Unit 12: Learning English in the Movies

This week, we watched scenes from the 2003 film Please Teach Me English (영어완전정복), starring Lee Na-young (Na Young-ju, or "Candy") and Jang Hyeok (Park Moon-su, or "Elvis"). In this movie, we watched Young-ju go through the difficulties of living in modern, "English-obsessed" Korean society.




This movie, of course, is a comedy. Often, the comedy is "slapstick" too - meaning, the characters use their bodies a lot to make us laugh.

What did you think of this movie? Do you think it exaggerates how Korean society thinks about English, or is it accurate? Do you think Korea is "English-obsessed"? Can you relate to any of the characters or their situation?

As a foreigner teaching English here, I thought a lot of things were funny. This movie helped me appreciate the difficulties my students face. I also think it shows how a lot of methods for learning to speak in English are not effective. What do you think is the best way to learn to speak English well?

THIS DISCUSSION IS OUR FINAL ONLINE DISCUSSION FOR THE SEMESTER!! YOU MUST POST YOUR COMMENTS BY JUNE 10th! ANY COMMENTS AFTER JUNE 10th WILL NOT BE GRADED.

I look forward to reading your comments!

Units 10 and 11: Amazing abilities and talents

In class last week, we talked a little about things we can do vs. things we could do.

Remember, "could" is used in two ways in English:

1) "Could" means future possibility.

"Could I borrow your phone?"
"When I finish university, I could become a teacher."

2) "Could" also means past ability.

"Could you play piano when you were a kid?"
"They could sing beautifully when they weren't tired."

It is important to pay attention to the other verbs in the sentence to understand which meaning could has!

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This week, I want to know what you think about your major at university.



Are you learning how to do things you couldn't do before now?
What could you use your knowledge for?
Do you know what classes you would like to take next semester?

Please write at least 50 words for your response, and post it here before class starts this week. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Becka

Unit 9: Where were you when...?

When we talk about really big news events, sometimes we think about where we were, or what we were doing at that time.

For example, every American probably remembers where they were when 9/11 happened. I was at work, and when I heard about the first plane, we thought it was strange, but we did not worry because the reports said it was a small plane. It sounded like an accident. Then we turned on the TV and saw the second plane hit the other building. I often visited New York City and I was shocked that this happened. Also, my friends lived near those buildings, and I was worried about them.



This week, I want you to tell us something about a personal memory you have about a big news event that affected you. It can be any kind of memory - sad, happy, etc. Tell us: what was the news event? Where were you at that time? How old were you? How did you feel about it?

Please make your response at least 75 words and post it to this forum BEFORE your first class with me this week.

Unit 8: Who do you think is an 'unsung hero'?

This week, we talked about heroes and leaders. We learned about the lives of social activists such as John Lennon (pictured here with his wife, Yoko Ono)...



...Mahatma Gandhi...


...and Aung San Suu Kyi.


These people became famous for the good things they did... but how about people who do good things who aren't famous?

People who do good in the world but don't receive any recognition are usually called "unsung heroes". We use the past tense "sung" in this expression because in English, when we give someone praise, we say we "sing" their praises. An unsung hero is someone who we think deserves more praise.

Who is an unsung hero in your life? Tell us about her or him. Why do you think they are a hero? What good things did they do? Please make your response at least 50 words, and post it before your first class this week.

Midterm Survey

Hi again,

I made a short survey to get your feedback about how we can make this class better and better. You do not need to put your name on this survey, so you may answer with your honest opinions. Your honesty will help me think about how we can make this class as useful as possible for you.

You can answer this survey anytime until May 16th. Thank you for your sincere feedback!

Here is the survey link:
Native English Midterm Survey

See you next week,
Becka

Special Topic for May 4th Attendance Point

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry we could not have a regular class meeting on Tuesday (May 4th), but by writing a short response to this post, you will be able
to still have your attendance point for that day.

I am writing to you from Toronto right now! I'm here for my little sister's wedding, and I can't wait to see all of my family at this event. It is a very large wedding - almost 300 guests! I was in a wedding only two times before today. The last time I saw all of my family was at my wedding in 2004!

I don't have much experience being in weddings. Here are pictures from the only two weddings I was in:

Here, at my own wedding in Halifax, Canada...


...and here, at my friends' wedding in Daejeon...


Many of my friends got married in Korea, actually. Sometimes the weddings were 'traditional' style weddings in folk villages, and sometimes they were modern weddings in a wedding hall.


HERE IS THE QUESTION FOR YOUR ATTENDANCE POINT. You may choose a question to answer. You do not have to answer all of them.


1) Do you want to get married? What kind of wedding do you want to have?


- OR -


2) What do you know about wedding traditions in Western culture? Are they different from weddings in Korea?


- OR -

3) Do you have experience participating in a wedding? What was your experience?

I look forward to seeing you next week. Have a great day off on May 5th!

Becka

Unit 7: Changes and Becoming

Maybe you are thinking of your future a lot these days. Maybe you have no idea what your future holds yet. Often, when we ask 'what do you want to become?' we mean 'what job do you want to have?' But 'becoming' something can also be about what kind of person you want to be in life. What kinds of values are important to you?



I'm very interested to hear what your thoughts are about the future. As John Lennon said in one of his songs, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."



Please make your posts at least 75 words long. Please post your responses by the beginning of your first class next week (no later than midnight on May 4).

Have a great week!

Becka