in the next two weeks...

there are some dates to remember:

Fr Dec 2:  LAST VOCAB QUIZ !!

Wed Dec 7:  Tell Me More and CELSA testing

Thurs Dec 8th:  Holiday Party, Games & Food (& a short video)!  Please bring a dish to pass; anything from your home country is welcome!  (for non-cooks: please bring soda/pop/beverages, or paper goods as tablecloths, paper cups, napkins)

Thurs Dec 15th:  volunteer community service opportunity at the Child Care Center on the Nazareth campus.  The kids would love to hear about you and your country, or even have you play with them or read them a story (a fun way to practice your English!)

Please check the blog pages for your group for any assignments that may be due in the next 2 weeks.

Linda G. & Linda P. and Deb MdeS.

specifically for group 2

Remember... there will be a grammar test TOMORROW Nov 29 on simple past / present and present/past progressive.  If you look over your handouts and assignments you will do just fine!

Celebration of Culture!

Please remember that tomorrow our two classes will join together for a cultural celebration, "hosted"  by Linda Pratt's Listening and Speaking class.  Beginning at approximately 10:00 a.m., they will share some short presentations related to their study of the acculturation of an Indian family in the United States, as portrayed in the movie "The Namesake."  Following this, all students are invited to join in a Indian buffet lunch at one of Rochester's well-known Indian restaurants.  Please bring $4.00 towards the cost of the lunch (CIE will cover the balance).

This will be a nice beginning to our own celebration of Thanksgiving!

 Please respond to this post, or email Linda P. or Linda G. with any questions!

field trip!

Just a reminder that we are planning to go an Indian restaurant on Tues Nov 22 as part of our 'culminating experience' from viewing The Namesake.  Bring $4!  Linda G's students are welcome to join us if they wish.

Happy Halloween!

 I hope you all had a safe and Happy Halloween!!   I'd love to see some of the photos you took from the farm trip and jack-o-lantern carving!  Does anyone have photos they can share? 

"homework" for blog

Dear Students:

Linda G and I and Deb would like to hear/read your impressions of the field trip today:  How was Powers Farm Market the same or different from farm markets in your country?  What did you see/hear/smell/taste that surprised you?  What did you like most?  Would you ever carve a pumpkin again?

This is not for a grade but to hear/read your reflections of the field trip .  It will also be nice for those who could not attend (Yousif, Hassan, Deb) to hear about your experiences.  Pictures welcome!

Linda G and I really enjoyed taking you all on the field trip.  It was wonderful seeing you so full of joy at everything you experienced.  It is very rewarding to us as teachers to see you all so interested and delighted!

weather warning!

Be sure to dress VERY WARMLY for our field trip on Thursday!  The weather forcast is for temps between 40-45 ^F (appx 5-8^C) with showers and a chance of.....flurries! I do not know how warm the market building will be so dress in layers ... be prepared!

field trip!

just a reminder...on Thursday Oct 27 we will be going to Powers' Farm Market to observe and discuss signs of autumn and Halloween. Please remember to bring some money with you if you would like to buy some decorations, produce or snacks.  Weather permitting  ! we will also go on good ol' fashioned hayride out to the pumpkin patch!

so...arrive at school at the usual time (8: 00 am!!) where we will do some brief lessons and then we will leave for the farm market at 8:45am.

about voice recordings...

Dear Students:

I have been listening to your responses from last week's assignment and I would like to make a couple requests:

1. Please use a recording device that will or could be downloaded to a .wmp, .wav, or mp3 file (for now).  I know that people have used their cell phones as recording devices but the sound quality is not very good and ...I would like to hear what you are saying!
2. Please use the (boring) vocaroo device instead of your very creative (and sometimes scary) voki characters.  When I listen to your recordings I transcribe (type) what you are saying to I can better assess for grammar, pronunciation, content, etc.  When things are in a plain vocaroo file I can download them to a .wmp file and I can listen, pause, and record what was said.
3. Whenever possible, please speak in your voice so I know how you sound  :) (I can appreciate when technical difficulties happen and you have to 'borrow' someone else's voice).

Thank you very much in advance for your cooperation.  I look forward to hearing what you all put in your time capsules!

Linda P

homework for group 2

1. study for listening quiz
2. speaking homework (for blog)...what are (at least) 5 things you would put in a time capsule to be opened 100 years from now?
3. study for vocab quiz tomorrow Fr 9/30/11

Here are some words for the vocab quiz on Fr 10/7 (they are from the Listen to Learn book)

• exile (n)
• yearn (v)
• wretched (adj)
• refuse (n)
• huddle (v)
• descendant (n)

...more to come...!

Have a nice weekend!

Linda P

BIKES at NAZ - Free Bike Rentals Available for Nazareth Students!

Looking to get around town for the day?  Maybe just an afternoon ride on the canal path for some ice cream?  Or are you thinking of getting some outdoor exercise outside on these beautiful autumn days?

Check this out!  Nazareth just started this free bike rental program for all students and staff.

 http://www.naz.edu/news/september-2011/bikes-naz-gives-campus-a-new-ride

Homework for Th Sept 29

Just a reminder...go to p 19 in your pronunciation handout on syllable stress and read exercise B.  Make up a sentence with 2 words from each of the groups in Exercise A.  Pick words from the same syllable stress group and be prepared to read your sentences (with appropriate syllable stress) in class.   If it is really difficult to make up a sentence with 2 words from the 5 & 6 syllable group then borrow a word from another group.

Linda P

Homework for group 2 for Tues Sept 27

We watched the opening scene of The Namesake...please keep in mind what Ashoke was reading on the train, what the man said to him on the train, and what happened on the train.  These events will influence the rest of the story.

Please answer the following question using your voki/vocaroo on your blog:

What makes some people want to stay home (be "homebodies")?  What makes some people want to travel and 'see the world'?     

Please respond by Sat at midnight, and also respond to two of your classmates responses by Sun at midnight.

When you respond USE ARTICLES CORRECTLY!

Please also review Ch 4 in Listen to Learn 2 and Unit 2 (the speech mechanism) for further reference.

Have a nice weekend!

Linda P. 

homework for Group 2 due Th Sept 22

Please complete the following for Th 9/22:

Pronouncing American English (PAE) handout p 9 4A and 4B (use the phonetic alphabet chart on p 7-8 to help you)

Grammar Dimensions (GD) handout p 317 ex 4:  make sure you write two sentences for each item, one a generic statement and one a particular statement

Thank you!

Linda P.

TOUR OF ROCHESTER - Save the Date!

On Saturday, September 24th there will be a "Tour of Rochester" with Professor Ron Netsky.  This is a fun and interactive way to learn about the landmarks and history of Rochester, NY.   First preference will be given to students who have not already taken the tour, as there is limited space in the coach.  

homework for group 2 students

Dear Students...don't forget to read Chapter 3 in the Learn to Listen 2 book.  It should be a quick read because many of the sections have the earphones next to them, which we will do in class.

Have a nice weekend!

Linda P

Dear students:

As homework, you have an oral/speaking assignment. It should be done through www.vocaroo.com or www.voki.com. I hope you all have a great weekend/holiday (Labor Day) and see you on Wednesday.

Deb.

BASEBALL, UPDATED!

This Friday, there is a trip to Frontier Field for a Rochester Red Wings Baseball game for the entire Nazareth student community.  This trip is FREE and transportation will be provided by Nazareth.  If you are interested, just sign up at the Information Desk in Shultz Center by tomorrow (Friday) morning.

Since this trip is already scheduled (and free), the CIE will not be providing transportation to Saturday's game. 

Baseball, Anyone?

Nazareth College Center for International Education will be hosting a trip to a Rochester Red Wings Baseball Game this Saturday at 6:15 p.m. The baseball game is played at Frontier Field (the Red Wings Stadium), located in the High Falls neighborhood.
http://rocwiki.org/High_Falls
http://centerathighfalls.org/center.htm

If you are interested in attending, the cost is $10.00/per ticket.  Transportation will be provided by Nazareth College.  Full payment is required by 12 noon on Thursday to Kathy in the CIE.

WELCOME!

Welcome to our new class blog! I look forward to seeing your creativity in class today!