Song of the day - 19/10/09

Check out the video and bring the lyrics to class.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4UeiRi7skc

We were walking
Just the other day
It was so hot outside
You could fry an egg
Remember you were talking
I watched as sweat ran down your face
Reached up and caught it at your chin
Licked my fingertips
We were, we were just wasting time
Let the hours roll by
Doing nothing for the fun
A little taste of the good life
Whether right or wrong
Makes us want to stay, stay, stay
For a while

Then later on the sun began to fade
Then well the clouds rolled over our heads
And it began to rain
Oh we were dancing mouths open
We were splashing in tongue taste
For a moment this good time would never end
You and me
You and me
Just wasting time
I was kissing you
You were kissing me love
From good day into the moonlight
Now a night so fine
Makes us wanna stay, stay, stay, stay for a while

Hey love
Oh just groping you
Rolling in the mud
Stay a while
Come on love
Wanna stay, stay, stay, stay for a while

Makes me wanna makes me wanna stay

UVM Literature Homework

Watch the following documentary about Pablo Neruda. Here are the links:

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCLlRgpIK_w&feature=related

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahM4LfZeH6s&NR=1 

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_soQxcpJNE0&feature=related

Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv6Oe6a785M&feature=related

Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs18B8m2A1E&feature=related

Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwTaNIuNKA4&feature=related

Harold Pinter

This scene is very "pinteresque". Pinter's plays are typically characterized by implications of threat and strong feeling produced through colloquial language, apparent triviality, and long pauses.

UVM Literature Homework

Here's a summary of 'Rhinoceros' to help you understand the ideas a little more.

Plus a scene from 'Seinfeld' which has a touch of the absurd to it. Funnier than Scrubs anyway.

Song of the day - 08/09/09

Pink Floyd - 'Comfortably Numb'

Hello.
Is there anybody in there? 
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home? 

Come on, now.
I hear youre feeling down.
Well I can ease your pain,
Get you on your feet again.

Relax.
I need some information first.
Just the basic facts:
Can you show me where it hurts? 

There is no pain, you are receding.
A distant ships smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I cant hear what youre sayin.
When I was a child I had a fever.
My hands felt just like two balloons.
Now I got that feeling once again.
I cant explain, you would not understand.
This is not how I am.
I have become comfortably numb.

Ok.
Just a little pinprick. [ping]
Therell be no more --aaaaaahhhhh!
But you may feel a little sick.

Can you stand up? 
I do believe its working. good.
Thatll keep you going for the show.
Come on its time to go.

There is no pain, you are receding.
A distant ships smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I cant hear what youre sayin.
When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse,
Out of the corner of my eye.
I turned to look but it was gone.
I cannot put my finger on it now.
The child is grown, the dream is gone.
I have become comfortably numb.

Song of the day - 07/09/09

Supertramp - 'The Logical Song'

When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful,
A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical.
And all the birds in the trees, well they'd be singing so happily,
Joyfully, playfully watching me.
But then they sent me away to teach me how to be sensible,
Logical, responsible, practical.
And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable,
Clinical, intellectual, cynical.

There are times when all the world's asleep,
The questions run too deep
For such a simple man.
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell me who I am.

Now watch what you say or they'll be calling you a radical,
Liberal, fanatical, criminal.
Won't you sign up your name, we'd like to feel you're
Acceptable, respecable, presentable, a vegtable!

At night, when all the world's asleep,
The questions run so deep
For such a simple man.
Won't you please, please tell me what weve learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell me who I am.

UVM Literature Homework

Check out 'Waiting for Godot'.

Here's part 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8Dwphbnkoc

If you want to watch the rest, you can find them in the sidebar on the above page. Don't forget the popcorn.

UVM Literature - Theatre of the Absurd

Hello, please watch the following documentary before Friday.

Song of the day - 03/09/09

Duran Duran - 'Ordinary World'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDLiVwpv89s

Came in from a rainy Thursday
On the avenue
Thought I heard you talking softly

I turned on the lights, the TV
And the radio
Still I can't escape the ghost of you

What has happened to it all?
Crazy, some are saying
Where is the life that I recognize?
Gone away

But I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world
I will learn to survive

Passion or coincidence
Once prompted you to say
"Pride will tear us both apart"
Well now pride's gone out the window
Cross the rooftops
Run away
Left me in the vacuum of my heart

What is happening to me?
Crazy, some'd say
Where is my friend when I need you most?
Gone away

But I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world
I will learn to survive

Papers in the roadside
Tell of suffering and greed
Here today, forgot tomorrow
Ooh, here besides the news
Of holy war and holy need
Ours is just a little sorrowed talk

And I don't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world
I will learn to survive

Song of the day - 02/09/09

The Connell's '74-75'

Got no reason for coming to me and the rain running down.
There's no reason.
And the same voice coming to me like it's all slowin' down.
And believe me --
I was the one who let you know
I was sorry-ever-after. '74-'75.
Giving me more and I'll defy
'Cause you're really only after '74-'75.
It's not easy, nothing to say 'cause it's already said.
It's never easy.
When I look on your eyes then I find that I'll do fine.
When I look on your eyes then I'll do better.
I was the one who let you know
I was your sorry-ever-after. '74-'75.
Giving me more and I'll defy
'Cause you're really only after '74-'75.

Song of the day - 01/09/09

Boston - 'More than a feeling'

I looked out this morning, 
and the sun was gone 
Turned on some music to start my day 
Then lost myself in a familiar song 
I closed my eyes, and I slipped away 

It's more than a feeling 
When I hear that old song the used to play 
And I begin dreamin' 
Till I see Marianne walk away 
I see my Marianne walkin' away 

So many people have come and gone 
Their faces fade as the years go by 
Yet I still recall as I wander on 
As clear as the sun in the summer sky 

When I'm tired and thinkin' cold 
I hide in my music, forget the day 
And dream of a girl I used to know 
I closed my eyes and she slipped away 
She slipped away

Song of the day - 31/08/09

Aerosmith - 'Crying'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2I4mZQmJMU

There was a time
When I was so broken hearted
Love wasn't much of a friend of mine
The tables have turned, yeah
'Cause me and them ways have parted
That kind of love was the killin' kind
Listen, all I want is someone I can't resist
I know all I need to know by the way that I got kissed
I was cryin' when I met you
Now I'm tryin' to forget you
Love it sweet misery
I was cryin' just to get you
Now I'm dyin' 'cause I let you
Do what you do down on me
Now there's not even breathin' room
Between pleasure and pain
Yeah you cry when we're makin' love
Must be one and the same
It's down on me
Yeah I got to tell you one thing
It's been on my mind
Girl, I gotta say
We're partners in crime
You got that certain something
What you give to me
Takes my breath away
Now the word out on the street
Is the devil's in your kiss
If our love goes up in flames
It's a fire I can't resist
I was cryin' when I met you
Now I'm tryin' to forget you
Your love is sweet misery
I was cryin' just to get you
Now I'm dyin' 'cause I let you
Do what you do to me
'Cause what you got inside
Ain't where your love should stay
Yeah, our love, sweet love, ain't love
'Til you give your heart away
I was cryin' when I met you
Now I'm tryin' to forget you
Your love is sweet misery
I was cryin' just to get you
Now I'm dyin' just to let you
Do what you do what you do down to me, baby, baby, baby
I was cryin' when I met you
Now I'm tryin' to forget you
Your love is sweet misery
I was cryin' when I met you
Now I'm dyin' 'cause I let you
Do what you do down to, down to, down to, down to
I was cryin' when I met you
Now I'm tryin' to forget you
Your love is sweet
I was cryin' when I met you

Pronunciation

Here are some links to help you work on your pronunciation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/

http://www.english-online.org.uk/pronounce/pronounce.htm

http://www.englishclub.com/pronunciation/word-stress.htm

http://www.rachelsenglish.com/sounds

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/pronex/pronex.htm

UVM Literature

Watch the following video on Kabuki Theater. Watch it before Tuesday's class and take notes as there will be a quiz!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKqZ8bY4_MI

Here's another take on Kabuki from the excellent 'Scrubs'.

Song of the day - 28/08/09

'Bend and Break' - Keane

When you, when you forget your name
When old faces all look the same
Meet me in the morning when you wake up
Meet me in the morning then you'll wake up 
If only I don't bend and break
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake 

Lovesick bitter and hardened heart
Aching waiting for night waiting for life to start
Meet me in the morning when you wake up
Meet me in the morning then you'll wake up 

If only I don't bend and break
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake 

If only I don't bend and break
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake 

I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake

Song of the day - 27/08/09

'She Makes My Day' - Robert Palmer

I feel so lucky loving her
Tell me what else is magic for
She thinks it’s better left unsaid

She makes her mind up at a glance
It really made a difference
I seem to be unconditionally hers

She’s like a new girl every day
And all the rest don’t bother me
I’m far too busy lovin’ her

I’ll never be lonely now I know her
Now I know her
She fills my heart with joy
She just has to smile to blow my cares away
She just has to touch my hand to make me stay

She’s all good lovin’ at once

Our love was unintentional
She says we’re not responsible
She thinks with her chin up

She always makes uncommon sense
Always knows just what to say
She always takes me unawares

In less time than it takes to fall down here
And there you are
We never fought it anyway

I’ll never be lonely now I know her
She fills my heart with joy
She just has to smile to blow my cares away
She just has to touch my hand to make me stay

I feel so lucky loving her
Tell me what else is magic for
She thinks it’s better left unsaid

She makes her mind up at a glance
It really made a difference
I seem to be unconditionally hers

She’s like a new girl every day
And all the rest don’t bother me
I’m far too busy lovin’ her

I’ll never be lonely now I know her
She fills my heart with joy
She just has to smile to blow my cares away
She just has to touch my hand to make me stay

She’s all good lovin’ at once

Song of the day - 26/08/09

'Wisemen' James Blunt

She said to me, "Go steady on me.
Won't you tell me what the Wise Men said?
When they came down from Heaven,
Smoked nine 'til seven,
All the shit that they could find,
But they couldn't escape from you,
Couldn't be free of you,
And now they know there's no way out,
And they're really sorry now for what they've done,
They were three Wise Men just trying to have some fun."

Look who's alone now,
It's not me. It's not me.
Those three Wise Men,
They've got a semi by the sea.
Got to ask yourself the question,
Where are you now?
Got to ask yourself the question,
Where are you now?

Really sorry now,
They weren't to know.
They got caught up in your talent show,
With you pernickety little bastards in your fancy dress,
Who just judge each other and try to impress,
But they couldn't escape from you,
Couldn't be free of you,
And now they know there's no way out,
And they're really sorry now for what they've done,
They were three Wise Men just trying to have some fun.

Look who's alone now,
It's not me. It's not me.
Those three Wise Men,
They've got a semi by the sea.
Got to ask yourself the question,
Where are you now?
Got to ask yourself the question,
Where are you now?
(x2)

Where are you now?
Where are you now?

Got to ask yourself the question,
Where are you now?
Got to ask yourself the question,
Where are you now?

Song of the day - 25/08/09

The Beatles - 'Something'

There is a lot of hair in this video.

Something in the way she moves,
Attracts me like no other lover.
Something in the way she woos me.
I don't want to leave her now,
You know I believe and how.

Somewhere in her smile she knows,
That I don't need no other lover.
Something in her style that shows me.
I don't want to leave her now,
You know I believe and how.

You're asking me will my love grow,
I don't know, I don't know.
Stick around, and it may show,
But I don't know, I don't know.

Something in the way she knows,
And all I have to do is think of her.
Something in the things she shows me.
I don't want to leave her now.
You know I believe and how.

Song of the day - 24/08/09

Scorpions - 'Wind of Change'

Follow the Moskwa
Down to Gorky Park
Listening to the wind of change
An August summer night
Soldiers passing by
Listening to the wind of change

The world is closing in
Did you ever think
That we could be so close, like brothers
The future's in the air
Can feel it everywhere
Blowing with the wind of change

Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away
In the wind of change

Walking down the street
Distant memories
Are buried in the past, forever
I follow the Moskwa
Down to Gorky Park
Listening to the wind of change

Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow share their dreams
With you and me

Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away
In the wind of change

The wind of change
Blows straight into the face of time
Like a storm wind that will ring the freedom bell
For peace of mind
Let your balalaika sing
What my guitar wants to say

Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow share their dreams
With you and me

Take me to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away
In the wind of change

Song of the day - 21/08/09

Extreme - 'More than Words'

Saying I love you
Is not the words I want to hear from you
It's not that I want you
Not to say, but if you only knew
How easy it would be to show me how you feel
More than words is all you have to do to make it real
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
Cos I'd already know
What would you do if my heart was torn in two
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real
What would you say if I took those words away
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you
More than words
Now I've tried to talk to you and make you understand
All you have to do is close your eyes
And just reach out your hands and touch me
Hold me close don't ever let me go
More than words is all I ever needed you to show
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
Cos I'd already know
What would you do if my heart was torn in two
More than words to show you feel
That your love for me is real
What would you say if I took those words away
Then you couldn't make things new
Just by saying I love you
More than words

Song of the day - 20/08/09

'Question' - Old 97s

Bring the lyrics to class.

She woke from a dream
Her head was on fire
Why was he so nervous?
He took her to the park
She crossed her arms
And lowered her eyelids

Someday, somebody's gonna ask you
A question that you should say "yes" to
Once in your life
Baby, tonight I've got a question for you

She'd had no idea
And started to cry
She said "in a good way"
He took her by the hand
Walked her back home
And they took the long way

Someday, somebody's gonna ask you
The question that you should say "yes" to
Once in your life
Maybe tonight I've got a question for you

I've got a question for you...

Song of the day - 19/08/09

'Autumn Leaves' - Frank Sinatra/Diana Krall

Bring the lyrics, we'll be listening to the Diana Krall version in class.

The autumn leaves
Drift by my window
The autumn leaves
Of red and gold
I see your lips
The summer kisses
The sunburnt hands
I used to hold.

But since you went away
The days grow long
And soon I'll hear
Old winter's song
But I miss you most af all
My darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

Learn English with the BBC

The good old BBC have a fantastic website for learners of English, here is the link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/

Song of the day - 18/08/09

'Feeling Good' by Michael Buble/Muse

Here are two versions of the classic song. One by Michael Buble and the other by English band Muse. Bring the lyrics to class.





"Feeling Good"

Birds flying high
You know how I feel
Sun in the sky
You know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

Fish in the sea
You know how I feel
River running free
You know how I feel
Blossom on a tree
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when the day is done
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me

Stars when you shine
You know how I feel
Scent of the pine
You know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me

And I'm feeling good

Song of the day - 17/08/09

Bring the lyrics to class on the date above.

Coldplay - 'Trouble'

Oh no, I see,
A spider web is tangled up with me,
And I lost my head,
The thought of all the stupid things I'd said,
Oh no, what's this?
A spider web and I'm caught in the middle,
So I turned to run,
The thought of all the stupid things I'd done,

I never meant to cause you trouble,
I never meant to do you wrong,
And I, well if I ever caused you trouble,
Oh no, I never meant to do you harm.

Oh no I see,
A spider web and it's me in the middle,
So I twist and turn,
Here am I in my little bubble,

Singing, I never meant to cause you trouble,
I never meant to do you wrong,
And I, well if I ever caused you trouble,
Oh no, I never meant to do you harm.

They spun a web for me.

Pronunciation problems?

Here's a useful little tool that will pronounce anything you type in, in various languages.

http://www.acapela-group.com/text-to-speech-interactive-demo.html

Song of the day - 14/08/09

Bring the lyrics to class.

Billy Joel - 'She's Always a Woman'

She can kill with a smile
She can wound with her eyes
She can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child,
But she's always a woman to me

She can lead you to love
She can take you or leave you
She can ask for the truth
But she'll never believe you
And she'll take what you give her, as long as it's free
Yeah, she steals like a thief
But she's always a woman to me

CHORUS:
Oh--she takes care of herself
She can wait if she wants
She's ahead of her time
Oh--and she never gives out
And she never gives in
She just changes her mind

And she'll promise you more
Than the Garden of Eden
Then she'll carelessly cut you
And laugh while you're bleedin'
But she'll bring out the best
And the worst you can be
Blame it all on yourself
Cause she's always a woman to me
--Mhmm--

Bridge

CHORUS:
Oh--she takes care of herself
She can wait if she wants
She's ahead of her time
Oh--and she never gives out
And she never gives in
She just changes her mind

She is frequently kind
And she's suddenly cruel
She can do as she pleases
She's nobody's fool
And she can't be convicted
She's earned her degree
And the most she will do
Is throw shadows at you
But she's always a woman to me
--Mhmm--

Song of the day - 13/08/09

As usual, bring the lyrics to class

Cat Stevens - 'Wild World'

Now that I've lost everything to you 
You say you wanna start something new 
And it's breaking my heart you're leaving
Baby, I'm grieving
But if you wanna leave, take good care 
Hope you have a lot of nice things to wear 
But then a lot of nice things turn bad out there 

Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world 
It's hard to get by just upon a smile 
Oh, baby, baby, it's a wild world 
and I'll always remember you like a child, girl

You know I've seen a lot of what the world can do 
And it's breakin' my heart in two 
Because I never wanna see you sad, girl 
Don't be a bad girl 
But if you wanna leave, take good care 
Hope you make a lot of nice friends out there 
But just remember there's a lot of bad and beware 

Baby, I love you 
But if you wanna leave, take good care 
Hope you make a lot of nice friends out there 
But just remember there's a lot of bad and beware

grieving - feeling very sad because someone has died

to get by - to be able to live or deal with a situation with difficulty, usually by having just enough of something you need, such as money

beware - be careful, watch out

Song of the day - 12/08/09

Chris Isaak - Wicked Games

Here are the lyrics. Bring them to class.

The world was on fire 
No one could save me but you. 
Strange what desire will make foolish people do 
I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you 
And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you 

No, I don't want to fall in love 
[This love is only gonna break your heart] 
No, I don't want to fall in love 
[This love is only gonna break your heart] 
With you 
With you 

What a wicked game you play 
To make me feel this way 
What a wicked thing to do 
To let me dream of you 
What a wicked thing to say 
You never felt this way 
What a wicked thing to do 
To make me dream of you 
And I don't wanna fall in love 
[This love is only gonna break your heart] 
And I don't want to fall in love 
[This love is only gonna break your heart] 

{World was on fire 
No one could save me but you 
Strange what desire will make foolish people do 
I never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you 
I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you 

No I don't wanna fall in love 
[This love is only gonna break your heart]  
No I don't wanna fall in love 
[This love is only gonna break your heart] 
With you 
With you 

Nobody loves no one

foolish - unwise, ridiculous or lacking in judgment

wanna - want to

gonna - going to

wicked - morally wrong and bad, but in an attractive way

http://chrisisaak.com/

Song of the day - 11/08/09

Damien Rice - The Blower's Daughter

Here are the lyrics. Bring them to class on the date above.

the blower's daughter 
 
and so it is
just like you said it would be
life goes easy on me
most of the time
and so it is
the shorter story
no love no glory
no hero in her skies
i can't take my eyes off of you
and so it is
just like you said it should be
we'll both forget the breeze
most of the time
and so it is
the colder water
the blower's daughter
the pupil in denial
i can't take my eyes off of you
did i say that i loathe you?
did i say that i want to
leave it all behind?
i can't take my mind off of you
my mind
'til i find somebody new

breeze - a light and pleasant wind

to be in denial - when someone is not allowed to do or have something

loathe - hate

http://www.damienrice.com 

Italians vs. Europeans

Watch the following video. Is Mexico more similar to Italy or Europe? Why? Be prepared to discuss each subject mentioned in the video.

REAL Listening

To be quite honest, as an English teacher I can't stand coursebook listenings. They make me cringe. They are also bad for your listening skills according to a recent experiment I did.

I have always disliked the watered-down, slowed-down and above all dreary coursebook listenings. For me they don't reflect real life listening situations. Ok, I know you can't have that kind of interaction in a classroom but you can listen to real English in class!

Here's the experiment: A group of advanced students listen to a recording from the coursebook then answer some dull true or false questions (because that's how you listen in real life, right?!?!). They get most of them correct. The students then listened to an improvised conversation between a group of native speakers talking about what they did on their vacation. Could they understand it? Hell, no. They really struggled. Why? A 10 year diet of coursebook listenings doesn't prepare you for... a real conversation!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/genre/learning/ (English)

http://www.rfi.fr/lffr/statiques/accueil_apprendre.asp# (French)

http://www.podcastsinenglish.com/index.htm (English) 

http://www.learnoutloud.com/Podcast-Directory/Languages/English-as-a-Second-Language 

Check out the above links and listen to some real English. Don't worry if you don't understand at first, it takes a little time for the ear to adjust. Meanwhile all you have to do is listen, just like you did when you learnt your mother tongue. More good news: you only need do this for 10 minutes or so a day, but make sure you do it every day.

The Great Gatsby - Exam Preparation

Here are some great resources to help you prepare for this part of the exam.

First, make sure you have read the book!

The 1920s - The Jazz Age



Try this quiz: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gatsby/quiz.html

Watch the class presentation again:

http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/greatgatsby-109765-great-gatsby-presentation-jws-1-education-ppt-powerpoint/

Watch the beginning of the film version:



Online version of the book: http://www.slideshare.net/EnglishClassics/the-great-gatsby-by-f-scott-fitzgerald-1925

Improve your vocabulary with Gatsby!

http://www.slideshare.net/mumphrey/great-gatsby-vocabulary-chapters-12?src=related_normal&rel=1203168

http://www.slideshare.net/mumphrey/gatsby-vocabulary-chapter-3

Historical context

http://www.slideshare.net/thomsonro/the-great-gatsby-historical-context

Communication Problems

Watch the following video. What kind of communication problems does the Italian man have? In what kind of situations? What do you think causes his problems?

Finding someone to practice with

It's often difficult to find someone to practice your new language with. Use these sites to find someone. This will be an ongoing project this semester.

SharedTalk - language exchange community http://www.sharedtalk.com/

The Mixxer - an educational site hosted by Dickinson College for language learners and teachers to find a language partner for a language exchange via Skype. http://www.language-exchanges.org/

Polyglot - find a language exchange partner http://www.polyglot-learn-language.com/

Your language exchange community http://www.mylanguageexchange.com/

ObBio - The International Community for Conversational Languages http://www.obbio.com/

Language Buddy - helps you find language exchange partners or penpals http://www.languagebuddy.com/

The Penpal Network http://www.penpalnet.com/

Tandem Server Bochum - language learning exchange partnerships http://www.slf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/

italki - online language exchange and resources for language learning http://www.italki.com/

Meetup.com - a way to meet people interested in learning languages, etc. http://www.meetup.com/

Speak Mania - find penpals for language exchange http://www.speakmania.com/

Huitalk - a community for people learning languages http://www.huitalk.com/

Etudiants du Monde / Students of the World http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/

AskLingo - the free language exchange site http://www.asklingo.com/

BePolyglot - an online community dedicated to creating multilingual speakers http://www.bepolyglot.com/

Livemocha - Learn Languages and Practice with Native Speakers http://www.livemocha.com/

国际人 International Person - 中外交流的平台 Platform for international communication http://internationalperson.com/

Language Exchange Project - a simple and intuitive website to find a language exchange partner, pen pal or friend http://www.language-exchange-project.com/

Palabea - the speaking world http://www.palabea.net/

Penpal-Gate - Language exchange, meet penpals http://www.penpal-gate.net/

Make your own flashcards

http://www.scholastic.com/kids/homework/flashcards.htm

Use this website to make flashcards for the vocabulary we are looking at in class.

100 verbs challenge! How long will it take you to learn 100 verbs this way? Chart your progress.

Why learn English?

http://beeoasis.com/joom/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=112%3Awhy-learn-english&catid=38%3Alifestyles-&Itemid=57&lang=ja

Read and/or listen to the article then add your comments below. Which letters from ASPIRE are true for you?

25 tips for language learning

http://thelanguagelearningblog.com/25-tips-for-language-learning/

Which ones did you find most useful? Prepare to discuss it in class.

Why language classes don't work

http://aspiringpolyglotblog.wordpress.com/2009/01/24/why-language-classes-dont-work/

Read the following article and prepare your thoughts for today's class debate. Remember to prepare arguments for and against the title of the article.

Tips for right brain language learners

http://www.sil.org/lingualinks/languagelearning/otherresources/YorLrnngStylAndLnggLrnng/TipsForRightBrainLearners.htm

1. Take advantage of study programs organized around communicative techniques. You may be frustrated by traditional language programs based on a grammatical syllabus.
2. Look for help if you have to design and manage a personal language learning program because many of the skills required are left-brain.
3. Whenever possible, choose language learning activities that involve interaction with other people and that call for creativity and innovation.
4. Use the creativity of your right-brain dominance to have fun with language learning. Think up language learning activities and games for yourself and others, using colors, pictures, and whimsy.
5. Use your intuition to guess meanings from context, without necessarily working out all the details.
6. Use pictures and images to help you remember ideas and words.
7. Find creative ways to communicate when you cannot think of the words or structures you need.
8. Use music, poetry, or art to help you learn.

Tips for left brain language learners

http://www.sil.org/lingualinks/languagelearning/otherresources/YorLrnngStylAndLnggLrnng/TipsForLeftBrainLearners.htm

1. Take advantage of a formal language school program if possible. Your left-brain skills will help you do well and enjoy it.
2. Do not fear designing and carrying out a personal language learning program. Your left-brain skills are a strength for this.
3. Use your analytical skills to learn the language.
4. Break words into their parts and try to identify the rules for putting them together.
5. Look for similar rules and patterns in the way words go together to form sentences and other language units.
6. Do not be surprised by your frustration at the chaos, ambiguity, and uncontrolled nature of natural language situations. It will eventually make more sense.
7. Be careful about expecting too much of yourself. Language learning takes time and does not always yield to an organized and logical approach.
8. Use your analytical and organizational skills to figure out the important factors of the communication situation. This will help you learn how to respond appropriately.
9. Be careful you do not shut down and stop trying to understand when you cannot figure out all the parts. At those times, make a conscious effort to relax, to let the language flow over you, and to be content with getting the main ideas.
10. Take advantage of techniques such as grammatical analysis, drill activities, puzzles, and hypothesis testing.

Which brain do I use?

http://www.viewzone.com/bicam.html

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking

10 Accelerated Learning Techniques

(The following tips come courtesy of the breakthrough audio course "Accelerated Learning Techniques")

1. Teach someone else what you are learning. Practice the accelerated learning system in short bursts of 30 minutes of study. Take frequent rests. To really soak up the knowledge, plan to teach what you are learning to someone else. Having to be accountable for someone else's learning will make you pay more attention and really learn the material.

2. Ask questions. Intelligence grows through curiosity. By formulating questions about the subjects you are studying, you become very focussed on getting the answers. You zero in on the information, sifting through it to pick up the important points that answer the questions you set.

3. What's in it for me? Motivate yourself to concentrate and absorb the info by asking, "What will I get out out of it? How will learning this information benefit me in the long run?" By focussing on all the ways it will benefit you, you give yourself more and more reasons to learn and studying becomes easier.

4. Describe aloud in your own words. Center yourself, focus on your program of learning and begin describing aloud the information that you have been researching. Paraphrasing aloud, particularly at speed, causes you to dredge up and make conscious what you have learnt, and exposes the gaps in your knowledge that you can re-cover until it is part of you.

5. Draw a picture and write in your own words. Speed learning involves 8 multiple intelligences, including visual and linguistic. You harness your right brain visual abilities by drawing pictures that help illuminate your notes and which stick in your mind. Mind-mapping is especially recommended. Also draw on your linguistic intelligence by re-writing the information you are studying in your own words. This all helps change the information from something that is alien and foreign to something that is familliar and comfortable and accessible.

6. Test the knowledge. Ask logical questions to test the authenticity of what you are studying. Is it true? You have to be like a renaissance man, and be willing to test established knowledge. Distance yourself from any emotional involvement with the knowledge, and systematically pull and tug on it, testing it from every angle. Critical thinking and examination of the knowledge will deepen your understanding and speed your absorbtion of the subject.

7. Involve other senses. You are multi-sensual, multi-intelligence being. Reading brings words in through the eyes and has limitations as a means of effective learning. Use pictures too. Record the information onto tape, and/or listen to audio tapes on the subject or watch videos about it. Stimulate your tactile senses with different fabrics, different chairs, by getting a foot massage etc. Eat something unusual whilst you are learning. The taste can become anchored to the info and will help you recall it. The same with smell. The memory of smells is the most immediate memory system. Rub some lavender oil on your wrists, as you start your study program, then when you want to recall the info at a later date simply get out the same aromatherapy oil and sniff. Stimulating your senses will help the info come flooding back to your conscious mind.

8. Move about. Sometimes we learn best by doing, so get into action. If your area of study involves physical skills, then get doing them. Otherwise, ride an exercise bike while reading; go for a walk whilst listening to your audio notes; have sex while playing the info in the background! Kinesethetic movement locks knowledge in.

9.Visualise the end result. See yourself practicing the skill you are learning or using the information you are studying as an expert. It's locked in to your brain and fully and easily accessible to you.

10. Peak state and PMA. Develop a positive mental attitude towards your learning program. The principle of positivity will flood your system with feel-good endorphins and just make the whole training so much easier and more pleasurable. Get into a peak state for studying, by using the techniques of NLP to create 'anchors' to peak emotional states. Basically when you begin a study session: stretch, sit up straight, put a smile on your face and approach your studies with positive expectations.