. [æ]: How do we make this sound?
2. [ɛ] v. [æ]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM9gPzKs1Hg
3. Practice: Worksheet

3. Review: Problems & Advice
1. What did we learn last class?
2. For each picture, give advice.

4. Opinions
1. Vocabulary:
1. Conversation: Fill in the blanks with the word you think belongs in each blank.
2. Handout (adapted from your book)
2. Video: Is climate change an issue? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr4WuyPFABs&list=PLA5UIoabheFM281dIr4ojw9xOVoo9dOtw&index=22
3. Practice

Homework: (1) Complete the Mid-Semester Feedback; (2) Prepare for a Speaking Quiz on Wednesday 7/8. For this quiz you will be given topics to discuss in the following areas: (1) small talk; (2) likes/dislikes; (3) problems & advice; (4) opinions.