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Post by Esther on Mar 7, 2015 12:27:03 GMT 9
Hey Henri!
Shadowing technique is great! It helped me a lot while I was studying Japanese last year!
For me, Japanese people speak very fast and I'm still not able to follow their pace... =P
Where are you from?
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Post by Haley on Mar 7, 2015 15:41:49 GMT 9
Hi everyone! I'm Haley and this my weekly report Vocabulary: I learned another 25 words today. Just out of curiosity, does anyone learn the vocabulary by doing something apart from using flash cards? Anything that you found more effective? For example, I write down the words, its meaning, the word in a sentence and then I reread over them before I go to sleep so that I can remember them. Does anyone do anything like that? Reading: I am currently reading "Between the Lines" written by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer. It's an adorable love story about a teenage bookworm called Delilah, who falls in love with a prince from her favourite novel. The characters from this novel live their life of their own when the book is closed- a life that is very different to the storyline of its own. Although the princess of this novel is in love with the prince called Oliver, he is actually in love with the girl reading the book. The characters all live their separate lives until the book in opened, when everything falls into place like a play and they become the actors. Eventually the prince and the girl reading the book realise that they are able to communicate to each other, and although they absolutely love each other, they are unable to get in touch as they are in two different worlds. Delilah is desperate to get Oliver out of the novel so that they are able to be together, but instead, she gets sucked into the novel. Although she manages to get out, they continue to struggle getting Oliver out of the novel, until one day they swapped Oliver's body for the son of the author of the novel. I know that is sounds confusing, but it's an absolutely adorable book. It's a very easy read and it was really fun reading this book. I definitely recommend it to any ladies interested in an easy, quirky read! Listening: I watched a Ted Talk video called '10 Myths about Psychology' presented by Ben Ambridge. He explores common everyday facts that we have been brought up is true, that are in fact, only myths. For example, I have been brought up thinking that men are better at spatial awareness and women are better at languages, and although this in true, the difference between the men and women are so minuscule that as Ben Ambridge stated, "It's not that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but rather, men are like Mars and women are like Snickers- they're pretty much the same, but one is nuttier than the other". Furthermore, he states that learning styles (ie. being a visual, auditory or kinesthetic learner) is also a myth. He states that in a controlled environment, the learning styles didn't make a difference on how much information is retained by a person. That is to say, that the learning styles depend on what you learn rather than who you are. For example, even if someone learns better in a visual style, it's nearly impossible to learn how to drive without having some hands-on (kinesthetic) experience. He also stated that the left handed people being more creative than right handed people is also a myth, as nearly everything done in the brain requires interaction between both sides of the brain. However, ambidextrous people tend to be more creative than one-handed people as they use both hands for their activities, meaning that both sides of the brain are used more. Also in regards to the brain, humans only using 10% of the brain is completely untrue as nearly every part of the brain is used for even small, mundane activities. Ben Ambridge then talked about the Moazrt Effect, and how some people believe that by listening to Mozart music, it boosts people's IQ. This is only partially true, as it has been proven that listening to something you enjoy temporarily boosts your IQ. I found this presentation interesting, as it shows me that although we can believe something is true, we will never know if we have been given misrepresented information. Although it's important to have an open mind, we will never know whether what we have been taught is true or not (or maybe based on truth). Writing: I did 5 quick writes varying from 370~420.
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Post by jacob on Mar 7, 2015 21:45:59 GMT 9
hello,how is everyone? I'm jacob. Vocablary: I learned 25 words this week,but I did not use them in the essay. Reading: I finished to read "I am Malala" at last!!! I am so happy to accomplish reading such a great book. I will represent impression of this book, writing essay. LIstening: I didn't watch any ted talk this week. I listened bbc radio about "artificial intelligent" instead. It was interesting. Writing: I did 3 quick writes. I wrote 190 words at most.
thank you.
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Post by Hailey on Mar 7, 2015 22:16:57 GMT 9
I'm sorry for sending my weekly report.
Vocabulary : This week I learned 15 words and made original sentences using words I learned. When I study General Service List, I feel that I don't understand general word well when I'm reading a long sentence. I glance over words. I don't know a meaning of "else" well for example. I think it often is glanced over because it usually doesn't have a big meaning. But I must learn words like it to use English better.
Reading: I had to break off reading "Helen Keller" because this was a book I had borrowed from the library in high school. Graduates had to return books to the library, so I returned "Helen Keller" last week. I have no English book, so I borrowed a book from my friend later. It is "Because of Winn-Dixie" written by Kate DiCamillo. I read only chapter one and two. Winn-Dixie is a strange dog. He is ugly but little cute. He can smile, though he is a dog. I'm looking forward to read it.
Listening: I watched "Old books reborn as intricate" by Brian Dettmer. He makes arts using old books. He caves books. His art works are very beautiful. It comes an information-oriented society, but books won't die. If anything, books will find a new way. I like books better than electronic books because I like to leaf through a book. This sense makes me excited. I think everything has individuality, and we use them.
Writing: I write only one quick write and write 102 words. I wrote about the country I would like to visit. I would like to go to America. It is called "salad bowl." I want to go to America and talk with many people who have thoughts I don't think. And there are SUA. Its building is very beautiful. I want to visit there.
Thank you.
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Post by Maggie on Mar 7, 2015 23:18:33 GMT 9
Hello, everyone. Again, I couldn’t hand in this weekly report on time. These days, I forgot doing my works. Maybe, I have an allergy to pollen. Because of this symptom, I have no concentration power.
Does anyone have this allergy?
In this week, I focused on grammar. I used “FOREST” and “VINTAGE”. So I was not able to do another learning completely such as listening and reading! Reading: I read “Dangerous Game” written by William Harris [edited by L.G. Alexander] This story’s hero is William. He have lost his wife long tome ago. He lives in a big house lonely. However he has a chance to do an amazing play which he plays a game a ghost before he goes to sleep. At the first time, this game is good game, however finally it became dangerous game. I was so surprised to know end. Please read it!
Listening: I listened and watched to harry potter 1. Harry’s English often makes me confuse. It’s because there are a lot of magic words. But I could understand what they wanted to say.
Writing: I wrote 4 topic! I wrote 245 words!!! I couldn’t have broken a record of 230 words a long time. But I could break the wall!
Vocabulary: I learned 50 words which we often use in TOEIC.
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Post by Maggie on Mar 7, 2015 23:24:31 GMT 9
Hello Jacob! I always want to read "I am Malala". Someday, I will read it, so please talk about Malala with me!
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Post by Haley on Mar 8, 2015 0:03:04 GMT 9
Hi Maggie! I'm like that too! It's gotten so bad lately that I need a nose spray 24/7, or else I get really bad headaches, my nose gets completely blocked, and I can't concentrate either. It's terrible!!
I read 'I am Malala' too. You should definitely give it a try! It's a really easy read, but it's amazing that something so inspirational was written by someone so young. I definitely recommend it!
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Post by Rita on Mar 8, 2015 2:43:26 GMT 9
Hello everyone! I'm Rita. How's everyone doing? There are about 20 days left for us to meet. I'm so excited.
Sorry for the delay in my report Mr. Miyagi. The whole moving out of the country has been really stressful for my family. We have been busy buying things that I would need to take to Tokyo. I'm managing my time to the best of my ability to post a good weekly report.
Vocabulary: I learnt about 50 new words this week. I have been trying to use these in my speech regularly.
Reading: This week I was reading about the Osaka Campaign from Value Creation. Value Creation is a monthly journal that Bharat Soka Gakkai members subscribe to. The writings of Daisaku Ikeda are published in Value Creation. As part of the campaign of commemorating March 16th, which is an important day in the history of Soka Gakkai, we are currently reading about how the membership of Soka Gakkai grew in Osaka. I read some really beautiful experiences of Japanese members and the details about their encounter with Daisaku Ikeda. It is amazing to see how a writer carefully nurtures the members but he is also strict with them when they go wrong in any of their acts. Reading Daisaku Ikeda's words, I determine everyday to fight for peace, culture and education all through my life.
Listening: I saw the documentary 'India's Daughter' by BBC Four this week. India has been defamed by being called the rape capital of the world. Delhi, its national capital was titled the rape capital after a horrific incident about a rape of a 23 year old physiotherapy student came to light in December 2012. This documentary was supposed to go on air on International Women's Day, March 8. However, it became a topic of debate amongst people and the government. The government of India wants to ban this documentary as they believe that it puts India in a bad light. Although, I believe that It is not the documentary but the dated ideologies of our people that has put India in a spot. I was ashamed to hear some of the comments made by the lawyers of India who feel that women must not step out of their homes post 6 PM. It was absolutely appalling to hear that the rapist felt the need to teach this girl, who was returning home from a movie with a male friend, a lesson for gallivanting with a friend. Raping her was a solution to the rapists' anger. I am determined to change the way people look at women in India. The women of India and their voices have been suppressed enough. Education is the solution to all problems,
Writing: I could manage two quick writes this week
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Post by Martha on Mar 8, 2015 7:56:56 GMT 9
Hello!I'm Martha. I' sorry to late weekly report.
Vocabulary:I learned about 15words. Now,I'm busy so I'll learn not use GSL.I'll be studied to use Word book. Listening:I listened TED "Why business can be usefull to solve sosial program".It is interested me. He talked about business roll.Business can make many.That can inprove life environment. Reading:I still read "Harry potter".He become a member of Griffindors. I'd like to read early Harry going to fry with boom. Writing;I wrote two sentenses this week. I raised score to 141 from around 100.I like writing but I couldn't write so much now.
I have to do my best to make time for studying. sincerely
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Post by Celeste on Mar 8, 2015 11:06:33 GMT 9
Hi! I'm Celeste. I read friends' reports and I could think I'll work harder cause all the members do their best. I also was surprised that everyone is fine writer:o
I'll report my study! I'm sorry for my late submission...
Vocaburaly I learned 25 words this week. I try to use the words I have ever learned in my quick writes. I want to come to be able to speak English using many words fluently!
Reading Aithough I don't finish reading all,I read "The Wizard of Oz" written by L.Frank Baum. Since my level includes this book,I could read it smoothly than before! As you know(this is the famous story!),this is the advenutre story of the main character Dorothy. One day, when she was in her house,she was blown off together with her house by the cyclone! The cyclone set her house in marvellous country and her adventure started! Tomorrow I want to read the sequel:)
Listening I listened VOA"Lebanese Artists Fight Back Against Censorship". I knew that Lebanese artists could't issue their arts unless they are given approval by Lebanese officials. Freedom of expression is important But I can undestand the government's opinion freedom of expression involves many risk as to relationship to other countries. I thought it was not easy to manage both the own country's rules and relationship to other countries. Its content was difficult for me...
Writing I did 4 quick writes. I wrote 140 wards at most,it was maybe the best record! I'll do my best to be good writer!
Thank you!!
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Post by Angel on Mar 8, 2015 22:12:27 GMT 9
I'm sorry to be so late. Hi guys (: I'm Angel. Nice to meet you. I want to make many friends. Please feel free to ask me questions!^ ^
Vocabulary: I learned 30 words and reviewed the words I learned. And also I made some sentences with these words.
Reading: What Charlotte woven some messages confused many people. It reminds me of child. When I was child, I wanted to talk with animals. If I'm young, I must be jealous of Fern. Because Fern can understand what animals talk.
Listening: I'm sorry. I couldn't this week.
Writing: I did three quick writing. This week, I couldn't write more than last week.
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Post by Kathrine on Mar 8, 2015 22:35:13 GMT 9
I learned 30 words. I knew the another meaning of " spade". And I like the sentence which is on a dictionary, " You deceived me. And I cannot forgive you."
I listened 3 TED-talk. I couldn't understand everything. "a magical search for a coincidence" by Helder. It was amazing. But I didn't like the way his talk.
I wrote 5 quick write. I could write about 170 words.
I read the call of the wild , but it's too difficult to understand.
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Post by Kristine on Mar 8, 2015 22:49:07 GMT 9
I`m so sorry that I could not do my homework in this week.Because, in this week,I have a graduation and graduation trip.But I regreted that I should make a plan that I do homework constansly before I went a graduation trip.So I`m going to write weekly report today,weekend. Vocabulary: I checked word cards.But,I could memorize it,so I have to do it.
Reading: I read "The invisible man" ,eritten by H.G/wells. I share a sequel of the story I read in last week.One day,in the early hours of White Monday,the robbery at village was happened.The room of strangers`opend. Everyone visit his room, then there is none and his room was scattered. Stranger disappeared.Everyone thought him a robber.But where he is? Then sudddenly,stranger appeared.Everyone wondered that why his head and body is covered by paper.And they asked him again and again.......One day he talked his secret that he was a invisible man.So, he is easy to disappear... I couldn`t explain a sequel.
Listening: I could not listen better.So I want to try to listen not only radio and speech but also movie and anime.
Writing: I could not write better,but I could write about 140 words in ten minuets.
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Post by Kenneth on Mar 9, 2015 1:03:16 GMT 9
Hello, everyone! I'm kenneth. I'm sorry for delaying my weekly report.
Vocabulary:I reviewed words I learned in the past. I've memorized many words since this year.
Reading:I read the article about effect of Yoga for men. In latest study, It's proved Yoga has big influence for men. I often go to gym ,but I has to bear a burden. On the other hand, Yoga is not too much burden. So We should go to Yoga school rethar than gym. But the problem is Yoga school costs me a fortune and I don't know how to Yoga. Please teach me Yoga.
Listening:I watched the video about THE MORAL SIDE OF MURDER THE CASE FOR CANNIBALISM by Michael J Sandel. It's very difficult. Finally, I was confused my philosophical thinking. But I could know variety of idea. It will help me when I'm in the face of critical situation. Acutually, I might have no time to think profoundly in the situation.
Writing: I did three quick writes. I could write 180 words at most.
I want to meet you soon.
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Post by malcolm on Mar 10, 2015 15:35:11 GMT 9
Hello Future 2nd Class of FILA Students! This is Malcolm, one of the FILA English teachers. I have already "talked" with most of you through feedback at least once. For those of you I have not directly had contact with, maybe you have read my comments to your other classmates. Only a few weeks and we will all be gathered on campus, ready to begin our journey of the next 4 years. I am looking forward to meeting all of you in person. There are several reasons for this pre-study material. One is to help you work on time management skills. Everyone is busy with many types of activities. Are you able to organize yourself? Are you able to set goals and meet them? Are you able to prioritize the many activities of your life without creating more stress? These pre-study activities are a small taste of what your studies in FILA will entail. This is a head-start program. Unfortunately, not all students get the chance to start the pre-study material due to timing of admission. You are lucky because you get to start early and get used to them before classes begin. Another reason is to help you develop English skills you will need everyday in your classes in FILA. All of the classes will be conducted in English. You will have to read textbooks and other materials everyday. You will be listening to lectures in your classes. You will be writing academic responses and essays for your classes each week as well as preparing for and participating in class discussions. All of these require an ability to use English vocabulary and grammar with a modicum of automaticity which the activities in the pre-study materials aid you in strengthening. All of the pre-study activities will also be incorporated into your class requirements in some form or other. They won't end when you start at FILA.
One of the purposes of this forum is for you to interact with your new classmates. You should be reading each other's posts and responding to what you are reading. You can also ask questions, share ways that you are studying, and generally encourage each other. In this week's posts, I would like to thank Maggie, Haley, Joy, Selena, and Celeste for doing this. (Sorry if I missed others.) The point is that many of you did not do this. Also, each week when we gave feedback, we asked questions or gave suggestion for more meaningful weekly reports. Some of you responded to our questions and made changes in the following posts. Thank you! Some of you didn't. Having said all that, I would like to encourage you to be consistent in your studies. A little each day is better than trying to do most or all of it in one day. For the vocabulary section, take a look at Erin, Joy, Jasmine, Aurora, Keith, Patti, Haley, Selena, Esther, Hailey, or Kathrine's post to see good examples of making the vocabulary report more meaningful. Things like: sharing the most interesting word and why and/or writing original sentences which highlight new vocabulary. Also some of you share how you are studying, this is also good. "I studied 25 words this week," is not very meaningful. In the reading section, I would like to see you make recommendations to your classmates after you finish a book as to who might enjoy this book and why. This can help others find new reading material. For the listening, it seems that you are enjoying the TEDTalks. They are good listening practice and they are inspirational. Again, would you recommend this to others? Who? Why? In the writing section, please be consistent and write at least 3 each week. Please tell the average number of words in that week and compare it to previous weeks' averages. The important thing is for you to see steady increases even if they are small. This forum is a community! Communicate with each other. ("Community" and "communicate" are related words as are "communication," "commune," "communion," and "communicable." They all have to do in some way with an intimate interaction among members of a group.) Have a good week and keep up the good work! Malcolm
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Post by Miyagi on Mar 10, 2015 17:26:00 GMT 9
Dear Future FILA students, Thank you for taking the time to post your weekly reports. I'm excited to see that you have continued to study and practice your English language skills. One of the reasons why we formed this message board was to give you the students an opportunity to get a taste of FILA before we started in April. With the pre-enrollment self study program we designed the activities to be closely related to many of the exercises and activities you will be doing in the first semester courses. This was designed with you (the students) in mind so that you can adjust to an all English language program. We want you to become fluent in English, autonomous learners, critical thinkers and independent in making decisions; but not all at once. No one is perfect and we are all at different steps in our development as learners. As you enter FILA you will entering a new world a new adventure where we learn and grow every day. The program is intensive and there will be struggles but we want you to know that you are not alone. As you worked on making weekly reports you should have seen that there are others on the same journey as you are and they are studying just as you are, they are struggling just as you are, and they are thinking of you as I'm sure you're thinking of them. We were thinking of you too, everyday in different time zones. We the teachers are not the answer and source of all knowledge but we do have experience teaching and we have experience as learners. We know how to teach language, we know how to learn language and we want to help you get to a level of fluency where you can say with confidence "I did it." We are here to share with you as partners in the learning process.
I want to thank the students who have interacted with others on the message board. If you have not done so already please reach out and interact with the members of this message board. When you enter FILA you will be seeing each other every day or interacting online every day. Start today and interact with each other online.
Writing: If you have been using paper/pen and paper for your quick writes please switch to typing. We allowed writing with paper and pen because some of you are from Soka High School and the teachers did quick writes with paper and pencil. You have now graduated from high school and now we want to switch to typing because the TOEFL iBT is conducted on computers and you will be typing your answers. We will now be referring to this activity as Quick Types.
Reading: Many of you have been doing a good job reading books, reading newspapers, and reading whatever you can get your hands on. This is very important. Some students are not accustomed to reading so much in English but we need you to read, read and keep on reading. The instructions you will receive will be in English so please read it. The worksheets and textbooks will be in English so please read it. You should be reading every post on the FILA message board don't skip. The students who struggled last year were those who didn't understand what to do because they skipped the instructions. Please read everything you get from us. If you don't understand read it again and if you still don't understand ask a classmate. If your classmates don't understand ask us the teachers. Reading is a skill best developed by reading.
Listening: This is a difficult skill to develop in any language. I remember struggling when I was studying Egyptian because Egyptians love telling jokes. Jokes are hard to understand unless you have the context and background information. Lucky for you Mr. Miyagi is not very good at telling jokes. When you listen to the online listening activities you are getting both more information and great listening practice. You can playback and slow down the videos online but when you enter FILA the native speakers will be speaking at native speed. You need to be ready to listen to native English speech at native speed. The only way to do this is through practice. If you are speaking with a friend you can ask them to repeat themselves but we won't be able to rewind people who are giving speeches in front of everyone. Please be ready!
Last thing, I just got a copy of the orientation schedule and I see that many of you will be at Soka University on March 27th. Please post early so you don't have to worry about it once you get here. We are really looking forward to meeting all of you! Have a great week and keep on studying!
Sincerely,
Miyagi H
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Post by Rita on Mar 12, 2015 2:46:33 GMT 9
Thank you Malcolm and Mr. Miyagi for all your encouragement, support and feedback. I would definitely try and improve on my weekly reports further. I also wanted to check with Mikaela and Joy about pastel colour suits? What exactly are suits for women? This is for the Opening Ceremony..I needed some clarification..If you could help
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Post by Admin on Mar 13, 2015 7:14:04 GMT 9
Dear Everyone, Please be sure to post your March 13th weekly report in the March 13th thread. Not in the March 6th thread.
Miyagi H
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