LAST WEEK!

I really hope everyone can make it this week!! Last week, I was getting bombarded with people's unavailability to attend class, so I canceled but if you were unaware, my apologies.
Anyway, we'll finally be able to go outside (if the weather is lovely, again) and celebrate a victorious semester!
My apologies for sooo many cancelations: this semester was a rather unexpectedly busy ones for a lot. However, it was still a very successful one. If you are doing ESOL next semester, I really hope to see you again. You guys have my contact info if anything is needed, let me know!
Otherwise, please dress appropriate to be outside and walk for a bit, and see you Friday for the last time!

Week 9

Hello all,

While I do have a curriculum set for Friday, it'll be the alternative. I want you guys to bring good walking shoes, some food, water, sunscreen, and possibly shades. We'll be outside for the full two hours, and I want you guys to meet me in our usual classroom (to make sure that everyone who will be in class for this day will be there). Thanks guys!

Saturday Zoo trip

Hey everyone, here are all the details I promised on the zoo:

• WEATHER FORECAST - Hi 71 degrees, Lo 54 degrees, very sunny. So it's going to be a FANTASTIC day to walk around at the zoo. 
• Admission price: Free! When we get there, you will have the option of either eating your homemade meals, stopping at McDonald's/711 before, or after the trip OR purchasing a meal inside of the zoo (this being the most expensive option). Additionally, IF you want to purchase a souvenir, they are a bit price-y, but I will bring a camera and post the pictures (with your permission) on this blog. That, my friends, is the most inexpensive souvenir ^_^ 
• Scavenger hunt? Yes, you've read correctly. While it is absolutely lovely to peruse through the zoo and observe the animals in fascination, I think it'll be an awesome thought to go on  a scavenger hunt! We'll be divided into two teams: the first team to win will receive a gift of goodies (cupcakes..maybe cookies?* secret question) and the awesome feeling of accomplishment, while the loser team gets to sit and cry (JK, but not really..)
• Can I bring a guest? Everyone is more than welcome to bring one friend, but they are, of course, your responsibility. Please let me know by Friday who you are planning to bring so I can incorporate them in our lovely scavenger hunts. 
• MEETING TIME AND LOCATION: Arrive at the College Park metro station by 10:55am PROMPTLY. Our train will depart the station at 11:09am sharp. I expect this should be no problem to anyone, but in case it is, don't hesitate to send me a message. I'll be more than happy to help, or meet you elsewhere. 

Our trip itinerary

10:50am to 10:55am - meet up at College Park metro station, please utilize this time to take care of any monetary issues. 

11:09am - Green line rail towards Branch Ave. departs from CP station 

11:18am - Arrive at Fort Totten to transfer onto the Red Line rail towards Shady Grove

11:44am - Arrive at Woodley Park Zoo Metro Station

11:45 to 3:30pm - EXPLORE THE ZOO!!!!

3:30pm to 4pm - Return travel 

All other intimate details will be decided upon arrival at the zoo.

Travel prices:

With Smartrip card: $2.75 (one way) + $2.75 (return back) = $5.50 total

without Smartrip card: $3 + $3 = $6 total

->I suggest for this trip brings lots and lots of water to keep hydrated. There is quite a bit of walking involved, and if you're no longer used to it, this may be rather tiring. Also, wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes: while jeans and a t-shirt are perfectly acceptable, please try avoiding dark clothing/denim as this seems to attract more heat. I would hate to end our trip early to go with one of you to the hospital :( 

->Eat a very well balanced breakfast and have a fulfilling lunch. Bring snacks! I will provide some, but more would be a happily welcome. 

->Bring a backpack containing any other needs you may have. If you have any health issues (e.g. asthma), let me know privately before we leave so I can be aware of how to pace our trip. 

->Some other goodies you could possibly bring include sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and anything else you can think of.

There are no real rules except that we should be in communication at all times, and of course as I trust to act civilly. This will maximize our enjoyment at the zoo, and I can happily report this back to Clare and brag about what an AWESOME time we had at the zoo!!! Hope to see you all there! :D

Movie location 4/6/2012

We are meeting in Tydings 1114 for the movie. COME ON OUT, EVERYONE!

MOVIE DAY! 4/6/2012

Hey everyone:

So as my emails have said it, this Friday is officially our movie day!! (Yay ^_^ )
The movie that we will be watching will be picked (so far there are three in the lead), and posted on Friday morning.
Also, this Saturday we will FINALLY have our first trip to the zoo. Details on this will come later....if there are any issues with making this day free, please let me know.

week 5: Interpersonal relationships

Community Building - Do you think you have a good relationship with people around you? Do you have a good relationship with your family members? How about your friends and your co-workers?
In your opinion, what is most important in maintaining a good relationship?


Cultural norms - Body language

Interpersonal Skills - Students will briefly read "Pass a Good Word Along" and /or "A Marvelous Way of Communicating Your feelings." Follow up discussion questions will be posed to discuss and analyze.

Culture Corner (35 mins)

Idioms for social Life - Students will read a couple of sentences on social life with idioms embedded.

Week 4: Personalities

Community Building
Life's Little Stories

Becoming a poet....
Students will construct a simple form of acrostic poem (e.g. if the name is Joy, then they would say something like Jovial, Outgoing, Youthful; should take no more than 5 mins to write down). Rather than characters, they will be asked to describe themselves in a condition
-Handout on character traits will be given as a reference

What I value most?
Reaching a better understanding of your most significant values

Culture Corner
'If'

Idioms on Personalities
(if time remains)
Choose an activity from one of the five activities for Idioms' section from Week2. Can also use those idioms to describe a made-up person

Week 3 Vocab, "I have a Dream Speech"

I most likely added some words, but here's a reminder of all the vocabulary words we had difficulty understanding last week. I will be posting the excerpt of the, "I have a Dream" speech later so that after we all understand these words, we can go back to the speech and re-read it with our new knowledge!

1. Recognition
2. nonviolent protest
3. segregation
4. injustice 
5. tangible 
6. plight 
7. rhetoric
8. rooted
9. self-evident
10. slaveowners
11. sweltering
12. oppression
13. exalted
14. jangling discords
15. symphony
16. " 'tis of thee"
17. Pilgrims
18. hamlet
19. Jews
20. Gentiles
21. Protestants
22. Catholics
23. God almighty

Remember to define the words you were assigned as fully and best as possible! Whatever you tell the group is as much as the class will know. I believe everyone has two words (or less) to define, so it won't be that bad...

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Week 3: Dreams

Community Building
What was one of your birthday wishes? Tell us more about it. Has/have your wishes come true?
If you could travel to the future or past, where in time would you want to go? Why?
Describe your dream vacation place.

Sing-Along
i. Gloria Estefan, "Reach"
ii. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
     -Lukas Kamargo
     -Harry Nilsson

Filling in the thought
"...not...but..."

Culture Corner
Choose from one of the two readings
1. I have a dream, Martin Luther King, Jr
2. Seven-dollar dream

We will be discussing either one of these, in addition to reading Langston Hughes' "Dreams"

Idioms on dream/sleep
Share a personal story about your dream/goal using one of the idioms provided in the supplementary guide (will be used in class)

Personal Story Time
While we are asleep, we dream from time to time. Some dreams are sweet. Some are terrible. Do you usually dream? When you dream, what do you dream about? Do you remember your dream? Would you like sharing a dream that was memorable or a dream that you have had recently?


Optional alternative activity (in case dreams are, y'know, too boring):
Poem talk! What is poetry and why we preserve them.

WEEK 2: Origin of Valentine's Day and relationships

Community Building
Current Events (see supplementary guide)
A while ago, a policeman asked a lady out on a date by tracking down her address after issuing her a ticket.
Culture Corner: Discussing the origin of Valentine's day
Idioms on relationships!

Link to Survey

Hey everyone. I've created the survey for the field trip and movie. Click here to view it! I will be checking it by Thursday evening.
Thanks :)

Alan Wins!

He found me on Facebook, haha :D

Week One: Setting Goals and Getting to know each other

Introduction and Community Building
Students and facilitator (Ashley) will
1. introduce themselves
2. mention one thing from their new year resolution
3. share one unique thing/trait/strength that best describes them

Setting Goals for this semester/Mini Time Capture
Students will be asked what they wish to get out of this experience. Then we will create a mini time capture sheet with 4 to 6 questions which capture your feelings, personal goals, interests etc. This will be saved [either by student or Ashley] until the end of the semester to see if they are on track/have accomplished goals/changed or progressed since the beginning.

Culture Corner
Discussion questions will be posed. This week's questions highlight culture, stereotypes, and culture shocks.

Activity
will be explained the day of!

Don't forget to have fun this semester, everyone!