The University of Tsukuba IE Engineering C1 - Week 4

Hello everyone,
Today we are going to review and discuss chapters 4 and 5. First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: Sherlock Holmes - The Sign of Four Vocabulary.
Now, please watch the video and do the quiz.

Your homework for next week is to read chapters 6 and 7. Also, please answer the questions on pp. 42, 43 and pp. 48 and 49.
See you next week

The University of Tsukuba Presentation I - Week 4

Hello everyone,
Today we are going to learn about voice inflection - stressing, stretching and pausing. Then we are going to prepare a demonstration speech. Please watch the video. Please watch how the young man demonstrates how to cook ramen. Do you cook ramen like that?

The University of Tsukuba CE Science and Maths C1 - Week 4

Hello everyone,

It's a rainy day today. I hope you didn't lose your umbrella - like I did.

As you know, last week we didn't have time to watch the video The Story of Bottled Water, so let's watch it today Please download the annotated script for this video too.

Watch the video and read the annotated script then download the worksheet here: Bottled Water vs. Tap Water.


There are 5 questions on the worksheet. Let's do the first one together.

Question

1. According to the Story of Bottled Water, "Municipal water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which does frequent testing, as do local authorities." However, according to How Safe is Your Water?, "...there are no requirements for daily, or even weekly, tests for chemicals, lead or pesticides." Do you think water safety should be more regulated in the United States? Why? Why not?

Possible answers

1. Yes, I think water safety should be more regulated in the United States because if water safety were more regulated in the United States, people would not feel the need to buy bottled water. Bottled water is both expensive and wasteful (The Story of Water p. 1,2; par. 7). Also, even if you buy bottled water, you can not be sure it is safe. (How Safe is Your Water? p. 32; par. 6).
2. No, I don't think water safety should be more regulated in the United States because the water in the United States is already safe. According to The Story of Water:

The federal Safe Drinking Water Act empowers EPA to require water testing by certified laboratories and that violations be reported within a specified time frame. Public water systems must also provide reports to customers about their water, noting its source, evidence of contaminants and compliance with regulations. 

(P. 1; Footnote 3)

OK, use the examples to help you answer the questions.

See you next week.

The University of Tsukuba IE-B3 Week 4: There's good and bad in everything

Hello everyone,
I hope you had a good week-end.
Today we are going to talk about the good side and the bad side of sport. First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: IE-PhysEd B3 Vocabulary.
Now click here for today's lesson materials.

Now let's listen to Two Sides of a Sport.

One of the worst examples of the bad side of sport is hooliganism. In the most extreme cases, people are killed.

Sometimes just attending sporting matches can be deadly (致死の). In March 2002 a little girl was killed at a hockey game in Columbus, Ohio, USA. She was hit in the head by a hockey puck. One of the most tragic incidents to occur at a sporting match was the Hillsborough Disaster in England. Ninety-six people were killed. The photo above shows a memorial to the people who died in the Hillsborough Disaster.

Can you think of any bad things that have happened at a sporting event in Japan. Please post a comment below.
See you next week!

The University of Tsukuba CE Humanities A - Week 4

Photo by iStockphoto. Used with permission

Hello everyone! Today we are going to talk about culture shock. Let's start with some vocabulary study. Please click here: CE-Humanities A Vocabulary.
What is culture shock? Here are some sentences about culture shock from space alc:

Culture shock affects people in different ways; physical and mental tiredness, depression, homesickness, irritability, becoming critical of the new culture.

カルチャーショックは、人によって異なる悪影響を及ぼします。肉体的・精神的疲労、抑鬱症、ホームシック、イライラ、新しい文化に批判的になるなどです。◆【出典】Hiragana Times, 1998年11月号（株式会社ヤック企画）

Culture shock usually takes places about 3 months after arriving in a foreign country and is a negative reaction towards the new country, as a result of culture fatigue, from trying to adapt and communicate in an unfamiliar environment.

カルチャーショックは通常、外国に到着してから約3カ月が過ぎた頃に起こり、それは、新しい国に対する否定的な反応として現われます。不慣れな環境に順応し、気持ちを伝えようと努力することで、文化的に疲労した結果なのです。◆【出典】Hiragana Times, 1998年11月号（株式会社ヤック企画）◆URLhttp://www.hiraganatimes.com/

Have you ever experienced culture shock? Please tell us about your experience of culture shock. Leave a comment below.

The University of Tsukuba IE Engineering C1 - Week 3

Hello everyone,
Today we are going to review chapter one and discuss chapters two and three. First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: The Sign of Four Vocabulary.
Now let's watch a video and do a short quiz. First click "Notes". Then watch the video and answer the questions.

Next week we will review chapters 2 & 3 and discuss chapters 4 and 5. Please read chapters 4 & 5 for homework. Enjoy!

The University of Tsukuba IE-B3 Week 3

Hello everyone, Today we are going to continue talking about the Olympics. First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: IE-Phys Ed B3 Vocabulary.

Next, let's review last week's lesson by doing a quick quiz.

Now let's learn more about the Olympics. Click the link to download today's lesson materials.

Next, let's listen to an interesting report from Breaking News English.com

Finally, please post a comment. Do you think the men's and women's sports teams should be treated equally?

See you next week!

The University of Tsukuba CE Humanities A - Week 3

Hello everyone,
Today we are going to talk about values.

First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: CE-Humanities A Units 1 &2 Vocabulary.

Values are an example of a hidden cultural difference. We assume that all people have the same values, but it's more complicated than that.
Let's read what some teachers from various countries around the world say are the most important values to them. Click the link http://goo.gl/YsTzZ, scroll down and read the comments.  Which 2 values are the most popular? How about you? Which 2 or 3 values are most important to you? Tell us by posting a comment below.

Finally, this week Friday, 21st there is a very useful workshop at the International Student Centre. The details are in the poster below. Culture shock is one of the topics we will discuss in this class. I hope you can attend the workshop!

Introduction to Business English 1B ビジネス英語入門 B Introductory Lesson 2012

Hello everyone. Welcome to Introduction to Business English B!
Today we are going to learn about the course. We will read the course outline, and we will watch a video too. We will learn how to greet people in business situations, and we will look at the textbook.

This lesson will be review for students who took Introduction to Business English A.

OK, let's start.

Please click this link: Exchanging business cards. Watch the video and do the quiz.

Now let's learn some vocabulary. Please click this link:Introduction to Business English B Review Vocabulary.

Next, please look at the image below. This is your textbook.You can buy the textbook next lesson.

Market Leader Elementary © 2007

Finally, please look below. You can see the course outline. Please download the course outline and save it to your own folder.
Toyo Gakuen University Introduction to Business English B Course Outline


That's all. I hope you decide to take this class. Business English is becoming very important for getting a job in Japan. Two famous Japanese companies, Uniqlo and Rakuten are making English the official company language. I think many more Japanese companies will do the same. You can read about it here:楽天：英語を１２年中に社内公用語化 English will be the official language of Rakuten!

Please leave a comment. Your homework is to send me an e-mail. I hope to see you next week.

The University of Tsukuba Presentation I - Week 3

Hello everyone, Today we are going to do our first presentations.

After that we are going to learn more about gestures.

Look at the picture. What does the gesture mean? Do you ever make this gesture? When? Why? or Why?

Your next presentation will be a layout speech. For homework, please prepare your speech. You will give your presentation at the beginning of next class, so don't be late!

Your presentation must be one minute.
See you next week!

The University of Tsukuba CE Science and Maths C1 - Week 3

Hello everyone,
I hope you had a nice long week-end.
Today we are going to review the homework about Michael Pritchard and his Life Saver bottle.

First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: CE Science & Math C1 Vocabulary.

Next, let's review last week's homework.

Our next topic is tap water. Do you think tap water is safe. Do you drink tap water, or do you drink bottled water because you think it is safer? Let's watch an interesting video: The Story of Bottled Water. You can download the annotated script for this video too.

Watch the video and read the annotated script then answer the questions on the worksheet. You can download the worksheet here: Bottled Water vs. Tap Water.

For homework please read Waste not, Want not on pp. 37-39. Answer the questions on pp. 38 and 39.
See you next week!

The University of Tsukuba IE Engineering C1 - Week 2

Retrieved from Wikipedia

Hello everyone,
Today we start reading the story that we will study this term, The Sign of Four. The Sign of Four was the second novel featuring Sherlock Holmes written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The story is set in 1888. The plot involves the East India Company,  The Indian rebellion of 1857, and the theft of a treasure.

Today we will read Chapter 1. You can read the original as well.

Before we start, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: The Sign of Four Vocabulary.

Your homework is to read Chapters 2 and 3.

Enjoy!

The University of Tsukuba CE Science and Maths C1 - Week 2

Hello everyone,
Today we are going to start our first unit of study. We are going to study....water.
First, lets study some vocabulary. Please click the link: CE Science and Math C1 Vocabulary.
Now click the link to download today's lecture materials.

Finally, for homework, let's watch a video. Please click the link. The video is a TED Talk. The TED Talk is by a man called Michael Pritchard. Michael Pritchard has invented an amazing water bottle. Watch the video and answer the questions below:

1. Why did Pritchard invent the Lifesaver bottle?
2. Why is the filter in the lifesaver bottle so good?
3. What is the benefit of processing water at the source?
4. How much money is needed to make water safe for everyone in the world?

Bring your answers to class next week.

See you!

The University of Tsukuba IE-B3 - Week 2

Modified version of a photo uploaded to Flickr
 by Dave Catchpole

Hello everyone,

I hope you had a nice week-end.
Since all of you are Physical Education majors, I've decided that we will study English through the topic of sport. Today's lesson will include a little sport history, and some information about the Olympics.

First, let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: IE - PhysEd B3 Vocabulary.

Please click the link for the course outline.

Next, let's do the worksheets in your Week 2 Lesson Folder.

Finally, please post a comment. Did you watch the London Olympics? Why or Why not? Which Olympic sports do enjoy watching? Why? How did you feel about Japan's performance at the London Olympics. Use my answers to the questions as a model for your comment.

I didn't watch the London Olympics because I am not interested in summer sports. I'm interested in winter sports including hockey, skiing, bobsled, and figure skating. I felt Canada's performance in the London Olympics was disappointing. Australia has a smaller population than Canada but Australian athletes won more medals than Canadian athletes. However, I felt Canada's performance in the Vancouver Olympics was fantastic. I'm very glad Canada won the gold medal in hockey.

See you next week!

The University of Tsukuba CE Humanities A - Week 2

Hello everyone,
Today we are going to start our first unit of study.

Let's study some vocabulary. Please click the link: Unit 1 - Identity Vocabulary

Now please look at the image below. What is it. What information is printed on it?

Now click the link to download the course outline.

Finally, let's 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. Click the link to watch the video.

See you next week!

The University of Tsukuba Presentation I - Week 2

Hello everyone,
Today we are going to start learning how to give good presentations.
First, let's look at the course outline.
Now, lets look at a bad presentation. Watch the presentation and take notes. What mistakes are the presenters making?

Next we will learn about good presentation posture and good eye contact.

Your first presentation will be an informative speech. For homework, please prepare your speech. You will give your presentation at the beginning of next class, so don't be late!

Your presentation must be one minute.

See you next week!

The University of Tsukuba: Please allow me to introduce myself.

Hello everyone,

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Michael Stout. You can call me Michael. 

Please watch my self introduction presentation. While you watch the presentation please write 5 quiz questions. After you watch the presentation ask your partner the quiz questions. 

Next, let's make some class rules together. Games have rules. Sports have rules. Classes need rules too. 

Please click the link to see some class rules written by some of my previous students. 

Now please write five rules for yourselves (the students), and five rules for me (the professor). 

Finally, please introduce yourself to me. Please leave a comment below. Please tell me 5 things about yourself. To learn how to leave a comment, please click the link: コメント投稿法

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