Entries in video (5)

Monday
Jan232012

Using linking words

Linking words are an important part of fluid written expression. They are also important to understanding written texts.

Today's writing activity will be focused on using linking words to express cause, results, contrasts and more.

The subject of your writing will be this YouTube video entitled "How to Fake French...when you don't really know how to speak it.". It's quite funny, but you may or may not agree with the image of stereotypical young French woman, or the French in general, that is presented.

 

STEP BY STEP:

1. Work in pairs

2. Watch the video once or twice. Make sure you understand the English titles.

3. Write about the video. The objective is to use as many linking words as possible without being ridiculous!

4. There is no pre-established format for the writing. You can try to write a unified summary/reaction, or simply write separate sentences using a selection of linking words from the list presented.

5. This is an in-class activity and should not turn into "homework."  So, during the last five minutes of class, submit to me everything you have done, either as a comment here or via my Gmail account for your class.

Friday
Dec162011

Happy Holidays from the Carlson School of Management

For your pleasure, here is a very fun and festive holiday flash mob, filmed at the Carlson (!) School of Management, which is part of the University of Minnesota.

What interesting English links did you find in the lab today?

Saturday
Jan292011

Latest Class Video Links

I haven't posted here for a long time. But I did want to share two videos I have used recently in class:

How to prepare for a job interview

Life at the Googleplex

Saturday
Sep112010

The Social Network: THE movie to see in October

 

Rolling Stone magazine has published a list of 12 movies it recommends to see this autumn.

At the top of the list is "The Social Network," which tells the story of the creation and rise to success of Facebook.

The movie will be released in France on October 13.

Click here for a look at the original trailer.

You can also watch the trailer with French subtitles, or the trailer with English subtitles, designed for people with hearing disabilities, where you can also read the song lyrics.

I hope you can see the movie in English!

 

Wednesday
Sep012010

Seven links for my sales and management students: Week 1

Well, it's back to school and time to communicate Internet resources to you to help you work on your English outside of class.

Here are five links for the first week -- some are connected to work done in class, others not.

1. Audio file for the text "Stress, holidays and work."

In my sales class, we listened to this and some of you found it difficult. In my management classes, we didn't use the audio, but it could be interesting for you to listen to the text.

2. The News: The Death of Laurent Fignon

There's not a lot of English on this YouTube video -- just the song and the introduction. But if you're interested in cycling, you might like this.

For something more traditional, read this article from The Telegraph.

3. Flash Quiz: Basic Question Words

It's been a long time since you've spoken English, and some students have forgotten basic question words like "Who, What, When, and Where!" Try this Flash Quiz to remember. Be careful -- it's timed.

4. Le vocabulaire de la vente et le commerce

There are 49 French-English quizzes on this site -- expect to see this link again!

5. Visit a Japanese University

A subtitled video with basic English expressions. Slow speaking; good for revision.

6. "Is it OK to lie in job interviews?"

Audio extract used in my management assistant class. Go to the extract from 30/03/2010.

7. "The Elegant Guide to Telephone Etiquette"

Video extract used in my management assistant class.