July 2009
15 posts
Best wishes for all...
Hello dear people,
I will be absent in our last Speaking Class, but I would like to say bye bye.
It was a great time, and it was a pleasure share that moments with you.
You are wonderful people, and I am so glad for know you!
For who is leaving (Sara, Francisco, Jihye, and Hyunju) I hope you had a great time in US, and you are ready for next phase in your life… For sure a great and new...
Weekly News HW (July 29)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106826971
The Crow Paradox
Questions
How do you see this kind of experiment? Useful or not?
How can this kind of experiment contribute with the society?
Weekly Speaking Reflection (July 27)
In the last weekend I had two couples of friends in my house. Actually they have been my brother’s friends since they were children, and they have been in US for two years. It was a great moment. Both have american girlfriends, and it made the weekend fully filled of english language. They are nice girls, and one of them have not been in Brazil yet. We talked a lot about differences between...
Weekly News HW (July 22)
Should Everyone Go To College?
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106636657
What’s your opinion about College Education? Is it essential to get good jobs or not?
In your opinion, is there more space for people well-trained on-the-job training or people that come from formal schooling?
Vocabulary
Unveil: (v.) reveal, uncover, disclose
Backdrop: (n.) back curtain...
Hyunju! I am going to know this one. Usually, on...
Francisco, great moment! I also spent good moments...
Sara! I agree with you, it’s really great. I...
Jihye, I didn’t know about this Museum in...
“Richmond Tennis Meetup Group”
This...
Weekly News HW (July 15)
“Sotomayor Differs With Obama On ‘Empathy’ Issue”
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106569335
What do you think that Obama’s statement means ( “he said that in a certain percentage of judicial decisions, “the critical ingredient is supplied by what is in the judge’s heart.”)?
As we can read in the report, she said that ...
Weekly News HW (July 8)
In Br the legal age to purchase cigarette is 18, but they break the law all the time. Unfortunately, the young people start to smoke earlier, and many stores don’t ask for ID. It has not control in BR. About places where is allowed to smoke, it is still like here. In restaurants, bars, clubs they can smoke in some special places designed for them, but always close to reserved area for non-smokers....
Weekly Speaking Reflection (July 13)
On July 11, I had dinner in my home with some friends. It was a great time when I could meet again people that I had not seen for a long time. There were Brazilians, Americans, Germans, and a couple of friends from Indonesia. We talked about several issues, and the “official language” was English. Everybody had good news, good stories, good remembers from the last time that we had been together....
Weekly News HW (July 8)
States Look To Cigarettes To Bridge Budget Gaps
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106338167
Questions
Do you think that to raise tobacco taxes is an effective way to decrease the consume?
Could it make smokers give up smoking?
Vocabulary
- Levy: (n) act or process of collecting or conscripting (money, property, etc.) by a government or other authority; something...
Weekly Speaking Reflection (July 6)
On July 1st, I met one of my neighbors at swim pool where we live. It was the first time that we talked a little because other times she was always running and busy. We talked about our lives and routines. I told her why I’m here, what I’ve been doing, and my plans after December when I’ll live in Brazil again. This particular meeting was gratifying because it was one more opportunity to see how...
June 2009
6 posts
Weekly News HW (July 1)
Michael Jackson’s mom gets kids, estate control for now
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/29/michael.jackson/index.html
The report is just an example. My question isn’t about Michael Jackson specifically.
My question is about events over covered in general. I mean, events, usually tragic, that are exploited (or explored? I don’t know the right word for this context) by media...
Weekly Speaking Reflection (June 29)
On June 26, I met a High School teacher in a dinner at my friends’ house on Mechanicsville. We talked about a lot of things, but the most interesting topic was about allergy. I’ve been impressed how nowadays we hear much more about different kinds of allergy than in the past years. She told me that she has a 4 years old daughter. The girl has a serious high level allergy (level 5) from any kind of...
Thank you for your attention Audrey!
You are a great teacher.
I have heard about you from other students, and I’m really happy in have class with you.
Our professional areas are pretty similar. I’m pretty sure that you know what I’m talking about.. We try to give a way and alternatives to people get a better communication.
I’m sorry for my mistake about the credits....
So… It’s a really good question.
At the first sight there is no connection between my profession and English language besides it is required in the University which I’m gonna take PhD next year (they require 80 in TOEFL or other recognized English test). However this point I could solve easily taking English classes and studying hard in Brazil.
The decision for come to US was...
How can I improve my speaking ability?
My goals for the future
My name is Fabiola. I’m Brazilian, and I’ve been in Richmond for almost a year. I’m a Speech Language Pathologist in my home country, so I work with any kind of communication disorders. During this year my plan is keep studing english and enjoy as much I can this experience in US. In the end of this year I’m gonna come back to Brazil, and it will be time to restart my...