Wed November 5: TRAVEL + 1st Speech Assignment

The discussion topic for this week will be TRAVEL. It is also the date for the first speech assignment; students will present their speeches during the first hour of class. You can find more information about the speech assignment in the Speech Assignment #1 posting.

Topics to consider:

• If you won a free trip anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why did you pick that location? What would you like to see there?

• What is the best trip you've ever been on? What made it so special?

• Have you had any travel disasters? What happened? 

Travel QuotesThere are many famous quotations from famous people on the subject of travel. What are your thoughts on these quotations? Try to find more travel quotes to share with the class.

"There ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them" Mark Twain 

“Did you ever notice that the first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone?”  Erma Bombeck

“Travel is the only context in which some people ever look around. If we spent half the energy looking at our own neighborhoods, we'd probably learn twice as much.”  Lucy R. Lippard in On the Beaten Track: Tourism, Art and Place

Working/Living AbroadHave you ever worked or lived in another country?If you had a chance to work or live abroad, would you take it?What do people need to consider before moving?How can people more easily adapt to a new country?

Articles

The Lonely Planet founder explains why he thinks travel is very important:http://www.lonelyplanet.com/blog/2011/09/14/tony-wheeler-why-travel-is-more-important-than-ever/#ixzz2jnYyFOjB

The BBC Travel section features articles and fabulous photos of destinations around the world: http://www.bbc.com/travel

National Geographic Traveler's website includes photos, lists of places and events to see and travelogues about a variety of destinations: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/

Speech assignment #1: Wednesday November 5

The first speech assignment is coming up on November 5 for group A. There will be another speech assignment after the midterm. Each speech is worth 10% of your final mark for the class.

Requirements:

• Speeches should be between 3 and 5 minutes; time yourself when you are practicing so your speech is not too long or too short
• Please do not use Powerpoint or other presentations, pictures, posters etc; you are only marked on your speech
• Speeches must be your own work. Of course you can do research and include the information and/or quotes you find, but put everything in your own words and, where possible, state where the information comes from. Plagiarism is a very serious offence and will get you a mark of ZERO.
• The topic of the first speech is TRAVEL. You may focus on any aspect of the topic that you wish. 

Tips for a successful speech

• Try to talk about something that you are interested in. Your speech will be more interesting to listen to if you are interested in what you are talking about.
• Prepare in advance. Don't wait til the last minute; there aren't many people who can just make up a good speech with no preparation.
• Practice your speech. Find a practice audience and say your speech out loud for them; pay attention to their feedback and comments in order to make your speech better.

Marking

All speeches are marked out of 10 point:

Grammar/Organization   4

Details/Description        4

Overall presentation      2

If you have any questions about the assignment, please ask during the next class. 

If you will not be in class on November 5, please make arrangements in advance to give your speech at another time.

Wednesday 29 October: Technology and Video Games

The discussion topic for the next class is Technology and Video Games. Some points to consider:

• What sorts of technology do you find most useful? What 3 technological inventions could you not live without, and why?
• Think about the technology you use now compared to the things you used when you were a child. What are the main differences between technology that is important to you and what was important to your parents, or your grandparents. How was life different? Easier? More difficult? between 'then' and now?
• How often do you use the Internet? What do you use it (and computers/tablets/smart phones) for in a typical day?
• What are some positive and negative results of having so much technology in our lives?
• How has the Internet changed how people live? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

• Do you play video games? Which are your favourites? Are video games 'useful' or 'educational' or something just for fun?
• Are video games a sport? Why or why not?

Please have a look at the following article(s) and add your own:

The Internet is 25 years old: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/mar/09/25-years-web-tim-berners-lee

Are video games good for children?

Yes, says this article from Psychology Today: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/freedom-learn/201201/the-many-benefits-kids-playing-video-games

No, according to this article in The Telegraph newspaper: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/children_shealth/8825655/Video-games-can-alter-childrens-brains.html

What are the most important technological advances in history? Scientific American looks back at what people were saying on this topic in 1913. What do you think of their top 10 lists?

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/inventions-what-are-the-10-greatest-of-our-time/

Wed October 22: English Slang and Expressions

There are now 2 groups for 123 Oral Communication. Students will also attend 117 Reading and Writing with the same group. 

Group A meet for Oral Communication on Wednesdays from 9 -12 and Reading and Writing on Thursdays from 9 - 12. 

**If you do not yet have a group, or have questions or concerns about the group you have been placed in, please speak to an instructor. 

**Retakers and students from other faculties, please make sure that your group schedule fits with the rest of your class schedule. It is important that everyone is able to attend classes regularly and is comfortable with their group in order to participate fully.

Group A

Ajla Hodzic

Amir Pecenkovic

Ammar Talic

Amar Bradaric

Esra Kamber

Maria Almallah

Naida Kadic

Nada Durakovic

Sladan Veselinovic

Furkan Yigit

Semin Malanovic

Mikdat Karpuz

The class discussion topic will be English slang and expressions. To prepare for class, please consider:

*Where does slang come from? How does it develop? What does it add to a language (if anything)?

*Do you have any favourite English expressions/idioms/slang terms? Why do you like them?

*When you were learning English, were there any expressions or saying you found difficult to understand?

*Please think of 3 slang terms/idioms/expressions in English, and their meanings, to share with the class.

Further reading:

Dictionary of English slang: consult this site for British English slang terms and expressions: http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/

The Oxford English Dictionary's blog talks about prison slang, as heard in the Shawshank Redemption: http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2014/10/fresh-fish-stir-shawshank-redemption-prison-slang/


The Oxford English Dictionary is constantly updated as new words are added to the English language. This blog post discusses some of the newest additions and how they are chosen: http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2014/08/oxford-dictionaries-update-august-2014/


The Free Dictionary features an 'idiom browser' that will define hundreds of English idioms and expressions. How many do you know? How many do you use? http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/american

Please add any sites or links to pages about English slang and expression that you find interesting.

Class 1: Monday October 13: Speaking English with Confidence

In the first class we'll be doing some introduction, as well as discussing English classes and speaking English in general. To prepare, think about past English (or other language) classes you have taken and how you have learned to speak English.

•  What sort of activities or practice have you done?
• Which have worked? Which haven't? 
• What advice would you give someone who wants to improve their spoken English?
• Do you like speaking in public? What advice do you have to make it easier?
• Is there a difference between speaking in public in your native language and speaking in public in English?

We will also talk about Second Language Anxiety. Here are a few readings on the topic. Has this ever applied to you? To anyone you know? What can be done to overcome it?
This list of tips from Psychology Today magazine is targeted specifically at introverts:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/quiet-the-power-introverts/201107/10-public-speaking-tips-introverts

There has been a great deal of academic research into 'second language anxiety'. Chapter 6 of Voices from the Language Classroom deals with this issue. Do the research and observations match your own experiences in language classrooms? What can teachers do to help students participate more in language classes? http://books.google.ca/books?hl=en&lr=&id=FBPAKfZW_TUC&oi=fnd&pg=PA145&dq=second+language+anxiety&ots=cbrRLQZPNb&sig=g-ACdkIFVcUF-MWVNMlxC_ycLz8#v=onepage&q=second%20language%20anxiety&f=false

You may also be interested in these tips on public speaking/presentations from Mind Tools: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/PresentationNerves.htm

Welcome!

**UPDATE** Registration is still on-going, so we're not yet sure whether there will be 1 or 2 groups for first-year classes. Would all students in Oral Communication I please meet on Monday October 13 at 9am in Room 206 for the first class. Please think of 3-5 suggestions of good class discussion topics and be prepared to talk. See you then.

 

Welcome to the website for IBU English 122 Oral Communication, Group A. Please consider this site as the textbook for this course and consult it regularly for readings and information related to class discussions, assignments and exams. 

Please also feel free to leave comments, suggestions, questions and helpful links related to the discussion topics.

**Please note: all students in this course (and other 1st year courses) must have an informal assessment to determine which group they will be in for this class, as well as Reading & Writing and Listening & Pronunciation. If you have not seen Ms. Wray and/or Ms. Cunniffe for your placement test or do not know which group you should be in, please speak to one of them as soon as possible.

Here are some more details about how Oral Communication classes will be structured:

Wondering how to do well in Oral Communications? Here's a summary of the requirements and expectations listed in the syllabus and discussed in class:

1. Come to class regularly

2. Do your work. When you're supposed to.

3. If you have a question or a problem, ask about it. The earlier the better.

This is a speaking class, so it's essential that the instructor hear you speak in order to evaluate your skills in spoken English and how you are progressing. There will be 2 short speech assignments during class, in addition to speaking exams (midterm and final), but class participation also makes up a huge portion of your grade (30%). Remember that class participation is not the same as attendance. While you cannot participate if you're not present, just showing up for class but not contributing to the discussion will not earn you any class participation points, either. The evaluation rubric for participation can be found below; your participation grade will consider your interaction with peers, contribution to class, preparedness, use of English and level of participation.

Due dates will be strictly enforced. Students will have advance notice of assignments, exams and weekly discussion topics and everyone is expected to complete their work at the scheduled time. If you will be absent for some reason, it's your responsibility to inform the instructor as soon as possible and make alternate arrangements.

Finally, please ask if you have any questions or problems during the course. I am happy to help but need to know what it is you need help with. Also remember that dealing with issues as they arise is much better than waiting til the end of the term; by then, it is often too late to make alternate arrangements. Please be proactive.

Have a great term, everybody.

CLASS PARTICIPATION RUBRIC AND GUIDE
	4	3	2	1	Totals:
Peer Interaction	Actively supports, engages, and listens to peers/teacher	Makes a sincere effort to interact with peers/teacher	Limited interaction with peers/teacher	Virtually no interaction with peers/teacher
Preparation	Arrives fully prepared at every class session	Arrives mostly, if not fully, prepared	Preparation is inconsistent	Rarely or never prepared
Participation	Plays an active role in discussions	Participates constructively in discussions	When prepared, participates constructively in discussions	Comments vague if given; frequently demonstrates lack of interest
Contribution to Class	Comments advance level and depth of dialogue	Relevant comments are based on assigned material	When prepared, relevant comments are based on assignments	Demonstrates a noticeable lack of interest
Use of English	Always speaks in English; incorporates new vocabulary and initiates English conversations.	Usually responds to teacher and peers in English. Makes some attempt at more complex speech.	Gives basic responses in English but does not attempt more complex communication.	Answers teacher and peers in native language; makes minimal effort to speak English in class.

YOU MAY POSITIVELY AFFECT YOUR PARTICIPATION GRADE BY:

1. Becoming more active in class, asking thoughtful questions, and/or making more effective comments that raise overall level of discussion and engage your peers.

2. Listening carefully to, supporting, and engaging your peers in discussion. This will improve others’ learning experience.

YOU MAY NEGATIVELY AFFECT YOUR PARTICIPATION GRADE BY:

1. Not attending class regularly, even if you meet attendance requirements. You cannot contribute if you are not present.

2. Dominating class discussions, thereby restricting others’ participation or making negative or disrespectful comments.

3. Disrupting others’ opportunity to listen and/or participate.

4. Using electronic devices during class unless instructed to do so.

 Adapted by L. Wray from http://esl-winslow.wikispaces.com/, accessed 16 February 2013. Originally from The Teaching Professor, March 2005; and from Class Participation Rubric, by Bill Heller, http://web.cortland.edu/flteach/BillHeller-Participation-Rubric-AB.html . Accessed 16 February 2013.