Think locally, report globally

Dear friends!

In this post you will find out what you have to brush up on for your module test as well as the task for your next blogpost.

First off, if you want to be delighted with your test results, make sure you revise the following material:

1) Tips and guidelines on how arrange new words and expressions in your vocabulary notebook (English Vocabulary in Use, Units 1,2,3)

2) Rules of word formation and word families (English Vocabulary in Use, Units 8, 9, 10; Word Skills, Units 5, 6, 74, 75)

3) Words and expressions on the following topics:

- Collocations (Word Skills, Unit 4 pp. 17-19)
- Body Language (Word Skills, Unit 8)
- Communication technology (Word Skills, Unit 31)
- Discourse markers (Word Skills, Unit 64)
- Vague language (Word Skills, Unit 65)
- Sayings and proverbs (Word Skills, Unit 66)
- Feelings (Word Skills, Unit 15)
- Likes and Dislikes (Vocabulary in Use, Unit 69 pp. 138-139)


Your task for the next blogpost is due by October 28.

This time you have a chance to feel like a journalist of one of the world's leading newspapers. Follow these steps to accomplish your task:

1) Go to site http://newsjack.in/

2) Enter the URL of the newspaper. You may want to choose out of these: http://www.nytimes.com/, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/, http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Press "Remix"

3) Now let the magic begin! You can edit any part of the newspaper by clicking it. You can even change pictures! Your task is to fill the front page with the news from our university using at least 20 words from the units mentioned in section 3. Change headlines and content of the news reports, articles and other entries. The main part of the task is to write one report based on a recent event (up to 150 words). TIP: Have your report typed in Word before pasting it onto the Newsjack site.

4) After you have made the changes and typed/pasted your report, press "Share Your Remix". You will see a link to your remix, which you have to copy and paste in your blog.

5) As you can see there are quite many headlines and reports on the front page. You don't have to change everything, of course (however, you can do it if you wish). Make sure you have ONE extended report (up to 150 words) and change the content on the part of the newspaper that is available on your screen without scrolling down, i.e. this much:

Here are some tips:

How to replace the text:

1. Click on the text you want to replace.

2. Delete existing information.

3. Type or paste the text you want to add.

4. Save Changes.

5. Enjoy the result!

How to replace pictures

1. Click on the picture you want to replace.

2. Delete the URL of the picture.

3. Paste the URL of the picture you want to add.

4. Save the changes

5. Enjoy the result!

GOOD LUCK!

Feelings, emotions and stories

Dear friends! 

This time you have a task to write a story based on pictures from the site Flikr. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the site Five Card Flikr Stories: http://5card.cogdogblog.com/play.php

2. Generate a card set for yourself pressing "Play a Round". You may repeat this procedure till you have the set you feel like using for your story. Make sure all five pictures are available. Then PrintScreen the set and paste it in your blog. Like this:

3. Now it's high time you started creating! Write a story based on the card set you have chosen using vocabulary from:

                          a) Unit 15 Oxford Word Skills Advanced

                          b) Unit 2 Upstream B2 Plus (pp. 26-27), including these collocations: 

                                          business is booming

                                          take an interest in something

                                          consult an expert

                                          take off

                                          have n impact on

                                          absorb bad vibes

                                         be by-product of something

                                         put problems into words

                                         it does wonders for (something)

                                         live one’s life to the fullest

                                        connect with characters (of a book or film)

                                        reduce stress

Your story should include 200-250 words. Remember to make a nice title for it!

Good luck!

                       

Body language

Dear friends! Here is your home assignment for the topic "Communication. Body language" .

1. Your blogpost will be based on the observations of your groupmates as well as other students (and teachers too if you will) regarding body language they use in different situations. Be observant!

2. Take several pictures of people using their body language to include in your post. They may logically fit in your narration or you me provide them with additional comments. You may also add captions to your pictures using this site: http://phrase.it/

It might look like this:

3. Finally, remember to use at least 20 words and collocations from units 8, 31, 64,65, 66 (Oxford Word Skills). Usage of active vocabulary from units 1 and 2 of your Upstream coursebook is strongly encouraged too.

Good luck!