English Programme 2011

Session 10> Evaluation of blog experience

2011-06-06T20:40:00.000-07:00

Today it's the last blog session. I think it was a very short semester and I'd like to know something about your experience learning English through blogs. I know you liked many of the topics, and remember you suggested some of them as well. I commented on your posts but I'm not sure you read them though!! I could see you writing enthusiastically sometimes, sometimes without energy, others fighting with the topic. This is part of your learning process and I'd like to thank you all for the always interesting, funny and serious posts you wrote. I learned a lot about you, your personal likes and dislikes, your initiatives, ecological plans, your favourite food, books, music. Let me tell you that I always learn something new with my students, which is very special and pleasant for me. This time I'd like you to write something about this blog experience as I wrote above. Remember not to answer the questions, we write them to guide you in your own writing.

- Did you enjoy it? Why? Why not?
- Did it help you improve your English?
- Give your opinion of the advantages and disadvantages of blogging in the English class.
- Add comments to at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs.
- Upload a picture to reinforce your ideas.
- Minimum 300 words

Session 9> Today you have to choose

2011-05-24T05:48:00.000-07:00

Hi students, today you have to choose between two topics: food and books.

Write about the last book you read or your favourite book, who is the author, why you chose it, who bought it and where, the plot, give a personal comment on the book.
You can start by saying "the last book I read was ....".
One of my favourite writers is the Portuguese Nobel winner José Saramago. The last book I read by him was Blindness, originally Ensaio Sobre a Cegueira. It's an incredible and amazing story about a city hit by an epidemic of white blindness. Everyone gets sick in the city, so you can imagine the chaos for example on the streets, especially if people were driving. Little by little people get blind except just one woman who helps her husband and seven people to survive in the hospital where thay are sent by the authorities. They must walk along the city and she sees as the other people start getting blind suddenly and the pain and horror on their faces...well if you want to know the end of the story I suggest you to read it, the end is even more surprosing!!!

The another topic is about your favourite food. Explain why you like it, where you ate it the first time, if you can remember, if you have ever prepared it at home, give the recipe if you know it.
You can start by saying "My favourite dish is .......it's delicious, tasty, and .....".
My favourite dish is "porotos granados". When summer arrives I feel very happy because I know beans are corn are coming and they are the basic ingredients. I don't hesitate among the different preparations, I like them all, with much corn or less corn, with much pumpkin or not, I don't care. And as usual, I enjoy eating them with a raw onion, mmmm tasty!!! and of course some glasses of red wine to burn fat!!!

Remember to write about 280 words, leave a comment on three of your classmates' posts and upload a picture you like to decorate your post.

Session 8 > A photograph you like the most

2011-05-16T19:22:00.000-07:00

Today you'll have to choose a picture you like the most. There are many reasons for you to like a photograph, for instance, the pic I published is very special. As you can see, the statue is almost alive, it seems it can see the presence of the bird, actually it's so real that one can think it's a person. Look the expression of its eyes and the movement of its mouth. The statue is so lively and natural that one might even listen to its scream. And, of course, the bird plays an important role with its kind of landing on its body. Actually, the bird helps to give life to this inanimate statue. I'm sure that without the bird this statue wouldn't look as real as it seems and its body expressions wouldn't have any trace of life either, it's such a real good pic, full of life!!! Unfortunately I don't know who took it to send her/him my congratulations because that photgrapher struck it lucky!!! It's quite a real scene!!!

So today, dear students, you'll write down about a photograph you like.

Say:

Who took it
What it shows
When it was taken
Why you like it
Upload it too

Include any other information you'd like to mention.
Write at least 280 words.

Session 7> The best day of your life

2011-05-09T19:19:00.000-07:00

Today you're going to write about one of the best days of your life, say when it was, why you consider it so important, what is special about it. It can be a concert, your first day at university, your first love relationship, a special trip, even your first earthquake, etc. You can start your text with "The best day of my life was... ; I think the best day of my life was...; I remember that important day... ". These are suggestions that you could modify depending on what you would like to write down. Include as many things or details as you can remember!!

Remember to write at least 250 words, leave a comment on 3 of your classmates' blogs. Don't forget to upload a pic that represents the emotion or the feeling of that special day!!!

Session 6 > Your favourite piece of technology

2011-05-02T19:30:00.000-07:00

Write about your favourite piece of technology.

Say:

What it is.
When you got it.
How you use it.
How often you use it.
Why you like it.
What life would be like without it.

200 words minimum.
Include a picture.
Comment on at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs.

Session 5> An ideal place you'd like to visit...

2011-04-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

Today you're going to write about a place, city or country you'd like to visit.

- Say why you'd like to visit that place.
- Would you like to live there?
- Who would you like to go with?
- Say if you are saving money to go there.

Write at least 200 words.

Leave comments on 3 of your classmates' posts.

Session 4>

2011-04-11T19:13:00.000-07:00

Write about the music you like listening to when you feel sad. Does the music help you to cheer you up? You can start your text by saying: When I'm sad I always listen to ..... Frist of all, ....... I'd like to share with you... I spend my time ....

- Number of words: 200
- Upload a pic of your favourite group
- Add the link of a youtube video if you want to
- Remember to leave comments on at least 3 of their mates' posts.

Session 3: 2 choices

2011-04-04T17:22:00.000-07:00

Post 1 (Instructions).
Write about a career-related website that you enjoy visiting.

You should:

- provide a link
- describe the website (sections, features,etc)
- say how often you visit the site
- explain why you like the site.

Add comments to at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs
Word Count: 180 - 200

Post 2 (Instructions)
Who is a person/expert on your field that you admire?

Say:

-Who she/he is.(short biography)
-What she/he has done. (examples of their work)
-Why you like her/him.
-Include his/her image

About 180 -200 words please
Add comments to at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs

Session 2

2011-03-29T03:57:00.000-07:00

What was the last movie you saw?
Did you like it?
Tell your classmates the most important things about that movie: the plot, the actor/actress, etc.
Write about 80-100 words
Add a picture!!!

Don't forget to comment on 3 of your classmates' blogs

Session 1> Create blog / Link classmates / Personalize blog / Write intro post min 70 words

2011-03-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

A) Follow the instructions and create your blog>>
1. go to: http://www.blogger.com/
2. click: create your blog now
3. if you have a google account: sign in first
if you don’t have a google account: create a google account (step 1)
4. (step 2) name your blog
5. (2) choose any template you like
6. start posting (dashboard)
Make sure you select English as your working language and activate the comments option (automatic by default)

B) Link your teacher’s blog and ALL your classmates’ blogs to yours. To do this you need to write your URL on the board.
C) Write a short introductory/welcome post. (70 words)
Say who you are and what objectives you hope to achieve with your blog.
D) Leave comments on at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs.
E) Personalize your blog (e.g. add a picture, survey, change colour fonts, etc).

Post 10: FINAL SESSION

2010-11-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

Possible Essay Topics. Choose one of them:

1. Your experience learning English at the university / A general reflection
2. The use of technologies within the different subjects you've studied this year (Review/opinion)
3. Chile 2010: What are your views on Chile's bicentennial year?

Essay Structure:

- Introduction (about 80 words)
- Body: 2 or 3 paragraphs (about 200 words)
- Conclusion: (about 70 words)

Useful Links & Tips to write your essay:

http://lklivingston.tripod.com/essay/
http://esl.about.com/cs/writing/ht/ht_essay.htm
http://www.wikihow.com/Write-an-Essay

Post 9: A sabbatical year

2010-10-25T19:03:00.000-07:00

A sabbatical year or a gap year is a period of time between higher education and employment, sometimes some people have it between secondary education and university studies. If you had a sabbatical year, what would you like to do?

Say

- if you consider necessary to have a free year for you, why/why not
- at least three things you would like to do
- add a picture

Write between 250 and 300 words

Comment on 3 of your classmates' posts.

Post 8: How green are you?

2010-10-18T17:33:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed a lot your last posts about your wildest parties, it was clear enough you were very honest and mature to write about them, thanks for your confidence, I appreciate it!! Now let's behave seriously because the topic of today's class is a little bit more serious. Do you consider yourself as someone enviromentally friendly? Well you have some bullet points to write about this topic. Remember not to answer them, just consider them for your whole piece of writing. Don't forget to write an introduction, a body and a logical conclusion.

- Where do people learn about enviromentally friendly practices?
- Have you incorported recycling into your habits? Describe it
- Do you use a bike or your legs instead of a car?
- Have you joined or supported any eco-organisations? Why/Why not?
- What else have you done /would you like to do?
- What have you done to reduce your carbon footprint?
- What's missing in our society/Santiago ragarding this issue?

Number of words: 300
Don't forget to make comments on at least 2 of your classmates posts.

Post 7: Your last wild party

2010-10-14T19:57:00.000-07:00

This week you will write about the last craziest, wildest and best party you had or attended.

Say

- when and where it was
- who you went with
- why you consider it as a "wild party"
- say if you remember the consequences of that party
- share any information you consider relevant
- if you meet someone special
- add a picture

Write between 250 and 280 words.

Don't forget to leave comments on 3 of your classmates' posts!!!

Post 6: SUMMARY FROM A CAREER-RELATED ARTICLE FROM THE GUARDIAN

2010-10-14T03:33:00.000-07:00

Go to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/

- Select a piece of news connected to your area of studies / future career.
- Write a summary of it.
- Provide the link to your piece of news.
- Leave a comment on 2 of their partners' posts.
- 250 - 300 words

Post 5: The last movie or book you liked

2010-10-07T07:26:00.000-07:00

Today you'll write about the last film you saw or the book you read and liked the most.

Say

- the name of the director (movie) or the writer (book)
- what the plot was about
- if you are going to write about a movie, give the actors and actresses' names who act
- if you are going to write about a book, give the characters' names
- why you liked it

Remember to write an introduction section, then explain your ideas in the body, (remember not to answer the ideas suggested) and to finish a conclusion.

Add a picture of the book or movie.

Write between 250 and 280 words and leave comments on 3 of your classmates' blogs!!!

Post 7: Your last wild party

2010-10-05T06:16:00.000-07:00

Post 6> Music: Save me from all the trouble and the pain!!!

2010-09-27T19:19:00.000-07:00

Write about your favourite songs, albums, concerts, artists, groups or kind of music you like the most.

Write an introduction saying why you like her/him/it/them.

Then write a body giving details about why she/he is or they are from, how many records she/he has or they have, how long she/he has or they have been singing and any information you consider important.

Finally, don't forget to write a conclusion!!!

- Don't forget to add a picture and a link to her/his/their website.
- Write at least 250 words.
- Remember to comment on 3 of your classmates' posts.

Post 4: What to do where to go in Santiago after the BICENTENARIO weekend

2010-09-20T16:27:00.000-07:00

Maybe you are fed up with the Bicentenary activities, the authorities here, there and everywhere, news about the cars returning to the capital, the same old stuff!! Today I'd like you to write about the activities you are going to do or suggest your classmates to do and the places to visit after this long weekend.

Remember the following to write your post

Introduction:

- Say how you discovered that place or activity
- Why you think it is special

Body:

- Describe the activities and the place
- Say how many times you'been to that place
- Who you went with there

Closing paragraph or conclusion:

- Why you recommend it
- Some recommendations

Remember to write at least 250 words and leave comments on 3 of your classmates' posts.

Post 4: What to do and where to go during the National Holidays.

2010-09-06T17:09:00.000-07:00

This year is special for Chile and some other Latinamerican countries because we celebrate the 200th anniversary of our independence. Are you going to be part of the celebrations of our bicentenary?

Say:
- where to celebrate this special national holiday
- who you are going to be with
- if it is necessary to spend much money celebrating a date like this
- what you like of the National Holiday
- add any other interesting points you consider important

Comment on 3 of your classmates' posts.

Post 3: The Future of Chilean State Universities

2010-08-30T20:27:00.000-07:00

Last week you participated in a big demonstration against the privatisation of the state unversities. Today you are free to give your opinion about this big issue:

- Say what you think about this problem
- Do you think privatisation will impose in our state university system?
- Can you see any solutions to this problem?
- Do you think this government will privatise Universidad de Chile?

Write ate least 200 words.
Add a picture of the demonstration.
Comment on at least 3 of your classmates' posts.

Post 2: A country you'd like to visit

2010-08-23T21:12:00.000-07:00

- Say why you'd like to visit that country.
- Would you like to live there for some years?
- Who would you like to go with?
- Say if you are saving money to go there.

Write at least 150 words.

Leave comments on 3 of your classmates' posts.

Post 1: First Term: Good and bad points

2010-08-16T19:44:00.000-07:00

Hullo and welcome!!! As you can see today's post is about the first term. Say if you enjoyed it, how much you studied, the academic problems you had and how you solved them, the new friends you made and other important things for you.

Write at least 120 words.

Leave comments on 3 of your classmates' posts.

HOW TO WORK WITH BLOGS 2nd SEMESTER

2010-08-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

The blogging experience is one of the backbones of the course syllabus in levels 3 (pre-intermediate) and 4 (intermediate). Blogs are used to train and develop our students' writing and communicative skills. There are TEN 90-minute sessions this term. On each session, the students have to write about different themes connected to their personal, social and academic contexts. Each post (a piece of text that you or a student uploads to the blog) has a set of specific instructions to be followed.

MARKING RUBRIC
Blogs Level 4 – 2010_2

Section 1*: Posts sessions to be confirmed(8 posts)

Task Completion:

Full >> 2 marks
Partial >> 1 mark
Not done >> 0 marks

Marking Table (for the 8 posts)

Score / Mark

16 /7.0
15 /6.5
14 /6.1
13 /5.6
12 /5.1
11 /4.7
10 /4.2
9 /3.8
8 /3.5
7 /3.2
6 /2.9
5 /2.6
4 /2.3
3 /2.0
2 /2.0
1 /2.0

* Students who don’t attend class can do task within a 48hr period to receive a mark of 1 (partial)

Section 2: Posts to be confirmed (2 posts)

3 marks>>
Task: All aspects of the task are very well handled.
Lexis: Excellent use of lexical resources
Grammar: Grammar is excellent and almost error-free

2 marks>>
Task: The task is sufficiently handled
Lexis: Good use of lexical resources /Coherence generally well handled.
Grammar: Grammar is adequate despite minor errors

1 mark>>
Task: Some details of the task are missing or erroneous
Lexis: Some problems with word formation and usage. Occasional lapses in coherence that hinders clarity of message
Grammar: Grammar is weak with noticeable errors

0 mark>>
Task: Writing is unrelated to task
Lexis: Incorrect or erroneous lexis usage (or flaws in coherence) that hinders communication of message
Grammar: Too many grammar errors to convey message

The maximum score per post is therefore 9 points, which stands for a 7.

Section 2: (Use this table for each of the 2 posts here)

Score / Mark (1 to 7)
9 /7
8.5 /6.7
8 /6.5
7.5 /6.0
7 /5.5
6.5 /5.0
6 /4.7
5.5 /4.5
5 /4
4.5 /3.5
4 /3
3.5 /3
3.0 /2.5
2.5 /2.0
2.0 /2
1.5 /1.5
1.0 /1.0

Final Blog Mark > Weight

Section 1 = 50%

Section 2 = 50%

Blog Session 11 > Write about your blogging experience.

2010-06-17T20:16:00.000-07:00

- Did you enjoy it? Why? Why not?

- Did it help you improve your English?

- Give your opinion of the advantages and disadvantages of blogging in the English class.

Minimum 300 words

Blog Session 10 > The best place to go on winter holidays.

2010-06-10T20:04:00.000-07:00

Tell why you think that place is the best to go on holiday.
Where is it? Chile, abroad?
How can we get there?
The advantages of the place you like.
Describe the landscape and its people
Would you reccomend it?

Add a picture of the place.

Include any other information you think is important.
Write at least 280-300 words.

Add comments to at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs

SESSION 9 > A PHOTOGRAPH

2010-06-03T19:57:00.000-07:00

Write about a photograph you like.

Say:

Who took it
What it shows
When it was taken
Why you like it

Include any other information you think is important.
Write at least 280 words.

Add comments to at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs

SESSION 8 > The last book you read

2010-06-02T19:30:00.001-07:00

Write about the last book you read.

- Tell about the title, author and topic.
- Who were the characters?
- Did you like it? Why? Why not?
- Would you reccomend it?
- Number of words: 250
- As always, comment on 3 of your classmates' posts.

You can start saying: "The last book I read was ... it was one week/month ago... I read it in summer/at the beginnig of the semester/last year, etc ...."

SESSION 7 > The last movie you saw

2010-05-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

Write about the last movie you saw.

- Who were the actors and actresses?
- Tell about the plot.
- Did you like it? Why? Why not?
- Would you reccomend it?
- Number of words: 250
- As always, comment on 3 of their mates' posts.

You can start saying: "The last movie I saw was ... it was one week/month ago... I saw it with some friends ...."

SESSION 6 > Your favourite piece of technology

2010-05-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

Write about your favourite piece of technology.

Say:

What it is.
When you got it.
How you use it.
How often you use it.
Why you like it.
What life would be like with out it.

200 words minimum.
Include a picture.
omment on at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs.

Session 5 Write about your favourite music

2010-05-07T11:37:00.000-07:00

Write about your favourite albums, concerts, artists, groups or kind of music. Say where they are from, how long they have been singing and any information you consider important.

Write between 200 and 220 words.
Remember to comment on 3 of your classmates' posts.

SESSION 4 Career-Related Website / A Person You Admire

2010-04-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

This time, you have to choose 1 of these 2 posts

Post 1 (Instructions).
Write about a career-related website that you enjoy visiting.

You should:
- provide a link
- describe the website (sections, features,etc)
- say how often you visit the site
- explain why you like the site.

Add comments to at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs
Word Count: 180 - 200

Post 2 (Instructions)
Who is a person/expert on your field that you admire?

Say:
-Who she/he is.(short biography)
-What she/he has done. (examples of their work)
-Why you like her/him.
-Include his/her image

About 180 -200 words please
Add comments to at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs

Blog Session 3> Hobbies

2010-04-23T11:43:00.000-07:00

Write about 2 of your favourite hobbies.
Mention all of them.
Write 120-140 words.
Leave 3 comments

BLOG SESSION 2 (week 4) >> 27/02/10 03.34 AM

2010-04-14T15:50:00.000-07:00

27/02/10 03.34 am

Write a text about your experiences connected with the earthquake.
You can approach the post in anyway you want. Here there are just a few ideas for it:

- Your experience that night
- Your reactions
- What you have done after (to help)
- Lessons learned, etc..

Leave comments on at least 3 of your classmates’ blogs.
Number of words: 120 - 160

Session 1> Create blog / Link classmates / Personalize blog / Write intro post min 70 words

2010-04-08T16:07:00.001-07:00