基礎英吾1A Writing Task 6: Comparing and contrasting two cities

Hello everyone!
Today we are going to start our last task for this semester. We are going to compare and contrast two cities.Look at the two pictures below. What do you see? What is the same? What is different?

Nuremberg, Germany

Kinugawa Onsen, Japan

You can get some more ideas for your paragraph from, our posterous class blog. Please click here: Togaku Basic English 1 Writing

Enjoy!!!

Toyo Gakuen University 応用英語1-2A Reading - Short story writing project

Hello everyone!
Today we are going to do a small project about The Inverted Eagle. You are going to write a short story about what happens to your favourite character after the events in The Inverted Eagle. I will send your stories to Adam Gray and Marcos Benevides. They will choose the 3 best stories and I will publish those stories on this blog!

First let's study some vocabulary. Click this link: Inverted Eagle Chapter 6 Vocabulary.

Next, please download the worksheet below. Follow the steps and write your story.
Enjoy!

英語総合1A Global Issues Unit 8 Communication Styles

Hello everyone,
Today we are going to talk about communication styles.
First, let's review some vocabulary. Please click the link: 英語総合1A Vocabulary.

I think you'll be surprised to learn that some people have a different communication style than you might expect. How about you, do you have a reserved, expressive, or flexible communication style? Please post a comment below.

Introduction to Business English 1A 2011 Unit 6 Sales

Hello everyone, Hope you had a great week-end.

Today we are going to do Unit 6 Sales. We will also start our presentation project.
First, let's study some vocabulary. Click here to see your vocabulary flashcards: Introduction to Business English 1A.

Look at the picture to the left. Where is this store? What do you know about this company. Talk to your partner.

Now read the read the article on page 52 of your textbook.

Now let's look at our sales presentation project task sheet.




Click here to download your task sheet: http://www.box.net/shared/tl4xrg86jg

Please start writing your script for homework. We will learn presentation skills next week.
Enjoy!

応用英語１－２Ａ Reading Chapter 6 Review

Hello everyone!
Today we are going to review Chapter 6. First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click this link: Inverted Eagle Chapter 6 vocabulary.  After that, review your detective's notebook. Add new words from chapter 6

Now let's look at our suspects mindmap. I have added the final suspect, Nancy Reed. Click the image below to make it bigger. Nancy Reed is now red. Her lies and motives are in large bold letters. Add the information to your detective's notebook.

The Suspect #3

Now let's review Martina R's summary of The Inverted Eagle on Kalingo English. Now write your final report in your detective's notebook.
Next week I'll give you a study guide for the final exam.
Finally, please write a message to the authors of your textbook, Marcos Benevides and Adam Gray. Tell them what you thought of the textbook. Post your message as a comment below.

英語総合1A Global Issues Unit 7 Politeness

Hello everyone!

Today we are going to start talking about politiness. Everyone thinks that their culture is the most polite. Canadians are very proud of their reputation for politeness. Japanese also take pride in their reputation for politeness. However, politeness is "a culturally-defined phenomenon" Behaviour that is polite in one culture may be eccentric or even rude in another. This makes politeness very difficult in international situations.

OK, now let's review some vocabulary. Please click the link: 英語総合1A Vocabulary.

What is politiness in your culture? Please leave a comment below.

基礎英吾1A Writing Task 5: My future goals

Hello everyone! I hope you had a nice weekend.

To begin today's lesson let's practice typing. Please click the link and play Air Typer .
Now, let's review some vocabulary. Please click this link: Togaku 英単４.
Next, please look at your first draft of Task 4. Look at the error codes I've marked on your paper, then rewrite the paper.
Now, let's begin our next task, "My future goals".First, let's brainstorm some ideas. Make a mind map of things you would like to do in the future. look at the example below. The mind map shows my future goals.




Please submit Task 5 by e-mail by next Friday.
Enjoy!

Introduction to Business English 1A 2011 Unit 4 Travel Review and Unit 5 Food and Entertaining

Hello everyone,

I hope you had a great week-end.
Today we are going to review Unit 4 Travel and start Unit 5 Food and Entertaining.
First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click this link: Introduction to Business English 1A Vocabulary
Now let's look at this task from Sue Lyon-Jones of ESOL Courses in Liverpool, England. Please click this link: Reading for Information - City Breaks Reading Quiz
Now let's do some tasks from our textbook. Please turn to page 42. 
Finally, what kind of restaurants do you enjoy going to. Please leave a comment below.

応用英語I-2A Reading 2011 Lesson 2:Chapter 5

Hello everyone!
Well we are almost finished the story. In chapter 5 we discover some new suspects. look at the mind map on the left. The two new suspects are shown in red. Make a note in your Detective's notebook of the new suspects. Write down their motives and lies.



Next, let's review some vocabulary. Please click this link: Inverted Eagle Chapter 5.
Finally, have you changed your mind? Who do you think is the guilty person now? Tell us in a comment below.

英語総合1A Global Issues Unit 6: Individualism and Midterm Exam Study Guide

Hello everyone! Today we are going to talk about Individualism. Next week is the Mid-term Exam. Please look at your study guide below.
The test covers units 1-5 pp. 2-21. The test has 3 sections.

Section 1: Vocabulary (10 points). Study the vocabulary in your study guides

· 6 matching questions J-E

· 4 fill-in the blank questions

Section 2: Remembering information from the textbook (12 points).

· 5 short answer questions (write 2 or 3 words)

· 1 chose the true statement question.

Important points to remember:

• Visible cultural differences
• Hidden cultural differences
• Values
• Keys to overcoming culture shock
• Things that increase culture shock
• Words and phrases that express Japanese culture
• Things needed for an international career.

Section 3: Demonstrating an understanding of the information in the textbook (8 points)

· 2 long answer questions (4 or 5 sentences) In this section you will have to express your feelings about one of the topics in units 1-5. Remember that your reason is most important.

Now let's study some vocabulary on Quizlet. Please click this link: 英語総合1A

Study hard! and Good luck!!

応用英語１－２Ａ Reading Midterm Exam and Chapter 5 Preview

Good morning everyone!
Today we are going to go the midterm exam. First we will do some review. Then we'll do the exam. Finally we'll preview Chapter 5. First, let's review some vocabulary. Click the link: Inverted Eagle Chapters 1-3 Review.

Look at the mind map below. It shows the suspects, their motives, and their lies. Look at the mind map and make notes in your detective's notebook.

Now let's preview Chapter 5.  Please click this link: Inverted Eagle Chapter 5 Vocabulary
Please read Chapter 5, and do the puzzle. See you next week!

英語総合1A Global Issues Unit 5: Body Language and Customs

Hello everyone! Today we have another fascinating topic. Today's topic is body language and customs. Please look at the picture to the left. Yasuko-san is making the Japanese gesture for "me". Do you know the Canadian gesture for "me"? In Canada we point to our hearts to gesture "me".  Gestures are different from place to place. You can learn more by reading this wikipedia article. You can learn about Canadian etiquette and body language by reading this article. Also you can see many examples of gestures by looking at photos in this flickr group: Hand Signals and Gestures

Now let's study some vocabulary on Quizlet. Please click this link: 英語総合1A

Next let's do the tasks in our text book.

Finally, please describe your favourite gesture, and tell us what it means. Please post your comment below.

基礎英語1A Basic English Writing Lesson 8

Hello everyone! I hope you had a nice weekend.

To begin today's lesson let's practice typing. Please click the link and play Air Typer . Now, let's review some vocabulary. Please click this link: Togaku 英単４. Let's review some grammar. Please click this link: Compound Nouns, Countable/Uncountable Nouns.

Next, let's edit Task 3. Please look at the style sheet below.

Style Sheet

Your e-mail and your document should be formatted like the images shown in the style sheet. Click "Fullscreen" to make the document bigger. Look at your Task 3 document.  Is your document formatted correctly? Now look at the Writing Error Codes document below.

Writing Error Codes

Now please edit your Task 3 paragraph - My Worst Experience.
Finally, let's begin our next writing task. Task 4 is "My favourite place to go shopping". Let's brainstorm some ideas. Make a mind map of your ideas, then write a first draft of your paragraph. Submit your Task 4 paragraph by e-mail.
Have fun. See you on Friday!

Introduction to Business English 1A 2011 Lesson 8: Unit 4 Travel and Midterm Study Guide

Hi everyone,
Today we are going to learn about travel. We are going to practice listening for information, making bookings, and checking arrangements. First, please take a look at the picture below. You can see some funny English signs while travelling everywhere in the world. The picture below was taken in Budapest, Hungary. There are three mistakes, one is a grammar mistake and the other two mistakes are vocabulary usage (単語の用法) mistakes. Can you find the mistakes?

"Out of Work" uploaded to Flickr by tm-tm on 20 September 2009

OK, now let's learn some vocabulary. Please click this link: Introduction to Business English 1a .

Now let's do the tasks in the textbook. If you finish a task quickly, you can go on to the next task, or you can do some independent learning using the links below:

• More vocabulary flashcards and games on quizlet: Travel English E-J
• Speaking practice on English Central: Hotels: Checking in, and Hotels: Guest services.

Finally, the midterm exam is next class: 14th June. Please use the study guide below to help you prepare for the midterm exam.

Mid-term Exam Study Guide

The exam covers Units 1,2,3, and 4, pp. 6-40 (テストの範囲は ユニト1-4　です).  The exam will include listening, reading and writing.

• Do Unit 4 on the self-study CD ROM
• Study the Introduction to Business English 1A Vocabulary flashcards on Quizlet.
• Study the writing file on p.130

Good Luck!!!

応用英語１－２Ａ Reading Midterm Exam Study Guide.

Illustration by Yuji Tachikawa. Some Rights Reserved CC 1.0

Hello everyone!
Today we will review Chapter 4 and do the Chapter 4 quiz. After that we'll prepare for the midterm exam. The midterm exam is next Friday, the 10th of June. The midterm exam's range is Chapters 1,2, and 3. The midterm exam has two parts: vocabulary and comprehension. Please study the following:

• Crime Talk p.7. You should write these words in your Detective's Notebook. Please include the word's type (POS; 品詞), the word's meaning, and a sample sentence from your story.
• The illustrations and graphic organisers on pp. 11, 12, 26, and 35.
• The chapter puzzles and chapter reviews on pp. 16-19, 28-31, and 38-41

You should also be sure to note the important facts in each chapter in your Detective's Notebook. Some important facts are marked in the story with a figure print like the figure print in the picture below.

From Whodunit. ABAX CC1.0 Some Rights Reserved

OK, let's study some vocabulary. Click this link: Inverted Eagle Chapter 4. Now let's review the vocabulary from Chapters 1-3.

Good Luck!

英語総合1A Global Issues Unit 4：Culture in Language

Hello everyone!
Today we are going to talk about culture in language.

First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click this link: 英語総合1A Vocabulary.






Some of the most common expressions we use reflect our culture. For example, "Keep your stick on the ice!" is a Canadian expression that means, "Always be ready!" This expression reflects the importance of hockey in Canadian culture.
What are some common expressions in your language that reflect your country's culture? Please write a comment below, but please don't use language inappropriate to a classroom or business setting.

基礎英吾1A Basic English Writing Lesson 7

Hello everyone! I hope you had a nice weekend.


To begin today's lesson let's practice typing. Let's practice typing with some new games. Please click the links and play Alpha Attack and Air Typer
 
Now, let's review some vocabulary. Please click this link: NDSU English Japanese Word list 1.

Next, check MYAM's Class Blog. Read the reply to the comments that you posted last week, and write another comment.

Finally, let's review the past continuous. Click this link American Headway Unit 3 Past Continuous.

Toyo Gakuen University Introduction to Business English 1A Lesson 7: Unit 3 Case Study

Hello everyone!

Today we are going to do the case study at the end of Unit 3. Unit 3 is about problems.

Watch the video.



What problems did Mr. Bean have on holiday?

Next, let's review some vocabulary. Click this link: TYG Introduction to Business English A Vocabulary.

Stating the problem, making a complaint, and finding solutions are all important skills in business. Today you will practice these skills by doing the case study on pages 28,29 of your textbook.

After you finish post a comment. Have you ever had trouble on a holiday? Have you ever had a problem with a product you bought? Tell us about it.

応用英吾I-2A 2011Chapter 3 Review

Hi everyone! Today we are going to review Chapter 3.

Illustration by Yuji Tachikawa. CC V1.0 Some rights reserved

First, let's review some vocabulary. Click this link: Inverted Eagle Chapter 3 Vocabulary.

Now let's read a great summary of Chapter 3 by Martina R., a student in Stuttgart, Germany:

Chapter 3 – The Hospital

The first lie: Judith told Ellie that she lied concerning the combination of the wall safe, she gave the numbers to Kevin. Because of her age, Judith forgot, that she also gave the combination to Miguel. After this, Ellie wanted to hear the whole story. Judith started to tell the story which had begun a month ago with the purchase of a beautiful stamp.

At the end of the conversation between Ellie and Judith Reed, Yokota, a colleague of Ellie, and Kevin entered the room. Ellie saw Kevin and she accused him of lying to her.

The next steps: Elle checked the stories of the involved people and wanted to search the house from the top to bottom.

After that, Ellie drove to the hospital where Evan and Nancy Reed were staying. Nancy was sleeping  and Even was telephoning someone with his cell phone. Ellie stopped in front of the door and tried to understand the call between Evan and the other person. The words (which) she heard were “Brian … investors …. excited about the project – to get money together”. Some / a few seconds after the  call, Ellie went into the room and introduced herself to the Reeds. Then she told the Reeds a part of her investigation. It was surprising, that Evan accused his son of committing the robbery, because the Reeds wanted that Kevin tried to find a job and they had informed him that they were stopping his monthly allowance. Later, Ellie asked the Reeds to describe the occurrences which happened last night separately?

At the end of the Chapter, Yokota called Ellie and told her that there might be a new motive ….

You can read Martina's entire review of  The Inverted Eagle on Karenne Sylvester's great blog Kalinago English.

Finally, please post a comment. Who do you think  dunit?

英語総合1A Global Issues Unit ３：Culture Shock

Hello everyone,
Today we are going to start Unit 3: Culture Shock.
First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click this link: 英語総合1A Vocabulary.
Now, let's talk about culture shock. Have you ever experienced culture shock? What happened? If not, what you do think would cause culture shock? Please leave a comment below.

基礎英吾1A Basic English Writing Lesson 6

Hello everyone! I hope you had a nice weekend.

Today we are going to study vocabulary; comment on blog posts by students at another university in Chiba; learn how to use the words "for", "during" and "while"; and start our next task - a story about a bad experience.

First, let's review some vocabulary. Please click this link: NDSU English Japanese Word list 1.

Now, let's read some blog posts written by students at Chiba University of Commerce. Click this link: MYAM's Class Blog.

Next let's begin our next task. Click the link to read some stories by students at Shibaura Institute of Technology. Your next task is to write a story of about 150 words. The story should be about a bad experience you had.
See you Friday!

Introduction to Business English 1A Lesson 6

Hi, today we are going to start Unit 3: Problems. In this unit we will learn how to report a business problem, how to complain, and how to solve a business problem.

Image by lumaxart www.lumaxart.com/

Let' s start with a video. Please click this link: http://mrstoutsblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/learn-english-22-complaining.html.

Now let's study some vocabulary. Please click this link: Introduction to Business English 1A

OK, now please post a comment below. Tell me a problem that you have in this class..

応用英語I-2A Reading 2011 Chapter 2 Review and Chapter 3 Preview

Hello everyone,
Today we are going to review Chapter 2 and preview Chapter 3. Let's start by studying some vocabulary.

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards | Study stories flash cards

Now let's review the scene of the crime. Look at the mind map below.

Don't forget to make notes in your Detective's Notebook.
Now let's do the quiz. Good luck!

Toyo Gakuen University Extension Centre Class: Live from Oxford & Django Reinhart

Hi!
I've posted some listening materials for you from today's lesson.

Click the link  below to listen to the Live from Oxford interview. People in Oxford talk about their ideal summer.
Live from Oxford: Ideal summer | Onestopenglish

Now here's a video of Django Reinhart playing "Nagasaki". Enjoy!

英語総合1A Global Issues Unit ２：Values

Hello everyone,
Today we wil finish studying unit 1. After that, we will start studying unit 2.

First let's learn some vocabulary. Look at the flashcards below.

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards

Finally, what are your values? Please leave a comment below.
See you next week!

基礎英語1A Basic English Writing Lesson 5

Hello everyone! I hope you had a great weekend.

Today we are going to review vocabulary, learn how to organise a paragraph using order of importance, and learn about descriptive adjectives and synonyms (同義語). Then we are going to our class blog and we are going to answer our classmates questions about the places we'd like to visit.

First, let's review some vocabulary. Please click this link: NDSU English Japanese Word list 1.

You can find synonyms in a thesaurus. Click this link: Visual Thesaurus. How many words have almost the same meaning as "great"? Type the descriptive adjectives on p. 101 of your textbook. Make a note of all the synonyms you find.

Now let's go to our class blog. Please Click the link:

Togaku Basic English 1 Writing.

Read the questions that your classmates asked. Answer the questions.

Don't forget to keep on tweeting. see you Friday!

Introduction to Business English 1A Lesson 5: Unit 2 Case Study

Hi, today we are going to do the case study on p.21 of our textbook. In the case study you will learn how to do problem solving.


First, let's review some vocabulary. Click this link:
Introduction to Business English 1A Vocabulary.

Now let's review some grammar. Please click this link: Present Simple Verbs.

Finally, post your writing assignment as a comment below.
Enjoy!

英語総合1A Global Issues Unit 1: Identity

Hello everyone! I hope you had a great Golden Week. Today we start Unit 1 in our textbook. The topic is Identity.  After we do the tasks in the textbook we'll watch a video.

This is a video conversation between Sarah of the Daily English Show and a man called Achille. Achille was born in Quebec. Therefore, his mother tongue was French. He moved to the United States. Achille's experience was very interesting.
Watch the video. What do you think of Achille's experience? How do you think you would feel if your second language became your main language and you were unable to express yourself easily in your mother tongue? Post your answer as a comment below.

基礎英語1A Basic English Writing Lesson 4

Hello everyone, I hope you enjoyed the weekend. I enjoyed the weekend very much. I especially enjoyed tweeting with you. You can see an example of a twitter conversation I had this weekend. Look at the picture below.

Let's go to Twitter now. I made a list for our class. You can see the feed on the right side of this blog. Please click "Join the conversation". Now click the user name of one of your classmates. Then click "Follow". Finally, reply to one of your classmates' tweets.

I know some of you were studying vocabulary on Quizlet too. Let's study some more vocabulary. Please click this link: Togaku 英単 Set 3.

Now let's continue learning about paragraphs.
Don't forget to keep tweeting, and to write replies to your classmates' posts on our Posterous blog.
Your homework is to write about a place that you would like to visit. you should post your paragraph on our Posterous blog. Post to our groovy blog by e-mailing togakuwriting@posterous.com You should include a picture. You can use one of my pictures if you like. You can see them here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_sensei/sets/?&page=1

See you Friday!

Introduction to Business English 1A Lesson 4

Photo by Eric Miller originally uploaded to flickr by World Economic Forum

Hello! Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed your weekend.
Today we are going to start Unit 2. First, look at the photo. Do you know this man? With a partner answer these questions:

1. What is this man's name?
2. What is his job?
3. Where is he from?
4. Where is his office?

Now let's learn some vocabulary. Click this link: Introduction to Business English 1A
Now let's do the tasks in Unit 2 of our textbook.
Finally, click comment below. Write a paragraph about yourself. Describe your daily routine. You can see some examples here:
http://mrstoutsblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/toyo-gakuen-university-introduction-to.html

Homework

* Read p.21. Prepare for the case study
* Do Unit 2 on your self-study CD ROM.

Class Rules 2011

Well, another academic year has begun. Every year I negotiate the class rules with some of my classes. This year some of the rules are very interesting.

Some of my favourite rules for the students are:

• We should make eye contact with each other
• We shouldn't be shy
• We should love Michael
• We must always maintain a passionate attitude
• We should laugh at the teacher's jokes
• We should take pride in the things we do

I was especially impressed that the students seemed to understand my explanation about eye contact and why it was important. I was also very happy to know that they wanted to take pride in the things they do. I think that is very important. Finally, I hope it is easy for them to laugh at my jokes.

Some of my favourite rules for me are:

• Our teacher must love us.
• Our teacher must get in shape
• Our teacher shouldn't lose weight
• Our teacher should tell a joke every lesson
• Our teacher should change his alarm sound
• Our teacher must finish this class 3 minutes early
• Our teacher should try to make explanations interesting

Many of the rules for me made me laugh. There was much laughter in all these first classes. I hope that there is always a lot of laughter in our classes. I think laughter is important.

I hope you'll leave a comment or a question.

Cheers!!

応用英語I-2A Reading 2011 Lesson 2:Chapter 1

Hi!
Last lesson we learned how to bookmark a website. Let's bookmark another useful website. Click this link: space alc . Next let's review the new words we learned last lesson. Click this link: Inverted Eagle Crime Talk Vocabulary.
Ok, now, let's do the tasks in Chapter 1 and learn how to use the Detectives Notebook. There will be a quiz next week. Be sure to make good notes in your Dectective's notebook. Also you can review Chapter 1 here: http://mrstoutsblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/1-2a-reading-lesson-3the-inverted-eagle.html
Have a nice week-end!

基礎英語4 Basic English Writing Lesson 3

Hello everyone,
Today we are going to learn about writing topic sentences, and supporting sentences. We'll learn about signal words too. First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: Togaku 英単 Set 3. Login in to Quizlet. Click "Learn". Study the words. After that you can play "Skatter" or "Space Race".

Now please read the paragraph below. How many sentences are there in the paragraph? Which sentence is the topic sentence? How many supporting sentences are there in the paragraph? Which sentence is the concluding sentence?

My Life at Shibaura by Hiroaki K.

           (A) I belong to the handball club and the fishing circle. (B) I like fishing. (C) I go fishing sometimes skipping lectures. (D) When I am not in class I go fishing. (E) I am a student of Applied Chemistry. (F) However, I am not so interested in chemistry. (G) I entered this school because there is a fishing circle. (H) I came to this school to fish.

Now do the tasks on your handouts. After we will look at the Hiroaki's paragraph and check the answers to the questions.

Now let's read our posts on our Posterous Blog. Please click the link: Togaku Basic English Writing 

Next look at the picture below. Let's write replies to our classmates' posts.

That's all for today. Have a great Golden Week!

Introduction to Business English 1A Lesson 3

Hi, todays lesson is about describing people. Today we will learn how to describe ourselves and we will learn how to describe others.

First let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: Introduction to Business English 1A Vocabulary

Now let's think about the topic. Look at the picture.
This is Nobuyuki Idei (出井伸之) He is the former CEO of Sony. What kind of company is Sony? Talk about it with your partner. Use your imagination (想像力). Answer the questions below:
1. Is this man rich?
2. How many days a week does this man work?
3. How many hours a day does this man work?
4. What are his interests and hobbies?

Now read the article about Jeffrey Immelt in your textbook. After, do the activities on page 9.

Do you know these famous Japanese CEOs: Masayoshi Son,  Tadashi Yanai,  Akira Mori. Write a description of ONE of these famous Japanese CEOs. Post your description as a comment below.
Have a nice Golden Week!

基礎英吾I-1 Basic English 1 Writing Lesson 2: Introduction to Brainstorming and Blogging

Hello Everyone!
Today we are going to learn about brainstorming (自己研鑽), and we'll learn about blogging. First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: Togaku 英単 Set 3 Login in to Quizlet. Click "Learn". Study the words. After that you can play "Skatter" or "Space Race".
Now look at the picture below. The picture below is a mind map. A mind map is a great way to brainstorm. Now on an A4 size piece of paper make a mind map about you.

Now let's learn about blogging. Last night I sent you a message from Posterous. Please check your inbox now. Look at the picture below. Click the message from me. It's the highlighted message in the picture.

Next, open your e-mail. look at the picture below. Click the first link. Let's see our new group blog. I have posted on the blog. Please read the post.

Please write a comment on my post. Ask me a question.
Next, let's sign up for Twitter. After you sign in, please follow me. My twitter name is @mickstout.
Your homework is to write a self introductory post on our Posterous group blog. You can do it using Gmail, or on the web. Please post your self introduction by next Sunday at 6 pm.
Enjoy Golden Week!

Introduction to Business English 1A Lesson 2

Hello everyone!
Last week we had a very short class. We couldn't make business cards. So let's do it today. Then we can learn how to exchange business cards.
First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: Introduction to Business English 1A Vocabulary Next, click "Learn". After that please play "Scatter".
Now let's make business cards. Please click this link: http://bizcardcreator.com/ After you have designed your business cards please print them, and cut them out.
Now let's watch a video. Watch the video and answer the questions. After that please practice exchanging business cards with your class mates.

Finally, please leave a comment below. Why do you want to take this class?

See you next week!

応用英語I-2A Reading 2011 Lesson 1: Introduction to the course and the textbook - Whodunit?

Hello everyone,
Today we are going to learn about this course, and about the textbook. First let's look at the textbook. The textbook is called Whodunit? What do you think Whodunit means? You can check your answer. Click here for the answer in English and click here for the answer in Japanese.
You can see the cover of the textbook below.

Front cover of Whodunnit by Adam Gray and Marcos Benevides, published by Abax. Some rights reserved.

One of the authors of Whodunit is my friend Marcos Benevides. Mr. Benevides is the man with dark brown hair on the left side. The other author is Adam Gray. Mr. Gray is the man in the middle wearing a silver striped tie. He is standing next to the Duke of Edinburgh (エディンバラ公爵フィリップ王配). Whodunit won the Duke of Edinburgh Award! It's a great book. You'll really enjoy it.

Photo by Roland Kemp

In this course you will read the first story in Whodunit called The Inverted Eagle" and you will do various tasks. After that you will have a quiz. There will be a quiz every week.
You will also use this blog. Let's learn how to subscribe to this blog.
Now let's learn how to use Quizlet.
Please click this link: Introduction to Quizlet (Quizletを始めるにあたって)
We will use Quizlet to learn new vocabulary this semester.
Finally, please leave a comment. Tell me about yourself.
See you next week!

基礎英吾I-1 Basic English 1 Writing Lesson 1: Introduction to the course

Hello everyone. Welcome to Basic English 1 Writing. In todays's lesson we will:

• Get to know each other
• Learn about this course
• Make Class Rules for each other
• Sign up for Gmail
• Subscribe to this blog (このブログを定期的に購読する)
• Learn about Twitter and Quizlet

Please click the link to see some class rules made by other students.

Next please click the link to sign up for Gmail.
Now let's learn about Quizlet.
Let's sign up for Twitter now.
Finally, your homework is to send an e-mail to me introducing yourself. Please send it to me by next Sunday at 6 pm.

Toyo Gakuen University Introduction to Business English 1A Lesson 1

business cards, originally uploaded by Tomasz Stasiuk.

Welcome to Introduction to Business English A. Today's class is a short introduction to the course. The purpose of today's class is to help you decide if you want to take this course, or not. First you will look at the course outline and the text book we will use. Click here to download the course outline: http://www.scribd.com/full/53209606?access_key=key-vv3j8ci6fl1sg4n8w28

Also in today's class we are going to learn how to make business cards. Click this link to make your own business cards: http://bizcardcreator.com/

We will use the internet to learn and practice new words. We will use an online flashcard site called Quizlet to learn and review vocabulary. Click this link to sign up for Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/sign_up/
Now let's review some vocabulary. Click here: http://quizlet.com/user/togaku/

That's all for today. Please bring your business cards to class next week.

Toyo Gakuen University 応用英語I-2B And the winner is...

Well everyone, we have a winner. Before the winter break I asked you to write stories about your favourite characters in Death on U Street. About half of you wrote the stories. I sent the stories to Adam Gray and Marcos Benevides, the authors of your textbook, Fiction in Action: Whodunit. They did not know the names of the students that wrote the stories. They read the stories. Both Mr. Gray and Mr. Benevides liked Michinori's story. Therefore, Michinori is the winner!

Here's what Mr. Gray said about Michinori's story:

"The author remembered that Ellie and Sofia were going to go to Peru and decided to continue the story that way. I think this author's English is very strong and that the story is very creative."

Mr. Benevides said that he "especially liked" Michinori's story and he said it was, "a tight little story that just felt complete."

I have corrected the grammar and vocabulary mistakes in Michinori's story. You can read it below.

Michinori's Story

Ellie and Sofia went to Peru. They visited their family and went to the beach with the family. When they got to the beach they started to play, but something came up, and Ellie left,  after asking another family member to watch Sofia. As Ellie left, she said to Sofia, “I will be back soon.”

There was a little island near the beach. Sofia found a narrow path which connected the beach and the island. She got interested in the island. She decided to explore the island without asking for permission from her family because she thought maybe they would stop her from going to the island. She thought, “There will be nothing to worry about because I will go to the island for just a little while.”

On the island, Sofia saw a girl who was the same age as her. Her name was Alice. Alice was exploring the island too. They became friends because they got along very well. They played together, but it started to rain. They decided to go back to the beach, but they couldn’t do it. The narrow path had disappeared because the tide had come in. 

They took shelter from the rain in a nearby cave. They waited to be rescued. Sofia mumbled “Mom will be worried about me.” Alice heard her and asked Sofia, “Is your mother kind?”

While they waited to be rescued, they talked about their mothers. According to Alice, her mother was a strict person and she disliked her mother. Sofia told to her, “I think your mother worries about you and loves you, so your mother is strict with you.” 

After a while, the weather became good. Then, Ellie came to rescue them by ship. Alice’s mother was in the ship too. As soon as Alice’s mother saw Alice, she hugged Alice, crying. Sofia was hugged hard by Ellie too. Sofia said to Alice, “Didn’t I tell you?” 

On their way home, Sofia was scolded by Ellie, but, she felt her mother’s love very much.

If you want to see the original unedited version of Michinori's story click this link: http://www.box.net/shared/b4mxlct7yi . Michinori's story is #7. You can read stories written by other students too.

Enjoy!

Toyo Gakuen University 応用英語I-3B Writing Unit 8: Movie Review Animated Video

Happy New Year. Today is the last class! Today we are going to make animated movies. Look at the movie below. In the movie the character reviews a movie. Which movie did the character review?



OK, now let's make a movie. Click this link: xtranormal

Now watch me and listen to me. Let's make a movie. After you finish I will post them here and we can enjoy everyone's movie reviews.
Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!!!

Image made using Photofunia.com

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!!
I hope you are enjoying a lovely day today. I found a really cool video below that explains the Christmas story. Many thanks to Marc Helgesen and Curtis Kelly for this.
Enjoy!

Toyo Gakuen University Introduction to Business English B My Company Presentation Project Assessment Criteria

Uploaded to Flickr by 05com

Today is presentation day!

Here are the presentation assessment criteria (評価基準). You can use this as a checklist.

Content (内容) 10 points


Your presentation must contain the following information:

• When the company was founded
• Where the company was founded
• Who founded the company
• The number of offices
• The locations of the offices
• The number of employees
• The company's product or service
• Annual revenues
• The company's corporate values (see p. 79 of  your textbook)
• The company's mission, services and benefits to its customers (see p. 133 of your textbook)

Presentation
A. Slides (5 points)

• 4 slides
• 30 point fonts
• An image on every slide.
• The URL of the sites where you got your images.
• No more than 10 words on each slide.

B. Speaking (15 points)

• Speech is 2 minutes long,and the speech is memorised (Yes = 10 points; No = 0 points)
• Speech is clear, easy to hear, and easy to understand (scale (尺度) from 0-5) 

Next time we meet it'll be the final exam. I'll post the study guide next Monday.
Happy holidays!

Toyo Gakuen University 応用英語1-2B Reading - Short story writing project

Hello everyone!
Today we are going to do a small project about Death on U Street. You are going to write a short story about what happens to your favourite character after the events in Death on U Street. I will send your stories to Adam Gray and Marcos Benevides. They will choose the 3 best stories and I will publish those stories on this blog!

First let's learn some new words. Click this link: 応用英語1-2B Reading. Click the set called "Short story project". Study the new words. Write them in your Detective's notebook. Then do an iKnow lesson.

Next, please download the worksheet below. Follow the steps and write your story.
Enjoy!

Toyo Gakuen University 応用英語I-3B Writing Unit 8: Movie Review Part 4

Uploaded to Flickr by QFamily

Hello everyone!
Today we are going to finish working on Task 3: My Movie Review.

First, let's review some vocabulary. Please click this link: 応用英吾1-3A/B Writing.

Now let's practice typing. Let's practice typing. Please click the links and play Desert Typing Racer and Keyboard Revolution

Now let's go to page 76 of our textbook.

Your homework is to write the second draft of your movie review. The due date is next Tuesday the 22nd of December at 6 pm. Please submit your homework by e-mail.
Have fun writing!

 

Toyo Gakuen University 応用英語I-2B Case Closed!

Well we've finished reading Death on U Street. I think the story was great. Today we are going to review the story. First, let's review the vocabulary. Click this link: 応用英語1-2B Reading Do the Drill Beta once and play the Brain speed game once.

Now click this link to review the events in the story: Death on U Street Timeline 1. Copy the timeline onto a piece of loose leaf paper. Next, review the story and add in any more important events.Include events from the timeline on p.111. Also scan pp. 121, 124, 125, 132, 148. Look at pp. 111 and 148. What time was Terry Sweet murdered?

After that write a summary of the story on p.14 in your Detective's notebook.
Finally, write a review of the story. Maybe Adam and Marcos will read your reviews and write a reply. Post your review as a comment below.

Toyo Gakuen University Introduction to Business English B: My Company Presentation Project 1

Flickr photo uploaded by MyTudut

Hello everyone!
Today we will start working on our presentation project.
First let's practice some vocabulary. Please click the link: Presentation Vocabulary.

Now let's look at the project outline:

My Company

You will present an international company. It can be a real company, or it can be a company that you create. You will do a 4-minute presentation using powerpoint. Your powerpoint must have the following:

• 4 slides
• 30 point fonts
• An image on every slide.
• The URL of the sites where you got your images.
• No more than 10 words on each slide.

You must provide the following information about your company:

• When, where, and by whom the company was founded (see p. 80 of your textbook)
• The number of offices
• The locations of the offices
• The number of employees
• The company's product or service
• Annual revenues
• The company's corporate values (see p. 79 of  your textbook)
• The company's mission, services and benefits to its customers (see p. 133 of your textbook)

You must speak for 4 minutes. You must dress appropriately.

Your presentation will be on Monday 20 December

Finally, let's watch a video made by some English as a foreign language students about what NOT to do in a presentation. There are some grammar errors but the video is quite good and a little funny.
Enjoy!

Toyo Gakuen University 応用英語I-3B Writing Unit 8: Movie Review Part 3

Photo by ScypaxPictures

Hello everyone!
Today we are going to continue working on Task 3: My Movie Review.

First, let's review some vocabulary. Please click this link: 応用英吾1-3A/B Writing.

Now let's practice typing. Let's practice typing with some new games. Please click the links and play Desert Typing Racer and Keyboard Revolution

Now let's go to page 75 of our textbook.

Your homework is to write the first draft of your movie review. The due date is next Tuesday the 7th of December at 6 pm. Please submit your homework by e-mail.
Have fun writing!