Reflect back on this class. Use the questions below as guidelines to help you in your reflection. Write roughly 300 words (no less than 200 and no more than 310). This is your chance to tell me what you thought of the class. I want to hear what you REALLY think. Don't just write something because you think I will like it. If you thought I was a jerk or a harsh grader, tell me. That way I can improve myself and this course for future ESL students :D
Before classes started, what was your expectation of this course? Has the course met your expectations? Why or why not? What was the course like for you throughout the semester? What activities did you like best? What activities didn't you like? What activities did you find most helpful? What activities did you find least helpful? Think about peer-reviews, debates, reflective assignments, presentations, small group discussions, etc. What would you like to have learned in this course that was not taught? Has the way you think about and approach writing changed since the beginning of the semester? What do you do differently now when you write a paper? Was instructor feedback on your essays and drafts helpful? Would you prefer more or less feedback? What types of comments were the most helpful for you? Do you find peer review helpful for revision of your work? How would you like to have it done differently? Which assignment do you think is most valuable and relevant to your current needs in terms of academic writing?
Name the file Reflection3_FirstName LastName
Upload the file to your ESL114 FirstName LastName folder
Assignment is worth 15 Reflection Points
This assignment is due Sunday, December 12th at 11:59 PM
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Announcement
You can now PREAPPROVE for ESL 115 once you know your spring 2011 schedule. You must pass this class with a grade of C- or better to be eligible to take ESL 115.
http://www.linguistics.illinois.edu/students/esl/ESLregistration.html
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Announcement
It just so happens that the folder in which many of the files for this site were stored was modified in some way. This means that many of the links on our course website will no longer work.
I will do my best to rectify this situation.
In the meantime, let me know via email if there are any specific materials that you need.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
I will do my best to rectify this situation.
In the meantime, let me know via email if there are any specific materials that you need.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Announcement
Conferences Schedule
The conference schedule is finalized now. Be sure to double check what time your meeting is scheduled for. Missing a conferences means missing two days of class. You will be documented as having two absences.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
The conference schedule is finalized now. Be sure to double check what time your meeting is scheduled for. Missing a conferences means missing two days of class. You will be documented as having two absences.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Announcement
Mini Research Paper:
I have extended the deadline for the MINI RESEARCH PAPER from November 22nd to November 24th. I wanted to make sure you all had adequate time after the conferences to revise the paper since it will contribute to a significant portion of your final grade.
Oral Presentation of Mini Research Paper:
Updated information about the ORAL PRESENTATION can be found here.
ESL 115 Registration:
If you haven't checked the information posted about registration for ESL 115, click HERE
I have extended the deadline for the MINI RESEARCH PAPER from November 22nd to November 24th. I wanted to make sure you all had adequate time after the conferences to revise the paper since it will contribute to a significant portion of your final grade.
Oral Presentation of Mini Research Paper:
Updated information about the ORAL PRESENTATION can be found here.
ESL 115 Registration:
If you haven't checked the information posted about registration for ESL 115, click HERE
Day 36: Presentation Skills
We will begin by going over some very important information about good presentation skills. Be sure you take notes because they will be very helpful in preparing for your oral presentation.
1. Voice Projection
For the first activity, everyone will have to stand up and stand at the back of the classroom. The purpose is to show you the importance of volume when giving a presentation. You should always aim your voice to the person sitting furthest in the room. This is a problem if you are reading off the slides. One suggestion is having small notecards, so that you don’t have to face the screen. Read over the notecards that the instructor passes out, and when you’re ready, go to the front of the classroom and read them to the class as loud as you can so that we can hear you all the way in the back of the room.
2. Connecting with the Audience
Besides speaking loudly, you also want to try to connect with the audience. There are two key factors in doing this: 1) You should try to maintain eye contact if it doesn’t make you too nervous. 2) You shouldn’t read off the slides, so that it seems more like you are talking to them. They already know how to read anyway. Read over the notecards that the instructor passes out and try to memorize the important ideas on the cards. When you’re ready, go to the front of the classroom and explain the main ideas, without looking at the notecard as much as you can, and at the same time, project loudly enough so that the class can hear you in the back. You can underline or circle key words on the cards if that will help you, because you shouldn’t have full sentences on real notecards anyway.
3. Creating a PowerPoint
Even if you already know how to use PowerPoint a little bit, use this as an opportunity to explore some of its more difficult features that nevertheless, make presentations better.
1. Voice Projection
For the first activity, everyone will have to stand up and stand at the back of the classroom. The purpose is to show you the importance of volume when giving a presentation. You should always aim your voice to the person sitting furthest in the room. This is a problem if you are reading off the slides. One suggestion is having small notecards, so that you don’t have to face the screen. Read over the notecards that the instructor passes out, and when you’re ready, go to the front of the classroom and read them to the class as loud as you can so that we can hear you all the way in the back of the room.
2. Connecting with the Audience
Besides speaking loudly, you also want to try to connect with the audience. There are two key factors in doing this: 1) You should try to maintain eye contact if it doesn’t make you too nervous. 2) You shouldn’t read off the slides, so that it seems more like you are talking to them. They already know how to read anyway. Read over the notecards that the instructor passes out and try to memorize the important ideas on the cards. When you’re ready, go to the front of the classroom and explain the main ideas, without looking at the notecard as much as you can, and at the same time, project loudly enough so that the class can hear you in the back. You can underline or circle key words on the cards if that will help you, because you shouldn’t have full sentences on real notecards anyway.
3. Creating a PowerPoint
Even if you already know how to use PowerPoint a little bit, use this as an opportunity to explore some of its more difficult features that nevertheless, make presentations better.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Day 35: Articles
1. PPT and Cheat Sheet
Everyone will receive an ARTICLES CHEAT-SHEET. Fill in the blanks and add your own examples as we go through the this PPT. This cheat-sheet will be an excellent resource for you to use when you are writing.
2. Articles Game
It’s game time! Get into to teams of 4. Each team will receive 4 signs: A, AN, THE, NONE. You will see a sentence on the PPT with one or more blanks. You have 30 seconds to discuss with your team and decide which article (or no article/none) belongs in each blank. After 30 seconds your team must hold up the correct sign(s). Every team that is correct gets a point.
Everyone will receive an ARTICLES CHEAT-SHEET. Fill in the blanks and add your own examples as we go through the this PPT. This cheat-sheet will be an excellent resource for you to use when you are writing.
2. Articles Game
It’s game time! Get into to teams of 4. Each team will receive 4 signs: A, AN, THE, NONE. You will see a sentence on the PPT with one or more blanks. You have 30 seconds to discuss with your team and decide which article (or no article/none) belongs in each blank. After 30 seconds your team must hold up the correct sign(s). Every team that is correct gets a point.
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