Blog #8 - due Wednesday, April 27

Dear students,

Thank you for your excellent comments on the last blog. This last one will also be about Curious Incident, and will also give you some practice with past modals. Here is the question:

It is clear to all of us that Christopher's parents made many mistakes, both with him and with each other. They probably have many regrets. In your opinion, what could or should they have done differently? What do you think they wish they had or had not done?

As usual, please respond to these questions and to each other's answers as well.

Thanks,
Diana

Blog #7 - Due on Monday, April 18

Dear students,

This time I would like to combine several themes from both classes, namely, conditional sentences, your knowledge of American education, and your Curious Incident reading. Here is my question:  If you had an autistic child ( that is, someone like Christopher)...(1) What kind of education would you arrange for him/her? (2) What kinds of extracurricular activities would you encourage him/her to participate in? and (3) What else would you do to help him/her feel more comfortable socially and emotionally?

Please react to this very hypothetical situation, and react to each other's comments also.

Good luck,
Diana

Blog post #6 - due on Monday, April 4

Dear students,

Our topic this week will be Culture Shock; Another Perspective.

You have all talked in our classes about the culture shock you experienced when you came to the U.S. Now, think about what it would be like for a tourist in your native country. What if your teacher ( I, Diana) were coming for a trip? What advice do you have for me? What should I know, before I travel to your country? What should I do and not do, in order to have a successful experience?

Several of you come from the same countries. I hope you will say different things!

I look forward to hearing from you all.

Best,
Diana

Blog post #5 - due Wednesday, March 23

Dear students,

Welcome to the continuation of our class blog from Spring I. Note that I have re-named it for your current levels, but it is still the same blog.

Our topic for this week will be "Eating Out in NYC." Please answer the following questions, preferably in paragraph form. As before, please react to at least one of your classmates.

1. What kind of food do you want to eat when you go out: food from your native country, or some other kind? 2. What is your favorite restaurant in NYC? Why?  3. Where is it located?  4. How are the prices there? 5. Would you recommend it to your classmates? to your teacher? I am always looking for new restaurants to try!

Happy blogging,
Diana

Blog post #4  - due Monday, March 7

Dear students,

Your last blog topic will be music. Please answer the following questions:

1. What is your favorite kind of music? 2. Who is your favorite performer or group? 3. Are you musical? 4. Have you ever sung or played a musical instrument? If so, do you still?

This time brief answers will be very welcome!

Thanks,
Diana

Blog post #3 - due Monday, February 22

Dear students,

Today's topic will be exercise and health. Please consider these questions:

1. What do you do to stay healthy?
2. Do you eat healthy foods? If so, what kinds?
3. Do you exercise? If so, what kinds of exercise do you do? Do you enjoy it?

Please write a short paragraph  on this topic. As usual, react to each others' comments too.

Thanks,
Diana

Blog Post #2 - due Wednesday, February 10 by midnight

Dear students,

Our topic this time will be U.S. politics: the presidential candidates for the 2016 election. Write a short paragraph in which you answer some or all of the following questions:

1. What do you know about the Democratic and Republican parties ?
2. If you had to choose one of these parties, to which would you belong? Why?
3. What do you know about the current candidates?
4. Choose one of them and tell what you think their strengths and weaknesses are.Would you vote for this    person?

As usual, please react to at least one other student's comments for full credit.

Best,
Diana

Dear students,

Thank you for your very interesting movie descriptions. The only one of those you mentioned was "Titanic," but I saw it many years ago and thought it was great.

During winter vacation my husband and I saw many movies - maybe 6 or 7 or them. My favorite of them all was" Brooklyn." It is a touching story of an Irish girl who immigrates to Brooklyn. After experiencing culture shock, she begins to feel at home there. She falls in love with an Italian-American boy, and they plan to marry, but her mother and sister are still in Ireland. Then, she agrees to visit Ireland for a friend's marriage. During her visit there,  a long-time friend falls in love with her. She isn't sure what to do, as she feels pulled in both directions. What does she do? If you want to find out, go see the movie!

See you all soon,
Diana

Dear Students,

Welcome to our class blog! Your first topic will be movies. Please answer the following questions, preferably in paragraph form. Then please react to your classmates' comments, too. Your reaction can be brief.
1. What kinds of movies do you like?
2. Do you prefer to go out to a theater or watch movies at home?
3. Describe the plot of your favorite movie or the last movie you saw.