I want to tell you that I really enjoyed teaching you this semester. Usually. Both classes were filled with very special, interesting people and I will miss you very much (no sarcasm). The fact that we build our very own little international community through the course of 12 weeks is very unique indeed. It is not surprising, therefore, that it is sad when our community disbands and we feel a certain sense of loss. However, this is a good thing--you don't feel loss unless you have something good in the first place.
You all should feel very proud of yourselves. You are reading, writing, speaking, living, breathing, maybe even dreaming by now, in English. This is quite an accomplishment and your levels of fluency are impressive. Now is a good moment to reflect upon where you started and how far you've progressed. Even if the progress sometimes seems slow, it is progress nonetheless, I assure you. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to get there--so long as you get there! Some of us creep like turtles and others fly like eagles but we can all make it to the finish line if we set our minds to it. Here's a new idiomatic expression for you: We say "keep your eye on the ball." So stay focused, work hard, and you will achieve your goals. The only one you are racing against is yourself. G-d gave you your potential--its your job to achieve it and do good in this world.
For those of you staying in Houston, please come and visit me at the LCC (but I won't be working this summer) or email me or call (713-721-3460) to say hi. If you throw a party, invite me and I will try my best to come. Also, if you need anything while you are in Houston, and I can be of help, feel free to contact me. Former students often consult with me on their academic decisions as well as their parking tickets and baby questions! Should you have a legal issue, my husband is a good person to consult. If you lose my contact information, you can always call the LCC office and they'll know how to reach me. At the very least, you can remember my last name. That's Cin. C-I-N. Like cinammon. Or cinema.
For those of you continuing in the LCC or entering the university, I wish you loads of success. It won't be easy but with hard work and determination (and perhaps just a little bit of luck, as Stanley's father says) you will achieve your goals. The first course is the hardest...
For those of you returning home, I wish you a safe and pleasant journey and I hope you continue to learn and to practice, and I hope to see you in your country one of these days soon!
Finally, I want to wish all of you lives filled with blessings: health and happiness, love and laughter, success and failure (because we learn from failure), and most of all, the ability to recognize the good in our lives and overlook or overcome the bad.
Please keep in touch with me; I look forward to hearing all of your exciting news.
Love,
Holly
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Huntsville
Just FYI...
You will be able to rent boats at Huntsville. $10 CASH per boat, I understand. It's a lot of fun.
Have a great weekend, and while you're enjoying yourselves, please don't feel bad for me that I have to grade 100 papers. "I made my bed. Now I have to lay in it!"
See you bright and early Monday morning!
You will be able to rent boats at Huntsville. $10 CASH per boat, I understand. It's a lot of fun.
Have a great weekend, and while you're enjoying yourselves, please don't feel bad for me that I have to grade 100 papers. "I made my bed. Now I have to lay in it!"
See you bright and early Monday morning!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
List of Words You Learned this Semester
These are words you learned from the listening materials and the readings. In total, I think you have learned nearly 1000 new words! If you can remember even half, you have made some serious progress.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Space/Touch/Artifacts Presentations
Xiao:
http://www.zshare.net/video/7516538973bb076f/
Sebnem:
http://www.zshare.net/video/751652145c9583c5/
Elif:
http://www.zshare.net/video/75165227336c9c82/
Ghadi:
http://www.zshare.net/video/7516537888d67fe9/
http://www.zshare.net/video/7516538973bb076f/
Sebnem:
http://www.zshare.net/video/751652145c9583c5/
Elif:
http://www.zshare.net/video/75165227336c9c82/
Ghadi:
http://www.zshare.net/video/7516537888d67fe9/
Friday, April 16, 2010
Next week...
I hope you had fun today with our little envelope game... I did!
For next week:
Monday--presentations and Holes vocabulary quiz 36-40
Final exams--Holes vocab 41-50; Holes reading 31-50; idioms list
I'm not sure yet if we will have a listening test. I have to think about it.
The final reading exam will be on "critical reading." We will discuss this more in class next week.
Have a great weekend, but begin preparing for the end (I mean final exams!)...
For next week:
Monday--presentations and Holes vocabulary quiz 36-40
Final exams--Holes vocab 41-50; Holes reading 31-50; idioms list
I'm not sure yet if we will have a listening test. I have to think about it.
The final reading exam will be on "critical reading." We will discuss this more in class next week.
Have a great weekend, but begin preparing for the end (I mean final exams!)...
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Sarcastic Quotes: Some Food for Thought
“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.”--Oscar Wilde
“A good listener is usually thinking about something else.”--Kin Hubbard
“Every time I look at you I get a fierce desire to be lonesome.”--Oscar Levant
“Many wealthy people are little more than janitors of their possessions.”--Frank Lloyd Wright
“Stay with me; I want to be alone.”--Joey Adams
“A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.”--Steven Wright
“When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me.”--Emo Philips
“The problem with common sense is that most people are morons.”--Sarcasm Society
“One of the lessons of history is that Nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say.”--Will Durant
“It's a plastic surgeon you need, not a doctor.”--John Cleese
“If you don't read the newspaper, you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed.”--Mark Twain
“A good listener is usually thinking about something else.”--Kin Hubbard
“Every time I look at you I get a fierce desire to be lonesome.”--Oscar Levant
“Many wealthy people are little more than janitors of their possessions.”--Frank Lloyd Wright
“Stay with me; I want to be alone.”--Joey Adams
“A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.”--Steven Wright
“When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me.”--Emo Philips
“The problem with common sense is that most people are morons.”--Sarcasm Society
“One of the lessons of history is that Nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say.”--Will Durant
“It's a plastic surgeon you need, not a doctor.”--John Cleese
“If you don't read the newspaper, you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed.”--Mark Twain
Sarcasm 101
http://www.snotr.com/video/1432
Did you ever watch the show "Friends?" Chandler is known for his sarcasm. I wish I had time to watch this with you in class, but alas, we are running out of time for the term!
and another scene from "Friends," which illustrates sarcasm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s5ufToIR7U
enjoy!
Did you ever watch the show "Friends?" Chandler is known for his sarcasm. I wish I had time to watch this with you in class, but alas, we are running out of time for the term!
and another scene from "Friends," which illustrates sarcasm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s5ufToIR7U
enjoy!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Extra Inference Practice
Excerpt from A PLACE IN CHUNKY FOR SLEEVE VALVES
1. c 4. d 7. d 10. a 13. d
2. b 5. a 8. b 11. c 14. a
3. c 6. c 9. c 12. b 15. d
1. c 4. d 7. d 10. a 13. d
2. b 5. a 8. b 11. c 14. a
3. c 6. c 9. c 12. b 15. d
Monday, April 12, 2010
Friday Fun Day: Special Holes Edition
This Friday we will have a special fun day for the last two hours of class. We will have class in OB 301, the same as the last time.
I encourage you to bring food and snacks because what's a party without food? The theme for the party will be holes--so think holes when you think food (donuts? bagels?).
Also, I encourage you to be current on your reading of Holes. You will need it for the game that we're going to play. Remember, you're not in the Girl Scouts anymore!
I encourage you to bring food and snacks because what's a party without food? The theme for the party will be holes--so think holes when you think food (donuts? bagels?).
Also, I encourage you to be current on your reading of Holes. You will need it for the game that we're going to play. Remember, you're not in the Girl Scouts anymore!
Lunch on Thursday
Carole and I would like to go out to lunch with you on Thursday to Madras Pavilion, which serves Indian vegetarian cuisine. At lunch, they have a wonderful buffet which is inexpensive (or should I say 'cheap'?), plentiful, and delicious.
Let's arrange rides among us. I have a van, so I can take 6. Please post a comment if you will be coming so I can reserve a large table for us. Also, please let me know if you need a ride or if you can take others in your car.
Madras Pavilion is located at:
3910 Kirby Dr (between 59 and Richmond, on the west side of Kirby)
Houston, TX
(713) 521-2617
Let's arrange rides among us. I have a van, so I can take 6. Please post a comment if you will be coming so I can reserve a large table for us. Also, please let me know if you need a ride or if you can take others in your car.
Madras Pavilion is located at:
3910 Kirby Dr (between 59 and Richmond, on the west side of Kirby)
Houston, TX
(713) 521-2617
A Note for You
Dear Students,
I was very impressed by those of you who read "Danny" and were able to participate in today's conversation with such ease. It demonstrates to me that you really understand what you're reading. From my end it is truly a pleasure not only to be able to discuss the readings with you but to see how much progress you're making in your reading skills.
For those of you who have not kept up with the reading, I cannot attest to your progress, unfortunately. As I said at the beginning of this course, my philosophy is that you improve your skills by practicing them. You improve reading by reading; listening by listening; writing by writing; and speaking by speaking. There is no luck in this equation. Progress comes from discipline and hard work. For those of you who have demonstrated it, you have all my respect.
I was very impressed by those of you who read "Danny" and were able to participate in today's conversation with such ease. It demonstrates to me that you really understand what you're reading. From my end it is truly a pleasure not only to be able to discuss the readings with you but to see how much progress you're making in your reading skills.
For those of you who have not kept up with the reading, I cannot attest to your progress, unfortunately. As I said at the beginning of this course, my philosophy is that you improve your skills by practicing them. You improve reading by reading; listening by listening; writing by writing; and speaking by speaking. There is no luck in this equation. Progress comes from discipline and hard work. For those of you who have demonstrated it, you have all my respect.
Extra Listening Practice for You
http://www.youtube.com/user/EDU#p/c/941913BDC8E7B605/15/p8wZ0KRW18A
Click on commencement speeches and scroll down to Cory Booker at Brandeis.
This is an inspiring graduation speech given by Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark, New Jersey. It's lengthy, but he speaks clearly and beautifully.
You should check out the other speeches if you want to practice more.
Click on commencement speeches and scroll down to Cory Booker at Brandeis.
This is an inspiring graduation speech given by Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark, New Jersey. It's lengthy, but he speaks clearly and beautifully.
You should check out the other speeches if you want to practice more.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Schedule, week 11
Level 5AB/Cin/Spring 2010
Schedule, week eleven (ALE, ch. 8; RS, inferences; critical reading )
Monday, April 12:
Inferences, conclude (“Sex, Lies, and Conversation,” and “Danny”)
Connotations and denotations
ALE, ch. 8, lecture part one
HW: Study for Holes vocabulary test tomorrow
ALE, vocabulary in boxes for lecture
RS, pp. 369-375, “The Open Window” (for Wednesday)
Tuesday, April 13:
ALE, ch. 8, lecture part two and listening test
Holes vocabulary test (ch. 31-35)
Oral reports
Wednesday, April 14:
Discuss “The Open Window”
Critical reading
Oral reports
HW: RS, p. 188-189, ex. 20 (fact or opinion); p. 190-193, reading and questions (for Friday)
Thursday, April 15:
Holes, vocabulary test (ch. 36-40)
Oral reports
Inferences test
HW: RS, pp. 203-207, read and answer questions1-12 (for Monday)
Friday, April 16
*Friday Fun Day
RS, critical reading
Oral reports
HW: TBA
Schedule, week eleven (ALE, ch. 8; RS, inferences; critical reading )
Monday, April 12:
Inferences, conclude (“Sex, Lies, and Conversation,” and “Danny”)
Connotations and denotations
ALE, ch. 8, lecture part one
HW: Study for Holes vocabulary test tomorrow
ALE, vocabulary in boxes for lecture
RS, pp. 369-375, “The Open Window” (for Wednesday)
Tuesday, April 13:
ALE, ch. 8, lecture part two and listening test
Holes vocabulary test (ch. 31-35)
Oral reports
Wednesday, April 14:
Discuss “The Open Window”
Critical reading
Oral reports
HW: RS, p. 188-189, ex. 20 (fact or opinion); p. 190-193, reading and questions (for Friday)
Thursday, April 15:
Holes, vocabulary test (ch. 36-40)
Oral reports
Inferences test
HW: RS, pp. 203-207, read and answer questions1-12 (for Monday)
Friday, April 16
*Friday Fun Day
RS, critical reading
Oral reports
HW: TBA
Friday, April 9, 2010
Making Inferences: Some Extra Practice
http://testprep.about.com/od/englishlanguagetests/a/Inference.htm
Read the article about inferences and then see if you understand the implied meaning in the statements which follow. You can check your answers.
*"Flipping the bird" is an idiom which means the same thing as "giving the finger." When we say "giving the finger," you know we mean the middle finger.
I hope you enjoyed my little inference presentation in class today!
Read the article about inferences and then see if you understand the implied meaning in the statements which follow. You can check your answers.
*"Flipping the bird" is an idiom which means the same thing as "giving the finger." When we say "giving the finger," you know we mean the middle finger.
I hope you enjoyed my little inference presentation in class today!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
An Inference Game for you to Play
http://www.quia.com/pop/43335.html
Click on "play game." See how many answers you can properly infer.
Click on "play game." See how many answers you can properly infer.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Elevator Etiquette: A Short Video about the Rules
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvnOJFdqX7Y&feature=related
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Hi Everybody!
Hello 5A and 5B,
I hope everything is going well. I miss you and I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday morning. Until then, I want to remind you about going to Call Lab in the morning tomorrow (Monday) to do your student evaluations. Please make sure to be on time for this. It is very important for your teachers and the LCC to receive your feedback so that we can continue to improve the program in the future.
Also, I understand that you are a few days behind on the schedule. Consequently, we will begin presentations on Thursday. On Wednesday I will talk to you about what's expected and give you help if you need it. Please think about what you're planning to do.
Please keep reading Holes. We will discuss Holes 21-30 on Wednesday and then 31-40 on Friday. I will give you a vocabulary test on Friday.
Finally, 5B--I might be late on Wednesday morning. I have a 6 a.m. flight that gets in to Houstonat 7:30. I should make it to class by 8:30 but please wait for me if I'm late.
Again, I look forward to seeing you in a few days,
HC
I hope everything is going well. I miss you and I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday morning. Until then, I want to remind you about going to Call Lab in the morning tomorrow (Monday) to do your student evaluations. Please make sure to be on time for this. It is very important for your teachers and the LCC to receive your feedback so that we can continue to improve the program in the future.
Also, I understand that you are a few days behind on the schedule. Consequently, we will begin presentations on Thursday. On Wednesday I will talk to you about what's expected and give you help if you need it. Please think about what you're planning to do.
Please keep reading Holes. We will discuss Holes 21-30 on Wednesday and then 31-40 on Friday. I will give you a vocabulary test on Friday.
Finally, 5B--I might be late on Wednesday morning. I have a 6 a.m. flight that gets in to Houstonat 7:30. I should make it to class by 8:30 but please wait for me if I'm late.
Again, I look forward to seeing you in a few days,
HC
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