Upper Secondary Proficiency 1 by https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1 Info. and updates about our class en-us 2017-10-03 08:50:35 UTC 2023-03-21 02:51:54 UTC hello@padlet.com First lesson presentation andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/332342729 2019-02-18 14:03:48 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/332342729 Classroom contract andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/333630929 As agreed in our first lesson]]> 2019-02-21 14:14:37 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/333630929 20/02/2018 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/333631159 We looked through the book we will use this term and evaluated how useful it will be.

I also showed you where to find the TED talk online resource: https://ngl.cengage.com/ 

We discussed schools and creativity ti begin the topic - you should re-watch the clip to make sure you understand the video as much as possible.]]> 2019-02-21 14:15:05 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/333631159 25/02/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/335057239 We began by talking about 21st century skills. I said I'd link to something which discusses exams/assessment of these skills, but it's hard to find something which isn't too academic or complicated. You can follow this link, if you're interested: https://www.slideshare.net/sweetsmiles/21st-century-learning-assessment we can think of how to incorporate ideas of formative assessment in our lessons over this term.

Your homework is to watch a film monologue and to try to understand as much of it as possible using the listening strategies we discussed today. Here's the Youtube link to the list of videos I found. Others are available. Use the attached file for making notes and stuff.]]> 2019-02-25 19:32:01 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/335057239 I found the article on 21st Century assessment! andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/335301412 It's quite long and written in an academic style, but the 'fun' stuff starts on page 5.]]> 2019-02-26 11:37:14 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/335301412 27/02/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/336293756 We continued to think about creativity to a certain extent, and then switched over to look at the present perfect tenses. Given we will be looking at language in depth this term, considering the choices people make about why they choose to use one way of talking/writing over another, it is useful to have a system to use where we are all able to have this discussion.

There was a bit of a debate about creativity and communism. If you want to see more about this, I found this Reddit discussion from about a year ago: https://www.reddit.com/r/DebateCommunism/comments/78401j/did_communism_stifle_creativity/ 

From my (limited) perspective, there are a number of areas where you can find excellent examples of creativity in a Communist era. If anyone is a fan of sci-fi, you might find reading Strugastky's 'Roadside Picnic' an interesting read with an anit-communist subtext.

Your homework is to get through the workbook unit 1 within a week of finishing unit 1 in the coursebook. This is when the workbook completion will be checked.]]> 2019-02-28 08:24:22 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/336293756 Additional reading resource andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/336296757 If anyone is looking for a site where you can find extra reading material, you can find a collection of excellent essays, articles and other texts at the electric typewriter]]> 2019-02-28 08:37:05 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/336296757 04/03/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/337806385 Today we dissected a text from the Electric Typewriter about how watching TV makes you smarter. We didn't read the entire article so I've linked to it below. Have a read and see what you make of the author's arguments.

I hope you enjoyed discussing the choices the author made as it is here where you will need to show your proficient level of language: it is not enough to be good at using the language, but you need to be able to choose the appropriate type to have the appropriate effect on the reader. (http://www.criticalreading.com/choice_of_language.htm) We will engage in more of these types of conversation as the course progresses which will help you to become better language experts. ]]> 2019-03-05 08:30:31 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/337806385 06/03/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/338521572 Today, we had a debate about whether TV makes us smarter. There were a few areas where we could stand to expand our lexicon:
train (enhance/develop/build/etc) our critical thinking skills
there's a lot of this cr** (shows of low quality/poor standard content/etc) and not worthy programmes
fake (unreal/fraudulent/faux/misleading/counterfeit) news
tip -> you can (and should) use the 'thesaurus' function in Word or otherwise (https://www.thesaurus.com/) to avoid unnecessary repetition 

Last lesson, I briefly touched on using corpus data to help us understand the language we use. You can find the one I use here: https://www.english-corpora.org// - first, you need to choose your data set and then search for your word or phrase. Play around - it's free to use and you can register for free as well.

Your homework is to write an article about how something is beneficial for education (X makes you smarter) and using the strategies the text from Monday used:
repetition/using language from other people or places/addressing the reader/etc

]]> 2019-03-06 17:59:07 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/338521572 11/03/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/340282609 It occurs to me that I forgot to create a padlet for Wednesday's lesson last week as well as today's.

Last Wednesday, I set you guys some homework to write about how one of the internet, movies, fashion, modern music or computer games were good for learning or made you smarter.

Today, we discussed the importance of being creative with language. We listened to a short interview about this topic, and learned about 'malaphors' - you invented some of your own. While the point was made that by mixing your metaphors in such a way might make you difficult to understand, the point is that any time you are creative with language, you are sharing an 'in-joke' or reference which you expect the other person to get - this is why it develops and maintains relationships: you are telling the other person 'I understand you, and here's something we share'.
Think about any comedy show. Rick and Morty, for example bases a lot of it's humour on references to Sci-Fi, science or other concepts (as well as referencing itself) and trusts that its audience will understand them. The audience, in turn, feels the show 'gets them' and they feel connected to it. Although this does run the risk of resulting in 'toxic fandom'.

Anyway, perhaps we can return to this later.

For homework I asked you to watch the TED talk for unit 2 and we shall discuss it on Wednesday.]]> 2019-03-12 07:51:17 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/340282609 Podcasts... andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/340285551 I listen to a lot of podcasts and find them both entertaining and informative.  I especially love ones connected to true crime, science, or history.

I recently came across one about language; especially the English language. The episode 'to Err is human' was kind of behind the malaphor part of the lesson, and gives some insight to why English spelling is so unusual as well as how other mistakes have entered common usage.

Give it a listen]]> 2019-03-12 08:03:42 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/340285551 13/03/ andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/341033600 As a few people hadn't watched the TED talk, we watched the first part (up to the song). We discussed whether she had a genuine 'idea worth sharing', and few of you thought she did. Perhaps the lack of viewers shows data is on your side?

Your homework is twofold:
1) Prepare a 2-minute presentation about overcoming a fear. Use the tips and ideas on page 21 to help you. You will deliver this on Monday.

2) Listen to a song in English and think about the language they use. we will be looking at using music and language on Monday as well.]]> 2019-03-13 18:31:33 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/341033600 19/03/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/342762980 First of all today we got our writing assignments back. Generally, our language was fine - although there were a few issues here and there with articles or word order. The main issue was not enough expansion of ideas or clarification of the points you are trying to make.

We then moved on to look at the usefulness of hip-hop in learning a language. I shared some data which suggests that hip-hop tends to be very lexically diverse, with a wider range of language than other genres (although some artists are 'better' than others). You can find the sources here:
http://lab.musixmatch.com/vocabulary_genres/
https://pudding.cool/projects/vocabulary/index.html

We focused in on one track listening to the song, and looking at the language. Yuo can see some annotations of the references he makes using the 'genius' webite:
https://genius.com/1785103

On Wednesday, we will be turning this into an essay to help you to think about how to include additional details and examples in your own writing.

Oh yes, I forgot about the presentations so hopefully we will have time for that as well.]]> 2019-03-19 10:12:44 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/342762980 20/03/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/343484252 Today, we continued to look at the language in the text of the rap. We considered a translation of the text into an academic/formal style and which style you found easier to understand.
Consider what it is about that language which makes it easier to understand? If you need to reach a wider audience with your own messages, which style do you think would be most appropriate?]]> 2019-03-20 18:19:44 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/343484252 25/03/ andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/344975427 Today, we started to look at a different topic - future optimism/pessimism.

It turns out that many of you are fairly pessimistic about the future, especially regarding the state of the environment.

We looked at the entirety of the future forms (SB p22) and discussed which forms were appropriate and where.

On Wednesday, we will continue to do this so be sure to do the grammar activity 5 at the top of on page 23. I also asked you to watch a sci-fi short perhaps off the Youtube channel Dust and/or read a sci-fi short story from the Clarkes World Magazine website (http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/). We will discuss this on Wednesday.]]> 2019-03-25 18:43:20 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/344975427 27/03/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/345784276 Today we read some classic short sci-fi stories as they tied into the topic of 'future' and 'hopes and fears' which we have been embarking on recently.

We read 'I have no mouth and I must scream', 'Flowers for Algenon' and 'All Summer in a Day'. I found some of the texts through this website. Perhaps you'll be inspired to read some other stories while you're at it.

Other short stories I would recommend are:
Calved
So much cooking
Meshed

Let the class know on Monday ]]> 2019-03-27 16:21:27 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/345784276 01/04/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/347487365 We started to look at things that can go wrong when travelling. WE decided that it's a forgone conclusion that I'll be chopped up and smuggled in a suitcase or it's quite likely that I'll be forced to work unpaid...

On Wednesday we will be looking at writing an account of an incident.]]> 2019-04-02 06:42:05 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/347487365 03/04/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/348440743 Today, we looked at some ways to use adverbs to add extra detail to your writing. In the lesson, I got much of the info from these websites:
https://guinlist.wordpress.com/tag/comment-adverbs/ (ignore the stupid cartoons at the start, it's got some useful stuff)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/episode85/languagepoint.shtml
https://www.ef.com/wwen/english-resources/english-grammar/viewpoint-and-commenting-adverbs/

We also began to write an account of an incident. You can find the model text on page 26-27 in the students books. We will finish them on Monday, but for those of you who were absent, you should make a start as they will form part of your assessment for this course.

You can find the task attached to this post.]]> 2019-04-04 10:28:59 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/348440743 15/04/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/351908821 I came back...

much of this lesson was catching up with what you'd been up to, but we need to finish off the writing task from a couple of weeks ago - I returned what you'd done so far so that you can remember what you'd done and on Wednesday yuo can finish it off.

Also, Wednesday will be counselling day, so make sure you come along ready to reflect on your progress so far.]]> 2019-04-16 09:18:42 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/351908821 24/04/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/354081979 It seems as if we only meet each other once every month...

well today we talked about making a good first impression. You watched the introductions of a few travel vloggers to see if they made a good first impression (spoiler alert: they didn't):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpxE0noTR1o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3P_eUFxaQE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=salEVVKMA_I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKC_x93vs-s

You then read an article on how to make a good first impression online - it turns out you felt the advice was not so useful because it's too obvious. Anyway, for those who were absent - I've attached it to this Padlet.

We also looked at the grammar on page 34/35 - simple vs continuous tenses.

For those of you who enjoy the vlogs by Casey Neistat, here's a vlog about what makes him so unique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbiJqTBCQuw&t=3s - I'm a big fan of the channel Nerdwriter, so check out other video essays by the same guy if you found this one interesting.




]]> 2019-04-25 12:52:23 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/354081979 Our confusion auchbar https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/354354465 Max asked me today that you mentioned there won’t be a lesson on Wednesday, but what about Monday lesson? Is it same as regular or is it cancelled?]]> 2019-04-26 06:07:04 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/354354465 06/05 & 08/05/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/358343307 On these days we started to look at human communication.
On Monday, we had a debate about whether we can change our character just by changing our body language and you had to watch the TED talk by Amy Cuddy on that topic - the questions are on page 42-43. We also looked at some idioms connected to communication - you can find the Quizlet set here: https://quizlet.com/_6lb916

On Wednesday, we critically evaluated Cuddy's research through the lens of science vs. pseudoscience. we watched a short video on the subject (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X8Xfl0JdTQ&t=477s) and then you had to consider whether Cuddy's research could be considered 'science' or not according to Popper's theories.

You can find out more about the reaction to Cuddy's research here: https://theskepticalchemist.com/authority-pseudoscience-amy-cuddy/ (which outright labels Cuddy's research 'pseudoscience')
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2018/04/03/power-posing-is-back-amy-cuddy-successfully-refutes-criticism/#3d856f3f3b8e (which claims that Cuddy has 'successfully' proved power posing to be beneficial)

Next week, we will continue with communication through the ages. See you there/then!]]> 2019-05-09 06:32:56 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/358343307 13/05/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/359798312 Today we watched a fairly simple video about how carrier pigeons/pigeon post works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pXelEAXuPo

The object was not just about finding out about this system, but also to think about how you can use this to plan your own educational talk.
We looked at how you needed to consider content, style, language and other things to produce a successful piece of work.

You then planned and prepared a talk which you will give on Wednesday.]]> 2019-05-14 08:36:27 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/359798312 15/05/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/360668563 We did our presentations. Generally, they were very good and highly rated by all (despite the lack of jokes by Olek). However, we could all do with thinking about how we end any presentations we give.
Here are a couple of websites which give ideas on how to end presentations effectively:
https://www.dummies.com/careers/business-communication/public-speaking/public-speaking-and-stuttering/
http://totalcommunicator.com/vol3_5/concluding.html

we then started to look at negotiating, which we will continue on Monday. we read the text on page 47. Here are a couple of other blogs giving suggestions:
https://www.brodow.com/Ten-Tips-For-Negotiating
https://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/negotiation-skills-daily/top-10-negotiation-skills/

Have a nice weekend!]]> 2019-05-16 07:39:09 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/360668563 20/05/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/362014913 Today, you first tried to negotiate your way out of being slaves (some of you were kind of successful).

Then you listened to and reproduced a text about 'eggcorns'. I was happy that you reproduced a few of the most common ones ('doggy-dog world', 'wet your appetite') and had a stab at some strange ones ('damn squirrel'?).

I got much of the information from here:
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/most-misused-phrases-words-english-language-uk-revealed-to-be-pacific-a8098791.html
With another list of commonly misused phrases can be found here: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/phrases-that-people-get-wrong.html

You can find the Quizlet set for the phrases we looked at in class in the link below.

If you want to look further, there are other types of errors, spoonerisms and mondegreens. You can read about hose here:
https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/spoonerisms-mondegreens-eggcorns-and-malapropisms

I find all this very interesting - getting things wrong in fact led to how we actually use a lot of language the way we do now, as you can find out here:
https://www.theallusionist.org/transcripts/43shjw6596t9yn52lwypddy37wlpeg
- in fact I find this so interesting we may come back to this on Wednesday...]]> 2019-05-21 06:38:42 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/362014913 29/05/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/364590187 I'm not sure why some of my Padlet's don't seem to be saving... well, I hope this one doesn't disappear.

So apparently the most interesting thing about this lesson was the word 'kerfuffle':
noun: kerfuffle; plural noun: kerfuffles
  1. a commotion or fuss, especially one caused by conflicting views. "there was a kerfuffle over the chairmanship"
  Google reckons the origin is early 19th century: perhaps from Scots curfuffle (probably from Scottish Gaelic car ‘twist, bend’ + imitative Scots fuffle ‘to disorder’), or related to Irish cior thual ‘confusion, disorder’.

It caused something of a brouhaha, foofaraw, splaw, williwaw, ballyhoo, and even a bit of bubbery and pandemonium,

Besides that, we looked at why we use the passive voice - and I must say I'm rather surprised this didn't interest you as much as kerfuffle did, but there you go.

I set you some homework - to write an article to (mis)inform. You should think about the audience, style of writing, content and any useful ways to engage the reader. You can use the template to write this article - or one you construct yourself.
]]> 2019-05-30 10:35:35 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/364590187 03/06/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/365497891 A reminder to you all to hand in your articles on Wednesday, as you promised.

We started the final unit of the semester, the topic is design. we talked about what makes for good/bad design using a Vox video as inspiration. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY96hTb8WgI)

If you even slightly interested about design as a topic, I suggest listening to the podcast 99 percent invisible which covers a range of design based topics.

]]> 2019-06-04 07:16:30 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/365497891 05/06/2019 andy_wright1 https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/365899082 Today we read a fascinating text about an iconic chair. If you were absent today, read the text and to the tasks on pages 68-69.

Also, at home watch the TED talk about houses made of bamboo.

I did get a couple of articles in today. I expect to get some more on Monday.

On the topic of chairs, there's a great video by one of my favourite Youtube creators (who, sadly, no longer produces anything) 'in praise of chairs'. It's about what chairs might represent in film and it's only 5 minutes or so long so check it out!]]> 2019-06-05 16:23:33 UTC https://padlet.com/andy_wright1/UppSecProf1/wish/365899082