Using blogs in my English class

I think that using blogs to practice English is a good activity because we are taking advantage of technology to communicate, to learn about our classmates, and to put our ideas in order.  Every time we write in English, we need to search for the appropriate vocabulary to convey our ideas, we are practicing grammar, and we have a deep trip into our thoughts and attitude towards a specific topic.

Depending on our interests, some topics are more inspirational than others and it easier to write about something we want to communicate, something we want to share with others. When I had to write about technology for example, it was just a task but when I wrote about photography, I really enjoyed the process because I was emotionally involved about my grandfather’s memories, the same thing happened when I wrote about my favorite song.

However, motivated or not about a topic, I think that when we have to write about different things, we are forced to improve our vocabulary and our knowledge about something. When we discussed about gender and stereotypes in class, I learned about the topic from my students, I also learned from my students with their presentations, I think that at least half of the posts should be chosen by the students so they would have the opportunity to write about what they want to and there would be some consistency between topics discussed in class and the post you have to write about in the laboratory. (250)

Write about your experience using blogs in the English class.

Say:

> What you think about the experience in general
> How much you feel your writing skills have developed
> What you would like to include in the future
> What else you would like to write about

Wordcount: 200
Make comments on 3 of your classmates' posts.

That's my song

There have been a lot of important songs in my life. Songs that have made me think about a special person, songs that have reminded me of some events in my life, songs that have had the property of changing my mood.

Now, I want to tell you about Blind Melon’s song “NO RAIN”.  Today, it is not as meaningful as it was in the past for me, but when I listen to it, I clearly remember a difficult stage in my life. I was about 19 or 20, I was depressed, I used to read a lot,  I was always sleepy, I had no boyfriend and I thought I would never have one because I thought nobody understood me. I used to complain about everything and everyone. When I listened to the song for the first time, I also saw the video and the girl searching for a group to fit in, really, really identified me.  Later, I translated the lyrics and it was like….. Hey “this is my song”;  it was as if they wrote the song thinking about me! (180)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh2RnfGuFW8

Write  160 words (minimum) about one of your favorite songs.
Don't forget to write 3 comments.  This time, one of your comments has to be about your teacher's post.

Memories

This photograph was taken by my stepfather in February 1992 on a Greek Island. The old 

man on the left was my grandfather. He and I went to visit my mom on summer vacation 

(although it was winter in Greece). I like this photograph because it brings me a lot of 

good memories about my grandfather and because it shows one of his most outstanding 

personal traits; he was a laid-back person and he enjoyed life. The other men in the 

photo are Greek inhabitants from Andros Island who were in a local tavern. My 

grandfather didn’t speak any Greek language but he used to enjoy eating and drinking 

with friends so I’m sure he managed to communicate anyway. Since he liked telling 

anecdotes, I’m sure he made a huge effort to spend an evening as if he were in Chile and 

I’m sure he gave my stepfather a lot of work as a translator. 

Write about a photograph you like. 

Say: 

Who took it 

What it shows 

When it was taken 

Why you like it 

Upload it too 

Include any other information you'd like to mention. 

Write at least 150 words. 

Add comments to at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs 

Films

I’m not very sure if I like a specific type of film but I’m sure I don’t like horror films because I get scared!!! Ha, ha, It’s a shame but it’s true!.  

I enjoy watching films and there was a time in my life when I used to watch around 5 or 6 films a week ( I had a lot of free time then). Now, this is impossible!.  I remember that I was a Kusturica, Almodovar, and Tarantino fan. I liked them because their films were creative and provocative.

My favorite actor is Nicolas Cage. I think his performance as an alcoholic Hollywood writer in “Leaving Las Vegas” was great. In my opinion, although he is a good actor, sometimes he  doesn't choose good stories. 

There was a character that really inspired me. He was “Tanguito” in the Argentinian film “Tango Feroz”. I admire his free spirit and I love the story.

The last film I watched was “The Wolf of Wall Street”. I think DiCaprio’s performance is worth watching but It’s not one of those films you think everybody should watch.(188)

Write about films. 140 words

 Include the following information:What type of films do you like?Who is your favorite? (actor, director, etc.)Is there any character that has inspired you?What's the last film you watched? Would you recommend it? Why?

Don't forget to send the draft to my e.mail so I can make some comments and help you to check your mistakes. Don't forget to leave a comment on three of your classmates' posts later

my favorite piece of technology

It’s hard to imagine our daily lives without technology. We know that our grandparents used to live without computers, cell phones, washing machines, GPS, etc, and they lived perfectly well. However, nowadays we spend a lot of time using our cell phones, computers and almost no one washes by hand so it is hard to say what my favorite piece of technology is because I use all of them. When it was time to make my choice I asked myself “what did I feel when I bought it?” and now I have an answer: My favorite is my Kindle!

 I bought it a year ago and I was very happy when it got home in a small package. I like it because I can buy almost any book in a few seconds, it is very light so I can carry hundreds of books in my bag and I don’t get sore eyes.  I wasn’t very sure at the beginning if having an e-reader was a good idea because I like the romantic idea of keeping my books on a bookshelf and touch them but I like to read novels in English and they are very expensive here in Chile.

Actually, I can live my life without my Kindle but books would be more expensive or I couldn’t get as many as I do now.(224)

Write about your favourite piece of technology

Say:

What it is.
When you got it.
How you use it.
How often you use it.
Why you like it.
What life would be like without it.


- 130 words minimum.
- Include a picture. 
- Comment on at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs.

How to make comments

How to make comments

 

-Read the text completely

-Point out the strengths of the text (content, organisation, expression, interest, accuracy)

-Be respectful
-Do not just say wow! or fantastic! Say why you think it is fantastic or wonderful.
  
Sample comments:
I like your biography because it is interesting and easy to follow.
I particularly liked the way you describe your hobbies... 
You give a very good definition of...

Expectations for a new semester (academically and in general)

This semester I have a lot of work. I’m teaching 6 courses and I’m working at two different universities.  Teaching English in Chile is a complex task for different reasons and I think that the hardest part is when students have to communicate. Maybe this is because Chilean people are shy.  Most students don’t have problems when they need to read or write in English but as soon as they have to talk things are different; they get nervous, they are embarrassed, etc.  I think that a good teacher has to be able to motivate her students and create a nice atmosphere in the classroom so they can feel they’re in a safe zone.

I think that when you like and when you are concerned about your job or your studies you devote great part of your time on improving your studying or teaching methodology.  My expectations for this semester are to do my job the best I can, spend time with my family and friends and don’t be a workaholic because relaxing time is very important. (177 words)

What are your expectations for this semester? What subjects are you doing this term? Are you taking any extracurricular activity? Are you enjoying this new academic period?

This time you have to write 110 words (minimum) and make comments on three of your classmates posts