Hard Working

Like the COC on FB. Donuts when you do!!!!!!

10/1

First of all, I greatly appriciate your support in our first ever launch into social media. As we discussed in class, please be one of the first to "like" or College of Chicago facebook page. In doing so, you will be able to easily stay in touch with classmates and other alumni, long after you have  gone on to universities and careers.

Here is the link to the facebook page.


Today in class, we worked from our textbook on Completing the chart questions on the listening section. We also practiced using the various strategies for identifying the meaning of an unknown word from the context of a sentence when learning the meanings of the words found in the reading passages. You can find a link to these context clues exercises here. We also read two passages on the Great Recession. You can find a link to the lesson from class, which includes the definitions to the vocabulary words here. The second passage requires you to practice text insertion questions. You can find a link to the handout detailing hints and tips for these questions here. Homework for today includes:

1. Complete ten sentences using any ten words from this lesson.
2. Read passage 2 and complete the four text insertions as directed.
3. Compose questions and answers for passage 2 as directed
4. Begin to study the words from CGT section 6 for a vocabulary quiz on Thuraday.

10/2

Today we continued to practice categorizing questions based on an academic lecture. We also practiced academic note taking in a lecture or conversation in which advantages and disadvantages are discussed. You can find a link to the lectures and conversation from class below:
Mass Production
Outdoor Ads
Health Insurance

We also discussed and practiced using general context to determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word or phrase. Here is a link to the exercise, which should be completed for homework.

Finally, we worked on our topic Hard Working based on the recession. We completed one question set in which we practiced developing listening skills by listening without help and then reading along with a transcript. This is something you can do at home to improve your abilities. Here is a link to the class lesson with definitions. You can find links to the podcasts here. You may need to go to page 2 to find the specific stories from the series.

10/3 and 10/4

On Wednesday we practiced chart and category questions in an ibt format. We also worked on an integrative writing test. You can find a link to the written passage here. HERE is the link to the integrative lecture from class. You can start and stop it and go back as needed for practice today!There are also instructions and guidelines for a compare and contrast essay or paragraph in this lesson. We did some in-class writing based on the information in the handout using this structure. The only homework assignment is to study for the CGT 6 vocabulary quiz.

On Thursday we completed out emphasis on the TOEFL listening section with a brief post test and a survey and self analysis. If you are interested in listening to the lectures from the test, you can find links to them below:
Mimicry
Egypt
Conversation

We also worked on extemporaneous speaking tasks based on this topic. Here is a link to the lesson. Homework assignments include:

1. Essay revisions on al returned essays
2. Extra reading practice packet
3. Three compare/contrast paragraphs
4. Study for quiz on words from "The Lottery" and "Hard Working." You can find a list of the words and definitions here.