Saturday, April 09, 2022

My New Uni- Keio University

Keio University Hiyoshi Campus
Hello everyone! Welcome to English 4. We will use a Google Document this year. Please click the link to access the document: 
English 4: Exploring Social Issues Through Literature


 

Saturday, September 07, 2019

BrELT On the Road 2019 Workshop

Thank you for attending my workshop in Brasilia. I have made a dropbox folder in order to share some resources with you. Here's the link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/emvhbvwoi0lurvm/AACyCNgi-cDnvuMJnQQfy9-7a?dl=0

Please let me know what you thought of the workshop. Please leave a comment.

Tuesday, April 09, 2019

A New Academic Year at Hakuoh University begins!

Hello Hakuoh University students. I'm delighted to have you in my class.
Today we are going to get started with a new Learning Management System (LMS 学習管理システムcalled Schoology, which we will use every class.





First, you need to register (登録). Please click the link: https://app.schoology.com/register.php 


Next, I'm going to give you a course code. Enter the course code, and then fill in the form. After that, check your e-mail. You will have a new e-mail from Schoology. Open the message and click the link. Now you are registered for Schoology.

Next time, go here https://www.schoology.com/ and log in to Schoology.

Tuesday, January 08, 2019

Monday, April 09, 2018

My New Uni - Hakuoh University: Let's get started!

Hello Hakuoh University students. I'm delighted to have you in my class.
Today we are going to get started with a Learning Management System (LMS 学習管理システムcalled Coursebase, which we will use every class.

First, you need to register (登録). Please click the link: https://app.coursebase.co/#/register/student

Next, look at the image on the left. Fill in the form like this. Then click the blue button.

After that, check your e-mail. You will have a new e-mail from Coursebase. Open the message and click the link. Now you are registered for Coursebase.

Finally, I'm going to give you a course code. After you join the course, you can download the course outline, and get started.

Whenever you want to login to Coursebase, just come back to this blog and click this link: https://app.coursebase.co 




Monday, October 20, 2014

CE-II Autumn 2014: The New Semester Begins!

Water drop impact on a water-surface - (1) Hello everyone, welcome back!
Today we are going to start our next unit of study. We are going to study....water.
First, lets study some vocabulary. Please click the link: Cross Cultural Awareness and English 2.
This semester we are going to use the manaba learning management system. You can find all the course documents on manaba, and you will use manaba to do tests and assignments. You will also receive course news and announcements from manaba.
Please log into manaba and download the course outline. Next, please check out the other resources I have uploaded for you, and finally please do the quiz I've made for you.


That's all for today.
See you next week!

Tuesday, October 07, 2014

Integrated English II for Art & Design Majors (Class B) and Life and Environmental Science Majors (Class C1): Welcome Back!

Hello everyone, welcome back! I hope you enjoyed the summer.

Today we are going to begin the second half of our course.

This semester we will read two detective stories. For the first half of the semester we will read Death on U Street, the second story in our textbook, Fiction in Action - Whodunit. Death on U Street is another story featuring Detective Ellie Koo. I'm sure you will enjoy it very much. Just like last semester, there will be a quiz after each chapter.

In the second half of the course we will read The Sign of Four, which is a Sherlock Holmes Story.

First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: Death on U Street Chapter 1 Vocabulary.

Death on U Street is fiction, of course, but U Street is a real street in Washington D.C. You can see U Street in the image below.


View U Street NW, Washington, DC in a larger map

Ok, now let's start reading. Enjoy!

IE-II PhysEd B4 First class of the Autumn Term

Hello everyone,
welcome back! I hope you enjoyed the summer holiday. This semester we are going to talk about sports in general, and health and fitness. Today's topic is the Olympics. Let's start with some vocabulary study. Please click the link: IE-II PhysEd Vocabulary.



Now please log in to manaba. Please download the handouts for today's class. Now let's listen to an English teacher called Sean Banville talk about his favourite sports. Please click the link: ListenAMinute.com Sport.
That's all for today. We'll do a quiz about today's class next time. See you next week.

Wednesday, October 01, 2014

The University of Tsukuba Autumn Semester 2014 Classes Begin!

Hello everyone,
I hope you enjoyed your summer.
This semester I have four new classes. You will have to register for your courses on manaba today. Please click the link, log in,  and register for your course on manaba. After you have registered for the course, please click the resources tab and download your course outline.
Next, if you have not registered for Quizlet, please click the link and register. After that please join your class on Quizlet. Please click the appropriate link below:



Seminar on English Writing for Academic Purposes I

Seminar on English Writing for Academic Purposes II

Students in the Seminar on English Presentation for Academic Purposes please click the following link: Presentation 1 Welcome

That's all for today. See you next week!

Friday, September 26, 2014

Shibaura Institute of Technology Autumn 2014 Classes - Joining Coursebase

Hello everyone,
Last week I introduced you to the courses you will be taking this semester, and you learned how to register for Quizlet, and how to use it. Now we are going to start learning the content of the courses, but first we need to register for Coursebase, a Learning Management System (LMS), or 学習管理システム in Japanese. An LMS is a software application that helps us organise the content of an e-learning course. OK, let's get started!

Friday, September 19, 2014

Shibaura Institute of Technology Autumn 2014 Classes Begin!

Hello everyone!

Today I'm going to introduce you to the course you are taking this semester and then we will start using an online vocabulary learning tool called Quizlet.

Please click the link to your course outline below.




TOEIC I-B

English Communication I

Writing I-B

OK, now let's sign up for Quizlet. Please click the link: quizlet.com


Next, click "Sign Up", then follow the instructions to register.

Finally, click the link for your course below.

TOEIC I-B

English Communication I

Writing I-B

Now let's have some fun studying vocabulary. Click the "Class lists" tab, then click the link to your class' vocabulary list.
Enjoy!


Thursday, September 18, 2014

Toyo Gakuin University Autumn 2014 Classes Begin!


Welcome back everyone!
This semester we are going to have our classes in a computer room. We are going to have our classes in a computer room so that we can use some cool online applications. The first one we will use is Quizlet. Please click the link to download "Getting Started with Quizlet Togaku 2014" Follow the instructions. Register (登録する) for Quizlet.



Please link the link for your class below:

応用英語I-2B

基礎英語4B

Now let's start learning some vocabulary using Quizlet. Look at the picture below. Go to this page in Quizlet. Click CiC Unit 4 (Skills)



That's all for today. Next week we will start practicing a conversation about the skills we have.
See ya!

Thursday, August 07, 2014

The University of Tsukuba Web 2.0 Workshop for Japanese Secondary School Teachers 2014

Web 1.0 vs Web 2.0

Hello everyone, Welcome to the University of Tsukuba, and welcome to our workshop. Here's what we will do today.

Part 1: 10:45-12:15


  1. Introductions and team building
  2. Survey - I will ask you to do a survey in order to help me understand your technical expertise, interests and needs. The survey will introduce you to a great tool called Survey Monkey
  3. A brief introduction to Web 2.0
  4. Some examples of some work my students have done

Part 2: 1:30-3:00


  1. Hands on practice using Google drive. 


Part 3: 3:15-4:45


  1. Hands on practice using Quizlet
  2. An overview of some other online applications
  3. Closing Discussion


So then, let's get to know each other. Please click the link to see a presentation I have made using an online application called Voicethread. As you watch the presentation please do the quiz.

The first Web 2.0 tool I used was this blog. I started it when I was teaching at Kanto International High School (関東国際高等学校).  Please click the link to see some projects my students and I did at Kanto International High School.

Now let's look at some projects that I've done with students at various universities. Please click the links to see the projects.

Toyo Gakuen University Projects
Shibaura Institute of Technology Projects
The University of Tsukuba Projects

You can see a Google Document I've made about Google Drive by clicking the link. Here's another prcatice quiz I made.
Next, click the link to go to an Introduction to Quizlet.
Finally, if you are interested in reading more about Web 2.0 you can find some articles in my shared Web 2.0 Workshop 2013-08-01 Folder on Dropbox.


I hope that this workshop has been enjoyable and useful. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me on stout.michael.ga@u.tsukuba.ac.jp

Wednesday, July 02, 2014

Writing 2 Spring 2014 Weeks 11 & 12: Task 3 - The Comparative Essay

Hello everyone, Today we are going to write the first draught of our comparative essay. First, let's watch a video made by an American student in Nagasaki called Hannah. Take notes as you watch the video, and answer the questions below.

 


  1. What were the two housing options Hannah had to choose from?
  2. What problem did Hannah have before she went to Nagasaki?
  3. What does Hannah say about the pros and cons (賛否両論) of living in the girls' dorm at Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies?
  4. What are the good points and the bad points about the dorm cafeteria?
  5. What does Hanna say about the office staff?
  6. What facilities does the dorm have?
  7. How does Hannah's dorm room in Japan compare to the dorm room she had in America?
  8. What does she love about living in the dorm?
  9. Why didn't she choose a homestay?
  10. What questions do you have for Hannah? Write one and post it as a comment on her YouTube Channel.


OK, now start writing! Write a four-paragraph comparative essay about two types of housing. Your essay should be at least 300 words long. Please submit your essay to my mailbox on the 4th floor of the Foreign Language Centre by Wednesday 9th July at noon.                
Enjoy!

Presentation 2 Spring 2014 Weeks 11-15: Your Third and Final Presentation





Hello everyone,
Today we are going to begin the third and final presentation. This presentation will also be a group presentation. You can do the third presentation with the same group that you did the second presentation.

Last year I asked the students who took this course with me for some feedback. Most of them said that they would have liked to have had the freedom to choose the topic of their presentation, so I've decided to let you choose the topic of this presentation. So here are the guide lines for your project:


  1. The presentation must have a title slide, an introduction slide, a conclusion slide and a slide listing the sources of your research. Each member of the group must make at least 3 slides. Therefore your presentation should have between 10 - 20 slides, depending on whether your group has 2, 3, or 4 members. 
  2. The narration for each slide should be at least 100 words. 
  3. Your slides should use images, video and audio. You can also use the drawing function on Voicethread.
  4. There sound be very little text on your slides.
  5. You should explain why you chose the topic that you chose in your introduction 
The rest is up to you. Use your imagination. Be creative. Take risks. Have fun.

Tuesday, July 01, 2014

Integrated English I for Art & Design Majors (Class B) and Life and Environmental Science Majors (Class C1): Week 8: Chapter 6 Quiz


Well everyone, this is the last class of the semester. Today we'll review Chapter 6 and do the last quiz.

Let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: The Inverted Eagle Chapter 6 Vocabulary.

Now with your group please review Chapter 6. You can see a complete mind map of the suspects by clicking the link.

I hope you enjoyed the story. we will read the second story Death on U Street next semester.

Have a nice summer!

Integrated English 1 for Physical Education Majors B4 Week 8: Last Class



Hello everyone,

Well, we've come to the end of this semester. I hope you enjoyed reading about Paul Kariya. This biography was published in 2000. At that time Kariya was still playing in Anaheim. Later, he played in Colorado, Nashville, and St. Louis. His career ended early because of all the concussions he suffered. Concussions are a big problem in sports, especially hockey. In the video above you can see the bone-crushing hit Kariya took from Scott Stevens of the New Jersey Devils during the Stanley Cup Final. Hits like this caused Kariya to suffer concussions and shortened his career.

OK, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link:  IE-I PE (B4) Vocabulary.

Finally, please make sure you have finished all the quizzes, and your assignments on Chieru.

Have a nice summer. See you in October!

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Integrated English I for Art & Design Majors (Class B) and Life and Environmental Science Majors (Class C1): Week 7: Chapter 5 Quiz

Hello everyone,

Today we are going to review Chapter 5 and then do the Chapter 5 quiz. First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: The Inverted Eagle Chapter 5 Vocabulary.

Here's a good summary of Chapter 5 by Karenne Sylvester's student Martina R. in Germany.

Chapter 5 – Family Secrets

Ellie had a daughter. When Ellie investigated a hot case and needed a lot of time, Sofia –  her daughter – stayed sometimes at her neighbor.

Ellie talked again with Allison. The daughter of the Reed´s didn´t believe that Miguel was a criminal. Ellie discussed again with Allison about the relationship between both and checked the schedule last night. Allison had an advantage, her diary, in which Ellie found the proof that Allison told the truth.

Later Ellie decided to check the bedroom of the Reeds once again and she found new findings.

OK, please read the last chapter and find out whodunit!

Integrated English 1 for Physical Education Majors B4 Week 7: Paul Kariya Chapter 5

Hello everyone,

Well, we're almost done. Today we'll finish the Paul Kariya biography. First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: IE-I PE (B4) Vocabulary.

Now let's finish reading the book, and do the quiz on manaba.

Enjoy!

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Writing 2 Spring 2014 Weeks 8-10: Preparing to Write a Comparative Essay

Hello everyone,

Today we are going to start our next writing task, a comparative essay. Look at the diagram on the left. This is a floor plan from Laurier Hall at the University of Windsor. The University of Windsor is my alma mater. In my first year, I lived in MacDonald Hall, across the way from Laurier Hall, in a room exactly like this. The room was very small, about 4 metres long and only about 3 and a half metres wide. Can you believe that two people lived in this room for a whole year? To make matters even more difficult, my room mates was a slob. I was very neat and tidy in those days. You can see a panoramic view of a room in MacDonald Hall by clicking the link.



Do you live in one of the dorms on campus? How does your room compare to this room?
Now let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: Academic Word List.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Writing 1 Spring 2014 Week 8: The Essay (Part 2)

Red Pen
Hello everyone,
Well, we've come to the end of the course. Today I will return the first draught of your essay to you. Please write your second and final draught and submit it to my mailbox on the 4th floor of the Foreign Language Centre by the 25th of June. Also, please post your essay to our class writing blog. Finally, please read one essay and at least 3 more posts by your classmates, and leave comments on each - that's a total of four comments.
Thanks for being a great class. I hope to see you around campus in the future.

Presentation 1 Spring 2014 Week 8: Final Presentations

Hello everyone,
Well, we've come to the end of the course. Today you will do your final presentations. Thank you for being such a great class. i really enjoyed teaching you. I think your confidence and your presentation skills have improved a lot.

Your final assignment is to write a report about your learning experience in this class. Your report should be at least 300 words. Please include the following points:


  • The things you liked about the course
  • The things that you didn't like about the course
  • How much, or how little you think your English has improved
  • How much or how little your confidence has improved
  • How useful you think the course was. Do you think you will have to do presentations in English in the future?
  • What you plan to do in order to retain the skills you have learned in the course.
Please submit your report by e-mail. The deadline for your report is the 25th of June.
Thanks again and good luck in the future.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Integrated English I for Art & Design Majors (Class B) and Life and Environmental Science Majors (Class C1): Week 6: Chapter 4 Quiz




Hello everyone!
Today we are going to review Chapter 4 and do the Chapter 4 quiz.
Look at the image above. The image is a mind map showing the suspects, their motives and their lies. Using information from the mind map, make notes in your Detectives Notebook.

Let's review some vocabulary from Chapter 4. Please click this link: Inverted Eagle Chapter 4.

Next week we will review Chapters 5. We will also do the Chapters 5 quiz. Please read Chapter 5 and solve the puzzle. Also, don't forget to make good notes in your Detectives' Note Book.
Enjoy!

Integrated English 1 for Physical Education Majors B4 Week 6: Paul Kariya Chapter 4


Hello everybody, Today we are going to review Chapter 4 of our Paul Kariya biography and do a test. First, let's study some vocabulary using Quizlet. Please click the link: IE-I PE (B4) Vocabulary.

The video above was made by a Paul Kariya fan. I hope you enjoy it.
See you next week.

Monday, June 09, 2014

Cross Cultural Awareness and English Spring 2014 Week 7: Love and Marriage in Japan

Wedding couple Hello everyone.

Well this is the last class before the final test. You can download your study guide by clicking the link.  

Today we are going to talk about love and marriage in Japan. The material for today's lesson was written by two University of Tsukuba students. Click the link to download the handout.

Now let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: Cross Cultural Awareness and English 1 Vocabulary.    

Next, let's start the project. Your project is due on 30 June. Please submit your project by e-mail.

Enjoy!

                    

Thursday, June 05, 2014

Writing 2 Spring 2014 Week 7: Writing a Personal Narrative Part 3

[108/366] Pen to PaperHello everyone,
Today we are going to start writing our second task. In order to prepare for that we will learn how to identify omissions (省略、削除、切り捨て、脱落), and how to use details to make the story more enjoyable to the reader. After that, we'll learn how to identify digressions (脇道), and get rid of them. We'll also learn how to identify and use the past perfect tense. First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: Academic Word List.



OK, let's get started. Please submit the first draught of your second assignment to my mailbox in the Foreign Language Centre by next Wednesday 11th June at 3 pm.
Enjoy writing!