Wednesday November 19 : SPORTS

The next topic for class discussion is sports. Students selected at the end of the last class need to bring in an article about anything to do with sports that they can summarize and/or discuss in class. The rest of the class should add their ideas and suggestions in the comments below, and also consider these questions:

• Do you play a sport? What is your favourite? If you could learn to do one sport really well, what would it be?

Professional Sports

• What do you think about the salaries of professional athletes? Should they be paid so much money? Why are they paid so much money?
• Could women play on men's sports teams? An article from ESPN explores this issue: http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-opinion/6495612/women-pro-sports-women-play-men

Extreme Sports

• Why do you think some people enjoy extreme sports? Have you tried any? If you could try an extreme sport, which one would you choose? Do any of these interest you? http://www.outdoor-sport-leisure.net/extreme-sports.htm
• See what Forbes magazine has to say about extreme sports: http://www.forbes.com/2002/08/07/0807sport.html

Playing sports vs Spectator Sports

• What is your favourite sport to play? To watch? Do you have favourite teams?
• Why do you think some people get so involved with and excited about sports teams?

Is it a sport?

• What makes something a sport? Do you consider any of the following 'real' sports:
• Auto racing
• Professional wrestling
• Ballroom dancing
• Golf
• Trampoline
• Equestrian

Wednesday November 12: SUPERNATURAL EVENTS

This week's discussion topic is the supernatural. Consider the following topics/articles as you prepare for class:

• Has anything strange or unexplainable ever happened to you or someone you know? What do you think caused it? Have you ever experienced deja vu or strange coincidences?

MIRACLES

• Do you think miracles happen in real life, or just in the movies? What makes something a miracle?

• A news story about a boy who recovered after a near-drowning explores the psychology of how people understand miracles: http://news.discovery.com/human/psychology/drowned-boy-miracles-110812.htm

WORLD MYSTERIES

• How did ancient people built giant structures without modern equipment? Why were they built? What is your opinion on these structures:

• Pyramids at Giza (Egypt) http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/explore/

• Stonehenge (England)  http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge/

• Nasca Lines (Peru) http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/archaeology/nasca-lines/

• Moai giant stone heads (Rapa Nui/Easter Island, Chile) http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/world-heritage/easter-island/

• Step pyramids (Chichen Itza, Mexico) http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/world-heritage/chichen-itza/

• Giant stone spheres (Bosnia and Costa Rica):  http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/picks-from-the-past/191353/prehistoric-stone-balls-a-mystery
• http://www.philipcoppens.com/spheres.html

ALIENS AND UFOs

• Is Earth the only planet that supports intelligent life? Are there aliens living somewhere else in the universe? Have a look at some of these articles about mysterious occurrences related to UFOs:

• Strange lights: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/episodes/mystery-lights/

• Do you believe any of these 'alien sightings'? http://www.sciencechannel.com/aliens-space/10-alien-sightings.htm

Read this article by a travel writer about his stay in a hotel in Prague. What do you think was going on? What would you do if something like this happened to you?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/travel/destinations/my-hotel-room-was-perfect-except-for-the-unseen-visitor/article21394462/

Please post your ideas, links, comments and suggestions for discussion in the comments below.

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