PUBLIC SPEAKING (2)

Monty Python's clever humour never ceases to amaze me and I believe this video is heplful to make us think about different text types and different types of discourse ... and what can happen if we mix them :)

Here is the ARGUMENT CLINIC

PUBLIC SPEAKING (1)

Last lesson we saw some videos that introduce the whole idea of PUBLIC SPEAKING.

The point here is to help you to develop your SPEAKING SKILLS. You will improve (for example):
- making notes that will help through your speech;
- organising a speech (logical sequence, connectors)
- researching and developing sound arguments
- using different verbal techniques (speech markers, emphasis, rethorical questions,ways to address the audience, stress and intonation, ...)
- using different non-verbal techniques (body language)
- feeling more confident

Here is the speech whose title was 'HAVE a HEART'



We also watched another speech about ... 'Carrot Tops' and you'll find many more that are worth listening to, in the different Jack Petchey Foundation Speakout Challenge Gala Finals.

Test Plan

You might as well take a look at the TEST PLAN for the summative test. This should by now be familiar, but if you have any doubts ... just ask

Progress Check

Check how well you did in the Progress Check last Monday. Here is the key:

Open publication - Free publishing

Biographies

Today you found out about Adam Smith a "hugely influential Scottish political economist and philosopher" whom you'll hear about quite often in the years to come, I expect.
The biography you read can be found in the BBC site, which you already know if you followed the link :) My point is that you can read the biographies of many HISTORIC figures here. These are short biographies, very helpful, I believe.

Then you learned about ROSA PARKS by viewing this video:


You had a table to fill in. If you've tried on your on, then check the KEY.

You can read more about Rosa Parks here or here.

WORK - Unit OVERVIEW

UNIT 1 – THE WORLD of WORK.
This unit we will:
Reflect about the global trends that characterize the modern world of work
Think about the connections between school, work and the skills that an ideal school would promote
Learn about the lives of people that have made a difference/made the world a better place
In order to do so we will:
    Read/Listen/View, analyse and discuss different types of texts (Quiz, Interviews,...)
Build up vocabulary - Focus: Jobs and skills
    Consolidate grammar points - Focus: Passive (impersonal construction), Word Formation, Connectors, Adverbial and Time clauses

+++
YOUR final TASKS

A BIOGRAPHY
A DEBATE about School, Education and the World of Work (GROUP A)
 A JOB INTERVIEW (dramatization) (GROUP B)


All in all you will:
-    Brainstorm ideas after viewing a painting by L. S. Lowry
-    Answer a quiz about your career profile and
-    Read a text about lifelong learning (Unit 1.9./TB) and find out about key skills for learning and working
-    Play a game called MAZE in which you will develop your decision making and negotiating skills.
-    Listen to/view a (i) silly job interview, (ii) some advice on how to prepare for an interview (much sillier, I believe) (+ Worksheet) and (iii) a simulation of a job interview  (You're hired videos / British Council)
-    Brush up grammar and vocabulary  - Worksheet 1 - Vocabulary and WF + Worksheet 2 - Passive
-    Read an auto-biography and …
-    Write a biography
-    Debate current trends in the world of work and the school that prepares for the future. (GROUP A)
-    Role play a job interview (GROUP B)

As usual there will be a PROGRESS CHECK (30 January)

The World is a Beatiful Place

Well, it's time this blog got updated :)

First things first, so here is the poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. The right tone to start the year, I'd say. Not too optimistic but not necessarily pessimistic.

The world is a beautiful place
to be born into
if you don't mind happiness
not always being
so very much fun
if you don't mind a touch of hell
now and then
just when everything is fine
because even in heaven
they don't sing
all the time

Welcome back and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well, let's start the new year talking about words...actually about the WORD of the YEAR, as selected by the lexicographers at the OED (Oxford English Dictionary).

SQUEEZED MIDDLE is the winner expression. Can you guess what it means? Check the BBC Learning English - 6 Minute English to find out. As Economics students you might be interested :)

Then you might go on and read this article by Will Gompertz What's your word (or expression) of the year?