Thanksgiving, Gerunds and Infinitives, and You!

Happy Monday Morning, Class!

We have a busy morning in the computer lab today:

3 exciting, big tasks:

1) Take a personality test (good option)
2) Study your grammar (best option)
3) Learn about Thanksgiving (better option)

1) In Unit 5 we've been studying personality types. If you want to have some fun and check out your own personality type, there are many quizzes on-line to help you. One of the most common and popular personality tests is called "Myers-Briggs" test(nothing to do with CECs famous and fabulous Dr. Briggs:)

This test tells you the different aspects to your personality, it's fun to see if you agree with the test's findings. Remember that it is not very scientific as this is not a controlled setting, so your results may not be entirely true for you, just take it for fun.

The test will ask you questions about the way you think or feel and at the end it will give you 4 letters, these letters represent your personality type. You may need to go to another website to find out what those letters mean.

Here are some links to take the test for free: cut and paste into your browser.

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

To analyze your results, and find out what those letters mean, go to:

http://www.personalitypathways.com/16-personality-types.html

http://www.personalitypathways.com/MBTI_geyer.html

2) And, don't forget the grammar...

We are studying Infinitive and Gerund Phrases. You can get more practice with these grammar points on the lab computer using the Focus on Grammar Program. (I will put the Chapters on the board.)


Also, you can visit these websites for more practice:

http://www.learn4good.com/languages/evrd_grammar/gerund_infinitive.htm
(click on "try this exercise")

This website tells about all the different types of phrases:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/phrases.htm

Here is a Youtube video that explains gerunds and infinitives:



Here is a Youtube video that explains gerunds:



3) Learn about Thanksgiving!

Here are some links to learn all about the history of Thanksgiving in the US, why we celebrate it, and why it is the most important holiday in American culture.

Cultural Note: Many students tell me that they are not from America so they don't celebrate Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is for EVERYONE, especially immigrants, it is the time when we stop our busy lives to give thanks for all the good things in our lives, our friends, family, our country and all those we care about. This is YOUR holiday too!

How much do you know about Thanksgiving? Take the quiz:

http://wilstar.com/holidays/thanksgv.htm

You can click on the link to the History Channel:

http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving

Or watch the video!



Most importantly, I am grateful for my wonderful students! You are all amazing!

Your humble teacher,
Bonnie

CASAS PRACTICE ONLINE

CASAS PREPARATION - TEST MATERIALS

Tuesday, November 16th, is the CASAS post test. Here are websites that will help you prepare for the CASAS test.

Here's the website: (cut and paste into the address box if necessary)

http://www.mnabeassessment.com/basic_communication.html

Additionally, here is another website: www.mcedservices.com

- go to the Online Activities then to Basic Skills

Good Luck!

Teacher Bonnie

Even if/Unless/As long as & Other Fabulous Bits of Information!

Hi Class,

Here are some links for grammar points on what we've been studying this week with on-line exercises:

If/Unless - use these to express specific conditions to an outcome:

http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/9-7.html

or

http://a4esl.org/q/j/vm/fb-iforunless.html


Although/Even though

Here's a video describing the use of although and even though:

http://www.usingenglish.com/files/pdf/although-even-though-answers.pdf


Also, don't forget to go to the Current Events page and check out extra activities.

Additionally, you can go to the Focus On Grammar pages on this computer (not on line) and learn more about adverb clauses, although, even if, as long as...and more!

Yay!
Bonnie

Current Events Magazine On-line

Hi Class,

Here's how to access your CURRENT EVENT MAGAZINE from WEEKLY READER.

You can go to the links on the right side of this page and CLICK ON "WEEKLY READER". Or, you can type the following into your browser:

1) http://www.weeklyreader.com/you

2) In the menu at the top, click on "Secondary Resources"

3) Click on "Current Events" (note: this is the only magazine that we subscribe to, so if you click on the wrong magazine you will not have access to it.)

4) At this point you will see options for additional exercises that go with the most recent issue. If you don't have that magazine, you can CLICK ON:
"digital version HERE"

5) From there, you will see a sign-in page, go to "Students", where it says "Magic Word" type "bonnie".

It will take you to different Current Event Issues that you can look at, but go down to the bottom of the page where it says "Digital Editions" and click on the picture of the magazine.

Enjoy!

Transition Words & Current Events

Hi Class,

Here are some websites that will help you learn more about transition words and phrases:

Transition words: although, in spite of, despite:

http://www.learn-english-today.com/lessons/lesson_contents/although-despite%20ex.htm

http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-5409.php

http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-exercise-although.php

CURRENT EVENTS

Also, I will give you the magic word, look on the board in class, to open up the digital on-line version of Current Events magazine. The magazine is there and additional interesting and fun lessons.

Go to this link and sign-in using the MAGIC WORD.

It's very exciting!

Enjoy!

Bonnie

Happy Wednesday!

Hi Class,

Here are your assignments for today:

1. You need to type your paragraph and email it to me, english4work@yahoo.com

2. We are studying adjective order of modifiers, here are some links to help you:

http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/adj_order.html

3. We are also studying transitional words that we use when we write, here are some links:

http://www.busyteacherscafe.com/worksheets/mini_offices/transition%20words.pdf
http://www.class.uidaho.edu/druker/Transition%20words.htm

You can also use the Focus On Grammar program on this computer.

Look on the board for further information :)

Yay!

Modals of Obligation and Certainty: Links & Lessons

Hi Class:

Here are some more exercises on modals of obligation and certainty. You can follow these links by copying and pasting into your browser.

Modals of Obligation:

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/modal-verbs-of-obligation.html

http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-modals-have-to-must-not-2.htm

http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.must.i.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUMLDz-Cs7A

Modals of Certainty:

http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/modal1.html

http://www.advanced-english-grammar.com/modal-verbs-of-probability.html

http://www.autoenglish.org/gr.may3.pdf

Have a great day!

Bonnie

The Phoenix Lights Documentary Trailer

Today's Lesson - Thursday, September 23rd

Hello My Fabulous Students:

Today's computer assignments:

1) You need to type up your paragraphs and email them to me at english4work@yahoo.com
If you need help, be sure to ask. If you know how to use MS Word, be sure to help a classmate that is having trouble.

2) Use your Current Events magazine, for exercises from our Weekly Reader series about bedbugs On The March.

Go to:

http://www.weeklyreader.com/sites/default/files/CE_WEB_EXTRA_COMP_3.pdf

and here: http://www.weeklyreader.com/sites/default/files/1011SmartStuff03.pdf

3) Mysteries: You can follow the links to read more about the mysteries that we discussed in class: (You can copy and paste these into the browser.)

Loch Ness Monster: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Ness

Crop Circles: http://www.world-mysteries.com/sci_14.htm

Lights over Phoenix,Arizona: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Lights
Also, you can view the documentary in the blog archive (look in the left column under archives, and click on the link.)

4) PRESENTATION ON A MYSTERY: Also, you can research mysteries for an in-class presentation next Thursday. Keep it simple, work with a partner or in a group, decide on a mystery to talk to the class about. It can be a mystery from here in the US or your country. Report just the basics, about what might have happened, how the mystery may have been caused. Provide artwork that you draw or print. Be creative and have fun!


Enjoy!!!

Teacher Bonnie

Modals of Obligation Lessons and Current Events

Hi Class!

Today's Lessons:

1) Here is a link to the Current Events website with interactive lessons on the article that we read on the Chilean miners, "Holding On" http://www.weeklyreader.com/archive/34 - you can cut and paste the link into the browser and it will take you to the website.

2) Also, you can work on modals of obligationand other modal forms. You can use the Focus on Grammar program, Intermediate level and search for modal lessons, which I will put on the board, too.

3) You can use the website links on the right side of this page for additional lessons on modals. Also, you might want to study the passive voice.

You can also look at previous lessons with links to grammar websites.

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

Noun Clauses

Hi L5 Class!

Here are some links to some websites that help describe noun clauses:

http://faculty.deanza.edu/flemingjohn/stories/storyReader$23

http://buckhoff.topcities.com/noun_clauses.htm

These websites are very informative and will help you understand the purpose of noun clauses.

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

Welcome to PCC-CEC ESL L5 Class! Fall, 2010

ESL 1031 English as a Second Language — Level 5

Course Description: High-Intermediate/Advanced English. This course is designed for students to demonstrate English proficiency in the four basic skills to meet most life/work-related demands with little problem. Students develop skills at the cognitive level in preparation to transition to higher education, career training, and active participation in the community.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

Speaking:
1. Give a well-prepared speech on a given topic, using outside resources.
2. Summarize, orally, a reading, lecture, or broadcast.
3. Speak fluently in formal and informal conversations.

Listening:
1. Demonstrate understanding of broadcast information.
2. Demonstrate understanding of verbal instructions /procedures, including idioms.
3. Demonstrate understanding of informal conversations among fluent speakers of English, without much repetition or rewording.

Reading:
1. Demonstrate appropriate reading strategies for understanding content on unfamiliar topics in a variety sources. Use strategies such as: skim, scan, preview, and predict.
2. Interpret main ideas and key passages of various types of readings such as: short stories, non-fiction, manuals, and magazine and newspapers articles.
3. Interpret a variety of forms such as: applications, graphs, and charts.

Writing:
1. Demonstrate pre-writing activities such as: brainstorming, clustering, and outlining.
2. Write descriptive, narrative, and/or expository essays.
3. Summarize media presentations, lectures, and interviews.

Critical Thinking:
1. Identify and solve complex problems.
2. Implement solutions.

Information Competency:
Use technology, effectively, to locate, retrieve, and evaluate information.

Social Responsibility:
1. Participate in school/community activities
2. Participate actively in group-activities.

Textbook & Workbook: Passages 1. Richards/Sandy, Cambridge University Press, 2005 Edition.

For Neda

Hi Class,

Here's a very interesting, but sad documentary about a young, smart, beautiful woman who died protesting the Iranian government last year. It makes you appreciate freedom even more.

http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/for-neda/video/full-film.html/?autoplay=true


- Bonnie

PCC CEC SPRING 2010 CLASS PIC

Here's the class picture, Yay!

Students' White City Mystery Project

Hi Everyone!

By popular demand, Jose, Gerardo and Jeovanny's Mystery Project, all 3 reels, are posted below. This was an incredible project, and so very well done! These guys have a great future as filmmakers!!! Great work!

:)Teacher Bonnie

The white city project Part 3

The white city project part 2

The white city project part 1

MORE CASAS PRACTICE

Hello Class:

Here's a test for practicing for the CASAS exam next week. You need to cut and paste this into your browser address box. Go to "etest sampler" on the CASAS website page.

From: English-Zone:

http://english-zone.com/index.php?ID=4

From CASAS:

http://www.casas.org/home/?fuseaction=home.showContent&MapID=1847


If this link does not work, go to the http://www.casas.org website and search for practice tests.


Also, see the post below for exercises on phrasal verbs and topic sentences.

Good luck,
Bonnie

Ghost Story: The White City project part 1

Here's the link from Jeovanny, Gerrado and Jose on the fantastic mystery project they did -Boo!

CASAS PRACTICE

Hello Class:

Here's a test for practicing for the CASAS exam next week. You need to cut and paste this into your browser address box. Go to "etest sampler" on the CASAS website page.


https://www.casas.org/home/?fuseaction=home.showContent&MapID=1847


If this link does not work, go to the casas.org website and search for practice tests.


Also, see the post below for exercises on phrasal verbs and topic sentences.

:)Bonnie

Phrasal Verbs and Topic Sentences - Level 5

Hi Students!

Happy Tuesday! Today we are studying phrasal verbs, and topic sentences.

1) To get you started, you can go to the web page below:

http://a4esl.org/q/h/idioms.html

Also, you can click on the a4esl.org link in the right-hand column and then search for phrasal verbs on that website.

2) Additionally, we are learning about topic sentences. You can go to the following web page:

http://www.eslbee.com/topic_sentences.htm

This website, eslbee.com has a very good explanation of a topic sentence and a controlling idea. Additionally, there is a quiz that checks for your comprehension on the subject.

3) After learning about topic sentences, you should then write a paragraph, use your Passages book, p.31 as reference for topics on sleep issues.


Go for it!!!

Your teacher,
Bonnie

Jeovanny, Jose and Gerado Mystery Project

Here are the photos of Jeovanny that Jose and Gerado took on their hike in the mountains above Altadena where there it is reported that the forest is haunted. Do you believe it??? Who knows???!!! It is fun to think about!

Jose, Gerardo, and Jovanny's White City Project

Hello Students,

You can work on Focus On Grammar in the Computer Lab, Intermediate Level, find the Unit on word order, and or look up connectors in the menu. Also, the link to the right for OWL Purdue has great information for high level ESL students on many grammar points, check it out. Additionally, the link for A4esl.org has the Voice of America programs that are good for listening, here's a good link for pronunciation:

http://www.fonetiks.org/

Ok, have a great day, see you Thursday!

- Bonnie

Level 5 Mysterious Assignment

Hello Level 5 ESL Class!

On Thursday, April 1st, your poster assignment is due on an unsolved mystery.

Today, you can research, with your partner or group, more information about the topic you chose.

Remember: the design of your poster should include:

-Title

-What?

-Where?

-Historical details?

-Explanations?


You can do a Google search or here are some links to find information about various mysteries that we have discussed and others that might interest you, these websites will give you more information:

- about the Mothman:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothman

- about Betty and Barney Hill and the UFOs:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_and_Barney_Hill_abduction

- about Bigfoot: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigfoot




- about the Loch Ness Monster aka Nessie: http://www.nessie.co.uk/


Good luck!

Thursday's L5 Lesson

Hi Class,

Today you have a lot to do:

1) Take the survey, it's quick, 1 minute, click on the link:
TRANSFERRING TO MAIN CAMPUS AT PCC???

Let CEC know what your goals are for your ESL education. Are you planning to transfer to main campus? Are you learning English to improve your communication skills at work or at home or both? Please take this quick survey and let CEC know what you think so that we can help you achieve your goals. All responses are anonymous - you don't need to put your name or email on the survey. Thank you!

Click here to take survey

2) You need to type up your paragraph that you wrote in class on Wednesday. When you finish, you can email it to me: english4work@yahoo.com or print it out.

3) You can work on modals of obligation and other modal forms. You can use the Focus on Grammar program, Intermediate level and search for modal lessons, which I will put on the board, too.

4) You can use the website links on the right side of this page for additional lessons on modals. Also, you might want to study the passive voice.

5) Also, we are going to do class projects on Mysteries! You can work with a partner and find a mystery that you want to research, create a poster presentation and share it with the class.

Yay! It's almost the weekend!!!

- Your Teacher, Bonnie

GRAMMAR CLASS! Levels 1, 2 and 3

Happy Wednesday, Class!

Here are some links for today's practice on the present progressive tense:

1) Easy challenge lessons:

http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbs1.htm

http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verb-tenses_present-continuous_quiz.htm

2) Medium challenge:

http://www.learn-english-online.org/Lesson9/TestIt/PresContQuestions.htm

http://www.english-4u.de/grammar_exercises.htm

Noun Clauses

Hi Class,

Here are some links to some websites that help describe noun clauses:

http://faculty.deanza.edu/flemingjohn/stories/storyReader$23

http://buckhoff.topcities.com/noun_clauses.htm

Enjoy!

Teacher Bonnie

L5 ESL CLASS - TUESDAY, MARCH 2

TRANSFERRING TO MAIN CAMPUS AT PCC???

Let CEC know what your goals are for your ESL education. Are you planning to transfer to main campus? Are you learning English to improve your communication skills at work or at home or both? Please take this quick survey and let CEC know what you think so that we can help you achieve your goals. All responses are anonymous - you don't need to put your name or email on the survey. Thank you!

Click here to take survey

Welcome to Level 5 ESL! Class Syllabus:

Pasadena City College Noncredit Course
Department: Community Education Center

ESL 1031 English as a Second Language — Level 5

Course Description: High-Intermediate/Advanced English. This course is designed for students to demonstrate English proficiency in the four basic skills to meet most life/work-related demands with little problem. Students develop skills at the cognitive level in preparation to transition to higher education, career training, and active participation in the community.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

Speaking:
1. Give a well-prepared speech on a given topic, using outside resources.
2. Summarize, orally, a reading, lecture, or broadcast.
3. Speak fluently in formal and informal conversations.

Listening:
1. Demonstrate understanding of broadcast information.
2. Demonstrate understanding of verbal instructions /procedures, including idioms.
3. Demonstrate understanding of informal conversations among fluent speakers of English, without much repetition or rewording.

Reading:
1. Demonstrate appropriate reading strategies for understanding content on unfamiliar topics in a variety sources. Use strategies such as: skim, scan, preview, and predict.
2. Interpret main ideas and key passages of various types of readings such as: short stories, non-fiction, manuals, and magazine and newspapers articles.
3. Interpret a variety of forms such as: applications, graphs, and charts.

Writing:
1. Demonstrate pre-writing activities such as: brainstorming, clustering, and outlining.
2. Write descriptive, narrative, and/or expository essays.
3. Summarize media presentations, lectures, and interviews.

Critical Thinking:
1. Identify and solve complex problems.
2. Implement solutions.

Information Competency:
Use technology, effectively, to locate, retrieve, and evaluate information.

Social Responsibility:
1. Participate in school/community activities
2. Participate actively in group-activities.

Textbook & Workbook: Passages 1. Richards/Sandy, Cambridge University Press, 2005 Edition.

Welcome to Level 5 ESL!

Let CEC know what your goals are for your ESL education. Are you planning to transfer to main campus? Are you learning English to improve your communication skills at work or at home or both? Please take this quick survey and let CEC know what you think so that we can help you achieve your goals. All responses are anonymous - you don't need to put your name or email on the survey. Thank you!

Click here to take survey

WHEREAS AND WHILE - CONJUNCTIONS

Here's a great website with explanations on conjunctions:

http://www.fortunecity.com/bally/durrus/153/gramch28.html

Happy Thursday!

Hello Class!

Here are some projects that you can work on today.

1) You can use this week's Weekly Reader to research current events topics:

You can cut and paste the links.

Issue #15
"Battle Plan"

In this issue, students will learn about the war in Afghanistan. They will read about President Barack Obama’s plan to send 30,000 additional troops to the Middle East. Also, you have read about "going green" and the Supper Bowl.

Web Links for Issue 15:

More about the country of Afghanistan:

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/kidsweb/world/afghan/index.htm

Going green:

http://edmonston.us.com/GoingGreen.html

Learn about the Super Bowl:

http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/44

2) Also, you can work on your grammar in the Focus On Grammar program on this computer. I will show you how, or ask another student to help you.

Ok, have fun!

Your teacher,
Bonnie

Haitian Mud Cookies :(

Hello Class,

Thanks to Candy for bringing in the mud cookie to class for us to see, it makes the poverty in Haiti more real.

Follow the link for more information:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/19/dirt-poor-haitians-eat-mu_n_168339.html

If you want to donate money to help the Haitians, follow the link to the Red Cross:

http://www.redcross.org/

Have a good weekend, see the post below for the Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Have a Dream Speech" which we studied in class.

Stay safe, all the best,
Your Teacher, Bonnie

Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Have a Dream" Speech

Hi Class,

Here is a link to Martin Luther King, Jr. 's "I Have a Dream" speech made at the civil rights protest, March on Washington, August 1963. This is one of the greatest speeches ever made.

It's on youtube, but it is the best audio/visual quality that I have found of the speech.

copy and paste into your browser:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEMXaTktUfA

:) your teacher