Review Class & Final Exam

Students,

Next class is the Final Test.
I hope that you will all do well!
It has been a pleasure teaching most of you ^^

Remember to be early for your test.
We will start at 9:01am.
Do NOT be late.

You must bring your script for the Dialogue Speaking Test to hand-in to me before you do your speech. Make sure you don't forget to bring it.


If you are still not confident about answering the extra questions on the final test after the review class, then you can have a go at this crossword.

If the answer is two words there will be a blank square.

e.g. ouija_board not ouijaboard.

good luck!


p.s. if you want the answer sheet, you should email me and request it.

Smart Choice Unit #10 (week 14)

Hello again,

I'm expecting everyone to visit my blog this week to download the review class materials. 

But first, lets just quickly review last class unit #10 'Anything's Possible'. 

Smart Choice

In this unit we look at modals of probability to talk about certainty. 

e.g.

I'm confused about what my English teaher said.   We might have some homework. 

We are undecided about what we are going to do this weekend.  We may go to the theatre.

But in class we used must /may / might / could / couldn't + have + past participle (PP) to talk about the probablity of things in the past.

e.g.

I'm skeptical of tabloid news.  I might have been a true story.

I'm cynical of politicians.  It could have been true.

I'm confident that is was not a UFO.  It must have been an areoplane.

I am positive it was the Loch Ness Monster.  It must have been the Loch Ness Monster.

I am very dubious of reports on alien sightings.  They couldn't have been telling the truth.



Use may / might / could to make a guess (when you are not sure).

Use must / couldn't / must not when you are sure (certain).


We watched a video and talked about some unusual phenonemon such as ghosts, aliens, vampires etc... using a worksheet. 

What do you believe in?

I'm positive I have seen a ghost.
It must have been a ghost.

I've never seen an alien so I am a little cynical about them. 
They could been real, though.


We tried to guess what some things were used for (enjoying English p.89)

What was that used for?
It must have been used to make telephone calls.

What do you think that thing was used for?
It might have been used to store water.

Extra 

We also did the last Extra Quiz Ep.25 "Art"

• Arty Marty comes for a drink
• Boggy and Moss come to visit.
• Bridget gets the others to redecorate her flat
• Annie shows Hector and Nick what it is like to be a Christmas turkey and a veal calf.

Homework & Downloads

1. Review unit #10 CDrom (send or print it).
2. Do reading pages 86 & 87 (check answers in class).
3. Prepare your dialogue for Final Speaking test (guidelines).
4. Download & PRINT workbook pages for review class.  Pages 30, 31, 40, 41, 44, 45, 50, 51, 58, 59 (do them for homework).

If you have any questions, or need some help, come and see me in room 309 or email me prof.ian.uk@gmail.com

Smart Choice Unit #9 (week 13)

Dear Students,

I hope you enjoyed the class hugging eachother bowing and all the other ways that we could greet each other.  It was certainly an intersting class for me to find out about some of the lesser know customs of korea; very useful for a foreigner!


Smart Choice

So the vocabulary list is pretty short this week, so no need to talk about that any further.

The main topic was to give advice to someone who has made a cultral mistake ot to talk about how to avoid these troublesome situations.

After pouring a drink of soju for my wife's father.

"Ian, you shouldn't have done that!" 
"you should have used two hands!"

Looking at a picture of a guy in jail. 

"He shouldn't have gotten so drunk!"

Then there is the other occassion where you give advice by saying what you would have done.

After pouring a drink of soju for my father-in-law.

"What would you have done?"

"I would have held the soju bottle with two hands."


Grammar (to say what somone should have done)


SHOULD  /  WOULD  +  HAVE  + VERB (P.P.)


What would you have done?
I would have taken my shoes off.

What should I have done?
You should have taken your shoes off.

For some practice of these questions download the work book pages.


Work book DOWNLOADS

Pages:  49, 50, 51, 52, 53.


Extra

We did the quiz for episode 24. 'Pilot Nick'
In this episode Nick is dressed as a piolet, and attracts lots of attention form women.  Hector becomes a stewardess and Bridget makes a big mistake.  Annie gets upset again!


Homework

1. Review Unit #9.  Print or send you scoresheets.
2. Do the reading pages 76 & 77
3. Watch Extra Ep.25.  Do the workbook questions as you watch.
4. Final Test: Choose a partner & start preparing your dialogue.  Download the guidelines below for help.
5. Do Workbook questions (optional download).

Final Speaking Test Guidelines DOWNLOAD

See you next class!

Smart Choice Unit #8 (week 12)

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to Ian's Blog once again.  I know we are nearing the end of the fall semester and everyone's eyes are firmly focused on the extra long winter break, but we still have four weeks to go, two units to study, five units to review, a final speaking and written test to go....so don't take your foot of the accelerator or your hands off the wheel just yet, we haven't arrived at our destination.  Destination "I passed English Conversation I & II" is just around the corner...

I know what you are thinking;  my life would be great if I didn't have to study English or take any tests, but that is just a fantasy.  You are probably also thinking,  If I had loads of money to enjoy the Winter Vacation instead of working, my life would be great.  But again, just a fantasy.


Smart Choice

Lets use the 2nd conditional in a more positive manner.  If I pass my course with an A*, I will be able to get my dream job.  The second conditional is nothing to be afraid of.  Just think of it as two parts, the if clause and the RESULT (consequence).

If + simple past  /  would/could/might +simple present tense

If I were taller, I could slam dunk this basketball.

If I won the lotto, I would make a generous donation to save the children.

If I had a dollar for everytime my students asked me that question, I would be a millionaire.


The degree of certainty can be incorporated into the statement by using wouldn't / could / might in place of would. 

or add an adverb to describe how the action is done.

If I had her phone number, I would probably phone her.



If you would like some more practice of the second conditional, you could download the workbook exercsies below...


Workbook Downloads

Pages 44, 45, 46, 47, 48.

Or go to this website  2nd Conditional exercises.


Extra

Episode 23

Truth or Dare (one of the funnier episodes) is all about the flatmates struggling to tell the truth in their daily life and the consequences of doing so.



Homework

1. Review Unit 8 and print or send the scoresheet to me.
2. Do the reading pages 68&69 (check next class).
3. Watch Extra Ep.24.
4. Pilot Nick

See you next week!

Smart Choice Unit #7 (Week 11)

Hello all,

I hope you enjoyed the class talking about what changes you have made to your appearance and talking about different celebrity looks.   After this class you should be able to describe someone's appearance, and also be able to talk about your own appearance and past looks.  The focus of the lesson was to use passive voice to talk about getting beauty treatment.  (using active makes it sound as if you did it to yourself).

For some light hearted humour follow this link. Dove Video.


Passive Voice

subject + have/get + pronoun + object + past participle (verb).

The focus of the class was to be able to talk about having / getting something done.

Examples

I had my hair cut    not   I cut my hair.

I got my nails manicured.     not    I manicured my nails.

the verb have or get shows the tense of the sentence (like the verb to be does in unit 2).

I'm going to get my hair permed next weekend.

I get my hair highlighted every summer.


However, sometimes you need to use the active voice. 
For instance, when you talk about your beard or shaving-things you do yourself.

I shaved off my mustache.  
I grew a beard. 
(these things you do yourself)


Workbook Downloads

For some practice of using the vocabulary and the passive voice download the worksheets.

Unit #7 workbook pages 39, 40, 41, 42, 43.


Extra

We did the Extra quiz Episode 22  Haunting at Halloween

• It's halloweena nd the flatmates are getting into the spirit of things
• Bernard, the neighbour loses his marbles (cat).
• Hector tells a scary ghost story
• Nick should beware of the number three and Black hair
• Bridget goes to see Anne-Marie her fortune teller
• Annie tries to predict the future using a Crystal Ball (goldfish bowl)

Homework

1. Watch Extra Episode 23
2. Review Unit #7 Time for a makeover!  Do CDrom and print of send scoresheet
3. Do the reading pages 60&61 'The Makeover Queen' (check next class)
4. Download the workbook pages from my blog (come to me with any queries)

Any questions-come see me in room 309.


See you next week!

Smart Choice Unit #6 (Week 10)

Students,

We are on the home straight!  The second half of the semester has begun.  I hadn't realized how little time we have left together until I looked at the calendar and saw that Christmas is only 8 weeks away.


Smart Choice

In this week's class we studied adjectives and adverbs.

What is the difference? 

Adjectives describe (modify) the noun.

e.g.  Ji-sun Park is quick.

Adverbs describe (modify) the verb but can also modify the adjective, too.

e.g.  Ji-sun Park runs quickly.
e.g.  Ji-sun Park is extremely quick.

For a quick explanation from class of adjectives and adverbs check out this segment of my powerpoint presentation.  Link.
To watch the fun video form class about adverbs folow the link "Fun Video".


Grammar

We also talked about the past using PAST PERFECT (the time before the time before).

In the book it is used to talk about an event in the past in relation to another past event.


Examples and explanations

I had never been to a foreign country until I went to China last week.

Last week I went to China.
Before last week, I had never been to another country.


When we arrived at the train station, our train had already left.

We arrived late at the train station.
Before we got to the station, our train departed.


For practice using the Past Perfect Tense follow this link. 


Work book downloads

For the work book downloads of this unit follow the links below.

Unit #6 Workbook pages 30, 31, 32, 33, 34.


Extra

We did the sixth quiz Ep.21.
In this episode, "The Entertainers", Nick and Hector start a business catering for Rich Children's Parties called Posh Parties. 
Annie is learning how to hypnotise. 
Bridget hopes to meet celebrities and so agrees to dress up as a fairy and help the boys. 
Annie eventually arrives to save the day.


Homework


1. Review unit #6: do the CDrom and send or print your scoresheet.
2. Do the reading on pages 50&51.  We will check the answers at the start of next class.
3. Watch Extra Ep.22 and do your workbook in preperation for the quiz.
4. Optional.  Download workbook exercises and do them. 
5. Also optional.  Prepare a short strory about an nighmare holiday using Past Perfect tense and as many adjectives and adverbs as you can.  Be descriptive!


See you next week!

Midterm Test Review (week 8)

Hello students,

Next class will be the Midterm Test. 
Exam starts at 9:01am on the dot. 
Don't be late!

Exam format: 40 questions in 30 minutes

Vocabulary - 8 multiple choice questions
Grammar - 12 multiple choice questions
Listening - 6 multiple choice questions
Reading - 6 multiple choice questions
Extra - 8 short answer questions.

Remember to come prepared for you spekaing test too! 
Bring your script (if you are doing a skit of presentation). 
Bring a picture if you want to do question 3 in the one:one interview.



Last class we played jeopardy to reivew units 1-5 of smart choice.  We also played four corners to review Extra.  If you want to reveiw Extra again download the game at this link  FUN EXTA REVIEW GAME

We also did some worksheets from the work book (all available to download in my previous posts).


Study hard and see you all on Mon / Wed / Fri.


Good Luck!

Unit #5 (week 7)

In the class this week we studied Smart Choice unit #5 (Gotta have it!) and did Extra quiz Ep20 (Every Dog Has It's Day).

Smart Choice

Gadgets and technology our an important part of our lives and we use them for entertainment, communication, and finding information.  We talked about the importance of these gadgets in our everyday life and how life would be different without them.


"I couldn't live without my MP3 player or my Laptop computer!"


In this lesson we also looked at using the infinitive and the gerund forms of the verb. 

Use the infinitive form of the verb with to (to + infinitive).  e.g.  I use my bicyle to go to work. 

Use the gerund form of the verb with for (for + gerund).  e.g. I use my bicyle for going to work.


We also learned a basic rule about when to use them.

• We can use an infinite or a gerund to talk about the use or purpose of an object.
• We can only use the infinitive to talk about the purpose or reason for a person's action.

Objects (infinitive or gerund)

      - I use my MP3 player to listen to music.
      - I use my Mp3 plyaer for listening to music.

In each of these sentences we are talking about the use or purpose of an MP3 player (object).

People (only infinitive)

     - I go to the supermarket to buy food.

The following sentence is bad language use.  To talk about why a person does something we shouldn't use the gerund.

     - I go to the supermarket for buying food..

So in summary, when talking about the use or purpose of things we an use the infinitive or the gerund, but when talking about a person's purpose or reason for doing something it is best to use the infinitive.


For some practice on the use of infinitives and gerunds, download the files in the Workbook download link.


Downloads

Unit #5 workbook pages 25, 26, 27, 28, 29.



Extra


In Episode 20  'Every Dog Has it's Day'

The boys train Charley and win 2000 pounds worth of doggie goodies.

Bridget has found a new boyfriend who turns out to be a cleptomaniac




Homework

• Review Unit #5 and send or print your scoresheet (give to me next class).
• Do the reading about robots
• Prepare for your Speaking test (you can show your ideas to me in the review class)
• Download teh questions and grading criteria (previous week's blog)

Unit #4 (week 6)

Dear Students,

It was tough to come back to class on Monday after such a busy weekend eating and drinking over Chusok.   I hope you all enjoyed your Thanks Giving weekend as much as I enjoyed mine.  But now back to business.


Vocabulary

We studied personality traits (played opposites attract) and tried to talk about our best friends.

Example.

My best friend, Jack,  is someone who is humorous, reliable and sympathetic.  He is a good listener who understands me.  He is always there when I need him.  He is fun to hang out with and always makes me laugh.


Grammar

We  studied relative (adjective) clauses. The sentence should have a subject clause and an adjective clause joined together by a pronoun (who/which/that)

There are two types of relative clause sentences; subject relative clauses and object relative clauses. 

Examples

     My mom is someone who is very kind and sympathetic.

     My father is someone whose jokes are well liked by everyone.

     and

     Most people don't like someone who they think is dishonest.


 *Note: In the sentence above who is not required.  It can be omitted.


Notes:  (a) When you make a subject relative clause, the relative clause starts with a verb.   (b) Whe you make subject relative clause with whose (showing possession) you use start the relative clause with a noun.
  (c) When you make an objet relative clause, the relative clasue starts with a personal pronoun.


Activity

We played the Speed Dating Game.  Interviewing people to see if we would make a good match (good friends), or not.  In the is activity we tried to practice relative clauses and vocabulary from previous units.



Extra Quiz #4 (Ep.19).

• Nick gets a job in a Kung-fu movie.
• Bridget nearly loses her job.
• Annie meets a new man.
• Hector learns a new phrase.

Workbook Downloads 

Click on the links to download the pages.

Unit #4 pages 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.


Homework

1. Review Unit #4.  Do CDrom and print of email it to me.
2. Watch Extra Ep.20 and do the book questions.
3. Do the reading pages 34 & 35 (check next class).
4. Prepare for your speaking test.  (Guidelines and speaking questions download for 1:1 interview)

Friday Class

Remember to email me your choice of speaking test and which class (Mon. morning or Wed. morning) that you are going to attend.

Bye~

Review Class (week 5)

Review of units 1-3.

• In the review class we completed the review worksheets from the workbook (available for download in my previous post).
• We also played Jeopardy blockbuster to review the vocabulary and grammar.
• Finally we did a few speaking exercises.
• After the review of units 1-3 we talked about the midterm speaking test.  I gave you three options.

Speaking Test Options

• One to One interview
  
• Presentation
  
• Skit (group work)

One to One interview

• If you choose this as your speaking test, I will ask you several questions about the topics we have studied and assess your ability to speak.
• I will base my assessment on variety of vocabulary, use of grammar, fluency, and pronunciation.
• Your interview will be about three minutes long.
• I will publish a list of questions that you might get asked.  You can not choose the questions that I ask you.  Chance will choose for you.
  

Presentation

• Write a two-minute presentation related to the topics we have studied in units 1-5.
• You must include at least 20 vocabulary words from the back of the book (no lists).
• You must use each of the five grammar structures we have studied.
• You must type the presentation script and hand it in to me before you speak.
• In your script you must Underline the grammar and Circle the vocabulary.

Skit

• Work in a group to make a short skit.
• You must make a three-minute script (plus 1 minute for every extra person in the group, therefore a group of three would need to make a four minute performance).
• You must include at least 20 vocabulary words from the back of the book (no lists).
• You must use each of the five grammar structures we have studied.
• You must type the presentation script and hand it in to me before you speak.
• In the Script you must underline the grammar and circle the vocabulary.

I want to know what your choice is next class.  (Week #5).  Be ready to tell me!

See you in class

Smart Choice Unit #3 (week 4)

Students,

This week we talked about different types of art, adjectives to describe art, icons, The Mona Lisa, and using the passive voice.  We also did Extra quiz #3 Ep.18.


Smart Choice Unit #3:  'It was painted by da Vinci'.

Grammar

The Passive voice: a passive voice sentence tells what is done to the subject of the sentence, not what the subject does.

To make an active sentence into a  passive one, you simply need to identify the object of the sentence and make it into the subject of the sentence.  You also need to insert the verb 'to be'  (which will show tense and agree with the subject) and  then change the active verb into the past participle. 

e.g.

Pablo Picasso drew Guernica in 1937.

Guernica was drawn in 1937 by Pablo Picasso.

The passive voice is used in public notices and announcments, or in scientific papers because it sounds less personal.  The passive voice states what is done to an object or person, and is therefore useful when the person who did the action is unknown or not important.  The agent (the person who did the action) can be told using 'by'.


Workbook downloads

(click on page numbers, save and print)

Unit #3: Pages 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

Review class: Pages 16, 17, 18, 19.


Extra Ep.18

Annie gets a new job,
Hector gets a new job,
Bridget gets a headache,
Nick gets dressed up as a beauty queen.


Homework

Monday / Wednesday Classes only

1. Do unit #3 review (CD-rom) and print it or email it to my Gmail account.
2. Print Review questions (bring them to class)
3. Complete the reading The Mona Lisa - is it teh real thing? (p.24-25)

Friday Class only (who will miss next Friday because of Chusok)

1. Do unit #3 review (CD-rom) and print it or email it to my Gmail account.
2. Print Review questions (bring them to class if you are going to join Mon/Wed classes or do them for homework)
3. Watch Extra Ep.19
   

See you all soon!

Smart Choice Unit #2 (week 3)

Good day,

This week in Ian's class we talked about television programs and learned about using indirect questions.

In Smart Choice unit #2 we studied differenct genres of TV programs.  We talked about our likes and dislikes and what shows we have been watching recently.

Example dialogue:

A: What have you been watching on TV lately?

B: I've been watching CSI.

A: What kind of show is that?

B: Its a crime drama.

A: Could you explain what it is about?

B: It's about a group of detectives who solve crimes using forensic science.

• See p.125 for a grammar explanation and the vocabulary list.

We also made a short skit adding our own endings to the listening conversation in which  Ricky has been keeping a secret from his brother Lewis.  See p.115 for the script.  There were some funny scenarios played out!  And some very interesting secrets...


Grammar

The language focus was on using indirect questions.

Indirections have two purposes.

1. To be more formal (to speak more politely).
2. To ask open questions (allow conversation to flow more easily).

So how do we change a direct question into an indirect question?

• You need an inquiry phrase such as "What do you think..." or "I wonder..." or "Do you know..."
• Then you need to make the quesiton into a statement (do this by changing the order of the verb & subject).

Example:

Where is she from?  =  Do you know where she is from?

To check if you are right, try answering your question. make sure the verb and subject are in the correct order.

Do you know where she is from?
She is from Korea.
(the order should be the same)


Workbook

For the workbook pages to do some practice you can follow the following links. 
Wookbook unit #2  pages 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.


Extra

We did extra quiz Ep.17.  Bridget go a new computer and Annie got her examination results.  The boys got all competative and had a contest called 'Man Olympics'.

In Extra they use emphatic speech which we studied using TAG questions. 

Direct question:   Did you buy my lottery ticket?
Answer:              Yes.
Tag question:      You did buy my lottery ticket, didn't you? 
Answer:              Of course I did.

Making tag questions is similar to making indirect questions. 
Change from question order to Statement order.

For some practice we did p.12 & 66 in our Extra book.


Homework

1. Do the Unit #2 review (CD-rom)  Print or send your perfect socresheets to me.
2. Watch Episode 18 and do the comprehension questions.
3. Read pages 16-17 about The Simpsons.

Any problems come to see me in room 309 or email me.

See you next class~

Smart Choice Unit #1 (week 2)

Welcome,

In smart choice we studied the topic of hanging out. Here we looked at some of the activities people do in their free time (hobbies and passtimes).

• Vocabulary list on page 124.

We also used the present perfect continuous tense to talk about things that we had been doing and are still involved in now. Here we also looked at the use of for & since with time phrases.

Examples

I've been running for a couple of years now and I'm getting better.

I've been hanging out at the beach with my friends since the start of summer vacation.

I've been playing the guitar since I was twelve.

• Grammar explanation on p.124
• For the workbook pages please follow the links below.

Workbook unit #1 pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Then we talked about STAR QUALITY (special skills or talents). We talked about David Beckham ( football and freekicks), Jackie Chang (kung fu and humour) and other stars in Korea (박지성: dribbling/runnig with the ball & Rain 비 singing and dancing). Finally we read about Michelle Wie and Jet Li (p.8&9).



Extra Episode 16 Quiz

In Extra Nick looks after Lucas who is a naughty boy in the hope of getting introduced to George Ducas, the famous hollywood director. Meanwhile Annie is struggling to revise for exams.



Homework

1. Do unit #1 Review (CD-rom) print the screen shot of the scoreboard or email it to me.
2. Complete the reading p. 8-9.
3. Watch Extra Ep.17 and do the questions in the book.

If you have any questions plese email me (prof.ian.uk@gmail.com) or come and speak to me in romm 309.

See you all next class!

Welcome

Welcome to English Conversation Class II,

This week, I'll just be going over the course guidelines and telling students how I run the course; my expectations of you, and what you are required to do in order to pass.

As you are all aware, this course is very similar to English Conversation I; the main structure is the same, but the content is just a little harder.

10 % Attendance
10 % Quiz
10 % Participation
10 % Homework
30 % Midterm (speaking / writing)
30 % Final (speaking / writing)

Attendance: Don't be late! if you are late you will lose points from you attendance grade. If you are more than 30mins late you will lose one point and be marked as absent. If yo are going to miss a class, email me before the class to explain why and bring an official note (otherwise you will receive a minus one).

Quiz: Be prepared! I will not review extra until after the test, but I will look in your books to check if you answered the questions. We might do the quiz at the beginning of the class or the end. You will not be allowed to take quizzes that you have missed, unless you have informed me prior to the class that you will not be coming.

Participation: Be active in class! If you are not actively involved in my class, don't expect to get any grade for this section. To be actively involved you need to be answering questions, offering ideas, and completing all the tasks I give you.

Homework: Do homework on time! Each week, yo will have a minimum of two pieces of homework. One, watch extra and do the comprehension questions in your book. Two, complete the review CD-rom and get a perfect score (you may print it or email me the score sheet). I may also ask you to do reading or writing exercises. If homework is late it will incur a 50% penalty.

Midterm and Final Test: If you miss the test, you will fail! Make sure you come and speak to me if you are going to have problems with the test. I will give more information about the midterm and final speaking and written sections nearer the time.

I will endeavour to make my class fun and interesting. I will focus on working in small groups and speaking. If you give me 100%, you will pass!

I look forward to helping you all achieve good grades.

regards,

Ian

p.s. This weeks homework is watch Extra Ep. 16. Prepare for the first Extra Quiz.