Go to this link and you'll find heaps and heaps of questions to practice on!!! I also have more questions in the office, so don't be shy, come in and I'll print you off a list!
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3008678/ielts-writing-task-2-essay-topics
Monday, May 11, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Dubbing Competition
Watching movies is a great way to practice your English listening (and reading if you use the subtitles).Now it’s your chance to be the movie stars!
How the Contest Works
In a group of 3-4 people, you need to choose a movie clip of around 5-6 minutes. Each person in your group will be a character from the movie and should learn the lines for their role. The contest is then very simple. You play the movie clip in front of an audience, but instead of the real sound, your group provides the actors’ voices.
Prizes!
More bonus marks for taking part, getting to the final and for getting 1st, 2nd or 3rd position in the final competition.
Judging Criteria
1. Fluency 20
2. Pronunciation 20
3. Accuracy 20
4. Team Work 20
5. Entertainment 20
Total 100
The first round will be in the class meetings on May 21 for classes 3 and 4 and May 25 for classes 1 and 2. The final will be on June 1st in classroom 218 Wenfu Building.
How the Contest Works
In a group of 3-4 people, you need to choose a movie clip of around 5-6 minutes. Each person in your group will be a character from the movie and should learn the lines for their role. The contest is then very simple. You play the movie clip in front of an audience, but instead of the real sound, your group provides the actors’ voices.
Prizes!
More bonus marks for taking part, getting to the final and for getting 1st, 2nd or 3rd position in the final competition.
Judging Criteria
1. Fluency 20
2. Pronunciation 20
3. Accuracy 20
4. Team Work 20
5. Entertainment 20
Total 100
The first round will be in the class meetings on May 21 for classes 3 and 4 and May 25 for classes 1 and 2. The final will be on June 1st in classroom 218 Wenfu Building.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Waltzing Matilda.
Below are the words to probably Australia's most well known song, you can try to learnt it if your want. Most Australians can sing at least some of this song! Hope you enjoy listening to it.
The words and the song can be found below. And here the link where you can listen to the mp3.
http://www.nla.gov.au/epubs/waltzingmatilda/2-Vers-Macpherson-Paterson.html
(just click the download icon in the top right hand corner of the page.)
This link can explain some of the words below for you.
http://www.nla.gov.au/epubs/waltzingmatilda/3-Meanings.html
Oh there once was a swagman who camped in a Billabong
Under the shade of a Coolabah tree
And he sang as he looked at the old billy boiling
“Who’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?”
Chorus
Down come a jumbuck to drink at the billabong
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him it with glee
And he sang as he put him away in the tucker bag
“You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me.”
Chorus
Down came the Squatter a riding his thoroughbred
Down came policemen–a one, two, and three
“Who's is that jumbuck you’ve got in your tucker bag?”
“You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me.”
Chorus
But the swagman he up and jumped in the water hole
Drowning himself by the Coolabah tree,
And his ghost may be heard as it sings by the Billabong,
“Who’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?“
Chorus
(Chorus)
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda me darling
Who'll come a-waltzing Matlida with me?
A-waltzing Matilda-leave them the water bag
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?
The words and the song can be found below. And here the link where you can listen to the mp3.
http://www.nla.gov.au/epubs/waltzingmatilda/2-Vers-Macpherson-Paterson.html
(just click the download icon in the top right hand corner of the page.)
This link can explain some of the words below for you.
http://www.nla.gov.au/epubs/waltzingmatilda/3-Meanings.html
Oh there once was a swagman who camped in a Billabong
Under the shade of a Coolabah tree
And he sang as he looked at the old billy boiling
“Who’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?”
Chorus
Down come a jumbuck to drink at the billabong
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him it with glee
And he sang as he put him away in the tucker bag
“You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me.”
Chorus
Down came the Squatter a riding his thoroughbred
Down came policemen–a one, two, and three
“Who's is that jumbuck you’ve got in your tucker bag?”
“You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me.”
Chorus
But the swagman he up and jumped in the water hole
Drowning himself by the Coolabah tree,
And his ghost may be heard as it sings by the Billabong,
“Who’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?“
Chorus
(Chorus)
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda me darling
Who'll come a-waltzing Matlida with me?
A-waltzing Matilda-leave them the water bag
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?
Swine Flu
Worried about the Swine flu? Here is an updated news story about the swine flu and how it is starting to spread through America, I feel pretty confident that the world in general, and especially China, are quite well prepared for such problems, especially after the Bird flu and SARS before, but of course I'm still a little worried...
Let's hope it is contained as well as possible, prevention is better than cure.
The link below will take you to an article that you can read, or you can listen to the mp3 that is somebody reading the article below.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/language_tips/auvideo/2009-04/27/content_7719464.htm
Let's hope it is contained as well as possible, prevention is better than cure.
The link below will take you to an article that you can read, or you can listen to the mp3 that is somebody reading the article below.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/language_tips/auvideo/2009-04/27/content_7719464.htm
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Answers for Week ten's Listening Activity.
Interacting with Your Audience –
Listening ANSWERS
1. What do you need to do in the first place?
ANS: Prepare for the discussion
2. What is an essential part of a seminar?
ANS: The discussion (at the end)
3. What should you do before you respond to a question?
ANS: Think about what you're going to say; reflect on it for a moment; don’t rush in to answer.
4. When you are posing questions to the audience, name 2 pieces of advice that are given.
ANS: Repeat it (so that the entire audience knows what you have asked); put them on the board; put them on your PowerPoint slides
5. In the ‘Responding to Difficult Questions’ section, what does the word ‘tactfully’ mean?
A. Quickly B. Loudly C. Politely D. Powerfully
ANS: C. Politely
6. What should you attempt to delay (postpone)?
ANS: Any questions aimed at resolving specific problems
7. Name two pieces of advice if you can’t answer a question.
ANS: Just say so; offer to research an answer and get back to the questioner later; suggest resources which will help the questioner answer the question for themselves
8. If people try to dominate the discussion, you should try to ignore them.
True / False / Not Given
ANS: False – You should acknowledge their participation
9. When someone answers a question, what should you be prepared to do?
ANS: Ask further questions
10. When is it appropriate to interrupt a question?
ANS: When it has become “vague or rambling”
11. In the ‘Turn Taking’ section, what does the word ‘recapping’ mean?
A. Giving a handout B. Writing down C. Asking questions D. Summarising
ANS: D. Summarising
12. This seminar was about the same length as the one that the audience will have to give.
True / False / Not Given
ANS: False – “My seminar is longer than what you have to present.”
13. What does the speaker do because the audience has listened?
ANS: Thank them
14. China’s economy has grown quickly over the last 10 years.
True / False / Not Given
ANS: Not Given
Listening ANSWERS
1. What do you need to do in the first place?
ANS: Prepare for the discussion
2. What is an essential part of a seminar?
ANS: The discussion (at the end)
3. What should you do before you respond to a question?
ANS: Think about what you're going to say; reflect on it for a moment; don’t rush in to answer.
4. When you are posing questions to the audience, name 2 pieces of advice that are given.
ANS: Repeat it (so that the entire audience knows what you have asked); put them on the board; put them on your PowerPoint slides
5. In the ‘Responding to Difficult Questions’ section, what does the word ‘tactfully’ mean?
A. Quickly B. Loudly C. Politely D. Powerfully
ANS: C. Politely
6. What should you attempt to delay (postpone)?
ANS: Any questions aimed at resolving specific problems
7. Name two pieces of advice if you can’t answer a question.
ANS: Just say so; offer to research an answer and get back to the questioner later; suggest resources which will help the questioner answer the question for themselves
8. If people try to dominate the discussion, you should try to ignore them.
True / False / Not Given
ANS: False – You should acknowledge their participation
9. When someone answers a question, what should you be prepared to do?
ANS: Ask further questions
10. When is it appropriate to interrupt a question?
ANS: When it has become “vague or rambling”
11. In the ‘Turn Taking’ section, what does the word ‘recapping’ mean?
A. Giving a handout B. Writing down C. Asking questions D. Summarising
ANS: D. Summarising
12. This seminar was about the same length as the one that the audience will have to give.
True / False / Not Given
ANS: False – “My seminar is longer than what you have to present.”
13. What does the speaker do because the audience has listened?
ANS: Thank them
14. China’s economy has grown quickly over the last 10 years.
True / False / Not Given
ANS: Not Given
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
EAP Class Listening Activity Answers.
Since in some classes we didn't have time to go through the answers from the listening activities so I will put the answers here for you to check out.
Presenting Your Seminar – Listening Questions
1. How long will the presentation last?
20 minutes
2. What are the 2 main purposes of the talk?
Show how a seminar is presented, and give you some tips on presenting a seminar
3. Why would a student give a seminar presentation at university?
To demonstrate what they have learnt.
4. What are the 3 main areas that the talk will cover?
How to interact with the audience, how to organise your seminar and how to present your seminar.
5. What are the 4 important areas to consider regarding speaking (verbal communication)?
Volume, pausing, sentence stress and pronunciation.
6. Complete the sentence from the passage:
Sentence stress allows you “to get your message across more _________.” (forcifully)
7. All aspects of body language are the same in all countries. T / F / NG
F -not true.
8. Complete the sentence from the passage:
“…some things are ________ accepted as good presentation techniques.”
universally
9. Standing up in a straight, relaxed posture will help you in what 2 ways?
breathing, voice to travel
10. What one word is the key to controlling nervousness?
practice
11. What advice is given if you find it difficult to look directly into people's eyes?
Look at the top of people's heads instead.
12. Name 2 benefits of good eye-contact.
Gives your credibility and also allows you to see if the audience understands.
13. When should you move your arms?
To emphasise a point.
14. Which expression is used to introduce the potential power of visual aids.
A picture paints a thousand words
15. 9 different types of visual aids are mentioned. Can you list 6 of them?
sketches, graphs, charts, photographs, pictures, posters, objects, models, handouts.
16. Which 3 different types of audiovisual equipment are mentioned?
video,overhead projector, computer -for using the powerpoint presentation.
17. You should use ‘Arial’ or ‘Times New Roman’ font types as they are easy to read. T / F / NG
Not given
18. Complete the sentence from the passage:
“You should ________ look at the audience.”(always)
Never / occasionally / sometimes / most of the time / always
19. What is the problem of showing an audience a visual aid before it is necessary?
They'll stop listening
20. What should you do every time you show a new picture or piece of text?
Make a short pause
21. When should handouts be given out, and why?
At the end of the presentation otherwise they'll spend all the time looking at your handout.
Presenting Your Seminar – Listening Questions
1. How long will the presentation last?
20 minutes
2. What are the 2 main purposes of the talk?
Show how a seminar is presented, and give you some tips on presenting a seminar
3. Why would a student give a seminar presentation at university?
To demonstrate what they have learnt.
4. What are the 3 main areas that the talk will cover?
How to interact with the audience, how to organise your seminar and how to present your seminar.
5. What are the 4 important areas to consider regarding speaking (verbal communication)?
Volume, pausing, sentence stress and pronunciation.
6. Complete the sentence from the passage:
Sentence stress allows you “to get your message across more _________.” (forcifully)
7. All aspects of body language are the same in all countries. T / F / NG
F -not true.
8. Complete the sentence from the passage:
“…some things are ________ accepted as good presentation techniques.”
universally
9. Standing up in a straight, relaxed posture will help you in what 2 ways?
breathing, voice to travel
10. What one word is the key to controlling nervousness?
practice
11. What advice is given if you find it difficult to look directly into people's eyes?
Look at the top of people's heads instead.
12. Name 2 benefits of good eye-contact.
Gives your credibility and also allows you to see if the audience understands.
13. When should you move your arms?
To emphasise a point.
14. Which expression is used to introduce the potential power of visual aids.
A picture paints a thousand words
15. 9 different types of visual aids are mentioned. Can you list 6 of them?
sketches, graphs, charts, photographs, pictures, posters, objects, models, handouts.
16. Which 3 different types of audiovisual equipment are mentioned?
video,overhead projector, computer -for using the powerpoint presentation.
17. You should use ‘Arial’ or ‘Times New Roman’ font types as they are easy to read. T / F / NG
Not given
18. Complete the sentence from the passage:
“You should ________ look at the audience.”(always)
Never / occasionally / sometimes / most of the time / always
19. What is the problem of showing an audience a visual aid before it is necessary?
They'll stop listening
20. What should you do every time you show a new picture or piece of text?
Make a short pause
21. When should handouts be given out, and why?
At the end of the presentation otherwise they'll spend all the time looking at your handout.
EAP Library-Come and use me!
We have set up a small library just for EAP students to use, there are already about 70 items in the library, including CDs, DVDs, magazines, novels and text books. If you'd like to borrow something then please come to our office.
All you need to do is leave your name and phone number, you'll need to return the item within 20 days, but if nobody else wants to borrow it you can have the item again.
Come have a look at the library, us teachers would also be interested to know what other resources you'd like available in the library. Remember just studying English in the classroom isn't enough you need to make use of some of your own time to read, write, speak and listen to English if you want to make the best improvement with the language.
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